So Long to the Holidaze

Hooray for the holidays of this year almost being over! Until next year!

There are things to do in Austin on New Year's Eve!!!!!!

But firstly, be sure to put this number in your phone: 1-800-222-4357. From 6pm on New Year's Eve to 6am New Year's Day, Tipsy Tow will pick you and your car up and drop you off at home (within 10 miles). It's free!

Want to ring in the new year while dancing your face off? Yeah you do. Check out Midnight Magic New Year's Eve Party hosted by Go Dance. Party starts at 9pm, with a Country Room, West Coast Swing Room, and a Freestyle Lounge. Chill out with champagne and desserts! Should be a boom de boom de boom super blast. 

More boot scootin' can be found on the south side at the Broken Spoke with a dance lesson at 8pm, followed by live music with Alvin Crow. 

What happens in Vegas will stay at Hotel Vegas when $50 gets you an open bar, champagne toast, and snacks till midnight. You can also enjoy the party and tag-teaming DJ set for just a $10 cover charge. 

While you're on the east side, check out a crazy party at Cheer Up Charlie's, complete with Tito's for the first 100 guests, a roaming photobooth, 3 stages of live music, giveaways, and more. How much would you pay for this much entertainment? $40?? $100?? Well....you only have to pay $5. How could you not be cheery with a deal like that? You da bomb Charlie!

If you've got your New Year's Eve tux and gown ready, book it over to the DoubleTree Austin for their annual holiday gala. Top notch live music all night long, cash bar, countdown to midnight, and access to "any of the legendary after-parties hosted by guests throughout the hotel" for just $60 per person. 

Bob Schneider will be hosting his annual NYE party at The Paramount with local fave Quiet Company. Tickets start at $35 and the bar opens at 8pm! 

If you want to continue to keep Austin freaky this new year, head over to La Zona Rosa for the Burlesque Circus & Sideshow freakout event with Hayes Carll. Prizes will be awarded for the freakiest and craziest costumes so keep it WEIRD!  

Hip hop till ya can't stop over at Mohawk while Big Freedia and Turquoise take over the stage. Party starts at 8pm and tickets are $15. 

You can also keep it kinda jazzy at my favorite date night spot, The Elephant Room. It's a walk-in event that opens at 8pm, with music starting at 9:30, and party favors and champagne galore. $10! 

For all those family folk, Auditorium Shores is the place to be. A free, family-friendly, no booze event, with live music, theater, and more. The fun starts at 5pm and concludes around 10pm with a fireworks show. 

Zach Scott Theater is bringing you pre-party entertainment with The Santaland Diaries and Gods of Carnage - check out a show at 3pm or 8pm! 

Laughter is a great thing to start the new year off with - so catch an improv show at The Hideout at 8 or 10pm, with champagne, chocolate, and non-stop interactive entertainment! 

That should be more than enough fun for you to shake a stick at, so enjoy the new year and keep keepin' it weird! 

Ho Ho Ho and stuff...

Santa is late for a little get together, so here is a quick list of where you can eat this Christmas:

Moonshine (Christmas eve & New year's day), 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. Brunch menu. (512) 236-9599.
Driskill Hotel for brunch, 1886 Cafe will be open. (512) 474-5911.
Chinatown on Mopac. Open for lunch. (512) 343-9307.
El Arroyo. (512) 474-1222.
Green Pastures, lunch buffet for Christmas Eve. Christmas Dinner is booked with a waiting list. (512) 444-1818.
McCormick and Schmick's at the Domain. (512) 836-0500.
Threadgill's. The north store will have live music Christmas Day with no cover. Regular hours for Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, New Years Eve and Day...365 days a year! (512) 451-5440 / (512) 472-9304.
Trio, from 11-8pm, and in the Ballroom from 11-6, with a reservation. $75/adults, $20/child in Trio, $68/adult, $20/child in the Ballroom.  512-685-8300.
Friday's. 512-478-2991.
Liberty Bar will be open so you can drink your dinner. (512) 600-4791.

This is a test of the e-mail subscriber system. This is only a test.

Say Yes to Shopping this Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

If you have any energy left to shop the sales, Austin is the place to be. And if you don't, your computer is the place to be, as you can snag some of these sales over the interwebs.

Austin Shop Crawl starts tomorrow and lasts until December 4th (10 days of deals!), with tons of stores and restaurants offering discounts and donating proceeds to Toys for Tots. You can sign up online for a free badge that will allow you to save an extra 10-50% off in certain stores, take advantage of private sales, score free food, and gain access to the parties!

Waterloo Records will have a 20% off sale from 10am-12pm on regularly priced items, with tons of CD's releasing tomorrow...get there early to get your copy!

My favorite thrift store, Saver's, is offering 25% off with your Saver's card on Black Friday! Urban Outfitters is also throwing down a 50% off sale for all your new hippy hipster attire.

Kick Butt Coffee is living up to its name and offering buy one get one half off gift cards. So buy a $50 gift card, get a second $50 gift card for $25!

Natalie Stone at 12th Street Ashiatsu and Thai Massage is offering ahhhmazing massage deals through December. If Ashiatsu massage wasn't awesome enough, she takes you all the way to blissville with warm coconut oil and hot towels. Her deals include four 70 minute sessions for $200 (that's $30 off each session) or buy two Thai massages to get one free. These can be bought as a package or used as multiple gifts. Don't forget to drop my name if you do buy a massage or two, because she also gives you half off a session for every person you refer to buy a package! She also has a special deal for the holidays if you buy a gift certificate, you can get a half price session! Save money and relax? Yes.

Launch 787 is offering 40-50% discounts on gift cards ranging from food, clothes, and house cleaning! Get them while they last.

Jewelmint is offering 50% off to Austin Fashion Week readers by using this code: austin882

On small business Saturday, you can receive a $25 AMEX credit when you spend $25 dollars or more using a registered AMEX card. Keep your purchases local and help promote small businesses in Austin!

