Tired of the same old gay bar scene in Austin? Want to bust the mold a bit and cut loose on the dance floor without getting sandwiched by two sweaty, shirtless, writhing circuit boys? Go Dance Studios on Anderson Lane is launching a new program for same-sex partners called Out Dancing. more ›

Polls are open from 7am to 7pm. more ›

Tomorrow, for the love of God and country, the Drafthouse Village hosts a special sneak screening of the new Rambo movie. Seriously, did anybody see the new Rocky movie? It actually wasn't that bad... more ›

For the first time ever, Fangoria is bringing their Weekend of Horrors event to Austin. A pantheon of famous horror movie actors and directors, including Austin's Robert Rodriguez, will be appearing/speaking/signing autographs (IN BLOOD - just kidding) at the convention locale, the Renaissance Austin Hotel. more ›

Despite the sprawl-loving Statesman's spin attempt, it is clear that the majority of Austin neighborhoods are embracing VMU zoning. Out of eighty neighborhoods given the choice to opt-out, forty-six did nothing, which apparently means the VMU zoning will be implemented as suggested by the city. Seven neighborhoods responded, but did not opt-out for any properties. It isn't clear whether they opted-in for additional properties, or just submitted applications saying that they agreed with the city's... more ›

Austin Humane Society, the largest nonprofit no-kill pet shelter and adoption center in town, recently suffered a tremendous setback: yesterday, the facility's A/C system abruptly shut down. A subsequent inspection found the system to be broken beyond repair. "Our air conditioning unit died," said AHS representative Lisa Starr to KXAN. "Went kaput." The center is installing a temporary mobile A/C unit today, but this solution won't work for the long term; even now, the animals... more ›

WEDNESDAY [30] booze • "Sir Chris" and "Lord Gates" from Car Stereo Wars and Learning Secrets guest bartend at The Mohawk (5-8pm) music • Locals @ La Zona Showcase Two wih AM Syndicate, The Drawing Board, Jets Under Fire at La Zona Rosa music • Hawnay Troof, Best Fwends, The Carrots at Emo's music • Pompeii, Ryan Lindsey, Gazelles, The Heirs at Emo's music • Tribute to Sublime with Badfish, Indofin, Under the Gun at... more ›

WEDNESDAY [11] books • JoAnna Barrett presents The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Texas Doc Tour: "Fish Kill Flea" at Alamo Downtown film • Open Screen Night at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesdays: "Marta" at Alamo Downtown film • Jim Jarmusch Film Series: "Dead Man" at Alamo Village film • "Babe" Organic Vegetarian Feast at Alamo Village film/discussion • Screening of Israeli film director Eytan Fox's "Walk... more ›

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For those of us who pine for a centrally-located Craftsman's-style bungalow, but refuse to pony up two fiddy per square foot or hold down an extreme job to bankroll it, this week's column focuses on the house that made America's heartland great - the ranch-style home of the 1950s and early 60s. A spate of home construction in Austin during this time--in areas that were then considered 'suburban'--provides creative and cost-concious house hunters with... more ›

Over at Northcross Mall, outrage has begun to boil over implications that a new Wal-Mart location could take root on this newly-desirable patch of retail property just west of Burnet Road along Anderson Lane... more ›

We've never been to Hawaii but we like to imagine a coffee shop on the big island is much like Genuine Joe's--laid back, kind of funky, kind of quaint, and featuring daily lattes like Mango Nut. more ›

Interested in getting the low-down on those artsy, creative types? Well head on over to Staple, Austin's own Indy Media Expo. They outgrew their space from last year and this year's event is happening at the Red Oak Ballroom in Northcross Mall. Featuring over 50 exhibitors and a great panel lineup, it looks like this year's Staple will be quite impressive. The event promotes independent creative media: comics, mini-comics, zines, art, and self-published literature. They also strive to build the bond between artist and audience. Special guests include Tony Millionaire, Jim Mahfood, Dave Crosland, and Keith Knight. more ›

You may have heard in recent weeks about a man who was running around town committing armed-robberies at restaurants. (No, we didn't tell you about it here, but Jesus, people, do we have to do everything for you?) Well, apparently this fella robbed five different restaurants in Austin, the last one being the Alamo Drafthouse Village on Anderson Lane. He terrorized Austin after having done the same thing in Louisville. Apparently, he was feelin... more ›

The Humane Society of Austin has organized a relief effort for pets of Katrina evacuees. By calling the special Hurricane Pet Hotline at 512-646-PETS, The Humane Society can help find temporary placement for pets in need or provide supplies to those without. Austinites can volunteer to man the phone bank, foster pets, or provide supplies like food. Call 512-837-7985 for more information. more ›

Austinist isn't too hot on thrift-store shopping -- we can't really get comfortable in our Guadalupe County 4-H Club t-shirt, for example, thinking about the possibility, if not probability, that it ended up in the San Marcos Goodwill because its original owner suffered an untimely death, perhaps thrown from a horse and then trampled, and that the shirt, as a result, is teeming with death motes and fluffs of dead people hair and so on. And although we sometimes do nail our courage to the wall (is that the expression?) and go to a second-hand store, we've never been to Between Friends, a consignment shop up north that specializes in maternity wear, children's clothing, and toys. We're not pregnant, nor are we a child. more ›

Austinist would be remiss if we did not inform you that although Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is not opening for another month, tickets at the Alamo Drafthouse South are on sale now at the S. Lamar and Anderson Lane locations of the Alamo Drafthouse. Get them while their hot, and keep telling yourself that this one will be better. We know we are. more ›