Casting seventh street in sparkly neon glow wasn't enough for hip(ster) franchise The Beauty Bar - they're moving east with a new location at 2015 Riverside. more ›

Hey, the Grammys weren't all about egg entrances and the Arcade Fire - locals Grupo Fantasma scored an award for “Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album" for their record El Existential. This is the band's first award, but their second nomination. more ›

The Mohawk, unsurprisingly, is the place to be all weekend. On Friday, enjoy Grupo Fantasma’s wonderfully cohesive blend of Latin styles, rock, funk, and more at the reliable Red River St. hot-spot. Sample the tunes on El Existential, GF’s stellar second full-length via Topspin; then come down and dance the night away to these truly spellbinding concoctions. Following this evening’s gig, the Grammy-nominated local outfit will stay busy on the road through October. more ›

Although much of the album will instantly have you tapping your toes and searching for the closest dance floor, Grupo shifts tempos and rhythms expertly as needed, finding room for the odd slow jam like “Juan Tenorio” (featuring Larry Harlow) as well. Curt Kirkwood also cameos, lending his six-string chops to “Telaraña,” another funky concoction that will get you moving in no time. All in all, El Existential proves that Grupo Fantasma is THE obvious choice when leaning towards a night of riveting Latin music. So it only makes sense that we’d like to send you to one of their two album release shows this weekend at Antone’s -- enter your information in the form below for chance to win a pair of tickets to Saturday’s show: more ›

One of the most unique bands in Austin at the moment, Foot Patrol is slowly but surely making a name for itself and garnering fans from different walks of life along the way. The local funk outfit, still resolutely focused on coining intriguing ditties about feet, has performed at a number of varied events lately, including this year’s Fun Fest and Old Pecan Street Festival, as well as a plethora of private parties and the occasional art opening. Spearheaded by TJ Wade and Hung Nguyen, Foot Patrol has already established itself on the Red River St., and this Saturday the band makes its debut at the historic Austin venue Antone’s. We caught up with Nguyen, bassist and producer, a couple of days ago and quizzed him on the band’s origins, its current momentum, and whether there will ever be a future where Foot Patrol does not write songs about feet. Grupo Fantasma headline the show on Saturday evening with equally riveting funk concoctions; doors to this Winter Funk-a-Wonderland open at 8 p.m. more ›

Last night, Rare Magazine celebrated at the Long Center with local bands, food and beverages from local vendors, and fireworks. Harlem, White Denim and Grupo Fantasma were on hand, as well as DJ Manny. All photos courtesy Pooneh Ghana. more ›

Grupo Fantasma just recently returned from a mid-east jaunt but is wasting no time in getting back to business in our fine city. The Grammy nominated collective will perform its intoxicating latin-funk concoctions at Antone’s on both Friday and Saturday with a very special guest. Greg Boyer, a child prodigy and fabled trombonist, has worked with the likes of Prince, Hank Williams, Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Buddy Guy, and Kid Rock, to name a few, and joins Grupo on stage for the two gigs this weekend. Bavu Blakes & the Extra Plairs open on Friday; Hacienda and Peligrosa All Stars get things going on Saturday. more ›

The members of local collective Grupo Fantasma are a hard working bunch. When not churning out Grammy nominated records or taking a break from supporting Prince, the team of versatile musicians dazzles as Latin-funk outfit Brownout! (Le Diamant Brut). The band is currently working on a follow-up to Homenaje, Austin Chronicle's #1 Texas Album of 2007. Although Brownout!'s second album is not expected till this summer, they do plan on releasing new material in the spring via a couple of vinyl releases. Check out our interview with Johnny Lopez and Adrian Quesada from Fun Fest 2008 above and head down to Lambert's tonight for a taste of Brownout!'s sizzling concoctions. Get there early and enjoy some mighty tasty BBQ to boot. more ›

Martín Perna's (Antibalas, frequent collaborator with TV on the Radio) latest project, Ocote (o-KOH-tay) Soul Sounds, is a collaboration with Adrian Quesada of Grupo Fantasma and features a group of seven plus musicians, offering a sound that comes from somewhere in between downtown and the dance floor. The duo are following up their debut, El Nino Y El Soul, which received primarily wonderful reviews. more ›

The Long Center opened this past weekend for perusal by the general public. We’re happy to report that the new/old building has a sleek modern aesthetic that nicely alludes to the center’s mid-century past. That's not surprising, as lots of parts from the original structure of Palmer Auditorium were recycled and re-imagined into the new, two-venue, $77 million-dollar space. more ›

