1. ‘The Big Show’
Lawndale’s The Big Show lives up to its name, featuring pieces by dozens of artists working within a 100-mile radius of the arts center. Admittedly, last year was a particularly large “The Big Show” at more than 200 pieces, a spree of an exhibition sparked by the pandemic. This year’s event should be a bit more modest in terms of quantity, but you can always count on a wide range of what is presented. This year’s show was curated by judge Daisy Nam, curator at Ballroom Marfa.
When: preview parties at 5pm and 7pm on June 17; Exhibition runs June 18-August. 13
Where: Lawndale Art Center, 4912 Main
Details: $75-$100 for preview party; general admission free; www.lawdaleartcenter.org
Andrew Dansby
2.Joshua Hedley
Joshua Hedley sounds like a man lost in time. The Florida native and Nashville native is fluent in just about every substyle of 1990s country music, though he seems to have a particular fondness for the ballad singers of the ’60s and ’70s. He’s a skilled songwriter who finds ways to update older traditions and a superb violinist. His album titles are probably the most succinct way to convey his mood: “Mr. Jukebox” and the new “Neon Blue”. Houston guitarist Kelly Doyle and his trio kick things off.
When:
7 p.m. June 19
Where:
Shoeshine Charlie Big Top Lounge, 3714 Main
Details:
$10; www.continentalclub.com
Andrew Dansby
3. ‘animal kingdom’
The sixth and final season of one of the best, if unannounced, series on TV lands on Sunday, undoubtedly ending the adventures of the crime-prone Cody family in a final spasm of duplicity, double entender and underhandedness. Drawing on the acclaimed 2010 Australian film of the same name, the showrunners took the bare bones of this film — which chronicles the life of a Melbourne family of thieves, crooks and crooks — and relocated it to San Diego County, where it became a commentary on Corruption of the California Dream. But beyond that, it’s just plain good drama, even without the compelling presence of Ellen Barkin, who plays the worst mother ever who’s already left the show.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: TNT
Details: tntdrama.com
cary darling
4. “Hugh Hayden: Boogey Men”
In “Boogey Men” by architect and artist Hugh Hayden, there are many ghosts. His exhibition has landed at the University of Houston’s Blaffer Museum of Art after showing at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami. Rumor has it that all but one of Hayden’s monumental works have been sold. Run, don’t walk, to experience his haunting commentary on the American Dream while you can. “Boogey Man,” a hooded police car, and “Nude,” a skeletal figure carved from bald cypress trees, are not to be missed.
When: Until September 4th
Where: Blaffer Art Museum, 120 Fine Arts Building
Details: free; blafferartmuseum.org, 713-743-9521
Amber Elliott
5. ‘La Sylphide’
The Houston Ballet closes its dynamite season with performances of “La Sylphide” and the world premiere of Stanton Welch’s “Sparrow.” His new work features music by Simon & Garfunkel.
When: Until June 26th
Where: Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas
Details: $25 and up; houstonballet.org
Amber Elliott