An art movie infusion

The Angelika replacement: Cinema Arts Festival turns to Edwards Greenway

That icon of corporate movie theaters, the Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24, is about to get a lot more hip, as it has been designated as the replacement for the suddenly closed-down Angelika Film Center during November's Cinema Arts Festival.

"The plan is for us to have two screens there, and at some point we'll have our box office sales so that you can walk up into the lobby and buy tickets," the festival's executive director, Trish Rigdon, tells CultureMap.

The decision comes as a relief to festival enthusiasts, who were concerned about the potential loss of some of the festival's itinerary. Instead, the society has revealed five new films to be displayed on two screens at Edwards. Among the selections is Waste Land, a Sundance Audience Award-Winning documentary following artist Vik Muniz as he collaborates with catadores (pickers of recyclable material) in the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro to create internationally recognized art.

Fans of Talking Heads lead singer and artist David Byrne will enjoy the screening of Ride, Rise, Roar, which documents his collaboration with choreographers and dancers during a recent tour. The New Rijksmuseum tracks the renovation of the Amsterdam museum through the eyes of a flamboyant museum director and a beleaguered Spanish architecture team.

After the closing of the Landmark Greenway Cinema, the arrival of high art in the area is a welcome breath of fresh air in what is typically the realm of blockbuster hits. And although Edwards is a schlep from one festival venue, FrenetiCore's Frenetic Theater on Navigation Boulevard, the movie theater is close to other venues at the MFAH and Rice Media Center.

"The upside is it's only $3 to park there, versus the cost in the Theater District and MFAH parking garages," Rigdon says.

Rigdon praised Regal Entertainment Group's embrace of the festival. The festival's artistic director, Richard Herskowitz, has also worked with Regal in programming the Virginia Film Festival.

"They do an exceptional job with festival screenings," Herskowitz said in a statement. "The festival projectionists and technicians they send are highly experienced and really know how to meet filmmakers' expectations. The films we're screening at Edwards Greenway represent the best of the best of films about art from around the world."

The Cinema Arts Festival will be held Nov. 10-14 at Houston Visitors Center, Discovery Green, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Rice Media Center and Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24. The event is the only United States festival devoted solely to films by and about visual, performing and literary artists.

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dancing days

Massive new country western dancehall now open in Southwest Houston

Photo by Shane Dante

Cowboys Red River is now open at Plazamericas.

The wait for Houston’s newest destination for two stepping, boot scootin’, and line dancing has come to an end. Cowboys Red River Dance Hall and Saloon has officially opened its doors.

Located at Plazamericas, the Latin-themed shopping mall and entertainment complex in Southwest Houston (7500 Bellaire Blvd.), Cowboys Red River Dance Hall and Saloon offers almost 37,000 square feet of space, including a 2,500-square-foot “race-track” dance floor that’s designed for popular country dance styles such as two stepping and line dancing. It’s the company third location, joining a Dallas outpost that opened in 1989 and a San Antonio location that opened in 2003.

"We’re fired up to bring Cowboys Red River to Houston," said Scott Murphy, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, in a statement. "For over 30 years, we’ve been the biggest, baddest honky-tonk in Texas — the kind of place where you can hold someone close on the dance floor or raise a little hell with your buddies and feel right at home either way. Now it’s Houston’s turn. With our race-track dance floor, top-tier live acts, and that Southern hospitality we’re known for, we’re bringing a whole lot of romance, energy, and Texas-sized fun to this city. Houston, grab your boots, a couple of friends, and let’s go have a damn good time.”

In order to entertain crowds that are expected to swell to as many as 2,000 people on busy nights, Cowboys Red River will feature performances by honky-tonk band Runnin’ Behind. In addition, Cowboys Red River expects to host between 12 and 15 national touring acts in its first year.

Other amenities include 1,700 parking spots, free valet for “unescorted ladies,” pool tables, and a mechanical bull. Cowboys Red River offers special packages for birthdays, bachelorette parties, and other special occasions. It will be open Wednesday-Saturday from 7 pm until 3 am.

Photo by Shane Dante

Cowboys Red River is now open at Plazamericas.

nightlife openings cowboys red river dance hall and saloon