Feb 11-14: Director's Choice
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 476-9151, balletaustin.org

Year after year, Ballet Austin and Stephen Mill's Director's Choice leave audiences awestruck with the high energy presentations of emerging choreographers whose imaginations are ignited on stage with show-stopping energy, drama and surprises.

This year's dynamic production presents the works of Thaddeus Davis, Gina Patterson and Stephen Mills. Last season's Director's Choice sold out!

Free to Fly is a new contemporary ballet by Gina Patterson inspired by the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and by the incredible voice of Lila Downs, which examines gender roles and the cycle of life, birth and death.

Tickets are $17-61 and are available by calling (512) 469-SHOW or visiting startickets.com.

Feb 11-12: Coyaba Dance Theatre
State Theater, 719 Congress
(512) 469-SHOW, austintheatrealliance.org

The Washington Post hailed this production as "Fierce, sexy and contemporary." Presented by Dance Umbrella, you'll be mesmerized by this total African dance experience that's as powerful as it is uplifting.

Feb 12: An Evening with Anna Deavere Smith
Zach Scott's Kleberg Stage, Riverside at Lamar
(512) 476-0541, zachscott.com

This spirited one-night-only performance offers insight into the state of affairs in Austin and the world as presented by some of the nation's largest voices. Award-winning actress, playwright and educator, Anna Deavere Smith gives a rare performance that features sketches of our most beloved personalities. An Evening with Anna Deavere Smith will be hosted by Gov. Ann Richards, Chula Reynolds, Molly Ivans, Eddie Safady, and Evan Smith.

Feb 14: Love is a Funny Thing
The Hideout Theatre & Coffee House, 617 Congress
(512) 443-3688, hideouttheatre.com

What better way to spend Valentine's Day than by hooping and hollering about the perils and sweetness of love? The Heroes of Comedy, Austin's premiere improv comedy troupe, invites you to celebrate V-Day with your loved one for an evening of improv games and scenes about chocolate, flowers and romance. The show will strengthen your relationship or make you feel better about not having one. Because Love is a Funny Thing! Tickets are $15.00 and are available at the Box Office for the two performances at 8:00 & 10:00 p.m.

Feb 16- 20 Kinsey
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatrealliance.org

He was one of the most controversial figures of the 20th Century for his pioneering research into the field of human sexuality. Kinsey, starring Liam Neeson and Laura Linney, chronicles the life and mission of Alfred Kinsey. This fascinating film has received both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. Go to austintheatrealliance.org for showtimes.


Still Showing...

To 2/12: Treasure Island, Scottish Rite Theatre, scottishritechildrenstheatre.org
To 3/5: Bugs 3-D: A Rainforest Adventure, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
To 3/6: Blown Sideways Through Life, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 4/3: AIDA, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To Spring: The Young Black Stallion, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: Texas the Big Picture, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com

Feb 10: Thursday Noontime Concert
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

Just in time for Valentine's, get in the mood with the love songs of Kim Kafka.

Feb 11: Tunes at Noon
Texas Medical Association Building, 401 E. 15th
(512) 370-1456, tunesatnoon.org

Texas Medical Association's free Noontime Concert series this month showcases Joe Gagan.

Feb 11- 21: Jerry Garcia: A Visual Journey
Art on 5th, 1501 W. 5th
(512) 481-1111, arton5th.com

Best known as the legendary lead guitarist, singer and composer for the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia was also a talented visual artist. Enjoy a rare opportunity to view important watercolors and lithographs created throughout his lifetime. You'll see that his art is as amazing as his music.

Feb 14, 15: Beowulf in Performance by Benjamin Bagby
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Benjamin Bagby is considered the world's finest bardic storyteller and reciter. This 7:00 p.m. performance of Beowolf brings Chaucer's timeless tale alive in its original language, accompanied by period music. A reception follows the 7:00 p.m. show. A pre-performance discussion takes place at 3:00 p.m., and a post-performance discussion is being held at 10:00 a.m., February 15 in the Ransom Center's Prothro Theater.


Still on display Downtown...

