This September some of Houston’s most dedicate vino lovers will be hosting the first annual Wine Conference. Check out some of the amazing speakers (uh, freaking Gary Vee!!!!) wine labels, and local restaurant they have lined up to participate at www.thewineconference.com. The wine conference will be held on September 26th at the Italian Cultural and Community Center.
Tonight, Join The Wine Conference, Virtuoso Selections and 29-95.com at Block 7 Wine Company, Houston’s newest retail wine & tasting venue. William Meznarich of Virtuoso will offer free tastings of 4 fine wines, as well as give a short presentation about wine basics. Block 7 will offer a free assortment of appertivo, and provide their gorgeous, art-filled venue for the event. This fun evening promises to put you in the mood for Houston’s fabulous first-ever Wine Conference with special conference discounts and door prizes.
When I first saw the poster for this event I knew it was right up my alley. And FREE? Now, you’re talking.
Join H-Town’s top creative professionals as we come together to mix it up. Hosted by AD2 (AD2)
Crystal Land, President; American Advertising Federation Houston (AAFH) Natalie Gonzalez, President; The professional association for design (AIGA)
Robin Tooms, President; Art Director’s Club of Houston (ADCH) Alex Barber, President; Only in Houston (OiH) Dwight Cook, President; University of Houston Graphics Alumni Partnership (UHGAP) Daniel Bosse, President Elect.
One of my very favorite Heights shops. Still got a G.C. burning a holein my pocket from Fayza from last year’s birthday. must. spend. it.
“Found” Opening this Thursday August 27, from 6 – 8pm Artists : Tracy Melton, JoAnn Park, Christine West, David Brown, Mike Lonchambon as well as our ongoing artists.
Yeti Sunshine will be here for the opening serving up fresh organic juices and purees over shaved ice
On view now: Freebird on view through Saturday August 22, 2009
Artists : Elaine Bradford, Rene Cruz, Jay Giroux, Lisa Marie Godfrey, Frances Trotter, Christine West
and ongoing work by Sean Flournoy, Whitney Riley, Carole F Smith, David Waddell, Ryan Geiger, Tracy Melton, JoAnn Park
Artist Talk at Lawndale: Because we only turn 30 once!
I had the chance to check out Lawndale’s 30th Anniversary exhibit (and amazing accompanying exhibits) last week as they hosted a quadruple opening.
In conjunction with Lawndale Art Center’s 30th Anniversary, Lawndale Art Annex founder James Surls, presents a talk on the origins of Lawndale, its unique place in Houston’s art community and its relevance today. Followed by a reception at Barbara Davis Gallery where James Surls From 2009 is on view through August 29, 2009.
p.s. as I was writing this, I got an email from Lawndale saying that Retablos are in for this year’s Retablo Silent Auction/Gala on Friday, Oct 23rd! Pick yours up today! Submission deadline is Oct 8th.
Spacetaker hosts Cultured Cocktails
5-10pm |Boheme (307 Fairview) | spacetaker.org
This week’s non-profit arts organization is the uber fly Fresh Arts. Mojitos or Sangria: they’re both FRESH!
{Friday.28}
Making Moves: Dance Party + Art Show
These are a few of my fav-o-rite things. Dance + Art. Sucks I’m gonna miss it. You shouldn’t.
Indie Dance Sounds, Rock n Roll, Disco (Italo-cosmic-afro), Retro Dance Floor Classics, New Wave, No Wave, Punk, Electro,House, Funk: Pretty much all the cool jams that rock. With Djs on two floors: Glasnost Dj Set, Ceeplus Bad Knives, Mr. Castillo, J. Calero, G Wizz, IP Freely
Fresh Art Show with Rad Artist: Adrian Landon Brooks, Eli Sebastian Brubaugh, J. Paul Jackson, Jessica Cabaniss, Shelby Hohl, Leosapien, Skeez 181,
Photobooth with: One October Night dot com, Drink Specials All night! Free Mix Cds from, Afghan Raiders / LA Riots / Daptone Records / Ninja Tune + More
No Cover b4 11pm $3-5 after + No Cover if you ride a bike to the event in support of Critical Mass
This fall The A/V Swap is back with a bigger and badder group of films, this time from both Texas and New York! 34 films by Houston artists and musicians will screen at 8 pm, Saturday, August 29nd at Rice Media Center in our The Good, the Bad and the Dirty show. For our second screening Friday, September 18th at 8 pm, The A/V Swap presents the Best Of 2009, a selection of collaborations from Houston, Austin, Buffalo, New York and New York City created this summer. Both screenings will start with artist’s receptions at 7:30 pm and the Best Of 2009 screening will conclude a Q & A with participating filmmakers and musicians. This is the 6th annual A/V Swap, and we are glad to bring you more of the emerging filmmakers, aspiring composers, established artists and soulful songwriters that have made the swap a success in the past.
