May 5- 6 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy!
8:00 p.m.
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

"We're high-octane nitro jive - wild and swingin'." The Austin Symphony Orchestra closes its Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series on May 5 & 6 with the swing event of the year. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy "jumps and jives" into town to perform with Maestro Peter Bay and the ASO at the Palmer Events Center.

Since conquering Hollywood with appearances in television's Party of Five and the silver screen's Swingers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has been tagged as one of the hottest, hippest, coolest bands around. This sensational septet of swingers will raise the roof with their contagious high energy performance. Come ready to cut a rug and dance the night away with BBVD and the Austin Symphony.

Tickets for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are $25 for theater seating & $40 for table seating. Charge tickets online at austinsymphony.org where you will find interactive seating maps, price options and a wealth of concert information. Tickets are also available at the Austin Symphony Box Office, 11th and Red River or call 476-6064 or 1-888-4-MAESTRO (toll-free).

This event is proudly sponsored by Compass Bank.

May 4-7, 12-13 Costigan Returns:
Radio Drama Troupe Honors Texas Writers Month
The Hideout Theatre & Coffee House, 617 Congress
(512) 443-3688, violetcrownradio.com

The Violet Crown Radio Players, Austin's original radio drama recreation troupe, will cap their 2005-2006 season with new episodes of their original serials, "The Adventures of Sailor Steve Costigan," and "Molly McCoy: The WASP." The Players recreate the feel of the golden age of radio drama, complete with live sound effects, vintage costumed actors, and a hot swing band. All performances are at 8:00 p.m. except May 7th, which is a 3:00 p.m. matinee. Learn details and buy advance tickets at violetcrownradio.com.
.
May 6 The Falsettos
7:00 p.m.
Spaghetti Warehouse, 117 W. 4th
(512) 404-9123, capcitymystery.com

Join the Capital City Mystery Players for an audience interactive comedy whodunit with dinner. The Falsettos is a wild and wacky take off on - what else - The Sopranos. Several audience members become part of the action with hilarious results, while everyone fills out a "crime report," guessing who, how and why. Super sleuth of the evening wins a fabulous prize! Call (512) 404-9123 for reservations.

May 7 NakedMan
4:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church Family Life Building, 1300 Lavaca
(512) 477-7464, ccmcaustin.org

The Capital City Men's Chorus and the Human Rights Campaign have joined forces to bring the first full local performance of NakedMan to Austin. This is a landmark work born of the emotional power of the gay man's experience and speaks universally of rage and love, despair and hope. The concert also marks the first collaboration between the Human Rights Campaign and a GALA Chorus. For ticket information, please go to ccmaustin.org or call (512) 477-7464.

May 7 Ira Glass & Julia Sweeney:
"Letting Go of God"
8:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

A deeply reflective, thought-provoking and interactive look at faith. "An Evening with Ira Glass & Julia Sweeney: Letting Go of God" is a special presentation of the hugely controversial This American Life program. Julia will perform a one-hour condensed version of "Letting Go of God," after which the two will come together onstage. Ira will interviews and hosts a second hour of conversation to delve into the themes of the evening.

Still on Stage...

To 5/6: Bad Dates, Zach Scott Whisenhunt Arena Stage, zachscott.com
To 5/7: The Exonerated, Zach Scott Theatre, zachscott.com
To 5/14: Triple Expresso, State Theater, austintheatre.org
To5/14: Tintypes, Doughtery Arts Center, (512) 301-3656
To 5/16: Three Film Actresses Abroad, Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, austinfilm.org
To 8/2: Roving Mars, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 8/19: Deep Sea 3D, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D; Texas the Big Picture -
IMAX® Theatre and The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

May 4 Guitar + Childbloom
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

This week's Thursday Noonday Concert features Austin Bella Corda - Advanced Guitar and students at Childbloom, ranging from 13-17 years old.

May 5 Slaid Cleaves Closes
Strings Attached Season
7:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.
University Baptist Church, 2130 Guadalupe
Contact: Will Taylor
(512) 4779837, StringsAttached.org

Strings Attached closes its 5th season with Slaid Cleaves joining Strings Attached to present the Complete Beatles White Album. Artist John Stapleton will create the beginnings of a new painting live before the audience as he is moved by the music being created on stage. Please note the new location - University Baptist Church, 2130 Guadalupe Street, across from UT. Tickets: visit StringsAttached.org or call (512) 477-9837.

