“Stan VanDerBeek: The Culture Intercom”
The avant-garde cinema of Stan VanDerBeek consists of cut-out animation, collages and computer technology. While the surreal films encourage memories of whacked-out acid trips, they have biting messages of social and political critique. The exhibit “Stan VanDerBeek: The Culture Intercom” covers three decades of VanDerBeek’s career, and begins with his…
Opening the Box
Take five former members of Masquerade Theatre (Houston’s pre-eminent Broadway musical revival company), put them in the space formerly occupied by the zanies of Radio Music Theatre (Houston’s pre-eminent comedy show, now sadly shuttered), turn them loose to create original cabaret evenings of music and comedy, and shake vigorously. You’d…
“Cast in Plastic: Art from the Designer Toy Revolution””
The DIY custom toy movement puts a more individualistic spin on playthings not really meant to be played with. In the exhibit “Cast in Plastic: Art from the Designer Toy Revolution,” more than 30 different artists — all working in vinyl figures — showcase their custom-painted creations. “Companies release unpainted…
“Voodoo Pop: Thirty Years of Friendship and Art by Trey Speegle and Mary Hayslip”
It was a friendship forged at Richmond Hall, almost two decades before the deco building became the home of The Menil Collection’s pop-y Dan Flavin installation. Artists Mary Hayslip and Trey Speegle met there back when the building housed a series of bars, including a country-and-western dance hall. Texas-born Speegle…
Essential Self-Defense
Playwright Adam Rapp (Pulitzer Prize-finalist for Red Light Winter) can be an uncertain, quirky writer, somewhere between Sam Shepard with his grotesque way-out-west family and Harry Kondoleon and his oddball, psychotic fairy tales. Rapp’s 2007 Essential Self-Defense, making a welcomed regional premiere at Horse Head Theatre Company with this production,…
2012: Mayan Prophecies
You know it’s coming — 2012 and the end of the world, according to Mayan astronomers. Get the story behind the theories and practices that led to the prediction in the full-dome planetarium show 2012: Mayan Prophecies. Viewers see the ancient Mayan pyramids and cities Palenque, Chichen Itza and Uxmal,…
The Monster at the Door
The 36-year-old Rajiv Joseph is presently basking in the sort of acclaim most living playwrights never know. His Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, a Pulitzer Prize finalist last year, is in the midst of a Broadway run with Robin Williams. And this month, Houston has dibs on the world…
“In the Footsteps of My Grandparents”
“In the Footsteps of My Grandparents” documents Houston-based freelance photographer Talya Arbisser’s efforts to reconnect with her family’s roots in Israel. Arbisser took more than 1,000 photos while visiting the country, but chose just 25 for the exhibition. Despite the small number of photos, Arbisser manages to show viewers a…
City Selling Its Downtown HPD Headquarters, Preventing Jailer Layoffs
For sale or lease: HPD HQHouston will look to sell or lease the downtown police headquarters as part of a deal that will keep HPD from having to lay off 273 jailers, Mayor Annise Parker announced today. The city and the HPD pension plan also agreed to allow the city…
Comment of the Day
Yesterday John Kiely wrote about his difficulties growing corn in Houston, and that got commenter Megan reminiscing about childhood: Ah, summer. The time of year where on any major country intersection there’s a sweet corn stand. I was totally spoiled growing up – the farmer that leased my grandparents’ field…
Charbel Tannous: Katy Man Accused of Swindling Lake Charles Casino Big-Time
A Katy man helped a dealer swindle a Lake Charles casino out of more than $250,000, Louisiana law enforcement officials say. Charbel Tannous, 33, worked in tandem with dealer Derrick Weldon, 42, to bilk the L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, they say. Weldon was arrested on site…
Build-A-Bar: The Basics
I’ve been fooling around with my Roasted-Banana-Infused Treaty Oak Rum for a week or so, trying to tweak it into a cocktail recipe worthy of actually serving to someone. It’s gone through quite a few iterations, bringing many disparate spirits, liqueurs, and bitters into play. As I was stirring together…
Horrfying and Lovely: Kevin Prufer at Poison Pen
The poems in Kevin Prufer’s fifth collection In a Beautiful Country may sound a lot like love poetry, may even employ the same sorts of strategies, particularly the closely observed and tenderly detailed address to the beloved. But Prufer’s subjects, in these selfsame poems, are often violence, war, and death…
Astros Collapse Against Braves Sends Stat Geeks Scrambling
If you happen to be on the wrong end of a tough loss in baseball, the last words you want to hear are “Elias Sports Bureau.” The mere mention of that group should elicit the same queasiness with a losing baseball team that the Internal Revenue Service does with tax…
Five Healthy Burger Alternatives
With Memorial Day Weekend just around the corner, it may be tempting to heat up the grill and cook up a giant burger. However, the holiday also marks the start of bathing suit season. Whether you are trying to lose a few or are looking for some interesting alternatives to…
Visian Prashasouk: Shootout With a Cop at Roxy
If you’re in a growing fight outside a Galleria-area nightclub, Bad Idea No. 1 would be to pull out a gun and fire shots in the air. Bad Idea No. 2 would be to ignore the uniformed moonlighting cop who’s pointing his pistol at you and telling you to drop…
Happy Birthday George Strait: His Saddest Songs Ever
Today is George Harvey Strait’s 59th birthday, and Rocks Off is celebrating by listening to some of the saddest songs he has ever recorded, because it’s what we usually do on Wednesday afternoons anyway. Just a few months back he scored his 83rd Top 10 hit with “The Breath You…
Titian’s Imaginative Painting on Display at the Museum of Fine Arts This Weekend
Museum-goers will get to experience the unprecedented work of Titian and other Venetian painters when Masterworks of the Venetian Renaissance opens at the Museum of Fine Arts. Best characterized by its attention placed on color and loose brushwork, Venetian painting emerged as a freer form than its Italian painting counterpart. Where…
Five GREAT Things About This Weekend’s Rapture
In case you hadn’t heard, the Rapture will happen at 5:58 a.m. Saturday. All the good, Christian people will ascend to heaven and everyone else will be left here to suffer through unprecedented natural disasters before the End of Time comes in the fall. At least that’s Doonesbury’s take on…
Apps We’d Like to Use Before We Get Out of Bed
Yours truly was the last person on earth without a formal diagnosis of mental deficiency to get a cell phone. That was six years ago, and in that time we have upgraded only once, and that was only because we accidentally washed the thing in a load of muddy jeans…
Health Department Roundup
The inspections of the past few days have resulted in just a few more closures/citations than we’ve seen in recent weeks. Not sure what led to the benevolence, but it might be at an end. This is potentially bad news for restaurants, potentially good news for finicky restaurant patrons, and…
UH Students Go Inside Bon Jovi’s Space-Age Stage
As if he hadn’t done enough already, we can add philanthropy to the list of John Bon Jovi’s accomplishments. Already world renowned for his music, the rock icon and No. 1 worldwide touring act of 2010, according to Billboard and Pollstar, is out to help people, and a lot of…
Jason and Misty Beasley: Alleged Meth Bender Lands Baby’s Parents in Jail
According to reports, wild-eyed Jason Wayne Beasley was frantic Monday night, and told a neighbor on his Longview street that someone had killed his wife, Misty Beasley. Police arrived and found a heartbreaking scene. No, Mrs. Beasley was not dead. The 27-year-old was just in a deep, deep sleep. For…
Print Is Not Dead: Zine Fest Houston This Weekend
A famous man once said “Print is dead,” and that man was Egon from the Ghostbusters movie, which was filmed over 20 years ago when the word “blog” would have sounded like gibberish. Back then, if you were looking for a substitute to the mainstream media you would have to…
Bootsie’s Heritage Cafe: Behind the Review
Bootsie’s Heritage Cafe is the little restaurant in Tomball that’s turning out food to set the rest of Houston topsy-turvy. When I took my first vacation since starting at the Houston Press as the food critic, EOW blogger Jason Bargas took it on for this week’s cafe review. Go ahead…
Houston Teen Payton Rae Scores 2.5 Million YouTube Views
“My haters are my motivators” As young female stars like Miley Cyrus exit their teen years and welcome young adulthood with open limbs, their boots are left behind for other starry-eyed aspiring musicians to fill. One of them might even be from Space City: A 15-year-old YouTube sensation named Payton…
76-Year-Old Man Tied Up for Two Days by Burglars
Burglars left a 76-year-old man tied up in duct tape and wrapped in a rug for two days while they calmly ransacked his house, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office says; the man eventually dragged himself out onto the street to find help. Two suspects have been arrested in the incident,…
Cover Story: In the Gay Nightlife Scene, Charles Armstrong Is the Real Mayor of Montrose
Deep in the heart of Montrose, gossip flows as freely as the liquor. Throw club owner Charles Armstrong’s name into the mix and you’ll get more than an earful, no matter which gay bar you’re in. Everybody knows about the feral cats, for instance. Cats run freely around Montrose like…
First Listen: Gaga’s Born This Way Stops Short Of Glory
Tuesday night the new Lady Gaga album, Born This Way, leaked onto file-sharing sites, much to the chagrin of hardcore fans who were waiting to be surprised on May 24 for the official release. The Little Monsters are respectful ones, aren’t they? This monster will be buying his own next…
O.K. Corral Historian Tells How the West Was
When it comes to images of the wild west, nothing beats a handlebar-sporting Kurt Russell striding down the dusty streets of Tombstone at high noon on his way to kick some major Dalton or Clanton (or whatever the name of that gang was) ass. But author Jeff Guinn, in his…
George H.W. Bush Actually Thinks There Are Astro All-Stars
George H.W. Bush did have some good ideas as president — for one, he didn’t invade Iraq just because he thought he could. But now the dude just seems off his rocker. In a MLB video that’s unembeddable but can be viewed here, Bush encourages fans to vote for the…
Songs To Soundtrack Your Rapture Experience
