Performing arts, radio, art/photography, day-by-day, and HIV testing. Plus HOT TICKETS Diana Foundation at the Zoo, and Bayou City Art Festival .
By Sheri Taylor Bockelman
Performing Arts • Performing Arts for Young People • Radio • Art/Photography • March Day-By-Day • Planning Ahead • HIV Testing
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HOT TICKET:
‘Serengeti Nights’ at the Houston Zoo
Zebras and wildebeests and gazelles—oh my! Members of the Diana Foundation join the more than 4,500 non-human residents of the Houston Zoo.
The Diana Foundation, Houston’s oldest gay social organization, presents its 56th annual Diana Awards on Saturday night, March 21, from 7 to 11 p.m. The black-tie evening, entitled “Serengeti Nights,” takes place on the grounds of the Houston Zoo. Activities include a silent auction, a social hour, mingling with zoo animals, dinner, the awards presentation, a sea lion show, and dancing under the stars. During the awards presentation, the foundation unveils its new Diana statuette.
Tickets for this event are $150 each and may be reserved by calling 713/639-2000. The charity beneficiaries of the evening are the Pet Patrol and Bering Omega Community Services. — Brandon Wolf
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HOT TICKET:
Art in the Park
Spring is in the air, and so is a whiff of oil paint. More than 300 local and international artists representing 19 different media formats are converging once again for the Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park.
The weekend-long outdoor festival showcases clay, drawing/pastel, fiber/textiles, furniture, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, wood creations—and jewelry.
One of the festival’s featured artists, Diane Marshall, is a jewelry maker who creates her art with stamped text, found objects, and antique photos with attention to conservation. In fact, her entire booth is recycled. “I’m migratory, and have a portable workbench that I travel with,” Marshall, an out lesbian, says. “I follow the sun and good weather.”
Gene Allen and Rex Nockengust, a couple for almost 19 years, are also jewelry makers. Actors and singers who traveled the U.S. and the world with the Golden Musicals of Broadway, the San Diego-based couple brings their eclectic “Beach Glass Bingo” to this year’s BCAF.
The Art Colony Association produces the Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park and its autumn counterpart, the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown, raising more than $2.5 million in its 38 years for local nonprofit organizations. Tickets: $10; children 12 and under admitted free. March 27–29, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. in Memorial Park. Details: bayoucityartfestival.com • 713/521-0133. — Nancy Ford
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PERFORMING ARTS
The 10th Muse: Opera for the Equinox is a fusion of opera, poetry, and contemporary dance. Presented by Divergence Vocal Theater in celebration of the spring equinox. March 20–22 at Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex, 2201 Preston St. Tickets ($20–$40): divergencevocaltheater.org.
Amadeus. Antonio Salieri maintains his societal stature in 18th-century Vienna through double-talk and whispering campaigns. When Wolgang “Amadeus” Mozart appears, Salieri mounts a battle against God to ensure his defeat. Through Mar. 7 at The Country Playhouse, 12802 Queensbury Lane. Tickets ($20): 713/467-4497 or countryplayhouse.org .
Grandpa Hasn’t Moved in Days. The Fertle family and all of Dumpster are drawn together by Ned’s funeral, but the occasion proves to be anything but solemn. $22. Through May 9. Radio Music Theatre, 2623 Colquitt. Info: 713/522-7722 or radiomusictheatre.com.
How to Absorb the Colorama Format, from Jennifer Wood, artistic director and founder of Suchu Dance, features a cast of 10 performers in the round in a literal sense. March 5–14 at the Barnevelder Movement /Arts Complex, 2201 Preston Street. Tickets ($14–$18): suchudance.org or 713/529-1819.
Houston Symphony ‘s second annual classical music festival, The Bach vs. Vivaldi Experience, offers classical music programming from Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. Mar. 27 & 28 at Houston Baptist University’s Joella and Stewart Morris Cultural Arts Center, 7502 Fondren. Tickets: $12–$35. Info: houstonsymphony.org or 713/224-7575.
Les Misérables, presented by TUTS. Award-winning 19th-century France musical of a convict trying to start over, the relentless inspector who won’t let him, and a single mother forced into prostitution to provide for her daughter. $32–$80. Mar. 24–Apr. 5. Hobby Center for Performing Arts, 800 Bagby. Info: www.tuts.com or 713/558-8887.
