I have often said that credit for the Artery ‘invention’ goes to whoever let the wide variety of trees grow back in the 1940’s and 50’s. The larger trees form the upper canopy of the protective forest. During the first year I lived there, 1983, hurricane Alicia knocked some holes in the canopy, then that winter a record freeze took its toll on some of the younger trees. The following Spring I planted a few trees in an effort to fill in the ‘holes’ in the otherwise dense forested lot. That began my obsession to maintain and protect this fragile miniature ecosystem. I saw this as an act of defiance against the “total human appropriation region” (Tobias) that is Houston, and much of Texas.
Prior to this, the site was home to an elderly fellow, a man named Mr. Elkis. Apparently the property affected him also. He seemed to suffer from his own obsession, impulsively collecting tons of building materials, cinder blocks, bricks, concrete core samples, stacking and categorizing this strange treasure according to an order only he seemed to understand. It was this bounty of raw material that would become the building blocks for the Artery.
I had always intended to live in a beautiful place, such as my native Michigan, or any place where people were environmentally conscious and the natural world was less abused. After finishing graduate school as a painter in 1987, I realized my financial situation wouldn’t allow me to escape Texas. It was out of necessity then, that the idea of an inner-city environmental sanctuary came to be.
Almost immediately this became a community activity. Musician and sound engineer Bill Day helped lay the first blocks for the ‘temple’. Part-time inventor Bruce Adams supplied material and designs for several light and water sculptures, artist Steven Potter built architectural seating areas, photographer Jim Hicks brought a contingent of friends who helped clear the space, his artist friend Richard Fluhr built a site-specific sculpture that exists to this day. These artists and many others loaned art for temporary exhibits. In late 1987, Bill Day was playing music with a steel drum band that held regular rehearsals at the site. These gatherings marked the beginning of the Artery as a performance space. By the next season we held frequent ‘Arterys’. To attend an event meant you would experience graphic art outdoors in a forested setting, as opposed to a claustrophobic gallery. With a focus on original content, the Artery celebrated creativity through visual art, music of all sorts, dance, poetry, and guest speakers (often addressing environmental themes). In time, we developed multi-media presentations. And we always endeavored to foster inter-disciplinary collaborations. The Artery became a laboratory for ideas and expression.
Until last year, the Artery never accepted any money for events held at the site. If money was collected, it was in the form of donations and went to the guest artists or the cause we chose to sponsor. Because of rising property taxes in the Museum district, we have had to occasionally (grudgingly) accept help from the community. In addition to the myriad of artists and performers who have presented their work for free over the years, we have had a long alliance with our dear friend Malcolm Hackney who owns Bright Star Productions. For decades Malcolm has donated the resources of his production company to Houston’s non-profit and alternative art venues. Since 1993 he has assisted the Artery with sound and lighting equipment, as well his own expertise, to help us secure a reputation for excellent production values. Another essential principle of the Artery experience has been that we provide for the artists the highest possible sound quality and media capabilities.
Since 1994 I have conducted life-drawing sessions at the site in a room specially designed for that purpose. This is another Artery activity that fosters communion as well as the celebration of Beauty.
In 1999 my wife Margaret Tsanais and I moved from the house, thereby allowing the space to function as my full-time art studio. After the 2000 ‘election’ and the subsequent war against nature, Artery events have included support for candidates and causes in defense of Reason and Justice.
Beginning in 2003 we embarked on a new adventure. For a variety of reasons, past attempts to document events were less than satisfactory. With direction from our video guru Ted Barwell, we set out to document events with a level of production values that might one day lead to television quality media. Along with sound maestro Bill Day and our LA based editing genius Christopher Johnson, we have pushed this experiment to the point that in August 2007 we are having our first airing, on HoustonPBS. Always respectful of alternative media, we are convinced that the talent stream we are witnessing has enormous value for our whole community.
For years I have avoided press stories about the Artery and resisted the idea of an Artery website for fear of jeopardizing its existence. The reason for this website now is to encourage others to build an ‘Artery’
of their own. I believe the formula (principles) behind this ‘temple to nature’ can be repeated.
The only way we will know anything like Eden on Earth is if we protect what is left and foster stewardship and inspiration for nature’s return to areas from whence she has been banished.
Mark Larsen
Amended, August 2007
Where was the space located?
The Artery was located at 5401 Jackson, Houston Texas 77004, a few blocks from Hermann park, near the Children’s Museum and the Holocaust Museum. It was an 8,750 sq ft corner lot with a 1930’s brick home.
The site was especially unique in that it was an inner-city mini-forest with a lower, middle and upper canopy. I maintained it as a ‘biomass’, jungle like, not over-manicured. This meant more insects, birds, amphibians, and the attendant sounds and natural atmosphere.
The house on the site was malleable. I could remove walls and configure it to suit the activities. This included an art gallery, a setting for art classes, and an indoor performance stage if weather compromised the outdoor space. The outdoor performance area was shrouded in foliage with track systems in the trees which provided us with versatile lighting solutions. A large projection screen allowed for film screenings, visual artists’ presentations, and video projections as backdrop for the productions. A typical hurdle for urban spaces was never a problem for us, street parking was abundant.
How did the space come to be? Who was involved in the founding and operation, and why did you decide to start the venue?
