Chris Picks

Each week Chris brings you the best in music, dance, arts and entertainment opportunities in Austin and surrounding areas.

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Thursday, February 22, 2007

Decadence sweet decadence

February 22-28

Oh yeah baby, baby. I have become downright decadent in my retirement. True confession time -- I wrote this week's entry in my jammies! In the daytime! During Lent! I have indeed sunk that low. Life is indeed that good. And since I have nothing to say which can top that, let's just cut to the chase --

Thursday, February 22

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel;
http://www.austinswingsyndicate.org/ 8pm

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

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

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

DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress / 10 pm
Come early for a tango lesson at 9 pm.

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

Friday, February 23

The Eggmen
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)
Goo goo ga joob. And that's all I have to say about that!

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

Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / midnight
Yup, two shows in one night.

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

Benefit for Escuelita del Alma
La Zona Rosa / 612 W. 4th; 472-2293
Another opportunity to help the little guy fight the fight against The Man. Live music by Grupo Fantasma, Alejandro Excovedo, Ruben Ramos and more, more more.

Fridays - Sundays, Feb 23-March 4

Aztlan Dance Co.
Santa Cruz Center for Culture / 1805 E. 7th; 474-TIXS / 8 pm (Fri & Sat); 2 pm (Sun) (family)
This looks like fun. The show is called El Gran Circo, and it's all about a ringmaster and his strange, interesting experiences.


Saturday, Feb 24

The Fabulous Polkasonics
The Big KIolache Bakery / 2407 S. Congress / 11 am
What could be better than kolaches and polka for breakfast on a Saturday morning?

Glovertango
Vino Vino / 4119 Guadalupe; 465-9282 / 8 pm; $15 ($5 students)
This is a fundraiser for Zonta, which funds scholarships and international service projects. Come even if you don't dance tango. The music is gorgeous and the dancing is fun to watch (and do!)


Third Saturday Contradance
St. Paul Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 8 pm; $5-$8
Live music by MC2. Newcomers intro session at 7:30.
croth@austin.rr.com for more info. This is a smoke-free, fragrance-free event.

Oliver Rajamani
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)
Have you ever noticed how pretty Oliver Rajamani is? AND he's a fabulous musician.


Sunday, Feb 25

Rubin's New Jew Revue
San Antonio Street Cafe / 2105 San Antonio St; 476-0125 / 11 am
A new twist on the 'gospel' brunch, eh?

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

Heybale!
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:00 pm


Monday, Feb 26

Johnny Cash Birthday Tribute
Continental Club /1315 S. Congress;441-2444 / 10 pm; $7 ($5 if you wear black)
Great music by Roger Wallace, Band in Black, Band Named Sue and more. This show benefits KOOP radio so not only will be be fun, it will be for a good cause.

Elizabeth McQueen & Jason Roberts
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 8 pm (family)
These great musicians are back every Monday night at Threadgill's. Fun for the whole family and a little bit of dance space.

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm(family)
Erik Hokkanen will be sitting in with the band, so you're in for a treat.

Mundi; Chaski
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 7:00; 8:45 (family)

Tuesday, Feb 27

Marc Devine & Denia Ridley
Reed's Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 6:30 pm

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

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

White Ghost Shivers
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd; 452-6790


Wednesday, Feb 28

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

Cella Blue
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189


ROAD TRIPS:

Kendaia, TX
Saturday, Feb 24
Zydeco Blanco / Kendalia Hall / 8 pm
Zydeco Blanco offers this wonderful advice for Lent:
Give up laziness --Go out to the dance.
Give up selfishness -- Ask someone to the dance.
Give up separateness --
Join family at the dance.
Give up loneliness -- Make friends at the dance
Give up slothfulness -- Dance, dance, dance!
Sounds like a good way to pull myself out of this decadent life I'm leading.


