City: Austin, TX

Category: Media

Telephone: (512) 454-5766

Address: 4000 North I-35

Description: It’s hard to plan an evening out on the town without first picking up a copy of the Austin Chronicle. The Chronicle stresses coverage of music, entertainment, and the arts but also provides a vital alternative voice on local political and environmental issues. The Chronicle, a big, fat, free publication distributed Thurs around the greater Austin area—and also readily available online—was founded by six local entrepreneurs, several of whom had worked on UT’s student newspaper, the Daily Texan. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, the newspaper began treating readers to blasts from the past a full year in advance, publishing vintage ads as well as online versions of earlier editions—including Vol 1, No. 1 from September 4, 1981. Although at times a little rough around the edges, the Chronicle easily disappears from newsstands within a couple of days of publication. Editor Louis Black, one of the original godfathers (as the founders like to call themselves), and his staff are a dynamic voice on the issue of long-range city planning. But let’s not forget the Chronicle’s main focus: Entertainment, with a capital E! Movie reviews, book reviews, record reviews, features on the fascinating figures that keep Austin interesting, art, theater and film listings, cartoons, and some insightful columns (blogs) on everything from architecture to zydeco cram this 100-page-plus periodical. Of course the Chronicle knows the Austin club scene. You get the feeling that these writers don’t just cover their beats, they live them.