this is life in austin & aspen » parties

Austin: New Year’s Eve

Lyssa — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:36:37 +0000

I won’t be in Austin for New Year’s, but as a last-minute planner myself, I thought some of you might appreciate this list of what’s the haps in Austin to ring in 2012. So weird that it’s already 2012, right?

New Year’s Eve Eve with Achachay!

Get your tickets online at Frontgate tickets right now. $8. The full lineup is TBA; Achachay! is scheduled to close the night starting at midnight. Disco-themed so get your frizzy ‘fro ready, bust out white pants, extra wide ties, and leisure suits. Whether you’re wearing go-go dancer outfits, hippy clothes, or just about anything brown and orange the important thing is that you’re ready to boogie. Invite your friends to the Facebook Event, be there on December 30th!

Celeb Style at Hotel San Jose

You know if the celebs are in A-town for NYE, they’ll be at the All Tomorrows Party: A Warhol Factory New Year’s Eve with a photobooth by Alison Narro, DJs, bubbly libations, room to dance and of course a toast at midnight. Black and white attire is encouraged but not required. No cover charge / DJ from 8-midnight / www.sanjosehotel.com

Swank at the Dubs

TRACE at the W Austin is offering two separate seatings and menus to accommodate any partygoer’s plans. The first seating from 5:30pm-7p offers a four- course menu for $95 (with paired wine for $145). Each guest will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling with dessert. The second seating begins at 9pm and offers an extensive menu (attached) of various small plates and shared items for $75 per person food and beverage minimum (not including tax and gratuity). 512-542-3660 for reservations.

The New Year’s Eve “Drop the Ball” party in the W Austin Living Room is open to the public (based on availability) with regular hours 11a – 2a. The nibbles menu will be available à la carte and DJ Rich will be spinning for the party. Guests can reserve a seated area for $175 (includes tax and gratuity) per person. Reserved seating includes a welcome SIP, a platter of Chef Paul Hargrove’s NYE Nibbles, a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne (for every two guests), and party favors. 512-542-3633 for Living Room reservations.

Sushi Sensation

Uchi and Uchiko are still accepting early reservations for New Year’s Eve, and walk-in guests are welcome at the sushi bars. Uchi will serve its tasting menu for $75 including a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and Uchiko will offer its tasting menu for $125 with complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

Vivo Lake Creek New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball

Live music, dancing, plenty of bubbly and a special menu devised by celebrated Chef Paul Petersen runs from 10p New Year’s Eve through 2a, Jan 1. General admission to Vivo’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball is $50 per person, reserved seating is $100 per person. Guests who make dinner reservations at Vivo Lake Creek for 8 or 8:30p on New Year’s Eve may keep their table for the Masquerade Ball for $50 per person.

Sullivan’s & Sully’s

Celebrate the arrival of 2012 at Sullivan’s Steakhouse and Sully’s Side Bar. Sullivan’s is offering a special prix fixe menu at either restaurant for $79 from 4-5:45p and $89 from 6p-close, including a champagne toast at midnight (alcohol, taxes and gratuity not included). Guests have the choice of an appetizer, a salad or soup, an entrée, side dish and dessert. For reservations, 512.495.6504.

Sully’s Side Bar kicks off the dance party at 10 pm with DJ Kurupt. The bar will be open for full drink service and guests are invited to dance, drink, and celebrate the New Year!

Destination: Lakeway Resort and Spa

Travis Restaurant at Lakeway Resort and Spa will host an elegant three-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Jeff Axline. The night will also feature plenty of music and dancing at Josey’s Grill and Bar with Americana music by Andrea Marie and The Magnolia Band and a special complimentary glass of champagne at midnight.

The appetizer course of Lakeway’s exquisite New Year’s Eve dinner includes a choice of baby arugula, spiced pecans, poached bosc pears and Brazos Valley Cheese or grilled Texas quail, stone ground grit cake, smoky bacon, braised leeks and chard. The entree course features a choice of grilled Hereford beef filet, gulf shrimp, whipped potatoes, pan roasted Brussels sprouts; vital farms half chicken, mashed potatoes, French beans, bacon fat almonds; pan roasted California halibut, charred tomatoes, marinated olives, fingerling potatoes and sweet peppers. The dinner also features a dessert course consisting of chocolate chip mint bread pudding, toasted challah, dark chocolate ganache or caramel apple cheesecake, bourbon anglaise and whipped cream.

