May 2015 by LOCAL HOUSTON

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MAY 2015

L O C A L HOUSTON

MUSIC

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23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

BBVA COMPASS STADIUM CITYCENTRE DAVID ADICKES SCULPTURES DISCOVERY GREEN DOWNTOWN GALLERIA GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT GLENWOOD CEMETERY HERMANN PARK HIGHLAND VILLAGE HOBBY AIRPORT HOUSTON ARBORETUM & NATURE CENTER HOUSTON MOTOR PARK HOUSTON ZOO KATY MILLS KEMAH LEE AND JOE JAMAIL SKATEPARK MEMORIAL CITY MEMORIAL PARK MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE MINUTE MAID PARK MUSEUM DISTRICT

LOCAL CITY MAP

Photography by Jeff Grass

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM, HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON, MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE, THE HEALTH MUSEUM

NRG PARK: STADIUM, CENTER, ARENA & ASTRODOME RICE VILLAGE SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK SPACE CENTER HOUSTON SUGAR LAND THEATER DISTRICT 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 UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

33. UH

REBECCA & JOHN J. MOORES SCHOOL OF MUSIC THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON’S MUSIC DEPARTMENT WAS FORMED IN 1940. IN 1991 A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR DONATION BY REBECCA AND JOHN J. MOORES FUNDED THE CENTERPIECE OF THE CAMPUS’ ART DISTRICT. RENAMED IN THEIR HONOR, THE

REBECCA

AND

JOHN

MOORES SCHOOL OF MUSIC IS HOME TO THE MOORES OPERA HOUSE WITH SEATING FOR 800. THE SPACE FEATURES A MURAL BY FRANK STELLA, LIGHT FIXTURES BY ISAAC MAXWELL AND A GREEN ROOM WITH PAINTINGS BY ARY STILLMAN. THERE ARE 50 TEACHING STUDIOS, 60 PRACTICE ROOMS, A LIBRARY, STATE-OF-THE-ART LISTENING AND COMPOSITION FACILITIES, A RECORDING STUDIO, FOUR REHEARSAL HALLS AND A LOUNGE FOR ITS 600+MAJORS. Illustration by Sebastian Gomez de la Torre

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

BEHIND THE COVER

On an early pre-sunrise morning, a bevy of local models and our LOCAL team came together at Ley Plaza Park to recreate a nostalgic photo inspired by Woodstock. We couldn’t think of a moment in time more influenced by music. With Fleetwood Mac playing on the Jawbone and flower crowns in tow, Page Parkes models got into the mood, dancing, hugging, twirling and even jamming on their guitars. The clothes all came from personal closets, with many of the items belonging to our parents from the 70s.

THE POWER OF MUSIC IS PROFOUND. A song has the power to make you happy, releasing powerful endorphins and heightening the senses. A song, melody or voice can cause chills, tears, laughter and even confidence. I have so many playlists. From the perfect mix to work out to, to one for organizing and even one for each of my children who have been listening to them as they fall asleep since they were born. They are the soundtracks to our lives. Some have the power to wash sorrow over my body reminding me of a moment in time. Those are the songs we don’t pick, they pick us. The song that was on when you got the call a loved one passed away. Or a pet. Still other songs can make us so happy we feel like flying. I am amazed by the ability of a melody to take me on such a heightened roller coaster ride of emotions and now I get to see this in my three-year-old. From music festivals to musicians, to ensembles, to places to listen to music live – this issue is meant to awaken your senses and make you happy! An interview with local Notre Dame student Jackson Jhin helps explain just why you like the music you like.

Carla Valencia de Martinéz Editor-in-Chief Photography by Gabriella Nissen

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENNON EVETT HAIR AND MAKEUP BY SHERRIE EVETT ALL MODELS PAGE PARKS: ASHLEY BROWN, GRACE EDMUNDS, ERIC FELCHAK, JOEY GARCIA, JON GLENN, LILY GRIFFIN, TAYLOR HILTON, LILLI HENTZ, ABBY KOENIG, MADELINE MCDONALD, CHARLOTTE STEVENS STYLIST CARLA VALENCIA DE MARTINEZ CREATIVE DIRECTION GABRIELLA NISSEN ASSISTANTS: SCOTT ANGLE, BRANDIE SEIREFT, IDA SAMERI SHOT ON LOCATION AT LEY PLAZA PARK IN THE HEIGHTS HOUSTON 4|20|2015

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MAY 2015 FEATURES

04 city map 06 letter from the editor | behind the cover 08 features + who’s who 10 on our radar 12 calendar 16 FOOD nacho average cheese 16 dine write: the republic 18 perfect pairs 20 chef’s special omar pereney | peska seafood culture 24 club | lounge review 26 good eats 28 ARTS wacky packs 30 performing arts 32 museum district 34 gish at the movies 36 fresh arts 38 hannah anderson 40 sex! drunkenness! war! revenge! 42 deconstructing sound 44 40 years by the numbers 46 recording | roosh williams 48 festivals 50 COMMUNITY judy’s mission + spb40vc 52 collin mchugh – a man of many talents 54 scene 58 where to live now | pearland

60 STYLE + LEISURE what’s on your phone 62 things we love 64 saturday in the park 68 fat finds 70 tools and gadgets 71 mentertainment 72 destination | new zealand 74 localgram

WHO’S WHO

PUBLISHER + FOUNDER alejandro martinéz | ext 2 | alex@localhoustomagazine.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF carla valencia de martinéz | ext 3 | carla@localhoustonmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR victoria bartlett CREATIVE DIRECTOR gabriella nissen | gabriella@localhoustonmagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER german arellano | ext 4 | german@localhoustonmagazine.com rocco, the office "gato" SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR lauren kruczyk | ext 9 | lauren@localhoustonmagazine.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR ida sameri | ext 8 | ida@localhoustonmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS adam bergen, mike cook, dean dalton, marzi fatemizadeh, jodie eisenhardt, michael garfield, sarah gish, jayme lamm, jeff lane, beth levine, vico puentes, lance scott walker, tim moloney CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS max burkhalter, kim coffman, chan do, joann dost, jodie eisenhardt, kennon evett, stephen goodenough, collin kelly, pin lim, claire mcadams, sarah miller, daniel ortiz, anthony rathbun, julie soefer, carol rosegg, roswitha vogler, rodney waters, www.lastnightpics.com CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS german arellano WEB DESIGNER mdg | creative agency | www.mpiredesigngroup.com ADVERTISING + ACCOUNTS dalila jara | ext 5 | dalila@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 281.966.5105 carlos valencia | carlos@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 713.855.1584 william king | william@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 832.788.3738 stephanie o’keefe | ext 7 | stephanie@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 832.726.5398 INTERN cecelia rangel, whitney burton ACCOUNTS luca tommasi | accounting@localhoustonmagazine.com

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 197

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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

A new boutique music booking and licensing company has opened shop – ELK Records, LLC seeks to speak across the cultural divide through the international language of music. Past shows have included such artists as ROSANA (Spain), La Guacha and TunaCola (Chile), El General Paz y La Triple Frontera (Argentina), Famas Loop (Venezuela), LA (Spain) plus many local and regional artists. www.elkrecords.com

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“With the Bayou City’s burgeoning beer scene, it’s the perfect time to invite visitors to the brewery to learn more about the care and passion we put into every beer we brew,” said Damola Oshin, senior general manager, Anheuser-Busch Houston brewery, announcing the Tour Center opening. Tours include The Day Fresh tour – an in-depth look at how beers are crafted with the finest ingredients, by following the steps of the entire brewing process in 60 minutes; The Beermaster Tour – which provides a two-hour VIP, behind-the-scenes look at the brewing of Budweiser; and Beer School – a 30-minute educational experience introducing a variety of beer styles, ingredients, proper pouring techniques and food pairing suggestions. 775 Gellhorn Drive. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

Brazos Bookstore hosts a few Houston authors this month, among them Paul Otremba, a University of Houston graduate and Rice professor, who reads from his newest collection of poetry, Pax Americana, on May 1, 7pm. Joining Otremba will be Tomás Q. Morín, an acclaimed poet and Pablo Neruda translator. Friday, May 8, 7pm, Gwendolyn Womack, a Houston native returns with her debut thriller, The Memory Painter, an Inception-like mindbender about dreams in which an artist and a scientist join forces to discover the secret behind a deadly explosion decades earlier. Thursday, May 14, 7pm, sees the homecoming of Dina Gachman with her collection of humorous essays discussing living the high life, even if you’re nowhere near Beyoncé’s tax bracket, in Brokenomics.

Local songstress Kristine Mills, Jeff Franzel Grammy-nominated pianist/composer; legendary entertainers Jane Vandiver, Julian Vandiver and bassist/guitarist Erin Fisher Wright come together for Shut UP and SING! May 8 at Ovations Night Club at 8pm. See the first performance of Blue Isn’t Blue Anymore cowritten by Mills with Jeff Franzel and Brian Spack for the Arthritis Foundation in support of Rheumatoid Arthritis in women. Proceeds of the sales of the song will be donated to the foundation. To purchase tickets, visit: hwww.eventbrite.com/e/shut-up-and-singtickets-16620515409

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Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is finally opening a second location! Sugar Land has been enjoying these delicious New York-style pizzas, and now the pizzeria will soon occupy a 3,500sf space in the CITYCENTRE district in late summer. One of the city’s favorite local bands, Mango Punch is playing at a few public venues this month. Friday, May 1, Dance for a Cause at City Centre Plaza, 6–8pm Tuesday, May 5, Cinco de MANGO at El Pueblito, 1423 Richmond Ave., 7–10pm Friday, May 8, 51fifteen, 5115 Westheimer Rd., 9pm–12am Sunday, May 24, Concert at Sienna Plantation, Sienna Plantation Amphitheatre, 9600 Scanlan Trace, Missouri City, TX 77459, 7–10pm Friday, May 29, Summer Concert Series @ City of Pearland, Southdown Park, 2150 Country Place Parkway, Pearland, TX 77584, 7–9pm

Over the years, we’ve featured a bevy of local talent. Henry Darragh released his sophomore album, “Too Much Monday”, synergizing Darragh’s original style with some of the finest talent today in creating a cool, free straight-ahead jazz experience that is innovative. The album was recorded locally at Ovations and features five original tracks, four standards and two covers.

Photography by Jeff Ross

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CALENDAR

NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? TRY ONE-STOP SHOPPING AT

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 BBVA COMPASS STADIUM houstondynamo.com CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL PAVILION woodlandscenter.org DISCOVERY GREEN discoverygreen.com HOBBY thehobbycenter.org HOUSE OF BLUES hob.com

MAY 4

Miller Outdoor Theatre Children’s Performance: Our Feet Can Tell a Story: An African-American Cultural Celebration 11am

BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes 7:30pm Hobby The Music Man 7:30pm Bayou Music Center Bob Dylan 8pm

House of Blues Nico & Vinz 6pm Jones Hall Sufjan Stevens 8pm

House of Blues Quality Control Presents The Yung Rich Nation Tour: Migos w/OG Maco 7:30pm Toyota Center Bette Midler 8pm

CINCO DE MAYO

MEMORIAL DAY

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JONES HALL houstonfirsttheaters.com MAIN STREET THEATER mainstreettheater.com MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE milleroutdoortheatre.com NRG reliantpark.com THEATRE SUBURBIA theatresuburbia.org TOYOTA CENTER toyotacentertix.com WORTHAM CENTER houstonfirsttheaters.com

NO DIET DAY

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Lana Del Rey with Courtney Love 7:30pm House of Blues Blackberry Smoke: Holding All The Roses Tour 7pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Children’s Performance: The Pastry Prince 11am Bayou Music Center Lupita D’Alessio 8pm

House of Blues Steve Earle 7:30pm

House of Blues An Evening With Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds 8pm Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: El Pasado Nunca Se Termina 7:30pm

BE A MILLIONAIRE DAY

Alley Theatre Kneehigh’s production of Tristan and Yseult 8pm House of Blues Second Lovers, The Docs 7pm BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Pablo Ziegler Trio for New Tango 7:45pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Elton John 8pm

Wortham Center Da Camera of Houston: A Little Day Music 12pm | Houston Grand Opera: Sweeney Todd 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Children’s Performance: The Pastry Prince 11am

NATIONAL DANCE LIKE A CHICKEN DAY

House of Blues Johnny Lang 7pm Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: Sweeney Todd 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Children’s Performance: The Pastry Prince 11am | Movies at Miller–Houston Ballet’s Sons de L’âme 8:30pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Beethoven & Bartok 8pm Bayou Music Center Wanda Sykes 8pm

