Arts & Culture
Arts and culture are the main factors that contribute to Austin’s inimitable personality. In Austin, culture is expressed in different ways such as: art and music events, diverse cultural festivals, art galleries, museum exhibitions and international cultural traditions. The Hispanic/Latino culture is expressed in this diverse gamut of cultural activities through different events. This helps the Austin community understand and appreciate the Hispanic/Latino culture and makes the City of Austin a better place to live for the diverse Hispanic community.
Tasty and authentic cuisine is an undeniable facet of the Hispanic culture. Some authentic restaurants with diverse menus and flavors including TexMex, Mexican, Caribbean, Cuban, South American and Spanish are:
| Baby Acapulco Café do Brasil Café Josie Cantina Laredo Carlos ‘n Charlie’s Casa Chapala Casa Colombia Chuy’s, Cisco’s Copa Bar and Grill Corazón at Castle Hill Dario’s El Arroyo El Azteca Restaurant | El Chile Café y Cantina El Chilito El Mercado El Sol y la Luna Fogo de Chao Fonda San Miguel Güero’s Taco Bar Habana Restaurant Hula Hut Iron Cactus Restaurant Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop Juan in a Million | La Condesa La Estancia Churrascaria La Mexicana Bakery Latin Café Austin Malaga Wine and Tapas Bar Manuel’s Maria Maria Maria’s Taco Express Matt’s El Rancho Maudie’s Café Mi Madre’s Nuevo Leon Restaurant | Rio Grande Ruta Maya Saba Bluewater Café Santa Rita Tex-Mex Senoritas Mexican Grill Serrano’s Café & Cantina Taco Shack Torchy’s Tacos Trudy’s Vivo Cocina Mexicana Wahoo Fish Tacos Zocalo Café. |
Source: Austin Official Visitors Guide Spring/Summer 2009
Visit the links of the following GAHCC members to learn more about them:
• Antonio’s Mexican Restaurant
• Baby Acapulco
• Casa Chapala
• El Gallo Restaurant
• Güero’s Taco Bar
• Joe’s Bakery and Coffee Shop
• Nuevo Leon Restaurant
As the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is a place where you can catch a live show any day of the week. In fact, Austin has more live music venues per capita than any other city in the United States.
Latino talent and culture is showcased at the well-known festivals celebrated throughout the year, such as South by Southwest, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Pachanga Festival, Cine Las Americas, Viva la Vida Fest, Carnaval Brasileiro, among many others.
Additionally, Latino art and culture is expressed at the many museums and galleries of our city throughout the year, such as:
The Mexican American Cultural Center who is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation, and promotion of Mexican American cultural arts and heritage. It includes a multipurpose space for music and dance performances, an art gallery, and an outdoor plaza for programs that foster a meaningful understanding and appreciation of not only Mexican American but also Native American, Chicano, and other Latino cultures.
The Mexic-Arte Museum which exhibits art from traditional and contemporary Mexican, Latino and Latin American artists.La Peña where Latino and Chicano art is also available.
The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas, which has diverse collections of contemporary Latin American art, featuring more than 600 artists from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum whose public programs and exhibitions have direct relevance to showing the diverse cultural makeup present in Texas. It has permanent exhibits of the story of Spaniard, Mexican, and Tejano influence in Texas. Upcoming Hispanic/Latino exhibits include American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music (Feb-May, 2010) and Arte en la Charrería: The Artisanship of Mexican Equestrian Culture (Feb-May, 2011).
To learn more about the diverse cultural events and festivals of our city, please visit the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau website
