Mark that calendar, then mark it again and again and again
As far as this weekend is concerned, that picture right there is Ground Zero of events, art, music, shopping and whatever else around which you can wrap your brain.
If you can't find something to do in the Heights this weekend, there's no hope for you. And I mean that quite sincerely. By my count (which I'm almost certain is an undercount), there are nine events going on throughout the day Saturday, and another on Sunday.
Here's a quick rundown of events with their Web sites and/or some other information. If you know of any more, please add them in the comments section below.
Friday (tonight) Heights Open Mic at H Gallery, previewed in the previous post. 8-11 p.m. at 617 West 19th. This event has only been going on for a few months and seems to already have generated an intense following. Check it out at www.facebook.com/heightsopenmic.
Heights First Saturday http://heightsfirstsaturday.com
There'll be sales and special happening all over the Greater Heights area with this event, from golden retriever adoptions at Karen Derr Realty to Chinese Moon Festival celebrations at Wind Water Gallery. Among my favorites is:
Casa Ramirez FOLKART Gallery, 241 West 19th, will host a free class The Cultural Traditions of the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead - A Celebration of Ancestors and Loved Ones from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Also, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Casa Ramirez will have out free samples of Cafe con MECA, a specialty blend of roasted coffee, the sale of which benefits the old 6th Ward non-profit community organization MECA - Multicultural Counseling and Education through the Arts.
First Saturday Art Market, 548 West 19th. www.FirstSaturdayArtsMarket.com 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. After a summer run in the evenings, the market is back to daytime hours. Kenneth Scott will perform from 4-6 p.m. To hear his music, click here. Check the Web site for a listing of the artists.
Biketoberfest at Blue Line Bike Lab, 3302 White Oak. I posted about this the other day. Blue Line will host its first annual Biketoberfest party in its parking lot from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be live music, beer, raffles, beer, goldsprints (whatever those are) and, oh yeah, more beer. The event benefits BikeHouston.
Artist Scott Woodard will be present to host a walkabout through the Na-haus Art Space, 223 East 11th. Woodard's show The Land Within was featured in this space a few weeks ago when the show opened. Saturday from 6-9 p.m., he'll be available to talk about his work and the process of his art. This is a great chance to talk with Woodard as the show closes Oct. 10.
Earth Drawings at Redbud Gallery, 303 East 11th. And right next door to Na-haus, Redbud Gallery is hosting the show Earth Drawings: Red and Black featuring artist Connie Jones with a reception from 6-8 p.m. The piece on the left there, Flying Juvenile Raven, is by Jones. This looks like another in a long line of great shows over at Redbud.
Pierre Bensusan at Listening Room Listening Room at NiaMoves, 508 Pecore, will host the French guitarist Pierre Bensusan at 9 p.m. Here's another one I blogged about just the other day. If you have not already gotten tickets to this event, you may be out of luck. But just in case you haven't, and you want to hear one of the premier guitarists in the world in a close, intimate setting (And really, why wouldn't you?) visit that link above and check it out. You won't regret it.
Autumn Bazaar and Animal Blessing at St. Andrews. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Boulevard, will host both its annual Autumn Bazaar and Blessing of the Animals Saturday. The Bazaar will feature a boatload of area artisans, craftworkers and specialty vendors selling their wares from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. And the best part, admission is free.
The annual Blessing of the Animals will also be held at 10 a.m. Dogs, cats, birds and other pets will be welcomed on the front lawn of the church for a special blessing from parish rector Rev. Barbara Lewis. The event commemorates St. Francis of Assisi and his love for all creatures. But remember, owners are invited to bring pets on a leash or in a carrier. Call 713-861-5596 or visit www.saintandrewsepiscopal.org for information.
Il Tabarro/Pagliacci: This weekend also sees the final performances of
Opera in the Heights' double bill of the one-act operas Il Tabarro by Giacomo Puccini and Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo. As I posted on this the other day, the shows will be performed at the friendly confines of Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. Saturday will be the final performance, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 - $35, with reduced prices for seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased on the web site:
www.operaintheheights.org or by phone at 713-861-5303.
And finally, don't forget the Houston Heights Association's Fourth Annual Heights Bicycle Rally and Scavenger Hunt, which will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. If you haven't signed up yet, you've missed the online registration window. However, you can still participate. You'll just have to register the day of the rally.
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