DiverseWorks brings So Percussion to Houston This Weekend!

So Percussion Imaginary City at Diverseworks

February 12 & 13, 2010, 8pm

Ensemble chamber musicians So Percussion collaborated with filmmaker Jenise Treuting to capture sounds and images of several cities – from Tokyo to Montana and from Vermont’s landscapes to what is continually referred to as “the urban jungles of Houston”. The highly conceptual multimedia program was inspired by Italo Calvino’s novel Invisible Cities. So Percussion often uses objects as instruments for their percussive symphony which, as I understand it, finds music in the sounds of cities and compares it favorably to the soothing sounds of nature. The music embraces the seemingly meaningless beginnings and endings which are accepted as a part of city life by allowing for accidents, serendipity and even Found-Art.

Their film was commissioned by DiverseWorks with Myrna Loy Center/ Helena, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and National Performance Network. I’ve been watching it obsessively on YouTube and I’m struck by Diverworks’ brilliance in cultivating this alliance. You’ll benefit from the affirmation of seeing your home on screen in such an artful, non-cynical way.

So Percussion’s reputation in NYC as an avante garde interpretive troupe has been solidified by positive reviews in every important publication from the Village Voice to the New York Times itself. Their CD’s are critically acclaimed and live performances in New York (and on tour) are well attended. I hope that the Houston run will be as successful as they are in other parts of the country.

www.diverseworks.org
www.sopercussion.com

It’s Not You; It’s Me Screening
5 p.m. Sunday, February 14
Location: Block 7 Wine Company, 720 Shepherd

Aurora Picture Show’s Anti-Valentines Day party It’s Not You; It’s Me, at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 14 at Block 7 Wine Company, 720 Shepherd. Aurora’s roadshow has curated a group of short films that play with the themes of forced romanticism, the battle scars of relationships, and the many quests for love. It’s $7 at the door. I cant think of a more uncommon way to spend a February 14th. It sounds hilarious to me. The list of 9 short films for this program are listed on the site. There’s an animated short, a lesbian rom-com, and a film made by a former writer for The Daily Show on Comedy Central.

www.block7wineco.com
www.aurorapictureshow.org

Monday, February 15th at Domy Books

1709 Westheimer Rd.

I love what Domy Books is doing. They have free movie nights of some fascinating stuff. Most of the time it is a title you’ve never heard of or seen, and even when it is something familiar, it’ll be something great. (Eddie Murphy: Raw screens next week) This Monday the best Alt-Film in Houston is Dr Black and Mr Hyde at 8:30 at Domy Books.

Dr Black and Mr Hyde concerns the proprietor of a Free Clinic & Thrift Shop in Watts who, while researching a cure for cirrhosis of the liver, discovers instead a potion that turns him into a hooker hating hulk. Dr Black was directed by Blacula director William Crane and iconic blaxploitation actor Bernie Casey. Even if it was their worst collaboration, I still figure it’s better than Blind Side.

www.domystore.com