84

May 2009

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Art & Entertainment Issue

Citation preview

Page 1: May 2009

002 houston|may09|volume11|issue125

hip

.curren

t.coolg

uid

e002mag.com

May.09_cover.qxd:Layout 1 4/21/09 4:40 PM Page 1

Page 2: May 2009

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 6:20 PM Page 2

Page 3: May 2009

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:32 PM Page 3

Page 4: May 2009

04 table of contents06 letter from the editor08 houston map10 downtown map12 news worthy | uptown map13 scene14 calendar16 museum district18 art houses+museums+exhibits20 living smart |scene21 spacetaker

22 GALLERY: CAVIART GALLERY24 baby love25 gish at the movies26 nonprofit: hits theater30 born cool. grow hip32 people of houston34 costumes for cocktails

36 IT’S COOL TOTAKE A GOOD SHOT40 HANGING OUT

42 things i love

44 WHEN WORDS LEAVE OFF,MUSIC BEGINS…

54 where to live

56 ARCHICHAT: SAM NASH

58 architecture + design: whitebread wilkinsonpantone® mugs59 scene

60 002 BUSINESS PROFILE:QUINN BISHOP

61 finance62 wise guy63 scene64 vroom vroom65 tools+toys+gadgets66 restaurant listings

68 DINE WRITE: TILA’S69 appetite stimulus special70 new restaurants

72 CHEF’S SPECIAL: MIKEPOTOWSKI

74 sip codes76 club review: anvil78 002 nightlife

80 RECORDING: ABOUT THISPRODUCT

81 cd reviews82 crossword puzzle | scene

4. may09 002houston

TABLE OF CONTENTS

44

40

36

22

80

72

68

56

60

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:07 PM Page 4

Page 5: May 2009

5. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 2:55 PM Page 5

Page 6: May 2009

he past few months have seen the worldin a crazy state. Pirates thinking they really hada chance against Navy SEALS? Mid-April andHouston is still cool? And on the more seriousside, it seems our streets are more dangerousthan ever. We were touched a few times in thelast few months personally when I was almostcar-jacked on Allen Parkway and my brotherwas assaulted and had his car stolen.

My intent is not to scare, but through conversa-tion, I was surprised that everyone I mentionedthis to had a similar story to tell about someoneclose to them. It’s a crazy world we are livingin, and as times get desperate so do people.I’m not quite sure what the solution is, but weneed more protection out on the streets. So beconscious of your surroundings and take care ofthose you love!

This is our arts and entertainment issue and, boy, could I use a dose of that. Luckily in my field,I’m surrounded by the stuff every day! My arts + entertainment is an evening with no phone, TVor Internet with a nice glass of wine and a STACK of my magazines! Vogue, Glamour, In Style,Yoga Journal, Lucky and Departures and I am in Heaven!

We had the most fun day shooting our cover subjects, as well as a few other musical types,alongside some interesting art choices. Turn to page 46.

It’s cool to take a good picture FINALLY teaches you how to use your darned, little camera andtake a good picture rather than a mediocre one.

Our foodie Jenny Wang dishes on the newest taqueria-type options in honor of Cinco de Mayo.And even our DineWrite has a Latin flair!

This month is also Citizen Lounge’s 1-year anniversary, so join002houston on May 16th to celebrate! We’ve also got an official kick-off party for SUMMER FUN! On May 21 at Momentum Audi. We’llhave fashions, food, drinks, music and of course the most beautiful peo-ple in Houston. So if you’re not on our email list, you just might wantto be – sign up at www.002mag.com.

CARLA VALENCIA de MARTINEZ

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Photography by Sofia van der Dys |Hair by Elia Graves atJose Eber salon and Makeup by Pati + Trixi

002houston Magazine is published monthly by NODO Magazine, L.L.C., 1310 NANCE ST.STUDIO C, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002. Copyright © 2009 by NODO Magazine L.L.C. Allrights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.002houston Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editori-al, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear.For subscription information, call 713.223.5333x14 or send a check or money order for$35.00 to 002houston Magazine, 1310 NANCE ST. STUDIO C, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002.

002HOUSTON MAGAZINE

1310 NANCE ST. STUDIO C | HOUSTON, TX 77002

713.223.5333 | FAX 713.223.4884 | [email protected]

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/002HOUSTON | WWW.002MAG.COM

volume 11 issue 125

alejandro martinéz ext 16 [email protected]

carla valencia de martinéz ext 13 [email protected]

victoria bartlett

alex rosa ext 17 [email protected]

beatrice valencia ext 11 [email protected]

william king ext 18 [email protected]

carlos valencia ext 12 [email protected] klawinsky ext 15 [email protected] chen [email protected]

isabel terraso ext 14 [email protected] ahmad [email protected]

kim coffman, emily dwyer, kennon evett, jill hunter,gabriella nissen, daniel ortiz, jack potts, anthony rathbun,aaron m. sprecher, sofia van der dys, michelle watson

bernard bauri for lastnightpics.com, cody bessjaime lagdameo,wayne sandlin, jenny wang

michael andre adams, leigh bell, michael garfield, sarah gish, patriciagras, sandra gunn, travis jones, hal lynde, nadia michel, tim moloney,jenni rebecca stephenson, kristina vaquero-nemec, lance scott walker,jenny wang, scott ward

wilbert chinchilla

PUBLISHER

EDITOR AT LARGE | FASHION DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

ART DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE EDITOR | EVENTS

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

FOR SUGAR LAND SALES

PHOTOGRAPHERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

INTERN

6. may09 002houston

Carla Valencia de Martinéz- Editor at LargeFashion Director

OOPS! In April’s Spacetaker we miscredited an image. The image was a video still by D. PattonWhite of Several Dancers Core “Absence/Presence” performance at the MFAH. Arcichat’s imageshould have been credited as Troy Campa, principal|Clint JOhnson, assoc. | Sandra Gunn | KenNewberry, senior principal

T

Cover Sofia van der DysAssisted by Aaron CourtlandStyled by Ali Marie KahnHair & Makeup by Carol WagenerTaxidermied animals by Elaine Bradford

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:09 PM Page 6

Page 7: May 2009

7. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 2:56 PM Page 7

Page 8: May 2009

HOUSTON MAP Downtown......................................1Holocaust Museum.........................2Galleria..........................................3Uptown Park..................................4River Oaks Park.............................5Rice Village....................................6Highland Village............................7Memorial City................................8Town & Country Village..................9Loehmann’s................................10Sam Houston Race Park..............11Katy Mills...................................12Sugar Land.................................13Zoo ............................................14Museum District..........................15George Bush Intl. Airport............16Hobby Airport.............................17Space Center Houston.................18Kemah........................................19Miller Outdoor Theatre................20Contemporary Arts Museum........21Houston Museum of Fine Arts......22Children’s Museum......................23Houston Museum of Natural Science..24Houston Arboretum.....................25Houston Theater District..............26The Woodlands............................27

What's hip.current.cool? Get on our list, e-mail us at [email protected] to make sure you're invited.

8. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 2:57 PM Page 8

Page 9: May 2009

9. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 2:58 PM Page 9

Page 10: May 2009

10. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 2:59 PM Page 10

Page 11: May 2009

11. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:02 PM Page 11

Page 12: May 2009

ARTLEWIS & MAESE AUCTION COMPANY secured theopportunity to offer at auction several rare Warhol piecesbelonging to a Houston-based art collector. The pieceshave been in this private collection for over 30 years andinclude the iconic “Campbell’s Soup II, Hot Dog Bean” aserigraph, as well as the rarer “Campbell Soup Box-Onion Mushroom,” acrylic/silkscreen; an image ofRonald Reagan, entitled “Van Heusen” (part of Warhol’sads suite); and “Plains Indian Shield” silkscreen. Lewis &Maese will offer the Warhols for sale (along with a large selection of work from otherhigh-profile artists) on May 6 at 6:30pm (preview times listed on websiteLMAuctionco.com), 2301 Sabine Street, Houston, 77007.

GASTRONOMYLIKE FOOD AND WINE? Don’t miss the 5thAnnual Wine & Food Week scheduled touncork May 26 – 31, 2009, in the pineywoods Houston suburb of The Wood-lands. This year’s epicurean adventure explores the tastes of Texas. On hand will benational and international winemakers, culinary experts, gourmands and those who justwant to savor the flavor while learning something new. With 40 sensational events, amyriad of wine and culinary icons are flocking to Houston to take part in this eliteevent… toasting the novice to the enthusiast. Renowned chefs from throughout Texas andbeyond showcase their culinary expertise partnered with hundreds of wines fromaround the world.For ticket information and a complete schedule, visit www.wineandfoodweek.com or call713.557.5732.

PARKSLast month Houston’s HERMANN PARK (hermannpark.org) revealed its $11 milliontransformation to the Lake Plaza area on the eastern edge ofMcGovern Lake. Facilitated by Hermann Park Conservancy,a nonprofit citizens’ organization dedicated to the improve-ment of Hermann Park, in conjunction with the Houston Parksand Recreation Department, the Lake Plaza project includesseveral components: a newly constructed Kinder Station (theHermann Park train’s main station), The Tiffany & Co.Foundation Bridge, Little Bigs café, dining terrace, publicrestrooms, gift shop, boathouse and volunteer and mainte-nance building. Hermann Park’s newest improvements, com-pleted over the past year, offer magnificent views of the 7.5-acre McGovern Lake and boast newly landscaped groundsfor Park visitors, train passengers and diners.

VINTAGE PARK, an Interfin-developed lifestyle shopping center located off Highway 249and Louetta Rd., is now hosting a monthly, outdoor movienight called Cinema Al Fresco. The family-friendly movies areshown in the piazza on the second Saturday of each month.In conjunction with each movie night, Friends of BARC(Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care) will have a mobilepet adoption set up in the piazza from 2pm until the start ofeach movie where there will be adoptable cats and dogs. Theschedule of films as of print are as follows: May 9, Ratatouille;June 13, Raiders of the Lost Ark; July 11, A League of TheirOwn.Please check the website for times and changes in the lineupat vintageparkhouston.com.

12. may09 002houston

NEWS WORTHY

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:11 PM Page 12

Page 13: May 2009

Chez Roux is now open for business and its stand-alone waterfront fine diningvenue is the first restaurant in the US to represent the famed Roux name. MasterChef Albert Roux and French Quarter Hospitality’s Ronnie Ben-Zur hosted thereception at the site located on the grounds of the new $130 million La TorrettaDel Lago Resort & Spa on Lake Conroe. Boasting over 300 people in attendance– consisting of locals and out-of-towners – guests took the festivities to the PianoBar to wind down the festivities.

EVENT COCKTAIL RECEPTION OF CHEZ ROUXWHY CELEBRATE THE DEBUT OF CHEZ ROUXWHERE CHEZ ROUX, LA TORRETADEL LAGO, CONROEWHEN MARCH 7

Roz Pactor, Susan VickRincon and Nicole Ender

Luvonne Sharr, Ronnie Ben-ZurKatherine Orellana, Larry Goldenthal

Chef Albert RouxElizabeth Van Kleef, Zach Hunt

Adriana and Jose Berlanga

13. may09 002houston

Photo

grap

hyby

Kenn

onEv

ett

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:05 PM Page 13

Page 14: May 2009

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLEASE CONTACT:

ALLEY THEATRE alleytheatre.orgCCWWMMPP- 20th Season Coming Soon!Check website for 2009 season!

woodlandscenter.orgHOBBY CENTER 713.315.2525

thehobbycenter.orgHHOOUUSSEE OOFF BBLLUUEESS hhoobb..ccoommJONES HALL 713.227.3974

joneshall.orgMAIN STREET THEATER 713.524.6706

mainstreettheater.com

MERIDIAN meridianhouston.comMILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE (MOT) -

milleroutdoortheatre.comMINUTE MAID PARK

houston.astros.mlb.comMUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

mfah.orgMUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

hmns.orgSTAGES REPERTORY THEATRE

713.527.0123 stagestheatre.com

THEATER DISTRICT OUTDOOR cityofhouston.gov

TOYOTA CENTER 1.866.4HOU.tixhoustontoyotacenter.com

VERIZON THEATER verizonwirelesstheater.com

WAREHOUSE LIVE warehouselive.comWORTHAM CENTER 713.237.1439

worthamcenter.org GENTE DE TEATRO gentedeteatro.org

RELIANT PARK reliantpark.com

AAlllleeyy Mauritius 2:30 & 7:30pm | Rock ‘N’Roll 2:30 & 7:30pm

CCWWMMPP Kenny Chesney 7:30pm HHoobbbbyy TUTS: Rent 2 & 7:30pm

JJoonneess HS: Slatkin’s Beethoven Eighth 2:30pmMMOOTT Comite Patriotico Mexicano: Cinco de Mayo 3pm

WWoorrtthhaamm HGO: Brief Encounter 3pm | Doctors Orchestraof Houston: Sounds of Joy 5pm

3

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 2:30 & 7:30pmCCWWMMPP 94.5 Buzzfest XXII 12pm

HHoobbbbyy Ars Lyrica: Il Trionfo del Tempo5pm || IMRP: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love Overboard 3 &

7:30pm JJoonneess Beethoven’s Violin Concerto 2:30pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 3pm | Scapino! 3:30pmMMOOTT HB: Classically Contemporary 8pm

MMiinnuuttee MMaaiidd Astros vs. San Diego Padres 1:05pmWWaarreehhoouussee Kevin Divine 7pm

WWoorrtthhaamm The Ensemble Theatre: A Rose Among Thorns:A Dramatic Tribute to Rosa Parks 5pm

10

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy IMRP: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love

Overboard 8pmJJoonneess Yo-Yo Ma 8pm

MMOOTT HGO: Romeo and Juliet 11amWWoorrtthhaamm Dance Houston: Vida delBaile 7pm | HGO: Brief Encounter

7:30pm

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 8pm

HHOOBB Katy Perry 7pmWWaarreehhoouussee Nightwish 7pm

12

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy Project Divisi: Behind the Iron

Curtain 8pm || TUTS: Happy Days 8pmMMiinnuuttee MMaaiidd Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers 7:05pm

19 AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmCCWWMMPP The Houston Symphony Presents

Dancin’ beneath the Stars 8pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 8pm

HHOOBB Letters to Cleo w/ Cruiser Weight 7:30pmMMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 7:30pm

MMeerriiddiiaann Isis w/ Guest***Pegstar.net Presents InHouston 8pm

MMOOTT Dancin’ in the Street…Motown & More Revue8:15pm

Minute Maid Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers 7:05pmSSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 7:30pm

21

11

HHoobbbbyy HCS: An Evening of RomanticConcertos 7:30pm

MMOOTT HGO: Romeo and Juliet 11amVVeerriizzoonn All American Rejects 6:30pm

4 AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy IMRP: Je’Caryous Johnson’s

Love Overboard 8pmHHOOBB Snoop Dogg w/ K’naan & The

Hustle Boys 7pmJJoonneess Flight of the Conchords 8pm

MMOOTT HGO: Romeo and Juliet11am

Minute Maid Astros vs.Chicago Cubs 7:05pm

WWoorrtthhaamm @@ tthhee GGrraanndd FFooyyeerr DaCamera: A Little Day Music 12pm

5 AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy IMRP: Je’Caryous Johnson’s

Love Overboard 8pmMMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 7:30pm

MMeerriiddiiaann JMG Presents Mad Sin: Phantom Rockers7:30pm

MMOOTT HGO: Romeo and Juliet 11amMinute Maid Astros vs. Chicago Cubs 7:05pm

WWaarreehhoouussee Old Crow Medicine Show 8pmWWoorrtthhaamm HGO: Brief Encounter 7:30pm

May 7, Houston SPCA 2009 Animal TalkLuncheon at Hotel ZaZa. Individual ticketsand sponsorship table tickets can be pur-chased online at houstonspca.org.

7

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 8pmSSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 7:30pm

MMaayy 1133,, MMaakkiinngg aa DDiiffffeerreennccee LLuunncchheeoonn at the RiverOaks Country Club benefiting El Centro Corazon. Formore information, Ellie Francisco at 713.825.5708.

6

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 8pm

MMiinnuuttee MMaaiidd Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers 7:05pmSSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 7:30pm

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 2:30 & 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 2 & 7:30pm

JJoonneess Respighi’s Pines of Rome2:30pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 3pmSSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 3pmWWaarreehhoouussee The Dears 7pm

HHOOBB The Crystal Method w/ L.A. Riots7pm

WWaarreehhoouussee Andre Legacy 8pm17 18

HHoobbbbyy BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 8pm26HHoobbbbyy Masquerade: Evita 2pm | TUTS:Happy Days 2 & 7:30pm

HHOOBB Gavin Rossdale w/ Nico Vega7pm

MMiinnuuttee MMaaiidd Astros vs. Texas Rangers 1:05pmSSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 3pm

24

20

HHoobbbbyy BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 8pmHHOOBB Brandi Carlile 7pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 7:30pmSSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 7:30pm

WWoorrtthhaamm HB: Of An Era 7:30pm

28HHoobbbbyy BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 8pmMMeerriiddiiaann Bob Log III: Willem Maker 8pm

SSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 7:30pmWWaarreehhoouussee Twiztid 7pm

27

13 AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 8pm

HHOOBB Live 7pmJJoonneess Respighi’s Pines of Rome 8pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 7:30pmSSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 7:30pm

VVeerriizzoonn Bonnie Raitt 8pm

May 14-30, The Third Side presented byMildred’s Umbrella Theater Company.Shows run Fridays, Saturdays andMondays at 8pm at DiverseWorks ArtSpace. mildredsumbrella.com

14

CCWWMMPP No Doubt 7:30pmHHoobbbbyy Masquerade: Evita 2pm | BIH:

Fiddler on the Roof 2 & 7:30pm MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 3pm

SSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 3pmWWoorrtthhaamm HB: Of An Era 2pm

31

May 2, SSpprriinngg AAnnnnuuaall GGaallaa ffoorr AAMMIIGGOOSSddee llaass AAmmeerriiccaass at the Hotel ZaZa. For moreinformation on AMIGOS, visit amigoslink.org/.

May 2, WWaallkk ffoorr tthhee MMiinndd ooff AAmmeerriiccaa!! inSam Houston Park along Allen Parkway indowntown Houston. Three-mile rain-or-shineevent to raise funds and awareness for thecause of mental health. Register online atnamimetrohouston.org.

May 2, EEAASSTT MMOONNTTRROOSSEE HHOOMMEE TTOOUURRaanndd AARRTT WWAALLKK,, 10am-4pm. eastmontrose.org,or call 713.528.5614.

May 2, TThhee DDrroowwssyy CChhaappeerroonnee,, 3pm &8pm at Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House.thegrand.com.

May 2-3, 1144tthh AAnnnnuuaall KKeeeellss && WWhheeeellssCCoonnccoouurrss dd’’EElleeggaannccee at the Lakewood YachtClub. Visit keels-wheels.com.

May 2, KKrriissttiinnee MMiillllss’’ bboossssaannoovvaaffiieedd offi-cial album release party at McGonigel’s MuckyDuck. Two shows starting at 7pm & 10pm. Formore info, visit kristinemillsmusic.com.

May 7, TTrreeaassuurreess ooff TTeexxaass GGaallaa 22000099, 7:30pm at theWestin Galleria Grand Ballroom. Benefiting the Mental HealthAmerica of Greater Houston. For more info, call 713.523.8963 oremail [email protected].

May 8-9, JJ.. SSiillvveerr wweellccoommeess IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall DDeessiiggnnPPhheennoommeennoonn CChhaann LLuuuu.. Partial proceeds from the trunk show willbenefit Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP). For more informationon J. Silver, jsilverdesigns.com or call 713.807.1644.

MMaayy 1166, AAssssiissttaannccee LLeeaagguuee®® ooff HHoouussttoonn’’ss 4411sstt aannnnuuaall ffuunnddrraaiissiinngg eevveenntt,, ““MMoooonnlliigghhtt aanndd SSttaarrss”” GGaallaaat Lakeside Country Club. For more information, call 713.526.7983 or e-mail [email protected] 16, PPaarrttyy iinn tthhee SSttaacckkss benefiting the Houston Library Foundation, 7pm at the Houston CentralLibrary. For more info, please call Susan Bischoff at 832.393.1450 or [email protected] 16, TThhee CCaappiittooll SStteeppss, 8pm at Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House.

MMaayy 2244--3300,, NNiicckkyy’’ss WWeeeekk aatt RRAA SSuusshhii.All proceeds from select food and beverage itemsbenefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.RAsushi.com.

May 22, GGiirrll SShhyy Performance by TwoStar Symphony, 8pm, part of KUHF’s Silent FilmConcerts at Discovery Green Park. Admission isfree. Discoverygreen.com

26

25

SUNDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAYTUESDAYMONDAY

PERFORMING ARTS+CONCERTS+SPORTS+FESTIVALS+GENERAL INTERESTmay 2009CALENDAR

14. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:11 PM Page 14

Page 15: May 2009

AAlllleeyy Mauritius 8pm | Rock ‘N’ Roll 8pmCCWWMMPP Dave Matthews Band 7pm

HHoobbbbyy DWDT: Wolfgang Amadeus 7:30pm | TUTS:Rent 8pm

HHOOBB Ximena Sarinana 7pmMMeerriiddiiaann Little Ed and the Blues

Imperials 7:30pmMMOOTT Boniuk Center for Religious

Tolerance: The Gold 8pmVVeerriizzoonn Soulja Boy 8pm

WWaarreehhoouussee Over the Rhine 7pmWWoorrtthhaamm HGO: Brief Encounter

7:30pm | Houston MET: Mixing It Up8pm

AAlllleeyy Mauritius 2:30 & 8pm | Rock ‘N’ Roll 2:30 & 8pmHHoobbbbyy DWDT: Wolfgang Amadeus 7:30pm | TUTS: Rent

2 & 8pmHHOOBB Bob Schneider w/ Charlie Mars 8pmJJoonneess HS: Slatkin’s Beethoven Eighth 8pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett TThheeaattrree Sideway Stories from Wayside School1 & 4pm

MMeerriiddiiaann Cinco De Mayo w/ Andy Vargas & DavidDelegarza 8pm

MMOOTT Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance: The Gold 8pmTTooyyoottaa Fleetwood Mac 8pmWWaarreehhoouussee Fonseca 9pm

WWoorrtthhaamm HGO: Rigoletto 7:30pm | Da Camera: After Bach8pm

2

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 2:30 & 8pmHHoobbbbyy Musiqa: Around the World with Musiqa

2:30pm || TUTS: Happy Days 2 & 8pmHHOOBB Fischerspooner w/ SSION 8pmJJoonneess Respighi’s Pines of Rome 8pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Sideways Stories from Wayside School 1 & 4pm |Awake and Sing! 8pm

MMOOTT HGO: Rigoletto 8:30pmSSttaaggeess Peter & the Wolf 2pm | Grey Gardens 8pm

VVeerriizzoonn James Taylor 8pmWWaarreehhoouussee The Crisis – CD Release Party 8pmWWoorrtthhaamm Mercury Baroque: Lully’s Armide 8pm

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 2:30 & 8pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 2 & 8pm | Masquerade:

Evita 8pmJJoonneess Dancing with the Symphony 8pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 8pmMMOOTT Dancin’ in the Street…Motown & More Revue

8:15pmMMiinnuuttee MMaaiidd Astros vs. Texas Rangers 3:10pm

SSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 8pm

23

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 8pmHHoobbbbyy IMRP: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love Overboard

8pmHHOOBB Zoso – The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience 10pm

JJoonneess Beethoven’s Violin Concerto 8pmMMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Scapino! 7:30pm

MMOOTT HGO: Romeo and Juliet 11am | HB: ClassicallyContemporary 8pm

Minute Maid Astros vs. San Diego Padres 7:05pmWWoorrtthhaamm SPA: Aspen Santa Fe Ballet 8pm

8

1

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 8pmCCWWMMPP The Houston Symphony Presents Four

Italians 8pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 8pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 8pmMMOOTT HGO: Rigoletto 8:30pm

SSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 8pmWWaarreehhoouussee Grupo Fantasma 8pm

WWoorrtthhaamm Mercury Baroque: Lully’s Armide 8pm May 15-17, The Houston Fringe Festival.Festival will be at various locations in theMontrose neighborhood.houstonfringefestival.org.

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 2:30 & 8pmHHoobbbbyy IMRP: Je’Caryous Johnson’s Love

Overboard 3 & 8pmJJoonneess Beethoven’s Violin Concerto 8pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Scapino! 7:30pm || Awake and Sing! 8pmMMOOTT HB: Classically Contemporary 8pm

MMiinnuuttee MMaaiidd Astros vs. San Diego Padres 6:05pmSSttaaggeess Peter & the Wolf 2pm

WWoorrtthhaamm SPA: Hot Peas ‘N Butter 2pm | HGO: Brief Encounter7:30pm

May 9, Chubby Checker & The Wildcats,8pm at Galveston’s Grand 1894 OperaHouse. thegrand.com

9

1615

AAlllleeyy Rock ‘N’ Roll 8pmHHoobbbbyy TUTS: Happy Days 8pm | Masquerade:

Evita 8pmHHOOBB Queensryche 7pm

JJoonneess Dancing with the Symphony 8pmMMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 8pm

MMOOTT Dancin’ in the Street…Motown &More Revue 8:15pm

MMiinnuuttee MMaaiidd Astros vs. Texas Rangers7:05pm

SSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 8pmVVeerriizzoonn Indigo Girls 8pm

22

HHoobbbbyy BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 2 & 8pm |Masquerade: Evita 8pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 8pmMMeerriiddiiaann King’s X 8pm

SSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 8pmVVeerriizzoonn Frank Caliendo 8:30pm

WWaarreehhoouussee Mr. Lif 8pmWWoorrtthhaamm HB: Of An Era 7:30pm

May 30, Steve Tyrell, 8pm at Galveston’s Grand1894 Opera House.

