By Laura Coburn From the Houston Ballet to the Houston Grand Opera to The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston prides itself on the arts. However, not every city in the world has access to renowned performing and visual arts companies— and that is why the “Cargo Space” came into being. The Cargo Space is art itself on wheels. The new creative project by Christopher Sperandio and Simon Grennan is a way for people across the Southwest and across the world to experience all forms of art and for artists to engage in creative exchanges. According to the project leads, the ... Read More »

Most of us are familiar with the story of Pinocchio. The fairytale character is probably part of a warm, childhood memory. I’m sure you can recall sitting down with your parents or playmates to watch the sentimental cartoon. Or upon being caught in telling a harmless lie, an older family member may have teased that your nose would grow if you didn’t start telling the truth. But  Pinocchio is much more than an official Disney Classic or lesson to be learned: Published as a novel in 1883 by Carlo Lorenzini (1826-1890), The Adventures of Pinocchio is revered as a staple work of Italian ... Read More »

“Shit! Fuck! Shit!” was Professor Derleth’s boisterous outburst in the beginning reel and the later act. Cthulhu: A Puppet Play presented at 14 Pews, was a humorous yet grotesque play that incorporated live instruments, sound effects and  film in addition to the puppet and puppeteers. In the beginning, Professor Derleth purchases an object that he then researches intensely as the power of the object unfolds. On the brink of insanity, the perceptions of reality become distorted as the beckoning of Cthulhu begins to consume him. This tale combines both elements of dark humor and a dreadful fear of the unknown. ... Read More »

As we all know, whether you’re an art fanatic or could care less, Pablo Ruiz y Picasso was arguably the most influential artist of the 20th century. He was a painter, sculptor, ceramist, set designer, and print maker. Historians estimate that Picasso generated anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 works during his 75 years of art making. He also pioneered the Cubist movement and advanced the plastic arts. As one might expect, a person like Picasso must have had a unique philosophy to match his iconic work. After a lifetime admiring Pablo Picasso and countless hours researching the Spanish artist, Herbert Siguenza–actor, playwright, artist, and cofounder ... Read More »

Like weird and twisted  horror/mystery stories by the likes of H.P. Lovecraft? Hell yea! Explore the original puppet play based on the dark stories of Lovecraft, called “Cthulhu: A Puppet Play”. The play is an alluring tale of deception and the fine line between delusions and reality. “A professor purchases an object on one of those auction shows and becomes obsessed with its mysterious powers. He begins to find out that the object is of interest to others, too, possibly not in a good way,” said Matthew Carter, who plays the professor puppet in the production. The production was conceived ... Read More »

If you’re 20 or older and have ever been a teenager on the verge of adulthood, you probably recall the confusion of trying to make sense of your position in life and whatever that coming of age business means, suggests, or creates/destroys. If you were fortunate enough to have parents who cared enough to ask you tough questions and spin you round and round, blindfolded, till you were too dizzy to know which way was eastwest or northsouth, you can probably recall a fight or two or eleven raised to the ninth power. I know, between my mother and me, unfinished homework was always ... Read More »

Houston’s FreneticCore is looking for local folks to join their Board of Directors. Looking for a chance to give back to your creative community? This may be just the opportunity for you. FreneticCore is a nonprofit organization with a focus on innovative dance theater productions. The organization offers locals a number of options including dance classes, live performances and the Houston Fringe Festival - a performing arts festival that has been happening annually in Houston’s East End for over five years now. If the performing arts is your passion – or even if just giving back to your creative cohorts is your thing – ... Read More »

If you were as close to giving up on Cypress as I was, you are probably eagerly reading this and desperately waiting for me to get to the point. A new movie theater is opening up in Cypress! Are you still excited? You should be. It’s an Alamo Drafthouse, and Houston needs a lot more of those (how about that proposed midtown location?). Currently, the only other A.D. location in Houston is actually in Katy, off Mason Road. The self dubbed “Coolest Movie Theater in the World” has everything even the most casual movie-goer could want, from all the things ... Read More »

DiverseWorks– a non-profit art center dedicated to presenting new visual, performing, and literary art– announces exciting, upcoming events in store for 2024. Tony Feher, Liz Magic Laser, and Nora Chipaumire are among the artists featured in the first few months of the new year. Tony Feher: Free Fall (Jan. 19 – March 16, 2024; Opening Reception: Fri., Jan. 18, 7-9pm) Currently living in New York, native Houstonian artist Tony Feher, is known for his playfully dramatic abstract, minimalist sculptures and installations formed of consumer products. Feher’s project at DiverseWorks is an interactive, performative installation that combines music, dance, and sculpture. Feher worked ... Read More »

When you get down to the root of Charles Schulz’ Peanuts you see a child plagued by deep insecurities, a skeptical outlook on life, and extreme early-onset male pattern baldness. It’s reflective of humanity’s ethos that some of the most popular fictional characters are those damaged, beaten heroes that refuse to give in. In a twisted way, that’s what makes ComedySportz rendition of A Charlie Brown Christmas: Unscripted! so appealing. Marrying the social mores of adolescence and Charlie’s negative outlook to the absurdity and off-the-wall humor of improv is a surefire recipe for a unique holiday experience, or at least ... Read More »