The Statesman reports that over 50 homes have been destroyed by the fires in the Fort Davis area, but no deaths or injuries have been reported. According to the Texas Forestry Service, over 100,000 acres burned due to 24 fires over the weekend. more ›

The Fifth Annual Trans-Pecos Festival is just around the corner. Head out west for a mystical weekend celebration underneath the Marfa skies at rustic campsite and eco-lodge El Cosmico. The two-day celebration of music and love is organized by Liz Lambert’s family of creatives at Bunkhouse, and you can expect a weekend chock-full of Marfa’s unique blend music, art, and camping with a side of daytime recreation. more ›

Ballroom Marfa will also host Yeasayer (in addition to the band's two night stand here in Austin on April 10 and 11) on April 13 at the Crowley Theater. Buy tickets ($10) here. Austinist and WOXY are proud to present night two of Yeasayer in Austin, and you can buy tickets for that Parish show here ($15). more ›

Well, just in the nick of time, the group pops up with a very special show -- this time, they'll be at Padre's in Marfa on January 15. The show is made possible through The Texas Commission On The Arts and Ballroom Marfa's Front Row Members, which is why the ticket price is a modest $5, we assume. Even if you just returned from New Year's Eve in Marfa, this show is definitely worth another carpool. Bring some cash - tickets are available at the door only, not online. more ›

• It’s been a year since the major fire at the Governor’s Mansion. Reconstruction at the historic house is now getting closer to reality.
• Cindy Sheehan will lead an anti-war protest in Dallas this afternoon.
• Volunteers put the smack-down on trash at Lady Bird Lake this weekend.

Marfa, Texas, over 400 miles from Austin and an extremely intriguing city to say the least, is home to plenty of art, special concerts, and of course, those lights. This weekend, the quality concerts continue as Marfa Public Radio (KRTS 93.5 FM) rounds off its Spring Membership Pledge Drive with the 2008 Far West Texas Radio Round-Up featuring music from a number of excellent acts. more ›

Psychedelic music came of age in Austin in the 60’s thanks in large to The 13th Floor Elevators and the emergence of The Vulcan Gas Company as a community and a venue to support the genre. (Check out this site for a history.) The Vulcan Gas Company (316 Congress Ave.) shut its doors in the 70’s but lately there has been a renewed interest in the era in part due to Scott Conn’s Dirt Road To Psychedelia documentary. The Black Angels must also be blamed thanked for this rejuvenation; the local outfit has paved the way for a new generation of psychedelic acts with their impressive 2006 release, Passover. A full-length follow-up is expected this May. more ›