Whenever someone says they’ve never seen Lawrence of Arabia, someone has to go, “What?!?! That’s so wrong!” It’s like, some sort of rule. And if someone says they’ve never seen it on the big screen, everyone has to suck in their breath really hard like they just saw two cars almost collide: “Oh, man, you gotta see it on the big screen. You haven’t seen it if you haven’t seen it on the big screen!” (We suspect that many of the people that say that haven’t seen it on the big screen either. It’s just the rules.) Well, guess what. You’ll never have to hear that again as of this weekend. more ›

If you haven’t headed over to Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant, a small, vivid gem set on the tarnished strip of I-35 just north of Dean Keeton, think of this as an opportunity with your name on it. The hospitable folks at Aster’s are designating a night of sales to their longtime friend Lawrence Eguakun of World Beat Café notoriety, who was diagnosed with cancer one year ago and has been undergoing intensive treatment since. more ›

Haven't had enough of Valentine's Day yet? Ever secretly wanted to take a date to the Harry Ransom Center, but went for $2 Tecates at some hipster dive instead? This Friday, for one night only, the HRC is heading to the Eastside, celebrating love, the birth of hip, and the "starving, hysterical, naked" visions of the Beat Generation. Sounds hot. more ›

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals bring a barrage of blues, folk, and soul infused rock ditties to Stubb’s tonight. A native of Vermont, Potter studied theater at St. Lawrence University in New York and also met future band member Matt Burr (drums) at the institution. Scott Tournet (guitar) joined shortly after. Potter’s friend from high school, Courtright Beard was initially a part of the outfit as well but was eventually replaced by Bryan Dondero on bass. The act's name is inspired by their penchance for late night practice sessions. more ›

Will Smith is the last man alive in I Am Legend, Nicole Kidman is a narcissistic sister in Margot at the Wedding, and Reverend Billy travels cross-country to spread the gospel of anti-commercialism in What Would Jesus Buy?. Also opening: Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Rape of Europa. more ›

Logo from Austin Jewish Book Fair Keynote Lecture: "Iraq, Al Qaeda, and the Future of Israel" with Jeffrey Goldberg and Lawrence WrightSunday, November 11Jewish Community Association of Austin (7300 Hart Lane)7:30pm, $12 Gen Ad, $10 Students/Seniors/JCC Members[info] | [tickets] Austin Graphics and Comics Night with Paul Benjamin and Terry and Patty LaBanThursday, November 8Barnes and Noble Westlake (701 S. Capital of Texas)7:30pm, Free[info]Less than four days are left in the 2007 Austin Jewish Book Fair,... more ›

Usually, street closures around the Capitol hail the arrival of one of Austin's many street festivals, where you can listen to a wishy-washy blues-rocker do his best to channel Stevie Ray Vaughn while you eat a turkey leg amongst a sea of fanny-packed families and homemade jewelry vendors. But once a year it means it's Texas Book Festival time. As literary events go in this town, it is the big one. For two days... more ›

Another Friday means another round of fresh outta the box movies. With summer's end possibly mere weeks away, these are our last days to indulge in the pastime of escaping Austin's scorching good vibes to sit in distracted air-conditioned comfort. And in some parts of the country it's already fall, which means there's a bumper crop of new movies out! The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: On one hand, this period... more ›

The Spicewood bar where an Austin Police commander and her husband, also an officer, were drinking before dying in a motorcycle crash was shut down by the TABC Today was the 41st anniversary of the UT Tower shootings Six cases of human West Nile Virus have been reported in Texas this year After the scandal earlier this year where UT's financial aid chief Lawrence Burt had improper dealings with a student loan company, the... more ›

The Writers' League of Texas will be honoring author Lawrence Wright on September 21st with the 3rd Annual Award of Literary Merit. The award seeks to recognize individuals who "embody the League's mission of promoting literacy and elevating the art of writing." The first two Awards of Literary Merit were bestowed upon Sarah Bird (2006) and Anne Patchett (2005). Currently a staff writer for The New Yorker, Lawrence Wright has authored several books as well... 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 ›

