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, November 28, 2007

Do you feel sorry for me? I'm having a root canal.

November 29 - December 5

Hope your Thanksgiving was good and properly thankful. We had a quiet day in Arlington, VA -- until the 50 mph wind gusts hit. WOW! Fortunately they died down in time for our Friday morning return flight to Austin. It was fall here when we left on Monday and it was winter when we got back on Friday. How did that happen?

It's good to be back even if it did mean returning to have a root canal Thursday morning (that would be today if you're reading this on the 29th). (Incidentally, I once read somewhere that it's a good thing love is so painful; otherwise, all our popular songs would be about root canals.) I plan to spend the day in a drugged stupor feeling sorry for myself, so I'm posting this on Wednesday. There may be a few gaps, so check the Chron or the XLent.

As we approach the holiday season, there are always those perennial song favorites (not about root canals) from which we simply cannot escape. Handle's Hallelujah Chorus is one of them. Allow me to offer this rendition performed by "monks who have taken a vow of silence." Yeah, right. Enjoy.




Thursday, November 29

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


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


DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 9 pm; $5


Dean Bob Sinatra & The Swang Thang
Reed’s Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 7:30 pm


Johnny Gimble
Guero’s / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)


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


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


The Brew
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 10 pm


Jim Stringer's AM Band
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm (family)


DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm
This will be an extra special, extra huge dance because it's the night before the Austin Lindy Exchange, a weekend of dancing, workshops and fun. I understand that registration is now closed the the event, but you can still attend the nightly dances, woo hoo.



Opens tonight - thru Dec 22

The Ultimate Christmas Musical: The Musical
Salvage Vanguard Theatre / 2803 Manor Road / 8 pm; $15
Believe me, this is NOT your grandfather's Christmas musical!!! You can trust me on this one. It will run Thursdays-Saturdays thru Dec 22. Recommended for ages 14 and over.



Friday, November 30


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


Red Stick Ramblers
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm


The Eggmen
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 7 pm (family)

Come early and stay late. Ouch! opens.

Kris Kamura Quartet
Reed’s Jazz Club / 9901 Cap of TX Hwy; 342-7977 / 8:30 pm


Tangos
One World Theatre / 7701 Bee Caves; 32-WORLD / 7 & 9:30 pm



Saturday, December 1

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


Red Stick Ramblers
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm



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


Asleep at the Wheel; Carolyn Wonderland
Antone’s / 213 W. Fifth; 474-5314 / 9 pm


Two Hoots & A Holler
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300

Rajamani Ensemble
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 9 pm; $10
Nothing says "I'm ignoring the holiday blitz" like an evening of mesmerizing Indian gypsy music.


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


Saturday & Sunday, December 1 & 2

Wheatsville Art Festival
Wheatsville Food Coop 3101 Guadalupe / 10 am - 5 pm (family)
This is a smallish festival, but you'd be amazed at how much art and music they can pack into a relatively small space. Always fun. Live music by Hand Me Down, Django's Moustache and more. Click the link for full details.



Sunday, December 2

Dale Watson
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 4 pm


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

AIO
Gethsemane Lutheran Church / 200 W. Anderson Lane / 1-5 pm (family)
It's Jul och Lucia, a Christmas bazaar sponsored by the Swedish Women's Educational Association with a Lucia procession, activities for the kids, and Swedish food and dancing (with live music by AIO).


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


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


Monday, December 3

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


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


Tuesday, December 3

Planet Casper
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm; $5


Dean Bob Sinatra & the Swang Thang
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 7 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



Wednesday, November 21


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


Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 6:30 pm



ROAD TRIPS

I'm sure there's a lovely road trip out there this week, but the only one I'll be making is to Lockhart for my granddaughter's first birthday.


COMING SOON

Sunday, December 16
Wassail
Ceremony Hall, Sri Atmananda School / 4100 Red River / 6 pm (family)
A chaos of mummers, music, magic and morris dancing. And a whole lot more. With a special appearance by St. George (the one from Crawford) and the Dragon!!!!! Yes, indeed. The dragon is almost almost almost finished, and I thank you all for your contributions of CDs and, in some cases, your assistance. We had our first mummers and dance rehearsals this week. The mummers are hilarious and the dancers are elegant. It's gonna be a GREAT show! Super family friendly. And proceeds benefits Kids for Kids, a charity organization in the Darfur region.

see ya on the dance floor,

chris

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving

No list this week. I'll be computerless this week at Mr. Ben's dad's house. Have a great thanksgiving weekend, and I'll see you next week.

xoxox

chris

Thursday, November 15, 2007

My plant is confused

November 15-21

Oh no! My Christmas cactus is blooming early this year. It obviously went to the store the day after Halloween and saw the decorations up and then went into a panic, thinking it was late.

