Give the Gift of RUDEness! Oyster Club on the Half Shell is Here!

IN BRIEF:

• Looking for a gift for the person who has everything? Oyster Club on the Half Shell is the answer!
  
• Our own Kirk Lynn was awarded a USA Artist Fellowship.
  
• Method Gun gets Best of 2011 in New York Magazine.
  
• More Rude shows on tour! Dionysus in '69 at Princeton in December and The Method Gun heads Down Under in February.
  
• Keep an eye out for the workshop production of our NEXT NEW PLAY in January/February.

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Give an awesome gift that supports the arts!

Looking for a gift for the person who has everything? Something that supports the arts in Austin AND provides you with something special to give? Or maybe you just need the promise of something special in the new year?

Click here to find your answer: A half-season membership to the Oyster Club!

Purchase a half-season membership and attend the remaining four Oyster Club gatherings this season:

January 15th - Behind the scenes tour at the new studios of locally-based internationally-acclaimed artist collective OK Mountain. Wash it all down with award-winning Balcones Whiskey and other edible treats.
February 9th - Rude Mechs' own Kirk Lynn and his beloved partner, National Poetry Award Winner, Carrie Fountain, kick off an open mic for love poems and songs in a unique private home. Austin KOOP radio DJ's will move you with their favorite love songs while you succumb with our intoxicating Love Potion. And yes, there will be cupcakes.
March - Award-winning Austin filmmaker PJ Raval curates a night at the movies. Buttered popcorn will pale in comparison to the treats we will serve!
April - A special night at the wildly popular Fusebox Festival for Oyster Club members. Reception to accompany the event with artful food and drink curated by Edible Austin. (not included: ticket to the performance)

What is the Oyster Club? Meeting once in every month whose name contains an "r" (September-April), the Oyster Club is a way to find pearls of art, architecture, music, film, food, and performance in the oceans of culture in Austin and Central Texas. Rude Mechs will lead this off-beat culture club to backstage access, private tours, secret after-parties, and once-in-a-lifetime spectacles. The Oyster Club will keep you active without making you busy. 

Dionysus in '69 and The Method Gun on tour

After knocking the socks (and shirts, and pants, and many undergarments) off of Austin audiences in late 2009, Rude Mechs' faithful re-enactment of The Performance Group's legendary Dionysus in '69 is headed back east for two performances at Princeton's Lewis Center on December 9th and 10th. The performances will be presented in conjunction with a 2-day Performance Studies Symposium that is free and open to the public.

So we hit nearly every corner of the US with The Method Gun in 2011, and ya know, we're just plain b-o-r-e-d with the Nothern Hemisphere. What's a restless theatre company to do? Head Down Under, of course. February 22 - 26, Rude Mechs will make their first foray into Australia with a week long run of The Method Gun at Brisbane Powerhouse's World Performance Festival. We're trying to act all cool and shit, but we're pretty freakin' excited.

You are Invited to Sign Up for The Oyster Club!

JOIN THE OYSTER CLUB!

WE WANT TO PARTY WITH YOU!

Registration is open for the 2010/2011 Oyster Club Season!!

With two years of smashing success under its belt, last season's Oyster Club saw the best off-beat art in Central Texas. From the outrageous opening party with fresh oysters from the Gulf Coast (worth five times the price of admission alone) to KLRU's Painted Churches Tour, the Oyster Club saw the best off-beat art in Central Texas. And this year is going to be even bigger and even better!

Meeting once in every month whose name contains an "r" (September-April), the Oyster Club is a new way to find pearls of art, architecture, music, film, food, and performance in the oceans of culture in Austin and Central Texas. Rude Mechs will lead this off-beat culture club to backstage access, private tours, secret after-parties, and once-in-a-lifetime spectacles. And once again this year, Edible Austin Magazine will partner with Rude Mechs to showcase the best of Austin's local food scene at every event! The Oyster Club will keep you active without making you busy.

Membership in Rude Mechanicals' Oyster Club includes access to a members-only website where you can sign up for events taking place throughout the year in months that contain the letter "R" (there's eight of 'em). The Oyster Club’s name is based on the popular misconception that oysters are only safe to eat in those months. (This may have once been a good guide before modern refrigeration made it safe to eat oysters all-year round; its ongoing validity is now hotly debated.)

