Bostonist was on the phone with our buddy Keith on Thursday, chatting about the upcoming Boston Pops spring season. The initial season announcement had just crossed our desk at Bostonist HQ, and we wanted to see what Keith thought of a spring and summer that will include jazz, Broadway, a season-long tribute to Leonard Bernstein, and appearances by Natalie Cole, Natalie Merchant, and Amanda Palmer. By Keith, of course, we mean Keith Lockhart, who is......

--More on the murder of a man at King Arthur's Lounge on Thursday: The shooting may have been the result of a gang rivalry, but the shooters and the victim were in the strip joint together for two hours, just coexisting, before the violence erupted. O'Ryan Johnson reports that the victim used to be with the Latin Kings. [Boston Herald] --Police have arrested a woman in connection with the hit-and-run death of George Azarian, who......

--The media has become entranced by the image of a dude looking like a lady and robbing a bank in Somerset on Wednesday. There's really not much of a story here, except that the dude in question makes for one ugly woman. Apparently, Mrs. Doubtfire was hotter. [Boston Globe] --A suspect turned himself in for the murder of Joseph Clarke, who was the first person killed in Boston this year. The suspect allegedly shot Clarke......

--A parking rage incident turned so ugly in Chelsea early this morning that a man was shot in the stomach. The Chelsea police chief said the whole mess started solely because one parked car was "touching" another parked car. And this is what happens when people with anger-management issues have guns. [Boston Globe] --In a drug-related shooting, an innocent 68-year-old man was shot in the back in Roxbury after trying to defend his apartment building......

--The Boston Police Department and the DA's Office are investigating the death of an inmate at the Suffolk County House of Correction. 41-year-old Darryl Lee Leslie died on New Year's Eve while being moved to maximum security because he was, according to a jail spokesman, "planning a violent attack." An autopsy is being performed. [Boston Globe] --A 15-year-old who was shot in the stomach at a New Year's Eve party in New Bedford has since......

Our friend Paul Keleher is quickly becoming our go-to guy for great holiday photos. This shot of a fire dancer, or 'poi,' is clearly fantastic - the long exposure he used captures the dancer's full range of motion. A perfect shot with which to ring in the New Year. Happy Oh-Eight everyone! Here's to a great year......

On New Year's Eve, firefighters battled a seven-alarm fire at a condo complex in South Boston. One 47-year-old man, Peter Clancy, died of smoke inhalation at the scene. Then, this morning, firefighters discovered the body of a woman who has not yet been identified. However, neighbors told the Globe that the second victim is Clancy's 46-year-old wife, Arvette. Eighteen families were left homeless as a result of the fire. The Clancy's had a 15-year-old......

First Night What to choose? Ice sculptures? The film festival? Harry and the Potters? Visit First Night's official site for a full schedule. Music --Bang Camaro will bring their huge band and their even huger metal sound to the Hard Rock Café. The Hard Rock should thank Bang Camaro for making them cooler. Hard Rock, 22-24 Clinton St., Boston, 8:30 pm. $20. --The Upper Crust will look bewigged, powdered, and bloody well gorgeous as they--ahem--rocque.......

--The violence that has plagued the city all last week will not stop. A 17-year-old was shot early this morning in Mattapan, according to the Globe. He was shot in the jaw. And it could have been worse. He was shot in front of his home, where a daycare is located. He hasn't been named, but WCVB is reporting that neighbors said he was a "star athlete." --The DA's Office sent out a release announcing......

First, the really great news: Josh Beckett managed to make C.C. Sabathia look like a Little League pitcher (no offense to some of those who are the future of America's pastime) on Friday night at Fenway Park, ably leading the Red Sox defense in what turned into a 10-3 routing in Game 1 of the ALCS. Seriously, we were a little worried about what hinted at a pitching fan's dream matchup - two great aces......

Sunday. Usually, a quiet, contemplative day in the Blogosphere. But not here in the Ist-a-Verse. Nonono! Just look below and see all of the wild and crazy stuff our staffs are up to. In Austin, bands are beginning to confirm for SXSW and the rumor mill is up and running. Good thing, too, because we all know how much Austinites love live performances. Austin also found itself in the national spotlight, with Longhorn Legend......

It would be nice if the blotter for the first day of 2007 focused on the typical New Year's Eve drunk and disorderlies. Unfortunately, six people were shot in four separate locations around 5 this morning in Dorchester. A 14-year-old died in the shootings. That makes yet another preteen who has been cut down in a matter of weeks. The Boston Police Department believes that two of the episodes unfolded at "private house parties"......

If you had a chance to look outside this afternoon you noticed something that we haven't seen this year: accumulation of snow. It was a wimpy snow dusting the Boston area lightly, a reported half inch or less in Boston and up to 2 inches in the outer suburbs, especially in the North Shore. The dusting today would have likely been welcomed with open arms if it had occurred on Christmas Day. Coming a......

Not feeling up for First Nighting? Unable to get to New York City to watch the ball drop in person? As usual, the TV networks are more than willing to provide you with the kind of entertainment that will drive you to drink. Here's the lineup: WGBH 2 (PBS): Garrison Keillor's New Year's Eve Special. 10 pm. This one's for those of you who are feeling civilized. WBZ 4 (CBS): Local First Night Special. The......

Bars, clubs, and restaurants will be taking on a premium for celebrating the coming of the New Year with them. There is, however, a free ride available to get you home. The MBTA has announced that again this year the T will be free for riders from 8 pm to 2 am on New Years Eve and into the early morning of New Year's Day. We could go on for hours about how we miss......

Who would have thought that two stars of the early '90s comedy flop The Adventures of Ford Fairlane would converge upon Boston on the same night? And who would have thought that night would be New Year's Eve? Mr. Ford Fairlane himself, tough-guy comedian Andrew Dice Clay, will perform at the Comedy Connection. He made his career insulting practically anyone who stepped in his path, which was part of his downfall. But he's shooting a......

There must be calm before the storm this week. We can only imagine that our favorite local folks are saving up their energy so they can rock it big into the new year. There are certainly a few great shows on this week's agenda, don't get us wrong. But since we have a minute to take a moment to look at Gridskipper's post they tacked to the bathroom wall last week: "The Mighty Mighty......