Jan 21-Mar 12 The Gospel of Lead:
Dario Robleto and Jeremy Blake
Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Congress Avenue
(512) 453-5312, arthousetexas.org

Join the artists of an amazing new exhibit - The Gospel of Lead: Dario Robleto and Jeremy Blake - opening this week at the Arthouse at the Jones Center during an Artist Talk at 3:00 p.m. at Arthouse.

Los Angeles-based Jeremy Blake has made a name for himself in the art world and beyond with his beautiful, complex digital animations, which might be best described as time-based color-field paintings. His work has been featured in numerous solo exhibitions and in group shows around the country and in the feature film Punch-Drunk Love.

Dario Robleto, who lives and works in San Antonio, crafts objects that collapse time and space through the juxtaposition of precious, sentimental and arcane materials. His most recent work has appeared at the FRAC in Montpelier, France and the Whitney Museum of Contemporary Art, New York among other national galleries.

You'll want to see this provocative show!

Jan 19-Mar 12 Urinetown
Zach Scott Theatre, 1510 Twomey Rd.
(512) 476-0541, zachscott.com

Surprises and laughs abound in this hit tale of greed, love and revolution! A depletion of the earth's water supply leads to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The privilege to pee is regulated by a single, malevolent corporation, "Urine Good Company," which forces the poor citizens to pay ever-escalating fees. With musical numbers that borrow shamelessly from West Side Story and other Broadway classics, Urinetown is an intelligent musical that simultaneously pokes hilarious fun at and pays homage to Broadway.

Jan 20-21 Jass: A Syncopated
Journey through Jazz
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, tapestry.org

Get ready for a night of magical groove and swing - during the return of Tapestry Dance Company's acclaimed celebration of the indigenous American art form jazz! The incredible improvisational genius of pianist Oscar Peterson threads this concert evening "You can count on Tapestry to stay true to its dance birthright: Jazz!" -The Austin American-Statesman. Purchase tickets at: gettix.net or call (866) 4GET-TIX. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Jan 20-21 Sharir + Bustamante Danceworks: Junction
8:00 p.m.
McCullough Theatre, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, sbdanceworks.org

Witness art colliding at this annual platform for the professional presentation of new dance collaborations in Austin. This year's production of Danceworks Junction features the work of José Luis Bustamante, alongside some of Austin's brightest emerging and established choreographic talent. Multi-media intersections deliver bold, fresh, and thought-provoking dance that will be a delight for the eyes and the mind. Visit sbdanceworks.org for ticket pricing and information.

Jan 20-26 Darwin's Nightmare
Dobie Theatre, 2021 Guadalupe
(512) 322-0145, austinfilm.org

Part of Austin Film Society presentation of new films from film festivals from around the globe. Herbert Sauper's chilling documentary is a compelling film that teases out the ripple effects of the Nile perch fishing industry on the inhabitants of a small village on the banks of Lake Victoria. A hit and award winner on the festival circuit! Tickets available at the
Dobie Theater box office or online at landmarktheatres.com.

Jan 21 Trail of Tears:
Walking the Choctaw Road
3:00 PM
Austin High School, 1715 W. Cesar Chavez St
(512) 476-2163, balletaustin.org

Ballet Austin, Pollyanna Theatre Company and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum present a dance drama based on Tim Tingle's award-winning book Walking the Choctaw Road. This dance drama combines ballet with dialogue to explore the stories of the Choctaw Indians and the Indian Removals of 1830. For tickets, please contact Ballet Austin at (512) 476-2163.

Jan 21-27 Austin Jewish Film Festival
The Hideout Theatre & Coffee House, 617 Congress
(512) 735-8426, austinjff.org

An incredible mix of dramas, comedies, documentaries, and short subjects from around the world awaits you during this 7-day festival. Advanced film tickets may be purchased on-line, or purchase $60 Flex Pass for 10 regular admission tickets. Flex passes do not guarantee admission to sold out events. Go to austinjff.org for a complete listing of films and other venue locations.

