Festivals & Events
11/26 – 12/31
Sunday – Thursday from 6 – 9 pm.
Friday & Saturday from 6 -10 pm
2011 Trail of Lights

The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens

http://www.emilyann.org/tol.cfm

12/1
First Thursday
Food, fun, shopping and people watching
South Congress Avenue, Austin

http://www.firstthursday.info

12/1, 5 – 9 pm
First Thursday in Downtown Buda
Fall Food Drive

http://www.ci.buda..us

12/2, Shops will be open until 8 pm
First Friday in Downtown Georgetown
Enjoy live music and a festive evening atmosphere!

http://visit.georgetown.org/first-friday-june-3

12/3- 4, 10 am – 5:30 pm
Budafest (Arts & Crafts Show)
Downtown Buda

http://www.budafest.org

12/14 – 21
Buda Trail of Lights 2011
Historic Stagecoach Park, Buda

http://ci.buda..us/buda-events

12/14 – 24, 11am – 11pm
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
(Arts & Crafts Show)
Palmer Events Center, Austin

http://www.armadillobazaar.com

12/31, 5 – 10:30 pm
Austin’s New Year (ANY)
Family-friendly, downtown, non-alcohol New Year’s Eve event
Auditorium Shores, Austin

http://www.ci.austin..us/holidays/any.htm

12/31, 9 pm
New Year’s Eve B-Movie Ball
a costume ball and multimedia art event
Marchesa Hall & Theatre, Austin

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/208807

12/31, 8 pm
Mediterranean New Year Party
Austin 2012
at the Omni Hotel and Resort, Austin

http://mednya.eventbrite.com

Art & Culture
11/18 – 12/11
Wimberley Players present the musical
She Loves Me
Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm and
Sunday matinee at 2:30 pm.
Wimberley Players, Wimberley

http://www.wimberley.org/d/10163894_12663.htm

Weekends 11/18 – 12/30
Visit website for schedule
A Christmas Carol, The Musical 2011
The Palace Theater, Georgetown

http://www.georgetownpalace.com/nowplaying.php

11/25 – 1/8/2012
Visit website for schedule
David Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries
This sardonic tale of elfin’ woe is Austin’s most beloved
holiday tradition!
Whisenhunt Stage
Zachary Scott Theater, Austin

http://www.zachtheatre.org

12/4, 2 pm & 5 pm
Yo Gabba Gabba Live!
It’s Time to Dance!
Cedar Park Center, Cedar park

http://www.cedarparkcenter.com/events/all

12/13, 8 pm
Christmas Sing-Along
free
conductor: Carlton Dillard, guest conductor
Riverbend Centre, Austin

http://www.austinsymphony.org

12/21, 4 pm & 8 pm
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Frank Erwin Center, Austin

http://www.trans-siberian.com

12/21, 12/23, 1 pm
Phineas and Ferb LIVE tour!
The Long Center for the Performing Arts

http://www.uterwincenter.com

12/29 – 1/8/2012
God of Carnage
Kleberg Stage
Zachary Scott Theater, Austin

http://www.zachtheatre.org

12/30-31, 8 pm
The Music of John Williams
Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series
conductor: Peter Bay
Palmer Events Center, Austin

