South By South West is here! Here’s a list of some official and unofficial SXSW activations and events happening around town.
Museum of Graffiti’s Art of Hip Hop
Museum of Graffiti is excited to share the special performances and full programming schedule for the grand opening weekend of its first ever pop-up exhibit ‘The Art of Hip Hop’ this Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 12. Running in its entirety through March 28 in Austin at 809 E 6th St, the exhibit celebrates the 50 year anniversary of hip hop by showcasing the works of the photographers, album cover artists, logo designers, and graffiti artists who are responsible for the visual identity of the genre. The Museum has stacked the opening weekend full of special offerings to celebrate this momentous pop-up and complement the start of SXSW. The public (21+) can purchase tickets for opening weekend daytime programming HERE.
The Stage at SXSW and The Billboard House
Taking place at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park and benefitting Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, Billboard Presents THE STAGE at SXSW will be headlined by rapper and singer Lil Yachty (Thursday, March 16); Latin superstars Feid and Eladio Carrión (Friday, March 17); and electronic music titans Kx5 (Kaskade and deadmau5) (Saturday, March 18); and feature opening performances by Lola Brooke and Armani White. Get tickets for each performance here. In addition to the concert series, The Billboard House (800 Congress), a one-day-only interactive content house, will open to the public and feature artist conversations, brand activations, one-of-a-kind photo moments, small bites, cocktails, and more.
SYMBIOSIS – A Multi-Sensory XR Installation
Multi-sensory XR installation SYMBIOSIS invites the SXSW audience to explore its speculative world, 200 years into the future. A rich biosphere of mixed symbiotic life-forms has taken over the earth’s ecosystem. In a virtual world, with augmented scent, soft robotics and food snacks, the participant becomes a symbiont: a human-animal, and human-machine hybrid. From March 11-14, the multi-sensory VR installation SYMBIOSIS will be presented as part of the SXSW XR Experience Spotlight section.Following sold out runs at PAM CUT (Portland, Oregon) and IDFA DocLab (Amsterdam, Netherlands), the SXSW are invited to experience this sensory and virtual journey.
Dr. Martens Presents
Get ready for another year filled with music and more at Dr. Martens’ new stage at Clive Bar on Rainey Street on March 16th and 17th. Dr. Martens is kicking it once again in Austin for two days packed with live music and free ink by local tattoo artists Nick Freidline and Michael Williams. They have a killer line-up this year with headliners Danny Brown and Balming Tiger, along with performances by Lime Garden, Dream Wife, and many more. RSVP for free here.
KUTX Live at Scholz Garden
KUTX 98.9 is collaborating with the historic Scholz Garten to connect music fans to some of the most anticipated artists at the 2023 SXSW Music Conference, including Thee Sacred Souls, Girl Ultra and Sports Team, along with emerging artists such as The Heavy Heavy, Baby Rose and Pearl & The Oysters. The event is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis and will take place on the mornings of March 15th-18th. Admission is $10 per person – children 10 and younger are free. All money collected benefits the Central Texas Food Bank.
BUAverse Art Lounge
BUA is excited to announce that his art will be showcased to the public for FREE during SXSW on Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17 at Native Hostel from 2-6 p.m. at the BUAverse Art Lounge. His latest NFT is the first in a series of four that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. Guests are invited to stop by and lounge out during SXSW to preview his latest artwork and get the chance to meet BUA, as he pops in and out of Native Hostel. Guests can RSVP for free through the Eventbrite link here.
Leia Inc.’s 3D Sidewalk Chalk Art
To celebrate the launch of the groundbreaking Lume Pad 2 – the first and only AI-powered handheld tablet that allows for 3D chatting, streaming and gaming without the need for eyewear – Leia Inc. has enlisted Texas artist Jan Riggins to create a one-of-a-kind 3D sidewalk chalk art installation during SXSW. The chalk artwork – spanning 25 feet wide – is a three-dimensional, lifelike depiction of one of the many rivers found throughout Hill Country. Located in front of La Condesa at 2nd and Guadalupe in downtown Austin, the 3D nature of the chalk art invites passersby to step into the scene for photos and fun and a fully immersive experience. The artwork installation will take about 18 hours over on March 9th and 10th and the final artwork will be displayed March 11th – 15th.
