Chris Picks

So long, farewell, auf weidersehen, good-bye

2008-08-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yup, folks, this is it. I'm hanging up my calendar. It's been at least 15 years, maybe more. I've made new friends, kept in touch with old ones, evolved from e-mail to website to blog, danced a zillion miles, made discoveries, told some really bad jokes, mourned the loss of some of the greats.

Back in the day when I was working full time at a steady day job, this calendar could be created in "stolen" moments, spread out over the course of a week. Now that I'm semi-retired and have "more time" (???), I find that that the hours I'm not working at my day job are spent working at all the freelance things I do. And whatever the project du jour, it seems to eat into the time I could spend on this calendar. One week it might be theatre rehearsals, another week it's editing a doctoral dissertation, still another week it might be composing music on a deadline.

The bottom line is that I'm not finding the time to personally scout talent the way I once could; I'm not finding the time to do thorough searches to make this the comprehensive calendar it once was; and, of course, I'm not finding the time I need to actually write it.

So...

This is it.

My swan song, as it were.

Thank you for your support, your comments, your feedback, and even your corrections through the years. It's been fun, and I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.

Fall on the way? Maybe? Please?

2008-08-13T11:56:00.001-07:00

August 21-27

The Olymics are almost over. We've had rain and cooler temperatures a couple of days this week. Crickets are filling up the UT tower again and students are filling up the streets and sidewalks. It gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, summer will end some day. Still don't have the new roof on my house, but maybe, just maybe, that will happen, too.

Thursday, August 21

The Fabs
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)
Great 60s cover band. All the songs you loved in high school (assuming you're part of the Forever Young generation).

Jitterbug Vipers
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

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

Friday, August 22

The Eggmen
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442 / 7 pm

Cornell Hurd Band
Nutty Brown / 12225 Hwy 290 W; 301-4648 / 7:30 pm; $5

DJd Milonga
Uptown Dance Studio / 8868 Research Blvd, Ste. 706 / 9 pm; $5 ($3 for students)

Two Hoots & a Holler; Derailers
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10:00; 12:00

Saturday, August 23

1001 Nights
Central Market / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)
Sounds like 1001 reasons to spend the evening at Central Market, hmm?

Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2330 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 7:30 pm (family)

Will Taylor & Strings Attached
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm; $15-$20
They'll be performing Rubber Soul live.

Cornell Hurd Band
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6180/ 9:00 pm
Now this is a truly, TRULY special night. It's KOOZIE NIGHT. The first 200 people in the door get a komplimentary koozie. What could possibly be better than that?

Sunday, August 24

Cerronato
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 3:00 pm (family)

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 is the last week of the series and features the big band, so bring your dancing shoes!

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

Monday, August 25

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11491 Century Oaks Ter; 835-5633 / 6 pm

Tuesday, August 26

Glovertango
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 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, August 27

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROAD TRIPS

I'm sure there's something out there. Maybe I'll find it.

COMING SOON

Gruene, TX
Friday-Sunday, August 29-31
Westfest
Featuring all the polka bands you love most, including Brave Combo, and the Vrazels Polka Band farewell performance. Not to mention beer, kolaches, and food on sticks! Somebody needs to tell the Westfest folks, though, that they're jumping the gun on this traditional Labor Day weekend event. Labor Day is still in September, don't you know.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Showtime again!!!

2008-08-06T21:13:00.000-07:00

August 7-13

We almost got started on the roofing this week. Some of the supplies were delivered, only damaging my neighbor's brand new arbor a little bit, sheesh. Then Tropical Storm Eduardo gave the roofing company a reason to take a break, even though he (Eduardo) was, shall we say, less than inspiring? So I'm still awaiting delivery of the rest of the stuff, and THEN maybe they'll come put a new roof on my house. One of these days.

In the meantime, I've been rehearsing my ass off because TONIGHT IS OPENING NIGHT for Merry Wives of Windsor, woo hoo!

Thursday, August 7

Ruben Ramos y Los Flames
Gureo's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)

Glovertango
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm
This is the last Thursday tango at Lambert's for a while, as Glovertango will be switching to Tuesdays.

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

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

Thursday - Saturday, August 7-9

Merry Wives of Windsor
The Vortex / 2307 Manor Road / 8 pm; $5-$20
One weekend only! The elegant and clearly deranged Weird Sisters (my earthy, all female, all feminist, all Kumbaya, all the time theatre group) are doing Shakespeare's classic sitcom, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Western-style. It's hilarious and full of pinnace jokes, cudgel jokes, and vague gestures at our crotches. It's the Lone Ranger, I Love Lucy, Bye Bye Birdie, Giant, HUD, and 17th-century England in a tequila slammer. It's bawdy, funny, and full of boots and boobs.Tickets are pay what you wish from $5 to $20. Really, pay what you feel like. It's cool.

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, August 8

Djd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca / 519 W. 37th (at Guadalupe); 372-5383 / 9 pm

Asylum Street Spankers
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm; $15

Saturday, August 9

Bubba Hernandez & Los Super Vatos AND The Invicible Czars
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / LSV 7:30 pm; IC; 10 pm $7 for both bands
What a great line-up, and what a great price!!!!

Charles Thibodeaux & the Cajun Aces
Roadhouse Rags / 1600 Fortview / 7 pm
The Leroi Brothers will be playing, also.

Rajamani Ensemble
Cactus Cafe / Texas Union Building; 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm; $10

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

White Ghost Shivers
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 10 pm; $10

Sunday, August 10

Tribute to Steve Jordan
H&H Ballroom / 4404 Brandt Road; 282-1143 / 3-8 pm; $15
Holy flipping moly! What a line-up: Little Joe y La Familia; Los Pinkys; Max Baca & the Texmaniacs; Ernie Garibay; Joanna Ramirez; Johnny Degollado y su Conjunto; Mariachi Corbetas; Larry Lange & his Lonely Knights; Texana Dames, and -- dare I say it? YES -- MORE, including, of course Esteban Jordan himself!!!!! And you get ALL this -- that's five hours of music -- for only $15. That's a measly $3 an hour.

Ted Roddy
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 3:00 pm (family)

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 brass ensemble.

Jitterbug Vipers; The Bellevillt Outfit
Momo's / 618 W. 6t; 479-8848 / 8:30 pm; 9:45 pm

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

Monday, August 11

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11491 Century Oaks Ter; 835-5633 / 6 pm

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

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

Tuesday, August 12

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

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

Glovertango
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm
Twice in one week! Tango night at Lambert's is switching to Tuesday (but you knew that already, because I told you on Thursday's listing, and I know you read EVERY word).

Buck Owens Memorial Birthday Bash
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 7:30 pm; $10
The list of performers is even longer than the one for the Steve Jordan do on Sunday. Billy Dee, Jim Stringer, Roger Wallace, Jesse Dayton, Lucky Tomblin, and more, more, more! And proceeds benefit the Center for Child Protection, so you can have some fun and help out a good cause all at the same time.

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, August 13

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

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

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

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

ROAD TRIPS

Helotes, TX
Friday, August 8
Two Tons of Steel
Floores Country Store / 9 pm
If you can fine Helotes, you can find Floores. Nevertheless, here's a link for directions if you need them.

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, August 12
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

Something pretty damn spectacular, but I don't know what it is yet. Stay tuned!

See ya on the dance floor (or in the theater! -- anywhere it's air conditioned),

chris

2008-07-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

July 31-August 6

Elizabethan English fits so well on a Texas tongue! Who knew?!?!? Which is to say, the Merry Wives of Windsor rehearsals are going splendidly. I've always been a little intimidated about trying my hand at Shakespeare, but I'm finding it's really, really, I mean, like, REALLY fun. This is one of those intense experiences where we have only a week and a half to rehearse together before we mount the show. Of course, we've been learning lines all summer, and building the wardrobe, designing the set and all that. But the actual rehearsing started on Sunday and we're having a ball. Shakespeare was one funny mofo! I'm just sayin'.

I dang near succombed to the heat, though, earlier this week -- and that's no fun, lemme tell you! This is the summer that has made me seriously consider moving somewhere cooler. After spending all my life in Texas and never acclimating to the heat, I'm beginning to consider my options. Where can I go where I can still be active in theater and music but where I don't have to stay indoors with the air conditioner blasting six months out of the year? My son told me that the four seasons in Texas are (1) almost summer; (2) summer; (3) still summer; and (4) I forgot what the last one was. Let's just say it's 'almost summer again.' I'm just about ready to sell the house and move to, hell, I don't know -- Flagstaff? I'm beginning to think that staying in a bad climate is like staying in a bad marriage. Granted, it's easier to stay than it is to go, but seriously...

If it wasn't so dang hot, here's what I'd be doing all week...

Thursday, July 31

Rumbullion
Central Market (south) / 4477 S. Lamar/ 6:30 pm (family)

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

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

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

Jim Stringer & the AM Band
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 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

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

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, August 1

Albert & Gage
Central Market (central) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)

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

Slavadillo
Triumph Cafe / 3808 Spicewood Springs / 7 pm

Djd Milonga
Texas Union Showroom / 23rd at Guadalupe / 8 pm; no cover

Texana Dames
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm; $5

First Friday Contradance
Carpenter's Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm
Live music by the Lost and Nameless Orchestra. 970-4919 for more info.

