HAPPY’S SURVIVAL GUIDE TO (UN)SXSW – PART 2: JUST THE TIPS

By Happy on Mar 11     Filed In Activities, Austin, Texas, Events, Food & Beverage, Live Music, SXSW     Add a Comment

ATTENTION FELLOW MUSIC LOVERS & FREE-DRINK ENTHUSIASTS: PLEASE, PUT YOUR PARTY PANTS ON AND BUCKLE YOUR SAFETY BELTS. THIS COULD GET BUMPY.

SXSW: The thought either makes you shudder or gets you all giddy. Or both. It’s okay — that’s natural. Whether you’re a SXSW noob or a vet, there’s plenty to learn about surviving the craziest week that essentially kicks off festival season every year. I’m not even going to attempt to school you on everything there is to know (some things you have to learn for yourself), but I’d be glad to share with you some tips and picks.

Part two includes my tips for survival (see part one for RSVP madness). Some of these are a personal matter of opinion, but some you’ll definitely want to take heed:

  • RSVP to everything you can get your hands on. Clearly you won’t be able to be everywhere at once, but there’s nothing worse than wanting to check something out and being denied access because you forgot to let them know you’re coming. Some events are very strict about their RSVP lists, so do yourself a favor and take the time to RSVP.
  • Power up. Pack a portable, re-chargable cell phone charger. You’ll likely be on your phone all day, checking in on Gowalla, tweeting, texting, calling your friends to find out where they are, etc., so better be safe than sorry. Duracell makes a pretty great device, available at most electronic stores and big box stores, compatible with iPhones and any mini-USB device.
  • Pace yourself. There’s a lot of free booze to be had, but don’t be that guy wasted out of his mind at 2PM on Wednesday. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. If you do choose to drink, make sure you hydrate and eat as well. Trust me on this one.
  • Go with the flow. I’m usually working through most of the madness, but I do get some free-time to check out some things. My personal approach is to pick a handful of bands/events that I know I definitely want to check out (acts that I might not get the opportunity to see soon or ever) and I’ll make an honest effort to attend. Otherwise, let the chips (and the drinks) fall where they may. See where the day takes you. If you’re not digging the vibe or the band where you’re at, move on. It’s that simple. You’ll enjoy yourself a lot more, and you won’t stress yourself out trying to traverse the crowded streets to get from venue to venue, just to stand in line after line.
  • Make new friends. SXSW is an interesting phenomenon in which thousands upon thousands of people from all over the world are all thrown into a medium-sized metropolitan area. Get to know some of ‘em. It’s fun.
  • Tip your bartenders, and get to know them. They’ll remember you, and treat you better. Always remember that bartenders during SXSW are working their tooshes off and solely for tips. Be kind.
  • Dress comfortably. You’re gonna be on foot (and standing) most of the time. Just be practical.
  • Avoid cars. If you get into a car at all during SXSW, you’re doomed to be stuck in traffic forever. Best to get your hands on a bike, or plan to walk everywhere as much as possible. There are also plenty of pedicabs around to take advantage of.
  • See something new. The beauty of SXSW is getting to see new sounds you’ve never heard before. These are the up and coming bands of today, and some of them will launch their fame from this week, so take it in.
  • Follow. If you’re on Twitter, find the folks to follow that will let you know what’s happening around town. Good examples are@wristbandless, @unofficialsxsw, @sxswParties and @SXSWFreeNOMS.
  • Have fun. Self explanatory. Do what you came here do to.

Take luck, friends. It’s gonna be a fun ride.

Happy’s Survival Guide to (un)SXSW – Part 1: RSVP Madness

By Happy on Mar 11     Filed In Activities, Austin, Texas, Events, Live Music, SXSW, Uncategorized     2 Comments

ATTENTION FELLOW MUSIC LOVERS & FREE-DRINK ENTHUSIASTS: PLEASE, PUT YOUR PARTY PANTS ON AND BUCKLE YOUR SAFETY BELTS. THIS COULD GET BUMPY.

SXSW: The thought either makes you shudder or gets you all giddy. Or both. It’s okay — that’s natural. Whether you’re a SXSW noob or a vet, there’s plenty to learn about surviving the craziest week that essentially kicks off festival season every year. I’m not even going to attempt to school you on everything there is to know (some things you have to learn for yourself), but I’d be glad to share with you some tips and picks.

