Weekend Roundup
Circus protests, aerial artists, and a waitress, oh my! Events for Aug 19 - 21,2011
It's the last weekend before school kicks into full gear (already!), students are moving back into the dorms, and Austin's going to start feeling really full again. Make the most of the time you've got before the summer's over.
It's time for high heels and crazy couture as Austin Fashion Week kicks off in badass style at the Cowboy Harley-Davidson Showroom this Saturday. The theme is "Style, Speed and Glory," so you know they've got some big plans for grand entrances and unexpected Austin fashion mashups. This leather-and-lace event will kick the week of trunk shows, runways and fashion lines into high gear.
SkyCandy Aerial Artists are highlighting one specific piece of fashion in their relaunch of their immensely popular show, The Red Shoes. Aerial acrobats and puppeteers bring this Hans Christian Anderson story about a girl descending to the depths of Hell to vivid and beautiful life at The ND@501 Studios. Each of their shows sold out in May, so get your tickets early.
Speaking of amazing physcial feats, Anarchy Championship Wrestling returns to The Mohawk this Sunday for another hysterical night of over-the-top action, drinking and high-fiving. The mega-popular indie wrestling extravaganza welcomes back the "Godfather of Anarchy" Jerry Lynn for a four-way ring match. If you've never seen an ACW show before, this is going to be a good one to dust off your mullet and sleeveless tee for.
If that's not enough circus for you, The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in town, much to the delight of many Austin families. Beyond the (somewhat terrifying) clowns and the (less-terrifying) tigers, this year's show highlights the Spherical Miracle motorcycle riders and the Masters of Musculature body contortionists. Oh, and the cotton candy and those strange solid sugar orange circus peanuts. Oh my!
If you're diametrically opposed to the treatment of animals in circuses, you're welcome to join the Action for Animals peaceful protest outside of The Frank Erwin Center all weekend as well. An hour prior to each show, rallying will take the form of leafletting the surrounding area. Like-minded activists will be there to greet you along Red River with leaflets. Remember to bring your sunscreen and plenty of water along with your spirit.
A more air-conditioned form of activism takes place at the South Lamar Alamo on Sunday. The Austin Food Blogger Alliance will be screening the movie Waitress and selling whole pies donated by local chefs and bakers to benefit SafePlace, a nonprofit that works to end sexual and domestic abuse. The movie's themes are all mixed up together perfectly in this event, and the results will of course be delicious.
If you're not full on pie, head on over to the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria for the 7th Annual La Piazza Italiana. Arts and crafts, live music and food will be in abundance at this Sunday evening Taste of Italy in Austin event. Gelato, espresso, wine, pizza and pasta will be everywhere you turn, so you've got no reason to walk away hungry. What would your Nonna say?
If you want to get out of Austin altogether, think about heading southwest for the 81st Annual Blanco County Fair & Rodeo. It doesn't get much more adorable than talented farm kids earning their 4-H ribbons with their prize cows, sheep and hogs. You can also see a real-life Texas rodeo with real-life Texas cowboys and get sick on funnel cakes and lemonade while you're tossed violently on the Octopus or Tilt-a-Whirl. Does it GET more fun that that?
Get your fun in now before the homework starts up. But know also that the party never stops in Austin. We'll still be here giving you the study guide you need to get an 'A' in Social Scene 787.