For more details and events, see Community Listings.
Thursday26
HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE features three days of lectures, workshops, and other special events exploring the “intersection of academics and advocacy.” Thu.-Sat., March 26-28. UT campus, Mezes Hall (Rm. 1.306) and Texas Union. Free. www.utexas.edu/law/conferences/human-rights-at-ut.
Friday27
MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES STREET RETREAT Spend a few days without food, water, or money, and find out what it’s really like to be homeless. For details, see www.mlfnow.org/ streetretreat. Fri.-Sat., March 27-29.
HILL COUNTRY GROWTH Land-use planner, site designer, and author Randall Arendt discusses the rapid growth of the Hill Country and the economic benefits of conservation-based development. 9am-4:30pm. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse, 828-0076. $35. www.hillcountryalliance.org.
Saturday28
AUSTIN PROGRESSIVE COALITION CANDIDATE FORUM Meet the City Council candidates. 9am-noon. UT campus, Graduate School of Business, 21st & Speedway, Rm. 2.122.
EARTH HOUR WITH CHRIS RILEY Enjoy music and smoothies while you schmooze with City Council Place 1 candidate Chris Riley. 8:30-11:30pm. Daily Juice Cafe, 4500 Duval St.
NEIGHBORFEST The Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office gathers city departments and nonprofits to help you learn about important topics such as lead poisoning and consumer credit counseling. Face-painting, a moon walk, and other activities keep things festive. 10am-1pm. Palm Elementary, 7601 Dixie.
SHAKESPEARE, POLITICS, AND WOMEN A public forum where theatre meets politics. Speakers include former UT women basketball coach Jody Conradt, Rep. Donna Howard, City Council Member Randi Shade, and others. 8pm. Curtain Theatre, on the estate of Richard Garriott, on Lake Austin off City Park Road. Call 474-8497 for tickets. $35. www.austinshakespeare.org/drupal.
SI SE PUEDE! MARCH & RALLY March from the Pan Am Rec Center to the Mexican American Cultural Center, and, in the spirit of Cesar E. Chavez, demand social and economic justice for all. 9:30am. A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center, 2100 E. Third, 472-9921.
Sunday29
MARCH MADNESS WITH CHRIS RILEY Yet another chance to meet the Place 1 council candidate, hosted by the ATX Socialites. 2-4pm. The Hub, 3815 Dry Creek Dr. www.chrisforaustin.com.
STATE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATIONAL FORUM State Rep. Rafael Anchía (r) discusses voter ID legislation. 4-6pm. First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca. Free. www.davidhasissues.com.
Monday30
CLEAN ENERGY MARCH/LOBBY DAY Join the march to the Capitol to push for legislative action on climate change. 9am. Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon.
PUBLIC FORUM ON POLICE BLOOD WITHDRAWALS A panel – Police Chief Art Acevedo, City Council Member Mike Martinez, and others – discusses training police to draw blood in the event that a driver refuses a Breathalyzer. 6-8pm. Council Chambers at City Hall, 301 W. Second.
Tuesday31
JOHN GIBLER The author of Mexico Unconquered discusses the divisions in wealth between Mexico’s rich few and destitute millions. 7-9pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925.
SOCO SMALL BUSINESS HAPPY HOUR with special guest Chris Riley. Yep, that’s right: City Council candidate for Place 1. 6-7:30pm. Tesoros Trading Co., 1500 S. Congress.
WOMEN OF THE COMMISSION: PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE Learn about the city’s Commission for Women at this evening reception. 5:30-7:30pm. Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second. Free. E-mail to RSVP: lindadmedina@gmail.com.
Wednesday01
CANDIDATE FORUM FOR THE ARTS Council candidates discuss and answer questions about the future of local arts. (See “Candidates Forum on the Arts.”) 7pm. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress, 472-5470. www.austintheatre.org.
CHARLES RAMIREZ BERG, author of Latino Images in Film: Stereotypes, Subversion, & Resistance, talks about the Latino experience as seen on film. Noon-1pm. Bullock History Museum, 1800 Congress. Free with museum admission.
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT MARCH/RALLY Show your support for survivors of sexual violence. 6:30-10pm. UT Main Mall in front of the Tower, 475-6630. www.cmhc.utexas.edu/vav.html.
Thursday02
AUDITORIUM SHORES RENOVATION PUBLIC MEETING Let the Parks & Rec Department know what you want changed and left alone at this beloved open space. 6-8pm. Town Lake Center Assembly Room, 721 Barton Springs Rd.
LOUIS GREGORY SYMPOSIUM ON RACE UNITY A panel of diverse guests discusses unity within the community, with a keynote from special guest Joy DeGruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (see “Naked City“). 11:30am-5pm. King-Seabrook Chapel, 900 Chicon. Free. www.austinbahai.org.
Friday03
TEXAS LYCEUM CONFERENCE gathers political and economic experts from around the state to discuss the 2009 Stimulus Package: What’s in It (or Not) for Texas? Attendees will hear the latest relevant information, including a discussion of where TxDOT proposes to spend its dollars. 8am-3:30pm. AT&T Conference Center, UT campus, 1900 University Ave. $35. www.texaslyceum.org.
This article appears in March 27 • 2009.