Oct 19 What's the Buzz Downtown?
Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Boulevard
(512) 469-1766, rsvp@downtownaustin.com

What is happening Downtown? What are the major projects that the City wants to propel forward? Find out during a special luncheon featuring Mayor Will Wynn (a past Alliance Chair) presenting his State of Downtown Address. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.

Catch some of the energy and excitement of all the new developments taking place in downtown and hear about the Mayor's vision for our future. Mayor Wynn will talk about the dynamic new Retail Development Strategy that will dramatically increase visitors, revenues and possibilities. He will also discuss the impact of commuter rail on downtown and the challenges and infrastructure limitations that must be addressed to realize the truly amazing possibilities on the horizon.

The cost of this important Alliance and community luncheon is $33 per person, $330/table of ten. Self-Park $6; Valet Parking $10.

RSVP by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 14 to: rsvp@downtownaustin.com or call (512) 469-1766 ext. 211.

We hope you'll be joining us

Oct 14 Richard Jeni will Have You Howling!
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

TV Guide has called Richard Jeni "flat-out hilarious" and People Magazine has called him "thrilling to watch." Brash, observational, witty, and just plain funny, Richard's comedy is always ahead of its time. No wonder Variety says "...There ain't much funnier than Richard Jeni anywhere."

Still On Stage Downtown...

10/12, 13, 15: The Big Lebowski, Paramount Theatre, austintheatre.org
10/15: Swingers, Paramount Theatre, austintheatre.org
To 10/16: Charlotte's Web, Scottish Rite Theatre, scottishritechildrenstheatre.org
To 10/23: American Fiesta, State Theatre, austintheatre.org
To 11/12: Keepin' It Weird, Zachary Scott, zachscott.com
Ongoing: Back-to-School Follies, Esther's Follies, esthersfollies.com
Ongoing: Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D; Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey, Texas the Big Picture, Fighter Pilot, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: The Star of Destiny, Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Oct 13 Classical Piano
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

This week's Thursday Noonday Concert, features Glisa Dexter on Classical Piano.


Oct 14 ORION by Philip Glass
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Inspired by the challenge to create a work for a world audience at the Athens Cultural Olympiad in 2004, Philip Glass' new work contemplates the earth's relationship to the constellations as interpreted by the world's many cultures. You'll hear an Australian dijeridoo, Chinese pipa, Brazilian flute, Indian sitar, West African Kora among other extraordinary music. Touring to only three US cities, ORION is not to be missed!

Oct 14 Matt Wilson Live from the Plaza
City Hall Plaza, 301 W. 2nd Street
cityofauston.org

Singer-songwriter Matt Wilson heads the bill at this Friday's Live from the Plaza at noon. The music will also be broadcast live on cable Channel 6. Free parking. Food available.

Oct 16 Canadian Brass
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Flawless, imaginative, hilarious, Canadian Brass is a magical blend of splendid music and clever personality, appealing to audiences of all ages. Seriously entertaining, unmistakably engaging, Canadian Brass is pure unbridled entertainment at its best.

Oct 13 Sublime vs. Intimate Visions
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Ellen Handy, Executive Curator for Photography and Visual Materials at the Ransom Center, presents an inagural address, Sublime vs. Intimate Visions: Ansel Adams and the Traditions of Landscape Photography. The presentation starts at 7:00 p.m.

Oct 14-16 Vintage Postage Show
Art on 5th, 1501 W. 5th
(512) 481-1111, arton5th.com

If you're into vintage looks, you must visit Art on 5th to browse through hundreds of unframed, original European vintage posters from 1900 to the 1970s. You'll find the perfect piece(s) among the variety of themes represented.

Oct 15 Self Portrait: Austin Art
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

Self-Portrait: Austin Art in Local, National, and International Contexts is a fascinating day-long symposium. Moderated by AMOA Director Dana Friis-Hansen, the featured keynote will be Eleanor Heartney, a New York-based art writer and contributing editor to Art in America. Go to amoa.org for scheduled list of speakers. The symposium will run 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Oct 16 Visions and Voices Gallery Talk with the Faces of Texas
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4600, thestoryoftexas.com

Visitors of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum will get to meet the creators of The Face of Texas. Photographer Michael O'Brien, author Elizabeth O'Brien and designer DJ Stout will share their experiences in producing the book, The Face of Texas, on Sunday, October 16, from 2:00 -4:00 p.m. The three will gather in the temporary exhibit gallery alongside 43 of O'Brien's large-scale photographs that are on display. This event is a part of Visions and Voices: The Face of Texas Speaker Series, a program that will present distinguished speakers and programs on a featured topic each Fall, hosted by the Museum's Story of Texas Society. Free with regular admission.

Still On Display Downtown...

Oct 13-16 Day out with Thomas:
Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez
austinsteamtrain.org

Join the celebration of 60 years of Thomas & Friends! Enjoy s 25-minute ride With Thomas. Meet Sir Topham Hatt. Enjoy storytelling, live Music and much more! Tickets are $16 for ages 2 and up.Advance purchase is recommended. For tickets and information, visit ticketweb.com or call 866-468-7630.

Oct 15 Doggone Pumpkin Festival
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

The Austin Farmers' Market will host the "Doggone Pumpkin Festival" this Saturday. The whole family can play in pumpkin patch, decorate a pumpkin decorating. Your children will delight in a parade of dogs in costume and even dog musical mats (instead of musical chairs). A chef's demo of delicious market fall produce and meats is slated, as well as live music. The market runs weekly every Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., through December 17.

