midtown paper_4Q12 by QuantumSUR

what’s inside 2

in & about list of happenings in midtown

midtown PAPER

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A PUBLICATION OF MIDTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT • houstonmidtown.com

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mark your calendar midtown meetings and events

time to strut MLK parade activities

an eye for art in in midtown

empower yourself to give helping hands in midtown

who do i call

eatsdrinks • russo’s new york pizzeria • sparrow bar + cookshop

art calendar a list of midtown art events

b-cycle... powered by you projects… capital improvements

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midtownmap

Definitions with midtown meanings...

ticket

a printed paper that gives a person a right. Parking Stations throughout Midtown (and first floor parking at Post Midtown Square) issue these when you pay for use of their space.

copy

a imitation of an original. When your 3-in-1 desktop printer fails, look to Kwik Copy Business Solutions, Your Printing Now and Minuteman Press —all in Midtown— for your reproduction needs.

com•puter

an electronic machine which, by means of stored instructions and information, performs rapid, complex compilations. When “rapid” or “complex” doesn’t define your machine, seek help at The Computer Hospital in Midtown.

Art in the Park, Saturday April 13, 2013

4th qtr 2012

By Cynthia Alvarado, Managing Director, Midtown Management District

o when you’re in the midst of a huge renaissance that while enjoying great live music, artist demonstrations, camradery also includes construction and improvements to area and good food. parks, Midtown Park and the city-owned Baldwin This year’s twist will be setting up the event just as the future Park, and you’re planning the annual community fine Midtown Super Block Park will be designed. So look for the temart festival, what’s a girl to do? Voilà! Move the festiviporary set up of a dog park, a water feature, food trucks where the ties to the home of the future Super Block Park, a three-acre comrestaurants will be and more secret surprises. This is your chance munity-owned urban to come and experience park with all the bells the synergy of one of and whistles sure to Houston’s great urban become the newest, communities. Come hippest place to be in all hear great local music, of Houston. eat the food, check out Art in the Park, slated the art and the blosfor Saturday, April 13, soming vision of what 2013, from 10 a.m. to Midtown is becom6 p.m. at 2700 Main at ing. Look for our ad, McGowen, will showvenue listing and story case not only some of in the Spring Bazaars & the area’s best in art but Festivals section of the it will highlight the plans Houston Chronicle slated for the future park site for publication in March in whimsical detail. 2013. We kick off the fesMidtown staff will be tivities on Friday night, “on hand” handing out April 12 at 5 p.m. with free, very cool Midtown a very cool Rush Hour stuff and to answer Concert, but that is just questions about the a taste of what Midtown community and our new has planned for you in State of Texas Cultural the way of programArts & Entertainment ming once the park is District designation, a complete. Just imagine designation that is not stunning skyline views, only a nod to the 27 a libation and tapas with current art venues and a little jazz or a steel nearly 70 nightlife/resdrum band as you lintaurant options but to ger in Midtown while the hundreds of area the traffic makes its businesses that supway down the freeway. port the arts. It’s not Evening rolls around and just about the art; it’s at 7:30 p.m. our soon to the economic develbe neighbors of Alamo opment and the finanDrafthouse bring in cial impact that comes their one-of-a-kind outalong with just such a door Rolling Roadshow designation. Suggested for more Midtown fun. by long standing area Saturday morning, business owner Vikki April 13, beginning at 8 Trammell (Art Supply a.m., we kick-off the fun on Main) and conceived with Breakfast in the and spearheaded by Park, a new Midtown your Midtown Board of Art in the Park tradiDirectors and Midtown tion. Crêpes and cofstaff with a lot of input fee were a big hit last from the area’s long year so why not repeat standing arts organithe fun as Midtowners zations and awarded and visitors alike enjoy (Top 4 photos) Art In The Park 2012 at Baldwin Park. (Bottom 2 photos) Architectural renderings of future Super Block Park. in September 2012, a morning of meeting neighbors, talking, reading the paper and Midtown is the first management district in the state to receive getting a sneak peek of the art that will be for sale come 10 a.m. the designation. Our 7th annual Midtown Art in the Park always features gorMark your calendar and join us for an amazing day at Art in the geous one-of-a-kind art at a variety of price points. This event is Park 2013 at Midtown’s future Super Block Park, 2700 Main at always free admission because we want our guests to purchase art McGowen, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We’ll see you there!

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o you proudly fly the red, white and blue? Oops! You don’t have a flag? Easy to resolve... Capital Flag in Midtown, 4822 Fannin. Open Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

exas Mondays, Imperial Tuesdays and more at Mongoose versus Cobra. Start your week off right and stop by any Monday for half-price Texas draughts. Then join the thirsty and factually-minded on Tuesdays for Imperial Andy's cocktail trip through history. With a new list each week, Andy crafts distinguished concoctions with a nod to the past while living in the moment. Stay in the know and sign up for weekly news from the mongoose burrow at MongooseVersusCobra.com.

fter eight years in their Isabella Court building office (3909 Main Street) Kinzelman Art Consulting decided to make a move... next door to 3907. Founded in 2000, Kinzelman Art Consulting specializes in all aspects of art procurement, collections management, fine art appraisal services, exhibition planning and installation design. They are proud to show their bigger space AND their newly designed website — www.kinzelmanart.com.

earn more about Charivari’s Chef Johan Schuster with Houston Press’ three-part online “Chef Chat” (www.houstonpress.com Search: Chef Johan Schuster). Grilled fresh chanterelles, spaetzle and Dracula’s garlic cream soup — they’re all part of the amazing menu that has evolved from Chef Schuster’s 34 years of experience. Enjoy seasonal European cuisine at its finest, 2521 Bagby.

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he Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, under the leadership of Codirector Stephen Klineberg, recently conducted the firstever Houston Arts Survey, revealing that 73% of all respondents believed that the arts contribute significantly to their quality of life. Numerous art organizations are proud to call Midtown home and it was through that abundance and diversity that Midtown was able to receive the prestigious Cultural Arts and Entertainment District designation by the Texas Commission on the Arts.

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AT, SHOP, ROCK for a good cause along Houston’s coolest blocks on the first Thursday of each month. Mid Main’s Tacos A Go-Go, My Flaming Heart, Natachee’s, Double Trouble and The Continental Club always plan something special each month. aves is a sculptural LED installation designed specifically for the atrium of 2 Houston Center. Midtown’s Kinzelman Art Consulting worked with building management team CBRE on behalf of the owners of the Houston Center complex to identify an artist to create a site-specific work. Spanish artist Daniel Canogar is heralded for his innovative, sophisticated and pioneering use of technology as an art form. 2 Houston Center is located in Downtown Houston at 909 Fannin.The installation is open to the public with weekday viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

fter 22 years of training champion ballroom dancers, The Barbara King Dance Company and the King Foundation for Artistic Development are proud to announce the Company’s new Midtown home at Matthew Knowles’ Music World. Barbara’s worked alongside dancers and judges from popular shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. Call 713-667-3890 for specific class times offered Monday thru Friday, 3:30 – 8:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CC Central's (HCC) partnership with the new Buffalo Soldiers National Museum gained even more visibility when HCC Central's President, Dr. William W. Harmon, helped cut the ribbon at 3816 Caroline. The four-day celebration saluted veterans and officially opened the first floor for visitors. For more information regarding hours, tours and special events, please contact Mary Cannon Green at info@buffalosoldiersmuseum.com or call 713-942-8920.

ohnson Space Center (JSC) and Midtown’s Houston Technology Center (HTC) recently opened the JSC Acceleration Center offices at the Johnson Space Center, Building 35. The focus will be to provide entrepreneurs and startup companies access to HTC’s entrepreneurial and technical expertise as they explore opportunities to commercialize NASA technologies. This location

onnect with peers and expand your social circle at Asia Society Texas Center's Leo Bar mixers, each first Thursday of every month, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy tasty bites and monthly signature cocktails at a cash bar, as well as access to the Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery at no cost. Admission is free; no reservations are required.

iscovery Green Flea is a one-of-a-kind destination market located in the heart of... you guessed it, Discovery Green — Houston’s beautiful downtown park. Held on the third Saturday of each month, the market features recycled, renewed and refreshed merchandise. Midtown’s own Tomás Escalante will be there with his collection of pre-loved vinyl. For all the other days, check out boxes and boxes of Tomas’ passion at Sig’s Lagoon, 3622 Main, Suite E (on the Winbern side of Continental Club).

