Esther’s Follies: A Mash-Up of Entertainment

Part magic show, part comedy set, part musical, the productions put on a Esther's Follies every week can't really be pigeonholed into any one category. It breaks down theatrical boundaries by mashing up political satire, music, and more in a single show every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.

The theater has roots in the late '70s, when founders Michael Shelton and Shannon Sedwick through their first bash on 6th Street. Back then, it was nothing more than a haphazard hodgepodge of performances by singers, dancers, mimes, comics, musicians, and everyone in between. Although the show has more structure today, nearly 40 years later, it still brings the same level of energy and fun to the stage. Yelp reviewers award particular praise to magician Ray Anderson, who delights crowds not only with his tricks, but also with his own unique brand of humor.

Esther's Follies
525 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0553
www.esthersfollies.com
www.yelp.com/biz/esthers-follies-austin-2

Stay Green with Compost Pedallers!

The @Compost Pedallers are on a mission to compost one million pounds in 2016. With just a few days left on their indiegogo campaign, they need our help! Watch the video and show your support!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/compost-pedallers-turn-your-waste-into-food/x/7268741#/

The Long Center for the Performing Arts: Where Austin Soaks Up the Limelight

Check The Long Center’s for the Performing Arts' calendar and you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy. This live entertainment venue aims to be a community gathering place, emphasizing local art and talent while creating a fun and welcoming place for residents to come together.

Both outdoor and indoor concerts are held at The Long Center for the Performing Arts, either inside the spacious, round venue or outside on the attached City Terrace. The programming is diverse, and you’ll often find many different types of performances ranging from Shakespeare in the Park to touring rock groups and even comedy shows throughout the week. Theater buffs will enjoy seeing musical theater performances, while fans of ballet will likely want to check out a night with Ballet Austin.

The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 457-5100
www.thelongcenter.org
www.yelp.com/biz/long-center-austin

Shape Up Fitness!

Shape Up Fitness hosts meet the trainer! Stop by the clubhouse Monday, October 26th at 6 for free consultations, nutritional guidance and healthy snacks! See you there!

Iaso Rejuvenation Open House!

Iaso Rejuvenation is holding an Open House on Saturday 10/24 between 6 p.m.-9 p.m. There will be free massage, appetizers, drinks and art for sale. Conveniently located on the first floor, Suite 1007. We hope to see you there!

RiverCity Market: Fresh Austin Shopping

RiverCity Market is a great alternative to the usual chain grocery store, offering an impressive selection of healthy, high quality foods in a convenient location. This quirky grocery store is located in Austin’s South Congress neighborhood, right near a number of popular shops and restaurants.

The open shelves are well-stocked and spacious, and there is a large selection of craft beers and wines in all price ranges. A hot bar sells prepared foods that guests can eat outside at one of the small cafe tables, and there’s also a salad bar where you can make a healthy, grab-and-go lunch. RiverCity Market also features customizable sandwiches and a full bakery counter that you simply can’t walk past without admiring. The store’s breakfast tacos are its most popular items, however, and they’re served daily until 11 a.m.

RiverCity Market is open 6 a.m. to midnight weekdays and 7 a.m. to midnight weekends.

RiverCity Market
2209 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 462-4955
www.facebook.com/RivercityMarketAustin/info
www.yelp.com/biz/rivercity-market-austin

Finley’s Barber Shop: Get a Classic Cut at This Old School Shop

In a world where consumers are always looking for the fastest, most convenient options, the intricacy of a straight razor shave and a shoeshine goes a long way. Finley’s Barber Shop is an old-fashioned barber shop that's centered around this type of detail-oriented service, and the men who walk out of its wooden doors reflect the impressive difference a classic haircut makes.

The shop itself is located in the Warehouse District of downtown Austin, and inside of its large, glass-paneled storefront lies a exceptionally stylish barber shop with all of the classic trimmings. Vintage photo frames line the walls, antique pedestal sinks sit at the center of each station, and the industrial style of the exposed pipes adds even more character. Each customer is offered a cold beverage at the beginning of a visit, and then you can simply relax as one of the skilled barbers shaves, snips, and shines away.

Finley's Barber Shop is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended.

Finley’s Barber Shop
237 W. Third Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 298-2920
www.finleysformen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/finleys-barber-shop-austin-2

Jim Jim’s Water Ice: Cool Off With a Sweet Treat

Jim Jim’s Water Ice offers a cool, refreshing way to escape the Texas heat. Water ice is a traditional Italian treat that is most popular in Philadelphia, and it's made by blending real fruit with finely shaved ice to create a velvety soft texture.

Jim Jim’s operates out of a colorful storefront in downtown Austin, and customers order their water ice right from the front window like you would at an old-fashioned ice cream stand. The prices are just as old fashioned, and the friendly employees dole out extremely generous servings in each styrofoam cup. In addition to its classic fruit flavors, Jim Jim’s offers water ice with cream on top or smoothies and cups with soft serve ice cream blending into any water ice flavor.

Jim Jim’s Water Ice is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jim Jim’s Water Ice
615 E. Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 708-8285
www.jimjimswaterice.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jim-jims-water-ice-austin

East Side Glass Studio: Glass-Blow Your Own Masterpiece

Shara Funari and Leigh Taylor Wyatt arrived at glass blowing from very different backgrounds. Shara didn't pick up the art until 2004, honing what was then a hobby at a public glass blowing studio in 2004. Leigh relocated to Texas in 2006 specifically to further her glass blowing career and to be closer to family. However, for both women, glass blowing eventually evolved into a passion; this is why they opened East Side Glass Studio in Austin.

At the studio, the public can come in to watch Shara and Leigh blow glass, or they can join in themselves. Intro classes are held a few times over the course of a month, teaching newbies the basics of glass blowing. Visitors can come in for a one-off experience where they learn the bare-bone fundamentals and then create their own glass masterpiece in a single session.

East Side Glass Studio
507 Calles Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 731-1702
www.eastsideglassstudio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/east-side-glass-studio-austin

Enjoy the Art and the View at HOPE Outdoor Gallery

HOPE is a collection of artists dedicated to making the world a more beautiful place, and they've made great strides in Austin. A previously desolate part of the city now exudes color and personality thanks to both local and international talents who've covered crumbling walls in bright, colorful panoramas.

Graffiti artists and muralists collaborate to create a masterpiece on the concrete walls that were once a blank canvas. According to those who've visited, the portraits are "mesmerizing" and "awe-inspiring." Each piece presents a different inspirational or educational message, and the collaborative piece is growing all the time. It doesn't hurt that HOPE Outdoor Gallery overlooks Austin's skyline, another breathtaking masterpiece in its own right. So if you have an afternoon to spare and you're looking for a photo op, head to this fresh-air gallery in downtown Austin.

HOPE Outdoor Gallery
1101 Baylor Street
Austin, TX 78703
hopecampaign.org/hopeprojects/hope-outdoor-gallery
www.yelp.com/biz/hope-outdoor-gallery-austin

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