Sep 29-Jan 9 The Avenue:
Austin's Main Street Since 1839
Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe
(512) 974-7499, ahca.net

Congress Avenue has been described as "Gateway to the Capitol and the City," "Austin's Main Street," "The Avenue," a "royally wide highway" (by Amelia Barr in the 1850s), and "Austin's Milky Way" (after merchants installed new electric signs over the sidewalks in 1913).

Congress Avenue is the heart and soul of Austin. It has been the city's center of commerce and staged our most soulful events - from street parties celebrating the end of wars and the new millennia to demonstrations opposing the Vietnam War and supporting civil rights.

The Austin History Center Association proudly presents The Avenue: Austin's Main Street Since 1839, a major exhibit celebrating the rich history of Congress Avenue. The exhibit, housed at at the Austin History Center, features more than 75 photographs from the acclaimed history center collection.

You're invited to the opening reception of this amazing exhibit on September 29 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Sep 28- 29 Jim Caruso's CAST PARTY!
8:30 p.m.
Mansions at Judges Hill, 1900 Rio Grande
Contact: Stuart Moulton
(512) 453-2282, austincabaret.org

New York's "Man About Town," Jim Caruso in his cabaret creation, CAST PARTY! offers up a wildly popular weekly soiree that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night. It's a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. In our version, Cast Party "goes West" Austin showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle. The audience is invited to participate in the festivities. To purchase tickets ($35 ea.), call (512) 453-2287 or email stuart@austincabaret.org. For an additional $27, ACT patrons can opt to enjoy a sumptuous meal prepared at chef's stations by the Mansion's expert staff. Full bar and wine list is available. More information on this show and the 2006-2007 Season is available at austincabaret.org.

Sep 28-Oct 1 Behind the Music Scenes Films
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Get a sometimes gritty look at the life of rock 'n roll legends - real and unreal - with three films that delve into the light and dark of musical icons. Tickets on sale day-of-show only at The Paramount Theatre Box Office. Go to austintheatre.org for showtimes and details.

Sep 28, Oct 1 - Dig!
A smash hit at SXSW Film Festival, 2004, DIG! plunges into the deliciously seedy and competitive underbelly of rock 'n' roll, unearthing a true story of success and self-destruction. If you love your music with a side of gritty backstory, don't miss
this hip, controversial music documentary.

Sep 28, Oct 1 - This is Spinal Tap
Marti DeBergi has created a "rockumentary" about the world's loudest band, the British heavy metal group Spinal Tap. The movie is in fact a biting satire and spoof of the whole rock and roll scene that passes itself off as a real documentary of a real band. Hilarious behind-the-scenes footage is combined with faux-concert clips to breath life into the imaginary group.

Oct 1 - The Doors (70MM Austin Premiere)
Oliver Stone's homage to 60's rock group The Doors also doubles as a biography of the group's late singer, the "Electric Poet" Jim Morrison. The movies features a tour-de-force performance by Val Kilmer, who not only looks like Jim Morrison's long-lost twin brother, but also sounds so much like him that he did much of his own singing.

Sep 25-Oct 8 Black Arts Movement - BAM!
George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
Boyd Vance Theatre, 1165 Angelina
(512) 236-0644, proarts.info

This performing arts festival delivers multi-media entertainment for the whole family. Go to proarts.info for a complete line-up of events. Here are some of the highlights taking place in the downtown area.

Sep 29 - The President's Daughter - 8:00 p.m.
KIN Dance Company, a nationally renowned company recognized for its artistic excellence and choreographic innovation, examines the dichotomy between the public and private lives of Thomas Jefferson and U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond, both of whom secretly had illegitimate children with African American women. Was there a confederacy of silence surrounding these men? What do their private actions reveal about their public selves? Robert Moses' directs.

Sep 30 - BAM! Celebration - 8:00 p.m.
All art is bursting with movement and you are invited to MOVE with ProArts Collective. BAM! represents an opportunity for Austin to lead the region in conversation around Black Art and Culture. Discover ProArts' new moves, new look, new leadership and new season. Music, food and great company! For more information and to RSVP, call (512) 236-0644 or email rsvp@proarts.info.

Oct 3-8 - Fabulation, or the Re-education of Undine
This busy, robustly entertaining comedy by Lynn Nottage weaves a satiric tale of the humbling of a self-invented PR diva forced to confront the lowly life she thought she had left behind. With what the New York Times calls its "punchy social insights and firecracker snap of unexpected humor," the heart-warming experience will touch you at the very core. Go to proarts.info for ticket information.

Oct 4 - Dallas Black Dance Theater - 8:00 p.m.
A Night of dance that no one will want to miss! Award winning, Dallas Black Dance headlines with Austin's ACC Dance Department and UpRise! Productions. The Austin Community College Dance Department is based in a Contemporary Modern style and recognizing each individual's unique life experience and cultural background, the program encourages students to express themselves through the creation and performance of dance works. UpRise! Productions will be premiering MOVE, a synergy blend of several diverse theater styles and energy to document the movement of the human condition.

Oct 3 The Servant Ceremony
7:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 409 Colorado
(512) 322-0145 x 213, austinfilm.org

Elizabeth Taylor, Mia Farrow and Robert Mitchum star in a bizarre tale of insanity and deception among people who think they are a family. Austin Film Society (AFS) presents the 2006-07 Season of its Essential Cinema Series, "Surviving the Blacklist: Joseph Losey in Europe." Instead of submitting and enduring the anti-Communist mania of the early '50's, Joseph Losey went to Europe to exert his creativity and AFS celebrates the results of his intriguing efforts. This series runs though October 10. Go to austinfilm.org for details.

Still on Stage...

Ongoing: Superman Returns, 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

Sep 28 Classical Piano
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

This week's Thursday Noonday Concert features the classic piano music of Felicity Coltman.

Sep 29 Jenny Reynolds Live From the Plaza
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street
(512) 974-9310, ci.austin.tx.us/music

The Austin Chronicle's Jim Caligiuri selected Jenny as "Best New Local Act" in 2005. She tours nationally, and while her music is often featured on major network television, she still does her own laundry. Jenny will be performing with a full band featuring Warren Hood. This week's $6 Lunch Special is Pulled Pork or Sausage Sandwich by Pig Out! Free parking at City Hall.

Sep 30 Cyndi Lauper
with special guest Jill Sobule
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Cyndi Lauper is forever linked to the 80s, but her talent is such that she has weathered the subsequent decades well. Bright, sassy and brimming over with goofball charisma, her hits include "Time After Time," "She Bop" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."

Oct 1 Dixie Chicks
7:30 p.m.
Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River
(512) 471-7744, uterwincenter.com

Get ready to hear the Texas-bred sounds of fiddle, banjo, dobro and crystal-clear vocal harmonies when the Dixie Chicks take the stage at the Frank Erwin Center. You definitely won't want to miss the Chicks as they bring their latest tour to Austin. Tickets are $49.50 and $65. Charge-by-phone at (512) 477-6060 or (800) 982-2386, or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com.

Oct 4 Burt Bacharach
8:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Burt Bacharach has given musical life to raindrops falling on heads, knowing the look of love, saying little prayers, wishin' and hopin' and making promises, promises. His cool quotient has escalated thanks to the "Austin Powers" movies and duets with Elvis Costello. Take a listen to his love song classics at bacharachonline.com.

Sep 28 - Oct 26 International Neosymbolist Art Exhibit
Opens in Austin
International Center of Austin
201 East 2nd Street
(512 505-4071, avaaonline.org

The Austin Visual Arts Association (AVAA) and The International Center of Austin (ICA), in collaboration with artist collectives from the United States, Denmark and the Czech Republic, present an internationally juried touring art exhibition that carries symbolism of the human experience into the 21st century. Through the use of personal and universal symbols, 20 artists from the United States, Denmark, Slovakia, Romania, Germany and the Czech Republic explore political and spiritual themes in 50 thought-provoking works.

The exhibition tour opens in Austin, Texas on September 28, opens in Copenhagen, Denmark on November 24 and opens in the exhibition?s final destination, Olomouc, Czech Republic on January 10, 2007. The Austin exhibit runs September 28 ? October 26 with viewing hours Mon-Fri, 9:00 - 5:00 p.m.(Image: Lucian Valean 'Nest' - Romania)



Sep 28-30 AMOA News
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

Learn more about the spectacular and fascinating exhibition currently on view at the Austin Museum of Art - Mary Lee Bendolph, Gee's Bend Quilts and Beyond - this week during these events:

Sep 28 Lecture - African American Vernacular Art:
A Secret Language, A Hidden Tradition
Renowned collector and arts advocate William Arnett presents a slide lecture on the importance of African-American vernacular art. He discusses the often-overlooked aesthetic traditions of African American art in the American South. No RSVP required.

Sep 29 Book Signing
Artists featured in the exhibition will hold a book signing in the galleries. Free with Museum admission or receipt of purchase from the Museum Store.

Sep 29 Artist's Talk
Alabama found object sculptor, Lonnie Holley, talks about his sculptures in general and a project completed with the help of local students in Austin. Free with Museum admission.

Sep 30 - Quilt Day - 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

In conjunction with the exhibition on view, Mary Lee Bendoph, Gee's Bend Quilts and Beyond, AMOA is pleased to present a day with the artists. Family art activities will be offered at the George Washington Carver Museum and Culture Center from 12:00 -3:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m., the artists will discuss their lives and work with AMOA Director, Dana Friis-Hansen. Both events are free. Go to amoa.org for more information on the exhibit.


Sep 28-Oct 1 Tour the Blanton
Blanton Museum of Art, Congress & MLK
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

So much to see and do this week at the Blanton.

Sep 28 - Free Admission - Public Tours: People's Choice - 3:00 p.m.
Choose the works of art you want to explore and discuss in this interactive tour of the Blanton's collection.

Sep 30 Public Tours: 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.

Oct 1 Luca Cambiaso, 1527-1585 - 2:00 p.m.
Public Tour with Curator Jonathan Bober.


Sep 30-Jan 5 Animal Secrets
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2494, austinkids.org

Where does a chipmunk sleep? What does an eagle feed its young? How do mother bats find their babies in a cave? In Animal Secrets, children 3 through 8 answer these questions and more by exploring the hidden habitats and secret lives of forest animals. You and your kids will use imaginative role-play and hands-on activities to discover nature from an animal's point of view. You'll explore five naturalistic environments including a stream, meadow, woodland, cave and naturalists' tent. See the world from an eagle's point-of-view and gather food for the winter with a chipmunk family, all while discovering Animal Secrets!

Oct 1 Gems and Minerals -
New Permanent Exhibit
Texas Memorial Museum, 2400 Trinity
(512) 471-1604, texasmemorialmuseum.org

This glittering (and we're not kidding) exhibit displays some 100 gem and mineral specimens collected from all over the world by the late Col. E.M. Barron (1903-1969), a former Texas legislator who also served under General Douglas MacArthur in Australia during WWII. The new Gems and Minerals permanent exhibit will showcase the 925-carat blue topaz crystal
(shown here) from Mason County, Texas, along with magnificent specimens of azurite, cinnabar and wulfenite, delicate leaf gold, unusual copper in calcite, and sparkling crystals of cerussite, among others. Barron lived in El Paso where he owned the "Southern Gem and Mineral Company." He acquired some remarkable specimens for his private collection, the bulk of which came to UT-Austin as a bequest upon his death in 1969.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 9/29: Color, Mind & Form, Arthouse of Ionic Futurism, ionicfuturism.com
To 9/30: Kevin Greer: At the Edge, Gallery SOCO, gallerysoco.com
To 9/30: Gladys Poorte & Naomi Schlinke, d berman gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 10/1: Red Hot Red Dot Sale, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 10/1: Los Rostros Del Son Jarocho, Republic Square Park, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 10/1: YLAII: Juventud Desenfrenada (Youth Gone Wild), Mexic-arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 10/7: Honora Jacob and Eliza K. Thomas, Wally Workman Gallery, wallyworkmangallery.com
To 10/13: Rays of Light, Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, lapena-austin.org
To 10/21: The World of Lacquer, Fielding Lecht Gallery, fieldinglecht.com
To 10/21: Daniel Bozhkov: Recent Works, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.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 11/25: Saved by the Fire, Umlauf Sculture Gardens, umlaufsculpture.org
To 12/9: Rembrandt's Etchings, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 12/29: Feliks Topolski: Portraits of Britain's 20th c. Literary Greats, Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 12/30: Norman Mailer Takes on American, Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 1/14/07: Luca Cambiaso: 1527-1585, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 5/28/07: Power to the People, LBJ Library & Museum, lbjlib.utexas.edu
Ongoing: European Paintings from the Permanent Collection and America/Americas, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org

Sep 30-Oct 1 Old Pecan Street Festival
E. 6th Street
oldpecanstreetfestival.com

The largest whole family event in Central Texas featuring over 200 arts and crafts exhibitors, 40 plus vendors, dozens of bands, dance lessons, multicultural performers, and more than 300,000 beautiful people. Great way to spend a beautiful Autumn day in Austin.

Oct 1 A Walk for Peace
9:45 a.m.
State Capitol, 11th & Congress
GloryForPeace@yahoo.com

A Walk For Peace commemorates Gandhi's dedication to overcoming injustices using non-violence. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world!" he said. Be inspired by Gandhi's principles and take the challenge to a personal level to practice non-violence. The walk begins at 10:15 a.m. from The Capitol to the Congress Bridge. This event is individually organized and not associated with any organization.

Oct 3 Silent Witness Vigil and Walk
6:30 p.m.
South Capital Steps, 11th & Congress
(800) 525-1978 ext.3021

Join the Texas Council on Family Violence for the unveiling of Silent Witnesses on the south Capitol steps. This is a rememberance of those who have paid the ultimate price for violence in their lives. The event will also celebrate the many survivors who, with the help and support of advocates, friends and family, have been able to find peace in their homes. Vigil - 6:30 p.m., Walk 7:00 p.m.

