Sep 10-Nov 10 2005 Texas Prize Finalists
Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Congress Avenue
(512) 453-5312, arthousetexas.org

The four finalists for the inaugural biannual $30,000 Arthouse Texas Prize are Eileen Maxson (Houston), Robyn O'Neil (Houston), Robert A. Pruitt (Houston) and Ludwig Schwarz (Dallas).

These artists were chosen from 129 nominations offered by a select group of art world professionals. The prize, which recognizes innovation, talent and a marked contribution to a thriving Texas art scene, will promote and celebrate a Texas-based artist who has produced a significant body of work in the past two years.

The four finalists will be included in an exhibition at Arthouse, which will be accompanied by a full-color catalog featuring essays and images documenting the work of these four talented artists.

The Arthouse Texas Prize is the largest regional visual arts award in the United States. The prize and exhibition represent a significant opportunity to bring attention to Texas' rapidly growing art scene.


Sep 13 Pull Up a Chair and Sit a Spell
Stubbs BBQ, 801 Red River
(512) 542-0076, austinlibrary.org

Celebrate a sampling of the riches you can find at the Austin Public Library during this year's Library Foundation Fall Fundraiser, Texas Tales: Pull Up a Chair and Sit a Spell.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with supper and drinks at Stubb's legendary BBQ, followed by desserts from Jeffrey's, Chez Zee Cafe and Dessert Bakery.

A silent Auction of Chairs showcases more than 20 old-fashioned wooden library chairs that have been transformed into one-of-a kind creations by local artists, architects and designers.

After supper, you'll sit a spell and enjoy a reading by Tommy Lee Jones and short talks from two of Austin area's most inspiring citizens - Burundian athlete and civil war survivor, Gilbert Tuhabonye and conservation innovator David Bamberger. A clip from Turk Pipkin's new documentary Nobelity and a musical guest to be announced will round out the evening.

Tickets are $75 and help keep the Austin Public Library system thriving.

Sep 9 Ennio Marchetto
B. Iden Payne Theater, Winship Drama Building, UT Campus
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Brilliantly funny and wildly entertaining, this solo performance features a whirlwind of paper costumes and split second transformations. Ennio uses his dynamic physical comedy and ingenious costumes, backed by an eclectic soundtrack, to magically morph into parodies of our favorite cultural icons. Outrageously funny!

Sep 10-Oct 16 Charlotte's Web
Scottish Rite Theatre, 207 West 18th Street
(512) 472-KIDO, scottishritechildrenstheatre.org

Your children will adore this new production of Charlotte's Web as much as they love the book by E.B. White. A beautiful play about friendship, the story is a blend of fantasy and realism and perfect for the family to enjoy together. Tickets: $5 Children, $8 Adults, $7 Seniors. Special group rates available. Call (512) 472-KIDO (5436) for information and to order tickets with credit card. Advance tickets are recommended.

Sep 12-17 Giant Screening of Mexico
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4649, thestoryoftexas.com

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the giant-screen film, Mexico, takes audiences on a journey through time to the ancient Olmec, Zapotec, Aztec and Maya civilizations - from the sixteenth century Spanish conquests and into the vibrant urban landscape of modern-day Mexico City. The history and heritage of Mexico comes alive through the poetry and murals of some of Mexico's greatest writers and artists. Catch Mexico in Spanish at noon from Monday, September 12 through Friday, September 16, or in English at 10:00 a.m. from Monday, September 12 through Saturday, September 17.

Still On Stage Downtown...

To 9/2: Improv Twofers, Hideout Theatre, hideouttheatre.com
Ongoing: Back-to-School Follies, Esther's Follies, esthersfollies.com
Ongoing: Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey, Texas the Big Picture, Forces of Nature, Fighter Pilot, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: The Star of Destiny, Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Sep 8 Fundraiser + Ensemble Concert
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

Central Presbyterian will be holding a fund-raiser for the folks affected by Hurricane Katrina during its Thursday Noontime Concert, featuring Rich Harney on Piano and Alex Coke playing flute, saxophone and other winds.

Sep 8 Miro Quartet
Bates Recital Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Taking their name from the Spanish master of surrealism, the Miro Quartet, current holder of the eminent Cleveland Quartet Award, has dazzled listeners around the world with their bright, exciting performances.

Sep 9 Warren Hood Live from the Plaza
City Hall Plaza, 301 W. 2nd Street
cityofaustin.org/music/live.htm

Talented violinist/fiddler and singer/songwriter, Warren Hood, headlines this week's Live from the Plaza noontime concert. While you're at City Hall, you can view the diverse artwork inside and outside of the architecturally acclaimed building, take a walk on the nearby hike-and-bike trail, or visit the new stores in the Second Street District. The concert will be broadcast live on Cable Channel 6. Free parking. Food available.

