The Austonian Blog - Downtown Luxury Condo in Austin, Texas

Downtown Retail Spotlight: Lomography Austin

Earlier this month, Lomography, an international store and community dedicated to analog (film-based) photography, opened an Austin location along Congress Avenue.

The Austin Lomography Gallery Store carries the entire line of Lomography products—cameras, accessories, camera bags, shirts and film. They also provide processing services for people to get their film developed, printed and scanned onto a disc. A couple times per week, they offer workshops dedicated to analog photography as well. All workshops include an instructional lecture, loaner camera and one free roll of film. A link to their workshop and event schedule through December is available here. In the New Year, the Austin Gallery Store plans to initiate a regular Happy Hour and DIY series to bring together Austin’s analog photography community.

While Lomography is a global entity with stores all over the world, the Austin Gallery Store stays true to the local culture of our city with their LomoWall, a wall of 4,500 authentic, colorful and beautiful photographs celebrating the city of Austin, all shot by local Austin Lomographers. Visit their location at 912 Congress Avenue to see the wall or to attend one of their photography workshops. 

(Photo credit: Lomography Gallery Store Austin)

 

Additional Holiday Events in Downtown Austin

Now through the New Year, downtown Austin residents and visitors have a plethora of holiday events to choose from in the heart of the capital city. Several events and details follow.

Ice Skating at Whole Foods

 Ice skating on the Plaza at Whole Foods is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for $10 an hour including ice skates. Additional holiday events will take place at the Whole Foods Market’s flagship store each Wednesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. 

Holiday Window Walk on 2^nd Street

The inaugural 2^nd Street District Holiday Window Walk continues on the street, which runs alongside The Austonian, now through Monday, January 2^nd. Window displays have been created by students at St. Edwards University, and visitors to the district may vote on their favorite display. Finalists will be judged to win one of three scholarships provided by Silicon Laboratories. 

Build a Snowflake at Springbox

As part of the Downtown Stroll, Springbox, located at 708 Congress Avenue, created a window display that passersby of all ages can engage with to create their own unique snowflake. Visitors can use their mobile devices to dial into a free, 1-800 number to create their own snowflake and add it to the permanent window display. Participants receive their personally designed snowflake via text to share their creation with friends and family. 

Austin Tinplate Trackers

For the third year in a row, the Austin Tinplate Trackers "O" gauge model train organization has set up their layout in downtown Austin at 117 Lavaca across from City Hall. The display is free for viewing and is open Saturdays from 12 to 5 p.m. except Christmas. 

(Photo credit Texas Tripper)

 

Downtown Austin Event: Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

Austin holiday tradition the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar opens at the Palmer Events Center this Wednesday. In its 36^th season, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar offers a unique opportunity to shop for the holidays while celebrating and fostering Austin’s distinctive cultural identity.

Over 160 local artists and artisans will exhibit original work from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily from December 14^th to Christmas Eve, offering over 40,000 shoppers unique gift ideas and the opportunity to support Austin’s local economy.

To accompany the shopping, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar creates a complete shopping experience with live music, a dance floor, and a full bar.

For a full list of participating musicians, artists and merchants, and for more information about the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, visit the event’s website. 

 

Downtown Austin Restaurant Spotlight: Muscle Maker Grill

A new healthy lunch and dinner option has opened in downtown Austin. Muscle Maker Grill offers a variety of health-conscious American, Asian, Mexican, and Italian-style dishes. The menu features creative protein-based dishes, a wide selection of smoothies and protein shakes, as well as a range of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Muscle Maker Grill began in the northeast, where Matthew DeLeon, the owner of the Austin Muscle Maker Grill location, discovered and fell in love with the restaurant and its healthy offerings. He decided to bring the concept to Austin, where he believes the restaurant will thrive amongst our health-conscious culture.

Austin is “such an active and healthy city,” DeLeon says. “I’m confident that Muscle Maker will complement Austin perfectly.” 

The first Texas location of Muscle Maker Grill is located at 9^th and Congress, only two blocks south of the Capitol. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends. They also offer catering and delivery options.

For more information about Muscle Maker Grill and to view the full menu, visit their website. 

(Photo credit Brian Fitzsimmons)

 

Holiday Events in Downtown Austin’s 2ND Street District

(St. Edwards University's Holiday Window Walk Design Competition in the 2ND Street District. Photo credit Jessica Pages via CultureMap)

Every Tuesday and Wednesday from December 6^th through 21^st, Downtown Austin’s 2^ND Street District hosts “Deck the District” with food, entertainment and fun for the entire family.

Each week’s events include caroling, dancing,  Elvis sightings and more. 2^ND Street boutiques and businesses will host in-store parties with elves passing out bites and beverages throughout the District.