The Man Who Came to Dinner. An eccentric, boisterous celebrity monopolizes the Stanley family when an untimely accident causes him to take up residence in their living room. Through Mar. 22. Hubbard Stage, The Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. Info: alleytheatre.org or 713/220-5700.
Marie is a world premiere by Stanton Welch presented by Houston Ballet. Fascinating tale of Marie Antoinette, as the spirited child bride to King Louis XVI until she died by guillotine in the French Revolution. Tickets start at $28. Through Mar. 8. Brown Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Avenue at Smith St. Info: houstonballet.org or 713/227-2787.
Nursery School Musical. Second City meets South Park in this musical satire on kids, their parents, and the first day of school. NOT for children. Through Mar. 21 at Theater LaB, 1706 Alamo. Tickets ($25): theaterlabhouston.com or 713/868-7516.
The Orphans is a poignant and humorous look at two eccentric and extremely wealthy sisters who have not left their hotel room in 25 years. $13–$15. Through Mar. 14. Theatre Southwest, 8944-A Clarkcrest. Info: theatresouthwest.org or 713/661-9505.
The Pie Dialogues. Dawn and Sean survive as parents and individuals, bonded by daughter, Pie, who journeys from toddler-hood to womanhood. $20–$36. Through Mar. 22. Main Street Theater-Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd. Info: mainstreettheater.com or 713/524-6706.
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PERFORMING ARTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
The Reluctant Dragon. A boy tries to save a lonely, harmless dragon from fearful simple-minded villagers who hired a fierce knight to slay him. $12 Adult, $10 Child/Senior. Mar. 21–Apr. 4. Main Street Theater–Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Blvd. Info: www.mainstreettheater.com or 713/524-6706.
Unchain My Heart is the story of Kian Long, the slave and lifelong companion of Jane Long, one of the first white women to settle in Texas. $8. Mar. 7 at 2 pm at Express Children’s Theatre, 446 Northwest Mall. Info: 713/682-5044 or express
theatre.com.
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RADIO
After Hours. Sunday mornings, 1-4 am. Featuring the QMZ (Queer Music Zone) with Jimmy Carper. KPFT 90.1 FM, 713/526-5738.
Queer Voices. Mondays, 8-10 pm. Features, news, music, interviews, reviews, and commentary. KPFT 90.1 FM, 713/526-4000.
Reach Out in the Darkness. Houston’s only transgender radio host and her partner present selected music from the ’60s, played like it was in the ’60s, exclusively from vinyl pressings. Every Wednesday morning, 3-6 am, KPFT Pacifica radio (90.1 FM).
World of Opera. Houston Grand Opera returns to the airwaves for its 8th season beginning Oct. 14 with highlights from last season’s performances. Saturdays, 12:30 pm on 88.7 FM, KUHF. Info/radio guides: 800/62-OPERA or www.npr.org.
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ART/PHOTOGRAPHY
The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story is a new exhibition that explores the relationship between these two religions. Includes rare manuscripts and artifacts organized to tell the story so the visitor understands the relativity of the objects to its role in history. It concludes with an examination of the time before the Common Era as it turns into the Christian era. $12.50-$18. Through Apr. 12. The Houston Museum of Natural Science, One Hermann Circle Dr. Info: hmns.org or 713/639-4629.
Body Worlds 2 & The Brain: Our Three-Pound Gem. A vivid display of the latest neuroscience findings on brain development and function, brain disease and disorders, and brain performance and improvement, this is the original exhibition. It is a holistic meditation on the brain that merges anatomy, neuroscience, and philosophy that resonates with everyone. Also see 200 other real human body specimens, including more than 20 full-body specimens in life-like, dramatic poses; healthy and unhealthy organs; body parts and slices. $17-$25. Through Feb. 22. The Houston Museum of Natural Science, One Hermann Circle Dr. Info: hmns.org or 713/639-4629.
Colors of the World. Local artist Katherine Houston shares her colorful world with her first solo show. Her oil-on-canvas paintings range from still life and abstract, to portrait and landscape works, but her acrylic on plexiglass, which will be featured in this show, are abstract expressions of color. Feb. 3-28, opening reception February 6, 6-9 pm, at Canal Street Gallery, 2219 Canal St. Info: canalstreetgallery.com, 713/223-2219, or katherinehoustonart.com.
Creating Space City USA. When Apollo 11 landed on the moon, Neil Armstrong’s first words were “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” As the world watched and listened to those words, Houstonians felt a special pride. See the evolution of NASA, from the construction of the Johnson Space Center in 1962, and the city of Houston’s critical role in the achievements of the space program. Free. Through Apr. 26. The Heritage Society Museum, 1100 Bagby, Sam Houston Park. Info: heritagesociety.org or 713/655-1912.
