Category : Abilene Events

A Touch of Abilene at ACL

rocketboys.jpgAbilene rock band Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys won the "Sound and the Jury" contest Wednesday night at Austin's famous Antone's nightclub, scoring them a 45-minute gig at 11:45 a.m. Friday at the kick-off of Austin City Limits, a three-day music festival. Comprised of six Abilene Christian University students -- four alumni, two current -- the Rocketboys have steadily grown their fan base over the past several years, playing concerts both around town and the country.

The Rocketboys will play at 11:45 a.m. on the Dell Stage on Friday at Zilker Park. They'll also play at 9:45 p.m. Friday at the Dell Lounge After Party at The Mohawk, and again at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Club Deville. If you're heading to ACL, be sure to stop by and show your support!

The official release party for the band's new EP, "Sing, Bird, Sing," will be 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at The GlassJar Studio, 233 Cypress, Abilene. For more information, check out the band's Myspace. com page at www.myspace.com/rocketboys.

That's my baby!

willow2.jpgI'd apologize for being away from this blog for so long, but I think I have a good reason: I've been watching "Willow." Yes, that "Willow." The one with Val Kilmer and Warwick Davis. It's the No. 1 most-rented film for the Abilene area on Netflix, and I'm so glad my fellow Abilenians share my fascination with Willow's quest to protect a child from the evil Queen-sorceress Bavmorda. There hasn't been much else to do, aside from killing crickets and trying not to be swept away by flood waters, so I, along with everyone else apparently, have turned to fantasy films to make the tedious last days of summer go by faster. Aren't we all the better for it?

Here's the rest of the Netflix most-rented list.

Local Favorites
1. Willow
2. Keeping the Faith
3. The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning
4. Nanny McPhee
5. Persuasion
6. Raising Helen
7. Are We Done Yet?
8. Unaccompanied Minors
9. Thr3e
10. Freedom Writers
11. Fantastic Four
12. Seraphim Falls
13. Yours, Mine and Ours
14. Unleashed
Danny the Dog
15. The Guardian
16. Flightplan
17. The Last Mimzy
18. Breach
19. Wild Hogs
20. Shooter
21. Norbit
22. The Night Listener
23. Ghost Rider
24. Disturbia
25. The Ant Bully


Concert Calendar

Keen.jpgWhat do the following concert dates save one have in common? The acts are all country, and the concerts aren't in Abilene. If you love country music and live out in the Big Country, congratulations. Go see Robert Earl Keen (pictured) and enjoy life. I'll stay where I am, praying for something more along the lines of alt-country to make its way West.

Keep on keeping on, A-town.

Aug. 10 — Hawk Nelson/Chris Tomlin, Rock the Desert (Midland)
Aug. 14 — Jamie Richards, Backroads Bar ‘n’ Grill (Brownwood)
Aug. 16 — Robert Earl Keen, Birdsong Amphitheatre (Stephenville)
Aug. 24 — Marty Stuart, Birdsong Amphitheatre (Stephenville)
Aug. 25 — Todd Fritsch, Backroads Bar & Grill (Brownwood); Randy Rogers Band, City Limits (Stephenville)
Aug. 30 — Diamond Rio, Abilene Civic Center
Sept. 1 — Kevin Fowler/Aaron Watson, Taylor County Expo Center
Sept. 6 — Ricky Skaggs, Birdsong Amphitheatre (Stephenville)
Sept. 7 — Django Walker, City Limits (Stephenville)
Sept. 8 — Roger Creager, City Limits, Stephenville
Sept. 14 — Jack Ingram, Brownwood Reunion
Sept. 15 — John Michael Montgomery, Brownwood Reunion; Los Lobos, Sabor (Midland)
Sept. 22 — Walt Wilkins, City Limits (Stephenville); Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Melody Mountain Ranch (Stephenville)
Sept. 28 — Kevin Fowler, Lucy Park (Wichita Falls)
Oct. 6 — Grand Funk Railroad/Lee Roy Parnell, White Buffalo Bikefest, Snyder
Nov. 10 — Bobby Flores, The Stampede (Big Spring)
* All performances are subject to change.

Buffalo Gap Builds Bridges of Love or ... Something

57_ashley_judd.jpgUPDATE: It looks like Ashley Judd won't be able to reign over the Tour de Gap next weekend after all. She had scheduled the event but probably won't make it because her race car-driving husband, Dario Franchitti, is having a good year. This saddens me.

