Torn Identity

Are you a name-brand shopper? If so, then “5×7/Houston” probably isn’t for
you. Billed as an “exhibition and art spree,” it’s an annual fund-raiser for
the Austin-based organization Arthouse. The event presents hundreds of small
works (they’re all five by seven inches), displayed anonymously, by both established
and emerging artists from Texas and beyond. Visitors can pick whatever strikes
them or try to find works by artists they recognize; when a work is purchased,
the artist’s true identity is revealed. All of the pieces are $100, so it’s
a great opportunity to get some amazing art for a low, low price. Participating
Houston artists include Danny Yahav Brown, Patrick Phipps and Scott Calhoun.
All the proceeds go to Arthouse, which is a nonprofit that organizes exhibitions
and programs statewide and promotes contemporary art in Texas. At “5×7/Houston,”
you’ll find suspense and bargain shopping — all for a good cause. The
exhibition opens from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, September 5. You can continue
shopping from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 6. Mixture Contemporary
Art, 1709 Westheimer. For information, call Arthouse at 512-453-5312. —
Kelly Klaasmeyer

Trading Show The Learning Channel’s
Trading Spaces has taught us that lots of people are willing to let strangers
come in and mess with their castles. But it might be wiser to learn a little
something about interior design and then redo your domain yourself. Vern Yip,
a designer on the popular program, will make an appearance this weekend at the
2003 Fall Houston House Beautiful show, chatting about Trading Spaces and providing homeowners with tips about interior design. The weekend also features
presentations on gardening, cooking and wine. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, September
5. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, September 6. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, September
7. Yip appears at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Saturday. The Reliant Center, Halls A and B, 8400 Kirby. For information, call
281-277-4040 or visit www.housebeautifulshows.com.
$2 to $8.50. — Cathy Matusow

THU 9/4
The Future of Freedom Bringing world politics to Houston If you consider yourself a citizen of the world, you’d better know something
about it. The Houston World Affairs Council keeps folks up to speed about international
events, bringing leaders and politicos to Houston. At HWAC forums, globally
minded Houstonians engage in debate and learn about the latest world issues.
This week’s event features Fareed Zakaria, who will discuss his new book about
global political trends called The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy
at Home and Abroad. Future speakers include Paula Dobriansky and Madeleine
Albright. Zakaria speaks at noon on Thursday, September 4. Westin Oaks Hotel,
5011 Westheimer. For reservations, call 713-522-7811. For information, visit
www.houstonworldaffairs.org.
$25 to $40. — Anthony Nguyen

Fee, Fi, Fo, Film They Might Be Giants
conquers the big screen “Don’t Let’s Start” was the first independent
video to make MTV’s rotation. Ever since, They Might Be Giants has demanded
if not mass reverence then at least great respect. The indie-pop duo gets its
due, once again, in the documentary film Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns.
The film opens with former U.S. senator Paul Simon telling an amusing anecdote
about Abraham Lincoln (TMBG is from Lincoln, Massachusetts), then follows the
now-Brooklyn-based Giants (John Flansburgh and John Linnell) through decades
of collaboration, which started when they were in grade school. Gigantic includes interviews, animation, concert footage and testimonials from Andy Richter,
Janeane Garofalo and Frank Black, to name a few. The film’s Houston premiere
takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, September 5, and Sunday, September 7; 8 p.m. and
10 p.m. Saturday, September 6. Rice Cinema, entrance no. 8 off University Boulevard
and Stockton Drive. For information, call 713-348-3138. $5 to $6. –Troy
Schulze

SAT 9/6
Somos Broke? Local Pacifica radio station KPFT continues its summer of backyard benefits
with a fund-raiser for its Latino programs, which include Proyecto Latino
Americano, Sexto Sol, Alternative Scream, Latino Voices and the roster’s oldest program, Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their
Say ON THE AIR. Tony Diaz, the latter show’s host, thinks a boost in funding
would help KPFT’s community affairs programs garner more of an audience. Saturday’s
event, called “Somos KPFT” (translation: “We are KPFT”), features live
performances by Houston bands Chango Jackson, Vudu Café, De Sangre, Sister
Sister, Capucino and Zaranda. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, September 6. KPFT’s
backyard, 419 Lovett Boulevard. For information, call 713-526-4000. $10. —
Troy Schulze