Acoustic Soul

A popular Downtown concert series goes unplugged to benefit the city’s post-Harvey recovery efforts.

Katya Horner
Us performs during Canned Acoustica at Discovery Green_Photo by Katya Horner
Us performs during Canned Acoustica at Discovery Green_Photo by Katya Horner

As the region continues to operate in recovery mode post-Harvey, there is no shortage of unique ways to donate time, money and resources to a city in need. Perhaps one of the most fun philanthropic experiences is Canned Acoustica, a concert series at Discovery Green.


Curated by veteran concert promoter Mark C. Austin, the monthly event is free and family-friendly, and guests are encouraged to bring canned goods as donations to the Houston Food Bank, which distributed more than 22 million pounds of food, water and supplies in the six weeks after Hurricane Harvey.

It’s actually the second iteration of the series, which debuted in 2010 and went on hiatus in 2012. “I often get asked to bring the series back to life,” says Austin, who challenges local artists like The Suffers and Fat Tony to rearrange songs using only acoustic instruments. The result? Moody and personal performances, distinct and unique to each group. “Discovery Green’s small stage is an ideal setting for these intimate acoustic sets.”

With five or six local bands representing a variety of genres — including rap, metal, indie, Latin, rock and soul — performances during each concert are multi-faceted and vibey. This month, music lovers and do-gooders can look forward to performances by pop-punk-rockers 30footFALL, female duo Say Girl Say, metal act Dead to the World, The Voice alum Stephanie Rice, and rising-star four-piece band Mind Shrine. The scenic 12-acre park also hosts lawn games and serves bites and beverages from The Grove during the concert — and all for a small “can”tribution.

Wellness+Giving Back
Fall Philanthropy Report: March of Dimes’ ‘Signature Chefs’ Event Coming in November

What year was your organization launched? 1938

What is your mission? March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. The name “March of Dimes” was suggested by entertainer Eddie Cantor as a way to encourage people to donate even a small amount, like a dime, to help fight polio.

Keep Reading Show less

Heather Almond, Elia Gabbanelli, Kaleta Blaffer Johnson and Tara Martin (photo courtesy Cotton Holdings)

THE SWANKIEST SETUP at the Rodeo Houston “Cookoff” didn’t disappoint, for the fourth year in a row!

Keep Reading Show less

Braxton Berrios and Alix Earle (photo from @alix_earle on Instagram)

WHILE HOUSTON IS still mourning the loss of Alex and Reagan Bregman’s move to Boston, a new power couple is about to touch down in H-Town. Influencer Alix Earle’s boyfriend Braxton Berrios was drafted to the Texans this week.

Keep Reading Show less
Style