Mdoti

Weekend Top 10 Free Events (Jan 13-16, 2012)

1. Disney Princess and Friends Craft Event - Saturday, January 14.  Disney Store cordially invites you to come dressed as your favorite Princess for an enchanting sing-along and royal craft event. Minimum age for participation is 3 years. Event is limited based on store capacity. No lineups prior to 30 minutes before event begins. Event subject to change or cancellation without notice.  Sessions at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 a.m. (512) 219-7117.  Disney Store at Lakeline Mall, Cedar Park.
2. Family Library Day at Twin Oaks Branch - Saturday, January 14, from 1 - 3 p.m.  Bring the family out to Twin Oaks Branch of the Austin Public Library to celebrate the Texas tree-planting season. Little ones will enjoy Mr. Tamarin’s Trees, a puppet show by Literature LIVE! There will be a Bonsai Craft program for teens and adults and altered book crafts for all ages presented by Recycled Reads. Snacks will also be provided. Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St., Austin.
3. Tinplate Trackers Holiday Model Train Exhibit- Saturday, January 14, from 12-5 p.m. The Tinplate Trackers will have their holiday model train exhibit set up. Saturday is the last day to visit.  Admission is free. If your child would like to operate one of the model trains, they can do so for 10 minutes for a $5 donation. 117 Lavaca Street, Austin.
4. BYOF Event at IKEA Round Rock - Saturday, January 14. BYOF (Bring Your Own Friends) is a day for rewarding friendships with free food, giveaways, and shopping. Go to the IKEA Facebook page and click on the BYOF tab to RSVP and invite your friends. (For each friend you invite, IKEA will donate $1 to Save the Children, up to $50,000). After you invite your friends, you can print offers for free breakfast, BOGO lunch, and a free IKEA blue bag.  Click here to download a schedule of BYOF events(pdf). IKEA Round Rock, 1 IKEA Way, Round Rock.
5. Hands on History: Chinese New Year -  Saturday, January 14, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Celebrate the Chinese New Year by making your very own paper lantern. Compare our New Year's traditions with others. Open to children of all ages. The Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Avenue, Georgetown.   
6. The Que Pastas Storytime at BookPeople - Saturday, January 14 at 11:30 a.m. The musical duo that is sweeping Austin with its groovy tunes and silly antics is stopping off at BookPeople for a little show! Come dance and cut loose with some of Austin’s most intriguing and goofy musicians for children, Que Pastas! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, Austin.
7. Live Music at Central Market North: Carper Family Band - Saturday, January 14, from 6:30 - 9 p.m. The Carper Family brings together three of Austin's most talented young country and bluegrass singers and pickers: Melissa "Daddy" Carper (vocals, bass), Beth "Mama" Chrisman (vocals, fiddle) and Jenn “Little Sister” Miori (vocals, guitar). Each grew up singing and playing music with her own family. By the time they created their new “family band,” each had already led her own band and sat in with some of Austin's finest musicians. This particular collaboration blends three-part harmonies into the finest old country, old-time, bluegrass and swing tunes you will hear today. Their boiled-down and intimate presentation highlights the quality of their united and solo voices, as well as drawing out each player’s abilities.  Central Market, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin.
8. Gypsy Geoff at Ruta Maya - Sunday, January 15 at 10 a.m. Geoff Marsh -- aka "Gypsy Geoff" -- claims to be "on permanent vacation," and yet he works most days of the year. Perhaps the line between Marsh's work and play is blurry because he's a professional magician, clown, mime, circus arts instructor and fire manipulator. Ruta Maya, 2601 South Congress Avenue, Austin.
9. Ground Work Music Kids Show - Sunday, January 15 at 10:30 a.m. Come out for coffee and free live music for the kids. Cherrywood Coffee Shop, 1400 E.381/2 Street.   
10. Get Fit! 2012 with Ballet Austin - Sunday, January 15, from 3 – 6:30 p.m.  A day of FREE fitness and Pilates classes at the Butler Community School (The BCS), located in the Butler Dance Education Center in the heart of the 2nd Street District. Classes range from Arms and Abs, Pilates Cardio, Ballet Fit, Jazz Fit, and many more. Sample one or all of the classes offered.  Ballet Austin’s Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. 3rd Street, Austin. 

