September 2015

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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 J. Griffis Smith

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

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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

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THE MENIL COLLECTION THE WOODLANDS TOYOTA CENTER UPTOWN PARK UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

29. THE MENIL COLLECTION THE MENIL COLLECTION OPENED ITS DOORS ON JUNE 4, 1987. DOMINIQUE AND JOHN DE MENIL’S LEGACY IS HOME TO OVER 10,000 OBJECTS ACQUIRED BY THE COUPLE WHO MOVED TO HOUSTON FROM FRANCE IN THE 1940S. THEIR PASSION FOR MODERN ART AND ARCHITECTURE – AND A NEED TO MAKE ART ACCESSIBLE TO ALL – WERE A BREATH OF FRESH CULTURAL AIR TO HOUSTON. THEIR TENDENCIES AT THE TIME WERE LOOKED UPON AS ODD AND EVEN TACKY BUT TODAY THE RENZO PIANO-DESIGNED MUSEUM THAT ANCHORS THE MENIL CAMPUS IS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED COLLECTIONS. DOMINIQUE AND JOHN’S AVANT-GARDE APPROACH TO COLLECTING IS SHARED WITH LOCAL ART LOVERS IN A COHESIVE JEWEL BOX IN MONTROSE.

www.menil.org

Illustration by Sebastian Gomez de la Torre

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

BEHIND THE COVER

The LOCAL logo was recreated in the form of a sign by HOUSTON SIGN MAKER. The designer used the Art Issue as his inspiration, saying, “We want to bring back retro style with a modern twist. Art is colorful so we chose those colors to harmoniously unite a retro and modern feel.”

The piece took two weeks to create from start to finish.

Photography by Gabriella Nissen

A

rt is _____________________. It’s so personal, something that can evoke such passion in one person and disgust in the next or maybe nothing in another.

Something one person is willing to pay high dollar for and another simply cannot understand the need.

But this is what makes art so amazing and powerful. This is the Art Issue – and this city does not lack for art. From local artists thriving in a supportive community to free art displayed throughout town in the form of murals and graffiti walls (page 52); sculptures (page 56); interactive experiences at some of those art filled locations (seen throughout this issue) and so much more.

Art makes us happy, teaches us something, adds richness and culture to our lives which, face it, otherwise would be a daily cycle of repeat.

So if you are not an art fan yet, the Houston Fine Art Fair is a good place to acquaint yourself with over 50 respected art galleries from across the globe who will converge at NRG Center September 9–12. (Read more on page 12.)

On that note, “Earth” without “art” is just “eh.” –Unknown

Carla Valencia de Martinéz Editor-in-Chief

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GRAPHICS BY LOCAL MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOUSTON SIGN MAKER

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SEPTEMBER 2015 FEATURES 04 city map 06 letter from the editor | behind the cover 08 features + who’s who 10 on our radar 16 calendar 18 FOOD last deli standing 20 dine write | north italia 22 open 24 chef’s special | giancarlo ferrara 26 perfect pairs 28 club | lounge review: clé day-night 30 good eats 32 ARTS re-opening of the alley theatre 34 must-see exhibits 36 museum district 38 gish at the movies 40 fresh arts 42 profiles: deborah colton, drew bacon, joseph havel, erin mccleod, gilbert shelton 52 call it what you want 54 COMMUNITY houston.vote 56 local icon | david adickes 58 where to live now | cypress 60 sports | the chester pitts foundation 62 scene 64 STYLE + LEISURE diptyque 66 things we love 68 fat finds 70 destination | liverpool 72 tools and gadgets 74 localgram

WHO’S WHO

PUBLISHER + FOUNDER alejandro martinéz | ext 2 | alex@localhoustonmagazine.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF carla valencia de martinéz | ext 3 | carla@localhoustonmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR victoria bartlett ASSOCIATE EDITOR | SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR ida sameri | ext 8 | ida@localhoustonmagazine.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR gabriella nissen | gabriella@localhoustonmagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER german arellano | ext 4 | german@localhoustonmagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS adam bergin, mike cook, jodie eisenhardt, michael garfield, sarah gish, cameron dezen hammon, ariel jones, jayme lamm, jeff lane, beth levine, marzifat, sandra ramani, joshua rush, lance scott walker CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS clé, diptyque, hiram butler gallery, houston sign maker, izakaya, visit britain, kennon evett, sarah miller, paula murphy, danny nguyen, gabriella nissen, shannon o’hara, daniel ortiz, anthony rathbun,gilbert shelton, j. griffis smith CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS german arellano, sebastian gomez de la torre ADVERTISING + ACCOUNTS dalila jara | dalila@localhoustonmagazine.com | ext 5 | mobile 281.966.5105 grace salinas | grace@localhoustonmagazine.com | ext 7 | mobile 832.359.3122 carlos valencia | carlos@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 713.855.1584 william king | william@localhoustonmagazine.com | mobile 832.788.3738 ACCOUNTS luca tommasi | accounting@localhoustonmagazine.com WEB DESIGNER mdg | creative agency | www.mpiredesigngroup.com

rocco, the office "gato"

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 201

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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 INSTAGRAM: LOCAL_HOUSTON TWITTER.COM/LOCAL_HOUSTON

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ON OUR RADAR

The Periwinkle Foundation has announced that Houston visual artist Elaine Bradford has been chosen as the official guest artist for the 2015 Making A Mark® program, now celebrating its milestone 25th year.

For the 2015 “Birds of a Feather” project, Bradford will work with patients and siblings to make individual feathers, which will be combined to form the wings of large-scale birds that Bradford will produce with the help of The Periwinkle Foundation’s Long-Term Survivor Group. The menagerie of birds will be displayed flying down the hallway of Texas Children’s Hospital for the Grand Opening of the 25th Anniversary Making A Mark® exhibit on SEPTEMBER 12. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. www.periwinklefoundation.org

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ON OUR RADAR

Evelyn’s Park announced that it is the recipient of the commissioned sculpture Move One Place On by local Houston artist Bridgette Mongeon.

As the world celebrates the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland this month, Houstonians will have their own sculpture of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to enjoy. Kids and kids-at-heart will be able to grab a seat at Alice’s table, enjoy a picnic, gather around and interact with the sculpture that promises to be larger than life. www.evelynspark.org

The Houston Symphony OFFICIALLY STARTS ITS 2015–16 SEASON OF POPS, FAMILY AND CLASSICAL CONCERTS THIS MONTH after an action-packed Summer Concert Series. The POPS season will kick off early in the month with Rajaton’s “The Music of The Beatles” on September 4, 5 and 6. The next weekend, a special preface to the Symphony’s classical season will feature world-famous violinist Joshua Bell. And the classical season will officially begin with performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 on September 17, 19 and 20. www.houstonsymphony.org

Houston-based artist Joseph Cohen, who’s been featured in our pages over the years, unveils a series of new paintings titled Propositions at his debut exhibition Dasein in New York’s De Buck Gallery SEPTEMBER 3 – OCTOBER 3. www.josephcohenart.com

The Houston Fine Art Fair offers veteran collectors as well as art lovers at any level the opportunity to find just the right piece at every budget level. International in scope, the city’s fair features over 50 respected art galleries from across the globe with a strong emphasis in Latin American and Asian Art. The fair offers patrons a rare opportunity to select from the finest in contemporary art from all corners of the world in one place. SEPTEMBER 9-12. www.houstonfineartfair.com 12

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The city’s beloved Bayou City Art Festival Downtown takes place OCTOBER 10 AND 11 with over 300 artists in an outdoor, walkable environment. Enjoy crafts for the kids, live music, food and drinks and more. www.artcolonyassociation.org

ON OUR RADAR

Open Dance Project’s first performance of the season is Whirl! Inspired by the 1920’s dance marathon craze tracing its roots to Houston’s own McMillan’s Dance Academy. The show transforms Frenetic Theater into a Depression-era dance hall where taxi dancers, dance contestants and heroes and villains from the popular radio show The Shadow collide. OPENS OCTOBER 9.

For more information, visit www.opendanceproject.org.

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The 19th annual Art on the Avenue is approaching in what is the complete “buy local” experience, featuring artwork and jewelry from over 250 area artists in a spectacular two-night event. Save the date for the Preview Party on Thursday, NOVEMBER 12, designed to give guests a first look at the artwork and opportunity to bid prior to the main auction and party, Saturday, NOVEMBER 14, with this year’s raffle prize being a signed and framed Picasso print. Proceeds support affordable housing initiatives that benefit low-income Houston families and neighborhoods. www.avenuecdc.org

Chopard, the maison synonymous with red-carpet glamour, is OPENING A BOUTIQUE in the River Oaks District. The Swiss jewelry and timepiece house, which has become famous for its unique, modern designs, craftsmanship and commitment to sustainable luxury over the past 155 years, will officially open the doors to its first Texas boutique on October 1. To celebrate their first boutique in the Lone Star State, Chopard is launching this Happy Texas Limited Edition timepiece. www.chopard.com

Looking for 速 Crate and Barrel & Restoration 速 Hardware , Style Furniture?

