Austin, TX

I am knee deep in cake making with a big wedding cake due tomorrow. As usual I am all kinds of nervous. I’ve been so busy that Halloween has sneaked up on me.

Today is your last day to vote early. Get out there, rock the vote! For more information on Early Voting, click here. For a great Voters Guide, check out the Texas League of Women Voters. They offer great, unbiased information.

What happens when you mix Torchys Tacos, Shuggie’s, and Halloween all together? You get the 1st Annual Halloween Party at the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery. They will be having costume contests for kids, pets and adults w/trophies, fantasies fortune tellers, video projection halloween shots, s’mores, candy, and prizes to be won. Come dressed up and feel free to bring your carved pumpkins.

1st Annual Halloween Party @ South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery
When: October 31 2008, 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Where: South Austin Trailer Park and Eatery, 1311 S 1st St
$$$: Free

This weekend is the last weekend to catch the Austin State Fair.

Austin State Fair
When: Oct. 24-Nov. 2
Where: Travis County Expo Center, 9100 Decker Lake Rd.
$$$: $8 ($5, under 12)

The Austin Celtic Festival kicks off this weekend at Austin’s newest pub. Two-time All-Ireland Storytelling Champion Mairtin De Cogain will be keeping the crowd in line between sets from jig rockers the Prodigals and guitar maestro Gerry O’Beirn. This event will continue on through the weekend with workshops, music and dance performances, storytelling, and highland games at Fiesta Gardens.

Celtic Festival Kickoff
When: Friday, October 31
Where: Fiddler’s Hearth, 301 Barton Springs Rd.
$$$: $10 ($7, advance).

Celtic Festival
When: Sat.-Sun., Nov. 1-2, 11am-8pm.
Where: Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Bergman
$$$: $12, day pass ($10, advance)

Also up this weekend is the annual Book Festival. This is kind of a cool festival that runs all over downtown, mostly around the Capitol but also around the The Alamo Ritz and other venues. Here is the schedule for both Saturday and Sunday. There are a ton of authors scheduled. Get out, stretch your mind!

Texas Book Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday, November 1-2
Where: State Capitol Building
$$$: Sessions are FREE and open to public

Kick off Native American Heritage Month with traditionally clad dancers competing in numerous categories along with popular Native American drummers and singers. An educational grand entrance occurs periodically throughout the day, while storytellers and craft tables await visitors outside.

Austin PowWow
When: 10am-10pm., Saturday, Nov. 1st
Where: Toney Burger Activity Center, 3200 Jones
$$$: Free

Big Star Burlesque is putting on a 50th birthday bash for Prince and Micheal Jackson. The Jigglewatts will shake their assets and make everyone feel like it was the first time they heard “Billie Jean” and “Little Red Corvette.” The dance party that follows will be inevitable.

Big Star Burlesque Birthday Bash
When: Saturday, Nov. 1st, 9:30pm-1am.
Where: Scoot Inn, 1308 E. Fourth.
$$$: $10 ($6 if in costume)

This weekend also heralds the Divali Festival of Lights. Sometimes called Deepavali or Diwali, the festival of lights is a celebration of joy, luck and prosperity. To celebrate the occasion, people light oil lamps in and around their house and set off firecrackers. People paint and clean their homes, buy new clothes and distribute sweets to their relatives and friends.

Divali Festival of Lights
When: Saturday, Nov. 1st, 5pm - Midnight
Where: Barsana Dahm, 400 Barsana Road
$$$:

or celebrate at The Clay Pit with a dinner buffet and music from Oliver Rajamani with the proceeds going to a South Asian nonprofit.

The Clay Pit Festival of Lights Dinner
When: Saturday, Nov. 1st, 7pm
Where: The Clay Pit, 1601 Guadalupe
$$$: $25

Join Mexic-Arte Museum in its most spectacular Día de los Muertos Procession yet! We’ll go back in time to the Pre-Columbian era, travel through the Colonial and Modern eras, and conclude with a unique, contemporary Austin twist featuring the Guanajuato Mummies and the 25th Anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller with dancing zombies. The Procession gathers at Plaza Saltillo in East Austin and will include the return of the Frida Kahlo look-alikes, costumed Chihuahuas, Posada Catrinas, portable altars, mariachis, marching bands, folklorico and Aztec dancers, paper maché props, and colorfully decorated cars. Procession Participants receive FREE admission to the Celebration.

25th Annual Día de los Muertos Procession
When: November 1, 2008
Where: Mexic-Arte Museum on 5th and Congress
$$$: $5 Adults / $2 Children (12 and under)
FREE for Procession Participants, Volunteers, and Mexic-Arte Museum Members

Near and dear to my heart this weekend is the Annual Komen Austin. Walk, run or even sleep in for the cure. It’s a beautiful walk for a great cause. I encourage you to participate. You can also feel free to sponsor my team, The Pirateers, we will be there plundering for the cure! Argh!

Komen Austin Race for the Cure
When: Sunday, November 2, 2008
Where: Auditorium Shores
$$$: $20-50

I have been crazy busy this past month. I flew in Scottish sugar artist, Lorraine McKay, to teach her fabulous figure modeling techniques here in Austin. People flew in from all ove r the US to learn from her and we all had a great time. I probably put on 10lbs from eating our famous Round Rock donuts every morning. We’ve already decided to have her back again next year. Here is one of the figures I produced during Lorraine’s workshops:

That’s enough about me, on to the weekend. What better at this time of year than a Haunted House Pub Crawl?

* Rockin’ Rides Party Bus with karaoke!
* FREE drinks on the bus
* Admission to Mansion of Terror haunted house
* Party bus will stop at bars along 6th street after the haunted house
* Food and drink specials on 6th Street

Haunted House Pub Crawl
When: October 25 2008, 9:00pm - 1am
Where: Mansion of Terror, 2000 South IH 35, Round Rock, TX
$$$: $50

I don’t know where I’ve been hiding but I did not know that Austin has a state fair. No, really. Well, we do. All the usual state fair stuff and a few exotic animals. Stuff yourself with corndogs and funnel cakes and ride the rides.

Austin State Fair
When: Oct. 24-Nov. 2
Where: Travis County Expo Center, 9100 Decker Lake Rd.
$$$: $8 ($5, under 12)

If you’re a dog lover looking for a charity event this weekend then you might enjoy the new Dogtoberferst where you’ll find a silent auction, a doggy costume contest and lots of other fun stuff.

Dogtoberfest
When: Saturday, October 25th, 2008 from 11 til 5
Where: The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace
$$$:

Here is one for my wine buddies. Auctions, art, and entertainment are there merely as a distraction from all the great wine and food. So much wine and food, in fact, that there will be classes to show you how to pair them up responsibly:

Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest
When: Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Where: Downtown Marktplatz, 100 W. Main St, Fredericksburg
$$$: $20 Adults • $5 (under 21), Under 12 free

Now here is a real Texas sounding event taking place in our sausage capital, Elgin, Tx. Have fun with music, arts & crafts, cow-patty bingo, a barbecue cook-off, a Hogeye Hoedown Talent Show, a Pig’s Eye Dart Contest, and the crowning of King Hog or Queen Sowpreme.

Hogeye Festival
When: Saturday, October 25th, 2008, 10am-6pm.
Where: Elgin Main Street
$$$: Free

Those are my weekend picks, go out and have some fun!

It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful weekend to be out and about in our wonderful city. I don’t know about you but I just love this time of year. The weather has cooled down and yet it’s still sunny. I throw open the windows and enjoy the breeze.

What better to do at this time of year than to attend a pumpkin festival? Is there any other thing that symbolizes fall than the pumpkin? Lucky for you it’s once again time for Elgin Christmas Tree Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival. There will be face painting, hay rides, kids activities, blue grass music, pumpkin painting, animals to pet and more.

The Elgin Pumpkin Festival
When: October 11 & 12 and October 18 & 19
Where: Elgin Christmas Tree Farm, 120 Nature’s Way, off Roy Davis Rd. Elgin, TX
$$$: Adults $6, Children $5 (3-12 years)

Tomorrow is also family day at the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA). This is a great way to introduce art and culture to the kidlets. Kids can even make their own modern-day mobile!

Family Day at the AMOA
When: Saturday, October 11, 2008, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: Austin Museum of Art Downtown, 823 Congress
$$$: $7 per family; $5 Member families

The coolest event of the weekend may well be Aeromodelers Big Bird Fly-in. Radio-controlled planes fly overhead while the people that fly them show you how to do barrel rolls or build your very own miniature flyer.

Aeromodelers Big Bird Fly-in
When: Saturday and Sunday October 11th and 12th, 9:30am-4pm
Where: Mary Moore Searight Municipal Park (off Slaughter Lane between South First and Manchaca)
$$$: Free

If you’re looking for a bit more adult oriented entertainment then you might be interested Apocalypse Wow. Kitty Kitty Bang Bang burlesque and the No Salvation Army Band join forces to turn it up and turn you on. Meow!

Apolcalypse Wow
When: October 11th, 2008, 9pm
Where: The Compound, 1300 E. Fourth
$$$: $15

This is your last weekend to catch the Black Arts Movement Festival which ends October 14th. This multidisciplined and multivenued festival offers audiences the wide range of African-American voices in the arts. Expect theatre, dance, opera, and hip-hop performances throughout the festival. Comedian Charles Dutton will be performing as part of this event at 8pm on October 13th at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. All proceeds will support Pro Arts Collectives’ continued fundraising efforts and programming. all proceeds will support Pro Arts Collectives’ continued fundraising efforts and programming. Tickets are just $20.

Black Arts Movement Festival
When: Oct. 3-14
Where: Check www.bamaustin.org for a complete schedule
$$$: $15 individual event, $50 festival pass

If your little one is more of the four-footed variety then Barktoberfest may be more your speed. Hosted by the Central Texas SPCA, this is a pooch and family friendly fundraiser. There will be a walk, vendor booths and even a canine costume contest! This is a great cause at a great location.

6th Annual Barktoberfest
When: October 11th, 2008, 9:30am-2pm
Where: Old Settler’s Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Round Rock
$$$: Festival, free; walk, $20

Another fun sounding fundraiser is the Violet Crown Fall Arts Festival which benefits an oral history project underway for the Brentwood and  Crestview neighborhoods. Dozens of local artisans will offer their wares at the event, and local musicians  and other performers will entertain. There will be activities for children, as well as 
neighborhood history and other information.  It’s also a great opportunity to visit 
the 120‐foot mosaic Wall of Welcome, which was dedicated last spring. 

The Violet Crown Fall Arts Festival
When: Saturday, October 11, 10 am-4 pm
Where: Crestview Shopping Center, 7100 Woodrow
$$$: Free

This weekend is definitely going to the dogs. Not only do we have Barktoberfest but we also have Dogtoberfest. This one is put on by the Blue Dog Rescue Group. Blue Dog Rescue is a volunteer organization whose purpose is to end the needless killing of homeless dogs. Live music, food, silent auction, and we will pull the winners for our BIG TIME raffle, featuring a Spaten Cruiser Bicycle and a custom Gibson Epiphone Dot 335 Guitar.

