Female bloggers command an impressive audience, worldwide. When it comes to fashion, Austin, Texas is known for its “casual cool” but completely innovative style, and our Texas Style Council conference reflects the same attitudes. Now in its third year, the Texas Style Council conference is a three day weekend during SXSW Interactive that serves as a networking event and social media symposium specifically for female fashion and lifestyle bloggers (or aspiring bloggers!) and shop owners and brands who wish to connect with young, creative, tech savvy women.

The Texas Style Council differs from other blog conferences in that we focus on creating genuine connections between the attendees and we encourage our participating bloggers and brands to be the best version of of themselves, no matter how big or how small. Two days are dedicated to networking and meeting new people and brands, while one entire day is devoted to a fully staged social media symposium where bloggers and brands can learn from top tier professionals new ways to connect with each other, their readers, companies, and customers. The 2012 Texas Style Council takes place in Austin, Texas, March 9, 10, and 11th.

Check back for details of the clothing swap, pop-up shop, and parties happening in the 2SD!

• Luxe Apothetique – next to Mercury at the SW corner of 2nd & Colorado – 201 W. 2nd St.
• Strut – right next to Which Wich and directly across from the W Hotel front door – 215 Lavaca St.
• Hemline – in between MISSBEHAVE and Eliza Page – 233 W. 2nd St.
• Daily Juice –  nestled right in between Cantina Laredo & Delish – 209 W. 3rd St.

VOTE HERE!

Windows Designed by St. Edward’s University Theatrical Design Department

Scholarships Sponsored by Silicon Labs

Links to print your map and directory below.

Holiday Window Walk Map

Holiday Window Walk DIRECTORY

Deck The District

*FIND THE UPDATED PERFORMER LIST BELOW! *

The 2ND Street District is getting into the spirit of the season!  Join us every Tuesday and Wednesday night from December 6th-21st for family fun, food, and entertainment.  Expect caroling by festive choirs, dancing and prancing, and perhaps even an Elvis sighting from 6-9pm on the Trace Patio at W Austin (Lavaca and 2nd Street).

2ND Street businesses will be hosting in-store soirees with  free bites and bevs while music drifts through the District. 

Kick off the holidays with us December 6th when 2SD businesses will be donating 10% of sales from 6-9pm to their chosen charities!

ENJOY PERFORMANCES BY:

Austin Harmony Chorus ‘s remarkable journey began with a vision shared by six women, and chartered as a chapter of Sweet Adelines International with 27 members on October 17, 2005. We perform many different types of music, from broadway show tunes to the popular music of yesterday and today. We are always looking for ladies who would enjoy singing with us. No formal musical background is required, and reading music is not necessary. We provide all the tools necessary for each member to learn her part in every song we sing, so if you like to sing, please consider visiting one of our rehearsals. We think you might just want to keep coming back.

Austin School of Rock – The School of Rock is the nation’s premier performance based music program. Since opening in Austin in 2005, the School of Rock have produced over 100 concerts featuring kids 7-18. the Austin branch has performed the last four years at the prestigious Austin City Limits Festival and have performed at the Erwin Center, Stubbs, Antones, Emos, the Mohawk, Ruta Maya, Red 7, La Zona Rosa and Scholtz Garden.

Barton Hills Choir – The Barton Hills Choir is led by Barton Hills Elementary School music teacher and choir director Gavin Tabone. The Choir is comprised of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from the school and accompanied by professional musicians, including guitarist Aaron “Mr. Hair Doctor” Dembe, bassist Jason “Mr. Boom Boom” Brint, and drummer Jake “Mr. Bubbles” Perlman.  Tabone founded and led the Palm School Choir before coming to Barton Hills Elementary in 2009. The Palm School Choir released 6 CD’s, shared the stage with Lyle Lovett, Ruben Ramos, and Neil Young, and were featured on NBC’s Today Show, KUT’s Eklektikos, the Austin American-Statesman, and many other news outlets.

Clickety Cloggers -  Austin’s Clickety Cloggers is a dance club composed of Central Texans who get together each week to perform a uniquely American dance form that is rooted in traditional Appalachian-style clogging – but with a decidedly modern flair. The club is open to anyone who has already learned how to clog dance or who completes our beginner clogging lessons. It is a non-profit dance group dedicated to preserving the clogging heritage and promoting the art of clog dancing.

Michael Garfield – Between the living warmth of songwriting tradition and the whirling electronics of festival culture, Michael Garfield is making percussive, heartfelt guitar music for which new words must be invented – intimate and ecstatic, focused and raw.

Mays Family Singers – Although it has only been a short while for this family to sing together professionally, each member has extensive talent and musical skills individually, as well as combined.  With a rich background in the Baptist church and a heritage of Spiritually and Musically gifted parents, this Family of singers is destined to go far!

Texas Elvis - Performing songs that span Elvis’ entire career, Donnie Roberts successfully recreates the early Sun Studio, ’68 Comeback, and The King’s explosive concert years. Donnie’s smooth, soulful voice entices your ears as you sit back and enjoy all your favorite songs.  His fun, energetic, high-quality performances appeal to all audiences young and old, and of course men, women and children alike.

CHARITIES INCLUDE:
III Forks – Helping Hands Homes

DuO – Capital Area Food Bank

Gallery D – The Girl Effect

milk + honey spa  – Project Transitions

1020 Glass Art – Project Transitions

Plain Ivey Jane – Austin Pets Alive

Langford Market – Capital Area Food Bank

Prize – JDRF

Girl Next Door – Shoes for Austin

Lofty Dog – Animal Lovers of Austin

Austin Java – Worker’s Defense Project

How Do You Roll? – Bikes for Kids

Cantina Laredo – Bikes for Kids

Teddies for Bettys – Dress for Success

*Keep Checking This Page for Updates! 