May 6 Leo Kottke with Special Guest
Karla Bonoff
8:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

An Austin favorite and a Paramount perennial, Leo Kottke is back by popular demand! The legendary acoustic guitar virtuoso, who has developed a cult following over the span of his 30-year career, blends folk, jazz, and blues influences into a signature finger-picked style of syncopated, polyphonic music. He's joined by Karla Bonoff. Listen to what awaits you at leokottke.com and karlabonoff.com.

May 4 West End Gallery Night
West End - Sixth Street - West of Lamar
inthegalleries.com/westend.htm

The First Thursday of Each Month is Gallery Night with the West End galleries open until 8:00 p.m. Visit Art on 5th, Artworks, Austin Galleries, f8 Fine Art, Lotus Gallery, Stephen L. Clark Gallery, and Wally Workman Gallery. Make every first Thursday YOUR gallery night--and spend the evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. gallery hopping. Kick back after your hectic day, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine at any of Austin's West End galleries.

May 4 The Imperious Will
7:00 p.m.
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Scholar Richard Layman explores "The Imperious Will: Lillian Hellman and the Estate of Dashiell Hammett" in conjunction with Texas Mystery Week.

May 6 May Day
7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
F8 Fine Art Gallery, 1137 W. 6th
(512) 406-6115, f8fineart.com

A celebration of spring and a call for help in the fight against AIDS. That's what May Day offers, along with Living Art, Food & Desserts and Live Music. Ticket sales and 10% of all art sales go directly to AIDS Services of Austin. For more information and pricing details, please visit asaustin.org or call (512) 406-6115.

May 6-7 UT Championship Commemorative
Painting Unveiling
Art on 5th, 1501 W. 5th
(512) 481-1111, arton5th.com

The University of Texas , ART on 5th and 2006 National Sports Artist of the Year, Opie Otterstad, team up for a two-day art show saluting Texas Football's National Championship. The 17-panel, 5'x9' painting to be unveiled commemorates the Longhorn's 2005 National Football Championship Victory. Limited Editions of the work will be for sale and will benefit UT Athletics. Ten new Opie paintings of the game will also be available for purchase. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday: Noon - 8:00 p.m. RSVP to (512) 481-1111. Free admission & parking.

May 6-14 Ahead of Their Time
Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Congress Avenue
(512) 453-5312, arthousetexas.org

The Sixth Annual Austin-Area Advanced Student Art Exhibition. Organized by Arthouse and selected by Hana Hillerova, Director, Creative Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin will showcase the work of 71 Austin-Area high school students. Go to arthousetexas.org for more information on this event, which includes an Art Bash and awards presentation.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 5/5: Superspace, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 5/5: Robert Therrien, Lora Reynolds Gallery, lorareynolds.com
To 5/5: Pantomime, La Pena Art Gallery, lapena-austin.org
To 5/5: Alebrejes, Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, lapena-austin.org
To 5/10: Erin Cone & Ali Cavanaugh, Wally Workman Gallery, wallyworkman.com
To 5/19: Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Capitol Visitor Center,
TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.com
To 5/13: Intuition, f8 Fine Art, f8fineart.com
To 5/23: Tragaluz Photographs, Stephen L. Clark Gallery, artnet.com
To 5/27: Jimmy Jalapeeno: No One Place, d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 7/16: Los Hilos De Oaxaca, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 8/6: The Image Wrought, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 8/6: Technologies of Writing, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu

May 5 Austin / Travis County Cinco De Mayo Celebration
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wooldridge Square Park, 9th & Guadalupe
ci.austin.tx.us

Sponsored by the City of Austin and Travis County, this Cinco De Mayo Celebration has been taking place for over 20 years. Enjoy Music, Dancing, Food and Crafts. Schedule of Events: 11:00 - 11:30 DJ Redmon; 11:30 - 11:50 Ballet Folklorico; 12:00 Presentation of Colors (TSCO Color Guard); MC Chairs Travis County Commissioner Margaret J. Gomez & Austin City Council Member Raul Alvarez, Introduction of guests from Sister City of Saltillo and Other VIPs; 12:15 - 1:15 Mariachi Festival; 1:15 - 2:00 Johnny Degollado y su Conjunto.

