It’s not every Democrat who quotes Calvin Coolidge after spending 100 days in office as mayor of Houston. But then Annise Parker, 53, has never fit the mold. She’s a demure, pearl-wearing lesbian businesswoman with three kids and a longtime partner. When she quoted Silent Cal in her first state of the city address, in April, saying, “There is no dignity quite so impressive and no independence quite so important as living within your means,” it was a sign she would focus on her city’s $100 million budget shortfall during her time in office. And so she has. The fourth largest city in the U.S. is having its belt dramatically tightened. “I feel like a mom planning a family budget,” she says. “We’re going to make sure we still have plenty of healthy vegetables, but we might have to cut back on dessert for a while.”
Also part of this weekend’s Latin Wave Film Festival at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, is Contracorrientes, winner of the Sebastiane Award at the 2009 San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain.
This weekend, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston kicks off its Latin Wave Film Festival. Amongst one of the films featured this year is Uruguay’s GIGANTE. From the MFAH’s website:
Continuing a Latin Wave tradition, a large number of this year´s selections are debuts by first-time filmmakers. Half of the program consists of operas primas, and the rest are by second- and third-time directors. All the films have competed at the most prestigious international film festivals, many with great success, includingGigante, which won multiple awards at the Berlin Film Festival.
“Put together, Bolt come up with a flamboyant, brash, almost theatrical chunk of ’70s throwback rock, a cross between the boogie parts of the Rocky Horror soundtrack, The White Stripes (particularly the stomping groove of ‘The Man Who Couldn’t Save the World’) and, weirdest of all, Bowie. This is seriously retro-rock crafted by a bunch of guys who sound like they spent their formative years digging through their older brothers’ record collections and loving every second of it.” – Jeremy Hart: SPACECITYROCK.com & FREEPRESSHOUSTON.com
“Bolt is almost a dead ringer for Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie. Watch out for these guys.” – Chris Gray: HOUSTON PRESS
“You guys sound great! It was just like KISS! I think you have a real hit on your hands and I think you should be on MTV! I’ll make a couple calls.” – Daniel Johnston: American songwriting icon
This spring mixed rep program offers an escape to Europe without leaving the city limits. We are honored to bring the choreography of Czech artist Václav Kuneš to Houston for the first time with the U.S. premiere of his Small Hour. This European vacation will also feature revivals of Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzettis provocative Pression; Matthew Bournes White Swan duet from his Tony award-winning Swan Lake; and Walshs mysterious, yet whimsical I Napoletani which will leave you smiling and craving pizza! Visit www.dwdt.org for tickets!
One man’s obsession with a lucky card trick turns the fates of three in Tchaikovsky’s vibrant melodrama. Russian tenor Vladimir Galouzinereturns to HGO as the tormented Herman, internationally renowned soprano Tatiana Monogarova makes her HGO debut as his beloved Lisa, and Vasily Ladyuk is the dashing Prince Yeletsky. Canadian mezzo-soprano Judith Forst is the keeper of the fated secret. This award-winning production is a visual treat with imaginative puppets and mixed-period costumes. Italian maestro Carlo Rizzi conducts.