Ashley's no stranger to West Texas; she spent 47 days at Buffalo Gap's Shades of Hope Treatment Center last year, which caused quite a stir among locals who are used to slim pickens when it comes to entertainment. (I just saw a billboard around town for a Diamond Rio concert. Score.) Scanning her IMDb filmography profile, though, I'm realizing that she hasn't been in that many movies -- or really that many good movies. Still, she's a Judd. And she was coming here. Maybe next year?

The Tour de Gap bike race and tour benefits the Food Bank of West Central Texas. The race starts at 8 a.m. and the parade is at 10 a.m. July 28.

And a Happy Fourth to You Too, KTAB!

fireworks.jpgI grew up watching the Boston Pops Fireworks show on TV. My family not being one to go to the effort to break the law by purchasing and setting off fireworks in our city's limits, each Fourth we sat back, relaxed and let the city of Boston entertain us. Two years ago when I interned in Washington, D.C., I spent the holiday on the National Mall near the Capitol and watched fireworks light up the sky over the Washington Monument. It's hard for anything remotely near Abilene to compare to that, so I haven't made the trip out to Nelson Park these past two summers for our fireworks display.

So, as I turned the TV channel to watch the Boston Pops do its thing, I was greeted to a KTAB-TV newscaster who informed me that I'd only find local coverage of Nelson Park's festivities on that station. But, he said, I was in luck: The Boston Pops show would air at 1:07 a.m., so I'd better set my DVR. Then I could watch a July Fourth fireworks show on July 5th!

Now the TV is on mute. All I can hear are the illegal fireworks being set off in/near my apartment complex (we're all doomed!), but occasional glances at the TV tell me that KTAB is killing its hour with flair, its news anchors interviewing whoever wants to be on camera to talk about their impromptu softball games and how many Old Navy July Fourth T-shirts they own.

Oh wait -- the show is starting. For the first two minutes or so, all that could be seen were a few sparks here and there, and nothing could be heard. Well, aside from the static. Somewhere, an intern is being fired.

OK, now the recorded music is playing -- off and on. I bet it's a CD of some fancy orchestra playing. Maybe one that's in Boston ...

And now I've just passed the point of cynical. Maybe if I'd had my Pops. That's all I wanted, KTAB. That's all I wanted.

You're on my List, Abilene

LoveJoy.jpgI thought we already went over this: I know what you're renting, Abilene, and it's not pretty. Almost two months ago, "Assault on Precinct 13" took the top spot as the most-rented video from the area on Netflix. I checked back in, and it appears a few lonely housewives have taken control of the family computer. It's hard to compare crap with crap, but I think the current list may be worse than May's.

The 25 most-rented movies of late, the top two of which were both directed by Michael Landon Jr.:

1. "Love's Abiding Joy"
2. "The Last Sin Eater"
3. "The Hitcher"
4. "Goal! The Dream Begins"
5. "Stay Alive"
6. "Sweet Home Alabama"
7. "An American Haunting"
8. "The Messengers"
9. "Ghost Rider"
10. "Norbit"
11. "An Unfinished Life"
12. "Jesse Stone: Night Passage"
13. "The Sandlot: Heading Home"
14. "Employee of the Month"
15. "Glory Road"
16. "Batman Begins"
17. "Until Death"
18. "Daddy's Little Girls"
19. "Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story"
20. "Charlotte's Web"
21. "Take the Lead"
22. "Firewall"
23. "Flicka"
24. "Catch and Release"
25. "House, M.D.: Season One"

Who Say's Nothing Happens on the Fringes of the Big Country?

StephenBaldwin.jpgBaldwin, Vanilla Ice shop at Stephenville Wal-Mart

Actor/born again Christian Stephen Baldwin and rapper Vanilla Ice (“Ice Ice Baby”) were spotted this week at Stephenville’s Wal-Mart, signing autographs and buying bug spray and toiletries. The youngest Baldwin brother, who returned Thursday to buy jeans, also prayed with fans. Baldwin and Vanilla Ice (real name: Rob Van Winkle) were in rodeo cowboy Ty Murray’s hometown to shoot the upcoming unscripted CMT cable television series “Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge” (premieres Aug. 10). Baldwin is scheduled to be in Snyder today for a 12-hour Christian rock music festival. — Sidney Levesque

Abilene: At Least Some of Us Have a Sense of Humor

monkscrop.jpgThe brains behind Monk's Coffee Shop, those converse-wearing hipsters who have likely incurred the wrath of the Chamber of Commerce, have released a new T-shirt style for the masses. The slogan "Only Abilene: What Happens Here, Leaves Here" should be on all signs at all entryways into the Key City. And on brochures.


