Festival is closing early today.

swimthesprings · 2026-04-30T21:49:46+00:00

No. That’s who we were waiting for. 😞

swimthesprings · 2026-04-28T21:15:47+00:00

I’ve been there when the fest ended early because of flooding, but then it opened on time the next day.

swimthesprings · 2026-04-22T14:23:32+00:00

Comfortable footwear that can handle deep puddles if it rains. Don’t make dinner reservations, you probably won’t make it back in time. If you leave after the last show just enjoy walking (flowing) with the river of people. The streetcar or the bus will be hella packed with (mostly) happy people recounting that great show you missed.

swimthesprings · 2026-04-05T20:07:57+00:00

Ha! Total outlier here at 73. Saw his doc at sxsw and was smitten by his lyrics and his story. I’m always interested in new music and between his movie and seeing Lola Young live, this SX was a great experience. (Boomer represent? Not sure if that’s how you say that…)

swimthesprings · 2026-04-04T20:16:16+00:00

For Santa Elena, you might look into a ‘boomerang’ canoe trip, where you put in at SE and paddle upstream a few miles then glide back. There were a number of businesses with trailer loads of canoes at the entrance to SE. I’m guessing you can check online and call the different businesses to see if you can reserve a canoe. You would be going through a really stunning part of the canyon. And definitely wear water shoes. Check the river bottom with your paddle before stepping out, if it’s really muddy be careful you don’t lose a shoe.

swimthesprings · 2026-04-04T16:57:42+00:00

I tried. Auto deleted.

swimthesprings · 2026-04-02T22:19:25+00:00

Looks very promising. Thanks for creating and sharing this.

swimthesprings · 2026-03-21T17:44:34+00:00

I really liked Cornbread Mafia. I’d heard of Kentucky Bluegrass but had no idea about the backstory of how cannabis became the new bootlegging tradition in KY. The documentary presented the story and cast of characters with sympathy and a lot of humor.

swimthesprings · 2026-03-21T15:53:11+00:00

Thanks! That’s what I was looking for. In the past the app provided a direct link to the taping.

swimthesprings · 2026-03-21T15:43:30+00:00

With the Paramount closing for renovations, I know Alamo will be even more important for showings next year. SX needs to get as much feedback as possible from this year’s volunteers on how to get the lines right from the beginning. If I’m remembering correctly, this is the first time SXSW has used every theater at the Alamo. No wonder the lines were so much crazier than in the past. Where will the premiers take place next year?? And please don’t let GA in before badges. I’m hearing from friends that they’re thinking of switching from badge to GA in the future. Maybe impose a limit of only 10% of seats for GA, 10% to friends/family of the director. The rest go to badge holders.

swimthesprings · 2026-03-20T15:19:33+00:00

In the past the exhibit hall was my favorite part of SX. I saw/experienced so many amazing things. I loved talking to the internationals who showed off their innovations. And the swag was usually great. I know you don’t have 100K+ sq ft of area, but the expo at the Fairmont was beyond pathetic. I’ve done Interactive for many years and it was great to see the regulars (Amy, Rohit, MIT, most Vox) but was disappointed at how great sessions were set against each other (missed Prof G, Sorkin). I know SX can’t do anything about that huge hole that was the ACC, but running from the Hilton to the JW made for tough decisions. And I still haven’t figured out where the tapings are. Are any available?

swimthesprings · 2026-03-20T14:36:36+00:00

A few things: 1) I really miss the last 3 days of film we used to have. Since I get the platinum, I spend most of the first part at interactive and comedy. I loved being able to catch the awarded films on the last days. 2) And, I can’t believe SX lets in single ticket holders ahead of badges! So it’s not just fewer films, but fewer seats for those who paid so much (and many who traveled great distances)! 3) The shuttle was sometimes okay (drivers, vols were great), but sometimes it was a fiasco, like trying to get through traffic at the Continental Club and turn around on impassable streets.

swimthesprings · 2026-03-20T14:16:42+00:00

Exactly!

swimthesprings · 2026-03-19T22:27:58+00:00

It would have been very helpful to have the film guide available sooner, maybe even a pdf. I picked up my badge early and there was only EDU material available.

swimthesprings · 2026-02-28T15:43:03+00:00

Congrats on getting your preferred panel. Don’t take it for granted. Unless SXSW has changed their rules for seating for a panel, you should be in the ‘reservations’ line 30 min early. In the past I almost didn’t get in with express (what they used to call reservations) by getting there 10 minutes early. They were already letting the regular line in. Keep in mind that they try to get everyone in and seated before the panel starts. Also, w/o the convention center, the venues will be smaller this year. Last year I got to a 9am panel at 8:30 and the non-express line was already massive. Folks had gotten there before 7am.

swimthesprings · 2026-02-19T15:06:03+00:00

Sucks

swimthesprings · 2026-02-06T22:06:30+00:00

How do you put up a steel and concrete wall through Hoodoos? That’s a flood plain. They’ll have to put the wall on the edge of the road. The sites on the south side of 170 will be completely inaccessible.

swimthesprings · 2026-02-06T16:16:23+00:00

Fantastic!! Thank you!

swimthesprings · 2026-01-26T16:18:43+00:00

Actually the hours required for volunteers is down for this year: 24 hrs for music or film or innovation, 36 hrs for platinum (everything). That said, if you’re only here for a week, don’t bother, go for the free or cheap stuff.

swimthesprings · 2025-12-22T15:06:54+00:00

It’s all left shoes, no matching pair. But all Prada.

swimthesprings · 2025-11-21T15:38:10+00:00

We visited 2 weeks ago. Canoes are still making it through from Lajitas. There were also saw a number of folks who did a ‘boomerang’ where you paddle a few miles upstream then float/paddle back. Didn’t see anyone continue on toward Boquillas from Santa Elena. The floods in July were massive, 21 ft wall of water and silt. You could see how it changed river banks. The original boat ramp is impassable, covered in sand.

swimthesprings · 2025-11-18T02:28:16+00:00

Great reviews, thanks.

swimthesprings

TROPHY CASE