This week’s going to be heck on wheels so I figured I should go ahead and get this out tonight. I may be adding more events late (particularly for Thursday and Friday nights) so stay tuned. Also I have updated the ongoing LOVIEE which desperately needed it, and I’m going to start posting once- or twice-monthly events there that occur on a specified day of the month (first Friday, for example).

One of my biggest sources of events is you, the readership. If you know of an event you want to see, drop me a line using the contact form.

Ongoing This Week

Perspectives 172: Kirsten Pieroth, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. 5216 Montrose, Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat 10am-5pm. Thu 10am-9pm, Sun 12pm-5pm, free admission. Unusual juxtapositions of everyday objects. This exhibition is themed around the life and work of Guglielmo Marconi, inventor in the field of radio. Exhibit runs through January 2. 10/11-PERSP

The Ice At Discovery Green, $10+tax including skate rental per person, see website for hours and details. Back again for the 2010-11 winter, an outdoor ice rink in Houston! The model boat basin portion of Kinder Lake (the part directly behind the Anheuser-Busch stage) will be frozen over using renewable energy and transformed into an ice skating rink. Great if you miss outdoor ice skating in your northern US or Canadian hometown, or if you just don’t feel like battling Galleria traffic to go ice skating. 10/11-IADG

Tuesday 12-14 Through Sunday 12-19

Burn the Floor, Hobby Center, 800 Bagby, Tue-Thu 7:30pm, Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm & 8pm, Sun 2pm & 7:30pm, $32.75 to $79.05. A Broadway show that’s all about the dancing; there are no lines spoken onstage. High-energy dance moves make this a dance fan’s dream. 10-W50-1

Wednesday 12-15

The Calling, Rice Media Center building, Rice University Entrance #8, free admission (but many parking options are not free; please read the Directions & Parking page). A documentary about young Americans of various faiths preparing to become the next generation of religious leaders. 10-W50-2

Robert Ellis and the Boys, Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak, 9pm. Country/Americana. 10-M12-5

Thursday 12-16

Canned Acoustica, Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel, 6pm, free admission with a canned food item. Featuring intimate acoustic sets by Robert Ellis, Winter Wallace, Black Queen Speaks, Tyagaraja, Chase Hamblin, Ancient Cat Society, and others. 10-W50-3

Afton Showcase featuring Your Amsterdam, Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel, 6:30pm, $10. One of my favorite hard rock/metal bands that must be seen and heard to be believed. 10-W50-9

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Discovery Green, 6:30pm, free admission. The 1989 holiday-themed comedy classic will be screened outdoors in the spectacular surroundings of Houston’s own Discovery Green. 10-W50-4

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak, doors 8pm, $8 (in advance)/$10 (day of/at door). Vintage style country-blues act from Indiana. 10-W50-5

Friday 12-17

The Mighty Orq, Katie’s Bar and Grill, 315 Grand Ave. (Bacliff), start time not listed. 10-W50-6

Saturday 12-18

“Hype!” with GRRRL Parts and boyhoLLow, The Mink, 3718 Main. 10-W50-7

Indian Jewelry/Roky Moon & Bolt/Benjamin Wesley/Lick Lick/Leg Sweeper, Fitzgerald’s, 3706 White Oak, 8pm, free. 10-W50-8