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The Broken Spoke: Austin’s Texas Dancehall Time Machine

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The Broken Spoke Austin

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…]

Austin Creative Alliance Tackles Affordability Issues Facing Local Artists

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Austin Creative Alliance Summit

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…]

Curiosity Encouraged During West Austin Studio Tour 2016

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West Austin Studio Tour

DUE WEST takes place on the opening night of the West Austin Studio Tour group exhibition (Credit: Big Medium)

Now in its fifth year, WEST (West Austin Studio Tour) takes place over two weekends in May. Participants are encouraged to seek out remarkable works of art during this free, self-guided tour.

On May 14-15 and May 21-22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, artists and galleries open their doors to interact with patrons who want to see their work, talk about technique and inspiration and purchase artwork. This event is the perfect opportunity for artistic discovery west of I-35. [Read more…]

B Scene at Blanton Museum With Art, Drinks, Live Music

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B Scene Blanton Museum of Art Event

The night is just getting started at Blanton Museum of Art

Blanton Museum of Art’s quarterly event, B Scene, offers open art galleries, crafts, food, drinks, dancing and live music. At this unique party, visitors get an exclusive experience of The University of Texas at Austin’s beautiful art museum. [Read more…]

Is The Driskill Hotel Really Haunted?

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Driskill Hotel Haunted

The Driskill Hotel, built in 1886 (Credit: John Cabuena)

When you first walk into The Driskill Hotel, you wouldn’t think it’s haunted. From the dozens of columns brilliantly lining the lobby, to the spotless marble floors, the hotel is gorgeous. The ambience screams luxury and comfort. But if you listen closely, it also screams bloody murder.

Look, this place was built in 1886. That’s plenty of time for some messed up stuff to go down within the walls of The Driskill. For example, did you hear the one about the young girl who fell to her death down the grand staircase? How about the two “suicide brides” who killed themselves in the same bathtub in the same room, 20 years apart to the day?

Who knows if these ghost stories [Read more…]

Clara Bensen: Austinite, Adventurer, Author of No Baggage

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Clara Bensen and Jeff Wilson on International Trip with No Baggage

Austinites Clara Bensen and Jeff Wilson have taken five trips without baggage. Bensen says it keeps getting easier (as long as the climate is consistent).

A book deal was far from Clara Bensen’s mind when she embarked on a three-week journey through Europe, alongside a recent OkCupid date, with no luggage. For some, this form of travel might sound too anxiety-ridden. But for Bensen, it was a personal experiment in celebrating the possibilities of life and love. [Read more…]

Russell Collection Exposes Austin to Fine Art Masters

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Lisa Russell Owner Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery

Lisa Russell, owner of Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery in Austin. (Credit: Russell Collection)

Picasso, Pissarro, Chagall, Cassatt, and this month, Dali! These highly regarded personalities in the art world have all graced the walls of Austin’s Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery.

This month’s event, Salvador Dali: The Argillet Collection, will attract seasoned art lovers and introduce many curious Austinites to a wonderful collaboration between Lisa Russell, owner of Russell Collection, and Christine Argillet, owner of Salvador Dali: The Argillet Collection. [Read more…]

10 Illuminating Art Pieces from Pop Austin 2015

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Pop Austin at Fair Market

Fair Market on Pop Austin’s opening night

Pop Austin International Art Show took place this past weekend from Oct. 23-25. This year’s theme was “Illumination,” as the United Nations deemed 2015 “The International Year of Light.” Pop Austin featured laser, neon, LED and holographic artwork and installations. Guests of all ages were immersed in light, while experiencing pieces from local and international artists.

The location of the event was Fair Market on 5th Street, with a satellite gallery at Circuit of the Americas. I was able to check out both shows, so here’s a peek at what I saw, in no particular order. Maybe you’ll be inspired to attend next year’s show! [Read more…]

Jack Sanders’ Outdoor Art for Drawing Lines Now Open to the Public

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Artist Jack Sanders Drawing Lines

The artist, Jack Sanders (Credit: Stevan Alcala)

Guest article by Dana Sayre

Drawing Lines is a city-wide multi-media public arts project intended to foster discussion, connections and awareness around the recent restructuring of City Council districts here in Austin.

The project pairs an artist with each of the city’s newly drawn City Council districts to create a place-specific work. Drawing Lines examines culture’s role in the creation and transformation of a sense of place, as well as how to include the process of making art in conversations about Austin politics.

[Read more…]

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