Happenings

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For more events this week, see Community Listings.

THURSDAY, JULY 26

SAVE OUR SPRINGS ANNIVERSARY CONCERT This celebration of the SOS Ordinance's 15th anniversary kicks off with a puppet show and continues with music from Brownout!, Larry Lange & His Lonely Knights, and the Djembabes. 7:30pm. Ruta Maya, 3601 S. Congress, 707-9637. $15 suggested donation ($10, students). www.sosalliance.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 27

MIDSUMMER WORLD CARNAVAL DiverseArts presents a very special Fourth Friday celebration in an effort to save Kenny Dorham's Backyard, the financially troubled music venue that celebrates Eastside culture. Support Kenny's, along with DiverseArts' many other initiatives, at this two-day festival featuring great food, live music, belly dancing, arts vendors, kids' activities, and more. (See Club Listings, p.90.) 6-11pm. Kenny Dorham's Backyard, 1106 E. 11th (rain location: Victory Grill). $5-10 suggested donation (kids under 12 free). www.diversearts.org.

TRANSPORTATION GRANTS FORUM Discuss transportation issues in Austin, including community goals, results of recent focus groups, and available grants. E-mail to RSVP. 1-3pm. Housing Authority of the City of Austin, 1124 S. I-35. Free. bcarroll@mail.utexas.edu.

SATURDAY, JULY 28

IT CAME FROM AUSTIN: TEXAS MORATORIUM NETWORK BENEFIT This variety show features various talented Austin performers of the dancing, clowning, and singing variety, including the Texas Sapphires. Half of funds raised will go to the annual March to Stop Executions in Houston; the other half will benefit the Save Kenneth Foster Campaign. 8pm. Scoot Inn, 1308 E. Fourth, 478-6200. $5-10 (sliding scale). www.texasmoratorium.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 1

CENTRAL WEST AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN­NING GROUP clarifies important stakeholder issues for those in Tarrytown, Deep Eddy, Bryker Woods, and Pemberton Heights. 6:30pm. LCRA Board Room, 3700 Lake Austin Blvd., 974-2865. Free.

METROPOLITAN BREAKFAST CLUB Austin's new police Chief Art Acevedo speaks about his vision for the Austin Police Department's future. 7-8:30am. UT Club, Royal Memorial Stadium, sixth floor, 479-9460. $15 (members/first-time guests). www.mbcaustin.org.

THURSDAY, AUG. 2

ARCHITECTURE AT THE UMLAUF LECTURE SERIES: GREEN BUILDING The Torchbearers host a talk from architect David Webber (from This Old House). 7:30pm. Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee, 445-5582. $5. www.umlaufsculpture.org.

ONGOING

CRITICAL NEED FOR BLOOD DONORS With supply outpaced by demand this month as summer vacations deplete the pool of donors and drive up need, the Blood and Tissue Center requests that people of all blood types give blood this week. Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas, 4300 N. Lamar, 206-1266. www.inyourhands.org.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB BOOK DRIVE Visit any Borders or Waldenbooks store to buy the selected books on display, and both the books and 5% of your purchase will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Capital Area. Aug. 1-31. www.bgcca.net.