Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!
Aielli in the KUT music library (Credit: KUT)
For 50 years, John Aielli has brought a mixture of musings, music and even a bit of dead air to The University of Texas at Austin’s radio station, KUT. He’s a unique host who loves to present his passion for music and local talent to the ears of listening Austinites, along with some bizarre conversations with himself that have made him an Austin icon. [Read more…]
Artifacts from The Beer Museum in Austin (Credit: Kim Giles)
For some, the ideal evening beverage is a 12 oz. stout. For others, it’s an IPA. And for others still, it’s a smooth pale ale. But for Matt Benavidez, Virginia Benavidez and Cameron Paxton, it depends on the night, and more times than not, it’s all the above.
Beer is a way of life for this group of friends. It always has been and always will be. So it’s no surprise they’re behind Austin’s first Beer Museum. [Read more…]
Anyone who has ever been to Blanton Museum of Art, explored East Austin Studio Tour, or visited any of Austin’s other amazing museums or festivals knows this city has an artistic side. And you don’t even have to darken the door of a museum or gallery to appreciate art in Austin. The city has its fair share of public art pieces melded into the cityscape. Some are sculptures and statues memorializing important people in Austin’s history, others are functional as well as sculptural, and some are purely aesthetic.
The city of Austin participates in the Art in Public Places (AIPP) program that collaborates with locally- and nationally-renowned artists to bring new cultural landmarks to Austin. There are now hundreds of pieces in the collection. Join me on an art walk (or drive, really) to some of my favorite Austin public art pieces. [Read more…]
Planetarium at Texas Museum of Science and Technology
Guest article by Dana Minney
Aristotle said, “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”As different as children can be, one thing they share is curiosity. We observe it in their expressive faces, wide eyes and (sometimes endless) questions. Luckily, in Austin there are many ways for kids to learn, have fun and stimulate their curiosity!
Over 700 pages of fascinating information in “The Collections”
Credit: The University of Texas at Austin
The huge educational institution that sits in the middle of our city, The University of Texas at Austin, contains millions of objects that reflect human history. In January 2016, The University of Texas Press published a book called “The Collections,” which details some of the items on campus that exemplify history and culture across more than 700 pages.
As Austinites, we either feel a kinship with The University of Texas campus or we feel detached from it. By learning about UT’s collections, this institution can become more accessible to us and deepen our appreciation for the university. [Read more…]
A Psalm written in German decorates the interior of a painted church in High Hill, TX (Credit: elaine via Flickr CC)
People with a passion for history and architecture dream of traveling to Europe for a chance to see some of the most wondrous buildings, bridges and churches in history. While you may not think of Texas in the same way, it doesn’t lack in history!
Austin is a short day trip away from many historical sites, such as the Texas Hill Country castles. A lesser known day trip is the Painted Churches of Texas tour. It’s perfect for anyone interested in art, architecture and small town Texas history. [Read more…]
These jewelry pieces have been 3D printed! The front row features surprisingly lightweight rings.
If you’ve seen someone wearing imaginative jewelry that made you wonder, How was that made? you may have spotted one of Melissa Borrell’s creations. Through jewelry design, installation commissions, public art projects and home goods, Borrell has curated a world of carefully-placed, intricate artwork lines.
I met with Borrell to learn how she has developed such a large body of visually-eloquent work. [Read more…]
fliers4nothin, a project founded by a local graphic design artist, depicts funny political and social commentary on colorful, simple fliers (Credit: fliers4nothin)
You may have seen neon fliers posted around East 6th Street or South Congress with simple designs bearing funny commentary. The messages depict living in Austin, politics, being a millennial and beyond. Friday evenings are usually the best time for spotting them, as the newest versions appear on street poles and bar flier boards as part of a project dubbed “fliers4nothin.”
“If you’re looking for secrets on the street, you might laugh and you might enjoy the city a little more. I’ll enjoy the city a little more because I get to place secrets around the street for all of the people,” the artist behind the project shared with a laugh. [Read more…]
Welcome to the world famous Broken Spoke (Credit: Christopher Rose via Flickr CC)
The Broken Spoke isn’t just a venue. It’s a symbol of Texan defiance. You won’t take the Alamo without a fight and The Broken Spoke will never change. Even as South Lamar explodes skyward with apartment complexes and hotels, one of the most famous dancehalls in Texas remains intact. A genuine relic of Lone Star uniqueness.
In the course of a four-hour visit, I not only got a chance to breathe in everything this storied establishment has to offer, but I learned why it has endured over 50 years. Underneath the weathered bar neon and aging exterior lies a musical history and sense of family that are unlike anything else Austin has to offer. [Read more…]
Community leaders and local artists gather to address the issues facing Austin’s creative community
Guest article by Alicia Santiago
“Convening is what we can and should be doing,” Shea Little declared as he kicked off an interactive summit about turning Austin’s boom into opportunities for arts, culture and society on April 19, 2016.
Little is co-founder of Big Medium and East Austin Studio Tour, and Board Chair of Austin Creative Alliance, which hosted the event at KLRU Studios. Throughout the evening, approximately 200 community leaders and creatives heard from Austin artists and organizations about specific issues they are facing as a result of the economic boom and rapid population increase in the Texas capital. [Read more…]