July Event Calendar: Our Top 5 Austin Events!
July 1, 2014 by Laura Duggan · Leave a Comment
Austin Symphony July 4th Concert and Fireworks
Who: Austin Symphony Orchestra
What: H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert and Fireworks
When: Friday, July 4th
Where: Circuit of The Americas
Cost: Free
Spend this Independence Day with thousands of your closest friends and your Austin Symphony Orchestra at the beautiful Circuit of The Americas (COTA)! While Auditorium Shores is under renovation, COTA has generously offered to host the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s July 4th concert and fireworks. Thousands of Central Texans will hurry to claim prime viewing with the Austin Symphony Orchestra this July 4th for one of the largest Independence Day Celebrations in the state. The spectacular H-E-B Austin Symphony 38th Annual July 4th Concert and Fireworks is planned, produced, and performed entirely by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, with the help of our generous sponsors. Tens of thousands of families will be decked out in red, white, and blue and heading to COTA’s award-winning Austin360 Amphitheater for an amazing event complete with a fireworks display, symphonic patriotic classics, and even a little auto-themed music for the race fans in attendance.
COTA will host a variety of fun, old-fashioned July 4th holiday activities, including interactive games and contests for the whole family, starting at 6:00 PM. The orchestra will perform at 8:30 p.m., followed by “mile-high” fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Capital City Comic Con
Location:
The Palmer Events Center
900 Barton Springs Rd.
Austin, TX
Parking:
Parking at the event center is $7.00 per day.
Convention Hours:
* Friday July 11th 11:00am-7:00pm
* Saturday July 12th 10:00am-7:00pm
* Sunday July 13th 11:00am-6:00pm
* VIP Entry 30 Minutes Early
Capital City Comic Con will take place at the Palmer Events Center, in downtown Austin, Texas. International artists, comic book dealers, and original art with over 250 artist alley tables. Capital City will also feature 100+ vendor booths, panels, celeb area and an art auction for various charities. Cosplay will be the main attraction, so make sure to dress accordingly! Kids under 12 are free, food trucks are nearby and also local breweries will be showcased.
Bastille Day Festival
SATURDAY, July 12, 6-10pm with Christine Albert’s French Band
The French Legation Museum on San Marcos Street will host a Bastille celebration on behalf of the Alliance Française D’Austin with live music, dancing, contests, jugglers, face painting and other exotic antics. Expect to find your share of French-inspired fare, including pate, baguettes, macarons, eclairs, wine, beer and a host of other bites, beverages and pastries.
Proceeds from this Fundraiser go to Scholarships & cultural events.
July 21-27, 2014
Make plans to dine out during the seventh annual GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up! Local restaurants from all over Austin will be featuring the flavors of Texas as GO TEXAN restaurants highlight the finest Lone Star food and wine. Participating restaurants include: 24 Diner, Arro, Taco Deli, Trudy’s, Cafe Josie, Chez Zee, Easy Tiger, Olive and June, Parkside, Searsucker and many more! Restaurants also will be making donations to food banks across the state.
To see a list of all of the participating Austin restaurants: Click HERE
The Wildflower Center goes all out Sunday, July 27 to honor their founder, Lady Bird Johnson, and all she has done for our nation’s treasured environment. Admission will be FREE for visitors. Enjoy exhibits, children’s activities and more during extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lunch, drinks, snacks and ice cream are available in the Wildflower Café.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Participate in crafts in the Visitors Gallery.
A one-day only silent auction will be held of books from Lady Bird Johnson’s library. All proceeds benefit the Wildflower Center.
Explore the gardens.
Bring your camera to take a photo with a life-sized likeness of our founder.
Go behind the scenes to see the Center’s hidden treasures during an interior guided tour.
Enjoy Storytime in the Little House.
Visit The Store and obtain signed copies of Lady Bird Johnson, Deeds Not Words and Lady Bird Johnson: An Oral History.
