Do the tango

Your survival guide for iFest Argentina: Getting the most of Houston's musicstreet party

iFest is like traveling all around the world in one visit without jetlag.
Photo by Ray Redding
The Austin Piazzolla Quintet performs music by the famed Argentinean composer.
Austin Piazzolla Quintet/Facebook
Hailing from Chile, Chico Trujillo updates cumbia with global influences.
Chico Trujillo
Hector Del Curto's "Eternal Tango" kicks off a yearly tradition of taking iFestoff site to other performance venues.
Hector Del Curto' Eternal Tango/Facebook
Los Lonely Boys, though not so lonely, is one of the biggest bands to appear iniFest this year.
Photo courtesy of Los Lonely Boys

Get ready to be tangofied.

The Houston International Festival is just around the corner and that means that the downtown takeover of the cultural fiesta, which runs this weekend and next, has begun.

In the recent past, iFest has traveled to the Silk Road, the Caribbean, Africa, Ireland, Thailand, India and Jamaica. This year, the saucy nation of Argentina is the inspiration for the 42nd annual gathering of music and arts.

To learn more about the featured country, an exhibit will morph part of Sam Houston Park into a South American district. The Chevron Living History Museum showcase will explore the arts, culture and history of Argentina by replicating streets typical of a neighborhood in Buenos Aires, an obelisk, the famed Cave of the Hands and an authentic street cafe.

But the fun doesn't stop there.

iFest feels like traveling all around the world in one visit without jet lag — unless you drink too much.

Courtesy of the 10 music stages, six international arts markets, seven entertainment zones, food stations, artist demos and interactive educational exhibits, a myriad of cultures that represent Houston's colorful spirit will suffuse every nook and cranny of the 14-acre street scene.

If you have never been to iFest before, it's as if Houston's diversity swathed City Hall, Sam Houston Park, Hermann Square and Tranquility Park. Think: Reggae, jazz, blues, global beats and Americana alongside tango entertaining 200,000 expected guests.

In essence, iFest feels like traveling all around the world in one visit without the jet lag — unless you drink too much.

Opening Ceremony

iFest begins with an opening ceremony, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, on the steps of City Hall during which a children's parade by the Sister Cities of Houston will usher in remarks from Mayor Annise Parker and performances by south-of-the-border groups, Latin Carnaval and Luna Argentina.

Food vendors surrounding the Reflection Pool will be on hand to feed hungry festival goers, so bring cash.

Festival Days

With more than 30 performances happening every day, you may be tempted to throw your hands up in the air and give up going all together when attempting to plan your visit. Though you can view the complete schedule here, read on for CultureMap's recommendations.

On Saturday, catch the Austin Piazzolla Quartet at 12:30 or 6:30 p.m., the Luna Argentina Folk Dancers at 4:30 p.m. and Los Lonely Boys at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday begins with Ambassadors International Ballet Folklorico at 11:30 a.m. Then check out Hadden Sayers Band or JJ Gray and MOFRO at 4:30 p.m. Finish the weekend with Galactic with Corey Glover and Corey Henry at 6:30 p.m.

Chico Trujillo headlines on April 28 at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Also try not to miss WAR at 6:30 p.m. and notable appearances by Bombino at 2:30 p.m., Rich DelGrosso at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. and The Presidents at 1:20 and 6:30 p.m.

April 29 is a huge day with a show by Héctor Del Curto Tango at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m., SOJA at 2:30 p.m., Cuadro La Tempestad Flamenco at 4 p.m., and Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 at 4:30 p.m.

Inaugural Concert and Social at Hobby: "Eternal Tango"

Bandoneon hotshot and chamber musician Héctor Del Curto will kick off what iFest officials hope is the beginning of an annual tradition. Taking the festival's raison d'etre off site and into the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts,"Eternal Tango" is slated for Saturday at 8 p.m.

With his orchestra and dancers, Del Curto's "Eternal Tango" promises an orgy of passionate and sensual Argentinean moves and grooves that paint a picture of the country's folklore tradition.

For the social party types willing to dish out a bit more cash, a Chairman's Reception and after party also offer an opportunity to try tango steps in the venue's Grand Lobby.

Tickets start at $25 for the performance and $150 for the charity reception.

Fashion Forward: "Alta Moda Voyage"

You loved it, so iFest brings them back for a second year. The "Alta Moda Voyage" runway shows produced by Zoë Jackson-Jarra of Chrizcera International & Fashion Square Houston feature fun, colorful fashions for men, women and children.

The headliner show is set for 5:15 p.m. Saturday with couture by Fashion Plate Lifestyle, Bengjof Couture and Robert & Lonnie's Dance Galaxy. Moreover, there's a fashion showcase at 2:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. every day of the festival. The runway is located in the African-Caribbean Bazaar Zone.

New this year: Village Green

A section of Sam Houston Park will highlight recycled arts and locally sourced wares. Ten stations featuring rotating eco-conscious artists and organizations showing off their goods and services validate that although Houston owes much of its economy to energy, the city's love for oil doesn't mean it can't be environmentally sound.

iFest runs this weekend and 28-29. Tickets are $15 in advanced for adults or $18 at the door and $5 for kids per day or for a VIP experience, a $30 ticket includes one parking pass and access to a lounge. A $100 Universal Passport grants admission anytime, a festival T-shirt and $25 off "Eternal Tango" admission.

Parking is available for $5 at Brookfield Parking Garage at Dallas and Clay and for $10 at the Heritage Clay Parking Garage on Bagby and Clay. On-street parking is free on Saturdays after 6 p.m. and all day on Sundays.

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Movie Review

Timothée Chalamet cements star status in new movie Marty Supreme

Courtesy

Timothée Chalamet

In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also earned an Oscar nomination for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).

Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.

Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.

Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.

Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.

Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.

Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.

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Marty Supreme opens in theaters on December 25.

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