Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2010 > August
August 2010
The UIL season starts for executive director Charles Breithaupt
They may not be able to pronounce his name, but two out of three students attending Texas secondary schools know about Charles Breithaupt. Or his work.
Already this school year, his staff of 50, plus students and volunteers — housed in a modestly postmodern building on Manor Road — have been been sorting out rules, providing officials and keeping the peace among the early-starting football and volleyball teams.
That’s back-to-school with a long to-do list with many potential land mines, especially after always controversial district realignments. Breithaupt prefers to look on the bright side.
“We are preparing the citizens of tomorrow, teaching them how to handle success, a missing ingredient in our society,” Breithaupt says with the polish of a corporate captain, but the warm of a small-town minister. “You learn all too quickly that what you did yesterday is not good enough tomorrow.”
Descended from a German line of cotton farmers who immigrated to South Carolina in the 18th century, and then migrated to Louisiana, Breithaupt, 56, grew up with all the benefits and opportunities that American public education provides for small-town boys.
He was born in Jena, La. (population: 2,971), but his family moved early on to Buna (population: 2,269) in the Texas Big Thicket.
The Breithaupts’ house was sandwiched between the First Baptist Church and Buna High School. His father, who made it to the eighth grade, worked in a pulp and paper mill, but never missed his son’s many practices, games or concerts, of which there were many.
“Dad was sports fanatic, who also played several musical instruments,” says Breithaupt, wearing a crisp, dark, tailored suit — with a splash of color — at Hoover’s Home Cooking, a few steps from the league headquarters. “I grew up participating in everything: Music, athletics, science club. And I served as class president (four years).”
He competed in football, baseball, track and basketball, the last leading to an athletic scholarship at Lamar University in Beaumont. After Lamar, he landed a job teaching English and coaching at Buna Junior High.
“They actually hired me because I could drive the bus” he says, smiling. I” thought I was the next Vince Lomardi, but I was hired because I had a chauffeur’s license.”
Breifhaupt coached at various southeast Texas schools and served as principal at Hardin Jefferson High School, which gave him a taste for administration (which any teacher will tell you, is not for everyone).
He remembers the forbidding power of the league, which could punish a school or team in the way the NCAA does at the college level.
“I was in awe,” he says. “Everyone was fearful of calling the UIL, as if they were the Gestapo out to get someone!”
As president of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, he discovered that the league leaders were actually open to suggestions.
Director Bill Farney asked Breithaupt to join the league as an assistant director in 1992. He worked his way up through the athletic side of the organization to become executive director, earning his doctorate in education along the way.
He needs all educational and diplomatic skills he can muster to deal with students, teachers, coaches, administrators and, especially, parents, always read to find fault in the league’s rules or rulings.
“When you hear about the conflict, you really see how important our activities are for people,” he says. “Most people don’t know that anyone can make a suggestion during the rule-making process.
For instance, an Austin cab driver actually suggested a plan for a 6-conference alignment.
“UIL has proven it can change as society has changed,” Breithaupt says.
Alignment is the Gordian knot for any league director.
“Alignment impacts every school, every child, every parent of a child,” he says. “Travel is the big issue, especially west of Interstate 35. In general, if you are grouped with someone you can beat, you’re happy. If not, you talk about the travel hardships.”
One solution to the travel issue, more league events online. That won’t cool tempers about football, though.
Any newcomers to the state who don’t know how essential high school football is to small Texas towns should rent the first four seasons of “Friday Night Lights,” a show as heart-achingly authentic as it is frighteningly naturalistic.
“It has a real-life feel, dealing with real problems that students face,” says Breihaupt, who would love to make a cameo appearance on the show (alert the Emmy-nomiated casting directors). “Also, it focuses on towns where football is overemphasized and boosters are so zealous. They tell our stories well.”
While sports are bread and butter for the league, it actually started with a debating society, which joined the parallel athletic group, based on the University of Wisconsin extension system. Music, math, science and other subjects are just as fiercely competitive.
As someone who has witnessed the joys and travails of the league’s one-act play contests, I can attest to the life-or-death attitudes attached to the battles. On another side-note, my alma mater, Strake Jesuit in Houston, successfully sued the league to join, along with Dallas Jesuit. The tiny college preparatory that I attended in the 1960s recently reached the state playoffs in basketball, pooled with the largest schools (5A). Earlier this year, Strake Jesuit played Dallas Jesuit in the state soccer finals.
UT is the last remaining American university to host statewide extracurricular activities. After 90 years, the University of North Carolina recently dropped its leadership of a similar group. Recently, state legislators have suggested spreading out the competition finals to other parts of the state.
“UT is a natural because it has the facilities for arts, academics and sports — classrooms, dorms, gyms, fields, theaters and pianos and especially support,” says Breithaupt, who cherishes his friendships with coach Mack Brown and other Longhorn leaders.
Like many Texas families that moved up in the world through public education, Breihaupt’s continues to serve the system in disparate capacities. His wife, Debbie, is a retired elementary school teacher. Their one daughter, Deah, teaches eighth grade language arts, and her husband, Tom, is an assistant principal. They have produced one grandchild, Reagan.
An admirer of President George W. Bush and Gov. Rick Perry, the Georgetown resident has considered entering politics. But his job is every bit as powerful, challenging and rewarding as any political post.
“My dream is to have every student in Texas public schools — and the two Jesuit schools — participating in at least one extracurricular activity,” he says. “We develop character, (teaching students) to have fun, build social networks and represent their communities.
UPDATE
A previous version of this post incorrectly reported the results of a state basketball final.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment
Austin Social Agenda: Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2010
Today, devotees of Brad Sorenson, who appeared on “The Next Food Network Star,” toast the Asti cook at the Hyde Park-area eatery. A portion of the take goes to the American Cancer Society.
Also today, L Style G Style launches its September/October issue at Rain and Oilcan Harry’s on West Fourth Street.
Also Tuesday, the AIA Homes Tour 2010 previews at a private residence in West Austin.
Wednesday, the Arc of the Capital Area and Austin’s Anti-Defamation League unite for Austin Destination Dignity, a reception promoting respect for people with disabilities, at Austin City Hall.
Also Wednesday, Austin’s Lawrence Wright’s HBO film, “My Trip to Al-Qaeda,” previews at the Blanton Museum of Art in a benefit for The Texas Tribune.
Thursday, the tour for “I’m From Driftwood,” the website that collects personal stories from GLBT folks, launches at the Salt Lick in — where else? — Driftwood.
Also Thursday, Robert Rodriguez’s contentious “Machete” premieres at the Paramount Theatre. The after-party at Austin Film Society’s Austin Studios promises to be “explosive.”
If that party scares you a bit, chill down with the DJs of (In) Fused, who have moved to West Fourth Street at M Two on Thursday nights.
The next night, plan to check out First Friday Frolic with Adi Anand, who writes the blog “From The Mind of Adi,” at Club de Ville.
Also Friday, “The Intergalactic Nemesis” opens at the Long Center, followed by a small VIP after-party at Little City on Congress Avenue. A larger public event rockets over to the Highball on South Lamar Boulevard on Saturday.
Saturday, the Brazil Independence Day Celebration and Austin Aztex Pre-Game Tailgate Party parks at the Thundercloud Subs lot on West 12th Street.
Sunday, the Women’s Symphony League’s sneaks in a Spymaker-themed party at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.
Also Sunday, Heartbeats II supports Health Alliance for Austin Musicians at ND at 501 Studios in East Austin.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
Afghan Dinner at Zarghun & Eddaicsa Dean’s Home
As loyal readers know, dinner parties hold sway in my social universe. Four or five hours of conversation, unwinding leisurely over zesty food and drink: These are the just rewards for evenings spent meeting and greeting strangers at clubs, cocktail parties and receptions.
The Deans joined us at our humble South Austin bungalow for a Wren Cottage Feast earlier this season. They returned the favor at their Travis Heights mid-century modern on Sunday. Appetizers and desserts consisted of fresh or dried nuts and fruits, set off by peppery wines. The main dishes were served hot and buffet-style: A tomato-based stew, thin, elegant white rice, sizzling kabobs and pastry pouches filled with turmeric-saturated potatoes.
As always at these private dinner parties, the reporter’s off-the-record cone of silence descended around the far-ranging topics. I can say that Austin culture, politics, food, media and economics played leading roles in animated discussions. Much talk of California, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and, of course, Afghanistan, all places of origin for at least one guest. We steered away from the long war, which looms over Zarghun’s extended family around Kabul.
Other invitees — Iliana de la Vega and Ernesto Torrealba; Drew and Simone Arnold; Jennifer McNevin and Greg Koury; and Emilie Farenthold — were drawn heavily from the restaurant and interactive communities.
Farenthold saved the best line for last. After listening to spiraling chatter about gardens, kitchens and dining, she said: “I don’t dare cook for any of you!”
Don’t worry, we’ll love anything that is prepared with as much care as the Deans invested in our Afghan evening.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Food
Catalyst 8 Bash at the Long Center
Goals are good. Catalyst 8, the group of young leaders backing the Long Center for the Performing Arts, has made a goal: To raise $600,000 this year.
Sara Dunne and Pat Buchta
They intend to subsidize 60 nights of local arts in the center’s Rollins Theatre. If there’s a smarter, more focused goal for an arts guild, I don’t know about it.
Catalyst 8 energizer Carla Jackson says she’d like to help subsidized groups, such as Tongue and Groove Theatre, to learn marketing as well. (She adored that company’s clever staging of “The Red Balloon.”)
Wolfgang and Julie Niedert
For its annual Bash, the leaders decked out two levels of Long Center lobbies and gathering spots. Kevin Smothers concentrated on a downbeat lounge in the third floor. Technology provided the theme: Centerpieces were constructed of electronic innards.
Jake Stewart and Troupe Gammage of the band Speak
The synthpop band Speak got guests moving in the Kodosky Lounge. I first heard the foursome during the Austin Fashion Awards show at the Dell Hall, for which they were ideally suited. Here they played dance beats from the ’70s and ’80s, as well as their own adroitly layered compositions.
Laura Mitchell, Susan Nelms and Robert Taylor
I danced, thank in part to the companionship of Jackson and restaurant owner Cameron Lockley. Yes. So you know it was a good party. Any videos of my inevitable awkwardness should not make it onto the Internet. Seriously. No. Seriously.
Outgoing Catalyst 8 chairwoman Amy Holloway and her retirement gift, not a close likeness
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Arts
Texas 4000 Dinner at Hyatt Regency Austin
Charities stage stunts. Few are as stunning at the Texas 4000 Ride. Students cycle from Austin to Anchorage. That’s in Alaska, more than 4,000 miles away.