June Event Calendar: Our Top 5 Austin Events!
June 2, 2014 by Laura Duggan · Leave a Comment
My, oh my, it’s June in Austin! While we haven’t quite seen our crazy hot days of summer, the humidity has given us a little taste of what’s to come! But until then, let us enjoy the amazing Austin weather by getting outside and enjoying some of the many festivals upon us this month! This week I bring you one the the HOTTEST events Austin has ever been lucky enough to host, the X Games, sure to bring many spectators and fans to our city! If BMX and rap music aren’t your fancy, head on over to Zilker Park with your family for a free concert series hosted by the Austin Symphony; this month they will remember the music of the 70s! Then mark your calendars and be sure not to miss one of the craziest things Austin is known for, the ROT Rally, holding a Guinness World Record for longest parade of motorcycles! It’s unbelievable! ENJOY!
X Games Austin
Friday, June 6: 11am – 8pm CT
Saturday, June 7: 10am – 8pm CT
Sunday, June 8: 10am – 6pm CT
Celebrating 20 years of X Games, ESPN will bring all the action to fans in downtown Austin on Thursday, June 5 to kick off the inaugural event in front of the iconic State Capitol building. Fans can get up close to the action with free admission to the Skateboard and BMX Vert competitions. The Vert ramp will be located at the intersection of 10th Street and Congress Ave in front of the Texas State Capitol building.
Starting that day and through Sunday, June 8, 20 hours of live X Games action will be aired on ESPN and ABC, which will also be accessible via WatchESPN and WatchABC to viewers who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider. An additional 7.5 hours of competition will be carried on ESPN3 as well as the latest coverage across ESPN digital platforms, including XGames.com, X Games apps, X Games pages across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and more.
After X Games demos around the world in 2013, Tony Hawk & Friends will bring the show to Austin for a 30-minute demo before the BMX and Skateboard Vert finals. In addition to Hawk, the demo will include Skateboard and BMX legends and current athletes, including Mat Hoffman, Neal Hendrix, Kevin Robinson, Kevin Staab, Elliot Sloan, Alex Perelson and more.Following the competitions, X Games and Myspace will kick off three days of concerts with Myspace Presents: Holy Ghost! hosted by Dos Equis– a free show at Austin’s famed ACL Live at Moody Theater venue.
Zilker Pops Concerts
June 6-7, Friday and Saturday 8 PM
Zilker Park Hillside Theater
Free concerts at Zilker Park featuring the Austin Civic Orchestra. This year’s theme is “That 70′s Concert,” featuring pieces popular during that decade. When we think of the 70s, what comes to mind? Let’s see … the Vietnam War, Watergate, the Arab oil embargo, bell bottoms, hot pants, leisure suits, disco balls, shag carpet, and things colored orange, gold, and avocado. But politics, economics, and fashion aside, the 70s was a golden decade for pop music. For its annual free Pops Concert at the Zilker Park Hillside Theater, the Austin Civic Orchestra will perform music from 70s movies and musicals, including Star Wars, Saturday Night Fever, and Jesus Christ Superstar, from 70s rock bands like Led Zeppelin and the Who, and more. The concert will conclude with Sousa’s rousing Stars and Stripes Forever conducted by a raffle winner from the audience!
10th Year Anniversary Maudie’s Moonlight Margarita 5K Run
June 12, Thursday 8 PM
Lady Bird Lake
The Maudie’s Moonlight Margarita Run and Party began in 2004 to bring two of Austin’s favorite things together – running and margaritas! This event has served as The Trail Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser and this year will be no exception! The event raises critically needed funds for Austin’s beloved Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Over the years, there have been many wonderful local sponsors as well as dedicated participants who have come out to support the work of TTF. The Trail Foundation wouldn’t be able to complete these projects without the help of Austin’s loyal supporters. No other event in town is more fun!
