Evan Smith, president and editor in chief of Texas Monthly, is leaving the magazine to join the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public media organization aimed at politics, government, and other matters of statewide interest. Smith will become CEO of the new venture, which also claims Austin Ventures general partner John Thornton as the chairman and former Austin Technology Council president Alisha Ring as general manager. Smith spent nearly 18 years at Texas Monthly, serving as editor for eight years before becoming president and editor in chief last year. In his farewell letter to the staff, Smith said that Texas Monthly "without question, gave me my life, gave me the most wonderful and unbelievable and exciting career that anyone could ask for." [NYT] more ›

Don't miss the great art related events taking place this weekend! Here's a rundown of some of the highlights: On Sunday, BiRDHOUSE Gallery is throwing a BBQ with food, beer, and art. The party will kick off around 2pm. Five dollar raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win art by Joshua Saunders, Clayton Robert Kalman, Jasmine Whitus, and many others. more ›

As part of a rare stateside tour that hits the Salvage Vanguard on Sunday, Olausson will be playing solo as well as in Sus & Jakob, the girl-boy duo that's more Brother Ah/Sun Ra's Strange Strings than She & Him. Sus & Jakob will release their debut LP out on De Stijl later in the summer, and it promises to have no small impact on the international freaky mess that we call "modern music." That said it's hard to imagine Olausson's various projects being blueprints, so original and well-executed they are. The whole thing kicks off at 9:30, so it won't likely impinge on your Monday morning blues. more ›

This Saturday evening the Church of the Friendly Ghost is presenting three experimental musicians performing solo sets and then working in tandem. Brent Fariss, Nick Hennies and Rick Reed have long histories working within an alternative musical framework here in Austin, but this concert will be the rare opportunity to see the three working together under the name Knob Jobs. more ›

Austin Fashion Week wraps up this weekend, but there are plenty of stylish happenings taking place all around town through Sunday. For full event listings, visit the Austin Fashion Week Calendar. In the mean time, here are a few highlights: From 2pm to 4pm, Maximum FX Salon (1007 S. Congress) is hosting a millinery demonstration. The hat making class will be led by Laura Del Villaggio who carefully crafts beautiful hats and facinators for Milli Starr. Del Villaggio will demonstrate straw and felt blocking and discuss finishing techniques. The salon will be staging an iced tea party with treats from Sugar Tooth Bakery. more ›

Beginning on July 22, you can use your credit or debit card to pay for on-street parking. Pay stations will appear first on Congress Avenue, with all 3,800 meters replaced by Thanksgiving. Each pay station will replace 8-11 meters. more ›

Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels targeted in Jakarta bombings; eight people killed. Things looking up in the West Bank. Hot climates lead to slower economic growth? Obama spoke at the NAACP conference last night. ICYMI: Former Pres. Jimmy Carter, "The words of God do not justify cruelty to women." Senate Republicans say they won't block a vote on Sotomayor. Emmy nominations announced yesterday; lots of love for "30 Rock" and "Mad Men", with a little "Flight of the Conchords" and "How I Met Your Mother" thrown in. more ›

It’s natural to settle in for a cozy evening at home on Sunday and disregard any notion of the impending gloom that beckons. The thought of Monday morning’s alarm clock can grind away the memories of even the most buoyant of weekends. However, we do live in Austin and the well of inspirational live music never runs dry. Chug down a 5-Hour Energy drink or revitalize with a strong cup a’ tea. Then head down to The Mohawk with a keen ear to delay your case of the Mondays. The Veils, spearheaded by the redoubtable Andrew Finn, craft shimmering pop songs containing the sort of poignant lyricism that should have you reflecting on all the things in your life, good and bad, that make you tick. Finn’s astute songwriting only just overshadows his versatile voice which soars upon backdrops of pulsating rock and gentle folk alike and is regulary complemented by vibrant keys. It all adds up to the perfect antidote to your lingering feelings of doom and gloom. We’re so eager to get you out of the house we’re sending you to the show for free. Enter your details in the form below for a chance to win two tickets. more ›

Project Runway alum and designer Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie will be presenting new pieces from his eveningwear collection at the Austin Fashion Awards this Sunday, July 19th at the Long Center. Johnathan Kayne dares to take high design where there’s a major style void in the industry - the heavily embellished pageant and prom scene. Gillaspie won a Project Runway challenge by designing a gown for then Miss America, the infamous Tara Conner, which she then donned at the Miss Universe pageant. In preparation for the Austin Fashion Awards, we were able to pick the pageant prince’s brain, and we got fashion philosophical about his background and bling. more ›

Comprised of former members of 88 Fingers Louie and Baxter, Chicago’s Rise Against came into existence in 1999 as Transistor Revolt. By 2001, the punk-hardcore band had changed their name to Rise Against, signed with Fat Wreck Chords, and released The Unraveling. Their most recent (and fifth) full-length, Appeal To Reason dropped last year on current label DGC/Interscope. The band members frequently communicate their opinions on a number of subjects -- they were staunch supporters of Barack Obama during the 2008 Presidential Election and their blistering anthems often address political and social issues. They are also firm believers in protecting the environment as evidenced by the “Ready To Fall” video and their vegan VANS. Rise Against stops in at Stubb’s tonight with Rancid supporting during this North American jaunt. more ›

Contributing to a worthy cause can be fun when there's a drink special and a party soundtrack. That's why Project Transitions brings their summer party Red Hot XVIII to Oilcan Harry's this Friday night. The 18th annual party benefits people living with HIV/AIDS through the foundation's various programs. more ›

The resultant fallout has been a spectacular example of marketing gone horribly wrong. Commenters on the Do512 RSVP page have all but declared war against the pale lager and its associated firms. A newly-created Facebook page entitled "Dos SuXX" has just under 200 members. And, in a perhaps overstated gesture, someone's even suggested launching a class action lawsuit. more ›

Governor Rick Perry issued a disaster proclamation yesterday afternoon due to the looming threat of wildfires across much of the state. The proclamation grants the state the power to activate all "essential resources" in fighting potential fires. “As continued drought conditions have made the threat of wildfires a reality, the state is assisting in battling these fires, and we will continue to provide the necessary resources to protect our communities,” said Perry. “I urge all Texans to use extreme care in outdoor activities, be aware of burn bans in their counties, and take precautions to protect their homes and property while these conditions persist.” Affected counties include Travis, Williamson, and Bexar. [Governor.State.TX.US] more ›

What’s the Deal: There are bands you need to hear, and then there are bands you need to hear. Sin Fang Bous is definitely in the latter camp. The outfit is the handy work of Icelandic 20-something music man Sindri Mar Sigfusson, who you could recall as a founding father of Reykjavik’s folk-pop pride, Seabear. Sin Fang Bous is Sigfusson’s solo project, and he just released the debut full-length, Clangour, this year to nowhere near enough praise. The music is full of imagery, thanks in part to Sigfusson’s choice of singing in English over his native tongue, samples, and sound effects abound giving the project a densely layered yet well constructed sound. more ›

Years ago I appeared in Mademoiselle magazine as one of those Before/After Fat/Skinny chicks that are constantly featured in women’s magazines. You know what I’m talking about—articles supposedly published to be all motivational for the fatties who dream of achieving that anorexic look we chicks have shoved down our gullets from the moment we wriggle our way out of the bloated, ruined, stretch-marked bellies of our mamas. Probably those articles are more about feeding what is, so often, an ongoing impossible dream. Because while achieving the look turns out not to be impossible for some of us, even those of us who manage to work our way back into our pre-adolescent jeans’ size have a hard time keeping it off. This is, of course, why diet books and pills, personal trainers, pre-packaged meals, gadgets like the Thigh Master, and programs like Weight Watchers do so well. It’s a perpetual thing, the yo-yo lifestyle. I’ve probably lost close to 200 pounds in my life. Now, I did not ever lose a grand total of 200 pounds. But I have, more than once, lost somewhere around fifty pounds at a time. If you want to know what lugging around an extra fifty pounds feels like, pick up a bag of soil next time you’re at Home Depot. Fifty pounds, particularly on the frame of someone who is 5’5” (as I am), is roughly a fuck ton of excess. more ›

We hear quite of a bit of Doves influencing their sound, pared down just enough to firmly place the Mercers within the camp of sarcastic pop bands currently flashing chord progressions as juicy as their lyrics’ wit is dry. Austin seems to be an incubator for this "Wit Pop" (can we trademark that?) sound, hatching such masters of the style as Spoon and Okkervil River. more ›

Visioneers will be released on DVD July 21, but the guys at the Alamo love the movie so much that they’re hosting a screening on Sunday night. No matter how you go about it, we highly recommend that you check out this darkly funny and refreshingly unconventional film. more ›

