AUSTIN, Texas — Bringing her brand of humor and frank talk to SXSW, Mindy Kaling charmed the cap off the packed Sharpie x PaperMate Studio event on Rainey Street. In an era where creative confidence often takes a back seat, Kaling dished out what it took for her to climb the ranks in the comedy world. "I just wanted to be a comedy writer. I loved being an actor and being on camera is very glamorous and everything, but I just wanted to be a comedy writer," Kaling said. "But what I learned I had to do was I had to act, I had to learn how to edit, and I learned how to direct and hold a camera because no one else would do it for me and I couldn’t afford to pay someone," she added, reflecting on the multiple hats she wore to make it big, according to CBS Austin.

Meanwhile, those without the golden tickets to SXSW’s more exclusive events, worry not. There's still a ton of free fun to be had throughout the festival. With a lineup that includes comedy, art, music, and talks, there are options for everyone. This has been demonstrated at events like Variety Power of Comedy, which saw Samantha Bee and Nick Kroll being honored, and Rolling Stone's Future of Music showcase which includes names like Peso Pluma and Faye Webster — both holdouts for no-badge beholders, as reported by KVUE.

For a slice of Oklahoma in Texas, Tulsa House has thrown its hat in the SXSW ring, claiming to be "an engine for cultural, social and economic progress" - providing a broader palette, including tech, Indigenous representation in media, and a hint of Tulsa taste. And while talking about taste, music buffs could march to the beats heading to the Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake or dive into the "world's most influential and exceptional gig poster artists" at Flatstock 92, as per KVUE.

And let's not sidestep the free entry to Marshall Funhouse, offering a full lineup of artists including Dinosaur Jr. and The Black Angels, with RSVPs being a click away. While credentials are getting a nod for nighttime showcases, the general public still gets a shot for their part in the action. The lineup says it all – with royalty like Joe “King” Carrasco gracing the Spurs Night and Celebration of STEAMBOAT 1874 Austin, alongside an array of performances set for Funk Not Fight day and KUTX Rock The Shores.