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‘Handmaid’s Tale’ makes you work but pays off as few shows ever could
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Setting the highest standards for the Art Dinner at Laguna Gloria
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Satirist Christopher Moore’s ‘Noir’ shoots and misses
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Here’s your chance to learn about herbs at American Botanical Council’s East Austin...
From our Columnists
Peter Blackstock
Marcia Ball does a Texas-Louisiana two-step on new album ‘Shine Bright’...
Deborah Sengupta Stith
Reggae Fest leads a big week of shows in Austin
Gary Dinges
Dinges: Pride Radio Austin gone from 97.5 FM; new format debuts
Feel the buzz: Bee rescue company hosting ‘CBD-infused dinner extravaganza’ on April 24
As bee populations continue to decline, one Austin honey company is trying to raise awareness about bee rescue — and cannabis. Canna Bees’ parent company, Bee Delightful, is hosting a “CBD-infused dinner extravaganza” on April 25 to raise money for
its bee rescue efforts. Addie Broyles / American-Statesman A few weeks ago,
I told you about Canna...
Marcia Ball does a Texas-Louisiana two-step on new album ‘Shine Bright’
The back cover of Marcia Ball’s new album, “Shine Bright,” features the celebrated Austin singer and pianist striking a whimsical Statue of Liberty pose. Dressed in a silver gown, she holds a star aloft in her right hand and cradles a book in her left. Wait, let’s look closer at that book. It’s not the Constitution, or the Declaration of Independence. It’s a colorful...
Free live music events like Wine Down, Unplugged at the Grove return
Sunday “Westworld” Season 2 Premiere Watch Party. It’s time to awaken from your deep and dreamless slumber now that you’re returning to Sweetwater with HBO’s “Westworld.” The Buzz Mill is screening the season two premiere with a night of festivities, including show trivia, themed prizes and an engaging discussion of the series up to now. 8 to 10 pm. Sunday...
‘Super Troopers 2’: Comedy sequel stalls at the side of the road
From the beginning, the makers of “Super Troopers” and “Beerfest” have built these politically incorrect odes to nonsense practically daring you to disapprove. The Broken Lizard comedy group embraces the lowbrow to predictable extremes. If you see a pyramid of cans somewhere, it will be knocked down. If a taser enters the scene, it must at some point be used on someone&rsquo...
More Saturday events: Barton Springs art show, Yard Bar cheese tasting
Nightlife The Refined Canine: A Beer and Cheese Tasting. What could be better than the dogs and beer at Yard Bar? How about dogs, beer and cheese? The dog-friendly hangout has teamed up with Antonelli’s Cheese Shop and Live Oak Brewing to celebrate Raw Milk Appreciation Day, which is really a thing. The tasting will feature five 6 oz. pours of Live Oak beer and delicious cheeses to complement...
Feds: Famous rapper Terrell “Ralo” Davis caught flying into Atlanta with nearly $1M worth of pot
An Atlanta rapper was busted flying into Atlanta on a private plane with more than 440 pounds of marijuana valued at $840,000, according to federal investigators. >> Read more trending news Terrell “Ralo” Davis is facing two counts of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, WSB-TV reported. According to documents obtained by WSB, Davis was arrested at Peachtree DeKalb Airport,...
What’s on tap for this weekend? Rain, but also these Austin family events, April 20-22
I’m not going to lie. This Earth Day weekend will be a wet one. The biggest storms will hit on Saturday. Check outdoor event
websites in advance to see if they are still happening or if they’ve been canceled or postponed. Fingers crossed, we’ll still be able to celebrate the butterflies, enjoy nature, run an obstacle course and more. Emily Ann Theatre is celebrating the...
What would Prince want? Two years later, his estate is a mess and his legacy unclear
CHANHASSEN, Minnesota — Near Influence Hallway, past Paisley Park's platinum album-lined entry, our tour group is led to Prince's inner sanctum, a two-story atrium painted sky blue with clouds — his take on heaven. A trio of doves flutter in an ornate cage. They don't cry. They coo. The late artist's residence and recording complex sprawls alongside a well-traveled highway, 20 miles from...
‘I Feel Pretty’ is bold but superficial take on self-love
The Amy Schumer vehicle “I Feel Pretty” tackles a very real epidemic — the crisis of confidence. Low self-esteem is part of the human condition for people of any age, gender or race, but it’s particularly virulent and destructive in the young female population, resulting in eating disorders, imposter syndrome, plastic surgery, billions of dollars spent on beauty products, diets...
