Brit-pop night @ Elysium

Sobscene ATX is tonight. I don't know how long it's been going on, but it was only brought to my attention recently because International Waters will be playing. I suppose we'll be expecting to hear music like Morrissey, Kinks, Bowie, Beatles? The video seems to give a sampling.


Now I really wish I had a union jack tee or mini-dress to wear tonight. If only.

Also,

Eastsiders, do this:

So, I can't do this because I don't live on the east side, but anybody who reads my blog and does out to apply (if you think your pad's got what it takes that is). This is such a cute idea the EastAustinites have come up with.

Go to this page for all of the information regarding the home contest. From what I've gathered, you e-mail your entry to eastaustinite@gmail.com containing photos (bonus if you photograph your pet with it) of various angles of the interior of your home (maybe exterior, too?) and this entry form:
Name:
Zip Code:
Rooms/Bathrooms:
Type of dwelling:
Time in East Austin:
Favorite Eastside hangout:

Due May 15. Voting begins May 19.

I just wish I could enter and say this was my house.

ETSY AUSTIN

This is a little delayed -- but luckily, I am posting before First Thursday, a little something Etsy Austin is going to be participating in. I wrote this article for a class, which turned out okay, but edited it down quite a bit and changed it, because blogs are way, way different than articles. No one wants to read what I had before.

A growing entrepreneurial market among Austin citizens derives itself from an existing market online: Etsy.com. Austin users of the Web site, the Etsy Austin team, are developing their own businesses, whether it’s to supplement an existing income or to make a little extra pocket money with their hobby.

Etsy Austin is a group of Austinites who use Etsy.com to sell their hand-crafted and vintage-reconstructed items on the Internet. The group, founded by Beth Hempton (Snuggle Herd) in October, has since been growing. A steady stream of Austinites are starting up Etsy Web sites and joining the Etsy Austin team each month.

The group has taken part of various craft fairs. They could have been spotted around town during SXSW handing out upcycled T-shirt messenger swag bags, filled with Etsy shop coupons and goodies. They will be taking part of First Thursday, a block party held at South Congress every first Thursday -- not to be redundant. I am assuming they will man a booth with pieces from members' stores.

The current state of the economy has affected each seller differently.

“I actually started selling on Etsy during the economic slump of the last year, in order to make a little extra money,” said April Wright. “My sales haven't been affected yet, but I am definitely giving myself a budget on arts and crafts supplies.”

“My sales have been on the incline since last year,” said Etsy store Polished’s Tracy Owens Chasteen. “Despite the sad economy, my Etsy shop sales are taking off.”

Etsy Austin
Etsy Austin Blog
+(you can find links to individual stores on here)

Some of my favorites from the stores:

"

Tuesdaze

It's Tuesday.


+The new weekly at Back Alley Social, which I have yet to check out since it's former Whisky Bar days, is tonight. My friend, Blake Brandon, is guest DJ-ing.
+There's also the Sounds Fun at Canvas Bar and Gallery.

+I know Mates of State and Black Kids will be playing La Zona Rosa, but that will probably not be a viable option for me at $25 or more. I've also already seen Mates of State back in the day. They were great, but I don't think I can afford to go.
+Cake will also be playing Stubb's, but that one is definitely sold out. I never really gave Cake a chance.

+ACL's lineup for 2009 has been released, for those of you who have not yet been informed. Peep it here. Highlights for me are Sonic Youth, B-52s, Passion Pit and kind of Lily Allen. I know for some it'll definitely be a must-go-to event because of various big acts, but honestly, I think Bjork of 2007 did it for me. Majorly. I don't have a cent to spare for this, but I suppose It'll suffice for me to see Passion Pit this summer, be okay with my Sonic Youth experience of 2007 and suck it up. Plus, ACL falls on a very special weekend for me. Sigh.

Rio Rita/Dazed/Top Notch

I know everyone else has gone, but I hadn't. I finally made it couple blocks further than S-la and went to Rio Rita last night. I liked the ambiance of the place. Since it was Monday, it was Record Player night, dubbed "Love and a 45," where you can bring your own music and pick what gets played. Also, they sell East Side Pies (delicious) slices - $3.50. I suggest you try the Moontower, if you haven't before. It's a million types of cheese on a thin crust. The chips and salsa are also good and only $2.50.

