March/April 2024 | The Arts & Entertainment Issue

MARCH / APRIL

FEATURES

ACL TV Reaches New Limits p. 18

Get Into Sustainable Style p. 28

Wellness Made Simple with Erin Stewart p. 38

Loving THEBROSFRESH p. 54

Timeless Traditions to Trending Technology p. 90

DEPARTMENTS

Social Hour p. 14

Travel Picks p. 24

Beauty Pick p. 34

Arts Pick p. 42

Style Pick p. 74

Dining Pick p. 88

GUIDES

An Insider’s Guide to Austin p. 48

Spring Wellness Guide p. 62

Photo by Parker Thornton

Photo by Roger Ho

Austin’s luxury resort, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, curates an elevated experience, sure to create unforgettable memories for all ages. Nestled amidst rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, our resort offers an oasis of tranquility and relaxation. Located just 10 miles from downtown Austin, your perfect Texas Hill Country retreat awaits.

OMNIHOTELS.COM/BARTONCREEK

IDISTINCTLY REMEMBER THE MOMENT I FIRST SAW

Torrence and Thurman Thomas. Naturally, they were stylishly dressed in striking shades of white from head-to-toe, flashing their megawatt smiles and talking about their nonprofit organization, Tankproof. “Who ARE these guys?!” I was so curious about their magnetic energy. With joy radiating from the duo in such a charismatic way, I had to get to know them.

It’s this type of spirit embodied by THEBROSFRESH, along with countless fascinating Austinites, that inspires great storytelling. The creative, gifted, and giving people in our community are the heartbeat of Austin. It’s an honor to share details of their journeys and shine a spotlight on their successes. In this issue, I hope you’ll flip through the pages and be drawn into each article with your own, “Who are they?” moments, learning about the lives of both up-and-comers and local legends.

Covering three main themes across these pages — arts and entertainment, style, and wellness — you’ll also discover fun favorite features such as dining and event picks from TRIBEZA contributors.

In the process of writing these articles, we were thrilled to be welcomed inside Terry Lickona’s home to discuss the 50th anniversary of the iconic “Austin City Limits” television series. We went backstage at the historic Paramount Theatre to meet Lietza Brass, Colleen McGarr, and Maggie Hoffman — the ladies behind the scenes of the Moontower Just for Laughs Austin Festival. We sat down with Will Bridges and Zach Ernst, the team at the acclaimed Antone’s Nightclub, to learn about the inspiration to host a blues festival in Waterloo Park. With spring style in mind, we spoke with local sustainable fashion designers Jean Jones and Stephanie Beard, dove into wardrobe tips from stylist Kaki Gaines, and peeked inside the cosmetic bag of Austin-based celebrity makeup artist Lauren Andersen. We cooked up lively conversation and healthy snacks with holistic wellness expert Erin Stewart, and we hosted THEBROSFRESH for a cheerful photo shoot on the gorgeous grounds of the Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin’s patron saint of music. Of course, these highlights are just a portion of this robust issue!

This March, TRIBEZA celebrates its 23rd year of storytelling in Austin, a milestone that our team is truly proud to commemorate. In such an ever-changing city, it is a huge honor to continue to present you with this magazine — our love letter to Austin. Our entire staff is grateful for your continued readership.

As we celebrate turning 23 in 2024, we look forward to many wonderful moments ahead — in print, online, and most importantly, out there with you in the community!

Heidi Okla Editor-in-Chief

PHOTO BY ROMINA OLSON

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MARCH/APRIL 2024

AUSTIN CURATED

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Heidi Okla

ART DIRECTION

TheFitBiz, Inc.

BRAND STRATEGY DIRECTOR

Georgie Miller

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Cassie Butterfield

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Liz Harroun

MEDIA COORDINATOR

Morgan Seminaro

DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR

Jenna Belle Fuhrmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Maggie Miller

WRITERS

Kristin Armstrong

Cassie Butterfield

Darcie Duttweiler

Christina Garcia

Liz Harroun

Jane Ko

Kelly Krause

Sabrina Macias

Meher Qazilbash

Karen O. Spezia

Taylor Tobin

COPY EDITOR

Avery Matschek

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Sydney Asher

Lauren Shaffer

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jamie Arendt

Jessica Attie

Caroline Behrens

Weston Carls

Holly Cowart

Renee Dominguez

Travis Hallmark

Roger Ho

Adam Moraz

Analisa Renae

Salihah Saadiq

Brittany Dawn Short

PRESIDENT

Chad Miller

PUBLISHER

Krissy LittleStar Hearn

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Ashley Beall

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ashley Sauls

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

Becca Gutierrez Schafer

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Michelle Reid

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Melanie Rognerud

TRIBEZA MEDIA, LLC

Jim Kastleman – Chairman

Chad Miller

Holly Moore

TRIBEZA AMBASSADOR

George Elliman

Physical Address: TRIBEZA

411 W. Monroe St. Austin, TX 78704

Mailing Address: TRIBEZA

3411 Richmond Ave, Suite 600 Houston, TX 77046

ph (512) 474 4711 | fax (512) 474 4715 tribeza.com

Founded in March 2001, TRIBEZA is Austin’s leading locally-owned arts and culture magazine.

Copyright @ 2024 by TRIBEZA Media, LLC

All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the publisher, is prohibited.

TRIBEZA is a proud member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

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VISIT TRIBEZA.COM FOR DETAILS

NO. 261

UMLAUF GARDEN PARTY | APRIL 18

UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum — Mix and mingle under the glow of lights at this elegant annual garden soiree where you can enjoy decadent bites from Austin’s best restaurants, fine wines, cocktails and performances by the iconic Nash Hernandez Orchestra.

Loewe Black Petal Sandal | $640 |

Available at ByGeorge

RODEO AUSTIN | MARCH 8-23

Travis County Expo Center — Experience the essence of the Wild West at the Rodeo Austin, a multifaceted celebration boasting a carnival, rodeo competitions, stock shows, and an array of concerts and attractions.

Carousel Boots | $1,485 | Available at Heritage Boot Co.

CMT MUSIC AWARDS | APRIL 7

The Moody Center — Step into the spotlight of country music excellence with the prestigious CMT Music Awards, a celebration that pays homage to out standing achievements within the genre. This event serves as a gathering ground for top artists, devoted fans, and industry professionals. Brother Veilles’ Elevator Boot in Disco Dust | $795 | Available at Sunroom

Put Your Best Foot Forward

FROM ELEGANT AUSTIN GARDEN PARTIES TO TWO-STEPPIN’ AROUND THE FAIRGROUNDS, WE’RE SHARING OUR TOP PICKS FOR SPRING EVENTS ALONG WITH THE PERFECT PAIR OF SHOES, BOOTS, AND SANDALS — SOURCED FROM AUSTIN SHOPS — SO YOU CAN PREPARE TO WALK RIGHT INTO A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE WHILE MAKING A FASHIONABLE ENTRANCE.

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

MARCH 8-16

ABC KITE FEST | APRIL 14

Zilker Park — Spend the day in Zilker Park at the nation’s oldest kite festival where you can take the whole family to enjoy kite flying contests, food, games and more at this classic Austin event.

Cro Slide Simon Miller | $248 | Available at Valentines

|

Various Austin venues — Immerse yourself in the dynamic fusion of music, film, interactive media, and technology. This iconic event unites a kaleidoscope of creatives, innovators, and industry professionals from around the globe, offering a vibrant showcase of cuttingedge performances, screenings, conferences, and exhibitions.

Gianni Gold Smocked Flat Sandal | $118 | Available at ByGeorge

FIELD GUIDE FESTIVAL | APRIL 20

Fiesta Gardens — Connect with local farmers and chefs, savor culinary delights and drinks, enjoy live music, and learn about current food trends, all in support of the Central Texas Food Bank.

Penelope Chilvers’ Arusha Mule | $280 | Available at Hearth & Soul

MOONTOWER JUST FOR LAUGHS COMEDY FESTIVAL | APRIL 10-21

Paramount & State Theatres — Prepare for a laughter-filled extravaganza showcasing a stellar lineup of top-tier comedians from across the globe. This year boasts a star-studded cast of headliners, including Andrew Schulz, Ronny Chieng, and Tim Robinson, alongside a myriad of other comedic talents. No. 21 Satin Knot Slides | $620 | Available at Sunroom

CAP10K | APRIL 7

Downtown Austin — The 47th Annual

AUSTIN BLUES FESTIVAL | APRIL 27-28

Moody Amphitheater — With legendary headliners like Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, and Jimmie Vaughan, this event stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of blues in Austin’s music landscape. Runna Boot Dolce Vita | $220 | Available at Hemline

LUCK REUNION | MARCH 14

Willie Nelson’s backyard — The gathering at Luck Ranch, a film set turned haven for musicians and artists, establishes a platform for contemporary trailblazers inspired by legacies of the past in Willie Nelson’s backyard of Luck, TX.

BFG II Boots | $549 | Available at Alvies

TRIBEZA INTERIORS TOUR

Tribeza’s 9th Annual Interiors Tour, presented by SWBC Mortgage – The Breed Team & Heritage title of Austin, featured homes from six talented designers, including Heather Scott Home & Design, The Renner Project, Amity Worrel & Co., 3 Fold Design Studio, Skelly Build, and The Interior Collective. The weekend kicked off on Jan. 20 with a VIP reception at Lodgewell’s beautiful Falling Leaves House and after the tour on the evening of Jan. 21st, guests gathered for a wrap party at West Chelsea Contemporary to celebrate the designers with wine, cocktails, art and pop-up’s.

THE STATESMAN SUPPER CLUB PREVIEW PARTY

The Statesman opened on Jan. 17 with an exciting star-studded preview party unveiling this West 6th Street Supper Club as Austin’s highly anticipated social hotspot. The Statesman has emerged as a distinctive supper club and cocktail lounge envisioned by owner Craig Ley.

SAFE ALLIANCE GALA

The annual SAFE Alliance Gala was held in January at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin. Celebrating 50 years, The SAFE Alliance provides shelter, healing, and hope to survivors of abuse. Guests joined committee co-chairs, Tiffany Stillwell and Yvette Flores, to gather for an evening of inspiring speakers and an after-gala casino event that raised funds to benefit their cause.

TRIBEZA INTERIORS TOUR 1. Andrew Shaw & Cameron Breed 2. Khani Zulu & Georgia Bramhall 3. Raquel Skrobarczyk & Charissa Pongtaratik 4. Sky Stutes & Owen Demarco THE STATESMAN SUPPER CLUB

PREVIEW PARTY 5. Jared & Genevieve Padalecki 6. StacyKeibler & October Gonzalez 7. Lydia Jacoby 8. Michael & Kaleigh Wiese

SAFE ALLIANCE GALA 9. Sunny Sutherland & Dee Dee Sutherland 10. Meg Lowry & Daryl Howard 11. Kristie Gonzales & Bridget Ramey 12. Violet Bell & Shuronda Robinson

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN GARZA, STATEMSAN SUPPER CLUB PHOTOS BY JEFF HEYER, SAFE ALLIANCE GALA PHOTOS BY BEN PORTER

SOCIAL HOUR

THE OTHER RAQUET SOCIAL CLUB GRAND OPENING

The Other Racquet celebrated its public opening in late January with a pop-up from NADC Burger. This chic, 70s-inspired club includes three pickleball courts on their property and ample indoor and outdoor lounging areas with TVs, picnic tables, food trucks, and more.

OURO’S INAUGURAL HOLIDAY EVENT

Trailblazing fintech, Ouro, commemorated its two-decade journey, from its start as Netspend to its founders’ return, with a celebration at Austin’s iconic ACL Live at The Moody Theater. With an awards program hosted by food personality Ali Khan and a private concert featuring Magic Giant and Teddy Swims, more than 700 employees, partners, and community members enjoyed an unforgettable night.

THE REVEAL AT 3214 WINDSOR ROAD

Global real estate advisor Soud Twal, of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, launched his latest listing in the prestigious Tarrytown neighborhood with more than 250 guests in attendance at the lively February open house. 3214 Windsor Road is a one-of-a-kind Mediterranean oasis crafted by renowned architect Davey McCeathron and brought to life by LBF Homes & Begonia Barbancho Design.

THE OTHER RACQUET SOCIAL CLUB GRAND

OPENING 1. Jordan Steelman, Lola the Dog & Kaitlyn Trotter 2. Hayden Walker & Lauren Petrowski 3. Anson Gordon, Jared Padalecki, Matt Wolski, Shelby Gordon & Clif Kosterman OURO’S INAUGURAL HOLIDAY EVENT 4. Roy & Lauren Sosa 5. Ali Khan, Derek Lothringer, Chris Cruz, Bertrand Sosa, Michael Weissman & Roy Sosa 6. Bertrand Sosa,Liliana Rivera, Charisma Gamez, Melinda Aguirre & Roy Sosa THE REVEAL AT 3214 WINDSOR ROAD 7. Joseph Fiol, Begonia Barbancho & Soud Twal 8. Bridget Ramey & Serene Aandahl 9. Katherine Parlette & Brent Hunter

Be our guest at La Fortuna by Lodgewell, where you can nurture within nature. Tucked away on 11 acres in Dripping Springs, La Fortuna is the perfect place to slow down, catch your breath, reconnect and reset. La Fortuna is a peaceful retreat where you can shed bad vibes and share good fortune through unforgettable stays and gatherings.

ACL TV Reaches New Limits

Terry Lickona reflects on decades of producing Austin’s most iconic television show

By Liz Harroun

Photos by Weston Carls

When we met Terry Lickona,

producer of TV’s “Austin City Limits” since 1978, at his residence in Clarksville, he breezily invited us upstairs to his entertainment room. Along with signed posters of some of his favorite artists that had performed on “ACL TV” across the decades was a gorgeous 1911 Steinway baby grand piano, the original piano used on the original “Austin City Limits” set on the UT campus for the first 36 years of production. When he listed the artists who’d played on that piano — including Ray Charles, Norah Jones, Tom Waits, B.B. King, and Chris Martin — we started to understand how phenomenal Lickona’s career at the show has been thus far.

