Take me out to the ballgame

July 24-30

Last night Mr. Ben and I went to Holland, Texas to watch Little Princess Luluchild (my 8 year old granddaughter) play softball in the State Championship tournament. It was waaaaaaaaaay more stressful than it should have been. But... after warming the bench for most of the game the princess scored the winning run and ended up as the night's hero(ine). I had forgotten how harshly competitive kids sports are. Frankly, I'm just not that bloodthirsty myself. Nevertheless, I will admit it was an exciting game and I'm glad they won and advanced to the next round (so we didn't have to watch another game at 9 o'clock). That was about all the excitement I could handle for one evening.

It was more fun than roofing and exterminating and broken windows and health problems. Still, speaking only for myself, I think I'd rather stick to theaters and dance halls.


Thursday, July 24

Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
The Domain / 6:00pm ; free (family)
They'll be playing on the patio near Joe DiMaggio's -- assuming it's not raining.

Johnny Gimble
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)
True, we need the rain. But these outdoor shows may take a hit.

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

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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm; $2-$5

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

Billy Dee
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Rd; 458-1813 / 9 pm

Belleville Outfit
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm

Check the weather before you go.

DJd Milonga
Thai Passion / 620 Congress, Suite 105 / 9:30 pm


Thru July 26

Kidnapped by Craigslist
Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 8 pm Thurs; 8 & 10 Fri & Sat; $12-$25
Want to buy a couch? Find a date? Complain about your roommate? Your boss? Your sketchy neighbor that sleeps in his doghouse? Wanna hear our interview on KUT? Read a review? I get to play a chicken, a marching cockroach, a sumo wrestling m&m, a crazy lazy with a pot on her head, a good-hearted redneck and MORE! And... We've added two shows -- 10 o'clock on Friday and Saturday nights. To charge by credit card, call 474-TIXS or visit www.texasperforms.com.

Thursday, July 24 & Sunday, July 27

Skate!
Playland Skate Center / 8822 McCann Dr / 8 pm This is a production of Allison Orr's Forklift Danceworks and will feature some of Austin's best skaters. Can you say fun on four wheels?


THRU Sunday, August 9

Beauty and the Beast
Zilker Hillside Theatre / 8:30 pm (family) $3 parking
This summer's musical is one the entire family will love. Runs Thursdays thru Sundays.


Friday, July 25

Music Under the Star
Bob Bullock Museum / MLK at Congress / 6 pm; free (family)
This week's featured music is by El Tule. Free music, free exhibits, not-free food and drinks available on site. Free parking. BYOLawnchairs/blankets.

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

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

Djd Milonga
Esquina Tango /209 Pedernales; 524-2772 / 7 pm; no cover

Bear and the Essentials
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Rd; 458-1813 / 9 pm


Friday - Sunday, July 25-27

Americn Repertory Ensemble
McCullough Theatre / UT PAC; 2350 Robert Dedman Dr. / Fri & Sat 8 pm; Sat & Sun 2 pm; $15-$25

Saturday, July 26

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Central Market (central) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm

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

Nash Hernandez Orchestra
Donn's Depot / 1600 W. 5th; 478-0336 / 9 pm
Austin's historic big band playing in one of Austin's coolest bars.

Hot Club of Cowtown
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm


Sunday, July 20

Rattletree Marimba
Central Market (central) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)
Yup, this one is actually in the evening, and not a Sunday brunch.

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

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442 / 7 pm (?)
I'm never quite sure about the time at the Oasis. Give 'em a call.

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Hartman Concert Park at the Long Center / 701 W. Riverside Dr. / 7:30 pm; free (family)
This week features the mixed woodwind ensemble playing light classics.

Heybale
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:00 pm; $7

Jitterbug Vipers
Momo's / 618 W. 6t; 479-8848 / 10:45 pm


Monday, July 21

Marshall Ford Swing Band; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / MFSB 6:30 (no cover); DW 10; $5

Charles Thibodeaux & The Austin Cajun Aces
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie; 282-2586 / 6:30 pm

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (in the Domain); 835-5633 / 7 pm


Tuesday, July 22

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

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

Dale Watson
The Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 7 pm

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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 9:40 pm
This is the weekly FREE dance after Four on the Floor's lessons.


Wednesday, July 16

Oliver Rajamani
Pharas Mediterrarean and Middle Eastern Restaurant / 111 E. North Loop / 8 pm

Atash
The Red Fez / 209B W. 5th / 11:30 pm

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

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

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

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


ROAD TRIPS

Gruene, TX
Friday, July 25
Derailers
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 9:00 pm

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, July 15
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 8:30 pm; $4
This is a great little, quick little mid-week get-away.


COMING SOON

Thurs - Sat, August 7-9
Merry Wives of Windsor
Vortex / 2307 Manor Road / 8 pm
OMG, I'm doing Shakespeare! This is the annual offering from the Weird Sisters, an all female Shakespeare production company. And this year I get to be Weird (though my mother would probably ask, 'what else is new?')


See ya on the dance floor (or in the theater!),

chris