Annual March Madness Resumes

One of Austin’s busiest times of the year is underway. Events in March draw more than 500,000 visitors and generate an estimated economic impact of nearly $50 million.

The UIL Girls and Boys State Basketball Tournaments at the Frank Erwin Center ignites the March buzz. Girls from 20 high school teams compete March 3-5 for the trophy, and 20 boys’ teams play March 10-12. Combined, the championships bring some 145,000 players, coaches and fans and an estimated $7.4 million to the city.

South by Southwest (SXSW) Music, Film and Interactive Festival runs March 11-20. The 19-year-old festival generates a $30 million total economic impact on the local economy. By night, the SXSW Music Festival features more than 1,300 musicians on 60 stages throughout the city. During the day, registrants attend a full range of panels, seminars, interviews with music industry leaders and a tradeshow at the Austin Convention Center. Music conference highlights include keynote speaker Robert Plant and rocker Billy Idol. The SXSW Film Festival plays at six theaters over eight days with more than 170 films.

The 2005 Canadian Pro-AM tour tees off at Barton Creek Resort with two separate events. The Austin Canadian Tour Pro-Am Classic returns March 11-16, followed by the Canadian Tour Challenge for professional players March 17-20. Both events are televised on the Golf Channel.

The Heart of Texas Regatta, which began on Town Lake in 1983, has evolved into one of the country’s top rowing competitions. On March 12-13, more than 1,000 national competitors in every age group converge on the lake for the 1,000-meter sprint.

The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo rides into town March 12-26 with a livestock show, carnival, Xtreme bull riding and concerts at the Travis County Exposition Center. Rodeo action and such big name entertainment as Cross Canadian Ragweed, Kevin Fowler, Gary Allen, Grammy award-winning Maroon 5 and Nelly attract some 300,000 people.

Four of the country’s top college basketball teams compete in the NCAA Men’s South Regionals, March 25 and 27, at the University of Texas Frank Erwin Center on the first stop to the Final Four. The playoffs leave Austin with an estimated $1 million economic impact and as much as $25 million media exposure.

Musician Jerry Jeff Walker celebrates his birthday with three shows over three days, April 1-3, at the Broken Spoke, the Paramount Theatre and Gruene Hall.

The Capitol 10,000, Texas’ largest and one of the nation’s top 10K runs, draws some 15,000 serious and not-so-serious runners down Congress Avenue on April 3.

The Texas Relays continue April 6-9 with more than 5,000 high school, college and professional track and field athletes competing at the University of Texas Mike A. Myers Stadium, while food and wine connoisseurs converge on the city for the 20th annual Saveur Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival. The event features 124 star chefs, more than 80 wineries and some 30 events from April 7-10.

Austin Fine Arts Festival

McWilliams Appointed to Arts Commission

APEC Comes to Austin

Single in the City 101

“For bars/restaurants swarming with singles, cruise SoCo along Congress Avenue. Other hot spots: Oslo, for metrosexuals and the women who primp like ‘em; Iron Cactus for tequila shooters; and Cuba Libre for manicures and martinis, followed by men."

Messing with Texas

“It’s true: Austinites are as varied as buttons in a jar, ranging from left wingers to conservative cowboys to technology gurus (Michael Dell) to movie stars (Sandra Bullock) to pro athletes (Lance Armstrong). Celebrities and unknowns relish the casual atmosphere, fantastic food (especially barbeque at County Line or Salt Lick) and internationally renowned music and film scenes.”

Weekend Away-Austin

Texas

Whole Foods Market