Second Annual Unity and Friendship Gala Elyse Lanier is right: One of the finest things about Houston is the extraordinary diversity of cultures this city supports. Immigrants from all over come seeking a new life that is as American as apple pie or matzo-ball soup or fried plantains or curried goat. Tonight, the Unity and Friend-ship Gala will celebrate that diversity with dinner, live and silent auctions and music delivered by the Trans-Arabian Sound. The guest of honor is Casey Kasem, the famed humanitarian, vegetarian and top 40 DJ. Proceeds will go toward building the non-political, non-denominational Arab-American Cultural and Community Center. 7 p.m. Imperial Ballroom, Hyatt Regency, 1200 Louisiana, 626-3250. $125.
Building a Healthy Body MetLife WonderWeekend Health information is so ubiquitous in the media, at school and on the backs of cereal boxes that today's kids ought to know tons about eating right and keeping fit. But that info is often so boring that staying healthy strikes youngsters as deadly dull. Not today: At the Children's Museum, kids can learn about the food pyramid through performances and activities, and by playing their favorite sports. And local athletes will tell the tiny folks how to stay healthy.9 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Sunday. Children's Museum, 1500 Binz, 522-1138. $5; $4, seniors; free, children under two and museum members.
sunday
September 7
Red Ribbon Extravaganza Decadence for a good cause: This evening of cabaret, dance, dining and fashion benefits research on HIV/AIDS and related diseases at the City of Hope National Medical Center. The fashion show will be a tribute to the late Gianni Versace; it's presented by Versus in the Galleria. Dance music blasts courtesy of guest DJ Danny M, imported from Miami's oh-so-with-it South Beach. The silent auction will offer such fine items as a Tommy Hilfiger golf bag and weekend packages, and a light dinner will be cooked in the wondrous kitchen of Carrabba's Italian GrillSugar Land. 4-11 p.m. City Streets Houston, 5078 Richmond,521-2910. $25 at the door; $20 in advance.
African American Arts Council of Houston It used to be called liturgical dance, but now it's known by the much happier-sounding appellation "praise dancing": improvisation meets modern dance, with a large jolt of jubilant, inspired spirituality. Tonight's show features 13 dances by both professional and non-professional dancers, as well as a children's group. If you're lucky, the spirit might even move you. 7:30 p.m. Jewish Community Center, Kaplan Theater, 5601 South Braeswood, 772-3465. $10, door; $8, advance; $5, groups of ten or more.
The Rhythm Cloggers Today the Rhythm Cloggers, which calls itself Houston's "premiere" clogging troupe, is offering a free introductory lesson in that strange stomping dance from the Appalachian mountains. It's as good for your heart as jogging, but a whole lot less boring. 2-3 p.m. Northwest Dance Center, 3334 Pinemont, 937-8096. Free; beginners are urged to wear leather-soled shoes.
Seventh Annual Reptile Breeders Expo Let a snake slither up your arm, hold a lizard in your palm or stroke the leathery sides of a frog this weekend. Sixty amphibian and reptile vendors from across the country are ready and waiting to ply their slimy, scaly trade -- and they guarantee that not a single animal is venomous, wild-caught or endangered. These little furless friends were born for a cage and born to love you -- at least in their decidedly cold-blooded way. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Marriott North at Greenspoint, 255 N. Sam Houston Parkway. For information, call Russ Walker at (409) 594-5554. $4, adults; $1, children 12 and under; free, infants.
monday
September 8
Writing classes Today Inprint, the nonprofit organization dedicated to the literary arts, begins several series of creative writing workshops that cover everything from poetry to "Bad-Girl Fiction." Each class puts would-be authors through the wringer, with eight weeks of writing, talking about writing, reading great examples of writing and then, of course, more writing. Call 521-2026 for a schedule. $225 per workshop; scholarships available to HISD teachers on a first-come, first-served basis.
tuesday
September 9
Looking at Art Series Galleries can be terribly intimidating. They're library-quiet and full of stuff you can't touch; most of the time they don't even look open for business. If you've always wanted to go see what's up but don't know the etiquette, these classes are your chance to get the scoop. During the five-week sessions, the class will meet at various art strongholds around town, and artists, gallery owners, dealers and collectors will explain what they do. The first class begins at McMurtrey Gallery, where Houston artist Ibsen Espada will speak; later outings include artists' studios, more galleries and "alternative" spaces. By the end of the fifth class, you'll be able to attend gallery openings fearlessly, sure of your ability to art-speak with the best of them. 7-9 p.m. (See Thrills, Art for other times and dates.) McMurtrey Gallery, 3508 Lake Street. Call 868-9589 to reserve a space. $60 for the series.
