January 2012 – Newsletter

Happy New Year everyone!! As we move into 2012, there is certainly no shortage of fun things to do around town. Don’t miss Addams Family at Hobby Center; the Harlem Globetrotters at Toyota Center; or Anna Bolena through Opera in the Heights. If you haven’t see Tutankhamun at Museum of Fine Arts, add it to your list. Put on your running shoes and get ready for the Chevron Marathon, and of course, you won’t want to miss the many Chinese New Year celebrations around town – this is the year of the Dragon. The Arboretum will have their annual Arbor Day celebration; there will be two MLK parades in downtown Houston, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and the ever popular auto show will be in town at the end of the month. No matter what your interests, there is something for everyone this month in Houston!

Dance/Music/Theatre

Alley Theatre (615 Texas Avenue)

January 20th – February 12th: The Toxic Avenger – The Toxic Avenger is a harming love story and laugh-out-loud musical that has it all – an unlikely hero, his beautiful girlfriend, a corrupt New Jersey mayor, an onstage band, and two guys who play . . . well everyone else . . . bullies, mobsters, old ladies, and stiletto wearing back-up singers. The Toxic Avenger features music from David Bryan and book and lyrics by Joe DiPietrong.

February 8th – March 4th: The Seagull – Chekhov created in his 1895 play that describes the romantic entanglements of a group of actors, writers, and artists gathered on a Russian estate, one of the enduring masterpieces of the world theatre, and a modern class that grows richer with time. The extraordinary ensemble cast includes James Black as the novelist Trigorin and Josie de Guzman as the actress Arkadina.

for more information, see www.alleytheatre.org or call (713) 228-8421

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

Surrounded by a lush forest, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater that provides the Greater Houston region with an array of performing arts and contemporary entertainment in a setting of unparalleled beauty.

Event Schedule will begin again in spring.

for more information, see http://pavilion.woodlandscenter.org

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby @ Walker)

January 7th: Free of the Ground – New music and dance come together in a collaborative concert with the Houston Ballet II. Featured music includes works for voice and chamber ensembles. Featured composers and pieces include Karim Al-Zand, Tagore Songs; Anthony Brandt, Creeley Songs; Philippe Hurel, Tombeau in Memoriam Gerard Grisey. Presented by Musiqa. 7:30 p.m.

January 10th – 15th: The Addams Family – The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life in The Addams Family. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, Drama Desk-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party), choreographer Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and Olivier Award-winning director/designers Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter) with creative consultation by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks. This is definitely not the same old song and dance. It’s every parent’s nightmare. Your little girl has suddenly become a young woman, and what’s worse, has fallen deliriously in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. Yes, Wednesday Adams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has a “normal” boyfriend, and for parents Gomez and Morticia, this shocking development will turn the Addams household downside up.

January 24th – February 5th: Bring It On – The team behind this show is an extraordinarily rare union of Broadway’s most acclaimed, award-winning young creators. With an original book by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q), music and lyrics by Tony Award winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights), music by Pulitzer and Tony Award winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) and lyrics by Broadway lyricist Amanda Green (High Fidelity), this wholly original new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (In the Heights). Two cheerleader squads. Two schools. The mission: Claim the title of the National Cheerleading Championships. The high-stakes world of competitive cheerleading meets the cutthroat rivalries of high school politics and romance in the bold and explosive new musical comedy. How do you learn to be true to your team and to yourself? Sometimes it’s got to get ugly before it gets pretty.

February 4th: Vienna 1828: Schubert’s Invitation Concert –

February 9th – 11th: Winter Mixed Rep – Featuring the stunning gala version of 27’52” by icon Jiří Kylián, the Texas premiere of Walsh’s Nessuno, memorable duets from Walsh’s award-winning The Trilogy: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed by Domenico Luciano with newcomer Stefania Figliossi and exceptional Japanese ballerina Hana Sakai, and a cameo by one of Houston’s beloved ballerinas in Walsh’s dramatic The Dying Swan.

February 10th – 12th: Riverdance – Now in its 17th phenomenal year, Riverdance, the internationally-acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song and dance that has touched the hearts of millions around the world, comes to the Hobby Center. Discover why nothing in the world compares to the original. Whether it’s your first time or our fifth, there is no better time to share the magic of Riverdance with your family.

February 17th – 26th: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Based on the popular 1988 film which follows two men living on the French Riviera and, of course . . . a dame. A hilarious battle of cons ensue, that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end. Book by Jeffrey Lane and lyrics by David Yazbek.

February 28th – March 4th: Million Dollar Quartet – This smash Broadway musical is inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians were gathered together by Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. Million Dollar Quartet brings this legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes”, “That’s All Right”, “Sixteen Tons”, “Great Balls of Fire”, “I Walk the Line”, “Whole Lotta Shakin’s Goin’ On”, “Who Do You Love?”, “Matchbox”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Hound Dog” and more.

March 9th: La Resurrezione – An operatic telling of the Resurrection story by the young George Frederic Handel, with vocal fireworks and beautiful melodies in abundance. The stellar cast includes Canadian soprano Gillian Keith (in her Houston debut) as the Angel, bass-baritone Timothy Jones as Lucifer, soprano Meredith Ruduski as Mary Magdalene, countertenor Ryland Angel as Mary Leofide, and tenor Zachary Wilder as St. John. Presented by Ars Lyrica.

March 20th – April 1st: Annie – The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals. Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan, the funniest villain this side of a Disney cartoon. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil schemes, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Presented by TUTS.

March 23rd: Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo Duo – Nine-time Grammy Award winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis and pianist Joey Calderazzo have mesmerized audiences with their passionate and profound collaboration since they took the stage together at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2009. This performance is comprised of selections from their latest CD release, Songs about Mirth and Melancholy. The duo rose out of the Marsalis quartet, crating music that is intimate and elevates each artist to another level. The intricate interplay between the piano and saxophone create a brilliant and captivating conversation. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the magic of Marsalis and Calderazzo live!

March 24th: From Russia with Love – Join Apollo for a concert program featuring the Russian heavyweights of the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Shostakovich’s stirring and folk-infused Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, a lamentation for both Shostakovich’s closest friend and the victims of the Holocaust will be featured. Also highlighting the program will be Prokofiev’s mellifluous Five Melodies for Violin and Piano, Schnittke’s intriguing Prelude in Memorium of Shostakovich and a set of Russian folk melodies – including folk tunes by the nationalistic-minded “The Mighty Handful” – arranged for strings by Apollo. Tchaikovsky’s famed Souvenir de Florence string sextet will provide a rousing finale to an evening of Russian reverence. Presented by the Apollo Chamber Players.

for more information, see www.thehobbycenter.org or call (713) 315-2525

Houston Symphony (Jones Hall – 615 Louisiana)

January 5th, 7th & 8th: Rach Fest 1 – Rach 3 – Rachmaninoff has enchanted music lovers for generations with his incredibly romantic themes. Come experience a special 3-week festival – RachFest! – paying tribute to this most beloved Russian composer, featuring artist-in-residence Kirill Gerstein performing all four piano concertos. Edward Gardner, conducting. Kirill Gerstein, piano. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 and Symphonic Dances.

January 13th, 14th & 15th: RachFest 2 – Rach 1 & 4 – Rachmaninoff has enchanted music lovers for generations with his incredibly romantic themes. Come experience a special 3-week festival – RachFest! – paying tribute to this most beloved Russian composer, featuring artist-in-residence Kirill Gerstein performing all four piano concertos. Hans Graf, conducting. Kirill Gerstein, piano. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Nos. 1 & 4 and Isle of the Dead.

January 19th, 21st & 22nd: RachFest 3 – Rach 2 – Rachmaninoff has enchanted music lovers for generations with his incredibly romantic themes. Come experience a special 3-week festival – RachFest! – paying tribute to this most beloved Russian composer, featuring artist-in-residence Kirill Gerstein performing all four piano concertos. Hans Graf, conducting. Kirill Gerstein, piano. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, Vocalise and Symphony No. 3.

January 27th, 28th & 29th: The Best of Spelberg and Williams – Spend an evening enjoying the most epic music from Hollywood’s Dream Team, Spielberg and Williams. The orchestra plays Mike’s favorite selections from Schindler’s List, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Saving Private Ryan, and more. Michael Krajewski, conducting.

February 10th, 11th & 12th: Dvorák & Polovtsian Dances – Czech conductor Jakub Hruša has put together a compelling mix of sublimely tuneful music, lively folk dances and a riveting musical story of a bloodthirsty warlord.

February 18th: Orbit – An HD Odyssey – Sequel to The Planets – Join the symphony for this world premiere of the second film in their HD Odyssey series – this time focused on our planet. With striking images taken from NASA missions to Earth’s orbit and accompanied by Strauss’ epic tone poem “Also srach Zarathustra”, this event is not to be missed. 7:30 p.m.

February 23rd, 25th & 26th: Beethoven’s Fifth – Experience the drama of Beethoven’s most famous work. You’ll hear the contrast between breathless tenderness and the powerful, triumphal finale. Plus, meet Colin Currie, a star in the world of solo percussion, for whom Rautavaara composed the provocative concerto, Incantations.

March 8th: Earth, Wind & Fire – You’ve heard the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire, but you’ve never heard them like this! The power of the symphony will add a new twist to “Let’s Groove”, “Boogie Wonderland” and “After Love has Gone”. 7:30 p.m.

March 9th, 10th & 11th: Bowfire! Bowfire’s all-star lineup of virtuosic fiddlers delivers a mix of Celtic, rock bluegrass, Texas-swing and classical music. Add in beautiful vocals, electric step and tap dancing, lights, costumes and sets and you’ve got one fast-paced spectacle for the senses. Don’t miss when they join forces with the Houston Symphony for a concert experience unlike any other. Robert Franz, conducting.

March 10th: Symphony Under the Sea – Family Series – Take a dip into wet and watery music, featuring Disney’s beloved theme to The Little Mermaid. Continue our under the sea voyage with Debussy’s La Mer and Rmsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. Fish created by local child artists will help set this concert firmly at the bottom of the sea. Robert Franz, conducting.

March 16th, 17th & 18th: Petrenko Conducts Prokfiev – Winner of the 4^th Prokofiev Conducting Competition, Petrenko has already reached stardom in the classical music world. Hear him conduct Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony.

March 22nd, 24th & 25th: Mozart’s A Little Night Music – A Little Night Music will lighten your heart and fill your evening with joy. Hans Graf conducting.

March 30th, 31st & April 1st: Hilary Hahn & Enigma Variations – “Hahn is one of those rare performers who can dazzle you with the warmth of her personality and knock you dead with the dexterity of her technique” LA Times. Alexander Shelley conducting.

April 5th, 6th & 7th: Tribute to John Denver with Jim Curry – Acclaimed John Denver tribute artist Jim Curry takes you back to the time when “Rocky Mountain High”, “Take Me Home: Country Roads”, “Annie’s Song” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane” topped the charts. As the Houston Symphony plays the original orchestrations written for Denver, you’ll be reminded why his music has withstood the test of time. On the first half of the concert, here Mike and the orchestra share Americana favorites such as “Orange Blossom Special” and “Shenandoah”. Michael Krajewski, conducting.

for more information, see www.houstonsymphony.com or call (713) 224-7575

Jones Hall (615 Louisiana)

January 20th: Joshua Bell, Violin – Joshua Bell very likely could have become a tennis superstar, having placed fourth in a national tournament at the age of ten, without taking so much as a single lesson. Fortunately for music lovers, he was also passionate about strings of a different kind. Bell has come a long way since his parents first noticed him plucking rubber bands he had stretched around the handles of his dresser drawers when he was four. Today he performs on the somewhat less crude Gibson ex Huberman Stradivarious, which is but a few years shy of its 300^th birthday. During the couple of decades in between, Bell has recorded dozens of CDs, earned numerous instrumentalist of the year and album of the year type awards and dazzled audiences worldwide with his virtuosity. 8:00 p.m.

February 4th: Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet – Moulin Rouge – What a pairing! Canada’s premier ballet company and the undeniably enticing Moulin Rouge. Whether you are a seasoned balletomane or completely new to ballet, you’ll enjoy this evening for its sheer theatricality. After a 26 year hiatus, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet returns to Houston. Along with a rousing French soundtrack, Moulin Rouge – The Ballet features high-kicking choreography and a passionate story of live, ambition and heartbreak. It’s turn-of-the-century Paris . . . a city of exquisite contradiction. The heady elixir of personal freedom bred lifestyles that were reckless and addictive. Drawn to Paris by the city’s passion, a flame fuelled by the hearts of lovers and the souls of poets, Matthew and Nathalie tempt fate as they seek love and destiny at the infamous cabaret – The Moulin Rouge. 8:00 p.m.

February 29th: Preserving a Legacy: A Tribute to Houston’s Blues – Jones Hall will be rockin’ when SPA brings together Houston blues legends Grady Gaines & The Texas Upsetters; guitarist Milton Hopkins; guitarist Texas Johnny Brown; singer Trudy Lynn; and singer Ray Brown for a one night only performance. And to cap off the event, the Kashmere Reunion Stage Band will take stage for the grand finale. This performance is part of SPA’s month long, multi-disciplinary project celebrating a unique style of blues created in Houston’s Third and Fifth Wards, following the end of World War II, until the mid-1970s. The entire project culminates with this celebratory concert. 7:30 p.m.

March 2nd – 4th: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Known internationally as one of the most acclaimed ambassadors of American culture, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater promotes dance as a medium for honoring the past, celebrating the present and fearlessly reaching into the future by exploring the uniqueness of black cultural expressions. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew from a now-fabled performance in March 1958, at the 92^nd Street Young Men’s Hebrew Association in New York. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers, that performance forever changed the perception of American dance.

April 16th: Celtic Woman – Believe – Don’t miss this new Celtic Woman show. Celebrating an enchanting new studio album and companion live concert DVD of the same name, the awe-inspiring vocalists and mesmerizing Celtic violinist now embark on their U.S. tour. Performing classic Irish tunes, Celtic Woman is backed by their dazzling six piece band, the Aotas Choir and a renowned championship Irish dancer. 7:30 p.m.

April 20th: Marcel Khalife and Al Mayadine Ensemble – In the Presence of Absence: A Homage to Mahmoud Darwis – Lebanese Master Marcel Khalife will perform the prophetic poems of the Arab World’s most renowned and beloved poet, Mahmoud Darwish, in tribute to the Arab Spring. The poetry of Mahmoud Darwish, the melodies of Marcel Khalife, resonating across the Arab world from the Middle East to North Africa, resounding above the din of conflict and poverty, singing instead of the shade of grapevines, the bright eyes of loved one, the heartache of divisions and decline that could be healed, love that could be returned. Marcel Khalife is a UNESCO artist for peace. 8:00 p.m.

April 21st: Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway – Direct from New York, five of the finest Broadway stars bring 50 of the greatest musical theater characters to life on the Jones Hall stage. Supported by an all-star New York band, 100 Years of Broadway recreates the finest moments from the greatest musicals of the century featuring the actual stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Aida, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jekyll and Hyde. The show is a jubilant revue of Broadway’s most beloved songs, including treasures from Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Kander and Ebb, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 8:00 p.m.

for more information, see www.spahouston.org

Toyota Center (1510 Polk Street)

January 28th & 29th: Harlem Globetrotters – World Tour 2012 2:00 p.m.

February 10th – 12th: Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil 8:00 p.m. on the 10th & 11th and 4:00 p.m. on the 12th

March 3rd: Radiohead 7:30 p.m.

March 8th: Red Hot Chili Peppers 7:30 p.m.

March 15th: Romeo Santos 8:00 p.m.

March 23rd: Winter Jam 7:00 p.m.

for more information, visit www.houstontoyotacenter.com or call (866) 4HOUTIX

Wortham Center – Houston Ballet (Texas & Smith)

February 23rd – March 4th: Cinderella – The story has been a favorite for generations, but make no mistake, this is not your childhood Cinderella. More tomboy than princess, Stanton Welch’s title character is a striking woman of substance, determination and spunk. She’s in control, fighting the oppression and will of her evil stepmother with wit and vigor. And when she finds true love she grabs it – and wisely holds on with both hands.

