Counting those blessings

January 11-17, 2007

Whoa! As I mentioned last week, my new year got off to a wonderful start. And then BOOM! BIG accident. Not me, my Son-in-Law. The short version: A friend of his was working on his boat motor in an unventilated garage. A spark ignited the gasoline fumes and turned the gas can into a flame thrower, toasting my son-in-law. Can you say napalm?

The good news is that Corey (S-in-L) will be OK. His hands and arms were severely burned (2nd degree -- no nerve damage, thank god -- but lots of lost skin from his fingers to just above his elbows). More good news is that their baby was not even due until day after tomorrow, but was born 5 weeks early. If my daughter had been trying to deliver a baby while dealing with this accident, things would be totally uncool. The other good news is that she's a nurse and is able to debride and dress the wounds herself without having to take him back to the hospital every day. The best good news is that his employer is not only not requiring him to take sick leave or vacation time, but is continuing to keep him on the payroll until he can come back to work. I think that speaks very highly of the employer and of Corey. It was a careless, preventable accident; but it could have been much, much worse in many, many ways so we are counting blessings on a rather grand scale.

In the meantime, my count-down to retirement seems to be gathering momentum (21 days), my auditions seem to be increasing in frequency, my post-retirement plans seem to be shaping up nicely, and I went to a two-hour dance rehearsal on Monday that got those old endorphins hopping like crazy. What could be better than that?


Thursday, Jan 11

Chaparral
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9 pm
Visit the Austin Swing Syndicate site for full details about this great organization.

Glovertango
Cipollina / 1213 West Lynn; 477-5211 / 8 pm

Friday, Jan 12

Dale Watson
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 9 pm

DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca / 519 W. 37th; 371.5383 / 9 pm

Bear and the Essentials
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813

Friday & Saturday, Jan 12 & 13

American Repertory Ensemble
McCullough Theater / UT campus / 8 pm; $10-$20
I had a chance to see this group last summer before they went to Edinburg, Scotland. I will not miss a chance to see them again. The ensemble consists of dancers from several different companies around the US, accompanied by Tosca String Quartet and Michelle Schumann on piano. Do NOT miss them! You can buy tix here or by calling 477-6060.


Saturday, Jan 13

AFTM Midwinter Festival
Dougherty Auditorium / 1110 Barton Springs / 11:50 am - 11 pm; $7-$15
A full day of performances by such folks as Mark Gilston; Heather Gilmer & Jeff Moore; Zydeco Blanco; Charles Thibodeaux and more, more, more. AND...workshops in contradancing, Irish fiddle, Balkan singing, harmonica, mandolin and (need I say it?) more, more, more.

Lose Your Resolution party
The Parish / 214 E. 6th; 479-0474 / 9 pm; $10
Three bands, three genres, three times the fun: IV Thieves; White Ghost Shivers; Seth Walker

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Treehouse Italian Grill / 2201 College; 443-4200 / 7:30 pm

Weary Boys
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm

Sunday, Jan 14

Gulf Coast Playboys
Guero’s / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 3 pm (family)

Dale Watson
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813

Heybale!
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm; $6


Monday, Jan 15

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30; 9 pm


Tuesday, Jan 16

Marc Devine & Denia Ridley
Reed's Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 6:30 pm

Erik Hokkanen's Laboratory
Flipnotics / 1601 Barton Springs; 322-9750 / 8:00 pm

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9:30 pm
This is a weekly event that takes place after Four on the Floor's classes. FREE!

George Harrison Tribute
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 7:30 pm


Wednesday, Jan 17

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017
A little Wednesday night salsa dancing never hurt anybody.

Gulf Coast Playboys
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 8 pm
This should be really fun. GCP is celebrating their 10th anniversary with a big reunion show featuring just about everybody who has ever played with them. Great dance music in a great dance venue. Be there!


ROAD TRIPS

Granger, TX
Friday, Jan 12
Johnny Dee & The Rocket 88s / Cotton Club/ 212 E. Davila; 512-859-0700

Giddings, TX
Saturday, Jan 13
Ricky Calmbach / Tin Star Dancehall / 3492 HWY 77 N; 979-540-3900 / 9 pm


COMING SOON

Saturday, Jan 20
Asleep at the Wheel / Gruene Hall / 9 pm

Friday & Saturday, Feb 9 & 10
The Last Castrato / Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 7 & 9 pm
Yeah, it's a little early, but this is a Valentine Spectacular I'm producing and I'd love to see each and everyone of you in the audience! How can you possibly miss a play about a man born without a penis seeking true love with a woman born inside out? Love is for everybody, man. Call 923-2277 to reserve tickets for you and your own special valentine NOW.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris