A veritable Who’s Who of Austin arts lovers bunched around the basically bare stage of the Off Center for the opening performance of “Henry V.” Critic, editor, actor, director and writer Robert Faires had distilled Shakespeare’s sprawling history into a solo. He played all the roles himself.

Filing into the raw, familiar space were Boyce Cabannis, Annette Carlozzi, Dan Bullock, Forrest Preece, Linda Ball, Shawn Sides, David Jewell, Elizabeth Cobbe and dozens of other leading lights. At the end, they surged to their feet in appreciation for the 90-minute drama.

I particularly liked the light, comic bits and the stirring battle scenes, including the contrasting voices of common soldiers. “Henry V” plays through July 25.

Husband and wife are breathtakingly smart and wise. Kip and I joined them in their Old West Austin house, modest from the exterior, but renovated to suit their collections of art, books and other interests. We nibbled on grapes, cheese and white wine, catching up on UT news and news of the world in general. Fantastic.

Thousands did. (Meaning Carrozzo had to mint thousands of tiny medals.) The program spread like wildfire. Tens of thousands of students — many of them in danger of obesity and diabetes — have signed up in multiple cities. Hispanics have taken to it even more intensely than Anglos.

Morris told me over French press coffee at Once Over on South First Street that the secrets were to let the kids recruit themselves, make it free and throw a party at the end of the process. The kids earn the T-shirts. Benefactors pay for everything. Lance Armstrong once led the victory lap on his bike.

At the end of the summer, the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living will release a study on the impact of Marathon Kids on self-perception. Morris didn’t tip her hand, but we’re betting it does good.

6 p.m. Drinks with Andree and Jonathan Bober at private residence

8 p.m. First night of Red Then’s “Henry V” at the Off Center

Friday, July 3

6 p.m. Drinks with Stanley Wilson at Perla’s

7 p.m. L Style G Style Release Party at Central Market

8 p.m. “Salado’s Got Talent” with Daniel Jens from 2008 “America’s Got Talent” at Salado Silver Spur Theater

Midnight Tribute to Michael Jackson at Red Fez

Saturday, July 4

6 p.m. East-West Game Day Event at Palm Park

7 p.m. Freedom Fest at Dell Diamond in Round Rock

10 p.m. “Sno Cone Inc.” DVD Launch Afterparty at J. Blacks

11 p.m. Hedkandi at Pangaea

Sunday, July 5

8:30 p.m. “The Music Man” at the Sheffield Hillside Theater

Later, he ignored warnings from British officials — and his empty wallet — finding his way to Hong Kong to work for what was to become the colony’s biggest, best hotel. Among his first diplomatic assignments: Take care of the Beatles during their Hong Kong stay.

Straughan spent his youth wandering the world, when he wasn’t taking care of dignitaries in Japan, Hawaii and elsewhere. He just self-published his memoirs: “Romancing the Impossible: Traveling the World without Money” (Travel Treasure Publishing).

Among his final jobs before retiring: Director of International Protocol for the Texas governor’s office and — a nice fit for a former colonel — head of a veteran’s affairs office. He attended kings and queens, plutocrats and vagabonds.

Today he’s Texas friendly, unpretentious, yet dignified, with looks like a U.S. senator and a conversational style that’s respectful yet animated. He’s quite a guy.

Among basketball star Kevin Durant’s summer assignments is a 20-page book report. The former Longhorns stand-out — now with the Oklahoma City Thunder — is back in school at UT this summer. Like Vince Young, he’s determined to complete his degree after leaving school early for the draft. He’s also getting in a little street ball with his former Longhorn teammates.

Lance Armstrong is not the only one in the family raising money for good causes. His mother, Linda Armstrong Kelly, is staging a charity golf tournament at the Gleneagles Country Club in his first hometown, Plano. She’s teaming with Steve and Lee Nagel and her husband, Ed Kelly, for the Aug. 31 event. The charity? The Lance Armstrong Foundation, naturally.

The hands-down winner: towering Mount Bonnell with 32 percent of the vote. Placid Lady Bird Lake and a riotous UT football game were neck and neck at 11 to 12 percent. Barton Springs, Zilker Park, Zilker Botanical Gardens and the Capitol grounds bunched together around 7 to 8 percent.

Trailing at the end of the tally were the Pennybacker (Loop 360) Bridge, Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Eeyore’s Birthday Party.

The first took 26 percent of the vote; the second 23 percent.

Wrap economists Freedbirds and Japanese fast-fooders Zen virtually tied at 8 percent. Hut’s Hamburgers, Lulu B’s and Galaxy Cafe clustered between 4 and 6 percent. Taking 3 percent or less were Green Mesquite, Hai-Ky, Billy’s on Burnet, Enoteca Vespaio, Fire Bowl Cafe, Tam Deli, 620 Cafe, 10th Street Tacos, Tino’s, Arts Rib House, Iron Works, Buffet Palace, El Mason and Cafe Java.

Adam Krueger, Amanda Krueger, Eddie Garcia

Such as the opening — last November! — of Cover 3, a sports bar and restaurant on West Anderson Lane …

Doug Young, Chip Brown

Not just any sports bar and restaurant. This one from Doug Young and Matt Dodson looks like an high-modern lounge and spreads out over more than one floor. …

Matt Dodson, Kathy Dodson

And talk about TVs. Last week, I teased Players on MLK Boulevard for their ancient big-screen television, horrible for sports. Cover 3 has gracefully installed top-quality HD flat-panel screens everywhere, even in unmentionable locations …

Emily Hummel, Dan Michaud

The food I tasted was savory and complex, a step above the usual pub grub …

Marah Reece, John Defee, Alison Carson

But the real find was the signature drink, the Cover 3 Press, or as the bartender called it “spa in glass.” Starts with muddled limes, adds herbal Hendrick’s gin and continues from there. The best cocktail I’ve had in ages …

On last night’s episode, Jillian visited Wes’ hometown — ours — and heard his self-named country band play at Hill’s Cafe. Then a booted contestant from Dallas, Jake, interrupts Wes and Jillian’s date at the Hyatt Regency, saying Wes already has a girlfriend named Laurel. Wes denies it. Laurel’s an ex, he says.

Got that?

Jillian, sharp as always, still graced Wes with a bloom. He’s in the Final Four. Now, we haven’t followed a single episode — all this was gleaned from seriese followers — but if Wes makes it to the last gasp, we’ll report in print.

Anyone know a Laurel? (See comment box for reader leads.)

Just come back to this spot 3 p.m. Thursday and join the conversation. (No Apres Le Weekend this week.)

Yet Fort Worth police, along with their pals from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, arrested seven patrons of the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday during a code inspection. Associated Press and other reports say excessive force was used, and one patron was sent to intensive care for head injuries.

Two city council members have called for an investigation, as has the Human Rights Campaign.

“Brutality at the hands of law enforcement is never acceptable and these allegations demonstrate the need for a thorough and impartial investigation,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We applaud the Fort Worth community for seeking answers to these very serious charges.”

Further conversations with reporters and bloggers reveal that the transformation won’t come until May 2010. So you have a year to soak up all that trivia and Harp Ales.

Also, Brad Womack would like to clarify: His club group is not purchasing the building, but rather taking over the lease. There is a difference. The outcome will be the same.

BTW: Played NTN trivia with gallery owner Jeff Kirk and Kip at Aussie’s last night. The bar is a good spot for a game on a quiet night, but we have to avoid that hour-long sports installment. I think I ranked No. 3,564 in the nation. Coming soon: NTN at Freddie’s, which we can practically see from our front porch.