The Week in Cool: Free Week 2013 EditionThe first few weeks of the new year are jam-packed with chances to see some of Austin’s best musicians performing together, all for free. We’re doing our part to keep that spirit alive in 2013 by co-hosting a show with our friends at Austin Writes Music on Friday, Jan. 4, at Swan Dive on Red River. The lineup features local powerhouses The Baker Family, The Couch, and Your Friendly Ghost, as well as The Collection, an orchestral folk group out of North Carolina. The show is totally free and will include a silent auction benefiting The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, with items from the Alamo Drafthouse and Austin photographers Pooneh Ghana and Katherine Squier. This is guaranteed to be the best possible way to celebrate the first Friday of 2013, so come on out and bring your pals!Oh, and there are plenty of other cool things worth checking out in the days ahead. Here are a few highlights of the shows we’d recommend — including set times where available — for anyone who wants to live Free Week(s) to the fullest. We’ll have even more highlights for you in Part 2 next week. Thursday, Jan. 3Hydra Melody / Megafauna / O Conqueror/ The Baker Family/ Featherface8pm–2am • Holy Mountain, 617 E. 7th St. 8:30pm - Featherface 9:30 - The Baker Family 10:30 - O Conqueror 11:30 - Megafauna 12:30am - Hydra Melody Politics / Digital Antique / My Education / Magnet School / Oh Look Out / Beat Imprint DJ set8pm–2am • Beauty Ballroom, 2105 E. Riverside9pm - Oh Look Out 9:45 - Magnet School 10:45 - My Education (w/Beat Imprint)11:45 - Digital Antique 12:45am - Politics Driver Friendly / Tallhart (Acoustic) 9pm–Midnight • Stubb’s Indoors, 801 Red River10pm - Driver Friendly 11pm - Tallhart SuperLiteBike / Growl / Gorgeous Hands / Bipolar Bears / The Nouns9pm–2am • The Parish, 214 E. 6th St.9pm - The Nouns 9:45 - Biopolar Bears 10:30 - The Gorgeous Hands 11:15 - Growl 12:15am - SuperLiteBike Friday, Jan. 4CoolinAustin & Austin Writes Music Present: The Collection / The Baker Family / Your Friendly Ghost / The Couch 8:30pm–2am • Swan Dive, 615 Red River9:30pm - The Collection 10:30 - The Baker Family11:30 - Your Friendly Ghost12:30 - The CouchWith a silent auction benefitting The Health Alliance for Austin MusiciansSaturday, Jan. 5SHMU / Royal Forest / Sour Notes / Gorgeous Hands / Preservation / Boxing Lesson / Plastic Habit / Three Leaf / Coast of Nebraska3pm–2am • Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 E. 6th St.6:30pm – Coast of Nebraska7:20 – Three Leaf8:10 – Plastic Habit9 – Boxing Lesson9:50 – Preservation10:40 – Gorgeous Hands11:30 – Sour Notes12:20am – Royal Forest1:10am – SHMUMarmalakes / Whiskey Shivers / Cartright / Little Lo8pm–Midnight • Mohawk (Outside), 900 Red River St.8pm - Little Lo9 – Cartright10 – Whiskey Shivers11 – Marmalakes Sphynx / Native America / Ghostbunny / Waldo and The Naturals / Lomelda 8pm–2am • Mohawk (Inside), 900 Red River St.8:30pm – Lomelda9:30 – Waldo and The Naturals 10:30 – Ghostbunny11:30 – Native America12:30am – SphynxSoul Track Mind / Hard Proof Afrobeat / Larry g(EE)8:30pm–12:30am • Antone’s, 213 W. 5th Street9:30pm – Larry g(EE)10:30 – Hard Proof Afrobeat11:30 – Soul Track MindVitera / Vallejo / Patricia Vonne / La Division del Norte9pm–1am • Stubb’s Indoors, 801 Red River9pm – La Division del Norte 10pm – Patricia Vonne 11pm – Vallejo Midnight – ViteraWhitman / Stereo is a Lie / The Baker Family / Antiques9pm–2am • Frank, 407 Colorado St.Lost Soul Revue / Think No Think / Bumping Uglies / Kinky Machine/ DJ Chorizo Funk9pm–2am • The ND, East 5th at Brushy StreetSunday, Jan. 6Beats, Rhymes, and Free Week: League of Extraoridinary G’z / SiP SiP / The Triggermen / p-TEK / Space Camp Death Squad / Secret Levels9pm–2am • Red 7, 611 E. 7th St.Monday, Jan. 7Fatback Circus / Muchos Backflips / Chris Holland / Sour Bridges / Serafia Jane / The Skyliners / T Jarrod Quartet7pm • Club De Ville, 900 Red River St.7:30pm – T Jarrod Quartet8:15 – The Skyliners9 – Serafia Jane10 – Fatback Circus11 – Sour BridgesMidnight – Muchos Backflips1am – Chris HollandMake sure to tune in next week for the second batch of Free Week highlights!
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The Week in Cool: Free Week 2013 Edition