I spent my youth in Michigan immersed in the outdoors as much as possible. From my time in nature I became painfully aware of its degradation. Houston is an ironic destination for someone so affected by this reality. I came for an MFA at The University of Houston during which time my wife needed heart surgery, financially we were stuck here. Preserving the sense of nature present at the Artery was my therapy, and obsession. The space offered me an opportunity to promote what I consider best about humans, our creative impulses. For me, creative people offer humanity some redemption against the backdrop of our improvident destruction of the natural world. Circumstances provided me with this extraordinary space and amazingly resourceful collaborators to promote artistic activity.
During autumn 1987 my friend and Artery co-founder Bill Day would practice with a steel drum band every Monday evening in the space that would eventually become the main stage. This became a ritual. Other musicians would join. They loved the acoustics provided by our tree canopy, as well as Bill’s gifts as a sound technician. Bill and I were familiar with most of the alternative art spaces in Houston and saw an opportunity to use our events to fill a niche, to accommodate the widest possible range of expression. A visit to the Artery meant one would typically experience a combination of poetry, music, a visual artist presentation or exhibit, and often a speaker, usually an environmentalist or community leader. This wide range of disciplines in a single visit became our brand. The fact that Houston is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States meant we could use our calendar to present music, dance, poetry and voices from around the world.
My day job is art installation and consultation; for private clients, galleries, and corporations. Most of my experiences in these realms are not inspirational. I needed a space to present my artwork, as well as the work of those I respect, free from commercialism. A spiritual space. The Artery served this purpose beyond my wildest expectations. Guests included my wealthy clients, as well as warehouse studio artists and art students. Young and old. Rich and poor. The opportunity to orchestrate these connections was my joy.
What were some of the improvements/changes you made to the space, and about how much sweat equity and money would you estimate you spent?
I lived at the site from 1983 to 1999. Throughout that time and afterwards I worked obsessively on refinements. The previous occupants were ‘pack-rats’. Besides planting a ridiculous amount of trees, they collected tons of concrete test cylinders, cinder blocks and bricks. The availability of these materials helped me address the entire space as an evolving piece of art. I was constantly modifying the walkways, seating, sculpture pedestals, as well as the flora. The Artery became an extension of me. Over the years all aspects of the space were in flux, with nature, with the discovery of new found materials, with offers from artists to display their sculpture. I refined a ‘formula’ of sorts for such a flexible space which I share at: www.arteryhouston.org/principles
Mini-forests produce a lot of debris. My goal was to present the garden as immaculate. I rigorously maintained the space hoping that it would be experienced as ‘sacred’. Our guests and presenters would react as if ‘this space is worthy of me’. This was a central lesson from my experience.
How long was the space in operation and what where the dates?
The Artery hosted events for 26 years, from Autumn 1987 through December 2013. Event history from 1990 to 2013 is available at www.arteryhouston.org/history
How did the space function financially?
Our production team and the collaborators who worked at the space were voluntary. We had the advantage of Artery partner Malcolm Hackney and his company, Bright Star Productions, for all audio and lighting support (as well as Malcolm’s considerable production design knowledge). This enabled us to establish a reputation for high production values. This meant artists would share with their peers the magic of our space. Talent would find us. Our calendar, all that we consented to, became the driving force of our activity.
Nothing about the Artery was about money, other than an occasional donation jar for the artists. I paid for everything. My skills include collaboration and networking, not grant writing. I lived in debt for the opportunity to have this adventure. Taxes were especially vexing. During our last seasons various Artery heroes held fund raisers for us at property tax time.
Some income was generated by my weekly figure drawing sessions. I taught art studio classes at colleges and was frustrated by the limitations of those spaces. Most essential for artists working with nudes is exquisite lighting and inspirational models. For twenty years the Artery studio was known for that. When the Artery ended, the most broken hearts, besides mine, were those of the regular attendees of this magical activity.
What did your neighbors think of the space?
This was an African American neighborhood before gentrification. I enjoyed a bond with my neighbors. We looked after each other. Much of the Artery content celebrated diverse cultures and they respected that. On occasion I was able to collaborate with my neighbors on events. They understood the Artery was community oriented, not for profit. Also, I was always careful to limit noise after 10pm.
What types of programming did you put on and how frequently?
I maintain a list of events and participants at the Artery website, http://www.arteryhouston.org. (For artistic productions my name was M.L. Gulsen). I can document 411 events, not including private charity fundraisers, political meetings, neighborhood organizational events, and art classes. I have a record of more than 2000 artists and presenters, not including weddings and memorials. We had busy years and, when money was short, slower years. The frequency of the outdoor events would follow the seasons.
I devised four categories to organize our production activity, and eventually our video archive:
Music and Dance
Poetry and Spoken Word
Speakers and Authors
Artist Profiles and Exhibitions
(Each category featured both local and traveling talent.)
Regarding music, all of the concerts featured original or traditional content. It was a rich array of singer songwriters, instrumentalists, ensembles, world music and dance. The most visceral literary experiences were the poet slams. Some of these were competitive. Once the winners from the Artery night went on to represent our city in the national competition. We featured readings by notable authors such as Daniel Quinn, Dr. Justin Frank, Maniza Naqui, Robert Bryce. Storytellers found a home at the Artery with recurring events dedicated to their craft. We also hosted many events for progressive politicians including three past (and current) Houston mayors as well as several state representatives. For years we were the meeting place for the Harris County Young Democrats and The Harris County Greens Party. We were delighted to support their activism.
One consistent focus of our mission was to facilitate presentations on behalf of indigenous people. This included such notable figures as John Trudell, Russell Means, Orlando Secatero, as well as ceremonial music from the members of the Oglala tribe, Pine Ridge Reservation. In 2006 we were contacted by Amazon Watch, they wanted to use the Artery to host Peruvian and Ecuadoran tribal elders as part of their visit to Houston to protest at oil companies’ shareholder meetings. Over the course of two years we held three events wherein the elders told their stories about the destruction of their land and the polluted water. Then they would plan the protests (the Artery studio was often useful for sign painting). I was informed later that Peru put aside two large lots to protect from future development. Whether or not civic actions are truly effective, the Artery was a valuable asset for many environmental groups to inform and educate.
When a group was using the Artery, event organizers would usually produce the audience. Otherwise that was my job. A significant investment of time and patience was necessary to procure audiences. Over the years, first by phone, then email, then eventually social media, the value of contact lists and networking was paramount. A few times audiences numbered as many as 250. 75-150 was common. My contact list was especially useful for visual art events. As with all creative communities, Houston’s visual art community is like an extended family and artists like to celebrate their heroes. The Artery had the honor of hosting Bert Long, Kate Petley, Dee Wolff, James Surls, Lucas Johnson, Charles Schorre, Sharon Kopriva, George Krause and many other visionary artists.
What types of support (or not) did you receive from the local government or larger institutions?
Whereas we received no financial support from any institution we enjoyed many collaborations. Samples of these include:
Museum of Fine Art, Houston – film screenings in November 2004, a fundraiser in April 2005
FotoFest – panel discussions
Unicef: Afghanistan and Iraqi Children’s Relief Funds – fund raisers
Amazon Watch and Amnesty International
Houston Institute for Culture – multiple coordinated events
Rainforest Action Network
GreenPeace
Military Families Speak Out
Baylor International Pediatric Aids Initiative
Texas Nature Conservancy
AIDS Foundation Houston
Women’s Caucus for the Arts
International Sculpture Conference June 2000 – multiple day event
Planned Parenthood
Flamenco Poets Society
Cherish Our Children International
Houston Poetry Fest
KPFT Pacifica radio, multiple fundraisers and presentations
Pastors for Peace
Muslim Public Affairs Council
Texas Institute for Indian Studies
Progressive Action Alliance
Houston Social Forum
Meta-Four Houston – Poet Slam
Aurora Picture Show
The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
The Monarch School
Did the goals of the space change as time passed?
By 2003 it became apparent that the Artery was an impermanent phenomenon. The neighborhood began to change. Our calendar pivoted to video documentation as a priority. We continued hosting many events aside from this goal, but most programming decisions were made with the hope that we would secure compelling footage for the future. Whereas the experience of the audience was always paramount, this new goal meant more lighting and at least three camera operators in the space. Audiences were alerted with signs on the gates stating ‘You may be recorded’. Presenters were required to sign releases before we edited their work. In return, they shared rights to the media. We supplied them with a DVD soon after their event. Our aspiration was to help the artists and presenters while acquiring our video archive.
Our leader during the beginning of this new direction was Artery partner Ted Barwell, editing and technical expert. With Ted at the helm, we recorded a year with the Houston Blues Society, one concert per month of local and regional Blues masters such as Milton Hopkins, Oscar Perry, Trudy Lynn, Jewel Brown. Mr. Perry passed away a few months after we made his video, our documentation was important to his family and the Blues community. Ted forged us into a video production team. In 2007, the first screenings of the Artery Media Project episodes aired on HoustonPBS. Around this time, Ted passed the job of art director and editor to me. I attribute my success with this responsibility to my Los Angeles based friend and editing guru, Christopher Johnson, an editor on several Emmy Award winning films. I continued as camera operator along with Ted and several gifted photographer/videographers including Ben DeSoto, Frank Golden and Christine Clark. We collected an extensive treasure of high-quality recordings.
What was your most memorable show?
For me to identify a most memorable show would be impossible, they blur together as a monument to human creativity. However, there was one particularly significant event…. On February 13, 2003 I assembled a meeting of some of the smartest people I knew under the title “It’s Just War”. The tragic Iraq war was imminent and we needed the wisdom of smart people. Much of the evening was Q & A with a very large and well informed audience. Twelve minutes of our audio recording from the event made it out to radio stations across the country. In retrospect, the wisdom provided by our ‘village elders’ that night proved to be prescient.
Was burnout ever an issue for those involved?
Burnout was not an issue for our continuation so much as teammates’ need to pursue their carriers. By 2011-12 Bill Day was working full time at Bright Star Productions. Sometimes collaborators moved or became too busy with their families. Despite this we rode the adventure to the end with great excitement and vigor. I like to share with people that we ended at the peak of our game.
Why did the space close?
In 2014 the entire neighborhood turned into 4 story town homes. For us to stay would have meant no more street parking and the loss of much of the tree canopy.
What was your biggest takeaway from the project?
The Artery taught me the profound value of alternative art spaces. People are hungry for art experiences in intimate settings. An inspirational venue, especially nature-based, can facilitate civic action. The lessons of the Artery are applicable elsewhere.
What is at the location now?
The former Artery site is now occupied by 3 town homes and 2 small trees.
Are you still working on this, or a related project?
