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?

Sala and Betty: Locally Sourced Salads and Sandwiches

The family that owns Sala and Betty knows firsthand how difficult it can be to start up a local business with only elbow grease and a dream. That's why they seek to support other small local businesses in everything they do. This includes sourcing their ingredients from farms around Austin.

Sala and Betty's team builds relationships with the local farmers and ranchers in order to bring the best ingredients to your meal. Start with a light salad, such as the organic greens salad, which showcases a colorful medley of beets, pine nuts, goat cheese, and lemon-basil vinaigrette. Save some room for a fully loaded sandwich, like the Mister T. It's stuffed with smoked wagyu sirloin, avocado aioli, mixed greens, and blue cheese sauce—plus fries. The signature Sala showcases smoked chicken, mixed greens, cilantro, mint yogurt, and fries, so be sure to find out which sandwich is your favorite at Sala and Betty!

Feast on Fresh Fare at Foreign and Domestic

Make a reservation for a delicious dinner at one of the most popular restaurants in Austin, Foreign and Domestic. The restaurant serves up meals made with fresh ingredients that are not only local but in season, too. The menu is full of seasonal dishes that are combinations of classic American cuisine and classic European fare. Each item that comes out of the kitchen is plated and prepared perfectly. The menu changes with the seasons, but items on previous menus have featured blue crab, organic chicken, and salmon dishes.

For Sunday brunch, the menu is full of seasonally focused takes on classic brunch items like pancakes, breakfast burgers, and avocado toast. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and is open for brunch on Sundays. If you can’t get a reservation, don’t fret: Foreign and Domestic has a set number of walk-in tables available every day.

Kuneho: Classic and Innovative Sushi in Austin

Happy hour is such great fun at Kuneho that a single "happy" simply won't do; the eatery's founders call it "Happy Happy Time" instead. From 5 to 7 p.m. every day of the week, patrons flock to this beloved Austin eatery for Happy Happy Time. Small appetizers start at a mere $2 apiece, like the crispy onion and the enoki mushroom with tamari. For a bit more, enjoy a maki roll like the Mama Mia with tuna, cucumber, and avocado, or the Kimcheese eggroll stuffed with Velveeta and kimchi.

If you decide to come for a full meal, your options expand quite a bit. The large list of sushi and sashimi encompasses everything from yellowtail to Spanish mackerel, while the collection of maki rolls offers a few inventive eats. For something totally unique, try the K-Town Roll with short rib, kimchi, and Asian pear. The Unicorn en Vaso is a grilled "sushi" creation with grilled corn, corn milk, and a sea urchin. Save some room for chocolate mochi cake or jasmine sorbet at the end of your meal at Kuneho.

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

Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors: A Sunny Spot to Enjoy a Cup of Joe

If you prefer to give your hard-earned money to small businesses, as opposed to big chains, put Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors in your rotation of morning java stops and work-from-home spots. This beloved local coffeehouse and bakery offers artisan cups of joe and light bites to eat.

Natural light flows freely through the large windows, creating a comfortable environment in which to set up your laptop and take advantage of the cafe's free (and dependable) Wi-Fi. While you surf or answer e-mails, treat yourself to one of the artsy lattes that come with a carefully etched design on top or sip on a classic cup of coffee from local roasters like Tweed Coffee. Kuma Coffee Roasters in Washington state, Four Barrel Coffee in California, and Coava Coffee in Oregon also contribute to the array of beans available, so find the perfect cup at Figure 8.

Public Domain/Pixabay/webandi

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

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