Local News

Calendar – December 2009 Events

December Events
Film • Performing Arts • Performing Arts for Young People • Radio • Art/Photography • Day-By-Day • Planning Ahead • HIV Testing. PLUS hot ticket — Kindred Spirits’ Judy Garland Christmas Special Sing-along

Compiled by Nancy Ford

FilmPerforming ArtsPerforming Arts for Young PeopleRadioArt/Photography December Day-By-DayPlanning AheadHIV Testing
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HOT TICKET
GarlandHave Yourself a Judy Little Christmas
See if rainbows really know how to fly at Kindred Spirits’ Judy Garland Christmas Special Sing-along.

Everyone knows that the legendary songstress Judy Garland had a little problem with the booze and the pills. And while substance abuse is certainly no laughing matter, Garland seemed to be enjoying the heck out of her holiday buzz in 1963 when she taped a Christmas special.

The black-and-white vintage television show contains rare performances by Judy’s offspring Lorna and Joey Luft, with pop-ins by Mel Tormé, Jack Jones, and a tribe of dancing Santas. But most irresistible is the appearance of a 17-year-old Liza Minnelli and her (presumably gay) choreographer “beau,” as Judy calls him with a sly slur.

Nancy Ford emcees the show with blow-by-blow comedic commentary, with members of the Bayou City Women’s Chorus providing musical selections. Guests are also encouraged to sing along with a special round of “caroling karaoke” to make the Yuletide as gay as possible.

This is the second year the women of Kindred Spirits Foundation has produced the holiday party, which also offers a full buffet of holiday goodies including the requisite Christmas ham. The evening is capped off with Judy-inspired “booze basket” raffle prizes and teasers for the group’s 2nd annual charity golf tournament.

December 6, 6 p.m. In-N-Out Nightclub, 1537 N. Shepherd Dr. Benefits AssistHers, Bering Support Network, Houston Buyers Club, and Lesbian Health Initiative–Houston. $20. Details: kindredspiritshouston.org.

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FILM

Lithuania and the Collapse of the USSR, a new film by Jonas Mekas presented by Aurora Picture Show’s Flickerlounge and DiverseWorks. Through Dec. 19. 1117 East Frwy. • diverseworks.org • 713/335-3445.

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PERFORMING ARTS

The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long, presented by Theatre Under the Stars. Dec. 2. Angelika Film Center, 510 Texas St. • tuts.com • 713/558-8887.

If It’s Monday, This Must Be Christmas. A Yuletide whodunit. Through Dec. 5. Theatre Suburbia, 4106 Way Out West Dr. • theatresuburbia.com • 713/682-3525.

The Story of My Life. A rich musical about two childhood friends. Through Dec. 6. Theater LaB Houston, 1706 Alamo St. • theaterlabhouston.com • 713/868-7516.

The Last Night of Ballyhoo, a family comedy directed by Steve Garfinkel. Through Dec. 13. Main Street Theater–Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd. • mainstreettheater.com • 713/524-6706.

A Broadway Christmas Carol, a musical parody. Through Dec. 19. Island East End Theater Company, 2001 Postoffice St., Galveston • islandetc.org • 409/762-3556.

The Nerd. Larry Shue’s 1981 frenetic comedy. Through Dec. 19. Company OnStage, 536 Westbury Square • 713/726-1219.

Miracle on 34th Street. Valentine Davies and George Seaton’s wistful Christmas story. Through Dec. 20. Texas Repertory Theatre Company, 14243 Steubner Airline Rd. • texreptheatre.org • 281/583-7573.

The Producers. The live version of Mel Brooks’ hysterical classic. Through Dec. 20. Playhouse 1960, 6814 Gant St. • pp960.com • 281/587-8243.

A Christmas Carol–A Ghost Story of Christmas. A take on Dickens’ holiday classic. Through Dec. 27. Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. • alleytheatre.org • 713/228-8421.

Christmas with Great Aunt, a family holiday musical by Houston playwright Thomas Meloncon. Through Dec. 27. Ensemble Theatre, 3535 Main St. • ensemblehouston.com • 713/520-0055.

The Nutcracker, choreographed by Ben Stevenson. Through Dec. 27. Houston Ballet. Wortham Center’s Brown Theater, 501 Texas Ave. • houstonballet.org • 713/227-2787.

Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens includes The Gift of Christmas Live, a family musical. Through Jan. 2. One Hope Blvd. Galveston • moodygardens.com • 800-582-4673.

Panto Sleeping Beauty. Kenn McLaughlin and music by David Nehls’ holiday panto. Through Jan. 3. Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Pkwy. • 713/527-0123.

A Fertle Holiday. Radio Music Theatre’s tribute to the holidays. Through Jan. 9. 2623 Colquitt St. • 713/522-7722.

A Little Day Music, a free concert by Da Camera of Houston. Bring your lunch. Dec. 2 and each first Wednesday at noon through May. Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. • dacamera.com • 713/524-5050.

Life is Happy and Sad, a musical by Daniel Johnston presented by Catastrophic Theatre. Dec. 2–19, 8pm. DiverseWorks ArtSpace, 1117 East Frwy • diverseworks.org • 713/335-3445.

The Santaland Diaries, David Sedaris’ hysterical elf tale. Dec. 2–27. Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. • alleytheatre.org • 713/220-5700.

Bowfire, a fiddling tour-de-force presented by Society for the Performing Arts. Dec. 3, 7:30pm. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. • spahouston.org • 713/227-4SPA.

Margo Veil, an entertainment presented by Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company. Dec. 3–19. Midtown Arts Center, 3414 LaBranch St. • mildredsumbrella.com • 832/418-0585.

Jubilee of Dance. Houston Ballet celebrates its 40th anniversary with a tribute to Barbara Bears. Dec. 4, 7:30pm. Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. • houstonballet.org • 713/ 227-ARTS.

Dianne Reeves: Christmas Time Is Here. Music based on the eminent jazz vocalist’s Christmas recording. Dec. 4, 8pm. Da Camera of Houston, Wortham Theater Center’s Cullen Theatre, 501 Texas Ave. • dacamera.com • 713/524-5050.

Yuletide Chamber Music with River Oaks Chamber Orchestra percussionist, Matt McClung. Dec. 7, 10am. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 1 Westcott St. • mfah.org/bayoubend • 713/639-7758.

The Sound Of Music. Theatre Under the Stars’ production of the classic musical. Dec. 8–20. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St. • tuts.com • 713/558-8887.

Garrison Keillor’s Christmas features the humorist’s unique blend of improvisational storytelling and songmaking with the Houston Symphony. Dec. 9. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. • houstonsymphony.org • 713/224-7575.

Houston Grand Opera’s Studio Showcase, an evening of music theater featuring young studio artists. Dec. 11–12, 7:30pm. University of St. Thomas’ Jones Hall • houstongrandopera.org • 713/228-6737.

Very Merry Pops with the Houston Symphony features pop pianist William Joseph and Santa Claus. Dec. 11–13. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. • houstonsymphony.org • 713/224-7575.

Songs of the Night. United Nations Association International Choir presents its sixth annual holiday concert and international food festival. Dec. 12, 7pm. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5400 Fannin St. • unahouston.org/unachoir • 713/466-1360.

The Christmas Revels. Revels Houston’s medieval celebration of the winter solstice. Dec. 12–13, 19–20. University of Houston campus at the Wortham Theater in the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, entrance 16, building 507 • revelshouston.org • 713/669-9528.

The Rose Ensemble’s Celebremos el Niño: A Mexican Baroque Christmas, presented by Houston Early Music. Dec. 13, 5pm, at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Ave. • houstonearlymusic.org • 713/432-1744.

Handel’s Messiah in Candlelight. The holiday classic is performed by Houston Symphony and Chorus. Dec. 18–20. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. • houstonsymphony.org • 713/224-7575.

Cats,Andrew Lloyd Weber’s long-running feline musical. Dec. 26–27. The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. • thegrand.com • 800/821-1894.

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PERFORMING ARTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

The Twelve Days of Christmas. Brett Mitchell conducts the Houston Symphony in the family concert. Dec. 5. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. • houstonsymphony.org • 713/224-7575.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, directed by Rebecca Greene Udden. Dec. 5 and 12. Main Street Theater Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose • mainstreettheater.com • 713/524-6706.

Winter Art Camp fort Kids. Sessions for various ages run Dec. 21–30. Art League Houston, 1953 Montrose Blvd. • artleaguehouston.org • 713/523-9530.

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RADIO

After Hours: Queer Radio with Attitude features the QMZ (Queer Music Zone) with Jimmy Carper. Sunday mornings, 1–4 am. KPFT 90.1 FM. kpft.org • 713/526-5738.

Queer Voices. Features, news, music, interviews, reviews, and commentary. Monday nights, 9–11 pm. KPFT 90.1 FM. kpft.org • 713/526-4000.

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ART/PHOTOGRAPHY

and Goats Over the Harvest Moon combines works by Jim N. Hill and Chris Menconi. Through Dec. 3. Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy St. • archwaygallery.com • 713/522-2409.

Third Ward Is My Harlem, nostalgic and sophisticated works by Tierney Malone. Through Dec. 19. DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway • diverseworks.org • 713/335-3445. 

Texas Masters Series: Rachelle Thiewes and Celebrating Our Creative Spirit: Texas Federation of Fiber Artists. Through Dec. 24. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main St.  • crafthouston.org • 713/529-4848.

Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet features 50 colorful, super-sized globes depicting everyday solutions to global warming. Through Dec. 31. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. • coolglobes.com.

New Works by Julia Fernandez-Pol and Valerie Powell. Through Dec. 31. Gallery 1724, 1724 Bissonnet St. • 713/582-1198.

Paint & Needlepoint. David Aylsworth works in paint, and Beth Secor works in needlepoint. Through Jan. 2. Inman Gallery, 3901 Main St. • inmangallery.com • 713/526-7800.

Arts of Ancient Viet Nam: From River Plain to Open Sea, presented by Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Asia Society, New York. Through Jan. 3. 5601 Main St. • mfah.org • 713/639-7300, 713/639-7379 (Spanish).

Holiday Time at Bayou Bend. Eight of the mansion’s rooms are decorated with historic recreations of celebratory moments from the 17th–20th centuries. Through Jan. 3. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 1 Westcott St. • mfah.org/bayoubend • 713/639-7758.

Joseph Marioni, paintings in red and blue. Through Jan. 5. Wade Wilson Art. 4411 Montrose Blvd., Suite #200 • 713/521-2977.

The Moon: “Houston, Tranquility Base Here. The Eagle Has Landed” celebrates the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing with photographs by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Through Jan. 10. Museum of Fine Arts’ Audrey Jones Beck Building, 5601 Main St. • mfah.org • 713/639-7300, 713/639-7379 (Spanish).

Rock, Scissors, Paper features works in found paper by five artists. Through Jan. 10. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main St. • crafthouston.org • 713/529-4848.

Vanishing Worlds: Art and Ritual in Amazonia celebrates lifein the rainforest. Through Jan. 10. Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, One Hermann Circle Dr. • hmns.org • 713/639-4629.

Matthew Day Jackson: The Immeasurable Distance explores positive evolutionary developments resulting from stress. Through Jan. 17. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Blvd. • camh.org • 713/284-8250.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition. Costumes, props, and set dressings from C.S. Lewis’ literary world. Through Jan. 18. Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, University Blvd @ New Territory Blvd. • hmns.org • 713/639-4629.

Josephine Meckseper. Works engaging leftist theories and politics in a consumerist reality. Through Feb. 6. Blaffer Gallery, University of Houston’s Fine Arts Building • blaffergallery.org • 713/743-9971.

Jon Pylypchuk. Works drawn from the animal world. Through Feb. 6. Blaffer Gallery, University of Houston’s Fine Arts Building • blaffergallery.org • 713/743-9971.

Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During the Holocaust is a photographic exhibition depicting stories of Albanian Muslims who save Jews from extermination. Through Feb. 7. Holocaust Museum Houston, 5401 Caroline St. • hmh.org • 713/942-8000.

Title of Show features magical and mythological works by Rolando Rojas through Feb. 19. Canal Street Gallery, 2219 Canal St. • canalstreetgallery.com  • 713/223-2219.

Fabergé: Imperial Jeweler to the Tsars features more than just jeweled eggs. Through April 4. Houston Museum of Natural Science, One Herman Circle Drive • hmns.org • 713/639-4629.

Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America through Galveston Island chronicles immigration through the Port of Galveston, a major gateway to American immigration. Through Sept. 11. Moody Gardens, One Hope Blvd. in Galveston • moodygardens.org • 800/582-4673.

Still, a photographic exhibition of the remote areas of West Texas by Libbie Masterson. Dec. 10–Jan. 7. Space125gallery, 3201 Allen Parkway • libbiemasterson.com.

Holiday Family Day features great American decorative arts and paintings. Dec. 20, 1–5pm. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 1 Westcott St. • mfah.org/bayoubend • 713/639-7758.

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DECEMBER DAY-BY-DAY • WEEKLYBIWEEKLY
MONTHLY

Through Jan. 18
The Ice at Discovery Green. Holiday skating on Kinder Lake, presented by the Houston Chronicle. $10 includes skate rental and tax. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. • discoverygreen.com • 713/400-7336.

Dec. 4 & 5
Homes for the Holidays
, Houston Heights Association’s holiday home tour. Heights Neighborhood Library, 1302 Heights Blvd. • houstonheights.org • 713/861-4002.

Dec. 4–6
36th Annual Dickens on the Strand celebrates the holiday season in grand Victorian style with Victorian bed races, an exhibit from the Charles Dickens Museum in London, and other events. Presented by Galveston Historical Foundation. Galveston’s downtown district. Galveston.com.

Dec. 5
A Decade of Dissent: Voices Breaking Boundaries 10-Year Anniversary, a celebration of art and activism. 7pm. Houston Institute for Culture, 708-B Telephone Rd. • vbbarts.org • 713/524-7821.

Dec. 13
H-E-B’s 4th Annual Feast of Sharing
serves more than 8,000 Greater Houston area residents a free community meal. 1–4pm. George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas.

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Weekly (Sundays)
The Women’s Group, a feminist group for all women. Dec. 6: Arden Eversmeyer discusses A Gift of Age, based on stories from her book, the Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project. First Unitarian Universalist Church’s Sojourner Truth Room, 5200 Fannin • 713/529-8571.

Weekly (Mondays)
TG Support Group. Helping TransGenders Anonymous is a facilitated support group for all transgenders, supporters, family, and significant others. 7–9pm. TG Center, 713 Fargo • transhouston.com • 713/520-8586.

Weekly (Tuesdays)
Houston Roller Derby Rec League. Skate to train or just recreationally with the women of the Houston Roller Derby. 7:30–9:30pm. Dairy Ashford Roller Rink, 1820 S. Dairy Ashford St. • houstonrollerderby.com.

Weekly (Thursdays)
GLBT-Friendly Depression & Bipolar Support Group. 7:15–8:30pm. Free. Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, 1440 Harold, room 232 • 713/526-1018.

Weekly (Sun., Wed., Sat.)
Love and Rackets. Houston Tennis Club welcomes players and enthusiasts of all skill levels. Annual membership, $30; court fees, $3 per session. Sundays, 9am–noon; Wednesdays, 7:30–9pm; clinics, every Saturday 9–10:30am. Memorial Park Tennis Center, 1500 Memorial Loop • houstontennisclub.org.

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Monthly (1st Sun.)
Free Legal Consultations for PWAs. AIDS Foundation Houston and Katine & Nechman L.L.P. offer 30 minutes of free legal consultation on any legal issue to persons with HIV and AIDS, by appointment. Katine & Nechman, 1111 North Loop West, Suite 180 • lawkn.com • 713/808-1000.

Monthly (1st Fri.)
First Friday Happy Hour. Northwest Corner, a social and civic GLBT organization for Houstonians living northwest of Loop 610, meets. Time and location TBA • NWCorner.org.
Transgender Center presents a monthly barbecue, with vegetarian food available. BYO beer and wine. 7–11pm. $10. 713 Fargo • tgctr.org.

Monthly (1st Sat.)
First Saturday Arts Market. Local artists display and sell original works of art, and local musicians entertain. 11am–6pm. Free. Wind Water Gallery, 548 W. 19th St. • yalestreetmarket.com.

