Rock'N'Realty

Real Estate by Nanette Labastida

Rock'N'Realty header image 4

Northwest Hills – 6804 Marbrys Ridge Cove

July 22nd, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

6804 Marbrys Ridge Cove

6804 Marbrys Ridge Cove is located on a quiet cul de sac just off of Far West Boulevard in the Austin neighborhood known as Northwest Hills
Built in 1995 it boasts really gorgeous views from the rear deck as well as the upstairs balconies off of the master bedroom and two guest bedrooms. The fourth bedroom functions as a gameroom/playroom with bright windows & french doors to the landing. Updated kitchen, formal dining room, office.  A classic, comfortable well maintained home.

This house is currently listed for $537,500

The Northwest Hills neighborhood is roughly within the boundaries of Spicewood Springs on the north, Mopac on the East, Far West Blvd to the South and Mesa west, yet like Marbry’s Ridge Cove it does extend beyond those streets to include Meadow Mountain, Ladera Norte, North Hills Drive & Farhills Drive for example.

The neighborhood schools are Doss Elementary, Murchison Middle School and Anderson High

Some of the cool things nearby 6804 Marbrys Ridge Cove are:

Northwest Hardware – one of the few remaining old school small box hardware stores with awesome personal small town friendly service

El Arroyo – north location of Austin’s legendary “the ditch” restaurant

Old Quarry Branch of  Austin Public Library

Mangia – Austin’s award winning Chicago deep dish pizza on Mesa Blvd

Dirty Dog - locally owned dog grooming and self serve dog wash! Best invention ever

Mirabelle - fine dining on Mesa Blvd

Torchy’s Tacos – finally branched out north! It’s all about the Diablo Salsa!

Not to mention 2 nearby grocery stores, HEB & Randall’s, numerous small business and restaurants, banks, dry cleaning, yogurt, yoga, pilates, starbucks, gym…

Here are a couple of  neighborhood things you may not know about unless you lived there!

The “scary house” – as my kid have always called it. Located on Waterline, you can’t miss this house during Halloween time. Super mega extravagantly decorated people travel from all over to trick or treat for full size candy bars and to admire the display.  Over the years the neighbors nearby have started to join in the on the contaigious atmosphere and now it is literally a block party! We like to watch the progress as they start to put out decorations starting October 1st

The goose – without fail, this resident on Edgerock dresses her goose statuette up complete with accessories and “friends”.  Often the goose’s outfit reflects the season, holiday or local event

below is the Virtual Tour – check out view!

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more give me a call!

Post to Twitter

Tags:   · No Comments.

Glittery update

June 3rd, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

 

the comments on my last blog post overwhelmed me in such a glorious way – tears and smiles, soaring heart, goosebumps, strength, uplifting. I do believe it has been one of the best things to ever ever happen to me. I thank each and every one of you, and those that sent emails or commented on facebook or twitter. I really cannot say that more sincerely.

I am compelled and thrilled to count all the blessings this experience is bringing me – and this is one of the biggest.

As far as updates go, my surgery went well, I had a blissful week of being pampered by my closest friends during recovery. My lymph nodes are clear and the removal was successful.  At this point I still do not know what my treatment will be or if  I will need furthr surgery in the form of mastectomy. There were a couple of facts that don’t make it cut and dry despite the fact that they “got it all”, we are waiting for a couple more test results and a couple more tests to take. But all in all it’s not a worst case scenario in terms of type of tumor, details details blah blah. 

Physically i’m feeling pretty good, some discomfort at the site, and major mental fatigue. Some days i’m cry-y and down and daunted by what’s to come, and others i’m elated by the power I feel and the blessings, they make me feel luckier than anyone.

The kids have starte with Wonders & Worries, read about them HERE – they are a miracle and will be the focus of my next charity of the month post

Speaking of that, yeah, I know I skipped May charity and haven’t done June happening, I have a good excuse right :)

So, I want this blog to remain as it was, Austiny, arty, real estate-ish, cancer references will be mostly awareness, events ect..and mentions as it relates. I have created a seperate blog that I am calling “Glitter Every Day” where I will post updates ect… Read it HERE and check it frequently if you like – http://glittereveryday.blogspot.com/

I’m still working, still having fun, still wearing glitter (I got some new glitter goodies for my birthday!)

Love to you all

Post to Twitter

Tags:   8 Comments

Glitter Every Day

May 21st, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

I don’t how to start this post – so I started it like that. It’s an announcement of sorts, and a story, and a message.  So I will dive in with the point first – this week, on Monday, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Tomorrow, Friday, I am having out patient surgery to remove the lump.  The rest of the story is as yet unknown.   I wore my favorite glitter eyeliner to the biopsy last Friday, and to the Surgeon appointment Tuesday, and I felt so pretty and brave.  Gonna slap some on tomorrow morning too :) and some lip gloss. 

The insane generousity and love from my friends has already blown my mind.  And I have to admit, part of the reason I am writing a public post about this is because I want and welcome any and all prayers, vibes, love & warmth sent in my direction, this is not a time to be coy about asking for what you want.

I also have zero doubt about what I will gain from this, there’s no limit or OD of cliches when it comes to inspiring people, educating people, raising money for people  – I will be that as others have.

Of the many wonderful words of love & support I have received, a couple stand out right now:

One friend, a survivor, when I told her  I wasn’t comfortable with the word survivor, said  “You’re definitely a survivor – sometimes, the hardest part is surviving being told about it” I can relate to that!

One of my fave people to be around right now told me that I was OK, that we are all OK till we are not…and that is so right. Even if it sucks, I’m OK.  These words float around in my head daily, alot of times a day. And help big time

Ok, it seems I don’t know how to end this post either….so, ladies pay attention to your selves. Everybody, be happy and positive daily, and I am going to wear glitter every day :)

love

Nanette

Post to Twitter

Tags:   65 Comments

Best Mother’s Day Poem Ever

May 9th, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

photo by Cory Ryan - www.coryryan.com

My 8 year old son wrote this for me in school:

Inside My Mom

 

Inside my Mom are two arms hugging me when I get home from school

Inside my Mom are feet taking me on walks

Inside my Mom are lips kissing me at bedtime

Inside my Mom is a voice reading to me at night

Inside my Mom is faith beleiving in me for who I am

Inside my Mom is a heart half full of me

by Gabriel Scalzo

 

Post to Twitter

Tags:   · 6 Comments

Stuff you gotta do in Austin: May 2010 edition

May 6th, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

Wednesday April 5th – Cinco de Mayo

La Condesa Cinco De Mayo Block Party – downtown Austin/2nd St – 5 to 10pm FREE

Mexican street food, live music from Brownout & Ocote Soul Sounds (wow) plus others…

Sponsored by The Austinist - http://austinist.com/2010/05/05/austinist_sponsors_la_condesas_cinc.php

Thursday May 6th

Texas Mamma Jamma Ride Kick-Off Party  – GSDM Idea City 828 W 6th St – 6 to 8 pm

The Mamma Jamma Ride takes place in September to raise money for Breast Cancer – come to the kick-off party to learn more and have fun! -  see the FLYER for info

Salsa Workshop
Mexican American Cultural Center – 600 River St 6-7  pm $10
Then after – Salsa music night! Pura Salsa Dance Social with 100% Salsa Music
8:30 – 10 pm
Free & Open to the Public
 
Live Music by Orquesta Trabuko

Friday May 7th

No Pants Day – do i really need to elaborate?

Couple o great shows:

Ben Folds at Stubbs

Shearwater at the Parish

Friday AND Saturday May 7th & 8th

The Revival Festival – Nutty Brown Amphitheatre  – starts at 6:45 Both evenings

ummmm – Jerry Lee Lewis???? The Blasters??? The Supersuckers? Insane line up – Rockabilly, country, honkeytonk, americana, pretty much music perfection – Line-up ect HERE

Contemporary Art Trunk Show & Vintage Posters – Art on 5th 1501 W 5th

Lots of fine art originals for sale, along with European Vintage posters - http://www.arton5th.com/

Saturday May 8th

Chuy’s Hot To Trot 5k & Kid K – Chuy’s on William Cannon

Race, Rattle & Roll w/Elvis! Proceeds go to Special Olympics Texas – Register info HERE

Japanese May Festival  – O’Henry Middle School 2610 W 1oth – 12:30 to 4:30 pm

Taiko Drums, japanese food, caligraphy, origami!  get some scoop at the Japan-America society website

Active Live Movement Festival – Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones, Rd – 11 am to 3 pm

FREE celebration of healthy & active lifestyles. Wii Games, Rock Climbing wall, Inflatable obstacle course, more!  www.almfestival.com

