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2nd Street District Art Installations

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This week and next, downtown Austin patrons will begin seeing sneak peaks of what’s to come for Art Week Austin.  Local artist Carlos Rosales-Silvas is creating three storefront installations in the 2nd Street District.  The first two have been completely installed and the third will go up early next week.

Rosales-Silvas’ installations are the first chapter in “One swallow doesn’t make a summer,” an exhibition curated by the team Cook&Ruud, that presents new and site-specific work in available storefronts and public spaces throughout the 2ND Street District and in Republic Square Park.  The second phase, a group exhibition that explores the dynamics of the neighborhood, including its past, present, and future, opens April 21st as part of Art Week Austin and continues through May 28th.

Thanks to Jordan at Giant Media for the heads up!

2nd Street Holiday Celebration TONIGHT – 6-9 pm

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From the website (under Events):

Come downtown for holiday shopping in the true spirit of the season.

  • Trunk shows
  • Special Holiday discounts
  • Music
  • Bites and bevs

Plan your night, and shop all six blocks:

  • Begin your evening as early as 4pm.  That’s when Soco Designs begins serving up the fun, including 20 percent off all non-sale rugs purchased off the floor.
  • Then moved on to gallery d and Finch for 15 percent off storewide, trunk shows by Studio 3 and Stephanie Nance Studio PLUS live music from Austin’s own OHN.
  • Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres at Minx during the Jodi Arnold trunk show and get 25 percent off all purchases.
  • Sip & save at Wee with 20 percent off all in-store merchandise, plus wine and snacks.
  • Don’t miss the Branch jewelry trunk show & cocktail party at Eliza Page.
  • Celebrate some of our favorite Austin designers at Beyond Tradition.  Meet the designers in-store and let them help you select the perfect gift for anyone on you list while you enjoy hors d’oeuvres from III Forks and cocktails by Paula’s Texas Spirits.
  • From 9 to 11 pm celebrate the opening of “Directions in Light,” a series of contemporary shadow boxes with sculptural interiors lit from within, created by artist Brooke Gassiot at milk + honey Spa.

And if you’re near Blu Cafe, Bar and Lounge catch the Peyton’s Place fashion show at 7 pm.  See fabulous new holiday arrivals and give-away gift bags and certificates.

Round Up

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It's Better To Build Vertical Than Horizontal
It's Better To Build Vertical Than Horizontal

As we’re traveling this week, below is what’s happening in downtown Austin.

1) ROMA’s density bonus proposal (a must read pdf) is getting lots of attention, especially the conversation surrounding the Warehouse District.  Thanks to Miggy, M1EK, and Roger for the informed commentary.

Update: I encourage DAB readers take few minutes to familiarize themselves with ROMA’s proposal.  Page 21 highlights gradually sloping height limits from neighborhood to core.  The Warehouse District recommendations are a small component of a larger thought process.  Equal attention could be paid to the 3:1 FAR recommendation for the Market District along Lamar.  Philosophically, the entire proposal is still a “tax” on density in downtown Austin, which seems backwards to me.

2) The Austonian tops out.   Did you know that you can now see the Austonian from four counties?

3) J Blacks’ menu gets some respect from Maggie’s Austin.

4) ThunderCloud will soon serve subs below 360.

Quick News – Free Bacardi – Birds Barbershop

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elle love bird's
elle loves birds

Okay, this is not technically downtown, but it’s close enough.  And I love a good deal…..

A little “Bird”ie just told me:

Birds was honored by Elle Magazine as one of the Top 100 Salons in the U.S.A. Birds is celebrating by taking half off all Ladybirds (normally $39, includes wash, cut & blowstyle) with the purchase of color (50+, appt. only). They’re also knocking 25% off all shampoo and conditioner products.

In addition, they’re throwing parties (FREE Bacardi) every Thursday of this month beginning tomorrow, August 6, from 5-8 p.m. at the SoCo shop (1902 S. Congress Avenue).

If you’re in need a haircut, consider the deal at Birds Barbershop.

East Austin Location:

1107 East 6th St.
Austin, TX 78702 (map)
Walk in or call ahead
512-457-0400
7 Days a Week

-AG