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Life & Arts

Here are our favorite KUT photos of 2021

KUT 90.5 | By KUT Staff
Published December 29, 2021 at 5:01 AM CST
Some of KUT's favorite photos from 2021.
KUT

A lot happened in Austin this year. Protests. Elections. A winter storm. A vaccine rollout. The return of concerts and events, like ACL Fest.

Here are KUT's favorite images that tell the story of 2021.

January

Protestors chant and wave flags in support of President Donald Trump in front of the Texas Capitol on Jan. 6. Protests occurred nationwide in opposition to the presidential election results.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Protesters chant and wave flags in support of President Donald Trump in front of the Texas Capitol on Jan. 6. Protests occurred nationwide in opposition to the presidential election results.
Members of the National Guard walk through the Texas Capitol on Jan. 11, the day before opening day of the 87th Texas Legislative Session. After the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the Texas Department of Public Safety brought additional personnel to the State Capitol grounds to assist DPS with opening day security.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Members of the National Guard walk through the Texas Capitol on Jan. 11, the day before opening day of the 87th Texas Legislative Session. After the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the Texas Department of Public Safety brought additional personnel to the state Capitol grounds to assist DPS with opening day security.
Hundreds of people wait in line for a COVID-19 vaccine from Austin Public Health at the Delco Activity Center on Jan. 14.
Julia Reihs
/
KUT
Hundreds of people wait in line for a COVID-19 vaccine from Austin Public Health at the Delco Activity Center on Jan. 14.
Construction crews build a large apartment complex at the intersection of North Lamar Blvd and West Koenig Lane on Jan. 21.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Construction crews build an apartment complex at the intersection of North Lamar Boulevard and West Koenig Lane on Jan. 21.

February

Pedestrians walk along Oltorf Street, where cars have stalled during a historic winter storm.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Pedestrians walk along Oltorf Street, where cars have stalled during a historic winter storm.
A person carries a bucket filled with firewood in South Austin on Feb. 16.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
A person carries a bucket filled with firewood in South Austin on Feb. 16.
Hundreds of people wait in line to enter the H-E-B on South Congress Avenue during Winter Storm Uri on Feb. 16.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Hundreds of people wait in line to enter the H-E-B on South Congress Avenue during Winter Storm Uri on Feb. 16.
People line up to have containers filled with water at St. Elmo Brewing Company in South Austin. Breweries throughout the city distributed water for free to residents who lost running water during the freeze.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
People line up to have containers filled with water at St. Elmo Brewing Company in South Austin. Breweries throughout the city distributed water for free to residents who lost running water during the freeze.

March

Andrea Troncoso helps one of her children put on shoes at their home in North Austin. Troncoso children were two of 800 Austin ISD students waiting for special education evaluations earlier this year.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Andrea Troncoso helps one of her children put on shoes at their home in North Austin. The Troncoso children were two of 800 Austin ISD students waiting for special education evaluations earlier this year.
Shawn Fagan walks with his dog, Jasper, and sheep, Anna, on his farm on March 10. Many of the farm's crops were irreparably damaged during Winter Storm Uri.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Shawn Fagan walks with his dog, Jasper, and sheep, Anna, on his farm on March 10. Many of the farm's crops were irreparably damaged during the February storm.
Demonstrators gather in support of the George Floyd Act outside the State Capitol on March 25.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Demonstrators gather in support of the George Floyd Act outside the state Capitol on March 25.
Lena Froese administers a nasal swab test to Sarohyth Maldonado at a post-spring break COVID-19 testing event at the Austin ISD headquarters on March 26.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Lena Froese administers a nasal swab test during a COVID-19 testing event at Austin ISD headquarters on March 26.

April

First-grade students class prepare for a story stroll, an outdoor reading exercise, led by librarian Kulvadee Amy Rattananinad at Dawson Elementary School in Austin on April 8.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
First-grade students prepare for a story stroll, an outdoor reading exercise, at Dawson Elementary School in Austin on April 8.
Jenn Brown (left) helps her friend Kris Carpenter move out of her Round Rock apartment on April 8, following a notice of lease termination by the landlord due to property damages from the February winter storm.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Jenn Brown (left) helps her friend Kris Carpenter move out of her Round Rock apartment after she received a notice of lease termination due to damage from the February winter storm.
People bike past a mural by artist Chris Rogers honoring George Floyd, and other Black Americans killed by police, on April 20, the day a jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all the counts he faced over Floyd's death.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Bicyclists pass a mural by artist Chris Rogers honoring George Floyd and other victims of racial violence on April 20, the day a jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder in Floyd's death.

