Arts & Entertainment

LookOut: March 2007

Kindred Spirits unite. Joe Watts + Paul Rudnick. Bringin’ Back the Green. And the (garden) party’s over…

KSpirits
Marion "Kindred Spirits" Coleman

By Nancy Ford

SUSTAINING SPIRITS. Plans are well underway for the sixth annual Kindred Spirits Celebration, a reunion of the friends and family who frequented that fabled ’80s era women’s bar (and those who wish they had), owned by Marion Coleman (pictured here on right, applauding with organizing committee member Renee Tappe at the 2006 event).

As is their custom, the organizers plan to kick off the reunion with a gala fundraiser-for-the-fundraiser party, scheduled for April 1 at the Historic Magnolia Ballroom downtown

As a special enticement, individuals who performed regularly at the now-closed nightclub will provide entertainment for the invitation-only kick off party. Confirmed to strum and hum are former Spirits’ regulars, Brooke McDonald, Marianne Troiano, this writer, and surprise guests.

The kickoff provides financial support for the main event, scheduled April 28 at the Edwin R. Hornberger Conference Center. This year, the reunion carries with it a travel theme, with raffle prizes including airline tickets, trips, and more. The annual event raises funds for AssistHers, Bering Support Network, Houston Buyer’s Club, and Lesbian Health Initiative. Details: www.kindredspiritshouston.org.

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VALHALLA …HOLLA! A mad Bavarian king, a wild Texas teen, and “the loneliest humpback in Europe”: All these are components of Theatre New West director Joe Watts ‘ latest production, Paul Rudnick ‘s Valhalla. (Upon its 2004 New York opening, Time Out dubbed the show “…a dizzy, brisk diptych that connects 19th-century Bavaria to 1940s Texas in a unified field theory of gayness.”)

The comic epic opens March 2 at Midtown Arts Center, running weekends through March 31 with Sunday matinees on March 11 and 25. Watts—who continues to offer his acting classes, which we mentioned last month—also presents a preview performance on March 1 for early birds. Tickets: 713/522-2204.

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FINAL PERFORMANCES. There’s still time to catch the last weekend shows (through March 3) of Chay Yew ‘s Porcelain. Directed by the prolific Ed Muth, the reflective story of a gay Asian man accused of slaying his Anglo lover is intended for mature audiences. Performances are at Theatre One on the Houston Community College central campus, Tickets: 713/718-6570.

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GLBT ACTION. No, not that kind. Seeking to make movies that have a positive influence on the GLBT community, Gypsy Lar Production, an Atlant -based independent movie production company, has announced its first semi-annual script writing contest.

The contest is open to anyone who wishes to write a script in any genre as long as the main two characters are GLBT, organizers say. The winning script will be turned into a feature movie “which will be shopped around for sale to the highest bidders,” they report.

The submission deadline is June 1. Details: www.gypsylar.com.

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BRINGIN’ BACK THE GREEN. After a year hiatus, Bringin’ in the Green, the Gaelic-tinged fundraiser for the Montrose Counseling Center, returns to fill the agency’s pot o’ gold on March 16, 6-9 p.m., at the home of John Danielson.

The 2006 passing of Jack Jackson, one of counseling center’s favorite benefactors and leprechauns (See “Just Jack” and “Jack Extra,” March 2005 OutSmart), has prompted organizers to honor him by encouraging attendees to make donations in Jackson’ name. Details: 713/529-0037.

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GARDEN PARTY. Speaking of green, Camille Waters, known locally as the Queen of Lettuce, hosts the last of her annual spring picnics benefiting Urban Harvest and Chef’s Collaborative on April 1. After 13 years of growing salad greens, vegetables, and edible flowers for innovative local chefs, Waters has decided to retire and move to Mexico. Her final bash, thrown in her organic garden on Jackson Hill near the Heights, will feature the talents of several top chefs, including Mark Cox of Mark’s and John Sheely of Mockingbird Bistro. The event (tickets: 713/880-5540) is also a 79 th birthday celebration for jazz legend Harry Sheppard, who will perform along with Mandy G. Smith.

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