We’ve had more than a week to try out 2014 and see what the fuss is about, and, frankly, it might not feel all that different from 2013. But give 2014 a chance, and it could just grow on you. For a second weekend in a row, Austin's 2014 entertainment landscape will be feature some amazing shows and events to help you recover from the brutal polar vortex of the past few days.
Friday, January 10
Transmission Events Presents: Neil Hamburger
Plenty of talented comedians call Austin home, and it’s a popular destination for many traveling comics, but it’s nice to get a break from the traditional standup routine. If you like a little performance art mixed in with your standup, you owe it to yourself to see “America’s Funnyman,” Neil Hamburger. (You'll also impress all your comedy nerd friends in doing so.)
Mr. Hamburger might not be for everyone, so here’s an attempt to describe him so you can see if he’s up your alley: imagine if Tony Clifton performed straight standup while remaining completely hostile to the audience. Hamburger also appeared on Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, which is the perfect comedy barometer of whether or not you’ll enjoy someone’s style.
Friday, January 10 – Sunday, January 12
Cheer Up Charlie’s Farewell to the Eastside
Hearts were broken and beers were filled with tears when news broke that Cheer Up Charlie’s would be forced to vacate its location on East Sixth. Spirits have picked up again with the news that it would simply relocate to Red River to join other awesome music venues, but everyone has special memories of the old parachute tent in the backyard, and this weekend marks its final goodbye.
Celebrate this beautiful bar before it starts serving kombucha on a different street with three straight days of live music from bands including Residual Kid, The Sour Notes, Night Drive, Ruby Fray and many, many more. That should be reason enough to stop by at some point to bid so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night.
Saturday, January 11
The Austin Review Launch Party
The literary scene in Austin is about to get a new outlet. Saturday marks a special debut for The Austin Review. An independent, nonprofit literary journal, The Austin Review will feature works from the talented pool of authors our community has to offer.
Naturally, every momentous Austin occasion deserves its own party. Everyone is invited to view and purchase the first issue, but lit nerds will be excited to hang with other compulsive readers for complimentary drinks and appetizers, plus select readings from a few of the featured writers.
Texas Performing Arts Presents: Archer Live!
This may appear to be a case of déjà vu to many readers, but that’s because right when Archer Live! was included in a previous weekend roundup in November, it was soon postponed due to a personal emergency. Thankfully, the cast of Archer Live! is committed to making sure the show goes on for their devoted fans.
And what, exactly, is Archer! Live? It’s a staged reading and performance featuring the voice talents of the primetime animated series, including H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler and Judy Greer. The rescheduling of the Austin performance resulted in some good timing; the fifth season is premiering on Monday, January 13, on FX. That much Archer so close together might be the very definition of a “danger zone.”
This weekend will be your last chance to party at Cheer Up Charlie's on the East Side.
