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What’s Buzzing Around Austin this June

An insider's guide to what's buzzing around Austin

Tribeza Talk June 2019

Tribeza Talk: Neighborhoods

In Full Bloom

Before Carly Blair established House of Margot Blair 10 years ago, she was in art school studying fashion design. “My aunt had just opened up a flower shop in San Antonio,” Blair says. “She opened on Valentine’s Day weekend, which made for a very crazy day. It was all hands on deck.” Discovering her talent for creating beautiful artistic arrangements, Blair opened her own shop, specializing in weddings.

This year she launched Club Margot, a monthly membership that includes access to floral design videos and custom arrangements, designed in her Lake Austin Boulevard store. “It’s no coincidence that we landed in Tarrytown,” Blair says. “I like clients that like to be creative, and this area provides a lot of that.” 

houseofmargotblair.com

Urban Beautification

South Austin fans of Chelle Neff’s Urban Betty salon now won’t have to venture too far for a blowout. In February, Urban Betty opened its second location, on South Congress Avenue near St. Elmo. The new space features a kitchen and a workspace that guests can utilize while they’re waiting. 

urbanbetty.com

In Good Health

If your diet can’t include a dose of Kerbey Queso, the folks behind Kerbey Lane have a solution. Opened in April, the new South Lamar restaurant High Note is serving up nutritious fare, like vegan sandwiches, gluten-free and protein-packed dishes, and even healthy and boozy cocktails. 

highnoteatx.com

Like a Local

Visitors looking to try Austin on for size can now book a stay in a furnished apartment in one of six areas of town, including Rainey Street, Mueller and downtown, thanks to Locale. The local company takes a hotel-like approach to apartment stays, providing Wi-Fi, kitchen equipment and towels and linens. 

staywithlocale.com

Living Color

Drive along East Cesar Chavez and you’re bound to spot a mural by Luis Angulo. For over a decade the Venezuelan-born artist has been putting a colorful stamp on large spaces like the exterior of Mr. Natural and Native Hostel. After earning an MFA from the University of Hartford in Connecticut, Angulo brought his vibrant style to Austin, drafting digital sketches in his East Side studio. “I love the creative energy of the East Side, the music, the culture from the original residents that have been there for years and years,” Angulo says. “It’s a neighborhood that’s struggling to keep its identity, but you can still see it in pockets, so that’s usually where I spend most of my time.”

uloang.com

All That Jazz

“When I was in high school, there was a movie that came out called ‘Mo’ Better Blues,’ and there’s this jazz club in it,” Kris Kimura says. “I loved the movie. I loved the idea of the jazz club.” With that idea in mind, Kimura began work on downtown’s Parker Jazz Club, which opened in January 2018. “Ultimately, the catalyst to make this happen was that my son was about to be born, and we figured now’s the time to do it so I won’t be on the road as a musician anymore.” Now Kimura regularly plays the club with Wasabi Big Band and hosts jazz stars, including Kenny Garrett and Ephraim Owens. 

parkerjazzclub.com