January 2012
3 posts
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First Impression: The Beauty Ballroom
Better late than never, the Beauty Ballroom, a spinoff of the Beauty Bar on 7th Street, is celebrating its grand opening tonight with Theophilus London, Treasure Fingers, L.A.X, Vegas Banger and Rickey Jean Francois. We stopped by last Saturday during the soft opening to catch RAC (Remix Artist Collective), a group of DJs who put a slick, often minimal dance twist on indie rock tunes. It ended...
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The Week Ahead: Jan. 24-31
By our count, there are 17 ways to get free drinks this week. Good luck out there…
Tuesday, Jan. 24 Kenichi VIP Event 5–7pm • Kenichi, 419 Colorado St. • Free; RSVP requested Complimentary cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. Text your name and phone number to 512-430-4339 to join the VIP List; then RSVP by emailing: marketing@kenichiaustin.com Paper Cuts Live Music Series: Not In...
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The Weekend Ahead: Jan. 20-22
Friday, Jan. 20 Art Attack by Amity 5-8pm • Duo Austin, 225 W. 2nd Street • Free Local art showcase with a build-your-own cupcake bar, cocktails, and a drawing for 25% off a custom commissioned piece. Blowout VII Opening Reception 7pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 Guadalupe Street • Free Complimentary drinks, food, live music, and displays of works by UT art students. Elizabeth Engelhardt...
December 2011
4 posts
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The Week Ahead: Dec. 12-18
Holiday party season is in full swing. This week you can make your own chocolate martinis, stumble around East Austin dressed as C-3PO, and squeeze back into that ugly Christmas sweater for another year of yuletide festivities.
Monday, Dec. 12 Dub Academy’s First Annual Christmas Party 8pm–Midnight • Parkside, 301 East 6th St. • Free; RSVP required Complimentary drinks and raffle tix for...
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The Weekend Ahead: Dec. 9-13
Friday, Dec. 9: W Hotel 1st Anniversary Celebration 3–10pm • W Hotel, 200 Lavaca Street • Free Happy hour with $1.29 specialty cocktails from 3-5pm; champagne toast at 6; disco dance party at 9. Free Spanish Wine Tasting 4pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free Five wine selections to taste. Aussie’s Beach Bar Customer Appreciation Party 6pm • Aussie’s Grill & Beach Bar •...
November 2011
6 posts
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The Week Ahead: Nov. 29-Dec. 5
Hey, it’s the first wave of holiday parties! If you’re not into the whole eggnog and ugly sweater thing, you can still sip cocktails, watch some silent films with a live soundtrack, dance through the decades, and play with puppies while drinking beer.
Tuesday, Nov. 29 Moonshine Molly Tuesdays 6pm • The North Door, 501 N. IH-35 • Free First 25 people get a free sample of...
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The Week Ahead: Nov. 23-27
It’s Thanksgiving week, so most of this week’s events are related to food and/or shopping. Now get out there and chow down on some fried turkey, mac n’ cheese, BBQ or anthropomorphized liquor-soaked hams.
Wednesday, Nov. 23 Tasting: Food Wines for Thanksgiving 4–7pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free Free tasting of Il Cavaliere Pinot Grigio ‘09, Mont Tauch...
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The Week Ahead: Nov. 14-20
This week we celebrate pizza, mustaches, and the birthdays of everyone’s favorite hipster hotspots.
Monday, Nov. 14 “Drink Local” with Treaty Oak Rum and Waterloo Gin 5–7pm • Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Blvd. • Free Complimentary liquor tastings and appetizers, with music by DJ Mel. Tuesday, Nov. 15 Grand Opening of Honeycomb Hair Boutique 5:30–8:30pm • Honeycomb...
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The Week Ahead: Nov. 9-13
Party arty, dudes.
Wednesday, Nov. 9 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. In-Store Performance 5–6pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free Live music by a fun band in a cool record store. Free Wine Tasting at Cool River Café 5–6:30pm • Cool River Café, 4001 W. Parmer Lane • Free Complimentary tastings of Chappellet Mountain Cuvee and William Hill Chardonnay, plus free hand-passed appetizers. arkFit...
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A 1-Minute Guide to the 22 Most Fun Acts of Fun...
Back, bigger than ever and in a better (?) location, the little festival that could is back for year six of public intoxication and Fun to the third degree. We take a look at the funnest of the fun with our 1-minute guide to Fun Fun Fun Fest, 20 Twitter-length microreviews of the sets we hope to catch this weekend.
