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Courtesy of The Backyard

SXSW is fast approaching, and with it, one of the best excuses to get outside the Austin City Limits: Willie Nelson's Luck Reunion will take place the same week as SXSW out on his beloved ranch, Luck, TX. Taking place on Thursday, March 16, this year's festival features more than 35 acts — on top of the incredible culinary lineup already announced for the days surrounding the main event.

“Team Luck is thrilled to welcome a diverse lineup of performers to Willie’s backyard, including fresh new talent and some familiar faces who have been longtime members of the Luck Family,” said festival organizers, via release.

A longtime partner in promoting the iconic event Southwest Airlines celebrates the fourth year of the Artists On The Rise To Luck program which brings Angel White, Arcy Drive and Pearla to join the Luck family. Through the Artist On The Rise platform, Southwest supports up-and-coming talent to give them a lift in their careers.

A new addition to the festival this year is The Bread & Roses Community Conversations Stage, hosting three engaging discussions throughout the day. Moderated conversations between musicians, activists, chefs, and local family farmers will include Celebrating Indigenous Foodways and Food Sovereignty, The Role of the Artist in Advancing Social Justice, and Family Farmers: Leading the Way with Equity, Food, and Climate Solutions. With intentional learning and community engagement in mind, The Bread & Roses Community Conversations Stage embraces cultural exchanges across industries and alongside fans.

The full lineup for the 2023 Luck Reunion is below (** indicates a Southwest Airlines Artist On The Rise):

  • A Tribute to Doug Sahm & The Texas Tornados featuring Shawn Sahm and Friends
  • A Song for Leon: A Tribute to Leon Russell featuring Beau Bedford, Robert Ellis, and Special Guests
  • Angel White **
  • Arcy Drive **
  • Black Opry Revue featuring Sug Daniels, Aaron Vance, Nikki Morgan & Nicky Diamonds
  • BMI Songwriters Circle featuring John Baumann, Bella White and Poet Hawkins
  • Bob Schneider
  • Dallas Burrow
  • Devon Gilfillian
  • Drayton Farley
  • Elvie Shane
  • Eric D. Johnson
  • Ethel Cain
  • Guster
  • Hermanos Gutiérrez
  • J. Creek Cloggers
  • Jaime Wyatt
  • Jason Scott & The High Heat
  • Jimmie Dale Gilmore & The West Texas Exiles
  • Katie Pruitt
  • Matthew Logan Vasquez
  • Night Cap
  • Particle Kid
  • Pearla **
  • Peter One
  • Rattlesnake Milk
  • Sadurn
  • Shane Smith & The Saints
  • Sierra Ferrell
  • Sir Woman
  • Spoon
  • Terry Allen & The Panhandle Mystery Band
  • The Band of Heathens
  • the GOLDEN DREGS
  • The Heavy Heavy
  • The War and Treaty
  • Thee Sacred Souls
  • Wild Child
  • Willie Nelson & Family
  • Willis Alan Ramsey

Haven't been lucky enough to snag a ticket yet? Fans will have another chance to purchase tickets to the Reunion in-person at Lucky Draw Live, an event at Antone’s Nightclub in Austin thsi Saturday, February 25, at 8 pm. The event will feature performances by Beau Bedford and Robert Ellis & Friends.

Further chances to purchase tickets will be presented through the Lucky Draw as well as Luck Reunion sponsor pages, and fans are encouraged to subscribe to Luck Presents’ email list and follow Luck Reunion on social media to grab their opportunity to attend this unique event.

Photo by Heather Leah Kennedy

Willie Nelson bakes up more food and music than ever before at 2023 Luck Reunion

Feeling lucky

Willie says he's never been accused of being normal, and that's certainly true of his alternative music festival Luck Reunion. Taking place on the same week as SXSW, the smaller, more intimate festival has become a bit of a holy pilgrimage for Willie fans of all ages to gather at the legend's Spicewood ranch, "Luck, TX."

Returning for its 11th year, Luck Reunion is expanding from one day to three, featuring one of a kind culinary and music experiences from March 15 to 19.

Kicking off festivities on March 15, Luck Presents: Potluck 2023 - Three Sisters will feature an intimate "Three Sisters" themed evening paying homage to the main agricultural crops of indigenous cuisine: maize, squash and climbing Beans. The family-style seated dinner will be prepared by a diverse slate of esteemed chefs, followed by a live performance from Nelson under the Hill Country stars.

The host chef for this unique evening will be Brian Light of Ronin Farm and Restaurant near College Station, joined by Crystal Wahpepah (Wahpepah's Kitchen, Kickapoo Nation); Brit Reed (I-Collective, Choctaw tribe); Sewa Yuli (I-Collective, Yoeme tribe). Austin chefs Edgar Rico (Nixta Taqueria) and Mariela Camacho (Comadre Panadería) will participate in the welcome bites and cocktail hour, presented by the Texas Wine and Food Alliance, and celebrity chefs Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill) and Michel Nischan (Wholeome Wave) will also lend their support.

The dinner will start at 5 pm, and tickets will go on sale Monday, February 13 at 12 pm CST. As always, proceeds from Potluck benefit the Luck Family Foundation who will make direct grants to some of Nelson's longtime charity partners, including Farm Aid, Wholesome Wave, and The Texas Food & Wine Alliance.

The main music event will take place on March 16, with a full lineup yet to be announced.

Then, at noon on March 18, the Big Easy will invade Luck, TX for Luck Origins: New Orleans Takeover, a multi-performer show drawn from the spirit and deep influence of the Birthplace of Jazz. The event will feature a chef-curated food experience presented by the Texas Food and Wine Alliance as well as food vendors from across Texas and Louisiana. So far, the lineup includes Cha Wa; Ivan Neville & Friends; The Soul Rebels; and more. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13, at 12 pm CST.

Capping off events, a thoughtful and artist-packed tribute to the legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe will take place at 11 am on March 19. Luck, Antone’s and Gibson Presents: Strange Things Happening: A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 1917-1973 will feature a Gospel Brunch like no other, celebrating the original "Soul Sister" who made an indelible impact on gospel and soul music. The lineup features the Binky Griptite Orchestra, as well as special guests Abraham Alexander, Ruthie Foster, Valerie June, and many more. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13, at 12 pm CST.

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4 Austin-inspired cocktail recipes to whisk you away from the Texas heat this summer

SIP SIP

Now that summer weather has arrived in Austin, we can tell you’re thirsting for some new drinks to try. And with World Gin Day coming up on June 10, we’re sharing a few recipes from local Austin restaurants (and Austin’s favorite Topo Chico!) we hope you’ll enjoy.

The following recipes feature some of our favorite ingredients or mixers we’re loving at the moment. Whether your drink of choice is a cocktail or mocktail, we’ve gathered four bright and bubbly beverages to help whisk you away from the Texas heat. And if you prefer to drink them rather than make them, three of these lovely libations can be found on the seasonal summer menus at their respective restaurant.

Aba’s Rhubarb Rose Gin and Tonic
This cocktail was created by Senior Beverage Manager Thomas Mizuno-Moore.

Ingredients:
½ oz lime juice
¼ oz honey syrup
½ oz Fruitful Mixology rhubarb liqueur
¾ oz Brockmans Gin
¾ oz Hendrick’s Flora Adora
2 oz tonic water
Rosebud tea, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine lime juice, honey syrup, Fruitful Mixology rhubarb liqueur, Brockmans Gin and Hendrick’s Flora Adora in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake until cold.
  • Add tonic water to the shaker, then strain over fresh ice in a double old fashioned glass.
  • Garnish with rosebud tea and enjoy!

Blueberry Sparkler Mocktail by Topo ChicoBecause everyone needs a good go-to mocktail recipe in their life.Photo courtesy of Topo Chico

Blueberry Sparkler Mocktail by Topo Chico
This beverage might not be gin-themed, but it does make a great refreshing mocktail. If you don’t have Topo Chico Sabores on hand, you can substitute it with sparkling water.

Ingredients:
1 Blueberry Topo Chico Sabores
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
½ cup water
½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon slices and additional blueberries, for garnish

Blueberry Syrup Directions:

  • In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries are soft and the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the blueberry mixture to cool for about 10 minutes.
  • Once cooled, use a fine-mesh strainer to strain the blueberry mixture into a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids and set the blueberry syrup aside.

Mocktail Directions:

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 ounce of the blueberry syrup, and lemon juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled, about 15-20 seconds.
  • Fill a glass with ice and strain the mixture into the glass. Top off the glass with Blueberry Topo Chico Sabores (or sparkling water) and give it a gentle stir to mix.
  • Garnish with lemon slices and additional blueberries, if desired. Enjoy your refreshing Blueberry Sparkler!

Tillie's seasonal summer cocktailThis colorful cocktail is a lively take on a gin martini.Photo courtesy of Tillie's at Camp Lucy

Empress Gin Martini by Tillie’s at Camp Lucy
This martini recipe was developed by Paolo Lazarich, the mixologist for Abbey Row Restaurant at The Old Bell Hotel in the United Kingdom. Fun fact: Camp Lucy owners Kim and White Hanks also own The Old Bell Hotel, which is rumored to be England’s oldest hotel.

Ingredients:
3 oz Empress 1908 Gin
1 oz dry vermouth
Splash of lemon juice
Lemon and rosemary for garnish

Directions:

  • Add the Empress 1908 Gin, dry vermouth, and lemon juice to a glass and stir gently.
  • Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of rosemary. Enjoy.

\u200bSummertime Spritz by Dean's Italian Steakhouse There's nothing like a summer spritz.Photo courtesy of Dean's Italian Steakhouse

Summertime Spritz by Dean's Italian Steakhouse
This recipe is geared toward a mixologist who enjoys the little details that make a cocktail so unique, such as making their own oleo saccharum or curating the perfect flower as a garnish.