Starting at 8:00pm runners depart on a 5K course traveling along the streets bordering Lady Bird Lake finishing in front of the American Legion Hall on Veterans Drive. Upon crossing the finish line, (of age) runners are greeted with a refreshing margarita and snacks, thanks in part to our sponsors. Those attending the post-race party (a separate event within an event) will enjoy margaritas and catered dinner with Maudie’s Tex-Mex under the live oaks of the American Legion Hall. To finish the night, post-race party attendees dance and mingle to live music from one of Austin’s favorite musical acts. Not to be outdone by years past, they’re expecting up to 2,000 runners and 600 party attendees!
Republic of Texas Biker Rally
June 12-15
Travis County Expo Center
ROT Biker Rally is the largest “turnstile” motorcycle rally in the USA and one of the most highly-anticipated motorcycle events in the entire country. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts flock to Central Texas to enjoy amazing motorcycles, Austin nightlife and the beautiful Texas Hill Country.ROT Rally promoters are thrilled to bring Sammy Hagar to town as our Saturday, June 14th headliner performing on the main stage at the Travis County Expo Center!
For over ten years the City of Austin has joined in the ROT Biker Rally action by closing off 50 blocks of downtown Austin for a huge motorcycle parade and party on Congress Avenue the Friday night of Rally weekend—this year being held on Friday, June 13th. A “rolling closure” will be in effect for Congress Avenue and the parade will continue south across the Congress Avenue bridge where it will culminate at the NEW ROT Biker Rally Downtown, presented by Austin 360, located at 305 S. Congress Avenue in the Austin American-Statesman parking lot.
Prior to the arrival of the parade from the Travis Co. Expo Center, pre-parade activities such as the Mexican Motorcycle Acrobat Team will keep everyone entertained until approximately 8:15pm when the parade arrives at Congress and 11th street. The downtown parade is expected to draw approximately 200,000+ spectators who gather to greet the riders as they enter Congress Avenue. Afterwards all are welcome to join in the fun at the new FREE venue where vendors are open and music will be playing late for your enjoyment.
Free Movies and Concerts
Also, as we get into Summer, don’t miss the 101X Summer Cinema Series with free movies behind Central Market North (next one is Wednesday, June 18th) and make sure to watch the Austin Symphony-Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park every Sunday night at the Long Center for a free concert! Go out and enjoy everything free and fun in Austin this month!
May Event Calendar: Our Top 5 Austin Events!
May 1, 2014 by Laura Duggan · Leave a Comment
Happy May Day! Here are our TOP 5 Events for May. From festivals to food to fitness, there is so much going on this month in Austin; the weather is beautiful and it won’t stay this way for long! Make sure you head outdoors for some fun; whether it’s paddle boarding on Lake Austin, running Lady Bird Lake, relaxing at Barton Springs, hiking the Greenbelt, or cycling the city during National Bike Month, this is the month to do it! Join us this month, as we enjoy the beauty that is Austin, Texas!
Pecan Street Festival
Saturday, May 3: 11am-10pm
Sunday, May 4: 11am-8pm
Admission: Free
The Pecan Street Festival, one of Central Texas’ oldest and most popular events, is a free two-day arts festival held each spring and fall in downtown Austin’s charming Sixth Street Historic District, a National Register of Historic Places site. On the first weekend of May and the last weekend of September, the street fills with hundreds of local and national artisans offering handcrafted creations in all sorts of two and three dimensional media. More than 60 of Austin’s finest musical acts bring three stages to life, and family-friendly activities from street magicians to a petting zoo delight both adults and children. Thirty food vendors provide both healthy and indulgent choices, often supported by and benefiting charitable partners.
16th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk
Saturday, May 17, 9:00am – 2:00pm
Cost: $30 per dog
The 16th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk’s WAG & SWAG is moving indoors! Join us for a stroll around the beautiful Palmer Events Center overlooking Auditorium Shores and lots of exciting entertainment, giveaways, games and the chance for your dog to be a STAR…all inside! Help us fetch even more Guinness World Records, including the return of our Guinness World Record Holding Fur Ball.
