Southpaw Jones

Sometimes I hit an unlucky streak, and my weekly shows fall on crazy days like New Year’s, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s, and April Fool’s Day. Then there are weeks like this one, when my only show falls on the day I was born.

Mr. Brian Kremer will provide birthday lead guitar while I do whatever I want to do. I will wear sunglasses on stage. I will talk about the good ol’ days. I will sing guilty pleasures. I will play more than one keytar song.

Please join us for this special show, especially if you have not yet visited the fabulous Whip In. You will fall in love with the place just like I have. Due to the special occasion, I will accept the following items in the tip jar:

* cold, hard cash
* cigarette in a plastic bag
* dark chocolate
* cigar in a plastic bag
* arcade tokens
* tiny bottles of liquor
* gift cards
* trading cards
* incense
* masculine jewelry
* catnip

Come to think of it, I’ll accept those items at any show, but I am only bold enough to ask for them on my birthday. Of course, you can always send a fine draught Whip In beer on stage to lubricate us performers. See you there!

Thursday, April 8, 2010
8:00pm
Whip In
1950 S. IH-35
Austin, TX 78704
512-442-5337
No cover. Tips appreciated.

Austinites!

I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful weather. You should celebrate spring by attending some indoor performances. Apply some aloe to that sunburn while listening to pure folk tunes.

Tonight, Matt the Electrician and I will end our glorious March run at Flipnotics. Thanks to everyone who came and packed the room week after week. The song title this time is “Because I Told You So.” We plan to reunite in the fall, and we have a tentative gig at the immortal Cactus Cafe on Friday, June 18. Mark thy calendar!

Thursday night, April Fool’s Day, I’ll return to the coolest, most versatile place in town, the mighty Whip In. I’m looking forward to another couple months of shows there. If you like unique, delicious food, fancy, reasonably-priced drinks, cool, comfy decor, and my song-&-dance routine, come on out at 8 pm. Here’s a performance from my last run filmed by the great Jonathan Jackson:
http://vimeo.com/9785920

Both shows are no cover, but bring $5 for the tip jar if you’ve got it.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010
with Matt the Electrician
8:00 pm
Flipnotics
1601 Barton Springs Rd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 480-8646

Thursday, April 1, 2010
8:00pm
Whip In
1950 S. IH-35
Austin, TX 78704
512-442-5337

Thanks for your support!
Southpaw

Friends, I’m having trouble processing the week ahead and these gigs for my own self, much less promoting them with verve. These are crazy times in the ATX, so I’ll just summarize and let you absorb the information at your own pace.

Tonight, join me and 19 thinkers/writers/artists at 20×2, the revolutionary event for short-attention-span smarties. I have performed at this annual shindig twice before, and it is always fun. It’s free if you have a SXSW Interactive badge; there’s a small cover if you don’t.

Wednesday, I have my traditional show with Matt the Electrician at Flipnotics, but we’ll only play an hour this week, starting at 8. The song title is “Hitchhiking in Romania.” Before that, I’ll visit Hyde Park Bar & Grill South to open The Whiskey Rebellion, a unique blend of music and literature for the dinner crowd.

Saturday is the big day this year. I’ll play a song or two as part of the Million Musician March on the Capitol Steps. Then we’ll move through downtown to conclude at City Hall. I like peace! I’m not afraid to admit it. In the evening, I’ll play an hour at your friendly neighborhood Cafe Caffeine, and at 11:30, I’ll play a half-hour at the legendary Cactus Cafe (possibly for the last time).

So pick your poison! Check out the full list below, and feel free to click around for more details and schedules. Tons of great artists are playing for free at these places, but you already know that.

Have fun! Be safe!
Southpaw

Monday, March 15, 2010
20×2
20 Speakers. 1 Question. 2 Minutes Each.
7:00pm
Ghost Room
304 W. 4th St.
Austin, TX 78701
512-879-4472
MORE INFO

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Whiskey Rebellion
6:00pm
Hyde Park Bar & Grill [South]
4521 West Gate Blvd
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 899-2700
MORE INFO

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
w/ Matt the Electrician
8:00pm
Flipnotics
1601 Barton Springs Rd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 480-8646?
Special one-hour set.
No cover. Tips appreciated.

Saturday, March 20, 2010
Million Musicians March
12:00pm
Capitol Building
Austin, TX
MORE INFO

Saturday, March 20, 2010
SXWMary
6:00pm
Cafe Caffeine
909 West Mary St
Austin, TX 78704
Free all day!
MORE INFO

Saturday, March 20, 2010
Songwriter Showcase
11:30pm
Cactus Cafe
Texas Union Bldg. UT Campus
Austin, TX
512 475 6515
Free all day!
MORE INFO

Sunday, February 21, 2010
8:00 pm
Whip In
1950 S. IH-35
Austin, TX 78704
512-442-5337

Friends, you only have 2 more chances to see me at the wonderful Whip In before I take a little break. The first of those chances is tonight at 8 pm. There is never a cover, although I appreciate tips. The food and drink selections are amazing, and you can easily stock up on supplies for the week ahead after the show. It’s a one-stop-shop for dinner, drinks, entertainment, and pantry/fridge fillers. They also have an excellent variety of incense. And chocolate.

In other news, I re-watched my favorite film of 2009, A Serious Man, and I was right the first time; It is excellent. The Coens have done it again. Also, Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair is highly educational and great fun for sure. In the realm of music, I’m enjoying an exploration of The Band, focusing on Levon Helm. He was born of the dirt, heart, and voodoo of the American South. I’m certain these songs will get me through until spring arrives. Here’s video from The Last Waltz of The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down:

That’s all. Thanks for reading!
Southpaw

Sunday, February 14, 2010
8:00 pm
Whip In
1950 S. IH-35
Austin, TX 78704
512-442-5337
NO COVER, tips appreciated

Those are the details for my sweet solo show Sunday night. I promise, the Whip In is as fun and unexpected and eclectic and inspiring as any place in Austin. If you have not been, I whole-heartedly recommend a visit whether I’m performing or not.

But I AM performing, you see, on Valentine’s Day itself. Of course, I’ll play love songs for the love-filled singles and happy couples. And of course, I’ll play anti-love songs for the bitter singles and teeth-grinding couples. Hey, I’ve been in all four categories. I know what’s up. Somewhere in between perfect love and anti-love, we walk the tight rope of life, holding the balancing pole of soul, propelling our left foot of brain and our right foot of heart slowly in front of one another.

That bad metaphor reminds me of some bad similes:

Love is like ketchup; it’s amazing, but you don’t want to spill it on your pants.

Love is like lore; you’ll never understand all of it, and it’s only one letter off.

Love is like like; it’s a verb that involves affection, and teenagers say it a lot.

Love is like a terror trial in New York City; conservatives would prefer a military tribunal.

And those similes remind me of a radio appearance: I’ll join Spike Gillespie on KOOP 91.7 FM at 3 pm to discuss our respective shows. She presents Free Sex in Public at Bookpeople that night in direct competition with my show (!), so we’ll be fighting for souls like missionaries from slightly different denominations. You can listen without leaving your love den.

Thanks for reading!