Apr 16 Art Car Parade
Congress Avenue
austinartcar.com

Wild and wacky vehicles of all descriptions will be wheeling down Congress Avenue. If you've never beheld such mobile festoonery, you'll want to roll Downtown this Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Just about anything that can be propelled will be bedecked, bedazzled and beautified -- or horrified -- for the cruising down the Avenue. Totally outrageous. And so absolutely Austin.

Go ahead, mobilize your imagination, or check out austinartcar.com to get involved as a volunteer.


Apr 19-May 1 Red, White & Tuna
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-7247, austintheatre.org

Tuna gets a new look in this refreshed version of the hit play that leaves audiences rolling in the aisles. Jaston Williams and Joe Sears are back, bringing to life all the eccentric characters and happenings of Tuna, Texas - the mythical third smallest town in the Lone Star State.

This go-round, you'll take a comic ride into the hearts and minds of Tuna's polyester-clad citizens for a 4th of July High School Reunion and picnic.

Shows are at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Weekend matinees are at 2:00 p.m., with evening shows - Saturday 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $23 to $43.25 and available online at austintheatre.org or by calling (512) 469-SHOW.

Apr 14 Billy Collins - Poetry Maestro
Hogg Auditorium, 24th & Whitis
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Get your tickets early for this one. Former US Poet Laureate, Billy Collins, packs houses, leaving his audiences of all ages amazed and delighted with the twists and turns and magic of the English language. No poet since Robert Frost has managed to combine high critical acclaim with such broad popular appeal.

Apr 14-30 Reefer Madness
The Hideout Theatre & Coffee House, 617 Congress
(512) 589-2332, bedlamfaction.com

In this stage adaptation of the cult classic film, "Bedlam Faction" will make you think about the weed menagerie that may be growing in your own backyard!

Apr 16, 17 Z Cabaret
ZACH's Arena Stage, Riverside Dr. & S. Lamar
(512) 476-0541, zachscott.com

This spring you'll have the chance to listen to some of your favorite musical performances, during ZACH's popular Z-Cabaret Series. Michael Clay and Band belt out roof-raising original country western & Texas folk on the 16th, and Tina Marsh, with pianist Eddy Hobizal, sets the Arena Stage ablaze with classic renditions of contemporary classics. See any Saturday Z-Cabaret Show and get $5 off each ticket to see The Vagina Monologues on the same day. Z-Cabaret runs through June 11.

Apr 16 Lipizzaner Stallions
Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River
(512) 471-7744, uterwincenter.com

Aristocrats. Noble. Extraordinary. You get the picture. Lipizzaner Stallions are to equestrian art what Cirque du Soleil is to acrobatics. A truly spectacular show for the whole family.

Apr 17 Rick Najera's Latinologues
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Latinologues is a collection of comedic and poignant monologues about the Latino experience in America that has toured the nation to sold-out crowds by award-winning writer, Rick Najera.

Still Showing Downtown...
To 4/17: MacBeth, Dougherty Arts Center, celticcenter.org
To 4/17: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Bass Concert Hall, utpac.org
To 4/29: Comedian Rob Williams w/Esther's Follies, Esther's Follies, esthersfollies.com
To 5/8: The Vagina Monologues, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 5/28: James and the Giant Peach, Scottish Rite Theatre, scottishritechildrenstheatre.org
To Spring: The Young Black Stallion, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: Texas the Big Picture, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com

Apr 14 Thursday Noontime Concert
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

Listen to the tintinnabulation of Rita Kuntz's solo handbells.

Apr 15 Patrice Pike with Strings Attached
St. David's Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th
stringsattached.org

Legendary Austin singer and national touring sensation, Patrice Pike, joins Will Taylor's Strings Attached series. Two shows - 7:30 & 10:00 p.m.

Apr 16 Kenny Garrett - Longhorn Jazz Festival
Bates Recital Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Get ready for roll-up-your-sleeves, in-your-face, hard-bop-blowing at its best! Multi-grammy nominated alto sax player, Kenny Garrett, joins the UT Longhorn Jazz Orchestra to bring his muscular yet lyrical eloquence to Austin for an 8:00 p.m. show.

