Et Cetera Archives - Page 25 Of 35

Black Fret Prepares to Give 100,000 Dollars to Austin Musicians

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Brittany Highland

Quiet Company performs at the Black Fret launch party

Quiet Company at the very first Black Fret launch party

I first heard about a new non-profit called Black Fret at the beginning of 2013, when I attended their first launch party at the 29th St. Ballroom.

The Black Fret team wasn’t afraid to aim big from the beginning. Their stated goal was to gain 1,300 members who each donated $1,500/year. This would allow the organization to give away 50 grants of $25,000 each to Austin artists, every year. Yes, that adds up to more than one million dollars to promote the local music scene we all love.

Black Fret founders Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott (Photo credit: Black Fret on Facebook)

For all of us who had never heard of Black Fret before, one million dollars sounded like – dare I say it? – an impossible goal. But, like many other Austinites, Eric and I caught the vision. Supporting local artists is part of our hyperlocal mission at the Austinot, so it was a natural partnership. And the more we got to know co-founders Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott and learned about their past laurels, and the more amazing Black Fret house parties we attended, the more tangible the vision became.

Milestone: First 100 Members

Only one year after that first launch party, Black Fret earned their first [Read more…]

The End of The Austinist

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Eric Highland

After 8 years of covering Austin, the Austinist has decided to close its virtual doors.

At least that’s what they announced in their latest blog post entitled “Good-Bye and Thank You” by Jake Dobkin and Jen Chung, the folks behind Gothamist, LLC.

Austinist closing its virtual doors, the final post from Jake Dobkin and Jen Chung

[Read more…]

Winflo Osteria: Modern Italian Gem in Old West Austin

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Samantha Champion

Editor’s Note: Winflo Osteria closed at the end of March 2018.

If you’re over the age of 22, you’ve probably already realized there is a Sixth Street beyond Congress Avenue. In fact, it extends west of Guadalupe, even beyond Lamar. This is Old West Austin, where historic charm and fresh modernity seamlessly blend together to create a different kind of Sixth Street.

Between Mopac and Lamar, the cracked sidewalks of West Sixth are lined with restaurants brimming with laid-back coolness. Among them are seasoned (pun intended) favorites like Z’Tejas (1110 W 6th), Cafe Josie (1200B W 6th), and Sweetish Hill Bakery (1120 W 6th). Newer additions to Old West Austin include Clark’s Oyster Bar (1200 W 6th), Blake’s On Sixth (1221 W 6th), and my favorite, Winflo Osteria (1315 W 6th). [Read more…]

New Cafe Causing Coffee Ruckus in Downtown Austin

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Lizzy Newsome

Cafe Ruckus is located at 409 W 2nd St.

Editor’s Note: Cafe Ruckus closed in July 2017.

Every day, the population of Austin is growing. I have heard many different numbers thrown out, but they all point to the same thing. A booming population. While opinions vary on the growing influx to our fair city, one thing is certain…we are going to need more coffee.

If seating is scarce at your favorite wi-fi-enabled caffeine dealer, there is a new spot for you at Cafe Ruckus. Located in Austin’s new “Coffee District” (aka the 2nd Street District), this fresh locale is eager to win over new regulars. [Read more…]

Flipnotics Features Live Music Every Night of the Week

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Guest Blogger

Flipnotics is located at 1601 Barton Springs Rd. (Photo credit: KateBartonART via Flickr CC)

Editor’s Note: Flipnotics closed in March 2014 due to a rent dispute. So passes another well-loved local business.

This guest blog article is by Michal Ann Morrison.

Austin is the city of live music, with bluegrass being a popular intersection between a nod to the past and the youthful exuberance that celebrates it. Flipnotics, a coffee bar on Barton Springs that boasts live music every night of the week, showcases bluegrass on Monday nights that rivals any other venue in the city.

Gathering with friends at Flipnotics, with its spacious, covered patio area and cozy indoor seating, makes it easy to wile away the evening hours over a beer or espresso. Eaters of all kinds are welcome, with a menu offering pastries, breakfast tacos, vegetarian empanadas and vegan snacks. Hoboken Pie pairs deliciously with a local brew from behind the bar.

On any given night, you will see an eclectic array of patrons enjoying the laid-back environment, from devoted, Patagonia-clad college students to talented musicians with gray in their beards. But musically oriented or no, it would be hard to find anyone who wouldn’t enjoy the music coming from the indoor stage. [Read more…]

Chavez: Shawn Cirkiel’s Newest Restaurant Gets It Just Right

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena

Uttering the name Cesar Chavez in Austin can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. For some, it evokes memories of the Mexican-American civil rights activist, Cesar Estrada Chavez, who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. Many others are reminded of East 1st St. in downtown Austin, renamed Cesar Chavez Boulevard in 1993. And now, with the opening of Shawn Cirkiel’s newest restaurant, the Chavez name lives on as one of downtown Austin’s hottest new eateries. If the name Shawn Cirkiel sounds familiar, you might have been to one of his other downtown venues, Parkside or Backspace.

Chavez, housed inside the Radisson Hotel off Congress and Cesar Chavez, focuses on the various flavors that make up the history and culture of Austin, Texas. The menu combines the flavors that define Texas, the Southwest U.S., and traditional Mexican dishes and wraps them up with unique Austin flair. “It is all the flavors and food that we like to eat and cook with that we grew up with,” said Cirkiel. “For us, being from Texas, it’s a mixture of chiles, beans, rice, grilled meats, grilled fish, homemade tortillas, and [Read more…]

Savor the Past and Present at Freedmen’s Bar

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Matthew Champion

Freedmen’s Bar exterior at 2402 San Gabriel St. (Credit: Freedmen’s)

Editor’s Note: Freedmen’s is closing Aug. 31, 2018, at its West Campus location.

These winter months provide an ideal opportunity to savor mouth-watering BBQ and enjoy a warming cocktail or two. Freedmen’s Bar over in West Campus allows you to do just that in a cozy atmosphere that has aged like a fine wine or a hard cheese – well. The bar sits in a historic landmark that was built by former slave George Franklin nearly 150 years ago. Over the years, the building has housed everything from a church to a grocery store.

When Cuatro’s owner Cuatro Kowalski saw the space, he envisioned a place where you could drink fine whiskey and eat smoked meat with both your friends and your ancestors. He renovated the building with some modern touches and imported an antique bar from Brownsville, all while maintaining the classic elegance and charm that a century and a half naturally provides. [Read more…]

Your Ride Is Here Helps Austinites Fight War On Cancer

Posted on January 15, 2014 by David Thomas

Ken Adams (left) wanted to give back after winning his bout with cancer (Photo credit: YourRideIsHere.org)

Cancer is a brutal enemy. It attacks your body, life, family, and your very existence. Every year, millions of people are affected by cancer. The disease wages war on us and our lives are the prize.

How It Began

Ken Adams has been one of the soldiers in this battle who can stand triumphantly, with his fist raised in victory. Though his personal battle may be over, Ken has returned to the fight. This time, he brings friends.

Cancer has this conniving way of disrupting life on an exponential level. Imagine this: you’re a cancer patient who has a treatment scheduled at 12 PM. You don’t get in until 12:45 pm because a person ahead of you was late. This wasn’t their fault – the doctor felt it would be unsafe for them to drive alone to their appointment, and their spouse works during the day. After all, since getting sick, a dual income has been reduced by half, but the bills have not.

Your Ride Is Here is a charity organization founded by Ken Adams, designed to alleviate some of the pressure cancer patients face during their treatments. In a nutshell, Your Ride is Here provides rides for patients going to their treatments. [Read more…]

Black Fret Event Supporting Local Musicians Will Feature Ben Kweller

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Brittany Highland

One year ago, I was introduced to a new non-profit with a bold goal: award at least fifty $25,000 grants to Austin musicians every year (if it’s too early for math, that adds up to more than one million dollars). Like most Austinites, the founders of Black Fret love our local music scene and want to see it thrive. But these folks are seeking to make a tangible difference, beyond just talk.

Through 2013, Black Fret has been recruiting members and asking them to make an annual donation of $1,500 to the organization. In return, members have been invited to some of the best house parties I’ve ever been to, featuring backyard performances and acoustic sets by some of the most talented musicians in Austin like [Read more…]

3 Austin Comedy Showcases You Can’t Miss

Posted on December 17, 2013 by David Thomas

Matt Bearden drives the Punch! Showcase to continuously sold out shows

I should open this with a joke. After all, this is a comedy article. I won’t though. While I do have my moments, I will leave the jokes to the professionals and simply tell you where to find them.

Comedians come with different styles, personalities and preferences. For some reason, folks don’t always understand this. Brendon K. O’Grady, local comedian and co-host of the Sure Thing showcase, put it into perspective: “Comedy should be treated like music. You don’t go to a concert, hate the band and the next time you get invited to a concert say, ‘Oh, I went to music once. I didn’t like it.’”

Showcases are designed to fight this perspective by giving options to audience members. I have three Austin comedy showcases you should definitely attend to test your taste in comedy. [Read more…]

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