Culture Flash!

Awards nominations are comin'! The Austin Circle of Theaters will announce nominees for its 30th annual B. Iden Payne Awards on Monday, Aug. 16, 6pm, in the McBee Room of the Headliners Club, 20th floor of Bank One Tower, 221 W. Sixth. New Long Center Executive Director Cliff Redd will host the announcement, which will cite outstanding productions and artists in 32 categories for the period August 2003-July 2004. Following ballot voting by the ACoT membership, the awards will be presented in a ceremony on Monday, Sept. 27. The community is welcome at the reception. For more information, call 247-2531.

Speaking of the Long Center, the arts-facility-in-the-making saw a physical change this week. No, it wasn't a groundbreaking for the actual construction – that's still on the calendar for later this fall. It was a huge banner, 24 feet tall and 250 feet wide, that was draped on the building Aug. 9 to signal the completion of the center's "design development" phase – and no doubt to spark more contributions to the facility's $77 million capital campaign. New director Cliff Redd reports that more than 70% of that amount has been raised. For more information, call 482-0800.

Pinkeye isn't something one typically likes to cheer about, especially in connection with almost 300 people, but when you're talking about the Pink Eye Ball, the 2004 edition of the Rude Mechs' annual August fundraiser, then bring on the cheers. A good 275 folks – that's more than three times as many folks as the Off Center can seat – turned out to enjoy the song stylings of mistress of ceremonies Yasmin Kittles (with Tina Turner!) and Glover Gill and Robert Kraft, bringing in $9,425 at the door and another estimated $8,000 in the silent auction. For more information, call 476-RUDE.

Meanwhile, the Zachary Scott Theatre Center is giving money away – thousands of dollars. Actually, it was a donation to AIDS Services of Austin consisting of money collected from Zach patrons during the long, long, long run of Always ... Patsy Cline. Over the show's first seven months (!), Zach collected $14,500, and Patsy's current stars, Cher Lair and Marijane Vandiver, presented a check in that amount to ASA director Lee Manford on opening night of House Arrest under the watchful eye of Zach Artistic Director Dave Steakley. Since 1997, Zach has collected more than $90,000 in cash for the organization.

Hyde Park Theatre isn't exactly giving stuff away, but it is offering dozens and dozens of great items – bikes, furniture, appliances, kids clothes, jewelry, toys, and more – at prices so low, you'll feel like you're getting it for nothing! The HPT bargain bonanza garage sale is taking place this Saturday, Aug. 14, 8am-1pm, at the theatre, 511 W. 43rd. Proceeds benefit Hyde Park Theatre. For more information, call 479-PLAY.