The Year In Culture

Less blockbuster, more indie surprises: A call for fewer Texas-sized artexhibits in 2011

"Richard Misrach: After Katrina," at the MFAH and Lawndale Art Center, cutthrough the sentimentality and the fatigue of the fifth anniversary of HurricaneKatrina.
Photo by © Richard Misrach
The Menil deserves special mention for featuring Maurizio Cattelan. His "All"was perhaps the most overwhelming work I saw this year at the Menil.
Photo by Markus Tretter
Then again, how can anyone forget having the chance to climb into thereconstructed Merzbau during this year’s "Kurt Schwitters: Color and Collage"?
The MFAH gave us this year the gift of "Sargent and the Sea" and "Alice Neel:Painted Truths." I always loved John Singer Sargent, but his early works,inspired by a transatlantic voyage, had never before been assembled.
And we should all be pleased that the CAMH’s endlessly energetic director, BillArning, organized a screening and discussion of David Wojnarowicz’s video "AFire in My Belly," recently censored at the Smithsonian.
While others will have more to say on this subject, I can report that HoustonGrand Opera’s productions of "Turn of the Screw" and "Peter Grimes" wererevelations.
Photo by Felix Sanchez
And it’ll be fascinating to see what mix Dance Salad brings to town; this annualsampling of European dance companies puts Houston heads and shoulders over mostcities.
Photo by Laurent Philippe

What I want most from art is surprise. I want something that delights or shocks and makes the whole world seem new. As I looked back on a heady year of art in 2010, I thought about what has kept me guessing and what keeps me wanting more.

I take my hat off to the Menil Collection and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Both manage to create a total environment around viewers, which is no easy task. The Menil deserves special mention for featuring Maurizio Cattelan.

Although the show happened last spring, it was as if Santa Claus had snuck into the collection at night and left the gift of Cattelan’s stealthy sculptures amidst the favorites of the collection. His All was perhaps the most overwhelming work I saw this year at the Menil.

Then again, how can anyone forget having the chance to climb into the reconstructed Merzbau during this year’s Kurt Schwitters: Color and Collage? The Menil’s Merzbau is a reconstruction of the living sculpture that Schwitters created around himself in his home, a collage environment made of found objects. This memorable exhibition also drew attention to his quite painterly assemblages, with their gorgeous bluish-green hues.

You can still see this show, which runs through January 30 2011, and you won’t think of collage the same way after you do.

The CAMH has no permanent collection and significantly slimmer resources than other major museums in town. In spite of this, their impact is profound. The shows that impressed me the most were Benjamin Patterson: Born in a State of Fluxus and Hand + Made: The Performative Impulse in Art and Craft, both organized by senior curator Valerie Cassel Oliver, who is clearly a real gem in Houston’s impressive crown of curators.

And we should all be pleased that the CAMH’s endlessly energetic director Bill Arning organized a screening and discussion of David Wojnarowicz’s video A Fire in My Belly, recently censored at the Smithsonian. Wojnarowicz's hypnotic attention to sex, death, masculinity, and Mexico warrants greater attention.

Let’s hope Arning screens it again. Let’s also hope he turns his intelligence, experience, and curatorial generosity to the question of where art about sex and sexuality is right now. Some recent Houston shows on gay art and performance left me wanting more potent conversation on the subject.

A venue like the Museum of Fine Arts Houston can seem more standard, and to some less invigorating, than the Menil or the CAMH. But what I love about the MFAH is the surprise of what’s familiar. Sure, this is the venue that will welcome Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Art. Hey, we’ve all got to pay our bills and no doubt this will be a blockbuster exhibition.

But the MFAH gave us this year the gift of Sargent and the Sea and Alice Neel: Painted Truths. I always loved John Singer Sargent, but his early works, inspired by a transatlantic voyage, had never before been assembled. What luck that they finally were. And what is there to say of Alice Neel’s fascinating portraits of Warhol, Smithson, and others? It’s a unique vision of what a portrait accomplishes, and she’s a new favorite of mine thanks to the MFAH.

There’s perhaps no performance venue in Houston as consistently innovative as Diverseworks. Whenever I miss something there, I feel intense physical pangs of regret. I don’t have a lot to say about this year’s sensational Yasuko Yokoshi's Tyler, Tyler other than that I've never seen anything like this blend of contemporary choreography and music with classical Japanese dance and theater. This year, Allison Hunter’s Zoosphere, a haunting video-environment populated by animals denatured of habitat, was a standout, even amidst the flurry of FotoFest events.

While others will have more to say on this subject, I can report that Houston Grand Opera’s productions of Turn of the Screw and Peter Grimes were revelations. The HGO might be the most impressive of the few truly world-class venues in Houston, and the creativity lavished upon all of their offerings is notable. But the ongoing multi-year cycle of Britten’s work merits further attention. This composer is a great genius who deserves more attention than he gets, and audiences should not miss the productions to come these next years.

Is Houston a world-class city for dance? It remains to be seen, though this year’s 16^th annual Weekend of Texas Contemporary Dance had some Houston-area highs as well as some predictable lows. This fall Houston Ballet has been a bit of a sleeper, but the year tells a tale all about Jiří Kylián's wonderful Forgotten Land (last year’s astonishing Falling Angels also comes to mind) and Frederick Ashton’s charming La Fille Mal Gardée.

Dominick Walsh has also contributed to the growing presence of Kylian in Houston with a performance of an excerpt of 27’52. We can look forward in 2011 to a world premiere by Kylián's protégé Jorma Elo, many of whose works I had the good fortune to see at Boston Ballet, where Elo is resident choreographer. And it’ll be fascinating to see what mix Dance Salad brings to town; this annual sampling of European dance companies puts Houston heads and shoulders over most cities.

It’s easy to take notice of major spectacles, but I must say that a few smaller shows really moved me. Kristina Van Dyke’s Objects of Devotion at the Menil was wonderfully meditative about the nature of aesthetics and religion in the cult of devotion founded by Dominique de Menil. The show featured religious objects culled from multiple eras and traditions, and I appreciated this curatorial sensibility.

Richard Misrach: After Katrina, at the MFAH and Lawndale Art Center, cut through the sentimentality and the fatigue of the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Misrach’s photographs track the desperate, poignant, and odd messages scrawled in paint after the storm. It takes a deft hand to have such restraint in the face of disaster and it takes a mature artist to see what’s really before him.

My only regret is that these photographs were hung outside the entrance to Café Express at the MFAH and got a little lost.

It’s important for a city to present major, world-class works on a grand scale. But for 2011, l would like to see Houston cultivate more small scale greatness.

It may be heresy to say, but not all good things need come in Texas-sized packages.

Editor's note: This is the third in a series of articles CultureMap will be running this last week of 2010 on The Year in Culture. The stories in this series will focus on a few key points, things that struck our reporting team about the year rather than rote Top 10 lists or bests of.

weekend event planner

These are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo by Roberto Finizio

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Even though school is back in session, summer vibes remain strong across Houston. This weekend is loaded with art openings, film screenings, and classic rock gods performing for enthusiastic crowds.

If that isn't enough, a new restaurant celebrates its grand opening, a Houston landmark turns 100, and Houstonians who miss the World Cup can get an introduction to the Premier League. Read on for our picks for this weekend's most appealing activities.

Thursday, August 20

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston present CAMH Cinema Club: F for Fake
Trickery. Deceit. Magic. In F for Fake, a free-form, 1973 sort-of documentary directed by Orson Welles, the legendary filmmaker (and self-described charlatan) gleefully re-engages with the central preoccupation of his career: the tenuous lines between illusion and truth, art and lies. Join Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s CAMH Cinema Club for this free event. Seating is limited and first come, first serve. 6:30 pm.

Absolutely HTX August Music Showcase
This concert production company introduces regional musical talent to audiences at local venues and through its Instagram account. The monthly music showcase will feature music by neo-soul visionary Kymora Simone, stripped down acoustics from the creative project REEVES, a set by the independent art project Oh, Horray, an acoustic set by Houston-Southern-rock artist David Nachtigall, a closing pop-EDM set by Houston duo The Nytsters, and more. 7 pm.

River Oaks Theatre presents Do No Harm
Home health nurse Sam Yeong (Harry Shum Jr.) is already burned out and overwhelmed. But when he realizes that, in his exhaustion, he may have administered a fatal dose of medication to a young patient, he begins to unravel. Over the next 24 hours, his mounting guilt sets him on a collision course with the grieving father (Jimmy Gonzales), while those around him become entangled in the fallout. Following the screening, audience members are invited to stay for a live Q&A with members of the filmmaking team. 9:45 pm.

Friday, August 21

Tacodeli Grand Opening & Back to School Bash
The Austin-based taco restaurant is celebrating the start of the school year with a two-day Back to School Bash at its recently-opened Katy location. The celebration will feature live music, family-friendly activities, giveaways, and food and drink specials. Tacodeli will donate 50 percent of all sales on Friday and Saturday to Katy Taylor and Cinco Ranch high schools. Throughout both days, kids 12 and under will eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée when dining in. Folks can also enjoy $5 house made 16-ounce frozen and rocks margaritas all day. 5 pm (11 am Saturday).

