About.com Austin

Expansion Continues on The Domain

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:29:13 +0000

The Domain is mixed-use facility in North Austin that features an outdoor shopping mall, apartments, and restaurants. Its first phase has been open for several years, and its second phase is currently under expansion in what is the largest ongoing retail construction in the city.

According to the Statesman, the new section of The Domain will feature 600,000 square feet of apartments, a luxury movie theater, several small retailers, and a Dillard's department store (the first new one in Austin in over 10 years). Most of the existing Domain retailers are luxury and designer shops, but the new stores will be more affordable options, such as Payless Shoes and Bath and Body Works. The movie theater will be like a fancy Alamo Drafthouse, with reclining chairs in small theaters and the ability to order food and drinks (tickets will be $20 a pop, according to the Statesman).

A Dick's Sporting Goods store recently opened in the new section of The Domain. Dillard's is set to open in Feb. of 2010, and there will also be a Westin Hotel opening in the new section of The Domain in the spring of 2010.

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Expansion Continues on The Domain originally appeared on About.com Austin on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 16:29:13.

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Austin Ranked Top City for Job Performance

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:52:19 +0000

Austin is yet again at the top of a list for cities performing well in a crummy economy. The Milken Institute recently released a report of the cities that performed best at creating and sustaining jobs in 2009. Texas metro areas took three of the top 10 spots.

The Austin-Round Rock metro was ranked No. 4 last year, but came in at No. 1. This year. The Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood area rose from 13th place to second. The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metro went from up from 16th to 5th place this year.

The Milken Institute says regional economic factors were major influencers, and the industries with most stability were technology, alternative energy, and the oil and gas industry.

Austin's strong tech industry is what boosted it to first place. It is also the first time a metro has been ranked No. 1 twice on this index (we were No. 1 in 2000). According to the Institute, "Another factor helping Texas metros move up in the rankings is that state's favorable business climate and its ability to attract jobs and corporations away from higher-cost states."

The index was calculated based on employment and salary growth both in the short term and long term. Additionally, they measured technology output growth "because of technology's crucial role in creating good jobs and driving regional economies."

Austin Ranked Top City for Job Performance originally appeared on About.com Austin on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 11:52:19.

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Live From 'La Boheme' at Intermission

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:26:09 +0000

As I mentioned in the last post, I'm blogging live at Austin Lyric Opera's 2009-2010 season opener, La Boheme. We are currently in the first intermission of the four-act opera.

The talent on the stage is incredible, in addition to that of the orchestra below. The set design is also top-notch; the second act takes place in the Latin Quarter of Paris. The set was colorful and full of suspended old Parisian paintings in the style of Toulouse-Lautrec. A real marching band came out and the second act ended with a stage full of colorfully-dressed characters, dancing children, and sky-high musical notes from the excellent cast. Right now, all of the audience is mingling over a free glass of champagne provided by Austin Lyric Opera in celebration of the season opening. Once intermission is over, there are two more acts to go. The tone and lyrics have been very humorous and playful so far, but as we all know, it will get darker toward the end. I'm looking forward to the rest.

Have you ever seen La Boheme performed? For those of you who don't know, the Broadway musical (and the movie) "Rent" were based off this opera.

Live From 'La Boheme' at Intermission originally appeared on About.com Austin on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 21:26:09.

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Austin Lyric Opera Presents 'La Boheme'

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:51:22 +0000

Austin Lyric Opera is kicking off its 2009-2010 season with La Boheme tonight. There will be shows on Nov. 7, 11, 13, and 15 at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

I'm currently blogging from the orchestra level of the Long Center's Lobby. The theme of tonight's season-opening gala is "An Evening in Paris." The opera takes place in Paris in around 1830. A large replica of the Arc de Triomphe sits above the top of the Long Center's grand stairs, so each patron walks through it as they arrive. Outside on the Pavillion, there is a roped off area for patrons only, which features a large replica of the Eiffel Tower in addition to old-style lamplights, and even painters. As you can imagine, those mingling in that area are dressed to the nines! I'm seeing many gowns, gorgeous updos, some fur despite the warm weather, and even a top hat and a tiara.

