letter from the editor
t h e
b e s t
o f
e v e r y t h i n g
T h e ly r i c s t o o n e o f m y fav o r i t e B o n J o v i s o n g s must have been written
publisher Shawn K. Lively
about Austin: I always knew, that I’d like this place / You don’t have to look too far, to find a friendly face / I feel alive when I’m walkin’ on the street / I feel the heart of the city poundin’ underneath my feet / Yeah let the world keep spinning round ‘n’ round / This is where it’s all goin’ down, down, down / That’s why I, love this town / That’s why I, keep co-min’ round. For our Live Music issue veteran music writer, John T. Davis, chronicles how Austin became the Live Music Capital of the World (p. 48), and associate editor, Dana Reinart, celebrates the fortieth anniversary of an Austin music favorite, Asleep at the Wheel, with band founder and leader, Ray Benson (p. 16). If you happen to be an aspiring musician or if you just like to sing in the shower, we’ve got a gig for you (p. 75). Many people are initially drawn to Austin for the music and happily discover that there is more – so much more – to this very vibrant city. Austin is one of those places where you immediately feel welcome and once you get here you wonder what took you so long—at least that’s how it was for me. Millions of people must relate to those feelings each year when participating in the whirlwind of events that take place during the two most jam-packed months of the year. During September and October tourists and townies alike will take in the sights and sounds of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, the Texas Book Festival and the Austin Film Festival (see New and Noteworthy p. 11). Not to be missed is the annual Home Builders Association Parade of Homes, this year located in the upscale lakeside community of Rough Hollow (p. 60). The heart of the city was certainly pounding as models and local fashionistas strutted their stuff, showing off the latest vibrant creations of the Austin fashion community – we’ve got it all from Fashion Week 2010 (p. 19). One look at the very colorful Willie Nelson image on our cover – the iconic vision of Peter Max – is all it takes to make me feel alive. The legendary artist reveals how music inspires his art and the secret behind his enduring passion for self-expression after five decades of painting (p. 56). Join us on October 1 at the Russell Gallery as we uncrate the original painting that graces our cover. After a relatively lazy, hot summer, the social scene heats up with the Ballet Fête (p. 38), and Lone Stars and Angels (p. 39). Get back on your bikes for the LIVESTRONG Challenge (p. 37) and the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride (p. 14). Prepare to be awed as the aerial dancers of Blue Lapis Light float among the stars high above the Long Center Terrace (p. 12). Champions for Children welcome New York Times best-selling author, Lee Woodruff (p. 36). When you think you are about to drop from all of the activity, you can always duck into Bess Bistro or Walton’s Fancy and Staple for refreshment or nourishment (p. 64); or, check out the Accidental Epicurean’s suggestions for gourmet food with a side of music (p. 70). Then try Jump Fit, the latest fitness craze to work off all of the calories you consumed along the way (p. 28). As the last verse of Bon Jovi’s song says, “No matter where you’re from, tonight you’re from right here and this is where it all goes down, down, down.” Whether you are a townie or a tourist, I encourage you to let the world keep spinning ‘round and ‘round as you enjoy the best of everything that this city has to offer. In September and October, Austin is where it all goes down. That’s why I love this town!
associate publisher Michelle Steves
Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
Editorial editor-in-chief Deborah Hamilton-Lynne associate editor Dana Reinart copy editor Kait Miesch intern Meredith Merritt contributing Writers Camille Abbott, Brenda
Audino, Robin Campbell, Jill Case, John T. Davis, Linda Ginac, Daniel Ramirez, Laura Waldman, Roxanne Wilson Art & Production design Creative & Sons
www.creativeandsons.com assistant art director / WeB designer
Daniel Ramirez contributing PHOTOGRAPHERs Logan Boyd, John
Doye, Jenn Hawkins, Jerry Hughes, Linda Hughes, Brenda Ladd, Phillip Leach, Robert Leake, Scott Newton videOGRAPHERs Connie Dowdle, Robert Leake
sales & Marketing director of sales and marketing Tracy Stewart account executives Kristen Donner,
Rachel Kelly, Jason Moore For advertising information, please e-mail ads@austinlifestylemagazine.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@austinlifestylemagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe online at www.austinlifestylemagazine.com JOB INQUIRIES See current postings and apply online at www.austinlifestylemagazine.com Austin Lifestyle is Austin owned and operated and published by Texas Lifestyle Media, Inc. © and ™ 2010 Texas Lifestyle Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Follow us on Twitter: @lifestyleaustin Become a fan on Facebook!
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brenda ladd
I Love This Town