Events Archives - Page 13 Of 31

Enjoy Moonlight Bat Float and Support Texas River School

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Guest Blogger

Austin’s famous bat bridge along Congress Avenue (Credit: He.Who.Wanders)

Guest article by Caitlin Jackson

You’ve seen the bats from the bridge, but how about from the water? Under a full moon? Texas River School has an event that allows you to do both. It’s called Moonlight Bat Float. Guided by moonlight and entertained by live music, you set out on Lady Bird Lake in a flotilla of kayaks and canoes. Just as the sun goes down, the bats fly overhead while you glide on the water, away from traffic and noise.

[Read more…]

Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts and Events in Austin

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan

Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts in Austin

Flood waters continue to rise in the Houston area (Credit: Arlene Nowak)

“How can I help?” Hurricane Harvey is wreaking havoc on Texas and parts of Louisiana right now. Harvey arrived in Texas as a Category 4 hurricane, with deadly force and several months’ worth of rainfall. The rain has concentrated along the Texas coastline in and near Corpus Christi, Rockport, Aransas Pass, and Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States. It’s hard to watch, yet difficult to look away. More than anything, Austinites want to know how to help. [Read more…]

Austin Women in Technology Encourages Members to Connect, Grow, Learn, Lead

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Brittany Ballard

Austin Women in Technology members at a recent happy hour event

“Stand tall and show who you are,” Belinda Perez said while addressing the room at the recent Austin Women in Technology happy hour. “Don’t be afraid to follow your passions.”

If you venture over to one of the events hosted by Austin Women in Technology, you’ll find yourself surrounded by one of the most inspirational and supportive groups of women I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. With Austin’s tech scene absolutely booming, this organization is working to make a positive impact on the lives of women who have or want careers in technology. [Read more…]

Live Music Meets Tubing at Float Fest 2017

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Guest Blogger

Credit: Brandon Navarro

Guest article by Brandon Navarro

If there is one thing that immediately comes to mind when I think about the city of Austin, it’s the music. On any given night, you can go into coffee shops, hole in the wall bars, and restaurants, and there will be live music of every kind playing. Everything from live shows to music videos are celebrated here. Not only that, but Austin is home to music festivals that range from well-known to new: SXSW, ACL Fest, Levitation, Reggae Fest, and Austin Food + Wine Festival are just a few of the many that come to mind.

Many don’t realize it, but there’s a new kind of festival in the Austin area. In its short lifespan of four years, Float Fest has grown into something people have been and will keep talking about. When a river can cool you off and spit you out right where the good music starts, that’s where most of us want to be. [Read more…]

10 Austin Books Clubs at Independent Book Stores Cover Range of Genres

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Guest Blogger

Credit: Chris Lawton via Unsplash

Guest article by Archana Vemulapalli

Austin is a book lover’s paradise. With numerous independent book stores, a world-renowned poetry festival, book readings, and one of the nation’s premier annual literary events, the annual Texas Book Festival, there’s something for everyone. It’s no surprise, then, that there’s an abundance of Austin book clubs for the bibliophiles among us.

Book clubs have a long history in the United States, with groups like Benjamin Franklin’s literary society in Philadelphia, called the Junto, and Hannah Adam’s reading circle in the late 1760’s. More than two centuries later, book clubs have expanded beyond the genteel in society. They span every genre and style, with the central theme always being a shared love of the written word.

While I’m still compiling an exhaustive list of Austin book clubs, I did have time to check out a few of the book clubs hosted by or at Austin’s independent books stores. Here are 10 interesting, fun book clubs, organized by genre. Choose one that suits you and find a group of kindred spirits. [Read more…]

Austin Mic Exchange Is Training Ground for Local Hip Hop Artists

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Dustin Vegas

Austin Mic Exchange takes place weekly at Spider House Ballroom

Houston has a rap pedigree that goes back for generations. Dallas has also produced great hip hop, and the same goes for San Antonio. Austin’s contribution to music, on the other hand, has gravitated towards guitar picking and live outdoor festivals, a reputation we’ve been happy to embrace.

Pay closer attention to what’s happening with our live music scene, though. Austin Mic Exchange is rewriting what it means to be the Live Music Capital of the World by growing a DIY hip hop culture right here in Austin, Texas.
[Read more…]

Highlights From Aaron Franklin’s First Hot Luck Festival

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger

Aaron Franklin helped Rebecca Masson of Houston’s Fluff Bake Bar serve “Thurston S’moores” during The Thurston Moore Group’s performance at The Mohawk (Credit: Daniel Cavazos)

Hot Luck founder Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, along with partners James Moody of The Mohawk and Michael Thelin of Feast Portland, just wrapped up a successful four-day food and music festival that featured more than 50 celebrated chefs from around the country, over half of whom reside right here in Austin.

The concept was inspired by intimate and informal gatherings–drawing on the nostalgia of foods that comfort, and then are reimagined for a new generation. Hot Luck was for anyone who could appreciate a thoughtfully curated sensory experience, minus any pretension. (Note: you’ll find the words “hoedown” and “hootenanny” used to describe the event on the festival’s website. Boots were optional, koozies were required.)

Humble in presentation, but certainly not lacking in creativity and innovation, samplings were designed to be utensil-free and enjoyed in a picnic atmosphere. [Read more…]

All of Austin’s a Stage: Free Shakespeare in Zilker Park Runs Through May

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Susan Meyer

Scene from The Comedy of Errors at Zilker Hillside Theater (Credit: Sam Zavieh)

Free Shakespeare in Zilker Park is an experience I look forward to every year. It combines three of my favorite things: Shakespeare, being outside under the stars on an early summer evening, and free stuff. That’s right! Shakespeare in the Park is completely free theater, although they gladly accept donations.

This is a great place to take a special someone or your group of friends, and let the Bard’s words wrap around you while the fireflies dance. [Read more…]

Barton Springs Bathhouse Marks 70 Years With Community Plunge

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Jaclyn Hubersberger

Barton Springs Bathhouse Dedication in 1947

1947 Barton Springs Bathhouse dedication ceremony (Credit: Barton Springs Conservancy)

Located within Zilker Park’s 358 acres is Barton Springs Pool, a three-acre, underground fed spring that has been referred to as the “Heart and Soul” and “Crown Jewel” of Austin. If you’ve been there, you understand why. In 1947, Barton Springs Bathhouse opened its doors for the first time, welcoming swimmers from all walks of life who sought fun, relaxation, and healing in the water beyond its walls.

This year marks 70 years that the historic Barton Springs Bathhouse has been open. On May 13, Austinites can celebrate this anniversary during the 70th Birthday Splash: Parade and Plunge. The event is hosted by Barton Springs Conservancy, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor, preserve, and enhance the Barton Springs experience through education and facility improvements. [Read more…]

St. Elmo Brewing Hosts Free Bluegrass Music Every Week

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Dustin Vegas

A post shared by St Elmo Brewing Company (@stelmobrewing) on Apr 13, 2017 at 6:31am PDT

Austin’s music events are becoming flashier and more spectacular every year. International acts frequently entertain our city, and our festivals bring huge crowds and revenue to our city. But all the pizzaz and growth can cause us to overlook what made Austin’s music scene unique in the first place.

We’ve always been about local acts playing music for local people in local venues. Now, more than ever, it’s important to support local business and music if we want to retain what makes Austin weird. [Read more…]

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