From left to right, Brian Orakpo, Bryan Hynson, and Michael Griffin. | Photo by Felicia Graham
Need some sweet weekend content to binge? City Editor Figi here 👋 — allow me to suggest “The Cupcake Guys.”
The show, which is free to watch on the Roku channel, follows the real-life tale of former Longhorn footballers and Tennessee Titan teammates Michael “Griff” Griffin and Brian “Rak” Orakpo retiring and opening their own Gigi’s Cupcakes franchise on 3944 Ranch Rd. 620 S.
Along with longtime friend and business partner Bryan Hynson, the trio sat with ATXtoday to talk about “life after the game.”
After 10 years of playing in the NFL, born-and-raised Austinite Griffin said players reach “grandfather time” around age 30. Both wanted to leave walk away from the game before getting injured.
Griffin and Orakpo, who played safety and linebacker respectively, originally began eating Gigi’s Cupcakes while living in Nashville. They were heading back to Austin after quitting the league anyway, so opening their cupcake franchise in 2018 was a natural transition.
And the guys actually do run the cupcake shop, along with seven other employees. Griffin is pastry chef, Orakpo is head decorator, and Hynson does the books.
The Cupcake Guys can decorate any Austin decal — like a Longhorn or tie-dyed “Keep Austin Weird” — but they also occasionally offer a special-edition flavor like margarita, affogato, or coconut for $2 Tuesday.
But the show deals with more than just the trials of running a cupcake store successfully through a pandemic. “The Cupcake Guys” also shows that sometimes, family life isn’t a piece of cake.
“Us being fathers, being husbands, and being girl dads is just a different world than what people are accustomed to when thinking about professional athletes,” Griffin said.
The Big Bash | Friday, Jan. 27 | 8 p.m. | Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Ave., Austin | $13-$20 | Laugh along with the theatre’s “powerhouse” improv comics.
Eddie Taylor 100th Birthday Celebration | Friday, Jan. 27 | 8 p.m. | Antone’s Nightclub, 305 E. 5th St., Austin | $17 | Celebrate alongside Larry, Tim, Demetria, and Brenda Taylor.
Saturday, Jan. 28
Sweeney Todd | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $49-$264 | Catch the Demon Barber of Fleet Street up close at this performance by the Austin Opera.
Sunday, Jan. 29
East Side Pop Up Handcrafted and Vintage Market | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 12-4 p.m. | Central Machine Works, 4824 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin | Free | Shop local handcrafted goods at this pop-up market.
Supper Sunday Specials | Sunday, Jan. 29-Sunday, Feb. 26 | 5-11 p.m. | Summer House on Music Lane, 1101 Music Ln., Austin | $30 | Enjoy a rotating four-course menu including shareable starters, a dinner entree, and dessert.
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.
IBM Corp., an employer of ~6,000 Austinites, has laid off 3,900 jobs or 1.5% of the workforce company-wide. The company cited trouble with its spinoff company Kyndryl, but did not elaborate on any changes to the local workforce. (Austin Business Journal)
Opening
Grab your pup — a new dog-friendly bar and lounge called Lucky’s is now open at 1050 E. 11th St. The space offers a curated cocktail menu, light “Mexican fusion” bites, doggy programming, and will expand to regular hours starting Tuesday, Jan. 31. 🐶 (Eater Austin)
Community
Egg prices are up more than 50% since last year in the Lone Star State as the country faces a production shortage. However, many nearby farmers have been able to keep their prices stable while avoiding the Avian flu outbreak. 🥚 (KXAN)
Event
Austin Psych Fest — usually called Levitation — is returning in name and at the Far Out Lounge from Friday, April 28-Sunday April 30, with a whole new psychedelic music lineup. Catch Toro Y Moi, Cuco, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Yves Tumor, and more. (Austin Chronicle)
Watch
Willie Nelson’s first authorized documentary, “Willie Nelson & Family,” recently debuted at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The series features new interviews and archival footage of the Red-Headed Stranger, but public release details have yet to be announced. (KUT)
Austin’s professional bull riding team the Austin Gamblers is hitting the big screen in an eight-part series called “The Ride” on Prime Video. The stories of PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme, rider and single father Dakota Louis, and fellow riders will be released later this year. 🐂
Finance
Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Traffic
What we’re buying for our cars:Dash cams. The REDTIGER Dual Dash Camera captures both the front and rear of your car and can be a lifesaver when it comes to contesting traffic violations and recording evidence of collisions. Plus, it connects to your mobile device. 🚦*
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We’ve already crossed one of these events off our list. | Graphic by ATXtoday
Get your calendars out and your markers ready, because we’re playing 2023 events bingo.
We had so much fun at many of these events last year, we’re going to try and hit them all again — and we want you to do the same.
Screenshot this card to keep track of your progress, then send it back to us as soon as you get your first bingo. We’ll also accept blackout, X, and four corners variations.
You can plan out the year with our roundup of every festival taking place in 2023. Bingo winners will be honored in our newsletter as the most fun-loving Austinites in town.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Figi.
Editor’s pick: A fun fact about me: I may not look it, but I used to play hockey. My dad is a Chicago native and taught me to skate shortly after I learned how to walk — I’ve even been to a few Chicago Blackhawks games.
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.
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