This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Thursday, August 26

Do you or any of yours have a story to share about the civil rights era? Head
on over to Sharpstown Mall today for the Voices of Civil Rights Bus Tour.
People from the Library of Congress will be there to take down first-hand accounts,
so grab your ‘rents (or their ‘rents) and help contribute to the record of one
of the greatest accomplishments in American history. 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 7500
Bellaire Boulevard. For information, call 832-325-2231. Free.

Once the sun sets, we suggest heading over to Sherlock’s Pub for cheap drinks and casual conversation — that is, of course, if you can hear anything over the sounds of Rat Ranch. This unfortunately named cover band is a group of four guys who would make any dorm-room musician proud. In fact, we don’t think there’s a Buzz-worthy song not in their repertoire. You want Smash Mouth, Creed, Blink-182 and Good Charlotte? Well, you got ’em. 9 p.m. 10001 Westheimer. For information, call 713-977-1857 or visit www.sherlockspub.com. Free.

Friday, August 27

As if the corner of Montrose and Hawthorne weren’t already crowded enough on
weekends with folks waiting for Skybar, tonight ReggaeLink.com is hosting a Link Up! Party in the same building. Steve Swift, Good Grief
and the Mikie Faith Crew are set to provide the reggae and hip-hop sounds, while
the Jugglers Crew and the Tata Girls will be there to provide the dancing entertainment.
Anyone who heads upstairs will definitely be in for a bouncing good time, but
we’re willing to bet the party will be just as off-the-hook on the street below.
10:30 p.m. Tha Loft, 3400 Montrose. For information, visit www.reggaelink.com.
$8.

Saturday, August 28

It’s always so satisfying to do extracurricular things when you’re supposed
to be working. While Chris Akin is working as a guard at the Menil Collection,
he often finds time to make sketches on folded paper. Once the paper is unfolded,
a compelling hodgepodge of images results. Akin’s work is on display today at
the Galveston Arts Center as part of the Galveston Artwalk, an evening
of openings and receptions at various galleries near the Strand. Also on view
at the center are still-life paintings by Ellen Berman and photographs by Matthew
and Dayna Linton. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 2127 Strand (and surrounding blocks). For
information, call 409-763-2403. Free.

Once you’re done strolling around G-town, hop in the car and motor back to the venue formerly known as Rich’s for a DJ set by Kimball Collins. This Orlando-bred deckie has been working the tables since ’87, so he’s now considered one of the masters of trance and progressive house. Hell, anyone who’s managed to maintain such an expensive hobby for so long is definitely worth checking out. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 2401 San Jacinto. For information, call 713-759-9606 or visit www.77002.com. $10 to $15.

Sunday, August 29

Now that you just spent last night flinging about to the beat with abandon,
head over to City Dance Studios to see how the pros do it. At the Super Duper
Open House, the folks of Houston City Dance are offering up free demonstrations
of ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz and modern dancing. We’ll call that the “super”
part. As for the “duper,” there’ll be face painting, a moonwalk and graffiti
classes. Put ’em together and you know what kind of time you’re gonna have.
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 2423 Dunstan. For information, call 713-529-6100 or visit www.houstoncitydance.com.
Free.

Monday, August 30

Nothing says party like 50-cent sake. Okay, so a lot of things probably say
party more than 50-cent sake, but let’s not split hairs here. Mondays at Mo
Mong, you can down 50-cent sake shots all night long — which is a beautiful
recipe for danger, if you ask us. There are also $2 wells and beers for those
who don’t dig on fermented rice. Pick your poison, and don’t let us hear you
complaining the next morning about your $10 headache. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays.
1201 Westheimer. For information, call 713-524-5664. Free.

Tuesday, August 31

In There’s Something About Mary, Ben Stiller’s character picks up a
hitchhiker with a brilliant get-rich-quick scheme: Market a video called 7-Minute
Abs and one-down the folks of 8-Minute Abs. Of course, the guy turns
out to be a psychopath, but it’s still a great idea. It makes you wonder why
this concept hasn’t occurred to the competitors of 8-Minute Dating. Sure,
eight minutes is a fair amount of time to meet that special someone, but is
that last minute really so important? It’s all small talk anyway. If you shaved
it down to seven, you could meet an extra person every hour. But until that
brilliant dating entrepreneur emerges from the ranks and markets our ingenious
plan, we’ll settle for 8-Minute Dating at the Seabrook Beach Club. Eight can
be lucky too, you know. 7 p.m. 3345 NASA Road 1. For information, call 832-443-0275
or visit www.8minutedating.com. $35.

Wednesday, September 1

Damn, the first of the month can really creep up on you. After you’re done
paying the rent, take your broke ass over to Jones Plaza for a free concert
by La Orquesta Salmerum. Playing here as part of the Latin Rumba Nights series,
this ten-piece band has been tearing up the local Latin scene with its unique
combination of SALsa, MErengue and RUMba. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. 600 Louisiana.
For information, call 713-477-4800 or visit www.latinoaccess.com.
Free.

Or if you’ve still got a little money to spare, then we suggest the Animal Collective show at Fat Cat’s. This Brooklyn-based foursome strums and synths its way through a diverse catalog of ambient tunes. The songs conjure images of nature; sometimes they even speak for the trees. Looks like the Lorax has some competition. Doors at 8:30 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m. 4216 Washington Avenue. For information, call 713-869-5263 or visit www.clubfatcat.com. $9.