House of Blues Juicy J – The Hustle Continues Tour 7pm Bayou Music Center Hooters 2015 Texas Divisional Swimsuit Pageant 7pm

House of Blues Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra 8pm Wortham Center Society for the Performing Arts: Scottish Ballet – A Streetcar Named Desire 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Giselle 8pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion The Magic Flute 8pm Bayou Music Center Franco de Vita – “Vuelve en 1ra Fila” 8pm

House of Blues Queensryche 7pm

Wortham Center Indo-American Association: Shobana’s Krishna 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre The Magic Flute 8pm

Hobby Newsies 7:30pm

FOR THESE EVENTS AND MORE, CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR ONLINE AT LOCALHOUSTONMAGAZINE.COM

F R I D AY

House of Blues Ciara 7pm Wortham Center Met Too & Spring Recital: Met Too 7:30pm Toyota Center Rush 7:30pm

House of Blues Of Mice & Men – Full Circle Tour 6:30pm Toyota Center Neil Diamond 8pm Hobby Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 7:30pm

House of Blues Thunder From Down Under 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Golden Dragon Acrobats 8pm Bayou Music Center Carnival of Madness Tour featuring Halestorm & The Pretty Reckless 7:30pm

House of Blues Todd Rundgren 7pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band 8pm Bayou Music Center Volbeat 7pm

House of Blues Cowboy Mouth 8:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Cassandra Wilson Coming Forth By Day: A Celebration of Billie Holiday 8:30pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion The Music of Led Zeppelin 8m Alley Theatre George Gershwin Alone 8pm

NG AT

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WWW.HOUSTONTHEATERDISTRICT.ORG S AT U R D AY

S U N D AY

Hobby Sousa! 2pm House of Blues Dweezil Zappa Guitar MasterClass – Dweezilla On The Road Wortham Center Houston Jazz Series: Marc Antoine & Joe McBride 8am | Houston Grand Opera: Die Walkure 2pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Cinco de Mayo at Miller featuring Los Lobos 8pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Lady Antebellum with Hunter Hayes & Sam Hunt 7pm Bayou Music Center Bill Maher 8pm

Hobby An African Adventure 1 & 6pm Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: Sweeney Todd 7:30pm | Da Camera of Houston: Sacred Visions: Stravinsky & Messiaen 8pm House of Blues Kidz Bop Kids 1pm Miller Outdoor Theatre H-Town Get Down 8pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ZZ Top and Jeff Beck 7pm Theatre Suburbia Assisted Living 8:30pm Bayou Music Center Five Finger Death Punch 8:30pm

MOTHER’S DAY

House of Blues Lord Huron 8pm Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: Sweeney Todd 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Day of Europe Celebration 8pm Hobby Love Notes 7:30pm Bayou Music Center Celtic Woman 7:30pm

Wortham Center Houston Latin American Philharmonic Orchestra: Mother’s Day Serenade 5pm

Alley Theatre Assisted Living 8:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Giselle 8pm House of Blues Live Music in Crossroads 6pm BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs. Portland Timbers 7:30pm Wortham Center Mercury: Beethoven Triple 8pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Dave Matthews Band 8pm Toyota Center New Kids On The Block 7pm Discovery Green Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 7:30–11am

House of Blues Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators: World On Fire Tour 7pm Wortham Center Met Too & Spring Recital: Spring Recital 1 & 4:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre The Magic Flute 8pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Boni’s Dance Recital–Love, Dance & Motown 6pm NRG Zumba Master Class 5–6:30pm

House of Blues Purity Ring 7:30pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Boni’s Dance Recital–Love, Dance & Motown 6pm Alley Theatre Kneehigh’s production of Tristan and Yseult 2:30 & 7:30pm

House of Blues George Clinton 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Karma: The Wheel of Life 8:30pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Train with The Fray and Matt Nathanson 7pm Alley Theatre George Gershwin Alone 8pm

House of Blues Action Bronson – The Mr. Wonderful Tour 7pm Alley Theatre George Gershwin Alone 2:30 & 7:30pm NRG Houston Wedding Showcase 10am–5pm Hobby Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 2pm

Wortham Center Houston Grand Opera: El Pasado Nunca Se Termina 2pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Giselle 8pm Hobby The Music Man 2 & 7:30pm

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NACHO AVERAGE CHEESE CHEESE IS BIG BUSINESS IN TEXAS. Yes, you read that right. There are over 30 cheesemakers across the state. Local artisan cheeses are delicious and, duh, local. But don’t take our word for it; the American Cheese Society has recognized several already. You can pick up most of these at Houston Dairymaids. Owner LINDSEY SCHECTER shares, “We’re a cheese shop that meets artisan American cheesemakers, learns about their craft and brings the best of their products to you. We look for cheeses naturally made by hand and, when possible, from unpasteurized milk.”

www.houstondairymaids.com

ORIGINAL CAJETA Blue Heron Farm & Friends – Field Store, TX Cajeta is a Mexican-style goat's milk caramel. Drizzled over ice cream, apples, cheese or into coffee, it's divine

LATTE DA CAERPHILLY Latte Da Dairy – Flower Mound, TX Her Caerphilly is adapted from a traditional Welsh recipe. Firm and flinty, Latte Da Caerphilly is slightly sweet with delicate goat’s milk flavor.

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LOCAL CHEESE

BRIE Brazos Valley Cheese – Waco, TX Made from raw cow milk and aged to a creamy, rich perfection for 60 days, this brie has a thin, edible, bloomy rind that encases the velvety, yellow center. It has a distinctive bite with a pronounced finish that lingers.

WILD TEXAS GUAJILLO HONEY Native Nectar – San Antonio, TX Guajillo is a wild desert bush that is native to Southwestern Texas. When the Guajillo blooms, the bees seek out the blonde blossoms that give Guajillo honey its delicious flavor and beautiful light golden color.

BABY CAPRINO CKC Farms – Blanco, TX Created to emulate the soft-ripened goat’s cheeses made in Italy ,Baby Caprino is delicate with a flavorful kick. MIXED HERB CHEVRE Pure Luck Farm & Dairy – Dripping Springs, TX Handmade from high-quality milk from Nubian and Alpine goats, this chevre is creamy and piquant with lovely herbal undertones.

SCAMORZA Mozzarella Company – Dallas, TX Smoked over native pecan wood, Scamorza is similar to a firm mozzarella. It has a subtle, smoky flavor and has great melting texture.

GOLDEN BUTTER Lucky Layla Farms – Garland, TX Lightly salted, cultured butter from grass-fed Jersey and Guernsey cows. Lucky Layla’s deep yellow color is thanks to the cows’ rich diet of green grass.

CARAWAY TO HEAVEN Eagle Mountain Cheese – Lapin, TX Smooth, semi-firm raw cow’s milk cheese studded with caraway seeds. Caraway to Heaven is great for the cheese plate or for melting.

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DINE WRITE

IT’S SOUTHERN THEMED, HEART-FELT COMFORT FOOD

Texas Quail

THE BRAND NEW REPUBLIC SMOKEHOUSE & SALOON ON THE EDGE OF MIDTOWN IS THE LATEST, AND PERHAPS MOST CREATIVE, BBQ JOINT IN HOUSTON. Big enough to be a dance hall, it has rich wooden floors and whisky barrel tables. Also, live country bands play on stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. With plenty of room for two-steppin’ to be sure. Sports fans will love the flat screen TVs. Can’t say how many, though I could catch a game no matter which direction I was facing. But this is a restaurant, with BBQ at the center of it all. The pitmaster is CEDRIC WILLIAMS. That’s Williams as in Williams Smokehouse. As in local BBQ royalty. Cedric is closing in on three decades of smoking proteins, using his own rub and sauces, which

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over the years has made many a Houstonian, including this one, very happy. Cedric is teamed with an executive chef, MATT KNOTTS, formerly of Hearsay on the Green. Together, they’re doing something unique to the BBQ concept. For example, the BBQ avocado: half a fresh avocado, still in the rind, stuffed with brisket and queso fresco and drizzled with a BBQ vinaigrette. Unreal. “It’s southern themed, heart-felt comfort food,” said Knotts. “Nearly

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Brisket

SAMPLE MENU

GETTIN’ STARTED Chef Matt’s Ruben

•

BBQ’d Avocado – Chopped Brisket, BBQ Vinaigrette and Queso Fresco $7.95

GOURMET SANDWICHES

Chef Matt’s Reuben – Smoked Corned Beef, House Sauerkraut, Onions, 1000 Island Dressing on Marbled Rye $12.95 • Texas Philly – Brisket, Onions, Cheese on a Baguette $12.95 •

everything in the restaurant is made from scratch, including our own cornmeal and grits.” They’re adding specialty meats to the smoker as well, Knotts explained, as I tasted the quail and stewed okra. Followed by delectable smoked salmon over wild rice. I savored every bite of Chef Matt’s Reuben, an item he’s particularly proud of, and no wonder. The warm, crispy rye held the traditional ingredients – corned beef, sauerkraut, dressing – all of which were made and/or prepped special right there. Showstopper. Next, brisket and homemade grits. The meat was tender

FOR THE FOODIES • •

Smoked Salmon – Wild Rice, Glazed Carrots $18.95 Texas Quail – Wild Rice and Stewed Okra $14.95

DESSERTS

Funnel Cake $6.95 • Popcorn Milkshake $4.95 •

SIDES- $2.95 EACH •

and delectable. Not at all surprising, considering what my palate recalls from many a feast at the late Williams Smokehouse, Lord rest its blessed soul. And the grits, well, I think I could have them with every meal. But wait! There’s more.

EFRAIN ROMAN is the pastry chef, and he’s a rising star we’ll all hear more about. I had a banana pudding unlike any you’ve ever imagined. And funnel cake that really should be called something more romantic, given its light texture and the out-of-this-world homemade strawberry ice cream it was wearing. And no matter when you go, you have to order the popcorn milkshake. Words cannot do it justice.

Whole Cracked Grits, Cracked Corn Muffins, Baked Mac and Cheese

THE REPUBLIC

By Jeff Lane Photography by Sarah Miller

SMOKEHOUSE & SALOON

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Photography by Jodie Eisenhardt

OPEN BUFFBURGER CHEF: Paul Buff | CUISINE: American 1014 Wirt Rd. | 713.447.4779 | www.buffburger.com Sun – Thurs: 11am–9pm; Fri – Sat: 11am–10pm Native Houstonian Sara Burden and her husband met after college in Vail as ski instructors. With his background in the restaurant industry combined with her agribusiness degree, the couple had an idea for an all-natural burger (au naturel – in the buff, get it?!). The concept features superior ingredients like 44 Farms Beef, chicken from Red Bird Farms, cheese from Houston Dairy Maids, buns by Slow Dough, housemade dressings and local brews. The strip center space on the feeder of I-10 at Wirt is sleek and modern, with reclaimed barn wood along one wall as a nod to Texas farms. Counter service keeps things simple. 6-oz. burgers are cooked to order (bonus!) and super juicy. Myriad topping choices abound. You can go classic or you can go gourmet with options like the goat cheese burger with roasted tomato, arugula and garlic aioli or the avocado burger with guac, roasted tomato, Piquillo peppers and spicy mayo. There’s a corn fritter sandwich for vegetarians (mighty good) and a stellar crispy chicken sandwich. Excellent salads include a wedge made with Point Reyes blue cheese

BUFFBURGER, CHICKEN SANDWICH + FRIES

and Duroc bacon. Oh, and the fries – do not forget the fries, which are hand-cut, thin and crispy thanks to a quick double-fry. The Burdens are betting that as people become more interested in what they’re actually eating and where it comes from, more locations will fill the need. Hormone- and antibiotic-free meats/high-quality ingredients do taste better, and my guess is that the tipping point has occurred. Happy me!

Photography by Julie Soefer

AÑEJO CHEF: Michael Pellegrino | CUISINE: Elevated Tex-Mex 1180 – 1 Uptown Park | 713.963.9032 | www.AnejoTexMex.com Hours: Mon – Wed: 11am–10pm; Thurs–Sat: 11am–11pm; Sun: 10am–10pm (brunch until 3pm) For Pellegrino, creating his menu was a way to pay homage and tribute to a beloved cuisine. (He was born in San Antonio, his mom is from Laredo, and he has memories of his uncles arguing over traditional cooking techniques.) He’s quick to point out that his process is via a modern path, crafted from the tiniest details and especially via quality ingredients and a high level of service that make Añejo special. “I’m making food the way I want to eat it,” says the chef, who gave such thought into every aspect of each dish, he came up with little burners for keeping shrimp brochette hot and yummy at the table – because he’s often the last in his family to get one. He also took time to get the thickness of the chips just right (the salsa and the customizable queso are perfection) and he wouldn’t dream of rolling an enchilada until a tortilla was grilled fresh from the dough with each order. For the fajitas, only prime beef would do – they’re thicker and beefier than your typical fajita. Also worth mentioning are other prime steak options, quail, fish and lamb from the wood-burning grill. You get the idea – and you can taste the love. Within the sexy walls that used to house Arturo’s Uptown, there are more than 100 highend tequilas and mescals (all 100% agave). By the way, they use local Texas honey-water vs. agave in the margaritas, and they are sublime.

