Austin Monthly September/October 2024

Texas Forever: Longhorn Football Joins the SEC PAGE 32 50 Years of Austin City Limits PAGE 36 September/October 2024

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SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2024

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters shreds on the guitar during an Austin City Limits taping.

36

Bright Lights, Big City: 50 Years of Austin City Limits Musicians and staff members share five decades’ worth of stories from the longest-running music program in television history.

48

Best of ATX 2024

Everyone’s a winner!

Discover 167 of the top restaurants, shops, patios, and personalities in the capital city, as selected by our editors and readers.

SCOTT NEWTON AUSTIN MONTHLY

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SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2024

Contents Editor’s Letter 20 Scout This stylish jacket brand caught the eye of one Pretty Woman 23 From spirited Halloween carnivals to outdoor festivals, here are the best events happening this fall 24

24

Why ultramarathoner Matt Johnson is running nearly 850 miles across Texas 26

Beat A by-the-numbers look at the Texas Longhorns’ first football season in the SEC 32 In the weeds: Lawmakers and local brands clash over cannabis 34

26

Weird History All hell broke loose in 1974 when ZZ Top hosted a rowdy concert at Texas Memorial Stadium 90

O N T H E C OV E R

FOX 7 host Tierra Neubaum jams out at Equipment Room,

by Annie Ray Photo Director: Cory Rivademar

29 12

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

Hair and Makeup: Alicia Beller Wardrobe and Styling: Estilo

F R O M TO P : D U SA N A R I S OV I C FO R AU ST I N FO O D A N D W I N E F E ST I VA L ; DAV E C R E A N E Y; M AT T C H I N WO RT H

Will Austin finally become a bike-friendly city? 29

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September/October 2024 | Vol. 32 | No. 5

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Editor’s Letter

Madeline Hollern Editor-in-Chief madeline@austinmonthly.com @madelinehollern @madelinehollern

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

H AY D E N WA L K E R

Simply the Best

SOME ACTIVITIES ARE just quintessentially Austin: jumping into Barton Springs, standing in line at Franklin Barbecue, celebrating Eeyore’s Birthday at Pease Park. But for me, the most bona fide local experience is going to an Austin City Limits taping at ACL Live.

Over the last 15 years, I’ve screamed with delight as Dave Grohl sauntered into the Austin City Limits crowd while singing the Rolling Stones song “Miss You.” I saw Coldplay tape a New Year’s Eve special one September where the entire audience faked a countdown and kissed at “midnight.”

I’ve watched Father John Misty dramatically fall to his knees onstage and seen Kacey Musgraves lasso the air while dancing along to her hit “High Horse.” Like the rest of the crowd, I teared up this past October as the Foo Fighters dedicated “Aurora” to their late drummer, Taylor Hawkins, as it had been his favorite song to play.

The intimate tapings are one of those rare moments where you can fully immerse yourself—listen to the stellar acoustics, watch the flashing lights, feel the vibration of the crowd, and put your phone away. (No, seriously, they make you.) So, when we found out that Austin City Limits was celebrating a milestone anniversary this fall, we wanted to know the backstory of how the show came together—and the legacy it has built. In his fantastic oral history, “Bright Lights, Big City: 50 Years of Austin City Limits” (page 36), executive editor Bryan C. Parker recorded more than 800 minutes of interviews with 14 musicians and staff members to tell the best stories from five decades of the iconic TV show. Hear the words of local artists like Spoon’s Britt Daniel and Jackie Venson as well as longtime producer Terry Lickona as they pay homage to the longest-running music program in television history.

As we celebrate the city’s most beloved show in this issue, we are also highlighting the crème de la crème of Austin in “Best of ATX 2024” (page 48). Back and bigger than ever, our annual feature includes both editors’ and readers’ picks of the top places and personalities in the city. Read about our fabulous cover star, FOX 7’s Tierra Neubaum, who has emerged as the Best TV Personality, and check out awards for everything from Matthew McConaughey’s cheeky ad campaign and Glen Powell’s breakout summer to the top brunch spots and cocktail bars in town. As you flip through these pages, I hope you’ll discover not only familiar favorites, but a list of new experiences that you just can’t wait to try.

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Sun Salutations

DAG N Y P I AS EC K I

For El Paso native Molly Dery, the sunrises of her youth literally dawned her creative inspiration. The local designer behind Molyan crafts her jackets with vibrant patterns reminiscent of the Texas sky. Using chain stitching, a form of embroidery involving a hand crank that can only be operated by a human, Dery creates the colorful, geometric designs of her cotton duck canvas jackets. She takes three hours to make each of the intricate coats, which are known for their bold imagery.

“It has a little bit of stitching on the pocket and the sleeve, and then you see the back, and you’re kind of like, ‘Oh, wow,’” she says. An anesthetist by trade, Dery launched her textile brand in early 2023, but the designer has already amassed some notable fans, including Julia Roberts, who purchased one of her daybreakinspired jackets. “[She] bought it in our Santa Fe shop at High Noon General Store,” she says. “That’s pretty exciting.” Shop the apparel at Hotel Saint Cecilia and Sabah in Austin or at molyan.com. —Katie Canales

Scout Just For Fun

Best of the Fests Plug in your portable chargers, drink your green juice, and get plenty of rest while you can, because autumn ushers in the most jam-packed season of the year in Central Texas. From music fests and culinary carnivals to spooky gatherings just in time for Halloween, these nine events will keep you entertained—and busy!—all fall long.

BY MADELINE HOLLERN

Austin Food & Wine Festival Nov. 1-3 Come for the tasty bites; stay for the bacchanalian dance party.

Fantastic Fest Sept. 19-26 Get a thrill at a horror screening—or watching filmmakers debate cinema while literally boxing.

Levitation Oct. 31-Nov. 3 Immerse yourself in trippy lights, moody synths, and the wafting scent of pot.

Formula 1

Oct. 18-20 “Look, it’s Brad Pitt!”

Rub elbows with Euro tourists as you spot celebs at this glitzy race.

FLASHY

F U N KY Wurstfest Nov. 1-10 Crush the beer stein–holding contest, or just nosh on German sausage. Either way, das ist gut!

Uhland Fall Festival Sept. 28-Oct. 27 Take your little monsters to carve pumpkins and go HAM on the barrel rides.

Austin Film Festival Oct. 24-31 How much popcorn can you consume at 30-plus screeningss?

Th limit The li it does not exist.

Texas Book Festival Nov. 16-17 Introverts can venture out— just this once— to meet their favorite author IRL.

Austin City y Limits Music Festival Oct. 4-6, 11-13 3 Dance the night away to Dua Lippa in a sea of floraal crowns, glitterr, and jorts.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

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Scout Fitness

Going the Distance To raise money for veterans, one ultrarunner plans to trek across the entire state of Texas in just 17 days.

BY MADELINE HOLLERN

MATT JOHNSON CAN’T wait to get on the road again. But he’s not traveling by car. This fall, the ultramarathoner will attempt his greatest challenge yet: running across the Lone Star State on foot. Starting Oct. 1, the Austinite plans to race 50 miles daily (just shy of two marathons) for more than two weeks until he’s traversed Texas from El Paso to Galveston.

A member of the Iowa National Guard for nine years, Johnson has always been athletic, but he only started running in 2020. He decided to lace up his sneakers after reading David Goggins’ powerful memoir, Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds.

The Navy Seal had grown up in an abusive household, and he channeled his painful past into an inspiring future, becoming one of the greatest ultrarunners in the world. For Johnson, who had also been mentally and physically abused as a child, Goggins’ book was life-changing. “I remember thinking, if this guy went through these things like I did and now has written a book about it, what’s my excuse?” he says.

When Johnson got stationed in rural Virginia in 2021, he began running more and more. After finishing his first marathon in less than three hours—a time that would qualify him for the elite Boston Marathon—the veteran knew he was onto something. “It’s definitely just a God-given talent that I didn’t know that I had until I tried,” he says.

Since then, Johnson has run 100-mile ultraraces, completed an Ironman, and raised thousands of dollars for charity by running nearly 130 miles while carrying an American flag.

For his ambitious October challenge, he’s upping the ante: The ultrarunner aspires to raise $100,000 for ValorFit, a nonprofit that provides group fitness access to veterans. Johnson will begin his journey in El Paso with a crew who will follow him in a van and an RV. He plans to run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for 17 days on an eastbound route across the state, which will take him through the cities of Midland, San Angelo, Austin, and Columbus all the way to Galveston. To recover daily, Johnson will ingest items like colostrum, raw milk, and tart cherry juice powder and soak in his portable cold plunge. While he knows the challenge will test every inch of his mettle, the runner leans into the suffering: “You almost crave the pain because when you overcome it, that’s when you feel free.”

Follow his journey at runacrosstexas.org.

Starting Oct. 1, Matt Johnson will attempt to run 50 miles a day on a route from El Paso to Galveston.

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Shifting Gears In car-centric Texas, Austin looks to create a bike utopia by investing millions in infrastructure for cyclists.

BY CAT DELAURA

MATT CHINWORTH

AUSTIN MONTHLY

29

Beat The City Cycling advocate Kari Kuwamura takes a break along the Ann and Roy Butler hike-and-bike trail near City Hall.

REINVENTING THE WHEEL The capital city is devoting serious time and dollars to get residents rolling around town.

$4.5 million

The approximate cost per mile to develop hard-paved urban trails.

50%

ON ONE OF the last cool mornings in May, Kari Kuwamura mounted a bicycle at Spokesman South to lead a casual group ride up South Congress to City Hall, joining more than 3,200 other Austinites in National Bike to Work Day. Across the city, local businesses hosted “fueling stations” to support Austin’s two-wheeled commuters with tacos and coffee. Feeling safe alongside cars wasn’t instantaneous when Kuwamura first started riding, and as the executive director of the nonprofit Ghisallo, their work focuses on helping novice cyclists build that same confidence. Surrounded by fellow riders, the biking advocate felt a surging sense of appreciation at just how far Austin has come in the last decade as the city makes strides to become a haven for cyclists.

Normally, when Kuwamura is on two wheels, you’ll find them on a trail. The reasoning: “I want to run into a tree, not a car.” That quip isn’t just dark humor—many key thoroughfares still pose dangers due to inadequate space for riders.

In 2023, the capital city saw six fatalities and 24 serious accidents for cyclists. But Austin’s investment in strengthening mobility is clear, as it has vastly improved the connectivity and quality of bike routes by pouring millions into new infrastructure.

30

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

As Kuwamura sees it, the increased abundance of fueling stations is evidence of Austin’s bike networks becoming more accessible, farther reaching, and better connected. A glance at historical maps shows protected bike paths were mainly confined around Town Lake until 2012.

Today, an interconnected lattice weaves through the core of the city, while high-comfort routes can be found as far north as Cedar Park and as far east as Manor.

“The volume of places you can now go with novice riders, especially the young or seniors, where you don’t have to worry about them needing experience to navigate the system is wildly different than it was 20 years ago—or even just five years ago,” says Ghisallo founder Christopher Stanton.

The expansion didn’t just happen overnight.

In 2014, Austin’s Bicycle Plan set a goal of 370 miles of an All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Priority Network. More than 300 miles have been built since. Last year, an updated plan dramatically increased the goal to over 1,200 miles. Not all of that will be paid for or built by the city, but the 800 miles that fall under its purview arrive with a hefty price tag—$1.15 billion.

So far, that spending has proven popular with voters. In 2016, 2018, and 2020, Austinites ap-

Austin’s goal for the number of citizens who take transit, share a ride, walk, ride a scooter, or bike by 2039.

$86.60

The cost of an annual CapMetro Bikeshare subscription. Discounts are available for students and low-income residents.

9 years

Austin’s timeline for completing 660 miles of the All Ages and Abilities (AAA) Bicycle Priority Network.

74%

Portion of the AAA Network made up of protected bicycle lanes and neighborhood bikeways (as opposed to urban trails).

JEFFREY JIN

proved a combined total of $1.34 billion in mobility bonds, part of which are dedicated to the city’s bike network. “[Bond elections] are basically asking voters, ‘Do you want to continue to pay for this?’

And voters in the majority end up saying yes,” says Tom Wald, executive director of the Red Line Parkway Initiative.

Still, the gold standard for a city’s bike network should be the ability to ride your bike without thinking about the safety level of your route. The city isn’t there yet. Riders can avoid the lack of bike access along main arteries like Burnet Road or East Riverside Drive by taking routes through neighborhoods or using one of the city’s few urban trails. But eventually, if your destination is on one of those streets, you need a way to safely access it. Often there simply isn’t one. And while solutions are in the works to address those dangerous areas—such as the new shared bike paths along Airport Boulevard—it could be decades before they’re all completed.

In the most recent ratings by advocacy group People for Bikes, which judges cities based on bike accessibility to numerous urban destinations, Austin ranked 21st among U.S. cities with populations over 300,000 and had an overall rating of 34 (out of 100). While that’s more than double what the city scored in 2021, by comparison, Minneapolis, the highest-ranked large city in the U.S., scored a 71.

Among the six factors People for Bikes rates cities on, Austin scored lowest on its bike networks’ access to major transit. That kind of connectivity is important not only for getting more folks biking but also to decrease reliance on cars, which is a goal for the city. Only about 12% of locals commute to work by carpooling, biking, walking, or taking public transit, while about 30% work from home. The city hopes to increase that combined number to 50% by 2039—a feat that will be more and more necessary as Austin continues to grow, more companies move away from telework, and the city’s main highway, I-35, remains under construction for most of the next decade.