Tyler Mann and Amira Jensen
They raise money to fight cancer, working closely with Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation. To celebrate the intense experience, the riders and their friends gather in Austin each summer for a formal dinner.
Art Acevedo, Maria Groten, Eric Groten
In the past, the dinner has taken place at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Hyatt Regency Austin, site of Saturday’s event, is not in the same class, almost anyone would agree. Yet the Hyatt upped its gala game with multiple service stations, comfortably spaced tables and a full staff of alert helpers. Dark curtains behind the dais helped shape and warm the space. (The kitchen simultaneously catered the Catalyst 8 Bash across the way at the Long Center. Color me impressed.)
Sydney Reynolds and Drake Dominy
Earlier Texas 4000 dinners attracted Olympians, especially Longhorn swimmers. None popped into my view on Saturday. Yet I spent time with the celebrated — Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and his artfully coiffed wife Tanya; along with legal and charity eagles Eric and Maria Groten (Eric is arguing his first case before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans soon).
Lauren Ibarra and Bijal Mehta
A little birdie — none of the above — told me that a cheerful announcement would be made later in the evening, relative to Livestrong and the Texas 4000. I’ll let fitness reporter Pamela LeBlanc follow up on the official word when the time is ripe.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: Education
Concordia University Texas Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel
A pattern develops, almost inexorably, while socializing in Austin. It begins with cursory introductions, perhaps as part of a group at a party or a club. Eventually, an individual conversation catches fire. Later, a whole afternoon or evening is devoted to familiarizing oneself with another Austinite, or handful of them.
Claudia Teinert and Jim McConnell
This pattern was borne out through Concordia University Texas. On a busy social night a couple of years ago, I attended the cocktail portion of school’s first Excellence in Leadership dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel. I did so out of respect for Elizabeth Christian and Associates, the veteran Austin public relations firm which informed me of the budding event.
At the next year’s gala, I paused in the lobby for chats with some of Concordia’s backers and leaders. I was impressed. Still, I barely knew their names. Then, a few weeks ago, Concordia president Tom Cedel and his wife, Penny, took me on a tour of the still-new West Austin campus. The proverbial scales fell from my eyes as this cheerful power pair revealed, not only the university’s physical promise, but its rare sense of clear purpose.
Matt and Heather Powell
So Friday night, I brushed away other invitations to spend the entire evening with the Concordia crew at the Four Seasons gala, which has grown every year. In the packed lobby, I chatted with former Austin mayor Bruce Todd and his wife Elizabeth Christian, also with her business teammate, the heavily pregnant but radiant Kristin Marcum.
I was pleased to join the Cedels at their table, discreetly to the side of the main dining room, near the dais. Joining the discussion around the meal were board members and their spouses, such as Ed and Carolyn Moerbe, and Alan and Alice Werchan, as well as Penny’s mother, Helen Garrard, a newly minted Texan with a fresh driver’s license. To my left was Lance Thompson, a senior and baseball player at Concordia who would later speak eloquently from the stage about his educational journey and the business he founded (already!).
Abigail Pfiester Rue and Blake Rue
Communications professor Abigail Pfiester Rue kept the ceremonies paced and punctuated; newspaperman and the dinner’s honoree, John Garrett, spoke of the religious inspiration that helped him expand a Community Impact business. (He leaned rather heavily on the David vs. Goliath analogy, which drew eyes in my direction, presumably as representative of the giant.)
By the time it was all over, it felt like I had joined a club. That’s what a gala should do. And, for those who dismiss them, that’s why I attend, if gingerly at first.
UPDATE
An earlier version of this post did not mention Garrett’s newspaper chain: Community Impact. Also, his last name was misspelled.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Education
iCare Gala for Care Communities at Airport Hilton
Last season, your social columnist fairly gushed about the iCare Gala for the Care Communities. The speeches, videos and testimonials moved just about everyone in the room at the TDS Exotic Game Ranch. The interfaith group organizes teams to support the seriously ill, sort of like Meal on Wheels and More, but targeted to particularly severe cases.
Hal Katz and Ana Pechenik
This year, iCare moved to the Airport Hilton. First a word about the doughnut-shaped building, formerly a U.S. Air Force headquarters, on the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport grounds. The open atrium rises to a striking climax, at once modern and casual, and the event rooms on the ground floor and in the basement offer a flexible social experience, once one gets past the odd-shaped spaces and obstructing support beams.
Ramkrishna Prakash and Carol Thompson
Right away, super-connector Carol Thompson introduced me one of her new causes, Ramkrishna Prakash, the software wiz who is exploring ways to care for the elderly in their homes. Outreach coodinator Roger Temme proved ever the gracious host, and he filled me in on this year’s honorees — Roseanne Becker, Charlotte Hale and MariBen Ramsey.
Rebecca Crossley, Evelyn Williams, Wendy Chapman, Marlene Gescke and Nicole Anderson
I approached one table for a party picture only to have the entire, rambunctious bunch jump up for the shot. They remained good sports about squeezing together for the traditional vertical visual treatment.
They begged — no, insisted — that I join their table for the remainder of the ceremony. But after four social events, spread all across the city, it was time to call it a night, and to bid this outstanding charity all the best.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Charity
Austin Fearless Woman Award at Maggiano’s
What a thrill to enter a room full of dauntless women. At a banquet hall inside the vast, dark Maggiano’s in the Domain, several dozen crisply dressed leaders from the Austin Chapter of EWomen Network had gathered Thursday to give out the Austin Fearless Woman Award.
Patti DeNucci and Jean Carpenter Backus
The nationwide Fearless Women Days — and their attendant awards — were timed to the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The victor was entrepreneur, environmentalist, filmmaker and screenwriter Brandy Amstel, who posed with a rather serious looking sword which was used by photographer Mary Ann Halpin in her book of portraits, titled, of course, “Fearless Women.”
Brandy Amstel and Steve Barcik
Two Austin entrepreneurs, Jean Carpenter-Backus of Carpenter and Langford, and Patti DeNucci of DeNucci & Co. were featured prominently in the book.
Lisa Copeland, Melinda Garvey and Ricci Neer
Other finalists for the local award included Melinda Garvey, Austin Woman Magazine, Sari Waxler, Seedling Foundation, Melanie Moore. Badgerdog Literary Publishing, Cherie Matthews, Heal in Comfort.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Business
Austin Marathon Kick-Off at J. Black’s
One really doesn’t expect to nick the conversational surface at a kick-off party for the Austin Marathon and Half-Marathon (rechristened Livestrong).
Obinna Ugokwe and Laura CaJacob
Yet at J. Black’s on Thursday, multisport athlete Laura CaJacob and accounts manager Obinna Ogokwe filled me in on the marathon’s background and leadership.
McKinzey Crossland, Stacey Conley and Shelly Gupta
PR specialist McKinzey Crossland and coordinator of client services Shelly Gupta joked around with Stacey Conley, the other half of Conley Sports, whom I have grievously ignored in favor of her slightly more famous husband. (They are known as expert organizers of foot races.)
Michael Pearson and Nanette Labastida
Yet the most penetrating chat was shared with social media experts Michael Pearson and Nanette Labastida, who dug into subjects as varied as Twitter, bad neighborhoods, entertainment journalism and, especially, the essential qualities of the (jerks) who sometimes infiltrate West Sixth Street.
We agreed upon: Arrogance, insincerity and emotional inflexibility. Still thinking about a column about this breed.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Sports
Reader nominations for 2011 Out & About 500
2011 Out & About 500: Here come some reader nominations for the most social Central Texans. Those already listed in 2010 are automatically renominated. Fresh names always welcome at mbarnes@statesman.com.
STYLE
Stacey Conley. Conley Sports, Austin Marathon
Susan and Bobby Epstein. Full Throttle Productions, Dell Jewish Community Campus, Long Center, Prophet Capital Management
Garrett Weber-Gale. USA Swimming
Aryn White and Tavo Hellmund. Full Throttle Productions
NIGHTLIFE
Larissa Ness. Larissaness.com
Camille Styles Moore. Camille Styles Events
Nikki Boudreaux and Marcus Swagger. LegitArt Entertainment
MUSIC
Diane and Randy Miller. Rainmaker Artists, Primary Wave Music Publishing
EDUCATION
Anna Land. Austin Heart House.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: The 500
Class 1: Entertainment Journalism at St. Edward’s University
My favorite part of the semester: The empty classroom, brimming with potential energy, before the students arrive on the first day.
The location for St. Edward’s University’s Entertainment Journalism classes this fall is a tall, airy, modern room in the natural sciences building. Desktop computers line three walls. A dozen or so students face a screen, soon jumping with online data. They bring laptops and smart phones to grapple with today’s entrepreneurial style of reporting.
During the first three-hour class, students introduced themselves (all but one from Texas, a mix of English, communications and other majors).
Then we reviewed the syllabus, which has grown over the years. Students composed and signed contracts about the skills they hope to acquire or polish, and how much time each week they pledged to spend doing so.
Then the first exercise, meant to strip away the abstract to mine the concrete, uses observation, description, analysis, interpretation and evaluation. The dense, quickly paced 42-second title sequence for “Rubicon” was our repeated subject.
This exercise is toughest on the most accomplished student writers, who want to race ahead to words like “ominous” or “suspicious” without trusting their own senses. They urgently seek to string together ideas before considering the sights and sounds that feed those ideas. Through trial and error, they came up with these (edited) conclusions about the “Rubicon” credits (none has seen the AMC series yet).
Observations: (words) Numbers, names, streets, arrows, yellow, highlighting, bar codes, lines, black, white, crosswords, Abraham Lincoln, letters, scribbles, marks, paper, news, maps, money, violins, highways, clover, pencil, newspaper, graph, newspaper, dots, code, circles, bass, typewriter, fragments, chalk, schematics, blanks, credit cards, dollar, fast, upbeat, crown, jet, roads, puzzles, eye, high pitch, city, gray, puppies, e-way, Dallas, JFK, Queens, market, crash, New York, scratches and micro chip.
Descriptions: (phrases) Swift moving yellow highlighter. Pixelated black and white images. Constant, plucking strings. Monochromatic geometric shapes. Fast transitions of black and white images. Web connections images leading to the word ‘Rubicon.’ Rapidly etching and scratching out of plans. High pitched screeching music. Diagonal yellow lines crossing. Cold hard images. Various newspaper ads highlighted. Varying vantage points.
Analysis: (counts) Three female names. Four highway loops. One presidential portrait. 4:4 time. Three different musical sounds. Thirteen yellow circles. Four newspapers. Fourteen proper nouns. Two black-and-white pictures of roads. (Numeral sequence): 7775. Twenty-two prompts on the crossword puzzle. Two bar codes. Fourteen names. Seven highlighted words. Two references to presidents.
