Calendar

Feb. 18 and Feb. 22—Mar. 14

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music

It’s time to tune up your vocal cords and/or dress up your torso. • Sing-A-Long Sound of Music is a screening of the classic Julie Andrews musical in glorious, full-screen Technicolor, complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along! Audiences of all ages (and orientations) are invited to join in singing some of the best-known songs of the 20th century AND to dress up as their favorite character, item, or even line from a song for a one-of-a-kind interactive event and costume contest. • Here’s how it works: Have you ever been to a musical film and had an uncontrollable urge to burst spontaneously into song? Have you wondered what it would be like to wear a wimple? Could you watch Julie Andrews sing "Do-Re-Mi" or "My Favorite Things" and stop yourself from singing along? Liar! What if all the lyrics were put up on the screen for you–subtitled–to make it criminally simple? Here is your chance to bellow–shamelessly and loudly–about your favorite things! Sing along with Julie! Wave your edelweiss! Bark at Rolf (the telegram boy)! Boo at the Nazis! Join in earnest choruses of "Climb Ev’ry Mountain"! Blame it on the guy next to you! Is that a guy? • Since its 1999 opening in the U.K., Sing-A-Long Sound of Music has played to packed houses across the globe, and it’s now coming to Houston! During the performance at the Hollywood Bowl, 18,000 spectators packed the arena dressed as nuns, Nazis, and everything in between. • Opening night is Monday, February 18 (the regular run starts Friday the 22nd), with a fundraiser benefiting the Houston Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Charmian Carr, who played Liesl "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" Von Trapp, will be on hand to lead the singing and give a little backstory: What happened with Liesl and Rolf after the cameras were turned off? Were those really curtains they paraded through Salzburg in? Now’s your chance to find out! • Sing-A-Long Sound of Music runs nightly at 7 p.m. (plus matinees at 1:30 p.m. on weekends), Feb. 22—Mar. 14 @ River Oaks Theatre, 2009 W. Gray. Cost for weeknights is $20, weekends $22.50 ($5 off for students/seniors 65+; $10 off for children under 12). For more info or to order tickets, call 281/397-8124 or visit www.eventsunlimited.com. For more info on the Feb. 18 fundraiser, call 713/524-2175.

Feb.1—Mar. 1

Dirty Blondes?

When Christy Claxton began her promotional tour for her CD release, Out of Nowhere, she knew she needed to form a band that wouldn’t get lost in the mass of indie bands struggling for recognition. After many shows with many excellent players, she settled on an eclectic group of players from Houston. The name Dirty Blondes came about from a joke that all of the people in Claxton’s band are "dirty blondes." • Christy Claxton & the Dirty Blondes’ appearances in Houston are as follows: • Fri., Feb. 1: 8:45—11:45 p.m., Vintage Bar, 4356 Westheimer, 713/355-3093; • Sat., Feb. 2: 9:30 p.m.—1:30 a.m., Walter’s, 4215 Washington, 713/864-2727; • Fri., Feb. 8: 7:30—11:30 p.m., Mojo Cafe, 18627 Tomball Pkwy., 281/469-2233; • Sat., Feb. 9: 8 p.m., Millbend Coffee, 1370 N. Millbend, 936/273-0610; • Fri., Feb. 15: 8 p.m., Next Door Coffee House, 2719 Joanel (on the corner of Edloe & Kipling between Westheimer & W. Alabama), 713/626-3667; • Fri., Mar. 1: 9:30 p.m., Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, 1031 E. 24th, 713/862-8707. • For more info: www.christyclaxton.com.

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

Weekly (Tue., Wed., Thu.)

HIV Testing. The Montrose Clinic offers free confidential HIV testing every Tuesday at The Club Houston (2205 Fannin), 8 pm—midnight; every Wednesday at Mary's (1022 Westheimer), 4—8 pm, and at the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center (803 Hawthorne), 6—9 pm; and every Thursday at Toyz Disco (5322 Glenmont), 10 pm—1 am. Call 713/830-3070 for other testing locations. LIVE IN OR NEAR CONROE?: Free & confidential HIV/AIDS testing is also available from 2—5 pm on the 13th & 27th in Conroe at Northwoods AIDS Coalition, 1414 South Frazier, Ste. 106. More info: 936/441-1614.

