Thursday, March 5, 2026
The Cosmic Clash

culture

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CultureGreg AckermanPreview

SXSW preview: Flatstock offers unparalleled free fine art show to fans

Greg Ackerman 449 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

As a purveyor of good music, The Cosmic Clash rarely discusses visual art as we’re usually busy telling readers about music we love. Fans already know, visual art is a relevant component of the independent music scene that matters to us. Flatstock, the fine art poster show that has been present at South by Southwest (SXSW) as long as we can remember. In fact, Flatstock has been around since their first exhibition in San Francisco in 2002. The show features hand-printed and limited-edition poster art by over 50 artists and studios from around the globe for sale – all of whom will be in attendance to interact with visitors directly. The location this year is new as the Austin Convention Center is a pile of rubble at the moment. The new location at Moonlight Exhibit Hall is in the Austin Marriott Downtown (304 E Cesar Chavez St.) on March 13-15, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 

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Frontera Fest actors Brett Brookshire
CultureOpinionRobert Dean

Essay: I would rather swim through raw sewage than go to the theater

Robert Dean 821 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Theater is my hell. Musical theater? I would rather swim through raw sewage, hitting sawed-off corpse dicks to the face. Honorable mentions include karaoke and improv. Back to the theater… it’s not fun for me. I enjoy reading plays by the greats; August Wilson, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller. But when it comes to sitting in an audience, it just ain’t for me. There was the time I was taken to see Monty Python’s “Spam-a-Lot,” and while I wanted to see it, once I saw it, I hated it.

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Bob Weir Memorial courtesy of Bob Weir
OpinionRobert Dean

Opinion: Bob Weir is irreplaceable so why not ask Sturgill Simpson to step in?

Robert Dean 25270 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Just for clarification, as I write this, my girlfriend, who is a massive Deadhead, is appalled.
With the announcement of the passing of Bob Weir on January 10, the future of The Grateful Dead Empire is now in question. Whereas most bands stop when one of the OG’s pass on, the Dead are a different animal. It’s part of their credo to celebrate the music, to cherish the culture created not only by the band and the fans but also with people in general. The Dead became an integral part of our musical culture a long time ago. There’s nothing like it, an ongoing celebration in different forms that’s been going since Jerry Garcia passed back in 1995.

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Hispter prognosticator
CultureOpinionRobert Dean

Opinion: Eight predictions for Austin music and culture in 2026

Robert Dean 1318 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Because it’s the beginning of the year, I wanted to try something new. I’m going to make some predictions about things I think will happen over the next twelve months. I’m not a swami. This is just my best shot as someone who’s stood next to enough sweaty, drunk guys with bad opinions at countless shows for over thirty years. I can’t do worse than them. Jesus. I feel old just typing that

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MeowWolfHouston_Obsidiodyssey_PhotoCreditTarickFoteh_4
ReviewRobert Dean

Gallery review: Hunter S Thompson would have loved Meow Wolf

Robert Dean 1034 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

I take every chance I can get to escape the wheels of the capitalist death machine. My phone is constantly telling me someone’s been shot in a mall, or the asshole with the long red tie has done something to make me clutch my humanity pearls, so when an opportunity to melt away into dimensions unknown presents itself, I’m taking it. This past weekend, to celebrate my boys’ birthdays, we took them to Meow Wolf’s Radio Taves experience in Houston, and I’m still thinking about it. I got lunch next to a fucking rat in a blonde wig while a three-titted bar was above my head. This place was madness of the Hunter S. Thompson variety—save the ether binge.

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The Dicks
Christina DeStefanoOpinion

Essay: Austin Punk Rockers Wore Drag Too

Christina DeStefano 2460 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

The unjust law extends beyond drag to trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary individuals. Texas aims to follow suit with at least four suggested bills that may restrict drag performances as well as performances by trans, nonbinary, and GNC persons. State legislators in Texas are setting a dangerous precedent that will encourage violence against drag, trans and queer people. This is not who Texans are and flies in the face of our friendly culture. Austin punk rockers wore drag too. 

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