Et Cetera - The Austinot

Support AIDS Services of Austin During #DineOutATX on April 24

April 19, 2018 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Swift’s Attic is one of many enticing options during Dining Out for Life 2018 (Credit: Swift’s Attic)

Guilt-free eating at your favorite Austin restaurants is possible during Dining Out for Life on Tuesday, April 24. Simply dine out on April 24, 2018, at any of the 60+ local restaurants that are donating a portion of their proceeds to Dining Out for Life that day. Calories don’t count when you’re helping our community by eating that delicious food!

The money from #DineOutATX goes directly to AIDS Services of Austin and will help serve more than 5,000 Austin residents living with HIV. AIDS Services of Austin also provides preventive screenings, education, outreach, and advocacy to at-risk populations. [Read more…]

Latinitas Empowers Austin’s Young Latinas With Media and Technology Skills

April 11, 2018 by Amanda Gagnon Leave a Comment

Latinitas serves girls ages 9-18 through after-school clubs, camps, conferences, and workshops
(Credit: Josie Hughes)

In this day and age, media and technology impact nearly every moment of the day. Though new jobs are constantly being created, women struggle to find their voice. Especially within the Latina community.

From a cultural perspective, Latinas have a powerful voice and important perspective to contribute to all creative sectors. This is where Latinitas shines, and why it’s become such a valuable part of the Austin community. Latinitas is empowering young Latinas to innovate through media and technology, find their voice, and let it be heard. [Read more…]

Dam That Cancer With 21-mile Paddle Across Lake Austin

April 6, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by Mathis Kennington

Stand up paddleboarding is a celebrated Austin pastime. You can’t drive around Lady Bird Lake on a sunny afternoon without watching a dozen or so Austinites slowly making their way across the water. Mark Garza, Executive Director and Founder of The Flatwater Foundation, knows this better than most.

Every year, Garza organizes a massive paddleboarding fundraiser called Tyler’s Dam That Cancer, which brings folks from all over the country together to paddle Lake Austin. Garza’s local nonprofit, The Flatwater Foundation, hosts this annual fundraiser to provide mental health coverage for people who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis. [Read more…]

The Austinot Weekend Concert Picks: March 23-24, 2018

March 22, 2018 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

With my ears still ringing from SXSW, I’m more inspired than ever to highlight Austin’s local music scene. This week, we recommend a touching singer/songwriter, slick, laid-back soul, and a shoegaze showcase. Enjoy the weekend, the music, and–as always–listen local! [Read more…]

The Austinot Weekend Concert Picks: Mar. 9-11, 2018

March 8, 2018 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Hear that far-off rumble? See that cloud of smoke rising from the horizon, as the ground trembles beneath your feet? That’s the sound of 2,000 bands, artists, and musicians speeding towards Austin for SXSW Music 2018! This weekend is your last chance to check out some live, local music before the festival hits the streets.

Luckily, there are plenty of unofficial shows and showcases already going down this weekend. To narrow down your options, we recommend these three. The best part: you can get into all of them for free.

Friday, March 9

Otis the Destroyer (Credit: Andrew Bennett)

Otis the Destroyer, Sailor Poon, Holy Wave, Shmu, Marmalakes, more

@ Cheer Up Charlies (900 Red River St.) – 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Free

The key to any good showcase is finding variety. On Friday, Cheer Up Charlies presents two stages of rock and roll goodness. From Sailor Poon’s aggressive, nails-out punk to the trippy psych rock of Otis the Destroyer, there are plenty of styles and genres to choose from. My personal recommendation? Get there early for subtle and haunting Cross Record. The full line up and RSVP information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Saturday, March 10

Megafauna rocked Black Fret’s 2108 season kick-off at Mohawk (Credit: Bill Tucker)

SX Soundcheck Saturday w/Megafauna, Ume, Magna Carda, Annabelle Chairlegs, more

@ Hotel Vegas (1502 E. 6th St.) – 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Free to $5

What a lineup! Nearly 10 hours of music across two stages await intrepid SXSW revelers. Highlights include the ’60s-era head music of Annabelle Chairlegs, hip hop duo Magna Carda, and the old-fashioned metal burn of Megafauna. And when the music’s over at 10 p.m., DJ Orion Garcia takes over at The Volstead until who knows when. Check out the Facebook event for the entire lineup and RSVP details.

