Chris chats with Alison Narro about her new ad campaign and love of facial hair.

We have a lot of great photobooth photographers in this city. You see ‘em at parties. You post their photos on your Facebook. You try to hide them from your mom.

One of my favorite photographers is Alison Narro. She brings a studio feel to the photobooth genre. And while her style gives her photos a classic feel, her subjects are anything but. In fact, Alison’s favorite subject to photo are dudes with beards and mustaches. She’s even a member of the Austin Facial Hair Club.

Alison was recently commissioned by Bird’s Barbershop to do a series of portraits showcasing everyday people who get their hair cut at the local barbershop. Shot at the various Bird’s locations over four days, the photos do a great job of giving zine like sensibilities to an advertising campaign. Scroll down to see a few of our favorites. This weekend, Alison will be displaying some of the fun outtakes from the series at Bird’s on East 6th.

WATCH: In the four-minute video below, we meet Alison at Liberty and chat about the Bird’s campaign and her undying love of facial hair.

EXPERIENCE: “Art and Outtakes by Alison Narro” (05.22.10); Bird’s East (1107 E 6th, 78702); 5-7P; Free snacks and adult bevskis; Facebook Event

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Chris talks to Rev. Julie Gallagher, AKA the Squirrel Lady of Town Lake

Last Thursday, Jasmine and I met up with Rachel, our new Personal Finance blogger, to pop her First Thursday cherry.  Yup, just like Jasmine in June, Rachel had never been to the monthly fiesta down on South Congress.  For the record, this was probably one of the craziest First Thursdays EVER, and we were glad she was a part of it!

Our first stop: Bird’s Barbershop for free mojitos and Lone Star.  They’re celebrating their inclusion into Elle Magazine’s 100 Top Salons with Ladies Month, featuring parties EVERY Thursday throughout the month of August.  After filling our glazzies with 3-D art and our bellies with a couple cold ones, we went back out into the 100+ heat to hit up some of the art booths.

Have y’all ever been out on Town Lake and seen the lady feeding the squirrels? Well, her name is Julie Gallagher and she’s got a booth in the lot between Vespaio and Austin Art Glass.  According to Mayan mythology, squirrels protect the sun, so Julie protects the squirrels to keep the universe in balance.  She also takes cute pictures of them to help promote peace. [Check out the full, unedited video interview with Julie here.]

Timothy Hassell plays his steel guitar in front on MamboBerry on South Congress

As we made our way North down South Congress, we were thrilled to encounter so many buskers out strumming and singing their little hearts out.  This magic quickly faded as the Free Huggers, out in full force this month, tried desperately to share their patchouli-coated warm fuzzies with us. Jasmine and I managed to successfully evade them, but Rachel was not so lucky.

Check out the video for a mind-boggling trip into the sights, sounds and people of August’s First Thursday.

Thanks to all of our readers who met us out. We had a great time and we’ll see you next month!

In the 3.5-minute video, try to spot the following:

• 

  Image of Jesus with squirrel by Julie Gallagher

  Squirrels in cute poses

• A steel guitar, a fiddle and some drums
• A poolside warning sign
• CareBear Tattoos
• Jas and Chris running from Huggers
• Fran, aka Kipp’s/Bob’s Big Boy’s kid sister

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With rockin haircuts at affordable prices, it’s no wonder that Austin’s own Birds Barbershop has grown from one shop to four in 3-years.  And not only are the shops the coolest we’ve ever been to, but they also throw one heck of a party!  Case in point: Last Friday’s opening party for the South Congress Shop.

Since the murals for this shop are all in 3-D, the theme for the party was, um, 3-D!  They handed out Birds customized 3-D glasses, and (apparently) played 3-D movies.  Although Noe found the 3-D photo booth, I managed to miss it completely; I was too obsessed with trying to win a Lone Star Coozie from the Skill Crane.

The lyrical stylings of Seattle-based rapper Astronautalis were the highlight of the evening.  His rhymes were totally based on themes and words suggested by the audience.  You can watch three minutes of his set in the video, below, to see him rap about Tupac, the Swine Flu and 3-D.  As if that wasn’t enough, you can also check out pics from the event.  Imagine a hot, steamy room with the scent of sweat and booze, and you’re practically there!

Thanks, Birds Barbershop, Lone Star, Tito’s and Sweet Leaf Tea for a great evening!

3-D glasses and coins for the crane

Trying to line up the Skill Crane and get that Lone Star Coozie

Birds logo in 3-D

The Birds' Crew takes a break from slingin drinks

Dayum, Birds is C-H-E-A-P!

The crowd watches Astronautalis

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