Movies begin at dusk at the motel’s bean-shaped pool. | Photo by Alison Marlborough
Austin’s summer temperatures call for creative ways to cool off. When the Texas heat hits, there’s nothing quite like floating in the water and watching a movie under the stars.
Float Films: Soundwaves | The Austin Motel
BYOFloat to the retro pool on South Congress Avenue to see films with iconic soundtracks. Pro tip: Stop by the newly opened Rocky’s Bar for a colorful cocktail before the tape rolls.
It’s officially time for summer nights in the pool.
Photo courtesy of Austin Parks Foundation
Movies in the Park | Deep Eddy Municipal Pool
Grab your swimsuit + towel and head to the historic pool for a uniquely Austin outing, complete with complimentary concessions from Cornucopia Popcorn.
Movies on the Lake | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
Rent a paddleboard, donut boat, or lounge float to watch a family-friendly screening from the water at this lakeside coffee shop. If you’d prefer to stay on land, you can also reserve a spot on the cafe’s patio.
Styx, Kevin Cronin + Don Felder | 6:45 p.m. | Germania Insurance Amphitheater | $37+ | Join “The Brotherhood of Rock” on this tour that brings a handful of legends together.
Yacht Rock Karaoke | 9 p.m. | The Volstead Lounge | Free | Visualize yourself on a big boat as you sing along to nautical tunes.
Thursday, June 5
Maudie’s Moonlight Margarita Run | 8-10 p.m. | Auditorium Shores | $65 | Race around the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, then join a post-run party with Tex-Mex eats, margaritas, and live music.
Friday, June 6
Marlon Wayans | Friday, June 6-Sunday, June 8 | Times vary | Cap City Comedy Club | $58+ | You might recognize this A-list comedian from films like “White Chicks” and “Scary Movie.”
Saturday, June 7
Austin Spring Market | Saturday, June 7-Sunday, June 8 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Palmer Events Center | $8+ | Snag a complimentary tote, stuff it with finds from 90+ makers, and craft your heart out at DIY stations.
Sunday, June 8
Catch the Wave: Water Aerobics | 10-11 a.m. | Hotel Magdalena | $35 | After the class, ticket holders will have all-day access to the hotel’s pool.
Got a chip on your shoulder brain? Austin-based startup Paradromics has completed the first human test of its brain-computer interface device, or “brain chip.” The chip translates signals from neurons, and it was implanted and removed in under 20 minutes during an epilepsy surgery. (Austin Business Journal)
Weather
When it rains, it pours. Austin experienced a wetter-than-average month in May, marking the first month with a rain surplus since July 2024. May saw a total of 6.59 inches in rain and was the wettest month since October 2023. (KXAN)
Try This
The Salty’s new donut shop at Domain NORTHSIDE will open its doors this Friday, June 6, aka National Donut Day. Celebrate the Miami-based chain’s new location with a special treat available only on opening day: a maple French toast donut.
Closing
It’s your last chance to eat at Wee’s Cozy Kitchen for a bit — the Malaysian eatery inside Royal Blue Grocery on Congress Avenue will close on Friday, June 13. The bright side? Owner Wee Fong Ehlers said she’s working on opening her own restaurant.
Shop
Make plans to attend the first-ever Hyde Park Summer Market this Saturday, June 7 at The Press Room, a letterpress studio located inside a preserved 1940s-era cafeteria at The Baker School on Avenue B. Expect free beer, vintage wares, original artworks, and small-batch eats.
Coming Soon
Schoepf’s BBQ, a 32-year-old Belton restaurant lauded as one of the best barbecue joints in Texas, will open a second location this fall just outside Austin. The new spot will be located on the Georgetown Square and host regular live entertainment. (Austin Business Journal)
Open
Here’s the tea — an Austin-based tea purveyor since 2012 opened its first brick-and-mortar. West China Tea’s new teahouse on East 7th Street boasts more than 200 types of teas from 40+ suppliers, a variety of teaware, and programming like classes, events, and training. (Community Impact)
Civic
It’s time to light the way. The city of Austin wants your input on improving lighting across streets, trails, and parks. Share your ideas online or attend an upcoming open house to help shape the new Citywide Lighting Plan.
Sports
Texas baseball’s season has come to an end. How did head coach Jim Schlossnagle fare during his first year? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Pets
Sundays For Dogs began when a veterinarian couldn’t find food she trusted for her own dog — so she made one. Try real, clean dog food for 50% off.*
Seasonal
Summer’s more fun when you can actually hear it. Whether it’s ocean waves or outdoor movies, get back in the moment with this crowd-favorite hearing aid that packs dual processing tech for the ultimate clarity. Bonus: The 45-day trial means no risk if you’re not into it.*
Category
Culture
🌈 Double the pride
Austinites get to celebrate Pride month twice a year. | Photo by siyan li on Unsplash
The month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ communities is held nationally in June to commemorate the Stonewall uprising, which took place in New York City in June 1969.
But Austin (lucky for us) celebrates Pride twice a year: once in June with the rest of the country, and again in August.
The Austin Pride Foundation hosts Austin’s primary Pride parade in August for several reasons:
There’s less competition with other festivals, meaning more people and performers can attend.
University students come back into town, and they play a major role in running the festival. Of the fest’s ~400 volunteers, as many as 95% are college students.
There are lower chances of rain in August.
So, if you are sad when June is almost over, don’t be. We’ll celebrate all over again in just a few months.
The Buy
A really good electric bikini trimmer. Its stainless steel ceramic blades provide a smooth shave free of nicks, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Bonus: It’s waterproof + boasts up to five hours of battery life.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Earlier this week, I took a late-afternoon walk on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and discovered something new: an educational scavenger hunt.
Open this map to play (and learn local history) on your next walk or run — or see how many critters you can spot using our guide to Lady Bird Lake wildlife.
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