Houston Ranks Low in Health, Fitness Survey (But We’re Better Than Dallas!)
Updated 3:30 p.m.: The article was updated to clarify the study and include comment from a study co-author. It might be all that barbecue, the late-night bar hopping or the fact it just makes more sense to drive wherever you have to go (we really wish we had the adventurous…
War Horse Packs an Emotional Wallop and Joey the Horse Is the Star
The set-up: The fabulous curmudgeon of vaudeville and film, W.C. Fields, who knew all the tricks about how to steal a scene, is supposed to have said, “Never work with children or animals.” The audience zeroes in on the adorable tyke or equally appealing dog (Lassie, anyone?), penguin (Mary Poppins,…
Reality Bites: Total Divas
There are a million reality shows on the naked television. We’re going to watch them all, one at a time. It often seems like I’m the only male of my generation who didn’t pay attention to professional wrestling as a lad. Most of my knowledge of of those guys came…
Ten Things You Wish You Knew Before Moving to Houston
We’re the second fastest growing city in America, which means we’ve got lots of new folks living in and around the area. A lot of what people know about Houston comes from popular media and doesn’t really prepare them for living here. At least that’s been our experience in dealing…
The United States of Desserts: New York Cheesecake
In this series, we examine the history and origins of famous sweets, confections and desserts associated with American states. Cheesecake, like everything else of merit in this world, was invented in America, specifically, New York City. NOT. (I bet I had you there for a second. Relax (for now) and…
“Visual Blight” or a Cheaper Bridge for METRO?
Updated May 29: This story was updated to include information from an interview with METRO Board Chairman Gilbert Garcia. Members of METRO’s Board of Directors who were in attendance at a meeting last week voted unanimously to build an overpass at Hughes Street. The problem: Some East Side residents don’t…
Hands on a Hardbody: For People Who Want to Drive Away to a Better Place
A group of people stand around a truck. They’re in Longview, Texas and the summer sun is burning. There are rules. “You can’t lean on the truck. You have to keep one hand on it at all times. Each person in the competition has to wear a glove on their…
Kevin Naderi Talks Lillo & Ella and Lunch & Brunch
Last week was a big one for Kevin Naderi. The chef of Roost not only opened his second restaurant, Lillo & Ella, but also braved the television game show circuit, appearing on Sunday’s episode of the Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games. He came in second on the show–“I was the…
Old 97’s at Fitzgerald’s, 5/27/2014
Old 97’s, Lydia Loveless Fitzgerald’s May 27, 2014 In band years, the Old 97’s have now reached what you might call their Tattoo You period, settling into a solid signature sound while fighting off early-middle-age complacency and retaining the ability to surprise people a little. But if comparing them to…
This Week in Food Blogs: A Spicy, Meaty Burger at Hobbit Cafe & Saint Arnold’s New Brew
A Little Leaven: When you take a trip to a different country, or even a different state, you usually find a favorite dish, treat or snack that you can only have when you’re in that area. Stacy reminisced about the corn Popsicles she had 15 years ago while on a…
Texas Lifeguards Are Still Taught Potentially Harmful Technique
So it’s one of those gorgeous Houston July days where it’s 98 degrees and 1,000 percent humidity, and your kid wants to go to the public pool with his friends. An hour later, he’s in the deep end with a charley horse, succumbing to panic. A few seconds later, he’s…
Meet Joey, the Puppet Marvel at the Center of War Horse
Your average theatrical presentation features a whole bunch of moving parts. It’s easy to celebrate an amazing actor or a well written script; those parts are the ones often highlighted on posters and previews. But past meaty lines and actors who disappear in to their work is the technical side…
Dear America: Let It Go About Sagging Pants
Whether you’re sitting in an independent coffee shop sipping a drink whose name has a Scrabble score in the triple digits, knocking back mass-produced beer in a dive club or merely taking time out of your soccer momming to head to the grocery store for Funyuns, there is apparently a…
The First Pool Dunk Zapruder Analysis Tells Us, “Summer Is Here!”
While the official start of summer according to things like the earth’s rotation, the solstice and the gods is June 21, the symbolic start to the summer, in most places, is Memorial Day weekend. Except in Houston, where summer officially starts when the temperature reaches 90 for the first time…
Beyond Screwdrivers & Mimosas: 5 Best Orange Juice Cocktails to Try
There’s a time in most people’s lives in which making a orange-flavored cocktail involved dumping some Smirnoff in OJ (for me, this was up until last week). But orange juice need not only be a mixer for vodka and cheap champagne. Try these more innovative orange libations at your next…
Fantasy Crime League Update: Another Ravens Running Back in Trouble With the Law
The Baltimore Ravens have made frequent trips to the police blotter pay window during this 2014 offseason. This we all know. Now, if you’re a member of the Ravens’ coaching and public relations staff, the team’s crime spree has been a nightmare, with frequent distractions and with press conferences the…
Sarah Penrod Represents Houston on Food Network Star Season 10
Food Network is looking for the next star to host a new cooking show this year, and Sarah Penrod, from League City, has been selected as a finalist. Penrod is joined by 11 other contestants vying for the title of Next Food Network Star. But this isn’t her first rodeo…
100 Creatives 2014: Jennifer Mathieu, Author of Young Adult Novel The Truth About Alice
Jennifer Mathieu, a former Houston Press writer turned teacher and novelist, has just released her debut novel for young adults, The Truth About Alice. While the book is aimed at teens, Mathieu says she doesn’t consider herself an young adult author. “When I sit down and write, I picture teenagers…
Beer Can Chicken, Five Ways
They say you haven’t truly lived until you’ve stuck a can of beer up a chicken’s ass. Okay, so maybe nobody says that, but they should because it’s true. Beer can chicken is a way of life. The method, as Neanderthal as it may seem, is actually quite ingenious. As…
Hurricane Season 2014: Predictions Call for Below Average Year
To borrow and mangle a quote from Groundhog Day, “Well, it’s hurricane season…again.” Beginning June 1, anyone who lives along the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea or Atlantic Ocean starts to cast a wary eye on the tropics. As the temperatures warm up through summer, so does most of the…
Milk Carton Kids Learn to Keep Pushing Each Other
