September 20, 2024

Today’s Forecast

🎨 Art spree without the fee

People walking around in rainbow light inside Ellworth Kelly's "Austin."

Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin” is a must-see installation outside of the Blanton Museum of Art. | Photo via @blantonmuseum

On Austin Museum Day, museums across the Austin area have opened their doors for free, offered one-of-a-kind experiences, and engaged the community in hands-on activities since 1998 — and this year is no different.

With 30+ museums participating, Austin Museum Day can be a little overwhelming, so we’re here to help you choose your own adventure and map out your visits.

Here are some of the most exciting events + places to go on Sunday, Sept. 22.

Get crafty

Brush Square Museums | Tour two historic homes: the O. Henry Museum and the Susanna Dickinson Museum. Then, make your own beeswax candles, decorate a journal, and pick up some pioneer skills.

The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center | Create photo collages, try your hand at lint roller printing, participate in a yoga session, get your own poem written by Typewriter Rodeo, and listen to a talk by Talking Bees Roadshow.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

The LBJ Presidential Library at dusk, with lights glowing within. — The LBJ Presidential Library is one of many museums in Austin offering free admission and activities for Austin Museum Day.
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Photo by Jay Godwin, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

LBJ Presidential Library | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Week at this museum with crafts, story times, and more festivities.

Mexic-Art Museum | Visit the Downtown museum’s pop-up at the Austin Central Library from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to create paper marigolds, which will be used in a Festival Dia de los Muertos performance.

The Williamson Museum | Head to the Georgetown museum to learn about Hispanic heritage in Williamson County and create maracas, papel picados, and tissue paper flowers.

Sculpt your perfect day

A fountain, sculpture, and buildings at laguna gloria — Laguna Gloria’s Driscoll Villa was built in 1916.
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Photo by Melanie Applegate

The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria | Stroll through the sculpture garden, then practice weaving with Mindful Weaving and play lawn games with fellow art lovers.

Elisabet Ney Museum | Brush up on your art skills with a sculpting demo from local artist Dana Younger, learn how to create a portrait, and dig into edible sculptures that attendees can bring home.

21 more museums

Events

Friday, Sept. 20

DJ FLOVVERHEADD | Friday, Sept. 20 | 7 p.m. | Fareground | Cost of purchase | Head to the food hall in the heart of the city to dance to beats by a local DJ and producer.

Saturday, Sept. 21

Jazz Brunch at the Courtyard Lounge | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 12-3 p.m. | Hotel San Jose | Cost of purchase | Order a mimosa and a breakfast sandwich, then sit back and enjoy the music.
Oktoberfest | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 12-7 p.m. | Vista Brewing, Driftwood | Cost of purchase | Wear your dirndl, raise your stein, and taste the brewery’s annual Oktoberfest lager.
Houston FC vs. Austin FC | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Q2 Stadium | $59+ | Spend your Saturday cheering on our local football club with a beer in-hand.

Sunday, Sept. 22

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” In Concert | Sunday, Sept. 22 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall | $35+ | Listen to a live orchestra play songs from the series’ soundtrack while scenes from the show play on a cinema screen.
Sound Bath Yoga | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 4-5 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden | $20+ | Bring your yoga mat to the Rose Garden for a full-body meditative yoga session under the oak trees.

Plan your weekend

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Austin City Hall will soon have a new executive: Dallas Police Chief Eddie Gracía. He’s retiring from law enforcement to fill an assistant city manager role, and will begin overseeing public safety departments like Austin’s fire, police, and EMS services on Monday, Nov. 4. (Austin-American Statesman)

Opening

Casa Bianca’s sister concept + rooftop bar Bar Alcina will open Tuesday, Sept. 24. Expect frozen libations, cocktails on tap, and a variety of wines on the beverage menu, as well as bites like chilled spaghetti, roasted beets with whipped ricotta, and piquillo peppers stuffed with crab.

Number

72,885. That’s how many Longhorn hopefuls submitted freshman applications for the fall 2024 semester at UT Austin — a 10.2% increase from last year that broke the university’s record. The school’s total enrollment and four-year graduation rate is also at an all-time high.

Coming Soon

The Malin is set to open its first co-working space in Texas on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The members-only space on East Cesar Chavez Street will feature an upscale atmosphere with communal tables, dedicated desks, private offices, meeting rooms, concierge services, and more. (Austin Business Journal)

Try This

Movability launched a new app for Austinites called Carbon Cred, where users can earn $50-$450 per year on average by tracking sustainable commutes. In light of major roadway projects like the I-35 reconstruction, the new platform is meant to encourage locals to try methods like carpooling + mass transit. (KXAN)

Community

The City of Austin Housing Department is hoping to receive $7 million in federal funding from the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant. Officials are asking for public feedback on the proposal, which currently outlines needs like developing affordable housing near the planned light rail.

Announced

Introducing Jobs, our new virtual bulletin board featuring local job openings in all industries. It’s simple: post your listing (it’s free for a limited time), and watch those applications roll in.

Sports

The Longhorns have had a strong start this season, but how is each unit on the football team performing individually? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Finance

Rates just dropped. Now could be the perfect time for you to tap into your home equity — calculate your payment.*

Travel

🎡 Follow us to the fair

Attention: The State Fair of Texas is known to cause joyous laughter, squeals of delight, and your kids asking if they can try everything. | Photo by FTWtoday

Big Tex, fried foods, and a lineup of Texas musicians. All this can only mean one thing: the State Fair of Texas returns to Fair Park on Friday, Sept. 27.

On opening day, the ATXtoday City Editors will be in Dallas to experience the century-old tradition firsthand. You can help plan our excursion by suggesting what we should eat, ride, play, and see.

Until then, we’re giving you the run-down of what’s happening this year at Fair Park. Ride with us.

Hours, tickets, parking

The fair runs Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Oct. 20 and the gates open at 9 a.m.
Tickets + parking passes are available online. Admission costs $5-$25.
Parking is available onsite — it’s $30 at official lots. Check out the directions to get to the gates.
Pro tip: If you arrive after 5 p.m., all guests will pay the price of a child’s ticket.

Attractions, concerts + eats

The Buy

This lightweight, breathable men’s pullover —it’s a great basic slim fit and offers soft elasticity for wrinkle free wear.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Morgan

From the editor

Warning: “The Golden Bachelorette” spoilers ahead. Who else is bummed that contestant and Austin rancher David was eliminated on night one? His entrance on horseback was iconic.

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