A/V Swap projects are collaborations that begin with a film or song that is traded between artists to complete; we hope to provide a forum where artists can showcase their talents by manipulating audio and video they would never otherwise encounter. In this “swap” we anonymously pair composers and filmmakers, hoping to expand their creative horizons. This year’s Houston artists include Ahmad Squad, Bexar, Chin Xaou Ti Won, Jody Cochran, David Courtney, Face and Russ Kuhner, Fumblz Fingerz-Nacha, Justin Giardina, Scott Gordon, Philip Hays, Chuck Ivy, Kanude, Travis Kerschen, David Lowy, Shawna Mouser, Ron Ochoa, Sharad Patel and Andrew Edison, Phara, PR!MO, Patrick Renner, Michael Rodriguez, Stephanie Saint Sanchez, Aimey Stinchcomb, Everett Taasevigen, The Art Guys, Thousands, Eric Todd, Vanessa Voss, Ramon West, Able Windham and Ruben Ybarra. Over thirty more artists from New York and Texas participated in this year’s swap.
A weekly events post {c.u.t.here} or rather, see you there. Get it? See what I did there? Clever. I know. I try.;-) Each week I’ll highlight a few events that I’m looking forward to in this grand ole city of H. c.u.t.here, peeps.
Literally one of THE best workouts I’ve ever had. A night club atmosphere, pumpin’ tunes, and workout clothes and tennies. Pretty much my dream workout. The lights are down, and people let loose. I’ve been dying to write about this for weeks. I tried this class out earlier this summer and was hooked! Now if I can just find time to make it back! Due to popular demand, they’ve just added a second day at Pravada (Thursday) and a second location (Bar RIO, 6400 Richmond Ave) that begins September 15th. Tell Jennifer I sent you!
{Wednesday}
Dress for Success 6th Annual Sizzling Summer Soiree
Nancy Levicki and the Women of Wardrobe event chairs Sharron Melton, Lauren Freeman and Shern-Min Chow with Tootsies invite you to the Sixth Annual Sizzling Summer Soiree.
Enjoy hip sips and cool canapes, and meet designer Trina Turk. 10 percent of the proceeds benefits Dress for Success Houston, so you have a great reason to shop!
Event is free for WOW members and $45 for nonmembers. Purchase your tickets to Sizzling Summer Soiree in advance to avoid waiting in a very long line! Join W.O.W. for $75 which includes complimentary admission to all W.O.W. events through next June. Buy your ticket today by calling 713-957-3779. Special thanks to The Capital Grille and TY-KU.
{Thursday}
Thursdays are always nuts. Get in where you fit in.
5-10PM | Spacetaker Cultured Cocktails benefiting Dance Houston | FREE
Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar (Taft @ Fairview) This has been THE place to be this summer if you are a non-profit. Or if you like wine. Either will do.
6-8pm | HYPA Summer Cocktail Tour at the Grove (Discovery Green) | FREE
feat. Houston artists Katy Anderson + Patrick Medrano + The Fodice Foundation HOUSTON Magazine is sponsoring a summer long tour of hip places and pretty faces. This week at the Grove with HYPA. There is an afterparty at Katy + Patrick’s studio. The afterparty + film screening is free for HYPA members, and $35 for non-members.
6-9pm | 310 Rosemont Summer Mixer (1965 W. Gray) | FREE
Fashion and Denim for Women AND Men! Come for a drink. Stay for the new fall fashions. Toast to the end of summer. I’m not sure about toasting to the end of summer…i’m hanging on with my fingernails. But LOVE this boutique. Check it.
Laura Mayes and yours truly will be leading a Social Media Workshop this Friday at the lovely Bright Sky Press. Stop by to ask all those burning questions about Twitter, Flickr, and Blogging, oh my! From 3:30-5:30 p.m. we’ll have the very informal workshop (Easy, practical social media training) and at 5:30 p.m. we’ll break out the Social Media Social Hour (A very happy Happy Hour where social media shows it social side).
Bright Sky Press is hosting its inaugural Bright New Media social media workshop at the Bright Sky Bookspace . Stop in to find out more about Twitter, Flickr, Blogging, Facebook, and a partridge in a pear tree. More importantly, we’ll talk about why we should care about all this (for business, for pleasure, for smart ways to connect)…and we’ll show you how easy it is to do (it’s really easy!). It all starts at 3:30 p.m. and ends with a Social Media Social Hour. $35 a person gets you all the know-how you need to go go go. We can’t wait to see you then!
