April 25
Attend a garden party
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum hosts its 21st annual garden party, which features wine, food from local restaurants including Juliet Italian Kitchen and El Alma Cafe, and performances from Austin Classical Guitar and local circus and aerial arts school Sky Candy. 6-7 p.m. (V.I.P.), 7-9:30 (general admission). $275 (V.I.P.), $175 (general admission). Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, 605 Azie Morton Road. 512-445-5582. www.umlaufsculpture.org
April 26-28
Get a taste of Austin
Local restaurants Olamaie, Grizzelda’s and Yuyo will be featured at this year’s Austin Food + Wine Festival, which includes tastings, demonstrations and live music. Times vary. $250-$625. Vic Mathias Shores, 900 W. Riverside Drive; Fair Market, 1100 E. Fifth St. www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com
April 26 through 31
Toast to your pup
Local pet therapy nonprofit Divine Canines hosts its sixth annual Barks for Beers fundraiser. Attendees purchase a special pint glass and an accompanying “pawsport” and bring them to 22 participating craft breweries around town for a free pour. Times vary. $30 plus tax. Locations vary. 512-655-3645. www.divinecanines.org
April 27
See Shakey Graves at a benefit show
The Austin-born musician will be performing at Live from the Heart, with all proceeds benefiting MyMusicRx. A program of the Children’s Cancer Association, MyMusicRx sets up in-hospital concerts at the bedside of kids in St. David’s Children’s Hospital and Dell Children’s Hospital. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $250. Gibson Showroom, 3601 S. Congress Ave. 503-244-3141. www.mymusicrx.org
April 27
Run through a haze
Participants wear white to The Color Run, an untimed 5K, and are doused with a different colored powder at each kilometer mark. A party awaits at the finish line with music, dancing and more color throws. 9 a.m. $14.99-$54.99. Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane. www.thecolorrun.com
April 27
Celebrate Eeyore
This 56th annual fundraiser, called Eeyore’s Birthday Party, benefits local nonprofits and features a meet-and-greet with the honoree. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes. The event is hosted by the Friends of the Forest foundation; past beneficiaries have included Austin Pets Alive, Hospice Austin and Mother’s Milk Bank. 11 a.m.-dusk. Free. Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St.
www.eeyores.org
May 1
Feast for Cinco de Mayo
The Mexic-Arte Museum hosts its annual culturally conscious and historical celebration of Cinco de Mayo—Taste of Mexico—which features more than 50 local restaurants, food trucks and beverage purveyors. This year’s event will focus on the influence of the state of Puebla on Mexican cuisine. 6-9 p.m. $55-$80. Brazos Hall, 204 E. Fourth St. 512-480-9373. www.mexicartemuseumevents.org
May 1 through 05
Watch international films
The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival returns for its 22nd year, presenting a wide range of film and video selections from Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. Entries range from documentary features to music videos. Times vary. Free-$125. Locations vary. 512-710-9544. www.cinelasamericas.org
May 4
Support your neighborhood
The 17th annual Violet Crown Festival includes crafts and fine arts booths, live music from the Johnny Fury Band and Stone Wheels, food trucks and children’s activities. The event benefits Violet Crown Community Works, a nonprofit that supports the Brentwood and Crestwood neighborhoods. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Brentwood Park, 6710 Arroyo Seco. www.violetcrowncommunity.org
May 4
Party at the Zach
The Zach Theater will host its “Happiest Ever After Party” with dancing on stage, a themed photo booth, an open bar and more entertainment. Ticket proceeds benefit the Zach Theater’s artistic and education programs. $100. 9 p.m.-midnight. 202 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-476-0541. www.zachtheatre.org
May 4
Attend a music festival
The JMBLYA festival returns to Austin for its seventh year with headliners Travis Scott and Lil Wayne. Gates open at noon. $109-$549. Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd.
www.jmblya.com
May 4-5
Stroll down Sixth Street
The twice-annual Pecan Street Festival is one of the largest arts, crafts and music festivals in the country. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Sun.). Free. Sixth Street between Brazos Street and I-35. www.pecanstreetfestival.org
May 5
Sign up for The Rookie Tri
This triathlon hosts separate waves for rookies and veterans of the endurance event. The end of the course marks the beginning of the finish line party. 8 a.m. $40-$165. Walter E. Long Park, 6620 Blue Bluff Road. www.therookietri.com
May 5
Course through downtown
The Sunshine Run includes different races—timed 5K and 10K runs, fastest dog in Austin, an untimed 5K walk and a free kid’s 1K run—and supports Austin Sunshine Camps, an organization that connects low-income families with summer camps. 6:45-11 a.m. $25-$55. Vic Mathias Shores, 900 W. Riverside Drive. 845-559-3209. www.ymblgiving.org
May 9
Learn about the fashion industry
Austin Community College and the city of Austin will partner to host a panel discussion featuring some local fashion startups and small businesses. Noon-1 p.m. Free. ACC Fashion Incubator, 6101 Highland Campus Drive. 512-223-7000. www.austincc.edu
11 through 25 May
Cheer for graduates
Huston-Tillotson University and St. Edward’s University kick off graduation season with May 11 ceremonies, followed by Austin Community College’s commencement May 17 and The University of Texas at Austin’s on May 24-25.
www.htu.edu www.stedwards.edu www.austincc.edu www.utexas.edu
May 11
Attend a concert on the creek
Waller Creek Conservancy and KMFA host an outdoor exploration of music in celebration of National Bicycle Month. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Waller Delta, 74 Trinity St. 512-541-3520. www.wallercreek.org
May Through 19
Tour West Austin studios
Big Medium hosts its West Austin Studio Tour, a self-guided art event held over two weekends May 11-12 and 18-19. Hundreds of artists and studios participate, inviting attendees into their creative and exhibition spaces. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Locations vary. 512-939-6665. www.west.bigmedium.com
May 12
Bring the family to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden
On the second Sunday of every month, the Umlauf hosts family days with a lineup of scheduled activities, including crafting and yoga. Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Azie Morton Road. Free. Noon-4 p.m. 512-445-5582. www.umlaufsculpture.org
May 17
Bike to work
Local radio station KGSR hosts the first Blues on the Green concert of the year. The summertime series continues on a monthly basis through August and attracts thousands of attendees. 8-10 p.m. Free. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road.
www.austintexas.gov/events/blues-green-12
May 23-26
Test your luck
Celebrate Memorial Day at the Hot Luck Festival, a chef-driven, live music and food event created by local pitmaster Aaron Franklin and Mohawk owner James Moody. Times vary. $10-$550. Locations vary. www.hotluckfest.com
May 22
Welcome back Blues on the Green
Local radio station KGSR hosts the first Blues on the Green concert of the year. The summertime series continues on a monthly basis through August and attracts thousands of attendees. 8-10 p.m. Free. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road. www.austintexas.gov/events/blues-green-12
May 23
Party like it’s 1942
Paramount kicks off its 44th annual Summer Classic Film Series with a screening of “Casablanca.” This year’s program features more than 100 films, including “When Harry Met Sally” and “My Fair Lady.” 7:30 p.m. $8-$13. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave. 512-472-5470. www.austintheatre.org