October 9th, 2009
Weekend: Books, pumpkins, football, Autumn

The affable Max Stalling plays at the Cheatham Street Warehouse Saturday.

By HAP MANSFIELD
Scene Editor

It’s hard to find any continuity in the world these days. Olivia Newton What? Geri Hali-huh? Britney who? Fame, which has always been a fleeting flash fire, now hardly lasts as long as a kitchen match.

There used to be cultural threads that tied us together. We all had to watch the same three or four networks so we saw pretty much the same television. The radio stations played the same rotation so repetitively that we all knew the lyrics to songs we didn’t even like. If you can sing the lyrics to “The Night Chicago Died,” raise your hand.

There are very few threads in the mass culture that hold us together the same way now. Fast food, Paul McCartney, SpongeBob and Sean Connery. That’s about it. And Barbra Streisand. Did you know she knocked Mariah Carey and Paramore off the Billboard charts, debuting her new album at No. 1?

We’re not saying you’ll like the threads that tie us together any more than you liked Paper Lace (the band that sang the aforementioned tune about Chicago). We’re just saying that if we create these threads maybe we should give a little more thought to it. We don’t think anyone wants Paris Hilton to be common ground for conversation.

You can tie together a few cultural threads of your own this weekend with a plethora of activities bound to please almost anyone. Here are just a few suggestions.

Friday, October 9

It’s the first day of the San Marcos Friends of the Library used book sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the VFW Hall on Hunter Road. Today hardback books are $2 and paperbacks are $1. While the books are spendier (if you can call a good deal like that “spendy”) the choice is a bit better.

The San Marcos Public Library, 625 East Hopkins Street, will have its free yoga class today at 5 p.m. with Certified Sivananda yoga instructor Tina Baumgartner. If you’ve ever tried to practice yoga without an instructor, you know how important a guiding teacher can be. Bring a towel or blanket to sit upon and wear loose clothing for flexibility.

One hesitates to use the term Beatles-esque because it is both a daunting label to equal and a limiting one to describe a band with such a wide range of styles, but the Bill Jerram Band is equal to the epithet. Jerram’s voice is pure pop gold and his band grooves seamlessly with him. Jerram is the early gig at 6 p.m. at Triple Crown (206 North Edward Gary) and listening is a great way to start out the weekend.

The Texas State volleyball Bobcats host the Texas-Arlington Mavericks tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum. It’s a “pink” breast cancer awareness night, and all fans wearing pink will get into the match at a $2 discounted ticket price. This is a very good deal, since general admission is only $5, if pink doesn’t go with your outfit. A live auction will be held from 6 p.m. to the start of the third set. The Bobcats are coming off a couple of recent losses, so they’ll be hungry for a win.

There are actually on-line bingo games, but where, we ask you, is the fun in that? Bingo has always been a social game, and you can enjoy it tonight at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley VFW (Veterans Park on Jacobs Well Road.) Equally enjoyable is something you could never get online, the concessions sold by the lovely gals of the Ladies Auxiliary.

You can see a free screening of the extraordinary documentary “Breaking the Maya Code,” at 7 p.m. in Room 157 of Centennial Hall on the Texas State campus. The movie on the deciphering of Mayan script is twice as long as the PBS version that aired on KLRU earlier this year. The screening is in conjunction with the Texas State workshop on Mayan hieroglyphics this weekend.

Texas State’s women’s soccer team will host the Lamar Cardinals tonight at the Bobcat Soccer Complex tonight at 7 p.m. Should be an interesting game as the Bobcats are on a four-game winning streak.

On the high school football front, we have the Hays Rebels playing Elgin tonight at Bob Shelton Stadium (4209 Jack C. Hays Trail). It’s Little Rattlers Night at Bobcat Stadium, where the San Marcos Rattlers will face Kerrville Tivy. San Marcos Baptist Academy will play an away game at San Antonio Christian tonight hoping to regain  momentum. It’s homecoming for Wimberley High School, which faces Canyon Lake at 7:30 p.m.

The main stage of the Theatre Center at Texas State hosts the play “Big Love,” the Charles Mee play based on “The Suppliants” by Aeschylus. It’s a tale of 50 brides who rebel against arranged marriage in a very unusual way. Let’s put it this way: Quentin Tarantino’s got nothing on Mee or Aeschylus. Mee’s update places them in Italy, and the play makes some interesting points about love and power. The play is directed by Caleb Straus. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the box office in the Theatre Center, located at the corner of Moon Street and University Drive.

You know those sculptures and pictures of Julius Caesar, where he seems to have the Moe Howard haircut? Well, it turns out, Caesar may have invented the comb-over. He combed his hair forward to conceal his receding hairline and he took quite a bit of razzing about it from his peers. His hair, however, is the least of his problems in the Emily Ann Theatre’s (1101 FM 2325) production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The conspirators start their plotting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.

