AUSTIN, TX— Summers in Austin are filled with events as unique as the city's landscape and eclectic as its people. Nearly 40,000 motorcycles roar through the streets during the 12th annual Republic of Texas Biker Rally in June. Song and dance fill Zilker Park with annual events including Ballet Under the Stars, Blues on the Green and the Zilker Summer Musical. In August, flights of the largest urban bat colony in North America reach a peak. Visit www.austintexas.org for special travel packages and discounts on events and area attractions. The website also provides comprehensive listings and calendar dates, which are subject to change. For additional information, contact the Austin Visitor Center at 209 E. Sixth St., Austin, TX 78701; 866-GO-AUSTIN. Year-round First Thursday South Congress Avenue Merchants along the historic, pedestrian-friendly strip keep their doors open until 10 p.m. with music, arts, crafts and food vendors, creating a street-party atmosphere the first Thursday of every month. www.firstthursday.info Through 6/30 A.R. Valentien Watercolor Art Exhibit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Nature and art come together at the McDermott Learning Center, where viewers can see the elaborate paintings of A.R. Valentien from the early 1900's. Valentien created more than 1000 detailed illustrations of some 1500 species of American wildflowers. 512-292-4100 www.wildflower.org Through 7/29 The American Twenties Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center This all-gallery exhibit showcases literature and art in more than 400 displays that define the “Roaring Twenties, “ the notorious era of the Harlem Renaissance, Jazz Age, prohibition and the start of the Great Depression. 512-471-8944 www.hrc.utexas.edu Through 8/12 Made to Walk the Skies: Texas and Space Travel Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum This exhibition chronicles Texas' role in the exploration of space, from the early Gemini, Apollo and Skylab projects to modern Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs. Featured historic artifacts include a scale model of NASA’s Lunar Lander from the 1960s and a moon rock from the Apollo 11 mission. 512-936-8746 www.thestoryoftexas.com Through 8/19 Concerts in the Park Wooldridge Park, 9th and Guadalupe The Austin Symphony’s annual free ensemble summer series includes arrangements by Mozart, Ellington, Rodgers & Hammerstein and more. Concert goers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and make it a family affair each Sunday at 7:30 p.m. 512-476-6064 www.austinsymphony.org Through 9/22 The Big Game Austin Children's Museum Oversized versions of popular games build big-thinking skills such as counting, memory and pattern recognition. 512-472-2499 www.austinkids.org Through 11/1 Bat Watching Congress Avenue Bridge The 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that live beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge take flight in a mass exodus each night at dusk. 512-416-5700, ext. 3636 www.batcon.org Through 11/30 Free Walking Tours Downtown Austin Austin CVB tour guides lead guests on foot through such historic areas as the Texas Capitol Grounds, Congress Avenue, Sixth Street and the Victorian homes of the Bremond Block. Contact the Austin Visitor Center for tour schedules. 512-478-0098 www.austintexas.org Through 12/17 Austin Farmers Market Republic Square Park, 4th and Guadalupe Streets Each Saturday, this growers-only market features fresh produce, garden workshops, children’s activities and live music. 512-236-0074 www.austinfarmersmarket.org June 5/24–6/10 Kerrville Folk Festival Quiet Valley Ranch, Kerrville, TX This 18-day festival features performances by more than 100 singer-songwriters and their bands. Campgrounds and cafes offer accommodations and food. 830-257-3600 http://www.kerrville-music.com 5/29-6/3 Tapestry Dance Company’s Soul to Sole Festival The Helm Fine Arts Center, St. Stephen’s School The Soul to Sole Tap Festival features performances by such international artists as Dianne Walker, Jason Samuels-Smith, Acia Gray and more, in addition to classes, videos and panel discussions. 512-773-7827 www.soultosole.com 5/31 – 6/3 Republic of Texas Biker Rally Travis County Exposition Center and Sixth Street The state’s largest motorcycle gathering attracts thousands of bikers and onlookers. 972-387-1883 www.rotrally.com 6/1-6/3 Texas Greek Festival Austin Museum of Art – Laguna Gloria The 7th annual festival celebrates Greek food, music and culture with a "bouzouki" band, traditional dancing and authentic cuisine. The party runs daily from 6 p.m.