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CALENDAR

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

S AT U R D AY

S U N D AY

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

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CHEESE PIZZA DAY

NRG Advocare Texas Kickoff (All Day) House of Blues Motorhead 7pm Jones Hall Music of The Beatles 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Dancin’ in the Street 8pm Toyota Center Mötley Crüe 7pm

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M O N D AY

JONES HALL houstonfirsttheaters.com MAIN STREET THEATER mainstreettheater.com MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE milleroutdoortheatre.com NRG reliantpark.com DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM aquariumrestaurants.com TOYOTA CENTER toyotacentertix.com WORTHAM CENTER houstonfirsttheaters.com

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LABOR DAY

House of Blues Fat Joe 7pm Jones Hall Music of The Beatles 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Dancin’ in the Street 8pm

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GRANDPARENT’S DAY

BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake 7:30–10pm Hobby The Little Mermaid 2 & 8pm House of Blues The Tallest Man on Earth 8pm Jones Hall Joshua Bell 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Bollywood Blast 8pm NRG Houston Fine Art Fair 11am–6pm

NRG Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs 12– 3pm Bayou Music Center Air1 Positive Hits Tour 7–10pm Hobby The Little Mermaid 2 & 6pm | Autumn Hunt 6– 8pm

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Toyota Center WWE Night of Champions 6:30pm Discovery Green Houston Families on the Green 2–5pm

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Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Kelly Clarkson 7–10pm

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House of Blues Passion Pit 7pm

NRG Houston Fine Art Fair 7:30–9:30pm

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INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY

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Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Rick Springfield 7–10pm House of Blues Nick Jonas 6:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Children’s Performance: Swing, Jive & Pop 11am

Bayou Music Center Houston Grand Opera presents: O Columbia (World Premiere) 8–10pm BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Children’s Performance: The Velveteen Rabbit 11am

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ASK A STUPID QUESTION DAY House of Blues Tyler Ward 6pm

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

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MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

House of Blues Tamia 7:30pm

NRG Texans vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12–3pm

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W E D N E S D AY

Miller Outdoor Theatre El Grito 7:30 pm

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NRG Houston Gun Collectors & Antiques Show 9am to 5pm | Texas Home & Garden Show 10am–7pm Bayou Music Center The Nbhd Flood Tour 8–10pm House of Blues Gardens & Villa 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Children’s Performance: Mesoamerica de Mexico 11am | Step Afrika! 8pm

T U E S D AY

WWW.HOUSTONTHEATERDISTRICT.ORG T H U R S D AY

F R I D AY

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3 BBVA Compass Stadium Ed Sheeran 7–10pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Dancin’ in the Street 8pm

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Slipknot 6:30–9pm Jones Hall Music of The Beatles 8pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Dancin’ in the Street 8pm

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Bayou Music Center The Price Is Right Live 7:30– 10pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Music of the Americas w/ Houston Symphony 8–10pm Hobby The Little Mermaid 7:30–10pm Toyota Center Ricardo Arjona 8pm NRG Houston Fine Art Fair 1–9pm

911 REMEMBERANCE

Bayou Music Center Turnpike Troubadours 9–11pm Hobby The Little Mermaid 8–10pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Elton John Tribute 8pm NRG Houston Fine Art Fair 11am–7pm

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Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Lenny Kravitz 7:30pm House of Blues Indigo Girls 7pm | That 1 Guy 7pm

NRG Hello Kitty’s Supercute Friendship Festival 11am–2pm Bayou Music Center Gloria Trevi 8–10pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Life Interrupted 8pm Toyota Center Ariana Grande 7:30pm

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BBVA Compass Stadium Zedd- True Colors Tour 9– 11pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Van Halen 7:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Children’s Performance: The Velveteen Rabbit 11am

BBVA Compass Stadium Houston Dynamo vs.

Sporting Kansas City 7:30–10pm Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Daryl Hall and John Oates 7:30–10pm House of Blues Emily West 7pm

30 Toyota Center Ricky Martin 7:30pm

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FOOD

LAST DELI STANDING Local deli man ZIGGY GRUBER, of KENNY & ZIGGY’S, stars in the documentary Deli Man. The film has brought in over $500,000 in ticket sales to date and is now available on DVD, On Demand, Amazon, Best Buy and of course, Kenny & Ziggy’s. The film documents Jewish delicatessens in America and their significance in Jewish communities in the first half of the 20th century, while putting attention on their diminishing numbers. Larry King, Jerry Stiller and Alan Dershowitz all share their personal deli stories, but it’s Ziggy who leads the tour.

It is interesting that one of the last and most authentic New York Jewish delicatessens happens to be right here in Houston, but both the deli and its owner have the pedigree. Kenny & Ziggy’s, which opened in 1999, is owned by New York-born Ziggy, the chef and a third-generation “deli maven.” The deli itself is a direct descendent of the first Jewish deli on Broadway, the Rialto Delicatessen opened by Ziggy’s grandfather in the 1920s. LOCAL film critic Sarah Gish wrote about this film earlier this year, and it’s worth picking up a pastrami on rye and taking a front row seat on your couch. www.kennyandziggys.com

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LAST DELI STANDING

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DINE WRITE

Fig & Prosciutto Pizza

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I’M GROWING WEARY OF HEARING UNSAVORY PHRASES LIKE “THE LOW PRICE OF OIL” AND “LOOMING ECONOMIC CRISIS.” I THINK THE FOLKS WITH MICROPHONES AND FRONT-PAGE COLUMN INCHES ARE WHETTING THE WRONG KIND OF APPETITE. They should explore the energy you can find at the growing reservoir of outstanding Houston restaurants.

North Italia is the latest spot I found bustling. Located on Post Oak Boulevard just south of San Felipe, it opened in March of this year. It’s enclosed in glass, full of wonderful natural light. And it’s hopping.

“We just make really good food, simply, and from scratch every day,” said JONATHAN WILLS, Executive Chef, explaining the popularity.

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“We can seat 135 inside, 75 outside. Currently we book up about seven to ten days in advance. We take reservations, but leave our high-top tables open, and take as many walk-ins as we can.”

North Italia has reasonable prices and should be appealing to all those listening to that “price of oil” talk. During happy hour, which is on any day but Saturday and all day Sunday, you can get a bottle of wine and a Chef’s Board or daily pizza for $20.

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

Chef’s Board

SAMPLE MENU

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Chef Jonathan Wills

SMALL PLATES Chef’s Board, prosciutto, crescenza, aged provolone, asparagus, roasted pepper, marcona almond, castelvetrano olive, grilled bread $15 Grilled Artichoke, sea salt, truffle, grana padano cheese, lemon aioli $12 SALADS Italian Farm, leafy greens, pepperoncini, provolone, olive, campari tomato, red onion, salami, cucumber, roasted pepper, Italian dressing $12 Heirloom Beet, roasted beet, apple, arugula, hazelnut, ricotta salata cheese, lemon crème fraiche $11 PIZZAS + PASTA The Pig, pepperoni, soppressata, salami, Italian fennel sausage $15 Ricotta Gnocchi, braised beef short rib, horseradish crema, wilted arugula $19

MAIN • Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, great northern bean, broccolini, tomato agrodolce $22 •

Braised Beef Short Rib, roasted vegetable and creamy white polenta $25

Italian Farm Salad

The Chef’s Board presents a selection of delightful morsels to nosh on while you await your entrée. Grilled bread, roasted piquillo peppers, a golden raisin apricot spread made from scratch and freshly shaved prosciutto. And more.

The Italian Farm Salad leapt to the top of my favorite salads list. I liked it enough to order it the very next day for lunch.

The Bolognese was magnificent. Beef, Italian sausage and a little bit of salami, ground up, cooked and left to simmer in their own essence. They add their homemade tomato sauce and then finish it with milk and herbs so it has this creamy smooth texture.

“We make our pizza dough twice a day, every day,” said Wills. “Hand-made, hand-stretched pizza dough.”

Mine had a fig sauce as the base, fresh mozzarella cheese, freshly shaved prosciutto, goat cheese and arugula, with some black mission figs in there as well.

I highly recommend the Olive Oil Cake. It’s like a cornbread soufflé, with fresh oranges and strawberries, and olive oil that is infused with vanilla bean. I’m not worthy.

But I’ll keep going back ’til I am.

NORTH ITALIA

By Jeff Lane Photography by Sarah Miller

handmade from scratch 1700 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 190 | Houston, TX 77056 | 281.605.4030 | www.northitaliarestaurant.com Mon - Thur 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm september 15 |

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Photography by Shannon O'Hara

OPEN HELEN GREEK FOOD & WINE Cuisine: Regional and contemporary Greek Executive Chef/Owner: William Wright 2429 Rice Blvd. | 832.831.7133 | www.HelenGreekFoodandWine.com Tues–Thurs: 11am–10pm; Fri–Sat: 11am–11pm; Sun: 10am–9pm Wine guru Evan Turner’s dream of a “Greek Taverna” has finally come true in the room formerly occupied by Khan’s Deli in Rice Village. The now-sexy space was transformed by designer/cookbook author Erin Hicks into a venue that feels straight out of a NYC neighborhood with its soaring ceilings, rustic brick walls and aged copper bar with 20 bar seats perfectly situated to enjoy Houston’s only all-Greek wine list.

Inspired by living in Greece as a child, Turner’s vision for a Greek “taverna” – sharable plates in a convivial wine-centric atmosphere, has become a delicious reality. It’s Greek food re-imagined for Houston with classic regional dishes made with Texas ingredients and Gulf seafood. Your perception of the gyro will be forever changed with the juicy, flavorful “hand-packed” version alongside creamy tzatziki. Forget what you knew about Greek salad with a stunning, lettuce-free adaptation focused on heirloom tomatoes with crispy cucumbers, slivers of red onion, oregano and chunks of creamy imported feta dressed in a bright vinaigrette. The blistered banana peppers, stuffed with authentic Greek manouri and kefalotyri cheeses along with feta, herbs and topped with a cornbread “crumble” could develop a cult following along with the “Gulf catch” featuring super-fresh fish beneath a blanket of fresh peas and fava beans.

roasted branzino

Executive Chef Wright (formerly of TABLE and Phillippe, along with stints at Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and New York) promises a seasonally changing menu.

Take Uber to avoid the parking hassle but don’t let anything stop you from getting to Helen.

Photography by Paula Murphy

By Jodie Eisenhardt |@foodiehouston

TREVISIO new menu Cuisine: Modern Italian Executive Chef/Owner: Jon Buchanan 6550 Bertner | 713.749.0400 | www.TrevisioRestaurant.com Mon–Fri: 7am–10pm; Sat: 5–10pm You might not even realize Trevisio is there, tucked away just off of Holcombe in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. Chef Jon Buchanan has been putting out delicious cuisine for years within a beautiful room with its great views. Recently, though, they have launched a new color-coded menu, based on a European model that is definitely worth checking out.

Let’s face it – we all need to make more conscious dining decisions. Restaurant food is higher in calories than people imagine. The new “red-yellow-green” menu at Trevisio has colored designations for each plate and serving portion – “traffic light labeling,” if you will. Plates in the Green range are 350 calories or less; the Yellow range means between 350–450 calories. Red designates above 450 calories.

The good news? The food is scrumptious, including one of Houston’s best Margharita pizzas – with crispy crust made from imported “00” flour and super-fresh toppings in the “green” category. Wild mushroom soup with an artichoke puree and spaghetti “nero” – squid ink pasta with sautéed calamari, garlic, parsley, red pepper and EVOO – also receive the green light, as well as a stunning and delicious “Polpo Carpaccio” – grilled octopus with briny caper berries, olives, baby heirloom tomatoes, chives, crushed red pepper drizzled with olive oil. Portions are not huge but they are completely satisfying, including desserts like the luscious lemon tart served in a shot glass. We should all be eating this

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spaghetti nero

way more often. Turn onto Bertner and look for the stunning McGovern fountain. Parking is validated.