The first few weeks of the new year are jam-packed with chances to see some of Austin’s best musicians performing together, all for free. We’re doing our part to keep that spirit alive in 2013 by co-hosting a show with our friends at Austin Writes Music on Friday, Jan. 4, at Swan Dive on Red River. The lineup features local powerhouses The Baker Family, The Couch, and Your Friendly Ghost, as well as The Collection, an orchestral folk group out of North Carolina. The show is totally free and will include a silent auction benefiting The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, with items from the Alamo Drafthouse and Austin photographers Pooneh Ghana and Katherine Squier. This is guaranteed to be the best possible way to celebrate the first Friday of 2013, so come on out and bring your pals!

Oh, and there are plenty of other cool things worth checking out in the days ahead. Here are a few highlights of the shows we’d recommend — including set times where available — for anyone who wants to live Free Week(s) to the fullest. We’ll have even more highlights for you in Part 2 next week.


Thursday, Jan. 3
Hydra Melody / Megafauna / O Conqueror/ The Baker Family/ Featherface
8pm–2am • Holy Mountain, 617 E. 7th St.
8:30pm - Featherface
9:30 - The Baker Family
10:30 - O Conqueror
11:30 - Megafauna
12:30am - Hydra Melody

Politics / Digital Antique / My Education / Magnet School / Oh Look Out / Beat Imprint DJ set
8pm–2am • Beauty Ballroom, 2105 E. Riverside
9pm - Oh Look Out
9:45 - Magnet School
10:45 - My Education (w/Beat Imprint)
11:45 - Digital Antique
12:45am - Politics

Driver Friendly / Tallhart (Acoustic)
9pm–Midnight • Stubb’s Indoors, 801 Red River
10pm - Driver Friendly
11pm - Tallhart

SuperLiteBike / Growl / Gorgeous Hands / Bipolar Bears / The Nouns
9pm–2am • The Parish, 214 E. 6th St.
9pm - The Nouns
9:45 - Biopolar Bears
10:30 - The Gorgeous Hands
11:15 - Growl
12:15am - SuperLiteBike


Friday, Jan. 4
CoolinAustin & Austin Writes Music Present: The Collection / The Baker Family / Your Friendly Ghost / The Couch
8:30pm–2am • Swan Dive, 615 Red River
9:30pm - The Collection
10:30 - The Baker Family
11:30 - Your Friendly Ghost
12:30 - The Couch
With a silent auction benefitting The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians


Saturday, Jan. 5
SHMU / Royal Forest / Sour Notes / Gorgeous Hands / Preservation / Boxing Lesson / Plastic Habit / Three Leaf / Coast of Nebraska
3pm–2am • Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 E. 6th St.
6:30pm – Coast of Nebraska
7:20 – Three Leaf
8:10 – Plastic Habit
9 – Boxing Lesson
9:50 – Preservation
10:40 – Gorgeous Hands
11:30 – Sour Notes
12:20am – Royal Forest
1:10am – SHMU

Marmalakes / Whiskey Shivers / Cartright / Little Lo
8pm–Midnight • Mohawk (Outside), 900 Red River St.
8pm - Little Lo
9 – Cartright
10 – Whiskey Shivers
11 – Marmalakes

Sphynx / Native America / Ghostbunny / Waldo and The Naturals / Lomelda
8pm–2am • Mohawk (Inside), 900 Red River St.
8:30pm – Lomelda
9:30 – Waldo and The Naturals
10:30 – Ghostbunny
11:30 – Native America
12:30am – Sphynx

Soul Track Mind / Hard Proof Afrobeat / Larry g(EE)
8:30pm–12:30am • Antone’s, 213 W. 5th Street
9:30pm – Larry g(EE)
10:30 – Hard Proof Afrobeat
11:30 – Soul Track Mind

Vitera / Vallejo / Patricia Vonne / La Division del Norte
9pm–1am • Stubb’s Indoors, 801 Red River
9pm – La Division del Norte
10pm – Patricia Vonne
11pm – Vallejo
Midnight – Vitera

Whitman / Stereo is a Lie / The Baker Family / Antiques
9pm–2am • Frank, 407 Colorado St.

