What am I doing at SXSW 2009?

I am getting a Gold Badge this year, and plan on attending both film and interactive panels and events. I had hoped to make the Dewey Awards, since I was part of a team for AIR Interactive to update the web site for Anthropos Arts. Unfortunately the ceremony is at the same time as my biggest event, Nuclear Tacos.

In addition to volunteering as a panel liaison for SXSW, I'm coordinating or helping at the following events:
Girls in Tech Austin chapter Texas Beer and Chocolate Event at the Ginger Man
Monday - Dishola's BBQ Crash Course
Nuclear Tacos Night

Big events I'll definitely be at:
Mobile Social BBQ
6-8 pm Dorkbot at Brush Square Park/ Get in The Game at Ace's Lounge
8 pm SXSWi Opening/Frog Design Party at Mexican American Culture Center
8 pm - midnight Piryxtopia Party Benefit for Falling Whistles

I also noticed that whurley has tagged me to help coordinate BarCampAustin4, so I'll be bouncing back and forth again on Saturday.

For the full schedule, I'm still fleshing out my SCHED:SXSW

What's it like being a SXSW Panel Liaison?

This year will be the first year that I am not volunteering as a crew chief for SXSW. Hard to believe, but making a transition to a new crew last year at the same time I was dealing with a major illness in my family left me wanting to try something new and more fulfilling this year.

I didn't have to look far - SXSW Interactive started a Panel Liaison program for 2009, and so I signed up to be a liaison for moderators for several panels. Duties for a panel liaison involve communicating with the moderators on at least a monthly basis, starting as soon as panels are announced in October. The goal of the program is to ensure that panels are dynamic, diverse, and successful.

It has been a great experience, as I was assigned to the accessibility category and have helped some of the most respected people in their sectors.

Be sure to check out:
Saturday March 14th 10am-11am Making Web Widgets Accessible: Tools and Techniques Michael Cooper of the W3C
Sunday March 15th 10 am-11 am Accessible Flash and Flex Applications Andrew Kirkpatrick from Adobe
Sunday March 15th 11:30 am-12:30 pm AJAX Accessibility: An ARIA Duet Becky Gibson of IBM and Sharron Rush (Executive Director and Founder of Knowbility)

Where to eat during SXSW?

I am often asked by visitors during SXSW, "where should I go for Tex-Mex? BBQ?

This year I'm pointing people toward my friend Lindsey's new site, Dishola.com. If you haven't read my rave about it on one of my other blogs, here's an excerpt.

Dishola is a dazzling new user-driven website devoted to the best dishes in top gastronomic destinations across the country. And it's fun. Users can sign on to track down what they're craving (gotta have fish tacos), read smart reviews by Dishola editors, industry professionals (cooks, bartenders, dishwashers), and members—passionate eaters across the country. Then they can add reviews of their favorite dishes, and they can even upload photos of them.

You know the drill

Preparing for months, and yet not quite prepared. For the uninitiated -
It's fast, furious, and full of fun! If you want to hang with Shanghai Snax during SXSW2007, you have to be flexible, fast on your feet, and have stamina. We take no prisoners. I'll be working hard and playing harder as usual, but hope to enjoy myself this year after a rocky couple of weeks.

So get on the SXSW site and create your iCalendar and let's compare notes! New this year is that I'll be hitting some film and interactive panels to improve my knowledge as I start on my documentary projects later this year. There's also some great parties, tell me yours and I'll tell you mine.

SXSW XX

Ironic that I JUST found some missing photos from last year, so I could theoretically wrap up last year's SXSW overview.

Yeah, right - time for the melee, there's a lot of big shows and a couple of surprises which I can't spill but I will say there's some doozies!
I can say, though, that despite my full SXSW working hours at film premieres and Town Lake, I've still come across some films and shows I'll be able to catch hopefully. Subject to change as bands might get moved around, but here's a quick list:

Wednesday
Stardeath and the White Dwarfs (the Fox and the Hound) - cool experimental band I met through MySpace, thanks to the Flaming Lips. Wayne's younger brother and his friends are in this band.
Bluebottle Kiss (TBA) - from Australia, great rock
The Black Hollies (the Jackalope) - modern day psychedelic rock
Erin Roberts (Pecan Street Alehouse) - dark folk, love the horns.
The Plimsouls (Exodus) - what can I say? A Million Miles Away is a classic.

Thursday
Charlotte Martin (the Copa) - will have to miss! love her vocal styling and syncopation, reminiscent of Kate Bush and the finer points of Tori Amos.
Immaculate Machine (Nuno's) - this trio from Victoria, B.C. is more refined pop, and also reminiscent of early Stereolab.
Jesca Hoop (the 18th floor Crowne Plaza) - odd and haunting, her music twists and turns like the river she sings of in "Seed of Wonder".
The Cloud Room (Buffalo Billiards) - catchy power pop rock from Brooklyn, NY. I can't tell if I know "Hey Now Now" from airplay or a WB show, or just that it's got that much of a hook.

