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FEBRUARY 2015
L O C A L HOUSTON
THE PEOPLE ISSUE
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4 L O C A L | february 15
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1. BBVA COMPASS STADIUM 2. CITYCENTRE 3. DAVID ADICKES SCULPTURES 4. DISCOVERY GREEN 5. DOWNTOWN 6. GALLERIA 7. GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT 8. GLENWOOD CEMETERY 9. HERMANN PARK 10. HIGHLAND VILLAGE 11. HOBBY AIRPORT 12. HOUSTON ARBORETUM & NATURE CENTER 13. HOUSTON MOTOR PARK 14. HOUSTON ZOO 15. KATY MILLS 16. KEMAH 17. LEE AND JOE JAMAIL SKATEPARK 18. MEMORIAL CITY 19. MEMORIAL PARK 20. MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE 21. MINUTE MAID PARK 22. MUSEUM DISTRICT
23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.
29. 30. 31. 32.
Photography by David Jackson
LOCAL CITY MAP
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM, HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON, MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE, THE HEALTH MUSEUM
NRG STADIUM RICE VILLAGE SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK SPACE CENTER HOUSTON SUGAR LAND THEATER DISTRICT
23. NRG STADIUM
ALLEY THEATRE, BAYOU PLACE, HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, JONES HALL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, WORTHAM CENTER
THE MENIL COLLECTION THE WOODLANDS TOYOTA CENTER UPTOWN PARK
HLS&R World's Championship BBQ Contest
THE WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ CONTEST, PART OF
THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO, IS FEBRUARY 26, 27 AND 28. FOR ABOUT 41 YEARS, VETERAN PIT MASTERS AND BBQ MASTERS HAVE COME OUT TO COMPETE FOR TROPHIES AND BRAGGING RIGHTS. PAST JUDGES HAVE INCLUDED DUSTY HALL OF ZZ TOP! ALTHOUGH MOST TENTS ARE INVITE ONLY, YOU CAN ENJOY THE PUBLIC TENTS LIKE THE MILLER LITE GARDEN, ROCKIN’ BAR-B-QUE SALOON AND THE CHUCK WAGON (WHERE YOU CAN GET A FREE MEAL OF CHOPPED BEEF ON A BUN WITH BEANS AND POTATO CHIPS). TICKETS ARE $15 FOR AGES 13+; $5 FOR 3–12 AND FREE UNDER 2. WWW.RODEOHOUSTON.COM Illustration by Sebastian Gomez de la Torre
Rodeo llustration by Lisa Chow
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Behind the scenes photography by Leslie Rivas-Kelly
BEHIND THE COVER
T
here’s nothing like fresh perspective to inspire creativity. We’ve gotten a phenomenal response to our new look and name – thank you! This is the “People” issue. For us, that meant introducing you to interesting local people. Hopefully they are all new to you. There’s an artist, a music man and a group of guys responsible for one of the largest arts districts in the nation. Along with a Jesuit priest, twins, an energy executive, a real estate developer and his marketing daughter and a handful of what I like to call social media power gals. They are all inspirational and the city is lucky to have them. Please keep following us @local_houston for invites, updates and more. Keep it LOCAL! Love,
Carla Valencia de Martinéz Editor-in-Chief
Carla
Photography by Collin Kelly
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There was so much magic and light at our cover shoot. The subjects were identical twins, Caroline and Courtney, just a pair of local sisters, one of whom had given birth to her own set of identical twin girls just weeks before. COLLIN KELLEY shot the cover with wife and stylist LESLIE RIVAS combining patterns influenced by the 70s. BIANCA LINETTE worked her magic with hair and makeup incorporating flowers into crowns. The concept was influenced by Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas. Clothing credit: REPLAY VINTAGE on 19th St.
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FEBRUARY 2015 FEATURES
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WHO’S WHO
PUBLISHER + FOUNDER alejandro martinéz | ext 2 | alex@localhoustonmagazine.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF carla valencia de martinéz | ext 3 | carla@localhoustonmagazine.com COPY EDITOR victoria bartlett CREATIVE DIRECTOR gabriella nissen | gabriella@localhoustonmagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER german arellano | german@localhoustonmagazine.com rocco, the office "gato" SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR batli joselevitz | ext 9 | batli@localhoustonmagazine.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR ida sameri | ext 8 | ida@localhoustonmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS cristina adams, adam bergen, susan bynam, mike cook, jodie eisenhardt, michael garfield, sarah gish, ariel jones, jayme lamm, jeff lane, jill patir, mai pham, vico puentes, sandra ramani, lance scott walker CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS cody bess, max burkhalter, sofia van der dys, kennon evett, jordan fischels, david jackson, batli joselevitz, collin kelly, alec lasar, steve lee, sarah miller, gabriella nissen, daniel ortiz, mai pham, chinh phan, anthony rathbun, julie soefer, marco torres, roswitha vogler, ac photography, runaway productions, www.lastnightpics.com CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS sebastian gomez de la torre, german arellano, lisa chow, running game clothing WEB DESIGNER MDG | CREATIVE AGENCY | www.mpiredesigngroup.com ADVERTISING + ACCOUNTS dalila jara | ext 5 | dalila@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 281.966.5105 stephanie o’keefe | ext 7 | stephanie@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 281.450.4895 william king | william@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 832.788.3738 jordan campbell | jordan@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 832.492.5731 carlos valencia | carlos@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 713.855.1584 INTERN german arellano ACCOUNTS luca tommasi | accounting@localhoustonmagazine.com
04 city map 06 letter from the editor | behind the cover 08 features + who’s who 10 on our radar 12 calendar 14 FOOD aces of taste 16 on our radar 18 dine write 20 open 22 perfect pairs 24 club | lounge review 26 good eats 28 ARTS metdance duo 30 must-see exhibits 32 museum district 34 gish at the movies 36 fresh arts 38 recording: dwayne cathey 40 COMMUNITY people 54 friends + neighbors 56 sports 58 scene 62 where to live now: west university 64 STYLE + LEISURE 66 things we love 68 destination 70 mentertainment 72 tools 74 localgram
LOCAL Houston Magazine is published monthly by NODO Magazine, L.L.C., 1824 Spring Street, Studio 002, Houston, TX 77007. Copyright © 2015 by Insync Design, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. LOCAL Houston Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear.
VOLUME 17 ISSUE 194
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LOCAL HOUSTON MAGAZINE 1824 SPRING ST. STUDIO 002 | HOUSTON, TX 77007 713.223.5333 | FAX 713.223.4884 | LETTERS@LOCALHOUSTONMAGAZINE.COM WWW.LOCALHOUSTONMAGAZINE.COM FACEBOOK: LOCALHOUSTON TWITTER.COM/002HOUSTON
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ON OUR RADAR
Photography by Steve Lee
MCGOVERN CENTENNIAL GARDENS and the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion are officially open. This spectacular addition to Hermann Park is Hermann Park Conservancy’s largest improvement to date. The 445-acre urban oasis sees over six million visitors annually. The McGovern Centennial Gardens, designed by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects with White Oak Studio Landscape Architecture, has completely transformed the 15-acre Garden Center site into a stunning new attraction featuring a Family Garden, Centennial Green, 30’ Garden Mount, Celebration Garden, Rose Garden and the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, designed by architect Peter Bohlin of Bohlin Cynwinski Jackson, famed designer of the glass Apple stores worldwide. There are 490+ new trees of over 50 different species, 760 hedge shrubs, 350 new roses in the Rose Garden, 106,875 other shrubs and perennials of 199 varieties, 115 new camellias and 650 new azaleas in the Woodland Garden and so much more.
POE COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL (Poe Co) will hold their 40th annual garage sale on Saturday, February 28, from 8am–12pm at Poe Elementary School, 5100 Hazard, between North and South Boulevards. With donations from households throughout the inner Houston area, the huge inventory continues to be a strong draw for garage sale fans as well as local families who look forward to the annual tradition. Bargain deals and treasures are to be found among the extensive selection of gently used housewares, furniture, appliances, electronics, toys, bicycles, accessories, clothing and shoes for all ages, books, art and more. To preview some of the many great items available to buy, please visit www.facebook.com/PoeCoGarageSale. www.poeco.org
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TEXAS AIR SHUTTLE announced it is opening its wait list to prospective
members and will be launching its ambitious alternative to traditional air and car travel as early as this month, pending Federal Aviation Administration/Department of Transportation approval. The all-youcan-fly air travel membership boasts headquarters at Conroe’s Lone Star Executive Airport as well as Meacham Airport in Fort Worth. “The Houston to Dallas/Fort Worth flight is the number one most traveled air route in the country,” said Steve Geldmacher, CEO of Texas Air Shuttle. “Businessmen and women are frustrated with traditional commercial travel, which includes invasive airport screenings, nickel-anddime fees, overbooked flights, cancellations – you name it. All of these things cost individuals thousands of dollars every year in lost productivity and time. Our method completely eliminates the stresses related to commercial flying. Members can fly as often as they want for one monthly fee and are treated like VIPs in the process.” Memberships range in price from $899 – $4,900 per month depending on the type of membership selected. www.txairshuttle.com
We really like how NEW LIVING’S hope for clean air and a healthy economy this year led them to place their own little bet: If VOC emissions for the Houston region this year are 85% of what they were in the previous year*, they will give customers a full refund on any organic mattress purchased by February 15 and a free in-home air filter that removes VOCs and other harmful chemicals. www.newliving.net *VOC Levels as reported by TCEQ.
We love RODEO and this year’s lineup doesn’t disappoint. If you haven’t scored your tickets, head on over to www.rodeohouston.com now.
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CALENDAR S U N D AY
M O N D AY
T U E S D AY
W E D N E S D AY
T H U R S D AY
TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLEASE CONTACT
ALLEY THEATRE alleytheatre.org BAYOU MUSIC CENTER bayoumusiccenter.com CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL PAVILION woodlandscenter.org DISCOVERY GREEN discoverygreen.com HOBBY 713.315.2525 thehobbycenter.org
HOUSE OF BLUES hob.com JONES HALL 713.227.3974 houstonfirsttheaters.com MAIN STREET THEATER 713.524.6706 mainstreettheater.com MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE 832.487.7127 milleroutdoortheatre.com
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NRG STADIUM reliantpark.com TOYOTA CENTER 1.866.4HOU.TIX toyotacentertix.com WORTHAM CENTER 713.237.1439 houstonfirsttheaters.com THEATRE SUBURBIA www.theatresuburbia.org
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SUPERBOWL XLIX KICKOFF 5:30pm
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Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: Madame Butterfly 2pm Toyota Center Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trailblazers 6pm Discovery Green Frostival! 4–8pm House of Blues Reel Big Fish & Less Than Jake 6:30pm Hobby The Book of Mormon 2 & 7:30pm
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STOP BY KENNY & ZIGGY’S FOR NATIONAL BAGELS & LOX DAY
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Jones Hall Houston Symphony: Perlman Plays & Conducts 2:30pm Wortham Center Teco Theatrical Productions: Love, Jazz and Romance 3pm Bayou Music Center Gilberto Santa Rosa 8pm House of Blues Kirk Franklin Presents Gospel Brunch 1pm
Wortham Center Da Camera of Houston: A Little Day Music 12pm | Houston Grand Opera: The Magic Flute 7:30pm Toyota Center Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls 7pm House of Blues Guster 7pm | Sean McConnell 8pm
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Wortham Center McGonigel’s Mucky Duck: Kat Edmonson & Robert Ellis 8pm Hobby Kinky Boots 8pm
Alley Theatre As You Like It 7:30pm
Jones Hall Houston Symphony: Perlman Plays & Conducts 8pm Bayou Music Center The Very Best of Celtic Thunder 7:30pm Hobby Jumping The Groove 8pm
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RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY
Bayou Music Center Topp Dogg 7:30pm House of Blues Wale: Simple Mobile Simply Nothing Tour 7pm
House of Blues Taking Back Sunday 6pm
House of Blues Johnny Stimson 7pm Toyota Center Maroon 5 7:30pm
FOR THESE EVENTS AND MORE, CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR ONLINE AT LOCALHOUSTONMAGAZINE.COM
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Jones Hall Houston Symphony: Graf Conducts Schumann 2:30pm Wortham Center Mercury Baroque Ensemble: An Evening with Laura Claycomb & David Daniels 4pm House of Blues Common Kings 7:30pm Alley Theatre As You Like It 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby Kinky Boots 2 & 7:30pm
Wortham Center Inprint: Brown Reading Series Mary Szybist & Kevin Young 7:30pm Toyota Center Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 7pm
House of Blues Rob Delany: Meat Tour 7pm
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House of Blues Brooke Fraser 7pm
Wortham Center Houston Ballet: Love Lies Bleeding 2:30pm Hobby The Book of Mormon 2 & 7:30pm Alley Theatre As You Like It 2:30 & 7:30pm
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FEBRUARY
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Toyota Center Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers 7pm
26 Wortham Center Houston Ballet Foundation: Romeo and Juliet 7:30pm House of Blues August Burns Red 5:30pm
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NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? TRY ONE-STOP SHOPPING AT
WWW.HOUSTONTHEATERDISTRICT.ORG F R I D AY
S AT U R D AY
FEB 7th
EAT ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY 6
Houstons local Fat Cat Creamery
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Jones Hall Society for the Performing Arts: Buddy--The Buddy Holly Story 8pm Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: Madame Butterfly 7:30pm Toyota Center Houston Rockets vs. Milwaukee Bucks 7pm House of Blues Sam Hunt 7pm Hobby Rick Springfield: Stripped Down 8pm NobleMotion Dance presents emerging Houston Choreographers in HomeGrown 8pm The Barn: 2201 Preston Street. Tickets $15
Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: The Magic Flute 7:30pm | Da Camera of Houston: Jason Moran – The Rauschenberg Project 8pm Jones Hall Society for the Performing Arts: Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story 2pm Toyota Center Chris Brown with Trey Songz ft. Tyga 7:30pm
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Jones Hall Houston Symphony: Bernadette Peters 7:30pm Wortham Center Mercury: Handel’s Water Music 8pm Toyota Center Katt Williams 8pm House of Blues The Dirty River Boys 9pm
VALENTINE’S DAY Toyota Center Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band 8pm Jones Hall Houston Symphony: Perlman Plays & Conducts 8pm Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: The Magic Flute 7:30pm Bayou Music Center Alice Cooper 8:30pm House of Blues Wade Bowen 8pm Alley Theatre As You Like It 2:30 & 7:30pm Hobby Love Letters 7:30pm
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Jones Hall Houston Symphony: Graf Conducts Schumann 8pm Wortham Center Society for the Performing Arts: Complexions – Contemporary Ballet 8pm
Jones Hall Houston Symphony: Graf Conducts Schumann 8pm Toyota Center Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors 7pm Bayou Music Center Houston Roller Derby – February Bout 7:30pm House of Blues Houston Burlesque Festival 8pm
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Toyota Center Houston Rockets vs. Brooklyn Nets 7pm House of Blues Kalin and Myles – The Dedication Tour Presented by Ones to Watch with Skype 5:30pm | Paul Thorn 8pm | Back in Black 9:30pm
7:30pm
Wortham Center Houston Ballet Foundation: Romeo and Juliet 1:30 &
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ACES OF TASTE Created by Ahrif Sarumi, ACES OF TASTE is an interactive dinner series featuring veteran and emerging chefs throughout Houston. The truly interactive dinners will have local foodies salivating. After dinner, a local food enthusiast moderates a discussion with the chef and the audience is encouraged to participate. The debut dinner
was held in a River Oaks townhouse featuring Executive CHEF MIKE POTOWSKI of Benjy’s on Washington. Sarumi shares: “In my mind, the debut was a test run. If it didn’t go well, I would have learned from it and come back stronger. Yet, we paid attention to minor details before and during the event. I kept a watchful eye on what resonated with people most. I even sent out a nerdy survey, and the feedback was unanimously positive. The five days after the dinner were a whirlwind of receiving emails, phone calls and social media impressions. A small team and I are working towards catching up to the demand.” A schedule of the evening looks a little like this: 6pm, a networking social hour with two passed appetizers and sponsored cocktails (debut event was Rémy Martin); 7pm, four-course dinner begins (Extra Fancy ticket holders get to go to the kitchen while chef plates for some interaction); 8:30pm, post dessert, the chef takes centerstage and a moderator leads a discussion; 8:50pm, free raffle with sponsored giveaways; 9pm, in spaces where available, a DJ closes the evening.
www.acesoftaste.com
By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography by Marco Torres
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•LOCAL insider: Aces of Taste is launching an optional membership program this month (and we are giving away 3 free memberships; follow us @local_magazine). The membership guarantees admission to at least one event per month including private brunches, member’s only events and more. Visit www.acesoftaste.com for more information.
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ON OUR RADAR
food
Photography by Julie Soefer
Green Eggs and Kale – Chef Eric Laird | Liberty Kitchen
The history of the Aldecoa family and coffee roots back to Ronda, Spain, in 1926. Today the local family has taken on the coffee capsule trend with their own branded coffee,
ALDECOA NESPRESSO COFFEE CAPSULES available now on www.amazon.com.
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GREEN VALENTINE brings together top Houston chefs to present their version of Green Eggs and Kale at Canopy (3939 Montrose), which is offered to the public February 1 through February 15 with proceeds benefiting Urban Harvest. Established in 2005 as a tree-planting celebration in The Heights, Green Valentine has since branched out into a twoweek long series of events honoring Valentine’s season and supporting local artists, restaurants, nonprofits and businesses that are impacting healthy communities. www.GreenValentine.org
Photography by Batli Joselevitz
As DESSERT GALLERY celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the delish dessert store is undergoing a new look while staying true to its roots. This new look will bring an innovative and fresh vibe. Owner Sara Brook plans to keep all the homemade and rich desserts the bakery is known for. “Our desserts are all about love and comfort,” said Brook. “Over half of our menu is long-time favorites that our customers have let us know in no uncertain terms that they simply cannot do without!”
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Photography by AC Photography
GRAY’S PUBLIC HOUSE, Midtown’s newest Gastropub, will officially open its 510 Gray St. location with a Mardi Grasthemed grand opening on Thursday, February 5, from 6:30–9:30pm. A DJ will keep the party going while guests enjoy happy hour drink prices on signature cocktails (including the famous New Orleans Hurricane as the special drink of the night) and canned beer as they savor complimentary light bites. Partygoers will delight in a complete Fat Tuesday experience with face painting, beads, facemasks and festive Mardi Gras décor. A percentage of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Urban Green.
It’s hard to believe that Houston’s first cupcake shop, Crave Cupcakes, opened up six years ago. With stores in the Galleria area and West University, the shop is set to debut a new concept in The Woodlands called CRAVE which will go beyond the cupcake category and showcase another side to their genius. Expect a presentation of fresh pastries, including housemade scones, kolaches and cinnamon rolls, as well as exquisite cakes. Plus the coffee program, which is CRAVE's own blend will have a bigger presence as well.
Who could have guessed that we’d be looking as forward to grocery store openings as the next hot restaurant? H-E-B SAN FELIPE is opening mid-February with its first Houston sitdown restaurant, Table 57. Don’t be fooled by the order-at-the-counter concept. Dishes are fresh and local with a Southern flair, thanks to Houston’s own celebrity chef Randy Evans, who consulted on the mouthwatering menu.
Beer lovers have pub crawls and wine lovers have wine tours. Coffee lovers have...the CAFFEINE CRAWL! February 21 will bring a jolt back to Houston with the city’s second Caffeine Crawl and LOCAL Houston Magazine is a sponsor. Join us in enjoying some of the city’s best offerings of this highly addictive bean. All routes will kickoff at Honeymoon Cafe and Bar by Boomtown Coffee. For tickets, www.caffeinecrawl.com and follow us for free tickets.
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DINE WRITE
“If I can get great cheese from someone in Texas, I want to serve that cheese.”
Mussels
I’M LOOKING TO MOVE TO A NEIGHBORHOOD CLOSER IN TO TOWN. IDEALLY, WALKING DISTANCE TO FINE WATERING HOLES, BREAKFAST TACOS AND A RESTAURANT THAT COULD BE MY REGULAR SPOT. THE HEIGHTS TOPS THE LIST, ESPECIALLY AFTER VISITING COLTIVARE KITCHEN & GARDEN, ON WHITE OAK. IT’S A COZY SPOT WITH A RUSTIC LOOK AND A 3,000SF URBAN GARDEN THRIVING OUTSIDE. “This place was brewing for years,” said RYAN PERA, chef and coowner. “I always wanted to do a small, neighborhood restaurant.” Coltivare is the product of a philosophy Pera adopted while studying in Italy. “The time I spent in Tuscany had a huge impact on who I am. Sense of place is so important. Where they make the cheese,
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where the milk comes from to make that cheese, what restaurant it goes to … it’s all right there.” All of this guided Pera and co-owner MORGAN WEBER, who oversees the cocktail program. The two also own Revival Market down the street. “If I can get great cheese from someone in Texas, I want to serve that cheese.”
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Heirloom Carrots and Beets
The slow-cooked beef and polenta pizza is rich in mascarpone and pecorino. Yeah, polenta on pizza. Wonderful, but the real star is the crust that Pera spent years perfecting. The wood-grilled chicken comes with a nice kick. The gulf shrimp, mussels and clams were accompanied by Arborio, lemongrass and chiles.
Meyer Lemon Cake
Time to savor the philosophy. I start with a salad of heirloom carrots, roasted beets and radish. The texture yields a little crunch that says, “We were just perfected in that garden outside.” “I can walk outside and see what’s ready to pick,” Pera said. “It’s time to use kohlrabi, so how do I use it? What will it go with?” Here’s what: charred broccoli and Brussels sprouts delivering a satisfying smoky taste.
SAMPLE MENU
- COCKTAILS • Coltivare Gin & Tonic – Citadelle + Mint + Grapefruit Peel + Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic $12 - SNACK • Foccacia with olive oil $6 - SALAD+PIZZA • Heirloom carrots, roasted beets, radish, burrata, mint citrus vinaigrette $9 • Slow-cooked beef, polenta, mascarpone, pecorino, parsley $18
The cocktails are special as well. Pera tells me the overall idea is to take traditional Italian liquors and spirits and infuse them in an American - ENTRÉES • Gulf shrimp, mussels, clams, Arborio, potatoes, style of cocktail. I take a sip of the lemongrass, chiles, herbs $25 Ava Crowder, a wonderfully bitter and sweet creation named after the - DESSERT irrepressible character. Apparently • Wood-roasted pear crostada, cream $18 Morgan, like me, is a huge Justified fan. Imagine an Italian expression of a Manhattan. Delicious. Come early, or late. Frequently patrons are waiting for the doors to open at 5pm, and it often fills up quickly. But dining at 9 is fine. I’ll see you there.
COLTIVARE
By Jeff Lane Photography by Sarah Miller
pizza + garden
3320 White Oak Dr. | Houston, TX 77007 | 713.637.4095 | www.coltivarehouston.com | info@coltivarehouston.com
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 5–10pm | Friday & Saturday 5–11pm | Sunday 5–9pm | closed Tuesday | Reservations not accepted. Maximum party size of 6.
