Feb 18 2007 AT&T Austin Marathon
& Half Marathon
7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Downtown and around Austin
attaustinmarathon.com

An estimated 11,000 runners and 30,000 spectators are coming to participate in the AT&T Austin Marathon (formerly Freescale Marathon). And according to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, this throng will contribute approximately $5.2 million to Austin!

Named the largest marathon in Texas in 2006 and the 15th largest marathon in the country by Running USA, this year's participation is projected to be higher than ever, with registration up 14 percent from last year.

Plan to partake in this spectacular event as a runner or a cheerleader!

Along with Sunday's race, several events are planned in conjunction with the Marathon:

Feb 16, 17 Oroweat Health and Fitness Expo
Fri: 3:00 - 8:00 p.m.; Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Palmer Events Center, attaustinmarathon.com

This Expo will feature 135 exhibitors and free hourly educational seminars about marathon strategy, fitness and health. Among the presenters are running legends Henry Rono, Patti Catalano Dillon, Craig Virgin, Jeff Galloway and Steve Jones. The Expo is also the place for late registration and runner packet pickup.

Feb 17 Book Signing with Local Running Champion
and African Genocide Survivor, Gilbert Tuhabonye
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Clif booth at the Oroweat Health and Fitness Expo, Palmer Events Center
gilbertsgazelles.com

This Voice in My Heart: A Genocide Survivor's Story of Escape, Faith, and Forgiveness is Gilbert Tuhabonye's tale of triumph in his own words. More than just an autobiography, this must-read book recounts Gilbert's journey from holocaust in his native Burundi to hero in his adopted homeland. Gilbert (featured in Season I of DOWNTOWN) is founder and principal coach of Gilbert's Gazelles running training camps here in Austin. Full of grace and dignity, this is a story like no other, a story that must not - and will not - be forgotten.

Feb 17 Screening of "Runners High" Documentary
1:30 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, 409 Colorado

Get in the spirit of the marathon while staying off your feet at a special screening of the inspiring documentary "Runners High." The film follows a group of East Oakland teens that are challenged to run the Los Angeles Marathon. The Drafthouse will be offering an all-you-can-eat carbo-loading pasta meal for just $17.50.

Feb 17 Message to the Troops
3:30 p.m.
3rd and Congress

Veterans and military families will gather to record a special message to the participants in Iraq. Among those sending a message is Deanna Domeracki, Capt. Domeracki's wife who lives in Austin.

Feb 18 AT&T Spectators Marathon
7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

AT&T Spectator Marathon - participants validate a spectator race card at dsignated locations to win finishers prizes and other premium gifts from AT&T. Fila Family Zone - area for children and their parents to participate in a fun and interactive experience that incorporated sport and art. Fila Footologists - experts on running footwear design and technology offer advice.

Street Closures

This year, the race will begin and end downtown, with the following roads being closed in conjuncton with the event:

Saturday, 2:00 a.m. - Sunday, 5:00 p.m.
- Congress between 5th St. & Cesar Chavez
- 4th St. between Brazos & Colorado
- 2nd St. between Brazos & Colorado

Sunday, 2:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- Congress Avenue Bridge

Sunday, 6:00 - 7:30
- Cesar Chavez between Congress and Colorado

Sunday, 6:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m
- Guadalupe will be reduced to one lane between 5th St. & Cesar Chavez
- 5th Street will be reduced to two lanes
- Lamar Blvd. will be reduced to two lanes (one northbound and one southbound) between Riverside Drive and W. 5th St.

Sunday, 2:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- 3rd St. between Brazos & Colorado
- 4th St. between Brazos & Colorado

While Congress is closed, eastbound traffic will be re-directed south on Colorado St. to Cesar Chavez or south on Guadalupe to the S. 1st St. Bridge. Eleventh St. will remain open all day to westbound and eastbound traffic. This intersection will be controlled by APD to allow motorists to pass during gaps in runners.

For additional information on the marathon course, run over to attaustinmarathon.com/coursemaps.

The Alliance welcomes the Marathon runners to Austin and wishes all the participants and spectators a successful and speedy race!

Feb 15- 18 Director's Choice: Golden
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 476-2163, balletaustin.org

This year, Director's Choice reflects the glittering dynamics of dance on stage for Ballet Austin's Golden Anniversary Season. Ballet Austin will present the spirited and compelling "The Golden Section" by Twyla Tharp with music by David Byrne of The Talking Heads. Ms. Tharp known for her delectable dance productions has choreographed more than one hundred dances, five Hollywood movies, and two Broadway shows. In addition, you'll be mesmerized by the return of Five Flights Up by Stephen Mills and a world premiere from Ballet Austin's own Gina Patterson. Tickets available in person: Ballet Austin Box Office on Congress Avenue, or call the box office for more information (512) 476-2163.

