The Austin Chronicle: Calendar: Recommended: 2008-09-05

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FILM OPENINGS

BANGKOK DANGEROUS Cage plays a remorseless hit man who's performing a few jobs in Thailand when he becomes involved with a local woman and forms sentimental bonds with his errand runner.

DHAAM DHOOM

FROZEN RIVER In order to make ends meet, two women in upstate New York smuggle illegal aliens across the St. Lawrence River into the U.S. in this unusually thoughtful and expertly acted movie.

THE LITTLE RED TRUCK A chronicle of the work of the Missoula Children’s Theatre, which travels the country to introduce children to the joys of musical theatre.

SURFER, DUDE Matthew McConaughey joins with the director of Hand on a Hard Body in this ode to near-naked bodies, weed, and surf-speak. Oh, and it's also a work of fiction.

MUSIC today's recommended events

TOSCA STRINGS & GLOVER GILL
Cactus Cafe, Friday, Sep 5

Cue the strings, and do the tango.

SQUEEZE
La Zona Rosa, Friday, Sep 5

The current version of Squeeze contains a couple of ringers, but with leading men Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook reunited, fans of quirky pop can rejoice. Without a new album, they’ll rely on the hits and a couple of treasured deep cuts, so expect a night of top-of-the-lungs sing-alongs. Appropriately, locals Fastball kick things off. Visit Geezerville for an interview with Difford. – Jim Caligiuri

THE TEENERS, THE GOLDEN BOYS, MANIKIN
Red 7, Friday, Sep 5

Manikin

by Sandy Carson

The low fidelity of the Golden Boys’ 2007 release, Whiskey Flower, makes it sound like a collection of raunchy demos, but it’s really a sign that the Cen-Tex quartet values energy over sonics. The same could be said for the fellow local sounds on this bill, courtesy of the efficiently deranged Teeners, the rowdy-ass Ape-Shits, and throbbing gristle of Manikin. – Daniel Mee

THE PLATFORMS, THE MIDGETMEN
Stubb's, Friday, Sep 5

Post-Toadies girls vs. boys club.

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ARTS today's recommended events

CANTANKER #6 EXHIBITION This show, curated by Leona Scull-Hons, celebrates the release of that relentlessly fierce visual arts magazine Cantanker and features the work of artists Leigh Lester, Katherine Lovas, Lanie McCormick, Terri Thomas, Matthew Roberts, Teresa Rafidi, Julia Landois, and Judith Cottrell, among many others. Great show, fun opening, highly recommended. Reception: Sat., Aug. 30, 8-11pm. Exhibition: Through Sept. 20. Big Medium Gallery, 5305 Bolm. www.cantanker.com (Visual Arts)

ESTHER'S FOLLIES: WORLD GONE WILD The most popular troupe in town returns with its riotous musical send-ups of local and national politics and cultural phenomena, making already hot topics burn with a bright comic intensity, with the incredible and – ai! ai! ai! – spicy illusions of master magician Ray Anderson. Thrills! Chills! Ripped-from-the-headlines events turned into comedy gold! Reservations highly recommended. Thu.-Fri, 8pm; Sat., 8 & 10pm. $20 (discounts available Thursdays & Fridays for seniors, students, military). Additional $5 for special reserved seats. Esther's Pool, 525 E. Sixth, 320-0553. (Comedy)

THE AUSTIN POETRY SLAM Mike Henry and a rotating group of slam ninjas captain the crew that has all the best of stand-up, pomo theatre, rock & roll, and phone sex rolled into one cosmic-heat blast of an evening. Open sign-up, 12 poets per week. $100 cash prizes. Wednesdays, 8pm. Scoot Inn & Bier Garten, 1308 E. Fourth, 478-6200. www.austinslam.com (Litera)

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COMMUNITY today's recommended events

ANARCHY CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING The ACW is back with local champs "Showtime" Scot Summers, the Garza Brothers, Drew Lucid, Shawn Vexx, Gary Jay, and many more top-notch wrestlers including Jerry Lynn. See Richard Whittaker's feature on the ACW, "Industrious Anarchy," for more. Sat., Sept. 6, 7pm (6:15pm doors). Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Dr., 825-9616. $10. www.anarchychampionshipwrestling.com, www.iwatexas.com (Sports)

ASIA FOOD FEST Professional chefs teach hourlong classes and demos using Asian ingredients and techniques. Kids also get in on the culinary action with their own classes. An Asian food symposium and the Iron Chef-style semifinals round out the day's events. A portion of the day's proceeds goes to Thai tsunami orphanages and the Arc of Texas. See tomorrow's listings for info about the Iron Chef finals. Sat., Sept. 6, 10am-4pm. Texas Culinary Academy, 11400 Burnet Rd., 366-8059. $15 per class ($50, day pass) $10 per kids class ($25, kids day pass). www.asiafoodfest.org (Events)

AUSTIN BABTIST WOMEN: 22 YEARS YOUNG! Come watch the girls' hair turn blue(r) as they granny their hearts out to benefit Friends of David Powell Clinic. Early show for you old fogies. Sun., Sept. 7, 8pm. Rainbow Cattle Co., 305 W. Fifth, 472-5288. $5 suggested donation. www.babtistwomen.com (The Gay Place)

BILINGUAL COMPUTER LITERACY COURSES Learn the basics of operating a computer and surfing the Web at this new technology center provided by Southwest Key. Feel free to jump in anytime during the eight-week program, or just use the computers on your own. Class will be taught in Spanish on Mondays and English on Tuesdays, and the lab will be open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays for individual use. 6:30-8pm. AMD Community Technology Center, 6002 Jain, 462-2181. Free. www.swkey.org (Events)

COME DANCE with the nimbly legged pros of Ballet Austin. There will be classes, demos, previews of upcoming shows, and movement aplenty for you and the kids. So strap on your dancing shoes, and wish the ballet's Downtown venue a happy first birthday. Sun., Sept. 7, 2-6pm. Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. Third. Free. www.balletaustin.org (Events)

ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS TKO Boxing Promotions brings ESPN's 10-year-old boxing franchise to town with a main event featuring East Austin's own James Kirkland (22-0, 19 KOs) vs. Ricardo Cortes (22-2-1, 15 KOs). For more on Kirkland and this event, see Chronicle sports blog the Score. Fri., Sept. 5, 7:30pm (6:30pm doors). Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces. Call 866/433-8849 for tickets. $75-25 ($5 more day of the fight). (Sports)

FOODIES GIRLS ON FILM AFTERPARTY Drinks, DJ, dancing, and a den to get your flirt on. Sat., Sept. 6, 10pm. Copa Bar & Grill, 217 Congress, 479-5002. Free. beatsagogo@aol.com www.agliff.org, www.copabarandgrill.com (The Gay Place)

KISSIN' COUSINS Because their high-energy shows are filled with their original “Southern-rockin’ soul” and covers you will love, of course, Nakia & His Southern Cousins were given a residency on Sixth Street. It's been a big year for the band – named one of the 10 Best New Bands at this year’s Austin Music Awards and given a stellar invitation to play Austin City Limits this year – and things just keep getting better. So, check them out, every week, and fall in love with keeping it in the family. Thursdays, 10pm. Momo's, 618 W. Sixth, 479-8848. www.nakia.net (The Gay Place)

KOOP = QUEER Tune your dials to something just a bit different (91.7FM) than your regularly scheduled programming. It's OutCast, a public-affairs program for and about the LGBT community of the city. Hosted by Heath Riddles and J.J. Lara, the program will feature people, issues, interviews, news, and events of the community, acting as a forum for the exchange of info and ideas … the only way to learn and grow. Sundays, 6-6:30pm. KOOP, 91.7FM. www.koop.org, outcastaustin.blogspot.com (The Gay Place)

