Notes from Austin, Volume 2 #16

Including

Things to do this week

Michael Bramon is going to sue me

Hanging with the Lube TV guys

I am watching way too much TV

Facial hair blues

More letters from fans...

Casino el Camino

Atomic Cafe

The Dobie

Bob Ray at Cannes

Punchy

Natural Selection

Jason Lee of the Agency tells me how to pay Lars

Kyle Henry

The Sons of Hercules

Cinemaker Co-op MAFIA

Wyatt Phillips' feature film "Some Place New"

and more assorted e-mails and stuff

Ongoing

Mondays - Casino el Camino - Happy Hour all night w/ DJ

Thursday - Atomic Cafe - Service Industry Night

thru 5/14 - Love Letters (w/ Joan Collins, Stacy Keach) - Paramount

thru 5/14 FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH - MIDNIGHT (5/13 & 14, 4:30p) - Alamo Draft House

thru 5/21 - The Music Man (with Larry Gatlin) - Palmer Aud.

thru-6/4 - Pride's Crossing - Zach Scott Theater

5/12- Films Released Nationwide

CENTER STAGE (PETER GALLAGHER)

SCREWED (NORM MACDONALD, DANNY DEVITO)

BATTLEFIELD EARTH (JOHN TRAVOLTA)

HELD UP (JAIMEE FOXX )

HAMLET (ETHAN HAWKE, KYLE MACLACHLAN) (NY/LA)

5/12- Films Released in Austin

TimeCode (dir-Mike Figgis) - Arbor 7

42 Up (dir-Michael Apted) - Dobie

5/12 - Bruce Cockburn - TX Union Ballroom, UT

5/12 - Scabbs - Lazona Rosa

5/12 - Lucid Dementia CD Release w/ Hubble

5/12 - Sun Ra Arkestra - Mercury@Jazz

5/12 - SkateNigs - Backroom

5/12 - Omar and the Howlers - Mother of Pearls

5/12-5/14 - Yoko Ono presents John Lennon's Art - Omni

5/12-5/18 - The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover - Dobie

5/12-5/13 - South Korean Cinema - MFA Houston

5/13 - Pushmonkey - Lazona Rosa

5/13 - Antone's Blues Fest - Waterloo Park (not free)

5/13 - SXSW Garage Sale - 1000 E. 40th St.

5/13 - Emo's Anniversary Party

5/13 - Red Eyed Fly - Pocket FishRMen, Squat Thrust, Punkaroos

5/13 - Bob Scnieder - Antones

5/13 - Toni Price - Mangos

5/14 - TWIN PEALS EXTRAVAGANZA 3 - EPISODES 6-9 - 9:30 PM - Alamo Draft House

5/14 - Joe Walsh - Stubbs

5/14 - Kitty Willis/Will Sexton Trio - Speakeasy

5/16 - Blink 182, Bad Religion - Erwin Center

5/16 - Bob Scnieder - Antones

5/16 - Ray Price Autograph Signing - Waterloo Records

5/16 Punchy - Instant Karma (Houston)

5/16 - Dave Berry - LBJ Library

5/16 - Top Hat - Paramount - 7:15pm

5/16 - Douglas Sirk Film Series - Paramount - Magnificent Obsession - 9:30pm

5/16 - VIDEOS Released Nationwide

CRADLE WILL ROCK

THE END OF THE AFFAIR

FELICIAS JOURNEY

THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH

5/17-5/18 - Born Yesterday/The Owl and the Pussycat - Paramount

5/17 - Titz - Emos

5/18 - Bob Long - Emos

5/18-20 - STRANGE BREW - MIDNIGHT- Alamo Draft House

http://www.imusic.com/soundtracks/music/200cigarettes.html

http://porlared.com/cinered/cine/peliculas/P286.html

http://home4u.hongkong.com/entertainment/music/moviemusic/soundtrack/200cigar.html

