Heights Happenings: February 1- February 8, 2012

Am I the only one who is still having trouble remembering to put '2012' as the date? Never mind that it's already February. Wow.

Friday, February 3, 6 pm- 8:30 pm: Heights Beatnik's presents the art of Patrick Talley

• Patrick Talley is a talented man who wears many hats. In addition to being a photographer, Patrick is a blogger and published author. Patrick will be at the Opening to discuss his photography.
• To view some of his work, go here www.talleyphotography.com. Of course, you may also recognize his name from his Houston Chronicle Parenting blog "The Tao of Parenting."
• There will be some wine and fruit provided. Amos Garcia will also be selling his unique and soon-to-be-famous food truck empanadas in several novel flavors.
• 709 E 11th St, yellow house next to Zelko Bistro

Friday, February 3, 7:30 pm: Heights Live! presents Jason Eady and Jamie Wilson

• Mississippi native Jason Eady has come full circle on his third and latest album, When the Money's All Gone, delivering southern gospel stomps, New Orleans soul, and the heartbreaking tide of sin and redemption through his rich baritone voice and a raucous band. Produced by critically acclaimed songwriter, Kevin Welch, When the Money's All Gone comes as both a calming voice for the current times and as a timeless album of blue-eyed, southern soul music. 
• Jamie Wilson sang around the house growing up, but didn't start playing music and writing songs until she was a college sophomore at Texas A&M. "My cousin and I went to go see the Dixie Chicks in Houston during their Fly tour. There was a part in the show where the other girls went off and Natalie stayed on stage and played 'Cold Day in July' on guitar by herself. I was watching her and I told my cousin, 'I just need a guitar; I could do that. I'm musical enough.'," Jamie remembers. Later that month, Jamie's cousin and mother went in together to buy Jamie her first guitar as a Christmas gift. She first learned to play by printing out lyrics to songs and learning the chords by ear. She wrote her first song a couple of months later and was in a band, the Sidehill Gougers, within six months of receiving that first guitar. In 2010, Jamie released her 1st solo album, Dirty Blonde Hair.
• Heights Live! offers a uniquely intimate experience, perfect for the singer song writers who perform "on the rug." Shows are family friendly and BYOB. Hosted by Heights Presbyterian at 240 W 18th.
• This show: Doors 7:30, show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $12 at the door.

Friday February 3 - Saturday, February 4: Last chance to see "Motel Tropicana" at Obsidian Art Space

• For a great write up on this show, check out this Houston Press Article

Saturday, February 4, 11 am- 6 pm: 1st Saturday Arts Market's "Lover's Market"

• Looking for unique, handmade items for your Valentine? Here's some one stop shopping for you! Art, jewelry, textiles, and more. Dozens of local artisans have come together to help fulfill your gift giving needs.
• Live music around lunch time (Market newcomer Cory Derden) and from 3-6 pm, featured musician Robin Kirby. 
• Food available from H-Town StrEATs.
• In the lot of Wind Water Gallery, 548 W 19th.

Saturday, February 4, 7 pm- 10 pm: HHWC Quarterly Cork and Fork, featuring Argentinian food and wine

• You are invited to a night out with Houston Heights Woman's Club! Sample the wine, food and music of this quarter's designated country: Argentina.
• The evening will also feature a special Tango performance by Susana Collins 
• This event is casual and open to members, prospective members and guests. Spouses and significant others encouraged! 
• Admission (per couple) is a bottle of your favorite Argentine wine and a small appetizer to share with the group.
• Please contact Hostess Shea Hill if you have any questions.

