Thursday, May 10
Kendra Scott Trunk Show
5–8pm • Gap Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd. • Free
Complimentary cocktails from Tito’s Vodka and cupcakes from Hey Cupcake.

Presmer Trunk Show
6–9pm • Estilo Boutique, 234 W. 2nd St. • Free
Complimentary champagne and Delish cupcakes.

Art Over Alzheimer’s
6–9:30 • Platinum Office, 360 Nueces St. #40 • Free
Food, drinks, silent auction of 10 original works, and raffle to support The Alzheimer’s Association.

BASHH (Big Ass Social Happy Hour)
7pm • The Ranch, 710 W 6th St. • Free
Get there early and score some free drink tickets.

Do512 Presents: Wild Child, Sorne
8pm • The Belmont, 305 W. 6th St. • Free w/ RSVP

The Boxing Lesson / Megafauna / Residual Kid
10pm–2am • The ND, 501 N. IH 35 • $6


Friday, May 11
Anders Osborne In-Store Performance
5–6pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free
Free show and free beer from Shiner.

Melogrand CD Release Party
9pm–2am • Frontier Bar, 2421 Webberville Rd. • Free
Free Skyy Vodka drinks from 9–10pm. Music by Melogrand, End Wave, Wiretree, & Adam Torres.


Saturday, May 12
Thirsty Planet Brewery Tour and Tasting
11am–3pm • Thirsty Planet Brewing Co., 11160 Circle Dr. • Free; RSVP required

Austin Chef Showdown
11:30am–2:30pm • Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St. • Free
Free food from Tacodeli, Kerbey Lane, Hoover’s, Hill’s Café, Tom’s Tabooley, How Do You Roll and lots of others. Music by Best Best Best Friends.

Austin Beerworks’ 1st Anniversary Extravaganzacon
Noon–3pm, 3–6pm • Austin Beerworks, 3009 Industrial Terrace, Suite 150 • Free; RSVP required
Party at the brewery! In addition to the normal lineup, they’ll tap Battle Axe, Sputnik, and Gold Fist, as well as two special anniversary beers. To attend, keep a close eye on the Austin Beerworks Facebook page — they’re releasing 100 tickets to each session every day until Friday.
   
Austin Writes Music Presents: Dive Austin Dive   ***Party of the Week***
9pm–2am • Swan Dive, 615 Red River • $7
Benefit for Austin Pets Alive with music by The Couch, The White White Lights, Little Radar, and Kinky Machine. Complimentary Tito’s Vodka drinks for the first 100 people in the door.


Sunday, May 13
Second Sunday Sock Hop
10pm–2am • Shangri-La, 1016 E. 6th Street • $5
The Mother’s Day edition of the monthly dance party at ‘Shang’ celebrates the ladies of the ’50s and ’60s.


Tuesday, May 15
The Austin Chronicle Presents: Paper Cuts
7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP required for priority admission
Free drinks and food from Austin’s Pizza. Music by The Golden Boys. RSVP is required to reserve a spot on the guestlist, but additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.

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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 Hour
6–9pm • Takoba, 1411 E. 7th St. • Free; RSVP Required
Free appetizers, beverages, and models in traditional Dia de los Muertos costumes. Review your favorite spooky Austin locales on Google Places to guarantee your spot.

Around the World Coffee Celebration
7pm • Austin Java, 1206 Parkway • Free
Free appetizers, live music, samples of the new coffee of the month, and Q&A with the master roaster.

Tito’s Hometown Shindig  **Event of the Week**
8:30pm–Midnight • The Moody Theater at ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd. • Free; RSVP Required
Complimentary cocktails from 8:30–9:30; music by Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears and Table Manners Crew DJs.


Wednesday, Nov. 2
The New Mastersounds In-Store Performance
5–6pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free
Live music and refreshments provided by Shiner.

Texas Tribune Fall Membership Drive Member Happy Hour
5:30–7:30pm • Malverde, 400 B West 2nd Street • Free; RSVP Required
Texas Tribune kicks off its Fall Membership Drive and will buy you a cocktail in celebration of its second anniversary. Click the link for RSVP details.

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” Pub Quiz
8–10pm • The Brixton, 1412 E. 6th Street • Free
Test your knowledge of dumpster babies, greenmen, troll tolls and milk-steak. It’ll be even more fun than a game of Chardeemacdennis. Make sure to get there early because seating is limited.