This Saturday is the Rapture, that biblical calling home of all the saved and righteous Christians, living and dead, here on dirty, sinful Earth. Luckily, Craig’s Hlist has been saved since, like, second grade, so you other guys who aren’t are sort of screwed. Besides, when the Rapture rolls in…
Tuscapalooza: As if You Needed an Excuse to Drink Beer
The string of tornados that tore across the Southern states on April 27, 2011 inflicted damage comparable to a category-five hurricane. It killed more 300 people and left thousands more homeless. The impact was especially severe in Tuscaloosa, a tiny Alabama town completely decimated by a tornado that left a…
Doris Vinitski: Paid $1,000-Per-Patient Kickbacks to Recruit for Medicare Fraud
How lucrative can ripping off Medicare be? Lucrative enough that one scamster was offering up to $1,000 a patient to “recruiters” who sent customers her way. Doris Vinitski, 46, the owner of Onward Medical Supply, signed up the patients and then started billing Medicare for the usual stuff — wheelchairs…
Glassell Studio School Art Sale and Exhibition Goes Off Memorial Day Weekend
This will be an art sale for the people, and not necessarily for the big-baller collector. On Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28, more than 1,000 art works, some for as little as five dollars, will be available for purchase during the Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s Glassell School…
What to Feed That Flu
With the temperature climbing steadily toward the hellish heat of Houston summer, I could’ve sworn I’d escaped the flu season unscathed. If only I was so lucky. I got sick, making it hard to taste anything. And as someone who loves food, this was especially unfortunate. I knew I had…
Last Night: Mogwai At Warehouse Live
While the slapping of stylistic labels onto music may irk bands, such terms are often warranted, accurate, and most importantly, not necessarily negative. Scottish rockers Mogwai hold a laundry list of said labels: Progressive, instrumental, indie, ambient, punk, post-rockers. The band upheld each and every one these styles Tuesday night…
We Have Our New City Council Map, and YES!!, It’s Got the Hip White District
City Council this morning approved the proposed redistricting plan that will add two more seats and — most importantly — unite the white urban hipsters of the Heights and Montrose (and the Museum District) — into one grand mini-San Francisco domain of historic preservation, GLBT sensitivity and very sophisticated taste…
Clarence Brandley: Ex-Death Row Inmate Still Fighting for Restitution
Clarence Brandley, who spent nearly ten years on Death Row for a murder he did not commit, will be back in the news today. He and supporters are holding a press conference this afternoon to push for restitution from the state for being wrongly imprisoned. Like Anthony Graves, another Texan…
The Battles Continue: Week 2 Sing-offs on The Voice
This week, The Voice opens with a Carson Daly voice-over, in which he welcomes me back to “the most exciting singing competition in the world.” Um, no, but let’s move on. Carson recaps the new format of the show, explaining that the judges will be pairing members of their own…
Chef Chat, Part 1: Ray Busch of Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack
Houston’s most aromatic gas station is the Shell on Old Spanish Trail in Central South. It’s right next door to Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack, a brand-new restaurant that’s been pumping out mouthwatering smells and authentic Texas barbecue since January 12. Eating Our Words caught up with Houston native Ray…
Last Night: Bon Jovi At Toyota Center
Bon Jovi Toyota Center May 17, 2011 Keep the faith with Bon Jovi and their hordes of Houston fans in our slideshow. It’s no easy feat to emerge relatively unscathed from the ruins of the ’80s metal boom. Bon Jovi’s more glam-oriented contemporaries can no longer hope to fill the…
Houston Ballet’s “Raising the Barre” Debuts Next Week
The Houston Ballet is on fire this year. With a beautiful new home, an artistic director hand-selected to choreograph for Jacob’s Pillow, and a Rudolph Nureyev Prize for New Dance, it’s a good time to see a company raking in national acclaim. Start with next week’s spring mixed repertory program,…
DJ Supastar Schools “Minis” At Girls Summer Camp
Each Wednesday, Rocks Off arbitrarily appoints one lucky local performer or group “Artist of the Week,” bestowing upon them all the fame and grandeur such a lofty title implies. Know a band or artist that isn’t awful? Email their particulars to sheaserrano@gmail.com. For the most part, we’ve avoided adding DJs…
Racing Rachael: Mini Meat Loaves with Mac & Cheese and Seared Greens
So, here’s the thing…Even though Rachael Ray’s TV persona drives me up the wall with the overuse of her cutesy catch phrases (specifically “EVOO” and “Yum-O,” if you need a reminder), I can’t help but be intrigued by the 30 Minute Meals concept. Can a regular Jane without the benefit…
Comment of the Day: Pride of the Aggies
We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it’s time we paid some damn attention to them. So we’ll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day’s work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula…
Comment of the Day: Arnold Has a Funny Body
Yesterday, when we received the news that Arnold Schwarzenegger had fathered a child outside his marriage with Maria Shriver, we could not pass up the chance to poke a little fun at the Governator. Did we make fun of his movies? Nope. His accent? Even more juvenile. We went straight…
Texas: Immigration Detention Capital of the Country
Texas is number one again today. To our trophy case of great honors, we add Most Beholden To Private Corporations, When It Comes To Illegal Immigration. The Detention Watch Network recently released aggregated data about the big business of immigration detention. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains about 33,000…
Goldilocks in Zombie Land… Well, Why Not?
Jeff Hughes is the owner of the Dallas/Ft. Worth based independent comic book publishing company Comic Book Divas. In two weeks, he’ll be a guest of our fair city at the Comicpalooza convention. There, he will debut his latest book, Goldilocks in Zombie Land. Ah, zombies. We’d say they’re too…
Gothic Council Debates Best Comic Book Character
Gothtopia has been tapped to be the eyes and ears of the Houston Press at Comicpalooza. Considering that the first thing that gets put up whenever we move to a new apartment is a limited-edition poster advertising Sandman: Brief Lives – which by the way hangs over a small bookshelf…
So You Want to Own a Baseball Team? Baseball Financing 101
There are a lot of stories coming out about how the Astros are going to face a long climb to respectability. About how all of the team’s problems can’t be solved by spending money. About how we’re just going to have to be patient while Jim Crane’s baseball people rebuild…
Sampler Plate: This Week in Food Blogs
Each week, we put together a sampler plate of the most interesting links from both local and national food blogs. Know a blog we should be paying particular attention to? Leave the address in the comments section below. Saveur: First and most importantly, congratulations to two of our regularly featured…
Texas Drought, Urban vs. Rural: A Venn Diagram of Suffering
People can’t stop bitching about the extreme drought gripping Texas, which has no end in immediate sight. A drought does affect everyone, of course. It’s just that some are affected more than others, making it a little whiny for one group to be complaining. A Venn diagram of the suffering…
Comment of the Day
Today Nicholas Hall reported on a DEFCON 1 dining event that took place at 11th Street Café. The meal wasn’t the best, but that was hardly the point. Said commenter Crystal: I gotta say that I love the DEFCON dining series. Not only are they pretty entertaining to read, they…
NBA Lottery — Where Houston Rockets Point Guards Go to Die
“So you’re saying there’s a chance…” — Lloyd Christmas Yes. 1.82 percent, to be exact. Those are the odds that the ping pong balls will fall the Houston Rockets’ way tonight at the annual NBA Draft Lottery and they wind up with a top three pick. After finishing the season…
Boiling at Big Star: What Goes Better With Beer Than Crawfish?
If EOW blogger and Louisiana native Jason Bargas’s posts on how to put together the perfect crawfish boil have made your mouth water and your jaw ache just thinking of those spicy little bugs, we’ve got a treat for you. Bargas is co-hosting a crawfish boil along with friend Brad…
Five Murderers’ Unreleased Children’s Albums
Reading this article from our San Francisco sister blog All Shook Down got Rocks Off thinking: If Leadbelly could murder a man in cold blood, yet also excel in the gentle whimsy of children’s music, could there have perhaps been other killers who tried to record children’s albums that, for…
Master of Wine Doug Frost Visits Houston with Ribera del Duero
Even when he has a cold (as he did today), it’s always a thrill to get to taste with Doug Frost (above), Master of Wine and Master Sommelier, one of only three people in the world to hold both titles. Doug was in Houston at the Parador, riffing on Ribera…
Brian Ruston Linscomb: Calls Cops On Own Motel Party, Despite Being Wanted On Boatload of Warrants
For a while there, it seemed like Brian Linscomb’s Sunday evening Lufkin motel party was going off swimmingly. At least one woman and several unidentified men crammed into Linscomb’s lodgings at the Angelina Motel, and we can only imagine the goings-on at that little soiree. Suddenly, according to what Linscomb…
Garden Fresh: Corn
For half of my life, a crop was part of my ID. “Where are you from?” “Indiana.” “Oh, yeah, I’ve been there. Lots of corn.” I thought it would get better when I moved west to New Mexico. “Oh, yeah, green chiles.” It’s better to live in Texas, where the…
Today’s DVDs: Vanishing on 7th Street, The Other Woman, and Diabolique
Horror seems to be the theme for today’s DVDs as Art Attack looks at two horror films – the entertaining Vanishing on 7th Street and the sublime French classic Diabolique – and one horrible film, The Other Woman. Vanishing on 7th Street stars John Leguizamo, Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton and…
Russian Freeze on Art Loans to U.S. Postpones HMNS Hermitage Exhibit
The Houston Museum of Natural Science has postponed indefinitely its exhibit Treasures of the Hermitage because of “pending legal issues involving recent court hearings in Washington D.C. over legal ownership of the Schneerson Library collection in Moscow,” according to a statement from the museum. A U.S. district court ruled in…
Perry For President 2012: And So It Begins?
