 | Arts and Entertainment |
[ arts and entertainment | food | points of interest | services | shopping ]
[ galleries and studios | live music | media | recreation | stage | bars ]
Bonus Web-only Categories: [ auto/gas | spiritual | salons, etc. ]
[ North | Rosewood 1 | Rosewood 2 | 5th/6th/7th Area 1 | 5th/6th/7th Area 2 | South | Southeast 1 | Southeast 2 ]
Photographs by Kenny Braun
The letters and numbers in parentheses indicate map number.
E= Southeast | F= 5th/6th/7th | N= North | R= Rosewood | S=South
ARCHAIC (F-6) 414 Waller St., 473-8957. The day we visited, stunning, mammoth stone Stations of the Cross were propped all along the walls of Joseph Kincannon and Holly Young-Kincannon's hidden studio. Specializing in statuary, garden ornaments, fountains, and more, their work can be found in churches, pubs, parks, and private homes around town.
Galleries/StudiosB.B. Studios (F-95) 2211-A Hidalgo, 479-6477. The former Circus of Fools warehouse itself is a masterpiece, renovated from a once-decrepit industrial site into a rough but ready space, housing fine art studios, four bedrooms, and a theatre, which has been the site for performance art and multimedia/music events. Former Fool Morgan Knicely, joined by Stephen Jones and Luke Savisky, carries on. An accessible venue for dance, performance art, and film screenings, B.B. will present shows every month from October to May. Six weeks advance notice necessary to book an event.
Circle-in-a-Square (E-28) 3303 E. Fourth, 247-FIRE. Make your own pottery or buy someone else's work of art.
Clayworks (F-34) 1209 E. Sixth, 474-9551. The owners of this 20-year-old business specialize in pierced clay light fixtures -- or sconces -- as well as handmade tile tables and address plates. Everything is crafted on-site. clayworks@moontower.com
Coronado Studio & Gallery (F-62) 1704 E. Fifth, #103, 236-8900. Fine art publisher specializing in the production of silk screens, or "serigraph" prints. The production space is open to anyone interested in learning about serigraph printing, though it's best to schedule an appointment by calling 322-0109. They also have a microgallery at Galeria Sin Fronteras at 1701 Guadalupe. http://www.coronadostudio.com
El Cantarito Milagra del Rio Brazos (F-23) 1100 E. Sixth, 474-9759. Pottery and other works of art.
Fire Island Hot Glass Studios (E-26) 3401 E. Fourth, 389-1100. Funky little house/studio screams "Artists at Work!" Inside are masterful creations blown from 2,125-degree liquid glass. Visitors are welcome to attend glass-blowing demonstrations, Saturdays, 9am-noon.
Graphic Glass Studios Inc. (F-6) 1101 E. Fifth, 477-7721. In business for 25 years, Rejina Thomas' glass designs can be viewed all over Austin, including our venerable State Capitol Building, and of course this studio where visitors get the added bonus of chatting with the witty artist about glass, the East Austin arts community, and life as she sees it.
Holy 8 Ball Studios (F-91) 2206 E. Seventh, 474-2570. Most of the time, owner/director Bruce Dye uses this 2,000 square foot space as a photo studio for his own work, but four times a year he has an opening with an "overwhelming amount of challenging, aggressive, visually powerful art." After that blowout night, you can see the show by appointment only. Past shows have included graffiti and comic book artists as well as some excellent contemporary painters. To get on mailing list and receive invitations to future exhibitions please call number above and leave your name and address.
JR Reed Music Co. Building (F-2) 902 E. Fifth. Wedged between the 501 Production Studios, the old J.R. Reed Building, now owned by Pegalo Properties, rents space to artists, photographers, and musicians. Eurotech camera works, Actor's Clearinghouse, and renowned MTV animator Bob Sabiston's studios preside here.
Las Americas Fine Art Gallery (F-25) 1103 E. Sixth, 320-9922. This 5-month-old fine arts gallery boasts three rooms of paintings, sculpture, and pottery. The giant fish and lizard made from colorful ceramic tiles made by co-director Augusto Brocca is our favorite.
RPJ Art Services (E-77) 777 Shady Ln. #1, 385-3528. Custom art furniture and referral service for clients seeking artists and craftsmen of various media and specialties.
Southgate-Lewis House (R-46) 1501 E. 12th. Snazzy two-story Victorian home. Built in 1888 by a bookbinder, the house has also served as an ice cream shop and schoolhouse, and is now used as an art gallery.
Taboada (F-23) 1100-B E. Sixth, 457-0171. Photo studio, by appointment only.
[ top ]
Doris Miller Auditorium (R-68) 2300 Rosewood, 476-4118. A local gymnasium that holds neighborhood dancing, plays, and performances. Check the billboard in front of the auditorium for upcoming events.
Live MusicEast First Garden Theater (E-17) 4822-B E. Cesar Chavez, 386-8686. Recently opened outdoor, alcohol-free, designated-smoking-area concert venue.
Eastside Lounge (R-47) 1522 E. 12th, 474-5005. Folks what really got the blues can't always afford the cover at Antone's, and anyway, the real home of the local blues is at the Eastside Lounge, heard every night Thursday through Monday. Regular acts include T.D. Bell and Vernon Garrett. The Eastside is so local they don't bother with a sign -- look for a little wooden building with a covered patio set back from the street.
Pato's Tacos (N-68) 1400 East 38 1/2, 476-4247. Home of Pato's goooooood tacos, this half-indoor, half-outdoor venue occasionally features a variety of acoustic, spoken word, karaoke, and performance art.
Victory Grill & Kovac Theater (R-13) 1104 E. 11th, 604-4405. Built in 1945, the Victory Grill has been a deep-rooted East Austin landmark despite E. 11th's ups and downs. Its stage has been graced from Bobby Bland to Ike & Tina and still offers some of the best jazz music and theatre in town. BYOB.
Vincent's (E-103) 1122 Airport, 926-8074. From the same folks who opened Whitley's Lounge, with a soul food cafe and nightclub coming soon, featuring live music, deejays, dancing, and pool.
[ top ]
Austin Community Access Center (R-37) 1143 Northwestern, 478-8600. Known far and wide as Austin Community Television, one of the country's finest community access systems, our ACAC has served as the prototype/inspiration from which other communities have developed their own systems. ACAC trains future broadcasters and provides the production equipment and space. Channels 10, 11, and 16 on cable access.
MediaAuto Trader Magazine (N-49) 1909 E. 38 1/2, 476-5111. Local weekly featuring wheels for sale.
El Mundo (S-73) 2116 E. Cesar Chavez, 476-8636. Weekly Spanish-language newspaper, with a circulation of 20,000 and readers from Georgetown to San Marcos.
Nokoa -- The Observer Newspaper (R-32) 1154-B Angelina, 499-8713. Nokoa shines a light on black and Latino leaders and Eastside community news. Founded in 1987, the weekly publishes freelance contributions on politics, arts, entertainment, and business. Editorials run right up front on page two, like that other city weekly....
The Villager Newspaper (R-24) 1223-A Rosewood, 476-0082. Austin's longest-running black community newspaper, the Villager has been covering the stories of East Austin for over 20 years. Editor Tommy Wyatt has some damn good stories to tell.
[ top ]
Austin Table Tennis Club (E-12) 4701-A E. Cesar Chavez, 385-6850. Meeting every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday since 1990, the Austin Table Tennis Club is nestled in back of a member's upholstry warehouse. They currently boast seven tables and about 20 members -- though they're always looking for more. "We'll even sell you a racket!" said coach and member Kenneth Beauchamp. The first night is free. After that it's $4 a night or $40 a month. Weekdays play starts at 6am. Saturday the fun starts at 9am.
RecreationDisch-Falk Field (N-1) 1300 E. MLK, 471-3333. Get your baseball fix without driving all the way to Houston or Arlington at this Home of the Horns. (At least until minor league ball comes to Round Rock.) We only wish they would lose the turf. The grass is so beautiful at McCombs. http://www.utexas.edu/athletics
Parque Zaragoza (E-127) 2608 Gonzales, 472-7142. Home of Zaragoza League Baseball, voted "Best Place to Watch Baseball" in the Chronicle's "Best of Austin" 1997. It's where most of the area's top amateurs play their summer ball. The season runs April-July, every day of the week but Thursday -- weekday games are at 7pm, Sat-Sun games are at 1pm.
Red & Charline McCombs Field (N-3) Comal & MLK, 471-3333. Misleadingly dubbed "Red's Shed," UT 's softball palace opened this year and has quickly become one of the best sporting venues in town. Home of the nationally ranked Longhorn Softball Team. http://www.utexas.edu/athletics
[ top ]
Huston-Tillotson College King-Seabrook Chapel (F-41) 900 Chicon, 505-3139. H-T's signature belltower is host to many a community event, choral concert, and theatre event.
StagePlanet Theatre (N-34) 2307 Manor, 478-5282. The Planet presents everything from Karen Finley to Hamlet to the cyber-operatic endeavors of the Vortex Repertory Company. Vortex has been around Austin since the late Eighties and at the Planet since 1994 where it produces prolifically and participates in community outreach including a summer theatre program for teenagers.
Santa Cruz Center for Culture (F-66) 1805 E. Seventh, 478-9311. This performance venue serves as the cultural arts anchor of the new "Hole Mexico!" revitalization district (Sixth & Seventh Streets). Also offered: dance classes by the celebrated Aztlan Folk Dance Troupe (call 478-9717).
Victory Grill & Kovac Theater (R-13) 1104 E. 11th, 604-4405. The historic live music venue is also home to some fine theatre and performance art.
[ top ]
Budgies (F-44) 1412 E. Sixth, 474-7663. No fancy frozen umbrella drinks here; this place is about cold cerveza and the people who drink it.
BarsCapuchino's Game Room & Bar (S-60) 2000 E. Cesar Chavez, 474-9364. Buster Capuchino's been servin' 'em up cold in this converted house for better than 20 years. Cozy and unassuming. Wed-Sat.
