Austinist

More Happy People: Wheatsville Co-Op Announces Second Store in South Austin

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-30T10:00:03-06:00

Defying the big boys (Trader Joe's and Whole Foods) currently moving in on South Austin turf, plucky neighborhood grocery Wheatsville Co-operative is planning a new store in the 78704. [ more › ]

Food: Third Annual Texas Monthly BBQ Festival Announced For 9/23

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-30T09:00:00-06:00

If it is possible to be both insanely popular and under the radar, The Texas Monthly BBQ Festival seems to have managed it. The event showcases a large number of the magazine's Top 50 BBQ restaurants in their BBQ issue and iPhone app, including heavy hitters like Lexington's Snow's BBQ, Fort Worth's Cousin's Bar-B-Q, and East Bernard's Vincek's Smokehouse. And yes, Franklin was there last year, too. The twenty or so BBQ stations are complimented by the scenic views of Austin from the Long Center terrace, perhaps Austin's best in-town spot for a sip-and-stroll food event. They also add in good live bands, with Ray Benson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Jimmie Vaughan having played the first two fests. So why is it under the radar, you ask? [ more › ]

Food: Tyson Cole To Host Google+ Hangout Wednesday

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-29T20:47:40-06:00

On Wednesday afternoon, Uchi chef Tyson Cole will do his bi-monthly in house tasting with his chefs and staff for new dishes for the Uchi, Uchiko, and Uchi Houston menus. For this edition, though, there's a twist - nine foodies will virtually attend the event on a Google+ "Hangout". The idea is to provide Uchi fans and Japanese food lovers with a rare look at the in-house workings of one of the best restaurants in Texas - and to allow them to ask Cole questions as the tasting unfolds. If you're interested in participating, you must first stop by Zagat's Google+ page and comment on the Uchi post to be eligible. [ more › ]

Laughing and Crying on the Road: An Interview With the Trio Behind 'Feelings: A Comedy Tour'

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-29T13:30:23-06:00

Matt Ingebretson, Dave Ross and Jake Weisman are staples of the Los Angeles stand-up comedy scene. When they’re not pouring out their hearts on poorly lit stages, they’re busy recording and guesting on podcasts, writing hilarious blog posts, starring in web videos, and struggling with their many insecurities. [ more › ]

Summer Outdoor Film Series: Cinema East Returns

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-29T13:30:00-06:00

Austin is lucky to see quite a bit of indie film action thanks to SXSW, Austin Film Festival, and various special screenings, but it's still tough for most of us to catch everything we'd like. Thankfully Cinema East, an outdoor film series focusing on independent films that often have local connections, will soon begin -- brightening up the sweaty summer and offering a few titles you may have missed thus far. [ more › ]

"Girls" Is Not Racist: The Small Stakes Hipster Race Wars

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-29T12:06:55-06:00

Perhaps it goes without saying that the internet is a place with no sense of moral proportion, as anyone who's ever had the misfortune to criticize Ron Paul will readily confirm. Even with that foregone conclusion, the theory-soaked brutalization of Lena Dunham set new lows. The bloggerati acted as if HBO had allowed Pat Buchanan’s daughter to rewrite Fifty Shades of Grey set at brunch in Dachau. [ more › ]

Shit Justin Halpern Says About His Latest Book: An Interview

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-29T11:15:29-06:00

If you happen to frequent the Twitterverse at all, you're probably aware of Justin Halpern, a comedian from Point Loma San Diego whom Entertainment Weekly calls "the first successful example of a digital era writer.” Also known as the "@shitmydadsays guy," he’s the mastermind behind the 2009 Twitter sensation whose original tagline was “I’m 29. I live with my 74-year-old dad. He is awesome. I just write down shit that he says.”

Turns out, people liked the septuagenarian's blunt bon mots, words of wisdom like “A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."

In this case paying attention to his old man meant big success for Halpern (whose writing you can find here), and who had recently moved back home after getting dumped and losing his job. In one of those Hollywood rags-to-riches stories, his initial stroke of bad luck led to a Twitter account with more than a million followers, a New York Times bestseller, and a crappy T.V. show.