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on’t forget about Two Two Tuesdays at the Big Top. No cover with $2 Lonestars, $2 Well Drinks. Doors open at 9 p.m.

ood dental hygiene should be at the top (well, at least close to the top!) of your list for the New Year. Smiles of Midtown and Brian Martinez, DDS have all the tools and cost saving deals to make it happen. Call today (while you’re thinking of it!) and schedule an appointment. 713-523-6848. .

f “you can’t see the forest for the trees” you may need an eye exam. Midtown District TSO can help and keep you organized, as well. Their new online service for patients sends appointment reminders, advance form filling and a free Vision & Health Newsletter, all with the click of a button. Angela Marcaccio, O.D. and staff are located at 4850 Main Street, just a glance away from Lawndale Art Center and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

tudio RED Architects was founded in 2004 by four principals who wanted to create a different kind of architecture firm where client service is as important as design. In eight years, Studio RED Architects has built a project list that includes worship facilities, cultural arts, commercial and retail, entertainment, renovation, education, healthcare, civic, planning and residential projects. The experienced, award winning team has had the honor of working on such projects as the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts,Wortham Center, Terminator 2 3:D at Universal Studios, Lakewood Church, Fellowship of the Woodlands, Brennan’s Restaurant, Memorial City Mall Renovation, Houston Baptist University Renovation and the Texas Heart Institute. With that prestige, where do they call home? right here in Midtown!

f spicy is your game, find your way to a Crave Sushi Cheetah Roll. The inside is Surimi crab, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado, sriracha, spicy mayo and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Outside is Wasabi Cream and jalapenos plus those same Flamin’ Hot Cheetos! Wash it down with Monday thru Thursday drink specials. While you’re there, ask about Endless Sushi. Crave Sushi’s located at 2900 Travis.

f Mustard Seed Resale Shop has given you the “thrill of the find” (and the joy of helping a Midtown non-profit) then be ready to be thrilled again! Mustard Seed Annex is now open next door, with even bigger “gently used” finds including antique beds, armoires, chairs and dining room tables. Mustard Seed Resale Shop and Annex is located at 1410 Elgin at LaBranch.

iverseWorks has officially moved into their new space at 4102 Fannin, located in the heart of the officially proclaimed Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District. Enter on Cleburne between Fannin and Main. Hours are Wednesdays, noon to 8 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays noon to 6 p.m.

X8 [Houston Times Eight] is part one of a series of exhibitions planned by Station Museum of Contemporary Art. The series reflects the Museum’s commitment to Houston artists in a time when interest in contemporary art is burgeoning in Houston. Take a look at the midtown paper Art Calendar, p. 7 and see if your favorite made the first “eight”.

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issed Zumba last month? There’s still plenty of time. Make your way to Music World Properties (2204 Crawford) on Wednesday nights for the 7 – 8:15 p.m. class. One hour – $5 – what a deal!

Inside Sig’s Lagoon

uild your own Bloody Mary, $2 every Sunday at Bar Münich. Saturdays (till 8 p.m.) lets you have $3 German bottles, $3 craft pints. Domestic Buckets only $10 everyday till 8. Bar Munich is the only place in Houston serving all varieties of Hofbräu in liters, just like at Oktoberfest and the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich and others around the world. But don’t worry if you’re not a beer fan — they’ll take good care of you. Bar Münich — Old-world fun, new world style.

will also serve as the Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (GCRCIC) for the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF). HTC was named by Forbes as one of “12 Business Incubators Changing the World” and "Ten Technology Incubators Changing the World." And to think... they’re located in Midtown!

Barbara King

here’s nothing like the look and feel of a handmade boot. Al Rivera knows how to make it happen, bringing five generations of bootmaking to the process (and a 10% savings to midtown paper readers on custom orders!) Then be ready to break ‘em in at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, beginning February 25 (or maybe at the Rodeo Parade that morning – Texans Andre Johnson & J. J. Watt will be serving as Grand Marshals.) Get started at Al’s Handmade Boots, 2323 Fannin.

heck out www.artshound.com, Houston’s premier guide to what’s happening in the arts. On their homepage, click on the blue “Half Price Tickets” (in partnership with goldstar) for great savings, including events at Midtown Art Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Country Playhouse, The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and more.

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rade the usual bar scene for a look at Tango Cielo, 3710 Main at Winbern. On Fridays, from 8-9 p.m. you can learn or improve your tango for just $15/class. The after party, the Milonga, goes from 9 p.m. – midnight for an added $10. Tango Cielo is two doors south of the Continental Club (on the Winbern side). Look for the black door, upstairs and to the left.

oes your Date Night include a romantic dinner followed by a one-of-akind show at the Alley, the Wortham, Hobby Center or Jones Hall? It should. Begin your evening at Brennan’s, then relax and enjoy the complimentary shuttle to and from Houston’s beautiful Downtown Theater District. Each transfer can accommodate up to 20 passengers and has several drop-off points. For example, a 7:30 p.m. showtime would work well with a dinner seating of 5:45 – 6:00 p.m., and a B-Line departure of 7 p.m. For reservations (required), please call 713-522-9711. Brennan’s B-Line is available for lunch shows, too.

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irst Friends, a Parent's Day Out program at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Midtown, has openings for a few new students. The program is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Infants, toddlers and Pre-K students are all welcome. For more information, see www.felchouston.org or call Amanda McClanahan at 713-203-1279. idtown’s Your Printing Now is your one-stop-shop for printing and shipping. They’ll send your goods on their way via Fed Ex, UPS or USPS (everything but Pony Express!) and as for printing, think BIG. Their wide format printer takes it to the next level. A ceramic mug to a pack of 500 flyers, postcards to posters — they can do it all. There’s even a comfortable lounge area with computer access. Your Printing Now is located at 2505 Bagby with plenty of free parking.

calendar mark your

Midtown meetings are held,

unless noted, at Midtown Management District Offices, 410 Pierce @ Bagby , 3rd floor Conference Room. Metered street parking is available as well as the BlackFinn parking garage. Please call ahead (713-526-7577) to confirm time and dates or visit: houstonmidtown.com Midtown Management District Board Meeting First Wednesday of the month. January 9 (11 a.m.), February 6 (6 p.m. @ Central Bank–2217 Milam), March 6 (11 a.m.) Midtown Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting Last Thursday of the month. January 31, February 28, March 28 @ 12:30 Public Safety Committee Third Tuesday of the month. January 15 and February19 @ 11:30 a.m. March 19 (5 p.m. @ Central Bank–2217 Milam) Marketing Committee Second Tuesday of the month @ 4 p.m. January 15*, February 12, March 12 *Exception

