November 1, 2009
“We are celebrating our 40th year in existence this year, a pretty remarkable feat for a small 501(c)(3) GLBT organization,” says Krewe of Olympus’ Annie Couch.
The Houston Krewe, with its 60-or-so members, is one of the largest predominately gay Krewes in the United States. It exists as a perpetuation of the Crescent City’s fabled Mardi Gras. Officially, the group exists “to present theatrical and educational events that perpetuate and continue Mardi Gras traditions and to raise money for community charities,”
according to its mission statement.
November 1, 2009
You could call James Oxford and Lance Marshall animal lovers. But they’re so much more.
“If you’re going to do something, just do it!” says Oxford. “Make a difference.”
Which is what they’ve been doing since January. The couple moved back to Houston just about a year ago, along with their two lovable dogs Holly and Penny. Marshall, a film and stage actor, was working with Karen Derr, a Heights–area realtor and city council candidate who first took him to the city’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care, otherwise known as BARC.
November 1, 2009
Trey McIntyre grew up in Kansas, studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts, then came to Houston in his late teens to train at the Houston Ballet Academy (now the Ben Stevenson Academy). Artistic Director Ben Stevenson created the position of choreographic apprentice for him and later named him choreographic associate. Since leaving Houston, McIntyre has choreographed more than 80 works of dance for some of the world’s most prestigious dance companies. In a few short years, his own company, the Trey McIntyre Project (which he created in with his partner in life and dance, executive director John Michael Schert), has created a stir in the contemporary dance scene. The company, which now calls Boise, Idaho, home, is currently on its second international tour and appears at the Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater on Friday, November 13 (visit www.spahouston.org for ticket information).
November 1, 2009
A FRIEND IN TIME OF SORROW. Veteran Houston funeral director Stan Ford recently announced a newly formed partnership with Allen Dave Funeral Directors and Cremation Tribute Center offering funerals, cremations, and life insurance. In partnering with Allen Dave, Ford brings concierge service at affordable prices through a locally owned independent funeral home. Ford, who began his career with Earthman Funerals in January of 1981, marks his third decade serving families throughout Texas at a time when great empathy is needed. Also an active community leader, Ford has served as president of Dignity Houston, co-chaired Houston Gay Pride Parade, and served on the Mayor’s City County Panel on AIDS, which gave birth to Thomas Street Clinic. stanfordtributes
.com • 713/443-3333
November 1, 2009
Just last year, Houston was humiliatingly awarded the title of Fattest City in America for the third year in a row. Flabby gothams and lipo-obsessed zip codes everywhere laughed, and wheezed their own flabby sigh of relief because their big asses had dodged the overweight bullet. Say what you will, but we know the real reason our fair city can pack on the poundage. Houston boasts some of most delectably reliable—and adventurous—cuisine in the country. And, honestly, most of us are not as obese as the bell curve busters would have anyone believe. How can we be when we’re all too busy acrobatically hopping from favorite greasy spoon standby to dicing-edge James Beardworthy bistro? Ask anyone who’s moved from the Lone Star and they’ll agree, mourning our truly diverse fare. Even gastronomic epicenters like LA, San Fran, New York, and New Orleans salivate at our culinary prowess and headspinning examples of delicious, Texas-sized showing off in the kitchen. But sampling the bounty of our fair city is a big bite to try to swallow.
November 1, 2009
Step inside Tintos Spanish Restaurant & Wine Bar, tucked into the backside of River Oaks Shopping Center in the old Backdoor Sushi locale, and you’ll find a soothing dark-wood décor with modernist bullhead art and minimalist lighting sconces. It’s at once chic and comforting.
November 1, 2009
HOT TICKET
Local Boy Makes Good
Sunday in the park with Billy Stritch.
What started with a country-club gig when he was 12 has unfolded into a career that’s arguably the envy of every starry-eyed musician hoping to make it to the Big Time.
November 1, 2009
Elton John: The Bitch Is Back is filled with all of the addictions, the self-doubts, bad toupées, affairs, and scandals—but also with the triumphant later years, the coming-to-terms with his sexuality and the establishment of a happy and healthy private life. The author interviewed a number of celebs, including Alice Cooper, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Angela Bowie, and Randy Jones of the Village People, among many others. —Preview: Troy Carrington
November 1, 2009
Introduced with his quizzical forewarning, “All of the fictional pieces are true,” here are 15 essays penned by one of our time’s most gifted playwrights and screenwriters. You’ll ache with laughter—and other emotions—at this glimpse of Rudnick’s growing up in New Jersey, behind-the-scenes goodies from the sets of his products, Sister Act and Addams Family Values, and more. —Preview: Nancy Ford
November 1, 2009
Sarah Schulman—one of my favorite thinkers, activists, and writers—here explores gay marriage as a way to obtain relief from systematic family oppression. She starts by looking at individual homophobia, makes the connection to “the personal is political,” and ties the whole mess back to the larger community. Not only does Schulman show “how gays and lesbians are treated IN families is far more influential . . . than how we are treated AS families,” she offers a strategy for change that might actually work. This is a major new work in the analysis of the oppression we all face daily. —Review: A.C.
