SXSW Music Offers a Multitude of Free Events
South by Southwest (SXSW) is pleased to announce something for everyone at our free events! SXSW Music offers events for people interested in watching films, checking out the newest musical equipment, collectable music posters, up-and-coming fashions and, of course, lots of music! More information can be found at
http://sxsw.com/freeFree SXSW Music Events at the Austin Convention Center
Music Collectors will want to check out the
Flatstock Poster Exhibition and Collectors Show sponsored by HGTV and co-presented by the American Poster Institute (API) and SXSW, Flatstock 33 will display the works of more than 100 artists from across North America and the globe. The exhibition is free and open-to-the-public running Wednesday, March 14 – Saturday, March17 at the Austin Convention Center in Ballrooms ABC and features posters representing decades of styles, colors and techniques for sale. Show up early and be ready to be overwhelmed with amazing posters.
SXSW Music Gear Expo
Also in the Austin Convention Center, SXSW will host
Music Gear Expo. Returning for its third year as the exhibition for musicians and enthusiasts, The Music Gear Expo is a cornucopia of guitars, keyboards, amps, effects pedals, drums, mics, DJ equipment, gear workshops and more. Come try out the newest, coolest, cutting edge instruments, register for giveaways, meet the gear pros. Visit the Gear Expo Store run by Strait Music for a guitar tune-up and gear accessories like strings, drum heads, cables and cool instruments from manufacturers in the show.
Music Gear Classroom: SXSW will be offering cool gear clinics with Dubspot and Korg in the Music Gear Classroom sponsored by Korg! More info at
sxsw.com/music/expos/gear. The Expo takes place Wednesday, March 14 – Saturday, March 17 and is free and open to the public.
Style X
Style X (pronounced Style By) is an opportunity to discover new brands, shop at an event as diverse as SXSW itself, wear the most stylish gear not only from your home city, but from cities around the world and to emerge yourself into what’s next in the fashion world. The event will be held at the Austin Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, March 16-17 and is free and open to the public.
Free Concert Series at Auditorium Shores
Don’t miss it – three nights of FREE concerts at the SXSW Auditorium Shores Stage on Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. Festival food, vendors, and free music with Austin’s magnificent skyline as a backdrop. Is there a better way to spend a beautiful March evening? Thursday, March 15th through Saturday, March 17. The line-up includes:
Thursday, March 15
5:45 p.m. Little Hurricane
6:45 p.m. M Ward
8:00 p.m. The Shins
Friday, March 16
Presented by BMI:
6:00 p.m. TenderMercies
7:00 p.m. Diamond Rugs
8:00 p.m. Counting Crows
Saturday, March 17
1:00 p.m. Big Don
2:00 p.m. The Groundwork Orchestra
3:00 p.m. Torreblanca & Amigas (Ximena Sarinana, Natalia Lafourcade, Javiera Mena, Andrea Balency Trio)
4:00 p.m. Bomba Estereo
5:00 p.m. Andy McKee
6:00 p.m. Shiny Toy Guns
7:00 p.m. The Bright Light Social Hour
8:00 p.m. The Cult
Auditorium Shores Stage is sponsored by Cirrus Logic and the Texas Lottery. Media partners are KVUE, KLBJ-FM, 93.3 KGSR and 101X/
LotuSIGN, featuring notable Live Music Interpreter Barbie Parker, will provide all American Sign Language interpreting at SXSW outdoor stage.
George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
SXSW offers two weekends of free events taking place at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center (1165 Angelina Street). The first weekend March 9 – 11 features Film and Interactive events and the following weekend March 16 – 18 features Music events. These events are presented in conjunction with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
Wednesday, March 14
2:00 p.m.: Screening of “I Want My Name Back, The Story of the Sugar Hill Gang”
4:00 p.m.: Screening of “The Godmother of Rock’n’Roll, Sister Rosetta”
Thursday, March 15
1:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.: You’re Welcome
A party. A movement. A Welcoming America. Join Sauti Sol, Invincible, Negin Farsad, Riders Against the Storm, and more for a day of live comedy, music, film and dialogue to inspire the fusion of cultures in America. Short films and stories that capture East Austin’s vibrant culture will be shared all day.
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Dialogue! Join Invincible, Negin Farsad, Tanene Allison and more for music, spoken word and discussion to explore how culture can spark a more welcoming Africa.
4:15 p.m. -5:30 p.m.: Workshop! Musicians, comedians, filmmakers and social media gurus share ideas and get involved. By invitation only.
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Comedy! Laugh with some of the funniest comedians in America and their hysterical take on the immigrant experience. With Negin Farsad, Lucas Molandes, Chris Cubas and more.
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Music! Hear one of the hottest bands in Kenya, Sauti Sol, blend it all together with their unique brand of Afro-Fusion.
9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Remix America Dance Party! Embrace our roots and shake it loose with DJ Martin Perna and Riders Against the Storm. This dance party has hip hop, Afro-Latin soul and more.
Friday, March 16
1:00 p.m.: Screening of “Underground Chinese Hip-Hop”
3:00 p.m.: Screening of “Happy People, with Riders Against the Storm”
Gospel at the Carver
6:00 p.m.: The Warrior Gospel Band
6:45 p.m.: Unity
7:30 p.m.: New Generation
8:15 p.m.: Jones Family Singers
Saturday, March 17
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Holy Hip-Hop Symposium & Concert
Gospel at the Carver
6:00 p.m. Wesley Bray
7:00 p.m. The Original Bells of Joy
8:00 p.m. The Carpenter Ants
9:00 p.m. River City Christianettes
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