Urban Planning Committee Third Thursday of each month @ 4 p.m. January 17, February 21, March 21 Services and Maintenance Committee As needed. Please check online. Baldwin Square Homeowners Association (HOA) Second Wednesday of each month @ 4 p.m. January 9, February 13, March 13

meetings offsite

HPD – Positive Interaction Program (PIP) East side of Louisiana January 15, February 19, March 19 3rd Tuesday of each month @ 7 p.m. Held @ HPD South Central Division, 2202 St. Emanuel @ Hwy 288 Officer J. Sanchez. 713-238-2282 West side of Louisiana January 23, February 27, March 27 4th Wednesday of each month @ 7 p.m. Held @ HPD Central Division, 1602 State St. Officer Wayne Pate. 713-284-8604

top by House of Dereon on Wednesday nights (9 p.m.- 1 a.m.) for Word of Mouth, an outlet for aspiring poets, artist, musicians and whomever’s feeling artsy. Feel the positive energy with the talented sistas Bossie Mossie and Kierra.

uided architecture tours of Asia Society Texas Center take place each month on select Saturday afternoons from 1 – 2 p.m. Take the opportunity to see Yoshio Taniguchi's first free-standing structure in the United States while focusing on the materials, influences and ambience of the building. Architecture tours are free and open to all. Upcoming tour dates include January 12, February 2 and March 9, 2013. Docent-led gallery tours follow from 2-3 p.m., allowing visitors a chance to experience art on a more personal level, learn about art historical periods and styles and hear stories associated with the artwork. Gallery tours are free for Asia Society members; $5 for non members. For more information, contact Paul Pass, Education Coordinator, at PPass@AsiaSociety.org or 713.496.9915.

ark your calendar for January 20 and March 24 to give the gift of life – so simple, so rewarding. South Main Baptist Church Blood Drive, 4100 Main Street. For more information, please call 713-529-4167.

ueen Guinevere and Lasagna Bolognese DO have something in common but only at Damian’s. Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) Culture + Cuisine offer gets you “dinner and a show” with a guaranteed orchestra level seat and a three course dinner from Damian’s preset menu. There’s also a free shuttle service to and from the Hobby Center. (Imagine! No parking hassles. No looking for your car!) All for only $104/pp. TUTS Camelot begins January 22 and runs through February 3. Learn more at TUTS.com/culture cuisine.

his year’s Texas Yoga Conference, March 1-3 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, will benefit Breathe the Cure (Breathecure), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, created to educate the whole family about the many benefits of yoga. Until then, enjoy the benefits of Midtown’s YogaOne, 3030 Travis. YogaOne offers plenty of options with two yoga rooms and 60 classes each week.Visit www.yogaonehouston.com for more info.

enior adults have numerous activities from which to choose at South Main Baptist Church including regularly scheduled fellowship meals and events on the church campus, ongoing mission events around Houston and trips across the state and around the world. South Main’s detailed website, www.smbc.org, includes a busy calendar of events from which you or a senior you love can choose to participate.

he Ensemble Theatre’s Young Performers Program (YPP) is holding a Spring Break Session March 11-15, 2013.Young people (ages 6-17) have the opportunity to explore their creative and artistic talents Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through multi-faceted sessions at the Theatre. Two Summer Sessions are also planned: June 10- July 6, and July 8 – August 3. Classes fill up quickly so don’t delay. Download applications at www.EnsembleHouston.org/programs or call Teresa White, Artistic Associate at 713-870-4309. Tuition for the Spring Break Session is $225 with the option of enrolling for an hour of extended day activities for an additional $100.

ome to Neartown Mini-Storage, a new self-storage facility in Houston, Texas to store items from your home, office, or apartment during the month of January, 2013, and get a first month FREE with new move in. Neartown is independently-owned and operated with an experienced team of managers/storage consultants on site, located a few blocks south of downtown in Midtown. The interior loading dock allows you to load and unload in any weather condition. Midtown Mini-Storage has an interior loading dock which allows you to keep your belongings dry, regardless of the weather. Simply back your truck into the building and close the 16-foot overhead door behind you. Then, begin unloading and moving your items at your pace. At the Midtown storage location, you never have to worry about the weather when it’s time to move. Neartown Mini-Storage also offers customers access to a full range of USPS services from one convenient location.

ids 1st Saturday @ the klub. There’s nothing quite like 1st Saturday at the breakfast klub, 3711 Travis at Alabama, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., with easy access by the Ensemble/HCC METRORail Stop. Families enjoy great food, a moon walk and face painting. Kids activities are FREE. For more information, Email info@thebreakfastklub. com or call them at 713-528-8561.

on’t miss out on a week’s worth of great events, lectures and shopping in celebration of all things modern at the Houston Modern Market, April 17-22, the week before Lawndale’s Design Fair. Proceeds from the market benefit Houston Mod – a membership organization dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas. And did you know … Lawndale Art Center members receive discounts throughout the city? Each level of membership includes a 20% discount at Art Supply – 2711 Main, 10% discount at Dirk’s Coffee – 4005 Montrose, 10% discount at Domy Books – 1709 Westheimer and 10% discount at Hello-Lucky – 1025 Studewood.

re you new to Midtown and wondering what used to be where you are today? The Midtown website - www.houstonmidtown.com — has the answer. "At the turn of the century, Midtown began to flourish as the second residential neighborhood for the city of Houston after Allen's Landing. This area now South of the Central Business District was better known as Southside Place, predominantly developed as single family Victorian-style homes on small lots of approximately 5,000 square feet. The homes were generally 4,000 - 6,000 square feet in size and occupied by families of the original founders of the Humble Oil & Refinery Company. The subdivision flourished through the mid 1940s and began to decline into the 1980s and '90s as a result of the sudden decline in oil production. Houston's population grew less than one percent between 1980 and 1990. The area that includes Midtown was the only district in the state of Texas to lose population during this time. The make-up of the neighborhood better known as Midtown after 1990 was comprised of vacant land, boarded up buildings, a few single family residences and a few prosperous businesses in the area. Generally the area had been marred by blight, lack of direction and very little cohesiveness, all of which led to the revitalization efforts that exist today." (Take a virtual tour of Midtown at www.houstonmidtown.com – click on “midtown houston”, then “Virtual Tours”) And don't forget to sign up for the weekly eNews while you're browsing the website!

Don’t forget to check out Midtown on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.

