Friday, February 1, 2008

Austin is Known for...Music

Meet Margaret Wright. She can be found just about any place in Austin on any given night, tickling the ivories and singing standards and show tunes. But I admit that I did not expect to see her playing a keyboard smack in the middle of a disco dance floor with lights underneath and a mirrored ball above. In a gay bar (Rain, 4th St. downtown in the Warehouse District). I have seen Margaret play a piano worth six figures at a magnificent home full of antiques and decorated elaborately for Christmas. At at lots of other venues, private homes and private clubs especially. She belted out "Summertime" last night. We were headed a bit later to the new Austin Music Hall to see the Zachary Scott Theater's "Porgy and Bess" so that was appropriate.

I really think that when people think about Austin they think about the music they love. They think about SXSW, Austin City Limits and ACL festival, Antones and many clubs with their favorite music live. Our tastes are a bit old-fashioned (cabaret, jazz, the rock of our youth). Our first date was at Armadillo World Headquarters. Listening to the Louisiana blues country style of Marcia Ball (no relation) and the Misery Brothers.

So, it's not the lakes, hill, the Capitol or the UT tower. It's music. And in spite of the whining about smoking bans and cost of living for musicians, it's still there. And maybe not just what you expect on any given night!

This is City Daily Photo's Theme Day. These other sites signed up to show you what their city is known for.
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10 comments:

  1. What an interesting post and a great photo, too!

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  2. Great photo and interesting post! Happy Theme Day!

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  3. I agree...it's the music and the club scene! Happy Theme Day from Maui, HI.

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  4. I had no concept of what to think about Austin... other than it is just another city in Texas...now I will think of music!

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  5. A very colorful photo and interesting post. I do think of music when I think Austin - Austin City Limits.

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  6. ah, must be really lively music every night!

    Great choice for the theme day! good day!

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  7. Indeed - music. That's a nice take on the theme.

    A very imposing building. I love the angle at which you took it. Fantastic shot!

    joy
    A Pinay In England
    The Goddess In You
    Norwich Daily Photo

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  8. Great pic. Do they still call Austin the live music capital of the world?

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  9. They do still call Austin the "Live Music Capital of the World" and, while that can certainly be disputed we have lots of live music, SXSW, Austin City Limits and even live local music at the airport as well as local artist's music over the airport speakers. For a city our size, we probably can claim the crown. In any case, it gives us something to hang our hopes on!

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  10. Music is a great choice, and it's really nice that you picked so personal a subject.

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