Cover Story
Pie Fighters
More than 40 pizza stars in the Austin galaxy
Gov. Abbott Issues Executive Order Requiring Face Masks in Public
There are a few exceptions to the rule
APD (Finally) Ends Low-Level Marijuana Enforcement
Chief announces move, six months after Council told him to
Vanilla Ice Cancels Austin Show After Blowback
“I didn’t know the numbers were so crazy in Austin”
Mayor’s Book Club Says: “Read Local”
The 2020 choice? Three dozen books, all by Austin authors
Pandemic Production: Justin Kirchhoff, Director/Director of Photography
“If you’re not comfortable wearing a mask, you won’t be on set.”
Pandemic Production: Matt Poitras, Props Manufacturer
“Nobody had $400 to spend on a Han Solo belt.”
Pandemic Production: June Lien, Founder, Liendani Creative
“It’s like the 1920s business world. We do whatever we can.”
Pandemic Production: Aaron Arizpe, Editor/DP/PA
“I have a mask, and 70% ethanol to wipe everything down”
Pandemic Production: Aaron B. Koontz, Director
“I’m lucky to have two movies coming out. I can’t complain too much.”
Pandemic Production: Brad Graeber, Powerhouse Animation
“We have more pitches and more interest than we ever have had.”
Pandemic Production: Martin Jones, Austin Studios
“Everything keeps sliding. End of June, Fourth of July.”
Pandemic Production
From producer to directors, prop makers to PR reps, everyone in the film, TV, and commercial production industry was hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone has responded differently as they tried to piece together their careers in the new paradigm, staying safe while finding new ways to practice their creativity. Now, we check back in…
Alamo Drafthouse Lays Off Furloughed Staff
88 staff reported to have lost their jobs in massive cuts
How to Help Keep Texas Farmers at the Market
Deputy director Nora Chovanec on why they need your support to stay open
In Austin, Where Nearly All Concerts are Canceled, Vanilla Ice Set to Perform Friday
Relive the Nineties, “When we didn’t have coronavirus!”
Police Association Accuses Protesters of Giving Cops COVID-19
So here’s a photo gallery of officers not wearing masks at protests
ACL Festival Cancels 2020 Event
Citing safety concerns, organizers look forward to 2021
Other Worlds Shows Us The Artist Depiction
Join a Q&A about this incredible dive into NASA’s art tonight
Can’t Vote by Mail Now? Perhaps November.
Courts have time – if not the will – to expand VBM before general election
Exit Laughing: Carl Reiner, RIP
The brilliant comedian, writer, and director has died at age 98
Miss Lavelle White Says “Keep Your Mask On”
“Please, do it for me!” implores veteran R&B vocalist
Checking In: Shirley Zhu Gives A Fuvk
Hermitude has its advantages for Bandcamp introverts
Coming Attractions
Our guide to which Austin-area cinemas (may) re-open in July
Amid COVID Surge, City of Austin to Close City Parks, Barton Springs Pool
Officials fear holiday weekend will give virus a transmission boost
SCOTUS Protects Abortion Rights, Upholds Texas Precedent
Roberts concurs with majority to strike down Louisiana measure
Lick’s New Summer Flavors
Ice cream powerhouse debuts the season’s freshest sweet-n-creamies
Checking In: The Teeta Chills
Preeminent ATX rapper stays productive in downtime
Watch: Trouble in the Streets’ Desert Dystopia
View West Texas post-apocalypse on new “Mad Science” vid
Creative in Confinement #2: Camille the Quaran-Teen Witch
For her, rituals give meaning to these long, locked-up months
Tejano Innovator Manuel “Cowboy” Donley Passes at 92
“We took romantic boleros and put in an orchestra background”
Review: It’s Worth the Trip to Central Park
Apple TV+ sitcom reminds us of the joy of public places
Supremes to Texas Voters: Drop Dead
U.S. Supreme Court Won’t Lift Stay on Vote by Mail
Texas Pride Online Fosters Virtual Qmmunity
Queer and trans artists unite across Lone Star State
AFF’s On Story Project Gets Major Grant
NEA financial assist will keep unique project rolling
La Barbecue x Merrick = BBQ 4 Good
Now all dogs (and you) can go to barbecue heaven
Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic Goes Virtual
Pay-per-view concert feat. Willie, Kurt Vile, John Doe, Margo Price
Khruangbin Slows It Down Houston-Style
New album continues trio’s international success
Abbott Orders Bars Closed, Restaurant Capacity Dropped
Governor reverses reopening plan as COVID-19 cases surge in Texas
Day Trips & Beyond: June Travel Updates
Safe daytripping as coronavirus continues
Irresistible
“Can’t we all just get along?”-style political comedy from The Daily Show veterans
House of Hummingbird
Korean coming-of-age drama doesn’t mythologize the awkwardness of youth
In My Blood It Runs
How erasure of Aboriginal culture splits the life of one boy
Yourself and Yours
Korean master Hong Sang-soo’s understated dissection of how men only see women as they want
Beats
Scottish rave-culture story gets the details right but loses sight of the big picture
All I Can Say
Blind Melon singer’s home movies give you less insight than you’d think
Manley Holds On as APD Chief – for the Moment
No movement despite growing calls from council and the community that the APD needs new leadership
Free Will Astrology
Your weekly horoscope, June 26 – July 2
COVID-19 Confirmed at Taylor’s ICE Detention Center
Still risking their lives
How Did a Weeks-Old Justice Advocacy Group Catch the Ear of Police?
