Hey, y'all. It's the end of our third week here at CultureMap, and we're having a blast. But we're definitely ready for the weekend as well.
Here's a look at what some of the things we're most excited about for the weekend!
- The lovely Texas Rollergirls are hosting a Rock n' Roller Derby Fundraiser at Fado this Friday night to help raise money and keep flat track roller derby alive and kicking (and punching and slamming) in the city where it all began. The Rollergirls will be your bartenders for the evening, and a few lucky winners will be walking away with season tickets to next year's bouts. We'll be on hand, too, taking photos of all the derby-loving patrons.
- Stick around afterward for Fado's Ladies 80s Night for some serious DJ spinning and dancing. And don't miss out on Sunday's 2011 Texas Rollergirl Flat Track Championships where all four Austin teams will battle it out for the grand title of the nastiest girls on the block.
- On the exact opposite end of the lady spectrum, we'll be in the audience whooping it up at the Universal Royalty Beauty Pageant happening all day Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn. Ladies of all ages will be battling it out for the title of prettiest girls on the block. (Actually, the title they're going for is Ultimate Grand Supreme, and the winner walks away with $2,000 cash.) We'll have our flippers in and practice our cupcake arms so we fit in with the rest of the little ladies.
- If beauty pageants aren't quite your speed, we're also ready to stand up and cheer for the awesome Texas high school football exhibit at the Texas State History Museum. More Than The Game is a comprehensive collection of impressively rare and weird memorabilia gathered by the consummate Texas oddity expert Joe Nick Patoski. Walking through the exhibit, you'll genuinely feel the rush of the game and the weight of the sport on small town Texas life.
- Speaking of small town Texas life, how about a brand new musical about a band of Hill Country orphans escaping an oncoming flood? Hillcountry Underbelly is the latest original offering from experimental theater troupe Paper Chairs and the last (for a while, at least) by director Dustin Wills. The show is outside in the yard of the Vortex, so bring your bug spray and a canteen and dress down for this bluegrass-twinged night of theater.
- Saturday evening, the beloved Spider House Cafe is celebrating its 15th Birthday and everyone is invited to the party. Bands and DJs will be playing all night at the 29th Street Ballroom and drinks will be available all night long. Come hear ZORCH, Fresh Millions, Boyfrndz, Forever Overhead, Marmalakes, Boys' Life, and an awesome DJ battle between Butcher Bear and Soundfounder.
- Whenever we wake up on Sunday morning, we're stopping by Taverna for their perfect $1.00 mimosa and and bellini brunch before checking out the new Urban Outfitters that finally opened at the base of The W Hotel this week.
- Sunday night, it's a party at the French Legation Museum with a new indie movie at Cinema East. This week's movie is the Dish and the Spoon, a SXSW feature that tells the tale of two heartbroken strangers finding solace in one another's arms. A small, quiet indie for only $3.00 is the perfect way to finish up the perfect Austin weekend.
- Then we can head to bed dreaming about the The Decemberists concerts happening Monday (at Stubb's) and Tuesday (at ACL Live--with Gillian Welch!).
But I ask you: Could this city get any better when it comes to weekends?