I’ll kick things off with a slew of RSVP madness, some of my personal unofficial event picks for the week. Of course, you’ll definitely want to check out the ones at the top (hint hint, they’re sponsored in part by Sweet Leaf Tea), but I’ve also included a few other parties going on that are cool in their own right…

SWEET LEAF TEA SANCTIONED PARTIES THAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS OUT ON:

  • EASTBOUND & FOUND (presented by Ziegenbock, Dos Lunas Tequila, and Sweet Leaf Tea)
    Featuring GZA, Delorean, Here We Go Magic, Maluca, and many more
    WHERE: 1001 E 6th St (Corner of San Marcos & 6th)
    WHEN: Thursday, 3/18 from noon to 9pm
    RSVP / LINEUP / INFO: http://sweetleaftea.com/eastbound
  • MESS WITH TEXAS PARTY
    Featuring Man Man, Billy Bragg, Frightened Rabbit, GWAR, Neon Indian, and so many more
    WHERE: 1001 E 6th St (Corner of San Marcos & 6th)
    WHEN: Friday & Sunday, 3/18-19 from noon to 9pm
    RSVP / LINEUP / INFO: http://mwtxparty.com/
  • THE RUMBLER LOUNGE
    Featuring The Hood Internet, Glitch Mob, Cool Kids, Rye Rye, and many more
    Four day parties with impressive lineups! Plus our good friends from Knuckle Rumbler are responsible for all this fun.
    WHERE: Peckerheads (402 E 6th St)
    WHEN: Wednesday thru Saturday, 3/17 – 18, Noon to 8pm daily
    RSVP / LINEUPS / INFO: http://knucklerumbler.com/category/therumblerlounge/

OTHER NON-SLT SPONSORED PARTIES WORTH CHECKING OUT:

MUSIC

INTERACTIVE / OTHER EVENTS

  • FLATSTOCK 24
    Probably my favorite event throughout all of SXSW.
    “Co-presented by the American Poster Institute (API) and SXSW, Flatstock 24 will display the works of more than 100 artists from across North America and the globe. Posters representing decades of styles, colors and techniques will be on display and for sale as well as additional merchandise. Show up early and be ready to be overwhelmed with amazing posters. (You might want to bring some dough since you won’t want to leave empty handed!) The exhibition is free and open to the public.”
    WHERE: Austin Convention Center Level 1, Exhibit Hall 1
    WHEN: Thurs. 3/18 1 – 6pm & Fri. 3/19 – Sat. 3/20 10am – 6pm
    MORE INFO: http://sxsw.com/music/collectors/flatstock
  • AMERICAN APPAREL FLEA MARKET
    “Tens of thousands of your favorite garments to choose from. Up to 85% off, with prices starting at $1. Inventory will be constantly replenished throughout the weekend. RSVP on this event page to receive updates, tips, and be the first to know when new inventory arrives!”
     WHERE: Mexican-American Cultural Center (600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701)
    WHEN: THURS – SAT (3/18-20) 12:00pm – 10:00pm daily
    MORE INFO: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=363185902145&index=1
  • BIKE HUGGER MOBILE SOCIALS
    “Bike Hugger’s Mobile Social is a Texas-sized bike culture event. We’ll ride around Austin arriving at Mellow Johnnys for a BBQ and Variety Show.”
     WHEN: March 13, 2010, 2pm-6pm
    WHERE: Brush Square Park >> Mellow Johnny’s
    Who: SXSW Attendees, Austin Locals, cyclists
    RSVP now at     Upcoming or Facebook
  • GOWALLA PRESENTS THE TIKI ROOM FEATURING DIPLO
    This year, it’s all about location-based social networking, and Gowalla is leading the pack. You won’t want to miss this, but you’ll have to earn your way in if you don’t have an official badge.
    WHERE: The Belmont (305 W 6th St)
    WHEN: Monday, 3/15 9-11pm
    COMPLETE INFO: http://gowalla.com/sxsw

RESOURCES FOR OTHER PARTIES & RSVP’S (YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN, KID):

Godspeed, everyone. You’ve been warned!

Eastbound & Found presented by Ziegenbock + Dos Lunas Tequila + Sweet Leaf Tea

By Happy on Mar 9     Filed In Activities, Austin, Texas, Events, Food & Beverage, Live Music, SXSW, Social Media, Sweet Contests     2 Comments

Fear not, friends, for this is the one day party you won’t want to miss. In partnership with some of our good friends, we’ve been hard at work putting together a kick-awesome showcase/party, and we’re finally ready to share it with everyone!

