May 7 Festival Mexico 2005
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, mexic-artemuseum.org

Mexic-Arte Museum, the Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas invites you to be a part of the ALL NEW Festival Mexico, formerly know as Taste of Mexico. Join thousands of Central Texans as the heart of Downtown Austin transforms into a beautiful Mexican plaza this Saturday.

Bring the whole family for this evening of cultural magic. Here's the line-up:

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Food tasting, Music by DJ Soto, Artist and Chef Demonstrations, Children's Arts & Crafts area
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Silent Auction
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - St. Edward's Mariachi & Ballet Folklorico
8:30 - 9:30 p.m. - Special performance by "Tex-Mex Diva," Patricia Vonne
9:30 - 11:00 p.m. - CIENFUEGOS

Tickets are $25 before the event and available the Museum store or by calling (512) 480-9373, ext. 21, and $30 on the day of event.

(See "Street Closings" for additional information regarding this event.)

May 7-8 Contact
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

It took the New York theatre scene by storm and has won all the top awards for Best Musical, including a Tony. Now Contact, the exhilarating dance show, comes to Austin for two days and will have you gyrating all the way home. As a special for Mother's Day, 10% of tickets sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

May 8 Bill Cosby
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

One of the most influential and entertaining performers of our time, Bill Cosby, brings his legendary humor to Bass Concert Hall for one performance only. This is a world-class, not-to-be missed event.



May 10-11 Through a Glass Darkly & The Silence
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

The tribute to master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman continues with two of his "faith trilogy" series. Fascinating studies of relationships, personalities and family in classic cinema filled with symbolism. Tickets go on sale day-of-show only - with cash only for purchases under $25.00. Or now would be a great time to buy a Flix-Tix Booklet of 10 for $45. For information on any film, visit imdb.com.

Still Showing Downtown...

To 5/5: The Seventh Seal, Paramount Theatre, austintheatre.org
To 5/5: The Virgin Spring, Paramount Theatre, austintheatre.org
To 5/8: The Vagina Monologues, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 5/22: The Wonder Bread Years, State Theater, austintheatre.org
To 5/28: James and the Giant Peach, Scottish Rite Theatre, scottishritechildrenstheatre.org
To 6/19: Aida, Zach Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 6/19: Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Zach Scott's Kleberg Stage, zachscott.com
To Spring: The Young Black Stallion, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: Texas the Big Picture, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com

May 5 Thursday Noontime Concert
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

Andrew Sords is this week's featured performer for a violin & piano sonata. Free concert gets under way at 12:05 p.m.

May 6 Sabor Latino - Ruben Ramos & the Texas Revolution
City Hall Plaza, 301 W. 2nd Street

Liven up your lunch hour as you listen to some terrific live Latin music this Friday at City Hall. The City of Austin & the Austin Latino Music Association are presenting this free lunchtime concert series that starts at Noon. Free parking is available at City Hall - enter Parking Garage from Lavaca Street. The Downtown Austin Alliance is proud to be co-sponsoring this event, along with Guero's Taco Bar and Gibson Guitars.

May 8 Mama Mia
University Presbyterian Church 2203 San Antonio
(512) 345-3399, austinchamberensemble.com

Begin a musical Mother's Day with the Austin Chamber Ensemble's annual potpourri of chamber music. Bring the whole family for singing, playing, and post-concert refreshments. This lively concert starts at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $18 student/senior, $5 child.

May 8 Texas Women Salute Texas Moms
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

Then head on over to the Bob Bullock for another salute to everyone's number one lady and join the fun as Texas Women - Marcia Ball (pictured), Jane Bond and Sis Deville - take the stage. Part of the Museum's "Spirit of Texas Music," the musical magic takes place from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20, or $100 for a stage-side table with seating for three.

May 8 ASB Mother's Day Concert
Zilker Hillside Theater, Barton Springs Road
(512) 345-7420, asband.org

And for some great, free outdoor musical merriment, scoop up a couple of blankets and the kids for the Austin Symphonic Band Mother's Day Concert in Zilker Park. The program includes light classics, show tunes and marches, starting at 7:00 p.m.

To May 28 The Art of Grace Slick
Art on 5th Fine Art Gallery, 1501 W. 5th St
(512) 481-1111, arton5th.com

You remember her, perhaps, as the beautiful leader of Jefferson Airplane. Now Grace Slick is an accomplished visual artist, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view her collection of limited editions and originals. Among the treasures is "Double Trouble," an original painting of Stevie Ray Vaughan created specifically for the Austin show. Then save the dates - May 13-15 - to meet this legendary artist during special receptions. RSVPs required. Please call (512) 481-1111.

May 5 West End Gallery Night
West End - 6th & Lamar
inthegalleries.com/westend

Stephen L. Clark Gallery, Wally Workman Gallery, F8 Fine Art Gallery, Artworks, Austin Galleries, Art on 5th will open until 8:00 p.m. to welcome you as you wander around the West End.

May 5 Color/Pattern/Grid Music & Conversations
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

Austin collectors and represented artists will discuss their works on display in Color/Pattern/Grid at 7:00 p.m. Then stick around for a musical tour of this fascinating exhibition. John Aielli, of KUT 90.5's beloved program Eklektikos, has created a mix based on the themes of color, pattern, and grid. Wireless headphones will be available for your listening-as-you're-viewing pleasure.

May 7 Sculptor to Be!
Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Road
(512) 445-5582, umlaufsculpture.org

Bring out your child(ren)'s (7-11) creative genius during this hands-on (and in) clay Workshop. Reservations are required for the 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. clay play; $7.50 per student. Limited to 15 students, so sign up today!

May 7 Mom's the Star Workshop
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4649, thestoryoftexas.com

What's better than a hand-made gift for Mom? Let your little ones (ages 5-10) make Mom a star. Literally. The 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. workshop is $6 for Museum Members and $8 for non- members. Space is limited and registration is required by calling (512) 936-4649.

