Society of Performing Arts Is Bringing a Manly Choir and Chevy Chase to Houston with SPA Digital

As coronavirus cases steadily rise across the state, it’s safe to say that the glorious return to the theater we’d dreamed of has officially been shunted off into the wings. Luckily, the Society for the Performing Arts is helping fulfill our creative needs with the launch of its new SPA Digital Series.

“While we all miss the energy of a live performance, we can still be inspired by artists in the digital space,” SPA CEO Meg Booth told us in a statement. “And although touring artists have been almost entirely grounded by the pandemic, so many are creating and offering evenings of inspiration and joy virtually.”

The online performances kick off November 21 with a The Choir of Man concert that’s being live-streamed straight from a pub across the pond. But don’t think this is just a gimmick. This choir of—you guessed it—men pack some pretty pipes to go along with their prettier U.K. and Ireland accents. Enjoy a pint as you listen to everything from pub songs to Broadway show-tunes and classic rock songs, all performed with the same jovial spirit (think of what you’d expect from a night out with your mates—if your nights at the bar normally include high-energy dancing, live percussion, and choreographed foot-stomping, that is).

A week later, the fun continues with An Evening with Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo for a virtual celebration of their Christmas comedy classic, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. During the special event, the SNL alum-turned-movie megastar and movie-industry vet will play fan-favorite clips from the movie, share their favorite memories from filming the Vacation franchise, and answer questions from the audience. It’ll be a night that’s sure to light up your holiday season.

Other listed events include Chicago interdisciplinary performance collective Manual Cinema’s world-premiere take on Charles Dickens’s Christmas Carol and Rebirth of a Nation, a showing of D.W. Griffith’s 1915 controversial film Birth of a Nation, remixed with an original score from DJ Spooky. In addition, six new works will be virtually premiered as part of SPA’s Houston Artist Commissioning Project, an initiative launched this summer to help Bayou City artists produce original works.

And this is just the beginning; more events are set to be announced, according to SPA’s website, so buckle up Houston, it’s going to be an artsy ride.

More info and tickets at spahouston.org. See the full schedule below. 

SPA Digital Schedule 

Nov 21: The Choir of Man

Nov 28: An Evening with Chevy Case and Beverly D’Angelo

Dec 5, 12, & 19: Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol

Feb 6: DJ Spooky’s Rebirth of a Nation