Electric Mud explores visual art that blurs the boundaries between clay, traditionally used for its functionality, and paint, conventionally used for aesthetics. It highlights the basic properties of these crude, gooey substances to turn conventional ideas on their ears, confounding preconceived differences between art and craft, painting and ceramics, form and function, leisure and labor, still life and real life. Through Mar. 29 at Blaffer Gallery (Fine Arts Bldg. on the Univ. of Houston’s central campus, entrance 16 off Cullen Blvd.The Art of Charity: The Creative Genius of Arthur Szyk. Gregg Philipson, Austin resident and a collector of political cartoons from the World War II era, discusses the significance of Szyk’s work. Szyk, a Polish political cartoonist and propagandist, portrayed the Jewish people not as victims but as strong, patriotic, and heroic. Reception Mar. 5 at 6 pm (Philipson speaks 7–8 pm). Holocaust Museum’s Morgan Family Center, 5401 Caroline. Admission is free. A One-Man Army: The Art of Arthur Szyk on view through July 26. Info: 713/942-8000 or hmh.org.
The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story explores the relationship between these two religions. $12.50–$18. Through Apr. 12. The Houston Museum of Natural Science, One Hermann Circle Dr. Info: hmns.org or 713/639-4629.
Creating Space City USA. See the evolution of NASA, from the construction of the Johnson Space Center in 1962, and the city of Houston’s role in the space program. Free. Through Apr. 26. The Heritage Society Museum, 1100 Bagby, Sam Houston Park. Info: heritagesociety.org or 713/655-1912.
Electric Mud explores visual art that blurs the boundaries between clay, traditionally used for its functionality, and paint, conventionally used for aesthetics. Through Mar. 29 at Blaffer Gallery (Fine Arts Bldg. on U of H’s central campus, entrance 16 off Cullen Blvd.). Info: 713/743-9530 or blaffergallery.org .
First Saturday Arts Market. Local artists display and sell original works of art, and local musicians entertain. Held the 1st Saturday at 548 West 19th at Wind Water Gallery’s parking lot. Free. 11 am–6 pm. Info: www.yalestreetmarket.com.
Honey Harrison—Elusive. The local artist has a series of digital images manipulated on the computer or on the drawing board with ink, acrylic paint, or colored pencil. Mar. 6–31 (opening reception 6–9 pm, Mar. 6) at Canal Street Gallery, 2219 Canal Street. Info: canalstreetgallery.com or 713/223-2219.
Hot Glass and Environments . Hot Glass, Cool Collections offers a glimpse inside 12 of Houston’s best private glass collections. Large Gallery. Environments = Form + Space features imaginative installations by three glass artists who present new and expansive ways to define the discipline of glass. Small Gallery. Through Mar. 15. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main St. Info: crafthouston.org.
Inspiration in Education highlights artists from Texas’ top ceramic departments, which includes 19 artists from 20 educational institutions. Mar. 7–29 at 18 Hands Gallery, 249B W. 19th. Opening reception: Mar. 7, 6–9 pm. Info: 18handsgallery.com or 713/869-3099.
Pioneers of Contemporary Glass is 300 pieces of exemplary glass works. Mar. 7–July 26. Caroline Wiess Law and Audrey Jones Beck buildings of the Museum of Fine Arts, 1001 Bissonnet. Info: mfah.org or 713/639-7300; Spanish: 713/639-7379.
The Puppet Show : marionette art. A variety of media that explores the imagery of puppets. Through Apr. 12. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Blvd. Info: camh.org or 713/284-8250.
Repository. Following surgery for cervical cancer, photographer Sarah Sudhoff began investigating the effects of the illness, resulting in a series of photos and videos that presents an account of the artist and her illness. Mar. 6–Apr. 17. Main Gallery, Art League Houston, 1953 Montrose. Opening reception Mar. 6, 6–8 pm (artist talk at 6:15). Info: artleaguehouston.org or [email protected].
The Rites of Spring. Miguel Correll’s ceramics celebrate spring’s joy; Lois Morton creates mixed-media collages with natural motifs. Jonatan Lopez’s metal sculptures reflect love in nature’s realm. The Green House Gallery promotes eco-friendly themes and using recyclables in artwork. Through Mar. 31. The Green House Gallery, 716 W Alabama. Info: greenhouseartgallery.com or 713/535-6462.
