As I mentioned in the last post, I'm blogging live at Austin Lyric Opera's 2009-2010 season opener, La Boheme. We are currently in the first intermission of the four-act opera.

The talent on the stage is incredible, in addition to that of the orchestra below. The set design is also top-notch; the second act takes place in the Latin Quarter of Paris. The set was colorful and full of suspended old Parisian paintings in the style of Toulouse-Lautrec. A real marching band came out and the second act ended with a stage full of colorfully-dressed characters, dancing children, and sky-high musical notes from the excellent cast. Right now, all of the audience is mingling over a free glass of champagne provided by Austin Lyric Opera in celebration of the season opening. Once intermission is over, there are two more acts to go. The tone and lyrics have been very humorous and playful so far, but as we all know, it will get darker toward the end. I'm looking forward to the rest.

Have you ever seen La Boheme performed? For those of you who don't know, the Broadway musical (and the movie) "Rent" were based off this opera.

Austin Lyric Opera is kicking off its 2009-2010 season with La Boheme tonight. There will be shows on Nov. 7, 11, 13, and 15 at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

I'm currently blogging from the orchestra level of the Long Center's Lobby. The theme of tonight's season-opening gala is "An Evening in Paris." The opera takes place in Paris in around 1830. A large replica of the Arc de Triomphe sits above the top of the Long Center's grand stairs, so each patron walks through it as they arrive. Outside on the Pavillion, there is a roped off area for patrons only, which features a large replica of the Eiffel Tower in addition to old-style lamplights, and even painters. As you can imagine, those mingling in that area are dressed to the nines! I'm seeing many gowns, gorgeous updos, some fur despite the warm weather, and even a top hat and a tiara.

They just rang the bell -- it's time to get seated! More later.

The fourth annual Fun Fun Fun Fest takes place in Austin this Saturday and Sunday. Put on by Transmission Entertainment, this increasingly popular festival features progressive and underground music in the genres of punk/hardcore, indie rock, and hip hop/DJ. There will also be some comedy shows.

The event will be held at Waterloo Park in downtown Austin and will feature four main stages, one for each genre. While most of the bands are emerging and lesser-known, there will be a few big names there, such as Ratatat, Danzig, Of Montreal, and Pharcyde. Several local food vendors will be there, including Frank, Woodland, Tiff's Treats, and Boomerang's.

Will you be attending Fun Fun Fun Fest? Which act are you most excited about?

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Launch 787, the events company behind Austin's Fashion Week, is featuring a new event this Sunday called Shop787. It is a way to do some holiday shopping before the crowds and chaos begin, and it is also fundraiser and book drive for the Dell Children's Medical Center.

More than 50 local shops, designers, and artists will be at Shop787 selling goods. There will be a food court with vendors including Malaga, Judges' Hill Restaurant, Sushi A Go Go, and The Cupcake Bar.

"While there have been many shopping events in the Austin area, we felt there was a void that really celebrates local business in a unique environment," said Matt Swinney, Founder of Launch787. "It's a great opportunity to keep holiday shopping dollars in the local economy while also supporting a more-than-worthy charity in Dell Children's Medical Center."

Advance tickets are $5 through Shop787.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 (or $5 with the donation of a book for the medical center). Tickets include all beverages (alcohol from Tito's Vodka and Brown Distributing and non-alcoholic beverages from Sweet Leaf Tea).

Shop 787 takes place Nov. 8 from noon to 6 p.m. It will be held in the courtyards at the Mosaic at Mueller, an apartment community near I-35 and 51st Street.