The conservative Web site Real Clear Politics is reporting it is detecting whiffs of Governor Rick Perry gearing up to run for president in 2012. “A Texas pol who is close to Perry has been telling a few key strategists that the nation’s longest-serving governor sees a vacuum and is…
Pumping 1983 Iron With Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Total Body Workout
It’s no secret that Arnold Schwarzenegger, the onetime Mr. Universe, former California governor, and action hero has found himself in the ultimate life pickle. A failed marriage and 10-year-old love child with a family maid are straining at the image that we all had of the gentle actor and (sometime)…
Our 5 Favorite Chilled Soups for the Summer
Hope you enjoyed our gorgeous spring, folks. It’s summer again, more or less. And there’s a lot of it left to go. Last weekend, even though it was a pleasant 62 degrees outside in New York, I found myself taking solace in a creamy bowl of vichyssoise. Sprinkled with the…
HGO, Symphony Officials Fear City Will Shaft Them in Favor of Convention Center
Representatives from the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Symphony went before City Council this afternoon to say a) they’re worried privatizing the operations of key downtown facilities will end up favoring the George R. Brown Convention Center, and b) even though the plan is to be voted on tomorrow,…
Houston Museum of Natural Science Sheds Some Light on Ancient Ukraine
Houstonians will have a chance to experience an archaeological mystery in the Tryptilian culture when Ancient Ukraine – Golden Treasures and Lost Civilizations opens at the Houston Museum of Natural Science next week. The Tryptilians, whose civilization dates back 7,000 years, lived in closely packed communities of 10,000 to 15,000…
Five Rappers You Didn’t Know Had College Degrees
Myth: The ability to string rhymes together automatically kills brain cells, thereby making it impossible for said stringer of rhymes to obtain a college degree. Fact: Many of your favorite hip-hoppers are college graduates with funny-sounding honorary titles. Myth: Street education is a prerequisite for success in rap. Fact: College…
Changes at 1560: Is KGOW Losing Its KAPOW?
In April, our cover story featured the irreverent, independent nature of local sports radio station KGOW 1560 The Game. It appears both of those characteristics may be on their way out as changes at the station inch them closer to the mainstream. Longtime program director Chance McClain — one of…
Tuesday May 17, 2011 Deals of the Day
Today’s VOICE deal of the day features good, old-fashioned Southern comfort food from Natachee’s Supper n’ Punch, located at 3622 Main. Say yes to crispy fried pickles, chicken fried steak, chili cheese fries, and more. For the VOICE deal and more, read on: VOICE deal of the day at Houstonpress.com:…
“Aggie Owned & Operated”: Warning Or Bragging?
Texas A&M will have a ceremony later this week honoring a Houston insurance business as the first in what they hope will be a large program called “Aggie Owned & Operated.” Barhorst Insurance Group on the northwest side of town will host the ceremony and be the honoree; it is…
The Best (Worst?) Pictures Of Arnold Schwarzenegger Ever
Last week we got word that former California governor and macho man actor Arnold Schwarzenegger would be separating from his wife Maria Shriver. That was sad, but reports said that it was blowing in the wind in the couple’s respective camps. But then this morning, we find out that the…
Texas House Approves Concussion Bill: Student-Athletes Would Have to Be Medically Cleared Before Returning
Late last week, the Texas House voted 94 to 42 in favor of “Natasha’s Law,” a measure that would disallow a concussed student-athlete from competing in his or her sport until cleared by a physician. Additionally, HB 2038, which now awaits a vote in the Texas Senate, would require preseason…
Glitz and Glamour at the Philippe Restaurant + Lounge Grand Opening
Yes, there was glitz and glamor at the Philippe Restaurant + Lounge grand opening fête this past Sunday evening. Even before I arrived, my friend texted me, “Carolyn Farb sighting + more. Lots of great shoes on women.” It’s a good thing I had some cute shoes for the occasion…
Lyle Lovett, Billy Gibbons Named Official Texas State Musicians
With apologies to Townes Van Zandt, there’s good news from Austin today. Good news for Houston. The Texas Commission on the Arts has chosen arguably the Houston area’s two most recognizable musicians, Lyle Lovett and ZZ Top singer/guitarist (Rev.) Billy F. Gibbons, as the official Texas State Musicians for 2011…
Space, Land and Time at MFAH
Space, Land and Time: Underground Adventures with Ant Farm from Beth Federici and Laura Harrison on Vimeo. In the 1970s, buildings went straight up and down. Their uniform windows all had four white angles, and their structures were all some kind of shade of blah. Enter Ant Farm, a San…
Out Today: Danger Mouse In Rome, Nick Cave & Queen Reissued
It’s back to the usual grind for Rocks Off after last night’s late-night Austin City Limits Festival lineup announcement. Sadly, we will not be seeing the Foo Fighters play songs from Wasting Light in Austin come September. And yes, still playing it, along with a steady diet of Guns N’…
Kristi Thibaut: Former State Rep Announces for At-Large Council Seat
Kristi Thibaut, the Democrat who rode the 2008 Obama surge into a single term in the state legislature representing Memorial and the west side of town, has announced she is running for the at-large City Council seat being vacated by term-limited Sue Lovell. That makes her the second ousted state…
Houston Gets a Brewpub; Tyson Cole Talks Uchi
Normally, we reserve restaurant opening and closings news for our weekly Friday roundups. But some news is too good to sit on, like the announcement from Scott Metzger — owner of Freetail Brewing Co. — that the San Antonio brewpub is expanding to Houston. A deal has been inked that…
DEFCON Dining: 11th Street Cafe
A DEFCON 1 dining event doesn’t necessarily look the way you think it does. I have no doubt you’re envisioning screaming kids and some sort of urine-slicked “playplace,” but that’s not necessarily the way it shakes out. In fact, the specifics of DEFCON 1 change dramatically from event to event…
iLL LiaD Faces Addiction, Dark Side On Salvation
The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place – lots of times, you’re even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good – so once a week we’re going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Something you always wanted to…
River Monster, East Texas Style
It might look like a mere minnow to Jeremy Wade, the stolidly bonkers host of Animal Planet’s River Monsters, but to the rest of us, the giant alligator gar that Cleveland’s Joseph Williams caught appears to be nothing short of a behemoth from the Cretaceous Period. Williams hauled the giant…
Mortal Kombat: Legacy: Our Prayers are Answered With Thunder
OK, there is no doubt that Kevin Tancharoen is reading these reviews, at least to judge by the disclaimer that appears before the sixth episode of Mortal Kombat: Legacy. It’s just a brief bit of text explaining that the series is his vision of Mortal Kombat, combining gritty realism with…
Upcoming: Ana Gabriel, Deadmau5, Leon Russell, Etc.
Ana Gabriel, Marco Antonio Solis: Sat., Aug. 20. Toyota Center. Ben Sollee: Thu., July 21. Fitzgerald’s. Bexar County Bastards, Hell City Kings, Southbound Saints: Fri., June 10. Rudyard’s. Black Congress, Milk Music, Chest Pain: Tue., June 7. Rudyard’s. Bob Schneider: Sat., July 23. House of Blues. Chino & Nacho: Thu.,…
Bon Jovi Rides His Steel Horse to Meet Annise Parker
Even though there’s a famous APB on him, Jon Bon Jovi met with Mayor Annise Parker yesterday and was not arrested. Bon Jovi has a concert at Toyota Center tonight, but he came to Houston a day early to do some voluntary community-service work for the President. It was not…
Cabrito at Casa Grande
Casa Grande serves a delicious version of cabrito, or young goat. Though listed on the menu, it’s not a regular item and is market-priced. Typically, a hand-lettered sign reading “Hay Cabrito” or “Cabrito Special” lets you know it’s available. My recent order took about 20 minutes, but was absolutely worth…
Post-Apocalypse’s Awesomest Scenerios Actually Coming True
Last week, Rice University professor Brent Houchens spent seven days living in a self-contained, portable shelter that was designed by his students. He tasked the class with putting together a working habitat that could be assembled quickly in the event of a natural disaster. When Professor Houchens told his students…
Ingredient of the Week: Chinese-Style Chicken Sausage
What is it? A variation of the pork Chinese sausage often found minced in fried rice, this poultry version offers a less fatty option; even the package says “Extra Lean.” But don’t worry–there is still enough fat in the sausage to render it tasty (you can even see the marbled…
Jon Bon Jovi, Mayor Parker SEARCH For Youth Answers
Jon Bon Jovi has a concert at Toyota Center Tuesday, but he came to Houston a day early to do some voluntary community-service work for the President. It was not the type of community service that required shirtless physical labor – unfortunately – but more along the lines of clothed…
Comment of the Day: Cruel and Unusual Astros Punishment
We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it’s time we paid some damn attention to them. So we’ll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day’s work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula…
Comment of the Day: I Am Barbie a “Wonderful Experience”
Yesterday, we published D.L. Groover’s shining review of Main Street Theatre’s I Am Barbie. Reader Dolores_may provided her own review by offering up this comment: After travelling from Mississippi, I saw the play Friday night. I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed again. The play is fabulous and I…
Pop Rocks: Trump’s Out — Bridging the 2012 Asshole Gap
With apologies to Richard Adams: My heart has joined the Thousand. Donald Trump stopped running today: “After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the presidency,” Trump announced in a statement Monday. But he added: “I maintain the strong conviction that if I were…
Pop Rocks: A ‘Do Deferred – No Trump In 2012
With apologies to Richard Adams: my heart has joined the Thousand. Donald Trump stopped running today: “After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the presidency,” Trump announced in a statement Monday. But he added: “I maintain the strong conviction that if I were…
Cage Match: Fired for Walking vs. My Chemical Romance
Ladies and gentlemen, this weekend a battle will be waged for your very musical soul. In this corner, weighing about as much as three small ponies, wearing black, but not in that cool way, the band that made emo what it is today, My Chemical Romance. And in this corner…..
The Astros’ Jim Crane Era Begins: Get Caught Up on the Team with This Quiz
For the first time in a long time, the Houston Astros will not be led by a hyper, motto-spouting grocery magnate. Drayton McLane has sold the team to Houston businessman Jim Crane. It may be the first piece of Astro news you’ve bothered with this year. The team was expected…
Where Are We Drinking?
