Sunday, March 31, 2013

Patriot

I snapped this during SXSW on East Sixth. "Can I take your picture?" I asked. He nodded. I didn't ask all the cool kids along the sidewalk. I was flipping through facebook last night and saw a picture of a guy with a flag snapped on Congress taken by one of my fb acquaintances. He was sitting on a planter but holding his flag high. Might be the same guy. He didn't have a sign or shout a message.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Bevo Visits Second Street

There was a fund raiser for the Darryl Royal Alzheimer's Research Fund Wednesday. Next to Willie's statue Bevo greeted people along with his handler. Willie sang at the event inside the Moody Theater.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Dale Watson Entertains ACVB

We were invited to a Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau Client Appreciation at the Velocity Lounge at the Circuit of the Americas last night. (FFP is on the board where his position is listed as 'patron of the arts.') Dale Watson and his band entertained with a panoply of country tunes. Great fun. This was the first time we'd been to the track.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Miles of Chocolate

Our friend Reed Clemons catered a party for the Knights of the Vine that we attended this week. The dessert, called Miles of Chocolate, was amazing and disappeared in a hurry when it was brought out for the party-goers.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Mouser Does the Mouse Thing

We were walking through Old West Austin on a tax time errand when we saw this feline predator trying to deliver his prey. There was no answer at the front door so he headed to the back of the house to try to find his owners and present his kill.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Flash Back

There was a car show at Westwood Country Club last Saturday. This gal decided to add authenticity to the old TBird by wearing the poodle skirt and saddle shoes. Vintage!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Snow Flake

This lovable Great Pyrenees took part in the Mighty Texas Dog Walk on Saturday morning.  He weighs 165 pounds.  So what else to name him but "Snow Flake"!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Treats on a Tray

This man is the Austin Dog Butler.  Yesterday, he was giving the canines in the Mighty Texas Dog Walk a taste of the service he provides. That cute little white dog in the background looks like he wants at least a dozen treats -- "all different flavors, please."

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Does Your Dog Bite?

Part of the Mancini schtick at the Austin Jazz Workshop school show involved sax player Michael Melinger dressing up like Inspector Clouseau and doing a comedy routine with the singer. 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Jazz in the Gym

No, it's not a sock hop!  Six of Austin's best jazz musicians played an instructional concert at a local elementary school yesterday morning.  Michael Melinger, the tenor sax player, is the president of Austin Jazz Workshop, which reaches out to kids in grades 3-5 with music and talk about the various instruments.  The hope is that the kids will be inspired to take up playing an instrument themselves. This year's featured composer is Henry Mancini.  They played songs like Moon River, Theme from Peter Gunn, Baby Elephant Walk, Charade, and Dear Heart. The kids were in awe and I heard one of the teachers telling a colleague afterwards, "That was world class!" Thanks to tireless work from Michael and support from the AISD and some loyal donors, they play in virtually all of the local schools each year.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

SPEAK to me

Last Sunday we wandered away from downtown (which was filling up with St. Patrick's Day celebrants) and went to the backyard of Lenoir where Todd Duplechan was serving up wine, beer and such taste treats as beet salad and lettuce wraps with cabrito. He'd invited in bands and one of them, about to kick off a new tune in this picture, was SPEAK, featuring Troupe Gammage in the foreground. Troupe has an authentic musical legacy...he's the son of two musician friends of ours. Austin is such a lovely place sometimes with wonderful low-key events in the wake of big, often maddening ones.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

A Princely Concert

Prince, the rock star, played a concert at La Zona Rosa, across the street from our condo tower Saturday (well, really Sunday morning).  These people were lined up for it at 2:00 the afternoon before.  We later read that he didn't play until 12:30 Sunday morning.  We were in bed by then-- too much standing around for us old folks!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

3-D Printing

I know, it's hard to believe, but you can buy a device that allows you to create molded objects like these in your office or home.  This unit was on display at the SXSW trade show last week. The shoe, the rook chess piece and the alligator head were made with it.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Does Your Car Look Ordinary?

