this is life in austin & aspen » SXSW

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.

Austin: Patika Coffee Trailer with Cuvee Coffee

Lyssa — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:33:16 +0000

Seeking a quick SXSW respite, I dropped by Patika Coffee trailer at Second & Congress for a delicious cafe au lait. First and foremost, I LOVE that they call is a cafe au lait. Where else can you order that?

Second, they use local artisan coffee company Cuvee.

Cuvee roasts coffee daily and delivers it directly to companies like Patika, ensuring an amazing quality coffee. YUM!

When I worked downtown, I remember wishing there was a great local coffeeshop option. This truck answers my call! The fellas at Patika were super friendly, which was really nice given that it was the middle of SXSW and I’m sure they were exhausted.

Hit it up: patikacoffee.com

SXSW Musings

Lyssa — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:35:55 +0000

I am not the first or last person to muse on this year’s SXSW festival, all 11 days of it. But here’s my take: this year was unlike any other year. Wah wah wah, that’s what everyone always says. BUT this year there was an undeniable uptick in numbers: 20,000 interactive registrants instead of the usual 10,000; CNN and Pepsi instead of startups and fledglings.

I found that this year, the interactive portion of the festival was less about meeting people and making connections and more about partying—which, it’s worth noting, is usually how I feel about the music portion. But it’s a bummer of a shift when you’re interested in the interactive bit. It was the first year I’d ever said, maybe I should have bought a badge for interactive.

Like it or not, this year was definitely a tipping point. What will next year be like?

The music portion was as party-rific as ever, with major players in town this year … another sign the fest is bigger than ever. I didn’t attend film, but heavyweights were out and about; and music brought some of the biggest names in the biz to our fair city. The biggest:

Daytime:

The Alternative Apparel Lounge: Moby, Duran Duran, Duff McKagan, Linda Perry, American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox, Dirty Vegas, Bowling for Soup, and Jamie Burke.

Express Clothing Lounge: Chromeo, Skylar Grey (duetted with Enimem at Grammys), B.o.B, Jamie Burke and Diplo. I also sneakily got my hair cut here by the fabulous Vinnie of Proper Barbers LA, my “brother.”

Fast Company Lounge: Just wanted to point out that marketing works. I snagged a free copy of Fast Company magazine, which I’d never read, read it, loved it, and subscribed. So there.

Nighttime:

Red Bull Thre3style DJs: Z-Trip, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ QBert, Switch, Mick Boogie, DJ M-Squared and D-JR, and De La Soul. Surprise guest LL Cool J, who hasn’t performed live in years as he pursues an acting career, rocked and proved he’s still got it. LOVE! I snapped this pic from the pit:

Perez Hilton’s One Night in Austin: What used to be the biggest party in town brought Kids of 88, Oh Land, Zowie, The Pretty Reckless (yep, that’s Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen’s band), Selah Sue, Liz Phair, DJ MNDR, Dirty Vegas, Frankmusik, NERVO, Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe.

Vevo at Seaholm: By far, the talk of the town was the Vevo Party at Seaholm Power Plant, which was impossible to get into but if you did, you would see Kanye, Jay-Z, John Legend, Kid Cudi, Mos Def, Pusha T, Fonzworth Bentley, and Bon Iver singer Justin Vernon. Kanye performed more than he has in quite some time, though he didn’t take the stage til 2:30am. Diddy and Beyonce were reportedly in the audience, as were Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick.

With those names here for music, SXSW has tipped from indie fest to commercial giant. Rap isn’t indie, kids.

SXSW Six Odds and Ends

Lyssa — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:14:37 +0000

People, we are in FULL SWING. I have never seen Interactive so full of people and parties, and of course panels, but that’s almost a second thought. Below are six things that I haven’t yet talked about because they don’t fit because there isn’t always free “Stuff” or whatever.

All-Inclusive Hotel & Indie Day Party: Travaasa Austin + StyleCaster

Travaasa Austin is a new destination hotel in Austin overlooking Lake Travis in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and debuting mid-April. For the sneak SXSW preview, Travaasa Austin partners with StyleCaster for Hit The Lights, March 17-20, with exclusive accommodations and packages and an outdoor bash at Cheer Up Charlie’s on the east side on March 19 with an all-star Indie lineup that includes Dan Deacon, Pains of Being Pure at Heart as well as Heavy Hawaii, Diamond Rings, Dirty Beaches, Writer and Manhattan Murder Mystery. Sponsored by Wonderful Pistachios and Sigg.

The rooms include locally-sourced organic breakfast and free shuttles between downtown Austin and the Travaasa Austin hotel on Friday and Saturday to provide easy transportation for hotel guests andconcert attendees. Single occupancy is $249, double $299. To book (a perfect last minute choice!), call (855) 868.7282 or visit www.stylecaster.com/sxsw/vip.

