The Australian born, Michener graduate Domnic Smith's third book jumps back to the 19th Century, just as he did in him amazing debut, The Mercury Visions of Louis Daguerre. In Bright and Distant Shores, Smith weaves an elegant story of Chicago on the eve of modernity, and on the other side of the world, post-colonial Melanesia and the a man who wavers between them both. more ›

FRIDAY [8] music • DJ Krames (Cobra Kai), Prince Klassen at Beauty Bar (Free) books • Dominic Smith presents The Beautiful Miscellaneous at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy • Punchline, open mic stand up comedy at ColdTowne Theater (10pm) film • "The Secret Mirror" at The Paramount film • Master Pancake Theatre: "The Breakfast Club" at Alamo Downtown film • "Severance" at Dobie Theatre food • Central Market Cooking Class: Manicotti Workshop with Foodie Barbara Sampson at... more ›

(FIRST) THURSDAY [7] party • Official Space Launch Celebration at Salvage Vanguard Theater (9:30pm) music • Go Motion! at Beauty Bar music • The Dollyrots, Alright Tonight, The Sweethearts, Abby Birds at Emo's music • Vietnam and Greg Ashley, The Strange Attractors, The Golden Boys at Emo's music • Scott Miller, The Commonwealth, The Gougers at Stubb's music • An Evening with Old Crow Medicine Show at The Parish Room music • Locals @ La... more ›

MONDAY [4] film • "The Big Sleep" at The Paramount film • Eddie Muller Noir Night: "The Window" at Alamo Downtown film • Music Monday: "La Brune Et Moi" at Alamo Downtown food • Central Market Cooking Class: Knife Skills 101 with Chef Cindy Haenel at Central Market Cooking School, 4001 N Lamar ($60, 6:30-9:30pm) music • Lifesavas, Strange Fruit Project, DJ Marc Sense, Who M.I.?, Prawphit at Emo's music • Strange Fruit Project,... more ›

TUESDAY [3] awards •Texas Medal of Arts Awards Ceremony at The Paramount Theatre books •Martha Egan presents Clearing Customs at BookWoman (7:00pm) books •The Utter Reading Series with Darin Ciccotelli and Dominic Smith at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy •Paul Varghese at Cap City Comedy Club debates/booze •Dionysium at Alamo South Lamar film •AFS Essential Series screens "The Seventh Continent" at Alamo Downtown film •2007 Austin Air Guitar Championships at Alamo Downtown food •Central Market Cooking Class:... more ›

MONDAY [2] books •Peggy Collins presents Help Is Not a Four-Letter Word at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy •22nd Annual Funniest Person in Austin Contest at Cap City Comedy Club (Check site for lineup) film •Serge Gainsbourg Birthday Feast at Alamo Downtown film •"El Duce Vita" with The Mentors at Alamo Downtown food •Central Market Cooking Class: Midnight in the Garden of Food and Evil at Central Market Cooking School, 4001 N Lamar ($40, 6:30-9pm) music... more ›