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 Grenache Blanc Garrigues ‘09, Prieure Bourgogne Rouge ‘08, and Arroba Pinot Noir ‘08.
 
Mac & Cheese
10pm–3am • Barbarella, 615 Red River • Cover?
Knuckle Rumbler hosts a dance party with cheesy pop anthems selected by DJ Ding.

Beauty Bar Turkey Fry
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • “Donations accepted”
Fried turkey, drink specials, and music by Not in the Face, John-David Clark, East Cameron Folkcore, and I’d Die For Lo Fi.


Thursday, Nov. 24
Happy Thanksgivin’, fool!


Friday, Nov. 25
A Night at the Cabana: Austin Shop Crawl Kick Off After Party
9pm–2am • Tacos and Tequila • $5; Free with Shop Crawl badge; RSVP requested
Tequila tastings, cocktails, cigar rolling, and music by Oliver Rajamani. Admission is free with a Shop Crawl badge, which you can get by Liking this Facebook page.

Nite School
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar • $3
Music by Ode To Oscillator, Bali Yaaah, DJs Geoff Millions & Scorpio.


Saturday, Nov. 26
Austin Vintage Style Fest 2011 
10am–7pm, Sat. and Sun. • Various locations • Free; wristbands $5/advance, $10/day of event
Weekend vintage clothing tour with 40 participating shops and boutiques. The event is free to attend, but if you buy a wristband, you get free beverages and food; discounts at most locations; giveaways; a Movember goodie bag; and free entry to Slacker Magazine’s “Run Hammie Run” Movember party.

Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market
11am–6pm, Sat. and Sun. • Palmer Events Center • Free
Crafts by 150 local artists, workshops, crafting activities, and demonstrations. Food and booze available for purchase.

Cho Sushi 2nd Anniversary Celebration
11am–11pm • Cho Sushi, 4300 Quinlan Park Road, Suite 105 • Free
Sake tasting, free raffle, half-price sushi, and drink specials.

Art of Texas - Xmas Season Kickoff
11am–6pm • Art of Texas Studio and Gallery, 812 Brentwood Street • Free
Gallery open house with BBQ by Stiles Switch BBQ and live acoustic music.

Rum Hammie Rum Movember Party   **Event of the Week**
8pm–2am • Red 7 • $5 donation
Complimentary beverages and baked rum ham contest from 8–10. Stick around for mustache and costumes contests, giveaways, and music by THAT Damned Band, The Crooks, and DJ Scorpio. Benefits Movember.

The Wizard Album CD Release Party
9pm • Salvage Vanguard Theater • $5
Manateemann celebrates the release of “The Wizard Album.” Cover includes beer, Tito’s Vodka cocktails, the album, and a performance by Manateemann.


Sunday, Nov. 27
Pachanga Latino Music Festival Presents: Tex-Mex Tardeadas
3:30-5pm • Plaza Saltillo, 412 Comal St. • Free
Music by Conjunto Romo “Lost Little Rascals”


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

Shoutouts: Amber, Jeremiah, Do512 Free

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, cupcakes by PolkaDots.

Nerd Nite
7:30–10pm • 29th Street Ballroom at Spider House • Free
Have some free drinks and swag from Google Places and listen to talks about Cambodian shadow puppetry, NYT crossword puzzles, and super-weapons of the future.


Thursday, Sept. 8
Stylelist presents Fashion’s Night Out at Saks
6–9pm • Saks Fifth Avenue, 9722 Great Hills Trail • Free
Complimentary margaritas, music, makeup applications, and sweet treats.

A Night of Rock at Frank
9:30pm–1am • Frank • $6
Music by Leatherbag / The Soapbox Spellbinders / Ethan Kennedy

Shuffle Shuffle with Neiliyo
10pm–1am • Malverde, 400-B W. 2nd St. (upstairs) • Free
Free show with Austin’s favorite electro-funk superstar doing his thing on the balcony.


Friday, Sept. 9
Underwear’s 7-Year Anniversary Party
5–8pm • Underwear, 916-B West 12th Street • Free
Cocktails, treats from Sweet Pop Shop and raffle prizes.

Share the Artist’s Grand Re-Opening
7–9pm • Soma Vida Work / Life Balance & Wellness Center, 1210 Rosewood Drive • Free; RSVP requested
Complimentary appetizers and drinks.

Pure Filth Magazine Release Party
9:30pm–2am • Beauty Bar Austin, 617 E. 7th Street • $5
Specialty drinks; music by Shunda K of Yo Majesty, DJ IWannaBeHer and John Gomi; photos by Chris Martin of Studio MadGods.

Ready, Set, Go! ND’s Re-Launch Celebration
10pm–2am • The ND, East 5th and Brushy St. • $7
Music by L.A.X, Pong, MoTel Aviv, Total Unicorn, and DJ Orion. Food by Tamale Molly. Part of a weekend of parties — for more info, click the link


Saturday, Sept. 10
Tailgating: UT vs. BYU — Game time: 6pm
There are several friendly tailgaters around campus who welcome visitors. Royal’s Lounge (in the park at 15th and Trinity St.) is continuing its tradition of offering complimentary beverages and grub in exchange for suggested charitable donations. Right next door, Longhorn Tailgaters is another longtime tailgating community that just might set you up with a beer and a catered meal if you donate to a local Austin charity. Bevo Boulevard (18th St. between Brazos and San Jac) is another perennial staple with live music and giveaways from various vendors. And of course you can always just pick up a 12-pack and wander around making new friends. Hook ’Em!


Sunday, Sept. 11
Fun Fun Fun Fest Water Olympics
12-6pm • Fiesta Gardens, 2100 Jesse E. Segovia St. • Free
Compete in canoe jousting, paddleboard freestyle, tug-of-war across the lake, and other crazy events to win FFF tix.

