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Kristy’s Top 10: January 2016

January’s to-do list from 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas.

1. Wu Chow

500 W. Fifth St.
wuchowaustin.com

The rumors are true! The much-anticipated Wu Chow has finally opened its doors downtown, and it was well worth the wait. Upscale quality Chinese food is a rather untapped market in Austin, and Wu Chow feels retro and hip. When I say there isn’t a bad thing on the menu, I mean it. Dish after dish, I kept thinking, “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” Then more food would come out and it would be somehow even better than the previous item. Here are a few of my menu favorites: pork steamed dumplings, chicken and taro eggrolls, bok choy with mushrooms, Two-faced Crispy Noodles, tangerine peel beef and spicy deep-fried chicken. Late-night diners rejoice, as the restaurant is open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Wu Chow also offers brunch, which is definitely on my list, and has a dim-sum service every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that already has Austinites salivating.

 

2. Martin Luther King March, Festival and Food Drive 

Jan. 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beginning at the MLK statue, University of Texas campus
mlkcelebration.com/celebration-events/march-and-festival

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Everyone is invited to join in this march that will start at the MLK statue on the University of Texas campus and end at Huston-Tillotson University. Celebrations are planned for the remainder of the day at Huston-Tillotson, and will include local vendors, music and much more fun. This year, participants are asked to bring a donation for the Capital Area Food Bank. Use the MLK holiday to learn about the important history of Martin Luther King Jr., and connect to those still working to further his dream.

 

3. Tree Talk Winter Walk

Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave.
wildflower.org/ttww

Before you know it, spring will be here, and with it, the questions that inundate us during planting season. Celebrate Texas trees, get advice from local garden experts and listen to talks about the importance of keeping plants native at this daylong event. Join your friends, family and budding green thumbs as you take part in a tree-branch shelter-building demonstration, roast marshmallows over a bonfire and navigate your way through a tree scavenger hunt. 
Admission is $10. 

 

4. Free Music Week

Jan. 1 – 7
Various Austin music venues
do512.com/freeweekaustin

Every year, Free Week Austin celebrates our city’s world-famous live-music scene with a bang. Experience the Live Music Capital of the World firsthand, and take a closer look at the raw talent in our own musically renowned backyard. Free Week Austin focuses on the bevy of bands and musicians born and bred right here in Austin. Shows take place at music venues throughout town, so pick your favorite place and settle in for some awesome bands and great live music.

 

5. Austin Bacon and Beer Festival

Jan. 24, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Fair Market, 1100 E. Fifth St.
baconandbeer.net

It’s that time again: The third annual Austin Bacon and Beer Festival is back. Do you even have to keep reading? Go buy your tickets. The festival brings together some of Austin’s best restaurants to offer bacon-inspired dishes and brews. Two of the most glorious things in the world are being celebrated at the same time. Who can resist? 
Ticket prices start at $46.50.

 

6. Hook 25th Anniversary Movie Party

Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m
The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive
thelongcenter.org/event/hook-25th-anniversary

Alamo Drafthouse is joining forces with The Long Center to throw the ultimate 25th anniversary party for the movie {Hook}. In signature Alamo Drafthouse style, the movie will be shown as a quote-along, so you can join fellow fans in quoting everyone’s favorite lines of the movie. There will be props and other fun to get the Peter Pan vibes flowing. Alamo Drafthouse always does it right when celebrating movie anniversaries!
Tickets start at $29. 

 

7. Kool & the Gang at ACL Live

Jan. 29, doors open at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m.
Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater, 310 Willie Nelson Blvd.
acl-live.com/calendar/kool-the-gang

Get down, get down with the iconic funk band at the best music venue in Austin. With no bad seat in the house and a catalog of famous party hits, this is one soulful celebration you won’t want to miss. Boogie your way through the ’70s and ’80s, or gather your girlfriends for a ladies’ night as this Grammy-winning group sings its timeless tunes. 
Ticket prices start at $39.50.

 

8. Shaun of the Dead Pub Run and Screening

Jan. 26, 6 p.m.
Stateside at the Paramount, 713 Congress Ave.
tickets.austintheatre.org/single/eventdetail.aspx?p=930

This month, zombies are invading the Stateside. Leave it to Austin to pair a pub run with a movie. Here’s the rundown: You run/walk to a nearby-ish destination, enjoy a pint of local brew and then trek back for the show! Prepare for this zombie apocalypse by dressing in your best zombie attire. Those with the top five costumes will receive complimentary entry into the 2016 Paramount Break-A-Leg 5K (Feb. 14) and two film passes to the Paramount Theatre and Stateside at the Paramount. Best of all: The event benefits the Paramount and the Stateside.
Admission is $20.

 

9. Annual Get Fit! Day

Jan. 10, 1 to 5 p.m.
Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. Third St.
balletaustin.org/dance-fitness/get-fit

Ballet Austin’s annual free day of fitness isn’t just for aspiring ballerinas. For anyone resolving to lose weight or embrace an active lifestyle in 2016, take this afternoon to sample abbreviated versions (20 minutes each) of Ballet Austin’s plethora of 45- to 60-minute fitness classes. Test out Pilates, Zumba, barre, yoga or one of the cardio dance classes like Bollywood Fitness. Classes targeting specific body regions, like arms and abs or the lower body, are also available. Drop-ins the day of are welcome, but signing up ahead of time enters you in a prize drawing. Classes take place every half hour and the last class begins at
4 p.m.
Admission is free.

 

10. Polar Bear Swim at Barton Springs

Jan. 1, 10 a.m.
Barton Springs Pool, 2101 Barton Springs Road
facebook.com/events/1546375302321288

For the 36th year, people willing to brave the brisk jump into Barton Springs are invited to make the plunge. We have it a little easier than some of our polar-bear-jumping neighbors throughout the country since Barton Springs stays at a constant 68 degrees. (In some places, the water will actually be warmer than the air temperature!) Like the Full Moon Swim at Barton Springs, this event is also a potluck, so bring a dish to share with your fellow freezing polar bears. Coffee will be available to warm up polar bears, and 2016 commemorative T-shirts will be sold at the event.
Admission is free.

 

Photo by Natalie Paramore.

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