Houston is known for its steaminess, for its heat and for its
rising temperatures. Those usually have more to do with an ever-changing climate and less to do with some world-famous burlesque dancers coming into town, though. However, this weekend these dancers seem to be all to blame for Houston's change in temperature. Ruby Revue has landed at the House of Blues and takes the stage this weekend for a one-night-only performance, and that, by any standards, is a very good way to usher in summer. Catch these artists and more this weekend with this weekend's Best Bets.
click to enlarge Clearly someone's good at her job since the audience looks quite pleased.
Photo by Abdul Khan
Ginger Valentine, Angi B. Lovely and Lily Liqueur are just a few of the bodacious bombshells set to take the stage this
Friday night at the House of Blues. Aside from the tongue-in-cheek names, these women take what they do very seriously and work together as a troupe onstage to tantalize and entice. The show goes on this Friday night at the House of Blues. These performers may leave the city of Houston even steamier than they found it.
10:00 p.m. Friday. The Bronze Peacock at The House of Blues, 1204 Caroline. For information, visit rubyrevue.com. $27 to $42.
click to enlarge Marilyn may not have been a burlesque dancer herself, but she remains remembered for being just as vivacious as one.
Photo by Pin Lim
It seems some stars burn so brightly that they belong to the world and not just Hollywood. Which is how prize-winning Portuguese playwright Armando Nascimento Rosa came to write
The Real Mother of Marilyn Monroe – a psychological thriller set during the last few days before her death, which had its world premiere in Portugal last October. “He brilliantly constructed plots where we deal with different layers of identity,” says Clara Ploux, who directs the just-translated English version, now making its American premiere courtesy of Luciole International Theatre Company. “With each answer there is a new question arising; that keeps the plot going.” Ploux says Rosa did a lot of research about Monroe and blends historical facts with his own fiction, which leaves audience members desperately trying to figure out which parts are true and rushing home to Google for answers. Or ask Rosa yourself during talkbacks this
Friday through
Sunday and June 2-3.
8 p.m. Friday. Also Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and May 31; 3 p.m. Sundays. May 26 through June 4. The MATCH, 3400 Main. For information, call 713-521-4533 or visit matchouston.org. $15 to $45.
click to enlarge The star of this summer's newest exhibit, the Humboldt penguin.
Photo courtesy of Moody Gardens
The flightless bird is the star this summer at Moody Gardens’ Humboldt penguins exhibit as the organization reveals its $37 million, newly renovated
Aquarium Pyramid. These birds are black and white yet pink all over — thanks to the patches of featherless bare skin that allow them to thrive in warmer climates — and sure to be a hit with parents and kiddos alike beginning this
Saturday. “You’ll be able to get right up to the glass and see them. They have distinct personalities,” says PR coordinator Ashley Tompkins. Always the wise woman, Mother Nature designed these creatures to endure a desertlike habitat since most are found in the coastal areas of Peru and Chile.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday through May 29; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 30 through June 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 3. Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard, Galveston. For information, call 1-800-582-4673 or visit
moodygardens.org. $31.95 adults; $25.95 seniors age 65 and older and children ages four to 12; children three years and younger free.
Ancient Cat Society will surprise with two of the album's leading tracks that borrow from neighboring genre R&B.
Photo by Lauren Marek
On their brand-new, eponymous and first official LP, Houston’s Ancient Cat Society seems to exist in the past and present all at once. Within the contemporary arrangements of these seemingly old-time folk tunes lie some of Sergio Trevino and Haley Barnes’s strongest songwriting to date. Born from the ranks of Buxton and Dollie Barnes, among other local indie-folk groups of note, ACS set themselves apart with image-rich songwriting and three-part harmonies that at times almost sound like listening to one voice. Although this new LP is mostly folky tunes, do not underestimate the trio’s power to surprise with the straight-up R&B arrangement of “Why Are You Getting Married?” or “Do You Feel,” the catchiest song on the album. Notwithstanding the top-notch production by SugarHill’s Steve Christensen, once that modern veil is lifted listeners will find themselves somewhere very old, almost timeless, yet very familiar. Take in the sounds of ACS's new album through a different approach, different from the traditional concert where artists perform for you live. Instead listen this
Saturday with the artist and enjoy the sounds together.
8 p.m. Saturday. The Heights Theater, 339 West 19th. For information, call 713-861-6070 or visit prekindle.com. $20 to $30.
Sam Byrd, Matthew Keever and Susie Tommaney contributed to this post.