On Saturday, September 4th at the usual hot spot – Jovita’s on South First St., Donna Jam will be showcasing an entirely new line up of both local AND world-wide talent!  We get to tune into some of Austin’s own talented artists, as well as some acts touring across the globe…it’s the best of both worlds!

We know you want the scoop on who is performing, so here it is:  

Savanna Kate Russell
Hannah Hagar
Elyse Haren
Dave Schulz

Savanna Kate Russel and Hannah Hagar are both home-town, ATX, talents, as well as “family!”  So, you know definitely do not want to miss out on their acts early on in the night!  Elyse Haren is an amazing touring artist from LA, while Dave Schulz — formerly of the GOO GOO DOLLS –  will be performing last as our “honorary Donna” of the night!  

We have to tell ya, we are absolutely pumped for this show.  It’s going to be new and different and just as fun (if not MORE) than previous Donna Jams!  So come one, come all!  Lots of great Mexican food, beer, and margaritas as usual!!

Tickets are $8 in advance (email info@lezgoaustin.com to get your name of the pre-sale list), and $10 at the door – same as always!  Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts SOON after that, so don’t be late!

And in case you forgot the date already, it’s SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH – so put it in your Google Calendars!!

That’s right – Donna Jam is back again!  If you’ve already got plans for the weekend…no worries!  Donna Jam is on a Thursday night this time around, and it will be a great fluffer into what’s sure to be a crazy, Rainbow- flagged-filled weekend in the ATX.

Come on down to Jovita’s, our friendly little Mexican food restaurant down on South First street at on June 3rd at 6 pm and grab a table…Donna Jam is presenting all a whole new line-up from the last showcase!

Opening up will be Boys On the Inside, fronted by Ryan Kelsey who brings some soulful lyrics to the stage.  Some would say her style is very Melissa Etheridge-esk.  Robin Smith who has already proven very popular among the lesbian community graces the stage next, and the night ends with a band new to the Austin lesbian scene – The Blue Hit with lead vocals by Grace Rowland.

To get pre-sale tickets for only $5, email info@justbmused.com, otherwise just show up and pay $8 at the door!

Here are the details one more time:
WHEN – Thursday, June 3rd – Doors open at 6pm
WHERE – Jovita’s Restaurant on South First

We’ll be there with our Pacifico’s in hand – hope to see you ladies at the show!

Introducing JEST FEST! Featuring Holly Lorka with Carey Moore and Sean Mooney

Check out a cool new (soon to be regular) comedy show at a South Austin landmark, Jovitas. I know you’ll all have been there the night before for Donna Jam, but you can never have too much queso and cheap drinks, can you? Come top off your weekend by laughing at some of Austin’s finest and most adorable local comedians at the inaugural JEST FEST. The headliner is noneother than Austin’s favorite lesbian comedian Holly Lorka, who will guarantee to make you pee your pants. Seriously. Be sure to bring extra undies.

A mere $5 cover turns Jovita’s all day Happy Hour into a VERY Happy Hour. Show starts at 6pm. And don’t worry-even though it’s a Sunday show, it’s early. So you can all go home

 to drink your Ovaltine and make it to bed by 10. 

RSVP here on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=293162573227&ref=mf

Do it! 

This is a weekly blog listing fun and interesting things to do during the week in Austin.  Please, as always, feel free to comment and leave your ideas and suggestions! ***Denotes places that usually draw a lesbian crowd!

MONDAY, Jan. 25th:

Music:
***Ginger A. Thompson @ La Zona Rosa***
FREE show at one of Austin’s best known venues!!   It’s Ginger’s first time playing here so come out and have a few drinks.
WHEN - 9 pm
WHERE – La Zona Rosa

Trivia:
Fado’s Trivia Night
WHEN – 7:30 pm
WHERE – Fado’s Irish Pub on 4th Street 

TUESDAY, Jan. 26th:

Homo Revolution/Networking:
*** AGLCC Monthly Luncheon***
This month will feature:
Mark Walters has worked as a city planner for the City of Austin for almost ten years and has lived in Austin for 22 years. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in Radio-TV-Film and a graduate degree in Geography and Planning form Southwest Texas State.
Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non members.
WHEN – 11:30 am to 1 pm
WHERE – Mangia Pizza, 2401 Lake Austin Blvd