May 7 Color/Pattern/Grid - Gallery Tour
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

First Saturday Tours AMOA-Downtown. These special gallery tours are held at 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month in participation with In the Galleries Austin. Trained volunteers with AMOA's 28-year-old Docent Program lead tours for all ages. Plan to take a deeper look into how color, pattern and grid work in works of art. This fascinating exhibit ends May 12th.

May 7 Art Bash
Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Congress Avenue
(512) 453-5312, arthousetexas.org

Arthouse celebrates youthful talent during its annual Art Bash this Saturday, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Featured acts are: Austin's Under 21 Slam Poetry Team, Video Screams!, Public Offenders, Spirit of Space and Summerteeth. Art Bash is supported by Youth Spin, a radio program organized by the Griffin School and Starbucks Coffee.

May 8 Map Out Mother's Day
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4649, thestoryoftexas.com

After your Mother's Day Brunch (see Special Events below), take an interactive tour of the Museum's Landmark Maps of Texas exhibit, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Experts will be on hand to guide you through the wonders of the world, including Austin!

Still On Display Downtown...

To 5/7: Black & White, d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
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 5/7: Mexico, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 5/8: Ahead of Their Time 2005, ArtHouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.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 5/13: Pinto y Pinto - I Paint and Paint, La Pena Gallery, lapena-austin.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 5/26: Frido y Yo/Frida and Me,Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, lapena-austin.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 6/17: Linda Broadfoot/Aline Smithson, Oswald Gallery, oswaldgallery.com
To 6/26: Grandeza Mexicana: Siglos XVI-XIX, Mexic-Arte Museum,mexic-artemuseum.org
To 7/17: The Muse in Motion,Harry Ransom Center,hrc.utexas.edu
To 7/17: Place: Photographs,Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 7/17: Images of the World,Harry Ransom Center,hrc.utexas.edu
To 8/27: Life in the Swingin' Sixties,LBJ Library & Museum, lbjlib.utexas.edu

May 7 Height of Season Kick-Off
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

Summer is upon us, and that means it's the Height of the Season Kick-off time at Austin Farmer's Market. Local dignitaries will be on hand for a bell-ringing celebration. The 9:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m. Market will be alive with live music from multiple bands, kid's patch activities, a garden workshop and star chef demonstrations...not to mention the season's first fresh-picked blackberries, peaches, squash, beans, spinach, cucumbers and vine-ripened tomatoes! Even the parking is plentiful at the State parking garages - 3rd & San Antonio.

(See "Street Closings" for additional information regarding this event.)


May 7-8 Southwest Book, Photo and Paper Show
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
(512) 707-1856, southwestbookshow.com

If you're into rare, collectible books, photos and objects made of paper, you don't want to pass on this feast - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

May 8 Mother's Day Brunch at the Bob Bullock
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4649, thestoryoftexas.com

Treat Mom like the royalty she is with a special Mother's Day Brunch at the Bob Bullock Texas Cafe. All sorts of delicacies - from waffles to watermelon, omelettes to freshly carved meats - for just $19.95 adults and $9.95 for kids. Click here for a complete menu.

May 11 Dedication + Tower Birthday
100 Block of E. Sixth Street
austintexas.org

Mayor Will Wynn will dedicate a Texas Historical Commission marker commemorating the John Bremond & Company grocery and dry goods store originally located at Sixth & Brazos Streets. Charlie Betts, director of the Downtown Austin Alliance, will introduce special guests from the Bremond and Robinson families, as well as descendants of Austin's original Fire Department Hook & Ladder #1, which was organized by Bremond Sr., the progenitor of the Downtown Bremond Block. A reception will follow honoring the 110th Anniversary of Austin's Moonlight Towers with moon pies. The dedication begins at 11:00 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the Littlefield Mall (100 Block of E. Sixth). The reception will be held at the Austin Visitors Center located at 209 E. E. 6th St.

May 7 March of Dimes/2005 Walk America
The walk will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the S. First St. Bridge, and walkers will proceed - via Cesar Chavez and Congress Ave. - to the Capitol.

Several streets will be affected by the event:
The S. First St. Bridge,
Cesar Chavez, from Guadalupe to Congress,
Congress, from Cesar Chavez to 11th St.,
W. 11th St., from Congress to Colorado.

Congress will be completely closed beginning at 10:00 a.m. Cross streets will be reopened to traffic as walkers clear each intersection. At least one lane of traffic will be maintained on all other streets.

May 7 Festival Mexico
mexic-artemuseum.org

Mexic-arte Museum will sponsor this Cinco de Mayo celebration.

E. Fifth St. will be closed between Congress and Brazos, from 8:00 a.m. until midnight.

May 7 Farmers Market
austinfarmermarket.org

W. Fourth St. will be closed between Guadalupe and San Antonio, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Sign Up for "This Week in Downtown"

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May 5, 6 - Beans, Bones & Ballet Austin
DOWNTOWN
KLRU Channel 18/Cable Channel 9
downtownaustin.com

Learn the story of Whole Foods and why John Mackey felt it essential to keep his corporate headquarters and flagship store in Downtown. "The knee bones connected to the thigh bone?" Experience the interconnectedness of Downtown with the discovery of mastodon bones at 301 Congress and the Texas Memorial Museum's Dino Pit at the Austin Science and Nature Center. Downtown welcomes Ballet Austin to their new home, and internationally recognized artistic director Stephen Mills, presents his most personal work to date at the Paramount Theatre.

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.

For more information on DOWNTOWN and upcoming episodes to downtownaustin.com and to give us your feedback, please click here.

Click Here to view the entire Arts & Entertainment Calendar.