Culture Archives - Page 11 of 14 - The Austinot

Austin Poetry Slam: Not Grandma’s Spoken Word

July 8, 2014 by Guest Blogger 2 Comments

Spider House Ballroom

Austin Poetry Slam takes place every Tuesday at Spider House Ballroom

This guest blog article is by Jenny Forgey.

Slam poetry is all about community, or so I was told when I met my long time friend, Peter Nevland, at the slam tailgating he and his wife set up on the grassy triangle across the street from Spider House Ballroom & Cafe on the first Tuesday of every month.

Peter has been a part of the slam scene since the year 2000. He slams locally, but also tours around the country slinging words for eager audiences.

“I’ve travelled all over doing slam stuff,” he told me, “and I’ve never seen a scene like the one in Austin.” His wife, Vicki, added, “It’s not just the size of the crowd [that makes Austin unique], but the quality of the poets.”

It didn’t take long for me to see what they meant. [Read more…]

Battle of the Brunches Round 3: Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill

June 19, 2014 by Samantha Champion 2 Comments

Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill in Austin

Moonshine is located on Waller Creek at the corner of 3rd and Red River

If there’s one thing all real Texans love, it’s comfort food. Give us fried chicken, grits, and basically anything with melted cheese, and we’re a happy bunch.

Combine our appreciation for comfort food with our pride in Texas history, southern hospitality, and a good Bloody Mary, and we are in love.

For these very reasons, Battle of the Brunches Round 3 goes to Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill.

Rich History

Most Austinites have either visited or passed by the old Hofheinz-Reissig Store, a National Register property located at 3rd and Red River across from the Convention Center.

This 160 year old dry goods store, originally built as part of the Waterloo Compound, now operates as Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill, one of the most unforgettable brunch spots in the city. [Read more…]

Gallery Black Lagoon Is Home to Art and Yoga

June 10, 2014 by Robert Luke Leave a Comment

Gallery Black Lagoon

Gallery Black Lagoon at 4301 Guadalupe

Since at least the 1960s, Hyde Park has been considered Austin’s hip and cool neighborhood.

Lately, whenever I plan a Friday night, consider my options, and notice what’s going on in Hyde Park, I start to wonder why it’s not considered the Arts District. Being just north of “the Drag,” this neighborhood houses many wine bars and art galleries. Among one of those galleries is the really cool Gallery Black Lagoon.

For those who remember The Movie Store, that space has since been purchased by Gallery Black Lagoon owners Singer Mayberry and her husband, David Lujan. After almost four years of growth, the gallery offers yoga classes, monthly gallery opening shows, and even services for artists featured in shows. [Read more…]

Mondo Gallery Creates Limited Edition Posters for Cinephiles

April 3, 2014 by Robert Luke 2 Comments

Mondo gallery Austin

Mondo gallery creates limited edition film posters that sell out online in less than a minute

This guest blog article is by Robert Luke.

Austin is notorious for being a movie town. Any given week, a TV or film production is happening somewhere in town. Additionally, between all of the film festivals, Austin Film Society, and Alamo Drafthouse, there is always a fun movie event to attend, whether you’re a hardcore cinephile or an average moviegoer.

Alamo Drafthouse has had such an impact on the film-watching community that there are multiple people who claim they moved to Austin just because of the Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest. Mondo Gallery is yet another local phenomenon that has spawned from Austin’s love of film.

Originally, back when Alamo Drafthouse was located on Colorado Street (where Haven currently resides), before the move to South Lamar, it had a small t-shirt stand called Mondo Tees. During that time, Mondo Tees began to sell creative, licensed posters to various film screenings, creating a rabid fan base among movie collectors and graphic design enthusiasts. [Read more…]

Rattletree School of Marimba Imports Happy Music from Zimbabwe

February 27, 2014 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Joel Laviolette, Founder of Rattletree School of Marimba

Joel Laviolette is the founder of The Rattletree School of Marimba

Have you ever been so inspired by something, you stopped what you were doing and began a quest to learn everything you could about it? Joel Laviolette has.

How It Started

Almost 20 years ago, Joel was traveling through New Mexico when he heard the music of the mbira. The instrument is indigenous to Africa and, after listening, Joel wanted to learn everything about it.

Traveling across North America, Joel did exactly that. When our fair continent could no longer provide new knowledge, he went to the source of another African instrument, the marimba. Over the course of several trips to Zimbabwe, Joel stayed with master musicians and continued his education.

