photo by Claudette Godfrey

Welcome back to What's Happening! Ten million choices whittled down to ten handy suggestions for your pleasure. It's the first night of SXSW Film and Interactive so let's get out there and raise the roof… or something.

Bon Apetit:

• SouthBites. Gourmet #foodtruckin
  11am-2:30am, Rainey Street District.

The impressive JASH comedy collective includes Sarah Silverman, Tim & Eric, Michael Cera, Reggie Watts and Daniel Kellison. At SXSW 2013, see this talented group on Sunday, March 10 at 3:30 pm in a special session at the Long Center (701 West Riverside Drive) titled "JASH: A Comedy Platform with Full Creative Autonomy". This session will explore the intimacy and evolution of a comedian’s creative process when limitations are removed, as well as the thriving world of digital media in entertainment.

Bre Pettis

Starting at 2pm today, SXSW Live will be streaming Interactive keynotes, featured speakers and more.

Coming to Austin from out-of-town for SXSW 2013? Want to get the full Central Texas experience during your time at the event? Then aim to visit the hundreds of locally-owned and locally-operated retail establishments, bars, restaurants and other businesses that help make Austin distinctly Austin.

Image Courtesy of Mozilla FirefoxFirefox will have a big presence at SXSW this year, with lots of great activities planned for SXSW 2013 attendees to enjoy.

There will be some great Firefox-presented spaces, with exciting programming and features for SXSW Film, Platinum and Gold registrants. Relax in the Filmmaker’s Lounge presented by Firefox, attend the Firefox panel, “Finding Your Audience with Open Web Technologies,” or come hang out at our official SXSW Film Happy Hour. You will also be able test out some fun tools and find out more about the ‘Firefox Flicks’ film competition, at the Come & Capture Demo Pavillion.

Photo Courtesy of A&E

At the premiere of A&E’s Bates Motel, the SXSW Film Conference and Festival will converge to provide unique insight into the ideas and creative process behind the thrilling new television series – combining panel discussion, Q&A and screening.

This special event is open to all Film, Gold and Platinum registrants and also to a select number of Interactive registrants, adding yet another ingredient to this exceptional mix.

To be one of these select Interactive registrants to attend, sign up here ASAP!

SXSW Cares! by Hugh MacLeodIn 2011, the SXSW community helped raise more than $125,000 for tsunami disaster relief funds for the Red Cross via the pop-up website SXSW4Japan. This incredible on-site fund-raising effort helped demonstrate how much this community cares about those in need of assistance. In 2013, we are again invoking this spirit of generosity to help two very worthy charitable organizations.

A nonprofit design services firm dedicated to building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design, Architecture for Humanity is comprised of over 50,000 professionals lending time and services to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services. The specific project that SXSW-related donations will benefit within AFH is Rebuild One Block which seeks to revitalize a New York neighborhood that was initially devastated by 9/11, then suffered more significant damage during Hurricane Sandy. Assist Architecture for Humanity with this Rebuild One Block project by clicking on this Razoo link.

Get your swag from SXsocial! After you pick up your big bag, don't forget to claim your SXswag! Physical inserts have been replaced by eco-friendly digital versions, eliminating excess waste.

Available via SXsocial, anyone can access swag, although registrants can unlock extra items. Offers include:

Custom business cards from moo.com

Apps from Too Far and I heart radio

A free membership to ECA

Discounted SXSW Eco registration

20% orders from sho.com by Showtime Networks

One year of web hosting for $10 from InMotion Hosting

3 months of Flickr Pro

Log in to SXsocial today and get some swag!

Image Courtesy of National Geographic

In advance of its upcoming television series, the National Geographic Channel is hosting (what’s sure to be) an epic party celebrating the decade that made us who – and what – we are today: the 1980s. Featuring mash-up mastermind Girl Talk, the party fuses the ‘80s and today as it pays homage to some of the most influential moments in music, technology and political history.

On Sunday, March 10, head over to Antone’s at 9:00 pm . Need help finding it? Just keep an eye out for Doc’s DeLorean, the General Lee and the A-Team van. VJ Ian Edgar will kick things off with an insane ‘80s tribute, and then Girl Talk will bring it back to today with one of his signature pop collages. Don’t worry if you break a sweat busting out moves like Kevin Bacon – there will be plenty of Drakaar Noir and Love’s Baby Soft perfume to freshen up.

Be sure to RSVP and visit the site!

photo by Michael Brown

Welcome to SXSW good people! What's Happening! is a look at a handful of Conference and Festival events published twice daily. With so much going on out there, we offer this handy guide full of groovy suggestions but it's just a drop in an ocean of kick-ass programming.

Some helpful informationals: