Dustin Vegas - The Austinot

Laugh Out Loud with ColdTowne Theater: Alternative Comedy in Austin

November 11, 2013 by Dustin Vegas 4 Comments

ColdTowne is a hub for standup comedy in our weird city
(Photo credit: Eyton Z via Flickr CC)

Did you know that Austin, Texas is one of the funniest places in America? Everybody know about our live music, but what about other forms of entertainment? Enter ColdTowne Theater.

ColdTowne has an interesting history. Since 2005, it has been one of our staples for alternative comedy and film. The owners and creators of the comedy club hail from New Orleans. Michael Jastroch, Arthur Simone and Justin York created the venue after evacuating due to Hurricane Katrina. The trio decided to bring improv training to the Capitol City.

After hearing a lot about ColdTowne Theater while writing my article about The Show!, I decided to swing by and check out some open mic comedy. The theater is located [Read more…]

The Show! Austin Features Locally Grown Film and Comedy Every Month

October 22, 2013 by Dustin Vegas 2 Comments

Enjoying The Show! Austin at Spiderhouse Ballroom (Photo credit: Rudy Ximenez Photography)

The Austinot loves supporting local creatives. We have covered film competitions, art museums, and more live entertainment than you can shake a stick at. Learning about The Show! Austin, however, was a special treat. The Show! is an hub for Austin-only entertainment. If you love film, comedy, or anything in between, then The Show! is a must-see.

You may not know this, but Austin, Texas is home to some of the best entertainers in the country. It makes sense if you think about it. Austin is weird. Austin is creative. Austin is educated. And we’ve still got that Texas “Come and Take It!” spirit. Roll all that up with some cameras and a boom mic, and you get our distinct anti-Hollywood entertainment industry. We create things Los Angeles will not. [Read more…]

Increase Child Literacy Across Austin with BookSpring

October 7, 2013 by Dustin Vegas 2 Comments

Photo credit: Anthony Kelly via FlickrCC

Texas has a lot to be proud of. We have a booming economy, a rich history, and some of the greatest people you’re likely to meet. Despite all of the great qualities of the Lone Star State, we have a number of issues that need addressing.

One of these problems is the staggeringly low literacy rates in Texas cities. Roughly twenty percent of Austinites cannot read a newspaper. Luckily, we have connected with a group of people dedicated to solve this problem.

With your help, we can help eliminate illiteracy in Austin.

BookSpring: Reading Is Fundamental

Kids who cannot read well by the fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. This is a dangerous trap for young Texans preparing to enter the workforce. There is hope, though. A group of literacy warriors at BookSpring have been combating this problem at its source. BookSpring reaches out to low-income communities and gives children the opportunity to fall in love with reading. [Read more…]

Support Local Charity at Exotic Dream of the Red Chamber Event

September 23, 2013 by Dustin Vegas Leave a Comment

The Dream of the Red Chamber offers a night of dancing, revelry and mystery (Photo credit: Garry Knight via Flickr CC)

Imagine a luxurious retreat into fantasy and wonder. The lanterns flicker as you descend into a realm of exotic music and sights. It is an empire of decadence and earthly delights.

Now imagine experiencing all this – the dancers winking at you, the food and laughter – here in Austin. Imagine that it is your chance to do a bit of good while exploring the cultures of far away lands.

On Wednesday, September 25th, Austin Influential Group is hosting The Dream of the Red Chamber. If you have never heard of the Austin Influential Group, you are really missing out. They are a team of Austin-loving individuals who do big things that make the ATX weird and wonderful.

The Dream of the Red Chamber event is a dive into the seductive world of opium dens and hedonism. More importantly, though, it is a benefit [Read more…]

Is North Loop’s Workhorse Bar Great or Grimy?

September 10, 2013 by Dustin Vegas 3 Comments

Workhorse Bar and Grill in Austin

This post is inspired by Austinot Eric’s search for the best burger joint in Austin, a series on the Austinot. As always, the search isn’t only about the quality of the burger. It’s about the experience and the vibe of the burger joint as well.

This review is completely independent and my own. Feel free to comment with your opinion if you disagree with it!

The Workhorse in Hyde Park

If I had a TV show about my favorite things like Oprah, most of the show would be about burgers and craft beer. Forget artisan chocolate and Coach bags. I am a simple man with simple tastes.

Luckily for me, Austin is a wonderful place for these favorites of mine. [Read more…]

Touch the Sky with Skydive Temple

August 28, 2013 by Dustin Vegas 7 Comments

Photo credit: Sarah Saroy via Flickr CC

The Jump, Part I

I sat there, legs dangling out of a plane 12,000 feet up in the sky, wondering what exactly parachutes are made of.

“You ready for this?” The ex-military instructor screamed in my ear. I mumbled something between Yeah and Oh-lord-please-no-I-want-to-go-home, but the wind swept my words away.

“Alright! Let’s do this!” He grabbed my shoulder. With a three-two-one, my world lurched. I watched a small white plane fly away as we back flipped toward the earth. [Read more…]

Enjoy the Simple Things at Draught House Pub and Brewery

August 16, 2013 by Dustin Vegas Leave a Comment

Opening a bar in Austin is like entering the Thunderdome: two bars enter, one bar leaves. I have watched them come and go through the years. Themed bars, dives, sports bars, college bars – many pop up, trying to dominate their niches, but few have have staying power. Personally, no bar has held my attention long enough to make me a regular. All save one: Draught House Pub and Brewery.

The Draught House is my go-to tavern. It’s my watering hole, my place where everybody knows my name. I didn’t quite understand why, though, for a long time. I’ve been showing up to this pub for years without analyzing what made it so special. [Read more…]

Three Surprisingly Dog Friendly Activities in Austin

July 30, 2013 by Dustin Vegas 9 Comments

Dogs and Austinites go hand in paw. We love our four-legged friends so much that we take them everywhere we can. Though we’re used to taking our dogs jogging, swimming, hiking, and even to work sometimes, you may not know some of the more unusual dog friendly activities in Austin that you can enjoy with your furry friend.

Shopping at The Domain

Photo credit: Market Cred

To many Austinites, The Domain seems like a little slice of Dallas that has been planted in the Capitol City. The place has a lot of glitz and glam. With all of the high-end retail stores and restaurants at The Domain, you might expect to find very strict no-dogs-allowed policies here. [Read more…]

Strange Brew: Coffee Haven, Live Music, Local Feel

July 16, 2013 by Dustin Vegas Leave a Comment

There is a strange little coffee shop in South Austin that you ought to know about. That is, if you’re a caffiene-fueled night owl like myself. Strange Brew is one of the few 24-hour coffee shops in Austin. It’s a rare breed that combines coffee, live music, local beer, and a spacious study area. There is something for everybody here.

About Strange Brew

A little background first. Strange Brew opened its doors in 2010 as a humble coffee shop. Its owner, however, wasn’t happy running just another coffee shops in this college town. He had big dreams to make the Brew another type of beast. [Read more…]

Is Austin Good for Video Games? Interview With Minicore Studios

June 25, 2013 by Dustin Vegas 4 Comments

Like most hobbyist game designers, I was raised on games practically since birth. My first Super Nintendo sparked in me a passion for really good games and game companies, so I was elated when local game developer Minicore Studios invited me to talk about their games.

“It started out as an experiment, really,” said John Warren, CEO of Minicore Studios. “I wanted to see if it was possible to sustain a video game company that makes the kinds of games I like to play.”

[Read more…]

BookSpring: Reading Is Fundamental

The Workhorse in Hyde Park

The Jump, Part I

Shopping at The Domain

About Strange Brew

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