Beer Bond

SAT 4/17

Before the Metrosexual Age, there was the Men’s Movement, when normal guys
would leave their sensitive personae on the vibrating La-Z-Boy for a weekend
of drum circles, tree-bark soufflés and squatting in the woods. Such extreme
means of exercising (or exorcising) one’s testosterone are passé in this
era of tanning beds and pedicures, but chef Lance Fegen thinks there’s a happy
middle ground somewhere in these mixed messages of maleness.

Fegen is an outdoorsman and teacher in the culinary program at Sur La Table.
In cooperation with former pro bass fisherman Captain Bill Cannan, Fegen has
devised “Gone Fishin’: Men’s Day Out,” an all-day “male-bonding event” in which
guys ride a 25-foot Boston Whaler into the waters off Tiki Island. Then comes
the thrill of the hunt — searching for redfish, trout, flounder, old tires…whatever.
Afterward, Fegen will teach the boys to prepare what is caught (or pulled out
of his reserve cooler), though many may want to stick to grilling hamburgers.
“After five hours’ fishing and a couple of beers,” says Fegen, “they won’t be
too concerned about the fine art of cooking.” Then comes the post-meal men’s
movement. 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17. Sur La Table, 1996 West Gray.
For information, call 713-533-0400 or visit www.surlatable.com.
$175. — Eric Norvell

Flower Pedaling

If the thought of pedaling from Houston to Austin doesn’t make you turn the
color of week-old guacamole, you should give the MS 150 a go. Not only does
this bike tour help out a good cause (the National Multiple Sclerosis Society),
but it’s also a chance to check out the ups and downs of the Texas Hill Country.
Riders snake through awesome wildflower fields and dinky towns before stopping
north of La Grange for fireworks and live music. Following some well-deserved
shut-eye, cyclists then jump back on their mounts for the home stretch, crossing
the finish line at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. 7 a.m. Saturday
and Sunday, April 17 and 18. Two starting points: Tully Stadium (1050 Dairy
Ashford) and Rhodes Memorial Stadium (1733 Katy Fort Bend Road). For information,
call 713-526-8967 or visit www.ms150.org.
Minimum $350 in pledges. — Bliss Foster