City Cast Austin
🚴 Tips for Bike to Work Day
May 16, 2025 · — Adrian González
Hi, friends! It’s City Cast editor (and confirmed human) Adrian González filling in today. Since we’re all fam here, I have to admit that this time of year, my poor bicycle collects dust in the garage, listening to me yap about how “I should go on a bike ride.”
The one thing that tends to get me out of my riding rut is Bike to Work Day, which is today — yes, I was the guy at the bike shop yesterday scrambling for new inner tubes. Fortunately, Hey Austin editor Kelsey Bradshaw shares everything you need to know to get back on your wheels. But first, the news.
What's CITY Talking About?
👁️ Eye-Scanning Tech Lands in Austin
There’s a new storefront near the Warehouse District where you can have your eyes scanned to prove you’re human. Orb, part of a startup co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, creates a unique ID to distinguish real people from bots online and grants access to cryptocurrency tokens. More than 12 million people around the world are already using it, though not without some serious privacy concerns. [Statesman 🔒]
🥵 We’re Sweating and Partying at H-E-B
The first scorcher of the year showed up a bit early, breaking records and making national headlines. But you can survive what’s ahead with some brand new tips. Plus, how do we feel about concerts at H-E-B? [City Cast Austin 🎧]
🥁 Austin Musician Detained by CBP
Local band Lord Buffalo says Customs and Border Protection forcibly removed their drummer, Yamal Said, from a flight from Dallas to Europe, where they were set to go on tour. Said is a Mexican national and is a legal U.S. resident, but was reportedly detained because of an outstanding arrest warrant. [Austin Chronicle]
🚊 Rail Station Project Returns With Bigger Price Tag
CapMetro’s Broadmoor Station commuter rail project near the Domain is back on track after a three-year delay, but the cost has nearly doubled from $24 million to $49.3 million. The station is scheduled to open in 2027. [KUT]
- The good, the bad, and the cringe: How Austinites really feel about the Domain. [City Cast Austin 🎧]
What To Do
Friday, May 16
- 🎥 27th annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival | All day | $12 and up | Various locations
- 🚴 Bike to Work Day Fueling Station at Austin Public Library Central Library | 7 a.m. | Free | Downtown Austin
- 🖼️ Affordable Art Fair Austin at Palmer Events Center | Noon | $14 and up | Bouldin Creek
- 💿 KUTX Vinyl Happy Hour at Lou’s Eastside | 4 p.m. | Free | East Cesar Chavez
- 🐶 Kennel Club’s ‘BEST IN SHOW’ Backyard Dog Show at Hotel Vegas and Volstead Lounge | 5 p.m. | Free | East Austin
- 🤠 Neon Rainbows’ SPRING FORMAL at Sagebrush | 7 p.m. | $20 | South Austin
Saturday, May 17
- 🎥 27th annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival | All day | $12 and up | Various locations
- 🗑️ Lake Austin Cleanup at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters | 10 a.m. | Free | Westfield
- 🌱 54th Annual Austin Bonsai Society Show & Sale at Zilker Botanical Garden | 10 a.m. | $3 and up | Zilker
- 📚 Slipper Summit: A Day of Storytelling & Solidarity for Asian Creatives at Austin Public Library Central Library | 10 a.m. | Free | Downtown Austin
- 🖼️ Affordable Art Fair Austin at Palmer Events Center | 11 a.m. | $14 and up | Bouldin Creek
- 🌳 For the Love of Parks at Richard Moya Park | 11 a.m. | Free | Onion Bluff
- 👑 STRUT! Austin: Sasha Colby Live at Cheer Up Charlie’s | 4 p.m. | $25 and up | Downtown Austin
- 🎤 Lupita and Ernesto D’Alessio at the Moody Center | 8 p.m. | $97 and up | UT Campus
- 🎻 Carrie Rodriguez’ Laboratorio featuring Calexico at Paramount Theatre | 8 p.m. | $20 and up | Downtown Austin
- 🎶 Y’all Out Boy at Meanwhile Brewing Co. | 9 p.m. | $25 | McKinney
Sunday, May 18
- 🎥 27th annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival | All day | $12 and up | Various locations
- 🌱 54th Annual Austin Bonsai Society Show & Sale at Zilker Botanical Garden | 10 a.m. | $3 and up | Zilker
- 🖼️ Affordable Art Fair Austin at Palmer Events Center | 11 a.m. | $14 and up | Bouldin Creek
- 🛍️ AAPI Heritage Month Market at Meanwhile Brewing Co. | 11 a.m. | Free | McKinney
- 🧑🎨 Artist Reception for Roots Unveiled: Exploring the Chinese Experience at Austin Public Library Central Library | Noon | Free | Downtown Austin
- 🎶 SIMS Foundation 30th Anniversary Celebration at Empire Control Room & Garage | 3 p.m. | $45 and up | Downtown Austin
- 🎤 Trisha Paytas at ACL Live at The Moody Theater | 7:30 p.m. | $37 and up | Downtown Austin
This Sunday, May 18, Austin Parks Foundation is celebrating National Mini Train Day by offering FREE rides on the Zilker Eagle mini train. The free rides will run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. to thank the community for their continued support of this beloved Austin attraction.
Free · Daily