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OPEN DAK & BOP
Last year was the year for ramen. This year, it’s clear that fried chicken is the name of the game. And while you can get traditional fried chicken at any number of joints around town, the only place to get bona fide Korean fried chicken (besides the food court at H-Mart) is Dak & Bop. “Dak & Bop” is Korean for “chicken and rice.” The warm, convivial, high-ceilinged warehouse space – sandwiched between Bosta and Museum Park Cafe in the Museum District – is casual and fun. They have a great sound system, which had Red Hot Chili Peppers and other ’90’s hits playing during my first visit. When I went back, they were playing techno and house, which can get a bit loud, but that’s what makes the ambiance so great. This is a place to go with friends, order a bunch of appetizers and fried chicken, get a beer and cocktail (I recommend the Cool Cucumber or the
Photography by Mai Pham
CUISINE: Korean EXECUTIVE CHEF: JASON CHO www.facebook.com/dakandbop 1801 Binz St., Ste. 120 713.528.0280 Mon–Wed 5–10pm; Thu–Sat 5–12pm; Closed Sunday
Fried Chicken
Blackberry Chili Margarita) and grub on tasty, twicefried, crispy yet deliciously moist Korean fried chicken. The recipes for the sauces come from Mad for Chicken in NYC. The chicken is made with TLC by owner Jason Cho (yes, he’s the one in the kitchen making it all). I prefer the wings, but you can get a combo with drumsticks or strips, and choose from the soy garlic, hot ’n spicy or half and half (a mix of the two sauces, which is a mild spicy). Just know that the spicy is really spicy, and you’ll be fine. Seriously, it’s all good.
Photography by Mai Pham
SICHUAN NOODLES CUISINE: Noodle House 9889 Bellaire Blvd., #C205 832.831.3038 Sun – Thu 11am–9:30pm; Fri – Sat 11am–10pm If you love spice and noodles, there’s a new Chinese noodle house, Sichuan Noodles, that you have to visit. Tucked away in the back of the Dun Huang Plaza on Bellaire Blvd., the place is pristine and super-cute. (The floors are a shiny black granite tile with inlaid gold leaf motif.) It’s a hole-in-the-wall in the literal sense – just a long rectangular strip mall dining room with about 10 tables. Items are extremely reasonably priced and start at just $3 for something like their basic spicy cucumber, with their typical noodle dishes running around $6 or $7. The staff spoke minimal English, but were as helpful and as nice as can be. I was crying as I was eating a delicious bowl of Szechuan hot oil wontons, so an additional order of spicy noodles was just a little too much for me to handle. The pan fried rice noodles, which I spied at another table, looked excellent however, as did the individual-
Spicy Tangy Noodle
Hot Oil Wontons sized hot pots (there are nine to choose from) featuring ingredients like seafood or beef brisket. The menu is 95% spicy, and it’s an unrelenting, mouth-burning kind of spice, so come here prepared to sweat, because they don’t hold back on the heat!
MAI PHAM is a freelance food writer, critic and travel writer based in Houston. Her work appears in local and national outlets such as Forbes Travel Guide, Houston Press, My Table Magazine, Examiner.com and LOCAL Houston magazine. You might also recognize her for her regular appearances on the Fox 26 Blogger Series, where she dishes about the local food scene. When she’s not eating something scrumptious, she’s usually off traveling the world in pursuit of culinary bliss. Follow her culinary escapades on Twitter or Instagram @Femme_Foodie. 20 L O C A L | february 15
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Photography by Mai Pham
Fried Greentomato Sliders
URBAN EATS CUISINE: American Eatery www.feasturbaneats.com 832.834.4417 3414 Washington Ave. BISTRO/BAR Mon – Thu 11am–10pm; Fri – Sat 11am–12am; Sun Closed MARKET/CAFE MON–THU 7am-10pm; Fri 7am–12am; Sat 8am–12am; Sun Closed
Market
Barely a month old, it’s hard to miss the spunky, charcoal gray Urban Eats on the Washington corridor, just east of Yale. Top to bottom, the two-story American eatery has the feel of a neighborhood hangout that you could visit several days of the week. Downstairs it’s a grab-n-go fresh market with a house-made pastry counter, fresh salads, sandwiches, Java pura coffee and more with a very European feel. Counter service and early hours means that you can drop in for a quick breakfast or coffee, then come back later for a quick lunch, or bring your family for a hassle-free dinner. Upstairs, it’s a sit-down bistro and bar with an outdoor deck with views of the Houston city skyline, and the word is already out. At lunch, the bistro is so busy that they’ve had to add complimentary valet parking, and it’s easy to see why. The cozy space – adorned with wall art by local artists (which rotate out every three months) – offers well-prepared gourmet comfort foods. Our favorites were the fried green tomato sliders served on plump, just-toasted pretzel buns – the Brussels toss salad (a good way to get your greens folks!); the three-pig truffled mac ’n cheese, and the five cheese potato gratin. The portions are ample, so you can order for yourself, or a few plates to share. Another cool thing? Friday and Saturday nights after 9pm, they offer live music with no cover – check their online calendar for the schedule.
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PERFECT PAIRS WHAT, NOT THE PAIRING YOU EXPECTED? We imagine you were flipping through the pages in anticipation expecting to see some sort of alcohol beverage sitting next to some serious foodie indulgence. Well, time to alter your perception and
ring cheers to good health! DEFINE Body & Mind, the health and wellness studio taking over the city, now offers a line of seasonal juices and
granola to help support that well-rounded healthy lifestyle that we are sure made many of your new year’s resolutions. DEFINE studios is partnering with local Houston companies Crushed Juicery and Gray Gardens. DEFINE’s own Erin O’Leary Stewart has created perfectly blended whole foods products available as part of the DEFINE Foods program. So why does this pairing work for more than just working out? For starters it’s February, so lighten the mood a little (wink) while also getting plenty of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant elements because, well, why not. FUEL, a sweet and zesty juice mix of beet, carrot, apple, lemon and ginger, mingles perfectly with STRENGTH, a granola with cacao, maca, blueberry and
damn, that cacao tastes good with the blueberries! You may be, like we were, wondering what maca is? It’s a root, and to quote chef Erin, “Maca, an Incan superfood … offers healthy energy, regulates stress and supports the adrenal glands, as well as sexual health and balancing hormones.” That sounds spot on for a February pairing. Combine FUEL with STRENGTH, whose ingredients are high in iron and soothing antiinflammatory properties which provide for optimal digestion, invigorate and promote vital energy, and purify the blood, and yeah, you have a pretty bad ass, not your run-of-the-mill pairing. So forget, at least for this month (or for many months to come), that blasé pair of alcohol and foodie indulgence because it’s fair to say DEFINE Foods has blown our mind. Yours is next.
By Mike Cook | Photography by Kennon Evett
A GRANOLA PACKED WITH CACAO, MACA, BLUEBERRY AND DAMN, THAT CACAO TASTES GOOD WITH THE BLUEBERRIES!
“FUEL” & STRENGTH DEFINE FOOD PROGRAM | www.definebody.com
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(GRANOLA)
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CLUB/LOUNGE REVIEW
WHOSE THAT LAAADY? REAL FINE LAAADY? BEEN ON TC JESTER LATELY HEADING SOUTH OF I-10? HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT IT LOOKS A LITTLE... UN-USUAL THERE BY THE TRAIN TRACKS? AS WE ALL KNOW, BARS AND RESTAURANTS, SIMILAR TO A BEAUTIFUL LAAADY, COME AND GO AT THE DROP OF A HAT, AND THE RECENT OPENING OF LADYBIRD’S IN THE FORMER HOME OF THE USUAL ON ALLEN STREET IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE. If you had ever been to the Usual before its profanity-laced demise (as posted on Facebook), you would wholeheartedly agree that the building was in a little bit of disrepair. So who better to take the place over, because the building and location were too good to just sit idle? How about a pair of Houston brothers who own a construction company? Seems like that will work out great. And it has.
Starting with the generous outside patio, Ladybird’s is off to a good start with the renovation. Spacious and full of seating, including a section with THE outdoor game, bags, the patio is ripe for good times. Inside, Ladybird’s didn’t do anything revolutionary with the decor, but it feels right to be drinking here and there is a lot to be said for that. A room off the back holds the pool table and arcade games, while the rest of the space is devoted to sitting, standing and the bar. Speaking of the bar, it’s stacked like a lovely laaady. Ladybird’s offers a strong selection of both bottle/can beers, spirits and wine. They also proudly offer Houston area draft beers with a solid tap wall of 15 offerings. A host of awesome cocktails are detailed on the chalkboard above the bar. It should be noted that
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anything with Old Grand-Dad whiskey has to be good though the cocktail list will change often. Also worth noting, the staff seems top-notch, a real friendly bunch they are. Food, depending on when you read this, will either come from Ladybird’s own food truck, Whistle Stop, with a menu created by Lyle Bento (of Underbelly fame) or if Whistle Stop isn’t ready just yet, well-known local food trucks will be rotating in and out of the parking lot instead.
LADYBIRD’S 5519 Allen St. 713.393.7647 www.ladybirdsbar.com www.facebook.com/ladybirdsbar M–F 4pm–2am | SA–SU 12pm–2am
Real fine laaady. Yes, that Ladybird is. Seeing how our trips have been filled with pretty good crowds each night, we figure most everyone agrees. By Mike Cook | Photography by Daniel Ortiz
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GOOD EATS
CORNER TABLE
Stuffed Petite Eggplant
$$ New American | 2736 Virginia St. | 713.568.9196 www.cornertablehouston.com Chef Ja’Nel Witt won Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen” in 2013 and took the reins after Bruce Molzan’s departure last year. Witt has built upon the paleo-centric menu with more global flavors, including additional gluten-free and vegetarian options plus a new kid’s menu. –Jodi Eisenhardt
ARCODORO $$$ Italian | 5000 Westheimer @ Post Oak | 713.621.6888 www.arcodoro.com The restaurant – co-owned by Efifio Faris with wife, Lori – has become a fixture in the Galleria area since opening in 1996. Highlights include the seafood options, particularly the whole fish (branzino, gulf red snapper or sea bream) encrusted in rock salt and cooked in the woodburning oven and filleted tableside. The same oven puts out some great –Jodie Eisenhardt pizza.
