Last night, we kicked up our feet and drank a cold brew, nestled among aged oak trees at Austin, Texas’s newly renovated music venue, Tim’s Porch. We enjoyed the rockin’ bluesy sounds of John Gaar and Malford Milligan at the recently modified site, formerly known as the “Backyard” amphitheatre. The audience, an undoubtedly Austin-esque conglomeration of colorful characters, ranged from to crazy college kids to hippies in their sixties.

The Show:
John Gaar, originally from Louisiana, unleashed his soulful flair for strumming the guitar during the concert, a spicy compliment to Austinite, Malford Milligan’s Al Green-like sound and style. The collaboration was both entertaining and soothing. Everyone rocked out, including a 4-year old girl who burned up the dance floor all night. With multiple decks of comfortable, intimate seating and ample parking, Jaunted gives Tim’s Porch a thumbs up. ]]> kellycrabb 2009-10-26T09:23:44-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/5/204317/978

Enjoying a little Texas time, Andy Roddick and girlfriend Brooklyn Decker make their way through the crowd during John Legend’s performance at the Austin City Limits music festival this last weekend, along with ourselves. Let’s hope that when they passed by us, that were moseying up to the front row and not just elbowing their way around.

During the festival, Austin was apparently crawling with such celebs, including Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan (before she jetted to Paris for her debut as a designer for the Ungaro fashion house) and Matthew McConaughey, who usually always attends. It’s no surprise with a phenomenal festival lineup including Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, The Toadies, Citizen Cope, Dave Matthews and Ghostland Observatory, that we would bump into at least one bold-faced name.

Related Stories:
· Celeb Travel Coverage [Jaunted] ]]> kellycrabb 2009-10-06T14:56:46-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/18/81617/2253

In case you missed the memo, somehow the summer season is officially over. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to listen to live music well into the fall. Austin City Limits Music Festival is just around the corner, and it’s time to make plans to take in this year’s events in person from Zilker Park. This year you can even bring in your little rock stars; children 10 and under get in free with their mom or dad, and they’ll love the special programs at Austin Kiddie Limits—cute.

Things run from October 2 through 4, and there’s plenty of bands to keep your interest. The big ones this year are Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews Band, and Pearl Jam. If these acts are a little too mainstream, don’t worry, as there are plenty of up and coming stars that plan to hit the stage each day. At this time, the votes are still being tallied for The Sound And The Journey contest, where a lucky band will get to take the stage to wow fans, and hopefully, record producers. ]]> kjb 2009-09-18T11:22:08-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/21/101934/457

Bandslam, starring High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens, has very little to offer anyone over fifteen. The movie is about an the oddball teenager (Hudgens) who develops a crush on the new kid in town (played by Gaelen Connell) when he is recruited to help a popular cheerleader create a band for a local "battle of the bands" competition. It's not exactly this generation's Breakfast Club, but it does have two redeeming qualities, a cameo by David Bowie and a kick ass location, Austin, TX. Here's how to explore the musical side of Austian, Bandslam-inspired or not:

What to Do:
Austin considers itself the music capital of the world for its over 200 live music venues and more than 1,900 musicians who call the city home. Two of the best places to see live music in Austin are Emo’s Alternative Lounge and Antone's. ]]> cmb 2009-08-21T13:14:38-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/13/204210/544

If you weren’t paying attention earlier this year and missed out on the party in Beantown, you’ve got a second chance to totally pig out on the sweet treat that is ice cream. This Saturday, Austin hosts its third annual Austin Ice Cream Festival. Of course there’ll be loads of ice cream to eat, but as the festival celebrates its third scoop, there’s much more than just gluttony to keep everyone entertained.

Yes, there will be an ice cream eating contest, but it’s only available to the first 30 people that sign up on the day of the festival—so get there early. We’re wimps and can’t stand the thought of a solid hour of brain freeze, so we’ll probably bust out our elementary school arts and crafts skills at the Popsicle Stick Sculpture Contest. It’s free to enter and there are pretty much no rules, just no pre-notched sticks, so make whatever you want to impress the judges. ]]> kjb 2009-08-14T15:04:35-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/7/7350/65189

Folks in the Lonestar State are hoping that their latest idea is the start of something big. Organizers are set to open the doors to the first ever Texas Testosterone Festival in just over a week and their mantra is "grow a pair," which sounds like success (we kid).

Located within the Palmer Events Center in Austin, it’s a exhibition of all things manly. There’ll be talk of sports, hunting, fighting, and of course one or two pretty ladies wandering around. ]]> kjb 2009-08-07T10:34:30-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/17/182123/782

Austin is a town celebrated for its eccentricity, where everything seems to have an alternate flavor, and so you can probably guess that their favorite local dance troupe isn’t your run-of-the-mill ballet company.

Well if weird is what you want, this weekend’s performance from Austin’s Blue Lapis Light dance company shouldn’t disappoint. The show, Impermanence, is semi modern dance meets cirque de soleil meets parkour, and involves dancers who are hooked up to aerial harnesses, allowing them to fly through the air and leap all around the 150-foot tall J.J. Pickle Federal Building in Austin’s financial district.

The dance performance, or circus, or whatever it is, runs this Thursday to Sunday, and costs $20—but the final performance, on Sunday, is a pay-what-you-can show to let everyone have a bit of the unusual fun.

Related Stories:
· Blue Lapis Light [Official Site]
· Preview: Blue Lapis Light's Impermanence at JJ Pickle Fed Building [Austinist]
· Austin travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Blue Lapis Light] ]]> BS 2009-06-18T08:52:13-05:00 30.2696380 -97.738978 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/