We caught up with Halpern in advance of his BookPeople appearance this Wednesday at 7, as he was cool enough to squeeze in a quick interview between flights (you know how it is with these jet-setting writer types). We talked girls, tweets, and what sort of shit his dad has to say about his latest project: marriage. [ more › ]

Meet the Fest Makers: Austin Gets a TeeVee Festival

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-29T10:15:00-06:00

Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson are the brains and muscle behind Austin’s first, and hopefully annual, television festival. Coming to town this weekend, June 1 - June 3, attendees will be able to interact with actors, writers, directors, creators, show runners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite series to the small screen. [ more › ]

N.M.A.S.S. Awareness Day

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-28T14:37:24-06:00

While still technically only a toddler, Church of the Friendly Ghost's New Media Art and Sound Summit, is already making waves (with its little avant garde floaties) in the whirl(d's sound) pool. This year the fest is graduating to the big boy pool with a dynamic lineup that would make a police profiler jealous. Headlining the fest this year is the desolation blues of Jandek, the homegrown ragas of freak folker Daniel Higgs, and the supernova channeling jazz-rockers The Thing with Joe McPhee. [ more › ]

Free Press Summer Fest - Kicking Off The Heat in Houston [Festival Preview]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-28T10:07:38-06:00

As the Free Press Summer Fest (FPSF) turns four this year, the lineup grows stronger and more ambitious. While the Houston June heat might deter some, the 60,000 attendees last year were treated to large acts like Beirut, Ween, and Weezer, as well as Austin favorites such as Black Joe Lewis, The Sour Notes, and L.A.X.. Where FPSF truly shines though is in highlighting local H-town bands that may go unnoticed by the rest of the country. [ more › ]

Presented By:

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-28T10:07:38-06:00

The Darkness Falls on Stubb's [Show Photos]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-28T09:40:08-06:00

Newly reformed yet still displaying the same glossy grunge that brought them quadruple platinum success in 2003, Justin Hawkins and company blew the figurative doors off of Stubb's on Friday to the approval of a near capacity crowd. [ more › ]

Weekly Music Picks - Chaos in Tejas and Austinist Music Trivia

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-28T08:30:02-06:00

WOOO, another festival! This week we're recommending you rest up and get your rock on at Chaos in Tejas, starting with pre-fest shows on Wednesday and then official showcases Thursday through Sunday. Compete in the third round of Austinist Music Trivia on Tuesday night first though to show off your deep musical knowledge. [ more › ]

Co-Lab Projects Launches N Space

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-27T10:00:00-06:00

When Co-Lab’s board of directors was approached by Nelsen Partners to outfit their downtown office space with curated shows designed to compliment the architecture firm’s exemplary resume and entice their clientele, they seized the opportunity to expand their operation into the downtown sector; N Space was born. [ more › ]

Lisa Gail Allred Is Owning It

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-26T15:25:54-06:00

Living embodiment of The Dallas Woman Lisa Gail Allred's song "3 Second Rule" was scrubbed from the more official channels of the internet after the video went viral, but now she's back, talking about her music, and has a video for a new song in mind featuring her "walking down the sidewalk of Ft. Worth...and maybe a carriage ride, and probably around some water fountain or something." [ more › ]

Neon Desert Music Festival in El Paso, TX [Festival Preview]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T19:00:53-06:00

El Paso, TX is commonly known for two things: Chico's Tacos and At the Drive-In. Well, Austin and El Paso-based event production company Splendid Sun Productions, hopes to change that. [ more › ]

It's Good for the Soul: Daytime Dance Party

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T15:27:31-06:00

This Sunday, Cheer Up Charlie's will host a very special event for the Memorial Day weekend. Visiting from San Francisco, DJ Carnita will be spinning discs for Good for the Soul, a day time dance party. In San Francisco, DJ Carnita is part of a six person crew that hosts a popular day time party known as Hard French. Some of San Francisco's best soul DJs have been featured at the party which has won many accolades from bay area publications. The party in Austin promises to be just as entertaining. He also co-hosts Daytime Realness, a monthly display of drag, dancing, and debauchery. [ more › ]

