Entertainment Archives - Page 64 Of 73

Journey to Bollywood: Om Shanti Delivers

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Matthew Champion

Shanti and Om (Photo credit: Sanjay N Patel)

I took the assignment of Om Shanti: Once Upon a Time in Bollywood on a complete whim. I had never experienced anything like it before. The closest I had come was attending my friends’ Persian wedding last year…and when I saw Slumdog Millionaire.

After repeatedly chanting “BOLLYWOOOOOOD!” on the way to the Long Center, my wife and I made our way to grab our tickets and head inside. We were genuinely excited. Upon looking into it, I discovered that Om Shanti was the first ever regionally-produced, large-scale Bollywood musical to come to Austin. Not only was it new to me, but probably to a few others in attendance as well. [Read more…]

Jose Luis Salon Cooks Up Haute Hair at Annual Fashion Show

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Lizzy Newsome

Extravagant hairstyles highlighted at the Jose Luis Salon Fashion Show

This guest blog article is by Lizzy Newsome.

Not to belittle the recent progress, but the Austin fashion “scene” is still newly emerging. Most of the local fashion energy seems to be directed at boutique trunk shows and the annual fashion week festivities. So the Jose Luis Salon 25th Anniversary Fashion Show glimmered in my calendar, and that is before taking into account that this is a HAIR fashion show.

Often gatherings of the stylistically minded in Austin fall short of the creative reputation maintained by our fair city. I had high hopes of witnessing some wonderfully weird couture at this event, and I was not disappointed. [Read more…]

23rd St. Artists’ Market: For the People, By the People

Posted on September 4, 2013 by David Thomas

23rd St. Artists’ Market draws a lot of foot traffic from the Drag, especially when UT classes are in session

A couple of years ago when my fiancé and I were first dating, I took her to the Drag. We ate at Dirty Martin’s and went for a walk. Coming across the 23rd St. Artists’ Market, we perused the booths and went about our day’s adventures. Little did I know, we had actually come across an Austin institution as time honored as Eeyore’s Birthday and Barton Springs Pool.

The Market

23rd St. Artists’ Market was founded way back in 1972 after a citywide vote in 1971 led to a referendum establishing the market. In 1976, vendors were restricted to selling only handmade crafts by local artists, and the market hasn’t been moved or changed since.

This past weekend, my fiancé and I returned to 23rd St. Artists’ Market to check things out. The market is [Read more…]

Made in Austin: Affordable Customization from Moniker Guitars

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Guest Blogger

A Moniker guitar made here in Austin

This guest article is by Kyle Bailey.

Moniker Guitars is a boutique guitar maker in Austin, with a twist. With a name like Moniker, you kind of expect that there’s more than meets the eye, but I’ll get to that.

If you play electric guitar, you probably have a favorite. Be it Les Paul, Strat, Tele, Paul Reed Smith, or something else, electric guitars fall into two main categories: single coil and humbucker (the history here is fascinating, but alas, no room! Google shall deliver thee from thine angst). It’s all about the tone you want, and each category has its pros and cons.

Now, what if you want a Les Paul looking body with a single coil setup? Not possible (off the rack)…until now. [Read more…]

That’s a Wrap: Austin Sports Film Intramural Completes Production

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Matthew Champion

I arrived on the set of Intramural shortly after 11 PM on their last day of shooting. They were wrapping the film on the football field of Manor New Tech High School, which seemed very quiet that night. I was surprised to hear the breeze and my own footsteps as I walked toward the shoot. A few days earlier, there had been hundreds of extras in the stands along with a booming high school marching band. Despite everyone looking exhausted, each person I spoke with on set told me they were sad this was their last night together. [Read more…]

Red Bull Sound Select Showcases Local Musicians in Free Monthly Concerts

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Brittany Highland

It’s fabulous when big companies choose to support our local scene, so I’m all about Red Bull’s recent expansion into Austin with their Red Bull Sound Select program. Red Bull Sound Select is hitting cities around the country, using national music acts to increase fan support for local musicians.

