Heart Chamber Orchestra - September 21, 7:30pm
An audiovisual performance where music literally “comes from the heart.” Heart Chamber Orchestra consists of 12 classically trained musicians from Houston-based Two Star Symphony and the electronic artist duo TERMINALBEACH. The musical score is generated in real time by the heartbeats of the musicians, who are wearing electrocardiogram sensors. Using their heartbeats, the musicians control a computer composition and visualization environment. Part of Aurora Picture Show’s 2012 Media Archeology Festival: Real Time. Barnevelder Movement/Arts Center (2201 Preston) – $15 www.mitchellcenterforarts.org Photography by Antti Ahonen
Ars Lyrica: It Takes Two - September 21, 7:30pm
Grammy-nominated Ars Lyrica Houston – harpsichordist Matthew Dirst and his magnificent band of period-instrument virtuosi – open their season with an evening of concerti including J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg” Concerto No. 4 and Haydn’s Concerto in F. Soloists include oboist Kathryn Montoya, Canadian violinist Marc Destrubé and Dutch recorder virtuoso Paul Leenhouts. Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts– $35+. www.arslyricahouston.org
Deep Sky Objects with Musiqa - September 22, 7:30pm
Musiqa features the world premiere of “Deep Sky Objects” by renowned American composer Sebastian Currier, set to poetry by Sarah Manguso, whose libretto imagines an intergalactic romance. Scored for soprano, piano quintet and electronics, the performance features soprano Karol Bennett. Additionally, the program includes a Houston Ballet II performance set to a Sebastian Currier work and choreographed by Tina Bohnstedt, a piano quartet by Pierre Jalbert and a set of violin-piano preludes by Lera Auerbach. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall– $20+. www.musiqahouston.org
Visible Unseen @ Fresh Arts - September 22, 6pm
Rooted in mythology, futurism and science, the drawings and collages in Houston artist Regina Agu’s solo exhibition form a self-portrait at levels of observation that usually go unseen. Likening her process to that of a researcher, Agu discovers and documents layers of memories much like the way we examine rings of a cut tree or dig into layers of earth to reveal the realities of the past. Spacetaker Gallery at Fresh Arts (2101 Winter Street)–Free. www.spacetaker.org
Opera under the Stars: Houdini the Great September 22, 8pm
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and join us in Bayou Bend’s Diana Garden for a magical evening of music and song. This year Opera Vista presents Andy Pape’s and Erik Clausen’s stirring Houdini the Great. The central hall of Bayou Bend will be open for touring starting at 7:15pm. Bayou Bend– $35. www.mfah.org/bayoubend
Inprint Junot Diaz Reading - September 24, 7:30pm
The Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series features fiction writer Junot Diaz, author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award) and national bestseller Drown. He will read from his new story collection, This Is How You Lose Her, focusing on the heart-wrenching aspects of love. Cullen Theater, Wortham Center (501 Texas Avenue)– $5. www.inprinthouston.org