Stay Safe: Typhus Death Reported in Travis County

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T15:18:07-06:00

Texas health officials have reported the first ever recorded death due to typhus in Travis County. Officials are not releasing the name, exact age, or gender of the individual, but reports describe the person as a middle-aged resident of Northeast Austin whose exposure was linked to rescuing baby raccoons from inside a wall. [ more › ]

ATX Television Festival Preview & Badge Giveaway

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T14:40:00-06:00

We're just a week away from the first ever ATX Television Festival, a weekend that will spotlight the small screen with special events, panels, and screenings tied to TV shows that are currently airing, were cruelly cancelled before their time, or have yet to premiere. [ more › ]

3rd Annual Harvey Milk Day Conference

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T14:30:31-06:00

This Memorial weekend, GetEqual TX will be hosting their third annual Harvey Milk Day Conference in celebration of the legendary gay politician's birthday, life, and accomplishments. Students, educators, and community organizers from all over Texas will take part in networking, discussion, and education on how to make a difference in their own communities. [ more › ]

Fugue States Lands in Familiar Territory - Review

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T13:30:00-06:00

Fugue States opened Friday May 11th at South Austin’s grayDuck Gallery with collaborative and individual pieces from William Hundley and Hector Hernandez. Both Hundley and Hernandez hold reputations for strong, compelling work and yet the work in this exhibition feels like altogether familiar territory that did not embolden the show’s thesis. [ more › ]

Ladies, It's All About The Hormones (Again)

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T12:45:52-06:00

When choosing a partner, girls don't want to have fun—they just want to make healthy babies. At least, that's what a study published by a San Antonio University of Texas professor might seem to imply. In other news, expect pickup artist Mystery to start marketing his own line of basal thermometers. [ more › ]

Revival Festival 2012 on Saturday [Festival Preview]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T12:40:19-06:00

Rockabilly is a genre as old as rock n' roll itself, and for the fifth consecutive year Austin's very own Revival Festival will pay tribute to the style that helped to change the face of music forever. The genre has seen something of a comeback over the last few years, and this year's installment of Revival Festival looks to be the biggest and best yet. [ more › ]

Presented By:

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T12:40:19-06:00

F. Scott Fitzgerald, X-Men, And The Situationists: An Interview With Comedian Reggie Watts

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T10:40:09-06:00

If Reggie Watts was a comic book superhero, his origin story would call for Andy Kaufman, Michael Winslow and Timbaland to be in the same room the moment an asteroid comprised of a yet-to-be-discovered element plummets to Earth, destroying everything but their essences. The creature that emerges has the power to upend audiences from their notions of what comedy is or should be. A virtuoso of comedic and musical improvisation, Watts built his chops in the genre-blurring group Maktub. Improvised beat boxing that he records through a looping machine often pumps the primer of his performances; this seemingly novel piece of recording equipment allows Watts to build dense layers of sound. These sonic landscapes, alongside his bevy of voices and accents, give Watts a palette to parody not just genres of music, but language and meaning as well. Watts found a broad audience after opening for Conan O’Brien’s 2010 Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour. More recently, Watts has performed at the TED2012 Conference, debuted his original score to Ridley Scott’s “Legend” at this year’s SXSW, and will be Scott Aukerman’s sidekick in the upcoming IFC series “Comedy Bang! Bang!” On the heels of a tour promoting his latest release, “Reggie Watts: A Live in Central Park,” we caught up with Watts by phone to discuss personas, famous “discombobulators,” and the importance of taking naps. [ more › ]

Indie Picks: Inspirational First Position Opens at Violet Crown

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T10:15:00-06:00

First Position Opens at Violet Crown"/> Bess Kargman's debut feature is a stunning documentary that follows six committed young dancers on their journey to the Youth America Grand Prix, which is the world's largest student ballet scholarship competition. [ more › ]

