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Don’t Miss Austin’s Annual Bat Fest on August 18th

August 10, 2018 by

Every summer, locals come together to celebrate a unique and distinctly Austinian event: the emergence of nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. It's called Bat Fest, and although this is only its 14th year, the festival actually has roots that date back to the '80s. The year was 1980 when Congress Avenue Bridge underwent an overhaul that, unbeknownst to its architects, would transform it into the perfect urban version of a bat cave.

It wasn't long after that Mexican free-tailed bats began to flock to the bridge and make a home beneath its eaves. Rather than try to shoo the bats away from their new home, the city of Austin embraced their residency. Bat Fest unfolds every August in the evening hours when the bats depart from their "cave" between 7 and 8:45 p.m. for their nightly hunting. The festivities kick off at 4 p.m., a lineup of live music, hot food and cold drinks, and more than 50 arts and crafts vendors. Come to the Congress Ave Bridge on Saturday, August 18th to enjoy the festival this year. Tickets start at $15 when you purchase them in advance.

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Lin Asian Bar And Dim Sum: Classic Chinese Cuisine and Organic, Local Ingredients

August 6, 2018 by

Even though Lin Asian Bar and Dim Sum just made its Austin debut in June, in a way, the eatery has been in the making for decades. Many years ago, its owner-chef learned how to craft classic Chinese cuisine alongside her grandmother in Fuzhou City. The experience led to a professional career as a chef, which eventually introduced Chef Ling to the benefits of organic and healthy ingredients. She takes the skills she learned from her grandmother and her contemporary interest in healthy eating and combines them at Lin Asian Bar and Dim Sum.

True to its name, the newly opened restaurant focuses on dim sum—small savory dumplings that are fried or steamed. Make a whole meal out of the eclectic dumplings, which are filled with organic, local, and MSG-free ingredients. Try the Shanghai seafood soup, the veggie, and the scallop dumplings. If you're still hungry, Chef Ling also serves up a full slate of larger entrees.

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Lady Bird Day at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Celebrate the Great Outdoors

July 24, 2018 by

First Lady Lady Bird Johnson took her ability to influence change very seriously. As the counterpart to President Lyndon B. Johnson, she used her political power for eco-friendly good. She established the National Wildflower Research Center in 1982, what would eventually become the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She also championed legislation that helped to protect the environment. As an homage to her hard work, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center hosts Lady Bird Day every summer. This year, come to celebrate the First Lady on Saturday, July 28th.

The free event includes a guided tour of the gardens, which Lady Bird helped to design all those years ago. Along the way, play outdoor games and discover new aspects of Mother Nature at special stations. Swing by the auditorium, too, where you can watch some of Lady Bird Johnson's own home movies and films that shed more light on her legacy.

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Dance, Bowl and Drink at the Texanische Nacht on July 21

July 18, 2018 by

Did you know that some historians believe bowling has roots in Germany? They say it could date back to the year 300 A.D. So it makes perfect sense that the Austin Saengerrunde, a group dedicated to preserving the history of Austin's German immigrants, boasts its own six-lane bowling alley. The alley will be open to the public during the Texanische Nacht on Saturday, July 21st.

From 7 to 11 p.m., the general public is invited to come and celebrate German heritage and Texan tradition in the event hall and bowling alley. The Cornell Hurd Band is on deck to provide the tunes, a mix of Western swing, rock, and country music. In between sets, enjoy a round of bowling with a complimentary drink in hand. Tickets to Texanische Nacht are $25 to the general public with discounts offered for members of the Austin Saengerrunde.

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Unplugged at the Grove: A Time-Honored Austin Tradition

July 10, 2018 by

Austin's cultural scene has evolved a lot over the last 25 years, but one thing remains the same: Unplugged at the Grove still comes to Shady Grove every Thursday night, April through mid-September. Perhaps more importantly, the live outdoor show is still free. It's already underway this season, so check out the schedule to choose which band or performer you want to see.

On July 19th, beloved Austin band Asleep at the Wheel brings the country-swing vibes to Shady Grove, just as the iconic group has for nearly half a century. Then on August 23rd, well-known blues artist Bob Schneider takes over the stage. The lineup also encompasses many other musical genres, so there's something for everyone on this year's itinerary. The shows start at 8 p.m., but due to limited space, it's recommended that you show up an hour or two early to grab a bite, a drink, and a good spot near the stage.

