saturday
january 27
Big Band Salute to Artie Shaw Crooner Julius La Rosa, Johnny Smith's Ink Spots and the Gramercy Five take everyone on a musical stroll down memory lane in a tribute to the late big band leader Artie Shaw. Swing standards such as "Begin the Beguine," "Indian Love Call," "Stardust" and Shaw's signature song, "Nightmare," will be performed. Three shows only. 2 and 8 p.m. today; 2 p.m. Sunday. The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, (409) 765-1894 or (800) 821-1894. $10-$20.
Skin Speak: the First Survey of Houston Tattoo A runway show of the inked begins this five-week exhibit devoted to the art of tattooing. More than 40 artists, including Richard Stell, Matthew Wojcieschowski and local favorites Dragon Mike and Tiger John are participating. Lyle Tuttle, the grand old man of skin illustration, will host a panel discussion one evening, but during the entire show, the why and how of the art will be under constant discussion. Jodi Griffin of Scream'n Demon will have a station set up for the duration of the show, and then, on February 20, Griffin will demonstrate the art of tattooing and a representative from the Texas Department of Health, division of Drugs and Medical Devices, will talk about health-related issues and the very tricky free-speech issue of pending legislation addressing gang-related tattoos. The discussion will include, surely, the growing interest among the formerly not-tattooed (that is, people who aren't sailors, bikers or Maori), but we're wondering if tattoo removal, a booming medical business, will also be talked over. The opening and runway show, 7-10 p.m. DiverseWorks, 117 East Freeway (off North Main at Naylor), 223-8348. The show is free; tattoos can be had for various prices.
sunday
january 28
Bagel Bowl A costumed Bagel Dude, the Bruegger's Bagels mascot, will frolic on the sidelines as Rice and University of Houston students compete in a coed flag football game. Funds raised from the coed flag football, Bagel Dude antics and T-shirt sales will benefit the United Jewish Appeal campus campaign. 1 p.m. Rice University soccer field (entrance no. 8 off Rice Boulevard). For more information, call 743-5397. Admission is free; Bagel Bowl T-shirts are $8.
monday
january 29
Self-Employment 101: The Legal Basics of Self-Employment Self-employed Houston attorney and raconteur Kathy Biehl offers advice on the nuts and bolts of self-employment. She'll explain, in a concise 90-minute talk, "what documents need to be filed with which agencies, how to protect a business name and critical, but often overlooked tax and insurance issues." Biehl will also talk about the differences between working alone and working with a partner. When she's not giving seminars, teaching courses at Rice or the University of Houston Law Center, writing for publications such as The American Bar Association Journal or doing general law, Ms. Biehl enjoys her leisure by singing in public and contributing to publications such as Rubberstampmadness and her own Ladies Fetish and Taboo Society. There is, she knows, a full, rich existence for those who have the energy and smarts to work for themselves and run their own lives. 7:30 p.m. The Spectrum Center, 4100 Westheimer, Suite 235. For reservations or information, 524-5051. $35.
tuesday
january 30
Albert "Huff" Huffstickler The Austin poet and artist will read some of his many poems (he sometimes produces a poem a day) and introduce an exhibition of his art work. The former University of Texas librarian has been published in more than 100 journals and the Bellaire zine, Arrowsmith. Keddy Outlaw, the producer of Arrowsmith, wanted to stick her neck out for Huff, explaining that "he is a dear man who is quite excited about coming to Houston." He is a dear man, and it is true that his poetry is noted for its "warm, humane, nurturing style and content." However, it is also true that his poetry looks at hard ugly facts of life -- the struggles of the indigent and the insane, for instance -- and that he is not so much folksy as what Charles Bukowski might have been without all the smug, macho outsider posturing. Art preview, 7-8 p.m.; poetry reading, 8 p.m. Barnes and Noble, Vanderbilt Square, 3003 West Holcombe Boulevard, 349-0050.
wednesday
january 31
Randall Robinson The Harvard Law School graduate, hunger striker and freedom fighter is pleased, of course, that South Africa has democratic elections, but he believes that there is still much work to be done. Robinson will talk about the fight ahead for civil rights and democracy at a special program sponsored by TSU's Lyceum and Cultural Arts. 11 a.m. Texas Southern University, university auditorium, 3100 Cleburne, 527-7456. Free and open to the public.
