🚨 WE HAVE TWO (2) MOOD TO MOVE tix that we’re giving away because we can’t make it tonight. First person to reply to this email with the correct answer (which is in this newsletter) to this question gets them:

What’s the name of the exclusive club at the Houston Rodeo?

Every moment the Museum of Fine Arts Houston opens its doors after dark, we’re already there.

On March 22nd, MFAH hosted another Art Crowd event alongside this season’s current exhibition: Tamara de Lempicka. Art Crowd based on MFAH’s site is “a vibrant group of MFAH members in their 20s and 30s interested in expanding their experiences at the Museum” and offers private access to exhibition, drinks, light bites and an art making activity. It’s a social museum “after-hours” event meant to connect other MFAH members and art enthusiasts. In other words, a museum after party. One that requires an existing MFAH membership ($70 for individuals, $40 for students, $95 for a dual) with an additional Art Crowd fee granting access to events for the year. This particular night, however, was also open to the public for $35. So, exclusive? Not exactly.

Museum of Fine Arts afters have yet to be a miss with us. We love the Jazz and Juleps event (which is coming around soon on April 1) at the Bayou Bend, the Summer Nights evening party that features live music, and most recently, the Moonlight Movies series that screen films outdoors at the Glassell School of Art. These nights rarely disappoint! This Art Crowd was held on the upper floor of the Law Building and the space was long and narrow. The bar and DJ arranged in a way that made movement throughout the space felt a little awkward. Get a drink. See the art. Leave. The intention was clear, but the execution lacked something—cohesion, or maybe just a sense of ease. 

The exhibition itself? Tamara de Lempicka. Art Deco in its highest form—sleek, indulgent, sharp-edged but still sultry portraits of a world that lived for excess. An artist who spent some time living in Houston, seeing her work in this setting among a crowd, but not crushed by one, felt like a luxury. A momentary illusion of exclusivity. For us we lingered there as our pre-game activity for the night, then moved on: first to The Kennedy for dinner and drinks at the bar, then on to a warehouse house party shrouded in dim lights and fog machines.

Art Crowd does what it sets out to do. It gets art people in the door, puts a beverage in their hand, lets them believe if only for an hour or two, that they belong to something just slightly out of reach. In any case, we’ll certainly be back for more.

WEEKEND EVENTS

Thursday, 3/27

6:30pm, Listening Session | Artist and eighth gen Texan, DaLyah Jones presents a conversation about the sonic, cultural and political significance of Beyonce’s 2024 album Cowboy Carter at The Reading Room. RSVP is full but you can waitlist.

7pm-8pm, Art Exhibit | Menil presents a lecture on American artist Cy Twombly and their unique engagement with the concept of time. “Following the lecture a selection of drawings by Cynthia Twombly will be on view.” Free and open to all. See more info.

7:30pm-10:30pm, Rodeo | Fiora’s Battleshop is hosting their Annual Cowboys & Caviar event. “Saddle up for a night of caviar bumps, champagne pairings and cowboy fun!” See flyer. 

Friday, 3/28

5pm, Culture | Presented by Villa Albertine’s signature evening of arts and culture, “Night of Ideas” invites the community to the Rothko Chapel to engage in public late-night discussion. This year’s theme: Common Ground and fostering authentic connection in an increasingly digital world. Pay what you can. RSVPs full but unclaimed seats will be available to walkups.

8pm-12am, Live Music |  Discoteka is presenting Pulga Y Pari, a Cumbia Dance Party and Night Market. They’ll be having vendors and latino jams, location at Bad Astronaut. Free! See more info.

8pm, Dance Performance | Miller Outdoor Theater presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! “Watch Open Dance Project’s signature athleticism, theatrical antics, aerial silks…” and more! See flyer.

Saturday, 3/29

10am-2pm, RnB DJ + Coffee | After Soleties Run Club’s run, they’ll be having coffee and RnB music at Sneaks Lounge with coffee r&b community Solen & Sip. See flyer.

11am-4pm, Spring Event |  Celebrate spring at Spring Sips & Sprouts! “Bowe House, The Mood Room and Pish Posh Plants are hosting a laid-back afternoon of sipping, shopping, and sprouting” Free but RSVP!

