Last week, Austin's American Repertory Ensemble (ARE) was in the land of fried Snicker bars, indiscernible drunkards, and the largest fringe performance festival in the world. (Read: Edinburgh, Scotland.) Everything was laughs and lager until the terrorists got involved. more ›

Grrr. Are you one the impassioned, musical South Austinites who hate the deck attached to the South Congress Cafe? Is it totally violating your rights, like, right now? It is? Then today, dear misbegotten neighbor, is your lucky day. It's your chance to avenge yourself against those who have wronged you. And you get to exact your revenge through song. Oh, the joy. more ›

Can you sing? Do you like to eat brains? Then Loaded Gun Theory needs you! We don't normally post audition notices, but (a) this show sounds like too damn much fun, and (b) a little birdie told us that LGT ran into a hitch getting their notice into the local press. more ›

As we scourged all the theatre listings this week, endlessly digging for all the dirt on all the shows in all the venues from all the companies in all of Central Texas, we realized…there is no spoon. There’s also practically nothing opening this weekend. But never fear, dear theatre goer, there’s plenty, plenty of shows that are still running from previous weeks that – if you haven’t already seen them – will forever haunt... more ›

And...there's vodka somewhere in the mix! No really, we just caught wind of this about an hour ago, and among the many interesting events lucky Austinites can choose from tonight, this is by far the funkiest. And it's free! Tonight only, 7pm, at the Vortex Theater, Green Tiger Pilates and Tito's Handmade Vodka present The Blindfolded Reformer. Certified pilates instructor Eric Schimel performs a series of pilates moves called the "Advanced Reformer Routine"...blindfolded. But... more ›

TOMORROW MORNING (and well into the evening, we imagine) one of our favorite groups of wacky thesps, The Bedlam Faction, is cleaning out their overstuffed closet to raise funds for their next season. In the words of the Bedlamites: "Wild costumes, One-of-a-Kind Finds, Insane Hats, Loads of Fabric, Mad Props, Krazy Kitsch…the list goes on and on!!" more ›

Wanna check out "the finest improv comedians in Austin" (Austin Chronicle) who "kick some serious ass" (Austinist...hey, that's us!) as they dish out this week's news with an improv slant? God knows, with the riptide of outrageous news this week -- from yet another drunken Bush to stories of idiot mamas (oh wait, was that redundant?) -- there's so much spoofable news, you're sure to catch a big, fat, snarky wave. more ›

Pervasive Software has become the first local high tech company to finally come to its senses. After just a few years of experimenting with offshoring software development, QA, IT, and more, they're throwing in the towel and moving jobs from India to Austin. (Yes, we're aware that several local companies have either hastily backed out of or withdrawn plans for offshored customer support work, but this is a first for dev, IT, and the like.) more ›

The Latino Playwrights Initiative, Austin Scriptworks, Teatro Vivo and the State Theatre want to identify and inspire Latino playwriting talent in Central Texas. Whether you're an established writer, or someone that's been looking for the right excuse to put pen to paper, here are the basics: Writers must be Latino/a Plays must be under 25 minutes No musicals, or plays for young audiences But just when you thought you were getting off easy, these... more ›

As we reported several months ago, one of our most favorite local starlets, Helen Merino, had to pull out of Zach Scott's Bad Dates due to an unfortunate encounter with a pothole. We were excited to learn today that Merino will return to the role for a three week holdover. Don't get us wrong. We love Jill Blackwood, too, and her run received a rave review from the Chronicle. But we felt terrible for... more ›

Happen to be working on the Next Great American Comedy? Want to share it with the public, and pull in a little dough to boot? Our esteemed colleagues at the , for which you can win $500 for writing the funniest "600-word scenario or dialogue script — on political, musical or evergreen subjects." more ›

Even though St. Genesius doesn't celebrate his feastday until August, it seems the Theatre Party stars must be in alignment or something because this weekend brings you not one, not two, but four -- you heard us -- four theatre party-benefit thingees. All from companies we love, so if you want to rub shoulders with some delightful, talented people, check out any of the following! Friday, 3/24 Rob Nash's Birthday Benefit for the Vortex.... more ›

Attention all those who are into laughing: we just found out that Russell Peter is coming to town. This dude performs all over the globe, but our favorite credit: Miss Nude UK (no link on purpose -- don't wanna get you in trouble with your office's censorship facists IT department). Known for being rude without being offensive, Russell's success on British and Canadian television proabbly means he doesn't suck. In fact, given what's on... more ›

Just in case you’re on your way to Austin to check out some cool new bands or dig on a few great new movies and it suddenly occurs to you – wait! I hate good movies, awesome music and free beer. What in the hell will I do with myself whilst kickin’ it old skool in the A-burg? You could see some kick-ass new work from Austin fringe dance queen, Ellen Bartell. Bartell’s Spank... more ›

The heat returned to Central Texas yesterday, undoubtedly a sign that we can kick Old Man Winter to the curb for another year. To us, this means two things: more ›

Hey. hipster. Do you often find yourself sitting around your apartment thinking, "Christ! If only someone would let me have a say in how funds were distributed to local arts organizations, I could really make a difference in this town!" (And, really, don't we all?) more ›

Yep, you can get access to the spooky, retro basement of the Bank of America building, downtown Austin, for free this coming Friday only. The ever-clever folks over at Salvage Vanguard are kicking off a series of readings with Caridad Svich's Thrush (A Play With Slaughter Songs). The piece has been in workshop for the last two weeks with the playwright, director Jenny Larson, composer Adam Sultan, dramaturge Colin Denby Swanson, and actors Kathy... more ›

Still cryin' in your latte because that invitation to the Oscars Grammys People's Choice Awards never came in the mail this year? Dry your sad-bastard tears because poppa Austinist has found an event just for you. more ›