🎶 It sounds like Hot Summer Nights

✏️ AISD Budget Approved

Austin Independent School District’s approved budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year is roughly $954 million, and does not include pay increases for staff. The school district is also staring down a multi-million dollar deficit, even if voters approve a tax rate increase in November. [Community Impact]

🪩 Hot Summer Nights Lineup is Out

Hot Summer Nights, a free music festival taking place at venues in the Red River Cultural District downtown July 18-20, has released its lineup and it looks, well, hot. Among the dozens of artists featured: Las Chicas 512, The Tiarras, and Turtle Pond. This year’s fest will include new daytime programming, food, and parties. [KVUE]

🏳️‍🌈 Austin’s LGBTQ+ Musicians on Anti-Gay Laws

On KUT’s podcast, Pause/Play, hosts Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen hear from local LGBTQ+ musicians and bar owners about the impacts they’ve felt from Texas’ anti-gay and anti-drag laws.

• “Because when you are a performer, you’re not only a performer, you’re a promoter. Being non-binary, queer, trans artists — visibility is danger. So our job is to actively put ourselves in more and more danger,” said Pelvis Wrestley’s Jammy Violet. [KUT]

❣️ Where to get Married in Austin

Despite being Very Single, I am eating up this Eater Austin list about the best restaurants for weddings. Like, why did it never occur to me that you could get married at the Mohawk’s Red River concert bar or at an Alamo Drafthouse theater? [Eater Austin]

I’ll admit, I made last Monday’s “Where Is This?” too hard. I was near the Texas State Cemetery in East Austin and popped in. I’ve always thought former governor Ann Richards’ headstone was so beautiful – it’s white marble and curvy and swirly. Enter: Last week’s close up shot of her headstone for our “Where Is This?” segment. After receiving emails that only said y’all didn’t know what the image was, I was sad. But, do not worry, I’m persevering! I’m so brave! Try this week’s image:

If you know where this is, reply to this email with your guess to be featured in next Monday’s newsletter.