March 8th – 18th: Rock, Roll & Tutus – Contemporary ballet has come of age and it’s looking better than ever. At 20 years old, Christopher Bruce’s Rooster is still rocking audiences around the world. It’s a fast-paced romp of machismo and nostalgia set to eight classic tracks by The Rolling Stones. Also on the program are two ballets by artistic director Stanton Welch: a world premiere choreographed to highlight the talents of Houston Ballet dancers, and Divergence, the explosive ballet that put him on the international map.

April 20th & 21st: Academy Spring Showcase – The students of today are the stars of tomorrow. Sneak a peek at the future of the company as the gifted young artists of Houston Ballet’s professional training school dance pieces created especially for them.

for more information, see www.houstonballet.org or call (713) 227-ARTS

Wortham Center – Houston Grand Opera (Texas & Smith)

February 2nd: Concert of Arias – Watch and be entertained as some of the best emerging operatic talent compete head to head for top honors at this prestigious competition – and don’t forget to cast your vote for the coveted Audience Choice Award! 7:00 p.m.

Thru February 12th: La Traviata – Love, sacrifice and redemption – La Traviata’s dazzling heroine embodies all three in one of opera’s most beloved stories. The story of Violetta Valéry – a Parisian courtesan who makes the fatal mistake of falling in love – has defined romantic tragedy since La dame aux Camélas, the Dumás novel that inspired Verdi, appeared in 1848. Verdi’s opera paints a picture of a glittering Second Empire Paris, the serenity of Violetta’s country estate and the heroine’s fate on a cold, pre-Lenten morning.

February 3rd – February 11th: The Rape of Lucretia – The story of Lucretia has inspired writers from Ovid in ancient Rome and Shakespeare to Thornton Wilder; painters like Titan, Botticelli and Raphael immortalized the tragedy on canvasses. The cruel take is familiar in any century. Benjamin Britten and Ronald Duncan wrote this opera in 1946 as an allegorical exploration of the Second World War’s devastation; the intimate and supremely moving result is a plea, perhaps a prayer, for our redemption.

February 17th & 18th: Recitals at Rienzi – Intimate evenings of art and song – the HGO’s popular Rienzi recital series, featuring artists of Houston Grand Opera Studio.

March 2nd: Studio Showcase – The annual HGO Studio Showcase – directed by the legendary John Cox and hosted by HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers – shines a spotlight on HGO Studio Artists in scenes and selections representing the range of operatic repertoire. Your chance to see opera’s next generation of stars. 8:00 p.m.

April 13th – 28th: Don Carlos – King Philippe II of Spain dissolves the engagement of Don Carlos, his son, and Elisabeth de Valois by marrying the French princess himself. The ensuing drama pits father against son, crown against church and conscience against loyalty. Verdi’s music heightens emotions in this sweeping drama set during the turbulence of sixteenth-century Europe.

for more information, see www.houstongrandopera.org or call (713) 228-6737

DaCamera of Houston (as noted below)

January 27th: Ravi Coltrane Quartet – Back by popular demand, Ravi Coltrane, son of the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane and pianist Alice Contrane, Ravi is an acclaimed saxophonist, composer, bandleader and producer. His CD, In Flux, was nominated for a Grammy Award. Since his first appearance on the Da Camera series in 2008, Ravi has released the acclaimed Blending Times and singed with Blue Note Records. Performance at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center. 8:00 p.m.

January 31st: Gyorgy Kurtág: A Composed Program – The great Hungarian composer’s Games for piano four-hands and solo piano interweave with his transcriptions of Bach chorales in this “composed program”, created for and performed with his lifelong partner, Marta Kurtág. A deeply moving and intimate musical statement, portraying Kurtág’s unique musical sensitivity and the haunting memories of music from the past that inspired him. Marilyn Nonken and Sarah Rothenberg, whose recent recording and performances of Messiaen’s Visions de l’Amen have received rave reviews, team up again. Performance at The Menil Collection. 7:30 p.m.

February 4th: Vienna 1828: Schubert’s Invitation Concert – It was not until the last year of Schubert’s life that a public concert in Vienna was devoted solely to this extraordinary composer’s works, a program at the Gesellschaft that presented vocal, choral and chamber works. DaCamera recreates this historic musical event on period instruments including an 1820’s Viennese-style fortepiano. Performance in Zilka Hall, Hobby Center. 8:00 p.m.

February 25th & 26th: Sequentia/Benjamin Bagby Fragments for The End of Time – Vocalist, harpist and scholar Benjamin Bagby has been a trailblazer in the field of medieval musical performances for almost 30 years. Following a critically acclaimed recording of this largely unknown repertoire from circa 1000, Bagby explores the surprising and powerful apocalyptic texts – some of them surviving only as fragments – which terrified early medieval Christians. Declaiming the texts and singing in ancient dialects, Benjamin Bagby hauntingly reconstructs a forgotten musical tradition that hovers between ancient epic and early liturgical music. Performance at The Rothko Chapel. 8:00 p.m. on the 25th & 2:30 p.m. on the 26th.

March 3rd: Debussy’s Paris – Rediscover Debussy’s music in the context of older and younger friends and colleagues. Hear Chausson’s passionately romantic Concerto and the younger Caplet’s Fantastic Tale, inspired by an Edgar Allen Poe story. Debussy’s Sonata for violin and piano remains one of the masterpieces of the repertoire. Performed in Cullen Theater at Wortham Center. 8:00 p.m.

March 13th: After Debussy – In 1915, Debussy outlined a plan to compose six sonatas for various combinations of instruments, but completed only three of the planned works, all masterpieces. Our Debussy celebration features the sonatas performed over two programs. Here, Debussy’s legacy is celebrated with 20^th century works that followed the French master. Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho pays homage to Debussy by composing a work for the instrumentation outlined in one of his “unfinished” sonatas, Toru Takamitsu responds to Debussy’s Trio for flute, viola and harp and French music today is represented by composer Pascal Dusapin. Performed at The Menil Collection. 7:30 p.m.

March 17th: Dee Dee Bridgewater “To Billie With Love – A Celebration of Lady Day” – Houston favorite Dee Dee Bridgewater has risen to the top tier of today’s jazz vocalists, putting her own unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics. For her latest Grammy Award-winning recording, Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959), To Billie with Love from Dee Dee, Bridgewater honors an iconic jazz figure, Billie Holiday, who died tragically at the age of 44, a half-century ago. Performed at Wortham Theater. 8:00 p.m.

April 13th: Tia Fuller Quartet – After touring the world with pop/R&B star Boyoncé, alto saxophonist Tia Fuller recorded her breakthrough CD, Decisive Steps. An accomplished composer and electrifying live performer, Tia Fuller is a true rising star in jazz. Performed at Wortham Center. 8:00 p.m.

for more information, see www.dacamera.com

Miller Outdoor Theatre (Hermann Park)

Located on nearly eight acres in the heart of Hermann Park, Miller Outdoor Theatre is the only free open-air theatre of its kind in the United States. It is a home away from home for some of Houston’s most dynamic arts organizations such as HITS Unicorn Theater, Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Ebony Opera Guild, Festival Chicano, Houston Symphony, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) and a host of other multi-cultural groups and theater companies. Performances take place from March through November.

The new season for Miller Outdoor Theatre will begin in March 2012.

for more information, see www.milleroutdoortheatre.org

A.D. Players (2710 West Alabama)

February 15th – March 25th: Foxfire – When her son and a real-estate entrepreneur descend on Annie Nations, a 79 year old Appalachian matriarch, she finds herself at the crossroads of her past and future. The son, a successful singer, wants to convince his mother to leave her isolated Blue Ridge mountain homestead and live with him and her grandchildren in Florida; the salesman wants to buy the old log cabin and develop the property. Should Annie turn her back on the land that her husband worked his whole life and his father before that? The conflict between tradition and progress is joined in a flash.

February 22nd – March 24th: The Velveteen Rabbit – Children’s Theater – Given as a Christmas gift to a young boy, the Velveteen Rabbit lives in the nursery with all of the other toys, waiting for the day when the boy will choose him as a playmate. In time, the shy Rabbit learns the goal of all nursery toys: to be made “real” through the love of a human. Children learn the transformative power of love in Margery Williams’ timeless tale.

for more information, see www.adplayers.org

Main Street Theatre (2540 Times Blvd.)

January 12th – 29th: The Coast of Utopia Part 1: Voyage – Stoppard’s magnificent trilogy chronicles a group of real-life Russian intellectuals dreaming of revolution. Spanning 1833 to 1866, the three plays are anchored by the presence of anarchist Michael Bakunin, literary critic Vissarion Belinsky, literary giant Ivan Turgenev, and revolutionary thinker Alexander Herzen, four men who came of age under Tsar Nicholas I and whose passion for political and intellectual change is mirrored in their personal pursuit of love and happiness. As the arcs of their lives intersect repeatedly the seeds of the great social revolutions of the late nineteenth century are sown. In Voyage, Stoppard creates a Chekhovian portrait of life on a Russian estate as he introduces the Bakunin family: Michael, his four sisters, his parents, their social circle and his growing intellectual circle. Recommended for mature audiences.

February 6th – 24th: Jackie and Me – Youth Theater – Young Joey Stoshack has the special power to travel through time, so when he’s given an assignment to write a paper on a famous African-American, he chooses Jackie Robinson and heads back to 1947 to meet the man himself. Through his adventures, Joey experiences what it’s like to be an African-American during a time of segregation and witnesses first-hand Jackie’s smashing the color barrier, even when people on his own team are against him.

for more information, see www.mainstreettheater.com or call (713) 524-6706

Opera in the Heights (1703 Heights Blvd.)

January 26th, 27th, 28th & February 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th: Anna Bolena – the story of Anne Boleyn provides a real life tragedy that outdoes many a fictional plot. The opera opens with Anna as the unhappy, ignored wife of Henry VIII. She knows how important it is to give Henry a male heir as soon as possible; but in the three years that they have been married, she has had only one daughter (the future Elizabeth I) and several miscarriages. Soon she learns the King has transferred his affection to one of her ladies-in-waiting, Jane Seymour. In 1830, Anna Bolena was Gaetano Donizetti’s first opera to be a major hit, even though he had already written some 30 odd other operas. It succeeded with its beautifully melodious bel canto tunes, its many lovely duets, and the extraordinary sextet at the end of Act I. This opera is one of three Donizetti wrote based on English Tudor history: Roberto Devereux (the assumed lover of Elizabeth I) and Maria Stuarda (about Mary, Queen of Scots) are the other two. The main characters of these operas are referred to as the “Three Donizetti Queens”.

for more information, see www.operaintheheights.org or call (713) 861-5303

Stages Repertory Theatre (3201 Allen Parkway)

January 25th – February 19th: Mistakes Were Made – Producing theatre has never been easy! Just ask Felix Artifex – he’s a high-octane producer juggling Hollywood’s hottest star, Broadway’s break-out playwright and an urgent problem with a truckload of sheep. Counting on his powers of persuasion and the unfailing silent support of his coy fish Denise, Felix navigates the merry minefield of artistic egos and American foreign policy to develop what just may be the world’s greatest play ever. Passion is at a premium in Craig Wright’s funniest play about the impulse to create art in a complex and commercial world.

March 15th – 25th: Il Trovatore – the Count di Luna and Manrico, the troubadour, both love Leonora. She favors Manrico with his midnight serenades. The gypsy Azucena and the di Luna family seek revenge from each other over an incident in the past, which centers on a lost baby brother of the Count. Each of these elements affects the others as the past haunts the present. The setting is medieval Spain where jousting, dueling, gypsy camps and burning heretics at the stake are all a part of everyday life. Verdi was in his prolific prime when he composed his gem. The music is as good as anything he (or anyone else) ever wrote. The dramatic impact of this surprising story, wedded to Verdi’s incomparable score, gives us an indelible night at the opera.

for more information, see www.stagestheatre.com or call (713) 527-0123

Wortham Center (Texas & Smith)

January 14th: Dulcinea Langfelder & Co. – Dulcinea del Toboso, Don Quixote’s famous muse from the Cervantes classic, consumes our focus in this very funny work by Dulcinea Langfelder & Co. With great satire, the courageous, audacious Langfelder, inspired by her namesake, uses text, song, dance and multi-media to express a powerful vision of the world. You don’t need to have read the book to know intuitively who Dulcinea is. The question is, does she exist? Does she live somewhere in all of us? 8:00 p.m.

January 21st: “Farewell” Haydn, Hello Mozart – The “Farewell” Symphony is famous for its unusual ending in which musicians depart the stage one by one, leaving two muted violins to finish the symphony. Enjoy this unique experience alongside Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, a concert for violin and viola. 8:00 p.m. Presented by Mercury Baroque.

January 27th: Ravi Coltrane Quartet – DaCamera Houston – Back by popular demand, Ravi Coltrane, son of the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane and pianist Alice Contrane, Ravi is an acclaimed saxophonist, composer, bandleader and producer. His CD, In Flux, was nominated for a Grammy Award. Since his first appearance on the Da Camera series in 2008, Ravi has released the acclaimed Blending Times and singed with Blue Note Records. 8:00 p.m.

February 10th: IMAGO Theatre – ZooZoo – they’ve take their wildly imaginative theatrical productions to Broadway and toured around the globe. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, IMAGO Theatre returns with its unique, playful collection of creatures in its latest production, ZooZoo. A menagerie like no other – fire-fly bug eyes, hungry anteaters, hitch-hiking rabbits, introverted frogs, cantankerous polar bears, insomniac hippos and tricky penguins – will fill the stage with wit, wonder and mesmerizing Felliniesque mayhem. Comedy, illusion, physical finesse and original music combine in IMAGO’s wordless productions – perfect for the entire family! 7:30 p.m.

February 14th & 17th: A French Valentine – Explore the themes of love in Jean-Philippe Rameau’s cantatas, Orphee and Les Amants Trahis. There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Rameau’s renowned romantic contatas are the perfect way to spend an evening with your beloved. 8:00 p.m. Presented by Mercury Baroque.

February 22nd: Tchaikovsky Competition Winner – Daniil Trivinof – At the ripe old age of 20, pianist Daniil Travinof is simply one of the greatest young concert artists in the world and his performance at Wortham will inaugurate SPA’s brand new Young Concert Artists Series. During the 2010-2011 season he won medals at three of the most prestigious competitions in the music world: the Chopin Competition in Warsaw (Bronze Medal), the Rubinstein Competition in Tel Aviv (First Prize), and the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (Gold Medal). During these performances, he impressed jury members and observers such as Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, Van Cliburn, Nelson Freire, Yefim Bronfman and Valery Gergiev. What a program he has in store for Houston. How can anyone resist Debussy’s Images, Book 1 or Chopin’s Etudes, Op. 10? Also on the program are Schubert’s Sonata in B-flat Major and the Schubert-Liszt compositions Fruhlingsglaubeand Die Stadt. 7:30 p.m.

February 24th: TAO: The Art of the Drum – Athletic bodies and contemporary costumes meet explosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreography in this show that has critics raving about TAO’s extraordinary precision, energy and stamina. The stars of TAO train and live at a compound in the mountains of Japan. The performers reach the highest level of virtuosity only after years of intensive study, however, they each bring non-traditional flair to the group by drawing on their diverse backgrounds: one as a hard rock musician, another as a gymnast and yet another as a composer. They offer a young and vibrantly modern take on a traditional art form. 7:30 p.m.

March 3rd: Debussy’s Paris – Rediscover Debussy’s music in the context of older and younger friends and colleagues. Hear Chausson’s passionately romantic Concerto and the younger Caplet’s Fantastic Tale, inspired by an Edgar Allen Poe story. Debussy’s Sonata for violin and piano remains one of the masterpieces of the repertoire. Performed in Cullen Theater at Wortham Center. 8:00 p.m.

