What day is it anyway!

March 27-April 2

Wow, here it is Thursday morning and I never even realized it was time to write the list till about 11 last night. I'm working on the costumes for Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil, and even though the cast is small, it's a huge amount of work. I'm not complaining, mind you. Much of the work is done in thrift stores and vintage shops, two of my all time favorite work places. Then in the evenings I sit in front of my sewing machine, doing alterations or creating stuff from pictures. Who would have thought that that home ec class I took in high school would finally pay off? But there I sit, almost knowing what I'm doing! What fun!!!

But it does make time go away, and I almost hit the panic button last night when I went to turn off my computer (where I had been researching aprons from the 1930s) and I realized that (1) I hadn't written the list the week, yoiks; and (2) I was too tired to do it last night.

So. Maybe it will be a little late today, or a little skimpy. But here it is.

Somebody sent me this video last week, and it's simply too bizarre not to share. I learned the term 'uncanny valley' which totally applies to this, but I'm still not sure how to use the term correctly: I had an uncanny valley? This video is about an uncanney valley? This video made me uncanny valley all over myself? I'm not sure, but I do expect that you'll respond similarly. Enjoy.

Thursday, March 27

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

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

DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress Ave. / Austin, TX / 479-5002 / 10 pm

Dale Watson
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

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


Friday, March 28

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

Party with a Purpose
Spiros / 611 Red River / 8 pm; $7
This party, featuring the Latin sounds of Cerronato, Signos, and DJEBlo, will be a fundraiser for Los Monologos de la Vagina (one of my favorite projects) and Arte Sana.

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Uptown Dance - North / 8868 Research / 9 pm; $7-10
There will be a beginning swing & Charleston class at 8:15, so come early if you need to brush up on your basics (always a good thing to do).

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


Fridays-Sundays, March 28-April 6

Collexiones: Aztlan Dance Stories
Santa Cruz Center for Culture / 1805 E. 7th / 474-TIXS / 8 pm Fri & Sat; 2 pm Sun (family)
This is the newest offering from Aztlan Dance Company. Looks kind of interesting: there will be two "stories" -- the first explores a pre-Columbian myth, and the second one is called "Salon Boogaloo", which I would interpret as most decidedly post-Columbian.


Saturday, March 29

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

Jean Pierre & The Zydeco Angels
Nutty Brown / 1222 US 290 S.; 301-4648 / 6 pm; no cover (family)
This is Nutty Brown's 5th annual crawfish boil, and they've got 1000 pounds of mudbugs for your delectation, mmmmmm.

AIFD Open House
Hancock Rec Center / 41st at Red River / 7:30 pm
Austin International Folk Dancers invites you to come learn dances from around the world at their Spring open house. And I can say with absolute confidence that the open-house-snack-table is always yummy, mmmmmmm.

Saturday & Sunday, March 29 & 30

Zilker Garden Festival
Zilker Botanical Gardens / 2222 Barton Springs / 10am - 5 pm (family)
Lots of activites, flower shows, kids stuff, food and music by such folks as the Texana Dames, Zydeco Blanco, Bells of Joy, Austin Chamber Ensemble and more, more, more. Click the link for all the details.


Sunday, March 23

Dance in the Park
Zilker Hillside Theatre / 1-5 pm
This annual spring contra dance event is hoping (1) that it doesn't rain; and (2) that you will join them for dancing to live music by the Barton Spring SallemanderS. drempert@ix.netcom.com for more info.

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

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


Monday, March 24

Uptown Swingsters; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm (no cover); 10:30 pm ($7)

Charles Thibodeaux & The Austin Cajun Aces
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2596 / 6:30 pm

Elizabeth McQueen & the Firebrands
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd, 452-6790
I'm not sure what time, so give 'em a call.


Tuesday, March 25

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

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

Planet Casper
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 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, March 26

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 pm
The manager is trying to make Wednesday 'Swing Night' by hiring live musicians and clearing out tables for dancers. This appears to be a good replacement for Reed's.

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

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

Dale Watson
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 8:30 pm

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

Road Trips

Gruene, TX
Friday, March 28
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281
Yup, you read that right. I don't know what to say.



Coming Soon

Thursday, April 3 - Sunday, April 13
Cult of Color: Call to Color
Austin Ventures Studio Theatre / 501 W. 3rd
This collaboration between Ballet Austin's choreographer Stephen Mills, visual artist Trenton Doyle Hancock, and composer Graham Reynolds looks like total, TOTAL fun. Be sure to click the link and check out the website. If the performance is as cool as the website, then we're all in for a treat! And be honest -- don't you want to see this little guy dance? I know I do!


