Wellness Wednesday: cook with me tonight

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

0Hi Framers,

I have recently rediscovered the crock pot meal (after a wonderful reminder from #FrameMom.)  So both Monday and Tuesday, I’ve made different slow cooker dishes, and tonight I will try a third.  Will you join me?

Monday, I made orange glazed turkey meatballs. The recipe calls for regular, beef meatballs, but I wanted to try something a little lower in fat and still high in protein.  The recipe I used is here.  They were pretty delicious, better than I thought.  I do think they are best for a buffet or appetizer.

Tuesday, I made a taco pulled chicken salad.  It called for taco shells or tostadas, but I broke up a few blue corn chips and put it on a bed of lettuce and made it a taco salad.  This was VERY good and I would recommend it.  I also made my own seasonings instead of buying the packets.  Made me feel a little bit healthier.  I am always a fan of knowing what exactly is in my food.  (control freak?)

Tonight, I plan to make Sesame Chicken and serve it over spinach.  I’ll be following this recipe.  Join me?  Ingredients: chicken breasts, salt and pepper, honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, sesame seeds.

 

MFA Monday!

MFA Mondays

MFA rightI’ve been thinking a lot about what the MFA degree means for artists in our country right now. We’re living in a world so heavily driven by capitalism that any artist struggles with the effects of commercialism and mass production values. Is it really valuable to obtain a degree in the fine arts right now? Obviously, my answer is yes but it is worth recognizing the issues and struggles artists deal with on a daily basis. I’m going to approach this from the ways I’ve dealt with financing my own art, but please feel free to comment and add any advice you may have.

“Fine” art doesn’t necessarily (or hardly ever) generate a lot of cash 858671_563107497041148_2128003440_o-1[1]flow. Artists aren’t usually creating in order to fund an end result, we are looking for an outlet of expression. Some artists are very interested in words of our critics and ticket sales, and some are not. It just depends on what kind of work you are making and why you’re making the work. Certainly the MFA program will give you a good bit of help in both of those directions. The feedback I received from my peers and professors in my choreography classes pretty much spanned the entire spectrum, ranging from questions of how the eyes were directed to asking questions directly to the dance, not me the choreographer (thank you Larry Lavender!) I found that considering my work through these multiple lenses was extremely valuable and gave me much more information about what kind of artist I am.

However you do view your art, if you can find a position at a University that supports creative work as research, you will probably find that funding opportunities are available for travel to conferences, festivals, performances, or wherever it is you decide to take your art. Of course, value is placed on adjudicated works, so when you are competing against other faculty for travel grants, it is important to consider. If full-time faculty work isn’t your cup of tea, it is possible to receive grant money, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult. Individual artists are mostly ineligible to receive grants from most agencies nowadays, you must be affiliated with a nonprofit corporation and an element of community outreach is becoming almost a requirement, with a few exceptions. This is great news for our youth and our communities as it strengthens our audiences and community appreciation for what we do, though it adds one more thing that gets in the way of just making the art. For anyone considering the MFA (or any artists in the field) I would highly recommend taking coursework in arts administration, particularly covering grant writing and non-profits. It was a course I have used time and again in working to fund my own travels and productions since I’ve left school.

For those artists that do depend on ticket sales and contributions (commercial or otherwise) the issue of creating art that is “accepted” is a very real one. The internet has made things so readily available that people can make a few clicks and have world class dancers right in front of them for free. Television has commercialized dance in a way that is boosting support for dance in a positive way, but also in a way that is confusing and misleading for many. In competitive shows like So You Think You Can Dance, audiences see brilliant dancers perform short dances (2-3 minutes) that tell entire stories on high production budgets and they can understand them! It’s not really SYTYCD’s fault – its commercialism as a whole. We get blasted everyday the same – ads, music, tv shows. Its simplified and you understand exactly what you’re supposed to. This makes things incredibly difficult for the abstract artists who aren’t always making art specifically “about” something, thus causing problems when we do get people in seats and they expect to see what they saw on television. I’m not saying there isn’t merit to what the choreographers and dancers do on SYTYCD, because they truly are amazing at creating captivating, well performed, well rehearsed dances in one week for two minutes. It is making our jobs a little more difficult to feel that we have the freedom to say what we want to say in more time and with much less money.


Sarah Wildes Arnett is Founder/Artistic Director of SWADanceCollective and Assistant Professor of  Dance at Valdosta State University in Georgia. She received a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2012 and a Bachelor of Arts in  American Studies from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Sarah’s interests are interdisciplinary as she enjoys integrating her talents  in film-making, photography and music composition into her choreography while also expanding boundaries of genre and style. She continues to perform professionally with various companies and artists in the southeast. Most recently, she has performed and shown work at the MAD Festival (Atlanta), Alabama Dance Festival (Birmingham), NC Dance Alliance Annual Event (Greensboro) and RE:Vision by Forward Motion Theatre (NYC). http://www.swadanceco.com/

Free Events Thursdays

Free Events Thursday

Don’t have any plans for Halloween? Now you do!

 

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Houston Presents Friday Night Fright

October 31, 2014 at 7:00 pm

114 Vintage Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77070

BEWARE: Halloween is near and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Houston has a ghoulishly good surprise!

Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas Houston is showing Halloween horror classics at both its Houston-area theaters this Friday as part of its Friday Night Fright! Both Vintage Point and Mason Park theaters are inviting Houstonians to show up in their scariest ensembles.

While its encouraged everyone dresses up as characters from the frightening flicks being shown, any costume earns participants a FREE ticket to the Friday Night Fright movie! So start your costume shopping early and get ready to have a frightfully fun Friday night with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema!

Price: FREE!!!

 

Attack of the Bloodsuckers

September 20, 2014 – January 04, 2015 (Recurring daily) from  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77008

It’s the science of what’s eating you! Discover the biological wonders of creatures that eat blood through encounters with live species and interactive stations.

Price: $8

 

Boo on the Boardwalk

October 31, 2014

701 4th Street, Kemah, TX 77565

 

For the entire month of October, Kemah is hosting Boo on the Boardwalk where families can enjoy an array of Halloween themed activities. For the braver souls, face the dungeon of doom while the kids enjoy the Little Boo Haunted Fun house. Other attractions include pumpkin decorating, live entertainment and costume contests.

Price: Go to their website for more details. In other words, I don’t know. 

 

8th Annual Montrose Crawl

October 31, 2014 from 7pm to 2am

Houston’s biggest & best Halloween event returns for its 8th year! First get your costume on, then get your drink on as the Crawl hits 12 restaurants & bars between Dunlavy & Montrose on Westheimer, including Brasil, Poison Girl, Pistolero’s, Boondocks, Stone’s Throw, Etro Lounge, Catbirds, Royal Oak, Doc’s Motorworks, Slick Willie’s, El Real Tex-Mex, and Hay Merchant, with special appearances by Koagie Hots and The Golden Grill.

As always, there’ll be no covers & no tickets, plus drink specials all night long. And prizes will be awarded for the best outfits at each stop, with a grand costume prize awarded by this year’s honorary Grand Crawler.

Price: FREE!!!

 

8th Annual Bayou City Outdoors Haunted Hike & Pizza Party

October 31, 2014 from  6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Memorial Park near the rugby/soccer field parking lot

Get your spooky with BCO as we hike and slither our way through Memorial Park with our closest pals on Halloween! We will nourish ourselves afterwards with pizza and beverages, for those who make it out of the forest. Tap into your inner wolf or go all vampy on us, or come as a traditional ghoul (or, hey, wear your office attire– that could be scary enough!) Leave the bars to the zombies and join us in the woods for some quality and creepy exercise and socializing at Memorial Park.

We meet at 6:30 and depart at 7 PM sharp from the rugby/soccer field parking lot (click for map) (For you chickens out there – just come to the after-party starting around 8 PM in the rugby/soccer field parking lot).

What to Bring: 

Don’t get left in the dark and don’t forget to wear walking shoes (it is a hike no matter how dead you are), a flashlight, bug spray, and a little money just in case. Open to members, guests and the public (we love fresh meat) – bring a friend or come alone, if you dare. You’ll be sure to find a devil or two to talk to. (Please no dogs at this hike).

RSVP at http://www.BayouCityOutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to Kelly@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Price: FREE!!!

