VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Unwinding from holidays, family, parties, to-do lists and resolutions is exhausting for most and that is why the artists of First Saturday Arts Market are chasing away the winter blues with a Hawaiian themed art market on Saturday January 7. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. visitors can start with special Hawaiian wraps by favorite gourmet food truck "It's A Wrap" at the monthly art event that takes place in the Heights between Gen's Antiques and Wind Water Gallery at 548 West 19th Street. The Grass Skirts band performs late in the day with tropical standards "On the Beach at Waikiki", "Blue Hawaii", "Tiny Bubbles."

The Grass Skirts are a tropical pop band in Houston Texas currently consisting of steel guitar, ukulele, drums, and bass. Established in 2007 and performing a variety of hapa haole standards, Hawaiian-ized pop hits, and original compositions, founder Mateo Rhodes says, “If you go to the Waikiki area on the island of Oahu, you’ll hear music at most of the major hotels the way it was played back in the 30’s through the 50’s, or Hawaii’s Golden Age. This is the music we want to bring back because it’s what we mainlanders think of when we think of Hawaiian music."

Four new artists will be featured in the curated show January 7. Joseph Maurer, a woodworker from Jersey Village area will exhibit his Wayfinders - which are cross-section cuts of pear tree branches with inlaid compass. From Fulshear, Cash Peckham, currently a student at Glassell School of Art, Houstonian Gilber M. Levy, a surrealist painter and Kit Allen, a mixed media artist whose large whimsical work always get attention.

First Saturday Arts Market is a monthly outdoor fine arts event. Several dozen artists showcase their paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and handmade wares in as many white canopied tents. Local musicians entertain and gourmet food trucks are on site! The market is held in the parking lot between Wind Water Gallery and Gen’s Antiques at 548 W. 19th Street, Houston, Texas. For details about the bands, food and market artists visit www.FirstSaturdayArtsMarket.com.

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Image by Terry Brooks.