Photography provided by Izakaya

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

catfish mural

IZAKAYA Cuisine: Japanese-influenced street food of the world Executive Chef: Philippe Gaston and Manabu Horiuchi 318 W. Gray | 713.527.8988 | www.htownizakaya.com Sun–Thurs: 4:30–10pm; Fri–Sat: 4:30–11pm; Sun: 4:30–11pm; Bar closes an hour later daily. Lunch Service to begin mid-September.

Chef Philippe Gaston (formerly of Haven/Cove Cold Bar) joins his mentor and former employer, Manabu Horiuchi, aka Hori, for a fun and scrumptious take on the “Izakaya” – an informal Japanese drinking establishment that serves food to accompany libations. Serious attention has been given to those cocktails, via a menu developed by renowned experts Claire Sprouse and Chad Arnholt, who visited Japan as part of their research process. Clever cocktails and an 18-seat bar feature traditional Japanese preservation and fermentation techniques including Japanese whiskies, and a selection of shochu and sake-based cocktails allow for the perfect accompaniment to the eclectic tapas-style menu.

The renovation of the former Farrago space in Midtown involved local wood and concrete artists along with tattoo artist Catfish for the striking murals adorning several walls. For the cuisine, keep in mind it’s not a sushi bar. The gorgeous cedar “raw bar” features composed dishes in the same realm of Gaston’s work at Cove, like the Hamachi crudo with tomato powder, shimeji mushroom and micro cilantro. The surprises lie in the Japanese-inspired street food – of the world – with items like the crazy-good Korean chicken wings created via a “karraage” brine, dash of potato starch, then fried, then finished with a Korean BBQ powder spice. The chicken fried steak (actually staff Chef Teddy Lopez’s recipe) screams with umami flavors via finely ground mushrooms within the crispy crust, kimchi-braised collard greens, pickled vegetables and a tofu béchamel gravy. Gaston’s desire for us to experience culture with the cuisine makes Izakaya very special. Take advantage.

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CHEF’S SPECIAL

GIANCARLO FERRARA AMALFI Favorite late night spot for a bite?

The Deck on Fountainview Bar & Grill.

Best breakfast? French Riviera Café.

Best brunch? Hugo’s.

What ingredient can you not live without in the kitchen and why?

Extra virgin olive oil and citrus. They are the base of my cuisine.

What utensil can you not live without? Lemon grater/zester.

What’s your pet peeve? Wasting of time.

Favorite place for dessert? Common Bond.

Who are your favorite chef, restaurant and dish?

Alfonso Iaccarino, “Don Alfonso 1890.” Oyster and sweetbread with caramelized leeks.

Is there a food you won’t eat? Jellyfish.

What is your comfort food? Paccheri pasta with traditonal Italian Sunday sugo.

What do you see as the next food trend? Go local.

What food item or type of cuisine do you think needs a makeover? Meatloaf.

What’s the craziest dish or concoction you’ve ever tried to create? Or want to create?

Foie Gras gelato with chestnut and chocolate. I did that!

What trend do you want to see go away? Fusions.

For full interview, visit www.localhoustonmagazine.com.

Favorite sandwich: Prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, basil pesto.

Favorite ice cream mix-in/topping: Hazelnut and pistachio.

Favorite truck food: Cuisine Maine Lobster.

Favorite picnic spot: Discovery Green.

Photography by Kennon Evett GIANCARLO FERRARA hails from Salerno, Italy, where from an early age his culinary family created a strong foundation and love for cooking. His formal training was at the Centro Professionale Albergiero in Salerno, and he spent a year at the

Michelin 2-star Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin. He was Executive Chef at Arcodoro for 11 years and left to open Amalfi in 2014.

AMALFI | 6100 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 140 | 713.532.2201 | www.amalfihouston.com | info@amalfihouston.com | Mon–Sat:11am–11pm 24

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PERFECT PAIRS SOMETIMES THERE JUST ISN’T ENOUGH ROOM, IN OUR STOMACH OR ON First that Swift Single Malt. If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting NICK and AMANDA SWIFT, the husband/wife duo behind the distillery, you would quickly realize why Swift Single Malt is so damn good. We mean really damn good.

Perfectionists, hard workers and Hill Country. To us these words embody Swift. The couple does not compromise on perfection and follows a meticulous process for quality which is how great whiskeys are made! High-quality ingredients and using exceptional bourbon and sherry wine barrels also help. They run the operations and virtually make every bottle by hand with only close family helping – this, friends, is not easy work. (Check the blog on their website for more insights.) The Hill Country part? A whole lot of awesome Texas-made products come from the Hill Country…maybe it’s something in that aquifer water. “Location, Location, Location.” If you haven’t met Nick and Amanda, we recommend you go out of your way to do so or “meet them” by enjoying a glass of Swift.

THIS PAGE. FRANKLY WE COULD WRITE PAGES ABOUT HOW AWESOME SWIFT SINGLE MALT TEXAS WHISKEY IS OR ABOUT HOW GOOD COOK & COLLINS IS, BUT WE’RE SPACE LIMITED (MOSTLY BECAUSE OF HOW AWESOME KENNON’S PHOTOS ARE) SO HERE ARE SOME QUICK DETAILS ON THIS MONTH’S PERFECT PAIR.

COOK & COLLINS, part of the ever-growing empire of the group that brought us Pub Fiction, serves up great American cuisine, keeping it local with the ingredients and drinks whenever possible. They also have great open air seating options. Our last time at C&C on a Wednesday seemed like another normal night of people streaming in and out and the inventive (and generously sized) dishes were flying out of the kitchen.

Though on this trip we were here to eat the tacos, we noted flatbreads and free-range fried chicken seemed to be the crowd favorites.

We’re also obliged to mention the mac & cheese “crab rolls” appetizer because we have it on good authority that they are awesome. About those SLOW-COOKED DUCK TACOS, on the menu since they opened in January ’14. Well, they come served on corn tortillas with beer queso (Karbach Hopadillo IPA), black-eyed pea pico (we’ll call it), green tomato salsa and cilantro/queso fresco.Tasty.

By Mike Cook Photography by Kennon Evett

So why pair duck tacos with whiskey? IT’S DUCK TACOS AND WHISKEY – THAT’S WHY. But seriously, the Swift whiskey is flavorful but not peaty, so drinking it along with a generous bite of poultry like braised duck set atop tortillas with all the fixin’s (hey, this is Texas) … well, this pair just happens to go together like Tex & Mex.

SWIFT SINGLE MALT TEXAS WHISKEY + DUCK TACOS Cook & Collins | 2416 Brazos St., Houston, TX 77006 | 832.701.1973 | www.cookandcollins.com | www.swiftdistillery.com Tue–Thu: 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat: 11am–11pm, Sun: 9:30am–9pm

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CLUB/LOUNGE REVIEW

| CLÉ day-night | The clé to the cité It finally happened. It is our opinion that Clé (yeah, that’s the “é” at the end of “resumé”), which is French for “key,” has basically locked up THE club in our fair city. A PLACE OF THIS MAGNITUDE HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING BUT WITH THE LISTS, LINES, BOTTLE SERVICE, BLING, BUBBLES OF DOM AND FLASHY CARS (DO YOU EVEN PAGANI, BRO), CLÉ IS THE REAL DEAL. After our recent adventure we left wondering if we were even still in Houston; Clé seems straight outta Vegas or Miami. Downtown Htown is right there but we just didn’t believe it. So, inside? That interior...no expense spared. Two grand bars, both quite elegant themselves, service the exquisite interior.

Enclaves of tables and chairs are all perfectly situated. You will be impressed.

And that’s the point. Impressive people too. Service here is impeccable, and the clientele is of another level. We have not seen people party like this in a long time here in Htown. More than one group actually chugged and passed Dom around their table. This literally happened.

Throughout the night people paraded into Clé like they ruled the earth – and for the rest of the night, they basically did.

BREAKING NEWS: Not everyone is going to be able to get in. That’s just how it is. Guaranteed entry? Reserve a table and let that bottle service shine.

Or should we say sparkle. It seemed like every bottle delivered to the tables was done so by some lovely ladies carrying lit sparklers. Lit sparklers! “Key Packages” for your table are offered at three levels, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

All of them include Dom and mix in some more baller bottles as you climb the pricing ladder. All of them seemed to include one hell of an evening as well.

We’ll note here that a night like this isn’t cheap, but if anyone in Houston is worried about the crash in oil prices, no one at Clé seemed to be. One can of course choose not to get a package and order bottles a la carte or even get a drink from the elegant bars. We’re sure you’ll have a good time however you get your drink.

By Mike Cook | Photography Provided by Cle

2301 Main St., Houston, TX 77002 | 832.880.7884 www.clehouston.com | Facebook:clehouston info@clehouston.com

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GOOD EATS

PIZZA

DISTRICT 7 PIZZERIA $$ Pizza | 2117 Chenevert @ Gray Street | 713.652.0777 www.facebook.com/district7pizzeria This recently opened neighborhood gem offers an exceptional array of pizzas using only the finest ingredients. Choose from bison buffalo, back yard, four wonders or other specialty pizzas, or make your own – these pizzas do not disappoint! But it’s not just about pizzas; their meatballs, pastas, paninis and gourmet salads (think kale, Caesar and more) are prepared to perfection. 8th Wonder beer is served on. Order for pickup or delivery (within a three-mile radius) or stay.

FUEGO’S SALOON $$ Bars, American | 817 Durham Dr. | 713.384.4541 www.fuegossaloon.com Fuego’s is a solid addition to the Washington pub scene … The owners, bartenders and staff are super-friendly and seem to genuinely care about gaining a regular crowd – something that can’t be said for a lot of places in the area. The cocktails skew towards a Mexican vibe and the beer list is on point, with local favorites as well as some hard to find (but delicious) options on draft and bottled. Although the food menu is a bit limited, it’s awesome all the way around. Check out the tiger shrimp, Thai chili wings and bacon maple fries. Overall, Fuego’s is a great spot for happy hour or a casual Saturday afternoon – and if you’re trying to hustle your friends in shuffleboard, pick the far end and let gravity do the work for you!