Yigal Ozeri. The Israeli native presents large and moderately scaled, hyper-realistic portraits. The striking images of young women are often first mistaken for photography. Through Mar. 28 at Wade Wilson Art, 4411 Montrose Blvd., ste. 200. More info: wadewilsonart.com or 713/521-2977.
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MARCH DAY-BY-DAY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY
March 3 (Tues.)
Iraq and Beyond: The Real Story. Journalist Dahr Jamail discusses all aspects of the war and its human rights implications. Free. Seating limited; first-come, first-serve. 7 pm. Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross. Info: rothkochapel.org or 713/524-9839.
March 4 (Wed.)
Da Camera’s A Little Day Music. University of Houston’s Moores School Jazz Orchestra performs. Free. Noon. Grand Foyer, Wortham Theater Center, 500 Texas Ave. Info: dacamera.com or 713/524-5050.
March 5, 12, 19, 25, Apr.2 (Thurs.)
Lenten Recital Series. The St. Paul’s Chamber Music Society’s annual series presents Madrigal Singers of the Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) Mar. 5, U of H Moores School Concert Women’s Chorus Mar. 12, pianist Robert Brownlee Mar. 19, pianist Giovanni Antipolo Mar.25, harpist Betsy Brownlee Apr. 2, all at 12:15 pm in the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church sanctuary, 5501 Main St. Info: stpaulshouston.org .
March 6 (Fri.)
Joe Goode’s Wonderboy, a riveting collaboration with puppeteer extraordinaire Basil Twist. Also: Maverick Strain, which parodies Arthur Miller’s The Misfits . 8 pm. Cullen Theatre, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. Info: spahouston.org or 713/227-4SPA. ( See interview with Goode on page 65.)
March 6, 13, 20, 27, & 28 (Fri. & Sat.)
ComedySportz ‘s first annual ComedySportz March Madness improv comedy tournament. The tournament divides the ComedySportz ensemble into eight teams that compete in a two-week elimination competition. Begins Friday the 6th, and runs every Friday in March with the final match on Sat., Mar. 28. Kickoff is 8 pm at the ComedySportz Arena, 901 Town & Country Blvd. $16. Info/reservations: 713/868-1444.
March 7 (Sat.)
Casseroles and Cocktails. Aurora House Party is rockin’ to the 1950s! Memory-jogging media clips, period cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres, and a hula-hoop performance in a ranch-style home. $50–$60. 7–10 pm. Info: aurorapictureshow.org or 713/868-2101.
March 7 & April 4 (Sat.)
Texas Renaissance Wedding Tours. View five wedding venues and receive info about three wedding packages. Commitment ceremonies are offered. 9:45 am at the Texas Renaissance Festival main office, 21778 FM 1774 Plantersville, TX. To reserve a spot for the tour or for more info: 1-800-458-3435, [email protected], or texrenfest.com . Tours also held Saturdays on May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 12, and Oct. 3.
March 9 (Mon.)
Richard Price, bestselling author of Lush Life, is guest speaker at the Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series. 7:30 pm at the Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. More: inprinthouston.org.
March 10 (Tues.)
Wrestling with the Angels: Assisting People through Times of Spiritual Struggle is the topic of the second John E. Fellers Symposium presented by the Institute for Spirituality and Health. Noon–3 pm in Fondren Hall of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main St. $25 fee includes lunch. To register: Events section of ish-tmc.org or call 713/797-0600.
March 12 (Thurs.)
An Evening with Author Stephanie Elizondo Griest, who reads from her latest novel, Mexican Enough, which chronicles her journey from the narco-infested border town of Nuevo Laredo to the highlands of Chiapas. Among many other activities, she investigates the murder of a prominent gay activist. 7 pm. Central Library, 500 McKinney. Free. Details:
houstonlibrary.org or 832-393-1313.
March 12–14 (Thurs.–Sat.)
Young Texas Artists Music Competition ‘s 25th anniversary begins with preliminary rounds, free to the public. Thurs.-Sat. afternoon. Entergy Finalists Concert & Awards program, $22, Sat., Mar. 14, 7:30 pm. Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main Street, Conroe. Info: crightontheatre.org or 936-441-SHOW (7469).
March 14 (Sat.)
