Kelli McDonald, Author at The Austinot

Guide to Bat Season in Austin

July 20, 2020 by Kelli McDonald 22 Comments

Guide to Bat Season in Austin — Background photo: Peter17 via Wikimedia Commons

Though we see bat imagery all over Austin, many Austinites have yet to experience one of the most incredible sights that takes place along one of our busiest streets every year from March to November.

Underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge lives the largest urban bat colony in North America. When they emerge in the evening during “bat season,” it’s like a cloud flying toward the east.

There are several locations where you can see the group of bats. The Austin-American Statesman park on the southeast side of the South Congress Bridge is free and open to the public. There is also standing room along the sidewalk of the bridge itself. Another way to see the bats and the city is to take a boat ride on Lady Bird Lake.

Reimagining Life With Rachel Ahern of Weird City Taxidermy

March 28, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Nine-Tailed Fox Weird City Taxidermy in Austin

Nine-Tailed Fox (Credit: Weird City Taxidermy)

Rachel Ahern isn’t interested in hunting, but reimagining creatures back to life through the art of taxidermy fascinates her. From the traditional to the fantastical, Ahern uses animal pelts to make shoulder and full-body mounts at her unusual Austin business, Weird City Taxidermy. [Read more…]

SXSW Red Carpet Musings With Todrick Hall, Nick Offerman

March 22, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Todrick Hall SXSW Red Carpet

From the “audio only” side of the red carpet, press members tend to get photos of the stars in profile once they’ve made their way over to the “photos” section

SXSW red carpets are paraded on by people buzzing about their film projects. This year, I spoke with the stars and directors behind two world premiere films at ZACH Theatre, “Behind The Curtain: Todrick Hall” and “Infinity Baby.” In the spirit of keeping things local, I asked each person if Austin tickles their creative side, and whether they have any advice for Austinites who want to walk a red carpet some day.

Todrick Hall and Katherine Fairfax Wright

The documentary “Behind The Curtain: Todrick Hall” follows the American Idol singer turned YouTube sensation and Broadway star as he plans and executes a tour for his musical “Straight Outta Oz,” based on [Read more…]

You Don’t Need a Badge to See 5 Innovative SXSW Art Installations Here

March 14, 2017 by Kelli McDonald 3 Comments

SXSW Art Installations

Tiny dancers form a circle in Akinori Goto’s piece

This year, SXSW extends its reach into the art world with the new, expansive SXSW Art Program. By highlighting documentaries focusing on art (like “The Secret Life of Lance Letscher,” based on an Austin artist), art happenings (like the walls of HOPE Outdoor Gallery represented on the Trade Show floor in the Convention Center) and sessions (like a panel on Museums of the Future), SXSW aims to showcase creative freedom across disciplines.

The SXSW Art Program has also curated an incredible lineup of art installations. Here’s a look at five of the most immersive, exciting and innovative installations of 2017. [Read more…]

See Texan-Made Short Films During SXSW With Free Community Screenings

March 10, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

One Short Film at SXSW 2017

Film still from “One” (Credit: Emily Ma and Grace Zhang)

While narrative and documentary features get their fair share of buzz, movie lovers should know SXSW offers a slew of short films that educate, entertain and inspire viewers. Although the festival highlights work from all over the world, there are many Austinites and other Texans who are showcasing their shorts between March 10 and 18, too. Here’s a list of the screenings you should look out for to support local creatives. Some of them are free and open to the public. [Read more…]

Austin Film Industry at SXSW Film 2017 With 7 Full-Length Screenings

March 9, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Lance Letscher Metal Collage SXSW Film 2017

Artist Lance Letscher working on a metal collage (Credit: Jason Gamble Harter)

We all know Austinites are a talented bunch. Even though SXSW Conference & Festivals showcase visitors from all over the world, many Austinites have their work featured during the event, as well. During SXSW Film, which runs March 10-18, 2017, seven full-length Austin-related films will be screening. Support Austin’s local film industry.

Because details are subject to change, we’ve included links for each film where you can see when and where each screening will take place. [Read more…]

Ceramics Bayou: Austin’s Paint Your Own Pottery Studio Since 1995

March 7, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Ceramics Bayou Austin

Ceramics Bayou is a perfectly welcoming place to paint

In 1995, artist Nancy Germond opened Ceramics Bayou, a studio full of pottery Austinites of all ages could walk in and paint. Germond sold Ceramics Bayou in 2003, but she recently returned and bought the business back last August. She says when longtime customers walk in, it’s as if time has reversed. In a city that’s hastily changing, Germond’s quiet artistic haven provides the perfect place to slow down, focus and reflect. [Read more…]

Do You Know the History Behind Austin’s Mount Bonnell?

February 21, 2017 by Kelli McDonald 5 Comments

View from Mount Bonnell in Austin

The view from Mount Bonnell (Credit: atmtx via Flickr CC)

It takes climbing 106 steps up a historical flagstone staircase to reach the top of Austin’s famous 775 foot tall promontory, Mount Bonnell. What is now a popular destination for tourists, photographers, couples and families was once a wilder, more rural part of Austin.

Though Austinites love to climb to the top for a quick photo, what do most of us know about this iconic natural formation? To get an overview of Mount Bonnell’s development, I asked the knowledgeable Kim McKnight from the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department for details on what we should know about this Central Texas wonder. [Read more…]

Revel Unclassified: Sunday Chamber Music Concerts With Austin Twist

February 7, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Revel Unclassified Chamber Music Austin

The start of a well-deserved standing ovation for Revel Unclassified

On Sunday afternoons off Metric Boulevard among warehouses and offices, a weekly event is romancing audiences with tasty brews, trailer eats and consciously curated music performed by some of Austin’s best talent. This reoccurring event at 4th Tap Brewing Co-op is called Revel Unclassified, and it began in January of this year after Carla McElhaney dreamt up the idea for a concert series listeners are meant to revel in. [Read more…]

The Beer Plant Invents Creative Gastropub Fare for Vegans in Austin

January 3, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

The Beer Plant Austin

A beautiful bounty of food at The Beer Plant in Austin
Photo credit: Jessica Attie

“Have you tried that vegan place?” isn’t an uncommon question in Austin. But when a friend of mine asked me to join her at our city’s newest plant-based gastropub, I knew I was in for something noteworthy.

The Beer Plant, located in Tarrytown next to Austin Pets Alive!, pulls together the attributes veggie-eating Austinites adore most: good food, a nice vibe and tasty drinks. [Read more…]

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