Jaunted

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The Cat's Out of the Bag: How 'Grumpy Cat' Really Arrived to Austin for SXSW

We call bullsh*t on TMZ.

Earlier this week, attendees of Austin, Texas' SXSW festival and, by extension, the entire internet, got in a huge uproar over the VIP treatment and attention paid to one festival attendee in particular. That attendee was a cat—the meme-famous "Grumpy Cat."

Grumpy Cat (whose real name is "Tardar Sauce," or "Tard" for short), headed to Austin for several days to do some promo work for Friskies and pose with legions of adoring fans, some of whom waited in line for hours just to get a Facebook-worthy photo with the naturally frowny kitty.

TMZ pounced on the story, blowing it up with an "exclusive" in their characteristic way, claiming "Grumpy flew first class ... and she's been living it up ... with her own, full-time assistant to brush her, an endless supply of Friskies as well as other treats, bottled water and her very own room at a four-diamond hotel ... king-sized bed included."

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Why You Should Arrive Extra Early for a Flight from Austin's Airport

For those heading to or from SXSW down in Austin this week or next we’ve got one recommendation for you—save some time for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Sure it’s not quite the same as what the festival has to offer downtown, but definitely don’t dread heading back to the airport a little early. Thankfully the airport has plenty of local flair to make Austin proud, so even if your flight gets in before your hotel is ready—it might just be worth hanging around for a few as a brief introduction to Austin.

The very first sanctioned shows of the festival finish up today, as the annual SXSW Airport Showcase will do its thing on March 12 between 1pm and 3pm and then again between 3:30pm and 5:30pm. Everything takes place over by Gate 10 on the Asleep at the Wheel stage, and the artists and musicians will be back on March 18 to start closing things down.

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Eat the Largest Donuts and the Tastiest Vegetarian Fare During SXSW 2013

We believe there is a saying perfect for SXSW: "Man cannot live on (free) bread alone." Though the festival of music, film and tech loves to see its attendees gorging on complimentary nibbles at events all over Austin, sometimes one must sit down to a full, honest meal.

Whether you're looking for a restaurant to treat a potential business partner or just hankering for a Texas-sized donut, here's our highest recommendations:*

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How to Eat for Free, Party for Free, and Catch Free Shows at SXSW 2013

It's that time again. Austin's permanent residents are gearing up to welcome the influx of out-of-towners for this year's South by Southwest Festival (SXSW).

"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." - Davy Crockett

This year you'll be just as likely to see Skrillex eating some Stubb's BBQ as you are a talk entitled "Learn How to Stop Letting Your Desk Job Make You Fat, Sick & Dead." SXSW has clearly evolved from what was once just a week-long event where bands from all over the world try to get signed to a record deal.

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Save the Date: SXSW Interactive 2013

Now that the tech and social media part of the SXSW Festival is over and done and the Google party confetti long since in the dustbin, it's time to look back. What exactly happens during SXSWi, the "interactive" portion of the fest? Well, to put it simply, there's lots of partying, lots of attempting to look cool and social while staring at your phone reading Twitter, and a few panel discussions here and there. Tens of thousands of people attended, and for each of them there's like 7 more who wish they had.

Specifically, there's 71,462 people who wish they had gone to SXSW this year. That stat comes from this brilliant infographic. If you're one of the 71,000+, then check it out for a little taste of what was missed. Otherwise it's time to start planning now for SXSW 2013. Really, it is.

SXSW Interactive will return next year March 8-12. Pencil it in, clear the sched and keep watch here for more updates. And pass the PBR.

[Image: Tracx]

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SXSW To Do List: Rachael Ray's Feedback Party

After a week of club-hopping in Austin most SXSW attendees could use a free meal about now, and luckily for them, Rachael Ray has it covered.

Tomorrow, March 17, Rachael Ray will host the fifth annual Rachael Ray's Feedback Party at Stubb's BBQ. And as always, the event, which will take place from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., is free and open-to-the-public.

Rachael will be serving up an Austin-inspired menu at her Feedback including lil' Devils (slider size corn dogs), Brisket on a Biscuit with Smoky BBQ Sauce and Sweet 'n Spicy Pickles, Sloppy Chicken Suiza Sliders, and Veg-Head Nachos with Green Chile Queso and Spicy Refried Beans.