Chief's Bar (F-24) 1104 E. Sixth, 480-9284.
Cisco's Liars Club (F-52) 1511 E. Sixth , 472-4720. Little tavern behind the restaurant.
Club Caribe (S-91) 2711-D E. Cesar Chavez, 482-0803. Roomy nightclub with plentiful pool tables and a raised bar. Live DJ Fri-Sun spinning Tejano, conjunto, cumbia, and more.
Club Mexico (F-45) 1502 E. Sixth, 457-9894.
Club Primos (F-61) 1700 E. Sixth. Neighborhood hangout for dancing and drinking on the corner of Sixth & Chalmers.
Club Sirenita (F-82) 2000 E. Seventh, 457-0048. How can one resist the Last Call of the Siren?
Club Tropical (S-64) 2001 E. Cesar Chavez, 472-6288. Turquoise beer house with a few pool tables and live music on some Saturdays.
Club Tropicana (E-110) 1141 1/2 Airport, 933-0228. The one-way mirror faces out at this cantina-style bar/party room. Open Wed-Sun, 3:30pm.
East Room (R-16) 1154 Lydia, 477-9208. Despite the crimson foam sofas, tile-mirrored walls, and throbbing dance music, the atmosphere at the venerable East Room feels more like a patio barbecue than a nightclub. Women sport both party dresses and flower prints, and the young bucks flash gilded smiles from under low-slung caps. Prominent Eastsiders such as Hollywood Henderson hang here, as do UT football players. Far more than a black cultcha' club. Open Friday and Saturday nights, 9pm until whenever. Beer and wine only. BYOB, and ask bartender Bruce for whatever you need with that.
El Columpio (F-81) 1912 E. Seventh, 467-9394. Like late night even in the early afternoon, the tough ambience of this place is enhanced by tiger murals, one loud jukebox, and a dirt parking lot, not to mention the gold-toothed bartender and glowering clientele, only partly visible beneath their massive cowboy hats.
El Leon's (S-59) 1910 E. Cesar Chavez, 478-5108. Squat cinderblock pool hall and watering hole.
El Paso Bar (F-51) 1618 E. Sixth, 472-6007. The "revolutionary" sisters in sombreros immortalized in the front door murals look like they mean business, vato.
El Piguin Bar & Cafe (E-23) 5005 E. Fifth, 385-3343. Named after the pepper plant, this watering hole is more bar than cafe, but the beer is cold, and the bartenders are friendly. Nachos, burgers, and other "bar food" are on the menu.
Iron Gate Lounge (F-28) 1111 E. Sixth, 473-0431. This 8-year-old bar is known for its dance music and occasional pool tournaments.
Joel's Bar & Party Place (E-42) 3518-B E. Seventh, 385-2522. Kind of reminds us of a basement converted into a rec room. It might not be the snazziest room in the house, but it sure is comfortable.
La Cabana Bar (F-80) 1908 E. Seventh. Your chance to practice your pool in Spanish.
La Perla (F-50) 1512 E. Sixth, 477-0167.
La Roca Bar & Grill (F-108) 2505 E. Seventh, 495-1364. A bar, for sure, but "grill" is questionable. There is a small taqueria attached.
Little House Lounge (F-106) 2500 E. Sixth, 473-0278. "How would you describe the Little House?" we asked the genial barman Mr. Mac. "Drinkin' beer," he said. Good enough for us.
Longbranch Inn (R-15) 1133 E. 11th, 477-0259. Bar and restaurant.
Pete's Bar (F-16) 1012 E. Sixth, 474-1299.
Power House Lounge (F-105) 515 Pedernales, 477-0200. Pool, beer, and dominoes.
Red Scoot Inn (S-5) 1308 E. Fourth, 320-0004. Folks have been scootin' on into this neighborhood tavern, hanging out on the patio, drinking, and gossiping for years, though no one seems to know for sure how long it's been. "All my life," said one enthusiastic elderly patron. "All my life."
The Crazy Lady (N-64) 3701 N. I-35, 478-2444. The only true burlesque club left in Austin. Blues and Burlesque Night on Monday with topless gals in a vaudeville revue and live music until 2am. Happy hour every day from 2-8pm. $10 table dances until 4pm.
The House (S-23) 1510 E. Cesar Chavez. Your "bud" on ice.... Don't let the anonymous exterior fool you. This is the real deal: A classic Texas ice house.
The Nightclub (F-64) 1800 E. Sixth. The name seems to say it all, no?
The Office Lounge (E-44) 3526 E. Seventh, 385-8511. The picnic tables aren't painted blue and grey for a bunch of Civil War fanatics. Serious Cowboy fans relax on the back patio and root for Ricky and the boys.
Uptown Sports Club (F-32) 1200 E. Sixth, 473-8994. Where "football" means Brazil vs. Argentina, not Cowboys vs. Giants. ¡Que facil hace futbol Romario!
White Swan Lounge (R-54) 1906 E. 12th. Local hangout with pool tables.
[ top ]