Apr 16-17 2005 Bob Marley Festival
Auditorium Shores, Town Lake
austinmarleyfestival.org

Romp, stomp, shake and shimmy non-stop for two days of reggae regale. This feast of music, food, arts & crafts celebrates the music, messages and soul of Bob Marley, whose power lives on two decades after his death.

Apr 15-29 Sketches of the Past
Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, 211 Congress
(512) 477-6007, lapena-austin.org

Las Manitas Avenue Cafe will be filled with the art of Roy Salas. The opening reception for "Sketches of the Past" will be held on Friday April 15, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.



Apr 15-May 13 Pinto y Pinto - I Paint and Paint
La Pena Gallery, 227 Congress
(512) 477-6007, lapena-austin.org

"I Paint and Paint," an exhibition of acrylic and mixed-media work, reveals the passion of Chicana artist Carmen Rodriquez Sonnes. The opening reception is Friday, April 15, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Apr 16 Virtual Texas Maps
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4649, thestoryoftexas.com

Take an interactive, deeply introspective tour of the Great State from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Professionals will guide you through this amazing glimpse at all that is not seen.

Apr 16 Art Ball Nine + Art Bash
Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Boulevard
(512) 495-9224 x. 291, kballett@amoa.org

It's the art event of the year. The Austin Museum of Art's annual Art Ball features cocktails, a gourmet dinner, live art auction featuring works from Annie Leibovitz and Ed Ruscha. You can also bid on art excursions to London and New York City! Tickets to the Art Ball admit you to the Art Bash immediately following. Or, buy Art Bash tickets separately at amoa.org.

Apr 17 Imagination Movers
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2494, austinkids.org

Calling all Gearheads! You and your kids will be singing and dancing to the sounds of Imagination Movers performing songs from their new CD, Calling All Movers. Concert, from 3:00 - 3:40 p.m., is included with admission to the Museum ($5.50 - $3.50 per person).

Apr 19, 20 Masters of Letters
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

A man of letters delves into the letters of two mysterious masters. Christopher Ricks, literary historian, author, Oxford Professor of Poetry and Distinguished Commonwealth Professor at Boston University discusses Blonde on Blonde: Bob Dylan's Poetry on April 19 and Beckett's Ways with Shakespeare's Words on the April 20. Both talks are at 7:00 p.m.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 5/7: Journeys, F8 Fine Art Gallery, f8fineart.com
To 5/7: Proud and Sad /Wrong and Strong, Women & Their Works,womenandtheirwork.org
To 5/12: Color/Pattern/Grid, Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress, amoa.org
To 5/13: Baby Dinos, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.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, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 6/26 Grandeza Mexicana, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 7/17: The Muse in Motion, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 7/17: The Place, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 8/28: Signs of the Times, LBJ Library & Museum, lbjlib.utexas.edu

Apr 14 Movies in the Park: Eighties Night featuring Fletch
Republic Square Park, 5th & Guadalupe
austinparks.org

Join the Austin Parks' Foundation to watch Chevy Chase play Irwin Fletcher, hotshot journalist and disguise artist extraordinaire, in the classic 80's comedy "Fletch." Come wearing your favorite eighties garb or Fletch disguise from the film. Prescreening activities include a worst disguise contest. Prizes will be given for the best terrible disguise. Bring your blankets, chairs, picnics and pets, but leave your alcohol and glass bottles at home. Fun begins at 7:00 p.m.

Apr 14-17 Austin International Poetry Festival
Various locations throughout Downtown and Austin
aipf.org

Promoting literary excellence by connecting poets from Austin and around the world -- The 13th Annual Austin International Poetry Festival is a dynamic, inclusive environment celebrating a passion for language, cultural diversity and self-expression. Check aipf.org for dates, times and locations.

Apr 16 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square Park, 5th & Guadalupe
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

Oh so fresh. Oh so fine. Support the health and well-being of yourself and Central Texas during Austin Farmer's Market, Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Apr 16 Austin AmericCorps Awareness Day
Throughout Downtown

AmericCorps Volunteers will be working to clean up Town Lake and Waller Creek, paint the street furniture on Congress Avenue and working with children at the Farmer's Market and Austin Children's Museum.


