LOCAL Houston | The City Guide APRIL 2015 | Page 39

Local April.qxp_002houston 3/23/15 2:15 PM Page 39

CounterCurrent HOUSTON HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN AS A CITY OF RICH DIVERSITY AND
CULTURE

, A NOD TO THE LARGE POPULATION TRACING ITS HERITAGE FROM
AROUND THE GLOBE. HOUSTON IS ALSO KNOWN AS A MAJOR HUB FOR THE ARTS, A TITLE BESTOWED UPON THE CITY BASED ON SOME OF THE HIGHEST
CONCENTRATIONS OF ART GALLERIES, DEALERS AND ARTISTS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON’S CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL
CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS FURTHERING THE CITY’S REPUTATION AS A FINE ARTS MECCA THROUGH THE SECOND ANNUAL COUNTERCURRENT, BILLED
AS A “FESTIVAL OF BOLD EXPERIMENTAL ART.” WITH A HEAVY EMPHASIS ON INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY AND GETTING PEOPLE TO
EXPLORE THE CITY, COLLABORATION IS A KEY COMPONENT TO ITS EARLY SUCCESS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH SEVERAL LOCAL INSTITUTIONS
INCLUDING BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP, THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS AND DIVERSEWORKS HAVE CONTINUED TO FLOURISH AFTER THE FESTIVAL’S
INAUGURAL YEAR. WITH NINE INDEPENDENT AND COLLABORATIVE INSTALLATIONS AND SHOWS TAKING PLACE THIS YEAR, THE EVENTS ARE SLATED
FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 14–19 . AND WHILE ENTRY TO EVERY EVENT IS FREE, TICKETS ARE LIMITED AND RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.
The shows will utilize audio and visual installations, live performances and participatory events to help bring Houston
together. “For the second annual CounterCurrent festival, we
are excited to bring a brilliant roster of artists from all disciplines,” said Karen Farber, executive director of the UH
Mitchell Center. Some of the highlights of the festival include:

HT/X: Opening the festival this year, Austin-based artist Luke
Savisky returns with his video-driven art show at the Allen’s
Landing Bridge downtown. Using the underside of the bridge
as the backdrop for his multimedia art, Luke once again
proves his knack for transforming non-traditional spaces into
immersive experiences.
CRY YOU ONE: A collaboration between two New Orleans-

based theater companies, Cry You One traces the effects
Hurricane Katrina had on both New Orleans and the major
cities surrounding it, including Houston. A three-hour outdoor
production, the show combines New Orleans-style storytelling
within the local backdrops. A processional production, the
show requires walking throughout, making it a unique experience unlike most.

TEN TINY DANCES: Closing this year’s festival, Ten Tiny Dances
is touted as an experiment in confined space. Forcing the
audience to rethink the way they understand choreographed
dance, the production consists of inventive and accessible
dance from Houston and New York performers, all taking
place on a 4’ x 4’ stage, for a total of only 16 square feet.
Please visit www.countercurrentfestival.org for more information
on each show and for ticket reservations.

CRY YOU ONE BY MELISA CARDONA

By Adam Bergen

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