Speaking of which, I re-watched Dazed and Confused in order to catch all the Austin stuff I'd missed as a kid. Now, I want somebody to throw a non-Red Bull party at the moon tower and to eat a burger at Top Notch. I believe that is one of allotted the destinations in my hamburger hunt.

PC_Austin360

Does that not look absolutely delectable? Dang, now I'm hungry.

b & g guide to getting down

I just watched this little insightful movie, The Boys And Girls Guide To Getting Down, with my friend -- Thank you for introducing it to me. Anyway, it is this fake sort-of docu-informational flick about the rules and regulations of going out and partying - seemingly for the "alt" crowd. There are these played out scenes between these connected groups of partiers, all set in L.A. Some of the scenes are shot in the Beauty Bar there, which is eerie because they are all laid out the same.

I suggest you watch this movie, if not just for a chuckle. It really reveals so many truths about that 'scene.' It's pretty hilarious. You may find yourself sadly relating to the plots -- or if you are like me, you'll find yourself realizing you are an outsider and you simply observe those activities whilst not quite participating yourself. It's hauntingly reminiscent to things I'd like to lie and say I never observed/experienced in Austin, or people I've met here rather.

The film is pretty witty and satirical and really hits the disparity that is gender differences dead on. Learn all about "pussy power." Also, there's this really cute actress C.C. Sheffield, whose hair I loved. Next haircut? Maybe. (How it was in the film, rather)

I will look past her friendship with Cory Kennedy.

Another House Party

1704 Lovingood Dr. (east airport one block past mlk) 11:00
tonight.


I think I'll go to LS party at BB. Maybe Triple Scoop. There's a lot of stuff going on tonight, obv.

a little something something

Some people I know are throwing a party and my friend's DJ-ing. BB asked me to make a flier and this is what I came up with. It was actually ridiculously easy, as you can tell, because all I did was use this amazing Terry Richardson photo feat. Lily Donaldson (gorgeous) and wrote stuff on top of it in the world's most acceptable font. So, this is a good idea for those who can't go to Beauty Bar, or for something to do after 2 a.m. if you'd like I'm sure.

Contemplation

Can I just argue the validity of this Facebook "Picks"?

I feel like there's a lot more to do tonight & this weekend than there has been in quite a while. Last night was sort of that way. I went to Jackalope for the first time -- though all I ordered there was fried mushrooms. I love mushrooms; these were pretty great, though I'd probably have to say I like Plucker's Magic Mushrooms more than Jackalope's. My friend's $2 draft Ace Pear Cider was also great. Anyway, then Shakespeare's for 1 second. Then, Barcelona for the Irresponsible Voltron event.

I still maintain that Barcelona is a strange, strange club, that I prefer to avoid (like I avoided the strange backward-hat bro who tried grabbing my hand to dance). I hope I don't offend anybody when I say that. However, I do hear, often, that Barcelona is a lot like most of the bars in New York. That is a little disheartening to me, but I am okay with that. To each her own.

I suppose tonight I'll head to the Vega EP release party @ BB. I wish I had more information on where the EP will be sold and what it looks like and what tracks are on it-- but I don't. So, I've got nothing for you.

Bonus:
I may regret this immediately, but here is semi-verification of my previous bob haircut from when I was, what?, a sophomore in high school or some other tweeny year. Just don't judge or laugh at the wardrobe; I was going through a phase, okay? Anyway, here it is:

Why was I wearing a blue bra?
Why did I think it was okay to wear plastic necklaces?
And why did I take so many photos of myself?
(That is only okay these days if you have Photobooth)
... well, I guess I'd been trying to document my hairdo.

Art Week Austin

Why did I not know this was going on?

Here's a list of everything happening for that.
Pulled from the

Web site.

Thursday, April 23

Fusebox Festival 2009 - 12:19 Project at AMOA |

Art Ride. Public Art Bike Tour | 12 noon |

Barrels Across Texas by the Tx Hill Country Wine & Food Festival | 6:00 to 9:00 PM |

Umlauf Garden Party | 6:30 to 9:30PM |

Pecha Kucha Night Austin | 7:30 PM |

Domy Books: FRIENDS Group Show | 7:00 - 9:00 PM |

Friday, April 24

Art Ride. Public Art Bike Tour | 12 noon |

Art Talk. Art Critics, Critique and Community Panel | 4:00 to 5:00PM |

Art Spaces. Collaborations throughout Austin | 5:30 to 9:00PM |

Art Talk. Temporary Public Art: Talk & Tunes | 8:00 to 10:00PM |

Saturday, April 25

Art Ride. Public Art Bike Tour | 8:30 AM |

Art City Austin | 10 AM - 6 PM |

/pink unplugged/ | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM |

Fusebox Festival 2009 - 12:19 Project at AMOA | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM |

Fusebox Festival 2009 - Bodies in Urban Spaces | 1 PM |

Lance Letscher Book Signing | 2:00 to 4:00PM |

Art Talk. Discussion of 12:19 Project at AMOA | 3:30PM |

Art After Dark Austin | 7:00 to 11:00PM |

Fusebox Festival 2009 - Bodies in Urban Spaces | 6:30 PM |

/pink unplugged/ | 7:00 to 11:00 PM |

Sunday, April 26

Art Ride. Public Art Bike Tour | 8:30 AM |

Art City Austin | 11 AM - 6 PM |

Fusebox Festival 2009 - Bodies in Urban Spaces | 11 AM |

/pink unplugged/ | 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM |

Fusebox Festival 2009 - 12:19 Project at AMOA | 12:00 to 5:00 PM |

Somebody do some of this stuff with me?

04 23-25 2009:

Bloated off of Polvos enchiladas is the worst feeling in the world. Gluttony leads to regret leads to food baby.

Can't type much, so sluggish. Thursday stuff below.

Both of these sound good. Also, my friend is really pushing the KVRX thing because she is a part of all that. And you know Vega's good, don't fight it.

Speaking of which, (yessss)

friday

Also worthy of mention: The Kills, The Horrors & Magic Wands will be playing Emo's.You can buy tickets here. I believe they are still avail.

Also, Friday'll be Charlene's birthday! If you know and love her, go to Shangri La and celebrate the first day of her 22 year of life with her.

& saturday

A lot. I almost forgot this was happening because they started advertising for it so early. There's free ice cream, though, and my gluttonous self likes that. However, I'm pretty sure it's not REAL ice cream, because every real American knows that real ice cream is made with whole milk.

Learning Secrets party is my obvious choice for what to do ever really.

These two I'm a little less sure about it, mainly because I've had negative experiences in both venues. However, I know in the DJ world both Treasure Fingers and Felix Cartel are highly regarded. Saw TF in Dallas this one time at the Loft. He was nice and hails from Atlanta. As for FC, I know nothing besides the fact that he's Canadian apparently.

Okay, my stomach feels fine now, but I probably gained 4 lbs.

No Sex in the Champagne Room

To be honest, Lanai kind of scared me away the last time I was there for the new Learning Secrets monthly. Mostly because there was definitely 2 too many black cowboy hats and they were not on top of Rusty-Spurs-esque gay men. Also, getting hit on by a couple too many men who looked like they could've been my elementary school gym coach was frightening. However, the location itself is divine and I think it'd be a great place to hang out if only more friends were there and less 6th street bar-hoppers.

It looks like they are trying to recruit party-throwers that you and I would be familiar with recently, because low and behold it appears that WildLife is going to have a weekly spot.

That just reminds me of "No Sex in the Champagne Room." Hence, my blog title.

Anyway, I was reading The Year of Living Thriftily's blog and it got me thinking I could use a new bathing suit. I adore my Rampage houndstooth one-piece, but I absolutely want a high-waisted black two-piece number. Please, please, please let me get what I want.

More posts later, once I'm done with my oral presentation. I feel summer creepin' in, guys.

Some Tuesday Happenings

I suppose not everybody is going to MBV, or Spoon, or The Faint.

After-party. It may cost 3 bucks. I kind of want to go elsewhere after MBV, any suggestions? Or maybe I shouldn't.

Here are some weekly bar happenings you could go check out. They're new, and put on by friends of mine.

"FYWW" is I'm assuming Miguel's, Details, slogan -- "Fuck Your Work Week." If only I could.

Here is another weekly he's got going on Wednesdays:

Thank God it's Tuesday;

What an eventful Tuesday it is, at that. I am just happy I'm basically finished with everything stressful for the next two weeks. Besides my job/internship search. So, I lied.

Thanks to Ultra8201 for bringing this 'short film' to my attention. I don't know if that really classifies as a short though; it looks more like semi-decent visuals for projection at a club. I don't know, is that just me? Maybe I'm being too critical.

Man, I forgot The Faint and Ladytron was also on Tuesday. I guess I hardly listen to either of those bands anymore. I suppose I never did very much to begin with besides really liking Ladytron's "Seventeen." Well, no, I saw The Faint (a really good live show, btw) and loved their albums -- but haven't kept up at all. How many albums they've come out with since my brief affair with them, I do not know. Either way, you can still get tickets here. Only $25.

& Spoon is playing with Black Nasty @ Scoot Inn, but apparently that one is sold out. I haven't heard Black Nasty, yet, but I know I like Pink Nasty. Don't read that sentence out loud.

Go to Ultra8201 for more information on shows this week. They've got the goods.

cigarette in your bed

In preparation for a show, I like to Youtube music videos. Upon doing so for MBV, I came across this fan-made one for "Cigarette in your Bed" that I really like. It's just a compilation of black-and-white scenes from old flicks where attractive people are smoking (something I don't necessarily condone, being a non-smoker). Either way, I like the video and I like the song.

My Bloody Valentine

@ Austin Music Hall, Tuesday

I know everybody already knows about this. I just found out, I'm going. I hadn't planned, since I've wasted away my (non)fortune on food and shoes. Plus, I really should save my money f I'm going to buy a ukulele or a scooter. Anyway, I checked and apparently tickets aren't even sold out yet -- surprising, to me. They cost about $45 on Get Tix and, I think, on the day of the show, or maybe it'll cost a couple more dollars. Anyway, it'll be worth it considering this is one of the band's only 5 U.S. tour dates.



See ya'll there.

French Kicks Alternatives

I'm thinking I may really want to go to The Mohawk tonight, but for those not willing to cough up $10-12 for a show, there's other stuff to do that sounds pretty good. The past few weekends have just been whatever, it seems/so I don't know what these'll be like.

Anyway. I'm just going to put the fliers up, because I'm not sure what insightful commentary I have at the moment (I'm trying to work hard on my Etsy article!)

(Sorry Tolly, I forgot to post the thing about the author -- I thought it was tonight)

Sleepless

Thus, I'll make a list. A useful list.
I find that making lists of things to do, or just lists in general, help keep me from being overly stressed out or anxious. I make lists for a lot of different things. This one is going to be incredibly discombobulated; I mean, look at the time.

1. I want a ukulele and to learn how to play it.
2. Not sure what to do on Saturday -- rainy days.
3. The art thing was so-so. Played with a Lite Brite.
4. Upcoming: Etsy Austin article.
5. Still need to post those interviews I did over a year ago.
6. 'Satisfaction' - Cat Power.
7. I need a job for the summer, help?
8. I also want a scooter: Honda Metropolitan.
9. Red House Pizzeria sounds so good.
10. That thing at the Dobie theater was so weird; how did that even come into fruition? I'm curious.

Art Happening Tonight

I was perusing my friend Luke's new blog Zinenblogen when I found this:

To refute the typecast of being only a nightlife blogger, I have been trying to post stuff of the 'other' categories. I understand why people would call it that, in fact, but just want to stay away from such a narrowed category.

Anyway, also meanwhile on Luke's blog, I found a friend's not-very new music project, Phone Tag, which I have taken quite a liking to. The newest song -- Dressed to Kill -- is to die for. Also, they do a cute acoustic cover to Passion Pit's 'I've Got Your Number.' I love Passion Pit. (I always have wondered how small bands get their songs sounding so well-mastered. I guess it's an art I will probably never learn.)

I also like the name of their band, Phone Tag, though I hate phone tag. It doesn't happen to me too often, probably because I'm not much of a caller. I don't like to call people unless I have to, or their name is Kristine and I feel like bothering somebody. I love you.

Fri/Sat/Sun

Friday,
I'm a huge fan of this flier. It reminds me of Dr. Zoidberg, if he were human. Either way, seems like a good local-band-show to go to if you are into that kind of thing.

Peligrosa is also always good. And maybe I'm slow, but I just realized it means "dangerous" in Spanish. Clever.

Saturday,
Transmission Entertainment brings French Kicks to Mohawk. I believe Low Line Caller is also supposed to be on the roster.

Sunday,
This sounds really cool. I wish I'd known about it ahead of time so I could sell some old vintage clothes, but maybe it's too late? Anyway, it may be worth going to and buying stuff with my invisible income anyway.