Having recently merged with La Luz Home and Fashion (formerly on South 1st), Prototype Vintage on South Congress has undergone considerable interior and exterior renovations. The expanded furniture and fashion gallery now features "vintage and vintage inspired furniture, lighting, art, textiles, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, accessories" and more, all in a space that they're touting as "eco-friendly." Join them this First Thursday for the official 'Launch Pad Party', with an op-art photo booth, snack rations,......

TUESDAY [12] fashion/shopping • South Lamar shops host a big whoppin' holiday party/shopping soiree with catering by Sazon and Le Marseillaise, complimentary wine, martinis, and cofee, and various discounts from 10-25% at Birds Barbershop, Roost, Downstairs Apparel, 365 Ways - 365 Days and Legendary Beads (6-9pm) music • The Faint, Ratatat at La Zona Rosa music • Mayor Will Wynn introduces Guy Clark at Cactus Cafe (8pm) music • Zom Does Jazz Night at......

THURSDAY [16] wine • Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! at Various music • Peter and the Wolf, The Interest Kills at The Mohawk music • The Elected (Members of Rilo Kiley), Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos, Whispertown 2000 at Emo's Lounge music • Jack Ingram & Reckless Kelly at Stubb's music • The Pretenders, Operation:Awesome at Austin Music Hall music • White Ghost Shivers, Dewayn Bros at Beerland music • St. Lawrence......

MONDAY [13] film • Army of Darkness at Austin Java (9pm, Free) film • Blue Velvet with Free Pabst Blue Ribbon at Alamo Drafthouse (7pm, $9) film • Down in New Orleans at Spider House (8pm, Free) film • True Stories at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • The Notorious Bettie Page at Café Mundi (8pm, Free) film • Let Them Eat Rock with director Rodman Flender live at Alamo Drafthouse (9:45pm, $2) film......

In its month-long look at the finer points of the Polish film world, and under the banner of New Directions in Polish Film II, the Austin Polish Society and Austin Polish Film Festival proudly present another gem – one from the Lodz School film archives. Film school alumni Krzysztof Krause takes a critical look at the art world, examining a recognizable dichotomy as embodied by two artistically inclined characters in his 2004 film Moj......

Tonight on The Drag around 21st, expect delays due to Scream-mask-wearing fanatics of moist children's treats and vintage clothing as Blue Velvet is throwing their annual Halloween Cupcake Party. Even if you don't have time to dress up, the folks at Blue Velvet have plenty of old clothes for you to throw something together. The best costumes will be eligible for a variety of prizes. If you bring a Halloween-inspired mix CD, they'll play it......

TUESDAY [12] theatre • Hairspray at Bass Concert Hall (8pm, $18.50-$60) ® fashion/party • Blue Velvet turning their Cupcake Party into a monthly event! Every second Tuesday, enjoy free homemade cupcakes, a keg o' beer, tropical punch for the teetotallers (and, well, kids), DJs, and an extra 20% all their vintage threads. Tonight's tunes provided by DJ Polaris. At Blue Velvet Vintage Clothing (5pm-8pm, 2100-B Guadalupe Street) ® film • AFS Essential: Finger of......

In less than one month, the incoming class at The University of Texas will start walking the sidewalks of Guadalupe Street, listening to Nick Drake on their shiny iPods and buying every Bob Marley poster within a mile radius. These sidewalks, between 19th and 29th street, are affectionately known as The Drag, an area in a constant state of flux as businesses attempt tirelessly to keep up with the perpetual flakiness of an 18-24......

We woulda let you know about this a little bit earlier, but we were busy having lunch at the highly-overrated Austin Barbecue out on Burleson Rd. (here's a tip: save yourself the gas money, and, if you insist on going, take a couple of extra Benjamins and your bathing suit for a stop over at Mermaids. Anywho... Nothing says summer like discount vintage shopping and cold beer. Except FREE cold beer. And homemade cupcakes. Is......

MONDAY [12] [sports] World Cup Games at Alamo Village (Through 16th, 11am & 2pm) (link) [film] Labrynth at Alamo South (Through 16th, 1pm, Free) (link) [film] Baby Doll at Paramount Theatre (7pm) (link) [film] Gram Parsons: Fallen Angel at Alamo Downtown (7pm, $10) (link) [film] Blue Velvet at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) (link) [film] GoodFellas at Austin Java (8pm, Free) (link) [film] Rolling Roadshow: Nanny McPhee at San Marcos (8pm, Free) (link) [film] Stunt Rock......

The local design mavens known collectively as the Austin Craft Mafia -- members of which include Sparkle Craft, Naughty Secretary Club and Amet and Sasha -- have certainly made a name for themselves since forming back in 2003. With their various creations having been featured in a slew of magazines (Jane, Budget Living, Real Simple), various and sundry other Craft Mafias sprouting up all around the country, and the tremendous success of annual shows like......