JODIE EISENHARDT is a freelance food writer based in Houston writing for local online and print media, including CultureMap and My Table magazine as well as LOCAL magazine. Jodie’s motto is “never waste a meal.” She travels widely in pursuit of notable cuisine and live music and finds bliss when a trip incorporates the best of both. Follow Jodie @foodiehouston. 18

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AÑEJO SHRIMP BROCHETTE

Photography by Chan Do

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PELI-HUGUENOT FFILET

PELI PELI CHEF: Paul Friedman | CUISINE: South African 5085 Westheimer Rd. | 281.257.9500 | www.pelipeli.com Mon – Thurs: 11am–11pm; Fri: 11am–midnight; Sat: 10am–midnight; Sun: 10am–10pm The Galleria outpost is the second Peli Peli for Chef Paul Friedman (the original remains open in Vintage Park). Friedman is passionate about his native land and cuisine that celebrates the many influences of South Africa including flavors inspired by Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, Indian and Asian influences. The wine collection includes the largest selection of South African wine in the country along with plenty from other regions and even a private label variety thanks to chef’s passion for vino. The former GiGi’s space is a visual stunner, thanks to architect Si Dang of Andria Design who included ornamental metal trees and a vivid color-changing, LED-lit “sky” that evokes the South African landscape. The large lounge boasts three works by renowned performance painter David Garibaldi (created onsite) while a 40-ft. bar crafted of gorgeous honey onyx serves drinks beneath a wall of flat screen TVs. Seafood, chicken and steak dominate the menu with big flavors and interesting, unexpected sauces. Hit appetizers include a fresh take on samosas with their crispy pastry and savory fillings. Native dish bobotie is like a fun combo of shepherd’s pie meets pot pie but amped up with curried housemade sausage, a delicate pastry crust and mango chutney. Seafood lovers will rejoice in the “Cape Town Skillet” with its incredibly tender prawns, sautéed calamari, scallops and shrimp atop rice pilaf and broth – reminiscent of paella but with bright, new flavors. The sticky toffee pudding is a slam dunk finish.

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PERFECT PAIRS

Guess what?? This tequila is the real deal!! As in, yeah, it tastes awesome, but also as in it exists outside of Entourage. And another thing you may have guessed (if you like aged spirits like we do), that 44 is the amount of months this smooth beauty spends in American oak barrels before being bottled. So now that we know it exists, it’s also true that the AVION RESERVA 44 (clearly an añejo, as proudly displayed in our photo here) is a product made for the most discerning of palates, and for the person who just wants to enjoy a damn fine tequila. Like any good tequila should, you get a nice nose of roasted agave, but that other accompanying scent...vanilla...courtesy of the oak aging. After a sip you get some great spice, a little heat, but an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel. You could, and should if you get the chance, sip on this all night long.

Sticking with the guess theme, did you guess that the shell of the EL COCO is house-made chocolate, and it’s purposely shaped like a coconut? Good for you, if so. Fitting because everything inside is coconut family. And, yes, if you order the El Coco, you get to hammer it open! Inside that shell you get a quad shot of coconut delights, texturally different, but mingling so well. Coconut butter cream, coconut ganache, coconut streusel and whipped coconut, yep. Safe to say you should like coconut before ordering the El Coco, but remember real coconut tastes way different from fake – and we mean way better in this case. Other than the fact that these two are visually stunning, this pair just works. Coconut and tequila have a wonderful history (coconut margarita, anyone?). A sipper to savor and a dessert you have to use a hammer to open...how could you not enjoy these two together. There may be no better way to savor that top-notch meal you just enjoyed at CARACOL. No doubt, you will want to hug it out.

By Mike Cook | Photography by Kennon Evett

AVION

RESERVA 44

+ EL COCO

Caracol | 2200 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056 | 713.622.9996 | www.caracol.net | info@caracol.net Mon-Thur:11am–10pm, Fri–Sat: 11am–11pm, Sun: 11am–9pm 20

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CHEF’S SPECIAL

OMAR PERENEY PESKA SEAFOOD CULTURE

FAVORITE AFFORDABLE WINE? ONE MORE YEAR!

By Mike Cook | Photography by Kennon Evett

20-YEAR-OLD SUPER CHEF ON THE RISE OMAR PERENEY

is Peska Seafood Culture’s Executive Chef and one of the youngest people in the country to helm a position of this caliber. In this role, the Venezuelan native will oversee a menu showcasing seafood traditions and fish from around the world. As a teen, Pereney was invited by James Beard Award-winning chef Douglas Rodriguez to intern at the eponymous De Rodriguez in Miami Beach, Florida, and

returned in 2012 for a pastry internship under the tutelage of Norman Van Aken and Max Santiago at acclaimed Tuyo in downtown Miami. The former chef instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Mexico has already had a taste of celeb chef status in his home country, thanks to three seasons on The Gourmet – Venezuela’s top-rated cooking channel – with Yo Cocinero.

PESKA SEAFOOD CULTURE | $$$ Seafood | 1700 Post Oak Blvd. | 713.961.9229 | www.peska.us 22

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WHAT IS YOUR COMFORT FOOD? Burgers. BEST BREAKFAST? Café Brasil. BEST BRUNCH? Caracol.

WHAT INGREDIENT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT IN THE KITCHEN AND WHY? Brown sugar – it’s a versatile and natural go-to that I use in everything from sauces to brines. WHAT UTENSIL CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT? Filet knife.

FAVORITE LATE NIGHT SPOT FOR A BITE? Paisa food truck – Highway 6 and Clay. WHAT’S YOUR PET PEEVE? Tardiness.

FAVORITE AFFORDABLE WINE? One more year! FAVORITE PLACE FOR DESSERT? Holley’s.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHEF, RESTAURANT AND DISH? Hector Romero, El Comedor in Caracas, Venezuela. IS THERE A FOOD YOU WON’T EAT? No.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE NEXT FOOD TREND? Pickling.

AT HOME, WHAT DO YOU KEEP ON HAND TO SERVE DROP-IN GUESTS? Yellowfin tuna with chipotle mayo and caramelized onions. WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO FIND IN YOUR HOME REFRIGERATOR? At least 15 kinds of ice cream. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL? Arepas with queso fresco and sunny-side up eggs. WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Alain Ducasse.

WHAT TREND DO YOU WANT TO SEE GO AWAY? Molecular gastronomy. WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO INGREDIENT/CONDIMENT AND WHY? Worcestershire sauce, because it’s something I can’t make myself. IS THERE A PARTICULAR FOOD THAT IS UNDERAPPRECIATED? AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP ITS REPUTATION? Peruvian – but it’s exciting to now be in a city where there are great options. WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST DISH OR CONCOCTION YOU’VE EVER TRIED TO CREATE? OR WANT TO CREATE? Ceviche with chocolate. WHAT FOOD DID YOU HATE AS A KID, BUT LOVE NOW (IF ANYTHING)? Liver.

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CLUB/LOUNGE REVIEW

LIVE MUSIC INSTEAD OF THE USUAL BARS AND CLUBS, WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON THE OTHER KIND OF NIGHTLIFE...HEY, BUDDY, GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER. WE’RE TALKING LIVE MUSIC HERE! BELOW ARE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GREAT HOUSTON AREA VENUES SMALL IN SIZE BUT BIG ON THE MUSIC SCENE. CHECK OUT THE WEBSITES FOR

Fitzgerald’s A veritable mainstay in The Heights, Fitzgerald’s has been holding court at the NW corner of White Oak and Studewood since 1977! Sara Fitzgerald kept the two wood floors of the original Polish center (Fitz has both upper and lower level stages) rocking after the Polish moved on, and now the Free Press Summer Fest guys are keeping the history running. Fitz specializes in many of the acts that Summer Fest is now known for, spanning most genres except country. Shows are all ages but the bar program has some solid drinks, so bring your ID if you are of age. No food but plenty of local restaurants nearby. Upcoming shows include Minus the Bear, Bad Suns, Toro y Moi and many, many more. www.fitzlivemusic.com

MORE UPCOMING SHOWS AND REMEMBER TO KEEP THOSE CELL PHONES IN YOUR POCKET!!!

e Cook By Mik

Warehouse Live EaDo’s premiere concert venue since it opened, Warehouse Live has filled the warehouse with great live music. Like Fitz, Warehouse spans most genres and offers a little something for everyone. Warehouse also has a second stage (dubbed “the Studio”) for the smaller, more intimate shows. Ample with bars,

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Warehouse Live even has a quiet one to take a break from the music when needed, dubbed the Green Room. Parking is generally pretty easy, though the explosion of bars in EaDo has crowded the area some. No food, but Downtown is right on the other side of 59. Upcoming shows include Kaiser Chiefs, Built to Spill and Tyler the Creator. www.warehouselive.com Walters Downtown While Fitz and Warehouse Live have something for everyone, Walters is a little more hard core. Sure, everyone is welcome but Walters does an impeccable job booking real niche acts that have devoted followings. Think true indie rock and metal. Moving off of Washington Ave. a few years ago, Walters now has a bigger venue and more parking space as well. It also separated itself, a virtual opposite, from what Washington Ave. became. No food. Drinks are your standard venue fare. Upcoming shows include Ice Nine Kills and The Rentals. www.waltersdowntown.com Rudyard’s British Pub Montrose’s authentic British pub has been rocking the local music and stand-up comedy scene for quite some time. Recent winner of the best open mic night for comedy in Houston, Rudz takes its spoken word and standup quite seriously. They also book upand-coming local acts with ease. A

few tips: Rudz has some killer food. They also have quite the beer list. Unrelated, but they have some awesome beer dinners as well. Be sure to check the website for events and parking; it ain’t aplenty. Upcoming shows include open mic comedy night every Monday, Brash Brewing Beer Dinner and Vanity Crimes (cd release party). www.rudyardspub.com The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club As the Rice area bar you have probably never been to, this dive is basically Houston’s version of a New Orleans blues bar. The Big Easy is just that, easy. National acts stop by and it also keeps regular acts booked on standing nights, with blues about 6 nights a week and Zydeco every Sunday. Gets a good weekend crowd. No food and a standard venue bar, but service always comes with a smile. Check the website for May events. www.thebigeasyblues.com Main Street Crossing Full disclosure: We’ve never been here. But any place that has a model of the Blues Brothers sitting on lawn chairs on top of its awning in historic downtown Tomball is a place we would like. We also hear that locals flock for the variety of intimate acts as Main Street Crossing gets accolades for its setting and music acts. Food is supposed to be good to so bring your appetite. Upcoming shows include

Shooter Jennings and Charlie Robison. www.mainstreetcrossing.com MKT Bar Yes, this is the bar inside Phoenicia Specialty Foods store in downtown Houston by Discovery Green park. It should not come as a surprise that along with the awesome food and drinks, live music is a real hit as well. Parking is free inside the One Park Place garage so there are really no excuses to not give this a try. Vinyl Wednesdays showcase some solid DJ techniques while Soul Session Saturdays feature live bands or DJs playing favorites from the Motown era. Check the website for upcoming shows including details about the Wednesday/Saturday fixtures. www.phoeniciafoods.com/locations/mkt-bar/ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck People seem to rave about the food at this off the beaten path Upper Kirby pub. They also rave about the live music that Mucky Duck seems to book with ease. The seating can leave a bit to be desired, but when you are cramming just over 100 people inside for some of the “bigger” acts, this is just how it’s going to work! It’s also worth noting that the “quiet policy” is the real deal, so don’t come here expecting to be chatty Cathy during the live music. Upcoming shows include the Austin Lounge Lizards, Joe Ely and open mic Mondays. www.mcgonigels.com

