2008 is gonna be GREAT!

January 3-9

Happy new year, everybody. Hope 2008 is getting off to a good start for you. My very first act of the year, like at 12:01:47 am, was to fall off a merry go round in the dark, landing on my ass and finding it as funny as if, well, as if I'd been enjoying some funny stuff. Which I hadn't. Unless you think too much chocolate is funny.

I chose to accept that as a sign, a portent, of how 2008 is going to be for me: I try something. I assess the outcome. I laugh. I have fun. Yup, it's going to be a good year.

Several projects in the works already: I'm writing music for Steve Barney's new play "Preparing for Arrival and Cross Check" which goes up as part of the Frontera Long Fringe on Jan 25; I'm doing another sound design project for ACC's theater department for "Betty's Summer Vacation" which opens Feb 22. I'm writing a poem for a contest. The theme is "Rocky Horror Show at a Monastery." That should be interesting. AND....

And...

And... I bought a bassoon, and I'm re-learning how to play it. For someone who was once good enough to score a scholarship to study bassoon at college, I sure am a bad player now! A friend asked me the other night if I could get any noise out of it at all. Well, DUH. Noise is no problem. But music is another story altogether. Nevertheless, I did play a Christmas concert for Mr. Ben and he even recognized the song I was playing ('Jingle Bells'). So there's hope.

Let's start the new year with a giggle, OK? Here's something that should put a smile on your face:



Thursday, January 3

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

Jim Stringer & the 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

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

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

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


Friday, January 4

Kat's Meow
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500
I believe this is an early show, but you might wanna give 'em a call just to make sure.

Seth Walker
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:00 pm

First Friday Contradance
Carpenters Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm
Live music by the Lost and Nameless Orchestra. Beginners welcome. sealantsby5@aol.com or 970-4919 for more info.

Saturday, January 5

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

Ted Roddy & King Conjure Orchestra; Shaun Young & His New Blue Moon Boys
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 7 & 11 pm; $20
It's tribute-to-the-King time. Happy birthday, Elvis!

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

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

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


Sunday, January 6

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

Ted Roddy Elvis Tribute
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189
I'm not sure about the time on this one. Since it's on a Sunday it may be early. Or not. Give 'em a call.

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

Texas Swing Kings
Arts Ribhouse / 2330 S. Lamar / 6:30 pm (family)

Monday, January 7

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 & 10 pm
Dale will be doing an Elvis birthday tribute.

Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)
The band formerly known as the Bayou Cajun Band.


Tuesday, January 8

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

Dale Watson
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300

Wednesday, January 9

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

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

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

Granger, TX Saturday, Jan 5
Ricky Calmbach
Cotton Club / 212 E. Davila / 9 pm; $10


COMING SOON

Tuesdays-Saturdays Jan 15-Feb 16
Frontera Fest
Various times/various venues
Last year, after four consecutive years participating in Frontera, I decided to give it a break. Of course I did not. So this year, after FIVE years in a row, I decided that this time I really mean it. NOT. I'm writing music for Steve Barney's new play "Prepare for Arrival and Cross Check" which will open at the Blue Theatre as part of the long fringe on Jan 25. So come see it for sure, for sure! Or check out the short fringe at the Hyde Park Theatre -- 5 short plays per night, different every night!

see ya on the dance floor,

chris