Photo by Scott David Gordon.

The arrival of a new month means another marvelous edition of our First Friday Staff Picks! We think that our staff is the best in the business (okay, okay, we are a little biased), but the JBG family hails from all over the place and covers the gamut in talents and interests. We love sharing events, adventures, and side projects that inspire and excite our JBG-ers (food-related or not) with the community. Check out the staff-curated list of favorites below!

Megan (Recipe Blogger): April means two things to me: My daughter's birthday and CRAWFISH. I'll be combining these two activities at the 28th Annual Llano Crawfish Open, which I've attended religiously for about a decade. You've got the beautiful Llano River in the background, formidable country music acts on stage with lots of two-stepping on the dance floor, giant flats of crawfish with all the fixins, ice cold beer, vendors, carnival food, insanely good people watching, and did I mention giant flats of crawfish with all the fixins? As if that wasn't enough to sell you, all profits go to local Llano charities. BOOM. Oh, and here's a classic photo of my dad with crawfish fingers.



Travis (Wholesale Manager): The month of April has a whooooooooole lot going on.

First and foremost, there is some amazing live music going on this month. My favorite country band, Kill County, is playing the next two Sunday's at The Little Darlin'. If you haven't seen these guys yet, you are seriously missing out. Their music is exactly what country music should sound like- beautiful and sad. The Little Darlin' makes some mean cocktails, so I really can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. More info here.



On the topic of good country music, Wayne "The Train" Hancock is playing with Two Tons of Steel at the Barracuda on April 28th, and that show is not to be missed. Wayne is an absolute killer and a staple in the Texas country scene.

Aside from all the solid music going on this month, The Mobile Loaves and Fishes Community Forge is holding its Annual Forging Competition and last year was a real blast and a half. Come check out some wickedly talented blacksmiths go head-to-head while supporting the formerly homeless.

Ada (Marketing and CSA Manager): Old Settlers Music Festival! CAN NOT WAIT! It’s the weekend of April 20-23 in Driftwood, TX. I’ll be camping with friends and enjoying some live tunes from some awesome acts. Also, Sculpture Falls in the early mornings before the crowds descend.

Missoula (Farm Dog): My flower crown. Woof.

A post shared by Missoula Broussard (@chermissoula) on Apr 2, 2017 at 9:51am PDT

Chucha (Farm Dog): Not running. I’m never running again. I’m still tired from the 5k this past weekend.

"My legs are tired" -Chucha. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Lucas Rager (Driver Extraordinare): BABA GANOUSH from Phoenicia Bakery. The best baba [ganoush] in town, or probably... maybe even... the world. This place has been open for a while, so I love the feel of it inside, it feels so established... like you're in a shop that has been there for decades, and that should be in NY or Philly. Great feel compared to some of the newer shops in Austin. There is always the same 100-year old lady working the counter who is so nice and always joking around. I'm kinda hesitant to even talk about this, because the last 3 times I've gone, they've been completely out of baba. So, this time I bought 4 huge tubs, and some fresh pita to go with. Pita was only 80 cents a bag. Get some!

Heydon (Blogger): I recently acquired an old Minolta from my mother, and boy, am I on a photo-takin’ kick. Check out this image of the JBG vineyards from this past weekend. The copious amount of primroses had me swooning, plus GRAPES?! Yes, please. I love Texas in the springtime with all the abundant wildflowers... No place I'd rather be.

Minolta image of the JBG vineyard. Photo by Heydon Hatcher.

Psyched to get out to west Texas for my one of my best friend’s weddings at the end of the month with some of my favorite folks. Sometimes a Legend will be there on Saturday night slingin' the funk, too. I can't think of a more magical concoction than quality folks, funky jams, big skies, and a partnership worth a whole lot of celebration. PS - Marfa Burrito, I'm coming for you.

Lovin’ Bikram Yoga East Austin… the classes will wring you out, and if bikram isn’t your jam, they offer intermittent vinyasa and yin classes that will really do you just right. The folks who teach here are the tops, too. Good people.

Anderson .Paak. I’ve been listening to his album, Malibu, non-stop for a month. Here's a funky and awesome performance with The Free Nationals at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. Groovin' tunes. (Disclaimer: contains explicit language!)

Brenton (Head Farmer): Charles Mingus. Grilling season with awesome weather. I’m on a salsa kick! Trying out new inventions of salsa. My best new invention of salsa is bacon salsa. I’ve been using farmer Montana’s roasted peppers in a roasting salsa variety that I like to make.

A Brenton breakfast of huevos rancheros featuring his homemade salsa and local organic oranges and grapefruit from G&S Groves.