Saturday & Sunday May 8th & 9th

Big Gay Garage Sale – it is what it is – benefits Austin Pride – Facebook Inivite HERE

Sunday May 9th

Mothers Day! I suggest hinting heavily at some kind of pampering at Milk & Honey Spa if you are a mom :)

Sweet Songs Music for Families – Big Red Sun 1102 East Cesar Chavez – 10:30 to 12:30

Benefits Mother’s milk bank! Mother’s Day Brunch and CD release party featuring the music of local Austin Mama Musicians – Big Red Sun has such a groovy atmosphere, this sounds really lovely. go here for the scoop  http://www.austinsweetsongs.com/

Arts & Crafts Sidewalk Sale at the Art Pad – 4520 Burnet Rd – 9 am to 4 pm

Sale of new & used art supplies such as brushes, pencils, color pencils, mosaic supplies, kids craft kits, misc. craft supplies, frames, fabric & notions, books, gift items, home decor, t-shirts, toys & much more!

Bemba’s 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Picnic, Momma! I love you  – Alma de Mujer 13621 FM 2769 – 11 am to 6pm – $20

there will be workshops in nature, photography, and more.  On-site massage picnicking, food vendors, silent auction, sports and 22 acres of hiking. Last year I brough Hula Hoops! There’s also live music with  Sarah Harris, Margo Valiante, Dawni McCray and Suzanna Choffel headlining  – ticket info and details HERE

Saturday May 15th

2nd Annual Public Hoop Out hosted by Hoopcircle.com!  Wholefoods Upstairs Courtyard – 10:30 to 1:30

Laura Scarborough of Hoopcirle will teach an informal class & synchronized HOOP jam at 12:30 – this is so rediculously fun I want to see everyone there!  Hoops will be availabe for Sale too! Facebook invite HERE.  My TWEETVITE >>> HOOP UP

Austin’s Family Nature Crawl – all ages and FREE

A morning of family friendly superfun nature exploration starting at the Austin Nature and Science Center and moving on to The Redbud Center and The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center before finishing with a midday celebration at REI Downtown. Check out the Nature Rocks Austin website for deets

Friday May 21st AND Saturday May 22nd

Pachanga Fest – Fiesta Gardens – 2101 Jesse Segovia

Unbelievably cool Latin music festival – check Line up, schedge, ticket info ect…HERE!

Saturday  May 22nd

O. Henry Pun-off – O. Henry Museum  409 East 5th Street – 11 am – FREE

Live music, punny stuff, book sale, BBQ – plus the info website is called  www.punpunpun.com

Sunday May 23rd

Austin Urban Vet Center Grand Opening  – 710 W 5th St – 12 to 4 pm – FREE

Pet adoption, moonwalk, raffles, food n stuff  – pets welcome!  see the FLYER

May 27th to June 13th – Kerrville Folk Festival!

Camp for 3 weeks, a weekend, or go for a day and stay in a hotel like I do! It’s more than the music, it’s a lifestyle. The campsites themselves are a whole other experience, amazing jams to be found. This is one of my fave events ever. Check out the incredible line up and all the schedule HERE

Thursday May 27th

Wounded Warrior Dinner

The CapTexTri is hosting a dinner in conjuntion with the Triathalon (See May 30th & 31st) to honor men and women of the armed forces and ensure the significance of Memorial Day to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project. Check the website to see how to be a part of this inspiring event.   http://www.woundedwarriordinner.com/

Austin Wine & Music Festival  – The Domain shopping Center

Yummy & Fun – what else???  HERE is the scoop – Great music Line up – especially Mickey & the Motorcars on the saturday night

May 29th & 30th

Fiesta Amistad – at Old Settlers Association – 3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock

Huge hispanic fetival, tons of food and music – El Amistad Club of Round Rock

Monday May 31st

Capitol of Texas Triathalon – there is still time to register!  

The Capital of Texas Triathlon has become an exciting event that happens downtown in the Capital of Austin, Texas. Attracting first timers, relay-ers, age groupers, and Professional triathletes from around the globe. One of the most exciting and spectator friendly races in the country! check the website for how to register, volunteer or go watch the fun http://www.captextri.com/

I’m sure I’ll be adding more stuff as it appears in my radar!!

What are YOU doing this month???

Post to Twitter

Tags:   · No Comments.

