This is a must-see: A 40-foot-long, four-foot-high replica of a human colon is coming to town. The organ, which has already seen the sights in D.C., Miami, Atlanta and Little Rock, will set up shop at the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science. The Colossal Colon Tour's well-traveled showpiece looks like a curled-up tequila worm from the outside, but its inner lining is red and shiny, with some poop dabbled on the walls for effect (kidding). Visitors are invited to crawl through the thing, just like little turds, to learn more about their innards. This is supposed to teach them how to detect and prevent colorectal cancer. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10. 1515 Hermann Drive. For information, call 713-942-7054 or visit www.checkyourinsidesout.org. Free.
Friday, May 9
Most race car drivers start out racing go-karts, only moving on to cars after
they've gotten some skills. The process can take years, and some racers never
graduate to the next level. That's why the Red Bull Driver Search, which
is coming to the Davy Jones KartZone, is a major opportunity. The search is
open to racers with no experience; and come September, the winners will be zipping
along in "some badass rides," as Jay Marroquin of KartZone puts it. And he doesn't
mean go-karts. Houston aspirants have until today to qualify for the event by
racing against the clock. The fastest 40 will be whittled down to four winners
in races held Saturday, May 10, and Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18. Those
four will go on to a national competition. The ultimate winner will attend driving
school, get sponsorship from Red Bull and possibly compete in Formula 1. For
a full schedule of events, call 713-781-6363 or visit www.kartzone.
net. 6111 Skyline Drive. $20 for eight minutes (plus a onetime $7 licensing
fee).
Saturday, May 10
Who says ballet has to be stuffy? Paul Taylor's Company B is known
as "the boogie-woogie ballet." Set to World War II-era pop songs by the Andrews
Sisters (like "Rum and Coca-Cola"), the choreography refers to the jitterbug
and other dances of the time. Company B isn't all goofiness, though;
it also has scenes of loss and loneliness meant to reflect the effects of war
on the nation's psyche. Houston Ballet will be performing Company B along
with George Balanchine's The Four Temperaments and Stanton
Welch's Indigo in a series of free performances at Miller Outdoor
Theatre. 8 p.m. today; Friday, May 9; and Sunday, May 11. 100 Concert Drive.
For information, call 713-284-8350 or visit www.houstonballet.org.
Free.
Sunday, May 11
Impress Mom with your sophistication this Mother's Day by taking her to a concert
by the Die Like a Dog Trio presented by the Pauline Oliveros Foundation.
Members Peter Brotzmann, William Parker and Hamid Drake make up one of the world's
most respected free jazz combos. Tell your muddah not to be offended by the
group's name, which is a reference to the tragic death of the members' hero,
saxophonist and "Free Jazz Messiah" Albert Ayler. Tip: If you can somehow distract
the woman who gave you life when you're buying tickets, maybe she won't notice
that you didn't pay for hers (moms and kids 15 and under get free admission).
8 p.m. Barnevelder Movement/Arts Center, 2201 Preston. For information, call
713-928-5653 or visit www.pofinc.org/houston.
$13.
Monday, May 12
Considering that H-town is America's fattest city, our eateries should always
have job opportunities. Chef Michel LeBorgne, founder of the respected
New England Culinary Institute, visits Houston today to talk about trends and
opportunities in the food biz. He'll also perform a cooking demonstration, preparing
scallops with potatoes and spinach in a soy sauce beurre blanc. None for you,
though; guests get only light appetizers. Looks like LeBorgne is doing his part
to keep the Houstonian waistline in check. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stanford Financial
Group's Eagle Room, 5050 Westheimer, first floor. For information, call 713-964-5234
or visit www.neculinary.com. Free.
Tuesday, May 13
Keith Kachtick's book Hungry Ghost stars Carter Cox, a womanizing,
substance-abusing New Yorker looking for a more meaningful life. He promptly
meets Mia Malone, a University of Texas art history grad student, at a Buddhist
retreat. Malone is 26 and -- get this -- a virgin. The two set off on an adventure
to Morocco together, where they smash their rental car, get arrested and maybe
even fall in love. Kachtick, who lives in New York but grew up in Houston, reads
today. We dare you to raise your hand and ask him if Malone's character is based
on a living, breathing person. 7:30 p.m. Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial
Drive. For information, call 281-497-8675. Free.
Wednesday, May 14
Talk about bizarre: Lyman Shepard has made a name for himself by impersonating
Frank Lloyd Wright. Wearing a flowing cape and porkpie hat, Shepard uses narration
and slides to tell the story of the master architect's life. The controversial
Wright, who had many an affair and once said, "I intend to be the greatest architect
of all time," provides Shepard with plenty of dramatic material. The impersonator
performs his shtick today with a catered reception and dessert intermission
at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture Theatre at the University of
Houston (entrance no. 16 off Cullen Boulevard). 6 p.m. For information, call
713-898-6868 or visit www.agchouston.org.
$30.