Will Taylor & Strings Attached Beatles Show
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm; $15

The Eggmen
Rock City Ice House / 6406 N. IH 35, Suite 1100; 467-7244 / ?pm
I haven't been to this relatively new venue, but it's pretty centrally located. Give 'em a call to see what the start time is.

Saturday, August 2

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

Hayes Carll
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 10 pm; $12-$15

The Eggmen
Fado / 214 W. 4th; 457-0172 / 10 pm

Sunday, August 3

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

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 big band music. Bring your dancing shoes!

Jitterbug Vipers; Warren Hood & the Hoodlums
Momo's / 618 W. 6t; 479-8848 / 8 pm; 9:30 pm

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

Monday, August 4

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

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

Tuesday, August 4

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, August 6

Flying Balalaika Brothers
Central Market (south) / 4477 S. Lamar/ 6:30 pm (family)

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

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

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

ROAD TRIPS

Coupland, TX
Friday, August 1
Two Tons of Steel
Coupland Dance Hall / 101 Hoxie; 512-856-2226/ 9:00 pm

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, August 5
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
This is the annual offering from the Weird Sisters, an all female Shakespeare production company, and we're doing Shakespeare's play most closely resembling a sitcom! Set in the Texas ranch country during the 1950s...think GIANT. It's a laugh a minute, and I know you're gonna love it!!!

See ya on the dance floor (or in the theater! -- anywhere it's air conditioned),

chris

Take me out to the ballgame

2008-07-24T05:39:00.000-07:00

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

It's not too late to step right up!

2008-07-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

July 17-23

We ended our first weekend of Kidnapped by Craigslist totally stoked, revved and generally excited about doing it again this weekend (and next). Here's a review if you don't believe me when I tell you how funny it is. Somebody else thinks so, too -- someone who's not in the cast or crew, yee haw! If ticket sales continue this well, we may even add a couple of shows. You know you want to see it, so make your reservations now(see below for info).

Meanwhile my loop of doom continues -- such is my lot in life this summer -- though now I'm thinking of it as less of a loop and more of a spiral. Fortunately, the spiral is getting wider which gives me a little breathing room. The days are flying by and it will be fall before you know it (assuming we survive the summer). Still don't have my new roof, still haven't got my thyroid stabilized, but July is half gone and I haven't died from the heat yet (though I have often wanted to, just so I wouldn't have to deal with it any more), so I'm considering that as positive. And if I could just get healthy enough to do something besides sleep (which is all I do when I'm not working or at the theater), then there are certainly plenty of things to choose from...

Thursday, July 17

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

Charles Thibodeaux & The Austin Cajun Aces
Cyrpress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon; 358-7474 / 6:30 pm

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

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

Tosca String Quartet
Jessen Auditorium / 21st St. (next to Littlefield Fountain) / 7:30 pm
Come out and hear the TSQ do a tribute to the Beat Generation. For FREE!

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

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

Thursdays - Saturdays, Thru July 26

Kidnapped by Craigslist
Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 8 pm; $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? Kidnapped by Craigslist is a unique new comedy that explores the carnivalesque, cult-like phenomenon that is Craigslist. Combining actual postings from the Austin website with scripted material, the show tells the true stories locked inside an online community that has shaped and inspired today's internet generation. As for me, 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! To charge by credit card, call 474-TIXS or visit www.texasperforms.com.

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 18

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

Mr. Fabulous & Casino Royale
Central Market (central) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30ish; free (family)

Larry Lange & The Lonely Knights
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)

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

Texas Swing Kings
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5501 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm (family)

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

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

Saturday, July 19

Dale Watson, Rosie Flores & more
Sams Town Point / 2115 Allred Dr.; 282-0083 / noon - 6 pm This is a benefit event put on by friends for a friend with cancer. So be a friend by being there!

Rockin' Cajun Jamboree
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 2 pm; $10
Last month's polka jamboree was such a success that the Spoke is asking for MORE, yee haw! July's soirree will feature Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Ace; RickTwo Hoots & a Holler and The Gulf Coast Playboys.

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm

Argentine Independence Celebration/Djd Milonga
Esquina Tango /209 Pedernales; 524-2772 / 7 pm; $5 (kids under 6 free)

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

Third Saturday Contra Dance
Carpenter's Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm; $5-8
Live music by the Flaming Kelts (former the Flaming Kilts?). croth@austin.rr.com for more info.

Austin Lounge Lizards
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm; $10

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

Zydeco Blanco
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444; 9 pm

Two Hoots & A Holler
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Rd; 458-1813 / 9 pm

Sunday, July 20

Bourree Texane
Central Market (south) / 4477 S. Lamar; 899-4300 / 12:30 pm
Breton, French & Cajun music.

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 large string ensemble playing light classics.

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

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

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

Hot Club of Cowtown
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30; no cover

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

Fredericksburg, TX
Friday & Saturday, July 18 &19
Night in Old Fredericksburg
Downtown Market Square / 6 pm (Fri); 11:30 am (Sat); $6 or $10 for 2-day pass; kids under 12 $1
Lots of polka music by the Shiner Hobo Band, Texas Legacy Czech Band, Seven Dutchmen Orchestra, and the Jodie Mikula Orchestra. Also food, BEvERages, kids stuff, arts & crafts & more.

Hunter, TX
Saturday, July 19
Dale Watson
Riley's Tavern / 8894 FM 1102; 512-392-3132 / 9 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

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?

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

chris

Hurry, hurry, step right up!!

2008-07-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

July 10- 16

Frankly, I'm tired of the endless loop of doom. I don't want to talk about it any more. I don't want to live in it any more. Doom doesn't care what I want; it just keeps looping, looping, looping, making me loopy, loopy, loopy.

I try to drown it all in rehearsals, but rehearsals are over because Kidnapped by Craigslist OPENS TONIGHT, yee haw! (Chronicle's preview article here) So I'll drown it in performances instead, then in learning lines and creating sound design for the next project (Merry Wives of Windsor, opening August 9 at the Vortex), and coming up with some ideas for the next project after that (film score for a movie I can't remember the name of).

Thursday, July 10

The Swingsters
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd; 452-6790/ 7 pm
Classic jazz, swing, and jump blues for your dancing pleasure.

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

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

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

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

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

Thursdays - Saturdays, July 10 - 26

Kidnapped by Craigslist
Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 8 pm; $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? Kidnapped by Craigslist is a unique new comedy that explores the carnivalesque, cult-like phenomenon that is Craigslist. Combining actual postings from the Austin website with scripted material, the show tells the true stories locked inside an online community that has shaped and inspired today's internet generation. As for me, 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! To charge by credit card, call 474-TIXS or visit www.texasperforms.com.

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 11

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

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

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

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

Saturday, July 12

Bastille Day Celebration
French Legation / 802 San Marcos / 6:30 pm; $8; kids under 12 free (family)
Live music by Olivier Giraud Ensemble (the band formerly known as Paris 49), food, games and good hot summer fun.

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm

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

Jon Emery
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5501 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm (family)

Russian Masters Hoot Night
Beerland / 711 Red River; 479-7625 / 9 pm (?)
I'm only guessing at the time since the print on the flyer is too small to read online. Tiny red letters on a grey background don't work well with aging eyes! BUT. Don't let that stop you. Give them a call and go hear the Golden Hornet Project and the Invincible Czars play Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Prokofiev and more!

The Gourds
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 10 pm

Sunday, July 13

Ted Roddy
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 3 pm (family)

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 the brass ensemble will be playing patriotic music.

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

Monday, July 14

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30 (no cover)

Tuesday, July 15

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

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

Labyrinth
Central Market (central) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 8:30ish (dark); free (family)
Free movies are the BEST, especially when they're the tried & true favorites like this one.

Oliver Rajamani
Pharas Mediterranean 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
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

Saturday, July 19
Rockin' Cajun Jamboree
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 2 pm; $10
Last month's polka jamboree was such a success that the Spoke is asking for MORE, yee haw! July's soirree will feature Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Ace; RickTwo Hoots & a Holler and The Gulf Coast Playboys.

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?

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

chris

It's too hot for life to be this crazy

2008-07-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

July 3 - 9

My endless loop of doom has grown. Roofers. Exterminators. Insurance adjusters. And now -- auto repairs and health issues! AND... I just learned that the Vrazel Polka Band will be retiring at the end of 2008. Argh! It just doesn't end (ever).

It's effecting my whole life. I've turned into a chicken. I've turned into a sumo-wrestling m&m. I've become a marching cockroach, a good-hearted redneck, a crazy lady who wears a pot on her head. No wait... that's Kidnapped by CraigsList which opens a week from tonight, yow! Simply don't have time for these cosmic inconveniences!!!

Thursday, July 3

The Flying Balalaika Brothers
Central Market (south / 4477 S. Lamar; 899-4300 / 6:30 pm (family)

Glovertango
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

Clandestine
Cactus Cafe / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe / 8:30 pm
It's a CD release party for a band that seems to be back together again, yay! AND... there's no cover, yay!

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

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

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

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

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 (except on July 4).

Friday, July 4

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

Larry Lange's Lonely Knights
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2596 / 6:30 pm

First Friday Contradance
Carpenter's Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm; $8
Live music by the Rising Gorge Boys. Might be kinda fun to do some traditional American dancing on America's birthday, eh? 970-4919 for more info.

