Downtown Austin Event: Art City Austin

Posted on April 8, 2013 by admin

This Saturday and Sunday, Art Alliance Austin will host Art City Austin, the nonprofit’s annual downtown Austin art festival and block party along Cesar Chavez and in the 2^nd Street District.

During the two-day event, more than 100 temporary art galleries will be set up outside along Cesar Chavez and in the 2^nd Street District to showcase artwork from hundreds from local, regional and nationally recognized artists. In addition to the outdoor exhibits, the People’s Gallery indoors at City Hall will specifically showcase the artistic and cultural excellence of our city with artwork on display and for sale from hundreds of Austin-area artists.

In addition to the arts portion, Art City Austin will offer festival-goers food from 10 local food trucks, an array of musical acts to reflect the diversity of the Austin and Texas music scenes, as well as activities for the little ones. These activities include making origami peace cranes to be installed in a downtown public art project, exploring the Austin Children Museum, as well as face painting and other interactive crafts.

Single-day passes to Art City Austin are $8 at the gate, and two-day discounted Art Passes are $15 and can be purchased in advance online. For more information about the event visit the Art Alliance Austin website.

Photo courtesy of 365 Austin

Downtown Austin Event | AMOA-Arthouse’s Five X Seven Fundraiser

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

This Thursday and Friday, April 4^th and 5^th, AMOA-Arthouse is hosting Five X Seven, the museum’s annual spring fundraiser and art sale at the Jones Center. The two night event showcases work from over 500 artists who have donated an original piece of 5X7 artwork to benefit AMOA-Arthouse’s exhibitions and public programming.

Five X Seven is divided into two nights, SPLURGE, Thursday April 4, which is a “first dibs” preview with a VIP feel, and Five X Seven SOCIAL, Friday April 5, which is the more casual, artist-friendly follow-up party. The sale begins at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday April 4^th when the whistle blows, offering SPLURGE attendees the first opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind artworks donated for the event. SPLURGE also offers attendees an exclusive experience, mixing and mingling with Austin’s elite while enjoying live music from DJ Dan Gentile and food and drinks from a number of local establishments, including Ranch 616, The Driskill Grill, TRACE, Bissinger’s, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Pedernales Cellars, Independence Brewing Co. and Karma.

On Friday, the more casual SOCIAL segment of the fundraiser takes place from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., offering attendees the chance to mix and mingle with the artists who have provided artworks for Five X Seven, while browsing and purchasing the artworks for sale. This section of the event also features live music on the Rooftop Deck from The Whiskey Shivers, and food and beverages by J.Black’s, Frank Hot Dogs, Crave, Bissinger’s, Tito’s Vodka and Hops & Grain.

Tickets to SPLURGE are $150, while SOCIAL tickets are $45. Artworks for sale are $100 for AMOA-Arthouse members, and $150 for non-members. For more information about the event, visit the Five X Seven website.

AMOA-Arthouse is located five short blocks up Congress Avenue from The Austonian downtown luxury condominiums, and offers Austinites a special environment experience contemporary art year-round, with special exhibitions, education and other public programming.

Rodeo Austin brings western fun to Central Texas

Posted on March 1, 2013 by admin

This weekend, the 76^th annual Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo returns to Austin for 23 days of authentic, western fun. Located in east Austin near 183 North, the annual event brings western sports, livestock shows, concerts, concessions, a carnival and more to Central Texas.

Rodeo Austin begins Friday, March 8^th and continues daily until March 23^rd. The family-friendly event is packed with activities for the young and the old alike, making it the perfect weekend activity for you and your family. Tickets for entry into the Rodeo Fairgrounds are $7 for adults, and $4 for kids, but additional activities cost more. Each night, the ProRodeo All Star Series takes places at 7:00 p.m., with western events such as Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing and more. Nightly concerts and live music shows will follow the Rodeo events. Tickets to these activities are combined, and cost anywhere from $25 to $175. Musical performers include the Eli Young Band, Sara Evans, Alabama Shakes, Merle Haggard and Three Dog Night, among others. A complete performance and event guide is available online at the Rodeo Austin website.

In addition to the official “Rodeo” and concert activities, Rodeo Austin also features a carnival, food, shopping livestock shows, and array of other western-themed events including a BBQ cook off, pig races and more. For more information about Rodeo Austin, visit their website.

