This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Thursday, September 23

If you’ve been living in a cave (or hiding from hurricanes) lately, we’ve got
a news flash for you: Chappelle’s Show is the hottest comedy joint on
television, hands down. And Dave Chappelle owes a lot to his supporting cast,
namely Charlie Murphy, Bill Burr and Donnell Rawlings. The standout has been
Murphy — a.k.a. Charlie Murphaayyy — who, on the show, shares hilarious memories
of his days as a bodyguard to his brother Eddie (yes, that Eddie Murphy)
in True Hollywood Story-style interviews. You can catch the crew at the
Improv in the I’m Rich! Biatch! Tour. The gig is part of a nationwide
“Comedy of Dating” event. Surveys suggest that a sense of humor is the most
attractive quality in a mate, so test your significant other’s at the show (just
refrain from referring to your honey as “biatch” until the second date). 8:30
p.m. today; 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, September 24, and Saturday, September
25; 8:30 p.m. Sunday, September 26. 7620 Katy Freeway. For information, call
713-333-8800 or visit www.improv.com. $17
to $20.

Friday, September 24

Religious talk aside, Jesus was a pretty progressive guy. After all, he had
a penchant for sandals, long hair and hanging with the less-than-pious crowd.
So it might not be a stretch to think he’d be into progressive house, right?
Kenneth Akiri, who’s organizing “eob II” (Evening of Bliss II), thinks
so. It’s a Christian rave. Seriously. “Oh, yeah, we’re going to have lights,
three DJs and house, techno, trance and live music,” he says. A former raver
who recently converted, Akiri says the event will be more club than church.
“The lyrics in the music make it Christian, but it sounds like everyday house
and trance,” he says. “Most of the musicians who write this are former ravers
themselves.” If you’re having second thoughts, just ask yourself this: What
would Jesus do? “I think he would totally come to this,” says Akiri. “He’d wear
the rave hat and everything.” Check this righteous rave from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
2502 Webercrest. For information, call 281-733-3312 or visit www.heavenlyraves.com.
$15.

Saturday, September 25

If you’re still experiencing a high (a natural high, of course) and a general
goodwill toward men after last night’s rave, head to DiverseWorks tonight. Voices
Breaking Boundaries will be presenting its season opener, Words for Peace
3: ¡Incite Change!, featuring Mango Tribe, an Asian/Pacific Islander
women’s group that blends voice, music, poetry and video. Expect other live
performances, most notably the always cool Project Row Houses Youth Drummers.
Local activists will talk about global change, immigration, reproductive rights
and — natch — peace. 7 p.m. 1117 East Freeway. For information, call 713-524-7821
or visit www.voicesbreakingboundaries.org.
$8.

You’ve done your civic duty. Now it’s time to change up your wardrobe. Slip on your finest unmentionables and head to the Renaissance Hotel for the ClubMonkey Fall Pajama Pub Crawl. Locals in lingerie will be jumping on a party bus and making for the Belmar, Slainte/The Ruby Room, Red Star and Sherlock’s Pub. As you down your discounted cocktails and mix and mingle, make plans for the hot tub at the Renaissance, to which your tipsy, silk-covered ass will be returning via the bus. Pack your overnight bag (and some breath mints) and register at 4 p.m.; bus leaves at 6:30 p.m. 6 Greenway Plaza. For information, call 713-522-0881 or visit www.clubmonkey.com. $50 to $60.

Sunday, September 26

There are plenty o’ home shows and tours this weekend, but only one features
the childhood abode of Houston’s famous bazillionaire Howard Hughes. Today,
you can spend the afternoon with the folks from the Greater Houston Preservation
Alliance on a walking tour through the University of St. Thomas. Get a glimpse
of the university’s historic structures, ask forgiveness for last night’s transgressions
at the Chapel of St. Basil, and check out Hughes’s home. And just remember,
being a captain of industry like Howard isn’t always glamorous. Who wants to
be a hermit with four-inch fingernails? 1:30 p.m. Link-Lee Mansion, 3800 Montrose,
first floor. For information, call 713-216-5000 or visit www.ghpa.org.
$7 to $10.

Monday, September 28

Moving sucks. You leave your room, your yard, your friends. We especially pity
the children of Lewis E. Lawes. The appropriately named prison warden thought
it would be a good idea to move his wife and kids to New York’s Sing Sing prison
when he took over in 1919. The lucky children got to share a backyard with 1,096
of America’s worst inmates, playing baseball with murderers, kidnappers and
rapists. Hear more about Lawes when author Ralph Blumenthal discusses
Miracle at Sing Sing at Brazos Bookstore. 7 p.m. 2421 Bissonnet. For
information, call 713-523-0701 or visit www.brazosbookstore.com.
Free.

Tuesday, September 29

Sure, we all had our fun in college, but after watching Theater LaB’s Mrs.
Farnsworth, you may be scrambling for your little black book, hoping
nobody in it has a big mouth. In the show, the Waspy Mrs. Farnsworth takes a
writing course where she pens a tale about her hanky-panky during her Yale days
— possibly, with a man who’s now president of the USA. Her husband tries to
charm her out of telling the story, but her prof already has his hands on it.
Will the secrets of Duby — er, the president — be revealed? Find out today
at 8 p.m. Through October 23. 1706 Alamo. For ticket information, call 713-868-7516
or visit www.theaterlabhouston.com.
$22 to $25.

Wednesday, September 30

Wednesday nights are the perfect time to get hammered. You’ll have Thursday
to recover, which gives you just enough time to get your tolerance up for Friday
night. So today, hang out with Def Jam Blaster at the super-swanky Uptown
Park club the Belvedere. This homegrown DJ has played the Super Bowl, shindigs
for FUBU and even parties for Master P. and P. Diddy, so we’re guessing you’ll
be entertained as you sip cocktails and rub elbows with the upwardly mobile.
Throw on some fresh gear, try to park next to a Ferrari, and drink your fill
at 9 p.m. 1131 Uptown Park Boulevard. For information, call 713-552-9271 or
visit www.defjamblaster.com.