Most Viewed & Editor's Picks
Cute elephants, Cai's Odyssey, creationism & slutty Halloween costumes makeCultureMap's hit list
October is always a busy month in Houston, because as the temperatures traditionally fall (we're still waiting for that to happen this year) the calendar becomes jammed with an eclectic mix of things to do. Here at CultureMap, our mix of stories over the last two weeks has also been unusually eclectic.
For the first time in our brief history, we live streamed an event — and the reaction was explosive. Space was limited at the warehouse south of the Astrodome where gunpowder artist Cai Guo-Qiang set a flame to a fuse, creating 42 paneled works of art for the Arts of China Gallery at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. But CultureMappers got to view the proceedings online, spawning our second most popular story of the week.
Even such a once-in-a-lifetime project couldn't top ethical atheist Richard Dawkins' talk at the Progressive Forum, where he mocked creationists, took some jabs at the Texas Board of Education and dismissed the Bible as moral center. Contributor Nancy Wozny's account drew a lot of responses in support of Dawkins.
"Dawkins is the new Darwin, who also shocked audiences in his days: Fascinating!" wrote one reader.
Another reader sent this joke: "How many creationists does it take to screw a lightbulb?
None - electricity's just a theory."
We covered Houston's first fashion week like we were in New York, and were pleasantly surprised to see high production values and a stellar designer/celebrity line-up (Eileen Ford, Lynn Wyatt, Lela Rose, Marc Bouwer, Cesar Galindo, Chloe Dao and Christian Siriano) for a first-time event. Your reactions ran the gamut.
"Siriano had an amazing collection! Just had to put that out there. = )," wrote one reader.
But another reader wasn't impressed. "What boring fashions! Get some creativity!!"
No runway model could come close to the adorable factor that baby Tupelo, the Houston Zoo's newest elephant, exhibited in our photo essay. Photographer Julie Soefer, who captured the charm of the local elephant pack — Tupelo, mom Tess, aunt Mithai, and half-brother Baylor, believes it was fate that brought them together. She and baby Baylor share the same birthday — May 4.
With Halloween just around the corner, CultureMap intern Jennifer Patterson wondered why so many normally prim-and-proper woman suddenly dress like sluts for the holiday. It's something that's puzzled me, too. But the story drew a lot of reaction — stories about scantily-clad women often do that — and the comments were too funny.
Most-viewed stories Oct. 3-9
1. Ethical atheist Richard Dawkins mocks creationists, jabs Texas, dismisses Bible as a moral center
3. Pumpkin fire breaks out at the Kirby Whole Foods (with exclusive first photos)
4. The real talent of Carrie Underwood props up second-rate American Idol phonies like Clay Aiken
5. Baylor's a big brother! Houston zoo welcomes another baby elephant, meet Tupelo
Most-viewed stories Oct. 10-16
1. With Courtney Cox and David Arquette split, other Hollywood couples seem to be losing hope
2. New Houston restaurant 'Jus Mac heightens the best macaroni and cheese debate
3. Double the airline, double the money? Continental CEO Smisek cashes in as flight attendants wonder
4. Wow! Siriano, Devon & Galindo kick off a stellar Houston fashion week
5. Can you tell the difference between the flags of Texas and Chile? CNN can but Atascosa County can't
Editor's Picks
1. Curate the CultureLounge: Vote now to decide the winning Houston artwork
2. listenlisten up: Texas-sized Gothic folk group creates music with a global reach
3. Art pilgrims: An out-of-stater explains the lure of the Bayou City Art Festival
4. How did Halloween become Whore-o-ween?
5. Was Christopher Columbus gay? A National Coming Out Day mystery solved