Oct 29, 2023 10:30 AM —  12:00 PM The Ike Dike and Reimagining Our Region's Future | Kristen Schlemmer | Weekly Sunday Gathering —  The Montrose Center 401 Branard St #107, Houston, TX 77006

Speaker Bio :

The Ike Dike is a $57 billion coastal infrastructure project intended to address storm surge from another Hurricane Ike - but it won't be built for at least 20 years, won't withstand Category 4+ storms, won't do anything to protect us from flooding, and does nothing to address underlying industrial pollution. As a member of the Surge Forward coalition, Bayou City Waterkeeper's Legal Director Kristen Schlemmer is calling on leaders to protect our region on a more rapid timeline by investing in natural systems, reducing risks posed by industrial pollution, and centering the people living in harm's way. In this presentation, she will give background information about the Ike Dike, how it is intended to work, and how it falls short.

Musician Bio :

Mark Towns is a virtuoso trailblazer of guitar-driven instrumental Afro-Caribbean Jazz, composing and performing music which blurs the lines between Latin Jazz, Flamenco Jazz, Salsa, Funk, and Fusion. With grooves inspired by traditional Latin Jazz masters Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Cal Tjader, Towns guitar work and arrangements combine the technical sophistication of Jazz and Flamenco with the down-to-earth feel of the Blues and Rock from his Texas upbringing to create something brand new. Jazz critic Paul MacArthur (Downbeat magazine) says, “Mark Towns isn’t just playing Latin Jazz, he’s making sure it continues to evolve.” What others are saying: "Mark Towns' music has the piquancy and surprise of the best Latin-inflected jazz, with a sense of space unique to his Southwestern roots meeting the sophistication of his residency in Los Angeles. Mark is a deft, lyrical guitarist, rewarding my repeated listening with growing pleasure." ~Howard Mandel, President, Jazz Journalists Association “Put a guitar in his hands and Mark Towns is otherworldly.” ~Shea Serrano, Houston Press "Mark's music has an intensity to it that makes you want to move and dance, and yet it really relaxes you too." ~Kirk Whalum “Everyone loves it. Mark’s guitar playing has become a special musical personality.” ~Hubert Laws “There are only a few really good guitarists. Mark Towns is one of them.” ~Larry Coryell “Smart, fun and mesmerizing.” ~Houston Press "I like this vato!" ~Poncho Sanchez