The Osito Foundation, a Houston-based nonprofit organization that provides teddy bears to children impacted by HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses, has announced the Gainer Donnelly Desroches Children’s AIDS Day. The daylong event, presented by Lockton, Inc., convenes Feb. 12 at Rice University, according to Rod Castle, CEO and co-founder of the Osito Foundation.
Members of HATCH, Houston’s local organization for LGBT and supportive youth, now have a place to turn to whenever questions come up that they prefer to ask anonymously. The Ask Allie program allows teens to ask questions online, with Montrose Counseling Center’s anti-violence program specialist Allison Vogt, LBSW, then responding to the
questions.
RuPaul, who is pretty much giving Logo a reason to stay on the air, breaks the new season of the surprise smash hit RuPaul’s Drag Race on February 1 at 8 p.m. And the savvy diva isn’t resting on her crossdressing laurels, either.
Dominic Walsh Dance Theater (DWDT) and Houston’s Mercury Baroque (Mercury) give audiences a somewhat apropos Valentine’s Day story, reprising an edgy production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Additionally, both groups recognize their LGBT supporters by treating them to an exclusive after-show dessert reception on February 14 in the Wortham Theater’s stylish Green Room.
Your Valentine’s hot list. Film, Performance, Performance for Young People, Radio, Art/Photography, January Day by Day, Planning Ahead, HIV Testing, LookOut. Hot ticket: Mardi Gras Galveston!
We wanted to dislike this debut pop CD by the young story-songstress, given her lyrical sense of entitlement and dopey name. But we couldn’t—it’s too good. Especially fun are the title track, as well “Party at a Rich Dude’s House,” about throwing up in Paris Hilton’s closet. RCA Records (rcarecords.com).
Freda Payne and Denzal Sinclaire lend their sophisticated vocal talents to this retro and swingy collection of previously undiscovered tunes by Harry Warren, one of America’s most prolific songwriters, matched with new lyrics by Paul Mendelhall. Such Sweet Thunder Records (davidbergerjazz.com).
The American Idol second-place darling collaborates with ’90s pop flash, Paula Cole, to pen the dramatic yet lyrically pointless title track here. But the first breakout single, “Had It All,” is pleasing and light, just like the new blonde ’do Ms. McPhee now rocks. Verve Forecast (vervemusicgroup.com).
Hits from the ’80s, like “Pump Up the Jam,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and others, receive a swingy makeover by this whimsical, talented trio who take their name from the tragic, triumphant story of Django Reinhardt. Unfamiliar? Google him. Tandem (tandem.mu).
Planning your financial future involves many different rules and risks. For example, there are rules on how much you can contribute to your IRA and 401k plan each year, rules on sheltering your assets from estate taxes, and rules on how much you and your family members can receive from government retirement programs such as Social Security.
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