1. Drive A Senior fundraiser
Drive a Senior-North Central Austin hosts its annual fall fundraiser Thursday offering food, live music and a raffle. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door. The nonprofit provides free transportation and related services to keep seniors independent. Drive a Senior-North Central Austin has more than 300 clients and is located at 901 W. Braker Lane, Austin.
5-8 p.m. $20 (in advance), $25 (at the door). First Unitarian Universalist, 4700 Grover Ave., Austin. Tickets: bit.ly/DriveOct. www.volunteerdriving.com/north-central-austin
Dogtoberfest is Oct. 15 at The Domain in North Austin.[/caption]2. Dogtoberfest at The Domain
The annual fundraiser supports local dog-rescue organizations. The event includes more than 50 pet-related vendor booths, a silent auction, a canine costume contest, wiener dog races and pet-related demonstrations. Prior to the day’s activities, the fifth annual DogtoberTROT race throughout The Domain 2 starts at 8 a.m.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. The Domain, 3225 Amy Donovan Plaza near iPic Theatres. http://dogtoberfestaustin.org
North by Northwest hosts its annual Oktoberfest on Oct. 15-16.[/caption]3. 15th annual Oktoberfest at North by Northwest
The longest running Oktoberfest in Austin celebrates its 15th anniversary this weekend. North by Northwest hosts the annual event Saturday and Sunday, and proceeds benefit four charities. Attendees can purchase German bratwurst, homemade sauerkraut, pretzels and Bavarian cobblers as well as NXNW’s own beers, including a special Oktoberfest beer. Polka band Terry Cavanagh and the Alpine Express, Oma and the Oompahs, and The TubaMeisters provide live music. Other activities include a wiener dog costume contest Sunday at 2:30 p.m., bounce houses, face painting, a balloon artist and a bratwurst eating contest Saturday at 6 p.m.
11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. $2 suggested donation. North by Northwest, 10010 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin.
512-467-6969. www.nxnwbrew.com
4. Pop-up piano bar
Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, which has a location in downtown Austin, takes over Rock Rose Hall in Domain Northside on Saturday. The event features four piano players plinking out favorite tunes. Reservations are required for all seating.
7 p.m. (doors open), 8 p.m. (event begins). $10 entry. Rock Rose Hall, 11420 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. 100-B, Austin. 512-472-7383. www.petesduelingpianobar.com
5. Boots and Bling
Nineveh Ministries, a Christian nonprofit that offers mentorship and job training to Central Texas youth serving time in juvenile detention facilities, hosts the fundraiser Saturday. The event includes cocktails, dinner, auctions, and music by Pat Waters and the Chainlink Band. Suggested attire is “country Chic.”
6-11 p.m. $100 (per person), $1,200 (VIP table). Westin Austin at The Domain, 11301 Domain Drive, Austin. 512-608-5433. www.ninevehministries.com/bootsandbling2016
The AIA Home Tour is offered Saturday and Sunday.[/caption]6. 30th annual AIA Austin Homes Tour
The annual tour, which is offered Saturday and Sunday, highlights 12 homes throughout Austin that showcase design excellence, quality craftsmanship and innovative use of materials. This year’s tour features work by baldridgeARCHITECTS, Faye and Walker Architecture, Furman Keil Architects, Lake Flato Architects, McKinney York Architects, Mell Lawrence Architects, Nick Deaver Architect, Rauser Design, Rick & Cindy Black Architects, Tom Hurt Architecture, Tornbjerg Design, and Webber Studio, Architects.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. $35 (in advance), $40 (day of the tour). Tickets are available at AIA Austin, 801 W. 12th St. Austin; Nannie Inez, 701 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin; and Zinger Hardware at 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin. https://aiaaustin.org/content/30th-annual-aia-austin-homes-tour
7. Schoolfair ATX
Residents are invited to get information on finding a day care, preschool or private school or ask questions about alternative or homeschooling options. The fair, which takes place Sunday, has more than 75 preschools, private schools, alternative, home schooling groups and enrichment programs attending from all over the Austin area.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free (RSVP required), $5 (donation at the door, benefits nonprofit Sammy’s House). Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Drive, Austin. Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/schoolfair-atx-2016-tickets-24236297418, www.schoolfairatx.com