30HHoobbbbyy BIH: Fiddler on the Roof 8pm |Masquerade: Evita 8pm

HHOOBB Emory Quinn w/ Texas Renegade and CaseyBerry & the Live Texas Mosquitoes 8pm

MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett Awake and Sing! 8pmMMOOTT SPA: Ritmo Latino 8pmSSttaaggeess Grey Gardens 8pm

WWaarreehhoouussee Kate Voegele 7pm

29

SATURDAYFRIDAY

NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? TRY ONE-STOP SHOPPING AT HOUSTONTHEATERDISTRICT.ORG

15. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:12 PM Page 15

Page 16: May 2009

11.. THE MENIL COLLECTION menil.orgOpens May 9 –Drawings on Siteincludes drawings forproposed public monu-ments by Americanartists Claes Oldenburgand Coosje vanBruggen. Drawings werecreated through anexchange of words and pictures and refined byOldenburg sketches and van Bruggen’s molding ideas;both signed each drawn large-scale sculptures piececollectively. Conversations: Claes Oldenburg andBernice Rose on Drawings on Site – Sunday, May 10,7pm. Thru June 21 Marlene Dumas: Measuring YourOwn Grave. Thru August 2, American Tableau; catcha panel discussion on Tuesday, May 12, 8pm.

22.. HOUSTON CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHYhcponline.org HCP 2009 fellows Natan Dvir and Prince V. Thomaspresent their works at an opening reception Friday,May 15, at 6pm. Dvir presents Shelter, an investiga-tion of global proportions that sifts through refugeesthat have been displaced by their countries experienc-ing conflict and persecution including his recent studiesin Israel and Colombia. Thomas will present On Joy,On Sorrow through the medium of two-channel videoinstallations accompanied by a music score from JoelLove. This piece will assume the role of comparing thetwo seemingly contrasting emotions. Opens May 15,Infected Landscape, works by Shai Kremer. HumanNature runs thru May 10 along with an accompanyingexhibit, Human Nature-Collaborations VI: Food, fea-turing art from 18 students from 9 Houston area highschools.

33.. THE ROTHKO CHAPEL rothkochapel.orgFriday, May 15, 7 pm –Song Salon: Gnosis inSong is a presentation ofGnostic Gospels throughmusic and discussion incollaboration with RiceUniversity religious schol-ar April de Conick andDivas World Productions.With Becky Baxter playing the harp in conjunction withSonja Bruzauskas’ vocals, patrons will journey throughthe contemporary composition of once ancient songs.Another vocal event in collaboration with Yoga forPeace is Kirtan (Kirtan means repeat in Sanskrit).Harmoniously join patrons to chant for peace, love oreven enlightenment on Sunday, May 17, 1pm. There isa suggested contribution of $5 – $10.

44.. BYZANTINE FRESCO CHAPEL MUSEUM menil.org/ByzantineThe only intact examples of 13th-century Byzantinewall painting of this size and importance in theWestern Hemisphere, these masterworks were stolenby thieves from a chapel in the Turkish occupied townof Lysi, cut into pieces and smuggled off the island ofCyprus. Rescued and restored by the MenilFoundation, the dome and apse now reside on a long-term loan from the Church of Cyprus in an intimatechapel designed by award-winning architect Francoisde Menil.

55.. HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT crafthouston.org Literally Figurative runsthru July 3 and presentsthe first invitational exhi-bition showcased at theHouston Center forContemporary Craft. A variety of medium and artistsfrom across the globe are presented in this exhibit,there is sure to be a piece to explore all aspects ofhuman life in a Literally Figurative way.

66.. LAWNDALE ARTCENTER lawndaleartcenter.orgRound 3 is an exhibitpresenting the works ofresident artists within theLawndale Artist StudioProgram. Kevin Curry,Amber Eagle and ElFranco Lee II will be pre-senting their completedpieces during their thirdyear. Washington Avenue: Forgotten to Gentrifiedshowcases photographs, interviews, historical notesand recorded physical changes to Washington Avenueand its citizens. Robert Sennhauser’s photos taken fromHouston Avenue to T.C. Jester portray a dying neigh-borhood’s identity due to gentrification. With one iden-tity dying, another is born in Regarding Discards,works by Stephanie Martz including drawings, photog-raphy and collected pages from books. Out of Siteexplores the conflict in Israel-Palestine. All exhibitsopen May 8 and opening receptions begin that Fridayat 6:30-8:30pm. Artist talks begin at 6pm.

77.. BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM buffalosoldiermuseum.comThe Buffalo Soldiers National Museum pays tribute toAfrican-American military history from theRevolutionary War to modern times. During the 1860s,soldiers of the 10th U.S. Calvary were nicknamed“Buffalo Soldiers” for their fierce fighting ability andbravery.

88.. HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON hmh.orgOn May 4, Senator John McCain will receive the 2009Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award for hiscommitment to the U.S. Navy and to the decisions hemakes at the U.S. Senate. Through the month of May,Theatre New West in conjunction with the HolocaustMuseum will show the play The Timekeepers by DanClancy. Tickets are $20 each and performances arelocated at the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Theater locat-ed within the Morgan Family Center at the HolocaustMuseum. Thru July 17, Besa: Muslims Who SavedJews During the Holocaust.

9. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON cmhouston.org With the recent additions tothe museum comes the newexhibit Powerplay whichfocuses on getting kidsactive and helping themunderstand the relationshipbetween exercise andhealth. This engaging exhib-it houses a three-story climb-ing installation called thePowerTower and a dancing/twister mash-up calledStretch It Out. A total of fourteen galleries pack themuseum that lets kids become adults in Kidtropolis,inventors in Invention Convention and water techni-cians in Flow Works.

1100.. THE HEALTH MUSEUM thehealthmuseum.org Throughout May you canexperience Expedition 3D:The Cell and examine howcells fight disease atHouston’s first 4D theater.You: The Exhibit uses thelatest multimedia and special effects in technology tohelp visitors understand what is the makeup of you.This exhibit explores your physiological traits that havehelped create what you are. If you are brave enough,you can experiment with Forces Unleashed where youcan be a superhero’s sidekick and help stop evil villainswith the help of Newtonia.

1111.. HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE hmns.org Opening May 8, Houstonians will have the chance tonot only understand The Nature of Diamonds but per-ceive the cultural aspects surrounding them. OpeningMay 22 is one of the top 10 museum exhibitions of2008 as declared by Time Magazine – the Terra CottaWarriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor. Thesewarriors were said to guard China’s First Emperor, QinShi Huang, and they are one of the biggest discoverieswithin the 20th century. Through May 31, The World isFull of Wonders will present the photographs of SamGainer who has successfully combined travel and pho-

MUSEUM DISTRICT

16. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:13 PM Page 16

Page 17: May 2009

tography to recreate the beauty of many remarkablesites visited that include canyons, gorges and naturaland man-made structures.

1122.. HOUSTON ZOO houstonzoo.org The ongoing efforts ofbringing forth environ-mental awareness can becontinued through con-servation; who better tocontinue this life lessonthan kids in grades 8-12.Each month theConservation Crew helpsprotect habitats around Houston such as beaches. OnMay 9, there will be a Conservation Crew – BeachClean-up beginning at 8am; tickets are $10.Community Group Night Prowl gives people thechance to experience the Houston Zoo at night after7pm – Sunday, May 10. Limited to a group of 45. Thisprogram is open to children ages 7 years of age andolder. To register, call 713.533.6550.

1133.. RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY ricegallery.orgRice Gallery is dedicated to the creation and exhibitionof site-specific installation art. The gallery is located onthe ground floor of Sewall Hall, near the main entranceto one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses.Thru May 9, Henrique Olivera: New Installation.

1144.. THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON mfah.org Amy Blakemore: Photographs 1988-2008 runsthrough May. This talented, Houston-based photogra-pher’s work is catalogued at the MFAH through thespaces in time she has completed each piece bydecades. As if birthing, contrasts in her works from the1980s focus on black & white photos and then growinto hues during the 1990s photos that explore colorthrough different uses of light. Don’t miss the otherengaging exhibits on display at the MFAH:Thru May 10, The Plains of Mars: European WarPrints, 1500-1825Thru May 17, Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from theNational Museum, KabulThru May 24, Eye on the Third Ward: Jack Yates HighSchool Photography 2008Thru May 25, Wrapped in Color: Lithographic BookCovers and Jackets, 1890-1970

1155.. CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM HOUSTON camh.orgNo Zoning: ArtistsEngage Houston is aplethora of visual artpieces presented by 15individual and collabo-rative teams that includeperformance, lecture andvideo screening space.Opening May 9, thisexhibit explores the beauty and art of urban structures

within the city of Houston. Opening May 15 isPerspectives 166: Torsten Slama whose works includedrawings on papers as well as new work created justfor this exhibit. This Berlin-based artist embodies thenarratives of individuals and civilizations that addressSlama’s concerns of the past, present and future, likehis past colleagues George Grosz or Otto Dix.

1166.. THE JUNG CENTER OF HOUSTON junghouston.org May 2 – 26, the Jung Center presents Form and Spaceby artist Mary Wilbanks. The space of the Jung is cer-tainly an ideal locale for the rugged works of Wilbanksthat explore the space given to her by rocks, art, musicand language.

1177.. CZECH CENTER MUSEUM czechcenter.org The Czech Center Museum Houston works to preserve,record and celebrate the language, scholarship and

arts of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and Slovakia. Therewill be a featured film series showcasing The Power ofGood, the documentary of Nicholas Winton’s exploitssaving Czech children from Nazi tyranny, and CitizenHavel Goes on Vacation.

1188..JOHN C. FREEMAN WEATHER MUSEUM wxresearch.orgThe John C. Freeman Weather Museum is helping sup-port the National Weather Service in its efforts to edu-cate families about hurricanes in Remembering Ike –2009 Hurricane Workshop, Ready or Not on May 30at the George R. Brown Convention Center from 10am– 2pm. This event, free and open to the general public,will have a kids zone activity center, free hurricane pre-paredness video and items, and R.O.N. (Ready orNot), the interactive robot.

KEY TO SYMBOLS

� PARKING� RESTAURANT� SHOPPING� SNACKS � FREE ADMISSION

17. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:13 PM Page 17

Page 18: May 2009

MUSEUMS

ART CAR MUSEUM artcarmuseum.com140 Heights Blvd. 713.861.5526

BLAFFER GALLERY class.uh.edu/blafferUH Campus, Ent. 16, 713.743.9530

GALVESTON ARTS CENTER galvestonartscenter.org2127 Strand St. 409.763.2403

HERITAGE SOCIETY heritagesociety.org1100 Bagby 713.655.1912opens May 5, Retablos: Art for the Masses

HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM houstonfiremuseum.org2304 Milam 713.524.5395

MUSEUM OF PRINTING HISTORYprintingmuseum.org 1324 W. Clay 713.522.4652opens May 14, Filigrane: a History of Watermarksthru May 9, Pulled from the Vault

ORANGE SHOW orangeshow.org2402 Munger 713.926.6368opens May 9, Houston Art Car Weekend

PROJECT ROW HOUSES projectrowhouses.org2501 Holman 713.526.7662

UNIVERSITY MUSEUM tsu.edu/museum3100 Cleburne Ave. 713.313.7145

ART HOUSES

18 HANDS GALLERY 18handsgallery.com249 West 19th St. 713.869.3099

AEROSOL WARFARE GALLERY aerosolwarfare.com2110 Jefferson

ANYA TISH GALLERY anyatishgallery.com4411 Montrose 713.524.2299

APAMA MACKEY GALLERY mackeygallery.com628 East 11th Street 713.850.8527

ARCHWAY GALLERY archwaygallery.com2305 Dunlavy 713.522.2409opens May 2, Bede Van Dyke/Gene Hester

ARTSCAN GALLERY rudolphprojects.com1836 Richmond 713.807.1836

ART LEAGUE HOUSTON artleaguehouston.org1953 Montrose Blvd. 713.523.4080opens May 8, Vulnerable Ecologies by Susan Stockwellopens May 8, ConcealDisclose by Hagit Barkai and TalaVahabzadeh

BARBARA DAVIS GALLERY barbaradavisgallery.com4411 Montrose 713.520.9200thru May 16, Other Arrangements by Helen Lessick

BERING & JAMES GALLERY beringandjames.com805 Rhode Place #500, 713.524.0101opens May 14, Roma Home Decor

BETZ GALLERY betzgallery.com1208 W. Gray 713.576.6954

BLAFFER GALLERY class.uh.edu/blaffer4800 Calhoun Rd. 713.743.9521opens May 16, Existed: Leonardo Drew

BOOKER-LOWE GALLERY bookerlowegallery.com4623 Feagan St. 713.862.8364

CANAL ST. GALLERY canalstreetgallery.com2219 Canal St. 713.223.2219

COMMUNITY ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVEcommunityartistscollective.org 1501 Elgin 713.523.1616

COMMUNE ON NORTH communeonnorth.com2445 North Blvd.

CAROLINE COLLECTIVE carolinecollective.com4820 Caroline 713.825.4613

CTRL GALLERY ctrlgallery.com3907 Main St. 713.523.2875thru May 30, Heimir Björgúlfsson–New Collages andSculptures

DAKOTA GALLERYdakotaframing.com/dfp/dakotagallery.asp2324 Shearn 713.523.7440

DARKE GALLERY darkegallery.com5321 Feagan 713.542.3802Opens May 2, Janet Wayte–Nextures

DEBORAH COLTON GALLERYdeborahcoltongallery.com2445 North Boulevard 713.869.5151thru May 7, Molly Gochman–Spring

DESANTOS GALLERY desantosgallery.com1724 Richmond 713.520.1200

DIVERSEWORKS diverseworks.org1117 East Main at Naylor 713.223.8346opens May 1, New Art in Austin: 20 to Watch

DOMY BOOKS domystore.com1709 Westheimer 713.523.3669opens May 9, Casual Encounters

FOTOFEST fotofest.org1113 Vine Street 713.223.5522thru May 13, Traveling Exhibition–Viewfinder: New Images byTexas Artistsopens May 17, Literacy Through Photography

G GALLERY 301redbudgallery.com/gGalleryIndex.htmlEast 11th Street 713.822.4842opens May 6, Worn In: Patric Marino and Katy Anderson

GALLERY 1724 gallery1724.com1724 Bissonnet 713.523.2547

GALLERY SONJA ROESCH gallerysonjaroesch.com2309 Caroline 713.659.5424opens May 16, Jan van der Ploeg

GITE GALLERY thegitegallery.com2024 Alabama St. 713.523.3311

GOLDESBERRY GALLERY goldesberrygallery.com2625 Colquitt 713.528.0405

GREEN HOUSE GALLERY greenhouseartgallery.com716 W. Alabama St. 713.535.6462

GREMILLION & CO. FINE ART gremillion.com2501 Sunset Blvd. 713.522.2701thru May 10, Christian Renonciatopens May 14, Richard Koci

GUTHRIE CONTEMPORARY2734 Virginia St. 713.522.8086

HCC-CENTRAL GALLERY centralfinearts.info3517 Austin 713.718.6570

HOUSTON LANDMARK GALLERYhoustonlandmarkgallery.com1200 McKinney 713.927.8800

HOUSTON STUDIOS707 Walnut St. #100, 713.223.0951

HOLLYWOOD FRAME GALLERYhollywoodframegallery.com2427 Bissonnet 713.942.8885

HOOKS-EPSTEIN hooksepsteingalleries.com2631 Colquitt St. 713.522.0718opens May 2, Teresa Dunnopens June 6, Kelli Scott Kelley

JOAN WICH & CO. GALLERY joanwichgallery.com4411 Montrose 713.526.1557opens May 28, Patricia Gonzalesthru May 23, Rabéa Ballin

KINZELMAN ART CONSULTING kinzelmanart.com3909 Main Street 713.533.9923

KOELSCH GALLERY koelschgallery.com703 Yale 713.626.0175

LAURA RATHE FINE ART laurarathe.com2707 Colquitt 713.527.7700opens May 2, Ray Phillips–Uninvisible

LAURA U COLLECTION lauraucollection.com1840 Westheimer 713.522.0855

LAZZARA ART GALLERY gallerialazzara.com5400 Mitcheldalle 713.681.0681

ART HOUSES+MUSEUMS+EXHIBITS

18. may09 002houston

1. vaughan christopher gallery| 2. art league houston | 3. thornwood gallery1. 3.

2.

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:09 PM Page 18

Page 19: May 2009

19. may09 002houston

LOVETT INN ART GALLERY lovettinngallery.com501 Lovett Blvd. 713.522.5224

M2 GALLERY m2-houston.com325 W. 19th St. 713.861.6070opens May 6, “Degrees”

McCLAIN GALLERY mcclaingallery.com2242 Richmond 713.520.9988opens May 7, The Art Guys: New Clichés

McMURTREY GALLERY mcmurtreygallery.com3508 Lake St. 713.523.8238opens May 2, Dornith Doherty–Archiving Eden

MEREDITH LONG GALLERYmeredithlonggallery.com2323 San Felipe 713.523.6671

MIDTOWN ART CENTER midtownartcenter.com3414 La Branch 713.521.8803

MOODY GALLERY moodygallery.com2815 Colquitt 713.526.9911opens May 2, Lucas Johnson

MOTHER DOG STUDIOShome.earthlink.net/~motherdogstudios/motherdogstudios720 Walnut 713.229.9760

MOXIE moxiehouston.com2307 Dunlavy 713.807.7994

NAUHAUS GALLERY texascollaborative.com223 E. 11th St. 281.615.4148opens May, Trey Speegle

NOLAN-RANKIN GALLERIESnolan-rankingalleries.com6 Chelsea Place 713.528.0664

O’KANE GALLERY uhd.eduOne Main St.@UHD 713.221.8042

PARKERSON GALLERY artnet.com3510 Lake St. 713.524.4945

PEEL GALLERY SHOP peelgallery.org4411 Montrose Blvd. 713.520.8122

POST GALLERY postgallery.com2121 Sage, Ste. 390, 713.622.4241"by appointment only"

POISSANT GALLERY poissantgallery.com5102 Center St. 713.868.9337

PROJECT ROW HOUSES projectrowhouses.org2519 Holman St. 713.526.7662

REDBUD GALLERY redbudgallery.com303 E. 11th St. 713.862.2532opens May 2, Broken Brushes

RETRO GALLERY retrogallery.com1839 W. Alabama 713.522.7074

RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERYricegallery.org 6100 Main St. 713.348.6069thru May 9, Henrique Olivera–Tapumes

RUDOLPH PROJECTS I ARTSCAN GALLERYrudolphprojects.com1836 Richmond 713.807.1836

SICARDI GALLERY sicardi.com2246 Richmond 713.529.1313

SPACE 125GALLERY haatx.com3201 Allen Parkway 713.527.9330

STUDIO1107 East Freeway 713.224.5555

TALENTO BILINGUE tbhcenter.com333 S. Jensen Drive 713.222.1213

TANSU tansustyle.com321-B West 19th 713.880.5100

THE ARTFUL CORNER theartfulcorner.com3423 White Oak Drive

THOM ANDRIOLA newgallery.net2627 Colquitt 713.520.7053opens May 2, Terri Thomas

THORNWOOD GALLERY thornwoodgallery.com1201 Birdsall 713.861.2787opens May 2, Folding Planes by Kevin Box

VAUGHAN CHRISTOPHER GALLERYvaughanchristopher.com1217 South Shepherd 713.533.0816opens May 7, Works by Paul Manes

WADE WILSON ARTwadewilsonart.com4411 Montrose #200, 713.521.2977thru May 16, Beneath the Seenopens May 30, Javier de Villota

WATERCOLOR ART SOCIETYwatercolorhouston.org1601 West Alabama 713.942.9966May 8, May Monthly Showopens May 30, Jerrie Gast–Slipping and Sliding on Yupo

WINTER STREET STUDIOS winterstreetstudios.net2101 Winter Street 713.862.0082

XNIHILO GALLERY 2115taft.org2115 Taft St. 713.622.1846

ZARPOSH INDIA GALLERY zarposhindia.com1951 Richmond 713.668.2948

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:10 PM Page 19

Page 20: May 2009

The works of the two most inspirational pop artists in American histo-ry helped launch the first spring exhibit for the Vaughan ChristopherGallery. One of Houston’s newest galleries, Vaughan Christopher isalready causing quite a buzz showing the works of Chagall, Haring,Hirst, Manes, Matisse, Quinn, Sultan and a series of ten one-of-a-kindhand colored flowers by Andy Warhol – all available for your home!

EVENT MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF WARHOL AND HARINGWHY TO PRESENT THE FIRST LAUNCH EXHIBIT OF VAUGHANCHRISTOPHER GALLERYWHERE VAUGHAN CHRISTOPHER GALLERYWHEN MARCH 5

Photo

grap

hyby

Wayn

eSan

dlin

LIVING SMART WITH PATRICIA GRASA

20. may09 002houston

When news of the economy began to fill the airwaveslast year, I chose not to watch TV at all and proceed-ed to find information that would empower me to feelbetter about the state of the economy. Then Iread Jeff Yeager’s book, “The UltimateCheapskate.” I laughed a lot andlearned many useful tips on what to doabout everyday spending. Jeff Yeagerwas a CEO and fundraiser for the non-profit sector, operating in an environ-ment where money was often scarce. Inthose years he learned that we had becomea nation focused more on amassing a quantity ofstuff than on creating quality of life, so he decided toteach people a new philosophy, a new way of life.

I invited him to Living Smart so he could share someof his ideas on living more with less! “I try to writewith a real laugh track to engage people in a veryserious conversation. I’m never making light of peoplewho are genuinely hurting. In the world context, that’sreally much fewer Americans. Do you know that halfthe world’s population lives on less than two dollars aday? A third of the world is literally starving to death

as we sit here today. A third is undernourished, anda third is well fed. Most Americans are still very for-tunate to be in that top third. I think we need to keep

that in mind as we go through this economicupheaval – yes, it’s bad, but it’s all in a rela-tive sense,” says Yeager.

One of the most practical bits of advise heshares is to think about how many thingswe can actually do on our own. “I’m a bigdo-it-yourselfer. Obviously, we spend a lot of

time earning money to pay people to do otherthings for us. What I write about is not about sacri-fice. It’s about choice. It’s about leading a fuller lifeby spending less. In this case I’m just saying – again,you have only so much time here on earth – wouldn’tyou like to learn to do some different things for your-self, from cooking, to home remodeling, things thathappen to also save you money, but different skill setsthan simply learning how to do your nine-to-five job?”

As for the connection between making a lot of moneyand happiness, Yeager suggests we focus more on ourpassion than on making money. “Can you choose

your passions? Can you choose what interests you inlife, your hobbies and so on? Can you try to steerthose in a specific way, for instance if you have a pas-sion for cooking (which is one of my great joys in life)not only do you find it extremely pleasurable, but itsaves you all kinds of money. You buy fewer mealsout. Think of the money that would save you.” OnLiving Smart Jeff Yeager will discuss how to enjoy lifemore by spending less.

Share your experiences by either calling 713.743.8513 or emailing [email protected]. If you miss this program, or if you would like to viewstreaming videos of past Living Smart shows go to our website www.hous-

tonpbs.org/livingsmart and click on the guest name. Patricia Gras is an EmmyAward-winning journalist and the producer and host for “Living Smart with

Patricia Gras” and “Latina Voices: Smart Talk.” You can learn more about boththese shows on www.patriciagras.com.

PATRICIA GRAS + JEFF YEAGER

JEFF YEAGER ULTIMATE CHEAPSKATE

HOW MANYTHINGS ARE THEREWHICH I DO NOT

WANT?—Socrates

Living Smart with Patricia Gras airs on Sundays at 3pmand Thursdays at 10:30pm on HoustonPBS Ch. 8.

Luis Gonzales, Amy Vaughan King, Tiffany GonzalesErin Langley, Carmela Lussky, Eric Peterson

Megan Doucette, Shannon Clark Christina and Tom HandMatt Massey, Jay Haber

Laura Sweeney, Eric Andell

Brian and Nancy Heitshusen

Stephanie Block, Nicole Fertitta, Jessica Laviage

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:14 PM Page 20

Page 21: May 2009

SPACETAKER ARTSCENE By Jenni Rebecca Stephenson

21. may09 002houston

THEY say April showers bring May flowers. Though, in Houston, the showers don’t obey schedules. Spring may

herald changeable weather for many places, but the meteorological confusion is year-round for our fair city. To beprepared Boy Scout-style is to leave one’s house with a sweater and canoe. The one thing of which Houstoniansmay be certain is that after May, the thermometer will start making its ascent to the hell-worthy temperatures ofsummer. (Still, how much better to be in a place where people are always taking clothes off, as opposed to put-ting more on!) April’s showers brought both flowers and a fair share of festivals, so enjoy this respite from the heatand humidity and spend your days out of the house and at one of this month’s cool art events!