It’s nice to have a place in the neighborhood where you can slip in and pick up a few really good bottles of wine without having to navigate a large liquor store or rush hour-crowded grocery store. Does the scene below look familiar to you? Leave your best guess in…
100 Creatives: Kevin DeVil
What He Does: Kevin DeVil (pronounced De Ville) makes horror films. He launched his career with the short film Zombies Most Wanted, a parody of hunting shows involving the undead. He followed up with the revenge short Walking After Midnight and ZMW II: No Way Out of Texas. All his…
Cory Spencer, 27, Bayou Body Count No. 66
A man was shot to death in a west side apartment complex Friday night after getting into an argument, Houston police say. Cory Spencer, 27, was walking through the complex in the 12700 block of Rodeo Square about 11:10 p.m. “when he is believed to have become involved in an…
Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, And Kanye West Lead ACL 2011 Lineup
Moments ago, the Austin City Limits Music Festival announced its lineup for the 10th-anniversary weekend, scheduled for Sept. 16-18 in Zilker Park. Top names include Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Kanye West, and Bright Eyes. Previously announced via the festival’s first-ever scratch-off “lineup lottery,” which began last week at various Austin-area businesses,…
Comment of the Day
Today Katharine Shilcutt reported on the problems at this weekend’s Haute Wheels Food Truck Festival, and the commenters chimed in. Said Eric Wilson: I was surprised that the $15 entry fee was mainly for drinks, not food. I thought there would be one line or a separate are for samples,…
Last Night: Propain’s “Say I Won’t” Video Premiere At 300 Bowling
Propain “Say I Won’t” video premiere party 300 Bowling, Katy May 15, 2011 Sunday night, Propain, whose name has to be brought up during any “Which New Houston Sir Is Most Likely Pop Nationally?” conversation, had a video premiere party for his single, “Say I Won’t.” The song first appeared…
The Drayton McLane Era — Asking That One Question
The end of the Drayton McLane Era as owner of the Astros is imminent. With today’s announcement that local businessman Jim Crane’s purchase of our hometown ball club, we can begin to evaluate the “Houston Astros, version McLane” in full. There are a handful of different ways to evaluate any…
BRC’s New Menu
Although I love its oysters and burgers, I got sick of BRC Gastropub about three months ago. (Yes, I acknowledge that some of you disliked this place sooner rather than later, but count me among those who enjoyed consistently good service and food.) It wasn’t because BRC doesn’t take reservations…
Saturday Night: Josh Groban At Toyota Center
Josh Groban Toyota Center May 14, 2011 Josh Groban is an unusual pop star. Unusual for 2011, anyway. One hundred years ago, many “pop stars” as we think of the term today drew their repertoires from light opera and Italian bel canto. The vocal techniques and subject matter – love…
A&E Airing Reality Series on Flipping Houses in Houston
You might have thought the real estate implosion would mark the end of those “house-flipping” TV shows, where someone buys a fixer-upper, fixer-uppers it and then makes a huuuuge profit selling it to a beaming couple. The genre, it seems, cannot be killed. Adweek reports that the A&E Network has…
Darkness Below the Brightly Colored Surface at Anya Tish Gallery
On the surface, the new show at Anya Tish Gallery recalls happy childhood memories and tooth-rotting sweetness. But there’s dark commentary lurking in the work of Texas artists Shannon Cannings and Ann Wood. Canning paints toy guns with an emphasis on their bright colors and plastic details, like the “wood…
Gulf Shrimp Season Officially Closed
This past Sunday, May 15, marked the end of the Gulf shrimp season until at least mid-July. “The closure is designed to allow these small shrimp to grow to a larger, more valuable size before they are vulnerable to harvest,” said Robin Riechers, coastal fisheries division director for the Texas…
Arcade Fire On For ACL; Kanye Expected In Midnight Lineup
Tonight at midnight, the folks at C3 Presents who book the Austin City Limits Music Festival are expected to drop the lineup in full onto the festival’s official Web site. And like, duh, Rocks Off will of course be up and about to post it to the blog once it…
Unidentified Male, 18, Bayou Body Count No. 65
An 18-year-old man was shot to death during an argument on the west side around noon Sunday, police say. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was found dead in the 10800 block of Richmond about 11:30 a.m., HPD says. Witnesses told police the victim had been arguing with…
Wine of the Week: a Modern but Balanced Chenin Blanc from South Africa
We have a saying at our house: No wine without food and no food without wine. In other words, we never serve wine in our home as a stand-alone cocktail. It is always served within the context of a meal, whether we’re entertaining guests or just cozying up on the…
A Collection Of Great Andy Kaufman Bits
Comedian and media prophet Andy Kaufman died 27 years ago today of lung cancer, at the age of just 35 years old. Kaufman, who played the sweetly hapless immigrant Latka on long-running comedy Taxi, broke the fourth wall in his performances, paving new trails for most every great comedian to…
Saturday Night: Slightly Stoopid At Verizon Wireless Theater
Slightly Stoopid Verizon Wireless Theater May 14, 2011 Gone are the days when ska-ish, acoustic punk rock with undertones of reggae and hip-hop ruled the airwaves. Hell, Aftermath never even got to see it firsthand, so for all we know, it never really happened. Because by the time we started…
Idiots Try to Burn Mosque
The Texas chapter of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) is asking the FBI to investigate an attempted arson at a southwest side mosque as a hate crime. Media reports say at least three men in masks broke a window at the Madrasah Islamiah mosque near Bellaire Boulevard and the Southwest…
Frugalicious: Porcupine Balls
Porcupine balls are a great entree — inexpensive, delicious and easily modified to suit your caloric or dietary needs. This dish is quick to assemble, leaving you plenty of time while it bakes to do your thing. Clean-up is easy, and most ingredients are pantry/freezer staples. Here’s our version: Porcupine…
Random Acts of Child Manipulation
Last week, Good Morning America opened up a flood gate when it aired a story about a San Francisco mom who gives her 8-year-old daughter Botox shots. Apparently, the mother buys the Botox online and administers the treatments herself to “help” with the little girl’s wrinkle issues. Naturally, this is…
Man Doesn’t Notice Knife Sticking Out of Bed He Jumps On, Killing Him
We’re not sure why anyone would position a knife pointing upwards on a hotel bed, but someone did and a 24-year-old Garland man is dead because he didn’t notice it before he dove right into it, Houston police say. The man, whose identity has not been released, was in a…
The Place to Be: Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar in West Ave
If you’ve driven by the new West Ave development on Kirby and Westheimer at twilight, you’ve probably seen the crowded, happening scene taking place through the floor-to-ceiling windows at Robert Del Grande’s new Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar. I know I’ve been intrigued, so when I found myself there one…
Astro Fan On-Field Escape: A Critical Appraisal
The most excitement at Minute Maid Park this year — bigger even than Carlos Lee’s 2,000th hit — came this weekend with the wild on-field run and escape by an Astros fan. Kevin Wayne Crabtree, 27, was eventually nabbed, but he gave the crowd their money’s worth. A breakdown: 0:19:…
Strindberg’s Debt Collectors at Stark Naked Theatre: Emotionally Explosive
It’s a wonder the influential Swedish playwright (also painter, novelist, photographer and essayist) August Strindberg wrote any autobiography at all. After all, his life is richly detailed in every play – all his psychoses, neurotic desires, internal demons, prejudices and dreams. He changed theater forever with such sexy psychodramas as…
Pet Sounds: Still Blowing Minds 45 Years Later
Today is the 45th anniversary of the Beach Boys releasing the sonic and social landmark Pet Sounds The album influenced not only generations of bedroom producers and sad-eyed romantics, but also pushed the Beatles to create their own headphone masterpiece in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band the next year…
Drayton McLane: Where He Ranks Among Astro Owners
Today’s the day: The official announcement that Drayton McLane has found a buyer for the Houston Astros. McLane has been owner of the Astros for 18 years. In that time they’ve moved to a downtown ballpark (thanks, taxpayers!!), gone to a World Series (not that you’d notice) and have had…
Unidentified Headless Man, Bayou Body Count No. 64 (UPDATE: ID’d As Marlon Thomas, 35; Arrest made)
The headless, dismembered body of a man was found in a vacant east side house last night, and police are questioning several witnesses. The unidentified man’s arm was cut off; a chainsaw was found nearby, a bag of body parts, including the head was found hidden nearby at the scene…
The Killing: “Stonewalled”
I wonder how many people facing storage issues have considered the advantages of putting their kids’ bedrooms in a local meat locker. Not only are they spacious and easily climate-controlled, but they can usually be locked from the outside, ensuring you’re constantly aware of your children’s locations in these dangerous…
Hot Days at Haute Wheels Food Truck Festival
“If you think you’re hot,” mused my friend on Sunday afternoon, “think about how hot those guys in the trucks must be.” I stopped fanning myself momentarily and realized how right he was. I shouldn’t have been complaining about the heat at the Haute Wheels food truck festival on Sunday…
Brew Blog: Maui Brewing Co. Coconut Porter
My sisters in law are in Maui this week. They’re vegetarians. And teetotalers. And afraid of foods with weird names. I have no doubt they’re doing it wrong. They wanted us to go with them, but I didn’t have $10,000 to spend on a tropical vacation. I did, however, have…
Aeros Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Hamilton
John RoyalThis, amazingly, is not a penalty in the playoffs.Word began circulating through Toyota Center late in the third period of Friday night’s game one conference final tilt between the Houston Aeros and Hamilton Bulldogs. And as the word got around, the building seemed to deflate despite the Aeros holding…
Friday Night Gallery Crawl: Wendy Wagner; Stan VanDerBeek; Mary Hayslip and Trey Speegle
On a sunny Friday evening, going to Darke Gallery feels like going to a friend’s house: The unassuming gallery is nestled in a residential area in the Heights, and with Wendy Wagner’s soft, plush sculptures snaking out of the wall, the upstairs portion feels more like an attic playroom than…
Rappers Agree, Almost, That There Is A God
Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn’t a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them hear discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week’s Panel: Slim Thug, Bun B, KAB, Trae, ESG, Lil Flip, Kyle Hubbard, Young Von, Delo, Zavey Not Invited: Petey…
Game Of Thrones: “The Wolf And The Lion”
We’re at the halfway mark of the series, and just as the Morganza Spillway was recently opened to divert water from endangering Baton Rouge and New Orleans (topical!), so did the producers apparently decide it was time to open the arteries of several extras, one well-liked character, and a horse…
Dynamo Earn Point in Tough Road Draw
The Houston Dynamo bounced back from a two-game losing streak Saturday night with a scoreless draw at Real Salt Lake. For long stretches of the match, the Dynamo outclassed the class of MLS in Rio Tinto Stadium, where RSL is now unbeaten in MLS play in their last 29 matches…
Skarnales, Escovedo, Gaines Make Rockin’ Nightlife Tour
Friday was one of those nights when Rocks Off wished we operated one of those “show you the nightlife” tour buses filled with people from Omaha, Chicago, Des Moines, and Berlin. When’s the last time Houston had a gentle north wind cooling the evening in mid-May? Once the sun went…
Cheating Can Be Good
Cheating usually isn’t a good thing. If you get caught, it can break up a relationship, get you in trouble at school, or land you in prison. Yet many of us still do it. And when it comes to diets, many experts agree that cheating may not be a bad…
Main Street Theatre’s I am Barbie a Superlative Effort
The set-up: The pneumatic beauty, Barbara Millicent Roberts, was born March 9, 1959, at the New York Toy Fair to parents Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, Inc., and Jack Ryan, Mattel’s toy designer extraordinaire. Equipped with a bust worthy of the Himilayas and a waist the circumference of a pencil…
Take My Breath Away: The Supremo Burrito at Berryhill Baja Grill
Berryhill Baja Grill is not my go-to burrito joint. When I got takeout there earlier last week, I was more interested in their fish tacos, which had gotten rave reviews from some of my friends as well as one random person I overheard in the cereal aisle at Randall’s. In…
Friday Night: Smokey Robinson At Arena Theatre
Smokey Robinson Arena Theatre May 13, 2011 If William “Smokey” Robinson wasn’t America’s poet laureate of love, he would have thrived in a number of other fields. Smokey would make a solid con man, for instance. Friday night at Arena Theatre, he kicked off his show with a deceptively shaky…
Comment of the Day: No Money For Schools, But Plenty For Formula 1 Racing
We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it’s time we paid some damn attention to them. So we’ll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day’s work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula…
That Jon Hamm Sure is Nice Looking
Taking a cue from its newsier and foodier counterparts, Art Attack will now feature each day a thoughtful, interesting, weird and/or hilarious reader comment culled from the previous day’s stories. If our readers are particularly verbose, we might even feature two. Or three. When it comes to arts and culture,…
Comcast Cable Boxes: Are They Notoriously Bad?
