Nov 25 Chuy's Giving to Children Parade
11:00 a.m.
Congress Avenue-State Capitol to Sixth
888-HEY-CHUY x 25, chuysparade.com

Giant inflatable balloons, festive holiday floats, famous children's characters, spectacular marching bands, cool classic cars, Santa and the most fun of all - gift giving! That's what Chuy's 18th Annual Children Giving to Children Parade is all about.

The Parade, which lasts about an hour, starts at the Capitol, marches south on Congress to 6th St then west to Guadalupe. You're encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Operation Blue Santa. At one point during the procession, the parade will stop so the toys can be collected. Santa's Helpers will line the parade route and help spectators give their toy. All toys will be donated to Operation Blue Santa and given to another child just in time for the holidays.

Highlights of this year's Parade include Curious George & Bob the Builder Inflatable Balloons, live music from Asleep at the Wheel, children's entertainers, The Biscuit Brothers, Joe McDermott and Sara Hickman, along with Santa himself!

Give your children the gift of feeling the excitement and reward of giving. It's a great way to get the whole family in the holiday spirit! (See Street Closings for additional information.)

Nov 24-Jan 7 The Santaland Diaries
Zachary Scott's Arena Stage, 1510 Toomey Rd.
(512) 476-0541 x. 1, zachscott.com

Prepare yourself for one side splitting evening! David Sedaris' wickedly funny - The Santaland Diaries - now in its 9th hit year, tells the real-life story of Sedaris' tour of duty as the elf Crumpet, and what it takes to juggle tots and tottering Santas during a painfully festive time of the year. Get your tickets early as performances sell out quickly.

Nov 28 Spirited Away
(Sen to Chihiro No Kamikakushi)
7:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 409 Colorado
(512) 322-0145 x. 213, austinfilm.org

Part of Austin Film Society's Essential Cinema Series - "Sublime Lines: Japanese Anime." This five-week series, runs through Dec. 19 and features "the products of the greatest directors working in anime today," according to Dr. Susan Napier. Admission is free for AFS members and $4 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased online at austinfilm.org.

Still on Stage...

To 12/3: The Way of the World, UT PAC's Brockett Theatre, utpac.org
To 12/9: The Plight Before Christmas, Scottish Rite Theatre, ScottishRiteChildrensTheatre.org
To 12/15: Fridays, Gorilla Theatre, The Hideout Theatre, hideouttheatre.com
To 12/31: Plaid Tidings, Zach Scott Groten Stage, zachscott.com
Ongoing: Happy Feet: The IMAX® Experience, Texas the Big Picture, Deep Sea 3D in the IMAX® Theatre; The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Nov 24 Queensryche: Operation: Mindcrime II
Hogg Memorial Auditorium, 24th at Whitis
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

This platinum-selling Seattle rock band continues its legend with Operation: Mindcrime II to go back to the story it originated two decades ago and ties up all the loose ends. This event follows a sold-out tour earlier this year and features both chapters of the story in their entirety for an unforgettable narrative experience. It is an event not to be missed!

Nov 25 Asleep at the Wheel
- CD Release Party!
8:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

This nine-time Grammy-winning Texas band has become an institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of big band Western Swing. Asleep at the Wheel gets rolling with featured songs from their new CD "Reinventing the Wheel". The band's trademark sound includes fiddles, horns, steel guitars and piano, all playing tightly arranged pieces and trading blazing solos. Take a listen at asleepatthewheel.com.

Nov 24-Dec 30 take me to bed or lose me forever
Volitant Gallery, 320 Congress, Ste. 100
(512) 236-1240, volitant.com

Volitant Gallery presents "take me to bed or lose me forever" a group show that's bittersweet and absurd like every cliché written about love and as classic as a tragic love story. The 14 artists in this exhibition attain different levels of tenderness and crudeness and at the same time expose different degrees of vulnerability by using sincerity or coyness as a tool. This show promises to be as interesting as its title! Opening Reception: Friday, November 24, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Nov 25-Dec 21 Gingerbread House Workshop
10:30 a.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Experience the thrill of making a mess in someone else's kitchen! You and your kids will love covering yourselves in sugar icing while creating a candy-covered holiday tradition. Call (512) 472-2499 for more information and to register for spots in November and December.

Nov 25-28 Blanton Happenings
Blanton Museum of Art, Congress & MLK
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

Nov 25 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.

Nov 26: Open House: The Blanton Architecture Tour - 2:00 p.m.
The museum offers themed tours on the collection and special exhibitions every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., Thursday at 3:00 p.m., Thursday evenings, and during B scene on the first Friday of every month.

Nov 28: Bach Cantata Project - 12:00 p.m.
Take a little time out of your day to experience the joy of listening to beautiful music in the soaring space of the Blanton's atrium. Enjoy an introduction by the conductor before the performance and connection to a work in the Museum's galleries after. This month: "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland" BWV 61. The Bach Cantata Project is a joint venture of UT School of Music Choral Program and the Blanton Museum of Art. Media sponsor: KMFA

Nov 26 Science Sundays: Hands-on Earth History
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2494, austinkids.org

Fossil demonstrations and earth history presented by Austin Paleo Society.

Nov 29 Two Cultures - Panel
7:00 p.m.
Harry Ransom Center for the Humanitites, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Three leaders converse about the "Two Cultures" of the humanities and sciences for the C. P. Snow Endowed Lecture. Come listen to William Powers, President of The University of Texas at Austin; Steven Weinberg, Nobel Laureate in Physics; and Paul Woodruff, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy.

Nov 29 Community Night with Miss Staci Gray
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2494, austinkids.org

Austin-based children's performer, Miss Staci Gray, joins the Austin Children's Museum's Community Night for the last Wednesday of each month. Her original music moves children to sing, dance and be just plain silly! Come out and play EVERY Wednesday night and enjoy exhibit galleries, story time and a variety of hands-on activities. Suggested donation: $1.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 11/25: Saved by the Fire, Umlauf Sculture Gardens, umlaufsculpture.org
To 11/28: AISD Teacher Art Show, The Hideout Theatre, austinisd.org/misc/125/
To 11/30: Dia de los Muertos Exhibition, La Pena Gallery, lapena-austin.org
To 12/2: The Artistry of Rembrandt, The Russell Collection, russell-collection.com
To 12/9: Rembrandt's Etchings, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 12/16: Le Thua Tien - Reflection, Fielding Lecht Gallery, fieldinglecht.com
To 12/23: Beverly Penn: Weeds, d berman Gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 12/23: degrees of separation, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.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 America, Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 1/5: Animal Secrets, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 1/7: e-flux video rental (EVR), Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 1/7: Miss Ima's Quilts, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 1/14: Luca Cambiaso: 1527-1585, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 5/28: 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
Gems and Minerals, Texas Memorial Museum, texasmemorialmuseum.org

Nov 25 Farmers' Market Now in New Location
Cesar Chavez and Lavaca
austinfarmersmarket.org

The Austin Farmers' Market will move to Cesar Chavez and Lavaca THIS SATURDAY through March, 2007! This temporary spot is necessary because of construction near Republic Square. Free parking at City Hall (access from Lavaca). Same hours 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., still every Saturday! And don't forget that a special WEDNESDAY MARKET is now open 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Whole Foods Market at 6th and Lamar.

Nov 25, 26 City Wide Garage Sale
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
cwgs.com

Austin's Largest Antique, Collectible & Vintage Marketplace Where Everything Has a Story. Walk into any booth at the show and find a piece of history. Times: Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Nov 25, 26 12th Annual Victorian Christmas
E. Sixth Street
victorianchristmasfestival.com/

Victorian Christmas on Sixth Street is now the second largest Austin downtown event, drawing over 125,000 people looking for unique holiday gifts. You and your family will surrounded by a re-creation of the 19th century Victorian era. Special features, like roving magicians, barbershop quartets, wild west brawls, children's choirs and much more, make for a festive shopping atmosphere. A new feature this year - Christmas "snow" for kids to make snowmen and play catch snowballs. Great outing for the whole family!

Nov 28 Austin Past & Present Interactive Digital History Launch Party
Laguna Gloria Art Museum, 3809 W 35th St.
(512) 974-7480

After six years of production, input from 200 contributors, 1600 images, two hours of video documentary, 160 biographies and more than 300 picture and text slide shows, it's time to celebrate the completion of "Austin Past and Present." Creator and producer Karen Kocher, in collaboration with the Austin History Center Association and the Austin Film Society, are proud to share Austin Past & Present, the first-ever interactive digital history of Austin, with the community at a launch party. The big bash will include music from Little Alice Spencer & Her Monkey Butlers, free food and drinks, interactive displays set up for guests to preview the project and a silent auction of historical goodies from featured Austin landmarks. Guests will also have the first chance to purchase the DVD package in time for the holiday season.

Speaking of Laguna Gloria - don't miss the Holiday Art Festival being held there this weekend (November 25 & 26). Here's a chance to purchase great art for holiday gifts and benefit the Austin Museum of Art. For details, visit amoa.org.

Dec 2 Tree Lighting + Holiday Sing-Along + Congress Stroll
Capitol and Congress Avenue
(512) 469-1766

Get ready to kick off the holidays next Saturday with John Aielli's Holiday Sing-Along - 6:00 p.m.; Austin's Capitol Tree Lighting - 6:15 p.m.; and the Congress Avenue Stroll - 5:00 -9:00 p.m. It's old-fashioned holiday fun for the whole family!

Call for First Night Volunteers
December 31
Downtown Austin
firstnightaustin.org

First Night Austin 2007 is rapidly approaching and lots of volunteers are needed to make this year sweeping success! The volunteer information sheet is now available online at firstnightaustin.org. Share this with friends and family and encourage them to get involved in this really neat celebration of Austin and its many talented artists. And for questions about First Night volunteering, please email volunteer@firstnightaustin.org.

Nov 24 Austin Thanksgiving Tradition
Thundercloud Turkey Trot
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Waterloo Park, 15th and Trinity
thundercloud.com/turkeytrot

Roll your kids and yourself out of bed on Thanksgiving morning for the 16th Annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. This fun-filled day features events and activities for the entire family including a certified 5 mile race, 1 mile run/walk and the Stepping Stone School Kid's K. You'll also enjoy free food, live music and the Stepping Stone School Kid's Area with games and activities for the little ones. One hundred percent of race proceeds go Caritas to fight poverty, hunger and homelessness in our community. Give thanks for all you have as you help those who have so much less. (See Street Closings for additional information.)

Nov 25 Toros vs. Fort Worth
7:00 p.m.
Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez
(512) 236-8333, austintoros.com

It's time to run with the Toro's again! Support the Austin Toros at their home opener.

Complete Clothing
106 East 8th Street
(512) 473-8244
complete-clothing.com (going live by mid-December)

Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Stop in and discover why men from as far away as Dallas and Houston are coming to downtown Austin to shop for the latest in the cosmopolitan casual look known as "street wear." You'll find distinctive, limited edition clothes from such names as fresh jive, Creative Recreation, WESC and A Bathing Ape, the exclusive Japanese label once seen only in Soho and LA. This boutique offers reasonably priced (t-shirts $20-30; sweaters, jackets and hoodies $50-80) head-to-toe clothing, including accessories. Owner, Zaul Zamora, goes to New York three times a year to stay on top of the latest in this cool look that's perfectly suited for Austin's laid back style and culture. So complete your wardrobe at Complete Clothing.

Welcome to downtown!

For more news about retail downtown visit the Downtown Austin Alliance's Retail Directory (downtownaustin.com/directory/retail) or the Alliance's Retail Information Section.

Nov 23 Thunderclouds Subs Turkey Trot
thundercloud.com

The following streets will be affected:
- Trinity Street, from 14th St. to Martin Luther King. All lanes will be closed.
- MLK, from Trinity to Guadalupe. - An eastbound and a westbound traffic lane will remain open.
- Guadalupe, from MLK to 27th St. - A northbound and a southbound traffic lane will remain open.
- Red River, from Harris Avenue to 14th St. - A northbound and a southbound traffic lane will remain open.

The race begins at 9:30 a.m. and is expected to be complete by 11:30 a.m.

Nov 24 Aggie Congress Avenue Parade
At 8:00 a.m. the Aggie marching band and Corps of Cadets will march from 200 E. Riverside Drive and up Congress to the Texas State Capitol. The parade should be finished by 9:30 a.m.

There will be no street closures for the event, but APD officers will escort the participants and traffic on Congress and cross streets will be temporarily impacted.

Nov 24 ESPN Radio and Bevo Boulevard Tailgate Parties
E. 17th St., between San Jacinto and Trinity, and E. 18th St., between Brazos and San Jacinto, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 12:30 p.m.

Nov 25 Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade
chuysparade.com

The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and will last approximately one hour. The following streets will be closed at the beginning and end of the parade route:
(Beginning of route)
- San Jacinto, from 11th St. to 15th St.;
- E. 12th St, - E. 14th St., from Brazos to San Jacinto;

(End of route)
- W. 4th St., from Guadalupe to Nueces;
- Nueces and San Antonio, from W. 3rd St. to W. 5th St.
- San Jacinto, from 13th St. to 11th St.;
- E. 11th, from San Jacinto to Congress:

There will be no street closures on the route, but APD officers will escort the participants and traffic on the route and cross streets will be temporarily impacted.

- West on E. 11th Street, from San Jacinto to Congress;
- South on Congress;
- West on W. 6th;
- South on Guadalupe, to W. 4th St.;

Nov 25 Austin Farmers' Market
austinfarmersmarket.org

Because of construction near Republic Square, the Farmers' Market is temporarily moving from Republic Square to Cesar Chavez Street. From November 25 through March 2007, Cesar Chavez, between Lavaca and Congress, will be closed from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Nov 25 The Old Pecan Street Association's 12th Annual Victorian Christmas on Sixth Street
victorianchristmasfest.com

The following streets will be closed from 2:00 a.m. on Saturday until 11:00 p.m. on Sunday:
- East 6th St., between Brazos and Red River
- San Jacinto, between E. 5th St. and E. 7th St.
- Trinity, between E. 5th St. and E. 7th St.
- Neches, between E. 5th St. and E. 7th St.

Nov 29 Security & Maintenance Committee
8:30 a.m.
211 E. 7th Street, Room 111
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com/daa/whoweare

Chair: John Nyfeler, Staff Liaison: Bill Brice

Check out what's happening this week -


Nov 23 - 6:30 p.m. KLRU-G

Episode #207 - OPENING DOORS--CLOSING DOORS
Rockin', Rollin' and Makin' it in the Music Biz: An Intro to Austin's Music World. / Closing the Revolving Door - The Travis County Re-Entry Roundtable (started in DOWNTOWN) is finding creative and successful ways to help formerly incarcerated men find new lives as they re-enter society. / Meet some of the businesswomen and women entrepreneurs helping to build the "new" Austin.

Nov 23 - 7:30 p.m. KLRU Basic
Nov 24 - 5:30 a.m. KLRU-G

Episode #208 - CATCHING BALLS, "CATCHY" PHRASES & COMMUNITY RADIO
Where Creativity "Ads" Up: A look at some of Austin's highly creative advertising firms and this growing industry (centered in DOWNTOWN). / Catch the fund and run with the "Bulls," at an Austin Toro's basketball game. / Austin's Community Radio let the community spread its creative wings without flying the CO-OP (KOOP).