Welcome to the Calendar of Fun! Music, movies, shows, books and events going on in Austin, TX. The calendar only contains events that I think are fun, so if we have similar tastes, then you won't have to look through a bunch of stuff you don't care about just to find a few gems. It isn't an exhaustive list of fun things going on in Austin, so if you have something to add, email it to me at emily@thecalendaroffun.com.
Mortified @ Alamo Ritz, Wednesday, March 10
March 7th, 2010
I saw Mortified last Wednesday at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz and I highly 
recommend that you go this week. Mortified is a series of live performances of adolescent journal entries, poems, and other terrifying memorabilia by the original authors. Don’t be scared - it’s actually more hilarious than anything. I thought I would be so embarrassed for these people that I would have to leave, but instead I laughed so hard that I cried and couldn’t even eat my black bean burger.
Don’t miss this chance to see eight now-adult Austinites bare their teenage souls on stage. Oh, and there’s a great band called the After-School Special that plays interesting covers of teen angsty songs in between performances.
Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz - Seinfeld Edition, Tuesday, March 2 @ the Highball
February 28th, 2010
Pop culture trivia is great. Seinfeld-only pop culture trivia is better. This Tuesday, the Highball’s weekly pub quiz night will feature nothing but questions about your favorite sitcom, Seinfeld. The quiz begins at 8:30 and there is no cover. Soup Nazis, anti-dentites, Festivus, man hands, yadda yadda yadda. If you need to cram, there’s always weeknights on TBS, but you better hurry.
Brendan Benson @ The Independent, Wednesday, February 24th
February 23rd, 2010
Despite what you may have heard, Jack White did not invent Brendan Benson. That’s right, Brendan Benson was an accomplished solo artist before he joined the Raconteurs. You can experience this awesome solo artistry on Wednesday night at The Independent. His newest album, My Old, Familiar Friend, released last August, is his fourth release of solid, catchy pop rock. Leatherbag and Michael Kingcaid are opening. Tickets are $13.
Take a listen to one of my favorite Brendan Benson tunes, Good To Me.
Bonus alert: Last time I saw Brendan play, his guitarist also happened to be the frontman of the Waxwings. If you don’t have the Waxwings’ Low to the Ground, buy it immediately!
Saturday Morning Cartoon Cereal Party - Girlie Edition - Saturday, February 20 @ Alamo Ritz
February 17th, 2010
Finally! A Saturday morning cereal party just for us (now 30 year old) ladies! This week, the Alamo Ritz brings you the morning cartoon version of Girlie Night. The website boasts Rainbow Bright and My Little Pony, but I’m also hoping for some Care Bears, Jem, and maybe a little She-Ra. Apparently, there’s also an endless supply of cereal. Don’t forget your blonde yarn wig!!
B scene @ the Blanton Museum, Friday, February 5th
February 5th, 2010
It’s the first Friday of the month and you know what that means. The B scene at the Blanton Museum of Art! Each month, the Blanton hosts the B scene for the young and hip to enjoy new exhibits, music, free appetizers, and a cash bar.
Tonight’s B scene will feature the new exhibit, DESIRE. DESIRE includes works by several different artists in various media exploring the theme of, well, desire.
The event starts at 6 and lasts until 10:30. Get there early if you want to get in on the free food. The event is free to members and is $12 for non-members.
Monarch Music Swap, Saturday, January 23 @ Monarch Event Center
January 21st, 2010
Start cleaning out your records, cds, show posters, instruments, and other music-related items and bring them down to the Monarch Event Center on Saturday from 12-6 pm for the Monarch Music Swap. The event is free and will include food and drink (I doubt those are free), a DJ, a raffle, and sweet music stuff to swap, buy, and sell.
If you’re going to sell things at the event, it looks like you have to reserve a table for $5 by emailing the Monarch. I’m sure you’ll make that $5 back ten fold with the amount of stuff you’ll be swapping and selling.
Full Sail Yacht Rock Karaoke, Friday, January 15th @ the Highball
January 12th, 2010
As you can see if you scroll down several posts to the last post about yacht
rock karaoke, having such high, magical hopes for this event can be dangerous. However, since the Highball is putting on this party, I’m going to risk it. I’ve been assured that this yacht rock event will be authentic. The song list is carefully whittled down to ensure only the best Hall & Oates and Christopher Cross springs from the lips of the karaoke participants.
If you love this genre like I do (well, few people love it like I do), you should come ready to sing your best Michael McDonald. The festivities start at 11 pm at the wonderful Highball and there is no cover. There may even be fruity drinks to round out the theme.
Now, get along and go practice those Christine McVie lyrics.
The Big Lebowski, Wednesday, January 6 @ Alamo Ritz
January 5th, 2010
What’s better than The Big Lebowski? That’s right, The Big Lebowski AND White Russian (or perhaps you prefer to call them “Caucasian”) drink specials at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz. In the last installment of the “High for the Holidays” series, the Drafthouse will be screening the Coen brothers movie of your dreams. You know what’s even weirder than Julianne Moore’s character in this movie? The fact that Tara Reid is in it.
Pop in your closest CCR tape and get there a little early.
New Year’s Eve 2K9
December 30th, 2009
Ah, New Year’s Eve. One of my least favorite holidays. The expectations are so high, yet most events do not deliver. If I had to go out on New Year’s Eve, I’d go to one of the following events.
1. New Year’s Eve at the Highball - Oh, the Highball. I love the Highball. Cocktails, 5 course meal, jazz, DJ, and dancing. $120 for everything or $35 for just the dancing and 2 cocktails. This is probably your best bet. Too bad it’s sold out. HOWEVER, they will be letting people in at 11:30 if capacity allows…and there’s always next year!
2. 2010 Uncorked at the Seaholm Power Plant - Flosstradamus, Car Stereo (Wars), SHIV, food, cash bar, view of the fireworks. $100.
3. New Year’s Eve Sing Along at the Alamo Drafthouse - Best pop videos of the 2000’s, champagne toast, fun times.
4. Party at your house - Stay home and have some cocktails.
Paradise Titty @ Club de Ville, Physics of Meaning @ Hole in the Wall, Friday, December 18th
December 18th, 2009
Two great shows tonight. Go to Club de Ville at 10 to see Paradise Titty, Austin’s all-girl Guns N’ Roses cover band. You will not be disappointed. Alert: Some fans may think they are at an actual GNR show. You’ve been warned.
At midnight, head over to Hole in the Wall to see North Carolina’s the Physics of Meaning. Great musicians who put on a great show.
If I were a DJ, I would have made a sweet Paradise Titty/Physics of Meaning mash up for this post. I’m not a DJ. Wa wa wa.
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