Austin, TX

I am freezing today. I stepped out this evening to go bowling with friends and it actually smelled like winter outside. I put on socks and shoes today, leaving my sandals behind. I’ve got the urge to bake, too, which is also a sure sign of winter for me. I’ve heard this from several of my female friends. That’s not something you generally hear from men. Is this something we inherit from our mothers or is this some sort of internal clock?

The countdown toward Christmas is on, too. Thanksgiving is so late this year. I bet the retailers are chomping at the bit for the arrival of Black Friday. I spent Thursday working at the Junior League of Austin’s “Christmas Affair”, which I have to say, is spectacular this year. This holiday market is being held at the Palmer Event Center and is jam packed with every kind of vendor you could imagine. There is jewelry, art, food, novelty gifts, toys and more. In the center is a huge Christmas tree in the shape of the Eiffel Tower. I’d highly encourage you to pack up the family or grab a friend and go enjoy the shopping!

JLA’s Christmas Affair
When: November 19 - 23, 2008
Where: Palmer Event Center
$$$: $10 plus parking ($7) or shuttle from Barton Creek Mall for $3

It’s hard to beat a headline like, “All You Can Eat Improv Comedy & Waffles”. The 7th annual Waffle Fest is a three-day improv comedy festival featuring the best of the Austin Improv scene. Each show includes ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT WAFFLES! Waffle Fest has been a huge success with happy comedy watchers downing over 6000 fresh baked waffles and 50 hours of improv comedy over the last six years. Come get syruped up and bask in the warm glow of Austin improv!!

7th Annual Waffle Fest
When: Nov. 20-22nd
Where: Hideout Theater
$$$: $10

There are a couple of tree lighting ceremonies taking place this weekend:

TREE-LIGHTING CONCERT
When: Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 6pm
Where: The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, 795-4230.

Dan Dyer, the Austin Girls Choir, and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. 6pm.

TRIANGLE TREE-LIGHTING
When: Saturday, Nov. 22nd, 5-8:30pm.
Where: The Triangle, 4700 Guadalupe.

This family-friendly evening features performances, crafts, and a big jolly guy in a red suit. All this leading up to a tree-lighting. Proceeds go to Operation Blue Santa.

On Sunday you won’t want to miss a great opportunity to help end hunger while filling your belly with warm soup served in beautiful bowls. Potters from all over Texas donate hand made bowls of every size, shape and color. Restaurants and bakeries all over town donate soup and bread. Musicians donate their time and talent. Your part is to show up, pick yourself a gorgeous bowl for which you’ll pay a mere $15. Your bowl will then be filled with a delectable soup. You’ll grab yourself some bread to go with it and kick back and enjoy the entertainment. The Empty Bowl Project is part of a nation-wide effort to raise money, awareness and to end hunger. Proceeds for this project go to the Capital Area Food Bank’s Kids Cafe Program. The Austin Empty Bowl Project will be held at the Mexican American Culture Center at 600 River Street in Austin, just off the hike and bike trail on Lake Ladybird, November 23, 2008. Get there early to pick out the coolest bowls!

The Empty Bowl Project
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
Mexican American Culture Center
600 River Street, Austin, Tx
11:00 - 3:00pm

A few Santa sightings for tomorrow:

Santa at Barton Creek Square
When: Daily 11/7/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Barton Creek Square, 2901 South Capital of Texas Highway
$$$: Free

Santa at Lakeline Mall
When: Daily 11/8/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park
$$$: Free

Santa at Highland Mall
When: Daily 11/22/08 - 12/24/08
Where: Highland Mall, 6001 Airport Boulevard, Austin
$$$: Free
Kids can visit with Santa in his village on the lower level near Men’s Dillard’s. Photo packages available for sale.

The seventh annual E.A.S.T. event celebrates the visual arts in east Austin. This year, 250 artists will be opening their studios throughout the east side for a free two-day event. E.A.S.T. began in November 2003 as an artist-run initiative designed to highlight studios and galleries located in east Austin. It has grown by leaps and bounds but retains its original mission—to encourage creative dialogue among artists and their peers, as well as between artists and their city. E.A.S.T. is a self-guided tour. Maps to all the studios will be provided, and visitors can use the E.A.S.T. website and catalog to select which studios they would like to see. There are Capitol Metro bus routes throughout east Austin as well. Visit capmetro.org for routes and times The E.A.S.T. Tour Guide—a full-color book showing the work of every artist—will be available for free throughout Austin during the weeks leading up to the tour. This Guide will include a map, and will help you plot your course through East Austin, and let you preview the work you’ll see at each stop.

East Austin Studio Tour
When: November 22-November 23, 2008, 10am-5pm
Where: Multiple Locations
$$$: Free