Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival

Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival

This collection of more than 30 food trailers, offers eats, music, and family activities with a great view of downtown.  Held annually, this festival keeps getting bigger and bigger so I recommend visiting every year.  Times are tough, let me tell ya, I am flat busted!  No no no, I mean I’m broke!  Admission to the festival is free and you can eat cheap and have lots of fun.  Hmmm cheap and fun, just like me!  

Check out their website for more information about the Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival!

http://www.gypsypicnic.com/

High Ball – The best bar/event space/karaoke/restaurant/bowling alley/lounge in town!

AHHH the High Ball.  This place, just like me, always promises a good time.  The High Ball has all kinds of events and often involves costumes.  They have everything!  Well duh, just read the title!  The food menu is nice and the chef is really great.  Not your typical bar food! You never know what’s going to be going on in the event space.  One of my favorites is karaoke with a live band!  You can feel like the lead singer of an Austin cover band for 4 whole minutes.  Pick your song, the band begins and YOU are the star.  Well let’s face it, I’m always the star.  Also, Motown Mondays is pretty great too for all of you who like to boogie.   

 

The karaoke rooms are top notch with a large selection of songs and each of the rooms have a fun theme.  I personally like the Xanadu room and the Heavy Metal room.  Did you know that the bowling lanes were actually salvaged from an alley in New Orleans that was destroyed by Katrina?  I just love the retro feel of these bowling alleys. In grade school, the other little girls never invited me over to their slumber parties to play Pretty Pretty Princess or Mystery Date.  But NOW I can play them at the Highball, WITH BOOZE!  HA!  Take a look, grab your friends and head down to one of my favorite places in Austin.  http://www.thehighball.com/

Comic Con

It’s a bird!  It’s a plane!  No it’s The Austin Wizard-World Comic Convention!  Calling all nerds, geeks, dorks and dweebs.  Come one, come all to the Austin Convention Center.  Even though Austin is a small city, it has a strong nerd population. The Austin Wizard-World Comic Convention is a shining beacon which offers sanctuary from bullies and hipsters, where the outcasts can fully embrace their nerdness, nerdom and nerdosity.  Even if you can’t find a date, you can always get your picture with a hot cosplayer!  Wonderwoman, Princess Leia, Sailor Moon, or maybe even an Elvira look-a-like.

 

As we all know I’m a big fan of the sci-fi and horror genres and these conventions are the best place to check out some of the best crap – I mean best merchandise.  There are always special guests and this year is no exception.  Be sure to check out all the official information , event schedule and at their website http://www.wizardworld.com/home-tx.html  Even if you’re not the typical comic con goer, you will still have a good time.  Even if you’re not the typical comic con goer, you will still have a good time.  

Cemetery

Now that the weather has started to cool off and Halloween is fast approaching, you may want to do something a little spooky.  Just a few blocks east of the State Capitol, the Texas State Cemetery is the final resting-place of many Texans who made significant contributions to Texas.  Stephen F. Austin, governors, legislators, judges and other fancy-pants dudes are buried here.  This cemetery is very beautiful and is very well maintained so visitors will enjoy taking a stroll down Texas history lane.  Normally I would love a place with so many stiff men just lying around, but I do have to admit it can get a little creepy at night.  

http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/

Oktoberfest

OKTOBERFEST!  One of the few times per year where you can get drunk at a family festival and you won’t need to feel guilty!  You can use the excuse “it’s part of the culture and tradition.”  Oktoberfest is like St. Patrick’s Day – not too many people really know the origin of the holiday, but that doesn’t stop them from drinking beer to pay homage to another nation’s tradition.  Enjoy the delicious food, variety of performances and of course the vendors selling all kinds of crafts.  Whether it’s in the German tradition or random crap sold by some lady with too much time on her hands, it’s still fun to check out the goodies.  

Fredricksburg, New Braunfels, and Austin have some of the larger Oktoberfest activities in the area, so make sure to check out the websites to find out about schedules and location.  Don’t forget Wurstfest in New Braunfels in November!  You know I’ll be there, I hear it’s going to be a real Sausage-fest.

31 Haloween Movies

Now that it's my favorite month of the year, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite Halloween movies to get all of you in the mood.  31 flicks, one for everyday of the month!  No, I don't mean those horrible campy horror/sci-fi movies that Elvira is so well known for, and I also don't mean slashers that are going to make you puke.  I'm talking about movies you can actually sit through with your friends and family. 