Despite the fact that The Milk Carton Kids released their Grammy-nominated album The Ash & Clay in 2013, to Joey Ryan — one of the Americana-folk duo’s two singer-guitarists — it might as well have been during the 20th century when he tries to recall what the band’s mindset was…
10 TV Shows to Binge Watch This Summer
It always makes me sad when another television season comes to a close. It will be a long, hot summer until I get to see some of my TV friends, and even more depressing is that a lot of them won’t be coming back. But without your weekly shows to…
New Set Revisits Billy Joel’s Rocket to Russia
Billy Joel: A Matter of Trust — The Bridge to Russia Columbia Legacy When Billy Joel made the trek to Russia to play a series of concerts in the summer of 1987, he had probable cause to believe that, instead of metaphorically killing the audience, they might literally kill him…
The 10 Best Electronic Acts at Free Press Summer Fest
Above & Beyond Listen, I get it: most FPSF-loving folks are going to go see Jack White. I understand: real rock, future legend, “Seven Nation Army,” etc. etc. And I imagine that nothing I tell you will convince you otherwise. All I’m saying is that I can’t think of many…
Battle of the Beach Music: 1984 vs. 2014
I’ve never been a fan of the beach. My family is about it, though, so sometime this summer I’ll be sitting someplace that smells worse than a Red Lobster Dumpster introducing new grains of sand to my ass crack. My parents were from Galveston, but they hated the beach. We…
Storm Casualty? Woman Dies After Tree Limb, Power Line Fall (Update)
Updated 4:50pmA 51-year-old woman died today after Houston Police said it appears a large falling tree limb struck her in the head. Police won’t say if it was weather related, however. The woman was found lying in the driveway of her home around 7:30 a.m., in the 11000 block of…
Group to Release Update on Homeless Population
Houston’s homeless problem has been considered in decline for a couple of years running. At least the stronghold that is downtown is reportedly showing a thinning of the homeless population. With around 8,000 homeless people living on the streets, it’s still hard to tell if that’s the case. Read: Houston’s…
Feeling Rejected? Try Some Diversionary Activities That Don’t Involve Murder
It’s been four days now since 22-year old Elliot Rodger murdered six people in Santa Barbara, CA. The deep dive into Rodger’s background and motivations began within hours, but most people seem to agree that Rodger … murdered six people in Santa Barbara, CA. That’s not entirely accurate. I think…
Manny Ramirez, Player-Coach. No, Really…Manny Ramirez, PLAYER-COACH!
If you were constructing a list of former (or almost former) Major League Baseball players who would go on to have a career in coaching young players, the list would probably have your requisite number of try-hard catchers, hard-luck pitchers and respected franchise icons. Depending on how many hundreds of…
Calle 13 at House of Blues, 5/26/2014
“So how are these guys?” asked my security-guard friend at the House of Blues as I entered the photo pit Monday night. “I hear they are a reggaeton group, but that’s all I know.” “I guess that’s technically true” I answered. “They are from Puerto Rico and have roots in…
The Beaux’ Strategem Is a Hit-and-Miss Endeavor at HFAC
The setup: Prolific playwright Ken Ludwig is a master of farces, and has a string of award nominations and many wins, to prove it – you may have seen Lend Me a Tenor or his musical Crazy for You, both Broadway hits that are widely done. Thornton Wilder – bear…
Lawsuit: Jailers Ignored Woman as She Gave Birth in Cell — and the Baby Died
A woman jailed in Wichita County two years ago for drug possession says jail guards and a nurse ignored her pleas for help as she gave birth alone in a jail cell. Nicole Guerrero claims in her lawsuit, filed in a Dallas federal court, that she was 8 1/2 months…
Read This and Drink: Imbibe!
Usually when we write about books on the blog, they’re cookbooks. This book is a little different. Part recipe book, part cocktail history and all rollicking ride through the stories that shaped the modern cocktail bar, David Wondrich’s tome–whose complete title is Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a…
UPDATED: Xanadu at Stages Makes a Much Better Musical Than the Movie It Started Out As
The setup: Xanadu was a 1980 film starring Olivia Newton-John, about which a debate still rages: Was it, or wasn’t it, the worst film musical ever made? (Those who vote “Yes” may never have seen Paint Your Wagon.) Though Xanadu has since become a cult classic, and delights audiences at…
Bring-Your-Own-Bowl: Tasting Ramen With Ramen in Common
When Carl Rosa started the Ramen in Common Facebook group in April 2013, Houston was just in the fledgling stages of the ramen craze. Since then, we’ve seen several new ramen restaurants open. The group has grown its membership to 800-plus, and has a huge voice on the ramen scene…
Turn-Around-Don’t-Drown Weather We’re Having Today
Update: We’ve added a screencap of road closures from Houston Transtar on the next page. A flood warning was issued this morning for Harris County, an upgrade from a flash flood watch overnight. Houston has received around 2 to 4 inches of rain so far since getting hit by rainfall…
Pop Rocks: Denzel Washington Brings Back Television’s The Equalizer
As someone who grew up watching a lot of television, I have a fairly decent list of underrated and under-appreciated shows that didn’t last. But, it isn’t just shows of my youth that make the list. More recent series on my list include Chuck, Reaper, Leverage and even Friday Night…
Houston Airline Passenger Goes to Hospital After Cocaine Packets Break in His Stomach
It may have been a case of lax airport security or the fact that pilots don’t get the full cavity search the rest of us get when we travel. Then again, the time-tested method of swallowing packets of drugs to smuggle across borders is still a tried-and-true way for narco…
The Rocks Off 200 Jo Bird, Bow-Caster of Fiddle Witch & the Demons of Doom
Welcome to The Rocks Off 200, our portrait gallery of the most compelling profiles and personalities in the far-flung Houston music community — a lot more than just musicians, but of course they’re in there too. See previous entries in the Rocks Off 100 at this link. Who? Jo Bird…
100 Favorite Dishes 2014-15: No. 94, Combo Catracho at Mi Bella Honduras Restaurant
Once again, Kaitlin Steinberg is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes as we work our way toward our annual Menu of Menus® issue and culinary extravaganza. She’ll compile a collection of the dishes she thinks are the most delicious, most creative and, of course,…
Middletown Offers an Invigorating Blast of Powerhouse Theater at Catastrophic
The set-up: There’s the miracle of birth, there’s the mystery of death, and then there’s everything else in between. No contemporary playwright writes with such passion, theatricality, and comedy about the “in between” than Will Eno (Thom Paine (based on nothing), The Flue Season, The Realistic Joneses). In a thoroughly…
Has Anyone Seen Former Astro Hunter Pence’s Stolen Scooter?