OUT & EQUAL SUMMIT Over 3,000 attendees are expected at this national summit addressing LGBT issues in the workplace. They'll need someone to show 'em around. Featured guest panelist: Judy Shepherd. Wed.-Sat., Sept. 10-13. Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez, 415/694-6518. summit@outandequal.org www.outandequal.org (The Gay Place)

Q VOLLEYBALL You need only one letter to find Austin's hot new happenin' for guys 18-29: Q. Social support, coming out support, health education, parties, discussion groups, and a variety of other events, all to give all the young dudes the chance to meet new guys and form friendships. Call or e-mail right now for details. Sat., Sept. 6, 6pm. Pease Park, Windsor & Lamar, 420-8557. mp_austin@sbcglobal.net www.qboyz.org (The Gay Place)

QUIZZICAL Join Quizmaster Lois and the gang for another rousing round of memorized minutiae. Nueva Onda, 2218 College Ave, 447-5063. www.nuevaaustin.com (The Gay Place)

STEAK NIGHT, CHOCOLATES FOR CHARITY, & STRIPOFF Come out early for a $6 steak (or chicken) with all the fixin's, plus the adventure in mouthfeel known as Chocolates for Charity. C4C is run by the United Court and benefits local nonprofits. Then stay late for Austin Chronicle "Best of Austin" Best Drag Queen Jamé Perry's original amateur strip-off. Mmmm, nothing like peeling outta yer trousers after a big plate o' beef! Tuesdays, 6pm & 12mid. Charlie's Austin, 1301 Lavaca, 474-6481. www.charliesaustin.com (The Gay Place)

STREETCAR PROPOSAL MEETING The public is invited to comment on the proposed streetcar system planned to run from the airport through Downtown and UT and out to the Mueller redevelopment. Today's meeting will focus on the UT/Mueller/Manor Road portion of the rail system. Tue., Sept. 9, 6pm. Rosewood Recreation Center, 2300 Rosewood. www.cityofaustin.org (Events)

TEXAS ROLLERGIRLS The all-star Texecutioners (No. 5 ranked nationally) squad hosts Detroit's Derby Girls (No. 9) in what is guaranteed to be a knock-down drag-out free-for-all. Also featured, the winners of the Midsummer Night's Dream Team contest chose their fave derby gals from all four teams to bring you the Holy Hand Grenades vs. the Truckin' Mothers. Sun., Sept. 7, 6:30pm (doors). Playland Skate Center, 8822 McCann. $15 ($12, advance; free, kids 12 & under). www.txrollergirls.com (Sports)

TXRD LONESTAR ROLLERGIRLS The Hellcats vs. the Cherry Bombs bout will determine who qualifies for the Calvello Cup Championship. Live music from Cruiserweight, cold beer, and festivities galore provided by Austin's own banked-track Rollergirls. Sat., Sept. 6, 7pm (6pm doors). Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez, Exhibition Hall 5. $15 ($13, advance). www.txrd.com (Sports)

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS Soccer For more on UT soccer, see "Soccer Watch." Vs. UT-San Antonio: Fri., Sept. 5, 7pm. Vs. Arizona: Sun., Sept. 7, 7pm. Mike A. Myers Track & Soccer Stadium, 707 Manor Rd. $7 (adults), $4 (youth & seniors). Women's Volleyball Vs. Texas State: Thu., Sept. 11, 6:30pm. Gregory Gymnasium, 2101 Speedway. www.texassports.com (Sports)

YOU FEELIN' POTLUCKY, PUNK? The fine folks at Creative Spirit UCC invite you to break bread (or tortilla, as it were) with them at this informal potluck. Sat., Sept. 6, 5pm. Maria's Taco Xpress, 2529 S. Lamar, 527-4455. cheatham@austin.rr.com www.creativespiritucc.info (The Gay Place)

See all of today's Community listings