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Distributed every Thursday, excluding holidays, it provides you with valuable District information

stories&+

Time to Strut MLK parade activities begin in midtown

idtown is proud to once again be the originating point for two outstanding parades that will commemorate and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The festivities are sponsored by the MLK Parade Foundation whose sole purpose is to promote racial harmony through educational and promotional concepts and ideas. The 7th Annual MLK Youth Parade will be held January 19, beginning at 12 p.m. Houston Community College Central (1300 Holman Street-Houston, Texas-77004) will serve as the check in point for the colorful floats, 20 marching bands and 100+ performing groups as well as various dignitaries and community organizations. “Excellence in Achievement” is this year’s theme. The parade route will originate in Midtown at the intersection of San Jacinto and Elgin and will proceed northbound on San Jacinto to Webster. The .7 mile route is expected to wow parade goers for 1-1/2 hours, featuring participants from across the U.S., led by the award winning Wossman High School Marching Band, from Monroe, Louisiana, directed by Mr. Elmo Claverie. During The 7th Annual MLK Youth Parade, 200,000 spectators are expected, with a viewing audience of more than 4,000,000. The Parade will also air and be shown to a National and International TV viewing audience in Spanish and Chinese through Broadcast Partnerships with NTD TV-New York and UNIVISION TV. On January 21, the 19th Annual MLK Grande Parade-Houston will take to the streets, also departing from the Houston Community College Central Campus in Midtown. Though similar origins (originating at San Jacinto and Elgin, proceeding northbound on San Jacinto) the Grande parade will follow a longer route. Co-Grand Marshals for the 19th annual MLK Grande Parade are The Honorable Al Green, 9th U.S. Congressional District and Mr. Reese W. Baker, a partner in the firm Baker & Associates. The Grande Parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will boast 15 professionally designed floats, 30 marching bands, and 150+ performing groups. Various dignitaries and community organizations will join in the celebration.

The Parade will be lead by The University of Houston “The Spirit Of Houston” Marching Band. Over 300,000 spectators are expected along with a viewing audience of more than 4,000,000. Two band competitions – TOYOTA Battle of the Bands Competition and the 12th Annual Battle of the Bands Competition – will also highlight the three-day event. The TOYOTA Battle of the Bands Competition will be held at Joe Kelly Butler Stadium, 13755 South Main Street in Houston. The reverberating event will feature more than 20 nationally acclaimed marching bands from across the country, including the best high school marching bands from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Ortiz Middle School and Stevenson Middle School will also provide a special preshow performance. The music begins at 4 p.m. with "The Madd Hatta" with 97.9 FM’s "The Box" and Kandi Eastman of Majic 102.1 FM serving as Masters and Mistresses of Ceremony for the competition. DJ For the event will be Rachi Mayes “Your Partner’s Partner”-97.9 FM “The BOX”. A second band competition, the 12th Annual Battle of the Bands Competition, will also be part of the celebration. Over 20 nationally acclaimed marching bands will take the field at Joe K. Butler Stadium, competing for scholarships and bragging rights. A link to General Admission tickets ($10) for the Toyota Battle of the Bands, January 19 and the 12th Annual Battle of the Bands Competition, January 21, can be reserved through the parade website, www.mlkgrande parade.org. Martin Luther King Jr.’s January 15 birthday is celebrated the third Monday in January and is respectfully observed as a national holiday. For more parade information, please visit their website at www. mlkgrandeparade.org.

midtown MAP

RESTAURANTS / BARS A1. 13 celsius 713-529-VINO (8466) A2. Bar Münich 713-523-1008 A3. Brennan’s 713-522-9711 A4. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar 713-650-0002 A5. CoCo's Crepes & Coffee 713-521-0700 A6. Crave Sushi 713-527-8744 A7. Dolce Delights 713-807-7575 A8. Farrago World Cuisine 713-523-6404 A9. Gloria’s Restaurants 832-360-1710 A10. Luigi’s Pizzeria 281-793-3333 A11. Mongoose Versus Cobra 713-650-6872 A12. Piola 713-524-8222 A13. Pub Fiction 713-400-8400 A14. Rich’s Houston 832-598-8471 H1 A15. Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar 713-521-1333

HOUSES OF WORSHIP / NONPROFITS E1. Career & Recovery Resources Inc. 713-754-7000 E2. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 713-526-4611 E3. First Evangelical Lutheran Church 713-529-3589 E4. Holy Rosary Parish 713-529-4854 E5. South Main Baptist Church 713-529-4167 E6. St. John's Downtown / Bread of Life 713-659-3237 E7. San Jose Clinic 713-228-9411 E8. SEARCH Homeless Services 713-739-7752 E9. Trinity Episcopal Church 713-528-4100 E10. The Salvation Army Family Residence 713-650-6530 –– CORE Church Midtown 832-492-7791 (multiple locations)

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SERVICES / RETAIL B1. Advantage BMW 713-289-1216 B2. Art Supply on Main 713-652-5028 B3. Barbara King Dance 713-667-3890 B4. BCP Veterinary Pharmacy 713-771-1144 B5. Brian Martinez, DDS, PA 713-523-6848 B6. Midtown Management District 713-526-7577 B7. Mid-Town Surgical Center 713-691-6000 B8. Neartown Mini-Storage 713-655-7867 B9. Randalls Food & Pharmacy 713-331-1042 B10. Rossonian Cleaners 713-524-3134 B11. Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods 713-526-8787 B12. Stewart Cadillac 713-874-0900 B13. TSO Museum District 713-523-5109 B14. Urban Tails 713-658-0900 B15. YogaOne Studios 713-522-0876

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= METRORail stops B13 H13 C6

MIDTOWN historic markers DePelchin Faith Home Houston Fire Museum First Evangelical Lutheran Church Holy Rosary Church

MIDTOWN LIVING OPTIONS F1. 2016 Main 713-659-1801 F2. Camden City Centre 713-651-0350 F3. Camden Midtown 713-652-9944 F4. Edge Condominium 281-687-8429 F5. METRO Midtown 713-529-5333 F6. Midtown Arbor Place 713-874-1313 F7. Midtown Grove 713-590-0615 F10. Post Midtown Square 713-739-7678 F11. RISE Lofts 713-523-5700 F12. Ventana at Midtown 713-550-9600 EDUCATION / Technology G1. Houston Academy for International Studies (HAIS) 713-942-1430 G2. Houston Technology Center 713-658-1750 G3. Houston Community College – Central 713-718-6000 G4. Imagination Campus 713-650-9500 G5. Precious Jewels Alpha Learning Center 713-529-4651 G6. UH Small Business Development Center 713-752-8444

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newest annexation by TIRZ #2

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Financial Institutions D1. Central Bank 832-485-2360

H1 H2 B3

CULTURAL ARTS C1. Community Artists' Collective 713-523-1616 C2. Eyeful Art Murals and Designs 817-707-4278 C3. Gallery Sonja Roesch 713-659-5424 C4. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft 713-529-4848 C5. Julian Art Collection 713-855-4103 C6. Lawndale Art Center 713-528-5858 C7. Station Museum of Contemporary Art 713-529-6900 C8. The Ensemble Theatre 713-520-0055

PARKS / PUBLIC SPACES P1. Elizabeth Baldwin Park P2. Houston Fire Station No. 7 P3. Midtown Park P4. Peggy’s Point Plaza Park

Midtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #2 (TIRZ #2)

H5. H6. H7. H8. H9.

C. L. House Building Houston Light Guard Armory Temple Beth Israel The Sheridan Apartments Benjamin Apartments

H10. Isabella Court H11. Trinity Episcopal Church H12. 13 celsius H13. Lawndale Art Center H14. Kirby Mansion

Midtown, congratulations on your recent, well-deserved designation by the Texas Commission on the Arts as a Cultural Arts and Entertainment District. [The first management district in the state to receive this special honor]

entertainment H1. House of Dereon Media Center 713-772-5175 H2. Music World Recording Studios 713-772-5175

14th Annual Midtown Visions Cultural Arts Tour Discover State of Texas Newest Cultural Arts & entertainment district – Saturday, April 13th, 2013

elebrate a day of discovery as Midtown artists open their doors for your “up close and personal” look into their world of compelling installations, mixed media and one-of-a-kind performances. A detailed Tour Map takes you through galleries, complexes and collectives throughout Midtown as you explore the State of Texas newest Cultural Arts & Entertainment District. Enjoy browsing and buying for a fun-filled day at the 14th Annual Midtown Visions Cultural

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Don’t forget to check out Midtown on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.

