AGP Executive Report

Texas Arts & Community: Lagers & Literature returns to Austin’s Meanwhile Brewing Co., pairing book shopping with live poetry and book-themed art (plus a Typewriter Rodeo). Music & Live Shows: Hayley Williams’ UK/Europe tour tickets go on sale at 10am today, with dates across Milan, London and more. Film & Festivals: Can’t make TIFF? Several festival picks are headed to theaters or streaming soon, including a Texas-set thriller starring Mahershala Ali. Texas Country Spotlight: A Jimmie Rodgers Tribute hits the Heart of the Hills Heritage Center on Sept. 12 with Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines. Pop Culture Buzz: Macklemore pushed back after a “Free Palestine” call sparked demands he be removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour. Documentary Hype: A24’s Elizabeth Holmes doc “You Can See Everything” is drawing stunned early reactions ahead of its Oct. 16 debut.

Texas Nightlife Incident: A 19-year-old was charged after a gun went off inside College Station’s Northgate nightclub One15, with police saying Trey Wheeler was found carrying two firearms and no one was hurt. Streaming & TV Buzz: “Lioness” Season 3, Episode 6 finally flips the mystery, revealing the Iranian hand behind Joe’s kidnapping. Film Spotlight: Nathan Fielder’s A24 documentary “You Can See Everything” teases Elizabeth Holmes’ final 34 days before prison, with reviews calling it increasingly strange as the line between doc and performance blurs. Music & Local Culture: Robert Earl Keen headlines Longhorn City Limits in Austin ahead of Texas vs Ohio State, with Shinyribs and other local acts warming up the LBJ Lawn. Tech Meets Entertainment: Tesla’s Cybercab push in Austin lets riders control climate and media by talking to Grok, turning the robotaxi cabin into a lounge. Sports Talk: Big 12 power rankings keep BYU, Utah, Texas Tech and Arizona near the top as conference matchups shape CFP chatter.

High School Sports Spotlight: Big Country’s Athlete of the Week voting is open, with standout nominees from across Texas as the new school-year seasons kick off. Film Buzz (Texas ties): Telluride’s buzz is all about “You Can See Everything,” Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary—shot with unusually close access ahead of Holmes’ prison reporting in Bryan, Texas. Documentary Spotlight: “Chronically Yours” is out globally, following a Missoula family’s Multiple Sclerosis journey and aiming to spark a wider series of chronic-illness love stories. Local Arts & Community: Hill Country Arts Foundation is gathering input to rebuild after two flood years, with Lake Flato architects helping shape the campus comeback. Music & Culture: Downtown Bryan’s Fiestas Mexicanas returned with live music, food trucks, vendors, and scholarships for students. Sports (Big Stage): Missouri’s Wrigley Field match ended early after humidity made the court too slick, while Ole Miss edged Louisville 41-38 in a Week 1 ranked thriller. Entertainment/Pop Culture: A leaked Steam find points to an unreleased “Scream” multiplayer game that predates Dead by Daylight by years.

Texas TV & streaming: Taylor Sheridan’s espionage hit “Lioness” lands season 3, episode 6, “Sugar Land,” with a Texas-set rescue push and CIA fallout—now available free on demand. Big Texas sports moment: Louisville volleyball swept No. 9 Texas in Nashville, winning 25-12, 28-26, 25-16 in a nationally televised matchup. Arts & culture: German director Wim Wenders doubled down on his take that filmmakers aren’t “politicians,” saying movies are driven by empathy and change. Local arts spotlight: Huffman-based artist Delita Martin brings her mixed-media work “Sometimes My Blues Change Color” to Clara M. Eagle Gallery. Live entertainment in Texas: Country radio personality Dallas Wayne headlines a speaker session at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. Comedy tour: Killers of Kill Tony stops at Fantasy Springs on Sept. 19 with comics who rose via the Austin-born podcast. Community events: East Texas Women’s March & Expo returns Sept. 19 in Tyler.