The mother of a friend of ours recently had to get her Comcast cable box replaced. It led to an interesting conversation, he said. My mom has been having big problems with Comcast and, apparently, repair guys have admitted that their DVR boxes have a design flaw and, as a…
Musicians The Sedition Act Of 1918 Would Have Screwed
Freedom of speech is one of the most cherished rights that Americans have, and the fight for that right has drawn some of the greatest legal battles in our history. We like to believe that, after 200-plus years of defense of that right, that we can take it as a…
Minimalux at Peel Gallery an Unintended Farce
Minimalux is a London-based design studio that specializes in small, modern tableware, desk products and accessories. Founded by designer Mark Holmes, the studio utilizes premium materials for its minimalist products, which are geometrically pure in shape. Peel Gallery, the only U.S. seller of Minimalux designs, is currently displaying 23 objects…
Mario Gallegos and Rodney Ellis Spar over Redistricting, and It Gets Ugly
An attempt to move the downtown George R. Brown Convention Center into Sen. Mario Gallegos’s senate district caused a minor skirmish between Gallegos and his longtime Democratic colleague Sen. Rodney Ellis. Emotions during redistricting always run high, but especially so when members are given less than 24 hours to negotiate…
Where Are We Eating?
While you might not think “Indian food” when you think breakfast, this restaurant would like to change your mind. And judging by how good the breakfast thali below looks, we’re thinking it just might succeed. Can you tell where we’re eating this week? Leave your best guess in the comments…
Cast In Plastic at Domy Books: More Than Toys
Want to see more of the artwork from Cast in Plastic? Check out our slideshow. For the casual observer, the phrase “custom toy exhibition,” is intriguing. But what could be so interesting about a bunch of toys? Don’t be fooled; these works of art are anything but child’s play. If…
R.I.P Derek Boogaard, 28: Feared Enforcer on the Ice, Soft-Spoken off It
Derek Boogaard, the ungainly 6-foot-7 hockey enforcer who went from the Aeros to the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers, has died at the age of 28. He was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment on Friday. No cause of death has been determined, but police have said they…
Space Shuttle Endeavour: Its Five Coolest Mission Patches
Monday, barring yet another delay, the space shuttle Endeavour will take off on its 25th and final mission. Each mission gets its own patch, of course, designed with input from the crew. The five coolest mission patches Endeavour has had: 5. STS-49, May 1992 Endeavour’s inaugural flight paid tribute to…
Comment of the Day
Today, Katharine Shilcutt told Eating Our Words readers about all the fun stuff happening around town, including what may be your only chance to eat barbecue with cops. Which got commenter Megan wondering: Does the CIA even allow the spooks out of the office? Can they even be at a…
More Local Music News Than Award-Winning Hamburgers
Come one, come all, Friday the 13th or not, we’ll forever brave the week-long deluge of local music news, blog posts, tweets, Facebook updates, etc. and sift through it all to bring our readers yet another Magnolia City Mixtape. Our soundtrack this week is comes from Jonathan Jindra, whose album…
Jeff Van Gundy Says “No Thanks” to Texas A&M
It seems like every year, as we head into the “boring phase” of the sports calendar (best known as the point where the Texans’ and Rockets’ offseason intersects with the Astros’ regular season), some stories inevitably pop up to keep things spicy. Last year, realignment in college football and the…
This Week in Deliciousness
Welcome back to the weekly roundup here at Eating Our Words, where our Tears For Fears-themed food truck Sowing the Seeds of Lunch isn’t taking off nearly as well as we’d hoped. If we can’t think up a better name, it may be time to go back to our original…
Explosive Allegations in H Gallery Case: Artist Larry Crawford Says He Taped Threats
Back in March, we did a cover story on H Gallery, a West 19th Street art gallery. About a dozen artists claimed to have been bilked out of their commissions over the past several years there. Since then, we’ve heard that some of the pissed-off artists were attempting to punish…
Larry Crawford: H Gallery Bilked Me Too
UPDATE, MAY 16, 2011: Powell-Prera called in and accused of us of wanting to put her out of business. She also said all of Crawford’s allegations below, apparently unlike those in the original article, are exaggerated. She also said that she deemed the material he wanted to put up as…
Astros Finally Sold, Or So It Appears
Ding, dong, the wicked witch is dead. The Astros have, it appears, finally been sold. At least that’s what Drayton McLane has told Mark Berman over at Fox 26. The papers are still being finalized, though it is hoped that the parties will sign off on the sale next week…
TSU Sex Tape Scandal Brewing
Fox 26 is reporting that three men have been arrested in connection with a sex tape believed to have been made in one of Texas Southern University’s student apartment complexes. They’ve got a copy of the tape, rumors of which first began to surface in Twitter yesterday. They say it…
Movie Review: Forks Over Knives
In the opening sequence of Forks Over Knives, we see Lee Fulkerson, the film’s writer and director, hopped up on two Red Bulls, go in for a check-up. He doesn’t look in any way unhealthy; he looks good to be middle-aged, he’s barely overweight and he tells us that, to…
Lucas Henderson, Student from Waco, Allegedly Scams Scores of Companies with Illegal Coupons
There’s been a rash of South-on-East-Coast fraud lately, in which residents from small Texas towns have effectively duped fancy New York firms. Remember April’s scamster of the month Andy Surface, the Alvin man who e-mailed Condé Nast a fake invoice for $8 million — and they paid? This week, Waco’s…
13 Lucky Songs For Friday The 13th
Happy Friday the 13th, everyone. Unlike most Fridays, this one has gone pretty smoothly here at Rocks Off HQ, which means we must be in for a hellacious Monday. But hey, that’s next week. Our luck may be holding up – for now – but we couldn’t let the occasion…
Pre-Concert Eating at Hubbell & Hudson
Finding a good place to eat in The Woodlands prior to a concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion can be a struggle if you’re on a budget and tight for time. No one wants to battle the circling cars around The Woodlands Mall or the new Town Center, and most…
Happy Top Gun Day!: The Best Quotes From The ’80s Classic
Today, May 13, is Top Gun Day all over the world. A day where you can share your love of the immortal tale of brave men in majestic machines flying through the air like gods, defending our country, playing sweaty beach volleyball, and laying hot blondes while ignoring the homoerotic…
Blake Broadway: Fear and Loathing in Lufkin Vegas
“The trunk of the car looked like a mobile police narcotics lab,” wrote Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. “We had two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy…
Street Style: Ophelia Shops Around the World
I was strolling through Hermann Park last week when I spotted Ophelia — and her adorable knee socks–by the reflecting pool. I’d like to start by thanking her for not having me arrested when I chased her down and asked to take her photo — you’re a good sport, Ophelia!…
Seven White House Musical Guests Sketchier Than Common
Our man Rizoh did a fine job yesterday detailing how, despite what the Fox News brigade may think, Common is a pretty standup guy. In fact, compared to some of the other musicians who have been invited to the White House, he’s practically a saint. Conscientious citizen that we are,…
Yoga Fuel: Vegetable Soup from Hunan Village
I find take-out menus jammed in our door at least twice a week, and usually these menus are flimsy little pieces of paper that look like they were done on a dot-matrix printer. Last week we came home and found a sleek, shiny menu from Hunan Village stuck in the…
Big Weekend for Pet Adoptions in Houston
We’re going to go ahead and make a terrible “raining cats and dogs” joke because there’s simply no other way to describe the mondo pet adoption opportunities Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care is sponsoring this weekend…
One Hunnidt: Rapper/Poet’s Life Is In His Lyrics
Despite seeing and/or hearing his name regularly for the past few months, here’s all the information we knew two days ago about rapper/poet/existential journeyman One Hunnidt, beyond that he might be a terrible speller: Nothing. That struck us as an unreasonable amount of ignorance, so we reached out to him…
Pizza: The Perfect Quick and Healthy Dinner
