Yes, Houston - The Black Godfather is gracing us with his presence this Friday night!!! Houston's own, The Allen Oldies Band will be backin' up Andre Williams at the Continental Club and the show begins at 10 p.m. You don't know who he is? We'll hook you up. A ladie's man from way back, Andre was born in Bessemer, Alabama in 1936 and eventually ended up in Detroit, where he recorded over 50 songs for......

We’ve got a busy week on the concert front. Our favorite duo from New York arrives at The Meridian tomorrow night. They Might Be Giants have been making quirky alt/pop songs for grown-ups over 20 years now, and a few albums for the kids that us grown-ups enjoy, too. Wilco’s Friday night show at Verizon Wireless Theater is sold out, but if you’re willing to pay a little, you can still get your hands......

Happy Primaries, Houston! Good music will always get our vote, and this week is no exception. Austin, TX funk-rock duo Ghostland Observatory releases Robotique Majestique today, a fantastic musical joyride that is as electrifying as their previous efforts. -The Dallas Morning News discusses the recent electro-funk resurgence -Check out the song, "Heavy Heart," at Stereogum -Read an album review in Austin 360 -Buy Robotique Majestique Pavement lead singer/indie All Star Stephen Malkmus enlisted former Sleater......

If you prefer 90’s music over today’s, there are a few shows this week that’ll be right up your alley. Tomorrow night, Matchbook Twenty and Alanis Morisette play a sold out show at Toyota Center (MuteMath opens). For rap fans, check out Too $hort at the Meridian Friday night and Snoop Dogg returns with new material at Warehouse Live Saturday night. Finally, Marilyn Manson gives you an alternative to Sunday night church this weekend.......

Local tech news in a compact, digital format. Dwight Watch Dwight Silverman, local tech guru, tackles installing the first service pack for Microsoft Vista. Dwight installs it on various platforms with various results. Dwight's also has been blogging about a workaround for Comcast's unethical treatment of bandwidth, he also unboxes the MacBook Air and touches on what could be the nail in the coffin of the HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray saga. Local Calendar Feb 19:......

So maybe you're like us and lacking in companionship on Valentine's Day. Maybe you're like us and just a wee bit distressed about the prospect of having no one to share chocolate-covered strawberries with this evening? Maybe you're even like us and plan to go out with your friends tonight to drown your sorrows in a river of Apple Martinis? But why be the clichéd lonely person sitting at the end of the bar......

Did we miss something? Let us know. Here’s the full week line-up. Local bands are noted by an asterisk (*): Wednesday • The Leo Trio/*The Haymakers/The Mighty Orq – rock | 9 p.m. at Rudyard's • Dead Meadow/*Sharks and Sailors/Southern Bellugosi – indie | 9 p.m.at The Mink Thursday • Bob Schneider/Mothers Anthem/Jake Andrews – pop/rock | 8 p.m.at Warehouse Live • Jimmy LaFave – folk/Americana | 7 p.m. at Mucky Duck • *Backbeat......

One small block in Houston, one large music scene - especially this coming weekend. This event is not recommended for the faint of heart, new age-types or the extremely un-coordinated (there will be dancing, foolish, crazy, too-hip-to-care, dancing - hell, brang your uncoordinated ass on - we are bringing ours). Both local, both about the most fun you can have with your clothes on - tequila shots not recommended. Two local bands will be taking......

The Houston Business Journal reported that the Texas State Hotel has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Currently in the building is Club Quarters Hotel, but they weren't mentioned by name in the brief article even though the company applied for the register listing. The Texas State is a the corner of Fannin and Rusk and opened in 1929. Joseph Finger was the primary architect, and the cast terracotta detailing he often......

Houstonist is really looking forward to the Over The Rhine show tonight at the Mucky Duck. In an intimate setting like the Duck, their sopisticated art-pop sound will probably cause shivers down your spine. Did we miss something? Let us know. Here’s the full week line-up. Local bands are noted by an asterisk (*): Wednesday • Over The Rhine – folk/art-pop | 7 p.m. at Mucky Duck • *Whiskey Boat – Americana | 10......