Throughout February

Mardi Gras! Galveston. For info, contact the Galveston Island Visitors Center at 1-888-GAL-ISLE (425-4753) or www.mardigrasgalveston.com. The center is located at 25th & Seawall Blvd.

3 & 16 (Sun. & Sat.)

Wellness and Psychic Expos. Explore alternative healthcare medicine & products including vitamins & magnets. Try aromatherapy, acupressure, reflexology. Consult top Houston psychics. 1—5 pm @ CenterPoint, 1920 Hollister. Entry $1. (Classes starting Feb. 4 at CenterPoint: yoga, t’ai chi, feng shui, & meditation.) Expo/classes info: 713/932-7224 or www.centerpointhouston.com.

5, 12, 19, 26 (Tue.)

Queer Duck. If you missed its Showtime premiere on Jan. 29, here’s the scoop: Queer Duck, the first series to expose the lives of gay cartoon characters, follows the outrageous adventures of a gay duck who works as a male nurse. Each episode is only a few minutes long, but it doesn’t shy away from double entendres and gay humor. Queer Duck (voiced by openly gay Jim J. Bullock) and his animal friends–Openly Gator, Bi Polar Bear, and Oscar Wildcat–all lead openly gay lives. In one episode, when Queer Duck comes out at work, everyone wants to know what else is new; however, when he comes out to his parents at the dinner table, they are speechless–his mother goes into the kitchen, and they smell ... roast duck; she has stuck her head in the oven. Queer Duck premiered online at www.SHO.com on Jan. 23, where Showtime developed an interactive website exclusively for the series. After the online debut, the series premiered on Jan. 29, and will continue its Tuesday run following the 10 pm broadcast of Queer as Folk.

6 (Wed.)

TB and HIV: Fears, Facts, and Fallacies. The Bering Omega Care Center is a licensed adult day-care facility operated by Bering Omega Community Services for people with HIV disease. Beginning Feb. 6, they will offer "First Wednesdays," a lecture series on HIV-related topics for social services & nursing professionals. Lectures are free of charge, and certificates of attendance are available for obtaining continuing education units. Speakers are Michael Eckenfels, RN, LSMW, and Andrew McPhaul, LPC. A complimentary light supper will be served. Although there is no fee for participation, space is limited and reservations are required. Social services & nursing professionals: 713/520-7070, ext. 141, for reservations. The next topic, "Adherence Issues and HIV," will be covered on Mar. 6.

6 & 9 (Wed. & Sat.)

Marian Anderson String Quartet. • On the 6th, the quartet is Da Camera of Houston’s feature for their free lunchtime performance series, "A Little Day Music." Noon in the Wortham Center’s Grand Foyer. • On the 9th, the quartet is Da Camera’s feature for their free family series, "Da Camera Goes to the Zoo!" The concert is free with paid admission to the Houston Zoological Gardens ($2.50 adults, $2 seniors, 50¢ children 3—12; children 2 & under free). An hour prior to the concert, children have the opportunity to see, touch, & play instruments featured in that day’s performance. Concert at 2 pm @ the Houston Zoological Gardens, Hermann Park, 1513 MacGregor Dr. • Program for both: "Center Stage: A Tribute to African-American Composers." For more info: 713/524-7601, ext. 15, or www.dacamera.com.

7 (Thu.)

Johnny Mathis. The openly gay crooner is back by popular demand. Don’t miss the velvet tones & elegant style that made him a star. 8 pm @ Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana. For ticket prices/more info: 713/224-7575.

8 (Fri.)

Sérgio & Odair Assad. These Brazilian-born brothers, a guitar duo, perform works of Brouwer, Debussy, Piazzolla, & Rodrigo. 8 pm @ Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. Tickets are $20—$35 (students/seniors half price) and can be purchased by calling Da Camera of Houston at 713/524-5050 or by visiting www.dacamera.com.

8—10 (Fri.—Sun.)

Intimacy & Ecstasy. How to get close and yet respect personal boundaries is the question of every relationship. How can we let others get to know us without going too far? How do we get close to others while respecting their mystery? What does Christian spiritual life teach us about intimacy & ecstasy? How do we blend spirituality & sexuality? These questions are the subject of a weekend retreat at Bering Memorial Methodist Church, 1440 Harold, led by author Chris Glaser. Cost of $45 includes food. To register: Rev. Stacy Pever: 713/526-1017 or stacyp@clearsail.net.

