Here’s the essential thing you’ve got to know about Austin: it’s unlike any other city in Texas – and proud of it. Dallas is cosmopolitan and stylish, Houston bigger than life, San Antonio singular. Austin is, well, weird at times. Take it from this University of Texas alumni and admirer.
Revel in that weirdness on Saturday June 23 at the Keep Austin Weird Festival. It comes replete with a 5K run, mounds of music and lots of local vendors selling stuff you won’t find in the mall. There’s no better time of the year to imbibe the ambience of this Heart of Texas city. None. The 5k attracts runners regaled in the wackiest costumes imaginable.
Another central Texas institution is Old Gruene Market Days. Held the third full weekend of each month, and running through November, this is another anti-mall market. If you covet the one-of-a-kind – that singular piece of art, jewelry, pottery, clothing or furniture – you’ll want to give Gruene a go. You’ll need a car to get to there. The Web site’s got directions.
For the conventional amongst us (or just those closet cowboys who appreciate great western art), there’s the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas. Through September 23 the Blanton showcases Go West! Representations of the American Frontier. This show explores both the physical and psychic terrain of the Old West, and sees it through the lens of such iconic artists as Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and Maynard Dixon.
If you ever wanted to understand why the idea of Manifest Destiny embedded itself so deeply in the souls of so many Americans, this exhibit will help explain. Plan to spend a day at The Blanton and come away the better for it.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is served by a slew of airlines. Among the major players are Southwest, American, United, and JetBlue.
By Jerry Chandler
(Image: standupp)
