Pick Five (Plus)

Your weekly guide to Houston: The last day of the Byzantine frescoes, Radiohead& breakfast for dinner

Bayou Bend brings back Sip & Stroll Evenings during which guests enjoy theformal gardens' fragrant ambiance at Ima Hogg's exquisite 1920s manor.
The Houston Grand Opera Showcase features the vocals of Boris Dyakov, BrittanyWheeler, Brendan Tuohy, Lauren Snouffer, Nicholas Masters, Catherine Martin,Scott Quinn and Mark Diamond. Directed by the John Cox and hosted by HGOartistic and music director Patrick Summers.
Pancakes? Bacon? Waffles? Not the typical gala fare of filet mignon andchocolate torte. Then again, Hope Stone isn't a run-of-the-mill dance company,either.
Although Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater drops in to Houston every other yearor so, this visit is a historic one: It's their first with Robert Battle at thehelm.
Photo by Andrew Eccles
After Sunday, the frescoes that have crowned the Byzantine Chapel's name arereturning to Cyprus, their place of origin. As part of the farewell rituals isthe final Matins and Divine Liturgy.
Photo by Carol M. Highsmith/U.S. Library of Congress
The 49th Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival is a mishmash of seven shorts with suchthemes as sea voyages, protomatter, coming-of-age stories, destruction andtourism.

Houston loves Rip Esselstyn, evident by the hoards of health conscious foodies that swarmed Whole Foods Market Montrose. The triathlete turned firefighter is a real-men-eat-plants dude with a mission, enlightening audiences with nutritional information fused with anecdotes from his days as an athlete and life at the firehouse.

At 49 years old, the hard-as-a-rock father, author and motivational speaker shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, his wife is expecting.

Esselstyn's appearance was the culmination of a 28-day Health Starts Here Challenge to encourage participants to make improvements in their eating and exercise regime. How did I do? Fourteen pounds and counting.

Tango & Malbec was the place to be for iFest's kick off fundraiser, "Adelante!" The event fused South American inspired cuisine with Argentinean vintages, a nod to the theme for this year's outdoor music, food and cultural carnival. Mark your calendars for April 21-29 when Los Lonely Boys, War and reggae group Steel Pulse, along with Galactic, JJ Grey and MOFRO, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Los Amigos Invisibles, Chico Trujillo, SOJA, and Hector Del Curto & Eternal Tango will perform on one of the 10 stages downtown.

Just when I think I have heard it all, Da Camera of Houston brings a couple of guys from across the pond who specialize in an obscure music genre: Medieval. Houston is charmed for having many early music troupes like Mercury Baroque, Ars Lyrica, Early Music Southwest, Bach Society Houston and Houston Early Music. But nothing could have prepared me to travel back 500 plus years before that to the 8th and 9th century and lend an ear to Germanic music traditions.

Benjamin Bagby with Norbert Rodenkirchen of Sequentia — on voice, medieval six-string harp, symphonia and wood and bone flutes — reconstructed dark apocalyptic Christian texts in a manner that lies somewhere in between spoken word and recitative.

With the Rodeo in town and spring around the corner, if you are looking to get out and play, here's what my colleagues and I suggest:

Bayou Bend's Sip & Stroll Evenings

March is here and so are the blooming azaleas (hopefully) at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston American decorative arts collection. Bayou Bend brings back this new tradition during which guests enjoy the formal gardens' fragrant ambiance at Ima Hogg's exquisite 1920s manor.

The informal event is exactly what its title implies: Grab a glass of wine and meander through the beautifully manicured pathways. Then, head inside to peruse the collection of art and antiques where themed-rooms await the discovery of how life used to be.

Tickets are $10. Bayou Bend's Sip & Stroll Evenings is a weekly Thursday social from March 1 to March 22, 5-8 p.m. (last admission is at 7 p.m.).

49th Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival at Market Square Park

When Aurora Picture Show and the Downtown District plan an event, cool things happen. On Friday, bring a blanket and snacks — beer and wine are not allowed but can be purchased from Niko Niko's — to enjoy the longest-running indie and experimental film fest in the continent, going strong since its inception in 1963. The screening is a mishmash of seven shorts with such themes as sea voyages, protomatter, coming-of-age stories, destruction and tourism.

