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EXPLORE | | | | | | | Cinco de Mayo Music Festival2101 Bergman Ave
Austin,
TX
78702
512-867-1999 | | | | | Description: This annual May 5th celebration commemorates Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza's defeat of French Emperor Louis Napoleon at Puebla in 1862. Events are held not only at Fiesta Gardens but also at the State Capitol rotunda. A plethora of food and drink is on hand, as well as traditional mariachi bands, popular regional musicians, folk dancers, a carnival, mechanical bull riding, contests (how many jalapenos can you eat?), bungee jumping, and plenty of other fun activities. For convenience, park at the Martin Junior High fields, and then take the free tram to the festival grounds. Proceeds benefit the Greater East Austin Youth League.
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| Austin Symphony Concerts in the Park900 Guadalupe St
Austin,
TX
78701
512-476-6064 | | | | | Description: Every Sunday through the summer, the Austin Symphony presents free concert at Wooldridge Park. Mall ensembles perform mostly familiar classics, from Mozart to Gershwin to Ellington. Bring a blanket to sit on and a picnic supper (but unfortunately, you'll have to leave the wine at home since no alcohol is permitted in the park).
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| 422 Guadalupe St
Austin,
TX
78701
| | | | | Description: Although it's called Movies in the Park, there's a bit more to it! The fun starts about an hour before dusk with live music and goofy, Austin-esque stuff like a Wonder Bread-eating contest. Summer 2007 films included Talladega Nights, Election, and Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. Geared more towards adults (most of the flicks are R-rated), but kids over the age of six are welcome. On-site food and beverages are available, but you can also bring your own (alcohol is not permitted, however).
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| Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce FestivalE 12th St & Trinity St
Austin,
TX
78701
| | | | | Description: The world's largest hot sauce festival takes place right here in Austin. Some 300 homemade and restaurant-served versions are judged by local chefs and food critics, while commercially bottled varieties are voted on by festival attendees (15,000 strong). By the end of the day, folks have consumed hundreds of gallons of salsa, not to mention vast quantities of beer and Tex-Mex food from local establishments. If your mouth needs a rest, plenty of booths offer crafts, clothing, and (what else?) hot sauce. Great local bands, too.
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| 100 Congress Ave
Austin,
TX
78701
512-327-9721 | | | | | Description: Austin is famous for its Congress Avenue Bridge residents, some 750,000 Mexican free-tailed bats, and celebrates the fact with a two-day extravaganza of the arts. Expect lots of live music on two stages, some 150 arts and crafts booths, fun and zany kids' activities, and loads of food. As is the case with many Austin events, participants often arrive thematically dressed (there's even a contest for best individual and group costumes), so you can count on seeing a more than a few Batman-and-Robin duos.
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| Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival9828 Great Hills Tr
Austin,
TX
78759
| | | | | Description: This event is the Southwest's oldest and biggest GLBT film festival, featuring more than 150 films from 14 or more countries and drawing over 16,000 attendees. Shorts, features, animation, and documentaries are all scheduled, and recent screenings have included The Bubble, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Trained in the Ways of Men, Hellbent, and Anger Me.
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| Austin City Limits Music Festival2100 Barton Springs Rd
Austin,
TX
78746
| | | | | Description: Austin City Limits, the long-running, much-praised live music program on public television, captures the spirit of the Austin music scene like no other. And while it once primarily hosted country performers, today's lineup includes something from virtually every genre. Even so, there's just too much good music for the regular television season, and that's where the festival comes in. From local singer-songwriters to internationally known artists, the festival features about 130 performances on eight stages, along with tons of food, drink, children's activities, and arts and crafts vendors. Past performers have included everyone from Blues Traveler, Lyle Lovett, and Buddy Guy to The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Roseanne Cash, and Oasis. To get to the festival site, take the free shuttle from Waterloo Park (403 E 15th St).
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| 900 Barton Springs Rd
Austin,
TX
78704
512-472-5111 | | | | | Description: Austin's top beauty salons compete in this appearance-transforming hair, makeup, and fashion competition. Proceeds benefit Project Transitions, which provides housing and hospice services for people living with HIV and AIDS.
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| Giant Chess Youth Tournament900 Guadalupe St
Austin,
TX
78701
512-974-6700 | | | | | Description: One of the attractions at Wooldridge Square is a giant chess set that comes out every Saturday from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. In October, the city sponsors a tournament for kids, kindergarten and up. It's a great introduction to competitive chess, and it's fun to watch! Pre-registration is required check the Parks and Recreation Department's website for details.
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| | | | | | Description: Along with screenings, Austin Film Festival features panel discussions, workshops, meet-and-greets, and a pitch competition where you can try to get an industry insider interested in your movie idea. Venues range from Alamo Drafthouse and the French Legation Museum to the Driskill Hotel, Regal Arbor Theater, Paramount Theatre, and Stephen F. Austin Theater. Recent screenings have highlighted Perfume, The Queen, Sleeping Dogs Lie, Come Early Morning, and The Comeback Season.
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