Interpretations: Somebody is always watching you or those around you. Conspiracy theory. A fast-paced puzzle game of many numbers, people and things. A search for something in New York involving codes, encryptions and danger. Cracking codes, tracking criminals, solving a mystery, re-writing someones past, stealing someones identity, investigating a bank robbery/economic crash. It’s a mystery-solving thriller, involving the government. Computer and camera noises, and sounds of drawing, all allude to a sense of planning, plotting or attempting to solve something; psychologically thrilling. Comparable to ‘Enemy of the State’ (Will Smith film), planes down, markets crash something in New York, investigation.
Evaluations:
Jessye Padilla: “I think it is effective in connecting many numbers, people and things together by calling attention to certain circled items with a highlighter, causing a viewer to be intrigued by pieces of a puzzle.”
Christina Logan: “Fast transition of black and white slides of highlighted images of government names and symbols, several forms of bar codes, encryptions, puzzles and newspapers that leads to the word ‘Rubicon’ forming a sense of mysterious curiosity.”
Ingrid Husby: “The constant plucking strings and monochromatic geometric shapes are effective in building suspense as well as curiosity and enticing me to watch the show”
Holly Aker: “With the suspenseful music, images flicking on and off the screen and the mysterious number sequences, this intro would make anyone want to know more about ‘Rubicon.’”
Orlando Sanchez: “A smarter than average TV program that looks to take viewers on a puzzling journey through New York City.”
Bianca Segura: “Effectively evokes a sense of curiosity and mystery that in someways makes the viewer want to play along and attempt to solve whatever puzzle is needing to be solved. It could be appealing to those who enjoy psychologically thrilling television.”
Meg Seeger: “The high pitched accelerating music and the black and white aerial images create a suspenseful tone that is effective at introducing the audience to ‘Rubicon,’ a puzzling new series.”
Ginger Grossman: “This quick and mysterious introduction left me feeling confused, which must mean it’s good! The introduction would leave the average viewer enticed to see what the show involves — with all of the numbers, scratching, screeching, technology, and highlighting.”
Megan Ganey: “The rapid changing and connection of images with the yellow lines and circles makes me wonder what the connection is between them all, and at the end of the credits, I want to watch the show to get out of my state of anxiety by figuring out this massive puzzle of a conspiracy theory.”
Will Parsons: “Digital nature (of) the presentation of images and numbers is relatable to a 21st-century audience.”
Alex Bruno: “I think this is an effective opening because it uses images and music in an intricate and puzzling manner to make you wonder what is trying to be solved and what is going to happen.”
UPDATE: Alex Bruno’s evaluation was added after the initial posting.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment Categories: Education
Plaza Saltillo Revisited with Gus García
Newcomers can be forgiven for wondering where exactly they have stumbled.
Missing: People. Often, during the day or night, the place is deserted.
Longtimers know Plaza Saltillo well, however, despite its sometimes lonely and forlorn ambiance.
Built in 1997 by the City of Austin after much public discussion and with selected contributions — benches, a fountain, a statue, labor — from Austin’s sister city of Saltillo, Coahuila, it’s not a historical site in the traditional sense. Yet it reverberates with local narratives, as confirmed by former Austin Mayor Gus García, who toured the plaza (on foot) and the adjacent neighborhood (by car) with me on a hot morning in June.
The sometimes-controversial square needs some explanation, even for those who follow Austin cultural politics closely. The seeds of social awareness that led to Plaza Saltillo, García says, go back to the Economy Furniture Co. strike (1968-1971), the contemporaneous appointment or election of some of the area’s first Latino officials, such as Roy Guerrero, Gonzalo Barrientos, John Treviño and Richard Moya, and the protests against Aqua Fest boat races in the 1970s. All these events helped shape a political consciousness for East Austin and pumped energy into improvement projects such as the plaza.
Using dry humor, quick wit and slightly salty language, García recalls the twists and turns of the story, stirring in names richly redolent of modern Austin history, such as former Mexico Tipico restaurant owner Diana Vasquez-Valera, former state Rep. Glen Maxey, La Prensa publisher Kathy Vasquez, Nuevo Leon restaurant owner Rachel Dávila, former Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church pastor Bill Elliot and former City Council member Betty Dunkerley (who identified City of Austin dollars to match federal funds for the project).
Olé Mexico, a promotional zone whose centerpiece was Plaza Saltillo, was conceived to support the neighborhood’s web of Mexican eateries. The city had loaned money to one branch of the Limon family to open Don Limon’s on East Seventh Street, at the present location of Any Baby Can.
“Everybody came,” said García. “It was making money like you couldn’t believe.”
Don Limon’s was indeed big news when it opened in 1992. But the owners of nearby existing restaurants resented the exclusive taxpayer support of Don Limon’s. (Just as with the later Second Street and Domain districts, competing local businesspeople rarely respond positively when the City of Austin dangles a carrot in front of new businesses.) So the restaurateurs lobbied to create a special destination district called Olé Mexico.
Opened with blasting fanfare, the plaza was the subject of political maneuvering even from Mexico. The mayor of Saltillo, a stronghold of a conservative political party, had approved additions to the plaza (benches, etc.) to make it look more like a traditional Spanish town center. His successor, elected from a rival party, arrived one hot-then-cold day to inspect the place, and insisted the city of Saltillo give more culturally specific adornments, including the bust of a Mexican revolutionary figure who spent time in Central Texas.
Yet as with so many urban plans, Olé Mexico faded. After its initial success, Don Limon’s also faltered and closed, owing the city money. The light rail system was not built, and the farmers market evaporated, perhaps because such efforts were not marketed accurately for the neighborhood as it stood five or 10 years ago.
“It would never have thrived as do the other city farmers markets,” says Danny Camacho, a volunteer with the Austin History Center. “But as the Olé Mexico area has changed, including the loft across the street from the plaza, maybe it’s time to revisit the idea.”
For a while, before the arrival of commuter rail, the plaza became a makeshift homeless camp. Capital Metro and the City of Austin disputed which entity was responsible for maintaining the site.
Does all this activity qualify as unwanted intrusion into East Austin? Not if you consider the deep roots of Plaza Saltillo in the surrounding community and its cultural history. “It’s a natural evolution,” García says of East Austin’s growing connection to downtown and the rest of Austin. “Once we as a city decided that we wanted a vibrant downtown (and the Council voted on this issue several times in the 1990s), many of us knew that development was going to move east of downtown. It was — and still is — the most logical option.”
Nowadays, the plaza serves multiple purposes, besides rail stop. The annual Día de los Muertos parade starts here; community gatherings such as pet adoption fairs and voter registration campaigns are often booked for the plaza.
“Time brings change, some eras more accelerated than others,” Camacho says. “Yes, there were the homeless, and weeds grew as the city and Cap Metro squabbled over who was responsible for maintenance. But this is the present, and there is a future. What will that bring?”
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: City
Grand Opening Twin Oaks Library
Sometimes it all works out. Austin’s messy neighborhood democracy often appalls outsiders. To get any project done, one faces, not just actual neighbors and district associations, but physically distant power brokers who extract so many concessions, civic leaders often just give up.
What to do with the outdated and lonely (and therefore convenient) U.S. Post Office on South Fifth and Mary streets? That question stumped the Bouldin Creek neighborhood when we moved within its boundaries in the 1990s. One solution: A library which would serve Bouldin, Travis Heights and Zilker, transferred from a temporary location in the barren Twin Oaks shopping center at Oltorf Street and South Congress Avenue.
Aug. 21, 2010, the Twin Oaks Library finally opened. Hundreds of kids, parents, grandparents, couples, singles — and requisite dogs — gathered under tents and shade trees to hear officials speak. Inside, indirect light swam around the sectional rooms. Outside, the curious examined the multi-colored facades and sensitively landscaped grounds and limestone watercourse.
Local businesses offered refreshments. A swing band played, oddly enough, the theme from “The Odd Couple” when I walked up Saturday morning.
One wiseacre cracked: “I’m surprised no neighbor has called in a noise complaint on the library.”
It would surprise no one. And it would make the national papers.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: City
Austin Social Agenda, Aug.23-29
Whew! Now that Austin Fashion Week is over, we can breathe a bit. Still plenty for socializers to do, as always in Austin.
The same night, the Austin Fearless Woman Awards will be conferred at Maggiano’s in the Domain. The event toasts Mary Ann Halpin’s book of portraits, “Fearless Women.” Austinites Jean Carpenter-Backus and Patti DeNucci are featured in the book. (The women were photographed holding fearsome-looking sword.)
Also Thursday, the iCare Gala supports Care Communities at the Hilton Austin Hotel and the Cole Haan Fashion Show benefits the Octopus Club at the Domain. Friday, HelpAttach, designed for people converting their online activity into donations for nonprofits, launches at Conjunctured Coworking’s office space on East Seventh Street.
I’ll spend some time Friday with Tom and Penny Cedel, plus their friends at the Excellence in Leadership Gala for Concordia University Texas at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Saturday, I wouldn’t dare miss the Texas 4,000 Tribute at the Hyatt Regency Austin. This gala salutes the University of Texas students who raised money by cycling from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska. Often, Olympians show up at this physically fit event.
That night, Zilker Theatre Productions, currently presenting “Annie” at the Hillside Theater, holds a benefit cabaret at the Nutty Brown Cafe; and ColdTowne holds all-night fundraiser to secure a new space for its comedy troupe, classes and indie performance groups.
I’ll probably round out the evening at the Catalyst 8 Bash at the Long Center. Last year, this party, thrown by the center’s young leaders, proved a bash and a half.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
Austin Fashion Awards and After-Party at the Long Center
Youth is for the young. Also for Austin Fashion Week.
Pam Ivy Kim, Tae Tesoriero and Misty Mittelstedt
At 21 parties over the course of eight days and nights, youth held sway. At runway shows, boutique parties, club gigs and more formal ceremonies, the average age barely topped 30. Those who could actually pay retail for haute couture remained a bizarre minority.
Rachelle Briton, Lisa Matulis and Shannon Yarbrough
Which is very Austin. Flocking to the second edition of summer events organized by Launch787 were models, designers, retailers, media and party planners. In other words, the chronically underpaid creative class, little different from the musicians, artists, food hawkers and others who have stamped this city with their brash identities.
Kristin Nicolaisen, Zayra and Betsy Hudson
Only the stylish sort dresses a little better. And, except for cases of unsettling thinness, they look a tad healthier.
