It's all over but the sleeping

April 26-May 3

I took a workshop recently and one of the things we were told was: Earn your downtime and then take it. Zzzzzzzzzzzz. I have slept...and slept...and slept... this past week. All my deadlines and commitments for the past three months have been met, and I have slept. Nine hours in the night time. Two or so hours in the naptime. I had no idea I was so tired. But I was. I have earned my downtime, baby, and I have been taking it! Not that there aren't projects in the works. Of course there are! But no immediate deadlines, yee haw! It's time to play.

And play we did last Saturday night at the Moose Lodge. What a party! Thanks to all of you who came with birthday wishes for Mr. Ben. Was that a good time, or what! And there's good news -- there will be another fabulous dance there next month. Make plans now to come on out and see how much fun you can have.

Thursday, April 26

Solas
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 /$23 advance; $25 at door
Don't miss this rare treat to hear a truly fine Irish(American) band. Call 477-6060 or click here for tix.

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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24^th at San Gabriel / 8 pm
Read all about the Austin Swing Syndicate and their activities.

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

Marc Devine & Denia Ridley
Reed's Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 8:00 pm

Johnny Gimble
Guero's / 1412 S. Congress; 851-7688

DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress / 9 pm; $5
Don't know how to tango? Come at 8 for a free introductory lesson.

Two Hoots & a Holler
Ego’s / 510 S. Congress; 474-7091 / 11 pm


Friday, April 27

DJd Milonga
Texas Union / Quadrangle Room; 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm
Another opportunity for a free introductory lesson (at 8).

Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / midnight; $10
Stay up late & celebrate the release of Dale's newest CD.

Lucky Strikes
Tree House Italian Grill / 2201 College Ave; 443-4200 / 7:30 pm

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

The Eggmen
Jovita's / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)
Ouch! opens at 6 pm (Ouch! being, like, the world's only Ruttles cover band.)

Mundi
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm


Friday & Saturday, April 27 & 28

Austin Lounge Lizards
Cactus Cafe / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe; 475-6515 / 8:30 pm; $16
The lizards are celebrating 27 years of musical satire.


Saturday, April 28

Texas Swing Kings
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5501 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 7:30 pm

Hand Me Down
Flipnotics / 1601 Barton Springs; 322-9750 / 7 pm; $5
Show up at 7 and then stick around for the Double Eagle String Band at 9, followed by Lonesome Heroes at 11. That's a lotta music!

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


Sunday, April 29

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail; 266-442
For all you salsa dancers on the list, these summer Sunday salsa soirees have started again.

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

Bayou Cajun Band
The Oaks / 10206 FM 973 (Manor); 278-8788 / 4 pm; free (family)
Man, what a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Fiddler Alvin Crow will be sitting in with the band; and yes, there's a dance floor.

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

Damien Green Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th / 9:30 pm; $5


Monday, April 30

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club /1315 S. Congress;441-2444 / 6:30 pm; 10 pm ($5 for DW)

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm

Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Company
One World Theatre / 7701 Bee Caves; 32-WORLD / 7 and 9:30 pm


Tuesday, May 1

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

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

Tuesday - Sunday, May 1-6

Stomp
Paramount / 713 Congress / 8 pm (T-F); 5 & 9 pm (Sat); 3 & 7 pm (Sun)

Wednesday, May 2

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
The Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6 pm
This is an every Wednesday happy hour.

ROAD TRIPS

Turkey, Tx
Friday & Saturday, April 27 & 28
Bob Wills Day(s)
Bob Wills Center / one block west of HWY 70
This annual event celebrates the timeless music of the amazing Bob Wills. Plenty of fiddling and dancing!

Gruene, TX
Saturday, April 29
The Derailers
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 9 pm; $10
This might be a good alternative if you don't want to drive all the way to Turkey.

Houston, TX
Saturday & Sunday, April 28 & 29
Houston International Festival
Downtown Houston
This year the focus is on China, but that doesn't mean there's not lots of great other stuff going on as well. It is, after all, an INTERNATIONAL festival.


COMING SOON

Friday & Saturday, May 11 & 12
Classical Mystery Tour
Palmer Events Center / Riverside at S. 1st; 476-6064 / 8 pm (family)

Sunday, May 27
Gulf Coast Playboys; Mingo Saldivar
Moose Lodge / 2103 EM Franklin / 9 pm; $10 ($5 for members)
Last weekend was so much fun -- and so successful -- that they're doing it again. This is a wonderful place to hang out, dance, sit on the porch, whatever. And every dollar you spend is one dollar closer to saving the lodge from urban development.


see ya on the dance floor,

chris