Life Time Triathlon CapTex: Enjoy Everything Outdoorsy That Austin Has to Offer

If you're an outdoorsy person living in a city, Austin might be one of the best places to be. With Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, and tons of other green spaces, Austin is one of the most outdoorsy cities in the U.S. So it's the perfect spot for the Life Time Triathlon CapTex.

On Monday, May 29th, the Lifetime Triathlon takes full advantage of Austin's many outdoor spaces, which are folded into its unique course. Triathlon participants begin with a dip in Lady Bird Lake. After the challenging swim, they hop onto their bikes and zoom across the South 1st Street Bridge toward the Texas Capital before looping back around through downtown Austin. Finally, they embark on a run that meanders through Butler Park and the Palmer Events Center. Register now to take part in the triathlon; registration fees begin at $75.

Check Out This Spring’s Exhibits at The Blanton Museum of Art

Like everything in the proudly weird city of Austin, The Blanton Museum of Art is totally unique. True, it has more than 18,000 paintings, sculptures, and other traditional pieces of art in its permanent collection, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The recently revamped museum features some awe-inspiring pieces of contemporary art, particularly in its rotating exhibits.

For instance, catch Nina Katchadourian's Curiouser exhibit before it leaves the museum on June 11th. The Brooklyn artist provides a snapshot of her long career in modern art by displaying an array of her best pieces. They include some more traditional works in photography and sculpture, but she also ventures into "sound art," video, and even live performance. You won't want to miss her exhibit or the other unique displays at The Blanton Museum of Art.

Appreciate Local Culture at the Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival

You may know Pecan Street as 6th Street. When Austin's designer Edwin Waller first mapped out the city, he did suggest naming the east-west streets according to number, but he was ignored. Instead, they were named for trees. Eventually, local folks realized that this system wasn't very practical, and they finally took his advice and renamed Pecan Street 6th Street. But the Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival remains under the original name.

The twice-annual two-day festival unfolds once in May and again in September, so you have a chance to experience it this month. On May 6th and 7th, the Pecan Street Arts Festival brings an added pop of color to 6th Street. The event draws artisans from the city and all across the country, all selling their unique pieces, from fiber work to metal art. Buoyed by 50 live bands, 30 food booths, and many fun activities, the art fest attracts quite a crowd! Admission is free, so don't miss the Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival.

Cine Las Americanas International Film Festival: Modern Movies From Latin America

Now in its 20th year, the Cine Las Americanas International Film Festival, hosted by venues such as The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and The Blanton Museum of Art, brings Latino culture to the forefront in Austin.

The festival kicks off on May 3rd, launching a four-day foray into documentaries and narrative films from Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. The festival also invites offbeat entries, like music videos and experimental animation, so you'll definitely see something new when you attend. Ticket prices vary depending on whether you'd like to purchase a pass for the entire festival or simply want to attend a single screening. If you fall into the latter category, see the website of the venue where the screening will be held for ticket prices.

Public Domain/Pixabay/geralt

Weird Homes Tour: An Exploration of Odd Abodes

Just because you enjoy amenities like walls made of drywall and a home free of bats doesn't mean you can't appreciate the admittedly odd abodes that purposely contain much different features. When you take the Weird Homes Tour on Saturday, April 22nd, you'll have the opportunity to see some of these peculiar residences up close.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., you can explore these homes at your own pace. The self-guided Weird Homes Tour takes you to several "houses," including The Art Dome. In lieu of your typical walls, this cave-like abode showcases curved walls crafted from the rocky earth of an Austin hillside. It's lit almost entirely by natural light. Another eco-friendly home nearby, the Ebba Springs Wildlife Refuge, actually invites animals to share the space. Walls along the driveway were crafted with cubbies specifically to offer shelter to various birds, and a large bat cave in the front yard houses the winged creatures. Tour tickets start at $30, so snag yours now if you want to see these and other homes.

