Halloween at Mystery Mondays

Mystery Mondays at the El Mercado south is always an opportunity to discover Austin talent. This week it was a Halloween party with Richard Bowden (fiddle or violin?) as the mystery guest. Jaimee Harris was in the audience and came up on stage to sing a Townes Van Zandt tune with Christine Albert. Bill Kirchen kept the music rockin' and David Carroll got lots of cheers in his hillbilly outfit -- the mangled teeth made roaring a hee-haw and singing a challenge.

Next Monday is an anniversary celebration and the unveiling of an award for the late Sarah Elizabeth Campbell who started the tradition years ago at the now defunct Artz on Lamar. We'll be there.

Here's some photos from the show.

Viva La Vida Parade, Austin

Click for Photo Album

Here's some photos from the Viva La Vida (translation: "Live Life" or "Hurray for Life") Parade in Austin Texas on October 29, 2016. The parade is a celebration of the Day of Dead (November 1) which is a traditional holiday in Mexico and Central America to honor those who are dead and gone but not forgotten. It's held after Halloween but has nothing to do with that holiday!

We're usually in Austin during the winter but this year we plan on being in SE Asia visiting with my brother Paul and his wife El hence this second visit in 2016.

The parade was around noon and we watched on Pecan St (aka 6th St) in the entertainment district not too far from the famous Driskill Hotel. There were lots of folks dressed up as painted skeletons, some in costumes to celebrate the Aztec heritage. I understand it's one of the biggest Day of Dead parades in the US. I'd guess there's something as large in San Antontio which has a larger Hispanic community.

The parade ended with some low rider cars that bounced about and jacked up different corners.

We've never been to anything like it and would recommend you check it out if your get a chance.