Downtown Austin Event | Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker

Posted on December 4, 2012 by admin

Starting this Saturday, Ballet Austin presents its 50 year Golden Anniversary production of The Nutcracker – the beloved holiday tale that follows Clara though an enchanting adventure through a fantasy world of fairies, toy soldiers and an army of mice.

With Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score brought to life by the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Stephen Mills’ snappy choreography, Ballet Austin’s production of The Nutcracker is a classic holiday tradition, and the longest-running production of the ballet in the state of Texas.

Performances begin on Saturday December 8^th and run until December 23^rd at The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 5 minutes away from The Austonian downtown luxury condominiums. For a list of dates and performance times and to purchase tickets, please visit the Ballet Austin website. To learn more about Ballet Austin in general, check out this video from the Downtown Austin Alliance about the troupe.

The Holidays in Downtown Austin

Posted on November 27, 2012 by admin

The first weekend of December kicks off a number of events and activities in downtown Austin to get you in the holiday spirit.

Saturday December 1^st starting at 11 a.m., Congress Avenue will be filled with children and families enjoying the Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade. The annual event brings thousands of Austinites to downtown to enjoy giant inflatable balloons, festive holiday floats, marching bands, classic cars, and, of course, Santa. The parade starts at the Capitol at 11^th Street, and runs south along Congress to end at Cesar Chavez. Parade-goers are encouraged to bring children’s toys, as the parade benefits Operation Blue Santa and supplies Austin-area children-in-need with a wrapped Christmas gift for the holiday.

The holiday festivities continue along Congress Avenue later on Saturday December 1st, with the annual Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll. The free, family-friendly event starts at 6:00 p.m. with caroling at the Capitol, led by KUT radio host John Aielli. After caroling, the holiday tree – which was put up in front of the Capitol this week – will be ceremoniously lit, and will stay lit until the second week of January. From 7-9 p.m., businesses along Congress will open their doors for attendees to enjoy holiday events and activities, such as Nick Cave’s exhibit at AMOA-Arthouse, Christmas cartoons at the Paramount Theater, and holiday arts and crafts at Mexi-Carte.

On Sunday December 2^nd, another city-wide holiday tree will be lit at Zilker Park at 6:00 p.m. The Tree of Lights is 155 feet tall and is comprised of 39 streamers of 81 multicolored lights each. The event will feature music from the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble and the Barton Hills Choir. The Tree of Lights at Zilker will be on display nightly from 6 to midnight until the end of December.

Formula 1 Events & Street Closures in Downtown Austin

Posted on October 25, 2012 by admin

As Formula 1 weekend nears, Austin city leaders and businesses are ramping up for the onslaught of over 100,000 anticipated visitors to the city. To capitalize upon this, and to best showcase the greatness that is Austin, a huge celebration is planned for F1 weekend in downtown Austin.

Originally, Experience Austin and Fan Fest were both planned to take place downtown, in The Warehouse District and around the Capitol. Due to downtown businesses’ concern that the excessive street closures would hurt their business, the festival organizers decided to consolidate the festivals into one that will take place in the Warehouse District and East Second Street – bringing the number of street closures from 28 to 11.

The epicenter of the Fan Fest activities will be at 3^rd Street and Congress. Big name acts will play for a charge at the Frank Erwin Center, ACL Live and the Austin Convention Center, but there will also be five music stages at the free part of Fan Fest with over 50 musical acts. The festival will also feature racing team exhibits, simulators and interactive displays, as well as a sampling of Austin’s cuisine.

Tickets for the ticketed events are available at the Austin Fan Fest website, but attending the downtown festival is free. Fan Fest will be open from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Friday, November 16^th and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Residents of The Austonian downtown condominiums are located in the heart of the Austin Fan Fest activities. Local, out-of-state and international visitors will amass in downtown Austin to experience the best of the city at the Fest, but the vast numbers of people, and the road closures are expected to cause traffic and pedestrian congestion. Residents of The Austonian and other downtown denizens are encouraged to proactively plan ahead for the weekend.

For more information about the downtown event road closures, and for an interactive map, visit the official City of Austin website.

