A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about the uplifting and relaxing experience of taking my son to court for truancy. Brief recap: In Texas, if, say, your seventeen year old child, who lives independently, takes care of himself, buys his own food and gas and concert tickets, owns his own car, and demonstrates daily acts of thoughtfulness, compassion and general total-duded-ness, decides that having to attend chemistry first period is not part of his Desired Life Experience, and if, say, he does this forty-seven times in a row, there’s a very good chance that you, the parent, will find yourself in a court case titled State of Texas vs. Henry’s Mom....

Last week, we told you a little bit about the 2007 Femme Film Texas Festival, featuring short films from female filmmakers around the globe. Centered on the themes of identity, perception, and reality, the festival is designed to demonstrate how we can all experience the same events differently, and what the variations in our experience mean. The festival takes place this Saturday, July 28, at The Hideout downtown. After the jump, we've included the full......

You may have seen the storefront on 2nd St. filled with workers in coveralls, their workshop littered with pink paper and bottles. The spartan headquarters of the Pink Love Factory stands in stark contrast to the modern shops that proliferate the shopping district. You have probably wondered what the hell is going on in this place filled with bicycles, jump suits, pink construction paper and smiling artisans. Well, after consuming our weight in gelato......

The self-proclaimed live music capital of the world will be the site for some music-themed public art starting Tuesday. Much like the now-heavily merchandised Cow Parade event, "Guitartown" will feature oversized six strings all been decked out by Texas artists, and, when the display ends next fall, the modified musical instruments will be auctioned off to benefit charity. KVUE reports that the display will include 35 artworks, which will be placed at local landmarks......

City of Austin's Art in Public Places (AIPP) program, which seeks to beautify outdoor spaces with installations of sculptures and murals by local and national artists, recently finished displaying the design proposals for the future north Austin development where the Mueller Airport used to sit. This week, they've issued a new challenge to artists all over the country: the new Gables development north of Town Lake Park has been alloted a public art budget of......

That bitch that cut you off almost swiping the side of your shiny car wasn't drunk. She was gossiping on her cell phone. But she might as well have been drunk. Check out some proposals for Austin's largest public art project and tell the developer what you think. Who knew that Disney World was such a dangerous place? A judge in Oklahoma, was insecure about his own sexual performance behind the bench. He was......

Last year, over 100,000 people attended the inaugural First Night Austin, which is a major arts festival to welcome the New Year. This year, First Night Austin 2007 will again take place on December 31, but since it is now the second annual event, we hope that it will be an even bigger party. First Night Austin announced an official call to artists for visual and performing art proposals. They will be accepting proposals in......

Its premise is charming in its optimism: let's, for a single day, transform a barren, urban city block into a vibrant, organic gathering of public art and music. This weekend, Austin Green Art and Capital Sports and Entertainment (CSE) are taking over Block 21 -- better known as 2nd Street and Lavaca -- to throw a huge Earth Day celebration. "Rock The Block" promises to be replete with performance art, temporary sculptures/installations, and a......

FRIDAY [7] [music] Cruiserweight, Driver Friendly, Kissinger, Radio Pioneer at Emo's (link) [music] Low at The Parish (link) [music] The Mercers at Stubb's (link) [music] Mr. & Mrs. Mays, Faceless Werewolves and Pocket Symphonies at Hole in the Wall ($3) (link) [music] Dark Star Orchestra at La Zona Rosa (Through Sat) (link) [art] A slew of public art makers and thinkers get together to discuss "Public Art: The Good, the Bad, and the Temporary" at......

Women & Their Work and Austin Visual Arts Association are teaming up tonight, March 7th to present Art for the People: Exploring the world of Public Art. You're invited to Women & Their Work (1710 Lavaca St) to participate in an informative and thoughtful discussion on public art. Schedule 6:00-6:30 pm ­ Artist Networking 6:30 ­ 8:00 pm ­Panel Discussion and Q&A Panelist Include: Ann Graham (Organizer of First Night Austin), Meghan Turner (Art......