Jack H.
Yelp
Are you going to Anderson Fair?
If you like catching great music at one of the country's oldest venues in continuous operation, then you probably are. And if not, you should be. Anderson Fair has been hosting up and coming artists since the '60s, like Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams, Robert Earl Keen, up to Austin favorite Matt the Electrician, and just this past weekend I caught Ray Bonneville open for porterdavis. An intimate setting with a small stage and a few tables and chairs scattered about, AFair offers patrons an opportunity to get up close and personal with the music.
Anderson Fair has built up its eclectic character over the years, and its history is in the walls. From the restaurant and coffee shop days of the '60s and '70s when artists would meet and mingle, up to today's more limited openings for scheduled shows Thursday to Saturday, regulars and benefactors have helped with repairs, and you can see the sort of fittings and hallmarks of the old place that you can't design on the front end, the sort of frissons that only come with age and experience. If those walls could talk... in fact, if the headshots on the walls of all the artists that have passed through AFair's doors could talk, what a story they'd tell.
Upon entering, you'll pay a cover that will vary depending on the artist, and straight ahead you'll see a small walk-up window where you can order beer, wine, or food from the small menu on the wall. Peeking back into the kitchen from the counter, I could see that the "Killer Nachos" certainly live up to their name, but since we had just come from a dinner party, I didn't partake. To the left of the counter is a small library and sitting area, and around the corner to the right is the stage. We sat down at a group of tables, and the exposed ducting and electrical only served to heighten the loft-like minimalism that reminds you the only sensory perception they're trying to impress is your auditory. In fact, I first thought there actually was a large second story loft above where we were sitting, until I saw people walking around up there upside down, and realized I was looking at a large mirror. Both acts played great sets, and the intoxicating ballads of these singer/songwriters, carrying on the tradition of troubadours who have gone before, left everyone in high spirits. And I'm sure the wine helped.
Afterwards, the artists were selling CDs and chatting with the patrons, smoking out front and finishing their beers before dispersing into the stormy night. Why haven't you heard of Anderson Fair? Why haven't you been? For one, it's tucked away about a block off Montrose, back behind The Art League, Inversion Coffee, and Texas Art Supply. And second, they're not open as often as they once were. But to help get the story out, they're actually working on putting a movie together, a documentary that should be out later this year. Check out the schedule on their homepage, and catch a show. You'll be glad you did.
They're cash only, so don't forget to bring some, along with the parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