 

Wellness Wednesdays

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

If You Only Do 10 Yoga Poses, Do These

 http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11941/if-you-only-do-10-yoga-poses-do-these.html

 

Broken Lady Finger Cookies

Broken Finger Cookies

 

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

pinch salt

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 Tbsp milk

2 Tbsp red cake-decorating sugar

20 whole blanched almonds OR 20 pieces banana chips

 

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. In bowl, using electric mixer, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat until mixture is no longer “scratchy” sounding against bowl.

4. Beat in egg, vanilla and salt.

5. In separate bowl, mix together flour and baking powder (tip for measuring flour: stir flour, spoon into measuring cup, then level).

6. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture.

7. Switch to working in flour mixture with hands when dough gets too stiff to beat.

8. Knead into smooth dough. Roll into 3/4-inch thick “ropes”. Break ropes into 3-inch sections. Pat one end smooth. Dip tip of other end of each piece into milk then red sugar.

9. Place on lined baking sheet. Pressing in sides of rope to prevent flattening, insert almond or piece of banana chip into rounded end. Repeat process to make 20 fingers.

10. Bake on middle rack of oven 17 minutes, or until dough is lightly golden.

Tuesday Tunes: Shanon Adams

Tuesday Tunes
Hey, Framers! I’m super excited to be kicking of our dancer profiles with Frame Dance dancer Shanon Adams!
 

Tuesday Tunes: Shanon Adams

 

Shannon AdamsFirst Frame Dance Piece:

Ecouter (Spring 2013)

One thing you always do before a performance:

I always take a shower right before call time before performances. Even if I’m pretty    clean or have just showered recently – it makes me feel refreshed and gives me a sense of  clarity.

What do you do after a performance? How do you unwind? 

Most of the time I like “alone time” after a performance. I need a little time to myself to process everything, sometimes I feel overwhelmed if I’m immediately engaged in conversation. I like to have a glass of wine when I get home and usually another shower.

Describe your favorite moment in a performance:_DSC0647

I have two favorite moments! One is the moment in a performance when I feel focused but am able to give up a lot of my thoughts, get out of my head and just perform “in the moment.”  I always compare it to how it might feel to have an out of body experience. It’s a really beautiful place to be. My other favorite is when I feel a genuine connection with the audience, even if it’s just one person.

 

photos by Edgar Guajardo and Lena Silva.

 

 

So You Think You Can Dance

Uncategorized

SYTYCD_Google_Profile

So You Think You Can Dance

According to a non-dancer (Emily Pau)

 

I honestly have never watched an entire episode until this review so…don’t hurt me!  So, in case you all missed last week’s Top 14 performances, here is my take on the episode.

The Top 14 performed a beautiful opening number with all of the dancers dressed in gorgeous white flowing robes adorned with gold braces and crowns obviously paying tribute to the ancient Greeks. However, one of the dancers is dressed in a normal/ modern white outfit and the others perform their routine around him. The modern man is left standing in the middle with a gold-like paint on his pure white shirt as the others gather at his feet. This routine could be a symbolic tale of how the Greek gods blessed the human race with brilliant artistic skills and that this one man has been “artistically touched” by the gods.  All in all it was a very interesting piece.

Team Bridget and Emilio were the first to perform that night and I have to say their routine was a little odd at first–a couple of demons on a mission from Hell to steal someone’s soul. Ok. At first their choreography looked like something out of Black Swan especially since Bridget kind of resembled Mila Kunis and I wasn’t that impressed. It wasn’t until their final product was complete that their jazzy dance moves and flashy red 1920s garb made the theme a fun and exciting dance routine!

Team Rudy and Tanisha’s stunning routine was absolutely breathtaking from beginning to end. It was a gorgeous story of seduction; it was like watching a contemporary Argentinean Tango. Rudy was definitely right when he said that you really can’t tell who is seducing whom. They were equally talented in their dancing and were perfectly synced throughout their performance. Everyone was completely wowed by their powerful choreography. That truly was an amazing routine!

