Deals in Zilker

If Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, this week is the time to squeeze in your last hurrahs of the season. That makes it the perfect time to take in a baseball game, float down the San Marcos River, or enjoy the anniversary cookout at Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company. Of course, any time of year you can check Groupon for more ideas for things to do in Austin. Closing Series of the Round Rock Express Round Rock | Through September 1 Labor Day weekend marks your last chance to catch the Triple-A team in 2014, as they finish an epic six-game series against the Nashville Sounds to close the season. Some games include promotions such as postgame fireworks and $1 hot dogs and sodas. (Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd.; $7–$25; buy tickets here) Float Fest 2014 San Marcos / Martindale | Sunday, August 31 Tubing down the San Marcos River is just the beginning at this end-of-summer bash. After you’re done lounging in the water, head to the concert venue, where more than a dozen bands including Grouplove and Portugal. The Man will play two stages. You can even camp there overnight. (Cool River Ranch, 601 Dupuy Ranch Rd.; $40–$120; buy tickets here) Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company's First Anniversary Party Galindo | Monday, September 1 No cookout planned for Labor Day? The ABGB has you covered. Take a brewery tour and try the special watermelon sour anniversary beer. Then listen to live music while you play cornhole and chomp on beer brats made with the brewery’s Helles. (1305 W. Oltorf St.; free to attend) Clueless Quote-Along Circle C Ranch | Tuesday, September 2, 7:15 p.m. Warm up your vocal cords: the audience won’t just be watching Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd in this classic ‘90s satire of teen culture in Beverly Hills. Thanks to subtitles and props, they’ll be playing along. (Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5701 W. Slaughter Lane; $12; buy tickets here) Movies in the Park: The Lego Movie Cedar Park | Friday, September 5, 8 p.m. Pack a picnic and a blanket and bring the kids to see this critically acclaimed adventure, which features the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, and about 50 other stars. If you miss this week, the series continues with other family-friendly flicks over the next month. (Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd.; free)

A major rock act and some beloved alt comedians are in town this week, but the most exciting arrival just might be a bunch of folks bearing pork: Texas Monthly’s BBQ Fest is bringing together 25 of the state’s best barbecue joints. Elsewhere, catch a Frozen sing-along in the park and a Robin Williams tribute at Blue Starlite Drive-In. And as always, check Groupon for more ideas for things to do in Austin. Kings of Leon Southeast Austin | Saturday, September 13 Kings of Leon continue their world tour in support of their most recent album, last fall’s Mechanical Bull. Expect a mix of the band’s earlier, bluesier tunes as well as the arena-rock hits that brought them mainstream success.(Austin360 Amphitheater, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd.; $29.50–$69.50; buy tickets here) TMBBQ Fest 2014 Bouldin Creek | Sunday, September 14 Every five years, Texas Monthly releases its list of the 50 best barbecue joints in Texas (and therefore the world). The reward for making the cut? An invite to serve up samples and sides at this popular barbecue bacchanalia. (City Terrace at the Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr.; $10–$80; buy tickets here) Tim & Eric and Dr. Steven Brule Downtown | Wednesday, September 17 John C. Reilly brings Dr. Steven Brule’s clumsy advice to the stage alongside groundbreaking surrealist comedians Tim & Eric, whose show is where Reilly developed the character. There will be singing. There will be dancing. There will probably be shouting, and we’re betting on some other form of emotional outburst as well. (Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave.; $44.50–$49.50; buy tickets here) Frozen Sing-Along Pflugerville | Friday, September 19 This outdoor presentation is officially screening the “sing-along” version of Disney’s mega-hit, but odds are a good chunk of the audience already have the lyrics memorized. When you’re not belting out “Let It Go,” chow down on popcorn, shave ice, and other eats from food vendors. (Heritage Park, 901 Old Austin Hutto Rd.; free) Robin Williams Tribute Night at the Drive-In East Austin | Saturday, September 13, to Thursday, September 25 This month Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In pays tribute to the late comedian the best way it can: by screening his work. Catch Hook, The Birdcage, Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and more during the month’s double features, which also include a Mork and Mindy pre-show. (1901 E. 51st St.; $5.50+; discounted tickets available on Groupon; buy tickets here)

Let’s face it. First dates are awkward in general. However, they tend to be SUPER AWKWARD when you um, well you know, “met” online. So unless you’ve been blowing up each other’s Facetime/Skype/(insert other video chat app here) and feel comfortable with said person, I suggest you do something other than rely on conversation and alcohol for your first real encounter, and with some many great things to do in Austin, it will be easy to find that perfect first date activity. Check out my suggestions below: Express Your Creativity Art & Soul, Austin’s newest art studio, has taken the ATX by storm with it’s twist to the traditional art class. Not only are they open 7 days a week, but they are also open to 10pm every evening, making catching a “Creativity & Wine” class very do-able after work or on the weekend. During the class, you and your date will create a beautiful acrylic painting, step by step, while also learning the history of the artist and masterpiece you are recreating. The class is BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine) and caters to all levels of artists so no experience is necessary. Fitness Fanatics They say the couple who sweats together, stays together right? If both of you have fitness as a common denominator, why not have fall back on that for a first date? It’ll be an awesome way to bond and test your actual, real life chemistry, because nothing brings out a person’s character more than when they’re faced with physical challenges. If running around Town Lake or hiking Mt. Bonnell seems a little too easy, I suggest taking an indoor cycling class at RIDE Austin or trying out rock climbing at one of Austin Rock Gym’s various locations. Both places have lots of different options regarding time and level of experience, so you can have the freedom to choose how easy or how challenging you’d like the experience to be. Word to the wise however, maybe inform your partner beforehand of what the date involves instead of doing the whole, “meet me here, text me when you get here” thing. I’d hate for your date to show up in their best heels/best outfit, hair done, etc. only to find out you’re going cycling or rock climbing. Oops. Movie Buffs If you’ve done a sufficient background check (Facebook stalked, Google’d Searched, etc.) and feel like said date is not the next Norman Bates, I’d suggest trying out Austin’s mini-urban drive-in movie venue, The Blue Starlite. As where other modern drive-ins are sprawling, rural affairs, the Blue Starlite happens right in the heart of the city thus making it more exclusive, more personal, and way more convenient. Their movie selections are always crowd pleasers and if you do decide to sit in the pedestrian section, picnics and outside alcohol are welcome. Doesn’t that sound enticing? An evening under the stars, watching an awesome movie, without the glow of a smartphone in sight. Seems too good be true, eh? Well, remember, you still have to acknowledge your date. Music Lovers Did you and your future OkCupid success story bond over the music you listed in your profile? Or maybe you spent countless hours texting about your record collections and how they compare? Whatever the reason is that made you agree to the date in the first place, you should definitely do something that will spark both parties interests and leave you with a better impression of the person. After all, someone can only be SO charming via text right? If music is your thing, go to Austin’s best kept secret, Motown Mondays at One-2-One Bar on South Lamar. Not only will you be able to enjoy live Motown, funk, and soul cover bands all night long but you can show off some of those dance moves that only make their appearance at weddings or family functions. If dancing isn’t your thing, the music itself is enough to go. The bands are amazing and will get your foot tapping to your favorite Motown jam no matter how awkward your date gets. Promise! Just be sure to get there early as it gets VERY packed and parking is limited.