If you were planning on sitting at home tonight knitting and listening to Lawrence Welk or something, we highly recommend you redirect your energies towards one of the fine rock 'n' roll shows that's going to be gracing our city tonight. Maybe Black Rebel Motorcycle Club would be up your alley? Call it garage rock, call it blues revival, but regardless, the sound is all guitars, all the time, acoustic and electric jangling along... more ›

Old music lovers need to shake a leg - to cut a rug - this Sunday at the Second Sunday Sockhop – a monthly dance party at Longbranch Inn (featuring rare, popular and totally danceable) songs from the ‘50s, ’60s and ’70s. This upcoming Sunday is the one year anniversary. Expect to see records hanging from the ceiling and free mixed CDs, says Westen Borghesi, aka “Shorty Stump.” Weston and the other three DJs (Jim... more ›

Ladies, gentlemen: please examine Joseph, Overseer of Pharaoh's Granaries, at left. Like any good Tut's tomb + art nouveau mashup, the painting emotes a quiet, anachronistic strangeness. Currently on display at The Blanton, this piece sits alongside other treasures -- both canvases and sculpture -- on loan from the Dahesh Museum in New York City. They're featured in the Blanton's new show, A Century of Grace, which honors interpretations of the human form in 19th... more ›

It was announced today that Austin-based scribe Lawrence Wright was awarded the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for general non-fiction. This is not the only award his book, The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, has won, but it is one of the more illustrious honors it has received. Wright is currently a staff writer for the New York Times New Yorker, has written for Texas Monthly, and helped pen the screenplay for the Denzel... more ›

Authorities at the University of Texas have launched an investigation into alleged illegal dealings that UT associate vice president and financial aid director Lawrence W. Burt may have had with education finance provider Student Loan Xpress Inc. According to the office of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Burt was issued stock from Student Loan Xpress, a glaring conflict of interest given the company's status as one of UT's "preferred lenders." "It is important that... more ›

After vehemently encouraging Austinites to indulge in the splendor of live musical entertainment, Mayor Will Wynn's charisma is now focused on more literary pursuits. Wednesday, March 28th, at 7pm marks the official start of the annual Mayor's Book Club. For the sixth installment of the book club Mayor Wynn has chosen Stephanie Elizondo Griest's Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana. To get readers in the mood, the City of Austin is... more ›

The Austin Chronicle is offering up tickets to a series of free day shows this year, over at the newly-created SXSW Live space inside the Austin Convention Center. A limited number of space-available passes will be distributed at Cheapo Discs next Wednesday, March 14th, from 2-5pm. Badges and wristbands are not required. The lineup: Thursday, Mar 15 The Lone Star Lounge 2pm Tracy Lawrence 5pm Razorlight 7pm Marc Broussard 9pm Brandi Carlile The Bat... more ›

THURSDAY [16] wine • Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! at Various music • Peter and the Wolf, The Interest Kills at The Mohawk music • The Elected (Members of Rilo Kiley), Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos, Whispertown 2000 at Emo's Lounge music • Jack Ingram & Reckless Kelly at Stubb's music • The Pretenders, Operation:Awesome at Austin Music Hall music • White Ghost Shivers, Dewayn Bros at Beerland music • St. Lawrence... more ›

In case you were in need of some cultural enrichment this weekend, here are some cerebral events for your consideration: SATURDAY (11/11) Do you only attend panel discussions featuring historic icons? Well, you're in luck this weekend as The Ransom Center presents A Conversation with Norman Mailer, literally. Norman Mailer, Gay Talese, and Lawrence Schiller will participate in a discussion moderated by professor Steven Isenberg. Admission is free and seats will go fast. Doors... more ›

Austin remains the nation's fifth safest large city, according to the latest annual rankings published by Morgan Quitno Press. The Lawrence, Kansas-based research firm placed Dallas and Houston on the other side of the spectrum -- both are among the country's most dangerous, at sixth and tenth, respectively. Meanwhile, our northern neighbors in Round Rock should be happy to know that they're still living in of the overall safest cities, despite dropping to thirteenth... more ›

