Luck, TX

Willie Nelson is back at the ranch with a smokin' hot lineup for 2023 Luck Reunion

Willie Nelson's Luck Reunion is back for its 11th year.

Photo by Limelight Imaging

Willie Nelson says he's never been accused of being normal, and that's certainly true of his alternative music festival Luck Reunion. Taking place on the same week as SXSW, the smaller, more intimate festival has become a bit of a holy pilgrimage for Willie fans of all ages to gather at the legend's Spicewood ranch, "Luck, TX."

Returning for its 11th year, Luck Reunion is expanding from one day to three, featuring one-of-a-kind culinary and music experiences, March 15-19.

Kicking off festivities on March 15, Luck Presents: Potluck 2023 - Three Sisters will feature an intimate "Three Sisters" themed evening paying homage to the main agricultural crops of indigenous cuisine: maize, squash and climbing Beans. The family-style seated dinner will be prepared by a diverse slate of esteemed chefs, followed by a live performance from Nelson under the Hill Country stars.

The host chef for this unique evening will be Brian Light of Ronin Farm and Restaurant near College Station, joined by Crystal Wahpepah (Wahpepah's Kitchen, Kickapoo Nation); Brit Reed (I-Collective, Choctaw tribe); Sewa Yuli (I-Collective, Yoeme tribe). Austin chefs Edgar Rico (Nixta Taqueria) and Mariela Camacho (Comadre Panadería) will participate in the welcome bites and cocktail hour, presented by the Texas Wine and Food Alliance, and celebrity chefs Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill) and Michel Nischan (Wholeome Wave) will also lend their support.

The dinner will start at 5 pm, and tickets will go on sale Monday, February 13 at 12 pm. As always, proceeds from Potluck benefit the Luck Family Foundation who will make direct grants to some of Nelson's longtime charity partners, including Farm Aid, Wholesome Wave, and The Texas Food & Wine Alliance.

The main music event will take place on March 16, with a full lineup yet to be announced.

Then, at noon on March 18, the Big Easy will invade Luck, TX for Luck Origins: New Orleans Takeover, a multi-performer show drawn from the spirit and deep influence of the Birthplace of Jazz. The event will feature a chef-curated food experience presented by the Texas Food and Wine Alliance as well as food vendors from across Texas and Louisiana. So far, the lineup includes Cha Wa; Ivan Neville & Friends; The Soul Rebels; and more. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13, at 12 pm.

Capping off events, a thoughtful and artist-packed tribute to the legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe will take place at 11 am on March 19. Luck, Antone’s and Gibson Presents: Strange Things Happening: A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 1917-1973 will feature a Gospel Brunch like no other, celebrating the original "Soul Sister" who made an indelible impact on gospel and soul music. The lineup features the Binky Griptite Orchestra, as well as special guests Abraham Alexander, Ruthie Foster, Valerie June, and many more. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13, at 12 pm.

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Holiday News

American Airlines expects record-setting travel on Thanksgiving 2024

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

American Airlines ready for takeoff.

The holidays are looming and American Airlines is ramping up. Over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, the Fort Worth-based airline expects to process nearly 8.3 million customers across more than 77,000 flights.

According to a statement from American's COO David Seymour, the airline is having a good fall season and canceled fewer flights than its peers during October.

“Thanks to the hard work of our 130,000 team members, we canceled fewer flights than any of our major competitors this October and beat our own records for on-time departures and arrivals,” Seymour says.

That's surely good news. One hates to rain on their parade, but in June 2024, the only flight I booked this year, my flight was canceled less than 24 hours before take-off. I had made hotel reservations, scheduled a pet sitter, planned events, and arranged for a friend to pick me up at the destination airport. One employee speculated that it may have been "insufficient crew." Their only solution offered was: Feel free to reschedule your flight.

Thanksgiving facts and figures
The travel window runs from November 21 to December 3, and the airline expects to carry more than 500,000 more customers than it did last year.

The most-traveled day will be Sunday, December 1. The second most-traveled day will be Monday, December 2.

The peak of peak: 1,035 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute at 10:45 am on Sunday, December 1 — the highest number of flights handled at any given time during American’s travel period.

The airline expects to serve more than 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on board from November 21 to December 3.

Travel tips
Download the American Airlines app and check in for your flight, noting added any bags to your trip. This will save you time at the airport.

If traveling internationally, download the Mobile Passport Control app, which can speed up your entry into the U.S. Global Entry members can download the Global Entry app, which allows you to submit your entry and go straight to the officer.

Upon arrival at the airport lobby, scan your mobile boarding pass to print bag tags quickly at a kiosk. If you’re not checking bags, go straight to TSA security with your mobile boarding pass.

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