May 21 2006 Downtown Living Tour
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Throughout Downtown
downtownaustin.org

Take a walking tour of downtown residences to get an up-close and personal feel for what it's like living in the heart of Austin. You'll be a part of the Celebration of Downtown Living and Lifestyles during The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association's (DANA's) 3rd Annual Downtown Living Tour.

A number downtown residences will be open for you to experience, including: the Milago Condominiums, 5 Fifty Five, The Brazos Lofts, The Avenue Lofts, AMLI Downtown, Nokonah Condominiums, The Austin City Lofts, The Towers of Town Lake and The Plaza Lofts.

Then after the tour - from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. - you're invited to a reception with free refreshments, at the Milago Condominiums at 54 Rainey St., where Mayor Will Wynn and the Honorable Kirk Watson will speak and the 2006 DANA Downtown Living Tour Awards (recognizing the favorite residential units on the Tour) will be presented!

Tickets are only $15.00 for DANA members and $25.00 for non-DANA members and will be available for purchase the day of the event, at each building location, or you can buy tickets on-line at downtownaustin.org, where you'll also learn all the details for enjoying this event.

Come experience Downtown living. It's a lifestyle that offers a touch of everything that makes Austin such a vibrant place to be and do and live.

May 18-21 Anna Deavere Smith in
"Untitled: A New Work In Progress"
Zach Scott's Kleberg Stage, Riverside at Lamar
(512) 476-0541, x.1, zachscott.com

Award-winning actress, playwright and educator, Anna Deavere Smith comes to Austin for a rare, one weekend only, live performance on Zach's Kleberg Stage. An evening of new material explores health, the body and the things that affect our well being - from love and satisfaction to disease and war. Anna Deavere Smith's appearance at Zach is must see theatre. Each performance will include a post play discussion with special guest respondents from Austin. Thurs-Sat at 8:00 p.m. and Sun. at 2:30 p.m.

May 21 The Grand Illusion: David Copperfield
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Imagine if you could win the lottery, travel to your perfect place in the blink of an eye, turn back the hands of time or reunite with a lost loved one. It all comes true with An Evening of Grand Illusion with David Copperfield. The master magician promises to take your dreams (and maybe a few nightmares) and make them come true using his state of the artful conjuring and wizardry. Disappear into the David Copperfield world this night.

To 5/21 Triple Expresso -
Extended One Week!!!
State Theatre
713 Congress, (512) 472-5472
austintheatre.org

Last chance to catch the high-energy of this overly-caffeinated trio of fun! If you haven't seen them yet - grab the entire office and head out for a night of hysterics - they're that funny!

Still on Stage...

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: Texas the Big Picture in the IMAX® Theatre and The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

May 18 Classical Guitar
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

This week's Thursday Noonday Concert features the classical guitar music of Mark Cruz.

May 19 Special Guests Perform the White Album stringsattached.org

Join Joe Ely, Abra Moore, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, and more than 20 other special guests as they unite the past and present, bringing to life the 1968 acclaimed, best-selling Beatles' White Album. The 10:00 p.m. show will include light projection art by Charles Beard, view sample at: stringsattached.org. For tickets and more information, visit the website, or call (512) 477-9837.

May 19 Spring Fling II: It's Back
8:00 p.m.
Velvet Spade, 912 Red River
(512) 482-8404, austin-safeplace.org


Carrie Glassmeyer, Lesley Nisbet, John Pitts and Martha Small invite you to a rocking evening with the New Birth Brass Band out of New Orleans! Think Mardi Gras Indian chants, funk, modern jazz, and hip-hop with age old traditional sounds - all fused together. Spring Fling is an annual event that helps raise money for SafePlace Austin, which supports women, children and men harmed by sexual and domestic violence. Please visit austin-safeplace.org for more information. Tickets are $40 and available at frontgate.com. Buy as soon as possible - you don't want to miss this one!

May 19 Salsa on the Plaza: with O Positivo
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street
Contact: Vincent Kitch
(512) 974-9310, ci.austin.tx.us

O-Positivo is charged with a high energy repertoire of Afro-Cuban salsa and cha-cha. Dance your Friday lunch away as you move (or listen) to the solid Latin rhythms, harmonies and vocals that make this band so exciting. From traditional Cuban songs to contemporary New York style salsa, O-Postivo will move you. Bring or buy a picnic lunch at Live from the Plaza.

May 23 TRAIN
8:00 p.m.
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Formed in San Francisco 1994, Train quickly developed an avid local following and, by 1997, was opening for national bands like Blues Traveler, Barenaked Ladies, and Counting Crows. Each of this band's studio albums - beginning with its self-titled debut on through Drops Of Jupiter and My Private Nation - has gone platinum while generating a string of hit singles that touched the lives of the group's fans in profound and powerful ways. Get on board the Train this Tuesday night.

May 20 - June 4 The 5 x 7 Art Splurge
7:30 p.m.
Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Congress Avenue
arthousetexas.org

Join the kick-off Benefit Party that launches one of Austin's favorite art exhibits. - 5 x 7. Hundreds of recognized contemporary artists with strong Texas ties create unique works of art on identical 5" x 7" boards. Each board is only $100. With hundreds of works to choose from, this is your chance to have first pick and build or add to your art collection. All pieces are displayed anonymously - only when you purchase a work of art will you discover who created it. One of Austin's most unique artistic events . . . you can't afford to miss it! This show runs through June 4.

May 20 - July 1 Terra Firma
f8 Fine Art Gallery
1137 W. 6th, (512) 480-0242
f8fineart.com

F8 Fine Art breaks ground with Terra Firma, featuring work by four firmly rooted artists. Maxine Price creates abstracted landscapes of thick, creamy oils in her colorful "New Phase" series. Michael Klung's serene paintings draw you under a canopy of majestic trees. Laurence Parent shows black and white photos from his upcoming book Timeless Texas. Richard Griffin's fine art nudes give us a topsy-turvey world with a strangely satisfying twist. Art Opening: Saturday, May 27, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

May 20 Start with the Arts - Water Works
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Splish, splash while learning about oceans, ponds and streams. Start with the Arts taps into the rich imaginations and sometimes wild creativity of youngsters 4-6 years with lots of fun, engaging activities including reading, arts, drama, movement and music activities. Go to austinkids.org for details.

May 22 Baby Bloomers
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Help your baby bloom. Baby Bloomers encourages children three and under and their caregivers.On Monday mornings, the Museum is open exclusively for this age group to help families enjoy Museum's exhibits and playroom together in a relaxed atmosphere. Stroller parking included. Storytime at 9:30 & 11:00 a.m., Sing-a-long at 10:30 a.m. $3 per person, $2 members. Please join the fun.

May 24 Chocolate: Pathway to the Gods
7:00 p.m.
Women & Their Work
1710 Lavaca, (512) 477-1064
womenandtheirwork.org

Austinites Meredith L. Dreiss and Sharon Edgar Greenhill of ArcheoProductions will showcase their recent documentary on our 3,000 year-old, universal passion for chocolate. Produced along with California filmmaker Grant Mitchell, the 52-minute film, Chocolate: Pathway to the Gods, explores the history of this divine substance through ritual and obsession. From Mayan kings who were buried with, to urban professionals who bathe in it, the film begins in ancient Mesoamerica and journeys throughout time to Europe's finest chocolate houses where chocolate is still revered as one of mankind's highest expressions of decadence and sensuality. Admission: Free.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 5/19: Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Capitol Visitor Center, TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.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 5/31: The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss, Art on 5th, arton5th.com
To 6/2: Antes Siempre, La Peña Gallery, lapena-austin.org
To 6/2: Cosmic Burros Gone Wild!, Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, lapena-austin.org
To 6/10: Teri Jonas,Wally Workman Gallery, wallyworkmangallery.com
To 6/17: Sugarcoated, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 7/16: Los Hilos De Oaxaca, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 8/6: Over + Over: Passion for Process, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 8/6: Again + Again: Cycles in Video and Light, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.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 18 Suicide Prevention Meeting
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
St. David's Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th St.
(512) 472-1196

Sponsored by the Austin Suicide Prevention Coalition - Topic: The Truth about Suicide: Real Stories of Depression in College." The aim of this 27-minute filim is to present a recognizable picture of depression and other problems associated with suicide, as they are commonly experienced by college students and other young adults.

May 19 - Bike to Work Day!

May is Bike Month and Friday, May 19 is Bike-to-Work Day! Don't let the usual bike commuters be the only ones on two wheels. If you haven't ridden in a while, this is a great opportunity to get the bike out of the garage and put it to use.

What's that? You live to far away to bike? Put your bike in the back of the car or on the bike rack of a Capital Metro bus and ride from a bus stop or parking lot that is closer to your work. Maybe you'll have so much fun that you'll begin to ride more often - to work, to the store, or just around the neighborhood for fun. Get valuable exercise, save gas money, decrease wear on your car, see the City at a more leisurely pace, reduce traffic congestion, promote clean air. . . the benefits are endless! And don't forget to stop at one of these generous businesses and enjoy some free munchies: Joe's Bakery and Coffee Shop. 2305 E 7th St., Bicycle Sportshop. 517 S. Lamar, Progress Coffee, 500 San Marcos at E. 5th St. and Upper Crust Bakery. 4508 Burnet Rd.

May 19 Longhorn Rail Jam - Wakeboarders
6:00 p.m.
6th & Trinity
texaswakeboardtour.com


Some of the top wakeboarders and wakeskaters in the world will be descending on downtown Austin, May 19, to participate in the Longhorn Rail Jam. Wakeboarders will take their sport to the streets with the use of portable pools and artificially "wakes". This is action sports up-close and in-your-face and it's as exciting for the riders as it is for spectators! The Longhorn Rail Jam is FREE to the public and will begin at 6:00 p.m., on Trinity Street, between E. 5th and E. 6th.


May 20 First Annual Clarksville May Fest
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Clarksville Neighborhood Center, 1807 W. 11th

The 1st Annual Clarksville May Fest is being held to raise funds to save the historic Haskell House. This house, built in 1875, was built by Peter Tucker, a former slave and is the only house of its kind left in Clarksville. The event will feature a huge neighborhood-wide garage sale, a bake sale, a fish fry, fun for kids, music by the Blues Specialists, Continental Club regulars and a raffle.


May 20 Theatrical Birthday Gala
Partying along Congress Avenue starts at 6:00 p.m.
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Come join the Congress Avenue street party to celebrate the Paramount's 90th and the State Theater's 70th birthdays! Congress Avenue is being closed for our favorite theaters to throw the biggest party of the year. The State Theatre's White Linen Nights meets the Paramount Gala to celebrate our Hometown Heroes. Musical performances by Malford Milligan, Pinetop Perkins, Tish Hinojosa, Ray Wylie Hubbard, South Austin Jug Band and Sahara Smith. You'll enjoy dinner, dancing, auctions and a show. Gala attire will be Austin Casual to keep things cool, for an evening that will be hot, hot, hot!

May 20 The 29th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off
O. Henry Museum, 409 E. 5th
(512) 472-1903, punpunpun.com

Megatons of puns! Help the Friends of the O. Henry and Dickinson Museums celebrate the lowest form of humor at the 29th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships. This annual irreverent assault on the English language annually lures both veteran verbivores and naive neophytes for verbal jousting. As always, admission is free but the groans are mandatory. In addition to the usual foolishness, the event features live music, a large selection of punny memorabilia, a used book sale and a large silent auction. So even if you've groan weary, you'll want to stay to the bidder end.

May 22 "Up and Downtown Congress"
6:45 p.m.
State Theater, 719 Congress
(512) 974-7499, ahca.net

Join the the Austin History Center for the Audray Bateman Randle Lecture - Up and Down Congress: Austin's Main Street Since 1839 - being presented by Ed Van De Vort. You'll see rare photographs of our beloved Avenue in its early days. Free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Call (512) 974-7383 or email names of folks attending to info@ahca.net. AHCA Annual Membership Meeting, Awards Presentation and Waterloo Press Spring Sale also being held that same evening.

May 20 Congress Avenue Mile
Congress Avenue
(512) 818-4914, congressavenuemile.com

Be part of an Austin tradition - the Mercedes-Benz of Austin Congress Avenue Mile. This fast, certified, timed run starts at the Texas State Capital Building and finishes on the Congress Avenue Bridge over Town Lake. So, set a new mile time, run for fun, or just come out and enjoy this event's positively charged atmosphere.

May 21 Austin Wrangers vs. Philadelphia Soul
- Arena Football Playoffs!
2:00 p.m.
Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River
(512) 339-3924, austinwranglers.com

Don't miss out on a part of history as your Austin Wranglers host their first ever playoff game against the Philadelphia Soul at the Frank Erwin Center in the first round of the Arena Football League Playoffs! Reserve your seats today! For tickets call Ben at (512) 339-3924.

May 19 Meet The Wakeboards
6th & Trinity
texaswakeboardtour.com

The 500 block of Trinity, between E. 5th and E. 6th, will be closed from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.


May 20 Paramount Theatre 90th State Theatre Anniversary Gala
719 Congress, (512) 472-5470
austintheatre.org

The 700 block of Congress, between 7th and 8th will be closed from 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20 until 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 21.

May 20 Congress Avenue Mile
Congress Avenue, (512) 818-4914
congressavenuemile.com

Two of the southbound lanes on Congress, from 11th to Cesar Chavez, and the Congress Ave. Bridge will be closed from 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.


May 20 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
austinfarmersmarket.org

West 4th will be closed between Guadalupe and San Antonio from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

May 18, 19, 24 - DOWNTOWN
Thursday - 5/18 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday - 5/19 - 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday - 5/24 - 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 #201 - Urban Density #2 / Speedy Delivery / Festive First Night

Urban Density - The Good, the Bad and the Lovely: Building Community, how to achieve the goal of a denser urban core without compromising Austin's special sense of place. / Speedy Delivery: You've seen them weaving in and out of traffic. Now, meet the Bike Messengers of Austin and learn what it's like--all in a day's work "DOWNTOWN." / First Night Austin's First Night - A city of great festivals presents a new family-friendly festival for the arts.