CALENDAR

MAY

May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Wed.)

HIV Testing. The Montrose Clinic offers free confidential HIV testing and counseling every Wednesday, 6-9 pm @ the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 803 Hawthorne. Center: 713/524-3818. Clinic: 713/830-3000. Please note: Free & confidential HIV/AIDS testing is also available from 1—3 pm on the 9th & 23rd in Conroe at Northwoods AIDS Coalition, 1414 South Frazier, Ste. 106. More info: 936/441-1614.

May 4—6 (Fri.—Sun.)

Janeane Garofalo said of Sharon Stone and Ellen DeGeneres in If These Walls Could Talk II: "I enjoy watching lesbians. Who doesn’t want to see good-looking girls make out?" You can enjoy watching & listening to her at her scheduled appearances at 8 & 10:30 p.m. on Friday ($29.50); at 7 (non-smoking), 9:15, & 11:30 p.m. on Saturday ($31.75); and at 8 p.m. on Sunday ($29.50) @ Laff Stop, 1952-A West Gray, 713/524-2333.

May 5 (Sat.)

Lift for Life. In a united effort to raise funds for Camp Hope (a project of AIDS Foundation Houston), fitness trainers & their clients will come together in this 1st annual event. This fundraiser provides clients the opportunity to train their fitness instructors while raising funds for Camp Hope’s children who are infected with HIV/AIDS. 2—5 pm @ Healthspan, 1111 West Loop South. If you would like to participate in this event, contact Ken Belveal at 713/862-6371 or e-mail at kbelveal @houston.rr.com.

May 5 (Sat.)

Houston Arts. This free outdoor event features talented visual & performing artists in a celebration of Houston’s vibrant multicultural art scene. Included: original artwork, interactive demonstrations, exhibits, and live musical & dance performances. 10 am—6 pm @ Uptown Park on Post Oak Blvd. & Loop 610. For more information: 713/297-6282 or www.uptownparkhouston.com.

May 5 (Sat.)

Celebrating Patronage. Throughout history, the generosity of patrons–from Beethoven’s beloved Archduke Rudolph to the legendary American patronesses Jeanette Thurber & Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge–has transformed the cultural landscape. Da Camera closes the season with Dvorak’s "American" Quartet, Beethoven’s "Archduke Trio," and the String Quartet in B Minor by Sergei Prokofiev–three chamber music masterpieces that would not exist without the patrons who commissioned them. At 8 pm @ Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. Tickets ($22—$33): Da Camera Music Center at 713/524-5050 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

May 10 (Thu.)

Jack Attack. Fans of Jack (Sean Hayes) may want to tune in NBC’s Will & Grace at 8 p.m. tonight to see exactly what kind of fan Jack attracts. In the episode "Last of the Really Odd Lovers," Jack realizes that Grace’s pal Val (Molly Shannon) is more than a fan of his–she’s a stalker!

May 10 (Thu.)

Success Unlimited. You are invited to experience Whoopi Goldberg, Hollywood's hippest square; former Gov. Ann Richards, wit & wisdom; Candice Carpenter, technology for women by women; Loretta LaRoche, the joy of stress; and featuring a special presentation "For Love & Money" with Iyanla Vasant for love & Suze Orman for money. Success Unlimited–The Empowerment Seminar for Women @ theGeorge R. Brown Convention Center, 9 am—4:30 pm. Tickets ($179 general seating, $279 special VIP package includes premier seating & a Q&A luncheon with Loretta LaRoche, Candice Carpenter, and Ann Richards) available by calling Events Unlimited: 281/397-8124. Info: www.SuccessUnlimitedOnline.com.

May 10 (Thu.)

Considering Adoption? Family to Family Adoption, a nonprofit licensed agency, is offering a free seminar on adopting a child in less than a year. Currently, they have programs in the U.S., China, Russia, Bulgaria, Guatemala, Bolivia, & other countries. Everyone in attendance will be given a free information package. 6:30—8:30 pm in the board room @ Bellaire Medical Center, 5314 Dashwood. More info: 713/249-5941.

May 10—12 (Thu.—Sat.)

