Take Part in a Mixer for Gamers on Thursday, August 3rd

Fans of gaming, take note: On Thursday, August 3rd, TheNexCrew welcomes gamers of all levels to Pinballz Lake Creek for the Geeks and Gamers Mixer. The Geeks and Gamers Mixer serves as the kickoff of Central Texas’ brand-new anime convention, AnimeCTX (which runs from August 4th through the 6th). The admission price to this kickoff party, which is just $15 per person, includes food, drinks, entry into the raffle, and a $10 reloadable Pinballz Rewards Member game card. Tickets for the Geeks and Gamers Mixer are available online.

For an additional cost, guests can enjoy indoor laser tag and mini bowling at the August 3rd event at Pinballz Lake Creek. This fun-filled game party is happening just 20 minutes from Lamar Union. Will you be checking it out?

Watch the July 4th Fireworks From the Lake

Watch a beautiful fireworks show unfold in the sky above you at the July 4th Fireworks Paddle in Austin. Boating enthusiasts are invited down to Lady Bird Lake this Fourth of July to watch the free fireworks show from the water. Guests can either bring their own boat or rent one ahead of time at the lake. Guests can rent kayaks, canoes, or stand up paddleboards for an affordable price.

Check-in starts at 7:15 p.m., and everyone who wants to take part in the event must be in their boat and on the water by 8:45 p.m. The fireworks are slated to start not long after that, and the live music is slated to start at 8:30 p.m. Interested in checking out this one-of-a-kind July 4th celebration? The event is taking place at the Rowing Dock on Lady Bird Lake, not far from Lamar Union.

Public Domain/Pixabay/picjumbo_com

Keep Austin Weird Festival and 5K 2017: An Oddly Enthralling Competition

Don't be surprised to see some outlandish costumes at the Keep Austin Weird (KAW) Festival and 5K 2017. As its name suggests, the festival embraces the weirdest aspects of Austin. Anyone who is truly dedicated to keeping the city one of the weirdest in the country should wear their oddest ensemble and participate in the 5K.

Whether you're decked out in a patriotic pair of swimming trunks or a superhero's uniform, you're welcome to run, walk, or crawl the 5K for just $27. The Keep Austin Weird Festival offers odd accents at every turn, including the Fun Stops located along the race course. Take a break from the run to slip and slide, chug a fruity drink out of a bag, or complete a quick obstacle course. Once you cross the finish line, enjoy the rest of the KAW Fest, including the live music and sideshow.

Public Domain/Pixabay/maxmann

Live Music Fills the Air at the Austin Solstice Festival 2017

The Summer Solstice is more than just the longest day of the year, it's also Fête de la Musique, or World Music Day. Your community will celebrate along with the rest of the globe at the Austin Solstice Festival 2017, an annual bash that's been going on for the past four years.

The focal point of the fest is, of course, live music. Bands from around the city and around the country take to stages sprinkled across Austin's Red River Entertainment District and Pan Am Park throughout the day. Fresh food and fun complement the live music, including an art market stocked with artisan-made items and yoga workshops. The fest is slated for June 15th to the 17th, and tickets start at $35 for general admission.

Public Domain/Pixabay/pexels

Don’t Miss the Republic of Texas Biker Rally 2017

Just when you thought that Austin couldn't get any more fun, the Republic of Texas Biker Rally comes back to town for 2017. This annual festival draws bikers from all over Texas to Austin, the perfect setting for one of the biggest biker rallies anywhere around.

The city shuts down 50 blocks to dedicate entirely to the bikers and their motorcycles as well as live entertainment, food, and fun. The Travis County Expo Center is also a site for entertainment. The Bike Rodeo Games unfold here, not to mention more live music and food and drinks. So make sure that you mark your calendar for June 8th to the 11th this year. The Republic of Texas Biker Rally is the perfect way to get revved up for another beautiful summer in Austin.

