Sunday Funday?
Your best bets for curing the summertime Sunday blues
Photo by: Jon Shapley
Oh, Sundays. I love them and hate them all at once. Sure, Sunday means another full day of respite, but it also signal the coming week returning to a hectic pace of life.
Though lazy days of Netflix marathons or leisurely breakfast taco consumption may typically be the name of the game, Austin has plenty of unique Sunday alternatives that let you savor Sunday's slower pace, while still casting away any remaining weekend blues.
There's something about Sunday morning radio that eases you into the day (and out of the residual haze from a night on the town). As you awaken from Saturday night's slumber, pour the Joe and tune into KOKE FM — either 99.3 or 98.5 depending on your locale.
KOKE, Austin's original independent country station, returned to the airwaves in July, bringing back a classic three-hour program that will do you good, no matter what your music or religious tendencies. Hosted by Bob Cole, you'll hear classic tunes from legends like Kitty Wells and Johnny Cash. It's a kitchen radio throwback that will soothe your soul.
Deep in the heart of South Austin, Maria's Taco Xpress undergoes a Sunday morning transformation as it transitions into Hippie Church, a singing, dancing, unique take on gospel brunch.
All beliefs and faiths are welcome to join in on the celebration that's just as much about good vibes and music as it is about worship.
A well-known alternative to the typical Sunday brunch, Stubb's Gospel Brunch has a celebrated reputation for several reasons: Barbecue buffet and live gospel music that will get you moving. There's also an optional Bloody Mary bar (make your own as spicy as you want) that is well worth the added fee.
Stubb's offers two seating options for Sunday brunch: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Music varies by week, but no matter the performer, you can expect a soulful, uplifting mid-day show.
Each Sunday afternoon, the tiny bar of Ginny's Little Longhorn fills to the gills for Chicken Shit Bingo, which is exactly what it sounds like. While a band plays honky-tonk hits — usually Dale Watson if he's not on tour — the pool table serves as a life-size bingo board for one of Ginny's chickens.
Bring your cash for beer and the $2.00 ticket for bingo, then post up by the bingo board or help yourself to a little boot scooting.
As the sun sets on Sunday, grab your blanket, drinks and snacks and head to Yellow Jacket Track Field for a special film screening at Cinema East.
Every other Sunday, Cinema East screens a new independent film in the East Side outdoor locale. Films begin at 9 p.m.
Austin is home to plenty of legendary musicians, a few of whom play in a country super-group of sorts each Sunday night at Continental Club. Heybale, takes the stage at 10 p.m. each Sunday for a late night show that's all about two-stepping to country tunes.
Along with a nightcap, you'll catch some of Austin's legends in action — Redd Volkaert, Earl Poole Ball, Tom Lewis, Gary Claxton and Kevin Smith.
