Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Tidbits for travelers: SNA gets free Wi-Fi; travelers get great art

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Today the folks at John Wayne International Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California announced a partnership with FreeFi Networks to provide free wireless internet access at the airport.

You’ll need need to watch a short commercial before getting to that free Wi-Fi service, but that’s a small price to pay for a service most of us would rather not be without when we’re stuck at the airport.  Thanks, SNA!

And there are several new art exhibits at a few airports around the country:

At Miami International Airport (MIA), photos by architect and award-winning photographer James Palma are on display in the mia Central Terminal Gallery, just past the security checkpoint on Concourse E. The 20 photographs in the exhibition were winners chosen by the National American Institute of Architects over 10 years.

At Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), a new art exhibit up through August 12, 2010 explores the theme of twilight with works from the Multicultural Artists Partnership of Austin. One nice example is Kay Hughes’ “View with Song Bird.”

And the summer installment of the art showcase at Nashville International Airport (BNA) has opened, with works by more than a half dozen local artists, including Pieces from the Past by Mike Andrews

And quilts by the The Zuri Quilting Guild of Nashville, Tennesse.


Tidbits for travelers: airport taxi sharing, Austin art, and marvelous maps

Art, Maps, Transportation, , , , ,

Even with all the free deals you can find on NYCGO.com, a trip to New York City can be quite spendy. So it’s welcome news that the Wall Street Journal reports that New York’s Taxi and Limousine Commissioner is thinking of expanding a popular, cost-saving taxi sharing program to LaGuardia Airport (and possibly JFK) and he Port Authority bus terminal.  Good idea!

Art at Austin Airport


(Collin Scott’s clay bust titled, “Neolithic Cuneiform Subconscious.”)

The Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has rolled out yet another intriguing art exhibit. This one features work from the Lost Pines Artisan Alliance (LPAA), including a wide variety of three dimensional media ranging from ceramics and cast bronze, to wood and fabric fibers.  The exhibit is on display through July 14, 2010, post-security in the concourse glass pylons located between Gates 7 – 11.

Grab a map for London

And there are two exhibitions about maps in London right now that have me checking airfares and flight schedules.

Drawing from a collection of more than four million maps and loaned specimens, Magnificant Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art, at the British Library, shows off “80 of the largest, most impressive and beautiful maps ever made, from 200 AD to the present day.”

Among the treasures on display are the 17th-century Klencke Atlas (above), which is said to be the world’s largest book, and the world’s smallest atlas, which was created for Queen Mary’s dolls-house.

And in Creative Compass, at the Royal Geographical Society, artists Agnes Poitevin-Navarre and Susan Stockwell take inspiration from the society’s collection of more than one million maps, three thousand atlases and half a million photographs to create a map of Afghanistan made from US dollars, a map of Londoner’s aspirations and achievements,  a Victorian dress recreated with 19th century maps and other art pieces.

Magnificent Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art is at the British Library through September 19th, 2010. Admission: free. Creative Compass opens May 6th and runs through July 2nd at the Royal Geographical Society.  Also free.

Tidbits for travelers: airport art exhibits & an Air Hogs promotion

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Here’s a heads up on a couple of new art exhibits at two airports:

At the John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, Ca., work by Anna Friesen will be on display through June 10, 2010 in the pre-security departure (upper) level near the security screening areas and on the arrival (lower) level near baggage carousels 1 and 4.

At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) “a cornucopia of art” by artists from the Pump Project Art Complex are on display through June 24, 2010 in the East Airside Gallery, post-security by the Austin Article bookstore.

The work includes Matt Wester’s Mercy and Jai Cochran’s Double Arch.

Jai Cochran Double Arch

And here’s an interesting event for baseball fans: the Grand Prairie AirHogs have teamed up with FlyerRights.org (Kate Hanni’s air passengers’ rights organization) for a “Hogs Fly Free” night on Wednesday, June 2nd at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

In a press release that had me checking to see if it was April 1st, the Air Hogs announced that on June 2nd they’d be taking a cue from Spirt Airlines and Ryanair and charging “carry-in” fees for purses, backpacks, blankets, jackets and anything larger than the size of a baseball and also charging fans for each visit to the restroom.

They’re joking of course.  A long list of “Hogs Fly Free” Fee Exemptions says all fees are voluntary and any money collected will be donated to FlyersRights.org. Cute!

Souvenir Sunday: musical treats at Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Airport

Entertainment, Music, ,

Nancy Coplin, the music coordinator at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, has an enviable and very important job.  The airport has four performance venues and eleven live concerts each week and she’s the one in charge of the schedule.

