Leanne Raesener Archives

CULTURALLY CURATED

by societytexas | Dec 28, 2022 | 2023 January February, Exhibit

The best plays, musical performances, and exhibits in Texas are enjoyed by record-breaking crowds, according to our cultural arts arbiter Leanne Raesener, who shares our favorite recommendations for what to enjoy across the state during this bright, brisk New Year.

AUSTIN

LITHE LIKE THE WIND

Ballet Austin brings together a luxurious trio of works in Sarah’s Songs. From the beauty of Balanchine’s iconic Serenade to the dynamic energy and vivid colors of Jessica Lang’s Garden Blue to a World Premiere by Stephen Mills. It’s truly a dance lover’s treat. February 10-12. At BalletAustin.org.

AUS Torbjørn Rødland, Eggs, 2019. Chromogenic print on Kodak Endura paper. Artwork © Torbjørn Rødland.Courtesy the artist and NILS STÆRK, Copenhagen

PAPER TRAIL

Medieval X Modern presents the work of modern artists from Europe and the Americas who created prints, drawings, paintings, illustrated books, sculptures, and decorative objects informed by the spectacular craftsmanship and compelling historical figures of the Middle Ages. Through July 9. At BlantonMuseum.org.

BAD HAIR DAY? SKIP THIS BARBER

Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is the dark, brooding, yet sharply comic story of love, revenge, and meat pies. In his multiple Tony© Award-winning musical, the late and much-beloved Stephen Sondheim created what many call the grand American opera of the late 20^th-century. January 28–February 5. At AustinOpera.org.

DALLAS / FORT WORTH

DAL Anna, Paris 2017, Photo by Paolo Roversi_Courtesy of the Dallas Contemporary.

SUCH A SCENE

Charles Truett Williams: The Art of the Scene examines the Fort Worth mid-century art scene through the presentation of more than 30 works by Fort Worth artist Charles Truett Williams and the artistic community drawn to his studio salon. Through May 7. At CarterMuseum.org.

DAL Photography is Art exhibition, Courtesy of Amon Carter Museum_ Alfred Stieglitz, A Wet Day on the Boulevard, Paris, Photogravure, 2013

MASTERPIECE MOVEMENTS

Texas Ballet Theater presents Modern Masterpieces, featuring three different pieces. In Bartok, playful motifs and intriguing backdrops set the stage for a ravishing neoclassical ballet. Image portrays the arc of Marilyn Monroe’s tragic life in a one-woman performance. And, Imbue is modern and minimalistic. February 24 ̶26. At TexasBalletTheater.org.

DAL Photo by Andy Nguyen. Courtesy of Galleria Dallas

IN GOOD COMPANY

Internationally acclaimed Karina Canellakis returns to the Meyerson stage to bring us Dvořák’s orchestral poem, The Wood Dove. Also on the program, Randall Goosby, the fast-rising 25-year-old star violinist, joins the Dallas Symphony to perform Tchaikovsky’s Concerto in D Major. DSO musicians perform Lutosławski’s Concerto for Orchestra highlights. January 27–29. At DallasSymphony.org.

HOUSTON

HOUS Moooi Works, manufactured by Moooi, Mega Chandelier, 2018, mixed media and bulbs. © Moooi, New York

GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, HELLO NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

From Rocket Man to Piano Man, the iconic hits of two classic rock legends come alive in this special concert. Piano-and-vocal talent Michael Cavanaugh ̶ handpicked by Billy Joel to recreate his music in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out ̶ delivers an electrifying performance. January 6 ̶ 8. At HoustonGrandOpera.org.

HOUS David Novros, Detail of right wall from Untitled, 1973–75. The Menil Collection, Houston jpg

A FOREVER HOME

A FOREVER HOME

The Menil Collection presents Art of the Cameroon Grassfields, A Living Heritage in Houston, an exhibition celebrating the enduring artistic traditions of this mountainous and verdant region. The show will present more than 20 historical works from Houston-based museums and private collections. February 17–July 9. At Menil.org.

ON IMAGE: Hervé Youmbi, Panther, 2019. One of the five thrones from Celestial Thrones, 2019. Courtesy of his majesty Fo Gabriel Ndjiemeni, the artist, and Axis Gallery, NY. © Hervé Youmbi

HOUS Signature Works, Courtesy of Ars Lyrica Houston

BY CHANCE, A LITTLE ROMANCE

Few operas have as much comedic energy as Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Tony© Award-winning director Michael Grandage’s production of the boisterous rom-com re-sets the class consciousness to the late ‘60s Francoist Spain. The bright colors and costumes evoke the Moroccan influence, ensuring an unforgettable evening. January 13–28. At HoustonGrandOpera.org.

