What's love without loss? Love without loss isn't love, it's loss in the making. Who hasn't felt that deep, searing devil way down in their gut? Who hasn't stood "on a station platform in the rain with a comical look on his[/her] face, because his[/her] insides had been kicked out"? What's Valentine's Day without a few self-indulgent wallowings, without a few nostalgic immersions into the almost-was but never-again-will-be? What better time to contemplate the wisdom of letting go and forgiveness? When better to bask in the healing powers of L-U-V?
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is getting plenty o' mileage out of Cupid's favorite holiday with their
1999 CASAblanca Gala almost two weeks after the fact, Sat, Feb 27, 7pm, at the Four Seasons. The gala's Casablanca theme isn't merely convenient in light of the agency's moniker, it strikes chords in other ways. In the famous Bogey and Bergman film, there's nothing remotely chimerical about Casablanca, the place. The WWII juggernaut successfully sucked the romance out of the most idyllic of settings. Casablanca is a no man's land -- a temporary "safe" zone, leading either to freedom or hell. Similarly, our local volunteer agency CASA acts as a type of safe zone for kids by representing the interests of those caught in the middle of court cases (often involving abuse and neglect). For $80 per person/$150 per couple, their black-tie event will feature a live casino (
"Have you tried 22 tonight? I said 22."), live and silent auctions (
"My friend, you could make it a million francs, or three, my answer would still be the same."), cuisine by Exec Chef Elmar Prambs (
"Henri wants us to finish this bottle and then three more. He says he'll water his garden with champagne before he'll let the Germans drink any of it."), and ACC's Big Swing Band (
"Play it again, Sam."). So don't Bogart your fantasy of long lost love returned; hang on to that pathetic delusion for just one more night. Here's looking at you, kid.
459-2272.
Get an Early Heart-on
Don't have a date for Valentine's Day? Take your intended to one of these big-hearted functions the day before. Maybe you'll find the love.
The (Un)Valentine's Day Dance & Queer Movie Extravaganza will feature fine, frisky films by Emilia Smokebomb, Heyd Fontenot, and Tom (John C.?!) Holmes, with naughty titles like "Peckers Rising," plus DJ Squiggles and plenty of room to shake your thang(s). Pueblos Unidos, 2211 Hildago (near Seventh & Robert Martinez), a new community activism center, will be the beneficiary and happens to be where the party takes place, Sat, Feb 13, 8pm. Give them $5, bring a few extra for beer, and you're covered. 441-0479.
On an entirely opposite $ocial $tratum, SafePlace offers you a safe place to wear that hideous leisure suit and get your groove on at their Love American Style Gala, Sat, Feb 13, 7pm at the Austin Music Hall. Hell, we remember way back in '92 when Seventies grosstalgia started catching on with the college crowd. We were invited to an 18-year-old R.A.'s Disco Party, to which we replied, "You realize that we lived through The Tube Top Decade the first time, right? We'd like to think that if we remember our history carefully, we will not be doomed to repeat it." We, of course, were wrong, and now places like SafePlace are auctioning off things like a High Tea for 10 with Texas First Lady Laura Bush at a posh, $100-a-pop, glorified disco ball. We hope that that price includes either a) the resurrection of Sylvester from his grave, or b) at the very least, an appearance by Governor George Dub'yuh Bush in an afro wig and stack pimp heels, doing a hi-NRG lip-sync to "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)." The gala is a big doin' with all sorts of exciting high-end items and experiences for auction (live and silent), plus Valentine's Treasure Boxes (bring another Ben Franklin), filled with gift certificates to local businesses for those who don't want to take the chance that everybody will be bidding on the Peter Max, yet still wish to have a gift for the sweetie for Valentine's Day proper. There's a chance that the Treasure Box you buy will be one of three with extra surprises, like airline tix, or diamonds. Faaaaarrr Out! 385-5181.
Wanna help SafePlace, but can't cough up that round of a figure? Slum on down to the One-of-a-Kind Fundraiser at Capitol City Comedy Club, Wed, Feb 17, 8pm. It's one-of-a-kind, because it's triple-teaming the talents of the Austin Ice Bats (check, you read right -- the hockey team), ComedySportz, and comedian Mitch Hedberg (see "Community Listings" for more info). 467-2333.
Club Skirt is Sat, Feb 13, 7pm, at Fiesta Gardens. $15 includes, snacks, drinks, and chicks. Now part of the United Court of Austin, the Skirt benefits different organizations with each twirl. This month, proceeds go to ASA and Project Transitions. 451-2633.
This event sheds new light on the ol' practice of "Taking a Good Book to Bed." The Library Love Affair, Sat, Feb 13, 7:30pm is a celebration of Pflugerville's New Community Library at the book nook's new location at 10th & Pecan in P'ville. Tickets are $100 per couple or $60 per person, and include hors d'oeuvres, champers, the sounds of the PHS Jazz Band, and a silent auction. But hold on, that's not all. The special guests for this most literary of events are Fox7's Dick Ellis and esteemed wildwoman Liz Carpenter. 251-5037.
Give your lover a run for his or her money. Run on down together to Concordia Lutheran's annual Luth-A-Run Homecoming 5K Fun Run, Sat, Feb 13, 8:30am. Meet at the campus, 3400 N. I-35. Registration begins at 7:45am in Woltman Hall. The entry fee is $10 and a canned good. Proceeds will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. 486-1362.
Don't forget, the Lunar New YearBanquet is Sat, Feb 13, 6-10pm, featuring traditional dances, art exhibits, food samplings, and the like in the Texas Union Ballroom. Tickets are $10 for UT students, $15 for all others except kids six and under ($5). 475-6645.
The Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce is hosting Lunar New Year Gala, Sat, Feb 13, 5pm-9pm, featuring vibrant singing and dancing performances, a gourmet dinner, and an auction (autographed Jackie Chan souvenirs!), at the DoubleTree Hotel, 6505 N. I-35. Tickets are $55 in advance. tacc@onr.comor 420-8777.
Cupid's Quiver
And on the day of lust itself:
Learn more about cultures right in your very own hemisphere. Come to the Valentine's Benefit for the Mayan Esteem Project, Sun, Feb 14, 7-9pm at First Unitarian Universalist, 4700 Grover. There will be a slide presentation on the project, about an archaeological site near Chilon, Chiapas, Mexico which the group wishes to reclaim. They wish to restore this lost Mayan city to its original state, circa the late classical period (900AD-ish). Admission is $7.50 for hors d'ouerves, the sounds of Nordge, and a silent auction. 478-8654.
E-mail: pnotice@auschron.comMail to: "Public Notice," The Austin Chronicle, P0 Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765. Deadline: Wednesday, 6pm, eight days prior to publication. Phone calls have a .001% chance of being returned.