To 2/12: Abstract Art, d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 2/12: OPEN HOUSE, Women & Their Work, 1710 Lavaca, womenandtheirwork.org
To 2/20: Siete Mundos: Ceramica Veracruzana, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 2/20: Andy Goldsworthy, Natural Installations, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 2/24: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembered, Scarbrough Building, 101 W. Sixth Street
To 2/26: For the Love of Art, f8 Fine Art Gallery, f8fineart.com
To 2/27: Life Drawings, ArtHouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 3/10: Hiroshi Watanabe: Faces and Places, Oswald Gallery, oswaldgallery.com
To 3/20: Writing Among the Ruins, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 3/27: Hollywood Portraiture, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 3/ 27 Fashion/Celebrity Photography, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 4/8: Mexico in Excellence: 21st Century, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 5/21: European Paintings: Open Storage, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 5/21: Contemporary Art from Chile, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 5/29: Bats in My World, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 8/28: Signs of the Times: Life in the Swingin' Sixties, LBJ Library & Museum, lbjlib.utexas.edu

Feb 13: Freescale (formerly Motorola) Half Marathon
7:00 AM, freescaleaustinmarathon.com

The Freescale Marathon celebrates its 14th year running. Formerly the Motorola Marathon, the only change will be the name. The course will remain the same from 2004. See Street Closings for information on how the race will affect traffic.

If you're not running the marathon, you'll still want to check out the Health and Fitness Expo at the Palmer Events Center on February 11-12.

Feb 10: For the Love of Austin
Hyatt Regency Hotel, 208 Barton Springs Road
(512) 391-0617, keepaustinbeautiful.org

Be a part of Keep Austin Beautiful's 20th Annual Awards Luncheon and join in the salute of Keep Austin Beautiful Award winners in nine categories. The Luncheon is at 11:00 a.m., and tickets are $30 each or $500 for a table of eight, which includes signage.

Feb 12: Oh, Be Mine at the Market
Republic Square Park, 5th & Guadalupe
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day this week at the Austin Farmer's Market. Learn about chocolate dipping at the chef's demo, create your own unique Valentine card and discover ways to express "love" in all kinds of languages. As always, you'll also have the freshest picks of local vegetables, herbs, cheeses, eggs, meats, breads, honey, flowers, prepared foods, drinks and artisan crafts. Free parking around the Park and in the State parking garage at 3rd & San Antonio. Be there for this special "Be Mine" market, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Feb 16: Downtown 'a la Carte
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
111 Congress Avenue
Contact: Bill Brice
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com

Servin' Up Downtown! Enjoy live music and entertainment along with a taste of all the great things Downtown has to offer. The fun runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Blue Plate Specials will be brought to you by Austin Museum Partnership, Austin Circle of Theaters, In the Galleries, Historic Austin, Austin Farmer's Market, Capital Metro. You'll also get the latest on what's hot in Downtown dining, shopping, entertainment and more!

Sleeker Sneakers

Motive 807
710 Brazos
512-275-7385
Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
motive807.com (under construction)

You won't find most of what you'll find here anywhere else in Austin, or even Texas!
Because Motive 807 is a "sneaker boutique" that specializes in specialty sneakers - exclusive, high end and European versions of the names you and your feet love, like VANS, Nike, Adidas, New Balance and Callous, a brand only 4 or 5 stores in the country carry. You'll also find a selection of very cool t-shirts.

This isn't your usual shoe store set-up either. Proprietor, Fahad Mayahi, wanted it to look and feel like a NYC boutique. and he's achieved it at 710 Brazos (middle of the block between 7th and 8th). Drop by (Mon.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.) and sneak a peek at these sleeker sneakers. Prices fit any shoe budget - $35-300.

We welcome our newest retail neighbor and are thrilled that the products Motive 807 offers further adds to the uniqueness of the Downtown shopping experience.

Freescale Marathon

The Freescale Marathon will be this Sunday, February 13. The race starts in North Austin and twists throught the city to end at Auditorium Shores. Several Downtown streets will be closed for the event. All affected streets will closed at 2:00 a.m.

The following streets will re-open at 2:00 p.m.:

San Jacinto, between MLK and 11th;
Congress between 11th and 6th;
6th, between Congress and Mopac.

The following streets will re-open at 5:00 p.m.:

Cesar Chavez, between Mopac and IH-35;
Riverside Drive, between IH-35 and Auditorium Shores.

For a map of the full course, see http://www.freescaleaustinmarathon.com/newsdetail.asp?key=ll

Feb 15: Arts & Entertainment Marketing Committee
8:30 a.m.
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, 7th Floor Conference Room
Chair: Nancy Burns; DAA Contact: Cilla Temple
(512) 469-1766; downtownaustin.com

Feb 16: Republic Square Partnership Meeting
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, DAA Conference Room
Chair: Thais Austin; DAA Contact: Julie Fitch
(512) 469-1766; downtownaustin.com