I realize that on the list of uplifting activities, “following former Astros” ranks somewhere between explosive diarrhea and Faces of Death 13. Life hasn’t been easy since we lost our Major League Baseball team in Houston a few years ago, and when you lose something you love, seeking out the…
Johnny Manziel Was in Vegas and Seems to Be Handling Third String Just Fine
Johnny Manziel has been America’s sporting obsession for the better part of the past 18 months. To wit, this is like my 50th blog post centered around Manziel during that time frame (conservatively estimated, by the way), and just as many have been about the reaction to Johnny as there…
Chris Shepherd to Host Waffle House-Style Dinner at Hay Merchant
Remember back before he was a James Beard Award winner when Underbelly’s Chris Shepherd used to sling hash browns in a lowly Waffle House? OK, so it was a one-time gig this past February to practice for the Waffle House Smackdown, a short-order cooking competition at the 2014 Charleston Wine…
Houston Ballet Performs Work by Modern Masters
The Setup: Houston Ballet is in the middle of its run of Modern Masters, a mix-rep program that features work by Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, and William Forsythe. Last Thursday night’s opening performance featured some of the company’s finest dancing in recent memory, including standout bits danced by Karina Gonzalez, Connor…
Top 5 Things to Buy at Spec’s Besides Booze
Teetotalers need not wait in the car while their friends are making a booze run at Spec’s. The multi-location outlet may be most well known for its beer, wine, and liquor selection, but there are many items on offer that you should also consider putting in your shopping cart. And…
The 10 Best Rap Acts at Free Press Summer Fest
Childish Gambino These are three of my favorite Childish Gambino lyrics: “I am running this bitch, you are just a dog walker”; “I have worked all winter, I will not fail summer/ In the back of the bush like Gavin Rossdale’s drummer”; “Swag out the ass, I’m the man, fuck…
Rap-Metal Is Back…and It’s Good
Metal is an ever-turning and twisting genre, following wormholes into subgenres and melding any and all techniques and sounds along the way in a constant struggle to create something new and original. It doesn’t always work, and anyone who lived through the ’90s can attest that the addition of hip-hop…
UPDATED: Brisk Craigslist Trade for Summer Fest Passes
UPDATE (Tuesday, 1:20 p.m.): FPSF jefe Omar Afra wrote in urging anyone using Craigslist for festival tickets to use caution, saying FPSF has dealt with a steady stream of complaints about counterfeit passes in its five-year existence. Obviously, not only would bogus wristbands not get you into the festival, they’re…
The Doubleclicks: Their Music Is About More Than Being Nerds
In what will likely be their only appearances in Texas this year, musician duo The Doubleclicks (aka sisters Angela Webber and Aubrey Webber) performed at Comicpalooza this past Saturday and Sunday. The duo writes and performs songs with a geeky bent. They’re kind of like the female version of Paul…
Meet Miltos Yerolemou, the “Dancing Instructor” of Game of Thrones
George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones novels have plenty of characters with ambiguous morality, but a few were written as heroes. Syrio Forel was one, and he (apparently) died to save his swordfighting student, Arya Stark. Forel’s death was “offscreen,” both in the books and in the television…
DJ Tony Touch Puts The Flat in the Groove
“It goes uh, ah! Off the snare drum. Tony Toca, long time no hear from…” It was around the year 2000 when I was first introduced to the confident, nasal delivery of Nuyorican rapper/producer/DJ Tony Touch. Every month, I would go to the Houston Pubic Library downtown to check out…
Beachgoers Reminded About Deadly Stretch
There have been a number of drownings near San Luis Pass. The strait is located at the southwestern tip of Galveston Island, and has taken on a reputation as a deadly spot for swimmers. Not because of Jaws or anything, but because of the dangerous rip currents and sudden drop-offs…
Morrissey at Julie Rogers Theatre, Beaumont, 5/25/2014
Attending a Morrissey show is a strange experience. People cry, and cry, and cry and cry and cry. Last night Beaumont’s Julie Rogers Theatre was full of sobbing concertgoers: one to the left, one to the right, and countless others throughout the venue. The only time it’s acceptable to sob…
Dish of the Week: The Jucy Lucy
This week, we’re sharing a recipe for the Jucy Lucy — just in time for grilling season. A Jucy Lucy — or Juicy Lucy, depending who you believe came up with it — is a burger with the cheese stuffed inside the meat. As the patty cooks on the flattop…
Women Can Run in Red States, But Pretty Is What Gets Elected, Dartmouth Study Says
If state Sen. Wendy Davis hadn’t been a pretty, blond, clearly feminine woman, would she have ever had the chance to stage a filibuster? Would Ann Richards have been governor if she didn’t have a girl face? We kind of thought the days of a woman being judged by how…
You Don’t Need a Fancy Ballpark to Be Competitive
The Chicago Cubs are going to do some major renovations to Wrigley Field. The team’s going to spend millions of dollars on attorneys to do so, because the renovations will affect the ability of the owners of the buildings across the street from Wrigley to sell access to rooftop seats…
“The Hulk” Doesn’t Stand Still; Lou Ferrigno Is as Busy as Ever
The Incredible Hulk television series may have ended in 1982, but to this day, Lou Ferrigno still epitomizes the character for millions of fans. It is by no coincidence that he provided The Hulk’s® voice for the Incredible Hulk 2008 feature film and in The Avengers. (Listen for him again…
Journey at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 5/23/2014
Journey Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion May 23, 2014 “Helllllooooo Dallllllaaaaaasssssssss!!!” proclaimed Journey front man Arnel Pineda as he made his way to the stage. “Dallllllaaaassssss!!!!”, he shouted again. A cacophony of screams came from all around the nearly sold-out Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, “Hoooouuuuuussssssttttttooooonnnnn!!!” Not a good start, guys. Thankfully,…
Don’t Be Surprised When Jay Z Doesn’t Come to Your Memorial Weekend Wedding
Let’s say this out loud and not feel bad about whomever’s feelings this may hurt because really they know, and if they don’t, they need to: Getting married over Memorial Day weekend is sort of selfish. Getting married over any three-day weekend or nationally celebrated holiday is greedy, but there…
The Five Best Spots in Houston for Take-Out and a Picnic
What is up with this Spring? Usually by this time of year we’re all cranking up the ACs as high as they can go and wishing we had oxygen masks when we go outside so we could breathe a little easier in the hot soup-like air. But something weird is…
Houston Second in Population Growth, Census Says
Humidity, hurricanes and no zoning laws weren’t enough to keep people away. According to US Census data, from 2012 to 2013, Houston was second in population growth behind New York. H-Town added an estimated 35,202 residents from July 1, 2012, to July 1, 2013. New York was far ahead, adding…
The Ten Most Common Grilling Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
“Do I still have eyebrows?” my fiancé said to me a couple of weeks ago after he was standing too close to my parents’ outdoor grill. You see, we turned the grill on, started talking and forgot to turn the heat down. Once we opened the grill, a blast of…
My Babies Watched TV. Am I a Bad Mother?
A few years ago my husband and I had lunch with some friends and their children. Their youngest son spent the entirety of our meal watching a Nickelodeon show that neither one of us could pronounce on his mother’s iPhone. At one point he dropped the phone on the floor…
The Reckless Abandon of “New Age Flake” Lydia Loveless
Lydia Loveless is animalistic. She’s fickle and she’s wild. Sometimes, the Ohio-bred farm girl is charming and almost vulnerable — but that “purr” is almost always closely trailed by a razor-sharp hiss. Her contradictions don’t end there; Loveless’ powerhouse voice and lyrical insight also defy her tender age. “When people…
Ten Things That Could Go Wrong With Brazil’s World Cup
Oh, Brazil. Beautiful Brazil. Poor-at-planning Brazil. The World Cup kicks off in less than three weeks, and there are tons of problems, with more potentially on the way. We decided to take a look at 10 things that could go wrong, and are going wrong, with the 2014 World Cup…
G.R.I.T. Boy Poppy’s Grouch Green Puffs Thick Clouds of Kush Culture
Poppy of Houston rap group the G.R.I.T. Boys is ready to show the world what he’s been cooking up on his recent mixtape Grouch Green, displaying real versatility and storytelling ability as he channels his inner kush connoisseur. In addition to his G.R.I.T. Boys success, you may also remember him…
The 10 Best Rock Acts at Free Press Summer Fest
The Caldwell The Caldwell front man James Essary and his crew take inspiration from the likes of Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, The Smiths and many more rock legends. Their straightforward modern-rock sound comes with a tinge of mischievousness, a lot of loud, and an infectious. Last year’s debut EP, Modern…
The Five Best Shows in Houston This Week: Old 97’s, Zakk Wylde, Kashmere Stage Band, etc.
Debonair Lounge Cafe 4212, May 26 Since approximately Labor Day 2013 — so about six months now — the only way to get each week off on a good foot has been at this Museum District oasis of cool. Debonair Lounge has already welcomed a who’s who of Houston’s hottest…
Drum Roll, Please. The Alley Announces Its 7th Play Next Season: George Gerschwin Alone
Filling in the final blank on its dance card, the Alley Theatre announces today that the seventh play it will present next season will be George Gershwin Alone with Hershey Felder as the man who wrote all those amazing songs. According to the Alley’s press release: The show includes songs…
An Early Look at the Costumes of Comicpalooza 2014
Judging by the turn out for day one of Comicpalooza, you would never have guessed that Friday was a work day for most folks. Fans of all sorts were out and about, and there are some pretty impressive costumes on display. We’ve been roaming the convention ourselves, camera in hand…
10 Things You Don’t Want to Miss at Comicpalooza 2014
We scoped out Comicpalooza for you today and although there’s a ton of things to see and do, we’re pointing out a few things that we think are worth seeking out. 10. Basketball-Playing Robots High school robotics students were charged with the task of creating mechs that can catch a…
This Week in Serial Crime: Alleged U-Haul Burglar
The Houston Police Department earlier this month nabbed a suspect in at least 14 burglaries, they announced this week. Torron Jermaine Alexander, 42, was hit with a charge of two counts of burglary for a series of crimes police say took him from one U-Haul business to another since late…
If Fast Pace of Houston City Life Gets to Be Too Much, Here Are the Most Boring Places Nearby
The big news this year on the growth front is that Houston is just getting bigger and bigger. It was the second-fastest growing city behind New York, and the sprawl in the suburbs, forget it. If you get tired of all this density and those fast cars, fast men and…
Where to Get Food and Booze-a Near Comicpalooza
One of the best ways to guarantee you enjoy any convention is to remember to take breaks away from it. After hours of being on your feet among thousands of fellow fans, it’s important to get away for an hour or two, sit down for a while and get some…
Stephen Marley at House of Blues, 5/22/14
I wonder what it was like to grow up a Marley. Unfortunately they all lost their dad too early in life, but what was it like growing up in Bob’s shadow? While it might’ve been difficult stepping out on their own, the family name assuredly afforded them many more opportunities…
Chef Roy Shvartzapel Talks About His Wildly Successful New Bakery, Common Bond
On Tuesday at 6:30 a.m., there was already a line of people waiting to get in. It wasn’t a rowdy crowd who’d been camped out all night like the folks who brave the elements and each other to get their grubby hands on flat screen TVs on Black Friday. There…
What’s in Fashion: A Lesson in K-Pop, Teeth Tattoos & Kale Nail Polish
Lots of breaking fashion news hits the interwebs and I don’t want you to miss one bit of it. So, I present some of the biggest headlines each week for your reading pleasure. Click and enjoy!…
Johnny Manziel $25 Million Hoax Lawsuit Is a GREAT Way to Start Your Weekend
Back in early September, Johnny Manziel was suspended for the first half of the Texas A&M 2013 season opener against the Rice Owls, NCAA fallout from his autograph-signing binge over the summer of 2013 (or the “Summer of Johnny,” for readers of this blog). Johnny paid his penance, entered the…
Movie Review: Chef Is Sweet but Not Super-Meaty
Throughout the screening, my friend, a chef, kept elbowing me in the ribs. It happened any time a chef or a cook in the film presented food to someone who proceeded to tell said chef or cook how wonderful the food was. Then, the chef would seem surprised and self-deprecating…
Airplane Dangers — the Germy Kind
Research conducted by Auburn University recently reminded us just how germ-filled airplanes can be. Obviously, you should be more worried about your plane colliding with another, but given the disease-breeding ground that is summer airplane travel, it’s good to know you might need some bleach wipes for that flight. The…
First-time Director Kyle Sturdivant Navigates the Deep End of the Pool in Middletown
Actor-turned-first-time-director Kyle Sturdivant had one particular problem in working on Will Eno’s Middletown – directing himself. Sturdivant, long associated with Catastrophic Theatre, tells us, “I don’t like working with me. I don’t recommend it. I don’t have enough self-confidence to turn on a dime from the knowing director to the…
Reviews for the Easily Distracted: Big Trouble in Little China
Title: Big Trouble in Little China Uh, Doesn’t the New X-Men Movie Come Out This Week? If you’re volunteering to watch my kids every time there’s a scheduling conflict during a screening, send me your phone number. Otherwise, put a sock in it. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant to the…
Licensed to Lie: New Book Sheds Light on Prosecutor Misconduct in Enron and Other Cases
In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the landmark case Brady v. Maryland,ruling that prosecutors had to turn over all exculpatory evidence to the defense. In a perfect criminal justice system, all prosecutors would want to win fairly and wouldn’t need the highest court in the land to explain that…
The Secret Is Out: Ninja Ramen Serves Up Killer Cocktails & Ramen