Saturday, April 5
Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival
18th & Congress / 10 am - 10:30 pm; $15/kids under 8 free (family)
Zydeco dance lessons at 1 & 3 pm and all the music (and crawfish) you can say grace over. Cedryl Ballou & The Zydeco Trendsetters; Chief Kevin; Marcus Ardoin & The Zydeco legendz; Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers, and that all time favorite -- MORE. Click the link for the full line-up.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

I dance, therefore I evolve

March 20-26

Mr. Ben got a cunning little gift for Christmas, something that's incredibly useful for so many occasions. It's a Worst Case Scenario calendar. Each day it tells you about an amazing (or usually not) survival story, or (best case scenario here), gives you advice that is sure to save your life. For example: how to escape a charging rhino. That's one I know I'll use a lot; and how I have survived for so long without that information, I will simply never know. Luck,I guess. Just pure dumb luck.

While you may think you might possibly detect just the tiniest touch of sarcasm in that last remark, let me say that one in a while the information is enormously life affirming. Last week, for example, the calendar offered a compelling argument for dancing. It says...

Tuesday, March 11. Today in Survival History: Evidence was released on this day in 2006 that suggests dancing may have been a key factor in the survival of early man. Motion was often used as a way for primitive humans to bond and communicate with one another, particularly during difficult times. Dancing was as a sacred ritual, and this ability could have given well-coordinated prehistoric humans an evolutionary advantage. Additionally, the study found that dancers, when compared to athletes in a control group, possessed genes that made them more social. The findings suggest that social bonds developed through communal dancing and singing would have been essential to survive the Ice Age.

I trust that dancing will see us through Global Warming as well. Needless to say, I chose this week's video specifically to add credence to this research. This is an interpretation of Zorba the Greek done by a group of Yolngu dancers (indigenous people of northeastern Australia). Check out the tall guy front & center. I hope he survives Global Warming! Or the next Ice Age. Or whatever.

Thursday, March 20

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

Johnny Gimble
Guero's / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm

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

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

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

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

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

Dale Watson
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

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


Friday, March 21

Arabic Hafla
Dougherty Arts Center / 1110 Barton Springs / 7:30 pm (family)
This event is sponsored by the ABA (Austin Bellydancing Association?) and will feature live music by Belaharr (one of my local favorites), bellydancing, refreshments and vendors selling cool stuff. It's free for ABA members; $8 for the public and $5 for kids.

Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar / 6:30 pm (family)
Featuring live music by Atash, 1001 Nights; and Bereket.

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

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

Los Super Vatos
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 8 pm
This is Bubba Hernandez's group, and let me tell you, they are awesome!

DJd Milonga
Gregory Gym Plaza / UT campus; 21st at San Jacinto / 6 pm; free (donations accepted)

DJd Swing Dance
Go Dance / 2525 Anderson Lane (in Northcross Mall) / 9:30 pm; $4-$6

The Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 7:30 pm
Yes, this is the Studebakers' regular gig, but it's also a fundraiser for Studebakers' Nigel Russell. Nigel lost his son Garrett in a car accident last month. All proceeds will go to help defray funeral expenses and set up a scholarship fund for Carrett's twin brother Duncan. Help 'em out if you can.

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



Fridays-Sundays, March 29-April 6

Collexiones: Aztlan Dance Stories
Santa Cruz Center for Culture / 1805 E. 7th / 474-TIXS / 8 pm Fri & Sat; 2 pm Sun (family)
This is the newest offering from Aztlan Dance Company. Looks kind of interesting: there will be two "stories" -- the first explores a pre-Columbian myth, and the second one is called "Salon Boogaloo", which I would interpret as most decidedly post-Columbian.


Saturday, March 22

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


Sunday, March 23

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

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

Giant City Sextet
Saengerrunde Hall / 1607 San Jacinto / 8 pm; $10
Wow, what a great place for a swing dance!


Monday, March 24

Uptown Swingsters; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 pm (no cover); 10:30 pm ($7)

Charles Thibodeaux & The Austin Cajun Aces
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2596 / 6:30 pm


Tuesday, March 25

Happy birthday, dear departed Granddaddy. You would have been 110 today.

