Performing Arts • Art/Photography • Radio • On the Big Screen • And Other Fun Things • Ongoing • HIV Testing
______________________
HOT TICKET
Arabian Nights
…for young and old.
Houston Ballet is getting its first work by British choreographer David Bintley. And it’s a doozy.
Houston Ballet has been trying to get a Bintley ballet in its repertory for years. Aladdin, the tale of love, adventure, and a magic lamp, was created by Bintley in 2008 for the New National Theatre of Tokyo. A three-act story ballet, it engages both children and adults, making it a good choice to introduce novices to the world of ballet.
There’s stunning, fast-paced dancing, flying carpets, and even a genie. Sets are by celebrated English designer Dick Boyd, the hundreds of exotic costumes are from Sue Blaine, and the rousing score comes from Carl Davis, C.B.E., conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and a well-known film composer and collaborator in Paul McCartney’s symphonic works.
This is a must-see for ballet fans and also just fun, exciting entertainment for young and old. —Marene Gustin
____________________________________________
HOT TICKET GALVESTON
Celebrate! at Mardi Gras! Galveston
“Mardi Gras! Galveston” is the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. This year at the island’s 103rd celebration, which runs from February 21 to March 4, there are 38 concerts, 24 parades, 20 balcony parties, and 5 masked balls lined up for the more than 300,000 attendees. There’s plenty on deck for those with varied tastes.
Classic Mardi Gras revelry can be found in the island’s historic downtown entertainment district. Nearly all of the 24 parades go through downtown, so expect big crowds and an even larger amount of beads. You can view the parades from the street or from high above at the many balcony parties being hosted around the Strand Historic District.
For those wanting more of an elegant affair, five masked balls with black-tie attire, buffets, live performers, dancing, and parade-viewing are available. Enjoy Tremont House’s annual Mardi Gras Ball & Parade Viewing Party, or the San Luis Salute hosted by Tillman and Paige Fertitta.
Families can also enjoy the celebration on Sunday, February 23, with family-friendly live entertainment, two kids’ parades, a coloring contest, and the Jr. Jester Jaunt! 1K Run/Walk. On the following Sunday, March 2, there will be the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Pet Parade (where pets of all sizes, shapes, and species are welcome) and the Mardi Gras Children’s Parade on the Seawall, hosted by firefighters Local 571.
The headline performer this year on the Budweiser Stage is Uncle Kracker on Saturday, February 22, at 5:30 p.m. Fans of electronic music and laser light shows should check out “Electric Mardi Gras” as it makes its return to the Jägermeister DJ Stage in its new and expanded location at 21st and Mechanic streets. Held on Fridays and Saturdays during the two-week celebration, it is essentially one big party with continuous concerts. DJ Clockwork headlines this event on Friday, February 28, at 11 p.m.
Concert admissions are included in the general admission price for Mardi Gras! Galveston. Discounted tickets are available online at $10 each, for a limited time. At the gate, tickets are $17. Balcony party tickets are $35 and up. —Jed Ocot
____________________________________________
PERFORMING ARTS
• Through February 9
Rigoletto. Houston Grand Opera brings back Verdi’s classic tale of love and revenge to warm you up this month. See houstongrandopera.org for details.
• Through February 15
Next to Normal. This award-winning Broadway musical about mental illness is presented by Standing Room Only Productions at Obsidian Art Space. See sro-productions.com for details.
The Giver. Based on the Newbery Award-winning book by Lois Lowry at Main Street Theater, mainstreettheater.com.
• Through February 16
Into the Woods. Main Street Theater kicks off the new year with this charming musical that lampoons fairytales. See mainstreettheater.com for ticket information.
Failure: A Love Story. Stages Repertory Theatre presents a regional premiere by Philip Dawkins. See stagestheatre.com.
• Through February 23
Freud’s Last Session. An evening with Dr. Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis entertains at the Alley Theatre. See alleytheatre.org for ticket information.
• February 1–April 26
Alice in Wonderland: UNSCRIPTED. An adults-only show from ComedySportz, this version of Alice’s adventures can take a wild turn based on audience participation and crazy suggestions. Visit comedysportzhouston.com to learn more.
• February 4
Houston Friends of Chamber Music present Kremerata Baltica. Young up-and-comer Kremerata Baltica found a way to produce mesmerizing chamber music with artists with an average age of 27. Come hear them play one night only. See houstonfriendsofchambermusic.org for details.