Active Child: A red-headed, harp-playing solo artist who mixes high-pitched...
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The Week Ahead: Nov. 1-6
This week you can celebrate the Day of the Dead, sip some free Shiner, test your Sunny knowledge, and party at the moontower. And that’s not even counting the hijinks related to Fun Fun Fun! More on that later this week … but until then, check out Ultra8201’s recommendations, and get started on the fun early at the parties below.
Tuesday, Nov. 1 Dia De Los Muertos Happy...
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La Zona Rosa to remain open through SXSW 2012
Last week news came out that Warehouse District live music venue La Zona Rosa, which has been in operation for more than 30 years, appeared to be up for sale. Then the new owners released a statement that no immediate changes are planned but options are being explored. Last night an employee at La Zona Rosa confirmed that the venue’s future is uncertain. The source said staff have not been told...
October 2011
5 posts
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The Week Ahead: Oct. 24-31
There are so many free drinks up for grabs this week that, much like fishing with dynamite, it’s not even fair. Local breweries are offering all kinds of samples as part of Austin Beer Week, which runs through Sunday, and of course, Halloween is right around the corner. So, go out and enjoy some free tastings, embrace the costumed chaos, and keep an eye out for zombies (word on the street...
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The Week Ahead: Oct. 19-25
It’s a good week for local beer lovers: You can find free Independence, Live Oak, (512), and Real Ale at various events around town. Also, Austin Beer Week kicks off this weekend! For everyone else, there’s a trailer food festival, a zombie dance party, an indie horror movie marathon, and as always, loads of free beverages.
Wednesday, Oct. 19 Free Popcorn at Cornucopia 10am–8pm •...
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The Week Ahead: Oct. 13-16
This week’s highlights: whiskey shots, wedding cake, sauerkraut, playscapes, and a human petting zoo. (Disclaimer: We do not recommend trying those all at once.)
Thursday, Oct. 13 Revolving Door Gallery October Group Show 7–10pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free Have some free drinks from the Palm Door Bar while you check out paintings, prints, mixed media, and abstract work....
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The Week Ahead: Oct. 5-9
Taste local brews, listen to music outdoors, watch a fierce pedicab race — just another fine week in Austin. Pace yourself: Thursday is a doozy.
Wednesday, Oct. 5 In-Store Show: Portugal the Man / Blind Pilot 5–9pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free Waterloo’s in-stores are always a good time, and this one’s a doubleheader. Texas vs. OU Torchlight Parade and Rally 8pm • Parade Starts at...
September 2011
3 posts
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The Week Ahead: Sept. 28 - Oct. 2
Rawwr! I need a drink!
Wednesday, Sept. 28 The Liberty End of Summer Luau 8–11pm • The Liberty, 1618 1/2 E. 6th St. • Free Free drinks from Sailor Jerry Rum from 9–10:30; roasted pork belly by East Side Kings for $2/plate; limbo and hula hoop contests. Fantastic Fest Prom 10:30pm • The Highball • Free Bowls of spiked punch; prom montage & music videos hosted by the Action Pack;...
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ACL Weekend Events: Sept. 15-18
Whether you want to enhance your ACL experience or avoid the fest altogether, here are some events that will let you keep your party going and cost little or nothing to attend. Thursday, Sept. 15 Grand Opening of Prize 5–8pm • Prize, 202 Colorado St. • Free, RSVP required Complimentary cocktails and sushi. RSVP by emailing info@prizeaustin.com LePA Grand Re-Opening Cocktail Party 7–10pm • LePA...
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The Week Ahead: Sept. 7-11
Hooray, UT won its first game of the season! I feel so full of… What’s the opposite of shame? Less shame! Let’s celebrate!
Wednesday, Sept. 7 Free Wine Tasting 4-7pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free Free tasting of Steele and Shooting Star wines. Palm Door Open House 7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine Street • Free; RSVP required Free food and drinks by Pink Avocado,...
August 2011
3 posts
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The Week Ahead: Aug. 30 - Sept. 4
We’ve finally cracked the record for most 100+ degree days (suck it, 1925!), but in the immortal words of James Murphy, “If you’re worried about the weather, then you picked the wrong place to stay.” With that in mind, let’s go have some drinks.
