If it’s the second Saturday of a summer month–and in Texas, May is a summer month–then it’s time to go the Main Street Music Series. To kick of this year’s series, the Huntsville Main Street Manager, Amanda Schillaci, hosted “ZZ Tex,” a tribute band to the ever-popular ZZ Top at Rather Park in downtown Huntsville. The result was a 90 minute set of the band’s favorites, with almost 200 people in attendance.
The crowd consisted of a cross-section of Huntsville, albeit one veering a bit to the older side. It was also a city-employee reunion of sorts, with Stephanie Fors, Marcy Metz, Aron Kulhavy, Angela Robinson, and Tammy Gann all on hand. We also saw community regulars such as Darren and Marsie Grant; Danny and Sue Slater; and our favorite community volunteer, Lois Stehlik.
The band kept the crowd engaged, playing favorites such as “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Give me all your Loving,” “Legs,” “Give it Up,” and, of course, “Sharp Dressed Man.” The crowd loved them, but it wasn’t until later in the evening that they became fully engaged with the dancing.
Sporing glow sticks and inflatable guitars–all provided by Main Street–the crowd jammed to the signature sounds of ZZ Top, as interpreted by ZZ Tex. The music, along with uncharacteristically wonderful weather (72 degrees, low humidity) and the end-of-the-semester de-stressing allowed for a wonderful time for all.
Did the end-of-the-semester bustle cause you to overlook the event? No worries, you still have the Houston Ensemble (June 14), Zach Jonez & 45s (July 12), and the Texas TBirds (August 9) ahead of you.
Many thanks to Amanda Schillaci and the City of Huntsville staff for putting on this event!
Trivia: In 1967, David Adickes opened a nightclub in Houston, the Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine, which, if names mean anything, was a groovy and psychedelic experience.
According to Adickes, it was where the band ZZ Top first performed and rose to prominence. While Rather Park may not be as trippy as a place known as the Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine, it was still an enjoyable evening in the company of a lot of good people.
A long-lasting tradition in Huntsville, Texas is a music series, Sundown at Sam’s, which is hosted by the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library. This event was started by Economics Professor Darren Grant and Birdsall to introduce local artists to the loving Huntsville community.
Derrick Birdsall Opens with Introductory Remarks
This year’s event showcases three different themed performances: Blues Night with Lowery Bridges and Mighty Orq; Americana/Country Night with Katy Bell and John Toland, also featuring Joey McGee; and Gospel Night with Dave McMahon and Praise on Purpose.
On the Americana/Country night this week (April 10), the audience was full of SHSU students, Huntsville locals, and some Pre-Law Society members, such as Olivia Discon, Christina Biello, Michelle Moya, Nataly Elizondo, Neehal Ahmed, and Jose Carreno (Hunter Hogan also showed up, but he sat with his other, lesser friends).
First to perform was Katey Bell and John Toland. Katey Bell is an East Texas Singer/Songwriter who has been writing songs since she was a little girl. John Toland is a singer and musician associated with the John Toland Trio which is a funk and soul collective of like-minded artists. Their voices and guitar playing brought smiles to all those in the audience as their music filled the air.
John Toland and Katey Bell
My favorite song was Tornado Watch by Katey Bell. Katey sounds so emotional when she is singing this song and it highlights her voice range and beautiful guitar playing, and it also references Walker County!
Last to play was Joey McGee, who plays a harmonious combination of country, rock, and soul music.
Joey McGee
His guitar and harmonica playing were very impressive. He is a very bubbly and funny person, which was shown when he would tell jokes in between songs while changing harmonicas.
To go along with the amazing music, you could buy pupusas, quesadillas, and sodas from Delmy’s Food Stand and beverages from Sam’s Table. It was so nice to see the community gathered at such a historical and significant place in Huntsville.
If you want to experience this event, Sundown at Sam’s will have one more date during this semester on May 1, themed “Gospel Night,” and it promises to be another heavenly experience with angelic voices!
En route to Denver, Colorado for a conference presentation, our travels brought us through the vast expanse of west Texas. This path gave us the opportunity to see two charming western towns, Abilene and Lubbock. In Abilene, we hoped to spend some time in their historic downtown district, while Lubbock was on our radar because it is a possible law-school destination for both Olivia Discon and Chrissy Biello. Exploration was in order!
Grace Museum
by Olivia Discon
Abilene, Texas, has a lovely and historic downtown.
Known as the Storybook Capital of Texas, the city is truly proud to bear the title. Around the area, you can find public sculptures…
Olivia Discon and Chrissy Biello with Luis Jimenez’s “Mesteno” in Abilene
…cartoon characters, bookstores, and other fun literary-themed spots. We stopped by the mini sculpture walk in Everman Park, and Chrissy and I had a great time reminiscing about the titles and book characters that marked our childhood and our respective love of reading at an early age.
