Jessica Pino - The Austinot

Before MTV, There Was…

November 26, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

The Moody Theater, home of Austin City Limits (Credit: Andy via Flickr CC)

The concept of music television existed long before MTV was created. The award winning PBS series Austin City Limits has been shaping the way we experience music for 40 years.

ACL began with a vision to highlight local music and has grown into an international sensation. Musicians and fans from around the world look up to ACL’s simple – yet sophisticated – take on music. What started Austin on its journey to becoming the “Live Music Capital of the World” remains a pillar in our culture today.

As ACL begins its fifth decade of live music broadcasting, I want to pay tribute to the show’s legacy by examining where it came from and what its existence has meant to local Austin musicians. [Read more…]

EAST 2014: Free Studio Tour Brings 400+ Artists Together

November 12, 2014 by Jessica Pino 2 Comments

EAST 2014 will bring 412 artists together (Credit: Bug via Flickr CC)

Austinites are brimming with talent. While some art forms such as music are easily accessible, Big Medium is working to insure that artists and artisans aren’t left behind.

For the past 13 years, Big Medium has produced one of the most celebrated yearly art events in town: the East Austin Studio Tour (EAST). EAST is a free, self-guided tour through studios, galleries and exhibitions in – you guessed it – east Austin. It strives to bridge the gap between the art world and the local community.

To get you ready for this year’s Tour on November 15-16th and November 22-23rd, Here’s the scoop on Big Medium, art in Austin and this year’s massive event featuring 412 artists: EAST. [Read more…]

Rō Fitness: Best Cardio Alternative to Running

October 29, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Rowing machines out on the deck of Rō Fitness (photo credit Rō Fitness)

Even if you love running, rowing – or better yet the rowing machine – is the best low impact cardio alternative out there. And Rō Fitness is Austin’s only indoor rowing studio.

You’ve probably tried the rowing machines at the gym before with no results. But that’s likely because you were doing it wrong. After taking just one class at Rō Fitness (your first class is free), your workout routine will be changed. [Read more…]

Road to ACL 2014: Interview with The Nightowls

October 3, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

The Nightowls (Credit: Nicola Gell)

The Nightowls, a local ten-piece soul band, are on fire. They just released their second CD, recorded a third, have been playing big events around town and are now gearing up to play ACL for the first time.

I had the pleasure to sit down with bandleader Ryan Harkrider and vocalist Tara Williamson for lunch at Kerbey Lane to chat about their accomplishments over the past year. [Read more…]

Smokey Denmark’s Food Truck Launches Meat Revolution

September 25, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Smokey Denmark’s food truck

According to Bill Dumas, head pitmaster at Smokey Denmark’s, “Barbecue is the most bastardized word in the English language.” And it’s true. When most people hear the word barbecue, they imagine the Fourth of July with burgers, hotdogs and pool parties. But if you live in Texas, you know better – or at least you should.

You might not be totally familiar with the name Smokey Denmark’s, but I’m certain you’re familiar with their product. They’ve been smoking sausages and other meats since 1964. Their smoked sausages are served in several restaurants around town, such as Banger’s Sausage House on Rainey Street, where you can get Smokey Denmark’s andouille sausage.

After smoking meats for 50 plus years, they’ve decided to venture into the food truck world, taking their meats to the open road. Or in this case, right next to their meat shop at 3505 E 5th St. [Read more…]

Austin Food Scene News: Bess Bistro Gets a New Look

September 19, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Bread made fresh daily from Walton’s

Editor’s Note: Bess Bistro is scheduled to close on September 20, 2015.

Bess Bistro has been a landmark in Austin for the past eight years. They have seen the city through many changes, and now they’re shaking things up themselves. With a new Executive Chef, Roman Murphy, Bess Bistro has unveiled a new fall menu to tantalize the Austin foodie’s ever-changing taste buds.

This West 6th restaurant is known for their Southern style cooking with a French/New Orleans flare. But now Chef Murphy is expanding diners’ options, taking advantage of Austin’s growing love for farm to table, locally sourced food while introducing Asian and Spanish elements.

If you’re a regular, don’t fret. The Sautéed Mussels, Shrimp and Grits and delectable Beignets have stood the test of time and you will still find them on the menu. And their fresh breads, accompanied by an array of salts and butter, still come from their sister restaurant, Walton’s. But Bess Bistro has added flavorful dishes such as Beef Tartare, Pan Roasted [Read more…]

Top 5 Unique Study Spots in Austin

September 8, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Austin Public Library Carver Branch

Summer is behind us, football season is in front of us, and somewhere in between are books for studying. Labor Day not only marks the time when wearing white is “not permitted,” it also unofficially marks the start of school. But studying doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Whether you’re a Longhorn, Hilltopper or frequent the ACC, here are five unique study spots to get you through the semester. [Read more…]

SoCo’s Hotel San Jose Holds Charm for Austin Locals

August 27, 2014 by Jessica Pino 3 Comments

Ivy-covered facade at Hotel San Jose (Credit: Bunkhouse Group)

You may be familiar with Hotel San Jose, or its big red Jeep parked out front, or the famous Jo’s coffee shop which sits in the hotel’s parking lot. But did you know you can listen to live music at the San Jose? Did you know you can have your tarot cards read at the San Jose? And most importantly, did you know you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy these events or to simply hang out in the lounge and bar area? Yes, you read that right. One of the best kept secrets in Austin is [Read more…]

SprATX: The Collective and Business Behind Austin Graffiti

August 13, 2014 by Jessica Pino 4 Comments

Your author and her man at “Olive You” by SprATX artist Sweet

Art is represented in many ways within a city, from traditional art museums and historical buildings to theater and music. Graffiti, however, hasn’t always been accepted as a viable art form and has often been stigmatized.

But here in Austin where murals are a plenty, graffiti has transformed into street art, and a mural is a must if you are looking to be Austin. And thank goodness for that because art lives in the soul of every city.

Austin’s weird and eccentric vibe is what draws people in, but it’s also most at risk of changing as people continue to move here. At the forefront of keeping this creative energy alive in Austin through street art is a small group of people known as SprATX.

SprATX is unique in that it’s both a collective of artists and a business. The lines are often blurred, but the end results are the same – SprATX makes art [Read more…]

Rock Opera Gives Austinites New Perspective on Live Music

July 24, 2014 by Jessica Pino 1 Comment

The Who's Tommy at Zach Theatre in Austin

Credit: Zach Theatre by Kirk Tuck

Austin is a music city. But do you want to know its best kept secret? The theater.

Yes, we live in “The Live Music Capital of the World,” but many only include traditional concerts in this category. I want to open your eyes to the amazing artists and musicians in local theater.

The best time to start your exploration into Austin’s theater world? Now. At Zach Theatre. With The Who’s TOMMY.

I’m guessing you’re not quite seeing what I’m seeing. So let me [Read more…]