Warp speed ahead

March 29-April 4

Who set the calendar on warp speed? Is that a function of the new Daylight Saving Time configuration? Taxes and other deadlines loom on my personal horizon, and the horizon just keeps getting closer -- how did that happen? I thought it was always a fixed distance away. Not anymore!

Help! I need more hours! I need more days! Every minute I spend doing something is a minute I spend not doing something else --and those something elses really need doing. Sycorax opens on April 12. I've written and recorded over 30 minutes of music and I'm not done yet. Arg!!!!! (If you'd like to hear a lovely arrangement I did of a traditional Lebanese tune [which was far too "pretty" to use in the play] click here and then scroll down to 'arrangements' and click on 'Debka'.)

So...

Has anyone devised a credit card that buys time? It's probably just as well that it doesn't exist -- I would die deep, deep, deep in debt! Still -- if you hear of such a thing, let me know!


Thursday, March 29

Mundi
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 8:30 pm
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear one of Austin's hands-down best instrumental groups. Renaissance meets Rock. The cover charge is either free or $6, depending on which source you read (both of my sources were Mundi, so don't ask them!) I would suggest bringing the six dollars, and if you don't need it to get in, then spend it on a lovely margarita or two.

The Hummingbirds
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd; 453-6790
This is the early show, if I'm not mistaken (but I may be, so call first).

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel; http://www.austinswingsyndicate.org/ 8pm
Always room to dance here!

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

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

DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 10 pm

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

Thursday-Saturday, Mar 29-31

I am not Tartuffe
Play! Theater / 1204 Cedar Ave (just north of E. 12th St). / 8 pm
Last call! This is our final weekend, so come check it out! Watch our faux French Art film (featuring Louis XIV in an amazing costume made entirely of fast food wrappers); or listen to Arts Eclectic on KUT, then make your reservations here.


Friday, March 30

DJd Milonga
Texas Union Quadrangle Room / 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm
Free beginning tango class at 8, so come early!

Gulf Coast Playboys
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)

The Eggmen
Nutty Brown / 12225 Highway 290 West; 301-4648 / 7:30 pm; $5 (family)

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Ross' Old Austin Café / 11800 N. Lamar; 835-2414 / 7 pm (family)


Friday and Saturday, March 30 & 31

Atash
Helms Fine Arts Center (St. Stephen's School) / 2900 Bunny Run; 796-5677 / 8 pm; $25 ($15 for students) (family)
Atash will provide the music, and there will be flamenco, Indian and modern dance. Should be a wonderful, wonderful evening! Click here for tix.

Friday and Sunday, March 30 & April 1

Classical Guitar
This is an amazing weekend for classical guitar enthusiasts. Check out these two amazing artists:
Friday: Michael Chapdelaine, student of Andres Segovia and the only winner of the National championship in both classical and fingerpicking style, will be at Hyde Park United Methodist Church for a 7:00 show. That's at 4001 Speedway; 453-4206.
Sunday: Muriel Anderson, another national champion in the fingerpicking style (and student of both Christopher Parkening and Chet Atkins), will be at the First Unitarian Church for a 7:30 show. 4700 Grover Ave; 789-9219.


Saturday, March 31

Paris 49
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 5:30; 8:30 pm (family)

Grupo Fantasma
Nutty Brown / 12225 Highway 290 West; 301-4648 / 7:30; $10
A little salsa under the stars, perhaps?

Sean Lennon
The Parish / 214 E. 6th; 479-0474
I am sooooooooooooooooo curious!

Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival
Across Congress from Bob Bullock Museum / MLK at Congress / 10:30 am - after midnight; $8
Live music by T. Broussard & The Zydeco Steppers; Big Chief Kevin and his Funky Flaming Arrows; Dr. Zog and Funky Zydeco; (and more, more, more), yummy food, and, of course, great weather (we hope).
Special Bonus: Ben Pagac, a Zydeco dance instructor based in Washington DC will teach an intermediate/advanced on Friday, March 30, at 7:00p.m. at Hancock Recreation, 811 E. 41st St. (at Red River, in the middle of the golf course). Pre-register with Michele at mramshur@msn.com

Rajamani Ensemble
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 9pm; $10
Wonderful, wonderful Indian gypsy music.

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


Sunday, Apr 1

Sababa
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 4 pm
This nationally known Jewish band will be playing as part of Central Market's 'passover in the hood' celebration.

