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Austin musicians and bands, listen up. You want to make music because you can’t imagine doing anything else with your life…right? But you’re facing a dilemma that all aspiring musicians confront: how the heck do you make a full-time living doing what you love?
Austin Music Foundation
What if you knew of a state-of-the-art resource center that was 100% free, focused solely on helping Austin-area musicians realize their dreams, and make money doing it? [Read more…]
The Austin Civic Orchestra recently performed at UT’s Butler School of Music
The startling clash of cymbals, the thunderous boom of the kettle drums, the precise and fiery melody of the strings. No matter how old you are, if you’ve never experienced a full orchestra live, you’re missing out.
Being on the younger end of life myself, I understand that sitting in a dark concert hall for a couple of hours may not seem enjoyable. But in the middle of our fast-paced lives and over-stimulation, we could use some exposure to classical music that has withstood centuries because of how amazing it is. Live orchestra performances aren’t boring, and the Austin Civic Orchestra exists to prove that point. [Read more…]
Raising a glass to Groovy Sunday at South Austin Brewing Company
This guest blog post is by Edgar Barguiarena.
Sometimes Friday and Saturday don’t give you enough time to take full advantage of the weekend. You’re left wanting more for your Sunday, but you want to try something different. After you go to brunch and get started with a few mimosas, you want to enjoy the last few hours of freedom you have left. If you’re still jonesing for live music and great beer, South Austin Brewing Company has your solution.
South Austin Brewing Company got their start in late 2010 with two signature brews that are still selling strong today: the Belgian Style Golden Ale and their Saison D’Austin. Each brew is featured in a hand-corked 750-ml bottle that looks almost as good as it tastes. Sound familiar? You may have seen these beers at your local grocery store or liquor shop.
South Austin Brewing has done an impressive [Read more…]
Austinot Brittany checking out the event t-shirts at Austin Flea
Every 6-8 weeks, Austin Flea gathers dozens of Austin’s most creative individuals together to showcase and sell their unique products.
The Highball hosted the event for two years.
But due to current renovations there, The Rattle Inn has stepped up as host. The March 2013 event at 610 Nueces (off W. 6th St.) was jam-packed with vendors: downstairs in the bar and lounge area, upstairs on the patio, and lining the sidewalk along Nueces. [Read more…]
Moontower attendees wait for a show outside The Parish
This guest blog post is by Kelly Love.
The Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival – yes, another festival in Austin! – premiered last year at main stage presenter Paramount Theatre. In its second year, the festival brought over 100 talented funny people here from April 24-27 2013.
This year’s fest saw a rise in attendance and badge sales, along with the introduction of midnight headliner performances at the Paramount. As with most festivals, it’s impossible to be everywhere at once. But since Bill Hader of SNL fame was one of this year’s headliners, I’ll give you a summary as Hader’s popular NYC club-hopping character Stefon (who made an appearance during his show) would put it (it helps to read the following in Stefon’s voice): [Read more…]
R2-D2 at the Austin Mini Maker Faire
This guest blog post is by Lizzy Newsome.
Do you like shiny things? Does the smell of hot glue make your pulse race? Do you truly believe that 3D printing is the wave of the future?
Then it’s time to have a little conversation about Austin Mini Maker Faire! This one-day gathering at the Palmer Events Center on Sunday, May 5th, brings together the city’s most dedicated crafters and tinkerers, with exhibits covering the complete spectrum of handmade, from Arduino to Zoo (Robot Petting Zoo, that is).
Also featured: Tinkering Workshop, 3D printers, an inflatable planetarium, and a special exhibit from the Austin Bike Zoo (two zoos!). [Read more…]
Entering the Moody Theater for AMP UnGala
Through her work as Executive Director for Austin Music People, Jennifer Houlihan is devoted to advocacy and fundraising for the Austin music industry. She keeps a finger on the pulse of the industry’s well-being and does her part to ensure its growth. “The music community is the cultural soul of Austin, an economic engine contributing more than $1.6 billion a year to the local economy.”
But Houlihan’s no Atlas and she can’t do it alone. So on April 21, 2013, Austin Music People (AMP) hosted its largest fundraiser of the year at the Moody Theater, home to Austin City Limits. The turn-out for AMP UnGala was high. Who can stay away from talent like Shakey Graves and Bright Light Social Hour, and well-known local industry staples like Margaret Moser (Austin Chronicle) and Laurie Gallardo (KUT)? [Read more…]
The Continental Club hosts Austin jazz every Monday night
Jazz is restless, it won’t stay put and it never will.
-J. J. Johnson, Trombonist
While most seasoned musicians agree that jazz is difficult to define, few deny its worldwide appeal. With standard elements like improvisation and group interaction, this genre of music attracts the very best musicians to collaborate with one another. There are several weekly Austin jazz events. Though we haven’t attended them all, one that we highly recommend without reservation is Church on Monday at the Continental Club Gallery.
[Read more…]
This guest blog post is by Kyle Bailey.
Mike Milligan has a great smile. It’s toothy, wide and communicates his warm and approachable personality. When he walks on stage, though, all of that vanishes. Once he grabs that microphone and takes center stage, Mike Milligan is six feet two inches of energy, growl and talent. A consummate frontman, he grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until he and his band are done with you.
Mike Milligan and the Altar Boyz have been performing “Texas Blues with Louisiana Attitude” in Austin and around the country for more than eight years, rolling out a unique blend of music that is equal parts blues, rock, bayou and pure energy. Powered by Mike’s amazing four and a half octave vocal range and unique vocal tone, you find yourself being impressed with the band as a whole and with Mike himself as a frontman. [Read more…]
Ben Livingston and the That’s What She Said band at Continental Club Gallery
We have eyes to appreciate the icons that contribute to our local pride: murals that tourists take home on t-shirts, the buildings that compose our recognizable downtown skyline, the beloved local businesses that we would stand in front of bulldozers to protect.
But partly because so many Austinites are recent additions to the city, and partly because many of the most integral community architects work quietly behind the scenes, we don’t always know where credit is due.
Ben Livingston’s fingerprints decorate Austin and his musical sound has been heard literally around the world. A biographic tome could be written about his adventures and talents – and I would gladly volunteer as the first reader – but an exhaustive tale of Livingston’s life is beyond the scope of this Austinot article. Instead, my goal is to acquaint a new generation of Austinites with a neighbor worth knowing. [Read more…]