| n may not have much in common with the rest of its | | | | It is mandatory that you travel with an open mind if |
| Texan neighbors, but it certainly is right up to speed, if | | | | you are visiting Austin during any of their zillions of |
| not in high speed, with the rest of the international | | | | festivals spread throughout the year. Eeyore’s |
| community. Find yourself some cheap airfare to Austin | | | | Birthday Party is an annual celebration of |
| and discover why most cars and t-shirts of Austinites | | | | self-expression where face painted families enjoy live |
| proudly proclaim, “Keep Austin Weird.” | | | | music and drum circles alongside rockers, teens, drag |
| Travel to Austin to experience a vibrant city deeply | | | | queens and just about everyone else in Austin, while a |
| entrenched in the tenets of self-expression, | | | | statue of Eeyore dressed like the Statue of Liberty is |
| ever-evolving music of all genres, and the pride of a | | | | prominently displayed. To keep in theme with |
| unique southern history. | | | | Austin’s quirkiness, the city hosts |
| Austin was the original capital of the Republic of | | | | SPAMORAMA, an annual homage to SPAM in all |
| Texas, and remained the capital of the state of Texas | | | | forms including a cook-off, recipe contest, kid’s |
| once incorporated into the United States in 1845 as the | | | | SPAM sculpture and craft booths and even the |
| 28th state. The Texas State Capitol Complex is | | | | SPAMALYPICS. |
| certainly worth a visit while taking in the sights of | | | | Austin also boasts a prosperous and eclectic film and |
| Austin. The gardens are peaceful and the 1856 | | | | theater industry. Over a dozen independent theaters |
| Governor’s Mansion is an architectural | | | | line the streets of Austin, offering enough space for |
| testament to the Greek revival style. The LBJ | | | | the many theater groups ranging from improv and |
| Presidential Library is also located in Austin and offers | | | | offbeat to classical and cutting-edge. Check out The |
| rotating exhibits focused on domestic and national | | | | Off Center for a real taste of Austin’s finest |
| history and art. | | | | original music, comedy and theater acts. Hollywood |
| Travel to the Tune of Austin | | | | seems to have developed a satellite industry in Austin |
| Anyone who pays much attention to contemporary | | | | over the years, with the help of the University of |
| music would know that Austin is known as “the | | | | Texas at Austin’s acclaimed Department of |
| Live Music Capital of the World.” There are | | | | Radio-Television-Film. Recent productions include |
| more live music venues per capita in Austin than any | | | | Office Space, A Scanner Darkly, Miss Congeniality and |
| other city. Wander down 6th Street on any given night | | | | Sin City. |
| and you will find yourself overtaken by jazz beats, | | | | It’s All About Austin |
| rock progressions, twanging country or experimental | | | | A trip to Texas is simply incomplete without traveling |
| electro. Each year Atlanta hosts the famous South by | | | | to Austin. The city single-handedly places Texas on |
| Southwest music and film festival, which is a major | | | | the cultural and artistic global map and smoothes out |
| gathering and showcase for the entire live music | | | | the edges of the Texan stereotype. Get in on the |
| industry. The Austin Reggae Festival is hosted in April | | | | nutty free spirit of Austin and don’t miss |
| and this eccentric Texan city even celebrates its own | | | | another beat of a breakthrough artist. |
| version of Carnaval in February. | | | | |