The Perfect Rhyme

FRI 10/1

In his time, Patrick Davis sure has wanted a lot of stuff. “I wanted to have
something to do on a Saturday,” says the Houston poet and promoter of the upcoming
Starving Poets Poetic House Party 3. “I wanted to raise the bar for what people
expect when they attend a spoken-word event. I wanted to organize an event that
compensated spoken-word artists to further their individual endeavors and Starving
Poets Inc.” Davis and Starving Poets Inc. are having one of their house parties
this weekend. Along with neo-soul spoken word, the event features tunes from
the band Logic, a CD listening party for artist Talib Kweli, and three spaces
to chill in: the Acoustic Groove Lounge, the Revolutionary Room and the Lovers
Attic. Since Starving Poets’ first event last February, they’ve welcomed poets,
vocalists and musicians from Houston, as well as visiting spoken-wordsmiths
and other artists from in and around the state.

Expect the verse at this joint to be free of hateration. “We are true to the
art of spoken word and the roots of civil rights, self-esteem and self-empowerment,”
says Davis. He and his crew aim to remind people that local spoken-word poetry
ain’t dead yet. “The H-town poetry scene goes through ups and downs like stock,”
he admits. “The spoken-word scene is underground, and you have to look for it,
because there are poetry spots all over Houston. Some people experience good
months and bad months, but ultimately you must have a passion for poetry —
with one or one thousand people present.” 9 p.m. Friday, October 1. Helios,
411 Westheimer. For information, call 866-811-4111 or visit www.starvingpoets.org.
$10. — Craig D. Lindsey

The Social’s Crown & 7

The day started innocently enough: just a quick Crown & 7 or three at the Social (3730 Washington Avenue, 713-426-5585) before meeting my home care physician, a complete old bag, at my disheveled apartment. Before she arrived, I picked up the obvious stuff — spilled CD racks, overturned chairs, wine bottles and glasses — but I forgot to wipe the sticky booze off of the stupid respirator I was renting. She touched the machine, and her finger stuck to it. “So since June, you never once changed the filter or ran water through the hose apparatus?” she shrieked. “You need a woman in your life…and not just to vacuum up the beer nuts under your desk!” The woman was ripping me a new one, and it wasn’t pleasant. “We’re monitoring you for two weeks,” she rattled on. I wondered if the doc could visualize Saturday night’s date kicking a glass of panty-dropping Nocello all over her precious machine as she hopped in bed. “You’re gonna have to use this thing,” she crowed, “or get your sorry butt back to the hospital.” The old wench just would not stop. I told her I had to leave for work, but the truth was, I couldn’t wait to get back to the Social to finish what I’d started. “And another thing,” she concluded, practically without taking a breath. “If you plan to live long enough to clean up this dump, you might want to do something about those rotting dishes in the sink!” I walked her to her car and headed back to the bar.

1-3/4 ounces Crown Royal
Splash of 7-Up or Sprite

Fill a dirty coffee cup with ice and measure out the booze and mixer. Sip
casually, think about your life (like you had one to begin with), and change
out of that god-awful thing you think is business attire. Call in sick. Or better
yet, call in and quit. — J.W. Crooker

Playing Solitaire

SAT 10/2

While the music and crowd at Grasshopper are essentially American, at its
heart, the downtown joint — inspired by the chic Amsterdam hot spot of the
same name — is distinctly European. And occasionally there are nights when
it gets back to its clubby, Euro roots. Tonight, BBC radio producer DJ Solitaire
spins for one performance only, teasing his new track “Thinking of You” and
revisiting “I Like Love,” which smashed the charts in the UK, Australia and
even the United States. Expect catchy hooks with Solitaire’s disco funk, complete
with live bhangra drums as a back beat. Solitaire takes to the tables at 10:30
p.m. Saturday, October 2. 506 Main. For information, call 713-222-1442 or visit
www.grasshopperhouston.com.
$5 to $15. — Steven Devadanam

Sew Fabulous

FRI 10/1

Calvin Klein he ain’t: “It’s just me and my sewing machine and a backpack,” says Curtis Oliveira, a fledgling fashion designer and one of the artists whose work will be featured at “Autumn Resurrection” this weekend at the Orange Show. Kunst Fascion, Donna Huanca, Vicki Fowler and other designers will dispatch models onto the runway, where they’ll strut to the beats of DJs and bands such as NTX and Indian Jewelry. Comedian Sarah Tollemache, whom Laff Stop christened “Houston’s Funniest Person,” will host the event, which will raise money for an artists collective that gives up-and-comers like Oliveira a place to sew. Get a front-row seat at 6 p.m. Friday, October 1. 2401 Munger. For information, call 713-926-6368 or visit www.theorangeshow.org. $5. — Julia Ramey