Our private dining rooms allow us to create unique settings for parties of all sizes for lunch or dinner.  We will arrange audio visual equipment, floral arrangements, and entertainment to ensure your event is a success.

Visit  3forks.com to reserve your event.

Plan your party by 12.1.11 & get a $100 gift card for you!*

*Offer valid with event minimum of $1000.

Join us Friday, November 18th from 6-8pm at the Sikara pop-up boutique at 452 West 2ND Street for our Designer Exclusive Evening.

Glimmer and glow in rich golds and metals, and wrap yourself in jewel-toned silks in colors like ruby, emerald, and ice! Enjoy fine wines and artisan cheeses from local Austin vineyards and cheese makers while you meet the designers. You’ll have exclusive access to a behind-the-scenes look into their collections and inspirations as well as be able to network with Austin’s fashion and social media scene. Plus, be the first to see the Spring Collection from Tess in an exclusive sneak peek!

Bring your camera and your fashion curiosity to the showroom!

About Tess:  The Tess vision was born when a talented designer and seamstress, Theresa Kopecky, decided to create clothes for strong, grown-up women rather than androgynous teenage girls; clothes with timeless style and ageless lines. Tess embraces the glamorous lines of vintage clothing, celebrates the female form rather than disguising it, and rejects muddied tones in favor of exuberant, vivid color – giving classic feminine grace back to the modern woman. 

“I love being a woman; I want to look like one, and take my place in the adult world I inhabit and influence … If I can somehow show the Tess customer a little piece of me and what I believe in, then she can find herself too. I guess you could say that I want to save the world one dress at a time!” – Theresa

 About Sikara:  Sikara is Modern Fusion Jewelry™, a reflection of  owner and designer, Mousumi’s life as a first-generation Indian-American. She travels the world, working with her team of inspirational designers to create collections that take you on a voyage through the culture and history of each country she visits. Her travel and experiences provide the inspiration for each Sikara piece: whether it be a firefly in a Brazilian garden, a peacock feather in India, or an ancient hieroglyph in the jungles of Mexico.

“My travels have inspired me to work with a network of international designers to present a truly unique line of jewelry,” says Mousumi. “When a person purchases a piece, they also learn about the history and culture pertaining to the country.”

Legendary Holiday Window by Barneys New York

The 2^ND Street District presents Austin’s inaugural Holiday Window Walk, Madison Avenue style holiday windows showcasing iconic musicians and the spirit of the season, celebrating the 20^th anniversary of Austin being deemed “The Live Music Capital of the World.”  Students of the St. Edward’s University Theatrical Design Department will manage every aspect of window design from conceptualization to installation.  The Holiday Window Walk will be unveiled on Friday, November 25^, and will run through Monday, January 2.  2^ND Street District visitors may vote on their favorite display, and the finalists will be judged to win one of 3 scholarships provided by Silicon Laboratories.

 Kathryn Eader, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts and Design at St. Edward’s University not only appreciates the opportunity for her students to apply their skills in a “real life” format, but also acknowledges the impact of Silicon Laboratories’ generosity.  “Several of our most talented, hard working students come from families that are having a very hard time, financially.  The 2^ND Street District’s Holiday Window Walk gives them a chance to earn scholarship money that will not only help take some of the burden off of their family, but also allow them to participate in events which will truly benefit their own design careers.”

 “Our goal for this project is twofold,” stated Julie Sutton-McGurk, Marketing Director of the 2^ND Street District. “First and foremost, we want to provide Austin’s residents and visitors with a spectacular, festive, and cool experience which is unlike any other in the city.  Secondly, we are proud supporters of the arts, and together with Silicon Laboratories, want to encourage and reward talented students who demonstrate the strong work ethic and passion required to commit to a task of this magnitude.  Families have something fun and free to enjoy, our District receives 14 fantastic windows, and students get an actual public stage upon which to showcase their skills.”

 The students of the St. Edward’s University Theatrical Design Department are devoted to their design challenge; to create a window display that represents Austin’s deeply rooted musical culture and includes an apparent seasonal component.  “The music theme this year is so fitting,” says Senior, Jordyn Campbell. “I’m proud to live in such a vibrant city, and that it is regarded as the ‘music capital of the world.’”   Austin M. Rausch recognizes that this project “forces [the students] to think outside the box, as opposed to ‘in the window.’  To create an individualistic design that meets the judging criteria, and caters to the public, the shoppers, and the retailers, is truly amazing.  As a Senior, this opportunity carries so much weight. We gain practical experience and make invaluable connections.  That, and the opportunity to earn a scholarship, is not just a privilege, for me, it’s a miracle.”

 For details regarding The Holiday Window Walk and voting instructions, please visit www.2NDStreetDistrict.com, @2NDStDistrict on Twitter, and The 2^ND Street District official Facebook page.

VOTING VIA QR CODE IN THE 2ND STREET DISTRICT – QR Codes provided by Walking Papers Media.

About Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories, located in the heart of the 2^nd Street District, is an industry leader in the innovation of mixed-signal semiconductors that allow the analog world we live in to interact with the digital world of computing. Silicon Labs is committed to sharing the company’s success with the community, specifically education programs that help develop math and science skills among young people. Silicon Labs has design, engineering, marketing, sales and applications offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For more information about Silicon Laboratories, please visit www.silabs.com.

In a world of fragmented media with a thousand choices for news, information and opinion, citizens can now chose to see, hear and read only what supports their position. Mark McKinnon from Public Strategies, Matthew Dowd from Vianovo, Inc., and William Galston from the University of Maryland, discuss how to foster civility among Americans when political polarization is the norm.

November 14

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

6:30 pm
Tickets are $45.

klru.org/spark