Neil Simon’s “Rumors” starts out with four couples arriving for an anniversary dinner in the upscale home of the deputy mayor and his wife. They find no food, no servants and a barely conscious host and a missing hostess. Then, the really strange stuff starts to happen. The Wimberley Players present this uproarious farce at the Wimberley Playhouse (450 Old Kyle Road) tonight at 8 p.m.

Music abounds tonight, as always, and it’s going to be the usual tough choice as to where to go. The golden-voiced Molly Hayes will be at Wake the Dead Coffeehouse (1432 RR 12) at 7 p.m. tonight. She is a very gifted musician and a delight to the ear. Chad Thomas and the Crazy Kings will take you back to the days of Sputnik and hula hoops with their crazy rockabilly beat at Riley’s tonight (8894 FM 1102). Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros can harmonize like the angels when they’ve a mind to, and they no doubt will at the Cheatham Street Warehouse (119 Cheatham Street) at 9:30 p.m.

At Triple Crown tonight, you will feel a little like you are in a Fellini film co-written by David Lynch. The bands are delightfully strange and amazing. Winter Dance Party’s Johnny Demonic (yeah, not his real name) has a killer voice and it’s hard to dislike a band that can legitimately incorporate the violin. The Organics list The Mars Volta as influences and you’ll hear a bit of that in their work. It’s hard to dislike a band that can legitimately incorporate horns. Black Water Revival is the illegitimate spawn of Dada and rock. All in all, a most interesting evening of rock.

The Gray Horse Saloon has a double barreled shotgun of good old, foot-stompin’ punky, plucky bluegrass. The always-delightful Fish Fry Bingo will delight you with homespun harmonies and carefree spirit. The band is a joy. Now, add to that the incredible Crystal Creek boys, and you’ve got a don’t-miss gig. When the Crystal Creek Boys play the “Pulled Pork and Beans Blues,” it’s so good you’ll want to slap your mama. So, uh, don’t bring your mom with you tonight, just in case.

Saturday, October 10

Spring out of bed this morning and head on over to the Rummage Sale on Davis Lane across from McCoy’s new corporate headquarters. There will be toys, books, clothing, household goods, office stuff and more. The sale starts at 8 a.m.

At 10 a.m., the awesome Pet Fest begins in San Marcos Plaza Park (401 East Hopkins Street) with a blessing of the pets. The admission to this celebration of pets is just a donation of dry pet food. Properly restrained animals with nice manners are welcomed. The event is sponsored by the San Marcos Animal Shelter and Prevent A Litter (PAL) of Central Texas.

A pet wash will be in place, as will a photo booth to get a picture of your perky clean pet. Adoptable pets from the shelter will charm you. There will be all sorts of fun things like dancing dogs, contests, music, prizes, vendors, happy kids, pets — come on, it’ll make you smile! The festivities will go on all day until 6 p.m.

The Wimberley Pumpkin Patch (110 Old Kyle Road) is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Do not think this is all pumpkin and no pie. There are a variety of things to do aside from buying a pumpkin. Face painting, a petting zoo, train rides, a puppet workshop and seasonal foods will make you fall for this event. Get it? Fall? (Oh come on, it wasn’t that bad of a joke.)

It is day two of the Friends of the San Marcos Library book sale at the VFW Hall from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Today the prices are $1 for hardbacks and 50¢ for paperbacks. All proceeds from the sale benefit the San Marcos Public Library. You can always use another book. Who knows what treasures you’ll find?

The Collective Art Studio and Gallery (411 River Road, Wimberley) is having its first arts and crafts fair out on their lawn from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many interesting and unique pieces of art will be available just in time to start your shopping for Christmas. Yes, it’s coming up faster than you think.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the San Marcos Activity Center (501 East Hopkins Street) will be the site of the Education Fair sponsored by Seeking Opportunities, Achieving Results (SOAR). More than 50 organizations will provide information about social services, tutoring, college access and other educational support services.

Each attendee will be presented with an Education Passport, and, after visiting the booths, the passports can be turned in for a free drawing with prizes. This event is a service for families who have children of all ages.

The Texas State Bobcats face Southeastern Louisiana today on Jim Wacker Field at fabulous Bobcat Stadium (2 p.m.). The Bobcats have a good track record with the Southeastern Lions. This is the thirteenth time they have met on the gridiron, and the Bobcats won the twelve previous times. It’s Family Weekend at Texas State, so there will be a great halftime show by the world famous Texas Strutters, who are celebrating their 50th year. General Admission tickets are only $13.

Thunderhill’s Stock Car Spectacular takes place today after being rained out Friday. The grandstand opens at 3 p.m. The opening ceremonies start at 5 p.m. The races are many, varied and often, heart stopping. Super stocks, dwarf cars and pro trucks are just a few of the featured events.

