PIck Five (Plus)

Your weekly guide to Houston: A kooky Easter egg hunt, a massive children'sfestival, garden cocktails & green movies

The folk art enviroment crafted by postman Jeff McKissack, The Orange ShowMonument, turns into a season kickoff party, an amusing Easter egg hunt and ahands-on trophy making workshop for the Art Car Parade.
Photo by Richard Tomcala/OneImagines
This weekend, the Orange Show Eyeopener Tour sets out to prove the connectionbetween art and science with a five-hour trek around Houston's renowned medicalcenters and research labs.
Started in 1979, Mountainfilm is dedicated to educating and inspiring audiencesabout issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worthpreserving and conversations worth sustaining.
Music Kristine Mills wrote, recorded, performed and produced is featured in ACollector's Waltz, a Michel Muelle film. Alongside Tommy "TJ" James and bassistDavid Craig, this concert at Cezanne also features a song written in the memoryof Holly Rose.
Houston Children's Festival includes 10 Family Adventure Zones, five stages andover 300 games, rides and activities.
Photo by Mauro Gomez

Cold suds, sexy ladies and mounds of crawfish. Maybe it was the sublime sunny Saturday afternoon weather or the get-to-it spirit of the young professionals behind Child Builders' Night Shift, because at "Crawfish Battle Boyale" at OTC Patio Bar Saturday, 600 pounds of steaming seafood were long gone.

What was left was $4,500 for the nonprofit, which helped up the total to more than $20,000 in funds raised by these young professionals this year. Among them were Cid Espejal, Kari Govan, Chris McCauley, Mark Donaldson, Allison Hauser, Jessica Edquist, Amy Fuqua, Amanda Knox, Margot Tompkins, Thomas Thornton, Carmen Millet, Iman Pourghead, James Phelan and Becky Koch.

Miller Outdoor Theatre kicked off its performance season with a raucous "It's Dark and We're Wearing Sunglasses" fete. The "Original Tribute to The Blues Brothers" brought sassy grooves and fresh tunes to Hermann Park. Sure, the boys were fantastic, but the trio of ladies that make up the Bluettes gave the bros a run for their money.

Does it get any better than "Think," "Respect" and "Soul Man"?

The Houston Chamber Choir premiered Dominick DiOrio's A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass, a four-movement robust choral virtuosic showcase inspired by the imagist poetry of turn-of-the-century Nobel Laureate Amy Lowell. When he said that he had written for a professional choir who could do just about anything, he wasn't kidding.

At the dress rehearsal Friday night, 200 Apache personnel, one of the group's major sponsors, experienced a behind-the-scenes look at how musicians refine a number for performance.

Bayou City Art Festival is done, Mercury had its 12th season gala and Nameless Sound helped inaugurate the Mandell Pavilion, the open-air space adjacent to the Menil Collection's Richmond Hall.

On deck this week are outdoorsy socials, hands-on crafty workshops, jazz, a children's festival and lots of live music.

Bayou Bend Cocktail Party

During the day, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens offers a delightful setting to revel in the decorative arts delicacies on display, or a leisurely stroll through the wooded paths, bridges and meadows of the formal gardens. At night, the sparkling fountains take on a dressier tenor.

Evening affairs at Bayou Bend are lovely when coupled with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and live music. While the first floor of the museum home will be open for viewing, the canopy of Ima Hog's former residence will be the backdrop for chic socializing under a tent in the Diana Garden. Chaired by Kelly and Will Garwood.

Thursday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100.

More Bayou Bend events continue with Saturday's Children's Party ($60) chaired by Estela S. Cockrell and Heather Lawrence Mitchell and Sunday's Garden Party (individual tickets start at $500) chaired by Barbara Nau.

Easter Orange Hunt & Trophy Making Workshop at the Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts

For those in the mood for something a little kooky and off the beaten path, try this three-in-one gathering at the Orange Show Monument. The folk art environment crafted by postman Jeff McKissack turns into a season kickoff party, an amusing Easter egg hunt and a hands-on trophy making workshop for the Art Car Parade.

Amid the ladders, tractor seats, wagon wheels and whimsical labyrinths, guests will rummage for hidden eggs, oranges and a cornucopia of treats. If you are feeling artsy, try helping make the awards to be given out at this year's Art Car Parade, which is set for May 12.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1p.m. Admission is free.