Thursday, Nov. 3
“Cool Pop”: The Art of Jenny Meyer
6–8pm • Art on 5th, 1501 W. 5th Street • Free
Complimentary appetizers from Sushi Zushi and Deep Eddy Vodka cocktails.

Friends of Barton Springs Fall Social
6–9pm • Torchy’s Tacos, 1207 South 1st Street • Free
Free Torchy’s appetizers, beverages from Austin Beerworks, Barton Springs trivia pub quiz, and a chance to socialize with fellow Barton Springs enthusiasts.
 
Lomography World Premiere
6–8pm • Lomography Gallery Store Austin, 912 Congress Avenue • Free
Food, drinks, entertainment, and prizes. Come dressed in your “finest suits and dresses.”

Clothing Swaperooni And Cocktails
7–9:30pm • Hearts & Robots Hair Studio, 1401 Chestnut Ave. • Free
Complimentary cocktails and refreshments. Bring a bag or two of clothes, shoes and accessories to swap.

First Thursday Fashion Fall Out
7–10pm • Goodie Two Shoes, 1111 South Congress Ave. • Free; RSVP Requested
Free drinks and food, discounts, and prize drawings (RSVP to enter).


Friday, Nov. 4
GroupCharger Launch Party
6–8pm • Cospace, 911 W. Anderson Lane • Free; RSVP Required
Complimentary Bacardi cocktails and delicacies.


Saturday, Nov. 5
Independence Brewing Co. Brewery First Saturday Tour and Beer Tasting
1–3pm • Independence Brewing Co., 3913 Todd Lane #607 • Free
Free tour and tasting. Bring cash if you want to buy merchandise.

Fun(draising) Party
8pm–2am • Tiniest Bar in Texas, 817 W. 5th St. • Free
Free DJ dance party. Proceeds from drink sales and a silent art auction go toward building a public library in Busia, Kenya.

Cup Cup Cup Cakes
9pm • Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 E. 6th St. • Free
Free cupcakes and music by La Snacks, We Were Wolves, ADD, and The Cocker Spaniels.

“Party at the Moontower” Bike Ride
Midnight • Lamar Pedestrian Bridge • Free
Tour Austin’s landmark moontowers in this annual 20-mile bike ride.


Sunday, Nov. 6
Holiday in the Courtyard
1–7pm • Studio Downtown, 608 East 3rd Street • Free
Live music, shopping, fashion, food and cocktails. Benefits Capital Area Food Bank.


Shoutouts ‘n Plugs: Amber, Jeremiah, The Facebook, The Twitter

The Weekend Flow: November 5-8
What can I say? It’s gonna be a fun weekend.

THURSDAY, Nov. 5
Do512’s Pre Bleet-Up Happy Hour
5:30-8pm
The Do512 folks are offering up some of the free Dos Equis left over from their recent fiestas in a warmup to the big Bleet-Up this evening.
$5 suggested donation to the Groundwork Music Project gets you free beer. RSVP required.
Do512 HQ, 2208 S. Lamar

Austin Bleet-Up: Meet Your Bloggers
8:30pm
Free drinks from Tito’s Vodka and Sweet Leaf Tea, free food from Mama Fu’s. Music by Corto Maltese, Built By Snow, The Lennings, The Great Nostalgic, Sad Accordions, Politics and a Learning Secrets DJ set.
$7, RSVP required by 3pm today!!
Mohawk , 912 Red River

Whole Foods’ Taste of Thanksgiving
6-8pm
Whole Foods at 6th and Lamar will offer samples from departments throughout the store—think baked goods, wine, you name it—as part of the store’s annual Thanksgiving tasting.
Free, no RSVP
Whole Foods, 6th and Lamar


FRIDAY, Nov. 6
After the Jump: FunFunFun Fest panel discussion
Doors at 5:30pm, panel at 6:30pm
Maura Johnston (Idolator), Justin Gage (Aquarium Drunkard), Peter Gaston (SPIN), David Prince (Billboard, Daily Swarm), Joe Gross (Austin American-Statesman) and Paige Maguire (Austinist, WOXY) will discuss the ever-thinning line between new media and the mainstream. There will be a question period and cocktails after the panel.
Free. No RSVP.
Mohawk , 912 Red River