After that, we went into the historic Grace Museum. The building itself is beautiful, and the current exhibit was really interesting. Within the exhibit, there was a handmade wooden “chapel” displaying about 20 paintings that depicted contemporary or average-looking people in religious scenes, which was thought-provoking and very well done. What stood out to me the most were the gold leaf paintings and the creative ways biblical stories were referenced.
There was a book in the gallery that explained which biblical story matched up with the modern figures in the paintings, which I thought was a nice touch. Yawn and Chrissy were more into the nature scenes, which were different from the religious imagery but still detailed and visually appealing.
One of my favorite parts of the museum, though, was the Youth Art Month gallery. Local students had their work displayed, and it was honestly so fun to see. There was a range of ages (and maybe a range of talent, too), but the community engagement aspect was the best part. I did something similar as a kid, and I still remember the feeling of pride seeing my art displayed, standing next to my parents as they took pictures. But more than that, it’s about showing kids that they belong in these spaces—that they can be part of the art world, even at a young age.
Having the privilege to have gone to several museums with LEAP, I can say that this visit became an unanticipated favorite!
With that pleasant surprise on our minds, we stopped for a quick bite to eat at the highly-rated Jay’s BBQ…
…found the restaurant to live up to its ratings in both hospitality and taste, and we headed to Texas Tech University to visit their law school and get a glimpse, perhaps, of our futures.
Texas Tech Law School and University
by Chrissy Biello
Known for its nationally ranked Advocacy Program and commitment to public service, Texas Tech Law School is filled with immense opportunities that sets their students up for success. Thanks to Dean Saavedra, Assistant Dean of Admissions, and Ms. Moorhead, Director of Admissions, Olivia and I had the chance to tour the law school.
As she took us through the law school, there were many appealing aspects that would draw many students in. One aspect that I found particularly intriguing was the Lanier Auditorium, where the law school hosts many programs for its students. Ms. Moorhead explained they are usually during the lunch hour, allowing students to have the option to attend as there are no classes scheduled during that time.
With multiple clinics, organizations, and externships to choose from, there is something no matter what you are interested in. From this, one is able to go down many different paths to determine what truly aligns with them.
In all, Texas Tech Law School is not only nestled in an area with astounding architecture and art, but it also contains a plethora of ways for students to grow by giving them the resources to do so. Olivia and I would like to thank Ms. Moorhead for giving us a great tour and experience at Texas Tech Law School; it truly gave us a glimpse into the life of a law student at Texas Tech.
As we were on the Texas Tech campus, we decided to take the chance to walk around and see the art that the students are able to experience everyday. With multiple Moroles sculptures on campus, we LEAPed at the opportunity to go and see them. They were all very striking, and made us feel at home, as Huntsville has many Moroles sculptures as well.
We also enjoyed Deborah Butterfield’s “Wind River” sculpture. Having the previous experience of seeing one of her horse sculptures at the Besthoff Sculpture Garden in New Orleans, I was happy to be making that connection at Texas Tech.
One that is a quite funny play on words is the “Read Reader.” This bronze sculpture is multiple books stacked upon each other, ultimately creating a man reading. Terry Allen, the artist, is actually from Lubbock and is also known for being a great musician!
James Surls, a Sam Houston State University alumni, has a piece in front of the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. This turquoise sculpture has three different sections and was different than the traditional wooden Surls sculptures I have seen.
One of the most appealing aspects of Tech’s campus is its beautiful mediterranean architecture, landscaped grounds, and the art that adorns those grounds. One sculpture that combined these latter two components was “Agave Dreams” by Juilan Voss-Andreae.
Before leaving Lubbock, we also had to explore the downtown district, as well as the Museum honoring the city’s most famous son: Buddy Holly. We, of course, had to get a photo inside the large glasses that resembled Holly’s.
We then concluded our time by taking a selfie with the Buddy Holly sculpture nearby…
…and looking at some of the names on the Buddy Holly Walk of Fame, spying Texas luminaries such as Roy Orbison, Terry Allen, Mac Davis, Guy Clark, and Bob Wills.
It was a fitting end to a day that is unlikely to “fade away,” with thoughts of our future in law and reflecting on a day with art.
Music, murder, mayhem: what’s not to love? That’s pretty much how LEAP students felt about Bob Fosse’s “Chicago,” performed this week in College Station.
Performed at the Rudder Theater on Texas A&M University’s Campus, “Chicago” is in the midst of a seemingly endless national run. This tour included Taylor Lane (Velma Kelly), Ellie Roddy (Roxie Hart), Connor Sullivan (Billy Flynn), Andrew Metzger (Amos Hart), Illeana Kirven (as “Mama”), with Lane and Kirven as particular standouts (the latter is from Tyler, TX).
For those who haven’t seen it, the play is a satire on the strange world of celebrity in the United States, particularly the country’s tendency to elevate the most notorious of criminals. Written in the 1970s, the musical anticipates a world in which people such as O.J. Simpson, Kim Kardashian, Brittney Spears, and the “Hawk Tuah” girl are seen as influencers.
