Pecan Street Festival

Nothing says Austin than a little fun in the festival sun, especially one so unique to Austin and our own historical 6th street. This weekend marks the 31st Spring Old Pecan Street Festival, its definitely a most favorite tradition of ours.

The folks are great, the music is hoppin', the art is eclectic, the food is amazing and the beer is cold. There is fun for everyone!! And they went GREEN this year! It does not get better than this, my friend. It gets started early and runs into the evening ... but why end the night, when 6th street is at your fingertips. Why not top of the night with your favorite end up?! Say, 311? And show them the best dance moves YOU have to offer!

Be sure to look for us (it is our favorite!!), you'll find us at the most hip happenin' spots. Last year, we tried our hand at the belly dancing ... we dare you to the same.

1. Recruit your nearest and dearest - we've tried to do the same.
2. Break out your festival dress and hand sanitizer
3. Take lots of pictures, we want to see them!
4. Look for the Molly and Shana show, we are entertainment in and of ourselves!

Saturday and Sunday
6th Street - East of Congress
www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com

Don't Forget abt Uncle Billy's

Swine Flu Beware! We are still heading out to play at Uncle Billy's all day 2nd Anniversary Bash today! Our favorite Barton Springs haunt is out on the deck today - grey skies beware too! Nothing is holding us back from heading out there today and you should say the same as well.

Check out these great deals: $2 House Beers, $2 Off All Food. Be sure to say Hi to our friend Casey, who is working so hard to make this a great bash! And look for us, while you're at it!

3pm Mike and the Moonpies
5pm Shotgun Party
7pm Slowtrain
9pm Leo Rondeau

Uncle Billys Brew& Que
1530 Barton Springs Rd.
512-478-0100
www.unclebillysaustin.com

Little Woodrow's Bash

Seems like our favorite places love to welcome spring as much as we do!! With live music and buckets of beer, the new Little Woodrows on the Drag is celebrating all day (open at 3pm). It's not just for the college kids, with $1 beers, half priced pitchers on over 100+ beers - be sure to come and try the best hops they have to offer!

Red Neck Boys will on the beer garden patio at 6pm followed by Doe Montoyoa. Whiskey Business will begin at 9 p.m. and keep the party rocking until 2am. Woodrows didn't spare any expense when it comes to entainment, even bringing in Obe the Fire Dancer (sounds so worth it!). But don't be a happy hour hero - hot dogs and hamburgers will be grilled on the back patio.

As if we didn't have enough, it is their innaugural evening of Rabbit Shit Bingo. You'll have to go, in order to find out what it is!! Had there been places like this 10 years ago, we would have never graduated college!! Thank you, Woodrows for all the good times!! And don't forget your pup!
Little Woodrows on the Drag
2601 Guadalupe Street 78705
www.littlewoodrows.com

Spring Fling For Dogs

Welcome Spring! Your weekends are full of festivals and fairs while your furry friends sit at home waiting for your return. This weekend bring along your best friends to Woofstock at Waterloo Park on May 2, from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. for a day long groovy celebration of peace and pups.

There will be bands, vendors, demonstrations, dog costume contests, food, and fun for all! Best of all…this event is FREE and filled with dog friendly events linking pet owners and their furry friends with the veterinary professionals who care for them. They are still looking for volunteers so visit their website today and sign up or just check out what the event has to offer: http://www.woofstockatwaterloo.org/

Have an AUSTIN weekend

I'll admit it, I lived here for five years before I went to see the bats. I know, such a shame. Austin American Statesman has a great article out tomorrow that signifies the 'dozen essential experiences for every Austinite and guest'.

Looking for fun things to do this weekend? Take this treasure map and get out there! Hit up the Lady Bird John Wildflower Center, followed a Torchys at the Trailer Park! How long has it been since you have seen the Gutenberg Bible at the Ranson Center? Time to get on it! We'll be hitting up Barton Springs this weekend, so be sure to look for us!

What are your must-do's for anyone who comes in from out of town?!
Here's wishing you, an AUSTIN weekend!

Austin American Statesman (Hat tip to Jen for the Tip!)
http://tinyurl.com/dm738u

Pink Unplugged

What a great fun idea to express your love to your nearest and dearest ... or that cute coffee baritsta you want to divulge your undying love.

During Art Week Austin, visitors are invited to visit pink’s temporary love factory set up along the banks of Lady Bird Lake, where they can type a message of affection to someone they love (or just really really like! alot...). Notes are bottled by pink’s love factory workers and delivered by bicycle and foot by pink’s love couriers anywhere in the city and on site during Art City Austin.

