Lights, Camera, Austin Film Festival
Watch more than 170 film premieres; attend some 80 organized discussions on all things film, television and media; mingle with representatives from Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox and more. The 16th annual Austin Film Festival & Conference makes its way to downtown Austin venues, Oct. 22 – 29. Highlights of this year's event include the presentation of the Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award to celebrated director Ron Howard; screenings of The Messenger with Woody Harrelson; Poliwood starring Ellen Burstyn, Susan Sarandon and Anne Hathaway; and Why We Laugh featuring Bill Cosby, Angela Bassett, Chris Rock and the Wayans brothers. Area residents and visitors can experience the Festival and Conference by purchasing a film pass or badge at www.austinfilmfestival.com.
Leading up to the Festival is the Film & Food benefit at The Driskill Hotel on Oct. 21. The 7th annual event invites guests to sample food and drinks from some of Austin's top restaurants, including Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, Carmelo's Ristorante and Ranch 616, among others. Proceeds benefit the Austin Film Festival's Young Filmmakers Program.
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with Inaugural
Viva la Vida Fest
Mexic-Arte Museum gives its 26th annual Día de los Muertos Festival a makeover. The 2009 Viva la Vida Fest not only celebrates the Day of the Dead, but also promotes healthy living and green, eco-friendly practices, keeping in line with the spirit of Austin. Oct. 24 marks the day of the festival, which features contemporary and pre-Columbian art exhibitions, educational programs and an outdoor celebration with live music, food, art activities and more. For more details on Viva la Vida Fest, visit www.mexic-artemuseum.org.
Fun Fun Fun Fest Brings Alternative Music Scene to Waterloo Park
The 4th annual Fun Fun Fun Fest hits the Live Music Capital of the World® on Nov. 7 – 8, featuring a 90-band lineup that includes Danzig, the Gza, Black and White Years, Atlas Sound, Shonen Knife and The Jesus Lizard. Festival-goers experience indie, punk, rap and electronic sounds at this alternative music event in Waterloo Park. To kick off Fun Fun Fun Fest, the Austin Music Office hosts a music blogger panel on Nov. 6, where bloggers across the web discuss the changing landscape and trends of the Internet and music. Check out www.funfunfunfest.com for more information.
Austin's Official Song Now Available on AustinTexas.org
Ryan Harkrider, winner of the 2009 Austin Song Contest, and his song "Nobody Ever Wants to Leave" are now featured on AustinTexas.org. Read about the Austin-born musician, download the theme song of the Live Music Capital of the World®, get updates on the singer/songwriter's upcoming shows and even watch him perform original melodies on YouTube. Harkrider's debut solo album, "Days Like This," is set to come out on Nov. 5, complete with a CD release show at Antone's. In addition, the singer is also the voice behind the new, catchy tune, "Get a Gatti’s Pizza," after being named the winner of the Gatti's Pizza Jingle Contest. Go to www.austintexas.org to follow the up-and-coming musician.
Austin's New Travel Booking Engine Is Convenient, Easy to Use
Forbes.com has named Austin the least stressful metropolitan area in the country, and now the Austin CVB offers a stress-free way for visitors to book a trip to the capital city. Partnering with Advanced Reservation Systems, Inc. (ARES), the Austin CVB's website now provides a travel booking and packaging program that offers a one-stop shopping experience for travelers. The new feature on AustinTexas.org allows visitors to plan and book a trip all in one place, from the hotel to the airfare and car rental, making the reservation process more convenient. Travelers can choose from 121 Austin-area hotels, over 50 airline carriers and eight car rental vendors. In addition, ARES offers a Google Maps tool so visitors can learn about nearby attractions and points of interest in relation to each hotel. Book your trip to Austin online www.austintexas.org.
AustinTexas.org Wins Destiny Award
Austin is known as a tech-savvy destination, and now we've got the trophy to prove it. The official website of Texas' capital city, AustinTexas.org, recently took home a Destiny Award – a prestigious recognition from the National Council of Destination Organizations – in the Interactive Marketing category. The site was lauded for its creativity, innovation and effectiveness. Visit www.austintexas.org to see what all the buzz is about.
Happy Holidays from Austin, Texas
Austin rings in the holiday season with parades, shopping events and a ton of twinkling lights. Come out on Nov. 28 for Chuy's annual Children Giving to Children Parade and watch as the procession of holiday floats, giant balloons, marching bands, vintage cars and Santa Claus himself makes its way from the State Capitol down Congress Avenue.
Wish lists in hand, head over to A Christmas Affair, an annual shopping event at the Palmer Events Center on Nov. 18 – 22 that features over 200 national merchants who sell arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and home goods. In its 34th year, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar also brings eclectic holiday gifts and local music performances to the Austin Convention Center on Dec. 11 – 24.
For other gift ideas, check out museum gift shops, found in the Austin Museum of Art, Blanton Museum of Art, Mexic-Arte Museum and others. Or visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for its Wild Ideas Shopping Event, Dec. 4 – 6. Make it a night at the Wildflower Center during Luminations, Dec. 11 – 13, a holiday display showcasing thousands of luminarias and twinkle lights in the gardens. Or put on your walking shoes and tour Zilker Park's Trail of Lights, a mile-long stretch of lights, family-friendly activities and entertainment from Dec. 13 – 23. Learn more about holiday events in Austin at www.austintexas.org.