Brownout! kick off their tour this week but not before supplying the Beauty Bar with diverse concoctions comprised of Latin funk, Afro-beats, soul and R&B. Following their Tuesday night gig in Austin, the eight-piece plays one more show in the Lone Star State, at Zeppelin’s Pub in El Paso before leaving for California. more ›

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... more ›

Thursday, June 21 comedy Christian Finnegan at Cap City Comedy Club music Emo’s 15th Anniversary Week with De La Soul, Word Association, Just Born, DJ Notion at Emo’s music Buddy Guy, The Greyhounds at Stubb’s music US Air Guitar Championships at The Parish Room music The Score at Beerland music Discovery School Fundraiser w/Gary Clark Jr., Johnny Moeller, Mike Barfield, Ephraim Owens & more at Continental Club music Doc Watson, Jack Lawrence, Richard Watson... more ›

Monday, June 18musicHairy Apes BMX, Gabby La LA, Jetpaq Shakur at Stubb’s musicMenomena at Waterloo Records musicArt Brut Karaoke Party and "Caddyshack" at Beauty Bar filmThird Coast Night: "Leila Khaled, Hijacker" at Alamo Downtown filmMusic Monday: "Here We Come" at Alamo Downtown food/booksDr. BBQs Big-Time Barbeque Road Trip at BookPeople, 603 N Lamar Blvd (7pm)foodCentral Market Cooking Class: The Perfect Scoop with Chef David Lebovitz at Central Market Cooking School, 4001 N Lamar ($65, 6:30-9pm)... more ›

FRIDAY [4] party/bikes • Yellow Bike Project's Second Annual Bike Art Show with music by DJ Orion, DJ Katherine at Gallery 1906 (Free, 7pm-Midnight) art • Opening Reception: memoria/memoir: Carol Flax at Volitant Gallery, 320 Congress Ave., Ste 100 (6-9pm) art • B Scene at the Blanton Museum of Art 1st Anniversary Celebration at Blanton Museum of Art, MLK at Congress ($5 members, $10 non-members, 6-11pm) art • Opening Reception: Tunnel Vision: Parading Down the... more ›

THURSDAY [3] film • Austin Film Festival screens "The Ballad of A.J Weberman" at Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek (7:30pm Free/$4 Members/General) art • West End Gallery Night at Participating Galleries (Until 8pm) art • Blanton Museum of Art Public Tour: An Introduction to Prints at Blanton Museum of Art, MLK at Congress (7-8pm) books • Book Release Party: Collecting the Imagination: The First Fifty Years of the Ransom Center at The Harry Ransom Center (7:00pm)... more ›

MONDAY [30] food • Central Market Cooking School with Chef Aimee Olson: Spectacular Sponge Cakes at Central Market Cooking School, 4001 N Lamar ($45, 6:30-9pm) books • Dirty Found: Live! with Found Magazine Creative Directors Jason Bitner and Arthur Jones at Alamo Downtown (7:00pm) film • "Dirty Found" at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Music Mondays: "The Smiths: These Things Take Time" at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown music • Music Industry Boot Camp, presented by... more ›

The palm trees on 6th and Lamar couldn't provide enough shade out in the parking lot of Waterloo Records on Sunday, but with breezes consistently blowing 60 degree winds and plenty of beer and music on hand, Austinites helped celebrate the twenty-fifth birthday of everyone's favorite record shop. Six hours of a Texas-packed lineup included Ruthie Foster, Grupo Fantasma, Brothers & Sister, and Eisley (pictured above); the party was headlined by Austin-based blues veterans... more ›

FRIDAY [13] fashion • RARE Magazine Spring Fling Fashion Show at The Belmont Hi-Lo (Moved due to rain) art/music • Take That!, a show of new images by Lance McMahan, plus music by Amanda Jones, Connie Ball, & Teddy and Marge at The Opera House (7-10pm) art • Hot and Cold: The Best of Canadian Contemporary Art at Art on 5th, 1501 W 5th (10am-6pm) art • Opening Reception for abstract paintings and encaustics... more ›

THURSDAY [12] music • The Carrots, The Interest Kills (LAST SHOW) at The Mohawk music • ME TV's monthly Austin Music Foundation benefit series, "Emerging Artists," with The Dedringers, Nakia and His at Antone's (8pm, $5) music • Alex Dupree and the Trapdoor Band, Jeff Klein, The Normans at Emo's music • Twilight Broadcast CD Release Show with Loss Rayne, Goldcure at Stubb's music • DJ Omari's Soul Party, with the Rock and Roll... more ›

