Entertainment Archives - Page 36 of 70

3 Austin Radio Stations That Help Keep Local Music Alive

March 27, 2017 by Bill Tucker 3 Comments

KOOP is a hub for local music and information (Credit: KOOP)

In a world of streaming, YouTube, and Spotify, radio may seem like a thing of the past. A quaint, antiquated way of getting information and entertainment.

But done right, it can be magical. No Pandora playlist can replicate an experienced DJ selecting songs based on mood and flow. Amazon Prime doesn’t have an ear for the next big thing. Soundcloud has never put down a Taylor Swift record and grabbed a Wild Child song.

Luckily in Austin, we have a number of radio stations who do exactly that. These stations set aside the heavy rotation and Top 40 pop tracks, and spend time supporting local music. Get to know them here and add them to your presets on your way to work tomorrow (you know, in your car…people still do that, right?). [Read more…]

My Favorite Moments Covering SXSW Comedy 2017

March 24, 2017 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Comedians and comedy fans alike worked hard to make SXSW 2017 memorable. It paid off because nearly all the comedy events were PACKED. In fact, you could hear the hearts breaking among those who didn’t make it in, after waiting an hour or more to see a show.

My main objective this year, while covering SXSW Comedy for The Austinot, was to witness raw, unadulterated comedy. I did just that, and the experience was electric. In case you missed the events this year, these were my favorite moments–a glimpse into what SXSW Comedy 2017 was all about. [Read more…]

The Austinot Weekend Concert Picks: March 24-26

March 23, 2017 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

With the madness of SXSW slowly washing away, you may be suffering from a live music hangover. That’s why this week, we’re bringing you three can’t-miss shows. From our reigning queen of heartfelt soul to a funkified party band, there’s more than enough live music going on this weekend to keep the SX blues at bay. Listen local! [Read more…]

Who Wins the SXSW Music 2017 Superlative Awards?

March 23, 2017 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

The stages are down; the attendees are gone; and Sixth Street has been cleansed as much as humanly possible. SXSW Music 2017 is officially a memory. And from a local standpoint, the Austin SXSW Class of 2017 was an exceptional one.

To celebrate last week’s musical mayhem, we’re celebrating the best of the best like a high school yearbook would. Time to dust off that letter jacket, grab your backpack and toss some AA batteries into your Discman. Welcome to The Austinot’s SXSW Music 2017 Superlative Awards! [Read more…]

SXSW Red Carpet Musings With Todrick Hall, Nick Offerman

March 22, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

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…]

Experience a (Texas) Flood of Memories at Bullock Museum’s Stevie Ray Vaughan Exhibit

March 15, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Stevie Ray Vaughan Exhibit at Bullock Museum in Austin

Pride & Joy: The Texas Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan is open now through July 23, 2017
(Credit: Bullock Texas State History Museum)

Growing up Texan, loving Stevie Ray Vaughan was never optional. Something deep inside us stirs when we hear his bluesy, wailing chords. We stop whatever we’re doing to listen with due reverence. His music speaks directly to the heart.

Jimmie Vaughan and The Grammy Museum are bringing a one-of-a-kind exhibit of Stevie Ray Vaughan memorabilia to the Bullock Texas State History Museum for music buffs to enjoy. Pride & Joy: The Texas Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan opened on March 10, 2017 and will be open through July 23, 2017. The exhibit includes several items that haven’t been on display since the musician’s tragic early death in 1990. Austin, long-time home for Stevie Ray Vaughan and his older brother, Jimmie, is the fourth and final stop of the tour. [Read more…]

The Evolution of SXSW Comedy

March 14, 2017 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Jenny Slate performing at SXSW (Credit: Rebecca Adler via Flickr CC)

In my opinion, comedians are the new rockstars of SXSW. It’s about time, since SXSW Comedy is celebrating its tenth edition during the multi-track festival. Over the past 10 years, SXSW has showcased the comedy industry’s influential and up-and-coming comics.

There were amazing comedians around in 1987 when SXSW started, but it wasn’t considered a necessity at a festival that put its primary focus on music. Back then, the organizers considered SXSW to be a regional event. They expected around 150 people to attend, but over 700 showed up.

Let’s take a quick journey back in time, to examine how comedy came to be an undeniable part of SXSW. [Read more…]

Your SXSW Music Survival Guide

March 13, 2017 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

SXSW is a war. Locals curse invading tourists. Business types attending the conference rub elbows with media-loving millennials. Downtown becomes choked with product placement, badge-only lounges and swarms of ads for tech startups. It’s madness.

It’s also a blast if you do it right. During SXSW Music, the eyes of an entire industry are focused on our fair city. Hopefuls trek thousands of miles to play 1 a.m. showcases, hoping a record exec attends their gig, digs their sound and changes their life forever. Dreams fuel the festival, and it’s that sense of discovery that makes SXSW Music special.

After covering SXSW Music last year, I’ve learned valuable lessons on how to ease your experience. Get prepared, valiant festival goer, and get ready for a fantastic SXSW! [Read more…]

Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in Reopens in South Austin

March 13, 2017 by Yulia Dyukova Leave a Comment

For seven years, Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in has been a place where families and friends can get together to watch movies under the open sky and relive childhood memories. The world’s first boutique drive-in movie theater has held fundraisers for diverse organizations in Austin and donated to charities, and has been a place for local up-and-coming filmmakers to showcase their talent.

So when Blue Starlite asked for help relocating to a new, permanent home in South Austin, its fans showed love, gratitude and support in return. [Read more…]

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

March 10, 2017 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

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…]

Todrick Hall and Katherine Fairfax Wright

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