They just rang the bell -- it's time to get seated! More later.

Austin Lyric Opera Presents 'La Boheme' originally appeared on About.com Austin on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 19:51:22.

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Fun Fun Fun Fest This Weekend

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:44:41 +0000

The fourth annual Fun Fun Fun Fest takes place in Austin this Saturday and Sunday. Put on by Transmission Entertainment, this increasingly popular festival features progressive and underground music in the genres of punk/hardcore, indie rock, and hip hop/DJ. There will also be some comedy shows.

The event will be held at Waterloo Park in downtown Austin and will feature four main stages, one for each genre. While most of the bands are emerging and lesser-known, there will be a few big names there, such as Ratatat, Danzig, Of Montreal, and Pharcyde. Several local food vendors will be there, including Frank, Woodland, Tiff's Treats, and Boomerang's.

Will you be attending Fun Fun Fun Fest? Which act are you most excited about?

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Fun Fun Fun Fest This Weekend originally appeared on About.com Austin on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 13:44:41.

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Holiday Shopping Starts Early with Shop787

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:38:41 +0000

Launch 787, the events company behind Austin's Fashion Week, is featuring a new event this Sunday called Shop787. It is a way to do some holiday shopping before the crowds and chaos begin, and it is also fundraiser and book drive for the Dell Children's Medical Center.

More than 50 local shops, designers, and artists will be at Shop787 selling goods. There will be a food court with vendors including Malaga, Judges' Hill Restaurant, Sushi A Go Go, and The Cupcake Bar.

"While there have been many shopping events in the Austin area, we felt there was a void that really celebrates local business in a unique environment," said Matt Swinney, Founder of Launch787. "It's a great opportunity to keep holiday shopping dollars in the local economy while also supporting a more-than-worthy charity in Dell Children's Medical Center."

Advance tickets are $5 through Shop787.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 (or $5 with the donation of a book for the medical center). Tickets include all beverages (alcohol from Tito's Vodka and Brown Distributing and non-alcoholic beverages from Sweet Leaf Tea).

Shop 787 takes place Nov. 8 from noon to 6 p.m. It will be held in the courtyards at the Mosaic at Mueller, an apartment community near I-35 and 51st Street.

Holiday Shopping Starts Early with Shop787 originally appeared on About.com Austin on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 13:38:41.

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Austin Ghosthunters Take on the Driskill Hotel

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:59:10 +0000

Austinites Alexandra Parrish, David J. Neff and Aaron Bramley have been hunting ghosts for the last six months with their show Ghosthunting and Milkshakes, the only Central Texas paranormal TV show. It airs on Facebook, YouTube, iTunes and Time Warner Ch. 16.

Alex believes in ghosts and Dave doesn't. On each show they investigate supposed hauntings in Texas, and at the end, determine a winner based on the amount of evidence obtained. The loser buys the winner a milkshake. In their first-ever Halloween episode, the team investigates downtown Austin's notorious Driskill Hotel.

The opulent hotel opened in Austin in 1886 by Colonel Jesse Driskill, but closed just six months later. After several more openings and closings, in 1999 it was fully restored to its original grandeur.

One of the ghosts at the Driskill is said to be Colonel Driskill himself, who is accompanied by the smell of cigar smoke. Smoking is not allowed in the hotel, and in the video, a staff member says she and most of the other staffers have all smelled cigar smoke at least once and in various areas.

Another ghost is the Texas ladies' man, who haunts guest rooms of beautiful women and supposedly lays out the clothes that he wants them to wear that night. Another spirit often seen is a young girl bouncing a ball. It is thought that she is the ghost of a Senator's daughter who fell to her death down the hotel's grand staircase while chasing a ball.

Have you ever encountered a ghost at the Driskill?