May 6 Austin Farmers' Market -
Height of the Season Kick-off
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

The Height of Season Kick-Off for the Austin Farmers' Market will feature a line-up of dignitaries "ringing" in the market, children's activities, a gardening workshop, cooking demos, live music and literally tons of produce brought in from local farms. Pick off at this kick-off the area's choicest tomatoes, blackberries, cheeses, new potatoes, green beans, fresh-baked breads, honey, cut flowers and more. The Kid's Patch activities will feature food art, sunglasses decorating and a petting pen. Make this Saturday a family feast of fresh foods and festivities.

May 6-May 7 28th Annual Spring Pecan Street Festival
East Sixth Street
roadstarproductions.com

More than 300 professional artists and craftspeople from all over the globe gather on East 6th Street to showcase their works in this unique outdoor marketplace. Free admission and parking meters are free on the weekends (but please read the meter for details).

May 7 Japanese May Festival
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Road
jasga.org

Silk-clad Dancers, calligraphers and masters of martial and culinary arts will bring the traditions of Japan to Central Texas during the second annual Japan-American Society of Greater Austin Satsuki Matsuri (Japan May Festival). Admission is free; food and beverages will be available be available for purchase.

May 7 Texas Lonestar Rollergirls
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
(512) 428-GIRL (4475), txrd.com

The crisp and clean Holy Rollers seem like they've never been to the wrong side of town, but trouble comes looking for those not-so-angelic schoolgirls as the Hellcats cross the tracks for a little social retribution. You can bet these hot-rod kitties will pounce on the chance to sink their claws into some dainty Holy Roller plaid. This showdown promises to tear this city in two. Don't miss out on the action. Music by Household Names and The Panties. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

May 8 Beyond Fear
7:30 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

The advent of random terrorist attacks has revealed how psychologically vulnerable and unprepared the West is to handle the consequences of terrorism. Beyond Fear is a documentary that speaks in two voices: that of trauma specialists as they brainstormed how best to manage the psychology of fear and terror; and the voice of the ordinary people who have suffered directly or indirectly. The film is a companion to a special white paper for those who need work with those who may be impacted by terrorism - educational institutions, practitioners and politicians who need to know more about psychological preparedness to combat the fear that the perpetrators of terror seek to achieve. To reserve your complimentary tickets call: (512) 236-1150.

Totally Austintacious

May 6-7 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.

May 7 Austin Wranglers vs. Grand Rapids Rampage
2:00 p.m.
Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River
(512) 339-3924, austinwranglers.com

May 7 Academy Capital 2K Open Water Race
& Pledge Swim
10:00 a.m.
Town Lake
(512) 327-2260, cap2k.com

Now this is an athletic test! The 2000m downhill, straightaway swimming race in Town Lake through the heart of downtown Austin from Red Bud Isle to the Texas Rowing Center, benefiting Deep Eddy Pool (Texas' oldest swimming pool: an Austin treasure.) No fins, snorkels, or any other artificial aids permitted.

May 6 - 9 Spring Pecan Street Festival
E. Sixth Street
roadstarproductions

The following streets will be closed from 3:00 a.m. Saturday until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday:
- E. 6th St., Brazos to IH-35 - southbound frontage road
- E. 7th St., Trinity to Red River
- Sabine, E. 5th St. to E. 7th St.
- Red River, E. 5th St. to E. 7th St.
- Neches, E. 5th St. to E. 8th St.
- Trinity, E. 5th St. to E. 7th St.
- San Jacinto, E. 5th St. to E. 7th St.

May 6 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
austinfarmersmarket.org

From 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., W. 4th St. will be closed between Guadalupe and San Antonio

May 4, 5, 10 - Jewels, Stars & Heritage
Thursday - 5/4 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday - 5/5 - 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday - 5/10 - 9:30 p.m.
KLRU- Austin's PBS Station, Channel 18/Cable Channel 9
Downloadable on Time Warner Cable's Lone Star on Demand (Channel 1400)
downtownaustin.com/news/tv

Episode #204 - "Es is nicht alles Gold was glänzt..." except in DOWNTOWN

The Jewels of Austin's Jewel -Take a glimpse at the art of jewelry, and some of DOWNTOWN jewelry leaders. / "Catch a rising star" as Austin Museum of Art's "22 to Watch" Exhibit takes a look at some of the most creative, innovative and "up and coming" artists in the art world. / "Auf Wiedersehen!" Austin's German Texan Heritage has left a strong indelible mark on DOWNTOWN - from some of the earliest remaining structures to a vibrant and active social club.