RIP Blues Man Don Kesee
Longtime Houston bluesman Don Kesee, known by all who met him for his good nature and huge, friendly smile, passed away Wednesday afternoon after an extended illness. He had been on dialysis for some time and, according to folks who saw him at a benefit in November, he had not…
Judge Who Presides Over Controversial Sex Offender Cases Kept a Gun in His Lap During Hearings
Very few people knew much about the state’s Office of Violent Sex Offender Management last spring when the agency quietly moved more than two dozen convicted sex offenders — men who had already completed their prison sentences — into a halfway house in Acres Homes without warning anyone living in…
Chef Chat, Part 1: Arnaldo Richards of Picos
Our first Chef Chat for 2015 is with Arnaldo Richards of Picos. It used to be called Picos Mex-Mex when it was still in the Bellaire area. About eight months ago, though, the restaurant relocated to the former Ninfa’s spot on Kirby at Richmond, and this November it changed its…
“Masks, Monsters and Monoliths” Celebrates Art and Recycling
A viewer can’t help but smile upon entering Archway Gallery for the “Masks, Monsters and Monoliths” exhibit and being greeted by Jim Adams’ Monster Family. Dad leads the charge, mom brings up the year, with four monster children in between. Ranging in height from 28.5″ to 42.5″, the five pieces…
Reality Bites: Impractical Jokers
There are a million reality shows on the naked television. We’re going to watch them all, one at a time. Hidden-camera humor dates all the way back to the early days of photography, when Matthew Brady famously encouraged Union officials to “bomb” his portrait sittings of Ulysses S. Grant. Tragically,…
Here’s a Voice Daily Deal for Artopia Tickets for You
It’s an evening of culture,fashion, art, music and food.Combine this with galleries filled with works from local artist and the announcement of this year’s MasterMind Awards winners and you have the Houston Press Artopia party. Now you can put this on your calendar and spend even less money, though our…
This Week in Food Blogs: A Fresh New Year of Dining
Welcome to the new year! Houston’s bloggers must be tired of making food at home for the holidays, because they’re eating out in force already. CocoDijon is back with an all-new set of adjectives, this time for Woodbar (3939 Montrose), the new bar adjacent to Canopy restaurant. These positive overall,…
NFL Fantasy Crime Season Is Almost Here As Saints Player Arrested for Assault
We are in the part of the calendar where roughly four weeks remain in the postseason, but what some of you may call the home stretch of football on the field, I call the preseason for my NFL Fantasy Crime League. For those who are unfamiliar with the FCL, it…
The Season Is Ending Soon: Get Your White Truffle Fix in Houston While You Still Can
You’ve been seeing pictures of them all over, right? These earthy, sandy-gray-colored bulbous things displayed on a bed of rice, often inside a glass jar or a glass case? We’re talking about his majesty, the king of all truffles, the white truffle from Alba, Italy. The most expensive of all…
EARTH ARMY Recalls the Golden Age of Free-Form Houston Punk
As the 1980s waned, the steadfast idea of “genre” loosened its grip on American underground music. No doubt some bands like Butthole Surfers had always remained unruly. By and large, though, punk, ska, hardcore, rockabilly and industrial music thrived in subcultures dedicated to preserving authenticity. This meant a commitment to…
A Snack That’s Half-Popped but Not Half-Baked
Looking to switch to healthier snacks in 2015? Well, at least for the month of January. Except, of course, on the day of the Super Bowl. Anyway… Plain popcorn is an incredibly satisfying treat as well as a terrific source of fiber and antioxidants, but in the absence of butter,…
100 Creatives 2015: Eric Kinkead, Old School Video Game Maker
What He Does: Eric Kinkead is one of the focal points of the surprisingly busy Houston indie video game developer scene. He is both instrumental in spreading the news about Houston game happenings through HoustonGameDev.org and the head of app-developer Lava Level. It’s from there that he launched the mobile,…
Try These Five Monster Bar Snacks in Houston
When you’re downing a few beers, nothing hits the spot more than something deep-fried, cheesy and salty. Whether huge in flavor or size, here are 5 Monster Bar Snacks that keep us coming back for more. See also: Try These Five Monster Breakfast Dishes Try These Five Monster Sandwiches Try…
The Blues Magoos Are Ready for a Psychedelic Resurrection!
