by Eric A. Crabtree
AUSTIN, TEXAS
World AIDS Day is Wed. Dec. 1
The theme for the 12th annual World AIDS Day, which is on Wed., Dec. 1, is "Children & Young People: Listen, Learn, Live." This theme reflects the fact that reaching out to children and young people is considered by many people to be the most promising strategy for reducing the spread of HIV worldwide. Raising awareness of AIDS and HIV is a very important part of World AIDS Day. The Red Ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is increasingly being worn by people all year round to demonstrate their care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment . More info on World AIDS Day can be found at www.avert.org/worldaid.htm. Memorials and recognition are scheduled locally as Austin participates in its nightclubs, restaurants and museums by hosting a Day without Art symbolizing the loss of those who have died due to HIV/AIDS. On this day, all of Austin is encouraged to participate by covering up their artwork to symbolize the great losses and by wearing Red Ribbons.
One Service scheduled for World AIDS Day is sponsored by the Interfaith Care Alliance of Remembrance and Hope who will host an interface Service of Remembrance and Hope from 6- 6:45pm. The service will open to all - interfaith and will be held at the Holy Cross Catholic located at 1610 East 11th St. from 6- 6:45pm. Immediately following the service, there will be BODY COUNT at Barton Springs in Zilker Park located on Barton Springs Rd. at 6:30pm. BODY COUNT is a Memorial Site-Performance with dance sequences, mediation, musicians and poetry honoring the many who have passed on to another life. Austinite Sally Jacques and the City of Austin and Arts Associations present Body Count. Eight Dancers are scheduled to perform with swimmers in the pool. The swimmers will be steering a lighted raft holding memorial metal sculptures. Also performing at Barton Springs Pool will be the Tibetan Girl's Chorus and several performers from within the community. After the performances, a 15-minute mediation will be held after three gongs and all are invited to the candlelit poolside to reflect, remember and pray. BODY COUNT info may contact Sally Jacques 512.444.1672.
Capital City Men's Chorus Begins 11th Anniversary
The Capital City Men's Chorus (CCMC), now 55 voices strong, opens its 11th Season in style. Enjoy a celebration of Celtic music and tradition with Northern Lights on Fri., Dec. 3 and Sat., Dec. 4, at 8pm. Come to the First Unitarian Universalist Church at 4700 Grover and hear some of the most beautiful seasonal music ever written. Listen as they explore the ancient traditions of Solstice and Christmas through melodies from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man. Danny Johnson and the Texas Early Music Project, fresh from celebrating their recently released CD of Gaelic Folk Music, will join the CCMC along with harpist Delaine Fedson and soprano Corey Rooney to bring you this engaging concert. Tickets are $10 presale, $12 at the door. Call the box office at 512.454.TIXS (8497), or purchase tickets from any CCMC member. Funding for the CCMC is provided in part by the City of Austin, and the Texas Commission on the Arts, under the auspices of the Austin Arts Commission. For more info.on CCMC, call 512 477.SING, www.io.com/~ccmcaus or E-mail to ccmcaus@io.com.
Project Transitions
Features Holiday Swing
The 11th annual Holiday Swing will be hosted by Project Transitions on Sat., Dec. 4 from 8pm until 12:30am at the Ben Hur Shrine Ballroom located at 4300 Westbank Drive. The Sentimental Journey Orchestra will play music for the night, with special guest appearances by the "Studebakers." Holiday Swing will feature dancing all night with swing dance lessons from 7-8pm. The festivities continue with holiday hors d'oeuvres from 8-10pm and sweets from 9-11pm. A silent action and a cash bar will also be held. A special drawing will be held for two round trip tickets on American Airlines with each chance sold at $5 with only 500 tickets to be sold for this prize. Overall Swing tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Holiday Swing is hosted annually by Project Transitions as a fund-raiser for individuals and families living with AIDS locally in central Texas. More info on Project Transitions may be obtained 512.454.8646.
Holiday Rhapsody Featured
The HIV Wellness Center (HWC) and Interfaith Care Alliance will be co-hosting Holiday Rhapsody 1999 on Fri., Dec. 17. The event will be held at the Ragsdale Center, on the St. Edward's University campus, in the third floor ballroom. Weather permitting, there will outdoor terraces for cocktails and mingling as well. The party starts at 7pm with cocktail-hour, featuring the smooth sounds of the Billy Wolfe Trio, and a preview of the items available for purchase in the silent auction. A buffet will be served at 8pm. Bidding for the silent auction begins at 8pm and concludes at 10pm. All donations and silent auction purchases are tax-deductible. Both organizations are still soliciting donations to the silent auction. The entertainment in the ballroom will begin at about 8pm. Featured entertainers for the evening will be our comic emcee, Mr. Amos Ewing, as well as the ever-fabulous Austin Babtist Women, and Brother Gerald Muller and the Hilltopper Chorale. There will be dancing to the mix-sounds of DJ Dig'M beginning at 10 pm till 11pm. Under the musical direction of Billy Wolfe, participants are invited to a Holiday song with tips to each performer donated to Holiday Rhapsody and prizes awarded for amounts raised. Tickets for Holiday Rhapsody can be purchased at Alien Records, Lobo Books, the HIV Wellness Center, or Interfaith Care Alliance. General Admission tickets are $30 if purchased before Dec. 1st, or $35 after that date. Reserved tables are available for $500, and will include 8 complimentary tickets to the event. Any one wishing to reserve a table should contact Jeffrey Bennett at HWC, 512.467.0088, or Roger Temme at ICA, 512.459.5883 or Bart Loeser for the song contest at 512.380.0998.