Equally as exciting is a live performance by NBC The Voice's Sarah Golden (a Houstonian) at 6 p.m. Screening begins at 7 p.m. Free event.

Houston Grand Opera Studio Showcase at Wortham Theater Center

It's where the crème de la crème of emerging opera stars begin their careers. Many apply to the Houston Grand Opera Studio, albeit only a select few are chosen to study with HGO's faculty and staff, and given opportunities to sing supporting roles, in recitals and community engagement concerts.

Want to be in the know? The Friday showcase features the vocals of Boris Dyakov, Brittany Wheeler, Brendan Tuohy, Lauren Snouffer, Nicholas Masters, Catherine Martin, Scott Quinn and Mark Diamond — directed by the John Cox and hosted by HGO artistic and music director Patrick Summers — in arias, duets and scenes from popular operatic repertoire.

Tickets start at $12.25.

Hope Stone's Gala "Breakfast for Dinner" at Houston Ballet Center for Dance

Pancakes? Bacon? Waffles? Not the typical gala fare of filet mignon and chocolate torte. Then again, Hope Stone isn't a run-of-the-mill dance company, either, mounting ground-breaking shows alongside an involved education program. On this night, guests will enjoy a performance by Hope Stone dancers with artists from Mercury Baroque and the Kid's Play Ensemble, a collaboration that embodies the nonprofit's ethos.

The "Breakfast for Dinner" gala Saturday is chaired by Leticia Loya, Kelly Myernick, Shelly Power and Heather Pray, and includes morning edibles by Catering by Culinaire, cocktails, a silent auction and raffle. Tickets start at $250 and tables start at $2,500.

Final Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Fresco Chapel

After Sunday, the frescoes that have crowned the Byzantine Chapel's name are returning to Cyprus, their place of origin. As part of the farewell rituals is the final Matins and Divine Liturgy beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.

Sure, it may be a religious service. But religious affiliation should not be a deterrent to bid adieu to rescued works that have meant so much to The Menil Collection. I bet this last sacrament will be talked about many years into the future as Houstonians fondly recall the chapel as the home for these historical artifacts.

The event is free.

CultureMap intern, live music guru and Houston insider Karen Labuca's pick: Lady Antebellum at RodeoHouston

Karen says: "I'm going to make a long overdue visit to the rodeo Thursday to check out Lady Antebellum. Country music has been making a comeback. Even though most mainstream acts are pop crossovers, at least they're shedding light on the country community.

"Lady Antebellum is a good example with an impressive growing career. Recently, the group stole the Grammy for Country Album of the Year from past favorite Taylor Swift, so I'm curious to check out this trio live."

Contributor, all knowing beer sage and party gal Caroline Gallay's pick: Friends of Citizen Schools Happy Hour at Saint Arnold

Caroline says: "My pick of the week is the Friends of Citizen Schools happy hour Thursday at Saint Arnold. It's a great way to meet like-minded young professionals while enjoying some great Saint Arnold beer, live music and light bites from Ninfa's on Navigation and Down House.

"Come on by and learn about mentorship opportunities from an organization dedicated to bridging gaps in opportunity and achievement for low-income middle school students around the country and right here in Houston. There is a $15 suggested donation at the door."

Arts smarty pants and beer lovin' lovable dance maven Nancy Wozny's pick: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Jones Hall

Nancy says: "You will find me holed up at Jones Hall the entire weekend to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, presented by Society for the Performing Arts Friday through Sunday. Although Ailey drops in to Houston every other year or so, this visit is a historic one: It's their first with Robert Battle at the helm.

"Battle's Houston ties go way back too. I got a sneak peek at Rennie Harris' new work, Home, while I was in New York in October visiting an Ailey rehearsal. It's a stunner. As I was leaving the building, I ran into Battle and bid him hello from Houston. I asked if he could bring back Home with him when he came here. He replied, 'I'll see what I can do, I know someone.' I'm also dying to see Ailey dance Paul Taylor's Arden Court. There are two Battle pieces on the program, too.

"Without a doubt, every show closes with a signature work, Ailey's masterwork Revelations." Tickets start at $35.

A Houston Young People for the Arts (HYPA) post-performance party is set for Saturday night at The Capitol at St. Germain hosted by chairs Roslyn Y. Bazzelle, Marcus B. Carter and Katy J. Pease. Company members will be in attendance. More information here.

Staff writer and adorable Houston explorer Whitney Radley's pick: Radiohead at Toyota Center

Whitney says: "Though a series of mishaps prevented me from scoring tickets to the concert, in an ideal world, I would be going to see Radiohead at the Toyota Center on Saturday night. The sold-out show is sure to be an unforgettable one, and if you have tickets, don't even think of missing it. Why would you?"

Staff writer, architecture savant and all around good guy Tyler Rudick's pick: 2012 Houston Modern Home Tour

Tyler says: "Each year the Modern Home Tour opens the doors to some of the city's most intriguing residential designs built in the last half century. For the 2012 edition, I'm particularly excited about a mid-century house on the west side with one of the coolest addresses ever: 0 Paul Revere. Designed by a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright in conjunction with the University of Houston, the building appears to have been virtually untouched since it was completed in 1960."

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see this art

Houston's new LED art tunnel and 8 more can't-miss shows for September

Discovery Green

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This month brings some vivid early fall colors to museums and galleries across the city. The MFAH grows their already world class Cuban collection. Forms and memory emerge at the Menil, and Rice’s Moody Center showcases artistic process.

Plus, several shows around town turn a spotlight on environmental issues. As the weather cools, we’ll also head outdoors to discover a mysterious tunnel at Discovery Green.

"Do Ho Suh: In Process" at Rice Moody Center for the Arts (now through December 21)
As a truly international artist, having found homes in Seoul, New York, and London, Do Ho Suh’s art examines themes of home, migration, displacement, and the passage of time. Perhaps appropriately, the Moody Center will play with definitions of an art exhibition, allowing Do Ho Suh to use the galleries as a studio-like space to present his on-going research and collaborative projects. “In Process” will showcase two completed installations, including the monumental, “Inverted Monument” but will also allow visitors views into in process projects, including Suh’s collaboration with Rice University engineering students on his research for “The Bridge Project,” his work to conceptualize a bridge connecting his homes in Seoul, London, and New York.

For more of Suh’s work around town, be sure to check out his “impossible” sculptural installation “Portal” in the tunnel between the MFAH’s Kinder Building and Glassell School.

“The Tunnel” at Discovery Green (now through October 6)
For a different kind of tunnel, head downtown to Discovery Green for this interactive art installation from Canadian immersive public art design organization Big Art. Built as an array of 16 vaguely diamond shaped, definitely alien-looking structures, “The Tunnel” entices explorers to enter and begin a cosmic journey. “Pilots” use an interactive device to manipulate the array, creating an infinite number of patterns of light and sound, making each journey unique. The 3D design uses over 150 LED bars — made of over 8,000 individual LEDs — that are pixel-mapped to create a vortex of light pulling visitors through the structures.

“CRYSIS” at the Museum of Fine Arts (September 13)
Visual and performing arts meet with this immersive theatrical experience from local Houston artist Chandrika Metivier. Responding to the MFAH’s mammoth summer 4-channel multimedia installation “Jacolby Satterwhite: A Metta Prayer,” Metivier will perform an immersive adaptation of a section from Ariana Reines’ Obie-winning play Telephone. Step into a kaleidoscopic universe of multimedia magic as Metivier blends theatrical elements with a cappella harmonies — creating an ode to love and resilience.

"Light Needs Shadow Needs Light…” at Art League Houston (September 13-November 23)
This exhibition of artworks by Texas photographer Kathy Vargas will include four series of hand-painted, silver gelatin photographs. Vargas uses her mastery of the photography process, layering, and painting to tell intricate stories.of family, heritage, death, and consumerism. The collection includes photos of intricate fabric with price tags that explore the cost of fashion as well as blurred portraits of Vargas’s loved ones layered with flowers and writings to symbolize human connection and family.