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

Texas Swing Kings
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 /6:30 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, Apr 2

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


Tuesday, Apr 3

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


Wednesday, Apr 4
The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017


ROAD TRIPS:

Helotes, TX
Friday, Mar 30
Delbert McClinton
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281
How many folks can say The Beatles opened for them? But yup, Delbert McClinton was in a band with Bruce Channel in 1962, and they played in England with some upstart local band called The Beatles as the opening act. How's that for trivia? And trivia is all you'll get since this show is SOLD OUT.

Granger, TX
Saturday, Mar 31
Ricky Calmbach
Cotton Club / downtown Granger / 512-859-0700 / 9 pm; $10


COMING SOON

Monday - Sunday, April 9-15
Cohen New Works Festival
UT Dept. of Theater and Dance / Winship Bldg / various dates; various times; FREE
This festival presents new works (many still in progress) in dance, theater, music, film and various combinations thereof. 'Sycorax' is April 12, 13 and 15, and I'd love to see you in the audience so you can see and hear what I've been working on so hard the past two months (I can guaran-damn-tee you that the show is FAR more imaginative than the logo up there in the corner of this listing, jeez!). Click the Festival link for full details and schedule.

Saturday & Sunday, April 14 & 15
Austin Fine Arts Festival
Republic Square Park / 4th & Guadalupe / Sat 10-5; Sun 11-6; $8 (family)
This one always appeals to me because Brave Combo always plays. Art and nukular polka. Can you think of a better combination?


See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Computers are our friends

March 22-28

Maybe it's because I'm tired. Maybe it's just bad luck. But I was approximately halfway through writing this week's list when -- you guessed it -- my computer let me down. Again. Argh! Fie! Death and damnation to them all (computers).

I am tired. Got up at 5 am to go to a 7 o'clock class yesterday only to get there and find that I was the one who didn't get the e-mail that the class was cancelled. And, of course, I've been burning the candle at both ends again working on I am not Tartuffe and writing music for Sycorax. Somebody 'splain me something: There is nothing, and I mean nothing, I love more than working on a creative project. It gives me such great feelings of accomlishment, pride, joy, satisfaction and worth. With music particularly, I end up with a finished tangible product that gives me as much immortality as a recording can provide. So... why is it that about halfway through a project that I totally, totally love, all I can think of is "I'll be so glad when this is over"? Is it because I'm tired? Lazy? Full of new ideas? I'm definitely in the home stretch on both these projects and I keep thinking about rest and time off.

Whatever happened to the good old days when all I did was go to my day job? Life was so much simpler when I wasn't actually living it.


Thursday, March 15

Trio Mediaeval
McCullough Theater / UT campus / 8 pm
Man, if I didn't have 'Tartuffe' tonight, this is definitely where I'd want to be -- listening to this fabulous group from Norway. Click here for details/reservations.

Duo Zingaresca
Flawn Academic Center / UT campus; 23rd at Guadalupe / 6-7 pm (free)
And I would go to this first before hitting the McCullough Theater for Trio Midiaeval. It's a concert of Gypsy traditional guitar music on Russian 7-string guitars by Oleg Timofeyev and Vadim Kolpakov - Duo Zingaresca. For more detailed information, visit the CREEES website.

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel; http://www.austinswingsyndicate.org/ 8pm
Always room to dance here!

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

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

Heybale!
Ginny's Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Rd; 458-8313

Thursdays-Saturdays, thru 31

I am not Tartuffe
Play! Theater / 1204 Cedar Ave (just north of E. 12th St). / 8 pm
The general response to our opening weekend was "WTF?!?!?!" And that's all I have to say about that. Watch our faux French Art film (featuring Louis XIV in an amazing costume made entirely of fast food wrappers); or listen to Arts Eclectic on KUT, then make your reservations here.


Friday, March 23

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

The Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283

Tom Russell
Cactus Cafe / 23rd at Guadalupe in the Texas Union Bldg. / 475-6515
Now here's a guy who can sing you a story!

The Eggmen
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)
A few nights ago I had a dream about the Eggmen, and when I woke up I thought, 'hmmm, I really need to establish a relationship with these folks, more than just a fan.' And no, not as a groupie. I keep thinking we've got a collaboration in us somewhere if we can just find it. So hey -- any Eggmen reading this? Let's talk. For the rest of you -- come early if you want a table, because these guys always pack 'em in. AND --- Rutles tribute band Ouch! opens. What could possibly be more fun?

DJd Milonga
Howard Johnston / 7800 N. IH 35 / 11 pm
More info here.

DJd Swing Dance
Go Dance / 2525 Anderson Lane (in Northcross Mall) / 9 pm; $4-$6

Hand Me Down; Twangzilla
The Parlor / 100B E. North Loop / 9:00; 10:30 pm

Colors of Rajasthan
Hogg Auditorium / 24th at Guadalupe; 471-1444 / 8 pm; $29-$38 (family)
Folk music and dance from the desert region of Rajasthan. Sounds like fun!

Captain Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 10 pm
Oh my! Can you say 'flashback'?

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

Friday & Sunday, March 23 & 25

Conspirare
Friday:
Northwest Hills United Methodist Church; 7050 Village Center Dr./ 8 pm; $25 / $15 students
Sunday:
St. Martin's Lutheran Church; 606 W. 15th / 2:30 pm; $25 / $15 students
Last night Mr. Ben and I went to an open rehearsal of this program of eclectic music featuring Paul Crabtree's 'Tenebrae Responsories on Songs of Bob Dylan' (in which we had a hard time finding Bob Dylan) among other exciting works, a couple of which are based on Joni Mitchell and Dolly Parton (and yes, we did find Joni Mitchell and Dolly Parton). All I can tell you is -- click here or call 476-5775 for reservations. Believe me, these folks should not be missed. If you're going to be on the road this weekend, they'll be in Bryan tonight and in San Antonio on Saturday, so visit their website for all the details.


Saturday, March 24

Djembabes
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 5:30; 8:30 pm (family)
Two words: African percussion

Jim Stringer's AM Band
Ginny's Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Rd.; 458-8313

DJd Milonga
Howard Johnston / 7800 N. IH 35 / 9 pm
More info here.

Crawfish Boil
Nutty Brown / 12225 Highway 290 West; 301-4648 / 6 pm (family)
The NB website is rather non-specific, but they do boast live zydeco music and dead crawfish, so it definitely seems work a shot.

The Gourds
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 10 pm

Little Richard
Forty Acres Fest / UT's Main Mall; 21st at Littlefield Fountain / 6:30 pm (free)
Good golly Miss Molly! Look who's comin' to town!

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


Sunday, Mar 18

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

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


Monday, March 19

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
Howard Kalish will be sitting in again this week.


Tuesday, March 20

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


Wednesday, March 21

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017


ROAD TRIPS:

Helotes, TX
Saturday, Mar 24
Two Tons of Steel
Floores Country Store / 14492 Old Bandera Road; 210-695-8827

Coupland, TX
Saturday, Mar 24
The Derailers
Coupland Dance Hall / 101 Hoxie / 512-856-2619


COMING SOON

Saturday & Sunday, April 14 & 15
Austin Fine Arts Festival
Republic Square Park / 4th & Guadalupe / Sat 10-5; Sun 11-6; $8 (family)
This one always appeals to me because Brave Combo always plays. Art and nukular polka. Can you think of a better combination?


See ya on the dance floor,

chris

It's showtime (on so many levels)

March 15-21


Tonight is opening night, yee haw! After nearly blowing my knee out dancing at rehearsal on Monday, I have found better shoes and am feeling confident that everything is once again copasetic. (Modern dance in high heels on concrete [at an advanced age] -- not a good idea.) The coolest, coolest part of my involvement in this particular play, however is not the dancing. It's not the character that I play, it's not the witty dialogue. It's not even the pretentious modern dance/San Francisco art collective aesthetic we've worked so hard to achieve. Nope. What I love about this one is all the fighting. I slap people around. I bite their legs. I push them and shove them and roll around on the floor like a maniac. I get dragged offstage by a ravening French person. Then I finally die. What could be more fun than that?

Seriously. When's the last time you were allowed to wrestle? I'll bet you were in elementary school (or maybe high school if you're a guy). It's tremendously fun and therapeutic, and it's a great workout. I highly recommend it. Just put on some raucous rock music and have at it.

In other news, this is the week for live music and crowds. And wristbands if you have one. I prefer not, and there is a plethora of wristband-free events -- the showcases at Waterloo Records, Hole in the Wall, Mother Egan's, Emo's, and Cheapo Discs, just to name a few. Then there are the "SX" knock-offs: North by No Wristband; Noise by No Wave; Free by No Charge; South by South First; South by San Jose; XSXSW; SXSouthArtz; the intintriguingly named named Yeast by Sweet Beast (??? sounds like a gynecological disorder). And more, more, more, of course. Basically, all you have to do over the next few days is just go somewhere and you will probably hear live music. Hell, even the band (Peel) in I am not Tartuffe played a SXSW showcase last night!

