Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Lemesoff.
Mariana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
AvantGarden has provided the first stage for countless musicians, the first audiences for local poets, a public laugh for aspiring comedians and first reviews for original choreography. It functions as everything from a performance art venue to a comfortable neighborhood pub. People who know AvantGarden, revere it. It has earned a reputation as a bar even the New York Times called one of the best in the country.
In a city known for strip malls, chain establishments and disposable architecture, AvantGarden is one-of-a kind. Its cozy feel comes from the fact that it’s located in a house that’s been around so long Howard Hughes used to play in it as a boy. Its owner, Mariana, infuses AvantGarden with her stylish Argentine flair. The
result is a bar and beer garden as unusual as its southern-hemisphere specialty drinks. Mariana makes concoctions that tempt from colorful glass coolers along the bar, the seating, tables and light fixtures are handcrafted by artist Nestor Topchy. Even without the live performances, AvantGarden is the antithesis of the typical chain-formula establishments found all over the city.
But what’s most unique about AvantGarden is its genuine commitment to showcasing new, mostly local talent. It has been called an incubator, offering performers their first shot at presenting their work to the public, and a developer of talent, providing the opportunity for artists to cultivate their craft and their careers, before moving on to much larger venues. Mariana started with a vision to nurture the creative core of the city and in so doing, she has added significantly to the cultural capital of Houston. And, in what was once an under-appreciated neighborhood, Montrose now is a hot area, home to other unique restaurants and bars but none so special as AvantGarden.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No business is a smooth road, but a public venue is particular challenging. It has taken the AvantGarden team a considerable effort to preserve AvantGarden’s intrinsic artistic nature in neighborhood which quickly transitioned from being a bohemian hang out to one of the most expensive areas in town. The lack of zoning laws often puts small, long existing businesses and new neighbors at war.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
What sets AvantGarden apart from other venues is it’s ability to accommodate all artistic and cultural expressions.
AvantGarden regularly offers from arts and crafts markets and festivals to live music shows, hip hop dance parties, poetry nights, belly dancing shows, comedy stand up, local artists’ works exhibitions, open mic night for singer songwriters, performance arts to burlesque shows, drag shows and more.
10 years ago, AvantGarden began to host beautiful bohemian weddings and receptions. In 2017, AvantGarden hosted 42 weddings.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in Argentina during the “Dirty War” or Civic-Military Dictatorship, a period of state terrorism during which military and security forces and right-wing death squads hunted down and killed political dissidents and anyone believed to be associated with socialism. The artists and thinkers and their families were persecuted, captured and tortured.
About 30,000 people disappeared. I believe my interest in providing a safe space for local artists to grow surges from the desire to channel some of my childhood’s traumatic experiences. Since a young age, I have been curious about what makes humans human: Ideas, anger, love, fear, ambition, desires. I realized the importance of arts in all its expressions as a mean to better understand ourselves. I gratefully enjoy the community’s creative forces that have shaped AvantGarden into the unique venue it is today.
Contact Info:
- Address: 411 Westheimer, Houston, Texas
- Website: avantgardenhouston.com
- Phone: 8322875577
- Email: mariana@avantgardenhouston.com
- Instagram: avant_garden_houston
- Facebook: facebook.com/avantgarden
- Twitter: @avantgardenbar
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
