Chronicle critics offer entertainment suggestions

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An aching voice: Bonnie Bishop was always a little too soulful for mainstream country music. So she stuck with what she did well, and it paid off. Last year, she released "Ain't Who I Was," a striking recording that found Bishop working with super-producer Dave Cobb, who helped make big records for Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson. Her aching voice stands front and center on this, a record that shows a veteran musician finding her voice. 7 p.m. Thursday at McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; $20-$22; 713-528-5999, mcgonigels.com.

Andrew Dansby

A 'word': Lauren Yee is among the most exciting Asian-American playwrights working today, with heavy-hitter works like "Samsara" and "Ching Chong Chinaman" already under her belt. Her play "in a word," about a mother's search for a missing child, is an intricate portrait of grief, memory and motherhood. Mildred's Umbrella's production of "word" shows exactly why Yee is worthy of all the attention. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, through Aug. 12. Studio 101, 1824 Spring; 832-463-0409, mildredsumbrella.com.

Wei-Huan Chen

Old Puppy: The second most famous '60s band to pinch its name from Aldous Huxley, Bubble Puppy was a huge presence in Texas thanks to is psych-rock classic "Hot Smoke and Sasafrass," which became a Top 20 single. The band didn't stick around very long to enjoy its success, though over the past six or seven years, singer and guitarist Rod Prince and drummer David Fore have made the occasional appearance with a 21st-century Bubble Puppy. As they will at 7 p.m. Friday at White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N. Main; $12; whiteoakmusichall.com.

Andrew Dansby

The Bard returns: The Houston Shakespeare Festival returns with the devilish tragedy "Richard III" and the romantic comedy "Twelfth Night." Jack Young stars as the titular anti-hero of "Richard III," a predecessor of sorts to other villain-starring stories like "House of Cards" and "Game of Thrones." "Twelfth Night" takes the stage at 8:15 p.m. Friday, with "Richard III" at the same time Saturday, the plays will alternate nights through Sunday, then Tuesday through Aug. 6. Free; Miller Outdoor Theatre; 713-743-2929, houstonfestivalscompany.com.

Wei-Huan Chen

Guitarist of note: I don't know much about Rotem Sivan, but based on his wonderful 2014 album "For Emotional Use Only," I can say he's a jazz guitarist of refreshing understatement. Not to knock a generation of fusion shredders and their acolytes, but there's a timeless magic in the quiet and spacious playing of the legendary Jim Hall, and the liquidity of Sivan's playing recalls that jazz titan. Based in New York, he comes to Houston with a trio. 9 p.m. Friday at Cezanne, 4100 Montrose; $10; 832-592-7464, cezannejazz.com.

Andrew Dansby

Hot nights, cool art: Years ago, Houston artists had to be survivalists to work in their warehouse studios during the summer. Now, more than 300 artists are much more comfortably set up in the compounds of the 40-acre Sawyer Yards area just west of downtown and north of Washington Avenue. And they love a good party. They throw open their air-conditioned doors 5-9 p.m. Friday for the annual Summer Series, a night of local art, music and cocktails. Wear comfy shoes so you can tour all four buildings without a sweat: Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards; the Silos at Sawyer Yards, 1502 Sawyer, and Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter, are within one huge block; Summer Street Studios, 2204 Summer, is two blocks away. FREE

Molly Glentzer

A cultural experience: Summer's Museum Experience Day isn't just about looking. It's about making. On Saturday, at the Contemporary Art Museum Houston, the Austin group Typewriter Rodeo will bang out a custom poem for visitors, on the spot, on a vintage manual typewriter. Paul Ramírez Jonas' "Public Trust" and the fun show "A Better Yesterday" also have participatory activities. Next door at the Jung Center, the day includes collage, journaling and "zentangle" art workshops, plus a laughter yoga class. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has children's workshops and docent tours, and general admission is free for the day. (Or see all three of the big temporary shows for $30.) The historic St. Paul's United Methodist Church also will be open for tours. Food trucks at CAMH and the MFAH South Lawn will ramp up the refreshment scene. FREE

Molly Glentzer

Aztex history: Back in 1999, singer Sarah Fox and accordion virtuoso Joel Guzman released a wonderful record as Aztex. "Short Stories" shook up all sorts of styles from both sides of the Rio Grande and beyond: conjunto, blues, folk, jazz and also some salsa. Each drifts off and does other work, but the two always seem to get back together, which they'll do this weekend. No word yet if there'll be a long-awaited follow-up to "Short Stories." 7 p.m. Saturday at McGonigel's Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; $20-$22; 713-528-5999, mcgonigels.com.

Andrew Dansby

Gonna have a time: One of Houston's original rap legends K-Rino decided years ago there was strength in numbers. So he created the South Park Coalition, which drew on the various voices and personalities from his neighborhood. The SPC is celebrating 30 years of serving the hard stuff with an anniversary show that will feature K-Rino, Point Blank, Klondike Kat, Ganxsta NIP and others. 10 p.m. Saturday at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; $15-$20; 713-225-5483, warehouselive.com.

Andrew Dansby