Austin Weekend Guide: August 7-9

Highs in the upper 90s all three days, so plan around the sun instead of pretending it isn't there. Get outside early, go hide somewhere air conditioned from noon to six, then come back out when the light drops. Here's what's actually worth doing August 7 through 9.

Saturday Morning Pick

Barton Springs Pool, and be there when it opens at 8am. The water holds around 68 to 70 degrees year round, which feels ridiculous in the best way when the air is already past 90 by nine. Entry is about $5 for Austin residents and $9 for everyone else. Claim a spot on the shaded south slope early, because by 11am the lawn is wall to wall towels and parking off Barton Springs Road turns into a slow crawl.

Brunch Worth the Wait

Bouldin Creek Cafe on South First if you want to sit and linger. Order the El Tipico with the tofu scramble, add a side of migas, and expect a 30 to 45 minute wait after 10am on Saturday. They take names at the door, no app, so put your name in and walk South First until they text. If you would rather eat than wait, Juan in a Million on East Cesar Chavez opens at 7am and the Don Juan El Taco Grande is still the best ten bucks in eggs, bacon, potato and cheese in this city. The portion is unreasonable. That is the point.

Live Music This Weekend

Kesha headlines Germania Insurance Amphitheater on Saturday, gates around 6:30pm, with resale sitting somewhere in the $60 to $120 range depending on how close you want to stand. The drive back up 71 afterward is the price of admission. Friday night, Black Moth Super Rainbow plays RADIO/EAST at 8pm, weirder and cheaper and far easier to park for. Saturday, Mohawk has EZ Band on the outdoor stage on Red River. And if you want something you can leave whenever you feel like it, Palmer Events Center runs a local artist showcase Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm for $10 at the door, with pop, soul, funk and some psych instrumental sets in the mix.

Sunday Chill

Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller, 10am to 2pm in the Branch Park lot. It is smaller and shadier than the downtown market and you can be in and out in 40 minutes with peaches, tortillas and a breakfast taco. Then do nothing until the sun goes down, because Zilker Hillside Theatre is running Singin' in the Rain free most nights through August 15. Gates open around 7pm, curtain at 8:15pm. Bring a blanket, bring bug spray, get there early if you want a flat piece of hill.

Local Hidden Gem

Cathedral of Junk, tucked in a backyard on Lareina Drive in South Austin. Vince Hannemann has spent decades stacking roughly 60 tons of bike frames, bottles, hubcaps and circuit boards into a three story walk-through sculpture. You call ahead to book a slot, $10 a person is the suggested donation, and Vince usually picks up the phone himself. Go early Saturday before the heat sets in, since the whole thing is outdoors. Plenty of people who have lived here a decade still have not been.

ATX Weekly App Tip

💡 ATX Weekly Tip: With highs near 100, filter the event map by Indoor and Evening to strip out anything that parks you in direct sun. Save the Zilker Hillside listing to your weekend list and switch on the reminder so you leave in time for a decent spot on the hill.