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It’s All About Seafood at the Austin Oyster Festival on February 24th

February 12, 2018 by

If you're a fan of shellfish, then you should definitely mark your calendar for the Austin Oyster Festival on February 24th. This food fest is all about the mollusk. Chef Chris Bauer, the man in charge of the kitchen at Eddie V's, will be dishing out oysters in virtually every version imaginable at The Lawn at Seaholm from noon to 6 p.m.

His menu contains raw, grilled, and fried oysters. Throw back an East Coast oyster shooter or a Gulf oyster on the half-shell with preserved lemon mignonette. Try the smoked bacon oysters Rockefeller or grilled oysters with roasted garlic-anchovy butter. Indulge in deep-fried oyster banh mi or New Orleans-style oyster po'boys. Wash down the seafood with a bloody mary from the build-your-own bar, a specialty cocktail, or a glass of fine wine. Tickets start at $60 for general admission.

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Give the Gift of Lammes Candies This Valentine’s Day

February 6, 2018 by

Lammes Candies is a family-owned candy business that's been around since 1878, but its long history in Austin almost ended when founder William Wirt Lamme made an ill-fated poker bet in 1885. He lost the business in the shuffle. Lucky for him (and you), his son bought it back and transformed it into the renowned candy boutique that it is today. Since there's a Lammes Candies right at Airport Boulevard and 53rd Street, not far from you, it's easy to swing by to grab a Valentine's Day treat for your sweetie.

If you're overwhelmed by the number of options, you can't go wrong with the Texas Chewie Pecan Praline. It's the shop's signature confection. Pick up a pair of the pralines or a larger assortment. If you want to go with a traditional box of chocolates, Lammes Candies can help here, too. Pick up a box of assorted chocolates, chocolate creams, or chocolate nut clusters, depending on what your paramour likes in a candy.

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Celebrate Talented Artists at the Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival From Jan. 26-28

January 22, 2018 by

In recent years, tattooing has risen to prominence in the mainstream world of art, and for good reason. Talented tattoo professionals are true artists, taking a blank canvas and transforming it into something personal and creative. You can meet some of the best artists in the state when you come to the Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival from January 26th to the 28th.

The Palmer Events Center hosts this unique festival, which is all about the body art. Come to the revival to learn about the history of tattooing and the various meanings of tattoos across the world. Check out performers sporting beautiful works of body art. Watch while some of the talented tattoo artists create new masterpieces during live tattoo contests starring brave participants/blank canvasses. For anyone who loves body art, the Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival is a can't-miss.

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Celebrate Fringe Theater at the Frontera Fest Starting Jan. 17

January 15, 2018 by

One of the perks of living in Austin is that you stay on the cutting edge of art, from music to theater. The Frontera Fest brings the best in the experimental theater to the Salvage Vanguard Theatre and Hyde Park Theatre from January 17th to February 18th.

The festival consists mostly of Short Fringe pieces, which run for 25 minutes or less. Every night, you can enjoy four or five of these pieces at the pair of venues. The Longe Fringe performances last up to 90 minutes and will show at the Salvage Vanguard Theatre from January 20th to February 2nd. Don't miss the Best of the Week play each Saturday night, which showcases the best locally crafted pieces every weekend, and the Best of the Fest from February 11th to the 15th. Don't miss the one-of-a-kind performances at the Frontera Fest.

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Celebrate a Great American Leader at the Martin Luther King March and Festival on Jan. 15

January 11, 2018 by

On Monday, January 15th, one of America's greatest civil rights leaders of all time is remembered across the country: Martin Luther King, Jr. Austin takes the celebration very seriously and hosts the Martin Luther King March and Festival in honor of the late reverend and activist. The march begins at 9 a.m. on January 15th at the MLK Statue at the University of Texas.

Come congregate at the statue for a program in remembrance of Martin Luther King, and then march toward the State Capitol as an act of honoring the many marches that MLK led himself. Once everybody arrives at the capitol, enjoy live music, food, and vendors at the community festival until 3 p.m. Bring along a canned good or non-perishable food item to donate to the Texas Food Bank, helping those in need as part of MLK's legacy.

