Get Social

What makes Austin unique, so invigorating and inviting?

Words by Sommer Brugal Photos by Eric Morales

Some might assume the obvious reasons like music, barbecue, the outdoor activities we often take for granted. But to most who call this city home, Austin is so much more than a place known for its diverse cuisines and entertaining attractions. To them, the central feature is the community of individuals striving to uphold neighborly interactions in an ever-growing city.

Whether aiming to make art, food, or music, to spark conversations, to encourage new ideas and collaboration, these six community gatherings embody the contagious community-driven spirit that makes Austin—East Austin—what it is today: home.

Shall We Dance?

Operating as a non-profit dance studio since opening its doors in 2006, Esquina Tango initially set out to teach tango. Though the growth has been completely organic, the current schedule has expanded to offer samba, bachata, and salsa lessons. While dance and movement remain at the center of Esquina Tango’s operations, its mission is about much more than just the steps of a dance routine. Instead, its aim remains to bridge between cultural and human elements, offering educational and social events regularly, like concerts featuring Latin American bands, or screenings of Latin American movies, and most recently, an Argentinian orchestra performance. {Read More…}

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Austin Yellow Bike Project

The Yellow Bike Project’s (YBP) mission is to get more people on bikes and get more bikes on Austin’s roads. Mike Conti, YBP staff mechanic, says one way of accomplishing that is giving people the knowledge they need to keep their bikes working. “Bikes cost a lot to maintain, but if you know how to fix your own flat [tire] or replace your own parts, it’ll help you save money and will give you more independence, too.” A few nights a week, the shop is open to the public, inviting community members to work on their bike, browse for old parts, or volunteer around the shop. With 12 working stands available during open hours, Conti suggests arriving early. Educating visitors about bikes doesn’t have an age minimum, either—just as long as the individual is using the shop’s equipment responsibly. Similarly, Conti says while many young teens aren’t able to come with a chaperone, the shop volunteers and staff members step up to do whatever they can to ensure kids of the community can participate. austinyellowbike.org

Going to Bat for Austin’s Children

RBI Austin. Although the acronym stands for Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, this organization is so much more than that. On and off the field, players interact with their coaches, forming long-term mentoring relationships that create an environment where children and teenagers are self-sustained and able to thrive. Due to the program’s dedication to serving AISD’s underprivileged youth who are only required to pay $10 a season, RBI runs on volunteers and donations. In fact, 94 percent of their budget is funded through charitable donations, many of which are offered at their annual Now At Bat fundraiser. This year, 1,171 RBI Austin kids will continue to play and develop their support systems thanks to the generosity of their neighbors.  rbiaustin.org

Soma Vida

Soma Vida is a co-working space which strives to connect people, whether it’s encouraging collaborative working partnerships or building a community of healing. Laura Shook Guzman, founder of Soma Vida, is “committed to offering affordable space that supports [the] arts, wellness, [and] groups that are inclusive.” A few of the groups housed in Soma Vida who are committed to doing just that include: Community Healing Circle, Kirtan Austin, Yoga in Color, Inward & Artward, and Sacred Sexuality. Each of these groups explore different aspects of wellness and community. Inward and Artward, organized by Story Bar, studies the intersection of mindfulness, creativity, and community, while Community Healing Circle gives people an opportunity to learn about wellness modalities from energy healing to sound bowls to acupuncture. At Soma Vida, there are programs and classes offered for various ages, numerous needs, and a variety of interests. somavida.net

Intentional Interactions

Stephanie Gutierrez, Shelby Goodwin, and Sara Barge are the trio behind Foster ATX, a music and culinary pop-up series that works to support and showcase creative and talented individuals in Austin. Roommates, travel partners, and self-proclaimed soul mates, the trio continuously works to open people’s minds and push the boundaries on what it means to feel connected to another. Every aspect of Foster ATX is intentional:  from the simple, yet beautiful décor, to the unconventional music and cuisine pairings, to the emotion the team hopes to instill in guests. “We’re intentional [because] we want [guests] to be intentional with the people around [them], to be so invested in whoever is performing or cooking,” Gutierrez adds. {Read More…}

Austin Cricket Association

Founded in 2006, the Austin Cricket Association (ACA) began with a mission to promote cricket in Austin, create a platform for youth to play the sport, and serve the Austin community. Guru Krish, chairman of the board and an ACA founding member, says the organization is currently working with the Central Texas Cricket League to boost youth interest in the sport, like playing cricket in schools. Krish reveals that ACA also plans to organize a summer camp and a year round youth league. Today, there are more than 50 members of ACA, including youth and adults, with three teams: the Gladiators, Chargers, and Hurricanes. Wanting everyone who’s interested to get involved, Krish explains those wanting to learn about the sport can practice free of charge for a few months before becoming a member. Practices are held on Wednesday and Thursday, and games are played on Saturday or Sunday. Whether a team player or an encouraging fan, visit the ACA fields at 6013 Loyola Lane to catch a game. austincricket06.wixsite.com

Positioning People to Become Yogis

When Gabriel Tavera first discovered yoga, asanas and heart chakras left him reeling. “It made me feel like a stiff, worthless dude,” he remembers. That was until he discovered Bikram yoga. A perfect beginners’ yoga, Gabriel notes that for him, Bikram remains a touchstone practice. Even after ten years, “It makes me feel like I hit the reset button,” he insists. Over the years, however, Bikram Yoga East Austin has evolved into a studio that cultivates diversification. “Yoga should not be concrete,” explains Gabriel. “I really enjoy the stimulus of diversity.” This variety is expressed through a continual rotation of teachers and workshops. The next one, WAYcationATX, is a 6-day yoga festival from April 18-23. bikramyogaeastaustin.com

Plugged Into the Patchwork

Lights pulse, knobs turn, and silence reigns. Once a month, the floor of Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches is cleared and modular synthesizer enthusiasts arrange their gear for a four-hour show and tell. Instead of the socially acceptable chit-chat that generally accompanies a meet and greet, dozens of people don headphones and listen to analogue sonic designs. Later, they will be broadcast across the PA system for everyone to contemplate. Hosted by Switched On and Batch, this monthly meetup is open to anyone who enjoys sound, which according to Josh Lit, the co-owner of Batch, is essential for those who pursue this hobby. “I feel like people in the modular world… get very excited and want to share their experiences with each other, and this is a good platform for that,” explains Josh. As if to underscore the importance of bringing this introverted hobby onto the stage, Josh shares that “we’ve had people come back from pretty far away and drive in and stay with people they met from the meetup before.” Marcos Cabral of Switched On adds that it’s not uncommon for the meetup to extend into different venues throughout the weekend as attendees continue to collaborate and jam together. Announced through Switched On’s mailing list. switchedonaustin.com