TRIBEZA December 2022 Movers + Shakers Issue

MOVERS+SHAKERS

Austin real estate has a new home.

LIVE FRONT & CENTER In The Rainey Street District

Brought to you by Prospect Real Estate Developed by Pearlstone Partners

Photo by Alejandro Laurel

FEEL THE NEED — THE NEED FOR SPEED! 2022 HAS BEEN A BLOCKbuster year for Austin native Glen Powell, and he’s just getting started. Earlier this year, Glen starred as Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin in “Top Gun: Maverick.” These days, Austin’s golden boy is taking flight in a new project titled “Devotion,” currently in theatres. It’s a Korean War epic (co-starring Jonathan Majors) about the biracial friendship of two of the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen. And that’s just two of the many reasons he’s landed on the cover of this year’s Movers & Shakers issue.

When asked about the experience of flying while making “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Devotion,” Glen says, “Flying shape is a real thing — especially when you’re flying stuff that requires up to nine Gs [of force]. Your body’s not used to that. The blood is literally being pulled from your head, and there’s a physical thing to push blood back up to your brain. On ‘Devotion’ we were flying in these 70-year-old warbirds, ripping and roaring near lighthouses and low-level stuff and mountains. It’s extreme. But we really wanted to do something new and emotional and expressive with these planes. Movies haven’t been made about the Korean War, so we had to pull planes from aviation enthusiasts and make them safe enough to fly in for actors and pull them together where you’re having eight Corsairs flying in close proximity. They’ve never done that, not even in airshows.”

When Glen’s on the ground and spending time with friends and family in Austin, he likes to frequent some of his favorite places. “I tend to stick with

my established ones. Hotel St. Cecilia is my all-time favorite. That place is just magic. I would say that, in terms of getting drinks downtown, I still love the Driskill. It’s my favorite place. You start off with a classy cocktail, and then you get dirtier and dirtier as the night goes on. But, when I go back to Austin, my treat to myself every time is how I spent most of my birthdays — at the Salt Lick. You’ve got the BYOB policy, the bottomless ribs. They call me the ‘meat man.’ I love grilling meat. I love eating meat. And the bottomless meat platter at Salt Lick is one of my favorite things to do. I throw football parties out in L.A., and there’s one cabinet that is just all Salt Lick barbecue sauce,” he says.

This month’s issue also features Austinites that are “Ones To Watch” and those that are already “Making Their Mark” — including Evan Smith (former CEO of the “Texas Tribune”) and musician, actress and activist, Patricia Vonne.

Finally, ‘tis the season for “Satisfying Your Holiday Sweet Tooth” with decadent desserts from Canje, Sour Duck Market, Irene’s, Uchiko, Thai Fresh, Summer House on Music Lane, Maie Day and Gusto. Personally, I think the Milk and Cereal dessert from Uchiko is a piece of heaven. Pillows of fried pastry cream breaded in corn flakes accompany Cap’n Crunch, toasted milk ice cream and their iconic swirl of light chocolate mousse — truly taking cereal to a whole new gourmet level.

Happy Holidays!

Carrie Crowe Executive Editor

Handmade

Select works on display at U of A Gem & Mineral Museum, Smithsonian Natural History Museum, GIA Museum zoltandavid.com • 512-372-8888

AUSTIN CURATED

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Carrie Crowe

ART DIRECTION October Custom Publishing

DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Holly Cowart

DIGITAL EDITOR Meher Qazilbash

DIGITAL COPY EDITOR Avery Matschek

DIGITAL EDITORIAL INTERN Leslie Lehman

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER David Clough

COLUMNISTS

Kristin Armstrong Karen O. Spezia

WRITERS

Katerina Cotroneo Holly Cowart Darcie Duttweiler Liz Harroun Kelly Krause Avery Matschek Britni Rachal

COPY EDITOR Ashley Brown

EDITORIAL INTERN Camila Solis

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Weston Carls Holly Cowart Jonathan Garza Alejandro Laurel Brittany Dawn Short

PUBLISHER

Mark Fisher

DIRECTOR OF SALES Krissy LittleStar Hearn

SALES CONSULTANT Ashley Beall

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Joanne Pyburn

PRINCIPALS

George Elliman – CEO Chuck Sack Vance Sack Michael Torres

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A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS

Planned Parenthood’s annual fundraiser, A Night Under the Stars, raised over $935,000 to support essential healthcare services and education programs. Held on Sept. 29 at the Long Center, the evening welcomed food trucks, performances by Jackie Venson and Ley Line and powerful speakers including Wendy Davis and Olivia Julianna. The 2022 Robbie and Tom Ausley Leadership Award was presented to Austin Community Foundation for its outstanding support.

COCOLLECT LAUNCH PARTY & SHOWCASE

Arts membership CoCollect is the first to loan museum-quality fine art to members in their homes. On Oct. 5, founder Keli Hogsett hosted a VIP hour at a Hyde Park home co-curated by Joel Mozersky. Guests were treated to tasty bites, edible still life artwork by Denise Prince, beats from artist and DJ Xavier Schipani and conversations with the artists and curators.

GUSTO ITALIAN KITCHEN’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Beloved neighborhood Italian restaurant, Gusto, celebrated 10 years of service with an anniversary soirée on Oct. 12. Friends enjoyed complimentary wine, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and a toast commemorating the occasion. The anniversary comes as the team prepares to open a brand new, chef-driven Mediterranean restaurant concept.

NIGHT UNDER THE STARS 1. Clarissa Cardenas 2. Long Center 3. Beth Levy Cohen, Marcia Levy & Sara Levy Sherizen 4. Meagan Anderson Longley, Robbie & Tom Ausley 5. Lane Strickland & Melinda Gendason 6. Shawn Wills & Melita Noel COCOLLECT LAUNCH 7. Denise Prince 8. Moyo Oyelola, Keli Hogsett & Juan Pedro Gonzales 9. Alex Reichek, Robert Alvarez, Chase Calvert & Hyo Jin Yim 10. Scenery 11. Keli Hogsett & Liz Heyl 12. Joel Mozersky, Izadora McKeon & David Mendoza GUSTO ANNIVERSARY 13. Antipasti 14. Drew Wilson, Erwin Bernardino, Andres Araiza, Martin Note, Jesse Archuleta & Javier Gerena 15. Jennifer Henrich & Victoria Henrich 16. Cameron Lockley 17. Courtney Hughes, Sheila Mehta & Carl Stuart 18. Birthday Cake

UNDER THE STARS PHOTOS BY BRYANT HILL. COCOLLECT PHOTOS BY DANIEL CAVAZOS. GUSTO PHOTOS BY JENNIFER M. RAMOS

For The One Who Deserves the Very Best

GLOW IN THE PARK FUNDRAISER

On Oct. 13, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy hosted over 700 guests for its fundraiser, Glow in the Park, raising $1.9M. These vital funds help keep Waterloo Park and future projects flourishing, with free cultural events and environmental education programs that benefit nearly 500,000 community members annually. Capital campaign co-chairs Chris Mattsson and Gary Farmer were also recognized for their dedication to the project.

2022 SWAN SONGS SERENADE

Local nonprofit Swan Songs held its annual fundraiser, Swan Songs Serenade, on Oct. 23. Co-hosted by Laurie Gallardo and Judy Maggio, with event chairs Celeste and Adrian Quesada, the gala featured a sensational performance by Bob Schneider, VIP reception, silent auction and seated dinner. Swan Songs fulfills musical last wishes for individuals who are terminally ill.

LOVE TO L.I.V. LUNCHEON

Jeremiah Program’s celebratory Love to L.I.V. Luncheon took place at Fairmont Austin on Oct. 27. The evening raised money for community members and honored extraordinary leaders helping to improve structural and systemic inequities that single mothers face daily. Ryan Companies was presented with the Noble Champion Award, and Sharon and Bruce Walker took home the Compassionate Heart Award.

GLOW IN THE PARK 1. Marian Casey & Joan Clark 2. Cotter Cunningham & Jesús Aguirre 3. Moody Amphitheater 4. Marcus Mumford 5. Jay Brown, Sabrina Brown, Jamie Chandlee, Blake Chandlee & Morgan Burman SWAN SONGS SERENADE 6. Adrian Quesada, Celeste Quesada & Shannon Moody 7. Bob Schneider 8. Randy House, Donna Stockton, Lisa McCrimmon & Mark McCrimmon 9. Heidi Kook-Willis & Rich Willis 10. Patrick Cantilo & Judy Cantilo L.I.V. LUNCHEON 11. The Jeremiah Program (ATX) Team 12. Rachel Birkhead, Tiwanna Kenney, Suhailah Waheed, Melissa Falls & Sarah Rucker 13. Bruce Walker, Sharon Walker & Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia 14. Luncheon 15. Noble Champion Award

16TH ANNUAL BLACK & WHITE BALL

Texas Advocacy Project, a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking and more, commemorated its 40th year of providing free legal solutions at the Black & White Ball. Presented by Accenture on Oct. 29 at Austin Marriott Downtown, the glamorous black-tie event offered dinner, live music, dancing, Mystery Gifts and a Live Auction. Over $980,000 was raised, shattering previous records.

THE DEPARTMENT OF THE PEOPLE + PROCESS OPENING RECEPTION

The Carver Museum has welcomed a riveting new exhibit by artist Moyo Oyelola. On display through Feb. 25, Oyelola invites viewers to raise questions of authority and the self-sovereignty of the human journey with multimedia displays and interactive performance art. An opening reception was held on Nov. 3, including a DJ, artistic performances and a first-look at Oyelola’s work.

AUSTIN FOOD + WINE FEST

On Nov. 5 and 6, Austin Food + Wine Fest took over Auditorium Shores with more than 50 acclaimed local and nationally-recognized chefs and mixologists. Visitors indulged in innovative plates, flowing cocktails and chef-focused activations like cooking demos, tasting sessions and chances to meet the makers. Amanda Turner of Olamaie won the prestigious People’s Choice award for Saturday’s Rock Your Taco showdown.

BLACK & WHITE BALL 1. Andrea Cavender 2. Carron Gibbs & Tamara Fields 3. Heather Bellino & Todd Bellino 4. Dr. Rocco Piazza & Patrick Keel 5. Fred Rezler & Hope Brianna Rezler DOPP

RECEPTION 6. DJ Mahealani 7. Jocelyn Taylor, Ashley Coleman Taylor, Christina Bryant & Nibbi Adun 8. Jessy Wilson, DJ Jim & Bita Ghassemi 9. Jasmin Porter 10. Kamilla Norova, Darren Griffin, Sulaiman Shabazz & Kenyon Victor Adams FOOD+WINE FEST 11. Jo Chan, Leah Schwebel, Julie Weng & Tim Weng

Leanne Valenti 13. Roberto Espinosa 14. Calvin Lumpkin & Tom Caravati 15. Bryan Cranston & Aaron Paul 16. Breanna Poses & Lauren Petrowski 17. Salem Chuah & Michael Anderson

FIRST EDITION LITERARY GALA

Texas Book Festival orchestrated its 27th annual First Edition Literary Gala on Nov. 4. There was a star-studded lineup of literary presenters and special guests, including Jacques Pépin, Angie Cruz, Anand Giridharadas and Elizabeth McCracken. Bestselling author Mac Barnett was the host for the night, which raised money for literary programming and grants to public libraries across Texas.

RARE & FINE WINE AUCTION

Wine & Food Foundation held the Rare & Fine Wine Auction, its biggest fundraiser of the year, on Nov. 5 at JW Marriott in downtown Austin. The flagship celebration featured acclaimed winemaker and influencer, Paul Hobbs, along with festive kick-off events leading up to the day. This year’s beneficiary was Lift Collective, an entrepreneur organization that promotes inclusion and fair pay within the wine industry.

DEN SHINDIG

The DEN Property Group welcomed its inaugural DEN Shindig on Nov. 5 at Pershing. Along with musical guests Superfonics, Jeff Plankenhorn, Heavy Mellow and more, guests enjoyed food, drinks, artisan markets, dunk tanks and enticing silent auction items. Proceeds benefited Community First! Village, Black Fret and new nonprofit The DEN Foundation, created to help build homes and provide educational opportunities to those in need.

BOOK FESTIVAL GALA 1. Trish & Phil Bial 2. Shelly Sethi, Laurie Curry & Lesley Pitts 3. Shari & Gina Fant Simon 4. John Fitch & Sara Woody 5. Umbreen Ahmad, Allison Reyna & Robin Thompson 6. David Iglesias & Kate Iglesias 7. Patty Schatz & Cristal Glangchai FINE WINE AUCTION 8. Denise Silverman 9. Rania Zayyat & Guests 10. Guests 11. Erika Johnson, Jeff Dalmher, Steve Alley & Polly Ryan 12. Manika & Anjan Nandula

Lauterbach

wingspan

By Kristin Armstrong llustration by Zheila Cervantes Portrait by Laura Doss

MY PARENTS, ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE AND WANTING ME TO aim high, told me from a young age I could be anything I wanted. This was probably my mother wanting me to break free from the choices she was given. The culture back then said she was allowed to become a nurse, a teacher or a secretary. She picked teacher, and was a damn good one (she still is, always my teacher).

Little me [wondrous]: I can be anything at all?

Them: Yes, dear. Anything at all.

Little me [decisive]: Okay, I want to be … an eagle!

Them [I imagine]: Oh shit.

They forgot to specify the qualifier of human being. And I’m pretty sure I never said that again after I said it once in school and got laughed at. There remains a part of me, perhaps my inner child, that still feels her wings from time to time.

There is probably a part of everyone that wants to fly — to soar above circumstances and stress, and to have the perspective granted from that view, to revel in our freedom and strength, to travel light and to feel the ease and confidence that comes from doing exactly what we were created to do.

I have a lot of conversations with friends, kids and clients about this — under various names like purpose, calling, career, destiny, identity and the meaning of life. Whether we are trying to choose or change a college major, or find a job, or change jobs or are smack in the middle of a life transition zone, we all know the feeling of wanting to reinvent or refine ourselves, wanting to align our path with the thing we were meant to be and do.

When we are out of alignment, we feel the uneasy feeling that goes with the thought: there must be more to life than this. But what is it? What’s my

thing? Why am I here? I love the kind of conversations that wind their way here. I still have to pinch myself sometimes that I get paid to have them, all day long.

I think it’s best to start with unhooking from the idea that there is an answer, one answer. When we are tethered to an outcome or result, we tend to get stuck. I like the idea of refining questions rather than seeking answers, looking for data or guidance like a treasure hunt, and remembering that the journey itself is the entire point. A client recently shared this gem from a TED talk — the meaning of life in five words: Enjoy the passage of time.

There is a key in here. The thing you are meant to be/do has everything to do with what you love to do, what you have always loved to do. It may be subtle, because often the thing we love to do is something we’re naturally pretty good at, so it’s easy, which may cause us to discount or minimize it, assuming everyone is good at it. We have this idea that we have to struggle, work hard or earn our way into our purpose or calling. Of course there is discipline involved, but effort fueled by interest or passion is very different than effort fueled by struggle or striving. It’s the difference between putting your canoe in a river and going with the flow, or turning and paddling like hell upstream and wondering why you can’t get anywhere.

For those who want to level up their quest, I highly recommend the lens of service. What is the thing that I love to be or do that allows me to be of service? A goal or career rooted in self (I want to be important, I want to be famous, I want to make lots of money) may lead to a method of making a living. You may be successful in terms of metrics, but life will feel hollow, and the cost of stress will be high. A calling rooted in service clears a path to making a life. If your desire is to be the real you, and you do the thing that the real you loves to do with the goal of enjoying life and making a difference for others, it often happens that you end up being important and abundant. But it’s a by-product of your joy, an overflow from the sacred cup of purpose and meaning.

And that, dear ones, is the surest way to feel your wings.

Amity Worrel &. Co. - Avery Cox Design - Britt Design Group - CG&S Design-Build - Glynis Wood Interiors - Heather Scott Home & Design - Housemill Design - Kopfer Taylor Interiors

New Traditions That Connect Us

Austin-based experiences to enjoy with family and friends during the holidays

Southold Farm and Cellar

If you like wine, food, and day trips out of Austin, look no further than the gorgeous Southold Farm & Cellar in Fredericksburg. Grab a picnic board, book a wine tasting and watch the sunset, overlooking the beautiful property. southoldfarmandcellar.com

Kelly Krause is an Austin-based marketing creative, managing Global Partnerships and Collabs for lululemon. She’s also the curator and moderator of two speaker series for Commodore Perry Estate, where she interviews founders and creatives in and outside of Austin. Prior to lululemon, Krause was at SXSW for 10 years curating programming and Main Stage talks, while identifying and executing new brand activations and partnerships. Kelly currently holds two advisory board positions in Austin with Rosa Rebellion and Good Work Austin.

IG Handle: @kelljokrause

Casa Zuma

As one that always has the makings on hand for a cheese and charcuterie board, I’m especially excited about my dear friend Camille Styles’ product launch, Casa Zuma, and I’m specifically eyeing the Gathering Board. It’s an allin-one cutting board and serving board, which is part of the larger collection of handmade pieces for the table, designed and sourced from around the world. casazuma.com

OTOKO x WATERTRADE

Take-Home Sake and Caviar

One of the best meals I had in 2022 was the Omakase experience at OTOKO courtesy of Chef Yoshi Okai, so I was thrilled to hear they have a take-home sake and caviar kit available for those nights that I can’t snag a seat inside the 12-seat restaurant. exploretock.com/otoko

Urban American Farmer

If you’re remotely curious about gardening or foraging, an afternoon with Urban American Farmer will be an afternoon well spent. Founder Trish Sutton will help you determine your garden goals and design aesthetic, plus provide an education on your sun and soil to build the most beautiful garden. Trish has worked with several restaurants in town and is also the co-founder of Field Guide Festival. urbanamericanfarmer.com

2023 Season Tickets for Texas Playboys

While the Texas Playboys 2022 season games are coming to a close, you can beat the crowd and be ready to go at the start of 2023 by purchasing your season tickets now. These games are a blast, and I especially love that the team always partners with a local charity to give back and support the community.

texasplayboysbaseball.com

Mercedez Rex

For my artsy, DIY and hands-on lovers, grab a crew of friends or family and book an art party with Mercedez Rex. I had a chance to take an Intro to Marbling class and not only was it fun, but it was soothing, relaxing and the end result was beautiful. mercedezrex.com

URBAN AMERICAN FARMER PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHANIE GUTIERREZ.

TEXAS PLAYBOYS

PHOTO BY MARK CHAMPION.

Workout with Erica Nix

Last summer, my friends hosted a Splash Dance birthday party with Erica Nix for another friend’s 40th birthday and it was a BLAST! Erica brings energy and fun to a workout unlike anyone else. When she’s not teaching water aerobics at various hotel pools around the city, she’s hosting pop-up dance workouts and is more than happy to bring the fun to you with private or group lessons, and I can guarantee it’s a fun way to connect and let loose with your pals.

workoutwithericanix.com

Butler Pitch and Putt

It’s truly impossible to not have a great time at Butler Pitch & Putt, especially when there’s cornhole strategically placed next to the Gimme Burger trailer. This is a fun hang for a date night or family outing. Hot tip: Monday’s are half-off burger night. butlerpitchandputt.com

Urban Roots

I’ve had the great pleasure of both volunteering my time at Urban Roots and attending community lunches at the farm, and both experiences were incredibly impactful. As the only farm-based youth leadership organization in Austin, Urban Roots has been empowering youth and nourishing the community for more than 10 years. Their model is built to offer youth an opportunity to develop leadership and public speaking skills, while providing fresh produce and meals directly to those who need it. urbanrootsatx.org

Antonelli’s Cheese Class

Kendall and John Antonelli provide some of the most fun and hands-on cheese classes in the heart of Hyde Park. Fun for a date night, family outing, team building exercise or a true cheese education. Pro tip: Always stop through the cheese shop for samples; their team of cheese mongers are some of the most dedicated and passionate people about cheese I’ve ever met.

antonellischeese.com

milk + honey

Whether you need a solo escape or want to book a couples retreat (partner, friend, family), milk + honey is my go-to spot for R&R. It’s my favorite indulgence post-travel or pre-event to feel less tense and relaxed.

Couples Retreat package — 60-min Signature Massage, 60-min Signature Facial & a manicure for 2 — ($650) or a Signature Retreat — 60-min Signature Massage, 60-min Signature Facial and a manicure for 1 — ($390)

Day Trip to Lockhart for BBQ

I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but it took me 12 years to finally get to Lockhart, and I can’t believe I waited that long. A short drive from Austin and totally worth your time if you’re remotely BBQ obsessed. Pro-tip: After your meal, walk around historical downtown and pop into Old Pal for a drink and live music.

Room 725 inside the Fairmont

For a little indulgence and decadence, visit Room 725 at the Fairmont downtown for an extensive champagne and caviar menu, plus an impressive list of pre-embargo cigars and excellent craft cocktails. Will I take a few girlfriends there as we toast to 2022, dressed head to toe in sequins? Absolutely. Pro-tip: since you’re going full-on decadent, swing down to Garrison for an order of their truffle tots. Do not share with your guests, they can get their own. fairmont-austin.com/room725

Keith Kreeger Ceramics

I’ll take any opportunity I can to support a friend, especially when I’m a huge fan of their work. Keith’s wares elevate any tabletop and always become a point of conversation and connection whenever I serve a meal on his plates or bowls. Last year, around the holidays, he made caviar plates that seem pretty perfect to break out for OTOKO’s take-home caviar kit. keithkreeger.com

Commodore Perry Mansion Lighting Festival: Dec 1-31

During the month of December, Commodore Perry transforms into a winter wonderland thanks to their partnership with Texas-based artist duo, Anderson + Kincaid, and their annual holiday mansion lighting festival. The artists illuminate gorgeous artwork on the side of the mansion, while guests sip holiday cocktails and enjoy s’mores around the fire pit. It’s a fun evening for kids and adults alike! aubergeresorts.com/commodoreperry ($35)

IT’S BEEN A BLOCKBUSTER YEAR FOR AUSTIN NATIVE GLEN POWELL — AND HE’S JUST GETTING STARTED

By

Glen Powell had a spectacular 2022.

“Top Gun: Maverick,” the movie he filmed four years ago after Tom Cruise personally asked him to play the wise-cracking Lt. Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin, was finally released after several delays, ultimately raking in almost $1.5 billion at the box office and catapulting his rising star even higher. His third film with Richard Linklater, “Apollo 10 1⁄2: A Space Age Childhood,” premiered at South by Southwest, and he’s currently wrapping up filming in New Orleans of their fourth outing, “Hitman,” which Powell is starring, producing and co-writing based on a Skip Hollandsworth “Texas Monthly’’ article. “Devotion,” his aerial Korean War

epic about the bi-racial friendship of two of the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen, co-starring Jonathan Majors is currently in theaters. It was also announced in September that he and “Bridgerton” breakout Regé-Jean Page would join forces with Joe and Anthony Russo on an Amazon Prime series inspired by “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

Needless to say, Austin’s golden boy is about to fly even higher.

We spoke with the charmer via video call from New Orleans the day after his beloved Texas Longhorns suffered a devastating 41-34 loss to Oklahoma State to discuss his amazing year, the beauty of flying and his love of bottomless ribs.

Darcie Duttweiler / Portrait photo by Alejandro Laurel / Behind the scenes photos by Eli Adé

Hi. How are you?

“I’m doing great. Where in the world are you right now?”

I’m in Austin. But, it’s very gloomy today.

“I mean, gloomy in terms of Texas mourning the loss of Oklahoma State [sighs]. I hope we’ll figure it out eventually. Texas is in striking distance. We’re so close. I think we just got to figure out how to be a fourth quarter team.”

Let’s dive in and go all the way back to the beginning. What was it like for you being an Austin, Texas, boy going out to Hollywood?

“It’s been a really interesting journey. I actually talked about this with Rick [Linklater] at dinner. It was my birthday a couple of days ago, so I’ve been a little nostalgic because I worked with him for the first time when I was 14 years old. Now I’m 34, and we’re working together again.

Being from Austin, it’s like I won the lottery. It’s the most magical place to grow up, and people are excited to be living life with each other. It’s also a creative place. The whole ‘keep Austin weird’ thing is perfect to marinate in the mind of an actor. The film business was a bigger thing here when I was a kid,

so I got to have my foot in it. But I saw so many people go out to L.A. and they’d try their hand at Hollywood, and then they would come back looking like they just got their ass kicked. Hollywood took everything that was special about this person and just threw them through the wringer. I mean, it’s a hard, hard town. So, I’m just really happy that it’s all working out.”

Do you think you’ve still kept your Austin joie de vivre?

“I spend a lot of time in Austin. I don’t let Austin get too far away from my heart. I always want to be drinking the Austin water, being a part of Austin culture and being around Austin people.”

How does it feel when you come home these days?

“Look, Austin’s changing. I know a lot of Austin locals can roll their eyes and say, ‘Oh, it’s all changing with these young whippersnappers and their development.’ And, I’m mourning the loss of Nau’s, which was my favorite place for milkshakes after auditions. That place was so special. I mourn the loss of those institutions. But, I also love the Music Lane development. It added such a fun aspect to SoCo. You still have the Continen-

I ALWAYS WANT TO BE DRINKING THE AUSTIN WATER, BEING A PART OF AUSTIN CULTURE AND BEING AROUND AUSTIN PEOPLE.

(L to R) Bill Koenig (Daren Kagasoff), Carol Mohring (Nick Hargrove), Marty Goode (Joe Jonas), Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors), Bo Lavery (Spencer Neville), Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) and Dick Cevoli (Thomas Sadoski) in Columbia Pictures’ “DEVOTION.”

tal Club. You still have these really cool places, so I think it’s not all bad. I’m optimistic about the way Austin’s going — as long as we can get Mopac not to be such a damn nightmare!”

What are some of your favorite places in Austin?

“I tend to stick with my established ones. Hotel St. Cecilia is my all-time favorite. That place is just magic. I would say that, in terms of getting drinks downtown, I still love the Driskill. It’s my favorite place. You start off with a classy cocktail, and then you get dirty and dirtier as the night goes on. You know, this new spot that I just tried was Pasta|Bar, which was great. But, when I go back to Austin, my treat to myself every time is how I spent most of my birthdays, which is at the Salt Lick. You’ve got the BYOB policy, the bottomless ribs. They call me the ‘meat man.’ I love grilling meat. I love eating meat. And the bottomless meat platter at Salt Lick is one of my favorite things to do. I throw football parties out in L.A., and there’s one cabinet that is just all Salt Lick barbecue sauce.”

You’ve had a really big 2022. What was it like to finally have “Top Gun: Maverick” hit the big screen after filming it a million years ago?

“It’s a distant, distant memory [laughs]. It’s funny because I turned 30 on the set of ‘Maverick.’ Wow, four years later, this movie is changing my life. It was worth the wait! Tom Cruise saw the forest through the trees. He was really passionate about it and didn’t unleash this movie on the world until the world was ready to see it in its proper format in the theater and especially in IMAX. I’m just so grateful that he did because it wouldn’t have had nearly the impact. And also we worked really damn hard to put IMAX cameras all over F-18s, and that movie is just not as impactful if you’re watching it on your phone. You need to be seeing it in the formats, and with the sound, in which it was designed to be seen and heard

to truly get the impact of the entire crew and cast that put every ounce of blood, sweat, tears and a little vomit into making it a huge success.”

Speaking of vomit, how did you physically prepare for the flying in this film and also “Devotion”? It seems like you’re in the air nonstop now.

“Can’t keep me out! Flying shape is a real thing, especially when you’re flying stuff that requires up to nine Gs [of force]. Your body’s not used to that. The blood is literally being pulled from your head, and there’s a physical thing to push blood

back up to your brain. On ‘Devotion’ we were flying in these 70-year-old warbirds, ripping and roaring near lighthouses and low-level stuff and mountains. It’s extreme. But we really wanted to do something new and emotional and expressive with these planes. Movies haven’t been made about the Korean War, so we had to pull planes from aviation enthusiasts and make them safe enough to fly in for actors and pull them together where you’re having eight Corsairs flying in close proximity. They’ve never done that, not even in airshows.”

Is it true that Tom Cruise paid for your flight school?

“That is true.”

And you’re now a licensed pilot, right?

“I am, yeah. I’ve been flying around quite a bit. Unfortunately, my filming schedule in New Orleans has been a little more extreme than I thought. When you’re the lead of a movie, there’s kind of no days off. Last night was the first time I actually got to go out for dinner since I’ve been here. But, flying is just a real love of mine. It’s my meditation. The feeling of being up there alone is

Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors) and Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) in Columbia Pictures’ “DEVOTION.”

indescribable. There’s a purity to flying that I just find to be really beautiful.”

Speaking of “Devotion,” as a producer of the film, you’ve been trying to get this made for a while. Why was this story important to you?

“I read the book on a fishing trip with my family, and I remember after reading it, I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why it connected with me so much. This friendship was so unique, and it was such a weird part of the world at a weird time where the United States is post World War II. They’re trying to define who they are and how they’re interacting with the world. And racism is still rampant, and yet people are trying to do the right thing, but they don’t know how to do it. It felt like the same crossroads we are now as a country, and that mirrored where these two men were, trying to be a good friend and wingman. And I thought it was a beautiful story. In terms of making a movie like ‘Hidden Figures,’ I really saw the impact of those three women that were responsible for this great American moment who’d never gotten their due, never been praised for their work. Finally getting to make ‘Devotion’ was so special. It’s a story of what we all strive for, who we all want to be in terms of our friendships, in terms of being an ally. I just thought that’s a good thing to put out in the world.”

You went to the funeral for the man whose character you play. What was it like to have that personal connection?

“It was actually a very emotional moment. I was in deep with everyone in his life, everybody that really cared about him. Everyone knows I love this job more than anything, but I never felt such a weight as I did after that funeral to tell the story and tell it right. The fact that the Brown family was at his funeral, and seeing how that friendship started 70 years ago, the legacy of that, and those families are still interconnected by this one event, it’s hard to describe.”

Shifting gears a bit, you’re working with Richard Linklater again on “Hitman,” which you’re also producing and co-writing. How did you get involved in the film?

“Anytime I can get back in the saddle with Rick, I’ll do it. It was a ‘Texas Monthly’ article that Rick had read like eight years ago. I read it, and it’s a fascinating character. It’s a guy whose entire job is to set people up when they’re trying to kill their loved ones. But what’s really interesting with Rick is we have this exploration of humanity through this whole thing. It’s really about how love can curdle into hate and how love and hate sometimes can kind of exist in close proximity to each other. It’s really fun, though. This movie’s got so many different gears. It’s got a love story at the center. It’s action packed. It’s funny. It’s a thriller. Rick and I are just having the best time. We’re about halfway through right now, but we’re feeling very optimistic about what we’re getting. So we’ve got to keep our foot on the gas and again be a fourth quarter team! [laughs]”

What’s it like to team up with Rick for the fourth time?

“I mean, Rick is like family. The thing you want to do in this business more than anything is work with your heroes, right? I’ve idolized Rick since I was a kid. We have a guy whose honesty is just pouring out of every frame of his movies. Rick just makes what’s in his heart, and it’s really, really cool to be a part of. I will make movies with Rick until we’re both dead.”

You’ve worked with a lot of amazing directors and acting legends. Where do you see your career going?

“I kind of tend to borrow and steal from everybody I work with, you know? I mean, obviously working with Cruise was really defining for me. I mean Tom Cruise may have saved the movie business. He’s just such an impressive person in general and a guy who really cares about the people he makes movies with. And then I look at people like [Sylvester] Stallone and his tenacity, or the

way [Kevin] Costner has written and directed. Octavia Spencer, Jamie Lee Curtis and John Stamos are all people that I’ve gotten a chance to keep in my life after working with them. And you just take something from everybody, whether it’s just acting or the way someone goes to work. I’m taking things I learned from Jonathan Majors and bringing him into this role for ‘Hitman.’ That’s the fun legacy of working with all these really impressive people — you end up pooling all those experiences and all these relationships into your career going forward. They all become part of the same wonderful picture.”

“Set it Up” is still trending on the internet. Do you think you’ll make another rom-com in the future?

“Yeah, I do! I grew up on rom-coms. I have two sisters and a mom. I was raised by a lot of women and know the genre well. So I’d love to play there again sooner rather than later.”

You also have a “Butch and Sundance Kid” series in the works. What’s it like to think about filling Robert Redford’s boots?

“‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ is my favorite movie, so I’m making sure I’m not going to hate myself. What we’re doing and building with the Russo brothers — I’m not really allowed to talk about too much! But I will say what we’re doing is very different and very exciting. I wasn’t really thinking I was going to do a series, but the pitch and the way in, it is sick. But like on ‘Top Gun,’ I wasn’t trying to be Iceman. I wasn’t trying to be a derivative of anything else. So we’ll create our own path and create our own character. I’m really excited for the world to see this one.”

Well, I know you’re a busy man, so I’ll let you go. But is there anything else you want to mention?

“Go see ‘Devotion!’ That would be the best birthday gift. And I’m so honored to be on the cover with you guys. It’s just such a cool deal.”

devotion.movie

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

AUSTIN CURATED GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST THIS YEAR.

HANEY HOME CONCIERGE

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Is your “to-do” list growing out of control? If so, contact Haney Home Concierge! Carolyn and her team can help you with anything from running errands, to managing your home if you are headed out of town, to helping you coordinate a move, help wrap presents and so much more. Gift certificates are available and they make an excellent holiday gift.

haneyhomeconcierge.com @haneyhomeconciergeaustin 512-608-8872

BRYAN ANTHONYS

This holiday season make every moment count. For those looking for gifts layered with meaning, Bryan Anthonys offers timeless jewelry for the strong-spirited and kind-hearted. Give a gift that is designed with love and written from the heart.

bryananthonys.com @bryananthonys

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE

Merry movie season Austin!

Alamo Drafthouse has everything you need to make the season bright, and more importantly, stress free. Give your family the best films, food, and drinks all in one seat with an Alamo Drafthouse Gift Card. Give the cinephile in your life a movie every day of the year with a subscription to Season Pass. Keep the kids entertained and yourself sane with our special events, like our “Elf” and “Christmas Vacation” Movie Parties. We’ll deliver food (and drinks, can’t forget those) to your seat, and best of all, take care of the cleanup.

drafthouse.com @drafthouse

THE ARBORETUM

10000 Research Blvd, Austin, TX / thearboretum.com / @ArboretumTX

CON OLIO OILS & VINEGARS

A gorgeous gift set for the perfect party! Deluxe Dipping Set Includes: 200ml Bottle of Olive Oil, 200ml of Bottle of Balsamic Vinegar, Italian inspired Ceramic Dipping Dish, 2 Weighted Pour Spouts, Rustic Bakery Flatbread, Italian Seasoning Tin. conolios.com @conolio

POTTERY BARN

Get your home holiday ready with a complimentary design service professional. In store, in your home or virtual appointments available. Bring your vision to life with Pottery Barn. potterybarn.com @potterybarn_austin

SUGARBOO & CO.

SAVORY SPICE SHOP

Peppermint sugars are only available during the holiday & winter season. Chocolate Peppermint Sugar is like a mint brownie in a bottle, and Peppermint Vanilla Bean Sugar adds a sweet twist to baked goods. Add either sugar to make a festive drink and get in the holiday spirit! savoryspiceshop.com @SavoryNAustin

The Sugarboo wall art collection is curated to inspire. Give the gift of love, encouragement and affirmation. Wall art quotes are a great way to remind us of what’s most important! sugarbooandco.com @sugarbooandco

REFINE AESTHETICS

MED SPA

Refine Aesthetics’s mission is to help clients achieve their version of personal beauty by incorporating the practice of science, technology, artistry and medicine. Their downtown med spa offers elite treatments stemming from chemical peels, injectables, and microneedling to the latest laser technology and more. Their ultimate goal is to always make you feel like your best self. Give the gift of beauty this holiday season with a Refine Aesthetics gift card for all your skincare needs. Treat yourself to a more Refreshed & Refined you! refineaesthetics.com @refineaestheticsatx

HEARTH & SOUL

Hearth & Soul is a gathering place and shopping experience where you can discover beautiful things for yourself, your home or someone special in your life. They offer an easy way to shop this holiday season with complimentary gift packaging, enclosure cards, and the peace of mind that you will find the perfect gift for everyone in your life. hearthandsoul.com @hearthsoulatx

ALICIA MIRANDA VINTAGE

A nod to the past. Reminiscent of styles from past eras in modern sizing. Handmade vintage style fashion made locally in sizes 6-14. Alicia Miranda Vintage can make your vintage fashion fantasy come to life with their custom design services! aliciamirandavintage.com @aliciamirandavintage

ART FROM THE STREETS

Gift original artwork from Art From The Streets — a non-profit that helps people experiencing homelessness in Austin build self-determination through the creation and sale of artwork. 95% of your purchase goes directly back to the artist that created it. artfromthestreets.org @artfromthestreetsaustin

LA VACA APOTHECARY

La Vaca Apothecary products are made from premium Wagyu tallow from Brenner Cattle Company’s herd, based in Austin. The hydrating and nutrient-rich skincare products are made locally by Elizabeth Redwine Brenner in small batches with loving care. lavacaapothecary.com @lavacaapothecary

PEOPLES RX

No more sitting out on holiday treats due to gluten or dairy allergies, Austin’s favorite pharmacy has housemade, fresh baked goods that can be enjoyed by the whole family! Pre-order one of Peoples’ full pies or cakes for $5 off before December 21. Keeping Austin well has never tasted so good. peoplesrx.com @peoples_rx

LAURA ELIZABETH JEWELRY

Austin-based Laura Elizabeth Jewelry is a timeless, elevated, and accessible jewelry line. Many of her designs are made directly from nature; whether it’s bark from an Austin oak tree, a starfish, or succulents, these organic pieces are classic yet unique. You can swim, sweat, shower, and sleep in your LEJ necklaces, and the rings are adjustable and stackable. lauraelizabethjewelry.com @lauraelizabethjewelry

PRECISION CAMERA

Shop local for the photographer in your life at Precision Camera & Video. Their staff of photography experts have assembled the perfect holiday accessory and camera bundle to save you the stress of having to choose the right accessories. Shop their Lumix G100 Camera Holiday Bundle for the best price around, guaranteed. precisionCameraTX.com @precisioncamera

THE GARDENERS WIFE

The Gardeners Wife is all about nurturing our connection with our home, ourselves & each other through a thoughtfully curated collection of ethically sourced, woman-made goods for home and life. Shop one of her many pop-ups, or find her online. Orders of $50 or more ship free. thegardenerswife.com @the.gardenerswife

THE WAYBACK

Surrounded by hills and a big Texas sky, The Wayback is a place to feel the breeze, be carefree and linger. Stay the night under the live oaks in a classic board-and-batten cottage with interiors outfitted with a laid-back luxury, combining organic textiles, a bit of vintage, and lots of comfort. Stop by to dine at the café with the freshest ingredients on a seasonal menu that balances southern staples with newfound favorites. waybackaustin.com @thewaybackaustin

BLUE SUEDE

Give the gift of Blue Suede to your besties - or just treat yourself! Blue Suede has assembled three gift boxes ($75+) filled with best-sellers, unique gifts from local brands, and Blue Suede gift cards. With shopping this easy, you’ll be able to spend your time relaxing in Blue Suede’s colorful and stylish lounge with prosecco and a cheese board! bluesuedeaustin.com @bluesuedeaustin

SPARROW INTERIORS & GIFTS

HOT SPICE JEWELRY

After spending a decade and a half as a singer/songwriter in several bands, Jennie M. Bennett found her calling as a designer and maker of modern artisan jewelry. With a minimalist aesthetic and a classic, timeless feel, you’ll love Hot Spice Jewelry for yourself and for gifts! HotSpiceJewelry.com @hotspicejewelry

Sparrow Interiors & Gifts is a luxury interior design studio and showroom featuring a curated mix of vintage and new furniture, art, lighting, rugs, accessories, and gifts. The team at Sparrow provides exceptional customer service, sophisticated interiors, and a uniquely personal design experience that brings joy to any space. Stop by their showroom to start designing your space or to pick up the perfect gift for anyone on your list.

sparrowinteriors.com @sparrowinteriors

ALADOR JEWELRY

Give the gift of decadence this season with attainable fine jewelry. Sustainability focused, Alador Jewelry restores estate, vintage and antique jewelry made of solid gold, natural diamonds and gemstones. aladorjewelry.com @alador_jewelry

FINE LINE

Searching for the perfect holiday gift? Check out Fine Line, Austin’s go-to for clean beauty. The shop has something for everyone, including nontoxic favorites from One Love Organics, Indie Lee, Furtuna Skin, and Osea, as well as beauty tools, gift sets, and more. Shop online or visit their North Lamar flagship. visitfineline.com @visitfineline

FOY BY DR. COLLINS

Austin-based skin care queen and nationally renowned dermatologist, Dr. Kristina Collins, started a skincare revolution with FOY by Dr. Collins, her game-changing line up of V care and skin care products. FOY facial skincare works like a walking instagram filter and her V care products are sure to summon your inner superwoman. Shop online or stop by Dr. Collins’ dermatology practice at Austin Skin. lovefoy.com @love.foy

MAKING THEIR

VERSATILE VONNE

As a director, musician, actor and producer, Patricia knows no limits

By Katerina Cotroneo Photos by Weston Carls

Coined “The Renaissance Women of Austin” by “The New York Times,” Patricia Vonne truly juggles it all as a creative entity that never ends — from writing her own songs and performing worldwide, to now writing and directing her debut film “Cold Dark Hollow.” What started as taking classes at the Austin School of Film led to time in Paris at film festivals, writing courses and a vision. Taking notes from her brother Robert Rodriguez (well-known filmmaker), and with massive help from Erin Lee Lopez, she built up a skeleton crew and made her vision take a living breath and come to life on screen.

She wanted this to be a simple suspense with a positive message. The film is based on women empowerment using real needles (acupuncture), showcasing “how a relationship can turn toxic quickly, and you’re essentially in a twilight zone,” described Vonne. It stars her sister Angela Lanza and is written, directed and edited by Patricia Vonne herself. The film has won the following accolades: Winner for Best Women Empowerment Short at Paris International Short Festival, Best Thriller at Cannes Shorts 2022, Best Actress at Cannes

Independent Film Fest, Best Cinematography at Madrid Int. Film Fest, Best Drama and Best Actress at NY Int. Film Awards, Official Selection at Nice International Film Festival, Florence Movie Awards, Rome Doc Film Fest, Barcelona Planet Film Festival and NYC Film Fest.

When asked why the title “Cold Dark Hollow,” Vonne says there is a San Antonio rock band called The Infidels, and in their song “Down Here,” there is a lyric featuring “cold dark hollow” — which inspired her in more ways than one. Often in new projects, Vonne finds herself sourcing her heritage. She takes a little bit of her past and ensures it’s in her future, inspiring her.

For example, when asked how her Texas roots inspire her, Vonne says, “Tremendously, without even knowing it.” One of the most important cities for Latin music, San Antonio is home to a long list of musical icons including Steve Earl and Rosie Flores. Vonne is an Austin resident currently and has been for about a decade, but she travels between the two to see family and work. She gushed about the modernness and edge of Austin and the heritage and History of San Antonio, making Texas an inspirational place to call home. It’s truly incredible how she takes so much inspiration from her culture and surroundings.

As an actress, musician, director, etc. you wouldn’t think she was a shy kid, but Vonne swears it and says she didn’t speak until she was four. Growing up watching MGM films and attending live shows sure pushed her to go the creative route and made her love the scenery. Her parents, she says, were huge influences on her and her siblings, always having mariachis over for special occasions and singing together.

One thing about Vonne, she’ll go big before she goes home. This is true about everything she does. She’s currently wrapping up a tour in Germany, making her fans happy and always working on the next thing. During the pandemic, she worried about low-income families and how they would be taken care of. She rallied her fans and ended up feeding 70,000 people at the foodbank.

“Thank god I learned how to go live,” she says about live streaming. She entertained her fans in exchange for their donations. Vonne sometimes dresses up as her “Sin City” character sings live to raise money for her local food bank. Renaissance woman indeed.

Vonne has eight diverse and unique albums on her label Bandolera Records. She frequently tours, keeping her inspired and meeting fans from the Netherlands to Hamburg and everywhere in between — allowing her to work with other artists such as Chris Isaak, Los Lobos, The Mavericks, Alejandro Escovedo and Joe King Carrasco. Acting-wise, she played Dallas in “Sin City” and “Sin City 2,” amongst other roles, and she’s acted with some of the best and most well-known names in Hollywood — including Bruce Willis, Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo and Antonio Banderas. However, she’s nowhere near done despite her impressive career. With “CDH” doing as well as it did for her first directed film, Vonne no doubt has more to show us in the future. You’ll see her in “Spy Kids Armageddon” on Netflix here soon! Patty and Tony are actually named after her and her brother Robert. Whether it’s more albums, roles in films or directing her own, she will undoubtedly continue making a name for herself.

patriciavonne.com

MAKING THEIR

EVAN SMITH WRAPS UP HIS LAST YEAR AS “TEXAS TRIBUNE” CEO

After 13 years of service, he’s passing the torch to his successor Sonal Shah.

By Liz Harroun Photo by Weston Carls

Evan Smith is no Texas native. He grew up around New York City and attended college in upstate New York. He then got his graduate degree in Chicago, where he somehow learned about “Texas Monthly” magazine. Even though he had only passed through Texas once, as soon as he read “Texas Monthly,” he knew he wanted to work there and started writing to the editor as soon as he left graduate school — and for three years thereafter, until he got a job there in 1991.

He spent 18 years at “Texas Monthly,” eventually becoming the top editor, before leaving in 2009 to co-found the “Texas Tribune.” And to him, dedicating the past three decades to these two incredible organizations has been nothing short of amazing.

“I had the opportunity to inherit a place that was already in business, and has been so successful and iconic. And then I had a chance to build a place that didn’t exist from scratch, and became iconic.”

The transition to the “Texas Tribune” was as natural as it gets, and he still has tremendous respect for “Texas Monthly” and those he worked with there, many of whom were his best friends. At a certain point, he just knew it was time to move on and try something different. “I didn’t so much leave there as go here,” he says.

In 2009, when Evan knew his career at “Texas Monthly” was coming to a close, he was simultaneously coming to the realization of how news organizations and field reporters had declined over the past two decades — and that news was just not being reported as much overall.

The goal in founding the “Texas Tribune” was to create a free, nonpartisan news outlet that covers policy, politics and social issues. The founders set out to empower people to participate civically and vote.

“I and the other people associated with the start of the ‘Texas Tribune’ believed it needed to be done,” says Evan. “We had a state that was woefully under-engaged. People were not getting the kind of information that allows them to be the best versions of themselves. The kind of information that allows them to be more thoughtful and productive citizens.”

But starting their own publication was no small feat. Initially, there was a lot of uncertainty around if the “Texas Tribune” would be sustainable. As a nonprofit, fundraising has always been a challenge, and for Evan, is the most harrowing part of the job to this day.

“We hoped it would work. We believed in the need for it. We were not wrong to start it. But also there’s a lot about the starting of business that you don’t control. And so we’re very lucky that we were able to make this thing work and to have had the impact that we’ve had.”

The “Texas Tribune” has raised $100 million, won several awards and made an impact on countless readers’ lives since it was founded. Unfortunately, even as the population grows, voter turnout and civic engagement in Texas have continued to decline.

“We knew things were bad, and we worried they would get worse. Turned out, we didn’t know how right we were. They’ve only gotten worse over the 13 years.”

Obviously, the “Texas Tribune” is not the only solution. We need more well-funded news organizations working with integrity and independence. We need more people who care enough to inform themselves, who then take that information to the ballots.

Even though Evan recognizes the need for the “Texas Tribune” is greater than ever, he also knows it’s time for him personally to move on as its leader. He feels his motivation waning, while the Tribune is running better than ever. It has raised the most money and has the most members in its history — and Evan knows he’s handing off a well-running organization.

“This organization deserves somebody who has the focus and the energy to make this thing the very best that it can be. I’m lagging a little bit after 13 years, and that tells me that it’s time to hand this off to somebody else with a lot of love and humility and gratitude and confidence.”

Sonal Shah will be his successor and, while Evan had nothing to do with the selection process, he says they are aligned about the mission and future of the Tribune. Sonal is coming from her role as an executive vice president at United Way, one of the world’s leading nonprofits. Her career has also included time at Google, the White House and Georgetown University — but she has always maintained roots in Texas, where she grew up.

In 2023, Evan will serve as advisor to Sonal and the Tribune as well as start his new venture as Senior Advisor to Emerson Collective, where he will help them to revamp the local news ecosystem in communities around the country. Emerson is a large funder of independent journalism and has been a supporter of the Tribune over the years. Evan is thrilled to take on this opportunity to help other organizations — much like “Texas Monthly” and the Tribune to which he’s contributed so much of his life too — to get funding and get off their feet.

“At this point, I’d much rather let somebody else do the running of the organization and instead be the person responsible for helping the people in leadership to succeed,” says Evan as he looks forward to his next chapter. “I have no ego in that. I simply want everybody else to succeed, and I want to do everything I can to help.”

texastribune.org

MAKING THEIR

TOUR DE LAWSON

By Liz Harroun Photo Courtesy of Getty Sport

The sport of professional cycling doesn’t get a whole lot of love here in the U.S., despite being a sports-crazed country. The National Football League, for example, is supported by 55% of Americans. Basketball is the runner-up, with 36% of Americans calling themselves fans of the National Basketball Association. However, only about 400,000 Americans (about 0.1% of the population) watch the annual Tour de France, the most prestigious cycling race in the world.

I remember watching the Tour de France with my grandfather growing up. I was still traumatized from my first bike ride without training wheels when I ended up in the hospital for stitches, but he’d turn up the TV and tell us all to watch when they cut to Lance Armstrong. I didn’t understand the sport and (admittedly) thought it paled in comparison to football, which I’d watch with my dad. Where were the tackles and tactics and cheerleaders? And why was everyone so skinny?

Well, as it turns out, cycling has plenty of excitement and team tactics. While my early years might have been all about football, my adult years slowly became more and more about cycling. Thanks to my boyfriend, I started riding bikes and at-

tending local races — and eventually found myself watching the big Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) races on TV, this time with a newfound appreciation and understanding. And those of us who still tune into the Grand Tours from Texas, the man to watch is now Lawson Craddock.

Originally from Houston, Lawson knew he enjoyed riding bikes from a very young age. His dad, Tom Craddock, was a professional downhill mountain bike racer, and was very supportive when Lawson started racing at the Alkek Velodrome at 10 years old.

“The pathway to become a professional cyclist felt like the natural path laid in front of me,” Lawson says. “It felt like every step I took was leading to racing at the highest level.”

Lawson moved to Austin after high school to attend Austin Community College, thinking he’d attend the University of Texas. However, at the same time, he was getting opportunities to race on some of the best teams in the country, including the USA Cycling National Team. Eventually, competing at the highest level and attending classes became too demanding, and he quit school to train and race full time. After his junior years, he raced for a team called Livestrong that was founded by Lance Armstrong, who was a big supporter of Lawson in his early days. Eventually, Lawson started to split time between Austin and Europe and grew accustomed to this lifestyle where so much time was spent training and racing across the globe.

In 2018, Lawson made history finishing the Tour de France after suffering a bad crash in the first of 21 stages. He raced over 2,000 miles across three weeks with a busted eye and fractured scapula that caused severe pain and lack of sleep. Meanwhile, he used the opportunity to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Alkek Velodrome, which had been recently damaged by Hurricane Harvey.

The support and admiration he received is a testament to how winning isn’t the only way to inspire. That the suffering and persistence that come with losing — in showing up day after day when you know you are going to lose — demonstrate something innate that we can all relate to in some way. He also became the first rider in the 115-year history of the Tour to finish last in each of 21 stages, dutifully and undoubtedly earning the distinction of “lanterne rouge,” or the rider who finishes in last place of the Tour.

While the Tour de France is the most well-known, there are two other Grand Tours — the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España — both of which Lawson has also raced. He has also seen huge success in time trials and is currently the two-time defending National Time Trial Champion. In 2019, he got sixth in the Time Trial at the UCI World Championship in Yorkshire, and competed in the Tokyo Olympics time trial in 2020.

During his 20s, all while leading this incredible cycling career, Lawson also got married and had two children with his wife, Chelsie. They all split time between Austin and Gerona, Spain, so that Lawson can train and race yearround. He and his wife enjoy living in Europe part-time and allowing their

Lawson Craddock has been a professional cyclist for almost a decade while calling Austin home

kids to grow up around different cultures and ways of life, with the hope that this experience will have lifelong positive impacts. When they’re in Gerona, they miss Austin — and vice versa.

“They are both really incredible cities, and experiencing both is one of the things that we feel really lucky that this lifestyle has given us.” Having two young kids at home has made being on the road over 100 days each year more mentally difficult for Lawson because he misses spending time with them and watching them grow up. “Juggling the professional and personal side of the sport is difficult,” he says. “The biggest motivator for racing now is to give my kids and family the best life that I can.”

Both his two-year-old son and four-year-old

daughter enjoy going to some of their dad’s races and have both already started riding themselves.

“Our daughter just learned how to ride a pedal bike, and then our son loves ripping around on the Strider [Balance bike], flying down stairs and hills,” Lawson laughs. “I feel like they’re just always beat up. But that’s a sign of a good childhood.”

As far as what’s next for Lawson, who turned 30 earlier this year and is coming up on a decade of professional racing, next year will be the second of a two-year contract with Australian-based Team BikeExchange. While many of us don’t think of cycling as a team sport, it’s critical to work together during high-level races.

“Everyone is training and racing toward the

same goal, and that’s one of the best things: to go into these races as one unit, with seven or eight guys trying to get the best out of each other.” And, if you were wondering, Lawson still loves riding and training when he’s back in Austin.

“Being here in Austin is actually my favorite place to train,” he says. “You could make the argument that there are quieter and better roads in Gerona, but for me, there’s just something about being home that allows me to relax and enjoy the training. I also really love the cycling community in Austin. I can go rip around at the Driveway [Series] or local group rides on the weekend. It brings me back to why I got started in this sport, and that’s just for the love of riding your bike.”

@LawsonCraddock

MAKING THEIR

TOP CHEFS

In the last year, couple Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee have celebrated Michelin stars, the opening of Pasta|Bar in Austin and the birth of their first child

By Darcie Duttweiler Photos by Weston Carls

At an age when most kids would be playing with toy fire trucks or building LEGO towers, Phillip Frankland Lee was overjoyed when his dad gifted him a professional chef’s knife on his third birthday.

“I know that sounds unbelievable, except there’s a video of it. So, it did happen!” Lee explains. “I’ve loved cooking my whole life. I was thirteen when I bought my first book on how to make sushi and decided that when I grow up, I want to be a sushi chef.”

But it didn’t happen overnight. While the skateboarding, drumming punk rocker would get into fights at school and tour with his band Alpha & Omega during the summer, he always loved coming home and baking bread. He started working as a dishwasher at 18 and, after quitting culinary school, worked his way up the ranks through the kitchens of Quinn Hatfield and Stefan Richter, as well as Alinea and L2O.

During a party in the Valley, Lee reconnected with a former middle school friend named Margarita Kallas, who had loved cooking with her grandparents back in Latvia and asked him if she should go to culinary school. He said no. Since Lee was a sous chef at a busy Santa Monica restaurant and worked seven days a week, he invited her into the restaurant after hours,

where he had been secretly preparing a meal for her all week. It went well — the chef and pastry chef have been married for 10 years. When asked what it’s like being in a relationship with another chef, they both laugh.

“At first it was definitely very interesting to navigate, to say it lightly,” Kallas-Lee says. “But over the years we’ve really grown together and have learned to communicate in an amazing way. I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else.”

With his wife, Lee does indeed run a sushi restaurant these days, but there’s way more to their Scratch Restaurants empire. In addition to the 10-yearold flagship Scratch Bar & Kitchen in Los Angeles, there are five Sushi by Scratch and two Pasta|Bar locations serving tasting-menu meals in Austin, L.A., Montecito, Seattle and Miami — with two Michelin stars won in the past year. There’s also the new NADC Burger on Rainey Street that opened in October slinging smashburgers made with Texas ranch Iron Table Wagyu. In addition to another Sushi by Scratch slated to open in Montreal next year, the couple is working on an upcoming steakhouse on Sixth Street that they haven’t even decided on the name of yet, and they’re hard at work on a ranch in Cedar Creek, a project that is still very much hush-hush. On top of all that, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, this year.

“I’ve always thought you can’t make a difference with one restaurant, no matter how big it is,” Lee says. “You have to get out there and you have to sort of canvas to be able to actually make a difference. You have to get in everywhere. So our goal has always been that we wanted to change the way that people eat in America. But now it’s morphed a little bit more into that we want to change the way the industry works.”

This notion of transforming the restaurant industry is apparent in every restaurant Lee and Kallas-Lee open. They aim to give their staff above living wages because they think everyone should be able to own their own home, as well as offer robust health insurance and 401(K)s, which is rare in kitchens. The sole reason the team opened its original Sushi|Bar pop-up in 2020 was because L.A. closed indoor dining, and the couple wanted to keep all of their staff employed during the pandemic, so they moved everyone to Austin. Once Joe Rogan tasted their sushi at their omakase speakeasy, they sold out their initial run and decided to stay for good — and the

rest, they say, is history.

Now, the duo focuses on Sushi by Scratch out at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, the new NADC Burger and Pasta|Bar — which Lee says he would not have opened if they hadn’t set up Austin as their home base because of how complicated the plating and dishes are.

“It just felt so nice to be here,” Kallas-Lee says. “It was fulfilling to come here and have so much support because in L.A, it was never like that. Austin is so special. All the chefs are just so supportive. I just felt so at home. So, yeah, we’re staying.”

scratchrestaurants.com

The First Lady of Football

LOREAL SARKISIAN IS A STYLIST, PHILANTHROPIST, WIFE, FORMER TRACK STAR, AND “TEAM MOM” TO THE LONGHORN PLAYERS

By Darcie Duttweiler Photos by Weston Carls

IT MIGHT BE HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT LOREAL SARKISIAN DID NOT like the color burnt orange.

“It’s definitely grown on me!” says the wife of University of Texas at Austin’s head football coach Steve Sarkisian. “I’ve embraced it. I think it’s an awesome color because of the cool ways you can incorporate it. If you think of it as a neutral, then your options are endless if you are creative

enough to venture out.”

Sarkisian loves talking fashion. The wardrobe stylist, Alexander McQueen loving “First Lady of Texas Football” catapulted to recognition because of her gameday outfits, starting with her very first Longhorn game in 2021, where she wore a crisp white prairie blouse tucked into a black, sheer maxi skirt paired with a black cowboy hat, boots and western belt. All last season and

so far into the 2022 season, Sarkisian has been treating the Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium as her own personal catwalk, and her followers on Instagram are eating it up. But according to Sarkisian, she’s just dressing as her authentic self and how she feels that day.

“I get up and I just get dressed!” she says.

While she admits she might be wearing a little more makeup than usual on game days or at events, her mother taught her from a young age to always present her best self. It’s not the only lesson learned from her mom. As a former collegiate track star (she could run the 100 meter hurdles in under 13 seconds and even tried out for the Olympics in 2012) and former University of Southern California coach, she says the Longhorn players all call her “Mama Sark” because they know she and Steve care for them on and off the field, something her athletic parents instilled in her, her siblings and all of their athletic friends that would often come home with them.

“We’re here to use our gifts and talents to serve others,” she says. “It comes natural to me because of all that Mom and Dad did. That’s what I know. That’s who I am. I want to make sure they know that we are here for them past football.”

This notion is also something she takes with her in terms of her stylist business, where she uses her fashion sense to help clients build a wardrobe, style them for events or photoshoots or even help them pack for a vacation. But she claims she’s not here to tell people what to wear or deem what is “stylish” to anyone. She aims to help others reveal their own “authentic self” through clothes and create a sense of confidence in what she calls a “very intimate space.”

“You have to build a lot of trust with your clients,” Sarkisian explains. “You end up wearing different hats and become a lot of things depending on that person and what they have going on in their lives. But I embrace it — it’s another level of giving back, another talent I have that I get to use to help people.”

As for dressing Steve, she says that’s a “touchy subject” and that he has his own style but she’ll give him some options.

Sarkisian also gives back with many charitable causes near and dear to her heart, especially with The Kindness Campaign, The UGLI Foundation,

Runway of Dreams, Dress for Success and her own 501(c)(3) nonprofit she is in the final stages of setting up with an event hopefully slated for the spring.

“I’m only here because of Christ and him loving and supporting me and giving me grace, so I want to make sure I’m extending the same grace, love, help and support to others as much as possible,” she says.

When she’s not jet-setting across the globe for fashion shows — she most recently celebrated her birthday at the Alexander McQueen show during London Fashion Week — participating with Longhorn athletics, working with her stylist clients, helping with charities or consulting with track athletes, you might find Sarkisian shopping around town at Valentine’s, ByGeorge, Reformation, Neiman Marcus, Hermes, Gucci or her new favorite Aritzia.

“Nothing is off limits when trying to find an outfit, especially for someone else,” she says. “I’ll go everywhere!”

lorealsarkisian.com

AUSTIN

HILDRENSHOPSfor &

TOYS

By Avery Matschek

ALEXA JAMES BABY

1515 West 35th St.  alexajbaby.com

Shoppers will enjoy an aesthetically pleasing shopping experience at Alexa James Baby, thanks to interiors designed by Claire Zinnicker and offerings that are thoughtfully curated for cute kiddos. The shop, which is inspired by kids’ stores in New York City, sells charming brands like Estella, Meri Meri and Nellystella. Owner Karina Drake has created a welcoming, peaceful environment with products that will bring comfort and style to children’s wardrobes.

PICKET FENCES

1003 West 34th St.  picketfencesbaby.com

Picket Fences carries classic and trendy products for both new babies and big kids. Kathryn Kenjura Hall started as a part-time employee before eventually purchasing the store from previous owner Aimee Laughlin, and Picket Fences remains a longtime local favorite after 30 years in business. Whether you’re looking for a set of bedding for a crib, decor for a nursery or unique gifts for young folks, the staff here will help you find the right answer to any shopping request.

CLASSIC CHILDHOOD

2005 Southern Oaks Dr. classicchildhood.com

Classic Childhood is outfitting stylish youth with sustainable and timeless children’s clothing. Handmade in Austin, the team at Classic Childhood uses pre-loved shirts as the fabric for their European-inspired designs. They even give customers the chance to honor loved ones by repurposing a shirt to create a customized heirloom outfit for a child. Check out their precious collection of items made in collaboration with local figures, including Lauren Petrowski and Rachel Thornton.

PERRIBERRI

2805 RM-2244, Unit 414 perriberri.com

PerriBerri is the largest specialty retailer of Barefoot Dreams products in the U.S. Locals can make a visit to pick up a baby blanket or a cozy outfit for a new mom! The Rollingwood boutique also carries gifts and pajamas for kids. Founded by Perri Beathard in 1997, PerriBerri has amazing goods for parents and children alike.

LETTERPRESS PLAY

letterpressplay.com 2002 South Congress Ave.

Letterpress PLAY is more than a toy store. With a focus on sustainability and a mission to share the beauty of letterpress printing, founder Kyle Hawley has created a creative, welcoming space for kids to explore. Find high-quality products from local artisans, plus their own handmade paper toys, greeting cards and upcycled notebooks.

THE CITIZEN AND CO.

2905 RM-620 thecitizenandco.com

Take one look at The Citizen and Co. and you can see that there’s fun to be had inside. With hot pink doors and light green walls, this newly opened store is a dream for little ones on the hunt for colorful pajamas, dolls and hair bows. We also love their selection of board books and soft books, perfect for growing babies!

TOY JOY

403 West 2nd St.  toyjoy.com

Shoppers will find toys galore at Toy Joy, one of Austin’s best toy stores since 1987. From more educational science-based toys to novelty items and everything in between, Toy Joy is every kid’s paradise. With locations downtown, in Hyde Park and at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Toy Joy is spreading the fun all around town.

LEMON DROP CHILDREN’S SHOP

2118 South Congress Ave.  lemondropchildrensshop.com

Lemon Drop Children’s Shop brings a whole lot of joy to South Congress! The yellow-striped silver Airstream parked at The Lawn is the brainchild of owner Emma Davis, who was inspired to open the business after becoming a mother herself. The inventory at Lemon Drop is colorful and whimsical, ideal for the young and the young at heart.

PHOTO BY MELY NAVARRO

OLIVIA SHOPPE

3201 RM-2244, Unit 160 oliviashoppe.com

This luxury clothing and gift shop has just about everything you could want for the children in your life. There’s fashionable bubbles and rompers for newborns, sleepwear and outerwear for bigger kids and a wide range of toys and home items to add to a kid’s room. Plus, they carry a bevy of festive, holiday-themed options for this time of year!

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS BOUTIQUE

3010 West Anderson Ln. brightbeginningsboutique.com

It doesn’t get much cuter than Bright Beginnings Boutique. The well-curated store carries reasonably priced and high-quality clothing and accessories for children — and it’s all adorable. There are pastel-colored onesies for newborns and super stylish outfits for bigger kids. Bright Beginnings is a must-visit for expecting parents, grandparents and anyone else looking for the perfect baby items.

OVER THE RAINBOW TOYSTORE

1601 West 38th St., Unit 3 facebook.com/OvertheRainbowToystoreAtx/photos

Somewhere over the rainbow, there’s a fantastic toy store that has been in business in Austin for more than 45 years. With a friendly staff and a large selection of toys, the centrally located shop is not to be missed if you’re on the hunt for a sweet and personal gift.

KINDA KRAZY KIDS & KOMPANY

3736 RM-2244, Unit 4 kindakrazykids.com/index.html

The stock at Kinda Krazy Kids & Kompany ranges from puppets, puzzles and plush animals to clothing, costumes and shoes. The West Lake Hills locale celebrated their 19th anniversary this November and invites locals to come in and find a new favorite toy or outfit from a bevy of wonderful and whimsical options. And kiddos can join in on the fun in the store’s playroom!

OVER THE RAINBOW PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK. KINDA KRAZY KIDS PHOTO BY MARY ANN BENSON.

TERRA TOYS

2438 West Anderson Ln. terratoys.com

Terra Toys started by making hand-crafted wooden toys in 1978 and has since grown into a 12,000-square-foot store selling an innumerable amount of entertaining activities for families. Many of their offerings aid in development and education, as well as being enjoyable for play! With so many options available, there’s something for every boy and girl at Terra Toys.

SPARKLEKIDS UPSCALE RESALE

4800 Burnet Rd. sparklekidsresale.com

Resale shopping isn’t just for adults! SparkleKids buys high-quality children’s clothing to sell to their customers, creating a sustainable option for clothing for ever-growing kids. The shop specializes in brands like Matilda Jane, Lilly Pulitzer and so much more. SparkleKids also carries locally made items from Austin makers, making it a one-stop shop for kids’ shopping needs.

BOUNTY OF JOY

Cassandra Shankman’s uplifting DJing and kind acts promote positivity through music

By Britni Rachal Photo by Brittany Dawn Short

DDescribed by her fans as a “bounty of joy” — as she now hosts DJ gigs that include parties for corporate brands like Meta, Amazon, “Teen Vogue,” American Express, Google, W Hotels and more — Cassie Shankman, also known as DJ Cassandra, is rapidly building a name and network for herself. Just five years from landing her first paid gig, demand for her services is at an all-time high as she works to grow her business with a focus on all types of music, including her favorites of “disco fun, house style.”

Shankman landed her first gig after taking initiative and reaching out to Cara Caulkins of Cara Caulkins Communications to volunteer her time to DJ a Thanksgiving workout event in 2016 at Native Hostel.

“I said, I would love to do this — this would be fun, and I’ll do it for free,” says Shankman. “Since then, she’s hired me for so many incredible events that have led to incredible opportunities.”

“Cassandra  always has the most upbeat and positive energy. Not only is she a talented musician and DJ, but she has this innate ability to read the room she is working and provide the best vibes always,” says Caulkins. “Her support of women-owned businesses in Austin is a huge benefit to our community and I’m so grateful to know her!”

Authentic and passionate, Shankman says she “just can’t stop smiling and playing music.” Word of mouth and networking are some of the keys to her success, in addition to long hours, hard work, dedication and the importance of self-reflection. Working to lift others up is one of Shankman’s recent favorite accomplishments — an ability and an importance that she became more aware of after DJing Noonday Collection’s Shine Conference for women.

“The speaker said, ‘It doesn’t blow out your candle to light another woman’s candle,’” explained Shankman. “That literally cured me. I think because of the nature and everything we learn in society is to pin women against one another, instead of lifting one another up. It’s like that in every single industry, and it’s definitely like that in the music industry.”

Realizing there is an abundance of work for everyone, Shankman started offering more to other women. As a result, she hasn’t missed out on any gigs, but other people have more gigs too, as she passes along double-bookings to others, while also mentoring about things like “making sure to charge your value.”

“I can give a gig to another woman. I can give out secrets to other women and still be okay in my job because I have a background and my experience is different than other musicians, and they have their own things too,” says Shankman.

Mentoring and donating her time when applicable, bringing the joy and building connections and community are other rewarding aspects of DJing.

“My favorite thing to see is people meeting on the dance floor,” says Shankman. “They’ll often meet there, start dating, get engaged and then ask me to DJ their wedding.”

Prior to starting her own DJ business, Shankman completed a neurology and music project that’s gained worldwide attention. Partnering with Hope Young of Biomedical Music Solutions, Inc., Shankman used her composition skills to help create custom music to help neurology patients begin to rewire their brains. Patients of all ages with different types of conditions can benefit from the treatment.

“It started out as a project and now it’s a company,” says Shankman. “So many patients around the world are using this therapy. It’s crazy. We are very complicated human beings. If there’s trauma to the brain somewhere, regardless of which hemisphere, music is found to help rewire the brain by creating new patterns. Nothing else can do that.”

Another exciting aspect of Shankman’s professional life involves being an ambassador for Lululemon. Recently wrapping up a two-year term, Shankman is now a legacy ambassador for the program. She also spends time consulting for television shows and movies, regarding audio and music.

Future goals include hiring her own manager, playing more festivals, traveling for more gigs and placing more emphasis on a healthy work-life balance. “You can do anything you put your mind to. You really can,” says Shankman. “Know that it’s going to be crazy work in any aspect in any job. The thing I wish I had known is to protect your mental health and your physical health. I’m still learning those things. My job and the gigs have been way more important than anything else in my life, but ultimately it’s a job.”

Wise words for a growing professional with a strong impact in the Austin community and beyond.

soundsbycassandra.com

KIDS CAN SAVE ANIMALS

This 13-year-old demonstrates there’s no age limit to make a difference in the world

By Britni Rachal Photo courtesy of Great Migration Productions

PProof that with some support and guidance, you are never too young to start making an impact and pursuing your passions, Kate Gilman Williams is setting an example for a generation of children, by educating others about endangered animals, and encouraging our youth to pursue advocacy. Williams, now age 13, founded Kids Can Save Animals when she was only 10 years old.

A trip to Africa with her family when she was seven years old, to be part of a three-week safari, inspired her to co-author a book with the game driver on the trip, Michelle Campbell.

“I got really lucky because she was the only girl game driver in the whole safari lodge,” says Williams. “We really connected because I’ve always had a passion for animals even before I went to Africa, and she taught my everything about them.”

A hard statistic to learn — that an elephant is killed for its tusks every 15 minutes — really struck Williams, who knew she wanted to do something to help. As a result, she and Campbell got started working on a 36-page book titled, “Let’s Go on Safari.”

Since launching her organization and co-authoring the book, Williams also is now in partnership with Microsoft for her website’s Club 15 videos, a spin-off of Microsoft’s Project 15. Designed to educate other kids, the videos serve as a podcast for kids to learn about what’s happening with various animals and the dangers surrounding their chances of everyday survival.

Music that’s downloadable for a cause is another more recent project Williams took on. She met singer-songwriter Jenn Hartmann Luck, who recorded a song about kids doing great things in the world. Titled “Kids Can Save Animals,” the song is available for download on Williams’ website, with 15% of proceeds donated to Re-Wild, an organization founded by actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

“Any time someone listens to the song, they can automatically make a difference,” says Williams. “My motto is advocacy has no age limit. You don’t have to wait until you become an adult because if we wait until we become

adults, it’s going to be too late. We are going to lose elephants in less than 10 years, so we have to step up, now.”

Her favorite animal, cheetahs are part of Williams’ inspiration. Toward the end of her safari, she was able to see one — a very rare sight.

“She was chirping for her cubs, and it was the most amazing sight ever,” says Williams. “I was so excited, and it was so cool. It’s one of my best memories from the trip.”

A great experience, but certainly not the last time Williams would see a cheetah. Interactions to directly help animals are now part of Williams’ life. She recently helped place a tracking device on a cheetah to help monitor the endangered species’ safety and its care toward its cubs. She also assisted veterinarians to dehorn a rhinoceros, which helps it become less of a target for poachers.

Williams continues to grow Kids Can Save Animals. Future projects include expanding educational materials to include sea animals. She’s also a new Youth Ambassador for Born Free USA, an organization that works to help raise awareness for animals kept behind bars in captivity. Soon, she will work with them on a project involving elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Despite all these projects, at the end of the day, Williams is still very much a young teenager, who also prioritizes schoolwork with other activities.

“It’s hard to manage, but for Club 15 videos, I just figure out time outside of school after I’ve finished my homework to set up different interviews with people and find people who I think are interesting and that I want other kids to learn about,” says Williams. “It’s just kind of fun learning to balance schoolwork but also doing your extracurriculars.”

When she’s not busy with Kids Can Save Animals and school, Williams plays volleyball as part of a club team, and she has an acting coach in Los Angeles. She and her family split their time living both in Austin and California.

kidscansaveanimals.com

CINEMATIC CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

This movie editor is making action happen,

directly

By Britni Rachal Photo by Brittany Dawn Short

from his Austin-based studio

IIt’s a career often so behind the scenes that “if you are really good at your job, you are invisible.” Described as “such an invaluable piece to the puzzle, but also unseen,” right now, video editing is a large part of life for Greg MacLennan of Electric Owl Creative. He launched his own spin-off of business during the pandemic, after previously working with Alamo Drafthouse’s founder, Tim League.

An aspiration to “play a character (or a role) who dies in a movie” is what led MacLennan down the route to start editing feature films, with his most recent one starring Frank Grillo. MacLennan got his start with Paper Street Pictures.

“One of the directors, Aaron Koontz, was a casual acquaintance of mine,” says MacLennan. “I was hanging out with him, and I said, ‘Your next movie — I better die in it!’”

Koontz took MacLennan’s words seriously and called him six months later with an opportunity to die in a film. MacLennan didn’t hesitate and even without reading a script ahead of time, he traveled to Oklahoma to participate in the movie. But what happened after shooting his scenes in the Western Horror, “The Pale Door,” surprised him the most.

“On my last night there, the director pulled me aside, and said, ‘Hey man, I brought you up here because I want you to edit this movie.’”

MacLennan drove back to Austin, thought about it, and decided to say yes to editing his first film all the way through. Since then, that experience has led to more opportunities, including “Margaux” and now most recently, “Year 2.”

The work is much different than pre-pandemic, as the door is now open for movie editors to complete work remotely. While editors used to always be on the set, they are now able to remote in and get footage with the help of an on-site assistant, changing the industry and allowing for more flexible living arrangements during shoots.

“Everybody always thinks that editing action scenes is the most fun, but a lot of time it’s been so planned out ahead of time,” says MacLennan. “A character-building scene also leaves more room for creativity and to shape performance, which is really fun to do.”

Another surprising aspect of editing, which most people might not realize

is the process surrounding the collaboration between editors, directors and movie producers.

“I think a lot of people think that the director tells the cinematographer what he wants, the cinematographer shoots it, and then the editor just cuts those two things together — but it is so much more than that,” says MacLennan. “It’s actually tons of creative solving. You are constantly taking what you have available in front of you and then trying to manipulate it to be something that wasn’t shot, to fix a problem.”

Through the process of movie making, MacLennan creates his editor’s cut on what he thinks the director would like to see. Then he gets feedback from the director (often, what MacLennan jokingly describes as, “I hate you”) and re-cuts the footage based on that, before getting feedback from the producers, who are the final piece to the process.

Movies are a part of MacLennan’s life that he’s always loved. He used to watch movies back-to-back regularly with his brother and sister, who are both six to seven years older than him. Later, he started playing around with friends’ video cameras.

“I had two VHS tape decks where I could record parts of the footage I really wanted to edit together,” explains MacLennan, who later studied radio, television and film at the University of Texas, before becoming a movie montage editor at Alamo Drafthouse.

“I thought I had my dream job of editing the montage of 12 movies that were showing or being highlighted that month into a three-and-a-half minute-long super video,” says MacLennan. “Then I started doing movie trailers.”

A key to his success involves taking opportunities as they come, with much gratitude. There’s also a lot of hard work involved — often 10 to 12hour days.

“If the opportunity is sitting and waiting there, someone is going to come along and take it. Why can’t it be you?” says MacLennan. “My advice is to not wait for opportunities to come and find you. Just go out and ask for it. A lot of times people won’t know you are interested or capable until you tell them you are.”

electricowlcreative.com

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE

An Austinite dedicates her career to increasing civic engagement by educating others

By Britni Rachal Photo by Brittany Dawn Short

EEncouraging civic and political participation is a passion of Amy Stansbury, the current Editor-In-Chief of “The Austin Common.” Taking a unique approach to political education, the news organization offers a variety of tools to engage and help the public learn more about local government. Everything from Instagram posts to election guides and podcasts help bring awareness to a cause Stansbury became inspired by after she started working as a journalist for “The Evening Sun” newspaper in Pennsylvania earlier in her career, which required attendance at city council meetings.

“I started seeing how democracy happens and who gets excluded from that process,” says Stansbury. “I noticed how many people in our community aren’t really connected to our local city government or our civic infrastructure and don’t really know how to get engaged or involved or make their voice heard. That’s really what’s driven me to want to bring more people along for the ride.”

For 10 years, Stansbury has been an active advocate to get others to participate politically. Not only did she help launch “The Austin Common” in 2020, she also co-authored “A Beginner’s Guide To Local Government,” which is a coloring book/zine unique for Austinites to learn the basics of how our local government works and how they can get involved. She’s also the host of “The Austin Common Radio Hour,” which airs on 91.7FM.

Some of her favorite things to talk about include topics surrounding when the city is passing a new budget. Her content breaks down what the city budget is — including aspects like where property taxes are allocated — and how it can impact people even if they are renters. This year, she’s spent a lot of time preparing for local elections.

“We interview all of the candidates running for City Council and Austin Mayor on ‘The Austin Common Hour.’ This year it was almost 40 candidates,” says Stansbury. “Then we publish those podcasts on Instagram and make election guides that are digital and shareable — making it easier for people to figure out who is running for city council and who could be representing them.”

Overall, engagement is top priority and results have been fun to watch and hear about. Stansbury says people often approach her with thanks and

exciting stories about how they saw some material or listened to a podcast and decided to apply to serve on city commissions or boards. Others tell stories about voting for the first time.

“This is so meaningful. This is the whole reason why I do what I do,” says Stansbury. “It’s great to see new people and more of a diverse array of Austinites getting more engaged through us.”

A major driving factor is local politics specifically, as Stansbury advocates its importance — due to local government impacting people’s lives the most, and it is also the easiest for voters to influence.

“Local government is the sector that people often know the least about,” says Stansbury. “It gets ignored by a lot of media, so that’s what we try to focus on. When I do Civic 101 talks, I can literally show data on how it’s common for people in local elections to win or lose by 200 votes or less.”

Stansbury uses the example of these races to show people just how much of a difference can be made.

“You could post on social media right now and more than 200 people would see it,” explains Stansbury. “You could text 200 people right now and tell them to vote for anyone you want. You have real power not just within your own vote but within your social networks.”

An Austinite of nearly 10 years, Stansbury’s love for the city is also a driving factor. A constantly changing atmosphere with so many new people moving in makes it even more important for Stansbury to keep educating, hoping that her platforms will make new residents feel welcome.

“I love Austin, and I’ve seen the impact and positive change that our community has made, and I want our democracy to thrive and work, especially in this age when people are so anxious about politics. The idea of getting involved can be stressful or overwhelming.”

To expand to something new, “The Austin Common” partnered with The League of Women Voters this year to start a program to help students at local high schools register to vote for the first time, an effort to stretch more people from the younger generation into the political process.

theaustincommon.com

SweetHolidayTooth

BYLIZHARROUN

Milk and Cereal

Ariana Quant uchiko / uchikoaustin.com

Reimagined by Executive Pastry chef Ariana Quant, this is an updated version of the original Fried Milk that was first introduced to the menu when Uchiko Austin opened. Pillows of fried pastry cream breaded in corn flakes accompany Cap’n crunch, toasted milk ice cream and their iconic swirl of light chocolate mousse — truly taking cereal to a whole new gourmet level.

“Originally an ode to a playful kid breakfast of cornflakes, milk and chocolate, we have kept true to that tribute with our current version. It is an elevated and sophisticated version of a nostalgic and quintessential Uchiko dessert.”

– Ariana Quant

Flourless Chocolate Torte

Sour Duck Market / sourduckmarket.com

Austin’s eastside neighborhood bakery and beer garden, Sour Duck serves up fresh baked goods from locally sourced ingredients. The Flourless Chocolate Torte, made with espresso and Valrhona cocoa, will satisfy all of your cravings for something rich and decadent. It makes for the perfect gluten-free indulgence for one (or two, if you’re lucky!).  “Having quality pastry options for people with different dietary restrictions is really important to us at Sour Duck. So the chocolate torte is a no-brainer to have in that case. It gives people with gluten sensitivities an option as well as chocolate lovers in general.”

–

Sean Flanagan, Head Baker

PHOTOS BY RICHARD CASTEEL.

Sean Flanagan

Strawberry Cake

Caterhine Curren Irene’s / irenesaustin.com

This bright and fruity cake is the ultimate finishing touch to a diner meal at Irene’s. Inspired by a classic birthday cake recipe that chef-owner Andrew Curren’s mom would make him growing up, his wife (and Irene’s pastry chef) Mary Catherine elevated this original with new techniques and higher quality ingredients. It’s sure to round out any occasion, including a holiday outing.

“The inspiration for this cake was a long-time family favorite made with boxed cake mix and Jell-o powder. My goal was to replicate that without all of the processed shortcuts. After nearly 15 trials, I was finally satisfied with the end result. Thankfully our guests have fallen in love with it the same way my family has for all these years. Side note: I still make the original recipe sometimes just for fun.”

–

Mary Caterhine Curren

Mary

Texas Chocolate Cake

Jules Stoddart Maie Day / maieday.com

Maie Day is a steakhouse with all of the offerings you’d expect from one but with a relaxed Austin vibe. True to the rest of this rich menu with large portions suitable for sharing, this massive slice of moist chocolate cake includes notes of caramel, benne seed, raspberry and coffee Chantilly cream.

“When creating the opening menu at Maie Day, I was inspired to mirror the playfulness of the savory offerings and match the beautiful grandeur of the space. Chocolate cake is a staple dessert at most steakhouses, so the pressure was on to make this the best chocolate anyone had ever had. The smile that comes on the face of every guest when the cake hits the table brings pure joy to everyone in the room.”

– Jules Stoddart, Executive Pastry Chef and Culinary Director for Maie B Hospitality during the opening of Maie Day — now a culinary consultant for Maie Day

PHOTOS BY KELLEY SMITH.

BY CRISTINA FISHER.

Matilda All Grown Up

Summer House on Music Lane, the full-service restaurant at Hotel Magdalena, highlights straightforward cooking with a slow-food mentality. Matilda All Grown Up is their flourless chocolate cake featuring white chocolate ice cream and malted milk crumble. Its rich chocolate flavor is perfectly complemented with the sweet, creamy ice cream.

“My inspiration for the chocolate cake dessert we have on the menu came from the children’s movie, ‘Matilda.’ I wanted the cake to be nostalgic to those who are familiar with the film but also decadent and comforting to those who just wanted a slice of cake too. And that’s what brought us to the Matilda all Grown Up dessert.” – Pastry Chef Gabby Roberts

PHOTO BY JAM SANITCHAT, PORTRAIT BY JODY HORNTON.

Gabby Roberts Summer House on Music Lane / summerhouseonmusiclane.com

PHOTOS

LOG

Chocolate Log

Jam Sanitchat

Thai Fresh / thai-fresh.com

Jam Sanitchat, chef and co-owner of Thai Fresh, started re-creating gluten-free versions of her favorite treats because of her own wheat allergy. The vegan component came in when she realized there weren’t a lot of Austin bakeries that offered high-quality treats without both gluten and dairy. The Buche de Noel (or Yule Log Cake) was inspired when they wanted to create a traditional holiday dessert without gluten or dairy, so that the whole family can enjoy something decadent. It’s only available during December, when they take special orders in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

“You can choose between buttercream or chocolate ganache for the log’s filling. I personally like the ganache filling because it’s so chocolatey and rich. We use really good chocolate. You don’t need very much — just a couple of bites — because it’s so nice and dense and perfectly broken up with a little bit of cream. I can’t even describe how nice it is.” – Jam Sanitchat

PannaEspressoCotta

Morin Gusto Italian Kitchen / gustoitaliankitchen.com

Need a little pick-me-up after your delicious meal at Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar? Don’t leave without trying the espresso custard — where biscotti crumble, salted caramel, coffee liqueur and whipped cream come together for a truly blissful treat, perfect for those cool winter nights.

“We use locally made Caffe del Fuego coffee liqueur for this dessert, which really enhances the flavor. I love the combination of textures with the smooth custard, crunchy biscotti and airy whipped cream.” –

Executive Chef Dan Morin

Dan

PHOTOS BY JODY HORTON.

Tres Leches

Tavel Bristol-Joseph canje / canjeatx.com

Serving up modern Caribbean food in east Austin, Canje is Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph’s latest concept (he now oversees six distinct concepts as co-owner of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group). However, it’s his first restaurant inspired by his roots from his native country of Guyana. The Tres Leches — made with coconut, roasted white chocolate and strawberry guava — is a testament to how he innovatively merges classic dishes with Afro-Caribbean influences.

“Tres Leches is one of my absolute favorite desserts. I’ve made so many different variations in my career, but this one is by far my favorite because of the addition of tropical flavors that I think complement the menu really well.”

– Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph

Turning Trash into Treasure

AUSTIN CREATIVE REUSE IS HELPING DIVERT MATERIALS FROM AUSTIN’S LANDFILLS, A TRULY HEROIC UNDERTAKING

By Liz Harroun Photos by Weston Carls

WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE THE FACT THAT WASTE IS A huge problem. Landfills are filling up, while consumerism continues to ramp up. If we don’t change our habits, environmental destruction could reach devastating heights. So what can we do? One popular principle of combating waste is that of a circular economy, which keeps materials, products and services in use as long as possible. So rather than discarding materials to be dealt with in an inefficient recycling or waste management system, only to extract new resources, we can give those materials a second life. Austin Creative Reuse (ACR) is a local nonprofit doing just that — all while building community as well as fostering creativity and education.

Their creative reuse center is located in the Windsor Park neighborhood in East Austin, where they collect donations for gently used creative materials

and then make them available to the public through their retail space and other community programs. Founded in 2009 by a group of like-minded individuals, it is now the largest creative reuse center in Texas — and one of the largest in the country. But it started small: In 2015, they opened their first center in a 1,600-square-foot suite. Because they were initially completely dependent on volunteer labor, they were only able to be open for about six hours each week. Still, they were surprised by the demand from so many people looking for a home for their gently used materials as well as those looking to find materials for their projects.

In 2020, ACR finally moved out of that long-outgrown space into their current 11,000-square-foot building. They are now open six days a week and have a paid staff that contributes over 50% of the labor hours.

“Our goal is to find ways to work with the community to keep all of these great creative materials outside of the landfill,” says Jennifer Evans, Executive Director of ACR. “They come through our doors and then can be reused again instead of ending up in someone’s trash.” To date, they have diverted about 1.5 million pounds of materials from the landfill, currently diverting about 45,000 to 50,000 pounds every month.

The space also serves as a community hub for creatives and educators of all kinds here in Austin. As far as the types of things they collect and distribute, you’ll find items found in your typical art store (think canvases, fabric, yarn and photography supplies) as well as items you might not think of as typical art supplies (think old records, magazines and vintage items). The idea behind the latter is that folks can give these items a whole new life through unique creative projects.

“We define creative materials very generally,” says Jennifer. “We take items that have lived their first life, and we’re asking people to make an opportunity to use them as something different. We have some amazing artists and makers who come in and make amazing pieces out of things that would’ve been discarded.”

Calder Kamin, who is a local artist and on the ACR Board of Directors, makes all sorts of woodland creatures and landscapes out of bits of plastic, often sourced from the center. Her transformation of trash into beautiful creatures inspires others to be brave and creative when facing the future. Her art embodies the goal of ACR to not only reduce waste, but to foster creativity while doing so. They also host artistic workshops as well as market days where you can meet local artists and buy gifts.

“Because our items are donated, we’re really able to also keep our prices affordable so that if you want to try painting, you can come in and get a reused canvas and some paint for a couple of dollars to see whether you like painting or not,” says Jennifer. “So

that ability and affordability allows folks to have materials and abundance, which gives so many different options in terms of creativity.”

Perhaps the most exciting community event is the annual Reuse on the Runway, a fashion show where this past November over 65 local designers incorporated elements of reused materials or techniques to challenge designers to look at old materials in a new way, while challenging the audience to rethink our constructs of fashion. The designs are truly exceptional and another testament to the creativity reuse can inspire.

The one-hundred core volunteers remain critical to the impact ACR is making. Thanks to them, they are able to process all of the donations that come in — including tiny things like buttons and marbles that could easily be lost — keeping the diversion rate at about 97%, meaning less than 3% of what comes through the door ends up in the landfill.

“We also really enjoy having groups of volunteers from schools and businesses and other community organizations,” says Jennifer. “We can incorporate fun team-building and educational pieces.”

What Jennifer is most excited to build upon is ACR’s education programs. They have always supported teachers by offering materials at low costs and want to increase accessibility to even more teachers, who often end up paying for classroom supplies out of pocket. ACR just launched a new program called Creative Cash, where materials are offered to educators and nonprofits with donation-based pay so they can pay what they can. By continuing to foster their relationships with local schools, they hope to promote the reuse of materials that often end up in the trash at the end of the school year.

“Our community is so important to us and the reason that we can continue to exist,” says Jennifer. “Folks who are willing to look at reuse in a different way come out and try something new with us. We think that if we can make creative reuse fun and exciting and help people learn something new, then they might be willing to look at reuse in other areas of their life as well.”

Keeping things out of the landfill is good for all of us on so many levels. If you need inspiration on how to reuse items and reduce waste in general, don’t hesitate to check out Austin Creative Reuse.

austincreativereuse.org

Bulevar Mexican Kitchen

CELEBRATING THE SIMPLE PLEASURES OF PREMIUM SEAFOOD, PRIME STEAKS, ORGANIC CHICKEN AND HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES — COOKED OVER LIVE COALS

By Karen O. Spezia Photos by Holly Cowart

SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK. BUT SOME HAVE ALL THE talent. And skill. And know-how. Guy Villavaso and Larry Foles are those guys. As longtime entrepreneurial partners, they’ve created some of Austin’s most successful restaurants — and luck has nothing to do with it. They just flat-out know what they’re doing. And since they’ve been doing it for over 30 years, they innately understand what Austin diners want: places like Red Ash, Eddie V’s, ATX Cocina, J. Carver’s, Roaring Fork, Hopdoddy, Salty Sow and Tumble 22. Their newest venture is Bulevar Mexican Kitchen, and, unsurprisingly, they’ve knocked it outta the park. Again.

Open since August, Bulevar has quickly become the place to be. As soon as the doors open for nightly happy hour, it’s packed with diners clamoring for its potent margaritas and elevated Mexican cuisine. The crowds continue throughout the evening, and for good reason: the food is terrific, the energy is electric and the design is stunning, inside and out.

Ironically, Bulevar is located in the former Arboretum outpost of Z’Tejas, Villavaso and Foles’ first restaurant concept. Decades later, they’ve transformed the space into a chic hacienda illuminated by flickering candles,

dramatic chandeliers and roaring fireplaces. The sprawling dining room features soaring vaulted ceilings and a lively U-shaped bar in the center. High-end finishes include dining chairs upholstered in supple leather and banquettes covered in colorful Mexican textiles. Backlit nooks carved into the limestone walls showcase Mexican handicrafts. Local artist Anne Ducote painted the mural of a Mexican agricultural landscape, as well as the cheeky life-size portrait of Zoro that hangs above the fireplace (and whose model just happens to be Bulevar co-owner, Guy Villavaso). Smaller, more intimate dining spaces line the perimeter of the main dining room, which opens onto an expansive, stylish patio offering spectacular sunset views and an outdoor fireplace and heat lamps for cooler evenings.

The menu by Executive Chef Kevin Taylor, who’s also an operating partner at Bulevar’s popular downtown sibling restaurant, ATX Cocina, is inspired by his frequent Mexican travels and combines traditional flavors and practices with modern approaches, including a 100% gluten free kitchen. In addition to premium grilled meats, seafood and vegetables, corn takes a staring role in the kitchen, with fresh masa made daily with grain grown by small family farms in Oaxaca.

The Salsa Tasting is a wonderful way to start your meal at Bulevar. A basket of homemade chips accompanies four vibrant salsas in flavors like roja asada, salsa verde, salsa árbol and smoked bean. The bite-sized sopes de trompo are masa cups filled with diced pork belly, flank steak, fresh pineapple, guajillo peppers and roasted shallots — with flavors reminiscent of Puebla’s al pastor. Machete tacos, stuffed with lamb cheek, smoked jalapenos, caramelized onions and queso mixto are grilled until warm and melty. Other enticing starters include duck carnitas huaraches, bean and goat cheese empanadas and hamachi sashimi.

The open grill is the centerpiece of Bulevar’s kitchen, and most entrees are cooked over live coals. The Pollo a las Brasas is fantastic. Brined for 48 hours in smoked chipotles, lemon and honey, the chicken is then basted with

smoked chipotle butter as it roasts. Finally, it’s finished with a pasilla chile rub and served on a bed of fresh corn kernels drizzled with au jus made with chicken stock, butter, lemon, serrano chilis and peppercorns. The result is incredibly flavorful and succulent chicken, perfect for tucking into a warm homemade tortilla. Other top quality grilled meats include Berkshire pork chops and massive prime steaks from the famed Chicago beef purveyor, Linz. For seafood lovers, there’s a variety of fresh grilled fish, scallops and shrimp.

But what really steals the show is a humble side dish upgraded to superstar status: a roasted sweet potato. Instead of the traditional sweet spud, Chef Taylor uses a Japanese variety, which has a pale flesh and nutty flavor reminiscent of roasted chestnuts. Inspired by cochinita pibil of the Yucatán Peninsula, it’s seasoned and wrapped in banana leaves, then slow roasted over hot coals. To finish, it’s brushed with smoked chili butter and topped with a tangle of charred cebollitas onions, crispy pickled peppers, shaved red onions, a generous dollop of smoked jalapeno yogurt and a drizzle of lime vinaigrette. It’s unlike anything else in Austin and it’s spectacular. For dessert, there are hot and crunchy churros and an olive oil cake infused with orange citrus.

Bulevar takes its drinks seriously, offering over 150 Mezcals. Traditional margaritas are on point, but don’t miss the specialty cocktails, like the lip-smacking La Serina made with tequila, amaro, blueberry, cardamom and lemon. The bar also features a wide variety of spirits, beers and domestic and Mexican wines, including a terrific rosé from Valle de Parras and a Fiano-Viognier blend from Valle de Guadalupe.

Service at Bulevar is top-notch, and everyone on the cheerful staff pitches in to keep diners satisfied and happy — which isn’t a stretch at a place doing everything right. Once again, Guy + Larry Restaurant concepts have captured Austin’s current dynamic of casual yet stylish, playful yet refined — and always delicious. Lucky for us, this talented team keeps cranking out the hits.

bulevaratx.com

Jon Escamilla, Executive Chef Kevin Taylor and James Limon.

ELDORADO CAFE

3300 W. Anderson Ln. | (512) 420 2222

eldoradocafeatx.com

Eldorado Cafe exemplifies old school Austin, resonating the beat of the early 90’s, sending out hot plates of the most decadently delicious and sometimes healthy eating you will find in Austin.

Mexican style comfort food with a deep honor towards the historical eateries that have made Austin great. Come see us.

24 DINER

600 N. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 472 5400

Chef Andrew Curren’s casual eatery promises delicious plates 24/7 and a menu featuring nostalgic diner favorites. Order up the classics, including roasted chicken, burgers, all-day breakfast and decadent milkshakes.

34TH STREET CAFE

1005 W. 34th St. | (512) 371 3400

This neighborhood spot in North Campus serves up soups, salads, pizzas and pastas — but don’t miss the chicken piccata. The low-key setting makes it great for weeknight dinners and weekend indulgences.

ARLO GREY

111 E Cesar Chavez St. | (512) 478 2991

Arlo Grey is the debut restaurant from “Top Chef” 10 winner and “Fast Foodies’’ star Kristen Kish. Found inside the LINE Hotel, the picturesque lakeside spot has received praise for its intentional design and elegant, French-and-Italian-inflected take on Texas ingredients.

ASTI TRATTORIA

408 E. 43rd St. | (512) 451 1218

This chic little Hyde Park trattoria offers essential Italian dishes along with a variety of wines to pair them with. Finish off your meal with the honey-and-goat-cheese panna cotta.

BARLEY SWINE

6555 Burnet Rd., Ste. 400 | (512) 394 8150

James Beard Award–nominated chef Bryce Gilmore encourages sharing with small plates made from locally sourced ingredients, served at communal tables. Try the parsley croissants with bone marrow or Gilmore’s unique take on fried chicken.

BLUE DAHLIA BISTRO

3663 Bee Cave Rd. | (512) 306 1668

A cozy French bistro serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting. Pop in for the happy hour to share a bottle of your favorite wine and a charcuterie board.

BUFALINA & BUFALINA DUE

6555 Burnet Rd. | (512) 215 8662

This intimate restaurant serves up mouth-watering pizzas, consistently baked with crispy edges and soft centers. The famous Neapolitan technique is executed by the Stefano Ferrara wood-burning ovens, which runs at more than 900 degrees. Lactose-intolerants beware, there is no shortage of cheese on this menu!

CAFÉ NO SÉ

1603 S. Congress Ave. | (512) 942 2061

South Congress Hotel’s Café No Sé balances rustic décor and a range of seasonal foods to make it the best place for weekend brunching. The restaurant’s spin on the classic avocado toast is a must-try.

CARVE AMERICAN GRILLE

7415 Southwest Pkwy. | (512) 792 4450

Whether it’s a date night dinner, a casual Friday lunch, or weekend family brunch, visit this amazingly modern-rustic dining room complete with a vibrant bar and patio with hill country views. Everything about CARVE is inspired by fresh and eclectic ingredients, with every dish reinventing the American grille experience.

CICLO

98 San Jacinto Blvd. | (512) 685 8300

Ciclo is a modern Texas kitchen featuring locally inspired flavors and ingredients with a Latin influence, brought to life by world-renowned restaurateur, Richard Sandoval. Ciclo’s name reflects its focus on menu offerings that change seasonally from ceviches, crudos and grilled and smoked meats to inventive cocktails.

CLARK’S OYSTER BAR

1200 W. 6th St. | (512) 297 2413

Small and always buzzing, Clark’s extensive caviar and oyster menu, sharp aesthetics and excellent service make it a refreshing indulgence on West Sixth Street. Chef Larry McGuire brings East Coast-inspired vibes to this seafood restaurant.

COMEDOR

501 Colorado St. | (512) 499 0977

Hiding in plain sight on one of downtown’s busiest street corners, Comedor is a restaurant full of surprises. Lauded chef Philip Speer delivers a menu that is equally clever and unexpected, with contemporary cuisine riffs on Mexican culinary traditions.

EASY TIGER

3508 S. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 964 8229

6406 N I-35 Frontage Rd., Ste. 1100 | (512) 494 4151 1501 E. 7th St. | (512) 839 8523

Easy Tiger lures in both drink and food enthusiasts with a delicious bakeshop upstairs and a casual beer garden downstairs. Sip on some local brew and grab a hot, fresh pretzel. Complete your snack with beer, cheese and an array of dipping sauces.

EL ALMA

1025 Barton Springs Rd. | (512) 609 8923

El Alma’s menu is a vibrant take on the contemporary flavors of Mexico, that also features local ingredients like redfish, lamb, and texas quail. Chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas approaches the food as if you were a guest dining in her own home.

ÉPICERIE

2307 Hancock Dr. | (512) 371 6840

A café and grocery with both Louisiana and French sensibilities by Thomas Keller–trained chef Sarah McIntosh. Lovers of brunch are encouraged to stop in here for a bite on Sundays.

FONDA SAN MIGUEL

2330 W. N Loop Blvd. | (512) 459 4121

At Fonda San Miguel, authentic interior Mexican food is lovingly served inside a colorful hacienda-style restaurant. The art-adorned walls and indoor, plant-filled courtyard provide a pleasant escape in North Austin.

FOREIGN & DOMESTIC

306 E. 53rd St. | (512) 459 1010

Small neighborhood restaurant in the North Loop area serving unique dishes. Chefs-owners Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley serve thoughtful, locally sourced food with an international twist at reasonable prices. Go early on Tuesdays for $1 oysters.

GOODALL’S KITCHEN AND BAR

1900 Rio Grande St. | (512) 495 1800

Housed in the beautiful Hotel Ella, Goodall’s provides modern spins on American classics. Dig into a fried-mortadella egg sandwich and pair it a with cranberry-thyme cocktail.

GRIZZELDA’S

105 Tillery St. | (512) 366 5908

This charming East Austin spot lies somewhere between traditional Tex-Mex and regional Mexican recipes, each fused with a range of flavors and styles. The attention to detail in each dish shines and the tortillas are made inhouse daily.

HANK’S

5811 Berkman Dr. | (512) 609 8077

Delicious food and drinks, an easygoing waitstaff and a kid-friendly patio all work together to make Hank’s a favorite neighborhood joint. With happy hour every day from 3-6:30, the hardest task will be choosing between their frosé and frozen paloma.

HILLSIDE FARMACY

1209 E. 11th St. | (512) 628 0168

Hillside Farmacy is located in a beautifully restored 1950s-style pharmacy with a lovely porch on the East Side. Oysters, cheese plates and nightly dinner specials are whipped up by chef Sonya Cote.

HONEY MOON SPIRIT LOUNGE

624 W. 34th St. | (737) 209 0319

Vintage-chic hot spot with ample outdoor seating turning out imaginative cocktails and global mains.

HOPFIELDS

3110 Guadalupe St. | (512) 537 0467

A gastropub with French inclinations, offering a beautiful patio and unique cocktails. The beer, wine and cocktail options are plentiful and the perfect pairing for the restaurant’s famed steak frites and moules frites.

JEFFREY’S

1204 W. Lynn St. | (512) 477 5584

Named one of Bon Appétit’s “10 Best New Restaurants in America,” this historic Clarksville favorite has maintained the execution, top-notch service, and luxurious but welcoming atmosphere that makes it an Austin staple.

JOANN’S FINE FOODS

1224 S. Congress Ave. | (512) 358 6054

A South Congress neighborhood spot, a new take on the American diner, and a vacation for locals and tourists alike. Open early and late at the Austin Motel, Joann’s is a welcome respite for early birds and night owls, outlaws and in-laws, all ways always.

THE GARDEN

Georgetown: 1500 Rivery Blvd Suite 2175

Bee Cave: 12432 Bee Caves Rd

South Austin: 3403 S Lamar Blvd (512) 230-2038

Inspired by The North End in Boston, The Garden strives to bring an authentic Italian seafood experience to the Austin area. Carefully curated by chef Tim Lane, our seasonal menu features only the freshest ingredients with lobster flown in from the Northeast and herbs picked from our garden. From bites + beer to full entrees and a variety of wine and craft cocktails, we have something for everyone. Join us at any of our three locations for brunch, lunch + dinner!

GUSTO ITALIAN KITCHEN + WINE BAR

4800 Burnet Rd. | (512) 458 1100 gustoitaliankitchen.com

Nestled in the Rosedale neighborhood of northcentral Austin, Gusto captures the warm, comforting, every-day flavors of Italian cuisine. Dishes range from housemade antipasti to handformed pizzas, salads, panini, fresh pasta, entrees featuring Texas farm-raised meats and scratch desserts. Craft cocktails, beer on tap and boutique wines. Open for lunch, happy hour and dinner.

JOSEPHINE HOUSE

1601 Waterston Ave. | (512) 477 5584

Rustic Continental fare with an emphasis on fresh, local and organic ingredients. Like its sister restaurant, Jeffrey’s, Josephine House is another one of Bon Appétit’s “10 Best New Restaurants in America.” Find a shady spot on the patio and indulge in fresh baked pastries and a coffee.

JUNE’S ALL DAY

1722 S. Congress Ave. | (512) 416 1722

This wine-focused restaurant is complemented by serious cocktails and a menu of approachable bistro favorites. Inspired by Paris cafes, Spanish tapas bodegas and urban wine bars, June’s encourages sipping, noshing and lingering.

JUNIPER

2400 E Cesar Chavez St. #304 | (512) 220 9421

Uchi Alumni Chef Nicholas Yanes fuses central Texas influences and local farm produce with Italian fare. Start with puffy potatoes and the Chef’s Brand New Cadillac Negroni.

JUSTINE’S BRASSERIE

4710 E. 5th St. | (512) 385 2900

Justine’s is a quaint French brasserie deep in East Austin. Don’t let the short drive deter you — the experience of eating traditional French plates among exquisite works of art and decorative string lights makes for one idyllic evening with a significant other.

KEMURI TATSU-YA

2713 E. 2nd St. | (512) 803 2224

Kemuri Tatsu-Ya is a Japanese-Texan mash-up that injects seriously good food with a sense of humor. The East Austin joint features Asian-inspired smoked meats and seafood, along with yakitori, ramen, and izakaya classics meant for sharing. Drinks are also an integral part of the meal, so come thirsty.

LA BARBECUE

22401 E Cesar Chavez St. | (512) 605 9696

Though it may not be as famous as that other Austin barbecue joint, La Barbecue is arguably just as delicious. This trailer, which is owned by the legendary Mueller family, serves up classic barbecue with free beer and live music.

LAS PALOMAS

3201 Bee Cave Rd. #122 | (512) 327 9889

One of the hidden jewels in Westlake, this unique restaurant and bar offers authentic interior Mexican cuisine in a sophisticated yet relaxed setting. Enjoy family recipes made with fresh ingredients. Don’t miss the margaritas.

LE VACHER

136 Drifting Wind Run, Suite 101, Dripping Springs, TX (512) 337 6977

Head chef Jacob Euler imparts a sense of culinary heritage with a creative twist, focusing on cuisine inspired by French technique and artfully prepared local ingredients. The scenic Dripping Springs landscape, a familial tiethat-binds, creates the perfect backdrop for an evening of fantastic food and revelry.

LENOIR

1807 S. 1st St. | (512) 215 9778

A gorgeous spot to enjoy a luxurious French-inspired prix fixe meal. Almost every ingredient served at Lenoir comes locally sourced from Central Texas, making the unique, seasonal specialties even more enjoyable. Sit in the wine garden for happy hour and enjoy bottles from the top wine-producing regions in the world.

LIN ASIAN BAR + DIM SUM

1203 W. 6th St. | (512) 474 5107

Located in a vintage West Sixth Street bungalow, Chef Ling and her team create sophisticated Chinese dishes that draw enthusiastic crowds day and night. Make sure to stop by during weekend brunch to taste the full mouthwatering dim sum menu.

LICHA’S CANTINA

1306 E. 6th St. | (512) 480 5960

Located in the heart of East 6th, Licha’s is a quick trip to the interior of Mexico. With masa made fresh in house and a large range of tequilas and mezcal, Licha’s Cantina is a celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine. The music, food and ambiance will get you ready for a night out on the town.

LORO

2115 S. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 916 4858

Created by James Beard Award winners Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin, this Asian smokehouse is a welcome addition to South Lamar. The expansive indoor-outdoor space, designed by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, is welcoming and open, and unsurprisingly the food does not disappoint. Don’t miss out on the sweet corn fritters, smoked beef brisket, thai green curry or those potent boozy slushies.

MATTIE’S

811 W. Live Oak St. | (512) 444 1888

Mattie’s is a glorious urban paradise offering upscale American classics. While the cocktails are top-notch and the cuisine is nothing short of outstanding, Mattie’s ambiance and atmosphere are unmatched.

NIXTA TAQUERIA

2512 E. 12th St.

The brainchild of James Beard-nominated chef Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi, this East Austin gem has garnered national acclaim and in 2020 was named one of the best new restaurants by Food & Wine magazine. Nixta’s artfully-crafted tacos are unlike any other and made with wildly creative ingredients — but the Mexican heritage corn tortillas are truly the star.

ODD DUCK

1201 S Lamar Blvd. | (512) 433 6521

Famed food trailer turned brick-and-mortar, Odd Duck is the first venture from acclaimed chef Bryce Gilmore. Expect seasonal fare and drinks with a strong Texas influence sourced locally whenever possible.

MARYE’S GOURMET PIZZA PUB

3663 Bee Cave Rd. #4G (512) 327-5222

Marye’s Gourmet Pizza, a West Lake Hills favorite for over 25 years, serves gourmet pizza, fresh salads, classic sandwiches and more all made from scratch in our kitchen using the best ingredients we can source. We offer a large selection of gf and vegan options. Enjoy crave-worthy food, craft beer and boutique wines in our casual and inviting dining room.

PARKSIDE

301 E. 6th St. | (512) 474 9898

Patrons flock to this downtown hideaway for its wide selection of oysters and other modern-American specialties. The 6th Street locale is filled with industrial details and plenty of natural light, so it’s no wonder that reservations are often necessary to get a table in the inviting space.

THE PEACHED TORTILLA

5520 Burnet Rd. #100 | (512) 330 4439

This cheerful spot is sure to clear your weekly blues with friendly staff, fun food and a playful atmosphere. Affordably priced, you’ll find culinary influences from around the world with a healthy dose of Asian and Southern options.

PICNIK

4801 Burnet Rd. | (737) 226 0644

1700 S. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 293-6118

A perfect place to find wholesome food for any type of dietary restriction in a bright and airy setting. This place truly lives out the “good and good for you” concept with paleo-friendly options and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

POOL BURGER

2315 Lake Austin Blvd. | (512) 334 9747

Tiki meets Texas in this neighborhood burger bar. Located behind Deep Eddy Cabaret, crunchy crinkle-cut fries and juicy burgers are served from the window of a 1968 Airstream Land Yacht.

QI AUSTIN

835 W 6th St. #114 | (512) 474 2777

Created by visionary chef Ling Qi Wu, also the owner of the esteemed Lin Asian Bar, Qi Austin dazzles with its top-notch Chinese cuisine and vibrant artwork. Located in Shoal Creek Walk, Qi Austin is a restaurant that pleases the eye as well as the stomach.

RED ASH ITALIA

303 Colorado St. #200 | (512) 379 2906

Red Ash Italia strikes the perfect balance between high-quality food and enticing ambiance. This Italian steakhouse is led by an all-star team, including executive chef John Carver. Sit back, relax and enjoy an exceptional evening.

ROSEWOOD GULF COAST CHOP HOUSE

1209 Rosewood Ave. | (512) 838 6205

Housed in a historic East Side cottage, this spot is quickly becoming a staple. Chef Jesse DeLeon pays outstanding homage to his South Texas roots with seasonal offerings from Gulf Coast fishermen and Hill Country farmers and ranchers.

SAMMIE’S ITALIAN

807 W. 6th St. | (512) 474 2054

A member of the MML Hospitality family, Sammie’s will not only transport you to another place — but also to another era. The ritzy joint features a throwback menu of Italian-American favorites, completely transforming the former Hut’s Hamburgers space. Start with a well-made cocktail as you nibble on the complimentary bread basket filled with homemade focaccia and bread sticks.

SUERTE

1800 E. 6th St. | (512) 953 0092

Helmed by executive chef Fermín Núñez, Suerte was inspired by extensive travels through Central Mexico. Artisanal masa is the highlight, made from local heirloom corn and used in distinctive dishes rarely found on Austin menus. Order the delectable Suadero Tacos, perfect for sharing with friends.

THAI FRESH

909 W. Mary St. | (512) 494 6436

A restaurant, cooking school and market all in one place. When you’re done dining on traditional Thai favorites, stop by the adjoining coffee bar for freshly brewed joe, homemade ice cream and an array of baked goods.

THE WELL

440 W. 2nd St. | (737) 742 1129

The Well blends top-tier nutrition, local and sustainable farming, and authentic flavors for a breakthrough culinary experience that redefines healthy food in Downtown Austin.

TINY BOXWOODS

1503 W. 35th St. | (512) 220 0698

This Houston-based brand now serves its simple and delicious food in Austin’s Bryker Woods neighborhood. Favorites include house-ground burgers, salmon Provencal salad and their chocolate chip cookies.

TILLIE’S

3509 Creek Rd. Dripping Springs, TX | (512) 894 2633

Through its breathtaking architecture and innovative menu, Tillie’s lives the American Nouveau concept. The restaurant’s building, a repurposed town hall from the Ninh Binh region of Vietnam, is the physical embodiment of a dining experience that takes inspiration from history and cultures. Tillie’s culinary journey is inspired by traditional American cuisine, but with an international flair.

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

222 West Ave. | (512) 777 2430

11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 100 | (512) 992-0685

THE WAYBACK

9601 Bee Cave Road Austin Texas 78733 | (512) 520 9590

wayback.com

The Wayback mingles with nature, inviting travelers to do the same. The cafè serves the freshest ingredients on a seasonal menu that balances southern staples with newfound favorites, and the patio and outdoor lawns are perfect for dining alfresco.

Inspired by Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet, True Food Kitchen combines decadent favorites with health-conscious eating. The restaurant, located in downtown’s Seaholm district, offers a full range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

UCHIKO

4200 N. Lamar Blvd. Ste. 140 | (512) 916 4808

The sensational sister creation of Uchi and former home of Top Chef Paul Qui and renowned chefs Page Presley and Nicholas Yanes, Uchiko is an Austin icon that everyone should visit at least once. Try the bacon tataki.

WATERLOO ICE HOUSE

Escarpment Boulevard: 9600 Escarpment Blvd. | (512) 301 1007

Burnet Road: 8600 Burnet Rd. | (512) 458 6544

360 & 2222: 6203 N Capital of Texas Hwy. | (512) 418 9700

Southpark Meadows: 9600 S IH 35 Frontage Rd | (512) 292 7900

waterlooicehouse.com

Waterloo Ice House is an Austin original restaurant, serving up scratch-made breakfast, lunch, and dinner options as well as Insta-worthy drinks for friends, families, and couples alike since 1976. Come see how we keep Austin’s good vibes alive at one of our four locations. Waterloo Ice House; where neighbors become friends!

VIXEN’S WEDDING

1813 E. 6th St. Ste. A | (737) 242 7555

Vixen’s Wedding is a charming space creating something truly unique. Helmed by culinary super-couple Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher, the restaurant specializes in Goan cuisine, a cultural mash-up of bright and complex flavors.

WU CHOW

500 W. 5th St., #168 | (512) 476 2469

From the curators of Swift’s Attic, Wu Chow is expanding Austin’s cuisine offerings with traditional Chinese dishes sourced from local purveyors and farmers. Don’t miss the weekend dim sum menu.

TEXAS MUSICIANS DARDEN SMITH AND GINA CHAVEZ SHARE SONGS AND STORIES

By Holly Cowart

THIS DECEMBER, DARDEN SMITH RETURNS TO STATESIDE at the Paramount with his live interview series, “Who Said You Could Do That?” Beginning in 2020, he’s connected with fellow artists on the fascinating and often winding journeys they’ve taken since launching their not-so-average careers.

Smith comes with an interesting backstory himself. Born in Brenham and moving often throughout Texas, the Americana-inspired singer-songwriter landed in Austin to attend UT before finding fame with the release of his first album “Native Soil” in 1986. Although a thoughtful lyricist with a knack for conveying empathetic perspectives, success in the music industry wasn’t always guaranteed. However, times of uncertainty allowed Smith to pick up new hobbies and jobs, diversifying his skillset and passions further. Throughout his career of more than three decades, which includes music, artwork, poetry, photography and more, storytelling has been an integral part of Smith’s work — making him the perfect man to lead his fellow creatives in conversation and document their stories in an honest light.

ON STAGE

Next up on the guest list is Gina Chavez. No stranger to the stage, Chavez is a familiar face in the local music scene and beyond. A Latin artist born in Austin to parents of Mexican and Swiss-German descent, her sound is as diverse as her background, incorporating bilingual lyrics with rock, pop, folk and cumbia beats. She’s also toured the world as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. State Department and is known for her philanthropic efforts and community activism. Having accumulated a mass of glowing accolades, the transcendent and traveled musician will give insight on impactful moments that have landed her 12 Austin Music Awards, a Latin Grammy nomination, chart-topping hits and a slew of high-profile performances from NPR’s Tiny Desk to The Kate on PBS.

On December 15, head to the intimate downtown theater, Stateside at the Paramount, and listen in as these two genre-defying legends share songs, anecdotes on life and lesser-known details about the distinct experiences they’ve gained while pursuing their “strange” jobs.

austintheatre.org

“Who Said You Can Do That?”

Entertainment

DECK THE HALL BALL W/ ONEREPUBLIC  December 12 ACL Live at the Moody Theater

MARIACHI SOL DE MÉXICO DE JOSÉ HERNÁNDEZ December 13 ACL Live at the Moody Theater

SENSES FAIL December 13 Mohawk

DADDY YANKEE December 15 Moody Center

AVI KAPLAN  December 16 The 04 Center

CHRIS ISAAK December 19 Paramount Theatre

DAVID ARCHULETA December 19 Antone’s Nightclub

SANTIAGO JIMÉNEZ JR. December 25 Antone’s Nightclub

THE JUNGLE SHOW December 27 – 29 Antone’s Nightclub

TOADIES December 29 Emo’s Austin

SHINYRIBS December 30

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

MUSIC

MARCIA BALL, CAROLYN WONDERLAND & SHELLEY KING

December 5 The 04 Center

A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS December 5

Paramount Theatre

MODEST MOUSE December 5 ACL Live at the Moody Theater

CONSPIRARE CHRISTMAS December 5 Long Center

ASO: HANDEL’S MESSIAH December 6 Riverbend Centre

DJ PAUL December 6

Antone’s Nightclub

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA December 7 Moody Center

YUNG GRAVY & BBNO$ December 7

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

MARC BROUSSARD & JON MUQ December 8 The 04 Center

IAN MOORE FAMILY CHRISTMAS December 9 Stateside at the Paramount

OPEN MIKE EAGLE December 9 The Ballroom

WILD CHILD W/ JOHN CALVIN ABNEY  December 9 & 10 The 04 Center

GRAHAM REYNOLDS RUINS THE HOLIDAYS December 9 & 10 Long Center

GOLDEN DAWN ARKESTRA December 10 Paramount Theatre

ACG ORIGINALS: GRATITUDE W/ MATT HINSLEY & FRIENDS December 10 & 11 The Rosette

AUSTIN’S JINGLE JAM FT. JA RULE & ASHANTI December 11 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park

A KAT EDMONSON CHRISTMAS December 16 Paramount Theatre

SOCCER MOMMY December 16 Emo’s Austin

CHARLEY CROCKETT December 16 & 17 ACL Live at the Moody Theater

PATTY GRIFFIN December 17 Paramount Theatre JINJER December 17 Emo’s Austin

HEARTBYRNE December 17 Parish

MUSIC OF THE BEATLES FOR KIDS December 18 Mohawk

PAT GREEN  December 31

ACL Live at the Moody Theater

1971 NEW YEARS EVE December 31 The 04 Center

The 04 CenterFILM

THE MASTER PANCAKE XMAS SHOW December 4 – 10 Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar

ELF MOVIE PARTY December 4 – 13 Alamo Drafthouse Locations

AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILM TODAY December 5 AFS Cinema

CALENDARS

Entertainment

ELF PUB RUN + SCREENING

December 6 Paramount Theatre

MOVIE NIGHT December 6 – 27 Lou’s Austin

JINKX & DELA HOLIDAY SPECIAL December 9 Alamo Drafthouse Village

SCOOBY + CHARLIE BROWN HOLIDAY SPECIAL SHOW December 11 Blue Starlite Drive InMueller

SURNAME VIET GIVEN NAME NAM December 12 AFS Cinema

WHITE CHRISTMAS December 14 Paramount Theatre

ASO: ELF IN CONCERT December 15 Long Center

HOME ALONE 2 December 17 Stateside at the Paramount

BUCK ALAMO W/ SPECIAL GUESTS

December 18 AFS Cinema HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS SERIES December 24 – 28

AFS Cinema

CENICIENTA

Through December 9  ZACH Theatre

THE CITY THEATRE: FAITH HEALER BY BRIAN FRIEL Through December 11 Trinity Playhouse

HOLIDAY HEROES Through December 17 ZACH Theatre

ARCHIVE THEATER’S A SHERLOCK HOLMES CHRISTMAS Through December 18 Pioneer Farms

THE (ONE-ACT) PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

Through December 18 Austin Playhouse

JUNIE B. JONES IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS

Through December 18 Austin Scottish Rite Theater

JASON ROBERT BROWN’S THE LAST FIVE YEARS December 2 – 18 Ground Floor Theatre

BALLET AUSTIN’S THE NUTCRACKER December 3 – 23 Austin Venture Studio Theatre

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL December 6 – 11 Bass Concert Hall

VENTANA BALLET’S THE WATCHMAKER’S SONG December 8 – 17 Neill-Cochran House Museum

A CHRISTMAS CAROL CLASSIC RADIOCAST December 8 – 28 Old Settlers Association of Williamson County & The Driskill Hotel

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS December 14 ACL Live at the Moody Theater

TAPESTRY DANCE’S THE PRECIOUS PRESENT: THE JAZZ ELEMENT December 16 – 18 Ballet Austin

SESAME STREET LIVE! December 22 & 23 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park

CIRQUE MUSICA HOLIDAY WONDERLAND December 24 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park

A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS December 28 ACL Live at the Moody Theater

COMEDY

SANDRA BERNHARD  December 4 Long Center

BRIAN REGAN December 9 ACL Live at the Moody Theater

GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS December 9 Fallout Theater

DULCÉ SLOAN December 9 & 10 The Creek & the Cave

DAN PYATETSKY & LUKAS MCCRARY December 10 Parish

LUCAS ZELNICK & JAMIE WOLF December 11 Cap City Comedy Club

THE JINKX & DELA HOLIDAY SHOW December 11 Paramount Theatre

JANEANE GAROFALO December 11 Paramount Theatre

BILL BURR December 16 Moody Center

MURDER!: AN IMPROVISED WHODUNNIT  December 16 Fallout Theater

D.J. DEMERS

December 21 & 22 The Velv

YEAR IN REVIEW December 28 Cap City Comedy Club

CHRIS FAIRBANKS

December 29 – 31 Cap City Comedy Club

SOPHIE BUDDLE  December 30 & 31 Cap City Comedy Club

OTHER

LIVE FIRE PIG ROAST W/ SWAY

December 10 Walden Retreats

CHRISTMAS WINE AFFAIR

Through December 23 Texas Hill Country Wineries

BLUE GENIE ART BAZAAR Through December 24 Blue Genie Art Bazaar

HOLIDAY ARTS MARKET Through December 24 Hill Country Galleria

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHT SHOW

Through December 25 Domain NORTHSIDE

MIRACLE ON 5TH STREET

Through December 27 The Eleanor

THEATER

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Through December 31

ZACH Theatre

MACDUFF 2022 January 7 Ground Floor Theatre

JASON BANKS December 16 – 18 Cap City Comedy Club

MATT ROGERS December 21 Emo’s Austin

PEPPERMINT PARKWAY

Through December 30 Circuit of the Americas

PHOTO BY KIRK TUCK.

Austin’s leading locally-owned and printed arts and culture magazine

Entertainment

SIPPIN’ SANTA

Through December 31 Nickel City

ICE SKATING ON THE PLAZA Through January Whole Foods Market Lamar

BEE CAVE ON ICE Through January 2 Hill Country Galleria

MOZART’S LIGHT SHOW

Through January 6 Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

ICE RODEO Through January 8 Four Seasons Hotel Austin PINKMAS Through January 9 Museum of Ice Cream

SCREAM HOLLOW TWISTED CHRISTMAS December 2 – 16 149 Split Trail Ln.

DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY STROLL December 3 Congress Avenue

GERMAN-TEXAN HERITAGE SOCIETY CHRISTMAS MARKET December 3 German Free School of Austin

THE FRONT MARKET FALL SEASON

December 3 & 4

Ani’s Day & Night

MINI MARKET  December 4 Distribution Hall

AUSTIN JINGLE BELL 5K December 4  – 11 The Domain

KATE BAER: AND YET

December 6

BookPeople

AUSTIN TRAIL OF LIGHTS December 8 – 23

Zilker Park

TASTE OF TEXAS HEMP CUP

December 10

The Far Out Lounge

EAST SIDE POP UP December 11 Central Machine Works

THE MOTH MAINSTAGE December 13 Paramount Theatre

DARDEN SMITH: WHO SAID YOU COULD DO THAT? W/ GINA CHAVEZ December 15 Stateside at the Paramount

HOLIDAY MIXOLOGY MASTERCLASS December 15 Fareground

THE MUTTCRACKER (SWEET!)

December 16 – January 1

The VORTEX

ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

December 17 – 23

Palmer Events Center

THE ILLUSIONISTS

December 18

Bass Concert Hall

AUSTIN’S NEW YEAR December 31

Auditorium Shores

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION December 31

Fairmont Austin

Arts

THE WRITERS: PORTRAITS BY LAURA WILSON Through December 30 Harry Ransom Center

FIELD OF LIGHT Through December 31 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

LEX GJURASIC + JOHNNY TAYLOR + MARGARET SULLIVAN: NEW & NOTEABLE Through December 31 Yard Dog Art Gallery

ADRIAN ARMSTRONG: THERE ARE BLACK PEOPLE IN NEBRASKA?! Through January 8 Big Medium

LEE ALBERT HILL: THE ELEMENTALS Through December 10 Camiba Gallery

THE FOURTH GRADE PROJECT Through December 11 Bullock Texas State History Museum

REBUFFED: RECONCEIVING FAILURE Through December 15 UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum

JENELLE ESPARZA: IT COULD ONLY BE LIVED Through December 15 Women & Their Work

TOM LEA: COMBAT WARRIOR Through December 17 Old Bakery & Emporium

TAMMIE RUBIN: FAITHFUL Through December 18 grayDUCK Gallery

THE HOPE SUITE Through December 18 Neill-Cochran House Museum

VIRGINIA FLECK: SHIMMER Through December 18 Northern-Southern

CONCRETE TO CANVAS Through December 23 West Chelsea Contemporary

GARY WEBERNICK: TRUE STORIES & DIVINE ACCIDENTS  Through December 23 Lydia Street Gallery

PAINTED CLOTH: FASHION & RITUAL IN COLONIAL LATIN AMERICA Through January 8 Blanton Museum of Art

AMERICA MARTIN  December 3 – 30 Wally Workman Gallery

ADORNMENTS: HOLIDAY ART SHOW December 4 Austin Art & Frame

2022: A YEAR IN THE LIFE December 10 – January 7 Flatbed Center for Contemporary Printmaking

MEDIEVAL X MODERN December 10 – July 9 Blanton Museum of Art

LAS HERMANAS IGLESIAS December 17 – August 27 Blanton Museum of Art

Hiro Ando

Art SPACES

MUSEUMS

BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART

200 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.

(512) 471 5482

Hours: Tu–F 10–5, Sa 11–5, Su 1–5 blantonmuseum.org

THE BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM

1800 Congress Ave. ( 512) 936 8746 Hours: Tu- Su 10–5 thestoryoftexas.com

THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN–JONES CENTER

700 Congress Ave. ( 512) 453 5312

Hours: W 12–11, Th–Sa 12–9, Su 12–5 thecontemporaryaustin.org

THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN–LAGUNA GLORIA 3809 W. 35 th St. ( 512) 458 8191 Driscoll Villa hours: Tu–W 12– 4, Th–Su 10– 4 Grounds hours: M–Sa 9–5, Su 10–5 thecontemporaryaustin.org

ELISABET NEY MUSEUM

304 E. 44 th St. (512) 974 1625

Hours: W–Su 12–5 austintexas.gov/department/ elisabet-ney-museum

FRENCH LEGATION MUSEUM

802 San Marcos St. (512) 463 7948 Hours: Tu–Su 1–5 frenchlegationmuseum.org

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER MUSEUM

1165 Angelina St. ( 512) 974 4926

Hours: M–W 10–6, Th 10–9, F 10–6, Sa 10–4 ci.austin.tx.us/carver

HARRY RANSOM CENTER

300 W. 21st St. ( 512) 471 8944

Hours: Tu–W 10–5, Th 10–7, F 10–5, Sa–Su 12–5 hrc.utexas.edu

LBJ LIBRARY AND MUSEUM 2313 Red River St. ( 512) 721 0200 Hours: M–Su 9–5 lbjlibrary.org

MEXIC–ARTE MUSEUM 419 Congress Ave. ( 512) 480 9373

Hours: M–Th 10– 6, F–Sat 10–5, Su 12–5 mexic–artemuseum.org

O. HENRY MUSEUM 409 E. 5th St. (512) 974 1398 Hours: W–Su 12–5

THINKERY AUSTIN 1830 Simond Ave. (512) 469 6200 Hours: Tu–F 10–5, Sa–Su 10– 6 thinkeryaustin.org

UMLAUF SCULPTURE GARDEN & MUSEUM 605 Azie Morton Rd. ( 512) 445 5582

Hours: Tu–F 10–4, Sa–Su 12–4 umlaufsculpture.org

GALLERIES

ADAMS GALLERIES OF AUSTIN

1310 RR 620 S. Ste C4 (512) 243 7429 Hours: M–F 10–6, Su 10-2 adamsgalleriesaustin.com

AO5 GALLERY

10000 Research Blvd., Ste. 118 ( 512) 481 1111 Hours: M–Sa 10– 6 ao5gallery.com

ART FOR THE PEOPLE 1711 S. 1st St. ( 512) 761 4708 Hours: Tu–Th 11– 6, F-S u 11–7 artforthepeoplegallery.com

ARTUS CO.

10000 Research Blvd., Ste. 141 (512) 761 6484 Hours: M–Su 12–6 artusco.com

ARTWORKS GALLERY 1214 W. 6 th St. ( 512) 472 1550 Hours: M–F 10–5, S a 10–4 artworksaustin.com

ATELIER 1205 1205 E. Cesar Chavez St. (512) 434 9046 Hours: Tu-F 11-4 atelier1205.com

AUSTIN ART GARAGE 2200 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. J (512) 351 5934 Hours: Tu–Su 11–6 austinartgarage.com

AUSTIN ARTSPACE 7739 Northcross Dr., Ste. Q (512) 763 0646 Hours: F-Sa 11–5 austinartspace.com

AUSTIN GALLERIES 5804 Lookout Mountain Dr. ( 512) 495 9363 By appointment only austingalleries.com

BIG MEDIUM GALLERY 916 Springdale Rd., Bldg. 2 (512) 939 6665 Hours: Tu–Sa 12– 6 bigmedium.org

CAMIBA GALLERY 6448 Hwy 290 East, Ste. A102 (512) 937 5921 Hours: F-Sa 12–6 camibaart.com

CENTRAL LIBRARY GALLERY 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. (512) 974 7400 Hours: M-Th 10-9, F-Sa 10-6, Su 12-6 library.austintexas.gov/ central/gallery

CHRISTIAN-GREEN GALLERY 201 E. 21st St. (512) 471 0254 Hours: W- F 12-5, S a 11-2 galleriesatut.org

CLOUD TREE STUDIOS & GALLERY 3411 E. 5th St. (512) 797 8852 By appointment only cloudtreestudiosandgallery.com

CO-LAB PROJECTS 5419 Glissman Rd. ( 512) 300 8217 By event and appointment only co-labprojects.org

CONTRACOMMON 12912 Hill Country Blvd. #F-140 Hours: M–F By appointment only Sa–Su 12-6 contracommon.org

DAVIS GALLERY

837 W. 12th St. ( 512) 477 4929 Hours: M–F 10–6, Sa 10–4 davisgalleryaustin.com

DIMENSION GALLERY SCULPTURE AND 3D ART 979 Springdale Rd., Ste. 99 ( 512) 479 9941 Hours: Th-Sa 10–6 dimensiongallery.org

DOUGHERTY ARTS CENTER 1110 Barton Springs Rd. ( 512) 974 4000 Hours: M-Th 10–10, F 10–6, Sa 10–4 austintexas.gov/department/ dougherty-arts-center

FLATBED CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING 3701 D rossett Dr. ( 512) 477 9328 Hours: W–F 10–5, S a 12–5 flatbedpress.com

FLUENT COLLABORATIVE 502 W. 33rd St. ( 512) 453 3199 By appointment only fluentcollab.org

GRAYDUCK GALLERY

2213 E. Cesar Chavez St. ( 512) 826 5334 Hours: Th–Sa 11– 6, Su 12–5 grayduckgallery.com

ICOSA COLLECTIVE

916 Springdale Rd. #102 ( 512) 920 2062 Hours: F–Sa 12–6 icosacollective.com

IVESTER CONTEMPORARY 916 Springdale Rd. Bldg 2, ste. 107 (737) 209 0379 Hours: Tu–F 10-6, Sa 10-4 ivestercontemporary.com

The Agency - Leslie Gossett 20 lesliegossett.com

Alador Jewelry 39 aladorjewelry.com Alamo Drafthouse 33 drafthouse.com

Alicia Miranda Vintage .............................. 36 aliciamirandavintage.com

The Arboretum 34 thearboretum.com

Art from the Streets .................................... 36 artfromthestreets.org

Atlantis Architects 83 atlantisarchitects.com

Blue Suede Shoes + Wine 38 bluesuedeaustin.com

Bryan Anthony’s 33 bryananthonys.com

Compass - Chris Long 13 chrislongaustin.com

Compass - Kevin Purvis Luxury Team 17 kevinpurvis.com

Compass - Thomajan Ladner Group 85 thomajanladnergroup.com

Douglas Elliman Real Estate IFC, 1 elliman.com

Eldorado Cafe 78, 87 eldoradocafeatx.com

Elite Austin 15 eliteaustin.com

Fine Line 39 visitfineline.com

foy by Dr. Collins......................................... 39 lovefoy.com

The Garden 79 thegardenatx.com

The Gardeners Wife ................................... 37 thegardenerswife.com

Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar 80 gustoitaliankitchen.com

Haney Home Concierge 32 haneyhomeconcierge.com

Hearth & Soul 35 hearthandsoul.com HenryBuilt BC henrybuilt.com

Hot Spice Jewelry hotspicejewelry.com Kendra Scott kendrascott.com

L Majors Jewelers IBC lmajorsaustin.com La Vaca Apothecary ................................... lavacaapothecary.com

Laura Elizabeth Jewelry 37 lauraelizabethjewelry.com

LUCY MACQUEEN ................................ 87 lucymacqueen.com

Marye’s Gourmet Pizza Pub 82 maryesgourmetpizza.com

Moreland 5 moreland.com

Moreland - Stacy Shapiro 9 stacy@moreland.com

MuseoBenini 87 museobenini.com

Peoples RX 36 peoplesrx.com

Precision Camera 37 precisioncamera.com

Refine Aesthetics 35 refineaesthetics.com

Sparrow Interiors & Gifts 38 sparrowinteriors.com

The Sole Provisions Family Of Stores 95 soleprovisions.com

Twelve Rivers Real EstateSalma Manzur 89 salmamanzur.com

Uptown Cheapskate 83 uptowncheapskate.com

Urbanspace Real Estate + Interiors 81 urbanspacelifestyle.com

Vesper ATX 2, 3 vesperatx.com

Waterloo Ice House 84 waterlooicehouse.com

The Wayback 38, 84 waybackaustin.com

Zoltan David Jewelry Gallery ..................... 7 zoltandavid.com

WHAT’S NEW ON TRIBEZA.COM

‘TIS THE SEASON

Get all of the festive details behind pop-up tradition Miracle on 5th Street, returning to The Eleanor with craft cocktails and holiday cheer this December. tribeza.com/miracle-on-5th-street-holiday-pop-up-2022

Follow us @Tribeza on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Stories from this issue are available at tribeza.com, in addition to fresh content daily. Keep up by subscribing to our Tribeza Talk newsletter. tribeza.com/sign-up-newsletter

THE FUTURE IS FEMALE

We chat with Becca Butler of Allhers, a safe online marketplace by and for Austin women to find community, seek advice and buy and sell goods free of judgment. tribeza.com/allhers-austin-marketplace-for-women

I WANNA ROCK

Nelda Studios, Austin Angels and Band Aid School of Music join forces with local artists for A Chance to Rock, a new program with a profound musical mission helping foster kids succeed. tribeza.com/a-chance-to-rock-austin-music-program

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIRACLE ON 5TH STREET. BECCA BUTLER PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLHERS. ROCK BAND PHOTO COURTESY OF A CAHNCE TO ROCK.