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austin

Austin, Hipstercrite Life

Eastside 4 Life

On my column over at Culture Map today…

Life on the East Side: Becoming a Realist and Learning to Love Where You Live

12.02.11 | 04:45 pm

The other night my boyfriend and I heard a loud boom outside of our house. Within minutes the crash was followed by sirens, one after another. Cops and fire trucks sped by and then stopped at the corner; we peeked out the window but couldn’t tell what was going on.

Concerned, we bundled up and headed outside to investigate. We stood on the corner staring into a sea of red and blue lights, trying to see what the commotion was. Finally, we asked a nearby cop, who informed us that a car had flipped over. We walked back into the house, wondering how the heck someone could flip their car in a 30 mile per hour neighborhood zone.

Fifteen minutes went by and we still heard the cops outside, working away; my curiosity got the best of me, so I went back out to inquire further. (We were told that the driver was ok and driven to the (more…)

December 3, 2011 by
Writing

I Studied in the School of Muppets

Trying a new thing today. This is the republish feature on my CultureMap article this weekend about the Muppets.
Hipstercrite Says…

Everything I Always Needed to Know, I Learned From the Muppets

By Lauren Modery

11.27.11 | 02:00 pm

There’s something special about the Muppets. Something that makes you cry within the first 60 seconds of seeing their new movie—and in 15 minute increments there on out. Something that makes you weep uncontrollably while watching them sing “The Rainbow Connection” in said new movie. Something that makes you stare vacantly at the smiling and fixated children sitting next to you in the theater and thinking, “Children, don’t let your youth slip away.”

For 56 years (!), something about these puppets have been tugging at our heartstrings generation after generation (and if they don’t do it for you—it’s possible that you have no soul). Most of us grew up with the Muppets and, whether we realize it or not, they’ve taught us some very valuable lessons. (more…)

November 28, 2011 by
Writing

Who Loves Austin?

Everyone Loves Austin!

And there is a new movement that says so.

My CultureMap story yesterday featured a cool new pride and preservation initiative called Everyone Loves Austin.

They’re doing some really cool stuff and have some super cute t-shirts. Check ’em out!

_________

When I first met Sophia Erian, founder of Everyone Loves Austin, I was struck by her infectious enthusiasm for the city. She talked about Austin like it was her child. Pride and ardor run deep through her veins and she knows that there are other people out there like her too- tons of us, actually. That is why she created the new movement Everyone Loves Austin.

Everyone Loves Austin is a two-fold initiative. The first part is “merely to make an assertion that we love Austin,” says Erian…

CONTINUE…

 

November 27, 2011 by
20-Something, Pop Culture

The Hipsterfication of NPR

source

NPR’s “The Hipsterfication of America“.

Dear God.

What happened?

I wanted to write about this last week when the article first came out but my mind was so blown, I had to spend the weekend recuperating.

NPR! I love you, but did you write this back in 2008 and forget to post it until now? Was it a slow news day? Did an 88 year-old man who has been living on a remote island out in the Galapagos write this? Or do you think that your viewership is strictly 88 year-olds, because I have news for you NPR, hipsters listen to you and we’re severely confused by this article.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading this article yet (it’s a short one), NPR decided it was time for America to know about hipsters.

“In case you haven’t noticed, hipsters — and those who cater to them — are everywhere. And that really galls some hipsters,” the author Linton Weeks (sounds like a James Thurber character!) stated. The article goes on to state that hipsterdom is an omnipresent culture- (more…)

November 22, 2011 by
Austin, Pop Culture

E.A.S.T. Opening at Super!Alright!

Dear God I love E.A.S.T. so much!

Our opening night at Super!Alright! was a huge success! So many wonderful people showed up, bought some art, drank some booze and got down to the sweet jams of BK & Mr. E. E.A.S.T. is my favorite time of year because it’s the only time I can pretend that I’m an artist and pretend that I live in East Village circa 1980.

Take a look at some of the great artists showing their work at Super!Alright! below. So happy to be a part of this talented gang.

I will be posting more pictures this week and next from E.A.S.T.

Our gallery space at Super!Alright!

BK & Mr. E crooning sweet jams.

Artist Luther Himes confused and disorientated.

