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Photo courtesy of Loro

It seems fair to say Austinites know they can drop by H-E-B for most of their game day needs. But we’re not talking needs, we’re talking excess. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a host who wants to offer something truly memorable — or just absolutely clueless on this whole football thing but looking forward to Rihanna and the food — CultureMap is setting you up for a touchdown.

On February 12 at 5:30 pm, the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles, and there are basically two places to be: at home, or out with everyone else. If the former is more your style, make sure you order well in advance. If the latter, keep in mind that many of these events operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. Either way, time to tackle these game day plans.

Take-home snacks

Little Ola’s Giant Biscuit Bowl
One of the most extravagant and Southern offerings comes from Little Ola’s, one of Austin’s favorite biscuit makers. The Giant Biscuit Bowl ($140 feeds six) is, as described, a giant biscuit carved into a vessel for vegan queso. This main dip is accompanied by a seven-layer dip, deviled ham dip, and chicken salad. Just add chips for the classiest dip buffet on either side of the Colorado River. Order on Tock for pickup at Little Ola’s or Olamaie.

Loro’s Big Game Party Pack
Barbecue is a game-day staple, and Loro offers an Asian twist in its Big Game Party Pack. It comes with all the classics, but more interesting: wonton chips and dip, smoked baby back Duroc ribs (sourced from a specific breed of pig), whole smoked “sake can chicken,” Thai-style sausages, and oak grilled zucchini to balance out all the meat. Preorders available until February 10 via toasttab.com.

Oseyo's Korean fried chicken buckets
Oseyo is kicking the chicken wing tradition up a notch with Korean fried chicken buckets ($50). Those include twice-fried chicken, waffle fries, a pint of Korean potato salad, a pint of sesame cole slaw, half a pint of house pickles, and four chocolate-black sesame brownies (add more of these à la carte for celebration or stress snacking). Drink add-ons include a six-pack of Terra Beer (Korean Lager), a 32-ounce "Kimchilada mix" (Makes about 8-10 drinks), and non-alcoholic St. Elmo Hop Water. Preorder on Tock.

Goodstock by Nolan Ryan's specials and discounts
If a downtown restaurant is too fancy but preparing everything at home is not enough, Goodstock by Nolan Ryan is ready to meet in the middle. The Round Rock butcher shop's game day specials include bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers and beef kabobs, plus discounts on popular party items from now through Valentine's Day. House-made burger patties, Butcher’s Blend sausage, wings, steaks and more are 20 percent off. Head to the store to see what's on sale — the discount only works in person, anyway.

Watch parties

The Driskill Bar
Whether a visit to the Driskill is your way of keeping up with college football traditions, or you want the non-football fans in your group to have a special experience beyond the TV screen, the historic bar is offering deals. Domestic beer buckets will be available for $20 per five beers. The hotel’s location on 6th Street will make it just as fun as any sports bar, with the added benefit of a much nicer atmosphere.

Punch Bowl Social
For parties who’d like something else to keep busy with during game delays, Punch Bowl Social is hosting one of the most energetic watch parties in the city. The pregame starts at 4 pm with arcade games, bowling, cocktails and bar snacks. It’ll probably be crowded; consider signing up as VIPs for a projector screening, buffet, and lounge. A local DJ will close out the post-game party. Tickets ($70 with two drink tickets) for The Domain and downtown locations available on Eventbrite.

Fierce Whiskers Distillery
Whiskey distillery Fierce Whiskers is always ready with a party for big days in Austin; for Super Bowl Sunday, it’s staying ready for big crowds with pre-batched cocktails and rivalry-stoking theme-themed punch bowl drinks. Otoshi, the onsite food truck, will serve creative wings and burgers while game watchers play bingo and trivia for prizes. Dogs are welcome, and the free watch party does not require an RSVP.

Meanwhile Brewing Co.
Just down the road, the distillery’s neighbor Meanwhile Brewing Co. is breaking out the big screen outside, kicking off the party early (12 pm) for an all-day party. The super-popular group of food trucks — including an exciting new addition specializing in fried chicken sandwiches — will be churning out their own specials from the sidelines. Pueblo Viejo offers a tostada plate, and Bésame is putting together a sundae special, with more to come. RSVP on Eventbrite.

Armadillo Den
Another opportunity to watch on an outdoor projection screen is at Armadillo Den, made even greater with a gigantic crawfish boil. Let’z Geaux Boil, a weekend popup in the Armadillo space, is hosting a feast of up to 500 pounds of crawfish, plus specials on beer and seltzers. Fans who arrive via rideshare get 10 percent off for showing a receipt. The big screen is visible from downstairs tables as well as the second-floor space, but there are smaller TVs around the venue to spread out the crowd.

The Lucky Rabbit
If you're feeling superstitious about your favorite team, the Lucky Rabbit could be a good place to settle in for the game. There are 10 TVs in total, with sound on, plus a comfortable rustic atmosphere that's perfect for what could be a long game. There will be specials all day including $1 off all drinks and some wings (including habanero sweet chili, buffalo, ranch rub or BBQ), and $3 off all appetizers. The cozy space with heaters and fire pits is weather-protected, and welcomes the whole family, including dogs.

