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Elan East, SXSW Returns to Austin Mar. 11 to Mar. 20

March 2, 2016 by

Elan East is lucky enough to be in the middle of the action for South by Southwest (or SXSW), an annual festival that celebrates up-and-coming technology, music, and films. The festival returns from Mar. 11 to Mar. 20 to various locations throughout Austin. Festival highlights include a speech from Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, a presentation by J. J. Abrams, live music by BØRNS, a screening of Miles Ahead (the new Miles Davis biopic starring Don Cheadle), and more. Additional events include meet-ups, discussions with like-minded creatives, parties, and more.

In addition to events and shows, some of Austin’s favorite food trucks and mobile food vendors from across the country will set up shop at the Southbites Trailer Park. Vendors will be peddling everything from lobster rolls and barbecue to ice cream and fresh juice. Admission to SXSW ranges in price depending on which ticket package you select. Tickets start at $495.

South by Southwest
Mar. 11 to Mar. 20
Austin, TX
www.sxsw.com/

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Esther’s Follies: A Variety Show That’s an Austin Staple

February 24, 2016 by

A show with comedy, music, and magic that’s been a vital and vibrant part of Austin nightlife for over 35 years, Esther’s Follies is a must-see for its fun, irreverent take on current events. A bit like a live version of SNL, the cast of Esther’s Follies perform ever-changing routines based on the headlines of the day. The cast blends political humor with local jokes into skits and musical numbers. There’s even a magician seamlessly incorporated into the fun.

To give fair warning: audience participation is huge here—they will not only pull audience members into the scenes, but they'll even pull people off the street! The venue is intimate but still has plenty of seating, which is great for a show like this. The space is Esther Williams-themed and filled with kooky items, like a mermaid fountain and a fish tank made from a television. Esther’s Follies is about 10 minutes from Elan East.

Esther's Follies
525 East 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0553
www.esthersfollies.com
www.yelp.com/biz/esthers-follies-austin-2

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Celebrate Valentine’s Weekend at Blue Starlite

February 9, 2016 by

If you're looking for something different to do this Valentine's Day, consider taking in a classic flick with your significant other at Blue Starlite drive-in, only about 10 minutes from Elan East. Starting Friday, Feb. 12, the drive-in theater will screen cult hits and romantic favorites all weekend long.

On Friday, kick off your weekend with a triple feature. It starts with the classic Casablanca at 6:45 p.m., a tale of love in war-torn Morocco. At 9:45, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams take the screen for that famous kiss in the rain, a pivotal scene in The Notebook. And if you're willing to stick around even later, Harold and Maude begins around midnight. You can come by on Saturday instead to watch The Princess Bride (at 6:45 p.m. and midnight) and Breakfast at Tiffany's (at 9:45). Or wait until V-Day actually rolls around to watch The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, and Moulin Rouge.

Valentine's Weekend at Blue Starlite
​Feb. 12 to 14
1901 E. 51st Street
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 850-6127
www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/valentines-events/
www.bluestarlitedrivein.com

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Spun Ice Cream: A Hipper Way to Do Dessert

February 2, 2016 by

Utilizing science to create a delicious treat, Spun Ice Cream’s take on dessert is a fun, inventive, and one-of-a-kind experience for the young and young at heart. A new spot about two miles away from Elan East, Spun Ice Cream takes locally-sourced cream, milk, and other ingredients, and "spins" them into ice cream using liquid nitrogen to freeze it extremely quickly. The liquid nitrogen produces smaller ice crystals than traditionally frozen ice cream, which makes the flavor even better.

Each scoop is made to-order, and there is a rotating selection of gourmet toppings like peanut brittle, caramel popcorn sprinkles, and pickled jalapeno glass. There are dairy-free and gluten-free options for everything, too. Spun has an enjoyable, vintage soda shop feel, with a small seating area if you care to dine in. There’s even a typewriter you can use to write a review! A must-visit for a sweet treat.

Spun Ice Cream
1912 E. 7th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1768
spunicecream.com/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/spun-ice-cream-austin

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BYO Containers to Fill at Eco-Friendly Co-Op In.gredients

January 6, 2016 by

At In.gredients, grocery shopping is more of an event than an errand. This co-op near Elan East cares as much about Mother Nature as it does the Austin community. To that end, it sources all of its ingredients from local farmers who are practicing sustainable farming, and it operates using eco-friendly approaches.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of In.gredients is its "precycling" program. That starts with you; before you come in, find and wash a few clean plastic or glass containers. Then when you get to the store, weigh and label each container. This is to ensure that the cashier applies the right tare when he or she weighs your grub. Load up each container with whatever you need, from veggies to oatmeal, from eggs to flour. In.gredients has almost everything, but it's not packaged the way you're used to seeing it. This minimum-waste approach to grocery shopping leaves a small footprint on the earth, which is exactly the point.