We’ve been checking the official Fun Fest website everyday for updates but having not seen any new announcements for a while, we gathered our technical experts last night. After a few hours of brainstorming, our team conjured up a moment of brilliance and hacked into the Fun Fest mainframe. We are pleased to announce that Wu-Tang Clan founding member GZA, legendary Japanese noise-brokers Melt-Banana, eclectic Californian outfit WHY?, and comedian Todd Barry have all been added to this year Fun Fest line-up. more ›

WOXY, the popular internet radio station currently based in Ohio, will be setting up shop in Austin in September. WOXY started using its current alternative/modern rock format in 1983, began an internet stream in 1998, and went internet-only in 2004. The current DJs are making the move to our town, with Austinist's own Paige Maguire joining the staff as Director of Marketing and Development. The station will be operating out of the Austin Theater building on South Congress; the plan is to have HD video of their Lounge Act sessions up by the first of October. [woxy.com: Austin FAQ] more ›

Photos courtesy Chad Wadsworth. more ›

Austin Fashion Week continues with the most events yet! Check out the full calendar for many other stylish celebrations, in the mean time, here are a few of today's highlights: Austin Handmade (2009 South First St.) is celebrating its grand re-opening with a fashion show and music by Lost Werks and DJ Beef Eigler. Designer Robbie Kaye Dodson of Parsimony will be showing her collection of chic and classic women's fashions. Sugar Mamma's Bakeshop will provide sweet treats and Sweet Leaf Tea and Treaty Oak Platinum Rum will provide libations. Guests are invited to test out their craft skills with a few DIY projects and the Wondercraft crew will be on hand to teach make and take projects. Austin Handmade is offering discounts and giveaways from local designers and the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls. more ›

Texas baseball coach Augie Garrido was sentenced to four days in jail and fined $500 for his drunk-driving conviction back in February, reports the Statesman. more ›

KLBJ DJs suspended after making repeated racial slurs. Austin man's death likely to be heat-related. Our troops need their smokes. Oh Paris, we don't need your stinkin' smiles. Je t'aime! Meghan, just come out of the closet...as a Democrat. 50 million and counting. Who needs health coverage, really. Obama and his mom jeans (video). more ›

A forty-home development called Solutions Oriented Living is coming to a close-in location. Chris Krager of KRDB, an Austin design/build firm focused on affordable smart designs, brings solar panels, efficient heating and cooling systems, and heavily insulated (SIP panels) affordable homes ($200/S.F.) to a close in location at 1121 Perry Road. Sixteen of the homes are reserved for those earning 40-60% of the median family income. The realty group the GoodLife Team will be holding a pre-grand opening celebration on July 23rd from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. that is open to the public. more ›

The Austin Museum of Art downtown is showing The Lining of Forgetting: Internal & External Memory in Art. The museum has hosted a series of related film screenings and public tours. In the exhibit, the artists get creative with their interpretation of memory: some of the subjects explored include family photo albums, Road Runner cartoons, and the works of Shakespeare. The Lining of Forgetting examines the ways we remember, and highlights how we often forget, rewrite, and even fabricate memory. “I had a flashback of something that never existed,” artist Louise Bourgeois writes on fabric. more ›

Some back story, if you really need it. Roky Erickson was what Syd Barrett could have been if he moved out of his Mum's basement and onto a faithful regiment of anti-psychotics. He's a monument to the redemptive qualities of music, having built this fair city on psychedelic rock and roll, wandered off the reservation with bombastic panache, and returned decades later to conquer the world: a man shattered and reassembled to his own soundtrack. more ›

Dirty Projectors' new album, Bitte Orca, is a multi-faceted dream of a work: sometimes it feels like a rock album ripped straight from 1974, sometimes it’s an elegant string-supported beauty, sometimes it’s a pop album practically ready for the sweetness of radio, and still even other times it’s an oblique dash through counterintuitive song structures and harmonization. Often, it’s all of those things at once, as for the first time the wizard vision of lead man Dave Longstreth has graduated from mere experimental chops and into full-fledged songs. Put all that together and it gains Dirty Projectors entry into what's been a recent hit parade through Austin, joining such 2009 über-luminaries as Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, and Bill Callahan at our local venues. While the instrumentation, led by Longstreth’s singular guitar work, is flawless and captivating in its execution, the big draw that makes the Dirty Projectors stand out is the astounding vocal interplay between Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian, whose tangling of voices in shocking yet artful ways will be on full display tonight at Red 7. more ›

