Events: Summer of Catalyst 8 Follow-Up

[photos (by me): SPEAK members enjoy a digital art display; Peligrosa All-Stars rock it on the Long Center's City Terrace]

Yeah... so I've apparently been on hiatus from this blog for a couple of months. I noticed that my old postings stopped with a promotion for the Catalyst 8: Digital Revolution Mash B4 Bash DJ Party. Thus, if you're wondering how it was: it was awesome.

Seriously, our featured DJs, The Peligrosa All-Stars rocked the crowd on the Long Center's City Terrace for hours with fun and interesting Latin infused music. I had a great time listening to them (and taking low light photos). Independence Brewing Co. provided beer for the event. I was especially fond of the Freestyle.

Anyway, the final event in the Summer of Catalyst 8 was the Bash 2010. The theme: Let's Get Digital. The event, which was held inside the Long Center, was fantastic. SPEAK (in a photo above) put on an excellent show with their indie synth-pop (and a few 80's tributes). I'd share some images, but my camera with the photos of the actual event disappeared while I was tailgating before the UT-Wyoming game.

The Bash was a success, and another element of Catalyst 8's program for raising money to support performing arts in Austin and to allow the Rollins Theater to truly realize its potential as a theater for all of Austin.

Stay tuned for information on upcoming Catalyst 8 events.

Music: Nash Hernandez Orchestra

So... for a variety of complicated reasons I was unable to make it over to Club DeVille to see AMODA's showcase event last night. Maybe it was the fact that McLovin was sighted at Star Bar. I don't know. But, in any event, a couple of us ended up at Donn's Depot around 12:30am.

Man, it had slipped my mind that Saturday night is when the Nash Hernandez Orchestra plays at Donn's. The video clip is of "Sitting on a Dock on the Bay", by Otis Redding. That sort of old school big band music is all right, but the really fun stuff comes out when they play Latin big band numbers. I love it. It's like being in 50's Havana, except without casinos and cool finned Chevy convertibles. The delicious Donn's cocktails and free popcorn are nice, though.

The Nash Hernandez Orchesta is at Donn's from time to time. Check out the Donn's Depot music calendar to find out when they'll be back. It's worth the trip to see them. And, like the girl in the video clip, drop some cash in the jar. There are a lot of dudes who share from that tip pool.

Events: Planning for Catalyst 8's 2010 Bash Is Already Underway

2009 Catalyst 8 Bash, seen from outside The Long Center

Plans are underway for the 2010 Catalyst 8 Bash, which is scheduled for August. This year's theme is going to be digital art. As a digital photography enthusiast, I'm looking forward to scouting for digital art to feature at the event.

Bash '09 was one of my favorite parties of the year. Our featured artist was Steve Dubov, and we had a private performance by The Black and White Years.  Also, Illios Lighting blew things up with an incredible LED wall synced to the DJ's music.

I'm expecting this year's Bash to exceed the already high bar set last year.