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Arts Tour! Save the date, the 14th Annual Midtown Visions Cultural Arts Tour is planned for Saturday, April 13th, 2013 from Noon to 5 p.m. For more information, please contact Vikki Trammell at 713-652-5028, visit www. midtownvisions.com or email artsuply@swbell.net or info@midtownvisions.com. And don’t forget... METRORail is a great way to take the art tour!

stories&+

who An Eye for Art in Midtown do i call? “I Eyeful Art thinks big

first met Sebastien Boileau at a Midtown Marketing Meeting where he discussed his idea for an upscale mural project,” explained Art Supply’s Vikki Trammell. “This told me he was really interested in the Midtown art scene.Then I found out he was a Midtown resident and a Midtown business owner.” The more Sebastien talked, the more Vikki listened, realizing by the time the artist passed her his “calling pen” (a.k.a. business card) that his BBB-accredited business – Eyeful Art Murals and Designs – was exactly what she’d been considering to incorporate Finch Creative’s new exterior design. Eyeful Art isn’t lacking for surface space with Art Supply’s building bordering Main, Dennis, Drew and Fannin. METRORail riders will have the best advantage when the

work is complete, taking in the mural as the rail enters and departs the McGowen METROStop. Eyeful Art is grounded with 20 years of business experience, both domestic and international, that includes hundreds of unique projects. The company has gained the reputation as site-specific problem solvers, having an expertise in large-scale interior and exterior public works of art. Their impressive past works include the World Trade Center (Dallas), Nintendo (Paris, France) and various celebrity homes. Eyeful Art production artists estimate the Art Supply on Main custom project will be completed by mid January, 2013. Questions about mural art? Email eyefulart@sbcglobal.net.

Rollin’ in for Lunch good food, good prices and how to get there

ater cooler talk at the office (when there were water coolers!) usually concentrated on places to eat – particularly good food, good prices and how to get there. Fast-forward to a scene with bottled water and food still a high priority. Enter the trendy, touted and widely- received world of food trucks – those ever-popular entrepreneurs that redefine “meals on wheels” throughout the city. Each month, Houston Press in conjunction with Midtown’s House of Dereon, negotiates four choices for Food Truck Fridays, the first Friday of every month. It’s like having a new restaurant at the same location, every week! House of Dereon’s Chelsea Stormes and Houston Press’ Allisen Picos collaborated to initiate the monthly event to support locals and see how the turnout would be compared to other major cities. Food Truck Fridays

are a popular trend among the West Coast. If you’re a newbie and don’t know what to expect, Yelp can help with their semi-impartial reviews (http:// www.yelp.com/list/street-eatshouston). Find the closest truck with Roaming Hunger (http:// roaminghunger.com/hou) and TruxMap (http://www.foodtrucksmap.com/houston). You can find Houston Press 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. First Friday lineup at http://microapp.houstonpress. com/foodtruckfridays. House of Dereon’s location (2204 Crawford) with its indoor/outdoor seating is the ‘cherry on top’ as is their easy street parking and invitation to tour the private campus of Music World Entertainment during the free, open to the public event. Check out Bare Bowls and The Waffle Bus, two of the many trucks that will be dishing food out their flip-top windows in January, 2013. Bon Appétit!

Empower Yourself to Give A project of the Arts & Science Council (ASC) – helping hands in midtown

ave you ever wanted to be part of a project but unable to contribute your muscle or a check with multiple zeros? The power2give.org is for you. A project of the Arts & Science Council (ASC), power2give.org empowers individuals to give directly to local arts, science and history projects in their own community. Nonprofit organizations post projects for a set number of days that are in need of funding; corporate sponsors and individuals respond with dollars, proving even a minimum donation of $1 can make a difference. ASC created a site page specific to Houston for the posting of arts and cultural projects in the Greater Houston region for Houston Arts Alliance. Currently, two of the posts are Midtown-based, featuring projects for Lawndale Art Center High energy fueled the November 8th public launch party for power2give.org. The House of Deréon was filled with 300+ beaming partygoers enjoying the music of

Kracker Nuttz Baby Jae and Elroy Boogie while sampling treats by Sorrel Urban Bistro, admiring the Southwest Infiniti cars parked in front, sipping on Hennessy cocktails, and buying power2give.org gift cards. Wonderful performances by DJ Sun and Resolution, FrenetiCore and Young Audiences of Houston—all of whom have projects on power2give.org—added an upbeat flair to an already high-octane event. Co-Chairs Nicholas Phillips and Shavonnah Roberts Schreiber were on hand to emcee the event, thanking Gena Avery for her lead gift. Also, on the scene were HAA President and CEO Jonathon Glus, Music World Entertainment’s Mathew Knowles, and HAA Board Members Mark Praigg and Denise DuBard. Browsers are encouraged to check back often as postings come and go with over 20 categories from which to choose – everything from Dragon Boats in need of repair to helping bring a Blues Fest to Houston. Learn more at http://power2give.org/Houston/projects.

Emergency calls: 9-1-1 Non-Emergency Houston Service Help Line: (Traffic signals & signs, potholes, broken curbs, water leaks, etc.) Be sure to request a reference number. 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 Midtown Management District 713-526-7577 City of Houston – Animal Control 713-229-7300 City of Houston – Public Works City of Houston – Public Utilities City of Houston – Solid Waste City of Houston – Curbs & Ditch City of Houston – Code Violations/ Neighborhood Protection City of Houston – Fire Marshall Enforcement 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 www.houstontx.gov City of Houston Environmental Investigations 713-525-2728 CenterPoint (gas) 713-659-2111 Reliant Energy (electric) 713-207-7777 Non-working street light. Provide the 6-digit pole number (6-7 ft high on the pole)

AT&T (telephone) 1-800-464-7928 (new service) 1-800-246-8464 (repair) Comcast 713-462-9000 METRO Light Rail/Bus Schedules & Routing 713-635-4000 Police Dispatch (concerns along the rail/bus stops & HOV) 713-224-COPS (2677) Houston Police Department (HPD) (Non-Emergency) 713-884-3131 HPD Central Station 713-247-4400 HPD South Central Station 832-394-0200 Harris County Sheriff’s Dispatch 713-221-6000 Harris County Precinct 7 Dispatch 713-643-6602 Crime Stoppers 713-222-8477 Texas Poison Center Network 1-800-222-1222 Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office 713-527-4002 mayor@cityofhouston.net Ellen Cohen, City Council District C 832-393-3004 districtc@houstonTX.gov Wanda Adams, City Council District D 832-393-3001 districtd@houstonTX.gov

eatsdrinks Now that’s a pizza (and more!)

