live music

Soulful Sundays: Christopher Williams & The Sound Soul Collective, DaFunk Queen & Da Mix, Mary Wanna

4.6

Details

Soulful Sundays is serving a full plate of groove on May 31, 2026, with a stacked lineup that turns your Sunday into a mini soul festival.

The night kicks off with doors at 4:00 pm, giving you time to settle in, grab a drink, and catch the early vibes before the music starts rolling in waves of R&B, soul, funk, and feel-good rhythms.

At 5:00 pm, Christopher Williams & The Sound Soul Collective light the fuse with a smooth, full-band sound that blends classic soul textures, modern R&B, and a live show built around big vocals and warm, crowd-pleasing grooves. Expect tight rhythms, lush keys, and that uplifting, sing-along energy that makes you forget it’s still the weekend and not a full-on holiday.

By 6:30 pm, Mary Wanna takes the stage, bringing a hazy, hypnotic, and slightly psychedelic twist to the soul-heavy bill. Her set leans into vibey melodies and mood-driven arrangements—music that feels like golden-hour sunlight: dreamy, a little mischievous, and perfect for letting time blur between afternoon and night.

At 8:00 pm, DaFunk Queen & Da Mix close things out with high-octane funk, dance-floor basslines, and a front-person built for commanding a crowd. This is the part of the evening where it’s nearly impossible to stay seated—expect call-and-response moments, big hooks, and a lot of sweat on the dance floor as they pull from funk, soul, and party-starting grooves.

The whole experience is wrapped up in a $10 cover, which is a steal for a three-act bill packed with this much live energy. Come for the early-soul vibes, stay for the funky nightcap, and walk out humming basslines and hooks long after the last note rings out.

Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Doors: 4:00 pm
Christopher Williams & The Sound Soul Collective: 5:00 pm
Mary Wanna: 6:30 pm
DaFunk Queen & Da Mix: 8:00 pm
Cover: $10
Vibes: Soul, R&B, funk, danceable grooves, and Sunday-night community energy

If your ideal Sunday includes big voices, deep pocket grooves, and a room full of people moving in unison to live music, Soulful Sundays is exactly where you want to be.

Venue Details

Welcome to Sahara Lounge, East Austin's premier spot for live music and dancing! This historic venue has been serving up great vibes since 2011, carrying on a rich musical tradition that dates back to 1962 when the building first opened as Lincoln Drive Inn.

Step inside and you'll immediately feel the musical history in this Texas juke joint with a twist. The relaxed, eclectic atmosphere offers the authentic "old Austin" feel that's becoming increasingly rare. With its sprung wooden dance floor, full bar serving signature cocktails (including the unique Sahara Slants made with Ghanaian akpeteshie), and spacious outdoor patio, the Sahara creates the perfect setting for unforgettable nights.

Family-owned by musicians Eileen Bristol and her son Topaz McGarrigle (lead singer of Golden Dawn Arkestra), this venue presents a diverse array of musical styles five nights a week, including:

Africa Night - Their award-winning Saturday event featuring Afrojazz, AfroBeat, Reggae, and Latin music with a FREE spicy buffet
Indie, Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Hip Hop, Soul and more throughout the week
Regular events like Ladies Night and Body Rock ATX

The Sahara experience extends beyond just music - enjoy free billiards, outdoor fire pits, and delicious West African dishes and BBQ from the Sahara Smokehouse. With abundant free parking and an inviting atmosphere where diverse crowds gather for lively conversations and dancing, Sahara Lounge represents the heart and soul of Austin's music culture.