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Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 2:06 pm
by JonPorobil
Usually, at least a few people arrive anywhere from a day early to a full week early, and sometimes they stay a day or two after the show is over. I'd like to be able to provide some suggestions for things you might do in town, or possibly group events we might schedule.

1.) Dinner
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=re ... 2C+TX&ns=1
I haven't picked a place just yet, but I'd love to get a large table at a nearby restaurant on Thursday, or maybe lunch on Friday, to give us some time to say hello, catch up on old times, or make introductions as necessary, before the actual concert.

2.) Bat watching.
http://www.batcon.org/index.php/get-inv ... ry/51.html
Austin is home to the world's largest urban colony of bats. Around sunset each night in the spring and summer they come flying out from under the South Congress bridge, and it's amazing to see. If you're staying downtown, this is a no-brainer for at least one evening. We could gather a group if there are enough people early or staying late.

3.) Alamo Drafthouse
http://drafthouse.com/austin
Yeah, I know, sitting in a dark room watching a movie and NOT TALKING isn't the best way to bond with friends you only see once a year. But, if you've never been to Austin's premiere movie theater chain, you're missing out! They throw all kinds of fun cinephile events and service full meals with the show. I'll be checking the calendar to see if they're doing one of their fun events around the time of the concert, but even if they're not, I'd still recommend stopping in to check out whatever film you're interested in seeing.

4.) Baseball!
http://www.milb.com/schedule/index.jsp? ... =08&y=2013
Frankie usually takes point on organizing a baseball game. One snag: We don't have a Major League team here. No matter; Round Rock has a minor league team that plays on Dell Diamond a few miles north of where the show is, and they've got home games against Salt Lake City on Thursday the 8th and Sunday the 11th. And, as an employee of Dell, I get half price tickets. Anyone interested? Frankie?

5.) Brewery tours
http://www.eventbrite.com/org/980013407?s=4754511
http://austinbeerworks.com/
http://jesterkingbrewery.com/events/
I know there are a number of Song Fighters who are a mite snobbish about their liquors and beers, and Austin just happens to be home to a number of fine craft brewhouses that give public tours. Many of them occur in the morning or early afternoon, so they'd be perfect for scheduling around our evening shows! Who's up for touring the brewery and getting some beer?

6.) Bowling
http://www.dartbowl.com/
http://thegoodnightaustin.com/
Last year in Seattle, Spud took a bunch of us bowling, and a fun time was had by all. I know of a few nearby places to knock over some pins, eat some food, drink some beer, and have a general revelry of it. Anyone up for some bowling?

7.) Brunch at Jon's place!
In my experience, it's been customary for the event host to also throw a nice little after-party. I'd love to have you all over at my place on Sunday morning, after the stress of the show is over, so we can eat some breakfast tacos, relax in my backyard, jam on our various instruments, and say one last hurrah before going back home. (Note: I've got two small dogs. If you have a phobia or allergy concerning dogs, please let me know, so that I can make arrangements for them to be elsewhere during this party.)

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:34 pm
by Future Boy
For dinner I'd recommend Taj Palace, which is an Indian place we could probably walk to from Kick Butt. They have a good buffet and I think should be able to accommodate all of us.

http://www.tajpalaceaustin.net/ordereze/default.aspx

Another good nearby option that has a lot of room out back is Phara's:

http://www.pharas.com/

I've been wanting to get out to Jester King, but the last two opportunities have not panned out. If there were some folks that wanted to go, that'd be sweet, though getting there takes a little while. Beerworks is in town and might be a more realistic venture.

Blackstar Coop is also pretty cool and has good pub-style food:

http://www.blackstar.coop/

Or if anyone feels like experiencing a typical Austin entertainment district scene, we could go down to Craft Pride on Rainey St, which is a bar that has only Texas beers on tap (but they have a lot of them). Also on Rainey St is a place called Bangers, which I think currently holds the record for the most number of beers on tap (over 100 I believe). They also sell pretty good sausage and poutine.

It might be the most fun to try to catch something at The Ritz Drafthouse. They tend to have more of the unique stuff you won't find elsewhere. But looks like we have to wait at least another week before seeing what's playing.

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 5:43 am
by JonPorobil
Future Boy wrote:For dinner I'd recommend Taj Palace, which is an Indian place we could probably walk to from Kick Butt. They have a good buffet and I think should be able to accommodate all of us.

http://www.tajpalaceaustin.net/ordereze/default.aspx

Another good nearby option that has a lot of room out back is Phara's:

http://www.pharas.com/
I've never been to either of these places, but they both sound like pretty good spots for us.
I've been wanting to get out to Jester King, but the last two opportunities have not panned out. If there were some folks that wanted to go, that'd be sweet, though getting there takes a little while. Beerworks is in town and might be a more realistic venture.
Yes, I just went to Jester King two days ago. I didn't realize just how far out of the way it was until I went there. I'll check out some other places.
Blackstar Coop is also pretty cool and has good pub-style food:

http://www.blackstar.coop/
Seconded. One of my favorite restaurants in town, easily. The one problem is that they often have a seating problem, so it might get difficult to find a table or adjacent tables enough to seat 15 or so.
Or if anyone feels like experiencing a typical Austin entertainment district scene, we could go down to Craft Pride on Rainey St, which is a bar that has only Texas beers on tap (but they have a lot of them). Also on Rainey St is a place called Bangers, which I think currently holds the record for the most number of beers on tap (over 100 I believe). They also sell pretty good sausage and poutine.
Good call!
It might be the most fun to try to catch something at The Ritz Drafthouse. They tend to have more of the unique stuff you won't find elsewhere. But looks like we have to wait at least another week before seeing what's playing.
Yes, I've got my eye on the schedule.