Sep 9-10 Anne Akiko Meyers
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers joins the Austin Symphony Orchestra for its Classical Concert Series. Program includes: Berloiz - Le Corsaire Overture, Chausson - Poeme - Op. 25, Ravel - Tzigane, Theofanidis - Rainbow Body, and Bernstein - On the Waterfront. Concert on both evenings: 8:00 p.m.

Sep 10 Women in Jazz: Rachelle Ferrell
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress

Rachelle Ferrell, with her a startling six-and-change octave range, has made her mark not only as a straight-ahead jazz singer and pianist, but as a crossover artist who is equally at home with urban contemporary pop, gospel, classical music and jazz. Special guest, Pamela Hart, joins Rachelle for this evening of spectacular jazz. For tickets call (866) 4GET-TIX.

Sep 11 Spirit of Tex-Mex Music
Spirit of Texas Theater, Bob Bullock Museum
(512) 936-4649, thestoryoftexas.com

This group epitomizes the Tex-Mex sound. Ruben Ramos and Grupo Fantasma take the Spirit of Texas Music stage for two hours of music and storytelling. The concert will be broadcast live on KGSR Radio.

Sep 8 22 to Watch - Gallery Talk
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

Austin Museum of Arts exhibiting artists will each give ten minutes of insight into their work. Go to amoa.org for the list of scheduled speakers. Presentations start at 7:00 p.m.

Sep 10 Second Saturdays for Families
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

Come view New Art in Austin: 22 to Watch! You'll see works of art created by 22 artists working in a variety of artistic materials. Once you've had a chance to explore the galleries, come to the Community Room to create your own mixed-media sculpture. You'll have different art supplies to work with to transform an everyday object into your own one-of-a-kind sculpture. Everyone will leave with a completed original work of art!

Sep 10, 14 Race Day
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Get ready to roll during Race Day, at the Austin Children's Museum while putting the law of motion into action! Build a cracker box car and enter it in a derby car race. Choose your favorite fastest marble to enter in the Great Marble Race. Hop on a "Plasma Car" and see who makes it across the finish line. The UT solar race car team will be on-hand to show off their Solar Powered car! The day rolls from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Sep 11 Hands-on Science for Kids
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Explore Science at the Austin Children's Museum! Join students and professors from UT as they introduce your children to a variety of science activities and experiments.

Also happening at the Austin Children's Museum this week:

12: Baby Bloomers, 9:00 a.m. to Noon
13: Preschool Pals, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
14: Teetertots, 10:00 a.m.
14: Community Nights, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 9/10: Tina Medina, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 9/10: Lens, d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 9/4: Young Latino Art Exhibition, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 10/15: Ready, Set, Roll, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 10/23 Texas Trailblazer, Capitol Visitors Center, texascapitolvisitorscenter.com
To 10/30: 22 to Watch: New Art in Austin, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 12/31: Ansel Adams: A Legacy, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu

Sep 10 Hurricane Katrina-United Relief Effort
Republic Square Park, 4th and Guadalupe

Here is your chance to help hurricane victims in a meaningful way. Charities Being Charitable-Hurricane Katrina-United Relief Effort is a City of Austin sponsored event and organized by a variety of Austin non-profit agencies. The event, happening from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. this Saturday, includes a live music benefit concert, collection stations, and children's activities. Austin Farmers' Market vendors will have food and drink for sale, with proceeds being donated.

Parking is free in adjacent parking lots and meters. Suggested donations are $15 for adults and $3 for children. Please go to youthlaunch.org for details. If you would like to volunteer or make a donations, please contact amills@youthlaunch.org.

Sep 10, 14 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square Park, 5th & Guadalupe
Plaza Saltillo, 5th Street & Comal
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

Load up on late summer fruits and vegetables at both versions of the Austin Farmer's Market, including the mini-mart on Wednesdays from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Plaza Saltillo.

Sep 14 Beyond the Gates: Singles Mixer
Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Road
(512) 445-5582, umlaufsculpture.org

Now here's an upscale mingling event. Single men & women from the Austin area are invited to join Beyond the Gates: Singles Gathering & Mixer in Umlauf Sculpture Garden next Wednesday, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. Enjoy hands-on clay demonstrations as well as representatives from the USG&M Garden Party and Torchbearers. You'll learn about the Museum's mission to provide educational experiences and programs that encourage the appreciation and understanding of sculpture. The Sculpture Academy of Austin will also have a clay table and a giant chess set will be on hand for you to practice your moves. Then, if that doesn't get you movin', the DJ from Complete Music will! Admission: FREE. Reservations preferred, contact: tours@umlaufsculpture.org. Chess set provided by Austin Parks Foundation.