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    Rare Birds

    Houston's own mini Harry Connick Jr. chick magnet: Henry Darragh sets new sweetstandards

    Chris Becker
    Aug 24, 2012 | 5:37 pm
    • Henry Darragh
    • Henry Connick Jr. and his way with the ladies definitely encouraged HenryDarragh.
      Photo courtesy of Harry Connick, Jr.
    • Kat Edmonson is another influence for Darragh.
      Photo by Koko Bonparte

     "It's important for singers to write songs about what's happening in their lives. It's great to sing a standard . . . but it's so much more important for you to add that your story."

    - singer and composer Cassandra Wilson

    So did you fall out of bed this morning, crawl over to a piano, and start singing, in key, the classic standard "Look For The Silver Lining"? Probably not. But are you now hearing it in your head?

    No? You say you've never heard the song? Well, here's vocalist and trumpet player Chet Baker singing the tune. Check it out. I'll wait.

    When sung by a great singer, certain songs, be it a ballad or an up-tempo number like ". . . Silver Lining," sound so . . . succinct, that one can forget the technique that's required to sing them convincingly. On Sunday night, Houston composer, trombonist, pianist, and singer Henry Darragh will perform two sets of standards and originals, including songs from his most recent CD Tell Her For Me, at Ovations Night Club.

     

      Were those early songs inspired by Connick? "They were definitely inspired by girls," Darragh says. "That's for sure." 

    When it comes to singing, Darragh has been compared to Baker, but to my ears, any similarity between the two has to do with the way both make singing a sophisticated song sound effortless, inspiring you the listener to sing along, if only in your head!

    Standards or originals, which are more satisfying to play and sing?

    "I like both," says Darragh, who also writes his own songs. "I think the standard style is how I write. Maybe with some more modern harmony, but that's how I write and how I think."

    For the shows at Ovations, Darragh will be sharing the stage with some of Houston's finest jazz musicians, including Dennis Dotson on trumpet, Andrew Hayward on trombone, Seth Paynter on tenor saxophone, Glen Ackerman on bass, and Richard Cholakian on drums. Cholakian and Paynter, along with bassist Thomas Helton, play around town as the free-jazz maelstrom Core Trio, and all three can certainly hold their own when it comes to more straight-ahead material.

    "I love Seth's playing," Darragh says. "He's just such a free player. I found that when I play with him, I play differently. I play a lot freer. Not free like Core Trio free. Just like not having a net you know? Not having all that judgment in my playing."

     First Notes

    As a teenager in Pasadena, Darragh seriously studied the trombone, playing both classical and jazz repertoire. But he was drawn much earlier to the piano when he was just four or five years old, thanks in part to his mother who not only played the piano, but led the church choir.

    "I was forced to sing in church at an early age," he says. "My mother would lead the church choir. My sister and I would have to do it, so I always sang."

     

      "I didn't take piano lessons until I was 18," he confesses. "It was some years later that I felt good enough to do it." 

    Darragh began to take singing more seriously while in high school, inspired in part by Harry Connick Jr. who was blowing up at the time thanks to his contributions to the soundtrack for the film When Harry Met Sally. Girls dug Darragh's voice, and in addition to singing Connick's material, he began composing his own songs.

    Were those early songs inspired by Connick as well? "They were definitely inspired by girls," Darragh says. "That's for sure."

    Several years later, 2002 to be precise, after studying trombone in college and playing in big bands, Darragh began gigging around Houston on piano as a small group musician, playing and singing his own material.

    "I didn't take piano lessons until I was 18," he confesses. "It was some years later that I felt good enough to do it. I may not have been ready when I first started!"

    Darragh began to hone his sweet and sweetly swinging delivery, and eventually recorded his popular CD of standards and originals Tell Her For Me in 2011 (it's nearly sold out on CD Baby, but still available as an MP3 download). The musicians on Tell Her For Me include trumpeter Carol Morgan, guitarist Erin Wright, drummer Chuck Payne, and current sextet members Paynter and Ackerman.

    So to my ears (which have a mind of their own), I hear a little Michael Franks, definitely some Harry Connick Jr., and even a bit of Bob Dorough in Darragh's tone and phrasing. He's also a fine piano player, and remains a formidable trombonist as well.

    When it comes to contemporary singers, Darragh is quick to give props to bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding, who always offers a unique interpretation of whatever song she chooses to sing, as well as vocalist Kat Edmonson, whose quirky, musically adventurous approach to repertoire complements her own original compositions.

    "I like originality," Darragh says. "(Kat Edmonson) has her own take on things. I heard her sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and it was so different (from) the hundreds of versions I've heard or the way I sing it."

    Now at this point, if you have some of the above mentioned songs playing on the radio in your head, or if you've hopped over to Darragh's website and sampled for the first time his version of "Hey There" or (you guessed it) "Look For The Silver Lining," then get out to Darragh's Sunday show at Ovations. Show some love not only for great songwriting, singing, and playing, but for the musicians who make Houston's jazz community such a rich and lively scene.

     The Henry Darragh Sextet performs two sets Sunday at Ovations — 7:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. The doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door, $7 for students.

    unspecifiedseries568664047
    news/entertainment
    series/state-of-the-arts-2012

    celebrating space city

    More than 20 deals and specials celebrating Houston's 713 Day

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 10, 2025 | 9:30 am
    Houston Zoo entrance
    Courtesy of the Houston Zoo
    Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

    Is it just us, or has 713 Day blown up these past few years?

    Although this holiday that’s named for Houston’s original area code is still unofficial, that hasn’t stopped bars, restaurants, and other venues from celebrating July 13 by creating big, blowout events and/or food and drink specials.

    Here is a thorough rundown of all the places locals can go to this weekend and be — as they say around these parts — Houston Proud.

    Axelrad will host “Houston 713 Day,” complete with $1 off all Houston-based draft beer, special guest hip-hop legend Grimm, and Chicano Boulevard. Lowriders, slabs, DJs, vendors, food, a full bar, and live art by Meenr will all round out the event. 5 pm.

    Bayou Heights Biergarten is throwing it back to Houston’s roots with 713 FEST — a night dedicated to all things H-Town. Houstonians are invited to enjoy high-energy DJ sets, flash tattoos, local vendors, and Houston-themed sips. 8 pm.

    Cafe Leonelli at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston invites Houstonians to celebrate their city with its festive 713 Day cocktail, the Astro Fizz, for $7.13. The restaurant will also offer a 713 Day food special: brisket flautas ($16) and sweet potato succotash ($7.13). 9:30 am.

    Craft Pita will have its third annual “Craft Pita Cookout.” The restaurant will team up with Houston’s newest James Beard Award winner Thomas Bille (of Belly of the Beast) and ice-cream shop Milk and Sugar for a special 713 Day cookout collaboration. 11 am.

    Doves Restaurant is celebrating with an all-day happy hour, along with its signature, Southern cuisine-with-an-Asian twist brunch. Guests are encouraged to show their Houston pride by wearing their favorite Astros, Rockets, Texans, or H-Town gear. 11 am.

    Over at Fielding’s River Oaks, customers will enjoy happy hour brunch with 50 percent off Fielding’s cocktails, $3 off wine by the glass, and $2 off all beer. Brunch options include lemon cream cheese pancakes, crab avocado toast, and the classic Eggs Benedict. 11 am.

    Giant Texas Distillers will hold a 713 Day celebration that includes a car show full of slabs and lowriders, a vendor market, and other delights. There will also be live performances from Dat Boi T, GT Garza, Dank OG and others. 1 pm.

    Happy Liquor will host a “713 Day Mafia Takeover” block party. Along with vendors, food, games for kids, and a whole bunch of tricked-out slabs, we also have live performances from Brattz NuNu and other local artists. 3 pm.

    Hidden Bar, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked inside Norigami in West U., is serving up the 713 Day-exclusive cocktail Side the Sunrises. For $7.13, this cocktail mixes butterfly pea tea-infused gin, yuzu, cucumber, and shiso that brings the chill and flavor in one sip. 3 pm.

    Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ will pairs its all-you-can-eat Korean feasts ($25 for lunch, $36 for dinner) with buy-one-get-one beers all day on Sunday.

    Houston Zoo is offering $7.13 admission tickets on Saturday and Sunday. This offer is part of the Zoo’s ongoing effort of offering Houstonians the opportunity to rediscover their zoo and connect with animals and take action to save wildlife. 9 am.

    H-Town Bingo will have a Saturday-night, 713 Day kickoff party featuring a live performance from local rap great Lil’ Keke. It costs $10 to get in, but the $50 VIP package includes skip-the-line access and an official Lil’ Keke “SLFMADE” T-shirt. 7:30 pm.