There's nothing like the holidays to make you feel a little overstuffed and a little unsexy. Luckily, you can get your groove back at Inner Diva Studios. This Friday you can purchase a 3-class card for $45 dollars, or take a class on Saturday for just $5. Gift certificates are also discounted up to $20!

Helping promote small business Saturday, a new bi-yearly city-wide event called Austin Vintage Style Fest, this Saturday and Sunday. The event is free, but you can purchase a wristband for $5 (advance) and $10 (day of), to get free food and goodies along the way. Over 50 venues are participating!





The Renegade Craft Fair is also happening this Saturday featuring local artists and crafts. The Blue Genie Art Bazaar will be kickin' off this Wednesday and going on until Christmas Eve for all you last minuters. It's free, kid-friendly, and open every day from 10am-10pm!  Stock up on handmade gifts and put a smile on a starving artist! 

This city is seriously taking it to 11!

I'd Like to Thank the Academy

Looking for something else to do this Thanksgiving besides stand around in your kitchen in your pajamas eating cookie dough? You can be grateful that Austin will keep us entertained in between bites.

Get your fill of food on:

Kerbey Lane! Vegan platter for a guilt-free holiday.
Carmelo's Regular menu/turkey special.
Kenichi! I'm grateful for sushi everyday.
Threadgill's Sweet home cookin' without the cleanup.
Finn and Porter Fancy dining, fancy fish.
Congress Keep it downtown.
Romeo's! Deep Fried Turkey. Or delicious Italian food.
Hyde Park Bar & Grill Delicious french fries.

Get your game face on:

The Tavern
J. Blacks Donating proceeds to Mobile Loaves and Fishes.
Third Base

Get your drink on and dance it off: 

Kiss & Fly ($1 wells till 11!)

Watch people outrun the tryptophan:

21st Annual Turkey Trot

Get your live music on:

The Scabs at Antone's

Get your movie AND your feast on:

All Alamo Drafthouse locations will have a Thanksgiving menu available with any movie.

Violet Crown Cinema will also be open at 2pm.

Fusebox Festival: Haircuts By Children

So last weekend, as part of the Fusebox Festival and E.A.S.T Austin Studio Tour, I signed up for Haircuts by Children. A crew of 5th graders took over Peacock Salon, took appointments, gave haircuts, sold lemonade, and cleaned up. Haircuts was really the highlight of my week and I hope they do it again next year! E.A.S.T is still going on through the weekend, so go wander around and enjoy some art. Here's how my head ended up:

I've been fixing it for a few days and now it's more like this:

I was headed to work when a kid on a skateboard told me they had free ice cream up the block. Amy's was handing out free scoops of Oreo, Chocolate, Vanilla, and vegan flavors (cherry lemonade!), with tons of crush-ins. So, thanks Amy's!

As I kept walking, I ran into some cute kids with banjos. They offered to play me a song for a quarter and I said yes. I was really surprised by their talent, and they were sooo sweet. If you happen to pass G Money and the Damn Thing, get yourself a song and tell them I said hi. Short video here:

Preparing you for your Thanksgiving feast: Wafflefest. Wafflefest at The Hideout Theatre is back for the 10th year, with all you can watch improv, and you guessed it, all you can eat waffles. Happening 'til Saturday!

The Association of Moving Image Archivists is going to be showcasing free films at The Paramount this Saturday starting at 9am and running until 3pm. Enjoy the art of the motion picture.

That's all I've got for now, but I'll be back with some Thanksgiving ideas!

Acupuncture? I barely know her!

So, I checked out South Austin Community Acupuncture for a lot of symptoms, but specifically head crushing migraines. I walked in and Wally was at the desk, being Austiny and weird in his "I Sleep With Strangers at South Austin Community Acupuncture" shirt.

He went over my paperwork and asked me some questions about what I was coming in for. I hadn't been nervous about getting acupuncture until a co-worker had some done and said it was painful a couple times during the session. I realized it was kinda silly, since I have tattoos. But, Wally was assuring and caring about the state of my mind and body. I went back into the room, which is set up community style with lots of recliners and lamps. There was another lady in the room, and Wally went to set her up with some needles first. He asks her "How is your tongue?" and I thought, "Oh snap, this lady has something going on with her tongue." I watched Wally stick needles in her leg and forehead and arm and started getting even more nervous. I realized I hadn't done any research on how it works or what it's supposed to do. How is sticking little needles in my leg going to help anything? What am I doing here??

Wally came over and asked if I was ready, opened a new pack of needles and asked how my tongue was. Ha. He started putting needles in my skin and I didn't feel anything. As soon as he was done and walked away, I felt so relaxed, like all the stress was running out of my body. I was smiling at at the feeling and how quickly it came. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of relaxing. You can tell them when you need to go, in case you fall asleep, and they will make sure you're done and ready to leave on time. After about thirty or forty minutes, he came to remove the needles and wipe the spots down in case of any blood, but again, it wasn't painful. I met him at the desk and he said "I'm going to put a few things in your ear..." and I thought he was going to tell me some things to keep in mind. But he actually put things in my ears. They are little tiny Band-aid looking things, with a tiny metal ball inside. You can press on them for 10-20 seconds to keep the acupuncture benefits flowing, and to help with sleep. I took them off the next morning.

So, I went over a week ago and I've only had one tiny headache. So, yes, definitely go check them out. It's on the cheap, they have great hours, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I can't wait to go back!

Say Yes to No....vember

Well, there goes October, huh? Did I see you on 6th street this Halloween? You can double check here!

