ARTS PICKS
1. Houston Chamber Choir
Internationally renowned and award-winning American composer Daniel Knaggs has been commissioned to help the Houston Chamber Choir begin its season. Knaggs draws on biblical texts and writings by St. Faustina, a Polish nun, for “Two Streams,” a cantata for choir and string orchestra. Joining the Grammy-winning Houston Chamber Choir for the performance will be the Houston string ensemble Kinetic, along with four soloists: soprano Caitlin Aloia, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, tenor Christopher Bozeka and baritone Mark Diamond.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10, virtual release 2 p.m. Sept. 26
Where: South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Details: $25; houstonchamberchoir.org
Andrew Dansby
2. Houston Symphony
The Houston Symphony managed to produce a 2020-21 season without going completely dark, which was a fairly formidable accomplishment, all things considered. The 2021-22 season is now set and hopes are it will happen without as much scheduling improvisation. Opening night is this weekend, and the symphony brings a special guest to town to help celebrate. Soprano Renée Fleming will mix opera arias and beloved songs from musical theater to get the season going..
When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11
Where: Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana
Details: $34-$145; 713-2247575, houstonsymphony.org
Andrew Dansby
3. ‘OMG Fest’
Stages hosts its first-ever film fest, Outdoor Movies at the Gordy, aka “OMG Fest,” this weekend on the Brown Foundation Lawn at the Gordy. Programming
homages to millennial culture include screenings of cult classics from the 1990s and early 2000s: “10 Things I Hate About You” (Sept. 10), “Deliver Us From Eva” (Sept. 11) and “The Lion King” (Sept. 12). Ticket holders can also access lawn games, including cornhole, giant Connect Four and Jenga, a bad sonnet competition, food trucks, photo booth, social media and more.
When: 8 p.m. Sept. 10-11, 8 p.m. Sept. 12
Where: The Gordy 800 Rosine
Details: Wristbands are $10; 346-701-8862, stageshouston.com
Amber Elliott
4. ‘The Journey to Me’
This week, Art League Houston sets a friendly city rivalry aside to honor Dallas-based Vicki Meek as the 2021 Texas Artist of the Year. Meek’s solo exhibition “The Journey to Me” explores her artistic development through installation-based work, sculpture, printmaking and technology with three constants: Meek’s mentor, Elizabeth Catlett, and African cosmology and spiritual practices.
When: Through Feb. 5; artist reception Sept. 10
Where: Art League Houston, 1953 Montrose Details: Admission is free by timed entry; 713-523-9530, artleaguehouston.org
Amber Elliott
5. ‘Transmissions of Light’ and ‘Works on Paper 1964-2019’
Houston Baptist University celebrates one of their own — Michael Roque Collins, Art School of Fine Arts professor and senior director of visual arts, is on triple duty as the college’s artist-in-residence. Through the month of September, his oil paintings and works on paper are on display in the campus’ Contemporary Art Gallery.
When: Through Sept. 30; artist reception Sept. 15
Where: Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren
Details: Free; 281-649-3610, hbu.edu/school-of-fine-arts/galleries
Amber Elliott