Yummm. I love me some Lawndale. Check out this Friday’s quadruple opening. Opening Reception August 21, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Artist talks at 6 PM. Exhibitions on view August 21- September 26, 2009:
Lawndale Art Center 30th Anniversary Exhibition –
Curated by Clint Willour
Work by Seth Alverson, Dawolu Jabari Anderson, Chuy Benitez, Elaine Bradford, Emily Sloan and Mark Schatz
Me, Mine, and not Yours – Joe Ives and Jahjehan Bath Ives
Paper or Plastic?– Nathaniel Donnett
The Green™ cyber web – Adela Andea
{Saturday}
Planned Parenthood + Riazul Tequila present Party Like a Rockstar
8pm-midnight | Warehouse Live
Whether you wear high heels, Doc Martens or blue suede shoes, come to move those feet and pump those fists in the air – and let your voice be heard!
Live Performances by DJ Alex C – voted #1 DJ by the Houston Press and Houston Chronicle and SKYROCKET! – voted Austin’s #1 cover band.
TICKETS:
Single Ticket ($50) – includes catering by Joe’s Crab Shack!
Be a VIP!
Solo-Act ($150) – one person, Hook-Up ($250) – two people, Groupies ($1000) – eight people, Entourage ($3000) – 30 people
VIP level includes catering by Morton’s the Steakhouse & Max’s Wine Dive with a Champagne Station.
Grammy Gift Bags. Exclusive After- Party from midnight to 2 a.m.
A weekly events post {c.u.t.here} Or rather, see you there. Get it? See what I did there? Clever. I know. I try.;-) Each week I’ll highlight a few events that I’m looking forward to in this grand ole city of H. c.u.t.here, peeps.
{Tuesday}
Montage of Houston Grand Opening Party
5-8pm, Montage of Houston (5927 Almeda) | www.montageofhouston.com
The sister tower to the Mosaic on Hermann Park is finally finished! Join us tonight in breaking in the new digs on the 7th floor terrace overlooking Hermann Park. Sweet, views. For realz.
If you didn’t RSVP via email or facebook for this event, sorry, we’re at capacity! But become a fan on Facebookfor exclusive invites to upcoming parties.
Join Dan Redman of Mosaic Wine Group as he presents the wines of the ‘literal’ rock star, Maynard James Keenan (TOOL, A Perfect Circle & Puscifer) and the ‘viticultural’ rock star, Randall Grahm (Bonny Doon).
PLEASE NOTE: This is a wine tasting event hosted by Dan Redman – neither Maynard nor Randall will be in attendance, just their fabulous wines!
6:30-9pm, Pravada (2815 South Shepherd) | http://houston.fgi.org
The Fashion Group International of Houston, Inc., (FGI) is proud to host Mix & Mingle Fashion Event on August 13, 2009, at Pravada, to show case five talented local fashion designers & boutiques, as well as a number of local hair stylists, make up artists, and beauty specialists.
Models on the runway will be showcasing clothing lines from Lucho at Uptown Park, POSH Boutique, F.Nebuloni, Au Paradis Swim wear and Kelly Kathleen Designs. Our talented beauty specialists are Hair Stylist – Janelle Alexis of Norris Day Spa & Salon and Make-Up Service is provided by Tree Vaello.
Appetizers + door prizes + fashion show.
{Friday}
Block 7 Wine Co. Opening Weekend Festivities:
Join us for events all weekend to celebrate the Grand Opening of Block 7! Art, live music, wine tastings, yummy bites, travel & education… plus the unveiling of our full menu. Also, any purchase you make over the weekend benefits local arts non-profit Spacetaker.
FRI AUG 14 @ Block 7
4-7pm | Special Art Exhibition: Western Appliance Meets Wine Warehouse featuring works created from salvaged materials from our warehouse
9pm | Live Music: Robert Ellis & listenlisten
Don’t Fight It @ Boondocks
10pm-2am, Boondocks (1417 Westheimer)
Easily my favorite monthly at Boondocks. Join all the usual suspects, my heart Young Squaddy, along with DJ Good Grief, Piss Heavy + Hosted by Miss Shina Rae + my baby boy 25 Cruz.
We want our party to feel like the best house party scene from your favorite 80’s movie. No genre of music is off limits, we play it all. Don’t Fight It is the most accessible and fun club party in Houston. Come see us and find out for yourself!
{Saturday}
Block 7 Wine Co. Official Opening Party
Noon-4pm | Saturday Tasting Market: free tastings of over a dozen of our carefully selected wines plus case pricing on all bottles
5pm-till | Block Party: great wine prices & free delicious bites all night
9pm | Live Music: Andrew Karnavas & Runaway Sun
ROFLCon, The Caroline Collective, Schipul the Web Marketing Company and Saint Arnold Brewery proudly present… A Gathering Of Houston Tech
Houston is full of cool Internet people. Why aren’t they meeting each other?
INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY is the new monthly party for Houston gathering hackers, activists, artists, designers, nonprofits, startups, academics and general geekery to hang out and connect with one another.
*No agenda, no “networking,” no presentations. Just beverages, food, ideas and cool people.
*Best of all the price is free, and where else are you going to get that kind of deal in this kind of economy?!
Aerosol Warfare has the privilege to host the final leg of Texas’ 1st traveling graffiti art exhibition. The show started its journey last year in Austin, TX when local graffiti pioneer (and curator), SLOKE, pulled together some of the top aerosol artists from each major city in Texas and ‘pieced together’ the exhibition. Since then, this art show has traveled to cities such as Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco. Houston is the final destination and we are ready to throw a Texas Size Ho-Down to celebrate the successful run of an exhibition that the LA Weekly called a “hybridized style existing in this stylistic space between two art worlds”!
Artists Include: Austin – Sloke, Wake, Spain & Mez; San Antonio – Enks, Duo & Supher; Houston – Coler, Weah, Sode, & GONZO247; Dallas – Soner & Lawgic; El Paso – Grave, Myker & Durock; The Valley – Dmise & News.
2-3pm | Travel Seminar: Unbelievable Undiscovered Wines of Southern Italy
4pm-till | Join us for dinner as our full menu is unveiled
8pm | Live Music: Kenneth Scott
Prairie Cadets with Benjamin Wesley, The Julys, Finnegan @ the Mink
9:00 PM – 1:00am | The Mink (3718 Main)
Come out and see us, with our new songs and some fantastic other bands! Seriously, Benjamin Wesley will blow your mind. We’re convinced The Julys are one of the next great Houston bands, and Finnegan will charm you quick.
Premiering a new feature on {cosmo}Politician this week. A weekly events post called {c.u.t.here} Or rather, see you there. Get it? See what I did there? Clever. I know. I try.;-)
Each week I’ll highlight a few events that I’m looking forward to in this grand ole city of H. c.u.t.here, peeps.
This will be the first of many open mic nights to come from everyone’s favorite local coffee shop. Come by and check out some great local talent.
Runaway Sun @ Continental Club
10:10pm, Continental Club (3700 Main Street) | Cover $5
This is a big show for Runaway Sun. Their first at the CC. Fresh off an amazing show at the Houston Press Music Awards Showcase, Shea Serrano of the Houston Press recently said of the band, “And we say this without fear: by this time next year, Runaway Sun will be one of the city’s best bands.” I couldn’t agree more.
Andrew and the guys are putting the finishing touches on their first full length album, The Bridge. Stay tuned for CD Release Party deets. Also, the band is competing with other bands for a slot on this year’s ACL lineup for the Sound and the Jury. Vote daily for them here.
Houston’s geekiest are at it again! Join the fun folks from KPFT’s Technology Bytes as they continue the fun Friday with their monthly Geek Gathering. “ou don’t have to be a geek to attend. Heck, you don’t even have to be a current listener of the show. This event is a casual meet-up for anyone interested in technology or social media in all its forms and a great opportunity to just hang out with like minded individuals.”
Ben Wesley @ Block 7
8:30pm, Block 7 Wine Co (720 Shepherd) | www.block7wineco.com
After a soft opening 2 weeks ago, Block 7 has been packing in the wine, food and music fans galore. With Friday night performances from Andrew Karnavas and Tygararaja, this Friday returns with Houston’s eclectic son, Benjamin Wesley, the musical foil and soulmate to flashy Transmissions bandmate, Cornbreadd, Wesley’s Houston Press Awards performance showed us why this talent won’t be in Houston for long. Come check out this unique performance, sure to be one of the last few intimate shows you’ll see Ben play. Kid done blowing up!
{Saturday}
Summer Fest Day 1
I keep saying this, and I seriously won’t believe Summer Fest is real until Saturday when I arrive and see if for my own eyes. For months I was convinced this was an April Fool’s Joke by our friends over at the Free Press. Headliners include Of Montreal, Explosions in the Sky and Broken Social Scene. Yeah. see? Would you have believed it either? IN Houston?! Rad.
A 2 day pass is only 16 bucks. And a Fancy Pants Pass is $45. Do. This. People.
“Found” @ Hello Lucky
Artist Talk at Lawndale: Because we only turn 30 once!
Making Moves: Dance Party + Art Show
A/V Swap: The Good, The Bad, and the Dirty
Dress for Success 6th Annual Sizzling Summer Soiree
Four Openings at Lawndale Art Center
Planned Parenthood + Riazul Tequila present Party Like a Rockstar
Montage of Houston Grand Opening Party
Rockstars of Wine @ 13 Celsius
Pieced Together: All Texas Graffiti art exhibition
Runaway Sun @ Continental Club