Ain’t That Bazaar
Hard to believe that the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, which began in 1976 (you’re looking at the first poster) continues to this day, unlike the venue itself and the timber that was used for Liberty Lunch. Nevertheless, it’s back — the Bazaar, not AWHQ — starting today, Thursday, and continuing through Christmas Eve. Hours clock in at 11am-11pm daily, with live music 8-11pm every night, and 12:30-3pm/3:30-6pm every weekend, with admission $2 weekdays to 7pm; $4 evenings and weekends. For more info, call 512/447-1605, or visit www.armadillobazaar.com.
Live Music Schedule
Thursday, 12/12: Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines
12/13: Ray Wylie Hubbard
12/14: Tish Hinojosa (12:30–3pm); South Austin Jug Band (3:30–6pm); Eliza Gilkyson (8–11pm)
12/15: Shelley King Band (12:30–3pm); Toni Price (3:30–6pm); Reckless Kelly (8–11pm)
12/16: Austin Lounge Lizards
12/17: Marcia Ball & Sarah Elizabeth Campbell
12/18: Rick Treviño
12/19: Jimmy LaFave
12/20: Albert & Gage
12/21: Balcones Fault (12:30–3pm); Greezy Wheels (3:30–6pm); Van Wilks (8–11pm)
12/22: The Derailers (12:30–3pm); Ruthie Foster (3:30–6pm); W.C. Clark (8–11pm)
12/23: Ponty Bone & the Squeezetones
12/24: Shake Russell (2:30–6pm); Texana Dames (8–11pm)
Using the Delay Pedal
Apologies to those who drove through rush-hour traffic only to stand freezing at 3701 Lake Austin Blvd. where I told you last week that the Austin City Council hearing for the new sound ordinance was being held. It only took a few minutes for folks to figure out the meeting was actually across the street, but I figure I should apologize, because the city won’t likely do so for sending everyone home unfulfilled about an hour later. Due to the fascinating issue of whether a couple of Downtown one-way streets should become two-way thoroughfares, the council tabled the potentially flammable noise issue for a week, regardless of a healthy number of citizens who’d taken time out of their busy schedules to do their civic duty. Those who thought to do so managed to snag a copy of the proposed ordinance prepared for the meeting, making the trip somewhat less than a total loss. Perhaps not surprisingly, it appears that Stubb’s Charles Attal, who described what he knew of the draft in last week’s “Dancing,” was pretty much on the money. In the draft made available last Thursday, those allowed to produce amplified music at an outdoor music venue until 2am (up to the old 85dB limit) must get an annual permit to do so. Those who are eligible for such a permit include clubs in the Warehouse and Sixth Street districts. Other outdoor venues may produce amplified music at the same level until 10:30pm Sunday-Wednesday, 11pm Thursday, and midnight Friday-Saturday. Further, a one-time, 24-hour permit may be issued to others whose property is beyond 600 feet from residential property. In all cases, two violations will result in the cancellation of the permit and possible refusal to issue another. The rescheduled hearing is today (Thursday), 6pm, at 3700 Lake Austin Blvd. (follow the signs around back), with the council expected to vote on the ordinance in January.
AMN to Please?
One thing the City Council did achieve on Thursday was to approve funding for the next three months of the ever-controversial Austin Music Network. With Council Member Will Wynn less than confident in the way AMN is currently being handled, the three-month extension (value: $168,000) was given in lieu of the $675,000 the network was seeking for one year. The decision came on the heels of much to-do over the station’s value to the city, as seen and heard in media ranging from features on local TV news outlets to an extended rant by KLBJ-AM’s answer to Jiminy Glick, afternoon talk man Jeff Ward. (In likening AMN to a stadium that taxpayers shouldn’t have to support, the pop culture-challenged Ward admitted he’d only skimmed the channel on rare occasions.) It’s not the LBJS empire that AMN’s Woody Roberts blames for the city’s reticence in fully supporting the station, however. Rather, he cites an “annual ritual feeding frenzy from Cox Communications [parent corporation of the Austin American-Statesman], who’ve been fighting the network since before it went on the air,” as well as wishy-washy behavior on the city’s own part. Now, 10 years and several different management teams along, Roberts admits that AMN still “isn’t even close” to its goal of self-sufficiency, adding that “It’s not going to get close until the city settles down and gives the network time to try and do its job.” Currently, he’s looking outside of Austin to seek underwriting for AMN. On the positive side, after getting added to San Marcos cable, AMN announced this week that it will be added to San Antonio’s cable channel selections in January. Controversy will doubtlessly continue following the channel, however, and even now e-mails are circulating claiming that the station’s management somehow managed to pocket some $80,000 in profits during a recent period wherein AMN only brought in $4,060 in sponsorship revenue. Roberts’ reply to such allegations: “I have not the slightest idea what they’re talking about!”
The Whole Way to the Halfway House
Devotees of the blues were delighted to learn that Clifford Antone, whose name graces Austin’s legendary “Home of the Blues” (as well as a record store, label, and maybe a sandwich or two) was released from federal prison last Thursday and moved to a local halfway house. Antone is serving the last six months of his 4-year sentence for marijuana trafficking and money laundering there, and though he won’t be allowed to leave for 30 days, after that Antone can taste freedom again in limited amounts until his time is completed on June 2, 2003. The Board of Prisons officially forbade Antone from speaking to the press, but attorney Dick DeGuerin has issued a statement saying that Clifford “intends to continue the work he started in prison, helping underprivileged youth stay away from drugs and continuing his work with American YouthWorks in Austin.” Sister Susan Antone adds only that, “The family is delighted — our brother is home!”
Mixed Notes
Appropriately, this year the wild display of psychedelic Christmas lights on West 37th Street has been dedicated to Roky Erickson, with donations to his trust being taken at the house at 300 W. 37th (the last house on the left). Roky’s already been down there at least once this year to revel in the glow, and he’ll definitely be back signing autographs and stuff on Dec. 23. Donations of $20 get a special “eye in the pyramid” Xmas ornament designed by Chronicle cover boy Peyton Wimmer, and a Roky-signed guitar will go to the most generous giver… You may remember this column blasting KTND (107.7 The End) for its sadly generic format when it debuted earlier this year. Well, the station has since “evolved its format to a more progressive focus and incorporated local music from Fastball, Davíd Garza, Dexter Freebish, Riddlin’ Kids, Kissinger, Recover, and Cruiserweight into regular rotation.” Better yet, former K-Nack psycho-baby Ray “Raydog” Seggern reports that The End will re-launch his locals-only specialty show “Home Groan” this week, running the program Sundays, 7-9pm. It will be hosted by End morning-man Seggern and new End staffer/former Riddlin’ Kids tour manager Ben Blaze… Sunday at Emo’s, Handsome Joel has put together a show benefiting not only his radio show, but the station it’s on, KAOS Radio. Southside punks Free Range Bastards headline with Hobble and Honky, plus Excess Lettuce, Bulemics, Ritchie Whites, New Disciples, Materialistics, and the Distressed in a show that starts at 6pm sharp… Whether you were there and wanna see it again or you just waited to hear it at home, the air date has been announced for the E-town Old & in the Gray/Los Lobos show taped here in Austin. It airs Sunday, 7pm, on KGSR…
This article appears in December 13 • 2002.