“pappas bravas” with spicy red potatoes and Spanish chorizo, superfresh seafood, pizzas from a wood-burning oven and melt-in-yourmouth house-made pastas like “Mama Sonia’s ravioli” stuffed with chicken and porcini mushrooms in a white wine cream sauce topped –Jodie Eisenhardt with jumbo lump crab. BCN TASTE AND TRADITION $$$$ European, Spanish | 4210 Roseland St. | 832.834.3411 www.bcnhouston.com The vibe is traditional meets modern. Many of the ingredients and even some equipment have been sourced directly from Spain, including the mouth-watering Iberico Ham which is served with slices of bread rubbed with raw tomato for a rustic and satisfying dish. Other appetizer highlights include a lovely watermelon and burrata salad with baby greens, basil leaves and vinegar reduction. –Jodi Eisenhardt
ARTURO BOADA CUISINE $$$ Spanish Italian | 6510 Del Monte | 713.568.9196 www.boadacuisine.com Chef/Owner Arturo Boada’s neighborhood outpost on Del Monte is turning out delectable cuisine from a spotless kitchen, reflecting the chef’s devotion to the freshest ingredients and high standards of preparing them. Menu options include flavorful Spanish tapas like the 26 L O C A L | february 15
BRADLEY’S FINE DINER $$$ Modern American | 191 Heights Blvd. | 832.831.5939 |www.bradleysfinediner.com Get the bone marrow toast or the chicken fried frog’s legs to start. Or better yet, splurge on the “Eggs and Toast” – essentially caviar and quail egg sliders, an excellent example of what the “fine” in fine diner means. I would also highly recommend the seared scallops, a totally all-American dish pan-seared until golden brown, and served in a bacon-y cream sauce with lemon gnocchi and maitake mushroom. I didn’t order the yankee pot roast, but from what I could see during my tour of the kitchen, the braised meat and potato dish looked exactly like what I’ll be wanting on my next visit. –Mai Pham
COMMON BOND $ Café & Bakery | 1706 Westheimer | 713.529.3535 | www.wearecommonbond.com Designed by award-winning Italian firm Costa Group, which also designed NYC’s “Eataly,” the contemporary space is full of natural light from the many windows and is abuzz with throngs of customers, winding through the long line to place their orders or cozied up at two-tops, the coffee/juice bar, the long community table or on the patio tables outside. And the goal of “world-class pastries” has definitely been attained. The menu features more than 50 pastry, bread and baked items rotating according to season and ingredients. –Jodi Eisenhardt
DOSI $$$ Modern Korean | 2802 S. Shepherd Dr. | 713.521.3674 www.dosirestaurant.com Soju, a type of Korean vodka made of rice, wheat and barley, is the drink of choice in Korea. At Dosi, soju is infused with different fruits – you’ll see a wall filled with glass canning jars when you step into the restaurant – which can be sampled individually, as a flight or in a cocktail.I highly recommend the “Melondipity,” a refreshing summertime cocktail made of infused mint soju with watermelon and lime. –Mai Pham
GRACE’S $$$$ Comfort Food and Some Surprises 3111 Kirby Dr. | 713.728.6410 | www.gracesonkirbycom Grace’s burger might be Houston’s best burger (I do not say this lightly!). Wagyu brisket is ground in-house and loosely packed into a patty that receives a fantastic sear as it’s cooked to order and served on a brilliant custom Slow Dough challah bun that’s beautifully soft but somehow holds up to the juice and toppings. It comes with terrific house-cut fries, and I was instantly obsessed. –Jodie Eisenhardt
HEARSAY ON THE GREEN $$$ Modern, Cocktails, American 1515 Dallas St. | 832.377.3362 | www.hearsayhouston.com You’ll find Hearsay favorites – Saint Arnold’s battered asparagus, the Hearsay burger, crab cakes and more – on the new menu, as well as some traditional down-home southern comfort food. “It’s the food I like to eat,” says Chef Chanas, who pointed me to the chicken fried chick-
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SAL Y PIMIENTA $$$ South American | 818 Town & Country Blvd. Ste. 105 | 832.849.0097 | www.salypimientakitchen.com For starters, good bets are the empanadas or the traditional iron skillet proveleto cheese. If you’re like me, something lighter, like delicious mango salad drizzled with a tango mango vinaigrette, will surely please. Plan to devote the bulk of your meal to the beautiful meat selections, because this is where Sal y Pimienta shines.
en, two pounded pieces of moist chicken covered in a crispy buttermilk batter, then topped in a country sausage gravy and served over dirty rice. Um, yum! I love, love, loved the Grilled Kobe Dog, the very definition of gourmet comfort food. –Mai Pham
KENNY & ZIGGY’S $$$ Delicatessen | 2327 Post Oak Blvd. | 713.871.8883 www.kennyandziggys.com I need to rave about the triple-decker wonder of corned beef and pastrami (cured right there for 45 days) on artisan rye. And the chicken soup. And the sinfully sumptuous slab of cheesecake. For four. The menu is huge! Do yourself a favor. Enjoy this authentic food. But bring –Jeff Lane friends. It’s just too much for one appetite. KUU $$$ Modern Sushi | 947 Gessner Rd. #A180 | 713.446.1688 www.kuurestaurant.com Plan to start dinner with a crafted cocktail featuring seasonal ingredients like freshly squeezed beet juice or lychee puree. Then, sit back and enjoy the show as you indulge in delicately plated sashimi starters, like the Truffle Japanese Sea Bream or the Kanpaccio, in which thin slices of kanpachi are laid against wedges of Texas orange and finished off with a drizzle of yuzu-soy vinaigrette. If the chef is offering a nightly special, don’t hesitate, because he can whip up sumptuous dishes on the fly, like the seared hamachi belly with citrus and plums that we –Mai Pham ordered one night (total foodgasm!). LILLO & ELLA $$$ Pan-Asian Street Food 2307 Ella Blvd. | 281.888.5335 | www.lilloandella.com The large dinner menu has a nice assortment of bar bites like the sweet with a kick chipotle and honey edamame and shared bites like the addictive five-spice spare ribs with summer melon slaw or the super-delish Thai muu noodles – ground pork and chili tossed with thin noodles, long beans, bean sprouts and herbs. Good bets for mains include yogurt and curry shrimp skewers and soft-shell crab served with cucumber –Jodie Eisenhardt salad and Korean chili. MASCALZONE $$$ Italian 1550 Shepherd | 713.862.9700 | www.ilmascalzone.com Preparing all of their ingredients in-house for sauces, pizzas and pastas with mostly organic ingredients, there is a strong commitment to quality. Utilizing a state-of-the-art wood-fired Marana Forni pizza oven, the pies come out fast with a crispy, flavorful crust and fantastic yeast pockets. –Jodie Eisenhardt
–Mai Pham
MR. PEEPLES $$$$ Steakhouse 1911 Bagby | 713.652.0711 | www.mrpeeples.com Steaks and seafood are the specialties, but the menu is packed with delicious descriptions and creative titles. There are banquet and meeting facilities on the second floor with state-of-the-art audio and visual systems for business conferences, receptions, private parties, et al. So there are plenty of reasons to return.
SONGKRAN THAI KITCHEN $$$ Modern Thai | 1101-08 Uptown Park Blvd. | 713.993.9096 | www.songkranthaikitchen.com The Nam Tok, a cold beef salad with red onions, peanuts and a limefish sauce vinaigrette transported me to the streets of Bangkok (this will definitely become one of my go-to dishes). The Khai Luk Koei sonin-law eggs, deep fried for a lightly caramelized outer shell and served in a tamarind sauce on an iron skillet, is also a thing of beauty, with these amazing textures, and again, that deep tasty flavor intrinsic to –Mai Pham Thai food.
–Jeff Lane
MUSEUM PARK CAFE $$ New American 1801 Binz | 713.520.0109 | www.museumparkcafe.com For dinner, housemade pastas are a must, like the exquisite gnocchi with roasted mushrooms and a hit of acidic heat from pickled chiles balanced by wild arugula. Protein options do not disappoint, either – consider the Black Hills Ranch pork roast, served with creamy polenta, roasted winter veggies and toasted walnuts. Pastry Chef wiz Chris Leung is the icing on the cake (so to speak) with his innovative, scrumptious desserts. I’m currently obsessed with mascarpone semi–Jodie Eisenhardt freddo. Mmm. NARA $$$$ Sushi & Korean Kitchen 2800 Kirby Dr. | 281.249.5944 | www.narahouston.com Nara brings with it its Japanese strength in the art of sushi and sashimi. Only the freshest fish make the cut here, and it’s undeniable in the taste. Think delicious steamed soft buns full of delicious fillings. From prime boneless short-rib, prime rib-eye and pork belly to market veggies or peppercorn tuna – the options are endless and divine. –Jeff Lane
PAX AMERICANA $$$ Modern American 4319 Montrose Blvd. | 713.239.0228 www.paxamericanahtx.com For the cuisine itself, think edgy and comforting at the same time – like the “nine-spice” brisket served with potatoes, soured cream, black garlic, 1015 onions. It’s typical Sunday comfort food, yet you’ve never had any brisket like it. This is a special place with a team that is collaborating on a high level and clearly in the zone. It’s fun. It’s delicious. – Jodie Eisenhardt
URBAN KITCHEN $$ Modern American | 14008 Memorial Dr. | 281.531.7440 | www.urbankitchenhouston.com Open just a few months, the large menu is diverse. A fun starter is the lobster mac and cheese, made with wide rigatoni noodles and a nottoo-thick, creamy cheese sauce studded with lobster meat. There are a variety of flatbreads. We chose the very delicious “Wildwood” featuring house-smoked pulled pork, a drizzling of BBQ sauce, chopped onion and cheddar cheese. The popular catch of the day was grouper on my visit, grilled to a beautifully caramelized finish, served with perfect asparagus and a creamy risotto filled with fresh mushrooms. –Jodie Eisenhardt
$ KEY =
BASED ON URBAN SPOON HOUSTON
$ = cheap eats $$ = moderately priced $$$ = higher priced $$$$ = fine dining
FOR OUR COMPLETE RESTAURANT LISTING, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
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METDance DUO FEBRUARY 12–14, CATCH DUO, AN INTIMATE EVENING OF A SERIES OF
DUETS FROM THE METDANCE REPERTOIRE. THE ARTISTS OF METDANCE WILL BOTH CELEBRATE AND EXPLORE THESE PAIRINGS IN AN UP-CLOSE SETTING AT SPRING STREET STUDIOS. Choreographers included in the works are Joe Celej, Mariana Doyle, Spencer Gavin Hering, Kiki Lucas, Lauren Edson and Jhon R. Stronks. Tickets are $20. METDance is a contemporary jazz repertoire, concert-based company with 11 dancers that are contracted September – September and are in-house trained.
www.metdance.org/duo
Photography by Runaway Productions
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THIS MONTH’S
MUST-SEE EXHIBITS.
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1. OCTAVIA ART GALLERY presents Prematurely Discarded in collaboration with Ruiz-Healy Art, showcasing selected works by photographer Chuck Ramirez. Ramirez’s work explores the fragility of life based on his experiences with HIV and a serious heart condition by isolating everyday objects onto a stark white background. The exhibition is on view through February 25.
2. In the Caverns of Your Mind by Ian James is a three-part collaboSELF ACTUALIZATION.
rative performance with JD Emmanuel and Meredith Corvette Carter that
includes photographs, videos and arundo huts at On view through February 14
3. MUIR FINE ART GALLERY will host an event filled with cinema at Studio
Movie Grill followed by an art show featuring works by Tom DuBois and cuisine from Eddie V’s benefitting Valvisions Foundation on February 25, 10am–3pm.
4. Carlee Fernandez’ first solo exhibit, Arranging Family, uses good humor with sculptures and photographs to highlight blurred boundaries between
children, parents and spouses. On view through February 21 at INMAN GALLERY.
5.
of Love at THE ALLEN CENTER just in time for Valentine’s Day. This never-beforeseen exhibit immerses the visitor into a distinct reality that will change their life forever. The Tunnel of Love opens February 12. Inspired by fun houses, Arts Brookfield presents The Art Guys’ The Tunnel
6. In partnership with Art League Houston, the GALVESTON ARTS CENTER is hosting a site-specific installation by Houston-based artist and designer Selven O’Keef Jarmon, 360 Degrees Vanishing. About 400 participants have helped string over 300,000 beads of this tapestry.
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5 FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF ART HOUSES, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.localhoustonmagazine.com.
