Sheryl Swoopes & the HRC, Samba Nights, Origami Festival, and Space City Empire’s many summer soirees.
By Nancy Ford
HRC AND SWOOPES: A WINNING TEAM. The Houston chapter of the Human Rights Campaign has announced its Weekend with Sheryl Swoopes, offering choice game seats followed the next day by a brunch with the Houston Comets basketball star.
The rendezvous begins June 8, 7:30 p.m., at the Toyota Center when the Comets play the Connecticut Sun. Patrons buying tickets to this game online at www.ticketingcentral.com/V2/Home.aspx?Context=1&Offer=5802791, using the promo code ‘HRC’ get specially discounted tickets.
Ticket prices of $35 and $45 are offered, each including a seat to the game and the 11 a.m. brunch on June 9 at Bocados with Swoopes, who came out publicly in 2005. $25 of each ticket benefits HRC.
“This is a wonderful partnership for HRC and the Houston Comets,” says Fiona Dawson, Houston HRC Federal Club co-chair. “We are just thrilled with the support, not only from the Houston Comets, but also from Sheryl. She is genuinely passionate about volunteering for the GLBT community and working towards equality.”
The following week, the Houston Equal Rights Alliance and the Houston GLBT Political Caucus join HRC to present the groups’ Political Luncheon on June 16, 11:30 a.m. at the Omni Riverway. The luncheon aims to provide an update on GLBT political actions and progress, Dawson says.
City Controller (and OutSmart columnist) Annise Parker, state representative (and Pride Parade honorary grand marshal) Garnet Coleman, and Human Rights Campaign legislative director Allison Herwitt are scheduled to speak. Details: www.hrc.org/houston.
DANCING WITH THE SAMBA STARS. Just in time for you to brush up on your steps before jetting off to Carnaval in Rio, the Brazilian Arts Foundation presents Samba Nights in the Heights on June 9 at the foundation’s 11th Street home. The 7-10 p.m. benefit event features stunning samba dancers swaying to the contagious beats of the 15-member Bateria drum section. The evening climaxes with a performance of Capoeira. Details: www.brazilianarts.org.
PAPER, NOT PLASTIC. Hard to believe that mere paper could help kids with cancer. But that’s exactly what the June 30-July 8 Origami Festival at Tansu aims to do.
The third annual festival celebrating origami, the ancient art of Japanese paper folding, benefits the Sunshine Kids Foundation, a nonprofit Houston-based charity dedicated to providing positive group activities and emotional support for children with cancer.
Origami artists Joel Cooper, T.J. Fu, Linda Mihara, and others will be featured this year, teaching workshops, displaying their artwork, and providing origami instruction to the Sunshine Kids. Details: www.tansustyle.com/origamifestival.
COURT DATES. This month, the Imperial Court of the Houston has even more to celebrate beyond being tapped as organization grand marshal of the 2007 GLBT Pride Parade. The charitable group, also know as the Space City Empire, is now five years old.
Kicking off the commemoration on June 13, the ICOH College of Monarchs returns to Mary’s…Naturally to host Jukebox Heroes, its weekly sing-along fundraiser, at 8:30 p.m.
Then on June 15, beginning at 7:30 p.m., the gang throws its third annual Summer Soiree with open bar, hors d’ouvre, entertainment, and tunes mixed by DJ Alex.
The anniversary blowout culminates on June 17, 7 p.m., at the downtown Crowne Plaza with ICOH’s anniversary dinner.
“This dinner is to thank the community at large as well as the various organizations and agencies who have assisted and supported ICOH over the past five years,” ICOH co-founder Sean Carter says.
Proceeds from these events benefit the Legacy Community Health Services Drug Assistance Program and the Lexy Bowen Community Fund. Details: www.spacecityempire.org.
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