As mentioned earlier this week, Hotel San Jose, Perla's, Lambert's, and a host of others have organized a huge benefit Friday evening in the Jo's and Hotel San Jose spaces on South Congress Avenue. The benefit features performances from Louisiana native and Austin resident Papa Mali and Cajun revivalists and Grammy nominees the Lost Bayou Ramblers. There's also an optional $10/plate shrimp and crawfish boil to celebrate Louisiana's coastal cooking, with all proceeds going to the Greater New Orleans Foundation's Gulf Oil Spill Fund. Speakers at the event include Texas State Representative Mark Strama and Brandi Clark of EcoAustin. While the event is free to attend, a voluntary $10 (or more) donation will be collected at the door from those willing to help toward the event goal of raising $30,000 for Gulf cleanup efforts. Austinist is a sponsor of tonight's benefit, and we highly encourage you to join us for a great night out starting at 6pm. more ›

It's that time again! Drag Queen Bingo is going down tonight at Jo's Downtown. It's your every-other-Wednesday-night delight, and it's been moved up to tonight to accommodate those SXSW soldiers who plan on entrenching themselves in the thick of the party action next week. Saffire, our resident emcee and glamorous host, has what you need to give your SXSW week a showgirl-style high kick... Bingo, baby. Bingo. more ›

Grab your daubers, sense of humor and thirsty bellies. It's time again for Drag Queen Bingo, our favorite bi-weekly game night at Jo's Downtown. Saffire, our resident drag queen emcee, has extra incentive to liven up your evening because... ta-da... it's her birthday. Or, thereabouts. Anyway, she's incouraging everyone to bring Mardi Gras beads, maybe to use to barter with for amazing lip-synched song and dance numbers. more ›

Your every-other-Wednesday-night delight, Drag Queen Bingo at Jo's Downtown, has been bumped up to tonight, and it's going to be about as much fun as is legally allowed in Texas. Our favorite drag queen emcee, Saffire, will host the event as the voluptuous Dolly Parton. Enjoy riotous and naughty renditions of "Nine to Five", watch in awe as Saffire tries to contain the enthusiasm and grandiosity of the musical legend, and play a little Bingo. At the D.Q.B, cards are free, beers are $3, you'll have the chance to win fun prizes, and you stand a good chance of being completely won over by a larger than life version of one of country music's most luminous queens. more ›

This ain’t your great aunt’s bingo night. Get out your daubers and join Austinist tonight at the latest installment of the bi-weekly game night Drag Queen Bingo at Jo’s Downtown. Our favorite bingoing drag queen and yours, Saffire T. Stone (2007’s Best of Austin Best Drag Queen), will be emceeing, calling the numbers and providing entertainment a bit more spirited and vibrant than your typical bingo-goer might be used to. more ›

The 3rd Annual Chili Cold Blood Chili Cook-Off/Giant NoiseHere in Texas, having a secret chili recipe is sort of a birthright. Even if you're vegetarian. That's because, unlike salsa or guacamole or any other "you HAVE to taste my___" Texas specialty, ingredients aren't easily discernible in chili. But flavors are, and that's why Jo's Coffee is challenging you to out-flavor your chili cooking peers. Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Chili Cold Blood Chili Cook Off, being held Saturday, January 9, and entry is available to restaurants or individuals. This is one of the most anticipated culinary events of the year for comfort-food loving types, so get your registration in now at www.joscoffee.com. (Entrees close at 9:00pm on January 7.) more ›

As the day of presents, nostalgic holiday flicks, awkward family moments, lights and mistletoe approaches, the festivities start to really heat up in Austin. And, one that shouldn’t be missed is Drag Queen Bingo holiday style at Jo’s downtown Wednesday with the always enchanting Saffire. Come in holiday costume (if you dress like Mrs. Claus, you might be outdone by the lovely hostess) for free bingo and the chance to win prizes wrapped up like presents full of things you never knew you needed but absolutely did. Enjoy the Cheep beer and get serenaded with several dramatized lip synched songs with double meanings and maybe even a Christmas song or two. Way better than watching your coworker get drunk again and do the hurky jerky on the dance floor at your office holiday party. more ›

The first-ever Drag Queen Bingo night at Jo's Coffee was such a success that we're bringing it back—and it's free this time! Join us tomorrow from 8 to 10 p.m. as the lovely Saffire hosts another exciting evening of bingo, replete with fantastic prizes, outlandish costumes, and cheap beer. more ›

Join us tomorrow night at Jo's Downtown as we class sass up hump day with Drag Queen Bingo, a new biweekly game night. Tomorrow's festivities are emceed by the very lovely Saffire T. Stone , 2007's Best of Austin Best Drag Queen and the diva credited with putting on the "first drag show in Williamson County history"—which, believe us, speaks volumes. more ›

United Way Capital Area announced yesterday the launch of a new initiative designed to invite Central Texans to "Live United" and work together to advance the common good. A "Live United" kick-off event will take place this weekend to help promote the message of the campaign: Give. Advocate. Volunteer. Live United. more ›