APD just released an Amber Alert for 5-year-old Adrian Jaimes, who they say was kidnapped around 7:45 this morning from his home in Northeast Austin. Jaimes was last seen wearing a green jacket, black t-shirt and blue pants, is about 4 feet tall, weighs about 50 pounds and tends to have a bloody nose because of allergies....

As a friend remarked during her first listen to Jens Lekman’s new album, “That disco shit ain’t gonna fly,” Night Falls Over Kortedala is a sea-swell of cheeseball bitten by a cavity-riddled sweet-tooth. And if this description sounds a snip over-the-top, so be it—this is an album comfortable in its own skin, a relic of another place and time butting its charms into the modern world on the strength of its own inherent likability and......

An ominous black piñata shaped like a B-2 bomber greets visitors walking through the doors at Arthouse in downtown Austin. Around the corner stands a John Deere tractor made entirely of clay; a string of Japanese fireworks dangle from the ceiling. Five of the state’s most under-recognized artists are featured in the new Arthouse Texas Prize exhibit, which marries unexpected beauty with mind-bending artistic statements. The exhibit was designed to celebrate the broad spectrum of......

M.I.A.'s Friday ACL performance felt so seductive because it was both spicy and sweet; but what else can you expect from a girl who salts and peppers her mango? She burst onto stage wearing pink pedal-pushers, white trainers, wrap-around glasses and war paint, all the while shimmying her heart out to Kala's "Bamboo Banga." Her dancing seemed confounded by tentative limb placement, and it marked her as one extremely sexy dork. (Hawt!) It's this......

An Austinist reader just alerted us that a bomb threat was called into the State Capitol this morning. As of 10am, the building has been locked-down; no one is being admitted in through the doors or tunnels, and folks are allowed to leave (though an evacuation order hasn't yet been issued).We'll keep you posted. Update: (11:10am) People are now being admitted into the building. Thanks, Natasha! Photo by Shahram Malek of ZIBA Studio......

A gagillion cities have performance spaces named The Paramount Theatre: Oakland, Charlottesville, Seattle, hell, even Shreveport had a theatre named the Paramount at one point. But ours is the only one that is hosting its first EVER Poster Sale and Silent Auction this Saturday! Harumph! After its renovation in the mid 70’s, the Paramount began squirreling away classic movie and theatre posters—as well as signed memorabilia from performers such as BB King, Ravi Shankar, and......

It seems that this past week was filled with extremes, from the most tragic news to the most bizarre crimes. Not knowing how to digest said information, we decided to drink. For a cause, of course! Although we must admit that is a fairly standard solution around these parts. That leaves us with only one way to start off the week; well, two actually. But we don't have a bloody mary, and this is......

The following is a letter written by Le and Thomas Popov, owners of South Congress boutique FactoryPeople. As life-long independent music lovers and long-time Austinites (at least one of has lived here since 1989), we have come to love mid-March when the SXSW Music Festival brings Austin to life. After the events of this year's fest, it’s unlikely we’ll ever feel the same affection for SXSW. On Thursday, March 15th, an inspector of the City......

It's the Saturday Hatha instructor at YogaYoga South, or the rocker guy with spikey hair at Walgreens. It's one of the Lone Star Rollergirls, or your favorite downtown gallery owner. It's your local secret crush. After some rather arduous searching/sleuthing (dang, y'all!), our recurring interview series continues with "the hot blonde" at Austin Java on Barton Springs. She's a dog person, a Chai person and has a penchant for southern rock. It's this edition's featured......

WEDNESDAY [27] books • Texas Monthly Author Series presents John Burnett, author of Uncivilized Beasts and Shameless Hellions at BookPeople (7pm) benefit/music/food • Celebration of Choice 2006, a benefit with Genevieve Van Cleve, Carolyn Wonderland, The Texas Sapphires; live & silent auction; light fare buffer; at Antone's (5:30pm, $35/advance, $50/door, $20/music only) ® party • Hot Dog Hump Day: The Peacock Celebrates Its First Birthday! at The Peacock (4:30pm-7pm, Free) music • Bitter Tongues,......

Yet another trip to Taverna has us convinced that Robert Montez is a front-of-the-house genius. Chef Andrea Volpi treated us to a deliriously intoxicating risotto made from mushrooms sent to him by his mother, Giovanna, who lives in Milan. As in Milan, Italy, y'all. Seriously, we’re not worthy. Bust down the doors at Central Market and hoard as much double-sweet corn from Florida as you can. It’s so sweet, we wanted to tell you......

Little Texas Bistro, the small restaurant with a big reputation, has closed the doors on its Main St. location in downtown Buda. Chef-owner Paul Petersen started the business as a deli and catering service out of the same location after returning to Texas from a stint in some of New York's finest restaurants. The Culinary Institute of America-trained chef started what became a destination eatery for Austinites looking for a great meal, albeit in......

Loxsly is opening the doors at KVRX's studio tonight, turning their Local Live recording session into a free show. Show seekers are asked to meet at the southwest corner of Dean Keeton and Guadalupe from 6:30pm to 6:40pm so they can be let in by the 7:00pm start time. The band has also stated that anyone with an alternate percussion instrument (shakers, tambourines, etc), recorders, penny whistles, etc. should feel free to bring them......

The Save Our Springs Alliance may have lost its bid to prevent AMD from building atop the aquifer near 290 and William Cannon, but that's not stopping them from celebrating the holiday season tonight. At Mercury Hall in South Austin, they're hosting a general bacchanal, with "smoked salmon from Chataugua River School, Veggie Tamales from White Mountain Foods, goodies from Manuel’s, Sweet Leaf Tea, Tito’s Vodka, Frozen Margaritas, Shiner Beer," dancing and a silent......

We went on the Travis Heights Art Walk today, and were pleasantly surprised by how much there was to see. Unique, handmade goods, including sculptures, ceramics, handcrafted furniture, woodwork, quilt wall hangings, eclectic clothing, intricately-patterned pillows, photography, and even more. Since it's that time of the year when we're more prone to shopping, the studios were a wonderful alternative to fighting the crowds at the mall. And with the weather as beautiful as it......

Long heralded as one of Austin's most brilliant writers, Darden Smith is performing tonight at the Cactus Cafe. 2005 was a busy year for the ever-reclusive Darden. Reportedly recorded in just three weeks in May, Darden's latest album "Field of Crows" will be released stateside on January 10th. His talent was also recently featured on a song called "Take Advantage", one of the standout tracks from Guy Forsyth's latest, "Love Songs: For & Against."......

* new! and improved! * : : FRIDAY : : [music] Book of Shadows & Devil Bat, 6pm @ End of an Ear - Free! [charity/music] Benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina with Attic Ted, The Vivian Girls, 8pm @ Monkeywrench Books [music] Zykos, Phosphorescent, Canoe, 9pm @ Emo's OUTSIDE - Free! [music] Voxtrot, Loxsly, Belaire, 9pm @ Emo's INSIDE - Free [charity/music] Crescent City Soul and R&B 45's by Waxploitation! DJs, 6-8pm......

Starting this week, we're running a new feature that we're tentatively naming "Reader Reviews". Because we can't possibly all attend every single weekend concert/gig/show in town, we thought we'd open things up for everyone to comment on the bands they saw. Like so: Elizabeth McShahazmabat writes: "We showed up fashionably late to the Nic Armstrong / Thieves and World Leader Pretend show at Stubb's on Friday, but they started right when the doors opened! Was......

Last night, as the rains approached, we found ourselves at a car wash vacuuming and armor-all-ing the inside of our car. Yea, we know, why wash your car when it is about to pour rain? Well, we were actually just there for the interior detailing (cause we couldn’t let a certain someone see the inside of our car for the first time and have it looking like a dog kennel/pig sty). The car wash......

Once you've thoroughly indulged your inner punk-feminist at the the Le Tigre show at Emo’s tonight, be one of the cool kids and head to the after party w/ DJ Ceeplus at Club Surveillance/Karma Lounge (119 W. 8th St.). The Emo's show should be over by 1:00 in the AM, and those 24 hour party people at Teleportdoor will keep the doors open for you. There will be plenty of giveaways, including posters and......

Stitch Austin, a fashion show and guerrilla craft bazaar affiliated with the Austin Craft Mafia just announced the date for this year's event. The mafiosa will be taking over Emo's on Sunday, November 13th. DJ Mel and DJ Jen (Ear Candy) are slated to be on hand, ensuring that folks have something to move to whether on the runway or on the floor. Applications are now open for anyone wanting to get their designs......

Much like our friends who live in New York City, we rarely go above 14th Street. Only on truly special occasions do we venture into that hub of dive bars, bad food and overpriced clothing stores known as “campus.” Tonight, however, is one of those special occasions as three rocking bands hit the stage (er, platform in the corner) at the venerable Hole in the Wall. We know it’s smoky and loud there (yes,......

Apparently, the doors are closing on downtown booze-and-dance stalwart, The Copper Tank Brewery. Rumor has it that the owners of Ringers Sports Bar will be opening a new sports bar mecca at the 504 Trinity Location. In order to cut some of their losses, The Copper Tank will be holding a public auction at the bar this Saturday. The auction begins at 10am and goes until they get rid of everything or get tired......

Ever noticed how 96.8% percent of songs you hear on the radio all sound alike? It's like there's one guy sitting around writing "hits" for whoever is popular at the moment. Cookie-cutter songs from one-hit wonders. The Austinist demands to know where have all the real musicians gone? Enter avant-rock supergroup Fantomas. At the forefront of this sonic attack force is Mike Patton, he of Faith No More/Mr. Bungle/Loveage fame. Surrounded by an amazing supporting......

To find yourself relaxing on an old rickety chair, hybiscus tea and short range beeper resting on an enormous wooden spool, waiting for a table to open up at the popular local eatery Shady Grove would not be strange. Especially on a Saturday afternoon. Most especially on a Saturday afternoon like today. 84 degrees. Not a cloud in the sky. Light breeze. With their extensive outdoor patio seating nestled under immense Pecan shade trees, there......