Art + Shopping = Happiness

There are so many freaking cool things happening this weekend -- here's just a list of what Houstonist has on hand. Please send us the rest.

Thursday November 29th
HOUSTON. IT'S WORTH IT. Book Launch Party
At the Lawndale Parking Lot, 4912 Main Street
6:30PM-9PM
Images from the book will be projected on North wall of Lawndale art center. DJ Pooks spins the tunes and there will be refreshments. Proceeds from sales of the book that night benefit Lawndale Art Center's programs.
Free!

and right next door...
Asher Gallery Holiday Shopping Soiree
At the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
4848 Main St
5:00 - 8:00 PM
The HCCC will have extended hours so you can pick out some beautifully handmade gifts and holiday cards. Teaching artists will be at the gallery to demonstrate their work: Marguerite Belkin will demonstrate origami techniques, Nadia Khan will create beautiful silk paintings and Lisa Qualls will create personal stamps. The handmade holiday cards are one-of-a-kind stamped, silk-screened and textured cards.

Friday November 30th
CHEESE BALL benefitting FreshArts and Glasstire.com
8PM - midnight; come at 7PM if you're an underwriter
At the Ragin Cajun, 4302 Richmond Ave
Dinner, wacky costumes, antics, magicians and an art auction, all to benefit two excellent organizations.
Tickets start at $100

HOUSTON. IT'S WORTH IT. presents Steel Lounge Underground at the CAMH, 5216 Montrose
8-11PM
Featuring DJ Mel, DJ Pooks and Witnes on the turntables. Free!

Friday November 30th - Sunday December 2nd
The 2007 Winter Holiday Sale
Winter Street Studios
2101 Winter Street (nearby Target)
Buy cool art for the holidays. 75% of sales go to the artist, 25% go to Spacetaker, which makes this and many other cool things happen in Houston. Jewelry to paintings to sculpture.

Saturday December 1st
Heights First Saturday Mistletoe Madness
Eat, Drink, Shop and Be Merry
Noon – 8:00pm
Free admission, Free shuttles, Pedi-Cabs for tips, Motorized Rickshaws for tips, Art, Live entertainment, Retail Shops, Restaurants, Galleries, and Sponsor Businesses open for visiting and shopping. Ample Free Parking. Map, coupons, events, participating shops and more information here.

Saturday December 1 - Sunday December 2nd
Art Box Sale Extravaganza at Bering and James
805 Rhodes Place #500
300 artists and 600 pieces of original art on sale, starting at $80.
Opening Saturday, Brunch Sunday, and the Blue Light Special
The sale will run all throughout December. Fifty percent of each art sale is given to the artist and a portion of the proceeds benefits DePelchin Children’s Center. Bring a toy for the children at DePelchin, you won't regret it.

December 5th - 12th
StubDog, a discount events ticket seller, will donate 100% of its profits to the Arts in Medicine Program at the Texas Children's Cancer Center. The primary goal of the Arts in Medicine Program is to provide enjoyable, educational and meaningful artistic opportunities to patients and their families. Their work is showcased on Stubdog's home page.