Lost Soul Revue / Think No Think / Bumping Uglies / Kinky Machine/ DJ Chorizo Funk
9pm–2am • The ND, East 5th at Brushy Street


Sunday, Jan. 6
Beats, Rhymes, and Free Week: League of Extraoridinary G’z / SiP SiP / The Triggermen / p-TEK / Space Camp Death Squad / Secret Levels
9pm–2am • Red 7, 611 E. 7th St.


Monday, Jan. 7
Fatback Circus / Muchos Backflips / Chris Holland / Sour Bridges / Serafia Jane / The Skyliners / T Jarrod Quartet
7pm • Club De Ville, 900 Red River St.
7:30pm – T Jarrod Quartet
8:15 – The Skyliners
9 – Serafia Jane
10 – Fatback Circus
11 – Sour Bridges
Midnight – Muchos Backflips
1am – Chris Holland


Make sure to tune in next week for the second batch of Free Week highlights!

Source: facebook.com

The Week in Cool: Nov. 16-20“Come to Our Party” Edition! Friday, Nov. 16Pole Position — Presented by Kevin Paige Art and CoolinAustin8pm–12:30am • The Palm Door, 403 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP requiredSure, we’re just piling more onto this weekend’s F1nsanity, but true to our roots, we’re keeping things cheap and local. There’s no cover to get in. The drinks — graciously provided by Treaty Oak — are free all night. And the music — Austin faves Girl Dreams, Little Radar, and DJ Isabel J — just rocks. None of that glitzed-up $10,000 bottle service nonsense. Admission is subject to capacity, so RSVP now, stash your car somewhere east of 35, and get there early. Patagonia Austin Concert Series Presents: Lance Herbstrong6pm • Patagonia, 316 Congress Ave. • FreeComplimentary beer and wine, with music by Lance Herbstrong.Austin Fan FestVarious times, Fri.–Sun. • Multiple stages on 3rd and 4th streets near Colorado • FreeFor those willing to venture into the heart of F1 madness, this is a full weekend of free shows by some good local bands. Highlights include Quiet Company, T-Bird & The Breaks, Speak, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, and a bunch of others. See the schedule for the full list.Saturday, Nov. 175th Annual Sol Fest at Cherrywood Coffeehouse10am–Midnight • Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1401 E. 38 1/2 St. • $5 presale tickets at Waterloo Records, or $7 at the doorShowcase of local artists, DJs, photographers, music, food.East Austin Studio Tour11am–6pm, Sat. and Sun. • See map for locations • FreeHundreds of local artists open their doors and show off their works to the public. All of the studios celebrate E.A.S.T. in their own way, so you never really know what kind of interesting things you’ll find. Pick up a catalog at any Austin public library and plan your own route, and check out the full list of special E.A.S.T. events here. Hot Glass Cold Beer + E.A.S.T. Auction7–10pm • The East Side Glass Studio, 507 Calles St. • FreeFree beer samples from Hops & Grain and hot glassblowing demos by The East Side Glass Studio artists. Auction proceeds will go to support E.A.S.T.E.A.S.T. Artist Appreciation Party7pm–Midnight • Tillery Park, 801 Tillery St. • $5 suggested donationComplimentary beverages from Hops & Grain, meats by Micklethwait Craft Meats, live screen printing by Nettie’s Cloth & Ink, and music by Pharaohs, Rayon Beach, and Dikes Of Holland.Sunday, Nov. 18Blood! Thunder! Mustard! Rock -n- Roll BBQ3pm • Hotel Vegas, 1500 East 6th St. • FreeFree BBQ and live rock music. Free food starts at 5pm.Groovy Sunday Open House at South Austin Brewing Co.3–7pm • South Austin Brewing Co., 415 E. St. Elmo Rd. #1D • FreeTour the brewery, taste some beer and listen to music by The Colin Gilmore Band. Craft ice cream and kolaches provided by Ice Cream Social.Poached Austin’s Service Industry Party 10pm–2am • Haddington’s Fox Tavern, 601 W. Sixth St. • Free; must work in service industryPost-F1 party for anyone working in Austin restaurants/hospitality. One free cocktail per person and special prices after that.Tuesday, Nov. 20The Austin Chronicle Presents Paper Cuts: Crooked Bangs7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP required for priority admissionFree food from Nuevo León and free drinks from Shiner and Deep Eddy Vodka. Music by Crooked Bangs. RSVP is required to reserve a spot on the guestlist, but additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party hasn’t hit capacity.
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The Week in Cool: Nov. 16-20
“Come to Our Party” Edition!