1pm-5pm, Plant Swap |  Once a month the plant community meets up to swap plants, stroll the market, and have a drink together! Bring your favorite plants, cuttings or plant supplies to share and meet at Eureka Heights Brew Company. See flyer.

4pm-10pm, Day Party | Motion Spaces is hosting Day Party Szn at Reset! “Afrobeats, Amapiano, Hip-hop, House and everything in between…” Free before 5pm with RSVP. $10 GA. Get tickets.

4pm-7pm, Sip and Paint |  We Are Ever Well presents Mocktails and Masterpieces. Connect with fellow sober and sober-curious women while enjoying craft cocktails and painting your own glass. $25. Buy tickets.

7pm-9pm, Spelling Bee | Ok an adult spelling bee! Stop by Spelling Bee On The rocks where you can sip on drink and compete for the title of spelling champion. BYOB. $10. Buy tickets. 

7:30pm, Live Music | Miller Outdoor Theater presents Voces Y Recuerdos, a noche Tejana Production. This show will “feature remarkable women from the Tejano and Latin music scene.” Free. See flyer.

7:30pm-9pm, Live Music | Experience Kinetic Ensemble, Houston’s premiere string orchestra at Moody Center for the Arts as they present performances centered around climate and environmental issues. Seating is available on first-come, first-served basis. RSVP.

Sunday, 3/30

12pm-2pm, House DJ + Coffee | Beats & Brews is back at Maven Coffee & Cocktails at the Thompson Hotel. Adidas pop up will be there alongside Sam & Davy, Lala Links and more. See info.

2pm-4pm, Dance Class | Leandre Douglas will be teaching a beginner’s class to Lindy Hop and Jazz. No experience or partner required. $30. See flyer.

5pm-9pm, Karaoke | Rooftop karaoke at Marriott Marquis. “Karaoke with LeKrystal at Altitude Rooftop & Pool” $15. Buy tickets.

6pm til Late, Live DJ | Caribe Funk is kicking off their new residency at The Flat! “Expect a night of Afro-Latin fusion, funky Tumbao, descarga caribeña, Afro-Funk…” and more! See flyer.

Good reads in Houston

The Art World’s Rediscovered Bad Girl Queen — Tamara de Lempicka’s Moment Gains Even More Steam In Texas (Paper City Magazine)
I love that this piece gets a little bit into the history of Tamara de Lempicka’s Houston chapter—which wasn’t brought to our attention at all at the exhibition. “Lempicka, a bejeweled and caftaned regular at the symphony and theater, enjoyed swank luncheons at the Warwick and Houston Racquet Club,” and “She was often featured in society columns, including a 1964 profile by Houston Chronicle fine arts editor Ann Holmes: “Baroness Brings Along Furniture — And Collection of Art, Stories.”

Inside the Louis M. Pearce Board Room, the most exclusive club at RodeoHouston you've never heard of (Houston Chronicle)
Calling the most exclusive club at the rodeo Board Room is genius actually. “It's a luxury, something well-earned. Something coveted. Something people work toward.” Guess I’ll have to settle for The Ranch in the meantime!

Members-only clubs and bars with hefty price tags are on the rise in Houston (Houston Chronicle)
I find it fascinating and understanding that for places that are members-only are likely to be no phones or no photos or recording allowed. Similar to the Board Room, some attendees don’t even want to reveal their names. In a landscape of influencers and chasing likes and views, at the end of the day the ultimate luxury is privacy and going places unseen by the public.

Explore the World Through Gallerist Anya Tish’s Eyes One Last Time (Houstonia)
Anya Tish is a celebrated, influential Houstonian and gallerist that recently passed last year at the age of 74. On Houstonia’s The Must List, this show is “Running until April 19, Anya’s Eye, a show curated by Ohmer, is devoted to Tish’s legacy and the creative lives she’s inspired and elevated along the way.”

Review: ChopnBlok gives Houston a thrilling West African restaurant that’s been long overdue (Houston Chronicle)
We’ve had a handful of readers mention that ChopnBlok is their favorite restaurant right now. I have a rule that when things land on my radar in at least three times then it’s time to check it out. Looks like it’s definitely worth a visit!

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