Panels aren't the real reason you dished out $300+ to attend SXSWi, it's the networking!
Not to mention these social gatherings usually include free food and/or booze (usually on some tech giant's dime). Here are a few you might not want to miss.
Saturday, March 8
6-11:30p | Plutopia! 8th Annual SXSW EFF-Austin Interactive Tech Gathering of the Tribes @ Scholz Garten
6-8p | Dorkbot @ Brush Square Park
6-8p | Google Party @ Light Bar
6-8p | GeekAustin Happy Hour
10p-2a | 16 Bit: SXSWi's Opening Night Afterparty @ Scoot Inn
Sunday, March 9
9p-1a | Get Weirdly Wired @ Austin City Limits Studio
Monday, March 10
6p | Nuclear Taco Night @ Brush Square Park
7-10p | PhizzPop Design Challenge @ Maggie Mae's
8-11p | Adobe Sneak Peek Party @ Dirty Dog
TBA
BarCamp Austin III | Stay tuned...
Upcoming.org
However, a better way to keep up with events is by checking the SXSWi08 group on upcoming.org.