Just don't expect a lot of dance space this week. Or parking space. Still, it's out there if you know where to look. I'll help out as best as I can.


Thursday, March 15

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel; http://www.austinswingsyndicate.org/ 8pm
Always room to dance here!

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

Cornell Hurd
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)
Word to the wise: this is part of SXSW ('Twangfest'), so expect larger than usual crowds and smaller than usual dance space.

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

The Hummingbirds
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd; 452-6790
I believe this is the early show.

Ted Roddy
Ginny's Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-8313

Thursdays-Saturdays, March 15-31

I am not Tartuffe
Play! Theater / 1204 Cedar Ave (just north of E. 12th St). / 8 pm
Yup, that's me in the background standing next to Captain Jesus in this stunning photo by Wylie Maerklein. Watch our faux French Art film (featuring Louis XIV in an amazing costume made entirely of fast food wrappers); or listen to Arts Eclectic on KUT, then make your reservations here. On opening night, dubbed "Escape from SXSW night" you will receive complimentary chocolate mousse, how verra nice!


Friday, March 16

Cornell Hurd Band
Nutty Brown / 12225 Highway 290 West; 301-4648 / 7:30 pm; $5 (family)

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

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

Nashville's Worst Nightmare '07
Brentwood Tavern / 6701 Burnet Road / 4:30-10:30 pm; $5
What a line-up! Roger Wallace; The Hummingbirds; Jim Stringer's AM Band; Twang Zilla; and more, more, more.

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

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

Jean Pierre & the Zydeco Angels
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586


Friday & Saturday, March 16 & 17

Last of the Breed -- SOLD OUT
The Backyard / 13101 Hwy 71 W; 263-4146
A fabulous, fabulous line-up featuring Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price. With Asleep at the Wheel. Hope you got tickets because this puppy is sold OUT.


Saturday, March 17

The Fabulous Polkasonics
The Big Kolache / 2407 S. Congress / 11 am

Red Stick Ramblers
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:30 pm
Simply one of the best bands for dancing whatever you like to do. The question is: will there be space (since this is one of the 'sanctioned' shows)?

The Tea Merchants; The Lost and Nameless Orchestra
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 5:30; 8:30 pm (family)
SXSW isn't the only party in town this weekend. It's also St. Paddy's Day on Saturday, so bring the family out for some lively celtic music.

St. Patrick's Day Throwdown
Mother Egan’s / 715 W. 6th; 478-7747 / noon-midnight; $10 (family)
This is apparently THE St. Paddy's Day celebration with music and dancing all day long. PLUS -- uber cool Irish vs. American musicians pitted in hand-to-hand (or fiddle-to-fiddle) combat. Should be great fun!

St. Patrick's Day Celebration
The Dog & Duck Pub / 407 W. 17th / 11 am - 11 pm
This is apparently the OTHER St. Paddy's Day celebration with music all day long.

St. Paddy's Day Street Festival
Fado / 214 W. 4th St. / 10 am - 11 pm
But wait! There's MORE! More music and partying all day long.

St. Patrick's Day Festival
Opal Devine's (Penn Field) / 3601 S. Congress; 707-0237
I don't have the times on this one, but I can guess it would be most of the day.

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

Third Saturday Contradance
St. Paul's Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 7:30 pm; $5-8
Live music by the Flaming Kilts (yow!) and some Irish Ceili dancing thrown in for fun. AND a dessert potluck, so bring your best Irish whiskey cake. 407-9425 for more info.

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

The Recliners
Donn’s Depot / 1600 W. 5th, 478-0336
Aaaaaah. A haven of sanity during an otherwise insane weekend!


Sunday, Mar 18

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


Monday, March 19

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
With special guest Howard Kalish.


Tuesday, March 20

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


Wednesday, March 21

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

The Battlefield Band
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 8:30 pm; $18
It's always a treat when this fabulous Scottish band comes to town.

Annoying Instruments Orchestra
Enchanted Forest / Oltorf & S. Lamar / 6 pm (family)
This AIO performance is part of the 'Grow Austin Weird' event which goes from 5-8 pm. If you've never been to the Enchanted Forest, you're in for a treat. One of Austin's best kept secrets.


ROAD TRIPS:

San Antonio, TX
Friday - Sunday, Mar 16 & 1- 18
Alamo Irish Festival
Arneson Theater and La Villita / 5 pm on Fri; noon on Sat & Sun (family)

Helotes, TX
Saturday, Mar 17
Reckless Kelly
Floores Country Store / 14492 Old Bandera Road; 210-695-8827
Frankly, this seems like an ideal weekend for a little road trip, know what I mean?


