tuesday
december 2
Fly Over Just look at the picture. This ain't no ordinary lacy-fingered, twinkly-toed dance troupe. These Fly guys are tough, with a streetwise, sideways charm; and they know how to move, too, from their knuckles all the way down to their toenails. Tonight they'll be dancing a brand-new piece from choreographer Kathy Wood: "Cookin'," a semifinalist for the Recontres Choreography Competition, held in Paris. A little bit of Paris flair plus a little bit of Houston muscle, and all to the music of jazz pianist Claude Bolling and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. 7:30 p.m. Spring Oaks Middle School, 2150 Shadowdale, 521-4560, 523-3709. $3, advance; $6, at the door.
UST Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Singers The lights go down; a smoky glow of yellow light finds the lone woman with the microphone at center stage. She murmurs something in her low, growly voice. An introduction, a greeting. She says something private to the band behind her. Notes are plucked on an electric guitar. The woman at center stage closes her eyes, tilts back her head and from her open mouth comes a series of notes that are utterly clear and yet creamy in phrasing ... Oh, cripes, don't make me describe it. Just go see these University of St. Thomas jazz musicians. They play and sing those vapory, soulful tunes from masters like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Grover Washington -- tunes that no words can do justice to. 8 p.m. University of St. Thomas, Cullen Hall at 4001 Mt. Vernon, 522-7911. Free.
wednesday
december 3
John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, in the flesh After 175 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List, John Berendt's book ain't seen nothing yet. But Random House, having just printed 400,000 more copies of the "elegant and wickedly funny" book, is ready for all the publicity the movie version is about to generate. And you can purchase your own, tonight, after hearing Berendt read. 7 p.m., Earful of Books/Booktronics, 5370 Westheimer, 626-4000. Free.