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Guest article by Alicia Santiago
No, that’s not a misspelling or auto-correct inaccuracy. BYOV stands for Bring Your Own Vinyl. While this unique night has a long-standing presence at a couple of well-known local bars, BYOV nights are showing up in other venues across Austin.
On June 13, 2015, the first VoyagerFest commenced in the cozy West Austin backyard of The Rusty Mule. A good number of the bands that performed were based in progressive rock and its many subgenres, but the festival also showcased avant garde, electronic (intelligent dance music), and other acts with experimental and innovative properties.
Beginning on Jan. 24, 2016, VoyagerFest launched a concert series called Voyager Nights, a place for bands from the previous year’s festival to continue performing and spreading awareness for the second annual event. Last month, VoyagerFest was approved as a 501(c) (3) organization, having officially established the mission to promote and support experimental music and art.
If you want to take part in the non-profit’s mission, the second Voyager Night is scheduled for [Read more…]
Guest article by Dana Minney
“Play is the work of childhood,” Mr. Rogers once said. In Austin, play seems to be the work of not just children, but pretty much everyone. And what would you expect from a city fueled by play? Well, of course, TOYS! Lots and lots of toys.
In fact, Austin is home to some of the most unique and even internationally-known toy stores. Check out these six locally-owned Austin toy stores.
Push Pull Open Close brings their hardware to you
Guest article by Sam Small
What do you handle most in your home? (Hint: the answer’s in the question.) Jonathan Hiebert, founder and mastermind of Austin’s Push Pull Open Close, thinks you should take another look at the handles in your house.
“Cabinet knobs and door knobs are the point of contact between you and your environment,” says Hiebert. “And it’s that point of contact which unites a person with their home. Every structure has a voice, and every person who lives in that structure has a voice. I believe that cabinet hardware helps bring those voices into accord.”
Outdoor patio seating at Flightpath Coffee House in Hyde Park
Guest article by Molly Morrow
As a woman from Seattle (okay, as a woman from a farming-valley-turned-shopping-mall that’s close enough to Seattle for me to lie without feeling bad), I can assure you that I know my way around a coffee shop. I have been in coffee shops resembling EuroDisney, coffee shops with dog balconies, coffee shops with and without a unifying central theme such as “bad art” or “bird music,” and coffee shops that looked like the vacation houses of stone-cold lunatics.
I have been in coffee shops so dimly lit and crowded with velveteen daybeds that I felt myself growing more Victorian, just staring at myself in the glass of the bakery case. I have been in thousands of coffee shops over the years, and I have judged them all without mercy.
That being said, let me tell you in the strictest of confidence: Flightpath Coffee House in Hyde Park is the single [Read more…]
Cari Hutson performs monthly at Saxon Pub (Credit: Dustin Rader via Flickr CC)
Guest article by Lauren Lyman
One of the most engaging qualities of Austin’s live music is its authenticity. It is real, captivating and sends a message that this is a town with heart.
Cari Hutson and Good Company delivers that sincerity through hard, blues rock with a contemporary flair. This unabashedly raucous group performs every Monday at Strange Brew Lounge Side, and once a month at Saxon Pub–both award-winning listening rooms. [Read more…]
The Thinkery will amaze children and adults alike (Credit: Donnie Ray Jones via Flickr CC)
Guest article by Dana Minney
When I was pregnant with twins and living in New York City 12 years ago, I couldn’t wait to move to Austin, TX. People enthusiastically described how “livable” and even “weird” it was here. Most importantly, everyone agreed there’s no better city to raise a family in.
They did not lie!
Now my boys are 11 and a half and have lived here nearly all their lives. We so enjoy it here that we can’t imagine living back east, or anywhere else. Austin is where it’s at, and we sure do get around this town.
If you are also a parent who likes to get out and learn, do and experience life together with your kids, here is a short list of FREE opportunities to help you on your way. [Read more…]
The Austin Music Industry Awards recognize those who work behind the scenes (Credit: Marco Figueroa)
Guest article by Sam Small
“I’m an artist with a message,” he told me. “So who’s your audience?” I ventured. “Urban. At risk. And a large portion of them are incarcerated. And next week I’ll be in Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Center.” [Read more…]
Guest article by Laurie Engle
Not having grown up in Texas, one of the things I enjoyed most when I first moved to Austin was listening to live music and watching all the cute couples on the dance floor, having a blast two-stepping. At first, I didn’t know what type of dancing I was looking at, but I quickly decided I wanted to twirl around in a southern gentlemen’s arms wearing a sundress and boots.
You may have a secret desire to get out there yourself, but you’re concerned about not knowing what the heck you’re doing. No worries, I’m going to share with you where to take your two left feet for an awesome class with some of the best teachers in Austin. Our city has no shortage of amazing and truly historic joints to head to when you want to show off your new skills.
Here are three of my favorites. [Read more…]
Credit: Mitchell Hallmark, Found Media Group
Guest article by Angela Bowers
Calling all foodies! Have you heard of Taster’s Table Club? It’s a group that dines together monthly at new and delicious restaurants around Austin. The types of restaurants cross a wide range of tastes, to offer variety and style for each member.