As the energy builds, others in the audience join the regular dancers, moved by infectious enthusiasm, some cosmic spirit… and the margaritas.
Singer Leeann Atherton preaches to the choir during Austin’s Hippie Church, Sundays at Maria’s Taco Xpress, 2529 S. Lamar Blvd. Photo by Beverly Baker Moore / The Rag Blog.
AUSTIN — About noon on any given Sunday you can stop by Maria’s Taco Xpress on South Lamar and find a happy little celebration called “Hippie Church.” The “church” part derives from the Sunday timing and the gospel/spiritual themed live music; the “hippie” part comes from the dancing regulars. Officially it is billed as “gospel brunch.” There is no proselytizing, no tithing (although they do pass a tip jar for the musicians), and no dressing up. But there are margaritas.
The self-identified hippie dancers started doing their thing about 17 years ago and have been at it since. Back then some of the dancers, including current regular Bruce Patzke, had already been into ecstatic dancing in the neighborhood on Sunday mornings. Afterwards they would head over to Maria’s previous location (next door to the current spot) for food.
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