SAN ANTONIO

WONDERFULLY WICKED

In the McNay Art Museum’s exhibition Something Wicked, Susan Hilferty Costumes showcases dresses, accessories, and more. Susan Hilferty wowed Broadway with her Wicked costume designs, winning the 2004 Tony© Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical. Through March 26. At McNayArt.org.

ON IMAGE: Costume drawing design for Ozians in Wicked, Susan Hilferty; Courtesy of the artist.

ON IMAGE: Costume design for Ozians in Wicked, Susan Hilferty; Courtesy of the artist.

SA Martine Gutierrez, Still from Clubbing, 2012. HD video. Collection of the McNay Art Museum, © Martine Gutierrez.

IT’S TIME TO TANGO

In this sensual and seductive piece, Maria De Buenos Aires, the story of a tango-obsessed prostitute born on a day “when God was drunk,” will knock you over with its powerful storytelling and singing. Don’t miss this immersive experience as the Alvarez is turned into a gritty nightclub with cocktail table packages, bar service, and tango dancers creating a passionate atmosphere. February 10 ̶ 11. At OperaSA.org.

SA Gladys Roldan-De-Moras Memories From My Home, oil on linen

JUST GIVE ME A LITTLE…

R.E.S.P.E.C.T is an electrifying tribute celebrating the music of the legendary Aretha Franklin. The concert features all your favorite hits, including Natural Woman, Think, Respect, and many more. January 21. At SanAntonio.Broadway.com.

HOLIDAY’S TOPS

by societytexas | Oct 30, 2022 | 2022 November December, Exhibit

The best plays, musical performances, and exhibits in Texas are enjoyed by record-breaking crowds, according to our cultural arts arbiter Leanne Raesener, who shares our favorite recommendations for what to enjoy this holiday season across the state.

AUSTIN

HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH

The Austin Symphony Orchestra presents its Christmas holiday tradition, Handel’s Messiah, accompanied by Chorus Austin. A holiday classic and a city favorite, this night of musical magic will fill the audience with the season’s joy. December 6. At AustinSymphony.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Austin Symphony

MUY BONITO

Hilos de Tradición (Threads of Tradition) Dresses of Mexico is a collaborative exhibition with the Brownsville Historical Association. Featuring 37 traditional outfits representing each state in Mexico, they have been selected to showcase the traditional textiles, art, and dances of each region. Through February 26. At TheStoryofTexas.com.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy Brownsville Historical Association, Brownsville, TX.

AND ALL THAT PIZAZZ

There’s never been a better time to ramp up the razzle-dazzle this holiday season than by (re)experiencing Broadway’s smash hit and longest-running American Musical, CHICAGO. This triumphant show received six Tony® Awards, two Olivier® Awards, a Grammy®, and thousands of standing ovations. Bring your jazz hands. November 1 ̶ 6. At TexasPerformingArts.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Photo©Jeremy Daniel

DALLAS / FORT WORTH

MIRROR, MIRROR

The Meadows Museum, SMU, will present Dalí/Vermeer: A Dialogue. Vermeer’s painting Woman in Blue Reading a Letter (c. 1663) is reinterpreted by Spanish Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí’s painting The Image Disappears (1938) in his appreciation of the 17^th-century Dutch master. These paintings will appear side-by-side for the first time in history. Through January 15. At the MeadowsMuseumDallas.org.

ON IMAGE: Vermeer, Woman in Blue Reading a Letter, c. 1663. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. On loan from the City of Amsterdam (A. van der Hoop Bequest).

MASTERFUL DISPLAY

Modern Masters: A Tribute to Anne Windfohr Marion highlights the contributions of one of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth’s most significant patron, tracing her support over nearly a half-century with an exhibition of 80 works by 47 artists. Through January 8. At TheModern.org.

ON IMAGE: Ellsworth Kelly, Spectrum III, 1967. Collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Gift of Anne Windfohr Marion

POPS GOES THE MUSIC

The beloved tradition of the Christmas Pops continues with the Dallas Symphony Chorus performing transcendental anthems, classical holiday favorites, and sing-along carols. Santa might even delight. With snow sprinkled in and joyous music, it’s a night to be remembered. December 2 ̶ 11. At DallasSymphony.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Dallas Symphony Orchestra

HOUSTON

IT’S JUST LIKE THE ENGLISH

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the six wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21^st-century girl power. Six has won 23 awards, including the Tony^®Award for Best Original Score and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. It’s worth losing your head over. November 8–20. At HoustonBroadway.com.

ON IMAGE: Photo by Joan Marcus

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Golden Worlds: The Portable Universe of Indigenous Colombia showcases the diversity and brilliance of ancient Colombian cultures. Around 400 works spanning all the major Pre-Columbian cultures are displayed from intricately cast gold to ceramics and rare ancient textiles. Through April 16. At MFAH.org.

ON IMAGE: Calima, Colombia, Circular House Model, 200 BC–800 AD, gold, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, gift of Alfred C. Glassell, Jr.

SET YOUR SIGHTS HIGH

Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the stage in this popular and dazzling family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family. December 23-24. At Houston-Theater.com.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Cirque Dreams Holidaze

SAN ANTONIO

LASTING IMPRESSION

Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche examines the enslaved Indigenous girl who served Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in many roles. Her image and historical and cultural legacy remain relevant to female empowerment five hundred years after her death. Through January 8. At SAMuseum.org.

ON IMAGE: Jesús Helguera (Mexican, 1910–71), La Malinche, 1941. Courtesy of Calendarios Landin

HAPPINESS & CHEER

Doc Watkins and His Orchestra will present The Music of a Charlie Brown Christmas. New arrangements of Big Band holiday favorites, along with classic selections from A Charlie Brown Christmas will delight. December 14. At TobinCenter.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Doc Watkins

MAGICAL…ENCHANTING…UNFORGETTABLE

Lighthouse Immersive presents Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle, featuring whimsical animated characters alongside footage of professional ballet dancers. The joyful 30-minute experience is set to the sweeping music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, curating a grand immersive display. November 19–January 2. At Immersive-Nutcracker.com/San-Antonio.

ON IMAGE: Photo by Vladimir Kevorkov

ONLY THE BEST

by societytexas | Aug 31, 2022 | 2022 September October, Exhibit

The best plays, musical performances, and exhibits in Texas are enjoyed by record-breaking crowds, according to our cultural arts arbiter Leanne Raesener, who shares our favorite recommendations for what to enjoy this fall across the state.

AUSTIN

TANTALIZINGLY TAME

Shakespeare’s comedic tale of marital mismatch is given new life with breathtaking costumes and modern, dynamic choreography in Ballet Austin’s lighthearted and lovely recreation of The Taming of the Shrew. September 16 ̶ 18. At BalletAustin.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Ballet Austin

VIEWING A WRITER

The new exhibit at the University of Texas Harry Ransom Center, The Writers: Portraits by Laura Wilson, highlights photographic portraits of some of the most influential writers of our time including Louise Erdrich, Gabriel García Márquez, Zadie Smith, and Tom Stoppard. Inspiration from the exhibit is drawn from images in Wilson’s upcoming book where she immersed herself in the personal setting of each writer along with details that have inspired their literary triumphs. Through January 1, 2023. At HRC.UTexas.org.

ON IMAGE: Zadie Smith, New York, N.Y., Photographed November 2013 © Laura Wilson

A SONG IN YOUR HEART

Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 TONY® Awards, is a love story for the ages inviting audiences on a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that will linger long after you leave. September 24 ̶ 25. At TexasPerformingArts.org.

ON IMAGE: Kimberely Marable and company in Hadestown. Photo by T. Charles Erickson

DALLAS / FORT WORTH

THE BOY KING

Immersive King Tut: Magic Journey to the Light features the most famous of the Egyptian rulers, the Pharaoh Tutankhamun. The show commemorates the 100th anniversary of archeologist Howard Carter’s discovery of the legendary “boy king’s” tomb. September 23 ̶ November 13. At Immersive-KingTut.com/Dallas.

ON IMAGE: Photo courtesy of Lighthouse Immersive

I SEE, I SPY

The special exhibition Murillo: From Heaven to Earth celebrates the genre paintings of one of the most celebrated painters of the Spanish Golden age: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617-1682). Known for his religious and secular themes, he also portrayed the ordinary people of his time. September 18–January 29, 2023. At KimbellArt.org.