“A time-competitive transit is huge, and the way to do that when you can’t serve every single street with a fast bus is to get people to the bus quickly with a protected, high-comfort bike network,” says Laura Dierenfield, the city’s active transportation program manager. Developing those connections is a top priority for local government, thanks in large part to Project Connect. The voter-approved proposal not only lays the ground for a light rail in Austin, but for more bike lanes to connect to both the rail and metro rapid bus lines.

Of course, for any of this to work, Austinites must be willing to ride their bikes. According to the 2022 American Community Surveys, only 0.5% of Austinites regularly commute to work by bike. That number is nearly 4% in Minneapolis. Still, if you talk to any longtime Austin cyclists, they’ll tell you things are changing. They’ll point out streets they never would’ve biked down that now feel safe or mention two-wheeled traffic jams in Mueller. And, as anyone who loves something is prone to do, they’ll boast about Austin and claim that the capital city could be the best bike city in America by the end of this decade if we can get into gear.

Who you work with matters.

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Realtor®, GRI, CLHMS, CCS 512.920.2521 heather.witbeck@compass.com Scan for Featured Listings Heather Witbeck is a real estate agent affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local laws. Equal Housing Opportunity.

AUSTIN MONTHLY

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Beat Sports

Numbers Game Breaking down the figures behind Longhorn football’s shift from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference. BY BRYAN C. PARKER

TE A M S

1

8

With a 12-game schedule, the Horns won’t be able to take on all their new SEC foes, but they will face half of them, including Florida and Arkansas.

In advance of the season, the team’s schedule has been dubbed the conference’s second easiest, without matchups against powerhouses like Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee—though it does include a tough test against the fearsome Georgia Bulldogs. Texas also has an arduous non-conference game against the defending national champs, Michigan, on the road in the second week of the season.

$852.6 million

BIG RI VA LRY The Longhorns wrap up their regular season matchup against an old nemesis. Texas first played A&M in 1894 and has dominated the rivalry over the years, leading with a 76-37-5 record in 118 contests.

But the two schools haven’t met since 2011, as A&M joined the SEC the year after. With the Horns winning that final game 13 years ago on a dramatic lastsecond field goal from kicker Justin Tucker, you can bet that A&M has had this circled on their calendar for a long while.

859

Miles

Justin Tucker celebrates after a game-winning field goal gives the Longhorns a win over A&M in 2011.

Along with a new conference comes new destinations for the Longhorns and their fans, and many of those locales are considerably farther than Waco or even Lubbock. However, Texas won’t face some of those teams, such as Florida and South Carolina, this year. If you’re thinking of catching an away game, this season provides just one opportunity to visit an SEC opponent that can be reached by nonstop flight and won’t require renting a car (other than the Red River Rivalry in Dallas). That’s Vanderbilt, in Nashville. For those who make the 859-mile trip, we’ve heard the city has some decent live music, but let’s get real—nothing compares to Austin.

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PL AYO FF TE A MS

Ostensibly, the Longhorns have little reason to worry about revenue. They’re generally among the NCAA’s most profitable teams and made around $271 million in 2023.

But the SEC rakes in a ton of money—$852.6 million last year—with individual schools getting about $51 million in revenue sharing compared to $44 million for Big 12 teams in 2023. More generally, joining the SEC increases Texas’ proximity to financial streams from media and marketing partners and boosts players’ access to the best NIL deals.

12

While it isn’t directly connected to UT’s SEC migration, this year marks the first iteration of an expanded college football playoff system. Rather than just four teams, a dozen will face off to determine this year’s national champion. With the Longhorns’ pedigree and schedule, the season shapes up to be high pressure— anything less than a berth in the postseason will be a Texas-sized disappointment.

H E L M E T: M A R I LY N N I E V E S /G E T T Y; T U C K E R : H O U STO N C H R O N I C L E / H E A R ST N E WS PA P E R S V I A G E T T Y I M AG E S ; P L A N E : K I C K E R S/G E T T Y

16

One thing the SEC got right from the start is not putting a number in their name. After all, the “Big 12” has been an inaccurate descriptor for over a decade. The Longhorns will share a conference with 15 other teams, including some of college football’s most lauded programs, like Alabama and Georgia.

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AUSTIN MONTHLY

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Beat High Life

Hashing It Out Lawmakers are takin ng aim at the cannabis industry by vowing to close legal loopholes, but THC products still abound across the state.

EVER SINCE TEXAS legalized d the growing of hemp and the production of hemp-derived d products with the signing of the Farm Bill in 2019, cannabis products have spread across the state like wildfire. Back then, Republican Senator Charles Perry was a key proponent of the law’s change, but now, he’s among a rising chorus of voices encouraging more regulation on the burgeoning industry.

At a Senate state affairs committee hearing in May, lawmakers heard testimony about cracking down on delta-8, delta-9, THCA, and other hemp-related products. “With statute, we can clean this mess up that the industry chose to do,” said Perry at the session, suggesting that some retailers have skirted existing restrictions.

Some of those new rules may include measures that many within the industry welcome, such as age verification. While a majority of retailers already require customers to be 21 or older, there’s no official age policy for hempderived products in Texas. “We hear the state and share the same concerns,” says Shayda Torabi, founder of RESTART and president of the Texas Hemp Coalition. “We are very pro regulation, not elimination.”

However, it’s possible that legislators could pass more sweeping reforms that take cannabis products off the market. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has instructed senators to investigate “intoxicating hemp products” derived from hemp, stoking fears that he favors a ban. And Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits against five Texas cities that have decriminalized marijuana (though the case against Austin was dismissed in June).

All these moves signal a clear trajectory: When the legislative session begins in January, a faction of powerful Republican lawmakers will have the cannabis industry in the crosshairs.

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Under the current law, cannabis products are legal if their THC concentration is under 0.3% by dry weight.

With that restriction, smokables require a substantial volume to affect mood, but denser items like edibles and beverages are much more conducive. Here’s a look at the variety of products available in Austin now.

• THC seltzer drinks have become one of the most prevalent cannabis consumables on the market in recent years. That trend includes the Dripping Springs–based Tejas Tonic, which offers several flavors like Natural Lime, Agarita Berry, and Frio Mango and touts the fact that these beverages enhance your mood without giving you a hangover.

• These days, there’s no shortage of homegrown brands peddling hemp gummies, but where you can find these products has changed dramatically.

Never mind dispensaries—you can purchase EarlyBird CBD and THC gummies at the counter of local eatery Redbud Ice House. Want a side of cannabis with your burger? No problem!

• RESTART is among the most prolific retailers of cannabis products, offering seltzers, gummies, and chocolates. The Austin-based company even makes delta-9 butter and recently tested out a THC olive oil in a collaboration with KG BBQ. With products like this, marijuana enthusiasts can whip up their own customized takes on edibles—now that’s what we call getting baked.

• Within the past year, DoorDash quietly rolled out the ability to order THC products for home delivery in Texas. Make sure you’re of age before ordering, because the driver will ask to see an ID to verify that purchasers are 21 and up upon delivery. The best part? You can load up on snacks at the same time for when the munchies hit.

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ON

OCT. 17,

1974,

WILLIE NELSON

STEPPED ONTO A STAGE IN STUDIO 6A ON THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS CAMPUS AND LAUNCHED INTO “WHISKEY RIVER,” AS THE SMILING CROWD AROUND HIM ERUPTED INTO APPLAUSE. Several months prior, KLRN producer Bill Arhos had tasked his colleague Paul Bosner to come up with some fresh ideas for the local PBS station (now KLRU). Bosner, whose experience included working on The Carol Burnett Show and The Jackie Gleason Show, found inspiration from hanging around Austin’s hallowed honky-tonks. He tapped friend and fellow Dallas resident Bruce Scafe as a cohort and cooked up a concept to spotlight the capital city’s cosmic country scene. Willie’s hour-long performance became the pilot episode of Austin City Limits. Little did the trio know, their vision would become the longest-running music program in history.

The opening sequence for Austin City Limits clearly spelled out its inspirations: popular live music venues Soap Creek Saloon, the Broken Spoke, the Texas Opry House (owned by Nelson), and, of course, the Armadillo World Headquarters. Something truly special was taking root in those no-frills dives where long-haired, pot-smoking hippies rubbed elbows with beer-swilling cowboys and frat guys. But the moment could have dissipated like dust in the wind. If you think of those clubs and honky-tonks as natural springs bubbling up out of limestone, then Austin City Limits is the reservoir constructed to ensure the preservation of those waters.

Metaphors aside, the show was a literal signal to the world that defined the culture of Austin, as live music became a banner for the city. Both travelers and new residents still arrive here daily thanks to that first television broadcast more than 50 years ago. The passion they bring instills new energy, creating a feedback loop for music lovers.

Those opening moments of the pilot also feature a recording of Bobbie Nelson, Willie’s sister, sound checking on piano—a 1911 Steinway baby grand, to be exact. That same piano has been played by Ray Charles, Norah Jones, Tom Waits, and Jackie Venson, among many others. “I don’t believe in ghosts, but when I walk past this thing, I can’t help but feel the spirits radiate from that instrument,” says Terry Lickona, Austin City Limits’ producer since 1979.

Like a sustained chord ringing out, the show’s impact has echoed through culture over the course of five decades. Many crew members have remained for much of that time, serving as excellent stewards of a larger-than-life legacy. In honor of Austin City Limits’ 50th anniversary this fall, some of those longtime hands and notable musical guests shared their memories of what makes it so special.

E A R L Y D A Z E

[Austin City Limits’ first producer] lived in Dallas and commuted to Austin every week. On weeknights, he started checking out Austin nightlife. We’re talking about Willie and Jerry Jeff Walker, etc. He explained to me over a few beers at Amis Café this up-and-coming phenomenon of progressive country or cosmic country.

He had an idea that PBS might be interested if we approached it from a cultural aspect. Certainly, there was nothing like Willie Nelson on public TV. So, we put together our heads and formulated a plan of how we could sell the idea to Bill Arhos.

Paul Bosner, original ACL producer: [In a typed memo

before Season 1] “Austin City Limits” is a “live” progressive country music concert. The approach is honest, unassuming, and not hyped. Next to the music itself, the most important ingredient in progressive country is the audience. They’re loyal, enthusiastic, and involved both physically and emotionally in their music.

Terry Lickona, producer for ACL since 1978: It was a window to what was soon to be named Live Music Capital of the World.

Scafe: About half of the board said, “I think that’s a lousy idea. I don’t think they’re going to go for that in New York City.” And the other half thought it was a pretty good idea, but Robert Shankin, the CEO and president of KLRN, thought it was a great idea. And he gave Bill the go ahead to put our full efforts toward creating a pilot that we could present to PBS.

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David Hough, audio engineer for ACL for all 50 seasons: Paul Bos-

ner was driving from Dallas into town and passed the city limits sign, and that’s what stuck for a name.

Scafe: I found a font called Skin and Bone e s, which is the

Austin City Limits logo. I thought, if you stack these names on top of each other, it kind of looks Weste ern. And it also looks like a neon sign above a nightclub in New York. The font is still identified with the show.

Hough: It was Paul’s idea to have the show sh hot in the round [with the audience on all sides of the stage]. He wanted every camera shot to have somebody in the audien nce in the back.

Because Paul’s principal concept was that the baand plays, there’s this energy going into the crowd, and the mu usicians respond to that, and then this whole energy builds up exponentially.

Scafe: Our first recording for the pilot was with B.W. Steven-

son. But there were some problems we had w ith it. Also, the word didn’t get out, and we had such a small audience that it was embarrassing. So, we had to can that. [Po opular radio DJ] Joe Gracey got on the air and really promoted Willie Nelson [the second taping], which didn’t need a wholle lot of promoting. He already had a big following.

Lickona: They started serving free beer right away from the

first taping on. That tradition probably had a lot to do with launching the success of the show.

Hough: And Laura Bush was one of the beerr service girls.

Scott Newton, official ACL photographer since 1979: Poodie

was the ringmaster for Willie’s circus. He e was the head roadie. So, I went down [to the taping] with Poodie. I stood in the back. I wasn’t paying special attentiion. It was that way every day. We didn’t know it was histo oric. It was just another gig at the time.

G A RY B I S H O P

Bruce Scafe, original director of ACL: Paul Bosner

Left: Willie Nelson performs for the pilot episode of Austin City Limits.

Right, clockwise from top: Asleep at the Wheel; Tom Waits; Jimmy Buffett.

AS L E E P AT T H E W H E E L , J I M M Y B U F F E T T: C O U RT E SY O F P B S AU ST I N C I T Y L I M I TS ; TO M WA I TS : S C OT T N E W TO N

Scafe: I was knocked out by their performance and

by the audience reaction. I thought, well, this is what we really wanted, more than we expected.

After the program, Willie came into the control room with me and probably Bill, and I know Paul sat next to me. We rewatched the entire show. Willie also sat right next to me, and he does have an aura about him in person.

Newton: Willie’s a holy man, not just some musician.

He has a direct connection with whatever the muse is, whatever that spirit is that motivates all this stuff. He’s got the direct connection, and the audience knows that.

Lickona: Willie was the pilot in 1975, and then they

got funded by Lone Star Beer to do a whole season of 13 episodes.

Ray Benson, fronttman off Aslleep att the Wheell: My room-

mate, Joe Gracey, said, “They just hired me to book a show called Austin City Limits. It’s going to be all the cool guys around town. Willie was just on a pilot, and they want you to do the first show.” And I went, “Cool man. What’s it going to be?” He said, “Just play music. They want to know who you want the other act on the show to be.” And I said, “I want the Texas Playboys, Bob Wills’ band. They’re who our inspiration was.” It was hard to get on TV, because it was either the Tonight Show or a Bob Hope special.

