Ain't misbehavin' (dang it!)

July 26-August 1

Mr. Ben is currently visiting a friend in Vermont, so I'm at home by myself this week being a bad girl. Well, I would be being a bad girl if I didn't have rehearsals to attend, music to record and the new Harry Potter book to read, and if I didn't have a toothache from which I'm only now just beginning to recover after two full weeks of crippling pain. About the naughtiest thing I've been able to drum up is feeding the cat my way instead of Mr. Ben's way. How boring is that! Sheesh! Maybe, just to sew my wild oats a little, I'll pop in with friends over at El Sol y La Luna and share a pitcher of sangria. Oh yeah, baby, baby. I'm living life large. Working without a net. Taking a walk on the wild side.
And speaking of bad... have you seen this video of Philippine prisoners rehearsing for their big dance number -- Michael Jackson's Thriller? These bad boys are pretty damn cool! Rehabilitation through dance. What have I been saying all these years? If more people were dancing with each other, fewer people would be shooting at each other. It's the truth. Witness for yourself.
Thursday, July 26

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

DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 9 pm
There will be a free lesson at 8 pm if you would like an intro to tango.

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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm
Read all about the Austin Swing Syndicate and their activities.

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

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


Friday, July 27

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Ross' Old Austin Café / 11800 N. Lamar; 835-2414 / 7:00 pm

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

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

Music Under the Star
Bob Bullock State History Museum / 1800 N. Congress / 6 pm; free (family)
This is a great opportunity to hear (and dance to) live music and view the exhibits for free. This week features Ghandaia, with their mix of Funk, Rock, Pop, Reggae, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian.

Jesse Dayton
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10pm



Friday -Sunday, July 27 -29

American Repertory Ensemble
McCullough Theater / UT campus / 8 pm (F&S); 2 pm (Sun); $20 (adv), $22 (door)
We're lucky to have an ensemble of this caliber based in Austin. It's a collection of some of the finest dancers and musicians from around the nation. If you haven't seen then yet, you really should. I think I'm going on Sunday afternoon. See you there? 477-6060 for tix, or click here.


Saturday, July 28

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

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

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

Two Hoots & A Holler
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 pm; no cover

Global Harmony
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 9 pm; $12
This world music celebration of Africa features (in order of appearance) Lannaya, Atash, and Rattletree.

Jim Stringer's AM Band
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813

Sunday, July 29

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

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Wooldridge Park / 9th & Guadalupe / 7:30 pm; free (family)
The Sunday evening concerts in the park continue. This week they'll feature light classical music with their large string ensemble.


Monday, July 30

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

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)
Fiddler Peter Schwartz will be sitting in again this week.


Tuesday, July 31

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

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

Dr. Zog
Alligator Grill / 3003 South Lamar; 444-6117 / 6 pm

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

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

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


Wednesday, August 1

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

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

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


ROAD TRIPS

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, July 31
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 7:30 pm $4


COMING SOON

Saturday, August 11
Angels Knocking at the Tavern Door
Texas School for the Deaf Auditorium / 1102 S. Congress / 7 pm; $15/$30/$50
This is going to be a wonderful evening of music (Mundi and Kourosh Taghavi) and poetry (Coleman Barks and Robert Bly). If you missed Coleman Barks when he was here a couple of years ago, you really, really, really missed something. Get tix here.

Thursdays-Saturdays, August 16-25
One Flea Spare
Dougherty Arts Center / 1110 Barton Springs / 7:30 pm; $12
"There's something about Wallace's evocative poetic language, something about her insight into human nature, her unflinching exploration of ugliness and her surprising discovery of hope and beauty that can leave one breathless." Anna Rosenstein (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). [And is this not an uber cool graphic? Though you may not be able to see it in this small version, all those little black things that make up the shadow are tiny skulls & bones. My daughter-in-law, curlwunder, designed it for us (in case you ever need a graphic artist)]. There are only six performances, and we're expecting full houses for each one, so make your reservations now. Call 512.708.1893 or email reservations@gobotrick.org. (and please note that the performance is at 7:30, not 8 pm.)

see ya on the dance floor,
chris

Truth in advertising

July 19-25

Vegas was certainly an interesting experience. I expect many of you have been there, but this was my maiden voyage, so to speak. I would definitely put the whole 'Las Vegas Strip' in the category of 'things that make you go hmmmm'. Hmmmm.

