Although Monarchs' driving force is clearly lead singer Celeste Griffin, there is more to this group than meets the eye, especially at this Saturday's album release show for The Rise and Fall. In this particular iteration of Monarchs, Jon Sanchez from Roky Erickson will be on guitar, Daniel Jones from Future Clouds and Radar on drums, and Gary Calhoun from One Hundred Flowers on bass. But that's not all - special guests Michael Kincaid from What Made Milwaukee Famous and Hope Buchanan from Till We're Blue or Destroy will also be on hand to join the Austin love-fest for Monarchs album debut at Swan Dive. more ›

The Blanton Museum's B Scene events happen once a month and celebrate the arts by combining music, drinks and socializing to rejuvenate the sometimes stuffy fine art scene. Their unique approach to reaching out to the public this way includes showcasing local musicians and DJs, and each B Scene event offers a different genre representation from Austin's diverse musical culture. more ›

Old music lovers need to shake a leg - to cut a rug - this Sunday at the Second Sunday Sockhop – a monthly dance party at Longbranch Inn (featuring rare, popular and totally danceable) songs from the ‘50s, ’60s and ’70s. This upcoming Sunday is the one year anniversary. Expect to see records hanging from the ceiling and free mixed CDs, says Westen Borghesi, aka “Shorty Stump.” Weston and the other three DJs (Jim... more ›

Austin's mashup wizards Car Stereo (Wars), having taken a hiatus after their hugely successful SXSW showcase, return tomorrow night with a special Austinist-sponsored party at the Beauty Bar. Opener Gabe Vaughn, aka Second Line Social, will spin NOLA-influenced jams ranging from soul to R&B, with a little funk thrown in for good measure. Come early to get your free portraits taken by Courtney Chavanell (Brothers & Sisters) and check out nifty projections from the very... more ›

The American craft beer industry will converge on Austin tonight for this year's Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America. Black Star Co-op - the world's first cooperatively owned and worker self-managed brewpub - will be hosting a Craft Beer Celebration to raise startup capital for their beer-boasting business. The event, tonight at Fiesta Gardens from 8PM to midnight, will feature live music from local bands PONG and Opposite Day, funky beats from The Second... more ›

FRIDAY [20] benefit/music • Ashera-Blare-A IV with All In the Golden Afternoon, The Heirs, The Minderchucks, and The Otters at Club DeVille beer/party • Black Star Co-op's Craft Beer Celebration with Pong, Opposite Day, The Second Line Social, and fine craft beer from around the country at Fiesta Gardens (8pm-Midnight, $10) comedy • Punchline, open mic stand up comedy at ColdTowne Theater (10pm) dance • Room, part of Refraction Arts' Fuse Box Festival at The... more ›

Heads up! The Idiots are having a party this Saturday! The fun and friendly folks at St Idiot Collective have put together quite a bash to celebrate their second birthday. Why...they're just babes, aren't they? Check out this action: The go-go famous Aubrey Edwards will be running a photobooth -- get yer pic snapped! The Idiots have erected a private karaoke booth -- croon on, good reader, croon on. Somewhere amongst all the fun... more ›

Another victim of the fires that ravaged KOOP's former residence was Sweatbox Studios, the "home to generations of punk and garage rock" and one of Austin's more historic recording spaces. Over at Emo's tonight they're hosting a benefit show with Poison 13, Knife in the Water, The Meat Purveyors, and Possessed by Paul James. (Friday, Emo's, 10pm) On Saturday, the Rhizome Collective hosts the first-ever Clay Hands, a new benefit series that hopes to "raise... more ›

: : FRIDAY : : [music] The Zippo Hot Tour Semi-Finals featuring Fractious, 9pm @ The Backroom - FREE! [film] A Bunch of New Movies Open! @ your local theater [film] QT6, 7pm & 9:30pm @ Drafthouse Downtown: Grindhouse Triple Feature also Saturday [music] Mike Graff, 8pm @ End of an Ear [dance] Refraction Arts presents "Shish-ka-bob! An Inventory of Works by Amy Cone," 8pm @ The Blue Theatre [music] Palaxy Tracks, The Glass... more ›