Apr 20 Saving the Character of Austin
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, 701 Congress Ave.
(512) 474-5198, 11, heritagesocietyaustin.org

The Heritage Society of Austin celebrates its 44th Annual Preservation Awards. "Congress Avenue: Saving the Character of Austin" is the theme of this year's event and features guest speaker, Mayor Joseph P. Riley of Charleston, South Carolina - leading expert on preservation, urban design and livability issues who tours the country speaking on these topics.

The Luncheon is being held 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per guest and can be purchased online at heritagesocietyaustin.org, or by calling 474-5198, x. 11.

Apr 16 18th Annual Walk for Safe Families & Safe Streets
Waterloo Park, 15th and Trinity
austin-safeplace.org

Walk to end domestic and sexual violence - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Apr 17 National MS Society Bike Tour
ms150.org

Annual Bike Tour from Houston to Austin culminates at the State Capitol.

See Street Closings below to learn how these events will impact traffic.

Apr 15, 16 Annual Art Car Ball & Parade
austinartcar.com

Ball - Friday evening - 4/15 - Parking spaces on E. 6th St. from Brazos to Red River will be closed from 6:00 to midnight for the West Austin News? Annual Art Car Ball.

Parade - Saturday - 4/16 - Cars will assemble in the parking lot on the southeast corner of 11th and Congress. At Noon, Congress Ave. will be closed as the cars will then proceed down to the Congress Avenue Baptist Church located at 1511 S. Congress, where they will remain on view until 4:30 p.m.

Congress Ave. closure is expected to be in effect from Noon until 2:00 p.m.

Apr 16 Safe Place Walk
austin-safeplace.org

Beginning at Noon, the 18th Annual Safe Place walk will take the following route:
From Waterloo Park, the walk will proceed south on Red River to E. 6th St.; then
West on E. 6th St. to Brazos;
North on Brazos to 11th St.;
East on 11th St. to Trinity;
and North on Trinity to Waterloo Park.

Expect minor traffic impacts from noon until 1:30 p.m.

Apr 16 Bob Marley Festival
austinmarleyfestival.org

One westbound lane of W. Riverside Drive between S. 1st and Dawson will be closed to facilitate shuttle bus operators for the Bob Marley Festival.

Closure will be in effect from Saturday at 11:00 a.m. until Sunday at 11:00 p.m.

Apr 16-17 MS 150 Bicycle Ride
ms150.org

More than 14,000 cyclists to be riding into town on Sunday, April 14th, to help victims of multiple sclerosis. The following streets will be affected as a result.

On Saturday, Congress Avenue between 17th & 18th will be closed at 4:00 p.m.
On Sunday, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., the following streets will be closed:
MLK from Lavaca to Red River;
Colorado and Congress, from MLK to 15th;
Brazos from MLK to 17th;
San Jacinto from MLK to 18th;
and 16th, 17th and 18th will be closed from Colorado to Trinity.

Apr 19 Arts & Entertainment Marketing Committee
8:30 AM
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, 7th Floor Conference Room
Chair: Nancy Burns; DAA Contact: Cilla Temple
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com


Apr 20 Republic Square Partnership Meeting
10:30 AM
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, DAA Conference Room
Chair: Thais Austin; DAA Contact: Julie Fitch
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com



If you've missed the first episode of "DOWNTOWN," don't worry it's not too late! You can download it anytime on Time Warner's free video-on-demand. Don't miss this week's great show - we call it "Ode to the Vegetable."

You can celebrate "Garlic" with an inside look at the original Alamo Drafthouse Downtown. Meet the growers and shopperss at the Sustainable Food Center's locally grown Austin Farmer's Market. And, take a look at the Austin music scene through the eyes of a young singer as she cuts her first album.

Downtown is shown Thursday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Friday evenings at 9:00 p.m. on KLRU Channel 18/Cable Channel 9 and the following Wednesday's at 9:30 p.m. on KLRU 2, Cable Channel 20 (with Spanish Subtitles). For more information on DOWNTOWN and upcoming episodes and to give us your feedback visit downtownaustin.com/news/tv.

Click Here to view the complete Events Calendar.