Dish-Houston

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:

You have GOT to see FELA!                                  

There are only a few more days to experience emotion, courage, dance, politics and music all in one interactive, electrifying show.

FELA!  Is a hybrid musical that grabs your eyes and ears in the opening moments and soon touches your heart and soul as the story of the rebellious world and life of Afrobeat legend, Nigerian musician and Human Rights activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti unfolds.

The audience is immediately part of the performance as we play the patrons of FELA’s popular night club called “Shrine.” We are asked (told) to sit, stand, repeat and   applaud – all of which we’d willingly do anyway as a reaction to this unique and compelling multi – media musical. The energy onstage is non-stop. You’ll leave the theater excited and inspired. Proudly produced by Houston’s Society for the Performing Arts, this show is a hit and not to be missed.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW! Ticket prices range from $30-$80 and may be purchased online, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St.

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:

HOUSTON ACTOR PORTRAYS CHARACTER BASED ON MARVIN ZINDLER IN TUT’S “BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS”

Like many of us Michael Tapley often tuned into TV 13 News to watch investigative reporter Marvin Zindler expose local businesses taking advantage of the little guy or sniff out slime in a restaurant’s ice machine.  Although we lost him in 2007, the very mention of Zindlers name today still brings a nostalgic smile to the lips of Houstonians or prompts someone to impersonate his zany sign off: “Maaaarvin Zindler, Eye – Witness Newz”

It’s an image Tapley happily conjures up when he steps into the role of Melvin P. Thorpe in the TUTS production of  The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The character is “loosely” based on the toupee wearing crusader of TV news, but we in Houston know better. It’s Marvin – in all his glory…. played to the hilt by Tapley.

“The script calls for Melvin to be larger than life,” said Tapley, “but Marvin’s TV personality was, in reality, already larger than life. So in the musical my interpretation is larger than larger than life,” he jokes.

The story takes place in the mid-seventies. A self-promoting investigative TV reporter targets the Chicken Ranch just outside of La Grange, Texas. The brothel, so named because patrons used to trade chickens for services, becomes a political and moral football.  For all of its bawdy implications, the production is surprisingly rated PG 13 and is lots of non-stop musical fun.

The Original Broadway show debuted in 1978, ran for more than 1500 performances and won two Tony Awards. The production made its way to Los Angeles for a while and then called Las Vegas home for two years. In 2001 a national tour introduced big songs, big jokes, and big hair to the rest of the country.

“In New York and around the nation the Melvin character is well received, but no one really appreciates the fact that it’s hardly an exaggeration. Marvin was a living caricature of himself.” said Tapley. “I’m looking forward to playing the role in Houston where the performance will really be appreciated for what it is – an endearing, funny, loving characterization of a real life icon.”

Tapley is no stranger to TUTS – he has more than 80 of the organization’s productions under his belt.  His first stage performance was in 1973 at the Music Hall in a TUT’s Humphreys School of Musical Theater show. He was 10 years old. He attended HSPVA and, upon graduation made a bee line to Broadway where he was hired for the first national tour of 42^nd Street. 

“I was lucky,” said the Houston based actor who has performed in Broadway and touring productions for the last four decades. He lists touring with the national company of The Who’s Tommy as one of his career highlights. “I got to play the title role in Germany and here in Houston at the Miller Theater.”

Does he regret heading to the Big Apple right out of high school?  “Yes. After forty years of doing this – roles are getting fewer and limited. I love the business, but wish I had a learned skill or degree to fall back on. I’m now planning to combine my acting with going back to school.” Or Michael, here’s an idea.  Just maybe TV 13 has an opening for an investigative reporter – playing this role - you’d fit right in.

 The TUTS production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas runs June 5^th through June 17^th    at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.  For ticket information, call 713-558-8887 or go to http://www.tuts.com/

There is an amazing event going on this weekend! It's the Houston Astros very first tailgating party!

With Memorial Day behind us, summer has (un)officially begun and the Astros are celebrating school letting out by giving kids and moms plenty to do at Minute Maid Park! Starting this Friday, June 1, the Astros will host a special Kick-Off To Summer Party from 4 to 7 p.m. in KBR Plaza on Crawford St. outside of Minute Maid Park. The event, which is catered more toward teens, will include music, video games, an appearance by some of the Astros players, and all kinds of interactive activities  like rock climbing, a bungee run, a Velcro wall and more. Water, soda and $1 hot dogs and popcorn will be available for purchase during the event! PLUS there will be several giveaways. For ticket information on the Kick-Off To Summer Party CLICK HERE. 

Then, Saturday, June 2, starting at 3 p.m., the Astros will host their first-ever tailgate event. Tailgating will be allowed in Lot C only for fans with a valid pass for that lot. Fans will be allowed to bring grills, tents, chairs, food and beverages to the lot. Alcoholic beverages will be allowed in Lot C only. Water, soda and $1 hot dogs and popcorn will also be available for you to buy during tailgating.

 
DISH is soooo excited about the tailgating!! During the offseason, the Astros made the decision to offer a tailgating option after listening to input from longtime fans...Including but not limited to DISH! 

Get your tickets today for the Astros Lot C Tailgating Party! For parking passes and tickets for the event and to review rules and regulations CLICK HERE. Fans must have an Astros Lot C parking pass in order to bring a vehicle and/or food and beverages into the lot.
And, when you go to the game, the Astros will give away Retro Gym Bags, presented by Kroger, to 10,000 fans!

On Sunday, June 3, the Astros will give away Retro Lunch Bags, presented by Champion Energy Services, to 10,000 fans. The Lunch Bags are designed with the rainbow jersey logo from the 1980s.

Um, can you say "Hello sweet summertime!!!"

See you at the game, DISHIES and remember...ROOT ROOT ROOT!

The University Museum at Texas Southern University is preparing to showcase some of their greatest assets! Their permanent collection and their students talent! Art patrons, artists, and fashionistas will get the wow treatment when the exciting world of wearable art steps out for the second annual competition and fundraiser For the Sake of Art 2012. This year, artists have been challenged to create improvisational designs inspired by works of art from the University Museum’s permanent collection.  Set against the backdrop of the permanent collection, the evening begins with an informal modeling showcase of the judges’ designs.

The highlight of the evening is the runway presentation of the 10 competition finalists. Four prize winners will be selected and a People’s Choice award will be determined by attendees.

The coordinator of the competition, designer Toni Whitaker is working with an incredible panel of judges:

• ·         Danielle Burns, curator for the African American Library at the Gregory School as well as the Houston Museum of African American Culture
• ·         Cesar Galindo, designer, reality show personality, designer for LAMB(Gwen Stefani's line)
• ·         Tina Knowles, internationally acclaimed visionary designer of two fashion lines, House of Dereon and Miss Tina by Tina Knowles as well as co-founder of Beyond Productions. ( And Beyonce's mother)
• ·         Jeffrey Williams, season two winner of Bravo TV’s Fashion Show with Isaac Mizrahi

This event features the talent of gifted artists and designers from throughout the country while celebrating the rich collection of African American art at the university. Major sponsors for the event include Atwood Oceanics, Hi Fashion Fabrics, I W Marks Jewelers, and Paul Mitchell, The School. Funds from this event will be used for the preservation and documentation of the Collections at the University Museum as well as exhibition programming.  

More information about the competition CLICK HERE 

Tickets are $100.00 per person and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE

Saturday, June 9th. 7 until 10 pm  at University Museum at Texas Southern University.