Aug 11 2006 National Poetry Slam
Individual Finals
9:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
austinslam.com

The word spammers from around the world are in town this week, and Saturday night you;ll get a chance to hear and see the best of the individual slammers compete for cash and prizes.

So what is poetry slam? Here's the description from austinslam.com:

"It's a competition that pits poem against poem, poet against poet. Poems, (performed for not more than three-minutes) are judged on a scale of one to ten, fractions encouraged, by a panel of judges picked from the audience. So a neo-Wasteland thrillingly intoned gets a 9.8, and the latest Hallmark drivel, muttered into the microphone, gets a 5 or a 6." The high and low scores are thrown out to get to the winner.

What you're in for is an evening of quirky oral displays that are "equal parts poetry, performance, delivery and verve. And, occasionally, theater, stand-up comedy and strip tease."

Purchase tickets at austintheatre.org or call (866) 4GET-TIX. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.

Aug 10-Sep 10 Keepin' It Weird - Encore Run
Zachary Scott Theatre, Kleberg Stage, 1421 W. Riverside Drive
(512) 476-0541, x1, zachscott.com

Zach's hit play about Austin's most eccentric ways and means returns this summer for a special encore run! In our town where anything goes, you'll get up close and personal views of Spamarama, a certain transvestite mayoral candidate, the 37th Street holiday extravaganza, pig art cars, Dopey the goat, the Commander in Coif, and Eeyore's Birthday - because they're certainly keepin' Austin weird! The dialogue in Zach's original play comes directly from 200 interviews with Austin notables and beloved weirdoes.

Aug 10-Sep 17 Crowns - The Joyous
Gospel Musical
Zach Scott Kleberg Stage, 1510 Toomey Rd.
(512) 476-0541 x1, zachscott.com

HELD OVER AGAIN! Sporting hats of extraordinary confectionery delights, the powerful circle of African-American women in Crowns hold their heads high as they help each other through the losses and victories of life. You will thrill to this joyous new musical with traditional gospel music, riveting storytelling and soaring hymns. Wear a hat to Crowns and get $1 off your concessions!

Aug 10-16 Cinematic Legends
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Even if you're not from the great state of Texas, Giant may well be one of your favorite films of all time - one film, three legends. Then who can forget the one that launched the sizzling Ann-Margaret? The 14th starts a 10-day foreign film tribute, with the first being two gritty French ganster flicks. Go to austintheatre.org for showtimes, and imdb.com for reviews on these and any other film ever produced. Here's what's on at the Paramount this week:

10 - Dirty Harry, Bullitt
12,13 - Bye Bye Birdie, Giant
14, 15 - Touchez Pas Au Grisbi, Classe Tous Risques,
16 - Black Orpheus

Aug 12 Fourth Annual Austin Home Movie Day
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress
homemovieday.com

Local film enthusiasts will help the public learn about, enjoy and rescue films so often forgotten. Home Movie Day shows how home-made films offer a unique ?you are here? view of decades past, often in gorgeous living color, and are an important part of personal, community and cultural history. Event is free and open to public. Volunteers will be on hand to assess the condition of older films, provide information about how to care for family films and videos, and?best of all?there will be continuous screenings of home movies brought by participants! Learn more about how to rescue your precious images before it?s too late. No films? Come and watch the show!



Aug 12-20 Patty's Aesop Adventures
Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road
secondyouth.com

Join Patty, a little girl with big plans, as she heads off into town on a simple errand. Little does she know that she is about to learn some very valuable life lessons from some very familiar friends. This original musical, based on some of Aesop's fables, is sure to delight adults and children of all ages. Join in the fun and sing along with such familiar characters as the Tortoise and the Hare, the Country Mouse and the City Mouse, and many more. Performances are held Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. For ages 5 and up.

Aug 12-27 The Biscuit Brothers Live!
Scottish Rite Theatre, 207 West 18th
(512) 472-5436, ScottishRiteChildrensTheatre.org

Austin's own Biscuit Brothers, the Emmy®-nominated group seen on PBS, will debut in Live From Symphony Barn, a musical extravaganza featuring the entire Biscuit cast-Buford, Dusty, Buttermilk, and their friend Tiny Scarecrow. The clan will be performing musical numbers never seen before! The Biscuits Live Show will keep little toes tapping and the whole family singing along. Don't miss this opportunity to see The Biscuit Brothers, live on stage! Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Order tickets by phone at (512) 472-KIDO (5436) or purchase in person: 207 West 18th Street Box Office Hours: Monday - Friday Noon- 5:00 p.m.