Dogtoberfest
When: Sunday, October 12 2008, 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: The Ginger Man, 304 W 4th St
$$$: Free

If you love our Texas Rollergirls, and how could you not, then you won’t want to miss the Calvello Cup Championship! The Hellcats are on top of the world since their hard-won victory against the Cherry Bombs, but the Holy Rollers are still feeling the sting of their hellacious defeat at the hands of the Rhinestone Cowgirls, who recently smashed the Rollers’ two-season winning streak in the biggest upset in TXRD history. The Hellcats are staring down their first chance at the Calvello Cup since 2002, but the defending champion Holy Rollers aren’t gonna give up that title without a serious battle royale. Who will walk out of the Austin Convention Center with that coveted cup, and who will walk out bruised up and empty handed? One thing’s absolutely certain: this bout is not to be missed.

TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls Calvello Cup Championship
When: October 11 2008, 7:00pm
Where: Austin Convention Center, 500 E Cesar Chavez St
$$$: $13.00-15.00

Are you’re an Alice in Wonderland fan you’ve just got to get out to Pioneer Farms this weekend for their Lewis Carroll Halloween. For three nights only, Oct. 11, 18, and 25, many characters from the writings of Lewis Carroll will inhabit Pioneer Farms. Hayrides will transport visitors to the world of Lewis Carroll to meet such characters as Alice in Wonderland, Jaberwocky, Hiawatha, and many more. Seating is limited so make your reservations early. Appropriate for all ages so bring the whole family out! RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

Lewis Carroll Halloween
When: October 11 2008, 6:30p-10:00p
Where: Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive
$$$: $10.00 ($11.24 w/service fee)

Watch out, things are going to get a little hairy this weekend. That’s because this weekend is the Round Rock Hairy Man Festival. Now in it’s 14th year, the Hairy Man Festival is a benefit event that raises $20-35k a year in non-perishable food and cash for local charities. The festival includes an arts and crafts area with numerous artisans participating. Local civic groups, school clubs, homeowner associations, and charitable organizations raise funds through dozens of food and games booths. There are special performances and live music by local groups and organizations on the Festival Stage. Judged by local community leaders, the festival closes out with the legendary ‘Hairiest Man’ contest. Not to mention a $500 prize for the hairiest man!

The Hairy Man Festival
When: Saturday, October 4th from noon to 7pm
Where: Cat Hollow Park in Round Rock
$$$: 2 non-perishable food items or $2 per person to go to local food banks

If you’re a beer lover this is your weekend. There are two fun events. The first is Independent Brewery’s 4th Anniversary Party. With live music, and the choicest Independence beers on tap, this is their way of saying thank you for making them a success. Free beer samples and a commemorative mug for only $10! There are no ATM’s there so remember to bring cash for merchandise, food, and to tip the bands.

Independence Brewery’s 4th Anniversary Party
When: Saturday, October 4th, 5-9 pm
Where: Independence Brewery, 3913 Todd Lane #607, Austin, TX 78744
$$$: Samples are free. Commemorative mugs are $10

Also up this weekend is the Flying Saucer’s Fall Brew Fest. With 5 beer tents and 20 excellent beers on draft, this is a beer lovers dream come true. There is no cover and they’ll be serving beer brats and pretzels, too!

The Flying Saucer’s Fall Brew Fest
When: Saturday, October 4th, noon-10 pm
Where: Flying Saucer, 814 W. 47th, Austin
$$$: No cover. 10 Punch Tasting Card for $15. You get to keep the glass!

If you’re a food snob like me, or just like to cook then you may want to take advantage of Herb Fest. Learn your herb basics. No, not that kind of herb! Learn what herbs to grow best in Texas, ancient herbal remedies, and how to tell a good bug from a bad one.

Herb Fest
When: Saturday, October 4th, 9am-1pm.
Where: Sunset Valley Farmers Market, Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones Rd
$$$: Free.

