La Dolce Vita Austin: Or, Attack of the Awesome Colored Suit People.

Last week, Ross and I went to the annual fundraiser for Austin Museum of Art, La Dolce Vita.  Perhaps you've heard of it.  La Dolce Vita is a food and wine event where all of Austin's fancy restaurants, regional vineyards, homespun bakeries, and close-to-home spirits line the perimeter of Laguna Gloria in booths, and bring their sampling A-game.

East Side Show Room

Cuatro's

At La Dolce Vita, it's never just, "here, try our tacos!"  It's, "here, try our pork belly tacos. Smothered in fresh avocado and tangy chimichurri sauce, wrapped in this flavorful corn tortilla."  Well ok, I guess I can do that.

Every year, La Dolce Vita plays on -- as one might expect -- an Italian theme. Last year, it was all very Federico Fellini. Sexy, 1950s Italy, with special parking for Vespas.

But this year? The theme was Italian Futurism.

Maybe this gives you a clue as to what Italian Futurism is?

Me neither. Friends, my art history background is patchy.

But the moment he stepped foot on the grounds, I was fascinated by this guy.

As soon as Ross and I got there, he made a break for the fountain.

Then, his friends joined him:

I said to Ross, "quick -- take a picture of me."

This clearly has 'Facebook profile pic' written all over it.

Ross eventually dragged me away from the color-suited men, and insisted we go try some food.

Sao Paulo's

Spicewood Vineyards

La Condesa

Word of Mouth Catering

All the little bites were, of course, impossibly delicious.

... But I kept getting distracted.

"Those people are scaring me," I heard several guests say.  Look at the guy above.  Manning the portable grill.  That is a face of concern.

But the more they kept running around, performing their colored suit people histrionics, the more I became OBSESSED them. I couldn't get enough! Who were they? Who hired them?

"Tolly, I think you're more into the colored people than the food," said Ross.

"You're right," I said. "Back to work."

Cake Ball

Cuvee Coffee (both)

Dusted chocolate truffle?  With salted caramel macchiato?  Don't mind if I do!

BUT THEN, out of the corner of my eye, I saw this little spectacle start to unfold.

It was like a dance, only the purple one was more sedate, and the blue one was more joyous.

Diva! The blue one is such a diva.

This is where things started to get weird. By which I mean, fantastic.

Don't you love how the guests are all, "what the f--?" They just don't know what to make of this!

I turned back around with my camera, just in time to capture his friend.

Stroke of genius, La Dolce Vita.

NOTE to Austin party planners of formal events: Please hire the colored suit people for your next affair. I highly recommend them.
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