Brett Ishida, photographed by Amitava Sarkar at Asia Society Texas Center
Founded in 2019 by Brett Ishida, who splits her time between Austin and Houston, the critically acclaimed company returns to the Hobby Center Jan. 12-13 for keepsake, an evening of poetic narratives and cutting-edge movement featuring keepsake and warm my bones, both world premieres choreographed by Ishida, a world premiere by French choreographer Jeremy Galdeano, and “If the world were ending, would you hold me tight?” by Swedish choreographer John Wannehag.
ISHIDA’s dancers, many of them soloists and principals, come from all over the country, even overseas, with some being local to Austin and Houston’s dance communities. While some of the performers come from the world of classical ballet, others are grounded in contemporary movement and theater. “They’re very diverse in terms of their background, which you don’t typically see in a company,” says Ishida. “In this project, we have one dancer (Juliet Doherty) who has done a lot of film, television and commercial work.”
ISHIDA Dance Company with Juliet Doherty and John Wannehag (Photo by Amitava Sarkar)
Across the range of dancers and personalities is a shared desire to learn and interact with other people, and receptiveness to the benefit of new friendships and collaborations. “That’s a common denominator with all of these artists,” says Ishida. “Their openness, generosity, and kindness.”
Ishida’s “keepsake” is a trio that explores a dissociative fugue state — a temporary condition where a person experiences memory loss due to a traumatic event and often ends up lost in what would otherwise be familiar surroundings. “It’s less about the fugue state and more about why that happened,” says Ishida of keepsake, which features music by the late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. The other world premiere, “warm my bones,” is a men’s duet referencing the Greek tragedy “Seven against Thebes” and the war between the brothers Polynices and Eteocles. For “warm my bones,” Ishida has selected The Rolling Stones song “Moonlight Mile,” perhaps as a reference to the brotherly rivalry between the still-rocking Jagger and Richards.
Growing up in Porterville, Calif., Ishida, a “nerdy, skinny” fourth-generation Japanese American, had plenty of untapped energy, which she channeled into all kinds of movement, with ballet being her favorite. “I was definitely drawn to that fairy tale of the ballerina in the book,” says Ishida. At age five, she would rope her older brother into doing lights for her own productions, complete with costumes and music from a tape cassette player. “I loved to create the whole thing,” laughs Ishida. At age 15, she received a full scholarship to attend the Kirov Academy and would go on to dance professionally and tour with several ballet companies. Years later, the aesthetic beauty of classical ballet, what Ishida refers to as “the lines, the angles, the technique,” are crucial components of her choreography, along with the range of possibilities contemporary movement has to offer. “It comes from the intention and the motivation of the character,” says Ishida. “The movement all has this drive and this emotional thing behind and in it, and it always goes back to what’s happening in the narrative.”
With an underlying emphasis on storytelling and character motivation, Ishida is dedicated to creating work without artistic compromise that for the audience, regardless of their experience with dance, is both relatable and memorable. “I created the company and these works to connect with people,” says Ishida. “I formed this because I wasn’t seeing what we’re doing.”
- Get Jazzed: New ‘Nutcracker’ Blends Symphony Sounds with Duke Ellington ›
- Great Eight! Get Our Picks for Arts and Culture for the Holidays and the New Year ›
Zero-proof cocktails at Moxies
Bludorn
Dove's Nest at Bludorn
Bludorn's beverage director Fabio Pontes has a few twists up his sleeve — or should we say in his nest? — for 2024. The Dove's Nest concoction has grapefruit, lime, Seedlip Garden, vanilla, and 807 Hot Sauce; and the Dodo Bird is a unique mix of pineapple, Giffard Non-Alcoholic Aperitif, bitter tea, lime and molasses.
Coltivare
Down in Kokomo (photo by Mikah Danae)
One of the first Houston restaurants to promote a full zero-proof cocktail list year-round, Coltivare is back at it. New collabs with Sipple include the Down in Kokomo, a version of a daiquiri with Ritual Rum, and there's also a uniquely large offering of NA beer and wine on the Dry January menu, too.
Eunice
The Cinnamon Sunrise's blend of cinnamon, orange juice and lemon juice is both warm and bright, complementing the Gulf seafood on the menu at Eunice.
Gratify, Coppa Osteria and More
Fashion Week (photo by Leah Wilson), available at Coppa Osteria
Available at popular Rice Village restaurant Gratify and its sister concepts (Flora, Coppa Osteria and Graffiti Raw), a new zero-proof menu touts the Radiant Roots (orange, ginger and cold-pressed carrot juice) as well as the Golden Hour (peaches and green tea). More offerings at Coppa Osteria include non-alcoholic versions of its most popular cocktails, the Ginger Fizz and Fashion Week.
Lulu's
This neighborhood gem on Kirby at Westheimer has a compelling new reason to visit: The Guavaissimo beverage has guava puree, pepe coco, pineapple juice and Seedlip 120.
MaKiin
Pu Lae Pineapple (photo by Sean Rainer)
MaKiin doesn't skimp on mocktail garnishes: Its non-alcoholic-rum-based Pu Lae Pineapple has coconut, lime, and is topped with a sugar-coated pineapple.
Marmo
Ragazza Mela (photo courtesy Atlas Restaurant Group)
Apple cider, almond, and star anise? Say no more. The Ragazza Mela at Marmo is a festive way to ring in Dry January.
Money Cat
Matchalada (photo by Sabrina Miskelly)
The name is pretty self-explanatory — but the Matchalada, with matcha, coconut and pineapple, has an unexpected zing of kabosu, a cousin of yuzu.
Moxies
Nutty Chai cold brew at Moxies
Now that the holidays are over, it's time to brave the Galleria traffic and hit up some of the hot spots on Post Oak, like Moxies. Don't sleep on the Nutty Chai, with Hazelnut Reàl, chai syrup and Lavazza cold brew.
Verde Garden
Como la Flor (photo by Cathy Rizer)
This hidden-gem patio spot is a must-visit on a pretty day, and its $6 Como la Flor concoction — orange juice, lime, ginger beer, housemade grenadine — is just one more reason to go!
- Dry January Is Here: Zero-Proof Zealots Will Rejoice Over These Creative Concoctions ›
- Alcohol-Free? Try CBD! Two Houston Companies Toast the Launch of Trendy New Beverage ›