Austin Ghosthunters Take on the Driskill Hotel originally appeared on About.com Austin on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 15:59:10.

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Action! Austin Film Festival Begins

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:29:56 +0000

The 16th annual Austin Film Festival kicked off yesterday. Each year, this festival brings a dearth of A-list talent together, including screenwriters, directors, actors, and agents, for screenings, panels, and parties. Director Ron Howard will be there this year accepting the Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award. The caliber of panelists is astounding; they include Shane Black, the writer/director of Lethal Weapon and Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang; Paul Feig, director of Weeds, 30 Rock, The Office, and Mad Men; and Damon Lindelof, producer of Star Trek and creator/writer of Lost.

If you love film, you can purchase the full conference badge for $375 and participate in nearly everything. You can also just show up to individual screenings and buy a ticket without a badge or pass, though you might not get in. If you plan to go to several films but don't want to attend the actual conference, buy the Film Pass, which will give you priority access to the more than 190 film screenings, plus several premieres. The films range from local to international, and many of the films are in the film festival's competition.

The regular Film Pass costs $42. The other option is the Lone Star Badge; this costs $95 and gives you priority over regular attendees AND Film Pass holders. It also includes admission to an entire day of panels at the Screenwriters Conference on Saturday and admittance to the Pitch Finale Party Saturday night. People with these passes can also purchase Pitch Competition tickets ($15, limit two), which are not available to regular Film Pass holders. You can buy these passes online. Will you be attending the Austin Film Festival this year? What are you most looking forward to?

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Action! Austin Film Festival Begins originally appeared on About.com Austin on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 12:29:56.

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Home Sales and Foreclosure Filings Up in Austin

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:22:17 +0000

The economy is in a strange place; the stock market is now performing better than it has in a long time, but most of us know people who were recently laid off (I know two people in Texas who were axed in the last few weeks).� Austin's housing market also seems to be going in two different directions.

According to the Statesman, foreclosure filings in the Austin area have risen 52 percent from the same time last year, with 1,300 homes on the auction block on Nov. 3. They got the numbers from Foreclosure Listing Service Inc. The company's CEO and president, George Roddy Sr., is quoted as saying, "Despite recent announcements that the recession is over and we are poised for recovery, I fully expect foreclosure postings to remain high well into 2010."

The Statesman also reported that sales on existing homes in the Austin area have risen 6 percent, which is the first time there has been year-over-year growth in more than two years. Pending sales, which are home sales that will likely close in October, are up 24 percent from this time last year. "As the deadline for the first-time homebuyer tax credit approaches on Nov. 30, we may continue to see increases in home sales into October and November," said Jay Gohil, chairman of the real estate board, to the Statesman.

What do you think -- is Austin's housing market getting better or worse?

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Home Sales and Foreclosure Filings Up in Austin originally appeared on About.com Austin on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 22:22:17.

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Che Bella! La Dolce Vita is Tonight

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:28:13 +0000

Want to live the high life? Tonight is Austin's annual La Dolce Vita, a posh food and wine festival that has been around for 20 years. It benefits the Austin Museum of Art's exhibition and educational programs.

The event will be held at Laguna Gloria, an Italian-style villa owned by the museum, and will be decorated like the movie set from Fellini's La Dolce Vita. Sample food from 50 of Austin's best chefs,� hang out in the Twin Liquors Cigar & Scotch lounge, and bid in the auction of wine glasses designed by 20 local artists. There will also be live music and dancing.

The event is from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $100; the scotch lounge costs an extra $20.� There is free on-site parking for Vespas, but vehicles cannot park at Laguna Gloria. Instead, park free at Seton Medical Park Tower Lot (1801 38th Street) or the TXDOT Parking Lot Building Lots 9 & 10 (3500 Jackson Avenue) and ride the free shuttles over to Laguna Gloria.

Che Bella! La Dolce Vita is Tonight originally appeared on About.com Austin on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 10:28:13.

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