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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Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Being kind to web footed friends

June 28-July 4

It's that time of year again, when we are reminded to be kind to our web footed friends (for a duck may be somebody's mother, don't you know). However, some of my human friends have admitted to growing webbed feet recently as a result of all this rain. And the weather man says July is going to be the same, so we may all be web footed by the end of the summer.

Which reminds me. I recently saw a dance work performed in swim fins. And...senior moment...I can't remember who did it or where I saw it! Argh. Did anyone besides me see it? Please refresh my memory.

The past few weeks I've been including videos of people who do things extremely well. While the director/videographer/editor of this particular piece is NOT one of the people who does things extremely well, the people in the video are arguably THE best at what they did. Ever. Warning: I will totally bitch slap you into the next county if you disagree with me. And... it's about rain.



Just be aware this week that every single outdoor event is "weather permitting".


Thursday, June 28


Pete Best
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm
As you may have noticed, Pete Best was NOT in the video I showed you this week. But, yes, he was one of the original Beatles. I just don't know what to think about this.


Cornell Hurd

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

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

DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress; 420-8839 / 9 pm; $5

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


The Weary Boys
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9:30 pm

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

Poor Man's Fortune
Cactus Cafe / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe / 8:30 pm; no cover
Help this local Irish band celebrate their newest CD release.


Thursday-Sunday, June 28-July 1

But I Could Do That
The Off Center / 2211A Hidalgo / 8 pm Th-Sat; 2 pm Sun; $15 (family)
Yellowtape Construction Company presents their summer dance extravaganza. Those of you who saw "We are Normal Cha Cha Chaaaaaa" know what a kick-ass dance troupe this is. You can get tix here.


Friday, June 29

Donn and the Station Masters
Donn's Depot / 1600 W.w 5th; 478-0336

Two Hoots and Holler
Ginny's Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

Ted Roddy & The Backwoods Hipsters
Guero's / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)

Texas Swing Kings
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 7:30 pm


Saturday, June 30

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

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


The Fabulous Polkasonics; Brave Combo
Moose Lodge / 2103 E.M. Franklin / 9 pm; $12; $4 for members

FINALLY! It's here! Mr. Ben and I will be late because we're double booked (as usual!), but we WILL be there, and I expect to see each and every one of you there as well, helping save the Moose. Apparently there has been some confusion among some about whether or not non-members can attend dances at the Moose. DEFINITELY! And I'll be taking roll.

Oliver Rajamani

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

South Austin Jug Band
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 10 pm


Sunday, July 1

Del Castillo
Momo's / 618 W. 6th; 479-8848 / 6 pm
These guys don't play in Austin much any more. Catch 'em while you can.

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


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


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


Monday, June 25

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


Tuesday, July 2

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane / 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.

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

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
Looks like this is going to stay on Tuesdays for a while.



Wednesday, July 4

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

Matisyahu
The Backyard / 13101 Hwy 71 West; 263-4146 / 6:30 pm; $45-$47
How's THIS for a 4th of July extravaganza! He'll be playing tomorrow night, too, if you can't make it to this one.

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

Erik Hokkanen and his Gypsy Tribe
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 pm

Hand Me Down
Flipnotics / 1601 Barton Springs; 322-9750 / 8:00 pm

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Zilker Park / 8:30 pm; free (family)
Remember last year when we weren't sure fireworks would be happening because it was so dry? This year they may be too damp to ignite. Sheesh!

Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
The Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6 pm
This is an every Wednesday happy hour.


ROAD TRIPS

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, June 26

Two Tons of Steel

Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 7:30 pm $4


COMING SOON

Thursday, July 5
Matisyahu
The Backyard / 13101 Hwy 71 West; 263-4146 / 6:30 pm; $45-$47


AFTERTHOUGHT


My friends Tray and Mike WON the "Expose The X" contest for the Austin radio station 101X. Thanks for your vote!

see ya on the dance floor,
chris


Thursday, June 21, 2007

Awwww, does him got a bubo?

June 21-27

Join me as I enter my Bubonic Plague phase. In preparation for One Flea Spare (opening August 16 - mark your calendars now!), I am reading everything I can find about the plague. All I can say is: ewwwwwwww.