By Mary Chavoustie

usso’s New York Pizzeria has long been Midtown’s best kept secret. Not anymore. With their expanded menu and flashy red awnings, word of what appears to be a “new Italian eaterie” is out. Russo’s lunch and dinner entrees are now

Another winner... Compliments of Monica Pope

By Katherine Mestousis

s you enter the doors of Monica Pope’s most recent culinary endeavor, you’re reminded of the well-loved t’afia. At the same time, you begin to take in the new look and feel of this re-purposed yet romantic space. At Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, it’s all about the details and the details are incredible. The main dining room has been remodeled and re-stylized, adding special touches like light fixtures made of fused pizza screens, Erienmeyer flasks used for water decanters, test tubes that hold salt and pepper and dessert menus that fold in such a way you’ll swear you’re a 15-year-old girl passing notes to your best friend in chemistry class. One thing that remains a constant is Pope’s mantra:

6 competing with the big boys. Having the tag “pizzeria” can be good and bad. “Good” that you’re readily known for your specialty, in this case, thick crust New York-style handcrafted pizza — the 12” Chicken Rustica, for example . “Bad” in that customers like the specialty pizzas so much, they’re too satisfied (or too full!) to try anything else. Daily Specials can help you venture out of your comfort zone. For example, Meatball Mondays and $5 brick oven calzones on Tuesdays give you a taste of the restaurant’s quality standards, while “Vino per Tutti” on Wednesdays, gets you ½ off your choice of a bottle of wine. Take your best friend to dinner. Order Pasta Puttanesca (Fresh penne pasta, grilled chicken, rich Kalamata olives, roma tomatoes, capers and fresh basil in a spicy anchovy marinara sauce) or Veggie Lasagna (Fresh pasta sheets layered with Portobello mushrooms, roasted peppers, zucchini, fresh spinach, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and a creamy bechamel sauce.) Russo’s provides the linens and the candlelight. But let’s say you’re not a traditionalist. You don't like thick crust. Say “Pizza Napoletana” and you’ll get an extra thin, square crust pizza, prepared and hand tossed just for you. (Try Andrea’s

Sparrow Bar + Cookshop

Italian creamcake, big chocolate cake and delightful cannolis. “Homemade” is the buzz word for Russo’s. Homemade dressings, homemade soups, homemade pasta, homemade garlic bread — all drawn from Anthony Russo's love for traditional Italian dishes once prepared in his grandparents’ kitchen. And we all know about grandparents — they love to spoil us.

Russo’s New York Pizzeria 306 Gray @ Bagby, 77002 713-533-1140 www.RussoRestaurants.com

Hours: Mon – Thu, 11 a.m – 11 p.m. Fri – Sat, 11 a.m. – midnight Sun 11 a.m – 10 p.m.

Offer fresh, locally grown ingredients that honor the community they come from. The concept is echoed in each and every item on the Sparrow menu, a menu that changes daily to ensure the freshest ingredients. Recent savorings included shiitake mushroom dumplings in a blue cheese/honey/ mascarpone sauce; the cleverly named, “date with a pig” – a bacon-wrapped date stuffed with chorizo in a chermoula sauce; crispy, flattened chicken in a salsa verde, red-onion marmalade; chunk tender steak in a red wineradish butter, caramel miso; and brussel sprouts in a Thai-peanut sauce. Everything sampled from this intriguing menu was simply delicious! Sparrow Bar + Cookshop has already made a name for itself and has even outdone the high standards we all have come to expect of a Monica Pope dining establishment. It makes you

wonder... Can Monica do no wrong? When it comes to the fine art of cuisine and entertaining, the answer is obvious. It would be impossible for Pope to bring the community anything less than absolute perfection.

Monica Pope

Russo’s New York Pizzeria

Specialty — grilled chicken, prosciutto di Parma, organic spinach, roma tomatoes, creamy Dolce Gorgonzola cheese and garlic sauce.) There’s gluten-free and multi-grain choices on the menu, too. And if beer’s to your liking over wine, try the $7 Beer Flights – your choice of four crafted beers on tap (a total of 20 ounces) to satisfy your thirst. And don’t forget dessert — traditional ricotta cheesecake, tiramisu,

Sparrow Bar + Cookshop 3701 Travis Street, 77002, 713-524-6922 www.SparrowHouston.com Hours: Restaurant & Bar open Tue thru Sat, 10 a.m. – midnight Lunch Tue – Sat, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dinner Tue – Thu, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Dinner Fri – Sat, 5 – 11 p.m. Sat Breakfast/Brunch 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

calendar art

New American Landscape Painting, Tony Feher, Installation view: The Chinati Foundation, Marfa, TX. DiverseWorks. (Photo courtesy the artist & D'Amelio Gallery, NY)

ONGOING

hru January 5. Wreaths. Wreaths explores the unique synergy of translating objects into drawings on a one-to-one scale. Artist Peat Duggins removes the external reference points so that the images of nature are understood outside of the context of art history, allegory and narrative. Reduced to texture and pattern without symbolic meaning, the work in Wreaths becomes a sum of forces: patterns of embodied energy aimed at reclaiming the potent mystery of nature stripped away by aestheticization. Art Palace is located at 3913 Main Street and is open 11 a.p. - 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday or by appointment. 281-501-2964 or info@artpalacegallery.com. Art Palace.

hru January 12. Staring at the Wall: The Art of Boredom. Nobody strives to be boring or likes to be bored, and there is probably no worse criticism of an artwork or exhibition than to say that it's "boring." And yet, boredom is a powerful state of mind. Staring at the Wall: The Art of Boredom examines what goes on when supposedly nothing is going on. The artists in the exhibition - Chris Akin, Seth Alverson, Uta Barth, Jeremy DePrez, Clayton Porter, and Jenny Schlief - work in a variety of media and address boredom in a number of ways. Some of the artists consider themes of repetition and feelings of restlessness, while others explore what lies beneath and beyond the idle moments in our everyday lives. Curated by Katia Zavistovski. Lawndale Art Center.

hru January 12. Fibers of Being. Laura Kante uses the fibers processes of crochet and weaving to express the paradoxical narrative of the human condition: the continuous interplay between the internal world of mental/spiritual processing and the external world of experience. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

hru January 12. TRAVELOGUE. Instead of sketchbooks, Jane Eifler has always kept notebooks filled with collages made primarily while travelling on long car trips, at home watching movies and during her free time. Using items from catalogs and magazine including photographs of consumer goods, Jane Eifler cuts abstract fragments and arranges them into diaristic compositions, referencing the time and place when they were created, often serving as a snapshot of an imagined environment. Lawndale Art Center.

hru January 12. Voyager Found. Peter Lucas. In 1977, Astronomer Carl Sagan and colleagues assembled a collection of diagrams, greetings, photographs, and recorded sounds and music as a "message in a bottle" for potential neighbors in distant galaxies. This ambitious, curated biography of our species was etched into two gold-plated phonograph records and the twin discs were affixed to NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 spacecrafts. Now,on the 35th anniversary of their launches into space (and with one of the craft currently in the outer edge of our solar system and expected to enter interstellar space soon), artist Peter Lucas assumes the role of an imagined, distant recipient to create an entirely new translation. Lawndale Art Center.

hru January 12. Human Hamster Wheel. Created by James Ciosek, Human Hamster Wheel comments on the confines of urban living and the habitual, repetitive, sometimes futile, nature of human psychologies and activities, which expend vast amounts of energy but in the end go nowhere. Ciosek encourages attendees to Lawndale Art Center's openings and local performance artists to take a walk on the wheel.

hru February 17. HX8 (Houston Times Eight). Daniel Anguilu, Robert Pruitt, Prince Varughese Thomas, Forrest Prince, Lynn Randolph, Fabio D’Aroma, Serena Lin Bush and Floyd Newsum are the first eight contemporary artists that “reflect the diversity of Houston, not only because of their various ethnic backgrounds, but also because of the different aesthetic and philosophical approaches that each

Five-seveN (1), Deborah Bay. The Gallery - Houston Community College-Central.

employs.” Wed thru Sun, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Station Museum of Contemporary Art.

