Austin Weekend Guide: July 31-August 2

Late July in Austin means you do the outdoor stuff before 10am and save the rest for after dark. This weekend the calendar cooperates: Keanu Reeves is playing bass at ACL Live, Antone's is throwing its annual Jerry Garcia tribute, and Spirited Away hits the big screen on Sunday. Here is the plan.

Saturday Morning Pick

Barton Springs, early. The pool opens at 5am and entry is free until 8, when the gates and the crowds show up. The water holds at 68 degrees year round, which in August feels less like a swim and more like a reset. Do a few laps, dry off on the hill, and you have beaten the heat before most of the city is awake.

Brunch Worth the Wait

Paperboy on East 11th is still the move. Get the hash browns with a fried egg and a side of the sweet potato beignets, and expect a 30 to 45 minute wait if you roll up after 10 on Saturday. If the line is ugly, Better Half on West 5th usually turns tables faster. Their fried chicken sandwich and a frozen coffee will fix whatever Friday night did to you.

Live Music This Weekend

Saturday is the night. Dogstar, the band where Keanu Reeves plays bass, is at ACL Live at the Moody Theater with the show at 8pm and tickets starting around $40. Antone's has DeadEye's 16th annual Jerryfest, a full night of Grateful Dead played by people who take it seriously, doors around 7 and tickets in the $25 range. For the no-frills option, the Peterson Brothers play the Continental Club on Saturday, usually about $15 at the door. Friday night, start at the Continental Club anyway. There is a happy hour set most evenings around 6:30, then wander South Congress and see where the night goes.

Sunday Chill

The Paramount Summer Classic Film Series is showing Spirited Away for its 25th anniversary on Sunday at the State Theatre. Doors at 2pm, film at 3, which conveniently covers the hottest stretch of the day. Hand-drawn animation on a big screen with a cold theater and popcorn. That is a Sunday.

Local Hidden Gem

There is a full moon paddle on Lady Bird Lake this weekend with The Latin Dukes playing live from the shore. Rent a kayak or a board near the Rowing Dock, or just post up on the bank and listen. Most people have no idea this happens. Get out there before sunset to claim your spot on the water.

ATX Weekly App Tip

💡 ATX Weekly Tip: Open the Live Music tab in the ATX Weekly app and filter by Saturday to see set times for Jerryfest, Dogstar, and the Continental Club in one list. Star a show and the app pings you an hour before doors.