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14 Crazy Stories From Locals That Prove SXSW Is the Best Festival Ever

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Bill Murray on Jimmy Kimmel Show at SXSW

Bill Murray on Jimmy Kimmel Live during SXSW 2015 (Credit: Getty)

Brace yourselves. SXSW is coming! The popular meme floating around the interwebs was inspired by the festival’s legendary reputation. And with good reason, considering everyone has an epic SXSW story. With approximately 400,000 participants, attendees, and celebrities descending on Austin from all over the world, it’s hard to not have a crazy tale about what I refer to as “adult Spring Break.”

To celebrate the return of the festival for another year, here are 14 quotes from Austin locals that perfectly explain the phenomenon that is SXSW.

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Top 6 SXSW Music Venues for 2018

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Top SXSW Music Venues 2018

Walk downtown on a Saturday night in Austin, and you’ll find yourself in a mixtape. Songs and tunes of every genre swirl together to create a kaleidoscope of sound. As the entertainment lifeblood of our fair city, live music holds a special place in our hearts. During SXSW, the vibe is amplified by a factor of 10.

But what about the venues that house this wonderful music? While each official SXSW venue has its own charm and style, here are six I make a point of visiting every year, regardless of who’s playing. [Read more…]

2018 Austin Music Awards Celebrates the Best of Local Music

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Joe Ely Austin Music Awards

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

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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

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One Long Table Supper Club in Austin

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.

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Microsessions Pairs Speed Dating Format With Live Music in Austin

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Sydney Wright Microsessions Performance

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

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Magic Acts in Austin

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…]

6 Family-friendly Holiday Events at Texas State Parks

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Holiday Events at Texas State Parks 2017

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

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Trail of Lights 2017 in Austin, Texas

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

➡️ Get our 2018 guide to Trail of Lights in Austin

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!

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

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texas monthly bbq list

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…]

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