Austin may not have much in common with the rest of its Texan neighbors, but it certainly is right up to speed, if not in high speed, with the rest of the international community. Find yourself some cheap airfare to Austin and discover why most cars and t-shirts of Austinites proudly proclaim, “Keep Austin Weird.” Travel to Austin to experience a vibrant city deeply entrenched in the tenets of self-expression, ever-evolving music of all genres, and the pride of a unique southern history.
Austin was the original capital of the Republic of Texas, and remained the capital of the state of Texas once incorporated into the United States in 1845 as the 28th state. The Texas State Capitol Complex is certainly worth a visit while taking in the sights of Austin. The gardens are peaceful and the 1856 Governor’s Mansion is an architectural testament to the Greek revival style. The LBJ Presidential Library is also located in Austin and offers rotating exhibits focused on domestic and national history and art.
Travel to the Tune of Austin
Anyone who pays much attention to contemporary music would know that Austin is known as “the Live Music Capital of the World.” There are more live music venues per capita in Austin than any other city. Wander down 6th Street on any given night and you will find yourself overtaken by jazz beats, rock progressions, twanging country or experimental electro. Each year Atlanta hosts the famous South by Southwest music and film festival, which is a major gathering and showcase for the entire live music industry. The Austin Reggae Festival is hosted in April and this eccentric Texan city even celebrates its own version of Carnaval in February.
It is mandatory that you travel with an open mind if you are visiting Austin during any of their zillions of festivals spread throughout the year. Eeyore’s Birthday Party is an annual celebration of self-expression where face painted families enjoy live music and drum circles alongside rockers, teens, drag queens and just about everyone else in Austin, while a statue of Eeyore dressed like the Statue of Liberty is prominently displayed. To keep in theme with Austin’s quirkiness, the city hosts SPAMORAMA, an annual homage to SPAM in all forms including a cook-off, recipe contest, kid’s SPAM sculpture and craft booths and even the SPAMALYPICS.
Austin also boasts a prosperous and eclectic film and theater industry. Over a dozen independent theaters line the streets of Austin, offering enough space for the many theater groups ranging from improv and offbeat to classical and cutting-edge. Check out The Off Center for a real taste of Austin’s finest original music, comedy and theater acts. Hollywood seems to have developed a satellite industry in Austin over the years, with the help of the University of Texas at Austin’s acclaimed Department of Radio-Television-Film. Recent productions include Office Space, A Scanner Darkly, Miss Congeniality and Sin City.
It’s All About Austin
A trip to Texas is simply incomplete without traveling to Austin. The city single-handedly places Texas on the cultural and artistic global map and smoothes out the edges of the Texan stereotype. Get in on the nutty free spirit of Austin and don’t miss another beat of a breakthrough artist.
