Toyota Center, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Bayou Music Center and other major venues in Greater Houston that book prominent national touring musicians have their place and play an important role in bringing music and other entertainment to the people in our fair city. The venues on this list, however, play an equally important role in the lives of many Houstonians who frequent them. Some of these places you no doubt have visited, and others you may have never had any knowledge of; go check them out and you are sure to have an interesting night.
Note: This list is in alphabetical order.
ALMOST AUSTIN HOUSE CONCERTS Almost Austin House Concerts in Pasadena is not a traditional music venue; it is located in a residential house and hosts talented singer-songwriters in an intimate, up-close-and-personal setting. The music starts at 8 p.m. on show dates, but part of the fun is to arrive early at 6 p.m. for the pot-luck dinner before the music starts and share some food with the other attendees.
Parents can bring their kids with them to the shows as long as they can remain quiet during the performance; this is a listening room. Check the AAHC Facebook public group page for upcoming performances; a $20 donation is requested by all those who attend, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the performers.
2202 House, facebook.com/AlmostAustinHouseConcerts
AVANTGARDEN A converted turn-of-the-20th-century two-story house, AvantGarden is a bar, community venue and gathering point where creative and artistic people from throughout the city come for poetry readings, live music, theatrical productions, independent-film premieres, art exhibits, improv comedy, cabaret and more. The venue even hosts weddings and other private events, with the patio/courtyard out back providing a beautiful location for ceremonies and receptions.
Check out some of the weekly events here like singer/songwriter open-mike on Tuesday nights, where local and visiting musicians perform original music, not covers. According to AvantGarden's Web site, Houston billionaire tycoon Howard Hughes played at the house when he was a child, back when it was a private residence; we are pretty sure this is the only venue in Houston that can make that claim.
411 Westheimer, avantgardenhouston.com
BLACK BARBIE This East End DIY venue has been hosting quite a bit of live music as of late; in the past, Black Barbie has also hosted special events including art shows, painting, yoga, dance, sculpting lessons, silent auctions and recording. If you have not heard of the place before, it's possible you might have driven right past it and not realized what it was; signage from the building's previous occupant, El Mante Taqueria & Minimarket, is still up on the building.
We aren't sure if Black Barbie's owners added the painted smiling face on the side to it or not. Recent musical acts tend to lean toward indie rock, electronica, hardcore, garage and metal.
3621 Canal, facebook.com/BLACK-BARBIE
EASTDOWN WAREHOUSE Eastdown Warehouse's expansive warehouse-district space was originally home to a furniture-delivery business before being converted into a live-music venue that also houses a small gallery where local artists can display their work. EastDown is unique in the Houston DIY scene in that there is plenty of room for patrons to move about or dance when they come out to see a band play or a DJ spin records; the elbow room is much appreciated.
Eastdown hosts a lot of distinct events besides music, like burlesque shows, comedy acts and all-day parties that feature a variety of different types of entertainment and activities, sometimes with free food and admission. Check Eastdown's Facebook page to see what is coming up next.
850 Mckee, facebook.com/eastdownwarehouse
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