“If I have any regrets, it’s that I never did really take up an instrument,” Lickona said as we settled in. “Nobody in my family did, so I wasn’t inspired by an older brother or someone else. I’ve always hung out with musicians, so maybe I’ve been a little intimidated to pick up a guitar. Or maybe that’s just not my skill set.”

Growing up in upstate New York, Lickona was always influenced and inspired by music. After college, he got a job at a local radio station. In his early 20s, he was thrilled to be making a living by playing records and talking into a microphone. However, he wanted to escape the familiarity (and cold winters) of his hometown. After he and a friend road-tripped to Austin one sweltering summer in the 1970s to attend Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic, they both decided that the Texas capital city would be their new home.

After moving to Austin, Lickona got a job at KUT Radio, Austin’s NPR Station, and quickly discovered there was a TV station in the same building, which was located on the UT campus at the time. “Austin City Limits” had recently started as a new PBS television series, and it was unclear if it would last — but Lickona was curious about

ACL STAFF WITH WILLIE NELSON. PHOTO BY SCOTT NEWTON

FOR AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, AUSTIN PBS

TERRY, GARY, & SOOZ WITH WILLIE NELSON’S MAKEUP ROOM, ACL SEASON 9.

PHOTO BY SCOTT NEWTON FOR AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, AUSTIN PBS

the intersection of music and TV, so he offered to be an assistant for the show. As fate would have it, when the original producers and director quit suddenly, Lickona boldly asked the station manager if he could work as the show’s producer. With little to lose, the station gave him the job in 1979 during season 4, and Lickona has been the executive producer ever since.

Needless to say, the show did not fail as many had anticipated. It has become a beloved and hugely successful production representing Austin throughout the decades. This February, the show started the year with a live taping of the Black Pumas, a psychedelic soul band based in Austin. Aside from some nods to their past, the show won’t deviate too radically from its traditional format or approach this year.

“The whole history of ACL has been based on an eclectic approach,” explained Lickona. “It started with Austin music as the foundation, but we’ve mixed it up with a variety of artists and genres — country, blues, jazz, rock, Latin, acoustic, electric. The two criteria are that it has to be good and authentic.”

Lickona recognizes all of the effort and luck that has made the show’s longevity possible. Most of all, he thinks it’s due to the commitment and passion of the staff, some of whom have been there since day one.

“A lot of the staff has dedicated their life’s work to doing this when they could have gone on to bigger or different things,” said Lickona. “But they hung with it because they believed in it.”

Over the years, the staff has developed a spirit of family and camaraderie that’s been critical to the show’s longstanding success. Along with a love for the show, the ability to build a TV career here in Austin has also lured incredible folks to work on this production.

“The city of Austin itself is one of our funders of the show,” said Lickona. “They want us to continue to thrive, and the show has become the best window to the world of what Austin represents.”

In the early aughts, when some locals were trying to come up with the name for a new music festival, they approached “Austin City Limits” for the rights to use their name, which was well-known by then and could give the festival instant credibility.

JOHNNY CASH WITH TERRY & GARY MENOTTI.

PHOTO BY SCOTT NEWTON FOR AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, AUSTIN PBS

“If they created a new music festival called ‘Austin City Limits,’ it would make it easier for them to book the talent they wanted and to sell tickets. People would trust it,” explained Lickona.

The first ACL Festival was held in 2002, and has since become a massive success in its own right. The fest and TV show have formed a synergetic relationship, working together when booking talent and elevating the awareness of ACL both as a show and a festival.

In 2011, after capacity and campus regulations had become prohibitive, “Austin City Limits” moved production to downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, a fulltime music venue and state-of-the-art production facility with a 2,700-seat capacity. This upgrade was made possible thanks to Stratus Properties including a nonprofit piece in their master

development plan. Because “Austin City Limits” is a production of the nonprofit PBS, they qualified for the project and were essentially handed a blank check to design their state-of-the-art dream studio.

Then, in 2020, the pandemic took a huge toll on the entire industry. There were doubts that “Austin City Limits” would survive as live tapings had to be completely reimagined. With a limited production crew and heightened safety measures in place, the show’s team continued taping new shows throughout most of the pandemic, albeit without a live audience. Thanks to the staff’s dedication, they made it through the difficult times and emerged more resilient than ever.

The “Austin City Limits” team recently started live streaming many of their shows and digitized their entire library of edited master programs and raw recordings. While these are exciting nods to

what could be in store for the future of the show, Lickona says it is a miracle worth celebrating that they are still around after so many decades of challenges and evolution.

“It’s a major milestone,” he said. “Whether it’s a TV show, job, marriage, or business, you only have one 50th anniversary, so you must make the most of it. We’re looking ahead to the future and how we can build on this milestone year and maybe reimagine ‘ACL.’”

Oct. 17, 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Willie Nelson stepping onto the original stage to tape the pilot episode of “Austin City Limits.” The celebrations will include special events, episode premieres, exclusive merch collaborations, and more, ending with a huge party in early 2025. Here’s to another 50 years of incredible memories and music.

acltv.com

GARY CLARK JUNIOR PHOTO BY SCOTT NEWTON FOR AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, AUSTIN PBS

Texas Travel Two Ways: Luxe Farm or Historic Charm

Would you rather live the life of luxury on a farm or check into a charming hotel designed by Texas renovation royalty?

Editor-in-Chief Heidi Okla recently experienced two distinctly different mini getaways in these contrasting vacation environments, and she’s sharing her experience and highlights of both while offering some local travel inspiration for spring.

AN ABUNDANCE OF AMENITIES + ADORABLE ANIMALS AT MILK AND HONEY RANCH

After a short drive out to Burton, Texas — just outside of Round Top — we traversed down a dirt road lined with white fences that enclosed an adorable welcome committee of goats, sheep, mini horses, chickens, cows, and longhorns. We arrived at Milk and Honey Ranch ready to unwind in nature, relax in the picturesque countryside, enjoy time with family, and nurture our spirits while connecting with a menagerie of loveable animals.

Hopping out of the car, we were first greeted by the ranch’s two large guardian dogs, both friendly and eager for attention, offering a sense of hospitality akin to the warm feeling of staying at the home of close friends.

With plenty of marked signs on the property, we easily found our way to our reserved, private cabin, where a complimentary golf cart was parked for us to

use during our stay. A bountiful welcome basket was provided with warm sourdough bread and a jar of fresh honey sourced from the bees on the farm. We had requested animal feed upon booking our stay, which was bagged and waiting for us with a note informing us that we could feed all animals except the pigs and longhorns, and that they’d be delighted to have us provide them with snacks.

After settling into our beautifully decorated, modern three-bedroom, two-bath cabin, we hopped in the golf cart for a tour of the 54-acre property.

Unlike any other working farm we could have envisioned, Milk and Honey Ranch offers top-notch amenities — masterfully crafted from owner Brent Phillips’ abundance of creativity and ambition — to give guests high-end resort-style offerings like multisport courts, a swimming pool, multiple hot tubs, a fully-equipped fitness center, hiking trails, a huge

off-track adventure course for biking, hammocks, fire pits, spa services, and private chef dinners. In addition to all of these fantastic activities, the most astounding aspect of the ranch is the beach club, which features a pond for swimming or tooling around on jet skis and SUPs. The clean blue water of this custom-built pond is surrounded by elegant, shaded cabanas with posh lounge chairs, a volleyball court, a sandy area for children to play, a community kitchen for gathering, and a section of smaller cabin rentals.

A testament to the goals for guests of the ranch, — “to escape the chaos of city life and reimagine what life is all about” — a stay at this one-of-a-kind property offers delights for all ages and interests, yielding vacation memories like no other.

Read more about Heidi’s experience at Milk and Honey Ranch, along with a Q&A with ranch owner Brent Phillips, at tribeza.com/milkandhoney.

A HOTEL FULL OF HISTORY AND CHARM, COURTESY OF CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES

A requisite, perhaps, of any self-respecting Texan is having familiarity with the playful banter between HGTV superstars, Chip and Joanna Gaines. From watching countless episodes of “Fixer Upper,” to day trips to The Silos, to preparing recipes featured in Joanna’s books and magazines, we know the allure and magnitude of the Magnolia Network. With Waco, Texas being less than a 2-hour drive from Austin, the Gaineses’ sparkling charm is infused in our culture in Central Texas and beyond. We know shiplap, we know modern farmhouse chic, and we know inspirational signs as home decor, but the latest business venture of the Magnolia masterminds comes with a twist — a dip into moody colorscapes and a touch of drama, elegance, and opulence in the form of a luxury boutique hotel.

As documented in the Magnolia Network’s six-part television series, “Fixer Upper: The Hotel,” viewers were invited to come along on the journey of constructing Hotel 1928. Interestingly, the historic structure was not originally used as a hotel, but opened as the Grand Karem Shrine Building in 1928, designed by Dallas architects H. Greene, E. LaRoche and G. Dahl in a Spanish Revival style. It served as a meeting place for Freemason affiliates, followed by a variety of uses for community gatherings. In 1995, the building was sold to the county of Waco and sat mostly vacant when the Gaineses purchased it in 2018.

On a trajectory to propel and celebrate the city of Waco, Chip and Joanna Gaines partnered with AJ Capital Partners to re-imagine, re-envision, and re-format this historic structure into a 33-room

boutique hospitality experience — a new undertaking to mix their passion for renovation and design.

We arrived in Waco mid-week to visit Hotel 1928, where we appreciated the slower pace and sleepiness of the city, a respite from Austin busyness. Quiet from the outside, it seemed that the life of the city could actually be found inside the hotel itself which was buzzing with happy energy — possibly a bit of roaring 1920s excitement.

We appreciated the impressive architectural features from the moment we walked through the building’s Moorish-style arched entryway. Colorful beams along the ceiling were decorated with symbols of Freemasons and Shriners. The hotel’s Brasserie on the ground floor was bustling with diners and happy hour patrons sipping cocktails in the glow of natural light streaming in from large glass windows. A dreamy lounge area was outfitted with a gorgeous fireplace and bountiful bookshelves, elegant seating and cafe tables, where guests were engaging in lively conversations.

The true “ooh ahh” moment came as we descended down the grand staircase into the hotel’s stunning two-story library. A true jewel of this property, floor-to-ceiling bookcases are packed with well-loved books sourced from the once-owned bookshop of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Texas legend, Larry McMurtry. Packed with antiques and cozy nooks, it’s one of the most gorgeous spaces of the hotel.

Learn more details of Heidi’s stay at Hotel 1928, including her dining experience at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, and details on the room decor and amenities, as well as tips on things to see and do in Waco. Visit tribeza.com/hotel1928.

ESBY,

By Taylor Tobin

Get Into Sustainable Style in Austin This Spring

Local sustainable fashion experts share tips on where to shop, what to look for, and how to make your pieces last as long as possible

For many of us, the spring season brings a sense of renewal for our spirits, for our environment, and even for our wardrobes. If you’re ready to shake up your personal style while also supporting local eco-friendly businesses, sustainable fashion is the right move.

FOCUS ON ALL-NATURAL FABRICS AND PIECES THAT WILL LAST.

While it can feel fun to score deals at fast fashion stores, a major reason for that low cost can be found on the fabric label. Synthetic materials like polyester and acrylic are cheap to produce, but they lack the durability and overall quality of natural fibers.

That’s why Stephanie Beard, owner of Austin-based sustainable clothing brand esby, tells us that her brand exclusively uses all-natural fabrics.

“This is one of the [best] ways to create sustainable products that you can wear again and again,” Beard shares.

In addition to creating garments that will last — which is sustainable in and of itself since it reduces the need to generate more clothing — natural fibers don’t require chemicals for their production, which is an eco-friendly advantage.

Jean Jones, an Austin fashion designer who

has been making sustainable and environmentally-conscious clothing for 30 years, is a devoted fan of natural fibers in both her design studio and her own closet.

“I see the foundational principle of sustainability as my guiding force. I make the most beautiful clothes that I can with natural materials that do not damage the earth and that are ethically made with skill and a passion for quality,” Jones says. When it comes to specifics, she tells us, “I’m very picky about where my fabrics come from and I always look for the OEKO certification for sustainability. I’m proud to say that the majority of my fabrics carry this certification. Sustainability and style are interwoven concepts in my collection.”

In addition to esby and Jean Jones, another Austin shop that carries chic clothes made with natural fabrics is KICK PLEAT, which is a favorite of Austin-based personal wardrobe stylist Natalie Frazier.

“Most of the brands and designers they carry are small and less known, but they have a commitment to using eco-friendly practices and sustainable fabrics,” says Frazier. “These come at a higher price, but to me, it’s totally worth it to support the environment and leave with investment pieces I’ll love for many years to come.”

BEFORE BUYING NEW CLOTHING, “SHOP” YOUR CLOSET.

From both a budgetary perspective and an environmental perspective, it’s smart to take inventory of the clothing items you already have before picking up new pieces.

“The most sustainable approach is to wear what you already have. As you go through your wardrobe, think about what works for you, and what pieces keep you coming back to,” explains Jones. “How do you feel when you wear these clothes? As you are doing this, you are also assessing your own personal style, which can change some through the years, but the authentic you will always be you.”

If you do decide to hit the stores after you “shop” your closet, be sure to consider “price per wear,” recommends Beard. “Sometimes we are suckers for a good deal, but the purchase isn’t as exciting as when we save up for what we really want. ‘Good deals’ turn out to be not as financially responsible if the items just sit in your closet. Save up for that item you love. You will be so excited to wear it again and again.”

