BRIEFLY:

Be a Rockette

The world famous Radio City Rockettes, in conjunction with Broadway Across America, and Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, will conduct Austin auditions for aspiring Austin dancers to win a premium audition slot at the official Radio City Rockettes auditions, to be held in New York at Radio City Music Hall in August 2010.

Local auditions take place May 25 at 1 p.m. at McCullough Theater Lobby, 2375 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin.

Space is limited to the first 50 dancers that fit height and age requirements, and Radio City Rockettes will teach choreography from the production.

One dancer will be guaranteed the first slot in line at the official Radio City Rockettes audition in New York, with round trip airfare and hotel accommodations provided.

Rockette candidates must be between 5 feet, 6 inches and 5 feet, 10 and-a-half inches tall, must be at least 18 years of age by August 2010 and be proficient in tap, jazz and ballet.

Dancers auditioning are to bring dance attire including character heels, a headshot, dance resumé and photo ID.

“The Radio City Christmas Spectacular” will play Texas Performing Art’s Bass Concert Hall Dec. 17–31.

Ethridge to perform

Grammy and Oscar Award winner Melissa Ethridge will perform at Bass Concert Hall in Austin Aug. 2.

Since 1988, Etheridge has written and recorded a stable of hits which include, “Bring Me Some Water,” “Ain’t it Heavy,” “I’m the Only One,” “Come to My Window,” “I Want to Come Over,” “Angels Would Fall,” “I Run for Life” and “I Need to Wake Up.” Ethridge’s 10th and latest studio album, “Fearless Love” arrives two and a half years after her autobiographical “The Awakening” and six years after her battle with breast cancer.

Tickets are on sale at most H-E-B stores, online at TexasPerformingArts.org and by phone at 477-6060 or (800) 982-BEVO.

“Cronkite: Eyewitness to a Century”

The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum and The University of Texas at Austin’s Dolph Briscoe Center for American History recently announced the new exhibit “Cronkite: Eyewitness to a Century,” now on display at the LBJ Library in Austin.

“Cronkite: Eyewitness to a Century” is the first exhibit to explore broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite’s experiences with some of the most crucial moments in history, including D-Day, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and the space race. The exhibit runs through Jan 3. The LBJ Library is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission and parking are free.

Underwood show sold out

Carrie Underwood’s “Play On Tour” delighted a sold out crowd of 7,100 May 12 at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin.

Underwood’s set list included crowd favorites “Temporary Home,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “All-American Girl” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”

Special guests Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia also performed. The show was the third sell-out at the Frank Erwin Center this year, joining Taylor Swift (March 10) and Elton John (April 10).

LOCALLY:

Pflugerville Pfarmers Market

May 4-Aug. 24

Heritage Park

Customers will now shop in the eco-friendly renewable energy structure known as the Green Red Barn. Enjoy shopping for locally grown, organic produce, meat products, food items and baked goods. Visit pflugervillefarmersmarket.com or call 251-5082.

Hendrickson playoff run

May 20-22

The Hawks play Hutto at Georgetown High School Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. a third game takes place Saturday at Pflugerville High School at 1 p.m. if necessary. Tickets range from $3-$5.

Graham Central Station

Brandon Rhyder

June 3

EVENTS
Fiesta Amistad

Old Settlers Association building – Round Rock

May 29-30

Round Rock El Amistad Club hosts the 41^st annual event.

MOVIES

Opening this week:

“Shrek Forever After”

Everyone’s favorite big green ogre is back, this time trying to outwit Rumpelstiltskin in the fourth and final Shrek adventure.

“MacGruber”

Still man enough to sport a mullet, SNL’s master crime fighter is called back into action to find a stolen nuclear warhead.

COMING SOON

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (May 28)
“Sex and the City 2” (May 28)

ON DVD

“Invictus”

“Valentine’s Day”

“Extraordinary Measures”

“The Spy Next Door”

“The Messenger”

THEATRE

Palace Theatre – Georgetown

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”

May 21-23, 28-30, June 4-6

The play, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and directed locally by Mary Ellen Butler, brings to vibrant life the Biblical saga. Tickets range from $8 (children 15 and under) to $22 (general admission). Visit thegeorgetownpalace.org or call (512) 869-7469.

COMEDY

Frank Erwin Center – Austin

Rickey Smiley and Friends

May 28

Tickets range from $25-$50 and go on sale March 27 at 10 a.m.

Jeff Dunham

June 26 @ 8 p.m.

Tickets are $40.50.

To purchase tickets, visit H-E-B stores, call 477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or go online to TexasBoxOffice.com.

ARTS

H.J. Lutcher Stark Center – University of Texas at Austin

“Our Body: The Universe Within” educational exhibit

April 24-Oct. 1

Bodies, specimens and organs have been preserved using a process known as polymer impregnation. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $16-$21. Visit texasperformingarts.org.

MUSIC

Frank Erwin Center – Austin

“Star Wars: In Concert”

June 6 @ 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets range from $35 to $100.

Tickets for all events are on sale at H-E-B stores, by phone at 477-6060 and 1-800-982-2386 and online at TexasBoxOffice.com.