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GOOD EATS

NORTH ITALIA

CHEF BOARDS

$$$ Italian ,Pizza, Wine Bar | 1700 Post Oak 281.605.4030 | www.northitaliarestaurant.com North Italia recently opened in BLVD Place on Post Oak, behind the new Whole Foods that opened a few months ago. The chic space serves traditional Italian fare led by Executive Chef Taylor Domet, including made from scratch pizzas and pastas with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients along with a nice selection of seafood dishes. Don’t miss the Bolognese pasta or the Patata Pizza with Italian bacon, potatoes and a farm egg along with fantastic craft cocktails and a great wine list. –Jodie Eisenhardt ARCODORO $$$ Italian | 5000 Westheimer | 713.621.6888 www.arcodoro.com The restaurant – co-owned by Efisio Farris 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 wood-burning oven and filleted tableside. The same oven puts out some great pizza. –Jodie Eisenhardt ARTURO BOADA CUISINE $$$ Spanish Italian | 6510 Del Monte | 713.568.9196 www.boadacuisine.com Chef/Owner Arturo Boada’s neighborhood outpost on Del Monte is turning out delectable cuisine from a spotless kitchen, reflecting the chef’s devotion to the freshest ingredients and high standards of preparing them. Menu options include Spanish tapas like the “pappas bravas” with spicy red potatoes and Spanish chorizo, super-fresh seafood, pizzas from a wood-burning oven and melt-in-your-mouth house-made pastas like “Mama Sonia’s ravioli” stuffed with chicken and porcini mushrooms in a white wine cream sauce topped with jumbo lump crab. –Jodie Eisenhardt BCN TASTE AND TRADITION $$$$ 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 mouthwatering Iberico Ham which is served with slices of bread rubbed 26

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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. –Jodie Eisenhardt BIG EYED FISH $$ Southern American Comfort | 908 Henderson | 713.714.8367 www.bigeyedfishhouston.com Everything is made fresh in-house. Yummy crab beignets sit atop a bed of dressed greens and a tangy/sweet tomato jam that’s so good they sell jars of it at the bar. Other hits include the fried green tomatoes, bacon-filled deviled eggs, and the shrimp and grits. The meatloaf has a spicy kick, and we loved the pan-roasted quail with its fantastic mushroom bread pudding. The bar has a solid beer and wine selection (and retail), and the express lunch offers downtowners a tasty new option. –Jodie Eisenhardt CARACOL $$$$ Mexican Coastal Seafood | 220 Post Oak Blvd. 713.622.9996 | www.caracol.net I ordered the Gran Especial margarita, Gusanos and Tostado de Atun Crudo. The Gran Especial margarita had a nice “bite” from the tamarind and the roasted spiced simple syrup, quite the choice for the chilly Houston night that I visited. The Gusanos, which may shock some, are sautéed, dried maguey worms. Once you get over the intial shock factor that you’re eating worms, you’ll really enjoy this dish. Served taco style, I found this dish to be best when drizzled with the lime and topped with salsa. The Tostada de Atun Crudo was very fresh and topped with a sour orange mayonnaise. –Dominique McGhee

COOK & COLLINS $$$ American | 2416 Brazos St. Suite C | 832.701.1973 www.cookandcollins.com From the kitchen, Chef Josh Shobe’s American menu offers a large selection of appetizers to share – gourmet flatbreads, loaded potato smashers, buffalo chili fries, oysters rockefeller fondue and more – along with a selection of burgers, entrées, salads, sides and desserts. I had the steak frites (ribeye steak and fries served with truffle mayo) – a favorite, along with a free-range fried chicken served with garlic mashed potatoes, braised greens and honey jar. For dessert, the butterscotch pudding, served in a canning jar with oatmeal cookies, was sweet, but definitely worth the calorie splurge. –Mai Pham DAVIS ST. AT HERMANN PARK $$$ Fusion, International, Modern | 5925 Almeda Road 844.328.4778 | www.davisstreet.com It’s easy to see why they took home the Best in Show, the Trailblazing Award and People’s Choice honor at the Best Bites event. Out comes the 14-ounce pork chop with mac ’n cheese. Big, beautiful, moist and magnificent. But the sauce...mmmm...a balsamic reduction, with bing cherries, reduced down, mixed with whole grain mustard. I tried another of King’s interesting takes on tradition. You’re familiar with wings and waffles? Well, this was duck, pan-seared with a cayenne maple syrup glaze. And if that wasn’t daring and delightful enough, how’s this? Wild rice and cheddar waffle. And it was wonderful, but who comes up with that?“I’m not sure where that came from,” admits King. A good place, I imagine. –Jeff Lane

DOSI $$$ Modern Korean | 2802 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 coctkail made of infused mint soju with watermelon and lime. –Mai Pham

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EDDIE V’S PRIME SEAFOOD & STEAKS $$$$ Seafood, Steakhouse | 2800 Kirby Drive | 713.874.1800 www.eddiev.com Eddie V’s features the freshest seafood from all over the globe along with prime steaks aged 28 days. Highlights include the super-crabby crab cakes or the main lobster tacos (tortillas are made in-house). The stylish West Ave digs, including the “V Lounge,” and live jazz make it a destination for cocktails and wine as well. –Jodie Eisenhardt KILLEN’S BARBECUE $$ Texas BBQ | 3613 E. Broadway, Pearland | 281.485.2271 www.killensbarbecue.com Think “competition BBQ” made with the highest-quality cuts of meat available. Coarsely ground sausage with snappy skin, melt-in-yourmouth brisket with famous bark, impossibly good beef ribs (reminiscent of the slab that tipped over Fred Flintstone’s car), fantastic pork ribs, pulled pork and succulent turkey (really). Sides are no afterthought. The potato salad alone is worth the trip along with the housemade pickles, and desserts do not disappoint, including Killen’s famous (from the steakhouse) bread pudding, banana pudding and a killer pecan pie. –Jodie Eisenhardt 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 some sumptuous dishes on the fly, like the seared hamachi belly with citrus and plums that we ordered one night (total foodgasm!). –Jodie Eisenhardt

LES GIVRAL’S KAHVE $ Asian, Vietnamese | 4601 Washington | 832.582.7671 www.lesgivrals.com With locations on Market Square downtown and on Washington Ave.,

Les Givral’s Kahve is known for their contemporary take on authentic, fresh Vietnamese cuisine. Funky, artistic décor and efficient counter service set the tone for bargain bowls of vermicelli, fresh spring rolls and a great variety of banh-mi sandwiches. The Washington location is open late till midnight during the week and until 3am on Friday and Saturday. –Jodie Eisenhardt LOCAL FOODS $$ Gourmet Sandwiches + Salads | 2555 Kirby Dr. | 713.255.4440 www.houstonlocalfoods.com What has made Local Foods such a favorite amongst Houstonians is the commitment of providing fresh, tasty and local products. This same philosophy has been carried over into the newest location featuring many fan favorites of the restaurant such as the Truffled Egg Salad. –Dominique McGhee

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. –Jeff Lane PONDICHERI – BAKE LAB + SHOP $ Bakery, Indian | 2800 Kirby Ste. B240 | 713.522.2012 www.pondichericafe.com Pondicheri Cafe, the West Ave Indian institution, has a bakery, juice factory, coffee shop, spice shop and so much more sitting right on top of the cafe, and it’s stylishly known as the Bake Lab + Shop. The Bake Lab puts out an often changing selection of pastries, cakes, prepared foods like salads and yogurt, soups, sandwiches and a whole host of other surprises. The Shop portion puts out some great drinks, juices, an extensive selection of serve-yourself spices and even some copper tableware. Full of bright natural light, the rest of the area is the huge kitchen and an eclectic seating area where you should spend some of your time. You won’t regret it. – Michael Cook

SEASONS 52 $$$ American | 4410 Westheimer Road | 713.621.5452 www.seasons52.com The rich wood décor and low lighting provide an atmosphere of class. Good date lighting, I like to call it. But what’s really special about Seasons 52 is a dynamic menu of fresh foods, seasoned and prepared for savory satisfaction, without piling on the calories. –Jeff Lane SAMURAI NOODLE $ Ramen, Japanese, Soup | 1801 Durham Dr. #2 | 832.879.2982 www.samurainoodle.com Just when you thought the Houston ramen craze had reached its natural conclusion, a new entrant comes into the market to shake things up. The latest ramen joint comes to Houston by way of Seattle, where it already has three locations.“For your first time, you need to try our tonkotsu ramen,” says Chef Le, who contends that it’s the best way to experience the depth of the scratch-made pork bone broth, which is prepared via a laborious, proprietary, three-day process. “After that, my second suggestion would be the spicy miso, also made with the tonkotsu broth base, or the garlic shoyu.” Another reason to get the tonkotsu? The entire bowl, which comes with two slices of chasu, green onion and wood ear, is just $8.95 (egg is an extra $1). An extra side of noodles is also just $1.50. –Mai Pham TABLE 57 $$ American, Barbecue, Bar & Grill | 5895 San Felipe 713.978.5860 | www.heb.com/table57 Tucked inside the brand spanking new, glitzy H-E-B on San Felipe at Fountainview, Table 57 takes the grocery store cafe concept to a whole new level. The fast-casual eatery, which can be accessed through its own front door or via side entrance from within H-E-B, offers a ton of menu options created by local chef Randy Evans. Looking for something light during your lunch break? Stop in for a selection of “small bites” like the Korean fried chicken and waffle, deviled eggs or fried green tomatoes, Korean bbq pulled-pork slider or crab ceviche tostada – which each rings in at a cool $3. For dinner or something more substantial, go for the Main Dishes, like the shrimp and grits, Japaneseinspired Tare-glazed salmon or the delicious, crispy-sweet-and-spicy Korean fried chicken, which it took a kitchen team in R & D to perfect. –Mai Pham

$ 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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WACKY PACKS If you mention the name Wacky Packs to children of the 1970s, you’re guaranteed to elicit a response unlike any other craze in the last few decades. Billed as “the number one children’s craze of the last 1,000 years” by Entertainment Weekly, the stickers and trading cards that spoofed classic household items became the only non-sports card to continually outsell baseball cards. Everyday products like Cap’n Crunch were spoofed as Cap’n Crud, just like Hot Wheels became Shot Wheels. Nothing was off-limits, covering everything from cereal (Wheaties became Weakies) to drinks (Kool-Aid became Kook Aid) to cologne (Old Spice became Old Spit). Originally created in 1967, the cultural phenomenon that captured the attention of America’s youth quickly became a hot item, selling out daily.

MICHAEL CRIST, an avid collector in Houston, knows all about Wacky Pack’s scarcity.

Born and raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia, he vividly remembers going to the local 7-11 as a child in 1973 and looking at the sticker images. Each pack came with a stick of gum, and it was almost impossible to purchase due to their popularity. “One of the reasons why they were ‘sold out’ was that one of the kids who lived closest to the neighborhood 7-11 store would get there first and buy them all to resell at school. It was the craze at the time to trade stickers with classmates to complete each series – there were 16 original series (488 total stickers),” recalls Michael. His love for Wacky Packs has never left him, and after eBay launched and allowed him and other collectors to gain access to rare sticker and card collections, he moved on to collecting the actual illustrators’ paintings. To this day he has amassed a collection of over 100 original and replica paintings of various spoofs, which began with his first purchase in 1998. Over 15 years later, and Michael Crist continues to collect when he can with an appreciation for the art form itself.

By Adam Bergen| Photography by Max Burkhalter

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WACKY PACS

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THIS MONTH’S

PERFORMING ARTS.

Photography by Rodney Waters

1. MUSIC DOING GOOD – That’s Classic! | May 8

Educating children in a creative way is exactly what Music Doing Good is achieving. Helping our children become successful in the future by building important skills and strategies prepares them for their future. Enjoy a debut of an operetta composed by students showcasing a commercial appeal of the classical music genre. www.musicdoinggood.org

2. STARK NAKED THEATRE – Stage Kiss | May 28 – June 13

Two former lovers, who have enough passion and flame to light a candle, have been reunited when they are cast as lovers in a play. This witty play is being brought to you by the two-time Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl. Stage Kiss will be no exception to Ruhl’s amazing reputation for provocative fresh comedies. www.starknakedtheatre.com

3. TUTS UNDERGROUND – First Date | June 11–21

What they thought was going to be a regular blind date turned into a hysterical high-stakes dinner when other restaurant patrons turn into best friends, scheming exes and overprotective parents, who sing and dance throughout their date. Enjoy this amazing musical that is about the chances we all take to find love and see how blind date newbie Aaron and serial-dater Casey’s night unfolds. www.tutsunderground.com

5. THEATRE UNDER THE STARS –

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella May 26 – June 7 Cinderella is coming to town! Get ready for a contemporary twist on this classic fairy tale this May. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is an award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of South Pacific, Oklahoma!, The King and I and many other fan favorites. This magical production features an amazing orchestra with jaw-dropping transformations along with the classic moments you love. Relive your childhood while enjoying this romantic, hilarious Broadway experience. Make sure you don’t forget your glass slippers! www.cinderellaonbroadway.com

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Photography by Gabriella Nissen

4. MILLER OUTDOOR THEATER – Cassandra Wilson celebrates Billie Holiday’s 100th birthday | May 29, 8:30pm We are betting last month’s April showers have brought nothing but May flowers for a perfect evening with Grammy Award-winner Cassandra Wilson’s tribute concert on the centennial of Billie Holiday’s birth. www.milleroutdoortheatre.com

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF PERFORMING ARTS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.localhoustonmagazine.com.

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Photography by Claire McAdams

Photography by Carol Rosegg

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MUSEUM DISTRICT

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Marilyn Minter’s lush paintings, photographs and videos vividly manifest our culture’s complex and contradictory emotions around the feminine body and beauty. On view through August 2, MARILYN MINTER: PRETTY/DIRTY features her unique works – from the oversized paintings of makeup-laden lips and eyes to soiled designer shoes – bringing into sharp, critical focus the power of desire. There are over 25 paintings showcasing Minter’s seductive statement pieces made between 1976 and 2013, including three video works and several photographs in an in-depth montage. Among them is “Big Girls”- (1986), which combines the little girl gazing at her reflection with an appropriated image of Sophia Loren anxiously peering at Jayne Mansfield’s voluptuous figure spilling out of her dress. “These works, like the others from this period, fused a feminist critique of the construction of gender and femininity with other postmodernist hallmarks of the 1980s, including the appropriation of mass-media imagery translated in a cool, detached style of painting,” says Elissa Auther, co-curator of the exhibition.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston 5216 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006 713.284.8250

www.camh.org

2. The recently opened 2,000sf DEBAKEY CELL LAB, named after the respected and accomplished medical pioneer Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, is the museum’s first permanent exhibit in the past five years and is designed to inspire interest and educate the public in biology and medicine. The Cell Lab features seven authentic biology-based science experiments developed for visitors ages 7 to adult. Future scientists and leaders in the medical field are able to put on lab coats, gloves and goggles and perform experiments using a variety of lab equipment and can explore topics of cellular, molecular and microbiology. The computer-guided (English or Spanish) Lab Companion at each activity bench leads visitors through each step of a particular experiment.

The Health Museum 1515 Hermann Drive Houston, TX 77004-7126 713.521.1515

www.thehealthmuseum.org

3. Amy Elkins’ BLACK IS THE DAY, BLACK IS THE NIGHT & PARTING WORDS opens May 8. The exhibit is a conceptual exploration into the many facets of human identity using notions of time, accumulation, memory and distance through personal correspondence with men serving life and death row sentences in some of the maximum security prisons in the U.S. Elkins began writing several men and a collaboration was born. She constructed images using formulas specific to each of their stories, ages and years incarcerated. Through these formulas their portraits became more unrecognizable and their memories became more muddled. She would send the images to them and they would critique them. Of the seven men she originally wrote, Elkins remained in touch with one who has been in solitary confinement since 1995 for a crime committed at 16. One was released in 2010 at the age of 30 (after 15 years in prison), three eventually opted out, one was executed in 2009, another executed in March of 2012.

Houston Center for Photography, West Gallery 1441 West Alabama Houston, TX 77006 713.529.4755

www.hcponline.org

4. BREATH: THE PULSE OF THE UNIVERSE is scheduled for 7pm on Thursday, May 14. Participate in a unique performance incorporating breath and movement. Developed by film producer and CEO of Birdhouse Productions Lynn Birdwell and breath coach and founder of Heights School of Yoga Pam Johnson, the Tadasana Troupe creates a mesmerizing moving mandala based on Sri T. Krishnamacharya’s Tadasana sequence, a dream-like dance that is matched with precision to very audible, rhythmic breath. This connection is the basis of all non-violent spiritual practices, including yoga, meditation and tai chi. A reception on the plaza follows the program.

Rothko Chapel 3900 Yupon St., Houston, TX

www.rothkochapel.org

5. COURSE OF ACTION: 50 YEARS OF JEWELRY AND ENAMEL AT THE GLASSELL SCHOOL OF ART opens May 9 and celebrates the outstanding jewelry and enamel program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s (MFAH) Glassell School of Art. For five decades, the program has provided a place for students of all skill levels and backgrounds to flourish, and it now offers a full curriculum of classes in metalsmithing, enameling and digital technology. The show chronicles the history of the program, acknowledging former instructors Mary Lorena Brown, William Steffy and Mary Ann Papanek-Miller.

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Artist Hall – Houston Center for Contemporary Craft 4848 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 713.529.4848

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1. 1.HOUSTON PHOTOGRAPHY HOUSTONCENTER CENTER FOR FOR PHOTOGRAPHY 2.2.THE THEROTHKO ROTHKOCHAPEL CHAPEL 3.3.THE THEMENIL MENILCOLLECTION COLLECTION 4.4.DIVERSEWORKS DIVERSEWORKS 5.5.BUFFALO MUSEUM BUFFALOSOLDIERS SOLDIERS NATIONAL NATIONAL MUSEUM 6.6.HOUSTON CONTEMPORARYCRAFT CRAFT HOUSTONCENTER CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY 7.7.LAWNDALE LAWNDALEART ART CENTER CZECHCENTER CENTER MUSEUM 8.8.CZECH HOUSTONMUSEUM MUSEUM OF AFRICAN 9.9.HOUSTON AFRICANAMERICAN AMERICANCULTURE CULTURE ASIASOCIETY SOCIETYTEXAS TEXAS CENTER CENTER 10.10.ASIA HOLOCAUSTMUSEUM MUSEUM HOUSTON 11.11.HOLOCAUST HOUSTON THEJUNG JUNGCENTER CENTER OF OF HOUSTON HOUSTON 12.12.THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS ARTS MUSEUM 13.13.CONTEMPORARY MUSEUMHOUSTON HOUSTON THEMUSEUM MUSEUM OF OF FINE FINE ARTS, 14.14.THE ARTS, HOUSTON HOUSTON CHILDREN’SMUSEUM MUSEUM OF 15.15.CHILDREN’S OF HOUSTON HOUSTON 16. THE HEALTH MUSEUM 16. THE HEALTH MUSEUM HOUSTONMUSEUM MUSEUM OF OF NATURAL 17.17.HOUSTON NATURALSCIENCE SCIENCE RICEUNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY ART ART GALLERY 18.18.RICE GALLERY HOUSTONZOO ZOO 19.19.HOUSTON

Sam Houston Monument

Hermann Park Illustration by German Arellano

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GISH AT THE MOVIES

HEAD OUTDOORS FOR FILMS!

By Sarah Gish

IT’S MAY AND IT’S HOT BUT WE AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET SO HEAD OUTDOORS WHILE YOU STILL CAN AND CATCH SOME MOVIES.

DISVOVERY GREEN

MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE

Photography by Michelle Watson MARKET SQUARE PARK

Photography by Jeff Grass

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.

Photography courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas

MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE has been a

mainstay for free, first-class culture in Houston for almost 100 years and for the last twenty years has been home to movies under the stars. Boasting a “hill” rising from leftover dirt from the creation of Fannin Street, Miller has a choice of air-conditioned, ticketed seating or hilltop seating in the open air. Managing Director Cissy Segal Davis programs “from the heart,” bringing several films each season that include classic and current hits, films for families, seasonal nods, trilogies and classics like the original Wizard of Oz (screening on July 3). This month, they’re happy to be bringing back Sons de L'âme (“Sounds of the Soul”) in conjunction with the Houston Cinema Arts Society and the Houston Ballet. This encore presentation is a stunning documentary dance performance film choreo-

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graphed by Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch and set to piano pieces by Frédéric Chopin performed by Lang Lang. It screens on May 8. Susanne Theis of DISCOVERY GREEN does an amazing job programming a wide variety of events and happenings on their downtown lawn, including monthly films for families and adults. Upcoming screenings are Growing Cities on May 8, a Parks and Recreation Marathon on May 16, and everyone’s summer favorite, Jaws, on June 20. MARKET SQUARE PARK is another fun place to see outdoor flicks – their regular monthly film screenings are part of the Alamo Drafthouse’s Rolling Roadshow program. Coming soon are Terms of Endearment on May 8 and native son Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums on June 5. Downtown’s newest renovation

transformation, GREENSTREET, at 1201 Fannin Street, is showing Jurassic Park on May 22. The Montrose eatery BRASIL CAFÉ is a regular venue for outdoor screenings on their lovely patio and has hosted picks by people such as film programmer Peter Lucas, filmmaker Stephanie Saint Sanchez and the dynamic duo, husband-and-wife team Elizabeth and Paul Nelson, also known as Cinema Bomar (named after the street they live on). Around the corner from Brasil, THE MENIL COLLECTION occasionally hosts outdoor screenings – their next one is Painters Painting on June 3. Be sure to check out the screenings at the Tomball Depot (Dennis the Menace on May 9) and the Sugar Land Town Square (Planes Fire & Rescue on May 9).

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) Sundance Cinemas (www.sundancecinemas.com)

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FRESH ARTS SCENE

THE YEAR SEEMS TO BE FLYING BY. STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS WITH THIS MONTH’S ARTS EVENTS. – Ariel Jones

ROMA FOLK LYRICISM | Apollo Chamber Players Friday, May 1 | 8pm Apollo Chamber Players’ season-finale program showcases music inspired by Roma (Gypsy) folk traditions, featuring works by Bartók, Beethoven, Dana Wilson, and the world premiere of Thracian Airs on Besime Sultan, a new 20x2020 commissioned work by Turkish-born composer Erberk Eryilmaz. Guest artists include virtuoso Turkish/Roma clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski, founder of the New York Gypsy All-Stars; bassist Timothy Pitts, Rice professor and former principal of the Houston Symphony; and percussionist Dr. Matthew McClung, professor at Texas A&M University (Corpus Christi).University of Houston musicologist Dr. Barbara Rose Lange presents a pre-concert lecture (7:15pm). Tickets are $30 General Admission; $25 Senior; $10 Student. (Duncan Recital Hall, Shepherd School of Music, Rice University). For more information, visit www.apollochamberplayers.org

HAZY YET VIVID | Fresh Arts Opening Reception: Friday, May 22 | 6–8pm Hazy Yet Vivid is a multimedia exhibition that attempts to provide a visual representation of how memories are encoded, altered, recognized and recalled. Using techniques such as slit scanning, which involves taking a photo through a slit while the scenery behind is still moving, and strip photography, which compresses multiple moments in time into a photo time lapse, Shane and Peter Allbritton rearrange the traditional narrative of a single image to create an abstract visual that encompasses multiple perspectives at various points in time. The public is invited to an opening reception beginning at 6pm on May 22 at Fresh Arts, 2101 Winter Street, Studio B11, Houston, TX, 77007. Free parking is available. For more information, visit www.fresharts.org.

GEOFF DYER | Inprint Margarett Brown Reading Series Monday, May 11 | begins at 7:30pm GEOFF DYER “is to essays what Anthony Bourdain is to food,” according to the Los Angeles Times. Publishers Weekly calls him “a modern Montaigne.” “One of our greatest living critics, not of the arts but of life itself, and one of our most original writers” (New York Magazine), he is the author of six genre-defying books, including But Beautiful: A Book about Jazz, The Missing of the Somme, Out of Sheer Rage: Wrestling with D.H. Lawrence and the award-winning Yoga for People Who Can’t Be Bothered to Do It, plus four novels. The reading, followed by an onstage interview, book sale and signing, takes place at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center, 501 Texas Avenue. General admission tickets: #5. For more information, visit www.inprinthouston.org.

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HANNAH ANDERSON Q&A

LOCAL ARTIST AND SINGER-SONGWRITER HANNAH ANDERSON FITS INTO THE LOCAL HOUSTON MUSIC ISSUE AS A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE. SHE IS ONLY 21 YEARS OLD AND HAS ALREADY BEEN MAKING MUSIC FOR SIX YEARS.