–Kirk L., Yelp

too; I could’ve eaten the whole basket! The corn was very tasty, and I really liked the spicy mayo on it. For my main course, I had the shrimp and grits. The shrimp were huge and tasted really fresh; the grits were creamy and complemented the shrimp well. I had a bite of the yardbird and the redfish, both of which were delicious. Overall, I loved this spot and will definitely go back!

–Kate C., Yelp

ARCODORO $$$ Italian | 5000 Westheimer @ Post Oak | 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 woodburning oven and filleted tableside. The same oven puts out some great pizza.

–Jodie Eisenhardt BRAMBLE $$$ Southern, New American | 2231 S. Voss Rd. | 832.819.0322 www.restaurantbramble.com Absolutely loved having dinner there; it was unlike anywhere I’ve ever been before… I really liked the open kitchen and being able to see them cook on the fire. We started off by ordering some beers and cocktails. I had the Namesake and it was fantastic: fresh, fruity, but not too sweet. For appetizers, we ordered the sunchokes, bread and butter, and corn. All of these were outstanding! I never had sunchokes before and I would definitely order them again. They had a unique flavor from being cooked over the flame. The bread and butter was really flavorful

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CAFE BRUSSELS $$ Belgian, French | 1718 Houston Ave. | 713.222.6996 www.cafebrusselshouston.com This place was great and we will be back. We went when they had only a soft opening menu but the food was fantastic. My personal favorite was the Rabo Encendido (braised oxtail) which was done to perfection but all the food we tried was spectacular. The Croquetas de Manchego were a very tasty, good portion size and fried crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. Next we ordered the Empanada which was delicious! We also ate the Albondigas (meatballs), Ceviche Peruano and Papa Bravas which were all presented and done with great care. We also tried and loved the Esparragos al Horno which was cooked to perfection and presented very well.

–John H., Yelp CRAVE CAJUN SEAFOOD $$ Cajun, Creole, Seafood | 5887 Westheimer Rd. | 832.530.4321 Been there twice already. Does not disappoint! This is a great, relaxed place to have drinks and eat great food. We all tried a different appetizer – from the wonton wrapped shrimp, fried crawfish tails, gumbo and calamari – perfect with everything the bartenders sent out.

Speaking of which, the bartenders really know what they are doing, which is a huge plus. My favorite drink was the strawberries and cream cocktail. We ordered eight pounds of crawfish, and they were coated in a unique spicy sauce. We destroyed them. Highly recommended – can’t wait to go back for oysters!

– Gabriel D.,Yelp

HELEN GREEK FOOD AND WINE $$$ Greek | 2429 Rice Blvd. | 832.831.7133 www.helengreekfoodandwine.com Everything we had was delish. Our server said they take a Southern approach to Greek food, so the gyro was pork instead of lamb and absolutely delicious. It was served with frites, which were wonderful as well. We also had the chicken souvlaki, which was basically the same as the gyro but with a chicken kebab instead of pork – very good. We decided to be adventurous and try the collard green dolmades, and I loved it: they use collard greens (a Southern substitute for grape leaves) and stuff them with rice, raisins, etc. …This was probably the nicest Greek restaurant I’ve ever tried. The interior is beautiful.

–Jackie K., Yelp HOBBIT CAFE $$ Breakfast & Brunch, Gastropubs, Vegetarian | 2243 Richmond Ave. 713.526.5460 | www.myhobbitcafe.com There are some fantastic sandwiches here and options. Needless to say, the decorations with Lord of the Rings statues, Hobbit artwork and movie posters makes for an amusing experience. Additionally, the menu is pretty amusing... who wouldn’t want a Frodo sandwich?

–John H., Yelp

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

JIN BENTO $ Japanese, Sushi Bars | 914 Main St. | 346.980.6133 When you arrive, the sushi is located in packs in a cooler right in front of the counter. I picked up a pack that had a nigiri and California roll combination. Miso soup was only $2, so I had a cup...delicious! The sushi was fresh and not at all like the old sushi packs you pick up in the grocery stores. Calories are also listed on the packs. My buddy Vik asked about getting sushi with brown rice. It was only a 50-cent additional charge, and the sushi was ready in minutes.

–Adam S., Yelp

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 LUCILLE’S $$ New American, Southern | 5512 La Branch St. | 713.568.2505 www.lucilleshouston.com Oooh! The food was so good! I ordered the shrimp and grits and thought it was the best I've ever had. My dining companion ordered the fried chicken with macaroni and cheese and greens. Can I tell you that chicken was so thick and crispy? What I am addicted to is that macaroni and cheese. Now that was good! I wanted to be rude and slide the dish over to my side and consume the whole thing. I just sat there and watched while my mouth salivated in excess.

–Donna N., Yelp MAI COLACHI BBQ & GRILL $$ Halal, Pakistani, Barbeque | 13849 Southwest Fwy. 281.240.0786 | www.maicolachi.com Excellent experience for a South Asian restaurant. I was so happy that they were truly embracing being a Pakistani restaurant by advertising themselves as the “soul of Karachi.” … The decor is the best I’ve seen for a South Asian restaurant in Houston. It’s really tastefully decorated

and the servers greet you right away in a friendly manner. The menu is such a perfect homage to Karachi as several of the dishes refer to areas of the city, so it really takes you back. We ordered a lychee lemonade, chili prawns, mutton chops masala, chicken makhani handi, bihari kabab and naan. My favorite was the chicken makhani handi and chili prawns; their sauce was delicious!

–Mahvesh S., Yelp

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 THE MOONSHINERS SOUTHERN TABLE + BAR $$ Southern, Cocktail Bars, Lounges | 1000 Prairie St. 713.226.7717 | www.themoonshinershouston.com This place is bigger, and the decor is lovely. It really has an earthy, Southern charm to it. The mix and match of painted white chairs are a nice touch. There’s also outdoor seating… My friend and I decided to order three appetizers from their happy hour specials: deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes and fried pickles… Since we ordered a lot of apps, we decided to share the brisket grilled cheese. It was amazing!

The brisket had great flavor without all the barbecue sauce; and the cheddar cheese slices go well with the brisket and Texas toast. The fries are great and seasoned well. I’d definitely come back to try some other items on their menu.

–Annalisa P., Yelp

$ KEY BASED ON YELP

$ = Price Range Under $10 $$ = Price Range $11–30 $$$ = Price Range $31–60 $$$$ = Price Range Above $61

SALTAIR SEAFOOD KITCHEN $$$$ Seafoodd | 3029 Kirby Dr. | 713.521.3333 www.saltairhouston.com SaltAir is a nice addition to the neighborhood, and hopefully will stay around in the space occupied. It is by the same restaurant group as Ibiza, Brasserie and a number of other places around Houston… My friend and I ordered an assortment of things, which is almost how the menu is designed. There aren’t a lot of large meals to order from, which I really liked. We had an assortment of oysters, calamari, bok choy and grilled shrimp. Their wine list is also fairly extensive, and they do have a lot of moderately priced options… Great option for a business dinner or lunch, girls’ night out, romantic dinner, special occasion or happy hour.

–Sonia T., Yelp TOWN IN CITY BREWING COMPANY $ Breweries | 1125 W. Cavalcade | 832.834.7151 www.townincitybrewing.com Really excited that the Heights finally has a brewery in its midst. I was actually able to walk to the brewery from our home... I really enjoyed the White Linen White IPA, really refreshing for this summer heat. I also had their Chipped Tooth IPA, also nice flavor. The taproom is really comfortable with couple tables and a large polished cement bar.

Looking forward to their food truck so we can make it a one-stop shop: dinner and drinks. Once the weather gets a bit cooler, I will look forward to playing board games in their great beer garden.

–Raul O., Yelp VINOTECA POSCOL $$ Wine Bars, Italian | 608 Westheimer Rd. | 713.529.2797 www.poscolhouston.com My wife and I had an amazing meal! The meal started with special of the day Schiacciata, which just melted in my mouth and brought back good memories of Rome. Then I had the special pasta that was spaghetti dyed by squid ink and served with Spanish octopus, baby shrimp, baby tomatoes and amazing toasted thin slices of garlic. My wife’s platter was no less amazing: beef flat iron steak!

–Mark G., Yelp

FOR OUR COMPLETE RESTAURANT LISTING, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

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ART

RE-OPENING OF THE ALLEY THEATRE The end of this month will see the re-opening of the ALLEY THEATRE upon completion of its $56.5 million renovation which began in July of 2014. Last month 774 theatre seats were installed in the renovated Hubbard Theatre marking the first extensive renovation since its opening in 1968. For information or tickets to the ALLEY THEATRE’S BLACK

TIE, GRAND REOPENING CELEBRATION on September 19, which will include a first look at the renovations, roving cocktails, dinner on the Margaret Alkek Williams Terrace level, desserts, live music by Good Question and dancing on stage in the Hubbard Theatre, email lauraw@alleytheatre.org.

By Carla Valencia de Martinez

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ALLEY THEATRE

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THIS MONTH’S

MUST-SEE EXHIBITS

1. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CLEAR LAKE | BERNADETTE ESPERANZA TORRES’ ceramic sculptures and the 20 works on exhibit will include graphite/ink-on-paper drawings. Being the daughter of a florist, Torres makes sure to include floral and avian imagery into her sculptures. Representing the life cycle, Torres’ flowers have all been cut from their stems at the peak of their existence. Birds in her ceramics serve as symbols of humanity, either facets of herself or of others. As “spirit guides” for Torres, they whisper secrets to both encourage and discourage the artist. Blooming Dreams and Fading Memories: Recent Ceramic Sculptures by Bernadette Esperanza Torres marks the first Texas showcase for the Mexican-American artist and the world premiere of six never-before-exhibited works from her Sisters and Dream Clusters series. www.uhcl.edu/artgallery

2. ARCHWAY GALLERY | Presenting The Art of Anita and Mark Nelson: The Other Side of the Spectrum, a dual show, husband and wife Mark and Anita Nelson will both dip into the worlds of narrative and fantasy. Their impressive show this September will allow you to enjoy two collections of whimsy, fantasy and quirks drifting through a world filled with Anita’s anthropomorphized, period-garbed animals in narrative situations and Mark’s world which digs deep into a fantasy-driven marketplace utilizing symbols, history and storytelling. www.archwaygallery.com

