Classic Rock, Classic Country: As per usual, Willie Nelson will play two nights at The Backyard for both locals avoiding SXSW and tourists willing to skip one night of showcases to see Austin's most enduring music legend. Willie's shows are tentatively scheduled for 3/14 and 3/15, and will go on sale sometime in February. In another move designed to access some tourist dollars, Direct Events has announced a relatively intimate show with Van Morrison at the Austin Music Hall on Tuesday, March 11. Van the Man apparently hasn't heard about the looming recession, as tickets are priced from $102 to a whopping $257. ...

As SX07 approaches, we'll be keeping you informed on all of the official confirmations, rumors, and non-SX events that we feel are worth your attention. With January's arrival, a lot of news has surfaced in the past few days. Here's a quick recap: Confirmed Performers (via SXSW): Pete Townshend, Rachel Fuller, Emmylou Harris, The Stooges, Interpol, Lily Allen, Bloc Party, Devin The Dude, Hoodoo Gurus, Matt & Kim, Ghostland Observatory, The Watson Twins, Stax......

Have you caught up on sleep from last year yet? Because SXSW is only 90 days away. The 2007 edition looks to be as big as ever, as all hotels within three miles of downtown are already sold out. The rumor mill and early confirmations are now trickling in, with no announcement bigger than that Pete Townshend will both deliver the keynote address and participate in an acoustic showcase with girlfriend Rachel Fuller. SXSW......

TUESDAY [15] art • Opening Reception for "Dogs Among Men" at Gallery Lombardi (7pm) ® film • Oh Brother, Where Art Thou at Jo's Coffee (7pm) film • Zoom Lost & Found Show with Tommy White Live at Alamo Downtown (7pm, $8) film • Maltese Falcon at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • Three Black Panthers and the Last Slave Plantation benefiting ABC Legal Services and the National Angola-3 Coalition at MonkeyWrench Books (8pm,......

MONDAY [14] film • Excellent Cadavers, the story of the Italian Mafia, at Alamo Downtown (7pm) ® film • Touches Pas Au Grusbi at Paramount Theatre (7:15pm) film • Brick at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels at Austin Java (8pm, Free) film • Bukowski: Born into This at Café Mundi (8:30pm, FREE) film • Classe Tous Risques at Paramount Theatre (9:15pm) ® music • Horns of Happiness,......

We're absolutely, undeniably terrified of this week. See you next Monday -- if we can still remember who we are. M O N D A Y [19] film · End of an Ear and Plexifilm bring you "Saint Etienne Presents Finisterre", a film about London by Paul Kelly and Kieran Evans, at the Drafthouse South Lamar. (Free! 9:45pm) music/party · Nic Armstrong & The Thieves take over Club DeVille all night long - and they're......