Octotea 16 Kickoff Event: The Second Annual Great Wig-Off
4–7pm • John Girard Salon, 800 West 3rd Street, Suite # 1308
Complimentary Deep Eddy Vodka Cocktails, passed appetizers, and door prize drawings for those who wear a wig.

Free Alamo Rolling Roadshow: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Gates at 7:30pm, movie at 9pm • San Jacinto between Fifth and Sixth Streets • $5 suggested donation
Watch the quintessential 80s comedy on the Drafthouse’s 40-foot inflatable screen. Proceeds benefit the 6ixth Street Austin Association. Bring a lawn chair!  


Muchos gracias to Jeremiah at Partay Peeps for leads on several of these events.

Photo by dj @ oxherder arts (Flickr)

Tribeza Style Week: Downtown Open House

Complementary cocktails by Savvy Vodka, hosted by 30 downtown boutiques — most of them are on West 5th and 6th Streets, and some are in the 2nd St. district.

Wednesday, Sept. 23
6-9pm
Benefits Ballet Austin

From event sponsor Tribeza:
“This year’s Downtown Open House sponsored by Savvy Vodka has 30 participating businesses. Come try one of our Tri-Tinis made with Savvy Vodka. Enjoy street performers, music and special deals on fall fashion and hors d’oeuvres in participating stores. A silent auction in the boutiques will benefit Ballet Austin. If you like Tribeza Happy Hours – you will be very happy!”

Participating boutiques: Adelante, 
Anthony’s Fireplace & Patio,
 Artworks,
 Austin Galleries,
 Ballet Austin,
 bella salon,
 Beyond Tradition, 
BoConcept, David Allen Rugs,
 Dick Clark Architecture,
 Edgar Kelly Rugs, Eliza Page, 
EOS,
 Estilo,
 Extraordinaire,
 Gallery D,
 Julian Gold,
 Lotus Gallery,
 Lounge 22, milk + honey, 
Miss Behave,
 Nest,
 Pat Monroe Antiques,
 Rae Cosmetics, Spazio, 
Threshold,
 Urban Space,
 Whit Hanks Antiques and
 Zoltan David.

No RSVP is required.

Christmas comes early tonight and Friday

Thurs. (Tonight): Sanctuary Anniversary Party. Free drinks from Savvy Vodka & Tiffs Treats cookies! 3663 Bee Caves Road. 6-8p.

Also tonight: Don’t forget about the Dos Equis (8-10:30) and summer cocktail parties (6:30-8:30) discussed in the previous post!)

Fri. July 24: Christmas in July party at Happiness garden shop. Free drinks and appetizers. Local artisans. 2213 S. 1st. 5-10p.

Fri July 24: Free Dripping Springs Vodka & Sweet Leaf Tea @ Parts & Labour’s Perfect Strangers Photography Show, 1117 S. Congress. 7-10p.

Here’s a list of some notable events during AFW that happen to involve free drinking and eating. Click the image for the complete schedule and more info.

Tuesday

La Vida Local. Texas wines, snacks. 221 West 2nd St. 5-8pm.

Dean Frederick Studio. Wines, champagne, appetizers, live music, Annie Ray photo booth. 902 E. 5th Street. 5-9pm.

Feathers Boutique Blog Launch Party. Custom cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, DJ. 1700 B South Congress Ave. 6-9pm.

Sirens Salon / Tasty Jewelry AFW Cocktail Hour. Cocktails. 4207 Medical Parkway. 6:30-8:30pm.


Wednesday

Soigne’ Boutique Heats up Summer. Cocktails by Cover 3, sushi by Kenichi Austin. 4800 Burnet Rd, Ste. 420. 6-8pm.

Pearl Studio Happy Hour. Cocktails, cupcakes, giveaways. 29th and West. 6-8pm.


Thursday

Sangria & Sales at Sanctuary. Sangria. 3663 Bee Caves Rd., behind Breed and Co. 5-8pm.

12th Street Happy Hour and Block Party. Dripping Springs Vodka. 12th and Lamar. 5-8pm.

Studio 3 + Finch Austin Fashion Week Party. Local food and drink sponsors (21+ Only). 417 W 2nd St. 6-9pm.

Missbehave Boutique Grand Opening Party. Hors d’oeuvres & wine. 237 W 2nd Street. 6-9pm.

People for Fresh Designer Launch Party. Cocktails and appetizers from Santa Rita Cantina. 1206 W. 38th St., Ste. 4104. 6-8pm.

Yelp StyleXplosion. Cocktails, beer, snacks. Mohawk, 912 Red River. 7-11pm.

Austin Handmade Grand Re-Opening Party + Fashion Show. Treaty Oak Rum, Sweet Leaf Tea. 2009 S. First St. 8-11pm.

Latin Dance Night. Drinks, appetizers, DJ. Studio 563 202 Colorado St. 8-11pm.


Friday

Urban Groove Salon Wine Tasting. Complementary wine tasting of select wines. 4301 West William Cannon Dr. 9am-6pm.


Saturday

Prints for Nonprofit. Lone Star beer, Sweet Leaf Tea, Amp Energy, live music. Tripp Custom T-Shirts. 2405 Nueces St., Ste. H. 6-9pm.

Live Mannequin Model Party. Free Beer and a live DJ spinning in the store. Cream Vintage. 2532 Guadalupe. 8-10pm.

Sparkles and Sweets Soiree. Tito’s Vodka, cupcakes, DJ. Urban Betty Salon, 1206 West 38th St. Suite 1201. 8:30-10pm.