BOERNE -- Cibolo Arts Council (CAC) directors met this week to iron out final details for their largest planned event in the organization's history, the 2006 Boerne Festival of Art & Music slated for October 20 through 22.  This marks the third consecutive year for the festival -- featuring a fine art show and popular musical acts such as the Derailers -- and party planners are hoping this year for high double-digit growth in attendance.

Surrounded by fellow conspirators huddled around a table at the Boerne Grill, President of the Board Tami Kegley spoke in optimistic tones as final details and preparations were discussed.

"Wow, this has really come together," she said with a hint of cautious relief in her voice.  "We could not have done this without the generous support of local sponsors who have seen the opportunity to create something memorable in Boerne, if not magical."

The Festival officially kicks off with a gala and wine tasting dinner, combined with a live art auction, at the historic Ye Kendall Inn on the evening of Friday, October 20.  San Antonio celebrity Eliza Sonneland of KAHL 1310 AM Talk Radio will serve as master of ceremonies for the occasion, which will attract an exclusive gathering of some two hundred people. 

Art and live music will be featured throughout the weekend of October 21 – 22, at Ye Kendall Inn and on Main Plaza in beautiful downtown Boerne. These events are free and open to the public.

The headliners for this year’s music are the Derailers, a popular band from Austin, Texas, who are making a mark in the world of big country music.  With a sound described as somewhere between Buck Owens and the Beatles, lead singer Brian Hofelt says,  “We’ve always been a country band with a rockin’ heart.”

Well-known local artists such as Bill Scheidt, Bill Zaner, and Jay Hester are among the artists displaying their work at the fine art show.  Visiting artists include San Antonio's Lewis Smith -- who was recently invited to exhibit in the Florence Biennale in 2007 -- and Robert Tatum, also of San Antonio.   Susan Jansen of California and Robert Gottschall of Wimberley will also be exhibiting.

An "unofficial" start to the weekend comes in the form of an Art Auction Preview Evening at the Burlap Horse on Thursday, October 19.  This is an opportunity for art lovers and collectors to see auction items up close before the live auction the following evening.

Here is the complete schedule of events:

Thursday, October 19, 6pm - 9pm - Art Auction Preview Evening at the Burlap Horse, 609 S. Main, Boerne.

Friday, October 20 - The fine art show opens in Ye Kendall Halle with a gala wine tasting dinner and art auction on the Courtyard at Ye Kendall Inn.  Enjoy a performance by acclaimed violinist Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio of the San Antonio Symphony and Cactus Pear Music Festival.  There are still a few gala tickets available for $65 per person.  Call Georganna Dillon at 830.249.9027 for more information or to purchase.

Saturday, October 21 – The art show continues in Ye Kendall Halle with music on the Courtyard at Ye Kendall Inn:  Mike Vanderberg, 11:00 am; Rodney Jo, 1:00 pm; Mystic Sister, 3:00 pm; Acoustic Jungle, 5 pm.  In the evening on Main Plaza:  Mesquite, 7 pm;  Stepsiders, 8 pm;  Derailers, 9:20 pm.  These events are free and open to the public.

Sunday, October 22 – The art show continues in Ye Kendall Halle with music on the Courtyard at Ye Kendall Inn:  Sunday Brunch with the great jazz group Small World, 11 am until 2 pm.  Call Ye Kendall Inn for brunch reservations at 830.249.2138.

The Boerne Festival of Art & Music is a production of the Cibolo Arts Council.  The art show is produced in cooperation with the Boerne Area Artists Association, a professional alliance with a mission to create business opportunities in the community. 

Visit ciboloarts.org for more information about the Cibolo Arts Council and the upcoming festival.  Contact Doris Perez at cropqueen57@cs.com if you are interested in volunteer opportunities available throughout the festival weekend.

Learn more about the Derailers at www.derailers.com.