WEST TEXAS WEEKLY

Richard Linklater at the Marfa Book Company.

Big Bend Live Music for the week of Mar 11th-18th.

News and events for Alpine, Marfa and Terlingua for the week of March 4th-11th.

UPDATE: We are starting a new season of TRIVIA SMACKDOWN September 15 at the Railroad Blues at 8 pm. Thank you for your support, my dear trivia nuts. There will be all new categories, new surprises and a new element of the rules– get ready for the awesome SMACKBACK.
UPDATE: We are starting a new SUMMER [...]

Update: Here is some footage of me riding in a balloon with aeronaut Rusty Kaim on Saturday morning. Stay tuned for behind the scenes footage of the crew preparing us for flight.

Since 1987, the Big Bend Balloon Bash has provided an unforgettable experience for sport hot air balloon pilots, sponsors, vendors, and families. Over the [...]

The Blackwell School Alliance, in partnership with the Marfa Chamber of Commerce, proudly presents the 2009 Marfa Lights Festival at the historic Presidio County Courthouse grounds.
The festival features artists exhibiting
and demonstrating original art and crafts as well as food and entertainment. Saturday night’s headliner band is three time Grammy Award winner Little Joe y La [...]

Padre’s Marfa, one of Texas’ most unique live music venues, presents the First Annual Marfa Jazz Festival, August 28-30, 2009. The first concert on Friday, August 28th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Crowley Theatre features the Latin Jazz of the Ruben Gutierrez Quartet, followed by acclaimed vocalist Greta Matassa from Seattle, Washington, with the [...]

Update: I attended the town hall meeting. I saw Tom Michael of KRTS there, (he’s conducting an interview with Rep. Rodriguez at 3:30) and Mike and Cindy Perry of the Alpine Avalanche and Jack McNamara of the Nimby News.
Video is downloading to YouTube. Stay tuned.
In general, people seemed more civil than what you’ve seen on [...]

Mike Perry of the Alpine Avalanche has done an excellent job of going behind the scenes of the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo.

Click here to read a detailed schedule.
Click here to read his article on Ted Gray.
The following description is taken from this official site:

The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is dedicated to the preservation of the [...]

The Rotary Club of Alpine will host the WAY OUT WEST TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL, July 31 and August 1, 2009, to promote literary appreciation and benefit the Alpine Public Library and its Marathon branch.
The multifaceted event is scheduled for August 1, 2009 at the Sul Ross Espino Conference Center, 2nd Floor, University Center.

[...]

For more information stop by Historic Alpine. RSVP on FaceBook.
Also, a big thank-you from Alpine is in order for:

Jean Hardy of Front Street Books
J. R. Smith of the Alpine Chamber of Commerce
Councilwoman Johanna Nelson. Her La Junta Exchange is one of the most fun shops to visit here in Alpine.

The dog days of summer [...]

3:45 p.m.: Parade participants line up at Sul Ross Ave & N. 5th
4 p.m.: Annual Kiwanis Club-sponsored parade down N. 5th Street
5 p.m.: Kokernot Park activities begin, including games, food booths
6 p.m.: Rambling Wrecks band plays at Kokernot Park
6 p.m.: Big Bend Cowboys vs. Coastal Kingfish at Kokernot Field
7:30 p.m.: Alpine Community Band plays at [...]

From my favorite Terlingua periodical, the Terlingua Moon:
Countdown to the July 4th festivities, only 4 days to get your float together. Keep in mind there will be $100.00 cash prize for the bestdressed float. When the parade ends at the KKKK, you can buy votes for your favorite float, and all the money will got [...]

In conjunction with the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, the Mural Cafe will be offering a potluck night on the last Tuesday of each month. Stop by at six, June 30th, for the Alpine Ambassadors ribbon cutting and bring a salad, a casserole or another dish. Drinks will be provided.
The Mural Cafe has been open a [...]