This is your last week to check out shows at The Proletariat before it closes for good. They packed their schedule with some great local bands. Be on the lookout for more information on these shows soon. Did we miss something? Let us know. Here’s the full week line-up. Local bands are noted by an asterisk (*): Wednesday • *Over Sea Under Stone/Geisert 8/*Judas Bear/*Antarctica Starts Here – indie/rock | 9 p.m. at The......

This week marks the debut of the new location for Super Happy Fun Land. They have moved to 3801 Polk Street, and you can join their "Grand Opening Polka Party" (get it?) Friday night. Monday night, the Van Halen returns to Houston at the Toyota Center. We're hoping that Diamond Dave and boys don't have the same tuning mishap that they had at the beginning of their tour. Did we miss something? Let us......

Spent all your cash on girlie drinks and shattered dreams again this weekend, didn't you? No worries - Thriftster gives you the lowdown on cheap stuff to do until Paycheck Friday. Monday: Celebrate the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King today at the Houston Children's Museum (1500 Binz) - reduced $3 admission gets you in for live performances (like a mock Civil Right rally and Dr. King's 'I Have A Dream' speech), art......

Tomorrow night, you should check out local favorites The Mathletes last show of the year (already?). They headline the line-up at The Proletariat. Another local favorite, Orange Is In, hits Rudyard’s Saturday night. Tuesday night sees the arrival of the Foo Fighters at the Toyota Center. If that venue is a little too big for you, check out actor/singer/songwriter Jeff Daniels at the Mucky Duck the same night. Did we miss something? Let us......

Local tech news in a compact, digital format. Something's Brewing At WhiteBoard Labs Houston based WhiteBoard Labs is currently beta-testing MotionNotes, a web based app that allows messaging via video and multimedia interfaces such as Flash movies, PowerPoint Presentations and slideshows. MotionNotes is slated for release this fall. WhiteBoard Labs was founded in 1994 and is a recognized leader and pioneer in the development of Rich Internet Applications. PlaceShout It Out Loud There's a......

If you fancy some Japanese rock, check out Fantasys Core tonight at Walter’s on Washington (our own Motion Turns It On opens). It’s been ten years since Shawn Mullins' “Lullaby” was a big hit. Mullins sound is more on the Americana/folk side these days, and you can hear for yourself tomorrow night at the Mucky Duck. Friday night, Warehouse Live has an eclectic mix of local music, including one of our favorites, Two Star......

The first week of the new year is a light one for concerts. Still, there are some gems on the calendar, especially if you like local or country music. Tonight, check out the southern-rock flavored Houston band The Mighty Orq at Kelvin Arms. Tomorrow night, a trio of local rock/pop bands (including Ragged Hearts) play at Rudyard's. Mr. Bojangles pays a visit to the Grand Opera House in Galveston on Saturday. Did we miss......

Here's an abridged, holiday version of this week's music calendar. If you like Latin-rock, you're in luck. Tonight, Grupo Fantasma and their funky horn section returns to the Continental Club. Nearby, at Warehouse Live, Vallejo will be playing. Del Castillo visits Warehouse Live tomorrow night. Two good choices for Saturday: R&B songstress Erykah Badu performs at Arena Theater and Austin's Asylum Street Spankers - always a fun show - return to the Mucky Duck.......

We're having a good Christmas so far, but between Aunt Peggy's constant nagging ("When are you going to settle down and get married?") and our new nephew's constant crying and screaming, we need a break. After dinner, we should be able to get away from the family for a bit. Most places are closed, but there are a few options: seeing a movie is the obvious one, but the crowds won't help us relax. Now,......

It was your typical Friday night on the 3700 block of Main. There were bands playing at both The Continental Club and Shoeshine Charley's Big Top Lounge, The Mink was minding its own business serving drinks and Tacos-A-Go-Go were catering to their usual crowd of taco munchers when the evening started to really get hot! Hot as in flaming barrel hot. Houstonist Flickr photo contributor and resident photographer for The Continental Club, Jay Lee......

