On the itinerary this week are stylish homes, international festivals, an al fresco bash and a hot hog competition.
Try this: Click on the links below each event to find a page teeming with helpful intel, like places to eat, drink and shop near your final destination, and the ability to download the deets to your online calendar. Capish?
Prestige Builders Nantucket Showcase Open House
Contemporary residential design has a reputation for being cold, sterile and museum like. Monsour Taghdisi, president of Prestige Builders, and designer Lucinda Loya are on a quest to set the record straight about a style that, when done right, can be opulent, rich and comfortable — even you could say suitable to embrace heirlooms passed down through generations.
The 5,000-square-foot townhouse in Tanglewood is the luxury builder's first showcase home. An over-the-top opening party on Thursday introduces Taghdisi's and Loya's brainchild, with proceeds benefiting Legacy Community Services. Cash raised on tour days will be donated to the Art Institute of Houston.
43rd Annual Houston International Festival (iFest) "Brazil" Kick‐Off
Travel to sultry, sexy Brazil without leaving your hometown. The tropical destination is the theme of this year's iFest, set for the weekends of April 20 and 27.
Are we there yet? Actually, yes. The kickoff musicale at the Hobby Center welcomes Grammy Award winner Sergio Mendes alongside Casa Samba, a New Orleans-based ensemble.
The deets: Friday, 8 p.m.; Hobby Center for the Performing Arts; tickets start at $45.
20th Annual Japan Festival
Too much Brazil? How about some Asian lore? Contemporary and traditional Japanese music, martial arts demos, food, yukata (a summer kimono of sorts) try-on booths, anime costume contests, kawaii (meaning cute) fashion show and hands-on activities will occupy the grounds of Hermann Park.
Here's what to look for: Performances by Kaminari Taiko, Houston Grand Opera's premiere of The Memory Stone and an appearance by Takane Kochihira, an Okinawan pop singer who melds a bit of this and a bit of that for his unique sound.
The deets: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Hermann Park; free event
Buffalo Bayou Partnership's "Bayou Bash"
Forecast calls for lovely springtime temps on Saturday, just what you want for this young professionals party. Bayou Buddies, the hip troupe that supports the efforts of Buffalo Bayou Partnership, will gather at the Sabine to Bagby Promenade for live music by Electric Attitude and The Journey Agents, crawfish, pontoon boat rides, lawn games and Saint Arnold Brewing Company suds.
The deets: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Sabine to Bagby Promenade; tickets start at $25.
Second Annual Suckling Pig Throwdown "Go Pig! or Go Home!" benefiting OKRA
At any other occasion, being crowned with the title of swine king (or queen) doesn't go over well. But the Golden Pig Trophy is what more than 23 toques of repute will vie for at the Suckling Pig Throwdown. Oink.
Returning to defend his People's Choice award is Ronnie Killen. Those keeping an eye on the hog include big name chefs Chris Shepherd, Ryan Hildebrand, Terrence Gallivan, Seth Siegel-Gardner, Monica Pope, Randy Evans, Justin Yu . . . and the list goes on and on — and on.
The deets: Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Kata Robata; tickets are $75.
Arts smarty pants and in-the-know happy gal Nancy Wozny's pick: Stages Repertory Theatre presents Dollhouse
Nancy says: "Money has such a way of messing with a marriage. Theater's most disturbing house frau is back. Imagine Henrik Ibsen's diabolical heroine, Nora, loose in 2004 amidst the fall of Enron and the impending collapse of the economy. With Dollhouse, now running at Stages Repertory Theatre, Rebecca Gilman has re-imagined Ibsen's A Dolls House, his seminal critique of middle class angst.
"This is a marvelous production, directed by Eva LaPorte, and featuring strong performances by David Matranga and Rachael Logue."
The deets: Playing through April 28; Stages Repertory Theatre; tickets start at $19.
Contemporary and traditional Japanese music, martial arts demos, food and hands-on activities will occupy the grounds of Hermann Park for the 20th Annual Japan Festival.
