by Social Movement Contemporary Dance

We The People conveys Gibson's observations of what happens when people’s daily lives are interrupted by the world's harsh realities and they begin to demand change.Read more

The 2022 Houston Fringe Festival closes its fifteenth anniversary year with its signature finale event: Anything Goes! This showcase-style evening features ten performing artists presenting works of ten minutes or less. Artists of all disciplines are put together on one program for a fast-paced, full-filled evening of Fringe artists. The 2022 Anything Goes roster includes:

Houston Contemporary 2, The Pilot Dance Project with Ashley Horn, Anna Bauer (Austin), Roxanne Claire, Margo Stutts Toombs, Roberta Cortes, Brittani Broussard, Christie Gorman, and Stormie HolmesRead more

“Friday I’m In Love is a love letter to Numbers Nightclub. I want this film to be an anthem for those of us who have felt rejected; those misfits, queers and weirdos who craved a world of belonging where one could be whatever the hell they wanted to be and not be bothered, ridiculed, or hated for it.”
Marcus Pontello, Director

In 1978 during Houston’s gay rights movement, Numbers Nightclub opened as a gay disco in the heart of Montrose - an LGBTQ enclave located in central Houston. Numbers progressed into the ‘80s as an alternative music venue, becoming a home of acceptance and showcasing legendary performers such as Grace Jones, The Cure, Ministry, Björk, Nine Inch Nails, and drag star Divine.

Filmmaker Marcus Pontello navigates the history of Numbers as a narrator, paying primary tribute to its former owners and best friends, Bruce Godwin, a flamboyant DJ extraordinaire and Robert Burtenshaw, an introverted British video artist. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Bruce and Robot exposed Houston to cutting edge music and fought to create a gathering spot of inclusivity in a historically conservative city. Current owner Rudi Bunch, a staff member of the club since 1982, with longtime Numbers DJ, Wes Wallace, have maintained the vision set forth by Bruce and Robot and are also prominent voices in Friday I’m in Love.

A supporting cast of staff, patrons, and bands such as Erasure and Ministry deliver heartwarming and personal stories that show the evolution of the venue, while also exposing some of the difficulties Numbers and Montrose have endured over the years. LGBT police violence, the AIDS epidemic, legal issues with City Hall, and the unprecedented rise of hate crimes in Houston during the ‘90s are among the topics explored. Now in its 43rd year of operation as one of the longest running alternative nightclubs in the United States, Numbers continues to attract large and eclectic crowds who come to dance to the nostalgic music the club has become known for.Read more

Exploring the African heritage of Louisiana through its dance traditions from Bamboula to Zydeco, Who Yo' People? takes the audience on a journey through the vibrant history and culture of the peoples who would become known as Louisiana Creoles, while interrogating ideas of identity.Read more

Grouping artists from all different backgrounds to bring you a collection of contemporary dancing and aerial arts. This piece was created to shine a light on the importance of versatility in the performance world. Movement, strength, flexibility and aerial. Putting this piece together has allowed these performers to learn from and work with different movement types. Bringing them all together to create The Collection.Read more

Two best friends set out on a road trip across the United States after spending 2 years compiling their 500 favorite songs of all time. Adventure, danger, laughter and teada ensue as they listen and learn to find beauty in the world, hoping for a freedom from cycles of pain in a tale of healing, the power of music and love. 

“My Hands-Down Favorite”- Orlando Sentinel (Florida) “Quietly Devastating”- Winnipeg Free Press (Canada) “Enthralling”- the Road to 1,000 (California)

Awards:

Best of Fest - Tampa Fringe Festival 2021

Best Solo Musical - Orlando Fringe Festival 2021 Staff Choice - NYC Frigid Fest 2020

Rogue Award - Rogue Fest 2019 (Fresno CA)Read more

Invisible Lines presents Each New Journey, a theatrical sampler from the poetry of the Fabulous Billie Duncan, a long-time Houston poet, writer and community activist. Based on her books, Beneath the Desk and Requiem for the Plastic Clown, Invisible Lines takes the audience for a rollercoaster trip through the mind of one of Houston’s most beloved and lyrical artists.

Duncan is a poet, publicist, journalist, photographer, and artist. She is the director and performer with The Balcony Poets performance troupe, which melds multi-voice poetry with live music and art inspired original poetry. She also has served as communications director of Houston Poetry Fest, coordinator of Houston Poetry Summit, founder of the Houston branch of A Hundred Thousand Poets for Change, as well as promoting and consulting for many other poetry organizations. 

Invisible Lines is a poetry performance troupe that specializes in theatrical immersions in original and canonical poetry.Read more

A high octane love story from iconic underground writer Alex Wukman. An aspiring rapper from Houston's Southwest side meets the trust fund girl of his dreams. Their weekend fling becomes something more and almost destroys the two of them. 

Alex Wukman is a Houston-based poet, playwright, journalist and author. He was one of the founding editors of Free Press Houston and has performed spoken-word throughout the Houston area for 20 years. He is the author of a guidebook to the Texas coast, a recognized expert on Houston history, and not that interesting in real life. He lives in Alief with his wife Sarah Cooke, a miniature schnauzer and a handful of chickens, but don't tell the HOA.      Read more