MAY 1, 6-9PM – OPENING RECEPTION FOR NEW ARTIN AUSTIN: 20 TO WATCHDiverseWorks’ Co-director Diane Barber partners with EvaButtacavoli (Austin Museum of Art), Bill FitzGibbons (Blue StarContemporary Art Center) and Dennis Kois (Grace Museum) toselect artists for New Art in Austin: 20 to Watch, the third in atriennial exhibition showcasing emerging Central Texas artistswhose work stretches the boundaries of contemporary art. Theresulting colorful and energetic multimedia exhibition features adiverse lineup of rising Texas visual artists including Yoon Cho,Maggie Chou, Ali Fitzgerald, Alyson Fox, Buster Graybill, JulesBuck Jones, Baseera Khan, Andrew Long, Kurt Mueller, Jen Hirt,Scott Webel, Jill Pangallo, Scott Proctor, Matthew Rodriguez,Shawn Smith, Xochi Solis, Sarah Sudhoff, Raymond Uhlir,Stephanie Wagner, Rebecca Ward and Eric Zimmerman.DiverseWorks- Free. diverseworks.org

MAY 7, 6-9PM – OPENINGRECEPTION FOR SPACETAKER’SCOME WHAT MAYThree female artists join forces forSpacetaker’s artist showcase present-ed at Mo Mong during the month ofMay: Weihong, Sam Sartorius and

Leticia Balli. The combination of work from the three women,evolving from random to deliberate, embodies a feminine edge,ranging from capricious to playful and romantic. Balli’s workemerges from the subconscious – themes bubbling to the sur-face through the initial chaos, whereas the paintings ofSartorius bestow emotional landscapes, in which “real andunreal can coexist through a sensuous viewpoint.” Born inChina and shown extensively throughout the world, Weihongasserts her art involves basic principles – the importance of line,form, flow, yin and yang through a fusion of East/West visualvocabularies. Mo Mong- Free. spacetaker.org

MAY 10, 5PM - ARS LYRICAPRESENTS IL TRIONFO DEL TEMPOWhich is more enduring, Beauty orPleasure? Ars Lyrica seeks to answer thatquestion with their stunning setting ofHandel’s first oratorio, starring sopranosAva Pine and Melissa Givens, coun-tertenor Gerrod Pagenkopf and tenorJoseph Gaines. Artistic Director Matthew

Dirst leads Houston’s finest early music ensemble through anafternoon of potent questions, sly asides and soaring music. Seefor yourself whether Beauty can outlast Pleasure. Zilkha Hall,Hobby Center- $35. For tickets, call 713.315.2525 or visitarslyricahouston.org.

MAY 15-17 – HOUSTON FRINGEFESTIVAL PRESENTED BY BOOTOWNHouston has a fringe festival?! Indeed it does, thanks to theaudacious gang at BooTown bringing us a playful weekend of

brand-spankin’-new theatre, film, improv, music and whateverelse strikes their fancy. All will be produced and performed byindividual artists and some of the wildest groups on the Houstonarts scene, such as Mildred’s Umbrella Theatre Company,Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theatre, Melusine Theatre, BrazosportLazer Panthers and more! (To further sweeten the deal, a per-centage of the festival’s profits will be donated to Writers in theSchools.)Westheimer/Taft area-$7–55. houstonfringefestival.org

MAY 21-30 – OPERA VISTA FESTIVALOpera about love and myth? Typical perhaps—but alien abduc-tion and anorexia? These are a few of the themes covered in the2009 Vista Competition, the cornerstone of the 2nd annualOpera Vista Festival presented by Opera Vista and Nova ArtsProject. This American Idol-style competition is the only one ofits kind in the world, and jury members will include thePresident/Artistic Director of the Shanghai Opera, Mr. ZhangGuoyong, and Bechara El-Khoury, an internationally renownedFrench/Lebanese composer. The festival will also highlight per-formances of the two winning operas from the 2007 VistaCompetition: Edalat Square by R. Timothy Brady and SoldierSongs by David T. Little. Wortham Theater @ UH- $25–100.operavista.org

MAY 22, 6:30-8:30PM – OPENING OFNOVUS ORDO SECLORUM@ BARBARA DAVIS GALLERYNovus ordo seclorum (Latin for“New Order of the Ages”)appears on the reverse of the

Great Seal of the United States, first designed in 1782 andprinted on the back of the American dollar bill since 1935. Thephrase becomes the title of Barbara Davis Gallery’s next showfeaturing an interactive multimedia installation of works byartist Anthony Thompson Shumate. Through the duality of beau-ty and commentary, the installation evokes a proud and mixednostalgia, while opening a powerful dialogue about the con-cerns of our future sovereignty and the aesthetics of currencyand its iconography. Exhibited extensively throughout Texasand the United States, Shumate is the recipient of severalawards, including the 2006 New Works Fellowship forEmerging Artist from the former Cultural Arts Council ofHouston/Harris County. On view May 22 – June 27, 2009.barbaradavisgallery.com

*Stay tuned for the winners of the Hunting Art Prize, which willbe announced on May 2nd at the Hunting Art Prize Gala held

at the Decorative Center inHouston. Among this year’s final-ists is artist Emilie Duval, a gift toHouston from Paris, and her pieceThe Great Corridor. huntingart-prize.com

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:15 PM Page 21

Page 22: May 2009

By Wilbert ChinchillaPhotography provided by Caviart GalleryTHE GALLERY

22. may09 002houston

CAVIART GALLERY @ THE RUSSIAN CULTURAL CENTER2337 bissonnet st., houston, tx 77005 | 713.395.3301 | ourtx.org/gallery | [email protected] | m – f 8:30am – 6pm, sat 10am – 3pm, sunday closed

AVIART GALLERY, LOCATED WITHIN THE RUSSIAN CULTURAL CENTER, SHOW-CASES RUSSIAN AND RUSSIAN-AMERICAN TALENT FOR ALL OF TEXAS TOABSORB.

The gallery’s continuing exhibitions reinforce its standing as a foremost authority on Russian artsin the Texas nonprofit community, garnering respect and support from Houstonians such asAndrea White and Hans Graf. With a rich history to draw on, it’s no surprise that these localinfluentials have come to be transported to St. Petersburg or Moscow.

During the humble beginnings of this gallery, open-call exhibitions were put on display at ven-ues such as Jones Hall, The Jewish Community Center and The Wortham Center. The two-year-old gallery invites influential artists from Russia to present their artwork. The gallery is not lim-ited to paintings but also showcases sculptures, miniatures or “icons,” and both aesthetic andinformational films. The icons are socially important because they depict political, religious andfolklore figures that only appear in the specially crafted Russian lacquer art jewelry pendantsand boxes.

This art form began after the spread of Orthodox Christianity in Russia and followed a methoddeveloped by Byzantine art. Icons remain a regarded art form as they possess religious sym-bolism and tradition after more than three centuries. Works that are put on display often reflectthe deeply rooted effects of history, religion and Russian folklore that can even be seen in themodern pieces. Often coupled with a theme, the Caviart Gallery follows national Russian holi-days and celebrates these days at the gallery – typically with an exhibition.

With the foundation of Russian arts rooted with the likes of writer Aleksandr Pushkin, portraitistValentin Serov and composer Petr Tchaikovsky, the gallery continually aims to praise these pio-neers through its layered exhibitions like Pushkin in My Life and celebrating Tchaikovsky’sBirthday. For example, when celebrating a composer’s birthday, the gallery shows the life of thecomposer via a documentary film; and to finalize the celebration, an invited musician regalespatrons with a live performance for the night. The gallery does show films other than compos-er documentaries and boasts a large group of film buffs coming to appreciate recent releasesfrom Russian cinema in Houston.

C

Caviart Gallery’s offerings include a variety from abstract paintings toblack and white photography from artists currently living in Russia as wellas local transplants. White, blue and red – symbolically the colors of boththe Russian and Texas flags – are used to produce a remembrance of lifefrom Russia. The themes most often seen involve nature with the uses ofsnow and water, snow being a focal point, and the impressive man-madecities throughout Russia.

The gallery fulfills the mission of the Russian Cultural Center and side-by-side they have been pressing for the best works of Russian-speaking andinternationally known artists of various styles and media. Typically,exhibits change at least four times a year. With approximately 55,000Russian-speaking people in Houston and approximately 100,000throughout Texas, Caviart may be a familiar locale for this group, but theultimate mission of this gallery is to welcome all types of Texans from anybackground and expose them to the artists’ aspects of culture in Russia’spast, present and future.

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:16 PM Page 22

Page 23: May 2009

23. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:13 PM Page 23

Page 24: May 2009

24. may09 002houston

IT WAS CHRISTMAS DAY IN 1983.

In those days, a Cabbage Patch doll was a prize givenonly by dedicated – and near-senile – parents who waited

in bitter-cold lines at 4am until Target® or Toys R Us®

opened. My mother was one of them.

I can recall opening that gift. Losing patience with the cardfrom Santa, tape that wouldn’t loosen, and two layers ofchintzy wrapping paper. Anticipation swam throughoutmy 7-year-old body. Finally! The paper ripped apart toreveal the box: soft yellow. And then the name: CabbagePatch Kids swirled in bright green.

I flipped it over as quickly as a coin, hoping the doll hadbrown hair and eyes, just like me – just what I asked for.And she did have brown hair. Brown eyes. And evenbrown skin.

Hershey’s Chocolate-brown skin. My Cabbage Patch Kidwas black.

When I turned 30 years old without a single husbandlyprospect and no cash for a sperm donor, I decided myyouthful vision to adopt a child was prescient. Destiny. Iwould adopt. And I would try to adopt a black child.

The logical reason to adopt a minority child is statistical.The vast majority of adoptive families in the United States

are white, and statistics show only 10 percent will consid-er adopting a black child. That greatly reduces the chancethat a black child in need of a happy adoptive home willactually find one.

The heartfelt reason started with a black Cabbage PatchKid back in 1983.

I’ll be honest. When I first saw the doll, my stomach sankwith disappointment. I wanted a white Cabbage Patch Kidthat looked like me. A doll I could relate to. A blackCabbage Patch Kid for a little white girl? Wouldn’t peoplethink I was weird?

I veiled my discontent with Mom and Dad. Like a B-levelactress, I dressed up my Cabbage Patch Kid, sat with herat the dinner table, and carried her to my room each night(and then hid her under my bed). I even disregarded thebirth certificate that came with the doll and named hermyself. Gertie. (From Drew Barrymore’s character in the1982 “E.T.” Loved her!)

But my heart wasn’t in it.

Then things changed. Gertie made it from beneath my bedto in my bed. I loved twirling her wiry, beautiful hair. I fellin love with her coloring, which I decided was more like acrushed Rolo than Hershey’s chocolate. More caramel, softand sweet.

Gertie became my doll. She wasn’t black. She wasn’t non-white. She was just Gertie, my baby doll.

Going back to school after Christmas break, I dressedGertie and myself in our finest and, together, we loadedthe school bus. I spotted my friend April in the front seatback, braiding the blonde hair of her blue-eyed CabbagePatch Kid. I squeezed in beside her and put Gertie in mylap. April looked over inquisitively.

Before she could saw a word, I belted out: “Isn’t she gor-geous?”

April nodded.

And Gertie was gorgeous. I kept thinking so, long after Ioutgrew Cabbage Patch Kids. Gertie didn’t make me col-orblind. She made me see color as beautiful. To see colorwith respect. Gertie inspired me to embrace and lovesomeone who looks different from me, and to do so with-out a concern of what others thought.

I would realize this years later.

Gertie is the foundation of love that I already feel for ouradopted baby. A baby Jeff and I will take as our own, loveas our own. The baby we chose, just as my mother select-ed Gertie from a shelf of white Cabbage Patch Kids thatChristmas season in 1983.

hile other little girls dreamed of gettingmarried, having a baby and play-

ing Mommy, I imagined myself remaining sin-gle and, eventually, adopting a child. I can’texplain why. It just was.

I never experienced the desire to havea child – I mean conceive, give birth,the whole deal – until I met my soulmate, husband Jeff. Blame uncondi-tional love and a ticking biologicalclock. My hope to adopt, howev-er, never faded. Together, Jeffand I decided to build our familythrough conception and adop-tion.

Last fall, we set out to do both –have a baby and adopt one.

We’d heard horror stories ofinfertility and year-long adoption

WBy Leigh Bell

lines, and figured conceiving or adopting, if not both,would take a while. We never imagined both dreams

would come true at the same time. Until they did.We have two babies on the way. Coming two

months apart.

Jeff and I learned we’re pregnant inDecember. Baby due August 12. Twomonths later, we got a phone call. AnAfrican-American birth family with ababy due June 6 had selected us as the

adoptive parents.

If all goes according to plan, we’llhave two newborns in a single sum-mer. The adopted child will be black,like his/her birth parents. The biolog-ical child will be white, like Jeff and I.

Both will be loved beyond belief. Wewouldn’t have it any other way.

BABY LOVE

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:16 PM Page 24

Page 25: May 2009

MOTHERING and ARTISTRYI’m excited to announce screenings of a special film that isnear and dear to my heart because it highlights womenartists:Who Does She Think She Is? will be onscreen onlytwo times at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston(mfah.org), Saturday, May 9, at 7pm and Sunday, May

10, at 3pm. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Pamela Tanner Boll will be in atten-dance at both screening. This documentary addresses the oft-felt quandary of womenartists – do we choose mothering or working? Exploring the lives of five fierce womenwho refuse to choose, the film looks at some of the most problematic intersections of ourtime: mothering and creativity, partnering and independence, and economics and art.This presentation is co-sponsored by the Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP),Women in Film and Television/Houston, Friends of Women’s Studies and the Women’sStudies Program at the University of Houston, with support from the Houston ArtsAlliance. And over at the Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks/Mason Park (drafthouse.com)and the Studio Movie Grill (studiomoviegrill.com) there’s so much going on this monththat you’ll just have to check their websites for all the film scoop!

FILM DRIBBLE and AURORA PICTURE SHOWFile these under “Film Tidbits That May or May Not Be ofInterest to You”. For those film fans that want to see coolindependent films with a group of like-minded friends, jointhe Houston Film Snobs Movie Meetup Group (art-house.meetup.com/110) founded by Jim Werner. Now

everyone’s blogging, including the Angelika Film Center (angelikablog.com), which hasone with their latest news including what stars are hanging out there (like “it boys” JonasBrothers), and check out the film-sharing and -viewing website ikipz.com – heavy hitterssuch as artist Julian Schnabel are on their advisory board. And here’s some news youcan really get excited about: Delicia Harvey, executive director of Aurora Picture Show,is expecting a bouncing baby boy in May. Speaking of the Aurora(aurorapictureshow.org), they are blowing and going with lots of events this month,including the very cool “Soul Night” on Saturday, May 2, at 8pm at the Orange ShowCenter for Visionary Art. The evening features classic and rare performance footage ofsoul greats like James Brown, Etta James and Ike & Tina Turner. Chalk will be screenedon Sunday, May 17, at 1pm at the Aurora Video Library; on Friday, May 29, at 7:30pm,Found Magazine will host a screening at Saint Arnold’s Brewery; and on Saturday, May30, at 7pm there will be a screening of “Slant 9: Bold Asian American Images”, locationtba.

RIVER OAKS and other screensThe Landmark River Oaks Theatre (landmarktheatres.com)has some cool midnighters scheduled this month: Alien:The Directors Cut (5/1 and 5/2); The Rocky Horror PictureShow (5/9) and The Terminator (5/15 and 5/16). Alsounrolling on their silver screen is Lymelife (5/1); Shall We

Kiss (5/8); Summer Hours (5/22) and Every Little Step (5/29). The Holocaust MuseumHouston (hmh.org) is hosting a members-only screening of the very moving Holocaustfilm The Boy in the Striped Pajamas on May 20 at 6:30pm. The Center for HealingRacism (centerhealingracism.org) is hosting a special program that includes a videoscreening and discussion on Saturday, May 16, from 9am-3:45pm at HCC CentralCampus. The program is titled “Race – The Power of an Illusion” and all are welcome tothe free event. The CG-animated science fiction action adventure Battle for Terra opensMay 1 and the Angelika Film Center is featuring Lemon Tree, Is Anybody There andAmerican Violet (all 5/1); Skills Like This and Tyson (both 5/8); Rudo y Cursi (5/15) andAdoration (5/22). This month’s film at the Italian Cultural and Community Center (iccc-houston.com) is Parlami d’amore (Let’s Talk about Love) on Wednesday, May 20, at6:30pm.

ART FILMS ARE GOOD FOR THE SOUL… TAKE A FRIEND TO ONE!

25. may09 002houston

By Sarah GishGISH AT THE MOVIES

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:17 PM Page 25

Page 26: May 2009

roadway’s not dead. Broadway’s just moved to Houston.”That’s according to Ryan Jacobs, a 15-year-old musicaltheatre actor and Broadway aficionado. As Lefou in HITSTheatre’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast atMiller Park Theatre last month, Jacobs delighted audi-ences with his singing and dancing. After four years oftraining with HITS Theatre, Jacobs has found his niche.

The nonprofit organization provides musical theatre training forchildren ages 6 to 19 with a focus on production. GROUP CLASS-ES, INDIVIDUAL TRAINING AND PERFORMANCES TAKE PLACE INHITS’ THEATRE, WHICH IS IN THE HEART OF THE HISTORICALHEIGHTS AREA OF HOUSTON. Many of the children who partici-pate in the after-school program go on to musical theatre collegedegrees. “Every single one of my private students has made it into the college program oftheir choice,” says JoAnne Woodard, Artistic Director, who offers extra one-on-one coach-ing in preparation for college entrance auditions.

Not all the students end up using their acquired performance skills on a stage, though.“Many people in Houston who are now doctors or lawyers talk about the life lessons theygot from HITS,” says Ellen Efsic, Executive Director, about the 29-year-old program. “Kidslearn about public speaking, taking direction, thinking creatively and flexibility,” she adds.

Eleven-year-old Bram Lowenstein, who played a talking book in HITS’ Beauty and theBeast, has seen the benefits firsthand. His public speaking skills improved so much sincejoining the program he ran for student council at his school. His interest in acting has alsoled to other ideas. “I’d like to be a movie director,” he says of future goals.

Every session, HITS classes prepare a Broadway musical, culminating in a performancefor friends and family. Accompanied by professional orchestras and with elaborate cos-tumes, the shows are smaller-yet-serious versions of the originals. This summer’s produc-tions will include High School Musical 2 and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Each spring since 1987, HITS has produced a Broadway musical at Houston’s MillerOutdoor Theatre, FREE-OF-CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC. The professional level presentationsfeature some of Houston’s most talented youth. Students and professional actors attendopen auditions in hopes of becoming part of the cast. “Things get done quicker, you knoweverything is going to be okay,” says 16-year-old Adam Rice, who landed an ensemblerole and was the understudy for the coveted Beast role in this year’s show. The prestige

comes with a lot of hard work, though. “Ibarely get 6 hours of sleep per night,” saysthe high school student. After longrehearsals 3 to 4 times a week, Rice has tomake time for homework, in order toensure he keeps his straight-A average.

HITS’ Miller Theatre productions giveyoung actors the opportunity to work sideby side with professionals. “In our theatre,we have actors who’ve mentored stu-dents,” says Woodard. “The plane atwhich you work, and the expectations, arehigher,” says Jacobs. The size of the audi-

ence – which has reached 6000 at some past performances – is also a factor. Over theyears, HITS has become a kind of necessary stepping-stone for Houston’s future Broadwayactors. Some alums, like K.C. Leiber (who we interviewed last month), are now on nation-al tours with big Broadway productions. Leiber is currently appearing in The Wizard ofOz.

Woodard is thrilled about HITS’ success. “At a time when theatre is struggling, we are bur-geoning at the seams,” she says. “The teenage population here was never huge, but thatis changing,” she adds. Woodard attributes HITS’ success to the theatre’s commitment toeducation. “I am about a process and an end result. It’s important to give everybody achance,” she says. “It’s not always the same kids who get the lead roles,” she explains.

AUDITIONS FOR HITS’ NEXT BIG SHOW, VIOLET, WILL BE HELD IN JULY. Although themajority of the actors are from the program, professional actors are invited to attend. Leadroles often go to equity actors.

HITS programs serve more than 500 students annually, 20% on partial or full needs-basedscholarship. The theater is a non-Equity, 501(c)(3) organization with generous supportfrom individual donors, corporations and foundations including the Houston Endowment,Inc., the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, the Brown Foundation, the WorthamFoundation, the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board and HoustonArts Alliance.

For more information, see www.hitstheatre.org

HITS THEATER: TEACHING KIDS TO SING, DANCE AND A LOT MORE TOO.

By Nadia MichelPhotography by Code BessNONPROFIT

26. may09 002houston

"

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:18 PM Page 26

Page 27: May 2009

O.

27. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:17 PM Page 27

Page 28: May 2009

28. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:55 PM Page 28

Page 29: May 2009

29. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 3:55 PM Page 29

Page 30: May 2009

born cool.grow hip.

Photographed by Gabriella Nissenby Kristina Vaquero-Nemec

Get your pint-sized Picasso started off on the right side of the brain.It’s never too early to cultivate his creativity and capture his imagina-tion as long as you have the right tools. Crayola®’s 2009 collectionhas something for everyone six months to sixty! From GIANT dual-colored 3-D sidewalk chalk and crayon towers, to finger paints thatpromise mess-free hours of fun because the only place you’ll see the

color is on the special Color Wonder™ paper it comes with! Anddon’t forget the inspiration ... these adorable hand knit bird rattles(with names like “octavio” and “sonatina”) by BlaBla Kids make the

perfect “still” life.

Crayola has even found a way to get baby into the art action by cre-ating a new line that allows the mini Matisse to use his senses and

natural motions to explore and manipulate color with its newCrayola Beginnings Baby™ line. Products like their TaDoodles™ Ta-

Doodler™, Drop and See™ and Rainbow Tower put him in control ofa colorfully fun experience that excites the senses.

All Crayola products are available through www.crayola.comand bird rattles are available at BlaBlaKids.com

Keep Mom organized and artsy with Jonathan Adler’s linefor Barnes and Noble. Not only will these stylish stationeryand office accessories infuse some serious color in herday, they also take the humdrum out of keeping life inorder! Prices range from $7.95-16.95 and available at Barnesand Noble stores.

30. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:19 PM Page 30

Page 31: May 2009

31. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:20 PM Page 31

Page 32: May 2009

RULASAWAF

age22

signCapricorn

originLebanon

occupationStudent

(not for long!)

KENNYBENITEZ

age27

signLeo

originNew Orleansoccupation

Director/Designer

1. RULA SAWAF•WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO A PERSON?A great sense of humor and easy-going personality. “If you can make a girl laugh,you can make her do anything.”–Marilyn Monroe•WHAT IS THE WORST FASHION TREND YOU LOVED?Bejeweled jeans! I was so guilty.•WHAT IS ONE THING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? My BlackBerry – way tooaddicted. I feel like you could run a country or spaceship on it.•IF YOU COULD ONLY WEAR ONE COSMETIC PRODUCT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?Chapstick!

2. KENNY BENITEZ•WHAT IS THE WORST FASHION TREND YOU LOVED? Shutter Glasses!•WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIAN?My brother Stephen. He scores the bulk of my work and makes my job easier.He is also one of the most talented people I know.•WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?Being a part of the Emmy award-winning team of Sportscenter on ESPN.•WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO GO ON YOUR NEXT VACATION? Havana, Cuba

3. JOE CLEMENTS•WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TREND? Internet Marketing•WHAT IS THE WORST FASHION TREND YOU LOVED?Tight rolling my pants in Junior High•IF YOU COULD MEET A CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD IT BE? Dave Matthews•IF YOU NEVER HAD TO WORK, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Sleep past 6am

32. may09 002houston

1 2

JOECLEMENTS

age31

signAquarius

originHouston, TX

occupationMarketing Agent

3Photography by Daniel OrtizPEOPLE OF HOUSTON

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:19 PM Page 32

Page 33: May 2009

33. may09 002houston

2

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:21 PM Page 33

Page 34: May 2009

The busy pattern on this dress is the main attraction of this outfit. Keep the rest simple. Milly zig zag strapless tab dress @ Neiman Marcus | I know this revival is painful for some butto me, it’s a welcome comeback. A classic staple in your wardrobe, the weight is perfect for summer nights. Gap denim jacket – stylist’s own | I tested many self-tanners to find theone that gave me the most realistic tan in the shortest amount of time with a minimal margin of error. At $36, it’s no bargain but it’s perfect for special occasions like wed-dings! Bliss “A tan for all seasons” self-tanner $36 @ Sephora | I love pink nail polish but the perfect pink is hard to find. This one suits my medium skin tone quite nicely. OPI nail polish in“Make Love” $8.50 @ HEB | I am really into turquoise this season. I love adding little touches of it not necessarily wearing it clothing-wise. Sterling silver & turquoise cuff – stylist’s own |If I have something overtly girly I have to add something rough looking. These wooden bracelets are not only sentimental (each given to me by my boyfriend, mother or sis-ter) but also add an organic touch. Assorted wooden beaded bracelets w/ charm – stylist’s own | Nude shoes are a favorite of mine for their elongating effect and ability to complementany color palette. Steven nude elastic strap and suede heels $70 @ DSW | The perfect luxe messenger purse in chocolate brown with gold details is perfect for my on-the-go buthands-free mentality. YSL Muse shoulder pouch @ YSL |

A DENIM JACKET IS IN EVERY GIRL’S WARDROBE AND WHILE ITS USE HAS BECOMEVIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT, IT’S TIME TO PUT IT TO GOOD USE ONCE AGAIN. WHILESOME OF YOU GROAN IN OPPOSITION, I’M DELIGHTED; A DENIM JACKET IS THEPERFECT TOUCH TO ANY DRESS FOR A COOL SUMMER FEELING.

