Katherine Center has a Problem with Kirtsy

I do, too.

The Kirtsy Book is here. Come seek help for your Kirtsy problem, too.

Check out this incredible book trailer, created by the amazing Katherine Center:

Tags: book, bright sky press, houston, katherine center, kirtsy, party

{c.u.t.here} aug 17-23

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}

Nightclub Cardio @ Pravada

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

7-9pm | Tootsies (in Highland Village) | facebook invite

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.

{Friday}

Bright New Media

3:30-5:30pm | Bright Sky Press | 5416 Chaucer, right behind Ruggles | $35

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!

RSVP to kara@brightskypress.com

Four Openings at Lawndale Art Center

6-8:30pm | Lawndale Art Center | 4912 Main Street | lawndaleartcenter.org

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.

Visit http://www.pphouston.org/rockstar2009 for more information. Purchase tickets here

Tags: art opening, arts + events, houston, lawndale, music

{c.u.t.here} :aug 3-9:

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.

{Thursday}

Open Mic Night Coffee Groundz

6-10pm, CoffeeGroundz (2503 Bagby) | www.coffeegroundz.net

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.

{Friday}

Tech Bytes Geek Gathering @ Coffee Groundz

7:30pm, Coffee Groundz (2503 Bagby) | www.coffeegroundz.net

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.

{Sunday}

Summer Fest Day 2

Tags: arts + events, coffee groundz, concerts, continental club, houston, houston free press, music, runaway sun

Let's. Rock. This. Town.

As the summer winds down (oh hells yes Target has school supplies up already), the Houston music scene is throwing out some serious game. This heat ain’t just in the air, it’s on the streets.  This weekend is full of it, and I still feel like half the city thinks that the Free Press’s upcoming Summerfest is an April Fool’s day joke.

Jump in and get wet.

For a look at the first half of the week, check out this week’s Houstonist H-town Rock.

Wednesday, July 22

:: Jason McElweenie Poster Show ::

Hella talented graphic artist, son of America’s Hat, and even better friend, Jason McElweenie, shows off his collection of stellar concert poster designs at Coffee Groundz this Wednesday. Deneyterrio will have posters on sale and exclusive framed prints.  I’ll prob cut you if you miss it. Don’t make me do that.

Coffee Groundz, 7-10pm
2503 Bagby in Midtown
www.coffeegroundz.net
facebook invite

Friday, July 23

:: Andrew Karnavas @ Block 7, 8pm ::

The long awaited premier Houston’s newest concept in Wine Bars, Block 7, is finally here. They open to the public tonight, with free champagne. Stop by starting at 4pm.  I had a chance to preview the place, food, and of course, the wine, this weekend. Fantastic. Advice: Try the gulf shrimp. You’ll thank me. Shawn Pander performed, and Andrew will be performing an acoustic set this Friday. Wonder if I can get him to follow in Shawn’s footsteps and cover Ray Lamontagne.

:: Tontons Pre-release Listening Party @ Little Big’s, 7pm ::

Saturday

:: The Tontons Official CD Release Party @ Caroline Collective 6-10pm ::

Dare I say the music event of the summer?  Last year’s Houston Press Awards winner of Best New Artist continues to impress crowds, this time with their long-awaited full length Self-titled release. Scheduled performances by Giant Princess, Fat Tony, and Houston legend Little Joe Washington. You’ll def want to check out some of the things they’ve got up their sleeves for this show. Food from Little Big’s thanks to @wholefish + hometown brews from Saint Arnold + Tequila aplenty from Riazul + door prizes from Cactus Music. What more could you ask for? (I already checked, Justin Timberlake is booked.)

facebook invite

:: Andrew Karnavas + Daniel de Luna w/ Back Door Slam @ Warehouse Live 8pm ::

facebook invite

Sunday

:: Houston Press Music Awards Showcase ::

With Summerfest right around the corner, our peeps over at the HP are doing a good job of warming us up. Check out the full line up of shows for Sunday. My day will look something like this:

6pm Runway Sun @ Flying Saucer
7pm Mitch Jacobs Band @ Martell’s
8pm The Tontons @ Martell’s
9pm Buxton @ Isis

Plus, there’s still time to vote! Click here for a ballot

See you in the throws.

love + music.

