Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
The Ferris wheel is a new favorite at Trail of Lights (Credit: Dear Wesleyann Photography)
Five years ago, Trail of Lights was privatized to take the monetary obligation away from taxpayers. The future of the holiday extravaganza seemed rocky at first, but now the event is arguably better than ever with a giant Ferris wheel, charitable events and Austin vendors helping to make the event memorable. [Read more…]
Table full of samples at TMBBQ Fest
Texas Monthly invited 27 BBQ purveyors to participate in the 7th annual TMBBQ Fest at the Long Center on Oct. 30, 2016. Austin pitmasters represented our city well, claiming five of the coveted spots at the festival and sharing the stage with others from among the top 50 pitmasters in Texas.
The pitmasters, crews and volunteers brought in their smokers early to set up for the meat-tasting extravaganza of the year. A hungry horde of roughly 3,500 eaters put on their game faces and lined up for grub. Some families planned their tasting strategy ahead of time, employing a divide and conquer strategy. Others meandered about, going where the day and their noses led them.
The five Austin participants included Franklin Barbecue, La Barbecue, Freedmen’s, Stiles Switch and Lambert’s. Here’s what you missed. [Read more…]
Cafe con Letras original performances celebrate Latin American musical traditions (Credit: Ulises Garcia)
If you’ve ever been to a concert in Austin, you know it’s never just about the music. The audience participating, the libations and the ambiance form a full experience. We all crave entertainment that stimulates our many senses.
But what happens when you strip away the “entertainment” factor and leave an audience with nothing but the the artist and the music? Does the experience fall flat? Perhaps unexpectedly, guests at Cafe con Letras in Austin find their senses set on fire by the connections they see, hear and feel between the artist and the music. [Read more…]
The ACL Fest entrance welcomes music lovers from all over Austin, and the world
(Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Confession time: Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival was my first ever. As a newborn at the event, I attempted to absorb as much as possible from three days of crowds, sun and mind-blowing music. Not only did I walk away with a greater appreciation for one of Austin’s most anticipated concerts, but I was re-invigorated by our community’s love for live music.
Here are 20 things I learned during Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival. Maybe you’ll make similar discoveries during Weekend Two. Most of all, I hope you’ll have a memorable experience that’s uniquely your own. [Read more…]
AIA Austin Homes Tour 2016 takes place Oct. 15 and 16 (Credit: Leonid Furmansky)
Whether you have a preference for modern, industrial or quirky design, there is something for you during this year’s American Institutes of Architects (AIA) Austin Homes Tour. Learn more about the 12 innovative homes featured on this year’s tour, scheduled for Oct. 15-16, 2016.
Welcome to ACL Eats (Credit: Lars Plougmann via Flickr CC)
When I covered SXSW last year, I felt super prepared. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, plenty of water. Ear protection for when I found myself inches from a subwoofer in a tiny venue. Everything I needed to survive the five-day event. There was one exception: I kept forgetting to eat.
By the time my stomach started rumbling, restaurants were packed to the gills. Food truck lines stretched 30 minutes long. Finding sustenance was an utter disaster.
Austin City Limits Music Festival 2016 wants to solve this issue with ACL Eats, a dedicated home for over 30 of Austin’s finest food trucks and eateries. From burgers to Pan-Asian, burritos to popsicles, there’s a flavor for everybody at ACL Fest. Below are some of the foods I’m looking forward to most. [Read more…]
Gina Chavez will be lighting up the Austin City Limits Music Festival stage on opening day (Credit: Bill Tucker)
If SXSW is for tourists, then Austin City Limits Music Festival is for locals. For two weekends a year, Zilker Park transforms from an oasis of laid-back leisure into a celebration of music from around the world. From chart-toppers, to indie darlings, to oldies looking for one last chance in the spotlight, ACL Fest attracts artists like chips to queso.
But what about our hometown heroes? As headliners like Radiohead, Mumford & Sons and LCD Soundsystem grab the marquee, local talent tends to get lost in the schedule, swallowed by acts with deeper pockets and wider reach.
But no more! There’s plenty of local to love at this year’s festival, so we’ve compiled a list of every ATX artist playing over ACL Fest’s two long weekends, and the times to check them out. Listen local! [Read more…]
Todd Rundgren and other performing musicians thanking the crowd at the 2015 ALL ATX benefit concert
(Credit: ALL ATX)
ALL ATX advocates for and nurtures Austin’s musicians, and strives to aid Austin in keeping musicians here and cared for. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ALL ATX is adding new beneficiaries this year to best meet the needs of local musicians, needs highlighted in the 2015 Austin Music Census Report.
The proceeds from the Sept. 29 ALL ATX 2016 Showcase and accompanying CD, both titled “Low Down Violet Crown: Austin Rocks the Blues,” will go to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), SIMS Foundation, Black Fret and Austin Music Foundation, four organizations that give direct support to Austin musicians. [Read more…]
Outdoor patio stage at Spider House (Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger)
An incredible live music lineup, comedy, an array of food trucks and drinks flowing as steadily as the water streaming down the giant, inflatable water slide. These are only a few of the activities that promise to make Spider House Cafe and Ballroom‘s 20th Anniversary Party an event to remember!
Starting at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, you can head over to 2908 Fruth St. and partake in the debaucherously good time that has been this iconic Austin spot’s modus operandi since 1996. The price of admission: FREE. [Read more…]
Expect lots of this at the 6th Annual Quesoff at Mohawk (Credit: Quesoff)
Queso. Simply saying the word activates saliva glands and rumbles the stomach. A staple of appetizer menus, backyard barbecues and UT game day snack spreads, this melted cheese sauce is as Austin as the Longhorns’ Burnt Orange.
But not all queso is created equal. The 6th Annual Quesoff on August 20, 2016 at Mohawk, aims to separate the pretenders from the contenders. Queso makers from around Austin will be pitted against each other in a battle of cheesy supremacy, all in support of a great cause. This is a delicious way to spend a Saturday afternoon. [Read more…]