Aug 16-17 Ron White: "You Can't Fix Stupid"
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Comedian Ron 'Tater Salad' White is probably best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the "Blue Collar Comedy" phenomenon. With a new CD and DVD as well as a one-hour special on Comedy Central and a new book, Ron has established himself as a star in his own right. You'll laugh 'til you cry at the "razor sharp and blunt" stories this Texan offers.

Still on Stage...

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

Aug 10 Sacred Music
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

This week's Thursday Noonday Concert features a cappella sacred music as performed by the St. Elias Orthodox Choir.

Aug 11 Ponty Bone and The Squeezetones
Texas/Louisiana Blues and Boogie
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street
(512) 974-9310, ci.austin.tx.us/music/calendar

Ponty Bone has been playing the accordion all his life. So he has chops enough to mix his Texas blues with Louisiana Zydeco and top them off with Mexican or Caribbean rhythms with his own wry originals. No wonder he has a fan base that spans the planet! This week's $6 lunch special by Pig Out! is your choice of a BBQ Beef Sandwich or Sausage Sandwich with all the fixin's.

Aug 12 Ricardo Arjona Adentro Tour 2006
9:00 p.m.
The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River
(512) 471-7744, uterwincenter.com

Where better for a "protest" songwriter to pass through on tour than the "Live Music Capital of the World?" Ricardo Arjona appears in Austin for one night only with his latest tour: Ricardo Arjona Adentro Tour 2006.

Aug 13 Brass Ensemble at Concerts 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 an evening filled with music from the ASO Brass Ensemble at this week's Austin Symphony Orchestra/Hartman Foundation Concert in the Park. These enchanting outdoor park concerts are your ideal opportunity to enjoy some of the Capitol City's greatest pleasures - the fine music presented by the Austin Symphony in one of Austin's beautiful historic parks. The concerts are free.

Aug 10-13 Talk, Read, Tour the Blanton
Blanton Museum of Art, Congress & MLK
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

The Blanton feeds your creative self this week.

Aug 10 - Free Admission Thursday

Blanton Book Club - 6:00 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the life of a different artist each month as you make connections between the subject, idea, or theme to a work in the collection or special exhibition. This month discuss Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos and explore Nicholas de Largillierre, Portrait of a Man.

Public Tour: Art is Exuberant - 7:00 p.m.
Themed tours of the collection and special exhibitions. This evening's tour is free.

Aug 12 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.

Aug 13: Open House: The Blanton Architecture Tour - 2:00 p.m.
The museum offers themed tours on the collection and special exhibitions. Free with museum admission.


Aug 11 Art Opening at La Peña and Las Manitas
227 Congress, (512) 477-6007
lapena-austin.org

This Friday, August 11th from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. La Peña presents the opening of its August art exhibits. La Peña Gallery features ?Spirits, Machines, and Simulacra? by Dallas artist and art educator Juan J. Hernandez. At Las Manitas Avenue Café (211 Congress) ?Nueva_Villa: Reflections? showcases the art of Juan M. Villanueva, an artist originally from South Texas who now resides in New York City. The event will also have a musical performance by Nelson Saga & Arma del Alma.

Aug 13 Meet, Drink, Say Goodbye...
2:00 p.m.
Volitant Gallery, 320 Congress, Ste. 100
volitant.com

Join Volitant Gallery for Mimosas and a gallery talk as they say goodbye to their two current exhibits: "True Originals" by Daphane Park and "Wild and Bushy," a Texas Summer Show.

Aug 13-Sep 10 Satellite Exhibit of The Avenue:
Austin's Main Street Since 1839
SW Corner of 6th & Congress
Contact: Sharmyn Lilly
(512) 974-7499, ahca.net

Look through the ages and stages of Congress Avenue development. The Austin History Center Association's satellite exhibit of The Avenue is now on view in the exterior windows of the Scarbrough Building. Take a look at this fascinating, totally Austin story. Special thanks go to the exhibit sponsors: The Littlefield & Scarbrough Buildings, Tim Jarvis, The Heritage Society of Austin, and Scarbrough's. A traveling exhibit on the history of Congress Avenue will also be displayed at various downtown locations. The Downtown Austin Alliance is proud to be a sponsor of this event.