What I'd like to talk about today, inspired by what I saw there, is truth in advertising. Love, Cirque du Soleil's tribute to the Beatles, certainly lived up to the hype. (For the best review ever, the one I wish I could have written, click here. Maybe you've seen the trailer, if not, then here it is.

But back to the truth in advertising issue. I know you may find this hard to believe, but not everything in Las Vegas is as advertised.

Take hookers, for example. Our second favorite activity on our trip (after the C du S show, of course), was collecting promo cards for prostitutes -- sort of like baseball trading cards, only hos. There are guys on the streets handing out these cards, so we devised a little game to see who could collect the most. Extra points were awarded for artistic merit, difficult poses, creativity, interesting names, etc. [Pardon me while I go off on a little tangent here... it seems that while prostitution is legal, photography is not. So most of these young ladies were adorned with starbursts or dots or, in some cases, buttons (?!?!?!?) in strategic places. And sometimes they must have sort of "shifted" in the printing process. Very odd.]

Well...

Imagine our shock and dismay when, upon closer scrutiny, we realized that some of the girls in the pictures appeared on different cards under different names! How can Bree be Demi? Same costume, same backdrop, same hairstyle, same starbursts -- just a different pose and a different name. Ditto Lana and Summer. And that made us think -- gosh, what if these girls in the pictures are just models and not the actual hookers? What if the actual working girls are not this pretty or well endowed? Or perky? Or congenial? Or clean? Some of the cards said 'real girl' or 'actual entertainer', but most of them just had a price and a phone number. Who can you trust?!?!?!? There are a lot of gullible tourists in a place like that, and somehow this just doesn't seem fair.

I say the advertising industry should be held to at least the same standards as the gaming industry. I know when I put money on the table or in a machine that the odds are really good that I won't see my money again. But if I have fallen in love with Demi, I don't want Bree showing up at my hotel room, y'know? (Or Suki or Fantasia. Or Extasy.) I'm just saying.


Thursday, July 19

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

Glovertango
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7:00 pm

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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm
Read all about the Austin Swing Syndicate and their activities.

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

Cerronato
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 9:30 pm

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


Friday, July 20

The Kat's Meow
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 pm; no cover

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

DJd Swing Dance (and CONTEST)
Go Dance / 2525 W. Anderson Lane (Northcross Mall) / 9:30 pm
The dance is open to everybody, but the contest is only for folks who have been dancing 3 years or less. Since I started dancing in high school and it's been "slightly" longer than 3 years since I graduated, I guess that leaves me out of this one, eh?

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

Music Under the Star
Bob Bullock State History Museum / 1800 N. Congress / 6 pm; free (family)
This is a great opportunity to hear (and dance to) live music and view the exhibits for free. This week features The Stingers ATX, an amalgam of ska, reggae and do wop. Fun!

DJd Milonga
Texas Union Quadrangle Room / 23rd at Guadalupe / 8 pm

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

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

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

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

Roger Wallace
Ginny's Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Rd; 458-8313 / 9 pm

Invincible Czars
Hole in the Wall / 2538 Guadalupe; 477-4747
I rarely, if ever, go to the Hole in the Wall because there's not a dance floor. But I might make an exception to hear these guys.


Friday -Sunday, July 20 & 21

American Repertory Ensemble
McCullough Theater / UT campus / 8 pm (F&S); 2 pm (Sun) $20 (adv); $22 (door)
We're lucky to have an ensemble of this caliber based in Austin. It's a collection of some of the finest dancers and musicians from around the nation. If you haven't seen then yet, you really should. 477-6060 for tix, or click here. And oh yeah... if you can't see them this weekend, they've got two more shows next weekend.


Saturday, July 21

Third Saturday Contra Dance
St. Paul's Lutheran Church / 3501 Red River / 8 pm; $5-$8
Hmmm. The e-mail I got says the Flaming Kelts will be playing. Last week they were the Flaming KILTS. I wonder if it was a typo or a name change. In any case, it's the same band. 310-1635, jakulas@swbell.net for more info.

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

Cerronato
Dona Emilia's / 101 San Jacinto / 8 pm

Weary Boys
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8 pm
Not certain about the time on this one. I guess that's why God made telephones, eh?

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

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 pm; no cover


Sunday, July 22

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

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

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 pm (family)
I always get a little confused about the Sunday show times, but I believe it's early. You might want to call to make sure.

