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......

Tonight, catch Grammy award-winning R&B vocalist, singer/songwriter Jill Scott at Verizon Wireless. Frequent visitor Bob Schneider makes his trip from Austin a little bit shorter tomorrow by playing at the Cypress Saloon in northwest Houston. Local faves Orange Is In is opening, which makes for a great double-bill. Another local act, The Mighty Orq, will be presenting a lot of new material at his CD release show at the Meridian Friday night (you’ll probably......

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......

It's official: Houston is taking it's A game to Austin for the 2008 South By Southwest music showcase. From March 12 through 16, you can catch some of your favorite local acts play in the so-called music mecca of the American South. Some of our favorites get to tackle the festival, including Katie Stuckey and (The Band Formerly Known As) The Dimes. In fact, Austin will get the full spectrum of Houston music this year.......

Bluegrass music is an acquired taste. But mix some Grateful Dead and Phish styling to it, you have something that’s a little bit more digestible: Jamgrass. That’s the best description of the band Yonder Mountain String Band. The band was formed ten years ago in Colorado, out of the ashes of founders Dave Johnston and Jeff Austin’s band Bluegrassholes (which is a great name, by the way – mass appeal all over it). Since then,......

Reigning “Queen of Funk” Sharon Jones [pictured] and her band the Dap-Kings will perform tomorrow night at Walter’s on Washington. The soul revivalists are touring in support of their critically acclaimed album, 100 Days, 100 Nights, a gritty homespun recording of retro R&B that has proven to be the group's breakthrough moment. Everything about Jones and the Kings is retro; from the way they record their music on a sixteen track, to their heavy touring......

Houstonist interviewed the darling of the Bayou City last week, Taucha Hogue, as she was in the quarterfinals for the College Cheerleader of Year Award. Now, after a convincing win over Mississippi St., Taucha has advanced into the Final Four against Kansas. Houstonist will continue to follow Taucha as she looks to capture the coveted crown as Cheerleader of the Year. Congrats on moving on to the Final Four. Do you find yourself doing......

::Diverseworks Exhibit Opening Night: Two exhibits we are particularly looking forward to seeing both open tonight at Diverseworks. An opening reception will feature a special performance by Brent Green's 3 Piece Band, MK Guth's Ties of Protection & Safe Keeping Interactive Sculpture, and the DiverseWorks Silk Screen Station where you can build you own t-shirt. And everyone loves t-shirts. Flicker Fusion Since 1914 when the first animated film was made, artists across the globe have......

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,......

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......

It was weird. Sunday rolled around, and there wasn't a Texans game to watch. So we just chilled and ignored the TV for a change; what else were we going to do? Watch the Cowboys' game? What are we, Jessica Simpson? Between the Astros trades, the Texans resurgence, and the Mitchell Report, there was a lot to blog about this week. Everyone grab your number 2 pencil for the review: - The Miguel Tejada trade......

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,......

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......

Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, and a host of others perform at the CMA Awards on Wednesday, but we're most excited about Keyshia Cole's Jay Leno appearance and Arcade Fire on Austin City Limits this week. Monday -NBC, 10:35pm: Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Garth Brooks -ABC: 11;05pm, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Matt Nathanson -NBC: 11:35pm, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Band of Horses Tuesday -NBC: 2:05am, Last Call with Carson Daly (repeat), Joss Stone -NBC: 12pm,......

Now that Halloween is over, you’ll start hearing Christmas music everywhere you turn – on the radio, while shopping, and from that annoying singing Santa doll on your cubicle neighbor’s desk. Well, we have a sanctuary for you from Michael Bolton singing “Silent Night”: the "Houstonist iMix. Our picks for November include a track from excellent new CD from now Austin-based Sam Beam, otherwise known as Iron & Wine. The latest from Seattle’s indie-pop Band......

Jugglers, performers on stilts, dancing girls, horn players, a bass player, drummers and percussionist all converged on Market Square as the sun went down for a little free early evening entertainment. It was Portland's own MarchFourth Marching Band who provided Friday nights free show and we posted about them earlier in the day. So we took our own advice and headed down there to catch this unique and highly entertaining show. As we strolled......

Ok, so it’s been like eight years since American Pie came out. Can you believe it? We know, we’re so old. It was a totally different decade then. A forgotten, distant time in our culture. An innocent age when we’d not yet seen Tara Reid’s, well, pretty much everything. A time when most of us had never heard the term MILF. A time when Eugene Levy had not yet sold his once funny soul to......

So many good shows this week, that we don’t have enough space to highlight all of them. Tonight, our pick is the pure pop sounds of Office tonight at The Mink (congratulations to Cynthia for winning tickets through us!). Singer/songwriter fans will have a touch choice Thursday night – Ryan Adams makes a rare Houston appearance at Verizon Wireless and former Toad the Wet Sprocket front man Glen Phillips plays two shows at the......

