Good morning, Houston. If the dearth of new TV in the wake of the writer's strike has left you willing to watch anything, we've got some news for you: HTV, the municipal station, is launching a new program! Woohoo! Entertainment Houston, a 30-minute show, will focus on — wait for it — Houston's facilities, included the Wortham Center, Jones Hall, the George R. Brown Convention Center and the not-quite-finished Discovery Green. A new episode......

Calling themselves "Houston’s most unusual string ensemble performing all original music," Two Star Symphony is aiming for another Houston national first starting November 30: to be the only string quartet performing with a matched set of instruments created by luthier Anton Krutz of K.C. Strings. The Russia-born Krutz, who began making violins when he was 12 years old, actually crafted the instruments from the same batch of wood and put them through the same varnishing......

Houstonist has an active and amazing Flickr photo group. We receive many, many photos of Houston and the surrounding areas every day and unless you are an active visitor to our photo pool many of these photos go unnoticed. So in a weekly effort to bring you more amazing photos from Houstonist readers and photographers, we are going to feature a block of photos submitted to our Flickr photo group. The images will be dug......

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......

Tori Amos’ tour is coming to Houston this coming Sunday night, at Jones Hall. Yes, we know that’s almost a week away, but we wanted to give you a good heads up since many of us are going out of town. Tori is currently touring supporting her latest album, American Doll Posse. She received fame with her debut solo album Little Earthquakes (which spawned the very personal "Silent All These Years" and "Crucify,” among others),......

Ok, ok. We listened to you. We DO do that sometimes. And you've said that even though you can't live without really enjoy the Daily-ist everyday, a feature that picks out one kick arse event each day from the thousands, um, ok, lots and lots of things going on in the city, you are busy people. And you would like to plan ahead. Ok, we hear ya. So it's back: The Weekly-ist List. We'll......

For once, this week's music calendar is light on local acts, heavy on touring acts. Tonight, catch classic crooner Tony Bennett (who turns 80 this year) at Jones Hall. Tomorrow night, we recommend California indie rock band Rocco Deluca & the Burden at Warehouse Live. Mix things up a little bit Wednesday night and catch Austin's Belleville Outfit at the Duck, combining jazz, swing and Americana. Houston's own R&B legend Archie Bell will "tighten......

Houston's Theater District is having an Open House this Sunday, August 26th from noon to 5PM, while also hosting Taste of Downtown, meaning there's lots to sample for free, free, free! Besides about 40 million performances, there will also be backstage tours, sneak previews of the 2007-2008 Theater District seasons, Q&A's with performers, activities for the kids such as costume trunks and an instrument petting zoo, free refreshments, season ticket information booths and lots......

The Music of Led Zeppelin: A Rock Symphony Now this one's personal. We can almost rememeer every detail of the day our visionary parents placed in our hands 4 cassettes. Standing in the kitchen, near the old antique dresser that held their supply of 8 tracks, albums, and cassettes; The place where we first laid eyes on the cover of Blind Faith's Blind Faith and knew we were looking in a drawer we shouldn't be;......

With a holiday in the middle of the week, celebrations of the musical variety are happening all over the city. Houston’s official Independence Day celebration, the 2007 Chevy's Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell (yes that is really the full name of it) takes place in Eleanor Tinsley Park from 4pm – 10pm with headliner Montgomery Gentry. However, if you are like us and don’t enjoy pushing your way through the expected......

Tonight, Norah Jones plays in a very suitable place, Jones Hall. The show is sold out, but with M. Ward opening, it’s one that may be worth getting tickets for. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club returns to Houston on Thursday. Rock legend Dave Mason hits The Meridian Friday night, while former Rock Star: Supernova contestant and Austin native Patrice Pike visits Fitzgeralds. Another great double bill comes to us on Sunday night – The Black......

Jerry Seinfeld at Jones Hall What's the deal with Jerry Seinfeld? He's part of the brains behind Seinfeld, TV Guide's greatest TV show of all time, and Wikipedia reports that he's earned more money for the portrayal of a single character than any actor ever. Not bad, for a show about nothing. The man himself, Jerry Seinfeld, will grace Jones Hall with his presence this evening for two stand-up comedy shows at 7 and 9:30.......

Today’s Photo of the Day comes from flickr user and Houstonist photo contributor paper by design. It's a vertigo inducing shot of downtown with The Pennzoil Place and Jones Hall in view. We love the details in this shot. If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining over 250 of Houston's best photographers in the Houstonist Flickr Photo Group. If Houstonist uses your photo for Photo Of The Day, submit it......

Here are some upcoming shows that were recently announced: Norah Jones – 6/12 @ Jones Hall Dave Matthews Band/Robert Earl Keen – 9/21 @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion The highlight of the week has to be indie-band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's show Thursday night at Warehouse Live. However, some of the graying crowd may prefer the combo of Chicago and Kool & the Gang in The Woodlands on Friday (and we wonder how......

You don’t have to be a tortured artist to thoroughly enjoy the fantastic poetry of Mary Oliver or Billy Collins, both of whom are coming to Houston next week. Mary Oliver’s 24 books of poems use imagery from wildlife and the natural world to talk about, well, everything. Her reverence for the seemingly incidental makes you remember why being in nature can be, dare we say, powerful and transcendent. Inprint is bringing her to town......

Saturday, Feb 10 + Sunday, Feb 11 VISUAL ARTS Exhibits Opening this week: Justice for All: Artists reflect on the Death Penalty M2 Gallery, 325 West 19th Street, Saturday, Opening Reception @ 7pm Bringing Hope to Houston Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Reading the Movies: Photoplay Editions from the Collection of Stuart Kane Museum of Printing History February 5-April 30, 2007 Exhibits Closing this weekend: Christian Renonciat: The Way of Wood | Gremillion &......

