1.5 million bats take flight from the heart of Austin...and it's not even creepy. 

An army of bats pouring into the sunset sky may sound like something from the latest horror flick, but each year, thousands of people flock to Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge to see such a spectacle. Humble abode to nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats, the Austin landmark stands as a popular attraction to tourists and locals alike. 

To move forward, one man has to look back.

It always has to be about some girl that changes everything in a man’s life, doesn’t it? This time, this particular girl might be a little off her rocker. Okay, maybe a lot off her rocker.

Meet Travis Harrison. Pragmatic. Schedule driven. Borderline boring. Vulnerable. Travis has been carrying emotional baggage since becoming a victim of not one, but two tragedies in the past 20 years of his life. Cue Layla Sommers. Irrational. Spontaneous. Borderline psychotic. Vulnerable and, like Travis, a victim of circumstance. 

Takeover Test Run in San Antonio

Local band launches guerilla concerting campaign outside 311/Snoop Dogg shows.

Being invited on a big-ticket summer arena tour is every bar band’s ultimate dream. Austin-based Full Service is doing just that with one small exception: they were never actually invited.

“Oh no. We’re not at all affiliated [with 311],” drummer/ vocalist Hoagman (born Dave Kempner) says.

Unique day trip has a bit of everything.

DayBreak Boat Rentals may make its bread and butter renting Waverunners, pontoons, ski boats, houseboats, and more watercraft, but a relatively undiscovered gem of this spot is, well, the undiscovered gems. DayBreak’s gemstone mining facility is a favorite among kids, though most parents take their turn panning for the real, brightly colored gems that are aplenty in the sands here.

Photo: James Minchin

Sticking to roots applies to a lot more than music.

The itinerary for Los Lonely Boys’ first week of promotion for their new album, Forgiven, includes high profile gigs like Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic and Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show.” But it starts with an in-store at the Wal-Mart in San Angelo. The big one on the west side of town, not far at all from the Texican Chop Shop. That’s the garage where oldest brother Henry Garza used to work on cars, the last job he had before he could support himself and his family just by playing music. He and his buddy at the shop used to talk about owning the place someday. Now Henry does own it with his brothers JoJo and Ringo.