March 15, 2010 - SXSW Food Bloggers' Party
We've already had a wild
and wooly week, and the madness of South
by Southwest is just starting.
We been hitting our fair share of events - including the
Florida Film Commission's annual party, two different GLBT
filmmakers' get-togethers, and the Capitalist Party. But
our new annual favorite tradition is the Food Bloggers' Party -
hosted by Austin American Statesman food writer Addie Broyles, and held this year at the Cedar Door.
The Ice Cream Man was
parked outside the front door, making our brief time in line
simply
sublime. Already the top SXSW
mobile vendor to find on the streets of Austin this year, we
enjoyed a free, hand-created watermelon/agave and mango
popsicle - the perfect start to a great party.
 | ||
The Cedar Door served up
tart Mexican martinis and a wonderful fajita taco buffet, while
other vendors brought samples that disappeared very quickly.
We absconded with some incredible Bacon and Pecan Brittle
by Epicuriosities.com, and a handmade Snikie snickerdoodle Twinkie by Retro Bizarro Pastries - before the other vultures noticed they were
out on the table. You gotta be quick around these
foodies!
We had a great time
visiting with other writers and personalities, including
Statesman photographer David Weaver, host Broyles and her
musician husband Ian (and adorable son Julian), and Statesman
editor/columnist Michael Barnes. And we chatted with regional top food
writer Jennie Chen about her plans for this year's Cupcake
Smackdown - an attempt at the world's record for biggest
cupcake. We'll keep you posted on dates and updates.
(Photo of JoeLane and Rob by David
Weaver, courtesy Austin360.com)
March 14, 2010 - The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo
Each year, the annual
Austin Rodeo gets bigger and better. We dropped by on
Sunday the 21st for one of our favorite events - XTreme
Bullriding. You can't beat 40 cowboys taking on a herd of
horns, hooves, and attitude. Check out our photos from the day here.
 | ||
The carnival jumped into
high gear after the matinee performance, with a lively crowd
and some incredible rides. One of our favorites - and
old-fashioned sideshow of animal oddities - is back this year;
the proprietors really go to great lengths to recreate the
10-in-one
experience of the 1930s and 40s.
 | ||
As always, the KidsTown
tent was the main focal point, with a petting zoo, pony rides,
and Elsie the Cow. Drop by the Southwest Dairy Mobile
Unit and the diner for a
free hand-made quesadilla sample and some free recipes, then
stick around for the old-fashioned medicine show - a bit of
authentic history that you might never see again.
Every day includes tons of
free music entertainment, pig races, and Whiplash the Cowboy
Monkey. Plus, you can save the $7 fairgrounds admission
and get in free with these special promotions:
- March 17th - Wear green
- March 18th - Show a college ID
 | ||
- March 20th - Show your State Farm
Insurance card
- March 21st - Seniors 55+ with ID
- March 22nd - Show an H.E.B. receipt
- March 23rd - Drive a Dodge truck
- March 24th - Scouts Day (wear your
Scout uniform)
- March 25th - Carpool with 4+ people
- March 26th - Wear overalls
- March 27th - Wear a Rodeo Austin
T-shirt
The final night of the
rodeo on Saturday, March 27th, will also be broadcast on
national television as part of the Wrangler Pro Rodeo series.
For all the Austin Rodeo info, updates, and concert
line-up, visit www.RodeoAustin.com.
(Photos by Rob Faubion)
© Copyright 2009
AustinOnStage.com All rights reserved