Music & Pop Culture: Dolly Parton has died at 80 after a brief battle with cancer, with tributes highlighting her 50+ year catalog and philanthropy. Texas Entertainment & Theater: Texarkana Repertory Co. opens “Come From Away,” a 9/11-era musical about diverted flights and unexpected kindness, running as part of its 35th season. Sports (Texas): Texas’ opener vs. Texas State turned into a heat-safety scare for fans as temperatures hit near 100°F and medical calls reportedly started early; the Longhorns still won 59-7. College Football (Big Storylines): LSU’s Week 1 decision to leave two former NFL players off the roster avoided an SEC showdown, while Week 1 also delivered chaos, including a controversial last-second Michigan finish. Local Arts & Community: Westfest marks 50 years of Czech heritage in West with a parade, live music, and food through Sunday. Tech/AI Debate: Texas-linked podcasters and commentators keep arguing AI optimism vs anxiety as data-center growth and job fears collide.

Austin Tech & Entertainment: Tesla has launched its steering-wheel-free Cybercab robotaxi service in Austin, letting riders hail via the Robotaxi app in a small initial fleet—two seats, no pedals, and a big touchscreen for music and entertainment. Anime & Gaming Culture: San Japan returns for its 17th year in San Antonio, aiming to top last year’s 35,000 attendance with cosplay, panels, meet-and-greets, and arcade action. Music Spotlight: Tanya Nolan drops the official “Reckless” music video, pairing soulful R&B storytelling with a Willie Clayton-produced sound. Film & TV Buzz: “Primetime” (starring Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen) lands in theaters Sept. 25, with reviews calling it a sleazy, razor-wire drama about reality TV’s rise. Arts With a Texas Tie: A Dolly Parton movie tribute is set for Labor Day week in Jackson, Tennessee, with $5 tickets benefiting her Imagination Library. Sports-Entertainment Crossover: “College GameDay” kicks off the season from Baton Rouge ahead of LSU vs. Clemson, spotlighting the Lane Kiffin era.

Dolly Parton buzz in Texas: After Parton’s death, her classic hits surged back onto the Billboard Hot 100, and Regal Cinemas is bringing two of her movies back to theaters for Labor Day weekend. Chart-topper spotlight: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” keeps ruling—now a historic 20th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with fans singing along across venues from Austin to Nashville. Big-screen Texas ties: Robert Pattinson is in Venice promoting A24’s “Primetime,” a drama tied to the controversial “To Catch a Predator” era and a Texas sting case. Music + film festival energy: Oasis also hit Venice with a reunion documentary premiere, while Waco’s Thriving Waco Independent Film Fest turns 10 and spotlights local filmmakers. Local arts on the move: Josephine Sculpture Park is rolling out new fall exhibits, including an insect-eye interactive residency.

Panhandle Fashion: Sheppard Denim Co. is launching a new homegrown denim line this November, built from Panhandle cotton that’s ginned in Pampa, woven by Cone Denim, then cut and finished in Los Angeles. Dallas Film: The Dallas Film Commission’s Screen Dallas run for “The Last Critic” kicks off Sept. 11-17 at Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley, giving the SXSW jury-prize doc an Oscar-qualifying theatrical spotlight. Music Power (Texas ties): Beyoncé’s “B’Day” 20th anniversary edition leans hard into Latin legends, sampling Selena and Celia Cruz—plus a fresh track that nods to her Texas upbringing. Local Arts: Beeville Art Museum’s “Reflections in Nature” spotlights Ele Chew and Frank Klein with a free opening reception Sept. 19. El Paso Movie Night: UTEP brings back “Glory Road” for Movies on the Lawn on Sept. 8, celebrating the film’s 20th anniversary right on campus. Corpus Christi Community: Art Walk and Music Walk keep growing—now a 12-block first-Friday production with hundreds of vendors and food trucks. Awards/Global Sound: Isolirium Entertainment (Austin + Ghana) submitted five recordings for GRAMMY consideration, blending Gurene, Pidgin, and English.