Getting up before 6am for work sucks. But having the night off is a welcome reward, so I try to take advantage when I can. After I get a nap in. Last night I went back to Mikado Ryotei for the tastiest Philly roll on the north side. We also tried the caterpillar roll, which I highly recommend. Service was great again as well. Be sure to ask for the special roll menu, but be warned, these rolls are extravagant and could feed a small family of four. Or one sushi monster. Accordingly known as me. For dessert we headed downtown to check out Blvd Espresso & Dessert Bar, which was supposed to be open until midnight, but they had closed early. Cute place, but I think we ended up winning at Halcyon. They were out of the Bananas Foster crepes, so that sucked, because they sounded soo good, but my Nutella crepes were dessert heaven. Thin pancakes: best idea ever? I also got the Mexican hot chocolate (with soy milk!), which is the real deal, ya'll. Real melted chocolate and all. We also tried the frozen s'mores, which was tasty, but had more of a coffee than chocolate flavor. Definitely check this place out though, there are so many adult drink combinations (s'mores martini, long island iced coffee) and delectable looking dishes (goat cheese/strawberry salad).

November is already bursting at the seems with action-packed excitement.

Tonight I'm going to SVT for improvised Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew stories, officially known as Cover to Cover. Catch it Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through November 19th.

Sunday funday for sure. It's time again for Fun Fun Fun...Fest. I've never been! You can catch me there snappin' photos of your fun faces this Sunday. Tickets are still available and the action is happening across four stages.

Sunday is also the day to catch your favorite serial killer, Dexter playing at Jo's downtown every week.

Tuesday, I'm finally going to cross something off my bucket list and try Acupuncture for the first time. My headaches demand it. I went to the open house of South Austin Community Acupunture many many months ago, but they got booked up before I could be seen, and they were kind enough to give me a voucher. Check back for my review!

Fusebox Festival is back and kicking off with a particularly unique and interesting event called Haircuts by Children, this Thursday as part of the East Side Studio Tour (requires tickets, but it includes boatloads of fun), and again for free on Saturday and Sunday. Sign up for your free haircut here! As I normally take my hair into my own hands, I've got no problem seeing what a couple of 5th graders can come up with!

That's all I can pack into this week!

Back from the dead!

So, I've apparently been asleep on the blog for the past two months. I've still been doing stuff, in fact, I've been doing 512, as accurately documented here by the party pictures I've been taking: Do512. It's been a fantastic internship, and I've still got a few more weeks to catch you and your friends being insanely Austin out on the town.

Today I'm heading to the second annual Gypsy Picnic. If you didn't go last year, it's where all the trailers (40+ of them!) disappear to for one day to sell you sample plates at $3 each. Bring your kids, bring your dog, cause they're feeding everybody out here! My favorites: The Jalopy, Gourdough's, Holy Cacao, Bananarchy, and if they are there this year, Patika or Phoebe's Mud for coffee!

Also catching my eye this afternoon is the Dia de los Muertos happenings downtown. Running from 2-10pm today, check out the vendors, grand procession, performances and activities. Go see dead people!


Halloween is my favorite freakin' holiday. You don't have to buy anyone anything, free candy is everywhere, and you don't get any weird looks for wearing a meat dress. Plus, the people watching is PRIME downtown. Grab a margarita and a table at Iron Cactus, and watch the fun unfold. Oh, and if you have a yellow jumpsuit, let me know.

To get you in a spooky mood:

Zombieween is happening tonight on the Austin Variety Show. There are a few tickets still on sale for the live taping, which will be followed by a zombie walk through Highland mall, and a VIP run through the House of Torment. These shows are tons of fun and always include live music, live comedy, game shows and prizes, burlesque, food & drink. Can you cram anymore awesomeness into a Saturday?

Scarlet Waters IV: Inner Cuts is a collection of indie horror films that will be showing today at DoubleTree University. It's running from 11am-11pm today, and it's free, so go freak yourself out!

For more of a nostalgic freaky feel, The Paramount will be showing off classic horror movies this month. Check out Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and Night of the Living Dead, starting on the 29th at 7pm!


And last but not least, the Zombie Ball is happening again this year with all kinds of entertainment to bring you back from the dead.

Live Comedy Capitol of the Universe

It's about to get hilarious up in here, Austin. The 10th Out of Bounds Comedy Festival starts Tuesday with six local troupes blowin' up The Hideout Theatre. Wednesday, the festival expands to multiple venues around the city, with troupes coming in from as far as Montreal. And Greg Proops. He's excited to be here.





My recommendations are as follows:



Tuesday: Dukes of Bedside Manor at 9:30pm at The Hideout.

Wednesday: Happiness is a Choice at 9pm at ColdTowne.

Thursday: Baxter & Bernard at 10:30pm at The Hideout.

Friday: The Lindas at 6pm at ColdTowne, because they are "Austin's fiercest improv comedy troupe featuring the best 9 year-old improviser in the world." Drum Machine at 8pm at The State Theater.

Saturday: Confidence Men at 10pm at The State Theater.

Sunday: 'Smartest Man in the World' Live Podcast Recording w/ Greg Proops (Free) at 3:15pm at The Hideout.



You'll have a few days to reset your laugh track before you see Jim Gaffigan and his Mr. Universe tour at Bass Concert Hall, September 9th at 7pm. It's an all ages show if your babies are bored and need to get out. And seriously hilarious Michael Ian Black is bringing his Black is White Tour to Austin in October, so get ready!



If you're bored, broke, and want to be on TV, stop by Rockin Tomato tomorrow from 5-8pm to shoot a scene for the Austin Variety Show. They'll have cheap food and pints. If you get attached to host Tom Booker, be sure to check out the Out of Bounds Roast of him Thursday night at The Hideout! I love that guy, but he's gotta stop talking about how he worked with Pauly Shore. Twice.



Don't forget to stretch. Free Day of Yoga is having its opening festival at Whole Foods on September 4th at 10am with lots of free giveaways and demonstrations from a buku of gurus from various studios. September 5th is the official free yoga day, so check out a studio near you. After you get your Om on, book it over to Saver's because it's time for another half-off sale. Best labor day ever? Possibly.