"Rising Water” at Art League Houston (September 13-November 23)
Winner of ALH’s 2024 Texas Artist of the Year, Beili Liu creates material-and-process-driven, site-responsive installations and performances. This celebratory exhibition showcases a compilation of Liu’s work that explores how climate issues intersect with labor, migration, and social concerns. Working with common materials such as thread, needle, scissors, feather, salt, wax, and cement, Liu creates artworks that trace the complexity of global environmental issues and crisis.

"Out of Thin Air: Emerging Forms” at Menil Drawing Institute (September 20-January 26, 2025)
“The process of becoming,” this is how the Menil describes one commonality of the 29 drawings and works on paper on view in this new exhibition. With works from some renowned modern and contemporary artists, including Lee Bontecou, John Cage, Gustavo Díaz, Hiroyuki Doi, Sonia Gechtoff, Gregory Masurovsky, Alan Saret, and Hedda Sterne, the show will examine how some artists use drawing as a meditative process to find images and forms for their work. The exclusive exhibition will include drawings acquired by John and Dominique de Menil as early as the 1950s, several gifts to the collection, and a recent acquisition.

“Out of Thin Air: Emerging Forms is a show about discovery and possibility, and the artworks on view — some of which have never been displayed at the Menil — can be considered as portals to personal reflection,” MDI curatorial associate Kirsten Marples said in a release.

"Fragments of Memory” at Menil Drawing Institute (September 20-January 26)
The personal and historical become art in this second new show at the MDI opening this month. The exhibition illustrates how artists use material forms of memory, including photos, collage, dottles, and even grocery lists within their works to depict the past in forms personal, cultural, and historical. To explore these themes, curator Kelly Montana has selected important 20th and 21st century works from the Menil’s collection including pieces by artists Wardell Milan, Gael Stack, Luc Tuymans, James Lee Byars, Jacob El Hanani, Joe Goode, Jasper Johns, Mark Lombardi, Jim Love, Walter Tandy Murch, Denyse Thomasos, Cy Twombly, and Danh Vo.

“The artists in this exhibition demonstrate a desire to say more than what personal ephemera, historical accounts, and selective memory leave behind,” assistant curator Kelly Montana said. “We hope that these works, many of which are new additions to the museum’s collection, will encourage visitors to reimagine how fraught memories and contested histories are accessed and how these recollections impact our present.”

“River on Fire” presented by DiverseWorks (September 27-November 16)
Art often provokes or makes a urgent call to action, and this is certainly true when it comes to a current issues like climate change. With a complexity we’ve come to expect from a DiverseWorks show, this multidisciplinary exhibition features 14 local, national, and international artists who wrestle with environmental issues in their work. Organized around both the ideas of Houston as the energy capital of the world and our venerability to the changing climate, the exhibition poses questions on how artists and creative practices can shift the narrative and introduce possible solutions in a city with such a complex ecosystem.

"Navigating the Waves: Contemporary Cuban Photography" at the Museum of Fine Arts (September 29-March 16, 2025)
An already prominent collection of Cuban photography becomes preeminent, as the MFAH celebrates its acquisition of 300 Cuban photographs from Chicago-based collectors Madeleine and Harvey Plonsker. This new exhibition will showcase 100 works from the collection which both traces the use of photography in Cuba over 60 years and tells the story of Cuba’s history from the mid 20th century to today.

Organized both chronologically and thematically, the exhibition will be divided up into distinct sections with focuses on the “Epic” generation of photographers working during the Cuban Revolution; life in Post-Revolution Cuba; a section titled “Memory, the Body, and Identity,” featuring photographic art in Cuba after the end of the Soviet Union and their economic support of Cuba; and a final section on contemporary, 21st century work.

“The strengths of the Plonsker Collection are unparalleled, in terms of telling the complex and compelling story of post-Revolution Cuban photography,” Malcolm Daniel, MFAH’s curator of photography said in a statement. “Combined in this exhibition with works already in the Museum’s holdings, the collection allows us to chronicle that story from the ‘epic generation,’ whose work would define the image of the Cuban Revolution, to the succeeding generations of photographers, who questioned the power of photography and its relationship to political authority and who created highly personal work in the context of a greater awareness of international contemporary art.”

Courtesy of Discovery Green

Discover Green presents The Tunnel through September.

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see this art

Houston's new LED art tunnel and 8 more can't-miss shows for September