• February 6–22
Nothing. A new work by Suchu Dance, and in their new studio no less, features an original sound-score by Fescennine. Learn more at suchudance.org.
• February 7
The Peking Acrobats. Society for the Performing Arts presents these amazing Chinese acrobats. One night only! Check out spahouston.org for tickets.
The Cookers. Da Camera continues the jazz series with this jazz supergroup, who have been called “colossal” by National Public Radio. See more at dacamera.com.
• February 7–March 1
Clean/through. A new play from the author of 2012’s hit premieres of American Falls and Fleaven, clean/through is about a relationship ravaged by drugs and sickness. At Catastrophic Theatre, catastrophictheatre.com.
• February 8
La Sposa dei Cantici. Ars Lyrica kicks off the Houston Early Music Festival with this work from 1703. Visit arslyricahouston.org or call the Hobby Center box office at 713.315.2525. HEM runs through February 16 with performances by Houston Early Music, Mercury, and the Bach Society Houston. Discounted festival passes are available via phone at 713.533.0080.
• February 8 & 9
Voices of the Spirit IV. A concert of diverse sacred music at the Asia Society Texas Center. Visit houstonartsalliance.com for details.
• February 15
Tango Time. An evening of tango music, singing, and dancing with the pianist René Casarsa and the Houston Tango Quartet. Proceeds benefit music scholarships. Get tickets at casaargentina.org.
The Official Blues Brothers Revue. See the performance that pays homage to the legendary film. Original star Dan Aykroyd makes a special appearance. For more information, visit thegrand.com.
• February 17–March 28
Oskar and the Big Bully Battle! A great play at the Alley Theatre that teaches kids how to handle bullying. See alleytheatre.org for dates and tickets.
• February 20–March 2
Aladdin. Houston Ballet presents this American premiere by choreographer David Bintley at the Wortham Theater Center. See article above, tickets at houstonballet.org.
• February 21–March 16
Fool. Just added to the Alley’s season, the premiere of Theresa Rebeck’s new play Fool, replacing Never the Sinner. See www.alleytheatre.org for dates and tickets.
• February 28–March 16
4000 Miles. The first production of the year for Black Lab Theatre, the play details the relationship between a young man and his 91-year-old grandmother. See blacklabtheatre.com for ticket information.
• March 1
Manuel Valera and New Cuban Express. Da Camera continues the jazz series with Latin jazz pianist Manuel Valera and New Cuban Express. See dacamera.com for ticket information.
(Return to top)
___________________________________
ART/PHOTOGRAPHY
• Through February 8
Inside the Lines. Nicole Longnecker Gallery exhibits their first show of gallery artist Todd Williamson, one of America’s most exciting abstract painters. Visit longneckergallery.com for more.
• Through February 9
Weavers’ Stories from Island Southeast Asia and Between History and New Horizons: Photographs of Women, Work and Community in Laos. Two exhibitions highlighting the creative labor of women textile makers from Southeast Asia at The Asia Society Texas Center. See asiasociety.org/texas.
• Through February 15
New Works by Sandi Seltzer Bryant. Works by the artist in handmade papers are featured at this exhibit at McMurtrey Gallery. See mcmurtreygallery.com.
Sketch Klubb presents 1,000 crappy barts for Michael Harwell plus Klay Klubb. Sketch Klubb offers tribute to Michael Harwell and presents recently created pottery by all members at Box 13. Visit box13artspace.com for details.
• Through February 21
Seismic Atlas. Fresh Arts presents a collection of large-scale drawings, curated by emerging artist and curator Sapphire Williams, highlighting new works by local artists Katie Mulholland and Darcy Rosenberger. See fresharts.org for more.
• Through February 22
Positive Exposure. Nicole Longnecker Gallery presents this exhibit featuring the photographs of Rick Guidotti. See longneckergallery.com for details.
• Through March 1
SonicWorks is a multi-platform exhibition that explores the expanding field of experimental sound art and practice. At DiverseWorks, diverseworks.org.
• Through March 2
Jane Allensworth: Recent Works and Remembering Susan Shirley Eckel: Selected Works. Two new art exhibits at the Galveston Arts Center. See galvestonartscenter.org for details.
• Through March 9
Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, mfah.org.
• Through March 15
Terra Corpus. For his museum debut in the United States, Anton Ginzburg presents At the Back of the North Wind and Walking the Sea, part one and two of a trilogy of works in film, photography, sculpture, and painting at the Blaffer Art Museum. See blafferartmuseum.org for details.