I'm a sucker for bad movies. They are just so good! Salvage Vanguard Theater is hosting Nowhere Fast!: An Evening of Film & Drink with Jack Stallion, Thursday September 8th at 8pm. A new monthly event featuring creepy, weird double features, an open Tito's bar, and special guests. It's on the cheap for $5. This month's movies are Big Money Rustlas which is a western involving clowns and Ron Jeremy, followed by The Garbage Pail Kids. I'll see you there.



Well, time to get ready for another semester of school. Are Trapper Keepers still cool?

Thank You for Calling Movie Phone

Movie + Night = best idea ever. Am I right? Luckily, there is no lack of moving picture entertainment in this city.



I would suggest taking a trip down memory lane and visiting The Highball to not only watch, but sing along to: Aladdin. Brought to you by the awesome Action Pack from The Alamo Drafthouse, so expect belly dancers and magical lamp rubs. Tonight and tomorrow night at 9pm, tickets are $10 online and $12 at the door.



If you're like me, in that you have insomnia and are always awake to party, head over to the Alamo Village to partake in The Rocky Horror Picture Show...showing. It's a cheap $5 and starts around midnight. Dressing up, shouting, and throwing toast is encouraged. We can sleep when we're dead!



The Long Center is also dishing out, well, a long list of cult classics to enjoy on the weekends this summer. Tickets are $9, $6 with a student discount, and the last showing (Young Frankenstein) on Saturday, August 27th is free!



There is also still time to check out the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series and see Vertigo in 70mm or the original 1960's Batman, and the man who played Batman, Adam West. He tipped me a dollar once. Good story.



If you're still in the movie mood on Sunday, I got ya covered. Cinema East has been cranking out independent and local films all summer. This Sunday it's a double feature, and you can also enjoy local food vendors and giveaways. Bring: your bike, your booze, your blankets, kids, and or/lawn chairs and enjoy.



The Upper Decks is a new restaurant/bar in the South Austin area that is already dishing out entertainment for your eyeballs. Sunday night is movie night, and this month is gangster month. Enjoy a spaghetti & meatball dinner for two and a bottle of red wine while you watch Casino. Shows start at 9pm, so call ahead and reserve a table for you and your date. Which could be me, if you play your cards right. Get it? Casino...cards...yeah, I'm a keeper.



Until next time...keep it weird, Austin, keep it weird.

Say Yes to S'mores and More!

August 13th is the day to indulge. Start out at Twin Liquors Marketplace in the Galleria to sample the new spiced rum, Cruzan 9. It's 21+, free, and happening from 3-6pm. (Also check out their moonshine tasting on the 20th!) Then, mosey your way to Waterloo Park to check out Austin's 5th Ice Cream Festival. Bring your kids, your pets, your empty stomach, and some creativity to indulge in free ice cream and contests from 10am-7pm. Okay, and possibly some Tums. Mmm...brain freeze.



Another kid-friendly, super weird and cute event is happening at BookPeople on August 24th at 7pm. It involves Yoda and Orgami and a photo contest that ends August 10th, so get on it!



I am going to marry the Drafthouse. I mean think about it. They can cook, they have great taste in music and movies, they like to party, and they are always coming up with new and surprising ways to entertain me. My latest Drafthouse adventure involved Ricky Bobby and being jacked up on a lot of Mountain Dew. You know what I'm talking about. So, check out the quote along of Talledega Nights this week on Wednesday or Thursday, with the last showing being next Wednesday. Shake and Bake!



The people at the Four Seasons are sweet, sweet, scavenger hunt, s'more lovin' people. They have thought of the most awesome and Austin scavenger hunt ever, and everyone can participate and win. You have until September 5th, and the prizes are fabulous! One of the photo tasks is to enjoy s'mores on their back lawn, which happens every Friday and Saturday from 8-10pm. Yes!



Free and yoga are two of my favorite things, and lucky for me Yoga Vida is combining the two. On every Tuesday and Thursday this August, you can take the noon class for free at the downtown location. You have to be a new student, and you have to have the e-mail printed out. I have the e-mail and I can forward it to anyone interested in taking a free class at Yoga Vida!



Speaking of yoga, Austin's free day of yoga is coming up September 5th. Where are you going to take your free class? In October we'll have the Austin Yoga Festival, but you can buy your tickets now for a discount and free goodies. Namaste!

I have an itch to try hooping. You know, like hula-hooping. For fun. So, HoopCircle has us covered. August is drop in month! They have beginner and intermediate classes, hoop escape happy hour jams (hooping in the dark with led lights and music for only $5!), and hoop-building classes. Seriously, awesome.



Summer is for day trips. I've been lucky enough to be able to explore our surrounding cities this summer. So, on your next day off, take the toll road (seriously, so refreshing compared to I-35) to Hutto and after you've counted all the Hutto Hippos you can find (like this one!):





stop by Howdy's and enjoy delicious food and some Hutto hospitality! I sort of want to keep this delicious secret to myself, but I can't. Mini Crab Burgers.





Ken whipped some up fresh for me and my mouth watered for days! They also have crab stuffed mushrooms which are supposed to be the bomb. There are some cute shops and a bar with free wifi on the same block, so spend some time meandering without having to deal with the 6th st crowd.



I also found a sweet little spot in Round Rock that is perfect for picnics. Hence the name, Urban Picnic. Again, wonderful service, hospitality and delicious food. I got a tasty, filling vegetable sandwich. I dined in, but most everyone had the right idea by calling in ahead of time, picking up their gourmet box lunches, and heading out to enjoy it under a shady tree. They are open weekdays during 11am-2pm. Oh, and did I mention they have cake balls? CAKE BALLS!





So go out and enjoy your s'mores and scavenger hunts for the rest of summer!

Let me see you Say Yes

Is this real life? YESSSS, and it's been overwhelming. Sorry to leave you guys hanging for the past month, but hopefully you've been out and about exploring anyway. My extracurricular activities are winding down, and I'm excited to figure out what to do next and catch up on what I've been missing!