Avery Dunn and Brad Swail
There’s some notion that fashion, among the last of the glamor fields to blossom in Austin, historically speaking, is an invasive species. Ideal for upscale, urban settings like New York or Los Angeles, or for pretenders like Dallas, or international cultural mash-ups like Miami, but not for Austin. Dear, dear funky Austin.
Kadynce Akaye and Amber Stuhldreher
Those who say so have not been paying attention. Trend-spotters have been scouting Austin and its independent style for decades. Now those trends have coalesced into identifiable scenes, only attracting notice of the general population during Fashion Week and Style Week, or on Second Street and at the Domain, or up and down three stylish South Austin strands (Congress, First, Lamar). Or pockets elsewhere.
Chad Garven and Casey Branson
It remains a young person’s sport. One of the key parties of the week was held in the darkened womb of ND at the 501 Studios in East Austin. Staged by Dean Fredrick, the jewelry designer who won the top critic’s honor at the Austin Fashion Awards on Saturday, the club-like space turned into hipster heaven, with of-the-moments acts like the Soldier Thread and Quiet Company playing for a suitably inked and mellowed clan of many hues.
Alex Young and Mia Foos
Another highlight of the week was the Hair Affair runway show for the charity Locks of Love at the Phoenix. Inspired by the French ancien regime, this imaginative frolic combined high hair and wigs with assertive downtown fashions. It screamed “youth” even more so than other memorable Fashion Week events, taking their thematic cues from Bollywood, jet setters and boudoirs.
Priscilla King and Thomas Christiansen
The Fashion Awards were leavened by wickedly funny cabaret artist Mandy Lauderdale, whose baby-blue act proved perfect for the occasion and the crowd. Lauderdale’s onstage persona, which includes various alter-egos, gave the occasion, much tighter than last year’s ceremonies, a winking maturity, as if suggesting: “OK guys and girls, have fun, but there’s more to the world than meets a twentysomething’s eye …”
Jennifer Reyna and Kelly Wall
Inevitably one must ask: Who is paying for all this? Surely not the starving creative class, which, in Austin, includes many of the seemingly high-end retailers in their pristine boutiques. (Just ask about their rents.) Fashion reporter Marques Harper has posed the crucial questions about what holds Fashion Week aloft, and what will do so in the future: Fees or sponsorships; ticket prices or donations?
In terms of social development, the city’s fashion scene is decades behind music, movies, arts, media, food, business and charity, much less the ancestral Austin triumvirate of politics, education and sports. But much like its coevals — the fledgling nightlife and interactive communities — fashion is here to stay. And it will make its distinctive mark on this city we love.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 19: Neiman Marcus
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 19: Neiman Marcus (Friday, Aug. 19)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Kim Gillan and Jan Amazeen
Radiant. Summery. Sunlit. Sunshiny.
Elsa Hart, Steve Murray and Melissa Hart
structural. Architectonic. Building. Constructive.
Taylor McCausland and Ophelia Talley
Posh. Swank. Tony. Uptown.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 18: Plain Ivey Jane
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 18: Plain Ivey Jane (Thursday, Aug. 18)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Julia Elizondo and Liz Malasko
Amoebic. Animate. Basal. Elemental.
Mickey Johnson, Catalina Cantu and Logan Rodriguez
Cordial. Expansive. Genial. Gregarious.
George Bragdon, Trish Benford and Sarah Pitre
Austral. Meridional. Midi. Southerly.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 17: Peyton Place
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 17: Peyton Place. (Thursday, Aug. 18)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Anthony Dominguez and Krista White (America’s Next Top Model Cycle 14 Winner)
Elevated. Eminent. Exalted. Excellent.
Brian and Kristen Wimberley
Dear. Delightful. Dishy. Fetching.
Coltish. Frisky. Frolicsome. Larkish.
Jen Shoemaker and Stacy Kenyon
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 16: Girl Next Door
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 16: Girl Next Door. (Thursday, Aug. 18)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Koshla Johansson and Jane Vanisko McCan
Ecumenical. Global. Gregarious. Metropolitan.
Amanda and Matt Fox
Serene. Spontaneous. Tolerant. Tranquil.
Rose Tran, Vinh Ngo, Laura Martinez and Tiffany lee
Cordial. Dulcet. Euphonious. Harmonic.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 15: Langford Market
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 15: Langford Market (Thursday, Aug. 18)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Dashee and Brett
Incandescent. Intense. Lambent. Lucent.
Oliver Hall and Marianna Mooring
Stipulated. Understood. Universal. Wonted.
Rob Webster and Verena Webster
Fleet. Frisky. Limber. Lithe.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 14: Eliza Page
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 14: Eliza Page (Thursday, Aug. 18)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Cesar Calderon and Angelica Rosales
Frolicsome. Fun-loving. Gamesome. Glad.
Martha Hopkins and John Fulmer
Informal. Insouciant. Mellow. Offhand.
Monica Felan and Matu
Summerlike. Summery. Temperate. Tropical.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 13: Estilo
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 13: Estilo. (Thursday, Aug. 18)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Lola Gonzalez and Zhenya Leshakova
Filigreed. Fine. Meshy. Ornate.
Alex Sullivan and Ophelia Talley
Nocturnal. Nightly. Nightime. Eventide.
Alexander Hartman and Eric Flores
Diurnal. Circadian. Cyclic. Quotidian.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 12: Tracy Tenpenny at Beyond Tradition
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 12: Tracy Tenpenny at Beyond Tradition (Thursday, Aug. 18)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Soft. Soothing. Still. Tranquil.
Dichotomous. Dichotonic. Divaricate. Divided.
Christie and Casey Nelson
Bound. Branched. Coupled. Crossed.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 11: Shoe+Hat: Fashion+Art at Designer Clearance House
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 11: Shoe+Hat: Fashion+Art at Designer Clearance House. (Tuesday, Aug. 17)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Orlando and Spring Castillo
Discerning. Extrasensory. Far-sighted. Farseeing.
Nancy Andree and Marge Gomez
Financial. Fiscal. Marketable. Mercantile.
Matt Swinney and Carrie Crowe
Determined. Decisive. Intent. Resolute.
Party chief Andrea McWilliams informs me that only 40 tickets are left for the private performance and attendant VIP treatment for the later dance bash for the Ballet Austin Fete on Sept. 10. The dinner is sold out.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 10: VIP Preview at Beyond Tradition
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 10: VIP Preview at Beyond Tradition. (Tuesday, Aug. 17)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Kelli Kelley and Kappie Bliss
Vivacious. Vivid. Zesty. Zippy.
My-Cherie Haley and Alexi Bell
Dreamy. Ecstatic. Elated. Enchanted.
George Luc and Robert Enriquez
Dapper. Dashing. Fly. Modish.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 9: A Hair Affair at the Phoenix
View A-List photos from this event
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 9: A Hair Affair at the Phoenix for Locks of Love. (Monday, Aug. 26)
Kurt B and Megan Lane
Beneficent. Benevolent. Benign. Bountiful.
Seyna Fall and Martha Bitar
Decorous. Diffident. Earnest. Modest.
Mike Robbins, Jean-Paul Tiblier and Rodney Kingston
Bold. Brassy. Bright. Cheeky.
(PS: After taking these pictures, I witnessed one of the most sophisticated fashion shows I’ve had the pleasure of seeing in Austin, all to benefit Locks of Love.)
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 8: Jet Set at Stella Says Go
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 8: Jet Set at Stella Says Go. (Monday, Aug. 16)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Jesse Porter and Moira Foreman
Snappy. Sparkling. Sprightly. Sunny.
Cheryl Conley Bemis and Melissa Shea
Sedulous. Serious. Skillful. Systematic.
Amy Filbin, Anne Marie Beard and Natalie Rickards
Daring. Dashing. Diligent. Driving.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 7: Bollywood at Jose Luis Salon
View A-List photos from this event
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 7: Bollywood at Jose Luis Salon. (Monday, Aug. 16)
Haley Smith and Brianna Fleet
Glistening. Glittering. Glowing. Scintillating.
Rooma Aron and Reema Aron
Dignified. Distinguished. Elevated. Eminent.
Bri Gilbert and Bill Pitts
Uncurbed. Undaunted. Valiant. Venturesome.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 6: Dean Fredrick at ND at 501 Studios
View A-List photos from this event
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 6: Dean Fredrick at ND at 501 Studios. (Monday, Aug. 16)
Rose Tran and Vinh Ngo
Rare. Recherche. Refined. Singular.
Belen Rodriguez and Esto Gamez
Interrelated. Intertwined. Interwoven. Joint.
Yoni Levin Austin Lee Dylan
Diaphanous. Elegant. Ethereal. Exquisite.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 5: Eye Candy + Martha Lynn Barnes
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 5: Eye Candy + Martha Lynn Barnes. (Monday, Aug. 16)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Ashley Cass, Candace Carlisle and Christine Chun
Chockablock. Competent. Complete. Comprehensive.
Jirod Greene and Barbara Elaine
Excessive. Exorbitant. Extravagant. Immoderate.
Maureen Toribio, Caitlin Tracy and David Nguyen
Astute. Canny. Clever. Discerning.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 4: Joie de Shalena Fashion Show at Joie de Vie Salon
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 4: Joie de Shalena Fashion Show at Joie de Vie Salon on East Sixth Street. (Monday, Aug. 16)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Amber Fee and Michael Freres
Arch. Bow. Buckle. Camber.
Liliana Plyler and Lesha Griffin
Lush. Luxuriant. Plenteous. Plentiful.
Melissa McCall and Amy Degroot
Earnest. Energetic. Enterprising. Enthusiastic.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 3: Wonderland at Linda Asaf Design Studio
Austin Fashion Week Party No. 3: Wonderland at Linda Asaf Design Studio on West Sixth Street. (Monday, August, 16.)
For key fashion reporting, go to The Goods by Marques Harper. My experiment this Fashion Week: To suggest personal styles of party guests by using synonyms only. By any measure, an inexact technique!
Latanya Wade and Casey Branson
Fantastic. Capricious. Illusive. Curious.
Alessandra Bureni and Devin Ellis
Sassy. Sharp. Shrewd. Slick.
Barbara Kelso, Linda Asaf and Zoraima Pealez
Collegial. Collusive. Combined. Concerted.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Sunday’s Social Rounds
Sunday began badly. Map problems. Car problems. Phone problems. Camera problems. Shopping problems. Nobody knows how deaf and blind I am without a functioning iPhone.