Friday, Nov. 16
Pole Position — Presented by Kevin Paige Art and CoolinAustin
8pm–12:30am • The Palm Door, 403 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP required
Sure, we’re just piling more onto this weekend’s F1nsanity, but true to our roots, we’re keeping things cheap and local. There’s no cover to get in. The drinks — graciously provided by Treaty Oak — are free all night. And the music — Austin faves Girl Dreams, Little Radar, and DJ Isabel J — just rocks. None of that glitzed-up $10,000 bottle service nonsense. Admission is subject to capacity, so RSVP now, stash your car somewhere east of 35, and get there early.

Patagonia Austin Concert Series Presents: Lance Herbstrong
6pm • Patagonia, 316 Congress Ave. • Free
Complimentary beer and wine, with music by Lance Herbstrong.

Austin Fan Fest
Various times, Fri.–Sun. • Multiple stages on 3rd and 4th streets near Colorado • Free
For those willing to venture into the heart of F1 madness, this is a full weekend of free shows by some good local bands. Highlights include Quiet Company, T-Bird & The Breaks, Speak, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, and a bunch of others. See the schedule for the full list.


Saturday, Nov. 17
5th Annual Sol Fest at Cherrywood Coffeehouse
10am–Midnight • Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1401 E. 38 1/2 St. • $5 presale tickets at Waterloo Records, or $7 at the door
Showcase of local artists, DJs, photographers, music, food.

East Austin Studio Tour
11am–6pm, Sat. and Sun. • See map for locations • Free
Hundreds of local artists open their doors and show off their works to the public. All of the studios celebrate E.A.S.T. in their own way, so you never really know what kind of interesting things you’ll find. Pick up a catalog at any Austin public library and plan your own route, and check out the full list of special E.A.S.T. events here.

Hot Glass Cold Beer + E.A.S.T. Auction
7–10pm • The East Side Glass Studio, 507 Calles St. • Free
Free beer samples from Hops & Grain and hot glassblowing demos by The East Side Glass Studio artists. Auction proceeds will go to support E.A.S.T.

E.A.S.T. Artist Appreciation Party
7pm–Midnight • Tillery Park, 801 Tillery St. • $5 suggested donation
Complimentary beverages from Hops & Grain, meats by Micklethwait Craft Meats, live screen printing by Nettie’s Cloth & Ink, and music by Pharaohs, Rayon Beach, and Dikes Of Holland.


Sunday, Nov. 18
Blood! Thunder! Mustard! Rock -n- Roll BBQ
3pm • Hotel Vegas, 1500 East 6th St. • Free
Free BBQ and live rock music. Free food starts at 5pm.

Groovy Sunday Open House at South Austin Brewing Co.
3–7pm • South Austin Brewing Co., 415 E. St. Elmo Rd. #1D • Free
Tour the brewery, taste some beer and listen to music by The Colin Gilmore Band. Craft ice cream and kolaches provided by Ice Cream Social.

Poached Austin’s Service Industry Party
10pm–2am • Haddington’s Fox Tavern, 601 W. Sixth St. • Free; must work in service industry
Post-F1 party for anyone working in Austin restaurants/hospitality. One free cocktail per person and special prices after that.


Tuesday, Nov. 20
The Austin Chronicle Presents Paper Cuts: Crooked Bangs
7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP required for priority admission
Free food from Nuevo León and free drinks from Shiner and Deep Eddy Vodka. Music by Crooked Bangs. RSVP is required to reserve a spot on the guestlist, but additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party hasn’t hit capacity.