Zack and Jacque, well more like “Count Zack and Lady Jacque,” were sensational with their hot vampire-ish routine. It was a wonderful twist to the Spanish Paso Doble as the judges mentioned but also seemed to give a slight nod to the dramatic American Tango. “Count” Zack did a wonderful job of being the vampire who brings the beautiful “Lady” Jacque back to life who doesn’t give in to his commanding yet enticing presence.  Her striking twists and turns prove that she is just as powerful and is not easily won over by his devilish charm. Their constant battle of dominance was absolutely thrilling to watch to the point of not knowing who really “won” the battle.  Perhaps it was a respectful tie…

Teddy and Emily did a great job taking everyone down the road of Broadway.  Their opening moves were fantastic which wonderfully progressed to the tight leg work. It looked like it did a number on their thighs just from watching it. The couple tried their hardest to channel the flairs of Bob Fosse but considering this was a difficult routine to imitate I thought they did a decent job.

Jessica and Casey were the essence of perfection with their sweet country love story. A flawless routine that gave the judges chills with their “porch swing” turns and steady lifts. Casey did a wonderful job complimenting Jessica’s shy and gentle nature as the loving boyfriend who adores her very being. Their amazing chemistry spent “electro shocks” through the audience and judges. It was certainly a routine you would want to watch over and over again.

However, the Quick-Step styles of Carly and Serge undoubtedly possessed cat-like glides, slides and hops. Their little Charleston steps were so much fun to watch after seeing them practice so hard to perfect it. Serge and Carly were incredible as the flirty yet modest cats of the Quick-Step.

The final paring, Ricky and Valarie come together to create a slightly creepy story about a witch doctor bringing a voodoo doll to life. I was completely blown away by their insane hip-hop moves and I don’t really care for hip-hop. It was as if I could imagine puppet strings on Valarie’s arms and legs as Ricky perfectly controlled her gangling body throughout their marvelous routine.

I wasn’t too crazy about the solos except for one of two and they definitely should not have been in the bottom 6. However, I thought some of them were better dancers when they were with a partner instead of their solo. Without a doubt each of the dancers was amazingly talented, but like in anything some stand out more than others.

The seven ladies of the show performed a beautiful final routine in their fluid purple gowns. It was as if the choreographer was still using the Greek mythologies as a canvas for their stage drama. The ladies were breathtaking as they seemed to embody the world of the Muses. Even as a group, each dancer added her own special flair to the story. The seven dazzling “muses” constantly lifted each other up as if to symbolize the essence of sisterly love regardless of competition. It was a piece that could bring tears to your eyes.

Another tip of the hat to the Greeks was the final male group enactment of the seven lost souls of the sea. The men gave life to these isolate creatures of the sea with their wave-like upper body movements perfectly linked together similar to men in a row boat. Their flying jumps provided were just the right touch to give the audience the feel of a high-rolling tide sweeping them throughout the gloomy tale.

At first I really didn’t care for the show because I thought the stories were the typical “artsy” stories were everything had a meaning and unless you were a dancer you didn’t really get it. Also, I thought some of the dance routines were a little predictable in how the ladies would move their hips, thighs, bum and whatever else the choreographers wanted to emphasize.

I totally understand that dance is like that sometimes and I have to admit it’s a little fun to dance like that. But I’ve also seen dance routines where it is still sensual but respectful.

I did like how the girls were seen outside of the dance studio. They showed how many dancers led normal lives that are not constantly surrounded by dancing. One girl worked at a grocery store and another was a tomboy. I was very glad to see that!

The men were even stereotypical in the way they carried themselves because almost all of them seemed to have the same metro-sexual look. Not every male dancer is like that, that’s seems to be what Hollywood wants to portray. I know several guys who are professional dancers and who are very masculine in their dancing and stature. They are nothing like the guys on TV.

The costumes, however, were gorgeous! I wanted a couple of them but have no place to wear them.

All in all it was a fun show to watch. I didn’t like it that much after the opening number and even a little bit of the first routine but I quickly enjoyed watching the ups and downs of the show.

Free Events Thursday

Free Events Thursday

Glass Blowing Houston: Make your own Pumpkin

September 14, 2014 – October 26, 2014 (Every Sunday) from 12:00-4:00 pm

Three Dimensional Visions
17442 FM 2920 Rd, Tomball, TX 77377

Every Sunday from September 14th to October 26th we will be teaching how to make glass pumpkins (<3-4 inches in diameter). Each person gets to choose their colors, apply the color and help blow the piece. It takes about 30-45 minutes per person and your pumpkin is available for pick up starting the next business day. There is limited space so everyone must make a reservation, cost is $29 per pumpkin. You can select the time and date on our Calendar and pay for your ticket. There is one ticket per time slot so spots are limited, sign up early. If you don’t want to make your own Pumpkin you can come select one from our Pumpkin Patch. Visit our Calendar to find out the dates and times for the Pumpkin Patch events!

Price: FREE!!! Pre-made Pumpkin prices start at $25.

 

Farmers Market at MainStreet

August 24, 2014 (Recurring monthly on the 4th Sunday) from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

18750 Interstate 45, Spring, TX 77373

The Market runs every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the Month •The Market features local, organic, and sustainable produce, honey, oils, and dairy •Grant Wilson, Owner of Gramen Dairy Farms, will be offering a free seminar of the benefits of raw milk, in the Conference Center at 11:00am •All MainStreet America members will receive a 10% discount on all purchases •Don’t forget to bring your coolers and reusable bags •Free parking and public restrooms available •Market will run rain or shine

Price: $15 (Check their website for more details at http://www.mainstreetamerica.com/)

 

Fall Festival & Market

September 26, 2014 – September 27, 2014 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

CT Church
9701 Almeda Genoa Rd., Pasadena, TX 77075

Fall Festival & Market (Sponsored by CT Church, 9701 Almeda Genoa Rd., Houston, TX 77075) Friday & Saturday, September 26th & 27th (Friday 12pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm) Outdoor Kid Zone with inflatables & fun games for the kids Food booths Live entertainment Silent auction Shopping booths Lil Tikes Parade.

Price: FREE!!!

 

CraftTexas 2014

September 26, 2014 – December 24, 2014 (Recurring daily)

Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

This fall, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft presents “CraftTexas 2014,” the eighth in a series of biennial juried exhibitions showcasing the best in Texas-made contemporary craft. Featuring 49 works by 44 Texas artists, the exhibition includes everything from sculpture, jewelry, textiles, installations, and furniture to concepts that include vernacular architecture, formal elements of design, and man’s relationship to nature. The “CraftTexas” series, which is hugely popular with visitors, provides artists the unique opportunity to have their work seen by three established jurors and included in an exhibition that seeks to broaden the understanding of contemporary craft. The show features exceptional work in clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and mixed media.

Price: FREE!!!

 

A.I. Lack Series Guest Recital

September 28, 2014 at 2:30pm

Dudley Recital Hall
University of Houston 120 Fine Arts Building, Houston, TX 77004

Gayle Martin, piano Works by Schumann/Liszt, Shatin, Prokofiev, Schubert.

Price: FREE!!!

 

AURA Contemporary Ensemble

September 29, 2014 at 7:30pm

Moores Opera House
120 School of Music, Houston, TX 77004

Rob Smith, director Michelle Perrin Blair, assistant director Dan Gelok, alto saxophone Michael Horvit, composer Phillip Elder, composer Synthesis: Works by Elder, Horvit, Joyce, Lash.

Price: $12

 

Wellness Wednesday

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hey Framers,

It’s finally Fall and what better way to celebrate than making fun and healthy foods!

Stay tuned each week to see what new recipes we have in store for the Fall season.

 

 

A moist and delicious quick bread that is full of nutrients and perfect for fall.

Makes one standard loaf

 

Ingredients:

2 cups white whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon all spice

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup blackstrap molasses

1/2 cup sucanat

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted, or your favorite oil to bake with

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup pumpkin puree (plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)

2 tablespoons unsweetened apple juice (or orange juice)

1/2 cup chocolate chips (or make it even more wholesome and use raisins or dried cranberries)

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine molasses, sucanat, applesauce, oil, eggs, pumpkin, and apple juice with an electric mixer. Add the dry ingredients and then fold in the chocolate chips.

Spoon your mixture into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, approximately 45-60 minutes. (Mine was perfect after 50 minutes)

Let bread sit for 10 minutes, then turn the bread out of the pan onto a wire rack to cool completely. Don’t be afraid to have a slice while it’s still warm, though.

Nothing beats warm bread fresh out of the oven!