Events ECCLESIA Are you fed up with organized religion? Tired of that old "fire and brimstone" crap left over from the Puritan days? Sick of small-minded bigots like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson trying to tell you how to live your life? Well, there's a new church in town that's spreading a different message in new, alternative ways. Check out this Rave Worship service,"an interactive experience with the Creator through sound, movement and visuals." Held inside a 75-foot-tall labyrinth designed along the lines of Dante's Divine Comedy, you'll experience a multidimensional, multisensory service like no other church you've ever been to. Using live music, DJs, poetry, film, slides, and other artistic media, it's a divine rave where God is your X. If you thought it would be a cold day in Hell before you went to church again, you might want to rethink your stance. It's worship for the new millennium; check it out. On Saturday, there will be a forum to discuss "Re-imagining the Church: A Conversation About Ministry in a Postmodern Setting." Find out what's new on the cutting edge of religion and spirituality. Friday's rave is free, Saturday's forum costs $10 which includes lunch. Fri, Mar 26, 7:30pm-2am, Sat, Mar 27, 10am-5pm, First Baptist Church Atrium, Ninth & Trinity. 476-2625. SPRINGFEST CARNIVAL It's a day in the park! Communities in Schools (CIS) is a nonprofit organization providing school-based social services to help students learn, stay in school, and prepare for a successful life. They invite you to this spring carnival where kids can enjoy an egg hunt, face-painting, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, and a giant slide. There will also be live student performances and lots of good food and prizes. Good family fun to raise awareness about this great program! Sat, Mar 27, 10am-3pm, Bartholomew Park, 51st & Berkman. 926-4379. MRS. NELLIE CONNALLY Talk about a special place in history; Mrs. Connally, wife of late Governor Connally, is the only surviving person from the limo in which President Kennedy was riding when he was assassinated. Mrs. Connally recently found her detailed memoirs of that day, and she will be sharing her memories with the public during this speech sponsored by the Junior League of Austin. This should be a fascinating glimpse at living history. Thu, Mar 25, 7pm, LBJ Library Auditorium, 2315 Red River. 478-7829. GREAT AMERICAN TRAIN SHOW Sometimes you really have to toot your own horn, and you can do just that at the largest touring model train show in America. You'll see some of the finest model train setups ever, plus there will be over 10,000 trains on display and up for sale. Get on track at the Great American Train Show! Hey, nice caboose! Sat-Sun, Mar 27-28, 11am-5pm, Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez. $6 (under 12, free). 630/834-0652. BLUE MOON TOUR Come out to Wild Basin and celebrate the very last blue moon of the millennium; "once in a blue moon" takes on a very special meaning this time! Join in the fun as guides to the sky show you the moon, planets, and galaxies and enter the "Name the Moon" song contest. Don't miss this unique opportunity. Wed, Mar 31, 6:30-8:30pm, Wild Basin Wilderness, 805 N. Cap of Tx Hwy. $5 (kids, $2). 327-7622. CREATIVE WOMEN OF AUSTIN If you get all of the creative women in Austin together in one group, you're going to need a stadium. But for starters, this new group will try the Austin History Center. The first in a series of bimonthly speakers will be Katy Culmo, co-owner of Austin's wildly popular By George clothing stores. Please RSVP. Thu, Apr 1, 6:30-8:30pm, Austin History Center, Ninth & Guadalupe. 479-0575 or 458-5145.
Civic Interest TEXAS JOURNAL OF WOMEN AND THE LAW SYMPOSIUM Texas sports a long, proud tradition of women in the law, and this symposium is a nice look at the continuing journey of women as the tradition is extended into the new millennium. On Thursday night, there will be a gala reception featuring female alumna of UT Law from every decade since the 1920s; should be a fascinating look at some pioneering women. Then on Friday, a host of speakers will tackle the topics facing lawyers in the future including issues surrounding bio-ethics and information technology. Please RSVP for reception. Reception: Thu, Mar 25, 5:30pm, Hyatt on Town Lake. Symposium: Fri, Mar 26, 8am-5pm, UT Law School. $25, MCLE credit; $10, non-credit; students free. 232-1397. TEXAS HEMP CAMPAIGN VIGIL In the immortal words of Country Joe, "One, two, three, what are we fightin' for?" The so-called War on Drugs would be nothing but a bad joke except for the fact that people are dying and having their lives ruined by puny-minded legislation. There are better ways to deal with this problem and until we demand change, we're stuck with another stupid war. The good folks at THC (heh heh heh) hold a monthly candlelight vigil outside the Governor's mansion to remember the victims and raise awareness of the need for change. Mon, Mar 29, 4-7pm, Governor's Mansion. 441-4099. ALGPC CANDIDATE FORUM Who's on your side? Find out as the Austin Lesbian/Gay Political Caucus invites all candidates in the upcoming City Council elections to share their views with concerned citizens. The ALGPC has been instrumental in electing a "gay-friendly" council and mayor, so come out (pardon the pun) and let your voice be heard. Wed, Mar 31, 6:45pm, Yarbrough Branch Library, 2200 Hancock. 474-0750. MITCHELL-HOUSTON MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP Hey, anybody want some money? If you are a minority high school senior or college/vocational school student with an interest in a health-related profession, you could qualify for one of these scholarships. The application process includes a personal essay pertaining to your career choice and background information on community involvement, academic achievement, and financial need. Applications must be postmarked by April 9. Sponsored by the Austin Minority Health Network. 474-5019. SUSTAINABLE FOOD CENTER CHALLENGE GRANT "Give a person a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a person to fish, she eats for life." Such is the motto of Austin's Sustainable Food Center, a cooperative organization that believes growing, processing, and selling food to feed our neighbors can revitalize local agricultural businesses and provide jobs in low-income areas while ensuring nutritious, affordable food is available to all citizens. The Feinstein Foundation in Rhode Island has offered to match all donations to the center during the month of March, so the community needs to help out to maximize the potential of this generous award. The money will be used for the Farmers' Market programs which employs at-risk teenagers and provides produce for local markets. LAST WEEK TO HELP! Donations must be received by March 31 to receive matching funds, so send checks to Sustainable Food Center, 434 Hwy 183 S., Austin, TX, 78741. 385-0080. TEXAS WILDFLOWER HOTLINE Psssst, looking for some good bluebonnets? If you don't think the side of MoPac is the best place to take the kids to see flowers, there are more suitable spots for viewing nature's bounty. Lady Bird Johnson and her friends at the Wildflower Center want you to see the best that Texas has to offer. They've set up a hotline in conjunction with Newsradio 590, KLJB-AM, to tell you where the best flowers can be found. It's a 24-hour hotline, updated every Friday. 832-4037.
Benefits SRI ATMANANDA SPRING GALA An enchanted evening of spring entertainment awaits at this gala celebrating four years of development at the Sri Atmananda School. The school is a nondenominational, nonsectarian private school based on a teacher-child-centered approach rooted in the cultural traditions of India. Enjoy a festive musical program by the Baroque ensemble La Follia. There will also be a silent auction, visiting dignitaries, and the dedication of a commemorative brick walkway honoring the school's supporters. Proceeds will benefit the continuing development of the school. Sat, Mar 27, 6pm, Sri Atmananda Memorial School, 4100 Red River. 371-7065. VORTEX 2000 FUNDRAISER Come and get Sprinkled! That's right, porn-star-turned-performance-artist (well, really, what's the difference?) Annie Sprinkle will be in town supporting one of her favorite causes, the VORTEX Repertory Company. Ms. Sprinkle will host a celebrity auction, all with the goal of renovating the Planet Theatre. A yard sale begins at 10am with plenty of good, freaky stuff. The afternoon will be filled with music, poetry, and performance, culminating with the auction. Sat, Mar 27, noon-5pm, Planet Theatre, 2307 Manor. $10. 478-LAVA. ROCKIN' CATS AND DOGS Every dog has his day, and now every dog and cat has its own benefit. Some of Austin's favorite performers will crank up the tunes to help out the Animal Trustees of Austin, an organization dedicated to the welfare of animals. The ATA rescues and finds homes for abandoned and injured animals. Musical acts include the LeRoi Brothers, Toni Price, The Gary Primich-Ted Roddy Blues Revue, King Soul, and a host of other great performers. Every penny raised goes to support the ATA's veterinary services for animals in need. Sun, Mar 28, 3-10pm, Jovita's Restaurant, 1617 S. First. $7. 280-6892.