Lickona: They began playing around with different

looks after that first year. The stage was higher for Willie’s pilot, and they experimented with putting benches on the floor. They built the bleachers along the side and around the backs like a horseshoe. The skyline didn’t come along until Season 7.

Gary Menottti, ACL crew membber siince 1978 andd currentt directtor: Season 2 was my

first. I started at 19 as a student at the University of Texas. After gradu uation, I got a full-time job with a PBS station for about a year. And since then, I’’ve been solely working on Austin City Limits. Season 3, I was a camera operator.. Season 4, I was a stage manager. Then, I was the associate director, technical director for Alan Muir, who was my mentor.

Hough: Jimmy Buffett came to do a taping [in 1976]. He had written the new song

“Margaritaville,” and the song didn’t perform very well because the ban nd didn’t know it, but it was probably the first time it was recorded. We had such a limited budget that we had to reuse videotapes and erase over a lot of the Season n 1 stuff.

“Margaritaville” was not used in the final edit, so the recording no longeer exists.

Lickona: One of the first acts that I booked was Tom Waits [1979]. It was seren-

dipitous because he was on tour coming through Austin. I don’t know how I managed to talk his manager into letting us do a show with him. It is still, to this day, one of the shows people point to as being a classic. I would re erun the Tom Waits show every year at Christmas as a tradition, and largely just because of that one song, [“Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis”]. Som mebody told me Tom hated that show.

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We’re in Willie world now—let’s just hang on for dear life.

Lloyd Maines, first ACL Hall of Fame inductee: On the first

show I did in 1978 on the UT campus, I remember Bill Arhos, one of the creators of the show, helped us carry our stuff up. He was schlepping gear, man! And that always stuck in my mind. They try to have everybody walk in feeling good and walk out feeling good. And that’s a real testament to why they’ve lasted for so long.

Menotti: We hoodwinked everyone in the United States.

We built a tree branch, and we hung it in the back of the studio over the bleachers. I had a crane shot that would kind of go through the trees, which would give you that perspective that we were outside, along with the skyline in the background.

Lickona: What really made a difference was Season 5 when I was able to get Ray Charles. He was going to be playing at the Erwin Center. I thought, maybe I can talk my way backstage and explain to the road manager who I am and I could talk to Ray. I waited for a while, and they opened the door, and I walked into his dressing room. I was stuttering and stammering.

But when I mentioned the show, he was like, Oh yeah, I know that show. It’s a real music show, isn’t it? Less than a year later, he was there with his full orchestra and the Raelettes. That helped open the doors to some of the bigger-name legends: Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and others.

Menotti: George Strait was the first show I ever directed

[1981]. All he had was “Unwound” [his first single], and he was right out of San Marcos. George and I started ACL together, you could say. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous of doing it. But once you did it the first time, it was easier after.

Maines: Willie has always been a freeform guy. When we

inducted Kris Kristofferson into the Hall of Fame, Willie did “Me and Bobby McGee.” We rehearsed it, and it was absolutely great. When we got back in the dressing room, someone said, “Just remember, tonight during the show, Willie won’t do one thing we rehearsed.” I just kind of blew it off. And man, sure enough, he came out, the crowd was going nuts, and Above: Ray Charles delivers an the drummer was just about unforgettable performance, paving to count it off, but Willie the way for bigger artists to record episodes. goes up to the mic, plays a chord, and here we go. We’re Right: Longhorns coach and frequent in Willie world now—let’s ACL attendee Darrell K Royal with close friend Willie Nelson. just hang on for dear life.

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The first “songwriter special” was inspired by Darrell K Royal and featured a cadre of musicians taking turns on the guitar. Front row, left to right: Willie Nelson, Floyd Tillman.

Back row, left to right: Red Lane, Don Gant, Hank Cochran, Rock Killough, Whitey Shafer, Sonny Throckmorton.

MEMORABLE

MILESTONES Newton: Coach Darrell Royal and Willie were the best of friends. Coach would have everybody over to his house, and they would pass the guitar, and everybody does a song, and you keep going.

Lickona: Royal would come to almost every taping, and he had his own seat on the upper left corner of the back bleachers. As people came into the studio, after they grabbed their free cup of beer, they would walk past the coach, who would be waving, and they’d be shouting his name.

Benson: Coach called them a “guitar pull,”

Hough: In Season 7, Kris Kristofferson came into the studio to do a

because as soon as you’re finished, the next guy would pull the guitar, and go, “Here’s one I wrote!” Coach loved music, but he was a word guy. Most audiences would be talking, drinking, and it was horrible. Coach would go, “If you want to be in here, shut up. If you want to talk, there’s another room over there.”

Lickona: It was not just a party scene. He

had a traffic light in the living room, and when it was time for somebody to sing a song, the red light would come on—shut up, no talking. If there was a break, the green light would come on, and people could go grab a drink and talk.

Newton: And the light bulb goes on over Terry’s head: Why don’t we just do this in the studio? Well, they were up for it, and we did it.

taping, and the power went out. The crowd didn’t want to leave. They had lighters, and they started singing the theme song: “I want to go home with the armadillo.” It took an hour before the University of Texas fire marshal showed up and sent everybody home. It turned out later that a rat had gotten into the transformer down in the basement.

Newton: That got the fire marshal’s attention, and they started restricting the audience. As soon as they started doing that, they made a small, intimate space that was almost holy. Told them they couldn’t have more than 300 people in there. They’d been packing between 700 and 800, and that was clearly way too many.

Newton: Stevie Ray Vaughan had done one show in Season 9, and we

were trying to get a repeat, but his management wasn’t showing much response. So, we came up with the idea of getting [Vaughan’s mentor and good friend] W.C. Clark. Bill says, “Nobody knows who W.C. Clark is, but if he can talk Stevie into doing another show, we’ll book him.”

W.C. picks up the phone, talks to Stevie, and Stevie agrees to do it.

Stevie got up there, and I mean, to be that close to somebody that casually throwing off amazing riffs and realizing you’re in the presence of a f*cking genius here.

AUSTIN MONTHLY

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And at the end of the night, I remember Joe invited everybody up on the stage, and there was this one guy who was wearing a TV over his head. He had taken out the guts, and he had knocked out the glass. All you saw on the TV was his face. He said, “Man, I’ve always wanted to be on TV. This is close as I’ll ever get!”

Newton: There’s nobody like Johnny Cash. He

did one show for us—I think it was Season 12—and he was on his best behavior. He had the whole Carter Family there with him. And boy, he was just calling everybody sir and ma’am.

Lickona: When Johnny came in for a rehearsal

that day, he walked into the studio on campus and he went around and introduced himself to everybody on the crew, shook hands. The night of the show, he was standing in the corner before I went out to do my usual intro. He was fidgeting around. I went over to ask if he needed anything.

He looked like he might be looking for something. And he kind of in a friendly way just brushed me off and said, “No, no, I’m just a little nervous. I know this is a real music show.” When you hear somebody like Johnny Cash say that, it kind of sinks in.

Britt Daniel, frontman of Spoon: I grew up in Tem-

ple, an hour north of Austin, and my mom had this tiny TV in the kitchen that was always on.

I remember walking through the kitchen on Saturday evenings and seeing the show on, and then sometimes I would watch. But it was just a Saturday night thing at the house. I’ve since seen a lot of great ones, but I remember specifically watching Johnny Cash and sitting down to see that. Johnny Cash was beyond country.

He was an icon.

Adrian Quesada, member of Grupo Fantasma and Black Pumas: The first time I played with Grupo

Top: Johnny Cash and June Carter smile out at the crowd.

Bottom: Lyle Lovett sings “Closing Time” with the ACL staff during the final taping at Studio 6A in 2010. The show moved to the Moody Theater the following year.

Opposite page: Jackie Venson (left) and The Flaming Lips.

Menotti: John Fogerty was a great person to

work with. We all gathered for the rehearsal, and Fogerty gets up on stage and says, “OK, what do you want to hear?” He’s talking to me, because I’m sitting at the table where we do the rehearsal. It was like having this human jukebox. “‘Fortunate Son,’ ‘Proud Mary.’” And he would play it.

Maines: One of the most memorable shows, and

I just happened to be on it, was a Joe Ely show on Halloween. They said come in your costume.

It was one of Joe’s typical rocking shows, man.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

Fantasma, it was at Studio 6A in 2006 probably.

We were doing the stuff with Prince. He had a club in Las Vegas called 3121, and we became his Thursday night house band there. We did that for a couple of months and then he started asking us to open for him on tour, or sometimes play as his backing band. We didn’t want to lose that opportunity, so we didn’t tell him. We flew home on a red eye and showed up to Austin City Limits on no sleep. That day was a bit of a daze.

Menotti: Lyle [Lovett] had an idea to bring a lot of the crew up on stage for the last song in 6A, the very last taping that we did. So, most of the crew got up on stage to be part of “Closing Time.”

We all chimed in on a chorus, and it was just very memorable for all of us.

N O L I M I T S

Benson: I’m watching Dave Letterman one

night, and Sandra Bullock was on, and Dave goes, “Where do you live, Sandra?”

She says, “I live in Austin, Texas.” And Dave goes, “I don’t know anything about Austin, Texas, except Austin City Limits, this television show.” And at that point, I went, “Wow!” Lickona: Once the show evolved from country singer-songwriter music, and we started featuring more rock and indie music—whether it’s R.E.M. or Pearl Jam or Dave Matthews or Wilco—we never abandoned our roots. We always have Austin-based artists and Texas music on the show.

Jackie Venson, Austin musician: It’s cool that

ACL TV doesn’t discriminate when it comes to not just the diversity of the artists, but the development of the artist. It’s not just huge stars like Kendrick Lamar. Sometimes it’s local up-and-comers like me, or sometimes it’s regional heroes. Sometimes it’s hometown heroes.

Lickona: I had gone to see Gary Clark Jr. at Antone’s when he was

like 16. I ran into him afterwards and said something to the effect of—he remembers it better than me—“When are you going to come do our show?” He said that was a moment he’ll never forget. Stevie Ray was his hero, and Gary would sit around watching old VHS tapes that his parents recorded of Stevie Ray on ACL until the tapes wore out trying to memorize every guitar lick that he played.

Daniel: I think [Kill the Moonlight] came out in August 2002, and

we played on the show in November or December. I would say we were at a level where ACL was taking a gamble on us to give us that taping. We were just starting to come up. I think the taping before ours was Beck and The Flaming Lips, and Wilco had just been on.

I could feel the tide turning a bit. Things were morphing into a different era of the show.

Emily Bolf, associate producer for ACL: Flaming Lips was a wild night.

They had animal costumes, the nun puppet, fake blood. We were finding confetti months, probably years, after that show. A day or two after the taping, I got a phone call from their tour manager: Have you found a panda head? We hadn’t.

Daniel: The thing I remember most about our taping, oddly enough, is that in his introduction, Terry announced that we were going to Australia in a few months. Jim [Eno], backstage listening to him, was just petrified because his bosses at his job were in the audience, and he hadn’t told them yet. He still had a full-time gig. Anytime we toured, it was a huge stress for Jim, because he was afraid they wouldn’t let him leave and come back. He was busted, but somehow we ended up still going to Australia and he didn’t lose his job.

AUSTIN MONTHLY

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Right: Billie Eilish brings megastar power to the ACL stage in 2019. Below: Spoon’s frontman Britt Daniel strums his Telecaster.

Opposite page: Blues rock hero Gary Clark Jr. (above) and avant-pop visionary Janelle Monáe.

I could feel the tide turning a bit.

Things were morphing into a different era of the show.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

AUSTIN MONTHLY

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Venson: I’ve always been really impressed by their bookings and their

ability to keep up with the times of the art. We’ve all had come-to-Jesus talks about systemic lack of diversity in Austin. There’s been so many things about that in the last four years, but Austin City Limits was never included in any of that. Going back to the ’90s, you’ve got international acts singing in Spanish only in 1992. People in America are too close-minded for that now, and these guys were doing it 30 years ago.

Lickona: When Billie Eilish exploded onto the scene at 17 with her first

record, she was a little bit out of the ballpark of what we normally do, but her publicist reached out asking if she could come and tape Austin City Limits. We said: Bring it on. But I was curious why she was interested in doing a show like ours. Turns out, her parents grew up watching Austin City Limits. That made me start to think someday if somebody tells me that their grandmother grew up watching our show, then I’m going to realize we’ve been doing this for a long time.

Newton: Everybody has distinctive moments. With Billie Eilish a

couple of years ago, it was just one distinctive moment after another.

Venson: My taping was Oct. 3, 2020. No audience. There were 13 peo-

ple there, 11 of them were on cameras and two of them were my sister and my husband. My dad was going through so much, so he had to miss the taping. He was in the hospital. It was a huge moment in my life, and I was worried sick that he wasn’t going to get to see it. I hit up Terry and told him the situation and they gave me the TV broadcast

Left: Kendrick Lamar performs shortly after the release of rap masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly.

Opposite page: Indie rocker Jack White basks in blue light during his 2012 taping.

of it a day or two after we taped it. They sent over this 11-gigabyte TV broadcast. I gave it to my sister, and she went and showed my dad in the hospital.

Bolf: One of the things that makes Austin City

Limits remarkable is to have these time capsules, these moments in time captured by the artists. I can’t really think of another show that does that.

Daniel: The thing that stands out from any other

music show on TV is that they just want the episode to be how you want it to be. For one, when you do the taping, it feels like a regular gig. When you play something like Fallon or Jimmy Kimmel, you go out there for one song. With this, you can actually warm up, and it has an arc to it. They let you pick which songs to play and which songs are going to air. It’s just very accommodating.

Venson: It leveled up my entire career. “I’ve never heard of you until I saw this one episode of ACL”— every single gig, I hear that at least once.

Lickona: The shows that make me the most excited

are the ones where the audience is most excited— Kendrick Lamar is one of those. It was a history-making show in so many ways for him to be on that stage. Kendrick said it felt like doing a festival out there. Artists are still surprised by the wave of enthusiasm that comes from the audience at this TV show.

Quesada: Black Pumas was the one where I felt the most pressure. It felt like there were a lot of eyes on us at that point, a lot of expectations, and it’s like you’re immortalized. There’s just an aura to that building, where you’re a part of this bigger picture. It’s not like people are going to boo you, but you still know all the people that played before you, and it’s like you want to be in the conversation with those people too.

Bolf: Janelle Monáe was a mind-blowing perfor-

mance. She was on that stage for hours practicing and running through the dance moves to make sure that it was a good show. I appreciate it when artists add lighting or set elements or something special. That really elevates the whole experience.

Menotti: We try to respect what the artist would like

to see. Jack White wanted a completely blue stage.

He’s very savvy at what he wants to do. It was a lot of backlight blue and sidelight blue, but the key

Artists are still surprised by the wave of enthusiasm that comes from the audience at this TV show.

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lights had to be a white intensity. We worked with them, trying to meld it so it looked decent on television.

LO N G C E N T E R : M O D I F I E D F R O M M I C H A E L BA R E R A / C R E AT I V E C O M M O N S AT T R I B U T I O N - S H A R E A L I K E 4 .0 I N T E R N AT I O N A L L I C E N S E .

Bolf: One of the artists I always wanted to see on Austin City

Limits was Daniel Johnston. I just felt maybe we had missed our opportunity to do that. Then, when I was working with The Swell Season, they mentioned two things: They wanted a children’s choir, and they wanted Daniel Johnston. A lot of work went into that taping to coordinate all these things. The children’s choir was beautiful. And at the very end, they brought in Daniel and they sang “Life in Vain.” And I’ll always remember at the end of the taping, Glen Hansard [singer of The Swell Season] had the whole audience singing “Devil Tow n” acapella. A nd he was like, “IIt’d d be really cool i f we all just kept singing as everybody walked out.” It was just one of those magical moments.

Lickona: The show that still hasn’t happened is Bruce Spring-

steen, who I have been chasing for so many years to no avail.

I have tried to go through his manager, his record label, his bass player. When he was signing books at BookPeople, I had a friend of mine show up in an Austin City Limits T-shirt and ask him.

Bolf: Terry [Lickona] just got an award in May. He doesn’t like

OCT. 17, 2024 In addition to airing new episodes with Black Pumas, Gary Clark Jr., and Brittany Howard this fall, Austin City Limits will host a special taping with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel on the Long Center lawn on Oct. 17, exactly 50 years after the recording of the show’s pilot episode. “When you’re looking at the actual skyline behind the stage, there’s something beautiful about that,” associate producer Emily Bolf says.

to talk about it, but it’s the highest award that PBS gives out, the Beacon Award. Mr. Rogers has gotten it, Ken Burns, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jim Lehrer, the PBS heavy hitters. They gave it to Terry this year, and Dave Grohl came out to present the award. He talked about how he felt so welcome, that he felt like we were all friends immediately, and that he trusts Austin City Limits. To me, that’s the highest compliment—that artists trust us to make their music accessible to people.

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lern Hol e lin Parker de c. a M an i kHan y Br al an d

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P L AT E : J E S S I CA AT T I E ; C O U RT E SY B R A N D S

by

Ready to fall in love with austin all oveR again?

A N N I E R AY; J O DY H O RTO N ; P R E S L E Y A N N / ST R I N G E R ; J E S S I CA AT T I E

FRom tasty delights and must-see bands to celebRity-appRoved accessoRies, we pResent 167 top picks FRom acRoss the capital city.

DINING & NIGhtlIfe 50

ALL-YOU-C AN-EAT EXPERIENCE

BURGERS

Soupleaf Hot pot

CuantaS HamburgueSaS

If you’re hankering for a hearty meal, head to this Asian hot pot restaurant, which features an alluring buffet with a seafood bar, fresh veggies, house-made noodles, and every type of sauce and broth imaginable. Think herbaceous lemongrass Tom Yum and Chinese Mala broths. Guests can also request tableside service of meats such as ribeye or lamb. With a budget-friendly flat rate of $25 for lunch and $35 for dinner, you’ll leave with a full belly and wallet. soupleafhotpot.com

While there are smash burgers aplenty in the capital city these days, you won’t find a better combination of Mexican street flair and bang for your buck than at Cuantas. In addition to de rigueur Angus patties and Martin’s sesame buns, chef Beto Robledo adds in bold ingredients like longaniza (Mexican chorizo) and chimichurri mayo. Don’t miss the sincronizada, which features an Angus smash patty, ham, and beef hot dog all in one burger. Consider wearing stretchy pants. cuantashamburguesas.com

BRUNCH

poeta Sweet or savory? It’s the eternal debate when it comes to brunch, and Poeta makes the decision especially difficult.

The new restaurant by the owners of Intero offers an Italian-centric twist on our favorite weekend meal with clever plays on avocado toast like the avo bruschetta and tasty spaghetti carbonara with roasted pork. But if you favor sugar over spice, indulge in the wafflegato, which reimagines the espresso-soaked gelato dessert as a topping for a waffle. poetarestaurant.com

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BUZZ

reStart rIta It was high time someone created a low-dose cannabis seltzer, and local company RESTART CBD knocked it out of the park. Its booze-free margarita alternative contains 5 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBD for the ideal amount of relaxation—sans hangover. After the success of the agave lime and sweet sandia (watermelon) flavors that debuted earlier this year, the brand will unveil a third variety this fall. Cheers! restartcbd.com

Get your caffeine fix with Poeta’s espresso-topped wafflegato.

COCK TAIL BAR

Saturn CoCktail Club A truly independent bar hidden in plain sight on Congress Avenue, Saturn likes to play by its own rules. Regulars love the lounge for its well-crafted cocktails, irreverent social media, and Shazam-worthy playlists. Here, you might find a punk show one night and a house DJ with a packed dance floor the next. If you’ve hit your limit spending $20 per cocktail, head to Saturn for its all-day happy hour on Saturdays. instagram.com/saturnatx

FUTURISTIC DINING RESTART RITA

COOKIES

P thai’S khao man gai & nooDleS

Austin got a double dose of sweetness when twin brothers Kurtis and Eric Brenner teamed up to launch a cookie company.

While the duo sells scratch-made confections with unique flavors like bourbon pecan pie and Mexican hot chocolate, it’s their classic chocolate chip sea salt variety that’s developed a cult following. Order the treats for pickup at the weekend SFC farmers’ markets downtown and in Sunset Valley—or better yet, get them delivered to your doorstep on Saturdays. kurtyscookies.com

Delicacies like Hainanese chicken are rare finds in Austin, so we were grateful to discover it at a humble supermarket stall—and devastated when the market closed. Luckily, this fairy tale of tender poached chicken with a savory broth and pungent dipping sauce has a happy ending: P. Thai’s moved to a brick-and-mortar off Airport Boulevard this spring, and its fan-favorite dish is now joined by an expanded menu of braised pork and boat noodles. p-thai.com

DATE NIGHT

WA F F L E : J O DY H O RTO N ; SAT U R N : RYA N B I L AWS KY; OT H E R S C O U RT E SY B R A N D S

Pizza SChool at DeSano Pizzeria naPoletana

DU MPLINGS

DumPling WorlD Locals no longer have to road trip to Houston to enjoy these superior dumplings. The popular Sugar Land transplant at The Triangle will leave you spoiled for choice with 23 styles of its titular dish. Be sure to order the pan fried and boiled iterations to experience a myriad of textures, but let the phone eat first with the rainbow-colored dumplings, which were made for TikTok stardom. dumplingworldtx.com

You might feel like you’re living in an episode of The Jetsons when you visit this Chinese restaurant located in the H-Mar t shopping center.

While its mouth-numbing Sichuan chili oil and Chongqing fish alone are worth the trek to North Austin, it’s the electronic waiter that you’ll remember the most. Just order on the touch-screen kiosk, and a large white robot will deliver your order in style. malachili.com

GLO W UP

kurty’S CookieS

If the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, then this nighttime “pizza school” is the perfect bonding opportunity for couples. Stand side by side with your better half as you knead dough, add toppings, and enjoy your freshly cooked pies together at DeSano. The romantic meal includes Italian and caprese salad, meatballs, and stuffed Nutella pizza for dessert. How sweet! desanopizza.com

mala Chili

HAPPY HOUR

uChiko Kurty’s Cookies

Saturn Cocktail Club

These days, it’s hard to walk out of any restaurant without spending hundreds of dollars, much less one that offers fine dining. But Uchiko, helmed by James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole, recently debuted a sixcourse happy hour that feeds two people for $60 a person. The tasting menu includes yellowtail hama chili, salmon sake temaki, rosewood top sirloin steak frites, plus four pieces of nigiri. Go fish! uchiko.uchirestaurants .com/location/austin

HO M AGE

yelloW ranger Old-school Austinites will remember Burger Tex, a nearly 50-year-old Airport Boulevard staple known for its beloved bulgogi burger. While we could hardly blame its owners for retiring

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BEST PUB

The DeaD RabbiT

Jack McGarry came to America with a singular goal: change Americans’ perceptions of Irish culture. He opened his pub The Dead Rabbit in New York’s Five Points in 2013, naming it after the 19th-century gang immortalized in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York. Now, more than a decade later, the award-winning bar has found a second outpost on Historic Sixth Street. “The original Dead Rabbit site in Five Points was a run-down location full of sports bars, and everyone said we were crazy setting up there, which feels similar to Sixth Street,” McGarry says.

“But it’s a part of Austin that has been underserved and has some of the most beautiful architecture in the city, and I want to be part of the change.” Almost everything inside the new space is Irish, including more than 400 pieces of original art. The Dead Rabbit’s signature dishes include scotch eggs, sausage rolls, and a traditional breakfast complete with blood pudding and soda bread. Choose from up to 67 Irish whiskies at any given time, from staples like Jamesons and Tullamore Dew to eexciting new brands like Method & Madness. Just don’t expect shamrocks or leprechaauns here—this is the essence of a progressive Irish pub. —Ruvani de Silva

HOT CHICKEN

Dang Hot 89 Choose your own adventure (aka heat level) at this hot chicken hot spot. The fiery red food trailer located at Celis Brewing features ultra-juicy Nashville fried chicken with four levels of spice and the perfect crunch. Be prepared to wait a beat as the chicken is cooked fresh with every order.

While the entrée pairs well with one of Celis’ Belgian witbiers or honey blonde ales, you also can’t go wrong with a classic sweet tea. instagram .com/danghot89

LONG-ANTICIPATED OPENING

LeRoy anD Lewis BaRBecue Great barbecue has always been worth standing in line, but we had to be patient for seven years before we could enjoy LeRoy’s stellar ’cue with a side of air conditioning. The former trailer changed the game with its new school barbecue approach, emphasizing seldom-used cuts like beef cheek, and its new South Austin space continues that tradition with smoked flat iron and tri-tip. Good things come to those who wait. leroyandlewisbbq.com

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M ARKETING PLOY

75-cent MaRtinis at wHisLeR’s However classic, James Bond’s signature drink usually isn’t the cheapest item on the menu. But Whisler’s brilliant summer special allowed patrons to sip on martinis for less than a dollar. On Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., the East Side bar poured the time-honored libation for a mere 75 cents, causing lines around the block that rival Franklin Barbecue. Their clever campaign to drum up business during a historically slow time of year left the public both shaken and stirred. whislersatx.com

NEW BARBECUE CONCEPT

sí BaBy-Q This ain’t your basic brisket and ribs. At Sí Baby-Q, former Terry Black’s pitmaster Jonathan Lagos serves up dishes like Sichuan-style Dan Dan noodles in the form of a Frito pie, or remixed Mexican street corn with Sichuan peppercorn chili oil. Drop by the bright pink trailer on Zoe Tong’s patio to refuel after a dip at nearby Barton Springs. zoetong.com/sibabyq

OUTDOOR HANGOUT

tHe Long gooDBye The latest concept by hospitality veteran Charles Ferraro (Hotel Vegas), this Manor Road bar shares its bustling patio with Fleet Coffee, La Santa Barbacha, and Howdy’s Vintage. Sidle up to the outdoor bar to order a batched cocktail made from La Santa Barbacha’s aguas frescas, then thumb through the outdoor racks at Howdy’s for a true one-stop shop. thelonggoodbyeatx.com

P L AT E : N I C H O L AS L E E RU I Z ; P I Z Z A : J O DY H O RTO N ; D R I N KS : CA I T L I N R O U N D S

early during the pandemic, the restaurant’s departure left us a little wistful. Thankfully, its new replacement, a Chinese American bar-restaurant called Yellow Ranger, has created a spinoff burger to honor its forebearer. Guests can order a semi-smashed cheeseburger served with charred scallions, hot mustard aioli, and house-made pickles on a Taiwanese milk bun that is affectionately called Burger Tex. yellowrangeratx.com

POP-UP

deepa sHRIdHaR’s bbQ bIRyanI seRIes Skipping culinary school to work at some of the best restaurants in the city like Dai Due and Lenoir paid off when it came to chef Deepa Shridhar honing her cooking skills. Born in India and raised in Texas, Shridhar has collaborated with some of the most exciting barbecue spots in town like Distant Relatives and Sí Baby-Q while writing a whole new chapter on biryani, a celebratory rice dish from South Asia. The pairing of Central Texas smoked meats to the rice staple is too good to call fusion. We prefer to call it “destiny.” instagram.com/deepa.shridhar

PATIO

Redbud Ice House Laid-back beer joints have always been an essential part of Southern dining. Newcomer Redbud Ice House is cut from that classic cloth, providing a welcoming neighborhood hangout with long picnic tables, a playground area for kids, and plenty of room for four-legged friends. Led by the culinary team behind Olamaie and Maie Day, the East Austin space has menu highlights like the Southern fried pork chop and a damn good Texas Wagyu cheeseburger—plus local brews and CBD gummies for those looking to unwind. redbudicehouse.com

PIZZA

SOBER MEETUP

bambIno

deaR dRy dRInkeRy

While wood-fired pies get the glory at many Neapolitan pizzerias, chef Fiore Tedesco uses an electric oven to achieve the perfect crust at his new East Side concept. The L’Oca d’Oro co-owner leans in on locally sourced ingredients such as Barton Springs Mill flour and Lion’s Mane mushrooms from Hi-Fi Mycology.