Visit Mayfield Park This Spring

It's no secret that Mayfield Park is one of Austin's favorite outdoor spaces. And if you've ever been here before, you understand why locals love it so much. The resident peacocks are probably the biggest selling point. Locals say that watching these colorful creatures fan out their feathers and stroll around the park is reason enough to come for a visit.

Of course, the park is a beautiful spot in its own right. Woodsy trails weave throughout the park, some snaking towards the water and others heading in the opposite direction. If you wander along the creek trail for long enough, you'll actually end up at Laguna Gloria, a stunning natural space adjacent to the main park. Stop by to explore everything that Mayfield Park has to offer!

Public Domain/Pixabay/Larisa-K

Get a Glimpse Behind the Scenes on the West Austin Studio Tour

It should come as no surprise that Austin is a hub of contemporary art, and each year, you can take a peek behind the scenes as some of the city's best artists work. Local nonprofit Big Medium hosts the West Austin Studio Tour, a self-guided tour around town, the weekends of May 13th to 14th and May 20th to the 21st, and the event is free.

The goal is to get the public connected with the art community by giving it unprecedented access to the places where artists create, including studios in their own homes. In addition to seeing local studios, the tour also takes you to professional galleries where contemporary works are on display. Pop-up art shows, held in libraries, warehouses, and other unique venues, are also part of the tour, not to mention special events like installations and art competitions. Don't miss this chance to explore your local art scene with friends or family.

Maifest Austin Saengerrunde and Scholz Garten: Drink, Eat, and Be Merry

Established more than a century ago in 1879, the Austin Saengerrunde is one of the oldest cultural groups in all of Austin. German immigrants came together to remember their homeland through song, and they called their group Saengerrunde. The tradition lives on today, and the society heads up annual events like the Maifest Austin Saengerrunde and Scholz Garten.

Come to Saengerrunde Hall at noon on Saturday, May 13th to experience the festival. That's when chefs begin preparing the cookout fare, followed by happy hour at 5 p.m. with drinks, appetizers, and dessert. Rentsch Brewing will be pouring the beer this year, and Ambiente Wine Importing supplies the vino. A traditional German dinner of bratwurst, pork chops, spaetzle, and other classic dishes is served at 6 p.m., followed by a concert and dancing to the Austin Polka Band. Tickets are $10 for Saengerrunde members and $25 for non-members.

Sunday Funday Crawfish Broil: An All-You-Can-Eat Cajun Feast

All-you-can-eat crawfish is just the tip of the iceberg at the Sunday Funday Crawfish Broil hosted by Wine Sensation. On Sunday, May 7th, the tapas eatery and bar hosts this special event with the help of Chef Steve. He crafts the crawfish as well as unlimited amounts of sausage, potatoes, and corn bread, the perfect fixings for the New Orleans-inspired main dish.

Tickets are just $15 and earn you a spot at this day-long event from 1 to 6 p.m. at Wine Sensation. Eat your fill, and don't forget to add a glass of wine for $6 or take advantage of one of the beer specials. The eatery will also offer bocce ball, horseshoes, and other fun games to keep you entertained all day long at the Sunday Funday Crawfish Broil.

Weird Homes Tour: Keeping Austin Weird, One Unique Abode at a Time

From homes constructed inside a single shipping container to abodes crafted almost entire out of concrete, the Weird Homes Tour takes you to some of Austin's oddest—and most stunning—residences. Some of the "weird homes" are strikingly modern and minimalistic, while others are boldly colored and filled with whimsical elements. But they all share one thing: they delight tour-goers.

The next tour is coming up on Saturday, April 22nd from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and tickets start at just $30, so don't miss your chance to snag one. The ticket entitles you to a day's worth of exploring these unique homes, which you do at your own pace thanks to the self-guided nature of the tour. Stop at Michael De Ovando's shipping container home—a crucial part of the tiny house trend that extends across the nation—as well as The Art Dome, a series of concrete cylinders tucked into a hillside and illuminated only by sunlight. Keep the fun going all day long when you explore the other unique homes around Austin.

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