YEE HAW!

January 25-31, 2007

Wow, next week when you check this I will officially be OLD. Nope, I'm not having a birthday -- this is a much huger milestone than that. I will be retired! So I must be old, right? Nah, not me. I am one of the 'forever young' generation, and don't you forget it.

It seems like just last week when I wrote "559 days" on my whiteboard in my office, and now today it says "007". The time has flown by and I'm excited and scared and excited and nervous and excited and happy and excited and (fill in the blank; all of the above). All I can say is YEE HAW!

To those of you who think that retirement is a good time to sit by the fire and knit, please don't expect that of me. This is what I have on deck for February: I'm directing 2 short plays (part of a longer 4-play evening I'm co-producing [see 'coming soon' section below]); rehearsing for a show that opens in March; helping a friend organize his research for a screenplay; and creating sound design for a show that goes to NYC in April. That seems like a pretty good start to my dotage, don't you think? After Feb 10 when our Valentine's extravaganza (see 'coming soon' section below) is over and done with, then I hope to go DANCING! I've been off the dance floor way too long.

Thursday, Jan 25

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.

Glovertango
Cipollina / 1213 West Lynn; 477-5211 / 8 pm
Last call! Cipollina has decided to discontinue their live music scene, alas.

Ted Roddy
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813

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


Friday, Jan 26

The Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 6:30 (family)

Paris 49
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm

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


Saturday, Jan 27

Mundi
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)
Mundi will be sharing the bill with Chaski and the Tea Merchants. Should be a great evening of music!

The Gourds
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 9 pm; $15


Sunday, Jan 28

Rubin's New Jew Revue
San Antonio Street Cafe / 2105 San Antonio Street; 476-0125 / 11 am
This sounds like way too much fun.

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


Monday, Jan 29

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

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm (P49) and 10 pm (DW)


Tuesday, Jan 30

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, Jan 31

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


ROAD TRIPS

San Antonio, TX
Friday, Jan 26
Brave Combo / Casbeers, 1719 Blanco Road, San Antonio / 8:30 pm

Elgin, TX
Sunday, Jan 28
Vrazel Polka Band
Elgin SPJST Hall / 702 Hwy 95 in Elgin; 512-285-3100 / 3-7 pm
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon, eh?


COMING SOON

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

Heating it up

January 18-24, 2007

Brrrrrrrrrrrr! I live in a lovely little 1920s bungalow that's full of charm, architectural features, clutter and DRAFTS! Holy moly, it's been cold these past few days!

But...before the cold weather set in, I went to the store and loaded up on my favorite tea, washed my warmest socks, and got a copy of the new Beatles CD Love, which is one of the most brilliant CDs I've ever heard and is PERFECT for sitting in front of the fire -- drinking my favorite tea and wearing my warmest socks, of course.



Thursday, Jan 18

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.

Glovertango
Cipollina / 1213 West Lynn; 477-5211 / 8 pm

Ridgetop Syncopators
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 6 pm (family)

Hummingbirds
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd; 452-6790
I think this is the early show, but call to confirm.

The Fabulous Chevelles
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688
Most fabulous 60s cover band ever.

Friday, Jan 19

The Eggmen
Mangia's Pizza / 3016 Guadalupe / 3 pm (family)

The Eggmen
Jovita's / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 7 pm (family)
Twice in one day. What could be better?

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

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

DJd Swing Dance
Go Dance / Northcross Mall / 9:30 pm; $4-$6

Friday & Saturday, Jan 19 & 20

Lost Bayou Ramblers; White Ghost Shivers

Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444
This is a great double header happening two nights in a row. Here's how it works: on FRIDAY, the LBR start at 10 and the WGS at midnight. On SATURDAY, it's the other way around.

Atash
Helms Fine Arts Center / St. Stephen's School; 2900 Bunny Runn / 8 pm (family)
Dierdre Strand and the Chrysalis dance company, along with various choreographers, have been busy putting together a dance performance with the live music of Atash, entitled "She'r" (Poetry). Modern, Contemporary, Indian, Oriental, Latin, and Tap will be featured genres of dance. Free Benefit concert for World Harmony (nonprofit) and Invisible Children. Donations are welcome at the concert.


Saturday, Jan 20

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

Third Saturday Contradance
St. Paul Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 7:30 pm; $8
Live music by Orion String Band. AND there will be a potluck dinner at 6, so bring something yummy to share. Click here for full details.