http://darkhorizons.com/1999/200cig/200cign.html

There were a few people there including some folks I hadn't met before. John introduced me to three guys named Satyn, Chris and "The Face." They were in the midst of a discussion about a project they were developing that was some sort of oddball superhero comic book take-off thing. I'm not sure if it was meant to be a short film or a feature or a continuing serial exactly. They had some really interesting characters created. I won't spoil all of them but one was "Unseen Mute Man" which I thought was kinda amusing. Others were funny as well. Before the whole conversation was over, I think John, Zaphod and myself had all talked ourselves into roles in the thing. I am going to be a villain called The One Ton Terror. Looking forward to that. I hope we get to work on this for real. It sounded fun and amusing and these three guys were all quite agreeable fella.

John is also working with them on some sort of commercial spoof he is going to shoot. I think I'm going to get to be involved in that. Let's just say I'd be perfect for it as it is about a meat product. It should be fun if it gets off the ground.

Eventually when it was just me, Zaphod, John, and RoyBoy left hanging out, we watched a bit of "Urgh! A Music War," a new wave movie from the early 80's which features concert performances of about 20 or 30 new wave acts from across America and the States. Zaphod likes the segment where Gary Numan does "Down in the Park," and I can't say as I blame him. Numan rides around in a little cart through the smoke on the stage, deadpans the song and looks oh-so serious and fey and maudlin. It's very wonderful.

When it was down to just me and John, we kept drinking beers and talking about the Austin Film Festival. John is going to be involved again this year but in a different capacities. Apparently there is a lot going on behind the scenes at AFF and a lot of things will change. I know for a fact that Diane Murray is not involved this year. I assume, however, this is her own choice. I can't really comment on much of this as John is obviously hesitant to discuss much of it with me. I do hope things work out well for him there. He is an awesome asset to the fest and he works his ass of for really no money. He deserves a lot of credit for the success of the event last year and I'm sure he will do an outstanding job this year as well. Why doesn't some other festival snap him up and put him to work? He knows more about this town and films and what goes on here than anyone I have met yet. And he's a great guy. He deserves a shot at some real responsibility and real reward for his efforts.

Of course, people probably think I am saying this because I want to ride in on his coattails on some of his future achievements. Nope. John's the kind of guy that you don't have to brown-nose. I don't think it matters if he likes you personally. If he likes your work, he will get behind it. No matter what it is, film, TV, music, art, web page, whatever. The awesome truth is that he's easy to buddy up to. And we have lots in common with many similar tastes in films, music, pop culture, art...

BTW - Murray now works for anteye.com and I think you can see John's film "Manifesto" on their site.

That's a problem with college aged guys these days. That stupid beard thing. They just grow hair in the weirdest places. Like, on the chin only. Or a beard without a mustache or a beard and mustache but no sideburns. How long before they start dying them different colors or shaving racing stripes in them or god knows what. I am yet to see a guy with this sort of anti-beard facial hair that did anything for me. It's just unattractive. How many times have I seen a cute guy from the side or something and then they turned around and they've got that little under the chin goatee thing working spoiling their cute-ness. It's such a cockblocker.

Bowie's "Earthling"

ELO's Greatest Hits

Pansy Division - Pile Up

Pocket FishRMen - Heroes of Perversion

Bowie's "David Live" - Earl Slick's guitar solo on "Moonage daydream" is still one of the most awesome things I have ever heard. The last time I heard anything about Slick, Houston radio DJ Dayna Steele, who seems to have (explicative deleted) every rock star from here to China, told me he was selling real estate in the southwest somewhere. Arizona or New Mexico or something. This was probably in 1994 or so.

On my nighstand:

Patti Smith's "Babel"

UT's new student magazine "Orange"

IFC's new magazine "Rant"

>From: R C >To: lodger@filethirteen.com >Subject: This is about your reviews >Date: Thu, 4 May 2000 21:23:22 -0700

I think you're reviews are very biased in your reviews, and judge things on appearance and the stars. You gave the beach a good because of Leonardo Dicaprio. If you ACTUALLY PAYED MORE ATTENTION DURING THE MOVIE, then you would see that it should not have gotten an A- for your reasons. Also, you gave The Talented Mr. Ripley an F because of how it is "anti-gay." This shows that you only judge movies on how they offend you, not how good the movie is. Just because you are gay, doesn't mean you have to be so heterophobic.

