“This Thursday, April 28, from 6-9pm is the final exhibition opening reception of the 2010-2011 DiverseWorks Season. Stop by, mix and mingle, and meet the curators Carolyn Lee Anderson and Emily Johnson of This is Displacement. Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Whole Foods are providing the beverages. Plus, our good friends Oh My! Pocket Pies! Food Truck will be here from 6-8:30pm serving up dinner. Make sure to stick around after the opening reception for the Houston debut of The Thank-you Bar. Thursday’sThank-you Bar performance is PAY WHAT YOU WANT and promises to leave Houstonians with a very personal and truly unique evening. Reserve your tickets now, seating is VERY LIMITED.”

Grandalism featuring W3R3Curated by Gonzo247 April 28-June 11, 2011 Opening Reception: Thursday, April 28, 6-9pmDiverseWorks’ dock will be the backdrop for a rotating series of large-scale works by some of Houston’s most accomplished and sought after street artists. Grandalism explores the combination of street art’s traditional large scale format, it’s “grand” from the public, and sometimes its unappreciated label of vandalism.   The next Grandalism features Houston-based graffiti artist W3R3. He is on a mission to create eye popping images on walls throughout the city. Over the years W3R3 has taken his graffiti art-form to a higher level of design. His unique compositions give the viewers a look into the fantasy world where letters come alive in a vibrant array of color and movement.  For more information, click HERE.

Hope Stone Dance performed to nearly sold out audiences when Village of Waltz premiered in October, 2009. Touted as one of the “Best Productions of the Decade” by CultureMap, the show includes collaborations with internationally acclaimed composer and musician Peter Jones, vocalist Ana Trevino-Godfrey of Mercury Baroque and Bessie Award-winning lighting designer Roma Flowers.

Village of Waltz, set to all live music, is an exquisite evening-length dance and performance piece, choreographed by Jane Weiner. The piece takes a turn from the repetitive linear walk of life and moves into a circular and cyclical pattern. Village of Waltz is an examination of time and community that attempts to reconcile the enjoyment of life.  Weiner shares about her work, “It’s an idealistic cockeyed optimist’s dream of what I wish the world would be.  Everybody is accepted at a gut level.  We all have to make compromises to get along, but that doesn’t mean we have to change who we are inside, what we believe in and our goals and aspirations.”

Hope Stone will once again hold its balcony audience outreach campaign, “Not an empty seat in the house,” which provides 800 free tickets for at-risk youth to attend the live performances. Offering these seats to Houston’s youth is part of Hope Stone’s mission and commitment to present live theater to with the hope of helping students think outside the box, experience the magic of live theater and enjoy an alternative to electronic over-stimulation. Hope Stone has provided more than 4,000 free theater seats since 2005.

DETAILS:             Village of Waltz

Wortham Center – Cullen Theater

500 Texas Street, Houston, TX

October 22 – 23 @ 8 pm

Tickets: $25

To purchase online, visit www.hopestoneinc.org.

To purchase by phone or for on-line purchase assistance, please call 888.695.0888.

For show information, please call 713.526.1907.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Jane Weiner, the 2010 – 2011 lineup includes – Lemonade Stand, Village of Waltz, An Evening of Bread and Circus and the annual Kid’s Play premiere performance ONE. Season passes are available for $65, which will provide one ticket to each of the shows.

It’s been a rough summer, but working on getting back to the blog soon. thanks for hanging in there.

“Three fantastic events below to support Houston arts and they’re all for free.  If you can’t join me at all 3, I hope you can make it to at least one — they are not to be missed!

Thank you for your support and if you have any questions, just ask! Also, feel free to pass the information to any of your interested friends!” – hp

Ballet Barre
Young Professionals for Houston Ballet
Season Kick-off Party
Wednesday, August 25, 6:30-9:00 pm
RDG + Bar Annie, 1728 Post Oak Blvd

Ballet Barre has an amazing schedule planned for the 2010-2011 season (you can view it here, www.houstonballet.org/balletbarre) and it goes much beyond attending 4 performances! If you ever wanted an insider’s view of our world-renowned ballet company, this is the way to do it. Membership starts at $125! Join tomorrow night and receive 2 free drinks.

You do not need to be a member to attend tomorrow night.

Capital One Bank Culture Collision Version Theater District
Thursday, August 26, 6-8 pm
ArCH, 315 Capitol, Suite 120

Join Houston arts & culture enthusiasts to kick-off the 2010-2011 Theater District season amidst an outstanding exhibition,Ready, Set, Go showcasing Houston stage designers.