Right now you’ve got a new project going on and a song coming out next month? My friend Dakota and I are working on a project, and so that is coming out next month. And what’s the vibe — have you worked together before? This is the first time working together, and it’s a really, really cool dynamic kind of vibe. It’s very exciting because he actually works at the barber shop that I go to, and I’m just really close friends with all the guys over there, and somehow I ended up working with him on music, and it’s just been amazing, actually. We’ve just got a really cool sound happening. How often are you at the barbershop? Every few days probably. [laughs] They let me use their back room as a workspace sometimes. It’s pretty interesting when that happens. Do you pick up any particular musical vibe from the barbershop? Not anything in particular. They’re always playing old school hip-hop and stuff like that, so that’s always cool. I actually was doing part-time reception work over there for a while, and would get to play music for everybody while they’re getting their hair cut, which was fun. And then Dakota took over the job I was doing. What were some of the first records you latched onto when you were growing up, where you first heard the musicality? My dad actually, growing up, listened to every genre of music. He listened to a lot of Brazilian music — bossa nova, jazz … a lot of classical music, and my family and I are big fans of musicals. So growing up, we had musicals on always. So I mean, my musical inspirations were pretty diverse, but I don’t think that I realized until a few years ago how impactful that was on me. And when did you first pick up a guitar? Maybe when I was 15? My brother started playing – my older brother – I used to do everything that my older brother did, and he was playing guitar, so I was like, “Oh, I have to play guitar now.” So he ended up teaching me just a few chords, and then ended up giving up on teaching me, so I just kind of went with it and started teaching myself.

This was the brother that helped shoot that video in West Texas? That was my younger brother who shot my video. We’re actually five siblings total, and I’m in the middle of the five. It’s girl/boy/girl/boy/girl. There’s a certain symmetry to your family. Yes! For sure. And where was that in West Texas? That was in Monahans, actually in Monahans Sandhills State Park. It was like a mini-scale – well, I’ve never been to the Sahara Desert, but I would imagine this is what the Sahara Desert looks like on a miniscale. It was beautiful. We ended up having to go out to West Texas for some photos, and since we were out there, we thought, “We might as well take advantage of this moment, get a video!” And neither Josh or I had ever done a video like this before. So it was something completely new for us. We kinda just … it just happened. It was beautiful out there. Do you read much when you’re in your writing process? I do like to read a lot, but I feel like whenever I read or listen to a lot of music, I try to not let that really influence exactly what it is that I’m writing, because I don’t want to plagiarize. And I feel like that tends to happen when you’re so into something, you’re so focused on something that it can just come out, you know? So I do like to read and listen to a lot of music, but I try and not necessarily let that influence my writing. I mostly like … just different situations that happen or just people I meet who I’m really inspired by, just social interactions and watching people, how they do things. Why they do what they do. That’s mostly what influences my writing. Just taking in the world.

By Lance Scott Walker | Photography by Collin Kelly

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SEX! DRUNKENNESS! WAR! REVENGE! ARS LYRICA BRINGS ALEXANDER’S FEAST TO ZILKHA HALL

“He sought her snowy breast, then round her slender waist he curled” – not an image that springs to mind when we think “early music ensemble” or a piece of musical theater from early 18th-century London. But then, as now, passion puts butts in seats! The early music ensemble, Ars Lyrica, is playing that card big time for its Zilkha Hall season finale, offering Alexander’s Feast by Handel. It really isn’t so much a story told in music as a vehicle designed to drag us through a whole range of strong emotions in a short span of time through, as the piece is subtitled, “the power of music.” Ars Lyrica founder and artistic director Matthew Dirst describes it as “a tale of how Alexander the Great was charmed by the power of music . . . to do both great and appalling things!” (laughs) “The music both soothes his savage breast and drives him to finish the war [against Persia] that he had started. It’s a double-edged sword.” With no real action to depict, this ode to Saint Cecilia (the patron of music) is a precursor of Handel’s great biblical oratorios to come and the first non-staged work he produced in a London theater, where he was the reigning master of opera. Another early oratorio, Esther, had been presented in a pub, accompanied, as Dirst puts it, by “the clink of wine glasses and beer steins, I should think.” This is a much bigger enterprise than Handel’s earlier Italian cantatas/oratorios, which didn’t feature chorus at all and required only a small instrumental ensemble. For Alexander’s Feast, Dirst will lead (from the harpsichord) a cast of soloists plus a full orchestra involving a large string section, theorbo, oboes, bassoons, “two horns, trumpet, tympani, the whole nine yards . . . plus harp.” Houston’s Bach Choir also plays a major role. Those forces, deployed in such an intimate space as Zilkha Hall, are sure to create a powerful effect, says Dirst. “The musicians are literally right in front of you. You can reach out and touch them practically. Certainly the sound envelopes you in a way that doesn’t happen in a large venue like Jones Hall.” “We know that people in the 18th century went to the opera and oratorio in order to be moved – in order to weep, in order to laugh, in order to cheer. We’re trying to create the same kind of effect for our audiences today. This is not music that you sit and are dumbfounded by – it’s music that needs to get a rise out of you in some way, shape or form.” ARS LYRICA | www.arslyricahouston.org

By Dean Dalton | Photography by Pin Lim

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THE MUSICIANS ARE LITERALLY RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU

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DECONSTRUCTING SOUND WITH JACKSON JHIN Perhaps it’s because I’m married to a sound engineer, but of the five senses, sound is the one that’s most revered in our house. Given that predilection, I took it as a happy coincidence hearing about JACKSON JHIN’S recent TEDxUND talk. A born and bred Houstonian studying at Notre Dame, Jackson’s interest in the shared human experience of music started early, heavily influenced by his older brother’s piano teacher. Jackson wanted to compose music more intuitively, moving away from the reliance of traditional composition and exploring resources outside the classroom. Ever wonder why you press skip on Pandora before that first chord hits, or “hold it” at your local bar (even though you’re dying to go) ’cause your favorite song is on (come on, we’ve all been there)? Well, Jackson knows why and it’s not what you might think. Strip away everything else and you’re holding it due to just the right mix of predictability vs. variability in your music. Think about it. The human brain is always looking for patterns to follow along with, familiar enough to play with, but not so familiar you get bored. (Attention is tough to come by these days!) Through his use of technology to create music, Jackson poses the challenge: If there were no culture, no society, what would music be to you? What would you like/dislike without these preconceptions? This made us start thinking, what if we all looked at sound with not just open ears, but a more open mind. Obviously in today’s society of now, now, now…we are predisposed to make snap judgments on, well, just about everything. But what if, as Jackson suggests, we don’t instantly hit skip, and try to move outside our comfort sound zone and give ourselves a chance to find a new musical pattern that we might actually decide we want to listen along with…even one that includes that buzzing alarm clock (click on Jackson’s TEDxUND talk www.youtube.com/watch?v=LadUft_ly50 and see him do just that). This led me to wonder what Jackson’s favorite/least favorite sounds might be. When asked if he was dropped on a desert island, without any culture or society as he poses, what would be the one sound he would want to hear, his reply was simple but so fundamentally a part of the our collective audio experience – the human voice. The one sound he wouldn’t want to hear? Jackson is still looking, with open ears. By Beth Levine-McCann

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S R A S E R E Y MB by the

Directed by MARCUS PONTELLO, "Friday I'm In Love" is a documentary currently in production about 40-year-old Montrose mainstay Numbers. The project started two years ago, with the desire to extensively document the history of the club. Pontello approached this project as a beloved fan of Numbers, with a genuine curiosity and respect for that which came before him. The film crosses generations to explore the extraordinary history of a countercultural landmark originally sanctioned as a dinner theater in 1975 and reinvented later as a gay disco – opening as NUMBERS in 1978. For us Generation Xers (and my fellow tortured Rice students, who would cleverly get exact change at the adult book store next door so we could go through the club's side entrance), Numbers eventually progressed into the '80s as an all-encompassing music venue and dance club, becoming a meeting place of various sub-cultures and genres. Throughout the '80s and '90s, Numbers became increasingly known as a home for live alternative music with talent spanning from local bands to national and international touring acts.

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From new wave to industrial, from the obscure to the iconic, Numbers is responsible for exposing generations of people to an array of music. The eclectic soundtrack of Numbers continues to attract an equally eclectic audience who gather weekly to dance and celebrate under a “come as you are” attitude. “Friday I'm In Love” will uncover the history of the building while telling a story of survival, community and unmatched authenticity. Production wraps this year – look for the film in late 2016. And forget about the adult book store next door. Like most things in Montrose, it's now a highconcept restaurant. Thankfully, Numbers never changes.

By Tim Moloney | Photography Provided by Numbers

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

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RECORDING

ROOSH WILLIAMS

By Lance Scott Walker | Photography by Anthony Rathbun

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Do you have a circuit of towns around Texas that you hit on the regular? Man, the way I’ve done it, I kind of branch out. Like my fan base is more … I don’t want to use the word universal, but it’s kinda more spread out rather than being concentrated in like … I know a lot of cats out here that have small towns in Texas like Killeen, Beaumont, places like that. I don’t really hit those kind of towns but I hit major ones like Houston, Austin, Dallas, sometimes San Antonio, and then I go up to Oklahoma. I’ll do Oklahoma City, like maybe Tulsa, Stillwater, Norman, then go up to Kansas and hit Wichita as well. Are those kids thirsty for shows? Yeah, definitely, man. You gotta understand that one thing — my manager’s out in Oklahoma, so that’s how I got mixed up with Oklahoma, and you learn — I learned early on there’s not anything to do in the Midwest like Oklahoma, He was faster then. He was different. Remember when he first started he was Kansas, surrounding areas. They don’t have shit to do, so to come rapping really fast. over there like me and my producers, that means more to them than Yeah, straight up. It was more like rugged back then, but now he knows the melodies it does to folks in Houston. like a motherfucker and it’s just awesome. Lil’ Flip, I can’t even front, man. I used to jam Lil’ Flip. Flip used to be the man, dog. And I guess you’re right in the middle of full-on album promotion and the whole album cycle now, huh? Yeah, yeah, man. I put an album out a month and a half ago, we did South by Southwest, I went on “Sway In The Morning.” I’ve just been real busy. It’s been awesome. I’m trying to really get on tour, hit the road. Because I don’t feel like I’ve really maximized what I can do in Houston, but I feel like my efforts would be better used if I tried to kinda take the formula and apply it to other regions and keep it going. How does your Persian background factor into your interactions in the rap community? Do you get to talk to people about it, do they ask you questions about it? There aren’t a lot of Persian rappers. It’s a question I get asked frequently, and there aren’t a lot. I may know two or three. I think it’s something that definitely makes me stand out whether I like it or not, so I embrace it. Well, it looks to the future of rap, too, because the future of rap is global. The more that rap music reaches new parts of the world and takes root, it’s represented in all the parts of the world. Right. It’s just like anything else. Like when basketball went global. Now you see tons of European dudes in the NBA. I wanna be an ambassador. I have the potential for that to happen, so I think that’s pretty cool.

Yeah, he’s a really good rapper. Yeah, “The Way We Ball” was huge. “I Can Do Dat” was huge, and “Game Over.” “Sunshine.” Yeah, yeah. “Sunshine.” People forget — Flip was the first person of that era to … you know, he was on MTV, he had a major deal. Like before the whole ’05 splurge with Mike Jones and Chamillionaire and Paul Wall, when everybody was just destroying and everybody was on, he kinda did it I feel like a year or a year and a half earlier. I don’t know exactly off the top of my head but yeah, Flip, Bun. And just like the songs that were big. To be honest with you, outside of Chamillionaire, Face and Flip, and when Chamillionaire and Paul Wall were together as well, I would listen to most of the singles, you know, like “Ghetto Dreams,” Fat Pat. “Tops Drop.” E.S.G. and Slim … “Put ya hands up / if you a baller!” Admittedly I was not huge on UGK back then, as a kid. I won’t even lie about that. I feel like a lot of people lie about that – [laughs] you know what I’m sayin’? But I came up on a lot of East Coast, man. Like maybe I’m exaggerating, but more so just like the style, you know what I’m sayin’? Eminem, Atmosphere, Royce Da 5’9” type shit. Jadakiss, Busta. Nas. Obviously Jay, Outkast … and then also you know the Midwest, like Kanye, Lupe Fiasco. You were just all over the place. Some straight up DMX, stuff from Atlanta, Ludacris, you know, just a whole variety of things. Just a whole bunch of different styles, and if it’s dope, it’s dope. That’s how I feel. Dope is dope, know what I’m sayin’? Dre, 2001, I jammed that album back in the day and I still jam it. 50 Cent. I can’t even lie. “Get Rich or Die Tryin'?” Fucking incredible music.

What about current events, political events — does that stuff find its way into your music right away or do you take time to write? It’s just kind of instantaneous. I just kind of go off of instinct, off the emotion, just how I’m feeling at the time. I don’t … you know, sometimes I’ll sit down and go, “This is the song I’m trying to write.” But I feel like my best shit comes when it’s just off my head, freefalling. So, yeah, man, sometimes I can get a verse out in under 30 minutes, sometimes it takes me a week. It just depends. I know you recently got to work with Scarface, and you grew up listening to him and Geto Boys and his whole musical history, but who else were you listening to growing up from Houston? From Houston, Chamillionaire was my favorite overall. Chamillionaire, ’Face, and let’s see … when I was younger, I wasn’t the biggest Z-Ro fan — now I’m a huge Z-Ro fan. I was trippin’ as a youngin’. I don’t know why.