“Hello! This is Peppy Castro! Psychedelic pioneer!” This is how the man born Emil Thielhelm answers the phone at his home and studio in New York, in a rat-a-tat energetic voice whose pace he will keep up for more than 20 minutes of conversation. And he’s got reason to be…
Will Sid Miller Do Better Than Todd Staples as Ag Commissioner?
Today Sid Miller will become the new Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. However, it’s a fair bet that from the moment he is sworn in, Miller will follow the grand tradition of ag commissioners as he starts angling to end up somewhere higher in the political food chain. Predecessor Todd Staples…
5 Infamous Cults That Spent Time in Texas
Texas is an enormous state, and has long been sought out by people wishing to forge their own path and break from conventional life. There are a lot of places in the Lone Star State to lose oneself, and that opens up both positive and negative possibilities. Sometimes Texas has…
Believe It or Not, It’s Okay If You’ve Never Heard of Paul McCartney
Oh, music 2015, you cheeky little baby new year. If this whole Kanye West-Paul McCartney thing is a sign of what we can expect from you as you grow older, I’ve gotta say, I like your style, kid. “Only One,” was delivered by proud parents Yeezus and Macca on New…
Hearts of Animals Tells a Dark Fairy Tale in “Sea Babies”
Director James Templeton had already made a few music videos for his own band, LIMB, as well as one for B L A C K I E, but it’s looking like his collaboration with Mlee Marie and her project Hearts of Animals that will fully secure him as one of…
L7, The Legendary Rock Band May Be Reuniting
L7 was formed in 1985 by Suzi Gardner and Donita Sparks, and released their first recorded material in 1987. The all female, hard rock band roared into the ’90s along with the grunge movement, and, while successful, they never got the full credit they deserved. Fortunately, there’s hope on the…
3.5 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Dallas
The United States Geological Survey has confirmed that a mid-afternoon rumble felt across the Dallas area was, in fact, a 3.5 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter in Irving…
Craig Biggio Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Apparently, the third time was the charm. After entering the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot two years ago and garnering support from 68.2 percent of the voters, and then missing last season by an excruciating two votes, Craig Biggio was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for the Class…
Victoria Officer Who Tasered a 76-year-old Man Has Been Fired
The Victoria police officer who grabbed national attention — the bad kind — after he slammed a 76-year-old man onto the hood of a police car and tasered him during a routine traffic stop has been fired. In December, Victoria police officer Nathanial Robinson was placed on administrative duty for…
Alvin Man Arrested in Multi-State Crime Spree Has a Violent, Drug-Fueled Past
When Edward Campbell’s wife came home from work the night of September 19, 2014, her house was a wreck and Campbell was fuming. According to an affidavit she filed in a Brazoria County court in October, Campbell had spent the entire day emptying out the cupboards, closets and drawers inside…
The People of the United States Have Spoken: J.J. Watt Is the MVP!
The hay is now in the barn for the NFL MVP vote. All 50 votes had to be cast by the Tuesday morning after the end of the regular season, and we won’t find out until the night before the Super Bowl just how much hay got allocated to each…
BCN Taste & Tradition Does Well When It Follows Its Own Best Practices
BCN Taste & Tradition’s trio of breaded lamb chops are artfully laid, bone over bone, atop a golden swath of slightly lemony sabayon. A bite through the breading reveals a bit of succulent fat that has been allowed to remain on the outer edge. A second bite seems even meatier…
Louie Gohmert Wants to Be Speaker of the House
Rep. Louie Gohmert is chock-full of, shall we say, inventive ideas, but his latest one is a doozy. The conservative party faithful — those who are so far to the right they’re practically on the left — have been growling at current House Speaker John Boehner since he made a…
The Noh Masks Exhibit at the Asia Society May Give You Goose-bumps
Noh masks? No way. Not interested even a little bit. Or so I thought, which is why I put off for weeks going to see “Traditions Transfigured: The Noh Masks of Bidou Yamaguchi” at Asia Society Texas Center. Boy, was I wrong. Finally, on a cold, rainy post-Christmas Saturday, when…
The Best Comics in December Part 2: Welcome to Bitch Planet
Each month the staff at 8th Dimension Comics picks out the best book to review. Click here for Part 1. Bitch Planet #1: Now this is the book that everyone is going to be talking about in 2015. Bitch Planet is the common name for a high-tech space facility where…
Upcoming: Anvil, The Derailers, Evan Dando, The Mavericks, Pete Yorn, Shawn Colvin, etc.
