New Jersey band Titus Andronicus battled illness to play a rowdy Austin show at The Mohawk on Thursday night. Review by Neil Ferguson. Photos by Arthur VanRooy.
f you’ve heard the Rhode Island-based duo known as Brown Bird you may expect the people behind the music to be the type of dark and mysterious characters one might encounter in an 1800's seaport saloon. Band members and lovers David Lamb and MorganEve Swain have been building a steady following with their unique style of music that blends influences of blues, psych-rock, gypsy and Middle Eastern sounds with lyrics that often come across as ominous and eerie. Brown Bird’s music recalls the past while at the same time offering something completely new and different from other acts making acoustic-based music these days.
In this magical Christmas special Neil takes a break from food trailers to check out the delicious holiday festivities going down at Austin's very own Cornucopia Gourmet Popcorn. He is not disappointed.
Justin Talbot
On a brisk wintery (by Austin standards) day I found myself squeezing in to my ridiculously tight “Kissmas” sweater and getting myself in the holiday spirit before heading to Austin’s very own Cornucopia Gourmet Popcorn. I know what you’re thinking…what is he doing reviewing a place that isn’t a food cart? Well we figured we would change things up, this being a Christmas special after all.
Cornucopia is a place I have been hearing about for a while now from friends who have been raving about how amazing the popcorn is. Instinctively I always find myself wondering what the hype was all about and how people can feel so passionately about something as simple and basic as popcorn. When I asked people about Cornucopia they often talked about the popcorn as if it were high quality dope and would even warn me that it leads to addiction. On top of that my friend Amy, who works for Cornucopia, told me that during Christmas the store was so busy that it actually resembled Santa’s workshop. Well, I figured, now is the best time to go see what this gourmet popcorn is all about.
Cornucopia is open year round but Christmas is extra special because it is their busiest time of year and it is also a time when they bust out all sorts of delicious holiday flavors. Why do so many people want to bring popcorn to parties and give it as gifts? I honestly don’t know, but the fact is that they do. During the weeks before Christmas the girls at Cornucopia work day and night filling orders and packing them in to colorful Christmas tins. These orders are sold locally or shipped anywhere around the country.
When you enter the shop the first thing you are greeted with is popcorn receptacles containing the thirty plus flavors. They line the walls of the small store and they are there for you. The girls at Cornucopia will be insulted if you don’t sample as many flavors of popcorn as you can. Well I did just that and each flavor was different and delightful. The second I tasted the popcorn I was taken to a realm that I never thought popcorn could take me (if you want to see what I tried watch the show!). Most of the flavors fall under the savory or sweet category the most POPular being dill pickle.
After visiting Cornucopia I realized that popcorn can be amazing and also makes a great gift. If you don’t believe me visit the shop at 1914 Guadalupe in the Veggie Heaven parking lot right near UT campus. Visit their WEBSITE. Have a wonderful holiday y’all!