Friday
Eighteenth Day of May (Emo's Junior) - will have to miss!
Silversun Pickups (Spiros) - will have to miss! Bass-driven rock, interesting vocals - Smashing Who?
The Motels (Elysium) - Oh, Martha Davis, please don't let us down!
June (Redrum) - a mySpace find, this young pop band is attractive to both tweens and adults alike.
Ordione (Numo's) - Not your mama's jazz influenced rock.

Saturday
Racoon (Red 7) - So sad about missing this one! Fun, quirky pop from the Netherlands.
Morningwood (La Zona Rosa) - have to miss! Chantal amazes me with her non-stop sexual energy, and she can drink most people I know under the table. Not for the weak of heart.
Cayto (Karma) - Glasgow, UK Brooding dark, piano rock. I thought it was Romanian jazz at first.
The Cinematics (Soho Lounge) - pretty rock, actually reminds me of the Austin band A U X
Viva l'American Death Ray (Velvet Spade) - no wave rock.
The Emeralds ( Elysium) - met these folks through myspace, and missed their past trips through Austin. Fun surf punk from Japan.

Outdated Update

Okay,okay, I rode the Southby high, and crashed a couple times. As a consequence, I neglected to keep my blog updated. I will attempt to reconstruct soon, and include all the pics I keep getting asked for...wish me luck!

Hanging with Hooligans

Elijah Wood's new project "Hooligans" is a far cry from the loveable Hobbit role he is constantly reminded of. His portrayal of an innocent corrupted by a gang of soccer hooligans is sometimes painful to watch- the stark cinematography and violent nature is both startling and riveting.
The afterparty was a blast, as Elijah took to the turntables (and Ipod) to spin some tunes and had the dance floor packed. I had a great time hanging out upstairs on the patio with new and old friends alike, including Chris Masterson of Malcolm in the Middle. He is in a movie called "Waterborne", which features a waterborne disease outbreak. Chris was so excited when I gave him my business card, and he ran around to show the rest of his film crew that he had met a real drinking water specialist! I picked up a couple bottles of the promo bottled water, which features the biohazard symbol on the label.

I had planned on seeing "Unleashed" at the Alamo Downtown at midnight, but scrapped those plans after meeting Charles Ferraro of gat5 Collective. Always refreshing to meet someone likeminded, who enjoys bringing together people of varied backgrounds and using their resources. I helped him pass out invitations to their party tonight, and then we headed down to the Wilson Brothers private party. Crowded house, and free Dos Equis. Tried to convince Ray Angelic to hit Sam's BBQ for late night grub, but he was dead set on the sausage cart because it was close and quick- NOT BEST WURST which really is the best!

After the bar closed, Charles and I headed to the American Spirits Hospitality Suite for late night cocktails- very smoky, to say the least! Visited with Eric a little, who is very excited about getting to introduce the Gourds at the bash on Monday night. He told me that he often tells the story how I hooked him up with the Gourds three years ago, backstage at Town Lake. Glad to know they stayed connected!

Finally threw in the towel at 4am, and my friend Brian, Transpo Crew Chief, escorted me back to my vehicle.

Opening Night of Film Festival

What a blast! In preparation for the Wilson Brothers new film, the Wendell Baker Story, I arrived several hours early to the Paramount to set up lines, position crew, and get the last minute details. Everything went smoothly, and I assisted some "extra special" people. Highlight was making Harry Dean Stanton smile and laugh, when he couldn't decide which of letter cookie to take out of a box- "X" because it was smaller, or "S" because it was his name? I said, "Take them both, so you'll have a snack for later!". He flashed me the most disarming smile, and laughed heartily. Good thing- he was a little disgruntled because Seymour Cassel wouldn't share his donut with him.

Hit the Film Opening Party at Buffalo Billiard's, and spent much of my time with the lovely date of one of the executive producers of WBS. Fun gal, I asked what she did and she said, "sell drugs". Oh, really?
Turns out she works for a major pharmaceutical company. Quite the joker!

T Minus....

SXSW has unofficially started, for those working the front lines and behind the scenes. Tonight was the first major work event, as hundreds of volunteers stuffed the bags that film, interactive, and music registrants will receive with their badges at registration.
Followed up with a Special Venues Crew Meeting, Crew Chief PowWow, and then a special gathering of Crew Chiefs and Theatre Managers for beer and grub...Still wound up working some as we ironed out last minute details.
So much for a full night of rest, have one more day at my full-time job before the opening night of the film festival, with the Wilson Brothers premiere at the Paramount. Wish us luck as we welcome registrants, celebrities, and media to SXSW 2005!