People, we are in FULL SWING. I have never seen Interactive so full of people and parties, and of course panels, but that’s almost a second thought. Below are six things that I haven’t yet talked about because they don’t fit because there isn’t always free “Stuff” or whatever.
All-Inclusive Hotel & Indie Day Party: Travaasa Austin + StyleCaster
Travaasa Austin is a new destination hotel in Austin overlooking Lake Travis in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and debuting mid-April. For the sneak SXSW preview, Travaasa Austin partners with StyleCaster for Hit The Lights, March 17-20, with exclusive accommodations and packages and an outdoor bash at Cheer Up Charlie’s on the east side on March 19 with an all-star Indie lineup that includes Dan Deacon, Pains of Being Pure at Heart as well as Heavy Hawaii, Diamond Rings, Dirty Beaches, Writer and Manhattan Murder Mystery. Sponsored by Wonderful Pistachios and Sigg.
The rooms include locally-sourced organic breakfast and free shuttles between downtown Austin and the Travaasa Austin hotel on Friday and Saturday to provide easy transportation for hotel guests andconcert attendees. Single occupancy is $249, double $299. To book (a perfect last minute choice!), call (855) 868.7282 or visit www.stylecaster.com/sxsw/vip.
Beatles Complete on Ukelele
Remember this marathon from last year? It’s SO Austin. At SXSJ on Wednesday, March 16th from noon to 6pm, stop by to see tons of artists performing the full 185-song Beatles catalog … the main reason I’m posting this is because one of the Beatle-crooning musicians is the group Bowling for Soup (“Mexican food sucks north of here anyways”), which is so freshman year of college. Others include Drew Smith, Amy Cook, Ben Kweller, and more.
Friends Play SXSW: Jones Street Station
Support my friend’s friend’s older brother’s band:
New Late-Night Bites: Haddingtons
You can be certain you’ll hear more about the most amazing burger I had at Second Bar & Kitchen the other night, late, but like 9pm late not like 1am late. For the 1am and on crowd, Haddingtons is having a limited SXSW late-night menu now through March 19, 11pm to 2am. The menu includes the infamous Toasted Pots; Bleu Burger with caramelized onions & blue cheese; Fish & Chips with celeriac remoulade; Roasted Lamb Sandwich with arugula, red onions & mint aioli; TLT Sandwich smoked sun-dried tomatoes & brun-ustoo cheese. Valet parking during SXSW 5pm to 2:30am.
More Hotel Love: The Omni
All week through March 15, the hotel is offering its guests an Early Riser Bar, 6-9am with complimentary breakfast tacos and Bloody Mary Bar. There’s a late night menu too, from 11p to close, with breakfast and burgers, whichever tickles your fancy. Guests, you already know they greeted you with a pretty sweet swag bag…
App: The “Pandora of Social Restaurant Recommendations”?
Obviously there are tons and tons and tons of apps being released right now, so sorting through them is kind of a madhouse. But Grubster promises to help you choose not only the restaurant but what to order (though I never liked that specificity) in a Pandora-style fashion. If it works, it’ll be awesome.
The iPhone app is currently available in the App Store here, and the website grubthis.com functions the same way as the iPhone app.
Phew! So there are six more things about SXSW. Does your brain hurt yet?