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The Host

Andrew Niccol writes and directs this romantic, science-fiction thriller that’s based on a novel by Stephenie Meyer.

by Kimberley Jones

Also at Austin Film Society: James Benning

April 6-8, Austin Studios (1901 E. 51st) and Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz (320 E. Sixth) Even if we only really think about it during wildflower season, Central Texans know a thing or two about majestic landscapes. But we don’t hold a candle to director James Benning, a prolific independent filmmaker who’s been investigating American…

by Monica Riese

Room 237

Pet theories about what really went down at the Overlook Hotel abound in this documentary about Stanley Kubrick’s intentions in The Shining.

by Kimberley Jones

The Girl

David Riker’s indie drama stars Abbie Cornish as a Texas woman, who finds maturity while smuggling Mexicans across the border.

by Marjorie Baumgarten

Dawn Upshaw

The celebrated singer of opera and musical theatre knows how to use the tools for doing her job

by Adam Roberts

Texas Platters

The Black Angels Indigo Meadow (Blue Horizon) On Indigo Meadow, terror finally hits home for the Black Angels. As if to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Iraq invasion, the locals’ fourth LP and first since the departure of longtime guitarist Nate Ryan tackles the lasting toll of war – both foreign and domestic. “Broken…

by Austin Powell

Texas Platters

Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense (Rootball) In the last couple years, Gurf Morlix cut an entire disc of songs written by his friend Blaze Foley and produced Ray Wylie Hubbard’s The Grifter’s Hymnal. The local guitarist’s first album of new material in four years, Finds the Present Tense spans the styles of those co-conspirators…

by Jim Caligiuri

Civics 101

Friday 05 CHILD PROTECTION DAY Join children’s advocacy organizations by wearing blue in support of child abuse prevention. Schedule an appointment with your representative while you’re at it. 9:30am-4:30pm. Texas State Capitol. www.texprotects.org. Saturday 06 CHANGE THE WORLD IN JUST THREE WEEKS Get in gear for the Hill Country Ride for AIDS with this information,…

by Chronicle Staff

Texas Platters

Beatbox Houston rapper Nosaprise channels the powers of his lost legends, inscribing The Book of the Dead, Vol. 1 by laying down a set of lyrics over tracks made famous by deceased icons like Keith Murray, J Dilla, and Notorious B.I.G. (“Ready to Die”). Tight-lipped, with a tenor pitch that bites Big L, the literary…

by Chase Hoffberger

Headlines

› In one of the stranger AISD board meetings Monday night (call it the April Fools’ Effect), the district lost then won the support of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce for its upcoming $890 million bond proposal; the GACC said it would drop its announced support if the board didn’t promise a hard date…

by Chronicle Staff

Texas Platters

Bill Carter Unknown (Unison Music Group) Songwriting mercenary Bill Carter takes both names and prisoners on Unknown. Three decades of Austin-centric compositions in league with his wife, Ruth Ellsworth, cements to his resume covers by Waylon Jennings, Ruth Brown, and most famously, Stevie Ray Vaughan (“Crossfire,” “Willie the Wimp”). On a rare disc of his…

by Raoul Hernandez

Texas Platters

Nakia Drown in the Crimson Tide Given his high profile after appearing on NBC’s The Voice, Nakia could’ve called in showbiz favors and constructed an overblown showcase for his near-perfect pipes. Instead, the local soul stirrer made a modest, personal EP that concentrates as much on songs as singing. A belter of the Otis Redding…

by Michael Toland

Quote of the Week

“Give up the swagger and get serious.” – U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro at an April 1 press conference, advising Gov. Perry and GOP leadership to end their reflex­­­­- ive opposition to Medicaid expansion and work with the federal government on an effective program for Texas

by Chronicle Staff

Texas Platters

Monahans Leveler (The Elusive Goldmine) Monahans master the art of hushed intensity, crafting tunes of dramatic proportion that nonetheless feel restrained amid their bluster. The local quartet’s fourth release, which includes the digital-only Roam an Empty Space as an additional download with Leveler vinyl, begins in the Secret Machines-like percussion of “Silent Sunsets,” a storm…

by Doug Freeman

Exhibitionism

This musical version of G.B. Shaw�s �Candida� is exactly the right size for Austin, cozy with room for plenty of nuance

by Jillian Owens

Mr. Smarty Pants Knows

Recently, Toyota held an online contest to determine the plural of Prius, and the winning entry was Prii. Andris Leipa, former star of the Bolshoi Ballet known as the “Perestroika Kid,” was the first Soviet performer granted an open-ended visa as a result of Gorbachev’s reforms. Since 2001, the base defense budget has grown from…

by Mr. Smarty Pants

The Luv Doc: Leonardo DiCaprio: What a Dumbass

Luvdoc, Last weekend, my boyfriend broke up with me after two years. He says he hasn’t met someone else. He is graduating from UT this May (I still have a year to go), and he says he needs to focus on finding a job and he’s not sure he will be able to stay in…

by The Luv Doc

Exhibitionism

A rhythmic joining of three disparate bodies of work, this Davis Gallery show creates a compelling harmony of color and pattern

by W. A. Brenner

Adam Sultan

In marking the future deaths of local theatre artists, Physical Plant celebrates their community today

by W. A. Brenner

Somebody Up There Likes Me

Bob Byington’s filmed-in-Austin, indie comedy takes place over decades as a guy wanders through life with (scene-stealing) coaching from his best friend, played by Nick Offerman.

by Leah Churner

Food Events

April 6-7 › Texas Olive Festival Celebrate spring near Dripping Springs in the scenic olive groves and the attractive tasting room of the Texas Hill Country Olive Company. Sat., April 6, 11am-6pm. Texas Hill Country Olive Company, 2530 W. Fitzhugh Rd., Dripping Springs. www.texashillcountryoliveco.com. › Texas Vegfest Spend a spring day on the shady shores…

by Virginia B. Wood

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