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Wooldridge Park / 9th & Guadalupe / 7:30 pm; free (family)
The Sunday evening concerts in the park continue. This week they'll feature light classical music with their mixed woodwind ensemble.

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


Monday, July 23

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

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)
Fiddler Peter Schwartz will be sitting in this week.


Tuesday, July 24

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

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

Planet Casper
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm
I haven't heard these guys myself, but I have it on good authority that they're definitely worth catching.

Dr. Zog
Alligator Grill / 3003 South Lamar; 444-6117 / 6 pm

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

The Lucky Strikes
Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6 pm

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


Wednesday, July 25

Princess Bride
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 8:30 pm (family)
I keep forgetting to mention these free movies in the park by Central Market. Great family fun!

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017

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

Blues on the Green
Rock Island / Zilker Park / 7:30 pm
This week features Cyril Neville & Tribe 13, along with Papa Mali.

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



ROAD TRIPS

Fredericksburg, TX
Friday & Saturday, July 20 & 21
Night in Old Fredericksburg
Marketplatz / 100 W. Main; (830) 997-8515 / 6:00 pm (F); 11:30 am (Sat)
Nothing makes a cold beer taste better than a rousing polka in the Texas summer heat.

Gruene, TX
Friday, July 20
The Derailers
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 8:00 pm; $10

Gruene, TX
Saturday, July 21
White Ghost Shivers
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 1:00 pm; no cover

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, July 24
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 7:30 pm $4


COMING SOON

Saturday, August 11
Angels Knocking at the Tavern Door
Texas School for the Deaf Auditorium / 1102 S. Congress / 7 pm; $15/$30/$50
This is going to be a wonderful evening of music (Mundi and Kourosh Taghavi) and poetry (Coleman Barks and Robert Bly). If you missed Coleman Barks when he was here a couple of years ago, you really, really, really missed something. Get tix here.

Thursdays-Saturdays, August 16-25
One Flea Spare
Dougherty Arts Center / 1110 Barton Springs / 8 pm; $12
"Poetic...Naomi Wallace's ONE FLEA SPARE is another example of fine, ambitious writing.... The London plague is evoked in statistics and the overwhelming reality of quirky, Marivaux-like social role reversals in a single room." -- Michael Coveney, The Observer (London). For reservations call 512.708.1893 or email reservations@gobotrick.org.


see ya on the dance floor,
chris

Viva Las Vegas

July 12-18

I'm posting this a day early because this time tomorrow I'll be on a plane to Las Vegas where Mr. Ben, my daughter Lulu Wonder, and I will be headed to see the Cirque du Soleil Beatles show called Love. WOO HOO! So there may be a few omissions in this week's calendar, but that's why God made the Chron, right?

It's going to be a very short trip. Vegas has never held much appeal for me, and the 115 degree temperatures are not particularly enticing, either. (And I have a play to rehearse.) Still, I'm hoping a little of my mother's luck will travel with me as I visit the casinos. She and my dad used to be regular travelers to LV, and she nearly always hit some sort of jackpot or other. I'm hoping it's hereditary!

Since I couldn't find a C du S video that I liked well enough, I'm going to show you this one which you may have already seen but which certainly bears watching again.

Thursday, July 12

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

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

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

Glovertango
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7:00 pm

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

The Lowells
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 7 pm
Man, this is almost enough to make me rearrange my trip to Vegas, except that I've already spent a boatload of money on airline and show tix. These guys simply don't play often enough, and that's a fack, Jack!

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, July 13

The Eggmen
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 7 pm (family)
Ouch!, the Ruttles tribute band, opens at 6. Good times!

Music Under the Star
Bob Bullock State History Museum / 1800 N. Congress / 6 pm; free (family)
This is a great opportunity to hear (and dance to) live music and view the exhibits for free. This week features the Flying Balalaika Brothers. What fun!

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

The Derailers
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm; $10

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


Saturday, July 14

Bastille Day Celebration
French Legation / 802 San Marcos; 472-8180 / 6:30 pm (family)
I lived in Austin as a student, and then as a young married person. My babies were born here. I came back in 1987 and consider myself a dyed-in-the-wool Austinite. Yet I have, much to my shame and regret, never been to the French Legation for a Bastille Day Celebration (or for any other reason, actually). This year will be no exception, as Saturday is a travel day for me. But you can go and enjoy if for me! Live music by Paris 49, and of course other things French as well. Fun for the whole family.