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MUSEUM DISTRICT
HIGHLIGHTS
www.byzantinefrescochapel.org 4011 Yupon St. | Houston, TX 77006 713.521.3990 Wednesday – Sunday 11am–6pm Closed Monday and Tuesdays.
www.junghouston.org 5200 Montrose Boulevard | Houston, TX 77006 713.524.8253 Monday – Thursday 9am–7:30pm, Friday 9am–4pm, Saturday 10am–4pm, Closed Sunday
www.architecture.rice.edu Rice University MS-50, 6100 Main St. | Houston, TX 77005 713.348.4864
www.mfah.org 1001 Bissonnet | Houston, TX 77005 713.639.7300 Tuesday–Wednesday, 10am–5pm Thursday, 10am–9pm Friday–Saturday, 10am–7pm Sunday, 12:15 to 7pm Closed Monday
1. A new installation by Janet
FRESCO CHAPEL. The married couple has collaborated artistically since the 1980s and are known
for their immersive, environmentally scaled works incorporating sound and video. This specific work was commissioned by the Menil Collection for the space and will be the couple’s first mobile. Suspended from the high ceiling, the rotating work will incorporate a variety of objects including a fan, antique model airplane and glass globes. There are also illuminated elements and a sound collage incorporating new recordings on interactions of solar winds with the earth’s ionosphere collected by NASA. The project is the inaugural exhibit of approximately year-long exhibitions that will take place in the chapel.
2. THE JUNG CENTER presents Shahla Rosa’s Contemporary Surrealist works this month in
A Journey Beyond Subconscious Surrealism. The Canadian-American feels like a “spectator at the birth of the surrealist movement” each time she begins a new painting. Rosa’s compositions are inspired by Andre Breton, Sigmund Freud and Dante Alighieri, and deal with themes of human nature and the subconscious. Rosa paints her deepest thoughts in an attempt to shed light on her inner self. The paintings are loaded with imagery that really could be what her subconscious map looks like in her brain. It’s wild – check it out.
3. Shotgun is a site-specific installation created by Tokyo-based, renowned architecture studio
Atelier Bow-Bow in collaboration with the RICE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND THE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY. Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima, the principals at Bow-Wow, collaborated with RSA Assistant Professor Jesús Vassallo and students to design and build the installation inspired by Houston’s historic row houses.
4. THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON opens the Art of Islamic Lands this month. The collection is one of the greatest privately held collections of Islamic art in the world. Among the highlights are a 16th-century Ottoman Turkish prayer carpet, a glass mosque lamp from 14th-century Cairo and opulent Mughal jewelry.
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Cardiff and George Bures Miller is open at the BYZANTINE
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Illustration by German Arellano
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GISH AT THE MOVIES
THE MOUNTAINS ARE COMING TO TOWN When the Allen brothers founded Houston back in 1836, they lied to the folks back in New York and said we had mountains in our bayou city. Who knew that almost 200 years later their dream would come to fruition? Celluloid mountains are coming to Houston this February 20 and 21 when Telluride Mountainfilm (www.mountainfilm.org) returns to Houston for the third year, thanks to founders Jack and Shushana Castle, two amazing pioneers who would have made the Allen Brothers proud. Jack is a third-generation Houstonian who built his career in the healthcare sector and is now on the Board of Directors of Telluride Mountainfilm, and Shushana is an author of two books that take on the food industry and was an international bond trader for over 25 years. The dynamic duo are environmental activists on a local and global scale and, for Telluride Mountainfilm over a decade, Shushana and Jack have been devotees of Telluride Mountainfilm. They discovered their passion for activism from many of the films they watched at the festival, and it became their personal mission to raise awareness about social, cultural and environmental issues by bringing Mountainfilm to Houston in 2012. Founded in 1979, the documentary festival has a strong mission: to educate and inspire audiences about issues that matter. Issues that matter is what Shushana and Jack Castle are all about. “Every year we are humbled by dozens of films that capture our hearts and open our eyes to more awe-inspiring people that are doing great things around the world. There are so many well done documentaries at Mountainfilm. Each year, we leave feeling renewed and enlightened by the entire experience,” Shushana told me. “We love films with ‘feel good’ strong messages,” Jack told me – and yet he doesn’t shy away from the obvious work we have here in Houston: “A few years ago I invited two senior executives of huge oil companies to view a film about drilling and dumping toxins into waterways and its effect on health and the environment. I told them both to think about their grandchildren and not their company. One executive was the last to leave that night.” Telluride Mountainfilm in Houston will be at the Asia Society (www.asiasociety.org/texas) and tickets are available through ICEtalks (www.icetalks.org), the nonprofit formed by the Castles that focuses on “Issues, Cultures, and Environments worth sustaining.” Prices are $30/night or $55/weekend and dinner during the intermission will be provided by Shade (www.shadeandcanopy.com) for around $10. FOUR FILMS WILL BE SHOWN THIS YEAR: Tashi and the Monk, which is an amazing story about patience and passion
Mending the Line
Tashi and the Monk
Xmas Without China
filmed in the Himalayas; Mending the Line, about a World War II veteran that brings up themes of love, suffering, memories and hope; Cold, about ascending an 8,000-meter peak in the middle of winter; and Xmas Without China, in which a family tries to celebrate the holidays without anything made in China.
WANT TO SEE MORE ART FILMS? Check out these venues: 14 Pews (www.14pews.org); Alamo Drafthouse (www.drafthouse.com); Asia Society (www.asiasociety.org/texas); Aurora Picture Show (www.aurorapictureshow.org); Blaffer Art Museum (www.blafferartmuseum.org); Café Brasil (www.cafe-brasil.net); Contemporary Arts Museum (www.camh.org); Discovery Green (www.discoverygreen.com); DiverseWorks (www.diverseworks.org); Holocaust Museum (www.hmh.org); Jewish Community Center (www.erjcchouston.org); Landmark River Oaks Theatre (www.landmarktheatres.com); Miller Outdoor Theatre (www.milleroutdoortheatre.com); Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (www.mfah.org/films); Orange Show (www.orangeshow.org); Rice Cinema (www.ricecinema.rice.edu); and Sundance Cinemas (www.sundancecinemas.com).
Sarah Gish is an artist, mama, igniter and connector who has been writing for Local magazine since 1998. She was one of the co-founders of Q-Fest, Houston’s only LGBT festival, and was the publicist and city manager for Landmark Theatres in the 1990s, overseeing the River Oaks, Greenway and Saks movie theatres. She owns Gish Creative (www.gishcreative.com), a personal, family and business enrichment company that she founded in 2000. It’s her joy to bring the love of movies to Houstonians and to let people know about all the amazing arts and culture in Houston.
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FRESH ARTS SCENE JUST BECAUSE IT’S THE SECOND MONTH DOESN’T MEAN IT’S SECOND BEST. GET INTO YOUR RHYTHM WITH THE FRESH ARTS SCENE. By Ariel Jones OLIVER HERRING: AREAS FOR ACTION DiverseWorks On view through
March 7 Areas for Action (AFA) is an exhibition concept of participatory performances, improvisatory sculptures and real-time collaborative artworks. Taking advantage of mixed media and chance encounters, Herring creates unique worlds in which artist and audience interact with one another in a visual and embodied exploration of community. The exhibition can be seen at DiverseWorks Artspace at 4102 Fannin Street, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77004. For more information about the exhibition and performances, visit www.diverseworks.org.
THE 2015 INPRINT POETS & WRITERS BALL FEATURING SALMAN RUSHDIE
LOVE LETTERS Ars Lyrica Saturday, February 14 Italians make everything sound romantic, especially in music! A swoon advisory is thus in effect for this performance featuring duets from Claudio Monteverdi and cantatas by Vivaldi and Scarlatti. Two rising stars of the opera world return to the Zilkha Hall stage for this special Valentine’s Day treat: countertenor John Holiday and mezzo-soprano Ellie Jarrett Shattles. Tickets range from $36 – $57. Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby Street #300, Houston, TX 77002. For more information, visit www.arslyrica.org.
Inprint Margarett Brown Reading Series
LOVE YOU FOREVER AND BEYOND
Saturday, February 7, 6:30pm Inprint invites you to attend a festive and stimulating evening honoring the written word -- the 2015 Inprint Poets & Writers Ball -- chaired by Joan and Stanford Alexander, Jeff Fort and Andrea and Bill White. The featured speaker is Salman Rushdie. The evening begins with cocktails and touring the ballroom. All of the tables in the ballroom will be decorated in literary themes by gala committee members and guests, featuring books and items from personal collections. At 7pm, in intimate reading rooms, guests will enjoy short salon-style readings by three wonderful Inprint fellowship and prize recipients and University of Houston Creative Writing Program alumni, Nina McConigley, Kimberly Meyer and Tiphanie Yanique. The event takes place at Houston Country Club, 1 Potomac Drive, Houston, TX
Archway Gallery
77057. For more information, visit www.inprinthouston.org.
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Opening Reception: Saturday, February 7, 5–8pm The exhibition features original art and Giclee prints of illustrations by Sheila McGraw from published children's books, including bestsellers. Giclee prints from the bestseller Love You Forever (more than 27 million books in print), original art and Giclee prints from I Promise I'll Find You and Pussycats Everywhere!, original art from Indie books Where the Lost Things Go and Snuffy and Vroom Vroom, original art from out-of-print books Lightning Bug Thunder, My Mother's Hands, and My Father's Hands. The reception takes place at Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy, Houston, TX 77006. Complimentary valet parking and catered refreshments. For more information, visit http://www.archwaygallery.com/.
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RECORDING
DWAYNE CATHEY
www.dreamlandsound.com
AS A COMPOSER, DWAYNE CATHEY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE FILM INDUSTRY FOR EIGHT YEARS, BUT HE WAS PLAYING GUITAR AND SINGING IN HOUSTON BANDS LIKE CEDAR OF LEBANON AND THE GUNS OF AUGUST IN THE DECADE (AND THEN SOME) BEFORE THAT. THE DIY APPROACH HE TOOK TO MUSIC CARRIED OVER INTO HIS FILM WORK, WITH PSYCHIC EXPERIMENT (2010) AND GLOW: THE STORY OF THE GORGEOUS LADIES OF WRESTLING (2012) BEING NOTABLE CORNERSTONES. NOW HE’S WORKING BOTH SIDES, MOONLIGHTING AS THE SINGER OF THE BAND HOLDER WHILE BUILDING HIS OWN PRODUCTION COMPANY, DREAMLAND SOUND DESIGN. Interview by Lance Scott Walker Photography by Anthony Rathbun
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WHAT’S THE THINKING BEHIND CREATING A COMPANY INSTEAD OF JUST WORKING AS A COMPOSER? It’s more so I can hire musicians to come and play on scores. That way I can contract them out and everything. It’s a lot easier doing that with the producers. It’s more legit, and when you’re telling someone that you’re going to score something for them but you gotta hire musicians, I think that’s a good thing. It really does tell them that it’s not just your friends playing guitar. WHAT WILL BE YOUR FIRST PROJECT UNDER THE NEW NAME? I’ve been working on all these different web series. One’s called 25 And Married, and another’s called Faking Famous. Then I have one I’m trying to do a pilot for called Doctor Mayor. The script feels like a Wes Anderson kinda story, and the main character’s name is Doctor Mayor. So I’ve got that coming up in April. But the last thing I shot was out in the middle of nowhere in Texas. It’s a horror movie called Hair-Metal Shotgun Zombie Massacre. And Tom Araya [of Slayer] was in that.