In.gredients
2610 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 275-6357
in.gredients.com
www.yelp.com/biz/in-gredients-austin

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Do Your Holiday Shopping at the Cherrywood Art Fair

December 4, 2015 by

The Cherrywood Art Fair puts the spotlight on handmade items by local artists at a two-day festival that will take place less than one mile from Elan East.

More than 50 artists peddling everything from jewelry and clothing to ceramics and prints will fill the grounds surrounding Maplewood Elementary School and inside the the school from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13.

In addition to craft shopping, the festival promises live music from about a dozen live bands over the course of the two days. Family-friendly activities including a circus-themed show, crafts, face painting, hair braiding, and pet adoptions are scheduled.

A number of Austin’s favorite food trucks will also on hand to fuel crowds up for shopping. Participating food vendors include Juice Austin, Mmmpanadas, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Saigon Le Vendeur.

Admission to the art fair is free, just be prepared to shop ‘til you drop at the festival!

Cherrywood Art Fair
Dec. 12-13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Maplewood Elementary School
3808 Maplewood Ave.
Austin, TX 78722
cherrywoodartfair.org

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Give Back to the Homeless Community at the Art from the Streets Annual Show and Sale!

November 23, 2015 by

When you pick up a masterpiece at the Art from the Streets Annual Show and Sale, you're not just sprucing up your own apartment, you're also helping someone in need. The yearly sale unfolds not far from Elan East, and all of the proceeds go back to the artists who work at Art from the Streets—a studio open to everyone, including the homeless community.

The art studio opened in the early '90s in an effort to provide a creative space for people in need in Austin, and the homeless community of the city has been creating here ever since. Get a firsthand look at their work at the Art from the Streets Annual Show and Sale. From poignant pieces to light-hearted paintings, you'll find an array of artwork at the sale. So no matter your design approach, you should be able to find something that suits.

Art from the Streets Annual Show and Sale
Austin Convention Center
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5
500 E. Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78701
www.artfromthestreets.org
www.downtownaustin.com/events/art-streets-annual-show-and-sale

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Room Service Vintage is a Treasure Trove of Vintage and Antique Goods

November 18, 2015 by

Do you dream of rummaging through stores to find vintage treasures? If so, add Room Service Vintage to your must-do list. Room Service Vintage is a renowned vintage and antiques store that is located just 10 minutes from Elan East.

Room Service Vintage is truly a throwback-lover’s dream with an entire inventory of treasures around every corner.

Shoppers can browse all sorts of goods, including furniture, clothing, shoes, accessories, small items for the home, records, tapes, jewelry, and toys. Shoppers will be pleased to find everything from high-quality couches and dressers to fancy ties and dresses.

The kitschy exterior can’t be missed — look for a vintage car wash-inspired shiny sign that reads Room Service Vintage.

Shopping idea: Visit Room Service Vintage for a unique gift for someone on your holiday shopping list!

Room Service Vintage
107 E. N Loop Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-1057
roomservicevintage.com
www.yelp.com/biz/room-service-vintage-austin

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Due East Celebrates the City’s Art Scene This Thursday!

November 3, 2015 by

Art aficionados should head to this Thursday’s Due East event, a popular happening that serves as the precursor to the two-weekend-long East Austin Studio Tour, scheduled for Nov. 14-15 and 21-22.

From 7 to 10 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 5, guests get a sneak peek of some of the works by the more than 300 artists who'll be participating in the studio tours later this month while sipping cocktails and noshing food from vendors like Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Austin Eastciders, Lick Ice Cream, and La Condesa.

Guests of this week’s event will also be among the first to check out the EAST group exhibition. Live performances round out the evening along with a silent auction featuring cool takeaways from local businesses.

Tickets are required for entry to Thursday's kickoff event and for the studio tours later this month. Since it's all taking place about two miles from Elan East, it's worth checking out!

Due East Kickoff Event
Thursday, Nov. 5, 5-7 p.m.
1500 E. 4th Street
Austin, TX 78702
east.bigmedium.org/2015_due_east.html

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BBQ Fest: Sample Smoked Meats from Some of Texas’ Best Pitmasters

October 26, 2015 by

Tickets tend to sell out for Texas Monthly Magazine's BBQ Fest, which is happening less than two miles away from Elan East this year. So if you have your heart set on learning more about the art of barbecue, snag your tickets in advance. That's the only way you're guaranteed admission to the festival, which showcases eateries that have earned the honor of appearing on Texas Monthly Magazine's Top 50 BBQ Joints list.

This year, you'll meet Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, Harold "Buzzie" Hughes of Buzzie's Bar-B-Q, and Tootsie Tomanetz of Snow's BBQ. They've all been highly rated by the magazine, and they each bring their own brand of barbecue to the food fest. Savor samples of the smoked meats and wash it down with frosty brews while you chat with the pitmasters themselves about the way they prepare their grub.

BBQ Fest
City Terrace at the Long Center for Performing Arts
Nov. 1
701 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
www.tmbbq.com/events/tmbbq-fest-2015

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