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     1 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.

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!




Ping Pong with the Tea’m

By Marketing Intern on Mar 9     Filed In Activities, Intern     Add a Comment

So I’ve never once played ping pong and never really had any desire to until SLT came into my life. My new goal is to attempt to learn the rules of ping pong in my spare time and at least be able to play well enough to not embarrass myself.

About two weeks ago Janet and I had our first ping pong match. It was a good place to start but could definitely use improvement. For all of those out there that also want to try to pick up a new skill here is a site that lays out the basics of ping pong.

Check it out! Also, if you are an overly competitive person this game could be a great fit for you. So go enjoy a game of ping pong and a bottle of Sweet Leaf Tea.

-By, Jessie Hall

Office Dog: Olive

By April on Mar 8     Filed In Austin, Texas, Sweet Leaf Dogs     3 Comments

Name: “Olive” Tieken-Clayton

Olive, a brilliant “border-lab,” owned by Russell Clayton, has been with Sweet Leaf Tea since September 2007. Olive is a second chance rescue; she was saved initially via a pet store adoption at 2 months, and then saved again from the original adopter’s neglect at only 6 months. She is now a 3 ½ year old piece of work, and might possibly be the best dog him and his partner will ever have.

Hours: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00am – 7:00pm

Job: Olive is the brains of the pack. At home and work, she’s often seen collecting and counting tennis balls, determining who’s friendly and who should be told to chill, and helping her dad feel less stressed right when he needs her. When she has on the “backpack of responsibility,” she’s all business… even if it’s just rocks weighing her down.

Favorite Place: Olive is a fan of the typical places dogs love – trails, creeks, countryside, couches; however, she also appreciates the finer things in life – like the hardware store, farmer’s market, or any outdoor festival. She just likes to ‘be’, wherever she might actually be.

Favorite Flavor: Raspberry Sweet Tea… or a dirty martini with no olives (she’s not a cannibal).

Favorite thing to do at work: Play catch. Olive will catch a tennis or racquet ball, roll it around in her mouth for a second, drop it, and then use her nose to push the ball towards the thrower. She’s got some ups too, so throw it high… she’ll get it.

Best trick: “Olive, bring me that”… whatever that is, she’ll bring it to you.

Claim to fame: Olive was once featured in the Austin Business Journal; she and her owner had an article written about them, highlighting this free perk that more companies should consider. Months later, Olive was stopped by an apparent fan on Congress Avenue; she was recognized… her owner was not!

Most memorable moment: Christmas Eve, 2006 – the day Russell received the call that the ‘black dog next door’ was now ours, if I wanted her. We all knew she’d be a great friend for us and our other dog, the ‘yellow dog,’ so I said of course! Olive is perhaps one of the greatest gifts I’ll ever receive.

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

keep looking »