Austin, TX

If you’re a fan of comedy this is a good weekend for you.

Girls Girls Girls presents The Boys of Summer
When: Saturdays at 8:00pm
Where: The Hideout Coffeehouse & Theater, 617 Congress Ave
$$$: General Admission $10

Men are funny. Really funny. And to celebrate that fact, GGG will be welcoming a different male guest star onstage each week for the eagerly-awaited return of The Boys of Summer. For seven Saturdays in July and August, Girls Girls Girls will perform its signature format — a musical comedy created on the spot from an audience suggestion, complete with storyline, songs, and multiple characters — joined by some of the city’s best male improvisers.

Maestro Improv
When: Saturday, August 2, 2008, 10:00 PM
Where: The Hideout Coffeehouse & Theater, 617 Congress Ave

The Heroes of Comedy present ten to twelve of Austin’s virtuoso improv comedians on the Hideout stage, but only one of them will make it to the end of the show. While they play games and improvise scenes, you score them. The low-scoring players will be eliminated after each round. The surviving improviser is declared the winner and Maestro and is awarded a crisp new Canadian five-dollar bill. Only the Funny Survive.

For my slam poetry fans, don’t forget this wonderful tribute:

Shannon Leigh Lewis: They Call Me Warrior Tribute
When: Saturday, August 2nd @8pm
Where: Ruta Maya World HQ, 3601 S. Congress Ave
$$$: $10 Minimum Donation

Shannon’s friends and admirers will be gathering at Ruta Maya next weekend to give tribute to Shannon. If you’ve never listened to slam poetry, do yourself a favor and attend. If you’re already a fan, you won’t want to miss it!

Bastrop Homecoming & Rodeo
When: July 31st through August 2nd, 2008
Where: Mayfest Hill, Bastrop
$$$: $30 for all 3 nights ($25 in Advance)

Now in its 61st year, this parade, carnival, and rodeo started as a celebration for GIs returning from World War II. The parade through downtown Bastrop takes place on Aug. 2, 10am. See the website for a full schedule of events. Most of the festival’s events are free, including the horseshoe and Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments, the carnival, and the barrel-racing demo.

Fancy something a little edgier? You can’t beat these ladies:

Texas Rollergirls 2008 Championship Bout
When: Sunday, August 3 2008, 6:30pm
Where: Playland Skate Center, 8822 Mccann Drive
$$$: $12.00-15.00

The main event of the evening belongs to the Hell Marys and Hotrod Honeys. In a virtual rematch of last year’s smackdown, these two teams face off again in what is sure to be one of the hardest fought matches in derby memory. The Hotrods have a lot in their favor: not only have they already beat the Hells in a squeaky close game earlier this year, but these undefeated Hotrod women want nothing more than a Golden Skate trophy to call their own. After making four previous trips to the finals, but taking home nothing more than the taste of defeat, these always-a-bridesmaid, never-a bride skaters want to claim what they’ve worked all season for. However, they must run the gauntlet of the Hell Marys to get it! Perpetually underestimated (and perhaps a little divinely blessed?), the 2008 Hells are out to prove that last year’s big win was no cosmic fluke!

Looking for a little musical inspiration? Look no further:

Carolyn Wonderland
…performs at KGSR’s Live at the Lake Summer Concert Series
When: Sunday, August 3 2008, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Lakeway Resort and Spa, 101 Lakeway Dr
$$$: Free

Join 107.1 KGSR for the Live at the Lake Concert Series at Lakeway Resort and Spa! Free Shows on Sundays this summer, with gates opening at 4pm (no earlier!) and LIVE music from 6pm to 8pm in the evening! Bands play by a 3-tiered pool with a swim-up bar, overlooking Lake Travis!! Family friendly location - food and drink available on site. Enjoy Ravenswood Wine - $5 per glass!

Get out, have some fun!

I was saddened to hear of the death earlier this month of one of Austin’s brightest slam poets, Shannon Leigh (Lewis), at the tender age of 20. Shannon was in Florida at the time of her death, swimming and diving with friends. According to the various reports I’ve read, she was experiencing some equilibrium problems and swam back to the cave entrance alone. A diving instructor from another group found her unconscious and assisted in bringing her to the surface. Shannon was taken to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida where she slipped into a coma. Shannon lingered in a coma for several days with no signs of brain activity before being removed from her respirator. Her death has rocked the tight community of slam poets who had known Shannon from the time she entered slam poetry at 14 years old.

I had the privilege to see Shannon Leigh perform two years in a row at the National Poetry Slam here in Austin. Shannon was a petite woman with a bold voice. She spoke of tough topics in an eloquent and thoughtful way. She toured the country giving voice to those who were unable to do so themselves. Victims of war, rape and poverty became real to those who heard her speak.

Shannon’s friends and admirers will be gathering at Ruta Maya next weekend to give tribute to Shannon. If you’ve never listened to slam poetry, do yourself a favor and attend. If you’re already a fan, you won’t want to miss it! Here is the flyer with more information:

Saturday, August 2nd @8pm
Ruta Maya World HQ
3601 S. Congress Ave
$10 Minimum Donation

For more information on Shannon’s death, read Michael Barnes’ article on Austin 360.

Shannon Leigh, Lewis, Austin, Tx, Slam, Poetry, Death, Diving, Scuba, Ruta Maya, Tribute

If you’re looking for a few laughs this weekend then look no further than the Velveeta Room. Headlining this weekend is none other than local comedian and national touring headliner, Jimmie Roulette! In addition you get two more local favorites, Mike Creed and Matt Kordelski.

Go early and stop by Casino el Camino for the best greasy-bomb burgers in Austin. Mmmm…now I’m hungry! Casino’s burgers rank amongst my top ten burgers in Austin. If you’re in the mood for a big burger, packed with flavor and you’re not afraid of a little fat, this is your place. These are burgers for “real men”. They also have some of the very best French fries in town. I bet these would be great hangover burgers. Not that any of you are ever suffering from hangovers. No, not you! I should probably mention that Casino el Camino is a dank, not overtly friendly bar. Push your way past that and straight through to the back and you’ll find a funky little outdoor area. You also have to order your burger at the end of the bar at a cash only window. But… they have a 3/4 lb Angus burger! These burgers are not small. If you eat light, you may want to consider sharing with a friend. The grill is also small so on a crowded night you could end up with a long wait. Casino El Camino is located next to The Velveeta Room so it’s a perfect combination for a night out to see comedy. Get out, have some fun!

Velveeta Room, Casino el Camino, burgers, Austin, Tx, comedy, Jimmie Roulette, Mike Creed, Matt Kordelski, best, weekend

Free burritos from 11am-5pm at the Chipotle’s at 8th and Congress, as long as you ride a bike. What better way to carb load for critical mass that a burrito filled with beans and rice? Tell ‘em you heard about it in conjunction with Critical Mass and who knows, maybe they’ll do it again!

There are two events for cyclists this weekend:

Annie P. Ride
When: Friday, July 25th, 2008, 6-10pm
Where: Spiderhouse (29th and Fruth)

and:

Critical Mass
When: Friday, July 25th, 2008, 5pm
Where: UT Mall, between 22nd & 23rd Streets

Critical Mass is a monthly bike ride with approximately 50 cyclists but can vary from a handful to a couple of hundred riders. Some see Critical Mass as a social event and a fun ride whereas others see it as a protest against cars to assert the rights of the cyclist. In any event, be cautious if you’re driving near a Critical Mass ride because many riders do not obey traffic laws. There is a feeling amongst many of the Critical Mass riders that traffic laws were written for cars and should not apply to cyclists.
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It seems that this is the weekend to embarrass yourself and if you play video games as poorly as I do here is your first opportunity:

Classic Game Fest: Tetris Tournament
When: Friday, July 25 2008, 8:00pm
Where: Game Over Videogames, 911 W Anderson Ln
$$$: Free

The game tournaments will start at sundown (approximately 8:30pm) and run until 10:30pm. Following each game tournament will be a special screening of a videogame-related movie fitting the theme for the night. The movies will immediately follow the tournaments and run until around midnight.

Air Guitar Championships
When: Friday, July 26 2008, 9pm-12mid.
Where: Stubb’s, 801 Red River, 480-8341
$$$:$12-15

Anyone can rock with a guitar, but try it with nothing but air and see how good you look.