Want an outdoor experience where visitors fish, shoot, kayak, rock climb, mountain bike, see and touch wildlife, learn about recreation in the Great Outdoors and see and buy the latest in outdoor gear and services. Well, you’re in luck! The Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo celebrates its seventeenth anniversary this Saturday and Sunday by celebrating the diversity of the outdoor experience in Texas. From camping and outdoor skills to shooting sports and fishing, from bird watching to paddle sports, Expo visitors have an opportunity to try their hands at two full days of fun in the outdoors.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo
When: October 4th & 5th, 2008, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
Where: Texas Parks and Wildlife Headquarters, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin
$$$: Free

One of my favorite events is happening this weekend. It starts on Friday and that’s a great day to go because there are less people in attendance. If you love jewelry and all things sparkly, don’t miss this event. You’ll be absolutely amazed at how inexpensive gems are when you buy them unstrung. You’ll find aisles and aisles and more aisles of every imaginable gem and many you’ve never even heard of before. From loose gems to mounted gems, they’ve got it all going on! With exhibitors from around the world, this is the largest selection of jewelry you can find under one roof.

International Gem & Jewelry Show
When: 3, 4 & 5 October, 2008
Hours: Friday 12pm-6pm Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 11am-5pm
Where: Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX
$$$: $7 ($6 with the special offer)

Click here to receive $1 off your entry price. Note: No strollers. No photography.

Music lovers, have I got your event for this weekend! The music and related memorabilia available here, at one time, is larger than anywhere else in the US. Ranging from the 78’s of the 1930s to the latest compact discs of today, over one million 78s, 45s, LPs, CDs, cassettes, posters and collectibles (probably even a few 8-track tapes!) are in the auditorium. Over 300 different dealers from all over the USA and Europe are spread out over 50,000 square feet of floor space. The show is so big that to see everything takes most of the weekend, so if you’re in a hurry we have search announcements at 12, 2, and 4 o’clock from the concession area to help in locating specific items. Again, go Friday if you can, for the least amount of foot traffic.

The Austin Record Convention
When: 3, 4 & 5 October, 2008
Where: Crockett Event Center, 10601 N Lamar
$$$: Regular Admission $5
(Good for 2 days - Saturday October 4th and Sunday October 5th from 10am-6pm)

If you’re up for a bit of a drive you might consider heading to Fredricksburg for their annual Oktoberfest. Three stages of continuous music, a hearty menu of delicious German and Mexican-American foods. Over a dozen vendors will be sizzling up fajitas, tacos, burgers, as well as a variety of sausage on a stick and plates with kraut, Cajun goodies, strudel, plus other scrumptious surprises. Adventurous tasters can sample over 30 varieties of domestic and imported beers. Oktoberfest is great fun for the youngsters as well. Kids can play to their heart’s content on the Rock Climbing Wall, Super Slide, Jumping Castle, and other fun games and activities right on the grounds. Over 45 juried artisans from across the state fill two big tents, offering their best arts and collectibles. In yet another tent, a select group of hill country artists will be selling their fine art to the public in a rare showing.

Fredricksburg Oktoberfest
When: Oct 03 - Oct 05, 2008, 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Where: Marktplatz, 100 West Main Street, Fredericksburg, Texas
$$$: $6.00 $1.00 for children 6-12, and under 6 free. 2 day pass $10.00. 3 day pass $15.00

Here is one for the kids. Parents can learn about great local family friendly businesses while the kids enjoy great kids entertainment, kids workshops by Home Depot, and more that are available right here in the local area. In addition, The River will be on hand to keep the tunes rolling. You can think about planning your next kid’s party or maybe your next fundraiser or just enjoy some shopping with the kids. In addition, you can benefit local charities. It’s all good. Join us for a great day where we can all celebrate everything kid!!

Kidz Fall Fun Fest
When: Saturday, October 4th
Where: Arbor Walk, 10515 No Mopac Expressway
$$$: Free but donations are encouraged. Bring a can of non-perishable food or new/gently used clothing.

There are so many great events going on this weekend that I just can’t list them all. For music listings check out:

• Now Playing In Austin
• The Austin Showlist
• Austin Sound
• Do512

For more listings of things to do:

• Austin Chronicle
• Yelp
• ParentWise
• Texas Festivals & Events

Whatever you do, have a great weekend!