There's A Hair In My Psychedelic Psoup: Ty Segall and White Fence at the Mohawk [Show Preview]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-25T08:11:56-06:00

Garage rock might have been just a precursor to the hippy good-time vibes of the late ‘60s, but you’d never guess that given the current collaborative environment. Boundaries are blurring between different geographic and musical scenes in a way that wasn’t the case to a lot of these artists’ fifty-year-old influences. One of the best examples of this cross-pollination is the album Hair, the recent meeting of psychedelic minds Ty Segall and Tim Presley (a.k.a. White Fence). The pair plays tonight at the Mohawk with their respective bands, but here’s hoping we get a surprise cameo or two. [ more › ]

APD Gears Up For "No Refusal" Holiday Weekend

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-24T14:35:28-06:00

Drivers and boaters will be subject to the Austin Police Department's "No Refusal" policy during this holiday weekend for the second year in a row. According to KVUE, this means "[i]f you are suspected of driving a car or boat while intoxicated, you will have two choices if you are pulled over by police. You will either have to perform a breathalyzer test or give blood to be tested for alcohol consumption." [ more › ]

PETA Pulls Nude Shenanigans on 6th and Congress

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-24T14:00:14-06:00

Forever working to combine the issue of "ethical treatment for animals" with "sexist ad blitzes," at noon today PETA had nude female protesters stationed at 6th and Congress to raise awareness that meat is made out of body parts, just like we are. [ more › ]

The Preservation, The Dalles and SuperLiteBike at Beauty Ballroom [Show Preview]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-24T11:05:19-06:00

Austin's east side was recently host to a Kinks hoot night - now, tonight, skipping into our midst is a band whose name and music are oblique homages to the Kinks. The Preservation formed in 2009, when Mario Matteoli, late of country-western barhounds The Weary Boys, met his future-wife and percussionist Cayce Marsh. The two toured as a duo before hooking up with California-based friends Josh Weinholt and Ben Burdick, who became the rhythm section in the pupating band. Keyboardist Andy Bianculli was the final piece of the Preservation puzzle. The band will play tonight at Beauty Ballroom. [ more › ]

The Dandy Warhols at Emo's East [Show Photos]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-24T07:24:16-06:00

Legendary rockers The Dandy Warhols filled up the giant space of Emo's East on Tuesday night. Brandon Beasley captured some of the set for Austinist. [ more › ]

Hammonds’s Beautiful Monsters Renders Natural Disasters Majestic

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-23T13:30:08-06:00

Hollis Hammonds’s Texas debut Beautiful Monsters sweeps its audience into an intricately dissected world of tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. Hosted by Pump Project’s Flex Space, Beautiful Monsters flushes out the fear and awe felt by Hammonds during the recent deadly storms that have rocked the country while also focusing on autobiographical inspiration. By studying weather patterns and drawing from personal experiences of loss, Hammonds became mystified by the unwieldy power these natural disasters unleashed upon communities and the paths of destruction left in their wake. [ more › ]

Flash Mobs: Now Educational, But Still Annoying

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-23T12:17:48-06:00

"Fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods..." begins what sounds like the Feel Bad hit of the summer, before another voice announces, "Are you prepared...to dance?" Yes, it's Austin's "First Emergency Preparedness Flash Mob," (catchy name!) taking place on May 30th at City Hall Plaza, 4:00pm. The dance moves, which you can find here, are not terribly complex but may require some practice lest you get your moves confused and begin stop, dropping and rolling during a flood. [ more › ]

Texas Swing: Manny's In Town!