Ninja Ramen is physically a hole-in-the-wall off Washington. The entrance kisses the avenue and you would probably think it was abandoned if the owners didn’t prop the door during operating hours. But, maybe that’s the point of this secretive establishment. As you take a step inside, you feel like you’ve…
While You’re Out There Driving, Don’t Forget the “Click It or Ticket” Campaign
Police officers will be on the lookout for drivers and passengers (drunk and sober) who aren’t buckled up this Memorial Day weekend. The Texas Department of Transportation will be conducting its 13th annual “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign in the Houston area until June 1…
The 5 Best Things to Eat or Drink This Weekend: Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend With Cod, Beer & Enchiladas
Go Fish Weekend @ Khun Kay Thai Cafe Friday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, noon to 9:30 p.m., Monday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 1209 Montrose Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer and to Khun Kay Thai Cafe, that means it’s time to go fishing. Today…
Ten Bathroom Ordinances We Actually Need
The discussion over bathrooms and who gets to use which one, the men’s room or the women’s room, has overtaken the debate about Houston implementing a proposed non-discrimination ordinance. Last we reported, the city council was set to review changes made to a segment of the ordinance that would give…
Interview: Lane Montoya on Her Upcoming Panels Regarding Women in Comics at Comicpalooza
Sexism and misogyny in comic and geek culture is still a very big problem. Whether we’re watching people hurl rape threats at Anita Sarkeesian or Starman creator Tony Harris ranting about girls in cosplay, there is still a lot of work to be done. One of the voices in that…
Upcoming Events: A Couple That Cooks Together Stays Together
Facon Brazilian Steakhouse opened in Vintage Park several weeks ago, but the new restaurant will hold its grand opening celebration on Wednesday, May 28, from 6 p.m. until midnight. Tickets to the event cost $50 and include a three-course prix fixe meal consisting of multiple Brazilian meats, a tapas appetizer…
Gambling! Betting Lines for the First 16 Weeks of the 2014 NFL Season!
Every diehard NFL fan thinks that he (or she) is smarter than the next guy (or gal). To that end, Las Vegas is fully aware of the intellectual narcissism of Joe NFL Fan, especially the Joe NFL Fans who like to gamble, and therefore tries to take advantage by sucking…
100 Creatives 2014 Scott Chitwood, a Haunted Comic Writing
What He Does: For almost a decade Scott Chitwood has quietly been building an incredible indie comic company, Red 5, and since I first met him at Comicpalooza three years ago I have been endlessly impressed by the work his company and he himself has managed to produce. His latest…
Lotus Effect Drops Insane Music Video About the End of Creation
Lotus Effect is one of those bands that every time I think they’ve disappeared they come screaming back to life with something absolutely out of this world. When you’re discussing the music video they just released for the song “Totality”, that sentiment is the literal truth. It’s arguably the most…
Openings & Closings: Crapitto’s Closes After 19 Years & Kevin Naderi Opens Lillo & Ella
After nearly two decades of service, Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana will close on Saturday, May 24, due to a construction project in River Oaks. The Italian restaurant shared the disappointing news on Facebook saying that the last supper will be held on May 24. Other establishments located around Crapitto’s are set…
Dude Faces Life in Slammer for Hash Brownies
Jacob Lavoro, 19, must really hate his neighbor at the Colonial Village Apartments in Round Rock: When she smelled smoke in her apartment bathroom, apparently wafting over from Lavoro’s pad, she called the cops, who say they found hash oil, a batch of pot brownies and cookies, and a client…
The 5 Best Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: Comic-freakin’-palooza 2014, Woolgathering and More
Houston’s Comicpalooza 2014 has four Doctor Who Doctors — Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann, and comic-book legend Stan Lee is set to make his first appearance ever at the pop culture expo. It’s an unheard-of coup for Comicpalooza, which has some 1,500 hours of programming spread…
Those $9.37 Kendrick Lamar Tickets Sold Out in an Hour
Update, May 23 12:56 p.m.: You guys move quick. We barely had a chance to tweet this story out before all the tickets were scooped up; they weren’t joking when they said “limited tickets available.” Here’s a statement from Doug Hall over at BBVA: This is going to be a…
8 Metal Bands Made Better by Switching Vocalists
With all the drama that surrounds singer/screamer changes, you’d think it’s the end of the world and it has never worked for any band. The reactions across the internet any time one vocalist leaves and another joins are always less than enthusiastic, thinking change is bad one hundred percent of…
Pearl Lounge, the Laid-Back Utopia in Washington Ave’s Chaos
‘Oooh, here comes another one!” Short skirts, tan legs and high heels are all over Washington Avenue this Friday night, and ladies sporting those accessories keep walking in here at a steady pace. But unlike at Nox or Hughes Hangar, for example, the time the skirts spend in Pearl Lounge…
The Five Best Concerts in Houston This Weekend: Journey, Morrissey and More
Journey, Steve Miller Band, Tower of Power The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, May 23 Don’t. Stop. Believing. Three words that on their own are somewhat unremarkable, but when put together form the foundation of one of rock’s best feel good anthems. Journey isn’t a one song band by any means,…
Luckily, You Shouldn’t Have to Worry About That Sargassum on Galveston Island
Keeping seaweed in check on Galveston Island has been no easy task. Prepping for the holiday weekend has meant bulldozing tons of the stuff away from the fun sandy part. And things are looking good for the weekend ahead. According to a report in the Houston Chronicle, Sargassum (pronounced like…
METRO Offers Up Less Hassle for Beach Travel
How crucial is it to plan ahead for your holiday beach-going? You already know the horror of hitting the road too close to the afternoon. Traffic crush! METRO will help you out, though. Their aim: to get you to Galveston more quickly by opening the 45-South HOV Lane starting this…
Ebay Hacked: If You Aren’t Routinely Changing Passwords, a Reminder Why You Should
I work with people every day who entrust me with their passwords so I can assist them with their tech issues, and I am constantly amazed at the overly simplistic nature of passwords for tremendously important data. It is reminiscent of the scene in Spaceballs where Dark Helmet says of…
The United States of Desserts: Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie
In this series, we examine the history and origins of famous sweets, confections and desserts associated with American states. Sugar. Cream. Pie. What’s not to like about a dessert that combines all three elements? Residents of Indiana, aka “Hoosiers,” have a particular penchant for this amalgamate confection that dates back…
Ruby Red Dog: A Totally Tex-Mex Vodka Drink
The Ruby Red Dog is made entirely from Texan and Mexican ingredients.
