Free Interactive Party List

Don't have 500 bones to throw down for an Interactive badge? Lost your job at Midway or NCsoft but still want to party like it's 2005? Free parties aren't exclusive to the music portion of the festival. Here's a short list of soirees where badges will make you look like the dork you are. No promises that the lines won't break your spirit though.

Diggnation Bigg Digg Shindigg

Digg.com is the people's blog: everything, all the time, and the web surfer is king. So, it makes sense that their party is free and open to the public. Things start out on a down note with street scammer (read, mediocre magician) Brian Brushwood showing you how to "impress" friends and bartenders. Honestly, I'd vote for him as king of the douchebags but he's an author and internet shill and I'm a mere blogger so, who's the jackass? Following that is the requisite live music and DJ sets that are the true test of a party. Check out the event page for more info.

Stubb's
801 Red River
Saturday, March 14, 7pm-2am

Dorkbot 20

Now this is what an SXSW Interactive party should be: An all-geek-embracing nerdfest that dorks out so hard that it goes full circle back to supercool. Singing Tesla coils, a homebuilt analog synthesizer, LEGO-based electronics, and enough DIY doodads to put pocket-protectors back in style. Take that hipsters! Go here to make the required RSVP.

Brush Square Park
Fifth & Neches
Saturday, March 14, 6-8pm


Make Music Talk Music

Music and blogging have been best friends ever since Pitchfork turned Broken Social Scene into the kings of the iPod set. Let's finally consummate the relationship at this party sponsored by Make Magazine. Crafty demos and world premiere videos start things off but soon make way for music performances by Peel, MVSCLZ, Neiliyo, and more. When the live music peters out at midnight, DJ Mel gives the dancefloor a shot in the arm with his trademarked tunesmithing.

Beauty Bar
617 E. Seventh
Saturday, March 14, 10pm-2am


The 2 Bobs Premiere Party

If you didn't get into the screening of The 2 Bobs, the movie about two gamers who lose their software and go on a mad romp through the underbelly of the internet and gaming worlds ... would the official opening party suffice? There will be an open bar, not to mention professional gamers on hand to open cans of Halo 2 whoop-ass on you if that's more your thing. Don't forget to thank Critical Mass Interactive for sponsoring your hangover.

Aces Lounge
222 E. Sixth
Saturday, March 14, 6-8pm


The Onion/Decider Party

Not exactly sure what makes this interactive but local bands Low Line Caller and the Lemurs supply the party vibe while SXSW comedy stalwart Eugene Mirman dead-pans it up between sets. Onion editor and hipster nonpareil Sean O'Neal rocks the qwerty with laptop-DJ sets to finish the night.

Mohawk
912 Red River
Monday, March 16, 8pm-1am