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
Reyna Group Owner Leads Real Estate Market with Passion and Excellence

MICHELLE REYNA WYMES, a distinguished name in the Houston real estate market, is the owner of the successful boutique brokerage, Reyna Group. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Michelle has deep-rooted connections to the community she serves with dedication and pride.

Keep Reading Show less

AN ICONIC RESTAURANT space on West Gray, once home to La Griglia and a hopping patio scene, will soon be vivacious once again. In March, Goode Company will opens the fourth outpost of its popular Tex-Mex spot Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina on West Gray at McDuffie.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

MUTINY WINE ROOM in the Heights is celebrating five years with a bash this month. Opening just months before the pandemic, the tasting-room-style bar and restaurant is run by Emily Trout and Mark Ellenberger, who also own Kagan Cellars in Napa Valley.

Keep Reading Show less
Food