‘Final Portrait’ a look at the frustrations of creating art
Let’s say you’re going to make a movie about the celebrated 20th century artist Alberto Giacometti, and you’re going to set the film in his Parisian studio, while he’s painting the portrait of a young man who’s not only an admirer but also his future biographer (the well-bred, upper-class writer James Lord posed for Giacometti and eventually wrote a memoir about the experience...
‘Lean on Pete’ shows why Charlie Plummer is destined to be a star
At first, “Lean on Pete” seems like it’s going to be a traditional tale about a teenage boy who bonds with a horse and learns significant lessons. That’s part of the new movie starring Charlie Plummer and directed by Andrew Haigh. But “Lean on Pete” is about traumas that no teen should ever have to face. Plummer plays Charley Thompson, who moves to Portland, Ore...
Reggae Fest leads a big week of shows in Austin
OUR TOP PICKS Friday-Sunday: Austin Reggae Fest at Auditorium Shores. Austin’s annual spring fling, which turns 25 this year, has adopted the slogan “What unity in the community sounds like,” which is appropriate. The fest draws one of the most diverse crowds we see in Austin each year; they show up for the feel-good grooves and the irie vibes. This year’s lineup features New...
‘The Endless’ a nifty horror film about UFO cult
Crafty and mind-bending, “The Endless” is a highly effective, psychological horror thriller in which two ex-cult members return to their apocalyptic commune, only to get trapped into supernatural time loops that challenge their memories of the past. It’s an almost impossible movie to describe; it has to be experienced. And though every frame isn’t tidily wrapped up at the end...
‘China Hustle’ a mildly engrossing yet wonky investment documentary
The phenomenon of “shorting” — a financial maneuver in which an investor only makes money if a stock fails — is the subject of “The China Hustle,” a documentary by Jed Rothstein (director of the 2010 Oscar-nominated short “Killing in the Name”). Its setting is China, where many companies have lured American investors with fraudulent promises of financial...
Movies in theaters, 4/20/18
OPENING THIS WEEK “I Feel Pretty” Grade: C. Review page 30 “Super Troopers 2” Grade: D. Review page 31 “Lean on Pete” Grade: B+. Review page 28 “The Endless” Grade: B+. Review page 33 “The China Hustle” Grade: C. Review page 32 “Final Portrait” Grade: B. Review page 27 NOT REVIEWED “Traffik.” R. 96 minutes. A couple...
Crime in parts of Red River district rose 26 percent in last year, study says
The number of crimes committed in the Red River district in downtown Austin rose 26 percent in the last year, according to a study by city of Austin employees. The city study — a rundown of evaluations and recommendations after a year-long pilot program that extended curfews for five outdoor music venues — reported that there were 240 crimes committed in the Red River district...
Philanthropitch bang plus Mack, Jack & McConaughey bucks
Several Austin giving groups prompt nonprofits to compete head-to-head for bucks, but few stage the “asks” with as much entertainment
value and celebrity glamour as
Philanthropitch. The annual fast-pitch fest returns
6 p.m. May 8 to the
LBJ Auditorium. This year’s rock star panel includes: Kendra Scott — Designer...
Shia LaBeouf stars in story of one of tennis’ greatest matches
Here are a few interesting new releases that are available now from cable and digital providers as well as a title that has recently become available through streaming services. Video on Demand “Borg vs. McEnroe”: Swedish director Janus Metz takes on the infamous tennis rivalry between Björn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason) and John McEnroe (Shia LaBeouf). In 1980, Borg was riding high after...
Beyoncé gives $100,000 to 4 historically black colleges
Beyoncé paid tribute to historically black colleges during her groundbreaking Coachella performance, and now the singer is donating $100,000 to four black universities. The superstar singer announced Monday the Homecoming Scholars Award Program for the 2018-2019 academic year through her BeyGOOD initiative. She plans to give $25,000 each to Tuskegee University, Bethune-Cookman University, Xavier...
Two events for moms (and dads) this week
New parents and parents-to-be will want to attend the Mother of All Baby Showers. It’s happening 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Dell
Diamond (VIP ticket holders get to come in 30 minutes early). It’s billed as a one-stop shop for information and products. “I am proud to be partnering with Austlen, Doona, Shipt, Nuna, Baby K’tan, Rising Stars Dentistry and Orthodontics and...