Tags: andrew karnavas, houston, local music, love + music, music, the tontons

the dichotomy of independence

tumblers, by slightclutter

It feels as if this post is way overdue. On the other hand, it also feels to be entirely immature.

I’m going to cram a lot into this post, so for you ADD readers, here’s the short version:

• Update on Baby Kailey: she’s doing great!
• I moved in with my parents to help with the baby!
• I still have my place, so there will still be a Christmas Tree Viewing Party 3.0!

• I quit my job!

• I’m freelancing! (yes, read above: i quit my job!)
• I’m really, really happy, excited, and scared as all hell!
• Wedding Bells

Whew. That wasn’t so hard?  Now what took me so long to write this post? (Besides painstakingly searching for the exact right image. Which I will always obsess over.) Read more…

Tags: blogging, career, colab, cosmopolitician, family, friends, houston, MagsMac, Politics, schipul, weddings, writing

Flavorpill's Artkrush: Houston!

Imagine my glee when I received my fav arts eNewsletter, Flavorpill’s Artkrush, and slathered across the header was Houston: Art on the Bayou. Double take!  Yup, us! Wheee! ‘Bout dang time, y’all.

Check out the lead story on Houston’s “long-established, internationally recognized art scene.” Thanks for noticing, FP.

For more Flavorpill Culture eNewsletters, check this.

Tags: artkrush, arts, arts + events, flavorpill, houston

Westheimer Block Party: this saturday

Every fall and spring when I see flyers for the Westheimer Block Party I’m reminded of being young and attending the Westheimer Arts Festival. It was my very first exposure to Montrose and I remember thinking that that strip of Westheimer must always be a circus. Later, realizing it was just one weekend out of the year. Yes, the Westheimer Arts festival used to be a weekend long.  A weekend I would look forward to every year, because it was the one time my parents would let us get hair beads, and temporary tatoos, and let us congregate with shirtless men with pythons slithering on their necks. I remember, even at that young age, feeling like I was experiencing something very special. Very unique. Very Houston.

Check out the now music-based Westheimer Block Party this Saturday. $20 gets you 20 bands at 4 venues. Wristsbands available at all venues: Avant Garden (Helio’s), Numbers, La Strada, and Mango’s.

Tags: houston, montrose, music, westheimer block party

Pat Graney: House of Mind @ Diverseworks

Internationally renowned choreographer, Pat Graney, makes a grand return to Houston as she takes over DiverseWorks’ entire building with her latest exhibition and performance House of Mind. In an amalgamation of female memory, collective unconscious, and family and cultural histories, Graney creates an expansive kinesthetic sense of her work that takes the audience on an intense and thought-provoking journey through her past, her mother’s battles with Alzheimer’s and the quirky imagination that Houstonians saw in The Vivian Girls (2005) and Sleep (1998). The public is invited to tour the installation, a multi-sensory experience that physically manifests aspects her mind, and then experience a choreographed performance, in which each viewer’s experience will be as unique as memory itself.

Just a little info on the exhibit from Shawna:

“This is by far the biggest installation/ performance that we have ever done!!!  The installation will take over the entire space (theater, main gallery, and project space- 6000 sq. feet). There’s going to be 100,000 button waterfall, a book room consisting of 4,000 books, and several performances at the beginning of the run.  We’ve definitely never done anything like this. I’m so excited. I just saw the performance in Seattle and it was so good!!”

The installation for House of Mind will be on view during gallery hours. Admission is free and open to the public.

If you would like to purchase tickets to the House of Mind performances, look and click here.  Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for DiverseWorks members and $8.00 for students and seniors.  Seating is EXTREMELY LIMITED, so reserve your tickets ASAP.

Pat Graney
House of Mind
Installation on view: Jan. 30- Feb. 21, 2009
Performances:  Jan. 30 & 31, Feb. 5 – 7, 2009
7:30 pm
DiverseWorks Main Gallery, Project Space, and Theater

Tags: arts + events, diverseworks, houston, installation art, pat graney, performance art

2008 Wrap-up: November

November: Sick, Sick, Sick

Looking back at all the goings on in October, it’s no wonder November was filled with more sickness, this time it knocked me out for weeks.