Kayla Williams, Jen Hoover and Shondi Pugh
The first respite was secured at a small baby shower for colleague Peter Mongillo and Becky D’Orsogna at the Travis Country home of Sarah and Jeff Beckham. Best overheard comment: “Yeah, I’m going with pink,” D’Orsogna says. “I know, I’m all women’s studies and gender neutrality, but pink for this baby.”
Monty Muir, Amy Martin and Matt Muir
Once I found it, the next oasis was the Zoolander Party at Jen Hoover’s cute Pearl Hair and Make-Up Studio at West Avenue and 29th Street. (Flying blind because of an overheated iPhone.) Everyone was darling, although, no, I didn’t put on a Zoolander wig and prop up one of the movie’s beloved lines. My favorite: “Obey my dog!” Although I’d alter it to: “Obey my blog!”
Three mistresses of celebrity and gossip: Laurie Lyons, Heather Brady and Dani Dudek
All the coursing around meant I missed the Recycled Fashion Show at AMOA. Later, I skipped the Fashion Most Wanted at the Belmont. Just, you know, the heat and the technical difficulties …
But new friends Ian Carrico and Carter Wilsford accompanied me to Cameron Lockley’s sizzling new Latin restaurant, La Sombra on Burnet Road. Now that cooled and smoothed out the day!
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Voodoo Cowboy Party at the Belmont
A few years back, social arbiter Stephen Moser invited me to a party. “It’s the most decadent date on Austin’s social calendar,” he vowed. I attended attorney and man-about-town Mark Mueller’s summer party at the Austin Music Hall. It was a delicious gathering. But hardly decadent.
Had I become unfairly jaded? Well, several Voodoo Cowboy parties later, and I’ve changed my tune. The summer fiesta at the Belmont on Saturday — though competing with Fashion Week’s Bright Lights Idea City, the Ice Ball and a key media star’s birthday party — came this close to a debauch. And true dissolution might have transpired after I departed.
Roberta Riley and Mark Mueller
The jungle theme crouched from the darkness of the Belmont patio, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting guests. Performers had painted skeletons on their bodies. Thundering drums pounded from the stage. Trays of tall tequila sunrises circulated like cheap party favors.
Amber and Jude Galligan
I’m surprised the place didn’t just erupt. A slight breeze helped keep things chill, at least on the upstairs deck. Still, one couldn’t escape the pulsating musical acts (Black & White Years at the time I left), fire dancers and body painters, several of the women joyfully topless. Complete strangers flirted outrageously.
Micah King and Ramzi Chitour
Despite all this happy chaos, I was able to engage in long conversations with model Laura Aidan and her husband, tech specialist Chris; do-righters Turk and Christy Pipkin, record producer David Messier (and, charmingly, his creative real estate broker); band manager Randy Miller; inveterate downtowners Amber and Jude Galligan.
Randy and Diane Miller with David Messier
Touched bases with La Moser; party host Mueller, brandishing his peacock cane; charity promoter Micah King; eatery owner Nilda de la Llata (El Sol y La Luna); former City Council candidate Perla Cavazos; TV’s Michelle Valles; Austin Film Society’s Rebecca Campbell; international music promoter Dave Dart; and countless others.
Michelle Valles with Turk and Christy Pipkin
Mark, I owe you an apology. Nobody in Austin can throw a party quite like you.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
Austin Social Agenda: Aug. 16-22
Presenting more than 100 events, Austin Fashion Week trumps all other social activities for next few days.
Tuesday, after a tiny VIP Party at Beyond Tradition, the public will gather for the “Shoe+Hat: Fashion+Art” showing at the Designer Clearance House. (1970 Stephen Sondheim lyric: “Does anyone still wear a hat?”)
Wednesday, Rebels Honky Tonk morphs into a rodeo carnival for a Fashion Week round-up. Earlier, one could drop by “Fashion for Compassion” at Bead It, or “Cupcakes, Cocktails, Makeovers & Fashion” at Lovely Austin Boutique. “Lights, Camera … Fashion!” invites the paparazzi to Touch of Sass/Jackson-Ruiz.
Thursday, West Second Street is the locus for parties such as “Get Nailed into Fashion Week,” which matches Beyond Tradition with designer Tracy Tenpenny (logo pictured), and BoConcept’s strangely punctuated “Mod (blank).” Others will join “A State of Fashion” on the steps of the Texas Capitol.
Saturday night is dominated by Austin Fashion Awards at the Long Center. Afterwards, we might squeeze out the last drops of the Aye Eye Ball at the Off Center, but not Que Maravilla way out at TDS Exotic Game Ranch.
Sunday, the Italian Festival returns to Laguna Gloria. Perhaps we’ll drop by the pre-party for the Brian Jones Celebrity Class Golf Tournament at the University of Texas Golf Club on the same day.
Not directly related to Fashion Week is the annual Studio 54 bash at Kiss & Fly on Friday. One stray daytime event: Cupcake Smackdown 2.0 at Le Cordon Bleu near the Domain on Saturday. Stay away from the cupcake canon.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife, Style
Ice Ball at Hilton Austin
The Ice Ball is an historical anomaly.
Sarah Williams and Nick Balleza
Just a few short years ago, it was an office party looking for a cause. The charity gathering rapidly expanded, then moved to the former Monarch Center, before heading to the Austin Music Hall. Even that huge spot couldn’t hold it. Now it’s held at the Hilton Austin. I know of no similar event that can claim such a rapid rise to charity stardom.
Courtney Lockhart and Ben Sy
So movin’ on up for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. Saturday, the big, big ballroom was filled with people, milling around the silent auction, tasting from various food stations. In a novel arrangement, all this action was wrapped around the central space, giving guests plenty of room to roam. (That I love.)
Fredericka Middleton, Clary Auler and Laura Craddick
Victoria Gutierrez prepped to resume her role as auctioneer/goddess. Sen. Kirk Watson and Rep. Donna Howard worked the crowd. I was a wee bit disappointed that the Ice Ball was scheduled on such a crazy busy night. But it happens.
UPDATE: An earlier version of this post misstated that the Ice Ball charity was Boys and Girls Club of Austin (an equally worthy cause).
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Charity
Austin Fashion Week Party at Idea City
View A-List photos from this event
All the pre-chatter has gone silent. Austin Fashion Week is here. The Bright Lights, Idea City party at the GSD&M campus on West Sixth Street announced its arrival with predictable force.
Helen Hutka, Andrea Hernandez and Renee Schroder
Not all guests were as radically attired as the three models pictured above. Yet the painted ones set a tone. Like so many large Austin parties these days, supernumeraries played somewhat leading roles.
Dorothy Stewart and Arianna McKinney
As designed by affair planners at Clink, the courtyard of the advertising firm’s campus was opened up for a long runway flanked by rows of white chairs. Food and drink samples awaited in a fair-like village to the side. Early in the party, folks shuttled from the cool, dry interior spaces to and from the hot, damp courtyard.
Wendy Corn and Milli Starr
Many reps from the city’s Style, Nightlife, Interactive, Food and Media tribes mingled. One guest bemoaned the obvious: That even for events explicitly devoted to glamor, some Austinites refuse to dress up … even a little bit. (Once again, I did not document the deleterious.) A shame. Because it’s fun.
Cameron Lockley, Vickmay Quinn and Joe Pierce
I spent the most time with nattily attired Gerald Rich, fashion writer for the Daily Texan, who brought along a considerable photo and video crew. Also caught up with Cameron Lockely, whose Latin-themed La Sombra is bustling on Burnet Road. I introduced him to Milton Torres of Popular Hispanics and Vickmay Quinn of the Vickmay Skin and Body Spa.
Caren Morton and Laura Gamble
I was delighted to see event planner Danielle Thomas and film maker Adam Garner, who are seven months pregnant and planning a sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands. After a couple of hours, I left for the evening’s other amusements, missing ’80s pop singer Tiffany and the runway show. I’m not worried, runway shows will pop up all through Fashion Week.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Fresh slices of Austin nightlife
Austin nightlife pulsates in a state of constant flux.
So periodically, we tag along with budding experts, such as online gallery owner Jeff Kirk or spirits guru Carter Wilsford, now working at the absinthe-themed Péché on West Fourth Street.
Black Sheep Lodge (2108 S. Lamar Blvd.) In 2009, this bar quickly established itself as a lure for the Zilker. Barton Hills and adjacent areas. Comfortable, commodious, it includes seating on an uncovered front porch. The Black Sheep attracts a slightly older clan than other new pubs in town. “It reminds me of a college bar, but for alums only,” Martinez-Vargas says. One can choose from an array of exotic beers, pub grub, TV screens and variously arranged conversation nooks. Shorts, T-shirts and sandals adorned the garrulous, mostly male crowd the night we dropped in. Only one couple followed the Texas Rangers game intently. Parking is a challenge; watch out for the posted warnings.
The Aviary (2110 S. Lamar Blvd.) We almost tripped over this wine bar attached to the home decor store by the same name. Like the Black Sheep next door, it offers a front-porch roost, though considerably smaller and slightly elevated above the busy boulevard. We didn’t spend time here, but noted a hipper vibe and younger tribe than at the nearby pub.
Red Shed Tavern (8504 S. Congress Ave) What a hidden gem! This former biker bar located near the terminus of South Congress Avenue is an exception in a land of chain outlets and familiar eateries. A huge back patio includes a fold-up stage and dozens of tables. Without much promotion, the Shed has attracted plenty of admirers from the growing Southpark Meadows district. Inside, a jukebox and pool table wait for friendly interactions. “It’s the only place in (far) South Austin that is a full bar, and is not a sports bar or restaurant,” Martinez-Vargas says. “But they do have a Spartan Pizza trailer.”
The Dogwood (715 W. Sixth St.) The hottest club downtown comes from the Womack brothers and their business partners, their first project built almost from scratch and a far cry from their East Sixth Street hangouts. Formerly cozy Mother Egan’s, the Dogwood is defined by classy, clean lines and horizontal masonry. Cooled by misters, the new club’s patio is spacious and airy. Inside, an even chillier aura rules. The attention to detail is absolute. “This place has plenty of the ‘I-wanna-be-seen’ crowd,” Martinez-Vargas says. “The place is full of ladies in dresses and heels, looking like a wrap party for a fashion photo shoot.”
Rebels Honky Tonk (305 W. Fifth St.) I was leery. The former Rainbow Cattle Company reopened so quickly and with so little fanfare. And what were the owners trying to convey with the name? Whatever it was, the crowd skewed wonderfully Austin the night we attended. Flip-flops may have outnumbered cowboy boots. Almost no hats. So country — rare for downtown — but also contemporary. Patrons tried their luck on the throw-back mechanical bull. The real attraction here is the vast dance floor, among the largest in the Warehouse District. “I call it a ‘Carrie Underwood’ country bar,” Martinez-Vargas says. “It fits the mainstream downtown scene.”