And I reply...

Movie reviews ARE biased. It isn't journalism. It's criticism. And unlike many of the other so-called critics in the world, I share my life with you on my site. I admit freely and openly that I am a gay guy and that this is, most assuredly, going to flavor my opinions. If you want the namby-pamby pissy rantings of all the white-bred closeted queens who review film, you have plenty of other options. I would like to think that my criticisms are an unusual and unique viewpoint that you aren't going to get anywhere else. If you want "the norm..." filethirteen is not for you...

I liked "The Beach" as a movie. Did you really read the review? It's a good, solid film. Only a few minor flaws. Dicaprio is a good actor. And let's face it... Would people have paid to see it if Louie Anderson or one of the fat kids from "Freaks and Geeks" were the star? Doubtful. In marketing, you sell the sizzle, not the steak. How did the marketing department try and sell "The Beach?" Dicaprio half naked and wet. That is the "sizzle." That's why the majority of people who went to see it plunked down $7.00. That and Danny Boyle. I don't think Dicaprio fans or Boyle fans (and I am both) were disappointed.

Conversely, "Ripley" is a piece of crap film. It is flawed. That only makes it easier to dislike it's rampant homophobia and stereotypes. If the film had been riveting... Like "Silence of the Lambs," then it's political incorrectness might have been forgivable. Check out the review of "28 Days" to see how I respond to a film with a homophobic flaw that I forgive....

So - in answer to your condemnation... I DO PAY ATTENTION DURING THE MOVIES. The review for "The Beach" talks about the other actors, the cinematography, the music, the plot, the writing... Is there something else you would like commentary on? Set design? Craft services? The credit's sequences?

As for your final comment... Heterophobic... Hmmm... I may have to give you that one... I do judge people by their sexual orientation and, as a generality, don't find much to like about most straight people... Again... as a generality.

I think I'll plead "no contest" to that one... Thank you for making me think about myself and allowing me to see myself through someone else's eyes. Heterophobic... Yes... perhaps I am...

Perhaps with reason. Perhaps with reason.

After about an hour I went over to the Atomic Cafe. I have wanted to go here for a while. It was supposed to be an "Industrial" night but it looked more like Goth night to me. I was wearing my blue jean shorts, a black T and a dog choke chain, so I felt like I fit in. A lot of the guys were dressed Goth with those vampyre shirts with the frilly cuffs and stuff. They look so silly. Haven't they seen the SNL Goth skit? They look like Chris Kittan clones. Anyway, it was a pretty nice place and there were some cute guys there. It got busier as the night went on. At one point the DJ played "Warm Leatherette" and Gary Numan's "Cars" which was cool. Most of the other songs sounded like Bauhaus and Cabaret Voltaire wannabees. After I got pretty tanked I danced a bit by myself, hung out in the shadows and looked creepy and then left.

Atomic Cafe had signs up for fetish nights on Wednesdays. Might go and check that out sometime. There was also some guy there sitting at some tables by the bar who was working on their website. Not sure what that was about.

Andy Kim's "Rock Me Gently" was on the jukebox

and so was George McCrae

"Rock Your Baby" was B13

Pinball machine - or was there two?

A air hockey table and a table for pool

All I needed was a pocket full of quarters

Summer gave me the time

And you were there

and you were on my mind

Cute short shorts and purple knit top

An angel face and a blonde hair mop

and my heart feels it

feels like it's in love

and I will become addicted

to this feeling

of being in love

Feel it in my heart

My heart hurts at night

when your not here

transistor radio on my pillow

ear plug in my ear

AM radio in my mind

and you in my mind's eye

dreaming but not sleeping

and your so far away

but seeming so close right now

so right

so close now

The trees in the breeze

green leaves and dog's bark

like boring family snapshot

of picnics and backyard tunes

can't duplicate the smell

of the freshness of the air

and the freshness of your hair

my nose in yr hair

your smile in my neck

kiss so tenderly

like the touch of yr fingers

lay down with me

lay down beside me in the grass

turn up my 8-track

that I take every where

"Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane"

