Dons Daily

2009/06/05 Weekend Highlights

I started the weekend at the Paramount Theatre on Friday night.  The Paramount was hosting The Majestic Party for Austin Gay Pride weekend.  Priscilla Queen of the Desert was shown, complete with show girls in the balconies.  The theater was completely decked out like a nightclub, with lights and a big sound system.  There was also a DJ.  After the movie there was a dance on the second floor as well as a costume contest.  A bus was provided for party goers to travel between the Paramount and the bar Rusty Spurs all night.  This was a very fun movie and party experience.  The Paramount staff say they are going to make this an annual event for Pride.

I started my Saturday at the Austin Farmers Market.  Lots of great vegetables were available.  Chef Shawn Cirkiel from the Parkside Restaurant was demonstrating how to cook a fresh corn soup with shrimp. 

I made the soup later that week, with corn bought from the market, and it was very yummy.

I went to the Pride Festival around 5pm in order to avoid as much of the sun as possible.  This year's festival was in Republic Square park, a much nicer venue than the last few years.  There was a lot of great local food and drink.  I started off with food from my friends at Rio's Brazilian food, which was very good as usual. I checked out the many organizations.  The Austin Fire Department was letting people take pictures with fire men and women for $5.  I also caught the Austin Baptist Women show which is a hoot.
Next up, I got a spot on the then crowded 4th street to watch the Pride Parade.  I do love parades, even if ours is kind of small here in Austin.  There were many city officials, including the Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and many from his department.  The Austin Fire department was also well represented.  Of course, most of the bars had floats (well trucks, cars, or trailers).  My favorites were the Birds Barbershop float and the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls.  I have lots of photos up on my flickr sight for people to check out.

Sunday was mostly a day to relax.
I did take a break from chores, to walk down the street to the East Side's latest business, Cheer Up Charlie's.  It is a fenced in corner area with a trailer that serves up healthy drinks in coconuts along with other beverages and raw chocolates.  The lady that runs the place is very nice.  I had a tasty pineapple and basil agua fresca.
Later in the evening I made a pizza with my new pizza stone. The crust was so-so, but the rest was very good. I just need some more practice with making the dough.

Coffee at Caffe Medici

Having a great espresso at Caffe Medici.

2009/05/30 Weekend Highlights

I am going to jumpstart the blog again.

I started Saturday off at the Austin Farmers' Market as I do most weekends.  Tomatoes, squash, onions, peaches, and blueberries were all plentiful.  The live music this weekend was the local band Slow Down Lady.  The band was very good.  I bought their three song demo CD.  The songs where Abby Peck sings, like Turn Away My Heart, are my favorites.

I made a blueberry buckle and Amaretto whipped cream for a dinner party my friend Bob had on Saturday.  The blueberry buckle came out more like a tart than a buckle (because I used blueberries instead of the plums it was for). The whipped cream was awesome though.

I ended the night at my friend Bob's place for a great dinner party.  He made seafood dish for the meat / fish eaters.  But, for the vegetarians like me, he made a great vegetable lasagna!  He also had a great coffee and chocolate cream cake.  Another friend, Denis, brought creme brule for dessert.  Denis also brought a torch to finish off the creme brulee!

On Sunday I went to my local flickr meetup at Texas French Bread on South Congress.  I rested most of the day to prepare for work the next day.

Coffee at Caffe Medici

Having a great espresso at Caffe Medici.

TX Biennial 2009 party

At Women And Thei Work gallery for a TX Biennial 2009 party. No Mas Bodas is going to play.
This venue has a great exhibition.
An awesome great time!
More to come

Rio's grand opening party

I am at The Vintage Lounge for Rio's Brazilian grand opening party.

Catching up on SXSW posts

Howdy folks,
As you can see, I have not posted in a few days.  I have been catching up after SXSW 2009. 

I have been going back to all my SXSW posts and cleaning them up for spelling errors caused by typing on the iPhone while in the field. I am also updating the text with links and better photo links from my flickr account.  So please go back and take a look at the earlier posts for more information.

In the next couple of days I will also be compiling lists of the best of SXSW 2009.

So keep an eye out and give any feedback for better posting for SXSW 2010.

Awthumfetht

Went to co-lab for Awthumfetht.   Check out their site.  I heard and saw a great band, reverse xrays.

Better photos to come.

Feeding 5000

At the Feeding 5000 show at Saxon Pub. There was great snacks and the best chocolate chip cookies. The music was very good rock.

The Crimea

Next up is The Crimea at Rio.
This place is empty, it is almost like my own private concert. Ok, after they played a song quite a few more people came in.
They are a very good band. The lead singer's voice is very interesting, I like it.
Check this band out.
I nice end to the evening.

Pack AD and Handsome Family

Across the street to Habana Calle 6 and the Pack AD is still playing. This is the second time to hear them and they are still full of energy. Next up, the second helping of the Handsome family. This club is packed. I am just going to listen, no photos (check out my other posts for write ups and photos).

Bosque Brown

Made it to the Habana bar for the last 2 songs from Bosque Brown. What I heard sounded good.

Coloumusic

Next, I am listening to Colourmusic at Club de Ville. Great matching outfits. This is an example of a band that had a great sample song but the rest of it was not my kind of music. They were interesting but a little more heavy than I like.

David Kirton

Next some reggae from David Kirton at Flamingo Cantina. Total peace, love, and happiness.

Bart Davenport

At Radio Room for Bart Davenport. A fun pop band.