Bettye Swann Bettye Swann Honest Jon's/Astralwerks You've probably never heard of Bettye Swann, which is sad for many reasons; on the bright side, though, it means you're in for a treat. Thanks...

n On New Year's Eve, Café Kanichi-Wa (1117 S. Grand Ave. E) presents, exclusively for your entertainment pleasure, a wild and ferocious battle of the bands pitting Springfield Shaky against Per...

Le TigreThis Island (Strummer/Universal) After two full-lengths and a couple of EPs on the now-defunct indie label Mr. Lady, Le Tigre has apparently tired of preaching to the choir. Predictably...

• Capcitill Promotions invites you, the listening public, to a "Hoes Exposed" meet-and-greet at Two Olives and Pepper from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 28. What will you meet and greet at a such an event...

• On Wednesday, Dec. 22, celebrate the Winter Solstice and the fifth anniversary of Trout Lily Café -- Illinois Times readers' "Best of Springfield" pick for coffee. Proprietor Kate Hawkes says ...

Rufus Wainwright Want Two (Geffen) What's the term for a male diva? Divo? Heva? There may not be a word for Rufus Wainwright, but there should be. After all, he's hardly the first boy singer ...

Eminem Encore (Aftermath/Interscope) If you're curious about how Eminem's art has evolved during the two-and-a-half years since his last full-length, The Eminem Show, the Encore cover andbook...

• Prepare yourself, children, for the greatest Christmas event in the history of Western Civilization (well at least in our little world of booze, bars, and party-ons, dude). The annual Festivu...