ARTS PICKS
1. ‘Very Merry Pops’
Michael Krajewski leads the Houston Symphony, the Houston Symphony Chorus and guest vocalists Rodney Ingram and Peter Theurer through a program that includes holiday favorites, including “Deck the Halls,” “White Christmas,” “The Christmas Song” and selections from sources such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
When: 2:30 and 8 p.m. Dec. 18, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana
Details: $29-$149; 713-224-7575, houstonsymphony.org
Andrew Dansby
2. Bruce Davidson
A new exhibition at the Menil Collection makes good use of an incredible anonymous gift: more than 300 images taken by legendary photographer Bruce Davidson. Davidson’s reputation was built on immersing himself in a place and reaching a point where his subjects were unguarded. And those subjects were far-flung, including circus performers, miners in Wales, civil rights marchers in Alabama and all sorts of communities in New York City.
When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, through May 29
Where: Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross
Details: free; register for timed entry at menil.org
Andrew Dansby
3. ‘Will Henry: New Works on Paper’
Houston-based artist Will Henry unveils a new exhibition of 10 modestly scaled works on paper at Josh Pazda Hiram Butler. Each resembles a painting of a painting and are subtle nods toward art history with a bit of humor. The Henry signatures are all there: trompe l’oeil frames, abstraction and landscapes sourced from his imagination.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, through Jan. 29
Where: Josh Pazda Hiram Butler, 4520 Blossom
Details: free, appointments required; 713-863-7097, pazdabutler.com
Amber Elliott
4. ‘ Satyrical Garden’ and ‘Ghosts in Common’
Ted Lawson begins each of his series with a question, theory or an equation rooted in emotion. Dare to find answers within his latest exhibit, “Satyrical Garden,” at Nancy Littlejohn Fine Art, where fellow artist Kysa John’s latest collection of drawings, paintings and installations, “Ghosts in Common,” are also on display through the New Year.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, through Jan. 8
Where: Nancy Littlejohn Fine Art, 3465 W. Alabama, Suite B
Details: 832–740-4288, nancylittlejohnfineart.com
Amber Elliott