The Week in Cool: June 21-25

Thursday, June 21
Grunge Trivia
7–10pm • The Brixton, 1412 E. 6th St. • Free
Grunge music-themed trivia night with themed drink specials, mini-games, and prizes for the best grunge outfits. The top three teams win bar tabs, and first prize is free passes to the Melvins show at the Mohawk in October.

Unplugged at the Grove: Band of Heathens
8pm • Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd. • Free
Free outdoor show + drink specials.


Friday, June 22
East End Fourth Fridays
7pm–Midnight • Kenny Dorham’s Back Yard, 1106 East 11th St. • $5 donation
Cover includes free Live Oak beer and food from East Side Pies and Sun Farm Kitchen. Benefits DiverseArts.

Night Fever Vol. XXVI: Hey Ladies Edition
9pm–2am • Volstead Lounge, 1500 East 6th St. • Free
Sets by four of Austin’s best female DJs — Deejay Honeycomb, DJ Shani, DJ T-Kay, Miss Manners.

The Hood Internet / Tiger Waves / Lean Hounds
9pm–2am • Beauty Ballroom, 2015 E. Riverside Dr. • $6 (Thursday only!); $10 day of show
Buy your tickets today (Thursday) to get the discounted rate.

Flip Cup Turnt Up
10pm • Deco Lounge, 408 Congress Ave. • Free w/ RSVP
Free flip-cup tournament with five-person teams competing for prizes including cash, concert tickets and free event passes. Team names and “creative uniforms” encouraged. RSVP on Facebook to enter.

’80s Dance Party
11pm–2am • The Highball, 1142 S. Lamar • Free


Saturday, June 23
Enfield Shopping Center Block Party
10am–5pm • Enfield Shopping Center, 12th & Lamar • Free
Food from Austin Land and Cattle, beer, and shopping at local businesses Bettysport, KickPleat, Walker Hall Designs, T. Kennedy, Hem Jeans, and Underwear.

Jack Honey Summer Swarm Games     **Party of the Week**
2–5pm • Volente Beach Shore Club, 16107 FM 2769, Leander • Free; RSVP required
Refreshments from Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and a tournament of various beach-themed challenges. Sign up as a spectator or register to participate in teams of 4 to 8.

Crooks and Whiskey Shivers Party at The White Horse
10pm–2am • The White Horse, 308 Comal St. • Free

Ebony & Irie: A New Party from Learning Secrets
10pm–2am • Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 E 6th St. • Free
New monthly dance party featuring dub, reggae, punk, rocksteady & ska. Mention ‘Ebony & Irie’ at the door and get a free Red Stripe.


Sunday, June 24
Cinema East Screening: “Gayby”
7–11pm • Yellow Jacket Track Field, 1156 Hargrave St. • $3
Screening and Q&A. BYOB.


Monday, June 25
Joe King Carrasco In-Store Performance
5pm • Waterloo Records, 6th and Lamar • Free
Free show and free Shiner.

Summer Drag Carnival
4–10pm • Tom’s Tabooley, 2928 Guadalupe St. • Free
Tom’s Tabooley, Antone’s Records and Toy Joy present a neighborhood carnival with games, prizes, food, live music and free beer samples from Mayan Distribution.

Tolly Moseley and Omar Gallaga Share Secrets to Online Writing
7pm • Austin American-Statesman, 305 South Congress Ave. • Free
Free tacos and tea at this discussion about how to write for online audiences, featuring the Statesman’s Omar Gallaga and Austin Eavesdropper’s Tolly Moseley.

Living Room Live, ft. Whiskey Shivers and Leopold & His Fiction
7pm • The W Austin, 200 Lavaca St. • Free
Free show with happy hour prices all night.


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Shoutouts: Amber Demure, Do512 Free, Austin Free Events

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 Moonshine Whiskey and a free Tamale Molly tamale.

Austin Chronicle Presents: Paper Cuts
7–9pm • Palm Door • Free; RSVP required for priority admission
Free food from Chedd’s, drinks from Tito’s Vodka and Shiner, and music by The Tiny Adventurers. RSVP to reserve your spot; additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.