Ars Lyrica’s A Musical Pleasure Garden . With songs and sonatas of Handel, Arne, William Shield, and their contemporaries, the afternoon showcases the best of early music by Houston’s premiere early music ensemble. Led by out artistic director Matthew Dirst, the Ars Lyrica musicians are joined by singers from U of H’s Moores School of Music. Museum of Fine Arts’ Bayou Bend. 4 pm. Details/tickets ($10): arslyricahouston
.org or 713/622-7443.
Red Hot! celebrates the closing weekend of the exhibition, Hot Glass, Cool Collections . Glass demos, hot ‘n’ spICY entertainment, a mojito bar, bites by Ruggles Green, “soular” grooves by DJ Sun, more. 8–11 pm at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main. $40 by Mar. 11; $50 afterward and at door. Details/reservations: crafthouston.org or 713/529-4848 x201.
March 14–22 (Sat.–Sun.)
Houston Arboretum’s Spring Native Plant Sale features hard-to-find native plants, including grasses, vines, trees, and shrubs. 9 am–4 pm daily. Houston Aboretum, 4501 Woodway. Members Only Sale: March 14, 9 am–noon (sale opens to public at noon). More info: 713/681-8433 or houstonarboretum.org.
March 15 (Sun.)
20th Annual AIDS Walk. This fun, non-competitive 5k pledge walk is open to the public. No registration fee is charged, and incentive prizes are available for $125, $250, $500, and $1,000 fundraising levels. Corporate, community, social, and school walk team participation is encouraged. Register online at AIDSWalk
Houston.org or by calling 713/403-WALK (9255).
Video Salon: Purple Hearts—Back from Iraq. Documentary photographer Nina Berman shows a short video of her acclaimed, poignant images of wounded U.S. soldiers. 1 pm. Free. Aurora Video Library, 1524 Sul Ross. Info: aurorapictureshow
.org or 713/868-2101.
March 17 (Tues.)
Todd Haynes and Richard Linklater. SXSW (South by Southwest) hosts a rare discussion between the two artists as they discuss their influences, inspirations, innate sensitivity to actors, and working methods, both within and outside the system. 1–2 pm at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference & Festival (Mar. 13–21), Austin, Texas. Info: sxsw.com/film.
March 20 (Fri.)
Katy Perry. The “I Kissed a Girl” and “Ur So Gay” girl stops in Houston during her world tour. $18–$20. 8 pm at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline. Tickets/info: hob.com or 888/402-583
The Power of Baroque. An evening of music exploring the similarities and differences between Baroque and contemporary music along with discussion on the topic. Harpsichordist Matthew Dirst, out associate professor of music at U of H and artistic director of Ars Lyrica Houston, and mezzo soprano Sonja Bruzauskas engage the instrument and the audience. 7 pm. Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross. Info: 713/524-9839 or rothkochapel.org .
Baroque Meditation. Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri leads off an intimate evening of German vocal works featuring Canadian singing group Les Voix Baroques. $20–$47. Pre-concert lecture, 7:15 pm; concert, 8 pm. Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. Info: mercurybaroque.org or 832/251-0706.
March 21 (Sat.)
Jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, joined by an acoustic quintet, performs selections from his newest CD Earfood . $30–$50. 8 pm. Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 500 Texas Ave. Info: dacamera.com or 713/524-5050.
March 22 (Sun.)
28th Annual Houston Humane Society K-9 Fun Run & Walk. All four-legged family members and their two-legged human companions can sign up for a 1-mile competitive run, 1-mile non-competitive jog, or a 1-mile non-competitive walk. Registration is $20 before Mar. 13, $25 after, and $30 race-day. $5 for additional humans. Sam Houston Park, 100 Bagby. Noon, check-in at 10 am, activities end at 4 pm. Info: houstonhumane
.org, [email protected], or 713/433-6421, ext. 311.
March 23 (Mon.)
Barbara Best, the Texas executive director of the Children’s Defense Fund, speaks about the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to the Monday Night Circle of the United Methodist Women at 6:30 pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main St. Info: stpaulshouston.org .
The Question of Providence. How Christians should understand God’s involvement in the events of our lives and of our world is addressed at the Craven-Wilson Lecture by Dr. Charles M. Wood. 7 pm in the Sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main St. Info: stpaulshouston.org .
March 24 (Tues.)
