Cinema Classics and Live Blues: What's On in Austin Today

Thursday, February 12, 2026: Austin Event Highlights

Welcome to your Thursday guide to the capital city. Today, Austin offers a diverse palette of entertainment, from a cinematic celebration of Black culture to soulful blues and intimate community meetups. Whether you are looking to brush up on your dance steps or dive into local art history, here is what is happening across town today.

Big Screen Highlights

The crown jewel of tonight’s schedule is at the historic Paramount Theatre. In partnership with the Black Auteur Film Festival, the theatre is hosting a special screening of the comedy classic Coming to America. The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with a screening of Mamaya, a short film by local Austin filmmaker Prince Adablah. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume, and doors open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-show photo opportunities and festivities. For those seeking a more casual movie night, the Harry Ransom Center is hosting a free screening of the 1992 cult favorite Wayne’s World at 6:00 p.m., followed by a community reception.

Live Music and Nightlife

Austin’s legendary music scene is in full swing tonight with several high-profile performances:

• Eddie 9V: Catch the soulful sounds of Eddie 9V with special guest Johnny Mullenax at ACL Live at 3TEN. The show starts at 8:00 p.m.
• Kathleen Edwards: The acclaimed singer-songwriter takes the stage at Antone’s Nightclub at 8:00 p.m. for an evening of Americana and folk-rock.
• Ladies First: Mohawk Austin presents a showcase featuring Leila Sunier and Sophie Se, starting at 8:00 p.m.
• Bonnie Whitmore: Celebrate with local favorite Bonnie Whitmore at the Continental Club Gallery for her birthday celebration starting at 8:30 p.m.

Art, Culture, and Workshops

If you prefer an afternoon of culture, the Blanton Museum of Art is offering a public tour focused on contemporary artists from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is an excellent way to explore the museum’s permanent collection with expert guidance. For those wanting to get active, Sam’s Town Point is hosting its weekly beginner two-step dance lessons starting at 6:00 p.m., a perfect opportunity to learn the ropes of Texas dance culture before the weekend rush.

Community and Networking

Thursday is a busy night for local interest groups. The Austin Runners Meetup is hosting their "Books and Brews" book club meeting at 5:30 p.m., combining a love for literature with local craft beer. For the tech-focused, ProductCamp Austin is holding its first-ever networking night at 6:00 p.m., while e-commerce enthusiasts can head to a Shopify-themed happy hour downtown at 7:00 p.m. to talk shop and share strategies.