O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
You set my heart a-singing.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
You set my heart a-singing.
Like little stars, your candles bright,
Send to the world a wondrous light,
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
You set my heart a-singing.
The often-neglected low brass instruments took center stage at Monday’s Austin Tuba Christmas, held on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol. Over 100 tuba, euphoniums and sousaphone players played holiday songs in the hour-long concert.
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is a long-time Austin tradition that started in 1976 at the Armadillo World Headquarters, a music hall in south Austin. The ‘Dillo was torn down in 1980 (for good reason, I’ve heard), but the legend lives on in the lore of the city. The Christmas Bazaar has been held at several venues since then, but seems to have settled at the Palmer Events Center for the past few years.
‘I know just the twosome to find my father, the missing King,’ says Princess Lolly, of the Lollipop Woods. In a voice as light and airy as the fluffiest marshmallow, she says, ‘They’re the Candy Land Kids… courageous, clever, and ever so determined.’
Oops. I spoke a little too soon when I complained in November that we went directly from summer to winter. We did have a rather nasty spell of cold weather last month, but once that front moved out, fall had arrived. At least the trees and squirrels think that’s the season now.
Renovation of the Auditorium Shores trailhead was completed last week. This phase was originally planned to be finished last July, but the opening was delayed due to “closeout” issues. I guess everything was satisfactorily resolved since the construction fences and remaining debris were removed last week.
Each December, design students from local colleges compete for scholarships in the Holiday Window Walk. The students work with businesses in the 2nd Street District to create holiday-themed window displays. Although the competition is now over, the decorations will remain up until after the holidays.
The Holiday Sing-along and Downtown Stroll is an annual tradition held at the Texas State Capitol. This free event follows the same basic pattern each year: local NPR/KUT host John Aielli leads the crowd in singing seasonal songs, the Capitol Christmas Tree is lit, and the crowd wanders down Congress Avenue.
Over 21,000 participated in the 24th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. The primary sponsor, ThunderCloud Subs, hoped to raise at least $300,000 to benefit Caritas of Austin. A few full-costumed pilgrims and turkeys were in the crowd, but more-practical hats and headbands abounded. At the 9:30 start time, the weather was sunny, but cool, with temperatures in the upper 40s. Perfect running weather!
The East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) is the largest art festival in Austin, with over 400 artists participating in this free, self-guided event. During two November weekends, studios, galleries, coffee shops, and private homes are open throughout the neighborhoods that are east of I-35. A corresponding WEST is held in the spring for locations west of the interstate.