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

South Austin Jug Band
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 9 pm

The Eggmen
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442 / 7 pm

4th of July CelebrationS

Auditorium Shores /8:30 pm (family)
This is the big one, of course, with the Austin Symphony and the big bang finale.
Cedar Park
Elizabeth Milburn Park / 1901 Sun Chase Blvd; 401-5500 / 4-10:30 pm (family)
Lots of family activities at this one.
Andice
Andice Community Center / FM 970 at RR 2338 (off 183 north) / 6 - 10:30 pm (family)
Hot dogs, homemade ice cream, bbq sandwiches. And fireworks, of course. (Personally I like these small town get-aways for the 4th. Plenty of fun and no traffic!)
Round Rock Frontier Day
Old Settlers Park / 3368 E. Palm Valley Blvd. / noon-10:30 (family)
Ballet folklorico, Sam Bass shootout, watermelon, kids' activities and.... FIREWORKS!
Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival
Lake Pflugerville / Weiss Lane & Pflugerville Pkwy / 4 pm - 10:30 (family
Fishing, swimming, canoeing, kids' activities, music, and PFIREWORKS!
Johnson City July Fourth Spangle-Dangle
LBJ National Historical Park and Settlement / 1 pm - 10:30ish (family)
Live music, kids activities, and (need I say it?) fireworks.

Saturday, July 5

Warren Hood
Central Market (central) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)

The Eggmen
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 7 pm
Ouch! opens, so get there early. Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 pm

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm

Del Castillo
Nutty Brown / 12225 Hwy 290 W; 301-4648 / 7:30 pm; $12

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

Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Central Market (south / 4477 S. Lamar; 899-4300 / 6:30 pm (family)

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

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

Albert & Gage Band
Donn's Depot / 1600 W. 4th; 478-0336 / 9 pm

Two Hoots & A Holler
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

Seth Walker
Momo's / 618 W. 6th / 10:00 pm

Sunday, July 6

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th / 6:00 pm

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

Monday, July 7

Marshall Ford Swing Band; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / MFSB 6:30 (no cover); DW 10:00 ($5)

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 6 pm

Tuesday, July 8

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

Jitterbug Vipers
Lambert's 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 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.

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

Wednesday, July 9

Hot Club of Cowtown
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30; $5

Blues on the GreenZilker Park Rock Island / 7:30 pm (family)
Shouldn't that be, like, blues on the BROWN? Anyway, this week features Los Lonely Boys, so you know you want to be there.

Oliver Rajamani
Pharas Mediterranean 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
Tuesday, July 1
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

Thursdays - Saturdays, July 10 - 26
Kidnapped by Craigslist
Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 8 pm; $12-$25
Want to buy a couch? Find a date? Complain about your roommate? Your boss? Your sketchy neighbor that sleeps in his doghouse? Kidnapped by Craigslist is a unique new comedy that explores the carnivalesque, cult-like phenomenon that is Craigslist. Combining actual postings from the Austin website with scripted material, the show tells the true stories locked inside an online community that has shaped and inspired today's internet generation. To charge by credit card, call 474-TIXS or visit www.texasperforms.com

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Cockroach karma

2008-06-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

June 26 - July 2

The loop continues. Roofers. Exterminators. Insurance adjusters. I won't bore you (again) with the whole thing (again). It just doesn't end (ever).

What I've really got on my mind is this: I'm rehearsing a play called "Kidnapped by Craigslist" (which I expect every single one of you to come see [see "coming soon"]). I play, among other things, a marching cockroach, and there's something weird going on (other than the fact that I'm impersonating my least favorite insect). I had not seen a roach in months until we started rehearsing this bit. The night we started, I went home and found one of the little MFers in my bathroom. Needless to say, I killed it. The next day there was an even bigger one in my kitchen. Dead now. The following day I found one lying on its back, kicking its little bristly dying legs in the doorway of my office. I feel like I'm being stalked!!!!!! There is no escape!!!!!!

Hmmmmm..... I don't think I've ever seen one on the dance floor. Maybe that should be my refuge.

Thursday, June 25

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, June 27

Ted Roddy's Backwoods Hipsters
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2596 / 6:30 pm

Tango Happy Hour (DJd)
Copa / 217 Congress Ave.; 479-5002 / 7 pm

The Eggmen
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442 / 7 pm

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

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

Asylum Street Spankers
Ruta Maya / 3501 S. Congress; 707-9637
I'm not sure about the start time on this one, so give 'em a call.

999 Eyes
Antone's / 213 W. 5th; 320-8424
They will be accompanied by That Damned Band, one of my favorites. Check 'em out. It's fun!

Saturday, June 28

Keep Austin Weird Fest
Auditorium Shores / 3 pm (family)
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun. And, of course, those of us who want to do our part ot keep Austin weird. Go figure. You can get all the details by clicking the link.

The Eggmen
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 7 pm
Ouch! opens, so get there early.

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

THRU Sunday, August 9

Beauty and the Beast
Zilkerk Hillside Theatre / 8:30 pm (family) $3 parking
This summer's musical opens this Saturday and is something the entire family will love. Runs Thursdays thru Sundays (except on July 4).

Sunday, June 29

Redd Volkeart
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 4 pm

Austin Symphony in the Park
Hartman Concert Park / Long Center City Terrace / 7:30 pm (family)
This week's concert will be an audience favorite -- big band! Bring your dancing shoes.

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th / 6:00 pm

Texas Swing Kings
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

Monday, June 30

Paris 49; Dale Watson
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / P49 6:30 (no cover); DW 10:00 ($5)

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 6 pm

Tuesday, July 1

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

Dale Watson
Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6:30 pm

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

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.

Jim Stringer & the AM Band

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

Jason Roberts Band
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304
Not sure about the start time on this one, so give 'em a call.

Wednesday, July 2

Oliver Rajamani
Pharas Mediterranean 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

Elgin, TX
Sunday, June 29
Leroy Rybak
Elgin SPJST Hall / 702 Tx 95 N; 512-285-3100 / 3 pm
A little Sunday afternoon polka dancing never hurt anybody.

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, July 1
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

Thursdays - Saturdays, July 10 - 26
Kidnapped by Craigslist
Blue Theater / 916 Springdale / 8 pm; $12-$25
Want to buy a couch? Find a date? Complain about your roommate? Your boss? Your sketchy neighbor that sleeps in his doghouse? Kidnapped by Craigslist is a unique new comedy that explores the carnivalesque, cult-like phenomenon that is Craigslist. Combining actual postings from the Austin website with scripted material, the show tells the true stories locked inside an online community that has shaped and inspired today's internet generation. To charge by credit card, call 474-TIXS or visit www.texasperforms.com

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Is it winter yet?

2008-06-17T08:29:00.001-07:00

June 19-25

1. Roofers, exterminators, insurance adjusters. Are these the people I really want to spend my summer with? Looks like that's my lot in life, though. Oh well. This, too, shall pass. Erg.

2. That's a direct quote from last week and I gotta tell you, nothing much has changed.

And that's a direct quote from last week. Why do I think I might as well just put those words in a loop and play them all summer? I mean, if the weatherman can do it (mostly sunny... highs near 100... we broke a record today), why can't I?

Oh -- and add these lovely items to my bitch list:

all three of our vehicles have become non-functional -- all at the same time.
I have an infected finger, ewwww.
the lab totally, totally botched a blood draw yesterday (my arms now look like eggplants, and they never found a drop of blood!) so I have to go back today for another assault.
I got a call from my sister yesterday saying that while my mother's house's caretakers were away on vacation, the a/c drip pan overflowed. So my sister walked into a surprise -- buckled wood floors, bubbled ceilings and mildew everywhere. Not to mention no a/c. Ewwww.
And last but not least -- sad, sad, sad: today we are having a huge old oak taken out of our back yard. We've been treating it for several years, but it just hasn't responded, so now it has to go before it falls on someone. Explain it to me again -- Why is it better to own your own home rather than rent? I seem to have forgotten (if I ever knew).

All I really want these days is to escape the heat and the home-moanership issues. Fortunately, there we have many good escape ops, so I'll stop whining now:

Thursday, June 19

Charles Thibodeaux & The Austin Cajun Aces
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon; 358-7474 / 6:30 pm
Peter Schwartz will be sitting in on fiddle.

3rd Annual Juneteenth Concert
Central Market (central) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)
Featuring Austin's own WC Clark.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, June 20

Kat's Meow
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 9:00 pm

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

Seth Walker
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442 / 7 pm

DJd Swing Dance
Go Dance / 2525 Anderson Lane (in Northcross Mall) / 89:30 pm; $4-$6

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

Saturday, June 21

Cajun Jam
Fiddler's Green / 1809 W. 35th; 452-3900 / 1-3 pm
Music, dancing, fun.

Texas Polka Jamboree
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 2-6 pm
Yes! Polka party at the Spoke! Live music by The Fabulous Polkasonics; Texas Slavic Playboys; and Conjunto Los Pinkys. Complimentary polka lessons (by moiself and Mr. Ben) will be available as well, so come on out!

White Ghost Shivers
Central Market (central ) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 7 pm

3rd Saturday Contra Dance
St. Paul's Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 8 pm; $5-$8
Live music by The Lost and Nameless Orchestra. 512-453-8936, or send e-mail to mailto:croth@austin.rr.comfor more info.

Mundi
Boggy Creek Farm / 3414 Lyons Road / 9 pm; free (family)
Well, this sounds pretty fabulous, if I do say so myself. One of my favorite local bands and my absolute favorite price.