Since the Artery closed I have been consumed by the media from our productions. We recorded everything in high definition but edited in standard definition. Thanks to Christopher Johnson, I acquired editing technology necessary to re-capture the footage in the highest quality and the magic to share these videos on the internet with minimal destruction to our files. Samples of this archive are available at the Artery website. These videos are valuable for the artists as well as a resource for educators.
I have hosted several public screenings which function as a reunion for the artists as well as those nostalgic for the Artery. I am still producing content for the ‘Artist Profile’ category of the Artery video archive since these videos are not dependent on the Artery space. In May 2019 I began providing a program called Artery Media Project to Houston’s municipal television station, HTV. These 15 minute programs air weekly. To date I have delivered 60 episodes. Through our website and social media we aspire to share this treasure with the world.
MARCH 9
Concert: Return of Throat Singers from Tuva, ‘Alash Ensemble’
band:
AYAN-OOL SAM, AYAN SHIRIZHIK BADY-DORZHU ONDAR
narrator: SEAN QUIRK
MAY 4
Dvd Release Party for CRAIG KINSEY
band:
MIKE WHITEBREAD RALLY TERRELL
MARCUS HUGHES GEOFFREY MULLER
CHUY TERRAZAS AARON KEORNER
STEVE RUTH
MAY 11
concert: BRAD WALKER QUARTET
band: OSCAR ROSSIGNELI TREY BOUDREAUX
SAM WISEMAN
MAY 18
concert: Enloom
ROBERT LEVY MICHELLE CAMPBELL
ABI PUTRA AARON CORMIER
NATHAN LEE MASON VAN KRAAYENBURG
JULY 25
Poet Slam: Houston V.I.P. vs Meta Four
THASIA ‘TRADEMARK’ MADISON
JEREMYAH ‘THE FLUENT ONE’ PAYNE
OUTSPOKEN BEAN
DEBORAK ‘DEEP’ MOUTON
SEPTEMBER 21
Fund Raiser for ‘Pink Pilates’, breast cancer support group
organized by: PATRICIA GRAS
music: PATRICIA GRAS with JULIO MEDRANO
ISABELA ROBLEDO
DR. ANNIE VARUGUESE
OCTOBER 5
Announcement to Artery email contact list of Artery closing at end of year
OCTOBER 16
Mark Larsen guest on KPFT Eco-Ology Program
OCTOBER 19
concert: VIVALDA DULA from Angola
band: MARCELO VILCHES-ROBERT
GABRIEL BATA
ERIC MARTIN
NOVEMBER 1
Art exhibit opening for French artists
SERGE RUFFATO (sculpture)
JILL STEENHUIS (lithography)
with drawings by local artist
CHONG OK-MATTHEWS
NOVEMBER 2
All-day open house and art exhibit
NOVEMBER 7
speaker: MARK LACY, founder of the Houston Institute for Culture
topic: ‘Mapping the Gulf Coast: The Story of Caveza de Vaca’
music: ‘Yetlanezi’
CE ACATI BORSEGUI TONAN TZIN BORSEGUI
TOPILTZIN BORSEGUI
NOVEMBER 9
music: ‘Honky Tonk Blood Brothers’
JOHN EVANS JOHNNY FALSTAFF
HANK SCHYMA CRAIG KINSEY
with EMILY BELL
NOVEMBER 15
Art exhibit opening for painter
RENNIE MACKAY QUINN
NOVEMBER 16
Annual Singer/Songwriter Showcase featuring: ‘Paper Moonshiners’
FRANK MEYER ELENA ANTINELLI
also: LAURA STEINER
NIKO LORRAINE
NOVEMBER 18
Article In Houston Chronicle about Artery closing, written by LISA GRAY
NOVEMBER 22
speaker: HANK SCHYMA
Video and talk regarding his experiences as a storm chaser
NOVEMBER 30
music: ‘Free Radicals’
NICK COOPER CHRIS HOWARD
TEOFILO BIJARRO PETE SULLIVAN
NICHOLAS GONZALEZ JASA JACKSON
KASEY WARREN MARCOS MELCHOR
ALBERT L. BEAR
DECEMBER 3
music: ‘Umbrella Man’
NICK GAITAN ROBERT RODRIGUEZ III
GABRIEL ALANIS JUAN ROJAS
DECEMBER 7
End of Season, End of Artery Party
JANUARY 7(evening)
Butoh dance performance ‘Aterdecer de Invierno’
MACARENA ORTUZAR
score: BRUNO GUASTALLA
MARCH 3
Creative Women Unite Event
art exhibit: ‘Giving Birth’
music:
LIZA GARZA
ASHLEI MAYADIA
GUNJEN MITTAL
MARCH 10
