Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
Austinites are an active bunch and like to have fun. But with hundreds of fun activities on the calendar, it’s hard to decide which ones to attend.
We have to prioritize which events deserve our time and money. In order to help you start planning and budgeting for 2015, I’ve put together a month by month guide to the biggest Austin events, ranging from free to [Read more…]
Just a lil’ neighborhood pub (Credit: Nicolai McCray)
Have you ever wanted to be the teacher’s pet? Now’s your chance! Grab a desk in the front row and get educated about libations, cocktails and spirits.
No matter how you say it, we’re buying into the art and creativity behind these boozey concoctions and School House Pub is handing out the grades. You may not receive a paper certificate or a gold star, but you will get a 101 style education about some of the cocktail worlds most recognizable trends, classic techniques and the history behind recipes, plus fun tasting sessions.
“Libations 101” is a twelve part educational series hosted on the second Monday of each month at School House Pub (2207 Manor Road). For roughly $10 per month, you can participate in an adult and social learning environment, in the comfort of your neighborhood pub. [Read more…]
Graham Wilkinson, awarded $10,000 by Black Fret (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)
If you love Austin’s music scene, but haven’t heard of local non-profit Black Fret, that changes now.
Imagine being a talented musician trying to make a living following your passion. You have a fan base, regular shows and even a couple of albums. But it’s an uphill struggle every day, and you find yourself having to refocus energy into another job so the bills get paid.
Then a local non-profit comes along and offers you a chance to play private shows for music patrons in Austin. Your exposure grows among these influencers, and then you get news that will change your life and career: [Read more…]
Albert Smith’s Unofficial SXSW Guide Facebook and Twitter accounts reach in excess of 80,000 fans
It all starts with your first SXSW showcase. For music industry veterans, you never forget it.
The year was 2007 and Amy Winehouse was creating headlines with a soulful performance at Stubb’s that ended with her in handcuffs. A tiny social media company was in town promoting a network that limited your entries to 140 characters (based around the old SMS limits, remember that!?).
And Albert Smith was putting together his first unofficial SXSW showcase at the Bayou Lounge. Seven years later, 19,000 people are following him on that “tiny” social network (Twitter, for those of you who haven’t caught on) and an additional 62,000+ like him on Facebook. [Read more…]
The Paramount Theatre will host the inaugural Black Ball on November 8, 2014 (Credit: JD Hancock via Flickr CC)
On November 8th, a new event will be introduced to Austin, TX. Under the historical roof of Congress Avenue’s Paramount Theatre, non-profit Black Fret will award $100,000 to 10 local music artists at the inaugural Black Ball.
Black Ball has been a long time coming. Following its Launch Party at the beginning of 2013, Black Fret marked its 100th member a year later. Throughout 2014, new members have continued to sign on to support Austin musicians and promote the maturing of our city’s music industry. The organization hit 170 members in October 2014.
Membership in Black Fret is exclusive and limited. Only [Read more…]
Rap legend Nas is headlining the Blue Stage on November 8th villunderlondon via Flickr CC
November 7-9, 2014 will showcase one of the coolest cross genre entertainment festivals in the United States.
Fun Fun Fun Fest skillfully blends hard rock, hip-hop, indie rock, comedy and action sports in a three day hulabaloo that leaves event goers desperately wishing they were within range of the taco cannon.
Fun Fun Fun Fest prides itself on being an independent festival, encapsulating the spirit and personality of Austin. It’s become known as a platform for bands to reunite and for others to take the next step in their career by performing in front a large, enthusiastic audience. In the past, FFF Fest was the place where Run DMC [Read more…]
Visitors flood to MedFest to enjoy food, live entertainment and Mediterranean culture (Credit: Emily Poole)
There’s nothing like Austin’s MedFest. Since this Mediterranean celebration has nearly made it to its 82nd year, it’s fair to assume a lot of Austinites feel the same way.
This year’s festival is scheduled for September 26-27, 2014. As always, it will be hosted by St. Elias Orthodox Church on 11th Street between Red River and Trinity. A little bit of trivia for you: MedFest was originally founded in the 1930’s to raise funds to build St. Elias. The church’s cornerstone was laid in 1934, but MedFest was too much fun to end. Generations of devoted volunteers have allowed this event to become the oldest continuously running festival in Central Texas.
Want to know why MedFest has proved so popular? It’s all about old world tastes and sounds that hold a foreign feeling of excitement. Here’s what you’ll find at MedFest 2014… [Read more…]
FFX Poster by Geof Darrow
September is an exciting month in Austin. The weather starts to cool down, it’s about time to get ready for Halloween, and Fantastic Fest happens.
Running September 18-22, 2014, Fantastic Fest is an annual film festival programmed by the people at Alamo Drafthouse who specialize in science fiction and horror genre films. The event typically brings big movie stars and film premieres to our fair city, and this year looks like it’ll be no exception.
There are a lot of special things happening at this year’s Fantastic Fest. In its tenth year, it’s the first festival to take place at the newly reopened South Lamar Drafthouse. South Lamar and then Highball had hosted Fantastic Fest every year, except for last year when it was held at the most northern location in Lakeline. This year, Fantastic Fest is back where it belongs (even if it’ll still be surrounded by construction).
Having been born here, it’s amazing to watch Austin get bigger around me. I genuinely believe Alamo Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest are partly responsible for that. I’ve talked to multiple people who all say, “I moved to Austin because of Alamo Drafthouse.” Fantastic Fest also brings many celebrities, movie stars and famous directors to Austin, exposing them to the opportunities here. [Read more…]
Austin Redskins fans (Auskins) take over Black Sheep Lodge every game day
Football season again. It may be easy for Longhorns, Texans and Cowboys fans to find a place to watch the big game in Austin, but what about those who aren’t believers? Where can they find like-minded fans to whoop and holler with? Though I may be stoned for it, I have a few suggestions. [Read more…]
Vintage First Thursday (Credit: David Ingram via Flickr CC)
I’m always excited to find our city supporting local artists, like you’ll find at 23rd Street Artists Market. It’s even cooler when it’s a whole neighborhood affair.
For several years now, businesses of all sizes have been congregating on South Congress Ave. for a monthly event called First Thursday. You can probably guess when this event takes place. Yes, the first Thursday of every month.
It is a neighborhood affair. The businesses up and down South Congress stay open late, many until about 10 PM. The bars in the area are known to offer drink specials for the monthly gathering, and parking areas and lot spaces are opened for artists to set up tents and sell their wares. [Read more…]