Ultimately, pink unplugged is a community engagement project, as it immerses local residents in art-making by providing them with a creative platform through which they can express their love for each other.

Check out the deets and call up your inner Shakespeare, there is a love note calling your name!
http://www.artallianceaustin.org/community_art_installations.html

Unplugged at the Grove

Thursday summer evenings on Barton Springs means one thing .. the KGSR Unplugged Music Series at Shady Grove! The series returned last week kicking off its 16th sesason. The series is Austin's longest running free concert series at 22 consecutive weeks!!

On Thursday, Rhett Miller of Old '97s fame will be crooning the crowd on the small stage. The Thursday night entertainment is free and is a great night under the stars with a dos Equis in hand. Go early to be sure to grab a seat, it fills up fast! But there are no worries where the Ziegen Bock flows. Live music begins at 8pm.

Be sure to keep up with their schedule found on the KGSR website here: http://www.kgsr.com/unplugged/index.aspx

4/23 Rhett Miller
4/30 Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses
5/7 Brave Combo
5/14 Ray Wylie Hubbard
5/21 Carolyn Wonderland
5/28 TBA
6/4 TBA
6/11 Jimmy LaFave

Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs Road
512-474-9991
www.theshadygrove.com

On the Twitter Train

We decided to give Austin Frugal Girls Guide a twitter of its very own. So please come follow the blog on Twitter @austinfrugalgal . Here you can find the latest and greatest updates to the blog and possibly even more last minute updates as we're out and about. So come tweet with us!

I hope you like jammin', too!

Come rain or shine the Austin tradition known as Reggae Fest will live on! Kick off spring with one of the funkiest outdoor festivals this town has to offer as Reggae bands from all over celebrate Bob Marley on the banks of Auditorium Shores. So, grab your tent, lawn chairs, and blankets and groove to the music of the Skatalites, Wailing Souls, Grimy Styles, Mau Mau Chaplains, Bandulus & More. Bring the kids because children 12 and under are admitted FREE with an adult and there’s plenty of arts & crafts booths and food vendors at the event to keep everyone happy! The Rockin’ Reggae Raffle is a first this year with tons of prizes from various Austin restaurants, art galleries, sporting stores and more. Tickets for one and two day passes are available at the gate starting at $15, and don’t forget to bring a can or two for the Capital Area Food Bank and help our hungry Central Texas neighbors during these hard economic times. For the answers to all your questions and more visit: http://www.austinreggaefest.com/

Austin Java

Not gonna lie, kind of have a big crush on Austin Java. Its a great day to sit outside, do a little journaling, sip on a glass of vino and find the muse. At the Original AJ at 12th and Lamar, wine is half priced for the rest of April! Kids Eat Free All Day Tuesdays!! The list goes on.

On Barton Springs, you can find live music and movie nights during the summer. My favorite is their jazz brunch on Sunday morning. Doesn't get better than a breakfast quesadilla, mimosa and a little fankie! Check their calendar and get on their mail list to keep up to date. Be sure to follow @AustinJava on Twitter to get their daily deals!!

Each with a unique feel, you'll be sure to find a home somewhere. And the people watching does not disappoint, with so many fun people from all ranges ... you may never get the work done, you came to do!!

Locations include:

12th & Lamar
Barton Springs
Austin City Hall
Leander (Now with DriveThru!)

www.austinjava.com

Hill Country Wine & Food Festival

Looking for a little vino in the sun this weekend? The Twenty-Third Annual Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is this weekend bringing together culinary experts and wine producers who celebrate our Texas spirit.

The event is spread out among four days among the different wineries around the Hill Country, including: The Vineyards at the Salt Lick (Driftwood), Stone House Vineyards (Spicewood), Becker Vineyards (Stonewall), and Fall Creek Vineyards (Tow). Nothing better than a great day of music, cab and sun!

Also, be sure to look around the city for the Barrels Across Texas Project, brightly painted wine barrels by artisans across our great state.

Check out the website for more information, quite more than we could ever put in one post!!

www.texaswineandfood.org

Free Dinner at Threadgills North Lamar!

Tax man getting you down this week? Giving money to the man is not our favorite idea of a good time ... but, apparently it has to be done. Sigh. BUT there is good news on the horizon, Threadgill's is celebrating the reopening of their North Lamar restaurant by giving away free dinner! Owner Eddie Wilson announced this free meal deal this morning on KGSR. As if we didn't love Threadgill's enough!!