• Through March 16
El Ultimo Grito. A new site-specific installation at Rice University Art Gallery by Rosario Hurtado and Roberto Feo. See ricegallery.org for details.
• Through March 23
Outside the Lines. An exhibit at the 65-year-old Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, this six-part exhibition series is an evolving dialogue on contemporary abstraction. See camh.org for details.
The Age of Impressionism: Great French Paintings from the Clark. This exhibit spans the 19th century and culminates with superb Impressionist canvases by Manet, Degas, Renoir, Monet, and Morisot. The MFAH is only the second U.S. museum to host the exhibition. At the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. See mfah.org for details.
• Through March 29
What Time Is It? Public art installation downtown at the Market Square Clock Tower. By the Blaffer Museum of Art, blafferartmuseum.org.
• Through March 30
Cyan Silhouettes: Works by Anna Mavromatis & Thea Clark. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft’s FotoFest exhibit features works of rays of ultraviolet light on silk, paper, and linen, with fragments bearing an uncanny familiarity and a collection of photographs and mementos that take the form of Prussian-blue and dark-brown silhouettes. See more at crafthouston.org.
• Through April 30
Joseph Havel: Endless. A new site-specific installation made of books cast in bronze at Contemporary Art Museum Houston. See camh.org for details.
• February 1–27
Nude features new works by artists Liz Conces Spencer and Gene Hester at Archway Gallery. See archwaygallery.com for more information.
• February 7–May 11
Spectra: Work by Adrian Esparza. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft presents Spectra, a site-specific installation by El Paso native Adrian Esparza. See more at crafthouston.org.
Dark Light: The Micaceous Ceramics of Christine Nofchissey McHorse. Also at HCCC, an exhibit by one of the most innovative contemporary forces in Native American pottery.
• February 13–May 11
Georges Braque: A Retrospective. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston showcases the paintings of Georges Braque. This is the last and only U.S. stop for this retrospective. See mfah.org.
• February 14–July 13
Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary, 1926-1938 and Memories of a Voyage: The Late Work of René Magritte. More than just his paintings, these two exhibitions include rarely seen preparatory drawings, gouaches (an increasingly important medium to Magritte during his late period), and sculptures such as two painted bottles (only 25 of which are known to exist). At The Menil Collection, menil.org.
• February 23–May 26
Beyond Craft: Decorative Arts from the Leatrice S. and Melvin B. Eagle Collection. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston showcases an exhibition that looks at the major figures and aesthetic movements in contemporary craft and beyond, from the mid-1960s to the early 1990s. See mfah.org.
• March 1–April 3
Earth Works. An exhibit at Archway Gallery featuring work by ceramic artist V. Chin and painter David Connolly. See archwaygallery.com for more.
____________________________
RADIO
After Hours: Queer Radio with Attitude features the QMZ (Queer Music Zone) with Jimmy Carper. Saturday nights, midnight–3 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.
________________________________
ON THE BIG SCREEN
• All Month
Films at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Every weekend in February the MFAH offers premieres and Oscar-nominated short films and a special on Renoir (the 14th and 15th). See mfah.org/film for full listings, times, and tickets.
• February 9–13
ReelAbilities: Houston Disabilities Film Festival. Presented by Jewish Family Service, ReelAbilities is the largest film festival in the nation committed to promoting appreciation and awareness of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with various disabilities. See disabilitiesfilmfestival.org for listings.
AND OTHER FUN THINGS
• Through February 2
Ice at Discovery Green. Lace up those skates and hit the frozen lake at Discovery Green park downtown. For more details, see discoverygreen.com.
• Through April 22
Coats for Cubs. Donate used fur coats and trimmings at any Buffalo Exchange clothier to benefit injured and orphaned wildlife.
• February 8
17th Annual Sacred Places Tour. This Galveston event highlights the island’s rich religious heritage while showcasing the depth and range of Galveston’s sacred architecture. See galvestonhistory.org for details.
• February 12
1st Annual Latin Fever Gala. Support Teatro Bilingüe de Houston at this gala at the Bayou City Event Center. See talentobilingue.org for ticket information.
Barbara Coombs Lee, president of the largest organization dedicated to aid-in-dying, Compassion & Choices, speaks at the Wortham Theater Center. Get tickets at progressiveforumhouston.org.