Downtown Music Event | KUT Live at the Four Seasons

Posted on October 11, 2012 by admin

The Austonian Downtown Luxury Condos

Because of Austin City Limits at Zilker Park this weekend, Austin will be brimming with people and with live music. If you don’t want to battle the crowds but still want a bit of the ACL experience, KUT is hosting KUT Live at the Four Seasons Friday October 12^th from 9 a.m. to noon.

The first-come, first-served music event will feature live music by ACL Festival participants – Quiet Company, First Aid Kit, Jovanotti and Antibalas – plus gourmet breakfast tacos and coffee. The Four Seasons hotel is located at the corner of San Jacinto and Cesar Chavez, a 5 minute walk from The Austonian downtown luxury condominiums. For more information about the participating artists, visit the KUT Live website.

Downtown Austin Event | Austin Parks Foundation’s Cocktails in the Park

Posted on October 8, 2012 by admin

This Wednesday October 10^th, the Austin Parks Foundation will hold their Cocktails in the Park event in downtown Austin’s Republic Square Park. The casual, park-inspired gala celebrates the great things Austin has to offer – food, drinks, live music and the out-of-doors – and benefits the Austin Parks Foundation and their dedication to the development and maintenance of Austin’s parks, trails and open spaces.

The event features delicious food, great drinks, live music from The Gourds and a silent auction with contributions from C3 Presents, Blue Avocado, Castle Hill Fitness, Z-Tejas, the San Antonio Spurs and more. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased from the Cocktails in the Park website.

Republic Square Park is located at 5^th Street and Guadalupe, an 8 minute walk from The Austonian downtown luxury condominiums. The historic square is one of the three remaining original downtown parks in the city, and hosts a number of events throughout the year including the weekly Austin Farmer’s Market along 4^th Street, Austin Parks Foundation’s Movies in the Park series and Yoga in the Park.

Daniel Woodroofe, the owner of dwg – the landscape architecture firm responsible for design of The Austonian’s green roof and Lawn – is heavily involved in the current renovations and redesign of Republic Square Park.

Downtown Austin Music | ACL Live Presents: Lyle Lovett and His Large Band

Posted on August 31, 2012 by admin

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band will perform this Sunday, September 2^nd at ACL Live. Mr. Lovett is visiting Austin as part of a tour celebrating the February release of his newest album, Release Me. The four-time Grammy Award-winning artist often plays in Austin but has yet to grace the venue’s stage at its new location.

Based in soul, blues, gospel and country, Lyle Lovett is renowned for lively performances that often entice dancing and singing amongst the audience. The East-Texas native has gained popularity since emerging in 1980 as a songwriter. As a performer, Mr. Lovett has shared the stage with Al Green, Asleep at the Wheel, Robert Earl Keen and many more.

ACL Live is located two blocks west of The Austonian and hosts many popular events throughout the year. The stretch of road occupied by the venue was recently renamed Willie Nelson Boulevard in honor of the country legend. Willie Nelson has also played numerous times with Lyle Lovett. Tickets can be purchased online through the ACL Live website. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show is set to begin at 9 p.m.

(Photo credit: Texas A&M University)

Unplugged at The Grove

Posted on May 24, 2012 by admin

The 19^th-annual Unplugged at The Grove kicked off April 12 and runs through September 6. For 23 weeks, Shady Grove invites guests to enjoy a live concert at no cost. Guests can find a table, a free row of seats or bring their own blanket to relax on the restaurant’s patio and enjoy the music and drinks specials.

Since 1992, 93.3 KGSR has invited artists and music lovers to gather and play in the pecan tree grove surrounding the restaurant located on Barton Springs Road. Local musicians such as Quiet Company, Carolyn Wonderland, Dale Watson, Uncle Lucius, The Gourds and many more fill this year’s line-up. In recent years, musicians have included Sarah Jaffe, Charlie Mars and Kat Edmonson.

Music begins at 8 p.m. but concert-goers are encouraged to arrive early to secure a seat. Parking is available down the street at Bicycle Sports Shop, located at 517 S. Lamar Blvd. Courtesy of Austin Subaru, the first 10 Subarus will be granted VIP parking during the event. For more information, including the entire series line-up and directions to Shady Grove, please visit the Shady Grove site .

(Photo credit: Shady Grove)