9 (Sat.)

Gal-Pal Social. Women who want to meet other women are invited to the first-ever lesbian speed dating event in Houston. Here’s how it works: After some general socializing and ice-breaking, participants will have 7-minute conversations with seven different women. Each participant then uses a match card to note whether or not she is interested in speaking with that person again. Over the next few days, the organizers find the mutual matches, who may then follow up as they wish. 6 pm @ Meteor (corner of Genesee & Fairview). Registration is $20 & limited to 50 women. At 8 pm, a general mix-&-meet begins, which is open to all. Produced by Gal Pals, a division of the Houston Women’s Festival. Info: www.hwfestival.org/events.htm or 713/861-3316.

9 (Sat.)

Ride ’em Cowboys & Cowgirls. It’s the 15th annual Conoco 10K Rodeo Run, which leads the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Parade and is Houston’s only point-to-point race. 100% of the race entry fees are donated to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Educational Fund. 5,000 runners are expected to hit the streets, some in costume. Enter the costume contest by just showing up in your fabulous Western drag, or just gussy up your cowboy hat to win Conoco bucks for gasoline. The wheelchair race begins at 9:45 am, the overall race at 9:50, in downtown Houston at the corner of Smith & Texas, and finishes at Enron Field. Registration is $20. Register at Conoco stations, Krogers, YMCAs, Luke’s Locker, or online at www.conocorodeo.com, or call 281/293-2477.

9 (Sat.)

Heartfelt Living. Learn why your thoughts & feelings shape your life’s experiences; how spiritual mind treatment (affirmative prayer) works; plus connect with a group of other like-hearted people. It’s the "Science of Mind" winter classes, every Saturday from 10 am—1 pm for 13 weeks @ Creative Life Spiritual Center, 5326 Spring-Stuebner, Spring, Texas. Cost is $225, plus books. For more info: Jesse Jennings at 281/350-5157.

10 (Sun.)

Fat Sunday. For the 2nd consecutive year, Zion Lutheran Church is hosting its popular "Fat Sunday" worship service featuring the instrumental jazz ensemble Jazz Sunday. Dress is casual, and a variety of gumbos will be served following the service. The public is invited. 11 am in Zion Lutheran Church’s Great Room, 3606 Beauchamp at Pecore in the Heights. Sunday worship services are at 8:15 & 11 am; "Growing Disciples" for all ages is at 9:45 am. Info: 713/869-1493 or www.zionlutheranhouston.org.

10 & 11 (Sun. & Mon.)

OrchestraX‘s annual Valentine’s opera-with-a-difference is Verdi’s La Traviata, which explores racial barriers. Not only is it updated, it will be performed in English. Tickets are $45, including dinner. 7:30 pm in the Crystal Ballroom of the Rice Hotel, 909 Texas Ave. Tickets/info: 713/225-6729 or www.orchestrax.org.

12 (Tue.)

Print Auction. Houston Center for Photography’s (HCP) 2002 print auction exhibition will be held in the SP Martel Auditorium, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum. A preview will be held from 6—7 pm; the auction will take place from 7—9 pm. Admission fee is $25. For reservations or to purchase a 2002 Print Auction Catalog ($6.25 including shipping/handling), call HCP at 713/529-4755. More info: www.hcponline.org.

15 & 16 (Fri. & Sat.)

Rent. In addition to receiving the Tony Award for Best Musical, Rent was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize and has been touted as "the most exuberant and original American musical to come along in a decade." It is a joyous, breathtaking, & often heartbreaking musical that celebrates a community of young artists as they struggle with the soaring hopes & tough realities of today’s world. Find out what happens when Mimi wants Roger . . . Benny wants Mimi . . . Mark wants Maureen . . . Maureen wants Joanne. 8 pm on Friday, 3 & 8 on Saturday @ Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice. Tickets ($16.50—$65) are available by calling 409/765-1894 or by visiting www.thegrand.com.

15—17 (Fri.—Sun.)

Linda Eder. If you weren’t able to get tickets to Eder’s sold-out, one-night-only performance with the Houston Symphony last season, now is your chance to enjoy this incredible talent. If you were lucky enough to experience her in concert, you already know why she has earned rave reviews across the country. From the Broadway stage to Carnegie Hall, Linda Eder is a talent not to be missed. Friday & Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 7:30 pm @ Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana. Tickets ($25—$80) are available at all Ticketmaster outlets; by calling 713/224-7575; or online at www. houstonsymphony.com.

15—17 (Fri.—Sun.)

Homes & Gardens. With over 1,500 exhibits, the 16th annual Texas Home & Garden Show is one-stop shopping for your home & garden. Includes: art, antique, & accessories showcase; gourmet cooking shows; home & garden theater; home improvement, home building, energy efficiency, and A/C & heating experts; and interior & exterior decorating ideas. Admission $8 (kids under 14 free). More info: 713/529-1616 or visit www.texashomeandgarden.com.

16 (Sat.)

Poets and Writers Ball. Mary Karr is the featured speaker. Her memoir, Cherry, is the exploration of growing up in east Texas. Karr sketches the jolts and pleasures of childhood & adolescence that shape & challenge the identities we build for ourselves as adults. Before dinner–which will feature a menu from Ouisie’s Table–three Texas writers, including Molly Ivins, will read briefly from their work. For more info: 713/521-2026 or www.inprint-inc.org.

16 (Sat.)

Illumination Gala. Candlelight, neon, strobes, flashlights, lava lamps, tiki torches, black lights . . . they will all be part of the Illumination gala. The evening begins at 6:30 pm with cocktails & a silent auction featuring donated artwork. Dinner starts at 8 in a fantastically decorated warehouse space. The meal features dishes donated by many outstanding restaurants. Following the gala will be afterGLOW, the official post-gala party where you can groove the night away with some of Houston’s top DJs. Tickets for afterGLOW are $35 (dinner guests are invited at no extra charge). Dinner tickets start at $150 with sponsor levels ranging from $1,750—$10,000. Seating limited. Reservations: Elizabeth Proctor, development director, 713/223-8346.

16 (Sat.)

Beakman Live! The mad-but-wacky scientist from the TV show Beakman’s World takes to the road. Watch him make a flying bat materialize in thin air! Marvel as Beakman breaks the sound barrier in front of your very eyes! Witness him fearlessly stand in the path of a speeding bowling ball! And along the way, Beakman uncovers some very cool scientific principles. 7 pm @ Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. Tickets ($10—$35) available at all Ticketmaster locations or online at www.spahouston.org; charge by phone at 713/629-3700.

16 & 17 (Sat. & Sun.)

Two Women. Sophia Loren earned a well-deserved Oscar for her performance as a mother who flees war-torn Rome with her preteen daughter during World War II. They hope to find safety in the country hills, but their experiences along the way–from starvation to rape–leave them defeated and hardened. The two women must struggle to survive and heal. The 1960 film was directed by Vittorio De Sica. 7 pm in the Brown Auditorium of the Museum of Fine Arts. General admission $5 (members/seniors/students $4). More info: 713/639-7515 or www.mfah.org.

18 (Mon.)

Listen Up. The Margarett Root Brown Houston Reading Series presents Jorie Graham & Mark Strand. Graham’s collections include The Dream of the Unified Field: Selected Poems 1974—1994, The End of Beauty, and her most recent, Swarm. Strand’s works include the collections Blizzard of One, Selected Poems, and Reasons for Moving. Both poets are recipients of the Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Foundation "genius" fellowships. 7:30 pm (doors open at 6:45) @ the Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. Tickets are $5 (students/seniors free) and are available only at the door on the evening of the reading. More info: 713/521-2026 or www.inprint-inc.org.

19 & 20 (Tue. & Wed.)

The Seven Last Words of Christ. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mark Strand reads his original poetry, based on the last words of Christ, between the movements of Haydn’s Seven Last Words, which is performed by the Brentano String Quartet. The interplay between music, painting, architecture, & poetry creates a powerful, contemplative experience. Presented by Da Camera of Houston at 7:30 pm @ the Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross. Tickets ($30; students/seniors half price) are available by contacting Da Camera Music Center, 1427 Branard, 713/524-5050, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

20 (Wed.)

Jewish Gays & Lesbians. As a continuation of its outreach efforts, Jewish Family Service will host a program, "Gays and Lesbians in the Jewish Community: An Open Discussion." The meeting will explore the needs of the gay & lesbian Jewish community and consider ideas for future programs. 7—9 pm @ the Montrose Counseling Center, 701 Richmond. No RSVP is necessary. Questions/info: Toby Newman at Jewish Family Service, 713/667-9336, or you may e-mail her at tnewman@jfshouston.org.

