1 / Discover COTALAND
Locals no longer have to trek to Dallas or San Antonio to satisfy their need for thrills: At long last, COTALAND is debuting to the public at Circuit of The Americas this Saturday! The amusement park will feature more than 30 attractions, from Texas’ first tilt coaster (Circuit Breaker) and a coaster with multiple inversions and a zero g-stall (Palindrome) to family-friendly rides such as a log flume (Soggy Logger) and swing ride (Cloud Flyer). Sept. 26, 4 p.m., 9111 Circuit of the Americas Blvd.
2 / Get Mesmerized at WaterWork
Watch the beautiful façade of the Seaholm Intake Facility turn into a gorgeous canvas of art, light, and motion at this art experience co-created by The Trail Conservancy and Design Austin. Using state-of-the-art projection mapping technology, the exterior comes alive with captivating artworks from more than 20 talented Central Texas artists. The immersive display takes place at dusk, and ideal viewing spots include Auditorium Shores and the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge. Sept. 25-26, 8:30 p.m., various locations
3 / View ‘Concrete to Canvas’
Head to West Chelsea Contemporary for the collector reception of the sixth annual Concrete to Canvas, the highly anticipated exhibition featuring Lady AIKO, Logan Hicks, and Joe Iurato. Their work explores the marks we leave behind, the moments we encounter, and what happens when street art moves from the public realm into the spaces we make our own—from Joe Iurato’s intimate portraits of human connection to Logan Hicks’ cinematic explorations of architecture, light, and shadow and Lady AIKO’s vibrant collision of femininity, Japanese imagery, American pop culture, and New York energy. Meet the artists at the opening reception on Saturday afternoon. Sept. 26, 2 p.m., 1009 W. Sixth St., Ste. 120
4 / See Mrs. Doubtfire
Get ready to say “Hellooooo!” Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Austin for this internationally acclaimed musical based on the classic Robin Williams movie. When a divorced, out-of-work actor is desperate to spend more time with his kids, he disguises himself as the beloved elderly caretaker during this heartwarming tale. Through Sept. 27, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, various times, texasperformingarts.org
5 / Feast Your Eyes on Uncanny Valley
Growing up in Austin in the ’90s, the Haas Brothers—fraternal twins Nikolai and Simon—experienced a childhood awash with inspiration. Now based in Los Angeles, the brothers are bringing things full circle with a touring retrospective on display at The Blanton. Haas Brothers: Uncanny Valley showcases how Austin’s fabled oddity helped shape the pair’s charmingly off-kilter art. For more than 15 years, the twins have created whimsical sculptures and furniture, crafted with unexpected materials like automotive paint and 3D-printed nylon, earning them famous fans such as Donatella Versace and Rihanna. Opens Sept. 27, various times, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
6 / Cheer on Upcycled Fashion at Trash Makeover Challenge
One man’s trash is another man’s fabulous ensemble at this innovative annual event, where designers create garments from at least 90 percent recycled materials. Catch all the looks on the runway at the Trash Makeover Challenge, which has an out-of-this-world “Cosmic Couture” theme this year. The event is in support of the Texas Campaign for the Environment. Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m., 11508 Carl Road, Creedmoor
7 / Learn Something New at Texas Tribune Fest
Hear from thought leaders and political luminaries as Texas Tribune brings back its powerful annual festival to downtown Austin. This year, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, and Dan Pfeiffer of Pod Save America will bring their hit show to the festival. Sept. 24-26, various times and locations