AND BUSHWICK BILL, TOO? Yeah! Bushwick was pretty funny. He came in last minute because Gary Busey cancelled, so he got Gary Busey’s part! [laughs] They called him the day before and he said, “I’ll call you tomorrow and tell what time I’m gonna be there.” And then he called, and they said, “Alright, he’s doing it.” So they started writing lines for him. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU ON SET LIKE THAT? Well, I do kind of everything right now. Since it’s pretty much just me, I do the location sound, and then I do all of the mastering and mixing of the sound, especially on the web series. I get a lot of those lately, which is steady work. I’ve been doing this for eight years now, and I started off just going and setting up lights for people. It wasn’t something I was trying to get into, but it was always fun, and then somebody was like, “I need somebody to do sound.” So I did sound. I mean, I can run a soundboard. And then I just started buying gear, and saving it up DOES THE INSTRUMENTATION VARY FROM PROJECT TO PROJECT? It’s different. It just depends on what the director wants. I come from bands, so it comes from the stuff
I can play, but also if we need strings or something, I’ll get Two Star Symphony or my friend Alex Hughes. He plays cello and standup bass, and sometimes I’ll get him over here just to do small things here and there, but if I can play it I just try to do it myself. I’m learning every day. I’m learning drums right now. ARE YOU DOING ANY WRITING, FOR THE STORIES YOU’RE DEVELOPING? Well, I want Dreamland to become a production company. I started it this way because this is what I’m already doing, and hopefully I can branch out and start producing. I’m writing a short film right now. I made one a long time ago but I kinda wanted to keep doing this and do different jobs to learn more about it. I did the first one and was like, “I need to learn a lot more.” So I started taking any job I could get. I mean, even if it’s just a PA [Production Assistant] job, I’ll take it. I don’t care. I went and just cleaned windows one day because we were shooting a commercial for a windows company. They were like, “You just clean these windows, and I’ll shoot it.” And that was our day. But I learned how to shoot through a window, which is harder than you think it is.
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PEOPLE FATHER TJ MARTINEZ, SJ Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston THE LARGER THAN LIFE, fearless leader of Cristo Rey Jesuit Prep School
passed away after a battle with cancer over Thanksgiving in 2014. Those who had the chance to meet and interact with the Jesuit priest walked away inspired and happy. Father TJ Martinez’s happiness and enthusiasm for whatever he happened to be working on that moment (and it was usually a bunch of things at once) was contagious. This is probably how all of his goals in his way too short life were achieved. I can only believe that God had a plan for him all along, and he knew he didn’t have a lifetime to get it all done. The Catholic high school Martinez established in 2009 combines personal responsibility, academic rigor and a corporate work-study program to empower students of all faiths from economically challenged families to reach their full potential. Since its inception 100% of his students have been accepted to college. The legacy he leaves will never be forgotten and remains in the children who will become the leaders of tomorrow thanks to Father Martinez’s belief in them. By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography by Cody Bess
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ELIZABETH KILLINGER President of NRG Retail and Reliant
In discussing both her professional and personal life, it’s easy to see Elizabeth Killinger display a sense of pride. Passionate about her role as a wife and mother of three children (“Something fun is always going on in my house”, she says with a laugh), Elizabeth Killinger is equally as passionate about her part in helping the nation’s fourth largest city realize its renewable energy potential. And it starts in no better place than with her current position. “I’ve always had a vision to help consumers have a little less anxiety about their power needs.” Having helped lead the way into NRG Stadium’s official renaming, she also spearheaded the installation of energy-efficient LED lights throughout the stadium, one of the nation’s first. In addition, she has helped lead NRG Park’s long-term sustainability plan, which includes several small projects, ranging from an EV charging station on premises, to three separate solar panel installations near the stadium, in direct view of the public. For those not familiar, NRG is paving the way for consumers to expand their electricity options beyond the traditional power grid. With a big push towards renewable energy that is showing no signs of slowing down, the energy giant aims to provide the full suite of power solutions for the end user. Killinger has recently been named the President of Goal Zero as well, NRG’s first foray into the consumer products industry. GOAL ZERO provides various solar panel-powered charging devices, helping “juice” everything from small gadgets like mobile phones to heavy-duty appliances like televisions and minirefrigerators. For a company that provides traditional electricity to residential and commercial clients, you might be wondering what NRG is doing buying a consumer products company. “Since the customer is at the center of all power choices we provide, we recognize that power needs are going beyond the traditional home,” states the enthusiastic businesswoman. “We want to power your life, not just power your home.” And it doesn’t stop there. Mrs. Killinger has big plans to help nonprofits across the Houston area with solar and portable power needs, giving back to the community beyond the many boards and volunteer programs she associates with.
By Adam Bergen Photography by Max Burkhalter
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SOCIAL MEDIA AT ITS BEST Ashley Rose, Caroline Knapp, Hailie Durrett, Kendall Hanna, Sarah Salinas & Aimee Woodall
CAROLINE KNAPP
ASHLEY ROSE of SUGAR + CLOTH sugarandcloth.com | @sugarandcloth A keen eye for art & design, Ashley Rose began Sugar + Cloth to share projects with friends and family back home. What started as a little blog in Houston blossomed into baking, crafting, DIYs, travel and style-inspired living for people all over the world.
CAROLINE KNAPP of HOUSE of HARPER
houseofharper.com | @houseofharper
Recognized as a top fashion and beauty blog by Better Homes & Gardens and Redbook Magazine, Caroline is the curator and founder behind House of Harper.
HAILIE DURRETT
T
HERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT WHEN A WOMAN COMPLIMENTS ANOTHER. WE TEND TO TAKE IT MORE TO HEART, MAKING US BELIEVE THAT WE CAN DO ANYTHING. THAT WAS OUR GUIDE FOR THE WOMEN ON THESE PAGES. WOMEN WHOSE FEEDS INSPIRE US TO BE BETTER, CREATE MORE, HANG OUT WITH OUR TODDLERS (EVEN WHEN THEY ARE THROWING ADULT-SIZE TEMPER TANTRUMS), REMIND US THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL TO DISCOVER THINGS RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACK YARD AND THAT THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN OUR OWN NEEDS – LIKE GIVING BACK. THESE LADIES ARE SHAKING UP THE CITY FOR THE GREATER GOOD AND THAT’S WHY THEY MADE OUR “PEOPLE” ISSUE. Read more on localhoustonmagazine.com. By Carla Valencia de Martinez + Batli Joselevitz | Photography by Sofia van der Dys Hair + Makeup by Darcie Teasley
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ASHLEY ROSE
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HAILIE DURRETT and KENDALL HANNA of WHITE BUFFALO PROJECT
thewhitebuffaloproject.com | @whitebuffaloproject
This duo is a force to be reckoned with. Hailie and Kendall have launched the White Buffalo Project, a nonprofit aimed to create a movement of authenticity and community among women in Houston. A place where women can meet and create true friendship.
SARAH SALINAS of BOHO BLACK bohoblack.blogspot.com | @bohoblack Two groups of sisters joined forces in creating an eclectic, funky, fresh blog where nothing is off limits. From a growing baby tribe to savory recipes and everything in between, these ladies including Sarah Salinas are the definition of boho chic at its finest.
KENDALL HANNA
AIMEE WOODALL leader of the BLACK SHEEP AGENCY
flock [creative cause-based branding agency] www.theblacksheepagency.com
Although Aimee has been a pretty consistent subject in our magazine through her PR journey the last five years, she continues to amaze us with her growth. Today the Black Sheep Agency uses social media, media relations, graphic designs, branding, community-driven events and partnerships to raise awareness.
AIMEE WOODALL SARAH SALINAS
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SHAWN PARKS Bojangles Music School
SINCE 2007, BOJANGLES MUSIC SCHOOL HAS OPERATED AS A FLOATING NETWORK OF INSTRUCTORS GIVING PRIVATE LESSONS ALL OVER HOUSTON, BUT NOW FOUNDER SHAWN PARKS HAS OPENED A BONA FIDE MUSIC SCHOOL RIGHT ABOVE THE STALWART ROCKIN’ ROBIN GUITARS AND MUSIC ON SOUTH SHEPHERD, WITH OLD SEATS FROM THE ASTRODOME IN THE WAITING ROOM AND EACH PRACTICE ROOM NAMED AFTER A LEGENDARY TEXAS-BORN GUITARIST. Of all the people you named the rooms after, who has been the most unknown entity to the students? Probably Johnny Winter. Not a lot of them know who Johnny Winter is, or Lightnin’, which kills me. Go home and listen to Lightnin’ Hopkins, man! Are kids going home and looking him up? Oh, yeah. It’s great, man. They come in and they wanna learn a Lightnin’ Hopkins song, which we’ve got to clear with their parents lyrically before we teach it to ’em! But that’s a good problem to have. It’s interesting, because Lightnin’s songs were just a few chords, but the way he plucked around on the guitar was very sophisticated, so you’re almost teaching kids to improvise in a way, right? It’s like anything – you gotta learn the rules and follow them until you can break them. Music’s that way, and Lightnin’ was the king of that, playing a little out of time, a little out of tune, but it just worked. It was just magic. And a lot of the stuff that he wrote is so metaphorical that kids understand it on the face value end, but to me, if they keep these songs with them, later on they’ll get the deeper meaning – a lot of times, a sexual meaning – behind a lot of the stuff that he wrote, and that stuff will be valid later on in their lives. It’s all an investment in their futures. That’s it. I’m in a real cool place where not only do I get to influence the next generation of Houston musicians, but at the same time I can put some really steady money in the pockets of the guys who are out here trying to do it right now that should be doing it. That are doing what they’re supposed to do on this planet – playing their instrument. I think about that every day. That’s one of the coolest things for me, to have some influence and some impact on the Houston music scene. This is my hometown. I love it here. www.bojanglesmusicschool.com
By Lance Scott Walker Photography by Anthony Rathbun
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MEL CHIN Artist Last month, Houston-born artist MEL CHIN launched a traveling retrospective exhibit that spans four venues with a staggered speaking series. Mel Chin: Rematch is a mixed media exhibit that includes sculpture, video, drawing, painting, collage, and both land and performing art. By dispersing the collection across four sites, Chin was hoping to avoid a chronological presentation. The demonstration’s 60 artworks showcase the extensive range of subject matter and talent that his artwork encompasses. Chin describes the survey as an opportunity to revisit, reframe and battle his previous conceptions. “Points of view established in the past are no longer up to date,” he says. “It’s time for a rematch.” The 31-piece collection on view at the Blaffer Art Museum focuses on Chin’s most well-known, science-based projects, namely Revival Field, in which he worked with agronomist Rufus Chaney on a unique set of sculptures that used phytoremediation, or metal-accumulating plants, to absorb toxins from contaminated soil, as a reductive technique. This can be compared to the way a sculptor carves away marble to create a masterpiece. Rematch at CAMH focuses on Chin’s work from the early 1970s, as well as his iconic and moving animation 9/11–9/11, created in 2007. The exhibition at Asia Society Texas Center shows a deep connection to the artist’s interest in the culture, history and aesthetics of Asia. The interactive aspect of the display, KNOWMAD, allows visitors to experience mapping, borders, nomadism and the encroachment of technology. The Station Museum of Contemporary Art will present a study for the proposed State of Heaven, where an oversized, floating, hand-knotted carpet serves as a symbolic and sacrificial sky, and is placed under a directive that parallels the actual destruction of the ozone layer.
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Throughout his career, which successfully spans over four decades, Chin has worked on several site-specific, research-driven and collaborative projects in which he has partnered with scientists, fellow artists and community members. Various pieces from Rematch will be on display through March 21 at the Blaffer Art Museum and through April 19 at both the Contemporary Arts Museum and Asia Society Texas Center.