but we're together here

and now

we're together now

on this last, lost afternoon

My t-shirt has a stop sign

but I don't want you to see it

I take it off and hold you

and you take yours off too

and we dream as we kiss

that there is more than this

a lifetime of skin ahead of us

but none of it surpasses

this moment of innocence

this first moment of passion

this physical action

never abrupt

we move cool

like a song by Pablo Cruise

we kiss with the tenderness

of Beegees harmony

breeze in the trees

and green green leaves

trembling in the breeze

guitar and bass, piano and drums

and a voice so loud and clear

sings to me

and sings to you

and fills my heart with you

and you are here

now

tomorrow close the curtain

back home in my darkened room

I turn up my turntable

drop the needle on the arm

(years before that would mean something new to me)

still young and fresh and clean

"Daniel is leaving tonight on a plane"

and you are too

but in a green station wagon

tears run down my face

Mother yells my name

I answer through the door

got to get ready for more

more normal

as if nothing were new

my heart will get used

my heart will get used to loss

I don't want to leave my lonely room

with memories of you here

but I put on my white t-shirt

with a stop sign appliqué

my newly faded bluejeans

peace sign patch sewn on the thigh

Mother's nimble fingers

somehow understand the times

this time

dry my tears

drag a brush through my long hair

looking in my mirror

dreaming I see you behind me

reflected in the mirror

I smile at the thought

turn off the bathroom light

and walk

meet my family at the car

get in the back door

and drive with them to the store

to buy pencils and pens

protractor for the sky

"Are you ready for Junior High?"

On the outside "Yeah..."

On the inside I don't know

transistor radio

ear plug in my ear

alone in the backseat

alone in our car

we drive back home

"Rock me gently

rock me slowly

take it easy

don't you know

that I have never been loved like this before..."

Tomorrow I go back to the building

designed by my father

designed for learning

lodger2000

It was brilliant and riveting television. It was tough and challenging and mind-boggling and intense. Wow. Let's hope they continue to do these. Let's make nerdy kids TV stars and reward them for their intelligence and scholastic achievement. Let's hope they never "Dumb it down." Perhaps it is not ideal to place the Warholian spotlight on children so young. But better this than "Jerry Springer" or MTV or "Teen Hollywood Squares."

So there sitting on the bleachers at the gay rodeo and the mom says, "You aren't embarrassed to be seen here with your mom are you..." and the kid say "No, of course not" and the camera pulls back to show a bunch of gay guys around them all sitting there with their moms. Now that's clever and sweet and hilarious!

SCREENING SCHEDULE FOR NODANCE.com YEAR THREE - TRAVELING ROADSHOW

MONDAY MAY 15th, 2000 at 6:00 pm "Moses vs Godzilla" (dir. Brad Morris) - 6 min "A Clockwork Maury" (dir. Bob Leddy*) - 15 min "Rock Opera" (dir. Bob Ray*) - 90 min

TUESDAY MAY 16th, 2000 at 6:00 pm "M vs G" (dir. Brad Morris) - 6 min "A Clockwork Maury" (dir. Bob Leddy*) - 15 min "The Blair Bitch Project" (dir. Scott LaRose*) - 20 min "Show Me The Aliens!" (dir. Devin Crowley*) - 70 min

WEDNESDAY May 17th, 2000 at 6:00 pm "M vs G" (dir. Brad Morris) - 6 min "The Blair Bitch Project" (dir. Scott LaRose*) - 20 min "Waiting" - (dir. Patrick Hasson*) - 90 min

(* - Attending directors) Nodance is shooting footage (both video and pix) for Internet Network Site called "BijouCafe.com"

Meanwhile, the group Punchy seems more than happy to let their fans have their music! Here's a recent note from the guys...

