SPECIAL EVENTS

Taking a break from preparations for its third annual Cinema Arts Festival coming November 2011, and in conjunction with QFest 2011: the 15th Anniversary GLBTQ International Film Festival,  Houston Cinema Arts Society has joined forces with QFest, Fresh Arts Coalition, Spacetaker, Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Theatre Under the Stars to present the First Annual Julydoscope – a free evening of art, music, dance, film and – yes, roller skates – happening at downtown Houston’s Discovery Green. Festivities begin at 4:00 pm on July 30, 2011 with an arts walk showcasing the work of local artists followed at 6:00 PM with performances on the Anheuser-Busch Stage by six notable acts from Houston’s dynamic arts community; and a sunset screening of the early-80s film classic, Xanadu, at 8:20 PM.

Contemporary music ensemble Musiqa opens with another innovative concert experience that blends its modern repertoire with poetry, dance, theatre and visual art.  The always-unpredictable dance theatre troupe Suchu Dance will perform a piece under the creative direction of the group’s renowned founder, Houston-based choreographer Jennifer Wood. The Advantica Academy of Odissi Dance offers another dance piece, led by academy founder and artistic director Shipra Mehrotra – whose performance at New York’s 2010 Erasing Borders dance festival was heralded by the New York Times as “wholly poetic” and “the truest revelation of dance itself.” One of the oldest forms of classical Indian dance, Odissi achieves its lyrical beauty and grace through a series of complex footwork, hand gestures, and poses.

Dedicated to preserving and promoting the city’s Latino culture, Talento Bilengüe de Houston will present a children’s dance performance by Compañía Folklórica Alegría Mexicana. Under the direction of educator and choreographer Isidro Salas, the Alegría Mexicana project brings to life the art, music and dance of Mexico’s folkloric traditions. Houston-based spoken word artist Donte Newman will perform his latest material, charting a variety of contemporary themes.

Experimental folk-rocker Tyagaraja rounds out the live performances of the evening with an eclectic take on Texas-style blues that draws heavily on the artist’s long-standing interest in Classical Indian music and dance. Tyagaraja explores a broad range of musical styles to accompany his captivating melodies and poignant lyrics.

At sunset, Julydoscope closes with a special outdoor screening of the roller skating disco fantasy, Xanadu (1980). Olivia Newton-John stars as Kira, the muse-daughter of Zeus, who is summoned to Southern California to inspire sad-sack graphic artist Sonny Malone, played by Michael Beck (better-known for his role as Swan in 1979’s The Warriors). The legendary Gene Kelly also stars as former big-band performer Danny McGuire, who soon joins Sonny to open the nightclub of their dreams – Xanadu! Roller skates are strongly encouraged, but not required.