Culture - 3/12 - The Austinot

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

February 21, 2017 by Kelli McDonald 5 Comments

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…]

Embrace Your Inner Kid at Austin Toy Museum

February 20, 2017 by Ashley Alkek 2 Comments

Welcome to Austin Toy Museum (Credit: Wright Sulek)

It seems appropriate that Austin would have a museum of toys, mostly due to how serious we are about playfulness. When it comes to fostering a playful spirit as a way of life, Austin Toy Museum has it down!

Imagination and nostalgia line the walls of Austin Toy Museum, which has over 40,000 rotating items for display. While visitors certainly get a glimpse into past childhood joy, Austin Toy Museum serves the community in surprising ways. [Read more…]

Get to Know the Artist Behind Austin’s Iconic Signs

December 29, 2016 by Irvianne Torremoro Leave a Comment

Norma Jeanne Maloney works on a piece for long time client, Hotel San Jose

Norma Jeanne Maloney’s work is seen everywhere in town and you probably don’t even know it. Once you do start noticing, you’ll be overwhelmed with the abundance of local Austin businesses that take advantage of her skills in sign artistry. Her long list of clients include the likes of Stubb’s BBQ, Hotel San Jose, Caffe Medici and many others. [Read more…]

Spirited and Adventurous Austin Opera Is Far From Stuffy

December 27, 2016 by Susan Meyer Leave a Comment

Austin Opera presents Wagner's The Flying Dutchman

Scene from Austin Opera’s “The Flying Dutchman” (Credit: “The Flying Dutchman”/Erich Schlegel)

From huge festivals with famous headliners to as-of-yet-undiscovered bands playing neighborhood bars on a Monday night, Austin is known for its phenomenal music scene. But there’s one kind of musical performance that doesn’t always get the same recognition: Austin’s stellar opera scene.

Austin Opera (formerly known as Austin Lyric Opera) is celebrating its 30th anniversary season this year. That’s 30 years of putting on thrilling live musical experiences ranging from Italian classics to hip, modern creations. Austin Opera seeks to thrill diehard opera fans and newbies alike with an “art form as spirited and adventurous as Austin itself.” [Read more…]

Umlauf Prize Honors UT Students and Charles Umlauf’s Innovation

October 25, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Credit: Rebecca Belcher Photography

Near Zilker Park sits the iconic Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, a tranquil space dedicated to exhibiting Charles Umlauf’s dramatic bronze and stone pieces that combine themes of family, religion, beauty and Austin itself. While this charming piece of the city maintains a sense of old, historical Austin, Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum also embraces contemporary art.

The Umlauf Prize is one of the ways this local institution fosters the creation of artwork that is reminiscent of the thoughtfulness and skill that Umlauf employed. The idea for the prize originated in 2005 when former Umlauf Board Member Damian Priour and his wife, Paula, wanted to develop a way for the nonprofit organization to encourage new artists.

As Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum Executive Director Nina Seely explained in a press release, “The Umlauf Prize represents the future of emerging artists in our community and their work honors the legacy of Charles Umlauf.” [Read more…]

John Aielli Has Been Keeping Austin Radio Weird for 50 Years

September 20, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Aielli in the KUT music library (Credit: KUT)

For 50 years, John Aielli has brought a mixture of musings, music and even a bit of dead air to The University of Texas at Austin’s radio station, KUT. He’s a unique host who loves to present his passion for music and local talent to the ears of listening Austinites, along with some bizarre conversations with himself that have made him an Austin icon. [Read more…]

The Beer Museum Brings History, Education to Austin

September 7, 2016 by Sommer Brugal Leave a Comment

The Beer Museum Artifacts in Austin, Texas

Artifacts from The Beer Museum in Austin (Credit: Kim Giles)

For some, the ideal evening beverage is a 12 oz. stout. For others, it’s an IPA. And for others still, it’s a smooth pale ale. But for Matt Benavidez, Virginia Benavidez and Cameron Paxton, it depends on the night, and more times than not, it’s all the above.

Beer is a way of life for this group of friends. It always has been and always will be. So it’s no surprise they’re behind Austin’s first Beer Museum. [Read more…]

Jumpstart Your Appropriately Weird Tour of Austin Public Art

September 2, 2016 by Susan Meyer 1 Comment

Anyone who has ever been to Blanton Museum of Art, explored East Austin Studio Tour, or visited any of Austin’s other amazing museums or festivals knows this city has an artistic side. And you don’t even have to darken the door of a museum or gallery to appreciate art in Austin. The city has its fair share of public art pieces melded into the cityscape. Some are sculptures and statues memorializing important people in Austin’s history, others are functional as well as sculptural, and some are purely aesthetic.

The city of Austin participates in the Art in Public Places (AIPP) program that collaborates with locally- and nationally-renowned artists to bring new cultural landmarks to Austin. There are now hundreds of pieces in the collection. Join me on an art walk (or drive, really) to some of my favorite Austin public art pieces. [Read more…]

5 Ways to Dig Into Science With Kids in Austin

August 30, 2016 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Planetarium at Museum of Science and Technology in Austin

Planetarium at Texas Museum of Science and Technology

Guest article by Dana Minney

Aristotle said, “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”As different as children can be, one thing they share is curiosity. We observe it in their expressive faces, wide eyes and (sometimes endless) questions. Luckily, in Austin there are many ways for kids to learn, have fun and stimulate their curiosity!

[Read more…]

Did You Know UT’s Collections Contain More Objects Than the Smithsonian?

August 23, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

The Collections Book University of Texas

Over 700 pages of fascinating information in “The Collections”
Credit: The University of Texas at Austin

The huge educational institution that sits in the middle of our city, The University of Texas at Austin, contains millions of objects that reflect human history. In January 2016, The University of Texas Press published a book called “The Collections,” which details some of the items on campus that exemplify history and culture across more than 700 pages.

As Austinites, we either feel a kinship with The University of Texas campus or we feel detached from it. By learning about UT’s collections, this institution can become more accessible to us and deepen our appreciation for the university. [Read more…]