Experience Art in Austin at the Big Medium: West Austin Studio Tour

If you're an art enthusiast, Austin is a prime place to be. The proudly weird city is overflowing with art in the form of live music, inventive cuisine, and colorful murals year-round. But if you want a concentrated dose of art, mark your calendar for Big Medium: West Austin Studio Tour on May 13th and 14th as well as the 20th and 21st.

The free art show takes place at Big Medium each year, granting the public the chance to meet local artists and ask them about their work. This year's Big Medium event will draw about 300 artists to the city and open up more than 175 art studios to the public, not to mention 50 art galleries. In addition, nearly 90 temporary exhibits pop up specifically for these special weekends, so don't miss this great event!

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See Racecars Up Close at the Advance Auto Parts Sportscar Showdown

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) is breaking into the racing scene with its very first race weekend in Austin, the Advance Auto Parts Sportscar Showdown on May 5th and 6th. Jam-packed with auto-centric events that get you up close to the action, the Advance Auto Parts Sportscar Showdown promises fun for everyone.

The Showdown will feature all different types of roadsters from big-name manufacturers such as Ford, Porsche, Audi, and BMW, to name just a few, and you'll be able to see the cars in stunning detail. Race weekend tickets vary in price, depending on the event, but kids under 12 are admitted for free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Don’t Miss the Austin Reggae Fest

For the past 10 years, the Austin Reggae Fest has done more than just attract some of reggae's biggest names to Texas. It has also raised more than a million dollars for the Central Texas Food Bank, an organization that delivers nourishment to families in need around the region. So when you purchase your tickets for this year's fest on April 14th, 15th, and 16th, you can feel good about where your dollars are going.

Tickets start at just $15 for a one-day wristband, but you can also opt for a $40 ticket for all three days, or splurge on VIP admission. VIPs gain access to the special Chill Zone where you can kick back with a drink and relax right offstage. Regardless of where you're sitting, though, you'll be able to enjoy the talents of this year's performers. The headliners include Tarrus Riley on Friday, Jesse Royal on Saturday night, and Akae Beka on Sunday. That's not to mention the myriad of other smaller performers peppered throughout the weekend at the Austin Reggae Fest.

The Lonestar Roundup: An Enormous Car Show and Music Fest in Austin

People come from all across the globe to experience the massive vintage car show and music festival known as The Lonestar Roundup, but living at Folio, you won't have to travel nearly as far. The Lonestar Roundup unfolds not far from home at the Travis County Expo Center on April 7th and 8th.

Over the past 15 years, this car show has flourished from a single-day affair to a full-weekend event thanks to the ever-increasing number of old-school hot rods and customized cars that take part, driven here from all across the country. In addition to checking out the cars, you can also enjoy live local musical acts that are scattered on stages throughout the Travis County Expo Center. The fest boasts a swap meet and plenty of food vendors as well. Admission is $15 and free for kids under 12.

Euphoria Fest: An Affordable Music Fest with an Awesome Lineup

Wiz Khalifa, Chromeo, and Alesso are just a handful of the performers headlining Austin's Euphoria Fest. Moby, Chet Porter, and Young Thug are also on the roster, not to mention dozens of other performers, some of them up-and-coming and others that are known nationwide.

That's why tickets to this Austin music festival will probably go fast. Starting at just $179 for all three days, Euphoria Fest is cheap compared to other festivals of its caliber. It's well worth blocking out the weekend of April 6th to 9th and setting up camp in the fields surrounding the main stages. In addition to the live music, Euphoria Fest also offers fun extras like yoga classes, workshops, local art, and more. Don't miss it!

Check Out Your City’s Top Works of Art at Art City Austin

For nearly 70 years, Austin has played host to an annual fine arts fest. It originally debuted in 1950 as Art Mart at the Old City Colosseum (now the Palmer Event Center). Over the years, much has changed about the festival, including its name. Art Mart is now Art City Austin. However, this year, it will move back to the original location for three full days of fun.

It kicks off at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 31st and runs through the weekend. General admission begins at $10, but if you want to experience the VIP party on Friday, spring for the $25 Collectors Pass ticket to enjoy early entry with apps and cocktails. Either way, you'll receive access to the masterpieces of more than 150 artists and galleries from all around the Austin area. In fact, Art City Austin is considered the biggest art marketplace in central Texas. Plus, there's live music, food, and all sorts of fun to enjoy here too. Will you be visiting Art City Austin?

Unwind Over a Cup at Epoch Coffee

Exposed beams fan out overhead, interspersed with industrial light fixtures. Those fixtures cast a warm glow on the calming works of art on the walls at Epoch Coffee in Austin, a great spot to enjoy a good cup of java. There are three locations throughout the city, but Epoch at the Village is just a few miles away from Folio.

So you can easily swing by on your way to work to pick up a simple cup of coffee, a cafe au lait, or one of the specialty brews only offered at this location, like the V60 Pourover or the Aeropress java. There's also a large range of espresso drinks and iced concoctions, not to mention steamers, Dutch hot chocolate, and tea. Fun extras like coconut milk, Mexican vanilla, and almond milk are available too, so Epoch Coffee is sure to offer everything you need to start your morning.

Head to Radio Coffee and Beer for Monday Bluegrass Night

On Monday nights, Radio Coffee and Beer welcomes bluegrass fans for its popular Bluegrass Night. Every week, different musicians take the stage to perform classic bluegrass music starting at 8 p.m. The music generally continues for about three hours. Beyond the music, many locals check out this free evening of bluegrass for a chance to hang out at Radio Coffee and Beer, one of the most popular beer bars in the area, not far from Folio.

The concerts are completely free to attend, and food and drinks are readily available throughout the performances. Local brews, Stumptown coffee, tea, and more are all available. Why not spice up your Monday night with a visit to this local cafe and music venue to celebrate the local bluegrass scene?

The Austin Marathon and Half Marathon Return on February 19th

Nearly 18,000 people are expected to come together this year for the epic Austin Marathon and Half Marathon. Returning on Sunday, February 19th, the annual sporting event is now in its 26th year of races, festivities, and a healthy dose of competition. While the main event may be on Sunday, February 19th, the entire weekend is full of special events to mark the occasion.

On Sunday, there will be a number of different race events throughout the day, and the day kicks off at 7 a.m. with both the marathon and the half marathon. The race follows a loop so it starts and ends at the same spot on Congress Avenue. The course makes its way past some of the biggest attractions and sites in Austin. Marathon and half marathon finishers will be greeted at the finish line with a fun festival featuring music, food, drinks, games, and more, so even if you're not running in this year's race, be sure to check it out!

Don’t Miss the Decadent Sweets at Delysia Chocolatier

From Eater to The Wall Street Journal, Delysia Chocolatier has garnered a lot of positive buzz since it first debuted. In fact, the chocolatier that helms this Austin-based business, Nicole Patel, was crowned as one of the Top 10 Chocolatiers in the Americas.

She personally handcrafts many of the sweets that are stocked at the shop and shipped across the country, so you can expect excellence with every decadent bite. Explore the shop to discover Nicole's many beautiful, perfectly sweet concoctions. Her product list encompasses everything from seasonal chocolates, truffles, and chocolate bark to sweet-spicy drinking chocolate, molded chocolate, and even handcrafted marshmallows. Whether it's Valentine's Day or just Wednesday, the treats from Delysia are sweets you won't want to miss!

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