In the market for some fresh modern dance with a little controversy on the side? Sara Draper's Dancepaththeatre, Houston's newest dance company, might be the ticket. Draper's new opus, Life Museum, taps the body as the source of moving ideas. "The body is a living museum for your whole life of activities, thoughts, and feelings -- it's all stored in your body," states Draper, whose credentials reflect numerous awards, including a gig at the Kennedy Center. No part will be left un-danced (Draper has even included a section called "le Derriere"). The controversy emerges with the premiere of New York-based choreographer Mario Zambrano's Amore. Zambrano's work was recently pulled from the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company's spring concert due to its political subject matter. "Since Dance-patheatre does not have a significant funding base that it could offend, we're starting off bringing in censored art so that the artist's voice can be heard," says Draper. Rounding out the program are Toni Leago Valle's choreographed works on the delicate subject of marital angst, LifeSavor and Glass Before Marriage. Dancepatheatre performs at 8 p.m., Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16, Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex, 2201 Preston. For reservations call 713-522-6000. $15.-- Nancy Galeota Wozny
Motormouth
Veteran comedian is still sonically tuned
Michael Winslow must frustrate the hell out of all the wannabe guitarists out
there who riff away in search of Jimi Hendrix's legendary chops. While their
fingers are bleeding, Winslow creates perfect covers of Jimi without a guitar.
The self-proclaimed "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects" centers his comedic performances
on a seemingly endless repertoire of auditory imitations, ranging from jet engines
roaring to wet socks sloshing. Best known as the mischievous Officer Jones on
the campy (and apparently never-ending) series of Police Academy movies, Win-slow
has perfected his craft over the years and become the shining star of the unique
genre of "comedians who imitate various noises onstage for no apparent reason."
8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16. Laff Spot,
17776 Texas Highway 249, Ste. 5A. For more information, call 281-955-9200 or
visit www.laffspot.com. $19.50. --
Keith Plocek
Seuss on Film
It’s a nightmarish scenario: In the cult-classic 1953 live action film
The 5000 Fingers of Dr T. (screenplay and songs by Dr. Seuss), little
Bart, who hates practicing piano, attempts to save 500 boys from the clutches
of evil piano teacher Dr. Terwilliker. Willikers!
Live piano by Mitch Pengra at 7:30 p.m., movie at 9 p.m., The Orange Show, 2401 Munger. For information, call 713-926-6368. $4. -- Troy Schulze
SUN 8/17
Blues Rock
Part Cirque du Soleil and part Vegas revue, Blue Man Group consists of a
trio of performers in peacock-blue grease paint who specialize in multimedia
sensory overload (and appearing in Pentium computer chip commercials). But now
the blue fellows want to rock. BMG takes its memorable stage show -- with its
trademark quirky, homemade musical instruments, edible props and a penchant
for audience interaction -- on the road for a full-on rock concert tour. BMG
has accentuated its usual P.D.Q. Bach-on-ecstasy shtick by adding a percussion-heavy
backing band and the post-grunge stylings of violinist/vocalist Tracy Bonham.
8 p.m., Sunday, August 17, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins
Drive, 713-629-3700. $20 - $45. -- Greg Barr