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Austin, world renown as the Live Music Capital, is home to great music, delicious barbeque and an ever-growing art exhibits. As the Texas state capital, Austin welcomes all visitors with its grand southern hospitality. Although it might be a bit chilly, with the weather typically in the mid-50s, the warm locals always help you have a great time. Be sure to take advantage of your time in Austin, and have some in fun while you are in town!
» Special Events
» Local Attractions
» Austin's Good Eats and Drinks
Special Events
Here is a list of special events taking place in Austin around the Winter Conference dates:
Music from the Heath: An 80th Birthday Tribute to Rod Kennedy (February 2)
http://www.austintheatre.org
Presented by The Center for Texas Music History, this show welcomes many singers to join in celebrating Rod Kennedy’s work. This tribute takes you on a forty year adventure through the life of Michael Jackson and his career in entertainment. Honor his contribution to the cultural state of Texas at the Paramount Theater, an official city, state and national landmark in history.
Independence Brewing Company (February 6)
http://www.aindependencebrewing.com
Visit on the first Saturday month to tour the brewery and have a beer tasting.
American Voices (February 6)
http://www.nowplayingaustin.com/org/detail/26731
Watch Texas darling, Larry Gatlin, and Irish-American Andy Cooney join Crystal Gayle from Nashville Tennessee as they dazzle the audience with some old American favorites.
2010 Rodeo Austin Gala (February 6)
http://www.rodeoaustin.com/events_detail.aspx?id=38
Enjoy a four-course meal, silent auction and live entertainment by Dwight Yoakam!
Local Attractions
The Capitol Building
http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/CVC/home/home.html
Opening its doors in1888, the State Capitol Building symbolizes Texas’ long line of history and politics. Come in for a free tour and enjoy part of the Austin skyline.
Blanton Museum of Art
http://blantonmuseum.org/
One of the nation’s largest university art museums, the University of Texas at Austin, houses over 18,000 different pieces of work. Recognizable European paintings, modern and contemporary American and Latin American art are only some of the various artworks to be seen.
SoCo Neighborhood (South of Congress Avenue)
This relatively new and coming neighborhood is filled with blossoming artists, funky stores, hip cafes and a great farmer’s market! Checkout the Continental Club where the stage is always filled with emerging new musical acts, or grab a sandwich cone at The Mighty Cone down the block.
Austin Museum of Art
http://www.amoa.org/
Displaying primarily twentieth-century and contemporary arts, new exhibits frequent the museum providing hands-on public education opportunities. These include performances, lectures about art, guided tours, art response activities, and a hands-on art lab for children.
Esther’s Follies
http://www.esthersfollies.com/
This 1970s comedy club has been a popular downtown attraction, not just for tourists, but locals as well. The variety of shows range from musical-comedy theater, political satire, magic tricks, and improvisational comedy, not to mention the large window on Sixth Street, where the audience can view the unique strollers who provide additional entertainment.
Fourth Street (The Warehouse District)
This ever-growing popular area is home to trendy restaurants, nice bars and top-notch nightclubs. Representing the district area, most of the venues have been renovated from former warehouses into more lavish establishments.
Congress Avenue Bats
While it might be a little early in the season for bat-watching, don’t under estimate the 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats have made Austin, their urban home. Around dusk, grab a blanket and head over to the Congress Bridge to watch the bats in-flight, searching for food.
Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum
http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/
This is a vault of memorabilia displays papers, gifts of state, tributes to Mrs. Johnson’s philanthropic works and pieces from President Johnson’s life, starting with his childhood. The museum features it’s very own replica of the Oval Office from President Johnson’s administration, which is a site not to be missed!
Texas State History Museum
http://www.thestoryoftexas.com
Visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum to learn more about Texas through interactive exhibits and special feature shows! This is the only place in Austin to catch an IMAX show, whether you want the watch a movie or a documentary. Explore Land, Identity and Opportunity as you travel through the museum.
Mexic-Arte Museum
http://www.mexic-artemuseum.org/
Known as the “Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas,” this museum exhibits Mexican culture through traditional and contemporary artwork. Traveling and curated art exhibitions from artists in Mexico and Latin America, have been featured at this museum, in addition to having a gallery that specifically tributes emerging talent.
Austin’s Good Eats and Drinks
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
http://www.stubbsaustin.com
This restaurant is a half barbeque eatery and a half live music venue. While serving good and tender barbeque in a friendly atmosphere, there is plenty of live music to enjoy. Known as a major music icon in the 1970s, this restaurant had featured artists such as Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.
Fonda San Miguel
http://www.fondasanmiguel.com
If you are in the mood for authentic Mexican food and an ambience to match, this is the place to go.
Come visit a local brewery and take a tour. Don’t like beer? No problem Austin offers wine tours also!
Live Oak Brewing Company
http://www.liveoakbrewing.com/
Texas Wine Tours
http://www.texaswinetours.com
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