AFS Essentials: J’Entends Plus la GuitareTuesday, December 11thAlamo Drafthouse Downtown (320 E 6th Street)$4 / Free for AFS Members, 7pm[info]When we think of a muse, we don't typically imagine the corporeal, but rather a winged sprite, strumming a lyre, an apparition that is not of this earth and cannot be held in its confines. We also imagine that once you have found your muse, or that which turns on the flowing faucet of your......

Image courtesy Kill From The Heart fanpageAnyone who read the Meat Puppets cover story in the Austin Chronicle this summer knows that the brothers Kirkwood have had some serious ups and down in their 20-odd years together. From their belated arrival as grunge superstars in the mid-90s and appearing for a four-song stretch on Nirvana's Unplugged album to a heroin-fueled spiral into depression and bankruptcy, the Puppets have lived the kind of life most people......

A pedestrian was killed on IH35 near Cabelas this morning. Pflugerville teen posts online a threat to blow up his high school, and is subsequently arrested. Some businesses on South Lamar having to close or move because of increased rent. And the Ginger Man has to move so more condos can go up downtown. H.E.B. will take over some recently-vacated Albertson's store locations. City releases list of ACL Fest-related road closures for this weekend.......

Although Hoot Nights and Tribute shows tend to occur frequently, Saturday’s extravaganza at Ruta Maya promises to trump all with an extensive lineup of local talent set to cover a variety of tunes recorded (or released) in 1967, known otherwise as the Summer Of Love. Get there early, even if the music does only start at the respectable time of 4:20 p.m. Full lineup below but we have to mention some of our favorites --......

Untitled by Michael WutzDried heads hanging from a wooden beam, contraptions inspired by dystopian nightmares, and ghostly visions of faceless men: while these sound like images gleamed from next month's Fantastic Fest, they're actually all part of Volitant Gallery's current exhibition, Silver Lining flat lining. Curated by Austin-based art historian and independent curator Till Richter, Silver Lining flat lining is the largest body of works to date by German artist Michael Wutz. Primarily a printmaker,......

Wall Street has faith in the Texas economy Dell scores low in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index A boy swimming in Lake LBJ contracts a fatal strain of meningitis and is now fighting for his life at the Dell Children's Medical Center. Austinist wishes you well, kiddo. A 9-year-old was responsible for one of the Dollar General fires Is Whole Foods buying Wild Oats just to take 'em out? Customs officials in Hidalgo confiscate......

*The views expressed in Truesday are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole. Thank heavens.* -The Editors If you look at life as little more than the process of tissue oxidation, then there’s nothing particularly negative or cynical about viewing most vices as harmless escapism; more a road of diversion rather than a path of destruction. For the vast majority of my cognitive life, this is exactly how I’ve......

It was a dark night. The scene: A tanning salon, closed up for the night. The cats: An old man and a teenage boy, both dressed in black burglar outfits, only their eyes showing through their wool ski masks. “Jonesy, what’s the plan?” asked the youth to the old man. “Sheddup! And keep cool, Jack! We’re gonna score man, but first we gotta climb up through that window, dig?” He took the last drag......

Not to be outdone by the federal agents who recently seized nearly $37 million worth of cocaine at the border, Austin SWAT descended upon a purported crack house house containing crack in the wee morning hours today, according to the Statesman. After a lengthy investigation that began back in July, members of the Travis County Sheriff's Crime Suppression Unit, together with the SWAT team, broke into 2019 E. Third St -- conveniently located near......

Last week Austin police seized 850 balloons of heroin in South Austin. Yikes, that's a lot to swallow. Pat Buchanan thinks Gore can beat Hillary in the Democratic primaries. Pat Buchanan, that great liberal mind. Saddam Hussein has some head-crushing in mind. On that note, soon scientists will be able to tell how smart you are with their improved brain imaging techniques. So there, IQ tests! People are taking their revenge for Steve Irwin's......

Imagine you’re on a bus traveling halfway across the country to your destination. A destination that, in your mind will mark you a “winner” or a “loser” in life. It’s your life’s ambition waiting there, so you go. On the bus are the people your mother warned you about, types you normally wouldn’t associate with in life: An aged heroin sniffer with a porn collection; a self-imposed mute teenager who worships Nietzsche and communicates......

There's a whole wide world out there, and here's the proof: DCist revels in The University of Maryland's basketball triumphs, marvels at Metro's security strategy, and applauds DC local Katie Couric's new gig. Bostonist has the best local papers! While The Globe reports on a baby shower gone bad, the 'Herald coins a gruesome new term. They put down the paper long enough to comment on an election that has gone to the dogs, and,......

[The following is an editorial column by contributor Alison Coffey and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Austinist staff. --The Editors] The producers of 24 must have received my memo! The one titled 24 Should Stop Sucking and that began with the line: Tell your writers to get off their asses. Who knew I had such power? To tell the truth, I was getting kind of bored there for awhile. I was......

Beginning this week, Austinist will be introducing several new columns written by various contributors. These columns will run the gammut from thoughts on television (which you have already come to love) to dating-related issues (coming Wednesday) and the like. These posts will be spoken in the first person singular by the individual contributors and do not represent the thoughts/opinions of Austinist as a whole. Today, we introduce "Truesday," from contributor Truecraig. In "Truesday," you......

Billy Joe Shaver is one of America's greatest songwriters and a true Texas legend, just ask him. He penned such classic as “Ride Me Down Easy,” Black Rose,” and “Honky Tonk Heroes.” He appears on Fresh Air today to discuss his music career, having a heart attack on stage at Gruene Hall, his dogs and the loss of his son to an alleged heroin overdose. He tells the story of how Willie Nelson and......

It seems that for every 10 pieces of crap on television like "American Idol," there is maybe one good show. Good television is not lost, it just takes some searching to find it. Not all TV is directed at the great number of vastly undereducated and sedated Americans occupying the mostly red heartland. This season blessed us with one of the most interesting and complex network shows in a long, long time: Lost. Having......

It has been a long and difficult week for some. As you may have heard Terry Schiavo passed away as well as Johnnie "If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit" Cochrane, while Jerry "Gays caused 9/11" Falwell was hospitalized and Pope "I'm the friggin' Pope" John Paul II struggled on his deathbed. In the midst of all this, you may have missed another great loss. Minnesota-born comedian Mitch Hedberg died early Wednesday morning at......