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| Getting ready for Verdi's La Traviata! Oh, popular culture! |
Always on my list of New Year's resolutions is to see more art. Hopefully it is on yours, too. Houston's vibrant art scene is filled with something for everyone. I hope you will join me in supporting it. And, I always tell people that if you see something that you didn't care for -- turn it into a positive experience and acknowledge that you've figured out what you don't like.
On the 1st of every month, I will highlight some of my top picks for the month in Houston and occasionally some things in other cities.
Let's get to it, shall we? And, as always, please let me know in the comments what you're checking out, too!
1 at 6 pm: Bach Society Houston with organist Robert Bates and works by J.S. Bach and other seasonal baroque works
Tickets: Free; free will offering accepted.
Where: Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard
Bach, Baroque and all of that are something new to my ears in 2011. Yes, the works have been around for centuries but I never really paid much atention. With a classical piano background, I am already in love with the sound of the harpsichord and organ. I’m also a huge fan of the cello and other stringed instruments. I heard of “early music” but I had no idea what it meant and didn’t take the time to figure it out until Houston Young People for the Arts had an event with Ars Lyrica and we heard works by Alessandro Scarlatti. New sounds were heard and I liked them and a lot of my favourite instruments were represented in the ensemble.
If your ears are yearning for some new sounds – come give a listen to this organ recital. When I was in NYC recently, I noticed so much of this type of programming. I’m really impressed by all of the early music in Houston and Texas, for that matter. I look forward to exploring more!
7 at 7:30 pm: Musiqa Houston presents “Free of the Ground” with Houston Ballet II and a host of musicians, singers and composers.
Tickets: $40, $30, $20. http://thehobbycenter.org.
Where: The Hobby Center, 800 Bagby
There is a lot of great art in Houston and sometimes it just takes me a while to go see it all. I still have a lot on my “to-do” list and Musiqa Houston is one of them! I love this collaboration bringing in Houston Ballet II with a ton of new music. Houston Ballet is a crown jewel of Houston and Houston Ballet II is the perfect complement to a stellar company. HBII dancers are coached by internationally acclaimed teacher Claudio Munoz, ballet master for HBII. Many of these young artists will go on to join prestigious international companies as Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and many more – come see them in a great setting!
12 at 6-8 pm; book signing line starts at 5 pm: The Art of Huck Gee – Book Tour
Where: Domy Books, 1709 Westheimer
Domy Books brings UK native and contemporary artist, illustrator, toy maker and designer Huck Gee will be signing his latest book. You may know him for his iconic “Skullhead” character and “Gold Life” art creations. Huck’s works have been exhibited in galleries worldwide and in 2007 his “Hello My Name Is” 8" Dunny was accepted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. In addition, Huck has also consigned several pieces for one of the world’s leading fine art auction houses: Christie’s Auction House. He’s released numerous limited production toys through Kidrobot including some of the most exclusive and sought after Dunnys to date, figures for The Standard, DJ Qbert, and a series of figures for Barney’s New York which came dressed in the 2005 spring collections of five of the world’s most famous fashion designers: Marc Jacobs, Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander, Rick Owens, and Duckie Brown.
12-14 at 8 pm; 15 at 7:30 pm: Hope Stone Dance Company – “la vie a pleines dents” with Mercury Baroque, Antoine Plante, Ana Trevino-Godfrey and the Houston Boychoir
Tickets: $30. http://hopestoneinc.org
Where: Houston Pavilions, 1201 Fannin, 2nd level (above Yao Restaurant & Bar)
The line-up alone screams “must-see.” I have always left a Hope Stone performance feeling like a better person. Not just because by going, I am supporting the arts but I feel better because of the clever arrangement founder & choreographer Jane Weiner brings together with her dancers and the thoughtful, engaging movements that bring it all together. This piece is like putting together the best dinner party guests and having them all interact with one another through the night resulting in a great time for all. It’s the best combination of some of the finest artists in Houston. Another great aspect is that they are using some available space at Houston Pavilions to perform in. Atmosphere is another important piece to bring to the equation when putting on any kind of event. I’m excited to see how they make this blank canvas their own. I’ll be there Thursday.
13-14 – 7:30 pm – DiverseWorks presents Ayman Harper with Matmos: (theLID (U.S. Premiere)
Tickets: $20; sidenote: I’ll be co-hosting a reception on Friday the 13th – come!
Where: DiverseWorks, 1117 E. Freeway, diverseworks.org
DiverseWorks is always one of my favourite places to catch some of the most interesting work being made today from artists all over the world. I was introduced to Ayman Harper in 2007 we he performed with Mario Zambrano and have been trying to keep up with what he’s been creating. Part-time Houston-based choreographer and former Forsythe Company member Ayman Harper comes to DiverseWorks with the U.S. premiere of (theLID, a conceptualized dance event. Collaborating with renowned sound artists Matmos and dancer Jermaine Spivey (with KiddPivotFrankfurtRM), (theLID is a musical composition unfolding in the form of dance. Combining Matmos’ ability to create whimsical and peculiar electronic sound assemblages from every day objects with Harper’s ability to create lyrical and idiosyncratic movement, (theLID is a hybrid performance event in which movement and sound composition are mutally inspired.