Aug 16 Behind the Walls...Our Community's Collective Memory
5:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe
(512) 973-7383, ahca.net

Join the Austin History Center for a Small Group Evening Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Austin History Center. These popular tours are held once a month on Wednesday evenings, 5:45 - 7:30 p.m. Tours are free and open to the public but registration is required. Call 974-7383 or email info@ahca.net with the names of attendees, email addresses, and phone numbers.

The Russell Collection Now In Downtown
1137 West 6th Street
(512) 478-4440
russell-collection.com

The Russell Collection is known for its world-class fine art offerings, including an extensive selection of notable artists. Serious collectors of all levels will find something here. The gallery strives to match collectors with the finest pieces available, and can assist in locating specific works from around the globe. The current collection includes the works of Rembrandt, Mary Cassatt, Marc Chagall, Toulouse-Lautrec, Manet, Picasso, Renoir, Matisse, Pissarro, the artists of the French Barbizon school and many others. The contemporary focus will include selections from Ray Donley, Maxine Price, Oscar Riquelme, Jennifer Balkan, Tim Howe, Jill Pankey, Michael Klung, Laurence Parent, Michael Kessler, Steven Tugwell, Rodolfo Buonocore, and Brigitte Grassin Chombart de Lauwe.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 8/13: Paul Chan, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 8/13: New Now Next: The Contemporary Blanton, 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: The Twenty-First Exhibition, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 9/9: All Dressed in White, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 9/10: The Serie Project: Serie XIII, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.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
To 10/1: YLAII: Juventud Desenfrenada (Youth Gone Wild), Mexic-arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 11/5: Lu Ann Barrow "Soul Journer's," Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 11/5: Mary Lee Bendelph, Gee's Bend Quilts and Beyond, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 11/5: William Kentridge, Weighing...and Wanting, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 11/20: The Avenue: Austin's Main Street Since 1839, Austin History Center, ahca.net
To 12/9: Rembrandt's Etchings, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
Ongoing: European Paintings from the Permanent Collection and America/Americas, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org

Aug 12 Learning that is Fun and Effective - Accelerated Learning
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Omni Hotel, 700 San Jacinto
(800) 426-2989, ialearn.org

Learning professionals will learn an approach to training/teaching that applies the latest brain research, adult learning theories, and best practices in training and development from around the world to create learning that has greater impact in less time.

Totally Austintacious

Aug 12 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.

Aug 12,13 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.

August 10 Moonlight Margarita Run
Sunset (8:18 p.m.)
Town Lake Trail & American Legion Hall (Veteran's Drive)
townlaketrail.org

The Town Lake Trail Foundation is pleased to announce the Second Annual Moonlight Margarita Run, brought to you by Freescale Semiconductor, benefiting Austin's Town Lake Trail. After a run to the "Rock," racers head back to the American Legion Hall to enjoy a post-race party with frozen margaritas, Tex-Mex food, and plenty of music. All registrants for the after-party must be 21 or older. Only a limited number of spaces for both the race and after-party are available.

August 10 Moonlight Margarita Run
Town Lake Trail & American Legion Hall (Veteran's Drive)
townlaketrail.org

This race is being held to raise funds for the Town Lake Trail Foundation.

The route will use Stephen F. Austin Dr. and Cesar Chavez from Stephen F. Austin to San Antonio. There will be limited lane closures on Cesar Chavez, but the road will remain open to traffic. Stephen F. Austin will be closed from 7:00 p.m. until 9:30.

August 12 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.

Aug 16 Arts & Entertainment Marketing Committee
8:30 a.m.
211 E. 7th Street, 7th Floor Conference Room
(512) 469-176, downtownaustin.com/daa/whoweare

Chair: Nancy Burns, Staff Liaison: Cilla Temple

Aug 17 Walking Tour/Issues & Eggs
8:30 a.m.
City Hall - Boards and Commissions Room, 301 West 2nd Street
(512) 469-1766, rsvp@downtownaustin.com

Come to next Thursday's special Issues & Eggs in a special location. Learn about all of the exciting projects that are happening on 2nd Street from Block 21, to the new AMLI and Hanover residential projects, as well as the 2-way conversion of Cesar Chavez and the completion schedule for the 2nd Street streetscape improvement project all the way to the Convention Center. After the meeting, take a walking tour and discover the more than 26+ stores and restaurants already located or soon to open in the district.