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
