Cactus Cafe

The Triple A of the singer-songwriter league competes in these intimate, darkened quarters tucked away in the University of Texas student union. Players solicit constructive criticism from the savvy crowd by fiddling with their capos and trying new keys. That's how Lyle Lovett and Lucinda Williams advanced to the big leagues. There are no advance tickets. So get there early for seats. Especially if you're a stranger to the maze that is the Texas Union.