A CLASSIC REVISITED…

ARE YOU DOINGSOME SPRING WARDROBE

CLEANING BUT DON’T KNOWWHERE TO START? Need wardrobeinspiration that doesn’t involve a shop-ping spree? Then Marianne Mayeux isyour answer! She is a personal styling,wardrobe consulting and closet clean-ing queen! Contact her at marian-

[email protected] all fashion-related

inquiries!

DSW Shoe Warehouse, 9419 Katy Freeway, 713.465.8923 – A recessionista’ssecret to great designer or designer-look shoes at affordable prices.

HEB, 9710 Katy Freeway, 713.647.5900Neiman Marcus, 2600 Post Oak Boulevard, 713.621.7100

Sephora, 900 Memorial City Way, Suite # 700, 713.932.0848YSL Houston Galleria, 5015 Westheimer Rd., 713.621.0013

Styling by Beatrice ValenciaPhotography by Gabriella NissenIllustration by Cynthia BogartCOSTUMES FOR COCKTAILS

34. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:28 PM Page 34

Page 35: May 2009

35. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:21 PM Page 35

Page 36: May 2009

IT’S COOL TO _____________.take a good shot Say cheese!

When the person or subject you are trying to photograph is in the shade andthe background is bright, make sure and turn the flash on your camera onto light the subject. If not, you’ll just get a black silhouette and the back-ground becomes the point of focus.

By far one of the biggest problemswith point-and-shoot cameras iscamera motion resulting in blurryimages. Pro photographers holdtheir camera carefully and keep itpressed against their eye, not onlyto see through the viewfinder but tokeep the camera stable to get sharpimages.

You need to become a human tri-pod! Hold the camera against yourforehead, keep your elbows againstyour sides and stand with your feetapart. Many of the new camerashave image stabilization but that isnot a substitute for good technique.

MOVE OUT OFTHE CENTER OFTHE FRAMEUSING THERULE OFTHIRDS.SIMPLY PUT,THE RULE OFTHIRDS STATESTHAT IF YOUDIVIDE ANYCANVAS INTOTHIRDS HORI-ZONTALLY ANDVERTICALLY,THE INTERSEC-TION OF THOSEDIVIDING LINESWILL BE THEAREAS OFGREATESTVISUAL INTER-EST – SO PLACEYOUR SUBJECTTHERE!

Use focus lock. It will preventblurry photos.A common mistake with point-and-shoot cameras is that theyfocus on what they think is thesubject. So if you are trying tocompose your image with the ruleof thirds in mind and the focusingbracket is in the middle, the cam-era will focus in the center of theframe, therefore your subject willappear blurry and your back-ground will be sharp.

To avoid this problem you need tofocus on the subject with thebracket while pressing the shut-ter halfway and recomposing theshot to achieve the image youhave in mind. Once everything iswhere you want it, finish pressingthe button all the way and thiscauses the subject which is not inthe center to be sharp and thebackground to remain blurry.

As told to 002’s confused photo- taking fool by photographer Sofia van der Dys, whohappens to be a reputable source as she’s shot limitless covers for not only 002houstonmagazine, but a few other locals as well. Van der Dys is a proud member of theAmerican Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), a board member of the HoustonChapter and a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

36. may09 002houston

*Tees by OVERACHIEVERS, available at www.iamoverachiever.com

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 4:12 PM Page 36

Page 37: May 2009

37. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:22 PM Page 37

Page 38: May 2009

38. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:22 PM Page 38

Page 39: May 2009

39. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:23 PM Page 39

Page 40: May 2009

Worn Free’s t-shirts combine art and rock and roll with pop culture in the most chic and soft t-shirtswe’ve seen! Kurt Cobain’s Hi How are You? And Debbie Harry’s Camp Fun time tee both at worn-free.com. It’s OK to “heart” Houston tee at Hello Lucky – a super chic boutique full of one-of-a-kindfinds. Last 2 are by OVERACHIEVERS whose bold images, graphics and undeniable statement compo-sitions bring social awareness to the forefront. The debut collection, War Child, is focused on bringingmore awareness to the plight of child soldiers in Africa, Afghanistan, Colombia, the Philippines andSri Lanka. www.iamoverachiever.com.

Bottom line: first two available at Hello Lucky. The original space cowboy – Snoopy! Red NASA vin-tage t-shirt commemorates Apollo 10’s mission anniversary this May. Available at www.boutiquetoy-ou.com. Joey Ramone’s NYC by Worn Free and last one at Hello Lucky.

40. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:29 PM Page 40

Page 41: May 2009

HANGINGO • U •T

Photography by Kennon Evett

Blue shirt in basket byOVERACHIEVERS, Purpleshirt draped on chair atHello Lucky. On chairback, Miguel Adrover Teebenefiting the GrameenFoundation Knitwear’sShikkha project inBangladesh. The projectwas started by theGrameen Bank to promoterural education and pro-vide educational loans andgrants in Bangladesh.

41. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:30 PM Page 41

Page 42: May 2009

I have a thing for PJ’s, theminute I get home I want tolounge! I’ve been on a loyalkick with Anthropology’s pick-ings lately. I love the punchycolors and fabrics. These comein silk too. Anthropology.com

CHANTECAILLE’S ROSE WATERIS SIMPLY NOSTALGIC. IT SMELLSLOVELY AND A SPRITZ REFRESH-ES AFTER A LONG DAY, WHICHHASN’T EVEN ENDED AT 5PM,LET ALONE 6PM IF WE’VE GOTAN EVENT. AVAILABLE ATNEIMAN MARCUS.

OK, I don’t eat raw or any-thing like that, but this book is

great! The Raw Cookbook 2nd edi-tion has some great, easy fast and

fresh recipes for salads, dressings andmore to get you out of a salad rut!Tons of the country’s most respected

raw chefs contributed theirfavorite recipes.

By Carla Valencia de MartinezPhotography by Sofia van der DysTHINGS I LIKE LOVE

42. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:33 PM Page 42

Page 43: May 2009

I discovered this stuff after the 002 sponsored4 the Park Fun Run last month and am addicted!Banyan Food’s Tofu Rice rocks! I haven’t met one personwho doesn’t like it. You don’t even have to like tofu tolike it. Available at Whole Foods.

Don’t pretend you haven’t secretly been dying to order onefrom the infomercials. I’m not afraid to admit I have a TopsyTurvy. I recently planted some tomatoes in my greenhouse in apot to no avail, but the day after I transplanted them to thegravity defying Topsy Turvy, I had 3 baby bulbs on it! I’ll letyou know how they taste as soon as they ripen.Topsyturvy.com

I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS ADDICTED TO MAX FACTOR’S 2000CALORIE EXTREME MASCARA. (YES, THE ONE PICTURED IS MINE.) MY SIS-TER AND I GET ASKED CONSTANTLY “ARE THOSE YOUR EYELASHES?”EVERY TIME WE WEAR THE STUFF. IT DOESN’T CLUMP AND GLIDES ONSMOOTHLY. AND YOU CAN BULK BUY SINCE IT’S WALLET FRIENDLY! TOBUY NOW, VISIT A LOCAL RETAILER NEAR YOU OR MAXFACTOR.COM.

Besides the fact thatMartha Stewart is awesome, Ilove all her crafty things sold in

collaboration with Michael’s. Theseglass glitters are beautiful! Trust me,once you see the wall with all the coloroptions at the store, you won’t be ableto pick just one. A warning to myfamily, if you get any correspon-dence from me, expect loose

glitter in it….

43. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 1:33 PM Page 43

Page 44: May 2009

IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES, WE BLENDTHE ART OF WENDY WAGNER, ELAINEBRADFORD AND TARA CONLEY WITHTHE MUSICAL ARTISTRY OF VARIOUS

MUSICIANS FROM THE HOUSTONSYMPHONY AND MERCURY BAROQUEWHOSE TALENT LEFT US SPEECHLESS.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Sofia van der Dys

ASSISTED BY Aaron Courtland

ART DIRECTION BY Alex Rosa & Carla Valencia de Martinez

ART HANDLER Beatrice Valencia

STYLED BY Ali Marie Kahn

ALL CLOTHING AVIABLE AT Neiman Marcus in the Galleria

MAKEUP AND HAIR BY Carol Wagener

Q & A’S BY Wil Chinchilla

(Heinrich Heine)

When words

leave off,music begins.

44. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:18 PM Page 44

Page 45: May 2009

WHILE IN THE PHOTO SHOOT YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR THEARTS. HOW PASSIONATE ARE YOU ABOUT THE ARTS?Oh, I love it. That’s my life and I try to incorporate and fit everything around it.

IS THE VIOLIN YOUR FAVORITE INSTRUMENT?That’s my primary instrument, that is what I play most of the time. I play a little bit of violaand a little bit of piano as well but violin is my favorite. It has such a charming appeal tothe audience and I love to play it.

WHAT CAME TO MIND DURING THE PHOTO SHOOT?As we were shooting I was playing por una cabeza by Carlos Garbel and it is a tango,and for some reason it came up as I was looking back at you guys as you were lookingback at me.

OLEG SULYGAMERCURY BAROQUE VIOLIN IIPhotographed with Wendy Wagner’s Qwerkys andTara conley’s hippo lounger

ative of Moscow, Russia, Oleg Sulyga began his music education in MoscowCentral Music School, later continuing it at SMU in Dallas; Paris, France; and theUniversity of Houston under guidance of professor Emanuel Borok. Mr. Sulyga wasa member of world-renowned ensemble “The Moscow Virtuosi” led by Vladimir

Spivakov, with which he traveled extensively and performed in the world’s most prestigious con-cert halls. As a chamber musician he performed with the principals of the Wiener Philharmoniker.As orchestral musician he has performed in the Chicago Symphony and the Houston Symphony.Currently Mr. Sulyga is a violinist of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, member of the MercuryBaroque and a frequent chamber musician. During the last few seasons he was an Affiliate Artistat the University of Houston, teaching violin and assisting in the quartet in residence program.

N

45. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:19 PM Page 45

Page 46: May 2009

rowing up in Seoul, Korea,with her family that liked clas-sical music, Myung Soon Leeloved hearing the music ofKreisler, Tchaikovsky, Wagner,Caliapin, Caruso, Schubert,

Ravel and others on an old wind-up phonograph player.Even as a 5-year-old, the Andante Cantabile movementfrom one of Tchaikovsky’s string quartets awakened asense of mystery and made her ponder what mightexist beyond this world. In Busan during the KoreanWar, she taught herself to play harmonica, her firstmusical instrument. At the age of 14, she saw a cellofor the first time when she attended Piatigorski’s recital.With the encouragement of a high school music teacherSoon Lee began taking cello lessons at 16. After win-ning a prestigious music competition in Korea, sheinvestigated opportunities abroad. In 1963 during junioryear at Seoul National University, Soon Lee transferredto Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where she laterreceived her bachelor’s degree and went on to the NewEngland Conservatory in Boston for her master’s. SoonLee joined the Houston Symphony in 1976 after play-ing with several other orchestras. As a musician SoonLee brings warmth and enrichment to the listener.

IS THERE ANY INSTRUMENT THAT YOU WOULDLIKE PLAY?If I had to start all over, I would like to play the oboe.

HOW DOES THE MUSIC CULTURE IN KOREA DIFFERFROM THE MUSIC CULTURE IN HOUSTON?I think the climate has changed nowadays. Koreanconditions are really excelling. When I was gettingstarted it was still in the beginning stage. When I wasgoing to school, there were still lots of good orchestrasbut I did not have the chance to know just how goodthey were. The Korean people in general love music;they sing all the time. So I think their enthusiasm forclassical music never differs, it’s always enthusiastic.Houston is becoming a very international city so Ithink just a matter of time.

MYUNGSOON LEE

CELLO

G

46. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:33 PM Page 46

Page 47: May 2009

HOW DO YOU FEEL AS A CONDUCTOR, THAT YOURPLAYERS ARE HERE FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT?We love doing this. We have a really young anddynamic orchestra that houses a new kind of classicalmusician – ones really willing to go out there andmake sure our music is accessible to people.

HOW HAS THE RECEPTION BEEN IN HOUSTON?It has been wonderful. We have been really lucky tohave a lot of support. So in a short amount of time weare able to build something that is quite strong andhas a really broad base of support.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE INSTRUMENT?I’m not sure I have a real favorite but I did study thedouble bass the most and so I definitely have an affini-ty for playing the low string instruments.

ANTOINE PLANTEMERCURY BAROQUE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR

Photographed with Elaine Bradford’s taxidermied animalart

raised by audiences and musicians alike for his conducting verve and innovative programming, Antoine Plante is ayoung conductor who has garnered accolades for bringing Baroque music to life. Plante is a founder of MercuryBaroque, a Houston-based orchestra that has experienced remarkable audience growth over its eight-year history. Inthat capacity, Plante has become known for his deftness in balancing a repertoire of great works with lesser-known andreconstructed pieces. Equally important, Plante has earned a reputation for coaching musicians in period performancetechnique. Musicians that have worked with him form the core of a burgeoning early music performance scene inHouston. He is also a passionate supporter of classical music education and has led Mercury’s educational outreach pro-

gram – a significant effort that includes classroom music education in under-served elementary schools, master classes for schoolorchestras and performances for schoolchildren. Plante is experienced in directing orchestral pieces as well as works for voice, and hasconducted several operas and ballets. He worked with Dominic Walsh Dance Theater to create a score for the Dominic Walsh balletRomeo and Juliet. Recently, Plante has conducted Handel’s complete Messiah and Water Music, as well as Caldara’s MissaCommemorationis. His opera repertoire includes Rameau’s Pygmalion and Handel’s Acis and Galatea. His experience is not limited toBaroque pieces, however, and his repertoire includes classical works such as Mozart and Haydn symphonies. In addition to his workwith Mercury, Plante has conducted the National Symphony of Ecuador and Atlanta Baroque.

P47. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:21 PM Page 47

Page 48: May 2009

aptivating and versatile soprano Ana Treviño-Godfreyis a founding member of Mercury Baroque and hassung with the ensemble since its inception, perform-ing concerts and operas in both the US and abroad,including performances at the 2003 CervantinoInternational Music Festival in Guanajuato and León,

Mexico. Her kind nature and beautiful voice had 002houston staff in per-petual chills during our photo session. Equally proficient with other styles ofmusic, Ms. Treviño-Godfrey was a featured soloist with both the HoustonChamber Orchestra and Orchestra X. She has also sung on numerous occa-sions with the Houston Chamber Choir. Originally from Monterrey, Mexico,she has won many vocal competitions. Her opera roles include Galateafrom Acis and Galatea, Colette from Le Devin du Village, Serpina from LaServa Padrona, Grisostomo from Don Quixote, Gasparina from LaCanterina, Adele from Die Fledermaus, Adina from Elisir d’ Amore, Zerlinafrom Don Giovanni, Susanna from Le Nozze di Figaro, Despina from Cosìfan Tutte and Belinda from Dido and Aeneas. Ms. Treviño-Godfrey is cur-rently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Rice University where she isresearching Mexican Baroque Music.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BE A VOCALIST? NATURAL TALENT ORUNTIRING EFFORT?I have been singing all my life! I love to sing. I did not pick to be a musi-cian. When people ask this question, I always say that music selectedme. It has been a part of my daily life since I was very young. I love tolearn new works, and also to perform pieces I am very familiar with. Tobe a musician, you have to have natural talent. You can’t decide to beone in college. It takes years of preparation and hard work. It is a pro-fession that requires hard work but it is extremely rewarding. Musicspeaks to the mind and the soul! It is a wonderful language!!

IF YOU WEREN’T A VOCALIST, WHAT OTHER JOB WOULD YOU HAVE?I would be a medical doctor. I have always LOVED anatomy and learn-ing about how our body functions. I am amazed by the human brain!!

YOU BROUGHT YOUR CHILD. ARE THERE HOPES FOR HIM TOBECOME A MUSICIAN?Music is a part of my family. My husband, Jonathan Godfrey, is theconcertmaster for Mercury Baroque and the Bach Society, as well as theassistant concertmaster for Houston Grand Opera and Houston BalletOrchestra. One of us practices in front of our children every day. It is apart of our daily life. Music is a part of the environment for our children.Our daughter Isabella (5 years old) plays piano. Sebastian (8 months)loves to be sung to. We will support our children if they choose to pursuemusic. Music is very comforting in our household. Both Jonathan and Iare founding members of Mercury Baroque.

ANATREVIÑO-GODFREYSOPRANOPhotographed with WendyWagner’s Qwerkys and TaraConley’s starflower fence

C

Wendy Wagner’s art possesses a lighthearted curiosity andsilliness. It was a natural progression for her as a painter to birth hercharacters into life. Wagner’s QWERKYS™ for both children and adultsare a collection of adorable, humorous creatures that travel to Earth

through a portal from their nearby dimension. Tootie can be quite preco-cious. Ideas and creativity “toot” out of her spout when she gets excit-ed. Tootie was born from a “Tootie Egg.” She is used to getting her wayand is well liked. Featured in the shoot are also Froggee, Miss Prettyand Mr. Look at Me. Created by Kenneth Finch & Wendy Wagner,

www.qwerkys.com or call 713.459.2120

48. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:22 PM Page 48

Page 49: May 2009

ouble-Bassist Eric Larson has been a member of the HoustonSymphony since 1999. Originally from Westminster, Maryland,Larson received his early training from Owen Cummings, a member ofthe Baltimore Symphony, and pursued undergraduate studies withEdwin Barker at Boston University, where he received a Bachelor’sdegree in music performance. Before moving to Houston, Larson did

his graduate work with the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Hal Robinson. While living in Philadelphia,Larson was Principal Bass of the Haddonfield Symphony and taught at the Settlement MusicSchool. Eric Larson has participated in the Tanglewood, Grand Teton and Schleswig-Holstein musicfestivals, as well as the National Orchestral Institute. As an avid teacher, Larson currently spendshis summers in Wabash, Indiana, teaching at the Wabash Institute for Double Bass and inWestern Massachusetts teaching double bass and coaching chamber music at the BostonUniversity-Tanglewood Institute.

WHAT DROVE YOU TO PLAY THE DOUBLE BASS?I have very large hands so my music teacher picked me. I sort of fell in love with the instru-

ment. I love playing music, tried to play piano but it wasn’t for me. The double bass justseemed to fit. Double bass and piano are pretty much what I know.

HOW IMPORTANT IS A DOUBLE BASS IN AN ORCHESTRA?We are sort of the foundation of the orchestra. We are the lowest of the string instruments andwe are just like the granddaddies, the rock solid foundation of the orchestra. It provides thetonal foundation of the entire ensemble.

IS THERE ANY INSTRUMENT YOU WANT TO LEARN?I always wanted to learn mandolin or banjo.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING CREATIVELY IF YOU WEREN’T PLAYING BASS?Probably want to be a chef. I love cooking; I love the artistic world that is the food world andsort of bring food to that aspect. I love to eat too.

YOU TOLD ME YOU LOVE 002 A LOT – TELL ME MORE.I love what you guys do for clubs and for bars and just getting exposure of up-and-comingplaces in town. I look at the magazine to see what the pulse of the community is all about. Ienjoy reading the magazine. It looks well produced. I love the food column especially, sinceI’m a foodie!

ERIC LARSONDOUBLE-BASSISTPhotographed with Tara Conley’s Bird bath and sad bunny

D

Tara Conley is originally from Bath,New York, but now the sculptor livesand works in Houston. She has shownher work from coast to coast with majorexhibitions in Houston and New York.Inspired by children’s literature and thenatural world, her work varies from herWords-in-Form collection to her BronzeBunnies currently on display in NewOrleans to her collection of indoor/out-door pieces featured on these pages.www.taraconleyart.com

49. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:34 PM Page 49

Page 50: May 2009

ARALEEDOROUGHFLUTEPhotographed withElaine Bradford’staxidermied Animalart

50. may09 002houston

Elaine Bradford received her MFA from California Institute ofthe Arts in May 2003, after receiving her BFA from The

University of Texas at Austin in May 2000. Bradford’s mostrecent work involves crocheting sweaters for taxidermiedanimals. She has shown extensively across the United

States. The animals shown here are from her solo exhibition“Museum of Unnatural History” at Art League Houston in

January 2009. www.elainebradford.com

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:24 PM Page 50

Page 51: May 2009

IS THE FLUTE YOUR FAVORITE INSTRUMENT?It’s my favorite instrument even though I don’t think of it that way. When Iwas a little girl I heard the flute in 3rd grade when they brought all of thelittle kids to the auditorium. Inside were a father and son who owned aninstrument store and between the two they could play any of the instru-ments. For some reason I picked the flute but later I reflected on the fact thatthey placed gender on each instrument. When I was getting ready to go tomusic school and saw the competition for flute, I realized it was such a pop-ular instrument and I said, “Maybe I should have played the trombone. Ihope I didn’t miss out because they said it was for boys.” I think it was thesound of the flute, something about the sound attracted me about it. I thinkit’s always funny how musicians choose their instruments.

DO YOU AND YOUR FATHER JAM?Yes. We even have a CD we made here in Houston at Sugarhill Studios. It’s

all arrangements my father created for me and my husband who plays theoboe in the Houston Symphony. We are playing with my father who isplaying piano, bass and drums. Jazz arrangements that just happen to fea-ture flute and oboe, which is pretty unusual.

YOU CAME FROM A FAMILY OF MUSICIANS. DID THIS HAVE ANY ROLEIN CHOOSING MUSIC RATHER THAN TAKING ANOTHER PATH?It was definitely an influence because there was always music around andperforming. My mother was an acrobatic dancer and used to perform inplaces like the Catskills and the Poconos. She was very glamorous and veryexuberant, a real performer, so she encouraged me to do anything thatwas performing. But I was pulled in a lot of directions growing up. Besidesmusic I liked art and I was studying painting so it was hard to decide whereI was going. I decided to focus my energy on the classical flute trainingrather than jazz which is what my father does.

ralee Dorough first appeared as soloist with the Houston Symphony in 1992, at the beginning of her second season as principal flute of the orches-tra. The occasion was the season’s opening gala, and the piece was Mozart’s Concerto in C Major for Flute, Harp and Orchestra featuring interna-tionally renowned harpist Marisa Robles and led by then-Music Director Christoph Eschenbach. One year later she performed Mozart’s Flute Concerto

in G Major with Eschenbach and the orchestra in Stude Hall in an all-Mozart wind concerto series. With the Houston Symphony Chamber Players, she has trav-eled throughout Europe and Japan and appeared at the Ravinia Festival, frequently in collaboration with Christoph Eschenbach at the piano. Aralee Doroughgrew up in a musical family – her father is jazz artist Bob Dorough, composer of Schoolhouse Rock. She received her undergraduate degree in 1983 from theOberlin Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Robert Willoughby. She then studied with Thomas Nyfenger as a scholarship student at the Yale School ofMusic, winning the position of second flute with the Houston Symphony in 1985. She and her husband, oboist Colin Gatwood, have a son, Corin.

A

51. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:24 PM Page 51

Page 52: May 2009

hillip Freeman joined the Houston Symphony in September 2007 as the orchestra’sbass trombonist. Prior to his appointment to the HSO he was an active freelance musi-cian, performing in a broad range of classical and commercial settings. In addition toperforming with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra for six seasons, he has also performedwith Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, the Florida West Coast Symphonyand the Houston Ballet. At the other end of the spectrum, he has played several of the

musical tours to come through Houston, as well as several performances with the Texas Music FestivalJazz Project. A native of Houston, Mr. Freeman began his musical studies on euphonium before takingup bass trombone during his senior year at the University of Houston. After completing a degree incomposition, he continued his study of the bass trombone at the Manhattan School of Music. He wasawarded fellowships to the Tanglewood Music Center and the Spoleto Festival USA. Mr. Freeman hastaught privately for several years and is currently on the faculty of the American Festival for the Arts.

WHY BASS TROMBONE? It wasn’t my first instrument. I started playing bass trombone my sen-ior year of college because I liked it and it was an easy change from the instrument I alreadyplayed, the euphonium. The only job for the euphonium would be in a military band; I did notsee myself fitting into that kind of lifestyle. It was either pick another instrument or join the mili-tary.

WHAT IS THE EUPHONIUM? It’s a tenor tuba.

HAVE YOU PLAYED MUSIC YOUR ENTIRE LIFE? I joined band in 6th grade and we were sur-rounded by music quite a bit. My dad is a guitarist and we had music in the house when wewere very young.

