Jul 27-Aug 13 American Fiesta
McCullough Theatre, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Life, Love, Autonomy, Family & Hope...the rest is just dishes. American Fiesta is a homegrown play written and performed by Steven Tomlinson that has earned rave reviews and a slew of awards since premiering at the State Theatre in October 2005.

In the months before the election of 2004, Tomlinson was gripped by an inexplicable obsession to collect Fiestaware. His quest led him to junk shops and estate sales, through eBay and cyberspace, across the Red State/Blue State divide and into America's broken heart.

Among its many awards, American Fiesta was the Osborne Winner for Best New Play by an Emerging Playwright by American Theatre Critics Association. It also earned the 2006 David Mark Cohen New Play Award from the Austin Critic's Table.

Tickets are on sale now for $10-$27 and can be purchased at the door or through GetTix by phone (866) 443-8849 or online at gettix.net.

Jul 27-Aug 2 Marilyn, Woody, Hawks
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Can we ever get enough of Marilyn? Not for decades...to come. See her famous skirt scene this week, then move onto a wide-screen look at Funny Girl and two of Woody Allen's most beloved flicks, before ending out the week with the comedic touch of Howard Hawks. Go to austintheatre.org for full details, including schedule changes. Here's what lights up the screen this week:

27, 28 - The Seven-Year Itch, Some Like it Hot
29, 30 - Funny Girl, Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters
8/1-2 - His Girl Friday, Ball of Fire

For more information on any film, visit imdb.com.

Jul 28 An Intimate Evening with Eartha Kitt
The Mansions at Judges Hill, 1900 Rio Grande
(512) 453-ACTS, austincabaret.org

Austin Cabaret Theatre presents the legendary Eartha Kitt for a one-night only gala benefit this Friday at The Mansion at Judges' Hill. Miss Kitt will perform as part of the ACT annual Fundraising Gala, which benefits the Educational Outreach Programming that the Cabaret provides to the community. The evening will include a cocktail hour starting at 6:00 p.m. with silent auction items, a sit-down dinner prepared by the Mansion at Judges' Hill, dinner entertainment by the incredible San Francisco vocalist Russ Lorenson and his quartet, a live auction, the stellar performance by Eartha Kitt, and post-show dancing to The Little Big Band.

Jul 28-30 Cuentos: Aztlan Short Stories
Santa Cruz Theatre, 1805 E. 7th
(512) 460-9256, aztlandance.com

The AZTLAN Dance company presents innovative and contemporary expressive Latino dance in original theatrical compositions that portray the rich, colorful, and important stories of the Hispanic experience in America. You'll be moved by the power of the dance, the beauty of the dancers, and the depth of the stories. Tickets are available at Austix.com.

Still on Stage...

To 7/30: Petra's Cuento, Dougherty Arts Center, teatrovivo.org
To 8/1: Roving Mars, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 8/5: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Th-Sun), Zilker Hillside Theatre, Zilker.org
To 8/19: Deep Sea 3D, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 8/27: I Am My Own Wife, Zach Scott, zachscott.com
Ongoing: Ride Around the World: A Cowboy Adventure, Texas the Big Picture in the IMAX® Theatre and The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Jul 27 P. Kellach Waddle: The A's B's and C's of Bach
12:00 p.m.
Central Presbyterian Church, 8th & Brazos
(512) 472-2445, cpcaustin.org

"The A's B's And C's of Bach" is the latest in a lunchtime series by local musical alchemist P. Kellach Waddle. Downtown workers, visitors, and residents can devour this lunchtime treat of Cello Suites during the Noonday Concert Series.

Jul 28 Music Under the Star Concerts:
Johnny Degollado
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

Johnny Degollado, a Tejano Hall of Famer, plays premier Conjunto music for this last in the Music Under the Star World series. If you've yet to make one of these free concerts, plan on being there. Explore the Museum's three floors of exhibits - including It STILL Ain't Braggin' If It's True - for free during the concert. The Story of Texas Cafe will be open with a limited menu, and a cash bar will be available on the Plaza. Free event parking is available in the Museum's underground garage on the corner of 18th and Congress. Music Under the Star is sponsored by Applied Materials. Promotional support has been given by KUT-FM and Time Warner Cable.

Jul 28 Live from the Plaza: Latin at Heart
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street
Contact: Vincent Kitch
(512) 974-9310, ci.austin.tx.us/music/calendar

Latin at Heart's sound can be called "bolero rock" because it fuses boleros (flamenco-oriented melodies) with rock. Their songs have a distinctive structure with mid-song rhythm changes and passionate melody "hooks" throughout. The lyrics are, with few exceptions, entirely in Spanish and focus on the search for love, meaning, and validation. $6 Lunch Special: Chicken Fajitas by Las Manitas Avenue Cafe.

Jul 30 Large String Ensemble in the Park
7:30 p.m.
Wooldridge Square Park, 9th & Guadalupe
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

Pack a picnic, let the kids frolic as the whole family listens to the ASO Large String Ensemble at this week's Austin Symphony Orchestra/Hartman Foundation Concert in the Park.

Aug 2 Blues on the Green: Guy Forsyth with
Carolyn Wonderland opening
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Zilker Park Rock Island, kgsr.com/blues

Come on out and hear two of Austin's absolute favs in the lush and totally cool surroundings of Zilker Park. This is a musical event that makes you glad to live in the great state of Texas. Go to the web for details on logistics and what to bring and what to leave home.

Jul 27 The Interaction of Pen, Paper
and Scribe
7:00 p.m.
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Mark Van Stone presents "The Interaction of Pen, Paper, and Scribe: The Technical and Aesthetic Forces that Shape our Letterforms" in what promises to be a fascinating lecture.

Jul 27-30 Meet at the Blanton
Blanton Museum of Art, Congress & MLK
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

Free Thursdays at the Blanton

Jul 27 Artistic License: Shahzia Sikander
and Sharmila Desai

Artistic License offers art lovers the chance to hear and talk with Blanton artists. Shazia Sikander's multi-media installation, Intimacy, is currently on view in New Now Next: The Contemporary Blanton. Sharmila Desai, a frequent model and collaborator of Sikander's, is a dancer/choreographer who will interpret Sikander's work through dance. Each will talk about the creative relationship that inspires the other.

Jul 29: Public Tour: People's Choice - 2:00 p.m.
Choose the works of art you want to explore and discuss in this interactive tour of the Blanton's collection. Free with museum admission.

Jul 30: Public Tour - Blanton Architecture Tour 2:00 p.m.
Free with museum admission.

Jul 30 Explore the Story
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

Virginia Garcia offers a unique first-hand account about the tradition of the carpas or traveling tent shows. La Carpa Garcia featured acrobatics, circus talent, stage comedy, song and dance and clownery. They also incorporated Mexican dances, flashy costumes and traditional songs. Free with exhibit admissions.

Jul 30 Writer's Braggin' Rights
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

The braggin' continues as Texas authors share their stories about our majestic state. Texas novelist and historian James L. Haley will present his new book "Passionate Nation: The Epic History of Texas." Author of Sonnets and Salsa, Carmen Tafolla will discuss her work as a screenwriter and poet. Award-winning investigative journalist Denise McVea will present her new book "Making Myth of Emily: Emily West de Zavala and the Yellow Rose of Texas." Authors will be available to sign books, with a reception following the presentation. Call (512) 936-4649 for (required) reservations.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 7/29: Nevermore, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 7/30: The Last Picture Show, f8 Art Gallery, f8fineart.com
To 8/6: Over+Over-Passion for Process, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 8/6: Again+Again-Cycles in Video & Light, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 8/13: Wild & Bushy: A Texas Summer Show, Volitant, volitant.com
To 8/13: Paul Chan, The Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 8/13: New Now Next: The Contemporary Blanton, The Blanton Musem of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 8/19: below the surface, d berman Gallery,dbermangallery.com
To 8/19: Dana Sparks, Wally Workman Gallery, wallyworkmangallery.com
To 8/20: New American Talent, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 9/10: It STILL Ain't Braggin' if it's True: The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 9/24: Workspace: Carol Bove, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
Ongoing: America/Americas, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
Ongoing: European Paintings from the Permanent Collection, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org

Through Aug 7 Backpack Project
Center for Child Protection, 1110 E. 32nd St.
(512) 472-1164, centerforchildprotection.org

The Center for Child Protection is sponsoring its annual "Backpack Project" for child victims of abuse, grades preK-12, who need new backpacks and school supplies. When a child's home has been disrupted by abuse, a sense of normalcy is vital as they start school. For more information and a shopping list please visit the centerforchildprotection.org. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations ? Center for Child Protection (1110 East 32nd Street) and McCormick & Schmick?s Seafood Restaurant (401 Congress Ave. at the corner of 4th and Congress).

Jul 29 Zach's Sophisticated Cad
6:00 p.m.
Zachary Scott Theatre, 1510 Toomey Rd
(512) 476-0541, zachscott.com

Zachary Scott Theatre Center will host a talk with biographer, Ronald L. Davis, the author of the new book, Zachary Scott: Hollywood's Sophisticated Cad, with a book signing to follow. Davis' book is the first biography of the Broadway actor, and Hollywood star, Zachary Scott, who acted and directed for the Austin theatre company that is now named "Zachary Scott Theatre Center" in his honor. This groundbreaking book offers a portrait of a talented actor who was rarely allowed to show his versatility on the screen.

Jul 27 Austin Suicide Prevention Coalition Meeting
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
St. David's Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th
(512) 472-1196

Topic: Public Policy as it relates to suicide prevention. Open to the public. Free parking in St. David's garage, entrance on Trinity - just inform attendant in garage of ASPC meeting in church.

Jul 28 East End Fourth Fridays!
5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
East 11th Street between Branch and Navasota Streets
(512) 477-9438, diversearts.org

East End Fourth Fridays! is a unique monthly event that showcases the cultural attributes and historical identity of Austin's East End-the Soul in the heart of the City. You'll mix and mingle with fine artists, businesses, cultural, civic, commercial and governmental groups in a relaxed open-air market experience in the newly revitalized East End. Bring the whole family, come early and spend the evening strolling East 11th, sampling food and drink at established and new venues, taking in live entertainment. To cap the evening's activities, DiverseArts' Kenny Dorham's Backyard will present a 9:00 p.m. headline performance featuring Austin Blues Diva, Miss Lavelle White. ($5 cover). For more information on sponsorship and participation please call DiverseArts at (512) 477-9438.

Jul 29 CBS Radio Austin - 2006 CBS Women's Fair
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.
(512) 404-4500, cbswomensfair.com

Celebrities, Fashion Shows, Shopping, Cooking Demonstrations, Prizes! Free tickets available throughout July at United Heritage Credit Union locations (uhcu.org). Tickets available at the show for only $5.00.

Jul 28 Bat Run 5K
7:00 p.m.
Congress Avenue Bridge, Town Lake Trail
runtex.com/events/1

Join the Austin bat community and the Austin running community for a Friday night run on the Town Lake Trail. Proceeds will benefit Bat Conservation International.

Aug 2 Sunstroke Summer Stampede Race #12
7:00 p.m.
Town Lake Trail (1-35/Riverside Parking Lot)
summerstampede.com

The third annual Sunstroke Summer Stampede offers the cool, mighty and dedicated a series of twelve chip-timed 5K races in the heat of Austin.

July 26 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 for the Austin Farmers Market.

Jul 27 Streetscapes & Transportation Committee
12:00 p.m.
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, Room 111
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com/daa/whoweare

Chair: Steve Simpson, Staff Liaison: Thomas Butler

Aug 1 Economic Development Committee
12:00 p.m.
211 E. 7th Street, Room 111
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com/daa/whoweare

Chair: Tracy Atkins, Staff Liaison: Julie Fitch