If you read this early enough, you can still drive out to the Farm Country Club and catch a Texas legend in his own time, Alvin Crow. He is a fiddling demon, a songster, a performer par excellence. Yep, he is one of my favorites. And he's a great guy. A veteran of the Broken Spoke in Austin, Alvin has toured solo and with his band. Catching Alvin Crow playing with Doug Sahm was a treat I once experienced at the Hole in the Wall in Austin. The western swing dance at the Farm Country Club is a benefit for the Kerrville Public School Foundation, an organization committed to excellence in education by providing training opportunities for teachers.

The Farm Country Club may be the best kept secret in Kerrville. In existence for over 25 years, this venue offers a place for private parties (hay rides, dances, barbecues and more) and now entertainment events that are open to the public. The Harvest Dinner and Dance on October 30 features Bandera legendary character, Arkey Blue and the Blue Cowboys for an early dinner/dance. Tickets are only $13.50/person. The BBQ dinner begins at 5:30 and the dance runs from 6-10 p.m. "We want to attract a crowd that enjoys classic Texas country music and good barbecue," explained Homer, owner.

Other events include the November 24 Country Christmas Ball featuring fiddling sensation Regina Matthews with the Lanette Penell Band and cowboy poet, Steven Smith. You can celebrate New Year's Eve by dancing to the music of George Chambers. Call 830-589-2276 for reservations to any of the events. Visit online at www.farmcc.com.

Delbert McClinton is also playing tonight, October 13, at the Cabaret in Bandera. Need I say more?
I discovered another venue in Fredericksburg on Thursday, October 4. On the corner of San Antonio and Lincoln sits a step back in time and space, the Lincoln Street Wine Market. Stepping inside is like visiting a wine cellar in Europe (Spain? France?). Outside, we gathered at tables around a small stage featuring Teye and his wife. Now, I first heard Teye playing his striking Flamenco music with Joe Ely. In fact, he IS the distinct sound on Ely's album "Letter From Laredo."   "I met Berlin while I was traveling in Spain," he explained as he introduced his wife. Dressed in Flamenco black and white with a red silk fringed scarf around her hips, this dramatic dancer from Seville, also played the box drum and enhanced the music of Teye.

Teye played guitar, Berlin became a bird on the wooden floor placed as a stage. Her arms arched back, her face looking up, her back bent over. She danced the story of Flamenco, the blues of Spain. We heard the Gypsy music of Southern France. She became angry and intense, then passionate and willing. All in the dance. I say, let's get this duo to Kerrville soon!

An evening of Flamenco music on the corner of Lincoln street in Fredericksburg, a German town. What a dramatic combination. And I saw a few familiar Kerrville faces in the crowd. Michael Fontenot played there Thursday, October 11. "We have music once in a while," said the owner, Len White (certified wine "geek"). I told him to let me know the next time! The menu, European in style, features many many kinds of cheeses, pestos, olives, fruit and bread.

Len said that he also features dramatic readings, including the "Cask of Amontillado" by Poe around Halloween. My students just wrote papers on that short story. Hope we can make the reading into a field trip. Another tradition is the annual reading of Truman Capote's "Christmas Memory. Visit online at www.lincolnst.com or e-mail wine@ktc.com for more information.

I missed the annual Harvest Moon Dance on October 6. I was visiting Railroad Blues in Alpine, watching a packed house join in the revelry with Joe King Carrasco -- who is still wearing his crown, I might add. I'm sure the Sentimental Journey Orchestra got the crowd up and dancing. Joe King (a Llano resident now) was dancing with his crowd-guitar and all. Interesting juxtaposition in my imagination -- these two very different renditions of Texas music.

The October 17 Coffeehouse at Schreiner features Yale graduate in American Studies, Mary Cutrufello. She has played Willie's picnic and Farm Aid. Her new album, "Songs From the 6" was recorded at a Motel 6 in Nashville. She rocks. Check out www.marycutrufello.com for more information. A rare treat for Kerrville.

I just heard that Roger Moon (a Luchenbach regular) is opening for Merle Haggard on October 27. We will have a PIP workshop at Schreiner that day, featuring the Native American story as a tool for learning, followed by readings and a reception with the Kerrville Book Festival. Bet I can jump in a car after a full day and head to the Merle Haggard Show later that evening at the Fair Grounds in Fredericksburg. Whew....makes me tired just to write about it.

Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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