Shawn Cirkiel's new Italian spot the backspace has an interesting new booking on Friday, April 15 - or rather, book signing. Meet highly acclaimed food and travel writer, John Mariani, and receive a copy of his new book, How Italian Food Conquered the World, at a delicious dinner event hosted by the backspace. more ›

Last month, we sat down with Armstrong to talk a bit about the book, as well as what it is like to be the creator of the "most popular personal blog on the internet." Since then, Armstrong's second book has been receiving critical acclaim and debuted last week at #16 on the New York Times Best Seller list. Expected to be equal parts irreverent, honest and bittersweet, It Sucked is the tale of one woman's struggle with pregnancy, postpartum depression and unconditional love. more ›

One of our own here at Austinist has a book out, in case you didn't know, and we are not above a little shameless self-promotion. We promise, however, to not shove it up your eyelids like Stephen Colbert and I Am America (and so can you!). Craig McCullough, who posts as the ever-irreverent Truecraig, is the author of the similarly parenthesized title, I Am An Idiot (but there is nothing wrong with you). McCullough’s debut... more ›

Jerry Naylor would have been famous. He could have been and probably should have been. Jerry Naylor was there when rock 'n roll was born, sweating out those devil rhythms in Texas honky-tonks and rubbing shoulders with boys like Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly — all who would become men of legend. He saw a musical revolution fueled by youth and a fusion of country, blues,... more ›

After more than six years with our country hog-tied by George W. Bush and his Texas neo-con cronies, it is not hard to feel a nostalgic pull to the nineties. We may not be longing for rap-rock, JNCO jeans or Pauly Shore, but the roaring nineties and their dot-com excess did have some bright spots. Like a good president. (Though even Warren G. Harding looks pretty good right now.) If you are looking for... more ›

If there's anyone who typifies traditional Hollywood and all its paradoxes, it's Tab Hunter. Born Arthur Gelien, he was discovered in his teens, renamed by beefcake agent extraordinaire Henry Willson, and molded almost overnight into a smoldering, cornfed leading-man dreamboat. Frequently shirtless, tanned and broad-shouldered in early movies like Battle Cry and Island of Desire, Hunter oozed sex appeal opposite everyone from Natalie Wood to Lana Turner to Sophia Loren. Unbeknownst to millions of... more ›

Well, not really, but with the release of a commemorative book, two major acquisitions and the climax of the amazing American 20's exhibit, April was a huge month for the Ransom Center. On April 1st, to commemorate the first 50 years of its existence, the Ransom Center released Collecting the Imagination: The First 50 Years of the Ransom Center. Just a few weeks later, they secured roughly 100 boxes of written materials from playwright and... more ›

1973 International Showcase Screening Info: 1pm October 22nd at Dobie Regional Premiere. With an eye for cinema and ear for personal stories, Antonino Isordia lays bare the disappointments and tragedies felt by a generation of young Mexicans in his explosively kinetic 1973. By focusing on three case histories, each about someone born in 1973 who eventually spent time behind bars, Isordia delivers a startling tapestry of contempo Mexico City life. Pic superbly reps a... more ›

Tonight at 7:00 pm., Book People will host a reading and book signing by über-personal storyteller, Stephanie Klein. Her blog-turned-book, Straight Up & Dirty, is a tale of surviving, thriving and arriving, inspired by her well-read blog, Greek Tragedy. more ›

This weekend, one of the most influential (and controversial) names in contemporary literature will be swooping into town for a book signing and film screening. Irvine Welsh has been smashing up the literary landscape since Trainspotting hit the shelves in 1993, and his latest release, The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs, is already generating much buzz and has even provoked cries of misogyny. more ›

Basketball: Thursday is your very last chance to catch the Austin Toros this year. The team celebrates Marcus Fizer's MVP win and the conclusion of a successful opening season, finishing against Fort Worth at the Convention Center that evening at 7:30pm. Tickets available here. Baseball: Opening day is approaching for the Round Rock Express. The team kicks off their 2006 season by playing nightly from April 14th-21st at the Dell Diamond. There's even swag... more ›

