Matthew Champion - The Austinot

10 Free Things to Do in Austin This Summer

May 21, 2015 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

After living here for a decade, I know a few things about Austinites. We love the summer (everything except the heat and mosquitoes), we love to stay busy and we love it when things are FREE.

Fortunately for us, there are plenty of things to do around the city that won’t cost us a penny and will keep us entertained during the year’s warmest season. Below are some of my favorite picks for summer 2015.

Zilker Park

Zilker Park is a beautiful place to enjoy summer in Austin (Credit: JTPics.com)

Every time I go to Zilker Park, I think about how I should visit more often and not take it for granted. The open green spaces combine with a beautiful backdrop of [Read more…]

6 Things to Eat and Do in Austin on Mother’s Day

May 7, 2015 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

The day is quickly approaching when we show our love for our moms and want to make them feel extra special. There’s a bounty of Mother’s Day activities and events going on in Austin, so no need to fret if you’ve waited until the last minute to make plans.

Below are a few of my local favorites that will show Mom your appreciation this Sunday.

#1 Threadgill’s

Threadgill’s downtown (Credit: Threadgill’s)

Get some mimosas for your mama at Threadgill’s this Mother’s Day. They’ll be offering a free [Read more…]

Elizabeth McQueen Debuts Interactive Musical Experience

April 22, 2015 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

EMQ, Elizabeth McQueen’s latest ensemble

One of the things I love most about Elizabeth McQueen is that she’s constantly reinventing herself as a musician and artist. She has the talent to slide into one niche and stay there, but her adventurous attitude seems to always have her exploring boundaries and experimenting with a little of this and a little of that. Whether it’s DJing on local radio or teaming up with genre-melding groups from St. Louis, she puts a priority on keeping things fresh and I appreciate it.

Fortunately for us, McQueen’s latest venture, Infinity + Infinity, is right around the corner with shows debuting at Austin’s Museum of Human Achievement on April 30th and May 1st. Infinity + Infinity is an interactive, multimedia performance with cutting edge animation and life sized, audience controlled visual environments working in tandem with McQueen’s original music. Here’s a sneak peek of the interactive, pseudoholographic experience you can expect at the show: [Read more…]

Republic of Sandwich Does Food Experiments That Work

April 9, 2015 by Matthew Champion 3 Comments

Republic of Sandwich on the corner of Hancock and North Loop

Editor’s Note: As of late March 2017, Republic of Sandwich is Capitol Sandwich, a trailer at 2308 Hancock Dr.

Serious about sandwiches? Like, Kevin James in King of Queens serious? Look no further than one of your newest neighborhood sandwich shops, Republic of Sandwich. Owners Pete O’Donnell and Thomas Gardner have brought some unbelievable recipes to the city, available at their brick and mortar on the corner of Hancock and North Loop Blvd.

The first time I stopped in for a bite, I knew they knew what they were doing, and I knew I would be back soon. [Read more…]

Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co. Opens in Cedar Park

March 23, 2015 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Company Stage for Live Music

Stage at Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Company hosts live music

Coffee. Beer. Good vibes. This is the mantra of Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co. and I stand behind it.

As I walked up to the brewpub on an overcast morning, I could smell beer brewing in the breeze. It was early, so I got a latte, but you can bet I’ll be back for a beer soon. Cedar Park needs a place like this and I’m happy it’s finally here.

The heart and soul of Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Company lies in owners Chad Misner and Jon Lamb, along with part owner and head brewer Zack Gardner and coffee connoisseur Jered Hill. I was able to meet all these friendly guys on this breezy morning, and they were happy to show me around less than a week after opening. They take pride in being locally owned and owner-operated, and do business with one simple mission: Do good. Be positive. Have fun. [Read more…]

2nd Street Soundcheck: Shopping, Food, Free Music Downtown

February 17, 2015 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

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…]

Beer, Will You Be My Valentine?

February 2, 2015 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

Whether you’re celebrating your relationship with your mate or single-handedly revolting against Cupid, there’s plenty of room in your Valentine’s Day for beer, right? It falls on a Saturday this year and those of us in Austin are lucky enough to be surrounded by all kinds of fun, local beer events for the occasion.

Twisted X Dia De San Valentin

Credit: Twisted X Brewing Company

Take a beautiful drive out to Texas Hill Country and partake in Twisted X Brewing Company’s Dia De San Valentin, an elegant 5-course meal prepared by the folks at Verde’s Mexican Parilla and paired with special Tex-Mex beers. With course selections like bacon-wrapped quail and chocolate [Read more…]

Sawyer and Co. Occupies Legendary Space from Austin Past

January 19, 2015 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

Sawyer and Co. in East Austin

If you’re looking for a comfortable place to go, with good cooking and outstanding retro design where you’ll be treated like family, look no further than Austin’s own Sawyer and Co.

Every detail from the mid-century decor down to the cheesy grits will make you feel as though you’ve found your home away from home.

Sawyer and Co. sits in the space where the legendary Arkie’s Grill existed for over 65 years as an East Austin mainstay. When Arkie’s closed down in 2012 [Read more…]

Cuvee Coffee Introduces Recyclable Crowlers to Austin

January 5, 2015 by Matthew Champion 1 Comment

My first Crowlers

Crowlers have officially arrived in Austin and it’s all thanks to Cuvee Coffee owner Mike McKim and Oskar Blues Brewery. Crowlers are one-time use, recyclable 32-ounce cans that you can fill and seal on-site with your choice of craft beer to bring home with you.

Crowlers were thought up by Oskar Blues Brewery out in Colorado, and McKim stumbled upon the idea of bringing them to Austin while doing research for his nitro cans of Black & Blue cold brew coffee, by far Cuvee’s most famous beverage.

With an ever-expanding beer scene, Austin seems to be the perfect place for a growler alternative. Crowlers seem to be in for even more popularity once spring and summertime roll around because they provide a growler option you can take to the lake, on a camping trip or to any of the countless outdoor activities where glass is banned. [Read more…]

These 5 Austin Delivery Services Have You Covered

December 22, 2014 by Matthew Champion 4 Comments

When the cold nights of winter roll around, I tend to turn into a hermit by my fireplace and Christmas tree. But even at other times of the year, sometimes I’m too sick in bed to run out for a box of Kleenex, or I’m stuck at work finishing a project and can’t make time for lunch.

No matter what the scenario is, I don’t ever have to go without the things I want or need because of the plethora of quality Austin delivery services this great city has to offer.

#1 Favor: Extra Pair of Hands

Favor runs errands for you and delivers to your home or business (Credit: Favor)

Favor provides an extra hand for errands and can deliver almost anything right to your doorstep, whether it be dishes from your favorite restaurants, dry cleaning, groceries or even prescriptions.

Their system is completely [Read more…]