The Performing Arts
A
harp’s glissando. The rustle of a tutu. The glare of the spotlight.
Houston is one of few cities in the country boasting major symphony, ballet,
opera and theater companies that enjoy world acclaim.
Says Hoyt T. Mattox of Houston’s Society for the Performing Arts,
“We often hear people say they are surprised by the wealth and variety
of our performing arts opportunities here in Houston.”
Dance and Music
- Hailed by the New York Times as “one of the nation’s best ballet companies,” the Houston ballet is the fifth-largest company in the United States. The 52-member ensemble gives more than 75 performances each year at Houston’s Wortham Theater Center.
- The Houston Symphony, a 92 year old entity, brings you some 170 performances of classical renditions annually at Jones Hall, Miller Outdoor Theater and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
- One of the nation’s largest opera companies, the Houston Grand Opera, is internationally renowned for its contemporary and classical works.
- Other musical groups include DeCamera’s small ensembles performing classical chamber music and jazz; Houston Conservatory of Music; Houston Masterworks Chorus; Moores School of Music, University of Houston; Opera in the Heights; and Shepherd school of Music, Rice University; and contemporary pop/rock, jazz, Christian, country, folk and children’s programming.
LIVE: ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Theater
- If it’s theater you love, you’ll be impressed to know Houston has one of the country’s largest concentrations of seats within its theater districts.
- The curtain comes up nearly every night on a production in Houston, whether it’s a Broadway touring company at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, a world-premiere showing at the Alley Theatre, a show at Main Street Theater or a cutting-edge piece being directed by students on the region’s college and university stages.
Art and Art Museums
- The Houston Museum District, located 15 minutes from Downtown is the fourth-largest in the United States and is home to such venues as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Buffalo Soldiers Museum; and the Houston Childrens Museum. There’s also the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Holocaust Museum Houston, the Contemporary Arts Museum and the Menil Collection.
- Art galleries line the streets of the Montrose area, and both residents and tourists enjoy the unique art at the Art Car Museum and the Orange Show Museum.
- ArtsHound.com offers a comprehensive guide for Arts and Cultural event information in around The City of Houston. You can find a point of interest or something new for everyone spanning from art gurus to the curious.
Entertainment
- Houston live entertainment venues put on a variety of programs and concerts. International stars routinely take the stage at the Toyota Center, Verizon Wireless Theatre and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, to name a few. Concerts, comedy and other shows are offered regularly.
- For entertainment with a Western flare, check out the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This three-week event held every February and March features concerts, food and a live entertainment lineup that’s included stars such as George Strait, Faith Hill, REO Speedweagon, Beyonce and La Mafia.
- If it’s big-screen action you’re looking for, Houston has several theaters showing the latest in Hollywood and indie flicks. Chains such as AMC and Leow’s all have outposts here. The Angelika Film Center and Café and River Oaks Cinema have a more independent and foreign-film flair.
Houston's people are not just friendly -they are intimate -the City and its people are intimate, passionate, and diverse. It is the power of these qualities which makes Houston a COOL CITY.
__ Maureen McNamara
Hot Town, Cool City is a new film project by Maureen McNamara. The story concept is one of an underground, insider's view of what makes Houston a COOL city.
A Treasure Map of Houston's hidden gems presented in two parts, website and film, as described and suggested by Houstonians.
View Teaser Video at the Hot Town, Cool City website.
Available on DVD at
www.hottowncoolcity.com.
