School’s Out Forever Rockaway Beach Party (May 19 – 20)

With an impressive line-up of over 50 bands on four stages — including Sleep Over, The Long Tangles, Shakey Graves, The Boxing Lesson, Schmillion, The Zoltars, One Hundred Flowers, Crack Pipes, Elaine Greer, Lean Hounds, Bad Lovers, Shivery Shakes, Bill Baird and Self, and Unknown Relatives — Lucy the Poodle and Spiderhouse Cafe present the School‘s Out Forever Rockaway Beach Party. This musical extravaganza is a celebration of the end of the school year (The University of Texas at Austin’s official graduation date is May 19th) and the beginning of summer (technically summer begins on June 21, but try and tell that to the Texas heat) wrapped up in one very raucous two-day package (May 19 – 20). But wait, there’s more! On Saturday, there will also be a celebration of Joey Ramone’s birthday with the Converse All-Stars (Max Vandever, Johnny Walker, Ehren Lorfing, Quin Galavais) and Crooked Bangs performing Ramones covers.

Just east of Guadalupe on 29th Street, the Spiderhouse Cafe and 29th St. Ballroom (to quote the Ramones) “is not hard, not far to reach” (though we do not condone hitchhiking). If you are attending the UT graduation ceremonies on Saturday — either as a graduate or spectator — the School’s Out Forever Rockaway Beach Party is less than ten blocks north of the UT Tower. As you are all cheerfully chanting Alice Cooper’s famous lyrics, “no more pencils, no more books, no more teacher’s dirty looks…” what better way to wash away a tough semester of studying than with a two-day diet of booze (or coffee) and rock music? If that don’t suit you, that’s a drag. And, speaking of suits — don’t forget your swimsuit! There will be a swimming pool and slip’n slide, just in case Austin’s steamy May temperatures begin to get the best of you.

Check out the complete schedule at the Spiderhouse website.