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

DJd Milonga
La Esquina Tango / 209 Pedernales; 524-2772 / 9 pm; $5

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

Summer Solstice Party
Enchanted Forest / 1412 W. Oltorf / 6 pm; $15
This is a fundraiser for KOOP radio, and the theme is "An Arabian Night". Live music, belly dancing, fire dancing by Sage (reason enough to show up), spoken word, dance party and free mezzes till 8:30.

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

The Gourds
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 10 pm

Sunday, June 22

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

Austin Symphony in the Park
Hartman Concert Park / Long Center City Terrace / 7:30 pm (family)
This week's concert will be a performance of classical music by the Austin Symphony Wind Ensemble. Please note the new location.

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th / 8:30 pm; $5

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

Monday, June 23

Uptown Swingsters
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 6:30

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 6 pm

Tuesday, June 24

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

Dale Watson
Belmont / 305 W. 6th; 457-0300 / 6:30 pm

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

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.

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

Wednesday, June 25

Oliver Rajamani
Pharas Mediterranean 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
Tuesday, June 3
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

Uhhh, I don't know... a cool front, maybe?

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Is it the weekend yet?

2008-06-11T19:19:00.000-07:00

June 12-18

Roofers, exterminators, insurance adjusters. Are these the people I really want to spend my summer with? Looks like that's my lot in life, though. Oh well. This, too, shall pass. Erg.

That's a direct quote from last week and I gotta tell you, nothing much has changed. The insurance adjustor says this, roofer number one says that, roofer number two notices something else, roofer number three makes new discoveries and misses some obvious stuff. And I know I'm not the only person in Austin going through all this right now. I gotta tell you, I'm not enjoying it.

I am, however, enjoying rehearsals for the upcoming production of Kidnapped by CraigsList, in which I get to play (among other things) a crazy lady who wears a saucepan on her head. Considering the entire script is based entirely on things appearing on Austin's CraigsList, I have to feel I'm doing my part to keep Austin weird. It's a good feeling.

Thursday, June 12

The Fabs
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm
Great 60s cover band. Tons o'fun.

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

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

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

Austin Swing Syndicate 9th Anniversary Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm; free for members; $7 affiliates; $10 general public
Featuring live music by Donna Hightower; and Denia Ridley & the Marc Devine Trio. And there will be free dance lessons at 8:15, so come on out!

Thru Sunday, June 15

Love, Janis
The Long Center / S. 1st at Riverside / Th & Fri (no show on Sat) 8 pm; 3pm on Sunday; $59
This musical event is based on the book written by Janis' sister. I've heard nothing but good things about it.

Friday, June 13

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

The Eggmen
Nutty Brown / 12225 W Hwy 290; 301-4648 / 7:30 pm; $5 (family)
There's not a much better way to spend an evening than sitting outdoors singing your heart out with a band doing Beatles covers.

Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies
Treehouse Italian Grill / 2201 College; 443-4200 / 7:30 pm
It's not on the menu, but ask about the quail. Mmmmm.

DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca / 37th at Guadalupe / 9 pm

Albert and Gage
Central Market (central ) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)

Jim Stringer & the AM Band
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5501 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm; (family)
This is so much more than a CD release party. In honor of it being Friday the 13th, they're dubbing it Triskaidekaphilia (a love of the number 13) and will have free palm and tarot readings. How cool is that!

Friday and Saturday, June 13 & 14

Austin Civic Orchestra
Zilker Hillside Threatre / 8 pm (family)
Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy some al fresco movie music -- Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Superman, Lord of the Rings. Some lucky audience member will win an opportunity to conduct the orchestra in "Stars & Stripes Forever."

Saturday, June 14

Juneteenth Blues Celebration
The Oaks / 10206 FM 973 N; 473-3845 / 5pm-midnight; $15; kids under 12 free (family)
Wow. What a line-up -- Blues Boy Hubbard; W.C. Clark; Matthew Robinson; and John Garr. Proceeds benefit the George Washington Carver Museum of African American Culture in East Austin.

Rattletree Marimba
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 6 pm; $10 adults; $5 kids; $20 families
Shake your booty to some fabulous Zimbabwean marimba music.

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 2nd St.; 494-1500 / 7 pm

DJd Milonga
La Esquina Tango / 209 Pedernales / 9 pm; $8 OR two items from this list:
shampoo; diapers size 5 or 6; baby wipes; toothbrushes; toothpaste; children's Tylenol; laundry soap
This is a benefit for Casa Marianella, so do what you can to help out. There will be food, beautiful tango demos and free lessons. 524-2772 for more info.

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

Austin Lounge Lizards ; Jon Emery
Jovita's / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 8 pm; 10 pm $15
This is a benefit for KOOP radio. You know you want to help out.

South Austin Jug Band
Threadgill's / 301 W. Riverside Dr.; 472-9304 / 10 pm; $10
When Mr. Ben and I were on vacation out in New Mexico, we saw South Austin Jug Band advertised at some venue out there at more than three times the price for a ticket. It was just another reminder of why it's so great to live in Austin!

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

Texas Swing Kings
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm

Sunday, June 15

Austin Symphony in the Park
Hartman Concert Park / Long Center City Terrace / 7:30 pm (family)
Dang this has already been going on for two weeks and I'm just now remembering to include it! This week's concert will be a special Father's Day performance by the Austin Symphony Brass Ensemble. Please note the new location.

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th / 8 pm; $5

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

Oliver Rajamani & the Rosetta Strings
Laguna Gloria Amphitheatre / 3809 W. 35th / 7:45 pm; FREE
What a wonderful, wonderful father's day concert!!!!! And the price is right!

Monday, June 16

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

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 6 pm

Tuesday, June 17

Jitterbug Vipers
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 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.

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

Wednesday, June 18

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

Napoleon Dynamite
Central Market (central ) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 9:00 pm (family)
Free movies, yay!!!!

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

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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

East Bernard, TX
Saturday, June 14
Kolache/Kolbase Festival
Riverside Hall / 14643 Buls; 979-335-4875 / 1-8 pm (family)
Live polka music by The Vrazels, Dujka Bros, and Red Ravens. It's never too hot to polka! East Barnard is, by the way, at the intersecion of State Hwys 90 and 60 -- south of Sealy and west of Houston. Give yourself a couple of hours.

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, June 3
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 8:30 pm; $4
Two Ton Tuesdays have started up again. This is a great little, quick little mid-week get-away.

COMING SOON

Saturday, June 21
Texas Polka Jamboree
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 2-6 pm
Yes! Polka party at the Spoke! Live music by The Fabulous Polkasonics; Texas Slavic Playboys; and Conjunto Los Pinkys. Dance lessons will be available as well, so mark your calendars and come on out!

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in...

2008-06-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

June 5-11

Roofers, exterminators, insurance adjusters. Are these the people I really want to spend my summer with? Looks like that's my lot in life, though. Oh well. This, too, shall pass. Erg.

My big news this week is that I will be hosting a house concert on Tuesday night, featuring classical guitar music played by a young man from Madrid. What could be cooler than that? You're all invited, of course (keep reading). All ya gotta do is call me for a reservation and directions to my house.

A friend sent me this fabulous video by a group of amazingly talented folks. Why she got mad:

Thursday, June 5

Ruben Ramos w/Los Flames
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm

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

The Swingsters
Carousel Loungs / 1110 E. 52nd; 452-6790 / 7 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, June 6

Brave Combo
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 8 pm; $10 (family)
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But Mr. Ben, the best dance partner in the universe, is out of town. BOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

First Friday Contradance
Carpenter's Hall / 400 Josephine / 8 pm; $8
Live music by the Flaming Kilts (hmmm). sealantsby5@aol.com or 512-970-4919 for more info.

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

Alvin Crow / Zydeco Blanco
Saengerrunde Hall / 1607 San Jacinto / 8 pm (lessons at 7); $35 advance; $40 at door
Now before you get all rattled at the cover charge, you should know that this is the 13th Annual Texas Swing, an event that raises money for the support of families and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Dancing makes you feel good. Dancing for a worth cause makes you feel even better! Click the link for all the info.

Derailers
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / midnight

The Eggmen
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail; 266-2442 / 7 pm (family)

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

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

Saturday, June 7

Will Taylor & Strings Attached
Central Market (central ) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)
They'll be playing Beatles music from The White Album and from Sgt. Pepper. Nice!

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

Jon Emery
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm
Bellfuries
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd; 452-6790 / 9 pm

Sunday, June 8

Will Taylor & Strings Attached
Central Market (central ) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 pm (family)

Ted Roddy
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

Monday, June 2

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

Austin City Brass Ensemble
Ascension Lutheran Church / 6420 Hart Lane; 589-8495 / 7:30 pm; $15/$10 students & seniors

Tuesday, June 10

Ignacio Casatejada
RedHouse ArtSpace / house concert / 7:30 pm; $12
This fabulous young guitarist from Real Conservatorio de Música de Madrid will be performing on the 10-string guitar. Admission to the concert is $12. Please let me know if you can make it, so I'll know how many to plan for. Because it is a house concert, seating is limited, so call TODAY! 923-2277 for reservations and directions.

Dale Watson
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 6:30 pm

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

Jitterbug Vipers
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 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.

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

Wednesday, June 11

Oliver Rajamani
Pharas Mediterranean 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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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

Kerrville, TX
Thru - Sunday, June 8
Kerrville Folk Festival
Quiet Valley Ranch
Click on the link for all the info about this perenniel favorite.

Gruene, TX
Saturday, June 7
Asleep at the Wheel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 8:30 pm; $22.50

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, June 3
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 8:30 pm; $4
Two Ton Tuesdays have started up again. This is a great little, quick little mid-week get-away.

