Lubbock: Entertainment and nightlife
The best entertainment the Panhandle has to offer is at its annual events . After having been designated the "Music Crossroads of Texas" by the state legislature in 1999, the city changed the name of the annual Buddy Holly Music Festival to the catchy mouthful of the Music Crossroads of Texas Labor Day Weekend Music Festival (MCOTLDWMF for short?) - and now it's simply September Fest. Whatever it's called in the following years, it'll likely still attract big Texan names like Joe Ely and Tanya Tucker, as well as those playing a straight homage to Mr Holly. Rodeos are always rip-roaring fun; Texas Tech holds one each October in Fair Park, and the ABC Rodeo (tel 806/793-5800, ) is at Lubbock Municipal Coliseum every spring. In the same spirit, there are twirling contests, bull-riding, big-name country performers and livestock exhibits at the Panhandle South Plains Fair ( ) in late September and early October.Despite its rich musical heritage there isn't a great deal of nightlife in Lubbock; most of the local musicians decamp to Austin. The buzz zone is the downtown Historical Depot District, which spreads out for a few blocks from 19th Street and Hwy-27, and has a mix of crass chain bars and sports bars. The oddly named Lubbock Avalanche-Journal ( ) carries listings.
Cactus Theatre 1812 Buddy Holly Ave tel 806/762-3233. Insists on putting on a mix of variety shows as syrupy musical nostalgia shows with frequent nods to you-know-who.
Midnight Rodeo 7301 S University Ave at Loop 289 tel 806/745-2813. Huge C&W club, featuring karaoke, lanky cowboys and big-haired Texan belles. Great fun.
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