It seems that R.E.M. aren't the only thing that decided to calls it quits today. In what can only be called an auspicious start to Austin Restaurant Week, both Downtown lounge mainstay The Belmont and critically acclaimed El Arbol announced their closures on Wednesday.

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For fans of Moby-type electronic eclectic indie-pop, RJD2 mixes together sampling, MCs, vocalists and more into an intriguing style all his own. His latest release The Colossus is his fourth solo album, now out on his on label RJ's Electrical Connections. RJD2 also holds the title of producer for artists such as MF DOOM and Copywrite, and has remixed songs from Aesop Rock to the Polyphonic Spree. more ›

The F Yeah Fest, along with Transmission Entertainment, presents the third annual Mess With Texas on Saturday the 21st at Waterloo Park. This is the ultimate spot for Saturday -- the last day of day show mania -- a shindig where you can fill in the blanks in your list of must-see-acts this SXSW by meandering around the park all day. The Black Lips, Akron/Family, King Khan & The Shrines, Vivian Girls, Circle Jerks, Cursive, The Thermals, Monotonix, Jason Lytle, Vetiver…the list is endless -- catch ‘em all between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. This could easily be called a one day Fun Fest! more ›

The 2008 South Padre International Music Festival kicks off on Friday, October 31st, and for two days, attendees will have the opportunity to see a diverse collection of acts on the Spring Break paradise that is South Padre Island. We can only imagine what sort of havoc a Ghostland Observatory set on Halloween night may wreak! (The festival’s schedule will be released sometime after that festival in Austin in September.) Other notable artists playing this year’s fest (at over ten venues) include the redoubtable Willie Nelson, rock legends Blue Öyster Cult and Foghat, and Austin’s own Alejandro Escovedo. Guy Forsyth and Steel Pulse were also added to the line-up recently. more ›

KGSR 107.1 invites Austinites to jump in this week and explore Austin's culinary scene while benefiting a great cause. Through Sunday, participating restaurants will showcase some of their favorite menu items to the tune of three courses for $25 (plus drinks, tax, and tip ... don't forget to tip for Heaven's sake, people gotta make a living!), with $5 going to the Kids Café, which are safe places kids can go after school and get a hot dinner and some help with their homework. more ›

The place to be for Happy Hour this Thursday is The Belmont. For $20 (suggested donation) you can take in the view from the patio, drink to your heart’s content and mingle with your philanthropic peers at the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network fundraiser. more ›

You'll have to hustle to make it tonight, but every Thursday in June from 8pm-midnight the Belmont and Daily Juice are teaming up on the Belmont Patio to present cocktail culture at its freshest featuring original juice cocktail recipes and music by The Juice Crew. more ›

5th Annual Big Reds and BubblesTuesday, November 27Driskill Hotel (604 Brazos St.)6:30-9pm; $75 general admission, $60 for members[info] | [tickets]With Thanksgiving a mere two days away and the holiday season right around the corner, this time of year brings fine wine to all foodie minds. Wine lovers traditionally splurge in December on fancy bottles for both holiday toasts and New Year's Eve celebrations. To welcome this time of year and the wines that complement... more ›

Interested in finding out more about the actual options for living in downtown Austin? The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association has its 4th Annual Downtown Living Tour this Sunday, September 30th, from noon to 5 pm, featuring a combination of existing residences, units in new buildings, and sales models of upcoming developments. The tour will start at noon at the lobby of the Carr-America building located at 300 West 6th Street (across from The Belmont). Non-VIP... more ›

WEDNESDAY [6] film • "Gunga Din" at The Paramount film • "The Man Who Would Be King" at The Paramount film • "5-25-77" at Alamo Downtown film • "Welcome Home, Brother Charles" with Jamaa Fanaka at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesday: "Penitentiary" at Alamo Downtown film • Austin Film Festival screens "I'm Reed Fish" at Regal Arbor music • Ozma, Eastern Conference Champs, The Actual, The Laughing at The Parish Room music • Chris... more ›

WEDNESDAY [30] booze • "Sir Chris" and "Lord Gates" from Car Stereo Wars and Learning Secrets guest bartend at The Mohawk (5-8pm) music • Locals @ La Zona Showcase Two wih AM Syndicate, The Drawing Board, Jets Under Fire at La Zona Rosa music • Hawnay Troof, Best Fwends, The Carrots at Emo's music • Pompeii, Ryan Lindsey, Gazelles, The Heirs at Emo's music • Tribute to Sublime with Badfish, Indofin, Under the Gun at... more ›

WEDNESDAY [16] music • Locals at La Zona Rosa Showcase with Zookeeper, The Laughing, A Pocketful of Deng at La Zona Rosa (Free with RSVP at Do512) books • The Intimacies Group with Guest Rick Lannoye discuss "Sex Drive" at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • "Willy Wonka" Chocolate Feast at Alamo Downtown film • Open Screen Night at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesday: "Daydream" at Alamo Downtown food • (The Original) Willy Wonka Chocolate... more ›

WEDNESDAY [9] books • Amy Guth presents Three Fallen Women at BookWoman (7:00pm) comedy • Jimmie Roulette at Cap City Comedy Club film • Texas Doc Tour: "Ten Under Ten 2007" at Alamo Downtown film • "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with Golden Ticket Giveaway at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesdays: "Cop Killers" at Alamo Downtown food • Angel Valley Organic Farm Farmstand at Asian American Cultural Center, 11713 Jollyville Road (10am-2pm) food... more ›

Talk about getting a bad reputation for no reason! Zinfandel is the quintessential American grape: author Mark Oldman calls it the "great American wine" and describes it as "a varietal with mouth-filling heft and massive alcohol...which offers a lovable, jammy excursion built for immediate gratification." Unfortunately, many casual wine drinkers only associate the word Zinfandel with the horrible pink blush wine that comes out of a Franzia box. To help combat this misguided idea,... more ›

WEDNESDAY [2] DJ • The Black (DJ Set), Gerald Cosloy at Scoot Inn (10pm, Free) books • Poetry on the Plaza: The Book of Poetry at The Harry Ransom Center (12noon) books • Jeffrey Greene presents Water From Stone at BookPeople (7:00pm) dance • Stomp at The Paramount Theatre exhibition • UT Department of Theatre & Dance's Annual Design and Technology Exhibition at Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, Winship Drama Building (9am) film • "Plagues and... more ›

WEDNESDAY [25] comedy • Tig Notaro and Steve Burr at Cap City Comedy Club books • BookPeople's First Annual Spelling Bee at BookPeople (7:00pm, 13 and under) books • Jacqueline Taylor presents Waiting for the Call: From Preacher's Daughter to Lesbian Mom at BookWoman (7:00pm) dance • Fetish and Other Dances, part of Refraction Arts' Fuse Box Festival at The Off Center (8pm) film • "The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico" at Alamo... more ›

WEDNESDAY [18] lecture • KLRU's SPARK Series Welcomes Douglas Rushkoff at The Paramount (7:30pm, Tickets are HALF OFF from Noon-7:30pm!) benefit/film • Friends of the Festival Anniversary Celebration (Cine Las Americas) at 2308 Fortune Drive ($100, 6-9pm) books • Poetry on the Plaza: Living Poets at The Harry Ransom Center (12 Noon) books • The Intimacies Group with Karen Kreps at BookPeople (7:00pm) books • Stephanie Elizondo Griest presents 100 Places Every Woman Should... more ›

FRIDAY [13] fashion • RARE Magazine Spring Fling Fashion Show at The Belmont Hi-Lo (Moved due to rain) art/music • Take That!, a show of new images by Lance McMahan, plus music by Amanda Jones, Connie Ball, & Teddy and Marge at The Opera House (7-10pm) art • Hot and Cold: The Best of Canadian Contemporary Art at Art on 5th, 1501 W 5th (10am-6pm) art • Opening Reception for abstract paintings and encaustics... more ›

WEDNESDAY [11] books • JoAnna Barrett presents The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Texas Doc Tour: "Fish Kill Flea" at Alamo Downtown film • Open Screen Night at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesdays: "Marta" at Alamo Downtown film • Jim Jarmusch Film Series: "Dead Man" at Alamo Village film • "Babe" Organic Vegetarian Feast at Alamo Village film/discussion • Screening of Israeli film director Eytan Fox's "Walk... more ›

WEDNESDAY [4] film •"Harold & Kumar" with All-You-Can-Eat Mini Burgers at Alamo Downtown film •"8-Bit" at Alamo Downtown film •Weird Wednesdays: "Kill Or Be Killed" at Alamo Downtown books •Dr. Errol Friedberg presents From Rags to Riches: The Phenomenal Rise of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas at Intellectual Property (7:00pm) books •Alfredo Estrada presents Havana at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy •Paul Varghese at Cap City Comedy Club food •Angel Valley Organic... more ›

A visit to The Belmont, the new bar and restaurant project by Sucky Lucky Lounge owner Matt Luckie, proved to be simultaneously unsatisfying and promising. It seems like no one can shut up about their Belmont excitement level. Admittedly, the staff was friendly and the retro interiors by ubiquitous downtown designer Joel Mozersky were, as usual, spot on. We were especially excited to try Executive Chef Ben Nathan's creations. Unfortunately, an amazing Sidecar on the rocks paired with delicious calamari swimming in black pepper and lemon flavors butted up against inconsistent bar service that ranged from incredibly competent (downstairs) to nervous and rude (upstairs.) We were further sideswiped by a decidedly subpar second round of drinks and a cheeseburger and fries served without lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard or mayo. Weird. more ›