Musiqa's free Loft Concert Nov 17 at the Contemporary Art Museum Houston

Photo: Donald Moffett, Lot 060707 (O-Black), 2007.
Acrylic on linen with rayon and aluminum zipper
35 1/2 x 28 1/2 inches
Courtesy the artist and Marianne Boesky Gallery

November 17, 2011
6:30pm
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston,
5216 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006
Musiqa presents: The Extravagant Vein

FREE admission!

In conjunction with artist Donald Moffett’s current show at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston “The Extravagant Vein,” Musiqa presents a program that includes several politically charged works, including composer Cornelius Cardew’s “The Workers Song” for solo violin and Frederic Rzewski’s “No More War” a round for any number of voices.

Composer John Fitz Rogers’ “The Evidence” for monologist and prerecorded sounds utilizes text taken from the now infamous 1950 “red scare” hearings in the U.S. House of Representatives. Compositions by Pierre Max DuBois, Christian Lauba and Ryo Noda for solo saxophone and violin and saxophone round out the provocative program.

We'd love to see you there.

“The Extravagant Vein” performers:

Dan Gelok, alto saxophone
Yung-Hsiang Wang, violin
Rob Smith, demagogue
The Musiqa Artistic Board: Karim Al-Zand, Anthony Brandt, Pierre Jalbert, Marcus Maroney & Rob Smith with University of Houston and Rice University Student Composers.

Special family concert this friday: Around The World With Musiqa!

Musiqa Presents a Special Family Concert
AROUND THE WORLD WITH MUSIQA
October 28, 2011
Special time: 7:00 p.m.
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall
800 Bagby, Houston TX 77002

Tickets are $40, $30 and $20
Children under 12 are free with the purchase on one adult ticket

Tickets available at the Hobby Center website or by calling 713-315-2525.

Check out two musical numbers from Around The World With Musiqa:

Sing along with Musiqa in this highly interactive and theatrical show that explores music from all over the world. The evening begins with Around The World With Musiqa's star soprano Karol Bennett teaching the audience songs that they'll be asked to sing with her as part of the show. Once the show gets rolling, Ms. Bennett and the ensemble are joined by a musically curious stagehand played by renowned actor Eva Laporte who brings several moments of comedy to the proceedings.

The music includes well known folk songs such as "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain," The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "This Land Is Your Land," with settings by modern composers inspired by these wonderful melodies.

A great evening of fun for the whole family. No prior musical experience is necessary!

Winner of four consecutive NEA awards, this production and other Musiqa educational programs are offered to 6,000 students annually at no cost.

The stellar cast includes:
Karol Bennett - Soprano
Eva Laporte - Actor
Leone Buyse - Flute
Michael Webster - Clarinet
Blake Wilkins - Percussion
Melissa Marse - Piano
Cece Weinkauff - Violin
Richard Belcher - Cello

Surtitles enable the audience to follow and sing along with the lyrics. Lighting, props and sound effects create a fully theatrical experience.

Around the World with Musiqa is presented in collaboration with the Hobby Center for the Perfoming Arts' "Discovery Series."

Musiqa events for October

(Soprano Karol Bennett performs Around The World With Musiqa)

We have some exciting events coming up this week and next before our special October 28th family concert Around The World With Musiqa. Tickets for Around The World With Musiqa are available at a 50% discount at stubdog.com. And children are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Wednesday, October 19th, at 6pm at Cha Champagne and Wine Bar, 810 Waugh Drive, Musiqa performs at the Fresh Arts Coaliton's Fall Social. We'll present a set of Music For Silent Films featuring composer and laptop musician Chris Becker and bassist Thomas Helton improvising to several beautiful contemporary silent films. The event also features the Matt Willhelm Jazz Trio and a "pop-up" art gallery curated by Diverseworks. $5 cover includes a free glass of champagne. This is a great way to meet the Fresh Arts Coalition staff and discover the benefits of being a Fresh Arts Society member.

Thursday, October 20th, from 6pm to 10pm at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Musiqa performs as part of the highly anticipated Texas Contemporary Art Fair. Musiqa percussionists Craig Hauschildt and Luke Hubley will perform several contemporary works. There will also be a set of improvised music with Hauschildt, Hubley, and composer and laptop musician Chris Becker and bassist Thomas Helton. Becker and Helton will wrap up the evening with a set of improvised duos. More information about this special ticket and VIP evening can be found on the Texas Contemporary Art Fair website.

Tuesday, October 25th, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Lawndale Art Center, 4912 Main Street, the wonderful River Oaks Chamber Orchestra and Inprint present Musical and Literary Ofrenda playing five newly commissioned songs each composed by a member of Musiqa's Artistic Board: Karim Al-Zand, Anthony Brandt, Pierre Jalbert, Marcus Maroney and Rob Smith. Karol Bennett is the soprano. ROCO's performance is at 6:15 pm. This is a free event.

Our 10th anniversary season has only just begun. Celebrations will continue, and we hope to see you at one of our concerts or special events.

The video below is a performance of "Musiqa Minatures" by members of Musiqa's artistic board that creatively and humorously incorporates the melody to "Happy Birthday" throughout. This performance was a part of our season opening concert, "Play a Song For Me." Enjoy!

Musiqa's season opening concert reviewed on NewMusicBox

Karol Bennett performing with Musiqa, September 24, 2011. (photo by Bill Klemm)

A wonderful review by Andrew Sigler just went up on the American Music Center's webzine NewMusicBox. Photos and video are included. Read the review at newmusicbox.org.

Special Family Concert Oct 28: Around The World With Musiqa

Musiqa Presents a Special Family Concert
AROUND THE WORLD WITH MUSIQA
October 28, 2011
Special time: 7:00 p.m.
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall
800 Bagby, Houston TX 77002

Tickets are $40, $30 and $20
Children under 12 are free with the purchase on one adult ticket

Tickets available at the Hobby Center website or by calling 713-315-2525.

Check out two musical numbers from Around The World With Musiqa:

Sing along with Musiqa in this highly interactive and theatrical show that explores music from all over the world. The evening begins with Around The World With Musiqa's star soprano Karol Bennett teaching the audience songs that they'll be asked to sing with her as part of the show. Once the show gets rolling, Ms. Bennett and the ensemble are joined by a musically curious stagehand played by renowned actor Eva Laporte who brings several moments of comedy to the proceedings.

The music includes well known folk songs such as "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain," The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "This Land Is Your Land," with settings by modern composers inspired by these wonderful melodies.

A great evening of fun for the whole family. No prior musical experience is necessary!

Winner of four consecutive NEA awards, this production and other Musiqa educational programs are offered to 6,000 students annually at no cost.

The stellar cast includes:
Karol Bennett - Soprano
Eva Laporte - Actor
Leone Buyse - Flute
Michael Webster - Clarinet
Blake Wilkins - Percussion
Melissa Marse - Piano
Cece Weinkauff - Violin
Richard Belcher - Cello

Surtitles enable the audience to follow and sing along with the lyrics. Lighting, props and sound effects create a fully theatrical experience.

Around the World with Musiqa is presented in collaboration with the Hobby Center for the Perfoming Arts' "Discovery Series."