Backstage

Happy 30th Birthday, Frank Erwin Center!

After one full year of commemorating this historic occasion, it is finally time to pull out the birthday hats, cake and 30 big candles to celebrate the Frank Erwin Center’s special day.  After a successful grand opening with a victory for the UT men’s basketball team back on November 29, 1977, the Frank Erwin Center has entertained through concerts, family shows, theatrical performances, comedy acts and more.  Through it all, the mission has always been to treat guests to a first class experience, to support the university’s mission and to provide benefits to the Central Texas community.  Given the entertaining list of events below, it appears the Frank Erwin Center is, indeed, 30 and STILL FABULOUS!
 
Get the fun started early this month with Downtown Fight Night featuring Texas welterweight title fight Gilbert “Boogie” Vera vs. Ray Lino “Randy” Gatica on November 3.  This boxing bout will pit two of Austin’s well known boxing families head to head battling it out for the title of Texas welterweight champion. The undercard at this time includes former Golden Gloves heavyweight champion Todd “Pop Pop” Subocz and some of Austin’s rising stars such as, Casey “The Wizard” Ramos, Thomas Bloodworth, Adauto “Gallito” Gonzalez and more.

Tool has performed as headliners everywhere from Lollapalooza in 1997 to the Coachella festival this year and on November 14, they will be performing here! First emerging in 1990, Tool exposed the world to a heavy metal sound. Coming off a five year hiatus, the band really turned it on with their most recent release, 10,000 Days and if ticket sales are any indication, fans are voting that it was well worth the wait.

Be here on Saturday, November 17 when the festival-like tour including hot bands, Blue October, Yellowcard, Shiny Toy Guns and Lovedrug plays at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center. With the release of their new album, Foiled, Blue October opens up their feelings and emotions about success, life and love and this was obviously a recipe for success as Foiled was certified platinum in the US and Canada in February of this year.  Be here and witness the popular songs from each of these bands live and in person with thousands of your closest friends.

Speaking of Blue, everyone’s favorite blue men are making their way back to Austin.  Get your tickets now for the BLUE MAN GROUP How to Be a Megastar 2.1 Tour that will be hitting the stage at the Frank Erwin Center on Saturday, December 1.  This tour has been a big hit around the US and we are sure it will be a hit here.

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Frank Erwin Center to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  Come on down on December 26 for a holiday treat that will feature pyrotechnics, lasers and lights, all of which sync perfectly with the performance. This is a show that people come back for year after year and you’ll most certainly want to be among those in attendance this year!

Dress up the kids in some of their fancy new holiday duds and and come have some fun when Playhouse Disney Live! arrives at the The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center on December 27! All your Disney favorites will be in stage including characters from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and “My Friends Tigger and Pooh.”  With two shows to choose from, you’re sure to be able to get in a show between feedings and naptime so pack up the car and come have some Disney fun.

Anything come to mind when you hear the whistling of “Sweet Georgia Brown?”  Well, the Harlem Globetrotters, of course!  After 82 years of touring, the masters of basketball entertainment continue to thrill audiences around the world and on February 7, 2008, they will be spreading laughter at the Frank Erwin Center.  

Don’t get left out of the fun! Be sure to visit uterwincenter.com and register to Be the 1st to Know about all the exciting events we have headed your way as soon as the news breaks!

Laura Montez
Editor