Source: ohantoniodelgado.com

The Week in Cool: November 9–15Before we get to this week’s listings, allow us to throw out a quick plug for our Formula One weekend party, Pole Position, next Friday, Nov. 16 at The Palm Door. We’re co-hosting this bad boy with Kevin Paige Art, and it’s bound to be a great night. Just to give you a taste: Complimentary cocktails from Treaty Oak. Local music by Girl Dreams and Little Radar. Photobooth by Alison Narro. (See where I’m going with this?) You gotta RSVP on Eventbrite to get on the guestlist, and admission is subject to capacity, so get there early! See y’all next Friday.Friday, Nov. 9Take Heart Sneak Peek4–8pm • 1111 E. 11th St., Ste. 100 • FreeGet a sneak peek of the work of featured EAST Austin artist Wendy Whatley, with complimentary drinks and treats.Free Show: 1000s of Cats @ Frontier Bar8pm–2am • Frontier Bar, 2421 Webberville Road • FreeFeaturing 1000s of Cats (from Toyko!), Sinsored, Fight Plan and others.Speakeasy’s 15th Anniversary Party9pm–2am • Speakeasy, 412 Congress Ave. • Free; RSVP requiredFree drinks from 9–10pm, food from TenOak, and live music by Sauce and DJ Jericho One.Saturday, Nov. 10East Austin Studio Tour11am–6pm, Sat. and Sun. • See map for locations • FreeHundreds of local artists open their doors and show off their works to the public. All of the studios celebrate E.A.S.T. in their own way, so you never really know what kind of interesting things you’ll find. Pick up a catalog at any Austin public library and plan your own route, and check out the full list of special E.A.S.T. events here. (The tour continues next weekend, as well.)Home Slice Carnival O’ Pizza Noon–7pm • Home Slice Pizza, 1415 S. Congress Ave. • FreeHands down the craziest pizza-themed celebration of the year. Featuring: carnival games, break dancers, a raffle, contests (pizza-eating, dough-tossing, box-folding, hands on an eggplant sub), and other good stuff. Live music by Big Don, Minor Mishap Marching Band, The Love Leighs, and Little Stolen Moments. Benefits Austin Bat Cave.Psychedelic Light & SoundNoon–2am • Hotel Vegas / Volstead Lounge, 1500 E. 6th St. • $5Free beer while it lasts at this all-day psych show with performances by The Boxing Lesson, The Zoltars, Kay Leotard, Strangers Family Band, Bali Yaaah and many others.Stout Open House at Circle Brewing Co.1–5pm • Circle Brewing Company, 2340 W. Braker Lane, Ste. B • FreeThree free samples of Nightlight Irish Stout — or get full-size samples and a pint glass for $10.Grand Opening Scootenanny5pm–Midnight • The Scoot Inn, 1308 East 4th St. • FreeCelebrate the reopening of a great eastside bar at this free show with performances by Wild Child, Whiskey Shivers, Hello Wheels, and Acre Yawn.Big Medium Presents: Official E.A.S.T. After Party5pm–2am • Frontier Bar, 2421 Webberville Rd. • FreeFree show with music by The Pons, She Sir, Migrant Kids and others. Portion of proceeds benefits E.A.S.T.Austin Music Map Launch Party7–10pm • The ND, East 5th at Brushy Street • $5Free Austin Beerworks brews from 7–8, with performances by Nicknack, Susan Torres & the Squeezebox Mafia, Minor Mishap Marching Band, and White Ghost Shivers.Oscar Bait 8pm • ColdTowne Theater, 4803 Airport Blvd. • $7Every Saturday in November, ColdTowne’s cast of improvisers will act out their interpretation of an unreleased film based solely on the trailer. Get tickets at the door or online.Free Show: Lost Soul Revue @ The Legendary White Swan10:30pm • Legendary White Swan, 1906 E. 12th St. • FreeGreat Motown cover band — check ‘em out!Sunday, Nov. 11East Austin Studio Tour After Party 7pm–2am • Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th St. • $3Music by Low Times, Strangers Family Expanding Headband, Vlad And The Village, and others.Tuesday, Nov. 13Austin Chronicle’s “Best of Austin” Party 9pm • Emo’s East, 2015 E. Riverside Drive • FreeFree Austin’s Pizza and music by Crooks and Sons Of Fathers.Thursday, Nov. 15Bird’s Barbershop Hyde Park 1st Birthday Party6pm • Bird’s Barbershop Hyde Park, 905 E. 41st St. • FreeFree Shiner, cake, ice cream, and tequila, plus a prize wheel, photobooth and a DJ.
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The Week in Cool: November 9–15

Before we get to this week’s listings, allow us to throw out a quick plug for our Formula One weekend party, Pole Position, next Friday, Nov. 16 at The Palm Door. We’re co-hosting this bad boy with Kevin Paige Art, and it’s bound to be a great night. Just to give you a taste: Complimentary cocktails from Treaty Oak. Local music by Girl Dreams and Little Radar. Photobooth by Alison Narro. (See where I’m going with this?) You gotta RSVP on Eventbrite to get on the guestlist, and admission is subject to capacity, so get there early! See y’all next Friday.


Friday, Nov. 9
Take Heart Sneak Peek
4–8pm • 1111 E. 11th St., Ste. 100 • Free
Get a sneak peek of the work of featured EAST Austin artist Wendy Whatley, with complimentary drinks and treats.

Free Show: 1000s of Cats @ Frontier Bar
8pm–2am • Frontier Bar, 2421 Webberville Road • Free
Featuring 1000s of Cats (from Toyko!), Sinsored, Fight Plan and others.

