Jul 7-Aug 11 My Favorite Year-The Musical
8:30 p.m.
Beverly Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theatre
(512) 479-9491, zilker.org

Zilker Theatre Productions presents the 49th Annual Zilker Summer Musical - My Favorite Year - The Musical.

Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' nostalgic musical comedy is based on the beloved 1982 hit film starring Peter O'Toole. This is a zany behind-the-scenes look at the creators and stars of a live TV show from the mid 1950's. You'll be screaming with laughter throughout!

All performances are free, so plan a magical, musical evening for the whole family. Bring a picnic, or purchase drinks and snacks from the theater's concession stand (proceeds benefitting the production).

Blankets may be laid out on the hillside to reserve your place beginning at 6:00 p.m. each night. Lawn chairs are only allowed at the top section of the hill, as they block the view of other patrons. A section is available for wheelchairs and people with disabilities.

Pets and glass containers are not allowed.

All you pay for is parking - a mere $3.00 per car.

Wednesday July 4 - Freedom 5000 5K Run/4th of July and Fireworks
runtex.com

From 7:00 a.m. until 11 p.m., W. Cesar Chavez will be closed between Stephen F. Austin Drive (near Austin High School) and San Antonio Street.

Barton Springs Rd., between Robert E. Lee and Mopac, will close at approximately 2:00 p.m. and will re-open at approximately 11:00 p.m.


Saturday July 7 - Austin Farmers' Market - Sustainable Food Center
Republic Square Park, 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 farmers' market.


Looking ahead to the week of July 12 through July 18

Saturday July 13 - Austin Farmers' Market - Sustainable Food Center
Republic Square Park, 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 farmers' market.


Current Construction Projects

Cesar Chavez Construction
Final work on the Austin Clean Water Project (ACWP) began on Cesar Chavez on June 25. Last year, the ACWP replaced a failing wastewater line under Cesar Chavez. Crews are now connecting buildings to the new pipe.

The work will last approximately 30 days and will be done in three phases:
- Currently, two eastbound lanes of Chavez are closed. This configuration will last for approximately 11 days.
- A second phase will close two eastbound lanes on Chavez between Congress Avenue and Colorado.
- The final phase will close one northbound lane on Congress.

For a complete list of event and construction related street closings visit the City of Austin's web site at: ci.austin.tx.us/roadworks.

Jul 5-11- Summer Classics at the Paramount
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Film noir starts out the week, before classic gangster movies and a couple of sexpots scorch the screen. You don't want to miss the lost scenes from Baby Face and a Barbara Stanwyck like you've never seen her before. Go to the Paramount's website for full details on showtimes, etc., including lots of ways to save on one of the best entertainment values in Austin.

5 - Asphalt Jungle, Clash By Night
6, 7 - Bonnie & Clyde, White Heat
7 - Scarface
10, 11 - Babyface, Bombshell
For more information on any film, visit imdb.com.

Jul 7 Antiques Roadkill
7:00 p.m.
Spaghetti Warehouse, 117 W. 4th
(512) 404-9123, capcitymystery.com

This hilarious comedy puts a new spin on the antiques appraising business, complete with an annoying host, his identical twin brother, plus an assortment of very eccentric owners of antiques that live up to the expression "Keep Austin Weird."

Jul 8 Moonlight Cinema at The Belmont - Summer Rental
8:00 p.m.
The Belmont, 305 W. 6th Street
(512) 457-0300, thebelmontaustin.com

July Moonlight Cinema is summer films without all that pesky sunshine. Host Jerm Pollet brings his witty observations and musical talent to the weekly dinner theatre event.


Jul 7-Aug 11 The Boys of Summer
The Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Avenue
(512) 569-0562, austinimprov.com

Girls Girls Girls presents The Boys of Summer - Austin's longest running improv troupe. For six Saturdays in July and August the Girls will perform their signature format - a musical comedy created on the spot from an audience suggestion - and each week will feature a different male guest improviser. Witness the terror and beauty of live musical improv comedy. Tickets available at the box office 30 minutes before show time or online at hideouttheatre.com.

Jul 11 Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix:
An IMAX 3D Experience
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

One of the biggest names in film - and a children's literature phenomenon - flies onto the biggest screen in Austin... where viewers can experience the movie's explosive finale in IMAX 3D! While the special 12:01 am premiere on July 11 - which features a costume contest and other Harry Potter fun - has already sold out, there will be a variety of special midnight screenings throughout the run of the film. Be sure to check the Showtimes page for the latest on screenings and availability. Check out the film's official website: harrypotterorderofthephoenix.com.