WAS FAMILY AN INFLUENCE OR WERE THERE ANY OTHER DEFINING FACTORS THAT LED UPTO PLAYING MUSIC TODAY? When I applied to college I got into both the music and architec-ture schools at UH and UT and I was set to go to UT for Architecture – I had enjoyed music andplayed it all through school – but I did not decide to pursue music as a degree and then as acareer until July before I was going to start college – when I decided I will just do music.

IS THERE ANY INSTRUMENT YOU WOULD WANT TO TRY AND LEARN? OR IS THERE ANYOTHER OBSCURE INSTRUMENTS YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY? At this point, nah. Man, I knowenough instruments. I don’t think I am going to pick up anything else.

nthony Prisk is the Houston Symphony’s Second Trumpet. He joined the orches-tra in 2002. Anthony grew up in Lombard, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Hebegan playing trumpet in the local school band program at age 10. After highschool he attended the University of Illinois where he studied trumpet with RaySasaki and Michael Ewald. He received his Bachelor’s degree in music in 1996

and moved to Montreal to study at McGill University. While in Montreal, Anthony studied orchestralmusic with Paul Merkelo, principal trumpet of the Montreal Symphony. After completing his Master’sdegree in music he was accepted as a fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach wherehe trained with leading orchestral musicians from around the country. Anthony’s many teachers includeMichael Sachs, Adolf Herseth, David Bilger, Mark Gould and John Hagstrom. Anthony lives in theHouston Heights with his fiancée and enjoys many aspects of Houston culture. His pastimes are work-ing on Corvettes, running at Memorial Park and enjoying time with friends and colleagues.

WHAT IS THE HOUSTON CROWD LIKE?I love the people and it’s a great mix. It’s a very metropolitan city. I come from a big city also(I’m from Chicago) and down here is a much different mix of people in a very good way.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO PLAY TRUMPET?I actually started to play trumpet in 4th grade. My twin brother and I went into a band officeand they gave me a clarinet and they gave him a trumpet. We both tried playing and couldn’tmake a sound on the instruments at first!

IS YOUR TWIN BROTHER ALSO A MUSICIAN?No, he is an orthopedic surgeon. We are twin brothers but we went a completely differentroute. He’s a body builder and an orthopedic surgeon.

HOW DIFFERENT DOES IT FEEL PERFORMING ON STAGE THAN IN FRONT OF A CAMERA?There’s a lot less pressure. We have done quite a bit with the orchestra and I feel pretty com-fortable doing it. I actually really enjoy it. Because I like being me. And being in front of acamera I think you can be artistic in a lot of other ways too. You can express yourself in otherways, even in front of the camera which is kind of neat. I have embarrassed myself before andhopefully I won’t embarrass myself again.

PHILLIPFREEMANBASS TROMBONE

ANTHONYPRISK

TRUMPET

P APhotographed with Wendy Wagner’s Qwerky

52. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:25 PM Page 52

Page 53: May 2009

53. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:23 PM Page 53

Page 54: May 2009

WHERE TO LIVE

For more information, contact theonsite management at

713.629.5100, or visit them on theweb at dominionpostoak.com.

"LUXURY LIVING AT AFFORDABLE PRICES"

2323 McCUE ROAD,HOUSTON, TX 77056

2125 YALE ST.NEW IN THE HEIGHTS,

JUST NORTH OF THE GALLERIA

KIRBY DISTRICT,2300 RICHMOND AVENUE, 77098

We make you feel at home! Comfortable atmosphere withResident Socials to create a sense of community andhome! Affordable Luxury!

Luxury Mid-Rise in the Heights Inner Loop, just minutesfrom everywhere you want to be

Where high style and optimum elegance meet; ren-dezvous on the avenue.

Lobby with 24hr Concierge, Library, Clubroom, Businesscenter, Boardroom – all Wi-fi hot spots, 7th floor pooldeck, on-site shoe shine, housekeeping services, pet serv-ices, Bell-Captain services, 24hr Life-fitness Center, compli-mentary fitness and Yoga classes, Starbucks Coffee Bar

Several to choose from

Uptown/Galleria. Within walking distance to GalleriaMall, Canyon Cafe, Maggianno's, Gallery Furniture; in theheart of fine dining, shopping and entertainment.Walking proximity to Post Oak 1, 2 and 3 for work.

Parking garage with controlled access gates, convenientlylocated elevators from living level into parking garage,stainless steel appliances, granite throughout, cabana offpool, state-of-the-art fitness center, walk to local shopsand eateries

Stylishly designed 1 and 2 bedrooms, complete withupgraded lighting packages, walk-in closets, washer anddryer included

Minutes from Downtown, Medical Center, Galleria,Midtown, Minute Maid Park, University of Houston,River Oaks

Rendezvous in the pool lounge for cocktails with friends.Meet at Club Alexan to work out, cue up or take a cookingclass. Get together for cafe au lait, power shopping orgallery hopping – all in the neighborhood. Located in oneof Houston’s most exciting urban areas, Alexan UpperKirby is at the center of the chic, sophisticated, social-setscene. On both sides of your door, there’s a world of rea-sons to rendezvous.

Chic 1- and 2-bedroom floor plans with multi-levelparking garage that allows direct access to same floor

Located in one of Houston’s most exciting urban areas,Alexan Upper Kirby is at the center of the chic, sophisticat-ed, social-set scene within minutes of Downtown,Greenway, River Oaks, Memorial and the Med Center.

[email protected]

www.2125yale.com

[email protected]

www.AlexanUpperKirby.com

LOCATION

AMBIENCE

AMENITIES

UNITS/ROOMS

WITHIN REACH

PRICE

CONTACT

From $1250-$6500Price starting at $1125

with great new SPECIALS!!!$1200s per month

DOMINION POST OAK 2125 YALE ALEXAN UPPER KIRBY

DEVELOPERS + BUILDERS PLACE YOUR PROPERTIES HERE – EMAIL US AT [email protected]

54. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:24 PM Page 54

Page 55: May 2009

55. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:24 PM Page 55

Page 56: May 2009

ARCHICHATBy Sandra Gunn, a native Houstonian and Realtor. Her firm, Sandra Gunn Properties, specializesin the unique and prides themselves on being architects of community. sandragunn.com

Photography by Jaime Lagdameo | Hair by Shelly Burgess at French Twist

56. may09 002houston

WHAT DROVE YOU TO ARCHITECTURE? WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOSTABOUT IT? A life-long obsession with movies that inspired many role-play-ing games with my brother in elaborate forts that I would build for us. Ifind satisfaction in defining space and creating atmosphere.

WHAT DROVE YOU TO “GREEN” ARCHITECTURE? I think it’s the honor-able thing to do. As much as we’ve advanced intellectually, we really haveno excuse not to pursue more sustainable lives.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT IT? Knowing that I’m doing the rightthing for my client and the planet.

CURRENT PROJECTS: An addition to a mid-century modern home, a high-end custom home, a restaurant addition, a development of 4 patio homes,possibly a youth center for a local church and producing a feature film.

RECENT PROJECTS: Renovation of a mid-century modern home, 2 customhomes.

SO, THINKING BACK TO THOSE DRAWINGS YOUR MOTHER HAD UPON THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN YOU WERE IN ELEMENTARYSCHOOL...WHAT WERE THEY? Ironically, I didn’t draw that much.

HOW DID YOU COME TO LIVE/WORK IN HOUSTON AND WHY HAVEYOU CHOSEN TO MAKE THIS YOUR HOME? Moved to Houston when Iwas a child. I started my company in college by doing freelance graphicdesign and contract drafting work for a few local architects and businessgrew from there. Haven’t had a reason to leave yet.

HOUSTON IS A VERY UNIQUE CITY. NO ZONING, ONLY A RECENT SENSE OF URBANISM,LACKING IN TRUE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND PLENTY OF “COOKIE CUTTER” CONSTRUC-TION. HOW DO YOU DESIGN AROUND THIS? I just design. If there is something about the sur-rounding architecture that I can relate to in my designs I’ll use that. Otherwise, I focus on design-ing functional, practical and appealing interior spaces as a priority, with the exterior being moreof a reaction to the functional layout of the building.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECT AND WHY? Past, probably Mies van der Rohe. Present,Scott Strasser and Eric Ragni. They unlocked my potential and taught me so much about how tothink and design.

WHAT STRUCTURE DO YOU WISH YOU HAD DESIGNED? WHY? Barcelona Pavilion by Miesvan der Rohe. There’s just something so peaceful and balanced about it.

BEST PLACE IN HOUSTON TO HANG OUT? Hermann Park. I go there with my wife almost oncea week. It’s very rejuvenating.

HOW CAN CHILDREN BE ENCOURAGED TO APPRECIATE ARCHITECTURE? Good question.Perhaps fostering a heightened awareness of the objects that we spend the vast majority of ourtime on Earth inside of would be a good start.

ITCHING TO WORK ON? I like converted spaces. I would love to design a loft.

WHAT CAN THE NEXT MAYOR FOCUS ON TO HELP MAKE HOUSTON MORE ENVIRONMEN-TALLY FRIENDLY? Public transportation, incentives for incorporating green elements in our build-ings.

IF YOU WERE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, WHAT ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OFENERGY WOULD YOU FOCUS ON? Solar energy. It’s limitless.

TELL US, WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG, LINCOLN LOGS OR ERECTOR SET? Construx, cardboardboxes, bed sheets, string, tape and thumb tacks.

IF YOU HAD TO LIVE OFF THE LAND, WHERE WOULD YOU LIVE? Near a busy inner city inter-section.

A cast of many longtime Houston residents bring this story to light. Keep theplayers in mind because there is a test later. Joe Martin, who started pdq.netand brought the word “internet” and the concept that real estate brokeragewas going to completely change and I better get with it to me 17 years ago.He set up my first website and helped me launch houstonlofts.com beforeanyone saw us coming. David Walker, owner of Zydeco Restaurant Downtown,who called me to sell an amazing warehouse conversion loft on the East End.And Sam Nash.

I received a call one Saturday afternoon years ago from a man – said his son

lived at Bayou Lofts, had researched Realtors and felt I was best to representthem in locating a spot in Houston for their second home. He also said his sonwas studying architecture and would be with us on the search to give hisinput. I met the couple and their son Sam. Found the right home for themthat day and all was lovely. A few years later, I take another call from Mr.Nash. His son has finished school and designed a green contemporary, patiohome complex they would like me to review. Sam comes to the meeting withthe most amazing drawings and spatial concepts. I was blown away by hispassion and innate style. About the same time, I listed David’s loft whichfrom the street still looks like a concrete warehouse except when you get past

the iron gate: It is operable glass walls, concrete floors, commercial kitchen,large living areas, no doors, looking into a courtyard. Joe and his then wifedrop by my office in a classic pickup truck and later meet me at the openhouse and they buy it. David buys a piece of land and asks for a recommen-dation of a young architect who can create the same feel as the warehouseconversion hidden behind a wall, that can fit in the East End. “David, youneed to meet Sam!” 002 readers...so do you! I bring you, Archichat’s RisingStar, Sam Nash....and Joe Martin’s pickup truck...at the Walker’s new Studio8M-designed residence located in the midst of new townhomes, a fewshanties and the Oak Farm Dairy east of Downtown.

SAMUEL W. NASH | STUDIO 8MEDUCATION BACKGROUND: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: ULI (URBAN LAND INSTITUTE) CEO SPACE

HONORS/AWARDS: 4TH GRADE HONOR ROLL STUDENT SPECIALTY: RESIDENTIAL, SMALL TO MEDIUM SCALE COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL DESIGN

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:37 PM Page 56

Page 57: May 2009

57. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 4:35 PM Page 57

Page 58: May 2009

ARCHITECTURE + DESIGNWHITBREAD WILKINSON PANTONE® MUGS

Photography by Sofia van der Dys

58. may09 002houston

PANTONE®™ IS BEST KNOWN FOR THEIR COLOR MATCHING SYSTEM, APROPRIETARY COLOR SPACE USED IN A VARIETY OF INDUSTRIES PRIMARILYPRINTING (HENCE OUR FASCINATION WITH THESE BAD BOYS)THOUGH SOMETIMES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COLORED PAINT, FABRICAND PLASTICS. IN OCTOBER 2007, X-RITE INC. BOUGHT PANTONE FOR $180MILLION.

These mugs, designed by Whitbread Wilkinson under license fromPantone®, have 002houston staffers plotting!We literally had to keepthem in lockdown during the photo shoot so the photographerwouldn’t run out with them! They come in a variety of sets: originalprimary Pantone® (references for the mugs are as follows: Red 186C,Spearmint 3395C, Royal Blue 286C, Lime Green 388C, Pale Blue 549C,Lilac 2583C, Olive Green 5757C, Black 4C, Orange 021C, Process Yellow C);brights; espresso; espresso cool collection and tea mugs.

Fans can buy the mugs online at www.w2products.com

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:37 PM Page 58

Page 59: May 2009

Fashion-savvy guests were aplenty at the newly renovated Yves Saint Laurentstore in the Galleria. The Opium-inspired space is a rich translation of theclassic lacquered bottle. Sleek, shiny shelves and modern glass cases are theperfect backdrop for the latest collection of the famed French design house.Many indulged in Tributes, Muses and more – Oh, my! And all to benefit theAndre Sobel River of Life Foundation.

EVENT DISCOVER THE NEW YSL BOUTIQUEWHY TO BENEFIT THE ANDRE SOBEL RIVER OF LIFEFOUNDATIONWHERE YVES SAINT LAURENT-GALLERIAWHEN MARCH 26

Timothy Moloney, Gregory BurkeTatiana Green

Anne Swire, Lois Stark Cindi Rose

Micheline Newall, Liliana RendonRose Mutombo

Josie Iriarte

Photo

grap

hyby

Danie

lOrti

z

59. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:37 PM Page 59

Page 60: May 2009

They are very community-minded individuals who runsome of the coolest retail stores in the country.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?At the Texas Renaissance Festival. That was different. Iwould generally advise against a medieval festival/fairoccupation. Unless, of course, that is your thing.

WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON DOING WHEN YOU RETIRE?I’ll be busy doing something else. Most likely, music-related.

WHAT LUXURY (ITEM OR SERVICE) DO YOU WISH YOUCOULD INDULGE YOURSELF WITH?“A Googlephonic Stereo, with a moon-rock needle. Notbad for a car stereo…wouldn’t want it in my house.” –Steve Martin

WHAT DEFINES HOUSTON AS YOUR “HOMETOWN”?I think I already answered this one.

HOW MANY MAGAZINES DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO?One. Mojo. It’s a music mag. Newsflash.There’s a buncha those Pottery Barn things that keepshowing up. That’s kind of like a magazine. You get oneevery month if you bought a candle there a decade ago

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT IN HOUSTON TOSHOW OFF TO A VISITOR?David Adickes Sculpture Studio on Summer Street. It’sjust around the corner from my house, so it makes a nicedetour. The lot outside his studio is filled with his workincluding the gigantic heads of American Presidents thathe prepared for visitors centers at national parks. It’s justso funny and cool. It is especially surreal at night.

TEXANS STILL HAVE A REPUTATION FOR BRAGGING.WHAT WOULD YOU BRAG ABOUT?Texas seems to be doing better than most other statesregarding the economic downturn, but I don’t think itwould be appropriate to brag about that.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A HIDDEN TREASURE OFHOUSTON?That you can have a mind-blowing, ethnic culinaryadventure at a nondescript strip mall.

IF YOU OWNED A HOUSTON SPORTS TEAM, WHATWOULD YOU CALL THEM?I don’t know, but I wouldn’t let them play at Crappy CellPhone Arena or Crappier Soft Drink Stadium.

IS THIS YOUR INTENDED CAREER PATH? IF NOT,HOW DID YOU GET HERE?No one makes plans to run the record store at the endof the universe. It just kind of happens. But seriously, Ido think that I was meant to own or operate an inde-pendent business. I enjoy the freedom to make deci-sions and act quickly. Cactus is never boring and, formany of our customers, we are their “third place.” It isa rare thing and I am proud that we are one of theHouston’s unique businesses.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHENYOU GREW UP?An astronaut, then a football player, then an artist, thena musician.

WHY HOUSTON?Conveniently, I live here. I do love Houston. It is themost culturally diverse Texas city and is a wonderfuldestination for the arts. I don’t think that you find an“attitude” in Houston like you do in other cities. I thinkthat trait can be directly attributed to humidity. Wheneveryone is having a bad hair day, it’s difficult to “copa ’tude.”

FAVORITE BOOK?I rarely have time to read anymore. When I do, I grav-itate toward music-related books. My wife says that theyare not “real” books. I think she may be right. Any ofPeter Guralnick’s books on American music are thetops. His Sweet Soul Music book is my favorite. Wealways have it in stock at the store. I like Greil Marcustoo. That’s probably a bit too obvious for music geektypes.

FAVORITE BAND?A tough question. I’ll say the Kinks, but my friendsknow it’s the Bee Gees.

WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?My family.

BIGGEST LIFE LESSON LEARNED?Get your money where you have your fun.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?This really doesn’t seem like a very business-profile-typequestion.

WHO WAS YOUR ROLE MODEL?I have quite a few. I work with many incredibly talentedbusiness owners through the Coalition of IndependentMusic Stores (CIMS) and I routinely find myself borrow-ing their ideas to re-engineer what we do at Cactus.

QUINN BISHOP | CACTUS MUSIC AND THE RECORD RANCH | YEARS THERE: 20+

BUSINESS PROFILE Photography by Dan Mohr

60. may09 002houston

FAVORITES SONG EITHER JUMPING JACK FLASH OR MOON RIVER SPORTS TEAM ASTROSDESTINATION INT’L – IRELAND. DOMESTIC – CHICAGO DRINK (ALCOHOLIC OR NOT): ST. ARNOLD CARTOON BULLWINKLE

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:38 PM Page 60

Page 61: May 2009

THIS QUESTION IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEANSWER DEPENDS ON YOUR INCOME ANDASSETS, YOUR GOALS FOR RETIREMENT, ANDMANY OTHER FACTORS. IDEALLY, YOU SHOULDBEGIN SAVING FOR RETIREMENT IN YOUR 20’S.MORE TIME TO SAVE ENHANCES YOUR CHANCESOF HAVING THE KIND OF RETIREMENT LIFESTYLEYOU WANT.

If you’re in your 40s or older and haven’t saved much(or anything) yet, you may face a challenge in build-ing the retirement fund you need. The shorter yourtime frame, the less room you have for error. But don’tpanic – it’s never too late to start saving. You may still be able to secure a comfort-able retirement for yourself, but you may have to make some tough choices to doso. Here are a few tips if you’re getting a late start.

SAVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE: The more you save, the more you’ll havewhen you retire. Try to maximize your contributions to IRAs, 401(k)s and other tax-advantaged vehicles. Then supplement your retirement fund with mutual funds,savings accounts and other investments.

CUT CURRENT EXPENSES: Chances are, not all of your expenses are absolute-ly essential. If you can wipe out or trim certain expenses (such as videos, expen-sive coffees and daily lunches out) you’ll free up more money to invest for retire-ment.

INVEST MORE AGGRESSIVELY: This can help you build a large retirementfund in a short time. Certain stocks and mutual funds may enable your savings togrow more rapidly. The tradeoff is these investments are subject to market riskwhich will expose you to greater volatility, including a possible loss of principal.An investor with a shorter time horizon is at greater risk of having losses when itcomes time to rely on their retirement funds. This is risky!

DELAY RETIREMENT: You may have no choice but to delay your retirement untilafter age 65. This strategy will buy you more time to build your nest egg. Plus, themore years you work, the fewer years of retirement you’ll have to fund.

RETHINK YOUR RETIREMENT GOALS: Set more realistic goals for yourretirement (no beach house on the Riviera, for example). That way, you won’t needas much money to fund your retirement.

If you fear you’re getting too late a start, or you’re not sure where to start, consulta financial professional. He or she can help you map out a plan to bridge the gapbetween where you are now and where you need to be when you retire. Even ifyou are getting started in your 20s, consulting with a professional will help youavoid making mistakes. Investing with a plan usually delivers better results. Toquote Yogi Berra: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you might end up some-where else.”

Need help with a retirement plan rollover? Are you planning to retire in the next ten years? Fora free review of your current investment situation, contact Hal Lynde / [email protected]. Listen to Hal’s daily stock market report at 6:45am & 3:45pm on94.5 The Buzz.

TOO OLD/YOUNG TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT?

DON’T MISS HAL’S MARKET UPDATES AT 6:40AM AND 3:45PM AS CAPTAIN CASH ON 94.5 THE BUZZ.

hal lynde

By Hal Lynde, Managing Director, Morgan KeeganPhotography by Daniel Ortiz

61. may09 002houston

FINANCE

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:53 PM Page 61

Page 62: May 2009

CAN YOU BELIEVE 2009 IS ALREADY ONE-THIRD OVER?RIDICULOUS! BY NOW, YOU’VE PROBABLY BROKEN OR FOR-GOTTEN YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, OR EVEN WHATYOU GAVE UP FOR LENT, YOU CATHOLICS.

Where was I going with this again? Oh, yeah, resolutions. If you’re going tomake one resolution goinginto the summer partyscene, make it this one: Iwill NOT wear those stu-pid, tired dragon-printedshirts. You know what I’mtalking about. Every$30,000-a-year million-aire’s closet is packed withthem. So hip. So edgy. Solong! If you don’t knowwhat I’m talking about,check out the websitewww.downwithdragon-shirts.com. It featuresdozens of our town’s styleviolators in all their drag-on-shirted, chachi glory.It’s a very clever site, andits creators organize judg-mental social events thatdemonize the dragonistas.Get on their email list pron-to.

Ok, now you know whatnot to wear. But, on the flipside, what should youwear? If you’re still at yourcomputer, head on over tothesartorialist.blogspot.com. Created by Scott Schuman, this site has been selectedas one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Style Influencers. Schuman started the site toshare photos of people that he saw on the streets of New York who he thoughtlooked great. “When I worked in the fashion industry,” he says, “I always felt thatthere was a disconnect between what I was selling in the showroom and what Iwas seeing real people (really cool people) wearing in real life.”

Schuman knows his stuff. Since starting the blog, he’s also been given a monthlypage in GQ, plus he provides commentary and video for www.style.com. Noteveryone can carry off the looks that he features, but the ideas and the peoplebehind them can be pretty inspiring. I went through the archives and could not finda single chachi.

ALL DRESSED UP ANDSOMEWHERE TO GOI’ll admit it: I’m the last person you’ll find in a club. Those days are long behindme, much like my 31-inch waist. Nowadays, I’m one of those boozy dinner-with-friends types, but I still like to know what’s going on in the outside world. And if

you’re looking for something to do this month, you can’t gowrong by staking your place on Allen Parkway for the 22ndAnnual Houston Art Car Parade on May 9. Watch as morethan 250 wheeled wonders turn concrete into a colorful can-vas that celebrates the artist in everyone…including, it’srumored this year, our old pal William Betts. Word on thestreet is that he’s helping a group of kids put together an artcar for Recipe for Success (www.recipe4success.org), GracieCavnar’s great organization that teaches kids about nutritionand healthy food/lifestyle choices. Bravo, Betts! And Grazie,Gracie!

BEST FOOT FORWARDIf you’ve been watching trends for the past few months, youknow that tortoise shell anything is hot for spring and summer.Ray-Ban has re-issued several of its classic sunglass styles inthis prep favorite, and now our pals at Gucci have come upwith the most insane shoe of the year: a tasseled moccasinwith a tortoiseshell heel. As Rachel Zoe would say,“Bananas!” And she’s right. The first day they arrived atNeiman Marcus, the shoethority himself, Kent Poole, steeredme right over to them and it was love at first sight. With ahefty price tag of $645 (but worth every penny), they areeasy to afford once you give up buying all those damn drag-on shirts.

THE GIRL THAT GOT AWAYBefore I go, I want to give a shout out to my favorite sexyparty girl, Amanda Mills, who is leaving Houston for thegreener (and decidedly gayer) pastures of WestHollywood. I am going to miss Miss April HawaiianTropic like you would not believe, as will her many friends,paramours and admirers here in the Bayou City. Things willbe a little less fun, a lot more tame, but at least we’ll have aplace to crash when we’re in LA and she snags tickets to the VanityFair Oscar Party.

Until next month, guys…stay cool and don’t be a chachi.

DON’T BE A CHACHIWISEGUY

by Tim Moloney

62. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:39 PM Page 62

Page 63: May 2009

Working out may be tedious for some and religious for others. From seculars to believers, all wereinvited to work out with 002houston at FIT during happy hour without giving up the ultimate sacrifice.Yes, we will admit it’s rather odd to pair beer and exercise, but most of you enjoy both, so why notpair the two? Guests enjoyed Budweiser Select (with only 99 calories!), hempanadas and hemp brown-ie bites by Ruggles Green, and music by DJ Hector. Most stayed to burn some of those calories,indulging in fitness classes that ranged from the newly popular Krav Maga to classic Pilates.