March 14th: Tchaikovsky Competition Winner – Itamar Zorman, Violin – The press calls the second performer on out Young Concert Artists Series a “virtuoso of emotions”. His list of credits at such a young age is enough to stop any classical music aficionado in his/her tracks. Having just won the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition for Violin last summer, Israeli-born and Juilliard trained violinist Itamar Zorman comes to Houston with a program of great breadth and depth, including Messiaen’s Theme and Variations; Schumann’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 103; Schubert’s Rondo Brilliant in B minor; and Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Cariccioso, Op. 28. 7:30 p.m.

March 16th: SpokFrevo Orquestra – Outside Brazil, frevo is one of the least-known genres of music. It is also, quite possibly, the most infectious. Direct from Brazil, the 16 piece SpokFrevo Orquestra will make its Houston debut performing traditional frevos with new arrangements that incorporate jazz solos and improvisation. Led by conductor, music arranger and saxophonist Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque, a.k.a. Maestro Spok, this high-energy big band brings together the sounds of saxophones, trumpets, trombone, basses, guitars, and percussion for an evening of world music at its best. “Frevo is a unique rhythm, different from all others; cheerful and a special magic – the one to transmit happiness,” says Spok. 8:00 p.m.

March 17th: Dee Dee Bridgewater “To Billie With Love – A Celebration of Lady Day” – Houston favorite Dee Dee Bridgewater has risen to the top tier of today’s jazz vocalists, putting her own unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics. For her latest Grammy Award-winning recording, Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959), To Billie with Love from Dee Dee, Bridgewater honors an iconic jazz figure, Billie Holiday, who died tragically at the age of 44, a half-century ago. Performed at Wortham Theater. 8:00 p.m.

April 13th: Tia Fuller Quartet – After touring the world with pop/R&B star Boyoncé, alto saxophonist Tia Fuller recorded her breakthrough CD, Decisive Steps. An accomplished composer and electrifying live performer, Tia Fuller is a true rising star in jazz. Performed at Wortham Center. 8:00 p.m.

for more information, see http://www.houstonfirsttheaters.com/WorthamCenter.aspx

Live Music Venues

House of Blues Houston (1204 Caroline Street)

January 5th: Hair of the Dog Texas Country Showcase 7:30 p.m.

January 6th: Houston Rocks Showcase 8:00 p.m.

January 6th: Justin Van Sant with Max Rios, Waysiders and Seraph in the Foundation Room 8:00 p.m.

January 7th: The Molly Ringwalds 9:00 p.m.

January 11th: Lukas Nelson & The Promise of The Real 8:00 p.m.

January 12th: Wu-Tang Clan 9:00 p.m.

January 13th: Reckless Kelly & Reverend Horton Heat – Part of the Scion Concert Series 8:00 p.m.

January 14th: Bun B featuring the legendary Tela & Do or Die, Marcus Manchild, Propain & Sentury 9:00 p.m.

January 17th: Old 97’s 8:00 p.m.

January 19th: Janis Joplin birthday Celebration featuring Kozmic Pearl – The Ultimate Tribute to Janis Joplin 7:30 p.m.

January 20th: SKYROCKET 9:30 p.m.

January 20th: Bill Burr 8:00 p.m.

January 21st: Led Zeppelin 2 – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin – Part of the Scion Concert Series 9:00 p.m.

January 22nd: Mason Jennings 9:00 p.m.

January 24th: The Kills 9:00 p.m.

January 25th: August Burns Red 7:15 p.m.

January 26th: MUTEMATH – The Odd Soul tour 8:00 p.m.

January 28th: Badfish – A Tribute to Sublime – Part of the Scion Concert Series 8:00 p.m.

January 30th: Dirty Guv’nahs 9:00 p.m.

February 1st: Mat Kearney 8:00 p.m.

February 2nd: G. Love & Special Sauce 8:00 p.m.

February 3rd: The Adicts 8:00 p.m.

February 4th: Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular 8:00 p.m.

February 5th: Allstar Weekend 6:45 p.m.

February 7th: Matt Nathanson 8:00 p.m.

February 8th: Brandi Carlile – Acoustic Trio 8:00 p.m.

February 9th: Rebelution Peace of Mind Tour with special guests The Green and Pep Love 8:30 p.m.

February 10th: The Dial-Up Tour with Live Lava Live, Meekakitty, Nanalew & Friends 7:00 p.m.

February 10th: Martin Sexton 8:00 p.m.

February 11th: Machine Head 6:30 p.m.

February 15th: For True Tour – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. 8:00 p.m.

February 15th: Estelle 9:00 p.m.

February 17th: Andy Grammer Presented by Mentos 8:00 p.m.

February 21st: Cowboy Mouth 8:00 p.m.

February 25th: Excision 9:00 p.m.

February 25th: Tribal Seeds 2012 Run The Show Tour

February 28th: Dropkick Murphys 7:00 p.m.

February 29th: Iced Earth & Symphony X 7:00 p.m.

March 2nd: Big Head Todd & The Monsters 8:30 p.m.

March 3rd: Sailor Jerry presents Flogging Molly “Green 17 Tour 2012” 8:00 p.m.

March 10th: Boyz II Men 9:00 p.m.

March 17th: Neon Indian 8:00 p.m.

March 23rd: Mindless Self Indulgence 8:30 p.m.

March 24th: The Naked and Famous 8:00 p.m.

for more information, see www.livenation.com or call (713) 230-1600

Verizon Wireless Theatre (520 Texas Avenue)

January 12th: Aaron Lewis 8:00 p.m.

January 20th: Tedeschi Trucks Band 8:00 p.m.

February 2nd: The Deadmeat Tour: Steve Aoki & Datsik 9:00 p.m.

February 11th: Tyrese Open Invitation Tour 8:00 p.m.

February 18th: Super Star Tamer Hosny USA Tour Houston 2012 7:30 p.m.

March 9th: Ramji Entertainment LLC presents Salim-Sulaiman Live in Concert 9:00 p.m.

March 11th: Imagination Movers 1:00 & 5:00 p.m.

for more information, see www.livenation.com or call (713) 230-1600

Warehouse Live (813 St. Emanuel Street)

January 7th: Otenki with Another Run, Adelaine, Vice Vese Us & A Thousand Colours 7:00 p.m.

January 7th: Hip Hop Showcase 7:00 p.m.

January 17th: The Cab & The Summer Set with He is We 7:00 p.m.

January 18th: Falling in Reverse with Oh! Sleeper & Skip the Foreplay 7:00 p.m.

January 20th: In Flames with Trivium, Veil of Maya & KYNG 7:30 p.m.

January 21st: Kendrick Lamar 9:00 p.m.

January 24th: Awolnation 9:00 p.m.

January 26th: The Features 8:00 p.m.

January 27th: Jetspeed Music Showcase with Blackout X, Done Deal, The Scars Heal in Time, Inner Image, Born From Ruins, Doomfire 7:15 p.m.

January 31st: Anthony Green with The Dear Hunter 7:30 p.m.

February 3rd: Johnny Winter with Damon Fowler 9:00 p.m.

February 6th: You Me At Six & The Swellers with Twin Atlantic & We are the Ocean 7:00 p.m.

February 9th: Anvil 8:00 p.m.

February 11th: Emilie Autumn 8:00 p.m.

February 15th: Needtobreathe: The Reckoning 2012 Tour with special guest Ben Rector 8:00 p.m.

February 18th: This Will Destroy You with Amen Dunes, Mountains & Tax the Wolf 8:00 p.m.

February 21st: Agent Orange with Mardi Gras Celebration 7:30 p.m.

February 22nd: Children of Bodom with Eluveitie, Revocation & Threat Signal 7:30 p.m.

February 24th: Purple Reign 3: Women’s Edition 7:00 p.m.

February 24th: VNV Nation 7:30 p.m.

February 24th: Dance Gavin Dance 7:00 p.m.

February 25th: Tribute Allstars Winterfest with Seven Words, Priests of Hiroshima, Foo Fakers, NudeDragons & Bring on the Night 7:30 p.m.

February 26th: Lotus 9:00 p.m.

March 10th: The Heartless Bastards 9:00 p.m.

March 11th: O’Brother & Junius 7:00 p.m.

March 12th: The Men & R Stevie Moore with Prussia 8:00 p.m.

March 13th: Mikal Cronin & Pujol 8:00 p.m.

March 14th: Lights 8:00 p.m.

March 14th: Talking to Turtles & Adam Arcuragi 8:00 p.m.

March 15th: McAuley Schenker Group 7:15 p.m.

March 19th: Sleeping with Sirens with Abandon All Ships, Conditions & Secrets 7:00 p.m.

March 20th: fun. 8:00 p.m.

March 22nd: Young the Giant with Grouplove 9:00 p.m.

March 29th: Eisley with Marksmen & Christie Dupree 8:00 p.m.

March 29th: Kings X with Sol 34 & Black Queen Speaks 7:30 p.m.

for more information, see www.warehouselive.com

Museums

Blaffer Gallery (University of Houston campus, entrance 16 off Cullen Boulevard)

Thru January 5th: Window into Houston: Dennis Harper – For the third installment of Window into Houston, Dennis Harper will transform the two window bays into an underwater wonder world. The magic of the piece lies in its transformative potential offering different perspectives at day and night. During the day, the viewer will peer through the portholes of a submarine at an exotic flora and fauna of imaginary fish and plants. With the fading light, the image of the portholes disappears to reveal an entrancing maritime scene, whose aesthetic punch lies in its illusionary perpetuation into infinity.

Museum will be closed until mid-April for renovations.

for more information, see www.hfac.uh.edu/blaffer or call (713) 743-9530

Children’s Museum of Houston (1500 Binz)

The Children’s Museum of Houston offers a wonderful array of ongoing exhibits, created to inspire children’s imaginations and help them to learn through curiosity and hands-on activities and experimentation.

Exhibits:

The Invention Convention – Step into a workshop of gadgets and gizmos, where kids create, concoct and construct contraptions and use their imagination to become inventors! Dream up and design in a workshop filled with half-finished contraptions, bins of spare parts, project tables, schematics and various instruments from floor to ceiling. Experiment with LEGO bricks, propellers, magnets, batteries, switches and buzzers through facilitated, hands-on experiments and mini-workshops.

Building Zone – This is a kid-friendly construction area which features hands-on activities that encourage kids to learn about physics and engineering. Explore the world of forces and examine the science behind engineering. Take on the role of civil engineer and check out key techniques needed to build study structures. Check out key techniques needed to protect buildings from high winds or earthquakes. Life heavy bags of gravel using pulleys and investigate how compression forces hold up arches.

EcoStation – How does it grow? This is an active, outdoor/indoor environmental exhibit where visitors engage in ecological studies and explore environmental issues by visiting a native plant garden, woodland area, pond and a research pavilion. Through these and several other areas, visitors can participate in diverse hands-on activities such as stream bed creation, insect collecting, leaf rubbings, footprint identification and more! Visitors can also participate in always changing programming that includes things such as nature journals, water quality testing, decomposition, soil type explorations, home environmental awareness inventory logs, bird feeders and much, much more.

Kidtropolis – This exhibit marks a brand new spot on the map, as a real-life kid metropolis, complete with a skyline, city government, occupations and the systems that make a city work. It’s where kids choose to be whatever they want to be. They will participate in a sophisticated, simulated economy, where they can spend money on items and experiences throughout the city. But, like in real life, they will have to get jobs to earn money and that’s where the KidCard comes in handy! This ATM card has a stipend of 40 Kidtropolis dollars on it. With it, kids can go on a shopping spree of tantalizing items, special art workshops and other cool stuff. They can deposit their paychecks into a kid’s savings or checking account or hit the town for a day out!

Cyberchase – The Chase is On! – Based on Cyberchase, the Emmy award-winning PBS Kids Go! math mystery cartoon, Cyberchase – The Chase is On! Presents math in a fun, kid-friendly environment, allowing children to make use of their critical thinking skills and approach math with an investigative, positive attitude. In the exhibit, children will enter Cyberspace through a special portal to explore favorite cyber sites, including the Control Central, the Grim Wreaker and Poddleville and be greeted by Motherboard, the peace-loving leader of Cyberspace. They will help the CyberSquad protect the virtual universe from the evil Hacker, while exploring math concepts such as place value, algebra, geometry, fractions and probability.

Matter Factory – This exhibition offers a glimpse into the concepts of materials science, including properties of matter and potential uses for different substances and smart materials. With 1,350 square feet of exhibit space, explore how matter matters in our daily lives. Experiment with different properties of matter, test and sort materials based on their properties, and examine unique properties of emerging materials recently developed by scientists.

Flow Works – Dive into the forces and properties of water through waves, vortices and rapids, exploring the fascinating concept of hydropower. This interactive exhibit requires kids to “dip” their hands into it to make it work. An 18 feet tall Cauldron stands in the middle of it all! The more you play, the more it gets filled up with water. Once it’s full, water comes crashing down, making an unstoppable wave of fun and allowing other exhibit components to break their course! Feel the rush of waters through a simulated Flood Plain, stream through an Aquaduct Maze, or serve as the mastermind behind a Hydro Switchboard. Navigate ways in which water’s energy can be stored, released and manipulated and harness the power!

How Does It Work – Have you ever wondered how sounds travel? Or how your wireless telephone works? Or even what really happens when you turn the ignition in your car? This multi-level exhibition challenges you to ask and discover the answers to your own science questions with tons of hands-on, investigative experiences. See what makes a car go with the ’66 Mustang in Auto Alley. Watch your messages be sent via fiber-optics and check out the history of communication in Communication Speedway. Challenge yourself to discover something new at the Science Station and raise yourself 5 feet into the air to learn how pulleys work on the Kid Lift.

Power Play – Push your limits and discover how your body reacts to a variety of physical challenges in Power Play! This monumental, three story installation lets you leap up and down different levels as you discover new ways to get active. Take it to the next level tracking your heart rate and strength, rating your experience and comparing your performance like a real fitness athlete.

Yalálag – This all-new exhibit provides an opportunity to experience the day-to-day life of citizens in Villa Hidalgo Yalálag, a Zapotec village located in the Sierra Juárez Mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. Yalálag is an interactive display set in the backdrop of an Oaxacan mountain village that shows the customs, daily life and heritage of the people of Yalálag in the modern day. The realistic environments of the house, el Restaurante, La Miscelanea, Huaracheria, school, and market provide authentic opportunities for visitors to become immersed in Yalálag, a culture different from their own.

December 31st: New Year’s Noon Bash – The Museum’s New Year’s Noon is the city’s longest-running New Year’s Eve celebration just for kids! This end of the year bash rings the New Year in at the stroke of noon with a parade and a shimmering ball drop, just like they do in Times Square. Kids don’t have to stay up til midnight to celebrate. Don’t miss the party and fun. Special events include the High Steppers New Orleans Style Brass Band at 11:30 a.m. Then countdown to the ball drop – starting at 11:45 a.m. Then stick around for the after party. Ongoing activities will include LED New Year’s glasses at the Inventor’s Workshop and Alka Seltzer rockets at the Science Station.

January 5th – 11th: Blast from the Past: Retro Toys – Imagine a world without Nintendo DS or PSP! It did exist way back when your parents were young. Come on over and discover how far your imagination will take you as we’re bringing classic toys to the present, no batteries required. Ongoing activities will include the Science of Retro Toys (silly putty, the slinky, Wooly Willy and lava lamps) at the Science Station; 5, 6 Pick-up Sticks at the Junktion; This Spud’s for You (Mr. Potato Head) at the Junktion; and the Pet Rock Station, where you can make your very own to take home.

January 19th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peace Rally – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed for us to live in a world where we would not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character. Take a trip to the Children’s Museum of Houston to honor his acclaimed “I Have a Dream” speech, which rocked the nation during the Civil Rights Movement in 1963 and sparked his everlasting legacy. There will be special events and visitors throughout the day.

