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Credit: The Austin Center for Grief & Loss
The Austin Center for Grief & Loss was created in 2007 by founder Khris Ford. Ford’s mission was, and still is, to help Austinites navigate the overwhelming experience of grief. After the death of her own son, she was called to help others experience the transformative power of grief. [Read more…]
I shouldn’t have to tell you what day is coming up. Everybody knows Sept. 18 is National Cheeseburger Day.
If you’re anything like me, this holiday holds a patriotic place in your heart. Every year, I celebrate the red meat, white buns, and blue cheese that makes this day great. (I actually prefer cheddar, but that doesn’t fit the theme.)
On a personal note, here are my top three favorite cheeseburgers in Austin. If your favorite didn’t make the list, make sure you tell me about it in a comment. I’ll happily do the “research” required to amend my error.
Jacoby’s Mercantile is a farm fresh restaurant serving southern classics in a upscale rustic environment. Authentic to Austin, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, while taking the fancy up a notch. While Jacoby’s has many delicious items on the menu (I highly recommend the mac and cheese), I want to focus on the mouth-watering burger.
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Water Tank is a neighborhood bar located at the border of Austin and WilCo
McNeil Drive acts as the dividing line between Austin and Cedar Park, and The Water Tank sits on the Austin side. You can sit on the front porch of this welcoming neighborhood bar and throw a Shiner bottle into the next county.
Rude Mechs is taking Austin back, one district at a time (Credit: Rude Mechs via Flickr)
Last year, Austin lost over 30,000 square feet of artistic performance space. Think about that for a second.
Austin is an artistic city. We have built a huge portion of our economy around it. The arts attract tourists and transplants, and businesses follow them here. The arts are the foundation for so much of what makes Austin the vibrant city that it is.
But the sad fact is that Austin has become a victim of its own success. As people and money flow into the city, the price of doing business here increases. Rent goes up, and creative hubs begin to shutter. We might not notice the immediate impact, but over time, the trend erodes a big part of what originally made Austin attractive and lucrative. Eventually, the rest of the food chain can suffer.
Rude Mechs is an Austin ensemble theater company standing against the [Read more…]
Hookah Buzz combines traditional and modern approaches to its hookah lounge experience
I’ve been going to hookah lounges in Austin for years, and I love them. From their advent, they’ve offered a casual atmosphere where people can meet to discuss business, politics, or art. That is still the case in Austin. But I think my favorite aspect of local hookah lounges is the fact that I can meet individuals from all over the world when I visit.
Hookah Buzz is a new hookah lounge in way North Austin. It was founded in January 2017 by my new friend, Audi. A blend of Turkish and Moroccan-style hookah lounges is evident in the atmosphere. Think about the hanging lights and rugs you tend to find in hookah lounges–those come from Turkey. You won’t have to sit on the floor like they do in Turkey, though. Hookah Buzz adds modern elements from Moroccan culture into the lounge through music, sofas, and tall tables. [Read more…]
Masskrugstemmen (stein-holding) competition at Krause’s Cafe
Can you hold your beer?
I mean literally hold your beer? Probably not as well as the stein-holding champions going into the final round of Krause’s Cafe’s Masskrugstemmen competition.
On July 14, 2017, Krause’s Cafe is wrapping up its final Masskrugstemmen of the year. This is an annual tradition held in New Braunfels, Texas, part of the restaurant’s multi-year search for those willing to give 100 percent in the name of good beer. [Read more…]
The Refinery will be located in the heart of downtown Austin
A new co-working space is coming to downtown Austin. This one is different from what you may be used to, though. It isn’t a hub for tech entrepreneurs or Internet startups. The Refinery, which will officially open its doors in fall 2017, is a co-working space and studio for Austin’s artists and other creatives. [Read more…]
Austin Huns rugby game (Credit: Norma Salinas Photography)
You may or may not have heard of the Austin Huns. If you haven’t, get ready to see a lot more about them within the next few years. The Huns are the official rugby team of Austin, Texas, poised to become one of the city’s biggest sports teams. They’ve been in Central Texas since 1972, steadily growing into one of the largest clubs in the United States. As the population of Central Texas has grown, the fanbase and competitive spirit of the Huns has also expanded. [Read more…]
Austin Mic Exchange takes place weekly at Spider House Ballroom
Houston has a rap pedigree that goes back for generations. Dallas has also produced great hip hop, and the same goes for San Antonio. Austin’s contribution to music, on the other hand, has gravitated towards guitar picking and live outdoor festivals, a reputation we’ve been happy to embrace.
Pay closer attention to what’s happening with our live music scene, though. Austin Mic Exchange is rewriting what it means to be the Live Music Capital of the World by growing a DIY hip hop culture right here in Austin, Texas.
[Read more…]
Austin’s music events are becoming flashier and more spectacular every year. International acts frequently entertain our city, and our festivals bring huge crowds and revenue to our city. But all the pizzaz and growth can cause us to overlook what made Austin’s music scene unique in the first place.
We’ve always been about local acts playing music for local people in local venues. Now, more than ever, it’s important to support local business and music if we want to retain what makes Austin weird. [Read more…]