Michael Barnes
@indelibleaustin.bsky.social
I write about the people, places, culture and history of Austin & Texas for the American-Statesman, Hearst News & the "Indelible Austin" book series.
"Parade" is a profoundly meaningful musical with a profoundly beautiful score given a profoundly forceful staging by Ground Floor Theatre. Musical theater at its best. Lisa Scheps and Adam Roberts lead a flawless team of actors, musicians, designers and crew. I wouldn't change an iota.
December 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
"Parade" is a profoundly meaningful musical with a profoundly beautiful score given a profoundly forceful staging by Ground Floor Theatre. Musical theater at its best. Lisa Scheps and Adam Roberts lead a flawless team of actors, musicians, designers and crew. I wouldn't change an iota.
From Statesman archives: Catastrophic Austin Dam collapse changed course of city's history www.statesman.com/story/news/h...
NO. 10: Counting down my Top 10 most visited stories of 2025.
NO. 10: Counting down my Top 10 most visited stories of 2025.
From Statesman archives: Catastrophic Austin Dam collapse changed course of city's history
From the Statesman archives: A reimagined description of the Austin Dam collapse in 1900, along with the response from city leaders
www.statesman.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:42 PM
From Statesman archives: Catastrophic Austin Dam collapse changed course of city's history www.statesman.com/story/news/h...
NO. 10: Counting down my Top 10 most visited stories of 2025.
NO. 10: Counting down my Top 10 most visited stories of 2025.
You might have to ask at the front desk for it, but the holiday gift box set of "Indelible Austin" is for sale at BookPeople. (This morning there, I purchased "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Japanese Cooking: Techniques, Ingredients, Recipes.")
December 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
You might have to ask at the front desk for it, but the holiday gift box set of "Indelible Austin" is for sale at BookPeople. (This morning there, I purchased "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Japanese Cooking: Techniques, Ingredients, Recipes.")
Thorned wood sculptures at The Contemporary Austin turn Texas flora into a story of belonging www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Looks lovely, but don't touch. Thorny sculptures by Raul De Lara in Austin
Interview with artist Raul De Lara, an immigrant whose art at The Contemporary Austin reflects timely thoughts on immigration.
www.statesman.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Thorned wood sculptures at The Contemporary Austin turn Texas flora into a story of belonging www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Margaret Scarbrough Wilson, pioneering Austin retailer, dies at 95 www.statesman.com/news/local/a...
Remember Scarbroughs department store in Austin? Its onetime leader died.
Austin retail pioneer Margaret Scarbrough Wilson, first woman to lead Scarbroughs department store, dies at 95; memorial set Dec. 20.
www.statesman.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Margaret Scarbrough Wilson, pioneering Austin retailer, dies at 95 www.statesman.com/news/local/a...
Austin's weirdest events: You know Eeyore's Birthday Party, but what about Chiggerfest? www.statesman.com/news/history...
Scratch your social itch at Chiggerfest and other unique Austin festivals
For this installment of Jim Duncan's Austin, we look at four Austin-centric festivals: Eeyore's Birthday, Chiggerfest, Bat Fest and the O. Henry Pun-Off.
www.statesman.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Austin's weirdest events: You know Eeyore's Birthday Party, but what about Chiggerfest? www.statesman.com/news/history...
Austin Opera unveils 'Ofrenda,' a groundbreaking bilingual premiere for 2026 www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Operas in Spanish nurtured and premiered in Austin
Austin Opera announces first-ever commissioned world premiere:"Ofrenda," part of its Spanish-language initiative, inaugurates Butler Performance Center.
www.statesman.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Austin Opera unveils 'Ofrenda,' a groundbreaking bilingual premiere for 2026 www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
All hail the Rat King, dastardly villain of Ballet Austin's 'Nutcracker' www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Rat King a worthy opponent of the Nutcracker Prince for Ballet Austin
Go behind the mask with Ballet Austin’s Rat King. Dancers reveal the physical demands, costume challenges and high-energy battles define “The Nutcracker.”
www.statesman.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
All hail the Rat King, dastardly villain of Ballet Austin's 'Nutcracker' www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
The fascinating history behind Austin’s fairy-tale cottages in Bouldin Creek www.statesman.com/news/history...
Ever lived in house out of a fairy tale? A series of Austin renters have.
Explore the enchanting Austin rentals with a tower, a stone façade and a wild beehive past — and meet the creative people who’ve called them home for decades.
www.statesman.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The fascinating history behind Austin’s fairy-tale cottages in Bouldin Creek www.statesman.com/news/history...
'Fifty years of food and art': Culinary secrets of Fonda San Miguel www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
You too can make chile rellenos and cochinita pibil like Fonda San Miguel
For its 50th anniversary, Fonda San Miguel, Austin icon of interior Mexican cuisine, releases a ravishing cookbook
www.statesman.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
'Fifty years of food and art': Culinary secrets of Fonda San Miguel www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Oh, about 50 Barnes gathered in Houston for Thanksgiving.
November 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Oh, about 50 Barnes gathered in Houston for Thanksgiving.
Lost Austin landmarks: First Capitol, President's House, St. Mary's Academy www.statesman.com/news/history...
