It's that time of the year again. Time to reflect back upon all the great shows that we attended, all the Lone Star we drank because we couldn't afford anything else, and all the ditches we fell asleep in. But now, as the holidays bear down upon our weary bodies like a drunken hook-up, its time to give something back. Luckily for us, there are two opportunities to do just that in the coming......

Mundane societies often pave the way for artistic innovations and highly creative individuals. Not to imply anything about various areas in England, but one frequently hears murmurs about its bleaker areas, be it Sheffield or Nottingham. And it was the latter’s working class culture that gave rise to IV Thieves. Originally named Nic Armstrong and the Thieves, it didn't take very long for the band to change its name, implying more of a fair......

Once upon a time in Nottingham, England's "Capital of Crime," four young working-class lads met and started a band. The brill quartet was spearheaded by Nic Armstrong, but it's no secret that Johnny Aitken, Shane Lawlor and Glenn Wedgewood are all incredibly talented and undoubtedly the dog's bollocks. If you weren't as arsholed as the rest of us at Austinist's recent Local Music Is Sexy do, you probably remember the cracking quartet's impressive live......

Damn! These giveaways just don't stop today, do they? We're thrilled to offer yet another set of free tickets -- actually, two sets this time -- for yet another show that's opening this weekend. The clever women of Shrewd Productions bring you the world premiere of Monika Bustamante's Stillborn: a bedtime story, opening tonight and running every Th/Fr/Sa at 8pm at Hyde Park Theatre through October 28. The play features three sisters who "are......

Boy Culture Drama, Dir. Q. Allan Brocka, 2006 Screens: Thursday, October 5th at 7pm "Let's just call him X, a well-seasoned gay hustler with a string of steady johns. X is all business on the outside, the consummate professional---he's good for anything that pays and anything that pays is good. But X is a romantic with his own secret dreams of enduring love, a secret that frustrates both him and his improvised family---roommates Andrew,......

There are tons of bands in this world that are carried solely by the strength of their vocalist. Bands without a dominant singer face a particularly difficult challenge in having to create music that commands attention and isn't boring or just plain smooth-jazz lame. The kids of The Big Sleep --Sonya Balchandani (bass), Danny Barria (guitar), Gabriel Rhodes (drums)-- attempt to prove that they're not trying to tuck you in for the night. A majority......

On the eve of Austin's gargantuan music festival in Zilker Park, Austinist is hosting our second annual fall soiree, replete with bands, DJs, video projections, fire dancers, and more!...

Only one more week and I'll be waking up in Austin, ready to put on an entire bottle of sunscreen and head out to Zilker Park for my favorite music festival in the world. I know you guys may have thought I forgot about you - but I've been hard at work on my Austin City Limits Festival Preview Page, trying to wrap up the project before the festival actually starts. From today through......

Whether you go down to the local record store or shop through the Tubes, today is new release Tuesday. Birdmonster No Midnight (SpinART) Despite the rock n roll media's underwhelmed response, No Midnight is going to be the biggest indie seller this week, quite easily. Considering the fact that they gained their audience primarily through the web, and were unsigned at the start of the year, it's a pleasant surprise to see such a......

If you're not heading over to the Parish tomorrow night after our party at Birds Barbershop, here are two excellent alternatives: The IV Thieves -- that's "4," mind you -- formerly known as Nic Armstrong and the Thieves, returned to Austin a mere week ago after a whirlwind stateside tour supporting The Pretenders. Originally hailing from the tiny village in England of Nottingham, this lovable foursome now (mostly) call Central Texas their home. They'll be......

While our usual appointment television shows are on summer hiatus, we thought that we wouldn’t be watching much television this season. But that was not to be the case! We have been sitting on our couch in the A/C this summer watching these guilty pleasures: Project Runway, Weds @ 9pm, Bravo. No other show would make us turn on the Miss Universe pageant to see if a contestant was wearing the right gown. We......

Listening to Shearwater’s latest album is a bit like listening to a haunted backwoods church choir from another planet. You could dance to the tracks on Palo Santo if you wanted, but you could probably also speak in tongues....

[Update: Lucky reader Margaret was quick on the trigger and snatched these babies up pronto! Better luck next time, theatre fans. -Ed.] Austinist Theatre Central is happy to announce a ticket grab! Be the first person to send us an email (as usual, be sure to take the () off the @) and we'll set you up with two free tickets to Loaded Gun Theory's Empty Bowl. This is for any of the remaining......

Be sure to check out our extensive theatre coverage and new movie releases. Please let us know about any corrections/suggestions! FRIDAY [31] [music] Reckless Kelly at La Zona Rosa (link) [music] Peter & the Wolf, Navajo Radio and more at Emo's (Inside) (link) [music] Ghostface Killah, Word Association, DJ Notion at Emo's (Outside) (link) [music] The Glass Family w/ Quien es Boom (CD Release) & Brothers and Sisters at The Parish Room (link) [music] Red......

The holidays are over, and our hard-working thespians are back on the boards. A pile o' theatre is opening this weekend. There's so much to choose from -- just take a gander at the following delights. Get Your War On! - Rude Mechanicals "A down and dirty theatrical adaptation of David Rees' savage and hysterical internet comic strip of the same name, Get Your War On represents stunned and outraged Americans as they react......

Last minute notice! "He Said, She Said," the Texas State Fine Arts Association's Spring Show Reception is tonight! It got underway around 6pm, but goes till midnight, so YOU CAN STILL MAKE IT! Head on down to Gallery Lombardi @ 910 West 3rd (behind Tambaleo). Eat free food, drink free beer and enjoy some great art. If you can't make it tonight, the show is on-going until the 17th. No promises of free food and......