January 21st: Lunar/Chinese New Year Bash – Celebrate the year of the dragon. A symbol of good fortune and a sign of intense power, the oriental dragon is regarded as a divine beast. It is a creature of myth and legend and it is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Snake your way over to the Children’s Museum as we celebrate the Year of the Dragon with ardent activities and fiery performances during our Lunar New Year celebration. Ongoing activities will include Dragons on Parade; the chance to explore the science of colors and discover how fireworks get their fantastic color; make a Chinese door hanger, a Chinese fan or a dragon puppet; and don’t miss the chance to play Tantalizing Tangrams or the Chopstick game.

for more information, see www.cmhouston.org or call (713) 522-1138

Contemporary Arts Museum (5216 Montrose)

Thru January 8: Donald Moffett: The Extravagant Vein – Organized by CAMH Senior Curator Valerie Cassel Oliver, this exhibition is the first survey exhibition of this American artist’s prolific practice. The exhibition will present work created over the last two decades, surveying nine important bodies of work that interrogate and blur the definition of painting by incorporating non-traditional materials such as video and photography. The exhibition also addresses Moffett’s political engagement.

January 6th – April 1st: Perspectives 177: McArthur Binion – This is the Houston debut for this Chicago-based, mid-career painter and the artist’s first solo museum exhibition. For this showing, Binion has created a new body of work that extends his visual narrative through color and geometric form. Decidedly minimal, Binion’s work embodies a strong intellect rooted in the expressive capabilities of color and abstraction. His luminous hybrid paintings are comprised of wax-based crayons pressed onto shaped wood and aluminum panels. The tactility of the painting as well as the integration of paper collage onto its surface offers a complexity to Binion’s process that is deeply devoted to the narrative of the work’s making.

January 21st – April 15th: The Deconstructive Impulse: Women Artists Reconfigure the Signs of Power, 1973 – 1991 – The museum is pleased to present this exhibition, a survey of leading women artists that examine the crucial feminist contribution to the development of deconstructivism in the 1970s and ‘80s. As the term suggests, deconstructivism involved taking apart and examining source material, general borrowed from the mass media, to expose the ways commercial images reveal the mechanisms of power. Women had a particularly high stake in this kind of examination and were disproportionately represented among artists who practiced it. This exhibition is organized by Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, State University of New York.

for more information, see www.camh.org or call (713) 284-8250

The Heritage Society (1100 Bagby)

January 19th: Building Modern Houston – part of the Jerry & Marvy Finger Lecture Series – Anna Mod will present a lecture on Building Modern Houston. Houston’s early twentieth century economic shift from agriculture to oil fueled a building boom in commercial, residential, and civic architecture that redefined the city and skyline. Modernism was a new and fresh architectural expression and the perfect complement to the city’s can-do entrepreneurial spirit. Heritage Society board member and author Anna Mod tells the story of Houston’s architectural transformation as it grew from “Bayou City” to “Space City”. Ms. Mod is a historic preservation specialist with SWCA Environmental Consultants in Houston. She is one of the co-founders of Houston Mod and has worked on several significant modern buildings in Houston including the Farnsworth & Chambers building (now Parks and Recreation Department Headquarters), the Sylvan Beach Pavilion, and the Hugo V. Neuhaus, Jr. house. Noon – 1:00 p.m. Free for members/$5 for non-members.

Thru February 12th: Game Night! – This holiday exhibit will feature late 19^th and 20^th century games, including board games, blocks, puzzles and card games from The Heritage Society permanent collection and private lenders. Topics addressed are the increase in leisure time and the resulting boom in entertainment during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries with a focus on the three big makers of games – Parker Brothers, McLoughlin Brothers and Milton Bradley.

February 12th: Heritage Society Family Day 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

February 16th: Porch Pleasures and Health: Sleeping Porches of the Early 1900s in Houston – part of the Jerry & Marvy Finger Lecture Series – the Staiti House sleeping porch represents a widespread national phenomenon of the early 1900’s. Fresh air sleeping emerged as a treatment and prevention for tuberculosis, not for pleasure. Comfort and pleasure, however, led to the continued use of sleeping porches in Texas until the advent of air conditioning. Margaret Culbertson will explore the history of sleeping porches and present illustrations of Houston examples, both popular and architect-designed. Noon – 1:00 p.m. Free for members/$5 for non-members.

February 21st – May 20th: The Historic American Buildings Survey: Preservation’s Humble Beginnings – Before America had official National Landmarks or historic districts, we had the Historic American Building Survey (HABS). The HABS project began in 1933, putting to work thousands of unemployed architects, draftsmen and photographers to document America’s historic buildings. Two of the Heritage Society’s structures, the 1947 Kellum-Noble House and the 1950 Nichols-Rice-Cherry House, were recorded during the earliest days of HABS. In the fall of 2011, three more of the society’s historic structures were added to the archive. This exhibit features the intricate architectural drawings and photographs from those surveys and shows how the information is used to preserve the structures for the future.

for more information, visit www.heritagesociety.org

Holocaust Museum Houston (5401 Caroline)

Permanent Exhibit: Bearing Witness: A Community Remembers: Authentic film footage, artifacts, photographs and documents show life in pre-war Europe, the Nazi move toward the “Final Solution” and life after the Holocaust. The exhibit includes a 1942 Holocaust era railcar and 1942 Danish rescue boat, which both teach the lessons of individual responsibility and how two different populations dealt with evil and injustice.

January 9th: Legalizing Racism in Nazi Germany – Dr. Ann Millin, historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, will present a public lecture that examines the Nuremberg laws, which legalized racism in Nazi Germany. Influenced in part by the Jim Crow laws of the U.S., Millin will examine the formation and implementation of the laws that segregated Jewish Germans from society – economically, politically and socially – and eventually led to the devastating program in which nearly 6 million Jews were murdered. Currently working in the USHMM’s National Institute for Holocaust Education, Millin previously was the historian for their photo archives, specializing in the photographs of German Jewry, the Aliyah Bet and the European Roma, as well as in the work of the Wehrmacht Propaganda Company photographers. She received her bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, a master’s in religious studies from Vanderbilt University and a research fellow at the University of Gottingen and an Inter-University Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She taught Jewish history, Judaic studies, world religions and Holocaust studies at the Hebrew Union College – JIR, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Kentucky-Lexington. Millin’s lecture is underwritten by the Spector-Warren Fellowship for Future educators, an annual program that works with students from Syracuse University as they prepare to enter the teaching professions. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Registration is required. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

January 11th: The Age of Jim Crow – Dr. Jane Dailey, associate professor of American history at the University of Chicago will present a public lecture that examines Jim Crow America. Dailey will discuss the role of law in creating, maintaining and – ultimately – helping to undo segregation, as well as the effects of interracial sex and marriage as they shaped the era of Jim Crow. Her book, “The Age of Jim Crow” focuses throughout on sexuality and gender politics as they play out across the legal, social and economic, political and cultural arenas. A graduate of Yale and Princeton, Dailey taught at Rice University and Johns Hopkins before joining the University of Chicago in 2006. She has written several books and is the recipient of fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies, the American Academy in Berlin, and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. She is currently finishing a book on race, sex and the civil rights movement from emancipation to the present. Her lecture is underwritten by the Spector-Warren Fellowship for Future Educators, an annual program that works with students from Syracuse University as they prepare to enter the teaching profession. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Registration is required. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

January 27th: International Holocaust Remembrance Day – Join the Houston Consular Corps, the American Jewish Committee and the Holocaust Museum in observance of the universal commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. The day was designated by the United Nations to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. This year’s program will highlight Giorgio Perlasca, an Italian, who posed as a Spanish diplomat, who intervened on behalf of Hungarian Jews. Admission is free, but seating is limited and advance registration is required. 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Thru January 31st: We Fought Too – Jewish Soldiers in America’s Wars – For centuries, there have been perceptions by Americans that Jews were unwilling or unable to serve in the American military. Yet, thousands of Jews have been awarded combat medals for performing their duty in time of war. This exhibit highlights Jewish soldiers in the Civil War, the Jewish Legion of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, The Vietnam War and the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

February 2nd: Film Screening: “Eichmann’s Fate” – After escaping from an American prisoner-of-war camp, Adolf Eichmann made his way through northern Germany to Italy where he obtained an Argentine visa and humanitarian passport issued by the International Red Cross. On July 14, 1950, he boarded a ship heading for Buenos Aires and virtually disappeared. The film reveals the incredible story of the love affair between Eichmann’s son and the daughter of Lothar Hermann, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated with his family to Argentina after the war. The love affair led to Eichmann’s eventual capture by the Mossad when Hermann recognized Eichmann and verified his identify for the Israeli secret agents. The film is a docu-drama that combines historical reenactments with interviews and documentary footage to bring this unknown story vibrantly to life. Featuring actors with credits including “Run Lola Run” and “The Lives of Others”, the film drops the viewer into 1950s Buenos Aires, where Jewish refugees and unrepentant Nazis variously harbor dreams of revenge and vindication. Simultaneously, it documents the dogged efforts of Fritz Bauer, the state public prosecutor in Frankfurt, to bring Eichmann to justice even as elements within the German government conspired to shield war criminals from prosecution. In the face of initial skepticism on the part of German and Israeli authorities, Silvia and her father relentlessly pursue their suspect. As the tension mounts, it becomes clear that both will risk everything to ensure that Eichmann is caught and made to pay for his crimes. Director Raymond Ley will introduce the film and lead a discussion afterward. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Advance registration is required. 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

February 15th: Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust – This film tells a provocative and mostly unknown story of the 60 year relationship between Hollywood and the atrocities of Nazi Germany. With scenes from more than 40 films, rare newsreels, and interviews with leading scholars, filmmakers and witnesses to the events portrayed, the film takes the viewer on a 60 year journey from the American ambivalence and denial during the heyday of Nazism, through the silence of the post-war years and into the end of the 20th century. The film explores not only the question of how an industry that sells fantasy has dealt with one of the most horrifying episodes in modern world history, but also how the movies themselves reflect America’s ever-evolving relationship to the events of that era. At the core of the film is an ethical and moral debate about portrayal. Is it even possible to imagine on screen the unimaginable? Should the movie industry even undertake such an endeavor? Ultimately, the film asks hard questions: about the uneasy relationship between American popular culture and the Holocaust, about the responsibility of filmmakers in their portrayal of history, and about the power of film to affect the way we look at ourselves. The event will take place at the Rice Cinema at 6100 Main, MS-549. Admission is free. 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Thru July 22nd: The Impact of Racist Ideologies: Jim Crow and the Nuremberg Laws – Contrary to common belief, Nazi Germany’s legal assault on the Jews between 1933 and 1945 was not unique in its racial character, or nit segregationist aims. There are remarkable similarities between America’s own Jim Crow laws and those in Nazi Germany. As with many Nazi attacks against the Jews, the Nazis took ideas and practices that were common in their own and other cultures and radicalized them to suit their needs. This exhibit will examine the Jim Crow laws – with examples from Houston’s segregationist past – and the Nuremberg laws. Custom and law are closely linked systems that affect how people act toward each other. In both the post-Civil War United States and in Nazi Germany, the freedoms and rights of some groups of people were limited. Each country developed a system of racially based laws influenced by past customs and beliefs. These systems would dramatically shape history. Under each system, groups were targeted. They lost important political, economic and social rights. African Americans were the primary target under the U.S. system of Jim Crow laws, named after a song and dance caricature of African Americans performed by a white actor. In contrast, Jewish people were the primary targets under the Nuremberg laws of Nazi Germany. The exhibit explores the history of racism and eugenics, past separate-but-equal doctrines and how racially based laws were used to define individuals and to restrict marriage rights, school privileges and other opportunities.

February 17th – August 12th: Returning: the Art of Samuel Bak – Samuel Bak has said of his work, “My paintings are meant to bear personal testimony to the trauma of surviving.” In this exhibition, viewers encounter familiar imagery used in unusual, somewhat surrealistic ways as they are led on an astoundingly complex, beautiful and richly colorful journey to, through and from the Holocaust. Born in 1933, in Vilna, which is now Vilnius, Lithuania, Bak was recognized from an early age as possessing extraordinary artistic talent. At the age of nine, he had his first exhibition inside the ghetto, even as massive executions and murders perpetrated by the Nazis and their Lithuanian collaborators took place almost every day. Bak and his mother escaped the destruction of the Vilna Ghetto by hiding in a Benedictine convent. They were helped by a Catholic nun named Maria Mikulska, and spent most of their time there in an attic. By the end of the war, Bak and his mother were the only members of his extensive family to survive. The artist continues to deal with the artistic expression of the destruction and dehumanization which make up his childhood memories. He speaks about what are deemed to be the unspeakable atrocities of the Holocaust, though he hesitate to limit the boundaries of his art to the post-Holocaust genre.

Thru August 19th: The Impact of Racist Ideologies: Jim Crow and the Nuremberg Laws – Contrary to common belief, Nazi Germany’s legal assault on the Jews between 1933 and 1945 was not unique in its racial character nor its segregationist aims. There are remarkable similarities between America’s own Jim Crow laws and those in Nazi Germany. As with many Nazi attacks against the Jews, the Nazis took ideas and practices that were common in their own and other cultures and radicalized them to suit their needs. This exhibit will examine the Jim Crow laws – with examples from Houston’s segregationist past – and the Nuremberg laws.

for more information, see www.hmh.org or call (713) 942-8000

Houston Museum of Natural Science (One Hermann Circle Drive – Hermann Park)

Discovering the Civil War – Layers of time and memory obscure the American Civil War in a smoky haze. The real human beings, military and civilian, who lived through these years of travail and sacrifice are lost to us, but the records they left behind give us a pathway back to the past. The National Archives holds millions of records, both Union and Confederate. Discovering the Civil War draws on these letters, diaries, photos, petitions and patents to give visitors a chance to walk in the shoes of researchers in unlocking secrets, solving mysteries, and uncovering unexpected events from this pivotal point in our history. The exhibition is divided into 12 thematic areas that combine great original treasures, engaging touch screen inter-actives and social media tools, selected to illustrate the breadth of the conflict and to ask “How do we know what happened?” Each area is anchored by an original document, and all the records become powerful tools that let visitors consider and ask questions about evidence; listen to a wide variety of voices; and make up their own mind about the struggle that tore apart these United States.

Gemstone Carvings – Marvel at the extraordinary artworks of Harold Van Pelt in this new exhibit. For over 35 years, Harold Van Pelt has quietly been perfecting the art of carving quartz, rock crystal and agate gemstones. Hundreds of hours go into each multi-faceted, fluted and textured vase, hollow container, sculpture and vessel, many of which are accented with gold and semi-precious stones. Working the stone down to paper-thin walls brings out the gorgeous natural quality and colors of the agate and gives quartz the transparency of glass. Transformed by one man’s vision and skill from a solid stone to an incredibly delicate work of art, the gemstone carvings of Harold Van Pelt have to be seen to be believed.

Opening March 30th: Warriors, Tombs and Temples – This exhibition has been declared one of the top 10 by TIME magazine and has set attendance records during its time in the U.S. to date. The exhibition includes 200 incredibly preserved ancient works of art featuring newly discovered artifacts unearthed from imperial, royal and elite tombs and from beneath Buddhist monasteries in and around the capital cities of three great dynasties, all located hear the modern city of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province. These are Xianyang, the capital city during the Qin dynasty (221-208BCE), Chang’an, the capital city during the Western or Former Han (206 BCE – 8CE) and the Tang (618 – 907 CE) dynasties. The exhibition features four of the famous life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors, protectors of China’s First Emperor Qin Shihuang, whose mausoleum is considered the eighth wonder of the world. Smaller in scale, but equally impressive are the terra cotta warriors from the imperial tomb complex of a famous Han rebel-turned-emperor Jingdi. Precious objects include gold dragons, fine ornaments, an exquisite tomb demon and other luxuries. Aside from their striking artistic beauty, the objects on display also inform visitors about aspects of daily life and values in the capital cities of ancient China: how people made a living, worshipped, traded, and buried their dead. Discover the daily and ritual lives of the elites, including the royal families of each era.

Thru May 6th: Crime Lab Detective – Sugar Land HMNS location – In this new exhibit, it’s up to you to solve the Johnson Family Mystery! Visitors are the lead detectives and are challenged to examine various clues, such as cloth fiber on a picket fence and tire marks, to help solve the crime. The Johnsons have been away on a week-long vacation in Hawaii. One of their neighbors notices broken window one morning and decides to investigate. Things have been removed – a burglary has occurred. Now it is up to you to solve the crime. This exhibit uses the forensic science concepts of fingerprints, chromatographs, DNA, insect lifecycles, tire marks, hair analysis, thread comparison and handwriting analysis.

