Arts & Entertainment
André Leon Talley is the patron saint of the Met Gala. A Black gay man who grew up in the Jim Crow South, he became one of fashion’s biggest stars. Before his death in 2022, Talley helped dress Michelle Obama as first lady, served as creative director and editor
Culture
In recent years, Texas has become an epicenter of the rapidly-spreading book banning movement. This year alone, our state lawmakers lead the nation with at least 31 proposed bills that the American Library Association says would effectively restrict librarians’ abilities to do their jobs. One such bill, Senate Bill
Arts & Entertainment
For a few years now, the Austin comedy scene has been dominated by a new ecosystem led by Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe. The city is now nationally known as a haven for their style of “say whatever shitty thing you want, it doesn’t even need a punchline” comedy.
Culture
Texas hasn’t gotten its due as a major piece in the complex puzzle of American art. We’re here to rectify that. Every three weeks, H. Drew Blackburn will conduct a thoroughly scientific analysis of the 254 integral (one for every county) books, movies, tv shows, albums, podcasts, songs,
Arts & Entertainment
Years ago, Martha Kelly told one of the most unsettling jokes I’ve ever heard. It involved her cat dying — and Kelly sobbing while holding her body. Still, the punchline was very funny (she was secretly happy because, when alive, the cat never let Kelly hold her). "There is
Culture
Ahead of his 92nd birthday in April, Willie Nelson is showing no signs of slowing down. The country music legend has had a lot to celebrate, from the launch of his new THC drink, Willie’s Remedy+, to the upcoming premiere of the Austin City Limits 50-year special, where
Arts & Entertainment
On a recent Friday morning, I drove my daughter and four of her classmates from their school in central Austin to Dripping Springs for a seventh grade field trip. Three rows of girls yell-sang Olivia Rodrigo as I contemplated my life choices. Fridays are supposed to be my writing
Culture
As soon as Parker Posey’s character began rattling off the Ratliff family’s university lineage in season 3 of “White Lotus,” southerners knew they were in for a treat. Middle child Piper (Sarah Catherine Hooks), we’re told by father Timothy (Jason Isaacs), is writing a thesis on Buddhism
Culture
With the help of some of the state’s film buffs, critics, and cinephiles, The Barbed Wire has rounded up a list of love stories as big as Texas. Whether they were filmed here, set here, or brought to life by some Texas-raised talent, we’ve curated a selection
Culture
As Americans, our unalienable rights enshrined in the Declaration of Independence include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If humor counts on that last point, Mo Amer is a true patriot. Through his show Mo, the second season of which premiered Thursday on Netflix, he’s made millions of
Arts & Entertainment
There’s no denying Austin’s growth. In the last two decades, the skyline has changed from one that looked not all that different in 2021 than it did in 1975 to a beautiful, crowded, modern silhouette cast in a burnt orange glow when the sun sets over the paddleboarders
Arts & Entertainment
“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.” – Robert Frank Forgive us for opening with a quote from Robert Frank – the famed Swiss-American photographer and documentary filmmaker. It would no doubt be better if these inspiring words came from Tommy Lee Jones, Selena, DJ