Our next showcase is this Friday! Click the poster (designed by CiA’s own Eric Pulsifer) to RSVP on Facebook.


Wednesday, Feb. 1
Wine Down Wednesday
6–8pm • DuO, 225 West 2nd St. • Free
Complimentary glass of wine from Cru wine bar while you shop at DuO. Afterwards, head to Cru with your DuO receipt and get 20% off your meal.

Living Record Music Documentary Night Presents “Don’t Look Back”
7pm • Jo’s Coffee, 242 W. 2nd St. • Free
Free screening of DA Pennebaker’s documentary about Bob Dylan’s 1965 tour of England, hosted by the Austin Film Festival.

Tom Waits Hoot Night
8pm–2am • Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th St. • $5
A Tom Waits tribute night with performances by Shakey Graves, Charlie Faye, Rob Franco of the Venus Illuminato, Johnny Dango of The Memphis Strange, Jack Wilson, Kurt McMahan of King Biscuit, members of Cowboy and Indian, Shane Bartell, Taber Maine, and others.


Thursday, Feb. 2
Anthony Green In-Store Performance
5–6pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free
Free show + free Shiner.

Groundhog Day Happy Hour
5–8pm • Mohawk • Free
Drink specials + Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day on repeat.

Big-Ass Social Happy Hour (BASHH)
6pm • The Ranch, 710 West 6th St. • Free
Laid-back happy hour with all kinds of cool folks from Austin’s social media community and beyond. If you get there early enough, you can get a free drink ticket.

First Thursday: February Fun
7–10pm • Goodie Two Shoes, 1111 S. Congress Ave. • Free
Complimentary drinks, snacks, styling and sales.

Thursday Night Social Club: Great Comedy, Free Beer
8pm • ColdTowne Theater, 4803-B Airport Blvd. • $5
Every Thursday in January, ColdTowne is opening early to provide free beer and snacks before the improv comedy show.

DJ Honeycomb and Malverde Present: Shuffle Shuffle
10pm–2am • Malverde, 400 W. Second, Ste. 400-B • Free
Every Thursday this month, DJ Honeycomb and Malverde present Shuffle Shuffle. This week’s guest DJ is DJ Chicken George.


Friday, Feb. 3
Free Wine Tasting with Esprit du Vins
4-8pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free
Free tasting featuring: Trimbach Pinot Blanc ’07, Lamarque Grande Cabanes Rose 2010, Ch. De la Chaize Brouilly ’09, Lamargue Syrah Les Grand Cabanes ’08, and Trimbach Gewurztraminer Vendage Tardives ’01.

The Asteroid Shop @ Fox on First
5pm • Fox on First, 1906 S. 1st St. • Free
Free show by the Asteroid Shop + free food + free beer.

Beauty Goes Red: Austin Beauty Week Kickoff Party
6:30–9:30pm • Speakeasy, 412 Congress Ave. • Free w/ RSVP
A red-themed party with complimentary red drinks provided by Bacardi Dragon Berry and sweet treats by Sara Belle’s Bakery. Plus: swag bags for the first 50 guests, silent auction, chair massages, and music by DJ Big Rich. Benefits Central Texas Go Red for Women.

Art Opening — Dimensions: Constructed Exploration & The Painted Print
7–10pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 A. Guadalupe St. • Free
Complimentary drinks (Deep Eddy Vodka) and food (The Parlor & Austinuts) at a gallery reception featuring new works by Jonathan Sanders and David Lujan.

CoolinAustin & Austin Writes Music Present: Shot Through the Heart   **Event of the Week**
9pm–2am • Frank, 407 Colorado St. • $6
That’s right: It’s time for another CiA/AWM showcase. The all-local lineup features Royal Forest, Your Friendly Ghost, Dead Black Hearts, and Little Radar. We hope to see you out there!


Saturday, Feb. 4
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.

Be Our Valentine: Annual Valentine’s Trunk Show
2–7pm • Plain Ivey Jane, 408 W 2nd St. • Free
Complimentary drinks, treats from Sugar Pop Sweet Shop, and local shopping.

We’ll Go Machete, Cabra, Aetherhawk, Honey & Salt
6–10pm • Trailer Space Records, 1401 Rosewood Ave. • Free
Free show + free beer.

Red Bull Skooled Tour
8pm–2am • Scoot Inn, East 4th @ Navasota • Free
Texas indie rap groups A.Dd+, The Niceguys, Worldwide, Kydd, and DJ Sober
make a stop in Austin on their six-city tour through Texas. The free show features Cold Cris.

Good Field Album Release Party w/ Jesse Woods and Sleep Good
8pm–2am • Baby Blue Recording Studio, 1522 E. 12th St. • $5
Cover includes free keg beer.


Sunday, Feb. 5
“Material Girl” Super Bowl Party
5pm • Side Bar, 602 E. 7th St. • Free
Madonna-themed Super Bowl party with complimentary food and Corona for the first 50–100 people. Plus: best dressed Madonna talent competition (with prizes), projections of the game, and a Material Girl after-dance party with music by DJ Czech One.

Super Bowl Watch Party at The ND
5pm • The ND, East 5th St. at Brushy St. • Free
Watch the game, supplemented with music by DJ Orion.

Airplanes Above Us with the Madisons
7pm–2am • Red Eyed Fly, 715 Red River St. • $5
Also featuring Kiddoo & The Dude, The Holler Time, and Tippus.

Plugs: PSST! We’re up for a Statesman Social Media Award — if you’re a fan of what we do, we’d be eternally grateful if you could throw a vote our way!

Also: Like us on the Facebook, Tweet at us on the Twitter

Shoutouts: Amber, Partay Peeps, Do512 Free, Austin Free Events

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 • Free
Complimentary food and drinks.

701 & 705 South Lamar Block Party
6pm • Howl Interiors, 705 South Lamar Boulevard, Ste. A • Free
Anniversary party for Moss Boutique and Howl Interiors with free drinks, live music, door prizes, shopping, and a raffle.

CsillaWear Holiday Soiree
6–11pm • The Mosaic, 4600 Mueller Blvd. • Free (RSVP required: Email)
Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Raffle benefits People’s Community Clinic of Austin.

Drought/Fire/Ash and Pattern Lands Opening Reception
7-10pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301A Guadalupe • Free
Local artists Marjorie Moore and Callen Thompson celebrate the opening of their new exhibits. Complimentary drinks by Dripping Springs Vodka, Texas Tea and Wunder-Pilz Kombucha Tea. Cheese provided by Antonelli’s Cheese Shop.

Film Night at Green House
8pm–Midnight • Green House, 701 E 53rd St. • Free
Screenings of “Meet the Feebles” and “Another Stakeout” with free cocktails and popcorn

90s Cuisine: Bayside High Homecoming
9pm–2am • The ND, East 5th at Brushy Street • $5 / $3 with costume
90s dance party with specialty drinks, friendship bracelets, and a photo booth.

BackSpin Records Closing Festivities    **Event of the Week**
Fri. 10:30pm–1:30am; Sat. 1–7:30pm, Sun. 11am–5pm • BackSpin Records, 4631 Airport Blvd., Suite 110-A • Free
BackSpin goes out in style with a three-day party featuring more than 30 DJs and MCs — and free beer. See the event page for full lineup.


Saturday, Dec. 10
Thirsty Planet Brewery Tour
11am • Thirsty Planet Brewing Co., 11160 Circle Drive • Free (RSVP required)
Free tour and beer tasting. Make sure to reserve a spot online.

Live Oak Brewery Tour
11:30am–2pm • Live Oak Brewery, 3301 East 5th Street • Free (RSVP required)
Free tour and beer tasting. Make sure to reserve a spot online.

Big Medium presents “Fumes” — An Art Show by Doug Pollard
7pm-Midnight • Big Medium Gallery, 5305 Bolm Rd. #12 • Free
Free food & booze.

The Vagabond Collectives Ultimate Christmas party
8pm–Midnight • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $5
Music by Driver Friendly (aka Driver F), White White Lights, Major Major Major, and Glitta.

Ray Prim CD Listening Party
8pm–Midnight • One 2 One Bar, 121 East 5th St. • $5
Free Lone Star Tallboys while they last. Listen to the album and check out live performances by Kalu James and Ray Prim.

