The Hidden Agenda: Never Out of Print
This week in Houston brings another batch of incredible under-the-radar events, including a print media festival at the Menil Collection, exhibition openings at Art League Houston, Lawndale Art Center and Cardoza Fine Art, and even a Cinco de Mayo party with a Trump piñata you can bludgeon in the face.
Ongoing
Dave Burrell Performances at Christ Church Cathedral
Nameless Sound is hosting two performances by American jazz pianist and composer Dave Burrell, both of which take place this weekend at Christ Church Cathedral (1117 Texas). On Saturday at 8 pm, Burrell will perform alongside avant-garde jazz drummer Andrew Cyrille. Then, as the third installment of Nameless Sound’s Turning Point series commemorating the people and events of the American Civil War, Burrell will perform with trombonist Steve Swell on Sunday at 8 pm. General admission is $13 for each performance and tickets are available online.
Thursday, May 5
¡Three Amigos! at Market Square Park
Alamo Drafthouse presents the classic 80s comedy ¡Three Amigos! on Thursday in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Admission is free and Market on Main (located on the 300 block of Main, only a block from the screening) will feature vendors for food, goods and more, including Taco Nuts, Craft Burger Food Truck, FoodGasm, Photo Moto HTX and Unlikely Boutique. The screening starts at 7 pm in downtown’s Market Square Park (301 Milam).
Trump Piñata Party at Alley Kat Bar & Lounge
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo the right way by taking a stand to fight the wall-mongering hate machine that is Donald Trump. In addition to the satisfaction that comes from smashing a piñata of ol’ Don in the face, the event will feature DJs, poetry readings, voter registration and booze. The anti-Trump celebration starts at 6 pm at Alley Kat (3718 Main).
Friday, May 6
{exurb}: Array and Alex Trimino: Totemic Lore at Art League Houston
From 6 to 9 pm, Art League Houston (1953 Montrose) is hosting opening receptions for two exhibitions, including Array, created by the interdisciplinary collective {exurb} (composed of Johnny DiBlasi, Stephen Kraig, Patrick Renner and Eric Todd), which is an interactive audio-video exhibition centered on the intersection of art and technology. The other exhibition, Totemic Lore by Miami-based artist Alex Trimino, recontextualizes low-tech crafting with the use of high-tech materials.
Exhibition Openings at Lawndale Art Center
From 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Lawndale Art Center (4912 Main) is hosting the opening reception for four new exhibitions, including how2magpie by Bradly Brown, Cobra McVey and Anthony Sonnenberg (all residents of the tenth round of the Lawndale Artist Studio Program), Surface Dwellers by Samantha Persons and Christopher Wallace, May-Can-Will by Alex Goss and Triptych by Michelle Chang. Artist talks begin at 6 pm and the exhibitions will be on view through June 11.
Melinda Laszczynski: Portals and Prophecies at Cardoza Fine Art
From 7 to 10 pm, Cardoza Fine Art (805 William) is hosting the opening reception for Portals and Prophecies, the latest solo show by Melinda Laszczynski, where the Houston-based artist will present her highly-textural mixed-media paintings. Check out FPH’s interview with the artist prior to the opening on Friday.
Saturday, May 7
Mining the HMNS: “Toxic Tour” at Project Row Houses
As part of the programming for Round 44: Shattering the Concrete: Artists, Activists and Instigators — an exhibition centered around the role of modern art forms in challenging the current political climate and inciting political change — Project Row Houses is hosting a “Toxic Tour” with the dialogue surrounding the symbiotic relationship between the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences and its corporate sponsors. Led by T.E.J.A.S. (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services), patrons will visit petrochemical plants, refineries and East End neighborhoods along the Houston Ship Channel. Convening at Project Row Houses (2521 Holman) at 10 am, the events — which is free but guests need to RSVP — continue on the first Saturdays of each month through June.
MenilFest! at Menil Collection
From 11 am to 5 pm, the Menil Collection (1533 Sul Ross) is hosting MenilFest!, a day filled with performances, readings, panel discussions, live music, food trucks and the Gulf Coast Indie Book Fair, a showcase of dozens of talented artists, authors and publishers from across Texas. Also, be sure to catch the Houston Center for Photography‘s Collaboration Print Sale with prints by emerging and established local photographers, all of which are priced under $100. Check the MenilFest! website for the full schedule of Saturday’s events, which includes a poetry slam competition and a musical performance at Rothko Chapel.
