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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

All content by Julie Rene Tran

2011 Gift Guide

Julie Rene Tran December 7, 2011

Vintage Cowboy Ropers, $26 WHERE: Cream Vintage Nothing is a better Texas gift than a pair of boots. Bring out the inner cowboy and cowgirl in your friends with a pair of vintage ropers. Cream Vintage...

2011 Best Gift Cards

P. Terry’s WHERE: Any P. Terry’s location Appealing to vegetarians and carnivores and the Dublin Dr Pepper can’t be beat. Plus, just $10 goes a long way there, so it’s a good...

Ryan Gosling is more than just a pretty face

Julie Rene Tran December 5, 2011

Editor's Note: The Life & Arts senior staff combed through this year's pop culture and selected the artists, albums, books and movements that they think, in one way or another, helped define...

Five indulgent winter snacks

Julie Rene Tran December 1, 2011

From the sweet aroma of cinnamon, gingerbread and red apples to the rich flavors of brown sugar, vanilla and chocolate, the winter holidays are the only season to have its own unique blend of scents, spices...

Harpists play contemporary hits

Julie Rene Tran November 21, 2011

With each nimble stroke, strum and pluck, the strings buzzed, sounding an ethereal melody into the small living room. Leaned against the shoulders of their players, music junior Meredith McCay and nursing...

The Asteroid Shop takes to the road

Julie Rene Tran November 16, 2011

What began as a new venture to break away from comfort metamorphosed into a serendipitous collaboration of like-minded musicians for local band The Asteroid Shop. Spearheaded by lead vocalist and songwriter...

Tips to conduct a successful job search and land a dream job

Julie Rene Tran November 9, 2011

Professionals in crisp suits with BlackBerrys to their ears hurried along Wall Street, fueling that distinguished adrenaline of go-go-go, cutthroat competition and ingenuity. Blocks away, in a cramped...

Fun Fun Fun: Day 2

Julie Rene Tran November 7, 2011

Day two picked up with a mighty gust — but it was more dirt squalls than anything. Despite killer sets from shoegaze soloist Active Child and experimental pop band Purity Ring, the early vibe in...

White Denim talks local music scene, new album

Julie Rene Tran October 21, 2011

  An intoxicating, wonderful fusion of progressive and psychedelic rock, indie band White Denim is by far one of the best local bands in town. From the quartet’s insane energy...

UT alumnus brews locally-sourced sake

Julie Rene Tran October 17, 2011

The pungent smell of soured alcohol and rice spirals to the brim of the tall metal tank. Pounds of Texas’ medium grain rice swims in the pool of moldy, yeasty water near the bottom of the cylinder....

Hole in the Wall offers good hangover grub

Julie Rene Tran October 14, 2011

Hole in the Wall has been the go-to watering hole since Texan reporters could smoke cigarettes in the basement. Conveniently on the edge of campus at the intersection of Dean Keeton and Guadalupe streets,...

Q&A: Indie band Dark Dark Dark elaborates on recent success, folk music

Julie Rene Tran October 12, 2011

 This time last year, Minneapolis-based chamber-folk indie band Dark Dark Dark released its sophomore album, Wild Go. From the eerily mesmerizing and powerful voice of lead singer Nona Marie Invie...

ACL 2011 Recap

Ali Breland, Aaron West, and Julie Rene Tran September 19, 2011

This weekend was the 10th annual Austin City Limits Musical Festival in Zilker Park. Thousands of music fans from across the country and around the world descended on the park for three days of grand performances....

Q&A: Wild Beasts looks forward to Austin visit

Julie Rene Tran September 15, 2011

Inebriating listeners with melodic capsules of breathy falsettos, skittering beats and erotic yet keen innuendos, Wild Beasts have drawn a strong fan base in their English homeland. But hit singles, including...

Local boutiques put together perfect ACL outfits

Julie Rene Tran September 15, 2011

In Texas, where the scorching heat often dictates what you wear, looking trendy and comfortable for special events, such as this weekend’s music festival, can be tricky. But with the help of experts,...

