Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2009 > June > 17
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Your A-List: Best Singles Hangout
The winner of the A-List vote for best singles hangout is a laid-back joint that doubles as a sports bar and an after-game gathering spot for Austin’s amateur athletic teams. Usually open to the elevated sidewalk, Lavaca Street Bar grabbed a full 34 percent of the tally.
Dark, velvety, cosmopolitan Red Fez came in second with 26 percent, while gay newcomer Kiss & Fly raced ahead of its more-established compatriots with 25 percent. (And may I beg the critics of this huge club to restrain from libelous accusations in the commentary block of this blog? I can’t print unsubstantiated rumors of illegality. You may hate the club. Or hate the manager. Or hate the owner. But respect libel laws.)
The swank Belmont secured a distant fourth place with 4 percent, followed by Gingerman (2 percent) and Union Park, Brown Bar, Six, Star Bar, Beauty Bar, Apple Bar (all around 1 percent). Ironic Peacock Lounge came in last, with much less than 1 percent of the vote.
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Your A-List: Best Neighborhood
Do Austinites adore their neighborhoods, or what? More than 30 residential districts received significant endorsements in this week’s A-List contest. They included fuzzy geographical designations like Far South Austin and high-dollar, platinum-plated zones such as Pemberton Heights and Tarrytown.
Victorian-era Hyde Park — conceptually, a flexible area north of the UT campus — snapped up 3 percent of the tally, trailed by northwestern Windsor Park, western Tarrytown and southern Travis Heights, all nearly 2 percent.
Taking less than 2 percent were Far South Austin, Circle C, Northwest Hills, South Congress, Zilker, Clarksville, Cedar Park, North Shoal Creek, Avery Ranch, Bouldin Creek, Pemberton Hights, East Cesar Chavez, Cherrywood, Wells Branch, Barton Creek, Cat Hollow, Sun City, Bryker Woods, French Place, Far West, Turtle Creek Estates, Belterra, West Campus and Judges’ Hill.
Photo: The Spess family, from left, Kristi, Isabel, Matthew and Mike stand outside of their new home at 1406 Ruth Avenue in the Crestview neighborhood.
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Austin celebrity news, including three Austinites on ‘The Bachelorette’
If you’re single, they might look familiar. Three of the bachelors on ABC’s “The Bachelorette” are from Austin, one way or another. Wes, originally from Huntsville, is an Austin musician. Robby, a bartender, works at the Lustre Pearl on Rainey Street. Kyle, an Austin graphic designer now living in Brooklyn, didn’t receive a rose from Jillian Harris in the first episode, so has already left the mix. Is there a reality-show breeding center here?
Starpulse.com reports Austin resident Sandra Bullock saying: “I am a (B-expletive)” in real life, much like her mean character in “The Proposal.” The Web site repeats America’s sweetheart as saying: “I’m a good actress. That’s why you know me as likable.” Aha.
While I was in Colorado, in the same state, but to the northeast, Austin superstar Lance Armstrong’s girlfriend, Anna Hansen, gave birth to his latest offspring, Max. As you probably know, the only confirmation for the blessed event came from his Twitter account. Meanwhile, Matt Damon has been mentioned again as playing Armstrong in a revived bio pic.
Gov. Rick Perry is making so many appearances, it’s hard to keep up. Pictured here is the Guv with guy-meets-God novelist, the Shack, and Promiseland West’s Randy Phillips. The west Austin church is a star magnet.
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Added to Out & About iCal
If I could be anywhere this week, it would be covering the hordes of Longhorn fans at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. But I return to town too late to join that scene. But hey, have you watched how they’ve pulled out those amazing victories? Next game is on Friday. (AP photo.)
Otherwise, my iCal is still pretty sketchy, given the invitations to plow through. Will update soon.
Wednesday, June 17
5 p.m. Opening of Annie’s 319 Congress Ave.
7 p.m. Charity Bash benefiting Heritage Socity of Austin at Paggi House. Among the anticipated hosts and guests: Mayor Will Wynn, Council Member Lee Leffingwell, Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt, State Rep Eddie Rodriguez, Travis County Democratic Chair Andy Brown
Thursday, June 18
8 p.m. Farewell to Mayor Will Wynn at Antone’s
Wednesday, June 24
8 p.m. StrataTX Fashion Event at Kirk Gallery
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Gyspy flies away
And it was the only solidly upscale restaurant within easy walking distance of the Long Center for the Performing Arts, at least on the south side of the river. (Jax offers superb food and drink, but remains more casual in presentation. Paggi House might return to its historical form soon, but now seems more like a prime spot for early-evening socializing.)
Alas, the food and service at Gypsy proved inconsistent. It’s one thing to be a gifted cook, another to ensure top quality, day in and day out. We hear executive chef Shawn Gamble is in the hunt for a personal chef opportunity. (E-mail: food@go2gypsy.com.)
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Moment of Silence: Tina Marsh
For decades, Marsh was identified with experimental jazz through Creative Opportunity Orchestra and with the dance community through her collaborations with Sally Jacques and others. She was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame in 2008.
I recall a lunch with Marsh. She, like many established artists, couldn’t understand why the media didn’t produce more standard reports — previews, reviews, profiles, etc — about her and fellow artists. By the end of the lunch, what was obvious to everyone else dawned on Marsh, that her story never conformed to standard press formulas. She was an artistic law unto herself — and that was tough to cover in a conventional way.
Her death has lit up the online networks among Austin artists and fans. “It’s a profound loss for the arts and for so many of us who loved her dearly,” said philanthropist Carol Adams. “What a gift she was!” says fellow artist Lauri Raymond.
Jan Hill recommends joining the bclub in Marsh’s memory. The group raises emergency funds for breast cancer survivors, similar to the highly successful Octopus Club.
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