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 6:08 am
by roymond
Bats, yes, Friday or Saturday eve. I assume they return at sunrise each morning in much the same manner?

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:45 am
by JonPorobil
roymond wrote:Bats, yes, Friday or Saturday eve. I assume they return at sunrise each morning in much the same manner?
You know, I'm not sure. No one ever talks about watching the bats come home. I don't see that wouldn't be true, though.

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 4:12 am
by Caravan Ray
Generic wrote:
roymond wrote:Bats, yes, Friday or Saturday eve. I assume they return at sunrise each morning in much the same manner?
You know, I'm not sure. No one ever talks about watching the bats come home. I don't see that wouldn't be true, though.
Are you people freaking insane?!?! Who watches bats?!?!
They shit on your windscreens and give you lyssavirus.
Leave. The bats. Alone.
Image


(NB - I am aware that that photo is a flying fox, and the bats you will see are Mexican free-tail bats - but they both carry rabies-like diseases - and Pteropus sp. are a lot cuter)

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 2:42 pm
by JonPorobil
Thursday Dinner

Bad news: I don't think any of the events scheduled at the Drafthouse locations in Austin for that weekend are a good fit for our group. Unless y'all want to go to SEMI-CHARMED KIND OF SING-ALONG: THE ‘90S POP ROCK PARTY. They will be playing some films that some people in this group might be interested in, like Elysium and The Conjuring, in case you'd like to go on your own or in small groups between shows. I'm just not inspired to set up anything myself for the whole group, based on what's offered.

Now. I'm thinking specifically of a big group dinner for Thursday the 8th, so we can all meet up and catch up in a setting where we're not yet busy trying to make a show happen. Future Boy proposed a couple of Middle Eastern restaurants I'm not familiar with, and though those might be good, it occurs to me that a lot of you crew are coming in all the way from outside of Texas! So why not hit up a barbecue place?

I also don't want to isolate the (at least) two vegans in our group, so my suggestion is Ruby's BBQ, because they also have a number of non-meat options on their menu. Ruby's is located at 512 W. 29th Street, about one block away from Guadalupe, within the University of Texas campus. It's a nice restaurant in a nice area, but the one problem is that parking there (and in that area of town in general) is severely limited. If no one objects to this choice of restaurant, I'll call them up to reserve a table, but I recommend that we carpool to minimize the number of vehicles to manage. If it makes things easier, people can meet at my place, and I'm happy to give rides to anyone who needs them.

As a matter of fact, consider my house public territory for the duration of the event. Everyone's welcome to come to my place to hang out, practice (no drums), or chill all day Wednesday, all day Thursday, before the show Friday, before the show Saturday, and (of course) for brunch and the rest of the day Sunday.

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 4:12 pm
by Manhattan Glutton
I am up for anything, so please ping me if anything is going on that requires a head count, as I don't pay attention to the board except for holidays and Nur Ein.

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:11 am
by JonPorobil
What about Saturday?

I assume that there will be some people still rehearsing for their Saturday night sets, but I'd like to organize some kind of thing to do. Last year, Spud put together a bowling trip that was a lot of fun. Often, Frank sets up a group trip to a baseball game.

Would people be interested in a brewery tour? There's one going on Saturday, 11am-12pm that has space still available, but it's $10 per person. Does that sound like something you'd be interested in? If not, I can just reserve some lanes at a nearby bowling alley.

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:18 am
by Manhattan Glutton
I love breweries, as does my guest. I'd totally do that.

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:53 pm
by inevitableguy
Generic wrote:Thursday Dinner

Bad news: I don't think any of the events scheduled at the Drafthouse locations in Austin for that weekend are a good fit for our group. Unless y'all want to go to SEMI-CHARMED KIND OF SING-ALONG: THE ‘90S POP ROCK PARTY.
Actually, my girlfriend and I are very interested in the 90's sing along. In fact, we've already bought tickets (10:30 on Thursday). They apparently have reserved seating, but there are still plenty of empty seats around us (we're row 23, seats 1 and 2). If anyone else is interested, get yourself some tickets and join in on the fun!

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 8:21 pm
by JonPorobil
Alrighty, since we're susceptible to peer pressure, Allyson and I have acquired the seats right by you. See you there!

BBQ is still on for Thursday evening before the singalong, though.

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:00 pm
by Manhattan Glutton
I will most likely want to karaoke some night. Possibly Thursday if I'm not too tired (and who gets too tired for karaoke?) so if anyone is interested in that kind of activity...

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:15 pm
by JonPorobil
Manhattan Glutton wrote:I will most likely want to karaoke some night. Possibly Thursday if I'm not too tired (and who gets too tired for karaoke?) so if anyone is interested in that kind of activity...
Here are two of the most reputable karaoke bars in the city:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-common-interest-austin
http://www.yelp.com/biz/egos-austin

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 10:13 am
by JonPorobil
Hey everyone! Barbecue at Ruby's, about 8pm tonight! See y'all there! And of course, if you land in town sooner and want to kill some time, feel free to drop me a line. Five one two, seven seven one, sixty-seven sixty. 8-)

Re: Possible diversions in Austin for Song Fight Live 2013

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:45 pm
by JonPorobil
I'm running a bit early, so I'm already at Ruby's. I appear to be the first Songfighter present. I'm tough to miss, sitting near the front, holding down a large table on my own, and wearing an orange MC Frontalot t-shirt. See you guys real soon!