2nd Annual Honky Tonk Hangover Brunch
Beloved Austin venue Hotel Vegas is excited to announce its Honky Tonk Hangover Brunch. Join Hotel Vegas on Saturday, March 18 as they invite guests to indulge in some much needed recovery food and drinks during SXSW. Drink specials available will include Lone Star, Lone Star Light tall boys, and Lone Star micheladas. Menu highlights include Doritos Migas, Brunch Burger, Hash & Egg Breakfast Bowl, and more. Guests can enjoy the brunch with live musical performances by Chasen Wayne as well as Gus Clark & The Least of His Problems. Lone Star is also distributing uniquely Texas “surprise & delight” items while supplies last. This event is free and 21 and up only.
Shell House At Antone’s Nightclub
Come discover innovation and spark your curiosity at Shell House. Shell is taking over Antone’s Nightclub for an action-packed three days from March 12th–14th, where you can explore how Shell and its partners are working together to build a cleaner energy future. They’ll have a lineup of expert-led discussions, networking, and interactive experiences, including an AR/VR arcade. If you need a break, you can also head upstairs to rest, recharge (yourself and your devices), and have a snack.
11th Annual Luck Reunion
Luck Presents is thrilled to announce this year’s lineup for the 11th annual Luck Reunion. Celebrated as one of the most joyous musical events of the year, Luck Reunion will return to Willie Nelson’s famed “Luck, TX” on Thursday, March 16th, 2023. The event will feature more than 35 acts, culinary experiences with renowned chefs from across the nation, local artisans, and one of a kind merchandise. Luck Reunion remains an iconic opportunity for fans to experience live music from the backyard of the Red Headed Stranger himself.
South By San José
South By San José is happening March 15-19. South x San José will return for the 22nd year to the Hotel San José and Jo’s Coffee parking lot with live music, local vendors, and good times. The gates open at noon each day. Always and forever free, no wristbands or RSVPs required.
Creator Mart Powered by Shopify
Discover the brands built by the world’s most-followed creators at Creator Mart powered by Shopify located at 1209 E 6th St. From March 10th – 12th discover brands created by Trixie Cosmetics, Chamberlain Coffee, June, Popflex, and more. Creator Mart will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Free Crawfish Boil at Progress Coffee
Progress Coffee is celebrating the grand opening of their brand new Cherrywood location with a crawfish boil on March 11th! They’ll be serving up 200 pounds of FREE crawfish courtesy of Eastside Boilers, while supplies last. Enjoy live music on the patio while watching muralist Rachel Smith and guest artists transform a corner of their outdoor space into a beautiful masterpiece. RSVP for free here.
Create & Cultivate Future Summit
Colliding with the world’s largest tech and innovation festival, join founders and entrepreneurs from the most disruptive brands as they future-cast and share how they plan to stay ahead of the curve with web 3.0, cybersecurity, fintech, customer acquisition, and more during Create & Cultivate’s Future Summit on March 11th. Register for free and get actionable, first-hand advice and resources from CEOs, investors, and executives, participate in intimate mentor sessions on pressing topics and trends, and gain real-time feedback on your strategies and goals. Special summit guests include C&C Founder Jaclyn Johnson and keynote speaker Tinx, who will discuss how to be a multi-faceted creator and stay on the cutting edge of societal trends, and more! Throughout the day, attendees will enjoy a variety of future-forward panels, interactive workshops, mentorship services, and networking opportunities.
Texas Wellness Ecosystem and Zero Proof Bar
Swift Fit Events is Austin’s leading health and wellness experience curators, and they’re inviting locals and visitors alike to find peace in their wellness oasis, located right off congress at 918 Congress Ave., suite 100. From noon-5 p.m. on March 13th, The Swift Fit Texas Wellness Oasis will have free tarot readings, free yoga, a free make-your-own essential oil bar, and free swag and giveaways. There will also be IV drips and vitamin shots available for purchase. While you’re there, find your new favorite zero-proof cocktail provided by Sans Bar. Make your way over to Fareground at 6 p.m. for a free community yoga class. It will be a 60-minute flow that will help you unwind and reset in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. RSVP for free here.
Q-Hut Nights at Carpenter Hotel
Enjoy an evening of live music during SXSW without the wristband. Smooth sound and retro sensibilities will radiate from Carpenter’s outdoor Q-Hut on March 17th with live music from Devon Cole, Brooke Combe, and The Heavy Heavy. A selection of beer, wine, and cocktails will be available for the outdoor bar, including a speciality cocktail from sponsor Deep Eddy. Free with RSVP here.
