LookOut

by Tim Brookover

ON THE MOVE
“Forget all your troubles, forget all your cares—and go downtown,” Petula Clark once warbled. Perhaps with that advice in mind, Shirley Knight and the other organizers of the Houston Women’s Festival have moved the ninth annual event to Jones Plaza, the urban square surrounded by Jones Hall, the Alley, and Bayou Place.

Performers at the October 25 fest include Houston blues belter Tracy Conover and Ginger Leigh of Austin as well as the Florida-based duo Halcyon (pictured). Among the vendors are local painter/multimedia designer Nicole A. Bent and Denver-based Tomboy Tools. Chances will host the after-party.

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
In 1979, the new Montrose Marching Band practiced for the first time in the Cherryhurst Park service building. Founding members included Rufus Chaney, Clint Moncrief, and Rue Star. On October 25, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church will host the 25th-anniversary concert of the Houston Pride Band (so renamed in 1995). Scott Ashcraft is band director.

Also turning 25 this year, Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston celebrates the release of Grateful, the singers’ first holiday recording, with an October 9 party at Lovett Inn. Helmed by artistic director James Knapp, the group launches its silver-anniversary season with October 24 and 26 concerts at Bering Memorial United Methodist Church.

For its inaugural event, a new GLBT bike club will ride in the October 12 Houston Moonlight Bicycle Ramble. Organized by John Hubert, the group was considering the name Chain Gang at press time. Peddling off at the wee hour of 2 a.m., the Ramble supports the League of American Bicyclists and the Texas Bicycle Coalition.

Some local jocks are already prepping for the 2006 Gay Games in Montreal. These plan-ahead athletes who make up Team Houston—spearheaded by David Fagan—will next meet on October 12 at the Houston GLBT Community Center.

Through October 31, Okiharu Tsuchiya presents an exhibition of his paintings at Tropioca. Oki recently returned from a trip to his native Japan, where he had a sold-out exhibition at a Tokyo gallery.

Remember Roller Boogie? Stop it. You do so. Relive those days with the return of OutSkate, a night for gay skaters. The Wednesday event spins at The “Z” Zenith Roller Rink. Randy Foster is the organizing mastermind behind the OutSkate Roller Skate Club.

GOOD WORKS
Amigo Volunteers in Education and Services, Inc. (AVES) is one of the beneficiaries of Macy’s Community Shopping Day on October 30. You can purchase a ticket to the all-day event from AVES and help raise funds for the nonprofit organization and enjoy 10¯20 percent savings. Terrence O’Neill is AVES CEO.

Leisure and Arts Promoting Healing, Lesbian Health Initiative, and the Healing Power of Art Workshop at the Art League will benefit from the second annual Bewitched Ball on October 31 at Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Galleria.

The Houston Black Tie Dinner crew, including board members Chris Lewis, John Parker, and Roberta Walters, is preparing for the November 15 event at the Doubletree. AssistHers, Bering Omega Community Services, Montrose Counseling Center,

PFLAG/H.A.T.C.H. Youth Scholarship Fund, People With AIDS Coalition, and An Uncommon Legacy Foundation are the beneficiaries. Actress Kathy Najimy, a steadfast supporter of our community, will entertain. (See next month’s issue for an interview with Najimy.)
ON THE AIR

Houston MediaSource now seeks individuals and groups interested in providing content for World AIDS Day, when the community access channel will air 24 hours of continuous programming dealing with HIV/AIDS. More info: Marshall Parker at Houston MediaSource, 713/524-7700, extension 12. OutSmart and KPFT 90.1FM Pacifica will sponsor the December 1 programming.

If you have any comments about this article, please email them to letters@outsmartmagazine.com.