This looks to be the last big release week of the year, and 2007 is going out with a bang. We'll see you in '08! The Cool is Lupe Fiasco's follow-up album to last year's fantastic Food and Liquor. The record is filled with clever and forward-thinking tracks like “Dumb it Down” that manage succeed on both an underground and commercial level, and features noteworthy contributions from Snoop Dogg, UNKLE, newcomer Matthew Santos, and Food......

::ANNUAL TAPPING OF THE LAST CASK OF CHRISTMAS ALE at Stag's Head:: Come to the Stag's Head this tonight at 6 PM and witness the annual tapping of the final cask of Christmas Ale. Then we get to see how long it will last! Free hors d'oeuvres will be devoured. ------- tonight, Tuesday, December 18, 6 PM till it's gone! Stag's Head | 2128 Portsmouth......

So Colbie Caillat is scheduled to sing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show this week. We mention this mainly because the lyrics to her hit song, "Bubbly," make us chuckle. Monday -CBS, 10:35pm: The Late Show with David Letterman, Travis -NBC, 10:35pm: Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Alan Jackson Tuesday -NBC, 12pm: Ellen DeGeneres, Colbie Caillat Wednesday -NBC, 8am: Today Show, Patti LaBelle -CBS, 10:35pm: The Late Show with David Letterman, Bonnie Raitt -NBC, 10:35pm: Tonight......

::Monday Night Movie at Domy:: Domy Books, in association with Domy Films, is pleased to present, MONDAY MOVIE NIGHTS, Mondays at Domy Books, curated by the Movie Dudes. Monday, December 17: Scrooge. What the DICKENS have they done to Scrooge? A 34 year-old Albert Finney stars as the penny-pinching old miser in this Dickens classic turned musical. This is a delightful musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol. Cold-souled Ebenezer Scrooge has a......

As the 1980's began, Pearland was still a small town, where you could walk across the street to Dairy Queen for lunch in high school. It was also the time when the town produced their own little new wave band that would end up becoming a regional favorite: The Judy's. We thought we'd celebrate the overdue release of The Judy's music on CD (available on the Wasted Talent Records website) by bringing you the......

::Double Header at AvantGarden:: A great double-book tonight at AvantGarden: Terell James opens his "Neoformalism 1" exhibit, followed by FrenetiCore's production of "Exile", a dance film. "Neoformalism" Terrell James Terrell James' paintings and prints evoke nature rather than depict it. With minimal contour line, gestural rubbing, and reserved color her works describe the landscape through abstraction. James' work is included in numerous collections including Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, Museum of Fine......

Perspectives 159: Superconscious, Automatisms Now December 14, 2007 – March 9, 2008 Opening reception December 13, 2007, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Sigh. This is Houston's last hurrah with Senior CAMH Curator Paola Morsiani, and we are sad. Having been with the CAMH for over eight years, Morsiani is heading north to become Curator of Contemporary Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art, an internationally renowned encyclopedic museum in the midst of a $258 million renovation and expansion.......

::MFA Projection Bomb!:: We caught wind of this earlier this week and couldn't resist reposting. Introducing the first guerrilla drive-in theater on the roof of the MFA parking garage this Thursday night. Be part of a smart mob for a 20 minute projection bomb. Bring a car full! Details below, poster attached. (Good attendance would really help my thesis project). Thanks! Clint - - - - - - - - - - - - -......

When it comes to music in Texas, we all know that Austin pretty much has the scene in an awkward and uncomfortable chokehold position. Between South by Southwest, ACL and Fun Fun Fun fests, the state capital has music festivals down to a science. But instead of making that trek up 290 and finding the perfect seat between the broseph who can't stop talking about how cool it would be if DMB was on......

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,......

Raise your glass and raise some funds for the HERO project -- a humanitarian campaign of the United Nations Association (USA) dedicated to providing comprehensive, school-based support to orphans and vulnerable children living in HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa. All you have to do is show up at New Gallery/Thom Andriola (2627 Colquitt) tomorrow, Wednesday the 12th between 7 and 9PM. Taste some wine, admire the art, and feel good knowing you're doing something for other......

Candlelight Open House at Bayou Bend Dec 7, 2007 5:00 PM at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens This fall, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has been hosting Candlelight Open House nights at their Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens on Friday nights. This Friday night is your last chance to go to the open house and tour the property in all of its holiday season glory. The central figure in Yuletide´s Holiday Heroines is......

::Nights on Blue Bayou: DeKam vs Nalepa:: We know, we know. You're ALL gonna be at the Houstonist 2nd Burfday Happy Hour tonight at Monsoon. So why should we bother even telling you what else there is to do tonight? Why? Because, well, you gotta have somewhere to stumble to when our tab runs out. A spectacle beneath the bridges of the Sabine Promenade on the banks of the Buffalo Bayou, this environmental light and......

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......