For full interview, visit www.localhoustonmagazine.com

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MUSIC

FESTIVALS 2015

TXFEST www.texasfest.com Highlighting the best of Texas’ food, music and culture, this festival will give you a feel of what it’s really like to be from the Lone Star State. Debuting at Hermann Square Park in downtown Houston on May 9 with over 25 bands performing and over 100 brands of Texas beer, food, wine and spirits, TXFEST will give you the Texas experience you are expecting.

PACHANGA www.pachangafest.com For the first time ever, Pachanga is expanding and debuting in Houston on Thursday, May 14. This Latinthemed music, food and cultural arts event shows the vibrant contribution of Latino-created art and how it has impacted American culture today. With some of the best artists including Ceci Bastida and Ximena Sariñana, this will be a day you won’t forget!

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TEXAS MUSIC FESTIVAL www.tmf.uh.edu Soloist Glenn Dicterow opens the 2015 Texas Music Festival on Saturday, June 6, at the University of Houston Moores Opera House. Allowing rising stars to win a guest soloist role with the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist Competition to perform with the Festival Orchestra under the wand of Lavard Skou Larsen, this festival is the teaching ground for music students to learn and accomplish classical works over a rigorous four-week period. Enjoy many up-and-coming artists present with world-class soloists, distinguished conductors and faculty artists throughout the month of June.

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By Ida Sameri | Photography by Anthony Rathbun PUERTO RICAN & CUBAN FESTIVAL www.prcfestival.com September 1, 2015 With over 20,000 participants each year, the Puerto Rican & Cuban Festival has grown and become extremely popular in Houston! This festival has done a wonderful job spreading awareness about the Puerto Rican & Cuban cultures through dance, music, art and delicious foods. With some of the best sponsors and musicians, this event is going to be electrifying!

HOUSTON WHATEVER FESTIVAL www.houstonwhateverfest.com Get ready for two days of music, food, art and comedy at the Houston Whatever Fest on November 21 and 22. With five different stages and more than 65 artists, this lineup features a wide variety of music and comics to keep you dancing and laughing the entire time.

FREE PRESS SUMMER FESTIVAL www.fpsf.com June 6 and 7 With the blind presale selling out in a record three hours, this year’s FPSF is going to be one you won’t want to miss! What was first a smalltown festival has grown to become extremely well known with more than 75 artist such as Skrillex, Slim Thug, Weezer, Steve Angello and many more scheduled to perform. Enjoy two days filled with one of the best musical lineups, amazing local food and drinks, art installations and artists this June! THE HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL www.houstoninternationaljazzfestival.com July 31 – August 2 The 25th anniversary celebration of the Houston International Jazz Festival kicks off on Friday, July 31, with some of the most inspirational jazz entertainment from all around the world. All proceeds from the festival, including those from the Mayor’s Scholarship Jazz Brunch on August 2, will benefit Jazz Education Inc.’s educational programs.

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JUDY’S MISSION+SPB4OVC

On the eve of World Ovarian Cancer Day, Thursday, May 7, two Houstonbased ovarian cancer foundations, JUDY’S MISSION and SPB4OVC, are co-hosting the screening of No Evidence of Disease. The award-winning documentary follows a not-so-typical rock band made up of six GYN surgeons passionate about music and outraged by the wall of silence and underfunding surrounding these types of women’s cancers. The goal of N.E.D. is to push below the belt cancers into the same limelight as breast cancer. Both the local foundations were founded in honor of their namesakes. Judy’s Mission was founded in 2010 in honor of Judith Liebenthal Robinson, PhD, a NASA scientist who despite a healthy lifestyle was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer and passed away within a year.

Tickets are $20. For information and to purchase tickets, go to: www.eventbrite.com/e/ned-screening-event-tickets-16249400394

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COLLIN MCHUGH A MAN OF MANY TALENTS

Astros starter Collin McHugh once joked he was “the dumb jock of the family.” But he’s much more than a jock, and certainly far from dumb. The 27-year-old finds himself in the starting pitching rotation for the ASTROS, but still finds time to pen his own blog and even play a few instruments. Music is more of a family gene than baseball, he admits. McHugh’s brother and sister (Evan and Eryn) are songwriters in Nashville, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t dabble in music a little himself. One thing he packs on road trips? His ukulele.

Jayme: So your brother and sister are into music? Collin: Both are songwriters. My brother does more of the acoustic, full key stuff and my sister writes with a bunch of different people – she does a lot in Nashville. I grew up playing instruments, enjoying music and ended up doing this (baseball)…

J: Does it help you relax? C: Yeah, I think for me anything that can take my mind off of baseball does. It’s something I’ve been doing for a long time – I’ve been playing instruments before I was playing baseball so it goes back a long way. It’s something I’m passionate about. Whenever I get a chance to play with other guys, to pick around at the guitar, it’s a good time.

J: If you could hang with any musician – dead or alive? C: Probably Jeff Buckley – he’s kind of a freak. His voice is incredible, he’s a great musician, son of Tim Buckley and music is in his blood. I’d just sit and pick his brain. Obviously he’s not around anymore so it’s tough; he was in the prime of his career.

J: Do you play any instruments or have a good voice? C: I played clarinet growing up. Once I got into high school I started playing a little saxophone and then drums. I picked up guitar and recently started playing the ukulele. It’s a nice little travel instrument for me.

J: Favorite music? C: I’m probably more into toned down stuff. I enjoy a lot of types of music. I’m from Atlanta and there’s a big hip-hop influence in Atlanta so obviously I really like hip-hop and R&B. It’s hard to beat Outkast (they represent Atlanta). Outkast, T.I. and Drake. Other than that probably some singer/songwriter stuff I grew up listening to like Bryan Adams and Jeff Buckley. Let’s just say I like good music – hard rock is tough unless I’m in the weight room.

J: If you could only listen to one Pandora station the rest of the season? C: That’s a good question! Right now I would have to say I am into the new Purity Ring album – it’s so good. I’d probably put it on that and rock out – it’s pretty solid.

J: What do your teammates say about that? C: I don’t know – it’s a mix batch. Some guys see it and they’re like, ‘What is that – I don’t even know what that is!’ J: I’m not sure I know what a ukulele is. C: It’s kind of a Hawaiian island string instrument – basically a little guitar.

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J: Have you checked out any Houston venues? C: Last year I saw Ingrid Michaelson at House of Blues. I think Sufjan Stevens is playing on one of our off days – I’m going to try and see them.

Check out McHugh’s blog where he talks about life and baseball – adayolderadaywiser.com

By Jayme Lamm Photography Courtesy of Houston Astros

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EVENT: THE CUSP EVENT WHERE: NEIMAN MARCUS Guests enjoyed a fun evening with cocktails, goodies, a beautiful fashion presentation showing off the latest CUSP trends and fashion tips with the It Girls of Instagram at The CUSP Event sponsored by Neiman Marcus and VISA. Photography by LAST NIGHT PICS

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EVENT: SPRING FLING WHERE: ZAYVER JEWELS AND SLOAN/HALL Celebrity stylist and international media personality Derek Warburton visited Houston for the Zayver Jewels and Sloan/Hall “Spring Fling” event. This event was the perfect way for guests to shop the looks and be a part of benefiting Legacy Community Healthcare. Board member Melissa Mithoff co-hosted. Photography by Kim Coffman

SCENE EVENT: BLUE CURE FOUNDATION WHERE: OMNI BALLROOM President and founder of the Blue Cure Foundation Gabe Canales, along with Dinner Chairs AJ Gracely and Dee Dee and Wallis Marsh, welcomed over 300 guests for a night filled with dinner, entertainment by Moodafaruka and honoree and speaker John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods. Mackey spoke of the importance of a clean, whole food diet for the health of all Americans. It was truly an inspiring evening raising nearly $400,000 for Cancer Prevention. Photography by Roswitha Vogler

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EVENT: PLATFORMIT–THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE: ALOFT HOTEL’S WXYZ LOUNGE Serving as one of Houston’s inclusive communities of young professionals, Platformit is the perfect event for people who are striving for success in their future endeavors. Guests enjoyed drinks and appetizers while listening to the amazing panels talk about how they can accomplish their future goals. Photography by Life Begins at Midnight

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EVENT: VALVISIONS FOUNDATION WHERE: STUDIO MOVIE GRILL AND MUIR FINE ARTS GALLERY’S “CINEMA CANVAS & CUISINE” With hundreds of millions of females who have suffered from Female Genital Mutilation, Donna L. Valverde of Valvisions Foundation has created “Healing Magdalene” to raise awareness about FGM. Kicking off at Studio Movie Grill with a wonderful breakfast and screening of “Healing Magdalene,” followed by an amazing art exhibit at Muir featuring work by noted artist Tom duBois and a wonderful song and show by David Winans Jr. and the Dancers in White. Photography by Roswitha Vogler

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WHERE TO LIVE NOW

PEARLAND

Established in 1894, Pearland was named after the pear trees in the region, and is called home now for over 100,000 residents. This growing city is becoming well-known not only for its name but also for what it has to offer. Enjoy a day shopping at The Pearland Town Center, or take a nice stroll around Centennial Park. Experience a spiritual journey at The Sri Meenakshi Hindu Temple, which is known for its beautiful and lavish details. No Pearland visit is complete if you haven’t grabbed a bite to eat. Don’t let the wait scare you – Killen’s Barbecue is worth every minute of it so you can get your hands on some juicy ribs and delicious mac ’n cheese. Other places like King’s Biergarten and Pena’s Donut Heaven & Grill will sure make those taste buds dance.

INSIDER

ADRIAN HERNANDEZ is a Pearland resident and co-owner of The Drink Station (“where all your drink dreams come true”). What do you like best about Pearland? Right now, in its current state of growth, the thing that sets Pearland apart is it’s unique. It’s exploding and going through an interesting time. It’s a town that used to be a one-cow town, a sleepy town, and all of a sudden is faced with the excitement and challenges of becoming a real city.

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What do you think could be improved? Pearland is losing “Pearland.” As it grows it’s losing that local reflection of itself; it’s turning into every other town. The current city government has invested in bringing in national huge companies that are industrial, but in doing that they aren’t developing smaller businesses which are unique to every town. More balance, I suppose, would be my answer.

What are you most proud of regarding your neighborhood? Pearland has become incredibly diverse and that diversity has put me in touch with super amazing people. I think Pearland has really cool people. And achievers. We have a big population of professional athletes who live here and there’s a reason for that. Our high school sports teams are frequently competitors at the state level. Dad’s Club Little League has sent two teams to the Little League World Series in the last five years. It’s friendly. It’s safe. We have good schools. The changing demographics of Pearland, that is one of the things that I’m most proud of.

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By Ida Sameri Illustration by German Arellano

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STYLE + LEISURE MOPHO You take pride in the watch you wear, the shoes and, ladies, down to the handbag you carry. It only makes sense that the case your phone’s in make a statement of its own as well. The MOPHO BY BROWE, created locally since 2013, does just that. MoPho is short for Mobile Phone wallet. Created by BENNETT ROWE as a solution for his wife who wanted something to carry her phone, driver’s license, credit cards and cash. Each MoPho is handmade right here in Houston. They can be customized down to the color and vintage coin (you can even select a coin that dates to a significant year). Rowe has been collecting Mercury dimes, Walking Liberty 50-cent pieces and Peace dollars for many years. There are two artisans on hand, one a leather worker who preps, cuts and sews the skins and a silver worker who prepares, designs and engraves the silver coins. Skins come from Amtan tanners in the USA and all are legally culled or farmed. The cases take on a patina from use that’s as familiar as if you’d owned the leather good your whole life. www.b-rowedzgn.com/about/

Photography by Gabriella Nissen

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MOPHO

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THINGS WE LOVE I remember seeing my dad with his huge headphones on in the 70s as he would DJ in our home to his massive collection of LPs. I think it’s that memory that makes me love this modern-day version so much. These high-quality headphones not only sound and look great, but the company who makes them, LSTN, restores hearing to a person in need through the Starkey Hearing Foundation with every set sold. In less than two years, over 20,000 have been given the gift of sound and music. www.lstnheadphones.com

BY CARLA VALENCIA DE MARTINEZ

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I didn’t realize how badly I needed to have one of these until recently. Probably the only reason I keep my phone charged is to communicate with my husband and the people who help me with my kids! When it gets under 20%, I start to get anxiety. Apelpi’s Stem Gold is tiny, light and, hello, it’s gold. With a 2200 mAh portable external battery charger that adds 6 hours of talk time – which hopefully takes me into to naptime so I don’t have to worry. www.apelpi.com

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I recently discovered Reformation – they make the best fitting and coolest dresses around. This plunging neckline beauty is my favorite! www.thereformation.com

Kathleen Whitaker earrings

I’ve never been big on earrings, but recently saw these beauties on a girlfriend and had to have them. They are super-chic, subtle and go with everything. www.kathleenwhitaker.com

I had my eye on these Anine Bing Booties for quite some time. They are a little more daring than most of my shoes, but I’m really loving them! They look great with jeans and dresses. www.aninebing.com

It doesn’t get cooler than ALLI WEBB. She’s the woman behind Drybar, which just opened its second location in River Oaks. This mom of two and professional stylist now has 42 locations throughout the country with plans to open another 10–13 this year. Her feet are firmly on the ground as she continues to expand her brand. I wondered what the secret to her success is. “It’s a combination of staying really simple and true to what we do, but figuring out ways to be innovative,” shares Webb. I asked her to tell us a few of her current favorites. www.drybar.com

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SATURDAY IN THE PARK People dancing, people laughing...

