27 Agustus 2009

The Live Music Scene in Austin Texas

There is more live music going on in Austin, Texas on any given night than there is in any other city in the world. That's why the city has put a trademark on it's slogan "Live Music Capital of the World."

There are hundreds of live music venues in the city and its immediate environs. Many are situated in three main entertainment districts: Sixth Street/Red River, the Warehouse district and South Austin. Sixth Street/Red River is the famous sector in downtown Austin that is known around the world for it's live music scene and often boisterous crowds that fill Sixth Street on the weekends when it is closed to traffic. The Warehouse district runs west from Congress Ave. along Fourth and Fifth Streets. That's where Antone's is located, the venue that USA Today has named the best blues club in the country. In South Austin, there are a number of clubs on South Congress, South First St. and South Lamar that offer up some of the best new and original music in town.

The road to its live music capital status began way back in the 1960's when a spirit of eclecticism appeared with the hippies and anti-war protesters of that era. Inclusion was in and exclusion was out, no pun intended. With the 70's, this eclectic spirit gave birth to a form of music that was often called progressive country. Joe Ely, along with co-Lubbockites Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, brought this music down to Austin and hooked up with Marcia Ball and Delbert McClinton and cosmic cowboys like Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphy, Rusty Weir and Ray Wiley Hubbard. Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings came back from Nashville during that time to settle in Austin where they could take control of the production of their songs. A wild and powerful musical vortex formed that saw psychedelic rock and roll mix with straight out country and blues at venues such as the Armadillo World Headquarters, Threadgill's, the Soap Creek Saloon and the Broken Spoke. It was cool to dig the psychedelic sound of the 13th Floor Elevators and the uncompromising country licks of Alvin Crow at the same time.

Then, in 1975, a 30-minute University of Texas music program was accepted by a number of PBS affiliate stations and Austin City Limits was launched and has become the longest running program in the history of PBS. It has propelled Austin to the forefront of the music industry's consciousness in the US and around the world. That first program featured Willie Nelson, but has since put Texas music notables such as Marcia Ball, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, Asleep at the Wheel and many, many others in the national and world spotlight.

In more recent years, the South by Southwest showcase every Spring that brings nearly 1500 musicians and musical acts to town to be seen and heard by industry executives and AR types, along with the Austin City Limits Festival in September, have kept the city on the national music map. In addition, dozens of other smaller festivals are held each year, as well as a number of nationally significant ones in the surrounding Hill Country such as the Kerrville Folk Festival and the Old Settlers Reunion in Buda, just south of town.

The Austin music scene has always been a free-wheeling, break-the-mold, think-out-of-the-box kind of affair. That early eclecticism lives on in the current scene, although some characteristics of the town's soundscape seem to have become entrenched. Sixth Street/Red River attracts a younger, party animal type of crowd with it's rock and roll, blues and punk scene. The Warehouse district caters to a bit older and more professional crowd in general. And South Austin retains the feel of Austin in the 70's with its nouveau hippie coffeehouses and crowds and its preference for good singer/songwriters. Still, there are always exceptions to those general tendencies just about anywhere you go.

Austin remains a city where musical creativity and talent thrive and defy expectations. That can be experienced close up and personal in any number of live music venues on any given night.

Escapeso Real Estate is a small company working in the Austin Texas real estate market. They provide a graphical search of the Austin MLS along with commentary on their blog about changes in the Austin real estate market.

Ki Gray - EzineArticles Expert Author

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An Introduction to Malaysian Food

Malaysia is a country with rich culture. The population is made of mainly Malay, Chinese and Indians while the Borneo sub origins made out the most of west Malaysian population. Malaysian food, of course is very much reflective of the diversity of the people staying here. Located at the Southeast Asia, Malaysia is in between Thailand and Singapore while West Malaysia is next to the Sulawesi and Philippines.

It doesn't take an adventurous traveler or food enthusiast to appreciate Malaysian food. There are just so much to choose from, whether traditional or modern cuisines, deem to satisfy the choosiest tastes buds. The staple food in Malaysia is rice, just like the other Asian countries. Due to its sunny weather all year round, fruits and vegetables are in abundance while meat, poultry and seafood is inexpensive and readily available. Malaysian food, just like its people, is divided into Malay, Chinese and Indian and is still prepared by their own unique ways.