Black Cinema Club HTX and Press Players Club present Scenes & Soundtrax | House Party
Black Cinema Club HTX and Press Players Club are teaming up for another Scenes & Soundtrax event, celebrating the moments where film and music collide. This time around, they’re spotlighting House Party, the 1990 hip-hop comedy that proved a great soundtrack can be just as memorable as the movie itself. It’ll be an evening of community, conversation, and media analysis as they revisit the film's cultural impact, the music that defined an era, and why it continues to influence pop culture today. ‘90s attire is encouraged. 7 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents The Hole
Set just prior to the start of the 21st century, this dystopic 1998 story follows two residents of a crumbling Taipei apartment building who refuse to leave, in spite of a virus that has forced evacuation of the area. As rain pours down relentlessly, a man deals with a hole in his floor, resulting in an odd relationship with the woman neighbor below him. Combining deadpan humor with unexpected musical numbers, auteur Tsai Ming-liang personally supervised new prints (in glorious 35mm!) of one of the most original films of the 1990s. 7 pm.

Santana and The Doobie Brothers in concert
The Woodlands is gonna be swarming with music fans looking to party like it's 1979 this weekend. On Thursday, Chicago and Styx will be at the Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion, as part of their co-headlining tour. The following night, Santana and The Doobie Brothers will be there, as part of their Oneness Tour. Santana is touring in support of his 2025 album, Sentient, while The Doobie Brothers are touring in support of their 2025 album, Walk This Road. 7 pm.

Saturday, August 22

Premier League presents Everton Football Club Watch Party
Everton Football Club will bring the excitement of the Premier League’s opening weekend to Houston, as part of the Premier League’s Coast to Coast initiative. The Blues will host an official watch party at Pitch 25 in EaDo, centrered around Everton’s first match of the 2026/27 season against Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Go here to register. 8 am.

River Oaks District presents The Wellness Edit
This monthly morning event is dedicated to wellness and self-care. Begin the day with an energizing Vinyasa yoga class followed by a curated selection of wellness experiences. Explore beauty and skincare offerings, recovery and self-care activations, healthy refreshments, exclusive giveaways, and more. This outdoor experience is open to the public and free to attend. Through Saturday, October 17. 9:30 am.

Vibe Artisan Market presents Summer Vibe Art Fair
This two-day artisan market features over 80 handcrafted artists and makers selling local art, metal/gemstone jewelry, ceramics, slow fashion, handcrafted home goods, and more. There will also be a live vinyl DJ set, a walkable art gallery showcasing local visual artists, free Topo Chico in the on-site lounge, coffee bar, food from globally inspired chefs, swag bags for the first 25 attendees each day, and more. 11 am.

Houston Public Library presents The Julia Ideson Building's 100th Birthday Celebration
Houston Public Library will celebrate 100 years of the Julia Ideson Building with an event featuring a full day of library and book-themed activities inspired by the building's namesake and HPL’s first librarian. Highlights include a screening of the documentary The Julia Ideson Building - Celebrating 100 Years, guided tours of the historic building, a special exhibit highlighting its rich past, craft activities, giveaways, and a Vintage Storytime featuring gems from the historic children’s book collection. Noon.

Laura Rathe Fine Art presents "Mixing Media" opening reception
Bringing together artists who approach material in distinct and innovative ways, this group exhibition celebrates texture through the use of diverse materials, showcasing works ranging from polystyrene and collage to paper and metal and beyond. It also highlights how media itself can become both subject and language. At its core, it’s about experimentation, a celebration of curiosity in motion that comes from constantly exploring material and process. 6 pm.

Sunday, August 23

Pilates, Mimosas & Porsche: Luxury Wellness Brunch Exclusive Edition
Movement, luxury, wellness, and community come together for an unforgettable experience at this morning event. Start the day with a signature Pilates session, then spend the morning enjoying a coffee party with a live DJ, discovering the Expo Village (featuring premium wellness, beauty, and lifestyle brands), relaxing inside luxury amenities, and connecting with hundreds of like-minded people in one of Houston’s most beautiful wellness destinations. 9 am.

Benise in concert
Known as “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” Benise celebrates 25 years of fiery Spanish guitar and dance by playing everything from Led Zeppelin to Vivaldi. Along with an international cast of musicians and dancers, the Emmy-winning composer will entertain audiences with a two-hour show that is also one of the longest running, Latin-themed theatrical productions touring the world. He has released 15 albums in his career, most recently Fiesta! in 2022. 6 pm.

Vela Ensemble presents "Where the Senses Meet"
Join Vela Ensemble and Archway Gallery featured artist Lisette McClung for pairings of woodwind chamber music and artwork. Whether you're a music lover, an art enthusiast, or just curious, this concert promises to be both intimate and vibrant. Come join the fun and let your senses run wild. A light-bite reception will follow. Free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $20 per person. This is an intimate venue with a capacity of 50, so please RSVP. 6 pm.

Photo by Roberto Finizio

Santana in concert.

things to do music film houston event-planner weekend events