On tap this week is a show presented by sexy gals, a film festival with notable premieres, a day that celebrates the city's artsy prowess, a catastrophic vaudevillian musical and a cooking class so you don't ruin high-end proteins.
Dem Damn Dames presents "Party Like a Popstar"
You absolutely have to love the titillating gals that confidently shake their lady parts burlesque-style for this amicable entertainment troupe. The Dem Damn Dames as they are called, who rose in popularity with the numerous 1920s gangster-themed fundraisers that (for perhaps too long) invaded the social circuit, have been hosting their own shows for a while now on the last Friday of the month at Numbers.
Tifa Tittlywinks, Lady Lush, Emma D'Lemma and Honey MoonPie plus guests ND Licious, Ginger Snaps and Zaftigg Von BonBon (say that with a straight face) present a show that pays homage to pop stars such as Michael Jackson and Christina Aguilera.
The skinny: Friday, 7 p.m.; Numbers; tickets start at $15.
QFest Film Festival
Through July 28, this 18th annual film festival that celebrates diversity in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer communities offers a myriad thought-provoking presentations, including many features at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Save the date for the premiere of a documentary that chronicles the life of activist Ray Hill, The Trouble With Ray, produced by Proud Pony International, set for Sunday at Brasil. Also notable on Sunday at 14 Pews is Dudley Saunders' In These Boxes, a multimedia melange that melds contributions from Houstonians fashioned into a video art piece, complemented by live music and spoken word performances.
The skinny: Through July 28; various locations; prices vary by event, with some offering free admission.
The Museum Experience
It's easy to take Houston's art scene for granted. Here's your chance to discover some of the wonderful Music District institutions that add creative zing to the city. The third Museum Experience of the year concentrates on the Jung Center of Houston, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in a day that includes free gallery talks, doodling workshops and family activities.
The skinny: Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Museum District; free admission to featured museums.
Catastrophic Theatre presents A Very Tamarie Christmas by Tamarie Cooper
Comedienne Tamarie Cooper says she's gotten lewder and raunchier in her new show, but I say that regardless of the hilarious language that pokes fun of every American holiday imaginable there's a nostalgia for old-school humor that renders her vaudevillian musical a breath of fresh air.
Leave the kiddos at home for this one. That's unless you have a sadomasochistic desire to explain the gist behind a giant turkey that loves anal thrills and why Christmas isn't as magical as children think. Welcome to The Catastrophic Theatre, folks.
Don't wait until the last possible minute to make reservations. The shows have been selling out days in advance.
The skinny: Through Aug. 30; Catastrophic Theatre; pay what you can, $25 suggested ticket price.
Revival Market Culinary Skills Cooking Class Series
Yes, Revival Market has amazing coffee, fantastic goods from local vendors and house-cured meats that tempt vegetarians to stray from their herbivore eating regimes. But I bet you didn't know that these specialists also host cooking classes — with the next one this weekend.
General manager Carlos Meltzer — he's such an entertainer in addition to being a great teacher — leads Sunday's class on braising, searing and roasting. If you're going to drop cash on artisanal (oh, yes, I said artisanal) and pricey cuts of meat, shouldn't you know how to not screw them up?
The skinny: Sunday, 5:30 p.m.; Revival Market; $95 per person.
Dem Damn Dames presents a show that pays homage to pop stars such as Michael Jackson and Christina Aguilera.