Kristine Mills with Tommy "TJ" James in Concert at Cezanne

It's been quite the busy year for singer-songwriter Kristine Mills. Music she wrote, recorded, performed and produced is featured in A Collector's Waltz, a Michel Muelle film about Houston's visual artists and their loving collectors. Although the documentary is slated for release later this spring, the musically curious can get a listen at the tracks, also featuring Tommy "TJ" James and bassist David Craig, during this concert at Cezanne.

There's more. "Silhouette," with lyrics by Brian Spack and Mills, is another original on the playbill. The text tells the story of Cindi Rose's sister, Holly, who passed away after a fierce 15-year fight against breast cancer. After the track is recorded and released on iTunes, Mills plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Rose Ribbon Foundation.

Saturday at 9 p.m. Admission is $10.

Houston Children's Festival at Tranquility Park

Ten Family Adventure Zones, five stages and more 300 games, rides and activities: That's what Tranquility Park, Sam Houston Park, City Hall and the downtown library will host on Saturday and Sunday. As the largest family-friendly carnival in the country, organizers expect to attract more than 50,000 people. Rains may be expected this weekend, but in the name of fun and good doing, let's hope the forecast makes other plans.

Radio Disney's Raini Rodriguez (Trish on Austin & Ally) and Nickelodeon's James Manslow (Big Time Rush) will make special appearances alongside HoustonPBS' Buddy, the T-Rex from Dinosaur Train, and Clifford, the Big Red Dog.

Proceed from the event benefits Child Advocates.

Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10.

For families that need more, the Houston Japan Festival is at Hermann Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Free admission.

Houston Symphony ACCESS Concert: Hahn & Enigma Variations at Jones Hall

Hilary Hahn may be a young 31-year-old gal, but she plays violin with the prowess of a season veteran. She's a Houston favorite and as such, Hahn is slated to be featured in four concerts with the Houston Symphony.

If you are new to classical music, check out the interactive ACCESS series. Hosted by NPR's Morning Edition music commentator Miles Hoffman, the musical affair begins with a pre-concert mixer with symphony musicians — complimentary nibbles and a cash bar — follows with a shorter one-hour concert without intermission and concludes with a Q&A with the artists. On the program: Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1, Elgar's Enigma Variations.

Friday, 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

For a more intense musical experience, catch the whole shebang, which also features Elgar's Sospiri and Britten's Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes. Thursday at Sugar Land Baptist Church ($25) and Saturday and Sunday at Jones Hall ($25).

Shepherd School Sinfonietta Concert at Shepherd School of Music, Rice University

Contrary to popular belief, not all wind music sounds like big Texas-sized marching bands. Sure, there's a place for the thunderous sounds of blaring trumpets, honking tubas and sliding trombones. But it does get better, especially in the compositions of Johannes Brahms and Igor Stravinsky.

The two composers anchor this wind-focused program with the Serenade in A Major and Pulcinella played by the newest ensemble at Shepherd School of Music. In the Sinfonietta, master teachers and emerging talent perform side-by-side. The end result is a melange of zestful energy and refined wisdom.

Saturday, 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Staff writer, architecture know-it-all and totally awesome guy Tyler Rudick's pick: Catherine Wagner's "Photographs and Public Projects" Talk at MFAH

Tyler says: "For the last three decades, artist Catherine Wagner has looked to the built environment as the key to deciphering the inner-workings of contemporary life, using photography and public installations to examine places ranging from science labs to art museums to Disneyland.

"Wagner will discuss her ongoing photographic work during a free talk at the MFAH's Brown Auditorium as part of the 2012 FotoFest Biennial — should be cool!"

Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

CultureMap's intern and indie music savant Karen Labuca's pick: Eisley at Warehouse Live

Karen says: "Check out Eisley Thursday night at Warehouse Live. This Texan-based indie outfit keeps it all in the family. The DuPree clan from Tyler, Texas, has been making music for a long time now, but always makes sure to stop by and play a Houston show every now and then.

"It's nice to see these guys still at it and touring — they even brought along their little sister, Christie DuPree, this time around. She'll be opening up for them!"

