For years, the Austinist staff has fielded queries from friends and acquaintances about SXSW goings-on. "Can I walk to The Salt Lick?" "Does it really take 90 minutes for a Casino El Camino burger?" But most of all: "What showcase do you recommend to see some good new bands I don't know about?" This year, we've made the answer official. Austinist is presenting an official nighttime showcase featuring six different American acts at Spiro's on Thursday, March 13. We've done a lot of listening to different bands and entire showcases, and believe that this one has great potential to impress you. The roster:...

Image from Scion's websiteSo you’re all set for an afternoon with the family and/or friends, tons of food on the horizon, be it Turkey or Tofurkey. Still, you need to scratch that live music itch before heading home. Well, fear not oh lovely residents of Austin, the city has a solid night of gigs on the 21st in store for the common layperson. If you’re not already planning on hitting up the Benko and The......

There's always been something undeniable about a quality West Coast power-pop record. From the mainstream success of Tom Petty's Full Moon Fever to the more obscure gems of The Posies and Jellyfish, the records in this oeuvre feel instantly memorable, lighter than air, and modestly perfect. Such sounds are likely what inspires The Broken West, a Los Angeles-based band that channels these sounds and those of Big Star and early Wilco on their debut......

After moving to Austin from New York last year, it was easy to feel disappointment in the limited food delivery options available. The restaurant delivery services aren't always prompt and charge steep delivery fees, many of the good ethnic food restaurants are dine-in or take-out only, and the best of the pizza places only deliver within a mile or two of their locations. Which brings us to The Soup Peddler, a unique concept in......

One would think that this would be the week to make connections, with people trying to find quick a hookup, even if just for that one evening. But there aren't many Valentine's Day desperate connections to be had--just a lot of normal desperate connections. So get out there and take a peek, as we bring you the best of last week's Missed Connections... Stupid Cad Girl Seeks Missing Purse. Lost During Debauchery Although Jim......

Zagat's 2007 America's Top Restaurants Survey is out and although the setup on this one begs for an immediate rimshot, it's true - we love eating out. In fact, only Houston residents eat out with more frequency *snicker* than Austinites. Hungry Houstonians are eating out an average of 4.2 meals per week while residents of Austin and Dallas/Ft. Worth eat out an average of 4 times per week. Trailing in weekly eating-out outings are......

You may have read a little something in the news recently about The University of Texas being the #1 Party School in the country, much to the chagrin of trustees, parents and state officials, and much to the delight of proud 18-22 year olds. In what we can only imagine is a bit of strategic timing on the part of our good friends over at the Austin American-Statesman, today, in their XL pull-out, they have......

It's that time of year again, Austin. Although it seems like it happens about three times a year, the Austin Chronicle is conducting its annual Best Of Austin poll. While we obviously have certain favorites (Laguna Gloria, Curra's, El Chile, Mi Madre's, Eastside Cafe, Vespaio, the Backyard, the Parish, Continental Club, Hotel San Jose, DJ Prince Klassen, the Draugh Horse, Gingerman, Lovejoy's, Flipnotics, Casino El Camino, Club DeVille, the Off Center, KUT, KLRU, Quorum......

A quick plug for cold beers at shady picnic tables: tomorrow night, the upstart Austin Newbies group (comprised of recent transplants from San Francisco, New York, Boston, and elsewhere) hold their third drinks night of 2006. The unimaginatively (but accurately) titled Austin Newbies aims to introduce new Austinites to each other so that many beers can be had, concerts and Drafthouses can be attended, and Casino El Camino burgers can be consumed by said......

Austinist presents our "Peg Your Clique Quiz" ... and we're still embarrassed by our score Additional SXSW bands were announced (Platinum Pass for auction!), and we finally saw the first week of great music releases for 2006 Reviews: Waterloo and Veronica (books); Danceworks Laboratory's latest works-in-progress showing (dance) Here's to getting past the most depressing day of the year. Thankfully, Carnivale's just a few days away! Is our fair city getting its own Central......

Waiting on three-quarters of a pound of beefy (or eggplanty) goodness at Casino El Camino. Anyone know where the name Casino El Camino came from? We never thought to ask. In the photo, by the way, are the Saldana Bros. of local band Visitors.......

Tonight, on Thanksgiving Eve, Casino el Camino's celebrating its 11th Anniversary by throwing a gigantic party. And you're all invited. The evening's festivities look something like this [from their press release]: NIC ARMSTRONG & THE THIEVES (10pm) Austin's newest import, straight from the UK! This young Brit band's impressive songwriting and stellar musicianship are killers combined with Nic Armstrong's uncanny vocal take on 60s rock/pop/rhythm, and most of all, blues! They took ACL by......

: : FRIDAY : : [music] Veruca Salt, The Lovemakers and Porcelain @ La Zona Rosa [birthdayparty] Austin Metrobloggers turn one, 5:30pm @ Casino El Camino [music] South San Gabriel, The Glass Family and My Education @ Emo's [film/comedy] The Sinus Show presents "The Lost Boys," 7pm & 9:45pm @ the Drafthouse Downtown also Saturday [music] Blue October w/ Wideawake and iSOLA @ Stubb's [booksigning] Michael Corcoran signs "All Over the Map", with a......

The Austinist has, somewhat regretfully, agreed to accept the ramblings of truecraig: a 78704 resident with bad knees, questionable taste in facial hair, and an erroneous belief that the bathroom walls of the men’s restroom in Casino El Camino contain the deepest of possible political satire. Craig drinks, smokes, runs, tells ridiculous stories, describes himself in the third person, and spends money he does not have. All in the bestest Texan city, Austin. His......

We love hamburgers…a lot! That’s why we were pretty excited to see a new kid on the block in the form of P. Terry’s Burger Stand . The burger stand, owned by namesake Patrick Terry, opened about 2-3 weeks ago and is located on Lamar, just north of Barton Springs Rd. As its name states, this is a burger “stand” not a restaurant, but there are some picnic tables adjacent to the stand, if......