MonksOld.jpg"Keep Abilene Boring: Drink More Decaf" still makes me chuckle, but this new Vegas rip-off is all too accurate. (Not to mention a possible copyright infringement lawsuit waiting to happen. Am I right? I never read for my communication law class ...) Thanks for keeping me entertained, Monks. And well-caffeinated.

Listen Closely: That's the Sound of Children's Dreams Dying

0508SaveBob2.jpgThis isn't really entertainment, but it deserves to be mentioned. Somewhere in Abilene, a child is hurting. Why? Because several unnamed someones are trying to destroy a piece of their childhood: Dinosaur Bob.

I didn't recognize the name at first, but I soon realized the hub-bub centers around the green dinosaur and orange Volkswagen Beetle perched atop The Grace Museum parking garage downtown. I don't notice it most days; it's not at eye-level and is hidden by trees from some angles (that's not snow on Bob's hat!). It's just ... there. Haven't thought much about it, but some apparently have: They want him removed. Ruining historical buildings, creating a potential safety risk and not fitting in with the city colors of dust brown, dirt brown, mud brown, tumbleweed beige and dirt red have all been offered as reasons for Bob's impending extinction. Local children have responded to the (they've got to be) geezers causing the stir: Protest.

0508SaveBob.jpgThey've painted pictures and written letters, begging that goofy-grinning Bob be spared. Rumor has it a group will gather to protest Bob's potential removal at tomorrow's ArtWalk. Take the ARN poll and let us know what you think should happen to Bob.

Can they save him in the four months that's been allotted to the Grace to remove him? Who knows. What I do know is that if your needless complaints are the reason children are painting cute pictures begging you not take away a piece of Abilene they treasure, then you have no heart. None. Blackness.

Leave Bob alone.

Concert Round-Up: Karma Edition

los_lonely_boys.jpgIt isn't often that Abilene plays host to a band that has had a major hit in the past decade, so imagine our surprise when we learned Los Lonely Boys will play at 9 p.m. tonight at Cowboys, 1850 S. Clack St. The San Angelo band is best known for its blend of rock and Tejano, 2004 self-titled album and its hit single, "Heaven." Tickets: $20

Cool fact for the day: Los Lonely Boys join Green Day, U2, R.E.M and more on Amnesty International's CD "Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur." Each artist covers a John Lennon song, with the Boys tackling "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night," which you can download on iTunes along with several other tracks before "Instant Karma" hits stores June 12. Ninety-eight percent of all revenue from downloads will go directly to Amnesty's work in Darfur. -- SC

Other concerts:

WEST TEXAS
Did you miss your chance to see rock band Chevelle (“Well Enough Alone”) in Abilene a few weeks back? The band returns to West Texas with a show Saturday at Dos Amigos, 520 W. 47th St., Odessa. Tickets available online at www.dosamigoscantina.com. — Brien Murphy

May 10 — Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Graham Central Station (San Angelo)
May 11 — Stoney LaRue, Western Heritage Classic; The Bois D’Arcs, Bostocks (Stephenville)
May 12 — Darren Kozelsky, Backroads Bar & Grill (Brownwood); Eli Young Band, Western Heritage Classic; Berry Street, Bostocks (Stephenville)
May 16 — Del Castillo, Old Kelly’s
May 19 — 10 Mile Crossing, Backroads Bar & Grill (Brownwood); Strychnyne/Thought Disorder/11th Hour Samaritan/Gundisalv, The Backroom.
May 24 — Rich O’Toole, Cowboys.

Prove Us Wrong: The Finale

050607prove.jpg

Prove Us Wrong: Those were fightin' words.

But thanks to those who were happy to help — if not so happy to hear us call Abilene boring — we spent the past month exploring many of the activities the city has to offer.

Here’s a look at our experiences as we journeyed through Abilene’s recreational options ...

Martial arts
We took two private lessons and attended a basic-level class at Premier Martial Arts, 3287 S. 14th St.