Time and Inner Space, Ryan D. Labar, 2010, 2013 NCECA Biennial Houston Community College-Central. (Photo courtesy the artist)

home. (Martini glasses are available while supplies last—guests are encouraged to come early for the best selection.) Mid-century cocktail attire (think fashions inspired by the ‘50s and ‘60s—a la Mad Men) is suggested for this fun, swanky soiree. 7- 10 p.m., 4848 Main St. All proceeds benefit HCCC. Single Ticket: $150, HCCC Member: $125. Call 713529-4848, X202 or visit www.crafthouston.org.

-March 16. Tony Feher: Free Fall. Texasborn and New York-based artist Tony Feher is known for abstract, minimalist sculptures and installations created from consumer materials that dramatically and playfully engage the spaces they inhabit. Working with a number of local choreographers, dancers, and musicians, Free Fall expands the practice of all the participating collaborators and provides audiences with a new set of tools for experiencing visual, moving, and sonic art forms simultaneously. Opening Reception January 18, 7-9 p.m. DiverseWorks.

hru February 23. Winter Art Installation at 13 celsius. Experience The Presence of Utter Bliss, a window art installation by GONZO247, now through its February 23rd closing reception. Inspired by 13 celsius and the neighborhood’s seasonal transformation, the brightly-colored installation is a warm invitation to enjoy great wine and escape the daily rush in a cocoon of happiness. For the perfect utter bliss pairing, order the scrumptious table s’mores service or visit on Sundays for half-price open bottles. hru April 14. Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter. A pioneering exhibition of work that explodes stereotypes that obscure the complexity of being Asian in America. Organized by the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, the exhibition showcases the portraiture of seven artists representing a cross-section of the Asian American experience. Collectively their work demonstrates, in microcosm, the nuances inherent in Asian American life. Asia Society Texas Center.

hru April 14. kip fulbeck: part asian, 100% hapa. "What are you?" For Americans of mixed race, it is the seemingly inescapable question, asked by friends and strangers alike. Organized by the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, kip fulbeck: part asian, 100% hapa offers an array of answers in 36 photographs plus video by award-winning filmmaker and artist Kip Fulbeck of multiracial men and women together with their written thoughts on their ethnic identity. Visitors become part of the art by adding their own images and personal statements of identity to an interactive display. Asia Society Texas Center.

JANUARY

-February 23. Mac Whitney: Linked Sculptures. A solo exhibition of recent work by Texas-based Artist Mac Whitney. In 1979, Mac Whitney was awarded a commission by the City of Houston to build a large-scale sculpture funded by grants by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Department of Urban Development. The sculpture is located in Stude Park and can be seen from I-10 heading West. Whitney’s abstract sculptures, constructed out of raw steel, are a metaphysical expression of the fundamental forces of tension and resolution evident in the built environment. Gallery Sonja Roesch.

-February 16. UPSHOT x 3. What happens when a firing pin engages a bullet — a gunshot hits shatterproof Plexiglas — a bullet pierces skin; a woman carries a concealed handgun? In this group exhibition, curated by Caslin Gregory & Associates, viewers will explore these questions. UPSHOT x 3 features the work of Deborah Bay (The Big Bang), Tom Morin (Rounds), and Donna M. Meeks (Guns Don’t Kill). Guns are an intrinsic part of American culture and are a flashpoint for heated debate about values and identity. This exhibition has particular relevance for Texas, which has an estimated 51 million firearms — two guns for every man, woman and child in the state. The work in this exhibition, however, is not photojournalistic, but ranges from conceptual to narrative. UPSHOT x 3 presents the ambiguity between beauty and horror. Juried by Caslin Gregory and Associates. Reception: Wednesday, January 16, 5:30 – 7:30 . Gallery Talk: Wednesday, January 30, 12:00 noon . The Art Gallery at HCC Central, 3517 Austin at Holman. Information: 713-718-6600.

Martini Madness! Houston Center for Contemporary Craft’s (HCCC) popular chic cocktail party returns, complete with a midcentury, winter wonderland theme and features mad glassware, bottomless martinis, sizzling snacks, live jazz and a big-board auction. Guests select a one-of-a-kind artisan martini glass to use and take

-May 5. 2013 NCECA Biennial. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is pleased to host the 2013 NCECA Biennial, the premier exhibition of ceramic arts in the United States. The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) organized the exhibition, which coincides with its 47th Annual Conference in Houston. The biennial includes 39 works by 35 artists selected by jurors. More than 740 artists submitted more than 1,360 entries for the exhibition, which represents one of the cornerstones of NCECA’s 47th Annual Conference in Houston The opening reception at HCCC — January 25, 5:30-8:00 p.m. — will also feature two other exhibitions, Constructing Solitude and the ClayHouston Member Show, as well as open studios by HCCC’s current resident artists from 6-7 p.m. Beer sponsored by Karbach Brewing Co.

-May 5. Constructing Solitude. Janice Jakielski’s solo exhibition of brilliant candylike colors and nostalgic images overwhelm the senses in this theatrical installation, which offers imaginative new ways of seeing, hearing and participating with the world around us. Drawing from women’s fashions from bygone eras, Jakielski has created a stunning collection of handmade headdresses. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

HUFFINGTON AWARD LUNCHEON. Jon Huntsman, Jr. has been named the recipient of this year's award, named for the Houston oilman and former ambassador who played a leading role in creating Asia Society Texas Center. It is the highest honor bestowed by the organization on an individual who has been a major force on the international stage. Former recipients include President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush; Mr. and Mrs. George Strake; Robert Mosbacher, Sr.; Mayor Bill White; Washington SyCip; Gordon M. Bethune; and The Honorable Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. 11:30 a.m. Hilton Americas – Houston, 1600 Lamar Street, 77010. For tickets and information: AsiaSociety.org/Texas/huffington.

- February 24. Knock Me A Kiss. Talent, beauty and a love triangle await you at The Ensemble Theater’s first production of the new year. The suspenseful, PG-rated drama takes place during the 1920s in Harlem and follows Yolonda DuBois, a woman torn between two lovers. The Ensemble Theater.

february

Eugene Gholz on “Iran and the Nuclear End Game: What are the Odds of Peace?” Tickets: $5 Members, $10 Nonmembers. 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. Reception). Asia Society Texas Center.

-23. PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS is a signature series highlighting the broad range of partnerships with organizations across many sectors. MountainFilm in Telluride is an

example and is on tour year-round and worldwide with a stop scheduled for Asia Society Texas Center. Learn more about the annual festival and film makers at www.mountainfilm.org. Tickets: TBA. Asia Society Texas Center.

-April 2. USPS LA. Houston Community College - Central (HCC-C) exhibition is in conjunction with the NCECA. (See Jan 25 – May 5, NCECA Biennial above) Artists in the exhibition are currently working and living in the Los Angeles area. Their work seeks to participate in the contemporary art dialogue of the city and is influenced by the history of Los Angeles Ceramics. For this exhibition, artists were asked to send their work in a flat-rate USPS mailing box (12" x 12" x 5.5"), creating a limitation on the size and cost of shipping to Houston while drawing a parallel between the flat-rate box and the average size of a 50-pound box of clay. HCC-C’s The Gallery is closed for spring break, March 11 through 17.  Gallery hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  The Gallery is located in Central’s Fine Arts Center, 3517 Austin at Holman  For more information, call 713-718-6600.