Lost Bayou Ramblers
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 pm (family)

Sunday, Jan 21

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 pm (family)

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


Monday, Jan 22

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, Jan 23

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, Jan 24

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


ROAD TRIPS

Coupland, TX
Friday, Jan 19
Two Tons of Steel / Old Coupland Dancehall & Saloon / 101 Hoxie; 512-856-2226 / 9 pm; $10

Gruene, TX
Saturday, Jan 20
Asleep at the Wheel / Gruene Hall / 9 pm


COMING SOON

Friday, Jan 26
Brave Combo / Casbeers, 1719 Blanco Road, San Antonio / 8:30 pm
Man, I'm hoping there's a field trip in my future. Last time BC was in Austin, I was in Phoenix. Not as easy commute as the one to San Antonio, eh?

Friday & Saturday, Feb 9 & 10
The Last Castrato / Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 7 & 9 pm THE LAST CASTRATO is the darkly comic tale of Joseph, who was born without a penis, and his love affair with Elena, who was born with her skin inside out. Elena, though, was blessed with a beautiful singing voice to balance her deformity, while Joseph had no talent to make up for his missing member. "A penis," he muses, "in terms of artistic merit is worth nothing."
Call 923-2277 to reserve tickets for you and your own special valentine NOW.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Counting those blessings

January 11-17, 2007

Whoa! As I mentioned last week, my new year got off to a wonderful start. And then BOOM! BIG accident. Not me, my Son-in-Law. The short version: A friend of his was working on his boat motor in an unventilated garage. A spark ignited the gasoline fumes and turned the gas can into a flame thrower, toasting my son-in-law. Can you say napalm?

The good news is that Corey (S-in-L) will be OK. His hands and arms were severely burned (2nd degree -- no nerve damage, thank god -- but lots of lost skin from his fingers to just above his elbows). More good news is that their baby was not even due until day after tomorrow, but was born 5 weeks early. If my daughter had been trying to deliver a baby while dealing with this accident, things would be totally uncool. The other good news is that she's a nurse and is able to debride and dress the wounds herself without having to take him back to the hospital every day. The best good news is that his employer is not only not requiring him to take sick leave or vacation time, but is continuing to keep him on the payroll until he can come back to work. I think that speaks very highly of the employer and of Corey. It was a careless, preventable accident; but it could have been much, much worse in many, many ways so we are counting blessings on a rather grand scale.

In the meantime, my count-down to retirement seems to be gathering momentum (21 days), my auditions seem to be increasing in frequency, my post-retirement plans seem to be shaping up nicely, and I went to a two-hour dance rehearsal on Monday that got those old endorphins hopping like crazy. What could be better than that?


Thursday, Jan 11

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.

Glovertango
Cipollina / 1213 West Lynn; 477-5211 / 8 pm

Friday, Jan 12

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

DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca / 519 W. 37th; 371.5383 / 9 pm

Bear and the Essentials
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813

Friday & Saturday, Jan 12 & 13

American Repertory Ensemble
McCullough Theater / UT campus / 8 pm; $10-$20
I had a chance to see this group last summer before they went to Edinburg, Scotland. I will not miss a chance to see them again. The ensemble consists of dancers from several different companies around the US, accompanied by Tosca String Quartet and Michelle Schumann on piano. Do NOT miss them! You can buy tix here or by calling 477-6060.


Saturday, Jan 13

AFTM Midwinter Festival
Dougherty Auditorium / 1110 Barton Springs / 11:50 am - 11 pm; $7-$15
A full day of performances by such folks as Mark Gilston; Heather Gilmer & Jeff Moore; Zydeco Blanco; Charles Thibodeaux and more, more, more. AND...workshops in contradancing, Irish fiddle, Balkan singing, harmonica, mandolin and (need I say it?) more, more, more.

Lose Your Resolution party
The Parish / 214 E. 6th; 479-0474 / 9 pm; $10
Three bands, three genres, three times the fun: IV Thieves; White Ghost Shivers; Seth Walker

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

Weary Boys
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm

Sunday, Jan 14

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

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

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


Monday, Jan 15

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

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30; 9 pm


Tuesday, Jan 16

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!

George Harrison Tribute
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 7:30 pm


Wednesday, Jan 17

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

Gulf Coast Playboys
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 8 pm
This should be really fun. GCP is celebrating their 10th anniversary with a big reunion show featuring just about everybody who has ever played with them. Great dance music in a great dance venue. Be there!