"Last night was the second Oyster Club event of the year. It was a tour of the Charles Moore house, an amazing architectural work filled to the brim with trinkets and doodads and stuff. It also had the scariest chair I have ever seen. [ ] really enjoyed the short discussion on Charles Moore’s architectural style and perspective. I really enjoyed the food. There were apple pie cupcakes from Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop. Holy. Cow. A delicious vanilla cupcake with spiced apples in the center and topped with cinnamon buttercream. The Tipsy Texans wowed us with Moore House punch, a concoction of fresh citrus juices, two kinds of rum and Pimento Liqueur that they created just for this event… and an insanely good Tom & Jerry, an old-fashioned drink made with a batter of eggs, sugar and spices, rum, brandy and hot water; the Tipsy Texans substituted local Zhi Tea for the hot water. There was live music, cool people, and good times all around. Seriously, the Oyster Club has been one of the best investments we’ve ever made." -- Oyster Club Member Blog, 2009

This year Rude Mechs will kick off the season on September 19th with their traditional party at The Plant at Kyle, an AIA award-winning architectural landmark incorporating parts of the former Alamo Cement Plant. Designed by Lake|Flato , this unique structure is nestled in a hill-country setting ~40 minutes drive from downtown Austin. And Edible Austin Magazine will reprise last year's memorable Oyster feast including outstanding Texas local, gulf seafood. This is a party you won't want to miss!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PAST OYSTER CLUB EVENTS (or check them all out here)

WHEN:

Events occur monthly September 2010 - April 2011

WHERE:

Fabulous venues in Austin and the surrounding areas

COST OF MEMBERSHIP:

$200 Individuals, $300 Pairs

Membership dues are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law, and all proceeds benefit Rude Mechs and everything that goes on at their theater, The Off Center.

MEMBERSHIP SIGN UP:

Sign up now through September 1st at Eventbrite! http://oysterclub10.eventbrite.com/

Only 100 Memberships available!

And of course, don't forget to get your tickets now to our annual fundraiser party,

The AYE EYE BALL, on August 21st!

Get Rude Two Ways: Join The Oyster Club & See I've Never Been So Happy

1. Join The Oyster Club!
2. Don't miss I've Never Been So Happy!

1. The Oyster Club
Join the club for invitations to monthly events September - April.

The first event is September 10th!

Membership Tickets
Membership website

Eight shots of off-beat culture hosted by Rude Mechs! Meeting once in every month whose name contains an "r" (September-April), the Oyster Club is a new way to find pearls of art, architecture, music, film, food, and performance in the oceans of culture in Austin and Central Texas. The Rude Mechs will lead this renegade culture club to backstage access, private tours, secret after-parties, and once-in-a-lifetime spectacles. The Oyster Club will keep you active without making you busy. The first event is September 10th - a special night with our new show "I've Never Been So Happy."

2. I've Never Been So Happy
a new western operetta performance experiment
September 10 - 20, 2009
Show Tickets
Show website

Come see musical theatre for a new breed of Texan! And stay to for a western adventure where you will be plied with soothing adult elixirs, taught how to use a lasso to capture your love, and boot scoot on our authentic Texas dance floor to the greatest music in the West.

I've Never Been So Happy, with music and lyrics by Austin Experimental Punk Grand Wizard Peter Stopschinski, and book and lyrics by Austin Experimental Theatre Mascot Kirk Lynn, fluctuates freely between high art and Hee-Haw, treating both with respect. The music pits a “Grand Ole Opry” style West against an “El Topo” style West. The writing butts lyric poetry up against bar jokes with finesse. The evening challenges what it means to “go to the theater” in 2009. In the olden days of face-to-face interaction, folks sauntered down Main Street kickin' up a trail o' dust and hollerin’ at the barber, "How's Jolene?" Now it's all checking out a video of a dude from Buenos Aires, remixing it, then posting it for others to chop and screw. This post-operetta (g)host town is the best of both worlds. The immediate participatory horizontal cultural production, but without all the emoticons because you are standing in the yard of The Off Center with all your Facebook friends gettin’ drunk, makin’ rope, bustin’ imaginary mutton and drawin’ maps of Texas land use in real time.

