City Cast Austin
🙏 The best SXSW tips
March 7, 2025 · Kelsey Bradshaw
🎉 Happy Friday and welcome to South by Southwest mayhem! The festival officially starts today. If you’re looking for some calm amid the chaos, may I suggest paying a visit to Athena the owl at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center? She’s back in her nest! 🦉
What's CITY Talking About?
🚨 Sixth Street Changes Are Working, Data Shows
Austin Police Department data released this week shows a drop in use-of-force incidents, officer injuries, and other crimes after Sixth Street was reopened to vehicular traffic. The data compares the first six weeks of 2025 to the same time period in 2024. [The Austin Monitor]
🤔 Is Texas Is Getting Trumpified?
Gov. Greg Abbott appears to be following President Donald Trump’s lead more than ever. In this week’s news, he announced state employees will no longer be allowed to work from home, and a state employee was fired after refusing to remove the pronouns in his email signature to conform with an order from Abbott. We’re talking about it all, plus the latest on the Texas Legislature. [City Cast Austin 🎧]
🚓 Arrests Made in Park Break-Ins
Austin police have arrested a dozen people in connection with car break-ins at city parks. Just last month, officials announced they were upping security at parks and greenbelts because of the break-ins. [KUT]
🍽️ Hot Luck Fest Lineup Is Out
The lineup for Aaron Franklin’s annual Hot Luck Fest in May includes chefs from Canje, Birdie’s, OMG Squee, Nixta Taqueria, Emmer & Rye, and more. [Eater Austin]
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What To Do
Friday, March 7
- ✨ SXSW Conference at Austin Convention Center | Various | Downtown
- 🎥 SXSW Film and TV Festival at Various Locations | Various | Citywide
- 🤠 Cowboy Breakfast at The Long Center for the Performing Arts | 6 a.m. | Free | Bouldin Creek
- 🥤 Sips & Sounds Music Festival at Auditorium Shores | 2 p.m. | $100 and up | Downtown Austin
- 🌈 Queerest Spring Break at Full Circle Bar | 5 p.m. | $10 | East Austin
- 🎨 Live Painting at Eden Cocktail Room | Free | Downtown Austin
- 🎤 Rod Stewart at The Moody Center | 7:30 p.m. | $45 and up | UT Campus
- 🤣 “Funny Girl” at Bass Concert Hall | 8 p.m. | $35 and up | UT Campus
Saturday, March 8
- ✨ SXSW Conference at Austin Convention Center | Various | Downtown
- 🎥 SXSW Film and TV Festival at Various Locations | Various | Citywide
- 🐦 Family Birding at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | 8 a.m. | $8 and up | Circle C Ranch
- ☄️ NASA House: CreateSpace at Austin Public Library Central Library | 10 a.m. | Free | Downtown Austin
- 🥤 Sips & Sounds Music Festival at Auditorium Shores | 1 p.m. | $100 and up | Downtown Austin
- 🌈 Queerest Spring Break at Full Circle Bar | 2 p.m. | $10 | East Austin
- 🤣 “Funny Girl” at Bass Concert Hall | 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. | $35 and up | UT Campus
- 📍 Passport to Canopy at Canopy Austin | 4 p.m. | Free | East Austin
- 🎤 Jake Shane Live at ACL Live at The Moody Theater | 8 p.m. | $39.50 and up | Downtown Austin
Sunday, March 9
- ✨ SXSW Conference at Austin Convention Center | Various | Downtown
- 🎥 SXSW Film and TV Festival at Various Locations | Various | Citywide
- 🖼️ Family Day - Frozen in Time at UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum | 11 a.m. | Free | Zilker
- ☄️ NASA House: CreateSpace at Austin Public Library Central Library | Noon | Free | Downtown Austin
- 👑 Dragtivity Day at Cheer Up Charlie’s | Noon | Free | Downtown Austin
- 🤠 Howdy's Western Market at the Long Goodbye | 1 p.m. | Free | East Austin
- 🤣 “Funny Girl” at Bass Concert Hall | 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. | $35 and up | UT Campus
- 💃 Confluence Dance Performance at Pease Park | 5 p.m. | Free | Old Enfield
- 🧑🎨 Artist Talk at Better Half Coffee & Cocktails | 5 p.m. | Free | Old West Austin
👋 TTYL! I’m starting my weekend by reading this story on the return of Armadillo World Headquarters to Austin.
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