How to Help H-Town Musicians and Artists Today

Here are 10 ways to support local artists and musicians singing the quarantine blues. Again.

How to Help H-Town Musicians and Artists Today

1. Support the Greater Houston Area Arts Relief Fund. Spearheaded by the Houston Arts Alliance, this crowdsourced fund offers grants to artists and arts employees to supplement lost wages and cover basic expenses, and is shared among several nonprofits. Click here


2. Donate to Houston Grand Opera. HGO has shown an ongoing commitment to paying its participants, promising artists 50 percent of the fees for the spring season, despite the cancellation of shows. Click here

3. Send a video message. Get a Grammy winner or Broadway performer to sing a message to a loved one! A professional musician calls and performs a song, brightening anyone's day with the magic of music. Via Sing for Hope, founded by a Houstonian, 100 percent of proceeds go to help working artists. Click here

4. Patronize local record stores. Many musicians consider longtime shops like Sig's Lagoon in Midtown and Cactus Music on Richmond an extension of the local scene. By shopping at places like these, music-lovers can continue supporting the stores' efforts to promote Houston bands.

A vinyl by country artist Luba Dvorak A vinyl by country artist Luba Dvorak

5. Give to Artists for Artists. Since April 1, this Houston organization — which offers visual artists a platform to sell their work — has donated more than $503,000 in emergency grants to 400-plus creatives. Music promoter Mark Austin and his wife, Rachel, recently created the Houston Music Foundation as an extension of the cause. Click here

6. Press play! Without concerts, musicians rely on money earned from streaming sites and paid downloads. If able, consider buying the music directly from the artist instead of a streaming service; the funds reach their bank accounts much faster.

7. Buy merch. Similarly, many generate revenue from sales of t-shirts, stickers and more, and several take care to use local makers — so purchasing products is doubly supportive!

Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe sells t-shirts and moreHouston rapper Tobe Nwigwe sells t-shirts and more

8. Check out Band(ing) Together. Gulf Coast Entertainment, an artist-booking agency for weddings, parties and more, founded Band(ing) Together to offset the hundreds of thousands in lost event revenue. All donations go directly to the bands. Click here

9. Support Houston venues. Suffering from months of canceled concerts, White Oak Music Hall is incentivizing folks to buy gift cards or donate to its GoFundMe. Meanwhile, the just-formed National Independent Venue Assocation supports touring musicians and local ones alike. Click here for White Oak Music Hall; Click here for National Independent Venue Association

10. Donate to Deep Vellum. The nonprofit publishing company launched a fund for literary artists and freelance writers who are facing reduced income. Click here

AT TOP: Trá Slaughter's 'Frida's Flowers Stand Six Apart' poster, on sale via Artists for Artists

Art+Culture
Timeless Appeal at The Village: Sophisticated Retirement Living

THE STANDARD BEARER FOR LUXURY

We built The Village communities to exemplify sophisticated retirement living in Houston, surrounded by the heritage neighborhood of River Oaks, Tanglewood and Southampton. Each offers impeccable designer finishes and Aspenwood service detail with dining and resortstyle amenities making them premier locations for discerning Houstonians and their families. Impressive, spacious residential floor plans, generous natural light, and expansive terraces allow a new level of indoor-outdoor living. Beautiful spaces are designed for entertaining, fitness, and relaxation with a dedicated team to provide a secure lock and leave lifestyle for our members.

Keep Reading Show less

The brunch bread basket at Rumi's Kitchen beckons.

NEW HOT SPOTS in Montrose, a happy-hour shakeup on Post Oak, and supreme sushi offerings are making headlines this week. Read on for more tasty tidbits!

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Chef Ope Amosu addresses foodies

A DINNER SERIES with a cult following made its debut in Houston on a breezy evening atop the rooftop at POST. Secret Supper curates one-of-a-kind culinary experiences across the world, drawing devoted followers who travel from near and far to partake in its exclusive events.

Keep Reading Show less
Food