Performing Arts Houston Kicks Off 59th Season with Eight Fall Performances
Performing Arts Houston schedule is filled through November 2025:
- 6th Annual Mariachi Festival | AUG 22-24
- Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra | SEP 14
- Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Aristo Sham | OCT 4
- An Evening with Samin Nosrat | OCT 8
- An Evening with Jane Fonda | OCT 20
- Lila Downs: Día de los Muertos |OCT 21
- TwoSet Violin | OCT 24
- An Evening with David Sedaris | NOV 4
EVENTS:
6th Annual Mariachi Festival on AUG 22-24 at Brown Theater, Wortham Center:
Houston’s biggest fiesta returns! Some of the best mariachi bands and folklórico dancers from across Texas convene in the heart of the Theater District for three evenings of music, featuring headliners Mariachi Imperial de America, Mariachi 7 Leguas, and Mariachi Mariposas, and more. All attendees are invited to keep the party going with a post-show celebration in the Wortham Center’s Grand Foyer at the end of each evening. Photographer Melissa Taylor
Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra on SUN, SEP 14 at Sarofim Hall, Hobby Center:
Jeff Goldblum takes a break from playing the Wizard of Oz in Wicked for his one-night-only return to Performing Arts Houston, alongside the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, named for a dear friend of his mother. Jeff and the ensemble perform beloved jazz hits, silly renditions, and engage with the audience through conversation, storytelling, and plenty of jokes. Photo 4 UnversalMusic PariDukovic
Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Aristo Sham on SAT, OCT 4 at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center:
Fresh off a big win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Aristo Sham makes his Performing Arts Houston debut with a program featuring Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No 29, “Hammerklavier.” Aristo’s full program can be found at performingartshouston.org.
Aristo first gained international recognition when he won First Prize in the Ettlingen International Piano Competition in Germany in 2006, and First Prize in the Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition in 2008. In 2023, he won the Grand Prix at the Monte-Carlo Music Masters. He is the First Prize Winner of the 2018 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsowrth International Auditions and more recently, the recipient of top prizes at the Casagrande, Gina Bachauer, Vendome Prize at Verbier Festival, Dublin, Clara Haskil, New York, Saint-Priest and Viotti International Piano Competitions.
Aristo holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and a Masters in Piano Performance from New England Conservatory. He is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Juilliard School under Robert McDonald and Orli Shaham. His principal teachers include Eleanor Wong, Colin Stone, Victor Rosenbaum, and Julia Mustonen-Dahlkvist, and has been mentored by Gabriela Montero.
An Evening with Samin Nosrat on WED, OCT 8 at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center:
Celebrity chef and author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat Samin Nosrat discusses her latest book, Good Things, with her friend and podcast co-host Hrishikesh Hirway. Samin shares stories around the inspiration for the cookbook, her development and selection of the recipes, and the culinary rituals she shares with close friends. VIP ticket holders will receive a premium seat and a signed copy of Good Things.
In a new partnership with Inprint, Performing Arts Houston will host a series of Writing Workouts throughout the season, starting with What Feeds a Poem, an event surrounding Samin Nosrat’s engagement. On September 27 at the Inprint House, writer Karen Zheng will lead a Writing Workout where writers will explore the ingredients of poetry through discussing Samin’s writing and contemporary food poems. Registration for the What Feeds a Poem Writing Workout is open now at performingartshouston.org. Photo credit: Amanda Marsalis
An Evening with Jane Fonda on MON, OCT 20 at Jones Hall:
With a 50+ year career under her belt, Jane Fonda has stories to tell! The actress and human rights activist will engage in a moderated discussion and audience Q&A on all things acting, activism, and insights from her life as an American icon.
A limited number of VIP tickets still remain, featuring premium seating, a post-show photo op, and a signed book.
Lila Downs: Día de los Muertos on TUE, OCT 21 at Jones Hall:
GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Award-winner Lila Downs returns, performing a reimagined Día de los Muertos concert, featuring Mexican classics, works from Downs’ discography, and performances by mariachis and folklorico dancers. All attendees are invited to honor their loved ones at our community ofrenda, open in the Jones Hall lobby on the evening of the performance. Photo: Performing Arts Houston
TwoSet Violin on FRI, OCT 24 at Jones Hall:
Classically trained violinists turned YouTube comedy duo TwoSet Violin have amassed over 4.32 million subscribers. Now, TwoSet, made up of Australian-born Brett Po-yao Yang and Wei-chen “Eddy” Chen, embark on their world tour. In an evening at Jones Hall, TwoSet pairs expert violin performances with their signature humor, bringing a lighthearted approach to incredible classical music.
VIP Experience tickets, featuring a meet-and-greet with the artists and a signed merch item, are still available. Photo: Performing Arts Houston
An Evening with David Sedaris on TUE, NOV 4 at Jones Hall:
Houston’s favorite humorist returns for his 16th Performing Arts Houston engagement. Houston just can’t get enough David! The master satirist and award-winning author reads excerpts from his writing, shares social critiques, and entertains audiences with his sardonic wit. Plus, Sedaris will engage with all attendees in a post-show book signing. Photo credit: Anne Fishbein