Old Settler’s Music Fest is ready to roll out new site near Lockhart
What’s new at the Old Settler’s Music Festival this year? Well, everything. After celebrating its 30th year in 2017 at the Driftwood site just southwest of Austin that had been the festival’s home since 2002, the area’s premier roots-music event endured enormous changes during the offseason. The end result: Old Settler’s 2018 commences this weekend at a new location,...
Actor Armie Hammer says he wants to make art, not blockbusters
Armie Hammer, who has been getting the best reviews of his up-and-down career for his role in “Call Me by Your Name,” thinks he has finally found “what I want to do” as an actor. “The year 2017 was a turnaround for me,” he says during a recent visit to Austin for the South by Southwest premiere of his latest film, “Final Portrait,” an arthouse movie...
Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar up for auction Sunday
An electric guitar Stevie Ray Vaughan was given as a youth by his brother is expected to sell for about $400,000 at auction Sunday in their hometown of Dallas. Heritage Auctions will offer the 1951 Fender guitar. Vaughan biographer Craig Hopkins said the guitar has “considerable historical significance,” noting Vaughan “pretty much learned his craft on” the guitar. It was Vaughan&rsquo...
Robert Ashcroft’s horror debut explores humanity in age of monsters
An augmented soldier fights against apocalyptic nightmares in a brutal war to save humanity in Robert Ashcroft’s “The Megarothke.” Debut novelist Ashcroft unleashes a witch’s brew of macabre, Lovecraftian imagery in this strange horror novel that couches a heavy emotional arc within its video game-like setting. Our narrator is former LAPD officer-turned-cybernetic survivor...
Trailblazing mariachi maestro Zeke Castro to retire
After bolstering Austin’s mariachi scene, inspiring generations of students and blazing a musical trail across the country, maestro Ezekiel “Zeke” Castro — who directs the mariachi ensemble at the University of Texas — will take his final bow in May when he retires after a noted career. On Sunday, the longtime music educator and musician will direct the last spring...
104.9 The Horn hosting a barbecue cook-off Saturday at Horn Bash
We all love the great barbecue places that Austin and Central Texas have to offer. But one of the great things about barbecue
is that there are some amateurs out there who have just as much passion and knowledge as some of the pros. This weekend, 104.9
The Horn hosts its
Horn Bash and an amateur barbecue cook-off, overseen by Louie Mueller Barbecue of Taylor, is...
Saturday brims with Austin activities like ‘Latinauts’ improv show
Ney Day. The Elisabet Ney Museum — the former studio and portrait collection of the 19th-century sculptor — is hosting its sixth annual Ney Day celebrating women in the arts, sciences and civic culture. The event this year doubles as a tribute to singer Selena Quintanilla, whose birthday is April 14; dress like Selena and win a prize. There also will be live music from Chulita Vinyl Club...
David Cross and friends bring the Comedy Resistance to Moontower
Even given the interesting — not to mention downright weird and occasionally terrifying — times in which we live, most professional comedians do not focus solely on political material. But comedians do often seem to be leading the opposition to President Donald Trump and his supporters. Thus, it’s not surprising that there’s now an organization called the Comedy Resistance...
Learn from a carnivore at BookPeople and more Austin events
Books Jess Pryles at BookPeople. Learn how to make your own mouthwatering Texas barbecue with the help of Pryles’ protein-packed cookbook. From slow-smoked barbecue ribs to perfect cowboy steaks, the recipes in “Hardcore Carnivore” are meaty winners. The Austinite will talk at BookPeople (on her birthday!) about tricks of the trade as well as sign the new cookbook, ensuring you&rsquo...
Look inside the 2018-2019 Zach Theatre family productions
At first glance, the Zach Theatre schedule for 2018-2019 that it released last week seemed curious. It’s theater for family
show list only had two items on it, one in fall and one holiday classic. In spring, there was nothing specific. Yet, Zach is getting smart about working with community partners, using the materials
it already has created, adapting shows, and bringing...
Would you try this New York Times queso recipe?
“The crown jewel of Tex-Mex cuisine.” That’s how the New York Times described queso in a video posted to its Facebook account in March. And who can blame them? Queso has grown a tremendous following in the Lone Star State, and everyone has an opinion on what should and shouldn’t go in the cheese dip. The New York Times video demonstrates how to make a queso recipe by...