Rude Summer Calendar

Plan your summer with Rude Mechs and mark your calendar.

We've got Henry V in there right now through 07/25. Get tix here!

Grrl Action performances are FREE and will be held on 07/25 & 07/26 at 2pm, and it appears that as a result of the NEA Recovery award, we will be graced with the presence of Congressman Lloyd Doggett at the Grrl performance on the 25th. We hope it works out because we are huge fans of his and would love to express our gratitude in person for all of his great work.

The Sci-fEye Ball is on August 22nd. Invitations will go out in the mail next week and you will be BLOWN AWAY by Carol Gunn's beautiful artwork and invitation design. Tickets will go on sale August 1st. We are still accepting fabulous Silent Auction and Live Auction items. If you want to donate, just send an email to auction@rudemechs.com and let us know!

Then September 10 - 20 we will mount another work-in-progress presentation of I've Never Been So Happy featuring the last 5 scenes of the play. We're testing a new format - so come tell us what you think! And then we'll start fundraising like mad to do a full production one day.

And then right after I've Never Been So Happy we will launch the Oyster Club season with the September event - the party at the Plant at Kyle. The Oyster Club leads you to 8 cultural events (one per month, September - April) and features local foods & beverages organized by Edible Austin. Check out rudemechs.com for club details, sign up information, and a look at last year's events.

We've Got October Covered

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Delta Rhapsody featuring Nadine Mozon- one night only on Saturday 10/11
2. The Oyster Club - Launch Party on Sunday 10/12
3. Grrl Action Year-Round kicks off soon, we're still accepting GRRLS!!!
4. Thrill the World with Rude Mechs, Flash Mob Austin and Alamo Drafthouse

5. Rude Mechs Season Sponsors

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1.BAM Festival at The Off Center

DELTA RHAPSODY
a new play written and performed Nadine Mozon
directed by Madge Darlington

ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!
October 11, 2008 at 8pm at The Off Center
presented by Pro Arts Collective as part of their festvial, BAM! (Black Arts Movement)
co-produced by Rude Mechs as part of our Rude Fusion series
Tickets: All tickets for BAM Festival are sold through The Long Center for the Performing Arts ticket office. Click here to purchase tickets.


NADINE MOZON is an actor, poet, dramatist, and teaching artist whose work has been produced for the stage. Such work includes her one-woman show, “Confirming the Search: That Girl’s Still Here Somewhere,” which received critical recognition in New York and Los Angeles, and “I.D. Please,” an ensemble theatre piece commissioned and presented in New York. Other acting credits include regional theatre, film, and television (Esther in "Intimate Apparel," Rose in “Fences,” Lily in “Crumbs from the Table of Joy,” Shaft, Two Weeks Notice, guest appearances on Law & Order and One Life to Live, Third Watch). Her poems have appeared in magazines, journals and anthologies, among them, Essence, Ms., Clarity, Lungfull, and A Gathering of the Tribes. She has been a featured artist and collaborative partner with dancers, choreographers, singers, and musicians in New York venues from Nuyorican PoetsCafé to Lincoln Center; around the U.S. and Bermuda, at festivals, and hosted as guest artist at colleges and universities. Ms. Mozon continues to conduct poetry and theatre workshops in libraries, schools, and museums for participants of all ages, as well as readings at events featuring new work and her book of poetry, Kiss it Up to God.

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2. Join the club and support cross-pollination of the arts! Kick-off event and Rude Mechs' fundraiser THIS SUNDAY, October 12, 5-8 pm.

Rescheduled from our previous date due to Hurricane Ike, the Oyster Club hosts a kick-off event Sunday, October 12, 5-8pm, that includes a mini-road trip to The Plant at Kyle—a dramatic architectural landmark tucked away on 17 Hill-Country acres just 30 miles from downtown Austin. Your $100 donation gains you access to this amazing Launch Party and the soon-to-be launched members-only website. Membership guarantees invitation to events taking place throughout the year in months that contain the letter "R" (there's eight of 'em). Modest per-event fees will apply for future events, but this one is on us!

