Austin Way Magazine - GreenGale Publishing - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/732984
42 AUSTINWAY.com PhotograPhy by DaviD SowerS "If we're not runnIng an aIrport In our heads, we get restless." —adrian quesada THE (H)IT COUPLE COOLER-THAN-COOL AUSTIN PAIR ADRIAN AND CELESTE QUESADA ARE CREATING MUSIC, MAGIC, AND MOMENTUM. By Chad SwiateCki It's hard to find a couple more involved in Austin's culture scene than Celeste and Adrian Quesada. Music fans know Adrian as a cofounder of the Latin funk band (and former Prince backing group) Grupo Fantasma as well as bands including Spanish Gold, Brownout, and Brown Sabbath. His latest venture, the Echocentrics, will perform at Utopiafest (September 29 – October 2; utopiafest.com) on the heels of the new album Echo Hotel, which NPR calls "a signifi- cant contribution to [Quesada's] growing legacy." Celeste, known for producing high-profile events, including the annual Austin Music Awards at March's South by Southwest (this year's iteration featured Renée Zellweger and Robert Plant), is focused on American Gateways' inaugural awards gala (October 20) honoring immigrants of achievement, including film- maker Elizabeth Avellan (americangateways.org). Next up: the popular gala fundraiser for the Sims Foundation in December. "We have separate, parallel, equal lives," says Celeste, who is also a real estate agent with the Gill Agency dedicated to finding affordable housing for the city's creative class. "Living and work- ing together, we can bounce ideas off of each other when we're at home cooking dinner." The cou- ple has two daughters, 6 and 10. Adds Adrian, "We both have the personality where if we're not running an airport in our heads, we get restless." . Perfect harmony: Celeste and Adrian Quesada live in East Austin with their two daughters. Scene dynamic duo