Dish-Houston

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:

A few weeks before the yuletide holidays in 1956, four wise men made their way through the Memphis snow to pay homage to the Sun (Records). The result was the second greatest Christmas story ever told – the story of the Million Dollar Quartet.

On that cold Tennessee day, record producer Sam Phillips scheduled a recording session with Carl Perkins – who had topped the charts with “Blue Suede Shoes”. Wanting to add a more full sound, Phillips brought in a little known piano player named Jerry Lee Lewis. During the session, Elvis Presley, then the most famous entertainer in the business, stopped by to say hello to the man who gave him his big break. A jam session evolved and was later joined by Johnny Cash who had been summoned by Phillips. An engineer has the presence of mind to record the encounter – and with the help of reporters on the scene who gave the impromptu group their name - the rest is musical history.

More than half a century later the songs and the artists are still popular. Come hear and see why. The Million Dollar Quartet touring company has hit Houston’s Hobby where there’s a “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On”. From the first moment, the toe - tapping music takes you back to a different time, when music was simple, the lyrics were clean and the listening was FUN. Add to that the incredible cast who sound like the originals as well as look and act like the famed quartet. It’s quickly clear that these are not “impersonators” but highly trained actors and musicians skillfully resurrecting legendary artists. No dubbing or lip syncing here. It’s all LIVE and ALIVE again!

Martin Kaye, who plays Jerry Lee Lewis, was the opening night” hands down” favorite – or should I say “hands on the piano” favorite. His antics rocked and rolled his way into our hearts all evening. Most don’t remember Carl Perkins as a performer – but Lee Ferris’ portrayal was solid and convincing. Christopher Ryan Grant was instantly likeable as Sam Phiilps. Cody Slaughter's Elvis was nostalgic and had all the right moves but his voice seemed forced …. But That’s All Right Mama – because it wasn’t about Elvis. As the King’s girlfriend Dyanne, Kelly Lamont turns the recording studio into a pressure cooker with “Fever”. When Derek Keeling stepped up to the microphone in his black jeans and shirt, the audience took a breath waiting, hoping for the baritone Preacher – and they weren’t disappointed. Johnny Cashed - in on “16 Tons” and “Walk the Line.”

Speaking of lines – the will be one. So hurry. Word will spread and seats will fill quickly. You will be surrounded by unforgettable performances of some of the greatest rock hits of the era. The hour and forty five minute show is just the right length ….but don’t leave at the end – there’s more than you bargained for.

Million Dollar Quartet is at the Hobby Theater through March 4. CLICK HERE for tickets and show times!

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR DONNA SAA:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston almost never disappoints and this time they have come through yet again to bring a beautiful exhibit. Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski was brought to the museum on its tour and opened on February 12^th and will be open until May 6^th. The Jules Olitski exhibition shows major paintings of his from 1960 through 2005. He painted for 5 decades and continued through 2006 and passed away in 2007. The collection was brought to the MFAH with special support and funding by Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn L. Wolff. The exhibit began and was organized by the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and will be in Houston until May 6^thbefore traveling to the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio and then the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington D.C. It is easy to Google the pieces of Jules Olitski and see the paintings as pictures in the image tab, but the pictures taken of the art do not do it justice. It is impossible to capture the true essence and message of Olitski’s paintings in a picture. This exhibit is a must see.

Patutsky in Paradise 

The moment you walk into the museum the exhibit sits straight ahead. The abstract style of Olitski’s works makes the eyes and soul sparkle though the colors and elaborate unique style. The exhibit is set up mainly chronologically from his first works through his last. When you start at the beginning of the exhibit, one of the first paintings are spray-painted with a spray gun. These were the second style of his painting career done from 1965-1970, yet they deserve special notification. It can be difficult to imagine an elegant piece created with spray paint. The paintings are illuminated and delicate in such a way that it is hard to believe that it was created with such a harsh piece of machinery. As the years progressed so did the style of the paintings. You will see that some of the paintings seem to be only one color – black. “How could this be art?” You start to ask yourself. Here is a suggestion – sit in front of the paintings for a few minutes, the longer the better, and you will start to see the painting transform before your eyes. The colors beneath the painting seem to come out to speak to you through the darkness. The message received is that there is color and light through what may seem dark and dreary. The hope that illuminates in this style is extraordinary and heart warming. Through his paintings, it is difficult not to notice that many of his paintings include circles and seem to be goings off of the canvas. The reasons for this are to represent the limitless powers of the universe and that all things are infinite and have no boundaries. Hope and dreams are clear messages through many of his majestic pieces. The last wall of the exhibit is by far the most vibrant. The colors, the style, and the design do not even matter when looking at these pieces, although definitely overwhelming, but the vibrant style makes you feel so many emotions from chaos to confusion then to togetherness and composition. Olitski was even mistaken as a new, fresh artist with the passion of someone in their 20s. The irony is he did the pieces at the end of his life in his 80s. The beauty and exquisite taste of Olitski never died or withered throughout the trials of his life, experiences, or even age. His life through his paintings brings the average person a hopeful glimpse at life. Through his paintings we can feel a hope that life does not end at a certain age, that passion does not wither through the spans of time, and that love and hope will always be in your heart through any experience that you face.

It may be the 23rd annual AIDS Walk but AIDS Foundation Houston is 30 years old this year and that means this year walk theme is THE 80's! Grab your lace fingerless gloves, mesh half shirts and let's walk! 

Marathon Oil Corporation is serving as title sponsor again this year making it the third straight year! This fun annual event is the largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser of its kind in Texas...because we do everything up BIG down here! It's scheduled for Sunday, March 11, beginning and ending at downtown’s Sam Houston Park. It's an 8 am check in and the walk starts at 9! Then there are refreshments, fun booths and a concert!!