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Willie Nelson receives prestigious honor and inaugural endowment at UT Austin

Willie forever

Willie Nelson has earned countless awards for his seven-decade music career, but the legend is also well known for his activism — particularly in the areas of farming and food security. In recognition of his longtime advocacy work, the LBJ Foundation will present its most prestigious honor, the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award to Nelson this spring.

The award will be presented at a special gala tribute dinner on Friday, May 12, 2023, which in turn will benefit the newly established Willie Nelson Endowment for Uplifting Rural Communities at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, a part of The University of Texas at Austin.

According to a release, the endowment will fund research and student fellowships focused on sustainable agriculture, eliminating hunger, resilient energy, sustainable water, and natural disaster recovery to benefit rural and farm communities.

Along with Neil Young and John Mellencamp, Nelson organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise funds for struggling farmers, which has since raised over $70 million for those who own and operate family farms throughout the United States. He has also helped raise millions around disaster relief, for families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks and for veterans, as well as working toward environmental and animal advocacy, and voting rights. His Luck Family Foundation provides financial grant assistance and other resources to artists, organizations, and programs in need, donating proceeds from Luck Reunion events to Farm Aid and other longtime charity partners like the Texas Food & Wine Alliance.

“Willie Nelson is a national treasure who gained fame through his sheer musical talent and won hearts as someone who truly cares about the lives of his fellow Americans," says Larry Temple, Chairman of the LBJ Foundation Board of Trustees, via release. "A product of rural Texas, Willie has never forgotten where he comes from. His longtime efforts to raise money and awareness for family farmers through Farm Aid and numerous other endeavors to help those in need throughout his career make him a true inspiration.”

The dinner will honor Nelson's lifelong support for rural communities, embodying President Lyndon Baines Johnson's commitment to public service, particularly in the areas of farming and food security. With their similar backgrounds as rural Texans, both President Johnson and Nelson shared a keen awareness of the struggles of those who work in the agricultural industry.

“The bounty of the earth is the foundation of our economy," President Johnson shared in a 1965 Special Message to Congress on Agriculture. "Programs in every aspect of our nation’s life depend on the abundant harvests of our farms.”

Bluegrass trio Nickel Creek celebrates new tour + album with fall Austin date

Welcome Back

The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass trio Nickel Creek — mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins, and guitarist Sean Watkins — is extending their 2023 tour into the fall with a stop in Austin at the Moody Amphitheatre at Waterloo Park on October 21.

This is the first tour that the folk group has headlined since 2014, and it kicks off in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 15. The Austin stop is the tour's last, preceded by a night at Dallas' Majestic Theatre on October 20.

Nickel Creek is also releasing a new 18-track studio album for the occasion, titled Celebrants. It's their first new album in nine years and is available beginning March 24, which is also when tickets for the Texas tour stops go on sale.

Ahead of the release, Nickel Creek has unveiled three album tracks: “Where The Long Line Leads,” “Holding Pattern,” and “Strangers."

Nickel Creek revolutionized bluegrass and folk in the early 2000s and ushered in a new era of what we now recognize as Americana music. After meeting as young children and subsequently earning the respect of the bluegrass circuit for a decade, the trio signed with venerable label Sugar Hill Records in 2000 and quickly broke through with their Grammy-nominated, Alison Krauss-produced, self-titled LP.

Each member has also kept busy with individual projects over the years. Thile is a 2012 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and served as the host of the American radio variety show Live from Here (formerly A Prairie Home Companion) from 2016 to 2020.

Sean Watkins is a co-founder of Watkins Family Hour alongside his sister Sara, who has released four albums and maintains a long-running collaborative show in Los Angeles. Sean has also released a string of solo albums, while Sara’s extracurricular projects include the Grammy-winning roots trio I’m With Her, which she co-founded alongside Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz.

Sara has also contributed fiddle to recordings by artists like Phoebe Bridgers, the Killers, and John Mayer.

Pre-sale tickets are on sale now, with general sale beginning March 24 at 10 am here.

There is also the option to join the VIP Celebrants Club, which in addition to a premium reserved or GA ticket includes a private pre-show performance and Q&A with Nickel Creek plus early access to the venue, an enamel pin, and a limited edition poster signed by the band. Membership starts at $169 plus taxes and fees. More info can be found here.

Homegrown vodka brand invites Austinites on a VIP Dell Match Play experience and giveaway

Bogey Boat

We may still be recovering from SXSW, but it's time to gear up for our next big local event. WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (a.k.a., Dell Match Play) returns this weekend, and our favorite local vodka brand is getting in on the fun.

As the official vodka sponsor of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions, Tito's Handmade Vodka is bringing back its famousTito’s Bogey Boat, setting sail on Lake Austin. Stationed by the Austin 360 bridge overlooking the 13th hole, the Tito’s Bogey Boat offers fans a VIP experience during Dell Match Play and features a live DJ, photo booth, tasty bites, and more.

And best news of all: Austinites who visit the Love, Tito's Retail Store can win a chance to experience the Tito’s Bogey Boat for themselves: The first 10 fans that stop by the store when it opens on Thursday, March 23, and Friday, March 24, will receive passes.

For fans who win a spot on the boat, the brand will provide water taxi transportation between 12 pm and 6 pm to convenient pick-up and drop-up locations, one of which will be specifically for winners who already have tickets to Dell Match Play.