Avoiding the sun has felt like a full time job recently, and we all deserve a vacation from it. Thankfully, Labor Day is upon us, signaling the end of this terrible hellspawn of a summer.
To make the most of this merciful day of rest earned by the efforts of the Central Labor Union of New York in 1894, we should all enjoy a long weekend full of grilling, chilling and... something else that rhymes with those two words. (Killing? Drilling perhaps?)
Saturday, grilling is the operative word at the millions of tailgate parties that will be popping up along I-35 and MLK. Starting at 6am or so, the burnt orange masses will start staking out their spots for meat preparation and game appreciation. Cowboy booted fans will be flocking to DKR Stadium to see the new team in action on the field, and however many more can access the Longhorn Network will, we're sure, be thrilled with the results. Just remember to stay hydrated and play safe, everyone.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, short-shorted men from across the country will be flocking to Austin for Splash Days. The three day swim-themed event will kick off with the Splash Dance at Austin Music Hall Friday night. Then it's over to Hippie Hollow for an all day party barge on Saturday to show off your favorite new swimsuit (and maybe something a little more revealing...) Then it's back to the dance party for High Tide at Republic Live Sunday night. Just remember to stay hydrated and play safe, boys.
If you're looking for more ways to sweat this relaxing Labor Day weekend, the Austin Triathalon is taking over Auditorium Shores on Monday. Two of the CultureMap staff lost a bet (not really) and are participating in the running, swimming and biking event put on by AVIA and High Five Events. The rest of us will be sleeping in (yes, really) and sipping our sweet tea at the air-conditioned Health & Fitness Expo held at the nearby Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Monday is also Austin Free Day of Yoga. Most of the studios in town welcome new practitioners to try it out and returning yoga masters to try new teachers or styles. So whether you're into to hatha, vinyasa or kundalini, (or just into soothing meditation music and bendy people), Labor Day is all about opening your mind to new ways to sweat. Make sure to arrive early, though, since free also means full.
If you'd prefer others to do the work while you sit back in air-conditioned comfort, remember the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival is still running long and strong into the Labor Day Weekend, featuring some of the best comedians from around Austin and the rest of the United States. Sunday and Monday showcase the talents of headliners Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live) at the State Theatre. Proops shows off his improv chops with some of Austin's best improv comedians during the Gorilla Improv show on Sunday, and Meadows performs with his troupe, Uncle's Brother, along with some lucky OoB comedians drawn to participate as well by lottery.
And don't forget the amazing and totally free show on Sunday night by Latin funk orchestra Grupo Fantasma. This Grammy Award-winning band plays the first show in the end-of-summer Terrace Concert Series put on by the The Long Center for the Performing Arts. You're welcome to bring your lawn chairs and favorite Labor Day picnic foods, but leave the beer and the bulldogs at home. Nobody wants to be cleaning up that kind of mess on Labor Day...
Whether you're sweating on purpose or just from walking between your car and the air-conditioned movie theater, please act responsibly this weekend. Remember that Austin cops can now draw blood if they even suspect you're intoxicated. So don't piss off the cops, keep your veins protected, stay hydrated and get excited! Thrilled, even!
Yeah Thrilled. Grilled, chilled and thrilled. (Ha. Nailed it.)
