art car weekend canceled

Iconic Houston art car parade weekend canceled due to coronavirus concerns

The Art Car Parade and all its weekend events have been canceled.

Photo by Morris Malakoff

One of Houston’s most beloved, vibrant, and city-defining events has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic. The Houston Art Car Parade and all subsequent and associated Art Car Parade Weekend events (April 16-19) have been canceled, according to the event’s producer, The Orange Show for Visionary Arts. The Art Car Parade famously draws thousands to see over-the-top, decorated cars roll through city streets.

The cancellation will affect popular events including the Main Street Drag, the Sneak Peek at Saint Arnold Brewing Company, The Legendary Art Car Ball, The VIPit Experience, and the Houston Art Car Parade Awards Ceremony. Ticket holders can expect to hear from the Orange Show soon regarding their purchases, per the organization.

The Orange Show is also suspending entry and tours of its two Houston folk art landmarks, The Orange Show and The Beer Can House, until further notice. Meanwhile, Smither Park remains open from dawn until dusk — social distancing is encouraged when visiting.

“While canceling this year’s events was a difficult decision, we remain absolutely committed to supporting and highlighting this unique and exciting form of art,” said Orange Show founder and chairman Marilyn Oshman, in a statement.

“To that end, plans are already underway for a city-wide Art Car Festival to take place this summer, featuring many of the incredible Art Cars that would have participated in this year’s parade,” Oshman continued.

The event’s date and location will be announced in the near future; fans can find information at www.thehoustonartcarparade.com. Up-to-date information about re-openings will be made available at The Orange Show’s official website.

city-news-roundup closings

taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.