Speakeasy’s 15th Anniversary Party
9pm–2am • Speakeasy, 412 Congress Ave. • Free; RSVP required
Free drinks from 9–10pm, food from TenOak, and live music by Sauce and DJ Jericho One.


Saturday, Nov. 10
East Austin Studio Tour
11am–6pm, Sat. and Sun. • See map for locations • Free
Hundreds of local artists open their doors and show off their works to the public. All of the studios celebrate E.A.S.T. in their own way, so you never really know what kind of interesting things you’ll find. Pick up a catalog at any Austin public library and plan your own route, and check out the full list of special E.A.S.T. events here. (The tour continues next weekend, as well.)

Home Slice Carnival O’ Pizza
Noon–7pm • Home Slice Pizza, 1415 S. Congress Ave. • Free
Hands down the craziest pizza-themed celebration of the year. Featuring: carnival games, break dancers, a raffle, contests (pizza-eating, dough-tossing, box-folding, hands on an eggplant sub), and other good stuff. Live music by Big Don, Minor Mishap Marching Band, The Love Leighs, and Little Stolen Moments. Benefits Austin Bat Cave.

Psychedelic Light & Sound
Noon–2am • Hotel Vegas / Volstead Lounge, 1500 E. 6th St. • $5
Free beer while it lasts at this all-day psych show with performances by The Boxing Lesson, The Zoltars, Kay Leotard, Strangers Family Band, Bali Yaaah and many others.

Stout Open House at Circle Brewing Co.
1–5pm • Circle Brewing Company, 2340 W. Braker Lane, Ste. B • Free
Three free samples of Nightlight Irish Stout — or get full-size samples and a pint glass for $10.

Grand Opening Scootenanny
5pm–Midnight • The Scoot Inn, 1308 East 4th St. • Free
Celebrate the reopening of a great eastside bar at this free show with performances by Wild Child, Whiskey Shivers, Hello Wheels, and Acre Yawn.

Big Medium Presents: Official E.A.S.T. After Party
5pm–2am • Frontier Bar, 2421 Webberville Rd. • Free
Free show with music by The Pons, She Sir, Migrant Kids and others. Portion of proceeds benefits E.A.S.T.

Austin Music Map Launch Party
7–10pm • The ND, East 5th at Brushy Street • $5
Free Austin Beerworks brews from 7–8, with performances by Nicknack, Susan Torres & the Squeezebox Mafia, Minor Mishap Marching Band, and White Ghost Shivers.

Oscar Bait
8pm • ColdTowne Theater, 4803 Airport Blvd. • $7
Every Saturday in November, ColdTowne’s cast of improvisers will act out their interpretation of an unreleased film based solely on the trailer. Get tickets at the door or online.

Free Show: Lost Soul Revue @ The Legendary White Swan
10:30pm • Legendary White Swan, 1906 E. 12th St. • Free
Great Motown cover band — check ‘em out!


Sunday, Nov. 11
East Austin Studio Tour After Party
7pm–2am • Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th St. • $3
Music by Low Times, Strangers Family Expanding Headband, Vlad And The Village, and others.


Tuesday, Nov. 13
Austin Chronicle’s “Best of Austin” Party
9pm • Emo’s East, 2015 E. Riverside Drive • Free
Free Austin’s Pizza and music by Crooks and Sons Of Fathers.


Thursday, Nov. 15
Bird’s Barbershop Hyde Park 1st Birthday Party
6pm • Bird’s Barbershop Hyde Park, 905 E. 41st St. • Free
Free Shiner, cake, ice cream, and tequila, plus a prize wheel, photobooth and a DJ.

The Week in Cool: May 23-27

Our next showcase is this Sunday evening at Club DeVille! Some great bands are playing and there will be free beer for those who show up early enough. Click the poster for more details and to RSVP.

Wednesday, May 23
Great Lake Swimmers In-Store Performance
5pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free
Free show and free beer from Shiner.

The Wine Down at ACL Live: Hudson Moore
5–7pm • ACL Live at Moody Theater, 310 W. 2nd St. • Free
Free show with food from Cru.

KVET Free Texas Music Series: Cory Morrow
6:30pm • Nutty Brown Café, 12225 Hwy. 290 West • Free

The Kinks Hoot Night
8pm–2am • Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th St. • $5
A tribute to the music of the Kinks, featuring Cowboy and Indian, Leopold and His Fiction, The Memphis Strange, Dumb, Sideshow Tragedy, and Johnny Coconu.

Free show: Equals, Roger Sellers, Goat of all Texas
8pm–2am • Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 E. 6th St. • Free

Step Into the Black Music Series
9pm–12am • Mercury Hall, 615 Cardinal Ln. • Free; RSVP required (now closed)
Free Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum cocktails and performances by The War on Drugs and DJ Rapid Ric.