Plan your weekend with the kids now with these Austin events, April 13-15
It will be nothing like last weekend — we promise. No sudden cold snap that made outdoor activities just icky. It might rain
Friday morning, but then you’ll be good to go to be outside with your family. Here are some events happening in and around Austin for little ones and teens alike: Luke Keyes, of Austin Oddities was on hand to help kids and grown-ups in the art of super...
‘Ismael’s Ghosts’ is a messy but vibrant drama
In more ways than one, “Ismael’s Ghosts” immerses us in the head space of a gloriously undisciplined movie director. At the center of this sad, funny, sprawling and fragmented story is Ismael Vuillard (Mathieu Amalric), an unruly French filmmaker with a very strange family history. His latest picture is a thriller about a globe-hopping spy named Ivan Dedalus, a heavily fictionalized...
Joaquin Phoenix riveting in the haunting ‘You Were Never Really Here’
Seven years ago, the gifted Scottish writer-director Lynne Ramsay made a bleak and unsettling domestic horror film titled “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” Her latest feature, her fourth in nearly two decades, is a hypnotically grim New York crime thriller called “You Were Never Really Here.” Both movies are named after pre-existing source material, which makes it a sly coincidence...
Guitar pull at Mack, Jack & McConaughey and more top this week’s shows
OUR TOP PICKS Friday: Mack, Jack & McConaughey with Jack Ingram & Friends at ACL Live. The big news at this annual two-day benefit for children’s charities this year is the April 12 headlining show with the Dixie Chicks. But we’ve been to this closing-night guitar-pull-styled event before, and it’s something special. The marquee names alone warrant the price of admission, yet there&rsquo...
Tale of canine hero ‘Sgt. Stubby’ deserves heftier treatment
The tale of friendly stray mutt-turned-war hero is the kind of true story built for cinematic adaptation. Director Richard Lanni, who has worked on documentary films and series about World War II, co-wrote the animated film “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” with veteran and Hollywood military adviser Mike Stokey. It depicts the inspiring and unlikely story of Stubby, a mutt who made his...
‘Rampage’ is big, dumb fun that diminishes Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson has become a genre unto himself. Outfit the hulking former WWE star in a pair of cargo pants and a snug henley tee, and throw him into any extreme situation — jungle-based video game, diesel-fueled car stuntery, beach crimes, fighting an earthquake, starring across Kevin Hart — and it just works. So pairing Johnson with a giant albino gorilla in the video game adaptation...
‘Borg vs. McEnroe’ expertly follows clash of tennis titans
The sport of tennis is inherently dramatic, at once meditative and explosive, a study in individual struggle and triumph. Personality tics and habits under extreme pressure and stress are laid bare for the whole world to inspect, with all eyes focused on the court. The rivalry of Björn Borg and John McEnroe, which came to a head at the 1980 Wimbledon final, pitted perfection against passion and...
Movies in theaters, 4/13/18
OPENING THIS WEEK “Rampage” Grade: C. Review page 21 “You Were Never Really Here” Grade: A-. Review page 22 “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” Grade: C+. Review page 24 “Ismael’s Ghosts” Grade: B-. Review page 25 “Sweet Country” Grade: B. Review page 26 “Beirut” Grade: C-. Review page 27 “Borg vs. McEnroe” Grade...
Australian western spotlights race relations in the outback
Compelling and uncompromising, “Sweet Country” is anything but sweet. A bleak story presented with great style, it’s a finely made Australian western that demonstrates the malleability of that most American of genres as well as the impressive gifts of Indigenous filmmaker Warwick Thornton. Thornton’s first film, “Samson & Delilah,” which he wrote, directed and photographed...
In ‘Beirut,’ Jon Hamm heads a murky spy movie
“Beirut” is a spy story. But what’s its mission? Set on the eve of Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, it’s a complicated story of Americans, Israelis and competing terrorist groups. There’s a mess of double-crosses, disloyalties and secret agendas. But the movie’s just as murky. It starts in ’72, with an unconvincingly de-aged Jon Hamm showing up as...
The Texan-ness of barbecue: On Carolina pork and Aaron Franklin's Texas cred
On the edge of Bryan, not far from Texas A&M, there’s a barbecue joint in an old red brick building that’s been there since Gene Autry and Bob Wills ruled the radio. Gravel parking lot with a tree in it. Wood paneling. Worn-down horseshoe-shaped counter. Yellow tinge to everything that’s been there long enough to soak up smoke. Martin’s Place is my favorite place. But I have...
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