Jan 5-6 TexArts presents Big River
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Begin the new year in a big way with a huge taste of Broadway right here at our beloved Paramount. Big River is a 7-time Tony Award-winning American story based on the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Music by Roger Miller and Book by William Hauptman.

Big River is a playful and sweeping score, telling the stories of Huck Finn and his friend Jim as they adventure through the Mississippi Delta in late 19th Century America.

If you saw Music Man, expect even more - it is an inspiring, reflective and ultimately joyous American story perfect for the whole family!

Friday @ 8:00 p.m. | Saturday @ 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.

Jan 6-Apr 26 Maestro Improv Comedy
Saturday's 10:00 p.m.
The Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Avenue
(512) HIDEOUT, hideouttheatre.com

The Heroes of Comedy present Maestro Improv Comedy. Austin's longest-running, best-selling improv comedy show is back with more games and scenes inspired by audience suggestions. Maestro is elimination-style, improv comedy where only the truly funny survive. Every Saturday at 10:00 p.m. ten improvisers take to the Hideout stage to play for the love of the audience who scores each performer and ultimately decides the fate of each. The last man (or woman) standing is the winner and MAESTRO. As the evening progresses, the show gets better and better as it heads toward climactic hilarity. Maestro is the most audience participatory show in the Austin Improv line-up. For more info, call (512) H-I-D-E-O-U-T or visit hideouttheatre.com.

January 9 - 14 The Altar Boyz
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

This new off-Broadway musical comedy smash rides into Austin for five days. The Altar Boyz ironically swings religion back to the left with songs like "Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone" and "Girl You Make Me Wanna Wait." The perfect show for all of Austin's political, social and off-beat congregations. Visit altarboyz.com for a preview of what you'll see and hear and walk away with.

Jan 5 The Cheetah Girls with
Special Guest Everlife
7:00 p.m.
Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River
(512) 471-7744, uterwincenter.com

"The Party's Just Begun" tour is coming to town and you don't want to miss these girls! Following in the footsteps of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, The Cheetah Girls are the latest Disney darlings to emerge from television and enter the realm of music. Group members Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams and Sabrina Bryan began their concert tour this fall, following the success of the movie which launched their music career.

Jan 5-6 Austin Symphony Orchestra's
Classical Concert Series with Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson
8:00 p.m.
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

Violinist Jaime Laredo and Cellist Sharon Robinson celebrate their 30th anniversary during their January 5-6 Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) concerts, both as a performing and a married couple. Maestro Peter Bay and the ASO welcome this dynamic duo for an evening featuring works by Wagner, Rózsa and Beethoven. Frost Bank and Slack & Davis proudly sponsor this concert. Evenings selections include: Wagner Siegfried's Rhine Journey from Götterdämmerung Rózsa Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 29 Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, Op. 55 "Eroica."

Jan 5 B Scene
6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Blanton Musem of Art, MLK & Congress Ave.
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

Ease into the New Year and let art revive you as you take in the social and artistic sights and sounds at this month's B Scene at the Blanton Museum. The evening is filled with ways to meet and greet. Unwind with a chair massage (6:30-8:00 p.m. and 9:00-10:30 p.m.) or learn massage basics with relaxation pro David Lauterstein of the Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage (7:30 and 8:30 p.m.). Play New Year's resolution BINGO for prizes (6:00-10:00 p.m.). Enjoy a live performance by Austin's My Education (9:30 p.m.). The evening also features lounge music by DJ Little Danny, cash bar, tasty snacks, tours (on the half hour from 6:30-8:30 p.m.), and art activities. Cost: $5 members; $10 non-members. Tickets available at the museum.

Jan 5-Feb 10 Restless Timber:
New Works by Jennifer Drummond
Volitant Gallery, 320 Congress, Ste. 100
(512) 236-1240, volitant.com

The trees are alive! The series in this exhibition began as a simple study of a live oak grove and grew into drawings of not only plant life, but human anatomy. Within the drawings, you'll find torsos, bellybuttons, elbows, breasts, and all sorts of strange organs and tumors. Jennifer Drummond's creations are fluid bark and the resulting shapes range from the graceful and stately to the gnarly and vulgar.