By Jill Patir | Photography by Helen Nagge
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A NEW ART DISTRICT John Deal, Todd Johnson, Frank Liu & Steve Gibson There’s a lot of growth brewing in the Greater Houston metropolitan area and Houston developer JON DEAL, along with other co-developers, investors and partners, are not only primed to take advantage but are seasoned to transform even the most neglected spaces and properties into inspired places that spark creative and cultural experiences. story continued on next page
STEVE GIBSON
JOHN DEAL FRANK LIU
TODD JOHNSON
Photography by Kennon Evett
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The Washington Avenue Arts District incites ingenuity and resourcefulness of some of the most historically significant sites within Houston’s landscape. The re-imagined 267,000sf commercial campus of Winter Street, Spring Street and Silver Street Studios coupled with the soon-to-be 79,000sf Rice Silos on Sawyer Street (circa summer 2015) are home to a populace of innovative tenants, where creativity and productivity embrace one another, catalyzing dreams to become reality. From artists to graphic designers to PR firms, architects, design firms and even theater companies, this Arts District lineup boasts of robust talent like none other. There’s Nicola Parente, Sandi Seltzer Bryant, Patrick Palmer ¬– all artists dwelling within Winter Street Studios. Artist Justin Garcia, Damsel White Label Bridal Company, sculptor Eva Graf, jeweler Nichole Dittman, at Silver Street Studios. Theater companies Mildred’s Umbrella and Stark Naked, aerial arts center Vault, VR photography designer Syd Moen, artist Fariba Abedin, artist Jane Eifler, entertainment extraordinaire Puppet Pizazz and even this magazine, LOCAL, all call Spring Street Studios home. Yet, it takes skill, a keen eye, vision and a knack for most things different to evolve into a community of unwavering flavor and distinctiveness that enables us to see where we are going and also where we have been over the years. Per Deal, “As a veteran developer (his first redevelopment project, Afton Oaks, done in ’92 and which he still owns), I am most motivated by the challenge and satisfaction of repurposing old buildings. The collaborative relationship with developers, homebuilders and investors in Silver Street Studios – FRANK LIU, STEVE GIBSON and PAUL HOBBY; my partner with Spring Street, Winter Street, The Silos and other ventures, TODD JOHNSON; and collectively our unified vision – is certain to create broad scale destinations which will yield great things for the Washington Avenue Arts District., as we continue to work on joint projects.”
A COMMON BOND Courtney Walton and Caroline Walton Norman
COURTNEY WALTON and CAROLINE WALTON NORMAN are
identical twins. Just two regular girls in Houston. They just happen to have 3 sets of identical twins in their family. The newest belong to Caroline who herself gave birth to twin girls, Katherine Marlowe and Vivienne Darcy, just weeks before our shoot. According to Wikipedia, the occurrence of identical twins worldwide is about three in every 1,000. Caroline is only one minute older than her sister Courtney, and Caroline’s twins are only about 15-20 seconds apart. And no, Courtney shares that they can’t feel each other’s pain or read each other’s mind. But their bond is strong enough that they can tell each other’s mood within seconds of seeing each other. They see each other daily, and Courtney was in the room cheering her sister on as her nieces were born.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6 come celebrate Winter Street's 10 Year
Anniversary 6–9pm with The Originals gallery show. Tour 75 open studios and view work from 95 current resident artists. Enjoy cocktails and bites.
Interested in “Second Saturdays Open Studios” at Winter, Spring and Silver Street Studios on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14. Visit www.artsdistricthouston.com for more info.
By Susan M. Bynam
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By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography by Collin Kelly Styled by Leslie Rivas-Kelly Clothes from Replay Vintage Hair and Makeup by Bianca Linette
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RANDALL & NATALIE DAVIS Randall Davis Company
Randall Davis is a happy guy. And why shouldn’t he be? As one of Houston’s most prominent real estate developers, he is largely responsible for spearheading and nurturing the city’s ever-growing enthusiasm for urban living. What began with the renovation and transformation of a historic 1911 building – now known as Dakota Lofts – in the city’s Warehouse District back in the early 1990s has become a real-estate empire with a booming stable of high-rise and mid-rise buildings. Currently, the Randall Davis Company has a number of projects in various stages of development spread across the city. Under construction are the 29-story Astoria, featuring 75 residences of which only two are still for sale, and the Chateau Ten Sunset, a sixstory mid-rise near Rice University with 10 residences. Another building – the Chateau Ten River Oaks – is finished and sold out. “Houstonians are clamoring for high-rise living,” says Natalie Davis, who happens to be the company’s director of marketing and director of operations as well as the founder’s daughter. “We see a variety of people who love transitioning from home to high-rise.” Given the proliferation – and success – of Davis’ projects, it’s pretty clear that high-rise living is hot. Inventory is scarce, and developers can’t work fast enough to add more. In fact, Davis has two more structures already in the planning stages. Located in downtown Houston, the 20-story Marlowe will feature 100 residences, with prices starting at $500,000 per unit. The second, yet-to-be-named 30story high-rise is near The Galleria, boasting 100 to 115 pricey units that will cost anywhere from $750,000 to $5 million. Sales centers for both the Marlowe and the unnamed building will open in March. Not surprisingly, in the late 1990s, Davis redeveloped – some say rescued – the fabled Rice Hotel, turning it into one- and two-bedroom apartments, and also restored the building’s lobby and ballroom as well as the basement swimming pool. The attention to detail and unique aesthetic touches have become hallmarks of the company’s projects, which are overseen by the father-daughter team. “We feed off one another, think alike in many ways and also have very different opinions,” says Natalie Davis of her working relationship with her father. “But that’s what makes us a great team. We push one another to think differently and see things differently, and from there we create great work together.” By Cristina Adams Photography by Sofia van der Dys
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FRIENDS+NEIGHBORS
“Moving here from Illinois, in general, people are just friendlier. It’s a friendly city. What got me into community in this city was when I started doing yoga. I wish I would have known right away the different places to go to when I first moved here – I’ve met a lot of people that way. I got to know people, and I got to feel like I actually belong here.”
“I love Texas because it’s become home.”
–GUS CHALHOUB, originally from Lebanon, at The Centennial Gardens in Hermann Park.
–CASEY BIELENBERG, with her son Justin at Catalina Coffee.
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IT’S TIME TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HOUSTON SPORTS ALL OF US SHOULD STRIVE TO LEARN, EMBRACE AND LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR CITY – IT’S OUR CITY! LEARN TO LOVE THE ARTS, THE FOOD, THE BUSINESSES, THE TACO TRUCKS AND YOU GUESSED IT – THE TEAMS.
HOUSTON IS ONE OF ABOUT 15 CITIES TO BOAST FOUR PRO SPORTS TEAMS. It’s an honor actually. Whether you love football, basketball, baseball or soccer, we’ve got it all. If you grew up here, you probably love the teams because of your roots. You likely grew up watching the greats and have memories to support your unwavering love, but our city is filled with so many transplants, sometimes it’s hard to be a homer.
IN HONOR OF THE MONTH OF LOVE, HERE ARE SOME REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HOUSTON SPORTS •JJ WATT. This needs no explanation.
•OUR STADIUMS HAVE CONVERTIBLE STATUS. Both Minute Maid Park (1 of only 6
MLB) and NRG Stadium (1 of only 4 NFL) have retractable roofs, making weather excuses a non-issue.
•THE 34s: Campbell, Ryan and Olajuwon. •THE ROCKETS 1994–1995 back-to-back
championships.
•ORBIT, the Astros mascot, was named 2014 Best Mascot by GameOps.com. He is from outer space, and if that’s not reason enough, he doesn’t wear pants. And if you need another reason, how about he trolls, antagonizes and imitates the opposing players in a hilarious fashion. Orbit is great. •THE DYNAMO set a MLS record
with a 36-game unbeaten streak at home that lasted parts of three seasons and two calendar years (June 2011–May 2013).
•THE ASTROS are a team on the rise having
finished the 2014 season 70–92 – a 19-win improvement over their 2013 record. The 19-win improvement was second-best in the Majors and second-best turnaround in franchise history.
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•NOLAN RYAN’S BACK. Many know the impact #34 had on the Astros for nine seasons, so fans are eager to see if he can bring it back.
•THE DYNAMO have been successful in their first nine years, reaching the playoffs seven of nine years and advancing to the MLS Cup Final four times and the Conference Championship six times.
•TEXANS TAILGATING – consistently top 5 in the NFL.
•Astros outfielder GEORGE SPRINGER, who appeared on the
cover of Sports Illustrated (June 30 issue), joining Joe Morgan, Sonny Jackson, J.R. Richard, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens and Brad Lidge as Astros SI cover boys since the ’60s.
•The Rockets have two superstars in DWIGHT HOWARD and JAMES HARDEN. Harden is constantly improving, has a killer beard (Fear the Beard!), and the healthy Howard has been sticking it to Laker fans for two years.
By Jayme Lamm Illustration by Running Game Clothing
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EVENT NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH WHERE MR. PEEPLES Over 500 patrons dressed up to ring in 2015 at Mr. Peeples’ 2nd annual New Year’s Eve Bash. The sold-out event featured all the essential ingredients needed for a great party including an ice bar, balloon drop and non-stop entertainment to celebrate the new year. Photography by Alec Lasar
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EVENT HOTEL ZAZA RINGS IN 2015 WHERE HOTEL ZAZA To celebrate the new year the Monarch Bistro at Hotel ZaZa was transformed into centerstage for the evening’s festivities. More than 400 guests dressed to impress for a night to remember featuring a special Lychee champagne cocktail, light bites, tunes by DJ John Tran, a Smilebooth GIF and balloons. Photography by Chinh Pham
EVENT ILUMINACION: A BAYOU BASH WHERE HOUSTON MAKERSPACE Despite the rainy weather, over 200 guests gathered to support the programs at Houston Arts Alliance featuring beats by DJ Sun, projections on the ceilings by Pablo Gimenez-Zapiola with moments captured by Smilebooth. Photography by Roswitha Vogler
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EVENT VINTAGE CONTESSA BIRTHDAY COCKTAILS WHERE DAVID PECK USA The Vintage Contessa’s Donae Cangelosi Chramosta and best friend Jennifer James celebrated Donae’s birthday with cocktails and an informal style show by David Peck USA and The Vintage Contessa. Guests did their part in joining Donae and Jennifer in the battle against pediatric cancer by donating to The Scarlett Fund. The fund was founded by Jennifer, whose eight-year-old daughter Scarlett was diagnosed with T Cell Lymphoma in 2013. Photography by lastnightpics.com
EVENT RUGGLES BLACK + PAGE PARKES HOLIDAY PARTY WHERE RUGGLES BLACK Page Parkes and Ruggles Black celebrated the holiday season in style with a handful of Houston’s top fashion designers including Jonathan Blake, David Peck and Amir Taghi, to name a few. More than 150 partygoers donated to Houston Designed and Houston Food Bank in light of the holiday spirit. Photography by Jordan Fischels
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WHERE TO LIVE NOW
WEST UNIVERSITY
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Developed in 1917, WEST UNIVERSITY got its name from its close proximity to Rice University, and street names like Swift, Nottingham, Amherst and Robinhood are allusions to universities and poets throughout the U.S. and beyond. Also nicknamed as the “Neighborhood City,” West U is more than just a family-friendly area.
It’s a community filled with history and delicious cultural delights like The Ginger Man pub, family-owned D’Amicos Italian Market Café, Tiny’s No. 5 and Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe. Whether you’re taking a stroll through Rice Village and Rice University or cruising through University Boulevard, you can’t help but feel right at home. By Batli Joselevitz Illustration by German Arellano
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STYLE + LEISURE A GOLD STATEMENT THOMAS MARKLE JEWELERS is the
largest independent Rolex retailer in Texas. The family jewelers just opened in the Memorial City area with a 3,600sf space that just so happens to have a 700sf Rolex boutique in the store. This just might be the perfect stop for that special Valentine’s Day gift. (That was a HINT.)
