Monday May 2nd

Bill Callahan at The Mohawk – I rarely put just regular music shows here because there are so so many, but i’m putting 3 this month that are just too good to miss – If you don’t know Bill Callahan, enrich your life & your music collection – early show 6:30 – hear a snippet on KUT’s MUSIC MINUTE

Thursday May 5th

Kristen Armstrong Book Signing at 1379 Family Sports 2727 Expositioin Blvd in Tarrytown – she will be signing her excellent new book Mile Markers – snacks from Galaxy Cafe

American Whiskey Festival at Opal Divine’s Penn Field – 7 to 11pm – sample the finest American Whiskeys, hors d’oeuvres includes $30- benefits Meals on Wheals www.opaldivines.com/

Diva de Mayo – presented by Rogue Running – this event is free & fun! 6-9pm at 500 San Marcos St, Austin, TX – Ladies Only!

*A margarita machine
*Food from Mel’s Meals
*All-new post-workout apparel showcase
*Custom jog bra fits
*Rae Cosmetics
*A special appearance by pro triathlete Desiree Ficker
*Deals and giveaways galore!
 

The Three Amigos Cinco De Mayo Quote-along – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz – All you can eat tacos & shouting out Three Amigos quotes – awesome way to celebrate – get tix here : ALAMO RITZ

The Gables West Avenue Presents: Pink-O de Mayo – Hudson’s on 5th, 6-8 pm – Help the Gables West team raise awareness & funds for the Komen Passionately Pink for the cure – RSVP on Do512 for a free Pink Passion Coctail

Friday May 6th

Sloane Crosley book signing – at Book People 7pm – the author of  the awesome I Was Told There’d Be Cake will be signing copies of her new book How Did You Get This Number  – details at Bookpeople.com

Two amazing Rock Shows:

Dengue Fever at Emos – from LA they combine Cambodian Pop & physchedelic rock, it’s kind of a must see

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at the Mohawk  – one of the best rock shows I ever saw in the 90s, good n dirty – Ticketets HERE

No Pants Day – yeah, I rarely wear pants and I know a few men who proudly wear kilts, but lets just hope it’s not windy that day! http://www.nopantsday.com/wp/ - i may just stay home

Saturday  May 7th

Austin Family Music Festival – 10 to 3 at Pioneer Farms $12 per person – the Biscuit Brothers are playing, also Taiko Drums, Mariachi band and more!  Hay Rides, crafts, and the wondeful Pioneer Farms displays n stuff – read more details HERE

Gardens on Tour – the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center will host a tour of five  private & spectacular gardens from 9am to 5pm – this includes the Wildflower Center itself – check the WEBSITE for map, addresses & details.

Maifest – 12-6 at the German-Texan Heritage Society – German food, beer, wine & music. Family Friendly – looks very fun http://germantexans.org/

Free Comic Book Day – yes, it is what it says. On this day, comic book stores will give away comic books for free! This is a nationwide event check http://www.freecomicbookday.com/ to find participating Austin comic book stores

Saturday May 7th & Sunday May 8th

Cinco de Mayo Austin celebrations – at Fiesta Gardens – 2 days of conjunto music and partying – FLYER HERE

Saturday May 14th

Austin Dog Rescue K9 Karnival – noon to 4pm at Hyde Park High School – family and doggie friendly event with music, and games, even a PUPPY KISSING BOOTH! how cute. Benefits Austin Dog Rescue’s foster homes & adoption programs.  So much more….read HERE

Fight for Air Climb – join the American Lung Association in it’s fight for healthy lungs! Climb the stairs at the Frost Tower  – DETAILS

Build the HYP: Zoot Suit Riot featuring Cherry Poppin’ Daddies – Habitat For Humanity’s Habitat Young Professionals Gala event – looks like a blast! What an awesome band check the website for tickets, event details ect.  HYP 

Thursday May 19th

Austin Pets Alive Tarrytown Adoption Center Grand Opening – 7 to 9pm 3108 Windsor Road – A great addition to Tarrytown Center, this new location will provide more opportunities to save cats & kittens! Goodie Bags & Refreshments!