Pizzas like the Coppa Cabana hit notes of comfort and complexity, with house-made marmalade adding a sweet complement to the salami. bambinoaustin.com

As more locals seek alcohol alternatives, they’re also looking for a sense of community that doesn’t revolve around drinking. The city’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop is providing both with its vast selection of spirit-free spirits and a myriad of gatherings. In its first year alone, Dear Dry Drinkery has hosted everything from sober girl walk clubs and in-store tastings to full moon crystal healing sessions and SXSW parties. We’ll raise a glass to that. deardrydrinkery.com

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VEGETARIAN

Fabrik

Fabrik’s Parker House roll includes a glaze of agave and vegan butter that creates a “sticky sweet situation,” Je says. Think of it as a plant-based answer to Texas Roadhouse’s famed starters. Among the most laborious elements of the meal, the bread requires two different rising periods and is timed to come out of the oven perfectly fresh right before each service.

When chef Je Wallerstein boarded a plane from London back home to Austin in October 2022, her brain was teeming with ideas. She’d just spent five months staging at three renowned restaurants, two of which—Cookies Cream in Berlin and Ark in Copenhagen—hold Michelin star designations. But more importantly, all the eateries were completely vegetarian. An ambitious vision took root: Je wanted to bring plant-based fine dining to Austin. By January, she and partner Silas Wallerstein found the perfect spot on East MLK Boulevard, and Fabrik opened as a 16-seat restaurant in August 2023. Emphasizing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, the prix-fixe menu offers five- or seven-course options along with wine pairings. Just after its first anniversary, Fabrik unveiled a new menu built around elevated takes on classic summer fare, like a watermelon lime aperitif and what Je calls a “sexy potato salad” with charred corn and baby trumpet mushrooms. Here, we break down a few more components from the dynamic omakase service. fabrikatx.com

It’s been said before, but seriously, you won’t believe it’s not butter.

This emulsion of oils spreads and melts naturally, and Je seasons the recipe with a salt and spice blend featuring marjoram— imbuing it with a complex umami profile.

This trio of large cappelletti is stuffed with cashew and macadamia cheese as well as garlic confit made with Texas olive oil. Fresh basil, Texas pecans, and an impressive almond feta brightened by lemon zest top the dish. But the star ingredient is the tangy house romesco, made from Calabrian chiles and red peppers with a kiss of yuzu.

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C O U RT E SY B R A N D S

One of the menu’s most unforgettable bites is this homemade onion crisp topped with beet and watermelon radish tartare. It may look like a hoity-toity delicacy, but it tastes like an onion ring dipped in a spicysweet sauce.

SUSHI EXPERIENCE

TEA SE

VIBES

endo

Prélude

equiPMenT rooM

There’s no shortage of omakase options in Austin right now, but how many of them can play six degrees of separation from acclaimed Japanese sushi chef Jiro Ono? Enjoy a dazzling 20-course feast by Tokyo-born chef Endo Yasuhiro, who trained under Daisuke Nakazawa, who worked for 11 years under Ono. Expect pristine fish from the acclaimed Toyosu market along with traditional Japanese fare like Chawanmushi, a savor y custard studded with Neptune’s finest bling like sea urchin and salt-brined red caviar. sushiendo.com

It might take a while to get into this buzzy West End neighborhood concept, but when you finally snag a reservation, you’re in for a treat. Chef Mathew Peters opened Prélude as a canapé and cocktail bar that serves as a precursor to his upcoming fine dining establishment, Maven, which will open in 2025. With jewel-toned decor, bumpin’ beats, and inventive dishes like chicken nuggets paired with caviar, Prélude is nothing short of a sensory delight. If this is foreplay, we can’t wait for the main event. prelude-austin.com

Walk dow n the steps to this tucked-away speakeasy at Hotel Magdalena, and you’ll be instantly transported to another time.

Partially inspired by Japanese k i s s a s , t h row back l i s ten i ng lounges that became popular in midcentury Tokyo, this highfidelity vinyl bar features groovy shag rugs and faded mustard couches bathed in warm lighting.

Sip a Oaxaca Old Fashioned as the Technics turntables spin everything from 1960s jazz to ’80s punk. equipmentroom.com

TACO TR AILER

Yellow Bell Psst! Here’s a secret: One of the best dishes at acclaimed Interstellar BBQ, the pulled lamb tacos, is also available at its sibling trailer without the wait. Parked at the Austin Beerworks location off Springdale Road, chef John Bates’ ode to his South Texas roots shines through in his flawless flour tortillas, which are easily the best in town. Other menu standouts at Yel low B el l i nclude t he g a r lic-whipped pinto bean and cheese taco and the smoked chicken thighs tacos, featuring a chicharron topping made from the chicken skins. yellowbelltacos.com

WAY TO COOL OFF TAVERN

MurraY’s Tavern Standing in stark contrast to all the Instagrammable bars opening in Austin lately, Murray ’s evokes the feel of timeless taverns found on the East Coast. At the versatile space helmed by Travis Tober (Nickel City), you can just as easily meet up with an old college friend or date as a potential star t-up investor.

He ad t here Tue sday t h roug h Saturday after 4 p.m. for prime rib, or savor comfort dishes like Grandma’s Goulash and chicken pot pie. murraysaustin.com

swiM CluB

Drinking cocktails in the pool is nothing new, but drinks inside a former pool? That’s a first. The historic indoor pool space inside Downright Austin hotel has been drained and converted into a sunken dining room that shares an underground window with the outdoor swimming area. Watch guests splash around as you sip island-worthy cocktails inside the popular social club, or head outside for a dip. swimclubaustin.com

WINE BAR

C.l. BuTaud Texas wines have come a long way in recent years, and C.L. Butaud has helped elevate that trend with its stellar vino made from 100% statewide-grown grapes. Grab a seat under the silver disco ball at its eye-catching new tasting room in the St. Elmo District, where you can enjoy a refreshing albariño or a chilled counoise to combat any lingering autumn heat. clbutaud.com

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Shopping & Style ACCESSORIES

Yellow Rose bY KendRa scott Between Beyoncé launching her first country album and the CMT Music Awards returning to the capital city, it’s been a big year for country in Texas. So, the timing couldn’t have been better for Austin’s most famous jewelry designer to debut her new ranch-inspired brand extension.

Featuring horseshoe necklaces, turquoise-hued accents, and vintage-inspired bolo ties, Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott has already been spotted on country stars such as Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert. Keep your eyes peeled for its first official store, slated to open on South Congress this fall. kendrascott.com/yellow-rose.html

ALFRESCO PLATEWARE

Made In We already loved the kitchen essentials from this cheffavorite cookware line, which are utilized in the awardwinning kitchens of hot spots like Birdie’s and La Condesa. But this past summer, the Austin brand expanded its offerings with beautiful melamine outdoor plateware sets, which are scratchproof and durable enough to withstand the elements. Poolside dining never looked so good. madeincookware.com

BABY GEAR Necessity is the mother of invention—especially when you’re a mom. As college best friends Jennifer Zimmer and Ashley Gooch realized that their kids’ bibs were outdated, the entrepreneurs decided to create their own dynamic design. “The bibs today take so long to put on; it’s so easy for them to rip off,” Zimmer says. “When we came down to it, it was like, ‘OK, well a magnet makes sense.’” The two started Babynetic to feature a silicone bib that eschews buttons in favor of its magnetic closure, which snaps together with ease and stays secure. Instead of cluttering the counter, their version can easily stick to the fridge and be thrown in the dishwasher for a quick rinse. Launched in May, the products are sold on Amazon and at Enlightened Baby, and their magnetic empire is set to keep growing: The arrival of Pima cotton onesies with their patented closures is due later this year. Oh, baby! babynetic.com

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C O U RT E SY B R A N D S

BaBynetic

BENEVOLENT MISSION

Heartening After Kelley Rytlewski got laid off from her tech job in 2023, she sought out a way to cope with depression and began to devote her time to helping others. Rytlewski started collecting miscellaneous clothing items from estate sales and friends, organizing the garments in her living room and delivering them to local causes. A year and a half later, Heartening is powered by more than 100 volunteers and donates over 10,000 pieces monthly to people in Austin—all from a tiny 390-square-foot sorting room. heartening.org

FLOR AL CONCEPT

Flor Keeps At Flor Keeps, dried flowers have never felt so, well, fresh. The company sells eye-catching preserved and freeze-dried blooms that require no water and last over a year. Check out its new Gen Z–approved South Austin location, which has upbeat music and a rainbow of options on its TikTok-worthy flower wall. Grab a bouquet for your table, a wreath for your door, or just stop to smell the (preserved) roses. florkeeps.com

BOOKSTORE

FR A MES

First ligHt BooKs

FraMeBriDge

How do we love thee, First Light? Let us count the ways.

For one , t he i ndep endent bookstore is located inside the former Hyde Park post office, which has been retrofitted into a hip community gathering space complete with a micro grocer and French restaurant.

Its membership program offers free book deliver y within a 5-mile radius, and the shop hosts curated events like Silent Book Club, a nostalgic nod to the D.E.A.R. (drop everything and read) days of our youth. firstlightaustin.com

A newcomer to Central Austin, this national custom framing company shows its local flair with a gallery wall featuring everything from a signed Vince Young jersey and Austin City Limits poster to a mini framed Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar. The store even commissioned a custom print from local artist Will Bryant, with a multicolored design that would suit the home of any stylish Austinite. framebridge.com

C ANINE GEAR

Mazie Days

Mazie Days

A dog mom to three rescue pups, Ashley Miller dreamed of owning a bag that was practical enough for daily walks but stylish enough for dinner dates.

So, she decided to create her own versatile line of vegan leather crossbody designs and fanny packs, which feature a hidden slit that can function as a poop bag dispenser—so you won’t have to fumble through your purse after Fido does his business. maziedays.com

HAT SHOP

trovaDor Since bursting on the scene five years ago, Ryan McGrath has made a splash with his handmade custom hats, which fit within one-eighth of an inch of a customer’s measurements. Now, those ethically sourced beaver felt headpieces and handwoven straw hats have a trendy home on East Cesar Chavez at the artisan’s new hat studio, art gallery, and lounge. Peruse large-scale photography from Rodney Bursiel as you try on ready-towear pieces—or even rent a hat for your next adventure. trovadorcustoms.com

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LOUNGEWEAR

KATie Kime Sweet dreams are made of these sleepwear pieces, which make us want to throw a slumber party. After celebrating its 10-year-anniversary last year, Katie Kime continues to dominate the pajama and robe space with city-themed toile sets and cheeky wraps featuring bold patterns like oysters or surfboards.

Go ahead, curl up on the couch in style. You deserve it. katiekime.com

LEGGINGS When it comes to fitness gear for women, there’s an ongoing battle between fashion and functionality. For those who want the style of Lululemon with the athletic capabilities of Nike, TONA Activewear is the perfect lovechild. A former designer for both brands worked to create her own legging for “girls who gym.” The innovat ive de sig n fe at ure s a flattering, curve-hugging shape that retains its compression and won’t slide down during squats or yoga folds. tonaactive.com

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May/June 2024

SALON

mirrOr mirrOr With stunning architecture by DesignTrait and warm interiors

by Claire Zinnecker Design, Mirror Mirror’s new outpost at The Grove just emanates good vibes. The two-story salon owned by Martha Lynn Kale features abundant natural light, high ceilings, and gorgeous stations designed with white oak cabinetry. It’s a welcoming place to get everything from balayage to a blowout, and even the pink-hued shampoo room is super chic, featuring some of the most comfortable chairs and wash bowls in the city. mirrormirroraustin.com

▲ The shampoo room at Mirror Mirror has a calming pink hue.

VINTAGE

HOwdy’s viNTAge In the blink of an eye, the stretch of Manor Road between Walnut and Alexander Avenues has evolved into the hottest thoroughfare in East Austin, thanks in large part to the arrival of Howdy’s in early 2023. The vintage shop specializes in Western and Americana-style clothing, from bolo ties and cowboy boots to throwback tees and trucker hats. The store shares a shaded backyard space with La Santa Barbacha and Fleet Coffee, so it’s a great spot to enjoy a flat white and taco before (or after) you browse.