Chipotle Is Ready For Their Close Up, Sponsoring Film Events All Over the Place It's lunch time, so if you are hungry then perhaps you should pop into the closest Chipotle, because today the chances are good that along with your burrito, or burrito "bol" if you're like us, you will also score a free film pass to The Paramount Summer Film Series. Now, this is of course a limited offer, so perhaps you should step away from all that hard work (or Facebooking....) you've been doing and make yourself one of the first 100 lunchers at any of the 14 Austin area locations, because there are still a ton of brilliant movie experiences to be had at the grand dame of Austin picture houses this summer, including The Godfather this weekend and the 9 to 5/Working Girl Double feature in two weeks, and you might as well get in for free. We can hear that lunch bell ringin'! more ›

A city’s downtown comprises the heart of the community, and its streets form the primary public arena for interchange and commerce. Downtown Austin belongs to all of the city’s residents, and its streets serve as the primary public place. Although it has always represented the community culturally, economically, and politically, downtown Austin has traditionally lacked the vibrancy engendered by numerous pedestrian-dominant and multi-functional commercial corridors that define other cities. more ›

Everyone’s favorite Donnie Darko shout-out author, Graham Greene, has apparently had a hidden work unearthed by a Greene scholar named Francois Gallix, who was doing time here at the Harry Ransom Center. Right here in Austin. Over a year ago, but whatever. To some of us, this is still big news. more ›

Austin Fashion Week continues, here's a rundown of today's events... including a little something for the men! Keepers (515 N. Congress) is hosting a fashion lunch hour wherein models with be showcasing stylish men's looks by Keepers clothing and Mint Owl Accessories. The store will also hold a trunk show and be serving snacks and beverages. The fashion lunch starts at 11am and runs until 1pm. more ›

Photos courtesy Tyler Nutter. more ›

The genre-defying instrumental band Tortoise arrives in Austin on the 15th in support of their seventh proper full-length LP, the aptly-titled Beacons of Ancestorship (Thrill Jockey). It's their first new disc in five years, though its cast of five has been quite busy in other projects. They formed in 1992, a Chicago/Louisville conglomeration of rhythm players/sections brought from Bastro, Eleventh Dream Day, Precious Wax Drippings and Tar Babies. Their arsenal of instruments was always impressive - vibraphones and analog synthesizers weren't exactly on the radar of most indie bands in 1994. The fact that really, nobody has ever known what to do with Tortoise (the infamous "post-rock" tag still follows them wherever they go) has probably in part contributed to the band's longevity. more ›

• Supreme Court nominee Sotomayor returns for second day of senators' questions
• All 168 aboard believed to be dead in Iranian plane crash
• Federal investigators say Southwest jet's design limited tear's damage

It’s been too long since we last spoke to one another, in earnest. Too much has been going down for so much distance to have rifted betwixt our talking parts. The parts that used to have coffee at Bouldin every Saturday morning. Avocado margaritas at Curra’s every Sunday. The Austin I used to get in slap fights with in the alley back behind The Ritz. more ›

Mid-July means it's time again for a contributor call, and this time we're looking to add writers to our News section. If you're an outgoing, well-spoken, and informed Austinite with a keen interest in city hall shenanigans, local and state news and politics (including the upcoming 2010 race), campus happenings, or, chief of all, breaking news, we'd love to hear from you. Send us an email (editor at austinist.com) with your basic bio (please keep it short!) and a brief, 200-word writing sample that shows how you'd handle covering this recent local story, this one, or a selection of your choice from recent national headlines. We'll get back to you in the next couple of weeks if there's a match! more ›

Last week, sometime during the night, a 23-inch pecan tree (#NT033) snapped off about five feet above ground and fell near the stone pillars above the pool's parking lot. No one was hurt. It was originally scheduled to be removed, but the determination was later changed (see "Tree Maintenance Table", June 18th) as a result of the public meetings to: "PARD will prune to eliminate dead wood and broken limbs." When called for a comment, Don Gardner, an independent arborist who evaluated some of the trees around Barton Springs, said, "I did not inspect that tree as part of my evaluation. I do remember glancing at the tree during my walk and thinking it should be removed." According to Victor Ovalle, PARD spokesman, the failure has not been analyzed. Three trees have been cut down around the playground area, but the trimming of dead wood in the trees to be preserved has not yet begun. more ›