1st on the list the official Elvira Mistress of the Dark Movie of course! 

2. Elvira's Haunted Hills

3. Practical Magic

4. Batman Returns

5. Sleepy Hollow

6. Underworld

7. Nightmare Before Christmas

8. The Craft

9. Dracula

10. Hocus Pocus

11. Beetlejuice

12. Clue

13. Sweeney Todd

14. Night Watch and Day Watch - Russian
15. Gremlins
16. Addams Family
17. Fido
18. Hellboy
19. Dracula - Dead and Loving It
20. Blade
21. Death Becomes Her
22. Rocky Horror Picture Show
23. Poltergeist
24. Interview with a Vampire
25. Ghostbusters
26. Edward Scissor Hands
27. Young Frankenstein
28. Alien
29. Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
30. Pan's Labyrinth
31. Troll 2 - Now let me be honest with you, this is one of the worst movies ever made.  I mean EVER.  As the Queen of Camp, I had to include at least one on my list.

Restaurants

Hello darlings it's me once again, bringing you some of my favorite things around Austin.  Austin is famous for food and I have decided to compile a list of try to bring you the breast ... I mean best Austin has to offer.  It's just too hard to pick out a few restaurants to highlight, so I have decided to keep a running list of some of my favorite restaurants in the city.  Listed on the right side of the page you can find my recommendations. Enjoy!

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World and this is one of the largest music festivals of the year with roughly 70,000 people attending annually.  Of course in addition to the 130 acts, there are tons of events going on, loads of food to taste, art exhibitions, and some of the best people watching you have ever seen.  Basically it's 3 days of sweaty, groovy fun!

People are always bending over backwards (or forwards in my case) to get tickets and every year they sell out fast!  Even if you miss the sale period for tickets, don't feel left out 'cause there are lots of other events going on too.  

For information, check out their website  http://www.aclfestival.com/ 

or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/aclfestival

The Bats of South Congress Bridge

Austin is home to the largest urban colony in North America and there are an estimated 1,500,000 bats!  Each night, these little suckers eat 10,000 to 30,000 lb of insects and all the residents of Austin are thankful for it.  That means fewer bugs buzzing around and getting caught in my hair!  July to September is normally the best times of the year to view the bats feeding because the babies are able to fly out on their own and normally the weather permits viewing.     

 

http://www.videocityguide.com/austin/listings/congress-bridge-bats

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Viewers line up along the bridge, on the river banks and even kayak under the bridge nightly.  If you are under the bridge though watch out for bat bombs!  I know what you're probably thinking.  "Doesn't it smell bad?"  Luckily, it doesn't because the bridge is over water and all the guano just floats down toward Houston.

Whole Foods

Austinites seem to be obsessed with all-natural organic everything and who can blame them?  Just the thought of putting anything fake or artificial into my body makes me sick!  Well, I have to admit I can think of one obvious exception to the rule. 

FAKE AND ARTIFICIAL?

You’re probably wondering “Why is she recommending a grocery store, when there’s so much more to do in Austin?”  The downtown Whole Foods location is the flagship for the entire country, and just like me, it truly is a sight to behold.  The staff is friendly, the store is beautiful and the products are top notch.  One of my favorite parts is the buffet and food stands.  Grab yourself a container and pick out your favorites to either take home or you can enjoy them in the dining areas.  This flagship store offers cooking classes and even catering!   And never you worry your pretty little head about chemicals and artificial products, everything is all natural and many of the products come from the surrounding area.

