Ringing’ in a New One Austin-style
By April on Dec 30 Filed In Austin, Texas, Events, Live Music, New Years Eve Add a Comment
If you are anything like me, then it’s been absolutely plaguing you about what to do in Austin on New Years Eve. Nevertheless, here’s a list of things that I have been considering, and you should too!
Chris Apollo Lynn:photo belongs to Republic of Austin Blog
1. My boy Covert Curiosity along with lots of other fabulous sponsors (Treaty Oak Rum, Home Slice Pizza, Do512 and more) are throwing a FREE party over at Cheer Up Charlies! Can you beat free? Heck no, especially when it comes with lots of music! (3 stages yo!) Do yourself a favor and get there to see the Marmalakes. They will put a smile on your face!
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2. Another cool FREE party is happening at the very tasty, always stylish, Justine’s Brasserie over on East 5th. First, if you haven’t eaten here yet, do it. And if you’re wanting something a little different, with a nice mix of naughty and classy for NYE, this party might be perfect for you. Come before 10pm and get in on a fabulous sounding Prix Fixe menu inspired by vintage dishes from “Maxim’s” of Paris.
3. But April, I was hoping for something a little more artsy, dark and carnival-like where do I go? I say, keep heading east on over to the Blue Theatre on Springdale Rd. for the Marvels of Carnival. This lavish production is sponsored by our buddies over at Tito’s Vodka and has a lot to offer in the way of entertainment: 999 Eyes Freak Show, Minor Mishap Marching Band, and Interstellar Transmission to name a few. Wear a crazy costume and become a part of the Carnival. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Tickets are $30 at the door.
4. If Burning Man-type parties aren’t your thing, but you’re really hankering for some great music ala N.A.S.A. and a DJ set by LadyTron and a reason to get all gussied up, head over to the Seaholm for the party to be seen at this year, brought to you by the folks at The Electric Company. It’s so oohlala that the VIP areas even get your own waitresses! This will cost you but some of the proceeds go to CharityBash, It’ll make you feel all warm inside, and that’s not just the libations talking.
5. I’m going to use this slot to share some music-based events with you because it’s important to have options for every kind of person out there, right? Right. Here are some other fun things to do New Years Eve in Austin: Foot Patrol at the ND Studios, or catch Austin’s own metal band, The Sword at the Mohawk, or just sit back at a close friend’s house to celebrate because starting January 1st, it’s FREE WEEK!! You’ll need to have stamina, strength and un-clogged ears for this one. GREAT bands will be playing all over town for free and there is no excuse to miss some of the bands you love, (Quiet Company, The Boxing Lesson, Car Stereo Wars, to name a few) when the cost is zip, zero, zilch. Join me! Lapping it up, preparing for SXSW!
The Boxing Lesson – Freedom – Luxury Wafers Sessions from Luxury Wafers on Vimeo.
SXSW Music Teaser Time by April
By April on Dec 28 Filed In Austin, Texas, Live Music, SXSW Add a Comment
Yes folks, I am already super-stoked that it’s almost spring time. OK, it’s not close to spring based on the cold temperatures and the bare trees along Lady Bird Lake, but now that the Holidays are sliding by, I have SXSW on my mind!
Which part of SXSW am I most stoked about? Currently, the music. They keep adding more and more awesome and strange bands and I’m already putting money aside to buy my way in to the shows I want to see.
Scroll through the already-long-as-heck list of bands. Go on, don’t be scurred, you know you wanna know who’s already agreed to play. Now that you’ve had your mind blown with that huge list, here are some of the bands I am looking forward to seeing:
Beats Antique- Saw these guys at ACL and I’ve got to say that they surprised me in a good way. I will be checking them out during SXSW. A little Middle Eastern, a little trippy and extremely fun, is how I would describe them.
Designer Drugs- I like music that rocks, but I also love a good dance party and I’m curious if these guys will deliver that to the crowd. Care to join me? Just check out the video for “Zombies” to help get you pumped and ready for that dance party. Because nothing says DANCE like watching Zombies eat brains!
Devotchka- While I’m not a fan of Gypsy music (sorry Gogol Bordello lovers, yes I’m looking at you @SweetLeafAshley) I think that I will try to catch them. This band from Denver comes highly recommended, so be sure to check back for my recap after SXSW to see if they lived up to the hype.