Red Bull Sound Select concerts will take place in Austin monthly through December 2013. The latest show happened this past weekend at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater. The Dandy Warhols of Portland and hip-hop artist Theophilus London headlined, with Austin bands Gentlemen Rogues and The Sour Notes kicking off the show. Local rapper Zeale emceed.

Red Bull Sound Select shows are free, but attendees have to earn their way through the gates. If you want to go to an upcoming show, you need to log onto RedBullSoundSelect.com, create a profile, and request a ticket. [Read more…]

New to Austin, The Chorderoys Are Old-Westerners at Heart

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Guest Blogger

Clockwise: Band members Jeremy Newberry, Andrew Simmons, Jon Deen and Greg Denn

This guest blog post is by Joana Ortiz.

Prepare to swoon, Austin. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had a date with four guys. Okay, it wasn’t a date, but you must meet The Chorderoys. The Americana quartet, composed of brothers Greg and Jon and their mates Andrew and Jeremy, were kind enough to have a chat with me over dinner at the Austin staple, Stubb’s, before the start of their gig. (Quick plug for Stubb’s: BBQ upstairs and quality live music just below? Sold.)

You can find The Chorderoys at popular venues in town with black ties, black vests, Sunday shoes, and charming smiles. But before I dive into their current affairs, let’s talk history. [Read more…]

Expert Guitarist Redd Volkaert Still Innovating After 40 Years

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Guest Blogger

This guest blog post is by Kyle Bailey.

In a city known for live music and GREAT players, Redd Volkaert stands as one of the true giants. It’s always fun to discover a hidden gem in this wonderful nook-and-cranny-filled town of ours. So I invite you to enter The Continental Club (Austin legend in its own right) at about 3:30 on any given Saturday afternoon and prepare yourself. You’re about to meet a legend.

Playing professionally for more than 40 years, he started playing in bands long before he was old enough to drink with them. Names like Brad Paisley, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Johnny Paycheck, Kenny Rogers and Eric Johnson mark the long list of artists he has shared the stage with (the list is longer, a LOT longer), and he just keeps on going. “I’m always searching, never happy with my sound; I still listen for new licks. There’s always somebody better, and I can learn from them.” [Read more…]

Buckle Up for Turtle Racing at Little Woodrow’s

Posted on July 10, 2013 by David Thomas

At turtle racing, the first turtle to reach the checkered border wins the heat.

The turtles scramble for the finish line

I mopped my brow as the stiff summer breeze did little to alleviate the sweltering heat on the porch of Little Woodrow’s 6th St. location. I bit my lower lip and placed my ticket stub in bucket two. Standing next to a bucket in the middle of a small area with a checkered circle, BDOE started the count, “One…two…THREE!” His assistant lifted the bucket and six turtles scrambled to the checkered outer ring.

I clenched my ticket in anticipation of victory, but it was not to be. I bet on #2, a turtle named Soup. Soup decided it wasn’t worth his while to even move in any direction. The folks who placed their tickets in #3’s bucket were stoked, since that little guy beat feet to the checkered finish line. I hung my head, resolved to win the next race. [Read more…]

Find Your Spotlight at The Hideout Theatre in Downtown Austin

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Cris Mueller

Theatresports Show at The Hideout Theatre

Kissing the trophy at The Hideout Theatre’s Theatresports show (Credit: Dave Alley)

Remember that feeling you had on the first day of school, every year from the age of five to fifteen? When I walked into The Hideout Theatre, I had that same feeling of sneaking into some kind of secret society for the first time.

Tucked away amongst its varied neighbors, which include those of political, artistic and hotelier fame, The Hideout opens up beyond a narrow doorway at 617 Congress Avenue. Filling two theaters (one 50-seat and one 90-seat), with a coffee house that offers breakfast, lunch, drinks and desserts, The Hideout is much more than first meets the eye. [Read more…]

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