An Evening With Todd RundgrenDecember 4, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.Antones (213 W 5th St)$23-$25[info] | [tickets] There is this entire world of brilliant artists that produced oodles of fantastic work in the '70s that most of us know because of a standout hit here or there that makes its way into a more mainstream outlet, or an association with some more widely known entity. Vince Guaraldi's jazz piano works introduced us to a career's......

We missed that whole “Black Friday” thing (post-traumatic stress symptoms related to a former life working retail), and the holidays are creeping up faster than a cheer-stealing Grinch in a dogsled. We’re sure that some of you, dear readers, find yourselves in a similar boat. But, before you start snapping up pre-packaged bath sets at Target, check out Austinist’s very special recommendations. We’ve sorted through some of the sparkliest surprises available locally and on the......

TUESDAY [31] party • "Pirate Booty" featuring Lila's Medicine and Sangre del Sol at the Enchanted Forest (Gates at 8pm, Show 9pm, $10, BYO Everything) music • Swedish "retrodoompsychfolk band" Witchcraft and Danava at The Parish (9pm, $10/12) music • Sideshow Burlesque, with Mistress Stephanie and Her Melodic Cat, Six Gun Republic (NYC), Tall Shadows at Emo's music • Trey Anastasio Halloween Show at Stubb's music • Halloween-themed show: Strange Boys as the Mummies,......

MONDAY [30] books • John Hodgman - The Areas of My Expertise at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Tideland at Alamo Downtown (7pm) film • Be Here to Love Me at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • Grass at Café Mundi (8pm, Free) film • My Morning Jacket: Okonokos at Galaxy Highland (8pm & 10pm) film • Halloween at Regal Metropolitan (8pm) film • Anchorman at Austin Java (9pm, Free) film • Hillbillies in a......

And they're off.... The nominations for this year's B. Iden Payne Awards have been announced. We received 'em this morning, straight from the offices of the Austin Circle of Theatres. If you want to get in on the action, ballots will be available starting this Thursday, September 21, at ACoT (701 Tillery Street) & AusTIX (kiosk at the Austin Visitors Center, 209 E. 6th Street). You must be an ACoT member to vote, but......

On Tuesday, Austinist headed down to San Antonio with some out-of-town visitors from the East Coast. Sure, we took them to the Alamo and the Riverwalk, but the real reason we went was to watch the culture shock as our Philadelphia guests experienced their first rodeo. Mission accomplished. The abundant belt buckles and hats were the first signal that we were a world away from liberal (and let's face it, not like the rest......

Just when you were thinking that it was the time of year that sitting on your ass in front of the television watching "Charlie Brown's Christmas Special" was socially acceptable because it's cold outside, we're here to tell you you're just silly. There are a plethora of runs happening this weekend, all in the name of the holiday season. And you thought that cookies and hot chocolate were your friends. We know, we know.......

Our Thanksgiving usually consists of a huge Thanksgiving lunch (with the Detroit game in the background) and then vegging out in front of the TV that evening. There are a bevy of holiday (and non-holiday) goodies on tomorrow. Here are a few things to watch out for: -"Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" - 9am, KXAN (NBC). -Miracle on 34th Street - The 1947 original with "the real Santa Claus" (or so Dad tells us every......