http://www.austinsymphony.org

Sports
12/2, 5:30pm
4th Annual Lights of Love 5K and Kids’ K
Austin

http://site.runtex.com/index.php/2011/10/lights-of-love-5k

12/3, 8 am
Springs Family YMCA 1K/5K Fit for Change
Dripping Springs

http://www.austinymca.org/branches/loc.php?loc=11

12/3, 8 am
Run Like the Wind
Austin

http://www.schrodifund.org/RunLiketheWind.htm

12/3, 9 am
Rudolph’s 5k Run/2k Walk
Wimberley

http://site.runtex.com/index.php/2011/11/rudolphs-5k-run2k-walk

12/3, 9 am
Run Pfor Your Life Pflugerville 5K
Pflugerville

http://pflugervillerelay5k.eventbrite.com

12/4, 8 am
Jingle Bell 5k benefiting MADD
Austin,

http://www.jinglebellrunformadd.org

12/4, 9:30 am
Bobcat 5K Reynolds run
Austin

http://www.bcepto.com/fundraiser/FunRun.html

12/11, 8:15 am
8th Annual Brown Santa 5K & Kids K
Austin

http://site.runtex.com/index.php/2011/09/8th-annual-

brown-santa-5k-kids-k

12/17, 8 am
Vern’s No Frills 5k – Race #33
Georgetown

http://www.noexcusesrunning.com

12/18, 9 am
Austin Reindeer Run 5K and Kids K
Austin

http://www.rbsportsllc.com/reindeer-run

Longhorn Football
Visit website for schedule

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com

Texas Stars Schedule
Cedar Park Center

http://www.texasstarshockey.com

Austin Toros Schedule
Cedar Park Center

http://www.nba.com/dleague/austin/index_main.html

Music
12/1, 6:30 pm
Wilco
W/ Nick Lowe
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/1, doors @ 8 pm
MiMOSA
W/ VibeSquad | Bogl
La Zona Rosa, Austin

http://www.lazonarosa.com

12/2, doors @ 7 pm
3rd Annual Rock Solid Holiday Party Benefitting
Mental Health America of Texas
Alpha Rev (House Band)
W/ Ed Roland, Carrie Rodriguez, Joe Pug, Quiet Company + more
La Zona Rosa, Austin

http://www.lazonarosa.com

12/2, 6:30 pm
Joe Bonamassa
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/8, 6:30 pm
Mary Mary
W/ Committed
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/10, doors @ 9 pm
Scratch Acid
W/ When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth
Emo’s, East Austin

http://www.emosaustin.com

12/10, doors @ 8 pm
Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot
La Zona Rosa, Austin

http://www.lazonarosa.com

12/13, 6:30 pm
Christmas with Aaron Neville
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/14, doors @ 8 pm
Chevelle
La Zona Rosa, Austin

http://www.lazonarosa.com

12/16, 6:30 pm
The Bobby Bones Show Tacky Sweater Party
W/ Gym Class Heroes
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/17, 6:30 pm
Robert Earl Keen Ready For Confetti From the Fam-o-lee
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/21, 8 pm
TORI AMOS
Bass Concert Hall, Austin

http://texasperformingarts.org

12/28, 6:30 pm
French Quarter Christmas featuring Better Than Ezra
W/ Cowboy Mouth
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/30, 6:30 pm
Willie & Friends Family New Year!
W/ Ray Price
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/31, 7:30 pm
Willie & Friends Family New Year!
W/ The Gourds
ACL Live at The Moody Theater, Austin

http://www.acl-live.com

12/31, doors @ 8:30 pm
Hayes Carll
W/ Shovels and Rope & Sideshow Tramps
La Zona Rosa, Austin

http://www.lazonarosa.com

12/31, doors @ 8 pm
New Years Eve Party
The Black Angels
W/ Wooden Shjips, Ume
Emo’s, East Austin

http://www.emosaustin.com

12/31, doors @ 8 pm
Gary Clark, Jr.
Antone’s, Austin

http://www.antones.net

MLS Area Address List Price $/SF SF Yr Blt
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Many Sights And Sounds To Experience When Visiting Austin Texas

Author: William Hauselberg
Even though the unofficial slogan is “Keep Austin Weird”, there is nothing weird about the city of Austin. Located in Central Texas, it is home to an eclectic group of people who take pride in calling Austin home. There is something for all different tastes in Austin. From historical tours, college sports, museums and a happening live music scene, there is sure to be something there for you. Additionally, there is plenty of lodging in lodging in Austin, TX around these great attractions.