Great Flicks at the Paramount
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470. austintheatre.org

22, 25 Raising Arizona
One hilarious movie starring Holly Hunter and Nicolas Cage.
22 Miller's Crossing
"A highly styled 'genre' film which can perhaps be seen as a pastiche of all gangster movies."
25 Barton Fink
An intellectual's writer's block in an eerie hotel evolves into a bizarre series of events.

Still On Stage Downtown...

To 1/20: The Polar Express in 3D, IMAX Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
To 2/28: Political Thrillers in Cinema, Alamo Drafthouse, austinfilm.org
Ongoing: Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D; Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey, Texas the Big Picture, Fighter Pilot, IMAX® Theatre and The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Jan 12 Classical Piano
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

This week's Thursday Noonday Concert features the piano beauty of Dr. Timothy Woolsey.

Jan 20-21 ASO + Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

Violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg joins the Austin Symphony Orchestra for their Classical Concert Series. Program includes: Shostakovich - Scherzo in f# minor, Op. 1, Shostakovich - Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 99, Sibelius - Symphony No. 1 in e minor, Op. 39. Part of the Shostakovich 100: Austin Celebrates festival. Concert times: 8:00 p.m.

Jan 22, 23 Salon Concerts: Rush Hour Concert
Armstrong School of Music, 901 Barton Springs Rd.
(512) 342-2785, salonconcerts.org

Friendships, Florets, and a Flute offers you 60 minutes of the finest chamber music. For more information on other special concerts held in private homes visit salonconcerts.org. Admission to Rush Hour Concerts is FREE.

Jan 25 Andrew Heller
McCullough Theatre, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Powerhouse baritone. First place - New York Metropolitan Opera auditions. Studied with Leonard Bernstein. All this before coming to Austin, where he's become a fixture on the cabaret scene and a successful recording artist. And that's just his night job. The youngest ever appointed IBM Fellow, Andrew Heller has helped pioneer Austin's tech boom by serving as the guiding force for 16 successful start up companies. Genuinely Austintatious! Concert starts at 8:00 p.m.

Jan 20-Mar 19 RED: Alberto Castro Leñero
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, mexic-artemuseum.org

Mexic-Arte Museum presents former illustrator Alberto Castro Leñero. The exhibit's title refers to the Spanish word for "net." The retrospective exhibition is comprised of 26 abstract sculptures and paintings. His works embrace the essence of the human form within its context. The opening reception for both this exhibit and the Jose Clemente Orozco exhibit (see below) will be held on Friday evening, January 20, at 7:00 p.m.

Jan 20-Mar 19 José Clemente Orozco:
Graphic Work
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, mexic-artemuseum.org

Mexic-Arte Museum presents muralist José Clemente Orozco. The exhibition is a showcase of the legendary 20th Century muralist's lithographs and etchings produced between the 1920s and 1940s. As one of the three major Mexican muralists famously known as "Los Tres Grandes," Orozco provides a clear glimpse into the grim realities of social illness and the failings of humanity brought upon by the Mexican Revolution. Mexic-Arte is hosting a FREE Gallery Talk with the Artist on Saturday, January 21, at 2:00 p.m.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 1/21: Sydney Yeager, d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 1/27: Japan & Nature, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 2/06: Courtesy, Service, Protection, Texas Capitol Visitors Center,
TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.com
To 2/7: Photography Showcase, Shoreline Grill, oswaldgallery.com
To 2/11: New Year, New Faces, F8 Fine Art Gallery, f8fineart.com
To 2/25: Wonderland, Lora Reynolds Gallery, lorareynolds.com

Jan 19 Suicide Prevention Coalition Meeting
St. David's Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th
(512) 472-1196

Will Pannabecker, PhD, Director, Counseling and Health Services at St. Edward's University will be explaining a major St. Edward's campus suicide education/prevention program and plans of reaching into the community.