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/lamar/

City Wide Garage Sale

One man’s trash is another man’s…well trash I guess.  For all of you who love to go garage sale hunting, you are in luck.  Every month, the convention center is filled with rows upon rows of stalls showcasing and hocking their goodies.  NOT THOSE KINDS OF GOODIES, get your mind out of the gutter.  Anyway, this is a great alternative to driving around Austin and standing in the heat picking through your neighbors’ old possessions.  You never know what you might find along the way. 

http://www.cwgs.com/index.html

AFMA

Austin Fitness Martial Arts

You know I have to admit, looking as great as I do really comes with a lot of baggage.  It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to maintain my pristine image, not to mention men are always falling over themselves to get their hands on me.  I guess it just goes with the territory of being a fabulous celebrity movie hostess.  What can I say?  Well let me tell you, Austin Fitness Martial Arts is a great place to get in shape or stay fit.  Not to mention learn how to kick some ass!  You never know when some vampire or deranged psychopath is going to get a little too fresh and you are going to need to set him straight.  They offer tons of classes so you should be able to find something that works for you.

http://www.austinfitnessmartialarts.com/

Lady Bird Lake

For all of you insane outdoorsy Austinites, Lady Bird Lake/Town Lake is a great place to enjoy the warm weather, get a tan in the Texas sun, and most importantly feast your eyes on some delicious eye-candy.  If you’re into that kind of thing … I'm not really the outdoorsy kinda gal, but I sure do love to sit and watch the beautiful people go by.   

Kayaking, canoeing, running, cycling and most of it is dog-friendly.  So leash up Fido and lace up your running shoes and get ready to work up a sweat.  Parking can be a mess, so be prepared.  Austin is just BUSTing with events and activities and many of them are actually held at Auditorium Shores, right along Lady Bird Lake/Town Lake.

http://www.austinparks.org/apfweb/park.php?parkId=350

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

If your Texas history is a little busty, I mean RUSTY, I recommend going to check out The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.  Visiting this impressive museum is an excellent way to learn about the history of Texas.  Texans are extremely proud of the state and this museum is proof!  This impressive three-level museum takes visitors from European exploration through modern times.   

If museums aren’t really your thing, there is an IMAX theater inside the museum which plays both educational and pure entertainment movies.  If your brain is tired from all of that Texas learning, you can relax and watch the newest Michael Bay movie in IMAX.  I’ve tried and tried to get them to play some of my favorite movies but to no avail.  Now why wouldn’t you want to play “Bride of Satan” or “They Came From Beyond Space”?  These are classic movies and are good, clean, wholesome, fun for the whole family!  Well I guess that depends on your family.    

http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/

Birds Barber

Mirror Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest one of all?  Me, DUH!  It takes a lot to keep my hair looking this round and big.  When I’m in need of a trim I head over to one of the Birds Barbershops.  I suggest calling about an hour ahead because they do get busy, especially on the weekends.  Not only do you get a great cut, but the atmosphere is fun and while you wait they have beer and video games!  Birds Barbershop helps me to keep up with my appearance; I am the Real Housewife of Transylvania after all.

TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls

Lots of girls, like me in particular, like to play rough. The most bad-ass chicks in the city are ready to knock each others’ teeth out at the Palmer Event Center.  These gorgeous gladiators have some awesomely clever names and super sexy outfits to boot.  Or should I say to roller-skate?   Anyway, the outrageous fans and Penalty Mistresses add some fun flavor to round this event out as one of my favorite events in the city. 

Check out the Lone Star Rollergirls!

Alamo Drafthouse

Greetings friends!

Our first stop on the grand tour is the Alamo Drafthouse.  After a long, hard day at work, watching Bad movies on a big, comfy, red couch, a girl’s gotta relax a little bit.  There’s nothing better than ordering something delicious and watching a classic like Amelie, Star Wars, Office Space, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or Never Been Kissed.  Being a movie hostess myself, I know a thing or two about theaters and man, oh man this place is great.  They have an excellent selection of beer and munchables and the variety of movies playing is one-of-a-kind.  Normally I specialize in the best of the worst but Alamo specializes in everything.  Foreign films, quote-alongs, family movies, cult, vintage and classic movies, and new releases; basically anything a gal could want!  Each location plays something different so check your local listing for details!  

http://drafthouse.com/austin

WELCOME

Welcome darlings, it’s little ol’ me and have I got a treat for ya’ll.  I will be taking you around to some of my favorite sites in the wonderful city of Austin, Texas.  We will be showcasing a large variety of people, places and events in and around the city.  So saddle on up and ride me - I mean ride WITH me as we tour of the capital of Texas.

Stay tuned…

Oh and by the way, this blog is not related to the official Elvira Mistress of the Dark.  This is a non-profit fan blog; please support the real Elvira Mistress of the Dark at http://modlife.com/elvira. We also do not work for the city of Austin, Texas.