Historical Sites

If it is history you are interested in, visit the State Capitol Building. Take a tour of Bremond Block, an area with 11 historic homes built in the late 1800′s. Pay your respects to a variety of Texas heroes, including Stephen F. Austin at the Texas State Cemetery. Make sure you see the historic Millett Opera House on a trip downtown.

Museums for Adults and Children

A must see is the Austin Children’s Museum with a variety of interactive exhibits that your whole family is sure to enjoy. If it is art you are interested in, pay a visit to the Austin Museum of Art. Your whole family will enjoy the Bob Bullock State History Museum featuring Austin’s only IMAX Theater. To finish your museum experience, a must see is the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum.

A Wide Variety of Sports

If it is college sports you love, be sure to check out the University of Texas Longhorns. Their football teams as well as their basketball teams will not disappoint. If you’re interested in professional basketball, make sure to catch the Austin Toros, a NBA Developmental League team. Also check out the Austin Aztex, a relatively new pro soccer league team.

Music for all Tastes

Austin was given the name the Live Music Capital of the World in 1991 for a reason. Since Austin is said to have the most live music per capita, there is surely something for you to go out and listen to. In March, the SXSW Conference is held where presentations are given showcasing new things in music. There are a variety of music festivals like the ACL Music Fest and the Urban Music Fest to attend as well. Don’t miss checking out a variety of live music performances downtown or in the SoCo area.

Hotels in Austin

Austin, with all it has to offer is awaiting you. Come, visit and stay awhile in some of the fine hotels in the area. You can bring you pets along too because there are many pet friendly hotels in Austin Texas available.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/many-sights-and-sounds-to-experience-when-visiting-austin-texas-2014424.html

About the Author
The author of this article has expertise in lodging in Austin, TX. The articles on pet friendly hotels in Austin Texas reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has written many articles on lodging in Austin as well.

South By Southwest Festival Draws thousands annually to Austin

Author: William Hauselberg

The South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas is one of the most popular music festivals held in the United States every year. Since 1987, SXSW has attracted hundreds of thousands attendees each March for four days of music, film, food and art.

In the early years, the festival only drew about 700 registered industry professionals to Austin, but now over 11,000 professionals register every year. Professionals include musicians, artists, journalists, and executives. Bands and artists perform for the audience, showcasing their latest work. Journalists and executives come to the festival to scope out the latest unsigned talent, in the hopes of finding the next big act. As the popularity of the show increases, those wishing to travel to SXSW have many Austin hotel packages to choose from, but booking as early as possible to take advantage of these deals is recommended.

SXSW Also Features Independent Films

Though the festival originally featured only music, over the years it has expanded into a film, music and interactive festival. Festival creators felt it was an appropriate move as technology improved thanks to the advent of the internet. Filmmakers can register to showcase their work and enter competitions supported by the South By Southwest administrators.

The movie festival attracts a variety of work ranging from independent art house films to indie films that hit it big, like the critically acclaimed movie “The Hurt Locker.” Actors, directors and fans attend the SXSW Festival to celebrate the art of film and performance.

Music is Still What Draws the Crowds to SXSW

Despite the festival’s expansion into film, music is still the biggest part of South by Southwest, with over 2,000 acts performing around the city throughout the four day festival. The bands range from well-known, world famous acts to unsigned local acts. Every year the festival is planned in coordination with the Austin Music Awards. Here many of the festival’s acts receive awards for performance, production and writing as well as a variety of other awards. At the festival, you can pick up free samples of all artists’ albums. In the past, CD samplers were distributed, but today samples are available through a downloadable file from iTunes.

Fan can purchase day pass or a weekend-long pass to partake in the festivities. It’s important to plan ahead to assure travel and accommodations at the festival. Unlike some other festivals, there is no camping on-site at SXSW but there are many choices Austin, TX lodging. Prepare for long, warm days by drinking plenty of water and wearing comfortable clothes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/south-by-southwest-festival-draws-thousands-annually-to-austin-3333633.html

About the Author

Do you ever want to just get away from the house? Austin, TX lodging has a great Austin hotel packages for you and your family!

