Noteworthy

Film Texas Receives Tradeshow Award―
Gary Bond represented the Austin Film Commission Film Texas at the 2006 Association of Film Commissioners International, April 7-9, in Santa Monica, CA. Bond promoted Texas as a film location at the Film Texas tradeshow booth, which was selected by a panel of judges for "Most Informative Display." More than 3,400 visitors attended this 21st annual industry trade show. Attendees perused hundreds of locations, incentives and services offered by exhibitors from over 30 countries.

Latino Music Month in Full Swing―The Austin Latino Music Association's (ALMA) Latino Music Month runs in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo, the Austin Salsa Festival, Sonidos del Barrio and Para Cultura Spring Festival. The city of Austin supports Latino Music Month with Friday "Live from the Plaza" concerts by Latino musicians and offers Latino music at City Council meetings throughout May. Highlights include ALMA's Latino country-western program featuring Rick Trevino, Bert Rivera & the Gamblers and Justin Trevino on May 19 at the Broken Spoke, and the Latina Showcase with Patricia Vonne, Rosie Flores, Mary Welch y Los Curanderos and Myrna Cabella & the Gris Gris Blues Band on May 26 at Threadgill's. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum kicks off its 5th Anniversary exhibit It STILL Ain't Braggin' If It's True! with a free concert by Flaco Jimenez at 6pm on May 26, on the museum's Lone Star Plaza. For a complete listing of Latino Music Month events, visit www.austinlatinomusic.com.

Austin Launches "GuitarTown" Project―The City of Austin and Gibson Guitars recently launched a public arts project that will feature up to fifty 10-foot-tall fiberglass Gibson guitars painted by visual artists and celebrities, along with several showcase Gibson Les Paul guitars. Mayor Will Wynn and Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson are project co-chairs. All guitar sculptures will be designed by local artists, with creative assistance from local celebrities, and placed in front of the city's landmarks and businesses for several months. For more information, visit www.austinguitartown.com

Cultural Arts Report Record Numbers―While ballet attendance nationwide continues to drop, Ballet Austin started this season with record-breaking ticket sales for Carmina Burana. The season continued with perfect momentum through the winter, marking the fifth consecutive year for record-breaking Nutcracker ticket sales. Annually, the cultural arts sector, including organizations such as Ballet Austin, contributes $22 billion to the local economy and $48 million to the city's tax revenues. Cultural arts supports more than 44,000 jobs.* Austin is one of only 16 U.S. cities offering a professional ballet company, symphony orchestra, opera, and theatre companies. These organizations, among dozens of independent theatre groups and along with the new Blanton Museum of Art and Austin's other museums, bolster the city's reputation among industry professionals and meetings clients as a center for cultural and performing arts.

*Source: City of Austin, Office of Economic Growth & Redevelopment report, 3/31/06

10 Hot Cities for Job Growth

America's Most Educated Cities

10 Vegetarian-friendly Cities

Austin CVB Mission Statement
The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau is charged with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching our community's overall quality of life.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum