06.13.2024

Today’s Forecast

🎊 It’s a Juneteenth jubilee

How to celebrate Juneteenth 2024 in Austin

A group of people marching down the street with a banner reading "celebrate Juneteenth."

East Austin’s Juneteenth Parade has been a tradition for more than four decades. | Photo via KVUE

Juneteenth (aka Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day) is just around the corner on Wednesday, June 19.

The holiday, which officially became a federal holiday in June 2021, observes the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation — two and a half years after it was passed.

There will be plenty of ways to celebrate, but here are a few to consider.

The center of the Texas African American History Memorial at the Texas State Capitol depicts Juneteenth in Texas when African Americans gained freedom.
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Photo by @imdxtryu

2024 Historical Juneteenth Parade and Festival | Saturday, June 15 | 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | Multiple locations, Austin | Free | Kick off Juneteenth celebrations with a parade — check out the parade route to follow along.

Freedom Fest 2024 | Saturday, June 15 | 12-4 p.m. | Turner Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Dr., Austin | Free | There’s something for everyone at this community gathering, including a comedy show, performances from local musicians, children’s activities, free food, and panels.

Community Juneteenth | Saturday, June 15 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Austin Public Library Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St., Austin | Free | Enjoy performances from dancers + drummers, a puppet show, vendors, and an art gallery at this annual tradition.

Black Makers Market: Juneteenth Celebration | Saturday, June 15 | 12-6 p.m. | Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St., Austin | Cost of purchase | Discover and support 50+ vendors, live music from a DJ, photo ops, and snacks for purchase.

Juneteenth Jubilee | Friday, June 21 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m | 800 Lavaca St., Austin | Free | Join this celebration of freedom with food vendors, games, live music, and informational booths.

The Neill-Cochran House Museum Juneteenth Celebration | Saturday, June 22 | 12-5 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | Free | See the opening of “A Juneteenth Rodeo,” enjoy the home’s new facilities, and eat lunch with the community.

Events

Thursday, June 13

Dinosaurs Around the World | Now-Wednesday, July 17 | 9-10:59 a.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin | $15 | Meet 11 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs while strolling through the gardens.
Movie in the Park: Jaws | Thursday, June 13 | 7 p.m. | Deep Eddy Municipal Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin | Free | Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to watch the classic movie under the stars.

Friday, June 14

Texas Ranchers MLP Watch Party | Friday, June 14 | 4-7 p.m. | Skinny’s Off Track Bar, 1806 E. 12th St., Austin | Free | Austin’s own Texas Ranchers dream team will take on the D.C. Pickleball Team, so watch with a ranch water in-hand.
South Austin Moonlighters | Friday, June 14 | 8-9:30 p.m. | The Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $10 | This group of longtime local musicians creates chilling Americana harmonies and heartfelt songs.

Saturday, June 15

Class: Backyard Chickens | Saturday, June 15 | Times vary | Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr., Austin | $75 | Learn how to start your own urban farm at this workshop.
Austin Flea Market | Saturday, June 15 | 12-5 p.m. | Jester King Brewing, 13187 Fitzhugh Rd., Austin | Cost of purchase | Shop artisan, vintage, and handmade goodies from local makers with a brew in-hand.

Sunday, June 16

Cocktail Co-Stars | Sunday, June 16 | 12-2:30 p.m. | The Roosevelt Room, 307 W. 5th St., Unit B, Austin | $70-$100 | Learn about liqueurs, cordials, bitters, absinthe + more at this cocktail master class.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Sony Pictures Entertainment purchased Alamo Drafthouse cinemas, according to an announcement yesterday. Sony will continue managing all 35 Alamo locations and keep CEO Michael Kustermann on board, but financial details have yet to be disclosed. (Austin Business Journal)

Entertainment

Pitbull will perform a free local show in celebration of UT Austin’s move to the Southeastern Conference. Mr. Worldwide’s performance will be part of an all-day celebration — including rides, games, activations, and fireworks — on Sunday, June 30.

Coming Soon

Smash burger pop-up Bad Larry Burger Club will move into its own home early next year. Bad Larry’s — which became popular by delivering burgers through a six-foot chute during the pandemic — will open as a bar and restaurant at 2027 E. Cesar Chavez St. (Austin American-Statesman)

Number

9%. That’s the share of apartments that are currently vacant in the Austin-Round Rock Metro area, according to a report from Construction Coverage. Austin ranked No. 15 for highest vacancies in the country and second-highest in Texas, below Houston at No. 5.

Edu

Most UT faculty and staff will return to in-person work by Monday, Aug. 19, right before the fall semester begins. Some positions may still be eligible to work remotely, but UT President Jay Hartzell said in an email that employees can “most effectively serve our students” when working on-site. (KUT)

Civic

Real estate nonprofit Austin Economic Development Corporation is now operating under a new name: Rally Austin. The organization originally formed in 2020 with the goal of fostering development of diverse communities, and is currently leading revitalization of Blocks 16 and 18 of East 11th Street.

Answered

Earlier this week, we quizzed our readers on the original name of Zilker Park’s mini-train and only 20% of folks got it right. Many people remember the train as the Zilker Zephyr — which was its name from 1997-2019 — but the train opened as the Zilker Eagle in 1961.

Sports

Worried about the Rangers’ offense? You’re not alone. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Show

ICYMI, “The Lehman Trilogy,” winner of 5 Tony® Awards, is coming to ZACH Theatre. This intriguing play portrays the captivating saga of the Lehman family from their hopeful arrival in New York in 1844 to the dramatic collapse of Lehman Brothers 163 years later. See showtimes + buy tickets.*

Finance

Expert tip: During economic times like these, balance transfers can really make a difference. By simply transferring your existing credit card balances to this card, you’ll give yourself 18 months to pay it off — without interest. (Bonus: Earn 2% cash back on everyday purchases while you’re at it.)*

Drink

☕️ Some like it hot

50+ wonderful coffee shops to try out in Austin

A table with two cookies and a latte from above.

Prepare your tastebuds for a red velvet marshmallow chocolate chip cookie and a pistachio rose latte from Cafe Corazon. | Photo by ATXtoday

Looking for a new brew? We’ve bean there.

The Capital City has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes, so don’t skip our guide to some of the best coffee shops in ATX.

Cafe Corazon, 1701 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste. #103 | This cozy little shop in east Austin serves international-inspired flavors (like the pistachio rose latte) and inventive homemade cookie flavors.

Dear Diary Coffee, 1212 Chicon St., Ste. #103 | This all-vegan coffee shop is always serving up specialty seasonal drinks and a wide array of snacks.

Flightpath, 5011 Duval St. | Working from this coffee shop will make you feel like you’re sitting in an old friend’s living room. City Editor Figi here — in addition to lovely drinks and delicious treat options, it’s always a nice change of pace.

30 more shops

Asked

Do you prefer to make coffee at home or get your coffee from a local business?

A. I brew my own drinks at home
B. I stop at my local coffee shop
C. I get my order from a large coffee chain (Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Panera, etc.)

But first, coffee

The Buy

The Buy 6.13.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A Father’s Day gift that will ship in time for this weekend, thanks to Prime. We’re seeing pizza stones, spikeball kits, roomy travel backpacks, and quintessential “Best Dad Ever” mugs (those are always a winner, right?).

The Wrap

City Editor Figi poses with an adorable goat.

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

For all my folks looking for coffee in the south Austin area, I highly recommend visiting Plaza Colombian Coffee Bar. It’s a great place to get guava pastries, empanadas, and plantain chips, but it also serves my favorite London Fog tea latte in town.

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