COMING SOON:

Sunday & Tuesday, March 4 & 6
Mad Agnes
Happy birthday to ME! Mad Agnes will be in town doing two concerts -- the first one at St. John's Chapel, 2140 Allandale Road, 5 pm (
512-452-5737 & info@stjohnsaustin.org for info); and the second one at Neverlandia, (talbot@talbotworld.com & 512-442-7613 for reservations)

Sunday, March 11
Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble
Hancock Rec Center / 41st at Red River / 2:30 pm / $12.50 advance; $15 at door ($8 for kids 12 & under)
Continuing the birthday festivities -- there's a wonderful Sunday afternoon zydeco dance brought to you by the enterprising folks that make up Austin Zydeco Dancers.
Ticket info: austinzydeco@yahoo.com or phone: 512-538-0883. And oh, by the way -- you can get FREE zydeco lessons three Fridays in a row starting this Friday, Fed 23. Also at Hancock Center.


See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Thursday, February 15, 2007

It is a generous universe

February 15-21

I'm into my third week of retirement, and have finished my second artistic project since the big day. The question keeps coming up: when did I ever have time for a day job? Retirement rocks, folks; it totally rocks. I highly recommend it.

Unfortunately, if
(like me) you've been a poor working stiff all your life, and (like me) haven't yet made it to the big time, the reality is that you simply can't afford to pay a mortgage, eat, and/or put gas in your car on a state pension. So it's back to the office for me 20 hours a week in March. But even that's an improvement over the 8-5 grind from which I hope I have escaped forever.

Of course, my own self-imposed grind is more like 9:30 (am) to 11:30 (pm) [or later, usually], but that's MY grind, my choice. It's invigorating and productive, and I can see progress and happy results. The only thing I can't see (yet) is that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I'm cool with that for now because I have confidence that if I keep plugging away at the things I find important, the reward will be there. It is a generous universe.

Generous enough, for example, to provide us with the following fun opportunities...

Thursday, February 15:

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel;
http://www.austinswingsyndicate.org/ 8pm

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

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

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

Hand Me Down
Genuine Joe's Coffeehouse / 2001 W. Anderson Rd. / 8-10 pm
Austin's newest bluegrass/Appalachian/folky-folk/singer-songwriter/gospel band makes its world premiere. I plan to be there. You?


Friday, February 16:

Celtic Knot
First Presbyterian Church / 8001 Mesa @ Spicewood / 8 pm; $18 ($13 students/seniors)
Texas Early Music Project presents Celtic music from the 16th-19th centuries. Good stuff, man.

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

The Brew
Texas Union Ballroom / 23rd at Guadalupe / 8 pm' $10 advance; $15 at door
The UT Ballroom Dance club presents their annual salsa festival. You can register online here. Or just show up and have fun.

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

DJd Swing Dance
Go Dance / Northcross Mall (south side); Burnet at Anderson / 9:30 pm; $4 & $6

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

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


Saturday, Feb 17:

Celtic Knot
First English Lutheran Church / 3001 Whitis @ 30th / 8 pm; $18 ($13 students/seniors)
Texas Early Music Project presents Celtic music from the 16th-19th centuries. Same program, different location.


8th Annual Dead Sweethearts Ball
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52
nd;
452-6790

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

Albert & Gage Band
Donn's Depot / 1600 W. 5th; 478-0336

Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 7:30 pm (family)
Immortalize your sneeze/coughing fit/inappropriately loud inappropriate comment! No, no, no! I mean, your ooohs and aaahs and your enthusiastic applause! Come out and be part of the audience as the Studebakers record a live CD.


Sunday, Feb 18:


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

Heybale!
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:00 pm


Monday, Feb 19:

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club /1315 S. Congress;441-2444 / 6:30 pm; 10:00 pm

Elizabeth McQueen & Jason Roberts
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 8 pm (family)
These great musicians are back every Monday night at Threadgill's. Fun for the whole family and a little bit of dance space.


Tuesday, Feb 20

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm(family)
Happy Fat Tuesday! Enjoy it in Louisiana style with Louisiana food and Louisiana music. Special Louisiana guest -- Peter Schwartz.

Marc Devine & Denia Ridley
Reed's Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 6:30 pm

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

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

Dr. Zog
Alligator Grill / 3003 S. Lamar; 444-61217 / 5 pm
A little zydeco happy hour for Fat Tuesday. Nice.