In Austin, of course, you can’t spit without hitting a Grammy-winner or two, so when Nancy drops a note to say she was tickled by the performers at the airport that day, I take notice.  Here’s her report on some special guests at the airport earlier this week:

“Today we had the Bill Carter Trio. Bill is probably the premier songwriter in Austin-having written songs for Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and many more. Stephen Doster, is a great musician and a great record producer. The 3rd person today is Denny Freeman, who is playing the airport for the 1st time.  He just finished touring as Bob Dylan’s guitarist and has played with many greats, including Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan.”

Why didn’t she send out the alert earlier?  “We didn’t know they’d all be here!”

We’ll let her off the hook – this time – but only because Nancy was kind enough to send these photos along for Souvenir Sunday – the day we take a look at some of the fun, inexpensive treats you can find while being Stuck at the Airport. Great music – for free -certainly fits the bill.

Group shot: Denny Freeman, Bill Carter and Stephen Doster


(Denny Freeman)


(Bill Carter)


(Stephen Doster)

Curious to see who may be playing next time you pass through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport?  Check the airport Website. The schedule for at least one of the stages is usually posted.

And.. if you find a great souvenir while you’re stuck at the airport – something under $10, “of” the city or region and, ideally, a bit offbeat, please take a photo and send it along. It may end up featured on a future edition of Souvenir Sunday.

All Photos Sandy L. Stevens, courtesy of City of Austin

Tidbits for travelers: art & massages at Schiphol, more music in Austin

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Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has more than 100 shops, an equal number of cafes, pubs and restaurants, casinos, a Yotel, a great art collection and a branch of the Rijksmuseum that’s currently showing the Sunny Skies exhibition, featuring nine works by Dutch 17th century landscape artists inspired by the Italian landscape.

Speaking of inspiration, Schiphol’s Cone Bar, in Lounge 2 (post-security) recently installed these specially-designed Massage-O-Matic (MOM) chairs that offer eight minutes of privacy and Shiatsu massage for about $5.50.

More music at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

If you’re heading to Austin for the SXSW Music Festival, don’t rush out of the airport when you land.  The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport offers live music in the terminal year-round, but during the SXSW festival, the airport is an official showcase venue. And since you can’t spit in Austin without hitting a Grammy-winner, it’s a sure bet that even if you haven’t heard of the band, you’ll enjoy one of the free shows.

The airport’s SXSW showcase kicked off yesterday with an appearance by Ray Benson (of Asleep at the Wheel) with the Marshall Ford Swing Band.  Here’s a link to the other performances you can see at the airport this month.

SXSW Music Festival at Austin Bergstrom International Airport

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Heading to the SXSW music festival? There’s no need to wait until you’re right in town to start enjoying the music. The Austin Bergstrom International Airport, which has live music year-round, is hosting the first sanctioned performances of the music conference.

The kick-off performance takes place today, Tuesday March 16th, 2010 at 1 pm with the Marshall Ford Swing Band and special guest Ray Benson (the front man for Asleep at the Wheel ).

They’ll all be at Ray Benson’s Roadhouse, right in the airport, post-security, between Gates 10 -11.  Warren Hood will perform from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

The airport will also host the final showcase of the music conference on Monday March 22nd with indie alt rockers Sounds Under Radio from 1-3 p.m and Grammy U band Automatic Cycle from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

But wait, there’s more!  During SXSW, the airport will expand it’s regular live music line-up from 11 shows to a total 22 performances. In addition to the stage at Ray Benson’s Roadhouse, you can see those extra shows at Lefty’s, Earl Campbell’s Sports Bar, and Austin City Limits/Waterloo Records & Video.

Check the website for more information about the music at Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

Tidbits for travelers: art in AUS & PHX

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“Travel/Places,” a new exhibit at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) combines hand-scripted, journey-related quotes with illustrations of places traveled.  10 members of Austin’s Capital City Scribes contributed 12 works to this exhibit, which includes a piece by Abigail Hutchison incorporating the travel quote attributed to Saint Augustine: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page,” and this piece by Dee Day titled “Gone to Texas.”

You can see – and read – the entire “Travel/Places” exhibit in the Austin airport’s Airside West Gallery,  post-security, on the concourse behind the BookPeople bookstore, across from Gate 11.

Also, if you missed it at the Albuquerque, Pittsburgh or Atlanta airports, you can now see Nancy Judd’s Recycle Runway exhibit at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The exhibit includes dresses and accessories made from items such as aluminum cans, water bottles and junk mail. Highlights include a Rusty Nail dress made of, yes, rusty nails, a Red Glass Gown made of crushed glass, and this Faux Fur coat made of videotape.

Look for the Recycle Runway exhibit in Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Terminal 3 through August 8th.

Tidbits for Travelers: two contests and some Valentine’s Day airport freebies

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Two fun contests that reward travelers with travel popped up today:

Share a story or photo about a visit to San Diego North to enter the “Don’t Be Left Without a Story – Write Yours in San Diego North” contest.

The prize includes a three-night trip to La Jolla, surfing lessons (remember Gidget?) and tickets to Birch Aquarium.  You have until June 30, 2010 to enter.