Here are some things that maybe you didn't know (or maybe you did [or maybe you'd rather not, in which case you should skip the bullet points]):


  • The buboes (nasty, painful, discolored lumps) are lymph nodes that have gone all necrotic, ewwww.
  • Other symptoms include splitting headache, swollen tongue, and compulsive vomiting, ewwwww.
  • There are three types of plague: bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic. Bubonic is the attack on the lymph nodes; it's the one that causes the buboes, ewwwwww. Septicemic is when the bacteria multiplies in the bloodstream; it can cause bleeding from any orifice and/or underneath the skin, and gangrene, usually on the fingers, toes and nose, ewwwwww. Pneumonic is the rarest but most deadly and is the mostly likely candidate for bioterrorism attacks because it's airborne; it attacks the lungs and you can't breathe, ewwwww.
  • The fleas carrying the plague bacteria experience great hunger since the bacteria blocks their stomachs, so they gorge themselves and then, since they can't get the yummy blood into their tummies, vomit it back into their host, thus sharing the bacteria, ewwwwww.
  • During the great plague of 1665 in London (the one the play is about), 43 people died in May; 6,137 in June; 17,036 in July; and 31,159 in August; the total death toll for that particular outbreak was around 160,000, ewwwwww.
There is, of course, much, much more we could talk about (such as the violation of female victims [dead or alive]; the people who weren't dead yet but got carted off anyway; the elderly women who were pressed into examining the bodies to document the cause of death; the total breakdown of the social system; the running-away of the politicians), but this is an entertainment calendar, not a science/history lesson.

And to start off the entertainment portion, here's a video straight from China
. Don't you wish you could do this? (If you can, let me know. Seriously.)



Thursday, June 21


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

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

Doc Watson
Texas Union Ballroom / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 8 pm; $35
The one. The only. 477-6060 or TexasBoxOffice to charge tix.


Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2330 S. Lamar / 7:30 pm (family)


A Black Tie and Flip Flops Affair
Cafe Mundi / 1704 E. 5th / 6 pm-midnight; $5 (family)
Check out this summer solstice celebration featuring, among others, Sage, (amazing, amazing, amazing fire dancer) dancing to the music of Oliver Rajamani, starting at 9:30 after other musicians and belly dancers have warmed you up. This event will rock.


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


The Weary Boys
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9:30 pm



Thursday-Saturday, June 21-23

Constellation
Federal Courthouse Buildings / 300 E. 8th; 288-1929 / 9 pm; $15
Sally Jacques' newest ariel dance installation.


Friday, June 22

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Treehouse Italian Grill / 2201 College; 443-4200 / 7:30 pm
DJd Milonga
Texas Union Quadrangle Room /
Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm
Come early for a tango lesson at 8 pm.


Polka Freakout
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 7:30 pm (family)
Bubba Hernandez, we heart you!


Seth Walker
Momo’s / 618 W. 6th; 479-8848 / 9:30 pm


DJd Swing Dance
Go Dance / 2525 Anderson Lane (in Northcross Mall) / 9:30 pm; $4-6

Big Brother and the Holding Company

Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm
Two words: Where's Janice?


Gordon Lightfoot
The Glenn / 13101 Hwy 71 West; 263-4146 / 7 pm; $39-$42.50
Unlike Janice Joplin, Gordon Lightfoot is still alive. Who knew?


Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23

Global Harmony
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 5 pm - 2 am; $12 per day/$18 both days
This is an event celebrating the music of Africa. And who doesn't love the music of Africa? Confirmed performing groups: Afrique Djemba Kan; Atash; Djembabes; Lannaya; Oliver Rajamani; Rattletree; Sabaya. 784-8660 for more info.


Saturday, June 23

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


Lost Bayou Ramblers

Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:45 pm

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 pm

Elana James & the Continental Two
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 10 pm


Nuevo Urbano
Domican Joe / 515 S. Congress / 8 pm; $5
This Artbulb Austin event is part concert, part milonga, part fashion show.


Sunday, June 24


Monster Big Band
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30pm (family)


THAT Damned Band
Beerland / 711 Red River; 479-ROCK
I'm not sure about the time, so give 'em a call.

