Free tickets for a lucky Valentine

February 8-14, 2007

Oy, this first week of retirement has dang near killed me. I have learned two very important things this week: (1) working for oneself requires far more time and energy than working a State job; (2) you don't get weekends and holidays when you're retired. Dang! Why didn't anyone tell me?

Still, I can't complain. I've had much to do this week, but I've actually had time to get it done for a change. I can still stay up till 1:00 every morning, but now I don't have to get up at 6:30 and then go spend 8 hours not getting the important stuff done. Not that I wasn't absolutely indespensible to the University, mind you. In fact, after the days when I did take off, I often came back to my job wondering how in the world they were even able to open their doors during my absence. I'm happy to report that they seem to me muddling along without me pretty well, so I guess it's all working out.

I haven't quite found my stride yet, my routine. Perhaps I will. Maybe I won't. There's something liberating about not being in a rut, yet I somehow long for a structure that I haven't found yet. I'm still spending every minute of every day (and night) working my ass off for the amazing valentine's extravaganza production this weekend (which I expect every one of you to come see; I'll be taking roll![yeah, right, like I have time to take roll!]). I keep telling myself that next week will be better -- I'll be down to only three major projects, and that somehow seems more manageable.

Our living room has been a rehearsal/performance space/roller rink since the first of the year, and we're looking forward to having it back as an actual living room, aaaahhhhh. And it will be -- after Saturday when RADIO GHOSTS will be performed there as part of the Mi Casa es Su Teatro series.

Enough blather. Let the weekend begin!


Thursday, Feb 8


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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9 pm. $7 and $10
This is an annual VALENTINE'S DANCE. Live music by the Kris Kamura Group. Visit the Austin Swing Syndicate site for full details.

The Brew
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 10 pm
This is a weekly salsa night.

Cornell Hurd Band
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1^st; 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)


Friday, Feb 9

DJd Milonga
Nia Space / 3212 S. Congress / 9:30 am
Yup, that's 9:30 in the A.M. Crazy, crazy tango dancers. They can never get enough!

DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca/ 519 W. 37^th (at Guadalupe); 371-5383 / 9 pm

Albert & Gage Band
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 (family)

Friday & Saturday, Feb 9 & 10

The Last Castrato / Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 7 & 9 pm; $15 ($10 for students)
It's time to order your tickets for this coming weekend's hottest Valentine show. The evening will start with three short pieces by two of Austin's best loved playwrights:
1. "Valentine's Day" by Greg Romero; starring Melissa Rentrop
2. "I Saw You" by Steve Barney; starring Steve Barney and Sally Alt
3. "Chalk" by Greg Romero; starring Liz Brown and Chris Doubek
-- plays that will make you go "Oh.my.god.", "awwwwwww", and/or "holy shit" -- and then we'll conclude with the one and only Jeff Swearingen starring in Andy Eninger's "The Last Castrato", an amazing love story about a man born without a penis. I ask you: where else can you get more bang for your Valentine buck? Make your reservations now by emailing info@chrishumphrey.org or calling 512.923-2277. OR -- For a pair of free tickets, be the first to e-mail me at info@chrishumphrey.org and ask me to be your Valentine.


Saturday, Feb 10

DJd Milonga
Nia Space / 3212 S. Congress / 9:30 am
Yes, that's nine-thirty in the A.M.

DJd Milonga
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 7 pm
The tango jollity continues. There will a beginner tango lesson from 7-8 and then open dancing from 8-11.

RG4N Benefit
Brentwood Tavern / 6701 Burnet Road / 2-7 pm
Live music by Jim Stringer's AM Band, The Bees Knees Revue, The Marshall Ford Swing Band, Darden Smith, and the Austin Lounge Lizards. Lawsuits cost money. Keeping a 225,000 sq. ft WalMart with a 3-story parking garage out of your neighborhood costs money. Come help! Click here for more info about this issue. And here's something else you can do. Show up at Northcross at 10 am to join hands with 5000 other concerned citizens and surround Northcross for 10 minutes to make your statement seen as well as heard. No WalMart, no steamrolling by the city and the developers.

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Tree House Italian Grill / 2201 College Ave; 443-4200 / 7:30 PM

The Recliners
Donn’s Depot / 1600 W. 5^th; 478-0336
If you REALLY loved your Valentine, you'd take her to a place where she could use the 'ladies' in a real, live caboose. Some place like Donn's, for example.

The Derailers
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189

The Eggmen
Hanover’s / 108 E. Main
(Pflugerville); 670-9617Once upon a time when I was a little girl (long, long ago), Pflugerville was a long way from Austin. Not any more. Get your booties up to P'ville for some serious Beatles fun.

Seth Walker
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1^st; 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)

Atash
Copa / 217 Congress / 11:30 pm $7

Cerronato
El Sol y La Luna / 1224 S. Congress; 444-7770 / 7:30


Sunday, Feb 11

Rubin's New Jew Revue
San Antonio Street Cafe / 2105 San Antonio Street; 476-0125 / 11 am
This is a weekly Sunday brunch gig.

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

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

Damien Green
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 (family)
Mark my words... this kid is going to go somewhere.

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


Monday, Feb 12

Bayou Cajun Band
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 8:30 pm
With special guest fiddler Peter Schwartz

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm; 10 pm


Tuesday, Feb 13

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!

Donn & the Stationmasters
Donn’s Depot / 1600 W. 5^th; 478-0336
You can never, EVER go wrong with Donn & the Stationmasters. And you can never go wrong by dancing on a Tuesday.

Nancy Griffith -- SOLD OUT--
Cactus Café / Texas Union Bldg; 23^rd at Guadalupe; 475-6515 / 7 & 9:30 pm $70
Yup, you read that right. Nancy Griffith is coming back to the Cactus and tix are $70. But what a Valentine's treat for some special person on your love list, eh?


Wednesday, Feb 14

Happy VD, everybody!

Lucky Strikes
Reed’s Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 6-11 pm
Oh, now this sounds like a really lovely, LOVELY Valentine's evening.... fabulously prepared beef and dancing to the Lucky Strikes. Sweet!

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

Seth Walker
Antone’s / 213 W. 5^th; 478-0336

Albert & Gage
Wild Basin / 805 N. Capitol of Texas Hwy; 327-7622 / 7:30 pm; $25
This is Christine's annual French Valentine's Show, and she is soooooooooo good. Click here for more info.

ROAD TRIPS


Taylor, TX
Friday, Feb 9
Texas Pioneers/ Taylor SPJST Hall / 5025 RM 619; 512-352-9139
I'm not sure what time these guys get started, but it would be worth a call if you're jonesing for some western swing.

Gruene, TX
Saturday, Feb 10
Two Tons of Steel / Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 9:30 pm; $10


COMING SOON

Friday, Feb 23
A Concert of Voices: Benefit for Escuelita del Alma and Las Manitas
La Zona Rosa / 612 W. 4^th; 472-2293 / 8 pm; $25
Dang! It seems like every time you turn around, The Man is trying to stick it to the little guy. This time it's the Marriott wanting to do away with two of downtown Austin's most beloved institutions. Lots of excellent local talent are doing their part to help save Escuelita del Alma and Las Manitas. Show up at 6 pm with an extra $5 for a fajita dinner, and then stick around for live music by Grupo Fantasma, Alejandro Escovedo, Ruben Ramos, Patty Griffin, James McMurtry and more. Jaston Williams and Joe Sears will be emceeing, so you know it will be fun. And so worthwhile!

See ya on the dance floor,

chris