Austin — The Texas Community Music Festival, fresh from it’s most successful two-week run in its eight-year history, is proud to announce a special Encore TCMF 8.1 has been set for the weekend of October 19-20, 2013 at Central Market North.

The theme, as always, will be the diversity of Texas music, but based on the time of year, TCMF 8.1 will have an Oktoberfest flavor as well.

Additional dates and venues may be added in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned and check the TCMF site for performance opportunities, sponsorship opportunities and more details.

Thanks for making TCMF so nice we had to do it twice!

The Austin Polka Band closes the 8th Annual TCMF at the Flying Saucer Pub! Stay tuned music lovers. Plans now in the works for a TCMF 8.1 sometime this fall!

The Austin Polka Band closes the Eighth Annual Texas Community Music Festival at the Flying Saucer pub in Austin. STAY TUNED! New info to come very soon!Austin – Thanks to our hosts, our sponsors, our selfless volunteers, the hundreds of musicians and THOUSANDS of music lovers who made the Eighth Annual Texas Community Music Festival the best one yet.

If you’re a supporter of community music, you probably saw some ensembles you’d never seen before.

If you’re not, then we hope we opened your eyes to a whole new world of music.

And as Louis Armstrong said, “what a wonderful world!”

OH YEAH!

The 145s make their farewell performance at Tuesday’s TCMF

Austin —  The Texas Community Music Festival roared into the home stretch with stellar performances both Monday and Tuesday nights, before record TCMF crowds!

Monday’s show featured a soulful performance by Candace Bellamy and her R&B ensemble on the patio.  The seventeen piece Austin Mandolin Orchestra plucked and strummed their way through a wonderfully diverse setlist and then the packed Cafe audience was completely blown away by an innovative and beautiful performance by the young, talented One Ounce Opera.  As the evening went on, you’d expect the audience to begin to filter out, but Monday night, it grew, grew and GREW!  Had Central Market stayed open past nine, the crowd would still be there.

Tuesday’s performance began with a sentimental farewell performers by TCMF veterans, the 145s, who were playing their swansong before friends, families and a large appreciative audience before moving on to new musical endeavors.  We’ll miss them at TCMF but are sure they’ll be back in one form or another very soon.

The evening, and the Central Market portion of the Eighth Annual Texas Community Music Festival concluded with a performance by Them Blue Skies, a 5 and a half piece blues band featuring TCMF coordinator Kathleen Brotherton on vocals and lead guitar.  It was an upbeat, “downhearted” ending to a record-setting two weeks at Central Market.  TCMF wishes to express its sincerest thanks to Central Market, events coordinator Sean Hopper, TCMF sound engineer Joey Christopher and ALL the outstanding volunteers from the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble (and other groups) who made this year’s festival the best yet.

“TCMF 8.0″ officially closes tonight, Wednesday, at the Farmer’s Market at the Triangle, with a performance by MT Hellton at 6:00, followed by the Austin Polka Band, who will be playing at the Flying Saucer Pub at 7:30.

Austin — The Texas Community Music Festival regrets to announce that the May 2nd performance of The Wurst Band, the traditional closing act of the TCMF, has been cancelled by Scholz Garten management, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control

It is our sincere hope that TCMF and the Wurst Band will return to Scholz’ for the 2014 Texas Community Music Festival.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused.

Austin Samba School brings Carnaval to Central Market and TCMF!

Austin — The Eighth Annual Texas Community Music Festival entered its second swinging week Saturday at Central Market North with performances by some old friends — packing the Cafe patio with dancers —  and ended with a Brazilian style Carnaval — which got EVERYBODY in the house dancing!

The day began with a return engagement by the NUMBERS, a Dixieland band composed of math professors from ACC, and then went to the EIGHTH straight appearance by the Hill Country Community Band of Wimberley… a charter member of the TCMF Family.

Another veteran TCMF group, The Lone Star Swing Syndicate, shared a lively repertoire of swing favorites, followed by an exciting performance by two-time TCMF participant, the Vintage 15.   Gypsy Jazz band, Hot Club Soda were up next, and made their third straight appearance at TCMF.

Things got funky next, as SEVEN time TCMF veterans, Rhythm Congress took the stage with an inspired and “down-blooded” set of R&B classics.

And the evening culminating in a stirring performance by the Austin Samba School and its lively Brazilian Carnaval show.  Even if  you weren’t on the dance floor, everybody in the house was shaking something!  OBA!

Special thanks to special showcase performers MT Hellton and friends, who provided song stylings throughout the afternoon, and will return Sunday for another day of music.

TCMF continues Sunday at 11am at Central Market North and features performances through Thursday, May 2.  Come on out Sunday and enjoy some fabulous musicians, culminating in a repeat performance by TCMF hosts, the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble.  Check the schedule page for details.

Dillon Havins rocks the TCMF!

Austin — The Eighth Annual Texas Community Music Festival featured more great music Tuesday night at Central Market, with another diverse and exciting program.

James Speer led off with a wonderful program of original music and excellent jazz keyboard work.

Songwriter/singer Woot Talley and “the box” played a crowd pleasing set of original tunes which ranged from blues and Western swing to rock music reminiscent of the psychedelic movement of the “good old days.”

The show concluded with a performance by 12-year-old Dillon Havins and Friends … the former “America’s Got Talent” contestant belted out some rock and roll and country favorites and kicked them up with some skillful and tasty guitar work.

The festival moves to The Farmer’s Market at The Triangle on Wednesday with performances by the Austin Polka Band and the Chaparral Dixielanders.  Check the schedule page for more information.

Make plans now to spend some time with the TCMF community of music!