Feb 15-Mar 24 Disney's THE LION KING
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

Experience the phenomenon of Disney's THE LION KING. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you'll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including Elton John and Tim Rice's Oscar® winning songs "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." Let your imagination run wild at the Tony® Award-winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls, "a landmark event in entertainment."

Feb 20 Kodo Drummers
8:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Athletic pageantry, vivid physical excitement and spiritual beauty, the celebrated Japanese ensemble explores the limitless possibilities of the drum. From the beat of the smallest drum, to the thunder of the 900 lb. Odaiko, the majesty of their art will stir your soul. See and hear more at kodo.or.jp.

Still on Stage...

To 2/16: Level One Improv Comedy Classes, The Hideout Theatre, hideoutheatre.com
To 2/17: Dear Edwina Jr., Zach Scott Groten Stage, zachscott.com
To 2/24: La Dispute, Preas Theatre, Austin High School, capitalT.org
To 3/11: Present Laughter, Zach Scott, zachscott.com
To 3/11: Pinocchio, Scottish Rite Theatre, srct.org
To 3/30: Six Degrees, The Hideout Theatre, hideoutheatre.com
To 4/26: Maestro Improv Comedy, The Hideout Theatre, hideoutheatre.com
Ongoing: Hurricane on the Bayou, Texas the Big Picture, Deep Sea 3D in the IMAX® Theatre; Ride Around the World: A Cowboy Adventure; and The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Feb 15 Love Songs
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

This week's Thursday Noonday Concert features Jan Jackson Early Music Ensemble performing love songs.

Feb 14 - Dec 31 Antarctica: Life at the
Bottom of the World
Texas Memorial Museum, 2400 Trinity Street
(512) 471-1604, texasnaturalsciencecenter.org

You've never seen Antarctica so vividly displayed. In the new Colors of Nature exhibit: Antarctica: Life at the Bottom of the World - wildlife photos of Antarctica by photographer Greg Lasley make this mysterious environment come alive. Lasley's work regularly appears in wildlife-oriented books and magazines, notably Texas Highways Magazine, Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, American Birds, and Wildlife Conservation.

Feb 15 Blanton Happenings
Blanton Museum of Art, Congress & MLK
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

Public Tour: By the River by Radcliffe Bailey - 12:30 p.m.
Come take a closer look at the work, By the River, 1997 by Radcliffe Bailey.

Art Fix: Playwriting Workshop - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
In celebration of the centennial of James A. Michener, we'll be translating works of art in the collection into a compelling drama with playwright, C. Denby Swenson. Space is limited. Tickets are available at the Visitor Services Desk one hour before program begins.

Public Tour: Michener and Modernism - 7:00 p.m.
This tour focuses on several works in the Michener Collection.

Feb 16 - Apr 27 The Queen of the Peace:
S & P Stanikas
Volitant Gallery, 320 Congress, Ste. 100
(512) 236-1240, volitant.com

S&P Stanikas' The Queen of the Peace is an unprecedented exhibition that reveals to Austin the wide-ranging collection of work by Svajone and Paulius Stanikas. This Lithuanian couple seamlessly produces work that articulates their perspective of the human condition in our present-day bedlam, including both the grandiose and grotesque. Prevalent themes in their multi-media work (drawings, installations, sculpture and video) are as visceral, epic, and conflicting as death, war, sex, politics, family and history. Opening Reception: Friday, February 16th, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Artist's Lecture: Saturday, February 17th 2:00 p.m.

Feb 17 The Geometry of Hope Symposium
9:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Blanton Musem of Art, MLK & Congress Ave.
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

The University of Texas at Austin and New York University will present a major symposium in conjunction with the February 20th opening of The Geometry of Hope that brings international scholars to Austin to discuss the work on view in the exhibition. The symposium is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. For more information and to register please call (512) 471-8984 or e-mail latinam@blantonmuseum.org.

Feb 20 - Apr 21 The Geometry of Hope: Latin American Abstract Art from the Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Collection

Journey through the vibrant cities of South America during the mid-20th century and witness the birth of Modernism in the Americas. Drawn from one of the world's leading collections of Latin American art, this exhibition examines the dynamic visual vocabulary of Geometric Abstraction that developed in the cosmopolitan art capitals of Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other South American cities from the 1930s through the 1970s. Featuring more than 125 works by over 40 artists, The Geometry of Hope is a provocative examination of the complex history and rich creative ferment of one of the most fascinating artistic movements of the last century.

