Thursday, December 4
It’s not like the entire star-studded population of MTV’s TRL is swinging
through town to make all the little girls weep with proto-lust and idol worship.
But today’s Jingle Jam 2003 isn’t too far from the mark. The list of
artists is fairly studded with stars and skews young. The Black Eyed Peas will
bring the hip-hop; Hilary Duff will take care of the bubblegum pop; Thalia will
represent the Latin sound; Sean Paul will provide the reggae; and Simple Plan
will be left to handle the perky punk-pop. Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey,
the country’s favorite headed-for-disaster newlyweds, will co-host the pubescent
blowout. If you plan to attend (or are roped into chaperoning daughters, nieces
and what-have-you), we suggest you join in the fun of screaming your lungs out
at the well-scrubbed entertainers. Otherwise, earplugs are de rigueur. 6:45 p.m. Reliant Arena, 8400 Kirby. For tickets, call 713-629-3700 or visit
www.ticketmaster.com. $25.
Friday, December 5
Flamenco, according to its premier practitioner, Omayra Amaya, will stomp its
way under your skin. The Andalusian dance-and-music art form arose among the
poorest elements of Gypsy society as an angry reaction to the oppression of
Gypsy culture in the south of Spain. “Flamenco was their way of expressing their
social, economic and political situation,” says Amaya. “It began as a scream
of liberation for them. It is impossible to hear flamenco music and not feel
your heart turn around and scream.” Amaya brings the emotionally charged flamenco
to town today with her show Raza. With all the foot-stomping and harsh
facial expressions of the dancer, Amaya warns, “Flamenco is not pretty. But
it is beautiful.” 8 p.m. today and tomorrow. Hamman Hall, Rice University, entrance
no. 14 (off Rice Boulevard). For information and tickets, call 713-348-PLAY.
$30.
Even though the reality-TV wave may have already crested, you haven’t missed
the boat, er, bus yet. A passel of brief, bright MTV stars has hit the road
in separate tour buses for the Reality Bar Crawl. The tour itself is
being filmed for airing in February, so if you show up today, your mug could
wind up on the tube. But there’s another draw: The buses are carrying casting
directors from the new Hollywood agency Reality Casting Call, which specializes
in guess what. From behind the camera lens, the casting directors will be keeping
their eyes open for random talent to pluck from obscurity, thrust into the limelight
and then hurl back into obscurity. Yes, folks, it’s finally happened — a reality
show about a reality show. How utterly meta. Casting call: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
today and Thursday; bar opens 10 p.m. today (with Mark Long of Road Rules 1
and Eric Nies of Real World: New York), and Thursday, December 4 (with
David Giuntoli and Abram Boise of Road Rules 12: South Pacific). BAR
Houston, 534 Texas,713-227-5516, www.barhouston.com.
$10. Additional casting call: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, December 5 (with Christina
Trainor and Ace Amerson of Real World: Paris), Hurricane Hut, 3403 FM
1960. For information, call 832-484-1960 or visit www.thehurricanehut.com.
$5 for 21 and up; $10 under 21.
Sunday, December 7
Perhaps you’ve grown a bit complacent about the molecular biology revolution.
After all, it’s been a while since the gene therapy clinical trial had to be
called off because of the death of a participant, and the shouting match over
stem cell research has pretty much fallen off the front page. But rest assured
that even if you’ve stopped worrying about evil clones harvesting your
organs, a number of experimental video artists haven’t. Today’s Gene Genies:
Recent Experimental Works About the Human Genome will give these artists’
alarmist hysteria free and sometimes funny rein. And remember, just because
they’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re wrong. 3 p.m. today, and 8 p.m. Saturday,
December 6. Aurora Picture Show, 800 Aurora. For information, call 713-868-2101
or visit www.aurorapictureshow.org.
$5.
Monday, December 8
The musicians dress in sharp suits, shade their eyes with classic Ray Bans
and play songs you — or at least your parents — already know. Today, take
comfort in the timeless and familiar with local boys the El Orbits at
the band’s weekly gig at the Continental Club. The Orbits will be blowing the
dust off some golden oldies (Peggy Lee, anyone?) and taking them out for a spin.
You can take a spin on the dance floor if you can keep up with the jitterbuggers.
Otherwise, just sit back and enjoy the retro atmosphere, including some seriously
retro drink prices. Today is also Bingo Night at the club, with a perky Peggy
Sue lined up to call out the numbers between numbers. 9 p.m. 3700 Main. For
information, call 713-529-9899 or visit www.continentalclub.com.
Free.
Tuesday, December 9
The last time they visited Portland, the Rockets blew a first-quarter lead
and point guard Steve Francis blew his cool. Francis worked himself into a lather
as the clock ran out, missing a three-pointer, getting the rebound and making
a meaningless layup at the buzzer. With the “L” fresh in the Rockets’ away-game
column, Francis approached Portland forward Quintel Woods, started in on him
and didn’t stop until he was pulled away. Neither Woods nor Francis would disclose
what was said, but Francis indicated that Woods had really crossed the line
of trash-talking decency — could mamas have been mentioned? Perhaps personal
animosity will flare up again at today’s Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers matchup here at home. Or perhaps by then Jeff Van Gundy will have managed to
put a muzzle on our man. 7:30 p.m. Toyota Center, 1510 Polk. For information
and tickets, call 1-866-4HOUTIX or visit www.houstontoyotacenter.com.
$10 to $325.
Wednesday, December 10
Downtown is all decked out in its December finery. And you don’t have to crane
your neck out of the car window as you whiz by on I-45 to see it. You can stop,
park and take a 90-minute guided Holiday Lights Walk courtesy of Discover
Houston Tours. The walking portion of the tour will take you through the Allen
Center Gardens, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and the Bob Smith Fountain.
After that, you can rest your tootsies on a comfortable Metro trolley. It will
take you past the windows at Foley’s department store and a dramatic water-and-light
show at Main Street Plaza. The tour wraps up with a photo of you and yours in
front of the City Hall Christmas tree. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Doubletree at Allen
Center, 400 Dallas. For information, call 713-222-9255 or visit www.discoverhoustontours.com.
$10; $5 for children.
This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2003.