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!