CANNED ACOUSTICA KEEPS DISCOVERY GREEN FRESH
KICK OFF YOUR BOOTS AND LISTEN TO MUSIC OUTDOORS AT THESE MONTHLY UNPLUGGED CONCERTS.
Late Sunday afternoon the long-running Canned Acoustica series began its short monthly residency of free, unplugged concerts for fans lazing on the green grass of Discovery Green in downtown Houston.
The first act of the night was Houston hip-hop group Rosewood Thievz, decked out in rodeo-ready black cowboy boots, doing stripped down versions of their songs in front of a sizable crowd.
The last vestiges of hoodie weather in Houston, with a special appearance by sporadic drizzle, made the urban surroundings a little more homie. The quick rains don’t deter the crowd.
“That’s Houston for you. It looks like the bottom is about to drop out from the sky and everyone just stays put,” laughs Mark C. Austin, the man who’s built Canned Acoustica into a city tradition.
Founded in 2010 by original organizers Austin, Josh Applebee and David Garcia, the series of acoustic shows began life as a way to raise awareness for the Houston Food Bank. Early on, fans could bring in two cans of non-perishable foods to get into the shows. Eventually three tons of food was collected, and a movement was born.
This latest incarnation is working to expand awareness of Discovery Green and its various offerings and programs for the community.
The park is celebrating 10 years of service to Houston, with the official anniversary coming next month. Time has flown by for everyone.
“Discovery Green has had a catalytic impact on development in east downtown, on public space in Houston, and in how people experience the city and the citizens,” Discovery Green programming director Susanne Theis says. The development around the park turned a once-quiet part of downtown into a happening place. Theis says that since Discovery Green opened a decade ago it’s hosted more than 1,000 musical performances that were free to the public and 1.4 million people a year attend various events at the park.
It got a very public close-up last year when Discovery Green was ground zero for Super Bowl LI festivities and the popular Super Bowl Live concert series, which was headlined by the likes of ZZ Top and Leon Bridges. For some residents it was their first taste of what the park could offer.
“Our goal is to generate contributions of $10 from the public,” Theis says. “For a 501c3 non-profit like Discovery Green a little green can go a long way.”
Despite all the changes, the spirit of Canned Acoustica has remained the same through the years.
In the beginning the shows were done on the tiny Green Room stage at Warehouse Live, packing in a plethora of Bayou City music scene luminaries into one room. Acts were able to challenge themselves by turning their electrified work into acoustic jams.
Houston musicians as diverse as rapper Fat Tony, metal heads Venomous Maximus and Houston punks Los Skarnales have all gone acoustic for charity.
“Two Star Symphony turned in two monumental sets, including one teaming up with Fat Tony,” Austin says. The Houston-drenched rapper teaming with the brooding instrumental ensemble expanded the idea of what Canned Acoustica could be.
“Hearing bands attempt their material in an acoustic form, especially if they are a metal or punk band, is always fun,” Austin says.
“When an artist takes it seriously, it’s always awesome,” he adds. “It can sometimes add new, moody aspects to a song that fans or even the musicians weren’t aware of.”
At its current digs, on the Transier Bandstand facing the Grace Lawn, Canned Acoustica offers up a unique Sunday Funday diversion for locals. The space is smaller and more intimate than the Anheuser-Busch Stage.
A test run last fall proved to be a welcome respite for the flood-fatigued city. And Austin noticed that it began to morph into something more communal than ever before.
“People began bringing picnic baskets, blankets and their kids to lay out on the grass and enjoy the music,” Austin says. “The space dictates respect for the music too.”
Austin is excited to introduce Houstonians to up-and-coming acts like the Clay Melton Band, No Rehearsal and Texture: Yellow in a stripped-down setting.
“This is the next generation of Houston music,” Austin says. “They are young and finding where they fit in and that’s special to see.” Schedule April 22: Acts will include Fat Tony, Giant Kitty, Arthur Yoria, and Heapin Helpin. That day will be a part of Green Mountain Energy’s all-day Earth Day party. May 13: Miears, Second Lovers and Blaze X Black will lead the charge. June 10: Ska act The Suspect, indierockers Vodi and The Tontons will close out the series. Shows are 5-9 p.m., except for April 22 when the show starts at 6 p.m.