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Home Slice Pizza: A Labor of Love for Three Foodies

July 3, 2018 by

A local journalist and an IT expert/movie producer decided to make a major career change in the early 2000s. The married couple, Jen and Joseph Strickland, wanted to open their own pizza shop. Since they didn't have much experience in the culinary business, they enlisted the help of Jen's college roommate and seasoned restaurateur Terri Hannifin. Together, the trio opened the first Home Slice Pizza in 2005. Today, the homegrown business boasts multiple locations, including a new pizzeria in the North Loop.

Grab a slice or order an entire pie to enjoy at the mom-and-pop shop. Savor something simple like the margherita pizza, which features a layer of mozzarella topped with diced Roma tomatoes and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, plus fresh garlic and basil. When you're craving something more unique, opt for the pie topped with eggplant parm or chopped white clams. The eatery also serves up some subs, calzones, and a handful of salads and apps.

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Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller: Visit Austin’s Most Popular Farmers’ Market

June 26, 2018 by

From vegan muffins and gluten-free loaves of bread to hard cider and honey wine, the inventory of artisan-made grocery items is expansive at the Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller. That's probably why it's ranked the best farmers' market in the city by the Austin Chronicle's readers—and why it recently added an extra day to the weekly schedule. Now you can visit the market on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Wednesdays 5 to 8 p.m. at Browning Hangar on Airport Boulevard.

Stop by the market to chat with some of the producers who actually raise or grow their own products, like farmers from Good Vibes Urban Farm who cultivate microgreens and herbs or ranchers from Grass-Fed Beef of Texas. Other vendors aren't necessarily considered producers, but they still have a hand in shaping their artisan foods and goods. Snack on hot grub from Austin Pierogi, treat yourself to something sweet from Knotty Nice Bakery, or pick up some tea from Siply.

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Let Freedom Ring at the H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks

June 26, 2018 by

Every year on the Fourth of July, Austinites celebrate with backyard barbecues, patriotic ensembles, and, of course, fireworks displays. One of the city's most popular Independence Day bashes is the H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks—it usually draws more than 100,000 revelers to Vic Mathias Shores on the Fourth of July.

Head to the 41st annual concert this year on Tuesday, July 4th. Get to the park a bit early to ensure you get a good spot near the stage. That's where the Austin Symphony Orchestra will begin the evening with a lineup of patriotic tunes at 8:30 p.m. Then after the rousing concert, stick around for the main event: the awe-inspiring fireworks show. It kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and is sure to elicit oohs and aahs from the crowd. This event is free to attend, no tickets necessary.

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Fun Stop 5K & Fest: A Fun Run With Unique Twists

June 12, 2018 by

Most races don't include a foam pit or a slip 'n slide, but the Fun Stop 5K & Fest isn't most races. It's a distinctly Austin experience—in fact, it used to be called the "Keep Austin Weird Fest & 5K." So when you show up for the fun run and festival on Saturday, June 23rd, expect the unexpected.

The run kicks off at 6 p.m. at The Long Center on Riverside Drive. As you jog alongside friends, don't worry about your race time. Make plenty of pit stops to enjoy the fun along the race route. Stop for a shot of tequila at the Ghost Splash Stop or a nip of vodka at Tito's Shot Stop. Zip down the Clif Slip 'N Slide or plow through the organic foam at the Super Fun Foam Pit. Snap a photo as you smooch a pup at the Puppy Kissing Booth or help a friend cool down when you squirt him with a water gun at Super Soaker Street. Then at the festival at the finish live, enjoy live music and food as the evening wears on. Registration is $32 for the 5K and festival.

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Celebrate Your Dad at the Road Relics’ Father’s Day Antique Car Show

June 8, 2018 by

Instead of getting your dad a gift for this Father's Day, plan a special outing together. Take him to the Road Relics’ Father's Day Antique Car Show, a longstanding tradition in your community. Now in its 18th year, the annual Father's Day Car Show brings families together every year around this time.

Bring Dad and the rest of your family to the large, grassy field at North Lamar and 51st Street for the car show on Sunday, June 17th. It kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs for five hours, which should be plenty of time to explore the roster of vintage and classic roadsters. Although the exact lineup changes each year, the previous show drew more than 350 awe-inspiring vehicles—so you should plan to spend the whole afternoon at the show. Admission is free.

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