Looking for inspiration (and finding it)

June 7-13

This is my summer for inspiration. And it damned well better be, as the projects I've taken on will require massive doses of it for me to see them to completion. I'm not quite ready to talk about them yet; I'll just tell you I'm trying to take my work to the next level -- a level where the stakes are much higher. The way I look at it, failure is always pretty much the same; and, at least in my artistic endeavors, the worst that can happen is nothing. But success comes in various sizes, and these projects have potential (hence my hesitation to tell you about them just yet).

So. I look to people who are really, really, really good at what they do, and I find excitement and vicarious satisfaction in knowing that things can be done well. Maybe, just maybe, one of my projects will do this for somebody along the way.

Here's a clip you may have seen already, but it certainly bears watching again. As always, click on the YouTube logo for the best playback.


Thursday, June 7

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

Glovertango
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 pm

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

The Brew
Copa / 217 Congress; 479-5002 / 10 pm

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

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


Friday, June 8

Lucky Strikes
Treehouse Italian Grill / 2201 College; 443-4200 / 7:30 pm

DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 9:30 pm
This is the opening night milonga associated with a weekend of Argentine Tango instruction hosted by Monitango. Click the link for all the details.

Cerronato
El Sol y La Luna / 1224 S. Congress, 444-7770 / 7:30 pm
Featuring the world's greatest sangria, mmmmmmm (and the perfect weather for it).

James Hand
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 9 pm

THAT Damned Band
Victory Grill / 1104 E. 11th / 10 pm; $5
I heard these guys for the first time last week and I totally, totally love them. They play a crazy blend of circus/klezmer/gypsy/Kurt Weill. Check 'em out.

Saturday, June 9

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

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

Nash Hernandez Orchestra
Donn’s Depot / 1600 W. 5th, 478-0336 / 9 pm

DJd Milonga
Paila / 5100 E. 7th / 10 pm


Sunday, June 10

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Wooldridge Park / 9th at Guadalupe / 7 pm; free (family)
The summer symphony in the park series has started. This week they'll feature the big band sound.

Tribute to Adolph Hofner
The Oaks / 10206 FM 973 N, Manor; 278-8788 / 4 pm (family)
This is a potluck, so cover charge is a dish to share. Life music by the Texas Pioneers.

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

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail; 266-2442

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


Monday, June 11

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

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane / 6:30 pm
With special guest Darcie Deaville


Tuesday, June 12

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

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

Dr. Zog
Alligator Grill / 3003 South Lamar; 444-6117 / 6 pm
A little Tuesday evening zydeco.

Jitterbug Vipers
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 pm
I believe this is an every-Tuesday event, but you might want to call just to make sure.

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Flipnotics / 1601 Barton Springs; 322-9750 / 8 pm

The Lucky Strikes
Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6 pm
This is an every-Tuesday event.

Chaparral
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189
Please note that this usually every-Thursday show is now happening on Tuesdays, at least temporarily.


Wednesday, June 13

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.

Jessie Lee Miller
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 6 pm


ROAD TRIPS

Anhalt, TX
Saturday, June 9
Derailers
Anhalt Hall / Anhalt; 830-609-6246 / $10
Music starts at 6, but I think the Derailers don't go on till later. This is the culmination of a TRACTOR PULL, yee haw!

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, June 5
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 7:30 pm $4
Two Ton Tuesdays have returned.


COMING SOON

Friday, June 15
Norah Jones
The Backyard / 13101 Highway 71 West / 8 pm Click for tix.

Saturday, June 30
The Fabulous Polkasonics; Brave Combo
Moose Lodge / 2103 EM Franklin / 9 pm; $10 ($5 for members)
Mark your calendars now. Even Brave Combo has been enlisted to help save the Moose, so you know it's important!

see ya on the dance floor,
chris