Few people in the world of writing have carved themselves such an enviable and steady niche as David Sedaris, the undisputed king of the awkward-yet-relatable insight and the breezy-but-thoughtful read. His books of "essays" (Barrel Fever, Naked, Holidays on Ice, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, 2008's When You Are Engulfed in Flames, and his latest, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary) have risen to the top of all the most popular lists, and everyone from NPR to the New York Times to the Grammies has lauded his instantly recognizable style. Right now he's touring America with material both familiar and unfamiliar, and his penduluming between cringe-worthy honesty and heart-string tuggery goes over as well in performance as it does on the page. Heads up, though: the show was in such high demand it was moved from Paramount to Long Center, so don't end up standing around confused on Congress! more ›

Remember when you were young and everyone was always telling you that you could be anything - you're a star! - and every creative piece you made was touted as the most brilliant work ever? Remember when you stopped hearing that? Or more importantly, why you stopped hearing that? Could it be because it kinda sucked? Some people never stopped to listen to that rubbish - they kept at it because that's how you get better, right? more ›

Kicking off in early October with American novelist and general literary badass Elizabeth Gilbert, the Paramount will play host to a variety of big productions (Of Mice and Men, Cirque Shanghai, Stomp), musicians (Rufus Wainwright, Wynton Marsalis, Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band), and heroes of public radio (David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell) through next May. Other notable surprises among the schedule include John Waters' doubtlessly over-the-top 'Holiday Show', the adorably rascally Don Rickles, and actress Diane Keaton. more ›

Most of the seats for beloved author and humorist David Sedaris' April 20th appearance at Riverbend Center went to Paramount season subscribers, but we're told that a very limited number of individual seats are still available. Some of these have obstructed views, but should clearly indicate as such. [Tickets] more ›

Ah, the holidays. Sick of ‘em already? The Santaland Diaries invites you to commiserate, with the dry, biting wit of David Sedaris, and shining performances by Meredith McCall and Espie Randolph, while Jason Connor accompanies on piano. The first act presents spicy, spirited carols that you’ve probably never heard before—but it’s safe to say that by the time intermission hits, you’ll be want to add “Let’s Be Naughty” and “Making Love Alone” to the Christmas music rotation. more ›

Back in the old days, when I still drank, I’d finish up a bartending shift on 6th Street, by which I mean throw back a few cocktails. Then I’d float, heavily buzzed, on down to the 311 Club to see CJ. The 311 was not really “my” kind of place. Except for CJ, a bartender so amazingly skilled I would go just to watch him. Okay, well that and get a little drunker. The thing about CJ was that he could make any customer—big, small, young, old, stupid, suave—feel like his one true love in the few moments it took him to mix a drink, run a charge card, and wink like he meant it. Maybe it was an act, all this showmanship, but I had the feeling that CJ genuinely liked people and wasn’t just shaking it for tips. more ›

At the Vortex, Rob Nash continues the saga of the Smiths in the holiday edition of his Holy Cross series, 12 Steps to a More Disfunctional Family. Nash is a wonder to behold as he switches characters, and you don't have to be familiar with the storyline to enjoy the current installation. more ›

MONDAY [23] books • David Sedaris at The Paramount Theatre books • Bill Bradley presents The New American Story at BookPeople (7:30pm) art • Artistic License: WorkSpace Artist Jedediah Caesar at the Blanton Museum of Art at The Blanton Museum of Art, MLK at Congress (Included with Museum Admission, 6-7pm) comedy • "Funniest Person in Austin" Contest, Hosted By Mario DiGiorgio (Winner 1999)" at Cap City Comedy Club dance • The Whirling Dervishes at... more ›

Get ready for some movie culture. The Paramount Theatre has announced the 2006 Summer Film Classics series, and the lineup is both eclectic and unique. There is something here for all tastes (though we don't see many family or kids' films), so check out the listings and see what classic or obscurity you'd like to see this summer: Classic Films In May: Wed, May 24 7:30 PM CHOCOLAT Thurs, May 25 7:30 PM KING... more ›

Austin is such an NPR town. How else can one explain a sold-out house of 2,800+ at $35 per ticket for author David Sedaris? Austinist hadn't been to many readings before, let alone one at a venue hosting Elvis Costello this week, so we weren't sure what to expect. We found a fawning audience, a writer in command of what he does best, and a great number of laughs through the course of the... more ›

MONDAY [10][karaoke] Monday Karaoke at Beerland (Free, 9pm) (link) [film] Monday Movies al fresco, with 'Heavenly Creatures" and "Welcome to the Dollhouse" at Sidebar (link) [comedy/books] David Sedaris at Bass Concert Hall (8pm) (link) [music] Elizabeth McQueen at Theadgill's (Free, 8pm) (link) [film/drinking] FUSEBOX Happy Hour at Blue Theater (6pm, $5, screening of short films by Austin's Zellner Brothers as part of the ongoing FUSEBOX Festival) (link) [theatre] "Durang/Durang" at Mary Mood Northern Theatre (8pm,... more ›

Sure, David Sedaris is all the rage. And with good reason. His faux-angry satire always provides us with a hearty laugh. Even more so when we hear him read it. He's one of the great humor writers in the country today. Here's the catch, he's not even the funniest person in his family. We love David but give us Amy Sedaris any day. The absurdly funny Amy has kept us laughing for years with... more ›

Photo by Kirk R. Tuck more ›

M O N D A Y [5] music · MF Doom, Count Bass D, John Robinson at La Zona Rosa music · Saves the Day, Senses Fall, Emmanuel, Early November at Emo's film · "Shaun Of The Dead" spinoffs at The Drafthouse Downtown (7pm) [link] T U E S D A Y [6] music · Red Leaves at CRL Art Gallery film · AFS screens "The Singing Blacksmith" at The Drafthouse Downtown (7pm) [link]... more ›

M O N D A Y [ 2 8 ] film · End of an Ear hosts a free screening of Lee Ranaldo and Leah Singer's "Drift" at the Alamo South Lamar (Free, 10pm) [link] music · The Kingsbury Manx, The Standard and The Heavenly States at Emo's film · KOOP Radio's Monthly Film Benefit at MonkeyWrench Books - Gillo Pontecorvo's “The Battle of Algiers”, about the French occupation of 1950s Algeria. (Inc. Beer and... more ›