Funds raised from the Walk help AFH and 10 local AIDS service organizations support HIV education and prevention efforts and to provide care for thousands of Houstonians living with HIV/AIDS. Last year’s Walk, one of the most successful in years, raised more than $750,000.

AIDS Walk Housotn 2012Some fun local celebs will be on hand helping make this even more memorable including  Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the Madd Hatta of 97.9 The Box who will serve as Grand Marshal, and, of course, DISH will be on hand because we are a proud sponsor as well!

So come on down for a great cause, get some exercise AND enjoy the party! Help AIDS Foundation Houston mark its 30^th anniversary in your “Totally 80’s” outfit! DISH will be taking pictures of the best costumes we see and posting them!  

A little background information...AIDS Walk Houston is a community event that provides hope for those impacted by or living with HIV/AIDS and works to eliminate the stigma associated with the disease.  

Donations made during AIDS Walk Houston are vital to ensure AFH can continue to provide services to over 7,000 clients a year. With more than 80 percent of these clients living on $10,000 a year or less, every donation will provide much needed funds to support food, housing and basic necessities.

CLICK HERE for more information and join DISH! It really is a great fun time! 

 BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR: COURTNEY PEARCE

While walking into Bring It On: The Musical at The Hobby Center, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How would this world of cheerleading translate onto the stage, let alone into a musical?” Doubts were removed with the first song! The on-stage story was a blend of the first two movies with a little spin of its own. Music was by Tom Kitt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also provided the lyrics with Amanda Green, blended well with the humorous script of playwright Jeff Whitty. Surprises abounded with the mix of pop and hip-hop numbers blending seamlessly with the story line.

This was a story of two rival high schools, each in it to win it, of course, at the National Cheerleading competition is the base of the typical teen angst story line that includes making friends, losing friends, and finding out what is really important in the end.

The main players of the show are up and comer, Taylor Louderman, who plays Campbell, and Adrienne Warren, who plays Danielle. These two leading ladies shake it and had the pipes to go with it! What voices! Wait until see Louderman in her leprechaun number!

The two characters who really stole the show, however, are Ryann Redmond, who plays Bridget, and Gregory Haney, who plays La Cienega. Redmond’s character is the school mascot who isn’t given a second look, but blossoms when she is moved to Jackson High. It’s there that becomes a gorgeous “sex kitten” THE prime choice! Redmond’s vocals are a highlight of the show. Haney, who is one fierce diva, delivers her witty lines and fierce dance moves to perfection and these are just a few reasons her character shines in the spotlight.

The gravity defying cheerleaders in the show were selected in collaboration with Varsity, a global leader in competitive cheerleading. The stunts right on, not too over the top, which can be the case in movies, but just enough to get the theater ohh-ing and ahh-ing over their baskets and flips. The on stage tumbling made a huge impact and, as expected, the dance choreography intermingled with the cheer routines was flawless.

Overall, Bring It On exceeded all expectations. Thinking there couldn’t be a comparison to the movie, the stage show left me smiling and laughing. It’s only here until February 5^th so I highly recommend high kicking it over to that box office fast!

Forget David Letterman, at 10:30 p.m., Thursday, January 12, the 10th season of the Houston PBS nationally syndicated award-winning series, InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse, launches with an all-new lineup.  Did you  know Houston's own Ernie is NATIONWIDE?? InnerVIEWS currently airing on more than 100 PBS stations throughout the country! Emmy award-winning host Ernie Manouse continues his conversations with guests from across the pop landscape this season including actors Kate Walsh and Marsha Mason, Rocker Gene Simmons and PBS luminaries Jim Lehrer and Bill Moyers to name a few.

“It’s amazing how time flies,” said Manouse.  “It seems like just yesterday we sat down with Anne Rice, Patti LuPone and Frankie Avalon to launch our first season, and in little over a month, we will air our 150^th episode.  As with our other seasons, we continue talking to some of Houston and the nation’s most intriguing cultural icons - from arts to entertainment, from literature to politics – in a season of InnerVIEWS there is always something for everyone!”  

Other guests this season include: best-selling author Charlaine Harris (True Blood); Soap Star Kim Zimmer; and legendary photographer Greg Gorman.

InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse airs at 10:30pm every Thursday night on Houston PBS, with re-broadcasts at 2:30pm on Sundays.  For national airdates and times, check with your local PBS stations. 

For more information on InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse, visit www.houstonpbs.org.

Complete List of Season #10 Guests

1/12/12 - KISS’ Gene Simmons

1/19/12 – PBS NewsHours’ Jim Lehrer

1/26/12 – Actress Kate Walsh (Private Practice & Grey’s Anatomy)

2/2/12 - Photographer Greg Gorman

2/9/12 – Trumpeter Chris Botti (Repeat from past season)

2/16/12 –Actress Loretta Divine (Dreamgirls, What Women Want & Eli Stone)

2/23/12 - PBS’ Bill Moyers (InnerVIEWS... 150^th Episode)

3/1/12 – Activist, Actress and Film Maker Alana Stewart (Farrah’s Story)

3/22/12 - Soap Star Kim Zimmer (Guiding Light)

3/29/12 - Gospel Singer Yolanda Adams

4/5/12 – Actor/director Martin Sheen (West Wing) and Emilio Estevez (Breakfast Club, Young Guns & The Outsiders)

4/12/12 - Actress Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl, The Middle)

4/19/12 – Broadway composer Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly!, Mame, & La Cage aux Folles) (from past season)

4/26/12 - Publisher Larry Flynt

5/3/12 - Author Charlaine Harris (The Southern Vampire Mysteries- inspiration for HBO’s True Blood)