Jan 20-22 32nd Annual Austin Custom Car & Hot Rod Show
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
austincarshow.com

Event features many fun and exciting activities for you and your family such as remote control car racing and more. Event also includes the annual American Dream Calendar Girl Challenge.

Jan 20-22 Austin Green Living & Home Products Expo
Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez
showtechnology.com

In addition to hundreds and 150,000 SF of exhibitors featuring organic products and other "green living" items for the home and garden, the event will feature a state-of-the-art Healthy Smart Green Home, built on the show floor by Energy Homes, Ltd. of New Braunfels. You'll find an incredible selection of the latest products, services and accessories for the home.

Jan 21 10th Annual Asian Lunar New Year Gala
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Hilton Austin, 500 E. 4th
(512) 420-8777, txasianchamber.org

Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC) is proud to host the 10th Annual Asian Lunar New Year Gala, Celebrating Asian-American Achievements from the national, local and statewide levels. Call (512) 420-8777 for ticket information and to purchase tickets.

Ongoing Totally Austin Events

Jan 21 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
(512) 236-0074, Austinfarmersmarket.org

The market downtown features fresh and local vegetables, herbs, cheeses,
eggs, meats, breads, honey, flowers, prepared foods, drinks and artisan
crafts. Free parking around the park and in the State parking garage at 3rd
and San Antonio. Free admission.

Jan 21, 22 West 6th St. Artists Market
709 W. 6th
(512) 698-8099, 6thstreetmarket.com

The West 6th Street Artist's Market is a festive outdoor art fair, featuring a variety of work by independent artists from Austin and Central Texas. Open every Sat. & Sun., 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Please look for "Retail News" to become a part of each This Week in Downtown. And for the latest and greatest on retail development downtown, please visit downtownaustin.com.

milk + honey spa
204 Colorado Street
(512) 236-1115
milkandhoneyspa.com
Open every day from 10:00 a.m-9:00 p.m. except for Tuesday,

Now here's the way to pamper yourself and someone you love - alone or together!

milk + honey spa | retreat | shop provides more than 50 Spa Partisans with exceptional treatments. Austin's newest day spa, offers massage and body treatments, face and skin treatments, waxing, and natural manicures and pedicures.

For Valentine's Day, milk + honey is the perfect place to share one of the wonderful couples treatments with your honey. Gift certificates, along with unique products, jewelry and art are also offered here.

Treat yourself!

Jan 21 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
austinfarmermarket.org

From 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., W. 4th St. will be closed between Guadalupe and San Antonio for the Austin Farmers Market.

Jan 25 Security & Maintenance Committee
8:30 a.m.
211 E. 7th Street, Room 111
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com
Chair: John Nyfeler, Staff Liaison: Bill Brice


Jan 31 Austin Back from the Edge: Saving the Character of Austin
Four Seasons Hotel on Town Lake
(512) 469-1766, rsvp@downtownaustin.com

The Downtown Austin Alliance, Heritage Society of Austin, and Preservation Texas invite you to attend our January 31st luncheon featuring award-winning journalist and urban critic Roberta Brandes Gratz.

Lecturer and author of "The Living City: Thinking Small in a Big Way" and "Cities Back from the Edge: New Life for Downtown," Ms. Gratz is an international lecturer on urban development issues and a former award-winning reporter for the New York Post.

Ms. Gratz will speak on how we maintain our sense of place, maintain the authenticity of Congress Avenue, and continue to build the economic vitality of downtown Austin.

Luncheon Details
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Check-In Time: 11:30 a.m.
Luncheon: 12:00 Noon
Location: Four Seasons Hotel on Town Lake, 98 San Jacinto Blvd.
Price: $35 per person, $350 for one table of ten
Hotel Self-Park: $6 per car
Valet Parking: $10 per car

Reservations: Email rsvp@downtownaustin.com or call (512) 469-1766 ext. 211.

RSVP Deadline: Friday, January 27, 2006 by 5:00 p.m.