tag:fridaynightwithcare.com,2005:/blogs/vista-brewing-and-the-driftwood-music-festival?p=3Vista Brewing and the Driftwood Music Festival2019-10-29T15:14:10-05:00Friday Night With Carefalsetag:fridaynightwithcare.com,2005:Post/59063732021-07-10T12:46:46-05:002021-07-22T20:30:46-05:00Vista Brewing and the Outside the City Limits Music Festival - my take<p>The day was encased in Texas heat, overhead, a sky of blue painted canvas with cotton candy clouds. Thankfully a breeze came with the day!</p>
<p>Vista Brewing is the vision of Karen Killough and her husband, Kent. This destination location is located 25 miles outside the Austin City Limits which is where the festival name comes from. Exiting FM 150 onto the property you are literally entering the private world of Karen and Kent. The cows grazing beside the drive in reminds you the city has been left behind, but only by minutes.</p>
<p>Woven in the landscape of tall prairie grasses and old live oaks is a stone wall, rumor has it that's its almost 200 years old and still keeps out the things unwanted.</p>
<p>2 stages greet you upon entry of the designated entertainment space. There's a small stage to the left with a building that housed the artists green room and beyond, a bar that serves Vista Brewings beer made on-site as well as wines and local ciders! Picnic tables adorn the lawns where people are content to relax, sip and visit. Did I mention this was not only a family friend event, but pet friendly as well. On the menu that day were items from Vista's onsite organic farm. Talk about fresh farm to table! The refreshments and the Grilled Veggie Burrito with Jalapeno Basil Pesto topped off my day!</p>
<p>There was non stop LIVE music from 1:00PM until Last Call at 9! Bands such as Warm Sugar, Steel Betty, Star Parks, Beth Christman & Jenn Hodges, Altamesa, Batty Jr and Greyhouds! </p>
<p>I can't wait to introduce you to some of these bands, the smooth harmonies of Beth Christman and Jenn Hodges lead you down this winding road you don't necessarily want to come back from! Only to meet up with the cool psychedelic funk of Batty Jr. "Think mini bats". They. Were. Awesome. I posted live FB streams on my FB page, be sure to look it up, "Friday Night With Care"... duh! lol.</p>
<p>The talent was top notch, all local bands, all outstanding artists. I got to sit down with the man responsible for this, Adam Brown. We chatted while he attempted to down a sandwich his wife packed for him, empathy for the busy day ahead. Being a musician himself (he gave me one of his CD's), he knows what he's doing. The scheduling between the two stages was flawless, bouncing one set at one, then while equipment and sound was swapped and checked, the other stage was utilized.</p>
<p>This was the 2nd annual OCLF, taking what they learned from last years show and streamlining and enhancing this one. I look forward to checking it out next year. Meanwhile, on Friday's they have "Driftwood Nights Song Writers Series" and on Sundays they present "Live Music Under the Oak".</p>
<p>I encourage you to check this venue out, you can do so at:</p>
<p>13551 FM 150 <br>Driftwood, TX 78619 <br>howdy@vistabrewingtx.com <br><a href="tel:512-766-1842">512-766-1842</a></p>Friday Night With Caretag:fridaynightwithcare.com,2005:Post/59428682019-10-29T15:14:10-05:002021-07-18T20:14:51-05:00Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival<p>Any other day on the calendar in Dripping Springs would find this spot on the map a quaint, charming Sunday drive through. Maybe explore a couple streets to the north, a couple streets to the south. Stop at the DQ for a blizzard and then keep traveling towards Austin or Johnson City. </p>
<p>Not this day, not this weekend. October 18-20th 2019 Mercer Street was THE spot on the map to be.. but not for just anyone. </p>
<p>Much like a connoisseur swirling a glass of fine wine, this music festival of story tellers is to be savored. This is a space and time of relationship making, genre bridging, a regular story sharing reunion. Once you've been, you are in for for the long run. You wonder why you've never been and can't imagine not going back. </p>
<p>The difference between this festival and others is the songwriters experience. The entire 3-days of music is designed around that of the musicians who perform. Each venue that hosts the artists becomes a listening room. There is no talking during the performances, to do so is not only distracting, but disrespectful. It is preferred that you don't outwardly be recording or filming the stage activity. To do so may cause an artist to become flustered or self conscious. </p>
<p>Numerous businesses host a stage and viewing area. It's rain or shine. I have to say, last year I got soaked, and happily did so. This year, I fried. It isn't about my comfort. It's about absorbing the experience, becoming one with the music and letting it fill your soul. It's a free high. </p>
<p>Households put up the visiting artists that travel from down the street to across the ocean. Businesses sponsor their meals. The town embraces this event, rolls out the carpet and closes the street. Guests are treated to a respite from the work week, the daily grind. Merchandise that funds the authors travel to and from the event is for sale in one location on the street as well as various mementos of the festival itself. If all this isn't amazing enough, the artists that are selected to play this gig all sign the banner as well as a guitar. Both are raffled off and the money donated to the charity, <a contents="Kids In A New Groove" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiArIO5nsLlAhUEVK0KHdH7AgwQFjAAegQIABAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkidsinanewgroove.org%2F&usg=AOvVaw2h5shqJ5rWW7VNxSzGWFNC" target="_blank">Kids In A New Groove</a>.</p>
<p>This was the 6th year for this incredible event, my 3rd. I wait all year for this weekend to be able to embrace friends from other places and share this common experience. To quote Nashville artist <a contents="Chris Moyse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://chrismoysemusic.com/" target="_blank">Chris Moyse</a>, "This is what we have. This is what we do" as he gives me a hug. Every year, this is what we have. Check out their website, as well as the write ups <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwiywYTSnsLlAhVSF6wKHVG_A3YQFjAAegQIDhAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrippingspringssongwritersfestival.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw1sDxV7Gai5u47mq70Je0GK" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Laurie and Jim Halfpenny along with Dave Niemeyer are founders of the Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival and have every reason to be proud of this event! I love the experience and the opportunity to meet these amazing artists. 45 this year. Intimate environment, camaraderie, relationships formed and solidified, shared stories. It doesn't get better than this. Oh, and this background picture...? This is Austin artist Scott Collins doing a bucket list item trust fall. He never missed a beat.</p>Friday Night With Caretag:fridaynightwithcare.com,2005:Post/59158912019-10-04T16:19:44-05:002021-07-13T14:41:29-05:00The Haute Spot<p>I found this venue to be a very intimate, accommodating spot on the map. I attended the Jason Boland show July 6th and was given media access. The event coordinator ascertained my comfort.</p>
<p>Tables with a VIP placard dotted the viewing area as well as several bars. This venue reminds me of a house concert ambience. The stage was rustic with great sound and lights. I took residence on side stage as to be out of everyone's way. There didn't appear to be a bad spot to see the show. People brought their lawn chairs and placed them where ever they wanted to sit. Some chose shaded areas, others chose the binding heat knowing the pay off was perfection once the sun went down.</p>
<p>Hammocks swung in an imperceptible breeze amongst the trees nearest the food truck side of the venue. Parking was easy. Drinks plentiful. All in all, it was a great night.</p>
<p>This venue has a summer concert series that is definitely worth checking out.</p>
<p>https://hautespotvenue.com/concerts</p>Friday Night With Care