Planetarium Showings:

We Choose Space! – Fifty years ago, President Kennedy chose the Moon. Today we can still choose a trip into space to the completed International Space Station or to the Moon. Prepare for an immersive full-dome adventure on the ISS or in a future moon colony. The show makes human spaceflight after the Space Shuttle very exciting, immersive, and real. Enjoy the astronaut experience and share it with children who dream of spaceflight! This is the first planetarium show told completely by astronauts (Scott Parazynski, Tom Jones and Gene Cernan) and a famous space reporter (Walter Cronkite).

Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd’s legendary album returns, enhanced by all of the capacities of the Museum’s high-definition, full-dome video system. Fantastic sound and incredible images create an unforgettable experience. It’s not just a laser show; it’s a totally new digital revolution in sight and sound – surrounding you, immersing you, losing you in the Dark Side of the Moon. This unique video experience is provided by Starlight Productions.

2012: Mayan Prophecies – Visit the classic Mayan cities of Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Tikal and Palenque to discover how the Maya aligned their temples to watch their sky gods and used interlocking calendars to record the past and predict the future. Explore pyramids towering above the rainforest, designed as observatories to follow the sun. Experience the apocalypse of the Maya and discover how our fate in 2012 may be foretold in Mayan Prophecies.

Life in The Universe – 2010 marks the 50^th anniversary of the first experiment to search for extraterrestrial intelligence. In 1960, astronomer Frank Drake used a radio telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia to listen to two nearby stars. He heard nothing interesting, but the idea of searching for life beyond Earth was born. Fifty years of searching for signals and occasional broadcasting of messages has not detected any transmissions that require intelligent alien authors. Either intelligent life is much more rare or short-lived than we expected or we are not looking in the right places with the right tools. This film takes a fresh look at this fifty year old question, looking forward from the big bang, in search of those special places that might harbor life, including all of the planets in our solar system. It’s a beautiful scenic tour of the universe through the eyes of astronomers looking for clues about the origin of life and the development of intelligence.

Black Holes – The attraction of Black Holes is more than just gravitational. These mysterious graveyards of dead stars have fascinated generations. The Planetarium’s new feature explores the history, physics and mystery of black holes. Narrated by actor John de Lancie, this space adventure features rich, expansive panoramas and incorporates several of the latest scientific theories about how black holes are formed and where they are hiding now. Witness the bending of light, the skewing of perception, and the dizzying descent into a black hole. This show incorporates some of the most visually stunning three dimensional effects ever created for the planetarium. Add to that, a sound effects track and 5.1 surround sound mixes by George Lucas’ Skywalker Sound Studios, and you have an incredible sensory experience.

Starry Night Express – With both live and pre-recorded sections, this show is perfect for stargazers of all ages. First, the planetarium operator tours the night sky for the night and the upcoming week-end. Audiences can practice finding constellations, planets, the moon, meteor shows and the Milky Way Band. Then the show will drop into a star party, led by Laurence Fishburne. From this country setting, the show takes audiences through the solar system and into the Universe. Breathtaking images from the Hubble Space Telescope hover and combine to show the life cycle of stars. Audiences experience the eventual collision of our Milky Way Galaxy with the neighboring Andromeda Galaxy as visualized by the Space Telescope Science Institute. Then visitors plunge down and sweep through the gigantic Valles Marineris canyon, simulated by the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology, using the latest data from the Mars Global Surveyor. This show delivers the night sky and interprets its wonders all in one spectacular experience.

IMAX Theatre Showings:

The Polar Express 3D – When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The Polar Express 3D Experience will delight kids and adults this holiday season. Audiences will become total immersed in the 3D presentation, grasping at falling snowflakes, ducking as the train screeches into their lap and feeling the howl of the steam whistle via state-of-the-art digital sound. The Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away) reunited for this inspiring holiday adventure based on the classic Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.

Sea Rex 3D – Join Julie, an imaginative young woman, as she travels from a modern-day aquarium to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Explore an amazing underwater universe inhabited by larger-than-life creatures – including the powerful Lionpleurodon, long-necked Elasmosaurus and gigantic Shonisaurus – which were ruling the seas before dinosaurs conquered the earth.

Born to Be Wild 3D – Narrated by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, Born to Be Wild is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. The film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them – saving endangered species one life at a time. Set in the lush rainforests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas, and across the rugged Kenyan savannah, with celebrated elephant authority Dame Daphne Sheldrick, as they and their teams rescue, rehabilitate and return these incredible animals back to the wild.

for more information, see www.hmns.org or call (713) 639-4629

Menil Collection (1515 Sul Ross)

Thru January 8th: Walter De Maria: Trilogies – Organized by the artist and Menil director Joseph Heffenstein, the exhibition is the artist’s first major museum exhibition in the U.S. It will include three series of related works: one painting series and two sculpture series, each comprised of three parts. The Statement Series will occupy the museum foyer and consists of three large horizontal monochrome paintings. The exhibition continues in the museum’s vast west gallery. First on view is the Channel Series: Circle, Square, Triangle, a trilogy that resides in the Menil’s permanent collection. The basic geometric shapes in the series are outlined by lengths of metal with squared sides, forming a U-shaped channel. Also occupying the gallery is the third series of works, Bel Air Trilogy. The installation consists of three 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air automobiles, meticulously restored with only minor customizations by the artist. Highly popular because of its crisp, clean design and classic lines, this renowned model often featured a signature two-tone color scheme; the three cars are exhibited are a matched set, each painted “Gypsy Red” and “Shoreline Beige”.

Thru January 15th: Seeing Stars: Visionary Drawing from the Collection – In the early twentieth century, surrealists were enchanted by “outsider art” as the work of those with little to no contact with the mainstream art world has come to be known. They believed artists with no formal art training or those who drew in altered mental states could most successfully access the subconscious, achieving a greater clarity and authenticity of expression. In 1949, artist Jean Dubuffet invented the term Art Brut, to define this aspect of art making, and went on to champion creators who “draw everything (subject, choice of material, expressive means, rhythms, spellings, etc.) from their own inner selves and not from the commonplaces of classical or currently fashionable art”. Showcasing a unique and rarely exhibited facet of the Menil Collection’s works on paper, “Seeing Stars” highlights drawings by artists that can be called visionary, folk, naïve or self-taught. Defying traditional and academic methods of representation and mark making, the works share formal and stylistic tendencies such as repetitive and labor-intensive processes, experiments with chance, automatism, and psychoanalysis, and the construction of imaginary landscapes, creatures, and machines. The exhibition’s title, taken from the vision-altering concept of “seeing stars”, refers to a physiological anomaly in which the stimulation of the retina by the brain creates the illusion of points of light, colors or shapes. Like the works on view, the phenomenon suggests that creative vision is perhaps most interesting when the eyes are shut and inspiration comes from within.

March 2nd – June 10th: Richard Serra Drawing: A Retrospective – This exhibition is the first retrospective of the artist’s drawings, as well as the first major one-person exhibition organized under the umbrella of the Menil Drawing Institute and Study Center. White Serra’s sculptures have been widely recognized and the subject of numerous museum exhibitions, his drawings, which have played a crucial role in his work for over forty years, have not received a critical overview. This exhibition, with work from major European and American public and private collections, traces Serra’s investigation of drawing as an activity both independent from and linked to his sculptural practice. Organized chronologically, it addresses significant shifts in concept, material and scale and culminates with new large-scale works completed for this presentation.

Thru March 18th: Imprinting the Divine Byzantine and Russian Icons from the Menil Collection – This collection of Byzantine icons is widely regarded by scholars in the field as one of the most important of its kind in the U.S. The group of more than sixty works, many of which were acquired by Dominique de Menil in 1985 from the noted collector Eric Bradley, spans six-hundred years, from the 13^th to the 18^th centuries, and encompasses a number of distinct cultures, including Greek, Slavic, and Russian. Taking the diversity of the collection into account, this exhibition examines these works not in an attempt to situate them within a particular context, but rather to explore how they were designed to transcend time and place. In order to be effective as a conduit to the sacred, an icon from this period comprised certain characteristics: fidelity, an icon functioned only if it was faithful to the subject it represented; recognizability, the image had to be easy to remember and combinability, it had to blend familiar elements in to new messages. Byzantine thinkers often likened the image of an icon to the imprint of a seal, distinct form the seal itself, but indelibly bound to it by its shared form. A more modern analogy is mechanical typography. The printer’s block imprints paper, as a seal would wax, leaving letter forms so common we refer to them as “type”. An icon’s task is to make the image of a figure, theme, or event, similarly recognizable. Where icons differ from seals or type, however, is their medium. The icon must imprint itself not on paper, wax or metal, but on the volatile energies of the human mind.

March 30th – July 29th: This World is Not My Home: Danny Lyon Photographs – This exhibition of approximately 45 photographs and photographic montages, traces the evolution of the New York and New Mexico based artist’s career from 1962 to the present. A leading and explosively creative figure in the American sheet photography movement of the 1960s, Lyon distinguished himself from peers like Robert Frank, Garry Winogrand, and Lee Friedlander through his exceptionally strong political consciousness and concern for those on the margins of society. Drawn from the artist’s studio and the Menil collection of 246 of Lyon’s photographs, the exhibition features images from important bodies of work, including, among other subjects, his early studies of Midwestern motorcycle gangs, the Civil Rights Movement, and death row inmates in Texas prisons. To make these affecting, intimate images, Lyon was both a participant and an observer. He got to know his subjects and often captured their stories in highly descriptive, opinionated texts as well as in photographs. Lyon rode with bikers, marked against segregation with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and spent hours inside the notorious death-row “Walls Unit” of Huntsville Prison. His goal, he said, was “to destroy Life magazine” – to present powerful, real alternatives to the hollow pictures and stories permeating mass media in America.

for more details, see www.menil.org or call (713) 284-8250

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Caroline Weiss Law Bldg. @ 1001 Bissonnet and the adjacent Audrey Jones Beck Bldg., 5601 Main)

Thru January 8th: Trash to Treasure – Vivid, 3-D narrative assemblages – all created by students in the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades at D.R.A.W. Academy charter school – use trash to identify and explore contemporary social problems.

Thru January 16th, 2012: Gifts of the Sultan: The Arts of Giving at the Islamic Courts – This pan-Islamic exhibition explores Islamic art and culture through the universal tradition of gift giving. Many of the most spectacular and historically significant examples of Islamic art can be classified as gifts, a number of which are brought together here for the unique purpose of demonstrating the integral and complex nature of gift exchange in the Islamic world. The exhibition emphasizes a shared humanity rather than singular histories. More than 200 objects of undisputed quality and appeal span the 8^th and 9^th centuries and represent a rich variety of media from the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia. The show also incorporates a contemporary component: new work by three artists with roots in the Islamic world who have been commissioned to interpret the exhibition’s theme.

Thru January 29th: The Spirit of Modernism: The John R. Eckel, Jr. Foundation Gift to the Museum – This exhibition pays tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of businessmen and art collector John R. Eckel, Jr. The friendship between John Eckel and the museum lasted only five years before his untimely death in 2009. His art collection, now known as the John R. Eckel, Jr. Foundation Gift, lives on at the MFAH as an enduring legacy comprising 75 examples of Modernist American painting and sculpture, photography and contemporary arts and design. This exhibition highlights the gifts in two locations on the museum’s campus: the Hevrdejs Gallery in the Beck Building and the Alice Pratt Brown Gallery and Garden in the Law Building. This group strengthens the museum’s collection across several curatorial departments and sheds light on Eckel’s vision as an astute collector and generous benefactor.

February 1st – May 6th: Snail Mail – This exhibition is a focused installation of photo correspondence from the MFAH collection, featuring objects that were, until recently, a common phenomenon in the photographic community. Before widespread use of e-mail, photographers would write letters on the backs of misprints or even fine-art quality objects. The MFAH photography collection contains more than 1,500 such objects that have been mailed to the museum staff throughout the years as correspondence from photographers around the world.

February 5th – May 28th: Eye on the Third Ward 2012: Jack Yates High School Photography – This exhibition showcases photographs by students in the Magnet School of Communications at Jack Yates High School. Since 1995, photography classes at Yates have focused on Houston’s Third Ward neighborhood, and select images are presented in this annual exhibition. A historically black community, the Third Ward is home to many important political, cultural and educational organizations as well as strong religious and community groups. The neighborhood is surrounded by two universities, the Medical Center, the Museum District, and Interstate 45. Yates High School’s photography teacher, Ray C. Carrington III, challenges each student to record images that express Third Ward’s distinctive identity. Students take photographs during class time as Carrington walks with them through the neighborhood. For the 2012 exhibition, many of the talented teens not only capture daily life in the Third Ward, but they also record personal moments and self-reflections about their faith, their future, and their transition into young adulthood. Along with the photography, they share statements and poems that offer a glimpse at their view on the world around them and their place within it.

Thru February 12th: Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection – One of the world’s most spectacular private collections of 17^th century Dutch and Flemish paintings – including masterworks by Rembrandt, Gerrit Dou, Frans Hals, Willem (Claesz) Heda, Jacob van Ruisdael, and Jan Steen – concludes a national tour at the MFAH. This exhibition presents more than 60 paintings that are exceptional for their quality, condition and historical interest. As exemplars of the Dutch Golden Age, the works are distinguished not only for the glowing quality of light achieved by many of the most talented artists of the time, but also for playing a key role in an unsurpassed period of artistic, cultural, scientific, and commercial accomplishment in the Netherlands. For quality and quantity of painting in the 17^th century, no other nation matched the Netherlands. The Van Otterloo collection contains exquisite works by the leading artists of the age in every genre: portraits, still lifes, history paintings, biblical scenes, architectural interiors, city view, landscapes and seascapes.

February 12th – May 6th: Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski – Widely regarded as one of America’s last classic modern painters, Jules Olitski (1922-2007) created brilliant color harmonies and chromatic shifts that became one of the hallmarks of Color Field Painting. Olitski enjoyed enormous acclaim in the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1969, he was the first living American artist to be given a solo exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This exhibition offers a selective survey of approximately 35 paintings ranging from the artist’s first essays into stain painting beginning in 1959 to his visionary last compositions in 2007.

February 19th – April 8th: Elegant Perfection: Masterpieces of Courtly and Religious Art from the Tokyo National Museum – the museum’s new Arts of Japan Gallery debuts with the inaugural exhibition of Elegant Perfection: Masterpieces of Courtly and Religious Art from the Tokyo National Museum. The opening marks the culmination of a five year initiative to expand the presentation of Asian art at the museum. This exhibition showcases over 25 objects – on view in Houston for eight weeks only – from the collection of the prestigious Tokyo National Museum. The exhibition covers essential themes and traditions in Japanese art and culture, illuminating the relationship between the rise of Buddhism in Japan and the development of a highly refined court culture. Among the works on loan are rare pieces designated National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, and Important Art Objects. Highlights include a rare 11^th century edition of the Man’yōshu (one of the oldest existing collections of Japanese poetry); a sumptuous indigo paper scroll documenting the travels of Chinese priest Xuan-Zhuang to India; calligraphy by 16th & 17th century Emporor Goyozei; and masterworks of Japanese Buddhist art as an 117^th century seated sculpture of Dainichi Nyorai and a 14^th century painting depicting the Buddha’s departure from this world.

March 4th – June 3rd: Shifting Paradigms in Contemporary Ceramics: The Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio Collection – New York based scholars and gallerists Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio have been leaders in the ceramics field for three decades, assembling one of the most important private collections of contemporary ceramics in the world. In 2007, the MFAH acquired the collection of some 475 artworks, as well as the accompanying library and artist archive. This exhibition presents nearly 200 objects – ceramics and works on paper – from this richly diverse collection, which includes major international figure such as Kenjiro Kawai, Jean-Pierre Laroque, Adrian Saxe, Peter Voulkos, and Beatrice Wood, many of whom are represented in depth, as well as examples by Anthony Caro, Lucio Fontana, Claes Oldenburg, and Grayson Perry.