COMING SOON

Sunday, June 15
Oliver Rajamani & the Rosetta Strings
Laguna Gloria Amphitheatre / 3809 W. 35th / 7:45 pm; FREE
What a wonderful, wonderful father's day concert!!!!!

Saturday, June 21
Texas Polka Jamboree
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 2-6 pm
Yes! Polka party at the Spoke! Live music by The Fabulous Polkasonics; Texas Slavic Playboys; and Conjunto Los Pinkys. Dance lessons will be available as well, so mark your calendars and come on out!

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

I'm baaaaaaaaaaack (and it's hhhhhhhhhottttttt)!

2008-05-28T13:50:00.001-07:00

May 29-June 4

Vacation was fun, fun, fun. I really like cool, dry air. I like high desert. I like tarantulas and antelope and art and caves and history and ghosts and ghost towns, and I really, really like $1 thrift stores (yes, you heard me. All clothes $1, except for shoes which were 10 cents -- got a great pair of suede boots for 10 cents). I also like Native American jewelry (Chris's guide to buying Native American jewelry: reveal to the merchant's husband, who happens to be in Disaster Management, that your son is a fire bomber [who left yesterday to fight fires in Arizona]. Wildfire fighters are held in Very High Regard in places where wildfires happen. Instant discount. LARGE discount. I wasn't sure how authentic the discount was until I looked up the jewelry online. DANG!)

The trouble with vacations is this, though: I have NEVER been away from home long enough that I was ready to come back. And I had to come back to (1) HEAT and (2) insurance adjustor. Yup, we'll be getting a new roof thanks to that nasty hail storm. I don't look forward to it, but at least the insurance company is paying for it.

The good part about coming home, though, is that I've got not one, but two plays coming up this summer. I'll be learning lines for both at the same time (one Shakespeare, one not), so I'll probably be feeling a little schizophrenic soon. I don't think it's contagious, but you might want to give me a wide berth the next few months.

Lots of exciting stuff coming up (another reason to come home), so let's cut to the chase, shall we?

Thursday, May 29

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

Johnny Gimble
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)

Del Castillo
Shady Grove / 1624 Barton Springs; 474-9991 / 8 pm
Del Castillo unplugged. Lower volume, same high level of energy. Should be great!

Shearwater
The Parish / 214 E. 6th; 474-0474 / 8 pm; $12-$14
Not only are these guys conssumately listenable, but they'll have a special wind & string ensemble joining them for this special CD release show and my bassoon teacher will be playing with them, yee haw!

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

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

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

DJd Swing Dance
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm; $2-$5
The Swing Syndicate offers this weekly DJd dance with complimentary lessons at 8:15. This week there is a special Contra Dance going on in the "side room" featuring live music by Left is Right. Interesting combination.

Friday, May 30

Son y No Son
Central Market (central ) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 6:30 pm (family)

Just Deserts
Copa / 217 Congress / 7 - 10 pm
A little tango happy hour. Nice.

Seth Walker
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail; 266-2442 / 7 pm (family)

The Eggmen
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5501 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm; $7 (family)
Can your kids sing every word to every Beatles song yet? If not, then get them to this show and start their education!

Atash
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress / 11 pm; $10
Indrigit Banerjee and Gourisankar Karmakar open at 9. Sounds like a great evening of world music.

Two Tons of Steel
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 10 pm

Saturday, May 31

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

Nash Hernandez Orchestra
Donn's Depot / 1600 W. 5th; 478-0336 / 9 pm; $5
One of the best bargains in town -- two dance floors, a big band, a ladies room in a real caboose, a friendly staff, and a reasonable cover. Such a deal!

Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys
The Oaks / 10206 FM 973 (Manor); 278-8788 / 8 pm; $20
What a treat! Just be sure to drink plenty of water, as this is an outdoor venue.

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

The Gourds
Nutty Brown Cafe / 1222 US 290 S; 301-4648 / 7:30 $12

Saturday & Sunday, May 31 & June 1

Jewsapalooza Austin
Dell Jewish Community Campus / 7300 Hart Lane / 7-9:30 pm Sat; 1-3pm & 5-9:30 pm Sun (family)
Don’t miss Austin's First Jewish Heritage Music Festival, featuring two days of music, including rock, jazz, klezmer, soul, American folk music, and Jewish standards. The performers include Noah Budin, Sababa!, Yom Hadash, Hazzan Neil Blumofe, Mark Rubin and His Jews of the Golden West, and Sam Glaser. The event will also include a benefit for the family of Paul and Annie Skelton to help with Paul's medical expenses, as he is battling lung cancer. Individual tickets range from $18-25, family concert tickets are $5-7, weekend passes are $32-40. Click the link for full information.

Sunday, June 1

Tex Thomas & His Danglin' Wranglers
Guero's Taco Bar / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm (family)
I'll be the first to admit I've never actually heard this band. But I'll also be the first to admit that I love their name enough to put them on the list!

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

Monster Big Band
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress / 7 pm; $7

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th; 479-8848 / 8 pm

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

Monday, June 2

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

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

DJd Milonga
Esquina Tango / 209 Pedernales / 9 pm; $5 (advance); $? at the door
Call 512.524.2772 for at-the-door rates. Guest DJ is Silvia Ceriana, DJ at Canning in Buenos Aires (if you've been to BsAs, you've probably been to Canning, one of the great old ballrooms of the Golden Age of Tango).

Tuesday, June 3

Dale Watson
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 6:30 pm

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

Jitterbug Vipers
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 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.

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

Wednesday, June 4

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

Atash
The Red Fez / 209B W. 5th / 11:30 pm
I believe there will be dancers with this show as well.

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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

Kerrville, TX
Thru - Sunday, June 8
Kerrville Folk Festival
Quiet Valley Ranch
Click on the link for all the info about this perenniel favorite.

New Braunfels
Saturday, May 31
Del Castillo
White Water Amphitheatre / 515 Fm 2673 / 8 pm
Guy Forsyth opens.

Granger, TX
Saturday, May 31
Ricky Calmbach
The Cotton Club / 212 E. Davila; 512-859-0700 / 9 pm; $10

Jarrell, TX
Sunday, June 1
Texas Pioneers
Possum Creek Dance Hall / 7705 FM 1105; 512-930-9633 / 4 pm
This is a relatively new venture, and one that is definitely worth supporting. You can never have too many dance halls.

Gruene, TX
Tuesday, June 3
Two Tons of Steel
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 8:30 pm; $4
Two Ton Tuesdays have started up again. This is a great little, quick little mid-week get-away.

COMING SOON

Friday, June 6
Brave Combo
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 8 pm (family)
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, June 21
Texas Polka Jamboree
Broken Spoke / 3201 S. Lamar; 442-6189 / 2-6 pm
Yes! Polka party at the Spoke! Live music by The Fabulous Polkasonics; Texas Slavic Playboys; and Conjunto Los Pinkys. Dance lessons will be available as well, so mark your calendars and come on out!

See ya on the dance floor (when I get back from VACATION),

chris

Gone Fishin'

2008-05-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

May 22-28

See ya next week!

Chris

Tennis (ball hail) anyone?

2008-05-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, May 16

The Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2330 S. Lamar / 7:30 pm

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

DJd Milonga
Esquina Tango / 209 Pedernales / 9 pm

Friday-Sunday, May 16-18

Lindy Hop Workshop

The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel
Click on the link for full details about this workshop with Steve & Virginie. I have worked with these folks before, and they are fantastic instructors. And, of course, there will be dances with live music on Friday (Giant City Septet) & Saturday nights (Marshall Ford Swing Band & Emily Gimble).

Saturday, May 17

VACATION!

Third Satuday Contra DanceS
St. Paul Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 2 pm & 7:30 pm; $10 for one; $16 for 2
Yup, there will be TWO dances on Saturday. The afternoon dance is for advanced dancers; the evening dance is for everybody. For those of you who don't dance but want to learn how, contradancing is an easy, easy, easy way to get started. There will be live music by Notorious. Notorious is made up of Eden MacAdam and Larry Unger, two of the big names in traditional and acoustic music.

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

The Eggmen
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

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

The Eggmen
Jovita's 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 7 pm
Ouch! opens at 7, so come early and stay late.

DJd Milonga
Texas Union Quadrangle Room / 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 484-1500 / 7 pm

Sunday, May 18

VACATION!!

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

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th; 479-8848 / 8 pm

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

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

Monday, May 19

VACATION!!!

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

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

Tuesday, May 20

VACATION!!!!

Dale Watson
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 6:30 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.

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

Wednesday, May 21

VACATION!!!!!

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

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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

VACATION!!!!!!

Ruidoso, New Mexico
Win Place & Show / 2516 Sudderth / 9 pm
Some of the Region's Finest Bands. That's what they advertise anyway, and I may just have to find out!

COMING SOON

MORE VACATION!!!!!!!

Thursday, May 22
Mundi
Barr Mansion / 10463 Sprinkle Road / Time TBA
I don't have the start time for this event yet, but I can promise you it will be wonderful! This is a fund-raiser for Mundi's July tour of Spain. Put it on your calendars now!

Thursday, May 22 - Sunday, June 8

Kerrville Folk Festival
Quiet Valley Ranch
Click on the link for all the info about this perenniel favorite.

See ya on the dance floor (when I get back from VACATION),

chris

Tennis(ball hail) anyone?