You wouldn't mistake another car for yours in a parking lot if you went for this paint job. Sighted on South Lamar.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Some Graffiti Returns

There was some beloved graffiti on the railroad bridge over Lady Bird Lake that someone (neither city nor rail authorities ever admitted guilt) painted over a while back. See here and here. Recently this oh so appropriate 'Never Give Up' appeared. Painting these looks dangerous, huh? Have a happy and safe St. Patrick's day and never give up.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

On East Sixth?


Glanced up and saw this on East Sixth during SXSW. Guess it's promoting a new TV show.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Not Blank any longer

Remember that blank ivory wall we posted on March 8th?  Here it is now!  Linda took this shot from our balcony.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Nowhere Else But Austin

Have a drink while you're picking out the decor for your home!  It could help!  Rock on!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Social Media

I have no idea what the guys in the green hats were selling, but these ladies from Homesnap were only too happy to pose with them.  South by Southwest is so enlightening.  There seems to be a promotion on every downtown corner. 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Sunday Morning Sounds

The E-Flat Porch Band was doing some serious picking at the Hair of the Dog Brunch Sunday morning.  It's nice to be able to walk three blocks to a party.

Monday, March 11, 2013

A projection of the future.

This attractive lady doesn't need coffee breaks!  All part of selling stuff at SXSW in the Convention Center.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Onward and Upward

These kids were bravely ascending this artificial rock climb at the recent Kite Festival. At my age, I wouldn't try that for all the tea in China. Oh to be young again!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Yaarrrrgh! Avast, Mateys!

Another kite shot from last Sunday.  This lady's fancy kite looked like a pirate ship.  It got airborne pretty well.  She didn't seem like she'd be attacking other kites!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Blank Slate-- Not For Long

Note the cream-colored blank wall dominating this photo.  This is the Art Wall for SXSW.  Soon it will be covered with random "artists'" musings.  Maybe I'll post another shot in a few days after the artists do their thing.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Amplify Austin!

We went to the rally for Amplify Austin a couple of days ago-- a high-tech method of maximizing gifts for many of the non-profits in town. Our friend Sara Hickman sang some songs at The Long Center to warm up the crowd.  Sara is one of the most public-spirited people we know.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

I Love a Parade!

These horn players from the Bowie High marching band were having a good time marching in the Independence Day Parade up Congress Ave. I was in the band from grade school on through the University of Texas and loved every minute of it.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Kite-Eating Tree Terrorizes Austin!

This young man was persistent in retrieving his kite from this tree Sunday at the Kite Festival.  He was doing a good job of it, too! We had a lot of fun wandering around and seeing all the cool kites.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Austin Soars

Every year while most of our SXSW and Rodeo Austin visitors are still packing their bags our signature park opens up to the Zilker Kite Festival. We always take the time to walk from our place (in the big building in the cluster on the left) to the park to take some pictures. People are everywhere. On the lawn flying kites, having picnics, taking pictures, petting their dogs, cuddling their babies. There are rock climbs and bouncy attractions. There are long lines to buy cup cakes or fill your water bottle. The trails and streets are crammed with people walking to the site, kites, coolers, dogs and kids in tow. And it's free. We made our trek again this year to take this picture with our still-changing skyline in the background.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Standing Tall for Texas Independence

These cowgirls were making a statement in the Texas Independence Day Parade down Congress Ave Saturday morning.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Ready for my closeup!

A film was being shot on top of the garage across from our place yesterday morning.  The crew was hustling to stay up with the sunrise.  it was fun to watch the crew setting up for the different shots.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Ready for a Calmer Day

The other night after a couple of days of cold wind these chairs on the deck of a café near us (Bar Mirabeau) sat piled on one another and chained together, waiting a day, perhaps during SXSW, when people will occupy them all to hear a little music and enjoy a sunset and a libation. It's theme day at City Daily Photo and you can link there to see other interpretations of the 'café chair' theme.