Participating pooches will enjoy the latest in dog food samples, advice from top veterinarians, games of canine skill and even a doggie psychic. 100% of the proceeds benefit Service Dogs, Inc. celebrating its 25th anniversary of transforming shelter dogs into assistants for disabled individuals free of charge. Take advantage of early bird discounts by registering online at http://www.servicedogs.org/.
Kerrville Folk Festival
May 22 – June 8, 2014
Founded by Rod Kennedy, the Kerrville Folk Festival has run annually since 1972. It is the longest continuously running music festival of its kind in North America. For 18 straight days and nights each May and June, over 30,000 guests come from all over the world to experience the magic of what we simply call “Kerrville”. The Festival is known internationally as a Mecca for singer songwriters of varying musical style. It’s a place where those just developing their skills have the opportunity to play their music along- side master craftsmen.
Over 1500 outstanding singer-songwriters have been presented on the Festival’s stages since the beginning. More than just a “folk music” festival, Kerrville offers music of many styles including traditional folk, bluegrass, acoustic rock, blues, country, jazz, and Americana. The common thread is songwriting. The focus of the festival is to promote emerging artists while giving our audience exposure to both new and recognized, seasoned talent.
Capital of Texas Triathlon
Monday, May 26
5:30am-11:30am
Life Time Tri CapTex was founded in 1991 and has become one of the most popular multisport races in the country. The “Premier Texas Triathlon” is now part of the Life Time Triathlon Series and fills the streets of Austin on Memorial Day, selling out with 3,000 participants. Life Time Tri CapTex attracts all levels of athletes from top ranked professionals to first-time triathletes.
Life Time Tri CapTex includes sprint and international distances, SuperSprint distance, and sprint and international distance relays. We look forward to hosting all of our athletes and spectators on race weekend!
Trailer Food Tuesdays
Tuesday, May 27
5pm-9pm at The Long Center
Austin’s premier mobile food event, Trailer Food Tuesdays presented by Real Ale, is back for another season! Sample the delicious food trucks of Austin in one easy location. Try popular local favorites, and enjoy something new every last Tuesday of the month from 5pm – 9pm at The Long Center.
Spring is Here With April Cheer! Our Top 5 Austin Events 2014
April 1, 2014 by Laura Duggan · Leave a Comment
Don’t be fooled this April, there is LOTS going on in Austin this month! The bluebonnets are out and Austinites are flocking outdoors for brunches, parties, festivals, races and more! Join us for some fun in the sun as we celebrate everything AWESOME going on in Austin this month!
We would also like to wish the founder, Broker, and fearless leader of West Austin Properties, Laura Duggan, a VERY special Happy Birthday this month! On April 30th, Laura will celebrate another year wiser, as well as, 35 years in the Austin Real Estate market. WOW! Happy Birthday, Laura! Eeyore (48) and Willie Nelson (81) are lucky to share a Birthday with you!
1. 37th Annual Statesman Capitol 10,000
Sunday, April 6th, 8 a.m.
Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge: 919 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
The Statesman Capitol 10,000 is Texas’ largest 10K and the seventy largest in the nation, with over 18,000 participants in 2013. The race starts at the Ann Richards Bridge, which crosses over Lady Bird Lake (part of the Colorado River) and runs up to and by the Texas State Capitol Building. Bands playing live music line the race course, energizing the runners with upbeat entertainment as they wind their way along this scenic and at times, hilly, race route finishing back at Auditorium Shores on Lady Bird Lake. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a beginner, come see why the Cap10K is a rite of spring in Austin. Run it, jog it or walk it, just don’t miss it! Get your feet on the street!
