Entertainment Archives - Page 40 of 71

Cafe con Letras Invites Latino Artists to Take the Stage in Austin

October 12, 2016 by Eliza Weeks Leave a Comment

Cafe con Letras original performances celebrate Latin American musical traditions (Credit: Ulises Garcia)

If you’ve ever been to a concert in Austin, you know it’s never just about the music. The audience participating, the libations and the ambiance form a full experience. We all crave entertainment that stimulates our many senses.

But what happens when you strip away the “entertainment” factor and leave an audience with nothing but the the artist and the music? Does the experience fall flat? Perhaps unexpectedly, guests at Cafe con Letras in Austin find their senses set on fire by the connections they see, hear and feel between the artist and the music. [Read more…]

Zach Theatre Energetically Presents Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

October 11, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Dance Number

A look at the signature crazy costumes worn by the cast of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” (Credit: Kirk Tuck)

When ZACH opened up the Topfer Theatre in 2012, the Austin theater scene jumped up a few notches. ZACH has presented quality musicals and plays since 1932, but once they built a beautiful contemporary theater to house their productions, the whole experience was elevated.

A perfect example of this creative boost is the newly opened “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” With booty shaking music and enough costume changes to boggle the mind, this musical will have audiences grinning from ear to ear for over two hours. [Read more…]

Dance the Night Away With Austin’s Top Cover Bands

October 10, 2016 by Ashley Alkek 7 Comments

Credit: Francis Storr via Flickr CC

Cover bands. They light you up with songs that make you dance hard and sing with sweaty conviction. These nostalgic heart-string pullers have one thing in common: they want to create as much fun with music as humanly possible. Whether it be rock and roll, swing, blues, hair metal, 80’s, or beyond, Austin has you “covered” from head to effects pedal.

Do yourself a favor and catch some of these uber talented local musicians! If there’s one thing you need to remember about cover bands, it’s that they love the songs they’re covering just as much as you do. Now go rock your face off! [Read more…]

20 Things I Learned During Weekend One of ACL Fest

October 4, 2016 by Bill Tucker 4 Comments

The ACL Fest entrance welcomes music lovers from all over Austin, and the world
(Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

Confession time: Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival was my first ever. As a newborn at the event, I attempted to absorb as much as possible from three days of crowds, sun and mind-blowing music. Not only did I walk away with a greater appreciation for one of Austin’s most anticipated concerts, but I was re-invigorated by our community’s love for live music.

Here are 20 things I learned during Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival. Maybe you’ll make similar discoveries during Weekend Two. Most of all, I hope you’ll have a memorable experience that’s uniquely your own. [Read more…]

12 Don’t-Miss Houses to Explore During AIA Austin Homes Tour

September 30, 2016 by Adrienne Albregts Leave a Comment

AIA Austin Homes Tour 2016 takes place Oct. 15 and 16 (Credit: Leonid Furmansky)

Whether you have a preference for modern, industrial or quirky design, there is something for you during this year’s American Institutes of Architects (AIA) Austin Homes Tour. Learn more about the 12 innovative homes featured on this year’s tour, scheduled for Oct. 15-16, 2016.

[Read more…]

ACL Eats Guarantees You’ll Eat Well During ACL Fest 2016

September 28, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

ACL Eats at Austin City Limits Music Festival

Welcome to ACL Eats (Credit: Lars Plougmann via Flickr CC)

When I covered SXSW last year, I felt super prepared. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, plenty of water. Ear protection for when I found myself inches from a subwoofer in a tiny venue. Everything I needed to survive the five-day event. There was one exception: I kept forgetting to eat.

By the time my stomach started rumbling, restaurants were packed to the gills. Food truck lines stretched 30 minutes long. Finding sustenance was an utter disaster.

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2016 wants to solve this issue with ACL Eats, a dedicated home for over 30 of Austin’s finest food trucks and eateries. From burgers to Pan-Asian, burritos to popsicles, there’s a flavor for everybody at ACL Fest. Below are some of the foods I’m looking forward to most. [Read more…]

Breathing New Life Into Historic Scoot Inn’s Funky Old Bones

September 23, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Historic Scoot Inn has spruced up the front patio in celebration of 145 years

Why do dive bars capture our hearts so much? Historic Scoot Inn has tenaciously hung in there as one of the most popular dive bars in Austin. And now this east side venue has swept out the cobwebs with a facelift for its 145th birthday.

That’s right: this beloved East 4th Street location has served as some type of local business since 1871. While Historic Scoot Inn still possesses a tattered, endearing charm, it’s less tattered now. The owners just completed a remodel, gently nudging this East Austin icon into the modern era. [Read more…]

John Aielli Has Been Keeping Austin Radio Weird for 50 Years

September 20, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

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…]

Your Ultimate Guide to Local Artists at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2016

September 19, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Gina Chavez Austin City Limits Music Festival

Gina Chavez will be lighting up the Austin City Limits Music Festival stage on opening day (Credit: Bill Tucker)

If SXSW is for tourists, then Austin City Limits Music Festival is for locals. For two weekends a year, Zilker Park transforms from an oasis of laid-back leisure into a celebration of music from around the world. From chart-toppers, to indie darlings, to oldies looking for one last chance in the spotlight, ACL Fest attracts artists like chips to queso.

But what about our hometown heroes? As headliners like Radiohead, Mumford & Sons and LCD Soundsystem grab the marquee, local talent tends to get lost in the schedule, swallowed by acts with deeper pockets and wider reach.

But no more! There’s plenty of local to love at this year’s festival, so we’ve compiled a list of every ATX artist playing over ACL Fest’s two long weekends, and the times to check them out. Listen local! [Read more…]

Austin Street Performers Entertain the Public in Legal Limbo

September 19, 2016 by Guest Blogger 4 Comments

Credit: Austin Busker Project

Guest article by Jesselyn Parks

For those who find themselves on Austin’s famous Sixth Street on a weekend night, the sights and sounds of the city’s bustling nightlife radiate out in a familiar song. Cars and bikes zip through the streets, deep bass diffuses from lines of packed bars and, of course, a bucket drummer or two pulses rhythm into the supercharged atmosphere of “Dirty” or “West.”

However, when performers venture out to Austin’s streets, armed with their instrument, guitar case or bucket, many fear an encounter with police. Navigating the gray area of Austin’s city ordinances is tough, these buskers say, and many live in legal limbo. Unclear if they are operating under their First Amendment rights or simply waiting to be run off, street performers in Austin are forced to navigate swift waters. Even worse, according to buskers, the city is equally unsure of the law and benefits from keeping it that way. [Read more…]

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