Rude Mechs is wildly grateful to all of the amazingly generous vendors contributing to this event to ensure party perfection. Fresh Gulf-coast oysters from local seafood vendor Roberto San Miguel of San Miguel Food will be in the culinary spotlight. With assistance from co-event-underwriter Ross Smith, Edible Austin magazine, and local Chef Jim Doss, San Miguel will dazzle the crowd with oysters on the half-shell, oysters à la mac (cocktail sauce and Monterey Jack cheese), oysters Rockefeller and smoked oysters on skewers. Gulf shrimp and freshly caught red snapper will also be prepared for the non-oyster lovers in attendance.

Local spirits will be in abundance as well, featuring Tipsy Texan mixologist David Alan serving up his signature Oyster Club cocktail (a perfect pairing for the feast made with Texas's own Treaty Oak RumThe Austin Wine Merchant) and Paula Angerstein mixing Paula's Texas Orange and Lemon with local fave Savvy Vodka. Another perfect pairing with the oyster feasting will be selections from Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Dr. Oolong himself, Jeffrey Lorien of Zhi Tea, will be serving a special blend of iced tea from their fabulous tea bar as well. To top off the evening, delectable desserts will be concocted by Rude Mechs company member and gourmet caterer Leilah Stewart. Plus tastings from Cocao Pura's Tom Peterson.

The music for the event will be provided by DJ Manateeman and will include a five-minute preview remix of the new Rude musical, "I've Never Been So Happy!"

We invite you to take a refreshing dip in the pool as you soak in the atmospheric Hill Country breezes. So bring your beach towel and swim gear too if the weather cooperates!
and a secret ingredient from

The Oyster Club’s name is based on the popular misconception that oysters are only safe to eat in those months. (This may have once been a good guide before modern refrigeration made it safe to eat oysters all-year round; it’s ongoing validity is now hotly debated.)

Rude Mechs, whose theatrical productions have toured around the globe, are now positioning themselves as more than playmakers. With the launching of the Oyster Club, the Rude Mechs are now tastemakers celebrating local, live culture. Join the Club today to experience even more of what makes Austin unique!

WHEN: Sunday 10/12, 5 pm to 8 pm
WHERE: Directions will be provided upon purchase of membership
TICKETS: Reservations are required. Space is limited.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW

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3. There's still time to sign up a fabulous GRRL for Grrl Action's Year-Round Mentoring Program

Year-Round Grrl Action kicks off October 18th. There's still time to sign up!
We are looking for girls between the ages of 13 and 16 with a desire to express themselves through a creative project. Grrl Action Year-Round includes:

An opportunity to create a personal artistic project while working with a professional female artist, a mentor who will provide one-on-one guidance;
Fun workshops on autobiographical writing and performance;
Guest workshops with local professional artists;
Field trips to many of Austin's exciting performances and cultural events; and
A weekend retreat in the Spring to explore artistic projects.

Final projects will be presented to the public at Grrl Wrap in late Spring.

When: Two Saturdays each month. Our next meeting is Oct. 18, 2008, 2-4pm.
Where: At The Off Center, 2211-A Hidalgo St., Austin, TX.
Tuition: $500 includes all classes, workshops, field trips, and retreat. Can be paid in installments. Full and partial scholarships are still available.

For more information, see www.grrlaction.org or contact Madge Darlington and Meg Sullivan at grrlaction@rudemechs.com.

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4. Thrill the World with Rude Mechs, Flash Mob Austin and Alamo Drafthouse!

Thrill The World is an annual worldwide simultaneous dance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Thousands of zombies around the world will dance to "Thriller" at exactly the same time in an attempt to break last year's world records. Austin will proudly join 83 other cities in 12 nations on 4 continents in this record-breaking event.

When: Austin’s “Thrill Time” is 1pm on Saturday, October 25, 2008. Registration to participate in the ‘official’ record attempt will begin at 10am and close at 12:30pm. Participants must already know the dance by 10am Saturday in order to be counted toward the ‘official’ attempt (see below for information on learning the dance).

Where: Stay tuned to www.thrilltheworldaustin.com.

Who: Anyone who has ever wanted to learn the "Thriller" dance will have their chance this year! In order to prepare Austin zombies for this massive performance, there will be seven FREE zombie dance workshops in the two weeks prior to the event. No prior dance or zombie experience required. Just show for all or part of any workshops.

