What better way to start your summer than with a laugh? This summer, ZACH’s new Topfer Theatre presents a must-see comedic play: HARVEY. This Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy is about a kind, lighthearted man, Elwood P. Dowd and his imaginary rabbit, Harvey. In HARVEY, Elwood, a man with an immeasurable imagination, faces pressures to conform to the status quo. Elwood’s escapades throughout the play not only leave audience members laughing, but also deliver a meaningful message about keeping dreams limitless. We love that.

The character of Elwood P. Dowd is performed by Austin’s very own local theatrical celebrity, Martin Burke. Burke takes the role of Elwood to a new level with his ability to provide the audience with vivid visualizations of his imaginary friend, Harvey is remarkable. Lauren Lane joins Burke on stage as Veta Louise Simmons. “Lane is such a gifted interpreter of physical comedy, which makes her a natural for this project”, declares ZACH’s Producing Artistic Director, Dave Steakley. Burke’s comedic stage presence and charisma pooled with Lane’s background in comedy forms a winning combination, promising HARVEY will be a successful production.

It’s now officially gorgeous weather, so what are you waiting for when you could be driving a new BMW or Mini? Now is the time to make those car dreams come true.

We love that BMW of Austin and Mini of Austin want you to drive something as beautiful as you are. It’s almost like a public service.

From now until May 18th, experience their passion with a smoking hot deal on a smoking hot BMW or Mini. Zoom, zoom, zoom into summer fun.

For more information, visit www.bmwofaustin.com (512.343.3500) and www.miniofaustin.com (512.410.2734)

Get your first look at fame and the latest fashion phenomenon in the new books: famous and Fashion Scandinavia, extraordinary volumes documenting the cult of fame and the rising trend of fashion innovation developed in Scandinavian countries.

In famous, with images spanning a period of 40 years, this book takes us to London, Paris, and around the world on the heels of such figures as Kate Moss, Woody Allen, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot and Elizabeth Taylor. The pictures capture the tension between performance and vulnerability, distance and tangibility, fiction and reality, and transform each frame into an inquiry into the function celebrity serves in our culture. famous interrogates not only our culture’s fascination with celebrity, but the purpose and potential of the photographic medium itself. We love it.

In Fashion Scandanavia, the tome features more than 50 notable designers who celebrate the high quality and simplicity of Scandinavian design. Each page captures the increasing status of Scandinavian fashion, which is further emphasized by new up-and-comers such as Ann-Sofie Back and Soulland as well as more notable brand names like Acne and Marimekko.

We all know that mothers love bouquets, but ambitious social entrepreneur CAROLINE BOUDREAUX of The Miracle Foundation is teaming up with top crowd funding site INDIEGOGO.COM and UNICEF Ambassador TEA LEONI to celebrate great moms a different way: by bringing joy to kids who don’t have one. Does it get any better than that?

How? The “Orphans Over Orchids” Global Challenge aims to raise $100,000 by Mother’s Day (May 12th) to quickly and successfully transform an entire struggling orphanage. This will vastly improve lifelong outcomes for 100 boys and girls with trackable results like clean water, better food, good healthcare, smart life skills training, tutoring, a cozier environment-- and hugs from loving and well-trained housemothers. So crucial for any child, anywhere.

It is so simple to contribute. “With a few clicks, people anywhere in the world can join Orphans Over Orchids, get (or request) a meaningful gift, and make a powerful difference for parentless kids,” says Leoni, whose grandmother founded UNICEF. Turns out that crowd funding is a quick and anonymous way for people to go online safely and donate to appealing projects at home and abroad-- without ever being asked for more. They catch fire quickly when they strike a chord, and donors tweet and post on Twitter and Facebook.

This year on May 11th and 12th, The Advocate magazine is presenting the 40th annual Mother’s Day Home Tour at the Swiss Avenue Historic District in Dallas, chaired by Kelly Gordon and Elizabeth Mast. The District’s goal is to promote historic preservation, and to involve citizens in the community in the most fabulous way possible. Dallas is home to some well-renowned early 20th century architectures, including fine examples from the Italian Renaissance, the Colonial and Tudor Era, and the Jacobethan period.

Two out of the eight gorgeous historic homes being featured are celebrating their 100th birthday, and one home is making its debut. The Criswell House, with it’s well known pastor, W.A. Criswell, are new to the tour this year and should be a unique new addition! To add a little more artistic flare to the tour is St. Matthews Cathedral with its beautiful stained glass and oil paintings.

The Swiss Avenue Home Tour provides historical as well as artistic entertainment for everyone, and if you are worried about your children getting bored, don’t be. There are children’s activities planned throughout the entire day. For everyone that appreciates the arts, there is live music and an art fair put on by unique artists in the area, which is also a great opportunity to buy some one-of-a kind gifts.

