Entertainment Archives - Page 55 of 71

Out of Bounds Comedy Festival Will Blow Your Mind

August 15, 2014 by David Thomas 9 Comments

Improv group Ball and Chain puts a twist on being married (Credit: Out of Bounds Comedy Festival)

Austin may be known as the Live Music Capitol of the World. But Out of Bounds Comedy Festival is helping it become the Comedy Capitol of the World.

Austin’s Biggest Comedy Fest

If you think Moontower and SXSW Comedy are the only big comedy events in Austin, think again. Out of Bounds Comedy Festival runs twice as long, involves the trifecta of comedy, and isn’t concentrated downtown.

The festival, now in its 13th year, begins on August 26, 2014 and wraps up on Labor Day. Originally an improv festival, Out of Bounds has grown to incorporate stand-up and sketch comedy acts. Since its founding in 2002 by Jeremy Lamb, the festival has grown to almost 200 acts and 9 venues stretching the length of the city. [Read more…]

Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar Now Open

August 14, 2014 by Robert Luke Leave a Comment

The all new Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar

I was planning on starting this article with my earliest memories of the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar location. But for the life of me, I can’t remember what movie I saw there first (though it could’ve been Star Wars: Episode III).

However, I can remember the last few movies I saw on South Lamar’s closing night. I capped it off with John Dies at the End and a Texas Chainsaw Massacre double feature with Austin born director Tobe Hooper in attendance. Sadly, the new Texas Chainsaw 3D ended up being the last movie I saw at South Lamar.

Then it closed for 20 months.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I’m happy to report that this [Read more…]

Homegrown White Denim Makes Austin Proud at ACL Taping

August 14, 2014 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

Although less than a decade old, Austin band White Denim has managed to sprawl from its homegrown roots in Austin to touch fans of all kinds across the world. The group members’ approach to the psychedelic rock world and extensive touring schedule have helped them spread their name far and wide.

White Denim rocks ACL at The Moody Theater (Credit: Scott Newton, courtesy of KLRU-TV)

White Denim began in early 2006 when two local Austin groups, Parque Touch and Peach Train, came together after a show at Beerland to become one. Over the course of time, one member moved to Russia. But the rest stayed behind to eventually form what we know today as the progressive rock quartet. [Read more…]

6 Steps to Become an Extra in Austin

August 12, 2014 by J. Alan Nelson 4 Comments

Being an extra in Austin takes perseverance, but it can also be extremely rewarding

If you’re an egoist, this could be a cure for you.

If you’re shy, this could be a cure for you.

If you don’t like people, this is not for you.

If you like people, do it now. Be an extra. Or, as some insist, a background artist.

It’s okay if you’ve never acted. It’s okay if you were the bumblecat without lines in the third grade play The Nonsense Man.

Don’t worry if you’re plain or ugly. Don’t worry if you’re obese or emaciated. Don’t worry if you have a bump on your nose, funny hair or a scar on your face. Those characteristics make you unique.

In fact, sometimes, beauty can hinder you. On one set that was using a few extras for the day’s shot, the director decided not to [Read more…]

White Linen Night Charms for Food and Wine Alliance

August 4, 2014 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

White Linen Night on August 2, 2014

This guest article is by Lisa Taylor.

As a longtime Austinite, it’s always fun for me to introduce people to the city I love so much. When presented with that opportunity recently, I knew I had to find a unique venue to start the Austin journey with my friend in question. Never one to pass up the chance to get dressed up, sample wine and listen to live music, I dove into my day planner and came up with the perfect local event.

On an unusually cool, breezy Saturday evening in downtown Austin, the 2nd Street District put on White Linen Night, benefiting the Austin Food and Wine Alliance.

Situated between 2nd and 3rd streets right off Lavaca, the white tents were set up, vendors were present and the band, The Waller Creek Vipers, piped music toward the crowd. Attendees looked crisp and polished in their all white ensembles. Because of the cooler temperatures, everyone was in good spirits. [Read more…]

Which 3 Austin Bars Are Immortalized in Song?

August 4, 2014 by Guest Blogger 3 Comments

This guest blog article is by Kip Sikora.

Austin’s musical heritage is a well-worn, groovy tapestry woven with a kaleidoscope of sonic threads that make it worthy of a lone star. Not even a mixed up box of chocolates from Forrest Gump’s mama could match the musical diversity here. And in a town where you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a musician, it’s inevitable that some of its watering holes wind up immortalized in song.

Here’s a list of three Austin beer joints with such a connection. Check them out. Perhaps you too can draw a little nectar from their boozy wells of inspiration. [Read more…]

10 Austin Date Ideas: Best Romantic Things To Do in Austin

August 1, 2014 by Guest Blogger 6 Comments

Date ideas abound in Austin if you know where to look (Credit: Hunter Pontious)

This guest blog article is by Callie Musick.

Austin is known for being one of the best cities for singles, making it a city full of first dates and hopefully many others afterward.

Beyond the singles dating scene, anyone in a relationship has probably experienced how easy it is to get caught in a routine of go-to date night spots. Whether you’re craving something new with your current SO (significant other) or looking for an impressive first date idea, here are a few local suggestions that break the typical dinner-and-drinks mold. [Read more…]

Rock Opera Gives Austinites New Perspective on Live Music

July 24, 2014 by Jessica Pino 1 Comment

The Who's Tommy at Zach Theatre in Austin

Credit: Zach Theatre by Kirk Tuck

Austin is a music city. But do you want to know its best kept secret? The theater.

Yes, we live in “The Live Music Capital of the World,” but many only include traditional concerts in this category. I want to open your eyes to the amazing artists and musicians in local theater.

The best time to start your exploration into Austin’s theater world? Now. At Zach Theatre. With The Who’s TOMMY.

I’m guessing you’re not quite seeing what I’m seeing. So let me [Read more…]

Improv Instructor Kacey Samiee Teaches Acting Set to Song

July 18, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Kacey Samiee, musical improv master at Hideout Theatre

This guest article is by Debbie Stanley.

If you think you couldn’t possibly write song lyrics off the top of your head, in front of a live audience, and sing them too, well…yes, you could. And Kacey Samiee would love to teach you how.

Samiee teaches musical improvisation – improv for short – at the Hideout Theatre on Congress south of 7th. The Hideout is both a performance venue and school where improvisers of all ages learn to invent and act out stories without scripts, often based on suggestions called out by the audience during live shows, and reading each other’s cues in the moment. Performers work together to build narratives, develop fictional relationships, and, in Samiee’s classes, set it all to music. [Read more…]

Austin Poetry Slam: Not Grandma’s Spoken Word

July 8, 2014 by Guest Blogger 2 Comments

Austin Poetry Slam takes place every Tuesday at Spider House Ballroom

This guest blog article is by Jenny Forgey.

Slam poetry is all about community, or so I was told when I met my long time friend, Peter Nevland, at the slam tailgating he and his wife set up on the grassy triangle across the street from Spider House Ballroom & Cafe on the first Tuesday of every month.

Peter has been a part of the slam scene since the year 2000. He slams locally, but also tours around the country slinging words for eager audiences.

“I’ve travelled all over doing slam stuff,” he told me, “and I’ve never seen a scene like the one in Austin.” His wife, Vicki, added, “It’s not just the size of the crowd [that makes Austin unique], but the quality of the poets.”

It didn’t take long for me to see what they meant. [Read more…]

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