10 Years: With Otherwise, The Glorious Sons, Luminoth., Fri., February 27, 7 p.m., $21 to $25. Scout Bar, 18307 Egret Bay, Houston, 281-335-0002. Adam Hood: With Zach Aaron., Wed., January 14, 6 p.m., $15 to $25. Main Street Crossing, 111 E. Main, Tomball, 281-290-0431. Amazing Lights: With Albert Fix, Sam…
This Week in Food Events: Donate Wine to a Good Cause
Did you get through the holidays? Good! Now that you’ve sent the relatives back home, it’s time to have a few fun nights out on your own. Thursday, January 8 Best Friends Brunch Kickoff Party This is the wine collection and ticket sale party that leads up to the Best…
15 Houston Restaurant Trends to Abandon in 2015
It’s a new year and an opportunity for a fresh new start. We asked professionals from Houston’s restaurant industry — chefs, bartenders and fellow food writers — to share which trends they think need to be left behind in 2014. Some answers were about food and service trends. Others delved…
Ten Films to Look for in 2015
As critics busy themselves drawing up lists and handing out awards — it seems time at last to look ahead. Here are the 10 films to get excited about over the year to come. 1. Jauja (Dir. Lisandro Alonso) Revered Argentine filmmaker Lisandro Alonso returns after 2008’s exquisite Liverpool with…
40 Weeks Later, No One Has Been Charged With the Murders of Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson
The bodies were impossible to miss. They were the first thing the beer-truck delivery man saw when he stepped out to haul the trash to the dumpster behind the little convenience store on Bolivar Point on Friday morning, March 7, 2014. They’d been left in a messy pile and could…
Tiësto, Guetta, Hardwell & Aoki Headed to South Padre’s UME
Leaving the sights and beats extravaganza known as Lights All Night is simple enough, minus one thing: running the gauntlet of street teamers braving cold temperatures to pass out flyers. Those shiny pieces of advertising are a part of any dance music experience these days because before the one you’re…
The 12 Best Houston Rap Songs of 2014
“There was so much…” — Houston rap proverb You could take that however you want but it’s true. Houston rap offered so much in 2014 that it caused a slight delay in trying to properly rate it for a year-end review. That’s right, a delay. There are probably more than…
Fulgora Transcends Grindcore With Face-Melting Stratagem
It’s only been two years since grindcore warriors Pig Destroyer released their last album, Book Burner, but fans might be waiting a little bit longer for the follow-up. They should be okay with that, however, because in about a month, on February 3, Pig Destroyer’s drummer and bassist cousins Adam…
30 Concerts in 2015 That Look Half-Decent
Clutch: Per last year’s Earth Rockers, powerhouse D.C.-area veterans ask no quarter; give even less. (House of Blues, January 7) Pong, Ed Hall: Keeping Austin weird (and Houston interested) for 20 years and counting now. (Continental Club, January 9)…
Robb Walsh Has Left Houstonia Magazine — for Real This Time
Former Houston Press restaurant critic Robb Walsh has parted ways with Houstonia magazine. His contract was in effect until December 31. We spoke to Walsh by phone earlier to talk about his change in status. He had this to say: “I am no longer a contributing editor for Houstonia magazine,…
Gay Marriage Ads Put a Texas Face on the Issue
Back in November Texas for Marriage announced that the pro-gay marriage group was coming to Texas and launching a statewide campaign to try and gather support for gay marriage in advance of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hearing oral arguments on the Lone Star State question on same-sex…
Austin-Based Chi’Lantro Food Truck Abandons Houston; May Return As a Brick-and-Mortar
On December 31, Mexican-Korean fusion Chi’Lantro food truck posted to its Twitter feed that it’s leaving Houston in favor of running a storefront operation that opens this month in Austin. (The name is a portmanteau of “cilantro” and “kimchi,” ingredients associated with Mexican and Korean food, respectively.)…
Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar & Grill” Is Apparently Not Loving Its Rent Payments
KHOU has reported that Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at West Oaks Mall is locked out for nonpayment of rent. Furthermore, contractors who have done work there are claiming that they aren’t getting paid, either. They say that I Love This Bar & Grill owes them more…
NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Over the last couple weeks, for the first time in a long time, I’ve actually taken quite a few days of vacation (and almost all of the days were in succession, interrupted only by a show on the Monday after the Texans season finale!). It gave me a lot of…
Nine People or Groups Who Make the Houston Scene Great
JULIAN BAJSEL Not only was Julian voted one of the ten best music photographers in Houston this past September, he is also one of the most genuine and kind individuals in the local scene. Much of his recent work has been with electronic music acts and their fans, and the…
Malevolent Force Slams Into Fitz Saturday Night
Malevolent Force, Legion, Annihilist, Thraxis Fitzgerald’s January 3, 2015 For some folks, cold and rainy weather is just another convenient excuse to skip out on a local show — even a free local show. For true heavy-metal disciples, though, the cold and the wet of a Saturday night in January…
Gay Marriage Case Goes to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals This Week
After months percolating in the court system, the Lone Star State’s gay marriage ban is finally getting reviewed by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals this week. And the crazy part is, we actually aren’t fairly certain of how they’re going to rule based on the selected judges. Last…
The Sports World Reacts To The Death Of ESPN’s Stuart Scott (1965-2015)
A few weeks ago on the Monday Night Football pregame show on ESPN, Suzy Kolber was sitting in for Stuart Scott hosting at the onsite desk. I can’t recall which former players she was sitting with (likely some permutation of Steve Young, Trent Dilfer, and Ray Lewis), but at the…
First Look at Dak & Bop, a New Restaurant Specializing in Korean Fried Chicken
Stepping through the doors of Dak & Bop, the new Korean fried chicken joint in the Museum District, you’re immediately enveloped by feel-good vibes. There’s something about the space — the decor, the lighting, the music selection — that is warm and inviting, putting you immediately at ease. “I could…
Brad Taylor on No Fortunate Son
The real-life rescue of Bowe Bergdahl, an American soldier who was held in Afghanistan by Taliban-aligned forces for five years, eventually sparked the plot of Brad Taylor’s latest Pike Logan thriller, No Fortunate Son. “I was looking for story ideas and started thinking about Bowe Bergdahl,” the best-selling Taylor tells…
Covance Labs Faces Possible Action After 13 Monkeys Die
An Alice, Texas animal research lab may be facing federal penalties after 13 monkeys overheated and died in separate incidents in recent months, according to the Associated Press. Covance, a New Jersey-based drug development company, reported the incidents to the USDA, stating that the monkeys died after malfunctioning thermostats caused…
Dish of the Week: Huevos Rancheros
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 moving on to huevos rancheros. Huevos rancheros are a Mexican breakfast dish traditionally made with fried eggs and lightly fried corn…
Things You’ll Miss About Houston If You Move Away
Moving sucks. But moving away from Houston? Well, that sucks even more than just plain ol’ moving. Trust. I know. By the time you read this, I will have packed up all of my stuff and headed on up to Dallas, where I will be, for the first time in…
Fashion Lovers, This Is What You’ll Be Buzzing About in 2015
Now that 2014 is all but a memory, it is time to think forward to 2015. Here are the fashionable movies, trends, books, and stylish statements we will all be buzzing about during the coming year. Make a mental note, so you don’t miss out…
The Best Comics in December Part 1: Addressing the Transphobia in Batgirl
Each month the staff at 8th Dimension Comics picks out the best book to review. Batgirl #37: It’s probably the most controversial issue of Batgirl since Gail Simone took Barbara Gordon out of the wheelchair. #37 finds Babs pursuing a fake Batgirl using a blinged out costume, hard partying instagram…
UPDATED Do You Believe In Miracles? The Houston Cougars Sure Do
Updated 5 p.m. 1/5/2015: UH announced this morning that David Gibbs has stepped down from his post as interim head coach and defensive coordinator. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my two seasons at Houston and appreciate the efforts of our student-athletes, especially that of the Third Ward Defense,” Gibbs said in…
Houston’s 10 Best New Bars
Great new restaurant openings weren’t the only story of 2014. There were also new, notable bars that opened that are fun additions to Houston’s beverage scene. Despite their youth, some have already landed on the top lists compiled by national publications. First, we’ll look at two places to keep an…
Check Out This Badass “Grindcore Grandma”
Grindcore fans, rejoice. Your savior has arrived in the most unlikely of forms. Have you or your friends lamented lately that there just doesn’t seem to be any great grindcore left anymore, much less great vocalists? It seems like the genre has taken a real nosedive in recent years. That’s…
The Man Who Knows All the Classic-Rock Greats’ Secrets
Sound Man By Glyn Johns Blue Rider Press, 320 pp., $27.95 Imagine that this is your work schedule for a few days in 1969: Meeting up with the Beatles, who are recording Abbey Road at the studio of the same name. Then slipping over to Olympic Studios to work with…
The Best Concerts in Houston This Week: John Egan, Libby Koch, Mike Stinson, Clutch, etc.