Tuesday, Aug. 30 New Belgium 1554 Promo at The Draughthouse 5pm • The Draughthouse, 4112 Medical Pkwy Free BBQ, ice...
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The Week Ahead: Fashion Week Edition
Austin Fashion Week kicks off this weekend, and as per tradition, there are dozens of events offering complimentary beverages. The full schedule of free Fashion Week happenings is available here. Here are a few highlights:
Sunday, Aug. 21 KaRu presents: Fly By Nite 6–9pm • KaRu Salon, 3500 Jefferson St., Suite 101 Complimentary cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres Wolf Pack Fashion Frenzy 6–9pm...
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The Week Ahead: Aug. 15-21
Fly, my pretties, fly — to get some free stuff at these awesome events!
Monday, Aug. 15 CineMondays: “Camp Nowhere” 10pm • 29th Street Ballroom at Spider House, 2906 Fruth Street Free movie night presented by I Luv Video, with cheap drinks and $1 pizza slices. Tuesday, Aug. 16 Austin Chronicle presents: Paper Cuts 7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401-A Sabine Street • RSVP for priority entry...
May 2011
1 post
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The Week Ahead: May 10–15
Now that last week’s freak cold front is behind us, we’re ready to proclaim that summer is here. Now get out there and enjoy it! Tuesday, 5/10 The Wagoneers In-Store Show 5pm • Waterloo Records, 6th & Lamar • Free Free music and Shiner. Free Beer at I Luv Video 5pm • I Luv Video, 4803 Airport Blvd. • Free Self-explanatory… Wednesday, 5/11 Free Wine Tasting at Cool River Café 5–6:30pm...
March 2011
9 posts
7 tags
SXSW Party Highlights: Saturday, March 19
Presenting our highlights for the (sniff) final day of SXSW festivities. Here’s hoping our tired little legs can handle the home stretch.
DAY PARTIES Rachel Ray’s Feedback Party 10:30a.m.–4 p.m. • Stubb’s Free booze, food, and music by Wanda Jackson, The Bravery, Tapes & Tapes, Royal Bangs, etc. RSVP required; now closed; line likely to be ridiculous Free show at Auditorium Shores...
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SXSW Party Highlights: Friday, March 18
Here are today’s SXSW free party highlights. As always, everything below is open to the badgeless/wristbandless, but some required RSVPs (where noted). Also, you’re going to want to get to these parties as early as possible. Check our Twitter feed for updates. Party on! DAY PARTIES SpokesBuzz Fort Collins 10:30am-6pm • The 512, 408 E 6th St. Free New Belgium Beer, margaritas and...
SXSW Highlights: Thursday 3/17
Happy St. Patricks Day! Here are the highlights of today’s free events. Apologies for the lack of hyperlinks. We’re doing this mobile-style (in line for Fader Fort, naturally). Check our previous RSVP posts for the links to most of these events. We will tweet more info on the others. Party on!
Filter Party * 11:30-6 at Cedar Street Courtyard * RSVP required, now closed
Flying Dog...
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SXSW Party Highlights: Wednesday 3/16
Are y’all ready to get the real party started? Here is our list of free events to kick off the first day of SXSW Music in style. Everything listed below is open to the badgeless/wristbandless, but several of the parties require RSVPs — many of which are now closed, so hopefully you checked out our roundups last week. We recommend showing up early to make sure you get in; we’ll...
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SXSW Party Highlights: Saturday 3/12
Still looking for plans to celebrate the first Saturday of SXSW 2011? Here are some highlights of parties that you can get into without badges or wristbands. All RSVPs are still open as of 3pm today, except for the IFC House.
Domo, Yobongo, Soundtrckr & Who’s Free Want To Buy You a Drink 5–7pm • Ten Oak, 409 Colorado Ave. • No RSVP Required Free drinks Friends of Refresh 6–9 p.m. •...
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SXSW RSVP Roundup, Part II: More Open Bars
With just a few days left before the madness begins, we’re layin’ another batch of SXSW RSVPs on you. This time around, we’ve got 19 20 MORE open bar parties (on top of the 27 in our first post), plus a list of some of the other top-notch events of the week. Get awn it!
Multiple Days The Fader Fort by Fiat Wed. 3/16 through Sat. 3/19 • 1-8pm • Pine Street Station Free...