Local Music is Sexy: Official FunFunFun Fest Kickoff Party
Music starts at 8pm
Beautiful Supermachines, My Milky Way Arms, Air Traffic Controllers, Distant Seconds, the Low Lows, TV Torso, Black Before Red, Silent Land Time Machine, Manikin, The Authors, Watch Out for Rockets and International Waters will all perform, and there will be a special presentation by the Minor Mishap Marching Band. You can also pick up your FFF wristbands at the event.
Free. No RSVP.
Mohawk , 912 Red River

The Combo Plate
8pm-2am
FFF pre-party with music by The Hood Internet, Neiliyo, Zlam Dunk, Colourmusic, a photo booth with Annie Ray and custom screen tee shirts created on site by Under Pressure
$5 w/ RSVP, $8 at the door
Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St.

Up the Antics
9pm-2am
Music by Yeasayer, Learning Secrets DJs, Totally Michael, Best Fwends and Mission, plus some giveaways
Free. RSVP required.
Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th Street


SATURDAY, Nov. 7
FunFunFun Fest!!!
Okay, so it’s not free. And you probably know whether you’re going or not. But boy, its it gonna be fun (x3), and there’s a lot going on for those who aren’t going to be day-drinking in Waterloo Park. For the scoop on all the weekend parties, check out these killer lists of goings-on from my boy Ultra8201 as well as the dance party/photog power-couple The Peen Scene.

Draught House Pub 41st Anniversary Celebration
1pm
Rare draught and cask beers will be offered for sampling. DJ Jubal will spin a soul set and Texas BBQ will be served.
Free, no RSVP
Draught House Pub & Brewery, 4112 Medical Pkwy.

First Saturday on South First
For those who decide to opt out of the daytime FFF shenanigans (and like to shop), First Saturday on South has a number of options to meet your free afternoon cocktail needs. There’s lots of stuff going on, so check their Facebook page for the full list. Here are the events with free stuff:

Lovely Austin - Couture, Consignment, Fashion
2-4pm
Enjoy live acoustic entertainment from 2-4pm and a complimentary beverage while you browse. Free, No RSVP.
Lovely Austin, 1106 South 1st St.

Envy Clothing Store
Free Shiner while you shop. No RSVP.
Envy, 507 W. Mary St.

Amelia’s Retrovogue and Relics and Moxie a go-go
2-6pm
Free beer and wine at a fundraiser for the Society for Animal Rescue and Adoption. No RSVP.
2213 S. 1st St.


SUNDAY, Nov. 8
Shop 787
Noon-6pm
$5 donation to Dell Children’s Medical Center gets you free drinks by Tito’s Vodka and Sweet Leaf, as well as an opportunity to shop at dozens of local boutiques.
$5 online, $10 at the door
Mosaic at Mueller, 4600 Mueller Blvd.

Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to tweet us @coolinaustin if you’re out at the Fest. And we need more fans on Facebook, so tell your pals what’s up!

RSVP Roundup
Fall in Austin appears to be the season of wild parties. A lot of them are cheaper if you sign up early online, and some of them—notably, the ones with free booze—require RSVPs. So what are you waiting for? Here’s a list of the parties that all the cool kids are RSVPing for, so go ahead and get on the lists before they close.

Oct. 22: Swanky Social for The Movers and Shakers of Austin
RSVP requested. $5 suggested donation
8-11pm
Free drinks from Tito’s Vodka and Paula’s Texas Spirits. Free food from a number of delicious Austin eateries.
The Phoenix, 409 Colorado Street

Oct. 24: Mixx & Make Halloween Craftacular
RSVP for $6 entry ($8 at the door)
9pm
Red Rum by Treaty Oak Rum, coffin cakes by Blue Note Bakery, gummy bat eating contest, Gibson guitar giveaway
Mixx, 612 E. 6th

Oct. 28: Flip Scene’s Halloween Bash 2009
$10 advance tickets ($12 at the door)
8pm-2am at Mohawk
Learning Secrets, The Bright Light Social Hour, The Black and White Years, L.A.X., Neiliyo, DJ Markus (w/ a K)

Oct. 30: Rare Magazine Costume Bash at Speakeasy
Free with RSVP
Honestly, we have no idea where this link came from or what this event actually is, but it promises a free costume party, so by god we signed ourselves up

Oct. 31: Do512 Halloween Party in the Graveyard
Free, RSVP required - this one’s gonna close soon so hurry!
7-11pm
Free Tito’s Vodka & Dos Equis. Music by the Lemurs
2200 S. Lamar

