By Nancy Ford
- Rainbows and Reindeer. It’s the grand finale of Kindred Spirits Foundation’s 30th anniversary year: the 3rd annual Judy Garland Christmas Show & Sing-Along. Grab a couch and enjoy this ultra-campy, black-and-white television special from 1963 starring Judy, Liza, dancing Santas, and more, comedically narrated by OutSmart’s Nancy Ford. In addition to raffling a 46” flatscreen TV, the evening also offers a sumptuous holiday buffet, silent auction, and special music by Houston Pride Band’s SaxWorx, vocalist Randall Jobe from Charles Armstrong Investments, The Usual Pub’s Jennifer Williams, and other surprise guests. Sunday, Dec. 5, 5–8 p.m., at Meteor Lounge (2306 Genesee St.). Benefits Kindred Spirits Foundation’s women’s charities. General admission donation: $20 in advance and online; $25 at the door. Limited reserved couches (seating for four) available for $200. Tickets available from Kindred Spirits Foundation board members and kindredspiritshouston.org.Better Than Ice Cream. Following her recent appearance on The CW’s Life Unexpected, Sarah McLachlan and (some so-far unspecified) “Friends” perform the chart-topping songs that made Lilith Fair an all-too-short-lived phenomenon. Nov. 2. Verizon Wireless Theater, 520 Texas Ave. • livenation.com.
Opera in the Heights presents Die Fledermaus, Johann Strauss’ classic featuring Bayou City Performing Arts artistic director, Linus Lerner (see page 00). Nov. 4–13. Opera in the Heights, 1703 Heights Blvd. • operaintheheights.org • 713/861-5303.
Remembrance and Reflection. American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a perpetual relay race celebrating cancer patients, survivors, and their families, comes to Montrose. Teams participate in the Survivor’s Lap at 7 p.m. followed by the Luminaia Ceremony remembering those lost to the disease at 10 p.m. Best of Both Worlds, SoulFixx, Flyboys of Flag Troupe Houston, and Houston Pride Band’s Sax Worx provide entertainment. Nov. 5. Annunciation Orthodox School track, 3600 Yoakum Blvd. • relayforlife.org • 713/706-5644.
’Gram Those Mamms. Lesbian Health Initiative–Houston once again expands its Rainbow Health Fair for lesbians by doubling the number of available mammogram and Pap appointments, with extensive blood screenings also available by appointment. New this year to the fair are complementary flu shots (both for seasonal flu and H1N1) and bone density screening through CVS pharmacy. Nov. 6, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Legacy Community Health Services, 215 Westheimer Rd. • lhihouston.org • 713/426-3356.
Hallelujah and Pass the Mimosas! The Krewe of Olympus presents A Gospel Brunch, offering an open bar, omelet station, and more. Benefits Krewe of Olympus charities: Lesbian Health Initiative–Houston, The Colt 45’s, and Art League Houston. Nov. 7, noon–4 p.m. Sycamore Heights Bed & Breakfast, 245 W. 18th St. • 713/721-4590.
Welcome Back. Following an extensive tour of the United Kingdom, singer/songwriter Rachael Sage re-Americanizes herself with Texas bookings in Dallas and Houston, including a stop at The Usual Pub. Presented by Houston Women’s Music Festival. Nov. 12, 10 p.m. 5519 Allen St. • theusualpub.com • 281/501-1478.
Austin Author. Jennifer Hritz, “a straight woman writing about gay characters for both a straight and gay audience,” reads excerpts from her new book, I, Too, Have Suffered in the Garden, which won both the Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Contest as well as the Houston Writers Guild Manuscript Contest. Ten percent of the proceeds from her book’s sales benefit AIDS research and services. Nov. 13, 7 p.m. The Lift, 365 W. 19th St. • jenniferhritz.com.
Across the Pond. The Houston Pride Band opens its 2010–2011 season with tunes made famous by the Beatles, Harry Potter, Colonel Bogey, Freddie Mercury, and other musical greats. Benefits PFLAG Hatch College Scholarship Program. Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. Resurrection MCC, 2025 W. 11th St. • houstonprideband.org.
Speaking of the Band . . . Keshet Houston, Southeast Texas’ a social/spiritual group for gay and lesbian Jews, attends the Houston Pride Band’s fall concert, followed by dinner at Katz’s Deli. Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. Resurrection MCC, 2025 W. 11th St. • [email protected] • 832/429-5392.
Singing and Smiling. Caring Cabaret, an evening of food, fun, entertainment, and smiles benefits “Give Back a Smile,” a program of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation. Seating is limited to 100 pre-sold attendees; $50–$500 donation per person is suggested; no tickets are sold at the door. Nov. 14. Café Moustache, 507 Westheimer Rd. • givebackasmile.com.
Founding Musical Mother. Womyn’s music trailblazer Alix Dobkin visits Houston with a series of events including a house concert (Nov. 14), a booksigning of her new memoir, My Red Blood (Nov. 19), and other personal appearances. 713/869-1482.
HIV and His Health. Leading HIV treatment and fitness advocate Nelson Vergel has released a new book, Testosterone: A Man’s Guide. Vergel discusses the book and signs copies on Nov. 17, 6 p.m., at Anytime Fitness, 1102 Yale St. • nelsonvergel.com.
Kiss Her on the Lips, Texas! Actor/comic/vocalist Sandra Bernhard kicks off a Lone Star tour in the Bayou City benefiting Equality Texas. Nov. 18, 7 p.m. Landmark River Oaks Theatre, 2009 W. Gray St. • sandrabernhard.com.
Remembering the Dead. Originating in San Francisco in 1998, Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those who were murdered due to anti-transgender prejudice. Local elected officials, including City of Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker, have been invited to speak at Houston’s 12th annual observance. The evening also includes the traditional reading of the names of local transgender individuals who have been murdered this year. Nov. 20. Reception, 7 p.m.; observance, 8 p.m. University of Houston’s A.D. Bruce Religion Center, Cullen Blvd., entrance 13. • htuc.org.
Everybody, Sing! Queer Music Heritage, the radio show/website produced by JD Doyle, takes a special in-depth look at the Gay & Lesbian Choral Movement with a nine-hour show, the longest show done yet on QMH. Part 1, The History, airs on Queer Voices Nov. 22 and includes an interview with Dr. Tim Seelig, the former artistic director of the Turtle Creek Chorale. On Dec. 6, Part 2 of the broadcast focuses on the history of gay and lesbian choruses in Houston with Montrose Singers founder, Andy Mills, and Bayou City Performing Arts artistic director, Dr. Linus Lerner. Special unreleased music from the Montrose Singers from 1980 is just one of the special features of that segment. 90.1 KPFT-FM, 10 p.m. queermusicheritage.com.
Scrooge Loves Marley. Unhinged Productions presents Joe Godfrey?’s A Queer Carol, based on the Dickens classic, but with a few trés gay twists thrown in to spice up the tale. Joe Angel Babb directs; adult language and content. Nov. 26–Dec. 20. Frenetic Theater, 5102 Navigation Blvd. • comeunhinged.com • 832/250-7786.
Planning Ahead
A Joyful Ringing in Our Ears. Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston, Bayou City Women’s Chorus, and Bayou City Chorale—all three slices of the great pie that is Bayou City Performing Arts—take part in Hear the Bells: A Holiday Card from Houston. Joining BCPA onstage that night is the Houston Medical Center Orchestra and special guests soloists for a yuletide concert that includes Camille Saint-Saens’ “Christmas Oratorio.” Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. • bayoucityperformingarts.org. n
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