Houston Area Events – April
Performing Arts • Art/Photography • Radio • Galas & Parties • And Other Things • Save the Date • Ongoing/HIV Testing
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HOT TICKET
It’s Madness, We Say!
‘We are all born mad. Some remain so.’
Or so goes the line from Waiting for Godot, on the boards now at the Catastrophic Theatre until April 13. And Samuel Beckett’s tragicomedy couldn’t be in better hands than at this theater of the absurd. And talk about madness, it’s been twenty years since Jason Nodler and Tamarie Cooper first started to entertain, confound, mesmerize, mystify, shock, and thrill Houston audiences.
So put on your best nineties outfits and prepare to celebrate with all the artists and supporters of Catastrophic at “It Was 20 Years Ago Today” gala, April 27, at Last Concert Café. The event sponsors promise: Tex-Mex. Tequila. Tasty treats. Barrels of beer. Music. Theater. Dancing bacon. (What?) Cavemen. Costumes. Memories.
General admission tickets are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. You can probably still get in on the host committee or sponsorships that range from $100 up to $10,000. Proceeds go to support the nonprofit theater.
Whether you like avant-garde theater or not, the Catastrophic Theatre throws damn fun parties, so check it out at catastrophictheatre.com. —Marene Gustin
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FILM
• April 26
Stinky Pinky. Skydive presents this collection of contemporary and critically engaged queer film/video work by artists throughout the U.S. (plus Canada and Austria). Skydive, 2041 Norfolk Street. Details at theskydive.org or info@theskydive.org.
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PERFORMING ARTS
• Through April 6
Avenue Q. Full frontal puppet nudity! Need we say more? Tony Award-winning Avenue Q plays at the East-End Theatre Company in Galveston. See islandetc.org for details.
• Through April 13
Waiting for Godot. The Catastrophic Theatre’s inaugural production in its new home will thrill theater fans. Check out catastrophictheatre.com.
• Through April 20
The Orange Show’s Spring 2013 Performance Series. The Orange Show presents a diverse mix of live music, stand-up comedy, film, spoken word, and children’s activities. See orangeshow.org.
• Through May 31
Skin, Embellished. An exhibition exploring not-so-typical notions of skin by ceramic artists at Gallery 1724. See gallery1724.blogspot.com.
• Through June 23
Always…Patsy Cline. Stages Repertory Theatre’s 25th-anniversary production of the beloved musical about Cline’s relationship with a local fan. Check out stagestheatre.com for details and get “Crazy.”
• April 3–28
Dollhouse. Stages Repertory Theatre’s regional premiere of Rebecca Gilman’s Dollhouse, a 2004 Goodman-commission adapted from Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. See stagestheatre.com for details.
• April 4–13
Thoroughly Modern Millie. Flash back to the Roaring Twenties for some free fun at Millet Outdoor Theatre. Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
• April 5–7
Subject to Change. A new performance piece by Susan Blair as part of the 2012–13 HopeWerks season that features works-in-progress by emerging choreographers participating in Hope Stone’s artist-in-residency program. For more information, visit hopestoneinc.org or call 713/526-1907.
• April 5–13
Mauritius. Stamp collecting can be far more dangerous than you think in this play by Smash creator Theresa Rebeck. See theatre.rice.edu for details.
• April 6
Hank Williams Remembered. A musical tribute to the Western crooner at the historic Crighton Theatre in Conroe. Check out crightontheatre.org for details.
Musiqa’s Word Play. A play within a musical concert at The Hobby Center for Performing Arts. See thehobbycenter.org for tickets.
• April 12–21
Kimberly Akimbo. The Country Playhouse presents Pultizer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire’s play about a teen with progeria. See countryplayhouse.org for details.
• April 16–17
Legends of Wind and Fire. Mythical tales of Native Americans complete with music and animal characters to entertain and enthrall all ages. Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
• April 18–May 5
Tristan and Isolde. Houston Grand Opera introduces a new production of Richard Wagner’s searing Tristan and Isolde, directed by Christof Loy. Contact HGO at 713/228-6737 or houstongrandopera.org.
• April 19
Jazz Concert. Da Camera presents Houston native Eric Harland and his hot young jazz band. See dacamera.com for details.
The Sacred Harp. FrenetiCore dancers and shape-note singers collaborate in this tale of interracial love in a small Southern town. Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
The Red Velvet Cake Competition. Bring your best red velvet cake to this opening night cake throwdown for The Red Velvet Cake War (see next entry) at the historic Crighton Theatre in Conroe. Check out crightontheatre.org for details.
• April 19–May 5
The Red Velvet Cake War. A Southern-fried comedy about families and food at the historic Crighton Theatre in Conroe. Check out crightontheatre.org for details.