MONDAY [9] books • Jillian Robinson presents Change Your Life Through Travel at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy • 22nd Annual Funniest Person in Austin Contest, hosted by John Ramsey at Cap City Comedy Club dance • Spank Dance's "4Red Lines" at Secret Location, Check Austinist's Clues (5:30pm) film • "Harold and Kumar" with All-You-Can-Eat Mini-Burgers at Alamo Downtown film • Music Mondays: "Times Square" at Alamo Downtown film • Jim Jarmusch Film Series: "Dead Man"... more ›

FRIDAY [9] art • Grand Opening Party for DRAW, 150 artists strong at Gallery Lombardi (7pm - 10pm) comedy • Todd Barry, Matt Bearden at Emo's Lounge music • Deerhoof, Macromantics, Experimental Dental School at Emo's music • Primordial Undermind at End of an Ear (6pm, Free) music • The Everyday People CD Release Show with The Hero Factor, Live Oak Decline at The Parish Room music • Lucinda Williams, Heartless Bastards at Stubb's... more ›

THURSDAY [8] film • Super Happy fun Monkey Bash 5 at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Now That's What I Call a Singalong: Pop Royalty at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Terror Thursday: The Beast Must Die at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown art • Opening Reception for "In My Stairwell" by Mark Seliger at Fielding Lecht Gallery (6-9pm) art • Artistic License: Matthew Day Jackson at The Blanton (6-7pm) art • Public Tour: The Geometry... more ›

MONDAY [5] art • Opening Reception for Sarah Canright and Melissa W. Miller: Measured Strokes at The Sarofim School of Fine Arts, Fine Arts Gallery (6-7:30pm) benefit/music • Heather Love Fest Benefit with Dan Dyer & Friends, John Pointer, Govinda, DJ Chicken George, BIGFACE, DJ Mahealani, DJ Chris, DJ Trey Lopez,DJ Orian, Performance by the Super Sonic Soul Squad, Complimentary Appetizers and TONS of Raffle and Silent Auction Prizes at Saba, Cedar Street, and... more ›

For some of you, SXSW is an obsession. For others...not so much. While we're rather immersed in the whole SXSW experience at Austinist, we know that many of you just want to take in a free or cheap event or two during the festival to experience the thing. No problem. Here's a list of events featuring local merchants, community organizations, and radio stations that will allow you to casually dip a toe in the... more ›

Ed Note: Please note that the Mobile Art Place opening party mentioned yesterday is not actually free, but is open to those attending Night at the Galleries. Sorry for the inconvenience. FRIDAY [23] music • Maneja Beto, The Interest Kills, The Laughing, White Denim at The Compound ($5, 18+, 9pm, 1300 East 4th Street) comedy • The Frank Mills perform their new sketch show, "One Classy-Ass Show," at Blue Theatre (DEETS) books • Abriendo Brecha... more ›

THURSDAY [22] art • Opening Reception: Owen McAuley at d berman Gallery (6-8pm) comedy • The Frank Mills perform their new sketch show, "One Classy-Ass Show," at Blue Theatre (DEETS) party • Misprint Magazine's Beard & Moustache Competition with performances by Sharp Dressed Men (ZZTop Tribute Band), hosted by Matt Bearden, DJ sets by Stay Gold at Club de Ville (9pm) art • Artistic License: Blanton artist Fabian Marcaccio discusses his work, which is... more ›

Save Las Manitas Concert of Voices Friday, February 23 La Zona Rosa Grupo Fantasma, Alejandro Escovedo, Patti Griffin, James McMurtry, Ruben Ramos, and Jimmy Dale Gilmore will be playing. Hosted by Jaston Williams and Joe Sears of Greater Tuna. $5 fajita plate before the show. Tickets are $25 and are available at Waterloo, Runtex and www.gettix.net. Escuelita del Alma is an awesome asset for the people who live and work downtown. The Marriott project... more ›

MONDAY [19] books • Terry McAuliffe presents What A Party at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Eddie Murphy: RAW at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Liquid Vinyl at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown music • JT Van Zandt and Friends at Scoot Inn... more ›

FRIDAY [9] art • Joey "Jo E" Santori paints a 6'x3' piece live while DJ O'Cal spins at Canvas Bar and Gallery (10am-6pm) art • Contemporary Art Trunk Show thru Feb. 11 at Art on 5th (10am-6pm) comedy • Bog Saget at The Paramount Theatre film • Master Pancake Debuts with Titanic at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Weird Wednesday Reel One Viewing Party at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Spike & Mike's Sick... more ›