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Make a Smart art choice: Time's still left for you to decide Lawndale Big ShowPeople's Choice Award

Installation of "The Big Show." At center is Troy Stanley's "Life-Like StructureVIII," 2009, Wood, steel cable and hardware.
Photo by Cameron Blaylock
"The Big Show" is on view through July 30.
Courtesy photo

The powers that be at art institutions — curators, directors, patrons — often decide what is "good" work. But at the Lawndale Art Center Big Show, on view through Saturday, CultureMap has conjured up the People's Choice Award.

To vote, museum visitors simply use a smartphone to scan the QR code on the caption of their favorite piece of art.

The clock is ticking on having your say: Will you pick one of the official Big Show winners, Rodney Flores, Emily Grenader or Matt Messinger? Or perhaps a piece by one of the 70 other Houston-area artists is more up your aesthetic alley. There's always Heather Bause's neo Pop art depiction of children's toys, or photographic portraits of indie pirates at Free Press Summer Fest by Charles Tatum.

The breadth of talent can be overwhelming, so you'll want to allot a generous amount of time to weigh your options. Stop by Lawndale before it's too late, whip out your smartphone — and start scanning.

A winner will be announced next week.

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one night only

Diplo concert kicks off Houston's World Cup pop-up restaurant and bar

Courtesy of Diplo

Diplo will perform in Houston on Thursday, June 11.

A high profile Houston pop-up is kicking off its World Cup run with a concert by one of the world’s most famous DJs. International superstar Diplo will perform at The Ranch Presents Pitch Live on Thursday, June 11.

Known for a host of accomplishments — including co-writing M.I.A,’s Grammy-nominated “Paper Planes,” producing Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)," and collaborating with fellow star Skrillex on Jack Ü, and many more — Diplo will bring his signature high-energy performance to Pitch Live’s main stage for a concert with full scale lights, sound, and visual. Tickets, $175, are available now.

“Having Diplo at Pitch Live is a huge win for Houston,” Pitch Live co-founder Army Sadeghi said in a statement. “This city shows up for global moments, and we wanted an artist who matches that vibe. His performance brings energy that reflects exactly what this city and World Cup are all about.”

Sadeghi, a co-owner of Clarkwood, Melrose, and recently-opened cocktail bar 1111, partnered with Berg Hospitality founder Ben Berg and Houston soccer legend Brian Ching to open The Rance Presents Pitch Live in the former Warehouse Live space in EaDo. Open from June 11 through July 19, the 35,000-square-foot pop-up venue puts an international spin on The Ranch, Berg Hospitality’s restaurant at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that operated from 2022-2025.

It offers a public main stage with screens and bars for watching every World Cup match, a ticketed restaurant, and a private VIP lounge led by Sophie owner Ashley Muncie. Food options will include some of The Ranch’s most popular dishes as well as pop-ups from restaurants in Houston that represent the countries playing in that day’s matches.