About7 performs for an excited young crowd at Monday's Texas Community Music Festival.

AUSTIN —  The rains finally came to Austin on Monday, moving the Texas Community Music Festival indoors onto the deck at the Cafe at Central Market.

The program was kicked off by About 7, one of a number of new groups to this year’s festival.  In all, there are 14 bands and ensembles playing TCMF for the first time in this, the Sixth Annual Texas Community Music Festival.  It’s an indication of how our festival has grown over the years.  The Austin Banjo club was set to close out Monday’s program at Central Market.

Tuesday’s lineup includes Ky Hote and Celtic Stronghold at 6:15, followed by the Austin Swing Orchestra at 7:30.  Weather permitting, the show will be back outdoors on the patio at the Cafe at Central Market.

As always, the music at TCMF will be GREAT and it will all be FREE!  So come out and enjoy an evening of food, drink and support the Community of Texas Musicians!

Worthy Waites of Whimsey battle the winds and plunging temperature (note the tambourine "wind shield" in the photo) to deliver a spirited performance at Sunday's TCMF!

AUSTIN — Sunday, May 1, a “Blue Norther” blew through Central Texas with high winds and a 30-degree temperature drop!  And the SHOW WENT ON at the Sixth Annual Texas Community Music Festival.

At 1:15pm, the mercury was in the upper 80s, and the San Gabriel Horns were onstage, after performances by the Chaparral Dixielanders and Los Klezmeros.  By the time Monster Big Band took the stage, the temperature had dropped into the low 50s and music lovers were huddled together under blankets.  BUT THE MUSIC WAS HOT and the audience was warmed by one outstanding performance after another.

After the Hill Country Community Band of Wimberley made their sixth straight appearance (one of a few bands that have played all six TCMFs), Silver Thistle Pipe and Drums marched onto the stage and previewed the program they’ll be playing in Scotland at the World Championships this summer.  And the winds rose, like they were howling down from the Highlands themselves.  By the time the Austin Jazz Workshop had finished its awesome set, the sun broke through (jazz tends to do that) but the temperature kept plunging, right through the Band of the Hills, who performed with more than 70 musicians on the Cafe patio, and the Worthy Waites of Whimsey, winners of the “Most Courageous Ensemble” of TCMF so far.

The evening culminated with the incomparable Monster Big Band.

TCMF continues Monday at 5:30 at Central Market North.  Check the schedule for more details.

White Ghost Shivers closes the Saturday session at the TCMF, a true celebration the cultural and musical diversity of Austin at Central Market!

AUSTIN — A show as eclectic as Austin itself was the musical fare at the Sixth Annual Texas Community Music Festival on Saturday, April 30.

Music lovers of all ages enjoyed everything from classical music to a brass band version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” to a little ad hoc Polka and “The Chicken Dance,” and everything in between.

Highlights of the day’s activities included a performance by the host organization, the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, splendid brass band performances by the Austin Brass Band and Suburban Brass, a delightful program of movie themes courtesy of the Hill Country Community Band of Marble Falls, a spirited set of traditional Andean music by Kunitan and an exciting and entertaining show by Saturday’s headliners, White Ghost Shivers.

Sunday’s performances begin at 10am with our traditional Jazz Brunch with the Chaparral Dixielanders and culminate at 7:45 with one of Austin’s most popular jazz bands, the Monster Big Band.    A TCMF Favorite, The Austin Jazz Workshop, will make it’s 2011 festival appearance at 4:00pm.  So make sure you come out to Central Market on Sunday and enjoy the performances of some of Austin’s finest musicians!

The show will go on rain or shine and, as usual, all performances are free and appropriate for audiences of all ages!

Mother Falcon on stage Friday, April 29, to kick off the Sixth Annual TCMF!

Austin — A standing room only crowd mobbed the Cafe at Central Market North Friday night as Mother Falcon kicked off the Sixth Annual Texas Community Music Festival.

Music lovers of all ages were treated to a fabulous performance by one of Austin’s most eclectic young ensembles, typical of the 2011 lineup at the TCMF.  The festival continues Saturday morning at 11am with a performance by the festival host, the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, the oldest community band in Austin and founders of this growing regional music festival.  Saturday’s performances culminate at 7:45 pm with a set by White Ghost Shivers.

The Sixth Annual Texas Community Music Festival continues through Wednesday May 11 … and the show will go on, rain or shine!

Check the schedule page for more information and make plans to come show your support for the Community of Texas Musicians!