It's official

February 1-7, 2007

So today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I gotta tell you, it ROCKS. My first official act as a retired person is to retire this blankety-blank-blank dial-up connection at my house and replace it with something a little faster. It's not actually installed yet (that happens this afternoon), so today's list-posting operation may be a little slow (not that you would notice, but I do, dagnabbit).

My next official act -- well, I think the question is which one? There are many on my list. Today I do a Whataburger commercial, tonight I rehearse, tomorrow I shop for props/wardrobe for the Valentine's extravaganza. And rehearse. Saturday I rehearse and start making some sound design plans. See where I'm going with this? I do hope to have plenty of lovely cups of tea in between all these official acts.

And while my life was getting infinitely better, Molly Ivins' life ended. Such a loss. Rest sweetly, Molly. May there be laughter a-plenty where you are now.

Thursday, Feb 1

Bayou Cajun Band
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon / 6:30 (family)
With special guest Peter Schwartz (hi Peter!)

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.

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

George Harrison Tribute
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 7:30 pm
This was supposed to have happened last month, but life turned icy, so it was rescheduled. Featuring such artists as Oliver Rajamani, Slim Richey, Southpaw Jones and more. And it's FREE!


Friday, Feb 2

Love Gone Cold
The Oaks / 10206 FM 973 N, Manor; 278-8788 / 8 pm; $5
I have never heard this group, but I like the description: Great harmony singin’ and hard pickin! Old Style Bluegrass! Sounds like it might be worth a try.

Cornell Hurd
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 9 pm

Friday & Saturday, Feb 2 & 3

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Bass Concert Hall /23rd at Robert Dedman Dr. (UT campus) / 8 pm; $19-$42
This gal looks a little young to be carrying around the title 'Dame', but we'll just assume that's an indication of how good she truly is. I'm speaking, of course, of Dame Evelyn Glennie, percussionist extrordinaire, who will be performing with the Austin Symphony this weekend. Check it out. Tix here.


Saturday, Feb 3

DJd Milonga
Learn to Dance studio / 8910 Research, Bldg E-1; 450-0200 / 8:00 pm (family)

Carnaval Brasileiro
Palmer Events Center / 900 Barton Springs / 9 pm
This is the 30th anniversary of this crazy, crazy party.

Carnaval Street Festival
Sao Paolo / 2809 San Jacinto / 4-11 pm
OK, so maybe you're a little intimidated by all the hoopla down at the Palmer Events Center. Maybe you prefer something on a smaller scale. Sao Paolo restaurant (home of my favorite salad, my favorite enchiladas and one of my favorite soups) is celebrating all afternoon & evening with food, dancing, Caopeira and Brazilian jiu-jitsu demonstrations, and of course, live music by Terremoto.

Electronic Campfire
Texas School for the Deaf Auditorium / 1102 S. Congress / 8 pm; $10-$50
Texas Folklife Resources offer the second installment of their Border Radio series. This one will feature cowboy tunes and songs of the West, with performances by Dallas "Nevada Slim" Turner, Artie Morrie and Christine Ortega. Call 1-866-I-GET-TIX (443-8849) or visit www.gettix.net for tickets. Texas Folklife members ordering online should first call 512-441-9255 for the promotional discount password.

Texas Early Music Project
First English Lutheran Church / 3001 Whitis @30th / 8 pm; $13-$15
Early Sephardic music about love & loss. Exotic and beautiful, check it out.


Sunday, Feb 4

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

Glovertango
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 pm

Texas Swing Kings
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 6:30 (family)
I'm not much of a Super Bowl fan. In fact, I don't recall ever watching one. For folks like me, it's nice to know there are events like this -- ribs & music.

Monster Big Band
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 7 pm; $7 (family)

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


Monday, Feb 5

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

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


Tuesday, Feb 6

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!


Wednesday, Feb 7

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


ROAD TRIPS

Gruene, TX
Saturday, Feb3
The Derailers / Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 9 pm; $10


COMING SOON

Saturday, Feb 10
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.

Friday & Saturday, Feb 9 & 10
The Last Castrato / Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 7 & 9 pm
A Most SURPRISING & SHOCKING VALENTINE’S SPECTACLE!
You’ll Laugh! You’ll Cry! You’ll Squirm Uncomfortably in your seat as the INCREDIBLE MAN born WITHOUT A PENIS seeks TRUE LOVE!!! Also Featuring THREE Heartrending 10-minute love stories by Austin playwrights STEVE BARNEY & GREG ROMERO concocted especially for your Valentine’s delectation! Call 923-2277 to reserve tickets for you and your own special valentine NOW.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris