We understood that Cleveland, Ohio was known for rock music, but for subtly bouncy electronic art pop? We we dubious until we discovered that the midwestern mecca is the origin of Joe Williams, whose project White Williams will be stopping through our fair city tonight at Emo's for a show opened by Rings (New York) and Cry Blood Apache (Austin)....

(Okay, what I’m about to tell you may not be true. So don’t hold me to it. And anyway, the point of its telling isn’t veracity, but rather the very real fact that it was [justly or un] canonized by bar employees, show goers, and the rest of the whiskey-breath'd throngs of Sixth Street and Red River, circa three or four years ago.)...

As far as ghosts and ghoulies go, we know that Austin has spooky entertainment options coming out the yin-yang, not to mention the standard trick-or-treating action. However, it has been brought to our attention that it is no longer socially acceptable for 20 to 30-somethings to beg candy off their neighbors (we have no shame), and our sexy bumblebee/sexy heart surgeon/sexy bottle of pepto bismol costumes are looking a little shabby this season. So......

Dandi Wind - Concrete Igloo (Summer Lovers Unlimited Music) Ok, we are fond of electronic duos. Even more so when they hail from Canada. Dandi Wind (comprised of Dandelion Wind Opaine and Szam Findlay) tests our undying affection with their hit or miss debut, Concrete Igloo. The duo combines a variety of genres to conjure up an adrenaline fueled, almost destructive sound that clicks wonderfully on songs like “Slumlord” and “Apotemnophilia.” The insistent “Hitch-Hiker” could......

Sam Duckworth (aka Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly) just celebrated his 21st birthday by headlining a sold-out 2,000 seat theatre in London. If that's not precocious enough for you, he also has three UK Top 40 singles and made almost all of the major British magazines' Top 100 albums of '06 lists. The emotive and earnest vocals Duckworth employs are a touch emo, often political, and quite radio-friendly, which has earned him comparisons to......

Now drink this: Tuesday 7pm, Jane Nickles will be demystifying Zinfandel at Cork and Co. ($25, 7-9-ish pm.) "Rich, Spicy, Dark Red Zinfandel is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Many people are confused by Zinfandel, from its mysterious past as “California’s Mystery Grape” to its 80’s incarnation as a frilly pink wine," says Miss Jane. "Don’t be fooled by the Zinfandels of your past … experience the true potential of Zinfandel as a World......

photo by Aubrey Edwards *The views expressed in The Laurie Show are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole.* -ed. note Once again, yours truly is rushing to slide in this Austinist column of mine before The Laurie Show hits the airwaves later tonight on KUT 90.5. It's been a hell of a week, kids. In between completing new episodes of Before the Break, inviting The Lovely Sparrows to......

We missed that whole “Black Friday” thing (post-traumatic stress symptoms related to a former life working retail), and the holidays are creeping up faster than a cheer-stealing Grinch in a dogsled. We’re sure that some of you, dear readers, find yourselves in a similar boat. But, before you start snapping up pre-packaged bath sets at Target, check out Austinist’s very special recommendations. We’ve sorted through some of the sparkliest surprises available locally and on the......

The last days of summer are upon us, so drink up this weekend. As the sweaty bacchanal of summer comes to a close, The University of Texas is once again offering their Informal Classes for the fall semester. Beginning this Monday, October 16, nearly 1,000 courses ranging from Roller Derby Appreciation to Crystal Healing to Dog Obedience 101 are being offered until December. These courses, some only meeting once and others lasting several weeks, are......

[festival/music/art] First Night at Congress Avenue (All Ages, 2pm, Free/$10) [info] [tickets] [music] Nic Armstrong and the Thieves, Moonlight Towers and DJ Polecat at Club de Ville (21+, $5, Call 512-457-0900) [fabulous] Studio 54 Par-tay! at Rain (21+, Call 512-494-1150) [info] [music] White Ghost Shivers and The Small Stars at Blue Genie Art Industries (21+, 9pm, $37) [info] [tickets] [music] Flametrick Subs with Satan's Cheerleaders, Slick 57 and Basin Street at Emo's (All Ages,......

Pitchfork today posted the initial lineup of confirmed SXSW XX artists, and the roster is ... well, see for yourself: The Adored, Annie, Arctic Monkeys, Belle and Sebastian, The BellRays, Be Your Own Pet, Blockhead, The Boy Least Likely To, The Brokedown, Calexico, Neko Case, Cat Power, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clor, Jason Collett, The Cribs, Cuff the Duke, Jamie Cullum, Dashboard Confessional, Death In Vegas, Death Vessel, Dengue Fever, Destroyer, Die! Die!......

Tomorrow night, show off your wicked dance moves while helping out Katrina victims with Waxploitation! DJs' "Long Live New Orleans" soul-funk-boogaloo dance-party benefit at Red Scoot Inn. Starting at 9pm, you can catch a solid five hour show featuring DJs Little Danny, Greg Most, Dr. Rhythm, and The Soul Bandit - plus a "Special Mystery Guest" yet to be announced. At midnight, with MC Obatallah on the mic, Waxploitation! DJs will unleash a rockdonkulous......

Did we forget anything? Let us know. M O N D A Y music · American Analog Set at Club DeVille. Free! Two sets, 8pm and 9:30pm [mp3: American Analog Set - New Equation (Live)] film · KOOP Radio's Monthly Movie Night screening of "Soy Cuba" at MonkeyWrench Books. Suggested donation of $5 8pm film · Martin Sheen narrates "James Dean: Forever Young", a documentary on the original hipster at the Drafthouse South Lamar. 7pm......

If there is anything that we like, it is for our loudly shouted opinion about something to be confirmed by other blogs in similarly loud terms. Mystery blogger "theAustiniteLife" blogged today at the official SXSW blog about our favorite coffee shop, Bouldin Creek Coffee, and blew a little smoke up our patoot at the same time. Our Uncle Grover always said, "what's good for the locals is good for the tourons who come in flocks......