Townhouse (303 W. Fifth St.) Next to Rebels — and connected by an inner door — is perhaps the most intense addition to the local cocktail revolution. This narrow spot, formerly the Whiskey Bar, among other incarnations, has already altered its leadership team more than once in its short life. It bristles with fresh ingredients like basil, fruit and plenty of infusions. One can order from a long cocktail menu — or not. Wednesdays are Downbeat and Dub Nights.
The Brixton (1412 E. Sixth St.) Now this is a no-nonsense pub. Not like any theme bars you might find at a mall or along a freeway, but rather low-profile, stripped-down joint discovered on a back street in South Boston or South London. Any place where the prime ingredients are beer and companionship, with a little sport and a patio thrown in. And it’s part of the East-East Sixth Street revival that includes restaurants, food trailers and several more bars, plus some active street life these days.
Cheer Up Charlie’s (1104 E. Sixth St.) One of those East-East bars is this eccentric, extremely laid-back place. Barely four walls and a patio, it defines East Austin funky. Cheer Up shares a lightly-upgraded lot with food trailers, and the traffic among the campers is constant. At times, this tiny place goes gay as Queer Up Charlie’s. It all works in Austin.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
Charity Bash for the Cipher at Aloft Hotel
Charity Bash evolves with every benefit party. The young leaders who run the show attract a loyal cadre who would look loose, happy at a downtown club or cocktail party. Each month, they mix for a cause.
Christine Perrault Moline, Brian Hovorak and Pamela phillips
That audience grew more varied Thursday at the Aloft Hotel in the Domain. Guests trended a bit older (good? bad?) and a little less West Sixth Street (I say: good). Eateries such as Fleming’s and North offered bites while folks chatted about exploring the mid-rise hotel and its modern stylings.
Jorge Albert and Marisela Godinez
The charity this time was Austin’s The Cipher, based on New York’s The Hip Hop Project and the movie about it. The group encourages youth in creative ways, hoping to affect more than just their musical lives.
Shannon Sandrea, TeAunna Moore and Darrion Borders
The Charity Bash backers choose their grantees well. I met the Cipher co-founder, Shannon Sandrea, and some of the hip hop artists. One asked about a future in writing. I encouraged him to build his own brand online and I hope to find people reading his work in the near future.
Chris “Gidon” Borders and Gus Crowder, who kept breaking up while I photographed them
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Charity
Mercury Hall + Continental Club + Péché + Townhouse
To buzz from Mercury Hall to the Continental Club to Péché and Townhouse in one evening is to sip from many Austin night flowers. Besides the food, drink and amusements at these paragons, the people there provided sustenance in the form of honeyed conversation. (Now that I’ve drained that metaphor for its worth, let’s review.)
Ryan and Kristen White
Mercury Hall was the site for the anniversary celebration for Austin Cake Ball, a bakery that makes divine little truffle-like desserts. Popular at weddings, they come in 11 flavors, including the newly added tiramisu edition. Folks — crisply dressed for such a humid dusk — circulated among the tables at the former church, now often used for events such as weddings, tasting the goodies and comparing notes.
Becky and Michael Bullard
Over on South Congress Avenue, a reverential crowd in T-shirts and shorts caught one of the last in a series of performances of singer-songwriter Aimee Bobruk, soon off to New York City to spread her creative wings. For one song at the Continental Club, she promised: “A little existential angst. Go existentialism!” Indeed, a melancholy strain is woven into the melodies and lyrics of this Walker County songstress, who has established a subscription system to pay for writing her next singles, then album.
Verity Branco and Xochitl Romero
Friends texted me that they had gathered at Péché, the absinthe-themed lounge on West Fourth Street. The place bustled, especially for a Wednesday night, and a little subset gathered around a low table near the back of the place. I asked for “something refreshing” and the waiter returned with a frisky concoction that raised my spirits, then some slices of artisan cheese from a outfit in Houston (Dairymaids?). The discussions ran long and deep as the night slipped away.
Left at the table were Asian Studies student Ian Carrico and Daily Texan reporter Gerald Rich. We were discussing the cocktail revolution in Austin and how it branched out from the experiments by Bill Norris at Fino. Then I discovered they hadn’t visited Garrett Mikel’s cocktail hot spot, Townhouse, on West Fifth Street. So we steered over in that direction.
We were later followed by our friend and spirits guru Carter Wilsford and his coterie. If anything, the Townhouse attempts at “refreshing” were more intense, redolent of basil, Pimm’s, even tomatoes.
Wednesdays are Downbeat & Dub night at the former Whiskey Bar, so we luxuriated in the European-style blends. “(In) Fused” comes from the imaginative fount of Architektur/John Gomi.
Drinks. Chats. Downbeats. Exhilarating.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
PR for Nonprofits Workshop at University of Texas
Then I take live pitches from newly formed teams, channeled these days through social media, e-mail, pretend phone calls and improvised face-to-face chats.
My promise is always the same: At least one of the pitches will result in an Out & About column. Not always right away. Eventually, though. I’m never disappointed. The participants always find at least one Austin person, place or scene that nabs my interest.
The students broke into five teams. They chose clever, memorable names like Cupcake Smackdown, Ice Cream Dreamz and PB&J +. (Somebody was hungry.) They chose worthy causes with social angles that might appear in my blog and column.
Their “party pitches” — variations on “elevator pitches” — elicited either focused curiosity, or help finding another contact at the newspaper. Most importantly, they had fun.
It remains to be seen which subject I’ll write about. But, for the first time ever, I felt like everybody in the class got the workshop by the end of the hour. Gratifying.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Charity, Education
Dance Institute First Anniversary Party
Few could have predicted that ballroom dancing would march back into the public imagination with such a vengeance. Thank “Dancing with the Stars” and all its iterations for popularizing social dance forms that never went away, just remained out of the spotlight for a while.
Linda Holland with Michael and Celeste Simons
Now it is not only acceptable to move to every conceivable genre — consider the astounding variety showcased on “So You Think You Can Dance?” — once obscure forms have become core staples for TV reality competitions.
Greg Easley, Omar Lopez and James Allan
Former ballet dancer and current ballroom expert Linda Holland was ready for the revival. A year ago, the arresting Austinite opened the Dance Institute just off of RR 2222 near RR 620. The school is housed in a handsome stone building, designed by Holland’s husband, with several spacious studios saturated with natural lighting.
Phil and Melissa Swain
When three of the studios are combined into one, the performance and party space is spectacular. Saturday, I finally found the Institute (a previous attempt left me lost in the hills). I caught up with Holland and with amazing violinist and Institute regular Omar Lopez. Also with Austin ballet trailblazer Greg Easley and his partner, James Allan, both social treasures, while munching on Mirabelle edibles.
Daniela Cos and Monica Peraza
I arrived very early for the party and couldn’t stay for the performance — though I witnessed some athletic rehearsals from Institute staff and students. So I missed “Dancing with the Stars” standouts Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo. Ah well. Another time. Meanwhile, I’m fascinated with what Holland is doing in the red hot zone of social dance.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
Wally Workman Gallery 30th Anniversary Party
Wally Workman adores beauty. That’s abundantly evident from the dozens of artists, mostly from Austin, she has represented for three decades at her eponymous gallery on West Sixth Street.
Shelby and Anne Barnett
Vague, inexact terms — abstract, surreal, hyper-real — can be applied to this art, mostly paintings. Beauty, recognizable to almost anyone, is the more important common denominator. And it’s hard to put a price on that.
Zachary and Amy Guidry
The packed house Saturday sorely tested the gallery’s air-conditioning system, despite temporary additions to battle the August heat bomb outside. Nevertheless, folks chatted for hours about friends, family and art over nibbles and wine. Nobody got testy, even on the narrow stairwell.
Rodrigo Nunes and Nora Keane
Old Austin and New complemented each other. Both tribes came, after all, to toast Workman’s 30 years of salesmanship. I must admit that, eventually, I took refuge outside in the shade, which was actually cooler, after some time sharing the art with Workman’s clearly appreciative guests.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Arts
Ryan Piers Williams talks “The Dry Land”
Texas left its dusty imprint on Ryan Piers Williams. So did Austin.
Williams talked with us by phone from his home in New York City.
Out & About: What about West Texas affected your sensibilities making ‘The Dry Land’?
I grew up in El Paso. I spent summers going out to Marfa and Alpine, and other small towns in the West Texas area. I love the landscape and the desert. … But it’s really the people. Texans are very strong-willed. They are good people with good hearts. And I wanted to set this movie in the heartland, a place known for the strength of the people and their resilience in good times and bad times.
You did a remarkable job of making New Mexico look like West Texas.
We filmed three weeks in New Mexico, a week and a half in Texas. Originally we wanted to make the whole movie in Texas, but the (state’s) tax incentives had not yet caught up. And we brought the movie in under $1 million, so every dollar counted. I took three, four, five trips, taking pictures of West Texas, and then going over to New Mexico, using the photo references to find that same kind of looks.
What did you learn in Austin — at the University of Texas and Austin Film Festival — that stays with you?
I learned to gather together people who were also passionate about movies. The only way we could bring off “The Dry Land” was all the passion from the crew, cast and production company. Half the film stock was donated; we cut corners. I learned all that in Austin.
What steered you toward a story about an Iraq veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder?
Five years ago, I read an article about a soldier with PTSD. At that time, nobody was talking about the hardships, officially. They wouldn’t even show coffins coming out of airplanes. When this veteran came back from Iraq, his whole life fell apart. I was so deeply struck about his story and struggle, I started talking to people who had been through the war. Talked to their families. I didn’t know I was making a movie. I was just trying to be socially aware.
Once I started writing the script, I’d send it to soldiers with PTSD for their notes, thoughts and changes. I heard the most heartbreaking stories; also stories of great triumph.
One soldier told me that, without his dog, he wouldn’t be alive. I had already written a dog into the movie, so that hit home with me. This dog is really the one who saves him. I would hear the same stories from five different people. … I kept thinking: Why don’t people know? Why aren’t we as a society talking about it?
‘The Dry Land’ has generated buzz and won honors on the festival circuit …
Had you worked with the movie’s star, Ryan O’Nan, before?
He was someone the casting director recommended to me. I was looking for an actor who would guarantee financing. I spent a year trying to find actors, but nobody was ready to play him. So I went with an actor who would be passionate about the role. … That makes it more real.
So, I was in this poker game. Ryan walks in. The seat next to me is open. I didn’t know my friends knew him. We started talking. Sent him the script. A week later, he signed on to do the movie. … I thought: Let’s start with what feels right. That’s the attitude we followed for the whole film. You know, it’s magical that any film gets made. Let alone a good one.
