HIWI (Houston. It’s Worth It.): The Party

Any proud Houstonian with friends in New York, L.A. or Portland can appreciate the “Houston. It’s Worth It.” campaign. After listening to an out-of-towner wax disrespectful of our lack of nice weather, culture, mountains, decent transit system and everything else that makes their town so superior, your fists are likely to cramp from the clenching. You can let them relax at HIWI (Houston. It’s Worth It.): The Party, where you’ll meet others who share your H-town love, such as Dave Thompson and Randy Twaddle. The pair created the HIWI campaign in response to the why-would-you-want-to-live-there attitude.

“Randy said, ‘The campaign should be honest, it should be funny and self-effacing and it should immediately acknowledge other people’s perceptions of us,” Thompson says. “Because before we can get into meaningful conversation, it has to be put forth that we understand the way you feel about us. We get it. We know the jokes: heat, humidity. We came up with ‘The 20 Inflictions’ that ended with ‘Houston. It’s Worth It.’” From here the two developed a Web site for folks to tell them why, and eventually asked people to show them why with photographs. That developed into a photo show at Houston Center for Photography in August, and that became a book that has its release today. So show up, meet others who understand why the complications of this city add to its charm and pick up a copy. That way, when out-of-towners pose the question, you can point to it and say, “That’s why.” 6:30 p.m. Lawndale Arts Center, 4912 Main. For information, call 713-942-0722 or visit www.houstonitsworthit.com. Free.
Thu., Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m., 2007