Mamma Jamma Kick Off Party – 6-8pm at GSD&M Idea City on 6th St – The Mamma Jamma ride to leave Breast Cancer behind is in October, come to the awesome kick off party for food, drinks, & learn how to help or join in!  – MAMMA JAMMA

Saturday May 21st

Austin Outdoor Living Tour – Like the awesome Modern Living Tour – a self paced tour of some incredible homes with breathtaking outdoor living spaces – 11-6pm $15 – http://www.outdoorlivingtouraustin.com/

Renegade Craft Fair – SUNDAY ALSO! – 11 am to 7 pm at Palmer Events Center – one of those (many) things that just make me love Austin so much! The BEST indie crafts, home made coolness, hand made stuff, craft activities – this looks so fun and it’s Free!!  http://www.renegadecraft.com/austin

O. Henry Pun Off – 34th Annual!! I must confess I still have not made it to this and I love puns!  11am to 6pm at Brushy Square, 409 E. 5th St, Austin, TX

Pachanga Fest – again a very me event I’ve never made it to – this year Ozomatli are headlining! Fiesta Gardens in East Austin – an amazing day of music http://www.pachangafest.com/

Sunday May 22nd

Boobapalooza 2 – Help Ginger Leigh kick cancer – my friend and Austin musician Ginger Leigh was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of months ago, she has had surgery and like most musicians is without insurance. A day of music at the Saxon Pub to help ofset the crazy medical costs! Great line up – check it out on the FACEBOOK EVENT

Saturday May 28th

Williamson County Humane Society presents 2011 Car, Truck & Bike Show – 11am to 10pm rain or shine – at the HSWC Shelter 10930 Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander,  TX – enter your car, or go and admire! Live music and other entertainment – here is the FLYER

Saturday May 28th & Sunay May 29th

Austin Wine & Music Festival – a perfect pairing of local Austin music & local Autin wine sbeer!  Held for 2 days at the backyard of the Domain. http://www.austinwineandmusicfestival.com/

Tuesday May 31st

My Birthday – to celebrate my birthday & a year since being diagnosed with breast cancer, my dear friends are havinga party & benefit  at the Continental Club. They wanted to have it to benefit me, as it has been a rough year, but I feel better off than many others at this point in time – so I want it to benefit the Breast Cancer Resource Center.  Li’l Cap’n Travis, David Garza, Star Star (stones cover band) and more!!!  Come out and party with me!

That's Napoleon

One thing you can count on during April in Austin is bluebonnets – and people taking pictures in bluebonnets! It’s an Austin Tradition. Ass are manyof these events:

Friday April 1

Austin Edible Book Festival -12:30 to 2:15 1616 Guadalupe –  this has gotta be the funniest coolest looking event. Food love & book love unite – yes edible books, check out the photos & details – Austin Edible Book Festival  - anyone can enter the contest, your entry just has to be book related and edible.  mmm i wanna make “life of PIE”

tenOak Grand Opening – 409 Colorado – another fab addition to Austin’s growing restaurant scene, with a new take on dining “social dining” – which basically means you can eat off of other people’s plates like you always want to do anyway   – MORE INFO

Friday April 1 thru Sunday April 2nd

Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round up  – grab your camera (and your ear plugs) and head down to South Congress to check out all the cool cars. Go to the Travis County Expo Center for the swap meet & round up. Southern Culture on the Skids every night at the Continental Club, other bands all day at the Expo, more music at Jo’s & at Trophy’s – WEBSITE

Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival – held at restaurants & hotels all around Austin and the Hill country, if you are a foodie don’t miss this! http://texaswineandfood.org/

Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd

Art City Austin – Saturday, 10am to 6pm & Sunday, 11am to 6pm – Cesar Chavez Street from Lavaca Street to just east of Lamar Boulevard, including the 1st Street Bridge -  family tradtion at our house.  Art, live music, kids stuff, food, outside, perfect http://www.artallianceaustin.org/art_city_austin.html

Austin Cactus & Succulent show – Zilker Botanical Gardens – always fun to have an excuse to visit the Zilker Gardens, even better to come home with a pet cactus – WEBSITE for details!

