Events Archives - Page 21 Of 32

Blue Genie Art Bazaar Gives Holiday Shoppers Reason to Rejoice

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Kristin Leigh

Wall of handcrafted art at Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Marchesa Hall hosts this sprawling bazaar

After the turkey has settled and the pumpkin spice lattes have transitioned to frothy peppermint mochas, grab your wallet and reusable tote bags because it’s holiday craft fair season until we land with a thud in 2016.

Austin hosts a range of fairs in November and December, but if you’re looking to score that neon dinosaur planter or Velvet Underground vinyl record wall clock at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday night, I recommend you make your way to North Austin for one of Austin’s longest-running craft shows, Blue Genie Art Bazaar. [Read more…]

Experience Life in the Dark During Blind Cafe Pop-up Dinner

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Kristin Leigh

Discussion before dinner in the dark during The Blind Cafe (Credit: The Blind Cafe)

Standing outside the American Legion, watching the sun set against a showy peach sky, I am equal parts hungry and excited. I have arrived with fifty other Austinites for a multi-sensory pop-up dinner at The Blind Cafe.

I have to admit I’m just a bit nervous, though. I eye my plus one, Lisa, secretly praying she’s excited and not about to bail before we head in. Our chef-prepared vegetarian feast, complete with an after-dinner concert and discussion is going to be amazing, but it will be enjoyed in utter, complete darkness.

The Blind Cafe facilitates unique, pop-up dinner events across the United States that promote positive social change and host legally blind keynote speakers. What that means is that dinner guests are guided by blind waitstaff into a pitch dark dining room where tables of six to eight people sit together. There they enjoy dinner, listen to gorgeously curated live music, ask questions about what it’s like to be blind and listen to the experiences of the blind facilitators hosting the event. All of this in the dark without a single glimmer of light or distraction. [Read more…]

10 Illuminating Art Pieces from Pop Austin 2015

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Kelli McDonald

Fair Market on Pop Austin’s opening night

Pop Austin International Art Show took place this past weekend from Oct. 23-25. This year’s theme was “Illumination,” as the United Nations deemed 2015 “The International Year of Light.” Pop Austin featured laser, neon, LED and holographic artwork and installations. Guests of all ages were immersed in light, while experiencing pieces from local and international artists.

The location of the event was Fair Market on 5th Street, with a satellite gallery at Circuit of the Americas. I was able to check out both shows, so here’s a peek at what I saw, in no particular order. Maybe you’ll be inspired to attend next year’s show! [Read more…]

Austin Wins Big at Great American Beer Festival 2015

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Edgar Barguiarena

Credit: Brewers Association

Every year just after Autumn makes its debut and white becomes taboo, a bearded band of Austin brewers makes its way to Denver, Colorado. Their mission? To serve beer at the Great American Beer Festival to an audience of over 60,000 craft beer aficionados from around the world, and compete against over 1,500 breweries from around the country. The Austin contingent of brewers totaled 15 this year, a full third of all breweries that hailed from the state of Texas.

If you tried three different beers a day at Great American Beer Festival, it would still take you almost three and a half years to get through every beer within the festival hall. I had three days. It was a daunting task, to be sure, but one accepted without hesitation. Somebody has to do it, right? [Read more…]

16 Pro Tips for Making the Most of ACL Music Fest

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Jessica Pino

On the verge of celebrating its 13th birthday, ACL Music Festival continues to outdo itself year after year. I’ve been attending the festival for the past seven years and, each time around, I’ve either gotten a little smarter, or the festival has gotten a little better. Or maybe it’s a combination of both. ACL has become a well-oiled machine, from coordinated shuttles to the quality of local eats. Even the Porta Potties don’t (completely) stink.

In seven years, I’ve realized some unofficial do’s and don’ts for the event, such as: Don’t drink too much alcohol, and do drink plenty of water. Seems obvious, right? Wrong! It probably took me two ACLs to learn that one…the hard way.

In the interest of saving you from the difficulties I experienced the hard way, here are some of my best pro tips for enjoying ACL Music Fest, no matter which weekend you attend. [Read more…]

Arts, Athleticism Shine with Blue Lapis Light Performances

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler

Blue Lapis Light performance (Credit: Earl McGehee)

For some, hitting the dance floor can be challenging. Imagine executing those same moves while hanging in air. Now, take that scenario to the side of a downtown building, underneath the I-35 bridge, or suspended from 25-foot high scaffolding.

Welcome to the world of Austin’s Blue Lapis Light.

Blue Lapis Light is a site-specific dance company that combines the art of dance and music, athleticism, aerial silks and the drama of Austin’s skyline into unique yearly shows. Their current performance, Edge of Grace, serves additional functions. It gives the public a look at Blue Lapis Light’s new south Austin studio location, while celebrating 10 years of creative performance and educational outreach. [Read more…]

Mobile Food Throwdown Awards Best Lobster Roll in Austin

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Brittany Highland

Top: Garbo’s lobster roll with half an ear of corn
Below: Dock & Roll lobster roll with habanero vinaigrette sauce and salad

The second annual Mobile Food Throwdown took place this past Sunday at Austin Beerworks, with ticket holders and a panel of judges deciding who makes the best lobster roll in Austin! The competing food trucks were Dock & Roll Diner and Garbo’s Lobster Truck.

As the event began at 11:30 AM, representatives from each food truck introduced themselves before cooking started. Dock & Roll served their lobster roll with habanero vinaigrette sauce and a cucumber, blueberry, watermelon salad. Garbo’s took a basic approach to their lobster roll, with half an ear of corn on the side, covered with cheese sauce and bacon. [Read more…]

Round Rock Express: The Ball Club I Didn’t Know I Needed

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Andrew Chase

Round Rock Express Baseball at Dell Diamond

View of the Round Rock Express from right field

Let’s talk sports. As a huge sports fan from Boston, I’ve had a rough go as of late. I mean, this is a tough time of year for sports in general, being that all we have right now is baseball and golf (no offense, tennis). It doesn’t help that my Red Sox are sitting pretty much in last place and every time I say “Boston,” someone throws a hissy fit about deflated footballs. That’s another story and I’m not allowed to swear here, so let’s move on.

Anyway, the bottom line is I’ve needed some sort of competitive sporting event to get me by during these hard times. Luckily, Austin is home to the Round Rock Express, a minor league baseball affiliate of the Texas Rangers. I caught a game this past weekend and, beyond the game itself, the entire experience was incredibly enjoyable and just what I needed. [Read more…]

Experience Bollywood Right Here in Austin

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Kelli McDonald

Bollywood Dancing at Long Center in Austin

Bollywood dancing in front of the Austin skyline

Austin Bollywood Day 2015 was a success! While the weather was exceptionally hot, hundreds of visitors were in good spirits while checking out the festivities at the Long Center. If you missed this recent August event, don’t worry. There are several happenings throughout the year to celebrate the vibrancy and excitement of Bollywood in Austin, and you can get involved. [Read more…]

Laughter Is the Best Medicine: Join the Stand Up Empire

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Jessica Pino

All this talk about the changing landscape of the Red River District is enough to make you cry. But there’s something new to the area that can help: stand up comedy.

Austin’s comedy scene has been left largely unexplored by many Austinites. Until now. One of newest open mic nights in town, Stand Up Empire at Empire Control Room & Garage, is proof that Austin’s comedy scene is on the rise. [Read more…]

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