Anything but a stuffy space

Art party: Divergence opens its new theater with greatest hits blowout

Dennis Arrowsmith, bass, performed on stilettos and wearing a corset and fishnettop.
Divergence Vocal Theater celebrated its new home at Spring Street Studios with amusical fete fit for the most discerning musical minds. Soprano and artisticdirector Misha Penton, dancer Meg Brooker and pianist Kyle Evan collaborated,presenting a work commissioned for the ensemble, among other selections thatexemplify the DVT's aesthetic.

There is always something magical about opening night. Gents in fine tuxes, dames in modish gowns and sparkling jewels, exquisite cuisine and bubbly cocktails.

But at the Divergence Music and Arts grand opening bacchanal Saturday, the scene resembled nothing of the sort. From the sophisticated socialite to the indie chic, the over-capacity crowd lounged comfortably on velvety floor pillows, mismatched chairs, rockers and loungers, awaiting a musicale that captured the raison d'être of the avant-garde ensemble.

The new venue at the burgeoning Spring Street Studios is home to Divergence Vocal Theater, the brainchild of soprano Misha Penton, who using a fiscal sponsorship model has been growing the company by breaking every convention of traditional vocal arts programming.

Exposed brick and vibrant green walls fuse to fashion an informal warehouse lofty aura, making the space feel more like a bohemian living room than a formal chamber hall. Almost tailored as a Divergence greatest hits, the grand opening bill included classic arias, works commissioned by Divergence, comical musical theater, soulful cabaret and experimental multimedia and cross-artistic compositions.

Mezzo Lainie Diamond brought the audience to tears with a tender, expressive a cappella American spiritual. Shelley Auer's "Alto's Lament" was quirky, full of personality and sass. Bass Dennis Arrowsmith, donning a corset, a fishnet top and stilettos, unleashed his masculine femininity in a theatrical performance of Dick Tracy's "More."

Jade Simmons tore up the piano with a virile virtuoso showcase of Liszt's Grand Etudes de Paganini No.6 in A Minor, ending with a spirited jazzy riff. Closing the program was a collaboration between pianist and composer Hsin-Jung Tsai, Chris Becker on laptop and dancer Meg Brooker, demonstrating the efficacy of juxtaposing traditional and contemporary genres, mediums and techniques.

Applause, applause! After the revue, devotees spilled onto the covered veranda for nibbles, libations and a lively mix and mingle with the artists.

Toasting to the new venue were Lois Alba, St.John Flynn, Dominick DiOrio and John Allegar, MaryBeth Davison Smith and Chris Welsh, Cecy Duarte, Brian Hoffner, John Bradshaw, Troy Campa and Rene Ibarra, Brad Goertz and Michael Zuraw.

It's official. Houston has a new boutique arts venue. That's something to celebrate.

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Horns Up High

Burnt orange spirit lights up Houston at Texas Exes scholarship gala

Photo by Jacob Power

Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

It was an elevated burnt orange night at River Oaks Country Club as more than 300 Longhorn faithful gathered for the Texas Exes Houston Chapter’s Longhorn Legacy Scholarship Gala on April 10. The evening’s honorees, Kisha Itkin, Jason Itkin, Tara Arnold, and Kurt Arnold, were celebrated for their generosity and spirited support of The University of Texas at Austin.

Photo by Jacob Power

Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

Greeting guests at valet was none other than Bevo, the famed Longhorn steer and unofficial mascot. Inside, a sculpted ice bar featuring the honorees' names and the Longhorn logo in vibrant burnt orange wowed the crowd. Underwritten by Mike Lowenberg of Lowenberg Law Firm, the frosty centerpiece offered a fitting nod to the honorees’ indelible mark on UT’s legacy. Meanwhile, a UT Tower ice sculpture, framed by a festive balloon wall by Topped Off Co., provided yet another irresistible photo op.

Leading the evening’s program was Cyndy Garza Roberts, who kicked off festivities with a stirring video. Athletics director Chris Del Conte praised Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnoldfor their invaluable ideas and steadfast support, reinforcing the honorees’ impact beyond just philanthropy. Texas Exes Houston Chapter president Kyle Griffin and event chair Tawnya Bell also shared personal stories, with Bell's emotional scholarship journey underscoring the night’s purpose.

Personal testimonies from UT grads and scholarship recipients Janelle Chavez and Will Florer inspired more generosity, culminating in a $330,000 fundraising triumph. Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn capped off the tributes with a mayoral proclamation from Mayor John Whitmire, officially declaring April 10 as Kisha and Jason Itkin and Tara and Kurt Arnold Day in Houston.

In true Longhorn tradition, the evening closed with all guests standing, horns up, singing "The Eyes of Texas, a fitting finale to a night brimming with spirit.

Spotted were Chuck Harris, Brien Smith, Rick Harsch, June Deadrick, Brock Niezgoda and Meg Hayward, Jackie and Scott Freeman, Luisa and Dr. Lucky Chopra, Ginger Cearley, Erin and Nathan Phelps, Kristen Griffin, Adam Pulaski, Stephanie Wilcox, Catherine Campbell, Al Riddle, Lauren Riddle, Michele Leal and George Farah, Winell and Doug Herron, Kristen Cannon, Niki and James Lassiter, and Amy and Segev Zadok.