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

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

Planet Casper
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 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, March 26

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 pm
The manager is trying to make Wednesday 'Swing Night' by hiring live musicians and clearing out tables for dancers. This appears to be a good replacement for Reed's.

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

Dale Watson
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 8:30 pm

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

Road Trips

Helotes, TX
Friday, March 21
Asleep at the Wheel
Floore Country Store / 9pm
Click here for tix.

Granger, TX
Friday, March 21
Chaparral
Cotton Club / 212 E. Davila / 8:30 pm


Coming Soon

Thursday, April 3 - Sunday, April 13
Cult of Color: Call to Color
Austin Ventures Studio Theatre / 501 W. 3rd
This collaboration between Ballet Austin's choreographer Stephen Mills, visual artist Trenton Doyle Hancock, and composer Graham Reynolds looks like total, TOTAL fun. Be sure to click the link and check out the website. If the performance is as cool as the website, then we're all in for a treat! And be honest -- don't you want to see this little guy dance? I know I do!


Saturday, April 5
Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival
18th & Congress / 10 am - 10:30 pm; $15/kids under 8 free (family)
Zydeco dance lessons at 1 & 3 pm and all the music (and crawfish) you can say grace over. Cedryl Ballou & The Zydeco Trendsetters; Chief Kevin; Marcus Ardoin & The Zydeco legendz; Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers, and that all time favorite -- MORE. Click the link for the full line-up.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

This is the week that is!

March 13 - 19

Aw man. I had this wonderful dream that I was walking through the Texas Union, and Willie Nelson was there giving a (free) concert. There were still a few seats available, but they were in the back, so I just sort of walked up front and parked myself right next to the stage. There was a little kitchen just off to the right, so I started unloading the dishwasher, and Willie came over and helped me and chatted for a while. What a nice dream.

Since I can't exactly show you my dream, I'll just share a clip of my hands-down number one favorite song ever recorded by Willie ever . Even though this clip is 28 years old, it simply just doesn't get better than this.


As you probably know (and if you don't then you've been living in a hole somewhere), this is THE week for music in Austin. We've got SXSW and all its alternative spin-offs; AND we've got St. Patrick's Day. Holy moly. An embarrassment of riches, and an annoyance of parking.

Kudos to John Conquest for compiling the closest-to-comprehensive list of NON-SXSW events I've been able to find. Rather than re-do all his typing, I'll just tell you to pick up a copy of 3rd Coast Music and follow it religiously. Or just throw the dice and pick a venue -- all of these are hosting non-SXSW events.

Antone's Record Shop
Artz Rib House
Central Market North
Counter Cafe
Evangeline Cafe
Flipnotics (Barton Springs AND Triangle locations)
Freddie's Place
Ginger Man
Hole in the Wall
Joe's Bar & Grill
Jovita's
Leeann's Barn
Maria's Taco Xpress
Mother Egan's Irish Pub
The Oaks
Opal Devine's (W. 6th AND Penn Field locations)
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe
Roadhouse Rags
Room 710
Sam's Town Point
Saxon Pub
Threadgill's (Riverside location)
Torchy's Taco's
Typewriter Museum
Waterloo Ice House (6th at Lamar AND W. 38th locations)
Waterloo Records
Yard Dog Folk Art Gallery
Zax

(John, if you're reading this, thanks a million!)



Thursday, March 13

Geno Delafose
Tesoro's / Congress at 2nd / 5 pm (FREE)
Probably not a lot of room to dance, but hey, it's a free show, and it's Gino!!!! (BTW, he'll be doing a SXSW show tonight at midnight at Momo's where there is a dance floor)

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

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

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

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

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

Dale Watson
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

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


Thru March 16:

Art Outside
Enchanted Forest / 1412 W. Oltorf / doors open 2 pm / $5 during the day, $10 at night, kids free (family)
Sorry I failed to get this in last week, since that's when it started. Nevertheless, there's still lots to do and see, including (but not limited to) a special reading of Vagina Monologues with writer Eve Ensler on hand to discuss the project (which starts at 6 pm on the 14th and will cost $15 -- and is also a benefit performance for the Katrina Warriors, a group that helps women and girls who are rebuilding the gulf coast area). Music, art, puppets, theatre, all kind of stuff going on in this festival. Check it out!