Wondering what to do with the closet items you’ve filtered out? The most sustainable options are to either take pieces to a clothing swap or to donate items you no longer use.

JEAN JONES COLLECTION, PHOTO BY PARKER THORNTON

CONSIDER SHOPPING VINTAGE AND SECONDHAND.

Because all new clothing production — even clothing made from natural and sustainable fibers — leaves an environmental footprint, a more sustainable alternative to buying brand-new is to explore the fashion resale market. Virtual marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, and RE.STATEMENT, a Texasbased online shop that specializes in “upcycled” clothes made by transforming and redesigning vintage pieces, give shoppers easy access to secondhand clothing, but if you’d rather do your shopping the old-fashioned way, Austin is home to a plethora of excellent vintage and resale stores. Some of our favorites:

• Blackfeather Vintage: An East Austin vintage boutique with menswear, womenswear, and every style aesthetic from 1950s housewife to 1990s grunge.

• Charm School Vintage: A chic shop in East Austin with carefully-curated retro duds and locally-made sustainable jewelry.

• STAX ATX: An East Austin store that features the city’s best selection of vintage and pre owned streetwear and collectible sneakers.

• Revival Vintage: A one-stop shop in North Loop for beautiful vintage clothing and beautiful vintage furniture and home goods, all at impressively reasonable prices.

• The Zilker trifecta of Pavement (a trendy contemporary resale shop), Moss (a consignment shop specializing in designer clothing and accessories), and Garment Modern & Vintage (a vintage shop that also leans in a luxury direction), all located on the same block of South Lamar Blvd. esbyapparel.com | jeanjones.com | @nfclosetcurator

CHARM SCHOOL VINTAGE PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARM SCHOOL VINTAGE

JEAN JONES COLLECTION, PHOTO BY SHELBY COX

THE MODERN AUSTIN RESIDENCES PENTHOUSE COLLECTION

INTERIOR DESIGN + FURNISHING BY URBANSPACE INTERIORS

INQUIRE TODAY » MODERNAUSTINRESIDENCES.COM

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AUSTIN’S ORIGINAL FINTECH GETS A REBOOT WITH THE RETURN OF ITS VISIONARY FOUNDERS

SOSA BROTHERS’ ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY TAKES THEM AROUND THE WORLD AND RETURNS THEM HOME WITH THE CREATION OF THEIR NEWEST VENTURE OURO

Around the time 90s Austin hit peak dot-com era, brothers Roy and Bertrand Sosa took the leap into entrepreneurship. With $750 and an idea for letting people who didn’t pay with plastic spend online, they launched Netspend from their one-bedroom apartment in the town where they grew up and called home.

The following decades saw the startup birth the billion-dollar prepaid and digital debit category, technology firsts in financial services that foretold the rise of fintech, a successful IPO and an acquisition followed by another. The period also saw the Sosas start a second venture that broadened their ambitions to bring financial services to overlooked consumers to a global scale with Rêv Worldwide. And last year, the Sosas made waves when Rêv acquired Netspend and returned them to lead the first company they founded.

Now, twenty-five years later, the Sosas have reinvented their original vision, and with it, the company that combines Netspend and Rêv, now called Ouro, a name that nods to the ancient ouroboros symbol and the promise of endless possibilities and reinvention it represents.

The journey of reinvention is one the brothers have traveled before. Born in Mexico, Roy and Bertrand moved to Austin as teens. They frequently credit their cross-cultural heritage for the perspective they bring to the need for innovations and inclusion in financial services as well as the entrepreneurial ethos that drove the inception of Netspend and Rêv and finds new expression in Ouro.

At Ouro, the brothers apply their rich experiences, learnings and global perspectives with renewed purpose. They’re as proud and bullish as ever on Netspend and speak passionately about the Ouro team’s progress elevating the product to offer a new generation of unbanked and underbanked consumers a digital alternative to cash that offers financial security.

And they can’t wait to share their newest product, X World Wallet, with more of the world. Early customers in Austin and the U.S. already love X World Wallet for travel and sending money to loved ones. The multicurrency wallet revolutionizes international transactions by enabling instant money transfers between users, real-time currency exchange, and the ability to hold multiple currencies. Designed for today’s globally connected consumers, it offers a seamless, app-based banking experience that merges the convenience of domestic spending with the advantages of international commerce and rewards.

About the journey to date, the elder Sosa, Roy, shares the belief he’s developed that “Ultimate success depends on the willingness to keep trying in the face of setbacks, to return again and again to where you started so you can reinvent the possible.” Bertrand adds, “It’s hard to believe we started this company in Austin 25 years ago, from nothing to a billion-dollar public company that empowers millions of consumers across the country. It is even harder to believe that we are back so many years later with an opportunity to empower still more people on an ever bigger scale.”

The Sosa brothers’ story gravitates around the power of homecoming, the strength found in roots, and the boundless opportunities that emerge when innovation meets determination. As they continue to reshape the fintech landscape, Roy and Bertrand Sosa embody Austin’s reputation as a cradle of creativity and transformation. The journey around the world indeed brings the Sosa brothers back home, ready to embark on their next adventure in the vibrant, ever-evolving, and now global city of Austin.

www.ouro.com

Give Me Glamour

A CONVERSATION WITH LAUREN ANDERSEN

By Kelly Krause

Photos by Adam Moraz

TRIBEZA contributor Kelly Krause recently chatted with celebrity makeup artist and Austin resident Lauren Andersen about her exciting career. From the red carpet to the runway to Austin events, Andersen shares her career journey with us, along with the scoop on her makeup bag must-haves.

I’VE LOVED FOLLOWING CELEBRITY makeup artist Lauren Andersen on Instagram since I first saw an event she did with Melanie Jacobs, celebrity hairstylist — and my hairstylist! — at Deep Roots Salon.

Lauren has such a fun and unique approach to makeup, often using colors in ways I’d never considered and she can quite literally do every look — from casual to editorial to high fashion, and anything in between. Not only does she document her clients’ looks at photoshoots, red carpets, and events like SXSW, ACL and Formula 1, but she also showcases her own looks, which always stop me in my tracks as I think, “How did she do that?” We’re happy we got to learn a bit more about Lauren and her style. If you’re not already, give her a follow on Instagram at @laurenandersen.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING MAKEUP AND HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START?

I have been doing makeup professionally for 22 years — eek. I started in retail, which was a great way to get experience, practice, and paid all at the same time — a hot tip for those starting out. From there, I contacted models and photographers to do test shoots to build a portfolio and gain on-set

experience. My first celebrity client was Jessica Alba. She opened many doors and helped guide me and my career.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN AUSTIN?

I moved to Austin in 2018 shortly after my son was born.

IS THERE AN AUSTIN EVENT YOU LOVE DOING MAKEUP FOR?

Austin draws in some amazing talent and I have been fortunate enough to work with artists like Suki Waterhouse and Duran Duran for their ACL press and performances. I’ve worked with Tilda Swinton, Michelle Yo, Ali Wong, and many others for SXSW premieres and appearances. Chloë Grace Moretz loves to pop in for the Formula 1 races.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR INDIVIDUAL STYLE OR APPROACH TO MAKEUP?

At the core, I want my clients to feel confident. So, whatever that means to them. We typically start with questions like, “What is the event?”

“Where are you going?” “What are you wearing?” From there, we decide upon a look that suits the occasion. I always want my clients to feel and look their best.

I’M SURE YOU WORK WITH SEVERAL BRANDS AND ARE CONSTANTLY BEING SENT PRODUCTS TO SAMPLE. IS THERE ONE PRODUCT YOU CONSISTENTLY WORK WITH AND NEVER CHANGE?

That’s tough. I’m currently using and loving Tom Ford’s Traceless Soft Matte Foundation.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE COLLABORATION, PERSON, OR BRAND?

I spent a lot of time working with Jessica Alba. I really enjoyed working with a client so closely. Getting her ready for all kinds of occasions felt like girls just having fun, from attending shows like Valentino and Dior during Paris Fashion Week, to creating looks for the Met Ball, red carpet premieres, or even movie roles.

IS THERE SOMEONE, PERSON, OR BRAND, THAT YOU’RE DYING TO WORK WITH?

I’d love to collaborate with any brand that is high quality and high performance. I always want to try new products. Talent-wise, I’m definitely open to whatever opportunities present themselves, hopefully experiences and artists that expand my creativity and consciousness.

WHAT TREND ARE YOU ENJOYING RIGHT NOW?

I’m getting a kick out of the “mob wives” trend. Give me glamour. Honestly, I just love seeing when someone tries something new and steps out of their comfort zone. Pamela Anderson has been turning

heads by not wearing makeup, and showing up fresh faced and confident AF. I love this rebellious spirit and appreciate nonconformity. It’s obvious that her confidence comes from within, and that’s beautiful and that should be acknowledged. Makeup is fun — I love it, and I love that it can be used to transform people and make them feel more confident and beautiful, but at the end of the day, it’s how we feel about ourselves. Our confidence and our inner beauty is what is most alluring.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT MAKEUP?

I wish people paid close attention to ingredients and what they are putting on their skin. Is this healthy? Is this brand ethical? And then, people can make informed purchases. Brands would then react and change their ingredients or practices to react to the market setting a higher standard of quality for all.

@laurenandersen

Lauren Andersen’s Makeup Bag

Hourglass Powders | $50

These have been a go-to for years. They have a refined shimmer that gives off a soft, radiant glow.

Tatcha Dewy Spray | $49

I love this for a dewy look. It’s also a great tool to use when you need to reactivate your makeup.

Ourself Lip Plumper and Gloss | $190

It really works and does not sting too much.

KS&CO Brow Gels and Pens | $32

These are my go-to for shaping and defining brows.

Ilia Mascara | $28

This is my go-to and favorite. I love this brand.

Cle de Peau Concealer | $75

By Liz Harroun

Photos by Weston Carls

Wellness Made Simple with Erin Stewart

A journey rooted in passion led this Austinbased entrepreneur to create the Savor + Sweat community for wellness lovers

When we met Erin Stewart at The Well in downtown Austin one sunny morning, her positive energy was contagious. It was immediately obvious why so many women turn to her for food and fitness motivation. After talking to her for nearly two hours while enjoying avocado toast and cozy drinks, we left inspired by the unique wellness journey that led her to Austin and the creation of her current business, Savor + Sweat.

After growing up in Florida and studying dance at SMU in Dallas, she spent most of her 20s in New York City. Stewart’s journey in New York laid the foundation for her unique approach to fitness and nutrition. As a professional dancer navigating auditions and immersing herself in the emerging fitness scene by teaching barre at boutique studios, Stewart identified the need for a holistic approach to well-being. Having struggled with digestive disorders since child-

hood, she realized the powerful impact of lifestyle and nutrition on her overall health. This revelation led her to adopt a holistic perspective, including an anti-inflammatory, plant-forward diet. Stewart’s journey through dance, fitness, and personal health experiences started to converge, forming the basis for her future endeavors in the wellness industry.

Stewart felt better and better as she modified her diet — cutting out dairy was a huge help — but her fascination with food extended beyond her personal health journey. While working in New York, she witnessed a transformative moment in the culinary scene, where vegetables and whole foods were increasingly celebrated. This inspired her to incorporate health-supportive cooking even more into her lifestyle, leading to the establishment of her granola company, O’Cookies Wholesome Bites. Her passion for food and dedication to well-being eventually led her to enroll in the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts, further solidifying her connection to the culinary world.

While she and her husband eventually left New York to move to his hometown of Houston, Stewart had always felt a magnetic pull towards Austin. This attraction intensified after opening DEFINE Body & Mind, a fitness concept that combines Pilates, barre, and indoor cycling. While in Houston, Stewart and

“It’s about moving to the music in a way that feels good and creating an energy and flow.”

her business partner franchised the DEFINE concept, leading to the opening of a corporate store in Austin. Stewart spent a lot of time in Austin at that studio, often staying the night in the mini-apartment upstairs. She and her husband started their family in Houston around that time, so her dream to move to Austin was put on hold until Stewart stepped down from her role at DEFINE in February 2020. Amid COVID-19 challenges and new ways of working, she and her husband decided they needed to make the move to Austin that year before their oldest son started kindergarten. The pivotal decision, influenced by the pandemic and a desire for change, launched a new chapter for Stewart and her family.

The challenges — and opportunities — posed by the pandemic prompted Stewart to pivot to virtual platforms to continue seeing her private clients. After six months, recognizing the potential to create a larger community, Stewart fully launched Savor + Sweat, which now offers a fusion of cooking classes and workouts on an app that organizes weekly meal plans and exercise routines. She also offers in-person workouts and events in Austin, which are full of energy and a like-minded community.

“It’s about moving to the music in a way that feels good and creating an energy and flow,” explained Stewart. “My long-term goal is to help you find your posture and connect with your core so you can walk around and stand up straight through your abs.”

Savor + Sweat’s philosophy is deeply rooted in Stewart’s past life as a dancer, barre instructor, and fitness studio owner. The platform offers a variety of workouts, including athletic barre, cardio, and

HIIT classes, all focusing on functional movements for sustainable fitness and longevity. On the culinary side, Stewart aims to make cooking approachable and enjoyable, encouraging subscribers to plan ahead to cook three health-supportive recipes each week.

“What you need to feel grounded is going to change with every person in every phase of their life,” said Stewart. “I want to provide the tools for people to understand what to reach for based on their cravings, and then more importantly, how to cook with whole food ingredients to make delicious food.”