ON IMAGE: Two Women at a Window, c. 1655/1666 by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Photo courtesy of The Kimbell Art Museum

THINK & R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Broadway diva Capathia Jenkins and the three-time GRAMMY® nominee Ryan Shaw light up the stage in Aretha: A Tribute with your favorite Aretha Franklin hits. Led by GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor John McLaughlin Williams, this high-energy, glittering tribute is not to be missed. October 14 ̶ 16. At DallasSymphony.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of John Such Artists’ Management

HOUSTON

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG IMPRESSIONS

The new exhibition, Urban Impression: Experiencing the Global Contemporary Metropolis at Rice Universtiy’s Moody Arts Center, focuses on urban life’s overarching and shared aspects. Presenting international and Houston-based artists, the show highlights alternate modes of perception. September 16 ̶ December 17. At Moody.Rice.edu.

LET’S MISBEHAVE

Theatre Under The Stars’ hot new production, the TONY® Award-winning musical fave, Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical, celebrates the music of Fats Waller and the Black artists of the Harlem Renaissance…one of the most innovative periods in American music. September 21–October 2. At AlleyTheatre.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of the Alley Theatre

ITALIAN GLORY

Verdi’s opera La Traviata is one of the world’s most performed and beloved operas. When the glamorous courtesan Violetta falls in love with the young Alfredo, it’s as if nothing can tear them apart. But as tragedy unfolds, their true love is shaken to its core. October 21 ̶ November 6. At HoustonGrandOpera.org.

ON IMAGE: Pre-production image of La Traviata courtesy of Houston Grand Opera

SAN ANTONIO

FAMILIA ES TODO

American Mariachi, written by Latine writer, José Cruz González, is the first play or musical depicting Mexican American culture to premiere at The Public Theater since its founding in the early 1900s. Enjoy an evening of muy especial songs performed by San Antonio’s premiere Mariachis. September 9 ̶ October 2. At ThePublicSA.org.

ON IMAGE: American Mariachi by Jordan Fraker

A TIME TO REFLECT

The McNay exhibition, Reflecting Selves: Asian American Artists in Texas, presents five artists who challenge preconceived notions about Asian Americans. Particularly ones that ignore the challenges Asian Americans face in their adopted homeland. The artworks depict diverse Asian American experiences in the U.S. due to discrimination. Through October 9. At McNay.org.

ON IMAGE: Antonius-Tín Bui, Remodel Minority, 2019. Courtesy of the artist, McNay Art Museum

TEMPT YOUR IMAGINATION

Ain’t Too Proud–The Life and Times of The Temptations, nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony® Award for Best Choreography, tells the unforgettable story of this legendary quintet, tracing their extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. October 11 ̶ October 16. At MajesticEmpire.com.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of the National Touring Company of Ain’t Too Proud. By Emilio Madrid.

VIBRANTLY CULTURED

by societytexas | Jun 29, 2022 | 2022 July August, Exhibit

The best plays, musical performances, and exhibits in Texas are enjoyed by record-breaking crowds, according to our cultural arts arbiter Leanne Raesener, who shares our favorite recommendations for what to enjoy this summer across the state.

AUSTIN

THE COOL FACTOR

Street artist Banksy has always been known for his secrecy. Banksyland, an international touring exhibition, includes more than 80 original studio works, salvaged street artworks, and never-before-seen immersive installations. July 22 ̶ 24; location in zip code 78712; TBD two weeks prior.

At BanksyLand.com.

POSITIVE POST

The Blanton Museum will present Ellsworth Kelly: Postcards, a comprehensive survey of over 150 of Kelly’s playful, creative postcard collages made between 1949 and 2005. Many postcards reveal places Kelly lived or visited, such as Paris or New York City. August 27‒November 27. At BlantonMuseum.org.

UNDER IMAGE: Artist. Ellsworth Kelly. Courtesy of Ellsworth Kelly Studio © Ellsworth Kelly Foundation

DON’T BE CRUEL

Direct from Broadway, Mean Girls is the hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the cruel ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. August 2‒7. At TexasPerformingArts.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Texas Performing Arts at The University of Texas at Austin.