Jul 11 Children's Day Art Park - Jon Emery
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Symphony Square Amphitheatre - 1101 Red River
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

Your children will experience the magic of the arts at Children's Day Art Park. This exciting summer program features local musicians, dancers, storytellers, magicians, mimes and crafts people. This week features a lively performance by Jon Emery, "the troubadour for all ages."

Still on Stage...

To 8/11: My Favorite Year - The Musical, Beverly Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theatre, zilker.org
To 8/11: The Boys of Summer, The Hideout Theatre, austinimprov.com
To 8/12: Jesus Christ Superstar/Jesucristo Superestrella, Zachary Scott Theater, zachscott.com
To 8/27: Sharks 3D, IMAX® Theatre, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: African Adventure 3D, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharoahs, Hurricane on the Bayou, and Texas the Big Picture; and The Star of Destiny in the Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Jul 7 Thursday Noonday Concert - Viola and Piano
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445 centralpresbyterian.org

This week's Thursday Noonday Concert features Ames Asbell, viola and Michelle Schumann, piano

Jul 6 Music Under the Star: Papa Mali
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

Music Under the Star, the popular World Music series, is back for a third hot season! This week's music features Papa Mali. Come out for four fabulous, family Fridays in July. Set out your camp chairs and blankets (but please no coolers or outside refreshments) under the Star and listen to local artists perform music from around the globe. Explore the Museum's three floors of exhibits for free from 6:00-9:00 p.m. The Story of Texas Cafe will be open with a limited menu, and a cash bar will be available on the Plaza. Free event parking is available in the Museum's underground garage on the corner of 18th and Congress.

Jul 8 The Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park -
Big Band (Audience Requests)
7:30 p.m.
Wooldridge Square Park, 9th & Guadalupe
(512) 476-6064, austinsymphony.org

Bring a picnic dinner and blanket, and make it a family affair as you listen to the Austin Symphony's Woodwind Ensemble. (Sorry, alcohol and glass containers are not permitted in the park). These delightful outdoor park concerts are the perfect opportunity for Austinites to enjoy some of the Capitol City's greatest pleasures - the Austin Symphony's fine music and one of Austin's beautiful historic parks.

Jul 11 Blues on the Green - Storyville
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Zilker Park Rock Island, Barton Springs Rd.
kgsr.com/blues

107.1 KGSR presents Blues On the Green with one of Austin's all-time favorite bands - Malford Milligan's Storyville. There will be plenty of room for the family at Zilker Park Rock Island (on the north side of Barton Springs Road) for this free show from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Bring sun block, a blanket & chairs, pets on leashes - and enjoy food & drink from the great food sponsors, or bring your own. Glass and alcohol are not allowed in Austin Parks. Shows will be alternate Wednesdays through August 22nd. Parking is available off Stratford Drive under the MoPac Bridge.

Jul 5 Blanton Happenings
Blanton Museum of Art, Congress & MLK
(512) 232-5171, blantonmuseum.org

Thursdays are always free at the Blanton.

Jul 5 Art Fix: Drawing - 6:00 p.m.
Explore different works of art as well as various drawing techniques in the exhibition Master Drawings from the Yale University Art Gallery. Supplies provided. No registration required. Please call (512) 471-9205 for more information.

Jul 5 Public Tour: Artwork of the Week - 12:30 p.m.
Discover one of the gems in the Blanton's permanent collection, From That Day On by Ben Shahn.

Jul 6 B Scene - 6:00-11:00 p.m.
Austin in July is hot, hot, hot and so is the monthly art party at the Blanton. Join the Blanton for an evening filled with cooling treats for the body, plus all the usual "Cool" B scene action - live music, art activities, gallery tours, cash bar, light refreshments, and more.

Jul 8 An Academic Century: An Introduction to 19th-Century Art - 2:00 p.m.
The fourth in a series of four classes exploring painting, architecture, sculpture, and printmaking, this class will look at 19th-century European architecture with Scott Sustek, UT professor of architecture. Call (512) 471-9205 to register or for more information.

Jul 5 West End Gallery Night
West End
artaustin.org/westend.htm

The Galleries of Austin's West End are open until 8:00 p.m. the first Thursday of each month for your gallery-hopping enjoyment. Visit Stephen L. Clark Gallery, Wally Workman Gallery, Urban Roots Gallery, F8 Fine Art Gallery, Lotus Gallery, Artworks, and Art on 5th.

Jul 6 Musical Storytime with Aunty E
11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Aunty E offers families a refreshing alternative to traditional children's music by connecting parents and children through adventurous stories woven into lively beats from across the globe, including funk, pop, bluegrass, jazz, folk, rockabilly, and more. Join the Austin Children's Museum for this fun musical storytime!

Jul 6-Aug 4 Awakening the Soul
Las Manitas Avenue Café, 211 Congress
(512) 477-6007, lapena-austin.org

Awakening the Soul is an exhibition of artwork by Victor Garcia, who describes his art as giving the viewer a romantic glimpse of his perceptions of family, cultural heritage and the importance of passing knowledge onto children. Opening Reception: Friday, July 6th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Jul 7 Sculptor to Be! Workshop for Kids
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Umlauf Scupture Gardens, 605 E. Robert E. Lee
(512)) 445-5582, umlaufsculpture.org

Come build the Fun! Create a wall sculpture using cardboard and mixed materials. Learn about artists like Frank Stella and his Famous "Protractor" Series. Activities will focus on developing basic skills in Composition, Design, Balance and Color. This workshop is for young artists (ages 7-11). Artists will work with artist and educator, Leroy Woodward.

Jul 7-Oct 21 WorkSpace: Josefina Guilisasti
Blanton Museum of Art, Congress & MLK
(512) 471-7324, blantonmuseum.org

Josefina Guilisasti is one of the leading contemporary artists working in Chile. Her work typically consists of multi-part painting installations that reflect on the history of art and issues surrounding representation in realist painting. For this WorkSpace, Guilisasti will present a major installation of eight canvases called Marfa/Puerto Viejo.

Jul 11 High Noon Talks
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

Learn about the many research discoveries and advanced technologies that have resulted from man's exploration of space. Meet and hear scientists, engineers and NASA experts discuss space-related research and personal adventures in the space program! Guest Speaker is Dr. Humboldt C. Mandell, who was a lead designer at NASA in the Space Shuttle and Space Station programs. Free with exhibit admission.

Jul 11 Architecture at the Umlauf Lecture Series
7:30 p.m.
Umlauf Sculpture Gardens, 605 Robert E. Lee Road
(512) 445-5582, umlaufsculpture.org

Architecture at the Umlauf Lecture Series - Winn Wittman: Sculpture & Synergy hosted by the Torchbearers.

Jul 11 Community Nights: Puppet Show of Colors
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Ever wondered what it would be like in a world with no colors? Visit the Austin Children's Museum and find out, when Heather Jarry and Laura Freeman present a musical puppet show that tells a tale of a colorless world finding everything needed for a rainbow. After a show like this you?ll want to make your own puppets. Find out more about Laura Freeman at: greenkid.com.

Still on Display Downtown...

To 7/12: Rob Harrell, Wally Workman Gallery, wallyworkmangallery.com
To 7/14: The Elizabeth Portraits & Other Works, d berman Gallery, dbermangallery.com
To 7/28: The American Twenties, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu
To 7/30: AVAA 30th Anniversary, Dougherty Arts Center, avaaonline.org
To 7/31: We are from Vietnam, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 8/4: Awakening the Soul, La Pena Gallery, lapena-austin.org
To 8/4: Power Craft, Women & Their Work, womenandtheirwork.org
To 8/4: memoria/memoir: Carol Flax, Volitant Gallery, volitant.com
To 8/4: Perspectivas: Armando Miguélez, Volitant Gallery, volitant.com
To 8/5: A Century of Grace: 19th-Century Masterworks, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 8/12: A Century in Pictures, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 8/12: Will van Overbeek: Photographs of Barton Springs, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 8/12: Master Drawings from the Yale University Art Gallery, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 8/19: ceramics...on the edge, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, umlaufsculpture.org
To 8/19: New American Talent, Art House at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 8/26: The Happiest Day: Wedding Customs in Transition, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 8/26: Parmigianino: His Graphic Legacy, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 8/26: Bauhaus Portfolios, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 8/31: Testimonio, La Peña Gallery, lapena-austin.org
To 8/31: Voces de Fuego, La Peña Gallery, lapena-austin.org
To Fall '07: Gibson Guitartown Showcase Art Guitars, Wild About Music, wildaboutmusic.com
To 9/22: Made to Walk the Skies: Texas & Space Travel, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, thestoryoftexas.com
To 9/22: The Big Game, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 9/23: TexaVision, Texas Capitol Visitors Center, TexasCapitolVisitorsCenter.com
To 10/21: Marfa/Puerto Viejo, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
To 12/31: Antarctica: Life at the Bottom of the World, Texas Memorial Museum, texasmemorialmuseum.org
To 12/31: From Revolution to Renaissance, Mexic-arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 1/31: People's Gallery 2007 Exhibition, Austin City Hall, cityofaustin.org
Ongoing:
European Paintings from the Permanent Collection and America/Americas, Blanton Museum of Art, blantonmuseum.org
Gems and Minerals, Texas Memorial Museum, texasmemorialmuseum.org

