Dish-Houston

On Saturday, November 1 at 9 a.m., the Houston non-profit literacy organization, READ3Zero, will honor students nationwide at a memorable Luncheon and Book Signing event for this year’s winners of the “I Write” contest and celebrate the organization’s fifth anniversary.  The Awards Ceremony will offer individual recognition of each student author and illustrator followed by the Literacy Luncheon and Book Signing with keynote speaker, Neil Bush, chairman to the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, emceed by Deborah Duncan of Great Day Houston. 

“This year we will offer a majestic experience to our young authors at a luncheon specially created to commemorate their success,” said Melissa M. Williams, Children’s Author and Founder of READ3Zero. “For five years our foundation has helped young students become published authors, and we can’t wait to celebrate with the city of Houston, parents, literacy advocates, and more; the commitment we have for students and their development in reading and writing.”

The Editor’s Choice Recipient this year will read their short story or poem to the audience followed by a book signing in which all the authors and illustrators will sign their newly published books.

Founded in 2009 by children’s author and public speaker, Melissa M. Williams, READ3zero has embarked on a mission to help share aspects of the literacy and publishing world, influencing the lives of children to learn outside the classroom. One of the primary creative projects at READ3Zero is the annual short-story contest, which emphasizes the concept that reading and writing go hand in hand. Children are also allowed to submit drawings for the front and back cover of the book.

 “I’m excited about recognizing this outstanding group of students this fall. It’s amazing what can happen when the community rallies around our youth to encourage creativity and literacy,” said Williams.

This year's student honorees are:

Authors:

●      Aidan Perry, Sugar Mill Elementary / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Alyssa Reid, Creekwood Middle School / Humble ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Ana Guerra, Kinkaid School / Houston, Texas

●      Benjamin Carpenter, Sugar Land Middle School / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Chase Greer, Texas Tech University ISD

●      Chloe Williams, Sugar Mill Elementary / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Claire Jones, Homeschool / Houston, Texas

●      Collin Foley, Pottsgrove Middle School / Wortham ISD, Pottstown, Pennsylvania

●      Dakota Widenor, Wortham Middle School / Wortham ISD, Wortham, Texas

●      Daniel Hoang, Sugar Mill Elementary / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Douglas Taylor, CyFalls High School / Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Emily Green, Aragon Middle School / Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Emma Appler, Wilson West Middle School / Wilson SD, West Lawn, Pennsylvania

●      Fiza Kuzhiyil, Rolling Ridge Elementary / Harbor Creek SD, Erie, Pennsylvania

●      Gabby Ebuh, Tanglewood Academy / Houston, Texas

●      Giselle Ebuh, Tanglewood Academy / Houston, Texas

●      Haaniya Mehrani, Sugar Mill Elementary / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Hailee Galeana, Benito Juarez Elementary / San Diego USD, San Diego, California

●      Hannah Manley, Homeschool / Schulenburg, Texas

●      Harrison Kummer, AGLA (Aveson Global Leadership Academy) / Altadena, CA

●      Izecke Noble, Hodges Bend Middle School / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Jack Green, Covenant Academy / Houston, Texas

●      Jaclyn Fleming, CyFalls High School / Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Jade Lawson-Ho, Bunker Hill Elementary/ Spring Branch ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Jaelynn Bocala, Benito Juarez Elementary / San Diego USD, San Diego, California

●      Katherine Bacani, Sugar Land Middle School/ Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Keller Rivers, Sugar Mill Elementary / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Kurt Kauffman, Sugar Land Middle School / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Laetitia Guerin, Awty International School / Houston, Texas

●      Laury-Anne Pluviose, Wilson West Middle School / Wilson SD, West Lawn, Pennsylvania

●      Lindsey Kinane, Pearland High School / Pearland ISD, Pearland, Texas

●      Marin Werner, Wilson West Middle School / Wilson SD, West Lawn, Pennsylvania

●      MaryEvyn Grace Cutshall, Sugar Mill Elementary / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Maya Geiss, Manlius Pebble Hill School / DeWitt, New York