Texas Children’s Cancer Center hosts its fifth annual “An Evening with Texas Legends,” honoring Apollo astronauts Capt. Alan L. Bean, Capt. Gene Cernan, Capt. James A. Lovell Jr., and Col. Buzz Aldrin. The evening celebrates The Apollo Program and the 40th anniversary of man’s landing on the moon. The Hilton Americas Hotel, 1600 Lamar. Tickets ($300): Jayne Dumolt at 832/824-6818 or texaschildrens.org/texaslegend.
March 25 (Wed.)
Children and Self-Control. St. Paul’s School is providing a parent education workshop with Dr. Myron Friedman, director of psychological services at Edu-Clinic, Inc., who offers techniques that foster a child’s ability to gain self-control. Free. 9:45–11:15 am. To RSVP for the workshop and childcare during the workshop: 713/528-5779 or [email protected] .
March 26 (Thurs.)
UP@TUTS & OUT@TUTS: Les Misérables . One of the world’s best-loved musicals, following the life of French fugitive Jean Valjean, his foster daughter Cosette, and his relentless pursuer Javert. OutSmart magazine invites you to mingle in a cabaret-style atmosphere immediately after performance. Complimentary appetizers and happy-hour drink specials. Meet cast members and enjoy music by a TUTS pianist. Artista Restaurant, street level. Free admission with show tickets, start at $32. 8 pm. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St. Info: tuts.com or 713/558-TUTS (8887).
Attorney Debra Hunt, from the law firm Moore & Hunt, discusses legal matters pertaining to gay and lesbian couples including living wills, directive of physician, and power of attorney. 7 pm at Houston Public Library, Fourth Floor Program Place, 500 McKinney, 832/393-1313. More info on the guest speaker: mooreandhunt.com.
March 27 (Fri.)
DiverseWorks’ Fire Sale! While the smoke clears from a spectacular 25th-anniversary season, the Rice Hotel will be transformed into an inferno of festivities celebrating DiverseWorks. Cocktails and silent auction, 7:30 pm; dinner buffet, 8:30 pm; silent auction closes, 9:45 pm; final markdowns,10–11 pm; blazin’ beats 10 pm–midnight. Sponsor tables start at $2500. Invited after 10 pm: artists and DiverseWorks members, $50/person; tickets available Mar. 12. The Rice Crystal Ballroom, 909 Texas Ave. Info: diverseworks.org or 713/335-3445.
Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel Peace Laureate from Guatemala, speaks at 6 pm in collaboration with the U of H chapter of PeaceJam Foundation. Then the international observance of Music for Peace is the occasion for an 8 pm concert with pianist Sarah Cahill, who has commissioned a group of composers to write new works on the theme of peace. Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross. Info: 713/524-9839 or rothkochapel.org .
March 27-29 (Fri.–Sun.)
Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park bursts into spring with more than 300 visual and performing artists from around the corner and around the world. Food, festivities, artists, fun for everyone. $10 (children under 12 admitted free.) 10 am–6 pm. Info: bayoucityartfestival.com or 713/521-0133.
March 28 (Sat.)
Systems of Sustainability: Art, Innovation, Action (S.O.S). Art and academia commingle to address global awareness. Lectures, art exhibits, interactive displays, more. Aurora Picture Show invites you to view videos from Good Magazine, 2 pm. Symposium (all day) $35; UH students free w/ID. Wortham Theatre at U of H’s Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. Info: mitchellcenterforarts.org or 713/743-5749.
March 30 (Mon.)
The Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge, sings at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, as part of a three-state, six-concert tour of the U.S. 7 pm in St. Paul’s Sanctuary, 5501 Main Street. Tickets ($20/adult, $10/student): 713/528-5776. Info: stpaulshouston.org.
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Weekly (Mondays)
TG Support Group. One of the oldest groups in Houston (started in 1990), Helping TransGenders Anonymous is a facilitated support group for all transgenders, supporters, family, and significant others. 7–9 pm at the TG Center, 713 Fargo. More info: 713/520-8586 or transhouston.com.
Meditation Mondays. Alan Davidson, author of Body Brilliance: Mastering Your Five Vital Intelligences, leads Big Mind, a simple, yet powerful and rapid way to help you shift into wisdom, self-realization, and actualization. 7:30–9:30 pm in the studio classroom at 1712 Fairview. Info: ThroughYourBody.com/events.html or 713/942-0923.
Weekly (Tuesdays)
Houston Roller Derby Rec League. Girls interested in skating but need to learn more skating skills or just want to learn the game and skate recreationally do not have to join the derby to skate with the rec league. Training is 7:30–9:30 pm at Dairy Ashford Roller Rink. Info: http://houstonroller
derby.com/public/page236.aspx.
