PREVIEW PICKS
1. Sleigh Bells
A decade after its debut album “Treats” hit listeners with a bracing mix of pop and noise musics, Sleigh Bells continues to refine its sound without ever changing things so dramatically as to confound. Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller continue to offer a mix of sugary and shattered on “Texis.” Admittedly, others have caught up and copied Sleigh Bells’ signature style — a pep rally with overdriven guitar — but the source remains the gold standard.
When: 9 p.m. Oct. 12
Where: Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel
Details: $30-$32; warehouselive.com
Andrew Dansby
2. Texas Renaissance Festival
The 47th edition of the Texas Renaissance Festival opens this weekend with all the jousting knights and giant turkey legs you’ve come to expect. There are also rides, games, performances and there are even escape rooms this year.
When: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 8-Nov. 28; also open Thanksgiving Friday.
Where: 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission
Details: $12.50-$30; texasrenfest.com
Cary Darling
3. Matt Harlan
Two years ago, Houston singersongwriter Matt Harlan issued “Best Beasts,” an album of contemplative songs about our nature and nurture that reflected a culture in conflict. Turns out its resonance was only beginning to be realized. “Best Beasts” covers matters personal, social, climatological and more: an album that feels of the moment, even though it was made pre-pandemic. And in the two years since its release, he very well may have written some other songs to add to his set this week.
When: 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8
Where: Anderson Fair, 2007 Grant
Details: $20; andersonfair.net Andrew Dansby
4. Festival Chicano
Now in its 42nd year, the Festival Chicano continues to celebrate an array of Chicano musical styles like the corrido, ranchera, tejano, conjunto and the many ways they interact with various other forms, such as rock, big band, R&B and country music. David Lee Garza y Los Musicales and Shelly Lares perform.
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 9
Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive
Details: free, reserved seating and other details at milleroutdoortheatre.com
Andrew Dansby
5. Fat Tony
Releasing an album during a pandemic was a dubious idea last year, when musicians were largely unable to promote new songs with any sort of live music. But that didn’t stop Fat Tony, the Third Ward native and rapper, whose “Exotica” was designed to serve as a musical tour guide to transport listeners to some other place three minutes at a time. Tony doubled down on his lyrics, creating some of his most interesting stories to date, with settings and characters so rich the album became an immersive escape. He works fast and has likely moved on to his next thing, but Fat Tony will offer some of those songs and older ones with a hometown show.
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 13
Where: White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N. Main
Details: $15; 713-237-0370, whiteoakmusichall.com
Andrew Dansby
6. Morat
Following in the footsteps of such other notable acts from Colombia, such as Juanes, Aterciopelados and Bomba Estereo, comes Morat, a pop-leaning rock outfit from Bogotá known for such hooky, singalong tracks as “Besos en Guerra” and “Cuando Nadie Ve.” The quartet is touring the U.S. behind a new album, “A Dónde Vamos?”
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 14
Where: Arena Theatre, 7326 U.S. 59 S.
Details: $36 and up; arenatheatre.net
Cary Darling
7. Fellini 100
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston celebrates the 100th birthday of famed Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini with a presentation over the next month of some his most notable works, including “Nights of Cabiria,” “8½” and “La Dolce Vita.” “Variety Lights” kicks things off Oct. 7 and “I Vitelloni” screens Oct. 8. And, yes, Fellini was actually born in 1920, but this festival, scheduled to take place last year, was delayed because of the pandemic.
When: Oct. 7-Nov. 7
Where: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet
Details: $9; $2 discount for museum members, seniors 65 and older and students with ID. Tickets available at mfah.org/film, in the Beck and Kinder building lobbies during business hours, or at the auditorium box office prior to showtime; 713-639-7515. Cary Darling