Press Picks

wednesday
october 5
Variation on a Theme: Herter Brothers and Classicism The Rice Design Alliance (membership is open to the general public and they do have wonderful parties) has "The Classical Idea" as the subject for the fall lecture series. Katherine Howe is tonight's speaker and the curator of decorative arts at the Museum of Fine Arts. She is also co-curator of "Herter Brothers: Furniture and Interiors for a Gilded Age." Howe will speak about the changing interpretations of classical motif in 19th-century design. Attending lectures in a cool, dim auditorium is something everyone should enjoy. You can sit quietly, scribble a few notes if you like and then go out for cocktails. Attending a well-prepared lecture gives you a chance to rest those work-weary bones as well as something to think about. Museum of Fine Arts, Brown Auditorium, 1001 Bissonnet, 526-1361. $10.