May Kickstarter Round-Up: A Video Game Console Bar and Stories From Space
Once a month we’ll be bringing you a look at some of the best local Kickstarter campaigns in order to let you know what’s getting ready to be unleashed through the help of small investors. Press Start Bar: I love video games, and I also love drinking, and for a…
Local Cyclists Mark Worldwide Ride of Silence
Last night, the local bicycle group BikeHouston held a Ride of Silence for bicycle riders killed riding city streets and roads. The local ride, which this year started in Memorial Park, is part of a group of such events in more than 300 cities worldwide. The ride followed the placement…
The Rocks Off 200: DJ Nando1, Who Fights to Keep the Party Poppin’
Welcome to The Rocks Off 200, our portrait gallery of the most compelling profiles and personalities in the far-flung Houston music community — a lot more than just musicians, but of course they’re in there too. See previous entries in the Rocks Off 100 at this link. “I would like…
Charles Barkley Versus the Women of San Antonio Is Turning Into the Most Compelling NBA Playoff Matchup
Last night in San Antonio, the Spurs systematically dismembered the Oklahoma City Thunder by 35 points, 112-77. What had been a close game through one and a half quarters began to spin out of control for the Thunder just before halftime, leading to a second half that essentially amounted to…
Houston’s SPA Unveils First Ever Jessica Lang Dance Residency for Middle and High Schoolers
In the world of dance, Jessica Lang, who once danced with Twyla Tharp’s company, is known for her choreography. Her resume includes work done with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet San Jose, Richmond Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ailey II, ABT II,…
Coffee & Mini Desserts at Happy Fatz
Just around the corner from Revival Market on White Oak, you will find an adorable house serving hot dogs, sweets and coffee concoctions. Yes, I am talking about Happy Fatz. Heights residents and many Houstonians are familiar with this cafe’s interesting hot dog creations — it received the No. 10…
The 5 Best Brunch Spots in Downtown Houston
In Houston, we’re pretty serious about our brunch. Whether it be migas and breakfast tacos or chicken and waffles and loaded Bloody Marys, we have no shortage of awesome spots to get our brunch on. Keeping later hours and killer cocktails in mind, we’ll be taking a look at some…
UT System Won’t Raise In-State Tuition, So Now What?
Students in the University of Texas system can get their education and keep (some of) their money, too. The UT System Board of Regents unanimously voted Tuesday not to raise in-state tuition at any of the system’s nine institutions. According to UT spokesperson Karen Adler, the proposed tuition hikes varied…
9 Looks for Memorial Day Weekend and Beyond
Some people still chain themselves to age old fashion rules like wearing stockings with dresses and matching your shoes to your purse. I and most of the free world threw that and a few other fashion rules out of the window years ago, especially the whole white on Memorial Day…
Lee Alexander Returns to Entertain Children of All Ages
If there was one musician in Houston I would have bet money on going out into the world to become the next Andrew Bird that $3.50 would have gone right down on Lee Alexander. In 2009 he had an underground hit with Mayhaw Vaudeville, was being played and invited to…
Charlaine Harris’s New Texas Trilogy Is a Worthy Successor to Sookie Stackhouse
Every May for more than a decade in my house has been marked by the release of a new Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse novel. It was as much a part of the end of spring as resigning yourself to damp underwear. When the series ended last year, I wondered what…
100 Favorite Dishes 2014-15: No. 95, Tamal de Puerco at Andes Cafe
Once again, Kaitlin Steinberg is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes as we work our way toward our annual Menu of Menus® issue and culinary extravaganza. She’ll compile a collection of the dishes she thinks are the most delicious, most creative and, of course,…
Trip to the Spy Store: Semi-Pervy Espionage Spot With African Roots
Photo by Angelica LeichtThe spy store, all about sex and secrets. The spy store doesn’t look like much. It’s a tiny litttle storefront, much longer than it is wide, wedged into a bend on Westheimer Road. We’d seen it a million times over the years without ever really registering that…
Your Last-Minute Costuming Guide for Comicpalooza
Comicpalooza, Houston’s biggest comic and pop culture convention, starts at 10 am on Friday. The six-year old convention keeps growing in size and popularity. This year, it spans four days instead of three. (Hopefully, you already have Memorial Day off and don’t have to call in “sick.”) So, what if…
The Five Best Hidden Restaurant Gems in Westchase
You know how sometimes people complain about having to leave the 610 Loop? I used to be one of them. I used to bitch and moan about leaving the comfort of Montrose or Midtown, even if it meant exploring something new and awesome, just because I hated fighting the inevitable…
How the CSN Houston Broadcast Map Dooms the Network
It was just a little over 30 days ago that Houston Astros owner Jim Crane said he wanted the CSN Houston matter settled within 30 days. That didn’t happen. The parties still await a ruling from a Judge Lynn Hughes on the Astros appeal of Judge Marvin Isgur’s ruling that…
Welcome to the Thursday Jam Session
It’s Thursday night and we’re hanging out with some of Houston’s finest musicians in Erin Wright’s living room. Okay, technically it’s not her living room. It just feels like it, since it’s snug and comfortable and because Wright is making us all feel at home. We’re actually at Costa’s Elixir…
The Winery Dogs Will Shred No Rock Before Its Time
Though he’s maintained a dizzying schedule as a solo artist, spent time as a member of Poison and Mr. Big, and collaborated with dozens of other musicians from heavy metal to jazz, Richie Kotzen is currently in the dog house. But at least there’s good stuff to drink in there…
Jamestown Revival Comes Home
Imagine sitting in your Magnolia area den, watching Conan, when a couple of familiar faces appear on screen. Anyone who knew Zach Chance and Jonathan Clay when they lived in the area may have had that experience earlier this year. If you missed that chance to catch Chance and Clay,…
National Theatre of London on the Big Screen: King Lear
Even long-running stage productions are seen by relatively few patrons in comparison to film and television shows. The National Theatre of London, hoping to extend the reach of brilliant stage productions, decided to film live performances to be screened in movie theaters. It has filmed more than 20 productions, the…
Middletown
In Will Eno’s Middletown, one character asks another: “Did you ever think you might be a normal person?” “Maybe,” responds the other character. “I don’t know. Bad news for normal people.” That exchange sums up Middletown for actor/first-time director Kyle Sturdivant. “Middletown is a play about people trying to find…
