Austin is a muse, one of those destinations that inspires all sorts of artistic types. From musicians, filmmakers and chefs to painters, technology wizards and fashion designers, they all flock to Austin to create.
When in town, groups are encouraged to tap into the creative scene. Transforming into rock stars for an afternoon, hopping on bicycles for a tour of the city’s culinary creations, enjoying a unique gospel performance or comedy show, and even learning about the art of cowboy hats are among the quintessentially Austin options.
Groove Labs
For a fun and memorable event, the Groove Labs Corporate Rock Stars program has attendees rework a song’s lyrics, come up with a band name, get into costume and perform the song live with a band.
“Seeing the creativity come to life always shocks the teams,” says Craig Nadel, owner of Groove Labs. “The rewritten songs generally incorporate themes of industry trends but oftentimes the lyrics tend toward inter-office politics and other semi-taboo subjects that make groups laugh.”
He says this successful team-building event prompts a competitive spirit that eventually reaches a fever pitch.
“Mix in the eclectic collection of props we’ve acquired from vintage shops around Austin and the country, and all of a sudden this corporate event has turned into a fashion show with a rock concert attached for good measure,” he says.
The Corporate Rock Stars experience has access to venues that aren’t open to the public, including Arlyn Studios, the recording home of such artists as Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
“We make jaded people happy,” Nadel says, adding that groups can add a meal function such as Tex-Mex, beer and tequila. “We rock people’s socks off.” PageBreak
Rocket Electrics
This electric bike company offers several Austin tours, including the Live Music Capital of the World and Foodie tours, two that particularly highlight the city’s creative output.
According to Nicole Zinn, owner of the firm, the tours are perfect for groups comprised of varying ages and athletic abilities.
On the Live Music Capital tour attendees will see music-related landmarks and afterward enjoy a live acoustic performance with refreshments on the shop’s deck overlooking Lady Bird Lake and the Austin skyline.
“The foodie tours are not cookie-cutter,” Zinn says. “The guide will talk to the guests to discern what they would like to experience and what dietary requests they have, and then ride to multiple locations for four courses of food and a special beverage.”
Zinn adds groups can customize the tours to include anything, from a yoga session or a swim in Barton Springs Pool to scavenger hunts and photo safaris.
“The possibilities are endless,” she says.
Stubb’s and Esther’s
Two entertaining options for visiting groups are held at local legendary venues: Stubb’s Bar-B-Q and Esther’s Follies.
Stubb’s has a calendar of live music performances as well as the weekly Stubb’s BBQ Gospel Brunch, which is held on Sunday mornings for the general public, or groups can arrange a private brunch, according to Shilpa Bakre, spokeswoman for the Austin CVB.
As attendees listen to and feel rejuvenated by live gospel music, they can enjoy buffet items including Southern-style grits, fried catfish, barbecue brisket and a make your own Bloody Mary bar.
And Esther’s Follies, a musical comedy, magic and political satire revue, has been going strong for more than 35 years.
The show hilariously draws from current events, like the recent send-up of Elvis Presley songs in “King of Fiscal Cuts,” and “Goin’ Postal,” a musical take on the recent problems and cuts at the U.S. Postal Service.
Visiting groups can either join a regularly scheduled audience or, for groups of 150 or more, have a private party. Prior to a private event, the cast may customize a bit or two to accommodate the group’s themes for a more personalized show. PageBreak
Hatbox: A Modern Haberdashery
Engaging Hatbox is a wonderful way for event planners to entertain their guests as well as provide the No. 1 souvenir request as a takeaway gift, according to Lauri Turner, CEO at Hatbox.
“We arrive with unshaped hats, hatbands, steamers and professional haberdashers who will sculpt each hat pertaining to each guest’s facial features, allow them to choose their own hatband, and they’re off,” she says. “Soon the entire venue is afloat in real Texas cowboy hats. It’s a great way to indoctrinate visitors to the cowboy way of life and provide a convivial atmosphere.”
The hat-shaping team, Turner adds, is often requested to speak about hat history to visiting groups so that attendees better understand the creativity behind various hats.
“Hats are shrouded in mystery and very few know the history of the different shapes and the geography of their origins, as well as how they came into each region of the U.S.,” she says.
Groups may learn, for example, how a friend or enemy could be recognized by the dents or folds in their hats, and that cowboy hats are turned up on the sides as an aerodynamic feature for horse riding headlong into the wind.
“Hats speak a universal language,” she says.
Pinot’s Palette
Pinot’s Palette, which offers public classes and private parties, is a great idea for anyone who’d like to discover their inner artist in a relaxed, fun environment with expert guidance from local Austin artists.
“Groups may choose their painting from our extensive library, or we can work with them to develop a custom painting for an additional fee,” says Vicki Rummel, owner of Pinot’s Palette. “It can be an excellent team-building activity, and we are happy to brainstorm new ideas with our customers and tailor the event to meet their needs.”
All painting supplies, wine glasses and openers, water and ice buckets are supplied, and student painters are encouraged to bring in whatever they’d like to drink and snack on during a class. Groups are welcome to have private parties catered.
“At the end of the event, everyone leaves with their own masterpiece,” Rummel says, adding that the current studio accommodates large groups. “And soon we’ll be offering off-site options for those who want to bring the Pinot’s Palette experience to their own location.”
Festivals and Events
They don’t call it the Live Music Capital of the World for nothing, as Austin is brimming with most music genres every day of the week. Plus, several annual festivals that highlight both local and nationally recognized talent attract visitors from across the country and beyond.
The Austin City Limits Music Festival (www.aclfestival.com) is one such festival, this year occurring in October. With advance planning, attendees might like day passes to enjoy music outdoors at Zilker Park, which has a great view of downtown Austin.
Among the other popular Austin-hosted annual gatherings is South by Southwest (www.sxsw.com), which mixes music, film, new technologies, stand-up comedy, interactive conferences and more; Reggae Festival (www.reggaefestivalguide.com), a three-day event in the spring; and Eeyore’s Birthday (www.eeyores.org), another springtime party, complete with food, music and costumed guests, to celebrate the beloved Winnie the Pooh character at Pease Park.
Frequent contributor Carolyn Blackburn, who really enjoyed Esther’s Follies and plans on visiting again during SXSW, thinks Austin is a wonderful place.