• April 20
Noche Caliente featuring Marlon. Diaz Music Institute brings to Houston next-generation salsa singer Marlon who will be performing with Houston’s premier Latin youth ensemble, Caliente. Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
• April 21
ROCO in Concert: Big Bang! River Oaks Chamber Orchestra makes its Miller debut not just with a bang, but with a Big Bang! Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
• April 26
Where Were You in ’65? Texas Southern University presents the Miller premiere of Dr. Thomas Meloncon’s musical drama that takes a young man, unaware of his history, on a nostalgic and magical journey to the year 1965. Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
• April 26–May 11
Il Travatore. Houston Grand Opera’s 2012–13 season concludes with Verdi’s opera of passion and vengeance. Contact HGO at 713/228-6737 or houstongrandopera.org.
• April 29–May 3
Daniel and the Dreamcatcher. This children’s opera tells the story of a young boy confronting the giant in his closet. Produced by HGO. Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
• April 30
East Meets West XI. Dance of Asian America will collaborate with some of Houston’s finest in classical ballet, modern, contemporary dance and dances from the east to present all-new high-caliber works. Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
• May 3–4
World premiere of Sarah Rothenberg’s In the Garden of Dreams. Da Camera presents this fantastic obsession with dreams and the unconscious in the music, visual art, psychology, and theater of Vienna circa 1900. Check out dacamera.com.
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ART/PHOTOGRAPHY
• Through April 20
The Orange Show’s Spring 2013 Performance Series. The Orange Show presents a diverse mix of live music, stand-up comedy, film, spoken word, and children’s activities. See orangeshow.org.
Sarah Williams: 30 Miles Between. Painting exhibit. Visit mcmurtreygllery.com.
• Through May 31
Jessica Dupuis Debuts New Work in Miniature. A ceramic exhibit at The Kenmore inside Gallery 1724. See the-kenmore.blogspot.com for details.
• Through January 11, 2014
Daniel Anguilu and Aaron Parazett Mural. See this beautiful mural, called Skywriting, at Lawndale Art Center. Visitlawndaleartcenter.org for details.
• April 5–May 26
Reminiscential. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft exhibit paying homage to momento mori and funeral art. See crafthouston.org for hours and details.
• April 6
An Element of Space at Archway Gallery. New showing of acrylic paintings by artist Veronica Dyer. Details: archwaygallery.com. Learn more at www.menil.org.
• April 19–August 18
Forrest Bess: Seeing Things Invisible. The Menil Collection presents 48 of the artist’s visionary paintings, dating from 1946–1970.
• April 28
Third Annual Rockin’ Rollin’ Prints. Watch dozens of steamroller print artists create prints from wood blocks at this event held at Saint Arnold Brewery. Details at printmattershouston.org.
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RADIO
After Hours: Queer Radio with Attitude features the QMZ (Queer Music Zone) with Jimmy Carper. Saturday nights, midnight–3 am. KPFT 90.1 FM. kpft.org • 713/526-5738.
Queer Voices. Features, news, music, interviews, reviews, and commentary. Monday nights, 9–11 pm. KPFT 90.1 FM. kpft.org • 713/526-4000.
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GALAS & PARTIES
• April 5
4th Annual Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge. F Bar is the place to be to see bartenders throw down as they compete and create their own signature Palm Springs-infused cocktail using Stoli Vodka. See fbarhouston.com.
• April 7
Citywide Yom HaShoah Commemoration. Free event at Congregation Beth Israel in memory of all who died in the Holocaust and to pay tribute to those who survived. See hmh.org for details.
• April 9
Houston Press 11th Annual Menu of Menus Extravaganza. It’s all about good food and drink at this event at Silver Street Station. Check out menuofmenus.com for ticket info.
• April 20
OMG Music Fest. It’s an all-day, all-ages show featuring some of today’s biggest teen stars and performers sponsored by Houston radio station Hot 95-7 at Warehouse Live. See omgmusicfest.com.
• April 27
Celebrating 20 Years of Avant-garde Theater in Houston. In the spring of 1993 Jason Nodler, Tamarie Cooper, and a group of friends got together to put on Nodler’s musical play In the Under Thunderloo in a punk rock club—and they have been freaking out Houston audiences ever since. Join the party at Last Concert Café and celebrate. See catastrophictheatre.com.
• May 4
La Valiente 2013. Gala for Voices Breaking Boundaries to honor founders Marcela Descalzi, Jacsun Shah, and Sehba Sarwar. Visit vbbarts.org.
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AND OTHER THINGS
• April 13
A Foodie’s Home Tour in East Montrose. More than a chance to peak into some cool Montrose houses, you’ll also have a chance to sample delectables by local chefs on this unique home tour. Tickets at eastmontrose.org.
• April 24–28
Design Fair 2013. Lawndale Art Center’s fair features vintage modern objects of the 20th century, as well as examples of cutting-edge contemporary design. For more info, visit lawndaleartcenter.org.
