Sunday, May 10, 2015 is Mother’s Day! Don’t worry if this special day snuck up on you. There are plenty of fun ways to spoil the special mama in your life this week. We’ve rounded up a few for you!
Free Events:
Wine Down Wednesday – Wednesday, May 6 from 6-8 p.m. Wine Down Wednesday is back in full swing! Join The Arboretum for awesome shopping in a fun, relaxed environment – and at just the right time for happy hour! Event stations will be set up in four designated locations throughout the shopping center, each serving a different wine selection paired with small bites and live music from local Austin artists! Sign in and pick up your wristband (worth 5 food/wine pairings) and event guide at the registration table near Amy’s Ice Creams. FREE! Check the Facebook page for weather updates. The Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd, Austin.
Indulge: Fashion + Fun for Moms at Barton Creek Square - Thursday, May 7, from 5-7 p.m. Grab your girlfriends and join Barton Creek Square in the Macy’s Court for a night of fun, fashion and friends, emceed by Annaka, Entertainment Reporter for The CW Austin. Shop, socialize, enjoy giveaways and take advantage of special offers and in-store events from your favorite Barton Creek Square stores and restaurants. There will be music, food/drink, a personal photo op experience, lip and eye stations, hair bar, and giveaways. FREE! Barton Creek Square, 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin.
Indulge: Fashion + Fun for Moms at Lakeline Mall (Cedar Park) - Thursday, May 7 from 5-7 p.m. Grab your girlfriends and join Lakeline Mall in the Dillard’s Women’s Court for a night of fun, fashion and friends. Shop, socialize, enjoy giveaways and take advantage of special offers and in-store events from your favorite Lakeline Mall stores and restaurants. Visit pampering stations, pick-up some fashion tips, enjoy light bites and beverages, entertainment, a gift with purchase promotion and so much more! FREE! Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park.
The Taming of the Shrew – Thursday, May 7, Friday, May 8, Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m. From the battle of the sexes to the marriage of true minds, Austin Shakespeare transforms The Taming of the Shrew to the Austin of the 1890s, where city folk and cowboys collide. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy Shakespeare under the beautiful evening skies across from Barton Springs Pool. Featuring Gwendolyn Kelso as Kate and Marc Pouhé as Petruchio. Post show audience/actor discussions after each performance. Presented by The City of Austin in coordination with Austin Shakespeare. FREE! Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Unplugged at the Grove: Carolyn Wonderland – Thursday, May 7 at 8:00 p.m. Join KGSR every Thursday for 24 consecutive weeks at the iconic Shady Grove for one of Austin’s longest running free concert series. FREE! Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Shakespeare at the Market: Love’s Labour’s Lost (RSVP) – Friday, May 8, Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. Present Company, in partnership with Whole Foods Market, presents the second annual Shakespeare at the Market on the rooftop of the downtown Austin Whole Foods Market. Seating and music begin at 6:30 for a 7:00 p.m. performance. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or short chair, and grab picnic goodies before the show. Promoting the philosophy of “accessible and sustainable art,” Shakespeare at the Market is a FREE event, however a $15-20 donation is suggested for guests able to support. Reserve your tickets here. Whole Foods, 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Dia de los Madres (Round Rock) - Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Williamson County Hispanic Heritage Committee, Univision 62 Austin, Round Rock Ballet Folklorico, and the City of Round Rock present a Mother’s Day event at Prete Plaza. The event features a performance by The Biscuit Brothers. Other performers include the Hopewell Middle School mariachi group, the Isaac Sisters and Round Rock Ballet Folklorico. Other activities include: arts and crafts for kids, a chance to take pictures with mom, and free carnations for mothers. The event promises to be full of music and fun for the entire family! FREE! Prete Plaza, 221 East Main Street, Round Rock.
Family Day at the Ransom Center – Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visit Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and enjoy activities for the young and young at heart. Participate in writing activities with teaching artists from Austin Public Library Friends Foundation’s Badgerdog Creative Writing Program or engage with Lewis Carroll-inspired math activities with local math literacy organization Math Happens. Additional activities include docent-led exhibition tours and story times in the theater. Harry Ransom Center, 300 W 21st St, Austin.
Mother’s Day Ladybird Market – Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Shop jewelry, pottery, home decor, fashion accessories and more! What will you find at Ladybird Market? Only the best! The artists of Ladybird Market are hand-selected from the best in the Austin maker community. Shop for men’s accessories, jewelry, candles, journals, home decor, fashion and much more. Admission is FREE. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E 38 1/2 St, Austin.
Courtyard Artworks: Celebrate Spring! – Saturday, May 9 from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Join local artists for family art fun, including creating with gouache, acrylic and mask-making. FREE! Courtyard: JLC Artworks, Wade ArtRoom Austin, 81 San Marcos St, Austin.
38th Annual O.Henry Pun-Off World Championships – Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Jest for a Wordy Cause! Enjoy live music, food and drink, a used book sale, souvenir t-shirts and more. FREE! O. Henry Museum (outside), 409 E 5th St, Austin.
West Austin Studio Tour – Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Big Medium presents the 4th West Austin Studio Tour! WEST is an annual, self-guided art event occurring over two weekends in May, providing the public with an opportunity to meet the makers: the local artists and artisans who leave a lasting imprint on Austin’s vibrant, dynamic culture. Tour-goers are invited to discover new artistic talent, see working studios, learn about artists’ tools, techniques, and inspirations, and explore unique exhibition spaces and local businesses. See Nicole’s top picks for family friendly stops. FREE! Locations vary.
Mother’s Day Austin Flea – Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Shop a special Mother’s Day Flea on the lawn of East End Wines. Buy a bottle of wine from the shop, then sip and stroll your way thru over 20 vendors’ works. The Flea features all local handmade items and vintage wares from some of Austin’s most amazing and talented vendors. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for Mother’s Day or any occasion including jewelry, glasswork, clothing, artwork, paper goods, textiles and so much more! Entrance to the event is FREE and open to all ages! East End Wines, 1209 Rosewood Ave, Austin.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum – Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 from 12-4 p.m. The UMLAUF will offer FREE admission this weekend and next. 605 Robert E. Road, Austin.
Saturday Night Concert Series: Jesse Dayton (Bee Cave) - Saturday, May 9 from 7-9 p.m. Enjoy Saturday nights outdoors with live music, FREE kids activities and great shopping! The music begins at 7 p.m. in the Hill Country Galleria’s outdoor amphitheater. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this FREE event every Saturday night! Bring your family, friends, and a blanket to lounge on the grassy lawn during the show. Arrive early to ensure you get a FREE swag bag filled with fun items and discounts from the Hill Country Galleria merchants and sponsors! Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave.
Southpark After Dark: Tiarra Girls - Saturday, May 9 from 7-10 p.m. Enjoy FREE music in The Grove at Southpark Meadows. IH-35 & Slaughter Lane, Austin.
Rendez Vous at Central Market North – Sunday, May 10 from 12-3 p.m. Bring your mother and enjoy the sounds of Julie Slim‘s French Jazz band! Central Market, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin.
KUTX Live at Uncle Billy’s: Bone, Fur and Feathers – Sunday, May 10 from 2-6 p.m. KUTX is proud to announce KUTX Live at Uncle Billy’s on Barton Springs. Join them every Sunday from 2-6 p.m. for FREE live music on the outdoor patio at Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que. DJ Mixer Rogers will be spinning tunes from 2-4 p.m. and local bands will start their sets at 4 p.m. Come socialize with your favorite KUTX DJs and hear some of the best new music Austin has to offer! Uncle Billy’s, 1530 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Music Under the Star - Sunday, May 10 from 4-7:30 p.m. Celebrate Mother’s day with a FREE concert of strong female musicians at the Bullock Museum. Enjoy music in the Rotunda with Corrina Rachel, followed by music on the Plaza by The Bluebonnets and Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Avenue, Austin.
Mother’s Day Concert at the Capitol - Sunday, May 10 at 7 p.m. What better way to close out a great day with Mom than by taking her to a FREE concert in her honor? The Austin Symphonic Band will perform well-known tunes, including marches and musical numbers, that you and your mom are sure to enjoy! Get there early to select the best seating… this concert gets more popular every year. FREE! Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin.
Rising Stars Concert – Sunday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Austin Civic Orchestra returns to Bates Recital Hall at the University of Texas for the 3rd annual Texas Rising Stars Concert. The concert combines the best of the Austin community orchestras with the best from the Butler School of Music string studios in a collaborative concert, FREE of charge to the Austin community. Bates Recital Hall, 2406 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin.
Brian Cutean Concert atRadio Coffee and Bar – Sunday, May 10 at 8 p.m. Brian Cutean, aka QTN, appears in a special Mother’s Day concert on Sunday May 10 at Radio Coffee and Bar’s intimate listening space, in an all-ages show. Cutean, a teller of offbeat street-tales filled with wordplay-metafable and songs from a colorful guitar, was a mainstay of Austin music in the 1980s and 90s. He performed often at The Cactus Café, Chicago House, Maggie Mae’s, The Other Side, Folkville Ice Cream and other long gone venerable venues. Now living in the Pacific Northwest, he rides into Texas annually, still tours nationally, and his concerts are community events. Radio Coffee and Beer, 4208 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
Make a free gift for Mom:
Mother’s Day Storytime (Pflugerville) – Thursday, May 7 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Enjoy storytime and make a craft for Mom! FREE! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St., Pflugerville.
Make a Garden Blooms Photo Frame - Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Kids ages 3 and up can make a FREE photo frame craft. Lakeshore Learning Store, 9828 Great Hills Trail, Austin.
I Love Mom Storytime - Saturday, May 9 at 11:30 a.m. None of us would be here without our moms. They give us life and love, and they totally deserve a day that’s all about them. So in preparation for Mother’s Day, BookPeople staff will read Dinosaur vs. Mommy and other stories all about moms. Plus, kids can make sweet cards to celebrate their own magnificent mothers. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Whole Foods Kids Club (Bee Cave) – Saturday, May 9 from 12-4 p.m. Surprise Mom with a picture for Mother’s Day! Fun for the kids, with no clean up, and a gift for mom to boot! Smocks and supplies will be provided. You can show up at any time in the four-hour window to start painting, and leave when you are ready! FREE! Whole Foods, 12601 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.
Freebies for Mom:
Single Moms Free Car Care – Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Crossroads Community Church would like to bless single moms for Mother’s Day with a FREE oil change and car cleaning! There will be bounce houses for the kids, prize giveaways, snacks, and good company as you treat yourself and your car to a little care. To receive an oil change, please register one vehicle per family by providing the year, make & model, and engine type of your vehicle. If you are receiving an oil change, a completed and signed waiver is required; one will be e-mailed to you upon registering. You must register here to attend. CG Arena, 9185 Research Blvd., Austin.
Free Bundts at Corner Bakery Cafe – Print a coupon to receive a FREE 6-pack of Bottoms Up Bundts with the purchase of any lunch or dinner entrée. The coupon expires May 11, 2015.
Free Admission to Safari Champ (Round Rock) – Saturday, May 9. Moms get in FREE and get a chocolate covered strawberry. Admission for kids is $3. 1400 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.
Moms Get Free TCBY – Sunday, May 10 from 12-10 p.m. Mothers can get a FREE small frozen yogurt! TCBY Parkside Village, 5701 Slaughter Lane, Bldg B, Suite B100, Austin. (Please note that the MLK location is NOT participating in this promotion this year.)
Moms Skate Free at Playland – Sunday, May 10 from 12-5 p.m. Moms skate FREE with the purchase of a child’s admission. Playland Skate Center, 8822 McCann Drive, Austin.
Free Day Pass for Mom at TechShop (Round Rock) – Sunday, May 10 from 8-11:30 a.m. Anyone who is a mother can come in and enjoy TechShop for the day. FREE! TechShop, 120 Sundance Parkway Suite #350, Round Rock.