The three-course dinner is $45 per person (plus tax, plus gratuity). Reservations are required: 512-261-7379. Take the elevator home with the New Year’s Eve Package! Rates start at $219 per guest room, plus resort fee and tax. The rate code is NYE2011. The package includes Resort Accommodation on 12/31, a 3-Course New Year’s Eve Dinner for Two Adults, the restaurant sales tax and gratuity, New Years Eve entertainment, and a champagne New Year’s toast. You can book online at www.lakewayresortandspa.com or by calling 512-261-6600.

Malverde

The end of the year dance party will feature premium open bar all night, a champagne toast at midnight, party-favors, desserts and a photobooth by Trevor Ray Thompson. ‘Flashing Lights’: ElectroFunkyDisco and DJ Chicken George will be spinning all night. Tickets are on sale now for $100 at malverde.eventbrite.com. For table reservations email alexis.lanman@malverdeaustin.com.

FINO or ASTI

FINO is serving its regular menu with NYE special cocktail Fish House Punch: Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Smith & Cross Rum, Laird’s Apple Brandy, Orchard Peach Liqueur, Lemon & Turbinado Sugar, and menu items:

Crispy Oysters Aioli Verde, Preserved Lemon 12.
Maine Lobster Bisque Lobster Oil, Chives, Sherry Crema 12.
Tuna Crudo Sauce Vierge, Spanish Estate Olive Oil 18.
Lobster Paella for 2 Saffron Bomba Rice,Peas, Piquillo Peppers, Lemon Aioli, Pea Shoot Salad 65.
Cana De Cabra Fig & Cherry marmalade, Crostini 10.

FINO Restaurant Patio & Bar, 2905 San Gabriel Street, Reservations: 512-474-2905

Sister restaurant ASTI will do a three-course prix fixe for $45. Here’s what I’d order from their selections: Lobster Zuppa Sherry Crema & Pangritata or Niman Ranch Beef Carpaccio to start; Butternut Squash Risotto with Maine Lobster or Wild Mushroom, Chestnut & Cipolline Onion Ragu for dinner; and Chocolate Truffle Tart with Praline Ice Cream, Fresh Figs in Caramel or Antonelli’s Artisanal Cheese Plate with Red Wine Poached Pear & Walnuts in Honey.

ASTI Trattoria, 408 C East 43^rd St., Reservations: 512-451-1218

ASPEN: Food & Wine Classic

Lyssa — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:39:30 +0000

I just got back from an Aspen Business Luncheon with Food & Wine Publisher and Vice President Christina Grdovic. She was an excellent, fast-paced speaker, and her talk really got me jazzed about the upcoming weekend! Even though I don’t have passes to the actual events, there’s plenty for me to do … ASPEN magazine, Aspen Peak, Mario Batali, lots of scotch companies, and countless others are throwing non-official parties (think SXSW ’08, before all the “non-official” parties were too big).

If you’re lucky enough to be attending, you’ve likely already checked out foodandwine.com/classic, but I find the website confusing and not all that interesting. Better to download the free app and follow the hashtag #fwclassic on twitter throughout the weekend for the REAL news. If you’re not attending, no worries, the town is abuzz with crazy energy, and you’re likely to spot some serious starpower … last year I saw Giada de Laurentiis heading up the Gondola and Mario Batali with his fam at Bruno’s. It’s a blast, tickets or no.

Also note that the Saturday Market starts up this Saturday, so there’s tons of local merchants and farmers selling their goods, and it’s a great place to wander enjoying the Aspen sunshine.

Aspen: More Skiing! Ski til 6pm

Lyssa — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 04:41:47 +0000

Rotating across the mountains are extended lift hours: ’til 6pm or later! Even better? Each of the late days has a theme and a party!! What could be better??

Lifts: Summit Express

Hours: Lift serviced skiing until 6:00p.m.

Theme: St. Patrick’s Day

Party: Cliffhouse until 6:00p.m. then the party moves to Bumps at the base!

Special: Terrain Park remains open until 6:00p.m.

Lifts: Silver Queen and Ajax Express

Hours: Lift served skiing and riding until 6:00p.m. Downloading on the Silver Queen Gondola until 9:30p.m.

Theme: Moonlight Dinner

Party: Sundeck Moonlight Dinners

Date: April 1st

Lifts: Village Express, Big Burn, Cirque (conditions permitting), Coney Glade

Hours: Cirque until 6:00p.m., All other chairs until 6:30p.m.

Party: Party at Sam’s Smokehouse from 3:30 until 6:00. Party then moves to Sneaky’s Tavern

Theme: April Fools’ Luau

Special: Terrain Park remains open until 6:30 serviced by Coney Glade.

Lifts: Exhibition and Loge Peak

Hours: Bowl until 5:00p.m. (conditions permitting) Loge Peak until 6:30p.m.

