Deals in Tarrytown

Ego’s – 510 South Congress Avenue This is the ultimate karaoke dive bar. The location is slightly odd as the entrance is in the front of a parking garage, but it honestly adds to the weirdness. While it was once a hidden gem, it now gets pretty packed on the weekends. Try them on a weeknight for a more intimate karaoke experience. The Common Interest – 8440 Burnet Road They have syringe Jello-O shots. Yes, jello shots out of plastic syringes. The novelty alone should be enough reason to go check them out. They have free popcorn, and a full food menu if that doesn't suffice. This joint draws crowds from all walks of life looking to sing their hearts out after a cocktail or two. They offer private karaoke rooms, but I suggest performing on the main stage, as the crowd here is always a blast. They also have plenty of TV’s- as they act as a sports bar by day. So if you're trying to drag your sports nut out of the house, you can assure him that the game will be on the big screen. Hi Tunes Karaoke – 911 W. Anderson Lane #117  Hi Tunes is the place to check out if you like privacy while on the mic. They offer only private karaoke rooms, the pricing is fair, and they charge per room, not per person. They'll even split checks! Now, on to the most important part, it’s BYOB and F (food). The fact that you can spend a night here and get away with it for relatively cheap makes it a winner in my book. D K Sushi Restaurant -  5610 N. Lamar Suite B | 6400 South First Street Center Suite C Sushi and karaoke? Well, if you insist. While it sounds like an odd combination to me, it works. Here's the rundown, the South location does karaoke on Monday nights and the north location does Tuesday nights. These karaoke nights are not for the faint of heart as it gets rowdy and raunchy all in the name of good fun and bad vocals. Once the karaoke is under way, you must be 21 or over to hang. The Goodnight – 2700 W. Anderson Lane #101 The Goodnight on Anderson Lane offers a little bit of everything, including a lone karaoke room. If your friend's atrocious singing is driving you crazy, you can bowl, play shuffleboard or ping pong, or just chill at the bar. They have an extensive dinner menu that is top notch, and a drink menu that can hold its own as well. They accept reservations for the karaoke room, and since there's only one, I highly recommend calling ahead!

I graduated from UT a few years ago and figured it would be a while before I stepped back into a classroom. Once I was out of school I realized just how much I missed 'learning.' The cool thing about a class that you're not 'required' to take, is that it's most likely on a subject that you actually really want to learn about. Luckily, in Austin, there's a plethora of classes offered from various organizations that can help you master anything from properly using a kitchen knife to raising your own backyard chickens. Whole Foods Culinary Center & Central Market Cooking School: Both of these culinary centers offer classes for all skill levels, from the person who has never boiled a pot of water, to the household chef who wants to master the art of sushi. Some classes are set up so you can take a quick ‘lunch class,’ while evening classes tend to be more in depth. They tend to fill up quickly though, so sign up early if you see something that catches your eye. The North Door’s Informal Classes: This local bar/music venue recently started a series of really cool informal classes that change monthly. These affordable single visit classes cover topics such as hand-embroidery, ladies self defense, and raising backyard chickens. They're constantly bringing in new teachers, so you never know what will be on the schedule the following month.  Most classes are one time classes, a few are offered over two consecutive weeks. University of Texas Informal Classes: The great thing about living in a city with a major University is that they often offer classes for those not enrolled in the school. The University of Texas Informal Classes topics include: language, travel, personal development, photography, exercise, painting, and many more. They simply want to provide a medium for you to enrich your life while you explore topics that interest you. Some of the courses offered, span four to six weeks while others are just one-time classes. Prices vary by class. Twin Liquors: Calling all cocktail lovers and beverage connoisseurs. Twin Liquors offers weekly classes that are sure to be right up your alley. Wednesday evenings (location changes each week) they offer a class on the basics of various beverages. You’ll learn a little bit of history, pairing possibilities, and even a few samples. Topics change by month, but you can expect to see everything from Sparkling Wine 101 to Craft Beer 101 throughout the year. The best part, classes are free but RSVP is required.  

Improv comedy is all the rage right now in Austin.  So great, in fact, is the growing popularity of improvised theatre in Austin that a recent KLRU Arts in Context episode noted that the citywide movement is turning heads all across the nation. As is usually the case, when the arts are thriving in a community, we all benefit. A wonderful byproduct of our burgeoning improv scene has been the increase in local offerings of quality kid-friendly comedy.  These days, Austin families can enjoy a variety of G-rated improvised shows, performed for all-age audiences by fun-loving adult actors. Two local troupes are particularly passionate about sharing this theatrical art form with our city’s littlest theatregoers.  Move Your Tale specializes in using kid oriented improv shows as a vehicle for creative storytelling and Flying Theater Machine gets families laughing together, one silly, interactive show a time. Move Your Tale Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., Move Your Tale welcomes kids to the intimate performance space at ColdTowne Theater for a fully improvised theatrical journey called What’s the Story Steve?  A five-person comedy team joins one clever poodle named Steve for 45 minutes of audience directed tomfoolery. Upon arrival at the theatre, young audience members are invited to write a word or draw a picture, which may later be incorporated into the show.  When we last attended What’s the Story Steve?, my son’s picture of an apple was selected mid-show and became the theme for a fictional onstage investigation led by actors calling themselves “The League of Extraordinary Improvisers.”  During the course of their investigation, it was revealed that Steve, the dog villain, was stealing apples to make delicious dog food. At several points throughout What’s the Story Steve?, kids are called upon to make suggestions and every answer is worked into the story. No idea is too absurd.  In fact, the wackier the plot becomes, the louder the young audience giggles. Flying Theater Machine Sunday afternoons at The Hideout on Congress Avenue, families are invited to the theatre to see a nine-person improv troupe perform fast-paced interactive comedy.  Rather than long-form tales, Flying Theater Machine opts for rapid-fire improv games and shorter snippets of stories. This format provides ample opportunities for audience members to holler out suggestions and even hop up on stage to become a part of the action. On a recent visit to see the Flying Theater Machine show Fairly Silly Fairy Tales, we saw Jack and the Beanstalk performed in 3 seconds, we watched a unique rendition of Snow White called The Cheerful Salesman and the Seven Dragons, and we even helped to create a brand new fairy tale about two horses who loved to play video games. My son was hooked on improv from the first show we attended, where we witnessed Rapunzel’s prince picking his nose to create a mountain of boogers that he could climb up to rescue her from the tower.  With kids cooking up ideas for a story, you never know quite what you’re going to get. And that, is the beauty of improv.