Your fiancee takes a leading role and helped to produce ‘The Dry Land,’ right?
She came on as an executive producer when I had the idea, even before I started writing the script. … She helped guide and protect the vision for the movie. Do you and America maintain a connection to Austin?
I go back at least once a year. And I try to make the Austin Film Festival when I can. We’ve got lots of friends in Austin. America loves Austin.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Movies
Austin Social Agenda Aug. 9-15
Undoubtedly, the social highlight of the early week is the Tuesday arrival of former Austinite Ryan Piers Williams and his fiancee, America Ferrera, for the premiere of “The Dry Land.”
Ferrera’s co-stars Wilmer Valderrama, Jason Ritter and Ryan O’Nan are not expected to accompany the recently engaged pair.
Wednesday, it would be amiable to bid farewell to singer-songwriter Aimee Bobruk at the Continental Club before she moves to New York City.
Thursday, two more music-laced events tempt us: The Texas Premios Awards honoring Latin musicians at the Long Center; and a CharityBash benefiting the Cipher Hip Hop Project at Aloft Hotel in the Domain.
Friday — what the heck — I might sneak into the Lucky Lounge’s Leo-Palooza Celebration, even though everyone will surely suspect right away that I’m a Libra. (We look so balanced.)
Saturday presents a tough call for any inveterate socializer: The second annual Austin Fashion Week opens with a chichi bash at GSD&M. The Ice Ball for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Texas skates into the Hilton Austin. The Voodoo Cowboy Annual Summer Party mesmerizes at the Belmont. Friends of KXAN’s effervescent Elizabeth Hufnagel will cheerfully mourn the passing of her twentysomething status at a private residence in Brentwood.
I say: Why not hit them all?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
Stephen Rice Treasure Hunt at Charlie’s
Do people play party games as often as they did in the past? Such activities take initiative. And cooperation. Party games can so easily descend into anarchy, even hard feelings.
David Smith, Stephen Rice and Matthew Burnett
Stephen Rice took that chance on Saturday. To toast his birthday, the budding leader summoned his friends to Charlie’s, the enduring bar that rests in the shadows of the Texas Capitol, for an extended party game. The invitation read: “5 p.m. sharp,” but most guests knew better.
Giless and Susan Bollinger
A goodly number of Austin social connectors breezed in over the next hour: Scot Tulk, David Smith, Stephen Moser, Mary Morrison, Marques Harper, Seabrook Jones, Micah King, Heath Riddles, etc. Also greeting arrivals was Rice’s spouse and charity generator Mark Erwin.
Jimmy Hall and Mark Erwin
The crew seemed eager to close out their tabs and embark on Rice’s Facebook-promoted treasure hunt. Though the details remained secret, it was possible from his description to discern that the hunt was a pub crawl in disguise. Since I was promised at subsequent events, I didn’t witness the actual competition. Perhaps Rice will send us an update!
Let the games continue …
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
Aggie Night at Dell Diamond
Into the Valley of Death rode … Just kidding, my Aggie friends.
Six hundred or so Aggies brimmed with good will at Dell Diamond on Friday, even welcoming an interloper and outrider for four generations of Longhorns. (One nephew becomes the first Barnes Aggie soon; two of our dearest friends, Dale Rice and Antonio La Pastina, teach at College Station. My spouse’s family has spawned a whole corps of Aggies, so I am not a complete stranger to the maroon.)
Jennifer Jackson, Bryan Farney and Jill Selman
With my guide, Sue Whaley (‘94, American-Statesman editor), I met a dozen or so members of the Williamson County and Capital City A&M clubs under the most fortuitous circumstances. The related groups have outgrown the sky boxes for the Round Rock Express games, and, according to Darald Berger (‘97), Wilco club president, the Aggies easily beat the Longhorn numbers on these alumni, student and family theme nights.
Erika wells, Jacqui Spiller and Lyndsay Smith
We assembled in the large banqueting room above first base. Hot dogs and hamburgers refreshed, as did soft drinks and cups of beer. Because the room was air-conditioned and exterior temperatures hovered around 100 degrees before sunset, ball fans tended to watch an inning of the game against the humorously name Fresno Grizzlies — big ol’ bears in Central Valley, agricultural Fresno? Really? — then retreated inside.
Justin Spillmann, Larry Gonzales and Andy Webb
By accident — or cultural bias — Sue and I gravitated to members of the Austin club (which counts 10,000 members to Wilco’s 5,200). Michael Enger (‘00) and Ginger Enger (‘00), who live in downtown Austin, relaxed in the picnic area. Centered around a cheery inside table were Jennifer Jackson (‘98, president, Capital City Club); Bryan Farney (‘06, VP professional group, Capital City) and Jill Selman (‘07, VP coach’s night, Capital City).
Kids proliferated. Men and women bunched in corners and along borders of the crowds, catching up. A&M, like UT, is a huge school. Most of these folks likely did not meet on campus. Several members of Aggie diaspora met right in the heart of Longhorn country at events just like this one.
Michael and Ginger Enger
One lone University of Texas grad working the crowd was Republican state representative candidate Larry Gonzales, who said “I’m a Longhorn, but Aggies vote.” He greeted folks flanked by Justin Spillmann (‘00) and Andy Webb (‘96, Wilco leader).
As the jolly crowd grew jollier, Sue and I kept a wandering eye on the game. When we left, the Express were ahead by 1. The sun had finally dipped below the stadium and the field was soothed by pale yellow light. Finally, folks left the ball park’s swimming pool, games zone and indoor oases to sit near the action. An arcadian scene.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Sports
Tribeza Nightlife Issue Launch at Dogwood beats the heat
The heat finally hit me. Had planned on slamming four or five events Thursday night. Easily survived one: The Tribeza Nightlife Issue Launch at Dogwood.
Bobbie Ragsdale and Shawn Ewbank
Things were fine for a while. Cooled by misters, the new club’s patio is spacious and airy. Inside, an even darker, chillier vibe rules. Inspired by their native Atlanta, the Womack brothers have created a new magnet for nightlifers. The attention to detail is absolute.
Chase Alexander and Elizabeth Campbell
Dozens of Out & About 500 leaders gracefully personified their Food, Media, Style, Nightlife, Interactive and Business tribes. The best news: Laura Villagran and Kevin Smothers promise the new social-planning calendar will be ready by Labor Day. If party wranglers pay attention, then no more Blanton Museum and Dell Children’s galas on the same night, etc.
Stephanie Kuo and Kristin Green
So, lingering at Dogwood (who wouldn’t?) made me late for the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium Etiquette Dinner at the Hyatt Austin. Don’t like paying for parking, so pulled in across the street at the Statesman lot. That’s when the heat began to take its toll.
Then, a comedy of errors ensued while seeking the dining room on the 17th floor, despite directions from Hyatt staffers, until it was too late. Then I considered the other three invitations: Trail Foundation’s Midnight Margarita Run after-party at the American Legion Hall; Hedda Layne for LEAP at the Belmont; and a buzzy singer that Taylor Perkins brought in to the Key Bar.
All outdoors. Heading back my vehicle, my body just shut down. Last summer, we had already suffered more than 40 days of 100-degree weather by this date. So we got accustomed to it. Back then, 99 degrees felt cool. But yesterday tolled my heat defeat.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Charity, Nightlife
Robert Earl Keen & Hayes Carll taping for Austin City Limits
The KLRU staff were especially gracious to me and my guest, theater director Mark Pickell (“Killer Joe,” “Bug”), also a ACL taping virgin. I appreciated the extra friendliness because ACL customs are deeply ingrained. Some of the volunteers and fans communicate through a shorthand code that I can barely decipher.
On to the music, which is the point after all: I had admired Carll’s flinty songwriting and had grown to appreciate his distinctive voice, but I didn’t know he sheaves these talents within a dry wit. For his part, Keen has been entertaining Central Texans for more than 15 years, and he assembled an all-star cast for his band this night, including ACL’s most frequent performer, Lloyd Maines.
Well, my first time was good. How was yours?
PHOTOS by Jonathan Jackson.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Music
Touring Concordia University Texas with Penny and Tom Cedel
No amount of mere reporting can do justice to the beauty and economy of the 400-acre Concordia University Texas campus off RR 620 near Lake Travis and RR 2222. Home to 2,000 or so students, faculty and staff, the cluster of educational buildings sits within the embrace of a wilderness preserve, perched above the headwaters of Bull Creek. The former Schlumberger research campus proved an ideal swap for the cramped Concordia former home, cinched in by Interstate 35, St. David’s and vigilant residential neighborhoods.
The unifying element among the transformed buildings — dorms and sports facilities are among the totally new structures — are the timber-trestled, covered walkways. These beauties provide cool retreats from the summer heat and bring the walker close to nature and the school’s dry-climate landscaping. Quite idyllic.
Inside, the classrooms, offices and gathering spaces are mostly glass-fronted, increasing the sense of community. Clerestories invite ample natural lighting. Some buildings, such as a former warehouse, required extensive renovation. Almost all the others fulfilled their new roles with minimal improvements.
The campus master plan, drawn up by three architectural firms, allows for extensive growth. It would not surprise me if Concordia Texas evolved into one of the nation’s largest Lutheran universities, should its trustees choose that direction and donors jump aboard. You can hardly beat the physical charisma of the school, which is usually one of the top draws for prospective students. (Another emphasis for Concordia is its Christian education, which it wears proudly but lightly.)
Over lunch, Tom and Penny talked about their past in western Pennsylvania, their years following U.S. Air Force assignments — Tom’s onetime goal was astronaut training — the business of running a small university, and their culminating love for Austin. The only connections missing from the old campus are associated with the urban energy and close collaborations with St. Edward’s University and Huston-Tillotson University, among other area schools.
Concordia’s big social outing is coming up: the Excellence in Leadership gala at the Four Seasons on Friday, Aug. 27. Meet this tirelessly cheerful social couple yourself and glimpse the vision for one of Central Texas’ seven sisters of higher education.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Education
Summer Stock Austin Benefit at Rollins Theatre
Backers of Summer Stock Austin pitched the group as an essential part of the Austin arts ecology on Monday. In the lobby, and from the Rollins Theatre stage, Summer Stock leaders pointed out the opportunities for young talents to take on substantive roles in musical theater. Graduates of the double-barreled summer productions have gone on to lead local professional casts, or are testing the waters in Chicago, New York or Los Angeles.
