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.

Gaze Upon Colorful Aircraft at the Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay Resort Event

When you're lucky enough to spot a hot air balloon hanging in the sky, you may consider it a rare, special moment. But hot air balloons are a common sight at Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay Resort, which will host about 20 fun, colorful balloons from April 14th through the 16th.

Austin residents can enjoy this festival, which kicks off each day with early-morning hot air balloon flights and closes each evening with "Balloon Glows," during which ethereal floating objects light up the night sky. From iconic Tom and Jerry characters to striped and polka-dotted hot air balloons, there are many creative aircraft to ogle. Then there are other fun extras, such as wine tastings hosted by local vineyards and shopping courtesy of the area's artisans, so don't miss this fun event!

Enjoy Local and Global Art at the Austin International Poetry Festival

Each year, the Austin International Poetry Festival brings poets from all around the world right to your neighborhood. In fact, over the past 25 years since the festival began, it has hosted artists from more than 45 countries. So don't miss your chance to meet some of the most renowned international poets at this year's Austin International Poetry Festival from April 6th to 9th.

At cafes and other local venues scattered throughout the city, Austin Poets International brings both professional and novice poets in front of audiences. You can actually sign up for one of the open mic nights and debut your own original works during the Austin International Poetry Festival. Of course, you can also just sit back and enjoy the live poetry performances, attend a workshop, or take part in the poetry symposium at the Austin International Poetry Festival.

Don’t Miss the Urban Music Festival

Austin is known as a hub for fresh and fun live music, but until 12 years ago, its local music scene had a noticeable gap. The Urban Music Festival filled this gap when it debuted in 2005. Now more than a decade later, the fest continues to bring the city's best performers—both big names and up-and-coming acts—right to your backyard.

This year, come out and enjoy shows by artists including Tony! Toni! Toné!, Letoya Luckett, and MC Lyte on Friday night. The roster on Saturday evening includes Keith Sweat, The Whispers, Althea René, Kyle Turner, and Michael Ward. The event will be held at Auditorium Shores at Town Lake on March 31st and April 1st, and tickets start around $40.

Enjoy Drinks, Music, and More at the 90s Bar Crawl

Throw it all the way back to the 90s during a drink-fueled bar crawl throughout Austin happening this week. On this bar crawl, guests are encouraged to wear their finest 90s clothes (overalls, ripped jeans, neon colors, windbreakers, etc.) and make their way around the Austin bar scene along this fun-filled bar crawl. General admission tickets are required for entry, and tickets will increase in price as the event gets closer. General admission tickets range from $30 to $40.

Tickets get you a welcome beer, drink specials at participating bars, and a commemorative cup. Participating bars include Parlor and Yard, Thirsty Nickel, Minibar, Burnside Tavern, and Kung Fu Saloon. Inside each bar, guests will also get to enjoy their favorite 90s tunes. The bar crawl runs from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 18th, so scoop up tickets to this fun-filled bar crawl soon!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Antonelli’s Cheese Date Night

If your significant other is a fan of cheese, surprise them with a trip to Antonelli’s Cheese House for its Valentine’s Day cheese date night. Guests of this evening event will get to feast on cheese plates, meats from charcuterie boards, chocolate, and an assortment of other treats while learning about the items from Antonelli’s expert staff. In addition to food, wine and beer will be available from the cheese shop before the class starts. Guests can also choose to bring their own wine or beer for a set-up fee of $4.

Tickets are $110 per couple and include plenty of food tastings for both people. Tickets are available online. Those interested in attending should scoop up tickets soon because cheese lovers all around are sure to flock to this event. Lucky for residents of Lamar Union, this cheese shop is only five miles away from the residences.

Black Star Co-Op: A Member-Owned Brewpub

You may have heard of co-ops that offer fresh groceries, but did you know that the same democratic tenants could contribute to a thriving brewpub? Black Star Co-op proves that the worker-owned business model works flawlessly when it comes to brewing, as more than 3,000 worker-owners collaborate to keep it up and running.

Together, the team crafts a unique balance of "Rational" and "Irrational" beers—that is, some more expected and some more creative concoctions. When it comes to Rational beers, options range from the High Esteem brew with local wildflower honey to the Recalcitrant Dockhand, a bold brew infused with hints of chocolate and java. The Irrational beers, on the other hand, encompass everything from an ale aged in whiskey barrels (the Epsilon) to an oatmeal porter that actually steeps in SRSLY Chocolate cacao nibs (the Inveterate Dockhand). Everyone is welcome to try the inventive brews, co-op member or not.

Houndstooth Coffee: From Java to Craft Beer

There aren't many places where you can grab a gourmet cup of coffee and a craft beer in one swoop, which is part of what makes Houndstooth Coffee so popular. Its staff are just as concerned about crafting stellar cups of coffee as they are about sourcing wines and beers that will please your palate.

So when you come to snag a cup of joe, don't be surprised if the macchiato, latte, or classic brewed coffee you get—all made from Counter Culture beans—goes above and beyond your expectations. Also enjoy a fresh croissant or muffin with your cup of joe. If you'd rather indulge in a craft beer, stop by after work and try the Thirsty Planet's Bucket Head IPA or a Brewhouse Brown Ale by Real Ale. There's also a decent list of red and white wines, specialty teas, and more substantial foods to enjoy at Houndstooth Coffee.

Don’t Miss the 2017 Austin Firefighters’ Ball

The Austin African-American Firefighter's Association works hard to keep the people of your city safe, which is why you may want to donate toward or attend the 2017 Austin Firefighters' Ball. Slated for Saturday, January 21st at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, this upscale event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and carries on well into the evening—until 1 a.m., to be exact.

Purchase your tickets for this semi-formal event, and take part in the dining and dancing that await. A portion of the proceeds from ticket purchases go to the Ed Bridges Scholarship Fund, which directly benefits your Austin community, so you can feel good about where your dollars are going. There will also be a cash bar and various vendors on-hand to fuel the fun at the 2017 Austin Firefighters' Ball.

Support Women at the Dames & the Giant Peach II Concert

There's no better way to kick off your new year than to enjoy some fresh bands and give back to a cause you care about, and you can do both at the Free Week of Music: Dames & the Giant Peach II event at Swan Dive. Later today, this Austin bar hosts a free showcase of local lady-led bands, and 10% of bar sales go to Planned Parenthood.

So if you're a lady (or fella) who cares about other ladies, show your face at the Dames & the Giant Peach show at Swan Dive. Kicking off at 9 p.m., it features Calliope Musicals, Zettajoule, Magia Negra, Lou Rebecca, and other performers. Don't miss the chance to enjoy this fun event!

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