It is a generous universe

February 15-21

I'm into my third week of retirement, and have finished my second artistic project since the big day. The question keeps coming up: when did I ever have time for a day job? Retirement rocks, folks; it totally rocks. I highly recommend it.

Unfortunately, if (like me) you've been a poor working stiff all your life, and (like me) haven't yet made it to the big time, the reality is that you simply can't afford to pay a mortgage, eat, and/or put gas in your car on a state pension. So it's back to the office for me 20 hours a week in March. But even that's an improvement over the 8-5 grind from which I hope I have escaped forever.

Of course, my own self-imposed grind is more like 9:30 (am) to 11:30 (pm) [or later, usually], but that's MY grind, my choice. It's invigorating and productive, and I can see progress and happy results. The only thing I can't see (yet) is that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I'm cool with that for now because I have confidence that if I keep plugging away at the things I find important, the reward will be there. It is a generous universe.

Generous enough, for example, to provide us with the following fun opportunities...

Thursday, February 15:

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel; http://www.austinswingsyndicate.org/ 8pm

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

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

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

Hand Me Down
Genuine Joe's Coffeehouse / 2001 W. Anderson Rd. / 8-10 pm
Austin's newest bluegrass/Appalachian/folky-folk/singer-songwriter/gospel band makes its world premiere. I plan to be there. You?

Friday, February 16:

Celtic Knot
First Presbyterian Church / 8001 Mesa @ Spicewood / 8 pm; $18 ($13 students/seniors)
Texas Early Music Project presents Celtic music from the 16th-19th centuries. Good stuff, man.

Roger Wallace
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Rd; 458-1813

The Brew
Texas Union Ballroom / 23rd at Guadalupe / 8 pm' $10 advance; $15 at door
The UT Ballroom Dance club presents their annual salsa festival. You can register online here. Or just show up and have fun.

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

DJd Swing Dance
Go Dance / Northcross Mall (south side); Burnet at Anderson / 9:30 pm; $4 & $6

Atash
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)

Lucky Strikes
Reed's Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 8:30 pm

Saturday, Feb 17:

Celtic Knot
First English Lutheran Church / 3001 Whitis @ 30th / 8 pm; $18 ($13 students/seniors)
Texas Early Music Project presents Celtic music from the 16th-19th centuries. Same program, different location.

8th Annual Dead Sweethearts Ball
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52^nd; 452-6790

Cornell Hurd Band
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)

Albert & Gage Band
Donn's Depot / 1600 W. 5th; 478-0336

Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 7:30 pm (family)
Immortalize your sneeze/coughing fit/inappropriately loud inappropriate comment! No, no, no! I mean, your ooohs and aaahs and your enthusiastic applause! Come out and be part of the audience as the Studebakers record a live CD.

Sunday, Feb 18:

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

Heybale!
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:00 pm

Monday, Feb 19:

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club /1315 S. Congress;441-2444 / 6:30 pm; 10:00 pm

Elizabeth McQueen & Jason Roberts
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 8 pm (family)
These great musicians are back every Monday night at Threadgill's. Fun for the whole family and a little bit of dance space.

Tuesday, Feb 20

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm(family)
Happy Fat Tuesday! Enjoy it in Louisiana style with Louisiana food and Louisiana music. Special Louisiana guest -- Peter Schwartz.

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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9:45 / no cover
Free dance after Four on the Floor’s classes. http://www.fouronthefloor.com

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

Dr. Zog
Alligator Grill / 3003 S. Lamar; 444-61217 / 5 pm
A little zydeco happy hour for Fat Tuesday. Nice.

Wednesday, Feb 21:

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

ROAD TRIPS:

San Antonio, TX
Saturday, Feb 16
Rosie Ledet / Sam's Burger Joint / 330 E. Grayson; (210) 223-2830 / 8 pm

COMING SOON:

Sunday & Tuesday, March 4 & 6
Mad Agnes
Happy birthday to ME! Mad Agnes will be in town doing two concerts -- the first one at St. John's Chapel, 2140 Allandale Road, 5 pm (512-452-5737 & info@stjohnsaustin.org for info); and the second one at Neverlandia, (talbot@talbotworld.com & 512-442-7613 for reservations)

See ya on the dance floor,

Chris