We like martial arts — a lot. Even though we aren’t very good at it, and our stances probably aren’t correct. We’re trying. Our first two trips to Premier Martial Arts had us hiding in a back room away from people who actually know what they’re doing, learning basic stances, punches, blocks, restraints and kicks from the two instructors — Sigung James Cox and James Cox (they claim no relation). We each had our strengths: Sarah is good at actually kicking and hitting people when she’s supposed to be pretending, and Erin really nailed the “Kiya!” required to punctuate a move.

Our third venture found us out in the open in a class with other beginners, all of whom were much, much better than we were. Fortunately, a group of more experienced martial artists stuck around and helped the class work on its technique. See a video of us in class (on the left-hand side), complete with shots ot us sweating, panting and having very poor motor skills/hand-eye coordination, all to the tunes of "Kung Foo Fighting." Try not to laugh too hard.

Our classes taught us that martial arts training is a confidence builder and a hearty workout — we’re still sweating. Plus, it’s interesting to train with people who could probably kill you with their pinkies. The comforting news is they’re so nice that if they did kill you, you probably deserved it.


Artwalk03.jpgArtWalk
ArtWalk takes place the second Thursday of each month in downtown Abilene and offers free admission to art galleries such as The Grace Museum, free trolley rides (yay!) and other themed activities.

We attended the April ArtWalk, where the theme was “Music for ArtWalking, and were treated to an a capella performance outside The Grace, where singers congregated to preview the 10th annual Singing Extravaganza, which was April 28 at the Paramount Theatre. ArtWalkers trolled the various downtown galleries, but the truly adventurous hopped aboard the downtown trolley to receive a scenic view of Abilene’s restored downtown buildings — and a few still in need of a makeover (pictured). (Yes, we were on the trolley. As were two other people. It was THE place to be.)

The highlight was The Grace, where we took in the National Watercolor Society’s 86th annual National Watercolor Juried Exhibition. Many of the works featured in the exhibit were award-winning; we had our favorites, but we’ll never tell. (Unless, you know, they want to sell them to us. For a reasonable price, of course.)

But the best part ever (at least for Sarah): The Grace Notes wall of sound, where she pushed numerous 5-year-olds out of the way to get up close and personal with the mosaic sound-making machine (not really). The wall is an oddly fascinating interactive treat. Once you hit one tile, you’re kind of obligated to touch all of them.


The Warehouse
You can visit this martini bar at the T&P Events Center, North 1st and Pine streets, on Thursday evenings

We stopped by the Warehouse after ArtWalk and enjoyed a liquid capper to our day of culture. This swanky lounge plays host to college students and young professionals every Thursday, but this particular day, we were its first patrons — it’s never too early to get the party started, if you ask us.

Thanks to Sarah, half of Erin’s pricey beverage ended up on Sarah’s khakis. (Maybe Erin should have opted for the $2 margaritas.) And two cups of the party mix meant for light snacking ended up in our bellies. That was one of the better parts of the evening. That stuff is good.

One of the few places in Abilene that caters specifically to the 21-35 crowd, the Warehouse was a relaxing way to end the day. For those who stick around into the later hours, there’s even live music available to take the edge off. Now that’s what we call a good time.

Continue reading "Prove Us Wrong: The Finale" »

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

0503BalletFolklorico.jpgHappy two days before Cinco de Mayo! No, it's not Mexico's Independence Day (that's Sept. 16), but it is a national holiday in Mexico that commemorates the victory of the Battle of Puebla. One of the biggest observances in the Big Country is right here in Abilene at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church. The three-day festival will include food, games, an outdoor flea market, a softball tournament and plenty of entertainment, such as a performance by the Ballet Folklorico (pictured). Each spring since 1982, members of St. Vincent church have hosted a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

What The Frak, Abilene ...