Mortified Austin
When: Saturday, July 26 2008, 8:00pm
Where: United States Art Authority, 2906 Fruth St
Cost: $12.00-15.00

The project began in the late 1990s when founder Dave Nadelberg unearthed a notably awkward love letter and began sharing with friends. Formalizing as Mortified in 2002 with co-producer Neil Katcher, the project has since sifted through thousands of volumes of otherwise forgotten notebooks, photos, and envelopes in an effort crack the lid off our cultural shoebox and expose our inner geek. Participants include a wide range of people, from professional performers (comics, celebrities, singers) to total amateurs (architects, ad execs, salesmen) all in the noble pursuit of self-degradation. Personal redemption through public humiliation. There are a million stories buried in the pages of people’s lives. Mortified’s mission is to simply help people find them.

Share the shame.

Austin, weekend, things to do, what’s happening, TX, 7/25/08, 7/26/08, air guitar, tetris, video game, championship, mortified

Giant Chess in Wooldridge Park
When: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where: Wooldridge Square - 9th and Guadalupe
$$$: Free
The battle rages every Saturday from about 12:30 to 3:30. There’s no telling who’ll show up — sometimes the players are new to the game, sometimes they’re advanced, usually they’re in-between — so every game is an adventure.Join in on the fun at one of downtown Austin’s beautiful historic squares named after Alexander P. Wooldridge who served as Mayor of Austin from 1909 to 1919.

Family Day and Japanese Festival
In conjunction with the exhibit Exquisite Visions of Japan, families are invited to discover the wonders of Japanese prints and the printmaking process through hands-on art workshops, artist demonstrations, storytelling, and gallery tours.
When: Saturday, July 19, 2008
Ages: 3 to 18
Time: 1pm-4pm
Cost: Free with paid admission

Beauty and the Beast
The 50th annual Zilker Theatre Production’s Summer Musical presents the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. Families are welcome to spread out on blankets.
When: Ongoing Each 6/28/08 - 8/9/08; check with location for exceptions.
Time: 8pm
$$$: Free; Parking $3

Austin Symphony Outdoor Concert
When: Sunday, July 20 2008, 7:30pm
Where: Hartman Concert Park at The Long Center
$$$: Free

Each Sunday a different ensemble of the Austin Symphony will be featured at the new Hartman Concert Park located on the grounds of the Long Center for the Performing Arts performing music from jazz and light classical to pops selections and film scores. Concert goers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and blanket and make it a group outing. Sorry, no alcohol is allowed at these events.

Austin Collins performs at KGSR’s Live at the Lake Summer Concert Series
When: Sunday, July 20 2008, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Lakeway Resort and Spa
$$$: Free

Join 107.1 KGSR for the Live at the Lake Concert Series at Lakeway Resort and Spa! Free Shows on Sundays this summer, with gates opening at 4pm (no earlier!) and LIVE music from 6pm to 8pm in the evening! Bands play by a 3-tiered pool with a swim-up bar, overlooking Lake Travis!! Family friendly location - food and drink available on site. Enjoy Ravenswood Wine - $5 per glass!

Once again I need to apologize for the inconsistency of my posts. 451 Press has been doing server upgrades over the past few weeks. Those upgrades have led to unexpected down time. Until these issues are resolved my entries are likely to be sporadic.

Although I have not been posting, I have not been idle. Last weekend a friend got married and I had the pleasure of making her wedding cake. This was no ordinary wedding cake. No, this was a Batmobile wedding cake with Wonder Woman as bride and Batman as the groom. This cake just about kicked my butt. In the end it came out fantastic, though. The Bride & Groom loved it!

Here is a look at the cake:

and the back:

For those of you interested in construction, here is a look at the cake in crumb coat stage:

The cake itself was chocolate with cookies and cream filling and chocolate fondant. I chose chocolate fondant because the car needed to be black and it’s easier to achieve black if you start with chocolate. Since the cake was chocolate it made for a nice match. The chocolate fondant tastes a bit like tootsie rolls.

Well, that’s what I’ve been up to, how about you?

cake, decorating, batmobile, batman, wonder woman, super, hero

The H-E-B Austin Symphony 32nd annual July 4th Concert and Fireworks “Celebrate your Independence”

The H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert and Fireworks — planned and produced entirely by the ASO — is free and open to the public. Having taken place at Zilker Park for the past six years, the stage for this celebration will return to it original home at Auditorium Shores in front of the beautiful new Long Center for the Performing Arts. The Austin Symphony Orchestra will begin performing at 8:30 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m., ending at 10:00 p.m. Come early, bring a picnic, claim a grassy spot and enjoy the patriotic music of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Concessions will be available on site. (Sorry, alcohol and glass containers are not permitted in the park.)