Jul 7 World Hoop Day Event
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Keep Austin Hooping! July 7 is World Hoop Day, a day where groups from all over the world will be hula-hooping together! To participate, Laura Scarborough will be bringing hoops of all sizes to the Austin Children's Museum. She will do a demonstration at 11:00 a.m. and hula-hoops and instruction will be provided for all visitors coming to the Museum from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. For more info on this worldwide event, please swing over to worldhoopday.com.

Ongoing Special Events

Jul 7 Austin Farmers' Market
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Republic Square Park, 4th & Guadalupe
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

Dozens of vendors offer you the freshest produce, cheeses, eggs, meats, breads, honey along with flowers, prepared foods, drinks and artisan crafts.

Jul 7 Artist's Market
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Mother Egan's Irish Pub, 715 W. 6th
(512) 698-8099, artistsmarket.com

From the deck of Mother Egan's Irish pub, this festive outdoor art fair features a variety of work by independent artists from Austin and Central Texas.

Happy Birthday Esther!
(Or should we say... Patsy? Shannon and Michael?)
525 E. 6th

esthersfollies.com

Talk about an "Austin Icon" - In June, Mayor Wynn and the Austin City Council proclaimed 2007 Esther's Follies Year. Shannon Sedwick and Michael Shelton started the comedy troupe on 2nd Street 30 years ago, but they soon found a home on 6th Street - Several homes, actually. But the current "Follies" have been at Esther's Pool at 6th & Red River since 1990. It was here that, because of the huge window overlooking the sidewalk, the passersby became as much a part of the show as the performers themselves. You can catch a show any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night. Or you might (unwillingly) end up in show if you happen to walk by. You're also invited to stay after the show for "The Late Night Skinny," a jam-packed hour of side-splitting improv, fresh sketch comedy and homegrown music. Showtime is 11:30 p.m., general admission $10 - complimentary with paid Esther's Sat. show. Full bar available, age 17+.

Congratulations are also in order to Cozolli's Pizza, celebrating 25 years in Downtown - First on E. Sixth Street and now at their current location at 704 Congress.

Meanwhile, the original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has also been celebrating their 10th Anniversary - by planning the move to their new digs at the historic Ritz Theatre on E. Sixth Street. Can't wait for that grand re-opening!

Jul 10 Economic Development Committee Meeting
12:00 Noon
211 E. 7th Street, Conference Room 111
Committee Chair: Tracy Atkins, Staff Liaison: Julie Fitch

RSVP by July 6th to Julie Fitch: julief@downtownaustin.com if you will be ordering lunch (cost: $6.00).

This Week on

Thursday evenings at 8:00 p.m. on KLRU-TV, Austin PBS. Visit klru.org for addtional show times or to get information on all their other great locally-produced shows.

July 5 - Episode #307: Singing for Salamanders; Revitalization or Gentrification; and "Hellcats" (and other crazy names) on Wheels?

Arthouse at the Jones Center's A Cantata for Twelve Choirs and Several Salamanders - commissioned work by artist Daniel Bozhkov uses music, film and visual art to celebrate Austin's Barton Springs Salamander and Sunken Gardens. / Neighborhood Revitalization or Gentrification? The dynamics of neighborhoods are in continuous change. Can restoration of older homes and growth in neighborhoods occur without displacing longtime residents? / They've got brand new roller-skates and the key to success. The women of the Texas Roller Derby have started a national trend and aren't afraid to abuse it or each other.

Interstitials: Tree Climbers, The Art of the Bowtie.