FinalDestination.jpgMy colleague pointed out to me that on the Netflix home page, he's able to see the most popular rentals picked by his fellow Abilenians. The list of titles being rented the most out of this area is disturbing at best. Take a look:

1. "Assault on Precinct 13"
2. "Final Destination 3"
3. "Mission: Impossible II"
4. "The Wicker Man"
5. "Love's Enduring Promise"
6. "Guess Who"
7. "The Ant Bully"
8. "Flight 93"
9. "Glory Road"
10. "The Nativity Story"

The list continues, and "Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow" (No. 17) makes an appearance, as does "The Shaggy Dog" (No. 21). "Inside Man" (No. 15) also makes the list, so that's the one high note, but for the most part I've officially lost faith in the movie-viewing public of my town. All you Netflixers should take a step back, reevaluate your entertainment needs and desires and think twice before asking that "See No Evil" (No. 11) be sent to your house. Stumped for ideas? Check out what Pajiba.com readers are renting. You're likely to find better suggestions than "The Wicker Man." So go ahead -- restore my hope in humanity. Please?

Concert Round-Up: Hipster Edition

AlbumLeaf.jpgThe Album Leaf will make a pit-stop in Abilene on Thursday for a gig at Monk's Coffee, 233 Cypress St. The Lymbyc Systym also will perform. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, but one Monks regular encouraged attendees to buy tickets early to ensure a seat to hear the San Diego electronic/post-rock band.

Monk's continues to grow as one of the better music venues in Abilene, serving the please-play-anything-other-than-country crowd. (I love alt country and classic country, with a bit of '80s and '90s country thrown in, but I have to draw the line somewhere.) With great coffee, "Keep Abilene Boring" T-shirts to buy and an aesthetic taken straight from garage sales and vintage stores, Monks is a welcome alternative to the usual Abilene hang-outs.

Other concerts coming up at Monks:

May 4, 7 p.m.: The Hero Factor, Quiet Company, Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys
May 5, 7 p.m.: Adam Gnade & The Confederate Yankees (Friends of Peter & the Wolf) and Listen/Listen; $3
May 7, 4:30 p.m.: Dia de los Muertos Festival: Streets of Simon Lee, O Scarlet, Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys, I Married My High School Sweetheart, At Fever Pitch, Joie De Vivre, The Walrus Brothers, Paul the Revelator, Tanktopvstanktop; $5
May 10, 8 p.m.: Teel Merrick (Amarillo indie)

-- SC

If you'd rather stick with country, head on over to Stephenville:

RayWylie.jpgBIG COUNTRY
Ray Wylie Hubbard (“Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother”) is sure making up for lost time. Mostly inactive in the recording studio for a period in the 1980s and early 1990s, he’s been producing new recordings at an impressive clip for the past decade or so. Last year saw the release of “Snake Farm.” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, City Limits, 1907 E. Washington St., Stephenville. Advance tickets: $10, available online at www.citylimitstexas.com. Tickets at the door: $12. -- Brien Murphy

Other area concerts:
May 4 — Roger Creager, Cowboys
May 5 — Bart Crow, Backroads Bar & Grill (Brownwood).
May 9 — Los Lonely Boys, Cowboys
May 10 — Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Graham Central Station (San Angelo).
May 11 — Stoney LaRue, Western Heritage Classic; The Bois D’Arcs, Bostocks (Stephenville).

A Message of Hate, Cont.

Suddenlink.JPGMany in the newsroom thought I was exaggerating when I claimed my TV was hijacked by the Weather Channel on Sunday night during the Big Country's bout of thunderstorms. On the contrary: Digital cable subscribers paid a hefty price for quality entertainment, having their TV shows interrupted by EAS alerts. Those of you who play it old-school and still use a VCR have a reason to celebrate. Those of us who spend a lot of money on TV channels and DVRs, however, got the shaft.

This isn't as bad as the time Cox Communications (which is now Suddenlink) had a tiff with a local news station and refused to air NBC for months -- forcing me to buy rabbit-ear antennas so I could watch "The West Wing" and to seriously contemplate chaining myself to the Cox offices in protest -- but it's close.

Thanks, Suddenlink. We now hate you more than ever.

Get Your Gospel On

Artwalk02.jpgThe 10th annual Singing Extravaganza, including an Abilene community-wide (multicultural) a cappella singing group, is set for 6 p.m. April 28 at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. Admission is free. ArtWalk patrons were greeted to a sneak peak of the concert two weeks ago (pictured at right), and judging from the beautiful vocals and upbeat atmosphere of the preview, Extravaganza attendees won't be disappointed.

Recording artist Wayburn Dean, former lead singer for the group, Acappella, will perform, along with Stephanie Booker, Paul Williams, Minda St. Church of Christ Choral Group, North Mississippi Mass Chorus and Abilene Community Chorus.

