Oy. What a week coming up. Houston groups dish quite an extensive menu of delicious options. My favorites include a melange of art and wine, haute design, love for nature, a wild dramatic party, a Texas chic late night rave and a print exhibition.
Be sure to click on the links below each event suggestion. You'll be led to a page that has extra helpful intel, like where to shop, drink and eat near your final destination, in addition to a helpful features that allows you to download the details to your electronic calendar.
Picasso's Roots: Wines of Spain
Pairing art and wine isn't a groundbreaking idea. It happens nearly everyday as galleries around the city hold opening and closing receptions for their featured artists. But this Museum of Fine Arts, Houston event goes one step further. Safari through the towns where Picasso worked by tasting their wines with James King, the varietal liege of the Texas Wine School, as a way to better understand the exhibit Piccaso Black and White, on view through May 27.
If only college classes had been like this . . .
Lawndale Art Center's Design Fair
The galleries of this cutting-edge organization will be bedecked with fine examples of 20th century modern and vintage furniture, glass, ceramics, lighting, books, metalwork and fashion from more than 20 vendors. You know the rule when it comes to one-of-a-kind finds: If you snooze, you lose.
Best to get your shopping done early by attending the preview party, chaired by Martha Claire Tompkins and Pepper Paratore, on Friday, 6 p.m.
The skinny: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Lawndale Art Center; admission is $5.
Bridgeland's Nature Fest
I am very well aware that Inner Loopers think the burbs might as well be China and Outer Loopers consider "the city" to be the source of all evil. Can we put our differences aside in the name of a Guinness World Record? The record for the most people giving a simultaneous bird call ever just may be your call to fame.
Family activities, strolling performers and food trucks will complement appearances by Brian Staples that include up-close and personal animal encounters, a "Feathers in Flight" aerial show and a performance by the Texas Stars Youth Choir, among a myriad of other nature-themed amenities.
The skinny: Saturday, 10 a.m.; Bridgeland’s Oak Meadow Park; admission is free.
Catastrophic Theatre 20th Anniversary Gala
Just like this theater company's motto, "we will destroy you," parties that celebrate the accomplishments of the Jason Nodler, Tamarie Cooper and their cronies have an anything-goes spirit.
Gala chairs Mark and Jenny Johnson, Lise Liddell, Hal Bowman and Georgia Lister, Stuart Bailey and Larissa Lindsay, Brad Moore and Lelia Rodgers have planned a soiree that travels forward from the '90s showcasing quirky productions such as Speeding Motorcycle, Bluefinger and Tamalalia!
The skinny: Saturday, 8 p.m.; Last Concert Cafe; tickets start at $50.
Cattle Baron's Ball Silver Anniversary After Party "Time Travelers"
A fresh addition to the yearly Cattle Baron's Ball, this hip after party hopes to attract a late-night throng of pretty young things in Texas chic togs. The brainchild of Kimberly Rawson and Kimberli Bowman, this sassy duo pledge to put on a bash that includes lively tunes, open bar, light bites and many surprises.
PrintMatters presents "Rockin' Rollin' Prints 2013"
More than 60 print artists will offer their take on the theme of "journey" by hand carving a 3-by-5-foot woodcut block to be printed at the event. The completed art pieces, alongside four-color prints by guest artist Sean Starwars, will be displayed from noon to 4 p.m. at Saint Arnold Brewing Company's mess hall.
The skinny: Sunday, 10 a.m.; Saint Arnold; entry is $10.
Staff writer and savvy Houston explorer Whitney Radley's pick: "Paradise Misplaced: An Evening of Two New One Act Plays written by Elizabeth A.M. Keel"
Whitney says: "Elizabeth A.M. Keel, the current artist-in-residence at Heights movie house 14 Pews, is putting on a double-bill of one-act plays for an eight-day run of 'Paradise Misplaced.' And if the titles — The Psychic Palace and The Rainbow Lands — are any indication, this budding Houston playwright/artist/director/novelist will have the audience at her feet by the end of each night."
The skinny: Thursday through May 4; 14 Pews; $10 general public, $8 members.
Arts smarty pants and in-the-Loop happy go luck gal Nancy Wozny's pick: Alley Theatre presents The Elephant Man
Nancy says: "As a dancer watcher, it's often the movement in a play that I notice first, which is exactly what happened when I watched actor Jay Sullivan transform his strapping form into the John Merrick in The Elephant Man, now playing at the Alley Theatre. Sullivan is a remarkably embodied actor, always attentive to the physical nuances of his character. You might remember him flying through the alley rafters in Peter Pan. Sullivan delivers a moving portrayal of the tortured Merrick that you should not miss. Jeffrey Bean is also marvelous as Dr. Treves."
The deets: Through May 5; Alley Theatre; tickets start at $26.
A sample of what Nannie Inez will offer at this year's Design Fair, hosted by the Lawndale Art Center.