Stewart’s journey from a professional dancer to the founder of Savor + Sweat is a testament to her unwavering commitment to holistic well-being. Her experiences in dance, fitness, and the culinary world have converged to create a platform that empowers individuals to embrace a balanced and healthful lifestyle. As Savor + Sweat continues to evolve, Stewart remains dedicated to providing a sustainable approach to fitness and nutrition, inspiring individuals to enjoy the journey to a healthier and happier life.

savorandsweat.com

Vibrant Carrot-Turmeric Hummus

INGREDIENTS

4 to 5 medium carrots, scrubbed and chopped

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Pinch of sea salt and black pepper

1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained

1 teaspoon freshly-grated turmeric

1 clove garlic, peeled and roughly chopped

2 tablespoons tahini

Zest and juice from one lemon, plus more lemon juice to taste if desired

Vegetable crudites to serve (colorful cauliflower, radish, carrot spears and endive spears)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line sheet pan with parchment paper.

Toss the carrots in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Spread onto the lined sheet pan, and roast in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, until fork tender. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Meanwhile, combine the chickpeas, grated turmeric, garlic, tahini, lemon zest and juice from one lemon in the bowl of a food processor. Add the cooled carrots and pulse the mixture a few times. Scrape the bowl down with a spatula. Continue to pulse, scrape down, and pulse, adding a little water one tablespoon at a time if necessary, until well combined. With the machine still running, add the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil in a steady stream until smooth. Season with sea salt and pepper. Add more lemon, if desired. Transfer to a serving bowl.

Serve with your favorite crudités or crunchy crackers.

RECIPE

Weaving Threads and Pushing Boundaries

By Georgie Miller

ANNI ALBERS EXHIBIT AT THE BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART

THROUGHOUT THE ANNALS OF ART HISTORY, TEXTILES EMERGED AS A singularly acceptable avenue for female artists, while disciplines like painting and sculpture stood reserved for their male counterparts. For German artist Anni Albers, one of the most profound textile masters of the 20th century, her start in the medium was similarly due to the constraints imposed by gender norms. After attempts to enter programs of glasswork and other departments at Bauhaus, the renowned art school, Albers reluctantly accepted a spot in the weaving department — the only one available to women at the time in the early 1920s. Albers’ work transcended the conventional craft of weaving, breaking connotations of female labor and bringing the medium of textiles to light as an art form. Albers’ “pictorial weavings” stood as testament to the endless creative possibilities of artistic expression beyond craftsmanship.

“Anni Albers: In Thread and On Paper,” made its Austin debut Feb. 20 at the Blanton Museum of Art. Drawing from the collection of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, the exhibition boasts intricate pieces from the later part of Alber’s acclaimed career, well after she was lauded as one of the first female artists — and the first textile artist — to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, among countless other top industry nods.

This grand display of Albers’ work at the Blanton Museum of Art is curated by Fritz Horstman, Education Director at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, and organized for presentation by Claire Howard, Associate Curator, Collections and Exhibitions at the Blanton. The selection of works is curated to show the dynamic talent Albers maintained throughout her lifelong career, transitioning from weaving to printmaking while reinventing the mediums along the way.

Albers’ commitment to innovation continued with poignant explorations of her designs in printmaking. As Albers shifted her focus, she seamlessly merged her signature patterns and previous textile creations into mesmerizing iterations on paper. Much of her work was reproduced as wallpaper for commercial use.

The artist’s intricate repetitions and elaborate designs resound powerfully in both textile and paper forms. The exhibition not only demonstrates an artist’s groundbreaking journey through mediums but a woman’s tenacity to push boundaries. See “Anni Albers: In Thread and On Paper,” on view at the Blanton Museum of Art through June 30. blantonmuseum.org

ANNI ALBERS PORTRAIT

PHOTO BY JOHN T. HILL

RED LINES ON BLUE

VIEW OF ANNI ALBERS: IN THREAD AND ON PAPER AT THE BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART BY MANNY ALCALÁ

CELEBRATING LOCAL TEXTILE ARTISTRY

On the heels of this important display of textile artistry, we celebrate Jade Walker and Beili Liu, two Austin women reinventing the medium in the city’s art community and on the global art stage. These two innovative artists pay homage to a historic art form with a modern usage of textiles, resulting in powerful sculptures, installations, and weavings.

JADE WALKER

Upon view, textile artist Jade Walker’s soft sculptures and large-scale, intricately woven pieces evoke familiarity.

”Most of the work I create relies on our shared communal sense of comfort intrinsic to textiles,” said Walker.

The artist has long appreciated the medium ever since her great grandmother taught her to make stitches. Her work draws inspiration from variations of textile design rooted in strong female leaders of the craft in Japan, Mexico, Portugal, and Ireland. The deep-seated appreciation of textiles as an art form championed by women is clear throughout Walker’s contemporary iteration of the medium.

Walker is furthering this notion of deep rooted female artistry with her latest exhibition, “Cloud Shadows,” on view at grayDUCK Gallery in East Austin. In partnership with Walker’s friend, Virginiabased artist Margaret Meehan, the two-woman show is an exploration of shared materials, stories, music, and friendship. The visual conversation is a powerful display of women supporting women, allowing both artists to explore new avenues of their mediums. For Walker, the added support of the partnership inspired her to add new levels of communication into her textiles through layering, mixing materials, and removing tangible elements.

jadewalker.org

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JADE WALKER

BEILI LIU

For artist Beili Liu, creating with her hands is the foundation of her art practice. Her earliest memories of sewing with her mother and grandmother in her native Chinese village gave her an intrinsic appreciation for the handmade.

“Over the years, I have grown to view women’s work as fundamental and powerful,” explained Liu. “It provides and enables society’s very existence.”

Liu’s site-responsive installations and performances make use of these cherished female crafts. Her thoughtful use of textiles in her immersive and delicate installations captures the essence of the connective power through the history of the textile medium.

“I am interested in the dichotomy between fragility and strength, and vulnerability and power,” said Liu. “My performed gestures of making intend to make women’s labor visible, and present.”

As an Endowed Professor in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin and an active member of the Austin arts community, Liu is committed to making environments that resonate with cultural memory and existence in society. Liu’s work can be found at ICOSA’s gallery in Austin, as well as various galleries and exhibitions around the globe.

beililiu.com

BEILI LIU STUDIO, EACH AND EVERY. PHOTO COURTESY OF BEILI LIU STUDIO.

BEILI LIU STUDIO, EACH AND EVERY. PHOTO BY AMOS MORGAN.

BEILI LIU STUDIO, LURE SERIES. PHOTO COURTESY OF BEILI LIU STUDIO.

BEILI LIU STUDIO, THE MENDING PROJECT. PHOTO BY RINO PIZZI

BEILI LIU STUDIO, EACH AND EVERY. PHOTO BY KATIE MILLER.

Low ‘n’ Slow

MEAT THE LONG-AWAITED BRICK-AND-MORTAR FROM BBQ FAVE LEROY & LEWIS

By Darcie Duttweiler

Photos by Jessica Attie

IN THE HEART OF SOUTH

Austin, the aroma of smoked meats intertwines with the soul of the city, as LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, a beloved local barbecue institution, embarks on a new chapter with the opening of its first brickand-mortar establishment on Stassney Lane.

Transitioning from the humble food truck that has graced the lot of Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden since 2017, this expansion marks a significant stride for the barbecue joint renowned for its innovative “new school” approach to traditional barbecue.

“We went into the trailer wanting to open a restaurant very quickly. No one wants to stay a food truck forever!” says co-owner and pitmaster Evan LeRoy. “We had big ideas about doing a brewpub, but the timing was never right. We’ve gone through so many spaces, and this space just felt right.”

The South Austin location holds special significance, with the co-owners’ families — LeRoy’s wife Lindsey, operations manager Sawyer Lewis, and husband Nathan — residing nearby. LeRoy, the pitmaster behind the smoker, can also trace his barbecue journey back to his childhood roots in the area, where his passion for the primal art of open-flame cooking was ignited by his dad.

Having worked in fine dining in New York and serving as the opening pitmaster for Freedmen’s in 2012, LeRoy found his true calling in the rich tradition of Texas barbecue. By championing the ethos of “new school barbecue,” LeRoy prides himself on sourcing meat responsibly from local purveyors. The embrace of his Texas and Mexican heritages, as well as influences from Southeastern barbecue, Asian ingredients, and German culture, imparts a distinctive flavor to LeRoy and Lewis’s offerings, creating what LeRoy describes as “an eclectic blend, but authentically Austin.”

EVAN LEROY

To LeRoy, barbecue is more than just food — it’s a celebration of community, so the excitement surrounding the new brick-and-mortar location was palpable, not just for the extended menu and expanded hours, but for the unique space that promised to elevate the dining experience. Collaborating with OPA Design Studio, Helms Workshop, and McCray & Co., the space seamlessly blends nostalgic old school barbecue vibes with LeRoy and Lewis’s new school brand of hospitality.

Featuring a partially open kitchen that allows patrons to witness the barbecue magic unfold, the new space adopts a traditional cafeteria-style ordering system.

With reclaimed wood, dark brick, brown leather, and pops of color, the restaurant’s design bridges the gap between the old and the new, much like the innovative approach to barbecue it represents. There’s also a lounge that the team is calling “cosmic cowboy on LSD” with funky furniture, spacey art and a huge covered patio (with, thankfully, both fans and heaters) that overlooks the barbecue smokers, bringing an interactive element to the dining experience. A bar with snacks offers additional ordering options and a cozy spot for enjoying beer, wine, or frozen beverages.

“We’ve never had a beverage program,” Lewis says. “We’ve created a fun, simple, but thoughtful, menu of beverages that will pair well with the food. We want people to come in and have a great time, all the time.”

The new toys and resources that come with the brick-and-mortar venture allow the team to execute a menu they’ve long envisioned. This menu features familiar dishes like beef cheeks and sausage, complemented by an expanded roster of burgers, tacos, scratch-made sides, and desserts, as well as some new favorites.

“I’m most excited to show guests our sliced beef options — that’s what barbecue is,” LeRoy says.

The team is taking the barbecue experience to the next level with an additional dedicated retail area for pantry products, including barbecue sauce, rubs, and merchandise. Butchering a whole cow in-house adds a unique touch, with the skull decorated by local artists and displayed in the space.

The LeRoy and Lewis truck will continue to operate at Cosmic, but the new brick-and-mortar location promises to be a hub of flavor, innovation, and community. With its vibrant design, expanded menu, and commitment to sourcing locally, it’s evident that Leroy and Lewis is just getting started.

leroyandlewisbbq.com

An Insider’s Guide to Austin, Texas

Spend your days like an Austin local. Find out what to eat, see, drink, and do in the ATX.

FONDA SAN MIGUEL

Named “Best Mexican Restaurant in Texas” by 24/7 Wall Street. Experience Fonda San Miguel’s authentic Interior & Coastal Mexican Cuisine, outstanding cocktails, stunning interiors and museumquality art collection.

fondasanmiguel.com

HILL COUNTRY COLLECTIVE

Elevate your space with the soothing aroma and minimalist design of a Hill Country Collective candle. Each candle is hand-poured and made with 100% soy wax, cotton core wicks, and clean fragrance oils. Their Signature Collection takes inspiration from the local Texas landscape, creating a unique and luxurious candle experience. thehillcountrycollective.com

1417 FRENCH BISTRO

1417 French Bistro is a neighborhood restaurant that embraces the culture of dining at a true French bistro. The space is designed to feel inviting, yet elevated with modern artwork, mid-century furniture and a lush array of plants. Favorite dishes include french onion soup, duck confit and steak frites.

1417frenchbistro.com

WEST CHELSEA CONTEMPORARY

Nestled in the heart of Austin, West Chelsea Contemporary stands as a premier contemporary art gallery renowned for its meticulously curated exhibitions. Featuring a diverse array of world-class blue chip, modern, and emerging artists, the gallery showcases a rich tapestry of artistic styles and movements. From influential figures in Pop Art to pioneers of Street Art and Graffiti, each exhibition offers a captivating exploration of contemporary artistic expression. With programming that is free and open to all, West Chelsea Contemporary serves as a vibrant hub for artistic discovery, enriching the cultural fabric of Austin and fostering a community of appreciation and creativity. wcc.art

CHISOS

“Purchased my Chisos and immediately spent the entire day in them at the game. I was pleasantly surprised at the comfort, even after such a long day. No break-in required to know these were the best boots I’ve ever had. My strongest recommendation and great customer service to boot!” - Greg Campion, Chisos Customer chisos.com

SPARROW INTERIORS & GIFTS

Nestled in the heart of Austin, TX, Sparrow Interiors & Gifts is a full-service interior design studio with an inspiring boutique, where you’ll discover a curated collection of custom pillows, lamps, rugs, artwork, furniture, interior accessories, and one-of-a-kind gifts for any occasion. The team at Sparrow sees every home as a canvas, and their design team is dedicated to creating a space that compliments your home and lifestyle. Your journey to personalized luxury design starts at Sparrow Interiors. sparrowinteriors.com

ELDORADO CAFE

Eldorado Cafe is born from the memories of old school Austin. Honorable nods to beloved eateries that have made Austin great over the years. They offer fresh-made Mexican comfort food with vegan options, strong game on the cocktail scene and service that will keep you coming back. Check them out!

eldoradocafeatx.com

KATIE KISMET

Looking for something different?

Eye-popping statement rings and “not-yourgrandpa’s” bolo ties by Austin Bolo are just two of the many ways Austin’s Katie Kismet serves up unique accessories. Handcrafted in kiln-fired glass, Katie Kismet creates small-batch, sustainabilityminded, size- and gender-inclusive designs for those who delight in getting dressed.

katiekismet.com

Loving the

THEBROSFRESH

twin musicians

How twin musicians are taking Austin by storm, hunting success with effortless style

BY CHRISTINA GARCIA PHOTOS BY ROGER HO

TTHEBROSFRESH know the rumors: “Twins Torrence and Thurman Thomas stormed into Austin from little Geismar, Louisiana to gobble up gigs and mint brand paydays.”