22 (Fri.)

Houston Grand Opera‘s inaugural BRAVO! gala features comedienne B.J. Ward in her one-woman show "Stand-Up Opera." Called "a rollicking ride on the high C’s" by The Washington Post, "Stand-Up Opera" puts a hilarious spin on opera’s plots, prima donnas, & eccentric personalities. The show has toured coast-to-coast from Hollywood to New York and is produced by TV & stage director Gordon Hunt, whose direction of TV’s Mad About You won a Directors Guild of America Award. Tickets start at $75. 7 pm @ Rockefeller Hall, 3620 Washington Ave. & Waugh. For more info: Laura Woods at 713/546-0277 or lwoods@houstongrandopera.org.

23 (Sat.)

The Mercury Baroque Ensemble focuses on authentically performing 17th- and 18th-century music, playing on period instruments in order to recapture the intimacy & nuance of Baroque music. Tonight’s concert, "Bach, Between Cantatas and Sonatas," starts at 8 pm @ the Virginia Stuller Tatham Fine Arts Center, St. John’s School, 2700 Buffalo Speedway at Westheimer. Tickets are $20 (students/seniors $10). For more info: 713/498-4853.

23 (Sat.)

Death of a Salesman. Based on the story by Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman is about Willy Loman who spent his whole life "way out there in the blue, riding a smile and a shoeshine" and proud of his ability to sell anything to anyone. But Willy Loman’s "American dream" turns into a gut-wrenching nightmare as he finds himself at the end of his career and at the end of his rope. 8 pm @ Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice. Tickets ($14.50—$55) are available by calling 409/765-1894 or by visiting www.thegrand.com.

PLANNING AHEAD for March & Beyond

March 1 (Fri.)

Brentano Quartet and Friends. Da Camera of Houston presents The Brentano String Quartet performing Janácek’s String Quartet No. 1. They are joined by Steven McKay (electric guitar) for McKay’s Troubador Songs and pianist Ignat Solzhenitsyn for Gabriel Fauré’s Second Piano Quartet. 8 pm @ Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. Tickets ($20—$35; students/seniors half price) are available by contacting Da Camera Music Center, 1427 Branard, 713/524-5050, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

March 2 & 7 (Sat. & Thu.)

Fire is a new exhibit by Jay Branson, Kelly Gale Amen, & John Palmer. Fire features furniture created by Amen which has been painted by Palmer, set on fire, and photographed by Branson. 10 am—6 pm on Saturday, 6—8 pm on Thursday, @ the KGA Compound, 1907 Crocker. For more info: 713/227-9101.

March 6 (Wed.)

A Little Day Music. Da Camera of Houston’s free lunchtime performance series features soprano Karol Bennett & pianist Alain Declert in a program titled "Intimate Settings: Songs by Schubert and Fauré." The series also features drawings for tickets to Da Camera’s upcoming events. You are encouraged to bring & enjoy your lunch while listening to the music at noon in the Grand Foyer of the Wortham Theater Center, 500 Texas at Smith. More info: 713/524-7601, ext. 15.

March 10 (Sun.)

The 13th Annual AIDS Walk Houston is a 3.5-mile walk event to increase awareness & education of HIV/AIDS. Last year’s walk raised more than $35,000 with the help of over 4,000 participants. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, and it is infecting/affecting all communities, race/ethnicities, sexes, & ages. Currently, it is estimated that one in 90 Houstonians is HIV-positive. According to the Houston Department of Health & Human Services, as of December 31, 2001, in Harris County alone, 10,628 reported individuals are living with HIV/AIDS. Beneficiaries this year are AIDS Foundation Houston and five local HIV/AIDS service organizations. The walk begins with registration at 8 am, warm-up activities at 8:30, and starting time at 9 @ Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby. For more info: Gwen Johnson at 713/623-6796, ext. 252, or online at www.aidshelp.org.

March 29 (Fri.)

Outfest 2002. As one of the world’s largest gay & lesbian film festivals celebrates its landmark 20th anniversary, Outfest 2002 is now calling for submissions for completed feature, animated, & short films, videos, and documentaries. To be held in Los Angeles July 11—22, 2002, filmmakers from across the country and around the globe are invited to submit their work and join in the celebration of the gay & lesbian community’s vision & artistry. Applications, rules, & regulations are available from the Outfest website at www.outfest.org. Submission deadline is March 29, and final decisions will be announced May 31.