Creative Women Unite: Celebrating International Women’s Day
film screening and panel discussion: ‘Tlakatiliztli’
art auction benefit for 2012 Peace & Dignity Journey
music: IRA PEREZ
MARCH 11
Lithuanian American Community of Houston
music:
ALBINAS PRIZGINTAS
JOKUBAS ZIBURKAS
MARCH 20 -MAY 31
The opening reception for photography exhibit: ‘Eagle Hunters of Western Mongolia’
BONNIE FOLKINS
MARCH 31
Carnatic-Hindustani ‘Jugalbandi’ concert of Classical Indian Classical Music
HARSHA NAGARAJAN ASHWIN RODE
MANJULA RAO AMBRARISH PRABHUKHOT
MAAYAVARAM SIRA SIDDARTH SHAH
APRIL 21
Throat Singers from Tuva, ‘Alash’
AYAN-OOL SAM AYAN SHIRIZHIK
BADY-DORZHU ONDAR
narrator: SEAN QUIRK
MAY 18
Artery Spring Benefit: ‘Gypsy Dance Theatre’
dancers: ALLA SHARIY ROBIN HOLLAND
PRISCILLA RIVAS TAZEHZAD
musicians: KEN KNEZICK KRISTEN JENSEN
TERRENCE KARN LUKE HOLT
JULY 27
film screening for OCCUPY HOUSTON in a collaboration with the documentary series POV
film: ‘Better This World’
by Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway
speaker: ESTEBAN TOVAR
AUGUST 13
Word Around Town Poetry Tour
host: STEPHEN GROS
dj: JOE B
poets: KOOL B GERRY CEDILLO OSCAR PENA
MAKEDA FLUENT ONE OUTSPOKEN BEAN
BLANCA ALANIS CHRIS WISE KATHY FAY
DAVID MARTINEZ MARCELL MURPHY CAROLYN ADAMS
BOBY M with ERIC HEAD TRACY LYALL
OCTOBER 25
Houston Peace and Justice Center: screening and discussion of TED talk by BRYAN STEVENSON
OCTOBER 21
20 year anniversary screening of: ‘The Imminent Asteroid, a Geological Opera’
NOVEMBER 17
Concert with CRAIG KINSEY
DECEMBER 1
Annual Artery Fund Raiser with host Jeff Abrams
music: ‘Electric Cowjazz Band’
HERMAN KLUGE MARK MARMON
GEOFF GIACCO ROBERT KNETSCH
MICHAEL CRAWFORD CHRIS BROWN
music: JEFF ABRAMS TONY ASCH
photography exhibit: DAN HAVEL
DECEMBER 3
Photo exhibit for Houston Art Institute
curated by: TERSA MUNISTERI
JACKIE BARNES CARMEN BROWN
VERONICA LLANO KRISTIN OLDFATHER
LEE BROWN JOSUE SALINAS
AMANDA SILVA MARY STEPHENS
MARCELA SOUTHERLAND SANDRA SILVA
DECEMBER 29
Presentation by Mark Larsen on merits of Alternative Artspaces
at Marie Fisher Theater in Sedona Arizona with
screening of Artery Media Project videos
organized by JENNIFER EPPERSON
guest panelist: DAN HAVEL
FEBRUARY 18
multimedia teach-in and seminar regarding proposed I-69 corridor
FEBRUARY 20
‘Stop the Dirty Coal Plants!’ sponsored by Rainforest Action Network
planning seminar for protesting Dallas based utility company’s
proposals to build many coal plants with outdated ‘dirty’ technology
MARCH 25
singer/songwriter showcase coordinated by KEN GAINES
KEN GAINES KAREN MAL
BILL WARD WAYNE WILKERSON
MARCH 29
instrumentalist: RICARDO SWEATT RODRIGUES
Irish/Celtic/Folk: ‘Constant Billy’
EMILY STANDISH BILL GALBRAITH
APRIL 1
songwriter: DAVID ROVICS
music/political satire: ‘Prince Myshkins’
RICK BURKHARDT ANDY GRICEVICH
APRIL 6
rock concert: ‘Flight of the Whooping Cranes’
CHRIS GILLEN STEVE ETTLING
SEAN O’BOYLE TONY RUSSELL
APRIL 14
teach-in for PATCHAMAMA
day-long seminar regarding plight of Amazon
APRIL 14
punk/rock/rockabilly concert: ‘The Hates’
CHRISTIAN ARNHEITER DAVE DEVIANT
JOEL MORA
APRIL 20
concert: ‘Sons of Peaches’
FRANK MEYER MARVIN DYKHUIS
OLIVER STECK
MAY 5
‘Music Beyond Borders’ presents World Music Festival
hosted by the World Music Show on KPFT 90.1 fm
CHINA: ‘Fun’s Cantonese Opera Academy’
PALESTINE: MOHAMMED RASHED, Palestinian flute with dancers
IRAN: ‘Chakavek Music Ensemble’, classical music
CAMEROON: KANGSEN WAKAI, poet
INDIA and PAKISTAN: DAVID and CHANDRA COURTNEY and friends
MAY 8
Amazon Watch event
speakers: TOMAS MAYNAS CARIJANO
PATRICIA GUALINGA
ANDRES SANDI MUCUSHUA
PETRONILA CHUMPI
MAY 10
concert: MICHAEL YOUNG
MAY 13
speaker and film screening: RAY HILL
film: ‘The Prison Show; a Documentary’
MAY 25
concert: ‘Free Radicals’
NICK COOPER PETER SULLIVAN
ILEA HENDERSON JASON JACKSON
THEO BIJARRO CHRISTOPHER HOWARD
dancer: JOSIANNE MPWO
JUNE 14
concert: REG MEUROSS
AUGUST 13
radio interview with KPFT’s ‘Living Arts’ program
AUGUST 16
HoustonPBS debut of TV Program ARTERY MEDIA PROJECT
Episode ONE – 10:30pm, Episode TWO – 11:00pm
(KUHT channel 8)
Accompanied by HOUSTON CHRONICLE article
AUGUST 25
music: NEIL C. YOUNG
SEPTEMBER 22
concert: ‘Rattletree Marimba’
JOEL LAVIOLETTE
with GREGORY RADCLIFFE SEAN ZIEGLER
JOSHUA CUTSHALL CARSON BANKE
OCTOBER 5
theater presentation: ‘365 Plays in 365 Days’
produced by: MIKE SWITZER and Ornery Theater group
grass roots theater project of short plays by Suzan Lori-Parks
OCTOBER 27
wedding ceremony: KATE RYBKA and RICK BRENNAN
NOVEMBER 1
film and discussion: ‘Berkeley in the Sixties’
host: LEO GOLD
sonsored by Leo Gold’s ‘New Capital Show’ on KPFT
NOVEMBER 2
benefit for ARTERY MEDIA PROJECT
music: ‘Constant Billy’ with KRISTIN JENSEN
NOVEMBER 3
theater presentation: ‘365 Plays in 365 Days’
produced by: AUTUMN KNIGHT
grass roots theater project of short plays by Suzan Lori-Parks
sponsored by the Alley Theater
NOVEMBER 9
music: ‘Orents Stiner and the Spirit Noise’
FLETCHER STAFFORD PABLO LOCO
BRIAN MOORE SHAWNE MOORE
BRIAN BALDWIN THOMAS BONNER
music: ‘Defenestration Unit’
MIKE SWITZER KIRK SUDDREATH
J. CHARLES EBERSBAKER JEFF MILLER
JOHN DUBOIS JIM OTTERSON
NOVEMBER 10
Latin music: ‘Quartus’
PATTI GRAS FERNANDO LEDEHUS
GONZALO QUISBERT
NOVEMBER 17
Native American Film Festival event sponsored by the American Indian Genocide Museum
short films: ‘The Myth of Discovery’
‘Simple Similarities’ by PHILOMENA SALEM
short film: ‘Lakota Voices in the 21st Century’
speaker: RUSSELL MEANS
traditional Lakota music: ‘The Lone Star Drum’
NOVEMBER 19
Irish bagpipe concert: ‘Tartanic’
NOVEMBER 20
art opening and exhibit from Oaxaca
featured artists from ‘Asar-O’ arts collective
FEBRUARY 11
photography exhibit, poetry and music celebrating: ‘Beautiful Side of Ugly’
a book featuring photography by JASON WOODS
and poetry by ERIC BLAYLOCK (‘EQUALITY’)
music: ‘Osman Five’
FEBRUARY 12
fundraiser and movie for the HOUSTON SOCIAL FORUM
music: BARTON ‘Kingbaby’ BOYCE
speakers: HEATHER SMITH JENNIFER ROOKS
film: ‘Argentina: Hope in Hard Times’
FEBRUARY 19
author: DANIEL QUINN
speaking with study groups for his novel, ‘Ishmael’
MARCH 4
fundraiser for Harris County Young Democrats
poets: MICHAEL KAHLIL MARIE BROWN
painting exhibit: KATE MATTHEISEN
MARCH 30
reading and fundraiser for:
‘Plan B’, a new play by CRYSTAL JACKSON
APRIL 9
concert and fundraiser for Harris County Young Democrats
musician: DAVID ROVICS
poets: ROBERT CLARK DR JOHN GORMAN MARIE BROWN
APRIL 13
benefit for Voices Breaking Boundaries
guest speaker: DAVID BARSAMIAN
APRIL 24
Amazonian Leaders Speak Out!
hosted by Amazon Watch and Amnesty International
speakers: ERMERGILDO CRIOLLO RITA MALDONADO
moderator/translator: LEILA SALAZA-LOPEZ
film: ‘ChevronTexaco on Trial’
photo exhibit: ‘Crude Reflections: ChevronTexaco’s Rainforest Legacy’
MAY 5
benefit for ‘Cherish Our Children International’
host: PATTI GRAS
music: ‘Moodafaruka’
ROM RYAN MARY ANN WILLIS KATJA GRIMM
ARLANUS CHIMNEY CHRIS HOWARD
painting exhinit: GARRETT MIDDAUGH
MAY 6
music: ‘Bluerunner’
MARK MEAUX WILL GOLDEN ADRIAN HUVAL
CAL STEVENSON FRANK KINCEL
MAY 8
Amazonian Leaders Speak Out!
