Dismembered penises can be funny!

February 21-27

There are some things you probably shouldn't laugh at. Child abuse, rape, family dysfuntion, and dismembered penises come to mind. But if you're a playwright named Christopher Durang, these things are extremely funny. And if you're ME, you're thrilled to be part of ACC's production of Durang's play Betty's Summer Vacation, which just happens to be about those very things, and which opens tomorrow night, and which is outrageously funny.

My work for the show is pretty much done. All I have to do now is sit in the audience and pray that the person operating the sound board hits all the cues. That's the downside of being a control freak -- you can never truly relax when someone else is playing your cues!!!

In other news, I got a bassoon teacher!!!! I start lessons right after spring break, and I'm so excited! I've amazed myself at how much I've remembered/re-learned. But there are still some rough spots that need some help, so I've decided to hire someone to help me over them. I'm stoked.

And this week's video. Ah yes. There's a band coming to town this weekend (Golem) -- tonight, in fact; and I don't know if you know them or not yet, but you should. So I'm playing a short video from them this week to entertain you and to introduce you to them. Enjoy.

Thursday, February 14

Golem
The Parish Room / 214 E. 6th / 9 pm; $10
Didja like the video? I LOVE the music!

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

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

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Band of the Coldstream Guards
Frank Erwin Center / 1701 Red River; 477-6060 / 8pm $25-$45 (family)
I never get tired of men in kilts. Sigh. Click here for tix.

Hot Club of Cowtown
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm

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

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

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

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

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


Friday, February 22

Salsa Dance Fest
Texas Union Main Ballroom / 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm
This is an annual salsa event that is offered through Informal Classes. You can register online here. You'll want class no. 1405.601. It's $10 if you preregister. Or, if you don't want to be bothered, you can pay $15 at the door. Mini salsa lesson at 8, followed by The Brew at 9.

Texas Swing Kings
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 7 pm
But wait! There's more. I'll let Howard Kalish tell you about it. Take it away, Howard: In addition to the Texas Swing Kings, we’ll have 3, count ‘em 3, bands playing on the bill with us. Why are we having this special show? Well, as you may recall, the TSK played the Country Rendezvous Festival in Craponne, France in 2006. This week Georges Carrier, president of the festival, and his wife Jocelyn will be in Austin scouting bands for the 2009 festival. There were some bands we wanted them to hear that weren't already booked that weekend, so we set up a showcase for them at our Patsy's gig. The 3 bands are The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, The Doug Moreland Band, and the Matt Skinner Band. The music will start a 7pm and each band will play a selection of songs as an audition for Georges. Afterwards, the Texas Swing Kings will start up our regular show and have some guests artists from the various visiting bands join us as well.

R. Carlos Nakai and Udi Bar-David
One World Theatre / 7701 Bee Caves Rd; 330-9500 / 7 & 9:30 pm; $30-$71
Aaaahhh. Native American flute and cello. Doesn't that make your alpha waves happy?

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

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


Fridays - Sundays, Feb 22 - Mar 2

Betty's Summer Vacation
ACC Rio Grande Campus Main Stage / 1212 Red River / 8 pm Fri & Sat; 2 pm Sun.
Not recommended for the youngsters. But us not-so-youngsters will LOVE it! See you there? I'll be there opening night and on Saturday, too, as there are some folks coming in from out of town to see it.



Saturday, February 23

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

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

Brave Combo Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 9 pm (family)
I plan on being there after Betty's Summer Vacation is over. See you there? I have suggested to Jeffry Barnes (of Brave Combo) that he learn to play the Japanese War Tuba, pictured at right. I don't know if he's done it yet.

Third Saturday Contra Dance
St. Paul's Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 8 pm; $5-$8 Live music by the Rising Gorge Boys. mailto:Boys.croth@austin.rr.com for more info.

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


Sunday, February 17

Fabulous Polkasonics
Mother Egan's / 713 W. 6th; 478-7747 / noon - 3 pm
A little Polish, a little Irish, a lot of fun.

Texana Dames
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / 5 pm (family)

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th / 8 pm

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


Monday, February 18

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

Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Evangeline Café / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm (family)


Tuesday, February 19

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

Planet Casper;Johnny Cash Bash
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm; 9 pm
The Johnny Cash Bash is a fundraiser for KOOP radio and features Dale Watson, Rosie Flores & more.

Dale Watson (aka Dean Bob Sinatra & Swang Thang)
Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6:30 pm

Dale Watson & the Lone Stars
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 9 pm
Yup, you can catch Dale twice on Tuesdays.


Wednesday, February 28

The Brew
Speakeasy / 412 Congress; 476-8017 / 9:30 pm

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


ROAD TRIPS

Thursday - Sunday, Feb 21 - 24
Carmine, TX
Big Joe's Polka Show
Big Red Barn / on Hwy 237 between Round Top and Carmine / noon each day (family)
This is a four day taping session for the Big Joe Polka Show featuring a zillion polka bands (including my personal favorite, Brave Combo). Taping starts at noon each day, and we're all invited to come be part of the polka dancing live audience. Tix are $15 per day in advance, or $17.50 at the door. Click the link to see the phenomenal line-up of non-stop polka bands! WOW!!!!!

Elgin, TX
Saturday, February 23
Austin Lounge Lizards
Kingfisher Fine Art & Music / Ave. C & Depot St.; 512-281-5724/ 7:30 pm
Not only will you get to have some Lizard fun, you'll be helping support Elgin Parks.


COMING SOON

Friday, Feb 29
Irish Winter Night
Cactus Cafe / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe / 8 pm; $15
This wonderful Celtic event will feature the Brock McGuire Band, with Jeff Moore opening.

Saturday & Sunday, Mar 1 & 2
Texas State Arts Festival
Across the street from the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum / MLK at Congress / 10 am - 7 pm Sat; 10 am - 6 pm Sun (family)
This celebration of Texas Independence Day will feature such bands as That Damned Band (one of my newer favorites), Carolyn Wonderland, Cerronato, Grupo Fantasma and many more.

Sunday, March 9
Birthday Party Extravaganza
Buckholts SPSTJ Hall / TX 36 (US 190) in Buckholts, TX / 3-6:30 pm
That's right folks. You're invited to the coolest birthday party and field trip ever. The Chris Rybak Band will be playing, there's a huge, wonderful dance floor, AND... there will be cake. If you have a birthday in March, it's your party,too!

see ya on the dance floor,

chris