Cheers to 2019

Raise a glass to the 9 must-hit New Year’s Eve parties in Austin

Now that the stress of holiday shopping is over and the leftovers are building up frost in the freezer, it’s officially time to party. We’ve rounded up a list of the nine must-hit New Year’s Eve happenings for welcoming 2019 the Austin way.

Whether you’re scrambling to find a last-minute VIP table or you’re on the hunt for the best drink specials in the city, we’ve got you covered. From family-friendly to adult-only, these NYE events promise a night to remember — hopefully.

Bob Schneider's New Year’s Eve Party
Perennial favorite Bob Schneider counts down to 2019 with an exclusive concert at the Paramount Theatre. Known for hits like “Tarantula” and “40 Dogs,” Schneider is one of Austin’s most beloved musical artists. Your ticket includes both the festivities and a live show.

Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel presents Stephen F’s ‘Putting on the Glitz’ New Year’s Celebration
Ring in the new year dressed to the nines and sipping a Champagne cocktail at the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel. Highlights of this fanciful evening include passed hors d'oeuvres, live sets by DJ Gatsby, party favors, desserts, and more. Guests are encouraged to don their best roaring ‘20s attire, complete with pearls, fringe, top hats, and wingtips. For tickets and reservation arrangements, call 512-721-4477.

The Red Oak Ballroom presents
Skip the hustle and bustle of downtown and stop by the Red Oak Ballroom at Northcross Mall to welcome the new year with festive flair. The event includes a midnight toast, a light show, and a confetti explosion. Guests can celebrate with complimentary party favors and commemorate the evening in one of the many photos booths. Dress attire is formal.

The Roosevelt Room presents Roaring ‘20s NYE Party
It wouldn’t be NYE if there was only one roaring ‘20s soireé in the city. The Roosevelt Room invites revelers to sip Prohibition-style librations and sample from a curated menu of bubbly selections as the countdown to 2019 nears. Additional highlights include music by DJ Phauxkis and a live stream of the ball drop at midnight, just like Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Attire is semi-formal to formal with vintage touches highly encouraged.

Thinkery presents Noon Year’s Eve Balloon Drop and Bubble Wrap Stomp
Who said New Year’s Eve was only for adults? Spend time with the entire family before the after-hours fun begins at the Thinkery. The celebration includes balloon drops and bubble wrap stomps on both levels. Additional festivities include music, winter crafts, DIY noisemakers, entry to the Texas “snowball” arena, and special performances. Capacity is limited, but there are two celebration times to choose from. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit the Thinkery website.

South Congress Hotel presents New Year’s Eve Celebration
Say hello to 2019 on SoCo with dinner and dancing at South Congress Hotel. Extra pours of Champagne, decadent snacks, and live music create the ideal alternative to downtown partying. Reserve a table for dinner and enjoy a complimentary bottle of bubbles upon arrival. Guests can stay late for tunes by DJ ulovei and a live music performance by Los Coast. Admission is free. Dinner reservations available for parties of four or more.

Speakeasy’s Legendary New Year’s Eve Bash
Speakeasy hosts a party-meets-concert celebration featuring live performances and DJ sets in the heart of downtown. Guests will enjoy an exclusive show by PLUSH in the Live Music Lounge and hot tracks by a special guest DJ in the Kabaret Room. Are you rolling into 2019 with a group of friends? VIP packages are still available.

Whisler’s New Year’s Eve Bash
East side bar Whisler’s invites locals and visitors alike to toast to a fresh start with a stiff cocktail during this NYE bash. The party will feature DJ Jeff Strange and sips from the bar's "Best Of" cocktail menu, including a few retired Whisler’s favorites. Guests can enjoy a Champagne toast at midnight. Admission is free.

Willie Nelson & Family New Year
Music legend Willie Nelson rings in the new year with an evening of music, family, and friends. The continued hometown tradition at ACL Live will feature performances by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. The New Year’s Eve celebration also includes appearances by Father Time Texas and Baby New Year. Select tickets are still available.

Toast to 2019 with friends at Speakeasy's Legendary New Year's Eve Bash.

Photo courtesy of Speakeasy

Toast to 2019 with friends at Speakeasy's Legendary New Year's Eve Bash.

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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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