The event is hosted by the Minda Street Church of Christ. For more information, call (325) 676-2151 or go online at http://se.mindacoc.org or www.mindacoc.org.

Concert Round-Up

Here's a look at upcoming concerts in the area:

JasonAllen.jpgBIG COUNTRY
Today’s geography lesson: Kickapoo Creek is in Trinity County, southwest of Lufkin in east Texas. “Kickapoo Creek” is also the title of a song by country singer Jason Allen (right) that was the No. 26 song of 2006 on the Best in Texas Music magazine chart. Allen sings Thursday night at Bostocks, 1348 W. Washington St., Stephenville.

Other concerts:
Thursday — Jason Allen, Bostocks (Stephenville).
April 27 — Mike McClure, Cowboys; Shy Blakeman & Whiskey Fever, Bostocks (Stephenville).
April 28 — Miser, Old Kelley’s; Aaron Watson, City Limits (Stephenville)
May 4 — Roger Creager, Cowboys.
May 5 — Ray Willie Hubbard, City Limits (Stephenville); Bart Crow, Backroads Bar & Grill (Brownwood).

-- Brien Murphy

Check Out the New Digs

0425WEBSITECOLOR.jpgThe Reporter-News Web site just received a much-needed facelift. Now, it's easier to navigate and will hopefully serve you better. And, if you're lucky, we'll have photos of skeletons and face reconstructions every day. That's how we like to say good morning in the Big Country -- eye sockets!

Abilene is the Unboringest City Ever

FrontierTexas2.jpgErin and I are coming to an end of our Prove Us Wrong days, having already tried out several events suggested to us by Abilenians. (Read up on our solicitation here.)
Locals responded both kindly and not so kindly to our request for fun things to do in town, and both sides will be rewarded when we unveil the outcome of our adventures May 6. For now, here's a look at what we've done so far:

1. Rode the Abilene Trolley for free at ArtWalk and admired the graffiti-covered walls and abandoned buildings of downtown.
2. Pushed 5 year olds out of the way so we could play with the Grace Notes wall of sound at The Grace Museum.
3. Took private lessons at Premiere Martial Arts, learning self-defense moves and how to roundhouse kick, apologizing for accidently kicking the instructor in the thigh. Hard.
4. Were the first patrons of the night at The Warehouse martini bar, where we ate a jar and a half of mixed nuts after I spilled Erin's martini on my pants.
5. Watched a giant puppet of a man-eating plant eat ACU students in "Little Shop of Horrors" while trying to figure out what was being said by the actors. Apparently, we needed to actually sit on the stage to hear the lines.
6. Laughed until we cried in the intermission of Abilene Community Theater's "A Bad Year for Tomatoes." Was the play funny? Not at all. No, Erin reenacted her favorite sketch from "Tom Goes to the Mayor" before we were subjected to the second act. That at least made the torturous evening go a tad quicker ...
7. Ran around Frontier Texas!, being followed by elderly docents who recognized us from our Prove Us Wrong promos in the paper and chided us for daring to call their home boring.
8. Were scolded by a docent at Frontier Texas! for laughing in horror at ACTUAL HUMAN SCALPS on display. Apparently, we weren't being respectful to the spirits who've gone before us.
9. Sat in a stagecoach (pictured), which was used in "Hombre" and "The Three Amigos," at Frontier Texas! and had our picture taken.
10. Attended the final classical concert of the philharmonic's season. Don't worry, big bald guy who sat in the back and snored through Wagner and Sibelius -- you deciding to snooze during a concert wasn't distracting at all. Neither were your twin daughters who kept asking "Is it over?" Trust us, you showed plenty of class by nodding off every few minutes and staying until the end.

That's just a quick summary. Be sure to pick up the paper Sunday, May 6, for a full rundown of our events and impressions of the Key City.

This Won't Be as Horrifying

ShopofHorrors.jpgAs I sat in the dentist's chair this morning, wrapped in a blanket, wearing sunglasses (they made me) and listening to "Since U Been Gone" and "True Colors" and the like on the overhead radio, scenes from the "Little Shop of Horrors" production I saw last weekend kept popping into my head. Particularly the scene in which the abusive boyfriend dances around singing about killing puppies and choosing dentistry as his profession because it's the only way he can legally torture people (ahh, the pre-Bush administration days). Anyway, you can have a similar, albeit pain-free experience, by seeing ACU's "Little Shop of Horrors" this weekend or next. It's a tad uneven, and at times you'll be drawn out of the experience when you realize that you're watching a giant puppet of a giant man-eating plant sing, but it's got its charms.

