Pre-registration wristbands will be distributed beginning at 7 a.m. Monday until 8 a.m. Wednesday outside the Frank Erwin Center (1701 Red River) at the University of Texas at Austin. Singers who obtain wristbands must return by 5 a.m. Wednesday to line up for auditions. (Auditioners will not be permitted to camp out.)

ATTENTION:

Musicians/Singers/Songwriters/Film Makers/Actors/Agents
Get noticed by having a listing in the Music/Film Issue coming in September for only $50!

The magazine will posted here and your link to your website will be accessible to thousands.

Deadline: August 20

Contact Renee Judkins at austinwideopen@aol.com or call 512-269-6865.

Austin Film Festival is proud to present a special screening of THE DRY LAND followed by a Conversation in Film with writer/director Ryan Piers Williams and lead actress America Ferrera!

Tuesday, August 10 @ 7:30pm
Texas Spirit Theater
at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Avenue – Austin, TX

A long-time friend and former staff member of Austin Film Festival, Ryan Piers Williams attended The University of Texas’ Radio-Television-Film program and was the recipient of an Austin Film Society TFPF grant for his short film, MUERTAS (AFF07). His talent and tenacity were rewarded earlier this year when his debut feature, THE DRY LAND, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to a sold-out theater and standing ovation. It has since played Atlanta Film Festival, Marfa Film Festival, Dallas International Film Festival where it received the Narrative Feature Award and Edinburgh Film Festival where it received the Best International Film Award.

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a fascinating and informative discussion on Ryan’s unique journey to breaking into the industry and making his first film. He will be joined by lead actress America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”).

Non-member ticket: $12
AFF member ticket: $8

To purchase tickets, click here.
To purchase member tickets, call 512-478-4795.

ABOUT THE FILM
THE DRY LAND, starring America Ferrera, Ryan O’Nan, Jason Ritter, Wilmer Valderrama and Melissa Leo, tells the story of a young soldier returning home from Iraq and trying to fall back into small town life. James (O’Nan) returns from Iraq to face a new battle—reintegrating into his small-town life in Texas. His wife (Ferrera), his mother (Leo), and his friend (Ritter) provide support, but they can’t fully understand the pain and suffering he feels since his tour of duty ended. Lonely, James reconnects with an army buddy (Valderrama), who provides him with compassion and camaraderie during his battle to process his experiences in Iraq. But their reunion also exposes the different ways that war affects people—at least on the surface.

This moving, taut story of redemption and reconstruction extends beyond a post-traumatic-stress-disorder narrative. THE DRY LAND is about one man’s fight within his own terrain—his country, home, and mind—and his journey to rebuild what he’s lost.

Jeff Lofton’s 1950s Miles Davis Tribute
at NYC’s Iridium Jazz Club

New York – After recent success in Austin, “Jeff Lofton’s 1950s Miles Davis Tribute” makes its New York debut Saturday, August 21, at 12:00 midnight, at the Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway. Tickets are $20.00. Lofton, an Austin-based jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader, presented the show at One World Theatre in March, with media sponsor NPR-affiliate KUT 90.5 FM. The tribute features compositions and interpretations made famous by the first great Miles Davis Quintet during 1950 – 1959 and includes selections from “Kind of Blue.”

“Listen up Miles Davis fans…” from the Austin American-Statesman and “… channels Miles Davis…” from The Daily Texan were early reviews when Lofton arrived from South Carolina in 2007 as a mostly unknown to Austin’s music scene. Word-of-mouth about his new, unique sound drew jazz fans to the debut of “Jeff Lofton’s 1950s Miles Davis Tribute” at the historic Victory Grill in September 2007. Soon his shows were being described as “…crazy good and crazy crowded…” by the Austin American-Statesman. Lofton presented the tribute again at the Scat Jazz Lounge in Ft. Worth, and in collaboration with the University of Texas’ Blanton Museum’s hosting of the touring “Birth of the Cool” exhibit.

In November Lofton released his second jazz album, “Jazz to the People.” The Austin Chronicle placed “Jazz to the People” in the list of “Top 9 Austin Albums of 2009,” and chose the Jeff Lofton Quartet as the critic’s pick for best jazz band for their annual poll. The Austin NPR affiliated, KUT 90.5, chose “Jazz to the People” as one of the “Top 10 Albums of 2009: DJ Picks.” Called “… a delightfully swingin’ affair…” by the Austin Chronicle, the self-produced album is receiving airplay from San Diego to New Orleans to Harlem and abroad.

Lofton is known in Austin for taking jazz to mainstream venues usually known for hosting blues and folk, such as Antone’s, Momo’s and the Ghost Room. In 2008 Lofton performed at the fourteenth annual Jazz at St. James Festival in Austin, which featured jazz legends Curtis Fuller and David “Fathead” Newman. In 2009 the Jeff Lofton Quartet, featuring legendary jazz vocalist Donna Hightower, opened for Javon Jackson at the Jazz at St. James Festival. In June the Jeff Lofton Quartet performed at the San Antonio Arts and Jazz Festival.

Lofton was featured in the music category of the Austin American-Statesman’s 2010 Out and About 500 list. The reader-nominated list includes 15 categories of what the paper describes as people “who are everywhere, all the time, often doing good, weaving the social fabric of Austin. Five hundred social units – couples or singles …”

Lofton’s listing includes his wife, writer/publicist Dean Lofton, and says, “Austin has elaborated a long jazz history. Yet this South Carolina couple recently gave the scene a jump start with their ubiquitous presence and articulate advocacy.”

The Music category includes nationally renowned musicians such as Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks; industry producers such as Terry Lickona of the “Austin City Limits” KLRU/PBS television show; and entertainment giants such as Charles Attal and Charlie Jones of C3. Other categories include a wide-range of names known well-beyond Austin, from Dan Rather to Willie Nelson to Gov. Rick Perry.

To honor Lofton’s contribution to the local jazz scene, Austin’s mayor proclaimed January 15, 2009, as “Jeff Lofton Day” in the live music capital of the world. The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau selected Lofton’s original, “Shana’s Song,” for the “Austin Music Vol. 8″ compilation CD, released in February 2009. The Austin American-Statesman included Lofton in the “2009 Fortunate 500: Music” list.

“Jazz to the People” includes nine original compositions and interpretations of “Georgia on My Mind”and “Crazy,” and features Alex Coke on sax, Red Young on piano, Chris Jones on bass and Masumi Jones on drums. Danielle Howle performs vocals on “Crazy.”

Lofton recorded his first jazz album, “Jazz Therapy,” in 2005, with the Jeff Lofton Quartet. The self-produced CD mixes old style be-bop with modern forms of jazz in the tradition of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane. “Jazz Therapy” includes Roland Haynes on piano, Reggie Sullivan on bass and Kenneth Salters on drums.

Born in Germany to American parents, Lofton grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, where he studied music at the University of South Carolina. Playing trumpet for over thirty years, Lofton has sat in with or shared the stage with such musical talents as guitarist Jim Mings, saxophonist Rene Sandoval, Ron Westray and Wycliff Gordon of the Wynton Marsalis septet, Fred Wesley of the James Brown horn section, Fred Hampton of the Chicago A.A.C.M., and South Carolina musicians Skip Pearson, Robert Gardner, Dr. Dick Goodwin, Dr. John Enkey, Teddy Linder and many others. Since moving to Austin he has performed with Butch Miles, Dr. James Polk, Donna Hightower, Alex Coke, Red Young, Marc Devine and Tony Campise, among others.

Lofton also works as an R&B and hip-hop producer, producing such artists as Legend and The Gutsmen. As a winner of a juried competition, Lofton was included on the South Carolina Arts Commission’s Arts in Education Roster. Lofton teaches private lessons and has lead jazz clinics for high school students in Austin.