“Some people think we’re industry plants. We’re not even on a label,” said Thurman, lead guitarist of the band that landed in the capital city a few short years ago. “They see brand deals with Volkswagen, Google Pixel, Nike, Jack Daniels. It looks like we have to have someone feeding us jobs.”

Voracious for success and dressed for the part, the charismatic pair want to meet talent buyers, billionaires, and key cultural players in town, but their ace in the hole, besides monetizable swagger and musicianship, is plain work. With a background in creative agencies, they often film their own promotional spots for brands often alongside Tony Ramos and Julian Munoz of Weird Forever.

Genuine altruists, THEBROSFRESH also founded a nonprofit called Tankproof to provide no-cost swimming lessons to children and fight food insecurity with weekly food distribution for the hungry. They film well, give back, and “play each gig like the rent is due. Most times, it is due,” they said.

But their urge to plant roots in Austin, find recognition musically, and be of service locally could also be seen as the result of a traumatic break with their faith community.

“A lot wasn’t right… But a lot of the experiences that we’ve had, I am thankful for a lot of them because it made us who we are today.”

— Thurman Thomas

Sunday Best

“If it wasn’t for the pandemic, I would still be trapped in my church,” they agreed.

Before they were THEBROSFRESH, the twins were known as Ask The Thomas Bros, playing covers at clubs and gatherings, but also playing worship music in God’s house. Now layering rock and roll like a birthday cake with velvety RNB, soul, and rap today, the church was where they were taught lessons in “hard discipline,” improvisation, and under-pressure performance for big crowds.

For 12 years, shared Torrence, bass player for THEBROS, the spiritual community was their world. They even studied theology in divinity school before they left that world behind, losing friends in the process. It’s an experience they said they haven’t had time to unpack.

“Here’s what I’m saying. Yeah it was [messed up]. A lot wasn’t right … But a lot of the experiences that we’ve had, I am thankful for a lot of them because it made us who we are today,” said Thurman.

“The best qualities that people love about us were created in that setting,” said Torrence.

As we sat on the couches at the Commodore Perry Estate, Torrence’s piercing gaze filled with tears, and Thurman’s softer look turned inward as he inhaled deeply.

“That phase of life was hell,” said the brothers.

The Drake Effect

Earlier, Thurman explained how a seed needs rich soil. For the Thomas brothers, Austin became their soil when Louisiana no longer could be. As the artists moved to seize the day, they looked forward with optimism and relentless determination. Their goal? Try to replicate what Torrence called “the Drake effect — the art of conquering a second city.”

Past residencies at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul, numerous gigs, and a coveted spot on 2022’s ACL Festival lineup show THEBROS are off to a running start. On New Year’s Eve, they mounted stages on Auditorium Shores and at ACL Live.

“Austin is where New Orleans was from about 1997 to 2002,” explained Torrence. “I can taste it in the air.”

He referred to the rap label Cash Money Records. As he sees it, the collective proved artists united at the grassroots can climb the ladder, but every bit of help and mentorship — something the Thomas brothers wish they saw more of in town — matters.

“Shout out to Mitch Ballard at BMI,” they said, gratitude flowing. “KUTX has been huge,” added Torrence. “They do good work to help if you know how to utilize them… A lot of artists here don’t ask to get their songs played, but we ask.”

Bold confidence is their edge. Asking is also how they played ACL Live when they opened for Gary Clark Jr., a respected friend and mentor. To lend their own hard-won wisdom, THEBROSFRESH are co-managing up-and-coming acts LeTrainiump, Shakiel Smith, and Sean Fresh.

They also look forward to planned studio time with Austin luminary Adrian Quesada of The Black Pumas and Grupo Fantasma fame — a mentor they thank in our interview — along with Portugal. The Man and Neil Francis, among others.

Fresh Fridays

“We don’t know what we’re doing. If we did, we would already have the hit record. We’re building,” they agreed.

What nobody talks about, said Thurman, is how to handle notoriety. Two panic attacks were shocking to him, triggered, he believes, both by intense crowd adoration and the thought of mass rejection.

“I honestly don’t believe humans are meant to be lifted up and praised like that. I don’t think we’re meant to be able to sustain that,” he said.

At ACL Fest, the twins asked James Blake how he handled it and got even more valuable advice — “create a persona.”

For fans, the two cue favored fashion brands on Instagram every week with a series called Fresh Fridays. Look out for Lucchese boots, Tereasa Foglia hats, eyewear from Vada, and threads from Buck Mason.

In the cowboy hats, they agree, they’re in work mode. Out of them, maybe not. Other mysteries are about anchors and belonging.

“If it wasn’t for Austin, Texas, I don’t know where I’d be,” said Thurman, and then the two were off, chatting about what to wear for an engagement later that night, though they were already dressed to kill.

thebrosfresh.com

FRESH STYLE Q&A

Where are your favorite places to shop in Austin?

Our two favorite places to shop locally are STAG and ByGeorge. Both have a well-curated range of offerings, from more approachable and to elevated pieces. We are both “slow” and rather minimal shoppers, so we like to go in-store to explore, try something on, maybe come back again, and then pull the trigger on things that catch our attention.

What are your favorite local brands?

Our favorite local brand by far is VADA! Their truly unique design and world-class quality with their eyewear and fine jewelry put them in a league of their own.

“If it wasn’t for Austin, Texas, I don’t know where I’d be.”

— Thurman Thomas

Where do you find style inspiration?

Our style inspiration comes from our Louisiana roots, where “bling bling” and “getting yo’ shine on” was born. We’re not the most flashy, but we love uniform pieces that make subtle statements. Secondly, we would say a big style influence for us is the band, Midland. When we started to explore this whole Western aesthetic that has now become synonymous with THEBROSFRESH, we gleaned from Midland’s originality and willingness to take chances with their style. Fast forward to now, we feel the utmost confidence in expressing ourselves aesthetically and we believe our style speaks as definitively as our sound does musically.

SAVE THE DATE: TEXAS DESIGN WEEK HOUSTON

Monday through Friday, April 22 – 26, 2024

A week of salon talks, panel discussions, book signings and cocktails with some of the most well-known designers and architects in the industry.

For news, schedule, tickets and to join Texas Design Week mailing list, go to texasdesignweek.com.

Schedule and tickets available soon.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK/TEXASDESIGNWEEK

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @TEXASDESIGNWEEK

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR AUSTIN: DISCOVER THE JOY OF COLLECTING ART

With a mission to make art accessible to all, world-renowned Affordable Art Fair is set to be the biggest art event Austin has ever seen.

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR’S foray into Austin will be a vibrant and welcoming introduction into the world of contemporary art for enthusiasts, collectors, and the art-curious in Texas. Explore thousands of contemporary artwork from over 50 local, national, and international galleries, showcasing pieces from $100 to $10,000.

Established as one of the world’s leading art events, Affordable Art Fair has challenged the traditional art fair model since its inception in 1999. By implementing a price ceiling and clear labels on all artworks, the fairs are a fun and approachable entry point into the contemporary art market.

The first ever edition of Affordable Art Fair Austin will celebrate the local art community and provide a unique platform for home-grown talent to reach a broader audience. Visitors can immerse themselves in curated exhibitions, print workshops, panel discussions, interactive installations, live performances, and more — all under one roof.

As Affordable Art Fair unfolds its canvas in Austin, it becomes a part of the city’s creative narrative, leaving an indelible mark on the local art scene. In a city known for its live music, tech innovation, and cultural fusion, Affordable Art Fair, is the missing piece that completes the cultural mosaic.

So, join us in embracing the notion that quality contemporary art is within reach. It’s time to redefine your collection and celebrate the unique allure of Austin’s art scene with Affordable Art Fair Austin, May 16 - 19. Use code ‘TRIBEZA’ at checkout for $5 off a General Admission ticket.

affordableartfair.com

Spring

Wellness Guide

Prep for spring with these nine wellness brands that will get you glowing from the inside out

Karmadillo Yoga

Embark on a transformative journey elevating your mind, body, and spirit with Karmadillo Yoga – women-owned and the home of sustainable cork yoga products carefully crafted to enhance your practice. From eco-friendly mats to supportive props, they accompany you through every pose and meditation. Discover comfort, support, and inspiration. Now featuring Oversized Luxe Cork Mats! wearekarmadillo.com

LePA European Esthetics – Boutique Skin Spa

LePA European Esthetics is Austin’s home for authentic European skin care. Founded in 2008 by Manja Hossa, a Slovenian master-level esthetician with over 25 years of experience. LePA offers a variety of highly effective facial treatments that are customized based on your skin needs. Discover lasting results the European way!

lepa-esthetics.com

Britsbarre Virtual Studio

The Britsbarre Virtual Studio is a health and wellness platform designed to empower and uplift busy women through effective, beat-based workouts in under 30 minutes. The founder, Brit Shimansky (@britsbarre), has helped clients worldwide get in the best shape of their lives with her muscle-defining barre classes. A former professional ballerina and celebrity trainer in New York City, Brit is an Austin-based toddler mom who is passionate about supporting women through movement so they feel strong, energized and boldly confident in their daily lives.

DIY Home Barre Move: “Foldover”

Strengthens and sculpts glutes and hamstrings

1. Place your hands on a stable surface and step your feet back underneath your hips.

2. Extend your right leg straight behind you.

3. Lift and lower your straight leg for 1 minute. Repeat on left side. Aim for 2-3 rounds.

First month free at britsbarre.com with code TRIBEZA

Greenbelt Dental Health

Greenbelt Dental Health provides Austin with the highest quality dentistry. By taking a modern, holistic approach to dental care, they work with you to better understand any oral issues or cosmetic concerns to provide a pathway to healthier teeth, gums, and smile. Your comprehensive examination by Dr. Christopher Naranjo will cover your medical history, health habits, nutrition, and your overall goal for your dental and oral health. Then, using modern techniques and the latest technology, they offer best-in-class care while passing along knowledge to educate their patients on how to keep their teeth clean and improve their overall health.

greenbeltdentalhealth.com | (512) 472-3565

Moving Parts

Psychotherapy

Moving Parts

Psychotherapy is a group therapy practice located in South Austin, TX. Renowned trauma therapist, author, and practice owner Ilyse Kennedy, LPC, LMFT, SEP, PMH-C began Moving Parts in response to the growing need for quality trauma recovery with a social justice informed lens. Their clinicians use research backed trauma modalities such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Somatic Experiencing, with a relational and safety minded approach, to aid in full system healing. They see individuals, couples, and families, and work with children through adults. Healing one person at a time creates healing for a more trauma informed world.

movingpartspsychotherapy.com

ALIGN

Welcome to ALIGN, a community dedicated to helping you lead a healthier and stronger life. ALIGN is more than a Pilates studio, it is a place where you can feel supported and empowered on your wellness journey. Their experienced and knowledgeable instructors lead cuttingedge Pilates classes and offer private Pilates instruction to help you improve your mind-body connection and reach your goals. ALIGN has two studios that reflect Austin’s welcoming spirit, and they’re proud to be deeply rooted in the local community. No matter your level of experience, their friendly and supportive atmosphere will make you feel at home. Join ALIGN and discover the joy of movement, the power of Pilates, and the strength of community. alignpilatesstudios.com

Rooted Femme

Rooted Femme is a whole body, whole person healthcare experience providing primary care medicine, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, medical weight loss, injectables, lasers, skincare, hair growth restoration, and more. Dr. Brooke Stubbs caters services to your individual needs, focusing on building healthy habits for a holistic, sustainable sense of wellbeing.

rootedfemme.com

IVitamin

Discover unparalleled wellness with IVitamin, Austin’s premier IV hydration lounge. Our bespoke infusions, crafted by our top pharmacist, offers rapid rejuvenation for the discerning elite. From combating fatigue to enhancing recovery, our luxurious treatments are the secret to sustained vitality and peak performance. Elevate your health, effortlessly.

ivitamintherapy.com/tribeza

SUGARED + BRONZED

SUGARED + BRONZED’s best selling all-natural Hocoba Oil is a nourishing and luxurious moisturizer for all skin types. It can be purchased at their store on 2nd St. or online at sugaredandbronzed.com

The Sound of Unity

HOW THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY IGNITES JOYFUL SINGING WITH PANORAMIC VOICES

By Sabrina Macias

LOCAL COMMUNITY CHOIR

Panoramic Voices was left lost in the spring of 2022. After the departure of an artistic director and a substantial hiatus, the future of the long-standing ensemble was unclear.

Yet, when an opportunity to sing alongside the Central Texas Philharmonic presented itself, the choir found itself a new rhythm, driven by resilience and a commitment to community-driven music.

Juli Orlandini, a gigging singer and an esteemed choir enthusiast, stepped forward with an eager attitude to

transition from her interim position into the sole staff member position, left with the responsibility of directing an ensemble of 150 voices.

As a no-audition choir, this choral group genuinely welcomes everyone, and each performance showcases a diverse composition of all age groups and musical backgrounds, aligning perfectly with Orlandini’s vision of valuing the “process as much as the product.”

PRACTICE DOESN’T HAVE TO MAKE PERFECT

“Our niche is community. Our niche

is fun,” said Orlandini, expressing that she’s always viewed this group as an opportunity to educate others musically rather than a pressing performance to perfect.

“Something that’s been really successful with Panoramic is a 10% less focus on, ‘This concert needs to be perfect,’ and so much more focus on, ‘How can we make this a well-rounded performance?’” With this fresh perspective, Orlandini believes the choir has found incredibly dedicated participants and a warm response from the community.

“The sound ends up being comparable to an auditioned choir because people are doing it for joyful reasons,” explained Orlandini.

A GROUP EFFORT

Inspiration is everywhere — even beneath bed frames. “There are boxes of music under my bed,” said Orlandini when asked about where she finds inspiration for future projects. Though this choir junkie has “a mile-long bucket list” of musical

exploration to dig through, she says that oftentimes, selecting music or themes for a concert is a collaborative journey with the other artists involved.

