Join CAMHLAB artists-in-residence Two Star Symphony for a presentation of new works produced during their residency at Montrose Collective.
The band will hold open discussions with audience members about their writing and creative processes and share the inspiration for their work-in-progress, including the storyline created by collaborator and puppeteer Afisaneh Aayani and the silent films they have been creating to. Two Star Symphony will be using this performance opportunity as a progressive writing residency with each presentation a sampling of their progress up to that point.
Location and Accessibility
Montrose Collective
888 Westheimer Road #159
Houston, Texas 77006
RSVPs via Eventbrite are strongly recommended as space is limited. Guests may choose to attend the performance on either date (see schedule below):
Performance Schedule
Day One | Friday, February 25, 2022 | 7–8PM
Day Two | Saturday, February 26, 2022 | 7–8PM
About Two Star Symphony
Two Star Symphony is Houston’s “most unusual music ensemble.” Composing and performing all-original music in quartet, quintet, and octet configurations, Two Star brings modern instrumental music to a wide range of audiences, from classical music enthusiasts to first-time listeners.
Two Star Symphony’s dark, distinctive sound is inspired by their influences, which include Danny Elfman, Dr. Dre, Tom Waits, cartoons, hauntings, skulls, graveyards, black cats, and Dominic Walsh. The band works differently than most classical ensembles in that every member is also a composer. Songs are written and arranged collaboratively as a group, with each player responsible for their own parts. By the time the songs are finished, the music is memorized. Two Star Symphony does not create sheet music, so the player is free to focus on listening rather than reading. This allows them to score silent film by reacting to the screen rather than having their eyes focused on a music stand. Two Star Symphony has released six albums and created multiple scores for film and various projects.
Two Star Symphony has a history of collaborating with other artists and a variety of media. Two Star Symphony has created original works with American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre, Whim W’Him Dance Company, Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theater, The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH), and The University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance.
About Afsaneh Aayani
Afsaneh Aayani is a Houston-based scenic designer, puppeteer, puppet maker, mask maker, voice actress, and artist with over 15 years of industry experience. She began her artistic journey in Iran where she developed her skills as a puppeteer and puppet maker, performed as a voice actor on television, and built her foundation as an artist. She completed her Bachelors in Puppetry from the Art University of Tehran and shortly thereafter performed in festivals internationally including in China, Poland, and Sri Lanka.
About CAMHLAB
CAMHLAB is an ongoing artist-in-residence initiative that gives the Museum to artists and supports them working within, and in partnership with, CAMH to develop new work and ideas. Through both short-term residencies and long-term collaborations with artists, CAMHLAB offers critical and early-stage direct support of artists’ process and production of new work. CAMHLAB residencies seek to directly connect artists and audiences through unexpected and unforgettable experiences of contemporary art.
Learn more about the program here.
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Image caption: Wallace McCutcheon and Edwin S. Porter, Dream of a Rarebit Fiend (film still), 1906.