Austin Weekend Guide For Aug. 3-5, 2018

AUSTIN, TX — The range of human experience will be exemplified this weekend. The Austin staple of music will be offered, but there's also a huge gaming/anime convention in town, a pet expo, queer comedy, a fancy beer sampling. And surely you've heard the re-opening of Republic Square is taking place this weekend. Dubbed the Austin Birthday Bash, the free event will be fun-filled but with a nod to the city's history.

All you gotta do is get out there. Below are some of the more interesting offerings in this capital city we call Austin:

FRIDAY, AUG. 3

COHEED AND CAMBRIA AND TAKING BACK SUNDAY

Celebrated American rock bands Coheed and Cambria along with Taking Back Sunday announced their upcoming summer co-headlining amphitheater tour, including its stop at the Austin 360 Amphitheater. Price: Price: $29.50-$39.50.

OVER THE RAINBOW COMEDY

Barrel O' Fun
1911 Aldrich Street
#Suite 120B

The Comedy Resistance brings its queer comedy with stand-up from local and national comedians, with improve following. For good measure, attendees also will be able to register to vote at the site in an impromptu manner. Host Colton Dowling will introduce performers Austin Smartt, Holli Cuomo, and a secret special guest! The improve team of Pan Labyrinth comprises members Alonso Salas, Adrian Prado, Frank Sánchez, Meagan Hoff, Brandi Davis, and Angelina Martin. Admission to the show and parking is FREE.

RTX 2018 (through Sunday)

Austin Convention Center

500 E. Cesar Chavez

RTX is the world's greatest celebration of gaming, animation, comedy, and internet culture. With events in London, Sydney, and its flagship convention in Austin, TX, RTX is where amazing entertainment and the best fans in the world meet up for the best weekend of the year. This is nirvana for gamers, anime-fanatics, comedy fans and Internet mavens. Live events, panels, exhibitions and more will be featured. The Red Bull Rubik’s Cube Championship Qualifiers will be featured each day of the weekend-long event. Price: $50-$335 depending on purchased badge.

SALES IN CONCERT

The Mohawk

912 Red River St.

SALES will be at the Mohawk with their soothing, guitar-based pop sound on the eve of their departure from Texas to go on a national tour. The independent band distinguished itself with their self-released 7" single renee/tonka time on December 2013 through the music platform Bandcamp. Vonne and No Vacation will also play. Price: $17 in advance, $24 at the door.

SATURDAY, AUG. 4

2018 AUSTIN PET EXPO (through Sunday)

Travis County Exposition Center

7311 Decker Lane

The Austin Pet Expo is a woofing, chirping, and meowing good time for the whole family, say its organizers. Four-legged friends can receive "spa treatments" from local groomers, sample delicious treats, and try on the latest in furry fashions; their humans will enjoy interacting with top trainers and learning pet-care tips from animal welfare organizations. Rounding out the list of activities is an agility demonstration, pet talent and costume shows, and an exciting pet/owner look-alike contest!. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Price: $5-$10.

BANGER'S 6TH ANNIVERSARY

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

It's a party and barbecue rolled into one to celebrate the 6th anniversary of Banger's at 79 Rainey St. Performers on hand include Sour Bridges and Fierce Kelly. Also, a dizzying array of beer and frosé selection available for purchase. As for the barbecue, we hear it will include sausage, sweet tea smoked turkey and pulled whole hog. These are just some of our favorite things. Price: Free admission.

REPUBLIC SQUARE RE-OPENING

422 Guadalupe St.

City officials will celebrate the re-opening of Republic Square at 4th and Guadalupe in an event dubbed the Austin Birthday Bash. Scheduled from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., the free event will feature live music, farmer''s market, food, games, shopping and vendors. In addition, a community workout led by Melody Dance Fit is scheduled. There also will be lawn games, a creativity tent and a misting area yielding relief from the brutal Texas summer. The event commemorates the site's history the urban green space dating to Aug. 1, 1839 when the city's first plots of land were auctioned off under what is today known as the Austin Oaks at Republic Square. The newly renovated square is "...a place unlike any in Austin," its stewards describe on the website, with daily programming, modern amenities, and a full-service café. Read more by clicking here. Price: FREE.

SUNDAY, AUG. 5

HARTMAN FOUNDATION CONCERTS IN THE PARK
The Long Center
701 W. Riverside Dr.
Enjoy the delightful sounds of the symphony's string ensemble as they delight music fans with myriad genres from classical to jazz to pop and music scores. Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy the dulcet tones of the Austin Symphony host in the open air. Price: FREE.

TEXAS LAMBIC FESTIVAL

4620 E Cesar Chavez St.

Texas Lambic Fest is an annual celebration of Belgium’s finest beer style, Lambic. Each year, beer enthusiasts from across Texas and beyond gather to experience Lambics, Guezes, and spontaneous beers from around the world. This year marks the fourth for the annual gathering. The event is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Price: $30.

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