Weekend Roundup

Let's do the time warp again: It's an oddly retro weekend in the ATX

The Texecutioners defend their honor in the Star of Texas Bowl.
Old Skool Dance Fights at Salvage Vangauard Theater.
The spirit of Olivia Newton-John lives on at ZACH's musical production ofXanadu.

I'm not sure what happened recently to invite the wave of nostalgia into our lives, but this weekend is just bumpin' with nostalgic events that will have you feeling like you're living the dreams of yesteryear.

Sometimes it's nice to have an opportunity to relive those glory days, and here are some perfect excuses to pop on that old letterman jacket and tease your hair up extra big for just a few more nights of fun.

On Friday night, you can show everyone those killer disco moves you used to pull out on the dance floor in order to impress the ladies. At Salvage Vanguard Theater, a number of Austin's favorite comedians have coordinated an evening of competitive dance called, appropriately, Dance Fights. Doesn't matter what era or style you choose to use, but you're encouraged to find some partners to join your crew and prepare at least one routine to vie for the evening's coveted Most Creative award. Six teams enter, one team wins.

Saturday, you'll have the chance to relive the early 90s at ACL Live when they feature Barenaked Ladies and Blues Traveler in one nostalgic concert entitled The Last Summer On Earth Tour. Both of these fast-talking super groups made huge radio waves back in the day with hits like "One Week" and "The Hook," respectively; and they're joined by Big Head Todd & The Monsters and Cracker. Practice on the way to the theater, and impress your friends with your flow once again.

Not to be outdone, The Backyard at Bee Cave is hosting Joe Cocker and Huey Lewis and the News on Sunday night. You know Cocker best from the Beatles cover he did for the theme song of The Wonder Years, and Huey Lewis is practically the sum of early 80s easy rock wrapped up into an aged, smiling package. This is a perfect concert to wear your ripped denim Canadian Tuxedo to, for sure.

Roller derby is one of those old school gems that thankfully made a triumphant return into our lives. To satisfy your cravings for all out warfare on wheels, The Texas Rollergirls welcome three of the other top roller derby teams from around the country to the Star of Texas Bowl at the Austin Convention Center. Saturday and Sunday, you can catch the Texecutioners in their all-star glory, picking off the lethal ladies from San Francisco, New York and Seattle. Gotta love a little blood on the track.

If you like your roller skating with a little less internal hemorrhaging, the Broadway musical Xanadu springs to glorious, bubbly life over at ZACH Theatre this weekend. Based on the ridiculous 70s film starring Olivia Newton-John, and entirely aware of its own inanity, the musical stars the always impressive Jill Blackwood in the role she was born to play: a muse sent from heaven to help an aspiring entrepreneur open the world's first roller disco. You clearly can't go wrong with this piece of spot-on musical nostalgia.

Does it count as nostalgia if it's only three years ago? Either way, our favorite little restaurant in nearby East 6th is celebrating its third anniversary, and everyone is invited to the party. On Sunday evening, East Side Showroom is throwing a 3rd Anniversary Party that will include live music, decorations and drink specials all night long. It's free to attend, so everyone is invited to come hang out and enjoy a vintage cocktail or three.

Finally, it's not about nostalgia, but it's too great to leave off the list. The Mohawk is hosting the 2012 Quesoff on Saturday evening, and it's open to the public to come stop up your digestive system with all of the amazing entries in this year's competition for the Best Queso in Austin. The winners in three categories (Meaty, Veggie, and Spicy) will be invited to take their cheeses to a series of national cheese dip contests. And a certain CultureMap editor (it's me!) will be in attendance as one of the special guest judges...

So there you have it, y'all. A retro, rad weekend full of sports, shows, music and more to keep you looking back on the best of times. Remember those times fondly, but be ready to come on back to reality when Monday hits. You don't want to show up at the office having shaved Vanilla Ice stripes on to the sides of your head.

Or on second thought, maybe you do?

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Fight This Fly

Wildlife officials warn Texans about invasive screwworm

U.S. Department of Agriculture/aphis.usda.gov

The the New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasite that turns into a fly.

It probably won't take much to convince Texans to stay away from the latest invasive species from Mexico, once they hear about the symptoms. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) says to look out for evidence of the New World Screwworm (NWS) affecting animals, especially near the state's southern border.

So far it sounds like the NWS is still relatively far away, having been spotted in a cow at a checkpoint near the border between Mexico and Guatemala. It was eradicated from the United States in 1966, according to TPWD, but it is being tracked northward from South and Central America.

Although it's called a worm, it is really a parasitic larva, and this is where things get disturbing.

Before the "worms" become the NWS fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax), they lay eggs in open wounds or orifices of live tissue. They are called screwworms because they screw into the flesh, worsening injuries and causing a painful condition called NWS myiasis. An infestation can even lead to the death of the animal.

The larvae drop to the ground after feeding, and emerge as flies that can travel long distances, so the movement of livestock — not just contact among them — is a concern.

If you don't own livestock, you're not quite out of the woods. Although the NWS does affect those animals the most, it also affects wildlife like deer and birds, and even pets and humans. Hunters should also keep an eye out, as well as any "outdoor enthusiasts," says the release.

From the release, here are some things to look out for:

Irritated or depressed behavior
Loss of appetite
Head shaking
Smell of decaying flesh
Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds
Isolation from other animals or people

To keep the flies away, especially when traveling to NWS-affected areas like Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and South American countries, TPWD says it's important to clean and cover all wounds. Travelers should also use insect repellant on outdoor clothing.

Anyone who suspects signs in wildlife of NWS should report their findings immediately to a local wildlife biologist. Reports about livestock should be directed to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Those enjoying Texas’ natural resources have an opportunity to serve as the first line of defense in protecting wildlife, livestock, and human health,” said TPWD wildlife veterinarian Dr. J Hunter Reed in the release. “Their eyes and ears will be critical to quickly responding and managing this threat.”

animals farmers nature

Weekend Roundup

Let's do the time warp again: It's an oddly retro weekend in the ATX

Fight This Fly

Wildlife officials warn Texans about invasive screwworm

A frozen custard closure and New Year's menus renew Austin food news

Pflugerville chef brings Vietnamese eats to Hutto with new concept

All of the restaurant and bar closures that rocked Austin in 2024