Leaps, Leather and Lingerie

THU 9/22
The ballet world doesn't pass its torches often, so when a young choreographer is featured alongside top-shelf dancemakers -- as is the case in Houston Ballet's "Mentors & Prodigy" -- you'd better believe the young'un is good. The "choreographic sampler" features three pieces: Jirí Kylián's Forgotten Land, Stanton Welch's Divergence and the premiere of 23-year-old Brian Enos's Dark and Lovely, Mmmm… Enos, who studied and performed with Houston Ballet in his late teens, confesses that the other choreographers are "a little bit intimidating." The Czech-born Kylián is one of the world's most prolific choreographers; 1981's Forgotten Landis a contemporary piece that explores the concept of the sea engulfing the land. Welch, Houston Ballet's artistic director, says his energetic, all-company Divergence(which premiered in 2004) strives to "reveal the mechanics of classical ballet."

The music of Bach guides Enos's nine dancers, clad in black leather corsets against a stark white backdrop. At first, the movement is strongly classical, but, says Enos, the end of the piece is "an explosion." 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 22. Show runs through October 2. Brown Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas. For tickets and showtimes, call 713-227-2787 or visit www.houstonballet.org. Tickets start at $17. -- Julia Ramey

Got a Minute?

Then it's time to share your musical talent with Houston

David Dove of the Deep Listening Institute has a theory: "For one minute," he says, "nothing is boring." So two years ago, he devised "60 Minutes of Minutes," an hour-long concert of 60 musicians playing 60 one-minute solos. The kicker: Anyone can play anything. Past performers have showcased skills on violin and guitar, while others have played slide whistles, beat on buckets of water and even played a Speak & Spell into a microphone. "I have no idea what's gonna happen," says Dove. "But at best, I think this show reflects the true diversity of music in Houston." (At worst, we're guessing, it'll be freaking chaos.) Need to get loosened up before your big moment? Then show up at 5:30 p.m. for "120 Minutes of Cocktails." (Funny, we usually just call that "lunch.") 8:30 p.m. Saturday, September 24. Barnevelder Movement/ Arts Complex, 2201 Preston. For registration, call 713-928-5653 or visit www.pofinc.org/houston. Free. -- Steven Devadanam

Femme Fest

SAT 9/24
Call it Houston's own Lilith Fair: The 11th annual Houston Women's Festival offers up food, music, art and culture in celebration of what we all know ain't the weaker sex. This year's festival will showcase emerging new artists, as well as some veteran favorites. Nosh on turkey legs and guzzle beer to the sounds of music headliners Melissa Ferrick, Patrice Pike and Susan Gibson. Hmm…grub, booze, music and women -- how else would anyone want to spend a Saturday? Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, September 24. Jones Plaza, 600 Louisiana. For information, visit www.hwfestival.org. $12 to $15. -- Alicia Nuzzie

Buttered Up

WED 9/28
The San Antonio quartet Buttercup has made a living with off-kilter performances, which include playing to each audience member -- individually -- or marching through downtown San Antonio playing their instruments. The shows became so popular that a documentary on them, Goodbye Blue Monday!, was released last year. The group stops by Super Happy Fun Land for a concert that's a little Neil Young, a little Talking Heads and a little crazy. 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 28. 2610 Ashland. For tickets, call 713-880-2100 or visit www.superhappyfunland.com. -- Steven Devadanam