True confession time: I am not a plant-friendly person. Some people have a green thumb. Mine is most decidedly black. However, there are four plants in my office that have somehow mananged to survive in spite of my ineptitude, and this Christmas cactus is one of them. It was a (Christmas) gift from a co-worker several years ago. Maybe it's out of respect for my co-worker that this one continues to grow, bloom, and (dare I say it?) thrive. In any case, it adds a lovely touch of color to an otherwise rather drab institutional office. And I won't tell it that it's early this year. That will be our little secret. Shhhhhhhh.

And now, for your listening pleasure....Those Darn Harmonicas!




Thursday, November 15

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


Bereket (aka UT Middle Eastern Ensemble)

Jessen Auditorium / Rainey Hall (21st St. next to Littlefield Fountain); 471-5401 / 8 pm; free (family)
The end of the semester is approaching (just ask my Christmas cactus if you don't believe me), so look for several FREE international music concerts performed by UT ensembles this week and after Thanksgiving. Keep reading for more.


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


The Fabs
Guero’s / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)


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


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


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


The Brew
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 10 pm

Jim Stringer's AM Band
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm


DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm
This will be an extra special, extra huge dance because it's the night before the Austin Lindy Exchange, a weekend of dancing, workshops and fun. I understand that registration is now closed the the event, but you can still attend the nightly dances, woo hoo.



Friday, November 16

UT Mariachi & Carribbean Ensembles
Recital Studio / MRH 2.608 (behind Bass Concert Hall); 471-5401 / 8 pm; free (family)

La Nueva Onda
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 9:30 pm

Live music by four stellar Latin bands: Gina Chavez; El Tule; Cerronato; and Latin at Heart.

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

White Ghost Shivers; Seth Walker
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9 pm

Texas Swing Kings
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm

Two Hoots & a Holler
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)

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


Mr. Fabualous & Casino Royale

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


Friday-Sunday, November 16-18

Footprints
Helm Fine Arts Center / St. Stephen's Episcopal School; 2900 Bunny Run / 8 pm (Fri & Sat); 2 pm (Sat & Sun); $15 (family)
Well this certainly sounds interesting. It's a collaborative effort between Tapestry Dance Company and Indian classical dancer Anardha Naimpally with live music by Atash.


Saturday, November 17

Third Saturday Contra Dance
St. Paul Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 8 pm; $5 & $7
Live music by Mockingbird.512-453-8936, or e-mail croth@austin.rr.com for more info.


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

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


Aradhna
Hogg Auditorium / 24th at Guadalupe / 7 pm; FREE (family)
Wow! Check out their myspace page; give 'em a listen and then show up for this free show. And might I recommend dinner first at a relatively new Indian restaurant called India Kitchen, located at 2410 E. Riverside. Best dang Indian food I've found in Austin, mmmmm. (And just say YES to their mango lassi.)


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


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

Texana Dames; Jon Emery
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 4 pm; 8 pm (family)

Paris 49; Kris Kamura Quartet
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9:30 pm
More great dancing at the Lindy Exchange.



Sunday, November 18

Mundi
St. Michael's Episcopal Church / 1500 N. Cap of Tx Hwy / 3 pm; $10 (family)
One more chance to hear Mundi's 'Journey to Innisfree' concert, featuring lovely Celtic music with guest singer Erin Bobruk.


Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo’s / 618 W. 6th; 479-8848
I'm not sure what time they get started, so give 'em a call.

Texas Swing Kings; Bert Rivera & the Ramblers
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 6:30 pm (family)
Nice little double bill here.

Ted Roddy & The Backwoods Hipsters
Guero’s / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 3 pm (family)


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


Monday, November 19

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)


Tuesday, November 20

Planet Casper
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm; $5


Dean Bob Sinatra & the Swang Thang
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 7 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



Wednesday, November 21


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


Erik Hokkanan
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm


Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 6:30 pm



ROAD TRIPS

Uhland, TX
Saturday, November 17
Ricky Calmbach
Club 21 /downtown Uhland
For those of you who have never been, this is the PERFECT time of year for a drive out to Uhland. When you get into the "city" limits, you'll see one of those portable yellow blinky signs with an arrow. Turn at the sign and voila. There you are.


Elgin, TX
Sunday, November 19
Donnie Warva Band
Elgin SPJST Hall / 702 Hwy 95 in Elgin; 512-285-3100
Is there anything better than a Sunday afternoon polka dance?