When I was still working in an office, every day I was faced with the same annoying choice: either get in a good workout or cook a good, homemade meal. No matter how hard I tried to cram everything into those few precious hours after work, I could never balance…
State Arts Appointments for 2011 Include Musician Lyle Lovett, Poet David M. Parsons
The Texas Commission on the Arts announced today the Texas State Legislature’s appointments to the positions of state poet laureate, state musician and state artists for 2011 and 2012. Klein native Lyle Lovett has been appointed as 2011 Texas state musician, while Conroe poet David M. Parsons became this year’s…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Bridesmaids
Title: Bridesmaids Hey, Why Do You Always Put The Title Of The Movie Right Under The Review Header? Isn’t That Redundant? Your mother’s redundant. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: Three-and-a-half Monarch butterflies out of five. Tagline: “Save the date.” Better Tagline: “Girls poop too.” Brief Plot Synopsis:…
Upcoming Events
Last year, the Texas Association of First Responders (TAFR) Wild Game Cookoff at Sam Houston Race Park was by far the best barbecue cookoff I attended all year. With teams from the FBI (team name: Silence of the Hams), the Secret Service (team name: Smoke and Mirrors), the U.S. Customs…
For Friday the 13th: Five of the Unluckiest Texans Ever
Beginning with LaSalle, the French explorer who survived shipwrecks and cannibal Karankawa Indian attacks only to perish at the hands of his own men near Navasota, some people in Texas have had some pretty damned hard luck. You might lay some or all of the blame at their feet. Greed…
Essential Self-Defense at Frenetic Theatre: Between Monotone and Vibrance
The set-up: The Horse Head Theatre Company seeks to change and enliven the theatrical experience in non-conventional ways, and succeeds admirably in presenting the Houston premiere of Adam Rapp’s drama Essential Self-Defense. While the mystery of 16 missing children is a sub-plot, this is essentially a love story as Sadie…
Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder: The Cliff’s Notes Version
Today pop legend Stevie Wonder turns 61 years old, and to this day he continues to thrill audiences around the world with his pop prowess and ear for a hook. And damn, 61 is pretty young, but consider he’s been in music since he was all of 12, back when…
“Wo”men’s Room Door at City Hall: Best Left Unused
From KTRK reporter Miya Shay’s Facebook page comes this photo of City Hall. Have budget cuts forced unisex bathrooms where Post-It Notes are used to declare the current status? Or is this some sort of trap set by a perv? If we were female, we think we’d search for other…
Chingo Bling Unlocks Hollywood’s Key Club
When last we left Chingo Bling in Los Angeles, he was at his agent’s Beverly Hills office, holding out for a better offer for a proposed September tour… FRIDAY, MAY 6 Latino 96.3 studios, Los Angeles, 2 p.m. Two radio interviews for Latino 96.3 with J Dubs and Sandra Peña…
May 7 to 13: The Week in Art Photos
It’s time again to check out the Houston Press Flickr Pool and see what kinds of art shots our talented photographers have added. We love street art, unique perspectives and beautiful photos of Houston’s creative community. If you think you’ve got a good eye, drop your pictures in the pool…
Odd Pair: Carne Asada Tampiqueña and Nebbiolo
On paper, this pairing breaks every rule of Wine 101. The heat of this dish — the spiciness of both the marinade for the beef and the mole — would overwhelm nearly any fine wine. The classic match would be ice-cold, dry beer served in an iced pony glass (perhaps…
Sheila Carter: Woman Blows a .47 — Four-Seven — On Breathalyzer
KTRK had an exclusive story last night on a woman who is in the Montgomery County Jail on drunk-driving charges. How drunk? She blew a .47 on the Breathalyzer. (Maybe if she was only in the .32 range, she would have remembered to never take the Breathalyzer test.) The Montgomery…
Chef Chat, Part 3: Juan Carlos Gonzalez of Bistro Alex in City Centre
The last couple of days, we’ve been chatting with Chef Juan Carlos Gonzalez at Bistro Alex (see our conversation here and here). Today, we’ll taste cuisine he describes as “modern Creole with a twist.” I started with his signature dish, the Duck Debris and Butternut Waffle. Brilliantly conceived, the slightly…
Opera Vista Takes a Chance With Vera of Las Vegas
The set-up: “I still hear the wheeps of curlews, the buzz of bluebottles or clegs and then a minute’s silence, more or less, before I shot him through his dicky heart.” No one can sing those trippy, Irish words of librettist Paul Muldoon so we understand them. In the cavernous,…
Born This Way: The Ultimate Soundalike Playlist
When Lady Gaga released her new single, “Born This Way,” in February, it took less than a minute of the title track from her upcoming disc for fans and detractors alike to scream “Express Yourself!” in unison. Yes, it does sound like an amped-up version of the 1989 Madonna track…
HISD’s Final Vote Closes Four Schools, Changes Teacher Evaluations
“We’re here for Stevenson,” said the man standing outside the Hattie Mae White building Thursday night. He and his wife had worked to save the elementary during Superintendent Abe Saavedra’s reign, but they weren’t feeling so lucky tonight. The hard times the Houston ISD has fallen on thanks to whomever…
Community: The Good, the Bad, and the Painted
Watching “For a Few Paintballs More,” you can almost hear the battle in Dan Harmon’s head: Do you try to top your first season by going bigger, or do you try to negate the issue by refusing to even play along? Do you go for the happy ending, or the…
Tales of the Deplorable — ESPN’s Instant Analysis of Depth Chart Ramifications of Alabama Offensive Lineman’s Death
In The Empire Strikes Back, you may remember a scene where Darth Vader, tired of the incompetence of the bumbling Admiral Veers, decides to go ahead and terminate him, permanently, via force choke, and immediately promote Veers’ subordinate Captain Piett before they could even move Veers’ body out of the…
Idol Beat: Democracy Doesn’t Work
Well, I feel like an idiot. Flush with victory over my (sole) successful pick of the season in (finally) getting Jacob’s booting correct, I was confident that James Durbin had the right combination of talent and appeal to the ladies to get into the finals, if not win the thing…
Unassuming and Delicious: The Hickory Barn
When is it appropriate, even necessary, to have two pounds of barbecue ribs and a whole pecan pie in your carry-on luggage? When you’re off to Miami to visit the friend who introduced you to, IMHO, some of the best barbecue in Houston, a care package from the Hickory Barn…
Idol Beat: Home, James
Well, I feel like an idiot. Flush with victory over my (sole) successful pick of the season in (finally) getting Jacob’s booting correct, I was confident that James Durbin had the right combination of talent and appeal to the ladies to get into the finals, if not win the thing…
The Best Slang Terms in Literature (and What They Mean)
The best part about writing, aside from being able to exact revenge upon those who angered you in a forum they can’t fight back in, is the ability to pretty much say whatever you want whether or not the words actually exist. Hell, The Lord of the Rings isn’t really…
True Blood: Nick Cave, Neko Case Open Season 4
Alan Ball was known for his masterful use of music in Six Feet Under. He’s lost none of his touch when it comes to his current HBO series, True Blood – which happens to be set in the Louisiana swamps, not terribly far from Houston. We’re a little more than…
Top Five: Ways to Improve Your Cooking, Right Now
I know far too many people who think they can’t cook. For some reason, food has this aura of secrecy and magic, as if only the initiated can make it work. Even among people who go through the act of heating ingredients with the goal of winding up with a…
The 18 Best Classic Beach Reads
This weekend is the Friends of the Houston Public Library’s 33rd annual bargain book sale, which means it’s a great time to stock up on trashy summer reads just in time for Memorial Day. The sale boasts more than 80,000 books, most at $2 or less. Don’t get us wrong…
May 7 — 13: The Week in Photos
Each week, we take a dip into the Houston Press Flickr pool and see what our talented photographers have been up to. Lots of events are happening around town this May. From the Art car festivities to Memorial Day celebrations, we want to see your hottest shots. Just drop them…
Houston Ballet’s Stanton Welch To Choreograph For Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
2011 has been good to the Houston Ballet. After moving into a gorgeous, six-story new home, the company’s off to garner more national acclaim. Artistic director Stanton Welch has been handpicked to choreograph a work for Jacob’s Pillow, one of the most selective intensive programs for ballet training. The Pillow,…
Remember Dustin Prestige’s The Kelly and Jessie EP?