Oct 18 Crime Prevention Month
300 E. 9th St.
(512) 974-5713

As part of October National Crime Prevention Month, the Austin Police Department Auto Theft Interdiction Unit and the Downtown and Central West Area Command will be providing Crime
Prevention information, along with free vehicle VIN Etching. The event takes play 10:00 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. Other participants will include Commute Solutions, Texas Department of Insurance, Capital Metro and Clean Air Force. For questions regarding the event, please contact APD Auto Theft Interdiction Unit at (512) 974-5713.

Oct 19 Block Party + Livability Awards
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
downtownaustin.org

Come out and enjoy fun, food, drink and your friends and neighbors at the 2005 Downtown Block Party brought to you by the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA). Mayor Will Wynn will present the 2005 Livability Awards. Food provided by: Hog Island Deli, Jama Juice, The Onion, and House Park BBQ. Free Concert by McLemore Avenue. Fun starts at 6:00 p.m.

Oct 17 Bond Advisory Public Hearings
(512) 469-1677, www.ci.austin.tx.us/budget/beac.htm

The 2006 Bond Advisory Committee will hold its last public hearings to gather input on the proposed bond package. Up for discussion are two Alliance priorities - the Waller Creek Tunnel Project and Great Streets. If you have not yet voiced your opinion, please plan to attend this important meeting:

10/17: 7 - 9 p.m.
LBJ Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Ave.

To learn more about the Alliance's two priorities, please go to downtownaustin.com or call Thomas Butler or Julie Fitch at (512) 469-1766.

Oct 16 AIDS Walk Austin
State Capitol, 11th & Congress
(512) 452-WALK (9255), asaustin.org

Walk to raise funds for AIDS Services of Austin and ten other outstanding HIV/AIDS organizations in Central Texas. The 5K walk will begin and end in front of the Capitol at 11th & Congress. Register online at asaustin.org or call (512) 452-WALK(9255).

10/12 - 16 Day Out With Thomas
Austin Convention Center
austinsteamtrain.org

Parking lanes and one traffic lane will be closed on E. 4th St. between Red River and Trinity from 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 12 until 10:00 p.m. Sunday, October 16 for this family event featuring Thomas the Tank Engine.

10/14 Street Concert
6th & Trinity
mix947.com

Mix 94.7 is hosting a street concert on Friday, October 14 from 7:30 to 11:30 in the 600 block of Trinity Street. Trinity will be closed between E. 6th and E. 7th beginning at 6:00 p.m. and will re-open at 11:59 p.m.

10/15 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square, 4h & Guadalupe
austinfarmersmarket.org

W. 4th Street will be closed between Guadalupe and San Antonio from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for the Austin Farmers Market. Locally produced tomatoes, squash, peppers, arugula, chicken, beef, and much, much more available.

10/16 Aids Walk 2005
Capitol
aidswalkaustin.org
AIDS Services of Austin will host AIDS Walk Austin 2005 on Sunday, October 16.

Walk Route:
Start on 11th Street in front of the Capitol
- East on 11th St. to Trinity
- North on Trinity to 18th St.
- West on 18th St. to San Jacinto
- South on San Jacinto to 16th St.
- West on 16th St. to Rio Grande
- South on Rio Grande to 4th St.
- East on 4th St. to Congress
- North on Congress to the finish line at 11th St.

The 100 block of E. 11th and W. 11th, and the 1000 block of Congress will be completely closed from 3:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. for a street fair. One lane of all other streets will be closed from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Oct 20 Celebrazione Italiana at New Downtown Keepers
Keepers Men's Store, 6th & Congress
(512) 327-7555, winefoodfoundation.org

Immerse yourself in Italian style with wine, food and fashion while celebrating the opening of the new Keepers Men's Store at 6th & Congress in the Bank of America building. Enjoy and sample exciting innovations on classic Italian dishes and enjoy fine Italian wine before and after an extraordinary showcase of Italian men's fashions. Watch your favorite chefs glide down the catwalk in designs from Joseph Abboud and Ermenegildo Zegna among many, many others. Tickets for this classy and spirited event are $40 to benefit the Texas Food & Wine Foundation. Complimentary parking is available. Space is limited! RSVP at website or call the Foundation office at (512) 327-7555.

Two New Eateries

Expand your palate with two new neighborhood restaurants now open for lunch and dinner.

Wiki Wiki Teriyaki
609 Congress
(512) 472-WiKi (9454)
wikiwikiteriyaki.com

Fresh and healthy Asian dishes are now available on Congress. Wiki Wiki Teriyaki features charbroiled Japanese Teriyaki dishes including Yakidori, charbroiled chicken speared on sticks, and Yakisoba, meat with salad, gyoza, shrimp and veggie tempura, California rolls and rice. Most expensive item on the menu - $ 7.75. Open M-S, 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Starlite
407 Colorado Street
(512) 374-9012
starliteaustin.net

Contemporary American Fine Dining. Samplings of what you'll savor range from classic cobb
salads to grilled king salmon for lunch and a grand assortment of seafood delicacies for dinner, along with Polenta Crusted Strauss Farms Lamb. Finish off your meal with an individual chocolate soufflé cake or Starlight Profiteroles. Go to the website to learn what's in that dessert treasure! Open M-F, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Dinner M-S: 5:30 - 11:00 p.m. with cocktails served until midnight.