COMING SOON

Opens November 29:
The Ultimate Christmas Musical: The Musical
Salvage Vanguard Theatre / 2803 Manor Road / 8 pm; $15
Believe me, this is NOT your grandfather's Christmas musical!!!! You can trust me on this one. It will run Thursdays - Saturdays through Dec 22.


Friday, November 30
Tangos
One World Theatre / 7701 Bee Caves; 32-WORLD / 7 & 9:30 pm



see ya on the dance floor,

chris

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Passive-aggressive "art" project

November 8-14

I don't know how many unsolicited credit card offers I get in the mail, but it's a lot. After shredding the applications that have my name and address on them, I save the business reply envelopes for my own vile purposes, mwahahahha.Then when I've got a minute, I sit down and write a note, put it in the envelope and mail it back to them -- on their nickel, of course. For a while my notes were a little snarky -- something along the lines of "Don't you love getting unsolicited junk mail? I know I do!"

But this past weekend I was doing a little housecleaning and I found a whole stash of these envelopes -- 34 to be exact -- just waiting for a creative response. I gave it about two seconds thought and then came up with what I call "Passive/Aggressive Art". Each note was written in my own hand on the back side of a piece of recycled 8 1/2 x 11 paper whose printing gave nothing away of myself -- no addresses, no names, no phone numbers, no e-mail addresses -- just words, like the text of Beethoven's Ode to Joy or a picture of a woman in a 17th century costume. Each note started exactly the same way: Sorry I haven't written in a while but...

But each note was different. I can't remember all of them, but here are a few of my favorites:

Sorry I haven't written in a while but...

my cat died.
I've been touring with my band.
I'm out of prison now.
can we still be friends?
I've been partying WAY too much.
I lost your address.

I plan to keep this going for as long as the credit card companies keep sending me these things and I can keep coming up with reasons why I haven't written lately. Maybe some poor schmuck in the mail room will at least get a kick out of it. I invite you to join me and let's make this a nationwide art project, whaddya say!

And now on to our weekly fun. WARNING: This week's video is kinda long (15 minutes), but so, so, so amazing. Enjoy (when you have the time).




Thursday, November 8

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

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


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


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


The Brew
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 10 pm


DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm

Jon Emery
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm

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


Friday, November 9


La Putain Avec Les Fleurs; Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 8 & 11 pm
Two shows with this vaudeville/melodrama troupe with dance music in between. Sweet!

Mundi
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)
This is most definitely where I'd be if I didn't already have tickets for "Tuna Does Vegas." Mundi will be presenting a program of Celtic music with guest collaborator Erin Bobruk. Happy Birthday, Darrel!!!


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


The Brew

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

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


Saturday, November 10

White Ghost Shivers
Antone’s / 213 W. Fifth; 474-5314 / 10 pm


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


Tito Fuente, Jr.
Monarch Events Center / in Lincoln Village; 6406 N. IH 35 / 7 pm; $25 advance; $35 door
The legend lives on. Also featuring Salsa del Rio and Cienfuegos.

DJd Milonga
East Austin New Culture Club / 209 Pedernales / 8 pm



Sunday, November 11

Heralds and Minstrels
RedHouse ArtSpace / directions available with reservations / 3 pm; $10 (family)
This is a (central Austin) house concert featuring a wonderful Renaissance trio from Georgetown. Seating is limited, so call 923-2277 now to make your reservations and get directions to the concert (since it is in a private home, the address will only be given when reservations are made)
.

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


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

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


Monday, November 12


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


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


Tuesday, November 13

Planet Casper
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm; $5


Dean Bob Sinatra & the Swang Thang
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 7 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



Wednesday, November 14


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


AIO
IKEA / 1 IKEA Way (Round Rock) / 6 pm
Listen to some world music and eat some Scandinavian food while you try not to buy everything in the store.


Erik Hokkanan
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm


Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 7 PM


ROAD TRIPS

New Braunfels, TX
Thru November 11

Wurstfest
Wurst Hall
Click on the link for all the information you need to know -- from directions to schedule (like Brave Combo on Monday the 5th, for example).

Salado, TX
Friday - Sunday, November 9-11

Scottish Clan Gathering and Highland Games
Scottish shortbread; men in kilts (no connection between the two); and tons of fun for the whole family.

Taylor, TX
Friday, November 9

Czech Melody Masters

Taylor SPJST Hall / 5025 FM 619; (512) 352-9139 / 7:30 pm

Granger, TX
Saturday, November 10
Ricky Calmbach
Cotton Club / downtown Granger / 512-859-0700 / 9 pm


Elgin, TX
Sunday, November 11

Tony Janek
Elgin SPJST Hall / 702 Hwy 95 in Elgin; 512-285-3100 / 3 pm


COMING SOON

Opens November 29:
The Ultimate Christmas Musical: The Musical
Salvage Vanguard Theatre / 2803 Manor Road / 8 pm; $15
Believe me, this is NOT your grandfather's Christmas musical!!!! You can trust me on this one. It will run Thursdays - Saturdays through Dec 22.



see ya on the dance floor,

chris

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Sloth Girl lives in my house

November 1-7

I have a note to myself where I can see it above my computer at home. It says "Earn your down time and then take it." Well, I gotta tell you folks, I have definitely been taking it the past couple of weeks. I. Am. Sloth. I had worked hard on Far Away so during the two week run I did basically nothing. Cleaned my studio. Did a load of laundry. Changed the sheets on the bed. That's about it.

But I gotta get out of sloth mode real fast here now. Today is NOVEMBER 1 and it's almost time to start obsessing about the holidays!

But before we do that, here's a video that addresses one of my favorite longest running obsessions. I try to find things that people do really, really well and share them with you because I have great appreciation and admiration for people who do things really, really well. But sometimes I find one that makes you go 'hmmm.' This is one of those. Hmmm. And that's all I have to say about that.





Thursday, November 1

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


Jim Stringer's AM Band
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

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

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


Jim Stringer's AM Band
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm


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


The Brew
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 10 pm


DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm
This will be the Austin Swing Syndicate's annual costume ball. Dress up for fabulous prizes!



Friday, November 2

DJd Milonga
Quadrangle Room / Texas Union Bldg; 24th at Guadalupe
I'm not sure what time this one starts, so contact kromreig@yahoo.com for full details.


Slavadillo
Triumph Cafe / 3808 Spicewood Springs / 7 pm
Some lovely world music in an intimate setting.

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

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

The Eggmen
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 7 pm (family)
Ouch! opens at 6. And besides, you'll want to get there early in order to get a table.

Texana Dames
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 /7:30 pm



Friday - Sunday, November 2 - 4

Fire Ant Frolic
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 6:30 pm Fri; 9 am Sat; 10 am Sun
All contra all the time (with a few waltzes and such thrown in , so I guess it's really not ALL contra, strictly speaking). Lots of live music, instruction, danacing, and fun. Click the link for all the details.



Saturday, November 3

Nash Hernandez Orchestra
Austin Rec Center / 1301 Shoal Creek / 8:30 pm
This is the Austin Ballroom Dancers annual halloween ball. Call 989-3939 for details.


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


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

Roger Wallace
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

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

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

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



Saturday & Sunday, November 3 & 4

Austin Celtic Festival
Fiesta Gardens / 2102 Bergman / 11 am (family)
This is a comfortably sized festival with everything from dance workshops to kids activities to entertainment by local and touring musicians including the amazing Patrick Street. Click the link for all the details and then put it on your calendar. The stages are covered, so it will be happening rain or shine.


Texas Book Festival
State Capitol Grounds
This is always a great event, but this year will be even more special because my pal Liz (also a reader of this list, so there's only 1 degree of seperation for all of us) is a featured panelist this year. She's just had her very first book published and she's already kicking ass! Click the link for all the details.


Sunday, November 4

Texas River School Fundaraiser
Scholz Garden / 1607 San Jacinto, 474-1958 / 4 pm; $15
Live music for dancing by Dale Watson. Click here for tix.

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

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

Red Elvises
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 7 pm (family)

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


Monday, November 5


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


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


Tuesday, November 6

Anonymous 4
One World Theatre / 7701 Bee Caves; 32-WORLD / 7 & 9:30 pm (family)

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

Dean Bob Sinatra & the Swang Thang
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 7 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



Wednesday, November 7


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



ROAD TRIPS

New Braunfels, TX
Friday-Sunday, November 2-11

Wurstfest
Wurst Hall
Click on the link for all the information you need to know -- from directions to schedule (like Brave Combo on Monday the 5th, for example).

Temple, TX
Saturday, November 3

Czech Feszt
Downtown Temple
Ahhh. This sure brings back memories. I grew up near Temple hearing Tex-Czech spoken on the streets and pondering the spelling/pronunciation of certain of my classmates' names. Horelica for example (pronounced hose-lick). Trdy. (yup, that's turdy). Live music starts at noon, though the festival starts at 8. Kolaches, dancing, polka music, beer, sausage and more, more, more.



COMING SOON

Sunday, November 11
Heralds and Minstrels
RedHouse ArtSpace / directions available with reservations / 3 pm; $10
This is a house concert featuring a wonderful Renaissance trio from Georgetown. Seating is limited, so call 923-2277 now to make your reservations.



see ya on the dance floor,

chris