It’s a Party on the Patio outside the studios of KWVH on Sat July 3 at 7pm for a live broadcast of the Texas Music Hour of Power complete with a cave emergence, party throw-down, and dance contest. All good people are welcome. Dranks, party favors, and complimentary perfume for all ladies.
The Prairie Whisperer: Bill Neiman, Native American Seed
Austin Chronicle and Medium weigh in on Austin to ATX
Sir Doug Film plays Simon Theater, Brenham, Sat June 11
is the place to be Sat June 11 for the first Washington County screening of Sir Doug and the Genuine Texas Cosmic Groove.
This is the kind of place to watch a movie in style. Come on out. Q and A after the credits rool
Sir Doug Film @ So Tex Pop Ctr San Antonio Sun June 5
Come and dig the Sir Doug film playing his hometown, Sunday June 5 at the South Texas Popular Culture Center, 1017 Mulberry St, San Antonio screenings at noon and 2 pm, Rosie Flores, Mitch Webb and the Swindles, and Joel Aparicio’s photo exhibit until seven pm. Come groove with us.
Texas Accordion Kings and Queens Sat June 4
Join Tony Diaz and me at the Miller Outdoor Amphitheater in beautiful Hermann Park south of downtown Houston for Texas Folklife’s 27th Texas Accordion Kings and Queens
This year’s lineup: Geno Delafose and the French Rockin’ Boogie, David Lee Garza and Friends, the Melody Sisters, and the Czech Melody Masters
Everyone playing squeezebox. Songs in four languages. Everybody dancing in the same counterclockwise direction. Free. Starts 7 pm Sat June 4
Dallas Cowboys and Willie books for Christmas
In light of the Amazon embargo of Little, Brown authors including me, I want to let readers know I’ve got a few copies of the Willie Nelson and Dallas Cowboys books available through the Christmas holidays. Contact me at joenickp@yahoo.com for the particulars
Talking Tex-Mex @ East Texas Book Fest Sep 13
Next Saturday, I’ll be talking Texas-Mexican music at the East Texas Book Festival in Tyler at Tyler Junior College West Campus
1 pm room 108 – covering the history from Lydia Mendoza and Narciso Martinez to Flaco Jimenez, Selena, and Little Joe.
ALL THE DETAILS ARE AT WWW.ETXBOOKFEST.ORG
Where to dance, Texas-style
As seen in USA Today, March 28, 2014
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2014/03/27/texas-dance-halls/6957465/
by Larry Bleiberg
Long before Pandora and Spotify, music lovers found entertainment at dance halls. In Texas, the tradition continues in sites that have become cultural landmarks. “You’re someplace special, and the music is respected and honored. It’s a whole encompassing experience,” says Joe Nick Patoski, a journalist who hosts the weekly Texas Music Hour of Power. He shares some favorite spots with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
ALSO ONLINE: Beautiful Texas: Photos of the Lone Star State
Gruene Hall
Gruene, Texas
Bands go out of their way to play Gruene, which calls itself the oldest dance hall in Texas. Located in a former ghost town, the white clapboard saloon helped launch stars such as Lyle Lovett and George Strait. On summer nights, the un-air-conditioned space with a wooden dance floor packs in crowds. “It’s a good sweat,” Patoski says. “If anyone plays the Texas circuit, they play Gruene.” 830-606-1281; gruenehall.com
Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon
Houston
This classic country music venue, where Willie Nelson once played with the house band, now calls itself Texas’ largest LGBT country and western club. “This is where modern culture meets old tradition,” Patoski says. “It shows how pervasive country dance music is in Texas. It doesn’t matter who’s doing the boot-scooting. It’s the same old thing.” 713-677-0828; neonbootsclub.com
Billy Bob’s Texas
Fort Worth
While the world’s largest honky-tonk might not be an intimate venue, it offers such extras as bull riding for guests willing to sign a waiver. “It’s an urban-cowboy setting. They have big headlining acts, and what it lacks in history and texture, it makes up in bigness,” Patoski says. 817-624-7117; billybobstexas.com
Music City Texas Theater
Linden, Texas
This former theater is the go-to place for music in East Texas, Patoski says. While it’s a sit-down performance venue, which makes it more like an opry than a dance hall, it has a deep history. It’s run by Richard Bowden, who played with Don Henley and Glenn Frey, who went on to form the Eagles. 903-756-9934; musiccitytexas.org
Broken Spoke
Austin
This Texas institution celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Now it’s a holdout, surrounded by a new mixed-use apartment complex. “They’re used to be dozens of honky-tonks like the Broken Spoke,” Patoski says. “You can’t come to Austin without going to the Spoke if you want to have a music experience.” 512-442-6189; brokenspokeaustintx.com
Stagecoach Ballroom
Fort Worth
This family-run hall maintains an old-school atmosphere with vintage lights and a 3,500-square-foot floor for twirling couples. It even offers free dance lessons before many shows. “If you’re in Fort Worth and you want to hear country music, this is where to go,” Patoski says. 817-831-2261; stagecoachballroom.com
Luckenbach Texas
This legendary dance hall found its fame in the Waylon Jennings song that took its name from the Hill Country ghost town. Patoski says the song doesn’t do it justice. “Luckenbach is like stepping back in time 100 years. It’s a great place to pitch washers and horseshoes and have a beer, even if you don’t go into the dance hall.” 830-997-3224; luckenbachtexas.com
Crider’s Rodeo & Dancehall
Hunt, Texas
This seasonal Hill Country getaway along the upper Guadalupe River is one the state’s premier outdoor dance venues, Patoski says. “Before air-conditioning in Texas, you always went to the hills to cool off. Why dance in a stuffy old dance hall? Just do it outdoors.” It’s open weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with a rodeo and live band every Saturday night. 830-238-4441; on Facebook
Schroeder Hall
Schroeder, Texas
This spot in cattle-ranching country on the coastal prairie proudly calls itself the “second-oldest dance hall in Texas,” leaving others to argue about which was first, Patoski says. Expect to find local and regional bands and enthusiastic dancers. “Once upon a time, every small town in Texas had a place like this. There’s nothing around it. It’s real rural music,” Patoski says. 361-573-7002; schroederdancehall.com
John T. Floore’s Country Store
Helotes, Texas
This San Antonio-area hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is famous for its tamales, although its performance roster included Elvis, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan and more. During the summer, the outdoor patio is packed with dancers. “It’s just a cool old joint,” Patoski says. 210-695-8827; liveatfloores.com