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Live music and theater productions: 8 events to explore in Austin this June and July

Here are eight events for locals to attend in Austin in late June and July. Activities include a zero-waste event, live performances and fundraising dinners.

This list is not comprehensive, and all events are subject to change. 

'Annie' at The Topfer at Zach
Zach Theater will present the musical “Annie,” about a young orphan who hopes to find her perfect family.

  • June 24-Aug. 2, times vary
  • Starting at $28 (tickets)
  • 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin

Zilker Theatre Productions 'Singin’ in the Rain'
Zilker Theatre Productions will host its 67th annual summer show, “Singin’ in the Rain,” at Zilker Hillside Theatre. 
  • July 10-Aug. 15
  • Free (admission)
  • 2206 William Barton Drive, Austin

Hot Summer Nights
The Red River Cultural District will host its annual free summer music festival with performances at Chess Club, Kingdom, Stubb’s, Swan Dive and more. 
  • July 16-18, times vary
  • Free (admission)
  • Red River Cultural District
 
now open
Orion Custom Framing opens new Austin gallery

Orion Custom Framing opened its third location in Austin on June 1. The California-based business offers custom framing services.

“Can’t wait for you to see the beautiful space we’ve built, our inspired selection of framing options and experience the difference our approach to custom framing makes,” owner Micha Ruiz shared in an Instagram post. 

The backstory: Ruiz launched Orion Custom Framing in San Francisco four years ago, having spent over 20 years in the picture framing industry. The brand now has two San Francisco locations and one Austin studio.

The Austin location is co-owned by Ruiz’s brother-in-law, Ryan Buck, who has more than a decade of design and woodworking experience. 

The grand opening: The new business held a grand opening celebration on June 6 featuring an art exhibition by Scottie O’Mahony, a local artist, Ruiz said. 

  • 908 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin
 

FOODIE FRIDAY
Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Austin area.

Burnett's Food for the Soul brings flavors of Chicago to Pflugerville

Burnett's Food for the Soul is owned by Darius Burnett, who brought with him the flavors of Chicago, he said, introducing dishes and flavors that were not locally available.

His most popular menu items also include catfish and chicken, he said. Also on the menu are pork chops; chicken wings and tenders; gumbo with shrimp, chicken, crab, turkey sausage and okra; tacos; and sides including red beans and rice, dirty rice, collard greens, fries and candied yams.


Read now.

 

😋 Baklava House now open in Lakeway
(Read more)

🍔 Smash City now open near Q2 Stadium
(Read more)

🍻 Little Woodrow’s reveals new location in Domain Northside
(Read more)

🥖 Ike's Love & Sandwiches opens in Pflugerville
(Read more)

 

EJ's Hot Pot & Sushi now open at The Shops at Arbor Walk

This new restaurant recently opened at The Shops at Arbor Walk in Northwest Austin, serving all-you-can-eat hot pot and sushi. Patrons can choose from a variety of broths, protein, seafood, noodles and veggies to add to their hot pot. Guests will also find a range of sushi, including raw and cooked rolls, nigiri and sashimi. For something to drink, the restaurant serves boba and fruit tea.


Read now.

CI Texas
Here's when and where to find your child's 2026 STAAR results

The Texas Education Agency released results June 10 from this year’s State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness end-of-course exams.

The overview: High school students who took the year-end exams this spring made gains in all subjects, TEA data shows. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said students’ academic progress was due to “focused instruction and high expectations” in the classroom.

What you need to know: Individual STAAR results are shared through the state assessment portal. Each Texas student receives a unique access code for their results. Families can find the code on the first page of their child’s report card or contact their school, according to the TEA.

Texas public school students in third through 12th grade take the exam each spring, and it is used to measure student progress and teacher performance.

What's next: The TEA is scheduled to release STAAR scores for third- through eighth-grade students June 16.

 

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