Taking a break

Dec 27 - Jan 2

Your old pal Chris is taking a break this week. Come back next week for more exciting adventures on the dancefloor and elsewhere. In the meantime...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Christmas is coming, the geese (and Chris) are getting fat...

December 20-26

First of all, ladies and gentlemen, the dragon. Many, many thanks to those of you who donated CDs or who actually came over and helped sew them on! It was a huge hit. And many thanks to photographer Dale Rempert for these lovely portraits/action photos. When I look at the portrait on the left, I think, "Awww, that's my sweetie, Mr. Ben. And to think I made him who he is today. And I've created a monster." The photo on the right was taken at Lovejoy's on our pubcrawl (the photographer was also our designated driver; how convenient is THAT?!?!?), and I think "Behind every great man there's a woman," and that is literally true in this case. You can barely see my yellow/orange legs holding up the rear end of the dragon in this shot, but there I am.

Now the countdown to Christmas has truly begun. I'm actually not very good at countdowns; I was told there would be no math. However, this week's video proves that even the mathmatically challenged can find pleasure in the holiday spirit. Enjoy.




Thursday, December 20

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

Charles Thibaux & The Austin Cajun Aces
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Canon; 358-7474 / 6:30 pm (family)

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

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

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

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

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

Cienfuegos; Albert & Gage
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 3:30 pm; 8 pm (family)

Johnny Who; Miss Lavelle White
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)
There's no reason on earth you need ever set foot inside a shopping mall with these fabulous alternative shopping opportunities!


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, December 21

Dale Watson
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300
I'm not sure what time they get started, so give 'em a call.

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

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

Asleep at the Wheel
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 9:00; $15.00

Sara Hickman; Mary Hattersley's Blazing Bows; Ruthie Foster
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 3:30; 6:00; 8 pm (family)

Marcus Graf Quartet; Natalie Zoe; Terri Hendrix
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 5:30; 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)


Saturday, December 22

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

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

The Eggmen; Derailers; Van Wilks
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 3:30; 6:00; 8 pm (family)

Circus Yogis; Wendy Colonna; Ponty Bone; Elana James
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 12:00; 3:00; 5:30; 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)

Therapy Sisters
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 7:30 pm
These gals know how to put the FUN in dysfunction!


Sunday, December 23

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

Heybale; Shelly King Band; Ponty Bone & the Squeezetones
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 12:30; 3:30; 6:00; 8 pm (family)

Magical Michael; Passed Out Flyers; Bonnie Holmes; The Greyhounds
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 12:00; 3:00; 5:30; 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)

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


Monday, December 24

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)

Django's Moustache; Carolyn Wonderland; Texana Dames
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 3:30; 6:00; 8 pm (family)


Tuesday, December 25

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dale Watson's Annual Christmas Show
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm; $10

Wednesday, November 26

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

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

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

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


ROAD TRIPS

Who's got time for a road trip?!?!?!??! I'm going to see my mama.


COMING SOON

Monday, December 31
Brave Combo
St. Paul's Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 8:30 $40-$50
This is Austin Ballroom Dancer's NYE party. What could be better than ringing in the new year with Brave Combo? It's the closest thing to world peace I think we'll see in our lifetime.

Monday, December 31
First Night Austin
Downtown / all evening / (family)
Check out the website for a list of diverse and eclectic (is that redundant?) activities for you and the whole family.

see ya on the dance floor,

chris

Christmas Dragon on the Loose

December 13-19

The dragon makes its debut tonight, woo hoo! This is the night we do the pubcrawl, and you're invited to join us, throw money at us, buy us beer, or just laugh and enjoy the show. Keep reading for all the details.

And tomorrow is the night the local Christmas bazaars open their doors for shopping and live music. Tomorrow also happens to be the day I finally get up into the attic and find all my Christmas stuff and bring it downstairs so the house can be pretty.

I do not decorate my house like the one in this video.


Christmas Lights Gone WIld

Thursday, December 6

Pratts Bottom Mummers Annual Pub Crawl
Various Venues/ Various times
One night only! See St. George slay the (singing) dragon. FOUR TIMES! Yes, THE dragon you've heard so much about. It SINGS! In HARMONY with itself. So this is what you do -- (a) join us on our appointed rounds as we deliver English style hilarity to various pubs in Austin; or (b) pick one and meet us there. We love having friends in the audience. Times are approximate, but here's the sched:
8 pm Dog & Duck Pub, 406 W. 17th
8:30 pm Mother Egan's, 715 W. 6th
9 pm Lovejoy's, 604 Neches
10 pm The Draught House (formerly known as the Draught Horse), 4112 Medical Parkway

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

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

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

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

That Damned Band
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm
Hey, how cool is this. You know that Hannukah party I went to last week? It was at That Damned Band's house! These guys play some great Eastern Europeanish tunes. Check 'em out!

Solomon Douglas' Orchestra
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm
It's time to dig out the fancy duds for the Winter Formal sponsored by Austin Swing Syndicate.


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, December 14

Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 9:30 pm
I guess you know where I'll be on Friday night, eh?

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

Austin Lounge Lizards
Cactus Cafe / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe; 475-6515 / 8:30 pm; $18

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

Jimmy LaFave
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 8 pm (family)
Yup, the Armadillo starts this weekend, and I'm told by Those Who Know that the new venue has adequate dance space, woo hoo!

Dance Lab; Dimitri's Ascent; Topaz
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 5:30; 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)
There's no reason on earth you need ever set foot inside a shopping mall with these fabulous alternative shopping opportunities!


Saturday, December 15

Albert & Gage Band
Donn’s Depot / 1600 W. 5^th; 478-0336 / 9 pm

The Resentments; Terri Hendrix; Eliza Gilkyson
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 12:30; 3:30; 8:00 pm (family)

Soniquete; The Blue Hit; Raina Rose; Tribal Moon Dance; White Ghost Shivers
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 12:00; 3:00; 5:30; 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)

3rd Saturday Holiday Contra Dance
St. Paul Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 8 pm; $8 Live music by Perfect 5th. 453-8936 or croth@austin.rr.com for more info.

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

Texana Dames; Jim Stringer's AM Band
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5501 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 4 pm; 8 pm (family)


Sunday, December 16

Wassail 2007
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 Singing Dragon!!!!! Yes, indeed. The dragon is finished, woo hoo! It's gonna be a GREAT show! Super family friendly. And proceeds go to Kids for Kids, a charity organization helping out children in the Darfur region of the Sudan.

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

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

James Hand
Jovita's / 1619 S. 1^st; 447-7825 / 8:00 pm (family)

Cyril Neville; Marsha Ball's Pianorama; WC Clark
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 /12:30; 3:30; 8:00 pm (family)

Magical Michael; The Eggmen; Harry Bodine; Bruce Balmer; Patrice Pike
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 12:00; 3:00; 5:30; 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)

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


Monday, December 17

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)

Austin Lounge Lizards
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 8 pm (family)
It's just not Christmas without a little holiday sacrilege from the Lizards.

The Washingtons; Papa Mali
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)


Tuesday, December 11

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

Ray Benson
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 8 pm (family)

Earth Tone Players; Carolyn Wonderland
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)

Wednesday, November 12

Ray Wylie Hubbard
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar / Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2 / 8 pm (family)

Denim; The Belleville Outfit
Keep Austin Bizarre / Palmer Auditorium; 1st at Riverside / 7:30; 9:30 pm (family)

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

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


ROAD TRIPS

Who's got time for a road trip?!?!?!??!


COMING SOON


Thursday, December 20
Celtic Christmas at the Cathedral
St. Mary's Cathedral / 10th & Brazos / 8 pm; $22 at Things Celtic; $19 online (family)
Local and international celtic artists; Irish dancers; bagpipes; Schola Cantorum of St. Mary's. Not to be irreverent, but Mr. Ben and I were having a conversation last night about how cold it must get under a kilt. Do things get chafed? Does one wear long johns? Can some of you kilt wearers help me out here? Inquiring minds want to know.

see ya on the dance floor,

chris

Making a list, checking it twice. Still screwing up.