-April 2. What Remains. Houston Community College - Central (HCC-C) exhibition is in conjunction with the NCECA. This exhibition features the work of seven artists who utilize destruction as a transformative tool by irrevocably altering or eliminating the original. The process of ceramic slip-coating creates fragile and at times ephemeral remnants that exist as resilient fossils, capturing suspended moments or the complexities of nature. Whether from a social, psychological, or narrative perspective, each artist examines what remains amidst the passage of time and accumulation of experience.  HCC-C’s The Gallery is closed for spring break, March 11 through 17. Gallery hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  The Gallery is located in Central’s Fine Arts Center, 3517 Austin at Holman  For more information, call 713-718-6600.

march

-2. Art Supply Art Expo. Demonstrations, workshops and manufacturers reps showcasing products team together. Everything from encaustics to pastels. In addition, special pricing on merchandise during the two day event. Open to the public. Sign up at www.artsupplyonmain.com.

Spotlight Asia: Cocktails and Cultural Fusions. A night of exotic beats and global bites. Mingle by the water with skyline views, escape to the jasmine garden for a nighttime tête-à-tête, or get your bhangra groove on in the sleek urban lounge. Purchase an Asia Society Member ticket for $50 or a nonmember ticket for $75 which includes a one year membership. For more information on ticketing, contact Jordan DuPuis, 713-496-9907 or at JDupuis@ AsiaSociety.org.

-April 27. Jonathan Leach: New Work. Leach’s first solo exhibition in Houston features new paintings and sculpture that reflect the complex rhythms, patterns, and visual anomalies found in urban environments and their surrounding sprawl. Gallery Sonja Roesch.

-April 14. Broke-ology. It is the science of being broke and the title of The Ensemble’s warm and wrenching play about a loving African American family facing its troubles with humor, resilience and grace. Love, sacrifice and a sibling rivalry interplay throughout. The production, rated PG, is directed by Eileen J. Morris, who also serves as Marketing Chair on the Midtown Management District Board of Directors. The Ensemble Theater.

stories&+

B-cycle... Powered by You

ign in, Select, Ride and Return. Four simple steps to pure happiness. It’s the Houston B-cycle Program and it’s planned for Midtown in 2013. So what’s B-cycle? Simply, it’s a bike-sharing program that let’s you borrow a bike when you want it. Cyclists can sign up online or purchase a 24-hour membership. Or sign in at any B-Station of the three in Houston. Select a bike, grab your bike and go! When you’re done, return the bike to any existing B-station in the city. Current B-cycle docks can be found at Market Square Park, City Hall and George R. Brown Convention Center. Houston B-cycle began in May 2012 with three kiosks and a fleet of 18 bikes. The well-received pilot program has led to a plan for 20 kiosks and 205 new bikes inside the Loop. Ten more kiosks are planned for the downtown location as well as Montrose, the Museum District, Midtown and possibly East End. B-cycle is a collaboration among three major American companies: Human, Trek Bicycle Corporation and Crispin Porter + Bogusky who each share a common goal – changing the way you get around. Houston B-cycle is priced for quick rides. A 24-hour rental (24 Access) costs $5, a 7-Day pass for $15 and an annual membership for $50. Annual members receive a B-card that lets them check in and get going quickly. Seven Day Pass and 24 Access Pass users can use their credit cards to continue longer. After joining, you can take an unlimited number of rides during your membership period, plus there’s no additional charge for the first 90 minutes of any ride. After 90 minutes, each additional half hour costs $2. B-cycle is user friendly, even offering a helpful hint on their website to “check in and out of any station before your 90-minute mark to avoid extra usage fees!” As with any rental, there’s a price for abuse. A B-cycle bike replacement fee is $1,200 and could certainly put a damper on your ride. B-cycle is the only bike-sharing program that measures the actual distance traveled on each ride and keeps track of the calories you’ve burned and the carbon emissions you’ve prevented. Charlotte, Denver, Des Moines and Kansas City are just a few of the many cities reaping the rewards of bike sharing. Best of all... each bike comes with a basket! Learn more at houston.bcycle.com.

HOUSTON

Midtown Management District 410 Pierce Street, Ste. 355 Houston, TX 77002

projects... Capital Improvements

By marlon marshall, Manager Capital Projects

Baldwin Park and Glover Park – Renovations to Baldwin Park and Glover Park are set to begin in early 2013. The Midtown Redevelopment Authority has partnered with the City of Houston Parks Department to make improvements to these two City parks. Baldwin Park improvements will include upgrades to lighting, jogging trail, playground equipment, and entry landscaping. Programming at Glover Park, located at the intersection of Elgin Street and Austin Street, will include a dog run, landscaping with lawn space, seating, exercise platform, and cultural exhibits. The renovations of these parks are included in the Midtown Parks and Open Space Master Plan which was recently honored with a Parks and Natural Areas Planning Process Award from the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Awards went to projects which serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Gray Street Pedestrian Enhancements – Construction continues on Phase II of the Gray Street pedestrian enhancements from Main to Hamilton. This is the next phase of projects partially funded by an Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant to make improvements for pedestrian access to transit facilities. The Gray Street project includes right-of-way enhancements including wider sidewalks, landscaping, street furniture, brick pavers, accessibility ramps, and other pedestrian-related infrastructure. Construction is scheduled for completion in April 2013. Caroline Street Reconstruction - During the recent public stakeholders meeting, the Midtown community supported the proposed vision and design of Caroline as a “complete street” project aimed at balancing the needs of transportation, local businesses, pedestrians, bicycles, and on-street parking. At this meeting, stakeholders used keypads to provide real-time feedback to polling questions about the goals and vision for the reconstruction of Caroline Street. Improvements will include the reconstruction of Caroline from Pierce to Holman. The project is a partnership between Midtown Redevelopment Authority, Houston Community College, and TxDOT. A $4 million grant from TxDOT will be used towards the construction of the project which is scheduled to begin in late 2013. The presentation from the public meeting is available at www.houstonmidtown.com. Bagby Street and Pierce Street Improvements – New concrete pavement installation has been completed on Bagby from St. Joseph to Tuam and on Pierce from Baldwin to Brazos. Storm sewer, wastewater and waterline system upgrades are nearing completion. Remaining construction includes back of curb enhancements consisting of rain gardens, sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian lighting and seating, overhead utility consolidation, trees, and plantings. When finished, the Bagby Street and Pierce Street Improvements will fulfill the Midtown community’s vision of a sustainable GreenRoads project providing a balance of vehicular mobility, pedestrian mobility, and on-street parking. Construction is scheduled for completion in June 2013.

MIDTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

Todd Triggs

Chairman of the Board

Matt Thibodeaux

Executive Director for Midtown Management District & Midtown Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ #2) mattt@houstonmidtown.com

Cynthia Alvarado

Managing Director cynthiaa@houstonmidtown.com MIDTOWN redevelopment authority and tax increment reinvestment zone #2 ( TIRZ #2)

Robert Sellingsloh Chairman of the Board

Kandi Schramm

Administrative Manager kandis@houstonmidtown.com

Marlon T. Marshall

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