The Bacon Takedown returns to Austin on Sunday, March 11 with its 3rd annual amateur bacon cooking competition. The event, sponsored by Hormel Foods, is hardly vegetarian friendly, with chef-testants focused on whipping up unique dishes featuring everyone’s favorite pork product. more ›

As you may remember, about two weeks ago we sent Austin's finest mustachioed to Norway to battle the world in facial hair. Sadly, no one from Beard Team Austin placed. more ›

The Long Center for Performing Arts will become the center of the world next week for classical guitarists, students, and aficionados as the Guitar Foundation of America's Austin Goes Classical conference kicks off a six-day run on Tuesday, June 22. more ›

The Grilled Cheese Invitational started back in '03 in LA. And while Austin is plenty original enough to come up with its own kooky ideas, this was one worth borrowing. So LA transplants XTC and Sodium decided to throw the first Austin Regional Grilled Cheese Invitational last Spring. It was a cheesy, gooey, sweet and spicy smash of a success. more ›

Emo’s, as always, powers our evenings with a good amount of solid shows this weekend. Zookeeper and Zykos bring heartfelt indie-rock to the outside stage on Friday while Ume and Haunting Oboe Music take on the inside crowd with belligerent, experimental rock n’ roll. more ›

We’ve created a selection of the most noteworthy panels happening at this week's Austin Film Festival, organized to appeal to particular festival-goers, from curious onlookers to those looking to break into the business. Yesterday we looked at panels for indie filmmakers. Today we highlight panels for aspiring and professional screenwriters. So get out your planners and take note! THURSDAY 10/11 Austin Pitch Prep They say you only get one chance to make a first impression,... more ›

Captivating, stereotype-busting material centered on the theme of disability often comes in the form of poignant documentaries (although the possibilities are endless in this genre, we recommend checking out Sound and Fury and 2003 Sundance favorite My Flesh and Blood). When it comes to feature films, it may take you a while to cite more than a few decent offerings that revolve around a character with a disability or a theme of disability. The... more ›

The 20th annual Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival is right around the corner. Under the guidance of new Executive Director Lucas Schaefer, this year's fest is shaping up nicely--and if you really hurry, you can still have your work included! Sort of! The aGLIFF trailer competition invites filmmakers to create an original three minute or less festival trailer that conveys aGLIFF's festival theme of diversity and inclusiveness, "We Speak Film." Winning films will... more ›

We totally wish we were 16 or under again, 'cuz the folks at Fantastic Fest have just announced a kickass new contest called “Reel Heroes: the Fantastic Fest Trailer Competition”. more ›

FRIDAY [15] juneteenth/parade • Alvin Patterson Battle of the Bands and Drumline Competition at Congress Avenue (2pm) books • Lama Surya Das presents Buddha is as Buddha Does at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy • Billy D Washington with Doug Mellard at Cap City Comedy Club comedy • Punchline, open mic stand up comedy at ColdTowne Theater (10pm) dance • Constellation, a site-specific dance work from Sally Jacques at Pickle & Thornberry Federal Courthouses (9pm) dance... more ›

With the sweaty season officially in full swing here in Austin, Philadelphia-based First Person Arts has given us good reason to stick around in air-conditioned climes. Yesterday was the official call for entries in the 6th Annual First Person Arts Memoir Writing Competition. Now instead of trudging about in the soup you can spend time inside articulating your inner-most thoughts for a shot at some prestige in print-form. more ›

Costa Rica SA | Costa Rica, Inc. (Costa Rica) Hideout Theater, 11 AM The film explores with satirical black humor some absurd aspects of the Dominican Republic - Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA); such as the inclusion of war weapons as objects of commerce for Costa Rica, a country without an army, or the incorporation of Central American undersea resources as part of the United States’ definition of territory. Costa Rica, Inc. was... more ›

THURSDAY [1] party • Learning Secrets hosts Optimo's JD Twitch (Glasgow, UK) at Whisky Bar (10pm-2am, $5) art • Public Tour: The Geometry of Hope: Montevideo in the 1930s at The Blanton (7:00 - 8:00 PM) art • Curator's Tour: The Geometry of Hope at The Blanton (12:30-1pm) art • Texas Biennial Opening Reception at Dougherty Arts Center (7-10pm) art • Art Fix: Enjoy an introduction to Latin American wines with Seth Pollard, Central... more ›