●      Megan Taylor, CyRanch High School / Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Michael (M.P.) Geiss, Manlius Pebble Hill School / DeWitt, New York

●      Micah Clayton, Burnett Junior High / Wylie ISD, Wylie, Texas

●      Morgan Kaufmann, Wilson West Middle School / Wilson SD, West Lawn, Pennsylvania

●      Morgan Reppert, Wilson West Middle School / Wilson SD, West Lawn,Pennsylvania

●      Mykaela Lawson-Ho, The Tenney School / Houston, Texas

●      Nathaniel Houck, Wilson West Middle School / Wilson SD, West Lawn, Pennsylvania

●      Nia Gallagher, Wilson West Middle School / Wilson SD, West Lawn, Pennsylvania

●      Richard Wu, Clear Lake High School / Clear Creek ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Samantha Bacani, Sugar Mill Elementary / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

●      Sarah Hall, Cypress Christian School / Houston, Texas

●      Sarah Young, CyFalls High School / Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Shana Hunter, Wilson West Middle School / Wilson SD, West Lawn, Pennsylvania

●      Shannon Kummer, Sunland Christian School / Sylmar, CA

●      Shelley Buckley, Shoals Christian / Florence, Alabama

●      Simon Petty, The Tenney School / Houston, Texas

●      Sofia Bajwa, The Kinkaid School / Houston, Texas

●      Valeria Keuser, Awty International School / Houston, Texas

●      Yarely Perez, Benito Juarez Elementary / San Diego USD, San Diego, California

●      Yasmeen Feghali, Sugar Mill Elementary / Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Texas

 Back Cover Artists

●      Eric Dargan II, Arnold Middle School / Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Houston, Texas

●      Jillian Barry, The Emery/Weiner School / Houston, Texas

●      Julia Fishkind, The Emery/Weiner School / Houston, Texas

●      Madison Stein, The Emery/Weiner School / Houston, Texas

Cover Artist

●      Elise Willsey, Harwood Junior High / Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Bedford, Texas

To learn more about READ3Zero CLICK HERE

On Wednesday, April 16^th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, the Houston Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors will be holding their inaugural fashion event, “Houston is Haute”, at Tootsies on Westheimer. This exciting event will feature a runway show filled with the famous boutique’s latest spring trends and will be emceed by fabulous KPRC Local 2 anchor, Rachel McNeill.

A spring fashion sneak peak is not the only thing on the menu at this glamorous event. ALL proceeds from tickets sales and donations will directly benefit The Women’s Home and their WholeLife^SM model of care. It’s fashion with a heart; fashion with a purpose, and a really fun way to give back.

Only 200 tickets are available for the event, and they’re selling fast. To reserve yours today, go to The Women’s Home website at www.thewomenshome.org and click on the “Houston is Haute” event link. VIP tickets are $50.

Event coordinators are asking guests to bring one or more gently used designer clothing or accessory item for The Women’s Home. Items will be donated to The Home’s thrift store, The Cottage Shop, where 100% of sales go directly back into The Women’s Home’s proven and successful programming. All those donating items will receive a $25 gift certificate to Tootsies.

Event Chair for “Houston is Haute” is Nicole Brende of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty and Host Committee members include: Peggie Pentecost, Stephanie Finch, Patti Henry, Jeff Wagner, Jenny Wang, Chau Nguyen and Christy Stratton.

About The Women’s Home

Since 1957, The Women’s Home has helped women in crisis regain their self-esteem and dignity, empowering them to return to society as productive individuals. Our programs are targeted to women who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. The growing efforts of The Women’s Home are all tied together by our comprehensive and very effective WholeLife model, which addresses the emotional, physical, social, vocational, fiscal and spiritual wellness of our clients and residents.

Nicole Longnecker Gallery is proud to announce representation of 2013 Hunting Award winner Marshall Harris.

On the heels of his successful exhibit Not a Statistical Interstices, Nicole Longnecker has added the multi-media Fort Worth-based artist Marshall Harris to her group of represented artists. Primarily known for his hyper-realistic graphite on mylar drawings, Harris also produces unique urethane resin castings through The Treague Project series.

 “I am pleased to add Marshall to our group of artists,” stated gallery owner Nicole Longnecker. “Marshall's work has grown in scope and he continues to stretch his artist talents with his new work, which our collectors will find his compelling and intriguing. His new Duet Series of graphite drawings on mylar are very strong and create an amazing focal point while focusing on the smallest detail of the subject.”

Nicole Longnecker Gallery is located in the heart of Houston's Gallery Row near the intersection of Kirby and Richmond. Our gallery offers a wide range of contemporary artistic ideas in various media by artists on both a national and international level. We are committed to presenting the finest work possible from established and emerging artists.

RESULTS - TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Singles First Round
[5] Feliciano Lopez (Spain) d [Q] Robby Ginepri (USA) 75 62
[7] Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) d [Q] Peter Polansky (Canada) 64 36 64
Michael Russell (USA) d Daniel Gimeno-Traver (Spain) 63 76(2)
Benjamin Becker (Germany) d [Q] Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (Spain) 61 16 63
Donald Young (USA) d [Q] Ryan Harrison (USA) 60 61
[WC] Steve Johnson (USA) d Denis Kudla (USA) 63 76(4)

Singles First Round
[1] Bob Bryan (USA) / Mike Bryan (USA) d Nicholas Monroe (USA) / Donald Young (USA) 63 64
Matthew Ebden (Australia) / Sam Groth (Australia) d Ken Skupski (Great Britain) / Neal Skupski (Great Britain) 64 76(2)

ORDER OF PLAY - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014

CENTER COURT start 12:00 noon
[6] Juan Monaco (Argentina) vs Somdev Devvarman (India)
Sam Querrey (USA) vs [7] Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
Jonathan Erlich (Israel) / Michal Mertinak (Slovak Republic) vs [2] David Marrero (Spain) / Fernando Verdasco (Spain)
Not Before 6:00 pm
[1] Bob Bryan (USA) / Mike Bryan (USA) vs Matthew Ebden (Australia) / Samuel Groth (Australia)
[1] John Isner (USA) vs Dustin Brown (Germany)

COURT 3 start 12:00 noon
Santiago Giraldo (Colombia) vs Matthew Ebden (Australia)
[3] Santiago Gonzalez (Mexico) / Scott Lipsky (USA) vs Purav Raja (India) / Divij Sharan (India)
[Alt] Thiemo de Bakker (Netherlands) / Melle Van Gemerden (Netherlands) vs Austin Krajicek (USA) / Michael Venus (New Zealand)
After Suitable Rest - Benjamin Becker (Germany) / Rameez Junaid (Australia) vs [WC] Steve Johnson (USA) / Sam Querrey (USA)
Not Before 6:00 pm
Chris Guccione (Australia) / L Hewitt (Australia) vs Marin Draganja (Croatia) / Gero Kretschmer (GER)

COURT 7 start 3:00 pm
Santiago Giraldo (Colombia) / Alejandro Gonzalez (Colombia) vs [4] Mate Pavic (CRO) / John-Patrick Smith (AUS)

Hana and Domenico

Dominic Walsh Dance Theater (DWDT) will continue its 2013-2014 season with Malta Kano, TX, an innovative dance film project to premiere on Friday, April 25, 2014 at Asia Society Texas Center. Co-conceived by DWDT Artistic Director Dominic Walsh and Belgian artist Frédérique de Montblanc, the film is set to feature Japanese ballerina Hana Sakai and Italian danseur Domenico Luciano, who last performed together in 2012’s Uzume.

“While creating new pieces during my choreographic career, I have often thought, ‘This would be a wonderful moment for film,’” says Walsh.  “I shape scenes cinematically as I put together a narrative work, and have wondered before if details get lost on the stage.”

HanaCombined with a unique soundscape, the film’s story is brought together through the underlying theme of “East Meeting West,” and captures the beauty and poetry demonstrated by the integration of cultures. The new work also highlights the elegant architecture of Asia Society Texas Center, designed by Japanese master of line and grace, Yoshio Taniguchi, which serves as a backdrop to the film.

“Dance with Camera was a wonderful exhibit at Houston’s Contemporary Art Museum a few years back that offered many images and ideas regarding dance and film.  I have wanted to create a similar project for quite some time now, and after my first visit to the Asia Society Texas Center, I knew where I wanted to film,” Walsh notes. 

The film will premiere on screen in Asia Society Texas Center’s Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater and will be followed by an on-stage performance that will be filmed live as a supporting “final act” to the story portrayed.

In addition to de Montblanc—who previously worked as set designer, video artist and co-conceiver for DWDT productions, Titus Andronicus and Firebird—the film’s creative team includes, French Director of Photography Romain Ferrand and Belgian composer Loup Mormont.

“Being asked by Dominic to direct this dance film was in many ways a dream come true. Despite leaving Houston four years ago, Texas continues to hold a special place in my heart, and has greatly influenced my art since my return to Europe,” says de Montblanc. “With Dominic's virtuosity, Romain's sensual relationship to light, and my own painterly approach to framing, the piece will portray the surreal world lying between the lines of the everyday.”

De Montblanc last collaborated with DWDT in 2009 on the creation of Walsh’s Firebird, in which Igor Stravinsky’s famous score became the soundtrack to the intimate story of a couple going through a crisis after many years of marriage.

The current project builds upon the foundation created in Firebird by furthering the company’s exploration—through space and movement—into the impact that the domestic and mundane, everyday life can have on the body and the psyche.

In part, the film is also a nod to the novel The Wind-up Bird Chronicle by highly celebrated Japanese author Haruki Murakami. The plight of the novel’s central character caught the attention of Walsh and de Montblanc who immediately saw parallels between the novel and their plans for the film.

In the Murakami tale, protagonist Toru Okada is in a state of transition between jobs, which becomes the detonator for a mind-blowing inner journey. His story seems to come about as a long and strange lucid dream. It begins in a suburban setting, but soon enough the reader’s sense of location seems to evaporate as the character begins to think of his wife as a fantasy or ghost. Within his conscious mind he creates images of her, as if he may stop loving her without these recreations. 

This dream-like state was particularly evocative in terms of creating movement and imagery for Walsh and de Montblanc’s film. Through both cinematography and choreography, viewers are faced with the challenging question of presence as in the novel. 

In the film, Asia Society Texas Center’s beautiful building helps to set the stage for this dream-like state. Precisely lit by Ferrand and reframed by de Montblanc, the film captures the building’s many celebrated architectural elements—including the sometimes-steamy Elkins Foundation Water Garden. The water garden is featured during a scene in which the thoughts of Luciano’s character “transport” him to the terrace while he is making a cup of tea. He watches the steam rise from his tea pot and begins to daydream of dancing among the steam. The film shares his daydream with the audience as he dances a pas de deux with his wife, elegantly portrayed by Sakai, in the mist rising from the pool.

The film marks DWDT’s second collaborative effort with Asia Society Texas Center, who is generously providing support for the production. The two organizations first worked together in 2012 to bring the world premiere of Walsh’s critically praised Uzume to the stage.

“Houston is a vibrant cultural metropolis, and Asia Society Texas Center has a unique opportunity to collaborate with its diverse artistic neighbors,” adds Asia Society Texas Center executive director, Bonna Kol. “Through this project, we are so thrilled to continue our partnership with Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, whose innovative and creative work celebrates all that makes Houston great.”

Premiere Screening of Dominic Walsh Dance Theater’s Malta Kano, TX

Friday, April 25, 2014 at 7:30 PM

The Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater at Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77004. Tickets are $15/Asia Society Texas Center members; $25/non-members, and will be available for purchase in person, at www.asiasociety.org/texas or 713.496.9901 in March 2014.

The evening is divided into two parts. First, audiences will watch a semi-complete premiere film screening of Malta Kano, TX. Next follows a dance performance by the film’s lead dancers, Domenico Luciano and Hana Sakai, which will be recorded live in the theater.

Audiences should note that cameras will be present in the theater and their likeness may be recorded from a distance during the final portion of the evening.