Ethan Azarian – Folk artist, musician & now muralist

April 16th, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

Ethan Azarian

Green Cow Still Life

Disclaimer: I’m totally biased and a Huge Ethan Fan and have known him since he and Jeff Johnston played at my daughters 2nd birthday in our backyard.
But that does not mean I should not share the joys of his whimisical Folk art  chairs, chickens, cows, and tigers with you all.  I love the colors, I love the themes, I love how it’s instantly recognizable. He’s also insanely sweet and a new dad of the cutest boy ever.

Ethan paints in variations of themes, they are obvious throughout, and often are in phases. I first knew him in the monochrone flower phase.  He is pretty fond of buildings. Fruit, shoes, the occasional fried egg, animals.   He likes to paint the items floating, or stacked on top of each other, like chair on chicken. (say that, it’s fun)

Balance - by Ethan Azarian

He has his gallery right in his house in East Austin, and he opens it to public for the East Austin Studio Tour every year as well as for a Christmas Art Show.

Recently he has been expanding to murals. It’s a perfect match. He was commissioned to paint a mural on the roof of a child’s room in a Central Austin house and I was lucky enough to get to go hang out one day and I shot the little video below.

Ethan is also a musician founder of the Rad Austin band the Orange Mothers and currently master of the solo show

Here is some vid i took at Central Market in Austin of Ethan playing a show, with the fab Jeff Johnston accompanying him on the amazing musical saw and the telephone -yep, you should check out a show.

Check out more Ethan Art and find out about events & shows at his website http://www.ethanazarian.net/

And call him if you want a mural!!

Also for kicks check out his Dad Tom Banjo - make sure to search YouTube to see vids of his INCREDIBLE Cranky Shows – you will love me even more

FYI – Saw player Jeff Johnston is the bass player in Li’l Cap’n Travis  (my Fav local Austin band) as well as about a million other bands.

Post to Twitter

Tags:   · · · 1 Comment

Travis County offers $1.3 million in Assistance for Austin Home Buyers

April 14th, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

Travis County has recently made available $1.3 million in federal funds to help Texas families purchase FORECLOSED homes in the Austin area – it’s called the Neighborhood Stabilization Progam.

Here are some details & points about the NSP-1 program:

  • There are defined targeted areas where to purchase the homes within Travis County (not including within the city of Pflugerville), but any day now the County is expected to get official permission to include the entire city of Austin
  • Buyers may use the lender of their choice but the County can refer to a list of  lenders that have gone through the process
  • If a family is below the 50% income max – they can get financed directly through  Travis County
  • 100% financing is available, including closing costs – and it is 100% forgivable after either 5 or 10 years of ownership depending on the size of assistance
  • The size of the loan is determined by the difference between what the buyer is qualified for and the cost of the home
  • Thus far they have closed on 3 homes and the maximum loan has been $26k
  • This can be an amazing opportunity for families to own a home, but be warned that the process is a bit tricky & time consuming. Paperwork/forclosure/timing. Make sure your REALTOR  is well educated on all the processes
  • The County’s goal is to be within 15% of appraised value of the home. For example is a home is appriased at $100k, the goal is to purchace it for $85,000. This isn’t a total requirement and is hard to acheive. If the house purchase price is for more than the appraisal it won’t work.
  • To qualify, the buyers need a credit score of at least 620
  • Buyer must  have a minimum of $500 to invest towards the purchase
  • Buyer must have interest in purchasing a forclosed home by May 31st 2010
  •  Have a total household income below the amount in the chart below


For details on how to apply and for contact information please go to the Travis County Housing Finance Coroporation website!  http://www.traviscountyhfc.org/nsp-1.html

I think despite the hoops and paperwork – this program is super beneficial to both neighborhoods and potential homebuyers.

Realtors & buyers please don’t hesitate to contact me with any further questions, I have talked at great length to people in this department and am happy to investigate further!

Post to Twitter

Tags:   · · · · No Comments.

The yellow brick road to reality – how the Wizard of Oz changed my lifestory

April 11th, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

 

For along time I’ve used the pseudonym Evangeline in various occasions – I picked it from my favorite Los Lobos song of the same name – Evangeline is “the queen of make-believe” – I took it as a sort of ironic take on the parallel story of my life, where things are slightly different, where scenes end differently, or change according to my whims…not total fantasy/denial, just playing with alternatives to reality, what could be.

Along those lines….I’ve also referred (in my mind) to the alterna-story of me in relation to the Wizard of Oz – that relationship is obvious right? Oz is pretty, ultra color-fied, full of magical stuff, plus what girl doesn’t want Ruby Slippers

As I grow,  in age, in wisdom, in intellect - I re-evaluate my story – I find I want it truer, I want the hard, ugly, gorgeous, sparkle, fear, adventure, challenge – to be part of it all. With the alternative endings to be the actual achievable outcome.

So as the universe is wont to do – around this time my yoga teacher started one a Wizard of Oz rant for a few weeks, using the Scarecrow, Tin Man & Lion as metaphors, it’s fairly obvious, we all need brains, to think and make decisions, we all need hearts with which to love ourselves & others, and we need courage to face all of our challenges.  In my thoughts I took this further…we all have a Wicked Witch, that which seems to put all obstacles in our path, we all have a Glinda that inspires, and guides. And of course we are all Dorothy right? Thinking sometimes we want one thing, learning lessons on the way to what we need to know.

This all resonated big time with my current real story of “working single mom” – a story I constantly struggle with wanting to re-write and make easier. I was finding it kinda hard figuring how to be successfull at that whole package, and the writing of stories in my head wasn’t making it happen.

So – this is my story NOW (in a nutshell):

Feeling somewhat dis-satisfied with the current status-quo, need a change, set off to seek in ON MY OWN (humph), enter into the unknown sorta by accident, find some guidance from someone wiser, find  some super good supportive friends that are on the same seeking journey, fight some adversary, succeed, learn a bunch of stuff about yourself & others, realize that not everyone is what they seem, find good anyway, then come back “home” where all that stuff is right there where you are – and find that it’s GOOD.  There’s no place like home….

Here’s what I did to make my story part of my life:

In December I went to the bookstore and bought 2 matching Wizard of Oz journals, I scooped up my best friend Beth, partner in crime, super cheerleader and fellow Oz obsessor (she’s my Glinda, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion & Dorothy all in one AND her real name is Dorothy & she’s from Kansas hellooo magic). And on the second day of 2010 we sat down and wrote our stories, and how we we were going to live it and do it , right in those Oz books. We were inispired by Chis Brogan’s post My 3 Words for 2010 as a frame work and the Wizard of Oz to make it ours.

We now continually add to it, we try to meet regularly to write  more, assess what has worked, fantasize, plan, re-work, and ACT. We call em Land of Oz meetings. We lift ourselves up, the motivation is ca-ray-zee.  Already our dream stories are becoming our true stories.  Both of our lives have changed immensely since we made the effort for this true-ness, both in attitude and concrete facts.  It honestly wasn’t till I wrote “I wanna be an amazing Realtor into my story that I really it really became that, and not something I just did. I love my job as a Realtor, I embrace and am forgiving to all the challenges single parenting brings, and all of it makes for a kick-ass story.

….there’s no place like home…..home is where your story lies – what I learned above all else…

PS – a picture of Ruby Slippers with “there’s no place like home” make a GREAT moving announcement card or house warming card, i’m thinking this is gonna be my new catch phrase…

PSS – I have had scratch notes on this theme since the first Oz meeting, but it was this post The Importance of Story in Your Life from Chris Brogan that oomphed me to write it. I’m very curious to read Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years  aren’t you? I am looking forward to reading more posts on this concept

Post to Twitter

Tags:   · 14 Comments

April Charity of the Month: 50kfor50k

April 3rd, 2010 by Nanette
Respond


I love twitter – i almost wrote a love letter post to twitter last week after I received immense personal support and comfort during a personal crisis – something I had debated whether to open up about – but the results for me, were good. So I wasn’t wrong about my “friends” they did care. This is what I love about it.

Another example of the realness and the power of it, is the ability to spread the word about something and get people actually involved. My twitter friend Maya Paveza @mayaREguru is doing that with a super fun super cool fundraiser

The group Mothers Fighting for Others is hoping to raise money to build a new orphanage in Kenya, and Maya is using twitter and her tweet count in a unique and creative way to do this!  Read how HERE

I’m on the “Let Maya Tweet” camp – you can be too by clicking here:

I know this isn’t exactly my usual “local tie in” but for me it is because my Twitter friends are part of my world, they are part of my community in both support, fun, friendship & business, plus it’s a great cause.

I’m eternally fascinated by the different ways to use Twitter for good and this is just one of the many! Happy April giving…

Post to Twitter

Tags:   · · · No Comments.

