The arrival of a new year brings with it resolutions, dreams, and hope. A new year beckons with good times yet to be had, great happenings yet to take place, and new friendships yet to be made, the building blocks of a happy new year. And with that, I’d like to introduce some of these happenings taking place right here in and around Houston.

I may be adding events as the month goes on, particularly for the last week of the month. I just wanted to get this up before too much time passed. Yes, it would appear I’m starting a tradition where January’s monthly LOVIEE is late; this is not on purpose. Or maybe it is, given I’m always out somewhere for New Year’s Eve, and in no condition to post anything by the time the night is over…

Continuing Through Monday 01-17

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

Friday 01-07 (First Friday of Each Month)

2600 Magazine meeting, The Galleria, Ninfa’s Express next to Nordstrom’s, 6pm-?. Z-14 / 11-M01-1

Friday 01-07 (Non-Repeating)

Omotai, Rudyard’s, 2010 Waugh, 21+. Hardcore/thrash metal band. Show also features Ghostown Electric, Big Fiction, and Canyons. 11-M01-2

Saturday 01-08 (First Saturday of Each Month)

Buffalo Bayou Walking Tour presented by Architecture Center Houston (ArCH), 315 Capitol, 10am, $15 (non-members)/$10 (members), credit cards accepted for tickets in advance only. This tour showcases Houston’s architectural history from 1836 to the present. Reservations are appreciated but not required, and the tour is held weather permitting. Z-15 / 11-M01-3

Opening Friday 01-07

Bioluminescence, Anya Tish Gallery, 4411 Montrose, see website for hours. Opening reception on Friday, 6-8:30pm. Luminescent sculptures by Romanian-born, Texas-based artist Adela Andea. Exhibit continues through February 5. 11-BIOLUMI

Saturday 01-15

The Suspects, Continental Club, 3700 Main, doors 9pm, $10, 21+. Locally-based rock/ska/reggae band in existence since 1993. Opening acts are Channel One and Murder the Stout. 11-M01-4

Andy Bell (from Erasure), Numbers, 300 Westheimer, doors 8pm/show 9pm, $21.49. DJ set plus bonus live vocal set. 11-M01-5

Opening Saturday 01-15

Parody of Light, DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway, Wed-Sat noon-6pm. Patricia Hernandez critiques the business practices of Thomas Kinkade, “Painter of Light,” in this installation which resembles the interior of a home and shopping mall. Exhibit continues through February 26. 11-DWPARODY

Saturday 01-22

The Small Sounds, Continental Club, 3700 Main, doors 9pm, $10, 21+. Locally-based folk/indie band. Show will be opened by QandA. 11-M01-6