Gateway Memorial City shopping center, 947 Gessner Road. www.thomasmarklejewelers.com
Image coutsey of Thomas Markle Jewelers at Gateway Memorial City
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Photography by Gabriella Nissen
THINGS WE LOVE
Oeuf New York makes the most amazingly luxurious knits for kids; this pink snake has a two-fold purpose. One – hello – it’s SUPER CUTE! And, two, it wraps around an infant while she sleeps, cocooning her in place. My little Carlota loves her snake. www.oeufnyc.com
There’s something magical about Jo Malone’s scents. But it’s the creativity behind the new collections that gets me. Rock the Ages is a celebration of all things Great Britain, the history, the royalty, the eccentric. A collection of 5 beautifully decorated bottles cover the dark grandeur of the Tudors, the gentility of Georgian London, the Victorian era, the elegance of Edwardian summers and today’s perfect blend of tradition and rock and roll. These are my two favorites. I mix them or wear them alone, depending on my mood. Limited edition, available through March at Neiman Marcus. by Carla Valencia de Martinez
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“Jason (m husband) got me a fitbit Charge™ for Christmas and I’m obsessed. It motivates me to keep moving throughout the day. I’m more inclined to take the stairs over the elevator. And the app has so many cool features like logging how long and how well you sleep – I’m hooked!” – Sarah DeVon, founder Boho Black
“I am obsessed with my vintage orange velvet chairs. The chairs belonged to my recently passed grandparents, and I love that when I look at them it reminds me of them and inspires me to be the best version of myself. The chairs were the perfect finishing touch to my new office because orange happens to be my signature color!” Get a similar look with The Mr. Smith Chair at www.horchow.com. – Caroline Harper Knapp, founder House of Harper
“My favorite is this JCrew Factory Colorblock Coat. I’m really into all things colorblocked these days, and the colors of this JCrew collared coat are just enough to add interest while still being timeless.” – Ashley Rose, founder Sugar & Cloth
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DESTINATION
TOWN & COUNTRY: WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
ELLERMAN HOUSE HOTEL
TOWN
S
PREAD OUT ALONG SOUTH AFRICA’S SOUTHWESTERN COAST, THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE HAS PLENTY OF TOURIST APPEAL, FROM NATURAL AND HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS TO THE FASHION, STYLE AND DINING BOOM IN CAPE TOWN. ON A RECENT VISIT TO THE REGION, I CHECKED OUT TWO HOTELS – ONE IN THE CITY, THE OTHER IN THE COUNTRY – THAT CELEBRATE TWO OF SOUTH AFRICA’S CURRENT BUZZING SCENES: ART AND WINE.
STAY: In Cape Town’s hillside Bantry Bay neighborhood, a former private residence
has been turned into the award-winning Ellerman House hotel, with 13 guest rooms in the main mansion and two modern, multi-bedroom villas on the lush grounds. Food and art are the heart and soul of the property, and there are also tiered gardens with views of the Atlantic Ocean, swimming pools and a cozy spa offering unique treatments like the doctor-developed QMS facials. www.ellerman.co.za
SEE: Ellerman House’s owners are noted art collectors, and pieces from their extensive
private collection – stretching from 1910 to today – are displayed throughout the property and in the on-site Contemporary Gallery, while sculptures by artists like Angus Taylor and Dylan Lewis add drama to the gardens. Guests can do a self-guided tour of the collection, or join one of the daily guided versions. For an additional cost, the hotel’s Art Guide can also take you on a private tour to some top Cape Town galleries, with visits to popular areas like the V&A Waterfront and Camps Bay.
EAT: Cuisine is celebrated at Ellerman House: Each room is stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks; there’s a free 24-hour pantry filled with homemade treats; and sunset drinks and canapés are included with the rate. Overseen by Chef Veronica, meals here highlight fresh seasonal ingredients, and draw upon both European and local Cape Malay influences. Ellerman’s restaurants are for hotel guests only – but they 68 L O C A L | february 15
are so well-regarded, locals have been known to book a room, just to be able to experience them.
DRINK: Wine is another passion for Ellerman House’s owners, and the Wine Galley, opened in late 2013, is a stunning temple to the grape. The centerpiece is a giant carbon fiber corkscrew sculpture, which holds 1,500 of the 8,000-bottle strong collection. Guests can enjoy dinner and multimedia tastings in the Gallery, which also has a bar, fireplace lounge – and plenty more art.
COUNTRY
STAY:
A short drive from the picturesque town of Stellenbosch, Delaire Graff Estate sits in the heart of the Cape Winelands wine region, surrounded by views of vineyards, terraced gardens and dramatic mountain ranges. Related to the Graff Diamond empire (there’s an outpost of the jewelry shop on site), the intimate resort – which boasts a contemporary design accented by indigenous influences – consists of a main house, restaurants, a working winery, pools and an excellent spa. Guests settle into sleek, low-slung suites outfitted with high-end furnishings, a hot tub and complimentary wine and gourmet snacks (laundry is included, too). Excellent service and plenty of perks (like evening drinks and hors d’oevres) have helped make this dreamy
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spot one of the tops getaways in Africa. www.delaire.co.za
DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE
SEE: Owner Laurence Graff is a legendary arts patron, and the estate showcases many pieces from his private collection, including works commissioned for the property. Striking portraits by hot artist Lionel Smit take centerstage in the reception; sculptures by Dylan Lewis dot the gardens; and Vladimir Tretchikoff’s famous “Chinese Girl” hangs in the main building. The Lodge can also arrange for VIP visits to sculptor Lewis’s studio, galleries in Stellenbosch and the Rupert Museum, housing a mix of South African and international artists (including Rembrandt).
EAT:
Using ingredients from the on-site biodynamic greenhouse and gardens and ethical regional farms, the two restaurants draw both guests and day-trippers with their creative menus. Set overlooking the vineyards and olive groves, with an oak tree-shaded deck, the Delaire Graff Restaurant serves bistro-style seasonal dishes accompanied by flourishes like bespoke olive oil and aromatic butters. Intimate, dimly lit Indochine celebrates panAsian flavors in its tapas and tasting menus (and also serves a killer breakfast buffet).
ELLERMAN HOUSE HOTEL
DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE | INDOCHINE
DRINK: Settle into the clubby Wine Lounge, done up with leather chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows, to learn about Delaire Graff Estate’s award-winning wines – and sample a few. Using grapes grown both on property and elsewhere, the vintages are all created in the on-site winery, opened in 2008. The flagship Bordeaux-style blend is named after the Botmaskop mountain just behind the estate; other favorites include the Chardonnay and the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.
by Sandra Ramani Photos courtesy of Ellerman House and Delaire Graff Estate
DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE
DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE LIONEL SMIT AND ANTON STEAD – SWALLOWS IN FLIGHT
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MENTERTAINMENT
AROMATIC IMPRESSION MANY FACTORS PLAY INTO CONVEYING THE RIGHT IMPRESSION. WHEN HAVING COMPANY AT HOME OR CREATING THE PERFECT MOMENT, DON’T NEGLECT TO ENGAGE THROUGH SCENT. CREATE A WELL-ROUNDED IMPRESSION THAT ENGAGES EVERY SENSE OF THE BODY.
Lean to the rule of simplicity when it comes to fragrance, and the easiest way to go is to just pick the right soap. The Cedar Wood soap contains cedar wood oil used by Native Americans for its effect on the mind and spirit; cedar wood oil brings on the release of toxins and promotes circulation. This warm, woody extract enhances the skin and hair without a stuffy or overpowering scent. Available at Biscuit Home. Biscuit Home, 1435 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77006 Ozo scented incense pyres by Blackbird are perfect to fill a new space with the feeling of home. Ozo carries notes of rose, sandalwood and anise seed resulting in a strong, floral and wood fragrance. The lid acts as a burner and one cone burns for 15 minutes with a scent longevity of 2–4 hours. For other scent options, visit Biscuit Home.
Body chemistry has everything to do with how fragrances smell but even that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t end up wearing the same cologne your significant other’s dad or ex wears! D.S. & Durga scents are crafted by hand in small batches using balsams, resins, plant oils and premium perfume ingredients. A personal favorite is Coriander with notes of sparkling leaf, cubeb, green pepper and cracked Ukrainian coriander seed. For more information, visit www.dsanddurga.com.
Natural scents that are subtle and realistic are the key in creating an environment that is welcoming. Ideally you want someone to assume that you have flowers in your room and not feel like you just fumigated the room with a spray. Izola candles are subtle, natural and made from a 100% vegetable wax blend provided by American farmers. The wick is made from cotton and each candle is hand poured. The magnolia candle is the closest to walking under a blooming magnolia tree. For more information and other products, visit www.izola.com. By Vico Puentes | Photography by Collin Kelly
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TOOLS+GADGETS
RING VIDEO DOORBELL
OORT SmartLED The OORT SmartLED is based on Bluetooth technology, allowing users to manage the bulbs in their home from their smartphones or tablets without an Internet connection. Put the bulb in a standard socket and download the app. You can schedule actions up to one week in advance such as turning on and off the light. With a SmartHub connection, you can create custom actions, such as triggering blue light to flash when you receive a Facebook message or red when your child comes home. You can also change the atmosphere of your home or office within seconds – 16 million different colors are available. The SmartLED is energy efficient as the company claims it will last up to 40,000 hours. $40
Home security products are popping up everywhere and many of them are do-it-yourself devices. A video doorbell named Ring is the latest offering on store shelves, and it can not only enhance your home’s security but also let visitors know you have a high-tech home at the push of a button. The device streams live audio and video of a home’s front doorstep directly to a smartphone or tablet. Built-in motion sensors detect activity on your property and trigger instant mobile alerts, giving you the ability to know what’s going on even if you’re not there. The doorbell comes with everything you need for installation. Once installed it connects to the Internet via WiFi. You can sync an unlimited number of smartphones and tablets. The HD night vision camera works well in any light and can be customized with four faceplate finishes. $199
XY FIND IT BLUETOOTH SMART BEACON We lose things – keys, purses, wallets and even pets. Here is a smart little gadget that can help track those lost items. The XY Find It Bluetooth Smart Beacon helps find nearby items just by attaching it to your valuables, your possessions and your pets. Download the app, remove the battery protector and then open the app to sync it. You can assign each beacon a name and a picture, to make it easy when using multiple devices to track multiple objects. It has a 150-foot range and tells you how close the selected beacon is. You can also set a function to alert you when you move out of range of the tag. 3-pack $60; 6-pack $100 Michael Garfield is known as “The High-Tech Texan®.” His radio program airs on KPRC and iHeartRadio every Saturday 11am–1pm. See the full review of these products at www.hightechtexan.com and follow him at @hightechtexan.
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LOCALGRAM Check out this month’s round of top pics from fellow Houstonians via Instagram. Make sure to share your Houston adventures on Instagram with us using #DoLocal2015 for a chance to win an aweome giveaway!
@blair.truesdell Houston could see its own breath today.
@carriec Biscuit Paint Wall.
@mayrolandelli My office looks pretty today! I am loved.
@kenny_bacak Another shot of @mikahdane in downtown Houston.
@jg_paredes The beautiful game America VS. Monterrey.
@djeasybake Merry Christmas from Saint Arnold Brewing Company.
@jessimaria Daily delights at Tout Suite.
@jyoti_patel Making it a resolution to explore Houston a lot more this year.
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@thechump_ Chasing rooftops in Galveston.
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