Beatles Complete on Ukelele

Remember this marathon from last year? It’s SO Austin. At SXSJ on Wednesday, March 16^th from noon to 6pm, stop by to see tons of artists performing the full 185-song Beatles catalog … the main reason I’m posting this is because one of the Beatle-crooning musicians is the group Bowling for Soup (“Mexican food sucks north of here anyways”), which is so freshman year of college. Others include Drew Smith, Amy Cook, Ben Kweller, and more.

Friends Play SXSW: Jones Street Station

An email from a dear friend: “I LOVE this band, and I am so excited at the potential for you to hear their jams. Danny Erker is the older brother of one of my best St. Louis friends (aka I grew up with him in a sense). He is an AWESOME guy and very talented musician, so just wanted to get the word out. Go to their show if you can and chat em up!!!”

Support my friend’s friend’s older brother’s band:

What: My Old Kentucky Blog’s “Glitter Taco Smoosh Party” – RSVP Link

When: Friday, 1:00pm

Where: Peckerheads – 402 E 6th St. (at Trinity)

What: Texas Rockfest

When: Friday, 3/18 @ 6:45pm

Where: Roial – 120 W Fifth St (bet Colorado and Congress)

What: ATN Showcase

When: Saturday, 3/19 @ 2:30pm

Where: Bayou Lounge – 500 E 6th St (bet Neches & Red River)

New Late-Night Bites: Haddingtons

You can be certain you’ll hear more about the most amazing burger I had at Second Bar & Kitchen the other night, late, but like 9pm late not like 1am late. For the 1am and on crowd, Haddingtons is having a limited SXSW late-night menu now through March 19, 11pm to 2am. The menu includes the infamous Toasted Pots; Bleu Burger with caramelized onions & blue cheese; Fish & Chips with celeriac remoulade; Roasted Lamb Sandwich with arugula, red onions & mint aioli; TLT Sandwich smoked sun-dried tomatoes & brun-ustoo cheese. Valet parking during SXSW 5pm to 2:30am.

More Hotel Love: The Omni

All week through March 15, the hotel is offering its guests an Early Riser Bar, 6-9am with complimentary breakfast tacos and Bloody Mary Bar. There’s a late night menu too, from 11p to close, with breakfast and burgers, whichever tickles your fancy. Guests, you already know they greeted you with a pretty sweet swag bag…

App: The “Pandora of Social Restaurant Recommendations”?

Obviously there are tons and tons and tons of apps being released right now, so sorting through them is kind of a madhouse. But Grubster promises to help you choose not only the restaurant but what to order (though I never liked that specificity) in a Pandora-style fashion. If it works, it’ll be awesome.

The iPhone app is currently available in the App Store here, and the website grubthis.com functions the same way as the iPhone app.

Phew! So there are six more things about SXSW. Does your brain hurt yet?

11 Rules to Live by for SXSW 2011

Lyssa — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:41:36 +0000

1. SXSW Interactive is my fave. It’s a little quieter, it’s a lot more networking, and it has as much or more free stuff than film or music.

2. See a SXSW Film. It’s cheap and worth waiting in line to see big name premieres.

3. SXSW Music exhausts me. The easiest thing to do is wander the streets, people watch, and pop into the occasional bar for a free bevvie.

4. Drink lots of water. Way more than you think you need. If it’s after 7pm, you need to be going 1:1 with booze.

5. RSVP to every single party you mightpossiblymaybeI’llthinkaboutitletyouknow attend.

6. Get on twitter, foursquare, gowalla, where, track, your momma’s app, whatever. Get with the technology, it’s how you’ll find out about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING cool.

7. Wear sunscreen.

8. Eat. A lot. We have awesome food. Take advantage.

9. Sleep. 8 hours is preferable. Even if you go to bed at 4am, you can be up by noon. Trust me, you need sleep.

10. Call a cab, walk, or bike. Don’t be an idiot with drinking.

11. Chill out. This doesn’t mean take a yoga class, this means you need to relax and enjoy the madness that is SXSW. If you get your proverbial panties in a wad over a long line, rude bouncer, NYC skinny-jean-wearing smoker, whatever, you are only ruining the fest for yourself.

Austin: SXSW Giveaway for Bacon Takedown! [Winner Announced]

Lyssa — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:43:14 +0000

The Bacon Takedown Series sponsored by Hormel Black Label Bacon is once again happening during SXSW! Amateur chefs have filled the roster, are armed with 15 pounds of Hormel^® Black Label^® bacon as their main ingredient, and are ready to put their tasty creations up for judging by local bacon lovers.

Joining founder Matt Timms as guest judge is last year’s Austin bacon queen and my fave cooking vlogger EVER Hilah Johnson, who wowed the crowd with Bacon Chocolate Strips and her homemade bacon dress (she did it before Gaga?!)!

Prizes for contestants include Hormel^® Black Label^® bacon and other cooking-related items, AND a random audience member and taster will be selected to receive free Hormel^® Black Label^® bacon and other prizes!

Sunday, March 13, 3-5 pm, Emo’s Austin

$10 to taste and judge all the bacon entries (that’s 20 of ‘em!) OR ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

Giveaway: Win a Pair of Tix to the Bacon Takedown!!

How? Leave a comment with your fave part of SXSW. Can be an event in the past, present, or future, an experience, an artist, whatever you want. What’s your fave??

Leave a comment by 10p CST tonight, Wednesday night, and winner will be chosen by random generator OR funniness, whichever I feel like at 10:01 CST.

[WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!] Congrats to Sandra Fab, who won TWO tix to the Bacon Throwdown! If you didn’t win, tix are only $10 each so I hope to see you there!

Austin: Week-long St. Patty’s Celebrations

Lyssa — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:06:48 +0000

Fadó Irish Pub celebrates St. Patty’s Day with the First-Ever Austin weeklong ‘Savage Craic’ Celebration!

Savage craic (pronounced “crack”) is an Irish expression meaning a great time out with friends. Fadó’s weeklong St. Patrick’s Day party kicks off Wednesday, March 9, with St. Patrick’s Day-themed trivia. There’s a Friday night dance party, then on Saturday, March 12, a St. Patrick’s Day parade to benefit the nonprofit St. Baldricks Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising pediatric cancer research.

Wednesday, March 16, Fadó will host an all-day live music showcase from 11am to 8pm before the big day. On Thursday, March 17, the city closes down Fourth Street so Fadó can set up a massive outdoor tent, complete with a beer garden and performance stage, directly in front of the pub. Doors open at 6am, with the street festival beginning at noon. For the rest of the day and into the night, Fadó will treat Austin to two stages of live music.

Fadó (pronounced “fuh-doe”) Irish Pub and Restaurant is located at 214 W. Fourth St. in downtown Austin.

Austin: WHERE for SXSW

Lyssa — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:02:09 +0000

Y’all know I make a lot of lists about my fave places in Austin. Now there’s a new list-tastic app called WHERE that is currently ranked at the number 1 navigation app on the iTunes store and is getting over 40,000 downloads a day! They conveniently launched just before SXSW … are they the next Gowalla/Foursquare/dare I say it twitter?

Not sure, but you can check out my list (and other awesome Austin bloggers) by clicking (w)here: sxsw.where.com/friends.html or downloading the free app!

Note: Don’t worry, my spreadsheet of free parties is coming soon …

Awesomeness I’ve been doing and where I’m headed

Lyssa — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:19:54 +0000

Yesterday’s awesome:

EXPRESS ROCKS at The Phoenix with cute girlie band The Likes, where I got gifted! I think it’s my first visit to a “Gifting Suite” … I was so excited! Lots of love for that event, super fun.

Nuke the Soup at Kenichi with free delicious sushi

Today’s awesome:

PEREZ HILTON / SWAGG PARTY!

Lineup:

7:00 – 7:35 PM | DJ Atrak

7:35 PM – 7:50 PM | Soko

8:00 PM – 8:20 PM | Sliimy performs

8:30 PM – 8:50 PM | Macy Gray

9:00 PM – 9:20 PM | Mike Posner

9:30 PM – 10:00 PM | VV Brown

10:10 PM – 10:30 PM | Agnes

10:40 PM – 11:20 PM | Alphabeat

11:30 PM – 12:00 AM | Marina and the Diamonds

12:10 AM – 12:40 AM | Snoop Dogg

12:50 AM – 1:10 AM | Estelle

1:20 AM – 2:00 AM | Courtney Love and Hole

House DJs: DJ Mia Moretti & JD Samson

Last year, Kanye stopped by for a surprise show, it’s anybody’s guess who it’ll be this year … I hear Justin Timberlake is in town …

Sunday’s Hangover Fun:

Sunday March 21^st: HOLY CACAO has FREE Birthday Cake Balls for the one year anniversary of its opening. The Birthday Ball is a traditional yellow cake, mixed with a butter cream frosting, coated in dark chocolate and topped with festive sprinkles. No purchase necessary, limit one per customer.

Holy Cacao, 1311 S. 1^st (located in the Trailer Park & Eatery)

Flah Flah Flah

Lyssa — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:50:53 +0000

The first Annual Austin Fleadh (Pronounced Flah, the proper Gaelic word for Festival) debuts this week on Wednesday, otherwise known as St. Patrick’s Day o10. It’s a wonder this city doesn’t spontaneously combust during SXSW with all the parties and booze flowing … I mean, I personally feel like I’m going to bust, so multiply that times a million and you have how Austin probably feels. UM, anyway, the Flah, as I prefer to call it, because if I write Fleadh I want to pronounce it like my dog has been de-flead, is at 4th and San Jacinto from noon to 10pm.

Rumor has it that there will be Free Guinness when the doors open at noon, and by rumor I mean confirmed truth they aren’t publicizing except that they are here and now. Alongside the temporarily free favorite beverage of Ireland, there will be traditional fare of fish and chips, meat pies, along with the Guinness and Harp.

Bands:

RSVP here.

(I’m pretty sure it doesn’t matter)