Sunday, March 11

Jackie Venson (Credit: Bill Tucker)

All the Friends Ball 2018 w/Jackie Venson, Alesia Lani, Ruby Jane, Charlie Faye & the Fayettes, more

@ Spider House Ballroom (2908 Fruth St.) – 1 p.m. – Free

Every year, Spider House Ballroom holds a series of splendid SXSW extravaganzas and this year is no exception. This Sunday bash has too many incredible Austin acts to count. Favorites include guitar virtuoso Jackie Venson, R&B stunner Alesia Lani, and violin prodigy Ruby Jane. Ten hours of music across five stages equals the best SXSW Sunday in Austin. Check out the Facebook event for the full schedule.

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

What show are you looking forward to most this weekend in Austin?

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We always have unique content on the Austinot, and we love to give things away. You know, like CDs, event tickets and other cool stuff. We only send out our Best of the Austinot newsletter two times/month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of the Austinot here!

Center for Social Innovation Propels Nonprofits With Intentional Ecosystem

January 30, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Team behind The Center for Social Innovation (L-R): Dan Graham, Matt McDonnell, Daryl Kunik, Michael Hsu

Guest article by Sarah Snyder

Going to a construction site is always intriguing, especially when hard hats are required. My behind-the-scenes look at The Center for Social Innovation, Springdale General’s current project, was especially fun considering the center’s purpose to serve the social impact community in Austin.

Wait until you read about all the nonprofits and social good companies planning to come together at this east Austin hub.

[Read more…]

9 Austin Bars With Winter Drinks to Try This Year

January 10, 2018 by Danielle Fritz 2 Comments

Imagine your ideal winter wonderland with a hot winter drink in hand (Credit: Sarah Jacober Spitzer for Geraldine’s)

Winter weather in Texas is consistent in one aspect: its inconsistency. Regardless of the weather outdoors, here are 9 Austin bars offering winter drinks for any type of weather. [Read more…]

Terminally Ill Patients Receive Gift of Music From Nonprofit Swan Songs

January 5, 2018 by Amanda Gagnon Leave a Comment

Austin musician Ruthie Foster performs at 2017 Swan Song Serenade for the terminally ill
(Credit: Winker Withaneye)

Never underestimate the healing power of music, even if it only lasts for a brief moment. Songs can uplift our moods and move us through difficult times. The gift of music can be so powerful, it can transport us to a different place, entirely.

Music can also bring people together. It may also bring solace to friends and families of loved ones who are terminally ill. Swan Songs, a local nonprofit in Austin, is striving to accomplish just that, and the process is simpler than you might expect. [Read more…]

5 Free Ways to Bring in New Year’s in Austin

December 21, 2017 by Vi Chetan Leave a Comment

Fireworks over downtown Austin (Credit: Kumar Appaiah via Flickr CC)

2017 is almost over, guys! This year flew by in a heartbeat. Austin has inducted many new Austinites, welcomed new establishments, and said goodbye to some loved ones. With 2018 quickly approaching, we think it’s only fair to say so long to 2017 in style. Oh, and it gets better. What we have in mind is not only awesome, but also free to do!

Check out our list of free things to do on New Year’s Eve in Austin. [Read more…]

11 Austin Restaurants Open Christmas Day

December 20, 2017 by Samantha Saenz 3 Comments

The only thing harder than finding someone who was born and raised in Austin is finding a good restaurant that’s open past midnight on the weekends, or at all during the holidays. Over Christmas, Austin becomes much like a ghost town. If you find yourself in search of sustenance on Dec. 25, here’s a list of places where you can eat, drink, and be merry. [Read more…]