Activities Archives - Page 21 of 27

6 Steps to Become an Extra in Austin

August 12, 2014 by J. Alan Nelson 4 Comments

Being an extra in Austin takes perseverance, but it can also be extremely rewarding

If you’re an egoist, this could be a cure for you.

If you’re shy, this could be a cure for you.

If you don’t like people, this is not for you.

If you like people, do it now. Be an extra. Or, as some insist, a background artist.

It’s okay if you’ve never acted. It’s okay if you were the bumblecat without lines in the third grade play The Nonsense Man.

Don’t worry if you’re plain or ugly. Don’t worry if you’re obese or emaciated. Don’t worry if you have a bump on your nose, funny hair or a scar on your face. Those characteristics make you unique.

In fact, sometimes, beauty can hinder you. On one set that was using a few extras for the day’s shot, the director decided not to [Read more…]

4 Extreme Activities for Austinites Seeking Adventure

August 11, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

This guest article is by Rachel Powell.

Austin is home to extreme activities that offer players and participants the chance to experience hidden gems that make even the local-est of locals exclaim, “I never knew that was there!”

These activities are more than just satiation for the adrenaline junkie. Almost unanimously, they speak to deeper needs of the soul, showing people they are capable of more than they ever thought.

Go Back to the Future Aboard a Hover Craft

Fly boarding on Lake Austin (Credit: Fly Lake Austin)

If you’ve been on Lake Austin and seen something that Marty McFly might use to get around in the future, stop rubbing your eyes – you’re not mistaken. The device is called a fly board, and it’s quite literally taking off right here in Austin. [Read more…]

Austin Park N Pizza Revitalized for Families

August 5, 2014 by David Thomas 1 Comment

New pizza recipes and a larger salad bar are part of the revitalization (Credit: Austin Park N Pizza)

Austin Park N Pizza is passionate about their brand and reputation. They’ve recently made some big changes to drive that point home.

New Management, New Vision

Sean Milberger recently took the reigns as general manager of Austin Park N Pizza, and he’s made bold moves to update the menu and attractions. I recently had the opportunity to visit Austin Park N Pizza and see the changes myself. [Read more…]

10 Austin Date Ideas: Best Romantic Things To Do in Austin

August 1, 2014 by Guest Blogger 6 Comments

Date ideas abound in Austin if you know where to look (Credit: Hunter Pontious)

This guest blog article is by Callie Musick.

Austin is known for being one of the best cities for singles, making it a city full of first dates and hopefully many others afterward.

Beyond the singles dating scene, anyone in a relationship has probably experienced how easy it is to get caught in a routine of go-to date night spots. Whether you’re craving something new with your current SO (significant other) or looking for an impressive first date idea, here are a few local suggestions that break the typical dinner-and-drinks mold. [Read more…]

Found: Your Ultimate Sunday Funday on Rainey Street

July 31, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Let the Sunday Funday begin! (Credit: Bryan Pelz via Flickr CC)

This guest blog article is by Dawn Sarnecky.

As a transplant from Michigan, my typical weekend always started on Friday and continued through Saturday. I would potentially spend my Sunday nursing the after effects of those previous two days combined.

Little did I know that here in the ATX, Sunday is when all the cool kids go out, just as if it were a regular ol’ Saturday night.

Adapting to my adopted city, I set out to find the perfect formula for what many Austinites refer to as Sunday Funday. I quickly discovered I could happily spend the entire day in one neighborhood. Sunday Funday destination: Rainey Street. [Read more…]

Find Serenity and Peacocks at Mayfield Park

July 23, 2014 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Cottage at Mayfield Park

eeeeYAH eeeYAH eeeeYAH! That’s the best way I can describe the peacock chorus greeting I received when I walked into Mayfield Park. This gorgeous estate located in West Austin features these beautiful birds, trail systems, gardens, and a historical home.

Purchased in 1909 by Texas Secretary of State and Texas Railroad Commission chairman Allison Mayfield, the property was meant to be a summer getaway home for his family. In 1922, Mayfield’s daughter, Mary, and her husband, Dr. Milton Gutsch, moved into the home and set beautiful changes into motion. [Read more…]

Kids Learn Video Game Development at Game Worlds

July 9, 2014 by Robert Luke Leave a Comment

Game Worlds Video Game Camp for Kids in Austin

Lab time at Game Worlds (Credit: Alicia Andrew)

When I was a kid, video games like Nintendo and Atari were thought of as time wasters and brain drainers. Since then, they have developed into amazing pieces of creative art.

What hasn’t changed are parents wanting their kids to do something in the summer besides playing video games.

If a compromise can’t be made, or you want to focus your child’s interest towards something productive, I recommend Game Worlds. [Read more…]

The Long Center Hosts Free Fun All Summer Long

July 1, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

Bring a blanket, grab your favorite trailer food, and have yourself a picnic.

Summers in Austin are divine. That is, if you’re brave enough to put up with the sweltering heat, or are simply accustomed to it by now.

Those of us who have lived here long enough have found ways to deal with it, usually through a combination of live music, refreshing drinks, and food trucks.

For the third year in a row, Austin’s backyard, aka The Long Center, will be hosting several free and family friendly events that allow us to embrace the heat together, against one of Austin’s most picturesque backgrounds. [Read more…]

Try Cable Powered Wakeboarding at Quest ATX

June 24, 2014 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Managing partner, Earl Ball, has been wakeboarding since college

Have you ever wanted to wakeboard, but you don’t have a boat or the other equipment you need? Quest ATX has you covered.

How It Started

A wakeboarder since college, Earl Ball worked at and managed businesses in the wakeboarding industry for 10 years until last September, when he opened Quest ATX with partners Bill Vaubel and Jerry Taylor.

After choosing their location at 10815 FM 1625, the trio got busy setting up Austin’s first and only cable powered wakeboarding park. Cable power means no boats and shorter wait times for customers.

When I asked Earl why the Quest ATX team chose to go with cables, he replied, “With a boat, you…have fewer people on the water. With cables, we can have up to [Read more…]

Tubing Spots Near Austin

June 23, 2014 by Matthew Champion 2 Comments

Grab your coolers and SPF 30 because the heat is here and that means it’s time to float down a river somewhere.

We’re fortunate enough in Austin to be surrounded by varying bodies of water with plenty of opportune tubing spots. My quick advice is this. For a shorter float that’s family friendly, hit the Comal River (2-3 hrs). If you’ve got more time and want to make a day of it, try the Guadalupe River. For an in-between, head to the San Marcos River (less crowded when school is out of session). Most importantly, have fun!

Below are a few of my favorite tubing spots and companies that help make the fun happen.