Transistor Six Presents: Heartless Bastards, Moonlight Towers, and Ume
8:30–11:30pm • Frank, 407 Colorado St. • Free
Free show.


Wednesday, Nov. 30
Frock on Vintage Movember Party
5-8pm • Frock On Vintage, 3016 Guadalupe St., Ste. A101 • Free
Complimentary beverages and food; Burt Reynolds photo booth; music by Ripe, Starma, and Gauche.

Violet Crown Cinema Trivia Night
7–10pm • Violet Crown Cinema, 434 W. 2nd Street • Free
Film trivia with free bottomless popcorn and drink specials.


Thursday, Dec. 1
The Driskill Tree Lighting and 125th Anniversary Celebration
6:30–11pm • Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos Street • Free
Celebrate the lighting of the Driskill tree with treats from 1886 Café & Bakery, champagne, apple cider, hot chocolate and coffee. Live music by Dale Watson, Tje Austin, Betty Soo, Erin Ivey, Sahara Smith, and The Carper Family.

Celluloid Salon    **Event of the Week**
7pm • The ND, East 5th and Brushy St. • Free; RSVP required
Complimentary Drambuie cocktails and silent films scored live by This Will Destroy You.

Santa Crawl
8pm • Shangri La, 1016 E 6th St. • Free
Bar crawl through East Austin with a mob of people dressed like Santa, starting at Shangri La and ending up at Hotel Vegas.

Before Dawn CD Release Party
9pm–2am • Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St. • $5
Before Dawn celebrates the release of their new album, Brush with Greatness. Also features performances by KNIFIGHT and Red Cadet. Free CDs and posters while they last.

Back in Time: Throwback Record Dance Party
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar • Free
Go Go Garcia plays some sweet 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s jams.


Friday, Dec. 2
B Scene: Holiday Lounge
6pm • Blanton Museum of Art, 200 East MLK Jr. Blvd. • Free
Free snacks, swing music by The Lucky Strikes, ugly sweater contest, museum tours, cash bar.

Totally Awesome ’80s Karaoke Bash
9–11pm • The Highball, 1142 S. Lamar Blvd. • Free; RSVP required
Retro karaoke with free cocktails by 42Below Vodka.

Customer Appreciation Days at Vanity Salon and Day Spa
10am–7:30pm (Fri. and Sat.) • Vanity Salon and Day Spa, 2118 Oxford Ave. • Free
Free mudslides with Honest Tea and Dripping Springs Vodka, apple cider gingerbread men, and chocolate chip cookies.

Pop Tarts: Pop Music Dance Party with Kid Slyce
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • Free
Self explanatory!


Saturday, Dec. 3
Silver Whisk Holiday Bash
10am–4pm • Silver Whisk Cooking School, 1501 RR 620 N., Ste. C, Lakeway • Free
Free holiday appetizers, wine, cookie decorating, mimosas, and activities.

Thirsty Planet’s Silverback Pale Ale Launch Party
11am • Thirsty Planet Brewing Co., 11160 Circle Drive • Free
Thirsty Planet Brewery taps the first keg of Silverback Pale Ale in honor of the Austin Gorilla Run. The event features a beer tasting, brewery tour, and discounted Gorilla Run registration.

Pints for Pups
Noon–3pm • Hops and Grain Brewery, 507 Calles Street • $10 donation
Fundraiser to benefit local dog rescues, featuring music, food, and dogs available for adoption. Donation includes beer!

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.

Barebones Orchestra’s Annual Holiday Happy Hour
5–8pm • Skinny’s Ballroom, 115 San Jacinto Blvd. • Free
Holiday potluck with burlesque performances and music by Barebones Orchestra and Elephant M. Bring canned goods for Austin Food Bank, and feel free to bring a snack to share.

“A Winter Eden” Group Art Opening at Orbit Salon
7–10pm • Orbit Salon, 1607 E. Cesar Chavez • Free
Free eggnog, desserts, and drinks provided by Bombay Sapphire.