The Best Races in Austin, TX

Author: Dave Jenkins

Austin, TX is one of the fittest cities in the nation and is no stranger to races and marathons. Here are the top 5 annual race events, ranging from widely known to wild.

Warrior Dash is a race unlike no other. It brings together people of all fitness levels to participate in a course scattered with extreme challenges. The race takes place on demanding terrain that requires fearlessness above all else. The course includes challenges such as climbing over obstacles, leaping over fire, and trudging through mud and water puddles. Luckily, muddy, worn out participants are greeted at the finish line with cold beer, live music and fuzzy warrior helmets!

Austin’s annual Komen Race for the Cure is one of the most moving displays of solidarity you will ever see. Registration and donation funds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which supports breast cancer education, care, and research. Individuals or teams can choose from a 5k or 1-mile course. The race tends to be quite colorful. Look around and you’ll see runners sporting tiaras, feather boas, and lots of pink!

Austin takes weird to a whole other level with its annual ‚ÄúKeep Austin Weird‚Äù 5K race, benefiting the Austin Parks Foundation. The downtown course allows runners to experience some of the city’s most unique views and make fun stops sponsored by local vendors such as Amy’s Ice Cream. To make things even weirder, wacky costumes are highly encouraged. This is guaranteed to be one of the most fun races you will ever run.

The Austin Gorilla Run is literally that – a 5k race through downtown Austin run by racers in gorilla suits! This charity event benefits the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, who does research in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect Africa’s highly endangered Mountain Gorillas. Teams are encouraged to fundraise. As if gorilla suits were not fun enough, racers have the option to run, walk, skateboard, or cycle to the finish line!

The LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon, benefiting cancer awareness and research, is one of Austin’s most anticipated annual races. Courses run through some of Austin’s most scenic and historic areas and neighborhoods, making it a challenging yet rewarding 26.2-mile course. One unique feature of this race is the 40 Austin bands, playing live music throughout the course to entertain and motivate runners.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/the-best-races-in-austin-tx-3824449.html

About the Author

Dave is a writer/blogger, and runner living in Austin, TX. Austin is full of great race opportunities year-round and preparing for any race takes dedication and physical stamina. To get off to a solid start, begin your training at a great gym, like Snap Fitness, a Georgetown gym.

Top Five Things to do in Austin

Author: Zach Halper

Texas is one of the biggest states in the entire United States, so it should come as no surprise that there are a ton of cities that offer a wide variety of attractions for tourists. Be it Huston or Dallas, there are plenty of Texas destinations to choose from.. But for this article, we are going to focus on Austin, the capital of the Lone Star State. Austin is an extremely eclectic city with a vibrant downtown scene, so it shouldn’t be too shocking that there are many things to do while you are there. And MetroFlats.com, a new vacation rental website that I represent, is your stop for great Austin vacation rentals. So if you want a good deal, be sure to check out our site!

1. South by Southwest: Of all the top Austin attractions, South by Southwest (SXSW) is the one that produces the most money annually for the city. Of course, that doesn’t automatically mean an event is great but thankfully, SXSW is that and more. Started in 1987, it is a series of film and music festivals that take place in downtown Austin. It hosts more than 2,000 performers every year, taking place in various venues in the downtown area. Although this year’s SXSW has already taken place, it’s never too early to begin preparing for the next one, which will begin on March 11th, 2011 (ending on March 20th).

2. The Texas State Capitol: Standing at 302 feet high, this massive building is actually 14 feet higher than the Nation’s capitol building! It’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of the state of Texas (the Alamo might just beat it out) and is a must see attraction. There are guided tours available, and you will be greeted by folks dressed in authentic Texas garb. Pretty cool, if you ask me!