Also, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is hosting the Original Memories Photo Contest.  Prizes include hotel nights and airfare credit, a swanky digital camera, and Flip camcorder.

Of course, Valentine’s Day weekend is just around the corner and some airports around the country are planning special treats for travelers.  Here are just a few examples of what you’ll find:

On Friday, February 12th, The Food & Shops in the Central Terminal at New York’s LaGuardia Airport will be handing out free chocolates kisses from 11 am – 4 pm.

At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, there will be a chocolate-covered strawberries sale in the baggage claim area February 12-14.  Last year, 300 dozen of these decadent treats were sold; this year they anticipate selling more than 360 dozen.

And in past years, volunteers in at least two airports were on duty to give passengers single red or yellow roses.  I’m waiting to hear if the tradition will continue this year and will let you know about that tomorrow – along with some other special Valentine’s Day events taking place at other airports.

In the meantime, if you know of any special Valentine’s Day events at an airport, please send the information along.

Fresh art at LA/Ontario Int’l Airport (ONT) & at Austin-Bergstrom Int’l Airport (AUS)

Air Travel, Art, ,

No time to go the museum? No problem. Plenty of airports have great art and cultural exhibits you can catch on the fly.

At LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) Art Saving Lives, put together by the non-profit Art Aids Art non-profit organization, displays elaborate beadwork, sculptures, dolls, animals and wearable accessories made by artists from South Africa.

Included in the exhibit are many items made from re-used, recycled and repurposed materials such as glass beads, utility wire, found trinkets, juice boxes, discarded paper, and product labels.

Art Saving Lives is on display in four post-security cases in Terminal 2 and in eight cases in Terminal 4 through May 7, 2010

And at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Looking Up, includes photographs by members of the Austin Shutterbug Club, all on the theme of … looking up.

One example: Sunburst, by Lucy Durfee, looks up through the branches of tall Texas pecan trees.

Other images from the exhibit include pictures of two hot air balloons climbing above the clouds, a flying saucer-like image of the ceiling light fixtures in Rockefeller Center, a black and white image of workmen on top of the Bandera, Texas water tower and a shot of a single falling leaf.

Looking Up is on display at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport through April 1, 2010, in the post-security Airside East Gallery.

Airports offer contests, coupons and karaoke

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Austin - Judy Lee Tap Dancers

The number of people buying plane tickets may be down, but that’s not stopping the nation’s airports from getting all gussied up in their holiday best. And while everyone’s budget is tighter than usual, travelers will still find plenty of airports hosting contests, carolers, karaoke and opportunities for a last-minute heart-to-heart with Kris Kringle.  In my most recent “At the Airport” column on USATODAY.com, I offered a round-up of what’s in store.

Petting zoos, popcorn, and performances

This Saturday, December 12th, 2009, the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) will host Pups, Popcorn & Perfect Pitch in the pre-security Civic Plaza. There will be free treats from Just Pop In! and two “petting” zoos: one with instruments from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) and another with adoptable animals from the Humane Society of Indianapolis.  On December 14th at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), listen for the US Airways Chorus. And on December 16h, look for JJ Jones, the Human Snow Globe, at Nashville International Airport (BNA): he’ll be the one inside a giant inflatable bubble singing wacky Christmas songs.

JJ Jones - Human Snow Globe

On December 21st, the Judy Lee Dancers (dancers are all 60 years old and up) will perform at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), And on December 23rd, a choir made up of local Austin-based TSA employees will present a medley of traditional Christmas carols.

Contests and Coupon Books

Like many other airports, there’s a full schedule of holiday entertainment at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), where you can also pick up a coupon book filled with 80 coupons that can be used at MSP’s stores and restaurants.  The booklets are available at information booths throughout the airport and on-line at ShopsatMSP.com.

Throughout December, you’ll also be able to find coupon booklets at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and in the Central Terminal Building at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), where The Food & Shops at LGA will also be raffling off one pair of diamond earrings from Taxco Sterling (value $2,000.)

SAN Wrapping paper

As in past years, many retail shops and volunteer organizations will be offering free, post-security gift wrapping stations at various airports. Look closely at the paper being used at the San Diego International Airport (SAN) December 18th through December 23rd: the artwork is by students in The New Children’s Museum’s After School Program.

Concourse Karaoke

Housto IAH Karaoke

Karaoke was big at George Bush International Airport (IAH) last year and it’s back again this year on Saturday, December 19th.  Karaoke is also on the schedule at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW).  Their karaoke fundraiser takes place in the McNamara/Delta Terminal from Sunday Dec. 20th through Wednesday, Dec. 23rd.  Anyone (or any group) stepping up to the microphone will be asked to make a $5 donation to a fund that will be split between two local charities. Participants will have their names entered in a drawing for a gift basket filled with items from Delta Airlines and airport vendors.