Keep Austin Weird

The Elephant Room

Congress Street

The city of Austin has undergone a metamorphosis. For years it has been known as the Live Music Capital of the World. Music abounds here - live and colorful. With that comes a free and easy ambiance permeating the city. In recent years, business has boomed in Austin and corporate creep has begun. Some are concerned that something is being lost.

The saying "Keep Austin Weird" is used among Austinites. It can be seen and heard everywhere - t-shirts, bumper stickers, coffee mugs, etc. It is used to reflect the the desire of many to preserve and protect the fiercely independent, liberal and eclectic vibe that the "Old Austin" is known for. This is an effort to promote the small business atmosphere which is sometimes threatened by the incursion of the large corporations that have invaded so many southern cities. Whether it is art, music, history, food, Austin has it all. We had a chance to get just a taste of it. South Congress Cafe for brunch, the prestigious Driskill Hotel for an afternoon cocktail, Shady Grove for home cooking, The Elephant Room for jazz, 6th Street for the Pecan Festival. So much Austin, so little time.