3. The LBJ Library and Museum: This is another fabulous attraction that Austin has to offer. As the name suggests, this is the official library and museum of the presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson. It contains documents from throughout his presidency, as well as a scale model of the oval office that he used. That I would definitely recommend checking out, it’s quite a sight to see. I would also check out the First Lady’s gallery, which contains all of the work of LBJ’s wife, Lady Bird Johnson. What also makes this place unique is that it’s the only one of the presidential libraries not to charge admission. So not only will you learn a lot, it won’t leave a dent in your wallet!

4. Barton Springs Pool: Located in beautiful Zilker Park, Barton Springs is a man-made recreational pool that is filled by water from Main Barton Spring, which is the fourth largest spring in Texas. The water temperature is a refreshing 68 degrees, making it a perfect way to escape that famous Texas heat. It’s also an affordable $3 for admission, so you can have great fun in the water for a very cheap price. And while you are there, keep an eye out for the Barton Springs Salamander! This endangered creature lives only in the Barton Springs area, and 10% of all admission proceeds go to research on it.

5. Blanton Museum of Art: This beautiful art museum is located on the campus of the University of Texas, and is actually fairly new in the grand scheme of things (it was built only a few years ago). But even in that short time, it has become a very popular attraction with plenty of paintings from throughout history to see. The most impressive of all of their collection, however, has to be the Suida-Manning Collection. This exhibit contains paintings from various Renaissance painters, including Reubens. This exhibit was highly sought after by various museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY. I may be a tad biased here because I love Renaissance paintings, but this is definitely an exhibit you should not miss.

Of course, there are plenty of other attractions in Austin aside from these five, but these are the ones that I think are the best of the best. So definitely feel free to use your imagination while you are there.. And again, we hope that you choose MetroFlats.com when you plan your Austin vacation!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/top-five-things-to-do-in-austin-3054257.html

About the Author

Zach Halper is a graduate from Goucher College, where he received a BA in English/Creative Writing. He is currently working at MetroFlats.com.

SXSW (South by Southwest) 2011

Author: Orlando Callegari, Jr.

The SXSW Music and Media Conference is now officially as old as the perfect bottle of Chivas Regal (that’s right the big 2 – 5)! And, like every other 25 year old, SXSW is already gearing up for a great party. If you weren’t invited this is definitely the one to crash.

Like a considerable chunk of the population you might be thinking, what is S.X.S.W.? Some kind of leather and bondage convention? No, no, nothing that kinky (usually). SXSW (South by Southwest) is a series of conferences, concerts and festivals where eclectic music, independent film and new technologies converge over the course of over a week (March 11-20 2011) in sunny Austin, Texas. It is THE place to be on the cutting edge of…everything.

SXSW Music (March 16-20): Hundreds, literally hundreds, of artists in over 80 venues all over and around Austin, Texas. Some past South by Southwest bands include R.E.M., Lou Reed, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Public Enemy, Ingrid Michaelson, Fleet Foxes, Ghostface, Smokey Robinson, Cheap Trick, MGMT, the Dixie Chicks and Vampire Weekend. There is no way you won’t find something you like. To see this last year’s South by Southwest 2010 lineup go to www.sxsw.com. South by Southwest 2010 music featured some of the most unique and up and coming artists around and South by Southwest 2011 will be no exception.

SXSW Film (March 11-19): More than 250 films playing in 6 venues. Comedies, indies, and documentaries by all kinds of filmmakers. Some films from the South by Southwest lineup 2010 (SXSW line 2010) include: Academy Award winner for Best Picture ‘The Hurt Locker’, Seth Rogen’s ‘Observe and Report’, foreign film ‘Sin Nombre’ and, of course, the unforgettable ‘Lesbian Vampire Killers’. And this event is wide open. Independent documentaries, music videos, animated movies and shorts are welcome to submit a film.

SXSW Interactive (March 11-15): An interactive festival with more than 200 sessions with ScreenBurn Arcade, great networking events and SXSW awards. Twitter? Foursquare? WhoLinksToMePro? All debuted at past SXSW festivals and conferences. Whether you are a business or tech enthusiast SXSW has what’s coming next for you.

Most of the action centers around the Austin Convention Center where attendees can get their badges and participate in many of the talks, conferences trade shows and panels. The off-premises events such as music performances and film screenings are almost all within walking distance.

Now, obviously, SXSW is a big event and it is, of course, not easy to find close by places to stay. MetroFlats still has rooms available at it’s vacation rentals in Austin. It’s a super-convenient way to get amazing rooms for big groups at low prices. Click here for a list of available vacation rentals.

Another way to stay under budget is to get your tickets early. The South by South West website has a chart with all the deadlines.

Movies and tech toys by day, great music and one of the biggest cities in Texas by night. Spending a week in the Lone Star State this year is a must.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/sxsw-south-by-southwest-2011-3062532.html

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Orlando Callegari, Jr. is a student at Hunter College and budding world traveller.

Author: Daniel Jowssey

Well, visiting Texas can help you do just that. There are many things to see and do that are geared towards kids of all ages. Here is a list of a few distinctively Texan places that will make your trip more fun.

For the aspiring astronauts in all of us, there is the Johnson Space Center to visit. Here, you will be treated to the history of NASA Space programs. There are many activities and attractions including the Kids Space Place, Astronaut Gallery and the Blast Off Theater. And, you undoubtedly will want to make sure that you visit “Ground Control” while you are there. You might even be lucky enough to actually see a real shuttle take off.

Like most kids and kids at heart, if you are looking for something to do that is fun and entertaining, then look no further than Schillterbahn Waterparks. With three locations and three uniquely different settings, this is a must stop for everyone in the family. The original waterpark is located in historic New Braunfels. Here, you can spend the day on over 3 miles of tubing adventures, enjoy one of the 7 children’s areas or partake in any of the 17 different water slides. Or, if you have the time, take a trip to South Padre Island and spend time at the Schiltterbahn Beach Waterpark. Here, you can partake in a full day of family activities in a tropical beach setting. Again, Schillterbahn does not let you down with four water coasters, giant sandcastles, beach and boardwalks and tons of water fun. Finally, there is the new Schiltterbahn Galveston island resort. This is the first indoor, completely climate controlled waterpark in Texas. Here, you can spend year round fun on a beach, slipping down slides or just splashing away in the kids’ areas. No matter which park you visit, Schiltterbahn’s is definitely the place for kids of all ages to enjoy having fun.

Of course, you can’t visit San Antonio Texas without making one of your stops Sea World. Owned by the Busch Corporation, this park will not disappoint anyone. There are amusement rides galore, sea animal to explore and lots of shows to watch. There are several awesome roller coaster type rides, games and a huge lagoon to enjoy. With more than 20 shows to delight and educate you, there is no room for boredom. You can see the famous Shamu the whale doing his tricks or visit the Sea Lion Comedy Show where not only will you delight in their antics, but you can get up close with them after the show and feed them.

No matter your age, Central Texas has something for everyone to enjoy. It does not matter if you have a day or a week, there is definitely something in Central Texas that will entice the kid in all of us to come out and play.

We are all striving to find out inner kid again. Well, visiting Texas can help you do just that. There are many things to see and do that are geared towards kids of all ages. Here is a list of a few distinctively Texan places that will make your trip more fun.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/coming-to-central-texas-282992.html

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Find your destinations and many useful information about world travel at this travel directory.

Author: Vikram Kumar

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/central-texas-rainwater-collection-methods-help-save-water-1705521.html

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All Things Rainwater can provide Rainwater Collection Links to educate you about why collecting the fresh water that falls from the sky is important. Implement a Central Texas Rainwater Collection system to take advantage of this free source of water.