On tap this week are Hans Graf's last performance as Houston Symphony's music director, a history boat tour, an artsy evening that raises awareness for breast cancer prevention, dance on water and a spicy food competition that supports health matters.
Pink Ribbons Project 2013 Gala "Pink at the Brown Unplugged"
Houstonians are as proud of their art scene as they are about their giving, philanthropic spirit. Think of "Pink at the Brown Unplugged" as an untamed monsoon of artsy prowess in support of Pink Ribbons Project, an organization founded by Jane Weiner that promotes breast cancer health through creative events.
Chaired by Jo Furr with Stanton Welch as the artistic chair, Alley Theatre, Da Camera of Houston, Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Society for the Performing Arts, Writers in the School, Meta-Four Houston and Stages Repertory Theatre will offer performance vignettes that contribute to this celebration of survivorship.
The skinny: Thursday, 6:30 p.m.; Wortham Theater Center; tickets start at $25.
Houston Symphony presents "A Graf Farewell"
So they say that time flies when you are having fun. Hans Graf's 12-year tenure as music director with the Houston Symphony, an accomplishment that makes him the longest-running maestro of the city's premier orchestra, comes to a bittersweet end with a two-concert run of Mahler's mammoth magnum opus, his Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection."
If you are lucky enough to score a ticket, grab it and go. Mahler's positive, uplifting and spiritual tenor is a beautiful auf wiedersehen wish from this likable, wine-loving, Austrian dirigent.
The skinny: Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Jones Hall; tickets start at $29.
2013 Buffalo Bayou Partnership Looking Back History Tours with Louis Aulbach
More than just a body of water that's experiencing a major beautification initiative, below the murky waters of the Buffalo Bayou is the creation tale of the city of Houston. Brush up on your hometown history with Louis F. Aulbach, a local savant with a penchant for Houston's past, during a two-hour tour aboard Buffalo Bayou Partnership's pontoon boat.
The skinny: Saturday, 10 a.m.; departs from Allen's Landing; tickets are $40, reservations required.
Recked Productions presents Up For Air
Call me dorky — I don't mind. I get tickled when artists draw inspiration from local, iconic landmarks. There was something about Hermann Park's Jones Reflection Pool that enticed Erin Reck of Recked Productions to choreograph a piece that deals with dualities — on concepts both extroverted and introverted.
Up for Air unites nature and movement to dialogue on what I like to describe as the force and its dark side, such as good versus evil, heaven and earth, birth and destruction, and peace and anarchy.
The skinny: Saturday, 2 and 6 p.m.; Jones Reflection Pool at Hermann Park; free event.
Second Annual Curry Crawl benefiting PULSE
When something works, rinse, lather — and repeat. Last year's inaugural curry crawl pitted chef against chef in a spiced food-a-thon that had guests' lips smacking. The event, which benefits St. Luke's Episcopal Health System's young professionals troupe, PULSE, returns to Straits with many fresh faces added to the coterie of toques who will battle it out for the title of Best Curry Dish and the people's Choice Award.
Inside this kitchen stadium you'll find Rik Patel of Ambrosia, Roberto Castre of Latin Bites, Neera Patidar of Nosh Bistro, Manish Chawla of Rasoi, Tony Le from RA Sushi, German Mosquera of Restaurant Cinq, Mark Gabriel Medina of Soma Sushi, Monica Pope of Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, John Sikhattana of Straits, Raymond Vandergaag of The Tasting Room and Oziel Reyes of The West End.
The skinny: Sunday, 4 p.m.; Straits; tickets are $55.
Arts smarty pants and in-the-loop dance maven Nancy Wozny's pick: Society for the Performing Arts presents Shen Wei Dance Arts
Nancy says: "Do you have room for one more Rite of Spring folks? I hope so, because Shen Wei Dance Arts, presented by Society for the Performing Arts, makes its first stop in Houston performing The Rite of Spring and Folding.
"Most known as the mastermind behind the Beijing Olympics where he orchestrated some 16,000 performers in the Birds Nest Theater, Shen Wei makes dances that draw from painting, Chinese opera, music and contemporary dance. But don't expect a sacrifice in this Rite. Shen Wei takes a different approach using a stunning floor grid and a riveting movement vocabulary."
The skinny: Saturday, 8 p.m.; Jones Hall; tickets start at $45.
Think of "Pink at the Brown Unplugged" as an untamed monsoon of artsy prowess in support of Pink Ribbons Project.
