SXSW, Austin's mega-festival of Interactive, Film, Music, and Comedy runs March 10-19. How convenient that it coincides with some Spring Breaks!
St. Patrick's Day is always during the festival, so you can imagine the zoo that is 6th Street (where there are lots of clubs and bars). They block off the street, open containers are allowed, and it's mayhem.
My first foray to SXSW was with Severo in 1997. Here we are with Beatle Bob.
Beatle Bob for the win in pattern clashing. I look sedate in comparison.
Austin was on the list of official Socially Driven cities, so here's the 9 second mini movie (don't blink):
(The components, also mini).
Legacy text about the #MBsociallydriven campaign:
So, what's YOUR version of [insert city name]?
If you live in or plan on visiting NYC, LA, Chicago, Austin, Miami, or Denver, Mercedes-Benz is inviting you to share your city in a simple and artistic way on Instagram. It's easy—you create a quick (but beautiful) animated album of 5 of your best geotagged photos and upload it to Instagram. Then, you share your album on your feed with the hashtag #MBsociallydriven—and your photos might be featured on the Mercedes-Benz website! Get busy, the deadline is March 5.
[OOPS. MISSED THE DEADLINE -- the app still works, though. Access it here from your smartphone]. MB suggests these guidelines: Because this is a Mercedes-Benz brand initiative, please avoid posting the following types of photos (as much as we love them): competing car brands, celebrities, outdoor murals and graffiti, images that primarily focus on tattoos, advertising, and profanity.
I still have the link open for YOUR neighborhood slideshow over on my Los Angeles post.
If you don't have a smart device, a GIF builder is a good way to create a DIY slideshow.
wearing my outfit from Savers
featuring drapery as an overwrap
l-o-v-e the giant grommets
The TxSC Symposium on Sunday was a big learning day for many of us. I wrote copious notes and did quickie sketches.
Here are a few re-caps from fellow bloggers (in no particular order):
Migas... When one considers how many Industry people go to SXSW, why are decent migas unobtainable in LA? [If you know of a spot, please enlighten me]. What? You've never had migas? They are eggs scrambled with fried tortilla chips, salsa and cheese. Mmmmm!
Migas at Maria's
Migas at Magnolia
Our two favorite places for migas in Austin are Maria's Taco Xpress and the Magnolia Cafe. They are both delicious renditions and I can't pick a favorite. Here is a recipe from the Homesick Texan. I've tried making them, but they're still better in Austin. Maybe it's the water.
Uncommon Objects: 1512 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 [they had to move!] 1602 Fortview Rd, Austin, Texas 78704Resistance is futile... you WILL find something that you MUST buy!
Here are some of the uncommon objects that have gone home with me:
moderne lamp
beautiful japanese kimono yardage
that I made into a tunic
funky glasses
letterpress fez stamp
If you are into Shriner gear, there are some vendors that specialize in it there.
Yard Dog, 1510 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 512-912-1613
is an art gallery. On their site, they give these categories: contemporary folk art, outsider art, fine art, funky art and pop art from North America.
South Congress has a lot of great shopping. I suggest that you fortify yourself with a cupcake first! Hey Cupcake! is housed in an airstream that is parked at the 1600 block on So Congress. (see their site for other locations).
(my cupcake flipped over on the table and got punk frosting)
It was many cupcakes ago when I last had a Hey Cupcake...
(three years ago, now that I calculate it).
In the deep dark recesses of my memory, my vanilla/vanilla was large, sweet and delicious.
Hungry yet? In the mood for some Southern comfort food? Go to Threadgill's!
301 West Riverside Dr, Austin, 78704, 512-472-9304
corn muffins
I ate: grilled tilapia, cheesy grits, stewed okra
he ate the beige dinner:
chicken fried steak with gravy, cheesy grits, butter beans
We are especially fond of the cheesy grits, as you can see - we both order it for one of our sides so that we don't have to share.
You CAN cook the grits at home -- I found the recipe in Blue Plate Specials & Blue Ribbon Chefs, by Jane and Michael Stern. There is also an official Threadgill's Cookbook [looks like both are out of print].
Here is a scan of the recipe:
click on images to see bigger
my notes are for a stovetop version
Someday, when I'm rich and famous,
I'll stay at the Driskill Hotel,
604 Brazos St.Austin, Texas78701
It was built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill. Check out the lobby, even if you can't check in!
Jon Dee Graham is a "local legend" they say. You can usually find him Sunday nights at the Continental Club. (I hope to see him this March). I don't remember when I first saw him perform... it was during a SXSW when our friend Rafael backed him on drums. From the opening strains of "Way Down In the Hole" he had me hooked.
Most of the videos on YouTube are "rough" fan recordings of gigs (which give you a good idea what his performances are like). Here's a more subdued one with the studio version of "One Moment" accompanied by a slide show:
"Faithless" live at The Continental Club, SXSW 2011:
He has a catalogue of 8 albums and I think they're all great.
Mark Finkelpearl made the documentary "Swept Away" on Jon Dee in 2008.
Here's a taste:
Crawck! What is that horrible racket? What are those big scary iridescent black birds?
They are Great-tailed Grackles and they are the Punks of the bird kingdom. Pray that you haven't booked a room that is near a "grackle tree" -- you will get NO sleep.
Now imagine a bunch of these... worse than those crows on the playground in The Birds! OK, maybe not.
I thought I had a picture of them [I seem to be missing photos from a few Austin trips] but all I have is this:
see them? no?
me either!
look below:
still can't see them? click on images to see bigger
I wish I had a recording of their raucous calls, but no. Now that I have a smart phone, maybe I can capture them in all their Bad Bird glory. Meanwhile, if you want to learn more, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a very informative article about them that includes sound and video.