hosted by Amazon Watch
speakers: DOMINGO ANKUASH
JOSE GUALINGA
moderator/translator: LEILA SALAZA-LOPEZ
film: ‘Conoco at the Crossroads’
MAY 26
film screening: ‘Flight from Death: the Quest for Immortality’
by PATRICK SHEN and GREG BENNICK
JUNE 15
Open Dialogue on Education
hosted by: THE REAL SCHOOL
panel discussion and workshops
JUNE 16
benefit for ARTERY MEDIA PROJECT
screening of edited Artery footage of performances
JUNE 23
EIGHTH ANNUAL SOUTHERN GIRLS CONVENTION
day long workshops, panel discussions, seminars
music: SARAH GOLDEN
JULY 11
Gian Carlomenotti’s ‘The Medium’ (English opera)
Monica: AMANDA CONLEY
Toby: TODD TREBOUR
Madame Flora: DANIELLE WRIGHT
Mrs Gobineau: LYNELLE ROWLEY
Mr Gobineau: ANDREW BROADAWAY
Mrs Nolan: VALERIE ROGOTZKE
accompanist: STEPHEN MORRIS
stage manager and costumes: BECKY BROWN
AUGUST 29
video screening with guest filmmaker CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
editor for Sierra Club Chronicles segments
‘9/11 FORGOTTEN HEROES’
‘RANGE WARS RAGE ON’
SEPTEMBER 24
singer/songwriters:
FRANK MEYER
KAREN MAL
drawing exhibit: CHONG OK MATTHEWS
OCTOBER 7
event for candidate ELLEN COHEN,
State Representative House District 134
music: ‘Sugar Bayou’
APRIL RAPIER BOB OLDREIVE
PAUL KITECK ROBERT KNETSCH
OCTOBER 8
Houston Poetry Fest
‘Poetry Out of Bounds’
hosted by Dee Ann Bongiovanni and Tina Cardona
OCTOBER 13
film screening; ‘The Ground Truth – the Human Cost of War’
presented by MILITARY FAMILIES SPEAK OUT
OCTOBER 20
benefit for ARTERY MEDIA PROJECT
screening of edited Artery footage of performances
SEPTEMBER 30
benefit concert for Progressive Voters in Action
music: ‘Different Kind of Monkey’
BILL DAY JOYCE MARTINEZ DAY SCOTT FIX
KIRK SUDDREATH CHUCK ROAST
OCTOBER 7
benefit concert for Houston city council candidate ADA EDWARDS
music: JEFF ABRAMS BRIAN CONNER
music: JOHN ATLAS VAUGHAN BOONE
MIKE SWITZER
sound: MALCOLM HACKNEY
OCTOBER 13
music: ‘The Lager Rhythms’
SARAH NELSON CRAWFORD MARY KAY HYDE
LAURIE FEINSWOG ELIZABETH BENEDETTO
PARTH RANA ED BENYON
HUNTER STEWART JONATHEN ICHIKOWA
music: ‘Traveler’
CAROL BURRUS CHARLIE BURRUS
ANDREW BLACK LUIGI BAI
HOWARD HENDRIX HERMAN KLUGE
music: WILLY GOLDEN
SARAH GOLDEN
OCTOBER 20
invitational dance: ‘Expressions’
coordinated by BETH HOLLINGSWORTH
MARCH 20 and 21
Spring Woods High School Presents: ‘A Mid Summer Night Dream’
directed by: TERRY HIBBERT HOLLY BENTON
production design: DAVID MILLER
sound design: BILL DAY
APRIL 26
music: ‘Mushroom Tribe’
CHUCK ROAST CORY FREDRICK BILL DAY
KIRK SUDDREATH SEAN & REBECCA WALDREN
music: OLGA KINNA FRENAND VERA
music: ‘The Patridge Family’
BILL PATRIDGE JAMES MARTINEZ
JOYCE MARTINEZ BILL DAY
OCTOBER 22
music: ‘Moodafaruka’
ROM RYAN TERRENCE KARN
OCTOBER 25
music: OLGA KINNA FERNAND VERA JESSICA BUCHHEIT
artist talk: BASILIOS POULOUS
music: SRINIVAS KOUMOUNDURI DAVID COURTNEY
ROBERT GOLDMAN LAURIE MCDONALD ALAINE BALL
drawing exhibition: ‘Figure Drawings; 18 artists, 54 drawings’
NOVEMBER 8
performance art: MATTHEW CUPACH
music: GLENNA BELL
music: ‘The Electric Cowjazz Band’
HERMAN KLUGE MARK MARMON
GEOFF GIACCO MICHAEL CRAWFORD
NOVEMBER 21
music: ‘Electronica’
TED BARWELL MARK MEDINA KAT JONES
with RAMON MARTIN BILL DAY
NOVEMBER 23
Singer/Songwriter Showcase, hosted by KEN GAINES
BILL WARD THADDEUS BRENEMAN
MARIENNE KREITLOWE SAYLOR WHITE
APRIL KELLY & TIM WALKER KEN GAINES
MAY 11
Eyeopeners Garden Tour (sponsored by the Orange Show)
JUNE 15
multi-media interdisciplinary production: ‘A Mosaic’
coordinators: M.L. GULSEN MARGARET TSANAIS BILL DAY
poets: MARGARET TSANAIS ROBERT CLARK
PAM PASSMORE RANDAL CALCOTE
solo musicians: RAMON MARTIN (bagpipes) TOMMY McEVILLEY (violin)
brass duet: PAUL CONROY MARTY LINDSEY
Cuban music:
MARCELO RAME’ JIMI CLARK KIM SHELTON
rock band: ‘Sasquatch 2000’
RIGO PEREZ LEROY BELL CHRIS NINE
JJ WATSON SHANE LAUDER
musical duet: JEFFREY ABRAHMS (flute) TONI ASCH (guitar)
percussionists: JULIO DEL HOYO BILL DAY
acapella group: ‘Nobody’s Reel’
KELLY LOFTUS BILL GALBRAITH
