Arts & Events: November 2009 Archives

ALL WEEKEND
• Spacetaker's Winter Holiday Art Market, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (see link for hours). Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter Street. Free to get in but bring cash if you want to shop.
• Via Colori Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sam Houston Park, Allen Parkway and Bagby. Free to get in, but donation and proceeds go towards the Center for Hearing and Speech.

Hopefully by now you've been able to swing by Xnihilo Gallery and have a look at the wonderful photography exhibition that we put together known as 600 sq mi: Hidden. If, however, you've been too much of a lazy bum or busy bee in the last six weeks, make sure you catch it this weekend before it is too late.

For the weekend of November 19th - 22nd, 2009 The weekend before Thanksgiving is certainly a popular one for events, and this year is no different - Art Crawl, Via Colori, Spacetaker's WHAM, a You[Genious] release party, some art openings and a whole smattering of other happenings are going on this weekend. Houstonist supposes that no one wants to try to fight the holiday weekend. We're not complaining, but it certainly has our concert calendar full.

For the week of November 16th - 18th, 2009 We know we say this a lot in our Monday posts, but it bears repeating - we're alive! Houstonist hit Block Party pretty hard this weekend, achieving local music overload, discovering new artists that we have just got to see again, and making connections for some future interviews. But let's get down to what's happening this week, shall we?

Block party blah blah blah. Fight the crowd if you feel like it. But if you don't, here are some other options.

We had a post all prepped and whatnot, but it's old hat at this point. Apparently this is going to be the last Westheimer Block Party, for now. So get your ass out there and go see some music this weekend, got it? Houstonist commands you.

H-Town Rock took a trip over to Valhalla this week and sat down with Brandon Elam and Taylor Lee of The Literary Greats, who were coming from a session on KTRU's Local Show. We chatted about everything from their new record to beer baskets to Ice Cube. The full audio from our 30 minute chat can be listened to here, including the weirdest intro to an interview yet.

                  

High On Fire, Converge, Mastodon and Dethklok performed at the Verizon Wireless Theater and we have photographic proof.

For the weekend of November 12th - 15th, 2009 Here's the deal - our job is really easy this week, because it's Westheimer Block Party Time, and to top it all off this year there's a bonus day of music. Houstonist is going to assume our readers have enough smarts not to miss two days of free music and then some, so we'll be listing everything else concert-wise of which we know. We'll also be back tomorrow with the most up-to-date Block Party schedule we can find and a few selections you shouldn't miss.

Mustaches for Kids official grow season kicks off tonight. What does that mean to you? Well, here in Houston it means that you can hit up Cedar Creek at 7 pm to watch a bunch of dudes shave their stubbly faces, for charity.

Come one, come all, Rock Talk is now in session. The good Dr. H Townrock is in, and like any caring parent we've been out gathering worms from the Houston music scene, returning now to the nest to regurgitate these tidbits just for you, dear reader. So open wide, or you'll have to wait for us to come back next week.

We'll fess up right away: Houstonist has had this album for some time now. Band member Taylor Lee passed it to us a while back, and we eagerly gobbled it up, waiting for the right moment to unleash our opinions upon the teeming hordes of Houstonist readers. Yes, yes, you can order the album online, but seeing as the official CD release is this Saturday at The Continental Club, now seemed a fine time to inform the masses just how good this album really is.

NANOFiction, the Houston-based experimental literary journal founded by UH students, hosts the tenth installment of its reading series tonight at Kaboom Books in conjunction with the release of Issue 3.1 of the journal.

For the Week of November 9th-11th, 2009 Phew, we sure had us a weekend, visiting our cousin Austinist and their big party Fun Fun Fun Fest. It's tough coming back to a world without free drink tickets and constant live music, but we suppose we'll have to make do. Here's what's coming up for you this week.

• 5-9 p.m. — POISSANT Gallery opening, "Filtered," featuring new work by three Houston artists, Felipe Contreras, Haden Garrett, and Carol Gerhardt, who's work with Barbies we *love*. Free, 5102 Center Street.
• 6:30-9:30 p.m. — Via Colori sneak peak at Coffee Groundz. See prints from the VC ‘08 Photo Contest Winners and find out how to participate in the 2009 Photography Contest, learn how to promote The Center for Hearing and Speech fourth annual fall fundraiser, listen to good music and enjoy good drinks. Free. Via Colori is November 21-22. Free, at 2503 Bagby.

For the weekend of November 5th - 8th, 2009 See?! We told you there would be plenty of music this weekend. Never doubt Papa Houstonist. Unfortunately we won't be in town for much of the weekend [we have, on the other hand, the good fortune of attending our sister Austinist's FunFunFun Fest], but that doesn't mean we'll pass on making a few recommendations to you, dedicated reader.

It's common knowledge that Lawndale has the best annual Dia de los Muertos art celebration in the city, but did you know you can get some hands-on experience in making a traditional symbol of the Latin American holiday?

Unlike the West Alabama Theater, the River Oaks Theater has managed to thwart the plans of greedy developers in recent years thanks in part to your support. Tonight the Houston landmark will celebrate it's 70th Anniversary with a special showing of Frank Capra's 1939 classic film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, starring Jimmy Stewart. The opening reception begins at 6:00 with cake and drink specials in the upstairs lounge.

CALLING ALL HOUSTON BANDS! If you're interested in being a truly functional touring band then H-Town Rock advises you to stop in to Avant Garden tonight and listen to what Martin Atkins has to say. Atkins is a former member of PiL [Public Image, Ltd. aka that band Johnny Rotten had after the Sex Pistols], Killing Joke, and Ministry. His book Tour:Smart is considered a premium handbook to touring effectively. Space is limited to what Avant Garden can hold, so get there early. Atkins is supposed to start speaking at 7 pm. Details can be found here: http://www.avantgardenhouston.com/atkins.html and you can RSVP here.

The good doctor is in, so have a seat and let's chat. We know what you're thinking, "what happened this week in Houston music? What have I missed? I can't take it anymore!" The stress on your brow, the nervousness in your hands. Dr. H. Town Rock is here with some scene-specific Xanax for that concern of yours.

This week H-Town Rock sat down with Airon Paul Dugas & The Religion to chat about the band, recording, Seattle, albinos, and Jacob Calle's 'fro. Afterwards we were lucky enough to be treated to arguably one of the best plates of migas we've ever had. Airon swore us to secrecy, however, lest we unintentionally spur a douche-ification of his favorite dining spot. You can listen to the full 24 minute interview [complete with Steven's million-dollar flashbulb idea] here. There is the occasional dirty word, so get some headphones if you're at work.