Workshop Dates/Times/Locations:

Saturday, October 11, 1-4pm, Gallery 5619
Tuesday, October 14, 6-10pm, The Off Center
Saturday, October 18, 1-4pm, Gallery 5619
Sunday, October 19, 6-10pm, The Off Center
Tuesday, October 21, 6-10pm, The Off Center
Thursday, October 23, 9:45pm MJ sing-along followed by Learn the Dance, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown
Friday, October 24, 6-10pm, The Off Center

There are also videos available on line so you can learn the dance in the privacy of your own home, if you prefer. Go to www.thrilltheworld.com. (Click on ‘Learn the Dance’.)
We hope to have over 1000 zombies join us for our Thrill the World Austin attempt to break the world record.

The Oyster Club

IN THIS ISSUE

1. The Oyster Club - Kick Off Party on Sunday 10/12
2. Thanks to everyone for making The Evil Eye Ball such a success

1. Join the Oyster Club - Kick Off Party on Sunday 10/12

The Oyster Club is a new members-only club for Austinites with adventurous tastes to discover the pearls of local music, performance, film, food, art and architecture. Rude Mechs will lead this renegade culture club to backstage access, private parties, and once-in-a-lifetime spectacles. Meeting once in every month whose name contains an "R" (September - April), the Oyster Club will keep its members active without making them busy.

The kick-off party takes place on October 12th at The Plant at Kyle, a dramatic architectural landmark tucked away on 17 acres of hill country just 30 miles from downtown Austin. The Plant at Kyle was designed by Lake | Flato Architects and has won several awards including the AIA 1992 Institute Honor Award. The event will also invite attendees to take a refreshing dip in the designer swimming pool at the Plant as they soak in the atmospheric Hill Country breezes, so dress in beachwear and don’t forget your beach towel and swim gear.

Fresh Texas-coast oysters from local seafood vendor Roberto San Miguel of San Miguel Food will be in the culinary spotlight. With assistance from co-event-underwriter Ross Smith, Edible Austin magazine and local Chef Jim Doss, San Miguel will dazzle the crowd with oysters on the half-shell, oysters à la mac (cocktail sauce and Monterey Jack cheese), oysters Rockefeller and smoked oysters on skewers. Gulf shrimp and freshly caught red snapper will also be prepared for the non-oyster lovers in attendance.

Local spirits will be in abundance as well, featuring Tipsy Texan mixologist David Alan serving up his signature Oyster Club cocktail (a perfect pairing for the feast made with Texas's own Treaty Oak Rum) and Paula Angerstein mixing Paula's Texas Orange and Lemon with local fave Savvy Vodka. Another perfect pairing with the oyster feasting will be selections from Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Dr. Oolong himself, Jeffrey Lorien of Zhi Tea, will be serving a special blend of iced tea from their fabulous tea bar as well. To top off the evening, delectable desserts will be provided by Rude Mechs company member and gourmet caterer Leilah Stewart. The music for the event will be provided by DJ Manateeman and will include a five-minute preview remix of the new Rude musical, "I've Never Been So Happy!"

Membership in Rude Mechs' Oyster Club includes not only this event, but access to a members-only website where you can sign up for other events taking place throughout the year in months that contain the letter "R" (there's eight of 'em). The Oyster Club’s name is based on the popular misconception that oysters are only safe to eat in those months. (This may have once been a good guide before modern refrigeration made it safe to eat oysters all-year round; it’s ongoing validity is now hotly debated.)

Rude Mechs, whose theatrical productions have toured around the globe, are now positioning themselves as more than playmakers. With the launching of the Oyster Club, the Rude Mechs are now tastemakers celebrating local, live culture. Join the Club today to experience even more of what makes Austin unique!

WHEN: Sunday 10/12, 5 pm to 8 pm
WHERE: Directions will be provided upon purchase of membership
TICKETS: Your $100 membership fee to join the Oyster Club gains you access to the Kick Off Party and the soon-bo-be launched members-only website. Sign up for events is first-come, first-served and modest per-event fees will apply for future events, but this one is on us!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW

2. Thanks for making The Evil Eye Ball such a success!

A giant thank you to everyone who came out to support Rude Mechs' 13th birthday at The Evil Eye Ball. Here are some links to photos in case ya missed it, or in case you were there and can't remember what happened...uh huh.

Rude Mechs' Flickr page