Fernando Macias-Jimenez, Andrea Macias-Jimenez, Adriana Pacheco de Macias
One of Summer Stock’s leaders, Michael McKelvey, presented Monday’s “There and Back Again” party to benefit for the group’s mentor program. Meanwhile, this summer, he has served as music director for the group’s two current shows, “Cabaret” and “Sweet Charity,” and directed Zilker Theatre Productions’ “Annie” in the park. How long can this St. Edward’s University professor keep all those plates in the air?
Dan Rozycki and Donna Fox
The alumni part of the benefit consisted of — what else? — show tunes. The first act concentrated on the musicals produced in Summer Stock’s first six seasons, the second on showstoppers shared with non-alumni guests. Generating the most lobby buzz were Jacob Trussell, Corley Pillsbury, David Gallagher, Mikayla Agrella and Andrew Cannata.
Brandon Edwards and Sarah Burkhalter
Another lobby topic: Zach Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which is drawing full houses down the street. Witnessed Sunday, the audience clapped and stomped loudest for Martin Burke, Jill Blackwood, Jamie Goodwin and Meredith McCall. Judging by their laughter and silences, they seemed acutely aware of the satirical sleight of hand in this spoof of silly musicals, and the seriousness of the Brechtian device of having the narrator (Burke) comment on the bittersweet joys and social anachronisms in the fictional shows-within-the-show.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Arts
Elgin plays New York in “My Generation”
If a television crew was scouring Central Texas for an ideal location to replicate New York City, they would naturally choose — Elgin?
“My home was a loft apartment in New York for the character Falcon and his wife,” says Molly Alexander, associate director of the Downtown Austin Alliance, who, ironically, lives in downtown Elgin. “I was not there during filming, but my son called to let me know ‘looks like a 100 people in your building.’”
Alexander’s friend, distinguished artist Margo Sawyer, saw her historical Elgin space transformed into an art gallery — featuring her art.
“(It’s) totally cool,” Alexander says. “Hopefully this brings her some national attention.”
“My Generation” premieres Sept. 23 on ABC.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Movies
Social Agenda for Aug. 2-9
People. Places. Scenes. That’s why Out & About combs Central Texas each week for varied socializing.
Tonight, I catch the fundraiser for the Michael McKelvey’s summer stock group at the Rollins Theatre.
Counting down the dates before moving into the W Austin Hotel & Residences, Austin City Limits hosts two favorite sons, Robert Earl Keen and Hayes Carll, Wednesday at its worn-shoe studio on the University of Texas campus.
If voters agree to put up $16 million in bonds, the Austin Trail Foundation must still raise $3 million to complete the proposed 1.1 mile boardwalk along Lady Bird Lake. Fill their coffers even before the vote, Thursday during the Maudie’s Tex-Mex Moonlight Margarita Run, which wraps with a gala on the grounds of the American Legion Hall.
Also Thursday — across the lake — is the Social Etiquette Dinner for Hispanic Scholarship Consortium at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Austin. Later that night, prolific, versatile singer Hedda Layne lights up the Belmont for LEAP, the group that points disadvantaged kids toward fresh cultural horizons.
Friday, the Williamson County A&M Club joins forces with the Austin A&M Club for a buffet and ball game during Aggie Night at the Dell Diamond. The traditional event feeds money into scholarships.
Saturday promises a triple party threat: Stephen Rice’s birthday “Photo Scavenger Hunt,” which starts at Charlie’s; Wally Workman Gallery’s 30th anniversary party; and the Dance Institute’s Latin-themed show with Alec Mazo and Edyta Sliwinska from “Dancing with the Stars.” Local violinist Omar Lopez opens.
Sunday is turning into theater day, isn’t it? So you might find me at “Metamorphoses” by Mary Zimmerman at Zach Theatre. I’ve seen the adaptation of Roman poet Ovid’s narrative poem in four previous productions. Bewitching.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Nightlife
Laura Aidan and Chris Cantoya on Stylish Socializing
Friends on the run, model Laura Aidan and designer Chris Cantoya adorn just about every fashion event in Austin.
The married twentysomething Aidan and the single thirtysomething Cantoya — fashion folks don’t cotton to exact ages in print — find out about shows, parties and charity gigs from Facebook friends and the digital newsletters produced by event promoters.
The duo coordinates social calendars through texts and, when they arrive at a gathering, alone or together, they head straight to the bar, the first point of contact for any such conclave.
“It’s booze, buddies and bodies, in that order,” says Cantoya before turning serious about the business side of stylish socializing. “It’s really about networking and promoting your work. You often wear what you make. And support whoever is out there.”
“Fashion folks are outgoing, gregarious people,” Aidan says. “They also work in teams, so the networking leads to collaboration. At these parties, you wear clothes you might not otherwise have an occasion to wear.”
Between the two, Aidan, represented by Sue Webber Productions and Agence Talent, was the the fashion industry early bird. The Iowa City, Iowa native — her parents worked in or around the University of Iowa — was discovered at age 12.
A friend and that friend’s mother urged Aidan to answer an ad in the local newspaper. Although shy at first, she was doing mall shows within weeks, and was hired for a New York gig at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, modeling Kenra Hair Care products, by age 14.
Her Manhattan visit led to representation by IMG Models and international gigs, including a London shoot that, through improvisation, incorporated elements of a real hotel fire.
““I just feel comfortable in front of a camera,” she says.
That promisng career almost ended before it began when her first agent ran into legal troubles. “Enough of these fashion people!” her mother said. But Aidan won a second chance through another Iowa agent and persevered. She was not alone.
“I don’t know if it’s the fresh air or the wholesome farm life,” Aidan says, “but there’s a lot of beautiful girls — and beautiful boys in Iowa.”
Her mother allowed Aidan to live in New York during the summers and travel for shoots, as long as she kept up her grades.
“I had a pretty typical happy childhood otherwise,” she says.
She gave up modeling for a while to complete computer science and English literature degrees at the University of Iowa. Besides, she understood that modeling game pays out for only a select few.
“There must be 5,000 girls in New York, the most beautiful and interesting, plucked from small towns all over the world,” she says, “but only a handful make a living at it.”
Cantoya came to fashion indirectly. The San Antonio native, whose father moved from one U.S. Air Force base to another, counted many retailers in his family.
Yet music was his main love while attending high school and the University of Nebraska in Omaha, Neb. Back then, the local indie rock scene centered around Conor Oberst and Saddle Creek Records.
“I kinda went crazy socially,” Cantoya says. “But didn’t get arrested or mipped (minor in possession of alcohol)”
He played in a band called the Atlas, then inched into his eventual calling by designing the act’s posters and T-Shirts. That lead to work with the 89 Talent modeling school and agency, and to producing a boutique fashion show — in a warehouse in sub-zero February weather.
“But we packed the place out,” Cantoya says. “It was one of the best experiences of my life.”
At this point, all he knew about Austin was the “MTV Real World” season shot here, and roundly disowned by locals. Then, as with so many young creative types, he visited South by Southwest, which also convinced Aidan and her husband to move here.
A week after arriving, Cantoya modeled at Cream Vintage fashion show. A few weeks later, he volunteered for Stitch Fashion Show. He met Aidan and her husband, also Chris, at a New Year’s Eve party.
Cantoya remembers: “I knew she had the look.”
The pair of eventual friends were skinny by most modern standards. She’s five-foot, nine-inches, he’s “six feet-zero,” industry minimums. Both lead from warm, oversized eyes. His features fade into dark margins, while her prominent jaw line above a swan-like neck sets her bone structure apart and begs comparison to Audry Hepburn or Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
“She’s got a classy look,” Cantoya says. “And she’s very versatile. You can’t tell where she’s from.”
“People like to guess my heritage,” Aidan says. “Most often I get Eastern European, Persian, Spanish, Russian, French.”
At that first party, Aidan’s husband, also named Chris, an aspiring photographer, proposed making Cantoya the subject of a shoot. Thus, the blended friendships. (Chris No. 2 is chief information security officer at Freescale; together, he and his wife are working on a mountain biking application for iPhone.)
It was Cantoya who recommended Aidan to Sue Webber, the doyenne of Austin agents. Aidan helps pay for a downtown lifestyle by working as a software developer at Pearson Educational Measurement.
To suit her schedule, Aidan’s fashions shoots and shows are spread out every other week. Some recent gigs: Dave & Buster’s national campaign, Shoebuy.com multimedia modeling, Inca Boot Co. campaign.
“I have to turn down more (modeling) than I’d like because of my day job,” she says.
Cantoya now works as a merchandizer for L’Oreal, Mabelline and others. As such, he’s in charge of organizing products, fixtures, racks, walls, displays and mannequins. He broadened his skills by taking classes at the Austin School of Fashion Design.
“They teach you want you need to learn, not theory,” he says. “It’s very down to earth.”
Cantoya made a splash with his design company, Mint Owl, which specializes in mod ties. The name combines the ideas o f “mint condition” with “night owl,” and was also inspired by bird logo designer brands.
“I had 40 normal fat ties and I’m a skinny guy and skinny ties were in, so I just folded them over and ran the stitch over it like a lawnmower.”
The thin strips of fabric, which betray an embroidered, quilted quality, are sold by Neiman Marcus and (online) by the Estilo boutique.
During Austin Fashion Week, this pair will attend runway shows, the closing awards ceremony, and the array of before-and-after parties.
“I squeeze a lot out of life,” Aidan says. “And I still really like pretty clothes and creative people.”
NOTE: Sorry no image as of yet because of technical difficulties.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: Style
Lights. Camera. Help. Wrap Party at Space 12
The community-oriented Space 12 on East 12th Street recalls countless other warehouse art, theater and resource cooperatives in East Austin. Judging from the murals on the exterior and the amiable informality on the interior, it’s a constant creative hive. Space 12 also doubles as a small movie venue and party location.
Jill chamberlain and Rich Vazquez
That’s where Lights. Camera. Help. comes in. The group cultivates creative short film for charities. It staged the last night of its festival here, following up on showings at the Millennium Youth Center and Mexican American Cultural Center. The wrap party Saturday gathered a quiet crew that included some comparatively lively public relations students from the University of Texas. (I promised to share a workshop with their class.)
Wendy Estrada, Boram Kang and Azhar Zhanazarova
LCH leaders reported twice as many film submissions and guests this year over the previous festival. Among the most charming shorts came from Amanda Rife from the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders.
Amanda Rife and Aaron Bramley
The winners of the festival will receive the proceeds from this year’s event, which includes any donations made on the web site during the festival season. Among the winners: “Including Samuel” by Dan Habib; “Girls of Daraja” from Barbara Rick and Deborah Santana; and “EcoViva, An Introduction” by Spencer Stoner.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Movies
