Weekend Events In And Around ATX: Free Movie, Fun Run, More

CEDAR PARK, TX -- If you're looking for fascinating events to kick-off SXSW 2018, check out some of the featured events happening in and around Austin this weekend. From National Day of Unplugging, a 24-hour global respite from technology coming up on Friday to an thought-provoking discussion on social inclusion and diversity, many of these (mostly FREE) events offer insight and learning. However, we've also featured some fun and family-friendly events for all ages. We're sure there's something for everyone to enjoy.

FRIDAY, MARCH 9

• Casa PERÚ at SXSW 2018: Austin Lima Sister Cities hosts PERÚ's participation at SXSW 2018 on Friday, March 9 beginning at 10 AM through March 14. At Casa PERÚ, you'll enjoy the best of Peruvian gastronomy, music, and art. Event will feature DJ's, interactive activities, entertainment, live cooking exhibitions, and the opportunity to meet some of the most talented creative minds in Perú. For more details, click HERE. FREE Event. Casa PERÚ, 84 Rainey Street, Austin, TX 78701
• Austin Startup Crawl - Totally Rad Tech with Sputnik ATX: Sputnik ATX will host Totally Rad Tech on Friday, March 9 from 5 PM - 10 PM. This great event will feature live music, poetry, food, and tech. The event will feature an elevator pitch contest (in an actual elevator) and a special surprise from Sputnik Winter 2018 cohort founders. For more details, click HERE. For ticket information, click HERE. Sputnik ATX, 301 Congress Avenue Floor 22, Austin, TX 78701
• National Day of Unplugging: Off the Grid Box is partnering with the National Day of Unplugging from Friday, March 9 at 6 PM through Saturday, March 10 at 6 PM. National Day of Unplugging is a 24-hour global respite from technology. The focus is on highlighting the value of disconnecting from digital devices to connect with ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in real-time. For more details, click HERE.
• HOOK (1991) - Community Cinema: Community First! Village will host its FREE Movie night on Friday, March 9 from 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM. Friday's movie will be HOOK from 1991 featuring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. Come out and enjoy a fun evening with friends and family. Bring a comfortable chair, a blanket, and grab a spot. Come hungry, there will be burgers, french fries, snacks and drinks available for purchase at the Community Grille. FREE Event, however, a $5 suggested donation would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made electronically when RSVPing for this event. To RSVP, click HERE. Community First! Village Amphitheater, 9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724
• Engaged Learning - Diversity+Leadership Through Comedy & Spoken Word: CoMeTrY, specializing in using slam poetry and standup comedy to teach leadership, social skills, diversity, and the value of empathy, will host Engaged Learning - Diversity+Leadership Through Comedy & Spoken Word on Friday, March 9 beginning at 7:45 PM. This event will address character-building in an entertaining and engaging way and gain a better understanding of other walks of life and how vulnerability can create leaders that other naturally gravitate towards. Educators, Administrators, Students, and BRAVE Communities members are FREE! Tickets for the general public, $12. For tickets and more information, click HERE. St. Andrew's DELL Fine Arts Center, 5901 Southwest Parkway, Austin, TX 78735

