Public Notice

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Empty Orchestra

"Keep it real, people! You are a wonderful audience!" You know they love you, just listen to the roar ... it's unmistakable. It's the din of a crowd sated, satisfied, blissed out, blown away and world rocked, and it was all because of you, tiger. You and those golden vocal cords of yours. You know it -- every time you step out of that shower, you drip, not just with the glow of the recent hot, steamy bath of aromatic body gel and other fine, organic skin products but also with the unmistakable glow of an artist satisfied with herself and warm satisfaction of knowing that if they could just hear you once, they'd love you forever. You are a stalled diva, you tell yourself, relegated to the stalls of the shower while so many Austin dilettantes bask in the glory that is rightfully yours. "Live Music Capital," your ass. Not as long as you're not out there giving it to the masses. You can't believe it took you so long to get up there and give the people what they really wanted and deserved. You sat and sat at the damn bar, wagering with pals over who would or wouldn't take the chance. You pored over the KJ's book of songs, the holy tablet that would unlock your potential. You labored over your decision. Which song? A funny one? A ballad? A tearjerker? Should you play it straight or camp it up? Oh, by the gods of the empty orchestra, it was a difficult task at hand. What number would best showcase your burgeoning talent? What song would best prove once and for all that you are a master of the microphone? Well, you conquered your niggling lack of self-confidence last time and you can do it again. And this time, maybe someone special will notice you in the crowd and either sign you to that most certainly deserved record deal or at least take you home for a night of bliss, the testament to your true ability to connect musically, artistically. Give the people what they want, tiger. You know you have it in you. Yours Truly will be KJing along with famous lesbian host Jenn Garrison at Karaoke Madness, a fundraising event for Production Equipment for aGLIFF's Gay Youth Media Project. Your limelight awaits this Sunday, July 8, 7pm at the Empanada Parlour, 707 E. Sixth. $10 suggested donation at the door. 699-6655.

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Give It Up

Proof that not all local college kids are liquor-slugging, media-frenzied privileged family embarrassments: Ambitious UT coed nut Christy Spiller is taking on a mammoth health service task. "What organization are you with, Christy?" we asked. "I'm just doing this by myself," she answered unassumingly. This, people, is what public service is all about. Christy is getting out the word about the local need for blood and is holding a Blood Drive, Monday, July 9-Saturday, July 21. She's contacted area media and is finagling all sorts of sponsorship deals on her own. We have a funny feeling that we'll be hearing more from Christy in the future. So Go Donate Blood! You can donate at the Blood & Tissue Center, 4300 N. Lamar, weekdays, 8am-6pm and Saturdays, 8am-2pm. The requirements are that donors must be 17 or over, at least 110 lbs. soaking wet, in good general health. Bring a photo ID, and know your Social Security Numbers. The center needs to collect 48,135 units this year alone to meet patient needs at the area's 28 hospital/health facilities serving 10 counties in Central Texas. 206-1266.

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N.O.W., Baby

Hey up, women and friends of women! The Austin National Organization for Women (N.O.W.) is Meeting this Wednesday, July 11, 7:30pm, at Gaby & Mo's newly spiffed-up and blue-painted coffee/luv shack at 1809 Manor Rd. The agenda (other than world domination: YEAH!) is to introduce the four new national officers, to summarize new national-level resolutions, and to plan for two upcoming National Days of Action. 481-8908.

Also at Gaby & Mo's, this Monday, July 9, 7pm, Austin's local "autonomist" newspaper, The Javelina, will host a Local Movie Night, with the bent being cool, underground, locally made activist films like In Search of Kids Five, which documents Austin's graffiti scene, and Tulia, about the night in Tulia, Texas, when more than 10% of the town's African-American population was arrested on the testimony of a single narcotics informant. Admission is free, but bring a few bucks (or massive cash, if you got it) to donate. 457-9027.