Other plays opening tonight include Abilene Community Theater's "A Bad Year for Tomatoes" and "Murder at the Howard Johnson's" at McMurry University.

Concert Round-Up

Here's a look at upcoming concerts in the area:

GaryAllan.jpgWEST TEXAS
Country singer Gary Allan (“Life Ain’t Always Beautiful,” “Nothing On But The Radio”) has endured more than most successful musicians: his record label closed down, he followed up a promising hit single with songs that didn’t do so well, and his wife committed suicide. But Allan, pictured, also has three No. 1 hits (including “Man to Man”), and his career seems to getting better with time. He performs with Cross Canadian Ragweed and Wade Bowen. Friday, Kay Yeager Coliseum, Wichita Falls. Tickets: $33.50/ $27.50. Contact: (940) 716-5555 or www.wfmpec.com.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH
Enjoy standup comedy? Good luck finding any in Abilene. For that, you need to go to Dallas-Fort Worth, where you can laugh along with the Latin Kings of Comedy, hosted by Paul Rodriguez. 8 p.m. Friday, Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie. Tickets: $40/$35/$30, available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Other Events:
Thursday — Steve Holy, Guitars & Cadillacs
April 21 — Cross Canadian Ragweed/Reckless Kelly/Ryan James, Taylor County Expo Center; Sandi Patti, Junnell Center (San Angelo)
April 26 — Jason Allen, Bostocks (Stephenville)
April 27 — Mike McClure, Cowboys; Shy Blakeman & Whiskey Fever, Bostocks (Stephenville)
April 28 — Miser, Old Kelley’s; Aaron Watson, City Limits (Stephenville); Hurt Street, Bostocks (Stephenville)

-- Brien Murphy

This is how we roll in West Texas

NoSmoking.jpgFor months now, the citizens in Abilene have been in an uproar over the newly created smoking ordinance, which bans smoking in most public places and businesses and requires residents to stand 20 feet away from a building's entrance if they're going to smoke. Opponents of the ban tried to garner enough signatures for a petition to have the City Council overturn the ordinance, but failed spectacularly. Now Abilene police are laying down the law. The following story made our front page today, and found its way onto the Texas AP wire. Enjoy:

Man jailed for allegedly violating smoking ban
ABILENE, Texas (AP) — One West Texas city is really serious about its smoking ban.

Just ask Brian Wayne Hendrix, who was arrested and jailed on an outstanding warrant for smoking in public. Hendrix, 44, said he was “flabbergasted” by the arrest, which came after an officer pulled him over Tuesday morning on a traffic stop.

“I never thought I’d be going to jail for smoking a cigarette, but I’d do it again,” said Hendrix, who was released from the Taylor County Jail after posting $150 bond Tuesday afternoon.

The city’s smoking ban that went into effect Jan. 3 prohibits smoking in most public places and businesses. Hendrix is the first person in Abilene to be arrested on a warrant for smoking in a public place, Assistant Police Chief Mark Moore said.

“If we go to a place where there are a lot of people smoking with no regard to the smoking ban ordinance, we will enforce it,” Moore said. “As long as it’s law, we ask that they comply.”

Teresa Borcik, Municipal Court administrator, said Hendrix was cited for smoking in a public place on Feb. 24 and had 10 days to appear in court to contest the charge or to pay the $150 ticket. When he didn’t show up, an arrest warrant was issued March 6, she said.

Hendrix said he has been smoking since he was a teenager.

“As long as it is legal to smoke, I am going to keep smoking. I’m not going to quit any time soon,” he said. “I think they are just trying to make more money for the city by messing with the smokers.”

Abilene: A Can-Doo City

Just when you think there's nothing to do in Abilene.

Certainly there's been some hearty debate on this very blog recently as to whether the city is a big toilet (feel free to duke it out readers -- I'll play referee), but there's very little argument that it will soon be home to a whole bunch of little ones.

