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Sam Billen "Headphones and Cellphones" CD release @ Wonder Fair

Check out our podcast preview of the new album. Come out to Wonderfair Art Gallery to celebrate the release of Sam Billen's new solo album "Headphones and Cellphones" (out on Kansas City's The Record Machine). Billen formerly paired with his brother Dan to front Lawrence indie-pop faves The Billions. There will be plenty of pretzels to nibble on and plenty of good tunes and good times to enjoy. Two full listenings of the new album will take place - starting at 6pm and 7:30pm. It's all-ages and it's free — and Sam might even play a song or two.

"The Moon For Its Citizens," book release and reading by Wallace Cochran @ The Raven

Wallace Cochran — half of Lawrence's quirky folk duo, Drakkar Sauna — reads selections from his new book, "The Moon For Its Citizens." Check out our Q & A with Cochran about his book.

E.M.U. Theatre presents “Horrorshow IIID”

It survived the zombie massacre of ‘07. It took audiences beyond the edges of sanity in 2008. So what’s left for EMU Theatre to bestow upon hungry hoards of horror fans this Halloween?

It seems that the EMU writers are fighting over the best way to scare audiences with their 3rd annual Halloween show, “Horrorshow IIID." The peeved playwrights will showcase four different Halloween-themed shows, ranging from a kooky comedy to an arabesque and blood-filled look into the depravity of the human condition.

Trey McIntyre Project presents "The Sun Road" @ Lied Center

The Lied Center of Kansas presents the Trey McIntyre Project performing an evening of contemporary dance works including the Midwest premiere of The Sun Road. Using classical ballet as a point of departure, the Trey McIntyre Project presents emotionally charged dance performances that defy categorization.

Born in Wichita, Kan., Trey McIntyre is an internationally recognized choreographer who studied at North Carolina School of the Arts and Houston Ballet Academy. His choreography has been commissioned by American Ballet Theatre, Stuttgart Ballet, Washington Ballet, New York City Ballet and other top ballet companies around the world.

Little Rachel and the Rhythm Busters @ The Gaslight

They call her Little Rachel because she is only five feet tall, but this petite blues singer packs quite a punch. Little Rachel exploded on to the 1950s scene in 2000 alongside her sister Caroline as the exuberant Austin-based rockabilly duo The Casey Sisters. They released two albums on the Swedish label Tail Records that earned them acclaim for their strong harmonies, versatility, and authentic '50s sound. After four years of riding high with The Casey Sisters, Little Rachel decided it was time to return to the blues roots of her hometown of Kansas City and pay homage to some of her favorite artists such as Little Richard, Etta James, Wynona Carr, Little Willie John, and Big Mama Thornton.

Dirtfoot / Deadman Flats @ Bottleneck (early show)

Louisiana's Dirtfoot plays a good-time gumbo of gypsy, punk and country flavors with instrumentation including acoustic guitar, banjo, upright bass, pots n' pans, drums, bells, saxophone and bean can shakers.

Lawrence's Deadman Flats blur the drunken line between fact and fiction, chronicling the misadventures of everyday boogans and dudes who pick up greeters at Wal-Mart. Only Hutchinson could have spawned such a bass-ackward brand of bluegrass, but only Lawrence could make it sound right at home.

The Queers @ the Jackpot

Simply put, The Queers are one of the best pop-punk bands ever. The group dates back to the early '80s, when it came of age on Lookout Records alongside acts like Screeching Weasel and Green Day. Nowadays, sole founding member Joe Queer plays long sets of fan favorites like "Too Many Twinkies" and "I Can't Stop Farting" with bassist Dangerous Dave and drummer Lurch.

Kraak and Smaak @ Bottleneck

Kraak & Smaak is a Dutch DJ trio that was described by Perez Hilton as "Amy Winehouse meets Moby." Infusing its productions with nufunk, house, hip-hop and electronica sounds, the group has remixed tracks for Jamiroquai and Junkie XL and released its own future-funk collection called "Boogie Angst." Tonight they'll perform a DJ set.

Sound of Urchin @ The Replay

The Sound of Urchin are the most ridiculous band that you'll ever love with all of your heart. Tenacious D and The Ween brothers swear by these guys: four diehard rock-and-roll heads who play every show like they're obligated to be the greatest band on the face of the earth. Drummer and lead singer Tomato 11 performs like a shook-up-soda uncorked, putting Don Henley and Phil Collins to shame with his multitasking skills. Guitarist B. Ill is a shredder on par with any metal-school grad, but he prefers to use his powers to unleash tasty Cars-meets-TMBG riffs. To put it simply: your $2 could not possibly find a better home.

Mouth CD release show @ Jazzhaus

KC jam-funk band Mouth is releasing its debut album "Word of Mouth, Volume 1" in conjunction with a new release from Mixed Method. The first 25 guests will receive a free CD from each band.

Bleeding Kansas Dodgeball open play

Pick up games open to the public organized by the Bleeding Kansas Dodgeball League, which also plays Sundays at the East Lawrence Rec. Center. Note: Open play has been moved to Fridays and to the Community Building on 11th street. Weather permitting, games will be played outdoors at the park at 7th and Tennessee streets. Check out our feature on the league.

And new in movies...

It Might Get Loud

Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim's ("An Inconvenient Truth") electrifying documentary features three legendary guitarists - Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge of U2, and Jack White of White Stripes - who convene for a six-string "summit" to talk (and play) the history, politics and poetry of their chosen instrument.

Amelia

"Amelia" has magnificent period settings and airplanes, majestic aerial photography and a perfectly cast Hilary Swank. But Mira Nair's big-screen effort is one thing aviatrix Amelia Earhart was not: safe. It's sometimes moving and occasionally even thrilling and poetic. It never, however, truly takes flight.

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And OLD in movies...

Midnight Movie Madness @ Liberty Hall presents "Evil Dead 2"

A midnight screening of the campy horror flick that made Bruce Campbell a star.

Classical Sci-Fi Films: "The Andromeda Strain"

The Lawrence Public Library is screening some of the best early science fiction films. Popcorn is provided and you may bring a beverage. The Andromeda Strain (1971) tells the story of a military space capsule returning to Earth carrying something that kills almost everyone in a small town. Scientists try to learn how to contain it.