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Enjoy Live Music During Free Week in Austin Through Jan. 7

January 4, 2018 by

A mechanic's shop turned three-stage concert hall. A tent-shaded stage out on the open-air patio. An indoor stage embellished by billowing white curtains. During Free Week in Austin, these are the settings where live musical performances unfold. And, true to the event's name, admission to every show is free.

From New Year's Day through January 7th, more than 20 different venues around the city will play host to nearly 200 local bands. Come out and enjoy the cover-free concerts all across Austin, from the Empire Control Room (the aforementioned former mechanic's shop) to Cheer Up Charlies, a bar with a beautiful patio out back. Hit up a few shows a night and enjoy a cocktail or a pint of beer while Free Week in Austin is in town!

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Sip Coffee, Listen to Live Jazz at Cactus Café

January 3, 2018 by

An Austin fixture since 1979 and nestled on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, the Cactus Café is a spot to where everyone is invited to get a drink and take in the live music. In 2010, when the university planned to close the place, local radio station KUT 90.5 took it over so that it could remain open.

During the day, this restaurant/bar resembles a typical coffee shop. People sit and do work or read while sipping their beverage of choice. Along with coffee, the Cactus Café serves shakes during the day and alcoholic beverages in the evening. At night, the place turns into an intimate jazz concert venue.

In addition to jazz music, the Cactus Café hosts speakers knowledgeable on a variety of topics including sports, politics, arts, and popular culture. Since seating is limited, it is recommended that you purchase tickets in advance to ensure that you can get a seat.

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How to Ring In the New Year in Austin

December 27, 2017 by

Have you been wondering how you and your friends will greet 2018? Since you live in Austin, you have many options right at your fingertips. In fact, this roundup of local NYE bashes calls out 20 of them, including a handful of kid-friendly events. So no matter what you're looking for in a New Year's Eve soiree, you should be able to find it somewhere in your neighborhood.

Do you love craft beer and Mexican food? Then come to the Barrow Brewing Company for the countdown. Local band Blessed Union of Blues provides the tunes and Henho en Queso dishes out the Mexican fusion food to enjoy with your brew. Tickets are $30 and include all food. If you're looking for a slightly more glamorous NYE experience, snag a ticket to Gatsby's House at the Omni. Dress up in your finest flapper garb and dance the night away at this 20s-themed gala ($169+ per person, which includes a five-hour open bar).

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Find the Perfect Holiday Gifts at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar From December 14th to 24th

December 11, 2017 by

Locally hammered jewelry featuring matte metals. Artisan-made flasks wrapped in leather. Hand-poured soy candles that smell like the "Seaside." These are just a few of the unique, handcrafted gifts that local artisans offer up at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. More than 160 Austin-area vendors will take over the Palmer Events Center from December 14th to the 24th, and shoppers are invited to come check out what they're selling between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day.

From the functional and wearable works of art to the offbeat conversation pieces, this collection of gifts boasts something for everyone on your list—which is probably why more than 40,000 shoppers come to the bazaar each year. In addition to shopping, you can also enjoy live music provided by locals and award-winning artists alike, ice-cold brews and cocktails, and authentic Austin bites at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. Grab your ticket for $8.

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Witness the Splendor of the Austin Trail of Lights From December 9th to 23rd

December 5, 2017 by

Fifteen nights. Forty displays. Two million twinkling lights. These stats sum up the Austin Trail of Lights, a dazzling display of holiday cheer that dates back to 1965. Back then, it was known as the Yule Fest, and it was a much smaller event. But in the 50-plus years since it debuted, the Austin Trail of Lights has become a yuletide tradition of epic proportions.

From December 9th to the 23rd, the Trail takes over Austin's iconic Zilker Park. It brings tunnels lined with glowing lights, massive holiday trees decked out to the nines, and more than 40 different displays that showcase everything from childhood books (see Winnie the Pooh Corner) to tiny train sets. With four bars, live music, and more than 20 food trucks, it's virtually impossible to get bored at the Austin Trail of Lights. Admission is free on select dates and $3 on others. Click here to buy tickets.

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