Weekly (Thursdays)
Depression & Bipolar Support Group. Don’t let depression or bipolar disorder dig its claws into what little hope you’ve managed to hide from the shadows. Bering Support Network can help. You can benefit from the experience of others. GLBT friendly. Free. Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, 1440 Harold, Room 232, 7:15–8:30 pm. Info: 713/526-1018.
Weekly (Sun., Wed., Sat.)
Love and Rackets. Tennis players and enthusiasts of all levels are invited to join the Houston Tennis Club at Memorial Park tennis center. Sundays 9 am–noon, Wednesdays 7:30–9 pm, and offers clinics every Saturday 9–10:30 am. There are also social activities throughout the year. Annual membership $30, court fees $3 per session. More info: houstontennisclub.org.
Biweekly (2nd & 4th Wed.)
City of Houston TransGender Task Force is charged by the city of Houston to ensure that transgender Houstonians are able to access the medical and social services in order to reduce the incidence of HIV within the transgender community. 7–9 pm at the TG Center, 713 Fargo. More info: 713/520-8586 or transhouston.com.
Biweekly (2nd & 4th Fri.)
Transgender Buddhist Meditation Group offers a traditional Theravada Buddhist vipassana 30-minute meditation for transgenders. 7–9 pm at the TG Center, 713 Fargo. More info: 713/520-8586 or transhouston.com.
Semimonthly (2nd Tues. & 4th Sat.)
FTM TG Support Group. Some Transgenders Are Guys is one of the most dynamic FTM groups in the country. STAG is a facilitated group for female-to-male identified individuals, supporters, family, and significant others. 2nd Tuesday 7–9 pm and 4th Saturday 5–6 pm at the TG Center, 713 Fargo. More info: 713/520-8586 or transhouston.com.
Monthly (2nd Tues.)
Free Legal Consultations for Anyone with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. (AFH, www.aidshelp.org ) and Katine & Nechman L.L.P. have partnered to provide 30 minutes of free legal consultation on any legal issue to anyone with HIV. If any action is recommended, an attorney will take steps when applicable or make referrals to appropriate legal aid offices. Consultations are held at the offices of Katine & Nechman, located at 1111 North Loop West, Suite 180. To schedule an appointment, clients should call the law office at 713/808-1000 or use the contact box on the firm’s website (which has more info on the consultations): lawkn.com.
Monthly (1st Fri.)
TG Social. The Friday Night Transgender Social is a special, once-a-month event hosted by the TG Center for the Houston-area transgender community, supporters, family members, friends, community providers, and significant others. Each themed social consists of a dinner, movie, games, and/or presentation. 7–10 pm at the TG Center, 713 Fargo. $5. More info: 713/520-8586 or www.transhouston.com.
Monthly (2nd Sat.)
Second Saturdays at Winter St. Studios. It’s open-door policy at Winter St. Studios every second Saturday of the month. This is a great way to meet and hang with the varied artists working in many different media and styles in their studios. Participating artists have a large red dot on or near the door of their studio. All are welcome between 1 and 6 pm. Winter St. Studios, 2101 Winter St. More info: 713/862-0082 or winterstreetstudios.net.
Monthly (4th Sat.)
TG Support Group. Texas Association for Transsexual Support is another one of the original support groups in Houston. TATS is a professionally facilitated support group for those identifying as being a transsexual. 4–5 pm at the TG Center, 713 Fargo. More info: 713/520-8586 or transhouston.com.
Significant Others TG Support Group. The Significant Others Support is a group that provides support to the wives, husbands, girlfriends, and boyfriends of individuals whose partners are considering transition. 3–4 pm at the TG Center, 713 Fargo. Info: 713/520-8586 or transhouston.com.
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PLANNING AHEAD
April 1 (Wed.)
The New Songs Project. Da Camera’s A Little Day Music free lunchtime concert series: Rice University and U of H students compose and perform music to poems written by Grady Middle School students. Noon. Grand Foyer, Wortham Theater Center, 500 Texas Ave. Info: dacamera.com or 713/524-5050.
April 3 (Fri.)
Cuban-American drummer Dafnis Prieto, presented by Da Camera of Houston. $30–$50. 8 pm. Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 500 Texas Ave. Info: dacamera.com or 713/524-5050.
April 3–5 (Fri.–Sun.)