Since I spend eight days a week in an office (which is nothing like The Office, dammit!), I crave sunshine and sweat, and I've been exploring outdoor avenues of adventure. I've lived here for three years and have never ventured on to Town Lake, except for that one drunken swim.....so I've been itching to try it officially. I've heard that Stand Up Paddling, or SUP (the boss acronym for it), is all the rage. So this morning, I hit the lake with a new friend to try it out. We went to The Rowing Dock on Town Lake, paid $15, and got on the water! It was fun, refreshing, and a good workout. We went at about 9:30, which I would recommend because it was hot enough to work up a sweat, but not hot enough to go crazy. Bring cash or check and your ID, and kids 13-16 are allowed with a parent. You can also take rowing lessons, rent a paddle boat, let your kids enjoy the summer camp, or check out their awesome events! SUCH AS: SUP to Blues on the Green, where you SUP to the Barton Springs inlet and enjoy the music on the water. You can also moonlight paddle, or paddle to the bats in a 4-mile round trip kayak adventure. Check out their calender of events here. I'm most excited about trying Paddle Yoga and Paddle Pilates through Paddle Zen. These people are geniuses. Hit me up if you want to join me! LET'S TAKE THE SUMMER BY STORM!

What else is going on outdoors? Our friends at Zilker Hillside Theater are doing it again with a production of Footloose. It's free and kid-friendly, so turn off the TV and watch some live theater while the sun sets. Running until August 13th, starting each night around 8:30pm, but get there early for a prime spot.

This next event I'm giddy to tell you about about is not outdoors but definitely a form of alternative entertainment. It's called The Blind Cafe and it is an amazing concept out of Switzerland that combines music, vegan/vegetarian food, and community during two hours of complete darkness. Tickets are $35 with a student discount (ID required), $45 without, but a sliding scale is available, with some of the funds being donated to the blind community. It will happen at St. Martin's Lutheran Church, August 18th, 19th, and 20th at 6:30pm. I'm so excited to support an event that helps us reconnect with ourselves and each other, instead of depending on cell phones and computer screens or our own pre-conceived thoughts. I really hope more ideas and events like this continue to happen.

Another happenin' that is offering us the chance to become more comfortable with ourselves and others, is Live Nude Improv at The Hideout Theatre. The show runs Saturdays at 8pm in July and August. I recommend you get tickets early as the shows are selling out quite fast. I'll be back with a review as soon as I see it!

Bringing both the idea of improv and darkness together, Victrola - fully improvised comedic tales of humorousness performed completely and utterly in the dark! Brought to you by Coldtowne Theater Thursdays at 8:30pm. Afraid of the dark? Listen to past shows online!

I'm still a photographer! I would like to invite you all to join me for the giant tailgate opening party for my latest show, Texas High School Football: More Than The Game. August 5th at The Bob Bullock Museum. I'll be back with an update on the exact time. If you can't make it, the exhibition will be open starting July 30th until January 22nd. If you want my autograph, just let me know, ha!

There's also another exhibition to check out on the east side in this sweet little spot called Flatbed Press. It's called Water in Time and is brought to you by Bill Kennedy, the driving force behind the Texas High School exhibition for us student photographers. He's one of the only professors who has ever taught me something, and takes a genuine interest in his students. Needless to say, he pays the same attention to his work and has been taking pictures since the film age! I hope I get extra credit for this! On view until August 31st.



Now that you're feeling artsy, you can also check out the closing reception party for Austin Art Garage artist Jake Bryer this Wednesday at J. Black's Feel Good Lounge. 6-8pm, with drink specials, art giveaways, and unique artsy gifts for your weird uncles.

Austin isn't Austin without live music, and my favorite honky tonk band, Armadillo Road is blowing up on The Chronicle's Sound Wars. Vote for these bad boys and check out one of their live shows at C. Hunts Ice House on Sundays. Tell them Say Yes sent you.

Austin isn't Austin without a little crazy, and that crazy explicit guy Mickey Avalon will be playing Emo's this month on the 31st at 9pm. If you want to keep Austin weird, know that Weird Al will be showing up on September 24th to the Moody Theater. I can dig it. I'm also all OMG about Dntel who are going to playing at Emo's for ON THE CHEAP. Like, ten dollars! August 23rd at 9pm. They make me swoon!

Ok, so you've got your filling of outdoor adventures, live music, theater, and art. What else do you want from me? Go do it!

Have you said your Yes today?

Geez, where the heck have I been, son? I've got summer school, a summer internship with Community Impact Newsletter, and work! Plus, this city has a way of sucking you up and spitting you out a week later with awesome memories but no time to recount them.

I went hiking! Supposedly there's supposed to be a treehouse in Rattan Creek Park, but we didn't find it. Put up some fun videos of our adventure on the FB!

I saw True West! You still have two weekends to catch it, including tonight. I loved it so much I'll be seeing it again closing weekend. It is such a fun play, and I was pleasantly surprised watching it, somehow never knowing what was going to happen next even though I was familiar with the script. Seeing it come alive in front of your eyes is amazing! After you see it, don't forget to help them out on The Kickstarter.


I've been hanging out on the East Side! We had a going away party for a friend at Gypsy Bar, and I couldn't think of a better place to do it. Lots of exciting people watching, hella cheap drinks, plenty of space outdoors, christmas lights, room for dancing inside, hula hoops, and a tasty tasty food trailer (get the french fries!!). I also checked out Yellow Jacket Social Club , a fun biker-friendly bar that used to be Cafe Mundi. They do it up right with coffee, food, and booze. They also screen bike-in movies, so when the next one rolls around, I'll let you know when you can ride in. If you miss Cafe Mundi, they are back in the form of a food truck. They have a happy hour from 5-7, so check them out.

I saw Michael Buble! I was also pleasantly surprised by this performance. I knew I liked a little of his music, but he made the show SO fun and SO involving by taking time to talk to the audience, take pictures, run through the isles, and tell funny stories. Quite a performer, that guy. Not bad looking either. Nice set of lungs....mmhmm. I was also happy to discover Naturally 7. These guys do "vocal play", aka making all the sounds of instruments with their voice. It's freaking awesome, check them out!