Feb 17 Kid's Intro to Civil Engineering
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

What do pyramids, bridges and roads have in common? A civil engineer was involved in building them all! During this hands-on education symposium, hosted by the Austin Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, children will learn about the professor in a number of ways, including like building spaghetti bridges, paper helicopters, hoop gliders and more. Thanks to Applied Materials, the first 180 children will get in free on Engineer's Day. Engineer's Day activities are included with Museum admission. For more information visit austinkids.org or call (512) 472-2499.

Feb 17 Rising Stars Closing Reception
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Studio 107, 200 Block of E. 5th, #107
(512) 477-9092, studio107.com

You're invited to the closing reception of the Rising Stars Vol. 3 exhibition. The concept of this show is to place a bet -as it were- on the art historic and market success of emerging artists. On display is the work of printmaker Adreon Henry, photographer, Fernando Lafuente and painter Alonso Rey.

Feb 17 Revealing Character:
Robb Kendrick's Texas Tintypes
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-4600, thestoryoftexas.com

Though many regard cowboys as heroes from a bygone era, Texas still boasts a number of real-life working cowboys on its modern-day ranches. Since 2004, Texas-born photographer Robb Kendrick has been capturing images of those cowboys via the tintype, a 19th-century photographic method. The exhibition will feature 66 tintypes of cowboys and cowgirls taken all over the Lone Star State plus 12 enlarged prints of tintype images.

Celebrate the opening of the exhibition with a theatrical performance in the gallery. Join a South Texas vaquero and a Texas-born cowboy on their journey to San Antonio. As they swap stories around a campfire, both men gain insight into each other's values, traditions, and cultures. This play is written by Bryce Milligan and presented in cooperation with the Witte Museum, San Antonio, Texas.

Feb 18 Black Cowboys in Texas: Chronicling History - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Texas Spirit Theater

Whether these cowboys were helping to blaze the Goodnight-Loving Trail or just working cattle on any number of iconic Texas ranches, black cowboys have always played an important role in the Story of Texas. Learn about these contributions and meet a number of modern day African American cowboy personalities. This is an enlightening and very entertaining presentation about the history and preservation of the black cowboy identity in Texas. Reservations required - (512) 936-4649.

Feb 20 Robert De Niro Film Series - Greetings
7:00 p.m.
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe
(512) 471-8944, hrc.utexas.edu

Special screening of Brian De Palma's Greetings (1968), starring Robert De Niro, Gerrit Graham, and Jonathan Warden. Associate Curator of Film, Steve Wilson, will introduce the film and discuss selected items from the De Niro collection.

Coming Next Week - Feb 24 Night in the Galleries
6:30 ? 11:00 p.m.
Downtown Austin
austinfineartsfestival.org

2007 Austin Fine Arts Festival kick-off!! Tickets are going fast. NIGHT IN THE GALLERIES offers patrons a sneak preview of the work of local artists accepted to exhibit at the 2007 Austin Fine Arts Festival in a tour of downtown galleries and museums with selected wines and tasty fare from Austin?s finest chefs. Tickets cost $75. For more information, visit austinfineartsfestival.org or call (512) 458-6073 x6.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 2/16: Retreat: New Paintings by Theresa Marchetta, Women and Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 2/17: Rising Stars 3: Studio 107, studio107.com
To 2/20: Los Cuatro Vientos, Dougherty Arts Center, lapena-austin.org
To 2/26: A Través De Su Mirad /Through Her Eyes, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 3/4: The Siren's Song, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 3/7: Lin Swanner & Judith Simonds, Wally Workman Gallery, wallyworkmangallery.com
To 4/8: Virtuoso Lithography, Blanton Museum of Art, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 4/1: Vessels and Inspirations, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 4/8: European Prints of Ornament, 1500-1700, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 4/8: Jusepe de Ribera, 1591-1652, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 5/18: Fun, 2, 3, 4: all about a number of things, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 5/5: Kate Ericson and Mel Ziegler:America Starts Here, 1985-1995, amoa.org
To 5/27: On the Plains: The Art of Frank Reaugh, Texas Capitol Visitors Center, TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.com
To 5/28: Power to the People, LBJ Library & Museum, lbjlib.utexas.edu
To 7/28: The American Twenties, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.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

Feb 15 What Men Don't Tell Women
About Business
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Austin Woman's Club, 708 San Jacinto
(512) 554-1763, crewaustin.com

This sounds like a not-to-be-missed presentation for both men and women! CREW Austin (Commercial Real Estate Women) presents "What Men Don't Tell Women About Business", an engaging, entertaining, informative and authentic presentation made by an alpha male about the conversations men have about women in business. For the first time, the women will find out what men talk about at the water cooler, in the boardroom, and locker room, not to mention what happens before they get into the room and after they leave.