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Wooldridge Park / 9th at Guadalupe / 7 pm; free (family)
This week they'll feature their woodwind ensemble. It's blanket and picnic time!

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


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

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


World Refugee Day
Knapp Auditorium / Episcopal Seminary of the South West; 606 Ratherview / 4-8 pm; free (family)
Hmmmm. This looks sort of interesting. There will be food, music, films, and kids activities from around the globe. I don't know what bands will be there, but I'm always up for international music. A little personal anecdote/tangent here: When I was a kid, I lived on a farm in rural central Texas. Not a lot of ethnic diversity. My cousin was in the military stationed in Korea and he brought back -- are you ready for this? -- a Korean bride! She was the first non-American I ever met and I was charmed beyond measure. I used to follow her around like a puppy dog. Then in 4th grade, there was a Russian folk dance troupe on the Ed Sullivan Show and my mind was totally blown -- and this was before the mind-blowing drug of the 60s. In junior high, we had a German exchange student (Ingrid ), wow! In high school I DATED our Japanese exchange student (Takahiko). Then it was off to UT where I met my first college boyfriend, a Lebanese guy named Habib. Then there was Nabil, the Persian Jew. Do you see a pattern here? I really, really, really like learning about other cultures. So events like this one hold a certain appeal for me. You?

Conspirare
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church / 8134 Mesa / 7 pm; $25
This most, MOST excellent chorale will be performing Mendelssohn's 'Elijah'.


Monday, June 25

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 Erik Hokkanen


Tuesday, June 26

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

Elana James & the Continental Two
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm

Jim Stringer's AM Band
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8:00 pm (family)

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

I thought that Chaparral was moving back to Thursday this week, but nope, not yet.



Wednesday, June 27

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

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

Erik Hokkanen and his Gypsy Tribe
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 pm

Blues on the Green
Rock Island, Zilker Park / 7:30 pm; free (family)
This time you'll hear The Rhythm Council. Take a picnic supper and enjoy the evening.


Wayne's World
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 8:00 pm (family)
Outdoor movies the whole family can enjoy.


Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
The Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6 pm
This is an every Wednesday happy hour.



ROAD TRIPS

Gruene, TX
Saturday, June 23

Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 9 pm; $10


Gruene, TX
Tuesday, June 26

Two Tons of Steel

Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 7:30 pm $4


COMING SOON

Thursday - Sunday, June 28-July 1
But I Could Do That
The Off Center / 2211A Hidalgo / 8 pm Th-Sat; 2 pm Sun; $15 (family)
Yellowtape Construction Company presents their summer dance extravaganza. Those of you who saw "We are Normal Cha Cha Chaaaaaa" know what a kick-ass dance troupe this is. You can get tix here.


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!


Wednesday & Thursday, July 4 & 5
Matisyahu
The Backyard / 13101 Hwy 71 West; 263-4146 / 6:30 pm; $45-$47

AFTERTHOUGHT

My friends Tray and Mike entered the "Expose The X" contest for the Austin radio station 101X. The entry with the most votes wins a (big) cash prize and runners up get cool stuff like ipods. I think Theirs is pretty awesome and they worked really hard on it, so I thought maybe you'd be willing to take a look at it and then to vote for us! Click here to see and vote. Theirs is called "X Kong is in Austin".


see ya on the dance floor,
chris

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Lots of life

June 14-20

What a week it's been! My emotions have been all over the map. First of all, excitement and suspense as I waited to learn whether I had been cast in one of the best plays ever written -- "One Flea Spare" by Naomi Wallace. Worst case scenario: I would be doing sound design for the show, so that got my musical wheels turning, which brought forth joy at the creation of a new piece of music this week, and sadness because it's such a heartbreaker.

Then on Monday I learned that a dear friend was killed in a car accident over the weekend. The sad, sad irony was that having survived a cerebral aneurism and subsequent brain surgery, and having her husband selflessly devote himself to her recovery and care for the past four years -- he was the driver of the car involved in the accident. He escaped with minor injuries. You have probably heard of him, or at least his work -- he's the carilloneur in the UT tower, and I go up with him once a week to play duets. Well, it was my sad duty yesterday to play the bells alone -- a tribute to his wife just before the funeral.


Then I learned that I did get the part, woo hoo! I'll be playing a woman quarantined in a house with three other people during the plague in London in1665. Good times, eh?


And then...and then...and THEN...

At 10:47 last night I was putting the final touches on today's calendar -- the one you're reading right now -- and it COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED. What you're reading is a hasty re-creation, so if I've left anything off, please forgive me. (Add anger and frustration here.)

Yes, life has been emotionally messy this week. Life, death, joy, sadness, loss, creation. But you know something? I feel so much more alive when it's all there. And I'm grateful that I'm alive to experience it.

In view of my rather contemplative state of mind this week, the video I'm sharing is one of exceeding quiet beauty. Enjoy.


Thursday, June 14

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

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


Lucky Strikes
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


Bayou Cajun Band
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon / 6:30 pm
With guest fiddler Peter Schwartz.



Thursday-Saturday, June 14-17

Constellation
Federal Courthouse Buildings / 300 E. 8th; 288-1929 / 9 pm; $15
Sally Jacques' newest ariel dance installation starts this weekend. They'll be performing next weekend, too, if you miss it this time around.


Friday, June 15

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


DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca / Guadalupe at 37th (519 W. 37th); 453-0403 / 9 pm


Slavadillo Vocal Quartet
Triumph Cafe / 3808 Spicewood Springs / 7 pm
Come out and hear some Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek & Albanian music in a Vietmese cafe. Ain't diversity grand?


Two Tons of Steel
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 9 pm


Old Fashioned Square Dance
St. Paul's Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 8 pm; $8
Allemande left and dosey-do, swing your partner and away we go! Live music by Double Eagle String Band.
453-8936 for more info.


Two Hoots and a Holler
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 10 pm

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

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

Los Super Vatos
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8 pm
Bubba Hernandez, we love you!

Jessie Lee Miller
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 7:30 pm


Norah Jones
The Backyard / 13101 Highway 71 West / 8 pm
Click for tix.



Saturday, June 16

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

Double Contra Dance
St. Paul's Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 2pm; 7:30 pm
The afternoon dance is for advanced contradancers. All are welcome, regardless of skill level, at the evening dance. Happensdance will be providing live music for both. 453-8936 for more info.

Sarah Dinan Band
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 9 pm; $7
There's never a bad time for a healthy dose of Celtic music.


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


Texas Swing Kings
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 7:30 pm

Roddie Romeo & the Hub City All Stars
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm
I have not heard this group myself, but I have it on very good authority that they play that fabulous Louisiana dance music we all love, aaaaiiiieeeee.



Sunday, June 17


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 their brass ensemble with a Father's Day theme.

Austin Symphonic Band
Zilker Park Hillside Theater / 7:30 pm; free
Is your dad a closet band geek? If so, this is the concert for him! Take a blanket and a picnic and celebrate Father's day the old fashioned way.

An All Day Father's Day Juneteenth Afrocentic Celebration
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 - 9 pm
Live music by The Bells of Joy; Texas Eastside Kings; and Funk.


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


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

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



Monday, June 18

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 Erik Hokkanen


Tuesday, June 19

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


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

This show will shift back to its regular Thursday spot next week.


Wednesday, June 20

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.



ROAD TRIPS

Gruene, TX
Saturday, June 16

White Ghost Shivers
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 1 pm; no cover
Now that the hot weather's here, what could be better than an afternoon dance in a sweat lodge, er, I mean historic dance hall?

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, June 5

Two Tons of Steel

Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 7:30 pm $4


COMING SOON

Thursday, June 21
Doc Watson
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 8 pm; $35
The one. The only. 477-6060 or TexasBoxOffice to charge 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!



AFTERTHOUGHT

UT is hosting a Joyce Conference this weekend with some interesting events scheduled (click here for full details). Full disclosure here -- I'm actually thinking about attending some of the events. Yeah, I'm a geek. Get over it. For those of you who are curious but don't feel you're really up on your Joyce, there's a wonderful refresher which I think I may have shared several years ago, but which certainly bears looking at again. It's "Ulysses for Dummies". Enjoy.


see ya on the dance floor,
chris

Thursday, June 07, 2007

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