Thank you to our sponsors: Capital One Bank, Cadillac Dealers of Houston, Smith & Wollensky, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Cafe Moustache, Sprinkles Cupcakes, AIA-Houston, CultureMap and Houston Downtown Alliance.

Complimentary valet or $8 parking in Hobby Center garage.

www.houstondowntownalliance.com/hypa for more information!

RSVP: info@downtownhouston.org.

Experience Dance, Music & Theater at the 17th Annual Capital One Bank Theater District Open House!

It’s a free family day of performances, artist meet-and-greets and much, much more!

It is also the best day to purchase season tickets!  One-day-only specials on Sunday ONLY.

Visit www.houstontheaterdistrict.org for a complete listing of performances and ticketing specials!

]]> http://www.cosmopolitician.com/1-2-3-please-join-me-and-heather-pray/feed 0 http://www.cosmopolitician.com/c-u-t-here-aug-17-23 http://www.cosmopolitician.com/c-u-t-here-aug-17-23#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:28:43 +0000 Monica Danna http://www.cosmopolitician.net/?p=749 A weekly events post {c.u.t.here} or rather, see you there. Get it? See what I did there? Clever. I know. I try.;-)  Each week I’ll highlight a few events that I’m looking forward to in this grand ole city of H. c.u.t.here, peeps.

{Tuesday}

Nightclub Cardio @ Pravada

Literally one of THE best workouts I’ve ever had. A night club atmosphere, pumpin’ tunes, and workout clothes and tennies. Pretty much my dream workout. The lights are down, and people let loose. I’ve been dying to write about this for weeks. I tried this class out earlier this summer and was hooked! Now if I can just find time to make it back!  Due to popular demand, they’ve just added a second day at Pravada (Thursday) and a second location (Bar RIO, 6400 Richmond Ave) that begins September 15th. Tell Jennifer I sent you! 

{Wednesday}

Dress for Success 6th Annual Sizzling Summer Soiree

7-9pm | Tootsies (in Highland Village) | facebook invite

Nancy Levicki and the Women of Wardrobe event chairs Sharron Melton, Lauren Freeman and Shern-Min Chow with Tootsies invite you to the Sixth Annual Sizzling Summer Soiree.

Enjoy hip sips and cool canapes, and meet designer Trina Turk. 10 percent of the proceeds benefits Dress for Success Houston, so you have a great reason to shop!

Event is free for WOW members and $45 for nonmembers. Purchase your tickets to Sizzling Summer Soiree in advance to avoid waiting in a very long line! Join W.O.W. for $75 which includes complimentary admission to all W.O.W. events through next June. Buy your ticket today by calling 713-957-3779. Special thanks to The Capital Grille and TY-KU.

{Thursday}

Thursdays are always nuts.  Get in where you fit in.

5-10PM | Spacetaker Cultured Cocktails benefiting Dance Houston | FREE
Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar (Taft @ Fairview)
This has been THE place to be this summer if you are a non-profit. Or if you like wine. Either will do.

6-8pm | HYPA Summer Cocktail Tour at the Grove (Discovery Green) | FREE
feat. Houston artists Katy Anderson + Patrick Medrano + The Fodice Foundation
HOUSTON Magazine is sponsoring a summer long tour of hip places and pretty faces. This week at the Grove with HYPA. There is an afterparty at Katy + Patrick’s studio. The afterparty + film screening is free for HYPA members, and $35 for non-members.

6-9pm | 310 Rosemont Summer Mixer (1965 W. Gray) | FREE
Fashion and Denim for Women AND Men! Come for a drink. Stay for the new fall fashions. Toast to the end of summer.
I’m not sure about toasting to the end of summer…i’m hanging on with my fingernails. But LOVE this boutique. Check it.

{Friday}

Bright New Media

3:30-5:30pm | Bright Sky Press | 5416 Chaucer, right behind Ruggles | $35

Laura Mayes and yours truly will be leading a Social Media Workshop this Friday at the lovely Bright Sky Press. Stop by to ask all those burning questions about Twitter, Flickr, and Blogging, oh my! From 3:30-5:30 p.m. we’ll have the very informal workshop (Easy, practical social media training) and at 5:30 p.m. we’ll break out the Social Media Social Hour (A very happy Happy Hour where social media shows it social side).

Bright Sky Press is hosting its inaugural Bright New Media social media workshop at the Bright Sky Bookspace . Stop in to find out more about Twitter, Flickr, Blogging, Facebook, and a partridge in a pear tree. More importantly, we’ll talk about why we should care about all this (for business, for pleasure, for smart ways to connect)…and we’ll show you how easy it is to do (it’s really easy!). It all starts at 3:30 p.m. and ends with a Social Media Social Hour. $35 a person gets you all the know-how you need to go go go. We can’t wait to see you then!