Thursday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Arts smarty pants and lovable beer lovin' dance maven Nancy Wozny's pick: Mountainfilm on Tour-Houston at Rice Media Center

Nancy says: "This weekend marks the inaugural showing of Mountainfilm on Tour-Houston at Rice Media Center. Started in 1979, Mountainfilm is dedicated to educating and inspiring audiences about issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worth preserving and conversations worth sustaining.

"This is a rare chance to some fabulous shorts, including Chasing Water, where Peter McBride follows the Colorado River from source to sea, and Yelp With Apologies to Allen Ginsberg's Howl, a rant on unplugging and living in the present tense. If you love the earth and film, this is the place to be.

Friday (7 to 11:30 p.m.) and Saturday (6 to 11:30 p.m.). Tickets are $15-25; free for Rice University students.

Staff writer and adorable Houston explorer gal Whitney Radley's pick: Orange Show Eyeopener Tour: "Art+Science"

Whitney says: "I've always had a sneaking suspicion that art and science are inextricably tied. This weekend, the Orange Show Eyeopener Tour sets out to prove it with a five-hour trek around Houston's renowned medical centers and research labs. Artists visualize science, and scientists create art, and you'll see it all."

Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $60 for non-members, $40 for Orange Show members.

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10 engaging new productions taking the stage in Houston this month

Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

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Twenty-eight days might not be enough to see all the high-flying theater and stage shows Houston has to offer this month. From a mysterious cube to killer comedy and sci-fi world premieres to Irish dancing and award winning dramas, we’ve got plenty of performing arts for every taste.

The Foreigner at A.D. Players (now through February 23)
If you’ve made a resolution to laugh more, try this award-winning classic '80s farce. Through a set of outrageous circumstances, a shy British man named Charlie must pretend to be an “exotic” foreigner who doesn’t know English while visiting a rural Georgia vacation lodge. As Charlie tries to get some much needed rest amid a lodge-full of colorful characters, the misunderstandings and mistaken identities pile up. Lies and secrets are revealed to this innocent foreigner. An explosive comic ending might just lead to a new life for all the underdogs in this charming story. Timing is everything when it comes to fast-paced farce, so we’re looking forward to seeing these Houston favs and experienced comic players in action, including Kevin Dean, David Gow, John Johnston, Susan Koozin, Alyssa Marek, Jeff McMorrough, and Gabriel Mullen.

Cirque du Soleil: Echo at Sam Houston Race Park (February 6-March 23)
It’s been two years since we’ve seen Cirque’s swirly blue and white big top in Houston, so we can’t wait for this latest show, their 20th Big Top creation. The thrills get squared as Echo features a giant cube for visual arts projections and as a towering setting for aerial feats. Cirque productions always hold a narrative to frame all the astounding acrobatics and gravity defying artistry, and this show will be no different. Echo chronicles the wandering Future and her best friend Ewai, the dog, as they stumble upon an enigmatic Cube. They quickly learn how actions have the power to shape their world. Echo’s concept creators say the show’s themes will explore the symbiotic connection between humans and the natural world and how human choices can ripple out to the animals and planet we treasure so much.

Miss LaRaj’s House of Dystopian Futures from Catastrophic Theatre (February 7-March 1)
The first of this month's two world premiere shows from local theater artists/playwrights comes from Candice D’Meza, who has also gained accolades for her film and multidisciplinary work. When D’Meza collaborates with the Catastrophic artists, we know we can expect a wild ride into their collective imaginations. For this production, a post-apocalyptic riff on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Fred’s long since gone and Nature itself is now the main character. Enter Miss LaRaj — the wise and wisecracking MUTHA of the New World Order. Talking trees, judgmental rocks, and all natural forces sing and move, attempting to guide humankind back to true symbiosis and perhaps a more hopeful future.

The Wanderers from Mildred’s Umbrella (February 8-23)
The company that specializes in bringing women’s authentic stories to the stage begins a new collaboration with the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center to bring this award-winning comedy to audiences. The story revolves around two contrasting marriages. Esther and Schmuli are Orthodox Jews navigating strictly defined rules and roles, while Sophie and Abe are secular and free to make their own choices. Yet, both couples are growing apart as they strive to balance their individual identities with the families they’ve created. As Esther tests the boundaries of her personal freedom, Abe falls into a correspondence with a movie star that will shake the foundations of his marriage and career. Mildred’s founder, Jennifer Decker, directs.