***HRC January Tuesdays Together***
Join HRC Austin members, friends and allies for our award-winning monthly social at Flemings Steakhouse in The Domain. Flemings will provide some light nibbles as well as happy hour specials. Come mix and mingle and learn more about what HRC is doing locally, nationally and opportunities to volunteer for upcoming events.   In addition, we will be signing up table captains and selling tickets for our 2010 HRC Austin Gala Dinner. For more information and how you can help with the dinner (sponsor, volunteer, donate an auction item or buy a program book ad) visit our dinner website at http://www.hrcaustin.org
WHEN – 6 to 8 pm
WHERE – Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
11600 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 140
Austin, TX 78758

Trivia:
***Mother Egan’s – Austin Gay & Lesbian Couples Meetup***
The Gay & Lesbian Couples Meetup group will have a team this week!  They are in the FINALS!!  Join this awesome Meetup group: http://www.meetup.com/austin-gay-lesbian-couples/
WHEN – 7:15 pm
WHERE – Mother Egan’s Irish Pub on West 6th Street

Opal Divine’s Trivia
WHEN – 8 pm
WHERE – Opal Divine’s South Congress

Sports & Rec:
***Capital City Front Runners’ Run***
Got the need for speed?  At 5:30 pm the CCFR crew will be having a speed workout!  Dinner and networking always follows after…this time it’s El Chile on Barton Springs  (6:45 pm)!
WHEN – 5:30 pm
WHERE – Underneath Mopac bridge on Lady Bird Lake Trail, by the water coolers

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 27th:

Books:
***BookWoman Reading and Signing***
Mikaya Heart will be having a reading + signing of her book: My Sweet Wild Dance.  To find out more about the book, the author, and the event check out the website –
http://www.ebookwoman.com/event/mikaya-heart-reading-signing-my-sweet-wild-dance
WHEN - 7pm
WHERE – BookWoman, S. Lamar

Socializing:
***Hang Out Coffee Time***
Hang Out is one of the University of Texas’ LBGT social groups.  They meet to have coffee and hang out every Wednesday night at 10 pm onward.
WHEN – 10 pm
WHERE –  Cafe Medici on Guadalupe

Sports & Rec:
UT Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Tech
WHEN - 8 pm
WHERE - Frank Erwin Center

THURSDAY, Jan. 28th:

Music:
***Lisa Marshall performs***
WHEN – 9 pm
WHERE – TC’s Lounge

Socializing:
***Wymn to Wymn Meetup: Calling All Pool Players??***
Come play or just hang out and watch!
WHEN – 7 pm
WHERE – Sing up to find out…http://www.meetup.com/WymnToWymn-Meetup-Group/

Movies:
Old School Quote-Along – KEG party!
It will be a full on Keg Party, and they”ll be selling wristbands good for multiple drinks from a keg right in the theater. Sure, you could also just order by the pitcher from your server, but you can’t do a pitcher stand like you can with a keg stand, and what’s the point of drinking if you can’t do it upside down?
WHEN – 7 pm
WHERE – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz downtown

Action Pack: 1999 Sing-Along
Holy crap. Not only did 1999 give birth to almost all of the pop music of the next ten years by giving us Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” and Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” but the cheese element was in full effect with the Goo Goo Dolls, rap was awesome with “Back That Ass Up” AND Will Smith’s “Wild Wild West” AND Jay-Z’s “Can I Get A…”
WHEN – 10:40 pm
WHERE – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz downtown

Sports & Rec:
***Capital City Front Runners’ Run***
Every Tues/Thurs. at 5:30 pm – Jog the Lady Bird Lake trail with the CCFR crew!  Dinner and networking always follows after…this time it’s ThunderCloud Subs on Lake Austin Blvd. (6:45 pm)!
WHEN – 5:30 pm
WHERE – Underneath Mopac bridge on Lady Bird Lake Trail, by the water coolers.

FRIDAY, Jan. 29th:

Socializing:
***Captial City Front Runners Monthly Happy Hour***
Come hang out and meet the crew!
WHEN - 6 pm
WHERE - Sister’s Edge II

***Lesbian Coffee House Celebrates over 500 members***
Come and wear Orange (if you are a member)
WHEN – 7 pm
WHERE – Join the meetup group to find out! http://www.meetup.com/AustinLesbianCoffeeHouse/

Music:
***The Chelle Murray Band***
A member of the Lesbian Coffee house is promoting this band.  The lead singer is sassy, hilarious, super talented …and puts on a great live show. She does country/bluegrass/blues/rock and mean versions of our favorite 80′s songs
WHEN – 6 to 8 pm
WHERE – Lucky Lounge