3. FRONT GALLERY | DENNIS HOLLINGSWORTH will be exhibiting his new series of works on paper on September 26. With studios in Spain and New York, Hollingsworth makes sure he remains consistent in his orientation and attitude about art and painting. Immanence is meant to refer to the way the image of a painting emerges out of the process of wandering and discovery. The artist starts with an intuition and intentionally does not know where he is going so that there is a process of discovery along the way. Being extremely critical about the trajectory of painting from modern to postmodern and beyond that, this constant questioning is present in his process. No matter where or how he starts a painting – with or without a plan – the process takes him somewhere, and the final painting image emerges…immanently. www.frontgallery.com

4. GREMILLION & CO. | Opening September 10 and featuring the works of Leslie Parke, EVERYTHING IS REAL is a series of paintings that are real and abstract at the same time. Each image rendered exists in the real world – an old board of insulation, an industrial garage door, a silo and corncrib, a track in the mud and wrapped cargo on pallets. After spending years searching for her subject Parke finally realized that all of the elements she had been working on separately over the years have come together in a single painting. www.gremillion.com

4. ANYA TISH GALLERY | Swiss-born, New York-based, multidisciplinary artist Katja Loher returns to the Anya Tish Gallery on September 10 for a solo exhibition titled Where Does Time Begin? With her latest work – video, videosculptures and installations – dancers from her Videoportals will perform and interact with the gallery audience. Through wall-mounted Videoportals, hand-blown glass bubbles, floor projections and sculptural installations, the viewer enters a parallel universe of kaleidoscopic detail, which the artist calls a “Miniverse.” www.anyatishgallery.com

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MUSEUM DISTRICT

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Texas Design Now features the works of accessories, fashion, furniture and industrial designers living and working statewide as well as displays from emerging and well-established designers from all over the Lone Star State. Open through November 29, the exhibit displays diverse design sensibilities – from cutting-edge to couture, relaxed, refined, artisanal and handmade.

2. Susan Beiner’s ceramic installation of hybrid plant forms comes together with the imaginary anatomies of Brian Fleetwood’s jewelry to create new species of synthetic and organic materials at Artifice of Nature opening September 12. The exhibit explores the way in which nature is restored, presented and dissected for human consumption, as well as recreates interactions between nature and humanity.

3. Did You Know We Taught Them How to Dance opens Friday, September 25, and is the first solo museum presentation of works by British-Nigerian video artist and filmmaker Zina SaroWiwa. A combination of video installations, photographs and a sound installation produced in the Niger Delta region of southeastern Nigeria from 2013 to 2015 portray the use of mythology, masquerade traditions, religious practices, food and Nigerian popular aesthetics. Together they test the art’s capacity to transform and envision new concepts of environment and environmentalism.

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Contemporary Arts Museum Houston 5216 Montrose Blvd.

Houston, TX 77006

www.camh.org

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft 4848 Main St. Houston, TX 77002

www.crafthouston.org

Blaffer Art Museum U of H 4173 Elgin St. Houston, TX 77004 www.blafferartmuseum.org

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

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 ARTCENTER CENTER CZECHCENTER CENTERMUSEUM MUSEUM 8.8.CZECH HOUSTONMUSEUM MUSEUMOF OFAFRICAN AFRICAN AMERICAN 9.9.HOUSTON 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 18.

RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY 18. RICE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY HOUSTONZOO ZOO 19.19.HOUSTON

Sam Houston Monument

Hermann Park Illustration by German Arellano

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GISH AT THE MOVIES

SWAMP: STILL GOING STRONG AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! Workshop with Kat Candler The Southwest Alternate Media Project (www.swamp.org) has undergone changes this year so I was curious about where they are now. SWAMP, the first Texas independent nonprofit organization for the “citizen filmmaker,” was founded in 1977 as a program at Rice University by media activist James Blue with the help of philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil. SWAMP director Ed Hugetz was notorious in those early days for hopping into a van and roaming Houston’s streets with Blue and a camera, looking for stories.

Since then, the media arts nonprofit has grown tremendously but more recently has had to adjust to a different film climate and a shrinking budget. To their credit, they have remained true to their mission almost forty years later as a regional media arts center committed to film and video while supporting media literacy – now more important than ever in this era of YouTube sensations and iPhone® movies.

Earlier this year, SWAMP closed their office in a reconverted Montrose home and let go of Executive Director Mary Lampe, who is now doing film consulting and fine art appraisal. Board members continue to run its many programs – filmmaker/chef/writer Adán Medrano is currently at the helm and filmmaker Michelle Mower will take over as president next year. Michelle recently told me SWAMP is planning to move into a small office at the hip new home for the arts, MATCH (www.matchouston.org). The new digs are an exciting sign of SWAMP’s revitalization.

One of the many ways SWAMP supports filmmakers and projects is by serving as a fiscal sponsor, thus giving organizations much-needed nonprofit status; they currently have seven sponsored projects. Other programs at SWAMP include their long-running indie film television program, “The Territory,” in its 35th season this year (check www.houstonpbs.org for showtimes); the Salon, a monthly meeting of film pros and fans on the last Tuesday of the month; teen summer camps every August; and ongoing workshops for emerging and developing filmmakers as well as for the film enthusiast.

Louis Black

James Blue

WANT TO SEE MORE ART FILMS? One of their most important programs is their annual “Business of Film” conference, taking place this September 18–19 at Rice University Media Center. The keynote speaker is trailblazer Louis Black, co-founder of SXSW and the Austin Chronicle as well as a writer, filmmaker and producer. Other speakers include film consultants Ashland Viscosi and Annie Bush, who have helped many independent films build successful crowdfunding and audience-building campaigns. The only conference of its kind in Texas or Louisiana, “Business of Film” aims to support filmmaking in the southwest region. It’s a perfect signature program for SWAMP and one that will ensure a lasting legacy for them.

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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) Menil Collection (www.menil.org) 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)

By Sarah Gish | www.gishcreative.com

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FRESH ARTS SCENE FALL INTO SEPTEMBER WITH THIS MONTH’S HAPPENINGS IN THE ARTS. KATIE GRINNAN: NOCTURNAL HOLOGRAM DiverseWorks Public Reception, Thursday, September 10, 7–9PM On view through November 14 Los Angeles-based artist Katie Grinnan’s sculpture, photography, sounds and video works investigate the relationship between visual and cognitive experience. Nocturnal Hologram features three recent large-scale sculptural installations that explore the productive space of the dream state and our attempts to understand how thought patterns are created and can be made physically manifest. This exhibition is the first presentation of Grinnan’s work in Texas. Visit www.diverseworks.org for a full schedule of related public programs.

DiverseWorks, 4102 Fannin Street, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77006, 713.223.834. The event is free. For more information, visit www.diverseworks.org.

JONATHAN FRANZEN READING | Inprint Monday, September 21, 7:30PM Jonathan Franzen is “one of those exceptional writers whose works define an era and a generation, and his books demand to be read” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Franzen became a literary star with the publication of The Corrections, which won the National Book Award, sold three million copies and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Franzen comes to Houston on a limited tour to read from his highly anticipated novel Purity, coming out in September—a grand story of youthful idealism, extreme fidelity and murder. The appearance is followed by an on-stange interview. Readings are held at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center, 501 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX. Tickets are $5. For more information visit www.inprinthouston.org.

BLACK PANTHER PARTY POWER BY PHILLIP PYLE | Fresh Arts Opening reception, Friday, September 25, 6–8PM Fresh Arts presents "Black Panther Party Power," an exhibition by Houston-based artist Phillip Pyle, II. Pyle will present a collection of original images that recast some of the most recognizable and outspoken activists of the Black Panther Party as superheroes. In an attempt to reimagine the history of African-American people in the United States, Pyle will represent these vilified historical figures of the Black Panther movement in their new fantastic roles.

The public is invited to a free opening reception beginning at 6pm on Friday, September 25, at Fresh Arts, 2101 Winter Street, Studio B11, Houston, TX 77007. Free parking is available. For more information visit www.fresharts.org.

EXHIBITION OPENINGS AT BOX 13 | Box13 Artspace Opening Reception, Saturday, September 26, 7–9PM BOX 13 ArtSpace is pleased to present four exhibitions opening September 26, 7–9pm. In the Downstairs Front BOX, Barchael, a combined creative identity of Michael Bernhardt and Barry Whittaker, challenges the audience to examine their own encounters with language in, Sign Language: Texting. Sarah Welch grapples with distinguishing between reality, escapism, fantasy and multiple truths in Only Humid, in the Downstairs Back BOX. In faded lace, Michael Stephen examines the Video Home System (VHS) technology by deconstructing and decoding its material and metaphoric layers of representation in the Upstairs BOX. In the Window BOX, Dennis Nance seeks out the moment when a costume transforms not only the person wearing it, but the environment it inhabits and audience it interacts with, in Cast of Characters. The exhibitions continue through November 7, 2015. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, September 26, from 7–9pm at BOX 13 ArtSpace, 6700 Harrisburg, Houston, TX 77011. – Free.

For more information, visit www.box13artspace.com.

By Ariel Jones

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DEBORAH COLTON PROFILE:

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PHOTO:

Adam Bergin

Danny Nguyen

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

FOR THE LOVE OF ART + COMMUNITY There’s something special about DEBORAH COLTON’S passion for art – a passion that transcends beyond the arts and revolves around a distinct theme of love for the community. In this intricate mix of creative and civic ideals, Deborah has managed to find her niche in the Houston art scene over the last 15 years, gaining recognition for all the hard work while setting examples year after year.

As far back as a toddler, art has been a part of Deborah’s life. Growing up in Essex Fells, New Jersey, she remembers her mother’s canvases and artwork strewn about her playroom. Living so close to New York City also meant opportunities for multiple trips to the city known internationally for its museums. It was in college that Deborah Colton began exploring community service, eventually leading her to combine art with a desire to help the community. Running for seven offices and getting elected to all of them, she ended college by serving as the President of the Student Government, a crowning achievement. After spending a number of years with 3M, she ended her career as a top national sales supervisor and saw herself travel quite extensively for her husband’s profession, including eight years in Asia. It was in Bangkok, where Deborah began to help get local Thai artists names beyond the country’s walls. With her background in sales and business, the Thai artists’ encouraged her to jump into the business side of art by helping promote artists’ careers. “As you can see, my destiny was to be the business person and promoter of artists, not ‘the artist’ myself, and to also stay active in community service,” reflects Deborah.

I KNEW THAT IF THE RIGHT ART WAS SHOWN THERE, EVERYONE WOULD COME. AND THEY DID.