Seven Assassins Walk into a Bar at Main Street Theater (February 8-March 2)
Houston actor and director Dain Geist takes on the role of playwright for this world premiere dark comedy. In his own words, the play is about “a group of hitmen (and women) who gather to commiserate the passing of a colleague. As they swap stories and share complaints, each character brings with them their own moral compass and their own reasons for pursuing such a bloody profession.” We’re anticipating some killer dramatic and comic twists and turns, but Geist hopes his play, which he’ll also direct, will leave audiences thinking.

Seared at Alley Theatre (February 7-March 2)
Houston foodies should definitely make a reservation for this one, as the Alley gets spicy with this timely comedy from one of the company’s BBF playwrights, Theresa Rebeck. Set in an up-and-coming restaurant, the two owners clash over dueling culinary and business philosophies. The action and kitchen heat up as one brings in an outside consultant to shakeup – and perhaps dice, skewer and grill – their restaurant world. The show will break theatrical olfactory traditions when the actors cook up real dishes in the smaller and versatile Neuhaus theater space. Director and Alley associate artistic director, Brandon Weinbrenner, wants his onstage kitchen to be so authentic that he’s bringing in renowned Houston chef Justin Yu (Theodore Rex, Squable, Better Luck Tomorrow) to consult and teach the cast and creative team the inner workings of a fast-paced, high-end restaurant.

Topdog / Underdog from 4th Wall Theatre (February 14-March 8)
Considered one of the most ground-breaking plays of the early 21st century, Suzan-Lori Parks’s drama about the emotional relationship between two African American brothers named Lincoln and Booth has swept up almost all existing American theater awards, including a Tony and Pulitzer. Thanks to 4th Wall’s intimate theater space, all their performances are up close. We’re anticipating an electric night of theater with this production, especially with Aaron Brown, head of the Musical Theatre Department at Texas State University, directing and two of Houston’s most powerful local actors, Timothy Eric and Brandon Morgan, playing Lincoln and Booth.

Blackbird from Dirt Dogs Theatre (February 21-March 8)
Perhaps one of the most emotionally devastating shows on our list this month, this Tony-nominated play shook audiences when it was on Broadway several years ago. Middle-aged Ray has a new identity and is trying to put the past behind him. Una, 27, thinks only of the past. When Una arrives at Ray's new office unannounced, guilt, rage, and raw emotions run high as they reexamine the relationship they had 15 years ago. Never able to reconcile the brutal truth of this abusive attachment, Una is looking for answers and the consequences are shattering. When one confuses abuse for love, it can disrupt their entire being.

The Glass Menagerie at Alley Theatre (February 21-March 16)
Alley artistic director Rob Melrose gives us his vision for this true American classic by Tennessee Williams. Amanda, a faded Southern belle, yearns for a better life for her children. However, her daughter Laura would rather spend time alone with her collection of delicate glass animals. Her restless son, Tom, spends evenings away in his attempt to escape the monotony of his current life. Stuck in a bleak present, Amanda dreams mostly of the past, and only a “gentleman caller” for Laura might bring the possibility of change to the family. We hear that Melrose’s direction will explore Menagerie as a memory play along with its themes of escape and human connections.

In the Night from Houston Ballet (February 27-March 9)
The company leaps into early spring with this mixed rep showcase of three beloved contemporary dances. HB artistic director Stanton Welch’s fierce Maninyas holds significant company history as it was Welch’s first American commission for the San Francisco Ballet. Seeing its premiere inspired Ben Stevenson, Houston Ballet AD at the time, to invite Welch to create his inaugural piece for the company. Also in the lineup is Jerome Robbins’s magnificent In the Night. The piece is a poignant one-act ballet for three couples, set to four piano nocturnes by composer Frédéric Chopin.

Another audience favorite in the mix will be Lila York’s Celts. A year before Michael Flatley’s Riverdance brought Irish dance to global stages, Lila York was inspired by her own Irish heritage to create the passionate and vibrant Celts.

Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil: Echo lands at Sam Houston Race Park.

performing-arts theater theatre