Austin360 blogs > Almost Urban > Archives > 2007 > April > 26 > Entry
Weekend Picks: Free soul, free drinks, free Devin the Dude
Cheapskates and hustlas rejoice! While last weekend was chock full of tight urban entertainment options, most of them required a little change. This weekend, there are a mess of parties and festivals catering to the empty-pocket crowd (the better part of my posse). With complimentary drinks at the Firehouse on Friday, a Scion-sponsored Devin the Dude show at the Beauty Bar on Saturday and a free soul shakedown at our favorite goat-friendly Eastside Lounge, it’s a fine weekend to be broke in Austin.
Friday: No Excuses party with DJ Diamond Tip at the Firehouse Lounge. Featuring Diamond Tip on the ones and 20/20 (aka Ike of Mike and Ike) holding down host duties, the theme of this party at the swanky Firehouse Lounge is “just ‘cause we feel like it.” Without specifying exactly what drinks or how early, the news release promises complimentary drinks early and specials all night. In any case, Diamond Tip, who lends cuts and scratches on the Projeckt’s recent release, should keep the dance floor hot all night. And yes, the event is free, but don’t show up looking too shambly. The Firehouse does enforce a dress code.
Friday: East End Fourth Fridays. Austin’s Eastside Block Party is back, and merchants and clubs in East Austin invite you to experience “the Soul in the heart of the city.” DiverseArts’ word/jazz lowstars will play an open-air set at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard; the Austin Woman’s Film, Music, and Literary Festival takes over the Carver and Cafe Mundi; and the Texas Music Museum’s Texas Jazz exhibit will be open. The party kicks off at 6 p.m. At 8 p.m., avant-jazz icons The Thing with Joe McPhee play at the Victory Grill. Many events are free, The Thing concert is $13 in advance, $15 at the door.
Friday: Stone Sounds of Soul at the Rio Rita. As East End Fourth Fridays winds down, the party picks up at the Rio Rita where cats from Friends of Sound, Waxploitation and KOOP Radio’s recently retired “Soul Sauce” join forces to bring the “rawest and rarest funk/soul sounds ever laid in wax.” In addition, guest DJ Mr. Finewine who hosts Downtown Soulville on NYC’s indie radio station WMFU will be in town shaking up the scene. The Rio Rita doesn’t have a full bar yet, but if you pack a flask, they’ll gladly sell you setups, and cold beer will be available all night long. Best of all, it’s free, daddio, free!
Friday: Brokebread CD Release at Flamingo. Up-and-coming Austin MC Brokebread drops his debut CD, and a veritable who’s who of Austin hip-hop talent shows up for the party. Bavu Blakes, Tee Double, Global, DJ Tats and more will all be in the house. $5-$7
Saturday: Eeyore’s Birthday and Chinese Boat Races. The Austiniest of all Austin events, Eeyore’s Birthday Party is scheduled for Saturday at Pease Park. The music headliner is Tribal Nation, and the DJ section of the party on the north end of the park provides a contrast in vibe if the tripping hippies at the drum circle start to overwhelm you. If Eeyore’s is a little too Austin weird for you, but you’re still looking for outdoor entertainment Saturday afternoon, try the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and Races at Festival Beach on the Northeast banks of Town Lake. Both events are free.
Saturday: Devin the Dude at the Beauty Bar. Sure, there are other things you could do, but nothing says Saturday night like the hazy, sing-song, certainly blunted flow of Houston legend Devin the Dude. Devin just dropped his new joint “Waitin’ To Inhale” earlier this month, and although I haven’t heard the whole thing, the tracks I have checked all go hard. And in the true “Anything is Plenty” spirit of the dude, this Scion-sponsored show on the Beauty Bar patio is 100 percent free. More info.
Saturday: Jamie Foxx at the Erwin Center. Odds are that if you have $60 to shell out for a ticket, you’re probably not reading this blog, but I do feel obligated to tell you that Mr. “Unpredictable,” musician and comedian Jamie Foxx, is at the Erwin Center this weekend. Of course, it should be a good show, and tickets are still available at this point. $60. Online tickets.
Sunday: Brazil by Way of Music at Antone’s. The blues-rock headliners Doyle Bramhall and Derek O’Brian are a little less interesting to me than jazzman Ephraim Owens and the “famed Brazilian community orchestra, Seu Jacinto” who play earlier in the evening, but overall this event is for a good cause that I can get behind. World Preparatory, who I mentioned earlier this week, are gearing up to take 12 Austinites on a cultural learning trip to Brazil. And although I’m terribly jealous of the lucky participants, I think this kind of international exchange is important. $12. Online tickets.
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