End of Night: Dog & Pony Release Party with Xavier Schipani
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $3
Holiday ice cream by Wanderlust Ice Cream, music by Boy Friend and Feathers, projections by Bleach Online.

Karaoke Underground
10pm–2am • Nomad, 1213 Corona Drive • Free
Free karaoke night with more than 500 punk and indie classics to choose from.


Sunday, Dec. 4
HAAM Benefit Concert at Stephen F’s Bar and Terrace
8pm–Midnight • Stephen F. Austin Hotel, 701 Congress Ave. • Free; donations accepted
Music by Del Castillo, Dale Watson, Ghosts Along the Brazos, Shinny Ribs and Bettysoo. Donations accepted at the door. Sponsored by Tito’s Vodka and Austinontherocks.com.

The Green Door Record Party
10pm–2am • Rio Rita, 1308 E. 6th St. • Free
Dance party with DJs Von Trapp, Apopalipstick, and Scotty Upton.


Monday, Dec. 5
Mohawk Home 4 the Holidays Ho-Down
8pm • Mohawk, 912 Red River St. • Free
Featuring Johnny Hottub, Xmas karaoke, ATX Facial Hair Club kissing booth, mistletoe lounge, photo booth, fire, hot toddies, eggnog, and other festivities. Bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots.


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

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

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 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 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 • Cornucopia, 1914 Guadalupe St., Suite B • Free
Try free samples of the new fall flavors: Pumpkin Pie, Biscuits and Gravy, Candy Corn, White Chocolate Cranberry, and Caramel Apple.

Left Coast Cellars Wine Tasting
4–7pm • East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave. • Free
Complimentary tasting of Left Coast Cellars ’09 Pinot Gris, ’06 Cali’s Pinot Noir, and ’06 Latitude 45 Pinot Noir.

Liberty Oktoberfest
7pm–2am • The Liberty, 1618-1/2 E. 6th St. • Free
Liberty is giving away 100 steins and offering Spaten beer specials to go with them. Bratwurst-eating contest starts at 8pm.


Thursday, Oct. 20
Icenhauer’s One Year Anniversary Party
4pm–2am • Icenhauer’s, 83 Rainey St. • Free
Taco bar provided by Tacos and Tequila from 6–8pm. Happy hour with Dulce Vida Tequila specials from 4–8pm. Special guest DJ from 9pm–2am.
 
Free Beer Thursday with D Madness
4:30pm • Double Trouble BBQ, 5300 South Congress Ave. • $5
Cover includes … you guessed it: free beer + music by D-Madness.

Austin Design Riot
6–9pm • Threshold Furniture & Design Studio, 801 W. 5th St. #100 • Free
Free drinks from Deep Eddy Vodka, giveaways, scavenger hunt, and gift bags. Architects, interior designers, and other members of the Austin design community will speak at the event.

Lamberts Patio Party
6–8pm • Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, 401 West 2nd Street • Free
Housemade sausages, Oktoberfest beers from Live Oak, Real Ale & Spaten, and music by The Fabulous Polkasonics.

Big-Ass Social Happy Hour (BASHH)
6–11:30pm • Hangar Lounge, 318 Colorado Street • Free; RSVP requested
Mingle with your fellow Austin social media peeps. One free drink ticket for the first 100 people. Annie Ray photo booth.


Friday, Oct. 21
Free Food and Wine Party
5pm • The Market at Steiner Ranch, 4300 N. Quinlan Park Road, Suite 120 • Free
Complimentary food, 15 wines to sample, and live music.

Block Party
5–9pm • Vanity Salon & Day Spa, 2118 Oxford Avenue • Free
Complimentary cocktails, food, music, raffle, and giveaways.


Saturday, Oct. 22
Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival
11am–8pm • Auditorium Shores • Free
More than 40 of Austin’s best food trailers convene in one place for maximum sampling efficiency. Each trailer will have a sampler menu item for $3 or less. There was a huge crowd (and long lines) at this event last year, so get there early.

