The City Theatre: Fantastic Performances and Shows, a Quick Drive from Elan East in Austin

Whether you're looking to laugh, cry, grip your seat tightly with excitement, or come away deep in thought, the provoking productions at The City Theatre are said to be worth seeing.

The City Theater Company's goal is to "enlighten, enhance, and enrich" greater Austin by offering exceptional theatrical experiences. Their space certainly helps this goal; customers say the intimate quality of the small stage and seating allow for a more intense theatre experience. It lets audiences appreciate the humor of plays like Steel Magnolias, as well as feel the intensity of works like A Streetcar Named Desire.

With its close proximity to Elan East, The City Theatre is a perfect destination for theatre-lovers and occasional visitors alike. Customers say it is an excellent place to see great and affordable theatre, and that drinks and snacks are appropriately priced, unlike at many other venues.

To see their upcoming schedule, visit The City Theatre's website.

The City Theatre
3823 Airport Boulevard
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 524-2870
www.citytheatreaustin.org
www.yelp.com/biz/the-city-theatre-austin

See an Outdoor Movie in Austin at Deep Eddy Pool’s Splash Movie Night near Elan East

Wholesome family fun can be a little tricky to come by after dark, but we have a suggestion: Splash Movie Nights! Hosted by the Deep Eddy Pool in Austin, Texas, this kid-friendly event shows blockbuster hits on an inflatable movie screen that stretches high into the sky, offering event-goers young and young at heart an unobstructed view of their favorite movie characters.

This Saturday, Deep Eddy Pool's movie night will bring the affable characters from Despicable Me 2 to this municipal pool near Elan East. As you take in the flick, you can lounge on a blanket spread out on the grassy hillside, float lazily on a raft in the historic, 600,000-gallon pool—or do both! Be sure to bring your favorite snacks and refreshments; you might work up an appetite wading around during the 98-minute movie. And don't forget to pack some towels!

Splash Movie Night at Deep Eddy Pool begins at dusk—around 8:45 p.m.— Saturday, August 2. Admission is a bargain, priced between $1 and $3. See the Deep Eddy Pool website for complete details.

Splash Movie Night at Deep Eddy Pool: Despicable Me 2
401 Deep Eddy Avenue
Austin, TX 78703
For more information, visit www.austintexas.gov/event/deep-eddy-movie-night-august-2-2014

Hops and Grain: East Austin Microbrews

Texas has always had a proud and iconoclastic microbrewing scene, and one of the latest additions is Hops and Grain. They brew craft beers with a focus on sustainability. That translates into making sure that they package all of their beers into easily-recyclable aluminum cans, making dog treats from spent brewery grains, and giving back a portion of their profits to local environmental groups. They also work to source as much raw materials from community farmers and growers around Austin.

None of this would matter if the beer wasn’t good, but thankfully the brewers have excellent taste and produce some very well-regarded beer! Some of their most popular include the Half Nelson IPA and the bourbon-barreled Brown del Roble. At the on-site tap room, you can get pours of just about everything they offer for a very nice price, as well as take home some beer for later.

Hops and Grain
507 Calles Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 914-2467
http://www.hopsandgrain.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hops-and-grain-austin-2

East Side Glass Studio: Glass-Blow Your Own Masterpiece

Shara Funari and Leigh Taylor Wyatt arrived at glass blowing from very different backgrounds. Shara didn't pick up the art until 2004, honing what was then a hobby at a public glass blowing studio in 2004. Leigh relocated to Texas in 2006 specifically to further her glass blowing career and to be closer to family. However, for both women, glass blowing eventually evolved into a passion; this is why they opened East Side Glass Studio in Austin.

At the studio, the public can come in to watch Shara and Leigh blow glass, or they can join in themselves. Intro classes are held a few times over the course of a month, teaching newbies the basics of glass blowing. Visitors can come in for a one-off experience where they learn the bare-bone fundamentals and then create their own glass masterpiece in a single session.

East Side Glass Studio
507 Calles Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 731-1702
www.eastsideglassstudio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/east-side-glass-studio-austin

Capital City Bakery: Sweet Treats

Austin has one of the largest populations of food trucks per capita of any United States city, and most of them are exceptional. One of the best on the East Side is the Capital City Bakery, a purveyor of delectable sweets that are also 100% vegan. Environmental responsibility is a big part of their business plan, with bakery boxes made from recycled materials and ingredients sourced locally whenever possible. This doesn’t come at the expense of quality, though – all of their products look amazing and taste even better.