Ingredients:
½ oz lemon juice
½ oz strawberry oleo saccharum
¼ oz Aperol
¼ oz Giffard Abricot
1.5 oz Zephyr Gin
2 oz Brut champagne
1 each cocktail flower

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients except Brut champagne into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously, about 15-20 seconds.
  • Fill a wine glass with ice and add the Brut. Fine strain the cocktail into the glass.
  • Garnish with the cocktail flower

Extravagant estate in West Austin hits the market for $4.25 million

ON THE MARKET

An imperial estate in the Lost Creek neighborhood of West Austin has become the latest addition to the city's stabilizing real estate market. The property was listed at $4.25 million.

The magnificent three-story home was originally built in 2009, making great use of Austin's Hill Country views that can be seen from every single room. The home spans 8,215 square feet on just over two acres of land, surrounded by lush trees and enclosed with a private gated entrance.

Natural light floods the inside of the home, highlighting intricate details and complimenting the high ceilings. The home boasts five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and three half-baths. The primary suite is reminiscent of an upscale resort, containing its own spa-like bathroom, walk-in closets, and access to a private balcony.

In the kitchen, the 60-inch wolf range is an aspiring chef's dream. The area has plenty of space and storage with its rich brown cabinets, a sub-zero refrigerator, a cabinet-mounted wine rack, two sinks, and more.

8105 Talbot Lane in AustinThe 60-inch wolf range is an aspiring chef's dream.Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

A few other highlights of the home include a game room, media room, terraces, and a resort-style pool deck with an accompanying hot tub, kitchen, and fire pit. The two-car garage also includes a guest suite above it, with a single bedroom, kitchenette, and half bath.

Looking into the property's history, it was listed in June 2022 for $4.9 million, which was reduced to $3.9 million by September. The home was reported as sold in October of that year before being re-listed for its current $4.25 million price in 2023.

8105 Talbot Lane in Austin

Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

The estate is located at 8105 Talbot Lane in West Austin.

The estate is located at 8105 Talbot Lane, which is a brief 10 minutes from downtown Austin, and is zoned for the highly-esteemed Eanes Independent School District. The listing is held by agent Wade Giles of Douglas Elliman.

Uchi spinoff to debut "whisky omakase," bar pairings, and bao in Austin

Raising the Bar

Uchibā isn't a new concept, nor is it newly promised to Austin, but it's finally getting closer to becoming a reality. The bar and restaurant spinoff from Uchi (translated as "Uchi Bar") announced today that it is set to open in late summer in the Google Tower.

Hai Hospitality, the parent group of famous omakase restaurant Uchi, more casual sushi restaurant Uchiko, and drop-in Asian barbecue restaurant Loro, announced the idea in October of 2021, setting a launch date in fall of 2022. The intent was always to open the restaurant in the Google Tower (601 West 2nd St.), so the difference now is just timing.

The original Uchibā opened in Dallas in 2019, operating upstairs from Uchi, an Austin export. This exchange is now coming back around, blurring the lines of what's from which Texas city. Similarly, the lines are blurred between what each restaurant serves, since Uchibā does include some of Uchi and Uchiko's most popular dishes: hot and cool tastings, agemono (deep fried bites), raw fish rolls, yakitori, and more, including dessert.

Of course, there will be lots of menu items that are unique to Uchibā, especially when informed by the spirits behind the bar. Some of these food and drink pairings include the Hawaiian-ish spiced ham misubi with nori, rice, and tepahe, a fermented pineapple drink; and the vodka and caviar with olive oil, burnt butter, brioche, and chives. As well as these "duos," the bar will offer omakase flights for whiskey and agave spirits.

“At Uchi we combine flavors and textures to create what we call the ‘perfect bite,’” said Chef Tyson Cole, the James Beard Award-winning chef who started the Uchi brand, in a press release. “With Uchibā, we wanted to take that a step further by unifying food with cocktails and spirits. Our 'Perfect Pairs' and the whisky omakase play off this idea with intentional combinations of food, cocktails and the the amazing array of Japanese whiskies behind the bar.”

Some menu items aren't just unique to Uchibā; They're also only available at the Austin location, thanks to its chef de cuisine, Vaidas Imsha. His menu includes categories that don't appear at the Dallas location — "Buns + Bao" and dumplings — and a long list of items that could constitute their own menu independently. Among these are a Caesar salad with Japanese twists; a Wagyu beef bulgogi with radish kimchi; two fish crudos with refreshing additions like asian pear and cucumber aguachile; and the more straightforward karaage spiced up with kimchi caramel and yuzu pear.

Uchibā will operate Sunday through Thursday from 4-10 pm; until midnight on Fridays; and until 11 pm on Saturdays. Happy Hour will be from 4-6 pm Monday through Friday.

Uchiba Austin

Photo courtesy of Uchibā

Although Uchi is from Austin, Uchiba, the upstairs bar, has only existed in Dallas until now.