GARY GRAVES JUNE BURTON
models:
BRUCE CARLOYE GEENA WILLIAMS
CAROLINE HOLCROFT
dancers: AMY ELL, accompanied by CHENOA FARRELL-SOVINSKY (violin)
JENNIFER CLARK, accompanied by M.L. GULSEN (performance)
CYNTHIA CUPACH (performance-dance)
Arabic dance:
MARIE GARCIA KATHY CZEPIEL FRIEDA STEELE
dance group: ‘Ancient Urges’
SAADI CHRIS HAKAN MARSHA GREEN YVONNE FITCH
FLEMING DEGRAFFENREID BARBARA SNOW
performance art: ‘Slap Happy’
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON and MICHELLE ENGLEMAN
performers (martial arts):
NESTOR TOPCHY CHARLES GRAHAM
videographers:
TED BARWELL CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
MATTHEW CUPACH LAURIE MCDONALD
HERB HOCHMAN STEVEN POTTER
STEVE MOORE
lighting and technical support:
MALCOLM HACKNEY BILL DAY STEFAN STOUT
KATHY NEUMIRE JULIO DEL HOYO
exhibiting artist (sculpture): NORLENE GRAY
SEPTEMBER 21
Wedding Party for Margaret Tsanais and Mark Larsen
APRIL 4
performance art ‘installation’: ‘Static Ecstasy’ with ‘Spontaneous Combustion’
coordinated and performed by CORY FREDERICK ELISE KERMANI
APRIL 25
fiction: COLLIN HUTCHINSON
artist slide talk: SHARON KOPRIVA
music: ‘Pleasure Center’
JUNE 6
poetry and fiction: LYNDA LONG
ANDRE DEKORVIN
HERMAN KLUGE
music: ‘L. B. Blunky’
LEROY BELL TOM CLARK TONY RORAI
MARK FRY DARREN DOMIOUSE AMY ROTH
MIKE PETRE FRANK BASH STEVE CASEY
sculpture exhibit: PAUL WADKINS
JUNE 11
performance art: ‘Essence Into’
written and performed by: KELLI SCOTT KELLEY
KAREY RAWITSCHER TRACY HELLER
music: ‘Pleasure Center’
sculpture exhibit: DAN HAVEL
PAUL WADKINS
JUNE 13
music: DAVID RICE
environmental speaker: KAREN CORNELIUS (Texas Nature Conservancy)
music: ‘Bun Length’
HERMAN KLUGE TIM GRIFFITH DALE MARKS
installation art: KAREY RAWITSCHER TRACY HELLER
painting exhibit: CRISTI RINKLIN
JUNE 20
poetry: WILL WARE
music: ‘Nobody’s Reel’
BILL GALBRAITH GARY GRAVES
KELLY LOFTUS ERIN LOFTUS
JUNE 27
poetry: DIANNE HARRIS
music: ‘People With Hands’
JAMES DURKEE CHUCK GUNN
TOM ROSSON MARTY STARNS
DENNIS MARSHMAN BOB HENDRI
JAMES GROSSO
video documentation: CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
JUNE 1
artist slide talk: SHARON STEWART with photo narrative, ‘Toxic Tour of Texas’
playwrite (theatrical sketches): HERMAN KLUGE
music: ‘Chemical Wedding’
BILL KELLEY KELLI SCOTT KELLEY
BILL DAY JOHN ATLAS JACK TURNER
M.L. GULSEN ELISE KERMANI
painting exhibit: RON SMITH
JUNE 18
music: ‘Mango Chutne’
JULY 6
performance/poet: NORM BALLINGER
artist slide talk: LUCAS JOHNSON
music: ‘L.B. Blunky’
LEROY BELL TOM CLARK TONY RORAI
MARK FRY DARREN DOMIOUSE AMY ROTH
MIKE PETRE FRANK BASH STEVE CASEY
sculpture exhibit: DAN HAVEL
AUGUST 3
poetry: ANDRE DEKORVIN
video, performance: CHAD SALVATA
music: IAN THOMPSON
KATHY COLOM JIM MCRINDLE
painting exhibit: KAREN HUNTER
GORGE ENRIQUE
SEPTEMBER 7
music: ANDY REIL
artist slide talk: DEE WOLFF
environmental speakers:
CURT CLEMENSON (Rainforest Action Network)
JOHN JORDAN (Clean Water Action)
music: TONY ASCH JEFF ABRAMS
painting exhibit: DEE WOLFF
sculpture exhibit: RICHARD KLINE
SEPTEMBER 28
Wedding Reception for INES and PURUSHOTHAM
OCTOBER 5
environmental speakers:
KAREN CORNELIUS (Texas Nature Conservancy)
CURT CLEMENSON (Rainforest Action Network)
music: SRINIVAS KOUMUNDURI (Indian Sitar)
music: ‘Shinar’ (steel drum band)
sculpture exhibit: RICHARD KLINE
NOVEMBER 2
music: ROM RYAN
NOVEMBER 4
speaker: JIMI CLARK (on Cuba)
music: BILL KELLEY
music: SCOTT MACGREGOR GERALD BLAKEMAN
painting exhibit: KELLI SCOTT KELLEY
sculpture exhibit: PAUL WADKINS
NOVEMBER 11
poetry:
CAROLYN DAVIS
MARIA ILLICH
KELLY THOMAS
MARY HELEN FASON
music: RANDAL CALCOTE JOHN FASON
NOVEMBER 18
theatrical reading: ‘A Radio Play’
written by HERMAN KLUGE
performed by: Grass Roots Theater
DECEMBER 7
artist slide talk: JOHN ATLAS
poetry and fiction: LYNDA LONG
KADDIE ANN OUTLAW
music: ‘People With Hands’
DENNIS MARSHMAN CHUCK GUNN
JIMMY DURKEE TOM ROSSON
TED MILLER BOB HENRY
DALE MARKS MARTY STARNS
painting exhibit: KELLI SCOTT KELLEY