DiverseWorks

Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson wrote in Hell's Angels, “The Edge... There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.” He could have been talking about the creative, experimental and sometimes controversial artistic geniuses at DiverseWorks, who promote artists who strive to leave a provocative imprint on the world of contemporary art. Housed in a warehouse space just north of downtown, this nonprofit organization has recruited and showcased the exploratory work of performance artists, musicians, playwrights, painters, photographers and dancers who come from around the world to test their new ideas here. Long before Blue Man Group was a mainstream mega-success, they appeared at DiverseWorks and tried out their bag of tricks (marshmallows, throbbing drums, flying paint and all) for the packed audience who crowded into the intimate theater space to see for themselves what this new cult sensation was all about. The last time Blue Man Group was in town, they performed at the gigantic Toyota Center. For first-timers, DiverseWorks is not always easy to find, so check out its website for a map and directions.