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SXSW RSVP Roundup: Open Bar Edition
If you’re heading to SXSW 2011, you have most likely spent the last few weeks being bombarded with party info. Some events want you to RSVP, some don’t, some require badges, and some will take any schmo walking in off the street. How do you sort it all out? In our opinion, the best place to get started is by RSVPing for the open bar parties. It’s hard to go wrong with free...
January 2011
2 posts
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Free Week Spotlights: Friday and Saturday
Friday, Jan. 7
What Made Milwaukee Famous, The Lemurs, Ovenbirds, The Authors, Salesman
Emo’s (Outside) @ 9 p.m
Soundcheck Magazine hosts this solid lineup of local staples including the ear-friendly tunes of What Made Milwaukee Famous (RIYL: Spoon, The Format, Margot and the Nuclear So And Sos) and The Lemurs (RIYL: The Killers, OK Go). Openers include Ovenbirds, The Authors, and Salesman.
...
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Free Week Spotlights: Thursday
T Bird and The Breaks, East Cameron Folklore, Guns of Navarone
Mohawk (Outside) @ 7 p.m.
Soul band T Bird and The Breaks (recommended if you like: James Brown, Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears, The Black Crowes) headline this launch party for Revival Fund, a fund designed to provide temporary financial assistance to Austin-area musicians and their families in times of crisis. As if T Bird and...
December 2010
4 posts
7 tags
New Year's Eve Parties
Ah, New Year’s Eve. A time to reflect on the previous year, make resolutions for the next one, and drink fancy liquor in formalwear. You might notice that our list this week is a bit of a departure from our usual schedule of events that are free or, at the very least, dirt cheap. Because it’s New Year’s and there are so many things going on, we’ve decided to put together an orderly but...
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November 2010
1 post
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1-minute guide to Fun Fun Fun Fest: Saturday
Fun Fun Fun Fest is this weekend, and if you’ve yet to do your homework, consider this your CliffsNotes: Twitter-length mini-previews (and samples) of a few of our favorite acts, designed to take some of the guesswork out of the scheduling process. Royal Forest @ 12:15 (Orange Stage) Austin-based band (formerly known as Loxsly) banging out slightly psychedelic piano pop. Download their EP for...
October 2010
1 post
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All is fair in the fight for $50 ACL passes
This morning, Austin City Limits Festival Early Bird passes—discounted tickets for next year’s fest available to users signed up on the ACL website—sold out in just under 45 minutes. Coming in at $165 rather than $185, they were a decent deal if you’re planning on going to ACL 2011 no matter what the line-up, but they’re not half the deal that was open to the public last week. Tickets to...
March 2010
5 posts
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SXSW RSVP Roundup: RSVPs for Wednesday, March 17
Ahhh, the first day of SXSW Music. To some, this is the first “real” day of SXSW. But from the geeks at Interactive and the fanboys of Film to those who just enjoy drinking free beverages, this day is just the midpoint in nine nonstop days of partying. No matter what crowd you’re in, SXSW Wednesday—also St. Patrick’s Day this year—signifies the beginning of a wave of parties that require you to...
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What’s Up at SXSW: Sunday, March 14
So it’s Sunday. So what? It’s also SXSW, so get your ass out there. As per usual, all of these events require no badge, but some do require RSVP, so make sure to take care of that. Oh, and I gotta give special shoutouts to @wornwhite, @mypartaypeeps, @SXSWFreeNOMS and various other peeps for being on top of their games when it comes to finding free ish. Respeck. Glass Happy Hour 5-8pm Drink...
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What's up at SXSW: Saturday, March 13
Still looking for something to do tonight? Here’s a list of cool things you can hit up even if you don’t have a SXSW badge. Some of ‘em require RSVPs, so make sure to click those links before you head out. Also important: Get to events early or have a backup plan, because some of these tend to fill up really quickly. We’ll post updates via Twitter on the crowds at each of...
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RSVP now for the Fader Fort! →
January 2010
1 post
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December 2009
3 posts
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ListenAustin: Fanfarlo, Freelance Whales at The...
Fanfarlo, Freelance Whales at The Independent (12.02.09) By @SupercoolEric Last night, the gang reluctantly watched me battle giant scorpions in Fallout 3 while we drank cheap beer in preparation for the Fanfarlo show at The Independent. If you’ve never been there, The Independent is a surprisingly barren venue resembling a black box theater. It’s located on East Fifth just west of...