“John Sargent: The Watercolors”
Though much of his legacy is linked to oil-painting portraiture, American artist John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) spent much of the 20th century creating works in watercolor. More than 90 of those pieces — whose subjects run the gamut from Italian gardens and maritime scenes to lounging ladies and fierce Bedouin…
High Standards: The American Songbook
The term “high standards” in the title of Music Box Theater’s newest production, High Standards: The American Songbook, refers to the show’s music. The term can apply equally well to the remarkable group of singers/actors that forms the Music Box’s resident company: Luke Wrobel, Kristina Sullivan, Kay Taylor, Brad Scarborough…
The Whipping Man
The setting is a mansion that’s been abandoned and essentially destroyed in Richmond, Virginia, in the waning days of the U.S. Civil War. A wounded Confederate soldier, who is Jewish, returns to his family’s home to find only two people there, both former slaves. In the conversation that follows, buried…
“Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces”
Houstonians get the chance to ogle some 150 pieces of spectacular jewelry worn by such Hollywood legends as Sophia Loren, Ingrid Bergman and Grace Kelly, along with pieces once owned by Elizabeth Taylor, at “Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces” the exhibition. Bulgari necklaces from contemporary actresses Milla Jovovich, Jennifer Aniston,…
Comicpalooza 2014
Houston’s Comicpalooza 2014 has four Doctor Who Doctors — Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann, and comic-book legend Stan Lee is set to make his first appearance ever at the pop culture expo. It’s an unheard-of coup for Comicpalooza, which has some 1,500 hours of programming spread…
“National Geographic’s Real Pirates”
To an entire generation, the word “pirate” brings to mind an effete but basically harmless Johnny Depp with historically inaccurate eyeliner acting like a drunk Keith Richards. The true scalawags of the seas were a bit more dangerous. The exhibit “National Geographic’s Real Pirates” tells the story of the ill-fated…
My 12-Year-Old Daughter Dresses Like a Slut! Help!
Welcome to Ask Willie D, Rocks Off’s advice column where the Geto Boys MC answers reader questions about matters, in his own words, “funny, serious or unpredictable.” Something on your mind? Ask Willie D! HOW DO I KNOW IF HE’S INTERESTED IN ME? Dear Willie D: My best friend’s physical…
Gojira
Before Hollywood producer Joseph E. Levine went highbrow with Two Women (which won Sophia Loren a Best Actress Oscar in 1962), The Graduate (which won Mike Nichols his Best Director award in 1967) and The Lion in Winter (which won Katherine Hepburn her third Oscar as Best Actress in 1968),…
Linda Eder’s Valentine
Houston has lots of options for a romantic evening this Valentine’s Day, but it’s hard to beat Linda Eder’s Valentine, which pairs the concert singer and Broadway performer (Jekyll and Hyde) with the Houston Symphony. The program includes Eder singing her best-known material from her stage and recording career, along…
Cannes Report: A Great Julianne Moore Illuminates Maps to the Stars
It’s been a few days since I saw David Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars, screening here in competition, and I’m still not completely sure what I think of this sometimes-smart, sometimes-arch ultra-black comedy about shallow Hollywood types. But one thing’s for sure: Julianne Moore is a knockout in it. Moore…
In Juliet’s Garden
Judy Elliot McDonald’s comedy In Juliet’s Garden features five of Shakespeare’s heroines reworking the Bard’s plots. Juliet invites Ophelia, Desdemona, Portia and Kate to lunch in her garden, and each has strong ideas on how to improve her story line. Juliet has, of course, invited Shakespeare as well (they want…
Cannes Report: Contemplating Animal Nudity with Godard’s Delightful Goodbye to Language
I haven’t looked forward to a new Godard movie since…never. The first Godard movie I saw upon its release in a movie theater was First Name: Carmen, in 1983, which overwhelmed me: I didn’t yet understand that it’s OK not to completely comprehend everything a filmmaker puts in front of…
“Post Persuasion: George Reynolds”
The artwork created by George Reynolds may look like advertisements, but the subtle difference is that they are pseudo-ads, not intended to sell anything. Fresh Arts presents “Post Persuasion,” an exhibition of print and video ads created by Reynolds, who has already convinced publishers to run 26 of these print…
CAMH Artist Talk: Scott McCloud
Author/theorist Scott McCloud has been called “the Aristotle of Comics.” He’s the brains behind the idea of “the infinite canvas” (according to which a computer screen is a window rather than a page) and the “Big Triangle” (a theoretical map of every possible form of visual art and communication). He…
“Ted Larsen: End of the Line”
Houston has less than a month to catch the exhibit “Ted Larsen: End of the Line” at McMurtrey Gallery. For the past 13 years, Larsen has incorporated found and alternative materials into his work. The objects we’ll see at “End of the Line” blur the line between drawing, painting and…
New X-Men Meet Old X-Men for More Talk Than Fun
America’s sweetheart Jennifer Lawrence truly can do anything. In the course of three months, she’s managed to graciously lose an Oscar (her third nomination in four years), swan above the mansplaining condescension of a male pundit who tsk-tsked her for getting drunk in public, and burst into the summer blockbuster…
“Martin Elkort: Optimism and Innocence”
Martin Elkort changed the world of photography. Best known for his work capturing New York City street scenes during the 1940s and ’50s, Elkort would shoot unsuspecting subjects in natural settings — families enjoying a day at Coney Island, Hasidic Jewish children playing, sidewalk performers, lovers kissing in front of…
What Young Feels Like
Remarkable as it seems, there’s still poetry to be found in the idea of kids tooling around with nothing much to do. Whether you grew up in a small town or a midsize-to-large city, in 1962, 1982 or 2002, you probably remember getting into a car, unwisely, with the first…
Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq
The radiant beauty of Tanaquil Le Clercq burns through the grainy images and fuzzy kinetoscopes in Nancy Buirski’s stunning documentary tribute Afternoon of A Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq. One of the most notable prima ballerinas of her generation, Le Clercq was built like a racehorse: long legs; lithe, athletic torso;…
Visitor From Another Time
In 2014, any filmmaker who has a feel, and a flair, for romantic melodrama is doomed, and just one recent example from the world of blockbusters suggests why: In the final moments of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the hero tragically fails to save a major character, but the moment, coming…
“Mexican Master David Alfaro Siqueiros”
Mexican painter David Siqueiros used his social realist work to promote his ideas and opinions. The hardcore Stalinist and member of the Mexican Communist Party — a contemporary of Diego Rivera and José Orozco — often worked in large fresco murals. “Siqueiros was a passionate humanist, and his art tackled…
Sandler and Barrymore Hurt Us in Blended
A romance ripped from the pages of Deuteronomy, Frank Coraci’s Blended posits that the best reason for a woman with sons and a man with daughters to get married is that they can take care of each other’s kids. Quel pragmatisme! In the world of this sitcom love story, men…
War Horse
For the past two years, actor Michael Cox has spent most nights doing a delicate ballet onstage with a large puppet horse named Joey. “It wasn’t difficult. The puppeteers are excellent and they bring the horse to life so well. It’s second nature to them.” Cox is talking about War…
Cannes Report: Don’t Say Marion Cotillard is “Too Pretty” for Two Days, One Night
#492425863 / gettyimages.com Marion Cotillard, the star of the Dardenne Brothers’ competition film Two Days, One Night, showed up for the photo call on Tuesday in a mini-dress encrusted with a riot of buttons, a whimsical and rather adorable choice for an actress who, on-screen just a few minutes earlier,…
Heartbreak House
It’s 1914 and England is in on the start of the first World War. Not that you’d especially notice that in the household of Captain Shotover, whose daughter Hesione Hushabye is hosting a dinner party. Guests include Ellie Dunn, who is in love with Hesione’s husband, Hector, but engaged to…
8th Annual Houston Palestine Film Festival
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is discussed via solar energy at the 8th Annual Houston Palestine Film Festival when the festival continues for a second weekend with a screening of Under the Same Sun. Academy Award-nominated Israeli producer Amir Harel and Palestinian director Sameh Zoabi joined forces for Same Sun. It’s the…
The Underpants
Actor/playwright Steve Martin has updated and adapted Carl Sternheim’s 1910 comedy The Underpants, and as you may have guessed from the title, it is a farce. Louise is pretty, married but neglected, so when her bloomers fall to her ankles in public, assorted lascivious swains take this to be an…
Woolgathering
The term “woolgathering” is an old English idiom for indulgence in daydreams or absentminded imagining, choreographer Ashley Horn tells us. “It came from people who collected wool that had been caught on bushes and weeds when sheep would brush against them. It was a task that required much wandering and…
“Richard Serra: Prints”
Few American artists have had the impact of Richard Serra. Known for his landmark sculptural work, Serra has focused on drawing since the early 1970s, experimenting with various techniques including the use of charcoal, ink and paintsticks. It’s his drawings that viewers will see at the “Richard Serra: Prints” exhibit…
The 10 Best Summer Songs of the ’90s
Let’s play a game. Anyone know “Never Have We Ever?” Good. We’ll go first. Never have we ever found ourselves saying the words, “But there were so many good Will Smith songs!” Well, until this blog, that is. Apparently there are an abundance of epic summery songs by the ’90s…
Things You Should Know About Driving
Highlights from Hair Balls Spaced City Driving in harmony in Houston is a rarity, especially during rush hour. Drivers here might just be a little more difficult than motorists in other cities, too. According to the In the Driver’sSeat Road Rage Survey released last week, Houston ranked first on the…
The Midtown Banh Mi Showdown
Food Fight Because the Houston Press office is in Midtown, I eat a lot of banh mi. Need a light lunch? Banh mi. In a hurry? Banh mi. Craving meat, veggies and carbs? Banh mi. Want something spicy? Banh mi. It’s my go-to meal to satisfy just about any lunchtime criteria…
Capsule Art Reviews: May 22, 2014
“Ann Harithas: Memory” is the first exhibition of this artist after she recovered completely from what may have been a stroke last year, in which her memory and ability to recognize old friends were damaged. Harithas began reviewing old photographs, and her faculties and memory were restored. She works with…
Second-Guessing Free Press Summer Fest
Free Press Summer Fest The late Rick Nelson once sang, “You can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself.” For sure, there are better credos to live by, but this would be the one I’d hang onto were I tasked with booking the talent for Free Press Summer Fest…
Capsule Stage Reviews: May 22, 2014
Cassandra Young playwright Katharine Sherman has a nimble touch with ancient fables. She keeps the unfortunate Trojan prophetess within the walls of her ancient hometown, but brings her smack up to date with searing apocalyptic visions of mushroom clouds and twin towers falling. Sherman makes her photophobic, a neat touch,…
“No espeak English” plus the U.S. and the World Cup
Dear Mexican, I’m a half-mexicana, half-gabacha working as an appointment scheduler in a medical office. I’m one of a handful of schedulers there who speak Spanish. I’ve noticed in the years I’ve been working in this field that about seven to eight times out of ten, when a Spanish-speaking patient…
Could Legalization of Marijuana Be in Texas’s Future?
As you drive up the long, gravel-lined drive of the small clapboard house in south Texas, not much seems unusual. An old hunting dog suns himself on the porch, and the modest decor of the peeling front porch — a weathered rocker and a swing — drips with small-town charm…
Grace’s, Which Serves Everything, Is Johnny Carrabba’s Last Hurrah
When you enter, you instantly feel as if you’re stepping into your grandmother’s home — if your grandmother was a millionaire with exquisite taste. And when you read the menu, you feel like you’re going through your grandmother’s recipe book — if your grandmother was a tad schizophrenic in her…
Viral Videos and Gossip Websites Changed America and Took Down Tom Cruise
It was Jason Tugman’s first day of work. Almost a decade later, he still remembers the screams. A former circus fire-eater, he’d taken a job as a lighting technician for The Oprah Winfrey Show after burning off a chunk of his tongue. The pay was $32 an hour and he…
Aboriginal Dreams Hit the Canvas in Knowledge Keepers
Australian art has long had a special significance, since the indigenous Aboriginal culture did not develop a written language, so art and verbal traditions are the records of those people’s history. There are a number of misconceptions among Westerners about the Aborigines, who are sometimes thought of as one tribe…
Pearl Lounge Is Just a Laid-Back Lesbian-Friendly Bar
‘Oooh, here comes another one!” Short skirts, tan legs and high heels are all over Washington Avenue this Friday night, and ladies sporting those accessories keep walking in here at a steady pace. But unlike at Nox or Hughes Hangar, for example, the time the skirts spend in Pearl Lounge…