After 4pm all this week, you can find selected menu items for free in order to promote the renewed eatery. So have that chicken fried chicken, fried catfish plate or veggie plate... our mouths are already watering.

Threadgills, North Lamar
(sorry not eligible for World Headquarters on Riverside)
6416 North Lamar Blvd
512-451-5440
www.threadgills.com

Strut Spring Sale

Be sure to hit up Strut this week for their big spring sale blowout. Everything is 50% off!! This is the time to stock up on fun flirty dresses for the summer festival season! The sale runs the 13th-15th at all three locations!

Who said there wasn't such a thing as the day after Easter dress?!
And don't forget to stop by their website to add yourself to the supersecret email list.

www.shopstrut.com

3100 S. Congress
35th and Guadalupe
2208 S. Lamar

Uncle Billy's 2nd Anniversary Party

One of our most favorite outdoor spots is Uncle Billy's Brew & Que on Barton Springs. Catching a few rays on their great deck and having a cold one from their in house brewery makes a hard day at work bearable!! Their brews are a beer lovers dream and they give you the opportunity to try all of them with a sampler!

Uncle Billy's is celebrating their 2nd Anniversary on April 30th. Their all day event will include $2 house beers (the Haystack Hefeweisen is our fave!), $2 off the food menu (kind of love the burger!!), and two bands for HH and two bands at dinner! (Are you catching the theme here?!) Come by and support this local fave as they usher into their third year of all things Austin!!

Their happy hour runs 3pm to 7pm each day and is $1 off pints. They are kicking off a summer music series this week, so be sure to check back and see who's hitting the deck! And All Day Tuesdays are $2 pints!! So great!

4/11
3pm Nick Kraus and his Austin Torpedos
5pm Little Mickey and the Soda Jerks
4/12
3pm TBA
5pm Ryan and the Relics
4/15
6:30pm Francis

Also, Uncle Billy's is hosting the Beer Wars afterparty on April 16th. Check out this great movie exploring the U.S. beer industry that ultimately reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer. www.beerwarsmovie.com Bring in your ticket stub and get $3 pints all night.

As you head out, be sure to pick up a Half Gallon Growlers for $16, nothing like bring Uncle Billy's home with you!

Uncle Billy's Brew & Que
1530 Barton Springs Rd., 78704
512-476-0100

Quick Note: Slackers!

We have been really bad at keeping up the blog recently! I know I've gotten a few comments: "It sure was on House Wine for a few weeks!!". And you've been really great about sending in tips (much appreciated, btw!). With a few growing pains (one new job), we didn't realize how popular we had gotten, so please take our sincerest apologies!!

So, with that ... we are back in full effect and will probably post a few times a week now. We're in the prime time of the Austin season - Spring! How can we not write on all the fun and frugal things going on!! Keep following, we're still here!!

Thank you for our continued success!!

shana

AMOA: One Peace ... In Pictures!

There is nothing we love more than traveling the world through photography. Intense, poignant, and overall eye opening. Sometimes it helps to get out of our own skin to remind us to be grateful for the things we do have.

Austin Museum of Art has a collection of photos on view this week, courtesy of the Nobelity Project. Stop by to check out the work of Austin writer, actor and filmmaker Turk Pipkin, who traveled to several locations during the making of his critically acclaimed film Nobelity. The Exhibit is free to the public in the Community Room through April 15th.

If you can't make it this week, the museum is a great place to spend a few hours to get out of the hot summer sun. It is just $5 ... great price to take you to another world for a few minutes.

Austin Museum of Art
823 Congress Avenue 78701
512-495-9224
www.amoa.org

Hill's Concert Music Series

It's no hidden secret that the place to be on Wednesday summer evenings is Hills Cafe for their Texas Country Concert Music Series, presented by KVET. It is free to the public and a ton of fun. It gets crowded early and is primarily standing room only. But who needs seats when there is good fun to be had.

Tonight, the infamous Roger Creager rocks out to his new album "Here It Is". He'll throw in some oldies, "Love" and "Everclear" ... and he's hot. What more do you need than a cold one in your hand, good music and a little beat to dance to. Life is good.

Keep checking their website for the season's schedule but look for artists like Jason Bolin, Wade Bowen, Jack Ingram, the Robison brothers, Cross Canadian ... the list continues down the line.

Did we mention its free?!

Hills Cafe
4700 South Congress 78745
512-851-9300
www.hillscafe.com