Austin Music

MARQUES G. HARPER: Style & Substance

ACL veterans, I need help

Look for me at the festival

By Marques G. Harper
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Thursday, September 13, 2007

I have never, ever, ever been to an outdoor music festival. Yes, Mr. Pop Culture has never stood among the masses in a field or stadium for anything like Lollapalooza, the Essence Music Festival or Lilith Fair.

I'll finally cross this one off my list, because I'll be one of the thousands at the Austin City Limits Festival this weekend. So call me a Festi-virgin if you must.

Alicia Mireles
AMERICAN-STATESMAN

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ACL MULTIMEDIA

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Video: Scenes from Zilker on day 3 | Day 3 wrap | Day 2 intro | Day 2 wrap | The M.O. recaps day 1 | Welcome to ACL 2007
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The closest I've come to a big music show, complete with the heat, was in 2006 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia for Madonna's Confessions Tour.

Madonna pulled a diva move and demanded that the AC be turned off during her performance. Halfway through the show of costumes, dancing and video screen changes, you could smell two things: the occasional whiff of marijuana and body odor. (And I'm imagining that I might come across those at ACL, too.)

More than the music, I'm intrigued by the fashion side of the festival. I'm dying to see what, um, lovely outfit Björk will wear. It's too bad I won't get to see if anyone copycats Amy Winehouse's eye makeup or beehive because the singer is no longer on the schedule.

Will the Killers bring Vegas-style (and "Mr. Brightside" fun) to what I'm sure will be a high-energy performance? And if he's in town, will actor and part-time Austinite Matthew McConaughey wear a shirt to ACL?

See, it's all about the fashion and questions. And at this point, I have hours to prep for my weekend at Zilker Park, and boy, as a big-time sweater in the heat, I'm really worried.

What do I wear? Shorts? A tank top? Flip-flops? What do I take with me? What are the best ways to combat the heat? What is the best way for me to do the park? Should I carry bug spray?

Somebody, anybody, let me know on the quick. (Post comments on my blog, The Goods, at www.statesman.com/thegoods.)

I hope to meet you in the park. Look for me popping up through the weekend. Here's my only warning: I'll take photos and video footage and will dole out the Austin American-Statesman's Fashion Festies, my awards for the style mavens and trendsetters whose frocks and T-shirts rock the festival wares.

You time

On Sunday after Bob Dylan and his band do "Like a Rolling Stone" and close 2007's ACL festival, our bodies will request, well, maybe even demand, a serious break. Here's my suggestion for rejuvenating: Book yourself an afternoon at a day spa or resort near one of the Highland Lakes, where pampering and you time are the priority.

Weeks ago I did just this as I zipped along the curvy roads of the Hill County for my me-time destination: Lakeway Resort and Spa, which reopened in February after a major overhaul. As part of the revamp, the resort opened the San Saba Spa, with interiors accented with inlaid river rock and Shoji screens for an Asian flavor unlike the Texas style of the resort.

The resort, perched on Lake Travis, was built in 1963, and only a single original building remains. The current guest lodge opened in 1999 and was renovated last year. Spa services include river rock massages, sunblock application, pedicures and men's grooming services.

"Our menu and treatments were designed to bring in the whole river rock concept," said Michelle Felton, the resort's assistant general manager. "The spa has an Asian flair with soft and soothing colors and blue to bring in the color of the lake. We're hoping the local residents and members of the community will see it as different from all of the other local day spas."

Purchase one of the spa packages, and you're allowed to use the resort's pools with views of the lake. (Let the kid in you come alive by opting for the pool with the slide; your adult side can swim up to the bar in another pool for an afternoon cocktail.)

Felton told me that guests over the years had asked the resort to provide a total spa experience, not simply massage. While a variety of services can make a day spa spectacular, I believe the best way to evaluate a spa is to have a massage. (My basic sports massage was $120 including a tip.)

I quickly got into a spa robe and slippers during my visit and relaxed with the newspaper while sitting in the men's lounge, which had views of Lake Travis. The lounge was equipped with bottles of water, a flat-screen TV and modern-looking furniture. (The neighboring women's lounge doesn't include a TV, but is a space for relaxing or chatting with other guests.) During my massage, I was able to forget a list of recent worries, including my love life and a stack of deadlines. My massage therapist was of few words. I was left to calm myself and wander in and out of a disco nap.

Then suddenly, and almost abruptly, the massage was over.

Sitting alone in a chair in my comfy spa robe, I looked at boats and houses on Lake Travis and thought about life. I'm sure I'll go back soon and reflect on my first ACL Festival. If I survive, of course.

mharper@statesman.com; 445-3974

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