LookOut

by Tim Brookover

These are rough times. American troops remain parked in Iraq, even as the media cites no-longer secret plans to destabilize Iran. SARS is on the march (despite what we indicated in our May issue … whoops). The economy tips. Early on, the hapless quality of the Democratic presidential contenders would seem comical, if it weren’t so sad. Hurricane season opens this month. Orlando Sanchez may be our next mayor.

Laughter is an antidote—at least a temporary one—for these troubles. Mambo Girl at Christian DeVries’ Stargaze Theatre (née the Bienvenue) promises to be just what the soap-opera medico ordered. Mikel Reper directs this lampoon of Latin American telenovelas, a deliriously melodramatic form that pretty much spoofs itself. (My favorite: the virtuous twin/evil twin epic La Usurpadora, a classic.) Steve Lovett wrote the tale of eye-rolling intrigue and betrayal in “Rio de la Plata, a glamorous capital city of a mythical South American country.” Muy sabroso. The cast includes Oliver Blanco, Janice Dickard, Kit Fordyce, Gene Griesbach, Joseph Hart, Beverly Hutchison, Jonathan, Amy Kennedy, and Erik Soliz.

GOOD WORKS. The Miss Camp America Foundation presents its annual June Bride wedding-spoof show at the Brazos River Bottom on June 8. Proceeds benefit Bering Omega Community Services, The Assistance Fund, PWA Holiday Charities, Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation, Montrose Clinic’s Frost Eye Clinic, and PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support). Luis Miranda is Miss Camp’s vice president for fundraising.

This month, photographer Evin Thayer will host an exhibition of work by Kermit Eisenhut, Mollie Moore, Christopher Olivier, and John Palmer at his 405 Avondale studio. Ten percent of sales made during the June 12 opening reception will benefit a fund that provides scholarships for young Houston artists.

On April 5, Steve Carbone received the Mr. Prime Choice title at the Ripcord. As part of the competition, he scored major points for raising $8,000 for his cause, the Assistance Fund. Runner-up Loyd Powell raised $5,000 for the Men’s Health Network.

SCREEN GEMS. The Houston Gay & Lesbian Film Festival continues. Check out www.hglff.org for the complete festival schedule. This year the lineup has included a slate of weekend midnight movies at the Landmark-River Oaks. Third in the series is the loony, arch Psycho Beach Party (June 13 and 14), penned by drag artist and writer Charles Busch.

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