Monofonus Press is doing it again. Their cup runneth over with creative juices, and they’re giving us another chance to sample the sap. They’ve got the market cornered in this town when it comes to the cross-media, artistic explosion. They began the auspicious endeavor of mixing three different art forms like music, writing and illustration into one release with IF 01 often bringing together three different artists who would normally not collaborate. more ›

APD issued a search warrant on Friday to look into the scaffolding set up at 21 Rio after three men last month fell to their deaths while working on the building. Police believe that the scaffolding was installed defectively at the site, using inferior, sub-standard materials. This faulty scaffolding installation may result in charges of criminally negligent homicide. [Statesman] more ›

Austin Fashion Week continues, here's a rundown of today's events. Avant Salon, winner of Rarest of them All 2009, "Best Salon", (9901 Capital of TX Highway) is offering hour long $60 facials and massages from 9am to 7pm, beginning Tuesday and running throughout the week to celebrate Austin Fashion Week. more ›

Vampire Weekend keyboardist/producer Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot singer Wes Miles collaborate on this gorgeous electro-pop album; referencing Tom Tom Club, Postal Service and the Specials. There’s nothing deep here: it’s two white kids working out their R&B and pop aspirations with Auto-Tune, a lot of synths and some simple lyrics about dance floors and girls that drive us insane. more ›

"Participating in drive by's during this financial pinch, there may not be any local businesses left when this recession ends and life resumes" says Torchy, Shuggie's cousin. "It's a shame to see a good business die like this, it sucks. Shuggie was a good person and I'll miss him... or her, we were never really sure." more ›

That's right, the Hamburger Bed is for sale on eBay. Inspired by the 1986 movie, Hamburger: The Motion Picture, in which dorm room beds were hamburgers, Austinite Kayla Kromer cooked one up for herself. More accurately a Cheeseburger Bed, the handcrafted original quickly became an internet sensation and has appeared in seven magazines. After months of warding off would be buyers, Kromer sites a series of personal setbacks requiring her to make sacrifices as the reason she is finally willing to sell her masterpiece. Since the burger is large (8 feet in diameter!), Kromer is nor arranging for shipping, which puts Austin area residents at a great advantage should they want to sleep between a slice of memory foam American Cheese and a sesame seed bun. more ›

Today marks the start of Austin's very first Fashion Week. Many events will be taking place around town and we'll bring you daily preview information here. The week of style officially starts tonight with the Austin Fashion Week Kick Off Party from 6-8pm at the Spa at the Lake (900 RR 620 S, #A104). The happy hour under the spa's veranda will feature appetizers from Hosteria Verde Supper Club and feature tunes by John Selector (of Thievery Corporation and Poi Dog Pondering). The party will feature hair and makeup design by Nate Gordon and Paige McAlvey, respectively and jewelry by Limbo Jewelry Designs. more ›

Despite the unbearable heat, Spoon's mini-fest was a huge success over the weekend at Stubb's. Austinist contributing photographer Aasim Syed was there to capture everything. more ›

In a blitz of blood spatter and body counts, the Alamo Drafthouse and Ain't It Cool News today released a portion of the sure-to-be incredible program for the 5th annual Fantastic Fest, which will burn down the South Lamar location in a cinematic firestorm September 24 - October 1, 2009. more ›

AC/DC will come to the Erwin Center on their "Black Ice" tour November 6. Tickets will go on sale August 1 via Texas Box Office (including HEB). Austin 360 reports that tickets will be $89.50 plus service charge. more ›

Partisan lines drawn in Sotomayor nomination debate Obama selects Alabama family doc, Genius Grant recipient for Surgeon General Dems nudge harder for CIA/Cheney investigation Kim Jong-Il diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Obama's "tough love" message to Africa In wake of protests, Philadelphia swim club asks kids back Alcohol cuts dementia risk... except when it doesn't more ›

If you couldn't make it to Spoon Saturday night, you can catch their openers, The Strange Boys at Waterloo Records today, 5 p.m. more ›

Remember the wall painting along the north side of 8th Street just west of Congress? It was covered up a few years ago, and now the new owner of the Hickory Street Bar and Grill, Colin McClelland, has decided that Austin needs something fresh, something singular, and something, for the moment at least, mysterious. McClelland promised that it will not become a billboard. "I want a mural that represents Austin," he said. An artist, Shawn Gillespie, will soon apply his paintbrush to that pea-green, stair-step wall and bring some privately sponsored art to a public space. Feel free to drop by watch or, to use Thoreau's words, "represent spectatordom" - a time-honored, summertime goof-off activity. more ›