Paul Klemperer’s 5th Annual Festivus Celebration!
When: Sunday December 18, 7:00-10:00pm.
Where: Kickbutt Coffee, 5775 Airport blvd.
Tickets: $10 advance, $12 at door.
Every year, Austin saxophonist Paul Klemperer puts on a gala holiday event featuring music, dance, and spoken word, in a lighthearted celebration of the season. It’s also a benefit for Austin Children’s Shelter, a group with a good track record of helping at-risk kids, victims of abuse, and families in crisis.
For advance tickets and to support the campaign:
The idea came after years of playing “Festival of Light” type shows that try to be inclusive of all beliefs, customs, and rituals. It’s a nice idea, but it can get culturally clunky and philosophically problematic.
But it is uplifting to come together and do something to help others at this time of year. Hence Festivus, a completely fictitious holiday that let’s you be as sarcastic and petty as you would be the rest of the year, and yet engage in heartwarming community sharing and caring. Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice… it’s all good here, as long as you can handle the Festivus Pole hogging center stage!
This year’s theme: “It’s A Miracle We’re Still Here.”
Festivus originated on the hit TV sitcom Seinfeld, as an invented holiday meant to satirize the increasing commercialization of Christmas. It’s staples are the Festivus Pole, the airing of grievances, feats of strength, and Festivus miracles! Over the years it has spread around the world wherever tongue-in-cheek humor has a foot hold.
Paul and friends would love for you to join them this year, gather round the Festivus Pole, and help raise money for Austin Children’s Services. If you can’t physically be there, your donation will help others participate, spread good will, and materially benefit kids who need it.
Happy Festivus!