Saturday April 2nd

Mighty Texas Dog Walk – 9 am at Waterloo Park  – help bring the Guinness World Record back to the U.S. by participating in the biggest dog walk ever! – sign up HERE

Austin Bakes for Japan – in 5 locations around austin there will be delicious bake sales to benefit the recovery efforts in Japan after the tsunami & quake – LOCATIONS

Tabatha Coffey Book Signing at  Book People – Tabatha from Tabatha’s Salon Take over will be signing copies of her new book “It’s not Really About the Hair: The Honest Truth About Life, Love, and the Business of Beauty” – wristbands start at 1pm, signing at 3! Love her!!   BOOK PEOPLE

Urban Betty Salon grand Re-Opening – 1206 W 38th St, Austin 8pm - I love a good grand opening shindig! Even better when there’s a goody bag with beauty stuff – this will be glammy! EVENT INFO

Sunday April 3rd

Family Clean Water Festival - 10am to 3pm – LCRA Redbud Center 3601 Lake Austin Blvd – learn about the Colorado River and the lakes of Austin. Science activities, fishing, kayak clinics, reptile, fish & bug shows, arts & crafts, green vendors, life music – FREE! http://coloradoriver.org/ - This is part of a month long series called AUSTIN  NATURE DAYS with awesome events almost every day all over Austin & surrounding areas

Austin Threads Exclusive Fashion Show – 11-2 pm at the Hilton on 4th – the first ever Austin Threads Exclusive couture fashion show – details & tickets HERE

Friday April 8thth & Saturday April 9th

The Domain’s Weekend of Fashion – Located on Friday at Domain II and on Saturday at Domain I – fashion shows from Domain stores, giveaways, fun activities, this sounds like too much fun! here is the SCOOP

Saturday April 9th

Safe Place Field Day – 10 am to 2pm – Austin High – this is a super fun event for a fab cause. Crazy relay races like Head Ball, Sack Races,  Hula Hoop rolling – what? see for yourself HERE

Spring Plant Sale & Garden Festival – also on Sunday  – at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – guided walks, making eco-pots, plants for sale – also part of Austin Nature Days http://www.wildflower.org/

Urban Music Festival – family friendly, all day, auditorium shores, music galore – http://www.urbanmusicfest.com/ (WARNING – website has loud music)

Louisiana Swamp Thing – actually in Buda but close enough – FREE CRAWFISH – that’s all I need to say really (for you crustacean eaters) wait CAJUN MUSIC!!! and zydeco, funk, blues & jazz – they had me at “cajun” i’m a sucker for that music, oh and a lil old band named George Clinton & Parliment Funkadelic – DETAILS

KAB Clean Sweep – volunteer to Keep Austin Beatiful! All over Austin – find a good location for you HERE 

Thursday April 14th to Sunday April 17th

Old Settlers Music Festival – The Avett Brothers  are playing on the Friday night and I will be there! Happily watching Jimmie Dale, Langhorne Slim & Warren Hood also. I will however not be camping as I have been known to say “i’m too fancy to camp”  but you should cam and go all 4 days! tickets ect… http://oldsettlersmusicfest.org/

Friday April 15th to Sunday April 17th

Austin Reggae Festival – 3 days of reggae & sun at Auditorium Shores! Line up & ticket info HERE

Saturday April 16th & Sunday April 17th

Austin Art Yards Tour  - I adore this! Self guided tour of groovy yards with various unique art forms & fun stuff to look at. Some are drive by and some you can actually walk around in and chat with the owner/artists. I love Austin http://www.austinartyards.com/

Sunday April 17th

Austin Urban Farms Tour – 1-5pm walk around groovy East Austin and tour local farms, cooking demos, tastings, samples, $35 – tickets available at the farms   http://www.farmhousedelivery.com/

Saturday April 23

Funky Chicken Coop Tour – 10am to 4pm – it is what it says, a tour of Austin’s chicken coops.  I love Austin http://fccooptour.blogspot.com/

Saturday April 30th

The Wonder Ball -  Daddy Daughter Dance  – benefitting Wonders & Worries a non-profit near to my heart since my cancer diagnosis – as you regular readers already know – Dinner and Dancing with Dad, Face Painting and Crafts, A Wish Tree, “Fairy dustings” from the Fairy Godmother, Tiara Crowning at the end of the Ball and food! -  read the WONDER BALL BLOG where I contribute and purchace tickets HERE

Eeyore’s Birthay Party – at Pease Park – the 48th one! People watching galore, drum circles, food, hula hoops & fairy wings http://www.eeyores.com/

Wiener Dog Races – the theme this year is Alice in Wienerland – hahaha. not much cuter than dachshund ears flopping as they run. Again this is in Buda but near enough and cute enough to count!  DETAILS

Dragon Boat Festival & Races – 10am to 3pm at Festival Beach – a beautiful sight on Ladybird Lake! Admission is Free  – check out the FLYER