    Karbach Brewing Co. will have a full day of music, market vendors, and H-Town pride in the Biergarten. Lil’ Flip & Friends will be doing a live performance and photographer/taco journalist Marco Torres will be spinning some Houston classics. 3 pm.

    Kazzan Ramen & Bar invites Houstonians to enjoy Ube Bae ($7.13), a cocktail made with Awamori, Batavia Arrack, ube, guava, lime, nutmeg and purple yam. It pairs with the restaurant’s signature ramen that’s served in a 350-degrees Celsius hot stone bowl. 11 am.

    Le Jardinier, the Michelin-starred French restaurant at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, will offer the Astro Fizz, an Astros-inspired drink special. It’s made with vodka, orange juice, and blue curacao. 5-6:30 pm.

    Meow Wolf Houston and Saint Arnold Brewing Company are teaming up to throw a neighborhood-sized celebration. Guests of all ages can expect live music, local merch, ice-cold drinks, and a wild pop-up portal that opens straight into the unexpected for free. Noon.

    The Original Ninfa's Uptown location will offer chile con queso (sharp cheddar and melting cheese, pico de gallo, flour totopos) and Ninfaritas (Houston’s most famous margarita, made with 100% agave tequila blanco) for $7.13. 10 am.

    Peachez HTX is throwing an R&B-infused bash. Signature cocktails like Purple Syrup, Screw 75, and Chopped and Screwed will be flowing alongside all frozen drinks for just $7.13. There will also be a soulful Sunday brunch with live music. Noon.

    Pitch 25 Beer Park will have a ”713 Takeover,” powered by the Houston Dynamo FC and local art collective Free Walls. Kick off the day by signing up for Cascarita, a free pick-up soccer tournament, then shop a lineup of local vendors from The Good Market HTX. 10 am.

    Pizaro’s Pizza will offer its classic, Neapolitan-style margherita pizza for 7.13 (plus tax) for phone orders, carry out, and dine-in only. The offer is available all day and customers should mention "713 Day" to claim their offer. Noon.

    River Oaks Theatre will have fine dining and live music for its celebration. International hip-hop violinist Josh Vietti will perform a tribute to iconic, Houston hip–hop songs live on stage, while DJ Kiotti spins favorite Houston classics. 7:15 pm.

    Salad and Go will be giving love to H-Town by slinging out salads and wraps for only $7.13, from Saturday to Monday. It’s valid at all drive-thru locations during regular business hours. For online orders, use the code “713.” 7 am (8:30 am Monday).

    The Savoy is hosting mechanical bull-riding contests on Friday and Saturday at 7:13pm. First Prize is $713, to be awarded on Sunday. Also on Sunday, they’ll have $7 specialty cocktails, along with $13 brunch and dinner specials. 11 am.

    Social Beer Garden HTX will have the one-and-only Michael “5000” Watts spin for its free party. DJs Charlee Brown and Vic G will do special sets, while a special “Purple Drank” cocktail, served in a medical bottle, will be available for a limited time. Noon.

    Over at Solarium, customers can enjoy the signature Purple Drink cocktail for $7.13. Made with 12-year aged rum, coconut, ube, pineapple, and lime, the cocktail is a tribute to the city’s culture. $1 from every Purple Drank cocktail will be donated to Kerr County relief efforts. 10 am.

    On Saturday, Soluna will partner with Do713 for the “Splash & Slabs Pool Party.” The event will be complete with DJ sets, cocktails, classic car displays, and major giveaways, including a free Heights House Hotel stay. 2 pm.

    Taste Kitchen + Bar will feature three 713 Day specialty cocktails, served in custom Taste styrofoam double cups for customers to keep. Featured drinks include the Screwed Up Smash, the Lavender Rita, and a Screwtown Punch tribute to the Astros. 8 am.

    Tavola is offering three special cocktails priced at $7.13 each all day. The lineup includes the Biggio Loves Espresso, a nod to the Astros; Orbit’s Soul, a vibrant green cocktail; and the Post Oak Sunset, a tribute to Tavola’s neighborhood. 11:30 am.

    Both WILD Concepts locations in Montrose and the Heights will have two $7.13 cocktails: Still Sippin (Maker’s Mark 101, Four Roses Single Barrel, maple, and bitters) and Purple Rain (Rémy Martin, coconut, ube, butterfly pea tea, pineapple, clarified citrus, and Topo Chico). 8 am.

    Houston Zoo entrance
      

    Courtesy of the Houston Zoo

    Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

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