Theme: Spring celebration

Party: MGR until 6:30p.m. then it moves to the base!

Special: Golden Horn and Thunderbowl (the run) will close at 5:00p.m. Last ride up on Exhibition is at 6:30.p.m. Downloading until 7:00pm.

Austin & Aspen: Oscar Watch Parties

Lyssa — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:43:27 +0000

I’ve gone Oscar-crazy over at EndlessBeauty.com, telling you how to throw your own party, but for the local effect in Austin, stop by J. Black’s for a Moet & Chandon-sponsored party …

… and if you have $160 to spend on the Oscars, check out the Aspen Film party at The Viceroy in Snowmass:

Austin: Superbowl Parties at Bars

Lyssa — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:00:30 +0000

If you don’t have a house to throw a party at or to go to, join many other drunken revelers and football fans at these five hotspots for Superbowl-watchin’ action.

HIGHBALL

There’s all kinds of awesomeness to add to the experience of the Superbowl, like bingo (for the game AND commercials!), beer specials, a crazy food bar including appetizers, burgers, fries, and lots of desserts, and a LIVE DOGGIE BOWL. That’s right, they’ve partnered with Austin Pets Alive for a DOGGIE BOWL in front of the Highball. The adorable bowl will feature wonderful dogs looking for a good home.

Board games will also be available for those who are, um, bored.

Entry into the party is free, but a ticket will buy you access to the food bar and two drink tickets. highball.com

KUNG FU

What could be better than Sunday Funday + the Super Bowl? Free Man Bites Dog hot dogs, plus the usual Sunday Funday specials including $1 mimosas (until 5) bloody mary bar & all day happy hour! If you’re bored, all their games are available for play.

ALAMO DOWNTOWN

Giant screen. Gourmet food brought to you. What else could you possibly want? Show is free but you can reserve a seat online by purchasing a $5 food and beverage voucher. Doors to the theater will open by 4:30 pm so get there early to snag a spot!

Food specials will include Pig Skin, a basket of freshly fried, spicy pork rinds; Green Bay Cheese Curds; Ben Roethlis-burger (a half pound burger forged of Italian pork sausage and beef topped with bacon, provolone, cheddar on a toasted bun with fries); and more.

DRAUGHT HOUSE

$2.75 craft Texas beers. They’ve got ‘em all, so if you want beer luxury on the cheap for the big day, hit up the Draught House.

YELLOW ROSE

I’m not sayin’ you should go to a strip club, but does anyone else find it hilarious that they are hosting The Glutton Bowl Hot Dog Eating Challenge during the Superbowl at a strip club?

Austin: New Year’s Eve Start to Finish

Lyssa — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:00:26 +0000

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

Aspen: Pray for Snow Party in Snowmass

Lyssa — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:15:38 +0000

Because nothing in Aspen is ever online, I had to snap an iPhone pic of the event poster:

I know little more than what the poster tells you: Base Camp Bar & Grill is apparently opening under new management with a bang, serving FREE BEER and live music for the price of a canned good. Mammoth stew? Just trying to capitalize on the bones all around …

6p, tonight, 11/19

Austin: Fun Fun Fun Fest Parties

Lyssa — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 02:58:39 +0000

The first Fun Fun Fun Fest was in 2006, and the music-ish festival quickly became known as an only-in-Austin sort of festival that focuses on independent music and comedy in Waterloo Park. If it’s any indication, Weird Al Yankovic (of Amish Paradise fame … anyone?) is one of the acts. I didn’t even know he toured anymore! The Fest is put on by Transmission Entertainment, The Austinist, Giant Noise, Ground CTRL, Guerilla Suit, and Jakprints.

As per this is life in austin usual, I’m certain you can find the regular schedule by picking up a freaking google. I’m here to present all the pre- and after-parties!

All these are within walking distance from the park, so you can literally party all day and night …

THURSDAY: FFF FREE KICK OFF PARTIES (NO COVER!)

OFFICIAL FFF KICK OFF @ Club de Ville: Helio Sequence, TBA (FREE show, brought to you by Toyota Matrix and Mike’s Hard Punch)

Mohawk: Austinist presents its annual “Local Music is Sexy” w/ Bill Baird, Weird Weeds, Watch out for Rockets, Markov, Botnay, Amasa Gana, Sleep Good, Mutual Benefit, Dana Falconberry, Rayon Beach, Sally Crewe (FREE)

Red 7: Inquisition and more (FREE).