That's right, fellow Abilenians -- the International Portable Potty Board Meeting will be held here in 2008. If, like me, you didn't even know such a thing existed, this bit of information is educational on so many levels. Not only is the Portable Sanitation Association International real, it also brings "80 to 100 people to town." Which means there are 80 to 100 people in the world who care so much about traveling toilets, they journey to various locations across the globe to discuss it (a sewage safari, if you will.) Which is kind of amazing, you have to admit.

Midnight Rodeo: The Review

MidnightRodeo.jpgActing on the desire to prove ourselves wrong, we decided to show that there's plenty to do in Abilene, namely to attend the opening of Midnight Rodeo (stop laughing), on the corner of South 2nd and How Did My Life Get This Way. Unfortunately, we like to go to clubs at a desirable hour in the evening -- you know, like when the sun has actually set. We arrived at about 11:15 p.m. to find the kind of line last seen in post-Communist Russia. While we'd like to tell you all about the club, we can only tell you about the sidewalk. We hope you enjoy.

Erin: Hey, Sarah, what did you think of the sidewalk at Midnight Rodeo?

Sarah: Well, Erin, it was cold. And hard. And smoke-filled. And below freezing.

Erin: I thought it was magical in that enchanting-melding-of-pleather-spandex-and-puffy-down-vests kind of way. It's rare to see all three fabrics in one place. Other than the thrift store.

Sarah: I agree. I especially dug the Batman baseball cap the Creepy Older Man next to me in line wore. It really stood out against the night sky as he kept elbowing me for no reason. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

Erin: When did Creepy Older Men become its own demographic? They're everywhere. Make it stop! But that's an aside. I think what we really learned from the sidewalk is that if we don't want to stare at it all night, perhaps we should arrive sometime around 4 p.m.

Sarah: Touché. Apparently the alternatives our fellow club-goers opted for, after giving up on standing in line, were IHOP, the nearby club Stairs or loudly demanding someone pull their car up to the curb and turn their music up so they could dance. We all want to hear "some young Jay-Z" every now and then, don't we?

Erin: No, not really.

Continue reading "Midnight Rodeo: The Review" »

Oh, Thank Heaven?

BigGulp.jpg The big news in Abilene is the sale of Skinny's, that corner store staple, to 7-Eleven, the home of the Slurpee, for a whopping $70 million. To those of you who'll mourn the loss of Skinny's Big Swig, you're not alone. My brother paused while at work in L.A. to remember his college days in Abilene:

"How are kids supposed to have [a college] experience without 79-cent Big Swigs in the summer? Being outside at dusk in Texas is probably one of the best things ever, and if you're driving to Skinny's with a friend to get a Big Swig before heading over to a [friend's] house to watch TV, it's unbeatable."

Our colleague, Brian Bethel, decided to throw his two cents in on how 7-Elevens will introduce Abilenians to a whole new world of flavor. For those of you who keep Kosher, here's a handy Web site he found that provides a list of acceptable Slurpees. For all of us, it's time to get used to the Big Gulp.

Now, on to Bethel's take:

Brian Bethel Would Like a Slurpee, Please
The advent of 7-Eleven should introduce a whole new world of flavor and color to the tired palates of Abilene convenience store connoisseurs.

Consigned to the grave is plain-Jane java. Dashed to the unforgiving earth standard sandwiches. Rejoice, for a new age of snack-smacking goodness and frozen iced beverages is nigh:

The Slurpee. Oh, there are imitators. Pretenders to the throne. Those who would wrest the frosted crown from the One, True King. But none, none shall stand against the original “icy concoction” that comes in flavors ranging from Birch Beer to Shrekalicious to Kryptonite Ice.

Who knew that the potent bane of the Man of Steel, the Man of Tomorrow, the Last Son of Krypton was oh-so flavorful, so lime-like?

Soon you will. And we’ll just call you “Lex.”

Continue reading "Oh, Thank Heaven?" »

Abilene art: Kids paint the darndest things

In the March 1 edition of the Abilene Reporter-News, two new youth exhibits are highlighted: the Youth Art Month exhibit at the Grace Museum, located on 102 Cypress St., and the Visual Arts Scholastic Event at the Center for Contemporary Arts, located at 220 Cypress St.

The exhibits celebrate the creativity and vision of children, whose spirits have not yet been crushed by the demands of corporate America. Sure, in a few years they'll be soaking canvasses in black paint and calling them "My Soul." But for now, they use a spectrum of colors to create actual portraits. It's beautiful. So check it out.