Jason Stuart. "I hear Bill and Hillary took everything that wasn’t nailed down! I guess eight years in the White House can feel like a hotel, and a painting given as a gift can look like a towel." So jokes openly gay comic Jason Stuart, who is the headline @ Bad Dog Comedy Theatre in Austin. More info: 512/805-2364.

May 11 (Fri.)

Life Is Not a Stress Rehearsal. For most of us, life has become such a pressure cooker of unrealistic expectations, information overload, unrelenting marketing, isolation, and workaholism that we’re even stressed out over being stressed out. Loretta LaRoche, the "Erma Bombeck of Stress," is here to the rescue. Life Is Not a Stress Rehearsal takes an honest and hilarious look at the gizmos, self-help regimens, talking heads, and comfort products that we have all come to believe will make our lives better–and shows us how, in reality, they contribute to making us feel powerless, stressed out, overwhelmed, and inferior. Life Is Not a Stress Rehearsal delivers a hilarious, life-enhancing take on life in the fast lane–and how to slow down and enjoy the ride. Lecture & Booksigning takes place from 7—8:30 pm @ Body Mind & Soul, 4344 Westheimer. There is no cost for the lecture.

May 11 (Fri.)

ComedySportz, an improvisational comedy troupe, presents two special matches in honor of Mother’s Day. These shows honor moms in every game, and they’ll give prizes to the oldest & youngest mom in attendance, as well as the mom with the most family members with her. Don’t leave home without your mom, ‘cause she’ll get in for free, and you’ll look like the "favorite son or daughter." So bring your mom, grand-mom, mom-in-law, or any other relative with maternal instincts and get down to ComedySportz for this night of "mothering" at 7:30 & 10 pm @ Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. Admission is $10. Reservations/more info: 713/868-1444.

May 12 (Sat.)

TATS (Texas Association for Transsexual Support) is a volunteer-led peer support group devoted to helping transsexual persons, their partners, families, & friends accept life and experience it to the fullest. TATS now meets on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month. 3 pm (6 pm May 26) @ the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 803 Hawthorne. More info: 713/524-3818 (the center), 281/437-2975 (TATS), tats@GenderWeb.org.

May 12 & 13 (Sat. & Sun.)

Slant: Bold Asian-American Images. Forget Jackie Chan & Jet Li. America may see more yellow faces on the big screen these days, but the presence of these stars is actually misleading. They are Asian, not Asian American; and the view through an Asian-American director’s eye is much different. With "Slant," you won’t see any karate chopping, but there will be ass-kicking all the same. A small but powerful sampling of current Asian-American cinema, these works blast stupid stereotypes and approach themes of cultural gaps & identity with humor & innovative perspective. "Slant" features two programs of works including Angry Little Asian Girl by Lela Lee; Love Ltd. by Jennifer Phang; and Behold the Asian: How One Becomes What One Is by James Hong. 9 pm on Sat., 3 pm on Sun. @ Aurora Picture Show, 800 Aurora, 713/868-2101 or www.aurorapictureshow.org. All shows are $5 donation.

May 17 (Thu.)

PowerDates4Men is open to single gay men only and takes place every third Thursday of the month @ Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 803 Hawthorne. $5 donation at the door. Info: PowerDates4Men@PDQ.net.

May 18 (Thu.)

Syphilis Awareness Day. Free testing from 11 am—6 pm @ Montrose Clinic, 215 Westheimer. For more info: 713/830-3000.

May 18 & 19 (Fri. & Sat.)

Transgender Festival 2.0 takes on gender-bending at DiverseWorks. • 12 Minutes MAX! highlights local and regional gender variant talent in a showcase of individual vignettes–none more than 12 minutes long (thus the title!). Last year’s version of MAX! packed the house. This year’s edition promises to be every bit as entertaining. Return performances from Houston’s Jennifer René Pool and Dallas’s Janelle DuBois are just the beginning. Jami Ward, a local trans-gendered stand-up comedian will grace the stage, as will poet Troy Ham, performance artist Kimberly Burnham, poet Ina Shook, poet Donna Garrett, and more. Friday, May 18 at 8 pm. $12 general; $10 members; $8 students/seniors. • THE Drag King SCENE. Judith Halberstam, professor of literature at UCSD and the author of Female Masculinity and The Drag King Book, will present a slide show exploring the multiple relations between transgender identity and drag king performances. ALSO: When walking down the streets of New York City and you hear someone say, "Look at that DICK!" you know they’re talking about only one person–Mo B. Dick! (The "B" stands for Bodacious.) In his one-man show, The man, the myth, the motion, Mo will prove he’s all man and that he’s got the goods to prove it! Saturday, May 19 at 8 p.m. $10 general; $8 members; $6 students/seniors. • Both @ DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway. 24-hour reservations: 713/335-3445.

May 18—20 (Fri.—Sun.)

The Desert Hearts Women’s Festival is a gathering of women in nature celebrating who they are as women of pride. This 10th women’s festival takes place on a secluded, wooded ranch in the scenic Texas Hill Country, 50 miles NW of San Antonio. Camping, comedy, and live music will keep you busy, plus daytime fun and games and the market place for shopping. Come alone or bring a gang. Tickets may be purchased by personal check, or MC or VISA. Early purchases really help the festival: $65 if postmarked by May 15 (credit card or money order if postmarked after May 1!); $75 cash at the gate. Tickets will be mailed to you along with camping hints & a map. Adult women only. Sorry, no children or pets allowed. More info or for special arrangements if arriving before noon or after 8 pm on Fri.: 830/796-7001 or 830/796-7446. E-mail: beaux2@indian-creek.net. Mail checks to: DHWF, 10101 Hwy173 N, Bandera, TX 78003.

May 19 (Sat.)

Power Struggles. "Overcoming the Power Struggle in Relationships" focuses on how to keep the spark alive through communication skills & techniques that honor differences & enhance intimacy, love, & respect. This class is for both those in a relationship and those singles who want to conquer these dynamics before they get involved. 10 am—noon; $25. Registration: 713/529-4414. Info: Denise O’Doherty at 713/524-9525.

May 21 & 30

By the Book. Randy Wayne White, who always features gay or bisexual minor characters (not bad guys) in his books, will be signing his latest book Shark River on Monday the 21st. Julie Herman, who has a gay character in her latest book Three Dirty Women and the Bitter Brew, and Dean James, who is gay and has a new book Closer Than the Bones, will be signing their mysteries on Wednesday the 30th. Both signings take place at 6 pm @ Murder by the Book, 2342 Bissonnet, 713/524-8597. Also on May 30: Both Julie Herman (a 2001 Agatha Award nominee) and Dean James (a 1995 Agatha Award winner and Murder by the Book store manager) will speak about their new books. Tickets ($25) include lunch, talk/Q&A, complimentary valet parking, & booksigning (books available at the luncheon). Tickets available only until two days before the event or until sold out. 11:30 am @ The Briar Club.

PLANNING AHEAD FOR JUNE

June 2 (Sat.)

Tenth Annual Summer Kickoff Fun Run, which includes a 5K run, a 3K health walk, & a 1K kids’ run (ages 12 & under), will be held @ Clear Creek High School in League City. Entry forms: 281/482-0982. More info available at www.jamesglennrun.com.

June 3 (Sun.)

The Rainbow Fishing Club is going fishing. Limited spaces are available for today’s trip on the New Buccaneer, so send your $20 deposit ASAP. Total cost is $70. The boat boards in Galveston at 6:30 am, leaves at 7:30. Reservations/more info: John at 713/523-6381.

June 5—10 (Tue.—Sun.)

Dame Edna. Click here for an interview with the mauve-coifed megastar. At the end of the interview, see how as an OutSmart reader you can get orchestra seats for $40 for the Wednesday, June 6, show!

June 6 (Wed.)

A Little Day Music. Da Camera’s free lunchtime performance series ends with a performance by the Horace Alexander Young Trio. Noon in the Grand Foyer of Wortham Theater Center, Texas at Smith. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring & enjoy their lunches while listening to the music. For more info: 713/524-7601, ext. 15.

June 22 & 23 (Fri. & Sat.)

National Lesbian Health Conference set in San Francisco. Among the subjects that will be investigated are cancer & tobacco use, substance abuse, mental health, wellness & nutrition, disability, impairment, immune disorders, family issues, access to care, and the problems faced by underserved populations. The conference is set to take place in the Laurel Heights Conference Center @ the University of California, San Francisco. Info: 415/255-4547 or www.glma.org.

PERFORMING ARTS

) Bed, Boys and Beyond. Joe Watts’s company Theatre New West is staging this new production. Although the original was set in the Chelsea section of NYC, this is the first time the show will be produced outside Manhattan, and lyricist Jeff Dobbins created special lyrics just for Houston, spotlighting our own Montrose area: "Due west of downtown/And south of West Gray/Lies an idyllic retreat/That’s chic and just a bit risqué./It’s our sovereign little zone,/Thousands of queens upon/its throne./After you’ve been here a while/You’ll see it’s less a neighborhood and more a lifestyle./Welcome to Montrose,/Land of bistros, boutiques and boys/And great places to play./Filled with boytoys and bears/And nobody stares at men strolling in pairs./Where you’re free to greet other guys on the street /With a warm, affectionate kiss./If every boy in view looks just like you,/That’s the beauty of life here /in Montrose." Plays 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays through May 26 at Theatre New West, 1415 California Street (one block north of Westheimer, between Commonwealth and Waugh) in the ground floor of Sonoma.For reservations, call 713/394-0464. $20.

) Betty’s Summer Vacation. In Christopher Durang’s latest work, unsuspecting Betty rents a vacation house with her overly talkative friend Trudy and a group of strangers. Little does she know what her new vacation home holds in store for her: a group of anti-social misfits whose scandalous antics are encouraged by a mysterious laugh track which haunts the house. Tickets $32—$42. May 4—27 @ Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway, 713/52-STAGE.

) Deathtrap, a thriller by Ira Levin, was a hugely popular stage & screen success with gasp-inducing thrills & spontaneous laughter. Tickets $12. Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, May 18—June 30 @ The Company Onstage, 536 Westbury Square, 713/726-1219.

) The Devil’s Disciple, George Bernard Shaw’s adventure story, is set during the American Revolution. When the advancing British Army decides to make an example of Anthony Anderson, the town’s minister, by hanging him, they find the raucous Dick Dudgeon in his stead. Suddenly finding themselves on the same side, the rabble-rouser and man of the cloth must devise a plan to save the small New Hampshire community. May 18—June 17 @ the Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. Tickets (previews are $19—$35; on or after May 23 are $32—$49) can be purchased at the box office or by calling 713/228-8421.

) Eating Crow is a comedy about a young man who sets out to reverse his fortune through flattery. Tickets $20 & $25. Through May 19 @ Main Street Theater in Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd. Reservations/more info: 713/524-6706.

) Hair: An American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Set in New York City in 1968, Hair is a fun and, at times, disturbing & unsettling look at the hippy counterculture movement of the times. It is irreverent & silly and poignant & soulful, but always full of the energy & spirit of the late ‘60s. The show is, at its core, an anti-war piece. May 4—June 2 @ the Country Playhouse, 12802 Queensbury. Ticket prices/info: 713/467-4497.

) Houston Grand Opera (HGO). Verdi’s monumental music drama Don Carlo, though set in 16th-century Spain & France, explores a myriad of conflicts that are as relevant today as they ever were–church vs. state, parent vs. child, lover vs. rival, Catholic vs. Protestant, liberal idealism vs. established authority. Through May 5. • Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas details the journey of the legendary diva Florencia Grimaldi & her fellow passengers on a boat ride down the Amazon. Through May 13. • Both operas @ Wortham Center’s Brown Theater, Texas at Smith. Tickets ($22—$200) available by phone at 713/227-ARTS, in person at the Wortham Ticket Center, or online at www.houstongrandopera.org.

) The Man Who Had Three Arms. Rarely produced since its initial brief Broadway run, Edward Albee’s 1982 play was savaged by critics, a fact that isn’t so hard to understand since "it’s partly about them," the three-time Pulitzer Prize-winner was heard to remark at a recent rehearsal. The enigmatic author’s comment aside, Three Arms is indeed about many things: celebrity, money, faith, morality, mortality, & consciousness itself. As the evening’s guest speaker is introduced, the "Man" of the title is revealed to be a once-lauded, now-dismissed creature pushed over the edge of civility. What begins as a benign if not boring lecture soon explodes in typically Albee fashion into an evening of theatrical fireworks & sardonic wit. The audience is forced to bear witness as a man destroyed by forces beyond his imagination lashes out at the blinding dark. Albee was present at a few rehearsals for his play, which runs through May 12 @ Atomic Cafe, 1320 Nance. Admission is $12. Reservations: 713/222-ATOM; administration/directions: 713/228-8956.

) Mr. Bundy. Life seems pretty hopeful for a middle-class couple who, with their eight-year-old daughter, are putting their family back together again until a crazed couple arrives on their doorstep and informs them that their neighbor, Mr. Bundy, is a convicted child molester. The problem is that Mr. Bundy is a good friend and sometime babysitter for them. Tickets $14 (students/seniors $10). May 18—June 23 @ Actors Theatre of Houston, 2506 South Boulevard, 713/529-6606.

) Picnic. William Inge’s Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic drama/comedy plays through May 13 @ Galveston’s Strand Theatre, 2317 Ships Mechanic Row. For more info, call 409/763-4591 or 877-STRAND9 or visit www.galveston.com/strandtheatre.

) Riverdance is a celebration of Irish music, song, & dance, which focuses on the evolution of Irish dance, as well as its similarities with & influences on other cultures. The original international phenomenon returns to Houston for eight performances only, May 29—June 3 @ Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana. Tickets ($36—$65) can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations & online at Ticketmaster.com. Charge by phone: 713/629-3700.

) Raised in Captivity. This Houston premiere will have you rolling in the aisles with the wacky antics of these dysfunctional & love-starved characters. The play starts off as an improperly-applied shower-head shoots off the spigot and kills the mother of twins, Sebastian and Bernadette. Layers upon layers of hysteria then ensue. There’s a death-row-pen-pal, an abandoned dentistry practice, a trip to Africa, a genius baby being born, the appearance of the ghost of the deceased mother, and a therapist gouges her eyes out with an ice pick. All of this goes on while our six characters fall in and out of love (if you can dare to call what they're experiencing love!). Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm through May 19 @ Ashland St. Theatre, 2610 Ashland St. in the Heights. Tickets: $15, with discounts for students/seniors. Special rates for season tickets & groups of 8 or more are available. For reservations/more info: 713/426-3019.

) Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery is the story of a young girl’s coming of age in the South in the ‘60s. It is a loving tribute to several older black women who "fed, read, loved, and raised" the character Daughter in Georgia public-housing projects. May 25—June 26 @ The Ensemble Theatre, 3535 Main Street. Ticket prices/more info: 713/520-0055.

) Three Days of Rain. A brother & sister search for a family mystery concerned with locked hearts & hidden identities. Tickets $20 & $22. May 2—27 @ Theater LaB, 1706 Alamo. More info: 713/868-7516.

PERFORMING ARTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

) Charlotte’s Web. A young girl teams up with a spider & a rat to save an irresistible young pig from the butcher. Tickets $6. Saturdays at 11 am & 1:30 pm, May 12—June 30 @ The Company Onstage, 536 Westbury Square, 713/726-1219.

) Houston Ballet. The perfect introduction for children (as well as adults, for that matter) to the beauty of classical ballet is Coppélia, the 19th-century comic masterpiece. Set in a Bavarian village, Coppélia draws the young lovers Swanilda & Franz into the world of the eccentric Dr. Coppélius & the mysterious, enchantingly lifelike Coppélia, whom they believe to be his daughter. Attracted to this shy beauty reading in the toymaker’s window, Franz steals into Dr. Coppélius’ fantastic shop; so do the jealous Swanilda & her curious friends. They soon discover that Coppélia is but a lifeless doll, and decided to play tricks on her proud creator. The confusion & mayhem that follows as Coppélius seeks revenge are resolved in the final act’s wedding festival. Houston Ballet will give FREE performances May 11—13 at 8 pm @ Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park. Tickets: Miller Outdoor Theatre box office at 713/284-8350. For more info: Miller Theatre website at www.ci.houston.tx.us or the Houston Ballet website at www.houstonballet.org.

) There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom. Bradley Chalkers sits in the last seat in the last row of Mrs. Ebbel’s fifth grade classroom. No one sits next to him because no one likes him, not even his teacher. Except for one person, Carla, the new school counselor. She shares her lunch with him, even hangs his picture in her office. They become good friends until the day she has to leave the school. Will Bradley remember the lessons of kindness Carla taught him, or will he revert to being the class monster? Saturdays at 2 & 5 pm, May 5 & 12 @ Main Street Theater’s Chelsea Market location, 4617 Montrose. Tickets are $8 (adults) & $6 (children, students, seniors). Reservations/info: 713/524-6706.

RADIO

) After Hours Saturdays, midnight to 3 am. Featuring the QMZ (Queer Music Zone) with Jimmy Carper. KPFT 90.1 FM.

) Lesbian & Gay Voices Mondays, 8-10 pm. Features, news, music, interviews, reviews, and commentary. KPFT 90.1 FM, 713/526-4000.

ART/PHOTOGRAPHY

) Art Classes for People With HIV: The Art League of Houston is offering free art classes for people with HIV. The ongoing course meets every Thursday & Friday from 1-4 pm at the Art League, 1953 Montrose. Mixed media projects for the artist and non-artist. Constructive art-making in a relaxed atmosphere. Focus is on the healing power of art. More info: 713/523-9530. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is offering free art classes for those with HIV/AIDS. Patrick Palmer begins his 9th year offering art instruction. Abstract painting, linoleum-cut greeting cards, & ceramics are some of the media offerings for the fall semester. Class is limited to 16. Everything is free, even lunch! The classes meet at the Glassell School of Art every Friday, 1—4 pm, 5101 Montrose Blvd., room 202. For more info: 713/639-7500 or 713/526-1118.

) Art-o-mat. DiverseWorks joins a network of sites throughout the U.S. serving as hosts for a national project known as Art-o-mat. Artists T. Clark Whittington and George Doles III, residents of the tobacco town of Winston-Salem, founded the Art-o-mat project in 1997. Their mission was to create an outlet where artists can expose their names & works to people who would otherwise not see it. They worked under the premise that art should be progressive, yet personal & approachable. What better way to do this than with a heavy cold steel machine? Whittington has refurbished an old cigarette vending machine specifically for DiverseWorks. The group Artists In Cellophane, as well as Houston-based artists, have filled the machine with original works of art that can be yours to keep for a mere $3—$5. The machine will be refilled with new art monthly. DiverseWorks will keep it filled to meet your demand. Through June @ DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway, 713/223-8346.

) Between Darkness and Light features the work of two contemporary artists who use intense darkness & illumination to explore the rescue efforts of the Danes & Bulgarians during the Holocaust. Judith Ellis Glickman’s photographs and Karen Gunderson’s paintings & drawings not only pay tribute to the moral courage exhibited by the people of Denmark & Bulgaria, but also challenge each of us to take a stand against prejudice, hatred, & violence. Through July 31 @ Holocaust Museum Houston, 5401 Caroline. For more info: 713/942-8000.

) Lauren Kelley. A Houston native currently living in Chicago, Kelley creates drawings, paintings, photographs, & sculpture that investigate the layers of issues associated with the image, sexuality, & identity of African-American women. Her goal is "not to make the viewer uncomfortable, but to giggle, step closer to the work, and reevaluate the punchline." May 11—26 @ DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway, 713/223-8346. Opening reception: Fri., May 11, 6—8 pm.

) Postive Art. The photographs in this exhibition were taken by participants in the Positive Art Workshops of the Glassell School of Art. The workshops target adults who are HIV positive. Participants were encouraged to make images and keep journal entries that revolved around issues of self or that described a sense of place. The resulting work is a fascinating insight into the lives, feelings, thoughts, & poetry of people who have been afflicted by HIV. The exhibition is scheduled to hang around at least through May at the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 803 Hawthorne, 713/524-3818.

) To the Trade is a trade show for the art industry. The exhibition doubles as an actual trade fair oriented toward providing services & enabling the viewers to commission the services offered. Artists will be on hand for demonstrations, presentations, panel discussions, & workshops all open to the public. May 4—June 16 @ DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway, 713/223-8346.