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DISCOVER ART, EVENTS AND LOCAL EATS IN THE HEART OF HOUSTON DURING ARTS DISTRICT MONTH THIS OCTOBER

ByBria A. Casteel

HOUSTON, TX [September 27, 2021] – Arts District Houston invites residents and visitors to return to its yearly celebration of local art and small business this October during Arts District Month. By offering a new weekend itinerary each week, Houstonians are encouraged to explore what this community has to offer through a varied selection of exhibits, festivals, dining options and more.

Situated along the Washington Avenue Corridor and featuring the highest concentration of working artists in the state, Arts District Houston is home to 400+ studio spaces for local artists, designers, and makers where you can see firsthand how art gets made. Earlier this year, the Arts District Welcome Center was unveiled, providing a destination for visitors to find suggestions of things to do in the area as recommended by local artists.

“With the pandemic affecting creativity and small business across the world, we are lucky to keep the work and spirit of local art alive in Houston, ”said Marci Dallas, Executive Director of Fresh Arts / Arts District Houston. “This year’s celebration includes a variety of art, from performance art to murals to sculpture. Everyone can find something enjoyable and tailored for their interests.”

Organizers have created a variety of experiences so that every Houstonian can find something they enjoy while supporting local businesses.

Here’s an overview of what’s in store in October:

  • Weekend One: This week’s highlights are the Fall Biannual Art Show & Sale and FotoFest Exhibition. Meet artists in their studios, view the latest gallery exhibitions, and enjoy an interactive art experience on October 2 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Take in the In Place of an Index exhibition featuring 12 artists native to or currently living and working in Texas. The exhibition is produced and presented in conjunction with the 2021 Texas Biennial exhibition, A New Landscape, A Possible Horizon. The exhibition is a curatorial collaboration between Max Fields and Texas Biennial curators Ryan N. Dennis and Evan Garza.

Wrap up the weekend with a sweet tea and irresistible selection of soul food at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, or say “hello” to modern Vietnamese eats at Xin Chao.

  • Weekend Two: Spend the afternoon at Second Saturday wandering through six repurposed warehouses and discover an extensive selection of painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clothing, textiles, printmaking, mixed media, and more. Sculpture Month Houston also kicks off this weekend – with the highlight of the annual event at The Silos at Sawyer YArds’ SITE Gallery where visitors walk through immersive arts installations in a former rice silo. 

Unplug with a refreshing seasonal loose leaf tea from the internet-free Catalina Coffee Shop. Or swing by Julep for a quick small plate and a signature spicy passion fruit daiquiri.

  • Weekend Three: This weekend is all about Buffalo Bayou Park. Kick off the week with Turntable Tuesdays for Bayou-themed sounds and samples from The Long Drink Company. Continue with a commissioned temporary artwork for the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern by multimedia artist Anri Sala (b. 1974 Tirana, Albania). In collaboration with Time No Longer, experience an immersive, other-worldly experience of film and sound within this vast, subterranean reservoir on the edge of downtown Houston. Finish off by finding your center through Sound Healing Meditation. Offered in collaboration with Union is Creation and Youniversoul, this meditation series will feature the use of singing bowls and wind chimes to encourage mindfulness and connectivity.

Finish the weekend by indulging on a perfect burger at Stanton City Bites. Pair it with a craft beer for a complete dining experience. Or sweeten your weekend with a classic milkshake at Southwell’s Hamburger Grill. While this eatery boasts of “Burger-ing” better, it’s the dessert that steals the show.

  • Weekend Four: This week’s highlights include A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2 by Lucas Hnath, a playful sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 groundbreaking masterpiece as well as a stand-alone work of modern feminist drama. While at Spring Street Studios, be sure to see the latest installation at TANK Space, Arts District Houston’s latest public art commission by Falon Land Studios, and Escape Into Nature, a Spring Street Studios tenant exhibition curated by Kelly Hill Wilson. 

Elevate your palette with Belgian dishes at Cafe Brussels. Whether you start the day there for brunch or wrap up your weekend with dessert, the crepe selection is perfect for any time of the day. Top off the night with a beer at local craft breweries Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. or Holler. 

  • Weekend Five: Wrap up Arts District Month with MECA’s 2021 Día De Los Muertos Festival. It features altar and retablo exhibitions, community workshops, and a two-day festival. MECA’s 2021 Día de los Muertos, will be held at MECA’s colorful, art-filled campus located at the nationally recognized historic Dow School in the heart of Houston’s Old Sixth Ward.

Enjoy your pick of dinner selections with a signature barbecue plate from Henderson and Kane, a classic blend of Houston and New York eats from BB Lemon or traditional Vietnamese favorites from Local Pho.

For those interested in crowd-free socializing, the following list includes self-guided tours available on the Arts District website: 

Arts District Month also falls within Hispanic Heritage Month and National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM). Follow the Arts District Houston on social media (@ArtsDistrictHOU) as they highlight Latinx organizations making waves in the community, and local Latino owned and operated businesses within the Arts District. NAHM will host virtual activities throughout the month in recognition of the importance of arts and culture in this country. 

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