Thursday, May 24
Mamma Jamma Kick Off Party 2012
6–8pm • GSD&M, 828 W. 6th St. • Free
Free snacks and drinks at a party to kick off fundraising for the annual Mamma Jamma Ride, an event that benefits Texans with breast cancer.

Mohawk Beach Party Series Presents: Braves and Babes
6–9pm • Mohawk, 10th and Red River St. • Free
Beach-themed dance party in honor of Miguel Angel/uLOVEi’s birthday, with Frank hotdogs, cake, candy, drink specials, pools, games, and ticket giveaways.

Austin Social Affair’s Memorial Weekend Kickoff Event
6–10pm • Dogwood, 715 W. 6th St. • $5 donation
Complimentary Stoli cocktails from 6–7pm at a benefit for the Wrapped in Love Foundation.

Hot Glass Cold Beer
7pm • East Side Glass Studio, 507 Calles Street • Free
Glass blowing demonstrations and beer tastings from Hops and Grain.


Friday, May 25
Tortoise & Blonde Launch Party
4–8pm • Eastside Supply Co., 1105 East 6th St. • Free
Free beer, music and Sanctuary Printshop T-shirts (while they last).

Indoor Campout Party and Product Launch for Campsite #5
6–9pm • The WonderCraft, 1601 E. Cesar Chavez • Free
Free beer, food, s’mores and music. Take home free cacti and succulents from Tree-House while supplies last.

Missbehave Boutique’s 3rd Birthday Celebration
6–9pm • Missbehave Boutique, 237 W. 2nd St. • Free
Complimentary champagne, food from Cantina Laredo, manicures and special discounts.

Art Show: Austin Series Vol.2, Brushed Medium
7–10pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 A. Guadalupe St. • Free
Complimentary drinks provided by Deep Eddy Vodka, Circle Brewing Company, Texas Tea & Texas Springs at the opening reception for several local artists.

Free Show: Oh No Oh My / Sunsquabi / The Cartographers / Big Words
8pm–2am • Frontier, 2421 Webberville Rd. • Free
Free vodka drinks from 9-10pm.


Saturday, May 26
Saints of Valory EP Release Show
8pm • The Belmont, 305 W. 6th St. • Free
Free show with Maggie Koerner.

The Good Music Club V
7pm • The ND, East 5th at Brushy St. • Free
Free show with The Boxing Lesson, Good Field, White Dress, and Mr. Lewis & The Funeral Five.

Méduse Jellyfish Lounge Soft Opening Party
9pm–2am • Méduse Jellyfish Lounge, 219 Congress Ave. • Free
We don’t have many details on this one, but suffice it to say the bar has a 350-gallon jellyfish habitat.


Sunday, May 27
CoolinAustin Presents: Megafauna / Airplanes Above Us / Girl Dreams
6–11pm • Club DeVille, 900 Red River St. • $5 donation
Join us on Sunday for an evening showcase featuring three of Austin’s most badass rock bands. In honor of Memorial Day weekend, proceeds from the show will benefit the Texas VFW Foundation, a nonprofit that supports veterans and their families. Doors are at 6pm, and set times are: Girl Dreams at 7pm, Megafauna at 8pm, Airplanes Above Us at 9pm. Stay tuned for more announcements!


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The Week in Cool: Feb. 29 – March 5


Wednesday, Feb. 29
CityBidz.com Happy Hour Mixer
6–8pm • Draft Pick, 1620 E. Riverside • Free; RSVP requested
CityBidz.com hosts a happy hour with food, beer and networking.

Macallan Whisky Tastings
Wed. 6:30–8pm / 8:30–10pm; Thu. 6:30–8pm • The Marchesa, 6406 N. IH-35, Ste. 3100 • Free; RSVP required
Private tastings of The Macallan Single Malt.

Top Chef: Texas Finale Viewing Party
9–11:30pm • Uchiko, 4200 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 140 • Free
Watch Uchiko chef Paul Qui compete in the finale of “Top Chef: Texas,” with a special menu for the occasion. (Get there really early — like 7pm — to have any chance of getting seated).

Bleach Online Issue Launch
9pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $3 before midnight, $5 after
Free popcorn from Cornucopia, drink specials, giveaways, and DJ sets by Grimes, Markus Diffee, and DJ Forever 21.


Thursday, March 1
Ultra8201 6th Anniversary Party
10pm–2am • Swan Dive, 615 Red River • $5
Performances by TV Torso, Politics and Young Girls, plus photos and DJ set by ULOVEI. Sign up here for a chance to win a pair of tickets.