Houston’s history is dotted with albums that, fairly or not, have been swept aside. We’ll examine them here. Have an album that you think nobody knows about but should? Email sheaserrano@gmail.com. Dustin Prestige The Kelly and Jessie EP (Self-released, 2011) Dustin Prestige, an unintentionally enigmatic Missouri City MC, is an…
The Mets’ Strange and Usually Awful History in Houston
The New York Mets came into the majors the same year as the Astros, but ESPN is somehow choosing to commemorate the New York team’s 50th anniversary with a running blog on the team’s history. Which does seem to be jumping the gun a bit, but hey, it’s New York…
Openings & Closings
It’s been a week of changes for Houston restaurants — menu changes, chef changes, location changes — and some of those changes include at least one shocking closure. That closure was Caffe Bello, which quietly closed its doors on Monday. The Montrose outpost of the Tony Vallone empire had only…
100 Creatives: Kerry Beyer
What he does: Kerry Beyer is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker and co-founder of SplatterFest and a filmmaker-friendly distribution company called LumaVault.com. His work has appeared in Vogue, Lucky, Allure, the New York Times and more. He is winner of the Slamdance Anarchy Film Showcase and a Semi-Finalist in the…
App of the Week: RoadAhead Makes Road Trips Easier
App: RoadAhead Platforms: iPhone Web site: Apple Link Cost: Free I love a good road trip. There’s something magical about getting behind the wheel and putting your hometown in your rearview mirror. I’ve taken quite a few of them, solo and otherwise, in the last ten years and there are a few things a…
Comment of the Day
Today Katharine Shilcutt wrote about all the items she picked up recently at Revival Market when she ran in for some chicken feet. Clearly, she’s not the only fan of this place. Said commenter Jim Ayres: I’ve started going to Revival Market weekly for local milk and eggs, as well…
Andrew Davis: Oklahoma Juggalo Busted in Face Paint after Hit and Run
Juggalos always try to claim that they are not a bunch of losers and criminals, that they are just fun-loving people who share a love of Faygo sodas and the splatter-rap music of Insane Clown Posse and the rest of the Psychopathic Records stable. And then they keep on doing…
Discount Dining – Zushi Sushi
My first visit to Zushi was a few years ago when it first opened. With so many choices for sushi in Houston, Zushi then fell off my radar. Last week CBS Local Offers featured a $30 for $15 voucher to Zushi, and I used it as an opportunity to refresh…
Want Tickets to the Art Car Ball? Become Our Friend on Facebook
The annual Art Car extravaganza is next weekend, and we’re marking the event by giving away a pair of tickets to the Art Car Ball at The Orange Show. It promises to be a hell of a block party, including the delicious Street Food Smackdown and featuring performances by Los…
Detroit Leanin’: Who Is The Best Motor City Artist Ever?
Some places breed music. Due to sheer size, any big city will produce its fair share of talented musicians, and some – Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago – seem to have music in the water supply. But none, arguably, more than Detroit: John Lee Hooker, the Motown diaspora, Aretha Franklin, the…
ACLU Questions Use of Church for Lone Star College Graduation
The ACLU of Texas is looking into complaints from at least one faculty member about the Lone Star College System’s decision to hold graduation ceremonies this weekend in two churches. They say they have been contacted by an LSCS faculty member, and quoted him as saying: I grew up going…
10 Houston Restaurants Every Out-Of-Towner Should Visit
On Wednesday afternoon, I mused that some day I hoped for visitors to Houston to feel as excited about our dining scene as I was about New York City’s. The sheer breadth and depth of ethnic and regional cuisines present here is staggering, although it still has a long way…
Independence Beer Dinner at Grand Prize Bar
This past Monday evening, I attended a beer dinner held in conjunction with this year’s Texas Beer Fest, hosted by Grand Prize Bar and sponsored by Independence Brewing Company, with pairings created by Chef Philippe Gaston. As a wine-dinner girl, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But having been…
Arts Funding Cuts; Houston Still Has a Few Cards to Play
By now you’ve probably heard about the proposed state cuts to the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) and all of the ways it will hurt arts organizations in Texas. If not, here is a brief recap in “poker” terminology: Round One: The House is all in! In April, an…
Houston Dogs Worst in Country for Attacking Mail Carriers
It’s hard out there for a Houston mail carrier — if the heat doesn’t get you, the dogs probably will. The United States Postal Service has put out its list of the ten most dangerous cities for dog attacks, and coming in at the top is….us. USPS says 62 Houston…
Art Attack is Looking for Interns
Are you a college student taking journalism classes? Do you love art galleries, movies, pop culture and the occasional oddball assignment? Have you been known to skip out on a date because you needed to update your blog? Do you make obscure references to Arrested Development or Airwolf that none…
Chingo Bling: The Tamale King’s Whirlwind L.A. Media Blitz
Fresh off the heels of his sold out show at Houston’s House of Blues, Chingo Bling was booked to perform at Hollywood’s world-famous Key Club. The Tamale Kingpin invited Rocks Off to tag along and document the concert and his surrounding media blitz…
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy gets the Director’s Cut Treatment
Okay Frodo fans, you asked for it and you’re going to get it – a theatrical screening of The Lord of the Rings™ trilogy. These are the remastered director’s cut versions, which means each film will have an additional hour or so of deleted and extended scenes (Maybe it’s just…
Chef Chat, Part 2: Juan Carlos Gonzalez of Bistro Alex in City Centre
Yesterday, we caught up with Chef Juan Carlos Gonzales of Bistro Alex and talked about his background and some of the standout dishes in his restaurant. Today we ask him about his involvement in the Toque 5 dinner series and his favorite foods. EOW: This coming Monday, you’re doing another…
Terrell Rogers: Three-Pronged Effort to Hide Weed Ends in Felony Charge
Say what you will about Terrell Rogers of Angelina County, but you can’t give him anything less than an A for effort. The heavily-inked 24-year-old was arrested after a traffic stop on Highway 59 just north of his hometown of Diboll yesterday when police discovered he was wanted on a…
Rain’s A-Comin’, And So’s Your Chance to Win Hangover 2 Passes
It looks like Houston will finally get hit with some serious rain — the kind that comes, in spots, with nickle-sized hail, as happened in College Station. Let’s face it: We need it. While you’re enjoying this strange phenomenon, which should begin about 2 p.m. or so, don’t forget to…
The Best Tony Hawk Video Game Soundtracks
It sounds like heresy to most older folks, this writer included, but for about the past decade, a lot of younger gamers have been discovering punk rock, ska, and classic and indie hip-hop through the Tony Hawk series of skateboarding video games. The idea may be repellent to those of…
Sergio Robles: Cop-Killer Gets 40 Years in Plea Deal
Sergio Robles, who killed a Pasadena cop at close range, agreed to a plea deal that will get him a sentence of 40 years in prison. Prosecutors say questions about whether Robles, 26, was legally insane when he shot Jesse Hamilton in the head during an August 2009 domestic-disturbance call…
DEFCON Dining: Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino
A couple of weeks ago, I walked you guys through a DEFCON 3 dining event. Fortunately, there are a whole lot of restaurants that fit the DEFCON 3 specs, and many of them are pretty good. Even more fortunately (for me, at least), DEFCON 3 isn’t an everyday occurrence. My…
Slamdance Award Winners at 14 Pews This Weekend
First-time filmmakers from around the world will have a chance to show off their work this weekend here in Houston, as the Slamdance Film Festival takes its smaller incarnation on the road. The Park City, Utah-based festival, now in its 17th year, sees it as its mission to support independent…
Last Night: Jamey Johnson At Warehouse Live
Jamey Johnson Warehouse Live May 11, 2011 Ladies and gentlemen, the feel-good show of the year. Aftermath had never seen Jamey Johnson live before Wednesday, so we don’t know if what happened is his usual modus operandi. Regardless, to see it in person was nothing short of remarkable. For about…
Peru Gets Back Stolen Artifact Seized At Bush Intercontinental
A book from the 1700s that a traveler tried to smuggle through Bush Intercontinental has been formally returned to the country of Peru, federal officials said today. The manuscript had been stolen from the Recoleta Library in Arequipa, Peru, they said. A man with a record that included several counts…
Vosges > Snickers
Lately, I’ve been curbing my consumption of sweets significantly by buying expensive chocolate. How does this work? Quite easily, as it turns out. The pressure to buy two Snickers bars for $1 at the gas station can be overwhelming when you’re stressed and tired and hungry and nothing sounds better…
Portable-On-Demand Art at Discovery Green
What if all the museum directors and curators across the nation came to Houston for a weekend to talk shop? Would they take time to visit Houston’s most idiosyncratic museums? When the American Association of Museums comes to Houston next week, will they take time out to see Houston’s own…
Jimi Hendrix & Band Of Gypsys Explode At Fillmore East
Jimi Hendrix & Band of Gypsys Live at Fillmore East (Experience Hendrix/Columbia Legacy) 140 minutes, $13.98. The latest release in a busy year for the Hendrix estate is this 1999 documentary, pumped up with extra footage, that explores Jimi’s short-lived but influential Band of Gypsys lineup. Born out of the…
Alex Ford: Maserati DWI That Injured Cop Gets Six Years
Despite her fervent plea to avoid prison time, Houstonian Alex Ford — who drunkenly drove a Maserati into a College Station cop, severely injuring the officer — was given a six-year sentence and a $10,000 fine yesterday. She was also ordered to pay more than $70,000 to cover medical expenses…
Happy Hour Scene: The Usual
The Place: The Usual 5519 Allen @ T.C. Jester 281-501-1478 www.theusualpub.com/specials.htm The Deals: Discounted wells and domestics from at least 4 to 10 p.m. during the week – check website for details. The Scene: The last time I went to The Usual, I overhead a woman tell her husband via…
Unidentified Male, Bayou Body Count No. 63
A man was found shot to death at a car wash near 288 and Old Spanish Trail last night, Houston police say. But that’s about all they know. The body was discovered at an empty DIY car wash about 11 p.m. last night, dead from at least one gunshot wound…
Idol Beat: Not So Fantastic Four
That wonderful sound you heard last night – that distinct lack of atonal screeching that used to climb up your spine like a mongoose wearing stiletto heels – was the sound of a Jacob-free American Idol. What a beautiful thing. I’m not sure which was more surprising: that after having…
Top Ten Ways to Ensure Crawfish Boiling Success