-midnight. 512-844-3856 www.texasgreekfestival.com 6/1-7/31 Children's Day Art Park Symphony Square - 1101 Red River St. This summer program features local musicians, dancers, storytellers, magicians, mimes and crafts people. Festivities take place Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Admission is 50¢ for children. 512-476-6064 www.austinsymphony.org 6/2 - 6/3 Ballet Under the Stars Zilker Hillside Theatre The Austin Dance Ensemble presents "Ballet Under the Stars" with premier works from guest choreographers. Admission is free, but a $3 parking fee is charged. 512-502-8634 www.ade-ybt.org 6/9 – 6/10 Danskin Women’s Triathlon Walter E. Long Park The all-female participants compete in a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. 800-452-9526 www.danskin.com/danskinonline/austin.html 6/9-6/24 Capital of Texas Juneteenth Celebration East Austin and various locations Juneteenth celebrates the day that slaves in Texas learned of their independence following the end of the Civil War. Festivities include a pageant, parades, 2K fun run and carnival. 512-832-9058 www.geaya.net/Juneteenth.htm 6/14-8/23 Blues on the Green Zilker Park Free music from some of Austin’s best musicians fills the summer night from an outdoor stage at Rock Island on alternate Wednesdays, June through August. www.kgsr.com 6/9-8/4 Splash Party Movie Nights Deep Eddy Pool Each Saturday, catch a flick and take a swim—at the same time. Settle down for free movies in the spring-fed pool or on the lawn. The cost is $3 for adults, $2 for juniors (12-17), and $1 for children (0-11). 512-472-8546 www.ci.austin.tx.us 6/23 The Subaru Urban Assault Race RunTex: 422 West Riverside Dr. This race combines adventure and skill, as teams dash through the city on a scavenger hunt involving both physical and mental challenges. The starting gun is fired at 8 a.m. 512-472-3254 http://www.urbanassaultrace.com 6/23-6/24 Celebrando 2007 Akins High School Fine Arts Center Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance showcases dance masters and their company members, who merge with PRFD's dancers and musicians for a 10th anniversary performance. 512-251-8122 www.prfdance.org 6/30 Heart of Texas Red, White and Blues Festival Waterloo Park Local and national blues artists gather for an early Independence Day celebration and jam throughout the day. www.redwhiteandbluesfestival.com July 7/4 Fourth of July Fireworks & Symphony Zilker Park The Austin Symphony hosts an annual concert of patriotic music that culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over Town Lake. Music starts at 8:30 p.m.; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. 512-476-6064 www.austinsymphony.org 7/7 - 8/12 Zilker Summer Musical: My Favorite Year Zilker Hillside Theatre Hilarity ensues when a former matinee idol is slated to appear on a live TV variety show. Shows take place Thurs.-Sun. at 7 p.m. 512-479-9491 www.zilker.org 7/20 - 7/23 Custom Sounds Texas Heat Wave Travis County Expo Center One of the largest custom truck and car shows in the nation features the hottest cars, trucks, bikes and anything else with wheels. 512-252-0283 www.heatwaveinc.com July 16-17, 21-22, August 18-19 Old Gruene Market Days Gruene, Texas Nearly 100 vendors offer uniquely crafted items, collectibles and Texas foods in the Gruene Historic District. 830-832-1721 www.gruenemarketdays.com August 8/24 – 8/25 Austin Bamboo Festival Zilker Botanical Gardens The 5th annual event features tours of the Taniguchi Japanese Garden, traditional dances, bamboo crafts and flute music. 512-477-8672 www.bamboocentral.net/pages/588105/index.htm 8/25 Keep Austin Weird 5K and Free Concert Auditorium Shores One of Austin’s only evening runs combined with music, food and drink. Tickets are available ahead of time at RunTex for $5. 512-448-2336 http://www.keepaustinweird5k.com 8/28-1/1/2008 Rehearsing the American Dream: Arthur Miller's Critical Theater Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center This Arthur Miller exhibition uses his plays Death of a Salesman and The Crucible to explore conscience in theatrical expression. 512-471-8944 www.hrc.utexas.edu 8/27 Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival Waterloo Park Join this annual taste-off where amateurs and pros alike compete for bragging rights to the best hot sauce. 512-454-5766 www.austinchronicle.com