Unofficial SXSW Guide

Our picks for the biggest free parties and unofficial events at SXSW

Austin Photo Set: Chad_Mohawk_SXSW_march 2013_14

Vans at The Mohawk is just one of the many free, unofficial attractions at SXSW.

Photo by Chad Wadsworth/Butchershop Creative

SXSW is a massive menagerie of parties, mini-fests, music showcases and free stuff. We know it can all be overwhelming, so here are our top picks for some of the biggest, craziest, unofficial shindigs at SXSW. RSVP now, plan ahead and get there early.

Spotify House
This annual favorite is a hot spot for big acts and free treats. Look forward to performances by Run the Jewels, Stromae, Ryan Bingham, The Vaccines, Twin Shadow and Houndmouth, just to name a few.
Sunday, March 15 - Friday, March 20 at 901 E. Sixth St.

The Onion & AV Club present Manic Monday
It's just another Manic Monday! Courtney Barnett, Real Estate, Wooden Wisdom (a.k.a. Elijah Wood and Zach Cowie), METZ and more will be taking over Red 7. Plus TGI Fridays will be providing food.
Monday, March 16 at Red 7

Do512 Family Picnic
Escape the downtown chaos of SXSW and head south for the annual Do512 Family Picnic featuring local food trucks, a playground, plenty of kid-friendly activities and (drum roll, please) tons of parking. The lineup includes The Suffers, The Tontons, Boss Street Brass Band, Groundwork Music Orchestra with more yet to be announced. Bonus: This event is BYOB.
Tuesday, March 17 at Midway Food Park

House of Vans
The famous traveling venue returns to the Mohawk for five days of fun. Everyone is invited to the free day parties with showcasing bands like Cathedrals, BORNS, ODESZA, Windows 98 (a.k.a. Win Butler from Arcade Fire) and Migos as well as a one-day local lineup courtesy of Fun Fun Fun Fest. Priority is given to SXSW badge and wristband holders for the night parties, but tickets will be available for purchase at the door if there's still room left.
Tuesday March 17 - Saturday, March 21 at the Mohawk

Hype Hotel
This Hype Machine mini-fest is now in its 10th year. Some of your favorite music bloggers help curate five days worth of great bands including Spoon, Hudson Mohawke, Best Coast, Ryan Hemsworth and tons more.
Tuesday March 17 - Saturday, March 21 at Fair Market

The StubHub Music Experience
Culture Collide and StubHub are teaming up for a little party over at Clive Bar. Enjoy performances and interviews by The War on Drugs, Portugal. the Man, Future Islands, MS MR and The Mowgli's, just to name a few.
Tuesday March 17 - Saturday, March 21 at Clive Bar

South By San Jose
If you want something a little more laid back (but just as fun), head over to Hotel San Jose for four days of live music from the likes of The Church, The Ting Tings, Surfer Blood, Gang of Four, Ray Wylie Hubbard, as well as wares from local vendors.
Wednesday, March 18 - Saturday 21 at Hotel San Jose

Pandora Den
Now in its fourth year, Pandora returns to The Gatsby for another stacked lineup, including Wyclef Jean, The Black Angels, San Fermin and CAZZETTE in addition to a full day of Americana music. You can get a little sneak preview on the Pandora station.
Wednesday, March 18 - Saturday 21 at The Gatsby

The IFC Fairgrounds
It's a music festival! It's a carnival! It's a state fair! It's a little bit of everything at the IFC Fairgrounds. Enjoy games, rides, food truck fare and music including performances from Twin Peaks, Rubblebucket and Colony House.
Thursday, March 19 - Saturday, March 21 at Palm Park

Quantum Collective Southwest Invasion
Enjoy epic tunes (and epic views) from the rooftop plaza of the flagship Whole Food Market during the two days of the Southwest Invasion with The Zombies, Big Data, Sheepdogs and Jukebox the Ghost, as well as local loves like Zeale, The Wind + The Wave and Walker Lukens.
Friday, March 20 - Saturday, March 21 at the Whole Foods Market Flagship

The FADER Fort
Things are all shook up over at The FADER Fort. This year the popular party is now invite-only, so keep an eye on those inboxes. Though The Fort is still technically free, this year priority goes to SXSW badge and wristband holders.

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Movie Review

Amazing graphics do lion's share of the work in Mufasa: The Lion King

Photo courtesy of Disney

Sarabi, Mufasa, and Rafiki in Mufasa: The Lion King.

The 2019 “live action” remake of The Lion King had two big things going for it: People’s love for the original 1994 animated film and a filmmaking style that made the completely CGI film appear photorealistic. The new prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, has the second element to lean on, but it must win moviegoers over with some familiar characters in a whole new story.

The origin story of Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) is broached by having it be told to Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), the daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé), by Rafiki (John Kani), Timon (Billy Eichner), and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), the first of a series of unnecessary decisions in the film.

As the film tells it, a young Mufasa is on his way to a new home with his parents when he’s washed away by a flash flood. Lost and alone, he’s discovered by Taka (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.), who convinces his mom, Eshe (Thandie Newton), to take Mufasa into their pride, although Taka’s dad, Obasi (Lennie James), is less welcoming.

Mufasa, who proves himself to be brave and daring, and Taka, who's loyal but somewhat weak-willed, grow from cubs into young lions, and their adventures together eventually grow to include a young Rafiki (Kagiso Ledika), as well as Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) and her hornbill companion, Zazu (Preston Nyman). They’re also menaced by a pride of white lions led by Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen), who waste no opportunity to threaten the other lions’ way of life.

Directed by Barry Jenkins and written by Jeff Nathanson, the film — like its 2019 predecessor — has absolutely gorgeous visuals. Using a mixture of real locations and computer generated imagery, Jenkins and his team created a world that feels fully immersive. Everything from the water to the grass to the animals looks like it actually exists, which is an amazing accomplishment and should be celebrated as such.

But the level of detail on that side of the film only increases the level of disappointment with the story. Given the chance to create something new, the filmmakers instead seem to treat the film as just a way to introduce every significant symbol from the original story. You would have thought having young versions of familiar characters would be enough, but instead they go overboard with references, including the creation of a certain location that is patently ridiculous.

Nathanson also overloads the plot with characters and twists. Mufasa’s rise from a nobody to king is faced with multiple obstacles, way too many for what should have been a much simpler story. And Lin-Manuel Miranda’s streak of great music in Disney films ends here, as none of the four songs he contributed work very well. Some are undone by odd phrasing by the performers, and others look strange coming out of the mouths of the characters, but either way, the songs just don’t connect.

The voice performances neither elevate the film nor take away from it. Pierre (Rebel Ridge) and Harrison (Waves) are rising stars in actual live action films, but their appearances here are negligible to the impact of their characters. Mikkelsen (Rogue One) is known for playing great bad guys, and he’s okay here, but nothing to write home about. The rest of the performers don't offer anything special to their roles, including Beyoncé and her daughter, Blue Ivy.

For those who are only looking for “Oh, that’s where that came from!” moments, Mufasa: The Lion King may fit the bill. But for anyone who may want something more than a version of nostalgia, especially from a visionary director like Jenkins, it serves as nothing more than two hours of pretty vistas.

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Mufasa: The Lion King opens in theaters on December 20.

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