The SXSW Video Channel and its life partner, SXSW Audio, are both most excellent places to spend your pre-fest time.

SXSW Video offers many fine content options including music videos, film trailers and clips from past performances and featured speakers.

Why, you could hang out and watch FKi featuring Retro Sushi's video for "Stuntin." It takes place in front of a Waffle House and features a bike gang, something we're fond of here at the SXSW. Also, I sort of love that there's someone in the world called Retro Sushi.

Elon Musk courtesy SpaceXLooking for the hottest trends at the 2013 SXSW Interactive Festival? A good bet for a topic that will gain lots of traction at this year's event is space exploration. This topic will gain a quick jumpstart on the agenda with the Elon Musk Keynote on Saturday, March 9 at 2:00 pm in Exhibit Hall 5 (and simulcast at numerous other SXSW Interactive venues). The founder / CEO of the company SpaceX, Musk oversees development of rockets and spacecraft for missions to Earth orbit and ultimately to other planets. Fans of the movie Iron Man will remember that the Tony Stark character played by Robert Downey Jr. is patterned after this dynamic South African entrepreneur.

(L-R) Kathryn E. Irwin, Sarah N. Garcia and Todd Hansen

The SXSW Staff has worked very hard to bring the 2013 event to fruition. We represent all walks of life from within the community that comes together in Austin each spring. Staff have the extremely difficult task of combing through and curating community entries from the SXSW PanelPicker as well as seeking out additional programming that reflects the state of creativity and tech today. We asked three staff members who primarily work on the programming team, Kathryn E. Irwin, Sarah Nichole Garcia and Todd Hansen the following question...

"What are you most excited about for SXSW Interactive 2013?"

Courtesy Nerdist IndustriesThe SXSW Gaming Expo is free and open to the public – and so are the parties!

Check out the Bonus Round Party presented by Video Game Voters Network Saturday, March 9th from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm with Driver Friendly and Frank Turner brought to you by Alternative Press.

The second annual Social Revolución roars back to life at SXSW Interactive 2013 to celebrate online Latinos influencing cultural shifts and trends. Be sure to visit Ballet Austin (501 West 3rd Street) on Tuesday, March 12, when the Social Revolución will host the Latino Lounge, Revolucionario Awards, and Party.

Image courtesy of Tern and NBC

Austin traffic got you down? Stop waiting and start moving with SXcycles, the official SXSW bike share program!

Presented by NBC's Revolution, SXcycles equips you with a complimentary Tern Link D8 folding bicycle, lights, lock and helmet. This full service bike share offers a mobile mechanic and tips on how to get around town. Explore Austin and SXSW with this fun, social and eco-friendly transportation alternative. For more fun be sure to check out the Revolution experience at the SXcycles HQ!

Image Courtesy of BravoBravo proves everything is bigger in Texas as the late night live, interactive talk show, "Watch What Happens Live" comes to Austin. Hosted by Andy Cohen, "Watch What Happens Live" travels to SXSW for five shows beginning the week of March 10th, featuring guests from the world of entertainment, politics and pop culture. The series includes lively debates on everything from fashion, 'Bravolebrities' and what celebrity is making headlines that week.

(L-R) Julie Germany, Riley Triggs and Tim Ziegler

The SXSW Interactive Festival Advisory Board consists of industry experts, as well as veteran members of the community that come together in Austin each spring. Advisory Board members are very involved in helping select the best of the best proposals, which SXSW receives each year through the SXSW PanelPicker. We asked Advisory Board members Julie Germany of DCI Group and Campaign Tech Conference, architect and design thinker Riley Triggs and Tim Ziegler of The Austin Post the following question...

"What are you most excited about for SXSW Interactive 2013?"

(L-R) Brooke McMillan courtesy LIVESTRONG Foundation,
Kathleen Maher by Jane Arason and Glenn Thomas courtesy Glenn Thomas

The SXSW Interactive Festival Advisory Board consists of industry experts, as well as veteran members of the community that come together in Austin each spring. Advisory Board members are very involved in helping select the best of the best proposals, which SXSW receives each year through the SXSW PanelPicker. We asked Advisory Board members Brooke McMillan of LIVESTRONG Foundation, Kathleen Maher of Jon Peddie Research and Glenn Thomas of Producing Future the following question...

"What are you most excited about for SXSW Interactive 2013?"