• February 16
Galveston Marathon. Test you New Year’s resolution to get fit by running on the island in this annual race along the Seawall. Details at galvestonmarathon.com.
• February 21–March 4
Mardi Gras. Par-tay time on the Island! Galveston’s annual fling features 24 parades, 20 balcony parties, five masked balls, and 38 concerts. See mardigrasgalveston.com.
• March 1
Magritte: Beyond the Image, Beneath the Pain. As an aside to the two exhibits starting at The Menil Collection this month, Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary, 1926-1938 and Memories of a Voyage: The Late Work of René Magritte, a symposium on the artist is being held March 1 at the Asia Society Texas Center. See details at menil.org.
(Return to top)
_______________________________
HIV Testing
• Daily (Sun.–Fri.)
HIV Testing. 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.
• Daily (Mon.–Fri.)
HIV Testing. Free HIV testing, with no Gold Card or donation required or requested. 9am–1pm. HCHD Thomas Street Clinic, 2015 Thomas St. • 713/873-4157 • 713/873-4026.
• Daily (Mon.–Fri.)
HIV Testing. Houston Area Community Services (HACS) offers free, confidential HIV testing with results in less than one minute on a daily basis (Mon–Thurs: 9 am–6 pm, Fri: 8 am–5 pm). No appointment necessary. 2150 West 18th St. (Heights area). HACS Testing Calendar with additional outreach locations: hacstxs.org/testing.html. Contact HACS about testing: testing@hacstxs.org or 713/426-0027.
• Daily (Mon.–Fri.)
HIV Testing. Legacy Community Health Services provides free rapid HIV testing with results in 20 minutes at the following locations on a weekly basis. MONDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic (1415 California St.), 11am–6pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic (502 Lyons Ave.), 1–5pm; George Sports Bar, 6–9pm; EJ’s, 9pm–12am • TUESDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic, 11am–6pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic, 1–5pm; Midtowne Spa, 5–9pm; 611 Hyde Park Pub, 6:30–9pm • WEDNESDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic, 11am–6pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic, 1–5pm; Walgreens–Montrose, 4–8pm; Club Houston, 6–10pm; Crystal Night Club, 10pm–2am • THURSDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic, 11am–6pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic, 1–5pm; Walgreens–Lyons, 2–5pm; Midtowne Spa, 5–9pm.; Guava Lamp, 6:30–9pm; Ripcord, 6:30–10pm • FRIDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic, 11am–4pm; Club Houston, 1–4pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic, 1–5pm; TC’s Showbar, 4–8pm Tony’s Corner Pocket, 4:30–8:30pm. • Legacy Testing Calendar: http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/calendar.php?crd=legacytestingservices&.
(Return to top)
____________________________
ONGOING
The Women’s Group, a feminist group for all women. 10:15am. First Unitarian Universalist Church’s Sojourner Truth Room, 5200 Fannin St. • 713/529-8571.
• Weekly (Mondays)
EMBody: Whole Health, Wellness and Resiliency peer group. 2pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
LBT Breast Cancer Survivors Support Group. 5pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
EMBody: Introduction to Yoga. 6pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
Depression Bipolar Support Group. 7pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
Helping TransGenders Anonymous, a facilitated support group for all transgenders, supporters, family, and significant others. 7pm. 604 Pacific St. • tgctr.org.
Fathers First. Houston’s original gay fathers group supports gay dads who are dealing with coming-out issues, and family and life challenges after being married to a woman. Meets every Monday except holidays. 7:30pm. Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, 1440 Harold St., Room 230 • fathersfirstofhouston.com.
• Weekly (Tuesdays)
EMBody: Mindfulness, Well-Being, Stress Reduction. 11am. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
HIV Support Group Lunch Brunch. 11am. Bering Memorial UMC, 1440 Harold, Room 214 • 713/526-1017, ext. 202.
HATCH’s Transgender Support Group and Speak Out for Youth. 5pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
• Weekly (Wednesdays)
Gulf Pride for Youth, a support group for GLBTIQA youth ages 13–20. 6–9pm. 707 23rd St., Galveston • gulfprideforyouth.org.
HIV Support Group BSSG. 6:30pm. Bering Memorial UMC, 1440 Harold, Fellowship Hall • 713/526-1017.
Zumba exercise class with Crystal Wall. 6:45pm. House of Deréon Media Center, 2204 Crawford St. • 713/772-5175.
