Real Magazine: January Look Ahead

“Don’t plan a wedding for the fall,” one socialite recently admonished me. “Or the spring.”

Wise words.

From September through November, and again from February through May, Austin’s mega-events — festivals, games, races and such — gobble up the hotel rooms, banquet halls, catering services, floral artists and social helpers.

Those not reserved for these multiday events are pinned down by the scores of charity galas that cluster during exactly the same months.

Two periods of open social opportunity remain: June through July and December through January. What, no August? Have you been here in August? Thank you.

So, looking ahead at a nearly blank January calendar, there’s the giant Dell Children’s Gala (Jan. 26, Austin Convention Center). If you want to see a 1,000-guest party done right, Dell Children’s is the one to attend. Near perfection.

Wait, CASA Texas serves its Texas Children, Texas Champions Luncheon (Jan. 14, Sheraton Hotel at the Capitol). The two-part Celebrating Catholic Schools Weekend (Jan. 25, Mercury Hall and Jan. 26, Renaissance Austin Hotel) pops up this month. Take along a designated driver to the Merry Merry Martini Mixer for Equality Texas (Jan. 25, Bullock Texas State History Museum).

So what’s a social mammal to do with all those free nights? Your constant columnist suggests a romp through one of Austin’s dozen entertainment districts. (At this point, I think some international tourists know our nightlife better than many locals.)

Or better yet, hit some suburban or exurban hot spots. I’ve lived here almost 30 years and still haven’t thoroughly explored Greater Austin.

Open Google Maps. Close your eyes. Then point. Go wherever the fickle finger of fate takes you.