The Community Garden in East Austin has transformed into a vibrant hub for music enthusiasts and creative minds, particularly during its popular “doodle nights” held every Wednesday. The atmosphere resembles that of an elementary school art class, where patrons can unwind and engage in artistic endeavors while enjoying the sounds of local DJs.
Maria Vargas, a regular attendee, captures the spirit of the event: “It’s like this place in the neighborhood you can just walk to to relax and decompress,” she said, as she began working on a watercolor piece. “You can just focus on whatever projects you have and enjoy good conversations.”
The “doodle nights” have become a beloved weekly event in the Chestnut neighborhood, drawing a diverse crowd that includes couples on first dates, friends catching up, and devoted regulars like Francesca Jaimes. Jaimes, who lives nearby, shared, “I would come here and draw because there was nothing really else to do.”
The evolution of these creative evenings began with staff providing butcher paper and an array of markers, according to Corbin Cary, a frequent DJ for the event who also manages the record shop located inside Community Garden. “Within a few weeks, there were people bringing typewriters and all sorts of different artistic activities,” he noted.
Community Garden, which operates as a coffee shop, wine bar, and performance venue, is owned by James Harcrow. He emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming space for individuals with varied tastes in music and events. “It was always important to me to have Community Garden be a home for a lot of different people that are into a lot of different types of music or events,” he explained.
Before launching this venture, Harcrow lacked experience in the hospitality industry; however, his passion for music had always been a driving force in his life. In 2015, he established a record label called Growth in Decay, which focuses on underground electronic music from Texas. This endeavor allowed him to connect with local musicians and expand his artistic network.
When the pandemic disrupted live events, Harcrow pivoted to maintain connections within his community. He began making acai bowls for friends, including the owners of the Coconut Club, Brian Almarez and Cole Evans. As discussions about reopening the downtown nightclub progressed, they invited Harcrow to cater their meetings. This collaboration eventually led to the idea of opening a café that featured his acai bowls.
In spring 2023, Community Garden opened on Cedar Avenue, offering a unique blend of acai bowls and coffee during the day, transitioning to wine and music in the evenings. Harcrow envisioned the space as a venue for record release parties, art shows, and a central location for engaging community events.
As the venue matured, Harcrow worked diligently to cultivate a diverse roster of DJs and live performers from day one. He initially booked those close to him, who then introduced him to an expanding circle of musicians, leading to a rich variety of musical experiences. “Things really started growing in a very unique way,” he reflected.
Encouraged by a friend’s suggestion, Harcrow introduced doodle nights early on. “He had suggested that it would be really neat to do some type of doodle night,” Harcrow recalled. “So we gave it a try.” Jaimes was among the early attendees, noting that the intimate gatherings evolved into games and creative challenges.
As word spread, doodle nights solidified their place in the community, becoming a cherished Wednesday night tradition nearly three years later. Cary remarked on the appeal of the event, highlighting the desire for an “outside space” to create art accompanied by good music.
In addition to doodle nights, Community Garden hosts “listening room” sessions on Tuesdays to attract larger crowds during slower nights while showcasing the venue’s musical diversity. DJ Marshal Spaulding expressed that the venue excels at being a canvas for anyone eager to express themselves.
The growth of Community Garden as a platform for artists has paralleled the expansion of the business itself, which has pleasantly surprised Harcrow. “At the core of opening this place was my love for all the people that were around me and wanting to create an environment that would foster a bit more connection,” he stated. The sense of community at Community Garden continues to flourish.