Monthly (2nd Sat.)
Second Saturdays at Winter St. Studios. Meet and hang with artists in the studios marked by a large red dot on or near the door. 1–6pm. Winter St. Studios, 2101 Winter St. • winterstreetstudios.net • 713/862-0082.

Monthly (2nd Tues.)
Community Center Dinner Night, presented by Houston GLBT Community Center. Participants are responsible for their own meals. 6:30pm. West Gray Café, 415 W. Gray • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.

Monthly (3rd Sun.)
LOAF Meet and Greet. Lesbians Over Age Fifty meet for munchies and fellowship; bring some of both. 2pm. 1034 West 17th St.  

Monthly (3rd Wed.)
Bingo with the Divas, hosted by An’ Marie Gill & Jessica Van Shelton. 8–10pm. Benefits Bering Omega Foundation. Tony’s Corner Pocket, 817 W. Dallas St.

Monthly (4th Wed.)
Lesbian Dinner Group. Single and coupled women come for a meal but stay for the camaraderie. 7:30pm. Cafe Express, 1422 W. Gray • [email protected].

Monthly (3rd Thurs.)
Share with PFLAG Houston in a safe, confidential setting. 7:30pm. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s Chatham Room, 1805 Alabama St. • pflaghouston.org.

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PLANNING AHEAD

Literary contest. The Saints and Sinners GLBT Literary Festival’s First Annual Short Fiction Contest is soliciting original, unpublished short stories between 5,000 and 7,000 words with LGBT content on the broad theme of “ Saints and Sinners.” The contest is open to authors at all stages of their careers and to stories in all genres. Deadline: Jan. 2. Details: sasfest.com.

Prelude Music Classes for Children offers parents and their infants, toddlers, and preschool children an interactive experience of learning and understanding the fundamentals of music through instruments, song, and dance. Pre-register by Jan. 4. Motherhood Center, 3701 W. Alabama, Suite 230 • motherhoodcenter.com • 713/963-8880.

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HIV TESTING

Thomas Street Clinic is offering HIV testing free to the public, Mon.-Fri. 9 am-1 pm. There is no need to establish eligibility (“gold-card”), no donation will be asked of the person seeking testing, and the test is free. Thomas Street Clinic, 2015 Thomas, 713/873-4157 or 713/873-4026.

The Montrose Clinic offers free confidential HIV testing at these locations:

Decades, 1205 Richmond, 713/521-2224, Mon. 6-10pm (Dennis);
EJ’s, 2517 Ralph, 713/527-9071, Wed. & Fri. 10pm-1am (Rhonda & Lourdes);
Mary’s, Naturally, 1022 Westheimer, 713/527-9669, Wed. 4-8pm (Jack);
Midtown Spa, 3100 Fannin, 713/522-2379, Tues. 9pm-1am (Carlos), Wed. 10pm-1am (Juan), Fri. 10pm-1am (Quincy);
Ripcord, 715 Fairview, 713/521-2792, Wed. 9pm-12am (Matthew);
Inergy/Mango Lounge, 5750 Chimney Rock, 713/660-7310, Mon. 9pm-12am (Carlos);
1415 Bar & Grill, 1415 California, 713/522-7066, Thurs. 9pm-12am (Carlos);
611 Hyde Park Pub, 611 Hyde Park, 713/526-7070, Tues. 3-7pm & Sun. 2-6pm (Matthew);
All Star News and Video Emporium, 3415 Katy Freeway & Studewood, 713/869-7878, Mon. & Thurs. 4-8pm (Jack);
Brazos River Bottom, 2400 Brazos, 713/528-9192, Thurs. 8pm-12am (Matthew);
Cousin’s, 817 Fairview, 713/528-9204, Thurs. 8pm-12am (Jack);
Club Houston, 2205 Fannin, 713/659-4998, Tues. 8pm-12am (Dennis). For more info: 713/830-3000.

Planned Parenthood offers free anonymous or confidential testing at clinic locations throughout the area. To speak with an HIV counselor: 1-800-230-PLAN, Dickinson: 281/337-7725, Fannin: 713/831-6543, FM1960: 281/587-8081, Greenspoint: 281/445-4553, Huntsville: 936/295-6396, Lufkin: 936/634-8446 x223, Rosenberg: 281/342-3950, Stafford: 281/494-9848.

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