An opening reception on a Friday night always feels electric. The energy in the space is undeniable and truly sets the tone for a beautiful evening of art viewing.

The Big Show, an annual juried exhibition, opened at Lawndale Art Center on June 6 and completely lived up to its name. This exhibition, Between Lines and Faces, features works by artists that practice within a 100-mile radius of Lawndale. 77 artists were chosen this year, 88 pieces were featured. Juried by Dr. Philip Townsend, Townsend is the curator of Art at the Art Galleries at Black Studies (AGBS) at the University of Texas at Austin. This year the Big Show 2025 called for pieces with heavy themes of portraiture, text, and the mundane. When these ideas are broken down, we can see the true ways in which they’re all connected to how we exist and show up in the world daily. 

Walking into the building, you’re met with vibrant music and the hums from buzzing, intentional conversations all around. Lawndale, a big space, did a beautiful job of displaying the work. Every turn is greeted with images that feel familiar and remind you of someone you know. Some of my favorites artists included: Chayse Sampy (Jurors Award), Randy Wrosiv, Morgan Newton, Saj Baldwin, and Preetika Rajgariah (Jurors award).

Every piece reflected a moment in time and encapsulated how special those seemingly small instances are. Visually, these works also offered an opportunity to dive deeper into our commonalities as opposed to our differences. Every day we co-exist while we navigate through our personal journeys. This exhibition perfectly displays that, offering reminders that there’s connection and peace in our daily efforts of existence.

Between Lines and Faces invites us to see the beauty of existence and existing alongside others as a means of connection, understanding, and, in many ways, kinship.

LATELY IN HOUSTON

It’s 90’s night baby! Houston Natural Science Museum sure looks like it knows how to throw a good 90’s party. We heard their Halloween one is also a blast.

Eldorado Ballroom starts strong with a beautiful symphony. The weeklong show kicked off with excellence as part of Solange Knowles curated show of performance arts in Eldorado Ballroom. After her speech, we’re excited to see how the magic will continue to unfold.

“It could be more of a diner.” Writer and food critic Alison Cook stops by the new and popular Asian American diner in The Heights, Agnes and Sherman. Scallion waffles anyone?

Pull up and get a free book? Listen… whenever there’s a lil pop-up library or bookstore in town, give us a call ok? Aesop Montrose stuns at their pop-up Queer Library last weekend giving out free complimentary books and snacks.

WEEKEND EVENTS

All weekend

• Fade to Black Arts Festival at MATCH

• ISHIDA’s dance performance inside my walls at Asia Society Texas Center

Thursday, 6/12

7pm and 8:30pm, DIY Crafts | Pottery studio Smashed studio is hosting Mud + Mixology, an event blending mixology and handmade pottery. “Learn to craft cocktails (or mocktails) with a pro bartender while shaping custom barware—like martini glasses, shooters, or shorties—at the workbench.” $75.

7pm-10pm, Dancing | Salsa dancing at Park After Dark in Discovery Green.

7:30pm, Live Music | Artist Charly Siaba will be performing at Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge. Get in there before 7pm for their awesome $7 smash burger and fries deal.

8pm, Concert | See Andrea Bocelli perform with Houston Symphony at Toyota Center. Tickets start at $111.

8pm-2am, Nightlife | “Join us for a tropical ladies night!” Casa Verde is hosting Ladies Night Luau.

Friday, 6/13

10am-3pm, DIY Crafts | Red Bird Press is hosting Open Studios this summer. “Once a month, dive into the world of printmaking, letterpress, and book arts in our killer studio.” $70.

12pm-4pm, Tattoos and Piercings | Moonlight studios (and many tattoo studios) is hosting their popular Friday the 13th Flash Tattoos Event featuring $31 tattoos and $31 piercings.

6pm, Bingo | Sunset Bingo at Levy Park! “$10 for 8 games | $1 daubers (cash only)🍴 Enjoy food and drinks!”

7pm, Open Mic | The Writers Block is hosting Open Mic at Neighbors. Be there for poetry, RNB, hip hop and a “night of community, authentic music, energy, and the best talent the city has to offer!” Tickets $20.

8:30pm, Culture Festival | Juneteenth Culture Fest at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Free.

Saturday, 6/14

11am-1pm, Book Club | Silent Book Club is hosting their Books & Brunch event with a book swap at Gritzworks. A “cozy morning of books, bites, and book swapping!” I like the idea of this book club because you just read together. There’s no pressure to discuss or pick a specific book.

11am-3pm, DIY Crafts | Valencia Charm Bar is hosting a pop-up at Root & Bloom Market.

11am-6pm, Book Club | Book Club Babes is hosting their Reader’s Fest at POST featuring author book signing, photo ops, crafts and a book swap. Author panel is sold out but the event is open to the public at 1pm.

2pm-5pm, Vinyls | Community Artists Collective is hosting Vinyl & Veneration “an intimate afternoon of live music, healing, and storytelling.” There’ll be live music and complimentary salads provided by Sweetgreen.

4pm-9pm, Culture Festival | Day 1 Juneteeth CultureFEST on Avenida and Discovery Greenday 1.

6pm-9pm, Museum Afters | Experience Golden Splendor at MFAH. Experience the museum after hours with live music and one complimentary cocktail. Featuring music from: MozART collective from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, jazz from the Marlon Simon Quartet, and DJs Brother Jackson and Pink Matter from Ice House Radio. $40 or free for members.

Sunday, 6/15

2pm-6pm, Market | Blackwood Skyfarmer’s Market at POST.

3pm, Dance | LAST showing of ISHIDA’s dance performance inside my walls inspired by author Haruki Murakami at Asia Society Texas Center. Tickets start at $30. Selling out, buy tickets soon.

4pm-9pm, Culture Festival | Day 2 Juneteenth CultureFEST on Avenida and Discovery Green.

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