Pick Five (Plus)
Your weekly guide to Houston: A vintage bikini contest, a Waterwall show, theSymphony season ender & margarita meows
Pink was in fashion at Pink Ribbons Project "Pink at the Brown," where a throng of powerful leaders in arts, health and community advocacy supported the organization's meaningful mission.
Alongside honorees — cancer survivor Cora Sue Mach, Houston Ballet's C.C. Conner, M.D. Anderson chief Dr. Ron DePinho, and Elizabeth Blanton Wareing and Jack Blanton on behalf of the Scurlock Foundation — and the usual suspects, it was nice a see an increasing number of young professionals at the dinner festivities. Among them Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Andrew Hoyt and Courtney Hurst, Samira Salman, Christie Cardon and Darryl Anderson, Jackson Blanton and Rachel and Clint Midgett.
Urban Green's "Come Sail Way" was quite the hit this year. Exceeding records in attendance and fundraising goals, mariners weren't ready for the party to end and meandered over to Volcano for a rowdy after party. Anyone seasick the next morning?
Lawndale Art Center's four opening receptions — always colorful, always thought-provoking — touted the creative talents of Seth Mittag, David Politzer, Anne J. Regan, Jack Eriksson, Travis McCarra, Michael Gonzales and Leslie Mutchler.
The It girl of the 1980s, Cornelia Guest, was in town, Neal Hamil Agency's Jeff Shell wore drag for the Little Black Dress Project, young professionals tweeted for beats and Art Car Ball showed lots of skin — just how we like it.
On tap for this week is a melange of performances, socials and outings, some suitable for the whole family.
Houston Symphony presents Carl Orff's Carmina Burana at Jones Hall
If you hear music in your head (like I do), there's one soundtrack that invades your gray matter when you think of infernal movie music. That's the opening of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. It will freak you out. Though it sounds like Damian is coming to get you, there's nothing diabolical about the text.
In fact, it's more about fate and the ceaseless turning of the "Wheel of Fortune," while the rest of the movements quip about morals, courtship, love and drinking.
There's more on the playbill: Concertmaster Frank Huang fiddles Berg's Violin Concerto, and Bach's chorale Es ist genug opens the Houston Symphony's last program of the 2011-12 season. Hans Graf conducts soloists soprano Sherezade Panthaki, tenor Marc Molomot and baritone Hugh Russell.
Thursday through Sunday, with an Access program on Friday. Tickets start at $25.
DiverseWorks ArtSpace's "Luck of the Draw 2012"
The alternative art presenter may have a new executive director, but Elizabeth Dunbar is rolling with the punches and keeping some of DiverseWorks longtime traditions alive and well. The "Luck of the Draw" fundraiser is one of them.
Here's what happens: Based on your ticket level, you'll be assigned a spot in line to grab your favorite 7-by-9-inches art piece donated by a myriad of local, national and international masters. You'll have 20 seconds to make up your mind, pick your favorite and get out of the way for the next artsy guest. Then grab a cocktail courtesy of Pura Vida Tequila and Saint Arnold Brewing Co.
Unlike previous years, the art will remain on view through June 2.
Friday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
Young Audiences of Houston's "Artsploration" at Discovery Green
Parents and educators should be well versed on how Young Audiences of Houston engages through visual and performing fine arts while teaching valuable lessons. It's what its roster of more than 100 artists of all disciplines does best. Though most of YAH's performances, workshops and residencies take place within school walls, some events like "Artsploration" are open to anyone who's curious about how the arts enhance learning.
"Artsploration" is a preview showcase of everything the arts-in-education nonprofit does. For educators, CPE credits are available for those who pre-register.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Fifth Annual Friends of BARC Silent Auction "Mutts, Meows and Margaritas 2012" at the Downtown Club
Moving from last year's location at Cadillac Bar to the more chic Downtown Club, "Mutts, Meows and Margaritas" promises yet another wicked silent auction with must have items up for grabs, accompanied by light bites and cocktails.
KTRK Ch. 13's adorable meteorologist Casey Curry will emcee in her quest to support organizations that take care of animals in need. Proceeds will benefit BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions, and the event is presented by Leslie Alexander and the Houston Rockets.
Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door.
"Insight|Out"presented by Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, Aurora Picture Show and DiverseWorks
Three renegade arts organizations put together a trio of events that are difficult to describe, but fascinating to talk about. The weekend-long festival strives to fuse music, outdoor dance and films that tell the story of Houston and comment on its landscape.
At Project Row Houses, Austin composer Travis Weller's Seven in the Third intermingles live performance with recorded sounds on portable radios. In Stephan Koplowitz: TaskForce - Natural Acts in Artificial Water at the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, composer Aaron Hermes and Space City Gamelan collaborate with 16 professionals dancers to activate the park and the fountain. Bart Weiss of the Dallas Video Festival curates a series of short films at the "Scoot-In" at Sesquicentennial Park.
Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
Asia Society Texas Center Family Day: Japan
Take this opportunity to celebrate Houston's diversity by learning all about Japanese culture through hands-on activities like calligraphy, origami, storytelling, a family art hunt, mask making and fan painting. Click here for a schedule of activities.
Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Staff writer and CultureMap's adorable Houston explorer Whitney Radley's pick: Mostyn Law Firm Galveston Island Beach Revue
Whitney says: "Galveston Island Beach Revue's Bathing Beauties Contest is the kind of swimsuit competition that I can get into. Vintage-inspired pinups along the historic seawall? Live music by the Gourds and the John Evans Band? Southern Star Brewing Company's Bombshell Blonde aplenty?
"Sign me up — but just to watch. The competition begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and admission is free."
Photo editor, fashion and design junkie Barbara Kuntz's pick: The Urban Market Houston Antique Show
Barbara says: "An antiquing adventure awaits you this weekend at the Urban Market Houston Antique Show, the organization's second of three annual events held at the fantastic Bayou City Event Center facility. Wander from al fresco showroom to showroom (lovely tents!) to find a broad range of items for sale, from shabby chic to French to contemporary to industrial. Don't miss early buying on Saturday, an opportunity to shop while enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres. And Sunday promises families (and leashed pets) a full day to browse at their leisure for that perfect find(s)."
Arts smart pants and in-the-loop sassy dance maven Nancy Wozny's pick: "Houston Palestine Film Festival"
Nancy says: "Yes, there is a vibrant Palestinian film culture! The Houston Palestine Film Festival got off to a smashing start with Sameh Zoabi's comedy Man Without A Cellphone at MFAH. Zoabi's endearing film chronicles Jawdat — a lovable twentysomething slacker and Palestinians citizen of Israel — and the mayhem that follows when a cellphone tower disrupts the village.
"Part comedy and politics, Zoabi's charming film captures an essence of daily life for Palestinians living in Israel, including everything from girl trouble to passing the Hebrew exam. Newcomer Razi Shawahdeh was terrific as Jawdat. Zoabi was in attendance for the question-and-answer, making it a truly informative experience.
"The Festival continues this weekend at Rice Media Center with Hudud, shorts by 12 Dheishe Palestinian Filmmakers and Five Broken Cameras by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi on Friday at 7 p.m., and Nadine Naous' Cliches, Vanessa Rousselot's No Laughing Matter and more on Saturday at 7 p.m.
"Oud music by Adnan Hamdan and a photo exhibit by Khalil AbuSharekh complete the experience."