Artistic Endeavors of All Kinds Are Welcome at the Fusebox Festival

In an effort to "Keep Austin Weird"—in the best possible way—local artists are always creating fresh and innovative works. And from Tuesday, April 11th until Sunday, April 16th, the Fusebox Festival showcases some of the coolest cutting-edge art, both gallery-ready and performance art, at venues scattered around the city.

This nearly week-long festival promises everything from conversations with artists to DJ sets. For instance, on Wednesday, April 12th, you can check out Trigger Town, an ongoing art exhibit at Icosa gallery. It features drawings created by two up-and-coming local artists using a variety of different artistic approaches. Throughout the week, you have many opportunities to sit down with Artists in Residence and other Austin talents at the daily Waffle Chats sessions, so don't miss this event!

Gourmet Snacks and Spa Treatments Await at the Women’s Expo Austin

Women are as powerful and influential as ever in today's constantly evolving society, which means they are under more stress than ever. The Women's Expo Austin is the perfect opportunity to unwind with friends and enjoy a little "you" time.

On April 8th and 9th, the Palmer Events Center transforms into an oasis for women. Tons of Austin boutiques show up to show off their unique items, from clothing to home decor, and spas invite female guests to kick back and enjoy a pedicure or a massage. There's also gourmet food, uplifting lectures by famous keynote speakers, and mini makeovers that are complimentary. Purchase your $5 ticket to enjoy a day at the Women's Expo Austin, coming to your neighborhood this April.

Expect Gourmet Goodies at the First Annual Austin Chicken Wing Festival

Austin is known as a hub for foodies, from its gourmet food trailer parks to its bustling brick-and-mortar eateries. So it should come as no surprise that, this April, the city will debut a new food fest, the Austin Chicken Wing Festival. Dedicated to the ever-popular chicken wing, the fest will be held at the Historic Scoot Inn from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 2nd.

Snag your tickets now (starting at $35) to taste-test a variety of different wings over the course of four hours. Some of your town's top chefs and restaurants will show up to craft their own unique types of wings and hand them out to patrons and judges. At the end of the fest, one lucky chef will be awarded the medal for Best Chicken Wing. You can get in on the action if you enter the hot wing eating contest too—but it's not for the faint of heart! Will you be attending this cool new festival?

Visit Coco Coquette to Shop Vintage Items, Costumes, and More

The next time you're planning on attending a costume party (or just want an excuse to get dressed up) check out Coco Coquette. Coco Coquette is a local shop that sells wigs, makeup, costumes, and more that is only a short trip from Elan East. At the store, guests can also browse perfumes, vintage accessories, and fun jewelry, though some items at this shop are available for purchase online too.

Those who want to attend a more hands-on event can book a reservation for one of Coco Coquette's popular Wig Parties (a great way to spend birthday and bachelorette parties). At a Wig Party, every guest goes home with a wig of their choice and gets their makeup done by one of the makeup artists at the shop. The party runs for 2 to 3 hours and guests are encouraged to bring a fun playlist and refreshments to enjoy during the party. A visit to Coco Coquette is a unique way to spend a day, so will you be checking it out?

Visit Delysia Chocolatier for Fine Chocolates in Austin

Local chocolate is the name of the game at Delysia Chocolatier, one of Austin’s finest spots for handmade chocolates. The chocolates are all made right here in the city and use all local ingredients. The shop's chocolatier was inspired by the artisan shops throughout Europe. She started working on her craft and, with time, became recognized as a Top 10 Chocolatier in the nation. Today, she crafts fine chocolates in a slew of varieties with the help of a talented team.

The chocolates here come in a range of varieties including truffles, bark, drinking chocolate, and seasonal and specialty items. Try the wine-infused truffles for something truly decadent or sip the peppermint drinking chocolate to warm yourself up this season. Whether you’re looking for a gift or something for yourself, this chocolate shop is a great spot to visit.

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