What else do I have planned?

I'd freakin' love to see Iron & Wine at The Paramount next month!

The Four Seasons Hotel has a city-wide scavenger hunt going on now, so you know I'M IN! You have until Labor Day to complete the challenge of 50 fun, mostly free, tasks around Austin, but you only need to do 25 to win prizes. Check out all the rules and fun stuff on their Facebook Page.

Speaking of free, unfortunately the Parlor North Loop is closing, but they are ending it with a bang by playing live music all this week, for free! The sched is on the internets here.

Whenever my day off rolls around, I'll be getting a massage at 12th Street Massage Therapy, so expect a review!

Have fun, and Say Yes!

The S.S. Say Yes

I'm stockin' up on improv this week. Check out Band of Liars with me Thursday night at The Hideout, and False Matters: Stories Improvised in the Style of Philip K. Dick at SVT Friday night. Both shows are at 8pm.

Also currently playing at Salvage Vanguard Theater, A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shephard. It ends June 4th so catch it soon! And since you can't get enough Sam Shephard, True West is comin' up and needs your help! Check out the project on Kickstarter, donate some money and get some cool stuff!

Summer, Summer, Summertime. Celebrate by hanging out at The Paramount and checking out some of their Summer Classic Film Series. I'd recommend purchasing a Film Fan Pass to get discounted movie tickets, reserved seating, and free popcorn every screening! I'm excited about Casablanca and Modern Times, myself. Also, be sure to check out the Dazed and Confused screening and scavenger hunt next Saturday. $20 gets you in to the hunt, the movie, soda, and popcorn!

The Austin Variety Show will also be gettin' down next Saturday with their housewarming party at Highland Mall! I'm talking no cover, free food & drinks, prizes, ticket giveaways and who knows what else. Bring a goofy/funny/strange gift and they will try to display the weirdest ones in the new space. In the meantime, watch them on TV every Saturday night at Midnight on KBVO "MyAustinTV" or on the internet.

Memorial Day is coming up and Yoga Vida is celebrating the start of Summer with a 2 hour Power Vinyasa class to the music of Bob Marley. How Austin is that? Check it out for just $20, from 3-5pm.

You know the AMOA will be closing in October, so get in while you can and check out the current exhibition New Art in Austin: 15 to Watch.

Speaking of local awesome art, check out my favorite Austin artist blog: recovering lazyholic. Erin Hanson takes great photographs and makes fun, simple cards or prints from sets such as the one minute Photoshop series. Subscribe to her e-mail lists for quirky blasts from the pasts and new artistic endeavours.

Yay!

Playtime!

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. I cried. What a play. I immediately loved Lana Dietrich when I saw her star in Vigil with Ken Webster at Hyde Park Theatre last fall, even though she only had a few lines. Now she shines even brighter with a full speaking roll and a dysfunctional personality and family. The story is easy to identify with no matter what your background and it will quickly suck you in, spin you around, and break your heart. Playing until May 22nd at Zach Theatre.


Opening yesterday, A Behanding in Spokane. I had no idea going in what this play was about, but I knew it would be great because it's at Hyde Park Theatre. It's definitely gripping and full of twists and f-bombs. The cast is brilliant and it's a really fun, entertaining, on the edge of your seat kind of show. Playing until May 28th! (Photo by Brent Brookshire)


My favorite Mamet men are at it again with two improvised plays this weekend. Check out Confidence Men at The Hideout Theater this Friday at 10pm, and again Saturday at Salvage Vanguard Theater at 10pm. Pretty soon these boys will be showin' off in New York, so catch them while ya can!

Speaking of these fine Mamet men, a few of them are involved in the production of True West. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays starting May 26th at Blue Theater. I've never been so excited for a play. And I want you to get excited too, so I'm going to give away two tickets to the show! Name three plays the Confidence Men have done during their shows and list them in a comment and I'll hit the first two people up with a ticket! (Hint: the link to find that information can be found by following one of the links in this post).


Come Saturday & Sunday, it's time for Reggie Watts at ND at 501 Studios. Tickets are $20 and shows are at 8pm. I'll be at the Sunday show with my crew! If you haven't seen Reggie yet, you gotta. The things this guy can do with his voice are out of this world.



Back to real life now. Have fun!

Winning

Thank goodness Cheeky is having a Happy Hour event today with free eyebrow waxing, eye makeup application, and spray tanning, cause my brows are lookin' a mess and I'm whiter than Charlie Sheen's cocaine stash. Check it out from 4-7pm on W. 6th St!

After that, head over to Lambert's to check out The Damnwells, a damn fine band, playing songs from their new compact disc "No One Listens To The Band Anymore", show at 10:30pm for $10.

Friday night. Another great band, The Books, will be playing at 8pm at the amazing venue Central Presbyterian Church for under $20 bucks a ticket. I'd love to go but I gotta catch Showdown!

Carnival Ah! is coming up next week on the 12th and 13th and will take place at the Austin Community College Rio Grande Campus. Two days of jam-packed family friendly outdoor fun supporting the Arts and Humanities department and the American Sign Language department. I'm definitely interested ASL, and I'm not fluent by any means, but I know all the important signs like zebra, octopus and cookie, thanks to my Sign Language for Babies App. Check out all kinds of events including a variety of dance events, art, a short film festival, live music, ASL Poetry, and one of my favorite things in the world: an Exquisite Corpse Art Session. Enjoy the weather with your family and have fun!

Well keep it real this week and be safe!

Say Yes to slowin' down and Showdown!

Austinaughties, didn't you read my blog post about staying safe? Well, a girl from out of town didn't...and drank...and drove...herself right into my car at 6 o'clock in the morning. So yeah, she went to jail, my car is totaled, and I'm taking it easy once again. I'm definitely glad to be alive and kickin', even though I'm kickin' it like an 80 year old lady. I know you all know the dangers of drinking and driving, but once again, here is another reminder. Now someone come pick me up and drive me around Miss Daisy style!