Dating:
***Out in Austin – Lesbian Speed Dating***
This is a Pre-Valentine’s Speed Date… find your honey for the holiday!  You must sign up for this event: http://profile.myspace.com/Modules/Applications/Pages/Canvas.aspx?appId=119211&appParams=%7b%22rt%22%3a%22%2fExternal%2fFacebook%2fEvent%2fView%2f849417%22%7d&g=1′
WHEN – 7 to 10 pm
WHERE – Karma Lounge

Performing Arts:
***Talk and Performance with Tim Miller***
Free (no charge) – Performance Artist Tim Miller discusses and performs excerpts from his latest work, Lay of the Land. LAY OF THE LAND is Tim Miller’s saucy, sharp-knifed look at the State of the Queer Union during a time of trial. Careening from his sexy misadventures while performing in 45 States, to street protests for Marriage Equality, to the electoral assaults on gay folks all over the country, to a grade-school flag monitor, to choking on cheap meat caught in his 10-year old gay boy’s throat, LAY OF THE LAND friskily gets at that feeling of gay folks being perpetually on trial, on the ballot, and on the menu! LAY OF THE LAND is a “lay” in all kinds of ways: a sex-assignation, a queer citizenship map, and a narrative ballad with a recurrent refrain! (Miller’s favorite way-down-the-list definition for “lay”!).
WHEN – 2 pm 
WHERE – UT Campus 2.180 Winship

Movies:
Master Pancake Theatre mocks TRANSFORMERS!
WHEN – 7 pm and 10:15 pm
WHERE – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz downtown

SATURDAY, Jan. 30th:

Music/Socializing:
***Donna Jam***
A 5 women, one stage music showcase!  Austin’s own little Lillith Fair!  Tickets are $10 at the door.  $8 if you contact info@lezgoaustin.com by Friday, Jan 29th.
WHEN – 6:30 pm
WHERE – Jovita’s Restaurant, S. First

Sports & Rec:
***GALA – Golf  Among Ladies Association***
GALA is a lesbian only golf league, which plays monthly at the public courses. While you do not have to be a good player, you do have to have played so that you know course etiquette and how to get around 18 holes. The format is a four person best ball scramble which allows women of all abilities to participate. There are prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive and the team with the least amount of putts. We have a yearly planned party/meeting along with other events after golf, either at the course or at someone’s house. This group is also a good way to meet other golfers who like to play golf. To get on the mailing list, get the schedule or sign up for the next outing, contact Lesley at this email address:
galagolf@hotmail.com

***Hill Country Ride for AIDS Cocoa Social***
The Cocoa Social marks the beginning of our official training ride season!  Dust off those bike shorts and meet up for some warm cocoa, good friends and a nice, easy ride around town.  Everyone is welcome!  Distances: 12 or 24 mile options.
WHEN - Meet up: 9:00 am Ride out: 10:00 am
WHERE – Starting location: 3809 Hidden Hollow Lane, Austin, Texas 78731 (Off Hart Lane between Spicewood Springs and Greystone)

UT Men’s Basketball vs. Baylor
WHEN - 3 pm
WHERE – Frank Erwin Center

***Capital City Front Runners’ Run***
Every Saturday at 10 am – Jog the Lady Bird Lake trail with the CCFR crew!  Lunch and networking always follows after.. this time it’s Whole Foods!
WHEN – 10 am
WHERE – Underneath Mopac bridge on Lady Bird Lake Trail, by the water coolers.

Movies:
Master Pancake Theatre mocks TRANSFORMERS!
WHEN – 7 pm and 10:15 pm
WHERE – Alamo Drafthouse Ritz downtown

 SUNDAY, Jan. 31st:

Comedy:
***Jest Fest – Featuring Holly Lorka***
A new comedy show at a South Austin landmark. Come top off your weekend by laughing at some of our finest and most adorable local comedians, including Carey Moore and Sean Mooney. $5 cover turns our all day Happy Hour into a VERY Happy Hour.
WHEN – 6 pm
WHERE – Jovita’s Restaurant, S. First

Sports & Rec.:
***UT Women’s Basketball vs. Baylor…PINK ZONE***
Come help the Longhorns turn the Frank Erwin Center pink for breast cancer awareness against Baylor.
WHEN: 4 pm 
WHERE:  Frank Erwin Center

Where?  Jovita’s Restaurant on South First Street
When?  January 30^th, 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Your Hosts?  bMUSEd Entertainment/Goldstar ATX/LezGoAustin

You can think of it as Austin’s own little Lilith Fair – a phenomenal line-up of female musicians sharing one stage, and bringing sweet, heartfelt lyrics to our ears.  Another occasion to celebrate women and be surrounded by women?  Yes, please!