COMING SOON

Thursday-Sunday, March 22-25
Conspirare
various locations, various times
I'll give you more details next week on this exciting program of eclectic music featuring Paul Crabtree's 'Tenebrae Responsories on Songs of Bob Dylan' among other exciting works. Or if you want the info NOW, then click here or call 476-5775 for reservations. Believe me, these folks should not be missed.

Friday, March 23
Colors of Rajasthan
Hogg Auditorium / 24th at Guadalupe; 471-1444 / 8 pm; $29-$38 (family)
Folk music and dance from the desert region of Rajasthan. Sounds like fun!

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

The alliterative agenda

March 8-14

I came up with such a wonderful way of organizing my life while I was off in February. It works beautifully for someone who doesn't have a day job. Here's how it goes:

Monday = Money, Marketing, Music, Muscle. That means paying bills, updating my website and/or any other marketing materials, and working on my music, and of course lifting weights.

Tuesday = Talk, Type. OK. This one's kind of a stretch, but 'talk' means 'collaborative meetings' and 'type' means 'spend the rest of the day at the computer or even with a pencil.' Just produce something.

Wednesday = Wash, Work, Workout. Laundry & dishes, the project of my choice (work), and of course work out.

Thursday = Think and Throw away. This means thinking about the projects I'm working on while doing my house cleaning (which in my case pretty much means shoveling out the trash).

Friday = Fix, Finesse, Finish, Fitness. Tie up the loose ends, get things finished. Work out.

Mr. Ben scoffed at my plan at first, but - ha HA! - I did remarkarbly well sticking to the routine (except for the working out bits, ugh). Now that I'm back in the office three days a week, though, I am no longer able to talk, type, wash, work, workout, throw away or even think. Ever again. What a pisser.

However -- did you notice that I cleverly left weekends open? Oh yeah. Gotta play.

Thursday, March 8

Bayou Cajun Band
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon/ 6:30 pm (family)
With special guest Peter Schwartz.

The Fabs
Guero’s / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)
OK, you probably haven't heard of this band yet. Charlie Hatchett of The Fabulous Chevelles is taking a sabbatical and his band didn't think they should continuing using the name, so they're sort of regrouped sans Charlie and are calling themselves The Fabs. Which is a long way of saying -- get yourself to Guero's tonight and give them a listen.

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

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

Marc Devine & Denia Ridley
Reed's Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 8:30 pm

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

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


Friday, March 9

Though the party was last Friday with Brave Combo, today is my actual birthday. My son is taking me flying in an open cockpit vintage aeroplane this afternoon. Is that cool, or WHAT!

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

Paris 49; The Lucky Strikes
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9:00;10:45 $8
Four on the Floor presents their Spring Fling, so dress up and come dance to two great bands. There's a dance lesson at 8:15 if you need to brush up on your skills.

Two Hoots and a Holler
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 9:30 pm

Elana James & The Continental Two
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)

Saturday, March 10

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

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

Sunday, Mar 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)
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.

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

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

Heybale!
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:30 pm; $7

Monday, March 12

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


Tuesday, March 13

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

Wednesday, March 14

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

Two Hoots and a Holler
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189

XSXSW
The Oaks / 10206 FM 973 N, Manor; 278-8788
The music portion of SXSW starts today, and so do the alternative events. Click on the link for "The Festival" but check here for the 'we don't need no stinkin' wristbands' events. Tom Vandenavond & friends will be doing a folk/americana/country/singer-songwriter show at The Oaks tonight.

Note: The above listing is one of only MANY alternative music events during the SXSW week. For a more complete listing, see this week's XLent.


ROAD TRIPS:

Granger, TX
Friday, Mar 9
Johnny Dee & the Rocket 88s
Cotton Club / downtown Granger / 512-859-0700
Aah, a nice little alternative to the festival and even to the alternative events. There will probably even be room to dance at this one!

COMING SOON

Thursdays-Saturdays, March 15-31
I am not Tarfutte
play! theater / 12th at Cedar / 8 pm
Brought to you by the same folks who gave you "I Love My Dead Gay Son: The Musical!" and featuring your old pal Chris. Click here for tix.

Saturday, March 17
Red Stick Ramblers
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:30 pm
Simply one of the best bands for dancing ________ (fill in the blank; they do it all!)

