After noticing a surprising lack of LGBTQ friendly media at Austin’s annual South by Southwest Festival, the good people at One More Lesbian hooked up with The OUTLander Project to do what most of us like to talk about in theory but don’t ever actually put the effort into doing ourselves. (Not because we’re lazy. We’re just busy, ya know.) The OUTlander Spring Festival will take place from March 8th through 16th during SXSW and will be the largest showcase of local, national, and international LGBTQ musicians performing over five days right in the heart of one of the iconic events of the music industry. 
In conjunction with Tello Films, OUTlander and OML are showcasing a ton of web series during an event called Main Screen. Among them are Autostraddle’s very own web series Unicorn Plan-It and Words With Girls. PLUS Julie and Brandy’s new venture on Tello, Gay Street Therapy because they want to help you…sort of. 
March 9th at Oilcan Harry’s in Downtown Austin you’ll be able to catch screenings of the aforementioned web series and a three song set by Unicorn Plan-It co-creator/writer/producer/star Haviland Stillwell. She performed at the Oscars. Did you know that? The event kicks off with a networking happy hour from 3-5pm featuring a DJ set from Girlfriend ATX, drink specials from LGBT owned and operated Frot Vodka, and catered food from lesbian owned El Sol y La Luna. After you’re stuffed on gay food and drink, you’ll be able to settle in and check out episodes, exclusive premiers, and trailers for the other web series featured: Once You Leave, Orange Juice in Bishops Garden, Lips, Easy Abby, Cowgirl Up, I Hate Tommy Finch, The Throwaways, Kiss Her I’m Famous, Lez Find Love, and Kam Kardashian. 
AND there will be other musical performances from Stirling and Goddess and She sprinkled throughout. Since they know that watching lots and lots of women prancing across screens, being witty, funny, dramatic, and/or adorable will make you want to find your own series of lesbian events, there will be a dance party from 10pm-2am to close the event. In conclusion, if you are going to South by Southwest, live in Austin, or really really like LGBTQ media and music, go to Main Screen and enjoy yourself. You deserve it.
Gah this is so exciting. I’m on winter break that week and suddenly wondering if I should take a little trip to Austin. Probably this is on the long list of things I should have planned to do months ago.
i’m coming too lizz
Thanks for covering this! I live in Austin and love that there are more queer events now at sxsw. though the week is chaos for the city its always worth it! come hang out with us!
I’ve tried SXSW so many times and I can’t figure it out! It is chaos!!!
Okay maybe “so many times” is an exaggeration. I’ve tried it twice and had no clue where I was going/what I was hoping to see and accomplish so I just wandered the streets for the afternoon. AND also wandering the streets of Austin isn’t so bad…it’s a kickass city with a lot going on EVERYWHERE.
BUT with all that said I now have direction and this sounds like a wonderful thing to check out. Yay Texas!
And one last thought…AS Meetup in Austin during South By?
Re: meetup
I was thinking the same thing
Yes let’s have a meetup!
Yes! Meetup!
If I weren’t planning to completely avoid downtown during the entirety if sxsw this would be awesome. People who aren’t total misanthropes should definitely go!
My first SXSW and I am so excited that AS has already written up a queer festival for the week!
This might actually make me venture into the maddening chaos that is SXSW, which I’m sure is cool if you don’t have to work at some point. Since there’s no really expensive wristband needed, I might have a shot at getting in. We’ll see if my misanthropic streak kicks in. But for those of you coming in to town, I hope you have a great time in our fair city. If you’re not vegan, you *must* eat TexMex and barbecue while you’re here (there’s tons of vegan options too).
What about the BEST DAY of SXSW ever: GayBiGayGay??? It’s all day and is packed with the most fabulous queers and isn’t corporate sponsored and is free! Last year, it was my favorite day of the year. They just posted this on their wall:
here are some things im looking forward to:
>>>a gay grilL called “BURGER SHE WROTE” to service your meat n bun whimsies
>>>Rachael Shannon and Jason Rosen interactive art installations!!!!
>>>LORD DOUGLAS PHILLIPS reunion show!!
>>>POOPOO PLATTER, psychopomp, erica nix, and more!
>>>onsite screen printing by sym with liberty or death!
>>>a geodesic jizz dome!
Themmy thanks for breaking them off! I was reading and waiting to see GAYbiGAY listed. the best day of SXSW. Don’t miss it.
lol. for sure!
If any of you are in Austin and are looking to hear some new music and support a local artist, I (Jess Walker) am playing at Oilcan Harry’s ( 211 West 4th Street, Austin, Tx 78701) on Wednesday, March 13th from 5:15pm – 5:45pm.
To hear some of my music you can check out my reverbnation page: http://www.reverbnation.com/jesswalker
THANKS! Hope you all have fun at the OUTlander Spring Festival!
My band is also playing during this festival. We will be at Rusty’s on March 12 at 4:30 pm.
Ps. We are called Fort View, and our music is online at fortviewproject.com
This is amazing! I so want to come. I’m in Waco and don’t have any friends that would go with me so I’m definitely down for an AS meetup!! Let’s do it!!!
Also, is this a SxSW event? Do I need to by a ticket or anything?
March 9th is still technically SXSW Interactive, so it won’t be too crazy if you want to go to OCH for the Main Screen party.
Music starts on the 12th, and that is really when the madness starts!
Let me know if y’all do a meetup or something!
-MC
Hey you should probably change your lede…
Read this:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/gay-place/2013-03-06/outlanders-weird-national-attention/
There’s also Y’ALL OR NOTHING: A QUEER AS SHIT SHOWCASE at queer lady owned Cheer Up Charlie’s on Saturday, March 16. Also produced with minimal sponsorship (the only sponsor is a local, queer lady owned, female focused sex toy shop called Q Toys) and featuring tons of queer artists like Light Asylum, Double Duchess, Total Unicorn, and LOTS of surprise acts. Feel free to get in touch if you want more info.
https://www.facebook.com/events/512045892174736/