FRIDAY: FFF OFFICIAL AFTERPARTIES (ALL are $5 w/ fest wristband, $10 w/out)

Club de Ville: 16 Deluxe, Smoke and Feathers, Royal Butchers (out)// The Moaners, David Dondero (inside)

Mohawk: Gorilla vs Bear Presents: Special Guest, Memory Tapes, Sleep Over (out)//Fol Chen, Soft Healer, TBA

Red 7: Dead to Me, Cobra Skulls, Toys That Kill, The Arrivals, Shanghai River, The Stampede

ND: Peligrosa Dance Party

Parish: Big Sam’s Funky Nation (New Orleans Funk), w/ DJ Mahealani (FUNk FUNk FUNk pt 1)

Beerland: Faun Fables, Death is Not a Joyride, Little Teeth

Beauty Bar: Dam-funk DJ set, Bon Jay, Richard Henry.

SATURDAY: FFF OFFICIAL AFTERPARTIES (ALL are $5 w/ fest wristband, $10 w/out)

Red 7: Scream (DC hc legends), TBA, TBA, the Impalers

Mohawk: Special Guest, Joan of Arc, tba w/ Dum Dum Girls DJ set (out) Kuroma (members of MGMT and Whigs), Intelligence,

Beerland: the Flatliners, Off with Their Heads, Snips

Broken Neck: Outbreak, Hour of the Wolf, Red City Radio, Cruel Hand, Backtrack, Aficianado

ND: Austin Surreal/Proper Ent presents: Live MCs: Perseph One, Kydd, The Nice Guys. DJ sets by: Rapid Rick, Waajeed, DJ Mel, DJ Dus and special DJ sets by Jean Grae and Devin the Dude (sponsored by Smoke ATX)

Parish: Foot Patrol w/ DJ I Wanna Be Her (FUNk FUNk FUNk pt 2)

Beauty Bar: Delorean DJ set, Jacques Renault DJ, Learning secrets DJs, Lemonade, Cowabunga Babes, Burger City DJ (Presented by Learning Secrets)

Scoot inn: Knuckle Rumbler’s “Bizzoounce” w/ Katey Red, B.E.B., The Glitoris (dj set), DJ Rusty Lazer

Headhunters: Mobile Death Camp, Infernaeon, Demontuary, Indisgust, Misery

SUNDAY: FFF OFFICIAL FREE AFTERPARTIES (FREE w/ fest wristband, $5 w/out)

Red 7: Special Guest, Mammoth Grinder, Ratking

Mohawk: Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, Sonny and the Sunsets, Golden Triangle, Jookabox, (+ Karaoke Underground)

Beauty Bar: Yelle DJ set

Beerland: The Applicators, The Motards

Alright kids, that’s some serious music. I may not be that cool, but I’ve at least heard of most of the bands. So get out there this weekend and have some fun fun fun!

Austin: TRIBEZA Style Week (Women AND Men!)

Lyssa — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:10:36 +0000

Just when you thought you were done with fashion after Austin Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week …

… I mean, Style is different from Fashion, right? You gotta have attitude.

Rock + Runway Men’s Show / September 22, 8pm; Fashion Show 9pm

First-ever Style Week Men’s Show at ND at 501 Studios. Plenty to do with a show, dogs from Frank and tacos from Takoba along with cocktails by Deep Eddy Sweet Tea and Savvy Vodkas, beer by Corona and Pacifico, and tequila by El Jimador. Get your beard and mustache trimmed at the grooming station, take your pic in the Bird’s Barbershop Photo Booth, and enjoy music by Shapes Have Fangs, who will take the stage following the show. Tickets are $20 (includes food and drinks). Click here to purchase tickets.

TRIBEZA Fashion Show at the Bob Bullock / Friday, September 24, 7:30pm

THIS is the event Austin fashionistas (styleistas?) are waiting for. The marquee event will be held at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. The best looks of fall will strut down the runway on top models from around the state. VIP ticket holders are invited to the third floor Austin Room before the show begins for complimentary cocktails from Deep Eddy Sweet Tea and Savvy Vodkas and appetizers from Fleming’s and Urban: An American Grill. To purchase your tickets, click here.

Reminder: SXSW Spreadsheet

Lyssa — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:15:06 +0000

I’m so psyched so many of you are using the SXSW 2010 Free Party spreadsheet! Just wanted to remind you that it’s constantly updated as I find out about new parties, so make sure you’re checking this version: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Asjskwdlt0podDk4V2R6T1VScHNGa05kQ0hyd2Y4d3c&hl=en

Some weird “Copy of SXSW Spreadsheet” babies have started showing up in my google docs, which is cool if you want the bastard version, but for the bright, shiny, constantly-up-to-date copy, you gotta click on the link above.

HAPPY SXSW!!

Oh, and because this party is usual on everyone’s Favorites list: