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 […]
How The Old Remains New: Bill Frisell and the Big Sur Quintet
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 […]
Zilker Kite Festival 2015 Returns to Zilker Park March 1st
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.
7 Reasons to See a Shipwreck in Austin
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 […]
Homegrown: Austin Music Posters 1967 to 1982
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 […]
StoryCorps Has Arrived in Austin to Preserve Our Stories
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 […]
Austin Resolutions for 2015: Things to See and Do
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 […]
14 Facts Before Your Visit: Austin’s French Legation Museum
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.
Clayworks Has Carved and Fired Life in Clay for 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 […]
Top 14 Famous Statues in Austin
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 […]