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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…]
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.
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…]
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…]
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…]
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 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…]
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…]
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…]
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…]
Borek loves that his business brings smiles to people’s faces as they drive in, as opposed to the body shop he ran before where people arrived upset with their dysfunctional vehicles (Credit: Jurassic Car Wash)
“He goes off every hour,” Jurassic Car Wash owner John Borek told me as we watched an animatronic pterodactyl raise its wings while cawing toward the traffic on South Congress. Underneath the dinosaur, a line of customers wash their cars with soap that smells like piña colada. It’s these unique details that make Jurassic Car Wash a successful and quintessential South Austin small business. [Read more…]