Austin Music Scene

The Austin music scene is unlike anything I've ever experienced. There are always so many shows playing around town that it's hard to choose which show to attend. These days I find myself frequenting the free shows the most. However on Friday night, I couldn't turn down an invitation to the Bright Light Social Hour CD Release Show at Antone's on 5th Street. They are a local Austin band and have taken the city by storm. Bright Light Social Hour has blown up so fast and have such a committed following of fans that they have finally raised enough money to support their recording project. With the release of their new CD, they put on one of the best shows I've ever been too and managed to sell out the entire venue.

As a proud owner of BLSH's new album, its not just their music that makes them so appealing. The entire crowd seems to sing-a-long with every song and dance the night away. Their bluesy, funk, old soul type of sound mixed with modern day lyrics are so catchy and musically stimulating that you can't help but dance along and be hypnotized by their iconic guitar, keyboard, and sweet vocal sounds. Check out the link of my favorite band below. I just know big things are going to happen for them!

http://soundcloud.com/thebrightlightsocialhour/detroit

Dear Birthday Fairy and Santa Clause,

Being unemployed for several months has left me scraping by with little extra. I would think it's very, very swell if I woke up on either holiday with a guitar case so my guitar doesn't get beat up anymore, a sweet and stylin' guitar strap so it's easier to play, and hip cowgirl boots.

I can't sing and play guitar in Texas without boots!!! Let's get real...

I love you so much!

Your most favorite supporter,

Cassandra Grabowski

AMOA, the worst art museum I've ever visited

As my short days at work are coming to an end (thank goodness I'll be moving to full time hours soon), Andrew and I have been trying to make the most of our afternoons together. Today, we went to the Austin Art Museum. Let's just say, it will be the last time. This museum is undoubtedly the smallest museum I have ever stepped into and clearly I didn't do my research because little did I know they only show one exhibit at a time. This months exhibit happens to be based on the work by Romare Bearden, a very talented artist no doubt. Unfortunately, it's just not my taste. I appreciate his printmaking skills as I used to study this art form in high school. I also loved that all of his artwork in the museum were inspired by African Americans or Jazz music. However Andrew and I both found ourselves done with the entire museum in a matter of 15 minutes. (Please accept my sincerest apologies Mr. Bearden.)

With a downtown parking meter paid for the next two hours, we decided not to let our failed art experience slow us down. Instead we ventured onward, and did some urban exploring. We popped into a few art shops with locally made crafts and weaved in and out of downtown streets, passing famous local landmarks such as the Driskill Hotel and the Paramount Theatre.

The Driskill Hotel

The Paramount Theatre

We also walked around in the entertainment district on Sixth Street where you can find numerous music venues, restaurants, and bars. We even found a great tourist shop where we picked up a number of different brochures of fun things to do in and around town!

6th Street Store Fronts

I love dates with my boyfriend!

The Cupcake Craze

What's the deal with cupcakes these days? It seems that everywhere you turn, there's a new cupcake bake shoppe opening or a cupcake based television show covering your LCD screen. Big ones, mini ones, personalized, and glamorized. Just think of what Dr. Seuss could have done with cupcakes if he were still alive!

But aside from cupcakes being everywhere, how on earth did they ever become so famous?
 
When you think about it, who can resist a cupcake? I for one don't even like cake. Birthday after birthday as a child, I never once wanted a moist and fluffy cake...and certainly not a cupcake at that. I was a pie gal and the only cakes I would go near were the infamous ice cream cakes and cherry cheesecake (my personal all-time favorite). These days, birthdays are built around what kind of cupcake tower or trees will be displayed. There are cupcake towers, trees, and cakes. But I have to admit, they are pretty. Who knew cupcake making would become such an art form!?

Well, now that I'm here in Austin, there is a food truck that sells the most famous cupcakes around. I've lived here three months and I've finally become curious enough to visit this local landmark! To celebrate my first full week of work, Andrew drove me down to "Hey Cupcake" where he bought me the sweet berry special. It was strawberry cake and strawberry icing. Umm...I might be hooked.

Why didn't I jump on the cupcake train and start a business?

My first event with High Beam Events

Yesterday I assisted in managing my first event at High Beam Events. It was the Grand Opening of an Amplify branch in downtown Austin. The event was in a parking lot, a few bands performed, live video footage was projected on the side of a building, and the attendee turn out was great!

I could get used to events like this!

Mr. Coffee

I came home from a 12 hour day of work to this, the most beautiful machine I have ever seen.

It even has a self cleaner. Andrew is the best.

Not so far from home after all...

The theme of this past labor day weekend can be credited to my new friend Molly and her boyfriend Pat Wheeler. See, he gave her this t-shirt that said, "Shootin' Deers and Drinking Beers." I've never felt so close to home. 

I'm from a real small town. And well, a part of me wants to believe that one has many options to express themselves and show the world their true personality. Whether you choose to die your hair blue or wear pants 3 sizes too big, you know who you are and can be who you want to be. It just seems that everyone who surrounded me growing up only knew how to wear camouflage, old blue jeans, and shirts with witty comments such as the one stated above.

Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with supporting John Deere or Carharts. I'm simply trying to point out that western New York and Texas aren't so different.

With that being said, Andrew and I spent the holiday at the Wheeler Ranch surrounded by 3,000 acres of beautiful Texas wilderness. Roaming around the property in their assortment of gators and hummers reminded me of how we used to do the same as kids on four-wheelers and snow mobiles. We also swam in the lake, tried out stand up paddle boards, and kayaks. We spent a lot of time in their natural spring, with water so clean and pure you could drink it by the handful. We ate barbecue drank beers in their giant barn. And most importantly, we shot us some guns! Now I'm not talking about any sissy guns. I'm talking about M-16s and hand guns galore, with enough ammo and targets to supply a training camp.

You could say I would have made my daddy proud out there. But I was more proud of my New York country girl roots, even if I am in Texas.