Scarlet Waters IV: Inner Cuts
11am–11pm • DoubleTree Hotel University Area, 1617 IH-35 North • Free; Donations welcome
All-day mini-festival of indie horror and thriller films & shorts from around the world. Costume contest at 7:45pm.
 
Live Oak Brewery Tour & Tasting
Noon–2pm • Live Oak Brewing Co., 3301-B East 5th Street • Free
Get an in-depth tour of the brewery led by Chip McElroy and Brian Peters, followed by a tasting of Live Oak’s current selections (and maybe a few surprises).
 
Balcones Burner Bash
Noon–6pm • Balcones Recycling, 2416 East 6th Street • Free
Graffiti art competition to raise money for the Lady Bird Wildflower Center. Features live music + food and local beer for sale.

Jewelry by Artists & Cocktail Social at Gallery Black Lagoon
Noon–6pm • Gallery Black Lagoon, 4301 A. Guadalupe St. • Free
Complimentary cocktails, cupcakes & beverages provided by Dripping Springs Vodka, VitaminWater, Lick it Bite it or Both, & Third Coast Coffee.

Austin SUP Games
Noon–4pm • Pure Austin Fitness Quarry Lake, 4210 W Braker Lane • Free for spectators
Watch SUP Board (Stand Up Paddle Board) enthusiasts compete in a series of crazy events including an obstacle course, slalom course, jousting, and a massive water fight. Participants will attempt to break the world record for number of people on a SUP board at one time.
 
Uncle Billy’s Lake Travis Brewery Tour + Tasting
4–5pm • Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que, 6550 Comanche Trail • Free
Brewer Brian Peters leads a tour that features samples of Uncle Billy’s hand-crafted brew.

Independence Brewing Company 7th Anniversary Party *Event of the Week*
4–8pm • Independence Brewing Co., 3913 Todd Lane #607 • Free
Free samples of a special 7th Anniversary beer, rare beers from the Brewluminati series, and the regular Independence lineup. Entertainment will be provided by the brewer-led band as well as Austin rockabilly band Deuce Coupe.

House Wine 3rd Anniversary Party and Songbird Festival
4pm–1am • House Wine, 408 Josephine St. • Free
Free appetizers from 6–8pm, crafting projects, drink specials all day, and live music by local singer/songwriters.

Artslam! Return of the Undead!
7pm–2:30am • The ND at 501 Studios, East 5th and Brushy Street • $5
Free vodka + Red Bull from 7:30–9. DJ sets, visual effects, and professional make-up artists to help zombify the crowd.


Sunday, Oct. 23
HOPE Farmers Market 2nd Birthday + Food Day Celebration
11am–3pm • HOPE Farmers Market, E. 5th and Waller St. • Free
Free beer all day by 512 Brewing Company, demos, and healthy foods from local vendors. Live music by Chris Jamison and Bottom Dollar String Band.
 
Beer Olympics hosted by the Draught House
3–7pm • The Draught House, 4112 Medical Pkwy • Free
Compete for prizes in events such as Crap Beer Cornhole, Yeast Toss, Keg Lift, Blind IPA Challenge and Modified Arm Wrestling. Three people per team. This is part of the Austin Beer Week festivities.
 

Monday, Oct. 24
Austinist Presents: Live Music Trivia at Dive Bar
7–9pm • Dive Bar and Lounge‎, 1703 Guadalupe St. • Free
Dive Bar’s inaugural music trivia night will feature rounds centering on a variety of genres and tastes. Winning team gets a $50 bar tab. Sign up here.


Tuesday, Oct. 25
Austin Chronicle Presents Paper Cuts: Mike and the Moonpies
7-9pm • The Palm Door, 401-A Sabine Street • Free; RSVP requested
The Chronicle’s monthly free music series features complimentary Sapporo Beer, food from Curra’s Grill, and 42 Below Vodka. You need to RSVP to guarantee admission, but additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.

Facebook! Twitter! More free stuff from: Amber, Jeremiah, Do512! Peace be da journey!