Oct 4 Poetry on the Plaza - Poetic Poets
12:00 p.m.
Harry Ransom Center for the Humanitites, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Come listen to the word that have inspired millions. Poetry on the Plaza is a monthly noontime reading series sponsored by the Ransom Center. Readers are drawn from the local community and have included professors and students at the university, as well as local actors and authors. The readings take place on the plaza directly east of the Ransom Center's main entrance. In inclement weather, readings will be held in the Ransom Center's Lobby.

All of September Take the Commute Challenge for Prizes!
Throughout Austin
commutesolutions.com

Save money, use less gas, improve air quality, reduce stress and win exciting prizes! What could be better? September is Commute Solutions Month and time to take the Commuter Challenge! Try an alternative to driving alone in your car and you just might win! Prizes include: a $250 San Marcos Outlet Mall gift card, a $250 Simon Mall gift card, a stay at the Driskill Hotel, and gift certificates to great local eateries and businesses! Visit commutesolutions.com for Commuter Challenge details and to learn more about your commute options!

Totally Austintacious

Sep 30 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.

Sep 30, Oct 1 The Artists Market
518 E. 6th
(512) 345-3468, theartistsmarket.com

The West 6th Street Artist's Market has moved to a new location and now has a new name, but is the same 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.

Sep 30 ESPN Radio and Bevo Boulevard Tailgate Parties
E. 17th St. & E. 18th St.

East 17th St., between San Jacinto and Trinity, and East 18th St., between Brazos and San Jacinto, will be closed from 3:00 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m.


Sep 30 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square Park, 4th & Guadalupe
austinfarmersmarket.org

From 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., W. 4th Street will be closed between Guadalupe and San Antonio for the Austin Farmers Market.


Sep 30 Capital of Texas Memory Walk
capitaloftexas.kintera.org

Approximately 1000 walkers will take part in this fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at approximately 10:00 a.m. Streets and cross streets will be closed to traffic as the walkers approach and re-opened after they have passed.

From the parking lot of Stephen F. Austin High School, participants will take the following route:
- east on Cesar Chavez to Lavaca;
- north on Lavaca to W. 3rd;
- west on W. 3rd to San Antonio;
- south on San Antonio to Cesar Chavez;
- east on Cesar Chavez to the Austin High parking lot.


Sep 30 - Oct 1 25th Annual Old Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival
E. Sixth Street
oldpecanstreetfestival.com

The following streets will be closed between 2:00 a.m. Saturday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday:
- E. 6th, from Brazos to the southbound IH-35 frontage road;
- E. 7th, from Neches to Red River;
- San Jacinto, Trinity, Neches, and Red River, from E. 5th to E. 7th.


Oct 1 A Walk for Peace

To commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Ghandi, participants in this
walk will gather on the south steps of the Capitol and, at 10:15 a.m.,
will march to the Congress Avenue Bridge. Congress and cross streets
will be closed to traffic as the group approaches and re-opened as it
passes.

Oct 1 - Oct 5 The Associated General Contractors of Texas Trade
and Equipment Show
Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez
agctx.org

Moving equipment in and out of the Convention Center will require the closure of Red River, between Cesar Chavez and E. 4th at the following times:
- October 1, from noon to 5:00 p.m.
- October 2, from 6:00 a.m. to noon
- October 5 from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Oct 3 Silent Witness Vigil and Walk
State Capitol
tcfv.org

Participants in this event to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month will gather at 6:30 p.m. at the Congress Avenue and 7th St. and march to the south steps of the capitol for a silent vigil. All lanes of Congress will be closed as the marchers move north and re-opened after they have passed.

Congratulations!!!

Nominated for FIVE!!! Lone Star Emmy's®. If you missed the show, you can catch repeat episode airing on KLRU - Austin's PBS Station. DOWNTOWN is a co-production of the Downtown Austin Alliance, Action Figure and KLRU.

This week's schedule is:

9/28 - 7:30 p.m. KLRU Basic
9/28 - 7:30 p.m. KLRU Digital
9/29 - 9:00 p.m. KLRU Basic
9/29 - 9:00 p.m. KLRU Digital

THE THREE "L'S" OF DOWNTOWN-LIVIN', LEARNIN' AND LOVIN' THE BLUES [Episode #107]

Explore some of the Congress Avenue's great new residences. Learn about American YouthWorks, an innovative, model charter high school, where Downtown is the classroom. Meet Clifford Antone and one of Austin's oldest continually-running live music venues.

Keep your fingers crossed and wish us luck! The Emmys® will be awarded in Houston on October 21st.

Sep 28 Streetscapes & Transportation Committee
8:30 a.m.
211 E. 7th Street, 7th Floor Conference Room
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com/daa/whoweare

Chair: Steve Simpson, Staff Liaison: Thomas Butler