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-23T11:45:53-06:00

Your hometown Round Rock Express are in the news tonight and tomorrow! Why, you ask? Because they are hosting the Sacramento River Cats, who themselves are hosting one Mr. Manuel Aristides (Onelcida) Ramirez - a.k.a. Manny Ramirez - on his comeback-from-retirement-and-drug-suspension tour. Manny is eligible for major-league play on May 30th, so he's currently warming up in the minors. If you hurry you can get tickets to tonight's game or tomorrow's at roundrockexpress.com! [ more › ]

Whale: Wheelchair

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-23T11:11:23-06:00

Joseph Devens, the author of "Whale," is a cartoonist from Austin who has continued to illustrate the adventures of Whale, Montanaface, Little Girl and all of their friends/enemies after leaving the University. We're thrilled to present these new strips for you. [ more › ]

An Interview with Paul F. Tompkins: A Very Fancy Man

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-23T10:35:53-06:00

In 1995 a very special program debuted on HBO. It was a sketch show called Mr. Show, and it was where many people were first introduced to Paul F. Tompkins, and boy was he hilarious. Since Mr. Show, Paul F. Tompkins has had numerous stand up specials, movie and TV appearances, his own podcast, and consistently delivers loads of comedy goodness in various forms on a regular basis. His latest special "Laboring Under Delusions" aired at the end of April on Comedy Central, and is now available for purchase with a variety of extra features. And if that wasn't enough, Mr. Tompkins will be bringing his latest tour to Austin for two nights of comedy called "Crying and Driving," May 26th and 27th, as part of Austin Sketchfest organized by Coldtowne Theater. We talked to Paul about his decision to start his own podcast, improv, and where he finds those amazing suits. [ more › ]

Presented By:

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-23T10:35:53-06:00

ACL Fest Update: 3 Day, Friday, and Saturday Sold Out - Sunday Passes On Sale Now

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-23T09:52:04-06:00

After selling out three-day passes in under an hour yesterday, PR reps from the Austin City Limits Festival announced this morning that both Friday and Saturday one-day passes are now sold out as well. Tickets for Sunday, which features Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy and the Stooges, The Weeknd, and The Avett Brothers go on sale this morning for $90 at aclfestival.com. The 2012 edition of the festival takes place October 12-14 (mild weather!) in Zilker Park. [ more › ]

It's a Hoot Night: The Kinks at Hotel Vegas [Show Preview]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-23T07:42:59-06:00

What's less embarrassing than karaoke, more accessible than time travel to mid-60's London, and sounds kind of like a Wes Anderson film? A Hoot Night celebrating the music of The Kinks, obviously! [ more › ]

Wait, What?! Austin Not Ranked In Top 10 Musical Cities List [UPDATED]

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-22T16:45:20-06:00

In a surprising twist (that is perhaps in part due to the data collection/analyzing methods), Austin ranks a mere 14th in a new list of the top musical cities of the US. Updated with new analysis moving Austin to 4th! [ more › ]

Burning Flipside Is Freaky Deeky This Year

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-22T14:00:14-06:00

Writing about Flipside is peculiar. If you're already tied into the Flipside/Burning Man culture, you don't need to hear about it - how it's held on the 24th-28 of this month at the Apache Pass River Theatre and all present are participants and there's no trash cans anywhere - and if you haven't heard about it yet or are curious, you won't get to go anyway because the ticketing this year was handled by a lottery system and has already concluded. Tickets, in other words, are not just sold to this thing. [ more › ]

ACL 2012 Lineup Announced - Red Hots, Neil Young, Black Keys, & Jack White Headline

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-22T13:00:00-06:00

After the usual couple of months of rumormongering, C3 announced the 2012 edition of the Austin City Limits Music Festival this morning to their email list prior to this morning's three-day pass presale. One suspects the overall reaction was quite positive, as the three-day passes are already sold out, with only (more expensive) day passes remaining at present. [ more › ]

Kevin Wilson Reads Tonight at BookPeople

kristinabarnett@gmail.com (Kristina B) — 2012-05-22T12:19:57-06:00

American Short Fiction presents Tennessee writer Kevin Wilson tonight at BookPeople, reading from his first novel The Family Fang. The book has been generating both commercial and critical hype and was selected to be a part of Barnes and Noble's "Discover Great New Writers" series, in addition to being named a New York Times Bestseller. [ more › ]