January 15, 2006
Review of "Beats of Basquiat", January 14th, Houston
It is hard describe how awesome this event without using cliché metaphors. For starters there is one more event left in the Beats of Basquiat series at The Museum of Fine Arts Houston's Caroline Wiess Law Building. It is on February 11th, 8:00-1:00am. This is the last one. It will feature the one and only Grandmaster Flash. If you’re flying to Paris that day for your first vacation in years, you should consider rescheduling. It’s that good. I won't pretend to be enamored by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Yes his work is brilliant, and I enjoyed it. But what I enjoyed more was the vibe and scene on the floor of the museum. For a person in their mid-thirties I thought my best nights out in Houston were forever lost with the passing of time, career ambition, and the closing of Houston's 80's-90's era clubs. I figured that nothing today could ever top the euphoric recall of those pre-adult responsibility, drunken wild nights on the town. I was wrong. I must say I had more fun last night than anytime in the 80's or 90's at a club, concert, or art show. And to give a greater complement to the MFAH, nothing other than a Starbucks Doubleshot was required aid me in reaching this observation.
Folks, there are clubs in Houston that would die to achieve that was pulled off by this event. Alas, they cannot. You see, it’s not magical when you realize the vibe is fake. And with most clubs these days you can see the man behind the curtain. All Houston clubs today are the cheesy backgrounds for photo-ops of the “pretty empty people.”
I read another blog describe the event and quote someone as saying "this feels like New York". Sorry, it feels like Houston. For those who can remember what nightlife used to be like around here before the desire to be "New York-like" you will know exactly what I mean. Now I can only speak for the January 14th event, but it felt like the 1985-1990 era Warehouse parties that used to be thrown in Houston. (Anyone remember when Shiner Blonde was a piss-beer, not a micro-brew?" Sure, there were lights, videos, and a nice sound system, but it felt raw and authentic, not manufactured for mass appeal.
The music last night was spun by DJ Starsign, DJ Samp/Ceeplus. However, what blew me away was a live set by the band, I AM THEWORLDTRADECENTER. If this band does not become the next big thing it’s because the world's gone deaf.
Houston club owners hopefully attended last night’s event. If not you need to attend the next, as this is how clubs should be.
Posted by downtownadmin at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2006
Will Houston’s air quality suffer because of Katrina?
While much has been said in regards to Hurricane Katrina’s environmental impact on the Gulf Coast, not much has been discussed in regards to how Houston air-quality could suffer as the result of the storm.
Houston was under EPA scrutiny starting a few years back because of its poor air quality. Because of this much tighter vehicle pollution standards and tests were put into place. Houstonians also had the newly-raised speed limits lowered back to 55. While the 55 MPH speed limit was reversed after a state-level battle the tighter vehicle standards were not. In addition to these standards, Houston industries such as oil refineries also felt the brunt of EPA mandated standards. There has been considerable debate if pre-Katrina Houston could be able meet these standards, now after the storm I’m almost positive we won’t. So given this how is Katrina responsible for a rise in Houston air-pollution?
Two situations were immediately obvious in the aftermath of Katrina; New Orleans refineries had been severely impacted, and an entire city and their cars were here or on their way here. Within weeks of the storm, gas prices spiked, and Houston Oil refineries ramped up their efforts to meet the demand. At the same time tens of thousands of Louisiana cars hit Houston roads in an effort to find work and housing. With an estimated 230,000 Louisiana residents in Houston, we still do not have a clear picture on how many vehicles are on the roads here, nor in what condition their in.
We have heard little if anything from the leaders of the city regarding Katrina and its impact on Houstonians. Almost begrudgingly our mayor is admitting that we do have “just a few” individuals from Louisiana causing mayhem.
As far as pollution is concerned, nothing.
What we need to know is:
What is the impact of higher demand on Houston refineries doing to our air?
How many Louisiana cars are on the road here, and what is their impact to our air?
Will we require Louisiana cars to conform to our emissions standards?
Whether anyone from the City of Houston contacted the EPA to request a waiver or exemption from these tighter standards.
These are questions that need to be answer, because after all is said and done, and New Orleans is rebuilt and re-populated, Houstonians will be the ones to face responsibility both on the road and in their lungs.
Posted by downtownadmin at 07:17 PM | Comments (0)