Houston Pride Band seeks all brass, woodwind, and percussion players of all skill levels for rehearsal. 7:30pm. Bethel UCC, 1107 Shepherd Dr. • 713/315-2525 • houstonprideband.org.
• Weekly (Thursdays)
Center HIV Support Group. Facilitated support group for HIV-positive individuals. 6pm. Houston GLBT Community Center, Historic Dow School, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
Southern Country, a country-and-western dance troupe, offers free dance lessons. 8:30 p.m. EJ’s Bar, 2517 Ralph St. • southerncountryhouston.com.
• Weekly (Fridays)
HATCH Youth Group. 7pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
• Weekly (Sundays)
HATCH Youth Group. 6pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
• Semi-monthly (1st and 3rd Fri.)
Positive Brothers United, a social/support group for GLBT, HIV-positive men of color. 6 pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • csmithpbu@yahoo.com • 713/454-7548.
• Monthly (1st Sun.)
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Houston provides educational presentations of LGBT topics, small-group confidential discussions, and supportive fellowship. 2pm. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 S. Main St. • pflaghouston.org.
• Monthly (1st Sat.)
First Saturday Arts Market. Local artists display and sell original works of art. 11am–6pm. Wind Water Gallery, 548 West 19th St. Free admission. yalestreetmarket.com.
First Saturday Queer Bingo benefits Houston GLBT Community Center. 4:30pm. Houston GLBT Community Center, Historic Dow School, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunity center.org • 713/524-3818.
• Monthly (2nd Tues.)
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 • info@lawkn.com • 713/808-1000.
• Monthly (2nd Thurs.)
Ryan White Planning Council. 11:30am. 2223 W. Loop South • rwpchouston.org • 713-572-3724.
SPRY Potluck for Seniors. 4pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
National Leather Association–Houston.
Movie night. 7pm. Montrose Center, Room 106 • 832/744-8607.
• Monthly (2nd Sat.)
AssistHers helps lesbians coping with life-threatening illnesses by providing non-medical assistance. Volunteers meet for fellowship and education followed by lunch at a local restaurant. 9:30am–noon. Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, 1440 Harold St. • assisthers.org • 713/521-4628.
National Leather Association–Houston. Leather craft class. Noon. $20+materials. Locations vary. bihouse@comcast.net.
• Monthly (3rd Sun.)
LOAF Meet and Greet. Lesbians Over Age Fifty meet for munchies and fellowship. 2–4pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • loafhouston.org • 281/467-2578.
• Monthly (3rd Tues.)
Affected Community Committee of the Ryan White Planning Council. Noon. rwpchouston.org • 713-572-3724.
• Monthly (3rd Wed.)
Log Cabin Republicans. Theo’s Restaurant, 812 Westheimer • facebook.comgroups/102199491979/?fref=ts.
• Monthly (3rd Thurs.)
HIV Testing. 1pm. Houston GLBT Community Center, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
SPRY Counseling Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
EMBody: Understanding Mental Health Issues. Rotating topics: addiction, depression, anxiety, bipolar. 5pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
EMBody: To Cook or Not to Cook. Demystifying raw foods. 6pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrose counselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
Share with PFLAG Houston in a safe, confidential setting. 7:30–9pm. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s Chatham Room, 1805 W. Alabama • pflaghouston.org.
• Monthly (3rd Fri.)
Triple D: Dykes, Dinner, and Discussion offers dinner and conversation about health, family, dating, equality, community awareness, and freedom of speech. 7pm. Houston GLBT Community Center, 1901 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
• Monthly (3rd Sat.)
Discovery Green Flea by Night. Local music, kids’ activities, bicycle repair workshop, and 40+ vendors selling vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, and more. 6–10pm. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. • discoverygreen.com • 713/400-7336.
• Monthly (4th Sun.)
Share with the Clear Lake satellite of PFLAG Houston in a safe, confidential setting. 2–4pm. Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Hall, 17503 El Camino Real, Clear Lake • pflaghouston.org.
____________________________
Have an event to submit? calendar@outsmartmagazine.com.
Info needed for your event listing: a few lines of info about your event; date/time; cost; location/address; organization name; and two phone numbers—one for OutSmart to reach you for questions and one for OutSmart readers to get more info on your event (can be the same number). Mail info to: OutSmart Magazine, 3406 Audubon Place, Houston 77006.
NO CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS CAN BE ACCEPTED AFTER FEBRUARY 10, 5PM.
