AUSTIN, TX — Kites soar overhead, music and art fill the city streets, cowgirls on horseback weave through barrels and runners break world records – all during the spring in Austin. From Zilker Kite Festival to the famous South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival and Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo to Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, there is an event for everyone. Visit www.austintexas.org for special travel packages and discounts on events and area attractions. The website also provides comprehensive listings and dates, which are subject to change. For additional information contact Austin Visitor Center at 209 E. Sixth St., Austin, TX 78701; 866-GO-AUSTIN. March Year-round First Thursday South of the Congress Avenue Bridge Merchants of Austin’s hip strip keep their doors open until 10 p.m. with music, arts, crafts and food vendors creating a street-party atmosphere on the first Thursday of every month. www.firstthursday.info March through May Austin & Hill Country Wildflowers Wildflowers, particularly the famed Texas Bluebonnets, line the Texas highways and carpet fields in vibrant blues, yellows and reds. March through November Bat Watching Congress Avenue Bridge The 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that live beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge take flight in a mass exodus each night in search of food. Bat hotline: 512-416-5700, ext. 3636 www.batcon.org 1/30-7/29 The American Twenties Harry Ransom Humanities Center The exhibition explores race, religion, capitalism, love and modernism in the decade immediately following World War I, through contemporary literature and art. Themes explored in the all-gallery show include "Remembering the War," "The Rise of Women," "Hollywood's Dream Factory," and "The Voice of the People." 512-471-8944 www.hrc.utexas.edu 3/1-3/3 UIL Girls Basketball State Championships Frank Erwin Center High school girls face off for the state championship. 512-477-6060 www.uil.utexas.edu Through 3/10 Deep Sea 3D Bob Bullock Texas History Museum Through the magic of IMAX 3D technology, audiences are transported below the ocean surface to swim with some of the planet’s most unique, dangerous and colorful creatures, from the unusual Wolf Eel to the Giant Pacific Octopus. 512-936-8746 www.thestoryoftexas.com 3/4 Zilker Park Kite Festival The 79th annual festival offers old-fashion fun with contests that include the steadiest, smallest and most unusual kites. 512-647-7488 www.zilkerkitefestival.com 3/8-3/10 UIL Boys Basketball State Championships Frank Erwin Center Boys face off in the state high school basketball championship. 512-477-6060 www.uil.utexas.edu 3/9 - 3/18 South by Southwest Austin Convention Center and more than 50 venues throughout the city Filmmakers, musicians and multi-media artists converge on Austin for conferences and shows. 512-467-7979 www.sxsw.com 3/9 - 3/24 Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo Travis County Exposition Center Austin goes cowboy as PCRA competitors hit the arena and area students exhibit prize livestock. Headline entertainment rocks the arena after the rodeo events. 512-919-3000 www.staroftexas.org 3/25 Capitol 10,000 Congress Avenue to Auditorium Shores Texas’ largest race and one of the nation’s top 10Ks draws some 10,000 runners. 512-472-3254 www.runtex.com 3/29-4/1 Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival Hilton Austin and various Hill Country sites The best Texas chefs and wineries pair their culinary creations and fruits of the vine at a variety of venues, ranging from an exotic game ranch to a family festival in the park. 512-542-WINE www.texaswineandfood.org 3/30 - 4/1 Jerry Jeff Walker's Birthday Bash Broken Spoke, Paramount Theater, Gruene Hall Jerry Jeff Walker celebrates the Texas way in a party that includes three shows in three days. www.jerryjeff.com/BirthdayBash2007.htm 3/31 Louisiana Swamp Romp and Crawfish Festival Congress Ave. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Austin goes Cajun for the annual Swamp Romp featuring Louisiana music and entertainment and all the crawfish you can eat. Vendors sell crafts and children enjoy activities. 512-441-9015 www.roadwayevents.com April 4/1 Spring Fest Congress Ave. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Austin welcomes a mild spring season with live music, food and local vendors. Outdoor activities encourage guests to pack up the winter gear and breathe the open air. 512-441-9015 www.roadwayevents.com 4/4 - 4/7 Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays Mike A. Myers Stadium, UT campus One of the premiere track & field events in the country, the Texas Relays bring together the best high school, college and professional athletes from Texas, the U.S. and the world. 800-687-8379 www.texassports.com 4/6- 4/8 Ballet Austin’s Taming of the Shrew Bass Concert Hall The Washington Post dubbed Stephen Mills "the bard of the ballet" in its review of his adaptation of Shakespeare's timeless comedic "battle of the sexes." 512-476-2163 www.balletaustin.org 4/7 Spamarama Waterloo Park Everything Spam including a cook-off, Spam Olympics and Spam Jam comprises the 30th annual festival honoring this potted pork product. 512-834-1827 www.spamarama.org 4/7 Urban Music Festival Auditorium Shores This all-day, outdoor, family-oriented event features live music from renowned blues, soul, hip-hop artists and more. Social activities take place along the banks of Town Lake. 512-477-6060 www.urbanmusicfest.com 4/12-4/13 Pirates of Penzance The Paramount Theatre The Carl Rosa Opera's internationally acclaimed company presents Gilbert & Sullivan's classic, family-friendly musical featuring such celebrated songs as “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” and “A Rollicking Band of Pirates, We.” 512-472-5470 www.austintheatre.org 4/12-4/15 Austin International Poetry Festival Ruta Maya and Various locations Poets from every continent come to Austin for the largest non-juried poetry festival in the U.S. www.aipf.org 4/14 - 4/15 Austin Fine Arts Festival Republic Square, Fifth and Guadalupe Nearly 200 national artists, top local restaurants, two music stages and hands-on art activities for adults and children fill the downtown park. 512-458-6073 www.austinfineartsfestival.org 4/19 - 4/22 Old Settler’s Music Festival Salt Lick Pavilion Three stages, 25 bluegrass, folk and Americana music acts, arts crafts and camping define one of Central Texas' signature music event. 512-370-4630 www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org 4/21 - 4/22 Bob Marley/Austin Reggae Festival Auditorium Shores Austin does it up right during the king of reggae's birthday celebration featuring music and Jamaican food. 512-773-5177 www.austinreggaefestival.com 4/23 David Sedaris Bass Concert Hall Best-selling author/humorist Sedaris returns to Austin with his sardonic humor that includes some new and unpublished works, as well as recently published pieces from The New Yorker. 866-4-GET-TIX www.austintheatre.org 4/28 Eeyore’s Birthday Party Pease Park Costume contests, games, face painting, music and a children's area are all part of the eclectic celebration for the popular character from “Winnie the Pooh.” 512-448-5160 http://eeyores.sexton.com May 5/1-5/31 Latino Music Month City Hall and Various Venues The Austin Latino Music Foundation and City of Austin celebrate the contributions of Latino musicians to the Austin music scene throughout the month. Latino artists are showcased at the city’s “Live from the Plaza” shows, outside City Hall each Friday. Club owners books Latino performers and parties continue late into the night. www.austinlatinomusic.com 5/1 - 5/6 Stomp! The Paramount Theatre The award-winning Stomp! turns brooms into musical instruments and handclapping into conversation. The junk and clutter of urban becomes the source of infectious rhythm and wonder. 866-4-GET-TIX www.austintheatre.org 5/4 - 5/6 Cinco de Mayo Music Festival Fiesta Gardens The event celebrates Mexico’s independence from France with live music, food and carnival rides. 512-867-1999 www.austincinco.com 5/11-5/12 Classical Mystery Tour – An Austin Symphony Tribute to The Beatles Palmer Events Center Bring a picnic dinner and hear an acclaimed tribute to The Beatles performed live in concert. Classical Mystery Tour features performances of more than 30 Beatles tunes including: "Yesterday," Eleanor Rigby," "All You Need Is Love," "Twist and Shout" and much more. 512-476-6064 www.austinsymphony.org 5/31-6/3 Republic of Texas Biker Rally Travis County Exposition Center and Sixth Street One of the country’s largest motorcycle rallies attracts some 40,000 bikers for a parade, expo and tours of the scenic Hill Country. 972-387-1883 www.rotrally.com