Trinity Hall Grand Opening: A Skank Family Affair
8pm–2am • Trinity Hall, 401 E. 6th St. • Free
Free show with performances by Mother Falcon, Little Lo, Marmalakes, Cryin’ Cole Wilson & Those Miserable Cowboys, and Dog Gone Dead.


Sunday, Dec. 11
“Office Christmas Party” Swing Dance with the Austin Swing Orchestra
9–11pm • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $5
The Austin Swing Orchestra plays classics from the ’30s and ’40s as well as some holiday favorites, followed by a set by Heaven for Betsy.


Tuesday, Dec. 13
Austin Chronicle Presents: Paper Cuts
7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP required for priority admission
Complementary Shock Top beer, desserts from the Frisco Shop, and Bacardi Oakheart Rum. Music by Marmalakes. RSVP to reserve your spot; additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.


SAVE THE DATE: CoolinAustin’s very first Free Week showcase is set for Jan. 2 at Swan Dive. We’ll announce the details next week, but suffice it to say, it will rock yo socks off.

Plugs: Like us on the Facebook, Tweet at us on the Twitter

Shoutouts: Amber, Jeremiah, Do512 Free, Austin Free Events

Weekend Flow: Sept. 3-6
Another weekend full of variety here in the ATX, complete with free beer at a taco joint, partying at a Spanish villa and sampling free beer at a brewery tour. And then, of course, there’s tailgating for the long-anticipated kickoff of UT’s new football season.

THURSDAY, Sept. 3
Torchy’s Tacos Third Birthday Party
Free keg beer and fiddle music by The Ruby Jane Show. You’ll probably want to come early to this one.
7-10pm
Free, No RSVP
Torchy’s Tacos, 2809 S. 1st St.

Cream Vintage SoCo Grand Opening
Free Lone Star, live music by The Tunnels, DJ set by Glynn Wedgewood
5-9pm
Free, No RSVP
1714-A S. Congress Ave.

’90s Dance Party at Beauty Bar
Featuring DJ Orion and Doneski
10pm
Free, No RSVP
Beauty Bar, 7th and Red River


FRIDAY, Sept. 4
Classy party at a Spanish Villa (NOTE: RSVP now CLOSED - bummer!)
Free cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at a party sponsored by Tribeza magazine, Bentley, Aston-Martin and Spanish Oaks Golf Club, benefiting the Austin Children’s Shelter.
6-9pm
Free
RSVP required: Call Keri at (512) 533-2370 or email khoelscher@spanishoaks.com.
11917 Musket Rim


SATURDAY, Sept. 5
Independence Brewing Co tasting and tour
Drink free samples and take a grand tour of the brewery. Show up on time!
1-2pm
Free, No RSVP
3913 Todd Lane, Ste. 607

Tailgating for the University of Texas football home-opener vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Even non-football fans (and non-UT alums such as myself) can feel the love in the campus area on this day of days, the inaugural kickoff of the Horns’ season. So if you enjoy daytime drinking and/or grilling outdoors, I highly recommend braving the crowds to take part in celebrating the season debut of Austin’s “professional” sports team. There are several parks and parking lots within walking distance of the field, although it may be tough to stake out a spot this weekend because so many fans show up just for the tailgate with no intention of going to the game. Jump on that bandwagon.
The game is at 6pm, but show up mid-day to have a chance to set up a home base. Or just park, walk around and practice your mooching skills. Come say hi to the CoolinAustin gang; we’ll post when we know our location.


SUNDAY, Sept. 6
WOXY Party at Scoot Inn
$5 admission gets you free Tito’s Vodka, Sweet Leaf Tea, BBQ, drink specials and live music from Black Before Red (members of Okkervil River and Shearwater), TV Torso (new SOUND Team project), Martin Crane (of Brazos) and English Teeth.
6pm
$5, No RSVP
Scoot Inn

Austin Handmade Post-Screening Shabang
Free drinks by Treaty Oak Rum, snacks by NadaMoo (dairy free ice cream) and a DJ.
The film Handmade Nation is premiering this Sunday in Austin at 1:30 and 4:10pm, and Austin Handmade is hosting the after party at its new location just around the corner from the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.
6:30-9:00pm
Free, No RSVP
2009 S. 1st St.