Nicky Sohn (photo by Julia Gang); Kayla Collymore (photo by Mark Henderson); Mary Grace Johnson (photo by Natalie Gaynor)
Sohn has since overcome those doubts to become a sought-after, internationally recognized composer, with recent orchestral commissions from and performances by the National Orchestra Institute and Festival with Marin Alsop, the Sarasota Orchestra, and the Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra under Hugh Wolff. She is currently the composer-in-residence of Houston’s Kinetic Ensemble, a 16-member string orchestra that performs without a conductor, and actively supports the creation of new music in a field all-to-often devoid of diversity. On March 3 at MATCH, Kinetic celebrates Women’s History Month with Her Story, a program of music by women composers featuring the world premiere of Sohn’s violin concerto Home, with soloist Mary Grace Johnson and three dancers moving to choreography by Kayla Collymore. The concert also includes Amy Beach’s String Quartet in One Movement and Gabriela Lena Frank’s Leyendas for string orchestra.
Home takes its inspiration from the stories of three graduates of The Women’s Home, which offers residential treatment and a transitional housing program for homeless women struggling with addiction and mental illness. During the pandemic, DACAMERA’s Young Artist Program facilitated the opportunity for Sohn and Johnson to connect with residents of The Women’s Home and hear their stories. The experience inspired Sohn to compose a short piece for violin and piano titled Fresh Breath of Hope, and soon after its premiere, she and Johnson began discussing the possibility of doing something more ambitious.
Kinetic Ensemble (photo by Jeff Grass)
“The stories the women shared with us were really powerful, and we felt the need to write a bigger piece,” says Sohn. With the goal of creating something more expansive, Sohn, Johnson and Collymore interviewed three recent graduates of The Women’s Home to learn about their recovery. “One thing they shared that I found inspiring was that you get to write your next chapter,” says Sohn. “Whatever you have been through, that’s not the end of your story and the future is up to you to create.”
Although not specifically programmatic, Home does convey in musical language the transformative journey each graduate of The Women’s Home experienced. “Sharing their stories was a very vulnerable thing to do,” says Sohn, “so I felt the responsibility to deliver what they shared in a very honorable way.” Having worked with Sohn throughout the compositional process, Collymore’s choreography is closely matched to the music and provides another layer of expressivity and emotion to the work.
Looking back on her own story, Sohn is pleased to now be teaching four exceptionally talented female composition students and hopes her field is on its way to becoming a more diverse and equitable career path for young musicians.
“I really hope that I am the last generation to feel uncomfortable for being who I am,” says Sohn. “Because I signed up to be a composer. I didn’t sign up to be a female composer.”
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Art at Eight Row Flint (photo by Micah Danae)
Watering hole Eight Row Flint, known for its ranch water and stellar food truck tacos, recently opened a second location in EaDo in the shuttered Night Shift space. It’s the first duplication of a concept under the Agricole Hospitality umbrella (Coltivare, EZ’s, Vinny’s, Indianoloa, etc.). Like the original in the Heights, the new Eight Row is slinging tacos, like shrimp and octopus, built on tortillas made from the bar’s own nixtamalized corn masa. Expect savory bar snacks like campechana, ceviche, surprises like pickled quail eggs, and inventive takes on empanadas. A custom rick house anchors the expansive main dining room, and eclectic art decorates the walls, including a bright stairway mural created by GM Christian Garza and his young daughter. The stairway leads to an open-air rooftop patio with seating for 80, which will be fantastic for spring.
Tulum HTX Bows in EaDo
Tulum HTX
As its name suggests, this new rooftop EaDo tiki bar and restaurant takes its inspiration from the Caribbean city of Tulum. A soaring multi-level interior is fashioned with suspended lush accents, bamboo lighting fixtures, Aztec tiles, and a striking mural. Come for Caribbean cocktails, scratch-made Mexican dishes, and a rooftop complete with chaise lounge furniture. Guests are encouraged to lay back with a cocktail “straight from the coastline” — think the Paradise Martini, made with vodka, pineapple juice, and passion fruit, and jungle juice starring rum and tropical juices. Snack on Tulum street tacos, nachos, wings, and mozzarella lollipops. Entrées include wood-smoked rib tips, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and weekend brunch dishes.
Eloise Nichols Goes All Day
Eloise Nichols (photo by Alex Montoya)
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Dawn Burrell Returns to TV
Chef Dawn Burrell (right) on 'Top Chef'
Our Houston girl is back this upcoming season for Bravo’s Top Chef: All Stars. Cheftestants from around the world will compete in the first episode Thurs., Mar., 9 on BravoTV. Burrell, who has her own restaurant planned for Houston, isn’t just a top rated chef, she’s a talent who spent her early career as a high level track and field athlete, even repping the U.S. at the 2000 Olympics as a long jumper. In her recent appearance of Top Chef in season 19 filmed in Houston, she was featured as a guest judge. This time, she joins 15 other former contestants in London for a thrilling Season 20. We hear that aforemetioned chef Christine Ha will be a guest judge in a Texas challenge. May the best chef win!
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