Don’t miss its bi-monthly vintage market, where more than 10 other local vendors set up outside its shop. instagram.com/shophowdys

M I R R O R M I R R O R : M O L LY W I N T E R S C U LV E R ; OT H E R S C O U RT E SY B R A N D S

TONA AcTiveweAr

SUSTAINABLE ST YLE

Abbey DyeD On Wednesday mornings, Abbey Simpson heads to the back of a local flower company to sort through its trash. “I have a stepladder and stick and gloves, and I am that embarrassing person in their dumpster,” she says with a laugh. The former dye studio manager for Miranda Bennett Studio decided to go solo after her employer closed up shop in 2023. Now, Simpson finds natural and discarded items to make her own colorants, which range from Mexican mint marigolds (yellow) and onion skins (orange) to cochineal (hot pink).

For her handmade pieces, the artisan utilizes eco printing, where she puts plants or powders into a fiber, rolls it up, and steams it for an hour, depositing the vibrant hues. She teaches workshops that can suit large bachelorette parties just as easily as one attendee. With sustainability in mind, Simpson also encourages customers to send her items that she can bring back to life: “My favorite thing to do is when someone’s like, ‘I have this amazing top from Jesse Kamm, and I have this stain on it or it’s just like a dingy white. Can you make it something new?’” Sometimes, dyeing means rebirth. instagram.com/abbeydyed

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Jacoby Plunges Never mind late nights at the bar: Jacoby Kang dreamed up a bright and early way to meet new people—and literally chill with them. Through his invigorating cold plunge socials, individuals can connect and commiserate during friendly ice baths at hip locales such as Pershing Hall. Endure a quick communa l dip i n t he f r ig id water, then enjoy coffee, conversation, and beats from live DJs. What’s cooler than being cool? Ice cold! jacobyplunges.com

ROLE M ODEL

as Gabby Thom

STAR ESTHETICIAN

Ca rp ent er

Renée Rouleau

Re né ri n eR ab ouleau and S

SPA

ViVa Day sPa Fourth time’s the charm for t h i s ne a rly 2 0 -ye a r - old brand, which opened location No. 4 in Round Rock last fall. Nestled in a gorgeous Vi va Day

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Victorian-style building, the new spa dazzles with an infrared sauna, jewel-toned rela x ation room s, a nd a range of packages: think everything from romantic couples’ treatments to an ultra-practical “head trip” spa service, which helps melt away migraines and headache pain. vivadayspa.com

a

Slow and steady wins the race is an unexpectedly apt metaphor for this sprinter.

The track star nabbed silver and bronze medals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but she was just getting warmed up. In addition to earning her master’s in public health at the University of Texas and volunteering at a clinic for t he un i n s ured, Thoma s continued to train, ultimately qualifying for the 2024 Paris games. In August, the Austinite’s hard work paid off as she won gold in three events, first dominating the competition with a time of 21.83 seconds in the 200-meter final, then taking home the top prize in the 4x100- and 4x400-meter team relay finals. Catch her if you can! instagram.com/ gabbythomas

Sp

What do Sabrina Carpenter, Keke Pa l mer, a nd D em i Lovato have in common?

They’re all longtime devotees of Renée Rouleau and her famed facials. When the Austin-based beauty guru isn’t jet-setting to Hollywood to help her clients’ skin radiate on the red carpet, she’s here in the capital city running her 28-year-old eponymous skin care line, which includes fan favorites like the triple berry smoothing peel (a go-to for Lovato). reneerouleau.com

G A B BY T H O M AS : M I C H A E L ST E E L E / STA F F/G E T T Y; M E N AG E R I E : AV E RY M A RT I N ; C O U RT E SY B R A N D S

gabby Thomas

a

Travel & Wellness

COOL HANGOUT

BON VIVANT

Alex OjedA For Alex Ojeda, adrenaline is an art form.

The intrepid local has amassed an audience of 14 million followers on social media posting videos about freefalling waterslides, towering ziplines, and awe-inspiring bungee jumps across the globe. With a knack for creating engaging content, the 22-year-old has been going viral since his high school days in Round Rock, when he would make humorous videos with his grandmother while playing Fortnite. But in the last few years, the Mexico City native has really made a splash with his thrill-seeking reels, using waterproof action cameras that shoot 360-degree videos as he barrels down slides everywhere from

Germany to the Bahamas. His favorite new attraction is the world’s tallest drop waterslide, the 260-foot-high Vertigo, located in Doha, Qatar. “You go to a regular waterpark in the U.S., it’s going to be 15 seconds drop down,” he says. “But this was a minute and a half of just straight sliding.” While braving thrills for a living might seem like a walk in the park, it’s Ojeda’s attention to detail that makes his content sing: The Royal Caribbean global creator ambassador often records a ride up to 10 times for varied perspectives, running up and down towers and getting aerial drone footage to perfect the shot. So, where in the world is Alex Ojeda?

Find out at tiktok.com/@alexojeda.

YOGA

Y7 STudio If you associate candlelit yoga with slow movements and extended savasana, think again. Y7’s dimly lit vinyasa classes feature infrared heating technology and bumpin’ beats that will leave you totally pumped up—and drenched in sweat. With cult followings in NYC and LA, the studio opened its first Austin location on South Lamar this January, where yogis can take a break from distractions and focus on their breath as they perspire in the dark. y7-studio.com

YOUTHFUL GLO W ST YLISH GETAWAY

The Menagerie Maximalism hits its peak at this lavish new private estate vacation rental in Fredericksburg, which has already caught the eye of national publications like Architectural Digest. A rainbow of vibrant colors and boldly patterned wallpaper adorn these enchanting suites and bungalows bearing cheeky names such as “Temptress” and “A Little Bit Alexis.” With design by Austin-based companies Sarah Stacey Interior Design (interiors) and Twistleaf Land Design (landscaping), the property has all the urban panache you’d find in a big city—but retains its small-town charm. themenagerietx.com The Menagerie

Skin PharM’S gold infuSion There’s a reason that fresh-faced celebrities like musician Kelsea Ballerini and supermodel Taylor Hill can’t get enough of Skin Pharm. The Nashville-based skin care clinic, which debuted a Westlake location this spring, pairs a buzzy spa-like environment with medical-grade technology.

For an innovative anti-aging treatment, go for the Gold Infusion, a cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants that are gently stamped onto the skin via a painless device made of 24-karat mini needles. The hydrating treatment will leave your skin glowing for not just days, but weeks. skinpharm.com

WELLNESS HUB

CenTrd Y7 Studio

The moment you take off your shoes and step into this Zen oasis off bustling Cesar Chavez, you’ll immediately feel your blood pressure plummet. Reap the benefits of contrast therapy as you sweat it out in one of the group sauna pods with a pal and then cold plunge side by side in twin ice baths.

For those who prefer solitude, book a session in the Rechrg Room, which combines red light and sound therapies for a tranquil sonic experience that will put you in a dream-like state. centrdstudio.com

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PeoPle & Culture AD C A MPAIGN

Pantalones tequila The phrase “bottoms up” took on a whole new meaning as Matthew and Camila McConaughey launched their own organic tequila company last October with a string of sexy ads. The Austin power couple poked fun at the seriousness of other celebrity-owned booze brands by hamming it up in their promos, which included blurred-out photos of them playing pickleball, doing laundry, and even grilling out sans pants. pantalonestequila.com

AUTHOR

May Cobb It’s been a banner year for this local author, who’s making her mark in Texas and Tinseltown. In addition to publishing her fifth novel, The Hollywood Assistant, May Cobb served as executive producer for the adaptation of her popular book The Hunting Wives, which will become an eightepisode STARZ series with Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow. Featuring sex, murder, and misbehaving housewives, the upcoming drama is destined to be must-see TV. maycobb.com

COLLABOR ATION

Always thoughtful about paying homage to the culture that came before it, Austin FC provided another example of that reverence this past February: The club partnered with the founders of famed music venue Armadillo World Headquarters to revive the entity for a showcase at ACL Live with a performance

by Asleep at the Wheel. The event worked as a relaunch of the brand with new merchandise and a promise that a feature documentary is on the way— so, keep your cosmic cowboy signal tuned to that station. armadilloworld.com

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tHe austin PoWer CouPle Poked Fun at tHe seriousness oF otHer Celebrity-oWned booze brands by HaMMing it uP in tHeir ProMos,

J O H N RU S S O

austin FC and arMadillo World Headquarters

BAND COLLEGE FOOTBALL A MBA SSADOR

Quinn EwErs

B E I N G D E A D : J A D E S KY E H A M M E R ; DAWA : R O B E RT H E I N

The Longhorns have ascended to greatness in recent years, finishing last season with an appearance in the College Football Playoffs. The team opened this season ranked No. 4 in the country, its highest preseason designation since 2009, when they last played in the national championship. Much of that success is owed to senior quarterback Quinn Ewers, who finds himself positioned as the face of college football this year. Don’t believe us? Just check out the cover photo for video game EA Sports College Football 25, which features the Longhorn signal caller.

CO M M UNIT Y INCUBATOR

DAwA Founded in 2019 as a means of honoring BIPOC musicians, teachers, social workers, and entrepreneurs through financial support, this 501(c) (3) celebrates its fifth anniversary this September. In that time, the org has dispersed more than $300,000 with the mission of “giving to the givers.” Last November, DAWA moved into a new headquarters on Springdale Road, where they rent studio space and host live podcasts, tech talks, and social mixers. Think of it as an analog kickstarter for Austinites with big dreams and great ideas. dawaheals.org

Being DeaD

Don’t let the macabre nature of the moniker fool you: This indie rock duo moves with an undeniable zest for life. Multi-instrumentalists Falcon and Shmoofy (formerly known as Gumball) create punk-tinged songs that jump restlessly from upbeat and melodic to talky and disjointed. Like a more twee version of the Pixies, if angst were replaced by unfettered joy and a Gen Z tendency to not take anything too seriously. These songs are the perfect soundtrack for sitting on the floor while your bestie gives you a stick-and-poke tattoo of a slice of pizza. Said simply, Being Dead knows how to have fun, and that energy is contagious for listeners.

Since forming in 2017, the band has steadily entrenched itself as one of Austin’s buzziest acts. Which is likely why ACL Fest booked them to perform during the second weekend of this year’s event. That achievement will arrive just weeks after the Sept.

27 release of the pair’s sophomore album, Eels, which boasts some of their most dynamic and dexterous songs yet. If you ask Falcon, she’ll enthusiastically tell you that we have eels in Barton Springs—she’s bought a diving mask and is determined to see one. She’ll also remind you of a fact that biologists still don’t fully understand: Almost every eel in the world was born in the same place, the Sargasso Sea in the Bermuda Triangle. In that way, the band has quite a bit in common with its new album’s namesake—impossible to pin down, yet decidedly awesome.

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GR ADUATION SURPRISE

Tiff’s TreaTs As Tiff’s Treats co-founder Leon Chen capped off his spring commencement address for U T ’s McCombs School of Business, he provided an unexpected gift for students. Chen told the graduates: “Lift your heads up and just look around. Because if you don’t, you might miss out on some pretty cool things in life. When I say lift your heads up, I mean literally, there’s Tiff’s Treats falling from the sky.” The local company then dropped the sweetest surprise: boxes of cookies on tiny parachutes that fell to the delighted crowd below.

M A SCOT

Ever since counterculture artist Jim Franklin popularized the armadillo, the critter has been embedded in the capital city’s zeitgeist. (It was even made the official small mammal of Texas in 1995.) This year, Austin FC named their new jerseys after the iconic creature and invited a real-life armadillo named Speed Bump to make appearances at Q2 Stadium during halftime. According to the mascot’s handler, Swift Sparks, this peculiar little guy loves swimming and spends up to 18 hours a day sleeping— making him perfectly at home in a city renowned for spring-fed pools and slackers.

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C H E LS E A PU R G A H N /AU ST I N FC

speed bump The armadillo

TV PERSONALITY

Tierra Neubaum Depending on the day, Tierra Neubaum might be a dolphin trainer, soccer goalie, or sushi chef. The feature reporter gets to moonlight as all types of professions as she covers lifestyle happenings across Central Texas via her popular Good Day Austin segments. With her infectious enthusiasm, the on-camera personality has been an essential part of the FOX 7 team since joining the station in 2018. But it’s her willingness to fully commit to each story—whether she’s serving guests at the drive-thru on National Whataburger Day or having a shootout with Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver— that has made Neubaum a bona fide star in local television.

“I love thrill,” she says. “I’m learning how to do a trapeze, they’re telling me to let go, and I’m hoping to grab onto this dude’s hands as we’re flying over a net. Those segments are really fun for me.”

From a young age, the Houston native enjoyed performing—she’d often record dance videos to Hilary Duff and took voice lessons with hopes of becoming a singer. While she began college in San Antonio studying nutrition, her love of athletics and on-camera work led her to pursue sports broadcasting when she transferred to UT. After internships with Longhorn Network and Comcast SportsNet Houston, Neubaum moved to the High Plains in 2016 to become the “Look Around Lubbock” reporter, cementing her love of lifestyle coverage.

While appearing on-screen may seem glamorous to viewers, the job can be brutally taxing. In addition to filming live in the elements, Neubaum books and writes all her own segments, waking up at 4 a.m. on weekdays. And no matter what happens, the show must go on: When lifestyle activities grinded to a halt during the pandemic, the reporter pivoted to making recipes on-air in her own kitchen. Since she couldn’t bring the TV crew to her apartment, she relied on the help of her spouse. “My husband was holding the light near the ceiling with my phone, and then he realized two minutes into the segment this is a four-minute segment, so he was shaking,” she remembers. “But we made it happen because I was like, we’ve got to share some positive news.”