“That spirit of community is infectious,” Orlandini explained, acknowledging the invaluable support from surrounding local choirs and even commending KMFA, Austin’s Classical Music Radio Station, for their constant presence at Panoramic Voices’ concerts.

The choir will be traveling to New York City to perform Mozart’s “Requiem” at Carnegie Hall. Austin locals can also enjoy this performance at the Downtown Public Library on May 17.

panoramicvoices.org

JULI ORLANDINI, DIRECTOR

PANORAMIC VOICES GROUP PHOTO BY BRIAN WHILLOCK

The Curators of Comedy

THE STORY BEHIND MOONTOWER COMEDY AND THE WOMEN WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN

By Meher Qazilbash

Photo by Brittany Dawn Short

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, INTERIOR designer and native Austinite, Viki Chupik, set out on a mission to change the face of central Austin. She wanted to see more architectural gems with classic beauty and timeless relevance. Now, over 120 homes have her fingerprint, and Chup new construction where she can partner with people beginning to end. She believes that clients can feel the love and connection she brings to the space. In looking back at the impact she has had in the area, successfully achieving her goal of changing the face of Central Austin, she describes the feeling as sweet and magical. “I feel so lucky that I get to do this.”

It’s been 12 years since the original Moontower Comedy Festival debuted in Austin, and the fest has now flourished into one of North America’s largest and most anticipated comedy events. The annual two-week spectacular will be held from April 10 to 21, and this year’s edition is the biggest to date, featuring 40 headliners and more than 90 shows sprawling across more than 10 venues around the city.

Gathering comedy fans to witness a vast array of up-and-comers and some of the biggest names in

the industry, Moontower’s lineup presents a survey of today’s local and national comedy scene. The program covers a magnitude of styles, going beyond stand-up into other mediums like podcasts and theater. This year’s line-up includes Shane Gillis, Andrew Schulz, Mike Birbiglia, Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin, and Marc Maron, among others.

The genesis of the festival goes back to the Paramount Theatre, the grand venue that has prominently stood on Congress Avenue since it opened in 1915. In 2011, the Paramount’s team realized that the historic site, which already hosted a plethora of festivals in Austin, should host a festival of its own.

Lietza Brass, the founder and director of Moontower Comedy, as well as the Paramount’s chief programming officer, worked as the director of programming for the Paramount and Stateside Theatres at the time. When the suggestion to launch a festival came up, she felt it was a no-brainer that comedy should be the festival’s purview. Seating 1,270 people, the ornate theater has the qualities of a quintessential headliner comedy stage, as it’s aesthetically impressive, but not so huge that it removes that feeling of comradery. Once she threw the idea out to her team, everyone quickly jumped on board.

A meeting with the partners and owners of Austin’s Cap City Comedy Club soon followed. While Brass’s expertise was in booking headliners, she sought the expertise of a connoisseur of the club and comic scene in Colleen McGarr.

“I met with Colleen for the first time, and no one ever looked back,” remembered Brass.

McGarr, an owner of Cap City, has been Moontower’s talent producer since the very beginning and a total savant in the humor business. The pair’s deft eyes resulted in Moontower’s first program in 2012 including names like John Mulaney, Aziz Ansari, Seth Myers, and Maria Bamford. At the time, many of these comics were lesser known, a testament to the duo’s ability to predict which acts can speak to audiences.

“[Kickstarting comedy careers] is one of the hallmarks of our festival,” shared Brass. “One of the

reasons that our fans are so loyal is because they know that the talent that they’re going to see are stars at a certain level today, but they could be the superstars of tomorrow. It’s a sneak peek of what’s happening in comedy.”

“One of our strengths is our ability to be nimble and continue evolving every year,” said Maggie Hoffman, director of operations for the festival and the senior director of live events at the Paramount. “We have these anchor acts who come every year that people love to come see, but there’s also something new.”

According to McGarr, the booking process never ends as it demands constant tracking and researching. The primary task is watching stand-up, whether that be at clubs, other festivals, or on streaming services. They also keep up with comedians’ socials, follow entertainment news, and converse with comedians to find out who’s coming up in the industry.

“It’s like a tapestry of strings that you’re pulling together to make the picture every year,” explained McGarr.

The perennial discernment of Brass and McGarr is reflected in a festival lineup that distinctly shares the tastes and characteristics of Austinites. The Moontower ladies assert that Austin crowds are known for their open-mindedness to different identities and styles, as well as the impressive number of comedy nerds and aficionados in town. There’s a voracious appetite that extends beyond stand-up to include sketch, improv, multi-lingual shows, and other experimental forms.

Even during the months when Moontower Just For Laughs Austin isn’t happening, the duo of Brass and McGarr remains devoted to bringing great comedy to the Paramount Theatre yearround.

“It’s just amazing how much comedy is in Austin right now, and we haven’t hit our limit yet,” said Brass. “That’s what I love. We seem to have this amazing capacity in our town for talent.”

austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy

Hyperreal Film Club Lights Up Austin’s Indie Film Scene

THE LOCAL FILM CLUB IS CULTIVATING COMMUNITY AND REDEFINING THE MOVIE-GOING EXPERIENCE

By Cassie Butterfield

Photo by Renee Dominguez

IN THE HEART OF AUSTIN, A FILM-LOVING

c ommunity is flourishing, bringing together enthusiasts, filmmakers, and movie lovers alike.

The Hyperreal Film Club, a nonprofit organization founded in 2016, has become a vibrant hub for showcasing local talent and celebrating independent cinema.

Co-founded by Tanner Hadfield, Jenni Kaye, and David McMichael, this group has evolved from its humble beginnings screening movies in the “spooky basement” of the now demolished Co-Lab Projects on Congress Avenue to now becoming Austin’s go-to destination for unique cinematic experiences.

The Hyperreal Film Club transcends the conventional film screening group — it’s a community-driven initiative dedicated to supporting local filmmakers and nurturing a passion for independent cinema. Emerging talents find a platform here, where weekly in-person events begin with a short film, music video, or video art submitted by a local filmmaker. The commitment to showcasing local creatives extends beyond live events, with original limited series podcasts, film reviews, and a digital zine that serves as an accessible archive on their website.

“We envision this as a place where young up-and-coming filmmakers and exciting voices can kind of get their start and get a lot of support at the very beginning of their filmmaking journey,” said McMichael.

Securing a residency at East Austin’s Hotel Vegas, the club presents weekly cult classics like “Crime Wave,” “Splendor,” and “Miracle Mile.” The experience includes engaging trivia, intermissions for refreshments and conversations, and the assurance that at least one of the founders will be present. The club has also graced prestigious venues such as the Paramount Theatre, Elisabet Ney Museum, and Austin Film Festival, and has hosted various pop-up events.

“We’ve done 310 shows over the past sevenand-a-half years and had 30,000 people come out to screenings that we’ve put on during that time,” stated McMichael. “It’s wild to think about that many people being excited to come out to see some weird movies from the place where we started… showing movies in a basement.”

Looking ahead, Kaye shared that the organization has ambitious plans to open a microcinema in Austin this year, in an effort to take the same energy they bring to their events to a more permanent space as they engage with their community in Austin.

As Austin continues to grow, the Hyperreal Film Club sees its role as a crucial one in preserving the city’s unique creative spirit.

“So many creative filmmakers have come out of this city, and as Austin continues to grow, we need to make sure that we still have structures in place to support new voices and keep them creating in Austin so we don’t lose the specialness of why so

many people have moved here,” explained Kaye.

“There’s just no real on-ramp for getting your work seen by an engaged audience who’s there to see it and is going to participate and give you feedback live,” said Hadfield, echoing this commitment to supporting emerging voices. “It’s almost impossible these days so that’s really cool to provide for people.”

While Hyperreal Film Club welcomes everyone to their screenings, typically priced at $5 to $10, they also extend membership perks to those seeking discounts on screenings and access to their Discord server. Embodying a mission that champions the strength of community, the club is dedicated to nurturing creativity, uplifting local talent, and safeguarding the essence of independent cinema within Austin’s dynamic landscape. As they continue to carve their path, the club remains a beacon for filmmakers seeking a supportive community and audiences eager to explore the diverse world of cinema within the city. hyperrealfilm.club

PHOTO BY DAWSON TURNER

DIVE INTO FASHION WITH KAKI GAINES

GET TO KNOW ONE OF AUSTIN’S HOTTEST STYLISTS

By Liz Harroun

Photos by Caroline Behrens

WE SAT DOWN WITH AUSTIN

stylist Kaki Gaines to learn about her journey to become a personal stylist who empowers women of all body types. She shared the story of her unique career beginnings with Kendra Scott and gives us a few tips for transforming our own wardrobes.

HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR FASHION CAREER?

I studied creative advertising at the University of Texas at Austin. In 2010, during my senior year of college, I heard Kendra Scott — who I thought was inspiring — was hosting a jewelry contest where you could submit your design. I was reworking vintage jewelry. I would wire-wrap it and rework it with different things, so I submitted a design that ended up winning the contest.

Kendra and I became friends through that experience. We hit it off, and I ended up interning for her, leading to a full-time job after college. After the first year I was there, the business started exploding — and that’s where I really got into styling.

My favorite part was understanding what the customer wanted — why they would buy one necklace versus another, and on what occasions they were wearing the jewelry. I’ve always had a love of psychology, so I was sort of combining the design and psychology elements together. After helping with designs and

forecasting for a while, Kendra asked me to help style the models for a photoshoot. I kept at it, learned along the way, and, working with Kendra one-on-one, realized that personal styling was my favorite.

HOW DID YOU TRANSITION FROM KENDRA SCOTT TO STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

I dreamed of making my own jewelry line in college and had always wanted to go out on my own right. Kendra was super supportive of me doing so, and I still did some styling for her after I left the company as a full-time employee. I was really thankful for that transition.

Starting in 2016, I also did contract work for The RealReal, where I saw many people’s closets. It made me realize that many women needed wardrobe refreshes and help to style day-to-day outfits. So in 2020, I dove into one-onone styling for women who need help creating recipes for everyday dressing.

HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY WORK WITH CLIENTS?

I have a lot of tiers with different price points. My clients send me photos of themselves beforehand and measurements and answers to questions about their style preferences. Then, I guide them to find their personal style based on their preferences, daily life, body type, proportions, and more. I want to help people celebrate their bodies instead of fighting them.

After the sessions, I send them a huge deck with all their information and my recommendations. I also do a lot of color analysis, so I’ll look at their complexion and features — hair color, eye color, skin tone — and give them the best colors to wear for them.

After the consultation, many people want to keep working together through closet revamps and personal shopping. I can come to your house to help clean closets and show how to put outfits together. One tip I give people often is to put away their clothes that aren’t for the current season, so there’s more breathing room in their closet. Paring it down to the best of the best for them helps prevent overwhelm and decision fatigue.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST STYLE TIP?

Understand your unique features and use those to work with you. Trends are great, and I can help people apply them, but it should be in a way that is for specific features like complexion, body type, and height.

ARE THERE ANY STAPLE PIECES FOR SPRING YOU RECOMMEND EVERYONE HAS IN THEIR CLOSETS?

For the hotter months, finding your ideal pair of shorts, a skirt that works for your body type, and a cute summer blouse is critical. Then, make sure you have a daytime dress, nighttime dress, and a nude sandal. A big thing I’ve helped people find is some prints in their accessories like bags and jewelry and multicolored earrings.

WHAT’S THE MOST FULFILLING PART OF YOUR JOB?

The self-love part is massive. The most rewarding thing is making people realize that their unique features are incredible — and no one else has them. Once people are empowered with the knowledge around their features, they can dive into them instead of working against them.

kakigaines.com

Read an extended version of our interview with Kaki Gaines at tribeza.com/kakigaines

HEAD TO ...

UNDERWRITING SPONSORS:

JennAir — The Halles Food Lab by JennAir

1465 N. Texas Highway 237

Round Top, TX 78954 | thehalles.com

March 16 – March 30, 2024

Shopping: 9 am – 6 pm | Cafe + Bar Hours:

Country Sunshine, 11 am – 9 pm

Round Top Coffee Shop, coffee, breakfast, bites, 9 am – 6 pm

CityBoots

Kathryn Ireland

Martyn Lawrence Bullard

The Caravan

The French Corner

OUNDUP:

Shop exciting design and art vendors: Pierre Verona, exclusively in Round Top at The Halles with a permanent jewel-box showroom of stunning mineral creations | Crystal Nichols’ captivating antique and mid-century modern furniture and lighting | Heather Benjamin nomadic jewelry and hat bar | Covet Aspen modern jewelry with a dose of good karma | Around the Bend American-made willow furniture | Found Images for a date with the past | Sabine Maes Art’s nature-suffused canvases, weavings, sheepskins | Starred Sky Development for your Round Top second-home heaven.

UNEXPECTED:

Check in or check out Hive3D Casitas | Turkish Rug Co., designers’ secret source | Mamadou’s African artifacts and trade beads | In The Box taxidermy art plus Tonya Hawkes artistic handbags and home goods | Bachman + Petrie’s edgy pop art | Get fit in Halles Gym | Sail away on an Egyptian felucca, an installation by Burning Man veteran John Walker | Haley Bowen’s femaleempowered nude portraiture | Photographer Fatima Donaldson and friends | Little Paris Antiques and Pegaso Gallery Design dazzling take on interiors with finds spanning a century | The French Corner’s cool design conversation, 19th century to mid-century.

FASHIONABLE FIELDS + HOME ON THE RANGE:

Texas-reared American designer Lela Rose presents her Ranch Collection (March 24 – 27) | Beautiful, buzzy City Boots for the new urbane cowgirl | Nashville Makers starring custom millinery by A. Botts Willis and her merry band | Pata Lifestyle, handbags handmade in Argentina that give back | Caravan to The Caravan for textiles, rugs, and souk-worthy shopping | North Carolina-crafted Threads For The Bed | Maaribu home decor, Marfa meets Malibu.