May

The northbound I-35 to northbound US 183 flyover was imploded in North Austin on May 8. The flyover was so steep that the Texas Department of Transportation said it must be destroyed and replaced.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
The northbound I-35 to northbound US 183 flyover was imploded in North Austin on May 8. The flyover was so steep the Texas Department of Transportation said it must be replaced.
People hang out at Zilker Park on May 13.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
People hang out at Zilker Park as vaccines for the coronavirus are rolled out.
Mohawk reopens with a sold out performance of Heartless Bastards on March 27.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Mohawk reopens with a sold-out performance by Heartless Bastards on March 27.

June

Kevin Chen flips into Jacob’s Well, the namesake and primary feature of Jacob’s Well Natural Area, as Karissa Chesky films on June 4.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Kevin Chen flips into Jacob’s Well as Karissa Chesky films on June 4.
Austin Resource Recovery, EMS and Austin Police Department officers remove tents and other belongings from an encampment for people experiencing homelessness outside of Austin City Hall in downtown Austin on June 14.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Austin Resource Recovery, EMS and Austin Police Department officers remove tents and other belongings from an encampment for people experiencing homelessness outside City Hall on June 14.
Megan Rapinoe prepares to take a corner kick as the U.S. Women's National Team plays Nigeria at Q2 stadium in Austin on June 16. It was the first game played at the new stadium.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Megan Rapinoe prepares to take a corner kick during a match between the U.S. Women's National Team and Nigeria at Q2 stadium in Austin on June 16. It was the first game played at the new stadium.
Austin FC plays the San Jose Earthquakes on June 19 at Q2 stadium. It was the team's first home game.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Austin FC prepares to play their first home game, against the San Jose Earthquakes, at Q2 stadium on June 19.
A child standing up through the sunroof of a car raises his fist a parade watchers
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Central Texans gathered for the Juneteenth parade in East Austin on June 19. Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021.
A cat rests in downtown Taylor on June 24.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
A cat lounges in the doorway of a business in downtown Taylor on June 24.

July

People watch a fireworks display put on by H-E-B and the Austin Symphony from Lady Bird Lake.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
People watch a fireworks display put on by H-E-B and the Austin Symphony from Lady Bird Lake. The event was canceled last year because of the pandemic.
Texas Democratic lawmakers join multiple organizations outside the Texas State Capitol on July 8 to criticize proposed changes to election laws during a special legislative session.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
People demonstrate against proposed changes to state election laws outside the Texas Capitol on July 8.
Team U.S.A. Diving member Jordan Windle trains at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on July 12.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Team U.S.A. Diving member Jordan Windle trains for the Olympics at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on July 12.
Crowds gather at Capital Plaza to watch approximately 10,000 migrating purple martin birds roost in trees on July 17.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
A crowd gathers to watch approximately 10,000 migrating purple martins roost in trees at Capital Plaza on July 17.
Eduardo Abraham receives a COVID-19 vaccine from Hilary Hight during a pop-up vaccine clinic at Cristo Rey Church in East Austin on July 24.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Eduardo Abraham receives a COVID-19 vaccine from Hilary Hight during a pop-up vaccine clinic at Cristo Rey Church in East Austin on July 24.
Participants of the Georgetown-to-Austin March for Democracy leave Good Hope Baptist Church to embark on a 9-mile march to the North Austin Muslim Community Center on July 29.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Participants of the Georgetown-to-Austin March for Democracy leave Good Hope Baptist Church to embark on a 9-mile march to the North Austin Muslim Community Center on July 29.

August

Members of the Texas House of Representatives converse with one another and wait as the House remains "at ease" during the second special legislative session of the year on Aug. 9.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Members of the Texas House of Representatives converse as the House remains "at ease" during the second special legislative session on Aug. 9. Some Democratic members had fled the state in July to block passage of an elections bill they said would restrict voting rights in the state.
Parents and families of the Eanes Independent School District gather near Westlake High School on Aug. 17 for a demonstration opposing face mask mandates in schools.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Families of children in the Eanes Independent School District gather near Westlake High School on Aug. 17 for a demonstration opposing mask mandates in schools.
Pre-K student Aria Dang-Tran holds out her hands for hand sanitizer after finishing lunch at Summitt Elementary School in Austin on Aug. 26.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Aria holds out her hands for hand sanitizer after finishing lunch at Summitt Elementary School in Austin on Aug. 26.

