Events - 2/22 - The Austinot

2018 Austin Music Awards Celebrates the Best of Local Music

March 2, 2018 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Joe Ely, winner of the Townes Van Zandt Songwriting Award, performs at the 2018 Austin Music Awards (Credit: Bill Tucker)

As anyone who’s watched four hours of the Oscars can tell you, award ceremonies can be tedious. Cheesy jokes, plastic celebrities politely clapping for the winners, and the obligatory political acceptance speech are standard operating procedures. By the end, everyone’s over it.

Not so with the Austin Music Awards. Rather than a collection of stars, it’s a gathering of friends. On Feb. 28, 2018, Austin’s Moody Theater transformed into a celebration of the best our fine city has to offer. By paying homage to those who cleared the way for the artists of today, this year’s Austin Music Awards wasn’t just a ceremony. It was a welcome home party. [Read more…]

The University of Texas Unveils Breathtaking Mural This Week, Free to Attend

January 23, 2018 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

Painting Amistad America Mural at University of Texas

José Parlá in residence at Landmarks, the public art program of The University of Texas at Austin, 2017 (Credit: Rey Parlá)

When I think of The University of Texas at Austin, images of football, Burnt Orange, and passionate fans come to mind. After this week, I’ll have another image in my mind whenever UT is mentioned: José Parlá’s gorgeous and inspiring mural, “Amistad América,” created for the newest building on campus. [Read more…]

OneLongTable Dining Society Provides Memorable Meal in Hill Country Setting

January 11, 2018 by Irvianne Torremoro 2 Comments

Texas Hill Country provides a beautiful backdrop for OneLongTable dinners (Credit: Krista Miller/Lys Photography)

Pop-up dinners and supper clubs are having a resurgence. They’re the perfect chance to experience an exceptional dinner that isn’t normally available. They’ll also take you out of your comfort zone by placing you in a setting filled with new friends, delicious food, and stories to share long afterwards.

[Read more…]

Microsessions Pairs Speed Dating Format With Live Music in Austin

January 3, 2018 by Joleen Jernigan 1 Comment

Sydney Wright performs a set during Microsessions (Credit: Ben Porter Photography)

Speed dating for live music? Microsessions presents a novel way to discover more Austin musicians to love. Participate in a round-robin-style series of intimate mini-concerts, followed by a longer set of your choosing.

Once every month, you can check out four different acts during this fast-paced, lively night of music that’s also affordable and fun. [Read more…]

3 Places Where You Can Have the Most Magical Time in Austin

December 4, 2017 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

Growing up, I went through a phase when I was eating up all the information I could about magic tricks and illusions. While I become a world-famous illusionist (which is what I wanted to be), I still take delight in anything that promises to add a bit of magic, literally, into my life.

Luckily, there are several locations locally that provide thrilling experiences in the art of illusion. You don’t even need to say “abracadabra!” to take a look at the magical side of Austin. [Read more…]

8 Must-see Texas Hill Country Holiday Light Trails

November 24, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan 4 Comments

San Saba’s light show boasts 30 acres of lights and an extended run through Jan. 5, 2018 (Credit: Mitchell Hallmark/Found Media Group)

‘Tis the season to sparkle! From now through the end of the season, festive holiday light trails adorn Texas Hill Country, and we’ve discovered the best and brightest dazzlers around.

We adore Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, but this article goes above and beyond for my kind of people who are truly extra in their love for shiny objects. I’m eternally beguiled by the night and mesmerized by shiny objects, so I’m way into the holiday light trail scene.

These aren’t your subtle, modest light displays, but rather full-on Clark Griswold affairs. If you crave holiday glitz and are up for a quick road trip, these eight Hill Country destinations can satisfy your quest to shine on.
[Read more…]

6 Family-friendly Holiday Events at Texas State Parks

November 22, 2017 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

Temperatures may be mild outside, but holiday music is starting to play on local radio stations. And in just a few short days, Austin’s very own Trail of Lights will open for another glorious season. So, while it may not feel like it, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in ATX.

Unfortunately, along with this most wonderful time of the year comes added stress. Instead of letting crowded shopping malls and heavier traffic get you down, head outside for some holiday cheer.

Scattered across the great state of Texas are more than 90 state parks, 19 of which are relatively close to Austin. To help you steer clear of the crowds and spend more time with loved ones, we’ve rounded up six state parks near Austin that are featuring holiday festivities in 2017. [Read more…]

Insider’s Guide to Austin’s Trail of Lights, 2017 Edition

November 14, 2017 by Amanda Gagnon Leave a Comment

Trail of Lights is an Austin tradition, marking 52 years this Christmas season (Credit: Trail of Lights)

The first time I visited Trail of Lights, I was mesmerized by the beauty of it all, especially the tunnel at the entrance. I spun around inside the Zilker Tree until I was dizzy, and fell even more in love with the Austin skyline. This holiday magic is something I want to experience every year.

Visiting Trail of Lights is a yearly tradition for most Austin residents. If you’ve never been before, watch the short video below for more information on this year’s event, which will run from Dec. 9 to Dec. 23. And keep reading for this year’s pro tips!

[Read more…]

Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Brings the Best Meat With (Almost) No Lines

November 8, 2017 by Yulia Dyukova 1 Comment

Juicy brisket from Micklethwait Craft Meats at Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2017

Getting out of my Uber in front of the Long Center last Sunday and seeing the crowds gathering to eat some of the best barbecue in Texas gave me a slight feeling of overwhelm. The 8th annual Texas Monthly BBQ Fest was the biggest one yet, with over 4,000 meat lovers in attendance.

Thirty BBQ joints from around the state–all featured in Texas Monthly’s latest list of the top 50 BBQ joints in Texas–were offering samples of their meat. The prospect of having all-you-can-eat brisket, ribs, and sausage from the best pitmasters was both exciting and intimidating. Especially when I realized I only had four hours to try them all! [Read more…]

Austin’s Best Bazaars, Fairs, and Markets for Your Holiday Shopping

November 8, 2017 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

The holidays can be a joyous time of year with friends and family. But this season can also be stressful, as you try to find the perfect gift for those you love.

Whether you’re looking for arts, crafts, Texas foods, or gift certificates, our team at The Austinot believes local gifts make the best gifts! So here’s a rundown of the best bazaars, fairs, and markets in Austin to make your holiday shopping a breeze. [Read more…]