Her moxie continues to pay off. This spring, Neubaum’s dream of having a lifestyle show came true as she debuted her own FOX 7 show, Tierra’s Texas. The series features everything from red carpet interviews to festival coverage to cooking tutorials—and, of course, her signature immerCatch Neubaum on sive segments. “I’m down to Good Day Austin be in the middle of the action,” weekday mornings Neubaum says. “This is someand on Tierra’s Texas every Sunday one’s livelihood, and I get to at 11 p.m. or via experience it for a little bit.”

streaming apps.

ANNIE RAY

ART HUB

Riches ARt With Austin’s cultural districts in upheaval, the East Side has retained some of the city’s funky ethos thanks to a patchwork of relaxed lounges, no-frills eateries, and a thriving gallery scene. Among those half dozen or so art spaces, Riches stands out in vibrant color. Instead of sparse white rooms, this maximalist haven bursts with energy—electrifying pieces fill every square inch of walls that are painted bold black or red. A portrait of Jean-Michel Basquiat acts a patron saint, overlooking works that celebrate collage and graffiti. (You can even schedule a time to try your own hand at the street art medium.)

“we can make a place tHat

reflects Black culture But is very inclusive— a place tHat just pusHes art forward.”

Opened in 2021 by Richard Samuel, the painter and curator saw it as integral to maintaining the historical tradition of Black-owned businesses in East Austin. “I was like, we can make a place that reflects Black culture but is very inclusive—a place that just pushes art forward,” he says.

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Jeff Nichols While hanging around his brother’s house 20 years ago, director Jeff Nichols uncovered a book of photographs by Danny Lyon that documents infamous Midwest biker gang The Outlaws. Evocative and unforgettable, the images germinated in Nichols’ mind for decades before coming to life as The Bikeriders. With an ensemble cast anchored by Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, and Jodie Comer, the film marks the writer and director’s highest-grossing and most star-studded effort thus far. But more im-

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

GleN Powell portantly, Nichols’ bold vision and immersive storytelling (Take Shelter, Mud, Loving) have made him one of cinema’s most exciting young auteurs. “I think the surest route to universality is through specificity, and in my case, regionality,” the filmmaker explains.

Could Nichols, now an Austinite for 20 years, turn to the Lone Star State for inspiration in the future? “The way my wife has shown me Texas has made me love it,” he says. “I would be surprised if at some point that doesn’t find its way into the films.”

This past summer, a swirling force of nature kept the country on high alert. Who said anything about a tornado? We’re talking about Glen Powell, the Austin-born actor whose star has soared with appearances in films like Hit Man, Anyone But You, and (fittingly) Twisters.

From rocking the red carpet with his dog, Brisket, to chugging beers onstage with Luke Combs, it seemed like Powell was everywhere you looked. (And we’re not complaining—that jawline!)

R I C H E S : R I C K C O RT E Z ; N I C H O LS : ST E V E G R A N I T Z / C O N T R I B U TO R ; P OW E L L : P R E S L E Y A N N / ST R I N G E R ; L I N K L AT E R : B RYA N B E D D E R / ST R I N G E R

Hollywood Heroes

The gallery also transcends the canvas by hosting events like calligraphy lessons, yoga classes, comedy shows, poetry slams, and live jazz. On any given night, Riches buzzes with a bohemian spirit as warm conversations melt away any notion of art world stuffiness. “The goal of the space is to simply be a place for self-expression,” Samuel says. In that way, Riches acts as a community magnet that inspires people to connect and brings art to life. richesart.com

M USIC TA STEM AKER

Pooneh Ghana Ever find yourself in awe of a stunning photo of ACL Fest or superstars like Olivia Rodrigo or Noah Kahan on tour? There’s a good chance it was snapped by Pooneh Ghana. This year, the photographer lent her knowledge and passion of music to curating a series of shows at Radio East.

Performances from stellar rising a r ti st s s uch a s Broncho a nd Snooper brought huge crowds to the nascent venue. “It’s kind of been a secret dream to do something like this,” Ghana says .

“Being like: This band is awesome right now, and I need everybody to see them.”

NEW VENUE

Radio east

▲ A maximalist haven, East Side gallery Riches bursts with energy and electrifying pieces.

While downtown Austin music venues have struggled to stay afloat, the southern edge of the city is teeming with exciting new spots for live music that are keeping the capital city’s identity alive.

With abundant space, plenty of outdoor seating, and tasty food trucks on-site (Side Eye Pie, Shortwave Diner, and Veracruz), Radio East allows you to grab a bite and a pint before catching some of the city’s best musical artists. And you won’t suffer through a grueling quest for parking! radiocoffee andbeer.com

PHILOSOPHIC AL ADVISOR

Ryan holiday RichaRd LinkLateR More than three decades after he helped define Austin’s ethos with Slacker, this veteran director’s latest flick, Hit Man, released quietly in theaters but caught fire when it began streaming on Netflix. Based on the true story of a fake assassin who worked with the Houston police, the script was cowritten with Glen Powell (see left), who has worked with Linklater before on Fast Food Nation and Everybody Wants Some!! With a little help from the rising A-lister, the mind behind Boyhood and Bernie found his way to another hit.

Stoicism has been making a comeback lately, with local figure Ryan Holiday leading the way. The New York Times bestselling author of books like Stillness Is the Key drops pearls of wisdom on his Daily Stoic newsletter with modern-day enlightenment gleaned from ancient philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius. Far from clogging up our inboxes, his meditative missives provide a welcome pause in our fast-paced daily lives. instagram.com/ryanholiday

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E V E N T P R O D U CT I O N S E RV I C E S

After Blues on the Green initially announced that it would not come back in 2024, the event triumphantly returned for back-to-back shows this summer.

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PHOTOGR APHER

Leta Harrison With her 2024 photography exhibit “Black Girls Don’t Wear Red Lipstick,” Leta Harrison challenges societal expectations for women of color. The show’s title was borrowed from a speech by Houston musician Kam Franklin and alludes to the idea that Black women are often told they are “too much” or “too loud.” Embracing bold colors and vibrant energy, the portrait series rejects that notion by celebrating and empowering Black identity.

A portrait by photographer Leta Harrison (pictured below), from her photo show “Black Girls Don’t Wear Red Lipstick,” which was curated by Keyheira Keys and Whitney Hamilton.

SECOND AC T

BLues on tHe Green In another crushing blow to Old Austin, locals prepared to say goodbye to Blues on the Green when ACL Radio announced that it would not return in 2024 due to rising costs. Thankfully, public outcry was so strong that H-E-B swooped in to save the day by sponsoring this year’s iteration.

For two nights in June, the longest-standing free concert series in the city triumphantly returned with killer performances by Golden Dawn Arkestra and Riders Against the Storm, effectively taking our blues away. acl-radio .com/blues-on-the-green

UNEXPEC TED LIVE M USIC VENUE

H A R R I S O N : U R S U L A R O G E R S ; R I O : B RYA N C . PA R K E R

FriendLy rio Market A n unassuming convenience store has taken root as a hot spot for Austin’s underground music community. On any given weekend night, you’ll find the venue at capacity, as bands and their fans thrash amid the aisles of Funy uns and Monster energy drinks. The store proprietor, who simply goes by Moo, watches over the scene with his adorable Boston terrier, Ollie, in arm. There’s no cover charge or booze to sell.

For Moo, it’s all about the music—and giving young people a haven to enjoy it.

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Dining & nightlife Bagels

1.Nervous Charlie’s Bagels 2.Rockstar Bagels 3.Rosen’s Bagel Co.

Bakery

1.Upper Crust Bakery 2.Finery & Cake 3.Abby Jane Bakeshop

Bar

1.The Saxon Pub 2.The Cavalier 3.Bar Toti

Barbecue

1.Stiles Switch BBQ 2.La Barbecue 3. LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue

1.Canje 2.Clark’s Oyster Bar 3.Emmer & Rye

Deli

1.Little Deli & Pizzeria 2.New World Deli 3.Tiny Grocer

Distillery

1.Still Austin Whiskey Co. 2.Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery 3.Tito’s Distillery

Doughnut

1.Cheer Up Charlies 2.Barbarella 3.Coconut Club

Margarita

1.De Nada Cantina 2.Matt’s El Rancho 3.El Alma

Mocktail

1.Ezov 2.The Cavalier 3.Sans Bar

New Restaurant 1.Poeta 2.Bambino 3.Nomade

Patio

Breakfast Tacos

1.Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden 2.Aba 3.El Alma

Happy Hour

Pho

Brewery

1.Loro 2.Clark’s Oyster Bar 3.Salty Sow

1.Elizabeth Street Café 2.Pho Please 3.Sip Pho

Hill Country Winery

Pizza

1.Lazarus Brewing Co. 2. Meanwhile Brewing Co. 3.St. Elmo Brewing Co

St. Elmo Brewing Co. Brunch 1.Kerbey Lane Cafe 2.Paperboy 3.Poeta

Burger

1.JewBoy Burgers 2.P. Terry’s 3.Casino El Camino

Chicken Wings

1.Tommy Want Wingy 2.Spicy Boys Fried Chicken 3.Lao’d Bar

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Date Night

LGBTQ+ Bar

1.Round Rock Donuts 2.OMG Squee 3.The Salty

1.Veracruz All Natural 2.Tacodeli 3. El Tacorrido

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Coffee Shop

1.Radio Coffee & Beer 2.Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden 3.Desnudo Coffee

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

May/June 2024

1.William Chris Vineyards 2.Wanderlust Wine Co. 3.The Austin Winery

Ice Cream/Frozen Treat 1.Amy’s Ice Creams 2.Lick Honest Ice Creams 3.Zeds Real Fruit Ice Cream

Italian

1.Patrizi’s 2.L’Oca d’Oro 3.Intero

1.Home Slice Pizza 2.Via 313 3.Bufalina

Place to Bring Dogs 1.Yard Bar 2.Meanwhile Brewing Co. 3.Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery

Place to Bring Kids

1.Meanwhile Brewing Co. 2.Home Slice Pizza 3.Love&Cookies

Place to Watch a Game 1.Haymaker 2.Black Sheep Lodge 3.Lavaca Street Bar

Queso

1.Torchy’s Tacos 2.Matt’s El Rancho 3.Kerbey Lane Cafe

Ramen

1.Ramen Tatsu-ya 2.Ramen Del Barrio 3.Sazan Ramen

Signature Cocktail

1.The Roosevelt Room 2.Canje 3.Saturn

Speakeasy

1.Garage Bar 2.Equipment Room 3.Small Victory

Steakhouse 1.Jeffrey’s 2.Bartlett’s 3.Hestia

Taco

1.Veracruz All Natural 2.Torchy’s Taco 3.De Nada Cantina

Vegetarian 1.Bouldin Creek Cafe 2.Casa de Luz 3.Rebel Cheese

Wine Bar

1.Flo’s Wine Bar & Bottle Shop 2.LoLo 3.The Austin Winery

HealtH & Wellness Acupuncture

1.The Desert Canary 2.Castle Hill Fitness 3.Acupuncture Together of Austin

Barbershop 1.Finley’s Barbershop 2.Jimmy the Gent 3.Honest Barber

Big Gym 1.Castle Hill Fitness 2.Studio Three 3.Onnit Gym

Boutique Fitness Studio 1.Dane’s Body Shop 2.Urban Lagree 3.Bodies By Design Workout Room

Community Workout 1.Dane’s Body Shop 2.Castle Hill Fitness 3.Warrior Women ATX

Dog Park 1.Zilker Park 2.Neighbors Dog Park & Cafe 3.Cedar Bark Park

Hiking Trail 1.Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail 2.Walnut Creek Hike and Bike Trail 3.River Place Nature Trail

Massage

1.LaLa Kuhlman | LMT 2.Oak Haven Massage 3.Spa Sway

Spa

1.Golden Hour Skincare 2.Viva Day Spa + Med Spa 3.Bene Skin & Laser

Yoga Studio 1.Black Swan Yoga 2.Sukha Yoga 3.Castle Hill Fitness

Auto Dealer

Community Leader

Boat Dealer

1.Ski Dock 2.South Austin Marine

Car Wash

1.Jurassic Car Wash 2. Barton Springs Car Wash 3. The Finish Line Car Wash

Custom Home Builder 1.Atlas Custom Homes 2.Mosier Luxury Homes 3. Baxter Builders Group

Heating and HVAC 1. Stan’s Heating, Air, Plumbing, and Electrical 2.Alamo Austin Air Conditioning & Heating 3.Casa Mechanical

Landscape Services

Real Estate Company

1.Nanette Labastida 2.Pauly Presley Realty 3.Horizon Realty

Bookstore 1.BookPeople 2.First Light Books 3.Black Pearl Books

Local Author 1.B.J. Burrow 2.Sarah Bird 3.Ali Hazelwood

Cannabusiness and CBD 1.MARYJAE 2.Drip n Rip 3. Greenbelt Botanicals

Florist

Local Nonprofit 1.Austin Pets Alive!