Wednesday, Feb 21:

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017


ROAD TRIPS:

San Antonio, TX
Saturday, Feb 16
Rosie Ledet
/ Sam's Burger Joint / 330 E. Grayson;
(210) 223-2830 / 8 pm

COMING SOON:

Sunday & Tuesday, March 4 & 6
Mad Agnes
Happy birthday to ME! Mad Agnes will be in town doing two concerts -- the first one at St. John's Chapel, 2140 Allandale Road, 5 pm (
512-452-5737 & info@stjohnsaustin.org for info); and the second one at Neverlandia, (talbot@talbotworld.com & 512-442-7613 for reservations)


See ya on the dance floor,

Chris

Thursday, February 08, 2007

We have a winner

Congrats to Debra B who has been too broke to buy tix to Last Castrato but who really, really, really wanted to see it. Debra was the first person to ask me to be her Valentine, and I said hell yes! See you at the show, Debbie.

Free tickets for a lucky Valentine

February 8-14, 2007

Oy, this first week of retirement has dang near killed me. I have learned two very important things this week: (1) working for oneself requires far more time and energy than working a State job; (2) you don't get weekends and holidays when you're retired. Dang! Why didn't anyone tell me?

Still, I can't complain. I've had much to do this week, but I've actually had time to get it done for a change. I can still stay up till 1:00 every morning, but now I don't have to get up at 6:30 and then go spend 8 hours not getting the important stuff done. Not that I wasn't absolutely indespensible to the University, mind you. In fact, after the days when I did take off, I often came back to my job wondering how in the world they were even able to open their doors during my absence. I'm happy to report that they seem to me muddling along without me pretty well, so I guess it's all working out.

I haven't quite found my stride yet, my routine. Perhaps I will. Maybe I won't. There's something liberating about not being in a rut, yet I somehow long for a structure that I haven't found yet. I'm still spending every minute of every day (and night) working my ass off for the amazing valentine's extravaganza production this weekend (which I expect every one of you to come see; I'll be taking roll![yeah, right, like I have time to take roll!]). I keep telling myself that next week will be better -- I'll be down to only three major projects, and that somehow seems more manageable.

Our living room has been a rehearsal/performance space/roller rink since the first of the year, and we're looking forward to having it back as an actual living room, aaaahhhhh. And it will be -- after Saturday when RADIO GHOSTS will be performed there as part of the Mi Casa es Su Teatro series.

Enough blather. Let the weekend begin!


Thursday, Feb 8


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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9 pm. $7 and $10
This is an annual VALENTINE'S DANCE. Live music by the Kris Kamura Group. Visit the Austin Swing Syndicate site for full details.

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

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


Friday, Feb 9

DJd Milonga
Nia Space / 3212 S. Congress / 9:30 am
Yup, that's 9:30 in the A.M. Crazy, crazy tango dancers. They can never get enough!

DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca/ 519 W. 37th (at Guadalupe); 371-5383 / 9 pm

Albert & Gage Band
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 (family)


Friday & Saturday, Feb 9 & 10

The Last Castrato / Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 7 & 9 pm; $15 ($10 for students)
It's time to order your tickets for this coming weekend's hottest Valentine show. The evening will start with three short pieces by two of Austin's best loved playwrights:
1. "Valentine's Day" by Greg Romero; starring Melissa Rentrop
2. "I Saw You" by Steve Barney; starring Steve Barney and Sally Alt
3. "Chalk" by Greg Romero; starring Liz Brown and Chris Doubek
-- plays that will make you go "Oh.my.god.", "awwwwwww", and/or "holy shit" -- and then we'll conclude with the one and only Jeff Swearingen starring in Andy Eninger's "The Last Castrato", an amazing love story about a man born without a penis. I ask you: where else can you get more
bang for your Valentine buck? Make your reservations now by emailing info@chrishumphrey.org or calling 512.923-2277. OR -- For a pair of free tickets, be the first to e-mail me at info@chrishumphrey.org and ask me to be your Valentine.