December 6-12

This is the time of year when I live by lists and calendars and still make mistakes. I missed an appointment on Monday. But to make up for it, I went to a Tuesday night appointment on Monday night. I called my Wednesday appointment to tell him I wouldn't be there since I had a meeting to attend, but it wasn't Wednesday. Jeez!

Still, I am managing to check things off the list:

Root canal -- done
Dragon -- finished
Cat -- fed
Christmas cactus -- blooming

OK, those last two weren't particularly significant; and the last one I actually just sort of sat back and watched. But it feels good to mark things off, y'know? Especially when there are still so many waiting for me. Including parties, of course.

I went to a Hannukah party on Tuesday night (first night of Hannukah) and have a Christmas party to go to tomorrow night. And a birthday party on Saturday.

And speaking of Hannukah, this week's video is total Hannukah fun with some local folks -- The Ridgetop Syncopators. Enjoy.



Thursday, December 6

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

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

A Child's Christmas in Wales
Harry Ransom Center / 21st at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 7:00 pm; free
Featuring local jazz greats Suzi Stern, Alex Coke & Rich Harney. This show will be repeated (but not for free) on Tuesday, so you've got a second chance to catch it if you can't make this one. Seating is limited for tonight's show, so get there early.

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

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

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


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, December 7

Lucky Strikes
City Hall Plaza / 301 W. 2nd / noon
Looks like it's going to be a lovely day for a little lunch time dancing.

First Friday Contradance
Carpenter's Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm; $8
Live music by the Rising Gorge Boys. This is a smoke free, fragrance free event. No partners needed; all dances taught. sealantsby5@aol.com 512-970-4919 for more info.

DJd Milonga
Texas Union Building, Quadrangle Room / 23rd at Guadalupe / 8 pm
Bring a snack to share. iamkyungjoo@gmail.com for more info.

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

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

The Gourds
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 9 pm; $15
Great music benefitting SIMS. Be there!

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


Saturday, December 8

The Swingsters
Victory Grill / 1104 E. 11th / 8 pm
Plenty of room to dance in this historic venue.

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

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

Dr. Zog
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 9 pm


Sunday, December 9

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

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

Los T-Birds
Club in the Mixx / 2355 E. Hwy 71 (across from ABIA); 389-1507 / 4 pm (family)
Bring the kids. This traditional tardeada is a totally family friendly event.

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


Monday, December 10

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 11

A Child's Christmas in Wales
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 7:30 pm $14
Featuring local jazz greats Suzi Stern, Alex Coke & Rich Harney.

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

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


Wednesday, November 12

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

Erik & the Gypsy Tribe
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm

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


ROAD TRIPS

San Antonio, TX
Thru Saturday, December 6-8
Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza
Municipal Auditorium / 100 Auditorium Circle
Every year I tell myself I'd really like to get down to San Antonio for this event, and every year I get busy, busy, busy. Why does it have to happen at the busies time of my year?!?!?!? Why? Why? Why?


COMING SOON

Friday, December 14
Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 9:30 pm
Holiday polka dances were a huge part of my growing up in a small Czechcentric central Texas town. One of my most lasting visual memories is of the older girls admiring their shiny new Christmas engagement rings on their left hands resting on the shoulder of their fiance's shoulder while they danced. I went to all the Christmas and New Year's dances at Cyclone, Westphalia, Buckholts. Yup, Christmas and polka music just sort of go together for me.

Friday - Monday, December 14-24
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Austin Convention Center / Exhibit Hall 2; 500 E. Cesar Chavez
Note the new location. Same wonderful exhibitors and live music. Click the link for the whole schedule.

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 Singing Dragon!!!!! Yes, indeed. The dragon is finished, woo hoo! It's gonna be a GREAT show! Super family friendly. And proceeds go to Kids for Kids, a charity organization in the Darfur region.

see ya on the dance floor,

chris