Austin Circuit Parties Scheduled
Several upcoming circuit parties are scheldued in Austin starting with the Austin Boyz Cellar presenting Flesh on Flesh this Thanksgiving weekend. On Sat., Nov. 27 at 9pm, Circuit DJ Jon Brown (Minneapolis) will be spinning till 4am and then the return of the Sunrise Gatherings "Thee After Hours" with DJ Filthy Rich. No cover at the door. Also this Sat. in Austin, it's MUSIC IS TRULY THE ANSWER - with "GROOVE," presented with legendary circuit DJ Danny Tenaglia (NYC) rocking for 5 hours (1am-6am) at the Austin Music Hall starting at 1am. Local supporting DJs Rob Vaughan (Dallas) and Coy West (Austin) perform when doors open at 9pm. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are available at Alien Records located at Alien Records at 1114 West 5th St. in Austin. The Boyz Cellar again is the place on Sat & Sun, Dec 18 & 19 with their Jingle Balls Circuit Party with guest DJs from Dallas.
DJ David Vallese (Chicago) and performer Kitty Meow (Miami Beach) at the Forum's recent Massive Pump Party helped to raise through supporters and patrons almost $2,000 for the Hope for A Cure Foundation. Ben Parsley's recent "Krunch" was a great party at Twist with Circuit DJ Roland (Ro) Belmares spinning. RED & GREEN '99 premiers for its third year engagement on Sat., Dec. 11 at Mercury Hall in Austin located at 615 Cardinal Lane. RED and GREEN '99 donates 100% of the proceeds benefit HIV Wellness Center & Out Youth Austin. Tickets are $60 with hosts at $95. An Open bar is featured with cocktails from 8-11pm and dancing till 3am with Circuit DJ Michael Tank from Houston. Tickets are available at Lobo Bookstore and Outlines in Austin or from Ben Parsley and Splash Productions. Ambush is an official sponsor of RED and GREEN '99; however, other sponsors, hosts and volunteers are welcome. More info. Can be obtained from Splash Productions at www.partyaustin.com or by calling 888.558.1791 or in Austin at 512.478.1791. Last's year RED and GREEN II Party raised over $5,000 for area Austin charities. Coming in the new Millennium, look for Equinox Austin 2000 (EA2K) - The 30-HR Dance Party at Austin's La Zona Rosa on 612 W. 4th St. on Sat and Sun, Jan. 22-23. EA2K will be featuring, live from England, SUNSCREEM and will host guest DJs from around the country: David Knapp (NYC), Don Bishop (Palm Springs), Roland Belmares (Austin), Lydia Prim (New Orleans), and Michael Tank (Houston). More on EA2K is at www.partyaustin.com/equinox2000.htm.
Licious Raw 1 CD Released
DJ Licious of Oilcan Harry's fame has released his latest CD, Licious Raw 1, under Fag House Records. The fierce CD compilation includes an eclectic mixture of titles/beat including the intro of le tweak to "Heartbreaker/If You Should" to "My Love is Your Love" and "September '99" (Dub). Other mixes include "S-Express," "Useless" and "Waiting for Tonight," "New York City Boy" to "Look at Me" and ends with "Situation '99." Licious Raw 1 was mixed by Licious at Oilcan Harry's and mastered by Jason Jenkins with special thanks to DJ's Miss H and David Moore. This CD marks DJ Licious' 9th CD produced starting with his first Licious Live's Vol. 1-6, The Best of 404 - Part #1 and Test (FHCD-08) currently unreleased. The CDs are available at Alien Records located at 1114 West 5th St. in Austin.
United Court Wins Titles
Awards were presented to the United Court of Austin in Dallas recently during the Dallas Court Coronation with Best Male in Theme going to David Pearson, Best Female in Theme, Dee Dee Davis, Best Production, to the United Court of Austin. Other titles awarded were Empress to Past Empress Award, Cecelia Martay, Empress to Reigning Empress Award, Dee Dee Davis and Emperor to Past Empress Award, Loni Thomas. Austin was honored recently with a special performance by the newly elected, but not crowned until 2000, Empress of New York City Victoria Weston. Victoria, an amazing performer, who sang recently at the 1920's Club, with the producers of the show Col. Bob Collins and Bob Hemby, raised over $1500 for Project Transitions. United Court of Austin, VI, has raised so far in '99 over $16,000.
