THE A * LIFE
Austin Film Festival October 20-27 Last year, the Austin Film Festival attracted some of
MUSIC
the most critically acclaimed films to their screening list. Films like Blue Valentine, 127 Hours and Black Swan were among the highlights. But the festival, in addition to being a showcase for big-budget films, is also a springboard for quality stories with more modest means. For premiere events, it also draws a fair share of Hollywood celebrities (including January/February ALM cover man, Ed Burns). Aside from a staggering number of screenings, the festival
Austin City Limits Festival September 16–18, 2011 It is difficult to believe that it’s been a decade since the Austin City Limits Festival was born. It has survived dust storms and dillo
also helps screenwriters and other film profession-
dirt, September heat and October glory. With a lineup worthy of
als hone their crafts and network with one another.
to have a 10th birthday party that will be unparalleled (until their
With parties and events to accompany every evening, it also provides for some of the best stargazing this far from Big Bend.
a 50th anniversary, the 2011 Austin City Limits Festival is poised 15th and 20th). Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, Arcade Fire and Kanye West head a lineup that boasts middle-of-the-bill acts that make up the strength of a great festival. 2011 appears to be no different in that regard and ushers in the next decade of greatness from Austin’s premiere summer music festival.
A True Austin Startup He doesn’t act his age. He’s a little
even if what they wanted to see was a
eccentric. He fearlessly goes after what
man dressed up like AL Pacino’ s Scarface
he’s after and he loves a good tailgate
and getting into mischief.
Austin, even if he doesn’t always look like he fits in. His name is Bling Johnson and he’s headed to DVRs near you. At least, that’s what he’d like. After all, he built this endeavor himself.
16 austinlifestylemagazine.com
Watching his Austin tech-industry coworkers look so different inspired him to continued. They clamored for more, which he delivered. “I’m not saying I make good decisions, but I’m dedicated,” Johnson said at a meeting to discuss the
By making a series of random videos in
future. His bravado motivated him to take
his Bling Johnson persona (that isn’t his
his video success and talk to FOX 7 Austin
real name, of course) in a variety of cir-
about a show idea he had been devel-
cumstances, this tech industry media
oping. His show, a showcase for Austin
consultant sought to make Mondays a
musicians and guests, airs late night on
little less gloomy. The videos included
Thursdays, beginning September 15. The
his forays into the heart of Austin night-
show is on air at 1:30am, so it might be
life. After 23 weeks of videos, with more
outside of the normal viewing sched-
than a few catching on outside of his
ule for some Austinites. Undaunted,
co-workers, he thought he might have
Johnson explains, “the goal is to become
something that people wanted to see,
the most DVR’ed show in Austin.”
THE STROKES: NICK SIMONITE; BLING JOHNSON: BETHANY FARRELL-MENCHACA
or a night on Sixth Street. He sounds like