Jan 5-Feb 10 Wait and Hope:
New Works by Katy O'Connor
Volitant Gallery, 320 Congress, Ste. 100
(512) 236-1240, volitant.com

In Wait and Hope, Katy O'Connor encapsulates moments from modern narratives where themes of the human experience - love, vengeance, sorrow and sin - are explored. The scenes portray something dramatic, but because the settings and people seem so ordinary, the drama might be lost. Her works illustrate the pauses.

Jan 9 Registration for MyTech Robotics After-School Program
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado Street
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Registration begins January 9th for Austin Children's Museum's popular MyTech LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT Robotics after-school classes. Build and program robots that do what you want with the new LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT, powered by National Instrument LabView software. Eight classes will be available for ages 8-11 on Mondays 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. running March 26-May 14. Class size is limited, so register early!

Still On Display Downtown...

To 1/3: Zita Raymond: Still Life's, Shoreline Grill, shorelinegrill.com
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 1/13: Ancient Echoes, Lotus Asian Art & Antique Gallery, lotusasianart.com
To 1/14: Luca Cambiaso: 1527-1585, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 1/14: Heart Gallery Exhibit, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 1/19: The Avenue: Austin's Main Street Since 1839, Austin History Center, cityofaustin.org/library/ahc
To 2/11: 15 Years of Gifts, Umlauf Sculpture Gardens, umlaufsculpture.org
To 5/27: On the Plains, Texas Capitol Visitors Center, TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.com
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

Jan 5 Deadline for Artist Applications for
The People's Gallery at City Hall
cityofaustin.org/aipp/apply

The City of Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office's Cultural Arts Division is accepting applications for the third annual People's Gallery in City Hall until midnight Friday, January 5th. Applications and digital images of artwork may be submitted through the new online application system at www.cityofaustin.org/aipp/apply. For artists who use slides, they may be dropped off with an application packet by 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Slides are the only accepted format for hand-delivered or mailed packets. Details about the exhibition and submission instructions are available at cityofaustin.org/aipp.

Jan 6-7 Bridal Extravaganza
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Palmer Events Center, Barton Springs Rd.
austinweddings.com

It's showtime at the Palmer Events Center! The Bridal Extravaganza offers brides- and couples-to-be the opportunity to shop and compare more than 275 of Austin's finest wedding professionals. You'll get fresh ideas as you speak with a variety of wedding professionals, collect literature, sample the offerings of caterers and bakers, take in the sights and smells of floral arrangements, listen to DJs and classical musicians...even hire a wedding professional or service right on the spot. For more information, discounts or to purchase your ticket online visit: austinweddings.com.

Jan 6 Start Fresh at Austin Farmers' Market
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cesar Chavez and Lavaca
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

Eating healthier is such a popular New Year's resolution, and there's no better way to keep your promise than by making the Austin Farmers' Market part of your routine. You'll find the freshest produce, fruits and meats at the market. And free chef's demonstrations and live music make the market fun for the whole family. Remember the new location on Cesar Chavez and Lavaca with free parking at City Hall.

Jan 6,7 West 6th St. Artists Market
709 W. 6th
(512) 698-8099, 6thstreetmarket.com

The West 6th Street Artist's Market is back in a new location! Here's another splendid shopping opportunity downtown - at this 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.

Jan 10 New Wednesday Austin Farmers' Market Hours
Whole Foods Market, 6th and Lamar
austinfarmersmarket.org

The Austin Farmers' Market at Whole Foods Market is changing its Winter hours for its Wednesday market to 8:30 a.m. to noon. With the expected shorter and colder days of January and the earlier part of the year, the market is changing to daylight hours to help customers see and shop for local produce and other food products in morning light.

Jan 11 DANA 2007 General Membership Meeting
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The HIDEOUT Theatre (Downstairs Stage), 617 Congress
downtownaustin.org

All Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA) members (and prospective members) are invited to the General Membership Meeting on Thursday, January 11th. DANA's 2006 Year will be "recapped", and the excitement that 2007 holds in store will be a topic. Elections for Steering Committee positions will also be held (with current DANA members eligible to vote). Opportunities for all DANA members to get more involved during the year will be discussed, as well. For more information, email Marshall Jones at marshall.jones@ubs.com.