Friday, March 14

SWLA at SXSW
Roadhouse Rags / 1600 Fort View; 762-8797 / 2-8 pm
With crawfish and beer, of course, and live music by Bandryland; Jeffrey Broussard & The Creole Cowboys; The Lost Bayou Ramblers; & The Bluerunners. Despite the title, this does not appear to be a SXSW sanctioned event, woo hoo.

DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca / 37th at Guadalupe / 9 pm (no cover)

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


Friday & Saturday, March 14 & 15

Willie Nelson
The Backyard / 13101 Hwy 71 West / 7 pm; $47 (standing); $52 (seated)
Click here for tix.

Saturday, March 15

St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Things Celtic / 1806 W. 35th / 11am-5 pm; free (family)
11 AM - Beginning Irish Language Lesson with the Austin Gaelic League Noon -Abby Green 1 PM - The Bedlam Bards 2 PM - Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums 3 PM - SJ Tucker 4 PM - Doc Grauzer

Russian Folk and Rock Concert
Unity Church of the Hills / 9905 Anderson Mill Road; 459-1449 / 7 pm; $20 This event, sponsored by the Russian Speakers Society, will feature live music by Kalinka, Flying Balalaika Brothers, and the Russian dance troupe Uzori.

Mojo's Mayhem
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10am-6 pm (no cover)
Ok. This is where things start to get a little complicated. The Continental Club is a SXSW venue. BUT... during the day on Saturday, you don't need no stinkin' wristband to enjoy a number of very fine bands, including Brave Combo at 4 pm.

The Eggmen
Ego's / 510 S. Congress; 474-7091
I'm not sure of the starting time, so give 'em a call.

Third Saturday Contra Dance
St. Paul's Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 8 pm; $5-$8.
Featuring live music by Josephine's Secret. All dances taught; no partners needed. croth@austin.rr.com for more info.

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


Sunday, March 16

Fabulous Polkasonics
Mother Egan's / 715 W. 6th / noon

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


Monday, March 17

St. Patrick's Day Street Fest
In front of BD Riley's / 200 Block of E. 6th / 3pm-midnight
3:00pm The Tea Merchants 4:45pm Gilmer and Moore 6:00pm Clickety Cloggers 6:30pm Irish Dance Center 7:15pm Andy M. Stewart & Gerry O'Beirne 8:30pm Tommy Sands & His Irish Band 9:45pm South Austin Jug Band 11:00pm Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums

South St. Patrick's Day Festival Opal Divine's (Penn Field) / 3601 South Congress; 707-0237 / noon-10 pm noon: Andy White 2:00 pm: Spot 4:00 pm: Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums 5:00 pm: Rich Brotherton & Ed Miller 6:50pm: Black Irish 8:40 pm: Green Mountain Grass


Opal's St. Patrick's Day Festival Opal Divine's (Marina) /12709 Mopac at Parmer Lane; 733-5353 / noon-10 pm noon: Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums 2:00on: Rich Brotherton & Ed Miller 4:00 on: Green Mountain Grass 6:00 pm: Spot 7:40 pm: Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums 8:30 pm: Andy White


Saint Patrick's Day Party The Dog & Duck Pub /406 West 17th Street @ Guadalupe / 11 am - 10 pm 11 am Tea Merchants Noon: Capitol City Highlanders 1 pmL Poor Man's Fortune 3 pm: The Black Irish 4 pm: Johnny Hootrock 5 pm: Silver Thistle Pipes & Drums 6 pm: Floating Crowbar 7:30 pm: Ed Miller & Rich Brotherton 9 pm: Ian McLagan and The Bump Band

Join the Green Party Fado Irish Pub / 214 W 4th St.; 457-0172 / 12:15 pm - 11 pm 4th Street stage schedule: 12:15 pm: Tea Merchants 3 pm: The Eggmen (Beatles cover band) 6 pm: Mysterious Ways (U2 cover band) 8 pm: Traveler 10 pm: Blaggards Patio schedule: 1 pm: The Black Irish 3 pm: Floating Crowbar 5 pm: Traveler 7 pm: Blaggards 10 pm: Mysterious Ways

Uptown Swingsters; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / US 6:30 (no cover); DW 10:30 pm $5


Tuesday, March 18

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

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

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


Wednesday, March 19

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

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

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

Road Trips

Theon, TX
Saturday & Sunday, March 15 & 16
Grand Opening of Possum Creek Dance Hall
Possum Creek Dance Hall / 7705 FM 1105; 512-863-9633 / 3 pm-1 am Sat; noon-10 pm Sun
This is actually the re-opening of an old dance hall, recently purchased by a couple of dance regulars at the Broken Spoke. Beer & wine are on the house (TABC license pending). Kitchen will be open so you can buy a burger. Since this is their first weekend open, they would appreciate an RSVP so they can plan accordingly. Don't know who the bands are, but frankly, I don't think it matters. What's important is that an old dance hall is living and breathing again. (Theon, btw, is up IH 35 just a little north of Georgetown).