Hell Yes Fest starts tonight! Man, I love that name. New Movement Theater is bringing us a week of comedy and classes and workshops. Some of the events are free, but check out Localiter today and get half-off your tickets!

Have ya'll heard about Showdown? Showdown is a six-part serialized improv drama playing Friday and Saturday nights at SVT. My friends won't stop blowing up the Facebooks about it, and the last show this Saturday. You have to buy your tickets now or you won't see it. Looks fun, right?

I've been psyched to see August: Osage County ever since I heard it was coming to Zach Theater. Tickets are going to be $25 for this week's shows, so get them now! Stay tuned for my review, and Hairspray is coming up in June!

So, I checked out Bar Chi yesterday for happy hour because it's on the cheap and I ain't got no damn money. Bar Chi is a new sushi joint downtown that has your regular happy hour, but also reverse happy hour, and happy hour all day Sunday. Sushi rolls are about $4-6 bucks and nigiri is $1.50 at most. They also have Bloody Sake, which I've heard is the bomb, but I haven't tried it yet. So, cheap drinks and cheap sushi. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite. Next time I'll probably just stick to the Austin roll, because they were the best out of everything we tried.

Alright, back to real life now. Have fun and be safe! When I'm feeling up to it, I'm going to start recording and posting videos about Austin-y things. Sound good? YESSS.

Say Yes to Sweet Dreams

I take my dreams seriously, ya'll. So does Tender Nightmare, a new improv troupe that takes suggestions from your dreams and puts them on the stage for everyone to laugh at...I mean...enjoy. Sunday night, FREE, 7pm, at Coldtowne Theater, so ya'll know the drill: BYOB and drive responsibly! If you'd like to submit your dreams to the show, e-mail a short 3-5 sentence description to dreams@tendernightmare.com.

Here are a couple of my dreams for inspiration:

today i dreamt that the world ended. someone had an invention to show us that the world was coming to an end, but no one would pay him any attention. finally the world was visibly collapsing, the sun was coming closer and the earth was shrinking. it was a weird feeling knowing it was the end. i was holding on to something, so that i wouldn't blow away. but then everything was kind of calm as i closed my eyes and saw how the world would be when it ended. quiet, dark, and everything starting over, just a bunch of tiny, colorful amoebas.

then i dreamt that i was back in school in savannah and i was with this girl and she was scared that it was going to rain and flood. we were in the dorms alone, the power was out, and no one else was around. it thundered really loud and she was screaming and crying and i slapped her in the face and shook her and told her to calm down. but before i had time to say anything, it started to pour down rain really hard, and i looked to the right and there was this HUGE wave coming towards us. so we grabbed hands and somehow climbed up to the roof and by the time we got up there, the water had already risen to the top, nearly touching us. i was freaking out about my materialistic items. everyone else from the dorms was suddenly there too and we were all on the rooftops freaking out while the water was rising.

at one point we were driving through whatever city, it was kind of a mix of san fransisco and omaha. ha. they had these buildings that were like dollhouses. meaning they didn't have the fourth wall. they were hotels, each room set up just like a house, and people stayed in them, and everyone on the street or in their houses could see them. the decor was so awesome and bright and modern. people on the street would shout to the people in the hotel "hey, go to bed!" "hey, you're up early today!" i loved it so much i was squealing, like i usually do when i see new things.

my most fun dream was about solving a mystery involving postal workers and long boards and alleyways.

Okay, enough random insight into my brain. See you at the show!

Say Yes to Spring...Fever!

Well ya'll, I'm curled up in bed with some Nyquil and the Cosby Show. I think I'm getting too old for all this SxSwearmeout stuff. Since I can't make it out this week, I need some Say Yes agents on the street enjoying it up for me. Here's where ya gotta go:

Tomorrow, check out the gallery opening of Legacy at WonderCraft from 7-10pm. Teachers and students of the Dougherty Art School will be showcasing their art and live music by Whiskey Shivers will keep ya rockin'.

Do you like...cupcakes? Austin on Two Wheels is hosting a Cupcake ride Saturday afternoon from 2-5pm. Go green and get a sugar buzz!

The Highball is just crankin' out (FREE) entertainment left and right these days. Saturday night, check out We Will Rock You, where Magnifico, a Queen cover band will be rockin' and a mustache contest will take place. Galileo! Galileo!

Sunday is for my ladies! Check out the Texas Rollergirls at the Austin Convention Center at 4pm. Kids under 12 are free, otherwise tickets are $12-$15. Afterwards, drop the kids off at home and head over to Cindie's. Cindie's is throwing an RSVP/ladies-only party at their South Lamar location. Take a belly dancing class, get 10% off products, enjoy free drinks and snacks, and henna body painting! This Sunday, the 27th, from 6-9pm! RSVP at cindies_lamar@yahoo.com. Bow chicka wow wow!

Monday Night, it's back to The Highball for TV Dinner, where we all get to watch the four best episodes of a show, plus games, trivia, and FUN! This week is Saved by the Bell! All for free. 7pm, ya'll. The Tuaca Body Art Ball will also be happenin', at the new Moody Theater. 21+, 9pm, and a mind-blowing show of painted performers bridging the gap between the human body and canvas. I have an extra ticket if anyone wants to join me!

Tuesday night check out Antique Limax (say it fast) at Kick Butt Coffee for some clean, fun, improv! Show is at 7pm at the Airport Location. These guys will bring down the house....trust me!

Wednesday night, it's time for the Found Footage Festival 2011 at Alamo Ritz. It's exactly what it sounds like. Some dudes sift through dumpsters and find old videos so we can enjoy them on the big screen! Shows at 7pm and 9:30pm, and tickets are $10.