DOWNLOAD yourself a new free Punchy MP3 song, "Graces" at http://www.bitterkitten.com/punchy/puntunes.htm. Recorded at the bk studio in Round Rock!

"I did buy a 99 cent CD that had a Shudder to Think song on it. It got some play on MTV a few years back and I was trying to think of the title. "X-French T-Shirt." It's not as great a track as I remember, but good. "

To which Jason responded:

"hehe... I paid full price for that album back in '95. "X-French T-Shirt" is the only song on that album I still like. Their obsession with odd time signatures (not to mention the singer's trilly voice) get on my nerves."

To which I now respond:

You know, one good thing about NOT being a musician is that you don't have to think about time signatures at all. For example, to me, a Rush album is just a Rush album... :)

Went over to Casino el Camino and Casino himself was working the door. Talked to him for a bit and he is just so busy. He's opening up another restaurant downtown. If the food is anywhere near as good as the food at the bar, it's going to be highly successful. Casino is also playing with The Sons of Hercules. They have a gig scheduled for 6/1 at Emo's and then they are going to play a handful of gigs out on the West Coast in mid June.

Went to the jukebox to play some tunes and a cute boy named Landon came up and talked to me. He wanted to play a song for a girl and offered me a whole dollar for one song. I explained to him that I usually didn't help heterosexual guys get laid but that since he was so cute, I would make an exception. He was pretty nice about this. Unfortunately, he wanted to play Motley Crue. I let him have that one then after some sort of insane kindness (did I mention he was damn cute), I let him pick another. He wanted to play a Dean Martin song so I suggested "You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You." A weird segue out of "Looks that Kill" by Crue. He sauntered off and I picked my remaining 7 songs. This was 12:45 or so. Of course, his songs came on at 1:45am when the bar was announcing last call. I did get to hear two of my songs, at least before the lights came up and I disappeared into the night... alone.

John Christensen had invited me over, so I went there next. Bob was there as well and we had a really good time watching stuff on TV. I had missed LubeTV but they had a copy, so I got to see it. The segments with John and Zaphod seem to be getting better all the time. Perhaps it was the beer (mine), but Zaphod seemed more in tune with John this time. They played a music video by Colourbox, an 80's techno band I had never heard of. The video was rather lame but the music was awesome. And then a short film called "Things that Go Bump in the Night was shown. I didn't like this very much. I found it pointless and typical. But it did have a theme that I think John can relate to. Finally there was an interesting short clip by Sun Ra. Sober, I would have found it annoying. But it was, at least, a bit amusing if you'd had a couple.

The tape also had a few minutes of "The Reel Deal" on it, which precedes LubeTV. I hate this show. Corey's little cute gay white boyfriend wasn't on it. A lot of other white people were though. I'm sure none of them got a word in edgewise.

At around 4am there was a knock on the door and Patrick and Matt of the LubeTV Arkestra and one other guy I don't think I had meet before came in. They had been filming and wanted to show John what they had done. They were working on some piece where Matt and Patrick were in rooms alone with their computers. Afterwards they told us the the pieces were going to run concurrently in the finished product. It still had some funny moments. After that was a scene where they were arranging letters on a public sign in front of some club. The cops came and broke that up.

We all talked for a bit and John was getting tired but the motherfucker has kept me up so many times 'til way late that I didn't feel too bad about keeping me up. Patrick had this short film he had made called "A Documentary about Parking Lots using Oblique Strategies." I was in. The film was awesome. It wasn't particularly well-constructed or even coherent. But it took a most colorless subject, something that would have been drab in most people's hands, and made it come to life. There were interesting and artistic shots of oil stains that bordered on the avant-garde. Reminded me of Michael Snow, except I liked it. And there were some interview segments (with people about parking lots, including a UT parking lot attendant) and some weird segments with freaky narration. Overall, it was really unique and interesting. Patrick wants to extend it into a feature and I think, with time and patience, it could be quite interesting.