WEDNESDAY [28] film • Beats Per Minute, the 48 Hour Music Video Competition at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Premiere screening of Party 101: Consequences at The Paramount Theatre (7pm) film • Mardi Gras: Made in China at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Weird Wednesday: Massacre of Pleasure at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown music • Grizzly Bear, The Papercuts, Peter & the Wolf at Emo's music • This Life Electric, Goldcure, Starchild at Stubb's music... more ›

THURSDAY [22] art • Opening Reception: Owen McAuley at d berman Gallery (6-8pm) comedy • The Frank Mills perform their new sketch show, "One Classy-Ass Show," at Blue Theatre (DEETS) party • Misprint Magazine's Beard & Moustache Competition with performances by Sharp Dressed Men (ZZTop Tribute Band), hosted by Matt Bearden, DJ sets by Stay Gold at Club de Ville (9pm) art • Artistic License: Blanton artist Fabian Marcaccio discusses his work, which is... more ›

It's finally a little tiny bit cold outside, and to celebrate the semblance to Holiday weather, Texas Culinary Academy is hosting its 5th Annual Gingerbread House Competition & Open House this Saturday from noon to 3pm. The competition will feature entries from children to professionals. Conventional wisdom might tell us that gingerbread houses might possibly be a little square or boring, but the entrants in this contest kick it up a notch every year... more ›

• ABDUCTION: The Megumi Yokota Story

  Documentary Feature Competition
  Screening Info: 7:00 PM October 25th at IMAX
  Regional Premiere. Japan, 1977 - A dark, lonely road leads to the windswept shores. This is the remarkable story of a 13-year-old Japanese girl abducted on her way home from school by North Korean spies. Her parents had no idea what had happened to her or if she was even alive for 20 years. Then one day the whole world learned the shocking truth. This is an extraordinary tale of mystery, intrigue, and most of all love. The film is told through the eyes of the girl's mother and father, who have been searching for their daughter for nearly 30 years. The film begins with the day Megumi vanishes and traces the astonishing course of this personal tragedy, as it becomes a battle between two nations rising to a shocking climax. [ info]

• Solo Dios Sabe

  
  International Showcase: Mexico
  
  Screening Info: 7:00 PM October 25th at
  Paramount
  
  Solo Dios Sabe (Only God Knows), a film by Carlos Bolado starring Diego Luna and Alicia Braga, is the dramatic story of a young Brazilian woman who discovers her destiny within a mysterious spiritual tradition. As she travels across Mexico and returns to her native Brazil, she falls in love with a young Mexican journalist and struggles with more wrenching choices.
  [info]

• A Lobster Tale

  
  Narrative Feature Competition
  
  Screening Info: 7:15 PM October 25th at
  Arbor
  
  World Premiere. In a small Maine fishing town, struggling lobster fisherman Cody Brewer discovers a mysterious sea moss in one of his traps. Tension in the already-fragile Brewer family erupts when the supernatural quality of the moss is revealed. The moss seems like the answer to the Brewer family’s problems, but only after it’s affected everyone in town. Despite its magical elements, the film’s strong story remains grounded in its infinitely believable representation of a town of simple fisherman presented with an amazing discovery. [info]

Chalk Narrative Feature Competition Screening Info: 7pm October 24th at Arbor For students high school can be hell, but it can be worse for the teachers. Chalk follows the frenetic and awkwardly painful journey of three novice teachers as they navigate one memorable public school year. As a former teacher, Akel is able to offer a unique, firsthand view of life as an educator, and along with the cast, he dives headfirst into the... more ›

The Garage Austin Screens Screening Info: 7pm October 23rd at Alamo Lake Creek Regional Premiere. Shot in and around Austin with a local cast and crew, The Garage tells the story of Matt, a young mechanic, who works at his father’s garage. Dreaming about leaving his small-town existence for grander ambitions, Matt struggles with his feelings for his new girlfriend and his loyalty to his parents and brother. Despite insistence that he leave from... more ›