Robotaxi Watch: Tesla has launched its driverless Cybercab in Austin, with public rides starting Friday and passengers booking via the updated Tesla app—no steering wheel, no pedals, just a lounge-like cabin and a big screen. White House Backlash: The White House’s new arcade-style games—like “Build the Wall” and “Trump Savings Tycoon”—are drawing fire for turning politics into play while critics point to cost-of-living pressure. Music & Pop Culture: Beyoncé marks her 44th birthday with a remastered, expanded “B’Day” 20th Anniversary edition, while country singer Bri Fletcher drops the “Salt Water” video and Alex Warren’s “Wildchild” hits No. 1 on Australia’s ARIA albums chart. Texas Weekend Picks: Levitt Pavilion’s free fall concert series returns Friday, and Waco movie listings include “Hadestown: The Musical” and “Moana,” plus special screenings. Local Community Spotlight: Gulf Bend Center’s Friendship Fest in Victoria celebrates inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Texas Arts & Culture: Houston’s Rooftop Cinema Club and Echoes in Montrose are keeping Dolly Parton’s legacy alive this weekend with a Steel Magnolias screening (with proceeds to her Imagination Library) and an all-night “Dolly’s Country Music Carousel.” Music Spotlight: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” keeps stacking milestones, and she’s adding a rare Florida stop—one Jacksonville date on Sept. 19. Local Live Shows: Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center just unveiled its 2026–2027 lineup, including a Taylor Swift tribute, 123 Andrés for Hispanic Heritage Month, and a Texas Shakespeare Festival Roadshow stop. Film & TV: PBS’s The Caverns Sessions returns for Season 15 starting Sept. 9 with Jeff Tweedy, plus Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and more. Food & Fun: Rodeo Goat is expanding into Allen at Sloan Corners, bringing its Texas beef-and-craft-beer lineup to a $2B+ development.

Entertainment & Community: Victoria’s Uniting Hearts Music Festival is set for Oct. 17, bringing together female faith leaders Pastor Celia Halfacre and Stephanie Cadengo with local worship bands and a message of unity and redemption. Texas Arts & Events: Palmer Events Center in Austin released a full September lineup, including Rails World (Sept. 23–24), the Austin Tattoo Invitational (Sept. 4–6), ThrillerCon (Sept. 6), and the Texas Woodworking Festival (Sept. 26–27). Local Music Calendar: New Braunfels-area live music for the week of Sept. 3 spotlights everything from Robert Earl Keen homecoming shows to open mic nights and Labor Day Jam. Sports Culture: Dallas College is launching a collegiate women’s flag football program across six campuses ahead of NJCAA competition. Pop Culture: Disney Channel star Carla Jeffery, known for Bree in the ZOMBIES franchise, died at 33. Business/Entertainment Backlash: Good Good Golf fired CEO Matt Kendrick and president Joe Flannery after a controversial Callaway driver ad sparked backlash over violence against a woman.

Texas Music & Film: Houston-based country singer Chris Hughes drops “Up In The Air,” a father-daughter story built from a childhood memory and the changing meaning of “catching” someone through life. Local Community & Arts: Ridgewood Off-Kilter Film Festival returns with an eclectic lineup and new venues, plus a community mixer and late-night screenings. Family-Friendly Events: Victoria Police kicks off National Night Out 2026 with a Sept. 26 kickoff at DeLeon Plaza, and neighborhood block parties can register for merch bags. Sports & Streaming: Peacock acquires the Office fan documentary “Fan Level Midnight,” debuting Sept. 7. Food Buzz (Texas): McDonald’s launches a Texas-exclusive meal bundle starting Sept. 1, featuring collectible regional cups by Avery Orendorf and the limited-time return of Spicy Chicken McNuggets. Wildlife Rescue: SeaWorld San Antonio welcomes the final six beluga whales from Marineland’s closure in Canada, completing the rescue of 30 belugas.

Texas Music & Film: Drake teased an R&B-leaning remix of Ella Langley’s chart-topper “Choosin’ Texas” during a Toronto DJ set, swapping the upbeat country feel for a slower vibe—no official release date yet. Local Stage Spotlight: “The Voice” champ Jake Hoot brings his faith-and-country storytelling to Cailloux Theater in Kerrville on Sept. 26. Dolly Parton in the spotlight: Empire 8 Theatre in Jackson, Tenn. is running a Dolly movie tribute (Steel Magnolias, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Joyful Noise) with $5 tickets benefiting her Imagination Library. Streaming Picks: Netflix’s September lineup leans heavy on true crime and big returns, including “Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly” and “Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.” Texas Sports Buzz: Texas Tech added Florida State transfer QB Thomas Castellanos, aiming to bolster depth behind Will Hammond. Sports Law: NFL legend Emmitt Smith faces a lawsuit tied to an alleged $2.5M fraud scheme involving a Texas solar project.

Texas Arts & Culture: UTSA opens “Antithesis in Contemporary Collage,” a brainy group show that aims to mess with how you see and connect images, running through Sept. 10. Music & Film in Texas: Lubbock’s Buddy Holly Center is hosting a free Buddy Holly 90th Birthday Bash (Sept. 7) with tours, trivia, and live music. Hill Country Fest: New Braunfels’ WurstFest (Nov. 6–15) is back with German-inspired food, family fun, and ticket sales now open. AI Music Fight: Grammy winner Jason Isbell and Texas blues musician Guy Forsyth are among plaintiffs suing Suno, claiming AI music generators use artists’ identities without consent. Local Live Shows: San Antonio’s San Japan returns for Labor Day weekend with cosplay, gaming, panels, and late-night parties. Streaming Picks: A September guide rounds up what’s new across Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and more, including “Slow Horses” and “Monster” season returns. Sports Pop Culture: Stan Kroenke’s sports empire expands as he agrees to buy a controlling interest in the Los Angeles Angels, expected to close in 2027.

Music & Tours: Sombr announced 2027 dates for his “You Are The Reason” tour, with stops across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK (tickets go on sale Sept. 4). Texas Live Music: Boerne’s Music at the Cave returns Sept. 6 with the Axiom String Quartet, while San Antonio’s 2M Smokehouse won Food Network’s “Pitmasters” finale with a five-course showdown. New Releases: Austin psych-rock trio The Well plays Fairborn Phoenix Sept. 5 ahead of its Sept. 14 album release. Streaming Picks: Netflix’s September lineup includes the horror cult classic “Valentine,” plus a broader slate of new shows and movies. Pop Culture Spotlight: MTV VMAs nominations were announced, and Dolly Parton’s death is driving tributes and theater retrospectives. Local Sports Spotlight: Texas high school athletes are being nominated for City National Bank Athlete of the Week as the season kicks off.

Houston Music Spotlight: Rising Houston rapper Monaleo (Leondra Roshawn Caldwell) is teaming up with Don Julio vibes as she pushes new music and pink-brand energy. Local Business & Real Estate: The Kansas City Chiefs and Hunt Midwest are forming Two-Point Development to build mixed-use districts around the new stadium area in KCK and the team’s Olathe HQ/training site. Texas Arts & Design: Nina Magon talks wellness and home design, including her “amenity floor” rethink, as she represents the U.S. at Maison&Objet. Dolly Parton Everywhere: DollyFest is set for Nashville and London in 2027, while Regal expands Dolly Parton movie tribute screenings nationwide to fund Imagination Library books. Texas Entertainment & Community: Amarillo’s Don Harrington Discovery Center turns 50 with a Sept. 5 festival featuring food trucks, Amarillo Symphony, and a drone show. Music News: Frankie Miller, the Texas-born country songwriter, has died at 95. Sports (Texas): Steve Sarkisian says Texas’ CFP loss came down to being “tired.” Tech/Events: DFW Pulse launches to help North Texans find free events across 30+ cities in one place.