Coming Soon

Friday, March 21
Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar / 6:30 pm (family)
Featuring live music by Atash, 1001 Nights; and Bereket.
See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Flora confusion

March 6 - 12

My poor Christmas cactus is blooming again -- huge, georgeous blossoms. It obviously thinks it's an Easter lilly, and I simply don't have the heart to tell it otherwise. As long as it doesn't expect me to provide it with chocolate covered marshmallow bunnies I think we'll be OK (I don't think chocolate is good for plants).

So many things are almost here this week -- Easter, SXSW, all the SXSW alternative shows, somebody's birthday (blush, blush). Where to start? With a video, of course. One in the category of "holy crap, don't try this at home."

Thursday, March 6

Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon / 6:30 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dale Watson
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm


Thursday-Sunday, March 6-9

Long Center for the Performing Arts Open House
Long Center / Barton Springs @ South 1st
This looks like a good weekend to check out the newest, longest-awaited venue in town. Click here for a full schedule of events (folks like Tosca & Mundi and all the good ones like that). And here's some exciting news (exciting for me, anyway): I'm doing costume design for "Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil" which will be playing at the Long Center in April, woo hoo! More later, of course.


Friday, March 7

Texana Dames
Patsy’s Cowgirl Café / 5501 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm

Albert & 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

First Friday Contradance
Carpenters Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm; $8
Live music by the Flaming Kilts, which I admit appeals somewhat to my rather morbid curiosity and kilt fetish. sealantsby5@aol.com or 512-970-4919 for more info.

DJd Milonga
Texas Union Quadrangle Room / 23rd at Guadalupe / 8 pm


Saturday, March 8

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

Rattletree Marimba
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 6 pm; $10; $5 kids (kids under 5 free)
Ooh, doesn't this sound like fun? Live music from Zimbabwe (and beyond). With special guest Libby Kirkpatrick.

Cerronato
El Sol y La Luna / 1224 S. Congress; 444-7770 / 7:30 pm
Ahh, perfect sangria weather!

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


Sunday, March 9

Fabulous Polkasonics
Mother Egan's / 715 W. 6th / noon

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

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


Monday, March 10

Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:30 pm; $7


Tuesday, March 11

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

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

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


Wednesday, March 12

SXSW Goes Old School
St. David's Episcopal Church / 304 E. 7th / 9 pm; $10
OK, usually I exchew SXSW shows just on general principal: crowds, hype, and cost usually being the perfect combination to keep me away. BUT. Once in a while they throw a party that's too good to miss. This Boosey & Hawkes showcase will feature STEVE REICH (yes, THE Steve Reich), Michelle Schumann (Austin's own), SOLI Chamber Ensemble, Eddie Whalen, and So Percussion. How can you pass that up? Huh? How?

SXSW World Music Showcase
Copa / 217 Congress / 7 pm
OK, here's another one. Austin's own 1001 Nights will open the showcase at 7 pm, followed by Cassius Khan (Canada), Navruz (from Uzbekistan -- were they the same guys who were here before? Amazing!), Intuitive Music Orchestra (Russia); O Quarto das Cinzas (Brazil); Monareta (Colombia); and Dorian (Spain)

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

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

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

Road Trips

Belton, TX
Saturday, March 8
Texas Western Swing Fiddling Showcase
Bell County Expo Center / noon-midnight (family)
A full day of listening, eating, drinking, and dancing. Click the link for the full line-up.

San Antonio, TX
Saturday, March 8
Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Hermann Sons Hall / 515 S. St. Mary's; 210-6-5432 / 7:30 pm

Buckholts, TX
Sunday, March 9
Chris Rybak Band
Buckholts SPJST Hall / 3-6:30 pm; $7.50 (family)
This is it, folks --it's birthday party time. Hope you can make it. Let me know if you need directions.




Coming Soon

Friday & Saturday, March 14 & 15
Willie Nelson
The Backyard / 13101 Hwy 71 West / 7 pm; $47 (standing); $52 (seated)

See ya on the dance floor,

chris