Making a list, checking it twice. Still screwing up.

December 6-12

This is the time of year when I live by lists and calendars and still make mistakes. I missed an appointment on Monday. But to make up for it, I went to a Tuesday night appointment on Monday night. I called my Wednesday appointment to tell him I wouldn't be there since I had a meeting to attend, but it wasn't Wednesday. Jeez!

Still, I am managing to check things off the list:

Root canal -- done
Dragon -- finished
Cat -- fed
Christmas cactus -- blooming

OK, those last two weren't particularly significant; and the last one I actually just sort of sat back and watched. But it feels good to mark things off, y'know? Especially when there are still so many waiting for me. Including parties, of course.

I went to a Hannukah party on Tuesday night (first night of Hannukah) and have a Christmas party to go to tomorrow night. And a birthday party on Saturday.

And speaking of Hannukah, this week's video is total Hannukah fun with some local folks -- The Ridgetop Syncopators. Enjoy.



Thursday, December 6

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

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

A Child's Christmas in Wales
Harry Ransom Center / 21st at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 7:00 pm; free
Featuring local jazz greats Suzi Stern, Alex Coke & Rich Harney. This show will be repeated (but not for free) on Tuesday, so you've got a second chance to catch it if you can't make this one. Seating is limited for tonight's show, so get there early.

Jesse Dayton
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 9 pm

The Brew
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 10 pm

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm


Thru Dec 22

The Ultimate Christmas Musical: The Musical
Salvage Vanguard Theatre / 2803 Manor Road / 8 pm; $15
Believe me, this is NOT your grandfather's Christmas musical!!! You can trust me on this one. It will run Thursdays-Saturdays thru Dec 22. Recommended for ages 14 and over.


Friday, December 7

Lucky Strikes
City Hall Plaza / 301 W. 2nd / noon
Looks like it's going to be a lovely day for a little lunch time dancing.

First Friday Contradance
Carpenter's Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm; $8
Live music by the Rising Gorge Boys. This is a smoke free, fragrance free event. No partners needed; all dances taught. sealantsby5@aol.com 512-970-4919 for more info.

DJd Milonga
Texas Union Building, Quadrangle Room / 23rd at Guadalupe / 8 pm
Bring a snack to share. iamkyungjoo@gmail.com for more info.

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

Texana Dames
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm (family)

The Gourds
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 9 pm; $15
Great music benefitting SIMS. Be there!

Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
Reed’s Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 8:30 pm


Saturday, December 8

The Swingsters
Victory Grill / 1104 E. 11th / 8 pm
Plenty of room to dance in this historic venue.

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

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

Dr. Zog
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 9 pm


Sunday, December 9

Dale Watson
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 4 pm

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

Los T-Birds
Club in the Mixx / 2355 E. Hwy 71 (across from ABIA); 389-1507 / 4 pm (family)
Bring the kids. This traditional tardeada is a totally family friendly event.

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


Monday, December 10

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

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


Tuesday, December 11

A Child's Christmas in Wales
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 7:30 pm $14
Featuring local jazz greats Suzi Stern, Alex Coke & Rich Harney.

Planet Casper
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm; $5

Dean Bob Sinatra & the Swang Thang
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 7 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

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

Jim Stringer's AM Band
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm


Wednesday, November 12

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

Erik & the Gypsy Tribe
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm

Denia Ridley & Marc Devine
Reed’s Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 7:00 pm

Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300


ROAD TRIPS

San Antonio, TX
Thru Saturday, December 6-8
Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza
Municipal Auditorium / 100 Auditorium Circle
Every year I tell myself I'd really like to get down to San Antonio for this event, and every year I get busy, busy, busy. Why does it have to happen at the busies time of my year?!?!?!? Why? Why? Why?


COMING SOON

Friday, December 14
Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 9:30 pm
Holiday polka dances were a huge part of my growing up in a small Czechcentric central Texas town. One of my most lasting visual memories is of the older girls admiring their shiny new Christmas engagement rings on their left hands resting on the shoulder of their fiance's shoulder while they danced. I went to all the Christmas and New Year's dances at Cyclone, Westphalia, Buckholts. Yup, Christmas and polka music just sort of go together for me.

Friday - Monday, December 14-24
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Austin Convention Center / Exhibit Hall 2; 500 E. Cesar Chavez
Note the new location. Same wonderful exhibitors and live music. Click the link for the whole schedule.

Sunday, December 16
Wassail
Ceremony Hall, Sri Atmananda School / 4100 Red River / 6 pm (family)
A chaos of mummers, music, magic and morris dancing. And a whole lot more. With a special appearance by St. George (the one from Crawford) and the Singing Dragon!!!!! Yes, indeed. The dragon is finished, woo hoo! It's gonna be a GREAT show! Super family friendly. And proceeds go to Kids for Kids, a charity organization in the Darfur region.

see ya on the dance floor,

chris