Guest Blogger - The Austinot

GOBI: One of Austin’s Most Unique Bands Finds Its Voice

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Guest Blogger

GOBI: Matt Dunn, Chuco Phil, Justin Dillon (Credit: GOBI)

Guest article by Gina Sigillito

Music fans who happened to be wandering past Holy Mountain off Red River last weekend may have noticed that it felt more like a packed dance party than a typical Saturday night show. The mesmerizing trio of Justin Dillon, Chuco Phil and Matt Dunn took the stage for the rerelease of their new CD Gold on Black Ice (Deluxe Edition). From the very first beat, they gave the kind of high octane, groove filled performance they’ve become famous for. Bathed in red strobe lights, the band made the floor shake until the wee hours. [Read more…]

Talk to Austin’s Street Furniture Through Hello Lamp Post

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Guest Blogger

Guest article by Lindsey Moringy

Has anyone ever told you that you have the personality of a lamp post? Well that might not be such a bad thing anymore!

A new project called Hello Lamp Post Austin enables residents to have in-depth conversations with objects and local treasures around town – everything from parking meters to buildings to Treaty Oak. For instance, on Thursday, City Hall (the building itself, not a representative) and I were discussing Austin’s biggest claim to fame. I suggested our longest-running music television program “Austin City Limits,” while City Hall was thinking more along the lines of breakfast tacos. [Read more…]

Hill Country Science Mill Creating New Generation of Problem Solvers

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Guest Blogger

Light wall at Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City, TX (Credit: Kevin Tully/A Smith Gallery)

Guest article by Anne Hebert

A 40-foot wall of LED lights demonstrating the power of cell phone signals. A giant Romenesco broccoli-shaped sculpture illuminating fractals. A lifelike look at the inside of the Edwards Aquifer, showing the water cycle.

Would you imagine you’d find each of these inside once-defunct grain silos?

This is the new Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City, a non-profit science museum that encourages interactive learning, creative thinking and scientific discussion.

The 14,000-square-foot space features more than 25 interactive and educational exhibits, plus hands-on maker stations and art installations, all designed to spark kids’ interest and help them fall in love with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). [Read more…]

Paramount Theatre Celebrates 100 Years with Special Events

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Guest Blogger

Old Congress Avenue in 1947 with the Paramount Theatre illuminated on the right

Guest article by Lindsey Moringy

A walk through the basement of the Paramount Theatre is like a walk through time: its history is literally written on the walls. Over the years, many of the estimated 10,000 visiting artists have left their mark on the famed theatre by signing the walls downstairs, just outside the dressing rooms. Passing through the hallway you’ll notice that performers from BB King to Joan Rivers have left their ‘John Hancocks’ – many with a personalized message or illustration. Admittedly, I laughed aloud upon reading what Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman chose to leave: “Freedom. [Read more…]

What About Bobby? Sabrina Ellis and Her New Musical Direction

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Guest Blogger

Sweet Spirit L-R: Jon Fichter (bass), Sabrina Ellis, Andrew Cashen (guitar/vocals) (Credit: Tim Griffin)

Guest article by Audrey René Rodriguez

If you’ve been as entranced by Sabrina Ellis as I have–with her whispy-woman stage presence, powerhouse chords and generous esteem for her bandmates–then you’ve been wondering about something as nagging as an elephant in a room: Bobby Jealousy’s newfound fame. [Read more…]

Behind the Paint Cans: Austin Street Art

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Guest Blogger

Gay Dino Street Art by Mike Truth Johnson

Austin street art (Credit: 1138Studios.com)

Guest article by Gino Barasa

It’s five in the morning and I’m somewhere off 51st Street with Austin’s most dangerous street artists.

Well, not exactly. It is really early and I am watching some of Austin’s finest street artists do their thing, but they aren’t actually very dangerous. In fact, they’re really a bunch of easy going guys who happen to be amazingly talented artists. [Read more…]

Come Celebrate Austin’s Edible Forest Garden

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Guest Blogger

Festival Beach Food Forest, Austin’s edible forest garden

Guest article by Megan Renart

“Edible forest garden” might be the most Austin-y words I’ve ever written besides cold springs, breakfast tacos and live music.

And yet, we can now add said words to the list of actual places that exist in Austin. The Festival Beach Food Forest is a city-council-approved two acre stretch of land that runs next to I-35 and has been described as a “fence-free edible Eden where all are welcome to learn about food forestry and experience the beauty of an edible oasis in the heart of Austin.”

Festival Beach Food Forest is a pilot project of East Feast Coalition, a grassroots, volunteer run organization and offshoot of Urban Patchworks. And it’s free. The entire point of this edible food forest is to make it accessible to the public, which is why it’s being planted in one of Austin’s public parks. [Read more…]

RSVPster Plans Your SXSW Parties So You Don’t Have To

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Guest Blogger

RSVPster helps you navigate the party puzzle during SXSW (Credit: John Rogers via Flickr CC)

Guest article by Lindsey Moringy

If you’re like me and are prone to serious FOMO (“Fear Of Missing Out,” as the youths call it), South By Southwest can be a very stressful time of year. Every March, SXSW attracts thousands of music, film and technology enthusiasts from all over the world to participate in much-talked-about concerts, film premieres, interactive events and more. Along with this influx of entertainment and people come hundreds of parties, many of which don’t require any sort of festival credential to attend.

Sounds great, right? This means you can enjoy free SXSW events and parties without having to sell your Volvo in order to purchase a swanky badge.

Well, there is a catch. Most of these parties require an RSVP for entry. [Read more…]

10 Last Minute New Year’s Eve Ideas in Austin

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Guest Blogger

Guest article by Kristella Montiegel

Hark! The coming New Year rings! As the holiday season continues and we relish in plentiful eating, drinking and merry-making, it’s past time to start thinking about your New Year’s Eve plans. The big day is here, and you owe it to yourself to end 2014 off with a bang!, hurrah!, or whichever onomatopoeic word you see fit.

Are you still undecided about your New Year’s Eve festivities? We’ve compiled a list of 10 last minute New Year’s Eve ideas (in no particular order) to celebrate the big night in true Austin style.

#1 Buenos Aires Café

Buenos Aires Cafe’s NYE prix fixe Argentine menu will feature unique dishes like faina, a baked garbanzo bread (Credit: Buenos Aires Café)

Immerse yourself in Latin American culture this New Year’s Eve! Indulge in Buenos Aires Café’s tantalizing authentic Argentine food. Their East Side location is hosting a dinner and after party you’re sure to be reminiscing over well into the New Year. [Read more…]

Get Buzzed on Austin’s High Brew Coffee

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Guest Blogger

High Brew’s four flavors of cold-brewed coffee

I think I found a new (healthy) addiction that’s as unique and refreshing as the city in which it was founded. It’s called High Brew, and if you were at Austin City Limits 2014 you might have had the chance to try it.

High Brew is a cold-brewed coffee that came into being because of two adventurous Austinites who saw a need for convenient iced-coffee. [Read more…]