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

The Eggmen
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail; 266-2442
They're playing twice in one weekend, and I won't be able to catch either show. That's OK, as I will have seen 'Love' by then, aaaahhhhh.

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7:00 pm

Monsoon Mehfil
Carver Cultural Center / 1165 Angelina; 448-2149 / 8 pm; $15 (adv); $20 (door)
Well, we've certainly had the monsoon this year, so why not celebrate? The official blurb says it so much better than I could: This multisensory evening will present classical North Indian performing arts. Featured are Kathak dance, with delicate gestures, vigorous footwork, and flamboyant spins; singing, the lustrous sitar and soulful sarangi; and tabla, the heartbeat of the dancer’s art.

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

The Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 7:30 pm (family)


Sunday, July 15

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

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

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Wooldridge Park / 9th & Guadalupe / 7:30 pm; free (family)
The Sunday evening concerts in the park continue. This week they'll feature a patriotic theme with their brass quintet.

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


Monday, July 16

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

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)
Fiddler Peter Schwartz will be sitting in this week.


Tuesday, July 17

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

Planet Casper
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm
I haven't heard these guys myself, but I have it on good authority that they're definitely worth catching.

Dr. Zog
Alligator Grill / 3003 South Lamar; 444-6117 / 6 pm

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

The Lucky Strikes
Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6 pm

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


Wednesday, July 18

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

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

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


ROAD TRIPS

Taylor, TX
Saturday, July 14
Czech Melody Masters
Taylor SPJST Hall / 5025 FM 619; (512) 352-9139 / 7:30 pm

Gruene, TX
Saturday, July 14
Dale Watson
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 9:00 pm; $10

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, July 17
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 7:30 pm $4


COMING SOON

Saturday, August 11
Angels Knocking at the Tavern Door
Texas School for the Deaf Auditorium / 1102 S. Congress / 7 pm; $15/$30/$50
This is going to be a wonderful evening of music (Mundi and Kourosh Taghavi) and poetry (Coleman Barks and Robert Bly). If you missed Coleman Barks when he was here a couple of years ago, you really, really, really missed something. Get tix here.

Thursdays-Saturdays, August 16-25
One Flea Spare
Dougherty Arts Center / 1110 Barton Springs / 8 pm; $12
"ONE FLEA SPARE is built to provoke, not to distract, and it doesn't surrender its meanings easily. But the play's powerful sexual subtext and its beautiful poetic surface reveal an original theatrical imagination. Whether Wallace will find a big audience remains to be seen. She has a big talent, though. Wherever her plays are mounted, they're worth finding." (John Lahr, The New Yorker) For reservations call 512.708.1893 or email reservations@gobotrick.org.


AFTERTHOUGHT

The hurdy-gurdy arrived last Thursday! Mr. Ben and I are both becoming h-g proficient. You'll be able to hear him perform in 'One Flea Spare.'

see ya on the dance floor,
chris

Why can't I think of a title this week?

July 5-11
OK, I'm starting to dream about plague now. While I was sleeping the other night, it struck in the department where I work at UT and the faculty started dropping dead, leaving the staff to clean up the mess. Doesn't that just figure? Fortunately, I woke up and everyone was present and accounted for at work.

Rehearsals for One Flea Spare are going very nicely, and I've been writing some incidental music for it. Visit my myspace page and click on "Canticle for a Time of Plague" for a little teaser. Cheery, eh?

Question: is it an impulse purchase when you've been thinking about it for over 15 years? Mr. Ben says it's an impulse purchase because I made the decision and then made the purchase. I say it was anything but impulse since I had been thinking about it for longer than I've known him and finally, finally, finally made the move. Can you even guess what it was I bought? Keep thinking about it, keep guessing, and I'll bet you'll never figure it out. (Except for Anne A who knows.) Keep reading. I'll tell you later.

In the meantime, this week's video features a very young artist (4 years old) with tons of talent.


Thursday, July 5

Matisyahu
The Backyard / 13101 Hwy 71 West; 263-4146 / 6:30 pm; $45-$47
For those who missed him last night, here he is again.

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

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

Jesse Dayton
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 9 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, July 6

First Friday Contradance
Carpenter's Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm; $8
Newcomers are invited to come at 7:30 for an introductory session. Then there will be live music by the Flaming Kilts at 8.

Music Under the Star
Bob Bullock State History Museum / 1800 N. Congress / 6 pm; free (family)
This is a great opportunity to hear (and dance to) live music and view the exhibits for free. This week features Papa Mali.

Two Tons of Steel
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm; $10

Dale Watson
Nutty Brown / 12225 Highway 290 West; 301-4648 / 7:30 pm; $7 (family)

Ray Benson & Friends
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm; $10

Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
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

Oliver Rajamani
El Sol y La Luna / 1224 S. Congrerss; 444-7770 / 7:30 pm
Having grown up in a house where the bar opened around 10 am and stayed open till bedtime, I find that I'm not much of a drinker. However, put a pitcher of El S y La L's sangria in front of me, and I will make an exception. Add a musician like Oliver Rajamani, and I can find true happiness.

Texana Dames
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm
Ruben Hernandez and Erik Hokkanen will be sitting in, so you know it will be good (as if the Dames needed any help.).


Saturday, July 7

Albert and Gage Band
Donn's Depot / 1600 W.w 5th; 478-0336 / 9 pm

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

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

Seth Walker
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm
Austin Swing Syndicate is hosting a blues dance. This is part of their Austin Blues Party weekend which will feature three days/nights of blues dancing instruction. Click the link for full details.

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

The Gourds
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm; $12 (adv); $15 (door)


Sunday, July 8

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

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

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

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Wooldridge Park / 9th & Guadalupe / 7:30 pm; free (family)
The Sunday evening concerts in the park continue. This week they'll be taking requests for your big band favorites.

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


Monday, July 9

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

Bayou Cajun Band
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)
Fiddler Peter Schwartz will be sitting in this week. NOBODY doesn't love Peter!


Tuesday, July 10

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

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

The Lucky Strikes
Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6 pm

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


Wednesday, July 11

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

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

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


ROAD TRIPS

Elgin, TX
Sunday, July 8
Vrazels Polka Band
Elgin SPJST Hall / 702 Hwy 95 in Elgin; 512-285-3100 / 3-7 pm
You simply can't go wrong with a Sunday afternoon polka party.

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, July 10
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 7:30 pm $4


COMING SOON

Saturday, August 11
Angels Knocking at the Tavern Door
Texas School for the Deaf Auditorium / 1102 S. Congress / 7 pm; $15/$30/$50
This is going to be a wonderful evening of music (Mundi and Kourosh Taghavi) and poetry (Coleman Barks and Robert Bly). If you missed Coleman Barks when he was here a couple of years ago, you really, really, really missed something. Get tix here.

Thursdays-Saturdays, August 16-25
One Flea Spare
Dougherty Arts Center / 1110 Barton Springs / 8 pm; $12
"I sat in a theater at the Humana Festival last year, after the closing monologue of ONE FLEA SPARE, unable to move. I had known Naomi Wallace's work well, having directed an earlier play, and I knew she had tremendous talent and promised to great things. Nothing had prepared me--not my admiration for her plays and for her beautiful, harsh, moving, brilliantly political poetry--for the experience of watching this play, which is in my opinion one of the finest works of dramatic literature written here or in England in the last two decades. Utterly without sentiment but possessed of a very great human heart, ONE FLEA SPARE touches upon many things, class and gender and the pressures of a plague upon internal and external human constructs; and, as I read it, most devastatingly it addresses a tragedy of almost inexpressible dimensions: the consequences of the horrors of biology and Capital on the young. As the play draws to its shattering close I was filled with thoughts of the children of Sarajevo and Rwanda and the slums of America. `Almost' inexpressible except in the hands of a true poet, and Naomi Wallace so magnificently proves herself to be. Her ability to articulate the inarticulable, grief and loss and suffering beyond endurance, is a source of hope; as is the resilience and passion of the marvelous characters she's assembled. Everyone who loves the theater should read this play. It has made me INTENSELY envious and very full of joy." --Tony Kushner (playwright, "Angels in America")
For reservations call 512.708.1893 or email reservations@gobotrick.org.

AFTERTHOUGHT

It was a medeival hurdy-gurdy! My "impulse" purchase of 15+ years worth of deliberation was a hurdy-gurdy! Can't wait for it to get here!

see ya on the dance floor,
chris