Today is First Thursday on South Congress–and what in my InBox this morn should appear, but a funny viral video about a fight on SoCo with folks in mascot gear. Yup, a reader sent in a new video from Austin director Marko Slavnic. And I have to say, I kinda like it.

The video, shot on SoCo, involves two mascots (one a chicken, the other a penguin) fighting to get customers into neighboring sandwich shops.  The mascots come to fisticuffs that lead to a surprise unmasking. It’s a cute video–and seeing how the facade of New Bohemia was converted into the two sandwich shots is a def bonus! Check it out:

Chicken Vs Penguin by  Marko Slavnic

And while you’re down on South Congress this evening, head over to Jo’s Coffee, where our friends from South Side Sanctuary and Sneak Attack will be hawking their wears and kicks. There will also be a live performance from frenzy-inducing Austin band Soul Mind. Oh yeah, and a bouncy castle!!!

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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

Local jewelry designer Brooke MacFarlane shows off a self-designed necklace at First Thursday

Last Thursday, we rolled on over to South Congress for First Thursday.  It was a scorcher out, so we decided to hit up the Mambo Berry trailer (@mamboberry on Twitter) and chat with owner Jacob and his lovely wife Erin [click here to see an outtake of the interview with the Mambo Berry peeps]. On the way there, we ran into Brooke (@beincreative on Twitter), a jewelry designer who designs with African beads and then sends 50% of her proceeds back to buy cows for villagers. After tearing up a  frozen yogurt with blueberries and fruity pebbles (nom nom nom), we cruised across the street and checked out the latest tees from our buds over at Southside Sanctuary.

Mambo Berry owners Jacob and Erin Boone beat the heat inside their trailer on South Congress

We didn’t stay too long, cause like a vampire on the thirst for blood, the setting sun triggered the “gotta get a drink” portion of my brain.  Dodging zombie-like, patchouli-soaked Free Huggers, we made our way down to the Hotel San Jose.  Along the way, we joined the feeding frenzy for free Sweet Leaf Tea and played with a couple rescued puppies from Austin Pets Alive.

Check out the video to get a sample of the sights, people and sounds of July’s First Thursday.  Oh yeah: Since neither one of us had slept much the night before–Tim  hungover from his Pre-Birthday celebrations (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIMMY!) and me cause I’m a mad scientist–neither one of us are physically in the video. You’ll have to be happy with my voice

Special thanks to all y’all who met us out.  If you couldn’t make it out: Come hang with us next time!

While watching the 3-minute video,try to spot the following:

Sweet Leaf Tea's Limo is P-I-M-P

• “Joy” made from copper and beads
• Ragtag drum corp
• Granny from Sweet Leaf Tea’s pimped out limo
• Cute wittle puppy playing with his food bowl
• A century plant blossom that actually looks like a giant stick of asparagus

Chris Interviews Jon Pattillo from South Side Sanctuary

Last night Jasmine and I headed over to South Congress to hit up First Thursday.  Although she’s lived here for over 10 years, this was her first time to take part in the monthly South Austin tradition.

After a lot of walking (and drinking), we decide to hit up the lot in between Vespaio and Austin Art Glass and check out T-Shirts designed by one of our favorite Austin artist collectives–and superstar Twitterers (@SanctuarySouth)–South Side Sanctuary.  In today’s video transmission, Jon Pattillo shows us a couple of designs and tells us a little bit more about the local t-shirt company.

Thanks to everyone who met us out last night for First Thursday on South Congress.  Extra big special thanks to South Side Sanctuary! It was great meeting our readers, and we can’t wait till next First Thursday!

While watching the 2-Minute video, look out for:

• “Boobs” spelled with a calculator

Chris loves the Virtual Dancers t-shirt from South Side Sanctuary

• Capoeira dancers in a circle behind Jasmine
• The local band on the front of Chris’ t-shirt
• David Carradine’s Resurrection?
• The sounds of the Congress Street Choir across the street (that was while they were singing, not when they dissed our gay friends)
• Jasmine’s SECRET!