Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
The 87th Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival is March 1, 2015 (Credit: David King)
One of the best ways to forget yourself and all the baggage that comes with you is to buy or make your own personal aircraft. You can use string, paper, sticks or whatever’s handy. Just make sure you’re finished by March 1, 2015, when Zilker Kite Festival returns for another year. [Read more…]
Self-taught composer Nathan Felix will debut sections from his second orchestra at Indie Orchestra Night (Credit: Nathan Felix)
Imagine a show that combines the dramatic power of a symphonic orchestra, the full range of a choir and the modern edge of indie musicians. Indie Orchestra Night, which will be presented by the Texas Choral Consort on March 7, 2015, involves the musical prowess of a wide spectrum of talented individuals. In other words, this will be an epic concert for Austinites.
The brainchild of self-taught composer Nathan Felix, who has roots in the indie rock world, Indie Orchestra Night required creative risks for the artists and lots of coordination. Those who see the show will be immediately impressed by the sheer amount of musicians on stage—between the Texas Choral Consort and the orchestra, there will be 120 musicians accompanying the indie artists.
To create this progressive orchestral show, Felix and Brent Baldwin of Texas Choral Consort reached out to Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater, Dana Falconberry, Zeale and The Rocketboys to join the ranks and collaborate on a truly unique concert. [Read more…]
Sunset at Pan Am Park during MapJam 2014
This weekend’s MapJam, presented by KUTX 98.9, is a one day music tour that brings Austin Music Map to life.
KUTX is a relatively young radio station – they just celebrated their 2nd birthday – and one of their first ideas was Austin Music Map. The Music Map is an online collaborative effort between KUTX and their audience. It gives Austinites the opportunity to highlight their favorite up and coming musicians and promote their preferred music venues by charting them on an interactive map. It was revolutionary.
With MapJam, KUTX found a way to connect radio to the community. Having a “Jam” session with local musicians at local venues listed on the “Map” brought a formerly online experience to life.
So here is the lowdown on the 9 bands, 4 venues and grub you can sample tomorrow, February 21st, during KUTX’s Third Annual MapJam. [Read more…]
Fine wine and good eats await you! (Credit: WFFT)
Feel like planning a wine tasting getaway? Forget about flights and expensive hotels. Some of the best wine in the country lies in your own backyard.
Since 1985, the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas (WFFT) has been celebrating the best our state has to offer and this year is no exception. With a number of fantastic events on the horizon, the WFFT is poised to kick off their spring 2015 season in style.
The fun kicks off in grand scale with Toast and Roast on March 1st, 2015. Taking place at Rancho Cuernavaca, the event is a celebration of wine, food and music. The highlight of the afternoon will be a tasting of every vintage in Texas Monthly’s 2014 Best Wines of Texas list. This is a rare and special opportunity to sample the best wine in the Lone Star State.
With food provided by [Read more…]
2nd Street Soundcheck is an opportunity to experience local food, shopping and free music (Credit: 2nd Street Soundcheck)
If you’re familiar with Austin at all, you know March brings the music loving masses to our city during SXSW, one of the biggest music festivals around. What better way to prepare for the madness than by attending 2nd Street Soundcheck for free music, food, shopping and just plain fun?
2nd Street Soundcheck takes place February 28, 2015, from 1-8 PM and admission is free! The event features 22 artists downtown on Second Street, spanning three city blocks from San Antonio Street to Colorado Street.
We are fortunate to live in a city with so much musical talent surrounding us, and this is an excellent opportunity to experience it for free. Below are a few of my favorite artists who will be playing during the festival. [Read more…]
Guest article by Lindsey Moringy
Has anyone ever told you that you have the personality of a lamp post? Well that might not be such a bad thing anymore!
A new project called Hello Lamp Post Austin enables residents to have in-depth conversations with objects and local treasures around town – everything from parking meters to buildings to Treaty Oak. For instance, on Thursday, City Hall (the building itself, not a representative) and I were discussing Austin’s biggest claim to fame. I suggested our longest-running music television program “Austin City Limits,” while City Hall was thinking more along the lines of breakfast tacos. [Read more…]
Model of the La Belle, currently being restored in front of visitors at Bullock Texas State History Museum
Why does the nation of France have a major claim to sea treasure in Austin? Why is there a centuries-old shipwreck off the corner of 18th Street and Congress Avenue?
The La Belle, a 17th century sailing ship designed for the Mississippi River, is a key artifact from the struggles between European powers France, Britain and Spain for a piece of what would become Texas. This famous ship that sailed the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, never the Mississippi as intended, doomed the French explorer La Salle’s expedition. The shipwreck was finally found in 1995 after a century-long search, in Matagorda Bay between Corpus Christi and Galveston.
The La Belle is on exhibit at Bullock Texas State History Museum until May 17, 2015. If your interest isn’t piqued already, here are 7 reasons to see the La Belle shipwreck in Austin: [Read more…]
Follow this strange creature to East Side King
East Side King was created by Paul Qui and Moto Utsunomiya as a side project when the chefs worked together at Uchi and Uchiko. Since that time, the number of East Side King food trucks has multiplied, and two brick and mortar locations have opened up as well.
Paul Qui is perhaps best known for winning Top Chef Texas in 2012. To the advantage of Austin foodies, he has continued to dig his creative roots deep into Austin’s food scene.
Additional media exposure has spread the word about East Side King, benefiting the business itself and Austin’s reputation as a foodie attraction. The trailer empire was featured on an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. One of the newest trailers, dubbed Thai-Kun after chef Thai Changthong, was ranked 8th on a national list of best new restaurants in 2014 by Bon Appetit.
However you heard of it, there are now 5 places in Austin to experience the Asian-inspired street food of East Side King. [Read more…]
Lucky’s Puccias & Pizzeria new brick and mortar location on W 5th Street
Editor’s Note: Lucky’s closed on Jan. 27, 2019 due to rising rental costs.
I know I’m making a bold statement. The best of anything is hard to prove with such varying taste buds as we have in Austin. But if you’re looking for truly authentic Italian food, I guarantee Lucky’s Puccias & Pizzeria will deliver. Here’s why. [Read more…]
Love Bites shark cookie at Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery in Hyde Park
Two simply sweet words can change a person’s outlook on the most pink and red holiday we as Americans celebrate each year…“Be Mine!”
This got me thinking–in a rather unconventional way–about what I consider mine, the love of life and food that brings me joy. The story behind the patron saint of lovers is filled with passion and an unconventional romance, so I thought this year I would see what Austin has to offer the more unconventional Valentine. [Read more…]