LGBT festival grand marshals remember rough times, prejudices

Julie Rene Tran September 12, 2011

Even in Austin — a city often characterized as a bubble for its liberal mind-set encompassed in a conservative state — it hasn’t been easy for those in the LGBT community. As hundreds...

Wild Frontier Fest returns for second year

Julie Rene Tran September 10, 2011

In a city saturated by aspiring musicians and overwhelmed with music venues and concerts, surprisingly, a good live set can be hit or miss. But in the case of Wild Frontier Fest, however, there will be...

Summer picks help ease back-to-school blues

Julie Rene Tran August 29, 2011

Despite the buzzkill of all things back-to-school related, there are still 26 days of summer left. And while it does feel like summer all year round in Texas, with record heat most likely scorching our...

Flynt’s book explores the effect sex has had on politics, culture

Julie Rene Tran July 25, 2011

From New York Rep. Eric Massa’s resignation in March 2010 after admitting to tickle fights with his male staffers to the recent media uproar over New York Rep. Anthony Weiner and his explicit...

Third Thursday, Swanky Jazzy, Pop on Cello, Happy Birthday Iggi

Julie Rene Tran July 21, 2011

The Blanton Museum is hosting a free evening of art and activities, with main events including a screening of John Berger’s 1972 BBC television series “Ways of Seeing,” yoga in the...

“The Heming Way” condemns modern man’s non-masculine lifestyle with humor

Julie Rene Tran June 30, 2011

The man ran on foot through the African safari, shooting down lions, rhinoceroses and zebras. He swallowed more whiskey than water, killed Nazis and won the Nobel Prize in Literature. The man was Ernest...

Matt & Kim to make coming stop in Austin

Julie Rene Tran June 9, 2011

"Block After Block" - Matt & Kim From stripping down to their birthday suits in the middle of Times Square in their music video “Lesson Learned” to turning their audience into...

UT alumnus heats up kitchen with singles’ cookbook

Julie Rene Tran June 6, 2011

Editor's Note: For recipe cards from "Cooking for One," view related images on the left. Culinary chefs, newspaper editors and foodies flocked to food and travel writer Joe Yonan’s...

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30 Columns: Life and Arts

Everything we need to say can be summed up in 30 words. Our time here ranges from six months to five years, with work ranging from music reviews to feature writing. Although our experiences could amount...

Sleight of hand

Julie Rene Tran May 2, 2011

Using a quarter from the pocket of his shorts, local magician Michael Kaufman enchants his audience with his nimble hands and charming humor. Like a human piggy bank, he knocked the coin into the top...

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Russian community calls Austin home

Julie Rene Tran April 30, 2011

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a three-part series providing a glimpse into small but significant cultural communities in Austin. As patrons used the burning wick to light each other’s...

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Spring season boasts varied hat trends

Julie Rene Tran April 26, 2011

Pay attention to the new trends popping up in headwear this spring, but take care to avoid overdressing for fear that you commit a chapeau faux pas. After the upcoming Kentucky Derby, it is certain...

Psychedelic rock band issues debut album

Julie Rene Tran April 21, 2011

Three years ago in a crumbling barn behind North Campus’ Crown and Anchor Pub, psychedelic rock band Cactus Peach jammed together for the first time. After countless sweaty house party gigs and...

Rich in tradition

Julie Rene Tran April 21, 2011

The blessed, wooden warrior drum rests quietly in the costume closet of the Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance Center in Austin. Hand-chiseled by the chief of his mother’s native Puerto Rican tribe,...

Busy as a bee

Julie Rene Tran April 18, 2011

Intoxicated by the smoke from burning raw cotton and pine sawdust, the Italian bees crept out of their hive to sip on the honey drizzled on the edge of their wooden box home. Yellow specks of pollen...

French in the Heart of Texas

Julie Rene Tran April 15, 2011

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a three-part series providing a glimpse into small but significant cultural communities in Austin. With a blue cap pressing down his silver, sweat-dampened...