Acclaimed artist Jason Archer’s exhibit

My recycled magazine mosaic

Some of Luther Himes’ commissioned drawings

Adreon Henry’s commissioned Dean Stockwell paintings presented to the actor at the Albuquerque Film Festival. His Blue Velvet paintings were particularly my favorite.

Jacob Villanueva’s (more…)

November 14, 2011 by
Film

Film + Food + Focused on Good

As I’ve mentioned before, some pretty cool stuff comes out of Austin. One particular kick-butt organization is Lights. Camera. Help., “a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to encouraging other nonprofit and cause-driven organizations to use film and video to tell their stories.” LCH also hosts the world’s first non-profit-focused film festival. Pretty cool, right? Well, the gang over at LCH is throwing a “Film + Food + Focused on Good” fundraiser this Friday November 4th and featuring some of the greatest food-related organizations in town:

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, The Sustainable Food Center, Farmhouse Delivery, The Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Moray Farms, the Natural Epicurean Culinary Academy, in.gredients, Johnson’s Backyard Garden, Slow Money Texas, Slow Food Austin, Greenling Organic Delivery,  HOPE Farmers Market, Deep Eddy Vodka, Amanda Love- the Barefoot Cook, Amity Bakery, Pie Fixes Everything, Pate Letelier, austiNuts, and Edible Austin.

Proceeds (more…)

November 2, 2011 by
Austin, Hipstercrite Life, Writing

Beyond 6th Interview

On Sunday I was interviewed by the wonderful gang over at Beyond 6th.

Beyond 6th is a weekly love letter podcast to Austin. Hosts @EddieCantu @BriDraffen @JustinTArthur and @WadeofHonor interview local artists and talk about what is going on in this marvelous city. I had a blast meeting with them and I highly recommend subscribing to their podcast.

I met Beyond 6th in a swanky apartment above 6th Street. Did I think I would have the same fate as Paul Allen? Maybe. But that didn’t stop me from forgoing the beer they offered me before the interview and digging into the sweet, sweet sweet tea vodka. As you will notice, at some point in the interview I have difficultly finishing thoughts and sentences.

Listening to yourself is never a fun experience, but I was happy to notice that I didn’t sound like Kermit the Frog over the podcast. Not that Kermit the Frog sounds shitty, I mean, who the f doesn’t love Kermit the Frog? But Kermit is not sexy, you know? I’ve been striving for the (more…)

October 20, 2011 by
Writing

Scoutmob Is My Jam

I’ve had the pleasure of writing for a wonderful Mobile Deals company called Scoutmob. You’ve probably heard of it, considering they’re located in 13 major U.S. cities and are about to add 7 more. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re very much missing out.

Scoutmob is not your typical daily deal website. What makes them unique (besides their kickass old-timey branding and love for mustaches) is that they really care about sharing each business’ story. Instead of someone at corporate Googling a business located in another city and writing some weirdass blurb about them that never makes any sense, they hire local writers to interview and photograph the business. They encourage the writers to discuss their personal feelings about the experience. It’s been a blast writing for them and I’ve gotten to meet and speak with so many interesting  local proprietors in Austin.

The best part of Scoutmob? Their deals are free. No catch. We’ve featured some of the best restaurants in town too: Annie’s (more…)

October 17, 2011 by
Austin, Music

Bleached Secrets

One of the features I wanted to add to the new Hipstercrite is writing about Austin events I’m excited about. Now, I’m not going to turn into a nightlife or scenester blog. I’m way too lame for that.  However, there are some pretty cool people doing some pretty cool things around here and I want to help share their special-ness. So every now and then you’ll see a post promoting something that I feel is Hipstercritey.

This Wednesday two of my favorite local creative endeavors Learning Secrets and Bleach Online are throwing a shindig for the release of Bleach’s “Wild Mint” issue. The festivities will take place at 29th Street Ballroom 9PM and feature Los Angeles DJ/music producer duo Poolside , Austin’s very own 1950’s shoegazey Boy’s Life, DJ sets by Learning Secrets and a very very very special guest. They’re so special, they deserve three “verys”.

Tix are $5

18+

RSVP here.

Hope to see you there!

October 11, 2011 by