Apr 27 Austin Farmers' Market - Plaza Saltillo Opening
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Plaza Saltillo, 500 Comal St.
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org
The Austin Farmers' Market will be opening a seasonal Thursday mid-week market (previously held on Wednesdays) this Thursday. The opening ceremonies and party-like atmosphere will recognize this market as a "little sister" of the main Saturday market downtown. There will be music, a market manager iron chef's challenge, Happy Kitchen cooking demos, a gardening workshop and more. The market is open weekly through September 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Shoppers can expect about 10 farmers, including meats and eggs, and about 10 other vendors, including tamales, Mediterranean foods, pestos, bread, granola, root beer and iced coffees. Farmers will have tomatoes, blackberries, new potatoes, young squash, green beans and strawberries. Free parking around the neighborhood and near the plaza. Free admission.
Apr 27 Movies in the Park: Cool Hand Luke 
7:00 p.m.
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
(512) 477-1566, austinparks.org
Compete in an egg eating contest! Bring your family and come enjoy a new twist on Austin nightlife. All movies are free. Amusing pre-show antics start at 7:00 p.m. and movies start at dusk. Arrive early and have a picnic! Good to know: Dogs, picnics, and lawn chairs are welcome. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the park. Refreshments will be available for purchase from Dog Almighty (hot dogs, veggie dogs, chili, popcorn and drinks) and Lifeworks Ben and Jerry's (mmm, ice cream).
Apr 27 Umlauf Garden Party 
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Road
(512) 445-5582, umlaufsculpture.org
This is ranked as one of Austin's best, brightest and swankiest spring parties. Join as the Umlauf Garden Party celebrates the work of 20th Century American sculptor, Charles Umlauf. Proceeds from the party are dedicated to the preservation of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum and help underwrite the museum's award-winning educational progams. You'll enjoy great food, live music and an impressive silent auction. Tickets are $70 in advance (or $85 at the door, pending availability) and may be purchased at select Twin Liquors locations or by calling the museum at (512) 462-6050.
Apr 27-29 ATX Festival Celebrates 
Everyting Austin
Paggi House, 200 Lee Barton Drive
http://www.atxfest.com
Austin welcomes a new festival this spring with the launch of ATX Fest, a two-day music and art festival that celebrates all things uniquely Austin. The event will include outstanding food from Austin Java Company and Paggi House, vendors featuring clothing & crafts, and art exhibitions with the backdrop of the Austin skyline & Town Lake. ATX Fest kicks off on Thursday with a Preview Party from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Then non-stop music will fill the air on Friday, April 28th from 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. and on Saturday, from 1:30 p.m.- 2:00 a.m.
Apr 28-30 The International Gem & Jewelry Show
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
intergem.net
All that sparkles is not gold - but it's all on hold here this weekend. Largest exhibition of gems, minerals and jewelry show in the world. Show Hours: Friday - 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Sunday - 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Visit intergem.net for special discount coupons.
Apr 29 Maifest 
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
German-Texan Heritage Society, 507 E. 10th St.
(512) 482-0927, GermanTexans.org
Enjoy some German-Texan fun in the garden of the Historic German Texan Free School. Delicious German food, beer, wine tasting, silent auction, folk dancing, live German music, and German book sale. Enter drawing for a chance to win two round-trip coach tickets to any Continental Airlines destination in Europe, Hawaii, Brazil or the Pacific. Free Parking; Free Admission.
Apr 29 Eeyore's Birthday Party 
Pease Park, 1100 Kingsburgh St
eeyores.sexton.com/06
It may not be the One Hundred Acre Wood, but you can still come out and wish everyone's favorite mopey donkey a happy birthday - and roam the fields of Austin's weirdest - such as the character pictured here.
Apr 29 Festival Mexico 2006 - 
Celebrating the Art of Cuisine
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, mexic-artemuseum.org
Join Mexic-Arte Museum as Fifth Street & Congress Avenue are transformed into a colorful street plaza for one of Austin's finest special events filled with the sounds of trios, mariachis, original dances and exquisite culinary artistry and decorations inspired by this year's theme--Oaxaca. Ticket purchase includes complimentary admission to the opening of "Los Hilos de Oaxaca." Tickets: $35 pre-sale, $40 at Door, $20 children 12 and under. To purchase tickets, call (512) 480-9373, x. 21 or visit the Mexic-Arte Museum Store.
May 3 Poetry on the Plaza:
CSI: Crime Scene Interpretations
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu
READING: Poetry on the Plaza: CSI: Crime Scene Interpretations, in recognition of Texas Mystery Week. Poetry on the Plaza is a monthly noontime reading series sponsored by the Ransom Center.
May 3 WCIT "Live Music Capital of the World" Party
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 N. Congress
wcit2006.org
Don?t miss the Lone Star Plaza Party, Wednesday, May 3 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Welcome delegates from 80 countries to the Live Music Capital of the World at this Texas-sized celebration with Texas BBQ, Texas beer & wine, and Texas music! More than 30 Texas artists present a musical tour de force under the direction of Stephen Bruton, Grammy nominated producer and WCIT 2006 Musical Director.
Totally Austintacious
Apr 29 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.
Apr 29-30 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.