He made his way to Austin six years ago and started a band named Joel Laviolette and Rattletree. He also started a marimba school named The Rattletree School of Marimba. [Read more…]

Three Stories of Graffiti for HOPE on Castle Hill

February 11, 2014 by Jessica Pino 15 Comments

Castle Hill Graffiti Austin

A graffiti artist at work on Castle Hill

Editor’s Note: The HOPE Outdoor Gallery closed on Jan. 2, 2019. A new location will open later in the year.

There are a few mainstays in Austin I like to take visitors to when they visit. My list includes the impressive Capitol Building, which is taller than the U.S. Capitol Building in D.C., Whole Foods headquarters, where you can get a $5 smoothie, Zilker Park to fly a kite, and anything on South Congress. But there’s one place that embodies the true spirit and weirdness of our city, and every resident and visitor must experience it: the graffiti wall at Castle Hill.

Tucked away on Baylor and 11th near Whole Foods, this is one of my favorite places in Austin because it has a great energy and amazing art. When I say graffiti wall, I don’t mean just one wall like the “i love you so much” graffiti at Jo’s Coffee Shop or the Austin Postcard at Roadhouse Relics. I’m talking about a three-story playground for artists. [Read more…]

Art.Science.Gallery. Is Intriguingly Innovative

January 28, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Art.Science.Gallery.

Art.Science.Gallery in East Austin (Photo credit: Art.Science.Gallery.)

This guest blog article is by Madison Torres.

Art AND science? Though they’re typically viewed as unrelated subjects, Hayley Gillespie, founder of Art.Science.Gallery., understands the two disciplines actually merge together in a unique way.

Hayley first opened Art.Science.Gallery. as a mobile gallery in 2012. After more than a year and much anticipation, the gallery launched its first exhibition at its permanent location in the center of East Austin. It’s one of the nation’s first art galleries to feature exclusively science-related artwork. The gallery strives to make science more accessible through visual arts. As a result, the venue is building a community of artists and scientists who want to share their knowledge and experience with the public. [Read more…]

Miracoco by Architects of Air Has Returned to The Long Center

January 27, 2014 by David Thomas 2 Comments

Architects of Air Miracoco at The Long Center

It doesn’t take much for a vivid imagination to run wild inside Miracoco

When I first moved to Austin, back when Emo’s was on 6th St., there was this dude who would sit out on the sidewalk of 6th St. and spray paint these crazy designs on canvas. He’d then light the canvas on fire and the end result was a beautiful alien landscape. That guy is no longer around, but Austin hasn’t stopped being an inviting environment for creativity.

What Is Architects of Air?

Until February 2nd, The Long Center will be hosting an extremely unique and interactive art exhibit called Architects of Air: Miracoco Luminarium. Created by Alan Parkinson, luminarium are unique, one-of-a-kind sculptures made of custom designed inflatables. Yes, you read correctly. These are surreal, labyrinthine inflatable structures that take advantage of a plethora of design elements and natural lighting. [Read more…]

2013 Nutcracker Features Vibrant New Costumes from Ballet Austin

December 19, 2013 by Lizzy Newsome 1 Comment

Ballet Austin Nutcracker

Ballet Austin will be performing the Nutcracker daily through December 23, 2013

Do you have a holiday sweet tooth? This year, the visions of sugar plums that dance through Austin will look a little different than year’s past. For the 51st annual production of Ballet Austin’s Nutcracker, attendees will experience an entirely transformed vision. The tutus are fuller, the tiaras have more glitter, and the sets are covered in sprinkles. Even the rats are furrier. This year, the Nutcracker features an entirely new compliment of costumes and sets! [Read more…]

Reflections on 2013 Veterans Day Ceremony at the Texas State Capitol

November 12, 2013 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

2013 Veterans Day Ceremony Texas

Veterans Day Ceremony 2013 at Texas State Capitol

I’m proud to live in a state that takes care of its veterans. From property tax exemptions to complimentary state park admission, from vocational rehabilitation to specialty license plates, Texas has numerous policies in place to support veterans and ease the visible and invisible burdens they bring home after armed conflict.

I attended the 2013 Veterans Day Ceremony on the steps of the Texas State Capitol with certain expectations – given our state’s track record for veterans. After the morning’s parade up Congress Avenue concluded, veterans, public officials, and Austin residents gathered for an hour-long ceremony.

Many speakers took the podium during the ceremony. Multiple government officials gave addresses, resolutions were read, hands were clapped.

There were two standout speeches. The first was given by a World War II veteran with a [Read more…]