In South Carolina, the Jeff Lofton Quartet had a strong following from a long-running Friday night residency at Meritage in the Vista, as well as performances at Mac’s on Main and at the Three Rivers Music Festival. Lofton is also well known for the Jazz Therapy Jazz Quintet featuring himself and Skip Pearson performing at the club Group Therapy. Other groups Lofton has played with include Defellas (an avant guard jazz group), Deja Voodoo (a hip-hop/jazz fusion group) and Wadada (a reggae group).

There is something for Everybody at the LoneStar Invitational!



August
13-15th

Jack & Jills (no partner necessary)
Strictly Dancing (sign up with the partner of your choice)
Competitions for Beginners to Advanced dancers (dance a routine with a professional or partner of your choice)
Workshops(only $5 each)
Social Dancing
(lots n lots)
Performances (by the best in the business)

2010-11 Concert Schedule

The Austin Symphonic Band announces its concert schedule for the 2010-11 season. The band has an exciting and full schedule, including a joint concert with the Austin Civic Orchestra in the Long Center. Details concerning venues, dates and times, if not currently available, will be provided in subsequent calendar alerts.

Fall 2010

Fall Concert in the Park
Sunday, October 3, 2010 — 7:00 pm
Zilker Hillside Theater
Zilker Park
Austin, Texas
Admission: Free The band performs its traditional fall concert in Zilker Park, featuring marches, show tunes and light classics that the whole family will enjoy. Bring a picnic basket, spread a blanket under the pecan trees, and watch the stars come out as the band showcases music as big as all outdoors!

2010 Indoor Concert Series

Joint Concert by Austin Civic Orchestra and Austin Symphonic Band
Sunday, November 21, 2010 — 3 p.m.
The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 W. Riverside Dr.
Austin, Texas 78704
Admission: $18 The Austin Civic Orchestra and the Austin Symphonic Band present a joint concert of classical music. ACO will perform pieces by Verdi, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky. Jessica Mathaes, voilin, will be the guest soloist. ASB will present the Austin premier of the Suite from the Bernstein Mass for Brass Quintet and Concert Band. Maestro Peter Bay, Music Director of the Austin Symphony, will guest conduct a selection with each group.

Mother’s Day Concert in the Park
Sunday, May 8, 2011 — 7 pm
Zilker Hillside Theater
Austin, Texas
Admission: Free
The band performs well-known selections, including marches and show tunes, that you and Mom are sure to enjoy!

Father’s Day Concert in the Park
Sunday, June 19, 2011 — 7:30 pm
Zilker Hillside Theater
Austin, Texas
Admission: Free
Marches, Broadway show tunes and band classics are sure to please Dad. Bring a picnic supper and spread out a blanket under the pecan trees at the beautiful Zilker Hillside Theater.


Bastrop Patriotic Festival
Saturday, July 2, 2011 — 8 pm
Fisherman’s Park
Bastrop, Texas
The band makes its annual appearance at this slice of Americana along the banks of the Colorado River. Marches and fireworks close out the patriotic festival.

July 4th Frontier Days Celebration
Monday, July 4, 2011 — 8 pm
Old Settler’s Park
Round Rock, Texas Enjoy free watermelon, children’s games, arts and crafts vendors and a skydiver, all leading up to the fireworks display accompanied by great patriotic music played by the Austin Symphonic Band.

COUNTRY ARTIST & HIT SONGWRITER GEORGE DUCAS
TO BRING HIS MUSIC BACK HOME TO TEXAS
WITH NEW MUSIC & LIVE SHOWS


Austin, TX — Houston native George Ducas is set to release an aptly titled soundtrack for Texas summer driving on August 17 with his new EP, VOLUME UP, WINDOWS DOWN, and its first single, “Never Goes Away,” that is starting to be played on Texas radio as Ducas begins touring the Lone Star State with shows in Houston, Austin and Lubbock.