Cuts endanger Texas TV, film industry

Julie Rene Tran March 8, 2011

With budget cuts across the legislative board, some members of the acting community are worried the arts will be the first to go. Tonight, Texas actors, producers and writers will gather at Austin...

South Austin People brings home the bubbles

Julie Rene Tran February 23, 2011

The sharp, clean scents of lavender and rose waft from the backyard of a brown South Congress Avenue home, where there are just a few rusted kegs, dead grass and a drooling American pit bull rather...

Lighting up the town

Julie Rene Tran January 28, 2011

When local sign maker and artist Evan Voyles was a boy, his favorite sign was the Terminix bug. Perched on a pole at the intersection of 12th Street and Lamar Boulevard, the bug fascinated Voyles with...

Austinite steps into shoe industry

Julie Rene Tran November 19, 2010

The afternoon sun hammers onto the tannish storage unit that’s sits next to Helm’s business office as owner Joshua Bingaman carries meter high stacks of cardboard shoeboxes from it and loads...

Trailer creates Asian sensation

Julie Rene Tran November 3, 2010

Every week, it appears as though there’s a new food trailer popping up somewhere around town, offering the city a creative twist on street food. While several have been hit-or-miss in the ways...

Shop sells sweet, spooky treats

Julie Rene Tran October 28, 2010

IV pouches of red syrup blood, plastic bags of gummy brains and paper boxes of dried crickets covered in chocolate are just a few of the horrifying sugary candies South Congress’ Big Top Candy...

Breaking fashion’s autumn ban on white

Julie Rene Tran September 7, 2010

Monday marked the bittersweet suspension of all things summer — from poolside sunbathing to frozen cocktails, summer is over. While this also usually means retiring white clothing, some summer...

Bakery whips up cupcake combo

Julie Rene Tran September 1, 2010

Driving north along Burnet Road, away from Austin’s downtown epicenter of small, local businesses, one can begin to feel lost in the middle of franchises and empty construction. However, nestled...

Rapper looks to A-list for acting inspiration

Julie Rene Tran August 27, 2010

In the famed rapper’s third film “Takers,” in theaters today, T.I. plays Ghost, a fresh-out-of-jail bank robber who returns back to his unassailable band of thieves, only to find that...

Contest hopeful captures votes

Julie Rene Tran August 26, 2010

With a half-empty glass to her red lips, Sam Wiley stares seductively with her piercing green eyes. Her sweet, pale face contrasts her come-hither pose and sassy ’60s demure appearance. Wiley,...

Design your space with DIY tips

Julie Rene Tran August 25, 2010

There is nothing enjoyable about moving. From trying to cram an oversized sofa past a narrow doorway to hauling in suitcase after suitcase full of clothes, the process of transporting all of your belongings...

Local musicians exhibit heritage of Cuban tunes

Julie Rene Tran August 12, 2010

Nearly all the chairs were empty Sunday night as local Cuban band Ritmo Tr3s played a funky, fast cover of the popular Spanish love song “Quisiera” at Ruta Maya Coffee House. The 11-man...

Designer talks ‘intimate’ fashion

Julie Rene Tran August 10, 2010

From the curb, Megan Summerville’s home appears to be like any other on the street. Upon looking more closely, however, small details such as a cardboard box of bra padding and clothing hangers...

Band of brothers sticks together through good, bad

Julie Rene Tran June 14, 2010

Faces flushed and out of breath, lead singer Marshall Newman and keyboardist Brett Moses of the indie pop band The Frontier Brothers gave quick waves from the door before dashing off to order iced coffees....

Exhibit illuminates news icon

Julie Rene Tran June 6, 2010

Since the beginning of the broadcast news era, generations of Americans have gathered in front of their television sets, their ears and eyes tuned in to the distinctive voice and screen presence of Walter...

Homemade dog treats get tails wagging

Julie Rene Tran June 6, 2010

Amid the tall waves of tents shielding ripe summer fruits and vegetables from the blaring sun and crowds of market shoppers sampling baked goods and picking up fresh local produce stands a tiny white...

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