Austin’s eighth annual day of giving—organized by I Live Here I Give Here—returns with a 24-hour period to support local nonprofits. The goal of Amplify Austin Day this year is to raise $12 million for more than 750 organizations. 6 p.m.-6 p.m. Donations can be made online. 512-717-4190. www.amplifyatx.org
March 7 | Help your community park
The Austin Parks Foundation’s springs cleanup event takes place at parks across the city of Austin, with over 3,000 participants in the fall 2019 cleanup. Volunteer opportunities for specific parks or projects can be found online. Times vary. Free. Locations vary. 512-477-1566. www.austinparks.org/impd
March 11 | Shop and sip
Visitors to The Arboretum can enjoy a night of shopping at their favorite stores while enjoying unlimited wine pours, live music and light bites. Proceeds from the event support the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas’ professional development cause. 5-7 p.m. $15 (donation). The Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd., Austin. 512-327-7555. www.winefoodfoundation.org
March 13-22 | South By Southwest Conference and Festivals
Official SXSW tracks and exhibitions begin March 13 and continue through March 21. Conference topics include climate and social action; media and journalism; sports; health business; video games; and design. Keynote speakers for the festival include Roger Waters, Reggie Fils-Aimé and Laurene Powell Jobs.
The SXSW film and comedy festivals also run from March 13-21, while the education conference runs March 8-12. The music festival runs March 16-22, featuring hundreds of bands from around the world. Announced acts include K-Pop singer SUMIN, Norwegian pop group Pom Poko and Atlanta rapper GRIP.
Official shows and conferences require badges for entry. Other free shows also take place throughout the week at various Austin locations. $540-$1,600 (Badges). Times and locations vary. 512-467-7979. www.sxsw.com
March 14-15 | Browse boutique vendors
The inaugural edition of the Austin Spring Boutique invites shoppers to walk through vendors and exhibitors selling jewelry, bath and body items, apparel, accessories and more. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Sat.), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sun.). $10-$12. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. 888-248-9751, ext. 114. www.austinspringboutique.com
March 14-28 | Head down to the rodeo
Rodeo Austin is an annual festival featuring professional rodeo events, a livestock show, daily live music and other entertainment. Music this year includes performances by Melissa Etheridge, Aaron Watson and 98 Degrees. Event times vary daily. Tickets start at $20. Travis County Exposition Center, 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin. 512-919-3000. www.rodeoaustin.com
March 21 | Craft for your garden
As part of its gardening program, the Spicewood Springs Branch Library is hosting a day to create tin can mason bee houses to invite the insect pollinators to your garden. Supplies for the event will be provided. 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Spicewood Springs Branch Library, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin. 512-974-3800. www.library.austintexas.gov
March 24 | Watch whiz kids spell it out
Watch whiz kids spell it out•The third annual Austin Spelling Bee returns to send one local student to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May. Fifty elementary- through middle school-aged children from 10 counties in Central Texas will participate in the competition, hosted by the West Austin Chamber of Commerce. 6 p.m. $12 (general admission). Venue yet to be determined. 512-551-0390. www.westaustinchamber.org
March 25-29 | The world's best tee off
The Austin area’s annual World Golf Championship match play event features 64 of the top-ranked golfers in the world. Golfer Kevin Kisner was the event’s 2019 champion. Match times vary each day. Children under 15 are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Daily tickets begin at $120, while weekly ticket options are also available. Event takes place at the Austin Country Club, 4408 Long Champ Drive, Austin. Off-site parking is and transportation is available at the Toney Burger Activity Center, 3200 Jones Road, Sunset Valley. www.pgatour.com/tournaments/wgc-dell-technologies-match-play.html
March 29 | Bring out your kite
ABC Kite Fest, an annual, family-friendly event offers a kite-flying contest, a fun run and a children’s music contest. Founded in 1929 by the Exchange Club of Austin, a service organization, this event is the country’s longest-running festival of its kind. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. Free. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road. 512-837-9500. www.abckitefest.org
WORTH THE TRIP
March 21 | Beekeeping beginner’s school
The Central Texas Beginning Beekeepers School returns to teach curious aspiring apiarists how to build equipment, install and handle bees, extract honey and other aspects of entry-level beekeeping. Weather permitting, students can suit up and inspect a bee hive to inspect the queen, larva and honey comb.
Additionally, a Top Bar Bee Hive class will be presented by Les Crowder, former president of the New Mexico Beekeepers Association and a honeybee inspector for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. The beginner’s school includes a complimentary barbecue lunch, and participants will be entered to win prizes at the end of the day, including complete hives and beekeeping equipment. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $10 (children under 12), $25 (students), $60-$65 (adults). Brenham High School, 525 A H Ehrig Drive, Brenham. 979-277-0411. www.centraltexasbeekeepers.org
