A mainstay of the Austin fall event calendar, next week marks the return of the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas' Big Reds and Bubbles event at The Driskill Hotel. This year's bash will be held on Thursday, November 17 from 6:30-9:30pm.

As we explained last year, the idea for the event is simple: as the holiday season approaches, sparkling wine and heavy reds become the focus of one's wine purchases during the holiday season. So why not sample the best wines in current release and decide what is worth the cash? more ›

This fall has been the busiest for Austin food events in recent memory: tasting events and pairing dinners have been in constant churn, and even the most devoted foodie is likely having to pick and choose where to budget their remaining fall funds. Along with the Stars Across Texas event at the Hill Country Wine + Food Festival, the WFFT's Big Reds and Bubbles is a perennial favorite of ours, as it always delivers in terms of providing some great food and rare wine treats for all who attend.

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The Driskill Hotel's pastries have us looking for reasons to become displaced. more ›

Recorded at Driskill Hotel on 25th September, 2008 for KUT 90.5 FM’s Austin-centric video series, the Retread Sessions. more ›

Seeing that Austin is such an awesome pet-friendly town, it should come as no surprise that Animal Fair Magazine has given the historic and lovely Driskill Hotel one of seven “Five star Bone” awards in recognition of their Pampered Pet Program. more ›

City crews are working to clean up the ruptured water line that caused thousands of gallons of an oil and water mix to spill onto Sixth Street and into Waller Creek. It could take up to twelve more hours before the clean-up is complete, and businesses in the area are likely to be without water as the line is fixed. more ›

5th Annual Big Reds and BubblesTuesday, November 27Driskill Hotel (604 Brazos St.)6:30-9pm; $75 general admission, $60 for members[info] | [tickets]With Thanksgiving a mere two days away and the holiday season right around the corner, this time of year brings fine wine to all foodie minds. Wine lovers traditionally splurge in December on fancy bottles for both holiday toasts and New Year's Eve celebrations. To welcome this time of year and the wines that complement... more ›

Yeah, we hate the term "movers and shakers" too. But the fact is that, in any industry, the big leagues run on star power. Nowhere is this more true than in the movie biz; accordingly, we saved the last post in our Austin Film Festival Panel Preview for appearances by the talented, charismatic, and/or sensational people appearing at this year's fest. Regardless of whether you've heard these names before, they've been around the block and... 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 ›

If there is one thing that we love, it’s a good party. There are stipulations of course: there needs to be great people, great food, great drinks, great entertainment and of course, the crowning factor, we must have had absolutely nothing to do with organizing it. Thankfully, we can always count on the Austin Film Festival to do the heavy lifting for us and on Wednesday, October 10th, they are serving up just what we... more ›

One of the cornerstone events put on by the Texas Cultural Trust -- which also runs the fledgling young professional arts group, StrataTX -- is the biannual Texas Medal of Arts Awards. Since 2001, the Medal of Arts have recognized "outstanding contributions" by standout Texans, notable past winners of which include Tommy Lee Jones (film), Willie Nelson (music), Phylicia Rashad (TV/theatre) and Joe and Teresa Long (for arts patronage). A slew of events are planned... more ›

THURSDAY [29] theatre •Yellow Tape Construction Company presents I Am Not Tartuffe at play! Theatre (8pm) theatre •The City Theatre Company presents The Boys Next Door at The City Theatre (8pm) theatre •Ohio Trip, a "slide show adventure" by Elizabeth Cobbe at Women & Their Work Gallery (7:30pm) theatre •The Vortex presents Hamlet at The Vortex (8pm) theatre •Hyde Park Theatre presents Zell Miller III's My Child, My Child, My Alien Child at Hyde... more ›

Sixty restaurants, thirty wineries, and you. This is perhaps the simplest way to describe the indulgence that is the Stars Across Texas tasting at the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival. A veritable "who's who" of Texas restaurants each prepare small portions of signature dishes for guests to sample, making the most difficult choice simply what to eat before you run out of room. Last year, we had sushi tarts from Roy's, Shiner-braised... more ›

The Driskill Hotel's David Bull has made like a tree and leaved his post as Executive Chef. According to the Austin America-Statesman, after concluding his Hill Country Wine and Food Festival obligations, he'll make a circuit of the state, overseeing food and beverages at the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, then do the same at Dallas' Stoneleigh Hotel, then come back to roost at the Seaholm Plaza Hotel where he will oversee culinary... more ›

“In the movie about your life, are you the hero or the anti-hero?” It’s the question we’ve always wanted to ask prodigious screenwriter, Shane Black, and we finally got the opportunity. Not that Black is inaccessible, just. . . intimidating from a distance. His reputation precedes him. Known for “reinventing” the action flick as much as breaking with the stereotypical screenwriter persona of a bespectacled pipsqueak, Black prefers to shun the conventions of the movie... more ›

Stop by the Driskill Hotel to purchase movies passes or badges. Individual movie tickets can be purchased at showtime the theatres. Payback – Straight Up Retrospective Screens: 7:30pm @ Spirit of Texas Theatre [from AFF] In 1998, during post-production of his film Payback, Brian Helgeland got fired -- 86ed -- pole-axed. The ending of the film was re-shot, narration was added, key scenes were cut and a character was recast. Seven years later he... 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 ›

Although not officially part of the Austin Film Festival, tomorrow night, the AFF hosts the 4th annual Film & Food party to benefit its Young Filmmakers Program. Considered by many to be the finest party of the year, the evening begins at the Paramount Theatre with a 6:30 p.m. retrospective screening of the classic film The Black Stallion followed by a Q&A with screenwriter and Austinite Bill Wittliff (Legends of the Fall, Honeysuckle Rose, “Lonesome... more ›

“I feel good today, Silent Bob. We're gonna make some money! And then you know what we're going to do? We're going to go to that party and get some pussy! I'm gonna fuck this bitch, that bitch...I'LL FUCK ANYTHING THAT MOVES!”** That’s certainly one way to write a rated-R comedy. Of course, there are others. Last week we told you that Kevin Smith will be at the Austin Film Festival in support of... more ›

BEAT is back, and tonight they’re taking over Firehouse Lounge, where Mike & Ike (if you join imeem, you can vote for Mike & Ike and perhaps even garner them a trip to The Winter Music Conference in Miami) will be showcasing their mic handling magnificence. Airborne Illness is opening up, and after Mike & Ike, The Table Manners Crew will be taking it from late into to the late night. 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 ›

Cinephiles rejoice! The Austin Film Festival kicks off this Thursday, featuring a bevy of shorts, documentaries, advance screenings and parties! Of course, the festival is not just about watching movies; it’s also a fantastic opportunity for you wannabe filmmakers to hear from a slew of panelists about the craft of filmmaking and the industry in general. Among the distinguished panelists at the screenwriters’ conference are Judd Apatow (40-Year-Old Virgin, Freaks and Geeks, The Larry... more ›

Hey gentlemen, are you, like, totally ripped? Do you have an entire walk-in closet full of shiny striped shirts? Do you take yourself way too seriously and have the IQ of a bag of flaming hot Cheetos? Do you have time-share rights to a Gulfstream? Are you the brother of a B-List movie star? Would you like to meet a bunch of attention-starved silicone-laden dingbats who do not have the social skills to meet... more ›

Put down Harry Potter if you haven't finished it yet (we haven't, so don't ruin the ending for us!) and get out this weekend. As always, if there's something you'd like to recommend, drop us a line. FRIDAY [music] BLING Party at Beerland, with Things That Go Pop, Tran Tram, Assacre. [music] We finally have an excuse to party at Gallery Lombardi when Green Potato Ventures presents A Cool Summer Night, the Snowman Media Launch... more ›

We might as well dub this the Week of the Dance Party - Emo's on Monday, Beerland on Tuesday, Flamingo Cantina on Wednesday, The Parish on Thursday, and - best of all - Gallery Lombardi on Friday. Check it out, and pace yourselves. As always, feel free to contact us with any hot tips! MONDAY [music] Church of the Friendly Ghost may have postponed shows at their awesome Eastside house, but they're still bringing great... more ›

From tonight through July 23, the Austin Chamber Music Center hosts its annual ACMC Festival, with near-daily concerts featuring works by Beethoven, Ravel, Schubert, Brahms, and plenty more. 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 ›

Are you an aspiring screenwriter, desperate for the attention of coked-up Hollywood producers? Think your visionary space opera, erotic gangster epic, or smarmy interspecies love story deserves to be aired in public? News flash, Walter Cronkite: they've been done. more ›