Local bands AWAKE and Together. We Are Instruments play at the ultra-hip Super Happy Fun Land. Other local favorites Prodigal Sons and Lanky open for emerging Geffen pop artist Matt White at Jet Lounge. Thursday, check out Twelve Girls Band: a dozen classically-trained musicians (all women, of course) playing both traditional Chinese songs and popular pop songs. Friday night, Beaumont's own classic blues-rocker Johnny Winter returns to Houston at the Meridian. Saturday, block-off your......

Plenty of good music in town this week to..uh...wet your musical whistle - if you will. Tonight you may want to check out some alternative hiphop at Warehouse Live with Del the Funky Homosapien or relive the 90's at Verizon Wireless with Live and Collective Soul. Later in the week the wild and whacky Blue Man Group is playing at Toyota Center -or- you could see Rilo Kiley at Warehouse Live -or- release your......

For the past decade, the Dave Matthews Band summer concerts have become a tradition. Dave and his band come to The Woodlands tonight, with Texas country singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen opening (sounds like a strange opening act for the band to pick, but with Keen’s move to a more eclectic sound lately, we guess it’s not really that strange). Earlier this month, Dave Matthews released this solo single and video “Eh Hee” (exclusively available......

Houston is getting some great leftovers from ACL Fest this week. Yesterday was Arctic Monkeys & Queens of the Stone Age. It is disappointing to note that the Kaiser Chiefs show for Wednesday has been cancelled. However, on Thursday we recommend going to check out Midlake at Numbers. A lot of great music on Friday – anywhere from local favorite Today Castillo to indie band Deerhoof opening for Bloc Party. Nothing better than curing a......

On the heels of last week's performance on David Letterman, Atlanta-based indie-rock outfit Manchester Orchestra arrives at Warehouse Live tomorrow night. If you'd like to hear a man with a fantastic voice, check out former Mavericks lead vocalist Raul Malo Thursday night (also at Warehouse Live). Friday night, check out some local indie rock -- .belville at Rudyard's. Saturday is a tough call: The Killers with Louis XIV are at Reliant Arena and Reverend......

How does a band with "Church" in its name end up playing more dive bars than youth groups? That's what we set out to discover in our conversation with The Woodlands-based group The Church of Philadelphia. Their sound is evocative of some of the big names in indie rock and Americana, and ranges from foot-stomping hoe-downs to hauntingly dreary dirges. Houstonist had the opportunity to sit down with members Brian Tharpe and Joey Matthews (they......

> There are a lot of great acts in town this week with something for everyone's musical taste. The "big radio" shows include Rush, Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, Korn, and Evanescence all of which take place outdoors at the Woodlands pavillion. Please remember it is still very hot...even at night. For those not wanting to face the night sweats, check out Texas indie rockers Centro-Matic on Wednesday and Eisley on Thursday. But to really get......

No, it's not a new adult film premiering at Aurora, its White Linen Night in the Heights, and it's back for it's 2nd coming. "Small town cool, in the center of the big city." This Saturday, Heights residents, and curious visitors from all across the city, descend upon one of Houston's fastest-growing art scenes for a celebration of culture and community. The annual event, now in its second year, focuses on art, galleries, retail, outdoor......

Last night, Warehouse Live played host to the annual Houston Press Music Awards. Houstonist was there to absorb all of the entertainment and was treated to some of the best local music around. The Dimes (pictured above) walked away as big winners, with three awards – Best New Act, Best Indie Rock, and Song of the Year, for “Delilah,” which they performed on stage midway through the night. Other performers included Million Year Dance......

What we have here is supposedly a rare video of U2 performing in a Houston bar. While Houstonist can't vouch for the validity of this video, we can take note that this is probably from the Rattle & Hum era of the band's career. If anyone can shed some light on this rare video, please do so by leaving us a comment. We'd like to know where and when this video was taken. In......

This video is very fitting considering the past month(s) of rain we have been enduring*. It is also fitting because Travis is in town tonight playing at the Verizon Wireless Theater with John Paul White. Why Does It Always Rain on Me? is off of Travis’ second album, The Man Who (produced by Nigel Godrich), and led to the Band’s surge in popularity in the late 90’s and paved the way for other British......

With all of the rain we’ve been having, it’d be nice to just sit (or stand) indoors somewhere and enjoy some good music. So, that’s what Houstonist is going to do. Many good choices for this weekend – here are our picks: Tonight Jazz comes to Fitzgerald’s tonight. However, this isn’t your grandfather’s jazz. One of our local favorites, Drop Trio (pictured on the left), will be joining headliner O’2L (which features a member of......