Several more venues are celebrating the holidays this week with showcases. The Meridian is hosting the annual Holiday Babes Christmas Party tomorrow night with our favorite local musical babe, Katie Stuckey. Verizon Wireless will be a haven for country singer/songwriter lovers tomorrow night (includes Roger Creager and Bruce Robinson). Warehouse Live celebrates twice with the Jingle Balls Friday night, showcasing local favorites Paris Green and Glass Intrepid, and their annual Eve of Christmas Eve......

A lighter week for concerts, but many home-state bred musicians are in town. Tomorrow night, we recommend San Antonio's Girl In A Coma, but if you prefer 90's rock, you might want to catch Dallas' The Toadies return to Verizon Wireless. Speaking of returns, Bandera's Robert Earl Keen brings his annual Christmas show to town Friday night. Saturday, Warehouse Live is hosting a few local bands, headlined by Million Year Dance. Not from Texas,......

December always brings some good mini-festivals, and this week is a good example. It starts tonight with the KILT 10-Man Jam, featuring many popular country radio stars. Tomorrow night, the husband/wife team of Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis come into town for their annual Christmas show. Saturday, Chron.com showcases some of the best local talent in their concert at Warehouse Live. Finally, KRBE's annual Jingle Jam brings pop radio's favorite to the Toyota Center......

Radio rock fans have a decision to make tonight: see the currently hot band Avenged Sevenfold at Warehouse Live or catch the now-grown-up Silverchair at The Meridian. Speaking of the 90's, old school rapper Tone Loc will stop off at Fitzgerald's Thursday night. Local eclectic classical trio Two Star Symphony plays a special show Saturday night on the St. Thomas campus. Another local favorite, The Mathletes, open a show at Rudyard's Saturday night. The......

Spent all your cash on girlie drinks and shattered dreams again this weekend, didn't you? No worries - Thriftster gives you the lowdown on cheap stuff to do until Paycheck Friday. Monday: Movie night!! MFAH (1001 Bissonnet St.) continues their $7 'Movies Houstonians Love' series with a pick by Dr. John H. Lienhard (the dude from NPR's Engines of Our Ingenuity) - No Highway in the Sky. Afterwards, steak night at Baba Yega (2607 Grant......

We've already told about the concerts we're most excited about this week: Peter Bjorn and John at Warehouse Live and local artist Ethan Durelle at Fitzgerald's, both this Friday night. We also told you about Tori Amos' visit to Jones Hall this Sunday. If that's not enough for you, a lot of local acts are leaving their parent's dinner table early and playing some great shows all throughout the holiday weekend. Maybe you should......

A lot of jokes are made at the expense of the boy-girl synth and vocal duo. Granted, it has become a recipe in the D.I.Y. music scene. And sure, the charming and attractive female singer and the quietly reserved guy on the keys being relatively easy to come by, but Portland's Glass Candy is anything but formulaic. So polish those dancing shoes because these heralds of the newly revived Italo disco movement are coming back......

Tonight, catch Soviet-born Regina Spektor and her unique "anti-folk" style at Warehouse Live. Tomorrow, catch Houston's own pop/rock outfit Prodigal Son at Rudyard's. Friday night is a tougher choice: you have Grupo Fantasma at the Continental Club (see our interview with them and win tickets), Ghostland Observatory at Warehouse (more details on them tomorrow), or if you're a club-goer, you may want to catch Paul Oakenfold on his "Greatest Hits" tour at Planeta Bar......

Houstonist interviewed Beto from Grupo Fantasma this week, in preparations for their show this Friday night at the Continental Club. The large, Austin-based band, who puts on a hell of a live show, gave us some insight into their music and other work that they are doing. If you'd like to see Grupo Fantasma Friday night, we have a pair of tickets just for you. Send us an e-mail with your name and phone number......

Spent all your cash on girlie drinks and shattered dreams again this weekend, didn't you? No worries - Thriftster gives you the lowdown on cheap stuff to do until Paycheck Friday. Monday: If you're still in the Halloween mood, after all that blood red jell-o shot slurping and blacklight body paint application, hit the Lawndale Center's (4912 Main St.) retablo exhibit. Doors close at 5pm, which gives you plenty of time to nosh on some......