by Nancy Ford
“Endgame: AIDS in Black America”
Thirty years after the AIDS virus was first reported among gay white men, nearly half of the one million people in the United States infected with HIV are black men, women, and children. Yet blacks make up just 12.6 percent of the U.S.’s population. Endgame: AIDS in Black America explores how and why HIV is so much worse in black America, and seeks a solution on a personal level, policy level, or community level to bring about an end to the epidemic. The televised special includes interviews with basketball great Magic Johnson, political activist Julian Bond, stories of the impact of the “Down-Low” culture, and other personal portraits. Making the topic even more timely: the program airs just before the convening of the International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, which is being held in the United States for the first time in decades following the lifting of a ban that had been in place since the Reagan era. Renata Simone directs. July 10, 8 p.m. PBS Houston’s Frontline, channel 8 • houstonpbs.org.
“The Wizard of Oz”
Flying monkeys and ruby slippers and live music—oh my! Constantine Kitsopoulos conducts the Houston Symphony in a live accompanying soundtrack to a big-screen showing of The Wizard of Oz, arguably the gayest movie of all time. The film has been remastered to enhance the youthful Judy Garland and the cohorts she encounters along the Yellow Brick Road. July 21, 7:30 p.m. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. • houstonsymphony.org • 713/224-7575.
B-There. First Saturday Queer Bingo features door prizes, cash bingo prizes, and more. July 7, 2 p.m. Benefits Houston GLBT Community Center’s John Lawrence and Tyrone Garner Scholarship Fund. El Real Tex-Mex, 1201 Westheimer Rd. •
houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
Hakuna Your Tata. The Lion King, Disney’s hit contemporary animated musical about family and choices, is adapted for the stage. There is no designated “Gay Night,” so make your own! July 10–Aug. 12. Broadway Across America. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby St. • broadwayacrossamerica.com • 800/982-ARTS.
Boiling for Boobies. The Rose 23rd Annual Aloha Shrimp Boil features gallons upon gallons of the Gulf’s finest shellfish, plus entertainment, an auction featuring rare and one-of-a-kind items, and the latest health information from The Rose, one of Houston’s leading organizations fighting breast cancer. July 14, 4 p.m. Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Pkwy. • therose.org.
Two Women, Big Band. Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, aka Indigo Girls, go symphonic in a summer concert appearance at Houston’s House of Blues, July 14, 8 p.m. 1204 Caroline St. • houseofblues.com.
Get Them to the Greek. Bering Omega Community Services’ Young Professionals Board presents Toga Party: A Summer Soiree. July 14, 8 p.m. Benefits Bering Omega Community Services. Craft Salon, 2307 Dunlavy St. • beringomega.org • 713/341-3763.
Green Goddesses (and Gods). Legacy Community Health Services’ Annual Mint Julep Pageant crowns Miss, Ms. & Mr. Mint Julep and honors longtime supporters Sonna Alton, Robert Harwood, and Keith Napier (aka Shy Anne). Vicki Shaw and former Mint Julep titleholders provide entertainment. July 15, 2 p.m. Benefits Legacy Community Health Services. Rich’s, 2401 San Jacinto St. • legacycommunityhealth.com.
Alone No More. Award-winning psychotherapist Denise O’Doherty, LPC, LMST, LCDC, RN, offers “Secrets of Finding and Maintaining a Long Term Relationship.” July 21, 10 a.m.–noon. Leisure Learning Annex, 2990 Richmond Ave. • llu.com • 713/529-4414.
QFest, the 16th Annual Houston GLBTQ International Film festival promises “the sweetest festival in all of our 16 years.” July 26–30. For a complete schedule, log on to q-fest.org.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. Our favorite, and perhaps feyest, cartoon character is accompanied by the Houston Symphony in a program that includes Chuck Jones’s inspired What’s Opera, Doc? and The Rabbit of Seville, Fritz Freleng’s Rhapsody Rabbit, the Road Runner’s Zoom and Bored, Baton Bunny, Home Tweet Home: A Concerto, and more. Supporting cast members include Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Wile E. Coyote, and Road Runner, Pepe Le Pew, and special guest appearances by Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and other cartoon stars. July 26. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Dr. • woodlands center.org • 281/363-3300.
The Next Step. Montrose Counseling Center’s SPRY (Seniors Preparing for Rainbow Years) presents a weekly confidential Grief Workshop, a safe place for LGT seniors to share experiences and emotions with others who are going through similar changes. Thursdays beginning July 31, through Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m. Montrose Counseling Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
Mighty Whities. Catch up with your neighborhood merchants and experience local flavors and fun while wearing your summer whites at White Linen Night, the Heights’s steamy summer bookend to the eclectic neighborhood’s winter Lights in the Heights. Aug. 4, 6 p.m. 19th Street in the Heights • whitelinennightintheheights.com.
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