EVENT FIT + 002HOUSTON INVITE YOUTO GET FIT!WHY WHY NOT?WHERE FIT ATHLETIC CLUB RIVER OAKSWHEN MARCH 19

Beth Carroll, Dianna Wilde, Sara SaremiFernando Aramburo, Sarah Walters

Diana Warren, Venus Aviv Hicks, Starla James

Joy Winkler, Natasha BjoerndalTalisa Hartley, Kelley Davidson, Olivia Landes

Sofia van der Dys, Nicole Sanchez, Gabe Canales

Scott and Kathy Wells

Jeffery Griffin, Lisa Goe, Kim Degerstrom, Ernest Cizcano

Photo

grap

hyby

Bern

ardB

auri

from

lastni

ghtpi

cs.co

m

63. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:54 PM Page 63

Page 64: May 2009

2009 VOLVO XC70 T6PRICE $39,500 MSRP / $46,985 LoadedMPG 15 city / 22 highwayANNUAL FUEL $1,710 (15,000 miles @ $2.05 per gallon-regular unleaded)

Until now, I’ve never really been a big Volvo fan. Sure, they maintain their rep-utation as one of the safest cars on the market, but too often (in my opinion) theylack the luster, or bling, we’ve come to expect from foreign luxury car manufac-turers. The new XC70 T6, however, has changed all of that!

The slanted hood, with lower encased fog lamps, full lower body trim ending atthe tail lights, which outline the upper rear corners high above the dual exhaustpipes will add sex appeal to any driver!

So, yes, it’s a wagon, a word that became taboo when SUVs took center stage,becoming the way, the truth and the life of city people. That’s especially funnysince SUVs were created for off-road driving. Anyhow, wagons are now mak-ing a comeback. Test drive this one in particular and you’re likely to pull up inthe driveway with one of your own.

The XC70 T6 is powered by a 3.0 liter, 281 horsepower 6-cylinder ultra lowemissions engine, with a six-speed automatic transmission, which even though itshifts as smooth as butter, doesn’t do too much for gas mileage. Thanks in greatpart to all-wheel drive with instant traction, it handles like a champ on the road– city and highway, with a definite sport-ness and cushy ride to it.

The interior is clean (think less is more),with a dash that’s way too easy to maneu-ver. Dressed in 17” wheels, with highpressure cleaning active dual xenon head-lights that will follow you as you drive,rain sensor wipers, a power glass moon-roof, rear view mirror with compass andwood interior inlays, all I can say is goVolvo!

"BIG WAGON. LITTLE WAGON"

2009 MINI COOPER S CLUBMANPRICE $23,700 MSRP / $35,200 LoadedMPG 26 city / 34 highwayANNUAL FUEL $1,180 (15,000 miles @ $2.28 per gallon-premium unleaded)

Wow, those who opt out of cookie cutter designs in general tend to love the sightof a Mini Cooper, and with the new enhancements, both the style mavens andhandsome hunks that don’t already own one will especially love the new Mini SClubman.

Undisputedly one of the most unique cars in the industry both yesterday andtoday, the S Clubman – with its racy stripes over the hood and roof – somewhatreminds me of little Napoleon trying to convince everyone of his status.Fortunately, this model does not have to try nearly as hard since it is what it is,which is a good thing for sure.

With a turbo-charged 1.6 liter, 4-cylinder engine racing with 172 horses, thesix-speed manual transmission will have you looking forward to every weekend!And for the loaded price shown above you can expect necessities such as a big,bodacious, circular navigation system located dead smack in the center of thedash, followed by Bluetooth, satellite radio, xenon automatic headlights, rainsensor wipers, park distance control, a dual panoramic sunroof rain, all dressedup in 17-inch alloy spoke web wheels.

And while all that sounds nice, the real deal is all about the true feel that comesfrom being behind the wheel of a Mini(and no, I did not intend to rhyme! LOL). Itsits kind of low to the ground, but has acertain flow of sexiness. If it were a personwe’d say it has a certain je ne sais quoi, asin an unexplainable, alluring attraction.Stay tuned for this summer’s review of theother hot version – the Mini Convertible.

VROOM, VROOM By Michael Andre Adams

64. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:40 PM Page 64

Page 65: May 2009

ION DRUMS

Rock Band continues to be a popu-lar video game for the Xbox,Playstation and Wii platforms. Theconstant noise upstairs in my homecomes from my kids banging on theplastic drums, guitars and micro-phone included in some versions ofthe game.For a really rocking experience,

upgrade to the Drum Rocker fromION Audio. This drum set was builtby electronic drum engineers and isdesigned to take a real beating,with all the positioning flexibilitythat professional drummersdemand.While the other Rock Band drums

controllers lock you down to a pre-molded plastic array of pads, DrumRocker’s aluminum metal drum racklets you position your snare, tom and cymbal pads wherever you want. And whenyou’re ready to move to playing in a real band, you can swap the game controllermodule with a real audio controller. My kids have yet to break the Drum Rocker.Wish I could say the same for my eardrums. $299 | www.drumrocker.com

AQUAZONE

Have you ever wanted an aquarium filled with exotic fishand sea life but the time, cost and maintenance of a realtank was too much? Leave it to technology and down-load Aquazone. Made for both PCs and Macs,Aquazone is a virtual aquarium on your desktop. Thereare no less than seven differentversions of the software,each with its own typeof sea life. OpenWater offers 39species of fish witha 360-degree viewof realistic environ-ments. Seven SeasDeluxe showcasesdozens of other speciesincluding sharks. Most of theprograms operate as a screensaver or an interactiveapplication. My kids enjoyed “tapping” on the glass and“feeding” the fish with a virtual shaker. I personallyenjoyed the fact I did not have to change the water.

$19.99 – $39-99 | my.smithmicro.com

MICHAEL GARFIELD is known as “The High-Tech Texan®” to millions of radio listeners and TV viewers. His radioprogram airs in Houston on The 9-5-0 weekdays from 9am-11am and Saturdays 11am-2pm.Visit his website at www.hightechtexan.com.

AQUA

SOUNDERS

It won’t be long before summeris here, so prepare yourself forsome poolside partying withthe Aqua Sounders wirelessspeaker and mood lightingball. Just throw these speakers

in your pool or Jacuzzi and listen to hours of music in and out of thewater. The Aqua Sounders will not only transmit your MP3 playertunes from a dock positioned up to 150 feet away, it will also provideambiance with two LED mood lights.The batteries provide up to 10 hours of nonstop music and it’s com-

pletely submersible. You just might be tempted to use it for a game ofpool dodge ball, but I would have to caution against it.$149.99 | www.gracedigitalaudio.com

ARC MOUSE

A computer mouse is like a steeringwheel. If it is comfy in your hand thenyou have the power to drive faster andmore efficiently. Using this analogymakes Microsoft’s Arc Mouse a Porschein the wireless controller industry.The name is fitting: the Arc is a symmet-rical, semicircle shape that can fold uplike a flip phone for easy storage alongwith an auto-shutoff when closed shut.It works well for desktop PCs but laptop

users may benefit more from the micro-USB transceiver. It wireless-connects instantlyand is so small you can leave the USB plugged into your PC. It has a 30 ft. rangeand has a battery status indicator located between the left- and right-click buttons.Vroom vroom! $39.99 | www.microsoft.com

By Michael GarfieldTOOLS+TOYS+GADGETS

65. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:41 PM Page 65

Page 66: May 2009

american

*17 inside Hotel Alden1117 Prairie. 832.200.8800aldenhotels.com

Artista In the Hobby Center800 Bagby. 713.278.4782cordua.com

Antone’s•810 Capitol. 713.224.4679•2724 West T.C. Jester. 713.686.4338•4520 San Felipe. 713.623.4464Antone’s Catering. 713.977.4000

Americas cordua.com•1800 Post Oak Blvd. 713.961.1492•21 Waterway Ave. 281.367.1492

Barnaby’s barnabyscafe.com•5750 Woodway. 713.266.0046•1701 S. Shepherd. 713.520.5131•414 West Gray. 713.522.8898•604 Fairview. 713.522.0106•602 Fairview. 713.522.4229

Benjy’s benjys.com•2424 Dunstan. 713.522.7602•5922 Washington Ave. 713.868.1131

Bedford bedfordrestaurant.com1001 Studewood. 713.880.1001

Bistro Lancaster701 Texas Ave. 713.228.9502

Boom Boom Room2518 Yale St. 713.868.3740theboomboomroomhouston.com

Bowl eatbowl.com607 Richmond. 832.582.7218

Daily Review Café dailyreviewcafe.com3412 West Lamar. 713.520.9217

Glasswall glasswalltherestaurant.com933 Studemont. 713.868.7930

Gravitas gravitasrestaurant.com807 Taft. 713.522.0995

La Strada lastradahouston.com322 Westheimer. 713.523.1014

The Lake House1600 McKinney. 713.337.7320thelakehousehouston.com

Mariposa inside Neiman Marcus2600 Post Oak Blvd. 713.621.7100 ext.2166

Max’s Wine Dive maxswinedive.com4720 Washington. 713.880.8737

McCORMICK AND SCHMICK’S•1151 Uptown Park. 713.840.7900•1201 Fannin St. [Houston Pavilions]713.658.8100mccormickandschmicks.com/houston.com

Monarch inside Hotel ZaZa5701 Main. 713.527.1800monarchrestaurant.com

Noe noerestaurant.comFour Riverway. 713.871.8177

Open City ochouston.com2416 Brazos. 713.522.0118

Polo’s Signature3800 Southwest Frwy. 713.626.8100polosignature.com

Post Oak Grillpostoakgrill.com1415 S. Post Oak. 713.993.9966

Quattro fourseasons.cominside The Four Seasons Hotel1300 Lamar. 713.276.4700

Ruggles Green rugglesgreen.com2311 West Alabama. 713.533.0777

Table 7720 Fannin St. 713.227.4800

Tart Café tartcafe.com4411 Montrose. 713.526.8278

Textile textilerestaurant.com611 W. 22nd Street. 832.209.7174

The Oceanaire Seafood Room5061 Westheimer. 832.487.8862theoceanaire.com

Shade shadeheights.com250 W. 19th St. 713.863.7500

Skyline Bar & GrillHilton-Americas1600 Lamar. 713.577.6139

SPINDLETOPHyatt Regency Houston1200 Louisiana St.Houston, TX 77002713.375.4775

spindletopathyatt.comSpindletop, atop the Hyatt Regency

Houston, features innovative steak andseafood fare. The elegant atmosphere cre-ates the perfect setting for business dinnersand special occasions. CLOSED UNTIL FUR-THER NOTICE.

SoVino sovinowines.com507 Westheimer. 713.524.1000

The Grove thegrovehouston.com1611 Lamar. 713.337.7321

Voice inside Hotel Icon220 Main. 832.667.4470 hotelicon.com

asian

26ten Sushi [japanese]2610 Sage. 713.974.4000

Auntie Chang’s Dumpling House2621 S. Shepherd.713.524.8410 auntiechangs.com

Azuma [japanese]azumajapanese.com•909 Texas. 713.223.0909•5600 Kirby. 713.423.9649

Fish [japanese] fishhouston.com309 Gray. 713.526.5294

Gigi’s Asian Bistro5085 Westheimer. 713.629.8889

Kam’s [fine chinese cuisine]4500 Montrose Blvd. #C.713.529.5057

Kubo’s [japanese]2414 University Blvd. #200. 713.528.7878kubos-sushi.com

LES GIVRAL’S KAHVE [vietnamese]801 Congress St. 713.547.0444lesgivrals.com

Mak Chin’s [pan asian]makchins.com1511 Shepherd. 713.861.9888

Monsoon Wok & Lounge1200 McKinney, #103.

713.571.SAKEmonsoonhou.com

Pagoda [vietnamese] pagodabistro.com4705 Inker St. 832.673.0400

RA SUSHI [japanese] rasushi.com3908 Westheimer. 713.621.5800

Uptown Sushiuptown-sushi.comUptown Park. 713.871.1200

Zake [japanese]2946 S. Shepherd.713.526.6888

Zush [japanese]5900 Memorial Dr., #102713.861.5588zushihouston.com

bakery+coffee+tea+others

Antidote Coffee729 Studewood. 713.861.7400myspace.com/antidotecoffee

Bright & Early4825 Washington. 713.934.8234

Café Brasil2604 Dunlavy. 713.528.1993

DON DIEGO COFFEEdondiegocoffee.com208 Travis. 713.228.3560

The Coffee Groundzcoffeegroundz.net2503 Bagby. 713.874.0082

Tiny Boxwoods tinyboxwoods.com3614 W. Alabama St.713.622.4224

Diedrich Coffee diedrich.com4005 Montrose. 713.526.1319

Inversion Coffee House1953 Montrose, #A. 713.523.4866inversioncoffee.com

Kraftsmen Bakingkraftsmenbaking.com4100 Montrose #C. 713.524.7272

Mango Beach [snow cones]2304 White Oak

Swirll [frozen yogurt]•1944 West Gray•15955 City Walk swirlls.com

Taft Street Coffee2115 Taft. 713.522.3533

Te House of Tea teaagora.com2402 Woodhead. 713.522.8868

bar-b-que

Beaver’s beavershouston.com2310 Decatur St. 713.864.2328

Goode Company Texas Barbecuegoodecompany.com5109 Kirby. 713.522.2530

Luling Bar-B-Q Bar138 West Gray. 713.520.6400

Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cuepizzitolasbbq.com1703 Shepherd. 713.227.2283

Thelma’s1020 Live Oak @ Lamar. 713.228.2262

breakfast

11th St. Café748 E. 11th St. 713.862.0089

Avalon Drug Co. & Diner•2417 Westheimer. 713.527.8900•12810 Southwest Frwy. 281.240.0213

Crave Cupcakes couture-cupcakes.com1151 Uptown Park Blvd. 713.622.7283

The Breakfast Klub thebreakfastklub.com3711 Travis. 713.528.8561

The Buffalo Grillethebuffalogrille.com•3116 Bissonnet. 713.661.3663•1301 S. Voss. 713.784.3663

Empire Café empirecafe.net1732 Westheimer. 713.528.5282

Fountain View Café1842 Fountain View. 713.785.9060

Rustika Café3237 Southwest Frwy. 713.665.6226

Tiny Boxwoods3614 W. Alabama St. 713.622.4224

cajun+creole+southern

BB’s Kitchen thebetterbite.com2710 Montrose. 713.524.4499

Houston’s This Is It Soulfood207 W. Gray. 713.659.1608thisisithouston.com

Mardi Gras Grill mardigrasgrill.net1200 Durham. 713.864.5600

Soul On The Bayeaux3717 Dowling. 713.528.0732

Treebeards•315 Travis. 713.228.2622•1117 Texas. 713.229.8248•1100 Louisiana. 713.752.2601•700 Rusk. 713.224.6677

Zydeco Louisiana Diner1119 Pease. 713.759.2001

66. may09 002houston

RESTAURANT LISTINGS

zushi

spindletop

mccormick andschmick’s

ruggles green

pagoda

ra sushi

les givral’skahve

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:57 PM Page 66

Page 67: May 2009

european+french

Brasserie Max and Julie [french]4315 Montrose. 713.524.0070maxandjulie.net

Café Montrose [belgian] cafemontrose.com1609 Westheimer. 713.523.1201

Charivari Specialty Restaurant [european]2521 Bagby. 713.271.7231 charivarirest.com

indian

Indika indikausa.com516 Westheimer. 713.524.2170

Kiran’s kiranshouston.com4100 Westheimer. 713.960.8472

Narin’s Bombay Brasserie3005 W. Loop South. 713.622.2005narinsbombaybrasserie.com

Shiva Indian Restaurant2415 Times Blvd. 713.523.4753shivarestaurant.com

italian

ARCODORO arcodoro.com5000 Westheimer. 713.621.6888

ARTURO’S ITALIANO arturosuptown.comUptown Park. 713.621.1180

Divino Italian Restaurant1830 W. Alabama. 713.807.1123divinohouston.com

Mia Bella320 Main. 713.237.0505

Mingalone Italian Bar & Grill540 Texas. 713.223.0088 mingalone.com

Ristorante Cavourinside Hotel Granduca. granducahouston.com1080 Uptown Park. 713.418.1000

latin

Café Piquet [cuban]6053 Bissonnet. 713.664.1031

El Meson [cuban]2425 University. 713.522.9306

El Patio [mex]•6444 Westheimer. 713.780.0410•2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181

El Rey [cuban-mex]•233 Main. 713.225.1895•910 Shepherd. 713.802.9145

El Tiempo Cantina [mex]•3130 Richmond. 713.807.1600•5602 Washington. 713.681.3645•1308 Montrose. 713.807.8996eltiempocantina.com

Escalante’s [mex] escalantes.net4053 Westheimer. 713.623.4200

GUADALAJARA HACIENDA•1201 San Jacinto. 713.650.0101

•9799 Katy Freeway.713.461.5300•2925 Southwest Freeway.713.942.0772•27885 I 45 North.281.362.0774

guadalajarahacienda.com

Irma’s [mex]•22 N. Chenevert.713.222.0767•1314 Texas. 713.247.9651

The Lemon Tree [peru]12591 Whittington 281.556.0690

TIO PEPE [spain]5213 Cedar St.Bellaire, TX 77401713.667.4409tiopeperestaurant.netBest PAELLA and SANGRIA in Houston!Houston’s original and still most authenticSpanish cuisine.Newly renovated. Under new manage-ment.

TILA’S [mex] tilas.com1111 S. Shepherd.713.522.7654

Lucio’s [new american latin]905 Taft. 713.523.9958

Maria Selma [mex] mariaselma.com1617 Richmond. 713.528.4920

Molina’s Cantina [mex]4220 Washington. 713.862.0013molinasrestaurants.com

Ninfa's The Original2704 Navigation Blvd. 713.228.1175

Picazo Restaurant Bar & Grill1421 Preston. 713.236.1300picazodowntown.com

Rioja Spanish Tapasriojarestaurant.com11920 Westheimer. 281.531.5569

Tacos a Go-Go tacosagogo.com3704 Main. 713.807.8226

mediterranean+greek

Droubi Bros.•507 Dallas. 713.625.0058•919 Milam. 713.571.6800

Cafe Lili [lebanese] cafelili.com5757 Westheimer. 713.952.6969

Niko Niko’s nikonikos.com2520 Montrose. 713.528.1308

Saffron Moroccan Cuisine2006 Lexington. 713.522.3562saffronhouston.com

pizza

Candelari’s candelaris.com6002 Washington. 832.200.1474

Dolce Vita Pizzeria y Enoteca500 Westheimer. 713.520.8222dolcevitahouston.com

Frank’s Pizza frankspizza.com417 Travis. 713.225.5656

Pink’s Pizza pinkspizza.com•710 West Gray. 713.521.7465•1403 Heights Blvd. 713.864.7465

Romano’s Flying Pizza1528 W. Gray. 713.526.1182

Star Pizza starpizza.net•77 Harvard. 713.869.1241•2111 Norfolk. 713.523.0800

steak+chops

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak Housedelfriscos.com5061 Westheimer. 713.355.2600

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse•2405 W. Alabama. 713.520.5999•788 W. Sam Houston Pkwy North713.827.1120flemingssteakhouse.com

Morton’s mortons.com•5000 Westheimer. 713.629.1946•1001 McKinney. 713.659.3700

Pappas Bros Steakhouse pappasbros.com5839 Westheimer Rd. 713.780.7352

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille9827 Katy Freeway. 832.358.9000perrysrestaurants.com

Spencer’s Steaks & Chops1600 Lamar. 713.577.8325spencersforsteaksandchops.com

Strip House theglaziergroup.com1200 McKinney. 713.659.6000

SHULA'S STEAKHOUSEHyatt Regency Houston1200 Louisiana St. Houston, TX 77002Reservations: 713.375.4777Private Dining: 713.375.4709Shula's is known for serving premium steaksas well as an impressive ros-ter of seafood and chops.Reserve one of threeprivate dining roomsfor business meetingsor special occasions.

67. may09 002houston

tio pepe

el tiempo

guadalajarahacienda

tila’s

shula’s

FACT:THE MOST POPULAR

DAY TO EAT OUT INTHE U.S. IS SATURDAY.

SECOND IS FRIDAY, THIRDIS SUNDAY. MONDAY ISTHE SLOWEST DAY FOR

RESTAURANTS.

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:58 PM Page 67

Page 68: May 2009

antojitos• Salmon borracho: Fresh salmon (Gravlax style),marinated in a little tequila...or "cured," as we like tothink of it...thinly sliced and served with a delicatelime-cilantro sauce and a bolillo tostado. Proper I.D.may be required.

sopas• Sopa de fideos: Thin spaghetti-like pasta in adelicate chicken and tomato broth. Garnished withfreshly sliced avocado, sprinkled white cheese and adab of chipotle salsa and lime.

entrées• Carne Asada: A carnivore's dream. Flank steakcharbroiled and served with chile garlic lime butter.Choose between “mojo de ajo” or “a la Tampiqueña.”

postres• Tres chocolates: The Casanova of dessert! Threeluscious layers of dark, semi-sweet fudge, white choco-late and mousse, adorned with roasted almond sliversand chocolate shavings. Designed to seduce even themost loyal Atkins fan.

1111 S. Shepherd (on the curve)Houston, TX 77019 | 713.522.7654

[email protected] |www.tilas.com

HOURS:Mon-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-2am,

Sun 10am-11pm

sample menu selections

1. owner tila hidalgo2. scarlet snapper3. chile en nogada

DINE WRITE

ila Hidalgo loves pigs so much she owns twoVietnamese potbelly pigs. This should explain all theeccentric pig paraphernalia hanging inside theenchanting, terra-cotta hued, adobe-fashioned restau-

rant on the Shepherd curve named after its owner. We’vedriven by it a million times. Tila’s has been there for elevenyears and frankly, I couldn’t imagine Shepherd Drive with-out it. On this particular visit, there were also stuffed bun-nies between all the cute tchotchkes reminding me thatEaster was around the corner.

The restaurant décor is a clear indication of the creativityHidalgo also harbors in the kitchen. Tila’s is actuallyHidalgo’s second restaurant in Houston. Her first, Tila’sCantina and Taqueria, opened in 1992 on lowerWestheimer where Katz’s resides now. It was the firstrestaurant to bring interior Mexican cuisine to Houstonand was open five years before Tila’s opened the follow-ing year in its present location. Billed as Mexico CityContinental cuisine the menu integrates inspiration fromother cuisines using cheeses like manchego, brie and moz-zarella, and flaunting a Swiss Cheese Soufflé that wouldmake Julia Child roll over in her grave.

My visit started off with a heady, house-cured gravlax mar-inated in tequila, whimsically listed on the menu as“Salmon Borracho.” The thin slices of pink salmon wereserved with bolillo crostini, capers, onion and a tasty, zippylime-cilantro sauce with a healthy dose of Dijon mustard.

A lump crabmeat tostada appetizer was a confusing med-ley of flavors with manchego, chipotle and garlic butter alllayered together and a reminder that sometimes simplicityis better. Such case is Tila’s elote or roasted corn-on-the-cob, one of my favorite Mexican street vendor foods toindulge in. I’m glad to know I don’t have to trek out to oneof the larger Fiesta Marts in town to hunt it down now.Tila’s version is slathered in butter (instead of mayo), sprin-

kled with chile salt and lime, and topped with a little chipo-tle puree.

Scarlet snapper was an off-menu special with lots of greenonions and roasted garlic in a white wine butter sauce. Thesnapper filet was served skin-on, skin-down on a bananaleaf with roasted garlic red potatoes and fresh veggiesgrilled al dente.

Another off-menu special, Chicken Manchego, was achicken breast stuffed with aged manchego cheese, cilantroand onions. The cheese was completely lost in the dish butthe whole culinary contraption was topped with the mostdelicate red mole poblano, a sprinkling of toasted sesameseeds and a whole roasted scallion which I chose to enjoysmall bites of.

Ancho fudge pie was made in the style of a flourless Frenchsilk pie with ancho chile in the pie filling and crème fraicheon top. The ancho was subtle, making itself known on theback end of my first bite. The pie crust was thin, flaky andcontained a tad more salt than usual making this desserteven more memorable.

Tres leches was delightful with fresh strawberries enclosedbetween two pieces of pound cake and topped with limemeringue. This cube of confection was dense, yet somehowlighter than usual and definitely less saccharine. The addi-tion of strawberries was a welcome one.

Most neighborhood denizens are already familiar withTila’s signature drink – the “Mexico City Style” margaritaserved straight up. These potent potables are concoctedfrom freshly squeezed limes and house-made sweet andsour mix. Tila’s also boasts a selection of 85 tequilas andhas one of the best patios around. Which is handy infor-mation to have in May, in my book the month of the mar-garita.

68. may09 002houston

T

By Jenny Wang of imneverfull.comPhotography by Kim Coffman

1 32

CUISINE ON THE CURVE

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:56 PM Page 68

Page 69: May 2009

FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THEECONOMY? HERE ARE SOME RECES-SION DINING DEALS AROUND TOWNTHAT ARE HEAVY ON TASTE, BUT MUCHLIGHTER ON YOUR POCKETBOOK.

• CHEZ NOUSFEEL GOOD FRIDAYS: 3-course pre-set menu accompanied by two glasses ofwine, $35

• FLEMING’S5-6-7: 5 for 6 ’til 7 happy hour – 5 cocktails, 5 glasses of wine and 5 appetiz-ers each for $6 dollars offered until 7pm. Be sure to check out new Town &Country location.

