AG

Fat Guy Cycling Club – Downtown Austin Bicycle Rides

AG | February 21, 2011 |

My friend Zeke had a vision. He had a vision to make workouts fun and accessible to guys who don’t usually work out and who generally don’t really like working out. He had a vision to blend exercise with exploring. Zeke (and the other founding members of the group) made his vision into reality with a small (but growing) bike club call “Fat Guy Cycling Club.” The group does weekly (weather permitting) bike rides around central and downtown Austin, usually followed by a pretty manly lunch. Downtown Austin Blog loves his concept, and asked him to write a very short blurb on his group….

The Dinner Detective: Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show Comes to Downtown Austin

AG | February 9, 2011 |

Update 2/20/2011: Check out their Facebook Page!

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Want to eat a four-course meal AND solve a fictional murder? Well, pretty soon, you’ll be able to do just that in downtown Austin. The Dinner Detective, an interactive dinner theatre concept originating in Los Angeles, is coming to Austin this month.

Last week, I sat down and briefly spoke with Mike McLendon, one of the Executive Producers of the show. After graduation from UT a few years ago, Mike moved to LA to pursue acting. He fell in with the crew of The Dinner Detective, and began acting in their LA shows. According to Mike, the show concept was so popular, the owner decided to, in essence, [Read more…] about The Dinner Detective: Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show Comes to Downtown Austin

Downtown’s Ballet Austin – More Than Just Ballet

AG | February 2, 2011 |

I am not a dancer (I’ve mentioned this in previous posts). Often relegated to the back of the chorus in my high-school’s very large musicals (literally, hundreds of people were in these things), before show-time, the choreographer would say to me: “just do your best,” generally while slightly tilting her head and giving me a pitying look.

So, I’m not usually into dancing (i.e., embarrassing myself in public). However, I AM into staying physically fit, as long as there’s a bit of variety to keep me motivated. I have a trainer with whom I meet (Will Wagner, who has “appeared” in my posts of yesteryear and whom I love because he comes to right to my condo), but sometimes I just want to do something that’s more fun than it is work. Cue DANA, my friendly Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association, and an email I got from them last month with a link to a voucher for a FREE class at downtown Austin’s Ballet Austin (these sorts of promotions are just ONE of the many perks to membership). Nuthin’ like the word FREE to get my attention. I immediately checked out their website to see their offerings. [Read more…] about Downtown’s Ballet Austin – More Than Just Ballet

I’ve Got a Nice Little Sunday Planned….(New Royal Blue Grocery – PICTURES, Zach Scott, IF + D)…

AG | January 30, 2011 |

Actually we’ve got a nice little Sunday planned. We’re going to Home Depot to pick out some wallpaper, then maybe we’ll hit Bed Bath and Beyond… I don’t know! I don’t know if we’ll have enough time….

That’s what you say if you’re Frank “The Tank” Picard and you live in the ‘burbs.

But, if you’re lucky enough to live in downtown Austin, your Sunday probably looks quite a bit different. I know mine usually does.

Take today, for example. This afternoon, I “trekked” over to Zach Scott Theatre to do a little volunteering, and was then actually lucky enough to be able to see the show that’s currently running on the Kleberg Stage – “Red Hot Patriot,” a play about the revered Texas icon, Molly Ivins (played by Barbara Chisholm). Good show. And, with the 2011 Legislature now in session, this play seems particularly appropriate to see. AND, for the antsy among us, it’s the perfect run time – ~78 minutes, no intermission, and they sell booze at the concession stand before the show. The fast and easy way to get in a little culture!

Violet Crown Cinema To Open In April

AG | January 24, 2011 |

The 2^nd Street District in downtown Austin is known for being a chic shopping and dining district in the city center. Populated with trendy wine bars, boutique dress shops, upscale furniture stores, and fashionable residential apartments and condos, 2^nd street’s motto “Shop. Live. Dine.” seems to encompass your options pretty completely.

Well, not after April 2011. The 2^nd street district’s motto will most likely have to change to add the word “See.” As in, see indie art films. The Violet Crown Cinema is slated to open in late April of this year. [Read more…] about Violet Crown Cinema To Open In April