The Top 5 Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: Star Spangled Salute, “Parliament of Owls” and More
With 16 live cannons as part of the finale on Friday, the Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute concert is truly explosive, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion spokesperson Whitney Hough tells us. Principal POPS Conductor Designate Steven Reineke leads the orchestra through a program of patriotic anthems (“The Star-Spangled Banner,” the 1812…
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Donates $1 Million to Hope Lodge Houston Project
We all know the football rivalry between Houston and Dallas is fierce. Just ask any of the several dozen people that got into parking lot brawls at then-Reliant Stadium back in 2010. (Brawls so fierce with participants so random that they officially made tailgating a “must have ticket or wristband”…
Chef Chat, Part 1: Joey Galluzzi of Brooklyn Meatball Company
There may be no fine dining in the tunnels, but we found a chef-driven restaurant there. We had so much fun chatting with Joey Galluzzi of Brooklyn Meatball Company that we wanted to go back and learn more about his history as well as his plans to open more locations…
Peruvian Sippers Are Ready For Prime Time — Part 2: Rum
Part one of this series on Peruvian spirits focused on how pisco has evolved over the last 20 years. In this second and final part, we take a look at how one brand of rum is quickly gaining regard as world-class producer. Peruvian rum doesn’t get much recognition. Take, for…
So…Rick Perry Made a Cartoon
Following his disastrous 2012 run, we have to admit we clapped our hands together withpure glee when former Gov. Rick Perry announced that he was once again trying for the GOP White House nod for 2016. We expected the usual reliably entertaining show this time around: The “Oops” moments, the…
Chingo Bling Has a Few Choice Words for Pinche Donald Trump
According to the U.S. Census bureau, the Latino population in this country is roughly 54 million people, or about 17 percent of the total population, making Latinos the largest ethnic or racial minority in the nation. Pedro Herrera is one of those 54 million. As the rapper/actor/comedian Chingo Bling, he…
Chris Stapleton Hoping a No. 1 Country Songwriter Can Also Be a Star
A number of industry insiders consider Kentucky-born singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton to be one of the most talented people in Nashville. The 37-year-old musician has written a handful of No. 1 mainstream country hits including Kenny Chesney’s “Never Wanted Nothing More,” has placed 170 songs on the charts, and has had…
A “Magical Mystery Tour” at The Four Seasons Houston
Think you know everything about Houston’s venerable, high-class hotel Four Seasons? The hotel is full of nooks, crannies, kitchens, wine rooms, special suites and ballrooms. Every Friday in July starting at 7 p.m., executive chef Maurizio Ferrarese and his staff of the hotel’s restaurant, Quattro, are taking culinary adventurers on…
JINYA Ramen Bar and Samurai Noodle Are Welcome Additions in Their Own Ways
In the United States, the gold standard of ramen features rich tonkotsu broth, and JINYA Ramen Bar’s version is indeed a wealth of fatty flavor. The milky-white, porky broth enthusiastically takes over every taste bud with its umami goodness. It’s silky and ever so slightly sticky on the lips and…
Explaining Grownup Music to Kids: Traditional Blues & Folk
Adam P. Newton recently became a father for the first time, so he has decided to explain the entirety of post-WWII Western pop music to his new daughter, “Fig”…one genre at a time. Hey there, Fig. For the next stop in our musical journey, we’re heading back to the early…
School is in Session for Followers of Tamarie Cooper
If it’s summer, then it’s time for another wacky original musical from Tamarie Cooper and her merry band of creative cohorts. Past topics for this almost annual event include aging, the apocalypse, patriotism, domesticity and the chaotic inner-workings of Tamarie’s brain. This year’s production, The University of Tamarie, will bring…
The Bold Flavors of Buca Di Beppo’s Summer Specials
Up until six months ago, my summary judgment of Buca di Beppo was: “They’re good.” This edict was the result of two dinners and a takeout lunch, during all of which I enjoyed good service, decent pasta and salad, but ultimately, nothing to write home about. Then in February 2014,…