Friday, March 2
Austin Monthly Music Issue Release Party
7:30pm–2am • Emo’s East, 2015 E. Riverside • $5 suggested donation; RSVP requested
Music by Wiretree, Dana Falconberry, Marmalakes, Not In The Face, Soul Track Mind, Graham Wilkinson, and Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys. Benefits Help Clifford Help Kids (American Youthworks).

Represent Austin’s Texas Independence Day Party
8pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • Free until 10pm; $5 after
$1 Lone Stars and music by Guns of Navarone, Este Vato, So Long Problems, Tiger Waves, and JD Clark.

Total Crush 2 
8:30pm–2am • Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 E 6th St. • Free
Free show by The White White Lights, New Roman Times, Magnificent Snails, and Boy + Kite.

Less Volume — More Valium
9pm–2am • Dive Bar & Lounge, 1703 Guadalupe St. • Free
Free show with The Pons, DJ Czech One, and Bravo, Max!


Saturday, March 3
Thirsty Planet Brewery Tour
11am and 1:30pm • Thirsty Planet Brewing Co., 11160 Circle Drive • Free; RSVP required
Brewery tour and tasting.

Independence Brewing Company’s Texas Independence Day Party
1–3pm • Independence Brewery, 3913 Todd Lane • Free
Show up early to get a wristband good for three complimentary beer samples. Live music by Sam Sliva and BBQ from Smokin’ Rose of Texas.

Good Libations Brewing Co. Beer Tasting
3–5pm • Old Koenig Engraving & Gifts, 900 Old Koenig Lane #114 • Free
Several Good Libations beers available for sampling, including: Kolsch Style, Chocolate Porter, Honey Pale Ale, and IPA. Co-hosted by PubGlasses.com.

CoolinAustin Presents: All My Friends, Knifight, Media, and DJ Geoff Millions
9pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $5 if you Like us on Facebook; $7 if not
Celebrate the weekend before SXSW with an all-local lineup including Austin’s favorite LCD Soundsystem tribute band. Get there early to score some beverages sponsored by Cinco Vodka! Don’t forget to head over to our Facebook page and Like us to get the discounted cover.


Sunday, March 4
The Contest: The 3rd Annual Seinfeld Quiz
7pm • The Highball, 1142 S Lamar Blvd. • $5
Teams of up to six players vie to become master of the Seinfeld trivia domain. Winners take home cash prizes of up to $500.


Monday, March 5
Michael Ian Black at BookPeople
7pm • BookPeople, 6th and Lamar • Free
Make it your beeswax to attend this talk and book-signing. Black will speak and sign copies of his collection of essays, “You’re Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death and Other Humiliations.”



**Make sure to check out our list of SXSW open bar RSVPs, and stay tuned to this site for even more leading up to the fest**

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

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

The Week in Cool: Feb. 1-5

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

Announcing CoolinAustin’s first showcase: Broken Resolutions We’re insanely excited to be co-hosting Broken Resolutions, an evening of killer local music right smack in the middle of Free Week. Come out to Swan Dive on Monday, Jan. 2 to cancel your plans for living a respectable life in 2012. I mean, just look at the squid guy in the poster. It’s Day 2 and he’s already back to hitting the brandy and the pipe. And so can you! To get you on your way down the road to self-sabotage, allow us to present the face-melting musical stylings of The Soapbox Spellbinders, The White White Lights, Little Radar, and Royal Forest. No cover, no excuses, no mercy! Big thanks to our esteemed co-presenter Austin Writes Music, as well as all the bands, poster artist/magic man Eric Pulsifer, whitesiren presents, and Swan Dive. Here’s the Facebook event page — RSVP and make sure to invite your friends!
Pop-upView Separately

Announcing CoolinAustin’s first showcase: Broken Resolutions

We’re insanely excited to be co-hosting Broken Resolutions, an evening of killer local music right smack in the middle of Free Week. Come out to Swan Dive on Monday, Jan. 2 to cancel your plans for living a respectable life in 2012. I mean, just look at the squid guy in the poster. It’s Day 2 and he’s already back to hitting the brandy and the pipe. And so can you!

To get you on your way down the road to self-sabotage, allow us to present the face-melting musical stylings of The Soapbox Spellbinders, The White White Lights, Little Radar, and Royal Forest. No cover, no excuses, no mercy!

Big thanks to our esteemed co-presenter Austin Writes Music, as well as all the bands, poster artist/magic man Eric Pulsifer, whitesiren presents, and Swan Dive.

Here’s the Facebook event page — RSVP and make sure to invite your friends!