Such individuals not only escape the criminal justice system, but they also seem to win in the court of public opinion, maintaining a celebrity status.
In the musical, the story of Roxie Hart is told through songs. Hart, who is indicted for the murder of her lover, obtains a not guilty verdict through the “Razzle Dazzle” of her Johnny Cochran-like attorney, Billy Flynn. As salacious as Hart’s case is, however, she competes with the girls of the “Cell-Block Tango” among others for attention from the media and the public.
With a rewritten narrative of the murderous night (“We both reached for the gun“) and the manipulation of Roxie’s hapless husband, Amos (Mr. Cellophane), Roxie is acquitted.
But in a world where everyone receives 15 minutes of fame, Hart’s fame gives way to others, and she and Velma Kelly are relegated to Vaudeville, a kind of forerunner to TikTok.
For a group of aspiring lawyers in the 21st century, it was a worthy fable and a wonderful night of entertainment.
Indeed, different aspects of it appealed to each of us. For Chrissy, she enjoyed Bob Fosse’s choreography and the song “Nowadays.” Olivia enjoyed “Cell Block Tango” and, even more so, “We Both Reached for the Gun.” Michelle, on the other hand, favored “Me and My Baby” and the satire and irony that suffused the production–the very first play she has seen! For Mike and Stephanie, a “favorite” is less clear, but “All That Jazz” never gets old.
Nor does “Chicago: The Musical,” which is why it is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. And the third time–but not the last–that LEAP Ambassadors have seen the production!
Each legislative session, the Texas State University System hosts a Gala that raises funds for its member institutions. This year’s Gala honored staff in the Texas Legislature and featured Brad Paisley, who provided much merriment over the course of the evening. On hand to assist were the SHAIP Interns, who, after working a long day in the TX Legislature, helped check-in a record number of attendees, and then enjoyed the evening!
Chancellor Brian McCall introduced the event…
…providing an overview and humor while introducing guests. Regent Charlie Amato also said a few words, before encouraging guests to eat, drink, and be merry–advice the guests took to heart.
For most of the SHAIP interns, it was their first time at the Moody Theater / Austin City Limits, and just being there was a bit of a history lesson.
And, of course, the students had a chance to experience some of that history while listening to Brad Paisley.
The real treat and lessons, however, came in the chance to meet people who attended the event. This included spending time with President White and Dr. McCartney Johnson…
…meeting former Speaker of the House–and member of the Presidents Circle–Gibb Lewis…
..and meeting or reacquainting ourselves with LEAP Alumni and just getting to know each other better.
For TSUS, it was a great way to elevate the profile of the System and its member institutions, highlighting the many ways the institutions benefit the state of Texas and raising money for students.
The event was a great success, which of course was to be expected, given that it was overseen by Vice-Chancellor Mike Wintemute, Derrick Alexander, and Malu Gonzalez. The event, and the people involved, provided a great introduction to Austin and the Austin City Limits to the SHAIP interns.
“Sundown at Sam’s,” notes Museum Director Derrick Birdsall, “is a way for us to bring a diverse (community and University) crowd to the Museum grounds.”
And the crowd was a wonderful mix of locals and students; among those was spotted were: Marjean Creager; SHSU Associate Vice President Amy Salazar (and her husband, Tim); Bridget Maloney; Councilmember Tore Fossum; City Manager Aron Kulhavy; LEAP Ambassadors Olivia Discon, Cinthia Villarreal, Morgan Robertson, and Michelle Cardenas; Kristie Stevens; SHSU Vice President Matt Bethea and his wife, Carrie; Wes and Susan Sanders; Bette Nelson; SHSU’s Emily Binetti; SHSU student Crystal Herren and her children; Brian Blalock; SHSU student Sarah-Hope Carter and her boyfriend, Parker; and many others.
The many others included pets…
…some of which showed off by doing pet tricks.
Adding to the entertainment was a variety of food and drink options, including Delmy’s, C.A.T. Cafe, and Tap Truck Outlaws. Or, you could bring your own snacks. In short, the setting offers everything you could need for a delightful evening.
And indeed it was an enjoyable, relaxing, and fun evening. The music, a mix of traditional sounds–Americana, Roots, and Bluegrass–was appropriate for the Museum grounds.
For Sarah-Hope, it is an annual tradition: “I love going every year! I especially enjoyed seeing John Krajicek, whose singing and writing is beautiful. My favorite song was “Blue Bird in my Heart…”
…and I also enjoyed hearing the Fire Ants String Band. The banjoist was incredible! It was great be part of the community, and it was great to see so many people come out and support local artists.”
Sundown at Sam’s will continue on May 2 and May 16. And for music fans, Huntsville Main Street will be hosting their own music series later this summer.
Thanks to Darren Grant and the staff at the SHMM for hosting quality events for the whole community!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 