DALLAS / FORT WORTH

IMMERSE YOURSELF

Massimiliano Siccardi, the original Immersive Van Gogh and Immersive Monet creator, brings us The Impressionists, a compelling exploration of vibrant colors on a jaw-dropping scale. It features everything from Monet’s celebrated water lilies to Degas’s graceful dancers. July 1‒September 11. At ImmersiveMonet.com.

UNDER IMAGE: Photo by Elana Emer

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Dallas Theater Center announces the Public Works Dallas’ The Odyssey. This final grand trilogy reimagines the Greek epic with Public Works’ signature blend of professional actors, community members, and special guests. July 8‒July 10. At DallasTheaterCenter.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of the Dallas Theater Center

TWO OF A DIFFERENT TIME

The Kimball Museum’s Focus Exhibition will include two paintings depicting different versions of the Old Testament story of Judith and Holofernes—one by Italian Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi and the other by American contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley, realized exactly 400 years apart. July 19‒September 5. At KimbellArt.org.

UNDER LEFT IMAGE: Judith and Holofernes, c. 1612–17, oil on canvas by Artemisia Gentileschi (Rome, 1593–Naples, ca. 1653), Inv. Q 378. Napoli, Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte.

UNDER RIGHT IMAGE: Judith and Holofernes, 2012 by Kehinde Wiley (American, b.1977). © Kehinde Wiley. Courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of Art and Sean Kelly, New York.

HOUSTON

BUTLER, CANDLESTICK...PANTRY?

It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’re at a dinner party, where murder and blackmail are on the menu. Based on the cult movie and the classic board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and guessing until the end. July 22‒August 28. At AlleyTheatre.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of the Alley Theatre

IS IT REAL, OR IS IT…?

MFAH’s new exhibit Leandro Erlich: Seeing Is Not Believing, features two of his most iconic installations: Bâtiment (Façade) and Le cabinet du psy (The Psychoanalyst’s Office) in two immersive, room-size environments. Through September 5. At MFAH.org.

UNDER IMAGE: Courtesy of the Alley Theatre

REVENGE IS BEST SERVED…

Is God Is, the 2018 Obie Award and 2016 Relentless Award-winning play by Aleshea Harris, makes its Houston premiere this summer. A modern myth about twin sisters seeking justice in this darkly funny and unapologetic new play. July 14‒August 6. At RecRoomArts.org.

UNDER IMAGE: Photo courtesy of Rec Room Arts

SAN ANTONIO

TRUE TO YOUR ROOTS

The San Antonio Botanical Garden presents Rooted, a monumental sculpture exhibition by acclaimed contemporary artist Steve Tobin. The forces of nature are displayed throughout the park, from the towering root systems to polished clouds resting on the earth, bronze egg-laden nests up to 6-feet tall, and spiraling tornados. Through October 30. At SABot.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of San Antonio Botanical Garden

COOL COMIDA

Cooling down on a scorching day with a frozen paleta or warming up in a cozy neighborhood diner are the many shared experiences evoked in The Art of SA Eats. Five San Antonio artists explore the city’s culinary landscape through paintings, photographs, sculpture, and video. Through September 4. At McNayArt.org.

UNDER IMAGE: Eva Marengo Sanchez, Fruteria La Mission y Taqueria, 2018. Oil on panel. Courtesy of Henry Muñoz.

ISLAND LOVE TRAGEDY REDEMPTION

The Public Theater of San Antonio presents Once On This Island. The classic love story between a peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. July 15‒August 7. At ThePublicSA.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of The Public Theater of San Antonio

ARTISTICALLY INCLINED

by societytexas | May 1, 2022 | 2022 May June, Exhibit

The best plays, musical performances, and exhibits in Texas are enjoyed by record-breaking crowds, according to our cultural arts arbiter Leanne Raesener, who shares our favorite recommendations for what to enjoy this summer across the state.

AUSTIN

BEHIND EVERY MAN

Irish novelist, James Joyce’s Ulysses was first published on February 2, 1922. The University of Texas’ Harry Ransom Center commemorates its 100th anniversary with the exhibit Women and the Making of Joyce’s Ulysses. It explores women’s essential and largely unacknowledged role in realizing his famed masterpiece and its widespread notoriety and success. Through July 17. At HRC.UTexas.edu.

ON IMAGE: Sylvia Beach, who published Ulysses and James Joyce in the doorway of Shakespeare and Company (Alliance Paris, 1922). James Joyce Literary File Photography Collection, Harry Ransom Center.

