Mar 30 Movies in the Park Chick-off Event
Republic Square Park, 5th & Guadalupe
austinparks.org

Get into the Easter spirit with a whole new look at eggs and the creatures who create them. The Spring season of Movies in the Park kicks off with the witty chick flick, Chicken Run.

Bring the kids to play chicken bingo, and ponder the age old question..."Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" It'll be a squawking good time - guaranteed!

Bring your blankets, chairs, picnics and pets, but no alcohol or glass bottles please!

Fun begins at 7:00 p.m.

Mar 30-Apr 16 Nickel and Dimed
State Theater, 719 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatrealliance.org

Ever think you're worth more than you're being paid? Ha! Peer into the real world of the working poor and take heart. Nickel and Dimed chronicles the path of journalist, Barbara Ehrenrich, as she meandered through a series of minimum-wage gigs. This unforgettable new play, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune calls "a humorous, big-hearted must-see" is based on the New York Times best-seller Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Joan Holden.

Mar 31 Michael Fontenot, Guitar
McCullough Theatre, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Talk about a Renaissance man! When Dr. Michael Fontenot isn't tending to his pediatric patients in Fredricksburg, he's perfecting his inimitable classical and folk guitar techniques, accompanied by his own poignant lyrics. The doctor's performance will leave you both amused and amazed.

Still Showing Downtown...

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

Mar 24 The Music of Holy Week
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

This special Thursday Noontime Concert features Kathy Blanchard, soprano; Susan Richter, soprano & clarinet; Win Bent, bass, & Michael Regier, tenor & accompaniment. A surprise or two are also promised.

Mar 26 Austin Symphony's Spring Family Concert
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

Bring the whole family to enjoy great performances by two of Austin's most beloved musical moms, Kelly Willis and Sara Hickman. They're headlining the Austin Symphony Orchestra's Spring Family Concert program, appropriately named Musical Moms.

Mar 24 "Life Story" Art Happening
American Youthworks, 216 E. 5th Street

Join the discussion. "Life Story" Art Happening is designed to encourage communication between individuals and members of our Downtown neighborhood. These conversations take place 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 and 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at American Youthworks. Then, bring a dish and enjoy a Neighborhood Potluck at 5:00 p.m. This event is being sponsored by Texas Commission on the Arts, American Youthworks and the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division.

Mar 24 The Invention of Hollywood Glamour
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Get an in-depth look at one of Hollywood's first and most prominent female photographers. Dr. Bruce Robertson, Professor of Art History at the University of California at Santa Barbara, presents "The Invention of Hollywood Glamour: Ruth Harriet Louise and MGM." Then stay after the 7:00 p.m. presentation to view the Center's exhibition, Shooting Stars: The Golden Age of Hollywood Portraiture, 1925-1950.

Mar 25 Dino Snorezzzz Family Sleepover
Austin Children's Museum, 2nd & Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

It's a pajama party for the whole family - what fun! You and your kids are invited to sleep among the dinosaurs and learn more about prehistoric creatures with hands-on activities with Texas Memorial Museum paleontologists. You'll see the movie, Walking with Dinosaurs, and in the morning awaken to a breakfast and guided experience at Austin Science and Nature Center's Dino Pit. To reserve your pallet space, please call (512) 472-2499.

Still Showing Downtown...

Volunteer for Austin Fine Arts Festival, April 2-3, austinfineartsfestival.org, (512) 458-6073 ext. 5

To 3/26: Pocket full of posy (all fall down), d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 3/26: Guatemala City Dump: Life on the Rim, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 3/27: Hollywood Portraiture, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 3/27: Fashion/Celebrity Photography, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 3/31: Rory O'Neal Abstracts: Red Hot!, Artworks, artworksaustin.com
To 3/31: Coexistence Exhibit, Auditorium Shores, balletaustin.org/light
To 4/2: Getting in Touch, F8 Fine Art Gallery, f8fineart.com
To 4/4: Rita Maria Contreras: Recent Work, Las Manitas Avenue Cafe,lapena-austin.org
To 4/7: Between You and Me: Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 4/8: Mexico in Excellence: 21st Century, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 5/13: Baby Dinos, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 5/12: Color/Pattern/Grid, Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress, amoa.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: Forces of Nature, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 5/29: Bats in My World, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 6/4: Landmark Maps of Texas Exhibit, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 8/28: Signs of the Times: Life in the Swingin' Sixties, LBJ Library & Museum, lbjlib.utexas.edu

Mar 26 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square Park, 5th & Guadalupe
austinfarmersmarket.org

Republic Square is the place to be Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for everything fresh. Visit austinfarmersmarket.org for each week's special line up.


Mar 30 Last Chance for Free Yoga in the Park!
Republic Square Park, 5th & Guadalupe
(512) 326-3900, austinparks.org

If you haven't yet taken advantage of the terrific free YOGA YOGA in the Park, next Wednesday is your last chance this season. Be there and enjoy the terrific relaxation during your lunch hour, 12 Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Mar 30 Open House - Cesar Chavez Conversion
City Hall, Room 1029, 2nd & Lavaca
(512) 974-7241

City staff would like your input on the potential conversion of Cesar Chavez to two-way traffic between San Antonio and Brazos Streets. This is a preliminary meeting, a second open house will be held later with more detailed information. Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

April 13 Candidate Forum
Four Seasons, 98 San Jacinto Blvd
(512) 469-1766; rsvp@downtownaustin.com

The Downtown Austin Alliance, along with the The Real Estate Council of Austin and a number of other organizations, is hosting the City Council Candidate Forum, Wednesday, April 13 at the Four Seasons, 98 San Jacinto Blvd. Seating is limited and $28 per person (Cash or Check Only). RSVP by Wednesday, April 6 to rsvp@downtownaustin.com.

We'd also like to know what you'd like to know from City Council candidates. Please send your questions by March 31 to daa@downtownaustin.com, using the subject line, Candidate Forum Questions. For more information on this important community event, being sponsored by Morrison & Head, LP, please visit recaonline.com.

Mar 24 Issues & Eggs - Western Access to Downtown
211 E. 7th Street, Room 111
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com

Join the Downtown Austin Alliance on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. for our free monthly breakfast meeting. Special guests will be Bob Daigh, TxDOT District Traffic Engineer and City of Austin staff to discuss proposed managed lanes on Mopac and into Downtown Austin, along with the outcome of the City of Austin's HOV study for managed lanes from Downtown to Mopac.

Mar 30 Security & Maintenance Committee
8:30 a.m.
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, 7th Floor Conference Room
Cair: John Nyfeler; DAA Contact: Bill Brice
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com

Click here to view the entire events calendar.