Thru March 11th: New Formations: Czech Avant-Garde Art and Modern Glass from the Roy and Mary Cullen Collection – This exhibition presents works of art hidden from the public during the Cold War. Shedding light on a little known chapter of 20^th century art, the exhibition features more than 150 Czech avant-garde works collected by Houston philanthropists Roy and Mary Cullen. Among the objects on view are outstanding examples from the flowering of Czech Surrealism; rare artists’ books and avant-garde periodicals; and exquisitely molded and blown modern glass. Highlights include artworks by Surrealist pioneer and radical feminist Toyen; drawings by Josef Sima; collages and photomontages by Karel Teige; and paintings, drawings and photographs by Jindrich Styrsky.

March 11th – June 10th: Utopia/Dystopia: Construction and Destruction in Photography and Collage – This exhibition explores the ways that artists use photography to project a political, social or cultural state of utopia or dystopia. Ranging in date from the late 19^th century to the present, these photos, photo collages, photomontages, and moving images – along with photographs of a constructed space or sculptures that incorporate a photograph – have allowed artists to experiment with social, political, and urban construction and imagination. The exhibition draws on the collections of the MFAH and the Menil Collection in Houston; the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York; and private collectors. Among the many artists represented are Herbert Bayer, Matthew Buckingham, Richard Hawkins, Hannah Hoch, El Lissitzky, Esaki Reiji and Tom Thayer.

March 11th – May 28th: Elegance and Refinement: The Still Life Paintings of Willem van Aelst – Seventeenth century Dutch artist Willem van Aelst painted still lifes that are remarkable for their finish, carefully balanced composition, elegant subject matter, and rich, jewel-toned palette. This exhibition is an unprecedented exhibition of 25 paintings that celebrate the exquisite work of a neglected master who had a significant impact on late 17th century still life painting. He was one of the most technically brilliant Dutch painters of his time. Born and trained in Delft, he spent most of his life in Amsterdam, but his paintings were forever transformed by the 10 years that he spent abroad as a youth – first in France and then in Florence, at the Medici court. There, he accepted commissions from the Medicis and other high-ranking aristocrats. As his reputation grew, van Aelst adapted his skills to subjects that appealed to his elite clientele. He work typically depicts arrangements of fresh fruit and flowers; precious objects found in the home, such as sumptuous drapery and Venetian glassware, displays of dead game; and the evocations of the forest floor.

Thru March 18th: Visions of Saints – this in-focus selection of nine prints and drawings highlights images of saints from the late 16^th through 18^th centuries and celebrates the museum’s recent acquisition of Guido Reni’s beautiful chalk drawing Head of a Young Woman Looking Upward. Jesepe de Ribera and Sir Peter Paul Rubens are among the other artists represented. Saints, found in almost all religions, are holy people bestowed with ritual devotion because of the exceptionally virtuous lives. Martyrs, known for giving up their lives for their faith, were the first saints officially recognized by the Catholic Church. By the 4^th century, people who had confessed their faith not by dying – but by their honorable behavior and pious deeds in life – also began to be publicly venerated. In the 16^th century, the Counter-Reformation was the Catholic Church’s response to the rise of Protestantism in Europe. Its campaign also challenged artists to make sacred subjects more accessible. Saintly representations, such as those in Visions of Saints, proliferated. From scenes of penitence and devotion to representations of mystical visions, portrayals of the stories of the saints provided moral archetypes on which followers could model their own behavior.

Thru April 15th, 2012: Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs – This acclaimed traveling exhibition features over 100 artworks, most of which have never been shown in the U.S. prior to this tour. These spectacular treasures – more than half of which come from the tomb of King Tutankhamun – including the golden sandals found on the boy king’s mummy a gold coffinette that held his stomach; golden statues of the gods; and King Tut’s rings, ear ornaments and gold collar. Also showcased are objects associated with the most important rules of the 30 dynasties that reigned in Egypt over a 2,000 year span. The exhibition explores the splendor of the pharaohs, their function in both the earthly and divine worlds, and what “kingship” meant to the Egyptian people. Among the highlights is the largest likeness of King Tut ever discovered, a 10 foot statue of the pharaoh found at the remains of a funerary temple.

for more information, see www.mfah.org or call (713) 639-7300

Museum of Health & Medical Science (1515 Hermann Drive)

Thru January 1st: Race – Are We So Different? – This exhibition will encourage visitors to explore the science, history and everyday impact of race and racism. Its powerful combination of artifacts, historic and contemporary photography, multi-media components, and interactive activities will give visitors of all ages the opportunity to think and talk about a topic that touches our lives daily.

January 28th – August 26th: Cells: The Universe Inside Us – Cells is a traveling exhibition from the Maryland Science Center. This interactive exhibit explores the complexity of the human body at the cellular level. The human body is made up of millions of cells that are constantly working. This exhibition gives visitors a chance to see what happens inside our bodies every day. Walk through a giant cell, perform virtual experiments, make protein shapes with your shadow and much more!

Opening later this year: Touch: The Science and Health of the Human Skin – This exhibition is being developed in partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology and will be a 3,000 sq. ft. traveling exhibit that highlights the physiology, function, pathology, and sociology of human skin in a series of fun, engage and educational exhibits. Learn what “type” of skin you have and how it reacts to the environment around you, the pathology and treatment of skin cancer, the art and sociology of tattoos and adornment, and watch a cut heal in super-fast time on a giant hand.

Ongoing: You: The Exhibit – The Health Museum is proud to announce the first new permanent exhibition since its opening in 1996 – You: The Exhibit. This unique gallery immerses visitors of all ages in The World of Tomorrow – reminiscent of the 1939 World’s Fair. Join your fellow museum visitors in a learning environment that allows investigation into the who, what, where, when, and how of YOU. Using the latest multi-media and special effects technology, The Health Museum has created an experience that will take the museum visitor on a journey to explore their physical selves, mental selves and their future selves. The sophisticated media nature of the exhibition encourages group interaction and participation in the exhibition, and visitors are able to leave something of themselves behind to change the experience over time.

Ongoing: The Amazing Body Pavilion – Take a larger than life tour of the human body and learn all about how your organs and bone work. Sit on a giant tooth, ride a bicycle with a skeleton, walk through a giant brain and more.

Ongoing: McGovern 4D Theater: Take a journey into the alien landscape of your own skin with Planet You 3D, the latest 3D movie now showing at the McGovern Theater. Find out all about the creepy, crawly things that live on your body.

for more information see www.mhms.org or call (713) 942-7054

Space Center Houston (1601 NASA Parkway)

Blast Off Theater: Visit the only place in the world where you can personally experience the thrill of launching into space like a real astronaut. It’s not just a movie; it’s the thrill of personally feeling the launch into space – from the rocket boosters to the billowing exhaust. What have visitors said about their trips? “It’s like IMAX in 10D!” After docking at the International Space Station, guests enter the theatre for an update on current shuttle missions, as well as details on the exploration of Mars. The space program truly comes alive in the Mission Status Center, where Mission Briefing Officers provide live updates on current space flights and astronaut training activities.

Astronaut Gallery: The Astronaut Gallery is an unparalleled exhibit outside Northrop Grumman Theater featuring the world’s best collection of spacesuits. Astronaut John Young’s ejection suit and Judy Resnik’s T-38 flight suit are two of the many spacesuits on display. The walls of the Astronaut Gallery also contain crew photos of every U.S. astronaut who has flown in space.

Space Center Theater. The challenge of President John F. Kennedy, to put a man on the moon by the end of the 60′s, had its beginning several decades before the formation of NASA. As the guests have seen in other parts of Space Center Houston, the equipment and the technology have been developing since Robert Goddard’s time. This attraction shows the excitement, the commitment and the risks taken by the people who fly in space. Here we can see the evolution of the equipment and the training of the men and women who dreamed to be astronauts. Nearly 300 people have flown in space since the first Mercury rocket took off in May 1961 with astronaut Alan Sheppard, Jr. on board. That first flight lasted only 15 minutes. Contrast that with the May 1992 flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavor, which was 9 days with 7 crew members on board.

Starship Gallery. The journey into space begins with the film “On Human Destiny”. Artifacts and hardware on display in the Starship Gallery trace the progression of America’s Manned Space Flight. This incredible collection includes: an original model of the Goddard Rocket; the actual Mercury Atlas 9 “Faith 7” capsule flown by Gordon Cooper; the Gemini V Spacecraft piloted by Pete Conrad and Gordon Cooper; a Lunar Roving Vehicle Trainer, the Apollo 17 Command Module, the giant Skylab Trainer, and the Apollo-Soyuz Trainer.

The Feel of Space. The Living in Space module simulates what life is like for astronauts aboard the space station. A Mission Briefing Officer gives a live presentation on how astronauts live in space. The presentation uses humor to show how the smallest tasks like showering and eating are complicated by a microgravity environment. A volunteer from the audience helps to prove the point. Beyond the Living in Space Module are 24 part task trainers that use sophisticated computer technology to provide visitors with the experience of landing the orbiter, retrieving a satellite or exploring shuttle systems.

For more information, see www.spacecenter.org or call (281) 244-2148

Sports

Houston Dynamo – Major League Soccer (Robertson Stadium – University of Houston)

Season complete.

for more information, see www.houstondynamo.com

Houston Aeros – American Hockey League (West Division) (Toyota Center, 1510 Polk)

January 1st: Houston Aeros vs. Oklahoma City 5:05 p.m.

January 6th: Houston Aeros vs. Rockford 7:35 p.m.

January 8th: Houston Aeros vs. San Antonio @ San Antonio 3:30 p.m.

January 11th: Houston Aeros vs. Grand Rapids @ Grand Rapids 7:00 p.m.

January 13th: Houston Aeros vs. Peoria @ Peoria 7:00 p.m.

January 14th: Houston Aeros vs. Peoria @ Peoria 7:00 p.m.

January 20th: Houston Aeros vs. San Antonio 7:35 p.m.

January 21st: Houston Aeros vs. Texas @ Texas 7:00 p.m.

January 22nd: Houston Aeros vs. San Antonio 5:05 p.m.

January 27th: Houston Aeros vs. Oklahoma City @ Oklahoma City 7:00 p.m.

January 28th: Houston Aeros vs. San Antonio @ San Antonio 7:00 p.m.

February 2nd: Houston Aeros vs. Texas 7:05 p.m.

February 4th: Houston Aeros vs. Lake Erie 7:35 p.m.

February 5th: Houston Aeros vs. Milwaukee 12:05 p.m.

February 7th: Houston Aeros vs. Chicago @ Chicago 11:00 a.m.

February 11th: Houston Aeros vs. Grand Rapids @ Grand Rapids 7:00 p.m.

February 14th: Houston Aeros vs. Milwaukee @ Milwaukee 7:00 p.m.

February 17th: Houston Aeros vs. Abbotsford @ Abbotsford 7:00 p.m.

February 18th: Houston Aeros vs. Abbotsford @ Abbotsford 7:00 p.m.

February 24th: Houston Aeros vs. Texas @ Texas 7:30 p.m.

February 25th: Houston Aeros vs. Texas @ Texas 7:00 p.m.

March 3rd: Houston Aeros vs. San Antonio @ San Antonio 7:00 p.m.

March 6th: Houston Aeros vs. Abbotsford @ Abbotsford 11:00 a.m.

March 7th: Houston Aeros vs. Abbotsford @ Abbotsford 7:00 p.m.

March 10th: Houston Aeros vs. Grand Rapids 7:35 p.m.

March 11th: Houston Aeros vs. Grand Rapids 5:05 p.m.

March 13th: Houston Aeros vs. Abbotsford 7:05 p.m.

March 16th: Houston Aeros vs. Rockford 7:35 p.m.

March 17th: Houston Aeros vs. Abbotsford 7:35 p.m.

March 18th: Houston Aeros vs. Oklahoma City 5:05 p.m.

March 23rd: Houston Aeros vs. Rockford @ Rockford 7:05 p.m.

March 24th: Houston Aeros vs. Rockford @ Rockford 7:05 p.m.

March 25th: Houston Aeros vs. Chicago @ Chicago 3:00 p.m.

March 28th: Houston Aeros vs. Milwaukee @ Milwaukee 7:00 p.m.

March 29th: Houston Aeros vs. Lake Erie 7:05 p.m.

April 6th: Houston Aeros vs. Chicago 7:35 p.m.

April 7th: Houston Aeros vs. Peoria 7:35 p.m.

April 13th: Houston Aeros vs. Oklahoma City 7:00 p.m.

April 14th: Houston Aeros vs. San Antonio 7:35 p.m.

April 15th: Houston Aeros vs. Texas 5:05 p.m.

for more information, see www.aeros.com or call (713) 974-7825

Houston Rockets – National Basketball Association (Toyota Center, 1510 Polk)

January 3rd: Houston Rockets vs. LA Lakers @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m.

January 4th: Houston Rockets vs. LA Clippers @ Los Angeles 9:30 p.m.

January 6th: Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City @ Oklahoma City 7:00 p.m.

January 7th: Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City 7:00 p.m.

January 10th: Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte @ Charlotte 6:00 p.m.

January 11th: Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio @ San Antonio 7:30 p.m.

January 13th: Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento 7:00 p.m.

January 14th: Houston Rockets vs. Portland 7:00 p.m.

January 16th: Houston Rockets vs. Washington @ Washington 1:00 p.m.

January 17th: Houston Rockets vs. Detroit 7:00 p.m.

January 19th: Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans 7:00 p.m.

January 21st: Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio 7:00 p.m.

January 23rd: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m.

January 25th: Houston Rockets vs. Milwaukee 7:00 p.m.

January 27th: Houston Rockets vs. Washington 7:00 p.m.

January 28th: Houston Rockets vs. New York 7:00 p.m.

January 30th: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota 7:00 p.m.

February 1st: Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio @ San Antonio 7:30 p.m.

February 3rd: Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix 7:00 p.m.

February 4th: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota @ Minnesota 7:00 p.m.

February 6th: Houston Rockets vs. Denver @ Denver 8:00 p.m.

February 8th: Houston Rockets vs. Portland @ Portland 9:00 p.m.

February 9th: Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix @ Phoenix 8:00 p.m.

February 12th: Houston Rockets vs. Golden Gate @ San Francisco 8:00 p.m.

February 14th: Houston Rockets vs. Memphis @ Memphis 7:00 p.m.

February 15th: Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City 7:00 p.m.

February 17th: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota 7:00 p.m.

February 19th: Houston Rockets vs. Utah 6:00 p.m.

February 20th: Houston Rockets vs. Memphis 7:00 p.m.

February 22nd: Houston Rockets vs. Philadelphia 7:00 p.m.

February 28th: Houston Rockets vs. Toronto 7:00 p.m.

February 29th: Houston Rockets vs. Utah @ Utah 8:00 p.m.

March 2nd: Houston Rockets vs. Denver 7:00 p.m.

March 4th: Houston Rockets vs. LA Clippers 6:00 p.m.

March 6th: Houston Rockets vs. Boston @ Boston 6:30 p.m.

March 7th: Houston Rockets vs. Toronto @ Toronto 6:00 p.m.

March 10th: Houston Rockets vs. New Jersey @ New Jersey 7:00 p.m.

March 11th: Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland @ Cleveland 5:00 p.m.

March 13th: Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City @ Oklahoma City 7:00 p.m.

March 14th: Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte 7:00 p.m.

March 17th: Houston Rockets vs. LA Clippers @ Los Angeles 2:30 p.m.

March 18th: Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix @ Phoenix 8:00 p.m.

March 20th: Houston Rockets vs. LA Lakers 7:00 p.m.

March 22nd: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State 7:00 p.m.

March 24th: Houston Rockets vs. Dallas 7:00 p.m.

March 26th: Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento 7:00 p.m.

March 27th: Houston Rockets vs. Dallas @ Dallas 7:30 p.m.