A FLOCK OF SWANS ENCHANT

Join Ballet Austin Mother’s Day weekend for the world’s best-known ballet, Swan Lake. Marius Petipa’s original choreography is featured with breathtaking corps de ballet sequences. All set to Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score, featuring the Austin Symphony Orchestra. May 6‒8. At BalletAustin.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Ballet Austin

THE SOUND OF NOSTALGIA

The beloved musical The Sound of Music with the Von Trapp Family is reimagined within a ZACH360 experience where The Topfer will be transformed into a lively Biergarten. Spirits will soar to the TonyÒ, GrammyÒ, and OscarÒ-winning scores. June 15–July 24. At ZachTheatre.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of Zachary Scott Theatre

DALLAS / FORT WORTH

A PAS DE DEUX INSHALLAH

The Dallas Museum of Art’s major exhibition, Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity, traces Islamic art’s influence on the objects created by Louis Cartier (1875-1942) and the designers of the great French jewelry Maison from the early 20th century to today. It is also the subject of a Thames & Hudson USA book. April 12‒September 18. At DMA.org.

TERRA FIRMA

A celebrated, self-taught, Alabama-born artist, Lonnie Holley, comes to the Dallas Contemporary for his first Texas exhibition, Lonnie Holley: coming from the earth. He has devoted his life to improvisational creativity, working across all art forms, including music. Through August 21. At DallasContemporary.org.

ON IMAGE: Lonnie Holley, Memorial at Friendship Church, 2006. Metal, found debris, plastic flowers, and ribbon, Courtesy of the artist.

WOMEN’S INSIGHT

Women Painting Women is a thematic exhibition featuring 46 female artists and approximately 50 evocative portraits from the late 60s to the present. The portraits allow female artists to share the stage with their male counterparts in defining the evolution of the image of a woman. Through September 25. At TheModern.org.

UNDER IMAGE: Amy Sherald, A Midsummer Afternoon Dream, 2020. © Amy Sherald. Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Joseph Hyde

HOUSTON

JOYFUL ODE

To conclude its season, the Houston Symphony’s new Music Director Designate, celebrated conductor Juraj Valčuha, will lead the orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Choral. Experience one of classical music’s most moving, uplifting, and inspiring journeys in this exuberant Ode to Joy. May 20-23. At HoustonSymphony.org.

ON IMAGE: Juraj Valčuha, Courtesy of Michael Breyer/Houston Symphony

TRUTH CAN BE STRANGER

Extraordinary Realities examines the career of Pakistani American artist Shahzia Sikander during her prolific first 15 years. Bringing together nearly 60 of her works from public and private collections, Sikander explores contemporary issues, including gender, sexuality, race, class, and history, through her paintings, drawings, and video animations. Through June 5. At MFAH.org.

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY…

The Alley Theatre presents the world premiere of a sexy, mysterious musical entitled Noir with music by Duncan Sheik of Spring Awakening. Inspired by early radio plays and classic film noir, this story unfolds with a heartbroken man isolated in his apartment with only a radio for entertainment until a couple moves in next door and a new obsession develops. June 2‒July 3. At AlleyTheatre.org.

ON IMAGE: Courtesy of the Alley Theatre

SAN ANTONIO

PRODIGAL SON RETURNS

The McNay Museum presents a ground-breaking exhibition, DONALD MOFFETT+NATURE CULT+THE McNAY, that is centered around the artistic and curatorial vision of Donald Moffett. It will include an interwoven display from native San Antonian Moffett’s private collection of paintings and artworks from the McNay’s holdings. Through September 11. At McNayArt.org.

UNDER IMAGE: Donald Moffett, Lot 020619, 2019. Courtesy of the artist and Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York, and Aspen. ©Donald Moffett

THE ARTFUL COWBOY

The Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America premiers at the Briscoe and consists of 70 works of western art from 17 lenders, 40 artists, and includes paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, with art dating from 1890 to the present. May 27–September 5. At BriscoeMuseum.org.

ON IMAGE: Painting by Grant Redden. Courtesy of the Briscoe Museum

PHONE HOME

Enjoy an evening with the San Antonio Symphony when John Williams’ movie music is presented in a new uplifting way. Williams performs scores from his blockbuster hits such as Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter, and more. May 28. At TobinCenter.org.

ON IMAGE: E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. Courtesy of Universal Pictures.