After a bit, the guys left and I hung for a few extra minutes to talk to Bob and John. We talked about going to Wimberely and/or Mexico for some recreational time. That sounds like fun!

The screenings of the finished films will take place Sunday, May 21 and Monday, May 22 at 7pm and 9pm at the Ritz Lounge (upstairs), 320 E. 6th St. $5 general, $2.50 Cinemaker members, free to participating filmmakers. Two different programs will be offered each night. Final list of films will be released next week. For more information or for a list of films, contact the Cinemaker Co-op at (512) 236-8877 or cinemkr@texas.net.

ALCHEMY WORKS PRESENTS SCENE "STEALERS: A BENEFIT"

Alchemy Works will present a variety show, "Scene Stealers: A Benefit," to raise funds for its upcoming series, "Movie Midwifing: A Series of New Screenplay Readings & Short Films." The show will take place Friday and Saturday evening, May 19th and 20th, 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. at the new Starbucks Coffee house at 4400 North Lamar Boulevard (Lamar and 45th Street). The format: scenes and music from famous movies performed by local actors, musicians and movie-lovers. Join the fun and relive some great movie moments! Pay what you wish at the door. For more information, email moviemidwifing@yahoo.com or call 443-8229.

We are also still reviewing directors of photography -- this would be a paid position if the person were experienced. We will be shooting on digital. The Sony 300 DVCAM. We will be shooting weekdays in June in the Austin area. We are also still looking for all kinds of characters for casting. You can reach me, Tracie Laymon, at 472.2752 or by emailing PAGEANTTHEMOVIE@AOL.COM -- an alternate number is 512.507.8456

My name is Christopher Long and I'm a 24 year old writer/director in San Antonio. I'm finishing a rewrite of my low-budget black comedy script, The Martini Shot, and would like to start shooting it in late summer or early fall in or around Austin. This is my second feature and I've specifically written it to be filmed with a low-budget in mind. I shot my last feature, Penitence, on 16mm in 1997, and the experience of being limited to 2-3 takes because of money is not something I want to re-visit anytime soon. So I've decided to shoot this film on digital video (I own a VX1000). My projected budget is between $10-15K, most of which is self-financed.

In the past I've had to wear many hats during production: producer, director, even caterer. I'm looking for someone to help produce the film so I can concentrate on directing, and I'm hoping you can help me or refer me to someone who can. I have a directing reel available for you to see, along with a treatment.

Christopher Long

chris@LostArtsProductions.com

http://www.LostArtsProductions.com

Multimedia Journey Through Turbulent Times Of The Last Half Century To Be Produced By Austin-Based Me Jane Movies

AUSTIN, Texas -- Me Jane Movies, a new Austin-based independent film, television and theater company of women, is proud to announce its first theatrical production, SOUL PICNIC, a multimedia musical theater piece based on the music of the late seminal Sixties songwriter Laura Nyro. SOUL PICNIC is set to open Wednesday, May 24, and run for nine weeks through the end of July at the Scottish Rite Opera House, 207 West 18th St. at Lavaca. Corporate and group tickets are now available at 512-447-4406. General ticket sales are available by call STAR tickets at 1.800.show.

The songs of Laura Nyro are milestones on this country's cultural roadmap - "Save The Country," "Stoned SOUL PICNIC," "Eli's Comin'," "And When I Die," "Stoney End," "Wedding Bell Blues," "Poverty Train." SOUL PICNIC is not a bio-pic of Nyro's compelling life and career, but a journey through shared moments of those turbulent times, the "stories" of everyone's lives. SOUL PICNIC follows a group of archetypal characters through the many changes (both comic and serious) of the past 50 years, as multimedia collages re-create those times of the past and connect the audience to the present and the future.

