Everyone from Michelle Obama to Neil Gaiman has descended on Austin, TX for another year of South by Southwest, or as locals like myself call it, time to head for the hills.
However, one good reason to stay is HBO’s #BleedForTheThrone event. HBO has team up with the American Red Cross to create a nationwide blood donation drive, and it promised an “immersive” Westerosi experience for lucky SXSW fans. It looks like they delivered:
#SXSW is here.
— Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) March 7, 2019
The doors to the #GameofThrones experience are open now until 4PM. Pay your respects and Bleed #ForTheThrone. Visit https://t.co/oh0JoeSCD8 for more info. pic.twitter.com/Ybv2vGxFXM
We love it. Can HBO do the same thing to my living room?
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/48abea85522ced092124cf0b137b788bc25d0cb0ff42d0a07a8c848ca5a672cf.jpg)
Is the Red Cross more or less ominous than the seven-pointed star? We aren’t sure, but we are sure Westeros will probably need its own blood drive for season 8.
At #SXSW, @GameofThrones fans are literally bleeding to get closer to the Iron Throne: https://t.co/KMxef0yRgy #ForTheThrone pic.twitter.com/OVbmD6ECXr
— Tim Nudd (@nudd) March 8, 2019
Those are some spectacular banners, and kudos to all those that are donating blood to the cause!
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And also the Mountain was there:
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/26634e3a17369347ac0b1573f93c4acdf7730c986a04c5ed4b2306cce041c1b3.jpg)
If he doesn’t make you want to give blood, what will?
And we’re just getting started. Check out the Lannister guards roaming about:
Here we go: We are inside for the immersive #GameOfThrones exhibition Bleed For the Throne pic.twitter.com/bcmKl5QYoR
— Phil Jankowski 🌟 (@PhilJankowski) March 7, 2019
People bend the knee to a Red Priestess in the Red Keep throne room while a choir sings in the background. Is this before or after giving blood?
It is time to bend a knee and bleed for the throne. #SXSW #SXSW2019 #bleedforthethrone @TechRepublic @HBO #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/caNJ5ikOde
— Teena Maddox (@teena_maddox) March 8, 2019
Watch the choir belt out the opening theme. (It’s not the only way we’ve seen that done.)
The @GameOfThrones Bleed #ForTheThrone drive is beyond amazing! @hbo has outdone themselves here st @sxsw #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/X2AySDhqVU
— April Down South (@AprilDownSouth) March 8, 2019
There isn’t much Targaryen presence at the event, although there is…whatever this is:
DRACARYS.
— Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) March 7, 2019
Use @snapchat to reveal a surprise when you see the Targaryen sigil at the #GameofThrones experience at #SXSW. #ForTheThrone pic.twitter.com/6H21kjLDdx
Anyone else grab some cool shots? Fans interested in attending have until March 12. For those not in Austin but who still want to donate (you get a cool tee-shirt), you can find a location near you here.
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