Longtime criminal justice advocates wonder why Austin police are so keen to work with the nascent JUST America
Austin’s Best Food and Drink Events This Week
Dinner parties, farmers’ markets, beer, wine, and more for the week of June 25, 2020
Mr. Smarty Pants Knows
In 1868, three cats were formally employed as mousers at the Money Order Office in London, at one shilling per week. In 1873, they got a raise of six pence a week. Europe and Africa have been colliding for millions of years. We’re not talking wars (another story), just tectonic plates. Using “left” and “right”…
Arts Listings
Virtual galleries, streaming improv, and more
Qmmunity: Now Than Never
Local orgs hold Queer Weekend of Action for Black Lives
For the 2020 Austin Chamber Music Festival, You Provide the Chamber
With the annual event online in your home, chamber music doesn’t get any more intimate
Faster Than Sound: Clarence James Finds Clarity Post-Breakup on Debut
Following high school breakout, 20-year-old Georgetown crooner sticks a jazzy bedroom pop debut
Day Trips: Port Isabel Lighthouse
The lighthouse guided ships through the channel between Padre Island and the mainland
kYmberly Keeton Wants Your Stories for the Black COVID-19 Index
And at the Austin African American Book Festival 2020, she’ll tell you why
Soccer Watch
Are We Ready for Kickoff? The National Women’s Soccer League becomes the first U.S. sports league to restart play in the COVID-19 era as the NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off in Salt Lake City this Saturday, June 27, at 11:30am with the league’s two best teams going at it: Portland Thorns against three-time defending league…
Opinion: History Says Now Is the Time to Invest in Transit
Transformative projects like the San Antonio Riverwalk and UT Tower were forged during troubled times
Chronicle Endorsements
July 14 Primary Run-off Election and Senate District 14 Special Election
New Austin Music Worth Your Bandwidth This Week
Here are the sounds we’re consuming
So, You Want to Vote by Mail – Now What?
Answers to your VBM questions
July 2020 Election Info
Early Voting June 29 – July 10
The Luv Doc: Trump Derangement Syndrome
This woman is hot AF
We Have an Issue: Take Another Little Pizza My Heart Now, Baby
Cast your ballot for your favorite Austin pizzerias in our new Pie Fighters challenge
Showtime’s Outcry Unravels the Greg Kelley Case
Everyone thinks they know what happened to the wrongly-accused Leander highschooler, but Pat Kondelis needed to find the whole story
Headlines / Quote of the Week
Mask Up, Y’all: As of June 23, Austin-Travis County businesses are required to enforce that all employees and visitors wear face coverings. The new orders, issued by Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe, come as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to break records at state and local levels amid businesses reopening. Early…
Vocalist and Producer Malik Explores Emotion Through Color
Grammy accredited Austinite compartmentalizes himself on the inner-facing Spectrum
Public Notice: Voting by Mail? Better Act Fast.
Plus: $$ for Tesla, Threadgill’s auction & more
A Dangerous Man
At 18, Billy Joe Wardlow took a man’s life. Nearly 30 years later, the state still wants his.
COVID-19: Mask Yourself. It’s the Law. (For Real.)
Masking and distancing now mandatory for all Austin businesses through Aug. 15