Walk in any sex shop in Austin, and you’ll be confronted by a bevy of “educational aids,” “adult novelties,” and “personal massage devices.” Call an in-home sales rep and you’ll be offered a plethora of “marital aids.” Sex toys still circulate; they just go by different names. more ›

Favorite posts for this mid-September week: Getting ready for ACL? Los Brushes has some tips for you. The Rich Girls Are Weeping have posted their guide to ACL. Cody is missing one hell of a bachelor party to attend ACL. There have been many excellent Ann Richards remembrances posted this week. Two of our favorites are Glen Maxey's at BOR and Lawrence Collins' at ITPT. Random Favorite Blog of the Week: Blendor, a group... more ›

WEDNESDAY [6] film • The Stunt Man with Richard Rush Live in Person at Alamo Downtown (6:45pm, $10) food • Angel Valley Organic Farm Farmstand at Asian American Cultural Center, 11713 Jollyville Road (10am-2pm) film • TerrorStorm with Alex Jones Live at Alamo South (7pm) film • Before Sunrise at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • Zatoichi: 7 & 8 at Spider House (8pm, Free) film • Quai Des Ofevres at Paramount Theatre (7:15pm)... more ›

FRIDAY [1] music • Tacks, The Boy Disaster w. The Channel, Golden Bear at The Parish Room ® books • Jacqueline Winspear presents Messenger of Truth at BookPeople (7pm) film • Chuck Norris Martial Arts Movie Mania with Chuck Norris in Person: Sidekicks at Alamo Downtown (6pm, $10) film • Lawrence of Arabia at Paramount Theatre (7:30pm) film • Chuck Norris Martial Arts Movie Mania with Chuck Norris in Person: Code of Silence at... more ›

While gathering in the conference room to watch DVDs about your esteemed corporate founder or practicing falling off of chairs and into each other's arms as part of a trust exercise have always been a great way to spend an hour or two not surfing the internets at work away from your cubicle, the Writers' League of Texas has introduced a new program that will make you not dread the email from Human Resources,... more ›

THURSDAY [24] music • Brother Will (Brothers & Sisters) and Friends, Lomita, and Sean Ohno (The Arm) at Beauty Bar (10pm, Free, Drink tickets to first 150 guests) ® music • Fiction, Gulf of Mexico, Bello Ragazzo at 912 Red River (10pm) ® party/fashion • DJ Ian Orth aka Learning Secrets spins at Bettysport's cocktail party celebrating the new silhouettes and colors of the Stella Mccartney fall/winter collection for Adidas at Bettysport (5-8pm, Free)... more ›

WEDNESDAY [9] [film] Weird Wednesday: Wild Pussycat at Alamo Downtown (11:55pm, Free) ® [film] By the People at Dobie (5pm) ® [film] Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia at Alamo Downtown (7pm) ® [film] Dirty Harry at Paramount Theatre (7pm) ® [film] Live and Let Die at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) [film] Rolling Roadshow: Monty Python & The Holy Grail at Central Market (8pm, Free) ® [film] Bullitt at Paramount Theatre (9:10pm) [film] Blanks... more ›

(Photo by Matt Wright) As children, we were a car trip family. Five of us would pack into a Subaru and set sail from Cleveland for other, even more Midwestern destinations. Places like Lawrence, Kansas, where great grandmother lived until her death in 2004. In high school, we'd stand in the alley behind Grandma's house, sneaking cigarettes where the family couldn't see. Back there we saw the sordid underbelly of Lawrence -- kids up... more ›

UT Austin's Environmental Engineering Professor Richard Corsi was recently awarded a $2.9 million research grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a new graduate program at the university aimed at studying indoor environmental quality. The five-year grant was propelled by studies indicating that most of us spend a whopping 18 hours inside for every hour outside, and that air quality indoors can often be much worse than we thought: more ›