Let’s be frank for a moment (or you be Frank, if you prefer …). This column promotes all sorts of events. It might even be construed as some sort of public service — the word “public” in the title perhaps only one of many telling clues. Bottomline, however, is that it is a column. We choose what we want to write about. We sort of have an idea, a vague set of random guidelines by which we attempt to prioritize, evaluate, and determine what will and what will not be included herein. We guess that if you were to label this a “benefit” column you would not be far off the mark. But since we have a “Benefits” listings section in our Community Calendar, we hesitate to call it that. Oftentimes, we do run listings for a benefit event. Sometimes we run blurbs just because we feel that a certain event, or announcement, or change of policy directly affects certain groups of people, or more broadly, our general readership. Sometimes, we just run something for the hell of it because we came up with what we thought to be a stellar and inspired headline. Phew. Confusing, isn’t it? We try to be inclusive — but obviously, space limits what we do. Come to think of it, a lot limits what we do — the amount of incoming information, for example, or the thoroughness and reliability of any given source. Perhaps we are limited by the prevailing taste of the day — though that seems a stretch considering how often we are accused of violating the public trust with our version of taste. Certainly we are limited by technology: Some groups get through faster due to e-mail, some causes better promoted thanks to lavish budgets. We suppose that we bring our own ominous gates to the gatekeeping process, as well. Hell, just about everything we or you have experienced so far in this life limits what goes into this column.
That said, please understand that due to a curious combination of prevailing taste and sentiment, that in just about any case, we would consider a Xena Tribute Band to be in the public interest. We feel a responsibility to bring you the best in not only feel-good and politically right-on projects, but in those that promote the Greater Good, those that provide a certain unique cultural enrichment as relevant to our society as a whole.
Yes, we said Xena Tribute Band.
Were this Xena Tribute Band playing for nothing more than the power, the passion, if for no other reason than reaping reams of personal glory and material gain, then we would still deem it fit and necessary information to bring to You the People.
In the case of this weekend’s Hip-Hop 4 Laydeez, happening this Sat, May 22, 9pm at the Red Eyed Fly, 715 Red River, however, a just cause is being served as well. The Xena Tribute Band in question is Raunchy Reckless & the Amazons, and the cause is a fundraiser for TARAL’s Rosie Jimenez Fund. Ladies, bring your chakrams. 462-1661.
Pedal to Meddle
Figures. The one time our Austin City Council members and Travis County commissioners (along with other politico-types) get on a bike and publicly, by example, advocate alternate transportation, it’s for booze and free food. At first we were pleased to hear about the Bicycle Happy Hour and impressed to learn of our public servants’ involvement, this Fri, May 21, part of Bicycle Austin! Month. Then we read our fine print. The ride begins at 4:45pm and ends at 5pm! Whoa, crank it up, Mayor! The trek takes the inordinate ordinance makers a distance all of two blocks, from Eighth & Congress all the way to 612 W. Sixth, home of Ninfa’s, site of the happy hour. Whoooo, have the PowerAde� handy. All kidding aside, if you’d like to ride along and jeer or cheer or just support bike culture, show up and ride along. 474-0605.
E-mail: pnotice@auschron.com Mail 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.
This article appears in May 21 • 1999 and May 21 • 1999 (Cover).