You loved the film. Now you can love the touring Broadway in Austin production at Texas Performing Arts of the first national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical. The musical magic happens next week: May 8 -12, 2013 (Wednesday–Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.;

Sunday at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m. Bass Concert Hall at 2350 Robert Dedman Drive on the UT campus will be the site of the musical shenanigans. Broadway in Austin and the crew at Texas Performing Arts always do a first rate job with each production.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical will star Wade McCollum (“Tick/Mitzi”), Scott Willis (“Bernadette”) and Bryan West (“Adam/Felicia”) as the trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. Joe Hart stars as “Bob.” With over 500 dazzling 2011 Tony® Award-winning costumes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical features a hit parade of over 20 dance-floor favorites including “It's Raining Men,” “Finally” and “I Will Survive.” The new musical opened on Broadway to critical acclaim on March 20, 2011 at the Palace Theatre. We love thatThe Hollywood Reporter called Priscilla “funny and fabulous! Joyous entertainment with eye-popping visuals and unexpected heart!.”

It’s that time again. Time to get as fashionably hip as possible… starting this weekend. And then some. Why? It’s a week long of non-stop events to satiate your appetite for high style with Austin Fashion Week, Matt Swinney

After a week of a ton of runway shows, fashion parties and presentations, including the showcase events at local retailers, salons and spas and the Runways & Marketplace gathering at La Zona Rosa, Austin Fashion Week will culminate with the ultra glam Austin Fashion Awards on Saturday, May 11th at the Austin Music Hall. The show will again be hosted by Sandy of the JB and Sandy Morning Show on Mix 94.7. Why attend? That’s simple. The evening will share complete collections from designers like Austin’s own Gail Chovan for Blackmail, Stephen Moser, Kendra Scott, and Dawn Younger-Smith for Boudoir Queen along with looks by local Mash-Up Teams who will walk the custom runway. Hair by Jackson Ruiz and make up by Mandy Hernandez complete the looks of course. In addition to the shows, the prized Golden Boot Award, presented to this year’s Rising Stars, Trailblazers, and Mash-Up Teams. We have an inside track on who they are (see image) - it looks like our very own Lance Avery Morgan is receiving a Trailblazer Award, as a matter of fact.

If you are in the Hill Country this weekend, then the place to be to celebrate the Kentucky Derby is at Vaudeville’s gallery, bistro and courtyard space, one of the hippest stores and event venues in the already hip and world-renowned Fredericksburg.

Vaudeville owners Richard Boprae and Chef Jordan Muraglia have teamed with the Garrison Brothers Distillery, located in nearby Hye, to create an event that will be filled with bottomless Mimosas, a Mint Julep station, a “best” hat contest and musical entertainment to watch the races in high style.

Tickets are $85 per person at Vaudeville, located at 230 E. Main in Fredericksburg and for more information, visit http://www.vaudeville-living.com/

(The Tiffany Blue Book Ball. Image Courtesy of Getty/Wire Images)

What a perfect alliance. Recently, Tiffany & Co. had a Jazz Age moment at the Blue Book Ball as the Roaring Twenties came to life in Manhattan for a party more swell than most.

Dazzling with 1920’s sparkle, The Great Gatsby-era returned for one evening as the esteemed jeweler hosted the Blue Book Ball that coincided with the launch of the soon-to-be released film. The champagne-laden event was held in honor of the 2013 Blue Book Collection of Tiffany’s chic jewels that were inspired by the Jazz Age that transformed the world’s fashion and culture.

Long revered since before the actual 1920’s, Tiffany designed the jewels that epitomized glamour and lit up divine Manhattan supper clubs. According to the good people at Tiffany’s, “Blue Book overflows with diamonds reflecting the opulent fashion and surge of creative energy that defined the period. The sheer exuberance of this magical moment in American life pervaded Rockefeller Center®, scene of the Blue Book Ball that took place within a 31-foot-high Tiffany Blue Box® covering the center’s famous 15,000-square-foot ice rink.”

Heaven knows we love a great party. And, we love the Kentucky Derby party – getting dressed up for it, the camaraderie of the gathering and yes, the Mint Juleps. Bob Adams at the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism (www.kentuckytourism.com) connected with us to explain how to have the best Race Day ever this year ,with the right dose of southern hospitality…

Have Kentucky Derby fever but can’t make it to Louisville for the 139th Run for the Roses on May 4? Then throw a Derby party of your own complete with mint juleps, Hot Browns, bourbon balls and Kern’s Derby-Pie®. Here are a few of our favorite tips we’d love to share with you…

With some preparation, you and your guests are bound to get in the true Kentucky Derby spirit and enjoy the day almost as much as those lucky enough to be on the Churchill Downs trackside rail or even Millionaire’s Row. All it takes is planning and execution. Here are a few tips to get started.

Invitations: The official Derby website, www.kentuckyderby.com, allows party givers to design and send e-vites. Or, do it the old-fashioned way and mail invitations that look like jockey silks.