You’re all G’ed up and educated about boiling crawfish, and now you’re staring down your impending 300-pound boil for friends and neighbors. Here are a few last-minute considerations to guarantee success. 10. The right venue is key. And, by right venue, I mean someplace where the beer flows like wine…
Idol Beat: Durbin Warfare
That wonderful sound you heard last night – that distinct lack of atonal screeching that used to climb up your spine like a mongoose wearing stiletto heels – was the sound of a Jacob-free American Idol. What a beautiful thing. I’m not sure which was more surprising: that after having…
My First: Banh Mi at Les Givrals
My banh mi cherry has been popped. A few weeks ago, after a vigorous yoga class at YogaOne, my yoga partner and I were famished and she suggested heading around the corner to Les Givrals. I’d never had banh javascript:void(0);mi and was excited to try it, having read several articles…
5 Things Sarah Palin Should Know About Common
Dear Sarah Palin, we smelled the stench of desperation and traced it down the Twitter hallway. It led us to some foul words about rapper Common. It started when Michelle Obama scheduled a poetry event at the White House and invited several poets, including Common. Conservatives immediately had their panties…
Comment of the Day: Bikini Haiku
We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it’s time we paid some damn attention to them. So we’ll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day’s work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula…
Ten Movies You Should Lie About Seeing
A few weeks back, Lovefilm, the British equivalent of Netflix, released a list of movies that people routinely lie about seeing to friends and peers. Topping the list was The Godfather, which over the years since its release in 1972, has slowly and sadly become a lesser gangster movie in…
Cage Match: La Catrin Vs. Josh Groban
Ladies in gentlemen, on Saturday night a battle will be waged for your very musical souls. In this corner, weighing in at 100 lbs. soaking wet and tied to a brick, the golden-throated king of all adult contemporary, that guy from Glee. Mr. Josh Groban. And in this corner, draped…
Pop Rocks: Bye Bye, Chicago Code…You’re In Good Company
The fall network TV schedules aren’t set to be released until next week, but the bad news has already leaked for fans of Fox’s The Chicago Code, which was not renewed for a second season in spite of a mostly positive critical reception: Answering questions from disappointed fans on Twitter,…
Pop Rocks: Bye Bye, Chicago Code — Fox’s Greatest Crimes Against TV
The fall network TV schedules aren’t set to be released until next week, but the bad news has already leaked for fans of Fox’s The Chicago Code, which was not renewed for a second season in spite of a mostly positive critical reception: Answering questions from disappointed fans on Twitter,…
Foley’s in Pictures: Bad Radio, Awful Predictions of What Houston Would Look Like in 2000, and Women’s Libbers
Foley’s, a Houston institution, is the subject of the latest paperback from Arcadia Publishing, in a paperback that will be available May 16 on their Web site. A preview copy of the book shows an interesting look through the store’s history, including internal memos dealing with black customers trying to…
100 Creatives: Robert Ellis
What he does: To say that Robert Ellis plays just “country music” is like saying Dylan just plays “folk.” Ellis’ style of alt-country touches multiple genres of music that seem to span way before his mere 23 years on Earth. “I write and play music. I write songs about my…
Revival Market: More Than Just Basics
It’s hard to decide what I like more about Revival Market right now: The fact that I can do normal, weekly shopping at the store, picking up fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy along the way, or the fact that I can indulge in some unexpected goodies while I’m there –…
Trust
David Schwimmer, better known as Ross from the television series Friends, wants to be a movie director. He has more than enough riches from years of residuals to open his own studio if he wanted, but for now he’s content to go the indie route. His second feature, following the…
Slamdance on the Road
Born out of the idea that the Sundance Film Festival has gotten a bit too cozy with big studios and slumming celebrities rather than independent filmmakers, The Slamdance Festival — which goes on in Utah simultaneously with its Paris Hilton-attracting counterpart — aims to rectify that. The Slamdance on the…
Rip in the Atmosphere
Psophonia Dance Company will explore tragedies of all kinds in its aptly named mixed repertory concert Rip in the Atmosphere, premiering today. Sophia L. Torres has choreographed a dance of bodily disaster in Body Blind, based on neurologist Oliver Sacks’s patient studies. Torres also contributes The Cranes Are Flying, based…
Vera of Las Vegas
An opera with characters named Dumdum Devine and Taco Bell, set in Las Vegas with shades of The Crying Game? Sign us up. Opera Vista is presenting Daron Hagen and Paul Muldoon’s 2003 opera Vera of Las Vegas, a rarely heard (and even more rarely performed) piece that fuses cabaret,…
Haute Wheels of Houston
First things first: There is absolutely no place for soggy tortillas, shriveled hot dogs and unidentifiable meats at Haute Wheels Houston, a sprawling, two-day, food truck festival on the grounds of Houston Community College Southwest. The gourmet mobile food movement has finally become entrenched in H-town, it seems; most of…
The Enchilada Empress
See more photos from the busy kitchen at Sylvia’s in our slideshow. There is something immensely satisfying about wrapping a hot flour tortilla around the queso flameado at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen. Something deeply Texan and deeply mystical about how well the salty, stretchy, creamy cheese — dotted, if you’ve ordered…
Capsule Art Reviews: “Elaine Bradford: The Sidereal,” “Heinrich Kühn: The Perfect Photograph,” “Henry Horenstein: Show,” “Perspectives 174: Re: Generation,” “Round 34: A Matter of Food,” “This Is Displacement: Native Artists”
“Elaine Bradford: The Sidereal” There are stores known for doing “artsy” window displays, but artists still come up with the best stuff. The Dallas Art Fair recently organized a series of window installations by artists in the windows of Dallas’s downtown Neiman Marcus, and the Blaffer Art Museum is taking…
Pet Sounds
Sonya Fitzpatrick lies on a bed surrounded by her seven cats and five dogs. Dressed in a red blouse with matching red nail polish, blue jeans, gold hoop earrings and a gold necklace, Fitzpatrick, who’s inside her Conroe home that’s shaded by towering pine trees, is on the phone conducting…
This Is a Man’s World
Bridesmaids is a high-profile test case. Directed by Paul Feig (a sitcom journeyman most lovingly known as the creator of Freaks and Geeks), it’s the first female-fronted comedy produced by Hollywood kingpin Judd Apatow, who has weathered criticism in the past for his brand’s dude-centric point of view. It’s also…
Houston’s Bachelors a Prize?
SPACED CITY Houston’s Bachelors a Prize? Rankings tell different tales By Craig Malisow Hair Balls was stoked by Houston’s ass-kicking turnout in recent national listings, including Fast Company’s “City of the Year,” and Rent.com’s ranking of us as the best city for bachelors. The highly scientific Rent.com survey found that…
Why Don’t Mexicans Want to Learn English?
Dear Mexican, I can’t help thinking of Mexico as a Tea Party paradise. Mexican taxes are very low. There are few regulations, and environmentalists, socialists and liberals are few and far between. There is no Obamacare, and Mexico is the home of Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man, a tribute…
Happiness Through Hustle
Three years ago, H-Kane had a revelation. At the time, he was 24 years old, working as an operations manager at a call center. It was terribly exciting. Fifty grand a year, customer service, manage payroll, etc. People mostly called him “Gregg” then, or occasionally “Mr. Brock.” His life was…
Houstonians Trading on Grocery Store’s Texas Arrival
A Trader Joe’s in Houston Online readers comment on “Trader Joe’s Is Trading on Texas: Dallas to Get First Store,” Eating Our Words blog, by Katharine Shilcutt, May 3: Mark my words: Trader Joe’s will eventually dominate the shopping scene. Pound for pound, there is no better store. High quality,…
Take It Outside
With patio weather season in full swing, Houstonians are absolutely spoiled for places to enjoy the day outside. But sometimes the choices can be overwhelming, the pressure mounting as the sun creeps up in the sky on a beautiful Saturday morning. All you know is that you’re in the mood…
Street Soul
Rolling Stone’s David Fricke once described Alejandro Escovedo as being “in a genre of his own.” Since jumping feet-first into the first wave of American punk with his band The Nuns at the ripe age of 16, Escovedo has traveled far and wide, both musically and physically. From San Francisco…
Magnolia Blossom
Brutus Day Gutierrez has just made a bet. He’s wagering with the person standing next to him, but the conditions are clear to anyone with ears because he is a loud man: If Team X wins, he receives $20. If Team Y wins, he loses the same amount. Simple enough…
Moonlight Towers
Back in Austin, we hardly ever missed a Moonlight Towers gig at beaten-down rock dives like Club de Ville or Hole in the Wall. The band was fond of covering Television’s “Marquee Moon” and the Rolling Stones’ “Moonlight Mile,” but rest assured they do know songs that do not have…
Billy Joe Shaver
If there were any justice in this state, Billy Joe Shaver’s trademark denim western shirts would be just as iconic as Willie Nelson’s braids and George Strait’s doe-eyed stare. Now edging into his mid-’70s, outlaw-country stalwart Shaver is nearly 20 studio albums into a rough-and-tumble career that has seen him…
Middlefinger
Once one of the most popular bands in Houston, Middlefinger has been pretty scarce since singer Matt Kelly moved to Austin, where he now plays in Lick Lick and Baby Got Bacteria while doing the 9-to-5 thing as a schoolteacher. But don’t call Saturday’s show a reunion, because Middlefinger, which…
Neon Trees
The Strokes’ influence sings in bands like Kings of Leon and Phoenix, but the most homogenized take on NYC’s brat kings has to belong to Utah’s Neon Trees, whose debut Habits bears criminal similarities to 2006’s First Impressions of Earth. It could be innocent, as four years seems a likely…
Smokey Robinson
It’s damned hard to watch any movie set in the swingin’ ’60s and not see hear Smokey Robinson & the Miracles on the soundtrack. As one of the last great vintage soul men standing, Robinson has seen and done plenty in his career, and is still creating music and touring…
Capsule Stage Reviews: Four Places, A Murder Is Announced, [title of show]
Four Places Ethical questions abound in the drama Four Places. An adult brother and sister cope with two aging parents, though the father is never seen on stage, and the problems their decline presents are compounded by reliance on alcohol. The play takes place with the siblings driving to and…
Art from the Arctic
You don’t need a parka at The Menil Collection’s stunning “Upside Down: Arctic Realities,” but venturing inside does require special equipment. You need booties — the hospital kind that you put over your shoes — although the ever-stylish Menil provides white ones instead of hospital blue. Curated by noted anthropologist…
