These unique wind-up sculptures include a giant, brightly painted Nutcracker, an electric guitar, a cleverly constructed guitar slide, a stack of old school boomboxes and vintage stereo equipment, a banjo, a violin, a music note, a theater mask, a microphone, and an elegant harp. None of the eco-friendly sculptures require electricity to operate; each sculpture illuminates its surroundings and plays its own unique holiday soundtrack with the simple turn of a crank.
Presented by the Houston Theater District in collaboration with Lynn Wyatt Square, Market Square Park, and Trebly Park, Harmonies is the first activation in a series of initiatives by Houston Theater District — a diverse group of businesses, policy leaders, and arts organizations who perform in the District — to create public spaces for social interaction, cultural exchange, and (let’s be real) selfies and Instagram reels.
Beginning in 2024, the music boxes will shift from playing holiday tunes to music from local arts organizations and artists. Before then, make the trip Downtown and give each one a spin.
Brian Ching, Lindsay Yates, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell
“The VIP guest list consisted of longtime friends and clients who enjoyed delectable bites provided by close friend and neighbor Ben Berg's The Annie Cafe & Bar,” said a rep for store owners Debbie and Rudy Festari. Bites included house favorites such as quail bites, bacon fritters, crab tostadas and beef skewers — all washed with Champagne and tequila, naturally.
Since the party was held in a boutique, guest couldn’t help but use the occasion for some holiday gift shopping. A collection of leather, velvet and cashmere jackets, beautiful suits and blazers, and great accessories were on offer, the Festaris noted. Custom women’s jewelry fro Kym Jackson's Urban Rocks was also available.
Faces in the crowd included star athletes Carl Lewis, Brian Ching and Jeff Bagwell. Also making the scene were Rachel Bagwell, Michael and Michael Mithoff, Courtney Hopson, Ceron, Don and Laura Sanders, James and Nicole Lassiter, Marc and Duyen Duyen, Roland Maldonado, Melissa Juneau and Travis Torrence.
Iraida Brown, Mason Clark, Michelle Reyna Wymes and Ally Shell
Tarek El-Bjeirmi and Ceron
Jared Nash and Nadia Nichole
Susan Sanders, Don Mafrige, Jr., Cathy Echols and Tony Gibson
Tammie and Dr. Andy Johnson
Jessica Meyer and Laurel Weinstein
Hugo and Esther Guerrero
Christine and Steve Johnson and Marla Hurley
Michael Roa
Marni and Griffin Greenwood
Marc and Duyen Huynh and Irma Brindis with Patrick Ashiofu
Dallas and Ashton Garrison
Cicely Reid and Travis Torrence
James and Nicole Lassiter and Courtney Hopson
Tiffany Wong, Melissa Mithoff, Melissa Juneau
Debbie and Rudy Festari