SATURDAY, MARCH 10 & SUNDAY, MARCH 11

• Donut Fun Run!: Celebrate Bougie's Donuts first year with a FUN RUN birthday bash on Saturday, March 10 at 8 AM. This family-friendly run will be approximately 3 miles through the beautiful Sunset Valley and end with delicious Donuts! Runners and walkers of all levels welcome. Proceeds from the event will benefit Petra Preschool. Check in starts at 7 AM in front of the shop and the run will begin at 8 AM. There will be festivities following the race, so bring your friends and family to enjoy! To register, click HERE. Bougie's Donuts, 5400 Brodie Lane, Austin, TX 78745
• Community Easter Egg Hunt (FREE): The RJF Team invites the community to its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 10 beginning at 10 AM. The event will feature age-appropriate hunts for both little ones and older kids to ensure all egg hunters leave with something in their baskets. Children will also enjoy Easter-themed art activities and a fun bounce house. There will be drawings and every family member in attendance will receive a ticket for a chance to win one of several door prizes. For more details, click HERE. FREE Event. 1620 Red Bud Lane, Round Rock, TX 78664
• Spring Safari: EasterSeals Central Texas will host a Spring Break kick off event on Saturday, March 10 from 10 AM - 12 PM. Enjoy fun at the Play For All Abilities Park south pavilion, where there will also be face painting, balloon animals, scavenger hunts, and more! This event is FREE and family-friendly. 151 N A W Grimes Boulevard, Round Rock, TX 78664
• Mondo Gallery Presents - Batman: The Animated Series: Join Mondo Gallery for the gallery show Batman: The Animated Series on Saturday, March 10 from 12 PM - 6 PM through Monday, March 12 from 12 PM - 6 PM. There will be a special Batman Family Day on Saturday, March 10 from 10 AM - 12 PM. Kids and parents can join the Caped Crusader on his quest to protect Gotham, paint faces, snap pictures in our photo booth, and enjoy more family activities. Baked goods from Zucchini Kill, and coffee will be served. For more information, HERE. FREE Event. Mondo, 4115 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78751
• Moon Tide Drum Circle: All are invited to this monthly Drum Circle on Saturday, March 10 at 7 PM. Bring wooden drums, shakers, acoustic guitar, etc. For more information, HERE. FREE Event. 2106 Riverview Street (REAR/ALLEY), Austin, TX 78702
• Sunday Farm Stand at HOPE Farmers' Market: Enjoy your Sunday with the Sunday Farm Stand at Hope Farmers' Market on Sunday, March 11 beginning at 11 AM. Visit the Yard to Market Co-op for hyper-local produce and eggs grown by passionate gardeners in Central Texas. For information, click HERE. FREE Event. HOPE Farmers Market, 412 Comal Street, Austin, TX 78702
• Puppy Pop-Up at SXSW: Sweet Pea, a NEW Dating App, is hosting a SXSW event, Puppy Pop-Up on Sunday, March 11 at 12 PM. In partnership with the the Austin Humane Society, attendees will be able to snuggle with puppies and enjoy a free drink when you download the Sweet Pea app. Every download donates $1 to the Austin Humane Society. For more information, click HERE. Little Woodrow's, 520 West 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701
• Meditation for Beginners: Enjoy a great opportunity to learn to meditate during the Meditation for Beginners on Sunday, March 11 at 2 PM. Meditation is beneficial for self understanding, self-realization in order to improve relationships and achieve peace, happiness and contentment. For more information, click HERE. FREE Event. Village Belle, 201 South Bell Boulevard, Suite 104, Cedar Park, TX 78613
• SXSW 2018 House of Social Impact- #BrillianceBeyondBars: ConCreates.com, a social impact startup that crowdsources business and marketing solutions utilizing the untapped network of incarcerated individuals and returning citizens, will host SXSW 2018 House of Social Impact on Sunday, March 11 at 2 PM. This unique interactive experience will motivate attendees to explore the impact of the criminal justice system in the U.S. Through a series of thought-provoking social experiments, multi-media initiatives, and candid discussions with well-known experts, attendees will gain knowledge of how the criminal justice system truly affects the lives and families of the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated. The goal is to bring about compassion and perspective of how the world views people with criminal histories. For more information, click HERE. FREE Event, however, registration is encouraged. To register, click HERE. The North Door, 501 Brushy Street, Austin, TX 78702
• Social Inclusion & Diversity: Thinking Beyond Ideology for Sustainable Cities: The Delegation of the European Union to the United States will host a fascinating event on Sunday, March 11 at 2 PM.Countries today are experiencing a high degree of political polarization, with voters largely split between rural and urban areas. Resulting policy changes at the national and state level can make it more difficult for cities to respond to the needs of their citizens. But local governments know that on-the-ground realities will remain despite political trends. Experts from the EU and the US discuss what cities can do within this context to uphold our shared values of social inclusion and diversity, using them as essential building blocks for sustainable local growth on both sides of the Atlantic. Keynote: Congressman Mark Takano of California. Speakers:Tricia Hackett, Sustainable Urban Development Advisor, International Urban Cooperation; Radhika Bynon, Interim Director, The Young Foundation; Leon Andrews, Director for Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL), National League of Cities; Brion Oaks, Chief Equity Officer, City of Austin. Moderator: Sascha Haselmayer, CEO & Founder, Citymart. FREE Event, First Come, First Serve Basis. For more information, click HERE. Palm Door on Sixth, 508 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701