Through Jan 5 - Comedy Unleashed!
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-7247, austintheatrealliance.org

If you haven't lived through the traumas of a holiday turned haywire, then you are in for non-stop, rolling-in-the-aisles guffaws. And even if you have, Tuna Christmas is a must see again.

You'll be taking an uproarious ride into the quirky lives of Tuna, Texas' most prestigious and perverted citizens. Even the animals get in on the hilarity. It's the night before Christmas and all comic hell is about to break loose in Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas.

Award-winning master comedians, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams, portray all 24 denizens of this magical spot on the imaginary map of wackiness where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.

Bring the whole family for this standard in holiday fun. Tickets range from $23-43.25 and just a click away at startickets.com.

From the outrageous to the fantastic, you have a host of theatrical fun awaiting you Downtown:

To 1/1: Esther's Follies Christmas Show, Esther's Follies, esthersfollies.com
To 1/2: Rockin' Christmas Party, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 1/2: The Santaland Diaries, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 1/5: Tuna Christmas, Paramount Theatre, austintheatrealliance.org
To 1/21: The Polar Express, IMAX®Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com

Dec 30, 31 - Holiday Pops with B.J. Thomas
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

End 2004 with an evening of contemporary musical fanfare. B.J. Thomas joins the Austin Symphony to offer a send off to remember as you remember the greatest hits with this multi-Grammy Award winner.

His impressive career includes both pop and country classics such as: Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, Eyes of a New York Woman, I Just Can't Help Believin', (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song and Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love.

Both shows are at 8:00 p.m. Plan to arrive early or stay late and enjoy a festive dinner at one of Downtown's terrific eateries.

For reservations and tickets for Holiday Pops head on over to austinsymphony.org


Dec 30 - Musical Museum Experience
Bob Bullock Texas State History Musuem, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4649, thestoryoftexas.com

Live classical music will accompany you as you wander through the history and art of the Go West exhibit. The Live Classical Concert Series takes place from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and it will be a lively stroll you won't soon forget. You've never experienced the vanishing West like this before. This concert is free with exhibit admission - $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors/military, $3.00 for youths 5-18 and free for ages 4 and under.

Wind down the holidays with a stroll through the great art of Downtown.

To 12/31: Holiday Punch, Studio 107, 411 Brazos, #107
(512) 477-9092, studio107.com

To 1/1: The Goddess of America, Jefita de los Barrios
La Pena Gallery, 227 Congress
512) 477-6007, lapena-austin.org

This is an exquisite photography exhibit by Douglas Rhodenbaugh. The exhibit features images of the Virgen de Guadalupe as captured by the photographer during his travels to Mexico, Guatamala and Peru.

To 1/2: Collecting Latino Art Exhibit & Sale
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, mexic-artemuseum.org

To 1/6: Xmas Expo, Gallery Lombardi, 910 W. Third
(512) 481-1088, gallerylombardi.com

To 1/16: Lounge!, Arthouse at Jones Center, 700 Congress Avenue
(512) 453-5312, arthousetexas.org. Enjoy Slide Jam @ Lounge! - Thursday, Jan. 6, 7:00 p.m. Call Arthouse for details.

Dec 31 - New Year's Eve Fun

"Noon Year's Eve" Balloon Drop - Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado, with a balloon drop, snacks, fun exhibits, and party hat and noise maker activities. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pop over to austinkids.org for details.

New Year's Eve Improv Comedy Extravaganza - Laugh the new year in with the HEROES OF COMEDY and an enchanted evening of improv games, scenes and champagne at the Hideout Theatre & Coffee House, 617 Congress. hideouttheatre.com

New Year's Eve on Sixth Street - It's always the wildest party in Austin. Make it the way you bring in the New Year. Austin Police Department will follow the usual weekend street closing procedures. For details see the Street Closing Notices below.

Please be safe as you herald in 2005!

Jan 4 - Economic Development Committee
Noon
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, Room 111
Chair: Kent Collins; DAA Contact: Julie Fitch
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com

New Year's Eve related Street Closings - The Austin Police Department (APD) will follow its typical weekend schedule for street closures. Officers will barricade each block of E. 6th Street between Red River and Brazos. As usual, Neches and Trinity will also be barricaded between E. 5th Street and E. 7th Street. These closures will be in effect by 11:00 p.m., but could occur earlier if the officers on duty feel the crowd warrants that measure.

Officers could also choose to close San Jacinto and Brazos between E. 5th and E. 7th if crowds are particularly large, but APD does not expect the additional closures to be necessary.

On Stage
To 1/1: Esther's Follies Christmas Show, Esther's Follies, esthersfollies.com
To 1/2: Rockin' Christmas Party, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 1/2: The Santaland Diaries, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 1/5: Tuna Christmas, Paramount Theatre, austintheatrealliance.org
To 1/21: The Polar Express, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
To 3/05: Bugs 3-D: A Rainforest Adventure, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com

The Music Scene
30, 31: Austin Symphony's Holiday Pops with B.J. Thomas, Palmer Events Center, austinsymphony.org
30: Classical Concert Series, Bob Bullock Texas State History Musuem, thestoryoftexas.com

Gallery Watch & Museum Musings
To 12/31: Holiday Punch, Studio 107, studio107.com
To 1/1: The Goddess of America, La Pena Gallery, lapena-austin.org
To 1/2: Collecting Latino Art Exhibit & Sale, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 1/6: Xmas Expo, Gallery Lombardi, gallerylombardi.com
To 1/16: Lounge!, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 2/20: Andy Goldsworthy, Natural Installations in Japan, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org

Special Events, Workshops, Seminars, Meetings
31: New Year's Eve on 6th Street

DAA Gatherings
1/4: Economic Development Committee Meeting, Southwest Tower, downtownaustin.com