• GIGI’S ASIAN BISTRO$12 “all-you-can-eat” dim sum on Sat & Sun$12 lunchtime “Bento Bailout Box” that includes egg fried rice, mixed greensalad, three dim sum items and a protein dish of the day (chicken, pork, fish,etc.)

• GRAVITAS“KEEP YOUR SHIRT” PROMO: 5-course dinner degustation menu, $353-30 lunch special includes 3 courses in 30 minutes for only $19All blue plate specials are now $12.

• MONARCH @ Hotel ZazaGO “HALF Zs” –Mon nights: entire wine list is half-offWed nights: half-off all menu items

• OCEANAIRE3-course dinner prix fixe menu for $32.95

• STRIP HOUSEPre-theater 3-course prix fixe menu for $45 (5 – 7pm)

• PERRY’S STEAKHOUSE3-course meal featuring Chopped Salad, Perry’s Famous Pork Chop and a TrioDessert, for $19.79 per person from 4pm until closing on Sundays andMondays

• THE RAINBOW LODGE3-course $14.95 Business Lunch99-cent mimosas during Brunch on Sundays1/2-price wines on Sunday after 5pm$15 Sunday Supper Special

• TONY’STUESDAY NIGHTS: 4-course dinner for 2 includes famous soufflé for dessert,$89.95, and 50% off bottles of wine under $200

By Jenny Wang

69. may09 002houston

APPETITE STIMULUS $PECIAL$

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:43 PM Page 69

Page 70: May 2009

EL REY HAS SPREAD THEIR TACO WILES WEST-WARD. IN A BRAND-SPANKING-NEW STRIP MALLOFF BUNKER HILL, Manny Diaz, owner of the localCuban/Tex-Mex fast-food chain, has set up thefourth outpost of El Rey. Houston can’t seem to getenough! Honestly, you can’t go wrong with themenu. Breakfast tacos are just the way to start yourday with Eggs Mexicana scrambled with pico degallo to which I choose to add bacon and guac. Iprefer mine wrapped in warm wheat tortillasbecause they’re tasty and, let’s face it – I can use allthe help I can get. Add a cup of Colombian joe andI’m good to go.

Shrimp tempura tacos tempt me after 10:30.Accompanied by shredded cabbage, cilantro andcreamy cilantro sauce, these tacos can transport meto SoCal for a few precious moments. El Rey’s tor-tilla soup has always been tops on my soup list withgenerous amounts of pulled chicken, cheese andavocado in a savory broth. Rotisserie chicken was asgood as rumored – tender, juicy and flavorful withspices including dried tomatoes and garlic. Togetherwith maduros (sweet plaintains), fluffy white rice andhearty black beans, the rotisserie chicken platter wasdeeply satisfying on so many levels. If you’re a big-ger fan of the other white meat, choose the HavanaPlatter with crispy chunks of pork in a mojo criollowith the same accoutrements.

“The Big Taco” is how its moniker translates and thetacos are good here in a big way. This chain of 23restaurants started in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, whichspeaks to its authenticity. The menu totes twelve tacosand I diligently tried each one. THE BEST WERE PORKADOBADO, BARBACOA, SIRLOIN STEAK AND FISH,WHICH WAS CHICKEN-FRIED. BUT WHY WERETHESE TACOS SO GOOD? LET’S DECONSTRUCT.The foundation: Tortillas. Corn tortillas are made in-house. The evidence is in the kitchen (which is in fullview from the dining room) where tortillas are beingrolled out all day. Super-thin flour tortillas were evenbetter. The filling: Well-seasoned, quality meats.Nothing dry or overcooked. The adobado seasoningwas fantastic and I was told the marinade takes 24hours to prepare. The meat marinating process takesanother 24. Barbacoa is soft and tender. Sirloin steakis just damn good and a nice change from ubiquitousfajita meat, even though that was pretty good too.Condiments: A self-serve veggie and salsa bar.Roughage includes lettuce, tomato, pico de gallo,cilantro and onions, but the kicker is shaved radishesand cucumbers. Six salsas are made on the premisesevery day and have gringo-friendly descriptionslabeling them mild, medium or hot and also provid-ing suggestions on what meats to enjoy them with. Isaw the kitchen deseeding a huge lot of cascabelpeppers while I was there. Forget Taco Cabana. Thisplace is open late too.

Finally, there’s another dining option besides CafeExpress in the Museum District. Housed in the PlazaMedical Center building, a large, cheerful (and com-pletely out of place) neon sign on Caroline will pointyou to the front door of this shop of tacos and somuch more. Just like Chipotle, IT’S A BUILD-YOUR-OWN-BURRITO (OR TACOS, NACHOS, QUESADIL-LAS) BUT PROTEIN OPTIONS ARE BETTER THAN THEUSUAL SUSPECTS: fajita meat, spicy ground sirloin,pork carnitas and rotisserie chicken. Where Bodegasreally shines is in their ten homemade sauces. I wasimpressed with bacon-y avocado ranch, soulfulancho honey, fiery papaya habanero and creamycilantro lime with just the right amount of zip. Themenu also offers two soups including a super-richand creamy roasted poblano soup and entrées withno crafting required such as better-than-averagegrilled tilapia fish tacos. Drinks here were outstand-ing. Pepino y limonada (cucumber lemonade) wascooling and refreshing. Horchata wasn’t overly sweetor watery. A tamarind margarita was pleasinglytangy and well-balanced. For those in need of a les-son in tequila (or a quick buzz), tequila flights areserved with a homemade sangrita chaser. The cock-tail menu is full of delightful drinks that I can’t wait totry one by one, including the paloma made withtequila and grapefruit soda. A weekday happy houruntil 8 pm will give me that time to do it while enjoy-ing their large patio.

EL REY TAQUERIA9742 KATY FREEWAY #D-100 | 832.359.8100

elreytaqueria.com

By Jenny WangPhotography by Jenny Wang

NEW RESTAURANT? EMAIL US AT [email protected]

NEW RESTAURANTS

CUISINE CUBAN/MEXICAN

BODEGAS TACO SHOP1200 BINZ ST. #160 | 713.528.6102

EL TACO TOTE6154 WESTHEIMER RD.| 713.706.3233

tacotote.com

CUISINE MEXICAN CUISINE MEXICAN

CHEF N/A CHEF N/A CHEF N/A

70. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:43 PM Page 70

Page 71: May 2009

71. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 4:59 PM Page 71

Page 72: May 2009

BENJY’S

FAVORITE LATE NIGHT SPOTFOR A BITE?Genji’s (like benjy’s but with a “G”). It’sa Japanese bar with home-styleJapanese food – the Japanese equiva-lent of Southern home cooking.

BEST BREAKFAST?I don’t think I’ve ever been out to break-fast in Houston, and I really don’t thinkIHOP qualifies.

BEST BRUNCH?Benjy’s in the Village. Benjy Levit revolu-tionized the brunch business in thistown. He created a cool atmosphere – aplace to be seen, which is something thathad never really been done with brunchbefore.

WHAT’S YOUR PET PEEVE?Cleanliness – or rather a lack of it. Ican’t stand it when people aren’t clean.I can’t concentrate when things are dirty.

WHAT UTENSIL CAN YOU NOTLIVE WITHOUT?My deba. It’s a fish-filleting knife. I deal

with so much seafood that without thatknife I can’t really do much of anything.

WHAT INGREDIENT CAN YOUNOT LIVE WITHOUT IN THEKITCHEN AND WHY?Bonito flakes. It’s the ingredient thatmakes dashi – the Japanese “goldenbroth.” I cook pretty much everything indashi.

FAVORITE AFFORDABLE WINE?Vodka. I’m not a wine-drinker. I’ll drinkwine when I’m out with my girlfriend, butI don’t purchase it for home. I prefer togo out and have wine recommended tome by someone who knows somethingabout it.

FAVORITE PLACE FOR DESSERT?Benjy’s on Washington. I thinkArmando Ramirez (benjy’s corporatepastry chef) is wonderful. He and JohnWesley – our house pastry chef atbenjy’s on Washington – are incrediblytalented and creative.

CHEF MIKE POTOWSKI | RESTAURANT BENJY’S ON WASHINGTONcuisine modern american | private room yes | catering no | attire casual

address 5922 washington ave, houston, tx 77007 | phone 713.868.1131 | website benjys.com

THE CHEF’S SPECIAL Photography by Kennon Evett

FAVORITES MUSICIAN THE PHARCYDE – THEY’RE A FREE-STYLE HIP HOP GROUP OUT OF SOUTH LA. THING TO DO ON A DAY OFF GO OUT AND EAT OR GO TO H-MART, A KOREANSUPERMARKET OFF OF BLALOCK. PLACE TO RELAX BY THE POOL. SHOE MICK FANNING FLIP-FLOPS BY REEF – THE ONES WITH THE BOTTLE OPENERS BUILT INTO THE SOLES. CAR INFINITY G37

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE HUGELY POPULAR BENJY’S RESTAURANT IN THE RICE VILLAGE,HOUSTON RESTAURATEUR BENJY LEVIT BRINGS HIS CELEBRATED BRAND OF MODERN AMERICAN CUISINETO THE WHITE-HOT WASHINGTON CORRIDOR WITH REMARKABLE RESULTS. FEATURING INTERIORS BYCELEBRATED DESIGNER JOEL MOZERSKY AND BENJY’S SIGNATURE LOUNGE SCENE, THE NEW LOCATIONHAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS ANOTHER MUST-EXPERIENCE DINING DESTINATION.

THOUGH ROUGHLY 75% OF THE MENU AT BENJY’S ON WASHINGTON MIRRORS THAT OF THE ORIGINALLOCATION, THE NEW MENU ALSO FEATURES THE CREATIVE CULINARY SKILLS OF THE RESTAURANT’SJAPANESE-BORN EXECUTIVE CHEF, MIKE POTOWSKI. TO THAT END, DINERS CAN ENJOY A DECIDEDLYSEXY LINEUP OF NEW OFFERINGS FEATURING BOLD, ASIAN-INFLUENCED FLAVORS, CLEAN PRESENTATIONAND SERIOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

BEFORE JOINING THE BENJY’S FAMILY AT THE ORIGINAL VILLAGE LOCATION, POTOWSKI SERVED AS SOUSCHEF UNDER RENOWNED CHEF ROBERT GADSBY AT THE OMNI HOUSTON HOTEL’S NOÉ RESTAURANT.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHEF, RESTAURANT AND DISH?Marco Wiles. My last great dining experience was at Da Marco. I had ricot-ta and egg yolk ravioli that he served with truffle au jus.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TELL US YOUR WORST CLIENT EXPERI-ENCE. I had an Asian guy come into a sushi bar where I worked and yell atme because I wasn’t “Asian enough” to make his sushi, and that it should onlybe made by Japanese people. Strangely enough, I was the only Japanese per-son working at the restaurant – everyone else was Korean, Chinese orVietnamese. He told me he spoke old Japanese. Who speaks “old Japanese”?That’s like someone saying they speak “Ye Olde English.”

72. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:44 PM Page 72

Page 73: May 2009

73. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 5:00 PM Page 73

Page 74: May 2009

BASKETBALL AND BEAUTIFUL WEATHER WERE MY EXCUSES TO ENJOYSOME MEALS OUT LAST MONTH. YES, TIMES AREN’T WHAT THEY USEDTO BE BUT THINGS ARE LOOKING UP AND WE ALL NEED A TREAT TOBOOST MORALE. IT’S LIKE WHEN I WAS A CHILD AND I KNEW FRIDAYNIGHTS WERE PIZZA NIGHT! YOU SAVE YOURSELF ALL WEEK ANDCOME FRIDAY YOU ARE BOILING OVER FROM SHEER ANTICIPATION!THIS IS THE KIND OF MORALE WE ALL NEED. YOU WORK HARD ALLWEEK AND THEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR REWARD OF A NICE MEAL, NIGHTOUT ON THE TOWN OR VISIT TO THE BEACH. IF LEAVING THE COMFORTOF YOUR HOME TO GO OUT AND VENTURE INTO CROWDED DININGROOMS ISN’T YOUR THING, I UNDERSTAND. I AM A BIG SUPPORTEROF ORDERING TAKEOUT. YOU ORDER, SECRETLY PRAY THEY GET THEORDER RIGHT, WAIT FOR YOUR YUMMY MEAL TO ARRIVE AT YOURDOOR, OR PICK IT UP. THE EXCITEMENT BUILDS JUST LIKE WAITINGFOR THE PIZZA TO FINALLY GET DELIVERED ON THOSE NOSTALGICCHILDHOOD FRIDAYS. WE SHOULD ALL REWARD OURSELVES MOREOFTEN WITH FRIDAY “PIZZA” NIGHTS.

ORDERING IN…Carrabba’s- 3115 Kirby Dr. 713.522.3131 www.carrabbas.comThe night before the first-everFour the Park 4-mile run, wedecided we should save our ener-gy, eat a yummy meal and hitthe hay at a decent hour. I hadCarrabba’s on the brain so Ithought, why not browse themenu online. Pointless because Iknow the menu and I know what Ilike but every now and then, I like to try new things. Grilled salmonflashed on the screen like a sign from above. Not finding it on the menu,I called and hoped they’d have something comparable and, boy, did they.I had the most amazing salmon with a cucumber lemon garlic sauce. Thesalmon was cooked to perfection and the sauce was light and refreshingwith diced tomato and cucumber placed atop the salmon. I had a side ofspaghetti pomodoro to accompany my entrée. I placed the order for curb-side takeout and the food was just as good had I gone in to have dinner.The portions were also perfection. Not too much and not too little. It neverhurts to ask and see if they can accommodate your craving. Lessonlearned!

Pink’s Pizza- 710 W. Gray St. 713.521.7465www.pinkspizza.comThis is usually how the day endsafter being at a bar watchingsome sporting event and thenext best idea after numerousbeverages is…Rock Band. Thistranslates to being home, watch-ing the guys play while we watchthem and laugh. A few of us have attempted singing and that “career”move was short-lived. Nothing like Rock Band to work up some hunger.Pink’s is conveniently located right down the street from us and at thispoint, delivery is the smartest idea. I have to be honest, the first time Itried Pink’s I thought it was mediocre but that also could have been myplain cheese preference. This time I was able to pull off a half of theirveggie supremo on one of our pizzas. Definitely a smart choice on mypart. A cheese pizza is “loaded in fresh onions, bell peppers, mushrooms,olives and fresh tomatoes.” They are not kidding when they say “loaded”

either. It’s absolutely heavenly and I have no clue how I’m going to pulloff getting half orders of it because I’m hooked! If only everybodyenjoyed their veggies as much as I do…

DAY TRIP TO THE BEACH…Casey’s Seafood Café- 3828 Seawall Blvd. 409.762.9625www.gaidosofgalveston.comThe best Sunday idea I’ve had ina while was driving down toGalveston for lunch. I woke upcraving seafood and the day hap-pened to be beautiful so wepacked up and headed out. Weworked up an appetite after awalk along the seawall and beach. After seeking out recommendationsvia Facebook, the overwhelming response was Gaido’s. We wanted to sitoutside so we opted for their casual dining at Casey’s. Greeted at theentrance by the hostess, we decided to sit on the patio to take full advan-tage of the gorgeous day. Located right across the street from the sea-wall, your view is of the beach. You would think being this close to thewater the seagulls would be an issue but really this isn’t the case at all.After ordering a cold Bud Light, I decided on the seafood platter #4. I gota salad with their honey vinaigrette with my order to start. The vinai-grette was light and not sweet. My seafood platter consisted of gulfshrimp, baby bay shrimp and tilapia, deep fried, and waffle fries. It was-n’t a thick, greasy deep fry. I was able to peel some of it back and get tothe fresh steamy tilapia underneath for some amazing bites. All theseafood was outstandingly fresh and paired nicely with both the cocktailand tartar sauce. Next time this idea pops into my head, I’m checking outGaido’s. I can only expect bigger and better surprises from a non-casualdining experience.

MARCH MADNESS…Cahill’s On Durham- 903 Durham Dr. 713.864.9400I met up with the boys while they were taking in what seemed like themillionth game of basketball in two days. I had no problem with the placebeing Cahill’s. It’s a diamond in the rough when it comes to food. Theboys rave about the jalapeno burger but I’m hooked on their grilledchicken sandwich. Served on a buttery bun, a generous piece of chickenwith lettuce, tomato and mayo is basic but amazing! You would think thata chicken sandwich is easy to make and how can places possibly get itwrong. Two words, people: funky chicken. If I can’t eat the whole thingwithout cutting off questionable pieces of chicken, then something’s notright. I devoured this one without even sharing or bothering to let anyonetaste the deliciousness. It’s the BEST grilled chicken sandwich. I knowthat’s a bold statement but every time I’ve been it is the same outstand-ing quality. I can’t argue with consistency. And at press time, I went andhad one for lunch and it just confirmed that bold statement. Writingabout food makes me hungry! I can’t help it!

PANDA-MONIUM BREAKFAST…Houston Zoo- 1513 N. Macgregor Dr. 713.533.6500www.houstonzoo.orgI had the pleasure to be invitedto our Houston Zoo for a break-fast date with the world’s cutestpanda, Toby! After grabbingsome coffee, fruit and pastries,the moment for the media’sintroduction arrived. Located in

the old Koala home, Toby roams the whole section making sure he markshis territory often. With the arrival of spring came the arrival of Toby andnumerous babies at the zoo. Miles, the giraffe, three baby bongos, a rarebaby lemur are just to name a few. Also new to the zoo is their youngsupporters group, Flock. Primarily for those 21-40 years of age, thisgroup allows you to become more involved with the zoo, learn about itsconservation mission and get involved with others who share your samelove for this Houston institution. Just last month they held their first-ever“Join the Flock” event by the reflection pond with music, light bites anddrinks so members could meet and mingle. I believe 2 more events arein the works so there’s still time to join. Check out the Houston Zoo web-site to learn about the perks that come with being a member. How longhas it been since you’ve visited the Houston Zoo? Open until 7pm in thesummer, now is the time to get reacquainted.

LEISURELY LATE LUNCH…Shandy’s Café- 5814 Memorial Dr. 713.426.2675I can’t get enough of their sandwich,soup, salad combo! I’ve tried toorder something different butthis combo satisfies all my crav-ings usually. I like to get theturkey sandwich, black bean soupand Caesar salad. The turkey sand-wich comes out warm on ciabattabread with lettuce, tomato and asmoky/spicy mayo which com-plement the super hot and spicyblack bean soup and cool, mildCaesar salad perfectly. Mymouth is constantly battlingwith the warm and spicy feel-ing so my favorite beverage ofchoice to wash it all down istheir fresh limeade. It’s reallytangy, so beware. Shouldyou be in for dessert andyou like cookies, theywarm up the chocolatechip cookie before serv-ing it – it’s nice andgooey. Located in ashopping center, thespace may be smallbut Shandy’s packsbig flavors into delicious,fresh food. Shandy’s Cafe is per-fect after a workout, for a businesslunch or even a relaxing eveningout. If you haven’t made it in,please do yourself a favor and atleast try it once. Something tells meyou’ll be back…

By Beatrice ValenciaSIP CODES Restaurateurs, club/bar owners, pubbers, etc., if there is a special event or something you would like the publicto know about, email me at [email protected] and I will help spread the word for you. See you out!

74. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:46 PM Page 74

Page 75: May 2009

75. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 5:00 PM Page 75

Page 76: May 2009

NVIL BAR & REFUGE WAS BUILT WITH SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFER-ENT IN MIND. SOMETHING REMINISCENT OF AN ERA LONG PAST, INWHICH HARD WORK WON OUT OVER THE EASY FIX, QUALITY MAT-TERED MORE THAN QUANTITY, THE GOOD GUY GOT THE GIRL, ANDSOMETHING CRAFTED BY HAND REFLECTED THE PASSION ANDPATIENCE OF THE CREATOR.

That passion and care are immediately evident when you walk in, and although rel-atively small and quaint, Anvil’s ambience delivers big. All industry up top withexposed duct and brick work, and all Pier 1 catalogue on the floor, the mood ofAnvil is seductively simple. The space has an easy layout, lined with comfy leathercouches and love seats, each with nearby tables and chairs cocooned by flickeringtea-candle light from ornate wicker fixtures. The musical backdrop of jazzy andeclectic tunes remains a highlight, instead of a blaring focus, which is refreshing tobar patrons who actually enjoy hearing a date speak or the latest gossip abouttown.

Big deal, right? I get what you’re saying – if you wanted that sexy and sophisticat-ed atmosphere tonight, you would have just scrubbed the pizza sauce off the HighLife poster, flipped on the blacklight, jacked up the Skynyrd and called some hon-eys. Well, hang in there, Houston – we’re getting to the good part.

Pimm’s Cup. First Growth. The Martinez. No, I’m not referencing those videos underyour bed you told your girlfriend you’d get rid of. Those are just a few of Anvil’smany tantalizing cocktails and they’re what sets Anvil apart from any place you’veever been. Way apart. Anvil isn’t the kind of place where you clamor to the bar andwait impatiently for your next watered-down well rum and Coke so you can getback to the action. At Anvil, the drinks, and the way they are prepared, are theaction. The gentlemen behind the bar (bartenders doesn’t quite say it) use Anvil asa stage. Night after night, they put on a laborious show that takes patrons back to

a time when the relationship between the professionals behind a bar and their fol-lowing was more than just buzz seeking mayhem. Anvil Bar & Refuge wants to takecare of you, speak to you, learn from you and educate you – one drink at a time.

Take the effort that goes into a single drink, from order to pour. You’re greeted witha smile and an attitude that makes you feel as if they knew your name before youeven arrived. Your glass, possibly an antique, was hand selected and looks just alittle different from every other one you see. The gentleman preparing your drinkspeaks to you and tells you about the history of what you’ve selected. He tells youthat they don’t use pre-infused liquors at Anvil and that the bitters, herb-infusedhoney and candied cherries he is using are homemade. He opens a mason jar,wraps a lemon peel around one of the crimson gems then spears it and slides it intoyour drink. While you’ve been at the bar, sure you could have gotten two lukewarmbeers in that time at your local pub-n-grub, but this was worth it. What’s been evenbetter, the crowd of well-dressed, 25- to 40-year-old Houstonians behind you has-n’t been breathing down your neck, trying to cop a feel or screaming incoherentlyat a buddy who must have gotten lost inside your ear. They’ve been in awe, listen-ing and watching intently, this cocktail Pied Piper of Houston.

Of course, you could always just order a beer. But not just any beer. In fact, youwon’t find a single one of your typical American Beer Lites here – the creators ofAnvil have put too much thought into this place. Their rotating brewsky selection isdiverse and meticulously cultivated, ranging from locally produced microbrews tobold, foreign beasts with too many x’s and z’s in the name for you to try and pro-nounce. Let them do that – you might learn something.

We live in an era where quality wanes as production increases, the bad guy stealsthe girl, and passion for a craft often gets thrown out the window in favor of theeasy out. Anvil Bar & Refuge reminds Houston that if we slow down and let patienceand care meet passion half way, the end product is one great cocktail.

