Special Events
Friday | 1:00 PM
KLRU's Studio 6A
A Community Forum on Race and Justice – SOLD OUT!
Kick off the 2017 Festival with a free, open-to-the-public community forum on race and justice in America. This event will be hosted by the Tribune's Evan Smith and will feature MSNBC’s Chris Hayes and civil rights activist and organizer DeRay Mckesson.
The event is free to attend, but an RSVP is requested. RSVP for this event here.
Presented by The Texas Tribune and KLRU-TV, Austin PBS. Supported by the Austin Community College District.
Friday | 4:00 PM
Cactus Cafe
Pre-Festival College Student Summit
Enjoy a kickoff session with your fellow classmates, meet Tribune staff and find out how to get the most out of your Festival experience.
Learn more about the Festival student experience here.
Presented by Pearson, the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation
Friday | 4:00 PM
Texas Union, T-House
Pre-Festival High School Student Summit
Enjoy a kickoff session with your fellow classmates, meet Tribune staff and find out how to get the most out of your Festival experience.
Learn more about the Festival student experience here.
Presented by Pearson, the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation. Supported by the Austin Community College District.
Friday | 5:00 PM
Texas Union Theater
Live Recording of The Texas Tribune's "TribCast"
Before the opening keynote, Festival attendees are invited to join us for a special pre-Festival live recording of the Texas Tribune TribCast. After the recording, walk over to the Hogg Memorial Auditorium for the opening keynote with U.S. Sen. Al Franken.
Supported by Huston-Tillotson University and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas
Friday | 8:00 PM
Main Mall
Opening Night Party
Join us for a welcome reception under the tower lights on the UT Main Mall directly after Friday’s opening keynote. Mingle with the Festival’s speakers and moderators and the Tribune’s staff while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
Bites provided by Austin Community College District - Fête Event Solutions. Beverages provided by Messina Hof Winery, the Beer Alliance of Texas and Tito's Vodka.
Saturday | 8:00 AM
Community Hub at the Union Ballroom
Community Hub
Join us for a civic engagement fair at the Texas Union Ballroom where the Tribune and sponsors will play host to Festival panelist meet-and-greets, original programming on the Media Partner Stage, author book signings and more!
This event is free and open to the public.
Saturday | 8:00 AM
AT&T Center, Classroom 109
Quiet Room for Nursing Moms
The Festival offers a quiet room for mothers.
Room 109 is located on Level M1 of the AT&T Center. Festival staff, hotel staff or volunteers would be happy to assist you in locating the room. The room is equipped with a table, power outlet and refrigerator. A key will be available at the Festival Info Desk in the Tejas Dining Room at the AT&T Conference Center.
Saturday | 12:15 PM
Main Mall
Food Truck Lunch
Austin may be known as the live music capital of the world, but it’s also known for its diverse and gourmet food trucks. The Festival is providing the adventure of eating at a food truck court. Be sure to bring cash for lunch and dessert from some of Austin’s most iconic food trucks at this special lunch curated by Austin’s own Tiffany Harelik, author of the "Trailer Food Diaries" cookbook series.
Saturday | 5:30 PM
AT&T Center Courtyard
Courtyard Reception
Join your fellow Festival attendees directly after Saturday’s last session in the garden courtyard of the AT&T Center. Discuss the day and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This special reception is open to all Festival attendees.
Presented by The Boeing Company
Saturday | 7:30 PM
Scholz Garten
Trivia Night with CNN's Chris Cillizza – Special Festival Edition
After a full day of programming at the Festival, you are invited to join CNN Politics’ Chris Cillizza as he hosts a special #TribFest17 edition of The Texas Tribune’s Trivia Night. Bring your friends and test your knowledge on everything from current events to politics. Teams of up to six will compete for prizes, as well as special prizes for best team names.
Tickets for this event are not included with your Festival badge and a Festival badge is not required to attend. Pre-register here for $5 per person and then form your team at the event. Doors to the event will open at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Presented by Pearson, AT&T and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Media support is provided by the Austin American-Statesman. Prizes are generously provided by Spurs Sports and Entertainment, Pearson, Hai Hospitality Restaurants, The Tasty Spoon Gelateria, Fixe Southern House, Searsucker, Ride Austin, the Austin American-Statesman and Dancers Shape.
Saturday | 7:30 PM
Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
TribFeast: A Dinner To Support Nonprofit Journalism – SOLD OUT!
We’re pleased to announce that MSNBC’s Katy Tur will be our guest at this year’s TribFeast! This great evening will bring together thought leaders and philanthropists from around the state, including several of the elected officials, policymakers and big-brand journalists on the Festival program. Join us for what should be of one of the best parties of the year.
This event is not included in the regular Festival badge and requires an extra ticket, which can be purchased here in advance. There will not be tickets available for purchase at the door.
Media support is provided by CultureMap.