CALENDAR THESE DATES:

Friday, March 22, 5 – 6:30 pm, The Future of Building in the Next Gen Building Center | Sunday, March 24, 6 – 9 pm, PaperCity and Benjamin Moore Designer Dinner by A Fare Extraordinaire, “A Night in Marrakech,” with special guests Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Kathryn Ireland (tickets $225) | Monday, March 25, 5 – 6:30 pm, cocktails, designer appearances, book signings of Star Style: Interiors of Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Kathryn M. Ireland: A Life in Design | Tuesday, March 26, 5 – 9 pm, Sip & Shop elevated pop-up bazaar with jewelry, custom-made fashion, accessories, and more, sponsored by Nan & Co. Properties – Andrea Riebeling | Wednesday, March 27, 6 – 9 pm, A. Botts Willis and Nashville Makers night with musical guest Boo Ray (tickets $65).

Head to thehalles.com for details, ticketed events, and updates/ additional dates.

Pegaso Gallery Design/ Little Paris Antiques

Lela Rose

Verona Disdier Pierre Verona

Turkish RugCo.

AUSTIN BLUES FEST RETURNS

ANTONE’S TEAM HELPS ELECTRIFY WATERLOO PARK

By Christina Garcia

Photos by Salihah Saadiq

AUSTIN BLUES FEST RETURNS TO

Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park April 27 and 28, electrifying the stage with legends and modern greats for the second year in a row. Names like Buddy Guy slot comfortably under genre expectations, but others might surprise purists. New Orleans bounce “Queen Diva” Big Freedia, for example, alongside Afro-Cuban funker Cimafunk, stretch the boundaries of traditional ideas on the blues.

Festival producers Will Bridges and Zach Ernst, co-owner and talent buyer for Antone’s Nightclub, respectively, shared their motivation behind securing this lineup.

“Blues is a root mother tongue,” said Bridges. “We feel like it’s a responsibility of ours to not be the sayers of what’s blues and what isn’t, but to continue as [Clifford Antone] did to not constrict it.”

THE PLAYERS

Evolution looks like Big Freedia, featured on tracks by Beyonce and Drake, with a sophomore album, “Central City,” released in 2023, along with Robert Glasper, the Houston-born jazz phenom with both stellar solo work and collaborative efforts with heroes of modern hip-hop and neo-soul. From further afield, English soul artist The James Hunter Six complements a South LA retro soul delegation in The Altons and Thee Sinseers. Powerful vocalist and shape-shifting musician Brittany Howard, who delivered a sophomore solo album in February, also takes the stage.

To satisfy old-school tastes, Buddy Guy, a now venerated Chicago blues icon born in Louisiana, added an Austin date to his Damn Right Farewell Tour, a coup for Ernst.

“If we call ourselves Austin Blues Fest and we don’t go after Buddy Guy, then we should have our licenses taken away,” said the talent buyer.

Funky blues nonagenarian Bobby Rush also shares the lineup with Robert Finley, whose career took off after he went blind. Coincidentally, The Blind Boys of Alabama, a gospel group with a dynamic lineup founded in the 1930s, also features vision-impaired singers. (You might know the group from the title track on HBO’s “The Wire.”) Texas’s own Fabulous Thunderbirds founder Jimmie Vaughan crowns the old-school Antone’s showcase. Add a brass band and zydeco, and you have a truly Antone’s-worthy event.

CLUB-SHOW MAGIC

Both Bridges and Ernst met Clifford Antone in his lifetime. A Port Arthur native who fell in love with the blues, Clifford turned a city onto the blues when it

had fallen into obscurity outside musician circles. Though bands like The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton owed a debt of gratitude to blues progenitors, those progenitors had little of the name recognition earned by those they inspired.

“Sometimes when you’re a promoter or talent buyer … you’re doing things you know are going to sell tickets,” said Bridges. “It can be a little formulaic. Clifford wasn’t like that at all. He put people on stage who he felt people needed to see and who he felt like people needed to be influenced by … If he put your name on Antone’s marquee, it meant something. And if you hadn’t heard someone whose name was on the Antone’s marquee, it sparked interest.”

Bridges and Ernst hope their festival is received in the same spirit. One stage means a club-show cadence and microcosm of the magic the two enjoy at Antone’s, with attendees able to see each act.

“We got everyone on our wish list this year,” said Ernst.

A portion of festival proceeds will even benefit Waterloo Greenway. “You can almost feel Clifford smiling down,” said Bridges.

austinbluesfestival.com

Let’s All Go to Round Top!

YOUR GUIDE TO MILES AND MILES OF TEXAS’ ANTIQUES & DESIGN MECCA

By Catherine D. Anspon & Candice Cowin

AS THE SEASON TURNS AND BLUEbonnets swath the fields, we’ll be at the Spring 2024 Round Top Antiques & Design Show, held from March 14 - 31. Plan your road trip now to an unforgettable destination just 90 minutes from Austin. More than 100,000 home-design, antiques, art, and style seekers descend upon the charming historic hamlet of Round Top (population 88) and surrounding towns for a half-century tradition that now encompasses more than 4,000 dealers in 80-some venues, across 25 miles. This is one of America’s meccas for designers, as well as a draw for savvy tastemakers and those seeking a bucolic retreat to the country — with antiques, design, and fashion shopping to boot.

Much of the life of Round Top year-round revolves around the 19th-century German community’s three squares — Henkel, Rolland, and Minden — and town center. At Henkel Square, the Round Top Antiques & Design Center is home to 14 dealers, including new arrivals Lions Antiques, specializing in antique doors and reclaimed building materials, and Rick Ingenthron Antiques, which brings even more fine European antiques. Also recommended: Minden Square for a cold one and delightful bites at nano-brewery and taphouse Round Top Brewing, followed by retail therapy at

Townsend Provisions for Americana goods and Tré for the Gathering for distinctive tabletop. Rolland Square is a good bet for caffeine thanks to Round Top Coffee Shop, and holds the dining destination The Garden Co. - Feed & Firewater, which boasts a spectacular tree-lined patio and bucolic vistas.

Then, there are the venues that line Texas Highway 237. TRIBEZA recommends: The Original Round Top Antiques Fair (aka The Big Red Barn), founded by Emma Lee Turney in 1968, and its sister property, Blue Hills (Lucchese pop-up, March 21 through 30). Designer fave Marburger Farm Antique Show is where you’ll sight such tastemakers as Liz Lambert, Jenna Lyons, and Kelly Wearstler combing through treasures. Don’t miss The Compound, developed by Mayor Mark Massey, with its handsome barns; newcomer Le Jardin de France for antique European garden furniture and plantings; and Cisco Village, founded by the late furniture maker Cisco Pinedo of the handcrafted furniture empire Cisco Home. The 550 District is home to Rockabilly Baroness’s fabulous ranch wear and a curated fashion show on Wednesday, March 27, with pop-ups at the adjoining Round Top Dance Hall — word’s out that L.A. vintage king Cameron Silver of Decades is involved, in addition to collections from French fashion house Balmain Paris. Also check out

Austin neon master Todd Sanders of Roadhouse Relics, Willie Nelson recommended. There’s Paul Michael’s recently expanded addition, Market Hill 2 — a sparkling new 125,000-square-foot space brimming with the unique. Directly across 237, you’ll find The Arbors, whose splendid tents stock home goods, fashion, jewelry, and antiques. Finally, head to The Halles with its design-focused lineup, including the PaperCity and Benjamin Moore Designer Dinner, created by A Fare Extraordinaire, on Sunday, March 24: A Night in Marrakech honors Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Kathryn Ireland on the occasion of their new book releases. Acquire your copies Monday, March 25 at The Halles’ book signing for both design luminaries.

Other renowned Round Top-area venues include Bader Ranch, whose owner, Katy Bader, is known for her astute eye and foodie down-home dinners; The Horseshoe, where hatmaker Teressa Foglia is among the dozen of design, art, and fashion-forward headliners; and Ex-Cess I and II, a vein of rich antique and design finds. Susanne Maida, owner of Round Top Inn, brings forth Boon & Co, a

bistro and boutique that blossoms with new homegoods purveyor Nicolette Mayer. Mayer, based in Boca Raton, designs opulent wallpaper and fabric for Scalamandré and tabletop collections sold at Neiman Marcus. Meanwhile, Boon & Co’s European-inspired bistro has quickly ascended to favorite-new-spot status thanks to Chef Nate Pineda’s bright, fresh menu. Shop the boutique for handtooled silver buckles and fine leather belts from legacy craftsmen at Maida’s Belts and Buckles, as well as imported pantry items, home decor, candles, jewelry, baby accessories, and more. Finally, don’t limit your Round Top trek to

March. After the Antiques & Design Show wraps, make time to bask in works by one of Texas’ best landscape painters, William Anzalone, whose abstracted canvases of Round Top and the environs are as good as it gets (Red & White Gallery, Fayetteville, March 2 through April 13). Music lovers, country to classic, will flock to One Square Mile Music Festival, year two, April 18 through 21 at The 550 District, and the beloved Round Top Festival Institute, an internationally lauded music conservatory, for its gala night set for Saturday, April 13 at the Round Top Rifle Hall. roundtop.com

Bon Courage

LEAPING INTO THE ARMS OF LIFE, TRUSTING IT WILL CATCH YOU

By Kristin Armstrong

AVISIT TO PARIS IS LIKE FALLING IN LOVE. A RETURN TO PARIS is like falling deeper in love, meeting each other again and again at newer levels of connection. Connaissance et reconnaissance.

My first experience in Paris was for a bike race, a whirl of pomp, circumstance, and press. Even in the blur, I could appreciate the incredible history, architecture, and attention to detail of the culture. To shop or dine or wander in Paris is a feast in every sense.

For my recent trip to Paris, my husband Mark and I were on an adventure to help my son Luke get settled into an apartment to begin his program at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. He would embark on a ten-month program to complete the Grand Diplôme de Cuisine, a rigorous combination of cuisine and patisserie that’s considered to be one of the best culinary qualifications in the world.

After settling Luke into his apartment, we were free to wander and explore. We strolled along the Seine, shopped the swanky boulevards, dined in fabulous restaurants, and saw the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe.

I loved the different flow of time in France, the absence of rush or urgency. I loved lingering in brasseries with croissants and tiny coffees in the morning and glasses of wine or champagne and cheese in the afternoon. The conversations started to match the unfolding of the days — quiet lulls while walking, deeper introspection, and connection over long meals. This time was sacred to me. Returning to a place I love, with a son I adore and my husband who is the love of my life — bliss.

Under Notre-Dame, we visited the ancient ruins of the city of Lutetia, the crumbling building blocks and rubble that was the predecessor of Paris. The metaphor was profound, how we all have what we perceive to be ruins, only to later understand that every part of our evolution was necessary, building upon the past to create the beauty and significance and stability of the present.

I felt steady and open, my past under my feet.

I watch my son embark on his own adventure, and I am overcome with pride, plus a pinch of envy. To go to a foreign city to pursue a dream is an epic

act of valor — a leap into the arms of life, trusting it will catch you.

I thought that hugging Luke goodbye would be my undoing, but my happiness for him outweighed the sadness of missing my son, who has become my beloved friend. His courage is inspiring me to call upon my own in this new year. Perhaps you feel a stirring to join me?

Where am I holding back or hesitating? What dreams whisper to me in this chapter of my life? What do I want to build next?

What am I willing to do for love?

Hope and Healing to Young Hearts

JOYRX OFFER HOLISTIC SUPPORT TO PATIENTS IN CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS

By Sabrina Macias

IN THE REALM OF PEDIATRIC HEALTHCARE,

where the challenges can be daunting and the road to recovery is often paved with uncertainty, one organization stands out for its unique approach to healing — JoyRx.

Founded in 1995 by Regina Ellis after the heartbreaking loss of her daughter to cancer, JoyRx has evolved into a beacon of hope, delivering joy-based programs that go beyond charity and make a profound impact on the mental and emotional well-being of children facing serious illnesses.

The organization currently spans 41 hospitals and clinics across the United States, making this organization a national force in the world of holistic healthcare.

JoyRx employs trained music specialists who

create and curate new music to be shared with participating children’s hospitals across the country via their YouTube Kids channel.

Additionally, Austin has become the first expansion site to offer live music specialists. These professionals work closely with the children, giving them the freedom to opt for live sessions, request a sing-along, engage in lessons, or even pick up an instrument and join in — embracing whichever choice resonates with them and brings joy in that particular moment.

The organization’s music highly trained specialists consist of compassionate individuals who bring not only their talents, but also a deep understanding of working with vulnerable communities.

“It’s really special and joyful to get to see not

only the children brightening up with the music, but the parents, too,” Holland went on. “Not only is the music comforting as a sort of stress relief, but being able to see your kid escape from the monotony of being in the hospital and all of the fear and isolation that come with that… that, as a parent, is everything to you,” shared Grace Holland, the Regional Executive Director of the Austin area.

JoyRx’s music programs undoubtedly bring moments of respite to families often facing their most stressful moments together.

Read more about how JoyRx plans to expand and grow through Texas Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House later this year, and learn how you can lend a hand to support this organization.

joyrx.org

RedFarm

A FRESH AND MODERN APPROACH TO CHINESE CUISINE

By Karen O. Spezia Photos by Holly Cowart

REDFARM HAS ONLY BEEN OPEN FOR a few months in Austin, but I’ve been dining there for years. You see, its original location in NYC is near my brother’s Manhattan home, and I’ve been a fan for over a decade. As one of my family’s neighborhood haunts, RedFarm has hosted us for everything from casual weekend meals to special celebration dinners. It’s a crowd-pleasing place that satisfies the whole gang with Asian food that’s familiar yet unique and an ambiance that’s upscale yet funky.

So, I was thrilled when I heard that Austin was getting its very own RedFarm. Open since Novem-

ber, it’s located downtown in the former Cantina Laredo spot that has sat vacant since 2016. The 5,700-square-foot space offers a spacious dining area, a covered sidewalk patio, a full bar and two private dining rooms that can accommodate up to 150 people. Its location in the center of Austin’s buzzy 2nd Street District makes it an ideal choice for grabbing a bite before taking in a show at ACL Live, Parker Jazz Club, Elephant Room, or Violet Crown Cinema.

Austin is not RedFarm’s first expansion. There are now two RedFarm restaurants in NYC, plus one across the pond in London and one soon to open in

Miami. To my delight, much of what I’ve enjoyed at the original NYC RedFarm has made its way to Texas — not only many of the signature dishes and cocktails, but also some of its personable, professional staff like manager Jeff Goldin, a.k.a. the Dumpling Ambassador, who temporarily relocated to Austin to help get things off the ground.

RedFarm has always been known for its beverage program, so before diving into your meal, relax over the menu with one of its excellent cocktails. Le Hot Club is one of its best sellers, a spicy twist on a classic margarita made with Aguasol Blanco tequila infused with jalapeño, mint, and lime, then garnished with a cucumber ribbon and a spicy smoked salt rim. The Eastside Roku, a riff on a gimlet, is made with Roku Japanese gin, bergamot orange and lemon citrus, cucumber, and aromatic red shiso herbs that give it a deep magenta hue. For beer and wine drinkers, there are lots of tasty options, including the versatile Trimbach Pinot Gris from Alsace that complemented everything we ordered and was a great value to boot.

RedFarm offers a fresh, modern — and often playful — approach to Chinese cuisine. One of its most famous items is the Pac Man Dumplings, a colorful dim sum creation modeled after the characters from the vintage arcade game, but there are also more traditional dumplings that reflect Executive Chef Joe Ng’s Cantonese heritage, like Pan Fried Lamb Dumplings, Crunchy Vegetable & Peanut dumplings, and Chicken Dumplings flavored with Chinese five spice and Sichuan peppercorns and garnished with slivered red onions, cucumbers, and fresh herbs. My favorites were a nightly special that I hope become a permanent offering: delicate

Shrimp & Snow Pea Leaf Dumplings wrapped in tender translucent dough and bursting with bright, fresh flavors.

In case you forgot that RedFarm hails from NYC, Ed’s Pastrami Egg Rolls are the restaurant’s No. 1 bestseller, so beloved that they’re also sold via Goldbelly mail order. Filled with pastrami, asparagus, red chili, and cabbage and served with lemongrass honey mustard dipping sauce, these extra-crunchy rolls were ordered by almost every table in the restaurant. Spicy Crispy Beef is another popular dish, tossed in a glistening sweet-and-savory soy sauce flavored with ginger, garlic, shallots, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and Grand Marnier.

RedFarm’s Peking Duck is famous and for good reason — it’s the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly roasted with crackling-crisp skin and succulent meat, the duck is folded into ultra-thin pancakes and served with the traditional accoutrements of slivered scallions, cucumbers, and dipping sauces. The price is steep, but well worth it. Pair it with my favorite side of Sautéed Snow Pea Leaves with Garlic. And try to save room for dessert or take some home. The Key Lime Pie is outstanding and has the perfect balance of sweet and tart, crust and meringue. I have no idea why it’s on a Chinese menu, but who cares when it’s this delicious?

A lot of NYC restaurants have set up shop in Austin and RedFarm is a welcome Big Apple import. It’s a great new addition to our city’s ever-expanding list of terrific Asian options. Now that I have this in my own backyard, my next family visit to NYC may be spent searching for a new neighborhood haunt.

redfarmnyc.com/location/austin

THAT AUSTIN HAS TO OFFER

BY LIZ HARROUN

Timeless Traditions

to TRENDING TECHNOLOGY

AUSTIN IS KNOWN AND LOVED FOR its thriving wellness community. From timeless practices that have withstood decades to avant-garde wellness trends shaping the current city’s health landscape, Austin offers diverse options for those seeking holistic well-being. Whether you’re drawn to traditional health-giving practices or intrigued by the latest technological innovations, this city embraces a wellness ethos that caters to all. Here, we explore the classic and contemporary activities that make Austin a haven for those on a journey toward physical, mental, and spiritual balance.

Classic Austin Wellness

1. Barton Springs Pool

The spring’s history dates back 12,000 years, throughout which the area was used as a reliable campsite by Native American tribes, with some allegedly using the water for purification rituals. Since the swimming area was dammed and constructed in the 1920s and officially opened in 1936, the pool has been a natural oasis for wellness enthusiasts of all ages. Fed by cool, crystal-clear spring waters that maintain a consistent temperature of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the pool has earned a reputation for its therapeutic and healing properties. Swimming in the refreshing waters is a rejuvenating haven for both the body and the mind.

2. Casa de Luz

Casa de Luz embodies a holistic approach to health and nourishment. Rooted in the belief that food is medicine, this establishment follows the principles of macrobiotics to create plant-based meals using seasonal, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients. Beyond the dining experience, Casa de Luz fosters a community-centered atmosphere by hosting events, workshops, and classes.

3. Acupuncture

The history and evolution of acupuncture in Austin reflects the city’s openness to alternative healing practices. Over the years, acupuncture has transitioned from a niche treatment to a widely embraced modality for holistic health. In 1993, AOMA, now one of the leading acupuncture schools in the country, was founded as the Texas Acupuncture Institute, and the ancient wisdom of this tradition continues to flourish.

NEW WAVE OF AUSTIN WELLNESS

1. CONTRAST THERAPY

Since its recent immersion as an effective recovery practice, the combination of saunas and cold plunges has taken the wellness scene by storm. Community centers that offer this practice — including Athlete Generator Lab, Kuya, and Lizard Yoga — have been popping up all over the city. They offer a clean and convenient way to get in your hot/cold therapy with like-minded masochists. After going through any of their recommended protocols that involve going back and forth from extreme hot to cold temperatures in the form of saunas and baths, you’ll leave with a new energy level.

2. IV THERAPY

While folks are still interested in eating nutrient-dense food, some are taking it up a notch with IV Vitamin Therapy, where you can get a potent dose of vitamins and minerals straight to your bloodstream. Many med spas now offer IV drips, making it a convenient add-on to other services.

3. LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Lymphatic drainage is a form of massage that encourages the drainage of lymph nodes and the movement of lymph fluids around the body. It’s thought to detoxify and depuff and can be added to full-body massages and facials (some even dub it the nonsurgical facelift). While the idea is not new, it has recently gained popularity and is now available in many spas around Austin.

JENNA BROOKE CLARK, LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

SANETRA LONGNO

Classic Austin Wellness

4.

Rock Climbing on the Greenbelt

Rock climbing at the Barton Creek Greenbelt and along Bull Creek dates back to the 1970s, and climbers have a long history of stewarding these areas, understanding the balance between enjoying outdoor recreational activities and preserving natural habitats. The large limestone cliffs lining portions of the Greenbelt make for pristine climbing that’s remarkably accessible from downtown where people of all ages enjoy climbing and bouldering.

5. Rowing on Lady Bird Lake

Since the 1800s, Austin has been well-known for its fine year-round rowing conditions. In fact, three international regattas were held on Lake Austin (then called Lake McDonald) from 1893 to 1895, drawing in thousands of people with the goal of showcasing Austin as a desirable place to live and work. The Austin Rowing Club was officially established in 1899, and rowing has grown in popularity as a local pastime and sport.

6. Yoga

Yoga Yoga, one of the first studios in Texas, opened in Austin more than 25 years ago. Since then, hundreds of studios have opened up around the area offering a variety of classes and teaching styles. The abundant, high-quality yoga options in Austin are clearly here to stay.

7. The Herb Bar

Since its opening in 1986, The Herb Bar has served as Austin’s beloved apothecary and metaphysical shop. Not only do they sell a variety of dried medicinal herbs, crystals, and natural body care products, they also offer consultations with herbal practitioners and community events. Tucked away just off South Congress on West Mary Street, the peaceful space is worth visiting when you need mind and body support.

NEW WAVE OF AUSTIN WELLNESS

4. INDOOR CLIMBING GYMS

While some people prefer to rock climb outside, others enjoy the convenience and variety of the gym. Over the past decade, the Austin climbing community has sustained the successful opening of many new state-of-the-art gyms, including multiple locations for both Austin Bouldering Project and Crux. Most recently, in 2023, Mesa Rim opened and changed the Austin gym game, with over 200 sports routes that are the tallest in the Southwest.

5. STANDUP PADDLING

In the 2000s, over 100 years after folks started rowing in Austin’s waters, standup paddling was brought from the coasts to our own city’s calmer waters as a recreational activity. Nowadays, you’ll often see more standup paddlers in Lady Bird Lake than rowers and canoers, enjoying the flexibility to move around solo — some even do yoga!

6. BREATHWORK

Using your breath to regulate the nervous system has recently become a more mainstream practice, and Austin wellness-lovers are all about it. Studios including Flowmagin, Lizard Yoga, and Kuya offer breathwork classes where an instructor guides you through various breathing techniques.

7. ALCOHOL-FREE BARS

The sober-curious movement is in full force, meaning businesses are starting to cater more toward non-drinkers with mocktails and zero-proof options. And now, you can go to entirely alcohol-free establishments. A Sans Bar pops up every Friday evening at Texas Wellness Oasis on Congress, and Dear Dry Drinkery aims to reimagine the non-alcoholic shopping experience with an extensive selection of non-alcoholic wines, beers, and functional beverages.

ROCK CLIMBING PHOTO BY TAYLOR SMITH, INDOOR CLIMBING

PHOTO BY MERRICK ALES, ROWING ON LADY BIRD LAKE PHOTO BY CARLI RENE OF INKED FINGERS, STANDUP PADDLING PHOTO BY JOSH GARZA, YOGA

PHOTO BY JAVI GONZALES, BREATHWORK

PHOTO BY HOLLY COWART, THE HERB BAR

PHOTO BY PHIL LECONTE, ALCOHOL-FREE BARS PHOTO COURTESY OF SWIFT FIT EVENTS

LATE NIGHT BITES

With all the happenings going on in this city, it’s crucial that we have some top-notch spots to grab some food when we’re out and about late into the evening. Besides your typical pit-stops, we wanted to give you some more ideal options when it comes to getting delicious bites at night. Here are some favorite spots from Austin expert and TRIBEZA contributor Jane Ko, founder of the popular blog, A Taste of Koko®.

LITTLE LUCY’S

You can’t miss this cute little hot pink food truck on Rainey Street. Little Lucy’s serves delicious and piping hot mini donuts every day.

Late-night hours: Open until 2 a.m. every day 75 1/2 Rainey St., littlelucys.com

24 DINER

At 24 Diner, you’ll find classic diner comfort food with a fancy twist. Order one of their signature hashes, or go for the fried chicken and waffles if you’re in the mood for a classic. And always wash it down with a milkshake!

Late night hours:

Open until 11 p.m. daily

600 North Lamar Blvd., 24diner.com

JUSTINE’S

Rosé all day — and then more at night. This dazzling French restaurant offers classics like escargot, moules frites, ratatouille, and late-night favorites like their Royale with Cheese Angus beef burger.

Late night hours: Open until 12 a.m. on weekends, 11 p.m. on weekdays, and closed Tuesdays

4710 East 5th St., justines1937.com

HOME SLICE PIZZA

Who doesn’t crave a slice of pizza late at night? It doesn’t get much better than a NYstyle pie from Home Slice!

Late night hours: Both locations are open until midnight, Fridays and Saturdays.

1415 South Congress Ave. and 501 East 53rd St., homeslicepizza.com

KERBEY LANE CAFE

This popular Austin cafe has been serving up delicious pancakes, sandwiches, salads, and more since 1980. Do yourself a favor, and don’t skip the queso.

Late night hours: While hours vary by location, the South Lamar location is open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

3003 South Lamar Blvd., kerbeylanecafe.com

LITTLE LUCY’S & JUSTINE’S PHOTO BY HOLLY COWART, 24 DINER PHOTO COURTESY OF CONSUMABLE CONTENT, HOME SLICE PIZZA PHOTO BY JULIA KEIM, KERBY LANE CAFE COURTESY OF KERBY LANE CAFE

TRIBEZA.COM

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BROWSE TRIBEZA’S GUIDE TO SXSW

Check out our ultimate South by Southwest® guide — a comprehensive source for exclusive coverage, captivating highlights, and a curated list of events scattered throughout Austin. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a music aficionado, or a film buff, this guide is your key to navigating the exhilarating festival. tribeza.com/sxsw

WANDER IN WILDFLOWERS

Browse suggestions on where to embark on a picturesque journey to witness the breathtaking beauty of Texas wildflowers in full bloom. tribeza.com/wildflowers

SPLASH IN THE BEST SWIMMING HOLES

Discover the best swimming holes to cool off and unwind amidst the natural beauty of the Hill Country. tribeza.com/swimmingholes

ENTER TRIBEZA’S CURB APPEAL AWARDS

Do you have a beautifully landscaped yard, a striking front door, a charming porch, or flower beds that are the envy of the neighborhood? We would love to see your beautiful abode! Submit a photo of your home for the chance to be featured in the next issue of Tribeza magazine. tribeza.com/curbappeal

WITNESS THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

Prepare for a celestial spectacle in Central Texas! We’re unveiling the top destinations to witness the next total solar eclipse. tribeza.com/solareclipse

TRIBEZA’S NEW ONLINE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Stay up-to-date on local events with Tribeza’s new online calendar featuring a curated list of Austin’s best happenings. tribeza.com/event-calendar Follow us @Tribeza on Instagram and Facebook

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