Fujiya & Miyagi- I’m not quite sure which station this band comes up on but they are another group, like Cut/Copy and Delorean that when I hear their music on my LastFM or Pandora stations, I go look at who the band is because I think it’s great music. I WILL be catching a set by these cats. Will you?
Joan of Arc- Not only does this band have a great name (the patron saint I chose for my Confirmation in my past life), but it’s a group that I am late to discover (Thanks Greg!) and glad to know now! The original band, Capn’ Jazz was pretty cool and I dug them at Fun Fun Fun Fest this year, but when I saw Joan of Arc play at the Mohawk, I was blown away by Tim Kinsella’s voice, stage presence and passion. Don’t believe me? Check them out for yourself. You dig?
This is a very tiny list compared to the HUGE list that is on the SXSW site and we all know there is more to be announced. Are you giddy as a school girl yet?
@SweetLeafDanny’s New Years Day Traditions
By Danny on Dec 27 Filed In Activities, Uncategorized Add a Comment
Happy days after Christmas! I am stuffed, sleepy, and overjoyed from all the lego’s I got for X-mas!
(jk)
But now I am super excited for New Year’s day! It has to be one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a fresh start to a brand new year, the air is a little crisper, your voice is a little hoarse from the night before….
Part of the reason that 1/1 is my favorite day every year is the traditions I have on that day. Check out my list of traditions below and what makes it so special.
1 – BLACK EYED PEAS – I know everyone is supposed to eat black eyed peas for good luck on this day, but what makes mine extra special is that we grow our own! I grew up on farm land in the middle of the south Texas coast and each year my granddad would plant 12 rows of black eyed peas instead of maze. I have to eat at least 2 bowls with butter and cornbread.
2 – ASTEROIDS
When I was younger, we would wake up and go to my Aunt Bobbi ‘s house for NY day. They lived in the city where there were sidewalks instead of ditches, street lighting instead of moon lighting, and skateboards. It was a wonderful place completely different from my homestead. They used to own a grocery store in the city but sold it and took the 2 arcade games they had and put them in their house and we would get to play them for FREE! I used to play Asteroid for hours. Because it was so ingrained in me to play this game every New Years Day, I have to continue the tradition whether I’m home or not. You might find me in an arcade on this day playing a couple rounds to get my fill in!
3 – College Football
While at my Aunt Bobbi’s we would sit around in bean-bag chairs and watch all the bowl games because we would have $10 pots on each bowl game going on during the day. I used to get super excited about winning my papers! Plus my dad usually paid for me because I “forgot” my TMNT wallet at the house. Some years I’d win, some I’d lose, but they were always good times.
I hope your NY day is as memorable as mine and good-luck with your segway into the new year!
How to Sweeten your Christmas Tree this Holiday Season
By Jermaine on Dec 23 Filed In Austin, Texas, arts & crafts 1 Comment
Here at SLT HQ we have come up with a unique way to add even more holiday cheer to your tree. All you need is a few items to make an ornament that is surely going to grab your guest’s attention and may offer a little wisdom at the same time.
OHH and let’s give a shout-out to the winner of for the 12th Day of Christmas give-a-way, Wendy Kaufman! You have some goodies heading your way soon!
Photo by Jermaine Calvin
Sweet ingredients:
Bottle caps in pairs from your favorite Sweet Leaf Tea flavor – Glass bottles caps only
String/twine (or any other material that you can make a loop out of)
Hot glue gun w/glue sticks (or any other strong adhesive for metal on metal)
Steps to Christmas Sweetness:
Placing one of the bottle caps with the Sweet Leaf logo facing up
Loop your string and place both ends in the center of the logo
With your hot glue gun/adhesive, place a lump of glue/adhesive over the string ends
With a 2nd bottle cap, stick it on top of glue with the logo facing down
*Make sure that your bottle caps are aligned to ensure underside Grannyisms are readable while hanging on the tree.
Granny Approved!
THE 12th day of Christmas!
By Danny on Dec 22 Filed In Sweet Consumers, Sweet Contests 17 Comments
It’s the LAST day of the Sweet Leaf Tea 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! Congrats DAVID for winning your prize from yesterday’s contest!
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
TWELVE Sweet Leaf TEAS!
Tell us a little bit about your favorite Sweet Leaf Tea flavors, or tell us a new flavor that we should create and why! Post your response in the comment box and we’ll pick the final winner tomorrow! Merry Christmas everyone!