May 3—5 (Fri.—Sun.)

Enchanted Rock Trip. The Houston Outdoor Group (HOG) is a social group for gay men, lesbians, & gay-friendly people who enjoy the outdoors . . . so if you’re a gay man, a lesbian, or a gay-friendly person who enjoys the outdoors, now’s your chance to sleep outdoors. Enchanted Rock is about 70 miles west of Austin & north of Fredericksburg. The group has reserved three campsites (maximum 24 people) with tent-camping only. This campout fills up fast, so for more info, call now: 713/KAMP-OUT (526-7688).

November 2—9 (Sat.—Sat.)

2002 Sydney Gay Games. The Houston Montrose Athletic Association with Mark Hoyer of American Express Travel will be the resource contact for the Houston contingent that will be going to the games. Hoyer has worked out a travel package that includes discounted hotel & flight rates. Visit the 2002 Sydney Gay Games website at www.sydney2002.org.au for more info about the events & registration. For reservations, call Mark at 713/365-6266 (reservation cost $210).

Performing arts

• Come Up and Slay Me Sometime and Marriage Can Be Murder are presented by Mystery Café, home of Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. • In their new original production Come Up and Slay Me Sometime, the troupe runs roughshod over Texas history of the 1920s, as a national radio broadcast takes place at a floating speakeasy. In attendance: flappers, gangsters, historical figures, Mae West, & Abraham Lincoln. With a combination like that, somebody’s going to wind up dead. • Marriage Can Be Murder takes place at a disastrous wedding ceremony and can serve as either a warning to lovebirds or a soothing balm to those who have already posted bans, as they can say, "Well, at least our wedding wasn’t that bad!" • Come Up and Slay Me runs Saturday nights at 8 pm in repertory with Marriage Can Be Murder, which performs Friday nights at 8 pm. (There will be a special performance of Marriage Can Be Murder on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 8 pm.) All shows are presented at the Prima Pasta Restaurant, 2710 Richmond Ave. Info: 713/944-CLUE (2583) or www.mysterycafehouston.com.

• Experiment with an Air Pump. In the same room in two different centuries–1979 & 1999–two families grapple with issues of scientific exploration and its effects on human values. In 1979, physicist Joseph Fenwick’s household buzzes with scientific experiments, furtive romance, & farcical amateur dramatics. In 1999, Ellen, a geneticist, and Tom, an English professor whose job has become redundant, discover a dark secret buried in the house for 200 years. Through Feb. 24 @ Main Street Theater in Rice Village 42540 Times Blvd. Tickets are $20—$30. More info: 713/524-6706 or www.mainstreettheater.com.

• Fences is the first of two plays by August Wilson to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. This play, sit in Pittsburgh in the 1950s, revolves around Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player. Metaphorically, the "fences" in the play are the barriers of desegregation which separate Maxson, a proud man, from his dreams and the fences he creates in loving his wife, his son, & himself. Through Feb. 24 @ the Ensembe Theatre, 3535 Main St. Tickets are $20—$35. More info/reservations: 713/520-0055.

• Forever Hold Your Peace! Join the festivities as the tiny town of Dumpster, Texas, throws a wedding in this original Fertle Family comedy. Thursdays & Fridays at 8:30 pm, Saturdays at 8 & 10:30 pm, through May 12 @ Radio Music Theatre, 2623 Colquitt. Desserts, munchies, champagnes, wines, beers, cappuccino, & soft drinks are available for purchase throughout the show. Admission is $16, reservations are required, & tickets must be purchased in advance at the theater or by calling the box office at 713/522-7722.

• Houston Ballet. Cleopatra–the most powerful woman in the world; an enchantress for the ages; the lover of two of the world’s greatest leaders, Julius Caesar & Marc Antony. Cleopatra comes to life in Ben Stevenson’s sweeping epic, which spans two continents and is punctuated by moments of unforgettable pageantry & spectacle. Thomas Boyd’s designs beautifully evoke the languor & sensuality of the Egyptian court & the bare-knuckled struggle for power in Rome. Feb. 28—Mar. 10 @ Wortham Theater Center’s Brown Theater, Texas at Smith streets. Tickets ($11.50—$104.50) are available by calling 713/227-ARTS (2787) or in person at the Wortham Ticket Center in the Wortham Theater Center. For more information: www.houstonballet.org.