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A man playing guitar, Singing for us all...

Photography by Kennon Evett , Hair and Makeup by Sherrie Evett All models Page Parks: Ashley Brown, Grace Edmunds, Eric Felchak, Joey Garcia, Jon Glenn, Lily Griffin, Taylor Hilton, Lilli Hentz, Abby Koenig, Madeline McDonald, Charlotte Stevens Stylist Carla Valencia de Martinez Creative Direction Gabriella Nissen Assistants: Scott Angle, Brandie Seireft, Ida Sameri Shot on location at Ley Plaza Park in the Heights Houston 4|20|2015

Can you dig it

Lyrics from Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Saturday in the Park

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Listen children all is not lost...

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FAT FINDS

GROOVY BABY - by Marzi Petris | Photography by Gabriella Nissen IT’S TIME TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER FLOWER CHILD BECAUSE THE 70’S ARE BACK! IT’S ALL ABOUT FLARES, CLOGS AND FUN GRAPHIC PRINTS. YOU GET TO TAKE YOUR FESTIVAL WEAR PAST THE FESTIVAL SEASON. HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE PIECES THAT YOU CAN FIND AROUND TOWN.

CLYDE HAT:

GE C FRIN SUNGL p.com

opsho

: www.t

ASSES

CITIZEN OF HUMANITY JEANS: www.revolve.com

LUTC

H: w

ww.t opsh

op.co

JUMPSUIT: www.topshop.com

www.shopsaintcloud.com

PAMELA LOVE STAR RING:

www.shopsaintcloud.com

PRADA CLOGS:

www.neimanmarcus.com

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TOOLS+GADGETS

SHADYFACE SUN BLOCKER

Summer is almost here which means lounging in the sun. But reading your portable electronic devices can be tricky with the glare. If you like to use your devices while lying by the pool or beach, then you should check out ShadyFace. It’s a portable, flat folding sun shade with a swivel canvas canopy for self-adjusting shade to the upper torso or full body. ShadyFace can be applied on any lounge recliner or at the beach or backyard. The company claims it is SPF 50+ to protect you from some of the sun’s harmful rays. It can also secure your lotions, keys and whatever you wish to store in its handy canvas pockets. The canvas backpack for lightweight transport makes it easy for travel. $98 www.shadyface.com

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.

QUICKLOCK PADLOCK

I have a tough time remembering the combination on padlocks and my kids are just as forgetful. It’s about time someone created a high-tech padlock, and the Quicklock is a pretty cool device that works well. The Quicklock Padlock is a Bluetooth and RFID-enabled smart padlock. It opens through a smartphone app or, if you don’t have your phone on you, by simply waving a RFID-enabled tag, ring, bracelet, fob or card. No more fumbling for keys or wracking your brain to remember combinations. The app (iOS or Android) can even keep track of who has opened your padlock and when. No phone? No problem. Stick an NFC label on your wallet or slap an NFC-enabled bracelet on your kid’s wrist. A simple wave gives quick access to your stuff to anyone you want – and keeps out the rest. $50 www.thequicklock.com

SKYLINK HOME ALARM KIT

Installing a home alarm by yourself can be tricky and expensive. I recently found an alarm system that provides families with a simple and affordable way to secure and monitor their homes. The Skylink Alarm System Kit is controlled by an Internet hub and includes a motion sensor, keychain remote, and two door or window sensors. First connect Skylink’s Internet hub to a wireless internet router. The security system coordinates the activities of all receivers and sensors with the help of an iOS and Android smartphone app. The app allows for complete control of the system including arming and disarming the alarm system from anywhere. If the door or window sensor detects motion, the Internet hub will send the user a push notification through the app. The app also allows users to view events that set off alarms through the live video monitoring through a smartphone or tablet. The system features a backup battery. In case of a power failure, all units and sensors would continue to work as a local alarm with an external siren. The Skylink Alarm System Kit can be paired with an emergency dialer that connects through a phone line to notify the user of the triggered alarm. $149 www.skylinkhome.com

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MENTERTAINMENT

Photography by Collin Kelly

CLASSIC WORKS

Without a question, New Orleans pops in my head when I think of music. There are no ordinary days in this city and you are guaranteed to find entertainment simply strolling down the French Quarter. The annual Jazz Fest wraps up the first weekend of May and it brings to its stage world-famous performers like Elton John and some of the most prominent names in modern jazz and funk. For more information, visit www.neworleansonline.com.

The 3sixteen Type 3S Double black selvedge denim jacket is iconic. The double black denim will fade to grey with heavy wear. The body has been slightly lengthened, and hand pockets are lined with a Japanese fine wale black corduroy. Available at The Class Room. www.theclassroomshop.com

The intelligent wireless sound system, Sound BlasterAxx AXX 200, will change the way you communicate and enjoy your audio. Its integrated SB-Axx1 audio processor enhances all your audio playback and recording in real time, bringing you an audio experience far beyond that of other wireless speakers. What’s most exciting about this speaker is that it’s priced well below comparable speakers. For more information, visit us.creative.com/.

Optical brand KREWE was founded in 2013 by Stirling Barrett, a New Orleans native and creative entrepreneur. His vision of the city as a thriving cultural hub was his inspiration for launching the brand. His team passionately believes in spreading the culture of New Orleans and its celebration of individual style one frame at a time. Historically, the term “krewe” (ˈkrü) is linked to Mardi Gras, a tradition that is uniquely associated with New Orleans. It attempts to define the diverse group that comes together to parade in celebration of the Carnival season and inspired the name which invokes this spirit of creative collaboration. Available at Kuhl-Linscomb. www.kuhl-linscomb.com By Vico Puentes

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DESTINATION

NEW ZEALAND FROM VICTORIAN MANSIONS TO MODERN, ART-FILLED HAVENS, NEW ZEALAND’S FAMOUS LODGE SCENE IS ALL ABOUT INDEPENDENCE, PERSONALITY AND UNBEATABLE LOCATIONS.

GLACIER SOUTHERN LAKES

T’S TOUGH TO FIND A RECENT TRAVEL STORY ABOUT NEW ZEALAND THAT DOESN’T MENTION “THE LORD OF THE RINGS” OR “THE HOBBIT” MOVIES, ALL OF WHICH WERE FILMED AGAINST THE COUNTRY’S STUNNING, DIVERSE NATURAL BACKDROPS. BUT WHILE IT’S TRUE THAT THOSE MOVIES HAVE GREATLY BOOSTED NEW ZEALAND’S TOURISM INDUSTRY (HOBBITON, A MOVIE-THEMED EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE OF AUCKLAND, RECENTLY WELCOMED ITS ONE MILLIONTH VISITOR), ON A RECENT TRIP WAY DOWN UNDER, I FOUND MUCH MORE TO GET EXCITED ABOUT THAN ELVES AND WIZARDS.

With world-class food and wine, hip shopping and innovative design, today’s New Zealand buzzes with a vibrant, “Kiwi can-do” energy. This can also be felt in their signature lodge scene, which is all about unique, independent inns (no chain brands) set in breathtaking locations and celebrating the local bounty. While the cities do offer more trendy, style-driven hotels, if you’re into nature, cuisine and bragging on Instagram, here are five noteworthy lodges to check out.

WHAREKAUHAU COUNTRY ESTATE Set on the southeastern cost of the North Island, a short helicopter ride over from capital city Wellington, this lodge is tucked on the edge of a 5,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm that stretches from the beach, through ancient forests and up into the hills. The 13 cottages have a breezy style, with cozy couches, fireplaces, homemade cookies and private patios. Rates include gourmet breakfasts, evening drinks with other guests and four-course dinners. Don’t miss the farm tour – where you’ll get to see a sheep get sheared and sheepdogs at work – and a tasting trip into the nearby Martinborough wine region. It’s no wonder Will and Kate made this their first stop on a recent trip down under. www.wharekauhau.co.nz

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by Sandra Ramani Photos courtesy of Worldwide Excluding New Zealand

THE LODGE AT THE HILLS

Once the private vacation home of noted jeweler and entrepreneur Sir Michael Hill, this contemporary, art-filled lodge is available for single-use only – so whether you’re two or 12, it’s all yours. About 30 minutes outside of Queenstown, the lodge sits on the edge of 500 mountain-backed acres, part of which includes a championship golf course dotted with striking sculptures. Fire pits, an outdoor pizza oven, a wine cellar, beautiful gardens, a pool and six plush bedrooms make this ideal for a group getaway – as do the private chef and staff, who make you feel instantly at home. All meals, including house wine and snacks, are included. www.thehillslodge.co.nz

MINARET STATION Talk about a grand entrance: All guests (and most of the supplies) arrive by helicopter to this four chalet hideaway, nestled into a glacial valley in the Southern Alps. Owned by a family that also operates a sheep farm and (conveniently) a heli company, the unique lodge is all about nature and relaxation. Hike in the surrounding valley, spend the day down at the farm or just get cozy in the luxe rooms, which have oversized beanbags, fur throws, gas fireplaces on the decks and views

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FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

BLANKET BAY

OTAHUNA LODGE

Owned and operated by an American expat couple, this legendary lodge (once New Zealand’s largest private residence) is all about the details, from the glass of wine you’re offered at arrival and the complimentary communal pantry stocked with fresh-baked goodies and drinks, to the flexibility to enjoy dinner anywhere in the historic Victorian mansion. Add to that, breakfasts in the airy kitchen, guided tours of the gorgeous grounds

Photography by Joann Dost

Though nearby cities Queenstown and Wanaka are known for adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping, heli-skiing, speed boating and mountain hiking, once you get to this scenic spot on Lake Wakatipu, you’ll just want to exhale. Featuring more of a rustic, classic lodge style than some of the other options, Blanket Bay puts you into instant relaxation mode with friendly, on-point service, in-room perks like steam showers or private terraces, and fun touches like a communal

game room. Plus, you’ll never be hungry: Along with the delicious meals, you’ll find complimentary treats in the extensive mini-bar. www.blanketbay.com

LODGE AT THE HILLS

(home to flower and veggie gardens, ponds and even a small forest) and some of the best service in the country, and you’ll never want to leave. When guests venture out, they usually bike into the local village, horseback ride or hit the area vineyards, but save time for on-site experiences like a cooking class with the noted chef – or just lazing by the pool. www.otahuna.co.nz With Air New Zealand’s (www.airnewzealand.com) justannounced new service from Houston to Auckland (direct flights will start this December), it’s now easier than ever to make the trip. Quirky and comfortable, Air New Zealand currently features a Middle Earth-themed “epic safety video” featuring “LOTR” director Peter Jackson and some of the movies’ stars – but maybe that will change once the next three “Avatar” sequels start filming there soon.

Photography by Stephen Goodenough

for miles. Despite the remote setting, meals here are a fresh, gourmet affair. www.minaretstation.com/alpine-lodge

GEORGE CROSSING

OTAHUNA LODGE

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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 with us using #DoLocal2015 for a chance to win an awesome giveaway!!

@missmollyparton Beautiful day for an adventure.

@d.torresphotography Great day to let the drone fly.

@don.lee_ Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

@javier.paredes.jr More than just a game!

@houston_rox Local Foods–Upper Kirby.

@88houston Love in an unexpected place. Street art by artists @wileyart and @shreddi.

@thedreamerwill Can’t always get upset about things you have no control over.

@ernie_driver Last night, I had the privilege of shooting alongside Houston artists.

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@maryellow I constantly think of how unique we all are.

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