TOP picks: May 5 - 11

Monday | May 5

Free Comic Book Day at Austin Public Libraries

Every year, comic book stores across North America sponsor Free Comic Book day, where comic book stores and libraries give away free comic books. If you missed Saturday’s giveaway at Austin Books and Comics, you have another chance to pile up today at your local library.

Also tonight don’t miss Angie Blackmon, author of the Dragon’s Lair comic books. She’ll be discussing comic book history, comic book preservation, and the basics of collecting comic books at 7pm at Hampton Branch library, located at 5125 Convict Hill Road. Don’t forget to bring your comic books to trade.

10am–9pm | FREE

Your local library
Various locations • Austin, TX

Tuesday | May 6

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photo / amykate09 Creative Commons licensed: Attribution-No Derivatives 2.0 This could be you 

Austin Rock Band Championships

The Alamo Drafthouse has taken the latest Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 obsession, Rock Band, and, in true Drafthouse style, created a competition for it. Tonight is the Austin Rock Band Championships, where aspiring Rock Banders can get a band together (complete with costumes!) and compete to be the best Rock Banders in this grand city. To compete, sign up at the Facebook group, or just show up at the Alamo Ritz at 9:15. There will be prizes! (But if you’re in this for prizes, you’re in it for the wrong reason.)

9:15pm | FREE

Alamo Ritz
320 E 6th St • Austin, TX 78701

Wednesday | May 7

Last Gas Comedy’s Open Mic

Hey, it’s another stand-up comedy open mic. If you’ve always wanted to give standup a shot, here’s your opportunity. To perform, all you have to do is show up. And if you’ve always wanted to spend Wednesday night laughing at both awkwardly terrible and truly funny comics, this is for you as well.

7pm | FREE

Ego’s
510 S Congress Ave • Austin, TX

Thursday | May 8

Matt and Ben

That’s right: It’s a play about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the brosephs responsible for Good Will Hunting. Only thing is, the play tells the story of Matt and Ben from a woman’s perspective – and Matt and Ben are played by women. After the show, take part in festivities celebrating Arts on Real’s fifth anniversary.

8pm | Call 512-472-ARTS for tickets

Arts on Real
2826 Real Street • Austin, TX

Friday | May 9

Painting the Town: Austin Originals opening reception

This exhibition opened on May 5th, but tonight is the reception. You can preview some of the pieces that will be for sale by going here. From the promoter:

Remember what makes Austin unique by celebrating its past and experiencing the changes shaping its future! The featured artists in Painting the Town: Austin Originals include local landscape and cityspace artists Ethan Azarian, Paul Stankiewicz, Linda Dumont, Zita Raymond, John Hopkins, Dan Burns and up-and-coming figurative artist Anna Bleker. The variety of techniques range from palette knife to pastel to acrylic and oil and the variety of styles is even broader, with Linda Dumont creating her signature bold and bright cityscapes, Paul Stankiewicz painting layers of Austin life and Anna Bleker’s contemplative figures.

6:30–8pm | FREE

Art on 5th
1501 W 5th St • Austin, TX

Saturday | May 10

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photo / abardwell Creative Commons licensed: Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 

Movies in the Park: Best in Show

The Austin Parks Foundation’s Movies in the Park series will be showing Christopher Guest’s hilarious dog show spoof Best in Show tonight. Everyone is invited to bring their pooch. There will be lots of pre-show entertainment including dog training demonstrations, dog agility demonstrations, silly pet tricks contest, and more. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted, although picnics are welcome.

Pre-show entertainment at 7pm, movie at dusk (around 9pm) | FREE

Republic Square Park
5th and Guadalupe • Austin, TX 78701

Sunday | May 11

Funk Hope Mother’s Day Show

DJ Panda Diasporic, Neckbone, and World Trade will be spinning some jams at this family-friendly Mother’s Day show at Ruta Maya.

8pm | $7

Ruta Maya
3601 South Congress • Austin, TX