17 – 9 pm – BooTown presents Grownup Storytime
Tickets: $5 at the door
Where: Rudyard’s, 2010 Waugh Drive
You never know what you’re going to hear on Grownup Storytime but in most instances it’s going to release a giant chuckle out of you or at least release some emotion, which for these days is a great sign that we are all still alive! People (you could, too) submit stories to the peeps over at BooTown whom assign the stories to readers and a selection is read at each Storytime. Honestly, it is one of my favourite nights of the month. I wouldn’t be surprised if they grow out of their current haunt at some point this year.
21 – 7:30 pm to 11 pm; after party ‘til 2 am – I ♥ HYPA: Houston Young People for the Arts Homecoming Gala
Tickets start at $50; Packages available for HYPA Gala & Bring It On: The Musical with TUTS.
Where: Advantage BMW Midtown Service Shoppe (where they fix the cars!), 2101 San Jacinto
Ok, I’m biased. I am helping throw this party with a fabulous committee; however, I wouldn’t tell you to come if I thought it wasn’t going to be fun. HYPA has built a reputation for throwing one of the most fun parties to begin the new year and this one will go down in the history books, too. Every year HYPA picks a Houston Theater District group to partner with (their parent organization, Houston Downtown Alliance, is the parent organization for Houston Theater District, too!) and this year it is Theatre Under The Stars. TUTS is bringing the Broadway tour of (turn up your speakers and click this next link) Bring It On: The Musical to the Hobby Center and before it leaps & jumps onto the Sarofim Hall stage, we are throwing a party! A 50-piece marching band and cheerleaders, Dance Houston and DJ James Reed highlight some of the entertainment, there will be plenty to eat and drink and then we’ll cap it off with an after party at Fox Hollow (school bus transportation available, too). Get all the details at http://houstonarts.org and we’ll see you there!
23 – 7:30 pm: Inprint Houston presents Margaret Atwood
Tickets: $5, inprinthouston.org
Location: Wortham Theater Center, Cullen Theater, 501 Texas
I would generally suggest going to any of these reading series as Inprint Houston really brings some of the most prolific writers our time has seen. And, it’s $5. Ms. Atwood will be reading from her most recent book, The Year of the Flood. You may also know her from The Blind Assassin (2000 Man Booker Prize winner), The Edible Woman, The Handmaid's Tale, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, and Oryx and Crake. Even if you haven’t heard of her or read her books – you might just learn something new and isn’t that what we strive for?
26 – 7:30 pm: Theatre Under The Stars presents Bring It On: The Musical
Tickets: HYPA members can go for $40, http://www.houstondowntownalliance.com/en/cev/1068
Or $104-$35.50.
Bring It On: The Musical is the explosive new musical comedy that raises the stakes on over-the-top high school rivalries. Set against the world of competitive cheerleading, this powerhouse new show hilariously proves that winning isn’t everything when it means losing something – or something – you really care about. And it has a nice pedigree of some of Broadway’s freshest and funniest creative minds from Avenue Q, In The Heights, Next to Normal, Wicked and High Fidelity. The show starts running January 24 through February; however, on this night, HYPA is taking over some of the seats and then joining OUT at TUTS, TUTS’ GLBT social theatre group, at Artista for a post-performance, cabaret-style evening with the cast. Get your tickets for a really fun night!
27 – 7:30 pm: Houston Grand Opera presents La Traviata
Tickets: $288-$38
Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave.
I’m thrilled to finally add La Traviata to my opera repertoire. I’ve been wanting to see it since Julia Roberts cried at it in Pretty Woman. Also, my newly found interest in early music has also helped continue to increase my love for opera in general. I was not saying this a few years ago but I’m happy I am saying it now. If you’re an opera newbie or even if you’re not – you should see Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata. It's a classic! I attend every opening night with HGO's Opening Nights group -- a really great way to bring opera into your life and meet some really amazing people.
All of January – Byzantine frescoes at The Menil Collection
Tickets: Free, menil.org
Since their residency in Houston concludes in February 2012, you may want to get a head start and take a few last glimpses at these majestic pieces. In September, we learned that they were being returned to Cyprus after a long-term loan to The Menil Collection. Also, it’s always worthwhile to visit The Menil, period.
There are so many other things I want to check-out including National Theatre of London Live on the Big Screen at Sundance Cinemas (Jan 2-7), RachFest! with Houston Symphony (weekends in Jan.) Elvis Nights at Fitzgerald’s (6), Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, Joshua Bell (20), Bach Vespers (22), partake in Sundance Cinemas expansion of the Sundance Film Festival for one night (26)…and much more. This is by no means a complete list – check out culturemap.com (especially Joel Luks' weekly round-up of things to check-out), artshound.com, artsandculturehouston.com, spacetaker.com, do713.com, houstonpress.com – or take my word for it and start out with a few of these! : ) And, let me know by leaving a comment if you plan to stop by. I'll keep my eye out for you!
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