Tired of the same old gay bar scene in Austin? Want to bust the mold a bit and cut loose on the dance floor without getting sandwiched by two sweaty, shirtless, writhing circuit boys? Go Dance Studios on Anderson Lane is launching a new program for same-sex partners called Out Dancing. more ›

Polls are open from 7am to 7pm. more ›

Austin Humane Society, the largest nonprofit no-kill pet shelter and adoption center in town, recently suffered a tremendous setback: yesterday, the facility's A/C system abruptly shut down. A subsequent inspection found the system to be broken beyond repair. "Our air conditioning unit died," said AHS representative Lisa Starr to KXAN. "Went kaput." The center is installing a temporary mobile A/C unit today, but this solution won't work for the long term; even now, the animals... 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 ›

more ›

Interested in getting the low-down on those artsy, creative types? Well head on over to Staple, Austin's own Indy Media Expo. They outgrew their space from last year and this year's event is happening at the Red Oak Ballroom in Northcross Mall. Featuring over 50 exhibitors and a great panel lineup, it looks like this year's Staple will be quite impressive. The event promotes independent creative media: comics, mini-comics, zines, art, and self-published literature. They also strive to build the bond between artist and audience. Special guests include Tony Millionaire, Jim Mahfood, Dave Crosland, and Keith Knight. more ›

The Humane Society of Austin has organized a relief effort for pets of Katrina evacuees. By calling the special Hurricane Pet Hotline at 512-646-PETS, The Humane Society can help find temporary placement for pets in need or provide supplies to those without. Austinites can volunteer to man the phone bank, foster pets, or provide supplies like food. Call 512-837-7985 for more information. more ›

Austinist isn't too hot on thrift-store shopping -- we can't really get comfortable in our Guadalupe County 4-H Club t-shirt, for example, thinking about the possibility, if not probability, that it ended up in the San Marcos Goodwill because its original owner suffered an untimely death, perhaps thrown from a horse and then trampled, and that the shirt, as a result, is teeming with death motes and fluffs of dead people hair and so on. And although we sometimes do nail our courage to the wall (is that the expression?) and go to a second-hand store, we've never been to Between Friends, a consignment shop up north that specializes in maternity wear, children's clothing, and toys. We're not pregnant, nor are we a child. more ›