The song was co-written by Ducas and Texas artist Randy Rogers, who enjoyed recent Top 40 country chart success with the Ducas-penned “Kiss Me In The Dark.” To introduce fans to his real country sound with a modern kick, Ducas will be initially offering the track as a free download on iTunes as well as donating proceeds from its sales to Texas Children’s Hospital.

Ducas is also a song source and co-writer for other popular Texas artists including Kevin Fowler and Eli Young Band. His composition “Always The Love Songs” became a national Top 10 country chart hit for Eli Young Band and was the top Texas music song for 2009.

“What I missed was making records and writing songs and singing them, and letting the songs breathe every night in front of crowds at shows,” Ducas explains. His appetite to get back on the road was whetted after Sara Evans invited him to open her Greatest Hits Live tour and dates last summer in Europe with Dierks Bentley that included an appearance before some 30,000 people at the prestigious Crappone Festival in France and selling out London’s legendary Borderline club.

“Working with artists like Randy Rogers, Kevin Fowler and Eli Young Band made me realize that I could get back home to Texas and do that. I’m fortunate enough to be successful as a songwriter, but for me, it doesn’t end there. I can’t be totally satisfied unless I’m out there singing my songs too.”

And there’s no better place for Ducas to do that than back in his home state where his love for music was born. “I feel like Texas is the last bastion of independent country music,” he adds. “I’m a Texan and want to be a part of it and find my own place in it.”

Raised on Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker and ZZ Top, Ducas debuted as a hit country artist in the 1990s on Capitol Records with the Top 10 single, “Lipstick Promises.” He followed it with such other hits as “Teardrops,” “Hello Cruel World,” “Kisses Don’t Lie,” “Every Time She Passes By” and “Long Trail of Tears,” and toured with Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Evans and Bentley, among others. He has since established himself as a writer of hits including the multi-week #1 single “A Real Fine Place To Start” for Evans, Radney Foster’s Top 10 hit “Just Call Me Lonesome,” and the Top 20 George Jones/Garth Brooks duet “Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In).”

Improv Comedy Classes

An Education For Your Fun

As the Hideout Theatre rounds the corner on its twelfth year as Austin’s downtown improv venue and the Out of Bounds comedy festival ramps up for year nine, one thing is clear: Austin is an improv city, and we’re not slowing down anytime soon.

The Hideout is starting Level One classes every month, easing new students into the mind-blowing world of improvisation with low-pressure games and exercises. Level Two students are fearlessly performing for friends and family after just 12 weeks of improv training. Level Three students are getting up in front of sold-out audiences every Saturday night in our hit show Maestro. Level Four and Five students are honing their craft with Austin’s premier instructors and performing on Sunday nights with some of Austin’s hottest troupes.

We even offer a FREE sample class every month for the undecided consumer.

Shake things up in 2010 with an improv comedy class — you might just surprise yourself.

For Calendar Listings and PSAs:
Name: Improv Comedy Classes at the Hideout Theatre
What: Classes, Theater, Improvisation and Comedy
When: Level One Classes starting
Saturday, August 21, 3-6pm (six-week class)
Wednesday, September 8, 7-10pm (six-week class)
Free Sample Class on Tuesday, August 10, 7-9:30pm
See the Hideout website for the full class schedule.
Price: $169, Register online at www.hideouttheatre.com or by phone at (512) H-I-D-E-O-U-T
Where: The Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Public info: (512) H-I-D-E-O-U-T or online at http://www.hideouttheatre.com
Text blurb: Have some fun this fall with an improv comedy class at the Hideout Theatre, Austin’s downtown venue for professional improvisational comedy and theater. We’ve got classes starting every month, so register now and be fearlessly performing on the Hideout stage within twelve weeks. (512) H-I-D-E-O-U-T or www.hideouttheatre.com

opening reception Saturday, August 7 from 6-8 pm | preview show online