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SXSW To Do List: IFC Crossroads' Three Nights of Music Showcases

Last year, the IFC Crossroads House was one of our favorite hang outs in Austin, and this year they are continuing the tradition of hosting awesome music and comedy events during SXSW. The IFC Crossroads House will close out the week with 3 nights of SXSW Music Showcases starting this evening with the Boise Showcase. The six act event kicks off at 7:00 PM with Hillfolk Noir. DJ Matt Jones will also be on hand to spin tracks between sets.

On Thursday, March 15, the Paradigm Music Showcase will bring together Polica, Retar, and the Punch Brother, with DJ Traktor Skratch performing between acts.

And on Friday, March 16, the Freecreditscore.com Showcase will welcome You Can Be A Wesley, Lissy Trullie and others to close out the fest.

The IFC Crossroads House 2012 is located at 302 E 6th St Austin, TX. To see each night's complete line-up and learn more about the IFC Crossroads House, visit http://www.ifc.com/sxsw/schedule.

[Photo: IFC]

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SXSW To Do List: The 'Beatles Complete on Ukelele'

For the third year in a row record producer Roger Greenawalt is returning to SXSW with his unique twist on the Beatles' catalog—.Beatles Complete On Ukulele.

On Thursday, March 15, Greenawalt will play all 185 Beatles song in one day with special guest musicians and singers joining in throughout the day. To kick off the festivities, everyone is invited to bring their uke and take part in the first three songs. The event is completely free and open to the public.

Beatles Complete On Ukulele will take place from noon to 6 pm at the Hickory Street Bar & Grill, 800 N. Congress Avenue in Austin, TX. For more information, visit the event's Official Facebook Page.

[Photo: austinukulelesociety.com]

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SXSW To Do List: The Red Bull Thre3style Concert

Open your iCal and mark this down. All this week, we'll be highlighting events at Austin's SxSW festival. So if you're there, you're informed. And if you're not...well, next year?

Red Bull Thre3style will return to Austin, TX this week for a special SXSW showcase. DJ Z-Trip will once again headline with a surprise guest (last year LL Cool J joined him on stage), along with The Crystal Method, Erykah Badu, DJ Jazzy Jeff (yes, he's still around), Satsik, Dan The Automator, DJ Hedspin, Bog Once and Shortkut.

The Red Bull Thre3style will take place Saturday, March 17 at 8th and Trinity in Austin. Gates open at 7 pm, show starts at 8. There is no badge necessary; the event is completely free and open to the public.

[Photo: mxdwn.com]

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Texas' Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Will Bring Back the Summer of 1982

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Summer of 1982, which featured an unequaled number of great movies, the Alamo Drafthouse of Austin, TX has announced plans to recreate the movie release schedule of that legendary season.

The series will include Conan the Barbarian, The Road Warrior, Rocky III, Poltergeist, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, E.T., The Thing and TRON. They are currently in negotiations to screen Blade Runner as well.

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Zagat Uncovers Austin's Best Eats for SXSW Festival-goers

The legendary restaurant ratings guide Zagat Survey has just released their Guide to the Best of SXSW Dining. The guide, which can be viewed online for free, will help festival-goers find the best food spots in Austin, from BBQ joints to food trucks.

The complete Texas Zagat Survey will be released in March, but they decided to make these Austin reviews available now so fest attendees can start planning.

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SXSW Announces Their 2012 Comedy Line-Up

South By Southwest is once again presenting some of the country's top comedians as part of their SXSW Comedy line-up, which will take place from March 10 - 17 in Austin, Texas.

There are more than 62 comedians expected to take part in SXSW Comedy 2012 including Todd Barry, Doug Benson, Mike Birbiglia, Wyatt Cenac, John Hodgman, Marc Maron, T.J. Miller, Eugene Mirman, Kevin Pollack, Amy Schumer, Paul Provenza, Kristen Schaal and Reggie Watts.

SXSW will also present the return of WTF with Marc Maron, Doug Loves Movies with Doug Benson, Comedy Bang Bang with Scott Aukerman and Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show as part of their live comedy podcast tapings.

All of the SXSW Comedy events are free to badge and wristband holders attending the interactive, film or music portions of the fest. For more information and to see the complete schedule, visit SXSW.com/comedy.

[Photo: SXSW]