Kids UMLAUF PICNIC BRUNCH WITH THE EASTER BUNNY Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping through the statues and lush foliage at the Umlauf Sculpture Gardens just to visit with you and your kids. In addition to brunch, you'll enjoy a "Bright Beginnings" fashion show, a visit with a Big Bunny, face painting, Easter eggs, and fun and prizes. Admission price includes brunch and one photograph with the Bunny. Sat, Mar 27, 10am, Umlauf Sculpture Gardens, 605 Robert E. Lee. $7.50. 462-2716. EASTER EGG HUNT EGGSTRAVAGANZA Wait, how's the Easter Bunny going to be two places at once? He's magic, that's how! Kids up to 12 years old are invited to hunt for hidden eggs and join in other festivities including moon walks and visiting with the Easter Bunny. Popcorn and other refreshments will be served, and the Hunt is free! Sat, Mar 27, 10am, McNeil High School (in the park across the street), 5720 McNeil. 249-1006. DISCOVERY FAIR All kinds of cool stuff will be going on at the Children's Discovery Center. The kids can go nuts on the playground; there will be a moon walk, a face-painter, activity booths, and a photo booth where they can pose as cowpokes or UT football players (BYO Ricky Williams wig). There will be a silent auction with a UT player-signed football, a Discovery plane ride, SeaDoo rentals, and restaurant certificates. Kids from the Discovery Center will also be selling copies of a book they wrote and illustrated themselves. Lots of good food and fun! Sat, Mar 27, 10am-6pm, Children's Discovery Center, 4112 Duval. 458-1891. SEAL OUT DECAY, THE AUSTIN WAY Huh? Look, with all those jelly beans and chocolate bunnies on the way, you'd better help the kids take care of their teeth. This program is designed to place dental sealants on the teeth of at-risk children to prevent tooth decay. Children will receive a free dental exam, oral hygiene instruction, sealants where needed, and giveaways including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. No appointments are necessary; the program is for kids seven and older, and a parent or guardian must accompany each child. Four area dental clinics will participate. Sat, Mar 27, 9am-3pm, 1201 E. Cesar Chavez; 7112 Ed Bluestein; 2529 S. First; and 2113 E. MLK. 324-4440. TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA This wacky duo has been entertaining kids and families for many years now. Their show is a musical and comic treat, and they'll be performing to benefit the Austin Jewish Community Day School. A silent auction begins at 2:30pm with the concert following at 4pm. Sun, Mar 28, 2:30pm, Westlake High School, Performing Arts Center. $10. 469-7469. HERSHEY'S KISSMOBILE If you see three gigantic Hershey's Kisses riding down the highway at 60 mph, don't worry, you're not hallucinating. It's just the Hershey's Kissmobile, in town to spread good cheer and good chocolate and raise money for the Children's Miracle Network and its local affiliate, the Children's Hospital of Austin. The Kissmobile features a huge-screen TV for video games and fun films about chocolate. It will also be filled with Kisses and Hugs, so enjoy some tasty treats while you're there. Look for it at HEB stores Wed-Fri. Wed, Mar 31, 2-4pm, 1000 E. 41st; Thu, Apr 1, 10am-noon, 1434 Wells Branch and
2-4pm at 116900 N. RR 620 in Round Rock; and Fri, Apr 2, 2-4pm, 6001 Parmer Ln. 888/499-KISS. DUTCH OVEN COOKING AT PIONEER FARM Find out exactly what they mean by good ol' down-home cooking when the folks at Pioneer Farm prepare delicious recipes outdoors in the Dutch Oven. Mmmm, that's good eatin'! Say, I wonder where all the animals went ... Sun, Mar 28, 1-5pm, Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farm, 11418 Sprinkle Cutoff. $3 (kids 3-12, $2). 837-1215. BOOK PEOPLE KIDS STUFF Award-winning author Louis Sachar visits the store on Saturday to sign copies of his really groovy book called Holes; I think you'll dig it! (Sorry for the pun-ishment, but I can't help myself!) On Tuesday, Staci serves up Easter cookies and spring stories at Tea Time! Wednesday, Mrs. Lisa gets the kids ready for the weekend with a bagful of bunny tales. Sat, Mar 27, 2pm, Tue-Wed, Mar 30-31, 10:30am, Book People, Sixth & Lamar. 472-4288. STORYTIME AT BOOKSTOP Everyone's favorite song is now out in book form! Surely a movie deal can't be far behind. Bring the kids out for a reading of The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapazi. I hope that name is spelled right because the ink on the fax was awfully smudged. All Monday Story Times are followed by a craft, so if you can get the kids to sit still through the story, they get to make something fun. Mon, Mar 29, 11am, Bookstop, 4001 N. Lamar. 452-9541. BORDERS BOOKS KIDS EVENTS Chris, the new guy, has a couple of classics for you kids this week. On Saturday he'll be reading The Emperor's New Clothes (which we hope he won't be wearing!) and The Stone Cutter. Sat, Mar 27, 11am, Borders Books, 10225 Research. 795-9553.