Runners' High Documentary Feature Competition Screening Info: 2:30pm October 21st at Hideout Regional Premiere. The Toronto Star says, "It's pure inspiration every step of the way." The SF Bay Guardian raves, "Inspirational Sports Movies are hard to beat and this one is particularly potent." When teenagers from one of the nation’s toughest neighborhoods in Oakland, California sign up to train for a marathon, they begin the journey of a lifetime. Runners High is an... more ›

Stop by the Driskill Hotel to purchase movies passes or badges. Individual movie tickets can be purchased at the theatres. Sounds of Silence Documentary Feature Competition Screens: 7pm @ The Arbor [from AFF] Regional Premiere. Hidden beneath the alarming headlines from a totalitarian regime lies a bustling culture desperate for recognition at home as well as in the eyes of the wider world. This documentary offers a view inside Tehran and its burgeoning pop... more ›

Whether it's because it's Friday the 13th or because folks are getting antsy over this cold front, everyone's throwing a block party this weekend. We know of at least four fun (and free) things happening around town. If you hear tell of another, let us know. Friday The indie shops on South Lamar are throwing a massive collective get-down with DJs, bands, beer, and food, stretching from Bluebonnet to Heather. Participating stores include Strut, Irie... more ›

WEDNESDAY [6] film • The Stunt Man with Richard Rush Live in Person at Alamo Downtown (6:45pm, $10) food • Angel Valley Organic Farm Farmstand at Asian American Cultural Center, 11713 Jollyville Road (10am-2pm) film • TerrorStorm with Alex Jones Live at Alamo South (7pm) film • Before Sunrise at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • Zatoichi: 7 & 8 at Spider House (8pm, Free) film • Quai Des Ofevres at Paramount Theatre (7:15pm)... more ›

WEDNESDAY [30] music • Odyssey: The Journey Cover Band with special arena rock/hair metal DJ sets by Car Stereo (Wars) at Whisky Bar (10:30pm-2am, Free, Odyssey at 11:30pm) ® music • Thor, Zolar X, The Ends at Emo's music • X, Rollins Band at Stubb's music • Giant Squid, Lions of Tsavo, Slo-Bula, High Cost of Living at Beerland music • Wax Wednesdays (BYO vinyl) at Ruta Maya (8pm) music • Summer Wardrobe, Vacation... more ›

Remember that Lazy Sunday parody you did after you couldn’t get The Chronic-what-cles of Narnia out of your head? Or the remake of the Sabotage video you did using your old Starsky & Hutch action figures? Well, funny guy/gal, Cap City Comedy Club and the Austin Film Festival have synergized to give you the chance to flex your inner Benigni with the Funniest Filmmaker in Austin Competition! more ›

Torontoist immediately wins our heart by using the word "Jackass" in a headline. In fact, we love their use of it so much that we're going to use it as much as possible throughout this post. For example, it looks like there are Toronto-area jackasses besides those who misuse the sidewalk: look at the crap on sale on Toronto's craigslist. But it looks like Toronto doesn't contain the kind of jackasses who pee in public... more ›

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South Austin beermeisters Rob and Amy Cartwright of Independence Brewing Company are kicking off a campaign this summer to help out the Barton Springs Greenbelt. Through the Freestyle Summer Fund, they'll donate a buck from every case of Freestyle Wheat Beer sold until mid September to the Austin Parks Foundation, to help out with various greenbelt preservation projects. To launch this effort, they're inviting you out to their Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, where you'll... more ›

June 19th is known as Juneteenth in Texas, and commemorates the day when the Emancipation Proclamation was read in our state. There are usually quite a few festivities to choose from when Juneteenth comes around, and this year is no different. more ›

MONDAY [8] [music] Art Brut, Birdmonster, The Robocop Kraus at Emo's (link) [music] She Wants Revenge and OKGO at Stubb's (link) [music] The Lashes at Waterloo (Free, 5pm) (link) [film] Amelie (with FREE crème brulee) at Alamo Downtown (7pm) (link) [film] L.A. Confidential at Austin Java (8pm, FREE) (link) [film] Anime Monday at Ventana del Sol (7:30pm, FREE) (link) [film] Wet Hot American Summer at Rounders Pizzeria (6pm, FREE) (link) [film] School of Rock at... more ›