In 2000, Deborah began hosting Asian art pop-up exhibits downtown in conjunction with the Asia Society, which helped pave the way to collect funds for the Asia Society building that is in place today. After spending a few years gaining traction and immense recognition through her pop-up shows, Deborah Colton had a vision to open a studio that would enhance the arts of Houston, while not directly competing with anyone. “Coming from a New York and international background, my vision was different from galleries that started in Houston. I wanted to open a gallery that would fill a void in the city and give Houston something it did not have already,” Deborah says. She took a risk and opened a 6,500sf, NYC-style studio in the then-dilapidated area known as Summer Street in the First Ward. “I knew that if the right art was shown there, everyone would come. And they did,” she says with a smile.

Moving locations in 2008 to the current space off of North Street, DEBORAH M. COLTON GALLERIES thrives in a city renowned for its art. The current exhibit, entitled “Collective Solid,” showcases eight Houston-based artists who all share a collective space in EaDo known as El Rincón Social.

Meant to examine the influence of shared creative space on artistic dialogue and output as well as the significance of community to an artist’s practice, it’s easy to see how Deborah aims to bring the community aspect to almost all her events. And when not working with her gallery, she’s busy in the general art community, serving as current Co-Chair of City Art Works in addition to Chair of last year’s Houston Fine Art Fair.

“We will always use our gallery as a platform for dialogue and use it as a voice for artists to help create positive change. This has been in our mission statement since we opened our doors way over a decade ago. This will never change,” she says confidently.

And it’s not hard to believe her. www.deborahcoltongallery.com

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DREW BACON PROFILE:

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PHOTO:

Beth Levine

Kennon Evett

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS We aren’t sure what you were doing in June or July, but we know what you should have been doing: checking out native Houstonian DREW BACON’S (www.drewbaconartwork.com) first solo show, Stutter and Spill, at the Hiram Butler Gallery.

After studying in Brooklyn at the Pratt Institute, Drew returned to Houston a few years ago. Having been raised in the Northeast, I was curious about Drew’s impressions of Brooklyn and what it was like to be back home. Going from a horizontal city with lots of breathing room to a vertical city where space itself is a commodity, Drew found himself mellowing out his southern “genteel” in the occasional social code of silence in New York: ride a packed elevator in Houston and you’ll know everyone’s favorite football team by the time you get off; ride one in Brooklyn? Just push the button and go!

Drew stumbled upon a 1930’s Webster’s dictionary during his sophomore year at Pratt and found the written word the perfect canvas to explore on. He honed in on incorporating the way the text is designed to move the viewers’ eyes from left to right into his sketch work and saw a romantic abstract beauty inside the dictionary, not just words printed on paper. Stutter and Spill took Drew’s “Dictionary Pages” (www.drewbaconartwork.com/about-the-dictionary-pages/) to the next level, working on an older and bigger Webster’s from 1912. Looking at these pieces, and in particular for me the animations, you can almost feel the crackle of paper and ink under your fingers watching his pages come to life. If you have the chance to watch one of his first animations, The Creation Myth, do it. Drew’s love of literature plans to play a part in his future projects as well, moving to newspaper as a canvas.

DREW’S LOVE OF LITERATURE PLANS TO PLAY A PART IN HIS FUTURE PROJECTS AS WELL, MOVING TO NEWSPAPER AS A CANVAS.

I was curious, while on the topic of the written word during my call with Drew (God bless him that he did this interview the morning after a good friend’s bachelor party), if H.G. Wells showed up on his doorstep in a time machine and said show me Houston, where he would take him. His answer? A skate park, reflecting on Drew’s love of skateboarding, and maybe a burger at Champ Burger (his favorite). Houston’s art scene is lucky that Drew is home to stay.

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JOSEPH HAVEL PROFILE:

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PHOTO:

Cameron Dezen Hammon

Kennon Evett

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

HOW TO DRAW A CIRCLE POET DEAN YOUNG has said “to tie meaning too closely to understanding” is to essentially miss the point of his work. For the experimental artist or poet, literalism is not the objective. Yet, for postmodernist American sculptor JOSEPH HAVEL, whose marvelous new exhibit is on display at Hiram Butler Gallery through September 22, his latest work is undeniably grounded in the literal. Joseph Havel is not only a world-renowned sculptor, but also the Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Glassell School of Art. How to Draw a Circle is about, not only a return to the practice of form (a circle is, actually, not easy to draw, not even for a master) but to the practice of being a human being. “I needed a new fiction,” Havel said, as we sat in an airy corner of the gallery and discussed his latest exhibit.

Havel collaborated on How to Draw a Circle with Texas Poet Laureate Dean Young, whom he met while waiting in the anteroom behind the Texas Legislature chamber for the ceremony recognizing the 2013 and 2014 Texas state artists. The two struck up a conversation about poetry and art, and some time later decided to collaborate.

Havel is a visual artist inspired by words. “I saw (poet) John Berryman read in Minneapolis when I was in college, and it was the first time I knew I was experiencing art as art.” The collaboration with Young seemed fated for Havel, though it wasn’t easy. “It took about a year and a half of back and forth,” he explains, before he settled on the title of the collection. When he shared the title with Young, “[he] wrote back almost immediately, and a few days later he sent the poem.”

“The poem” is How to Draw a Circle, a 25-line snapshot of a man and his dog, an evening walk through the “cooling” dark. It’s a simple meditation on putting one foot in front of the other, and returning home to find oneself both changed and unchanged. The collection is also a similar meditation.

In the series of twelve graphite and oil stick drawings that catalyzed the exhibit, the viewer experiences the physical energy of the circular form, again and again. In other words, starting over is hard work. The sketches contain hidden pieces of poems, which suggest that the artist brings his or her past, or experience, to each new endeavor. The accompanying five bronze sculptures, rumpled shirts so animated as to appear fluttering in an invisible breeze, speak to the beauty of even what we disregard. The rumpled shirt on the floor of a studio or bedroom becomes a talisman for the divine.

How to Draw a Circle At Hiram Butler Gallery through September 22 4520 Blossom Street Houston, TX 77007 Tuesday through Saturday 10am–5pm

PHOTO: Courtesy of Hiram Butler Gallery

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ERIN McLEOD PROFILE:

ERIN MCLEOD’S BALANCING ACT OF SOCCER, ART AND LIFE Not everyone is lucky enough to spend their days doing their passion, much less make a living from it. ERIN MCLEOD, goalkeeper for the HOUSTON DASH, is one of the lucky few, but she doesn’t take it for granted for a single second. It’s her desire to be, simply put, a good human, along with her competitive drive that continues to push her to a higher level.

Soccer and Olympic medals aside (she is a proud bronze medalist from the 2012 London Olympic Games), it’s another passion that McLeod has been pursuing ever since the 5th grade when she fell in love with art.

Even before that, at the age of four, MeLeod was on to something artistically.

“I’m Canadian so Wayne Gretzky was one of my heroes growing up, and I actually started doing a lot of sketches of him. I mean at first, all I could do is draw the number 99, then eventually I could build around it,” she recalls, explaining the evolution of her talents.

After Gretzky came a few other idols like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sonic the Hedgehog, but it all changed for her in the 5th grade, where she recalls her teacher (“fresh off the boat from France”) setting aside 30 minutes at the end of each class, cranking up French classical music and getting out their sketch pads and just sketching.

“It was the first time I saw someone get lost in art – watching her do it, she couldn’t be happier; and it’s a similar feeling I have playing sports, just being in the moment and loving it,” she says.

But art is more than just being in a moment or escaping for McLeod; it also helps her create a sense of balance. “There are always ways to improve, but art gives me balance. You know, sometimes something’s not going your way in one area but then you have another area to pick you back up. I think it’s important to balance yourself and be passionate about more than one thing,” she explains.

McLeod has already had her own art show, back in 2013, which sold out.

Her latest creation, Greatness, is a sketch of Muhammad Ali, currently on the market for $8,000 CAD (~ $6,097 in USD). As for her art, McLeod admires all the big names that came before her, but she’s proud to be creating her own style, something fans are starting to notice.

McLeod certainly has no shortage of things to be proud of in her life, including her brand-new marriage, but it’s really something quite simple that pays the ultimate compliment.

“I think when it comes to soccer or anything, I’ve always wanted to be the best goalkeeper in the world and the best at everything. I’m very competitive, but when people say I’m a good human being – that’s what I’m most proud of and free to be who I am,” she says.

Find Erin’s work on Etsy at “Erin McLeod Gallery” or visit www.erinmcleod.net.

TEXT: Jayme Lamm

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FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

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GILBERT SHELTON PROFILE:

THE LEGENDARY CARTOONIST (AND HOUSTONIAN) GILBERT SHELTON, BEST KNOWN FOR HIS WORKS THE FABULOUS FURRY FREAK BROTHERS, FAT FREDDY’S CAT AND WONDER WART-HOG, TURNED 75 THIS YEAR, AND HE WANTS TO KNOW IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WIGGY.

Gilbert Shelton

Freaks watching snow copy

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TEXT:

PHOTO:

Lance Scott Walker

Courtesy of Gilbert Shelton

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

In which Houston neighborhood did you grow up? Was your environment conducive to making art?

I was born in Dallas but grew up in Houston after living in San Angelo, Birmingham and Memphis. I went to Roberts Elementary and River Oaks Elementary, Lanier Junior High and Lamar High, and The University of Texas. I did comic strips for Boy Scout publications in Houston and was a member of the Cartoonists’ Club at Lamar, and later was editor of the student humor magazine, The Texas Ranger, at U.T. What papers were you reading for comics?

My family subscribed to The Houston Post and The Houston Press. My favorite comic strips were Dick Tracy and Li’l Abner. I am looking for one from the Press called Wiggy, but there doesn’t seem to exist a file of this paper. Anyone ever hear of Wiggy?

When you started playing music, where in town were you going to play live?

I didn’t play all that much music in Houston. I would play nightclub gigs with The Playboys of North Houston with a couple of my friends, Paul Duggan and Gary Boggs. I played keyboard once at some big venue with Blind Bobby Doyle, but the piano was badly out of tune and he sent me packing. At the Vulcan [Gas Company, in Austin] my band The Wild Chickens would sometimes substitute for some band that didn’t show up.

Did you start printing while you were still Art Director at the Vulcan?

There was a printer in Austin named Johnny Mercer who printed some beautiful split-fountain offset posters for the Vulcan. He didn’t get paid much, but those posters earned him the title of Texas Printer of the Year around 1967. Franklin and I printed a few silkscreen posters for the Vulcan.