A Sticky Mess: Brenham and Ice-Cream-Loving Fans Pay the Price for Blue Bell’s Mistakes
As he pulled out of Brenham’s Blue Bell factory without any ice cream in the back of his delivery truck in April, Tim Smith (not his real name) couldn’t shake the feeling he was forgetting something. After almost a decade of delivering ice cream for Blue Bell, Smith had been…
Doctor Who: 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Daleks
The only thing that perked me up while watching the last episode of Orphan Black I’m going to get to see for a year was getting a teeny, tiny promo for this fall’s triumphant return of Doctor Who for Series 9. There’s plenty to look forward to, but as far…
This Week in Houston Food Blogs: Retro Dining and DIY Compound Butter
We’ve got reviews of a Houston classic deli and a newer Sichuan Chinese bistro, some dishes to order and create, and an interview with the owner of a popular barbecue trailer on this edition of our food blog review. This week, Marcy de Luna at Zagat presented a list of…
Summer of J.J.: J.J. Watt Plays Bodyguard for Zac Brown Band, Destroys a Man (w/ VIDEO)
The last couple summers, during the dark content abyss that is late June and the entire month of July, we had Johnny Manziel and his alcohol-fueled escapades to keep us occupied. Indeed, the lavish trips to Vegas and late night Hollywood trysts with Justin Bieber were the food that sustained…
Here’s What You Might Pay to Park for Garth Brooks This Weekend
Garth Brooks’ heroic return to Houston this past weekend, for his first concerts here since 1998, came at a premium for some people. The concert we saw, Friday’s 7 p.m. show, was every bit as amazing as we expected (if not more); then he did three more just like them…
How Vince Ryan Helped Push Harris County to Start Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal last Friday morning, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan was determined that Harris County would start following the law of the land by issuing licenses to gay couples as soon as possible, whether the county clerk was ready or not…
Ravers Vs. Hippies at Michigan’s Electric Forest
Note: the Press sister paper in Denver, Westword, asked former Voice Media Group Senior Music Editor Ben Westhoff to investigate the Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan this past weekend. This is one of his reports. Since its founding in 2008, Electric Forest has split the difference between jam bands…
Houston’s Best Free Concerts In July
*Events in italics are free to $5+ due to possible age restrictions. WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 Brian Kalinec: Dosey Doe Music Cafe Libby Koch: Redneck Country Club Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Miller Outdoor Theatre THURSDAY, JULY 2 The Wheel Workers: The Nightingale Room Inaugural Latin Jazz Jam, Miller Outdoor Theatre…
Supreme Court Halts Texas Abortion Law
The remaining abortion clinics in Texas won’t have to meet strict guidelines of the state’s abortion law yet. On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court granted an emergency stay while they consider hearing an appeal on a decision from the Fifth Circuit that would have required Texas abortion clinics to meet…
Church of Wells Members Crash Joel Osteen’s Sunday Sermon
Six members of an East Texas church some have compared to a cult were arrested after disrupting a Sunday morning sermon at Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch. Lakewood Church spokesman Donald Iloff says the six young men, who were later identified as members of the Church of Wells, started shouting during…
Astros-Yankees: We Learned How Everyone Feels About A-Rod (w/ VIDEO)
We all know how people outside of baseball — fans and media, mostly — feel about Alex Rodriguez. The emotions range anywhere from ambivalence to outright disgust, but safe to say that what was left of Alex Rodriguez’s fans outside of the city of New York have pretty much vanished…
Paxton Gets Behind Abbott on Gay Discrimination
With all deliberate speed, Governor Greg Abbott on June 26 told county clerks and other officials who can issue marriage licenses that it’s OK not to issue licenses, as long as you say you have a “religious” objection. And now Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued an opinion supporting Abbott…
The Burden of Being an Adult Who Still Loves the Warped Tour
