You go, curl

Learn to curl in Austin

What better time than the New Year to learn something new? | Photo by James Hicks, courtesy Lone Star Curling Club

If you think curling is just something you watch once every four years, think again. Lone Star Curling Club hosts lessons, league play, and group events year-round.

And since curling is a sport that often gets swept under the rug, we thought we’d clue you into some of the most fun you can have on ice.

🥌 Curling? Like a salon?

Okay, we admit that we didn’t know a ton about “The Roarin’ Game” at first. Luckily, the lovely folks at Lone Star Curling Club are excellent teachers, and they helped us out with some of the lingo.

The goal of curling is to get the stone (a smooth, 42-pound rock with a handle on top) into the house (the bullseye-looking marks on each end of the ice). You get one point for each stone that lands closer to the button (the bullseye) than any opposing stone.

What’s up with the sweeping? Because the ice is a little rough (pebbled), sweepers clear a path. This reduces friction, but also alters the path of the stone, called a curl. Hence, curling.

🥌 Sounds complicated…

It is. Knowing when to sweep a line, let it curl, throw up a blocker, or knock opposing stones out of the house is part of why curling is referred to as chess on ice.

But the heart of the game is sportsmanship. For example, “broomstacking” is a tradition where the winning team buys the losing team a drink after the game — which is why some facilities have a bar onsite.

🥌 I’m in.

Lone Star offers everything from Learn to Curl events to competitive bonspiels (curling tournaments). Sign up, follow the club on socials, and drop by the Lone Star Open Bonspiel in 2023.

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, Jan. 4

John Mills TIMES TEN | Wednesday, Jan. 4 | 9 p.m. | Elephant Room, 315 Congress Ave., Austin | Free | Enjoy an evening of music at this underground jazz bar.

Thursday, Jan. 5

Paranormal Cirque | Thursday, Jan. 5-Monday, Jan. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Barton Creek Square, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin | $20-$50 | Prepare to be wowed at this show combining theatre, circus, and cabaret with a European-style flare.
Deer Fellow | Thursday, Jan. 5 | 8-9 p.m. | The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd., Austin | Free | Take in music from the indie pop duo at this East Austin space, which is also home to Patrizi’s and the Butterfly Bar.

Friday, Jan. 6

Sara Weinshenk + Kim Congdon: Live In Austin | Friday, Jan. 6 | 7-9 p.m. | Vulcan Gas Company, 418 E. 6th St., Austin | $20-$25 | The two Los Angeles comedians are bringing a killer show to Austin.
SHEN YUN | Friday, Jan. 6-Monday, Jan. 9 | 7:30-10 p.m. | The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $80-$180 | This dazzling performance, which features ornate costumes and elaborate dance routines, tells the stories of ancient Chinese dynasties.

Saturday, Jan. 7

Booka Shade | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 10 p.m. | The Concourse Project, 8509 Burleson Rd., Bldg. 1, Austin | $20-$1,500 | This German duo is known for house music with a signature Frankfurt sound.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

74º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain
Good news for cedar fever sufferers: this year’s cedar season may be milder than average due to last year’s drought. Periods of low rainfall can stress trees and cause them to produce less pollen. 🌳 (KXAN)

Closed

San Marcos’ only LGBTQ+ bar closed on Sunday, Jan. 1. The manager for Stonewall Warehouse, a Texas State University student hotspot, announced Monday that the business had been sold unexpectedly, and that she would be collecting donations to support the staff. (KVUE)
The owners of Plow Burger and Brunch Bird announced the permanent closure of the two vegetarian restaurants yesterday. Before pivoting to a digital kitchen, the team also has plans to shutter The Buzz Mill’s Riverside location on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Sports

Austin FC signed veteran Matt Bersano as a backup goalie for starting player Brad Stuver. Bersano is transferring to El Tree after six years in San Jose, where he was on the senior squad for three years. ⚽️ (Austin American-Statesman)

Coming Soon

The brain behind Thai Kun has a new project in the works: a Thai-style khao man gai stall in North Austin’s Hong Kong Supermarket. The signature dish, made with steamed or fried chicken, is cooked from Chef Thai Changthong’s mother’s recipe. 🍗 (Eater Austin)

Announced

South Congress Books is relocating after more than a decade on SoCo due to rising rent in the popular shopping district. The used bookstore’s last day in its current location is Sunday, Jan. 8, and it will reopen at 3703 Kerbey Ln. in March. 📚 (Austin Business Journal)

Ranked

If you don’t accomplish your New Year’s resolutions this year, you officially can’t blame Austin. The city ranked ninth best in the US for accomplishing New Year’s goals, especially those related to relationships, school, and work.

Development

Curious what the view looks like from Sixth and Guadalupe, the current tallest tower in ATX? Spoiler alert: it’s pretty stunning. Take a peek at the city from the top of the 865-ft skyscraper, which recently topped out. 🏗 (Austin Towers)

Legacy

Former UT baseball coach Cliff Gustafson died Monday morning at 91. The Texan is considered one of the winningest college coaches of all time, and took Texas to two national championships in his 28-year run at the university. (Austin American-Statesman)

Eat

Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: ATXtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. *

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Leave the leftovers to Martha

Martha Stewart partners with Austin-based Tito’s Vodka on “DIY January” campaign

Stick with Martha’s “DIY January” tips for housework help. | Gif via ATXtoday, video provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Business mogul and crafter extraordinaire Martha Stewart may be the queen of unexpected collaborations. First there was Snoop Dogg, then there was Frito Lay — and now, there’s Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

Just in time for Dry January, the Austin-based brand launched a new tongue-in-cheek campaign with the lifestyle expert, revamping the popular month-long event as “DIY January.”

The challenge is simple: find ways to use that leftover Tito’s around the house without imbibing it (even if Martha herself takes a couple of sneaky sips in the promo video).

Some of Martha’s tips for using Tito’s include:

Deodorizing shoes
Cleaning mirrors and windows
Preserving flowers
De-icing windshields

To coincide with the campaign, the brand is selling a limited edition DIY kit with three attachments that screw onto a Tito’s bottle. Net proceeds from the kits — which sold just hours after the campaign’s launch — will benefit nonprofits chosen by the purchasers.

Are you participating in Dry January?

A. Yes
B. No
C. Maybe

LET US KNOW

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by London.

Editor’s pick: Long time, no see —I hope you all had a great start to 2023.

I spent much of my time off walking my favorite trails around the city, including in the Sunset Valley Nature Area. If you haven’t checked out this southside gem yet, I’d highly recommend it. 👟

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here’s your guide to meeting your New Year’s resolutions in Austin.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Figi, London Gibson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

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