Saturday, Feb 10


DJd Milonga
Nia Space / 3212 S. Congress / 9:30 am
Yes, that's nine-thirty in the A.M.


DJd Milonga
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 7 pm
The tango jollity continues. There will a beginner tango lesson from 7-8 and then open dancing from 8-11.

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. And here's something else you can do. Show up at Northcross at 10 am to join hands with 5000 other concerned citizens and surround Northcross for 10 minutes to make your statement seen as well as heard. No WalMart, no steamrolling by the city and the developers.

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

The Recliners
Donn’s Depot / 1600 W. 5th; 478-0336
If you REALLY loved your Valentine, you'd take her to a place where she could use the 'ladies' in a real, live caboose. Some place like Donn's, for example.

The Derailers
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189

The Eggmen
Hanover’s / 108 E. Main
(Pflugerville); 670-9617
Once upon a time when I was a little girl (long, long ago), Pflugerville was a long way from Austin. Not any more. Get your booties up to P'ville for some serious Beatles fun.

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

Atash
Copa / 217 Congress / 11:30 pm $7

Cerronato
El Sol y La Luna / 1224 S. Congress; 444-7770 / 7:30


Sunday, Feb 11

Rubin's New Jew Revue

San Antonio Street Cafe / 2105 San Antonio Street; 476-0125 / 11 am
This is a weekly Sunday brunch gig.

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

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

Damien Green
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 (family)
Mark my words... this kid is going to go somewhere.


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



Monday, Feb 12

Bayou Cajun Band
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 8:30 pm
With special guest fiddler Peter Schwartz

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



Tuesday, Feb 13


Marc Devine & Denia Ridley
Re
ed'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 a
t San Gabriel / 9:30 pm
This is a weekly event that takes place after Four on the Floor's classes. FREE!

Donn & the Stationmasters
Donn’s Depot / 1600 W. 5th; 478-0336
You can never, EVER go wrong with Donn & the Stationmasters. And you can never go wrong by dancing on a Tuesday.


Nancy Griffith -- SOLD OUT--
Cactus Café / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe; 475-6515 / 7 & 9:30 pm $70
Yup, you read that right. Nancy Griffith is coming back to the Cactus and tix are $70. But
what a Valentine's treat for some special person on your love list, eh?


Wednesday, Feb 14

Happy VD, everybody!

Lucky Strikes
Reed’s Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 6-11 pm
Oh, now this sounds like a really lovely, LOVELY Valentine's evening.... fabulously prepared beef and dancing to the Lucky Strikes. Sweet!

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

Seth Walker
Antone’s / 213 W. 5th; 478-0336

Albert & Gage
Wild Basin / 805 N. Capitol of Texas Hwy; 327-7622 / 7:30 pm; $25
This is Christine's annual French Valentine's Show, and she is soooooooooo good. Click here for more info.


ROAD TRIPS


Taylor, TX
Friday, Feb 9
Texas Pioneers/ Taylor SPJST Hall / 5025 RM 619; 512-352-9139
I'm not sure what time these guys get started, but it would be worth a call if you're jonesing for some western swing.

Gruene, TX
Saturday, Feb 10
Two Tons of Steel / Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 9:30 pm; $10



COMING SOON

Friday, Feb 23
A Concert of Voices: Benefit for Escuelita del Alma and Las Manitas
La Zona Rosa / 612 W. 4th; 472-2293 / 8 pm; $25
Dang! It seems like every time you turn around, The Man is trying to stick it to the little guy. This time it's the Marriott wanting to do away with two of downtown Austin's most beloved institutions. Lots of excellent local talent are doing their part to help save Escuelita del Alma and Las Manitas. Show up at 6 pm with an extra $5 for a fajita dinner, and then stick around for live music by Grupo Fantasma, Alejandro Escovedo, Ruben Ramos, Patty Griffin, James McMurtry and more. Jaston Williams and Joe Sears will be emceeing, so you know it will be fun. And so worthwhile!

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Thursday, February 01, 2007

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 a
t 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