SXSW light

SXSW is a huge event that attracts artists from around the world. For those of you who are not familiar with the event it is a film, technology (interactive), and music festival that brings producers and artists together. Deals are made, music is heard, films are previewed, awards are presented, celebrities and hipsters roam the streets together, etc. etc. It's one of Austin's big draws. This is the first time our young family is living here during the festival. Badges and wristbands to get into the venues are pricey and well, we're working folk who don't get out as much as our younger selves used to and the club scene is not so healthy for the three-year-old we have in tow . Nevertheless we soaked in what we could.

Luck would have it that one of the parents at G's preschool is heavily involved in the Austin music scene. As a gift and lesson in music appreciation, Sauti Sol - a band travelling all the way from Kenya to perform at SXSW - made a visit to G's school for an afternoon outdoor concert. What a treat! The little ones learned how to say a few words in Swahili, some dance moves, and were really spoiled by this group of very nice young men. Thank you Sauti Sol, we wish you all the best in your artistic endeavors.





A few pics snapped by Gavin. It's always fun to see the world from his perspective.




Aside from the event at Gavin's school my SXSW experience was limited to the daily live KGSR radio broadcast during my morning workday commute - yes, there is live music at all hours during SXSW...even 7:00AM, who knew musicians were up so early - and my lunch time run. Usually my running buddy and I hit the trail in a nearby park, but during SXSW we took to the downtown streets. As we criscrossed and zigzagged through the heart of Austin's music district we were treated to the sweet sounds and smells pouring out of crowded door ways.

Friday evening Gavin and I enjoyed the company of Jessi and Milo - two of our friends here in the 512. J and I broke out the strollers and took the boys on a long walk through Zilker Park/Town Lake. Final destination? Auditorium Shores for free music and festival fun. The boys did phenomenal despite the long trek and unexpected late night. They heard both the Diamond Rugs and Counting Crows live. Gavin liked the bass line in a few of the Diamond Rug numbers.




Jessi making paper airplanes, which the boys loved.




More pics from Gavin's perspective.



Casey and I took advantage of having a babysitter Sat. PM (his mom was still in town) and met another couple downtown to catch more live music and drink green beer. It was St. Patrick's Day, which none of us remembered until we saw the sea of green flooding 5th and 6th streets. Considering our lack of planning and unpreparedness for SXSW I was pleased with our experience and hope to build on it in the years to come.

Until next year SXSW...