Sunday at Smither Park, Celebrated Houston Sculptor Strikes Up the Band

Sunday at Smither Park, Celebrated Houston Sculptor Strikes Up the Band

Smither, right, and his band Lindale

MANY VISUAL ARTISTS, regardless of their chosen medium, love music. They love to talk about it, they have music playing when they work — but only a select few are brave enough to pick up an instrument and try their hand at playing in front of an audience.


Houston sculptor Joseph Havel is one of those few. “Music is very related to my art practice,” says Havel, whose otherworldly bronze, resin and fiber sculptures are in the collections of major museums around the world. When he’s not busy in his role as director of the Glassell School of Art, or casting cardboard that has been skillfully shredded by his collaborator Hannah, who happens to be an African grey parrot, Havel spends his time working out original songs on guitar to sing with his indie-meets-garage rock trio Lindale (formerly known as Tin Night). On Sunday at Smither Park, Lindale, with Bob Russell on upright bass and Steve Murphy on drums, plays its first show since the Covid-19 lockdown.

So, what does Lindale actually sound like? While fans have noted the similarity of Havel’s singing on some of his tunes to Lou Reed, he’s currently enamored with such fragile, yet edgy singer-songwriters like Adrianne Lenker, and the “fluidity and communication” amongst the musicians in her Brooklyn-based band Big Thief. “One of the things I’m really interested in is this sense that everybody’s voice has a place,” explains Havel. “And I like a sound that has a kind of openness and rawness to it.”

In June, Havel will retire as director of the Glassell School. As that date approaches, Havel is finding more time to dedicate to his artistic practice, which includes preparing for two shows of new works created with Hannah and making more music with Lindale. “I always felt I was a director from the position of being an artist,” says Havel of his 30 years at Glassell. “I’m really very happy that I can now just focus on the creative activity.”

Fried Chicken, Fancy Bubbles, and a Side of Glamour: Sundays at The Marigold Club Just Got Fun

Chef-owner Austin Waiter of The Marigold Club, now serving fried chicken and Champagne on Sunday nights.


IF YOUR SUNDAY nights could use a little sparkle—and a lot of fried chicken—The Marigold Club has just the thing. Starting May 25 at 5pm, the Montrose hotspot known for its playful mix of Southern charm and London polish is rolling out a new weekly tradition: Fried Chicken & Champagne Sundays.

This isn’t your average comfort food situation. We're talking a shareable fried chicken dinner for two, made with farm-raised birds from Deeply Rooted Ranch, and served alongside buttery whipped potatoes, minted peas, aged cheddar scones, and some over-the-top sauces — including a foie gras sauce supreme that’s as extra as it sounds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Food

World-famous Jigger & Pony bar of Singapore will be featured in a pop-up at the Four Seasons’ Bandista speakeasy July 20, along with sister bar Cosmo Pony. Its spicy margarita with an agave lollipop will be on the menu.

ONE OF THE most celebrated bars in the world will be featured in a one-night-only pop-up in Houston next month.

Keep ReadingShow less

A cozy corner of the new Allegory Bar

THINKING OF INTERESTING ideas for a staycation this summer? Consider the newly renovated Moran boutique hotel in CityCentre.

Keep ReadingShow less