2008-05-15T07:52:00.001-07:00

May 15-21

Wow, what a storm last night! Hope you're all OK. We lost some windows to tennis ball size hail, and we lost power (and sleep) for a few hours, but other than that, we seem to have come through pretty well. Our trees took a beating, but they're still standing. I've been on the phone this morning with the insurance folks and it looks like everything's going to be copasetic so that Mr. Ben and I can leave on our VACATION, woo hoo! Which means there will be no list next week because I'll be on VACATION! It's been way too long since I've had a VACATION, and I'm getting pretty EXCITED! Using LOTS of LOUD WORDS and LOTS and LOTS of EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been too dang long!!!!!!! We've got the kitty care all lined up, and the neighbors are watching over the house to make sure no one walks off with it. All we gotta do now is pack.

Thursday, May 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, May 16

The Studebakers
Artz Ribhouse / 2330 S. Lamar / 7:30 pm

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

DJd Milonga
Esquina Tango / 209 Pedernales / 9 pm

Friday-Sunday, May 16-18

Lindy Hop Workshop
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel
Click on the link for full details about this workshop with Steve & Virginie. I have worked with these folks before, and they are fantastic instructors. And, of course, there will be dances with live music on Friday (Giant City Septet) & Saturday nights (Marshall Ford Swing Band & Emily Gimble).

Saturday, May 17

VACATION!

Third Satuday Contra DanceS
St. Paul Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 2 pm & 7:30 pm; $10 for one; $16 for 2
Yup, there will be TWO dances on Saturday. The afternoon dance is for advanced dancers; the evening dance is for everybody. For those of you who don't dance but want to learn how, contradancing is an easy, easy, easy way to get started. There will be live music by Notorious. Notorious is made up of Eden MacAdam and Larry Unger, two of the big names in traditional and acoustic music.

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

The Eggmen
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

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

The Eggmen
Jovita's 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 7 pm
Ouch! opens at 7, so come early and stay late.

DJd Milonga
Texas Union Quadrangle Room / 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 484-1500 / 7 pm

Sunday, May 18

VACATION!!

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

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th; 479-8848 / 8 pm

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

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

Monday, May 19

VACATION!!!

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

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

Tuesday, May 20

VACATION!!!!

Dale Watson
Belmont / 305 W. 6th / 457-0300 / 6:30 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.

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

Wednesday, May 21

VACATION!!!!!

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

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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

VACATION!!!!!!

Ruidoso, New Mexico
Win Place & Show / 2516 Sudderth / 9 pm
Some of the Region's Finest Bands. That's what they advertise anyway, and I may just have to find out!

COMING SOON

MORE VACATION!!!!!!!

Thursday, May 22
Mundi
Barr Mansion / 10463 Sprinkle Road / Time TBA
I don't have the start time for this event yet, but I can promise you it will be wonderful! This is a fund-raiser for Mundi's July tour of Spain. Put it on your calendars now!
Thursday, May 22 - Sunday, June 8

Kerrville Folk Festival
Quiet Valley Ranch
Click on the link for all the info about this perenniel favorite.

See ya on the dance floor (when I get back from VACATION),

chris

Vacation next week, I hope?

2008-05-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

May 8-14

I'm working on a silly little project this month, writing ultra-short fiction (100 words, no more, no less). My "assignment" has been "The Pirate and the Moth," and I've been trying to write one a day. Since I can't think of anything else to write about here this week, I decided I'd share a few of my favorites with you. Enjoy:

1. Black Flint the pirate lay dying on the deck of La Muerta Violente. A cannonball had severed his left leg just below the knee, and his fighting arm had been sliced to ribbons in hand to hand combat when the ship had been boarded.

He barely felt the sharp poke of a boot as a Royal Navy sailor rolled him onto his stomach.

“Blimey,” spoke the sailor, “would you look at that! What do you suppose it means?”

There, on Black Flint’s upper arm, right where a chunk of flesh had been carved away, was the elaborately tattooed word “Moth…”

======================

2. A black knight cantered into view, his armor making a most high jangling. Sir Lancelot, seeing the black steed so well caparisoned yet so rudely sat, addressed his page. “Tell me, lad,” quoth the legendary hero, his tongue firmly in his cheek, “by what device is this most puissant knight revealed? The sun blazeth in mine eyen and I cannot verify the knowing of him.”

“’Tis a black pennant, sir, bearing a moth rampant ’round a deathly pate and bones.”

A shiver ran through Lancelot. “’Tis L’Moth d’Arthur, boy! On our knees – quick! – lest the pirate king have our heads!”

======================

3. A pirate sneaks into my room when I should be sleeping. I sit bolt upright in my bed, my eyes suddenly wide open. Before I can speak, he raises a finger to his lips, shushing me so that my parents won’t hear us. He silently beckons me from my bed to the open window. A large moth, stained with moon shadows, waits for us on the windowsill. The pirate climbs onto its back and offers me his hand. I settle between the moth’s broad wings, nesting in the safety of my captor’s arms as we fly away into the night.

OK. That's enough for one week. Here's what you came here for...

Thursday, May 8

Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon; 358-7474 / 6:30 pm

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

Friday, May 9

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

Los Super Vatos
Jovita's / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 9:30 pm

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

DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca / 37th at Guadalupe / 9 pm

Saturday, May 10

Alma's Latin Women in Music Showcase
Jovita's 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 2 pm
The fun starts at 2 and goes till late, featuring (in order of appearance):
Gina Chavez 2:00-3:00pm
Frenetica 3:15-4:15pm
Cerronato 4:30-5:30pm
The Texana Dames 6:00-7:00pm
Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto 7:30-8:30pm
Bocastria 9:00-10:00pm
Girl In A Coma 10:30pm

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 484-1500 / 7 pm

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

Two Hoots & A Holler
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

Sunday, May 11

Mother's Day in the Park
Zilker Hillside Theatre / Zilker Park / 7 pm (family)
Bring Mom out for a lovely picnic/concert with the Austin Symphonic Band

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th; 479-8848 / 8 pm

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

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

Monday, May 12

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

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

Tuesday, May 13

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

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

Wednesday, May 14

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

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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

I'm sure there are some great road trips out there -- there always are this time of year -- but I didn't find any this week. (Admittedly, I've kinda got my mind on my own soon-to-be-decided road trip, wherever it may take me!)

COMING SOON

Friday-Sunday, May 16-18
Lindy Hop Workshop
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel
Click on the link for full details about this workshop with Steve & Virginie. I have worked with these folks before, and they are fantastic instructors. And, of course, there will be dances with live music on Friday & Saturday nights.

Thursday, May 22
Mundi
Barr Mansion / 10463 Sprinkle Road / Time TBA
I don't have the start time for this event yet, but I can promise you it will be wonderful! This is a fund-raiser for Mundi's July tour of Spain. Put it on your calendars now!

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

2008-05-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

He barely felt the sharp poke of a boot as a Royal Navy sailor rolled him onto his stomach.

“Blimey,” spoke the sailor, “would you look at that! What do you suppose it means?”

There, on Black Flint’s upper arm, right where a chunk of flesh had been carved away, was the elaborately tattooed word “Moth…”

======================

“’Tis a black pennant, sir, bearing a moth rampant ’round a deathly pate and bones.”

A shiver ran through Lancelot. “’Tis L’Moth d’Arthur, boy! On our knees – quick! – lest the pirate king have our heads!”

======================

OK. That's enough for one week. Here's what you came here for...

Thursday, May 8

Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon; 358-7474 / 6:30 pm

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

Friday, May 9

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

Los Super Vatos
Jovita's / 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 9:30 pm

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

DJd Milonga
La Tazza Fresca / 37th at Guadalupe / 9 pm

Friday-Sunday, May 16-18

Lindy Hop Workshop
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel
Click on the link for full details about this workshop with Steve & Virginie. I have worked with these folks before, and they are fantastic instructors. And, of course, there will be dances with live music on Friday & Saturday nights.

Saturday, May 10

Alma's Latin Women in Music Showcase
Jovita's 1619 S. 1st; 447-7825 / 2 pm
The fun starts at 2 and goes till late, featuring (in order of appearance):
Gina Chavez 2:00-3:00pm
Frenetica 3:15-4:15pm
Cerronato 4:30-5:30pm
The Texana Dames 6:00-7:00pm
Eva Ybarra y Su Conjunto 7:30-8:30pm
Bocastria 9:00-10:00pm
Girl In A Coma 10:30pm

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert's / 401 W. 2nd; 484-1500 / 7 pm

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

Two Hoots & A Holler
Ginny’s Little Longhorn / 5434 Burnet Road; 458-1813 / 9 pm

Sunday, May 11

Mother's Day in the Park
Zilker Hillside Theatre / Zilker Park / 7 pm (family)
Bring Mom out for a lovely picnic/concert with the Austin Symphonic Band

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Momo's / 618 W. 6th; 479-8848 / 8 pm

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

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

Monday, May 12

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

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

Tuesday, May 13

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

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

Wednesday, May 14

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

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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

I'm sure there are some great road trips out there -- there always are this time of year -- but I didn't find any this week. (Admittedly, I've kinda got my mind on my own soon-to-be-decided road trip, wherever it may take me!)

COMING SOON

Thursday, May 22
Mundi
Barr Mansion / 10463 Sprinkle Road / Time TBA
I don't have the start time for this event yet, but I can promise you it will be wonderful! This is a fund-raiser for Mundi's July tour of Spain. Put it on your calendars now!