Tuesday, February 7, 4 pm- 7 pm: Launch Open House for the WashAve Livable Centers project

• The Houston-Galveston Area Council, in partnership with Better Houston, the City of Houston and TIRZ 15, is conducting a Livable Centers study of Houston’s historic Washington Avenue Corridor. The Livable Centers program seeks to create walkable, mixed-use places that provide multi-modal transportation, improve environmental quality and promote economic development. The Washington Avenue Livable Centers study area, which is bounded by I-45 in the East, I-10 in the North, Westcott in the West and Buffalo Bayou in the south, includes much of Superneighborhood 22 and contains all or most of the First and Sixth Wards, Memorial Heights, West End, Magnolia Grove, Westwood Grove, Rice Military, Wood Crest and Cottage Grove neighborhoods.
• While this does not include the Heights, IT WILL EFFECT THE HEIGHTS. These are our neighboring neighborhoods and what happens there directly impacts us here.
• The study is engaging area residents and workers, government agencies, businesses and institutions in developing recommendations for improvements to the area. These will include transportation, economic development, housing choice, sustainability, open space and placemaking recommendations. Plans for Livable Centers, to be effective, are supported by incentives, flexible regulations, and basic standards for walkable urbanism.
• To join a stakeholder group or to be contacted regarding public meetings and other opportunities for input, please contact us at info@WashAve.org, or visit our office at 1902 Washington Avenue (entrance on Silver Street).
• The project team also invites you for a Launch Open House at their offices, 1902 Washington (corner of Silver, entrance on the Silver side). Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the project team, find out more about the project, its goals and timeline, and learn how to become more involved.

PLAN AHEAD:

Correction: I had originally dated this show as "Friday, Feb 11." It is the 11th, but that is a Saturday. Apologies for any confusion!
Saturday, February 11, 6:15: Rouse House Concerts presents Owen Temple and Adam Carroll

• Hosted in the home of Deb Rouse and (new Heights Assoc President) Lindsey Lee, Rouse House Concerts are a truly wonderful music experience. At this show, the hosts feature two rising stars of the Texas Country scene, Owen Temple and Adam Carroll. Texas born and raised, Adam and Owen are friends and frequent song collaborators who tour independently at venues and festivals across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Since the mid 1990s they have released 12 albums of original songs between them.
• Adam Carroll takes the events of ordinary lives and turns them into deeply moving, often humorous songs. Given a rare command of the English language and an amazing sense of melody, it's little surprise Adam has earned enviable comparisons to Townes Van Zandt, Todd Snider, John Prine and Bob Dylan as well as being recognized as a creative influence on his songwriter peers, like Hayes Carll and Robert Earl Keen.
• Owen Temple takes on the role of Texas troubadour with grave intent. A songwriter out of the narrative folk tradition, he writes songs that take you places, allowing the listener to travel with the story. With a finely honed lyrical sense, wry sense of humor, and knack for blending melancholy melodies with ingenious wordplay, Owen tells stories about a Texas few of us have seen but all of us know.
• RSVPs are required due to limited seating and will be on a "first come/first served" basis. To RSVP, please email Deb and Lindsey at rouse_house_concerts@yahoo.com
• Rouse House cannot accept payments prior to the party. There is a suggested honorarium of $20 per person, which can be paid by cash.  All proceeds go to the performing artists. CDs are usually available for sale during intermission. 
• Please arrive between 6:15 and 7:15 pm for potluck dinner prior to the concert.  The hosts provide coffee and lemonade but you are also welcome to bring a beverage of choice. We have wine glasses for those who wish to bring wine. Music will begin at 7:30 pm.

February 24-26: Houston Modern Market at Winter Street Studios

IN OTHER NEWS:

If you're a child of the 70s, like me, than you were also in your teenage prime when neon was the trend in the 80s. Like they say, everything old is new again. Neon is back and brighter than ever. Alas, I can't pull it off the way I could in middle school. If you can, then Langford Market might have what you're looking for. Right now the store, at 249 W 19th, is having a $1 sale. Buy 2 items, get the 3rd for $1. Don't forget the sunglasses!

Also dabbling in brights is our newest boutique, La Camella. Here are some great two-tone pants in coral read and seer sucker. Apparently, coral red is "Pantone's color of the year."If you haven't been in to his this little shop at 3122 White Oak (between Write Now and Heights Vinyl), it is a super cute spot "that seeks to bring together a beautiful, well-designed and well-crafted selection of apparel, footwear and accessories created by small, independent lines not otherwise carried in the city." I've purchased some great locally made jewelry and other accessories from her. Even with a small selection, there is a little something for most people here!