2. Old Settler’s Music Festival
April 10th-13th
Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas (minutes from Austin)
In 1987, the first Old Settler’s Music Festival was held at Old Settler’s Park, in the Austin suburb of Round Rock. Since then, it’s grown into a nationally-known celebration of Americana and roots music in all its forms-with past headliners including Patty Griffin, Bela Fleck, Doc Watson, Joan Osborne, Bruce Hornsby, Iron & Wine, Alison Krauss, the Avett Brothers, and Robert Earl Keen.
It has grown a lot since the early days. But it still maintains the same down-home, Texas-friendly vibe. Located just outside of Austin, the festival takes place at the Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch, just minutes from Austin. It’s a landscape of shady trees and sunny meadows at the height of bluebonnet season. The music continues nonstop for four straight days, with concerts, workshops, and impromptu jam sessions all day and throughout the night. They have more craft beer than light beer. They would rather kick back than crowd-surf. And every year is full of surprises!
3. 5th Annual East Austin Urban Farm Tour
Sunday, April 13th, 1p – 5p
Rain Lily Farm: 914 Shady Lane, Austin, TX 78702
Presented by:
Boggy Creek Farm
HausBar Farms
Rain Lily Farm
Springdale Farm
Spend a Sunday afternoon strolling vibrant fields of local produce and visiting with chickens, donkeys, and goats on four neighboring urban farms. At each farm, chefs will provide tastes of their art using the freshest farm ingredients while local brewers, wine merchants, and mixologists will offer sips.
In the fields, farmers will talk about their growing crops, share their experiences, and answer gardening questions. This beloved farm tour will change the way you look at food and the people you buy from as well as offer the perfect opportunity to solve your own growing challenges!
4. Art City Austin
Saturday, April 12th, 10a – 8p
Sunday, April 13th, 11a – 6p
Downtown Austin – Cesar Chavez Street between Guadalupe and Lamar. Entrances at Guadalupe and Lamar.
Get ready for Austin’s iconic arts festival that transforms the streets of downtown. The celebration of art, culture and creativity will take place April 12 & 13, 2014 along Austin’s Cesar Chavez Street and 2ND Street District with art of all kinds.
Art City Austin features an outdoor art fair of nationally recognized artists, the People’s Gallery at City Hall with more than 150 works of art by Austin artists, local food trailers, beer and cocktails, live music on the main stage and interactive projects for kids of all ages. Downtown’s art festival brings the community together to celebrate Austin’s vibrant creative culture.
5. Austin Food and Wine Festival
Friday – Sunday, April 25th – 27th
Get prepped for tastings, libations, hands-on grilling demos, and more from the world’s rising cultural and culinary city. The Austin FOOD & WINE Festival presented by FOOD & WINE Magazine returns with top chef talent, sommeliers and winemakers from across the nation and Austin’s own acclaimed gourmet scene for an experience unlike any other.
THE AUSTIN FOOD & WINE ALLIANCE
The Austin Food & Wine Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Central Texas culinary community through grants, educational programming and events. Guided by an all-volunteer board of directors and committees made up of culinary-and-community-minded professionals, the Alliance’s commitment is to promote Texas food, wine, spirits and craft brews and to increase appreciation of Texas’ culinary impact. As the beneficiary of the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival, the Alliance will give back to the Central Texas culinary community through a vibrant grant program to fund projects focused on culinary innovation. Alliance events are structured to provide an artisan, interactive and educational experience while offering the best in food, wine, spirits and craft brews.
Austin is experiencing the “strongest” real estate market in 8 years
March 20, 2014 by Laura Duggan · Leave a Comment
Austin is experiencing the “strongest” real estate market in 8 years. Two factors dominate this market. First, the number of homes for sale are at eight year lows and 9% below March of a year ago. Second, demand for homes equals our highest levels in eight years. This strong demand is due to 100+ people a day moving to Austin and Austin renters seeing rents increasing, homes prices increasing and rates at historically low levels. Price ranges and zip codes within Austin have unique values. See the entire West Austin Properties 14 page March Market Report at:
http://westaustin.com/wp-
