Trapeze Austin: Circus Arts Classes

Thrill-seekers looking for a new experience should book a class at Trapeze Austin, where the high swings beckon daredevils of all ages. Trapeze is actually an exceptional full-body workout that engages your core muscles, improves your balance and gives you a serious adrenaline rush. Classes here are suitable for all experience levels, from first-timers to seasoned gymnasts. The instructors here are incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, and they specialize in soothing the many anxieties that students feel. They take you through each movement step by step, working with you until you have it right, and once you accomplish it there’s no feeling quite like it. Their unwavering positivity can make the seemingly impossible tricks come within reach. Classes run either one or two hours, and you can also book the space for parties, corporate team-building events and more.

Trapeze Austin
9501 Manchaca Road
Austin, TX 78748
(512) 608-1071
http://www.yelp.com/biz/trapeze-austin-austin

The Institution Theater: A Laugh Factory

Get in touch with your funny bone at The Institution Theatre, which teaches the art of improvisation, sketch writing, and comedic acting. Their classes are fun and focus on a difficult thing — being yourself! Whether you're an actor looking to hone your chops or a doctor looking to let off steam, there's a place for you here. Instructors have impressive comedy credentials from around the country, including Chicago’s Second City. And if you just want a laugh, the school features weekly performances at just $7 a ticket. 
 

The Institution Theater
3708 Woodbury Dr
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 895-9580
www.yelp.com/biz/the-institution-theater-austin

 

Flipnotics: Live Music Daily

Flipnotics is a laid-back coffee shop in South Austin's Barton Springs neighborhood. This little cafe has a legion of fans that enjoy the comfy atmosphere and reasonably-priced drinks. In addition to caffeine, Flipnotics makes a mean milkshake — try the moonquake with a double shot of espresso in vanilla ice cream blended with bananas. Light snacks include pastries, pie, breakfast tacos, and empanadas. The cafe is surrounded by decks, so you can enjoy your coffee and relax in the sun. Need distraction or inspiration? There's live music every night of the week.
 

Flipnotics
1601 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 480-8646
www.flipnotics.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/flipnotics-coffeespace-cafe-austin

85th Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival

This Sunday, take advantage of Austin’s beautiful spring weather at the 85th annual Zilker Park Kite Festival. One of Austin’s best-known events, it welcomes you and your four-legged friend alike to join in the fun and festivities, whether you choose to try your hand in the kite flying competition or simply take in the spectacular sight of hundreds of kites flying overhead.

It is free to attend and participate in the kite flying competition, so grab your kite and a couple friends before heading to Zilker this Sunday.

Admission: Free
Where: Zilker Park
When: Sunday, March 3rd, 10am to 5pm. In the event of rain, the festival will be rescheduled for March 10, 2013.

Get Creative at Dougherty Arts Center

The City of Austin runs Dougherty Arts Center to provide creative outlets for people of all ages. The Center's Butridge Gallery showcases Austin-area artists, while the 150-seat community theatre is available to local theatre companies and nonprofit groups. The Arts School offers intensive and sympathetic instruction for children and adults. Reasonably-priced courses in ceramics, photography, drawing, jewelry and much more are open to everyone at all skill levels.
 

Dougherty Arts Center
1110 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 974-4000
www.yelp.com/biz/dougherty-arts-center-austin

Austin Art Garage: Supporting Local and Emerging Artists

Want to decorate with something unique? Head to the Austin Art Garage.

The Austin Art Garage’s mission is to hook up emerging artists with those who want to invest in their work. The gallery features works by thirty talented artists, many of them local. The public is invited to browse the selection and purchase quality original art at affordable prices. It's a great chance for collectors to get in on the ground floor and back the masters of tomorrow. It's a friendly, no-pressure environment; many works are under $100. Check the website for details.
 

Austin Art Garage
2200 S Lamar Blvd
Ste J
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 351-5934
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-art-garage-austin

Crafts and Art Finds at Gibson Street Artisans

Next time you need a gift for a friend, parent or special someone, consider a one-of-a-kind item from Gibson Street Artisans. On weekends, the LAZ parking lot turns into an artisan market featuring handmade crafts. This art fair features eco-friendly fashions, accessories, repurposed decor and gift items. You can find anything from unique and elegant jewelry to handmade chairs.  Some of Austin’s favorite food trucks stop by too, so you can snack while you shop.  Check their Facebook page for featured artisans and upcoming events. 

Gibson Street Artisans
1400 S Congress
(Gibson and Congress In LAZ Parking Lot)
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 623-9696
www.yelp.com/biz/gibson-street-food-court-and-artist-market-austin

 

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Floral Paradise

The late Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency, recognized the losses posed to our ecosystem and our sense of beauty should important plant species disappear. That’s why in 1982, Johnson founded the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The Wildflower Center's since become not just an educational center and preserve for wildflowers, but one of the preeminent wildflower research institutions in the country. Visitors can tour the acres of flowers and learn about their unique places in the ecosystem. They can attend some of the center’s special events like shows put on by local Texas artists and even do some holiday shopping at the winter bazaar. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center also puts on a yearly Halloween show, perfectly situated on its rustic grounds!

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Avenue
Austin, TX 78739
(512) 232-0100

Elephant Room: You’ll Never Forget This Place

Austin is a town known for its nightlife—many genres of music converge here in the middle of the state for appreciative listeners. Jazz fans have long flocked to the Elephant Room to hear sets from local and national favorites. The ambience is nothing to write home about—it’s located in a somewhat dingy basement illuminated by Christmas lights—but the music is some of the best you’ll hear anywhere in the Lone Star State. This isn’t a traditional listening room; people will be talking during the sets, ordering drinks and walking around, so you’re going to have to accept that the Elephant Room is more than a little casual. But that’s okay, as jazz used to be the music of the people, after all. Some complain that the layout of the room makes it hard to hear at the back, but that’s just part of the experience. A very reasonable $5 cover and no minimum is just the cherry on the sundae.

Elephant Room
315 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 473-2279

Salvage Vanguard Theater: An Independent Theater Arts Group

With a credo like “Keep Austin Weird,” it’s not surprising that the city boasts a large number of independent arts and theater organizations. One of the most well-established is the Salvage Vanguard Theater, which has presented exceptional plays and other performances for years. The company stages a wide variety of materials, from drama to comedy and even puppetry. Tickets are sold on a sliding scale as well, making it affordable for the community. The performance space is small but comfortable, with good sightlines and decent seating. The theater also hosts a wide variety of educational programs and other creative venues for actors, directors and more. The Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation is one Austin’s best resources for developing your improve skills, both for actors and non-actors. The theater also runs a series of summer day camps for kids, yoga seminars and more. It’s a fantastic resource for the whole community.

Salvage Vanguard Theater
2803 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
http://www.yelp.com/biz/salvage-vanguard-theater-austin

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