The Harmonic Convergence is happening again. But no need to head over to Enchanted Rock for the celebration; just head over to the new landing strip! It's not the planets that have lined up this time, but the new Austin airport and the Austin Music Commission, for the purpose of regularly showcasing Austin performers to airport clientele. Here"s what they've got waiting in the wings:

There will be a large performance stage in the center of the airport, strategically located between a bar and a coffee shop, and close to the food court, according to Music Commission spokesperson Wayne Gathright. Austin performers will be featured onstage for two hours daily. But travelers on-the-fly won't have to be near the stage to enjoy the music; a few large-screen video monitors will broadcast the performances throughout the airport. The use of these monitors to play local musicians' pre-taped videos, during non-performance times, is currently being considered; if that idea is approved, the videos will be provided by the Austin Music Network.** Also being decided upon is which entity will do the booking of the live shows; this decision will include the input of the food and drink vendors near the stage. There are tentative plans to pipe local music (pre-recorded) over the airport's intercom system as well, instead of the latest Musak. (For updates to these plans, monitor the Music Commission's website at www.austinmusic.org.) Regardless, local artists' CDs will definitely be sold in the airport's Gift/News shops.

The airport's Opening Day, scheduled for May 1, 1999, will be preceded by several days of live entertainment, including live music, air shows, theatrical storytellers, and historians. A crowd of 50,000+ is expected for the Opening Day festivities on the airport grounds.

For Austin's musicians, exposure at the new airport, aided by technology, means expanded advertisement to the national and global markets. So everyone get ready -- opportunity is landing soon, delivering a chance for more Austin music to take flight.

**The fate of the Austin Music Network, now that the City has decided to stop funding its operation, is currently being determined. Proposals by bidders to buy the network have been submitted, and a decision will be reached by August 13, 1998.