Nov. 2: Dos Equis do-over party
Free, RSVP required
Free beer, music, comedy and contortionists.
La Zona Rosa

Nov. 5: Austin Bleet-Up: Meet Your Bloggers
$7, RSVP required
8:30pm at Mohawk
Food provided by Mama Fu’s, complimentary drinks from Tito’s Vodka, Sweet Leaf Tea, and Birds Barbershop is giving away Free Lone Stars to the first 50 guests (so get there early). Music by Corto Maltese, Built By Snow, The Lennings, The Great Nostalgic, Sad Accordions, Politics and DJ Sets by the incredible Learning Secrets

Nov. 6: The Combo Plate at Scoot Inn
RSVP for $5 entry ($8 at the door)
The Hood Internet, Neiliyo, Zlam Dunk, Colourmusic, a photo booth with Annie Ray and custom screen tee shirts created on site by Under Pressure

The Weekend Flow: September 18-20

FRIDAY, Sept. 18
Spectacle Sunglasses Grand Opening Party
4-8pm
Free drinks by Tito’s Vodka, free food, live entertainment, door prizes & giveaways
Spectacle Sunglasses, 2110 South Lamar
Free, No RSVP

Parts & Labour Trunk Show: Enju
6-9pm
Free cocktails and snacks
Parts & Labour, 1117 S Congress Ave.
Free, No RSVP

SOCIAL Grand Opening
Free Tito’s vodka and appetizers from Black Sheep Lodge from 8-9pm. Featuring sets by J.J. Usher and Toddy B.
SOCIAL (formerly Whiskey Bar), 303 West 5th Street
Free, No RSVP

KVRX Back to School Party
9pm-2am
Low Lows, Best Fwends, Fat Tony, The Eastern Sea
$5 for 21+. No RSVP


SATURDAY, Sept. 19
Tailgate: UT vs. Texas Tech, with ESPN College GameDay live in Austin
Join us bright and early Saturday morning to yell obnoxiously at Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler (I’ll be the one with the sign that says “Colt’s MaBoy!”). Then stick around for a full day of tailgating — We’ll be setting up in the park at 15th and Trinity Street, and there’s a rumor that some of the Republic of Austin crew (@ATX4U) will be hanging out there as well.
9am: Live broadcast of ESPN College GameDay; Mike A. Myers Track & Soccer Stadium. Red River Street at East Campus Drive (just east of Memorial Stadium)
Noon-7pm: Royal’s Lounge Tailgate, featuring brisket & fixins, Heineken, Amstel Light, Tito’s Vodka. Throw in a couple bucks for a good cause while you’re there. (They’re also going to be in the “tennis courts park” at 15th and Trinity).
7 p.m. kickoff, Texas Tech at No. 2 Texas, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Party
Free beer & daytime music showcase
Noon-8pm
1510 S. Congress Ave.
Free, No RSVP

Fall Vinyl Extravaganza
More than 1,000 records of every genre (classical, blues, jazz, rock, country, etc.) will be for sale, most of them for $1 apiece. All proceeds benefit the Austin Public Library. Performances by Joe Blanda, Hank Hogg and Clive Luke.
Noon-5pm, Saturday and Sunday
Austin Reads, 5335 Burnet Road
Free, No RSVP

The North Loop Strip Block Pary
Free event featuring live music, special sales at local businesses, food and beverages. Proceeds from the event go to benefit KOOP (UT Student Radio) and the Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife.
Noon-7pm
North Loop Plaza, North Loop & Ave. F
Free, No RSVP

Share the Passion Calendar Gala
Free event with complementary drinks and hors d’oeuvres, benefitting the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas.
5-9pm
Rough Hollow Yacht Club, 105 Yacht Club Cove
RSVP required: Contact Stefanie Martinez at 323-0808.

Prints for Nonprofit V
Free Lone Star Beer, Sweet Leaf Tea & live music by Markus (with a K), Whitman and Built By Snow. Benefits AIDS Services of Austin, presented by Knuckle Rumbler (@knuckle_rumbler).
6-9p
Tripp’s T-shirts, 2405 Nueces.
Free, No RSVP

We Make Stuff
7pm-2am
$6 cover gets you free Treaty Oak Rum, ice cream from NadaMoo, music, art, & fashion show
Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St. No RSVP.