September

Soraya Santos participates in a “Bans Off Our Bodies” performance protest in front of the Texas Capitol on Sept. 1 in response to Senate Bill 8, which would ban abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Soraya Santos participates in a protest outside the state Capitol on Sept. 1 in response to Senate Bill 8, which bans abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
The Emergency Services Pipes and Drums Association, a Central Texas band made up of firefighters, police and paramedics, performs at the Texas Capitol Rotunda in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
The Emergency Services Pipes and Drums Association – a Central Texas band made up of firefighters, police and paramedics – performs at the Capitol Rotunda on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Members of Mermaid Society SMTX sit on a float during the San Marcos Mermaid Parade on Sep. 25.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Members of Mermaid Society SMTX sit on a float during the San Marcos Mermaid Parade on Sept. 25.
Only a few people remain after crews spent the morning clearing a homeless encampment under the I-35 overpass near Austin Police Department headquarters on Sept 29.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Only a few people remain after crews spent the morning clearing a homeless encampment under the I-35 overpass near Austin Police Department headquarters on Sept 29.

October

People raise signs at the Women's March ATX, a rally in response to legislation banning abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy, at the Texas Capitol on Oct. 2.
Patricia Lim
/
KUT
People raise signs during the Women's March ATX, a rally in response to legislation banning abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy, at the Texas Capitol on Oct. 2.
Some people wear masks as they watch Megan Thee Stallion perform at Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 1.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Crowds push up to watch Megan Thee Stallion perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 1. The festival was canceled in 2020 because of COVID.
Pigeons fly over a power plant in Midlothian owned by Vistra Corp. Texas power plants like this on are preparing for the cold weather to avoid another blackout.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Pigeons fly over the Vistra Corp. power plant in Midlothian. Texas power plants like this one are preparing for the cold weather, hoping to avoid another blackout.
People wait for a ride called Crazy Dance to start at the first official Williamson County Fair and Rodeo in Taylor on Oct. 21, 2021.
James Christenson
/
KUT
People wait for a ride to start at the first official Williamson County Fair and Rodeo in Taylor on Oct. 21.

November

Daniel and Annette Cantu pose for a portrait before entering San Jose Cemetery in Montopolis to celebrate Día de los Muertos
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Daniel and Annette Cantu pose for a portrait before entering San Jose Cemetery in Montopolis to celebrate Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2.
Singer Taméca Jones gets ready in the greenroom at 3TEN.
Patricia Lim
/
KUT
Singer Taméca Jones gets ready for one of her last performances in Austin before moving to Los Angeles.
Attendees of Waterloo Greenway's Creek Show run in front of the "si-glo" art installation designed by dwg., a local architecture firm, on Nov. 11. The piece was one of five glowing light installations designed for the Creek Show this year.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
People run in front of the "si-glo" art installation at the Waterloo Greenway's Creek Show.
Lyric Barber, 5, reaches out to her mother Stephanie Dodoo after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during a pediatric vaccine clinic at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center on Nov. 13.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
Lyric, 5, reaches out to her mother, Stephanie Dodoo, after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during a pediatric vaccine clinic at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center on Nov. 13.
Elena Gutierez, a 10th grader at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, plays her baritone horn after a send-off performance ahead of a trip to New York for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Patricia Lim
/
KUT
Elena Gutierez, a 10th grader at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, plays her baritone horn during a send-off performance ahead of a trip to New York for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
At sunset, birds sit on electrical lines at the intersection of West Slaughter Lane and South Congress Avenue on Nov. 22.
James Christenson
/
KUT
Birds sit on electrical lines at the intersection of West Slaughter Lane and South Congress Avenue on Nov. 22.

December

Attendees watch the KUT and KUTX Holiday Sing-Along and downtown tree lighting at the south steps of the Capitol on Dec. 4.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Attendees watch the KUT and KUTX Holiday Sing-Along and downtown tree lighting at the south steps of the Capitol on Dec. 4.
People look at Joel Pace's home in Austin's Circle C neighborhood on Dec. 13. Each year, Pace creates an elaborate Harry Potter-themed display in his yard for the holidays.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
Visitors look at Joel Pace's home in Austin's Circle C neighborhood on Dec. 13. Each year, Pace creates an elaborate Harry Potter-themed display for the holidays.
The LBJ Early College High School football team passes through a crowd of supporters before boarding buses for the state championship on Dec. 16.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT
The LBJ Early College High School football team passes through a crowd of supporters before boarding buses for the state championship on Dec. 16.

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