1) Script Breakdown for Dramatic Action *Units of Action *Story Structures *Subtextual Action

2) Script Breakdown for Scheduling *Key Elements & Breakdown Sheets *Stripboards *Schedule Logic *One-Line Schedules, Shooting Schedules, Day out of Days

3) Script Breakdown for Budgeting *Using your Schedules, Reports and Days Out of Days *Estimating vs. Actuals *Budgeting Dos and Don'ts *Budget Categories

4) Storyboarding Your Shots and Groundplans That Work For You *Building Groundplans *Storyboarding a Scene *Shot Lists

5) Casting and Auditioning *Character descriptions *Working with agencies, casting directors, coaches *Audition Etiquette, Working with Actors in Auditions *Callbacks and Chemistry *Casting Decisions and Aftermath

6) How to Direct the Actor *Using your Dramatic Action Preparation with Actors *Blocking, Improvisation, Coaching, Character Study *Hands-on Directing with Student Actors (linkage with C.K. McFarland's Film Acting Class participants) *Q&A with Professional Actors/Coaches

7) Self-Producing Your Movie *Raising Money - Private vs. Distributor vs. Debt Financing *Managing Money, Staying on Schedule and Under Budget *Contracts, Deal Memos & Option Agreements *Administration, Hiring/Firing, Reporting Regimens

8) Post Production and Self-Distribution *Post Production Supervision *Music Licensing *Festival/Market Self-Distribution *Other kinds of limited distribution promotions *Making a Sale

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a hands-on camera course, but a survey course on how to prepare creatively and administratively to direct and produce your movie.

TEACHER: Sidney Brammer, former UPM, POC, & Indie Writer/Director/Producer PLACE: Alleywood Studios, 1902 So. Congress, behind Twin Oaks Hardware (alley entrance) TIME: Thursday nights, 6:30-10PM, beginning May 18 thru July 6 COST: $250 for eight-week course (Austin Reel Women discounts available. I can also allow a moderate amount of spot attendance for people with some previous experiences at a $35/class rate. Make-up classes are possible, when class re-starts after eight weeks. TO REGISTER: Call 512/916-0001 or e-mail to sid.kid@mciworld.com

Saturday May 20, 10am-6pm

American Youthworks (formerly American Institute for Learning) 216 E. 4th St. Between San Jacinto and Brazos-1 block east of 4th and Congress

Workshops: 'Zine-making Girls all over the country communicate through inexpensive homemade magazines called 'zines. An experienced teacher and art therapist will guide girls in combining words, drawings, and collage to make their own 'zines.

Bike Repair This workshop will focus on the basics of bike maintenance and tire repair.

Video Interested girls can get experience using camera equipment as they help us document Girlday 2000. Anne Merrill, a filmmaker and volunteer at Austin Cable Access will supervise.

Women in Construction Casa Verde Builders is an Americorps program made up of Austinites 25 and under. The women of CVB are part of a large team that builds energy efficient homes for low-income families. The workshop will focus on building a bench for a local women's shelter.

Skateboarding Is Not Just For Boys At Girlday 2000, experienced female skaters will teach girls the basics of this traditionally male-dominated sport/art form.

Car Repair How to change your oil, jump a battery, change a tire, and more...including "a kind of find the car part game."

Mural Painting This was one of last year's most popular events. Girls can contribute their own words and images to a giant banner which will be displayed somewhere in Austin in the coming year.

Girls' Health Girls (12-14) are invited to this workshop to learn more about what is happening with their bodies. Coleen Christian is head of Adolescent Health Education services at People's Community Clinic. She will be focusing on health issues related to younger girls including puberty and early sexual health.

Women's Health Will cover the basics of contraception and STD's for women 15 and up.

Self-defense Suzanne Pinette of Everywoman's Self-defense will lead an interactive workshop that covers basic strategies for awareness, assertiveness, and self-defense.

Dating Safety The first half hour of this workshop will focus on setting up a date, including ways to get information and take a role in decision making. The second half hour focuses on being assertive about boundaries. Everywoman's Self-defense will lead this workshop.

You Look Maaahvelous This workshop will allow girls to talk about how they see their bodies and aid them in investigating their ideas about race, fitness, weight, and beauty.

Other Activities Martial Arts Demo Jewelry Workshop Soap-making

And I believe that's a wrap for this week! Thanks for checking it all out!

lodger2000