The Tom Teboe Band is picking up quite a stellar reputation locally. The band will play at the Geronimo VFW (6808 SH 123 in beautiful downtown Geronimo. The Saturday dance is a benefit for the VFW’s veteran’s programs. Tickets are $7. Call (830) 303-9903 for reservations, or get there early to grab a table. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Caleb Straus-directed “Big Love,” playwright Charles Mee’s update of Aeschylus, will be presented at the Theatre Center at Texas State. Fifty brides mean big trouble for 49 grooms. In many ways, it’s like a John Woo production. You can see what we mean by that at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Bar 141 (141 East Hopkins Street) will have a 3D light show extravaganza with music and 3D glasses. The whole thing will be pretty trippy. Fulton Read, Funkotron, The Couch, Zlam Dunk and Newlywed will provide the music. The event is sponsored by StudyBreak Magazine and KTSW-FM. Tickets are $10. The doors open at 8 p.m.

The Emily Ann Theatre will prove that Caesar is more than just a delicious salad tonight with its production of Julius Caesar at 8 p.m. The Wimberley Players will try to get at least a salad at a dinner party gone awry in “Rumors” at the Wimberley Playhouse, also an 8 p.m. start.

Tonight’s music includes the awesome Joel Hoffman Band at Riley’s and Ian Lee at Wake the Dead. Both shows start at 8 p.m. The Southside Ramblers ramble into the Gray Horse tonight around 10 p.m.

Max Stalling, who will be at the Cheatham Street tonight, isn’t just good, he’s downright likeable. He plays with an affable ease that charms the soul. The music starts at 9:30 p.m.

Ty Chandler writes and sings remarkably catchy songs. With the Vela family manning the guitar and drums and James McCullough on bass, Gleeson is a show stopping act. The hooks are engaging but the band doesn’t rest on that alone. They will refresh your ears at Triple Crown tonight. Appearing on the bill with them is appealing country rocker Clay Nightingale and the heartfelt Bryce Clifford.

Sunday, October 11

The Wimberley Pumpkin Patch will go from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Face painting, fall foods and a ride on a toy train will delight you and your kids on a pleasant autumn Sunday afternoon.

There is music to start your day by at Wake the Dead Coffee House with Scotty and Friends from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. After that, Lavonne’s Tarot Church at 1 p.m. will see what’s in the cards as you sip your cuppa.

It’s the last day for the Friends of the Library Book Sale and now, they’re gettin’ serious. You can get a bag full of books for a mere $3. Now, that’s what we call a literal value.

Closing out Family Weekend is the Texas State women’s soccer team’s game with McNeese State today at the Bobcat Soccer Complex. It might be a lovely day to get outside and see some rousing sports. The action starts at 1 p.m.

Don’t forget to see the remarkable exhibit, “A Tejano Son of Texas,” at the LBJ Museum (131 North Guadalupe Street) which celebrates the life of Jose Policarpo “Polly” Rodriguez. He was, in his extraordinary lifetime, a scout, a Texas Ranger, a rancher and a preacher. The exhibit celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and it will only be here until Oct. 15. Might be a nice day to have a look-see. The museum’s Sunday hours are 1-5 p.m.

“Big Love,” the Caleb Straus-directed play at Texas State, has a 2 matinee today on the main stage of the Theatre Center. The play says a lot about love and marriage with a very twisted ending.

The Wimberley Players reprise their production of Neil Simon’s “Rumors” at 2:30 p.m. at the Wimberley Playhouse. The play is sure to tickle your funny bone.

Put on your red dress or your bolo tie and head over to the Geronimo VFW in beautiful downtown Geronimo for the Sunday dance from 3-6:30 p.m. Klassic Kountry Gold will supply the katchy kounterpoint for your dancing pleasure. A $5 donation will be taken at the door to benefit the VFW’s many veteran’s programs.

Evans Auditorium hosts Texas State’s Choral Collage at 3 p.m. The event features the Texas State Chorale, the University Singers, men’s Chorus, and women’s Chorus. Tickets for the event are $5 general admission and $3 for students and seniors.

The dulcet tones of the Ash Family will regale listeners at the Cheatham Street Warehouse from 4-8 p.m. They are always a delight for the ears. There is something very comforting in the tones of the Ash Family.

The music building’s recital hall on the campus at Texas State is going to be a very busy and exciting place today. At 2 p.m., Stephanie Vogler will give her senior clarinet recital. The recital is free. At 6 p.m., the Faculty Guest Artist Series will present “A Joint Battering,” the percussion recital with Kari Klier and Sherry Rubins. Admission to the event is $5.

Bob Steine, at Wake the Dead Coffee House, is available to give you a nice chair massage today from 4-7 p.m. You could probably use a delicious coffee drink and a massage. Who couldn’t?

At 8 p.m. at that busy Music Building recital hall, Ozgur Elgun will give a cello recital. Elgun is part of the Guest Artist Series at Texas State. He is the director of the Mederes Conservatory in Turkey. Admission is $5. It should be worth every penny, and then some.

If you feel like making a little music yourself, the mics are open at Riley’s and Triple Crown. For those who want a taped back-up band, there is always karaoke at the Gray Horse.

Oh, and there’s some football on tonight, we’ll wager.

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