My first comic book, Feds ‘n’ Heads, was printed on a multilith press by a friend named Terry Raines, in his garage.

What do you listen to music-wise?

I like bebop jazz and rhythmin’ blues from the Fifties. Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records claimed to be the first to use the term rhythm ’n’ blues, but I think he interpreted it wrong – it should be rhythmin’, a contraction of rhythming, not rhythm ’n’, a contraction of rhythm and, which makes no sense.

Doing live drawings in front of people as they watch, what goes through your mind?

When I do pictures for people at comic conventions I have six or eight things I can draw without thinking. After that, the seventh or ninth person doesn’t see that he is getting the same drawing as the one before.

What is about the Wonder Wart-Hog character that lets you keep revisiting it?

The more superheroes I see, the more I am inspired to draw Wonder WartHog. Actually, I’ve never read a Marvel Comic all the way through. Like Robert Crumb, I hate superheroes. september 15 |

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LOVE – 21st St. and Yale CHINESE ZODIAC – On the wall of Vietnam Restaurant, 605 W. 19th St. ALIEN WALL – at Washington and Silver St. CROCODILE – 421 N. Main St. UHD Gator wall

FACEBOOK: HOUstreetART INSTAGRAM: #houstongraffiti

PHOTO:

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FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

Call It What

You Want Graffiti, wall art, murals. they are popping up all over town, brightening walls that would otherwise be bland. We love all the selfies readers are taking in front of these works of art throughout town. There are SO MANY that we couldn’t shoot them all, but here are a few that are making us smile on our way to anywhere.

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HOUSTON.VOTE A cool, rainy November might seem like a long way off from September’s relentless humidity, but make no mistake—it’s just around the corner. With the promise of cooler weather comes the 2015 election—and we all know that elections provide an opportunity for a brighter future. Are YOU registered to vote for HOU? Show of hands if you plan to actually vote this year. If you’re darting your eyes around and mumbling about “having to check your calendar,” you’re not alone. In the LAST MAYORAL ELECTION, ONLY 175,101 VOTES WERE CAST OUT OF 2.2 MILLION POSSIBLE. We’re no mathematicians, but even we know that percentage is too low. We can do better this year, fellow Houstonians.

Instead of just sitting around and bemoaning the future of our beloved Bayou City, a group of concerned citizens have teamed up to create a series of get-out-the-vote projects, both big and small. They call themselves Houston.vote and they’re coming to a neighborhood near you.

Supported by the League of Women Voters Houston, The Black Sheep Agency and January Advisors, Houston.Vote aims to help people stay engaged, informed and active in our city’s political process. Get involved—sign up for updates through the site and get out there and #VoteHOU! Houston’s future hinges on everyone embracing his or her patriotic duty. So get informed. Be empowered. And let’s increase local voter turnout.

Now, let’s try this again. Raise your hand if you plan to vote this year.

Super–we’ll see you at the polls on November 3rd.

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2015 ELECTION

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LOCAL ICON

DAVID ADICKES Artist | Sculpture

DAVID ADICKES BEGAN AS A PAINTER BUT TODAY IS MOST KNOWN FOR HIS LARGER-THAN-LIFE SCULPTURES, MANY OF WHICH CAN BE FOUND ALL OVER THE SPACE CITY. FROM VARIOUS PRESIDENTS’ BUSTS TO THE BEATLES, THE MASSIVE SCULPTURES ARE LEGENDARY. AS IS THE MAN BEHIND THEM. HE IS A LOCAL ICON AND CONTINUES TO PAINT AND CREATE RIGHT HERE IN HOUSTON.

What was your first job?

My really first job, in 1939, was cleaning and oiling refrigerator motors. My father had an appliance store business, and the Frigidaires in those days required yearly oiling and cleaning the mechanical parts. So I went from house to house all over town (Huntsville was small then) and did that...at 50 cents a pop.

My other “first job” was delivering the morning Houston Post, at 6am, all over town, flinging the rolled-up, tied with string, newspapers from my open-air Model A Ford. This 1929 vehicle had no top at all – and bad brakes. I paid $25 for it.

My “real” first job was working as a draftsman for a company which made electric well logs for the oil industry, a small competitor of Schlumberger. I had just returned from two years studying art in Paris, 1951. I opened an art school in Houston with my Paris artist friend Herb Mears. Made no money but made lots of friends, so I had to get a job.

I had a BS degree in math/physics from my hometown college. This qualified me for this job, which lasted a year. During that time I was painting enough to make a modest living selling my art. I have never had a “job” since then, except for teaching art at Texas University, Austin, 1955–1957, which was more fun than work.

Which was the first piece of art that made you proud?

I was winning museum purchase prizes in 1952–53 for my paintings – that made me proud. But my first large sculpture, the cellist Virtuoso downtown at Lyric Center, is my favorite of all the sculptures I’ve done.

Why? It’s big and whimsical and I just like to look at it.

When did you realize this could be your career?

I realized art would be my career when living in Paris as an art student, 1948–50. Paris immerses you in art and culture; everything else seemed tame. I was a soldier for two years at the end of World War II. (Remember that war? It was in all the papers.) I took my G.I. Bill and used it all, down to the last day, in Paris. It was a whole new world, a sea-change for me.

Life lesson learned?

Easy! Work only at what you enjoy. Then it’s not work, it’s play. You never want to stop. I love people, especially women, and humor. I love funny. Funny is Good.

www.facebook.com: DAVID-ADICKES

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David Adickes studio 1953

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

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WHERE TO LIVE NOW

CYPRESS Located along Highway 290 and Spring-Cypress Road, Cypress is a place to live – a lot! From spending your entire day shopping at the Houston Premium Outlets, going horseback riding at the JNL Stables, enjoying a night dancing at the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas, Tin Hall, or eating one of the best sloppy joes you’ll ever have at the Shack, there are tons of different places to go in Cypress. You won’t know where to begin!

by Ida Sameri | Illustration by German Arellano

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FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

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SPORTS

THE CHESTER PITTS FOUNDATION FINE ARTS, CULTURE AND SMILES

LaToya & Chester Pitts

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FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

Believe it or not, even here in Houston, there are things more important than football. A man who knows that firsthand is original Houston Texan CHESTER PITTS, just half of the brains and brawn behind The Chester Pitts Charitable Foundation (CPCF).

The mission behind the nonprofit is to evoke artistic interest in children through programs designed to inspire natural creativity, arouse enthusiasm for knowledge and energize the spirit of our youth. “The CPCF is designed to be a conduit, or a bridge, for those who don’t have access to the wonderful world of fine arts and culture. A lot of folks that have had the exposure understand the value, but take it for granted that the kids today that go to public schools – every day those programs are being cut and those kids won’t have access to [the arts]. It’s something a lot of us take for granted because it’s the norm,” co-founder Chester Pitts says of the organization. While Chester may think his tall, slender, drop-dead gorgeous wife is just his backup dancer in all this, truth be told, she runs the show. Something he finally admitted to. And what a show it is to run, as many know, starting and keeping a nonprofit moving is not an easy task, but LaToya Pitts does it with grace, dignity and humility, while balancing everything else in her life, including being a mother.

LaToya says having fine arts and culture in your life helps make you a well-rounded individual. “There are studies that show that kids who have the arts in their programs actually score higher on test scores, they do better in school, make better grades, it’s just overall something positive,” she says. All joking aside, Chester graciously admits it’s his wife that keeps their boat afloat. “We are a team – the Pitts Family – she’s the brains and the good looks, I’m just the guy that happens to know the good people who come out to our events and collects the dough,” he jokes while giving his wife a fist bump. It’s that kind of love, excitement and playfulness that is not only the basis and foundation of CPCF, but their marriage and family as well.

Starting with one small event back in 2008 while Chester still played with the Houston Texans, it wasn’t until 2011 the couple took their philanthropic work to the next level, hosting events throughout the year. Each year the foundation selects a high school or middle school and takes them out for their first symphonic experience at the Houston Symphony. “We dress the girls and boys up and buy them formal outfits and bring them to the symphony for a concert, and do a meet-and-greet afterwards,” LaToya says. This year’s experience will be the Sinatra show, which has been raved about in The New York Times. If you know how the Pitts duo rolls, you know it’s bound to be a good time with a lot of laughs. “It’s not just about art or dance or whatever it may be – it’s about what it takes to be good at or be successful at something. Now we’re talking about focusing and concentrating, about diligence – all of those factors line up to make people better human beings. We want to make sure we can capitalize on it with every kid, that we can make them a little bit better, even if it’s just 1%, they’re still better off than they were and that’s our ultimate goal,” Chester says. www.ChesterPittsFoundation.org

by Jayme Lamm | Photography by Danny Nguyen

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EVENT: WOMEN OF WARDROBE HOSTS MEMBERSHIP FIESTA WHERE: DRESS FOR SUCCESS HOUSTON Women of Wardrobe (WOW) hosted its 12th Annual Membership Drive at Dress for Success Houston on Wednesday, July 1. Dao Chloe Dao and La Mochi sold the latest fashions and accessories in their pop-up shops. Benefit Cosmetics gave makeup touchups and tips to the women. Equinox Fitness offered presale gym memberships and a raffle prize that included athletic wear, a trial membership and more. The fiesta-themed event featured designer Chloe Dao, savory bites provided by Escalante’s and El Tiempo, s’mores bar by Sweet and Mellow and snow cones from Yeti Sunshine while Pura Vida Tequila provided margaritas and guests also sipped sangria. Thirty-five new members joined the over 300 current members of WOW, one of Houston’s largest all-female young professionals groups.

Photography by Deborah Wallace

SCENE EVENT: LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR WHERE: RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man & Woman of the Year was hosted at The River Oaks Country Club at the end of the 10-week fundraising campaign and competition. With over 500 guests, there was a silent auction and “FUND THE FIGHT,” both allowing guests to donate to the candidate they supported. Guests danced to Passport while waiting for Emcee Dana Tyson to announce the winners. Congratulations to Woman of the Year Stephanie Sanders, who raised $123,000 in ten weeks, and Man of the Year John Hite, who raised $75,000 in ten weeks.