Wednesday, March 21
The Battlefield Band
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 8:30 pm; $18
It's always a treat when this fabulous Scottish band comes to town.

++ RIP Stella Boes, dancer and blithe spirit extrordinaire.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Back to the coal mine

March 1-7

Sigh. I'm back on the job today, alas. I keep telling myself that (1) I'm making the same amount working 20 hours a week as I was working 40 hours; (2) that I'm working on a project I actually like; and (3) I'm working with the best possible boss. If I absolutely had to come back to work (which I did), it couldn't be under any better circumstances.

I sure did like that month off, though. I spent the entire month writing music for an upcoming play ("Sycorax" in April. More details closer to showtime). I'm not finished, of course, and I would love to have another whole month to work on it full time. My days of getting enough sleep are over, as I have no doubt I will continue to put in as many hours on the music as I have been doing during February (plus the 20 hour day job). Yup, it was sweet while it lasted. Too bad it wasn't a leap year. Too bad February didn't have 60 days in it this year.

Got some great news this week, though. I had thought that Brave Combo was going to forget my birthday altogether this year. But NO! They'll be at Ruta Maya tomorrow night, close enough to my birthday to count. So. That's where the party is. Come on out and join me.

Thursday, March 1

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

The Hummingbirds
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd, 452-6790
This is the early show, if I'm not mistaken.

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

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

Friday, March 2

Glovertango
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 9 pm
Remember when Tosca Tango Orchestra used to play at the Continental Club every Sunday night? Those were the good old days, and they're back -- for one night only.

Two Tons of Steel
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189

First Friday Contradance
Carpenter's Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm
I accidentally deleted the details on this one (oops), but there will be live music and beginners are always welcome. sealantsby5@aol.com for full details.

Brave Combo
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 9 pm; $12
Yup, this will be my official birthday party (a week early, but it's never to early to party!), so come share the fun with me. I'll be the one dancing every dance.

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

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

Friday - Sunday, March 2-4

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, March 3

Explore UT
UT (pretty much inclusive) / 11 am - 5 pm; free (family -- big time!)
Whether you (and/or your kids) are interested in molecular biology or performance art, there's something here to please. Performing groups include the Middle Eastern Ensemble; Slavadillo Vocal Quartet; Andean ensemble; the theater dept's robotic lighting extravaganza; Nritya Sangam Indian Dance Troupe; Carribean Ensemble; UT Hungarian Dancers; and the list goes on and on and on. Click here to create your own schedule.

The Derailers
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / midnight

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

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

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

Sunday, Mar 4

Mad Agnes
St. John's Chapel / 2140 Allandale Road; 452-5737; 5 pm
These guys don't make it to Austin except about once a year, so check them out for sure!

DJd Swing Dance
Footworks Dance Center / 403 W. 2nd / 8 pm; $5

Texas Swing Kings
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 7:30 pm (family)

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

Heybale!
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:30 pm; $7

Monday, March 5

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club /1315 S. Congress;441-2444 / 6:30 pm; 10 pm ($5 for DW)
You might want to call to confirm the Dale Watson show. He's currently in Australia. Will he be back by Monday night? Maybe. Will he be awake and ambulatory? Don't know.

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)
Darcie Deville will be sitting in with the band this time.

Tuesday, March 6

Mad Agnes
Neverlandia
This is a house concert, so e-mail talbot@talbotworld.com or call 512-442-7613 for reservations, details, directions, etc.

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

Wednesday, March 7

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

ROAD TRIPS:
Dallas, TX
Friday-Sunday, Mar 2-4
North Texas Irish Festival
State Fairgrounds
Tons o'talent, of course, including (but not limited to) Tommy Makem; The Makem Brothers; Téada; The Glengarry Boys and many, many more. Music. Dancing. Irish Wolfhounds. Beer (if you can imagine such a thing!)

LaGrange, TX
Saturday, Mar 3
Eric Taylor
Bugle Boy / 1051 N. Jefferson (Hwy 77) / 8 pm; $12
LaGrange is not to far to drive to hear this guy!

Gruene, TX
Saturday, Mar 3
White Ghost Shivers
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 1 pm
This is one of those fabulous no-cover afternoon dances that are such a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Kinda gets you warmed up for Saturday night, y'know?

COMING SOON

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.

Saturday, March 17
Red Stick Ramblers
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:30 pm
Simply one of the best bands for dancing ________ (fill in the blank; they do it all!)


See ya on the dance floor,

chris