Jan 25-27 Your Vision Needed for Cultural Planning
Throughout Austin
cityofaustin.org/culturalplan

Throughout January, you're invited to events that will help plan cultural activities. Meetings are being held January 25-27 at locations throughout Austin. Cultural planning is a process that takes stock of existing cultural resources and asks how they can be maintained, enhanced, or developed to continue to improve our lives and the vitality, livability, and success of our community. Go to cityofaustin.org/culturalplan to learn how you can become involved with this important community activity and share your vision!

Jan 7, 10 UT Basketball
Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River
(512) 477-6060, texasboxoffice.com

The Men's and Women's Longhorn Basketball teams want to see YOU as they take center stage at the Erwin Center. Help pack the Erwin Center night in and night out and cheer the Horns on to victory! And don't miss this chance to get your seats to all of the Longhorns home games. Here's the line-up for this week:

1/7 at 2:00 p.m. - Women vs. Purdue
1/10 at 7:00 p.m. - Men take on Missouri

Jan 6 Austin Farmers' Market
Cesar Chavez at Lavaca
austinfarmersmarket.org

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

Looking Ahead to Week of Jan 11 - Jan 17

Jan 13 Austin Farmers' Market
Cesar Chavez at Lavaca
austinfarmersmarket.org

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

Jan 15 Martin Luther King Day Celebration March and Rally
From MLK Statue @ UT to Huston-Tillotson
mlkcelebration.com

In honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. there will be a short program at Dr. King's statue on the UT campus, followed by a March and Rally to the historic Huston-Tillotson University.

The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the march will begin at approximately 9:45 a.m. taking the following route:
- Beginning on the UT Campus by the MLK Statue, the march will proceed south on San Jacinto, past the State Capitol to 11th St.;
- Then, east on 11th St. to Chalmers;
- South on Chalmers to the Festival Grounds located on the Huston-Tillotson University Campus.

Jan 15-17 Governor Rick Perry's Inaugural Parade and Ball Events

The following streets will be impacted by the inaugural Parade and Ball to honor Governor Rick Perry.

Congress Avenue
600-1100 Blocks
- Parking spaces and one lane will be closed between 12:00 a.m. Jan. 15 through 12:00 p.m. Jan. 17.
1000-1100 Block
- East lane will be closed between 7:00 p.m. Jan. 15 through 5:00 p.m. Jan. 17 for review stand.
Riverside-100 block
- Entire street will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 16.
100-1100 Blocks
- Entire street will be closed between 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Cesar Chavez
100-300 Blocks
- One lane will be closed from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Colorado
100-1100 Blocks
- Parking spaces and one lane will be closed from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 16.
1100-1300 Blocks
- Entire Street will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Governor's BBQ. (Note: includes one lane traffic entry into 13th & Lavaca and southbound lane (metered spots) for traffic from 13th to 11th.)

San Jacinto
1200-1500
- Parking spaces and west curb lane will be closed between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Trinity
100-300 Blocks
- East lane will be closed between 6:00 a.m. Jan. 16 and 12:00 a.m. Jan. 17 for Ball Transportation. Also, west lane meters in the 100-400 blocks will be closed between 6:00 a.m. Jan. 16 and 12:00 a.m Jan. 17 for Ball Transportation.
1100-1500 Blocks
- Curb lane will be closed for transportation buses between 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Jan 9 Economic Development Committee
12:00 Noon
211 E. 7th Street, 7th Floor Conference Room
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com/daa
Committee Chair: Tracy Atkins, Staff Liaison: Julie Fitch

RSVP to Julie Fitch at jfitch@downtownaustin.com.

- the series....

If you missed them before, don't miss this week's episodes of the multi-EMMY® Award-winning series DOWNTOWN...

Jan 4 - 6:30 p.m. - KLRU-G
Jan 5 - 5:30 a.m. - KLRU-G

Episode #211 - "BEST" of DOWNTOWN
Urban Density - The Good, the Bad and the Lovely: Building Community, achieving the goal of a denser urban core without compromising Austin's special sense of place. / Art From the Streets - A creative outlet giving help and dignity to the homeless. / Explore Barton Springs, the "Soul of the City," and learn why the Springs are so important to Austin.

Jan 4 - 7:30 p.m. - KLRU Basic
Jan 5 - 9:00 p.m. - KLRU Basic

Episode #212 - "BEST" of DOWNTOWN
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." / 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. / Experience Mexic-Arte Museum's Dia de Los Muertos parade, the Spirits of Austin and traditions of remembering those who have gone before.