Starting on Thursday evening, The Long Center is offering a Sneak Peak of the facility, with building tours on Thursday and Friday from 6-10p, and all day Saturday and Sunday from 10a-10p. The performance schedule is a tad overwhelming, so we're pointing out the theatre goodies we'd most like to see....

Since appointing new AD Ann Ciccolella last fall, Austin Shakespeare has been kickin' ass and takin' names. // The director-less, self-dubbed "brats of theater," Bedlam Faction, have returned. // SVT has a trouserload of programming this month, including Twelfth Night, produced by Kadigan and Mountweazel....

When Thelonious Monk passed away in 1982, his status as an innovator and one of the leading figures in modern jazz music was well established. A pianist who cut his first recording in 1944, Monk went on to work with fantastic musicians over his remarkable career including Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), Art Blakey (drums), Miles Davis (trumpet), John Coltrane (tenor sax) and many others. An unusual and versatile performer, Monk’s personal behavior was often just as spontaneous, and his relationships with others, including his wife and child, were as challenging as some of his best music. ...

Henry Rollins is tearing across the country on the "Provoked" spoken word tour, billed as "An evening of quintessentially American opinionated editorializing and storytelling." With over a dozen spoken word albums under his belt, Rollins has definitely proven his skill as a storyteller and cultural commenter, particularly on works like Black Coffee Blues and Get in the Van. He's also done some brilliant television work. For example, check out the potentially misogynistic letter to Ann......

Let's be honest: everyone loves SXSW week, but when it ends, you are secretly very ready to move on. Before we do, let's take a look at some of the isolated, crazy, and wonderful moments that make SXSW such an over-the-top sensory experience. – The dude at Girl Talk dancing with a broken pinata on his head. Then passing said pinata to someone else to dance with. – Isaac Hayes talking in his famous......

This week the University of Texas hosts author Rachel Trezise, the first ever recipient of the Dylan Thomas Prize. The prize features a $120,000 purse and is awarded biennially to authors under the age of 30 with works published in English. At 28, Trezise has already authored two books, a novel, In and Out of the Goldfish Bowl, and a collection of short stories, Fresh Apples. Both works take on the complex social issues facing......

In the early 80s, as punk was splintering into countless subgenres, bands like The Cramps, X and Social Distortion were making their mark by mixing hard-driving rock with American roots music and country. And though LA’s Gun Club may not have achieved the notoriety or success of the aforementioned bands, they were arguably just as big an influence on modern American blues-punk. Fronted by the wild, unpredictable Jeffrey Lee Pierce – by all accounts the......

WEDNESDAY [30] music • Odyssey: The Journey Cover Band with special arena rock/hair metal DJ sets by Car Stereo (Wars) at Whisky Bar (10:30pm-2am, Free, Odyssey at 11:30pm) ® music • Thor, Zolar X, The Ends at Emo's music • X, Rollins Band at Stubb's music • Giant Squid, Lions of Tsavo, Slo-Bula, High Cost of Living at Beerland music • Wax Wednesdays (BYO vinyl) at Ruta Maya (8pm) music • Summer Wardrobe, Vacation......

The following is commentary from Austinist contributor Truecraig, and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Austinist or its staff. Except for the part about Finland. -- The Editors This will not stand. Shame. Shame upon us all. Our fair city is one built by winners. Winners and immigrants. Immigrant winners. And probably some Germans, but whatever. But definitely not the French. Nay, never the French. Regardless of who ISN’T a winner, we here......

While August continues to look farily quiet for roadshows, September and October are just blowing up. Many indie stalwarts have recently scheduled appearances for fall semester, so start saving up some coin. Among the highlights: Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, M. Ward, Jose Gonzales, and Ladytron. Unless you've been under a rock this week, you already know that loud dinosaurs The Rolling Stones are also planning a visit; that said, no ticket info has become......

There's something for everyone this week in the Austinist concert update. Hip-hop and DJ culture from Cut Chemist and Jurassic 5, 80's college rock from The English Beat and The Church, and, well, 90's college rock from Rollins Band and Eels. There's also a healthy dose of sleaze with the Peaches and Eagles of Death Metal Bill, and some classic punk from X. On with the shows: Newly announced: 7/08 Cut Chemist @ Waterloo......

"Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack..." The sports gods are smiling on us today. As we wrap up March Madness tonight with the men's basketball championship, we also celebrate the unofficial national holiday known as Opening Day for Major League Baseball. We Seamheads are in wide-eyed excitement in anticipation of six months of the best sport in the world. Lo siento, futbol. And we are even more excited than usual, as our beloved......

Anyone who has spent any time in Washington D.C. has undoubtedly logged hundreds of hours at the 9:30 club. Last year the club sold 236,000+ tickets to shows, making it the most popular club venue in America, followed in positions 2-6 by House of Blues franchises. The club opened 26 years ago, and before it was located on V street, it was downtown at 930F and was host to some of the best punk......