March 30th: Houston Rockets vs. Memphis 7:00 p.m.

for more information, see www.rockets.com or call (713) 758-7200

Houston Texans Football (Reliant Stadium)

December 18th: Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers Noon

December 22nd: Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts @ Indianapolis 7:20 p.m.

for more information, visit www.houstontexans.com or call 713-629-3700

Houston Astros (Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford)

Season complete

for more information, see http://houston.astros.mlb.com

Parks

Houston Arboretum (4501 Woodway)

Wednesdays: Introductory Tai Chi – Tai Chi is a centuries-old Chinese martial art that has evolved into a highly effective form of exercise, regardless of age or physical ability. Tai Chi involves a series of slow, meditative body movements that are excellent for repairing injuries, de-stressing and for learning focus and insights into life’s problems. $15 a session; or $45 for a calendar month. Registration is required. 5:45 – 6:45 p.m.

Thursdays: Yoga on the Way Home – Why fight the traffic? Slow down and relax in the peaceful beauty of the Arboretum during a one-hour yoga session in the Arboretum’s classroom overlooking the forest. Cost is $15 per session or $10 a session when registering for the month. Registration is required. 5:45 – 6:45 p.m.

Saturdays: Continuing Tai Chi – Tai Chi Chuan is a centuries old Chinese martial art that has evolved into a highly effective form of exercise, regardless of age or physical ability. Tai Chi involves a series of slow, meditative body movements that are excellent for repairing injuries, de-stressing, and for learning focus and insights into life’s problems. Continuing Tai Chi is for students wishing to further develop Tai Chi skills and knowledge. Prior enrollment in Introductory Tai Chi is required. Class may be held outside or inside, depending upon weather. 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. $15 per session or $45 for calendar month. Registration available online.

January 20th & 21st: Tadpole Troopers: Cricket Chirp Chirp (ages 3-5 with an accompanying adult) “Did you know a cricket can tell you what the temperature Is outside? Come jump and chirp cricket style as we learn about their role in nature. 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. – Noon. $15 for members/$28 for non-members. Pre-registration required.

January 21st: Naturalist Explorers: Frog and Toad Together (ages 5-8 years) Smooth and slippery or rough and bumpy, frogs and toads are our backyard amphibians. Discover what is special about amphibians and learn to recognize some frog calls. 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. $18 for members/$33 for non-members.

January 21st: Family Owl Prowl – Bring your family on the trails with Arboretum naturalists on a leisurely hike and look and listen for Great Horned and Eastern Screech Owls, flying squirrels, and anything else that might lurk out of sight in the darkness. After the trek, we’ll relax on the back porch with hot chocolate, cider and homemade cookies for the ids and wine and cheese for the adults. As a special treat, members of the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation will be on hand with live owls. Space is limited, so sign up now. Each child (minimum age of 6 years) must be accompanied by a parent. Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. $30 for members; $40 for non-members; and $10 per child. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

January 21st: Edible Wild Plants – The Real Organic Food – From acorns to wild violets, the Texas landscape is filled with an abundance of wild edibles. Ancient foodstuff can be found everywhere from outside your front door to the depths of the Piney Woods. Learn where to find, how to identify and property preparation of the fruits, shoots, roots and salad greens growing all around you. Whether you are learning to survive in the woods or just want to cut your food bills, this class is for you. Topics will include hands-on plant identification; responsible harvesting techniques; preparation of foods; dangerous mimics and poisonous plants; edible landscaping. Bring comfortable walking shoes, water and a snack, and bug repellent. A pencil/pen and a camera are also recommended. A plant guide sheet will be provided. $40 for members/$50 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

January 22nd: “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” Workshop – The extreme drought has everyone thinking about water conservation. Going “green” by using organic lawn care products and less labor-intensive practices is just the first step in the process to convert your unsustainable lawn into a less-thirsty native plant landscape. Go “greener” by harvesting rainwater to nourish your soil, reduce your water bill and water in between downpours. In this hands-on, make and take workshop, learn how a one-time investment of less than $100 will allow you to harvest 55 gallons of chemical free water from your roof every time it rains. Additional barrels and conversion kits will be available for sale at the end of the class for $65. $85 for members; $95 for non-members. Pre-registration required. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

January 22nd: Eat It Raw: Preparing Raw, Organic and Seasonal Meals – Join Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram of Rawfully Organic Co-op and learn how to make delicious meals for the entire family from raw and organic foods. Kristina will share her passion for this healthy lifestyle by teaching and demonstrating how to prepare seasonal dishes from a variety of raw and locally-grown produce. As a fun exercise, students will choose ingredients from a box of organic vegetables and Kristina will craft a dish on the spot. Of course, we won’t let any of the good go to waste, so come prepared to sample the class projects! An informative question and answer period will follow the class. $20 for members; $30 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

January 28th: Arbor Day Celebration – Like a tiny pine seed, the Arbor Day we know today grew from an idea that one man had to celebrate the usefulness of trees by planting more of them. Houston area families are invited to celebrate Arbor Day at the Arboretum from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. “Nature Awaits!” is this year’s theme. There will be many events and hand-on activities for everyone in the family to see and do.

January 29th: “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” Workshop – The extreme drought has everyone thinking about water conservation. Going “green” by using organic lawn care products and less labor-intensive practices is just the first step in the process to convert your unsustainable lawn into a less-thirsty native plant landscape. Go “greener” by harvesting rainwater to nourish your soil, reduce your water bill and water in between downpours. In this hands-on, make and take workshop, learn how a one-time investment of less than $100 will allow you to harvest 55 gallons of chemical free water from your roof every time it rains. Additional barrels and conversion kits will be available for sale at the end of the class for $65. $85 for members; $95 for non-members. Pre-registration required. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

February 11th: Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate – Learn about chocolate from cocoa tree to confection with pastry chef Dan Budd. A tasting and demonstration that will help you appreciate the soothing and energizing deliciousness of chocolate. We’re honored to have Chef Budd, who will guide you in the preparation of truffles, decorated chocolate torte and warm chocolate dessert. You may be making your own chocolates for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day! Registration is limited to 15 participants, so sign up now for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from a master. $45 for members; $55 for non-members 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Pre-registration required.

February 11th: Tapas on the Trails: A Valentine’s Evening at the Arboretum – Leave the sequins and stilettos at home and walk on the wild side with your Valentine! Celebrate a very special Valentine’s Eve with gourmet food and wine in Houston’s premier venue for natural beauty. Meander from one delectable table to the next, along the recently restored Willow Oak Trail. Dine on delicious tapas created by Chef Adam Paul complete with wine pairings for each food selection. Your culinary adventure culminates at the Meadow Deck with sparkling wine, gourmet Starbucks coffees and desserts prepared by Chef Dan Budd. Arrive anytime between 5:00 & 8:00 p.m. to start your stroll. Event ends at 9:00 p.m. $75 for members; $85 for non-members. Childcare for ages 5 and up at a fee of $10 per child. Reservations are required, as space is limited.

February 17th & 18th: Tadpole Troopers: Busy Bees (ages 3-5 with an accompanying adult) Bees are one of the most important insects in the world. Buzz right into class to explore the busy world of bees. 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. – Noon. $15 for members/$28 for non-members. Pre-registration required.

February 18th: Naturalist Explorers: Secretive Salamanders (ages 5-8 years) Salamanders are interesting amphibians. Come learn about their lives and discover where and how these elusive creatures spend their time. 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. $18 for members/$33 for non-members.

February 19th: Edible Wild Plants – The Real Organic Food – From acorns to wild violets, the Texas landscape is filled with an abundance of wild edibles. Ancient foodstuff can be found everywhere from outside your front door to the depths of the Piney Woods. Learn where to find, how to identify and property preparation of the fruits, shoots, roots and salad greens growing all around you. Whether you are learning to survive in the woods or just want to cut your food bills, this class is for you. Topics will include hands-on plant identification; responsible harvesting techniques; preparation of foods; dangerous mimics and poisonous plants; edible landscaping. Bring comfortable walking shoes, water and a snack, and bug repellent. A pencil/pen and a camera are also recommended. A plant guide sheet will be provided. $40 for members/$50 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

March 10th: Edible Wild Plants – The Real Organic Food – From acorns to wild violets, the Texas landscape is filled with an abundance of wild edibles. Ancient foodstuff can be found everywhere from outside your front door to the depths of the Piney Woods. Learn where to find, how to identify and property preparation of the fruits, shoots, roots and salad greens growing all around you. Whether you are learning to survive in the woods or just want to cut your food bills, this class is for you. Topics will include hands-on plant identification; responsible harvesting techniques; preparation of foods; dangerous mimics and poisonous plants; edible landscaping. Bring comfortable walking shoes, water and a snack, and bug repellent. A pencil/pen and a camera are also recommended. A plant guide sheet will be provided. $40 for members/$50 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

March 18th: “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” Workshop – The extreme drought has everyone thinking about water conservation. Going “green” by using organic lawn care products and less labor-intensive practices is just the first step in the process to convert your unsustainable lawn into a less-thirsty native plant landscape. Go “greener” by harvesting rainwater to nourish your soil, reduce your water bill and water in between downpours. In this hands-on, make and take workshop, learn how a one-time investment of less than $100 will allow you to harvest 55 gallons of chemical free water from your roof every time it rains. Additional barrels and conversion kits will be available for sale at the end of the class for $65. $85 for members; $95 for non-members. Pre-registration required. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

March 23rd & 24th: Tadpole Troopers: Love those Ladybugs (ages 3-5 with an accompanying adult) Why did NASA send ladybugs into space? Join the class and learn about their space mission and why gardeners love ladybugs. 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. – Noon. $15 for members/$28 for non-members. Pre-registration required.

March 24th: Naturalist Explorers: Totally Turtles (ages 5-8 years) In the water or on the land, who spends life in a shell? Turtles do! Discover where turtles live and how these reptiles are specially adapted to their habitats. 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. $18 for members/$33 for non-members.

March 25th: “Build Your Own Rain Barrel” Workshop – The extreme drought has everyone thinking about water conservation. Going “green” by using organic lawn care products and less labor-intensive practices is just the first step in the process to convert your unsustainable lawn into a less-thirsty native plant landscape. Go “greener” by harvesting rainwater to nourish your soil, reduce your water bill and water in between downpours. In this hands-on, make and take workshop, learn how a one-time investment of less than $100 will allow you to harvest 55 gallons of chemical free water from your roof every time it rains. Additional barrels and conversion kits will be available for sale at the end of the class for $65. $85 for members; $95 for non-members. Pre-registration required. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

for more information, see www.houstonarboretum.org or call (713) 681-8433

Houston Zoo (1513 North McGregor)

Founded in 1922, the ever-evolving Houston Zoo is an exciting recreational destination and a unique educational resource serving 1.4 million guests annually. Set in a lush 55-acre landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 3,100 exotic animals representing more than 500 species. The first Saturday of every month, Houston Zoo Members are invited to enjoy the Zoo an hour earlier and see keepers, grounds crew, and other staff preparing to open the Zoo for the day, including releasing animals from their night holds into their habitats. Members can experience the Zoo before the crowds on these select mornings and start the day off right with a trip to the Zoo. Please note that the Wildlife Carousel, and concessions stands, and cafes will open at 9:00 a.m. The Gift Shop, Aquarium and Natural Encounters will open at 8:00 a.m.

Daily: The 4-D Experience! – What is 4-D? It starts with the stunning visuals of a 3-D movie and then adds effects like scents, mists, bubbles, lights and more to bring movies to life. Now showing at the Zoo are a variety of short family friendly films, like Dora & Diego’s 4-D Adventure, which is based on Nickelodeon’s hit animated children’s series. $4 for members/$5 for non-members.

Sneak Peek Tours: One hour special tours. This experience includes a behind the scenes peek into the back of house animal areas and a meet the keeper experience with an expert from the Zoo’s animal care team. You can choose one of the following animal sections: Aquarium (Thursdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.), Birds (Thursdays from 10:30 – 11:30 p.m.), Carnivores (Saturdays from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.), Children’s Zoo (Sundays from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.) or Commissary (Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.). $40 for members/$55 for non-members. For more information go to the zoo website.

New: The African Forest – “This wonderful new exhibit will take visitors on an entertaining journey through on of the world’s most mysterious and beautiful places”, said Houston Zoo President and CEO Deborah Cannon. The new exhibition will serve as a dynamic living classroom, emphasizing the importance of conservation. Covering 6.5 acres, the new exhibit will allow visitors to explore and learn in different ways – through traditional signage, interactive elements and dynamic personal encounters. Guests will follow a winding path through a wooded canopy to a large building looking out over a colony of chimpanzees. The building is designed to allow guests and the chimps to come right up to a glass wall and interact. Leaving the chimp area, guests will take a path to enjoy another chimp viewing opportunity and then follow the path through a tunnel which appears to have been carved from solid rock. Guests will come upon an open area presenting a mixed species habitat for white rhinos, forest antelope and other African Forest inhabitants. A winding path along an open vista gives guests an unobstructed viewing opportunity. Proceeding along the trail, guests will have the opportunity to see the Masai giraffe habitat, with an elevated viewing area, where they can have the opportunity to come nose to nose with the world’s tallest terrestrial animals. You won’t want to miss this incredible African adventure!

January 7th: Members First Saturday – The Zoo is open at 8:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month for members only. During your visit the Zoo offers a chance to hear from one of their Zoo experts and gain professional insight about a select animal resident or area. Learn from the best in the field about what it really takes to care for the diverse animals that call the Zoo home. Programs begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and last approximately 30 minutes. Bring your membership card and a photo i.d.

February 4th: Members First Saturday – The Zoo is open at 8:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month for members only. During your visit the Zoo offers a chance to hear from one of their Zoo experts and gain professional insight about a select animal resident or area. Learn from the best in the field about what it really takes to care for the diverse animals that call the Zoo home. Programs begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and last approximately 30 minutes. Bring your membership card and a photo i.d.

for more information, see www.houstonzoo.org or call (713) 533-6500

Food & Wine Related Events

Churrascos Westchase Wine Dinner (9705 Westheimer)

January 2nd: You won’t want to miss this beautifully prepared meal, featuring Montes wines from Italy. $59 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Call for reservations. Open seating from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

for more information, call (713) 952-1988

Churrascos River Oaks Wine Dinner (2055 Westheimer)

January 9th: You won’t want to miss this beautifully prepared meal, featuring Rosenblum Wines from California. $59 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Call for reservations. Open seating from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

for more information, call (713) 527-8300

Americas River Oaks (2040 West Gray)

January 16th: You won’t want to miss this beautifully prepared meal, featuring wines from Peru. $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Call for reservations. Open seating from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

for more information, call (832) 200-1492

Brennan’s Miner Wine Dinner (3300 Smith Street)

January 17th: You won’t want to miss this beautifully prepared 5 course meal, paired with a special selection of Miner Wines. $130 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Call for reservations. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

for more information, call (713) 522-9711

2009 Vintage Cru Classé Bordeaux Tasting at the Intercontinental Hotel (2222 West Loop South)

January 19th: Spec’s will host over thirty Bordeaux chateau owners, directors, and/or winemakers presenting forty top-appellation Bordeaux wines, all from the excellent 2009 vintage in a standup and walk around tasting format. This is the first time Houston has every hosted such a delegation from Bordeaux. The list of well-known and highly regarded wineries has come together. Want to see the entire list – go to http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/401996/houston-2009-cru-class-bordeaux-tasting-at-the-intercontinental-hotel. $65 per person. Reservations required. 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.

for more information, call (832) 660-0250

For additional information on wine tasting events at local wine shops around town, see: www.localwineevents.com

Central Market Cooking School (Westheimer @ Weslayan)

Following is the schedule for upcoming Central Market Cooking School classes. Classes fill up quickly, so if you see something that you are interested in, go online to check availability and to register.