Feb 20 Managed Lanes Open House
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Thompson Conference Center, University of Texas Campus
Contact: Ginger Goodin, g-goodin@tamu.edu

The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be hosting an open house to provide information about managed lanes, a new approach that offers options for freeway travel. Managed lanes use various combinations of flexible pricing, vehicle eligibility and controlled access to provide steady traffic flow, particularly during periods of high congestion. The open house will feature various display stations, brief presentations and printed resource material. Attendees can also interact with experts. For more information, contact Ginger Goodin at g-goodin@tamu.edu.


Ongoing Special Events

Feb 17 EatFresh at Austin Farmer's 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 Farmer's 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.

Feb 17,18 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.

Feb 21 Wednesday Austin Farmers' Market Hours
8:30 a.m. - Noon
Whole Foods Market, 6th and Lamar
austinfarmersmarket.org

Pick up the ingredients for a wholesome, healthy and scrumptuous dinner at this fresh marketplace. And don't forget the flowers!

Feb 20, 21 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 Austin's finest sporting arena and cheer the Horns on to victory! Here's the line-up for this week:

2/20 at 8:00 p.m. -Men take on Texas Tech
2/21 at 7:00 p.m. - Women battle Oklahoma

Feb 16 Beads Galore as Toros Battle to Beat Rival
Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez
(512) 236-8333, austintoros.com

The Toros are on a tear in their new season. Don't miss a second of the action!

2/16 at 7:30 p.m. - Da Bull is Back and it's time to celebrate Mardi Gras style - with tons of fun and beads galore as the Toros battle rival Fort Worth!

Feb 17 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.


Feb 16, 17, and 20 Mardi Gras

To accommodate expected crowds, the Austin Police Department will close E. 6th St., between IH-35 and Brazos, from 8:00 p.m. each night until approximately 3:00 a.m. In addition, all cross streets between and including Sabine and San Jacinto will be closed from 5th St. to 7th St. No parking allowed on the affected streets from 6:00 p.m. each night until the streets are re-opened.


Feb 18 AT&T Austin Marathon
attaustinmarathon.com

The AT&T Marathon (formerly Freescale Marathon) will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 18. This year, the race will begin and end downtown.

In conjunction with the race, the following downtown streets will be closed:

Saturday, 2:00 a.m. - Sunday, 5:00 p.m.
- Congress between 5th St. & Cesar Chavez
- 4th St. between Brazos & Colorado
- 2nd St. between Brazos & Colorado

Sunday, 2:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- Congress Avenue Bridge

Sunday, 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
- Cesar Chavez between Congress & Colorado

Sunday, 6 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- Guadalupe will be reduced to one lane between 5th St. & Cesar Chavez
- 5th Street will be reduced to two lanes
- Lamar will be reduced to two lanes (one northbound and one southbound) between Riverside & W. 5th St.

Sunday, 2:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- 3rd St. between Brazos & Colorado
- 4th St. between Brazos & Colorado

Eastbound traffic will be re-directed south on Colorado to Cesar Chavez or south on Guadalupe to the S. 1st St. Bridge.

Eleventh St. will remain open all day to westbound and eastbound traffic. This intersection will be controlled by APD to allow motorists to pass during gaps in runners.

For additional information on the marathon course, click here. If you have any additional questions regarding the course or the race, please contact John Conley at (info@attaustinmarathon.com), Ph: (512) 478-4265 or Toll free: (877) 601-6686.


Looking ahead to the week of Feb 22 - Feb 28

Feb 24 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.

Feb 21 Arts & Entertainment Marketing Committee
8:30 a.m.
7th Floor Conference Room, 211 E. 7th Street
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com/daa/whoweare
Committee Chair: Nancy Burns, Staff: Cilla Temple


This Week on

February 15 - 7:30 p.m.
February 16 - 9:00 p.m.

Episode #113 - Best of Downtown
Architect Larry Speck discusses the long-standing relationship between the natural and built environment in Austin. Town Lake is everybody's special oasis, with a different meaning, purpose and use for all. You don't need a ticket to experience the thrill of a live UT footbal game, just good friends and a good tailgate.