Austin has been called the live music capital of the world, but many are unaware of is the amount of attention Austin is beginning to receive for its place in the film industry.

We all know him now as Jack Sparrow, but Johnny Depp is also known for his association with the author Hunter S. Thompson, a famous reporter for Rolling Stone magazine who wrote several famous books.

James P. Bevill, author of “The Paper Republic,” will explain the importance of economic factors in shaping Texas history to Baylor students Thursday in a lecture hosted by The Texas Collection. “The Paper Republic” tells the story of Texas’ initial beginnings from a different perspective, highlighting how money and credit played a huge role in Texas’ sovereignty and its annexation to the United States. Bevill will speak at 6:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium.

Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines told a thunderous crowd Monday night that “there was zero hesitation” when the band was asked to perform with fellow country stars to raise money for victims of recent wildfires in her home state of Texas.

When I went home for fall break, the first thing my dad said to me was, “Jack Black is in a PG movie.” At first I laughed, thinking he meant “Kung Fu Panda,” but then my younger sister chimed in with, “You mean the one with Steve Martin.”

After Adenola Adepetun and I bonded over our lust for a pair of red-soled Christian Louboutin shoes, I got to know this young style star and found out that although he dresses impeccably, he does not want to be known for his great taste in bowties, alone.

John Patrick Shanley, an Oscar-winning screenwriter, director and Tony-awarded playwright, talked about his childhood, struggles and successes at 3:30 p.m. Monday in Cashion Academic Center as a part of the Beall-Russell Lectures in the Humanities.

Hollywood has offered audiences yet another crappy, unnecessary “Halloween”-like prequel, this time with Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.’s “The Thing.”

Baylor men’s basketball kicked off its 2011-12 season with Moonlight Madness Friday at the Ferrell Center, as part of ESPN’s Midnight Madness.

Acclaimed “Doubt” playwright, screenwriter and director John Patrick Shanley will visit Baylor on Monday. Shanley will be discussing his career as a part of the Beall-Russell 2011 Lecture in the Humanities.

Four years ago and almost four hours away from Waco, four guys from the same hometown got together to do what they do best: jam.

A hot, dry summer in key producing states and competition from more profitable crops have shrunk the U.S. peanut crop this year by an expected 13 percent. It would be smallest harvest recorded since 2006. The tight supply means consumers will soon pay more for another grocery staple.

Whether or not McMenamin is right about the reality of a Kraken, the Kraken has a very real history in a very unlikely place: fiction.

The opening day of the 2011 “Footloose” movie is finally upon us. The highly analyzed, applauded, assessed and anticipated remake of the 1984 release is Friday, Oct. 14, and it has both old and new fans across the nation in a frenzy

I have never really been one for the political scene, but it seems like everyone, including myself, takes an interest in the underbelly of the American government. From the conspiracy theorists to the romantic idealists, everyone has an opinion of how our elected officials actually behave behind the scenes. The film “The Ides of March” deals specifically with the presidential campaign.

“Breaking Bad” is television’s best show and will end its fourth season on Sunday. Although the season got off to a slow start, the writing, acting and late season have made this one of, if not the show’s best season.

Want to watch something horrifying without Krakens?

For a college student, a restaurant’s merit is often found in the simplicity and affordability of its meal options. These qualities, among others, make visiting Baris III Pizza & Pasta a graduation requirement for Baylor students.

“Kids dancing in crazy outfits to music that editorial page editors don’t understand aren’t automatically evil.”

Proving that pageants are about more than just beauty, Plano senior Christine Tang was crowned Miss Plano Sunday.

WaterTower Theater in Addison featured the award-winning play “Spring Awakening” on Oct. 3, and Baylor students, alumni and faculty are well established within the production, which will run until Oct. 23. After opening night, the production had an influx of positive reviews, including The Dallas Morning News who said the play “detonates with brilliant, blinding force.” Huntsville senior theater performance major Joshua Gonzales tells the Lariat about his experience playing Ernst in the play.

The director of media relations at the White House during President Ronald Reagan’s term, Merrie Spaeth, will speak on the importance of communication skills this Thursday on campus and at the Mayborn Museum.

Few places on Earth are quite like this one. You walk into a lively atmosphere and are greeted with smiles from all around. You will notice the cleanliness and high-quality maintenance that has been performed. And oh, that smell. The sweet smell of deliciousness roaming through the air that lovingly finds its way into your nostrils as you contemplate which heavenly goodness off the menu your body shall consume this time.

When I heard this summer that MuteMath was coming to Common Grounds, I was extremely excited. Unfortunately, a couple of days later I also found out that the concert was sold out.

In one of the most bizarre events to happen this year, a warehouse full of weapons being used in Brad Pitt’s upcoming Zombie film “World War Z,” was raided by a SWAT team in Budapest.

If you’re not grinning before you amble up the wooden ramp and set foot on the deck of El Charro Tapatio, expect that to change fast.

If you’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten-intolerant or just love organic and natural food, there are not many options to buy foods that fit your diet.

An expert at cake designing and competitor on TLC’s show “The Next Great Baker,” Baylor alumna Megan Rountree now owns a bakery with her husband, Michael. The two started Legacy Cakes Bakery in Addison, near Dallas.

In the hours following the announcement of Steve Jobs’ death, I was amazed by how many people quickly posted the news on Facebook, expressing their own variations on how much of a loss this was to the world.

Trannie Stevens always had her eye on partnering with Uproar Records. Now, she grew up in Waco, and the freshman has watched the student-run record label on Baylor’s campus since its early beginnings a few years ago.