January 4th: Sushi with Chris Nemoto – Hands-on Class – Chris Nemoto, Sushi Chef, Zushi Japanese Cuisine – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

January 5th: What’s For Dinner? – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

January 6th: Dinner Party Fare – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $65 per person

January 7th: Brown Butter Workshop – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $60 per person

January 10th: Knife Skills 101 – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

January 11th: Everyday Easy – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $55 per person

January 12th: Thai Comfort Food – Hands-on Class – Nichole Routhier, Chef & Cookbook Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

January 13th: Company-Worthy Comfort Food – Hands-on Class – Molly Fowler, The Dining Diva – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $65 per person

January 14th: Couples Cook: Citrus Dinner – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $140 per couple

January 17th: Baking with Citrus – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $55 per person

January 18th: Chinese New Year’s Celebration with Dorothy Huang – Hands-on Class – Dorothy Huang, Cooking Instructor & Cookbook Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $70 per person

January 19th: Culinary Mexico – Hands-on Class – Elizabeth Scobedo, Culinary & Cultural Expert and Cookbook Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $70 per person (includes a copy of Culinary Mexico, Authentic Recipes and Traditions)

January 20th: Comfort Kicked-Up! – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $65 per person

January 21st: Wine 101- attendees 21 and older – Justin Vann, Central Market Wine & Beer Manager, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $70 per person

January 24th: Entice with Spice: Healthy Indian – Hands-on Class – Shubhra Ramineni, Cooking Instructor & Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

January 25th: Sautéing & Pan Sauces – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

January 26th: A Pop Up Restaurant – Chef Daniel Olivella, Chef/Owner, B44, San Francisco and Barlata, Oakland – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $75 per person

January 27th: Touchdown Tapas – Hands-on Class – Kathy Tauber, Owner Ez*Eatz!, Avid Foodie & Chef – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

January 31st: Seafood 101 – Hands-on Class – John Butler, Central Market Seafood Manager & Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

February 1st: Sushi with Chris Nemoto – Hands-on Class – Chris Nemoto, Sushi Chef, Zushi Japanese Cuisine – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

February 2nd: Knife Skills 101 – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

February 3rd: Potpies – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 -9:00 p.m. $60 per person

February 4th: Kids in the Kitchen (ages 8 & up) – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $55 per parent/child team

February 7th: Guys in the Kitchen – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $65 per person

February 8th: Quick & Easy Indian Cooking – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $65 per person (includes a copy of Quick & Easy Indian Cooking cookbook)

February 10th: A Taste of Burgundy – Hands-on Class – Nichole Routhier, Chef & Cookbook Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $65 per person

February 11th: Culinary Mexico – Hands-on Class – Elizabeth Escobedo, Culinary Cultural Expert & Cookbook Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

February 14th: Couples Cook: Valentine’s Day Special – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $180 per couple

February 16th: Cooking Wild Game with Olive Oil – Lisa Freeman, Wild Game Cooking Specialist & NASCAR Executive Chef – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $50 per person

February 17th: Impress Your Guests – Hands-on Class – Molly Fowler, The Dining Diva – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. – $65 per person

February 18th: Sponge Cake Workshop – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 10:30 a.m. – Noon $55 per person

February 21st: Couples Cook: Quick & Easy Healthy Chinese – Hands-on Class – Dorothy Huang, Cooking Instructor & Cookbook Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $110 per couple

February 22nd: Cupcakes, Cookies & Pie, Oh My! – Hands-on Class – Karen Tack, Food Stylist & Author and Alan Richardson, Photographer & Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $70 per person (includes a copy of Cupcakes, Cookies & Pie, Oh My!)

February 24th: Love Your Heart – Hands-on Class – Kathy Tauber, Owner Ez*Eatz!, Avid Foodie & Chef – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. – $65 per person

February 25th: Italian Trattoria – Hands-on Class – Central Market Cooking School Staff – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $65 per person

February 28th: Entice with Spice: Easy Indian for Busy People – Hands-on Class – Shubhra Ramineni, Cooking Instructor & Cookbook Author – 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. $60 per person

for more information, see www.centralmarket.com or call (713) 993-9860

Other Events

Discovery Green (downtown Houston)

Don’t miss the many activities that take place daily at Discovery Green. Take a look at their website to discover the chance to enjoy free music, movies, yoga classes, tours and so much more.

for more information, see www.discoverygreen.com

Buffalo Bayou Walking Tour (Architecture Center of Houston – 315 Capital Street, Suite 120)

First Saturday of every month: Architecture Center Houston, with the cooperation of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership invite you to stroll along Buffalo Bayou Parkway for an overview of downtown Houston’s history and architecture from its beginnings in 1836 to the efforts to revitalize the central city today. Docents will lead you on this two hour tour. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated. There is a 20 person limit. 10:00 a.m. – noon – weather permitting. $15 per person (cash and check only)

for more information, see www.aiahouston.org or call (713) 752-0314

Buffalo Bayou Boat Rides (Sabine Promenade – 315 Capital Street, Suite 120)

Second Saturday of every month: These 30 minute boat rides are a great way to spend the afternoon with your family. Escape from the city and enjoy the cool breeze as you glide along the bayou’s waters. Look for graceful herons, jumping fish, and even the occasional alligator sunning on the bayou’s banks. There is a 20 person limit. No reservations. Check website for additional information. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – weather permitting. $7 for adults; $5 for children (ages 4-12) (cash only)

for more information, see www.buffalobayou.org/boattours.html or call (713) 752-0314

Waugh Bridge Bat Colony Pontoon Boat Tours (Sabine Promenade – 315 Capital Street, Suite 120)

Second & Fourth Friday of every month (March – October): These 45 minute boat rides begin 45 minutes before dusk. To confirm times, visit the website. Guests will enjoy an amazing view of the bats’ dusk emergence from our boat on the bayou’s waters. Over 250,000 bats call Waugh Bridge home. You will spend the evening viewing and learning more about these magnificent flying mammals that share the city with us. Children under the age of 13 must wear life jackets (provided) while on board. There is a 20 person limit. For reservations, call the number below – weather permitting. $35 for adults; $25 for children (ages 4-12) (cash only)

for more information, see www.buffalobayou.org/boattours.html or call (713) 752-0314

St. Arnold’s Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting (Saint Arnold Brewery, 2522 Fairway Park Drive)

Saturdays, all year round: St. Arnold’s, Texas’ oldest craft brewery, holds public tours every Saturday. Tour lasts approximately 35 minutes and guests are welcome to stay for a free tasting. Guests are allowed to bring snacks or lunch and may bring six-pack carriers for recycling. All attendees receive a souvenir tasting glass. Admission for the tour is $5. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

for more information, see www.saintarnold.com

Houston Area Live Steamers – Zube Park Train Rides (17800 Roberts Road, Hockley, TX)

Third Saturday of each month from March – November: All ages are welcome to ride. There are three club diesel engines that normally run the passenger trains, as well as private engines belonging to club members, but many times, you will find a steam engine also running. There are specially designed cars for the young and the young at heart, who enjoy hearing the clickety-clack of the rails. A newly designed car for standard width wheelchairs is available for those needing special assistance. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (except during inclement weather). Free.

for more information, see www.hals.org

Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show (Reliant Center)

Thru January 6th – 15th: The largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, with more than 1,000 powerboats, luxury yachts, sailboats and personal watercraft, plus over 300 exhibits, the Houston Boat Show has something for everyone. $10 for adults/$4 for children 6-12. Parking is $10 per vehicle.

for more information, see www.houstonboatshows.com

Beyond Useful & Beautiful: Rethinking Domestic Craft – Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (4848 Main Street)

Thru January 8th: Historically, craft objects were made with a functional purpose, whether it was ceramic plates used for meals or quilts to keep people warm at night. Other crafts, such as needlepoint, served as leisure activities for women and frequently decorated people’s homes. This connection between craft and the home is critically explored in Beyond Useful & Beautiful: Rethinking Domestic Craft. The exhibition presents a variety of media-including furniture, wall paper, ceramics, quilts, needlepoint, glass and metal in a series of domestic vignettes or “rooms” set up throughout the large gallery.

for more information, see www.crafthouston.org/

Soundforge – Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (4848 Main Street)

Thru January 8th: This fall, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft presents a genre crossing installation by metalsmith and former artist-in-residence, Gabriel Craig, and Houston-area composer, Michael Remson. Comprised of video, audio, and sculptural elements and rooted in the idea that forging metal is an act of music making, Soundforge encourages audiences to engage with the installation through both physical and musical interaction.

for more information, see www.crafthouston.org

2012 MLK Youth Parade (San Jacinto at Elgin)

January 14th: Start a new family tradition and head over to the MLK Youth Parade. This parade is one of the largest events in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The parade’s theme “Empowerment Through Education” will emphasize the importance of higher learning. The 2012 parade will originate in Midtown on San Jacinto and Elgin Street. Noon – 1:00 p.m. Free.

for more information, see www.mlkgrandeparade.org

2012 Chevron Houston Marathon (George R. Brown Convention Center – downtown)

January 15th: This annual 26.2, 13.1 and 3.1 mile run, which begins and ends at the convention center, has steadily grown to attract more than 20,000 entrants from around the world and more than 200,000 spectators. For more information, see the website below.

for more information, see www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Grande Parade (San Jacinto at Elgin)

January 16th: This annual parade celebrating the civil rights leader marches through the heart of Houston and draws more than 300,000 supporters from around the nation. It is the third largest parade in the U.S. behind The Rose Parade and the Macy’s Day Parade. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

for more information, see www.mlkgrandeparade.org

International Gem & Jewelry Show (Reliant Center)

Thru January 20th – 22nd: The Houston Gem & Jewelry Show is one of the best exhibitions of gems, minerals and jewelry in the world. The show features one-of-a-kind jewelry creations, exotic gems, beads, pearls, exquisite fine jewelry, estate collections and much, much more. With over 300 booths, people of all ages will find deep discounts and an amazing variety of beautiful jewelry. $8 per person. $10 per vehicle for parking.

for more information, see www.intergem.com

26^th Annual Tristar Collectors Show (Reliant Center)

Thru January 20th – 22nd: A trusted source for sports autographs, trading cards and other sports related collectibles. $8 per person. $10 per vehicle for parking.

for more information, see www.tristarproductions.com

10^th Annual Rockets Run (Toyota Center)

January 21st: Score a slam dunk by starting the year off with the 10^th annual Rockets Run – 5K, 2 mile walk & kids 1 K, a fun and healthy activity for the entire family. All participants get to finish on the Rockets center court. Featuring a post-race party with food, drinks & entertainment for participants. Great way to get in shape for the new year! 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

for more information, see www.rockets.com/rocketsrun

Houston Auto Show (Reliant Center)

Thru January 25th – 29th: See over 500 of the newest model year import and domestic vehicles, including several Texas debuts, alternative fuel/electric vehicles and concept cars. $10 for adults/children 12 and under are free with an adult. $10 per vehicle for parking.

for more information, see www.houstonautoshow.com/index.html

Lauren McAdams – Going Up? – Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (4848 Main Street)

Thru January 29th: This solo exhibition is one of whimsical metal sculptures by Texas artist Lauren McAdams and focuses on two of the artist’s most recent bodies of work, Flying Rings and the Women Series. In Flying Rings, McAdams’ fanciful interpretations of finger rings appear to whiz, fly and zip their way up and down the high-tension cables she has installed. Replete with fee, propellers and wheels, the Flying Rings are full of character. In the Women Series, McAdams continues her exploration into the potential capabilities of different individuals and again shows the viewer her sense of humor. However, instead of the fictional characters she references in Flying Rings, her subjects are highly influential and controversial female pop-culture icons. Taking the form of historical match strikers, these works of copper, brass, steel, vitreous enamel, enamel paint, fine silver and matches depict women who, in the artist’s words, have “a lot of potential to start fires.” Some of today’s most powerful celebrities, such as Angelina Jolie, Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey, are immortalized in exquisite detail in the sculptures, which are both beautiful and amusing.

for more information, see www.crafthouston.org

Houston RV Show (Reliant Center)

February 8th – 12th: The Houston RV Show is the largest in Texas with over 600 units on display. $10 for adults/$5 for children 6-12. $10 per vehicle for parking.

for more information, see www.houstonrvshow.com

26^th Annual Texas Home & Garden Show (Reliant Center)

February 10th – 12th: Houston’s premiere one stop shopping opportunity for all your home and garden needs. From windows and doors to ceilings and floors, over 700 experts, products, services and ideas will be under one roof. $9.50 for adults/$8 for seniors/children 14 and under are free. $10 per vehicle for parking.

for more information, see www.texashomeandgarden.com

Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music (Reliant Center)

February 10th – 12th: Mark your calendar for a musical event like on other – monsters making music! Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all their Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music”. Jenny an enthusiastic new music teacher arrives on Sesame Street only to discover that her instruments are missing. Jenny’s new Muppet friends quickly come to the rescue and discover “instruments” they never knew existed . . . rubber duckies, trash can lids and even cookie jars. Elmo and friends teach children that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together. Tickets range from $13 – $45 per person. $10 per vehicle for parking.

for more information, see http://sesamestreetlive.com/shows/elmo-makes-music

Great Train Expo (Reliant Center)

February 11th – 12th: the Great Train Expo is a national traveling show that caters to the model railroad enthusiast. The sow features 200-500 tables of train dealers who offer everything from HO Scale, N Scale, Lionel (O Guage), G Gauge, Z Scale, American Flyer (S Gauge), hobby tools, die-cast vehicles, train whistles, scenery and much, much more. $7 for adults/children under 12 are free. $10 per vehicle for parking.

for more information, see http://trainexpoinc.com

World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest (Reliant Park)

February 23rd – 25th: The world’s largest livestock show has to be able to feed huge crowds so the lone Star State hosts this colossal, Texas sized picnic to launch the annual event. Bring your appetite and follow your nose to this mouthwatering, Bar-B-Queing event! While competitors hone their riding skills and shine their buckles, several hundred others are polishing their culinary tools and preparing to heat up their own winning run at glory. The World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is three days of cooking, competition, eating and dancing. The sweet aroma drifts over the Houston metropolis, drawing crowds like bees to honey, as a record 221,229 guests joined the feast last year. While the camaraderie is fun and festive, the judging is all business as teams vie for the coveted championship.

for more information, see www.rodeohouston.com/events/bbq/index.aspx

ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run (downtown Houston)

February 25th: Grab your running shoes and mark your calendar for the 25^th annual ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run. This 10K and 5 K event attracts over 15,000 participants and raises money for Texas youth through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund. 9:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Fee ranges from $25-$30.

for more information, see www.conocophillipsrodeorun.com

73^rd Downtown Houston Rodeo Parade (Reliant Center)

February 25th: Every February, Houston is transformed from a bustling metropolis to a downhome celebration of Western heritage. Decorative floats intermingle with thousands of men and women on horseback to join the skyscrapers and freeways and fill the streets with hoof beats and marching bands. Enthusiastic Houstonians join out-of-town spectators to line the streets and sidewalks to be involved in one of Houston’s most popular celebrations. The first parade was held in 1938 and was led by mounted police escorts. The line-up included State, county and city officials, two bands and a drum and bugle corps, as well as special VIP guests on horseback. Today, the parade includes dignitaries, city, county and State officials on horseback, as well as trail riders, numerous marching bands, and colorful floats. Each float vies for coveted awards, including theme, sweepstakes, president’s choice and grand prizes. This year’s Parade Grand Marshal will be country music superstar Clay Walker.

for more information, see www.rodeohuston.com/events/parade/index.aspx

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (Reliant Center)

February 28th – March 18th: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest of its kind in the world. It was organized for charitable, educational and scientific purposes to encourage and promote breeding, raising and marketing of better livestock and farm products at public fairs and promote and maintain research and educational functions within the livestock industry. Since its beginning in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has committed approximately $283 million to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, School Art participants and other educational youth programs. Each year the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes over the entire Reliant Center with a combination of livestock show activities and vendors, as well as rodeo competition and an all-star lineup of entertainers. Want to see this year’s schedule of events? Go to the link below.

for more information, see www.hlsr.com

40^th Annual Buffalo Bayou Regatta (Buffalo Bayou – downtown Houston)

March 10th: Houstonians of all ages are encouraged to participate in the 15 mile USCA sanctioned race along the scenic Buffalo Bayou, whether you are entering competitively, or paddling for pleasure. Those not wanting to paddle can catch the outdoor fun and cheer on the racers. Free live music, awards ceremony, and food and drinks will be available for sale at the finish line at Sesquicentennial Park.

for more information, see www.buffalobayou.org

Who is Adaptations, Inc.? We are a relocation consulting and destination firm, focused on offering our clients and their transferees value through the design and delivery of customized relocation programs. Want to learn more? Visit our website at www.icandapt.com.

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