• In the Under Thunderloo. There never was a scene like this. May 6, 1993. Limousines and drunks. College professors and skate punks. Fighting each other off at the door for the hottest ticket in town, only $5.99. In the bad old days, this used to be called rock-and-roll theater. • Almost nine years ago, Infernal Bride-groom Productions (IBP) began its 37-production history as Houston’s leading homeless theater company with the world premiere of IBP artistic director Jason Nodler’s In the Under Thunderloo, at the Axiom (then called Catal Hüyük). • The revised Thunderloo features a new set of rock songs by IBP associate director Anthony Barilla with lyrics by Nodler, who also directs. • Alternately set at the beginning and the end of the world, Thunderloo follows post-apocalyptic heroes Jake Steak and Photochick on their search for truth, justice, and the mythical Woodman. Expect philosophical cavemen, poison pumpkins, dinosaur cops, and the loudest, baddest, rock songs you ever heard. And expect to book your tickets early. • In the Under Thunderloo opens Fri., Feb. 8 and runs open-ended @ The Axiom, 2524 McKinney. Tickets are $10—$15. Reservations/more info: 713/522-8443.

• The Laramie Project. The brutal murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard–and the onslaught of media attention that followed it–stunned the sleepy prairie town of Laramie, Wyoming. In the aftermath, Moises Kaufman’s Tectonic Theatre Project conducted over 200 interviews with the people of Laramie as they struggled to heal their wounds and face the realization that "it can happen here." The result is a play that chronicles darkness & heroism with equal sensitivity. A co-production between Stages and Unhinged Productions. Through Feb. 10 @ Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway. Tickets ($32—$42) are available at the Stages box office or by calling 713/527-0123 or at www.stagestheatre.com.

• Lobster Alice. In 1946 Hollywood, animator John Finch is busy creating the fanciful world of Wonderland–and falling in love with his secretary, Alice. When he’s assigned to supervise the work of Salvador Dali, Finch’s predictable life is turned upside down as he & Alice are drawn through Dali’s looking glass into the glittering world of the bizarre. Feb. 27—Mar. 24 @ Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway. Tickets ($32—$42) are available at the Stages box office or by calling 713/527-0123 or at www.stagestheatre.com.

• The Man in the Trunk, a new drama by Houstonian Fernando Dovalina, is about five Texans–a feuding Houston couple & the three friends who are drawn into their turbulent exchanges: a gay man who is the husband’s best friend, a recent divorcee, & a drunk copy editor. Tickets ar $15 ($12 students/seniors). 8 pm, Thu.—Sat., beginning with a preview on Feb. 21, through Mar. 30 @ Unhinged Productions, 3304 LaBranch, 713/524-8707.

• The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. Due to rave reviews and sold-out houses, Theatre New West announced a holdover for its production of Paul Rudnick’s brilliant comedy, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, which deals with Adam & Steve and Jane & Mabel in the Garden of Eden. Now running through Feb. 23 (Fridays & Saturdays only) at 8 pm @ Theatre New West, 1415 California. Tickets are $20. For reservations: 713/394-0464.

• The Mousetrap by Dame Agatha Christie. This quintessential "whodunit" has it all–unsuspecting lodgers snowed in at a new bed and breakfast, an unexpected guest, and a dead body. Tickets $10 (students/seniors $9; matinees $8). Feb. 22—Mar. 23 @ Theatre Suburbia, 1410 W. 43rd St., 713/682-3525, www.theatresuburbia.com.

• No Exit, by Jean-Paul Sartre, is presented by dos chicas theater commune. Three damned souls are brought together in a one-room hell where their actions take on a twisted system of judging and being judged by one another, illustrating what can and does happen when people refuse to make choices and take responsibility for them. As each character attempts to accept and understand their fate, they are in a constant battle between how they see themselves, how the other two see them, and how they wish to be seen. This continual imbalance and irritation leads to the conclusion that "hell is other people." 8 pm, Feb. 1, 2, 8, & 9 @ Upstairs at Heliotrope (formerly the Mausoleum), 411 Westheimer. Tickets are $10 ($6 seniors/students). Reservations: 713/201-0193.

• Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck’s story is an American classic, an examination of the true nature of friendship in an unfriendly world. Set in rural 1930’s California, it mythologizes an America struggling to reinvent itself. Through Feb. 17 @ the Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. Tickets are $25—$45. For more info: www.alleytheatre.org or 713/228-8421.

• Postmortem. A famous Sherlock Holmes portrayer & playwright invites the cast of his latest play to his pseudo-medieval castle where a trap is set for a suspected murderer. Tickets are $12 (students/seniors $10). Through Mar. 9, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm @ The Company Onstage, 536 Westbury Square, 713/726-1216. Reservations recommended.

Performing arts for young people

• Androcles and the Lion. "Every person must be free to be" is the theme of this prize-winning adaptation of the popular Aesop fable. A cast of strolling players presents us with a miserly Pantalone, a bragging Captain, the friendly slave Androcles, & a very endearing, funny Lion. Tickets $6. Saturdays at 11 am & 1:30 pm, through Mar. 2 @ The Company Onstage, 536 Westbury, 713/726-1216.

• Catch a Ride with the Houston Symphony. Find out how the symphony can travel by boat, plane, and even flying horseback, before inviting little listeners aboard the famous & well-loved The Little Engine That Could. For children ages 4—13 and their families. Saturday, Feb. 16 at 10 & 11:30 am @ Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana. Tickets (adults $14, children about $9) are available at all Ticketmaster outlets; by calling 713/224-7575; or online at www. houstonsymphony.com.

• The Courage of Mandy Brown is a tale of the Underground Railroad told through the eyes of a young girl who must find her courage and make her way to Canada and freedom. The play is rich with music & song from its time period, and celebrates the human spirit & its ability to triumph over adversity. Tue.—Fri. group performances: 9:30 & 11:30 am; Sat. public performances: 11:30 am & 2 p.m. Through Mar. 2 @ Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway at Waugh. Tickets are $8 ($6 each for groups of 10 or more); tickets also available online at www.stages theatre.com. Info/reservations: 713/527-0123.

• Highlights for Children was created from the belief that the arts motivate & empower children to think more critically and to enhance their communication abilities, as well as to encourage them to achieve greater dimensions of creativity. $6 ($5 for children under 12). Thu., Feb. 28, at 7 pm @ Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, 409/765-1894, www.thegrand.com.

• Romeo and Juliet. Heralding from feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, Romeo and Juliet are star-crossed lovers hiding their affections from the world. Pledging to marry they garner the secrecy & trust of a local clergyman. But can love save them from the terrible anger & violence to which the two families have bound themselves? Recommended for 6th—12th grades. Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for children/students/seniors. Main Street Theater at Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Blvd. For more info on family performances (Feb. 15—17): 713/524-6706. Info on school bookings (through Feb. 22): 713/524-7998.

• Thief of Sherwood Forest is presented by Mystery Café on Saturdays at 11:30 am @ the Prima Pasta Restaurant, 2710 Richmond Ave. Info: 713/944-CLUE (2583) or www.mysterycafehouston.com.

RADIO

• After Hours. Saturdays, midnight to 3 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.

ART/PHOTOGRAPHY

• Katharine Cobey: Fiber Sculpture. Cobey takes the process of knitting to new levels of art in her new exhibition. Her knitted sculptures include a range of media such as hand-spun wool, plastic garbage bags, & metal wire, all demonstrating her skill & creativity as a fiber artist. Through April 7 @ Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main St., 713/529-4848.

• Rex Kare‘s powerful & exciting new works include figurative oil paintings, sketches, & portraits. Feb. 15—Mar. 15 @ Betz Gallery, 1208 West Gray, 713/523-3765. Opening reception: Feb. 15, 6—9pm.

• The Tourist Project will reach far beyond the confines of the gallery space as New York-based artist Lee Mingwei discovers the city of Houston through its residents’ eyes. Volunteer participants selected by lottery will act as "tour guides" and bring Lee to places that are personally meaningful to them. While some participants might choose to guide Lee to popular tourist attractions, others might elect to visit more private locations, such as an automobile, dormitory room, or café. In this fun, poignant process of telling and listening to stories, the city comes to be defined by the multiplicity of experiences it plays host to. Through Feb. 24 @ Rice University Art Gallery. For more info: 713/348-6069 or www.rice.edu/ruag.