This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Thursday, January 20

We'll leave the hot dining tips to Robb Walsh, but should you find yourself at Jenni's Noodle House this evening, stick around. You'll be served by members of the Aurora Picture Show staff at the Celebrity Waitstaff Fundraiser. Aurora's Andrea Grover, Jill Wood, Eileen Maxson and Vinod Hopson will take your orders (and even your 'tude) for a good cause, as "Mister Lama" serenades you with some smooth karaoke tunes. There'll also be a mini-movie for your dining entertainment. Tip your waitstaff folks, as all gratuities go to the Aurora Picture Show. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 2130 Jefferson. For information, call 713-228-3400 or visit www.noodlesrule.com. Free.

Friday, January 21

Note to doodlers, scribblers and would-be artists: Ditch the "learn to draw" class you saw on that late-night infomercial and stick with the DIY method. With a stroke of good luck, you could end up like Paco Felici. The self-taught, Austin-based artist is drawing a huge following statewide and nationally for his simple latex-on-plywood paintings. Born in Brazil and raised in Latin America and Africa, the well-traveled Felici marries foreign cultures with American commercialism in works like Gum Stix, which features images of instantly recognizable but renamed chewing gum packs ("Big Red" becomes "Big Rojo," for example, while the familiar "Juicy Fruit" pack is now "Juicy Fruta"). With his cartoony, multicolored portraits appearing on book and CD covers and even in the upcoming flick The Wendell Baker Story, you'll be seeing a lot of Felici in the future. Meet him at today's opening reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Foxglove Antiques, 1420 West Alabama. For information, call 713-528-1513 or visit www.pacof.com. Free.

Saturday, January 22

If your thirst for cartoon art wasn't satiated by last night's Felici show, head to the Deborah Colton Gallery for "New Cartoon!" -- a mixed-media show featuring artists who use cartoons and illustrations to explore the social complexities of our oft-insane American society. The show includes works by Ai Kijima, who uses discarded fabrics to create retro cartoons, iconic illustrations and patterns. Artist collective Paper Rad (Jessica Ciocci, Jacob Ciocci and Benjamin Jones) will exhibit a video work of animation and works on paper. Cory Archangel will showcase hacked-open Nintendo game cartridges. And there's even some kinky cartoon action, with Texas artist Andy Coolquitt's plywood cutout animal figures positioned into freaky sexual encounters, which serve as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on what we deem "proper behavior." Now that's something we just don't get on The Simpsons. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 2500 Summer Street, third floor. For information, call 713-864-2364 or visit www.deborahcoltongallery.com. Free.

Sunday, January 23

We're not complaining, but with everyone doing benefit shows for tsunami relief, it can be hard to choose where to share the love. Tonight's Tsunami Relief Concertseems poignantly fitting, however, as it's a performance of Indonesia's traditional gamelan gong-chime music -- which incorporates hanging gongs, pot gongs, chime instruments and metallophones -- performed by local volunteer orchestra Space City Gamelan. The show serves as a refreshing reminder that not every image we have of Indonesia should be of death, devastation and chaos. The American Red Cross is the beneficiary of today's show, which starts at 8 p.m. Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex, 2201 Preston. For information, call 713-529-1819 or visit www.barnevelder.org. $15 suggested donation.

Monday, January 24

Just why did we love the Scream movies so? It's the mix of a sexy, brooding protagonist (Neve Campbell), the hot -- but expendable -- supporting cast, the hookups, the blood 'n' gore and the camp. Yes, done well, a good horror flick can be more entertaining than the best comedy. Tonight, get spooked by Charm, a promising horror offering from indie film collaborators Sarah Reed and Sadie Shaw. Stylistically sexy, the film follows Rosie, a cute heroine who frequents parties and dance clubs and has a bit of a violent streak. There's a killer rock soundtrack, high-art film references, plenty of gore and everyone's fave horror-flick staple: attractive nude people (because hey, frumpy, ugly folks being offed does nothing for us). Watch Rosie work her Charm at 9 p.m. Dean's Credit Clothing, 316 Main. For information, call 713-868-2101 or visit www.aurorapictureshow.org. $5.

Tuesday, January 25

Life sucks for professional hockey fans. This is supposed to be the glory time for the NHL, but with the big league sitting this one out, it's slim pickin's. Fortunately, local puck fans have the Houston Aeros, who've made a name for themselves by finding hot young talent and putting on the best live sports experience you can get for under $50 a seat. Tonight, the home boys take on the Milwaukee Admirals, whom they recently served a 7-0 beating, making it the team's biggest home win in its 11-year history. Watch Aeros stars like Rickard Wallin stick it to the hapless Midwesterners at 7:05 p.m. Toyota Center, 1510 Polk. For information, call 713-974-7825 or visit www.aeros.com. Tickets start at $11.

Wednesday, January 26

For DJs, it's all in the name. A phat tag can make you or break you, no matter how sharp your skills are on a table. So it's no surprise that Andre Sam-Sin has had such a strong, steady local presence, what with a ubiquitous moniker like DJ Sun. From his early days at the now defunct "Soulstice" to his weekly gigs at Brasil and now at Onion Creek, Sun has been the distinguished gentleman of local spinsters, always keeping it groove first, persona later. And while he was essentially a late bloomer (he picked up his first turntable set when he was 26), he has since become a household name. Tonight you can toast KPFT's Soular Grooves host at his birthday gig at the Rhythm Room. DJ Melodic and other guests join Sun, who'll do what he does best starting at 9 p.m. 1815 Washington Avenue. For information, call 713-864-6962 or visit www.rhythmroomhouston.com. Free.