Some pret-ty, pret-ty, pret-ty cool stuff opening this weekend, kids. Check it out: Jeanne Cassanova / Reginald Rachuba The Joanna Gallery "Those in attendance can be assured a multi sensory onslaught of 'image spillage'." Oh, really. We have to admit, the term "spillage" sort of scares us, but the image at right is so cool, we're willing to risk it. Both Cassanova and Rachuba pull from contemporary images and create narratives woven between each other......

So if you've been following our easy, no-fuss no-muss primer on learning about art and local artists, etc. now is your chance to show off your new knowledge! This weekend brings us Spacetaker's 2007 Holiday Sale, featuring all kinds of work from local artists. They'll have everything from jewelry to paintings to sculpture for purchase AND 75% of the proceeds benefit the artist while 25% goes to Spacetaker, which helps nurture the Houston arts community!......

On Monday, we told you about the super groovy Houston: It's Worth It campaign, the brains behind it, and the accompanying photo book that will be released tonight at a special event at Lawndale. Check. So what else is happening tonight? Glad you asked. Hey, we can't do it all, we need your help in this fight to cover the mean streets of the H. Now get out there and get your event on. The......

Do you find yourself a little scared to venture downtown these days, for fear of what you may or may not find? We'll admit, it's not out first pick for happy hour, what, with all the awesome parking opportunities and diverse bars, clubs, and retail? So we are looking forward to giving it a chance tonight, as ArtsHouston hosts a Meet & Greet (Hello, downtown, my name is ______) tonight at Butterfly High (705 Main......

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......

::Touring Taste of Dance Salad Film at MFA:: Ok, so you're perplexed on what to watch now that Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance have both finished their seasons. We feel your pain. I mean, how else are you supposed to practice your movers for the company holiday party? Well, dance friends, you are in luck. If you missed the 2007 Dance Salad Festival, catch a special (read: free) screening......

There are so many freaking cool things happening this weekend -- here's just a list of what Houstonist has on hand. Please send us the rest. Thursday November 29th HOUSTON. IT'S WORTH IT. Book Launch Party At the Lawndale Parking Lot, 4912 Main Street 6:30PM-9PM Images from the book will be projected on North wall of Lawndale art center. DJ Pooks spins the tunes and there will be refreshments. Proceeds from sales of the......

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......

::Diverseworks Presents Jean Baptiste André: Comme En Plein Jour:: If you've picked up the Novemeber issue of ArtsHouston, you may have noticed the "clown" in the corner on the cover. No, it's not a mime. It's French performance artist Jean Baptise André. Tonight, the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts and its presenting partners Global Quality Imports, Inc. help welcome Jean Baptiste André's performace of Comme En Plein Jour to Diverseworks, for a two night engagement......

Indie/hip-hop fans will enjoy tonight's line up at Warehouse Live, headlined by Aesop Rock. Tomorrow night, check out local rock band Days Drive at Rudyard's. Originally from New Orleans, but transplanted to Houston after Hurricane Katrina, the Rebirth Brass Band always puts on a horn-filled funk show - catch them at the Meridian Friday night. Songwriter/guitarist Anne McCue lands at Dan Electro's Guitar Bar Saturday night. The alt/rock band Brand New is playing two......

Americans for the Arts' Vice President Policy and Research, Randy Cohen, makes a trip to Houston today to discuss economic impact of the arts results from a recent Cultural Impact Study, which Mayor Bill White formally introduced at the Business of the Arts Luncheon hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership in September. You can view a copy of the study here. This morning's discussion will convey how arts organizations can utilize the findings to......

So we're not sure what qualifies Leonard Nimoy to be an expert on this subject, but, we fully support feminist concepts, especially when negative stereotypes and cultural biases are put into question. So we're going with it. Especially considering Mr. Nimoy seems to have really tamed his raging machismo since his space-traveling days, as evidenced by the disturbing image seen at left. We commend him for growing as a person, and as a Vulcan. Tomorrow......

What is it about the term "crafts" that is so off-putting to some of us? Well, for one, it reminds us of suburban housewives with wooden figurines adorning their shelves, reminding us that we're in a "Kountry Kitchen," or that (hee) "Back Door Friends are the Best Friends!" It was many years before we realized just how funny that sign in our wacky Aunt Grace's kitchen was. That, or that wacky Aunt Grace led a......

::Suchu Dance premieres Babka at Barnevelder Movement Complex:: Tonight opens Suchu Dance's newest performance, Babka, at the neato Barnevelder Movement Complex. If you've not been to a Suchu Dance performance, or visited this unique performing arts venue, you are in for a treat tonight. In a unique way to kick-off this performance, Suchu Dance is offering a dinner/show preview tonight. For $29.99 you can catch a sneak peek of the new performance and have a......

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......

So, normally here at Houstonist, we try to promote events--arts and otherwise--that are open and (ahem) FREE to the public. Every now and again, though, something costing cash-o-la is so cool, so fun, SO important, that we simply MUST promote it. In this case, well, there's a lot of cash-o-la involved. But it's for such a good cause!!! We are not necessarily flush with cash today...or, well, any other day. But YOU, dear Houstonist......