8 Awesome Austin Events, July 24-30

The Forrest Four-Cast: July 23, 2017

The strength of the Central Texas technology / startup scene helps SXSW thrive as an epicenter of innovation. Some of the most interesting events in Austin for the week of July 24 through July 30 are as follows:

1. Monday, July 24: Ryan Holliday Book Reading (FREE)
   The best-selling author of “Growth Hacker Marketing” and “The Obstacle is the Way,” Holiday’s newest book shows readers how to make and market their own classic work. Whether you have a book or a business, a song or the next great screenplay, “Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts” reveals the recipe for strong and sustained success. At Book People at 7:00 pm.
2. Tuesday, July 25: Podcasting and Radio Meet Up (FREE)
   Attend this event to learn more about the Austin audio media community, as we explore the technologies, our roots in radio, and how we’re bringing voices to innovation. In addition to networking, a panel will feature the expertise of Jamal Wilburn (founder of Bigmouff Media), and Tolly Moseley (co-host of the Austin 360 podcast I Love You So Much), as well as Austin Podcast Community organizer and founder and host of the exceptional Go Hunt Life podcast Todd Nevins. At the Austin American-Statesman at 5:00 pm.
3. Thursday, July 27: Corporate Responsibility Summit (FREE)
   In light of recent actions by the Legislature, this event will address whether Texas is still good for business. Speakers include Erik Day (Dell), Hugh Forrest (SXSW), Edgar Gierbolini (Austin Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), Chris Plonsky (University of Texas), Mellie Price (Capital Factory) and Chris Wallace (Texas Association of Business). At EnviroMedia at 6:00 pm.
4. Friday, July 28: SXSW Community Awards Deadline (FREE)
   These awards celebrate the spirit of community in Austin that is unique to SXSW. Each spring, five individuals and five organizations are recognized for their community service. Each honoree or organization will receive complimentary badges to SXSW, a $5,000 grant, and a chance to spread the word about their work to the SXSW community. All applications are due end of day on July 28.
5. Saturday, July 29: Women Who Brunch (FREE)
   Join us for a special event focused on propelling women into technical careers. This event is FREE and open to all women exploring careers in coding or thinking about taking the plunge in Galvanize Web Development and Data Science classes. We will hold a special panel and networking brunch with Galvanize Members and Alumnae discussing their experience in the industry. We will also have a mini resume workshop lead by Galvanize Career Services Manager, Nicole Hartings. Tacos and mimosas included! At Galvanize at 11:00 am.
6. Saturday, July 29: Texas Guadaloop Fundraiser Party (FREE)
   Guadaloop is competing in SpaceX’s Hyperloop Pod Competition II this August. Representing the state of Texas and future Texas Hyperloop routes, they are racing their pod against 20 other teams from around the world. The Guadaloop team hopes to build a route that benefits Texans by connecting the major commuter hubs of San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas. By implementing a Hyperloop connecting these cities, Guadaloop aims to help in reducing congestion for commuters, increasing jobs through construction, building infrastructure that would increase tourism and in turn bring revenue to the state of Texas. At Capital Factory at 3:00 pm.
7. July 29–30: Classic Games Fest
   Enjoy 70,000 square feet of retro video games and fun! More than 60 exhibitors including Austin Toy Museum, Epic Geek Shop, Fangirl, Game Over Videogames, In My Parent’s Basement, Level Up Studios, Cctane Toys, Pegasus Publishing, Red Label Games, Shark Robot, Video Game Museum and many others. Tickets range from $15-$30. Children 12 and under are free. At the Palmer Events Center.
8. July 29–30: Expedition Hackathon
   Imagine and design solutions that use GIS, imagery information and other big data sources to shape a better future. Develop an application, platform or process that represents useful ways you envision technology will have a real world impact, in Austin, and beyond. Be creative! No problem is too big or too small. Grand prize of $5,000. Entry fee for this event is $10 — must be registered to attend.

August 1: SXSW 2018 badge sales begin
August 8: ABJ Face-to-Face with Mike Maples
September 8: SXSW Art Program deadline
September 14–16: Creatives Meet Business
September 21–28: Fantastic Fest
October 6–8: ACL Fest, Weekend #1
October 9–13: Austin Startup Week
October 12–12: Star Wars: A New Hope
October 13–15: ACL Fest, Weekend #2
October 16: SXSW 2018 content announcement
November 6–10: Austin Design Week
November 10: SXSW Accelerator deadline
November 10: SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards deadline
November 10–12: Sound on Sound Fest
March 9–18: SXSW 2018

Stay tuned to this space as we review more creativity-focused events for the coming weeks. If you have an event that you would like considered for listing in this space, contact me at hugh at sxsw dot com.

Hugh Forrest tries to write at least four paragraphs per day on Medium. These posts often cover tech-related trends; other times they cover specific current events. When not attempting to wordsmith or learning to meditate, he serves as Chief Programming Officer at SXSW in Austin.