Photography by Jenny Antill

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STYLE + LEISURE

COMING SOON: DIPTYQUE, HOUSTON, TX

Over 50 years ago on 34 Boulevard Saint Germain in Paris, three friends – an interior decorator, CHRISTIANE GAUTROT; a painter, DESMOND KNOX-LEET; and a theatre administrator and set designer, YVES COUESLANT – began diptyque. It began as a boutique designing wallpaper and fabrics for Liberty and Sanderson, and in 1961 they opened their first boutique to showcase their designs. Slowly diptyque transitioned into a chic bazaar offering their finds found in their travels. In 1963 they launched their first scented candles – Aubépine, Cannelle and Thé. In 1968 came the first eau de toilette. Today diptyque is known for their wide array of intense scented candles for the home as well as personal fragrance and a body line. Those who know and follow the brand are instant fans, and now diptyque is opening its first Houston boutique at the River Oaks District.

www.diptyqueparis.com

Photography by diptyque

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DIPTYQUE

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Photo by Anthony Rodriguez, AREXPRESSIONS.ORG

THINGS WE LOVE

The Rothko Chapel on the Menil campus is one of those local gems that I so treasure. And on September 7, I’ll be on the lawn for the annual Free Day of Yoga. There’s something so magical about practicing alongside friends and strangers. The energy is contagious. Open with group meditation, music by Arexpression and a Savasana closing. Free. www.fdoyhouston.com

With summer days fleeting, that summer glow begins to fade. I LOVE Clarins Golden Glow Booster for Face. I just add a few drops to my La Prairie daily cream with SPF and get a natural glow to match the color of my body which inevitably gets dark spending long days at the pool with my kids. $45, www.clarins.com

BY CARLA VALENCIA DE MARTINEZ

I could sit and stare at the insane beauty of L’Objet’s Malachite tray. Made of Limoges porcelain and earthenware with hand-gilded 24K gold accents, this is a work of art alone that won’t break the bank. $195 www.l-objet.com

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FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE

The Apple® Watch has totally changed the way I use my iPhone®.

I rarely take out my phone to reply to a text, or an e-mail, or sometimes even a phone call! www.apple.com

La Miniatura’s clothing is way out there – and I just love their sports jackets. Plaid, velvet and crazy patterns would be the best way to describe these awesome jackets. A La Miniatura sports jacket is a must-have for any red carpet. www.laminiaturakids.com

These socks are a conversation piece. I always get compliments on my black and white American flag style socks, where one side shows the stars and the other side, the stripes. These socks are cool from head to toe, or should I say, ankle to toe. Stance Socks, www.stance.com

Originally from Houston, 13-year-old, up-and-coming actor Joshua Rush is making waves in the film festival circuit with Break Point where he stars alongside Jeremy Sisto and David Walton. (Break Point is set to be released in theaters on September 4.) Joshua has been on Family Guy, The Cleveland Show and Gravity Falls on TV – and on the big screen in Parental Guidance, Saving Lincoln as well as voice roles in Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas, Mr. Peabody and Sherman and Escape from Planet Earth. Joshua loves science, technology and animals, and is incurably addicted to Apple products. Here he shares a few things he loves. september 15 |

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FAT FINDS Since September is our Art Issue. I kept that theme going and rounded up some of my favorite artinspired fashion pieces to share with you. From DePetra's Frida-inspired, one-of-a-kind necklaces to DonkeeBoy's PACasso t-shirts. These artists have definitely made their mark on fashion.

PACasso T-Shirt: www.donkeeboy.com

Necklaces: www.depetra.com

Maison Martin Margiela splatter paint clutch/ iPad速 case: www.sloanhall.com

Valentino Floral Boots (flowers designed by artist Celia Birtwell): www.neimanmarcus.com

Frida Sunglasses: www.gentlemonster.com

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DESTINATION

LIVERPOOL STAY | DO | SAVOR

READY FOR A TRAVEL REVELATION? HEAD TO LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. VOTED ONE OF THE WORLD’S FRIENDLIEST CITIES (WITH GOOD REASON), THIS NORTHERN ENGLISH GEM IS A VIBRANT MIX OF FASCINATING HISTORY AND CONTEMPORARY ART, NOSTALGIC NEIGHBORHOODS AND LEGENDARY NIGHTLIFE. HERE, YOU CAN CATCH AN EXPERIMENTAL EXHIBIT AT THE TATE MUSEUM, TAKE A GRAFFITI CLASS, STROLL PEDESTRIAN SHOPPING STREETS, SING ALONG TO BEATLES TUNES AND SIP HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS – ALL IN THE SAME DAY. AND FROM A BASE AT THE NEW ALOFT LIVERPOOL, IT’S ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE, TOO. HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS FOR A LIVERPOOL GETAWAY.

STAY Following years of restoration and renovation, the 1903 former Royal Insurance Building now houses Aloft Liverpool, which has fast become a hangout for both guests and locals. While public spaces honor the landmark building’s original touches (it had one of the first suspended ceilings in the world), the hotel’s 116 rooms are streamlined and loft-like, with modern comforts like platform beds, Bliss bath products and free WiFi. Part of the Starwood family, the Aloft brand focuses on delivering style and fun at an affordable price, and this location reflects that promise: The lobby social space has free pool, board games and a “busking station” where anyone can strum a guitar; food choices include a grab-and-go shop and full-service restaurant with DJ events, killer cocktails and an upstairs gin bar (a nod to Liverpool history); and there’s a full calendar of free on-site events, including shows by emerging indie bands. Quirky design touches, a central location and a super-friendly, eager-to-help staff will have you feeling at home in no time. www.aloftliverpool.com

DO Seecret Tours: Lasting about two hours, this engaging walking tour starts off with stops at historic city center sites, then heads off the beaten path with a tour of the Ropewalks, the city’s revitalized creative and nightlife hub.

Wander past warehouses-turned-mixed-used spaces, pop into indie cafes and boutiques, stroll through Europe’s oldest established Chinatown, and get intel

on the area’s best clubs. The company also offers a Seecret Art Tour, with an added focus on street art, installations and other creative happenings.

(Both tours also feature free mobile WiFi, so you can Instagram your discoveries in real time.) Via the Aloft front desk team, guests can also combine the tour with a graffiti class with Zap Graffiti, which starts with a look at some of Liverpool’s standout street art, then shows you the basics before letting you loose with a spray can. www.seecrettours.co.uk; www.zapgraffiti.co.uk Fab Four Taxi Tours: Any Liverpool visit has to include a Beatles tour.

With this top-rated company, you’ll hop into a traditional black cab for visits to key spots in the lives of the Fab Four (including childhood homes and the place where John and Paul first met), as well as places that inspired many of their hit songs, from leafy Penny Lane to the site of the Strawberry Fields orphanage. Whether you’re a die-hard or casual fan, the classic songs will come alive on the streets where they were born, thanks to the passionate and knowledgeable guides. www.fab4tours.co.uk Tate Liverpool: Set in a converted warehouse along Liverpool’s revitalized Albert Dock area, this sister to London’s Tate Modern and Tate Britain features one of the United Kingdom’s largest galleries of modern and contemporary art. (There are also pieces from the 1500s on down in the permanent collection.) Recent exhibits have focused on artists like Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock. Be sure to stop into the excellent gift shop, packed with quirky and art-themed items. www.tate.org.uk

by Sandra Ramani | Photography by Visit Britain

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SAVOR Salt House Bacaro: A short walk from the Aloft, this stylish-but-attitude-free favorite is all about sharing: Inspired by the backstreet canteens of Venice, the menu features flavorful small plates, pizettes and family-style pastas. A lively bar area and hip cocktail program ensure you’ll make a local friend or two in no time. www.salthousebacaro.co.uk

ALBERT DOCK

Albert Dock: Set on the River Mersey, this protected historic site features dozens of restored 19th-century dock warehouses that now house museums, galleries, shops and restaurants. From Italian to French to fish and chips, you’ll find it all here—plus several cafes and bars where you can settle in to enjoy the views.

Camp & Furnace: Named among the “coolest restaurants in Britain,” this is actually two dining experiences in one funky, indoor-outdoor space. The covered lobby lounge/bar is open all week for lunch, dinner and freshly pulled brews, while Thursday to Saturday, the open-air space hosts “food slams” with live music, cocktails and picnic tables ringed by gourmet food stalls. It’s part-festival, part-hipster haven and allround good time. www.campandfurnace.com

ALOFT

THE BEATLES STORY

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TOOLS+GADGETS

dSp – DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSOR I recommend headphones quite often but getting the perfect sound is a personal experience. No matter what headphones you prefer, the dSp from High Resolution Technologies is a small accessory that can make a big difference.

The thumb drive-size device is a digital sound processor that serves as a bypass connection for your headphones and your smart devices such as phones, tablets and laptops. The dSp uses proprietary digital sound processing and conversion along with a headphone amplifier. No matter what your preferred headphones or earbuds, this small addition enhances the sound quality. $69 www.hirestech.com

ZOOM Q8 HD VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDER Just when you thought stand-alone cameras and videocams were dead thanks to smartphones, along comes specialized devices for better shooting. The Zoom Q8 is a powerful gadget that shoots high-quality video but focuses on audio quality.

It comes with 24-bit/96k XY stereo microphones to get you started. This capsule can be swapped out for other Zoom microphone modules including a shotgun and mid-side mic. A large, full-color rotating LCD display and an onboard speaker make checking your recording on site fast and easy. A great gadget for action videos, interviews and podcasts. $399 www.zoom-na.com

EPSONÂŽ HOME CINEMA PROJECTOR Summer is in full swing and if you are looking to entertain family and guests in these warm nights, how about hosting the ultimate backyard movie night. The Epson Home Cinema 730HD is a portable 3LCD projector delivering images up to 300 inches on virtually any wall or screen.

With HDMI connectivity and pre-set color modes for image optimization, users can watch their favorite blockbuster movie in 720p HD under the stars. Add some popcorn and a Bluray player, gaming console or laptop and you only need to press play to enjoy summer nights and a starry sky in the comfort your own backyard. $649 www.epson.com

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LOCALGRAM #DOLOCAL2015 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!!

@visual_contrabrand Good news is that you came a long way, the bad news is that you went the wrong way.

@88houston It’s hip to be square. Mural by EHC. Houston, Texas.

@lovealwaysvanna Perfect Sunday afternoon.

@d.torresphotography We are Houston.

@zshtx City Hall decked out in its most colorful outfit yet.

@johnmwellsjr I’m unsure of the artist but respect for this really nice wall piece.

@quitefrankly Light painting. W/ @_lotus93.

@prophone82 Out for yoo loot.

@daniel_ix Let there be light.

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