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

To sleep, perchance to vacation

2008-05-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

May 1-7

Things are sort of winding down again. Trick the Devil closed on Sunday; I taught my last Informal Class of the semester on Monday. The trouble with stopping something, though, is that it all becomes very, very clear to me how tired I am. Holy moly. Got nearly 9 hours of sleep on Tuesday night and woke up Wednesday dragging tail again. This 'I'll sleep when I'm dead' mentality, which I confess I live by, is killing me! I need a vacation, and this might be a good time to take one. It's been three YEARS since my last one. I think it's time. So if I suddenly disappear, it's because I've run away (temporarily, of course).

In fact, I think I've just talked myself into something. This would be the perfect time. It's May, the nation's kids are still in school, so the national parks won't be quite so crowded yet. Yeah. I think it's time.

This week's fun video shows a couple of people who have considerably more energy than I do at the moment. How do they do this?

Thursday, May 1

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

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

DJd Milonga
Thai Passion / 620 Congress, Suite 105 / 10 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

Two Hoots & A Holler
Beerland / 711 Red River; 479-7625
I'm not sure whether this is the early or late show, so give 'em a shout.

Friday, May 2

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

DJd Milonga
Quadrangle Room / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm

Dale Watson
Nutty Brown / 12225 Highway 290 West; 301-4648 / 7:30 pm; $8 (family)

Chaparral
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / midnight

Saturday, May 3

Gulf Coast Playboys
Central Market (central) / 4001 N. Lamar; 206-1000 / 12:30 pm (family)
Then come back at 6:30 for L'Angelus!!!!!

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

Del Castillo
Antone’s / 213 W. Fifth; 474-5314
Charanga Cakewalk opens at 9, so I'm guessing it will be after 10:30 before Del Castillo takes the stage for this Cinco de Mayo show.

First Saturday Contradance
Carpenters Hall / 400 Josephine / 8-11 pm; $8
Live music by the Lost and Nameless Orchestra. sealantsby5@aol.com for more info.

Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4

Pecan Street Festival
6th Street downtown / 11 am (family)
Lots of live music of course, by such folks as Grupo Fantasma and Two Hoots & a Holler (to name only two) and dancing by Csardas Hungarian Dancers, Hawaiian Kona Isle Dancers and more. Click the link for the full line-up.

Sunday, May 4

Bouree Texane
Central Market (South) / 4477 S. Lamar / 12:30 pm (family)
These guys don't play nearly often enough, so catch 'em while you can!

Gulf Coast Extravaganza
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 4-9 pm; $10 (family)
Live cajun music by Larry Lange & his Lonely Knights (Austin) and L'Angelus (Lafayette). This is a fund-raiser for KOOP radio. You know you want to go.

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

Texas Swing Kings
Artz Ribhouse / 2230 S. Lamar; 442-8283 / 6:30 pm (family)

Monster Big Band
Ruta Maya / 3601D S. Congress; 707-9637 / 7 pm; $7

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442

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

Monday, May 5

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

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

Tuesday, May 6

AIO and Mundi
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515; 8 pm
This is a NO-COVER fund-raising event to help Mundi get to Spain this summer, so you know what to do: Come out and support them mightily! Buy their CDs! Put a generous sum in the tip jar! Help them get to Spain.

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

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

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

Wednesday, May 7

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

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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, May 2
Dale Watson
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281

Gruene, TX
Saturday, May 3
The Gourds
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281

COMING SOON

Friday-Sunday, May 16-18
Lindy Hop Workshop
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel
Click on the link for full details about this workshop with Steve & Virginie. I have worked with these folks before, and they are fantastic instructors. And, of course, there will be dances with live music on Friday & Saturday nights.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Blues you can use

2008-04-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

APRIL 24-30

Last call! Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil has 4 more shows this week(end) in the new Rollins Theatre at the Long Center. Response has been good, and last night's performance was completely sold out, woo hoo! My work is mostly done, though I do check in each evening to make sure there are no costume emergencies before showtime.

So what's next? Well, let's see. There's a performance art piece I'm about to get started on, and I'm playing lots of music (look for me to announce my first semi-professional bassoon gig in June). And I've got a meeting in May that may lead to Something Big, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

And... this is way cool... Mr. Ben has a show this weekend! I'll be sitting in the audience enjoying his performance this time rather than the other way around. More about that later, so keep reading.

And now, in the Oh those wacky Australians and their Grandiose Beer Commercials! category, I give you this week's video. All I can say is the beer industry in Australia must have a HUGE advertising budget! (But do they even need to advertise?)

Thursday, April 24

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

Austin Swing Syndicate Spring Fling
The Fed / 24th at San Gabriel / 8 pm; $5 & $7
With live music by the Jitterbug Vipers.

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

Thursday-Sunday, thru April 27

Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil
Rollins Theatre, Long Center for the Performing Arts / S. 1st at Riverside / 8 pm (3 pm on Sundays); $10 & $12
This is a fabulous collaboration between ACC & ProArts Collective in the brand-spanking-new Rollins Theatre! And I did the costuming, woo hoo, something I've been wanting to do for a long, long time!

Friday, April 25

From Mozart to Zanzibar
Bates Recital Hall / UT Music building / 8 pm; free
The UT Middle Eastern Ensemble joins forces with the UT Early Music Esemble to bring you an amazing array of music, including guest artists Reha Sagbas (kanun) and Selma Sagbas (voice) from Turkey. Should be a wonderful evening. AND... you will see and hear Mr. Ben on drum! How cool is that!

Just Desserts
Waterloo Ice House / 6th & Lamar / 9 pm; $6-10
Yes, Virginia, there will be a dance floor.

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

DJd Milonga
Copa / 217 Congress Ave; 479-5002 / 7 pm

The Eggmen
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442 (family)

Los Super Vatos
Flamingo Cantina / 515 E. 6th; 494-9336 / midnight
Yeah, it's late, but come on -- it's Bubba Hernandez!

Saturday, April 26

Sunset Valley Artfest
Toney Berger Center / Hwy 290 W between Brodie Lane & Westgate Blvd / 9am - 6 pm; no cover (family)
Celebrating the visual arts -- and with live music, of course, by by the Bowie H.S. Steel Drum Ensemble, Jazz Puerto Rico, the Old Holdouts bluegrass band, Dr. Zog Band and the Texana Dames to close out the day.

Charles Thibodeaux & The Austin Cajun Aces
Evangeline Cafe / 8106 Brodie Lane; 282-2596 / 4-6 pm
It's crawfish season, and the Evangeline Cafe is having a crawfish boil, mmmmmm.

Silver Thistles Pipes & Drums Ceilidh
Scholzgarten / 1807 San Jacinto / 6-10 pm; $10 (family)
This is a benefit for Austin's only youth pipes & drums band. Celtic music, Scottish Highland and Country dancing, food, drink, raffle and more for the whole family.

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

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

Sandstorm Picnic
Moose Lodge / 2103 E.M. Franklin / 7 pm; $10
This appears to be a showcase of the best new music coming out of Lubbock these days. As we all know, Lubbock has a rich musical history, and it sounds like the future is still bright.

Sunday, April 27

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442
Sunday night salsa has returned!

Giant City Sextet
Saengerrunde Hall / 1607 San Jacinto / 7:30 pm; $7-$10
We're starting to see more Sunday evening dances in this fabulous venue. That's a GOOD thing!

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

Monday, April 28

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

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

Tuesday, April 29

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, April 30

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

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

Lucky Strikes
Joe DiMaggio's / 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (The Domain) / 7 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

ROAD TRIPS

Houston, TX
Saturdays & Sundays, April 19-27
Houston International Festival
Downtown Houston
This year's spotlight is "Out of Africa" and will feature Buddy Guy, The Neville Brothers, The Wailers, Hugh Masekela, The National Dance Theater Of Ethiopia, Habib Koite, The Garifuna Collective, Emeline Michel, Shemeka Copeland, Bettye Lavette, The Lowrider Band, Grupo Fantasma, Samarabalouf, Charlie Musselwhite, Sonny Landreth, Trombone Shorty, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Red Stick Ramblers, Soul Rebels, Step Rideau, Terrance Simien and many more!!! Click the link for all the details.

COMING SOON

Sunday, May 4
Gulf Coast Extravaganza
Threadgill’s / 301 W. Riverside; 472-9304 / 4-9 pm; $10 (family)
Live cajun music by Larry Lange & his Lonely Knights (Austin) and L'Angelus (Lafayette). This is a fund-raiser for KOOP radio. You know you want to go.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

Happy to have the blues

2008-04-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

APRIL 17-23

Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil opens tonight and I'm sooooooooooooooo excited! It's in the new Rollins Theatre at the Long Center, where I spent a good part of this week. I gotta tell you, it feels like one of the sacred places. It's a hard space to walk away from. Even though everything smells new (unlike most theatres that smell more like dirty socks than anything), and even though it has very little wear and tear on it, it feels important and meaningful and alive. I hope it will feel that way for the audience as well. I can't imagine that it wouldn't.

And I don't really have the blues, as the title of this week's blog would suggest. Robert Johnson is about a significant blues man, though, and I'm happy happy to be part of it all, yessir, I sure am. And I'd be even happier to see you in the audience!

In the meantime, here's some magic for you. I see things like this and wonder how, how, how can people be so incredibly creative?!?!?! Enjoy.