• May 1
Deadline for call for entries for 2013 Houston Fringe Fest. See freneticore.net.
• May 4–5
Houston’s Annual Pond Tour. The Houston Pond Club and Lone Star Koi Club offer self-guided tours to the best backyard ponds in the area. Go to houstonpondsociety.org or lonestarkoi.com to find the home nearest to you, and plan your route.
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SAVE THE DATE
• May 18
2nd Annual 2nd Chance Prom Dance. A fun event to promote unity and inclusion within the community, featuring live entertainment and dance music. For more info, Like the Facebook page at Family Friendly Socials; or text or call Armando 832/454-3296, Chris 713/928-2818, Lisa 713/882-4513, Adam 713/667-9777, or Kathy 713/319-4664.
• June 17–August 2
The River Summer Camp. The River Performing and Visual Arts Center has been serving individuals with disabilities since 1996. The summer camp program at The River provides an accessible, affordable, fine arts education for children, ages 4–19, who have disabilities and their siblings. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Financial aid is available. To register for classes, call The River at 713/520-1220 or visit tuts.com/river.
• June 17–August 12
Humphreys School Summer Camps. Theatre Under the Stars’ musical theater camps, for kids 4–6 and 7–12. See tuts.com.
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ONGOING
• Daily (Sun.–Fri.)
HIV Testing. Planned Parenthood offers free, anonymous, or confidential testing at clinic locations throughout the area. To speak with an HIV counselor: 1-800-230-PLAN. Dickinson: 281/337-7725. Fannin: 713/831-6543. FM1960: 281/587-8081. Greenspoint: 281/445-4553. Huntsville: 936/295-6396. Lufkin: 936/634-8446 x223. Rosenberg: 281/342-3950. Stafford: 281/494-9848.
• Daily (Mon.–Fri.)
HIV Testing. Free HIV testing, with no Gold Card or donation required or requested. 9am–1pm. HCHD Thomas Street Clinic, 2015 Thomas St. • 713/873-4157 • 713/873-4026.
• Daily (Mon.–Fri.)
HIV Testing. HACS, 2150 West 18th • 713/426-0027.
• Daily (Mon.–Fri.)
HIV Testing. Legacy Community Health Services provides free rapid HIV testing with results in 20 minutes at the following locations on a weekly basis. MONDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic (1415 California St.), 11am–6pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic (502 Lyons Ave.), 1–5pm; George Sports Bar, 6–9pm; EJ’s, 9pm–12am • TUESDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic, 11am–6pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic, 1–5pm; Midtowne Spa, 5–9pm; 611 Hyde Park Pub, 6:30–9pm • WEDNESDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic, 11am–6pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic, 1–5pm; Walgreens–Montrose, 4–8pm; Club Houston, 6–10pm; Crystal Night Club, 10pm–2am • THURSDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic, 11am–6pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic, 1–5pm; Walgreens–Lyons, 2–5pm; Midtowne Spa, 5–9pm.; Guava Lamp, 6:30–9pm; Ripcord, 6:30–10pm • FRIDAYS: Legacy Montrose Clinic, 11am–4pm; Club Houston, 1–4pm; Legacy Lyons Clinic, 1–5pm; TC’s Showbar, 4–8pm Tony’s Corner Pocket, 4:30–8:30pm. • Legacy Testing Calendar: http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/calendar.php?crd=legacytestingservices&
• Weekly (Sundays)
The Women’s Group, a feminist group for all women. 10:15am. First Unitarian Universalist Church’s Sojourner Truth Room, 5200 Fannin St. • 713/529-8571.
• Weekly (Mondays)
EMBody: Whole Health, Wellness and Resiliency peer group. 2pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
LBT Breast Cancer Survivors Support Group. 5pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
EMBody: Introduction to Yoga. 6pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
Depression Bipolar Support Group. 7pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
Helping TransGenders Anonymous, a facilitated support group for all transgenders, supporters, family, and significant others. 7pm. 604 Pacific St. • tgctr.org.
Fathers First. Houston’s original gay fathers group supports gay dads who are dealing with coming-out issues, and family and life challenges after being married to a woman. Meets every Monday except holidays. 7:30pm. Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, 1440 Harold St., Room 230 • fathersfirstofhouston.com.
• Weekly (Tuesdays)
EMBody: Mindfulness, Well-Being, Stress Reduction. 11am. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
HIV Support Group Lunch Brunch. 11am. Bering Memorial UMC, 1440 Harold, Room 214 • 713/526-1017, ext. 202.
HATCH’s Transgender Support Group and Speak Out for Youth. 5pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
• Weekly (Wednesdays)
Gulf Pride for Youth, a support group for GLBTIQA youth ages 13–20. 6–9pm. 707 23rd St., Galveston • gulfprideforyouth.org.
HIV Support Group BSSG. 6:30pm. Bering Memorial UMC, 1440 Harold, Fellowship Hall • 713/526-1017.
Zumba exercise class with Crystal Wall. 6:45pm. House of Deréon Media Center, 2204 Crawford St. • 713/772-5175.
Houston Pride Band seeks all brass, woodwind, and percussion players of all skill levels for rehearsal. 7:30pm. Bethel UCC, 1107 Shepherd Dr. • 713/315-2525 • houstonprideband.org.
• Weekly (Thursdays)
Center HIV Support Group. Facilitated support group for HIV-positive individuals. 6pm. Houston GLBT Community Center, Historic Dow School, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
Southern Country, a country-and-western dance troupe, offers free dance lessons. 8:30 p.m. Brazos River Bottom, 2400 Brazos St. • southerncountryhouston.com.
• Weekly (Fridays)
HATCH Youth Group. 7pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
• Weekly (Sundays)
HATCH Youth Group. 6pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
• Semi-monthly (1st and 3rd Fri.)
Positive Brothers United, a social/support group for GLBT, HIV-positive men of color. 6 pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • csmithpbu@yahoo.com • 713/454-7548.
• Monthly (1st Sun.)
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Houston provides educational presentations of LGBT topics, small-group confidential discussions, and supportive fellowship. 2pm. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 S. Main St. • pflaghouston.org. (NOTE: the April meeting will be held on the second Sunday this month—April 14.)
• Monthly (1st Thurs.)
OutLater. Gay fathers meet to discuss parenting, divorce, family, dating, relationships, and more. • facebook.com/outlater • outlater@resurrectionmcc.org.
• Monthly (1st Sat.)
First Saturday Arts Market. Local artists display and sell original works of art. 11am–6pm. Wind Water Gallery, 548 West 19th St. Free admission. yalestreetmarket.com.
First Saturday Queer Bingo benefits Houston GLBT Community Center. 4:30pm. Houston GLBT Community Center, Historic Dow School, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
• Monthly (2nd Tues.)
Free Legal Consultations for PWAs. AIDS Foundation Houston and Katine & Nechman L.L.P. offer 30 minutes of free legal consultation on any legal issue to persons with HIV and AIDS, by appointment. Katine & Nechman, 1111 North Loop West, Suite 180 • lawkn.com • info@lawkn.com • 713/808-1000.
• Monthly (2nd Thurs.)
Ryan White Planning Council. 11:30am. 2223 W. Loop South • rwpchouston.org • 713-572-3724.
SPRY Potluck for Seniors. 4pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
National Leather Association–Houston. Movie night. 7pm. Montrose Center, Room 106 • 832/744-8607.
• Monthly (2nd Sat.)
AssistHers helps lesbians coping with life-threatening illnesses by providing non-medical assistance. Volunteers meet for fellowship and education followed by lunch at a local restaurant. 9:30am–noon. Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, 1440 Harold St. • assisthers.org • 713/521-4628.
National Leather Association–Houston. Leather craft class. Noon. $20+materials. Locations vary. bihouse@comcast.net.
• Monthly (3rd Sun.)
LOAF Meet and Greet. Lesbians Over Age Fifty meet for munchies and fellowship. 2–4pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • loafhouston.org • 281/467-2578.
• Monthly (3rd Tues.)
Affected Community Committee of the Ryan White Planning Council. Noon. rwpchouston.org • 713-572-3724.
• Monthly (3rd Wed.)
Log Cabin Republicans. Theo’s Restaurant, 812 Westheimer • facebook.comgroups/102199491979/?fref=ts.
• Monthly (3rd Thurs.)
HIV Testing. 1pm. Houston GLBT Community Center, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
SPRY Counseling Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
EMBody: Understanding Mental Health Issues. Rotating topics: addiction, depression, anxiety, bipolar. 5pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
EMBody: To Cook or Not to Cook. Demystifying raw foods. 6pm. Montrose Center, 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org • 713/529-0037.
Share with PFLAG Houston in a safe, confidential setting. 7:30–9pm. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s Chatham Room, 1805 W. Alabama • pflaghouston.org.
• Monthly (3rd Fri.)
Triple D: Dykes, Dinner, and Discussion offers dinner and conversation about health, family, dating, equality, community awareness, and freedom of speech. 7pm. Houston GLBT Community Center, 1901 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.
• Monthly (3rd Sat.)
Discovery Green Flea by Night. Local music, kids’ activities, bicycle repair workshop, and 40+ vendors selling vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, and more. 6–10pm. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. • discoverygreen.com • 713/400-7336.
• Monthly (4th Sun.)
Share with the Clear Lake satellite of PFLAG Houston in a safe, confidential setting. 2–4pm. Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Hall, 17503 El Camino Real, Clear Lake • pflaghouston.org.
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