MUSIC LEGENDS
Austin City Limits Tour: Since its premiere on PBS in 1976, Austin City Limits has featured more than 500 different regional and internationally acclaimed artists. Although tickets are hard to come by, tours of studio 6-A at station KLRU on the University of Texas at Austin campus are available on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. The tour includes a short video on the history of the show and Hall of Fame photos of the artists who have appeared over the years. Visitors also get the opportunity to take photos on the famous stage where such artists as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson played. Austin City Limits Tour: 2504-B Whitis Ave., Austin TX 78712 -- 512-475-9077
Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial: Stroll the Town Lake hike and bike trail and stop at Auditorium Shores to pay homage to Austin musical icon, Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Austin blues artist died in a helicopter crash in 1990. 512-974-6700
Threadgill's: Austin's music scene started at an old fillin' station on Lamar Boulevard, where young UT students such as Janis Joplin jammed with yodeler Kenneth Threadgill. A restaurant now occupies Threadgill's,and musicians still sing for their supper. Threadgill's: 6416 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin TX 78752 -- 512-451-5440
Threadgill's World Headquarters sits near the site of the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters and houses a collection of Austin music memorabilia. Threadgill's World Headquarters: 301 W. Riverside Dr., Austin TX 78701 -- 512-472-9304
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
Sixth Street: A stroll down the city's famous Sixth Street places visitors in the midst of some 50 nightclubs and restaurants, with live music offerings of every genre anda host of colorful street characters. Sixth Street, between Congress Avenue and I-35-- 512-478-0098
Esther's Follies: The hilarious Esther's Follies has anchored Sixth Street entertainment for more than 20 years with comedy, parodies and magic acts. Esther's Follies 525 E. Sixth St., Austin TX 78701 -- 512-320-0553
Warehouse District: just west of the central business district, is another Austin hot spot that caters to the live music scene. True to its name, the restaurants and clubs in this district have been renovated from former warehouses into trendy restaurants, top-notch concert halls, and distinctive bars. dining and distinctive bars. West of Congress Avenue along Fourth and Fifth Streets -- 512-478-0098
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: Live music greets visitors while showcasing the best of Austin's diverse music scene. The music stage is next to the Highland Lakes Bar located in the center of the terminal building on the concourse level. Live music performances are located on the secure side of the concourse, accessible to ticketed passengers only.
Mary Moody Northen Theater: Reserve a seat for a premier production at the Mary Moody Northen Theater at St. Edward's University. 3001 S. Congress Ave., Austin TX 78704 -- 512-448-8484
Frank Erwin Center: Pick up a ticket for headline concerts and a myriad of other musical events at the Frank Erwin Center. 1701 Red River St., Austin TX 78701 -- 512-477-6060
Zilker Hillside Theater: Pack a picnic and enjoy live music, movies or an exciting outdoor musical at the Zilker Hillside Theater. Zilker Summer Musical plays in July and August. 2206 William Barton Drive, Austin TX -- 512-479-9491
Austin Film Festival: It's a movie fan's cinematic dream-come-true at the Austin Film Festival. 1604 Nueces St., Austin TX 78701 -- 512-478-4795
Zachary Scott Theatre: From '50s-style fare to Christmas classics, Zachary Scott Theatre raises the curtain on a season of crowd-pleasing performances. 1510 Toomey Rd., Austin TX 78704 -- 512-476-0541
The State Theatre: The historic State Theatre sets the stage for local and touring productions. 719 Congress Ave., Austin TX 78701 -- 512-472-2901
Antone's Night Club: Spend a blue night on Fifth Street at Antone's, known as "Austin's Home of the Blues." 213 Fifth St., Austin TX 78701 -- 512-320-8424
Stubb's Bar-B-Q: At Stubb's Bar-B-Q, live blues and rock play the outdoor amphitheater at night, and on Sunday mornings some of the town's most powerful voices belt out gospel songs during the popular brunch. 801 Red River St., Austin TX 78701 -- 512-480-8341
Broken Spoke: A genuine Texas honky-tonk, the Broken Spoke on South Lamar Boulevard gives visitors a true slice of vintage Texana. 3201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin TX 78704 -- 512-442-6189
Austin Music Hall is one of the most recognized live music and special events venues in Central Texas. In 1994, the Austin Music Hall was one of the first properties in the Austin Warehouse District to be converted into an upscale facility. The Austin Music Hall has hosted hundreds of concerts, presenting such acts as Bruce Springsteen, Beck, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters and Dave Matthews Band. In addition, Direct Events and Austin Music Hall have been involved in booking and organizing upscale private events and fundraisers that have helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations. In 2007, Austin Music Hall underwent a complete demolition and rebuild. The new and improved Austin Music Hall re-opened its doors in November 2008.
The Backyard
The Backyard is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country in a natural, open-air setting enveloped in the shade of 400 year old live oaks. Multi-tiered decks, fish ponds and plaza areas illuminate the magic of the amphitheater's atmosphere. This one of a kind amphitheatre hosts music as varied and eclectic as the people of Austin. Willie Nelson, David Bowie, Natalie Merchant, the Gypsy Kings, Lyle Lovett, The Neville Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Widespread Panic and Norah Jones have all graced the tree surrounded stage.
La Zona Rosa
Austin's most eclectic venue hosts a variety of local & national acts on its two stages. Expect to find everything from rock & songwriters to world music & jazz on most nights. LZR offers small intimate shows and larger premier acts. The superior sound, lighting & comfortable atmosphere make LZR an exceptional concert & private events facility.
 SPECIAL EVENTS
Austin City Limits Music Festival: Billed as a celebration of Austin music, the Austin City Limits Music Festival is a three-day festival that brings the magic of the famed public TV series outside of the studio and into Austin's most loved park. Zilker Park -- 512-478-7211
Southwest Music, Film, and Interactive Festival: Each March, South by Southwest Music, Film, and Interactive Festival descends upon Austin with fresh new talent from around the world. -- 512-467-7979
Urban Music Festival: Held in conjunction with Texas Relays, the music festival is an all-day, outdoor, family oriented event featuring live music and social activities held in the heart of Austin, along the banks of Town Lake at Auditorium Shores.-- 512-314-5446
Old Settler's Music Festival: A nationally known music festival featuring the best in roots and Americana music. The festival is held in April in the gorgeous TX Hill Country, at the height of the wildflower season.-- 512-346-0999
Zilker Hillside Theater: Spread a blanket over the grass and settle back for the annual Zilker Summer Musical, at the Zilker Hillside Theater. 2206 William Barton Drive, Austin TX -- 512-479-9491
Free Noontime Concerts: Enjoy lunch with live music outdoors each Tuesday at noon during the fall and spring at Republic Square Park at 5th Street and Guadalupe. -- 512-478-0098
Blues on the Green: Free music from some of Austin's best musicians plays on an outdoor stage filling the summer night air. Zilker Park -- 512-478-0098
MUSIC SHOPPING MECCA
Looking for the latest Texas CD releases or guitar strings? Austin offers a wealth of opportunities to take Austin music home. CD stores like Waterloo Records or Cheapo Discs offer a plethora of local, national and international tunes--carry-on luggage compatible. Music stores like South Austin Music, Henning's Heart of Texas Music or Strait Music offer everything from new drum kits to Lone Star Guitar straps and shops like Austin Vintage Guitar or Guitar Resurrection can bring that 1965 hollow body back to life. Head over to Wild About Music, a gift and art gallery entirely dedicated to music with an array of music-related gifts like music clocks or custom Gibson art guitars painted by well known Austin artists.
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