Mexican food, margaritas, beer, and girls with guitars!  Just check out the list of ladies who will be gracing us with their stage presence:

Katie Evans
Inne Aguilar
Dawni McCray
Ginger Thompson
Stephanie Cavazos

Women from all over Texas will be there, giving you the chance to mix, mingle, and meet new people while listening to the laid back tunes of our acoustic artists.

If you want to get in early and save a few bucks (to perhaps buy your first beer), you can purchase pre-sale tickets for $8 by contacting us at info@lezgoaustin.com.  Otherwise, tickets are $10 at the door.  Bring some extra cash in case you want to purchase some of the artists’ CD’s or merchandise!

If you’re on Facebook, tell us you’re coming by responding to event invitation:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/event.php?eid=257620656268&ref=ts

I think all of us girls at one point have had dreams of being a famous singer or musician, but let’s face it – most of us aren’t blessed with the music gene (no matter how much we think our crooning at local karaoke bars could qualify us for American Idol).  Ginger, however, has it.  She is one of those girls who can just do it all.  Compose, write, play, sing – and she makes it look easy!  She is just one of those girls who we love to hate…because she is just so damn good. 

Well, wait no longer – let’s hear Ginger’s story… 

Where are you from?
I’m originally from Tacoma, WA 

How long have you lived in Austin and what brought you here?
I’ve lived in Austin for 9 years this month (December) and came here after 4 years of touring with a musical theater group. I decided it was time to get a “real” job.

What was the first musical instrument you played?
The recorder. Seriously, I could tear it up on “mary had a little lamb”. I took piano lessons for a few years and just couldn’t figure it out, so when I was about 14 I borrowed the neighbor’s guitar and taught myself how to play. 

Why did you decide to take up music as a career?
Music has ALWAYS been a passion and outlet for me. When I was a pre-teen my brother, a family friend and I formed a rap group called “positive negatives”, I would write most of our material and we would record it with the old brick-like sony tape recorders. I knew back then that music was something that I would be involved in for the rest of my life. 

Who are you musical inspirations?
Being from the Northwest where the grunge scene originated, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the the like. I also listened to Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin…the list goes on. Some of my modern influences are Alicia Keys, Leela James, Ani (of course). 

Does the gift of music run in your family?
My immediate family is not musical but I think I get it from my dad’s side. My Aunts on his side are old school gospel singers.

Do you write your own songs and music?
I do. I feel like I connect more with songs that I’ve written myself since they come from within ME, but there are a few covers that I enjoy playing as well. 

What is your favorite song that you’ve written?  Why?
My favorite song that I’ve written is called “Will you bleed”. It’s basically a song about recognizing your own weaknesses and using them to relate to others who have the same struggles, but also on the flip side, doing whatever it takes to show someone that you love them. That song is very personal for me. 

How would you describe you musical style?
I get asked this question a lot actually, and I say acoustic rock, but I don’t know how accurate that is. If you take R&B, mix in a little folk, add some rock and some grunge and a little somethin’ else, I think you’d get me. 

As a kid, what did you dream of being when you grew up?
A rock star. Hands down. Oh, and Indiana Jones. 

Do you have any other big passions besides music?
I’m in love with all of the arts; writing, theater, photography. I’ve dabbled in all of them but focus on music. Oh, and a lot of the “ologies” psychology, criminology….etc. 

How would you describe your personality?
I have two sides but both are very accurate. I’m kind of a loner when I’m creating music. I have a sometimes obsessive need for solitude when I’m writing. The other side would be the fun, goofy, eccentric, life-of-the-party type. I’ll go up and talk to just about anyone.

What are your aspirations for your future?
I’ve been working as a solo artist for some time now. I REALLY want to get a band together because I think that would take my music so much further. I’m putting together material to produce an EP in 2010.

As we mentioned before, Ginger plays often around Austin – her next gig is Donna Jam in January, an all female showcase put on my Goldstar ATX at Jovita’s.  We will definitely be there and so should you!!  Let’s get out and support our local lesbian artist!

Check out some of Ginger’s tracks on her MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/gingerathompson