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Didn't get a wristband? No worries—there's still fun to be had if you're not attending ACL. Here's a list of things to do in Austin so you don't get FOMO when you see Doja Cat videos on your friend's Instagram stories.
Try something different with MotoGP at COTA
Head to Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., this weekend for MotoGP, the fastest two-wheeled race. A three-day event taking place at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 8:40 a.m. Sunday, you can get tickets here.
Grab a bite at Homeslice
Who said you had to be at the festival to eat good? During both ACL weekends, Homeslice, 1415 S Congress Ave., is extending its hours at all of its locations. Customers will be offered complete dine-in and take-out options beginning at 11 a.m. going until midnight from Thursday to Sunday both weekends.
Cheers a drink at Fierce Whiskers Distillery
In southeast Austin sits a distillery, tasting room and five-story rickhouse where guests can tour the space and taste some craft whiskey. Doors are open from 4-10 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and 12 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays.
Attend an Austin FC game
If you haven't been to an Austin FC game yet, it's time. You don't need to know soccer to have a good time and enjoy local eats. The team will take on Real Salt Lake at Q2 Stadium, 10414 Mc Kalla Place, at 2:30 p.m. Get tickets here.
Get your win at Cidercade
The perfect combination of alcoholic drinks and games for everybody—Cidercade, 600 E Riverside Dr., is a great place to hideout from the rain and ACL crowd. Admission is $10 and allows access to 150+ arcade games. Ciders and food are offered on-site, and don't forget to check out the seasonal ciders including Pecan Pie, Bomb Pop!, Main Squeeze and Strawberry Rhubarb!
Have your own Oktoberfest at Carpenter Hotel
Just a few blocks away from the festival, Carpenter Hotel, 400 Josephine St., will be transforming its property into a Biergarten for both ACL weekends. If you're not attending ACL (or if you want to stop by before or after), they will be offering food and beverages such as pretzels, brats, beer, wine and coffee throughout the afternoon and evening. Each morning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., they will also host a brunch. This event is free to attend but all food and beverages must be purchased with Biergarten Bucks, which will be available for purchase upon entry.
Try a new taco at Torchy’s Tacos
This year, Torchy's is teaming up with Black Pumas as it is releasing its special-edition Black Pumas Tacos as well as its Black Pumas Stay Gold Hoppy Pale Ale. A portion of the taco proceeds will go toward the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. These tacos will be purchasable at Northshore, South Congress and South Lamar locations.
Happy ACL weekend!
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(Laura Figi/Austonia)
Austin chefs were well-represented at the James Beard Foundation Awards on Monday night as two local restaurateurs took home the coveted award—more than any other Texas city.
Chef Iliana de la Vega of El Naranjo, 2717 S. Lamar Blvd., took home the title of Best Chef Texas and chef Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria, 2512 E. 12th St., took home Best Emerging Chef at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Nearby, Houston’s Julep was recognized for Outstanding Bar Program as the only other Lone Star State mention. The award has often been compared to high-caliber awards like the Oscars or the Grammys of food.
De la Vega told Austonia she wasn’t expecting to win—she hadn’t even prepared a speech—she was just happy for a weekend vacation with her husband and business partner Ernesto Torrealba. De la Vega said she considers it a joint award for the two of them.
“It was a little bit shocking, emotional, a little bit of everything. When we had to move from Mexico to here, I thought at some point, you know, it has to have a meaning,” de la Vega said. “We finally came to be recognized for the love and the sharing of the traditions from Mexico that we feel very proud of.”
De la Vega said when she originally started El Naranjo in Oaxaca, Mexico, in 1997, it was the “perfect place, the perfect life and the perfect everything.” After the economy collapsed, de la Vega and her family had to move to the U.S.
They bounced from New Mexico to San Antonio, when she was asked to create and lead the Latin American Studies program for the Culinary Institute of America, which she accepted. Soon after, they moved to Austin and started a food truck for their lost restaurant in Oaxaca before they were able to build a brick-and-mortar shop in 2012. The rest is history.
De la Vega said she was proud to share the stage with Rico and represent her native cuisine, she just hopes she can live up to the hype of newcomers.
“To recognize Mexican cooking as one of the best cuisines in the world, I think it's huge,” De la Vega said. “Maybe there will be new people coming in that didn't even know that we existed and they may have bigger expectations so (I’m trying to) live up to the challenge right now.”
Rico echoed de la Vega’s pride in his emotional acceptance speech, mentioning it's huge for "La Raza," which directly translates to "the race."
“This is huge for la raza, this is huge for my people. For all the taqueros, anything is possible.”—Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria, 2022 #jbfa Emerging Chef winner, sponsored by @SanPellegrino. pic.twitter.com/9K831GqM0T
— James Beard Foundation (@beardfoundation) June 13, 2022
“Honest to god I did not expect to win this award tonight, but it’s been a trial to get here,” Rico said. “This is huge for La Raza, this is huge for my people. For all the taqueros, anything is possible.”
Saharan dust is coming to Central Texas this summer. (NASA Earth Observatory/Flickr)
Dust from the Saharan Air Layer took a trip over the Atlantic Ocean and into Austin's skies Tuesday, causing a hazy sunset and air quality that was labeled "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" by the National Weather Service.
The African desert's dust takes a trip across the Atlantic every three to five days in late spring, summer and early fall and tends to hit Central Texas most from mid-June to late August.
Did you notice the hazy skies today? This was attributed to Saharan Dust that has made it into the region. Here is a comparison of tonight's hazy sunset versus two nights ago before the dust arrived. The dust is forecast to impact the region through Friday. pic.twitter.com/tmj4VwQbOU
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) June 14, 2022
Other than creating vivid sunsets, the dry Saharan air can make the sky appear milky white at midday. Just one dust cloud can be as large as the United States—and each cloud can help prevent tropical cyclones from occurring in the humid ocean air.
Those who are most sensitive to changes in air quality—including the elderly, young children and those with respiratory conditions—should limit their time outside as dust levels peak in the Austin skies Thursday.
And while the dust can cause a sore throat or itchy eyes, Saharan dust is an irritant that cannot be alleviated with allergy medications.
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