Local Luminaries

Austin celebs dance up $1.3 million during dazzling downtown fundraiser

What: 12th Annual Dancing with the Stars Austin

Where: JW Marriott

The lowdown: Dancing with the Stars Austin, one of the city's most entertaining philanthropic events, returned on November 26 in support of the Center of Child Protection. More than 800 guests gathered to watch this decidedly local twist on the hit television show, which pairs Capital City celebs with professional dancers for an epic, no-holds-barred dance-off.

The Grand Ballroom of the JW Marriott was transformed for the evening — an evening that happened to raise $1.3 million for the children's charity. The local luminaries dancing their way into the spotlight this year included Jonathan Davis, MarcyCarpenter, Stephanie O’Neill, SaulPaul, Pradeep Kumar, Marianna Waite, Steven Hernandez, Shawn Cirkiel, Caprice Richards, Kendall Beard McMinn, Aaron Williams, and special guest dancerBetsy Hudson.

Judges Brad Booker, Alex Franco, and Sara Osburn from Mix 94.7 ultimately awarded Kendall Beard McMinn and professional partner Tobi Kretschmer the trophy for their routine set to “A Little Party.” Caprice Richards and her partner Albert Tallieur took first runner-up, while Aaron Williams and dance partner Azucena Perez nabbed second runner-up.

The competition wasn't the only draw. Guests also enjoyed a live auction, raffle for a 2018 Lexus RX 350L courtesy of Lexus of Austin & Lakeway, a $2,500 H-E-B gift card, and Southwest Airlines tickets.

Who: Glenn Ball, Holly Mills-Gardner, Francie Little, Jenny Mason, Melanie McLeroy, Justin Sellers, Roxann Lagow, DJ Gatsby, Tama Williamson, Kara Swinney, Matt Swinney, and Lisa Vargas.

Emcees Glenn Ball and Holly Mills Gardner.

Photo courtesy of Center for Child Protection

Emcees Glenn Ball and Holly Mills Gardner.

The 'Brothers' Are Back

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson spotted with film crew in Austin

Getty Images

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were seen on South Congress Avenue in mid-November.

One of Hollywood's favorite duos, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, were spotted on South Congress in mid-November with a camera crew.

Nobody is exactly sure what these two are up to, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from churning. Some say it's for their upcoming Apple TV+ series, Brother From Another Mother. It'sa 10-episode comedy that is a "heartfelt odd couple love story," according to The Wrap, quoting an early press release. It takes place on a ranch in Texas, so filming around town would make sense.

South Congress Avenue certainly doesn't look like a ranch, though. The actors looked foppish, Harrelson in an all-maroon suit and shiny leather shoes, and McConaughey in a loud, royal purple patterned shirt.

Another theory was that they were shooting Salesforce ads, and someone in the same thread suggested (without a source) that what they were filming wasn't a narrative feature.

And of course Reddit is doing what it does best:

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey and Harrelson starred together in the first season of True Detective.reddit.com

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey said on Access Daily that his mom started the rumor that he and Harrelson are half-brothers.reddit.com

But even though no one knows for sure what the two are doing here, we do have reason to believe that the two real-life best friends and former EDtv and True Detective co-stars are still around. According to an insider, who can't say much because the project is still in the works, the two are "still shooting a bunch of stuff around town," though where they'll be next is a mystery.

And remember, "Time is a flat circle. Everything we have done or will do we will do over and over and over again — forever.” So if you don't catch them this time, sounds like you'll have another chance.

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