DJ Sun
The outfit offers a full-length, orchestral performance of DJ Sun’s 2022 album Loveletter, with special guests poet Outspoken Bean, rapper Fat Tony, and vocalist Krystal Hardwick. Loveletter’s hypnotic collage of sampled vinyl has been transcribed for chamber instrumentation by Henry Darragh, Tim Ruiz, Ken Easton, and Marlon Chen, who will conduct the piece. Far from being the outlier on the program, Loveletter in its orchestral incarnation offers a provocative spin on Reich and Torke’s respective musical languages and will no doubt reel in audiences unfamiliar with modern 20th and 21st century composition. For those who missed Loveletter’spremiere last year at Moores Opera House, this is a great opportunity to check it out live.
Reich’s Radio Rewrite was inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer meeting and hitting it off with Radiohead guitarist and composer, Jonny Greenwood. Buried within the five-movement work is musical material pulled from two Radiohead songs: “Everything in its Right Place” from Kid A, an experimental left turn the band took after the success of OK Computer, and “Jigsaw Falling into Place,” a harmonic puzzle from their 2007 masterpiece In Rainbows.
Reich’s Duet for two violins and small string orchestra is a short, canonic work featuring soloists ChloéTrevor and Chavdar Parashkevov. Rounding out the program is Torke’s Blue Pacific, a luminous, virtuosic piece originally composed for solo piano, now newly arranged for piano and string orchestra. The music shimmers and grooves like song in search of a singer. It’s got a good beat, and it’s easy to dance to, as American Bandstand may have observed.
Aperio performing at Miller Outdoor Theatre (Photo by Lynn Lane)
Yellowtail Crudo at Brasserie 19
Amalfi
Charming Amalfi touts coastal Italian dishes like homemade fettuccine in creamy black-truffle sauce by Salerno native chef Giancarlo Ferrara. 6100 Westheimer Rd., 713.532.2201
B&B Butchers
Mac & Cheese
Venture in for the deep-fried A5 Wagyu katsu sando, or similarly stacked deli sandwich in the adjoining butcher shop, at this boutique steakhouse. A rooftop terrace makes B&B a premiere Sunday brunch destination. 1814 Washington Ave., 713.862.1814
Brasserie 19
Confit Rabbit
Wine with lunch and bubbles with brunch is the norm at this sceney River Oaks spot. Situated in the center of a busy shopping strip, Brasserie 19 is reminiscent of a Parisian sidewalk café. 1962 W. Gray St., 713.524.1919
Eugene's
Crab Salad
The menu and the gold-gilding-happy space itself call to mind the best old family-run haunts of New Orleans. Expect really great combos of butter, garlic, acid and fresh Gulf goodness. 1985 Welch St., 713.807.8883
Lucy's Pearls
Turtle Cheesecake
Decadent cakes, picture-perfect cake pops and down-home pies await at this craft bakery inside the POST Houston complex. Go for happy hour Mon.-Weds., 4-6pm, for 20 percent off. 401 Franklin St., 832.777.5496
Ousie's Table
Atlantic Blackened Salmon with Crabmeat Relish
This River Oaks institution serving Southern standards — shrimp and cheese grits, New Orleans red snapper, chicken and waffles at brunch! — is charming. With a beautiful patio and private rooms, it’s a popular locale for showers, receptions and more. 3939 San Felipe St., 713.528.2264
Ragin' Cajun
Gumbo
Crawfish season is here! There’s no better spot to get the fixins for a backyard boil than the original Ragin’ Cajun on Richmond. 4302 Richmond Ave., 713.623.6321
Taste of Texas
Fried Shrimp
This famous classic steakhouse — thick bacon wraps around your filet — touts cozy, rustic environs that live up to the name. There’s actually a Texas history museum inside! 10505 Katy Fwy., 713.932.6901
