May 30, 2023

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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

🐂 These cowboys are all-in

The Austin Gamblers stand on stage in front of a large screen reading "The Ride" with a promo image for the new series.

The Austin Gamblers are heavily featured in Amazon Prime’s new series, “The Ride.” | Photo by Jonathan Vail, provided by Austin Gamblers

Picture this. You’re slipped inside a small chute, on top of an enormous, 1,500-pound bull. The only way for you to hold on to the animal is by wrapping your hand — one hand — around a rope. Your only task: hold on for eight seconds. The chute opens. The countdown begins.

Professional bull riding is not for the faint of heart. This is a truth Michael Gaffney, former world champion and co-founder of the Professional Bull Riders Inc., knows all too well.

Gaffney is the head coach of the Austin Gamblers, the Capital City’s brand new pro bull riding team. The Gamblers, who are headed into their second season this summer, are also the subject of a new Amazon Prime series titled “The Ride.”

The show premieres today — here’s what you need to know about the Austin Gamblers and the sport of bull riding before watching.

Bull rider Ezekiel Mitchell talks to people at the premeire of "The Ride" — Ezekiel Mitchell (right) is one of the rising stars of the Austin Gamblers, and is featured heavily in “The Ride.”
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Photo by Jonathan Vail, provided by Austin Gamblers

Turning bull riding into a team sport

Gaffney moved to Austin without intending to work with local bull riders, arriving in the Capital City just under two years ago to support his son’s soccer career.

“I was just going to devote most of my time to my two boys,” he said. “But then, this falls into my lap.”

The owners of the Gamblers approached Gaffney with an enticing proposition: coach bull riders in a new, first-of-its-kind team series.

“I can’t deny that I was excited about it,” Gaffney recalled. “We’ve never done that before.”

Origin of the Gamblers

The Gamblers were founded in 2021 as one of eight teams in PBR’s inaugural Team Series. The stories, motivations and trials of these athletes, as well as others in the Team Series, are the primary subject of “The Ride.”

Click the button below to learn more about the Austin athletes, plus how you can see them at the Moody Center this summer.

Learn the ropes

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Events

Tuesday, May 30

Askinosie Chocolate Tasting | Tuesday, May 30 | 6-7 p.m. | Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, 4220 Duval St., Austin | $85 | The only thing better than spending an hour tasting chocolate is spending an hour of tasting chocolate, and having it benefit Girls Empowement.

Wednesday, May 31

Josh Gates | Wednesday, May 31 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $35-$75 | The star of Discovery’s “Expedition Unknown” brings his sense of adventure and mysterious tales to Downtown Austin.
Minnesota United FC vs. Austin FC | Wednesday, May 31 | 7:30-11:30 p.m. | Q2 Stadium, 10414 Mc Kalla Pl., Austin | $39-$87 | Put on your verde and black for this weeknight game.

Thursday, June 1

“Y’all Means All” Night at the Museum | Thursday, Jun. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin | Free | Kick off Pride Month with a family-friendly event featuring music, activities, and representation from more than a dozen local organizations.
Dillion Carmichael | Thursday, Jun. 1 | 8 p.m. | 3TEN at ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $20 | The Kentucky country artist stops in Austin for his “Son of A’” Tour.

Friday, June 2

KUTX Rock the Park | Friday, Jun. 2 | 6:45 p.m. | Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd., Austin | Free | This weekend is the last show of the spring 2023 season, featuring Rosie Flores and Big Bill.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Sports

Texas baseball will travel to Miami this week to compete in the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament. The Longhorns are scheduled to kick off the event with a game versus Louisiana at 2 p.m. ET this Friday, June 2. (Austin American-Statesman)

Cause

Austin Pets Alive!, Austin Humane Society, and Austin Animal Center are working together for their “300 Homes” adoption event. The promotion began this past weekend, and waives fees for most animals in an attempt to rehome 300 pets by Sunday, June 4.

Coming Soon

Gelatoro, a coffee shop and gelateria, will open in the former JuiceLand space at 4500 Duval St. on Thursday, June 1. Cool off with a scoop of stracciatella or cinnamon latte gelato, some sorbet, or check out the spot’s weekly rotating menu. (Eater Austin)

Plan Ahead

Our lips are not sealed about an upcoming Austin play featuring Kathy Valentine, bassist for popular 80s group The Go-Go’s. ZACH Theatre will put on “Head Over Heels,” a Broadway retelling of “Arcadia,” starting Wednesday, Aug. 9. Get tickets. (Tribeza)

Number

2,532. That’s how many babies named Liam were born in Texas last year, taking the title for the most popular baby name in the state. The most popular girls’ name in Texas was Olivia, with 1,892 babies born under the moniker. (KXAN)

Outdoors

Watch your step. It’s rattlesnake season in Central Texas, so take extra care when hiking or walking near rocky formations, recent construction sites, or on nature trails. And if you find yourself face-to-face with a Western Diamondback, remember to freeze or keep on walking. (KUT)

Shop

Life hack: Order your paper towels online and avoid trekking home a giant pack from the store. This Bounty eight-pack is a best seller, or try the Amazon Basics twelve-pack.*

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

It’s official: I have the travel bug.

In between re-watching episodes of “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” and “Somebody Feed Phil,” I’ve been poking around on Google Flights just for fun.

To add to my journey, I’d love if you shared with me some of your favorite trips you’ve ever taken.

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