Bonus Events for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

1. MLK March & Community Festival - Monday, January 16, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Meet at the MLK statue on the UT campus for a short program that will lead into a march to the Capitol for Gospel music, and then on to historic Huston-Tillotson University, where more exciting activities are planned. An estimated 15,000 people have participated in the march in previous years. The MLK Community Festival will take place at Huston-Tillotson University and will last until 3 p.m. The festival will feature live local music and plenty of vendors, sure to make for a fun afternoon celebrating Dr. King's legacy.
2. Joe McDermott at Brilliant Sky Toys and Books - Monday, January 16 at 11 a.m. There's no school, so come enjoy this live show for kids!  701 Capital of Texas Hwy Suite D 480, Austin.

(Via: http://www.freefuninaustin.com)

Next 5 days!

Saturday the 14th check out this grand opening and day of food and fun on Lamar at noon!

Sunday the 15th from 3:30-6 head to Butler for free fitness classes(including Pilates)!

Friday the 20th from 5-8 swing by Duo Austin for cocktails, cupcakes, and an art opening.

Saturday the 21st head to any of these local dance studios for a free day of dance classes!

Wednesday the 25th at 6 head to Cazamance Cafe for gabrieldoes Wednesdays featuring free vodka courtesy of 360 Vodka, food from the cafe, and a guaranteed good time!

Friday the 13th Fashion Massacre!

The collective of independent fashion designers and artisans formerly known as Cypress Vanguard are joining forces with Sugar Gay Isber and moving to her fabulous location, The Sugar Factory! Celebrate the transition at our fabulous horror-themed grand opening soiree, where we will also be announcing our new name and logo!

Appropriate for the date on which the party will take place, we'll be rocking a decadent and amazingly fun slasher film theme, complete with Bloody Marys and refreshments fitting the motif.

Our designers will be showcasing new pieces (combined with the incredible work of Sugar Isber), many of which will also play on the overall topical idea. See our models decked out in deliciously dark and dangerous fashions, including crystal-encrusted hockey masks!

SugaPlump Bakery will be serving up dessert shooters along with their signature red velvet cake balls, designed specifically for savannahred, and 360 Vodka will be providing themed cocktails for this event!

Featured designers include:
-Sugar Gay Isber (jewelry, http://gayisber.com/)
-Megan Summerville (fine lingerie, http://www.sewsister.com/#!__signature)
-Jennifer Cunningham (jewelry & accessories, http://jenheartsart.com/)
-Karen Bravo (Capa Accessories, http://www.facebook.com/CapaAccessories)
-Jinxedaposed (daring, bold clothing for men & women; http://www.facebook.com/jinxedaposed)
-Sixchel by Dina Chavez (http://www.sixchelbydinachavez.com/)
-savannahred (http://savannahredislove.com/)
-ByJeannie Jewelry (http://byjeannie.com/)
-Personal Adornments jewelry by Beth McElhaney (http://on.fb.me/whc9Yg)
-Wild Moon Design (hand-forged metal jewelry, http://www.wildmoondesign.com/)
-Evelyn Christensen (E.T.C. Designs, www.facebook.com/happEbox)

Models provided by ButterFly Entertainment! (http://butterflyentertainmentaustin.com/)

Makeup by Lecia Harkins & Coby Simcoe


The Sugar Factory, new home of Ensemble: Austin Indie Designers, 1800 West Keonig Lane , Austin, TX  


(Via: Jen Cunningham)

Austin: 2012

In this modern day of having every little piece of information readily available at any time it is hard to sit down and have a chance to reflect and get ready for the new year. There are so many awesome things happening in Austin this year so far and 2012 is only 4 days old!! If you have not had the chance to yet please go and check out all the Free Week shows. They have some awesome bands and venues involved! Besides that Austin has the very first Euphoria fest coming up. A new one day festival featuring some of the best electronic music and dubstep available. The tickets are very reasonably priced. SXSW is looking to shape up as an awesome event as well with Doug Benson hosting several events. All of this and FunFunFunFest has not even released the line up for this year!! It looks to be awesome to be in Austin and I can't wait!!

Happy New Year!