Stuff you gotta do in Austin: April 2010 edition

April 2nd, 2010 by Nanette
Respond

April is rather Amazing in Austin – the weather is pretty much perfect, and the events, especially outdoor ones bloom like the Wildflowers along Loop 1 – problem is…there are so many on one day you can’t do it ALL!  waaahhhh

FYI one thing I’m not gonna include here is the multitude of neighborhood, community, church, or retail Easter Egg Hunts, there are too many, google it.

And I’m gonna organize it by date this time as there are multiple events every saturday….

Friday April 2nd

B Scene at the Blanton – this event is bi-monthly and always a blast, that’s a lot of “B’s”  This month the band is Jeff Hughes & Chapparal, who i’ve been  going to see since 1986! Great two-steppin’ to be had

6-10:30 pm – $5 for Museum member, $12 for non – and here’s the rest of the scoop: B Scene

Saturday April 3rd

Easter Egg Decorating Workshop for Kids!

Decorate super  fancy eggs, learn some new tricks & styles $40

Where: Central Market 4001 N. Lamar  512-206-1014

10am for ages 5-8/2 pm for ages 9-12

11th Annual Easter Pet Parade – noon at Jo’s Coffee on S. Congress

Benefiting Austin Pets Alive!  Parade starts at noon with registration begining at 10am at the corner of Congress and Annie Street and end at Jo’s Coffee on 1316 South Congress. Bring your pet dressed costume, be creative! Top awards for the best dressed pets include a free night at the Hotel San Jose

Cherrywood Plant & Bookswap – 9am t0 noon at Cherrywood Green (Cherrywood Rd & East 34gh)

East Austin coolness – Literally a swap, bring plants and/or books you no longer want or need and accquire new ones! Read more about it at one of my fave blogs about East Austin – east austinite

Urban Music Festival

all day, family friendly music hip hop, R &  B, Funk music fest – $20 – Auditorium Shores – local latin funk superstars Grupo Fantasma are playing so yeah, you should go

http://www.urbanmusicfest.com/  – WARNING – Loud website upon opening!

Sunday April 4th

well this is Easter sunday – but a bunch of restaurants will serve Easter Brunch here’s a link to citysearch guide

Austin Easter Brunch

For a cool art diversion check out the Star Wars Loteria art opening at Book People – 7pm - featuring the uiquely Austin art of local musician Chepo Pena  – this stuff has been shut down before by mighty powers that be so go and get an eye full.  Chepo.net

Star Wars versions of Mexian Loteria

Tuesday April 6th

The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross – Book Release & cupcake contest – 7pm at Bookpeople

I’ve been waiting for this one for AGES!!
Bring cupcakes to compete in the Cupcake Competition judged by local food personalities of Austin. Winner takes home a signed copy of Jennifer Ross’s book.
Free drinks from Tito’s Vodka & Modmix – i’m so excited to see all the cute cupcakes!

Follow Jennifer on Twitter http://twitter.com/CupcakeAuthor or check out her website http://www.theicingonthecupcake.net/

Friday April 9th-Sunday April 11th

Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round up – three days full of kick ass hot rods and totally rockin bands including Southern Culture on the skids at the Continental Club on the Friday & Saturday Night. Check the schedge here: http://www.lonestarroundup.com 

You gotta see these cars, and the music line is too good to be true – make sure to hit the Expo in the day on friday to see Bill Carter & the Blame w/Charlie Sexton, and the Continental Club Friday night before SCOTS  for  Two Hoots & a Holler

Saturday April 10th

Safe Place Field Day & Festival - 11am to 4pm – Fiesta Garden’s Park – 2101 Jesse E. Segovia

Support the awesomeness that is Safe Place – a day at East Austin’s beautiful Fiesta Garden’s – games, activities, food. $5 or 3 cans of food, 12 & under Free!   Sign up to build a relay team to compete in silly races like Dizzy Bat Race or Water Balloon Toss – prizes even!  www.SafePlaceFieldDay.org

Louisiana Swamp Thing & Crawfish Festival - 10 am – 11:30 pm  4th & Guadalupe – $15

all I really need to say about this is that Beausoleil is playing.  Ok, there’s also 5,000 lbs of crawfish, cajun seafood, a ton of other cajun & zydeco bands as well as other cool stuff – Deets: Louisiana Swamp Thing

Keep Austin Beautiful Clean Sweep – 9am to 11am with volunteer party after

Annual citywide cleanup all over Austin – details on locations and the party scoop here – KAB

