Enjoy an evening journey through this multi-site, outdoor presentation of food, dance, music, spoken word, and art installations. Organized in conjunction with the exhibition, Urban Impressions: Experiencing the Global Contemporary Metropolis, this free and open event celebrates urban life as experienced through the visual, performing, and culinary arts.

Headlined by Houston’s own Lil’ Flip, featuring a food truck rally, complimentary beer tasting of Japa, an art beer by Nigerian artist Emeka Ogboh, a video installation by Sindhu Thirumalaisamy, and site-specific performances by the Texas Poet Laureate Lupe Mendez, jazz musician Jalen Baker, and hip hop collective Breakfree Worldwide, this event spotlights the diversity, inclusiveness, and international creative exchange that defines Houston.

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Detailed Schedule below!

6 - 7 pm Astral Brewing Japa Beer Tasting

Sample the beer crafted by artist Emeka Ogboh, covered in Eater Houston, Chron.com, and CultureMap. Additional beers will be available for purchase throughout the night. 

6 -10 pm Food Truck Rally

Enjoy delicious fare from Lemond Kitchen, Moon Rooster Tacos, Cousin's Maine Lobster, Pit King BBQ, Jamaica Pon Di Road, and Coffee-Q! 

 

6:45 – 8:45 p.m. Dance, Music, and Spoken Word Performances

Beginning at 6:45 p.m., guests will enjoy a BreakFree dance performance led by Moy Rivas; a jazz concert by Jalen Baker; and a spoken word performance by Texas Poet Laureate Lupe Mendez. 

6 – 9 p.m. Open Exploration of the Moody

Throughout the evening guests can explore the Moody building on their own, taking time to walk through galleries and open spaces. The international showcase of artwork in Urban Impressions will be on view in the main galleries and media galleries; the video installation by Sindhu Thirumalaisamy, Objects in The Mirror: Notes for a Houston Road Movie, will be projected onto the north arcade of the building; and the community exhibition led by poet Deb Mouton will be on view in our flex studio. Guests can take in these installations at their leisure, in between enjoying food and drinks on the terrace, with a local DJ, DOUBLEDUTCH spinning throughout the night.

9 – 10 p.m. Final Stop: Lil’ Flip

At 9 p.m. the terrace of the Moody Center for the Arts will be transformed into a music venue for the legendary rap artist Lil’ Flip. Wesley Eric Weston, Jr., better known by his stage name, is not only an original member of the genre-creating Screwed Up Click, but he also counts two platinum records to his award-winning career. Lil’ Flip’s longstanding influence on hip-hop highlights the energy, creativity, and talent of Houston.

More about the performers

Jalen Baker

Jalen Baker, an HSPVA alumnus, is an awarded vibraphonist, percussionist, educator, and composer.

 

Lupe Mendez

Originally from Galveston, TX, Lupe Mendez is the 2022 Texas Poet Laureate and winner of the 2019 John A. Robertson Award for Best First Book of Poetry from the Texas Institute of Letters.

 

Break Free Worldwide

Break Free Worldwide, founded by  Moises “B-boy Moy” Rivas, is a Hip Hop education corporation focusing on Hip Hop career development and competition performance.

 

Lil’ Flip

Wesley Eric Weston, Jr., better known by his stage name, Lil’ Flip is a Houston born rapper, rising to fame as a freestyler before landing a record deal with Suckafree Records in 1999. Not only is Lil’ Flip an original member of the genre-creating Screwed Up Click, he counts two platinum records to his award-winning career.