Go Nuts!

So, I'm allergic to nuts, but that doesn't mean you won't find me at the Spring 2009 Old Pecan Street Festival on May 2-3. The festival is held every Fall and Spring downtown on 6th Street (formerly known as Pecan Street), and features over 250 arts/crafts vendors, food, and live entertainment.

Jules will be here that weekend, so I'm sure we'll take a stroll down Old Pecan Street. Let me know if you want to join in!

Event Alert! This is also the same weekend as the Peter Max art collection at Russell Collection, and the May Austin Breakfast Club meeting.

"What's your flava...tell me what's your flava"

*Photo from designld.com

When it comes to flavor and good taste, whether with botanical design, or creative s'mores, La-Dee-Dah and Treat know how to do it right. This weekend, I was entertaining Jason, a special family friend, during his first trip to the ATX. It was undebatable that we had to show him the quirky Austin trailors, with a stop at Torchy's Tacos at the South Austin Trailor Park & Eatery on S. 1st. As we were waiting for our tacos, I stepped inside the La-Dee-Dah trailor that I had heard so much about. Inside, I was surprised to find such unique botanical creations by Lauren Dolinksy of LD Design Studio made of succulents, colorful rocks, and even branches arranged in such a way that I was drawn to them, admiring every detail. (For those of you who aren't familiar, succulents are plants that retain water, and are therefore eco-friendly, which makes these fall under my Green Entertaining Rebeccamendation category). After talking to the expert working there, I learned that these are "plants for people who kill plants," meaning, they require very little water, mostly misting every few days, and that the only risk is too much watering, not too little. I immediately thought this "botanical couture" (as described on the designld.com website) would be a unique gift for a housewarming party, or really a gift for any occasion, where these living works of art could serve as a conversation-starter centerpiece, or a piece of art to decorate a living space and catch the eye of visiting guests. La-Dee-Dah also houses hand-made headbands, home accessories, cards, gifts, and even "Chai Ya'll" and "Chai Fidelity" specially-designed American Apparel t-shirts.

I also learned that Treat, the flavored "designer" s'mores station at the end of the trailor will be relocating to it's very own airstream trailor home at the South Austin Trailor Park & Eatery near the 2nd week of April. I can't wait to try this spin on the classic outdoor dessert, with flavored marshmallows that range from Raspberry, to Chocomint, to Lavender Lemon. There is even a private campfire for roasting if you visit this tasty trailor.

Entertaining Decor Recommendation: Botanical art by Lauren (LD Design Studio) at La-Dee-Dah

Dessert Entertainment Activity any time: Treat's flavored marshmallow s'mores at the new airstream trailor coming soon this April.

Breakfast Taco/Lunch Recommendation: Torchy's Tacos at the S. Austin Trailor & Eatery, S. 1st.

ART + STYLE= AUSTIN

2ND Street District ART+STYLE 09 is a series of art, shopping and happy hour events (Wednesday evenings March 25-April 22) leading up to Art Week Austin and Art City Austin 09 (April 25-26--see "The Upcoming Events" on the right side of my blog) in the 2ND Street District downtown.

Come support Allison and Art Alliance Austin (wow, lot's of A's) at the following: (I'll be at the happy hour tomorrow if anyone wants to join in!)

• March 25-Happy Hour with Artists at LaCondesa & Malverde (6-8 PM)
• April 8 ART+COCKTAILS Kickoff: Beginning with a progressive happy hour a 6pm with participating 2ND Street District restaurant bars, partygoers will begin judging the Art Cocktail entries as they trek through 2ND Street District to Taste Select Wines, Mama Fu’s, Yu Sushi, Cru, MaLaga and LaCondesa & Malverde competing for the 2009 Best Original Art Cocktail. A portion of proceeds from the competing cocktails sold through April 26 with be donated to Art Alliance Austin. A panel of cocktail judges will announce its winner during Art City, but the public has until midnight on April 26 to vote for the People’s Choice online.

Max-imizing Color in Art

*Photo from Petermaxstore.com, search "Liberty"
Several years ago, our family was on a cruise, when we came across an art auction as one of the many afternoon activities offered on the ship. This was when my Dad fell in love with Peter Max, who, as described by his web site, is a "multi-dimensional creative artist who has worked with oils, acrylics, water colors, finger paints, dyes, pastels, charcoal, pen, multi-colored pencils, etchings, engravings, animation cells, lithographs, serigraphs, silk screens, ceramics, sculpture, collage, video and computer graphics. He loves all media, including mass media as a "canvas" for his creative expression." From this day on, he became a favorite family artist, and one that even inspired my sister Allyson to paint a Peter Max-style painting that now hangs in Dad's office. Why am I telling you about my family's art preferences? Well, because Peter Max is scheduled to appear in Austin at the Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery this May (exact date TBD). This upcoming visit, and the fact that Max even "painted 44 Obama portraits in honor of the 44th president" is proof that his work is just as relevant today as it was in the 60's, and just as vibrant. He hasn't lost his touch just yet, so keep checking the Russell Collection website for the exact date of this exciting upcoming event!

Explore Your Artsy Side at Art Week Austin!

April 22-26- Art Week Austin. It begins with Art City Austin, April 25-26, 2009! Each April, hundreds juried independent and emerging artists descend on the hub of innovation, expression, and individuality that is Austin, Texas. 20,000+ art enthusiasts from the region and nation are expected at Art City Austin 09.

Art Event Recommendation: Art After Dark Austin, on Saturday, April 25th, 2009, from 7-11 PM, transforms the Art City Austin site into an exquisite visual, culinary and performing art experience. Join Art Alliance Austin for an exclusive evening celebrating visual artists, live music, and culinary specialties from Austin's best restaurants. Allison works for the Art Alliance, and plans this awesome event, so come on out to volunteer with me, or join in the fun! I still remember what I tasted and the creative exhibits at this event last year. Visit http://www.artallianceaustin.org/ for more info!