by M Sinclair Stevens. May 20, 2005.
Update: May 20, 2005
M2 discovered that the Alamo Drafthouse is bringing "Viva Les Amis" back for two more showings in June.
Related
Another viewpoint from Celluloid Eyes who arrived at the party a little late. I agree that we shouldn't blame everything on Starbucks. The landlords seeking the highest profits possible run out tenants like Waterloo Brewery or Terra Toys. But they have to pay their taxes and can't subsidize lesser paying tenants if the property tax rate all around them is going up. Maybe the City Council should offer more tax incentives for small, local businesses that contribute to the Keep Austin Weird atmosphere that they want to cultivate. The unique flavor of Austin culture is a tourist attraction.
Original Post: May 4, 2005
Aaaarg! Somehow I managed to miss the documentary Viva Les Amis about our favorite little cafe from back in the day. I was just working myself up to wax all nostalgic, too.
Does anyone else remember "Nothing Strikes Back"? the black-light, day-glo psychedelic postered ice cream shop on a second floor somewhere on the Drag. I used to crave their essence of chocolate covered cherries.
And then there was the "Juicy Carrot" in the fairly new (and brown, not aqua) Dobie Mall where I used to treat myself to fresh-squeezed carrot juice. Unless I was feeling less virtuous and opted for a baklava from Ali Baba's across the street. Jeez. Do all my memories of life in Austin in the mid-70s involve food?
Comments
But the link you provided has early June as when it's showing, and it's only May ... unless it was June last year. Come to think of it, they don't specify.
Well, this is serendiptious. Looking further I found a poster ad that said "May 3rd & 4th SOLD OUT; 2 additional screenings."
So now I have another chance to see it. If I hadn't complained about it, I might never had known. Is this the lesson I want to learn?
I just Googled "Nothing Strikes Back" while experiencing some middle-age angst--it was a favorite hangout of mine in the early 70's--their chocolate & cherry phosphates were a great cure for the munchies. Ultimately, I struck a deal with the proprieter and painted the walls in return for unlimited freebies. (Art student.) The da-glo paint lent a really radiocative and weird feel to the joint--I remember the time their freezer broke and we all handed out free ice cream to the kids upstairs on the Drag. Ahh...to be able to travel back in time...
I played guitar at Nothing Strikes Back once. They had a little stage off to one side, away from the counter. Was also friends with The Grackle (books)and the Salvation Sandwich guy. I'm a writer and have thought of entitling a book Nothing Strikes Back, but not sure if the name is copyrighted somehow. Don't need a 6 million dollar lawsuit like George Harrison got.
Keith