Austin: Celebrate Texas Independence Day

Wednesday, March 2nd from 6 to 9pm to either Santa Rita location (5900 W. Slaughter Lane or 1206 West 38th Street) and enjoy live music, Republic of Texas signature drink Republic Paloma for just $6.95, tequila tastings with Republic Tequila, complimentary queso bar, wings and nachos, prizes, contests and more! Must be 21 or older to participate in contests.

Want to celebrate Texas in active style? Run the Texas Independence Day 5K this Saturday! Click here for details.

Austin: New Year’s Eve Start to Finish

Ah, the start of a new year. If you don’t have plans already, don’t fret, Austin is totally a cool town to be plan-less in. Aspen, not so much. Where did my Caribou Club membership card run off to? Anyway, here are my suggestions:

Pre-Party: From 4-7pm, let Lovely Austin Boutique help you get ready for your big night out … $10 airbrush makeovers and eyelash application from award winning makeup artist Lecia Harkins with Beauty on the Go, plus release the stress of the holidays with $10 chair massages and complimentary cocktails.

Click here to RSVP.

Eat: The Carillon features Chef Josh Watkins’ New Years Champagne Paired Dinners: Nine Courses, $90; Seven Courses, $75; Five Courses, $65. Seating available 6-10pm. Some of the best food around at totally reasonable prices for food and booze.

For more NYE restaurants, click here for the Statesman’s list (with an egregious example of apostrophe abuse)

Go Out (Never Pay Cover!): Now get this. This is life in Austin & Aspen synchronicities NEVER END! Skip silly sixth and hit up Gibson on South Lamar, which is turning into a winter wonderland with 30 tons of real snow! [Sidenote: I will BE IN 30 tons of real snow. In the real mountains.] This Ski Lodge party includes complimentary commemorative ski caps, appetizers from Out There Catering, festive cocktails, music, dancing, and a champagne toast to ring in 2011.

No fancy cocktail dresses or tuxedos for this party … don your comfy and fabulous ski attire–let me tell you, bibs are sexy. Ski bibs. Not food bibs.

All for a good cause, the bash benefits The Trail Foundation. Parking available. Tickets at frontgatetickets.com

Happy Erf’s Birfday

Earth Day Things to Do Online:

– learn how to recycle your beauty product containers and what to look for in earth-friendly face washes

– buy Sigg water bottles from HauteLook (use this Invite to Hautelook if you’re registering for the first time)

– shop Gilt Groupe’s Eco Chic Day, where 5% of proceeds go to earthy charities and everything on sale is sustainable or earth-friendly, from clothes to housewares and furniture to baubles and jewelry (use this Invite to Gilt Groupe if you’re registering for the first time)

Earth Day Things to Do in Austin:

– visit J. Black’s for a Bacardi mojito Green Day celebration of their recycling efforts (they just started recycling in 2010 and have cut their waste amount in half) … lots of prizes and giveaways.

– booze at Belmont with Daily Juice cocktails (yum!)

– buy stuff from 50 local businesses and 5% of sales will be donated! List is here.

Whatever you do, start or recommit to recycling in your home, walk or bike instead of driving when you can, and minimize your in-home water usage by doing things like running full loads of laundry and turning off the tap while you brush your teeth.

First Night

I have an existing post with things to do on New Year’s Eve, but after reading this article on First Night, I had to give it its own post.

Click here to read.

Basically, the giant 32-foot wooden clock tower on Auditorium Shores is for you to pin your resolutions to, and then after fireworks shoot of it at midnight, the clock is going to burn. Freakin’ badass!

Information: For a complete schedule of events and downloadable maps, go to www.firstnightaustin.org.

Wednesday Events: Kirk Gallery, Greg Vendetti

The new Second Street store (albeit on the OTHER side … that is, other side of the site of the W) known for mod homewares is hosting its first annual Holiday Party. Party favors include bevvies–Scotch and champagne–and a giveaway of any product in the store under $250, winner’s choice. Don’t miss it! 6-8pm, Kirk, 210 Guadalupe

Soulful singer-songwriter Greg Vendetti is playing tonight at Lucky Lounge. Michael Barnes, social writer for the Statesman and Out & About columnist calls him a “deft vocalist … [who] brings to Austin a pliable, exacting sound.” I call him a friend of mine, and he’s a silly, confident performer who loves music as much as anyone I know (except my bro–long live Achachay!).  10pm, Lucky Lounge

Free Day of Dance!

Ballet Austin FREE “Come Dance! 2008” Celebrating One Year at the Butler Dance Education Center and Community School

Dabble in dance this Sunday with demonstrations and classes at the downtown Ballet Austin. From 2pm-6pm, 501 West Third Street (at San Antonio Street).

A year ago, over 2,500 people attended Ballet Austin’s Grand Opening Celebration to reveal the new facility that houses Ballet Austin’s Community School, Academy, AustinVentures StudioTheater, and professional company along with the artistic and administrative staff.

– FREE entry to everyone – rain or shine!
– Open dance classes and demonstrations in various studios: participation at any age and skill-level is encouraged
– Yoga and exercise classes
– Pilates demonstrations
– Not Afraid of the Dark: The Show that Glows!™ previews with light demonstrations and music by Joe Scruggs in the AustinVentures StudioTheater
– Photo opportunities with sets and costumes in The Nutcracker room
– Creative movement activities for kids, adults, and families
– Healthy and tasty food and beverages available for sampling
– Box Office open for season and production ticket sales
– Giveaways and prizes

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND EVENTS: September 7, 2008
2:00 – 3:00 pm Theatre Dance, Hula, Ballet Fit, Creative Movement (ages 3-5), Youth Division Ballet
3:00 – 4:00 pm Hula, Teen/Adult Ballet, Pre-Ballet (ages 5-7), Intermediate Division Ballet, Pilates Mat
4:00 – 5:00 pm Jazz, Broadway Fit, Feldenkrais, Creative Movement (ages 3-5), Pre-Professional Division Ballet
5:00 – 6:00 pm Hip Hop, Modern, Pre-Ballet (ages 5-7), Tap, Hatha Yoga