Game Plans FOR THE WEEK OF MAR 26-April 1 by J.C. Shakespeare 5th ANNUAL ROSEDALE RIDE Put some air in those tires and get ready to ride in this fundraising event for the Rosedale School. The school caters to children with multiple handicaps, and such specialized care requires bucks, folks, so help them out. There are rides of varying length ranging from 8-62 miles. After the ride, enjoy food, festivities, and live music on the Samsung grounds. Sat, Mar 27, 8:30am, Samsung, 12100 Samsung. 280-4799. BMX COMPETITION Come participate or just watch as these bikers ride ramps and flatland freestyle as part of this brotherhood BMX competition. Sat, Mar 27, noon; 10am sign-up. Intellect Skatepark, 4213 Todd. 441-0445. CAMP FIRE BOYS AND GIRLS FAMILY FUN RUN Get the kids started now; they can collect pledges for the number of laps completed in this fundraising fun fest supporting Camp Fire Boys and Girls. Lots of neat prizes! Following the Fun Run is an old-fashioned family picnic featuring carnival booths and neat contests for Hula Hoops, Cake Decorating, Tennis Shoe Painting, and other fun stuff. Pledge forms can be picked up at Camp Fire offices, 4029 Capital of Tx Hwy South. Sat, Mar 27, 9am-1pm, Zilker Park Rock Garden. 462-2777. REI OUTDOOR RECREATION FAIR Now is the perfect time to be heading out to Big Bend, the Davis Mountains, or any of the many Texas wilderness areas for that spring camping trip you've been meaning to take. Maybe if you got some new equipment you'd be more motivated to use it. Whether your deal is rock climbing, backpacking, canoeing, or bird watching, you'll find something at the Outdoor Rec Fair. Experts from REI and several other organizations will have clinics and interactive displays to answer all your questions about the great outdoors. Sat, Mar 27, 10am-4pm, Wild Basin Wilderness, 805 N. Cap of Tx Hwy. 327-7622. AUSTIN SKYDIVING CENTER'S GEEK WEEK You've got to ask yourself one question; do you feel lucky? Well, do you, geek? If so, why not go jump out of a plane? The center is sponsoring this special week "to honor the men and women who keep our computers running, our planes in the air and our vacuum cleaners sucking." All high-tech industry employees are eligible for 20% discounts on first-time jumps through Mar 28. Austin Skydiving Center, 1055 PR 7022, Lexington. 800/SKYDIVE. http://www.austinskydiving.com. LONGHORN BASEBALL The boys of summer (or make that spring) are back in action. They've been kicking serious butt lately; as of press time, the baseball team is off to a 20-8 start. Your next chance to catch the Horns is Tuesday when McNeese State slithers in from the swamps of western Louisiana. Come on out and catch baseball fever! Tue, Mar 30, 6:30pm, Disch-Falk Field. 471-3333. CAMP DANSKIN One of the most inspiring sporting events to occur in Austin is the annual Danskin Women's Triathlon. Every year hundreds of women prove to themselves and the world that they can do things they once thought impossible. If you'd like to be one of those women this year, there's no time like the present to get started. Camp Danskin, a training and education camp for women, will be in Lago Vista to offer individualized coaching, group workouts, and training information in a fun, supportive environment. Get on the road to a more powerful you! Apr 9-11. 503/282-4563 or e-mailJazzSch@aol.com. |
