Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > December > 01 > Entry
Fortunates: Talk to each other! Not just Will Wynn
So that’s how he makes all those social events.
Our civic leader — or one of his clones? — arrives early and stays late for each ribbon-cutting, nameday-proclaiming, smart-growth-toasting party. And despite his municipal duties, Wynn always appears tan and trim on the arm of an equally trim and tan female companion.
Granted, Wynn is a politician. Socializing tops the job description. His breed’s only true competitors are the social all-stars who storm cultural lines to champion causes and weave personal connections into the fabric of Austin.
So what about the other social categories on our annual Fortunate 500 list, which includes everyone from billionaire Michael Dell to Red River Street rocker Wendy WWAD? Let’s rank the tribes from the least to the most interconnected.
Much, much more about the Fortunates more on the jump…
Heritage: Five years ago, when columnist Jane Greig first remarked, “I keep seeing the same 500 people out,” we infelicitously dubbed this group “Old Money.” Not diplomatic, huh? Here’s the deal: These stalwarts might be the least connected to the rest of Austin, but they’ve earned their places on the big list through decades of service. My Out & About goal: Connect the old-timers to the newcomers.
Sports: I can only guess why Austin’s sports superstars are so sequestered, socially speaking. They train a lot; the city’s Olympic swimmers are only now coming up for air. Some are still students. Others — Vince Young and posse, for instance — live here only part time. Truth is, members of Longhorns Inc. earn 10 lifetimes of attention without leaving their social comfort zones. Example: At the premiere of the baseball documentary “Inning by Inning,” a dozen sports reporters mobbed coach Augie Garrido, while I was the only journalist lobbing questions at movie director Richard Linklater.
Media & Books: There’s a reason broadcasters — most recently the unpretentious power pair Olga Campos and Kevin Benz — top this socializing category each 500 edition. Their quieter wordsmith cousins tend to stay close to their studies. Recently, I was delighted to secure a short chat with Sarah Bird at a museum event. Maybe her fellow scribes scratch their social itches through members-only book clubs or literary dinner parties.
Business & High Tech: Almost by definition, these are busy people. Yet why is it successful game designer Rodney Gibbs — also a husband and father — can drag himself to charity events? And how can Jeff Kodosky, who invented crucial problem-solving software and still heads a 70-person National Instruments research team, match the mayor’s socializing some weekends, albeit usually with wife Gail?
Movies: The film industry adds incalculable glamour and creativity to the Austin scene. Yet actual moviemakers are often stuck on location, ensconced in editing rooms or just watching moving images in the dark. That’s why it was so heartening to see the heavy hitters — Elizabeth Avellan, Robert Rodriguez, Mike Judge and Linklater — at a recent fundraiser for the Texas Motion Picture Alliance. (Some claim to have spied the elusive Terrence Malick.) When the cause is right, the stars come out.
Food: I’m convinced that no group gives more of their time and treasure for good than Austin’s caterers, chefs, servers and other food industry workers. Only a few gourmands on the Food Fortunate list are wealthy. The rest just work, give, work, give. Some notables, like Susan and Ed Auler, are passing along the practice to the next generation, such as relatives Chad Auler and Ron Yates.
Music: It was long ago observed that musicians are an odd lot. Yet, despite their late hours, ill-fitting day jobs and alternative lifestyles, they routinely show up and play magnificent sets for free (or beer) if the cause suits them. They are particularly caring when one of their own is in need. Some, like club owner Susan Antone, keep broader, almost saintly social schedules.
Arts: This is my background, so some readers might suspect that I favor artists and arts backers among socializers. Yet I’ve learned, the more I try to avoid the arts, in fairness, the more I notice that this field serves as a universal point of contact for Austinites. Whether it be an East Austin art opening or a Long Center gala, representatives of every social category show up.
Style: Until I took up the social beat, I had no idea the impact of fashion and design locally. It’s not just the endless runway shows, collection openings or retail special events. Fashion is inextricably tied to the texture of Austin nightlife. Exercise: Try recalling a recent party without a designer or fashion retailer present.
Nightlife: This is the breakout business in Austin. People think we host a music industry here. What we have is a nightlife industry, fueled by music of all kinds. Of course, when you brandish a big, welcoming personality, like Imperia’s C.K. Chin, you start the evening with social advantages.
Politics & Law: Not all Central Texas lawyers, judges and enforcement officials hit the social circuit, but the politicians do. Big time. The former champion was state Sen. Kirk Watson, who has emceed more events than Dick Clark. Obviously, the mayor’s position requires a lot of show-ups, but with a scramble for the City Hall’s top slot, the players could change quickly. Funny, despite her fame, I don’t see mayoral candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn out that often.
All-Stars: These folks are social machines. And they don’t limit their networking to a tight knot of intimates. Some all-stars will inevitably drop off the celestial list this season. More candidates to take their places in 2009: Maria and Eric Groton, Mary and Rusty Tally, Kate and Robert Hersch, Amy and Kirk Rudy, Nina and Frank Seely.
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