Mueller Plant Fest: Home & Prairie – 11am to 2pm at Ella Wooten Park at Mueller

Free and a great opportunity to check out what’s going on at Mueller & explore the backland Prairie, plant sales, guided tours live music & kids activities – deets: Mueller Plant Fest 

Sunday April 11th

Capitol 10,000  – ummm EARLY

33 years, biggest 10k in Texas, run it, walk it, grab a flask of mimosas or Tito’s Bloody Mary’s, a lawn chair, a corner & watch the hardcore runners, happy walkers and crazy costume people. http://www.statesman.com/cap10k/

East Austin Urban Farm Tour
Benefitting the Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance Sunday, April 11th 1:00pm-5:00pm

read here http://www.tofga.org/2010/03/23/east-austin-urban-farm-tour/

tix avail here: http://www.farmhousedelivery.com/ & http://www.boggycreekfarm.com/ both of which you should look at and go to at any given time, incredible community farms

Thursday April 15th

Austin International Poetry Festival – Thursday thru Sunday – the worlds largest non-juried poetry festival, poets from all over the world reading all over town…AIPF - this amazes me

Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival – Thursday thru Sunday – 4 days of deliciousness – http://www.texaswineandfood.org/

Old Settler’s Music Festival – Thursday thru Sunday – Camping, folk, bluegrass, Americana, amazing singer songwriters – this event is my heaven – Highlights: The Trishas, Joe Ely, Travelin’ McCourys, Fred Eaglesmith, & The Gourds http://oldsettlersmusicfest.org/

Saturday April 17th

Austin Outdoor Living Tour – starting at 10 am – tour 10 of Austin’s fabulous outdoor living spaces, pools, decks, patios, grills, supercool - info for tickets, map and the post tour reception on the website http://www.outdoorlivingtouraustin.com

Austin Art Yard Tour – saturday AND sunday 10am to 5pm – all over town

why didn’t I think of this, I’m almost as obsessed with yard art as i am with graffiti art (see prevous posts on Guerilla Art & Cathedral of Junk which is on this tour) - self guided tour of  Austin’s funkiest most creative works of yard art.

http://www.austinartyards.com/

Austin Reggae Festival – Friday thru Sunday http://www.austinreggaefest.com/ - huge line up of bands, a stand out to me are Houston’s Los Skarnales - latin Ska

April 22 through May 2nd

Fusebox Festival – this is about the coolest thing i’ve ever seen  – basically an art and performance festival all over town, multiple events.  You can get tickets to individual events or a pass for the whole deal. A million more details on the website http://www.fuseboxfestival.com/about/

Saturday April 24th – this day is giving me carpel tunnel syndrome it has so many events, and it’s also giving me the urge to clone myself

Eeyore’s Birthday Party – 47th year of this tradition – Pease Park – free – wear fairy wings and you will actually blend in, watch out for the guy in the thong painted silver, drum circles, Austin at it’s finest http://www.eeyores.com/

Art City Austin – Saturday 10am to 6pm AND Sunday 11am to 6pm- $8, kids under 12 Free with activities costing $1

Formerly Laguna Gloria Art Fiesta this event has been going for 60 years! Artists booth, bands, great food (my fave food trailers G’raj Mahal & Chilantro BBQ will be there!), children’s activities, located right in the middle of downtown  http://www.artallianceaustin.org/art_city_austin.html

Dragon Boat Festival & Race – 10 am t0 3 pm- Free – Ladybird Lake - http://www.asianamericancc.com/

Texas Round Up – well I book the bands for this race so you should run it just for that, and the fact that the course of the 10k is through UT and the hills of East Austin (ignore the word “hills”)  - or come to the festival start/finish line area across from the Texas State History Museum and enjoy FitKids, bands, dancing and lots of kids stuff http://www.texasroundup.org/

Mela fair at Barsana Dham – 12-5pm – you know you’ve seen the temple on FM 1826 – it’s gorgeous and this fest is also, amazing Indian Food, shopping bazaar, temple tours, Indian dancing – Barsana Dham website

Weiner Dog Races – saturday and sunday – actually in Buda south of Austin  - need a say more, ok I’ll say it again louder WEINER DOG RACES – ok that’s it  http://www.budalionsclub.com/

I’ll leave you with this picture of a Weiner dog and now I am certain you will be in Buda at the end of April

Post to Twitter

Tags:   · · · · 2 Comments