The Houston Heights Association’s Historic Houston Heights Spring Home & Garden Tour has as its theme, “Soaring to New Heights,” which emphasizes the way the neighborhood continues to invite growth while maintaining tradition. The annual Candlelight Dinner & Auction (individual tickets are $100) kicks off the festivities from 8–11 pm, Fri., at Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter St. The dinner follows a private tour of the homes. The weekend tour: Sat. and Sun., noon–6 pm. Shuttle rides available. Beginning Mar. 7, tour tickets are $17, available at houstonheights.org and selected retailers. Day-of-tour tickets are $20. Tickets include all homes and bus shuttles. Tickets for individual homes are $5. More info: houstonheights.org; 713/861-4002, ext. 3; or [email protected].
April 4 & 5 (Sat. & Sun.)
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream . This modern version, geared for teenagers, has the usual characters, hilarity, and chaos. $15 adult, $10 child/senior. Sat. 8 pm; Sun. 3 pm. Main Street Theater–Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd. Info: mainstreettheater.com or 713/524-6706.
April 5 (Sun.)
Ari Hest celebrates the March 10 release of his new studio CD Twelve Mondays, which features re-worked versions of 12 fan-selected songs, culled from his recently completed, unprecedented “52” project, during which he wrote, recorded, produced, and released one new song per week, for 52 weeks in a row! 6 pm at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk, mcgonigels.com, 713/528-5999. $15. More info: arihest.com.
April 9 (Thurs.)
The Ten Tenors ‘ Houston stop is part of its Nostalgica tour featuring a program of classical tenor repertoire, Neapolitan ballads, and rock classics. Presented by Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) at 8 pm in Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana. Tickets ($20–$65): spahouston.org, 713-227-4SPA, or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall.
April 9–11 (Thurs.–Sat.)
Dance Salad Festival is three days of a mixture of outstanding international dancers, who represent some of the best ballet and contemporary dance companies in the world from England, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Belgium and China. Many of these groups have never or seldom been to the U.S. before and are only coming to Houston to perform at the festival, no other city in the U.S. 7:30 pm at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center. Tickets ($17–$47)/details: dancesalad.org.
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HIV TESTING
Thomas Street Clinic is offering HIV testing free to the public, Mon.-Fri. 9 am-1 pm. There is no need to establish eligibility (“gold-card”), no donation will be asked of the person seeking testing, and the test is free. Thomas Street Clinic, 2015 Thomas, 713/873-4157 or 713/873-4026.
The Montrose Clinic offers free confidential HIV testing at these locations:
Decades, 1205 Richmond, 713/521-2224, Mon. 6-10pm (Dennis);
EJ’s, 2517 Ralph, 713/527-9071, Wed. & Fri. 10pm-1am (Rhonda & Lourdes);
Mary’s, Naturally, 1022 Westheimer, 713/527-9669, Wed. 4-8pm (Jack);
Midtown Spa, 3100 Fannin, 713/522-2379, Tues. 9pm-1am (Carlos), Wed. 10pm-1am (Juan), Fri. 10pm-1am (Quincy);
Ripcord, 715 Fairview, 713/521-2792, Wed. 9pm-12am (Matthew);
Inergy/Mango Lounge, 5750 Chimney Rock, 713/660-7310, Mon. 9pm-12am (Carlos);
1415 Bar & Grill, 1415 California, 713/522-7066, Thurs. 9pm-12am (Carlos);
611 Hyde Park Pub, 611 Hyde Park, 713/526-7070, Tues. 3-7pm & Sun. 2-6pm (Matthew);
All Star News and Video Emporium, 3415 Katy Freeway & Studewood, 713/869-7878, Mon. & Thurs. 4-8pm (Jack);
Brazos River Bottom, 2400 Brazos, 713/528-9192, Thurs. 8pm-12am (Matthew);
Cousin’s, 817 Fairview, 713/528-9204, Thurs. 8pm-12am (Jack);
Club Houston, 2205 Fannin, 713/659-4998, Tues. 8pm-12am (Dennis). For more info: 713/830-3000.
Planned Parenthood offers free anonymous or confidential testing at clinic locations throughout the area. To speak with an HIV counselor: 1-800-230-PLAN, Dickinson: 281/337-7725, Fannin: 713/831-6543, FM1960: 281/587-8081, Greenspoint: 281/445-4553, Huntsville: 936/295-6396, Lufkin: 936/634-8446 x223, Rosenberg: 281/342-3950, Stafford: 281/494-9848.
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