2.Austin Wildlife Rescue 3.The SAFE Alliance

Musician or Band 1.Jeska & The Vanity Project 2.Madam Radar 3.Chubby Knuckle Choir

Remote Work Spot

Small Business Owner

Salon

1.Alexa James Baby 2.Enlightened Baby 3.SparkleKids Upscale Resale

1.Austin Food Adventures 2.@goddessqueenjustme23 3.Spill the ATX

Mortgage Broker

Pool Builder

Baby/Kid’s Boutique

Influencer

1.Dark Horse TCB 2.Radio Coffee & Beer 3.Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden

1.Texas Tiny Pools 2.Cowboy Pools 3.Premier Pools & Spas

sHoPPing & style

1.Jeska Forsyth 2.Pat Buchta 3.Erin Walter

1.Seedlings Landscape Design Build 2.Cutters Landscaping Services 3.Heartland Sprinklers

Personal Trainer

1.Golden Hair Studio 2.Janet St. Paul Studio For Hair and Beauty 3.SALON by milk + honey by milk + honey

Vet Clinic 1.Emancipet 2.Paz Veterinary 3.Love Pet Hospital

PeoPle & Culture

1.Austin Subaru 2.BMW of Austin 3.Porsche Austin

Visual Artist

1.Wiley Ross 2.Ryan Andrews, Photographer 3.Meg Foster, Photographer

1.Freedom Solar Power 2.HE Solar 3.JJ Miller

living in austin

1.Christina Maquet 2.Beth Thompson 3.Jonathan Seal

1.Monica Baumgardner 2.Jess Clark 3.Fred Sassani

Solar Installer

1.King Florist Of Austin 2.House of Margot Blair 3.Jordan Flowers & Events

Home Decor 1.Austin Pottery Studio & Gallery 2.Maaribu 3.Supply Showroom

Jewelry Store 1.Wendy Wells Jewelry 2.Benold’s Jewelers 3.Korman Fine Jewelry

Local Grocer 1.Wheatsville Food Co-op 2.Royal Blue Grocery 3.Tiny Grocer

Men’s Clothing Store

1.Tony Federico, Dark Horse TCB 2.Trisha Lewis, Bene Skin & Laser 3.Reese Cisneros, Strategies by Reese

1.STAG Provisions 2.MAGIK 3.Service Menswear

Pet Store

Teacher 1.Belinda Jiménez, AISD 2. Jeanne Caroline, Barton Hills Elementary 3.Erynn Barnes, Rowe Lane Elementary

1.Tomlinson’s Feed 2.Healthy Pet 3.Paws on Chicon

Plant & Gardening Shop 1.The Natural Gardener

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Record Store 1. Waterloo Records & Video 2.End Of An Ear 3.Breakaway Records

Vintage Shop

1.Uncommon Objects 2.Kincl House of Antiques 3.Prototype Vintage

Wine Shop

1.Cork & Screw 2.LoLo 3.Tiny Grocer

Women’s Clothing Store 1.Alexia Gavela Bridal 2.Adelante Boutique 3.Petticoat Fair

Things To do Boat Rental

1.Rowing Dock 2.Big Tex Boat Rentals 3.Capital Cruises

Creative Class

1.Hide Out Theatre Improv Classes 2. Amanda Lee Jones Art Studio 3.Candle Making Workshop at Slow North

Farmer’s Market

1.Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller 2.SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley 3.Heritage Square Farmers’ Market

Festival

1.Austin City Limits Music Festival 2.SXSW 3.ATX TV Festival

Golf Course 1.Butler Pitch and Putt 2.Lions Municipal 3.Barton Creek Country Club

Hotel

1.South Congress Hotel 2.Carpenter Hotel 3.Hotel Viata

Movie Theater 1.Alamo Drafthouse 2.Violet Crown Cinema 3.The Paramount Theatre

Music Venue

Tourist Attraction

1.Congress Avenue Bats 2.Zilker Botanical Garden 3.Rowing Dock

Water Activity

1.Barton Springs Pool 2.Rowing Dock 3.Capital Cruises

1.ACL Live at The Moody Theater 2.The Saxon Pub 3.Moody Center

Park 1.Zilker Park 2.Pease Park 3. River Place Nature Trail

Place to See Art 1.Blanton Museum of Art 2.Laguna Gloria 3.The Cathedral

Staycation Spot

1.Hotel San José 2.Hotel Magdalena 3.The Frances Modern Inn

Austin is cooler in a Tiny Pool!

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R O S C H E T Z KY I STO C K P H OTO/G E T T Y

2.OG Agave 3.The Great Outdoors

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Founded in Austin in 2008, Finley’s Barbershop has become the go-to spot for an elevated, laid-back grooming experience. With deep Texas roots and a cool, approachable vibe, It’s a true escape, guided by meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to authenticity.

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Cosmetic D entistr y

KRISTA DECOURSIN, DDS | MARK SWEENEY, DDS | KIRSTEN THOUVENOT, DDS

AUSTIN DENTAL SPA Meet the exceptional dentists at Austin Dental Spa, led

by Founder Dr. Mark Sweeney, a trailblazer in dentistry.

Known affectionately as “Dr. Mark,” he opened his first practice in Austin 45 years ago and has been innovating ever since. A native Texan through and through, a proud University of Texas alum, and a pioneer in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Mark is committed to making a difference in people’s lives. As a testament to his skills, he has earned numerous national awards for his Smile Makeovers. His calm demeanor and witty charm make each visit a comfortable, uplifting experience.

Joining him, as part of our “K-Team” is Cosmetic and General Dentist Dr. Krista DeCoursin, a Wisconsin native who graduated from the University of Iowa with the Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Award. Her expertise in creating beautiful smiles shines through, especially in her work with patients who have severe dental anxiety. Dr. Krista’s compassionate care has left a lasting impact on many.

The other half of our “K-Team” is Cosmetic and General Dentist Dr. Kirsten Thouvenot. Originally from St. Louis, Dr. Kirsten dreamt of becoming a dentist since she was 10! She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri–Columbia and dental school at

512-452-9296 | AUSTINDENTALSPA.COM 3305 NORTHLAND DR, STE. 515, AUSTIN, TX 78731

the University of Missouri–Kansas City (Go Chiefs!). Now, she’s living her dream in Austin, bringing her passion for dentistry and the Texas sunshine to the practice.

With the support of our talented team of dental professionals, we use the most advanced technologies— digital X-rays, single-visit crowns, multiple lasers—and offer various levels of sedation. These technologies allow us to provide the highest quality of care, ensuring your comfort and safety. Come experience what everyone is talking about! “Change Your Smile, Change Your Life” with Dr. Mark Sweeney, Dr. Krista DeCoursin, and Dr. Kirsten Thouvenot at Austin Dental Spa.

the FACE of

Austin, Texas, renowned as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” owes its pulsating rhythm to the countless musicians who call this city home. From intimate coffee shops to sprawling festival grounds, music is the lifeblood of Austin’s culture. But behind every electrifying performance and soulstirring melody lies an often-overlooked truth: Our rockin’ reputation depends on healthy musicians, and that’s where HAAM steps in.

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) isn’t just another nonprofit—it’s the

A Healthy Music Scene

backstage pass to keeping our music scene thriving. Since 2005, HAAM has ensured that local musicians have access to quality healthcare, from basic preventative care to dental checkups, all the way to hearing tests and custom-fit ear plugs (because blown-out eardrums are so not rock ‘n’ roll).

Every September, HAAM Day turns the city into one giant concert. More than 300 musicians play at more than 100 venues and businesses to raise critical funds and awareness. By supporting HAAM Day, Austin preserves its present sound and invests

3036 S. 1st St., Austin, TX 78704 | 512-541-4226 | myhaam.org

in future melodies, ensuring that the city will continue to be a beacon for artistic expression, drawing diverse talents and audiences from around the world.

Healthy musicians make a healthy Austin. And that’s music to everyone’s ears. Get in on the groove at myhaam.org and help keep Austin’s rhythm strong.

Concierge Medicine As a concierge family physician at Central Texas Preferred Health Partners, Dr. Emmanuel Lee treats a wide variety of chronic and acute medical conditions in pediatric and adult patients. Dr. Lee has a limited patient panel to ensure that each member receives the time, communication, and comprehensive care to not only treat illness but to promote lasting wellness.

For more than two decades, Dr. Lee has empowered patients with knowledge and mentored countless medical students. His warm and thoughtful personality, his lighthearted approach, and his ability to explain complex medical concepts make him a favorite with colleagues and patients alike. In addition to being board-certified and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Medicine, Dr. Lee is an avid surfer and outdoorsman, a certified provider of expedition and wilderness medicine, and a teacher of primitive survival skills.

Whether a person is managing a chronic condition, seeking preventive care, or looking to optimize overall wellness, Dr. Lee offers a complimentary meet-and-greet to learn more about concierge medicine and his medical care approach.

1305 W. 34th St., Suite 204 Austin, TX 78705 737-285-3770 elee@ctxphp.com mannyleemd.com

Concierge Medicine

Barbara A. Garza, an award-winning leader in education, has spent over forty years transforming the way learning is approached. As the Executive Director, Head of School of AESA Prep Academy of Austin, and Superintendent of AESA International School System, Barbara drives innovation and excellence in education. Her illustrious career, marked by her vast experience in all educational settings and her forward-thinking mindset, serving on several academic boards and receiving a Governor of Texas Teaching Award, highlights her commitment to creating inclusive and forwardthinking educational environments.

Under Barbara’s visionary leadership, AESA Prep Academy has thrived with its ‘Small-by-Design’ philosophy, ensuring personalized attention that helps students excel academically and socially. The school’s curriculum, accredited by Cognia/AdvancEd and approved by the NCAA, is meticulously designed to prepare students for success in higher education and beyond.

Recent expansions, including the opening of the Elementary School Building and the launch of the AESA Culinary Institute, further showcase Barbara’s dedication to broadening educational opportunities.

The AESA Culinary Institute, spearheaded by Chef Aran, exemplifies the academy’s innovative spirit.

Drawing from his journey of overcoming challenges with food, Chef Aran has crafted a school lunch program that goes far beyond nutrition. As a father of two, he understands the importance of nurturing a positive relationship with food in children. His mission at AESA is not just about serving meals; it’s about cultivating a community where food is integral to physical and mental well-being. Through his leadership, the Culinary Institute is redefining how students experience food, teaching them to appreciate the value of mindful eating and ensuring they are nourished in every aspect of their lives.

13730 US-90, Austin, TX 78737 aesaprepacademy.com

Innovative Education

Texas Cannabis Clinic Dr. Matthew Brimberry, MD was one of the first certified doctors in Texas to provide access to medical cannabis for conditions related to palliative medicine. He started Texas Cannabis Clinic in 2020 as a 100% virtual telemedicine consultation service, working with patients throughout the state. Dr. Brimberry and his experienced team of medical marijuana clinicians treat people of all ages with alternative healing methods through Texas’ Compassionate Use Program. Anyone with a qualifying health condition receives a customized treatment plan based on the latest studies and research available for medical cannabis. The team expertly navigates the path from certifying you based on your qualifying diagnosis, to the formation of your personalized medical marijuana treatment plan, and then connecting you with a state licensed Texas dispensary.

512-892-7092 5625 Eiger Road, Austin, TX 78735

Dr. Matthew Brimberry

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Weird History Field Day

Royal Mess Fifty years ago, an unruly ZZ Top concert caused thousands of dollars of damage at Texas Memorial Stadium—and drew the ire of coach Darrell K Royal.

A N DY S I E V E R M A N

DIE-HARD LONGHORN FANS have undoubtedly attended some tailgate ragers that one might call “lit.”

But none can compare to the ZZ Top show on Sept. 1, 1974, where a horde of concertgoers packed into UT’s stadium, set fire to the newly installed Astroturf, and cut a Texas-shaped hole into the faux grass.

Billed as ZZ Top’s First Annual Texas Size Rompin’ Stompin’ Barn Dance and Bar B. Q., the event featured the blues rock legends alongside opening acts Santana, Joe Cocker, and Bad Company. While the concert delivered on talent, it didn’t quite live up to some of its titular promises—namely, the barbecue. Attendees were frustrated by the fact that the $2.50 cost of a plate of food wasn’t included in the $8 ticket price. But matters went from bad to worse when both the ’cue and water sold out by 1:30 p.m.

According to the 1974-75 edition of The Cactus, UT’s yearbook, concession manager Steve Smith said, “Hell we would have been equipped to feed 100,000 people, but we didn’t have any advance notice that this many would show up.” The student government initially asked Smith to feed 27,000, which climbed to an estimation of 47,000 in advance of the event. But no one was prepared for the 80,000 that turned out.

By the evening, the scene had morphed from “barn dance” into what The Cactus described as a “claustrophobic, overheated cornucopia of thirst, hunger and sunstroke,” as concertgoers battled 91-degree heat.

The festival did make good on the rompin’ and stompin’—sinks had been ripped from the bathroom walls as fans frantically searched for water. Between the heat exhaustion and rampant drug use, around 30 ambulances made emergency trips from the stadium to nearby Brackenridge Hospital. According to ESPN, Longhorns athletic trainer Spanky Stephens found one attendee sleeping off his bender in a first aid room the following morning. The befuddled rocker asked what time the band went on, only to receive the bad news that he’d already missed the show.

In a 2008 interview with Texas Monthly, ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons recounted having to face head coach Darrell K Royal, who vowed there would never be another concert on his turf. He was right: The venue didn’t host another one until The Eagles played more than 20 years later, well after Royal’s retirement.

While the legendary coach was displeased with the excessive celebration, at least the revelers left it all on the field.

Volume 32/Number 5, September/October 2024, Austin Monthly (Publication No. 001-163), is published bimonthly, six times a year, by Hearst Newspapers. Subscriptions are $14.95 per year for six issues. For customer service inquiries or to change your address, contact: Austin Monthly, PO Box 2127, San Antonio, TX 78297-2127, 512-387-6234, or subscriptions@austinmonthly.com. Periodicals postage paid at Denver, CO, and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 2024 by Hearst Newspapers, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. DISCLAIMER: Advertisements in the publication do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited or restricted by law.

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BY BRYAN C. PARKER

October 26-27, 2024 Hartford Residence by Restructure Studio

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