CITY Issue 54

CITY LIFE CITY INSIDER: AUSTIN SXSW Passage If Austin is the live music capital of the world, then the annual South by Southwest festival is its Mecca. Held every March, the city is besieged by music’s rising stars alongside the movers and shakers of indie film—not to mention the fans and industry execs who adore them. Fear not, however, Texas’s most rambunctious town is never short of tacos, barbecue, or beer. By Andi Teran SHOP HERE: South First Street’s charming bungalows are actually home to Austin’s most beloved boutiques. The creaky wood floors and elegant chandeliers at KICK PLEAT (left, 910 S. First St., www.kickpleat.com) are the perfect atmosphere for trying on quirky cool frocks from Vena Cava and Mint. Stroll a few doors down to all-natural apothecary SABIA (1100 South First St., www.sabia.com) to stock up on the house-brand aromatherapy elixirs. For a festival souvenir, don’t miss the FLATSTOCK 16 POSTER CONVENTION (Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St., March 13-15, www.flatstock.com), held in conjunction with the festival and featuring innovative music poster art from international artists. EAT & DRINK HERE: Austin is ground zero for all things Tex-Mex. Enjoy some migas—spicy scrambled eggs and tortilla strips—with a cinnamoncoffee chaser at downtown mainstay LAS MANITAS AVENUE CAFE (211 Congress Ave.). If the liberal use of chilies hasn’t obliterated your taste buds, try one of the bevy of flavors—from Mexican Vanilla to Guinness to Bananas Foster—at AMY’S ICE CREAM (1301 South Congress Ave., www. amysicecream.com). To get an evening started, go for a Shoal Creek Sour at the Warehouse District’s everfashionable STARLITE (407 Colorado St., www. starliteaustin.net). Night owl? MAGNOLIA CAFÉ (1920 South Congress Ave., www.cafemagnolia.com) is open 24 hours, peaks at 3 a.m., and is the place to be seen—albeit with a bowl of hangover-cure “Mag Mud”—after a long night of concert going. STAY HERE: The SXSW lodgings of choice are always the Eames-adorned concrete casitas of the SAN JOSE HOTEL (1316 South Congress Ave., www. sanjosehotel.com). Located in the über-hip SoCo neighborhood, the breezy minimalist décor and courtyard lounge of this motor inn oasis attracts visiting indie rockers and locals alike. A step away from Sixth Street—aka SXSW Central—is downtown’s historic DRISKILL HOTEL (604 Brazos St., www.driskillhotel.com), where cattle-baron chic meets five-star hospitality. LOGISTICS: AIRPORT: Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Airport POPULATION: 672,001 WHEN TO GO: March 7–16 for SXSW MUST DO INSIDER TIPS: • SXSW shows are notoriously crowded, so catch bands warming up or winding down at the FREE DAYTIME PARTIES instead. Check www.austinist.com for updates. • Give your body a boost with a kayak ride around Austin’s town lake via the ROWING DOCK (2418 Stratford Dr., www.rowingdock.com). Paddle your way to the Congress Ave. Bridge to watch free-tailed bats swarm into the twilight. With more than 1,500 music performances and nine days of films to catch, making a SXSW battle plan is well advised. Start with the opening night film screening of 21, based on the true story of six M.I.T. students who scammed Las Vegas. Directors and actors often host Q&As after screenings—David Schwimmer will do so after his hilarious U.K. hit Run Fat Boy Run. SXSW keynoter Lou Reed’s speaking engagement coincides with a screening of Julian Schnabel’s film Lou Reed’s “Berlin,” chronicling a ” recent performance of the 1973 album. REM will undoubtedly be a heavy draw in anticipation of their new release Accelerate, but don’t forget the Domino Records showcase featuring Britain’s “Next Big Things.” 48 CI T Y F L A M I N G L I P S AT S X S W : P H OTO B Y M I K E K E L LY. http://www.kickpleat.com http://www.sabia.com http://www.flatstock.com http://www.sanjosehotel.com http://www.sanjosehotel.com http://www.amysicecream.com http://www.amysicecream.com http://www.driskillhotel.com http://www.starliteaustin.net http://www.starliteaustin.net http://www.cafemagnolia.com http://www.austinist.com http://www.rowingdock.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of CITY Issue 54

CITY Issue 54 Contents Letter from CITY Our Friends Action Wanted City Moment The City Life The Amused Bouche On the Rocks Fast Food City Insider: Austin Fit How We Live: The Bedroom City Insider: Warsaw In Rogue The Value of Vintage Taking the Plunge Raising the Bar The Science of Scent Changing of the Guard The New Fashion Cities A Cut Above Chrysalis What Dreams May Come Dawn & Dusk Will o' the Wisp Where To Buy It Socials Icon

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