CLUB+LOUNGE REVIEW

A

By Travis JonesPhotography by Aaron M. Sprecher

ANVIL BAR + REFUGE | 1424 westheimer, houston, tx 77006 | 713.523.1622

PASSION & PATIENCE MEET NOSTALGIC KNOW-HOW

76. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:48 PM Page 76

Page 77: May 2009

77. may09 002houston

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 5:01 PM Page 77

Page 78: May 2009

78. may09 002houston

downtown

A+ BAR inside Alden Hotel1117 Prairie. 832.200.8800aldenhotels.com

BANK BAR220 Main. 832.667.4477hotelicon.com

CABO417 Travis. 713.225.2060cabomixmex.com

COPA CABANA114 Main. 713.223.COPAcopacabanalounge.com

C&F DRIVE INN6714 N. Main. 713.861.0704

CHAR BAR305 Travis. 713.222.8177charbarhouston.com

CLUB ICE/MANTRA711 Main. 713.225.3500mantrahouston.com

THE COTTON EXCHANGE202 Travis. 713.213.1141cottonexchangelounge.com

DEAN’S CREDIT CLOTHING316 Main. 713.227.3326myspace.com/deanscreditclothing

DIVE LOUNGE inside the Aquarium410 Bagby. 713.223.3474

EIGHTEEN TWENTY1820 Franklin. 713.224.5535myspace.com/1820bar

ETTA’S LOUNGE5120 Scott. 713.528.2611

FLYING SAUCER705 Main. 713.228.7468beerknurd.com

GLO505 Main. 713.223.3456club-glo.com

HEAT511 Main. 713.225.8020myspace.com/clubheat_houston

HOUSE OF BLUES1204 Caroline. 1-888-40-BLUEShob.com/houston

JAZZ AT THE MAGNOLIA1100 Texas. 713.221.0011magnoliahotels.com

JET LOUNGE1515 Pease. 713.659.2000myspace.com/jetlounge

LA CARAFE813 Congress. 713.229.9399

LEVEL412 Main. 713.227.0410myspace.com/levelhouston

LIVE SPORTS CAFÉ407 Main. 713.228.5483livesportscafe.com

LONE STAR SALOON1900 Travis. 713.757.1616

MOLLY’S PUB509 Main. 713.222.1033mollyspubs.com

NOTSUOH314 Main. 713.237.8220myspace.com/notsuohmusic

RED CAT JAZZ CAFÉ924 Congress. 713.226.7870redcatjazzcafe.com

RESERVE 1011201 Caroline. 713.655.7101reserve101.com

SAMBUCA JAZZ CAFÉ909 Texas Ave. 713.224.5299sambucarestaurant.com

SHADOW BAR213 Milam. 713.221.5483theshadowbar.com

SHAY MCELROY’S909-A Texas. 713.223.2444mcelroyspub.com

SKYLINE BAR & GRILL1600 Lamar. 713.577.6139(inside Hilton Americas)

STATE BAR & LOUNGE909 #2-A Texas. 713.229.8888thestatebar.com

THE TREEHOUSE Discovery Green1611 Lamar. 713.337.7321thegrovehouston.com

THE VAULT723 Main. 713.224.6891

TOC BAR711 Franklin. 713.224.4862myspace.com/tocbarhouston

VENUE719 Main. 713.236.8150venuehouston.com

galleria+ uptown

BAR 12•21 MORTON’S5000 Westheimer. 713.629.1946mortons.com

BLANCO’S3406 W. Alabama. 713.439.0072houstonredneck.com

BELVEDERE1131 Uptown Park. 713.552.9271belvedereinfo.com

BLVD 610 LOUNGE3005 West Loop S. 832.875.3997blvd610.com

THE BLACK SWAN4 Riverway. 713.871.8181(inside the Omni Hotel)

CLUB 26 TEN2610 Sage. 713.974.4000myspace.com/club26ten

IDENTITY BAR5959 Richmond. 713.785.0999

PLANETA BAR-RIO6400 Richmond. 832.251.9600bar-rio.com

PAPARRUCHOS3055 Sage. 713.212.3178paparruchos.com

RA SUSHI3908 Westheimer. 713.621.5800rasushi.com

REMINGTON BAR1919 Briar Oaks Ln. 713.403.2631(inside St. Regis Hotel)theremingtonrestaurant.com

ROXY5851 W. Alabama. 713.850.ROXYmyspace.com/roxyhouston

THE TASTING ROOM1101-18 Uptown Park. 713.993.9800114 Gray. 713.528.64022409 W. Alabama. 713.526.2242tastingroomwines.com

UROPA3302 Mercer. 713.627.1132cluburopahouston.com

WILD WEST6101 Richmond. 713.266.3455wildwesthouston.com

heights +washington

BLUE LABEL LOUNGE4500 Washingtonbluelabellounge.com

BLOCK 212420 Washington. 713.337.1410

BOOM BOOM ROOM2518 Yale. 713.868.3740myspace.com/boomboomroomhouston

CHAISE LOUNGE4219 Washington. 713.861.2300chaiseloungehouston.net

CITIZEN LOUNGE4606 Washington. 713.862.4448

THE CORKSCREW1919 Washington. 713.864.9463houstoncorkscrew.com

CORLEONE BAR & GRILL813 Jackson. 713.863.8223(behind Patrenella’s)patrenellas.net

COSMOS CAFÉ69 Heights. 713.802.2144cosmoshouston.com

DAN ELECTRO’S GUITAR BAR1031 E. 24th St. 713.862.8707danelectrosguitarbar.com

DARKHORSE TAVERN2207 Washington. 713.426.2442dhtavern.com

THE DIRT222 Yale. 713.426.4222myspace.com/dirtbar

THE DRAKE1902 Washington. 713.861.9600thedrakebar.com

EL TIEMPO CANTINA5602 Washington. 713.681.3645eltiempocantina.com

KOBAIN33 Waugh. 713.862.9911kobain.net

MOLINA’S4720 Washington. 713.862.0013molinasrestaurants.com

ONION CREEK3106 White Oak. 713.880.0706onioncreekcafe.com

PEARL BAR4216 Washington. 713.863.5337pearlbarhouston.com

THE SOCIAL3730 Washington. 713.426.5585thesocialinfo.com

midtown

13 CELSIUS3000 Caroline. 713.529.846613celsius.com

3RD BAR2600 Travis. 713.526.8282

BLOCK 212420 Washington Ave.

BOND2700 Milam. 713.529.2663bond2700.com

COACHES2204 Louisiana. 713.751.1970

CHRISTIAN’S TAILGATE2000 Bagby. 713.527.0261

DECO510 Gray. 713.659.4900decohouston.com

EL PATIO2416 Brazos. 713.523.8181elpatio.com

EPIC3030 Travis. 713.862.4810

FIX LOUNGE2707 Milam. 832.281.2101fixlounge.com

FRONT PORCH PUB217 Gray. 713.571.9571frontporchpub.com

HOWL AT THE MOON612 Hadley. 713.658.9700howlatthemoon.com

IBIZA LOUNGE NEXT DOOR2450 Louisiana. 713.520.7300ibizaloungenextdoor.com

KOMODO’S2004 Baldwin. 713.655.1501

LEON’S LOUNGE1006 McGowen. 713.659.3052

THE MAPLE LEAF514 Elgin. 713.520.6464themapleleafpub.blogspot.com

THE MINK/THE BACKROOM3718 Main. 713.522.9985themink.org

OPEN CITY2416-A Brazos. 832.483.8357ochouston.com

RED DOOR2416 Brazos. 713.225.0640reddoorhouston.com

RICH’S2401 San Jacinto. 713.759.9606richshouston.com

SAMMY’S2016 Main. 713.751.3101sammysat2016main.com

SAINT DANE’S BAR + GRILL502 Elgin. 713.807.7040

STATUS2404 San Jacinto. 713.659.5400myspace.com/statushouston

SWIVEL2621 Milam. 713.222.2057swivelhouston.com

THE ROOF2600 Travis. 713.522.4900roofbarhouston.com

002NIGHT LIFEBARS + CLUBS + LOUNGES + WINE BARS

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 5:02 PM Page 78

Page 79: May 2009

79. may09 002houston

THE WET SPOT160 W. Gray. 713.523.7768wetspot-houston.com

TIPSY CLOVER2416 Brazos. 713.524.8782

UNION BAR2708 Bagby. 281.974.1916myspace.com/unionlounge

WHISKEY CREEK2905 Travis. 713.526.4225whiskeycreekhouston.com

XO BAR & LOUNGE2611 San Jacinto. 713.651.9900myspace.com/xohouston

ZEPPELIN3101 San Jacinto. 713.521.7300myspace.com/zeppelin713

montrose+ shepherd

ABSINTHE609 Richmond. 713.528.7575absinthelounge.com

AGORA1717 Westheimer. 713.526.7212agorahouston.com

AVANTGARDEN411 Westheimer. 832.519.1429avantgardenhouston.com

BARTINI1318 Westheimer. 713.526.2277clubbartini.com

BOHEME WINE & CAFÉ BAR307 Fairview. 713.269.0859barboheme.com

BOONDOCKS1417 Westheimer. 713.522.8500myspace.com/boondocksbar

BYZANTIO403 W. Gray. 713.520.6896byzantiohouston.com

CATBIRDS1336 Westheimer. 713.523.8000catbirds.com

CEZANNE JAZZ CLUB4100 Montrose. 713.522.9321blacklaboradorpub.com

GUAVA LAMP570 Waugh. 713.524.3359myspace.com/guavalamphouston

THE DAVENPORT2115 Richmond. 713.520.1140

THE FLAT1702 Commonwealth. 713.521.3528

ETRO1424 Westheimer. 713.529.3449myspace.com/etrohouston

GRIFF’S3416 Roseland. 713.528.9912griffshouston.com

THE HARP1625 Richmond. 713.528.7827

LOLA’S2327 Grant. 713.528.8342

LZ PUB2239 Richmond. 713.522.7118

MARFRELESS2006 Peden. 713.528.0083

MCELROY’S PUB3607 Sandman. 713.524.2444mcelroyspub.com

METEOR2306 Genesee. 713.521.0123meteorhouston.com

THE NEXT DOOR2020 Waugh. 713.520.1712myspace.com/thenextdoorgallery

NUMBERS300 Westheimer. 713.526.6551numbersnightclub.com

PRAVADA2815 S. Shepherd. 713.533.1200pravadahouston.com

PRIVE910 Westheimer. 713.526.6551privelounge.com

POISON GIRL1641-B Westheimer. 713.527.9929myspace.com/poisongirlbar.com

SOUTH BEACH810 Pacific. 713.529.7623southbeachthenightclub.com

SLIDER’S BAR1424 Westheimer. 713.528.2788slidersbar.com

SCOTT GERTNER’S SKYBAR3400 Westheimer. 713.520.9688msypace.com/scottgertnersskybar

THE STAG’S HEAD2128 Portsmouth. 713.533.1199stagsheadpub.com

THE TAVERN1340 W. Gray. 713.522.5159thetavernongray.com

VELVET MELVIN3303 Richmond. 713.522.6798myspace.com/thevelvetmelvinpub

VINTAGE2108 Kipling. 713.522.4200

ZAKE LOUNGE2943 S. Shepherd. 713.526.6888zakerestaurant.com

museum district

MONARCH LOUNGE5701 Main (inside Hotel ZaZa)713.526.1991monarchrestauranthouston.com

ZIMM’S MARTINI & WINE4321 Montrose. 713.521.2002zimsbar.com

outer loop

300 HOUSTON BOWLING925 Bunker Hill713.461.2431300houston.com

DENIM BAR16090 City Walk. 281.275.5925(inside the Burning Pear)theburningpear.com

THE DERRICK TAVERN1127 Eldridge. 281.759.4922thederricktavern.com

FIREHOUSE SALOON5930 Southwest Frwy. 713.977.1962firehousesaloon.com

HUSH15625 Katy Frwy. 713.330.4874hushonline.com

VINE WINE ROOM12420 Memorial Dr. 713.463.8463vinewineroom.com

VINO 10011693 Westheimer. 281.759.4100

rice village

ARMADILLO PALACE5015 Kirby. 713.526.9700thearmadillopalace.com

BAKER STREET PUB5510 Morningside. 713.942.9900bakerstreetpub.com

BAM BOU2540 University. 713.521.7222bambouhouston.com

BRIAN O’NEILL’S5555 Morningside. 713.522.2603brianoneills.com

BRONX BAR5555 Morningside. 713.520.9690

ERNIE’S ON BANKS1010 Banks. 713.526.4566erniesonbanks.com

THE GINGER MAN5607 Morningside. 713.526.2770gingermanpub.com

JOHNNY’S SPORTS BAR2511 Bissonnet. 713.521.9928myspace.com/joialounge

KAY’S LOUNGE2324 Bissonnet. 713.528.9858

LITTLE WOODROW’S5611 Morningside. 713.521.2337littlewoodrows.com

THE LOUNGE AT BENJI’S2424 Dunstan. 713.522.7602benjys.com

VOLCANO2349 Bissonnet. 713.526.5282

river oaks+ kirby

AZTECA’S BAR & GRILL2207 Richmond. 713.526.1702aztecasbarandgrill.com

THE BIG EASY5731 Kirby. 713.523.9999bigeasyblues.com

COVA5600 Kirby. 713.838.07005555 Washington. 713.868.3366covawine.com

DOWNING STREET2549 Kirby. 713.523.2291downingstreetpub.com

KENNEALLY’S IRISH PUB2111 S. Shepherd. 713.630.0486irishpubkenneallys.com

LIZZARD’S PUB2715 Sackett. 713.529.4610

MEZZANINE LOUNGE2200 Southwest Frwy. 713.528.MEZZmezzaninelounge.com

MUGSY’S3200 Kirby. 713.526.5595

RICKSHAW BAMBU2810 Westheimer. 713.942.7272rickshaw-bambu.com

ROLL-N SALOON4200 San Felipe. 713.622.7487

TACO MILAGRO2555 Kirby. 713.522.1999taco-milagro.com

THE WINE BUCKET2311 W. Alabama. 713.942.9463thewinebucket.com

warehousedistrict

EIGHTEEN TWENTY1820 Franklin. 713.224.55351820bar.com

LUCKY’S PUB801 St. Emanuel. 713.522.2010luckyspub.com

THE MERIDIAN1503 Chartres. 713.225.1717meridianhouston.com

NEXT2020 McKinney. 713.221.8833whatsnexthouston.com

PASHAA ULTRA LOUNGE2010 McKinney. 713.344.0305myspace.com/pashaahouston

WAREHOUSE LIVE813 St. Emanuel. 713.225.5483warehouselive.com

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 5:03 PM Page 79

Page 80: May 2009

ABOUT THISPRODUCTJONATHAN BARBER AND ART PINSOFMAKE NOISE. LOTS OF IT. TONS OF IT,ACTUALLY. SOME FOLKS DON’T GET ITWHEN THEY HEAR IT RECORDED.SOME FOLKS DON’T GET IT WHENTHEY HEAR IT LIVE. BELOW IS A PEEKINTO WHY.

SO YOU’RE GIVING AWAY YOUR NEWALBUM, HYRDROGEN BOMB, ONLINE.WHAT GIVES?JOHNATHAN: Well it comes down to thisreally: no one buys music anymore and itis almost impossible to make a profitunless, of course, it’s approved byPitchfork. Also, it is a very experimentalrecord that many people just won’t get. Iam releasing two physical albums comingsoon on Union Without Nation records. Ialso wanted it to make it 50/50 when itcomes to releasing records. 50% free and 50% to pur-chase.ART: We just figure it’s good promotion to get somethingout there. Hydrogen Bomb is pretty different from past andforthcoming ATP albums. Most of our music takes a year ortwo to become an album and this was done within a weekor two, I believe.

YOU MENTIONED THAT IT’S NOT JUST A DOWNLOAD. ITWILL BE PHYSICAL AT SOME POINT. IS THE DIGITAL ALSOTHE PHYSICAL? TAKE THAT HOWEVER YOU LIKE.JOHNATHAN: I hate to say that I only own an iPod shuffleto run with listening to music. I personally am a big fan ofreleases. It is not the same having a virtual file comparedto having something you can hold and cherish. I knowphysical releases are becoming obsolete and I am sad-dened by it. In the end I am a hypocrite in a way ’cause Idownload tons of music because the albums that I find real-ly amazing are very hard to find, especially in Houston.

SO NOW IT’S YOU AND ART? NO RYAN?JOHNATHAN: Well, I have known Art for a long time andhe really is a genius and I am proud to have him in AboutThis Product. For a while me and Ryan’s friendship wasslowly falling apart. It was sad because he was my bestfriend and like a brother, but I believe the passion of doinganything it takes to produce a top product was leaving him.So now he is doing his thing and I hope everything is wellwith the guy since we do not talk. I just cannot have some-one in the band that is not 100% loyal to the music. This is

not an insult to Ryan; it is just he found his way to be happyand I understand because making music that you hear inAbout This Product albums is really something that takes alot out of you. For music, you give your heart, soul, mindand blood to really be crazy enough to do this.

WHAT DOES MAKE YOU CRAZY ENOUGH TO STILL DOIT?JOHNATHAN: This is a tough question really. Sometimes Ireally think I’m nuts for trying so hard. Basically I just lovemaking music. It’s sort of like therapy to me. Sometimes ourshows get a bit crazy but the reasons why are – becauseonce you’re done with a show that was pretty nuts youhave this great euphoric feeling, like getting something offyour chest that you have been keeping secret for years.When people see laptops, people that normally wouldnever listen to computer music, sometimes you got to showthem that there still can be this punk rock energy involvedwith playing music from a computer.

ART, HOW HAS IT BEEN FOR YOU, REPLACING HALF OFAN ENTIRE BAND?ART: It’s been fun. I also make music on my own under afew different names (Caglioso, Groggy, 1 Bit Wizard), sofor me it’s been a lot of fun to be involved in a band whereI’m supporting someone else’s initial vision. Aside fromthat, I think our musical perspectives complement eachother’s pretty well. I tend to focus on the melody and rhyth-mic changes of songs and Jonathan has a great talent increating interesting textures and complex structures that I

like a lot. We’re also fans of a lot of the same music. I wasworried at first that we might have some clashing ideaswhen I joined, but it’s been a very natural feeling collabo-ration where we both enjoy what each other has to add.

WERE YOU A FAN/FRIEND BEFORE?ART: Yeah, I’ve been friends with John for a while. I knewhim in high school but didn’t start becoming good friendswith him until a few months before we started makingmusic together. I have been a fan of his music and AboutThis Product as him and Ryan for a long time. I rememberalways leaving their shows feeling like I just had 10 cupsof coffee; it was just so energizing. It’s fun to be on the cre-ative end of that now.

AND HOW IS IT THAT ABOUT THIS PRODUCT, EVENPLAYING THE MOST DOCILE (ELECTRONIC) OF INSTRU-MENTS, HAS SUCH ATHLETICALLY INSANE LIVE SHOWS?ART: I know John used to play with a desktop live andsmash the keys off his keyboard into the audience (andpick them up after the show to glue them back on later). Ithink of our music as a meeting ground between technoand free jazz mostly, both of which I think make peoplewant to move (though only techno gives the social permis-sion to do so). When you’re on stage playing some loudmusic that’s pretty much designed to put you in a state ofmental, emotional and physical exhilaration, you can’thelp but act the fool a little bit. You know what I mean?

www.myspace.com/aboutthisproduct

Interview by Lance Scott WalkerPhotography by Anthony Rathbun

80. may09 002houston

RECORDING

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:49 PM Page 80

Page 81: May 2009

UGK UGK 4 Life (Jive)

The really sobering thing about this release is that it highlights just howtalented of a rapper Pimp C was. Nevermind his production, which hasbeen as consistent and recognizable as his speaking voice over the past20 years, what was truly compelling about Pimp C is how much he flewunder the radar as a rapper throughout his entire career. Truth be told,Bun B was half the MC he is now when the duo first started in the late80s and early 90s. But the late Chad Butler has been so reliably brilliantas a lyricist and rapper that each new release only helps to further carveout his particular flavor of country rap. UGK 4 Life might not be a fittingend to the duo—a hand forced by Pimp C’s untimely death in late

2007—but then again, nothing would be. That’s because both rappers were always feverishly prolific.A UGK record starts and stops, but it never really begins or ends. You get the feeling that Bun B andPimp C just set down the microphones and turned off the drum machines at a certain point; that, ifallowed, every record would be four discs with a bevy of outtakes that they only kept off of there bynecessity. UGK 4 Life is a direct example of that: there is no sendout, no wave goodbye, no swansong.This record inhales and exhales exactly as Pimp would have seen it through to doing when he wasalive—and he sounds as filthy as if he were still breathing. While the beats echo of Bill Withers, WillieHutch and the Isley Brothers (Ron Isley even guests on the brilliant “The Pimp and The Bun”) and thevocal melodies harken (surprisingly) back to late 80s R&B ala New Jack Swing, Pimp’s lyricism conjuresup echoes of blaxploitation ala Ralph Bakshi, Luther Campbell’s sexual musings and Richard Pryor’srealism all bundled into one untouchably original package. Because of that, Pimp C is set to becomeposthumously known as unpredictable, brilliant and enduring. And while we will probably see anoth-er decade’s worth of “new” releases by Biggie and Tupac, one can expect this to be UGK’s official,classy finale. It’s odd for some to associate the word “integrity” with a pair whose output was so rifewith filth at points, but it’s exactly like UGK to leave you wondering which were the high points andwhich were the low. It’s all been printed now. You’ve got a long time to figure it out.

THE THERMALS Now We Can See (Kill Rock Stars)

Now we can see that you keep making the same record over and overagain. Respect: Kathy Foster not only holds down her usual bass play-ing duties herein, but she also plays drums on the entire record, andfinally steps up to the mic. The water has gotten deeper around her andlead singer Hutch Harris. Problem is, they’re still standing in a puddle.

SLIM THUG Boss of All Bosses (Koch)Once Slim broke from Interscope last year, every one of his fans wrungtheir hands and slapped them together to see the chalk scatter.Interscope was Slim’s crutch; the very thing that launched his career wasalso the thing that crippled it. Already Platinum didn’t sound likeHouston, and yet Slim did. It wasn’t a good mix. From the opening sec-onds of Boss, however, he sounds calmer, more confident. Relaxed. Hesounds like a rapper that towers over the rest—and that’s not merely areference to his height (that gets old) but more a testament to how lim-ber and flexible his style of rap is amongst his peers. His lyricism, flowand prowess always had muscle, but here the beats actually hold himup: lots of big, nasty, fuzzy synthesizers accented by strings and beatsthat crawl around somewhere between the speed of super-hyped clubbeats and the pace of old Screw tapes. “Smile” is destined to be a club

classic. And on the subject of his peers—they are present. Devin the Dude, UGK, Kyleon and a ridicu-lous, 9-minute closer that features (and I list in its entirety): Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Pimp C, Bun B, LilKeke, Z-Ro, Trae, Rob G, Lil O, Big Pokey, Mike D and Yung Redd. Maybe it’s his way of saying “wel-come back.” As in… “please welcome me back.”

SUPERCHUNK Leaves In the Gutter (Merge)

Here’s the deal: if you release an album every year or two during yourcareer and then you take a break for 8 years, you gotta come out swing-ing. You gotta sweep the legs. Knock out some teeth. For the fans.Superchunk has not done that here. But, they also haven’t yet committedthemselves. This is an EP of stuff that the band needed to squeeze offbefore heading into the studio for a full-length recording, a few songsthat they’d been kicking around during their one-off shows the past fewyears. Of those, “Learned to Surf” is a gem. Of the rest, there are noblanks fired, but one can (in all of one’s faith in Superchunk) imagine,easily imagine, why these songs were swept off before something morecohesive was put to tape. “Misfits and Mistakes” was actually released

as a single two years ago, and it works as such, but Superchunk of all bands has always had a strangeway of releasing really largely tepid songs as singles and then allowing the brilliant ones to simmerunder the surface once you get the full album. One thing, though – 8 years in the making, and yourvoice still hasn’t gotten any deeper, Mac?

By Lance Scott Walker

81. may09 002houston

CD REVIEWS

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 5:04 PM Page 81

Page 82: May 2009

ACROSS1. Vampire teeth6. Dovetail10. BBs or bullets14. Texas shrine15. Creme-filledcookie16. Precious17. Japanese filmopening at theAngelika May 2219. Tibetan priest20. Rap sessionswith the dead?21. Orchestralmaneuver23. From whencethe Magi came25. Bottomless pit26. Noted art spacein downtownHouston32. Partner withivory33. Double-reedwoodwind34. Local educationorg.37. Ticket38. Fundamental40. Paint layer41. Poem of praise42. Pub projectile43. Jazz ensemble44. Showplace formobile masterpieces47. Wavy pattern insilk

50. Vice squad visit51. Funded for thefuture54. Eats59. Stead60. Houston institu-tion dedicated to afruit62. Springsteen’snickname, with“The”63. Pleasant64. Actress Dern65. Poker payment66. Hastened67. Like a cloudlessday

DOWN1. Temporal trends2. Out of the wind3. California wineregion4. FBI guy5. Harry Potter’sspecialty6. Hair foam ordessert7. Mess up8. Tarot card turner9. Stockings10. Works withouta script11. Substantive12. Half a ‘60ssinging quartet13. Face-to-faceexams

18. Oolong andEarl Grey22. “Let them eat___“24. So-so rating fora movie or restau-rant26. Art ___27. Footnote abbre-viation28. Something tocast29. Opposite ofWSW30. Kimono sash31. Fabulous bird34. Fleshy fruit, likean apple or pear35. Forbidden per-fume?36. Molecularbuilding block38. Diamond club39. Joan of ___

40. Comedian Bill,informally42. Comic Carey43. Shillelaghs44. Pique45. Showered46. Artistic Chinesedynasty47. R&B divaMoore48. Parody news-paper “The _____“49. Counterpart of“exempli gratia”52. Many millennia53. Faucet sound55. Jacob’s twin, inthe Bible56. Ostracize57. Like a ticketstub58. Influence61. Hole in one

1

14

17

20

26

32

37

41

47

51

59

62

65

2

27

48

3

28

49

4

29

44

5

23

42

18

38

52

60

63

66

6

15

39

53

7

24

33

50

61

8

21

30

45

54

9

31

46

22

25

43

64

67

10

16

19

40

55

11

34

56

12

35

57

13

36

58

© 2009 Scott Ward

OO2CROSSWORD

APRIL ANSWERS

What is St. Paddy’s Day without Bailey’s Irish Cream, Bushmills Irish Whiskeyor Guinness Irish Stout? All the classics were available at the green celebra-tion during the happy hour that of course would not be complete withoutbagpipe players, shamrock tattoos and pot-o-gold prizes available fromBCBGMAXAZRIA, Forever XXI and Books-A-Million.

EVENT ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY WITH002HOUSTON MAGAZINEWHY CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAYWHERE MCCORMICK & SCHMICK’S SEAFOODRESTAURANT & HOUSTON PAVILIONS’ CENTERCOURTYARD WHEN MARCH 17

82. may09 002houston

Photo

grap

hyby

Mich

elleW

atson

from

lastni

ghtpi

cs.co

m

002houston May 09:002houston 4/21/09 2:50 PM Page 82

Page 83: May 2009

Photo

grap

hyby

Mich

elleW

atson

from

lastni

ghtpi

cs.co

m

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 5:05 PM Page 83

Page 84: May 2009

002houston May 09:002houston 4/20/09 5:05 PM Page 84