Not the first time: 'Texas White House' was demolished in Austin
In the latest installment of "Jim Duncan's Austin," we look at three lost landmarks: First Capitol, President's House, St. Mary's Academy
www.statesman.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Lost Austin landmarks: First Capitol, President's House, St. Mary's Academy www.statesman.com/news/history...
After decades of working hard and disabilities, San Marcos couple needs help to live safely www.statesman.com/news/season-...
After long, hard work lives, San Marcos seniors need help to live safely
Nominated by Community Action Inc. of Central Texas, couple worked hard at blue-collar jobs until financial, medical, mental and emotional challenges intruded.
www.statesman.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
After decades of working hard and disabilities, San Marcos couple needs help to live safely www.statesman.com/news/season-...
Time for 'Christmas Carol,' 'Nutcracker,' other Austin holiday arts www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Good grief, Charlie Brown, it's time for a Christmas pageant and more
Your 2025 guide to Austin holiday shows: ‘Nutcracker,’ ‘Charlie Brown Christmas,’ concerts and more
www.statesman.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Time for 'Christmas Carol,' 'Nutcracker,' other Austin holiday arts www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Before Walmart and Target, Austin shopped at Gulf-Mart, Sage and Shoppers World www.statesman.com/news/history...
Gulf-Mart? Gibson's? Big discount stores from Austin's past
In "From the Archives," we sort through reader responses to column on early Austin big discount stores, including Gibson's, Sage, Gulf-Mart, Shoppers World
www.statesman.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Before Walmart and Target, Austin shopped at Gulf-Mart, Sage and Shoppers World www.statesman.com/news/history...
Austin’s historic barbecue joints that shaped the city’s smoky tradition www.statesman.com/news/history...
Three very old Austin BBQ joints: House Park, Green Mesquite, Sam's
Discover the roots of Austin barbecue through three legendary joints that survived floods, fires and decades of change.
www.statesman.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Austin’s historic barbecue joints that shaped the city’s smoky tradition www.statesman.com/news/history...
Exclusive: Inside the $65 million plan to restore Austin’s Paramount and State theaters www.statesman.com/news/article...
Yes, new seats are part of plans to update State and Paramount theaters
From art deco updates to ADA access and better seats, Austin’s Paramount and State theaters are preparing for their next century on Congress Avenue.
www.statesman.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Exclusive: Inside the $65 million plan to restore Austin’s Paramount and State theaters www.statesman.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Starbucks workers are on strike. Chronic understaffing, unfair wages and hundreds of unfair labor practices pushed a 92% super-majority to walk out on Red Cup Day and beyond.
The Working People Podcast with @maximillianalvarez.bsky.social speaks with the baristas on taking an indefinite stand.
The Working People Podcast with @maximillianalvarez.bsky.social speaks with the baristas on taking an indefinite stand.
Facing unprecedented labor violations, Starbucks workers overwhelmingly agree to strike indefinitely
Unfair wages, chronic understaffing and hundreds of ULPs have led to a Starbucks Workers United super-majority vote to strike.
inthesetimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Starbucks workers are on strike. Chronic understaffing, unfair wages and hundreds of unfair labor practices pushed a 92% super-majority to walk out on Red Cup Day and beyond.
The Working People Podcast with @maximillianalvarez.bsky.social speaks with the baristas on taking an indefinite stand.
The Working People Podcast with @maximillianalvarez.bsky.social speaks with the baristas on taking an indefinite stand.
Austin opens new gateway to Violet Crown Trail and Greenbelt near Barton Springs www.statesman.com/news/article...
You can't miss the new doorway to the Hill Country on Violet Crown Trail
Discover the new Mile Zero Trailhead in Zilker Park. The gateway to the Violet Crown Trail and Barton Creek Greenbelt features paths, pavilions and views.
www.statesman.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Austin opens new gateway to Violet Crown Trail and Greenbelt near Barton Springs www.statesman.com/news/article...
From marble halls to glass towers: The rise and fall of Austin’s landmark banks www.statesman.com/news/history...
Austin banks changed hands throughout its history
This week's installment of Jim Duncan's Austin tells the wild stories of the city's boom or bust banks.
www.statesman.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
From marble halls to glass towers: The rise and fall of Austin’s landmark banks www.statesman.com/news/history...
After a health crisis, Marc Pouhé steps back into the spotlight stronger than ever www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Marc Pouhé could play anything. He chose this Austin staged reading.
Austin leading man Marc Pouhé, who just two years ago underwent another kidney transplant, leads cast of "My Children! My Africa!"
www.statesman.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
After a health crisis, Marc Pouhé steps back into the spotlight stronger than ever www.statesman.com/entertainmen...
Attention Kmart shoppers! When big discount stores arrived in Austin. www.statesman.com/news/history...
Did you shop at Woolco and Kmart before Target and Walmart?
This installation of "From the Archives" looks at the arrival of big-box discount stores in Austin during the 1970s and '80s.
www.statesman.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Attention Kmart shoppers! When big discount stores arrived in Austin. www.statesman.com/news/history...
From Taco Bell to Pluckers: how Austin’s franchise founders built big business www.statesman.com/news/history...
Hot franchises in Austin Pluckers, DQ, Wally's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut
In this installment of "Jim Duncan's Austin," we look at four the history of four franchises in the city.
www.statesman.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:44 AM
From Taco Bell to Pluckers: how Austin’s franchise founders built big business www.statesman.com/news/history...