Et Cetera Archives - Page 22 of 35

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…]

10 Last Minute New Year’s Eve Ideas in Austin

December 31, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by Kristella Montiegel

Hark! The coming New Year rings! As the holiday season continues and we relish in plentiful eating, drinking and merry-making, it’s past time to start thinking about your New Year’s Eve plans. The big day is here, and you owe it to yourself to end 2014 off with a bang!, hurrah!, or whichever onomatopoeic word you see fit.

Are you still undecided about your New Year’s Eve festivities? We’ve compiled a list of 10 last minute New Year’s Eve ideas (in no particular order) to celebrate the big night in true Austin style.

#1 Buenos Aires Café

Buenos Aires Cafe’s NYE prix fixe Argentine menu will feature unique dishes like faina, a baked garbanzo bread (Credit: Buenos Aires Café)

Immerse yourself in Latin American culture this New Year’s Eve! Indulge in Buenos Aires Café’s tantalizing authentic Argentine food. Their East Side location is hosting a dinner and after party you’re sure to be reminiscing over well into the New Year. [Read more…]

Procrastinator’s Guide to Festive Christmas Eve Activities in Austin

December 24, 2014 by Erin May Leave a Comment

Flying pig on a polar bear, glowing angel dolls and a snowman snow machine – Mr. Littlefield’s light display is full of eccentric cheer

Your decorations have been out for weeks. Family is in town and holiday stress may be running high, but fortunately there are still unique Christmas Eve activities and events in Austin that can complement mounting anticipation for tomorrow.

In fact, for those who only have Christmas Eve and Christmas day off work, today may present the perfect time to participate in holiday activities you haven’t had time for yet.

On Christmas Eve, Austin offers experiences not typically available any other time of year. You can re-learn how to ice skate, drive slowly past houses decked out with spectacular light shows and browse impressive local gift and art shows. [Read more…]

Free Week 2015: SXSW for Locals

December 23, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Venue Holy Mountain will host many events during Free Week (Credit: Bob Blakley via Flickr CC)

Free Week. Sounds like a marketing gimmick, right? But it’s what I consider the true Austinite’s version of SXSW. And it’s coming up just around the corner during the first week of January.

Read on to find out all you need to know about Free Week, and finally make a New Year’s resolution you can stick to. [Read more…]

A Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre: 3 Reasons to See It Now

December 16, 2014 by Edwin Ochoa Leave a Comment

The Ghost of Christmas Past and Mr. Scrooge from A Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre

Jacqui Cross as The Ghost of Christmas Present and Harvey Guion as Mr. Scrooge
(Credit: Kirk Tuck via Zach Theatre)

I was first introduced to A Christmas Carol in 6th grade. I wish I could say I enjoyed reading the book, but the exact opposite was true. I was more concerned with the response to my “Will You Go Out With Me?” note than with Ebeneezer Scrooge’s epiphany.

Fast forward 15 years to A Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre. I left the show wishing it had been my first introduction to Dickens. The musical adaptation, playing until December 28, 2014, was captivating and full of energy.

This holiday season, I urge everyone in Austin to personally experience A Christmas Carol – A Rockin’ New Musical. The music, cast and adaptation of the story are the reasons you and everyone you know should see the show. [Read more…]

Cherrywood Art Fair: East Austin Holiday Shopping, Family Fun

December 9, 2014 by Kelli McDonald 1 Comment

If the poster of a cat wearing cowboy boots on a carousel horse is not enough to persuade you to attend Cherrywood Art Fair, then perhaps the local art, live music and food vendors will convince you.

In its 13th year of offering family friendly activities, the Cherrywood Art Fair boasts over 80 artists and makers selling and exhibiting their work, 12 live music acts on an outdoor stage and many of Austin’s best food trucks.

The fair is produced by the Chula League, an East Austin non-profit that supports the arts, art education and beautifying outdoor spaces.

The Cherrywood Art Fair takes place at charming Maplewood Elementary, an historic, mid-century school located in East Austin at 38th and Maplewood. Many of the fair’s young volunteers attended school there and participated in [Read more…]

Trail of Lights 2014 Now Open! Here’s Your Preview

December 5, 2014 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Welcome to the 50th anniversary of Trail of Lights (Image courtesy of Rebecca Belcher Photography)

I love the holidays. Lights hung from every tree. Kids running around in breathless anticipation. It’s an opportunity to be young again. To plug into our past and find the little joys we forget about all year long.

The Trail of Lights, Austin’s long running celebration of holiday fun, is one of the best ways to ring in this amazing time of year. 2014 marks the event’s 50th anniversary, and the well-worn trail has some new surprises to go with the old favorites as it opens on Sunday, December 7, 2014. [Read more…]

Get in the Spirit with Holiday Sing-Along, Downtown Stroll

December 4, 2014 by Matthew Champion 1 Comment

Our Capitol tree in all its glory (Image courtesy of KUTX)

It’s now December and the Christmas season is officially in full swing. The Zilker tree is lit, the beanies and scarves have been pulled from the closet, and yuletide is quickly taking over the city.

What better way to get yourself into the spirit of the season than by attending the Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll this weekend on December 6th?

The event starts at 6 PM on the south steps of the Capitol and will be hosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA), KUT 90.5, Austin’s NPR station, and KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience.

Attending won’t break the bank because all activities are free and open to the public, though it is suggested to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations for the Capital Area Food Bank. Over the past three years, donations have generated over 3,500 meals for Central Texans struggling with hunger. [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…]

Heart of Gold Farm Brings Healthy Food to the Hungry

November 5, 2014 by Matthew Champion 1 Comment

Inside the greenhouse at Heart of Gold Farm in Dale, TX (Credit: Mike Torres)

Living in Austin provides the wonderful opportunity to regularly come across people who put their heart and soul into helping others and the environment.

If you ever find yourself between Austin and Lockhart, you may run into a couple of these folks. Mike and Vanessa Torres run Heart of Gold Farm in Dale, Texas.

Mike and Vanessa grow tons of fresh, organic food for the underprivileged using aquaponic farming methods, which use about 95% less water and 1/3 of the energy conventional farming methods require. Aquaponic farming takes waste produced by fish or other aquatic animals and uses it to provide nutrients to plants being grown hydroponically. [Read more…]

#1 Buenos Aires Café

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