fringe groups

Edgy Houston arts festival showcases city's most fringe performers

Brittany Bass Tendrils Houston Fringe Festival

Look for performances such as “Mischievous Tendrils” by Brittany Bass.

Photo courtesy of Brittany Bass/Houston Fringe Festival

For 13 years, the Houston Fringe Festival has showcased cutting-edge dance, music, performance art, spoken-word, and more, bringing together some of the city’s most under-the-radar artists. The fest returns this year, but like so many events, is pivoting to a virtual offering.

The free, streaming event will run from November 2-8 on Zoom and Facebook Live. Performances will also be available for viewing online after their premiere dates for those who miss the livestreams. This year’s outing will also feature special panels with the artists and performers.

Viewers can expect works such as “Moonbird” by Ashley Horn, a contemporary dance piece. Lídice Núñez of ALAS Dance Company, a former guest choreographer with the Mexico City Ballet Company, will be double-billed to showcase her pieces “I Will Be Your Mirror” and “Bird Women” — the latter has been performed at dance festivals in several countries. Dance fans can also watch for choreographer Brittany Bass’ “Mischievous Tendrils,” a performance that pays homage to the gypsy life.

Meanwhile, Aurum Son, a trio consisting of James Murphy, Adam Nicholas Carman and Sonia Flores, will perform a set of five songs. More music comes courtesy of Relative Dissonance, a consortium of musicians who will perform a 15 minute piece with members Thomas Helton on upright bass, Danielle Reich on vocals, Aaron Bielish on viola, Danny Kamins on bass clarinet, and Hsin-Jung Tsai on piano.

Dallas-based group Tejas Dance, who perform in the traditional Indian dance style called Bharatanatyam, will headline, according to a press release.

For more information on the Fringe Festival and full list of performers and schedule, visit the official website.

music theater dance festivals

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.