And then it's April! Rubber, an official Fantastic Fest 2010 Selection, will be playing at the Alamo Drafthouse all week starting April 1st. The movie is about an abandoned tire in the desert that comes to life and begins to possess special powers that help him destroy anything in his path. So um, basically....Awesome!

Can ya handle it? Good! Seeya next week!

South by Serenity Now

Oh you guyyyyyys. SXSW wore me out. What? It's still going on? You guys are party animals! I'm taking it easy tonight but might see you out and about tomorrow. What do you have planned?

I don't have any kids, but I know some people do and that you are starting to sweat summer break already. I want your kids to keep Austin weird, so I found a couple of events to keep them entertained.....until dinner time.

You all know how much I love improv. During the Coldtowne Lock-In not too long ago, I saw a troupe called The Lindas, which was a group of two adult women and one eight year old girl. These girls brought down the house like I have never seen before. I don't know why kids making things up on the spot is funnier than when adults do it, but this style really works. So, I encourage you to drop your kids off at Improv Summer Camp at Coldtowne Theater this June. Classes run from the 10th-13th, and your middle or high school student can participate. Your kids will get funnier, gain confidence, and make friends. And if you get inspired, don't forget that you can always take a free improv class from my besties at Coldtowne, The Institution Theater or The Hideout.

I also want your kids to keep Austin artsy, so sign them up for classes or a week-long camp at Austin Museum of Art. Children as young as four can join in, and tons of classes on Photography, Drawing, and Sculpture are available. Yes, you can play too! They have parent/child classes for your youngins, or sign up for an adult class. Don't forget that Second Saturdays are for families at AMOA, and from 12-4, you can take a family yoga class, create art, or explore the galleries. Get in while you can, as sadly, AMOA downtown will be closing its downtown location.

Speaking of Goodbye City, Kyoto has closed. I don't know why, and I'm really sad I could never make it for the 45 minute happy hour. This city is evolving so fast, you gotta cram everything in as fast as you can!

Back to the art: I love city-wide, city-interactive art, like when Knitta, Please took over our city and knitted up a storm. Art Alliance Austin is bringing our city Play Me I'm Yours, which will be a month long exhibition that invites you to explore the sounds of our city. Starting April 1st, keep an eye out for random pianos around Austin, and then play them! Tomorrow is the last day to donate your old rusty piano if you've got one. You can't make this stuff up!

Have ya'll ever been to Co-Lab? It's this great art space in East Austin that brings in amazing exhibitions from near and far. You don't just hang a couple pictures on the wall and call it art here. The space changes for every show. Walls are painted, things are built and taken down within a day, people are dancing, and pretty soon: sleeping on the floor. On April 23rd, I invite you to check out Comfort Sessions. A mixed media performance by Katelene Hernandez that involves her larger project, Lullaby Sessions, where she sings to children, the lonely, or the sick. You are encouraged to wear your pajamas and bring sleeping bags. I can sleep and be part of art? I love you, Austin. Comfort Sessions runs until the 30th.

P.S. - I'm also a photographer! I recently wrote an article about Texas High School Football for St. Edward's University. I took all my photos in Austin except for one game in Galveston. My photos are up on Flickr if you're interested, and I'll be back with more info about my exhibition in July! You guys have to come see it cause it's my birthday.

Okay, that's all I've got for now. Love you and enjoy your SXSW day drunk 6th st pizza live music overload twitter feed best wurst detox!

South by Say Yes!

It's SXSW, people! Follow me on Twitter or Foursquare for up to the minute free booze/food/party info!

Say Yes to Saver's!

It's that time again.....Saver's is having another half-off sale. Today, until 9pm, check out both locations to stock up on some new summer clothes!

Say Yes to being Spontaneous!

OMG.

Flash Mob Austin is making my dreams come true. Something that's been on my life-to-do list forever: Busting out in a random song and dance in a public place.

After two years of requests, Flash Mob is going to teach us some spontaneous choreography so we can perform it next week at a big event to be determined.

Learn the dance Sunday, the 20th, at 416 E. Cesar Chavez from 2-5 pm.

See you guys there!

Saying Yes is simple

How about this weather, cuties? Yeah, I'm lovin' it. You should probably head over to the North side and get some biscuits. I had an awesome Friday last week, and to start it all off, I met a bunch of friends over at Biscuits and Groovy. Lucky for me, I was hungover and therefore able to stuff several biscuit varieties in my face. And, amazingly and tastily, most of the menu can be made vegan. John hooked us up with lots of information and a card to get a free biscuit sandwich when we come back. The location was PRIME (minus the parking situation) with lots of people watching from the picnic tables and a coffee shop and a few cute stores nearby. One of the best things about this trailer though, is that you can bring a Mix CD and swap it with another one. Biscuits and Music. Amazing.







The Philly Nelson.





Joel enjoying Cinnamon Toast Crunch Covered French Toast.





The Donna Summer and a Gloria Gaynor with Vegan Chorizo!



They are open Thurs-Sun from 8:30am-2pm, but try to get there early before they run out of ingredients. A new location is coming soon to the Drag area!

We wandered over to Flightpath for some after biscuit espresso and tea, and I fell in love. This place is so cute.











Everything was up-cycled or recycled with a vintage feel. It was really quiet inside and seemed like everyone was motivated and focused on getting work done, and they actually advertise their quietness, and the fact that they aren't a live music venue. We had a good time meeting new and old friends and talking on the cozy patio.



I headed back to my neck of the woods, and stopped in at End of an Ear to buy some records for a friend's birthday record listening party. Oh, this place makes me wish I had money to buy a record player and start a record collection. One day!















I picked up Sassy Wife and ran around town and stopped in at Lovely. I picked up a ridiculously awesome hobo bag for under $30. I almost bought this jacket but it was out of my budget!







You should definitely stop in if you haven't already. They frequently host trunk shows and fun events, including Wine Wednesdays (3-6pm), where you can sip on some wine and check out new items.



Hope ya'll are having fun enjoying the weather and exploring the city!