ROAD TRIPS

Granger, TX
Friday, Jan 12
Johnny Dee & The Rocket 88s / Cotton Club/ 212 E. Davila; 512-859-0700

Giddings, TX
Saturday, Jan 13
Ricky Calmbach / Tin Star Dancehall / 3492 HWY 77 N; 979-540-3900 / 9 pm


COMING SOON

Saturday, Jan 20
Asleep at the Wheel / Gruene Hall / 9 pm

Friday & Saturday, Feb 9 & 10
The Last Castrato / Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 7 & 9 pm
Yeah, it's a little early, but this is a Valentine Spectacular I'm producing and I'd love to see each and everyone of you in the audience! How can you possibly miss a play about a man born without a penis seeking true love with a woman born inside out? Love is for everybody, man. Call 923-2277 to reserve tickets for you and your own special valentine NOW.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Happy New Year!

January 4-10, 2007

Happy New Year, everybody. Hope your entire year is as good as the beginning of mine: After a Christmas week that was less than euphoric (put my mother in a nursing home; spent three days with my ex-husband helping our son move and being reminded every minute why the man is my EX husband; spent two days driving from Phoenix with a cat that never stopped yowling, even in the hotel room when he should have been sleeping [the Benadryl didn't work])...so...after a Christmas week that was less than euphoric, Mr. Ben met me at my son's new home in Lockhart and drove me back into Austin at exactly midnight on New Year's Eve where we were welcomed home with a glorious display of fireworks on all sides (which, of course, I was convinced were all for me and heralded my triumphant return). Man, Austin never looked so good! Then on New Year's day, I spent the entire day sitting in front of the fire reading, drinking hot drinks and dozing. January 2 brought much the same. Yesterday my episode of Friday Night Lights aired (didja see it?), my pals in Mundi had a spot on "All Songs Considered" (didja hear it?), and I started rehearsals for my next project, a play called I am Not Tartuffe. What a lovely, wonderfully auspicious beginning to the new year.

Now it's back to the grind -- for 28 more days, woo hoo, and then I retire! Maybe there will be more time for...

Thursday, Jan 4

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.

Glovertango
Cipollina / 1213 West Lynn; 477-5211 / 8 pm

Jim Stringer & Karen Posten
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813
Part AM Band, part Crystal Pistols. This should be a good one.

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

Friday, Jan 5

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

Acme Song Company
Cipollina / 1213 West Lynn; 477-5211 / 8-10 pm
No cover, but you know what to do.

First Friday Contradance
Carpenters Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm; $8
Live music by the Band of Renown. sealantsby5@aol.com, 512-970-4919 for more info.

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


Friday & Saturday, Jan 5 & 6

Elvis Birthday Bash
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 7 & 11 pm; $20
Featuring Ted Roddy & King Conjure Orchestra, along with Shaun Young and the New Blue Moon Boys.


Saturday, Jan 6

The Fabulous Polkasonics
The Big Kolache Bakery / Oltorf at Congress / 11 am (family)
What better way to start your Saturday than with fresh kolaches and live music! The Big Kolache Bakery is in the strip mall on the sidewalk across from Bank of America.

The Eggmen
Hanover’s / 108 E. Main, Pflugerville; 990-0559 / 10 pm
Wow. Remember back in the day when Hanover's used to have lots of good bands? And they they sort of went all karaoke on us? Well maybe the good old days are coming back. One can only hope.

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

Albert and Gage Band
Donn’s Depot / 1600 W. 5th, 478-0336 / 9 pm


Sunday, Jan 7

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

Texas Swing Kings
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 6:30 (family)

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

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


Monday, Jan 8

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)
Erik Hokkanen will be sitting in with them this week.

Elvis Birthday Tribute
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 9 pm
Lots and lots of featured artists for this huge party -- Dale Watson, Ray Benson, The Derailers, Wayne Hancock and tons more.


Tuesday, Jan 9

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


Wednesday, Jan 10

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


ROAD TRIPS

Granger, TX
Saturday, Jan 6
Ricky Calmbach / The Cotton Club / Downtown Granger /


COMING SOON

Friday & Saturday, Jan 12 & 13
American Repertory Ensemble
McCullough Theater / UT campus / 8 pm; $10-$20
I had a chance to see this group last summer before they went to Edinburg, Scotland. I will not miss a chance to see them again. The ensemble consists of dancers from several different companies around the US, accompanied by Tosca String Quartet and Michelle Schumann on piano. Do NOT miss them! You can buy tix here or by calling 477-6060.

Saturday, Jan 13
AFTM Midwinter Festival
Dougherty Auditorium / 1110 Barton Springs / 11:50 am - 11 pm; $7-$15
A full day of performances by such folks as Mark Gilston; Heather Gilmer & Jeff Moore; Zydeco Blanco; Charles Thibodeaux and more, more, more. AND...workshops in contradancing, Irish fiddle, Balkan singing, harmonica, mandolin and (need I say it?) more, more, more.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris