Saturday, September 21, 2024

Red River Free Week kicks off, boosting local bands and venues

January 7, 2023

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect how Free Week supports the local music industry.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Red River Cultural District’s Free Week returned to downtown Austin this week. The festival offers free concerts from Thursday, Jan. 5 through Saturday, Jan 7.

The concert series each year aims to boost local bands and venues. The series also helps local bands and venues during a time that’s not typically active and leads to a slump.

More than 100 bands are playing at these 12 music venues:

Cheer Up Charlies

Elysium

Empire Control Room & Garage

Flamingo Cantina

Stubb’s Bar-B-Q

Vaquero Taquero

Organizers say festival-goers will get discounts on food and drink from nearby places including:

Vaquero Taquero

Central D istrict Brewing

According to organizers, Free Week started in 2003 at the original Emo’s at Sixth and Red River streets.

Six venues in the Red River Cultural District are hosting the Safer Venues Fest on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (KXAN Photo/Chris Davis)
Six venues in the Red River Cultural District are hosting the Safer Venues Fest on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (KXAN Photo/Chris Davis)

by: Daniel Gravois

Posted: Jan 6, 2023 / 08:19 AM CST

Updated: Jan 6, 2023 / 03:20 PM CST

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect how Free Week supports the local music industry.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Red River Cultural District’s Free Week returned to downtown Austin this week. The festival offers free concerts from Thursday, Jan. 5 through Saturday, Jan 7.

The concert series each year aims to boost local bands and venues. The series also helps local bands and venues during a time that’s not typically active and leads to a slump.

More than 100 bands are playing at these 12 music venues:

Cheer Up Charlies
Chess Club
Elysium
Empire Control Room & Garage
Flamingo Cantina
Mala Vida
Mohawk
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
Swan Dive
The 13th Floor
Valhalla
Vaquero Taquero

Organizers say festival-goers will get discounts on food and drink from nearby places including:

Hoboken Pie
Stubbs Bar-B-Q
Vaquero Taquero
Shawarma Point
Pelon’s
Central D istrict Brewing

According to organizers, Free Week started in 2003 at the original Emo’s at Sixth and Red River streets.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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