Image: Ed Schipul

November kicked off with the Orange Show’s Annual Gala, this year themed Dia de los Muertos. Had a blasty as usual dressing up and volunteering with MagsMac, Jason, Tiff, Shannon, Foofers, Hala, Erin, and Andrew. 

Soon after, I got very ill with an upper respiratory infection + strep throat that just won’t go away.  Smashed in between was my Lasik surgery, at which I was praying to Jesus, Mary AND Joseph that I didn’t cough when the laser hit my eye. I think the Valium helped. Yes, I’m most certainly it did. And of course, as I should have guessed, things weren’t to go as planned.

The right eye went fine. I won’t get into the details of Lasik for you squemish readers, but everything was cut, peeled and lasered just fine. However, when they got to the left eye, they apparently discovered what I had been claiming for years! My left eye is smaller than my right! After trying about five times to get the Lasik instrument in my eye, they took a break and decided on PRK for the left eye.  The eventual result would be the same, but it would take longer to heal. Figures!  The result has been great! For someone who has been in glasses or contacts since 2nd grade, it’s an amazing feeling to awake from sleep and see your alarm clock clearly. It’s a dream. But it’s real.

November was also the month we were blessed with little Kailey. As some of you have read (if not you can read the post here), in November my parents were given custody of my 3 month old baby cousin, Kailey. Since then, our lives have transformed as the whole family has pitched in to help give Kailey the best care and safe home as possible. She’s been such a joy to be around. Thanks for all  your well wishes and prayers for her!  She is doing fantastic! All healed and grow to be quite the chubber! Will update more in the New Year. | View my Baby Kailey set on Flickr.

Even though I was down for the count for most of November, it was still jam packed with events. I had the pleasure of helping Tina Zulu with the DJ Melodic Benefit Raffle at Block 21, spend an awesome evening at HappyKatie’s for the Nintendo Wii Fit Party (where I scored my very own Wii Fit!!), saw my first show at Houston’s new House of Blues, and celebrated the birthday + engagement of my best, dear friend, Taneka. One of SEVEN wedding I’ll be celebrating next year!

Tags: 2008 wrap-up, block 21, house of blues, houston, LASIK, orange show, the black crowes, yearly recap

The Real Mom 2.0

Some of you have probably heard  recently of the amazing project I’ve been lucky to be a part of: the 1st Annual Mom 2.0 Summit taking place in Houston next February 19th-21st,  a conference that will bring together Moms, Bloggers, Marketers, Media, and all things saavy and smart.  Houston has become a hot bed for these talented Web 2.0 moms, and I am happy to be able to showcase Houston the the country, when over 300 attendees, speakers, and sponsors descend upon the Bayou City in February. Check out all the deets here, and don’t miss our 2nd Houston Kick-Off Party at the Caroline Collective on Wednesday, Dec 17th.

No, I’m not a mom, but I have a pretty great one, as I’ve pointed out many times on this blog.  I think being a parent is the greatest, most important job in the world, and both of mine have managed to do it with flying colors.  I would be so lucky to be half the woman that my mom is. Which brings me to another reason why I truly believe my mother is a saint.

A few weeks ago, my parents were awarded custody of my cousin’s two month old baby girl, Kailey.  Baby Kailey had been in and out of the hospital since she was born on Sept 8th.  Without going into too many details, CPS stepped in and held an emergency hearing for Kailey’s welfare.  While a few of  Kailey’s caregivers are being investigated, the baby was to come live with my parents.

I’ll never forget the night at Texas Children’s Hospital with my mom and Aunt Barbara. I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face, a look of concern, sadness and determination to get this baby to a safe place. The next morning an emergency hearing was held.  The baby was appointed an attorney, and the case was assigned a case worker from CPS.  My parents were identified as potential candidates for custody, pending a house visit from both the baby’s lawyer and the CPS worker.

Read more…

Tags: conferences, family, houston, mom, mom 2.0 summit, mom2summit, mothers