City Cast Austin

For decades, Suzanna Choffel has called Austin home, and found a magical music community among others who play at our local bars and venues. David Garza, who produced her fourth and latest album, called her “the voice of Austin,” and it’s not hyperbole, as her diverse influences reflect the richness of Austin’s local music scene. She joins host Nikki DaVaughn to share what makes Austin’s music scene so special, and why she still loves it even as the city changes. And stay tuned for our special weekly segment, A Mile in Their Boots, featuring a bonus interview with Marc Nathan, a “superconnecter” who helps investors connect with local entrepreneurs. This is the fourth of five episodes we’re doing about the music community in Austin, brought to you by our exclusive launch sponsor, Tecovas. Tecovas knows more than handmade boots and fine Western wear — they’ve got an ear for great music, too. From legends of the past to rising stars on the scene, they love supporting musicians and music fans right here in Austin. So if you’re headed for a good time on the stage or in the crowd, go in good boots from Tecovas. You can hear Suzanna Choffel, along with Alex Marrero and Julie Bouchard, play live at our Austin in Stereo showcase, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Tecovas store on South Congress.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

School vouchers are expected to be a big issue once more at the Texas Capitol when lawmakers return in January — in fact, they’ve recently come up in a hearing to prepare for the next session. So today, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Rep. James Talarico, a “deeply religious” Democrat from Austin who sits on the House’s public education committee and, as a former public school teacher himself, cares deeply about public schools. He’ll break down just what exactly vouchers are, how they work in other places, and who’s behind the push behind the Texas effort. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Fall is in the air, and for some in Central Texas, the itch to spend more time outside must be scratched. Host Nikki DaVaughn likes nature from afar, and is joined by Pam LeBlanc, adventurer extraordinaire, to share all of her top tips for where to pitch a tent this fall, how to prepare for a successful outing, and why the best views in nature are actually found on the loo. Among her tips: Reserve state campsites in advance, check out the LCRA’s glamping options, borrow gear, and sign up for a guided camping trip if you’re just getting started. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

TGIF! It’s the Friday News Roundup, and this week, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Axios reporter Nicole Cobler and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about this week’s news. We’re talking about KXAN’s latest report on a particular council member’s meeting absences, the latest blow to transgender Texans and what what we miss out on when they flee the state, and some exciting news: Katz’s Deli is coming back to its old stomping grounds on West Sixth Street! And make sure you stick around after the roundup for our Don’t Go Gently tip for this weekend. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Austin has almost 7,000 unhoused residents, including about 1,200 in shelters, a population that has swelled in the past few years. Meanwhile, a ban on camping that the city lifted and then voters reinstated has forced Austin to reckon with how it addresses homelessness and what happens when people illegally camp in the city. After a state ban reinforced the city’s, and the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the limitations, the city was flush with federal cash, $95 million of which was dedicated to homelessness. Now, as a so-called fiscal cliff approaches, Austin must decide where to prioritize, where to partner, and where to let resources die. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by David Gray, Austin’s Homeless Strategy Officer, to discuss it all. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

There are so many different kinds of musicians in Austin, but some should also be considered poets for the talented prose they weave into songs. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined today by one of Austin’s talented vocalists and songwriters, Julie Bouchard, who gets her inspiration for songs from an unexpected source. They discuss how vocalists and songwriters can make it in Austin, what drew Julie to town to begin with, and impart advice on the next generation of Austin musicians. And stay tuned for our special weekly segment, A Mile in Their Boots, featuring a bonus interview with Ricky Brennes, the executive director in charge of Bevo, the University of Texas’ mascot. This is the third of five episodes we'll be doing about the music community in Austin, brought to you by our exclusive launch sponsor, Tecovas. Tecovas knows more than handmade boots and fine Western wear — they’ve got an ear for great music, too. From legends of the past to rising stars on the scene, they love supporting musicians and music fans right here in Austin. So if you’re headed for a good time on the stage or in the crowd, go in good boots from Tecovas. You can hear Julie Bouchard play live at our Austin in Stereo showcase, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Tecovas store on South Congress.  We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The worst of summer is finally behind us, and at last, it’s cool enough to spend more than 10 minutes outside at any given time. We’ve decided that September is the month to explore what Austin has to offer, and we’ve got just the guide to help you do that. It’s also National Hispanic Heritage Month, and there are tons of ways to celebrate that, here, too. We’re talking about Viva Mexico, Centroamericanto Fest, where to find chiles en nogale, HAAM Day, Austin Museum day, Austin Restaurant Week, the Sazon Latin Food Festival, and more. For even more tips on how to make the most of September in Austin, check out Hey Austin’s take on what to do this month. City Cast Austin’s guide to September is made possible by our awesome exclusive launch sponsor, Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

TGIF! It’s the Friday News Roundup, and host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about this week’s news. On the agenda: How to celebrate Labor Day weekend, what Austin and Travis County are doing to address the area’s food insecurity and food deserts, and unpacking what really happened when a drag brunch received a bomb threat in June. Plus, it’s University of Texas football season time, and we’ve got some thoughts on where you should watch the first home game. And make sure you stick around after the roundup for our Don’t Go Gently tip for this weekend. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Labor Day is approaching, and even though it feels like a sauna outside, tradition tells us it’s time to grill. Today, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by the Cairo-born and Texas-trained pitmaster extraordinaire at KG BBQ, Kareem El-Ghayesh, to get all the tips to make your holiday meal a success. Plus, El-Ghayesh tells about the first bite of Texas barbecue in an understated Austin establishment in 2012 changed his life forever. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Being a professional musician in Austin is NOT what it used to be — today’s musicians have to juggle multiple gigs, often teach, and have to really work to carve out time to be creative. Today, host Nikki DaVaughn talks to Alex Marrero, a local musician and icon in the Latin fusion music scene, about how he does it all, from performing to teaching to voice artistry and radio show host. Plus, can rising musicians find the same success these days that Marrero has found? And stay tuned for our special weekly segment, A Mile in Their Boots, featuring a bonus interview with Shaun Branigan, a performer at Esther’s Follies. This is the second of five episodes we'll be doing about the music community in Austin, brought to you by our exclusive launch sponsor, Tecovas. Tecovas knows more than handmade boots and fine Western wear — they’ve got an ear for great music, too. From legends of the past to rising stars on the scene, they love supporting musicians and music fans right here in Austin. So if you’re headed for a good time on the stage or in the crowd, go in good boots from Tecovas. You can hear Alex Marrero play live at our Austin in Stereo showcase, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Tecovas store on South Congress.  We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE