Art-soak improvisation.

Performed at Gallery 19 here in Houston last night. The event was a reception for gallery artists. Cintia Rico, a featured artist, invited me to perform. She paints with her fingers using acrylics and pastels. We were set-up outside the gallery - she painted while I played under a tent. Good turn-out of art patrons. I started at 8:30 - did two 1/2 hours sets. For those of you who haven't travelled to Houston, the level of humidity is extremely high....I was soaking 5 minutes into my set. For my 2nd set there was a nice breeze. Something I very rarely do in my performances is improvise. In each of my sets I included an improvisation which I think went over very well.

Shanghai friends / Rico

Over the weekend I drove my friends Simon and Linda around town for some sight-seeing. They're from Shanghai and have moved to Houston permanently. They've been in Houston for three months and had never visited the US previously. We drove through some neighborhoods, looked at some old homes and churches, theatres in downtown, etc. Structures which seemed so commonplace for me were quite majestic and very interesting to them. I found myself realizing how much of my city's architecture I took for granted.

Preparing for a show this weekend at Gallery 19 here in Houston. I'll be joined by painter Cintia Rico. She'll do a couple of portraits of me while I perform as well as portraits of gallery patrons.

RIZE!

Checked out David LaChapelle's film RIZE over the weekend. Great documentary about youths in South Central LA opting for dance over gangs. The heart & soul of the dancers left me quite moved.