Some of the favorites that locals rave about include the delicious cupcakes, available in dozens of flavors from rich, decadent chocolate to light, fruity strawberry and creamsicle. The dense vegan brownies are out of this world, as are the incredible cookie sandwiches – try the peanut butter cookies stuffed with Fluffer-Nutter. Prices are very reasonable and the bakers could be some of the nicest people in town.

Capital City Bakery
1110 E. 12th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 666-7437
http://www.capitalcitybakery.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/capital-city-bakery-austin

Treat Your Hair to a Trip to Salon Aura Veni

Salon Aura Veni isn't your typical hair salon. Yes, its stylists boast an array of specific talents (go to Leigh for short hair and Lori for hair extensions), and yes, they take on every styling task you can imagine, from cutting and coloring to curling and straightening. However, the stylists at Salon Aura Veni rely solely on the highest quality products to achieve their jaw-dropping cuts and colors.

These include Kevin Murphy products, a professional line that shies away from any harmful parabens or sulfates. Pureology, another brand the stylists enlist, also shirks all sulfates in favor of safer ingredients that won't damage strands. Moroccan Oil is another common name in professional hair care, one known for its powerful antioxidant ingredients and UV protection; it's generally used to condition hair to shiny and soft.

Salon Aura Veni
210 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-2872
www.auraveni.com/Salon_Aura_Veni/About.html

www.yelp.com/biz/salon-aura-veni-austin

Room Service Vintage: Quirky Finds in Austin, Texas

A destination for all things fun and funky, Room Service Vintage is the perfect spot to find unique items at a bargain price in Austin, Texas. Mid-century vintage from the 1950s, 60s and 70s is represented here, for those who love the look and feel of that era. Couches, lamps, dining sets, chairs, tables, bookshelves, and dressers are just some of the furnishings you’ll find here.

Vintage decorative glassware, kitchenware, linens, costume jewelry, comic books, shoes, and clothing are also on their shelves. Whether you need a pair of white go-go boots and a flower power mini-dress for a Halloween costume, or some vinyl records to add to your collection, chances are, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

Got stuff you want to sell? Send them a photo or make an appointment to bring it by.

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

Parts & Labour: Unique Gifts on South Congress

Looking for a great spot to pick up a unique gift hand crafted by a talented artisan? Head to Parts & Labor on South Congress, where you’ll find just that in a fun, friendly setting. Their unique selection includes items that would be perfect for a birthday, wedding, housewarming, or baby shower gift.

On the other hand, it’s also a spot to treat your own sweet self to something special, like a Lego bracelet, soy candle, Scrabble tile pendant, or hand silkscreened t-shirt illustrated with something cute and quirky. Clothing, jewelry, baby items, wall art, cards, stationary, candles, hats, scarves, socks, toys and more, are all arrayed vibrantly for your perusal. The staff is super friendly and helpful, too!

Parts and Labour
1117 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-1648
http://partsandlabour.blogspot.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/parts-and-labour-austin

Recycled Reads: Support Austin’s Library System

Support Austin's public library and get fantastic used books at a bargain price at Recycled Reads. It’s the perfect place to stock up on reading material for a fraction of what you’d pay if you bought it new. CDs, DVDs and vinyl record albums are also on sale here.

Whether your favorite reading material is mystery, literary fiction, science fiction, poetry, travel, how-to, self-help, art, biography or history, you’re sure to find something to float your literary boat while you spend hours lost in the world of words. Kid’s books are also on their shelves, as is a small selection of new books.

Got books at home gathering dust on your shelves at home at Elan East? Bring them in and donate to help fund the Austin library system!

Recycled Reads is open Thursday through Sunday.

Recycled Reads
5335 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 323-5123
http://www.recycledreads.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/recycled-reads-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Have You Tried the Wood-Fired Coffee at Brian’s Brew?

Drip, pour-over, fair-trade … you probably think you've heard of and tried every coffee trend, but think again! Brian's Brew is a small coffee shop that features beverages made from mesquite wood-fired, hand-roasted coffee beans. This technique brings out a rich, smoky flavor that will make you swear off chain coffee for good.

Stop in for your daily caffeine fix and Brian himself will fix you a Summermoon or Wintermoon latte, both of which are signature beverages made with a secret recipe that results in a unique, mocha-like drink. The location inside the Bank of America building makes this a hidden gem of downtown Austin.

Brian's Brew
515 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 738-7713
http://www.briansbrew.com
www.yelp.com/biz/brians-brew-austin

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