Malay food, in general is rich with herbs like lemongrass, tamarind, dried and fresh chilies, ginger and garlic. Malay dishes can be distinguished into a few methods of cooking namely masak merah (tomato sauce), masak lemak (coconut milk), masak asam (sourish tamarind) and masak pedas (spicy). Popular dishes that cannot be missed are such as nasi lemak (coconut milk steamed rice), sambal belacan (shrimp paste with pounded chilies), beef rending (dried curry) and serunding (beef floss). Satay, or barbequs meat on a stick, is originated from Malay cuisine has presence in restaurants all over the world today.

Indian food, on the other hand, has very much integrated northern Indian and southern Indian cuisines when they reach Malaysian shores. Popular for their curries, banana leaf rice and breads such as chapati, naan and roti (prata in some countries). Indian food has also been assimilated with Malay food through their mix marriages of Indian Malay. The resultant is Mamak food, which cannot be found in India, itself. Examples are like teh tarik (tea with milk), murtabak and rojak (mixture of fruits with peanut sauce).

Chinese food, like Indian food, has been assimilated with local cuisines. In China itself, Chinese are divided into so many provinces namely the Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien, Hainan, Teochew and so forth. In Malaysian, Cantonese food makes the most presence with its stir fry and steaming method. Chinese dishes such as dim sum, sweet and sour dishes, char siew (sweet barbecued pork),bak kut teh (herbal soup) are a few popular dishes. Steamboat or fondue is also widely available and can be a great experience.

There is no denial, Malaysia is a food heaven. Restaurants open very early through wee hours in the morning. There is food for every budget. Sometimes a hearty meal come with a small price, yet does not compromised on varieties. Head down to street stalls in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the country and you will know what I mean.

amy guan loves to cook and shares her recipe on her blog at www.malaysianfoodrecipe.blogspot.com


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26 Agustus 2009

Organic Skin Care

Natural and healthful rind maintenance products are healthier for your rind which can behave as a membrane absorbing rind maintenance ingredients. Many traditional products carry chemicals that can harm your rind and can get unfavorable health effects over moment. There are many benefits to using healthful products, both for the surroundings and for you. Organic products are environmentally sustainable and accountable as they do not take man-made chemicals or non-renewable resources. There are truly few vegan skincare products on the market and many products that require to be all natural are not. Organic rind maintenance is becoming really favorite these days, and most health nutrient stores have a part devoted to these products.

The basis for robust rind maintenance starts with a robust diet wealthy in entire foods. Foods higher in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, vital fatty acids and higher fibre whole grains are essential to sustain the rind. Unique maintenance is given to select and produce technological combinations of organically grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and new normal botanicals long known for their beautifying and curative properties. Natural ingredients from the ground and seas, such as: linden and calendula plants, jasmine and rose petals, rosehip, yarrow, greenish foods, nettles, paprika, normal thermal mineral spring waters, plus overly many new botanical extracts to cite offer hike to a lovely, clear-cut, balanced, revitalized, and naturally glowing complexion, available results that alone nature can develop.

Healthy skin is more often than not dependant on doing the things that help along the body's own natural cleansing and repair processes. Many people want to use organic products instead of man-made, synthetic ones. They may prefer organic products due to environmental sensibilities or because they feel these products are gentler. Organic skin care products are usually more expensive than regular products because organic crops yield less produce than non-organic crops. Organic & herbal skin care products are as good for you, as they are at making you look good. Skin care products made of organic materials will help awaken that younger ‘you.’ If you have normal skin, it is likely to be problem free, look healthy and clear of spots and blemishes most of the time. It is important to regularly use a facial wash or cleanser, and non heavy moisturiser everyday too.

Every person has a different facial type, which means everyone has different skin care needs. While some of us have experience of excess oiliness on the face, there are others who will experience dryness on the face. Therefore, the most important thing to do before starting an organic skin care regimen is to establish your own facial type. Skin is one of the most important organs of the body, so it is important to perform proper research before making any purchases of any organic goods. This will keep you looking healthy for years to come, and it will also help prevent unwanted acne or blemishes. Organic men’s skin care products tend to be oil or moisture based, and are without harsh chemicals so you will find them gentler than other ranges. Eating less fatty food is the usual stock recommendation and while this is undeniable true it is equally important to make sure that you look at the quality and balance of your food intake.


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