Circuit Of The Americas

There's a new venue in town, and it came on the scene with a ROAR. This roar can be contributed to several things.

Welcome to Austin's newest event venue, know to locals as COTA.

First, the engines of Formula 1 race cars zooming around the new Circuit of the Americas race track which opened last November in Elroy, just outside of Austin, Texas. COTA's 3.4 mile circuit track is home to the United States Grad Prix and will feature several other national and international races including V8 Supercars, Grand Am and Le Mans. The track also is in the running the an upcoming X-Games competition.

V8 Supercars race around the track in May 2013.

Participant in the V8 Supercars race at Austin's Circuit of the Americas.

A shot of the race track from the observation tower at COTA.

Second, the ecstatic crowds filling the 14,000 seat Austin360 Amphitheater attached to the venue which opened this spring. COTA has partnered with Live Nation to bring even more major and touring acts to "The Live Music Capital of the World" Austin, Texas.

The stage of the new Austin360 Amphitheater at the Circuit of the Americas track. 

Seating for the Austin 360 Amphitheater. 

A view of the Austin360 Amphitheater and the observation tower for the
Circuit of the Americas track in Elroy,  just outside of Austin, Texas

So far the music venue has played host to the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Mumford and Sons, and The Avett Brothers.

The Avett Brothers perform at the Austin 360 Amphitheater.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals open for The Avett Brothers.

Marcus Mumford entertains the crowds at the Austin 360 Amphitheater.

Mumford and Sons perform at the new Austin 360 Amphitheater.

Upcoming musical events scheduled for the Austin 360 Amphitheater include Train, Keith Urban, Lil Wayne, Iron Maiden, Maroon 5, and Miranda Lambert with Dierks Bentley.

Racing events on top for this year include The American Le Mans Series, the FIA World Endurance Championship, and Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

MJ&M Benefit

Recently, several big-name celebrities joined forces in Austin, Texas for two days of star-studded fun, all in the name of helping kids in need.



Mack and Sally Brown, Amy and Jack Ingram, Camila and Matthew McConaughey



University of Texas head football coach Mack Brown and is wife Sally, country singer Jack Ingram and his wife Amy, and actor Matthew McConaughey and his model/designer wife Camila Alves McConaughey created MJ&M: Empowering Kids as a way to "impact the lives of kids by supporting programs dedicated to empowering underserved children."



Matthew and Camila McConaughey



Each year the group plans to support different organizations working to empower kids around the world. This years benefactors included The Rise School of Austin, just keep living Foundation, HeartGift, CureDuchenne, and Grounded in Music. Through two days of fun events, children throughout Texas, California, Louisiana, and more than 23 countries around the world will be supported.




Former University of Texas quaterback and present
San Farancisco 49er Colt McCoy and wife Rachel



Founder of Toms Shoes, Blake Mycoskie and wife Heather

The events kicked off on Thursday, April 11, 2013 with the MJ&M Inaugural Gala featuring a silent auction and concert sponsored by Matthew McConaughey. The featured artists for the evening were Dale Watson and John Mellencamp.



Dale Watson




John Mellencamp





John Mellencamp



Friday, April 12 had an early start time as Mack Brown sponsored a celebrity golf tournament at Austin’s prestigious Barton Creek Country Club. While the guys were out on the fairways, the wives sponsored a fashion show at Neiman Marcus.


University of Texas' Coach Mack Brown



Matthew McConaughey, Mack Brown, and Jack Ingram





Mack, Jack, & McConaughey



Rounding out the event was the Jack Ingram and Friends Concert. Performers included Jack and Kris Kristofferson.



Jack Ingram



Kris Kristofferson



Kris Kristofferson