Classical music has a bad rap, some of which is deserved. After all, who really wants to listen to the slow, soft harpsichord-loaded music that trickles out of bookstore speakers, or to the stuff advertised on television to make you relax? Classical music, like any other music, is best experienced live. At it's best, classical music is powerful with incredible emotional depth. On stage are almost 100 instruments played by almost 100 musicians who each......

Saturday: MFAH Mixed Media Series Once in a while, an event comes along that makes even us proud, art-loving citizens feel lucky. We are quickly learning to play with the big boys of the art world, and more and more often people are taking notice of the untapped energy in this city's metropolis. Last year's Starbucks Mixed Media Series at the Museum of Fine Arts was evidence that Houston is bursting at the seams......

Looking for something to do this weekend? Like traditional Irish music? Feeling kinda like dudding up and hitting The Houston Symphony for a nice evening out - hey, date night options! The Chieftains will be performing this Friday through Sunday. This internationally acclaimed group has been touring in North America (off and on, of course) for over 33 years and have been around for over 42. Here's a snippet from their official biography, to familiarize......

Each year around this time, a report comes out that makes us guys feel like losers when trying to compete with the jerk in the traditional holiday classic “Twelve Days of Christmas.” This year, the Houston Business Journal reports that his never-ending love for his sweetheart will put him back $18,920 – a 3.1 percent increase over last year. It seems the largest increase this year comes from the tree he decides to put the......

The Houston Symphony has had many great special guests over the years – everything from other classical gurus, traditional vocalist, and pop stars. With Ben Folds’ arrival this Wednesday, you’ll get a chance to hear the witty alternative singer/songwriter/pianist bring a different light to his songs. The average radio listener probably knows Ben Folds from his 1998 hit “Brick” with Ben Folds Five. What the may not know is that Ben Folds is still going......

Ah, the (triumphant?) return of Fun for a Hamilton. We could tell you a horror story about why your favorite ten dollar bill has been missing from your lives lately, but merely rest assured that Hamilton's back now. (And since nobody emailed us to complain, we're not even sure you noticed he was gone). Without further ado... Friday, October 20 A production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at St. Thomas this evening updates the play......

Wednesday Clarence Greenwood is the leader of the band Citizen Cope, but he might as well be a solo artist. He is the songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and producer of the band. Over the past few years, his popularity has grown with critics and music fans, and he’s now touring for his new CD Every Waking Moment. 8 p.m. at the Scout Bar | tickets and info Thursday The Californian quartet Sugarcult increased their......

The great thing about being a grown up is that summer fun doesn't have to end at back to school. And since it still feels like summer anyway, have some summer fun, student style: (By which we mean costing as little as possible). Friday, August 25 Every summer, Theater Suburbia does what they call an "old-fashioned summer 'mellerdrammer'". Come boo the villain and cheer for the hero and the maiden fair in this year's offering,......

At Houstonist, we enjoy a good mid-century modern house. So we're really excited about Houston Mod's new exhibit Booming Houston & The Modern House: The Residential Architecture of Neuhaus & Taylor. Neuhaus & Taylor was one of Houston's premier architectural firms in the 1960s and '70s — their designs include the "Taj Mahal," the former HISD headquarters building on Richmond Avenue (which probably won't be around much longer), Galleria I and the towers of......

The folks over at the Houston Symphony are always good for a laugh and some great music. (The music you can hear for yourself — on the laugh part, you'll just have to trust Houstonist, as journalistic integrity forces us to disclose that we practically grew up backstage at Jones Hall. And the late, great concertmaster Ray Fliegel did a spot-on Donald Duck impression. Seriously, y'all.) Maybe the musicians won't be impersonating cartoon characters, but......

Wednesday The crawfish has been boiling everywhere lately, so it’s a good night to catch New Orleans’ New Birth Brass Band at the Volcano. And enjoy a frozen screwdriver, of course. Music: “I Got a Woman” 7 p.m. at Volcano | info Cincinnati’s Moth stops in Houston tonight. Sometimes compared to Weezer, especially since they’ve soften their punk roots for mainstream success. Houston’s Slippin’ Mickies opens. 9 p.m. at Rudyard’s | info Thursday Almost......

Another reminder for Houstonist to go to the gym more often: The Peking Acrobats. For almost 50 years, this talented group has been touring all over the world (with a changing line-up over time, of course) displaying their amazing acrobatic abilities. They bring their show to Jones Hall this weekend. Get to the show half an hour early to hear a pre-performance lecture featuring People's Republic of China Cultural Consul Haisheng Zhao. The Peking Acrobats......

Wednesday Mary Gauthier released her critically-acclaimed CD Mercy Now last year, and if you’ve heard it, you know how wonderfully dark and personal it is. The forty-something Louisiana native brings her haunting whiskey-ridden voice to the Duck tonight. When you hear her sing “I Drink,” it will sober you up quick. 7:30 p.m. at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck | info Thursday Colorado’s Big Head Todd & the Monsters are still touring on their 2004 CD......

Like it or not, Thanksgiving has come and gone, so the holidays are officially upon us. Stressed? Us too. Fortunately, there are plenty of holiday distractions — here are a few of the old standbys. Do you know a holiday event Houstonist should note? Drop us a candygram. In the meantime, Merry Christmas/happy Hanukkah/happy Kwanzaa/super Winter Solstice! Sure, there are always a bunch of community theater productions of A Christmas Carol, but only in......