Vans Warped Tour NRG Park June 26, 2015 As a general rule, I tend to loathe nostalgia. The past is what it is, and while we shouldn’t forget it, there’s so much interesting and exciting stuff going on in the world around us that it seems weird to long for…
The MLB Replay System Is Broken, But It Can Be Fixed
The purpose of replay in baseball is a simple one: making sure that the call on the field is correct. Of course, since it’s major league baseball, it’s not easy. The manager must choose to which replay to review, and he must then decide whether to use his only challenge…
Anime Matsuri Organizer Accused of Sexual Harassment
Multiple women have come forward online over the past month to accuse John Leigh, the event manager of the Anime Matsuri convention,of sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual conduct. Anime Matsuri, one of the ten largest anime conventions in America, is an annual celebration of Japanese pop culture, fashion and art…
Peruvian Sippers Are Ready For Prime Time — Part 1: Pisco
Few Peruvian spirits entered the U.S. market until about 20 years ago, so as far as recognition goes, it’s still a game of catch-up. Pisco is the most recognizable spirit from there, but people whose first taste of it was decades ago might not have fond memories. Pablo Valqui, a…
Love and Music Ruled the Day at Houston’s 2015 Pride Events
We were standing outside the rails of the patio at a jam-packed Sunny’s Bar Saturday when we heard the song of the day. It was a special day that needed a significant song and when we heard it, we all knew it was perfect and we broke into a jubilant…
Dish of the Week: Strawberry Shortcake (Perfect for Your Summer Cookout)
From classic comfort foods to regional standouts and desserts, we’ll be sharing a new recipe with you each week. Find other dishes of the week here. This week, we’re looking at a dessert perfect for the 4th of July: Strawberry Shortcake. A shortcake is a sweet, biscuit-like bread or cake…
LeBron James Opts Out Of His Contract, NBA Free Agency Period Set To Begin
While the headline of this post is indeed factual, LeBron James’ opting out of the second year of his two year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers was about as unexpected as the sun rising in the East, so I do feel a little dirty for drawing you in like that…
Fifty Shades of Photorealism
Intelligent, story-driven photorealism is at the heart of Kelli Vance’s Recital exhibit at McClain Gallery, where the artist has imagined (and often posed for) scenes in which a woman is bound or blindfolded. The viewer is left to wonder whether she is participating in the bondage of sexual fetishism or…
Gentrification In Houston: Does It Ruin Neighborhoods?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “Gentrification” like this: “The process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents.” It is a word which gets used a lot these days in regards to certain Houston neighborhoods, especially in some Inner…
PETA Targets East Texas Alligator Farm
Workers at an East Texas alligator farm “tortured and cruelly killed” animals by cutting into fully conscious alligators and leaving severely injured, but still conscious, animals to suffer and die in ice water bins, according to a recent PETA investigation. The animal rights organization says that last year it sent…
This Week in Houston Food Events: It’s Independence Day!
Wednesday, July 1 Sundown at The Grove has Beer and Bites Every Wednesday between now and September 9, you can find beer flights from various craft breweries and custom cuisine to pair with the brews at The Grove. Brewmasters will be there to mingle with you, and DJ Sun will…
Houston’s 10 Best Tuesday-Night Bars & Clubs
Tuesday nights in Houston can seem a little dead, with some bars and clubs in our city not even bothering to open up; several places in town are rocking on Tuesday nights, however, which is why we present this list to you. Many of us have to get up early so…
Hayes Carll Playing Free Concert After HPMA Ceremony
We’re getting ready to announce the nominees for the 2015 Houston Press Music Awards (soon), but first we’ve got some exciting information about the ceremony on Thursday, August 20 at War ehouse Live. After the awards are handed out — in close to 40 categories this year — it gives…
The Five Best Concerts In Houston This Week: Blonde Redhead, Mike Stinson, Dashboard Confessional, Chris Stapleton, etc.
Blonde Redhead Fitzgerald’s, June 30 After an early push by Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley, Blonde Redhead have become one of the most unpredictable and adventurous bands on the New York City art-rock scene, often radically changing elements of their sound from one album to the next while retaining a…
Garth Brooks Goes Nuclear at Toyota Center
Garth Brooks feat. Trisha Yearwood Toyota Center June 26, 2015 (early show) Garth Brooks has gone nuclear. Not many concerts these days require AC/DC as a walk-to-the-car nightcap to take the edge off, but Friday’s first show of his eight Toyota Center spread across this weekend and next sure did…
Mayor Parker: “We Have Come a Long Way Since Stonewall”
Before the fight for gay marriage, gay and lesbian couples struggled for domestic partner benefits. It was just 12 years ago that we finally ruled sodomy laws unconstitutional (though Texas’ unenforceable law still sits on the books, despite the years-long efforts of some at the legislature to address that lingering…
Harris County Issues First-Ever Legal Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
At 9 a.m. Friday the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 opinion written by Justice Anthony Kennedy. (If you haven’t read it, you should, because it’s beautiful.) Here in Houston, couples started arriving at Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart’s downtown office to apply for marriage licenses about an hour after…
Gov. Abbott Says Public Officials Can Discriminate Against Gay People
In light of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling today legalizing same-sex marriage it’s important to remember those who feel offended or threatened by this decision. Or at least Texas Governor Greg Abbott thinks that’s important. Just as he placated the tinfoil-hat set with his Jade Helm letter, he’s now appeasing bigots…
In Texas, a Flat-Footed Response to Marriage Equality
At just after 10 o’clock Friday morning, John LaRue and Hunter Middletown walked into the Harris County Clerk’s Office to ask for something that’s long been denied same-sex couples in Texas. “Excuse me,” LaRue asked a woman behind the desk, “we’d like to apply for a marriage license.” Sorry, the…
Remembering I.J. Gosey, Great Bluesman But Even Better Man
Sunday afternoon, the Houston blues community will gather at The Big Easy to remember a hero unsung to practically everyone else in the Bayou City except them: I.J. Gosey, who passed away due to natural causes last month at age 78. Performers at the five-hour tribute include Gosey’s former band…
Bobby Matos Named Executive Chef of Upcoming Ford Fry Restaurant, State of Grace
When State of Grace, the restaurant by Atlanta-based restauranteur and native Houstonian Ford Fry opens later this fall, Bobby Matos will be its executive chef. Ford Fry, for those who don’t know him, is not only a Houston native but one of Atlanta’s most respected restauranteurs. His privately owned restaurant…
Court of Criminal Appeals Declines (Again) to Declare Satanic Panic Victims Innocent
You have some homework to do this weekend. You are required to read a motion to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals that asks the esteemed judges to officially declare that two Austin day care owners who spent 21 years in prison didn’t actually fly a plane full of children to…
Laughable Dance in Suchu’s Comedy Dance Festival
The Setup: Tomorrow night marks the conclusion of Suchu Dance’s three-weekend Comedy Dance Festival, a new venture for the company that tickles dance’s often unrealized funny bone. The festival is a fundraiser to help Suchu Dance move into the next chapter of its long-running operation; Jennifer Wood and company’s current…
NBA Draft 2015: Rockets Come Away With Sam Dekker And Montrezl Harrell (w/ VIDEO)
As compared to recent NBA Drafts, last night’s was a little different for the Houston Rockets. Unlike previous draft seasons, when the Rockets were still in full-on “asset accumulation” mode, now they’re a Western Conference finalist, and when you’re holding the 18th and 32nd selections, the opportunity to actually improve…
Voice Film Club: The “Ted 2” Debate and “Inside Out” Impresses
On this week’s Voice Film Club podcast, the LA Weekly’s Amy Nicholson and the Village Voice’s Alan Scherstuhl in New York disagree on just about everything in Ted 2 — except that it has a few very funny moments — but only after revisiting the impressive Inside Out, which is…
Sorry Aeros Fans, the NHL’s Not Coming to Houston
The NHL announced on Wednesday that, come next month, it will begin accepting bids for new franchises. The NHL didn’t say it was planning to actually accept any of the bids, but it’s not likely that the league would make an announcement if it wasn’t planning to expand. This would…
The 10 Best Concerts In Houston This Weekend: Garth Brooks, World Party, Screw Fest 2015, I.J. Gosey Tribute, etc.
Garth Brooks Toyota Center, June 26 & 27 Since he returned to full-time touring last year, Garth Brooks picked up right where he left off before his family-induced “retirement” and subsequent five-year Vegas residency; namely, breaking box-office records right and left. The only way to satisfy Garth-size demand is multi-night…
