lynn's place

Game-changing new downtown plaza named for Houston icon Lynn Wyatt finally opens this week

After three years of construction and a COVID delay, the revamped Jones Plaza opens to the public September 22 with a new name, new features, and new spaces to celebrate Houston's vibrant arts scene. Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts is — fittingly — named for the Houston society icon and arts supporter.

The downtown spot held an official debut event, on Thursday, September 21, with a grand opening attended by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, namesake Wyatt herself, Houston First Corporation (HFC) chairman David Mincberg, and HFC president and CEO Michael Heckman, along with other public officials and leaders from Houston’s performing arts and business community.

The square blends spaces for performances with spots to gather and enjoy city life in downtown. The $26.5 million green space includes a flexible performance lawn for concerts and other free programs, a cascading water feature, accessible entries, gardens, trees, one-of-a-kind tête-à-tête rockers/seating, lighting and sound elements, and space for a future restaurant.

Mini murals created by Anat Ronen and Jessica Guerra (Guerra Girl) cover traffic boxes around the Square. HFC will maintain and operate the square, which will offer year-round programming inspired by Houston’s cultural diversity and the award-winning performing arts organizations surrounding the park.

“I love Houston, I love the arts and I absolutely love this beautiful square," said Wyatt in a press release announcing the official opening. "I am thrilled to support the team bringing people and the arts together in the heart of downtown. And to have my name on such an important piece of Houston, I am humbled and grateful, this truly touches my heart. I look forward to all the good this Square will do now and in the future for the people of this dynamic city and our world-class performing arts community."

Bun B, Queenie, Lynn Wyatt, and Mark Sullivan. Wyatt (pictured with Bun B; his wife, Queenie, and power publicist Mark Sullivan) is nationally renowned for her philanthroy. Photo by Alex Montoya

Opening weekend programming includes a number of activities, lawn games and live entertainment. One highlight is the interactive Bees experience. Created by Polyglot Theatre, a world-renowned Australian-based contemporary theatre company, the show offers a creative and fun way to explore the mysterious world of bees. Performances will take place Friday at 5 pm and 7 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm.

Nestled in the heart of the theater district, Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts sits adjacent to Jones Hall, home to the Houston Symphony and a base for Performing Arts Houston. This month, Jones Hall showcases its own $50 million renovation; the pair of projects offer Houstonians a re-energized corner of downtown.

One part pre-and-post-theater destination, one part downtown gathering space, the plaza invites downtown workers and visitors all day, every day to a long-forgotten parcel of downtown real estate.

A philanthropic legend in the Houston — and national — society and arts worlds, Wyatt committed $10 million to the Jones Plaza renovation, serving as the core of a $27 million capital campaign to fund the transformation.

An additional $10 million in funding came from the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, and a $5 million gift from Houston First Corporation. Additional funders include the Elkins Foundation, the Cullen Foundation, the Fondren Foundation, the Wortham Foundation, the Herzstein Foundation, Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Vivian L. Smith Foundation, and the MD Anderson Foundation.

Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston

Photo via Houston First Corporation

Jones Plaza will is now the Lynn Wyatt Square For The Performing Arts.

Los Angeles-based design firm Rios helmed the project, selected following an exhaustive selection process and design contest.

“I always say I was born, bred, and buttered in Houston. I have long been devoted to the arts because I believe that the arts, particularly the performing arts, are the soul of any city,” the always-charming Wyatt said during a christening ceremony in 2019. “This is such a wonderful honor and I am delighted that this beautiful square for the performing arts will be enjoyed by my fellow Houstonians and visitors long after I am gone.”

A heartfelt standing ovation to Houston's iconic benefactor, indeed.

washed out

Houston DJs remember pioneering music store that's closing after 50 years

Photo by Craig D. Lindsey

Soundswaves announced its imminent closure on Saturday, April 25.

The parking lot of the Soundwaves on 3509 Montrose was well-populated on Saturday, April 25. Earlier in the day, the record/skate/surf shop announced on Instagram that the store would be closing soon and all the merchandise was 50 percent off. Of course, people showed up to grab as many items – LPs, T-shirts, skate shoes – as they could, waiting in line as longtime owner Jeff Spargo rang up customers one-by-one.

Soundwaves was once Houston’s mightiest independent record-store chain, with locations all over the city (its South Main location was frequented by hip-hop heads like the late DJ Screw and famed producer/ex-employee DJ Premier). It all started in 1970 when a then-19-year-old Jeff Spargo opened the Inland Surf Shop in Westbury. Seven years later, he would open up his first Soundwaves near Hobby Airport. He would later merge surfing and sounds when he launched the Montrose location in 1997. An official closing date has yet to be announced, and CultureMap was unable to reach Spargo for comment.

As the new millennium introduced streaming-music platforms that made physical media almost obsolete, record chains like Soundwaves were on the decline. The Montrose store – once a prime destination for local and visiting DJs, with its overwhelming, eclectic selection of vinyl and CDs – would eventually become the last one standing.

We asked a few of the city’s finest spinners if they have memories of stocking up at that location and/or other Soundwaves spots:

Emdee “DJ Kool Emdee” Anderson: “I used to frequent it very often. I remember when DJ Premier used to work at the original Main St. location. And when No More Mr. Nice Guy [from his hip-hop group Gang Starr] was released, he put copies of the album in the front of every record slot. I joke with him about that when I see him.

“That location was a hangout spot for DJs and producers. I got a number of gigs by helping others with music suggestions.”

Kris Stivers: “I have tons of memories (and spent tons of money on records). I was there all the time – practically every location. I introduced my sister to a buddy of mine who worked there and, now, he’s my brother-in-law. My sister then got a job at the Montrose location. She called me once from the store and put Questlove on the phone. I met Little Brother and other artists there. I miss those days.”

GrandfatherCLOC: “I met Blind Rob and Devin The Dude at the one on Gessner & 59. I still have a Soundbombing II T-shirt from when The ARE was working at South Main.

“The most memorable was meeting DJ Theory from [KTRU radio show] 12" Sub, a few years after it was off the air, at the one on Montrose. I heard one of the employees speaking and was like, that's Theory's voice!”

Jason “Flash Gordon Parks” Woods: “I went to all the locations. One of my fondest memories was finding Roy Ayers Ubiquity’s Starbooty and feeling like Steel in Juice.”

Jason “DJ Burb” Rodgers: “I only went to the one on Main. I used to go there every Tuesday after getting out of class at UH-D to listen to some new releases in the listening booths.”

Jason Graeber: “I remember all the great music lovers who worked there. Chris and Brandon always knew about the new EDM artists that were coming out. Bucky was great at introducing people to new rock and underground music. Before you had online influencers, the kids at the record stores drove what people listened to. I remember walking in and checking the end caps from my favorite employees to see what new music they were recommending. I feel that this is something that is missing and why it is harder for great bands to get traction.”

closings music soundwaves