ROUND ROCK Fourth of July Fireworks and Frontier Days Celebration:
When: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Where: The parade takes place along Main Street and the festivities will be held at the Lakeview Pavilion in Old Settlers Park
3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, Texas
$$$: Free

The combined celebration on July 4 kicks off at 10 a.m. with a parade in downtown Round Rock. The parade starts at the First State Bank on the corner of Lee Street and Round Rock Avenue and continues down through Historic downtown Round Rock ending at the Sam Bass Little League Baseball fields. After the parade, head to old Settler’s Park for the Western Traditions themed celebration. Reenactment of the Sam Bass shoot out, free watermelon, arts and crafts, fireworks and more on the agenda.

The city council will be serving free watermelon on a first come first serve basis starting at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. a skydiver will jump into the festival followed by music from the Austin Symphonic Band.

Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival
Where: Lake Pflugerville, Pflugerville, Texas
When: 4:00 pm until dark!
Contact: 512-990-4363
$$$: Free to all
Stay close to home this 4th! Bring family and friends to the Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival on the banks of beautiful Lake Pflugerville. Booths, games, swimming, canoes along with our headliner event, The Corvette Brothers featuring Rockin’Rick! Fireworks at Dark.
Estimated attendees-7500

Georgetown
Where: San Gabriel Park, 1003 N. Austin Avenue, Georgetown, Tx
When: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
$$$: Free

Musical entertainment featuring some of the best local and Central Texas talent will begin at the gazebo in San Gabriel Park at 11 a.m. and continue all day until the fireworks display. More than 80 arts and crafts booths will open at 11 a.m., as well as food vendors and a children’s area with games, activities, petting zoo, train rides, and face painting.

The fireworks display begins at approximately 9 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from the McMaster Athletic Fields on N. College Street this year due to the construction of the Recreation Center expansion. Fireworks can be viewed from San Gabriel Park, VFW Park, and other areas in Georgetown.

Leander Liberty Fest
The City will hold its annual Liberty Fest celebration at Crystal Falls Golf Club on Friday, July 4th from 5-10pm. The event features live music, food, give aways, fireworks, and activities for kids.

There will be no public parking at Crystal Falls Golf Club during the event. Instead, a free shuttle service will be offered by CapMetro from the parking lot at Leander High School. Busses will begin running at 4pm.

For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at (512) 528-9909.

Cedar Park:

The City of Cedar Park will host its annual Fourth of July Celebration at Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., from 4-10 p.m. July 4. The event will feature live music, laser tag, a washer tournament, prizes and more. H-E-B will provide free watermelon and a fireworks display. For more information, call 401-5500.

Summerfest
San Marcos, Texas
Celebrate our nation’s independence along the banks of the San Marcos River!
Estimated attendees-8000 512-393-5900

Events and entertainment on July 4 at 202 North CM Allen Parkway, include the Firecracker Golf Classic, Children’s Parade and Costume Contest, Hays County Crime Stoppers Ducky Derby, Lions Club Illuminated River Float Parade, music, music, music, and fireworks, of course. Rain or shine; free; no alcohol; coolers subject to inspection.

The 28th Annual Summerfest starts at 4 p.m. A Children’s Parade and Costume Contest starts at 5 p.m. with a Patriotic Program to follow. Pets are not allowed. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. with music after the fireworks display and continuing until 10:30 p.m. Details for San Marcos Summerfest.

Travis Country Neighborhood

Get Ready for the July 4th Parade. The annual Travis Country July 4th Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Knob Oak (off of Trail West). Residents, their children, and pets will be at their patriotic best, because there will be prizes for:

Craziest Hat

Best Decorated Stroller or Wagon

Best Decorated Bike

Most Patriotic Child under Five

Most Patriotic Child over Five

Most Patriotic Family

Most Patriotic Pet (small and large)

Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic
July 4
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater; 16765 Lookout Road, Selma, TX
(210) 657-8300
Music: Country, Rock
Activities:Music Festival
Willie Nelson’s July 4th Picnic moves to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Selma, TX for 2008. Guests include Merle Haggard, Pat Green, Ray Price, Los Lonely Boys, Asleep at the Wheel, David Allan Coe, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Billy Joe Shaver.

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