It's just been announced that one of our favorite people is coming to SXSW Film next month. No, not you, Charlize Theron, but we do lurve you quite a bit, as well. We're talking about David Cross. On March 12, Cross will do a book signing and participate in a Q&A with other members of the documentary "Fired!" The aforementioned Theron will also be in attendance, participating as part of the panel "The Documentary Beat" on March 14. Theron produced the documentary "East of Havana" about young rappers in Cuba. more ›

F R I D A Y [17] [DJs/party] Caps and Jones at Barcelona (link) [music] Zykos, The Black, Evangelicals, and Michael Kingcaid at Emo's (link) [film] John S. Rad's "Dangerous Men" at Drafthouse Village (9:45pm) (link) [books] Anthropologist Jenny White presents her first novel, The Sultan's Seal at Bookpeople (Free, 7pm) (link) [party] Freescale Marathon kick off party at Runtex Riverside (Free, 5-7pm) (link) [music] Zookeeper, Sad Accordions, Alex Dupree & The Trapdoor Plan, Meryll... more ›

ESPN.com's Bill Simmons, known as the Sports Guy (or something more profane by a couple distinguished NBA GMs), is scheduled to appear at the Arboretum Barnes and Noble on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Simmons will be signing copies of his book, Now I Can Die in Peace, which details his life of fan agony at the hands of the Boston Red Sox. Too bad the euphoria of actually winning the World Series was tainted by Jimmy Fallon's... more ›

The Texas Culinary Academy is hosting a free evening of food, learning, and entertainment with Martin Yan. Martin is the well known cookbook author as well as one of the earliest celebrity TV chefs. The evening will include a chef demonstration, a reception, and book signing. You can also learn more about the Texas Culinary Academy and their Le Cordon Bleu program. The event kicks off Friday night at 6:30p. more ›

Senator John McCain will make a quick stop at BookPeople this Sunday to sign copies of his new book, Character Is Destiny. The new book from the Arizona Republican is a collection of short biographies of figures ranging Empress Theodora of Byzantium to Pat Tillman, each embodying a character trait that McCain believes is essential to success. The hour-and-a-half signing begins at noon, but you have to get there at 9 a.m. to pick... more ›

stationery, rocks and minerals, and other fun gifts" -- nothing says "fun gift" like an educational toy. more ›

: : FRIDAY : : [film] New Movies @ Your Local Theater! [music] Willie Nelson @ Stubb's (also Saturday) [music] The Queers, The Vibrators, The Independents (outside) and Wolf Eyes, Prurient and Rubble (inside) @ Emo's [music] CD release show for The Lovely Sparrows & Big Blue Marble @ Beerland [music] The Arm and New Model Army @ Elysium [film/lecture] Rabia Clark presents her short film, "The Dervish Project", 7pm @ Ventana del Sol... more ›

: : FRIDAY : : [film] New Movies! @ your local theater [award] The Writers' League of Texas honors Ann Patchett @ Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum [music] Beta Valentine Instore, 7pm @ End of an Ear [film] aGLIFF kick-offf - films, 7pm party, 10pm @ Great Hills Arbor Theater [music] Hurts to Purr, Sarah Glynn, and 54 Seconds, 10pm @ Stubb's [music] Octopus Project, Voxtrot, Prince Klassen and Treewave @ Emo's [music]... more ›

The rest of the week is for nursing your hangovers. Happy 229th, America! TUESDAY [music] Rock & Roll Duo Lottery @ Beerland [film] Austin Film Society presents Luis Bunuel's La Voie Lactee (The Milky Way) @ Alamo Drafthouse Downtown - 7pm [cult icon] The Man with the Screaming Brain with Bruce Campbell live in person! @ Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar - 7pm, 9:45pm [book signing in addition] WEDNESDAY [music] Eisley with Lovedrug, Pilotdrift @ The... more ›