Ashley Alkek - The Austinot

Best Dim Sum in Austin – 4 Must Try Chinese Food Places

September 30, 2021 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Best Dim Sum in Austin Pan-fried chicken buns at New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant (Credit: Andrew Bennett Photography)

Austin is known for world-renowned BBQ and tacos on demand. But if you explore deeper, you’ll find a wealth of what has been translated “touch of heart,” more commonly known as dim sum.

This bite-sized cuisine originated with the Cantonese in South China and can be enjoyed day or night as a snack or during a traditional brunch. Want to get your hands on “sum”? Check out a few of my favorite dim sum locations in Austin! [Read more…]

Best Pasta In Austin – Italian Restaurants For Pasta Lovers

April 29, 2021 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Ready to indulge in the best pasta in Austin?

Guest article by Ashley Alkek

Pasta. Arguably the greatest creation involving flour, water and eggs. There are literally thousands of ways to prepare and enjoy each flavorful shape.

Some talented folks in the Austin culinary community are serving up dishes that are designed to rip you away from reality and into a glorious food coma. Here is a handful of restaurants to check out around town! [Read more…]

Drink to Old Austin at Circus-themed Carousel Lounge

March 29, 2017 by Ashley Alkek 1 Comment

Arriving at Carousel Lounge (Credit: Wright Sulek)

There is a diminishing number of places in Austin that are truly and wonderfully weird. Carousel Lounge is one of them. Located at 52nd Street and Cameron Road in North Austin, Carousel Lounge is home to one of the most authentic atmospheres in all of the city.

You may have been there before, or your alternative buddy at work may have mentioned it a few times. No matter what day, month, or year you go, it’ll likely be an experience you’ll never forget. Here are a few reasons why Carousel Lounge is one of Austin’s most beloved offbeat bars. [Read more…]

My Favorite Moments Covering SXSW Comedy 2017

March 24, 2017 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Comedians and comedy fans alike worked hard to make SXSW 2017 memorable. It paid off because nearly all the comedy events were PACKED. In fact, you could hear the hearts breaking among those who didn’t make it in, after waiting an hour or more to see a show.

My main objective this year, while covering SXSW Comedy for The Austinot, was to witness raw, unadulterated comedy. I did just that, and the experience was electric. In case you missed the events this year, these were my favorite moments–a glimpse into what SXSW Comedy 2017 was all about. [Read more…]

The Evolution of SXSW Comedy

March 14, 2017 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Jenny Slate performing at SXSW (Credit: Rebecca Adler via Flickr CC)

In my opinion, comedians are the new rockstars of SXSW. It’s about time, since SXSW Comedy is celebrating its tenth edition during the multi-track festival. Over the past 10 years, SXSW has showcased the comedy industry’s influential and up-and-coming comics.

There were amazing comedians around in 1987 when SXSW started, but it wasn’t considered a necessity at a festival that put its primary focus on music. Back then, the organizers considered SXSW to be a regional event. They expected around 150 people to attend, but over 700 showed up.

Let’s take a quick journey back in time, to examine how comedy came to be an undeniable part of SXSW. [Read more…]

How to Get the Most Out of SXSW Comedy 2017

March 10, 2017 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Writer and actor Andres du Bouchet, known for his work on Conan, talks comedy at SXSW
(Credit: CleftClips via Flickr CC)

Welcome to your unofficial “how to” guide for getting the most out of SXSW Comedy 2017. The first thing you need to do is drop all expectations because, with comedy, ANYTHING can happen. Yes, there are scheduled events all week long. Yes, there are big names in comedy who will be performing. Yes, you may need a badge or wristband to attend some of the events. And yes, you can catch local comedians doing their thing, as well.

SXSW Comedy showcases officially kick off on March 10, 2017 at 8 p.m. and run until 2 a.m. on March 18, 2017. If you’re interested in catching some of the shows, I suggest you take a look at the lineup.

Now to answer a few questions you may have about how to maximize your SXSW Comedy experience. [Read more…]

Missed Connections Ads on Craigslist Inspire Local Improv Troupe

March 8, 2017 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

A troupe member reading a missed connection post from Craiglist at Missed Connections ATX (Credit: Wright Sulek)

Austin improv is thriving, as is the city’s dating scene. If you put the two together, you get one hell of a improv comedy show called Missed Connections ATX, at ColdTowne Theater. If you aren’t familiar with the term, I urge you to take a look at your local Missed Connections section on Craigslist. It’s used as a type of personal advertisement, posted and sent into the abyss after two people meet (or not), but are too shy (or not) to exchange contact details. This is comical, sometimes heart-wrenching stuff.

The brilliance of Missed Connections ATX is the way the improv group takes these online gems and runs with them in the most hilarious and creative ways. The event is lovingly described as, “an improvised show about lovesick Austinites seeking a second chance at romance online.” If you aren’t intrigued yet, keep reading.

Missed Connections ATX Improv Troupe

Missed Connections ATX Comedy Troupe in Austin

Missed Connections ATX comedy troupe (Credit: Wright Sulek)

Wowzers, the laughs are endless with this group of talented locals. When going to an improv show, it’s always inspiring to witness true collaboration. The dynamic these people have has undeniably evolved to a place where you are sucked into each scene, forgetting for moment that you’re even in a theater.

Actual Missed Connections

Reading a Missed Connection Ad from Craiglist

Credit: Wright Sulek

How it works is simple: a troupe member reads an actual Missed Connection post from Austin Craigslist. Then the other members riff on it, bringing each comical or devastating situation to life.

Chelsea Bunn, the show’s director, shared, “I have always had a fondness for Craigslist Missed Connections. My college roommate and I would stay up late scouring for the quirkiest ads. Additionally, I’m really drawn to a style of long-form improv which is premise-driven, and recently started practicing short form games. The show is a hybrid of these two forms of improv. In a way, it’s a marriage of the things that are really interesting me right now as a maker/performer.”

Witness Vulnerability

Missed Connections ATX Act Out a Craiglist Post

Getting physical! (Credit: Wright Sulek)

The act of putting yourself out there online (even anonymously) just to score a date with a cutie you were eyeing at the grocery store is straight-up brave. There’s something incredibly sweet about that sort of faith in the Internet gods. Hey, what could it hurt? Similarly, that’s the vibe at ColdTowne: let’s try it out. The result is hilarious, more often that not.

Golden Moments

Improv Troupe Members at ColdTowne Theater

Making connections at Missed Connections ATX (Credit: Wright Sulek)

When I asked Bunn about her favorite moments so far, she responded, “This cast is so funny, it’s hard to choose just one! The first time we ran “He said, she said” in rehearsal, I laughed so hard that I cried. Other favorite moments include a scene about a sub/dom couple playing putt-putt golf, and a scene about a witch whose murder of crows were doing evil deeds around Austin.” I mean, who doesn’t want to jump into that world for a hot minute?

The last Missed Connections ATX show is this Saturday, March 11, 2017. If you can’t make it, no sweat. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to live comedy at ColdTowne Theater.

4803 Airport Blvd. – Website

@theAustinot wants to know:

Who’s your favorite Austin improv troupe?

5 Reasons to Get Jurassic at Dinosaur Park Near Bastrop, Texas

March 3, 2017 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Do you have a healthy dose of curiosity when it comes to dinosaurs? Can you recite Jurassic Park in your sleep? Do you love nature? Then Dinosaur Park in Cedar Creek, Texas is for you.

There you’ll find life-sized replicas of dinosaurs, ranging from the two foot long Compsognathus to the 55 foot long Spinosaurus. You’ll be glad you made the 25-minute drive toward Bastrop from Austin. Here are a few reasons why you’ll have a ball with the dinos at Dinosaur Park. [Read more…]

Embrace Your Inner Kid at Austin Toy Museum

February 20, 2017 by Ashley Alkek 2 Comments

Welcome to Austin Toy Museum (Credit: Wright Sulek)

It seems appropriate that Austin would have a museum of toys, mostly due to how serious we are about playfulness. When it comes to fostering a playful spirit as a way of life, Austin Toy Museum has it down!

Imagination and nostalgia line the walls of Austin Toy Museum, which has over 40,000 rotating items for display. While visitors certainly get a glimpse into past childhood joy, Austin Toy Museum serves the community in surprising ways. [Read more…]

Sahara Lounge Is a Funky Spaceship of Old Austin Magic

January 30, 2017 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

The Sahara Lounge is like a funky spaceship full of old Austin magic. You can expect music and events almost every night of the week, and you’ll never be disappointed you didn’t spend your evening somewhere else.

In fact, The Sahara Lounge has got to be one of the most inviting places in the whole city and the Austinites who love it, really love it. Why, you ask? I’m happy to explain! [Read more…]

Missed Connections ATX Improv Troupe

Actual Missed Connections

Witness Vulnerability

Golden Moments

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