RSVP to kara@brightskypress.com

Four Openings at Lawndale Art Center

6-8:30pm | Lawndale Art Center | 4912 Main Street | lawndaleartcenter.org

Yummm. I love me some Lawndale. Check out this Friday’s quadruple opening. Opening Reception August 21, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Artist talks at 6 PM. Exhibitions on view August 21- September 26, 2009:

Lawndale Art Center 30th Anniversary Exhibition –
Curated by Clint Willour
Work by Seth Alverson, Dawolu Jabari Anderson, Chuy Benitez, Elaine Bradford, Emily Sloan and Mark Schatz

Me, Mine, and not Yours – Joe Ives and Jahjehan Bath Ives

Paper or Plastic?– Nathaniel Donnett

The Green™ cyber web – Adela Andea

{Saturday}

Planned Parenthood + Riazul Tequila present Party Like a Rockstar

8pm-midnight | Warehouse Live

Whether you wear high heels, Doc Martens or blue suede shoes, come to move those feet and pump those fists in the air – and let your voice be heard!

Live Performances by DJ Alex C – voted #1 DJ by the Houston Press and Houston Chronicle and SKYROCKET! – voted Austin’s #1 cover band.

TICKETS:
Single Ticket ($50) – includes catering by Joe’s Crab Shack!

Be a VIP!
Solo-Act ($150) – one person, Hook-Up ($250) – two people, Groupies ($1000) – eight people, Entourage ($3000) – 30 people
VIP level includes catering by Morton’s the Steakhouse & Max’s Wine Dive with a Champagne Station.
Grammy Gift Bags. Exclusive After- Party from midnight to 2 a.m.

Visit http://www.pphouston.org/rockstar2009 for more information. Purchase tickets here

Each week I’ll highlight a few events that I’m looking forward to in this grand ole city of H. c.u.t.here, peeps.

{Thursday}

Open Mic Night Coffee Groundz

6-10pm, CoffeeGroundz (2503 Bagby) | www.coffeegroundz.net

This will be the first of many open mic nights to come from everyone’s favorite local coffee shop. Come by and check out some great local talent.

Runaway Sun @ Continental Club

10:10pm, Continental Club (3700 Main Street) | Cover $5

This is a big show for Runaway Sun.  Their first at the CC. Fresh off an amazing show at the Houston Press Music Awards Showcase, Shea Serrano of the Houston Press recently said of the band, “And we say this without fear: by this time next year, Runaway Sun will be one of the city’s best bands.” I couldn’t agree more.

Andrew and the guys are putting the finishing touches on their first full length album, The Bridge. Stay tuned for CD Release Party deets. Also, the band is competing with other bands for a slot on this year’s ACL lineup for the Sound and the Jury. Vote daily for them here.

{Friday}

Tech Bytes Geek Gathering @ Coffee Groundz

7:30pm, Coffee Groundz (2503 Bagby) | www.coffeegroundz.net

Houston’s geekiest are at it again! Join the fun folks from KPFT’s Technology Bytes as they continue the fun Friday with their monthly Geek Gathering.  “ou don’t have to be a geek to attend. Heck, you don’t even have to be a current listener of the show. This event is a casual meet-up for anyone interested in technology or social media in all its forms and a great opportunity to just hang out with like minded individuals.”

Ben Wesley @ Block 7

8:30pm, Block 7 Wine Co (720 Shepherd) | www.block7wineco.com

After a soft opening 2 weeks ago, Block 7 has been packing in the wine, food and music fans galore. With Friday night performances from Andrew Karnavas and Tygararaja, this Friday returns with Houston’s eclectic son, Benjamin Wesley, the musical foil and soulmate to flashy Transmissions bandmate, Cornbreadd, Wesley’s Houston Press Awards performance showed us why this talent won’t be in Houston for long. Come check out this unique performance, sure to be one of the last few intimate shows you’ll see Ben play. Kid done blowing up!

{Saturday}

Summer Fest Day 1

I keep saying this, and I seriously won’t believe Summer Fest is real until Saturday when I arrive and see if for my own eyes. For months I was convinced this was an April Fool’s Joke by our friends over at the Free Press.  Headliners include Of Montreal, Explosions in the Sky and Broken Social Scene. Yeah. see? Would you have believed it either? IN Houston?! Rad.

A 2 day pass is only 16 bucks. And a Fancy Pants Pass is $45. Do. This. People.

{Sunday}

Summer Fest Day 2

I’ve been hearing about this Neverland event a lot this week, and am determined to swing by and check it out. If nothing more, than to hang with the incomparable Miss Y.E.T.

Your are invited to Neverland, an art happening in memory of Michael Jackson at El Rincon Social (Houston, Texas). Featuring live music, video art, visual art, dance, and performance art. Neverland is a DIY celebration of the fantastic—- sequined gloves, the moonwalk, bubbles, and soulfulness.

Music by Nectarine, DJ Shundrick, dance by Sweft Feet Dance Co., and performance by Hisson.

Take pictures at the Michael Jackson photo booth. Bring a blank t-shirt & make your own MJ stencil shirt. Shake it off at the dance-a-thon.

Visual & video art by:

Fulana (Brooklyn)
Sebastian Forray (Houston)
Inge Hoonte (Brooklyn)
Emily Link (Houston)
Nia McCloud (Houston)
Emmanuel Ramos (Houston)
Stephanie Saint (Houston)
Y.E. Torres (Houston)
Fabian Vargas (Houston)
Sway Youngston (Houston)

Presented by labotanica and SPAMMO in collaboration with El Rincon Social, Objectif Magazine, & The Akire Group. RSVP on facebook here.

Questions? contact: la (at) labotanica dot org.

a map to El Rincon exisit aqui.

more info.

see you there.

Need your dance fix this weekend? Check out these 3 dance events this weekend. Natch.

Joy, Dance and Giving Animals a Chance

Benefiting
Dominic Walsh Dance Theater
and
Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, Inc.

Come enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, an exclusive silent auction, and an

intimate performance by the DWDT Dancers
Saturday, May 30, 2009
6:00 to 8:00 PM

Joy Yoga Center
4500 Washington Ave., Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77007

$15 suggested donation at the door

Please let us know if you can join us!
RSVP to info@dwdt.org or 713-652-3938
The Big Range Dance Festival

Please visit www.bigrange.org for more information or to buy tickets.

Got design skillz? Show us whatcha got.

I’m helping jury the Poster Contest for this year’s A/V Swap, an excellent mixed media (pun totally intended) event that matches filmmakers with musicians to create a mashup of sorts. Read below for all the deets.

This year, organizers are putting the poster design in the hands of the public.  Enter your design for a chance to be the face of the A/V Swap, a film/audio collaborative swap during the summer of 2009.

Due Date May 27th, 2009.  Yep, that’s Wednesday. Get crackin.

Images should be 11 x 17 and vector based. Don’t hold anything back; we want to see forward thinking graphic design!

Submit your design by Wednesday, May 27th to sean [at] theavswap.com. Please attach a 10 KB image.

Win free tickets to A/V Swap events, entrance for 2 to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and 2 free passes to a film at the River Oaks Theatre.

————————————-

About the A/V Swap 2009

Creative filmmakers submit a short movie without a soundtrack and musicians submit a soundtrack without a movie.

We’ll play matchmaker and trade each film and soundtrack.

Each musician will receive a film and every filmmaker a soundtrack.

Then you make a new composition to go with your movie or song. It’s that easy!

Info Session: Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Spacetaker, Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter St. Houston, TX 77007
Come hear about the A/V Swap, learn about digital filmmaking and recording with Sharad Patel

First deadline: Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Antidote Coffee, 729 Studewood St. Houston, TX 77007
Turn in your original film or soundtrack; you will receive your assignment within four days

Second Deadline: Monday, July 20th, 2009
Final collaborative films due

Format for the first deadline: Films and music should be at least 1 minute in duration and less than 7 minutes.

For video please provide at least 640 X 480 pixel size on a data DVD in Quicktime PNG or Quicktime photo JPEG. Please try to avoid NTSC DVD or MPEGs.

For audio please provide WAV or AIF files, please avoid MP3s to ensure best quality.

Format for the second deadline: Please drop off films formatted to play on any DVD player.

Every film in the A/V Swap will be played on the big screen in August and the Best Of screening will be held in September 2009

Check out the lead story on Houston’s “long-established, internationally recognized art scene.” Thanks for noticing, FP.

For more Flavorpill Culture eNewsletters, check this.

All right, lads and lasses.  Can you really think of a better way to spend a Sunday than with some crazy artists and a really awesome life model?

What: Houston Sketchy March life drawing
When: Sunday, March 8th 2-6pm
Where: upstairs at Avant Garden (411 Westheimer)

We’ve got another AMAZING male model (the rock star Shawn – local coffee guru, man about town and seasoned life model) to get your drawing chops into gear!

Wear your St. Paddy’s Day green (or we WILL pinch you and you know it’s true), watch out for sneaky leperchauns and prepare for one kick ass afternoon of sketching and chilling.