J. Alan Nelson - The Austinot

Introducing Star Kibble, Game for Finding Celebrities in Austin

March 26, 2015 by J. Alan Nelson Leave a Comment

You may collect baseball cards. You may be a birder, coin collector or coffee mug junkie.

Or you may collect celebrities.

If you’re familiar with the Kevin Bacon Game or the six degrees of separation theory first theorized by Frigyes Karinthy in 1929, you know society is more closely intertwined than it often seems. The world has shrunk since 1929 because of social networking and globalization. In the past five years alone, you’ve probably noticed the shrinkage personally as you’ve unexpectedly bumped elbows not only friends, not only with strangers, but also with the famous.

Welcome to Star Kibble, a game I developed a few years ago. Star Kibble is played by seeing and photographing celebrities. [Read more…]

How The Old Remains New: Bill Frisell and the Big Sur Quintet

March 5, 2015 by J. Alan Nelson Leave a Comment

Bill Frisell and the Big Sur Quintet will perform in Austin on Sunday, March 8th
(Credit: Monica Frisell)

The Cactus Cafe is bringing one of the world’s leading jazz guitarists, Bill Frisell, and the Big Sur Quintet to the Texas Union Ballroom this Sunday, March 8th, to examine the work of one of folk music’s preeminent figures: Woody Guthrie.

Frisell’s eclectic fountain of rock, country, progressive, jazz and blues music is well known in musician circles throughout the world. But Frisell is looking forward to his Austin gig.

“The first time I came to Austin was in the early ‘90s,” he shared. “I played at the Continental Club and that became, in a way, a home base for me. I’ve played there many, many, many times.” [Read more…]

Zilker Kite Festival 2015 Returns to Zilker Park March 1st

February 24, 2015 by J. Alan Nelson 3 Comments

The 87th Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival is March 1, 2015 (Credit: David King)

One of the best ways to forget yourself and all the baggage that comes with you is to buy or make your own personal aircraft. You can use string, paper, sticks or whatever’s handy. Just make sure you’re finished by March 1, 2015, when Zilker Kite Festival returns for another year. [Read more…]

7 Reasons to See a Shipwreck in Austin

February 14, 2015 by J. Alan Nelson Leave a Comment

Model of the La Belle, currently being restored in front of visitors at Bullock Texas State History Museum

Why does the nation of France have a major claim to sea treasure in Austin? Why is there a centuries-old shipwreck off the corner of 18th Street and Congress Avenue?

The La Belle, a 17th century sailing ship designed for the Mississippi River, is a key artifact from the struggles between European powers France, Britain and Spain for a piece of what would become Texas. This famous ship that sailed the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, never the Mississippi as intended, doomed the French explorer La Salle’s expedition. The shipwreck was finally found in 1995 after a century-long search, in Matagorda Bay between Corpus Christi and Galveston.

The La Belle is on exhibit at Bullock Texas State History Museum until May 17, 2015. If your interest isn’t piqued already, here are 7 reasons to see the La Belle shipwreck in Austin: [Read more…]

Homegrown: Austin Music Posters 1967 to 1982

January 27, 2015 by J. Alan Nelson 1 Comment

Ramones Music Poster for Armadillo World Headquarters

Micael Priest’s music poster for The Ramones’ show at Armadillo World Headquarters, 1977

Sometimes you see them flitting by in the wind on a city street like a brightly colored bird. Sometimes you see them posted on telephone poles. You see others on walls inside clubs.

I’m talking about music posters. While they are silent in sound, their designs portend grand audio and visual experiences to come, as bands perform at a certain time and place.

For poster collectors, the memories these powerful scraps of paper evoke can be potent. Colored lights, sounds, lyrics, emotions, jockeying for the best position to see the stage, that special night at a club that doesn’t exist anymore…except in your mind.

Preserving Austin Music Posters of the Past

Most posters were ripped off walls after the show or destroyed by weather and time. [Read more…]

StoryCorps Has Arrived in Austin to Preserve Our Stories

January 15, 2015 by J. Alan Nelson Leave a Comment

StoryCorps’ mobile recording studio is in Austin through January 31st

StoryCorps is a national nonprofit which records, preserves and shares stories. The stories come from people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

StoryCorps’ smooth, aluminum Airstream trailer recently arrived in Austin. You’ll see the MobileBooth parked at the Bullock Texas State History Museum (1800 Congress Ave) until January 31, 2015. Inside, the trailer is outfitted with a sleek recording studio.

This unique organization provides access to other peoples’ stories, and they want to hear your story too. [Read more…]

Austin Resolutions for 2015: Things to See and Do

December 26, 2014 by J. Alan Nelson 3 Comments

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Are they usually focused on self-improvement, requiring physical exercise, food abstinence or cleaning out that garage?

Dang it, you need to make a resolution that will open your mind. Look at the city around you, begging to be explored.

If you need fresh ideas, here’s a list of 14 Austin resolutions for 2015 that will reward you with a uniquely Austin experience and expand your understanding of this weird, wild and wonderful city. I’m giving you one resolution a month, plus two bonus resolutions to make 2015 your best year in Austin yet.

#1 See the Bats

Austin bat viewing area on the southeast side of Congress Bridge

Watching the millions of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats emerge from under the South Congress Bridge at dusk is something akin to a religious rite. To see and feel them flit effortlessly within inches of your head as they snap up insects is ecstasy. [Read more…]

14 Facts Before Your Visit: Austin’s French Legation Museum

December 12, 2014 by J. Alan Nelson 7 Comments

Entrance to the French Legation Museum grounds (Credit: French Legation Museum and Daughters of the Republic of Texas)

The oldest wooden frame home in Austin sits alone on a hill with an unobstructed view of the State Capitol.

It dates back to the Republic of Texas, when France seized an opportunity to grab a piece of the new country and its wealth.

But the French sent the wrong man for the job. [Read more…]

Clayworks Has Carved and Fired Life in Clay for 35 Years

November 28, 2014 by J. Alan Nelson 2 Comments

Old design and log book at Clayworks, a local business dating back 35 years

If there was a book called Cool Things in Austin You Should Know About, Clayworks Studio/Gallery and the Gray Family would be in the first chapter.

The gallery on East Sixth Street displays tables, art work, tiles, architectural ceramics and more that the Grays have created. A working studio sits behind the gallery, where the Grays make and fire products for individual and company contracts.

Austin landmarks such as the Texas State Capitol Building, The Driskill Hotel and The University of Texas at Austin all house their creations.

The story of the Grays is a story, in microcosm, of what has happened in East Austin for the last three decades. [Read more…]

Top 14 Famous Statues in Austin

November 13, 2014 by J. Alan Nelson 8 Comments

Statues become mental landmarks of people, animals, fantastic beings from creative minds…and legends.

Observing a statue can be a zen like or aesthetic experience. Or for those who love to do statue art, it’s a convivial fun fest of reactions and poses for statue photos.

Here are 14 famous statues in Austin you should include on your next public statue pilgrimage:

#1 Lady Hare With Dog

Lady Hare with Dog

Sophie Ryder’s mythical creatures stand throughout the world. Lady Hare With Dog is near the Zach Theatre and it’s a classic Ryder work. The figure of the hare holding the dog is funny, poignant and compelling. [Read more…]