SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW)
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine Nolan
Each year in the month of March, The Southwest Music Conference and Festival (SXSW) draws a diverse crowd to Austin, Texas to partake in the music and the merriment. This has been an annual event since 1987. The city itself has a certain charm that fosters creativity and it has long been known as a party town due to the proximity of the University of Texas. There are a wide variety of nightclubs to visit with music of all origins making this the perfect setting for such a spectacular event.
The festival has become so popular that it has gained national and international recognition. In just over 20 years, registrants have grown from 700 to over 16,000. Film companies and high-tech companies have played a major role in the Austin and Texas economies.
The event stretches from March 9th through March 18th showcasing interactive to film to music and generating millions of dollars in revenue.
As we are approaching the end for another year, we are winding down on the music scene where audiences can hear everything from electronic to hip-hop/rap to rock to R&B to folk to alternate country. The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, put on quite a show on Thursday evening, March 15th, playing with his E-Street band for more than two and a half hours. Fans are also able to hear well-known artists such as 50 Cent and Jay Z to emerging musicians and bands looking to entertain and wow the crowds with their own special style . More than 2,000 performers are featured over this 10-day festival. The focus is on new directing talent.
The new SXSW Startup Village is a venue to consolidate many happenings into one location. Entrepreneurs have the ability to learn and network with investors, technology trailblazers, media representatives and digital industry creatives.
All kinds of parties take place as a method to bring people together to enjoy, socialize and celebrate similar interests.
SXSW is not only about the music but more importantly it focuses on the artistic and creative mind. Uplifting films are a definite favorite such as Girl Walk //All Day. It is a music and dance extravaganza and video telling the tale of urban exploration that follows three dancers across New York City. The streets of the city become a stage where everything from love to discovery evolve over a period of time. New films emerge giving relatively unknown creators a chance to try their luck at success and make a name in the film industry.
Film awards are also given out to honor creative filmmakers and designers in the SXSW program. Also part of the awards is the ceremony for Excellence in Poster Design and Excellence in Title Design.
If you’re looking for new musical gear, the Music Gear Expo has you covered. They have the latest and greatest while the Strait Music Store also has the ability to fix instruments.
Grab your paintbrush and head over to the studio by HGTV to be one of many painters on the collaborative crowd-sourced mural on the side of their building.
Great speaker workshops are available with endless amounts of knowledge to share. Some of the interesting and informative topics are ‘Promoting Music with Social Media’, ‘Bringing the Arena to Your Phone’, ‘Adult Rock Music Meeting’, ‘The Future of Physical Product and Music Experiment’ and countless other sessions.
The SXSW Trade Show is where the future of media is defined. It is a four day exhibition which brings together leaders in music, film and interactive industries with companies and agencies that will assist them in succeeding and heading into a brighter future in the industry of their choice.
The 2012 Sponsors include Miller Lite, Chevrolet, IFC, Pepsi, Doritos, Monster Energy, freecreditscore.com, esurance, AT&T and The Austin Chronicle.
Check out all that South By Southwest has to offer and put it on your calendar as an annual event that is not to be missed.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST WEBSITE
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