Deck the District begins this evening, and businesses in the district will donate 10 percent of sales from 6 to 9 p.m. to their chosen charities.

For more information and for the full entertainment lineup, click here.

 

Downtown Austin Holiday Event: Zilker Tree Lighting on Sunday December 4th

This Sunday evening at 6p.m., join Austinites for the Zilker Tree Lighting Ceremony in Zilker Park near downtown Austin. The 155-foot tree created from lights attached to one of Austin’s historic Moonlight Towers will illuminate the park throughout the holiday season. Music from the Barton Hills Choir and the Austin Civic Wind Symphony will accompany the lighting ceremony.

All December, over 3,000 lights will brighten Zilker Park every evening from 6p.m. to midnight. Food and novelty vendors will be on site until Christmas to provide holiday cheer and entertainment for the family as well. Santa and his elves will make nightly appearances from December 5^th through the 11^th to hear children’s holiday wishes. And hang around on the 11^th for The Hillside Theatre Community Stage’s holiday event with candy, face painting, and community entertainment.

For more information about the festivities at Zilker Park this December, visit the Zilker Tree website. The site also includes information about the history of the Zilker Tree, details about its construction, and a list of other holiday events happening this month with Austin Parks and Recreation. 

(Photo credit: Austin Parks and Recreation)

 

Downtown Austin Event: Holiday Sing-Along, Tree Lighting and Downtown Stroll on Saturday December 3rd

This Saturday, December 3^rd from 6 to 9p.m., join the Downtown Austin Alliance and KUT 90.5 for the 22^nd annual Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll at the Capitol and along Congress Avenue.

The evening begins with a holiday sing-along hosted by KUT’s John Aielli on the Capitol grounds from 6 to 7 p.m. Immediately following the carols is the lighting of thet 40-foot live tree at 11^th and Congress. The tree will be installed this week and will remain in front of the Capitol until the second week in January.

After the Tree Lighting Ceremony, venture down Congress Avenue for the Downtown Stroll. Congress establishments will stay open late for holiday shopping, food and activities. For a list of activities including live performances, visit the Downtown Stroll schedule here. 

(Photo credit: Visualist Images on Flickr)

 

Downtown Austin Event: Ballet Austin's 49th Annual Production of The Nutcracker

This year is Ballet Austin’s 49^th year to perform The Nutcracker, making it the longest running production of this holiday classic in Texas. Performances will be held weekends throughout December at The Long Center. See the Ballet Austin Nutcracker website for performance dates and times, and to purchase tickets.

While The Nutcracker has been around for hundreds of years and has been performed countless times all over the world, Ballet Austin has been able to maintain an element of Austin in its performance – with the character Mother Ginger. Every year, Ballet Austin’s Mother Ginger Contest “recognizes and celebrates an unsung hero of the community who is generous, respected, influential and adored in the community.” To see the list of nominees and to recognize your favorite, visit their website before the voting deadline, November 30^th. 

Photo by Tony Spielberg

Downtown Austin Event: Small Business Saturday and Holiday Window Walk

This Saturday is the second annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and local economies across the country. Small Business Saturday’s began in Austin as an Austin Independent Business Alliance event, but has since developed a nationwide audience. On November 26^th, people across the country are asked to shop local to help fuel the economy. According to the Downtown Austin Alliance, by shifting just $100 of your shopping to locally-owned stores, you can make a significant difference.

Instead of heading to WalMart or Best Buy this weekend, check out local downtown establishments like Hatbox or Dress Shop for holiday gift ideas. Enjoy a cup of coffee at Jo’s instead of Starbucks, and help make a difference in Austin’s local economy.

While shopping in downtown Austin this Saturday, be sure to check out the 2^nd Street District’s inaugural Holiday Window Walk. From November 25^th to January 2^nd, the windows of various 2^nd Street District establishments will feature holiday displays designed and executed by students of the St. Edward’s University Theatrical Design Department. The window displays will feature holiday scenes as well as iconic Austin musicians. Second Street District visitors may vote on their favorite window display; the finalists will be judged to win one of three scholarships provided by Silicon Laboratories.

 

Downtown Austin Event: 21st Annual Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot

The 21^st Annual Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot will take place on Thursday, November 24^th. The race, which takes place every Thanksgiving, benefits Caritas of Austin, an organization dedicated to helping those experiencing poverty by providing a safety net and links them to resources to achieve self-sufficiency.

The event includes a 5-mile course, a 1-mile course and a Stepping Stone Kids K. The race begins at The Long Center and continues on a route through downtown Austin. For more information, visit the Turkey Trot website. 

(Photo credit: Austin 360)