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Life & Arts

Reggae acts unite for international festival

by DUSTI RHODES
The Daily Cougar

The Houston International Festival begins this weekend and looks to be bowls of fun. This year, Jamaica is the theme, so put on your board shorts and bikini tops, grab some bongos and get on downtown. The festival begins today at 11 a.m. and runs until Sunday; it resumes April 29 and ends April 30.

The streets will be filled with scents of Jamaican cuisine and the sound of some great reggae, zydeco and rock music with artists like Burning Spear, Steve Marley, Bobby Bland, the ska sounds of the Skatalites and the must-see Morgan Heritage.

Tickets are $12 and free for those little ones under 12. For more information, directions and schedules, call (713) 654-8808 or check out www.ifest.org.

Houston-based band Blue October comes home to play Thursday night to an already sold out Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel St. Those still looking to see the show might be able to catch a scalper, but remember it's illegal so keep it on the down low. For more information, call (713) 629-5700.

If Jamaica isn't your place, then how about some Latin spice for your Thursday night? The Engine Room, 1515 Pease St., will host Latin Rock Nite featuring acts like Sin Sombra, Los Hijos and Cuervo. Contact (713) 654-7846 for the lowdown.

Friday, Koufax will come to Houston in hopes of making it through an entire headlining tour. Its indie rock sound can work its way through certain songs, and with local openers Spain Coloured Orange starting off the night, it should be worth the $10 cover. The show starts at 8 p.m. at Walter's on Washington, 4215 Washington Ave. Call (713) 862-2513 with questions.

Saturday, trade in your skates for a pretty dress as the Houston Roller Derby hosts The Dirty Derby Prom-a-Rama at Meridian, 1503 Chartres St. The night will feature the musical talents of the Rx Medicine Show and Ceeplus and the House of Bad Knives. Have your prom pics taken and don't forget to vote for the prom queen. Just remember a blocker might be standing behind you ready to slam you into the wall if you don't write her name down. Man, I don't remember prom being this violent or awesome. Call (713) 225-1717.

TV on the Radio will make its way Saturday to Warehouse Live. Rumor is the band just upped its ante and signed to Interscope Records. It has also been heard that David Bowie will sing on its new album (here's to hoping he'll make it to Saturday's show).

Three out of the five members of The Last Place You Look graduated from UH, so support your fellow Cougars if you head out this weekend to the Texas Crawfish Festival in Old Town Spring. The guys go on at 5 p.m. Sunday on the Texas Stage. Check out www.texascrawfishfestival.com for tickets and information.
 

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