Thursday, April 17

The Fabs
Guero’s / 1412 S. Congress; 447-7688 / 6:30 pm
Great 60s cover band.

Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces
Cypress Grill / 4404 W. William Cannon; 358-7474 / 6:30 pm

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

Lord of the Dance
Frank Erwin Center / 1701 Red River; 477-6060 / 7:30 pm; $25-$50 (family)
They're still at it, and still putting on a heck of a show!

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

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

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

Thursday - Sunday, April 17-20

Old Settlers Music Festival
Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion & Camp Ben McCullouch
Featuring lots and lots and lots of music by such folks as Delbert McClinton, Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Brave Combo and more, more, more. Click the link for all the details.

Thursdays-Sundays, April 17-27

Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil
Rollins Theatre, Long Center for the Performing Arts / S. 1st at Riverside / 8 pm (3 pm on Sundays); $10 & $12
This is a fabulous collaboration between ACC & ProArts Collective in the brand-spanking-new Rollins Theatre! And I did the costuming, woo hoo, something I've been wanting to do for a long, long time!

Friday, April 18

Rubinchik's Yiddish Ensemble
City Hall Plaza / 301 W. 2nd / noon (free)
This would be a fun thing to do on your downtown lunch hour, yes?

Chaparral
Carousel Lounge / 1110 E. 52nd, 452-6790 / 7 pm

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

DJd Swing Dance
Go Dance / Northcross Mall (use north entrance) / 8:30 pm

The Eggmen
Jovita’s / 1619 S. 1st, 447-7825 / (family)
Ruggles tribute band Ouch! opens. I think things start happening around 7 pm, but I'm not positive. Might wanna give them a call.

Saturday, April 19

Beer, BBQ & Blues
Kenny Dorham's Backyard / 1106 E. 11th / 1-5 pm (family)
This event is a community outreach sort of thing that is being held in conjunction with Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil. There will be plenty of live music by some of Austin's senior blues men. Bring your own instrument for a blues jam. And bring an empty stomach 'cuz there'll be lots of mouth-watering bar-b-q.

Rajamani Ensemble
The Cactus / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe / 9 pm; $10

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

Marshall Ford Swing Band
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 8:30 pm

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

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

Third Saturday Contra Dance
St. Paul Lutheran Fellowship Hall / 3501 Red River / 7:30 pm; $5-$8
Live music by Andrea, Stew and Them Other Two. croth@austin.rr.com for more info.

Austin Refugee Services Benefit
Ruta Maya / 3601 S. Congress; 707-9637 / 7 pm; $7
Featuring the great world music of 1001 Nights, Atash, Tribal Nation, and Salero.

3rd Annual Salsa Central Dance Contest
Central Market (Central) / 4001 N. Lamar / 6:30 pm (family)
One lucky couple will take home a $500 prize, woo hoo! Live music by Cienfuegos, with some DJs msuic thrown in, too.

Just Desserts
Lamar pedestrian bridge / 7 pm
Tango and other international tunes for your al fresco dancing pleasure.

DJd Milonga
Esquina Tango / 209 Pedernales; 524-2772 / 9 pm; $5

Sunday, April 20

The Brew
The Oasis / 6550 Comanche Trail 266-2442
Sunday night salsa has returned!

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

Monday, April 21

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y, M R. B E N!

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

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

Tuesday, April 22

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

The Tea Merchants
Cactus Café / Texas Union, UT campus, 23rd at Guadalupe, 475-6515 / 8:30 pm; no cover
A little Irish music to help your week along.

Wednesday, April 23

Oliver Rajamani
Pharas Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Restaurant / 111 E. North Loop / 8 pm
This is in the restaurant formerly known as Ararat.

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

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

ROAD TRIPS

Anhalt, TX
Saturday, April 19
Anhalt Festival
Anhalt Hall / 11 am - 11 pm
Good old cajun music by Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces; Ed Gary & the Cajun Aces; and Gary Bertrand & Touch of Cajun.

Houston, TX
Saturdays & Sundays, April 19-27
Houston International Festival
Downtown Houston
This year's spotlight is "Out of Africa" and will feature Buddy Guy, The Neville Brothers, The Wailers, Hugh Masekela, The National Dance Theater Of Ethiopia, Habib Koite, The Garifuna Collective, Emeline Michel, Shemeka Copeland, Bettye Lavette, The Lowrider Band, Grupo Fantasma, Samarabalouf, Charlie Musselwhite, Sonny Landreth, Trombone Shorty, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Red Stick Ramblers, Soul Rebels, Step Rideau, Terrance Simien and many more!!! Click the link for all the details.

COMING SOON

ummmm. I'm not really sure. A long nap, perhaps?

See ya on the dance floor,

chris

It's almost showtime!

2008-04-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

APRIL 10-16

My work is almost done on Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil. We had the costume parade last night, and everyone looks wonderful. I learned how to make blood (peanut butter and food coloring), and I learned how to make mud (dirt and water). I learned how to "alter" shoes so that they fit, and I learned how to make a "period" apron simply by looking at a photo and then ransacking my cupboard for an old tablecloth that had stains all over it. A little snip here, a little stitch there, and voila. 1930s Apron. What fun it's been!

We load into the theater next Monday and the show opens a week from tonight. Hope you'll be able to come see it.

In the meantime, here's a little something I discovered quite by accident on YouTube. It's "my" scene from Waking Life, but with an alternative score. It really changes the feel of the whole scene. Enjoy.

Thursday, April 3

Marcia Ball
Waterloo Records / 600 N. Lamar; 474-2500 / 5 pm; free
Now here's a freebie that's worth every penny!

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

Christine Albert
The Cactus / Texas Union Bldg; 23rd at Guadalupe / 8:30 no cover
Come join Christine as she celebrates the release of her new CD: Paris, Texafrance

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

Friday, April 11

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

Cornell Hurd Band
Nutty Brown / 12225 W. Hwy 290 / 7:30 pm; $5 (family)

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

Texas Swing Kings
Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe / 5001 E. Ben White; 444-2020 / 8 pm

Friday & Saturday, April 11 & 12

Celtic Knot
First Presbyterian Church (FRIDAY) / 8001 Mesa / 8 pm; $18/$13 (seniors & students)
First English Lutheran Church (SATURDAY) / 3001 Whitis / 8 pm
Texas Early Music Projects is collaborating with Bouree Texane and harpist Therese Honey on Breton and Celtic music from the 16th-19th centuries. Should be very nice indeed.

Saturday, April 12

Charles Thibodeaux & The Austin Cajun Aces
Central Market (Central) / 4001 N. Lamar / 6:30 pm (family)
AAAAiiiiieeeee. Time for some dancing on the deck!

Los Klezmeros
Triumph Cafe / 3808 Spicewood Springs; 478-0336 / 7 pm
I've never heard these guys, but they sound like fun.

Saturday & Sunday, April 12 & 13

Art City Austin
Cesar Chaves @ Austin City Hall / 10-5 Sat; 11-6 Sun; $8
Art, music (like Brave Combo, for example) and tons o'fun!

Sunday, April 13

Combo Mahalo
Central Market (Central) / 4001 N. Lamar / 12:30 pm (family)

Hey Loretta! Hillbilly Pie Social & Hoedown
Continental Club / 1315 S. Congress; 441-2444 / 8 pm; $12
Bid on pies. Listen to live music by a waaaaaaaaaaaaay long list of great players. Raise money for the American Diabetes Association. What a great Sunday social!

Monday, April 14

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

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

Tuesday, April 15

Jitterbug Vipers
Lambert’s / 401 W. 2nd; 494-1500 / 6:30 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, April 16

Oliver Rajamani
Pharas Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Restaurant / 111 E. North Loop / 8 pm
This is in the restaurant formerly known as Ararat.

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

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

ROAD TRIPS

Gruene, TX
Saturday, April 12
Hot Club of Cowtown
Gruene Hall / 1281 Gruene; 830-606-1281 / 1-5 pm
What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Granger, TX
Saturday, April 12
Ricky Calmbach
Cotton Club / 212 E. Davila / 9 pm

Fredericksburg, TX
Saturday, April 12
Gulf Coast Playboys
Hondo's / Main @ Orange / 8 pm

COMING SOON

Thursday - Sunday, April 17-20
Old Settlers Music Festival
Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion & Camp Ben McCullouch
Featuring lots and lots and lots of music by such folks as Delbert McClinton, Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Brave Combo and more, more, more. Click the link for all the details.

Thursdays-Sundays, April 17-27
Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil
Rollins Theatre, Long Center for the Performing Arts / S. 1st at Barton Springs / 8 pm (3 pm on Sundays); $10 & $12
This is a fabulous collaboration between ACC & ProArts Collective in the brand-spanking-new Rollins Theatre! And I did the costuming, woo hoo! (And yes, I dressed him for this photo. Ain't he pretty?)

Saturday, April 19
Beer, BBQ & Blues
Givens Rec Center / 3811 E. 12th / 1-5 pm (family)
This event is a community outreach sort of thing that is being held in conjunction with Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil. There will be plenty of live music by some of Austin's senior blues men. Bring your own instrument for a blues jam. And bring an empty stomach 'cuz there'll be lots of mouth-watering bar-b-q.

Saturday, April 19
Anhalt Festival
Anhalt Hall / 11 am - 11 pm
Good cajun music by Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces; Ed Gary & the Cajun Aces; and Gary Bertrand & Touch of Cajun.

See ya on the dance floor,

chris