Well it's the “who’s who” time of the year. Take off your sad, crushed-by-the-weight-of-the-world face and add the “What! How ARE you” Face. That's right, it's Art Fair time! Now what Houston art fair would be complete without another art fair riding its coat tails with 80% lesser known galleries, opening a week after. Now we like the Untitled Art Fair. It's actually a real art fair with a long history and isn’t trying to reinvent a proven model. So we are excited to see it back in Houston with its people and international galleries. With that being said, if you came here to get the inside scoop of all the bells and whistles weaving through the ins and outs of VIP parties, you will not find that here. You might see us at a few of these, but we will likely be there for the small quiches or bacon wrapped figs. We do love art and its many parties, but if you want to go to any of these just look through your VIP emails or hop on any website. We like to write art and see art, but we aren’t so much about seen or be seen. So take it at face value. However, there are a lot of openings, events, and performances that are happening in town without exclusive access. I'm a grumpy arts writer delivering you this week's Hidden Agenda. I also don’t like Crocs.

Monday, 09/28

They Who Sound | 7:30PM

Lawndale Art Center | 4912 Main St.

Nameless Sound is celebrating 25 years of sound! With that we have a new season of They Who Sound coming back to Lawndale Art Center. We love David Dove, Lawndale, and especially experimental music. So come out this Monday and catch the first show.

Emily Beisel (Chicago) - reeds, electronics
Lisa Cameron (Austin) - percussion, electronics

Laura Dykes (Houston) - double bass
Kodey Saldaña (Houston) - alto saxophone
Thomas Swindell (Houston) - guitar

Tuesday, 09/29

The Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt | 7:15PM & 10:15PM

River Oaks Theatre | 2009 W. Gray

This documentary is going to be top notch. How could it not be following one of the most influential art-punk bands and the beginnings of Texan grown Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary. One of my favorite memories was a very important, well to do , older art patron saying to me, “I think I really recall liking those Butt Hole Surfers”. Said in a way that you know they have no idea who they are. There are still tickets left! You'll be sitting in the corner for an early show but there are still plenty of seats left for the 10:15.

Wednesday, 09/30

Vincent Valdez:“The New Americans”

Our Shared Struggle for Democracy | 6:30PM

The Rothko Chapel | 1409 Sul Ross

It's the art fair so you will be seeing loads of top quality programming to catch the eye of the international art visitors this week. The Rothko Chapel will be hosting a conversation exploring "The New Americans," a new series of pencil-and-ink drawings that depict the faces and places that artist Vincent Valdez encounters in his search for those working toward a better tomorrow, today. You have to register so make sure to do so HERE.

In Conversation | Artists Brian Ellison and Kalup Linzy | 6PM

Glassell School of Art | 5101 Montrose Blvd.

Conceptual artist and community leader Brian Ellison, founder of the Black Man Project in Houston and video / performance artist Kalup Linzy, founder of Queen Rose Art House in Tulsa, Oklahoma team up for a conversation exploring art and community through personal narrative. Moderated by Lisa Volpe, curator of photography, the panel looks to be amazing. Hope you can make one of these.

Thursday, 10/01

Are You Cool Enough? Shhhh It's the Untitled VIP Party.

Friday, 10/02

In Conversation: Rana Begum and Frauke V. Josenhans | 6PM

Ismaili Center | 2323 Allen Parkway

What a beautiful new institution and building! They are certainly leading Houston in the highest quality art programming. This Friday evening you should stop by for a conversation between Rana Begum and Frauke V. Josenhans centered on Begum’s artistic practice and No. 1573 Reflectors, a new site-specific installation commissioned by Ismaili Center for its permanent art collection and now on view in the East Atrium.

Untitled Art Fair Opens! George R. Brown Convention Center

You are already getting the emails. You know the details.

Saturday, 10/03

Houston Cinema Arts Festival | Houston Stories | 12:30PM

Museum of Fine Arts | Brown Auditorium | 1001 Bissonnet

Houston Stories brings together short films by emerging Houston filmmakers, spanning documentary, narrative, animated, and experimental work. Across intimate family portraits, personal journeys, community stories, and imagined worlds, these films consider the places, people, histories, and experiences that shape our understanding of home. These films explore what we inherit, what we leave behind, what we hold onto, and what we build for ourselves. Together, they offer a collection of deeply personal perspectives on the spaces and relationships that shape life in and around Houston.

Programmed by Rachael Valentine Acosta

Short Films in Program

Amerikan Boy
Cloud Maker
Go Outside
Green Hummingbird - Abuela M'api
If I Only Had Wings
Love Has Come to Town
Please Take Off Your Shoes and Never Leave
Runaway
The Nether
When I Think of Home
Why Won't The Sun Come Out

OVERFLOW RADIO:Šakotayišol Nunuš Constellation | 5PM - 9PM

Diverseworks | Match 3400 Main St.

Delighted to see another multi faceted event by Diverseworks with their new program and In conjunction with the world premiere of Overflow Radio in Mni Sóta Makoce (Minneapolis).

“Over 24 non-consecutive hours, we will gather in-person to listen to twelve First Nations and Indigenous authors, poets, and scholars live-broadcasting from their home territories and First Nations. We’ll pay attention to other scales, other forms, other knowledges. We’ll traverse together, transcending colonial borders, languages and time. We’ll feast and celebrate the making of community, as we practice our shared commitment to creating our possible futures, as we gather what we need to know”.

OVERFLOW RADIO: Šakotayišol Nunuš Constellation
October 3-24, 2026
DiverseWorks Gallery @ MATCH

Saturday, October 3, 5 – 9 PM
5 PM Good Medicine Indigenous Music Festival, Pay-What-You-Wish Tickets
7 PM Opening Reception

Seth Cameron & SEAN CAIRNS and ELIZABETH HAZAN | Unlisted

Seven Sisters | 805 Rhode Place

For the appreciation of this gallery and their programming, but in protest of websites that fail to provide useful information, I am plugging this. Yes I think you should go. No, I can't give you any more information. From the photo I see a studio with art in it. It appears to be paintings. The other image is a painting that looks abstract. Think early Rothko. I did find some information in the VIP section of the art fair page but how will you find that yourself? I’ll break part of my protest and say it does start at 3pm. Maybe only the hip are allowed to go.

Sunday, 10/04

It's the end of the art fair and the weekend. Maybe take a stroll through the many booths to catch something you missed at the opening. Maybe stay in bed until noon. Go see a movie by yourself. Do you, Bae; Today is your day.

The Hidden Agenda: OMG Did you Get your VIP?!