2008 Summer Culture Report I
It’s been a busy past few weeks…
Lakewood Church was huge. As Ian Bagg at the Improv on Thursday called it, “Basketball Church”. [Note: Lakewood it currently in the arena where the rockets used to play]. Ha…but anyways…It was great, but I’m not sure I can do that every Sunday. Joel Olsteen had a great sermon. But I think I’d prefer a bit more traditional church service. Each song during praise and worship was a PERFORMANCE, like a concert. The soloists had great stage presence. And by that, I mean..these were professionals. High-quality…you’d think they were performing for an HBO concert. I spent the first half of service in awe. There were waterfalls on both sides of the stage. The ceiling changed colors. The cameras around the church tripped me out.
They had some the rotated around the whole service. Some even were lowered down right by people’s heads so that the church’s jumbotron could see what verse people were reading. I had to register my brother for children’s church. He couldn’t handle the excitement of praise. The children’s service seemed quite hype. It was like “Kidz Bop Gospel”. Poor thing. Overall, it’s wonderful to see thousands of people celebrating the Lord like that.
Suggestion: Get there early enough to get a seat in the middle, so you don’t have to watch the service sideways
RedcatJazz Cafe…Mitchell and I must have went on a bad night, despite the fact that Carl Thomas was there. The table service sucked. Waiter took 15 minutes to bring you water. Food was overpriced. $20 cover…all thanks to Carl Thomas, who disappointingly didn’t DO anything. I heard him talk more on his cell phone than on stage. Dare I sing, “And I WISH I never went there….at all…even though…I paid them so…I paid so much money”.
After 11:15PM on a work night, we decided to bounce. Meanwhile, we’re watching the Celtics blow out the Lakers. On the positive side, the house artist/band was better than decent and there were a good amount of single lady groups (you know how they roll). I should try it on a regular night.
Suggestion: If you go, be patient and reserve a table so you can be in the front(if you bougie)
The Roots Concert was definitely hype. They played a thorough show. 2.5 hours. If only they came on sooner, I wouldn’t have been exhausted towards the end. The Warehouse Live is a great venue. The hype man showed Houston the respect it deserved playing hometown favorites, and other genuine hip-hop tracks. I’ll admit that I only know a few of their songs. And I wish that I was more of a fan, cause I would have been hype. The crowd was diverse and had a great vibe and very friendly.
I met like 6 new people. You could where w/e you want. I was in my work clothes myself. It was a non-judgemental atmosphere. On my left, dudes were smokin’ dro’. On my right, some guys were embracing their inability to stay on beat. Bun B made a guest apperance, but when you’re from Houston, you see Bun B every other weekend at The Galleria.
IMPROV Comedy Club was worth it ’cause I got in for free. Another Marathon perk. We got seats up front. Long story short, Ian Bagg [the premier comedian] tore me up. I got called out for my neon green t-shirt, he alluded that I was having relations with a co-worker [awkward], and then he [and the crowd] forced me to have a drink with a single mother-of-two [who was there w/ her singles group and supposedly liked Black men]. It was fun. Don’t go there for the service though, waiters/food ain’t much.
Schlitterbahn was great. I glad we went. We haven’t done that family vacation is years. I glad Courtney and Ashley came too. They were honorary Igleharts for the day. Tubing was great. The river/wave pool was great. My lil’ brother kept running back into it and daring me to chase him so we’d both get sucked into the current for another round. Lil’ rascal. Funne cake. and I must say… I usually don’t make such a big deal out of these things…but the Corn Dogs were off the chain!
Suggestion: Get there at Opening time, 10AM . Go on a Sunday. It’s not as crowded as a Saturday.
The Houston Symphony performed at Miller Outdoor Theatre. I went there with Mitchell, and his co-workers, Grace, and co. It was nice. It took me back to my days of playing the cello. I’ve been out there before for plays and etc.
Suggestion: If you plan to go and want “seats”, you can pick up an official ‘free’ ticket from the box office. If you plan to sit in the grass, bring a blanket. If you want to make it an evening, bring food, lawnchairs, etc. Plenty of couples were out there with candles burning, but that seemed a bit much.
Future Culture Tour Events:
Essence Music Festival – New Orleans, LA – July 4 -July 6.
We’re going to the Friday night show with J.Holiday, Rihanna, Chris Brown, and Kanye. I pray for a mature crowd. High School girls, stay home.
Joe and Ebony’s Wedding- Houston, TX – July 25
Joe doesn’t know it yet, but I’m a groomsmen. Otherwise, I can’t wait to see these two show the world how to “do it right”. I’m clownin’ out at the reception.
Note to self:
“Culture ain’t cheap.”
“Culture is exhausting.”
“I can’t stay up til’ 12 and wake up at 6 like I used to.”
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