Guest Blogger - The Austinot

Deep Eddy Cabaret Changes Hands, Stays the Same

July 16, 2014 by Guest Blogger 1 Comment

Deep Eddy Cabaret has been located on Lake Austin Blvd. for over 50 years

This guest article is by Lisa Taylor.

Psychiatrists have told us for years that change is one of the biggest stressors in our daily lives. There have been books written on how to cope with it. Seminars are done for corporations to help ease the fear that is usually associated with it. And most people just aren’t really comfortable with change.

As a long time Austinite, change has been something I’ve had to embrace over the years because as they say, “You can’t stop progress”.

I’ve watched from the sidelines as some of the most beloved restaurants and music venues in our fair city have closed their doors. Pearl’s Oyster Bar, Liberty Lunch, and Steamboat are a few that come to mind. And when it happens, you take a moment to remember the good times, but just a moment, because the next week there is a new sign and a new place where memories will be made.

In light of this constant change, it’s always nice to find a place where it seems as if nothing ever changes. This is exactly what you’ll find at Deep Eddy Cabaret. [Read more…]

Austin Poetry Slam: Not Grandma’s Spoken Word

July 8, 2014 by Guest Blogger 2 Comments

Austin Poetry Slam takes place every Tuesday at Spider House Ballroom

This guest blog article is by Jenny Forgey.

Slam poetry is all about community, or so I was told when I met my long time friend, Peter Nevland, at the slam tailgating he and his wife set up on the grassy triangle across the street from Spider House Ballroom & Cafe on the first Tuesday of every month.

Peter has been a part of the slam scene since the year 2000. He slams locally, but also tours around the country slinging words for eager audiences.

“I’ve travelled all over doing slam stuff,” he told me, “and I’ve never seen a scene like the one in Austin.” His wife, Vicki, added, “It’s not just the size of the crowd [that makes Austin unique], but the quality of the poets.”

It didn’t take long for me to see what they meant. [Read more…]

Austin Streets Brightened by Real Life Mystery Machine

June 30, 2014 by Guest Blogger 11 Comments

Shaggy and the Mystery Machine in Austin

This guest blog article is by Kendra Wright.

I have an obsession with weirdness and oddities. It’s probably why I adore our quirky little city so much. When I discovered that a real life Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo was cruising our streets, I was determined to dig up the details.

Next thing I knew, I was dressed up as Velma Dinkley and going behind the scenes with a life sized Scooby to get the story.

If you’ve ever wondered who is behind the brightly colored mystery mobile, you’re about to get an Austinot insider scoop. [Read more…]

Stinson’s Bistro Manages Unique Mix of Coffee, Pizza

May 16, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Smiling faces ready to welcome you to Stinson’s Bistro Deep Eddy

This guest blog article is by Michal Ann Morrison.

Stinson’s Bistro is a relatively new addition to Austin, but they’ve quickly built a reputation for great coffee. My espresso addiction being what it is, coffee is the very thing that took me there for my first visit. That and my roommates’ insistence that Stinson’s gluten-free options were too delicious to pass up.

At first I was skeptical that a place known for coffee could offer up pizza that was just as noteworthy. But one dining experience in and I was sold. [Read more…]

Mini Pony Gallops to Garage Country Sound With Psychedelia Thrown In

April 15, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Mini Pony L-R: Ross Woods, Robert Franco-Tayar, Steve Zamora, Walker Pickens

This guest blog article is by Joana Ortiz.

If mother nature decides to make up its mind, we are nearly approaching the stinging rays of the Texas sun. When I think of summer, I think of air conditioning, the indoors, beer, live music and some more live music!

I’m here to do the hard work for you, recommending bands and shows you should keep an eye out for, as music venues bloom alongside the bluebonnets you’re taking pictures with for the umpteenth time. [Read more…]

SpiritCape Fans Unfurl Their Patriotism in Austin and Worldwide

March 25, 2014 by Guest Blogger 2 Comments

SpiritCape, an idea conceived in Austin, TX

This guest blog article is by Daja Gegen.

For Thomas Marriott and Will Kelleher, co-founders of SpiritCape, there are two rules: always be caping and always be hustling. For a couple guys who just smashed their Kickstarter goal by 55%, took a crew of ambassadors to the Winter X-Games where their capes were rocked around Aspen, and have a ton of product options in the pipeline (not to mention almost 300 new orders to fill), these two rules could be one in the same. But “caping,” a term trademarked by the guys, is more of a lifestyle than a verb. It’s about positive energy, living life fully and “just good vibes.”

“More often than not, it’s the simplest concepts that become the best ideas,” said Marriott, SpiritCape’s CEO. It happened by accident, but he’s now in the business of creating wearable flags that allow “capers” to showcase their allegiance to their school, state (the Texas flag cape is coming soon), or most popularly, The United States of America. “I think Jobs had it right. Creativity is just connecting things.” [Read more…]

Vintage Ware: Austin Business Creating History on Your Wrist

March 19, 2014 by Guest Blogger 1 Comment

Edgar Diaz, Founder of Vintage Ware

This guest blog article is by Kendra Wright.

One of the magnetic things about Austin is the wealth of creatives who call our city home. Edgar Diaz, seasoned local artist in metal sculpture and found objects, has had an Austin address for nearly a decade. Like many of the other brilliant visionaries migrating here, he stuffed his suitcase with jaw-dropping talent and a desire to innovate.

Diaz’s newest adventure in art and business, Vintage Ware, was born from his interest in showcasing discoveries found while combing through antique markets. His line of cuffs incorporates breathing parts of history, with relics ranging from World War II trench art, to military badges, to Victorian Era shoe buckles.

Paired with every purchase is the story behind the cuff, a trail of its travels through history to your wrist. [Read more…]

Pure Austin Fitness Launches Rail Training Option at 410 Speed Shop

March 11, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

The new 410 Speed Shop at 410 Pressler Street

This guest blog article is by Michal Ann Morrison.

Pure Austin Fitness has been a leading figure in the Austin fitness industry since 1999. Their most recent contribution to keeping Austin athletes and fitness junkies at the top of their game is Rail Training, a fitness program that focuses on sports performance-inspired training.

You’ll find Rail Training at 410 Speed Shop, new home to Pure Austin and Rogue Running.

Rail Training is unique in that it combines the concepts of a personal trainer and a group fitness class. Walking into the refurbished auto shop, you get the attention of a personal trainer without the heavy financial cost, with the monthly membership costing less than two average personal training sessions. [Read more…]

Award-Winning Jess Williamson Hypnotizes Listeners With New Album

March 4, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Austin’s own Jess Williamson

This guest blog article is by Joana Ortiz.

The room stood still as Jess Williamson crooned ever so gracefully at Red 7, in support of Angel Olsen’s U.S. tour. (What are you doing? Jot Angel’s name down!)

Before I showed up, I read through tweets circling around the show and noticed some questions over the choice of venue. Red 7 is classically known to book rather boisterous acts, but it seems they’re expanding their horizon and opening their arms to artists of various genres who have one thing in common: talent. [Read more…]

Chez Zee Serves Up Brunch, Delicious Desserts and a Taste of Romance

February 13, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Chez Zee is located at 5406 Balcones Dr.

This guest blog article is by Cindy Plata.

The very first time I visited Chez Zee, I was attending a baby shower brunch. Although I thought it was a little strange to attend a baby shower at a restaurant, I quickly realized that if a baby shower was going to be at a restaurant, Chez Zee would definitely be the place to host it. There was an immediate feeling of warmth and happiness in the air, and the beautiful decorations throughout the restaurant only added to the already pleasant atmosphere. Even though my first visit was six years ago, Chez Zee continues to be one of my top choices for any and all occasions.

Love Is in the Air (Literally)

The atmosphere inside Chez Zee is one of my favorite things about the whole place. The restaurant is dimly lit and sets a romantic – but not uncomfortable – tone, so everyone feels welcome. There is a gorgeous, hard-to-miss red piano sitting in the front of the space, and they have a live piano player on Friday and Saturday nights, Sundays for brunch, and also Monday night for dinner. [Read more…]

Love Is in the Air (Literally)

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