Eastbound & Found

Benefitting Drink Pink to Save The Tatas

WHERE:

1001 E. 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702
(corner of E. 6th St. & San Marcos St., walking distance from all the downtown madness, precariously close to some kinda fort)

WHEN:

Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Noon to 9PM

THE LINEUP:

Stage One
12:15-12:50 Ragen Fykes
1:10-1:45 Freelance Whales
2:05-2:40 Ume
3:00-3:35 Warpaint
3:55-4:30 Morning Benders
4:50-5:25 Here We Go Magic
5:45-6:20 Maluca
7:00- 8:00 GZA

Stage Two
12:30-1:05 Burnt Ones
1:25 – 2:00 Diamond Rings
2:20-2:55 Kid Sister
3:15-3:50 Slow Club
4:10-4:45 Danielson
5:05-5:40 Delorean
6:00 – 7:00 White Denim

*Follow us on Twitter and add us on Facebook for updates.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Two bars and food available on-site along with other fun stuff from our friends at Harley Davidson, screen printing by Southside Sanctuary, and photobooth by GreenShoeLace.com.

RSVP:

This event is FREE, open to the public (no badges required!), ALL-ages, and capacity HUGE (no waiting in wrap-around lines or cramming into a tiny room!). Hassle-free fun. However, please RSVP by doing the following:

  1. RSVP on our Facebook event page
  2. Friend us on Facebook for updates
  3. Follow us on Twitter for updates
  4. Tell your friends via Facebook  / Twitter / email

FEELIN’ LUCKY?

For a chance to win VIP passes to Eastbound & Found, click here!




Pedal for a Cause!

By April on Mar 5     Filed In Austin, Texas, Events, Sweet Bikes     1 Comment

Tea’m Sweet Leaf Tea is sweating it out mile after mile training for the upcoming MS 150. Besides the great training rides we’ve been doing with our friends at Austin Cycle Camp, there are several charity rides in the fabulous Hill Country just SCREAMING for you to join in on the fun!!!!

Tong & Rich holding their autographed Gary Fisher pix after training ride

Is there anything better than pedaling around on a bike for a good cause?

Pedal Thru the Pines:  Distances of 16, 27, 50 or 65 miles in beautiful Bastrop Texas.  Date: 3/6/10

Please Be Kind to Cyclists Ride: Routes of 20 and 40 miles along with some fine family-friendly routes. Starts downtown at Pure Austin. Date: 3/13/10

Spokes n’ Spurs: Distances include a 6 mile family ride along with a 14, 28, 44 and 62.5 mile route. Date: 3/20/10

Rosedale Ride: Distances include 20, 43 and a 63 mile loop. (And let me say that they always have the COOLEST t-shirts!) The parents and teachers come out to support this ride and it’s impossible to not roll away feeling great for doing your part to help their school. Date: 3/27/10

Pedal Power Wildflower Ride: Distances of 12, 23, 36 and 62 miles beginning in Johnson City. (I’ve done this ride before and the views are stunning!) Date: 4/10/10

CONTEST: WOXY.com Studio Sessions

By Happy on Mar 2     Filed In Activities, Austin, Texas, Events, Food & Beverage, Live Music, SXSW, Sweet Contests, Uncategorized     Add a Comment

Ask anyone who’s ever experienced SXSW and they’ll tell you stories of exhaustion, trials, and tribulations. It’s pure madness. Sometimes makes you wish you could just have the bands come play in your living room, just for you.

Listen here, people. We can (kinda) make that happen.

For the first time, our good amigos over at WOXY.com have a slew of bands coming through their studio the week of SXSW in Austin,Texas. They’re giving YOU and a friend the chance to sit in on one of their in-studio sessions. That’s right — you and a friend get to meet the band, enjoy some delicious Home Slice Pizza with some refreshing Sweet Leaf Tea, and stick around for the recording session in an über-intimate setting. Just you, the band, and the friendly WOXY.com folks.

How fracklin’ cool is that?

Choose from the following bands and set-times:

ENTER HERE for your chance to win, plus details.

Winners will be picked on Friday, March 12th, at 5PM CST.

In addition to these bands, WOXY.com will be broadcasting several other in-studio sessions, including You You’re Awesome, Via Audio, Twin Tigers, The Mynabirds, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, The Ruby Suns, Frightened Rabbit, Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, Miles Kurosky (of Beulah), The Besnard Lakes, Bear in Heaven, Avi Buffalo, Surfer Blood, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. Check out their site for more details!

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