And best of all – Every Wednesday for the entire month of april YOGA IN THE PARK - free yoga courtesy of Yoga Yoga & Austin Parks Founation. All clases at noon at Republic Square Park

August in in Austin means heat, ice cream & the Hot Sauce Festival

YES! the calendar returns…

Tuesday August 3rd

FREE Movie Night at  the South Austin Trailer Park  – Holy Cacao the cake ball trailer was featured on the first episode of the Food Network’s Kid in a Candy Store and they are celebrating by airing that episode, followed by a screening of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory  – starts at 7pm, and admission is ONE bottle of water to be donated to Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Check out more details HERE

Thursday August 5th

Moonlight Margarita Run & Gala- 8pm – Ahhhh Austin – Run the trail, help save the trail, drink Margaritas, sponsored by Maudie’s YUM – Read more details and link to register HERE

Friday August 6th

Robyn Ludwick, singer, songwriter - Happy Hour show at Momo’s Club  6:30 pm – gorgeous voice, the next Lucinda, I love her so i’m just gonna assume y’all will too. She is also playing Momo’s happy hour on August 18th

Saturday August 7th

20th Annual Lake Travis Hot Air Balloon Flight  – meet at 6 am *gulp* at Mansfield damn park to watch Hot Air Balloons take off and fly over the lake, what an awesome photo op!  Details on parking and tailgate party afterwards can be found HERE

Sunday August 8th

Cruising Pink with YPC Komen Austin – 6:30 to 9:pm Lake Austin : The Young Professionals Council for the Austin Affiliate Komen for the Cure are hosting a networking event on a boat cruise! Food, drinks, music, mixing, sunset, sounds awesome for a fantastic cause – Details HERE

Thursday August 12th

Celebrate the Journey -   6pm to 8pm at Sping Condominiums – The Austin American Statesman is hosting a party to honor the opening of the movie Eat Pray Love - Italian, Indian & Indonesian food, meet inspiring women, shop for books to benefit the Texas Book Festival… You must R.S.V.P. HERE

AUGUST 14th TO AUGUST 21st  – AUSTIN FASHION WEEK!!

too many events to list! Between the Kick off on the 14th & the Fashion Awards on the 21st – go be fabulous at the various events all over town at 57 participating locations! Go to the website for complete schedule & even an iphone app  http://www.fashionweekaustin.com/

Saturday August 14th

Austin Ice Cream Festival – 10 am to 7 pm – Waterloo Park  – $5 kids 8 & under free

Tons of different ice cream to try, including Nada Moo vegan ice cream  – perfect summer fun – all benefiting various charities! check the website –   Ice Cream Festival  for all the SCOOP – hahahaha

Deep Eddy Mile – Adult Swimming Association’s annual swim meet at Deep Eddy Pool registration info HERE

Thursday August 18th

Poochinis & Pet-icures – 6-8pm at at Lofty Dog 403 W 2nd street

Benefiting Pug Rescue of Austin come get a free Poochini Martini and pizza while puppy gets a nail trim! Here’s the invite POOCHINIS & PETICURES

Saturday August 21st

Cupcake Smackdown  2.o – 11am to 3pm – FREE but donations very welcome for various charites

this is the best thing ever -  once again Jennie Chen celebrates cupcakes  & fun – Jaffa Cake eating contest, most people frosting a cupcake at once setting world record attempt, Cupcake Cannon & Cupcake  Pinata, cupcakes for sale to EAT of course!!  Plese check the schedule and details of event and charities HERE

BatFest – FREE celebrate our Austin treasure the bats on Congress Bridge with a free concert and festival! lineup & schtuff HERE

Sunday August 22nd

Austin Italian Festival – 4pm to 9pm at Laguna Gloria – a fund raiser for Austin Museum of Art - FERRARI Car Show, Moto Guzzi,  Aprilia & Ducati , Vespa, Italian Food, Italian Fashions. COOL! more details HERE

August 27th – 29th

Fall Home & Garden Show – at the Austin Convention center – get some inspiration for you home, awesome vendors, seminars, exhibits

Sunday August 29th

Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival – 11am to 5:50 pm – Waterloo Park

Ya – seems crazy, Hot Sauce in the middle of August in Texas – but it’s a TRADITION! and it’s yummy – go for the Salsa and enjoy killer music too including El Tule & David Garza – website HERE

Wednesday May 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???