This weekend's forecast predicts absolutely glorious weather (sunny with highs in the mid-80s), just in time for the annual Austin Reggae Festival at Auditorium Shores, Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. Since 1994, this mid-sized fest gathers reggae music lovers of all ages to downtown Austin to celebrate spring and one love. While most casual listeners may think only of Bob Marley, reggae music has a storied history and culture. With reggae easily crossing over to other genres and heavily influencing many other music types such as ska, hip hop, dub and more, the festival will host bands from a wide range of locations and backgrounds. more ›

On Sunday night - before my sinuses joined the writer's strike - I fancied myself a Rockwell-ian protagonist. In my crappy efficiency apartment, I laid leisurely in an armchair, reading Yeats and watching Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I also made laborious use of the first-person singular and listened to a new Bavu Blakes song, which arrived in my inbox that night. more ›

It's the your favorite bartender at Sao Paulo, or the girl in the cutoffs at El Chilito. It's the smokin' UPS guy, or one of the Lone Star Rollergirls. It's your local secret crush. It's hard to believe that it's been over sixteen years since Linklater's Slacker edified the collective and individual characters that make Austin, well, Austin. Although Liberty Lunch is long gone, the people that make our city great remain. And what... more ›

[festival/music/art] First Night at Congress Avenue (All Ages, 2pm, Free/$10) [info] [tickets] [music] Nic Armstrong and the Thieves, Moonlight Towers and DJ Polecat at Club de Ville (21+, $5, Call 512-457-0900) [fabulous] Studio 54 Par-tay! at Rain (21+, Call 512-494-1150) [info] [music] White Ghost Shivers and The Small Stars at Blue Genie Art Industries (21+, 9pm, $37) [info] [tickets] [music] Flametrick Subs with Satan's Cheerleaders, Slick 57 and Basin Street at Emo's (All Ages,... more ›

Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" is regarded as either one of the most astounding rock epics ever created or one seriously bloated piece of shite. For those of you who think the latter, perhaps listening to "Dark Side" done right will change your mind. From New York's Easy Star reggae label comes "Dub Side of the Moon" ... a track for track cover done in dub reggae style. Standout tracks include "Us... more ›

F R I D A Y · World Leader Pretend are back in town, kicking the night off with an in-store appearance at Waterloo Records (3pm5pm) and following that with a show at Stubb's (9pm). Opening for them are none other than our new favorite English lads, Nic Armstrong and the Thieves, who'll be trying out all-new material for their forthcoming album. Those of you who were at the Parish this week know why we... more ›

Funk legend Bernie Worrell, of Parliament-Funkadelic fame, touches down in our fair city next week for what promises to be a multi-media event of pure funksmanship. A new documentary, “Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth,” will be playing at the Downtown Alamo Drafthouse on April 11, 12 & 14. The movie features rare Parliament footage as well as interviews with musicians ranging from David Byrne to Mos Def. Worrell will be in attendance for the screenings on the 12th & 14th. And, as always, the Monday screening will only cost you a dollar (but no Bernie). more ›