Austin Swim

They said we rock because we had "...and they Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead..." and a sneak preview of the unreleased "Family Guy" Movie. Suck it. - SPIN

For the past few weeks, commuters motoring through town have been greeted on some days with black signs flapping against overpasses, inviting them to something called an Adult Swim on Sunday nights in East Austin.

The cryptic banners are actually advertisements for the city's latest happening: an outdoor gala featuring live bands, swimsuit contests, the occasional burlesque show and a huge screen showing the Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim," a wickedly smart block of cartoons for grownups. The brainchild of local musician Troy Dillinger, the parties, which began as fundraisers for the soon-to-be-defunct Austin Music Network, have been going on all summer at the headquarters of Austin Daze, a music and entertainment zine.

"I wanted to do something that was very fun, an old-school Austin kind of hang," Dillinger said.

Unfortunately for Dillinger, the guerrilla-style marketing campaign violates the city law against putting signs in the public right of way. City officials said the violation comes with a potential $500 fine, but that Dillinger may get a good talking-to first. Code enforcement officials said they hadn't received any complaints about the signs, but firefighters removed a sign Friday afternoon from the railway overpass on Cesar Chavez Street.

Dillinger said he figured the city would eventually catch on and has no problem taking down the signs, which he says have paid off. Last week about 200 folks showed up for the Adult Swim. And he says people should expect some more inventive marketing. "The promotion is just as unique as the event," he said. - Austin American Statesman