John Egan The Big Easy, January 5 Give John Egan credit for taking chances. The longtime solo Houston bluesman’s 2014 album, Amulet, is in some respects the polar opposite of its 2012 predecessor, Phantoms. Besides bringing in a few side musicians and respected Americana producer R.S. Field (Billy Joe Shaver,…
Los Dos Amigos, Open Since 1976, to Shutter In February
A Houston Press reader emailed this afternoon to report a discovery that Los Dos Amigos (5720 Washington) apparently has plans to close in February. Restaurateur Sammy Patranella Sr. of family-owned Patrenella’s Ristorante Italia, just down the street at 813 Jackson Hill, has been a patron of Los Dos Amigos for…
College Football Playoff: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Back in the day, before there was a BCS, before the bowl season was one big three-week participation ribbon for every team that finished at or above .500 in college football, the bowl season had massive concentration on New Year’s Day. In short, there were fewer bowls and a large…
HPD Is Investigating Man Killed by Stray Bullet on New Year’s Day
Houston police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man killed while he and his wife were watching fireworks in their front yard shortly after midnight on Thursday…
College and Pro Football: This Weekend’s Best Bets
Sometimes, you need to take one step backwards to take two steps forward, and for me that happened earlier this week. One of my small plays during the week in college football was Ole Miss as a three-point underdog to TCU. I figured TCU might come out flat because of…
Making a Case for Kwanzaa
There’s been a kind of death watch for Kwanzaa, mostly coming from right-wing media circles and just plain ignorant people over the past few years. And those right-wing pundits be damned about the growing inclusivity of the holiday. Yes, white people are more than welcome to celebrate. At least that…
Reviews for the Easily Distracted: A Most Violent Year
Title: A Most Violent Year If You Can Make It There… You can make it anywhere. Might take a pistol whipping or two while you’re at it, though. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: Three Baseball Furies out of five. Brief Plot Synopsis: Heating oil executive is an…
The Fifth Circuit Is Set to Hear the Texas Abortion Law Case
After the holiday breather the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is getting back into the ring this month to grapple with Texas abortion law once again. Specifically, the Fifth will be wading into the constitutionality of House Bill 2. Last year, District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled that the law…
Stark Naked Theatre Co. Stages Reading of The Beautiful Dark
A mother suspects that her teenage son is thinking about committing an act of terrible violence. What does she do next? In The Beautiful Dark playwright Erik Gernand explores how a family holds together or is destroyed when the discovery of one lie leads to increasingly worse revelations. As it…
Why #GamerGate Failed: A Look Back at 2014’s Most Ridiculous Movement
Update: The original version of this story used a screenshot of Lewis Denby and Ashton Raze’s Richard and Alice instead of Zoe Quinn’s Depression Quest. Thanks to commenter LionUCS for pointing out the error. When media critic and creator of Feminist Frequency Anita Sarkeesian appeared on The Colbert Report near…
The 5 Best Things to Eat or Drink This Weekend: Healthy Food and Brand-New Brews
Food Truck Friday @ Houston Press Friday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2603 La Branch Our Food Truck Fridays series picks back up with Copper Chefs. The gourmet truck will be offering lunch — think chicken fricassee with fried polenta or beef burgundy and homemade panna cotta — outside of…
Texas City to Host Questionable International Lifeguard Training Program
Lifeguards from around the world will descend upon Texas City this week for a training program run by a Houston-based outfit that teaches a discredited technique the American Red Cross and other organizations say is potentially harmful. Yep, it’s our friends at NASCO, whose instructors teach lifeguards to give abdominal…
Upcoming Events: Reserve a Spot for Galveston Restaurant Week
Join the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra and Saint Arnold at their annual Beer & Brass event on Thursday, January 8 (held at Saint Arnold Brewery, 2000 Lyons). Starting at 6 p.m. enjoy a a spirited performance by the ROCO Brass Quintet alongside a savory selection of craft brews and catered…
Doctor Who: Jenna Coleman to Break Two Major Doctor Who Records
After months of speculation and conflicting reports Jenna Coleman announced that she will return as Clara Oswald for the entirety of Series 9 of Doctor Who. In doing so she stands to become the most long-serving companion in the show’s history. Exactly how to measure the duration of a companion…
5 Legendary Houston News Personalities to Help Celebrate Dave Ward’s Career
It looks as if another legendary Houston news anchor may be inching toward the end of his nightly run. Dave Ward announced last week that he will be slowing things down in his gig at Channel 13, and starting in 2015 he will only anchor the station’s 6 p.m. newscasts…
Could Beyoncé Pull Off a Toyota Center “Residency”?
Up in New York City, one of modern music’s most popular artists, Billy Joel, sold out a show at Madison Square Garden every month of the year just passed. The Piano Man’s standing “artist in residence” gig has been so successful that tickets are commanding more than $500 apiece on…
Some (More Than Likely Wrong) Sports Predictions for 2015
Welcome to the second day of 2015. It’s that time that I make my predictions for what’s going to happen in the upcoming months. Most of these will be wildly wrong, but who knows. Every now and then I actually get something right. So… 10. Jadeveon Clowney tears his ACL…
2015 Dawns With a Din of New Year’s Noize
Somewhere in the cosmic afterlife, John Cage is grinning from ear to ear. The pure celebration of music coupled with welcoming a new year clashed at Super Happy Fun Land, on a floor sparsely covered in green and purple balloons and small children indiscriminately tossing silver confetti in the air…
The 5 Best Things You Can Do in Houston This Weekend: Robert Hodge Closes at CAMH and More
Visual artist Robert Hodge didn’t have far to drive when he attended the opening of “Robert Hodge: Destroy & Rebuild” a few weeks ago. His first ever solo museum show is in its final weekend. (We strongly suggest a Friday visit.) Hodge grew up in and still has his studio…
Openings & Closings: A New Restaurant From the Coltivare/Revival Market Guys?
Eater Houston has published information that indicates Morgan Weber and Ryan Pera, the guys behind Revival Market and Coltivare, are possibly opening a new restaurant at 1030 Yale. It seems like a solid lead, considering that Weber filed a business permit with the same address. (There’s a link to the…
Four Types of “Tricks” Rock Stars Use Live
There has been a lot of collective outrage in recent years over the ways that various pop and rock stars are “faking” live performances. I think that’s valid to a certain degree, especially in regards to rock bands. Rock is a broad genre, but one where a certain rawness and…
Fab New Book Examines The Beatles’ Magical Lyrical Tour
The Beatles Lyrics Edited by Hunter Davies Little, Brown, 384 pp., $35 As Beatles author, scholar and personal friend Hunter Davies recently told CBS Sunday Morning in a segment about this book, for being multimillionaires who made their fortunes from writing songs, the band members never seemed to actually have…
The Five Best Concerts in Houston This Weekend: Gary P. Nunn, Bun B & Too Short, etc.
Gary P. Nunn Firehouse Saloon, January 2 Best known as the voice behind “London Homesick Blues” (“I wanna go home with the Armadillo…”), the tune heard for years and years at the opening of every Austin City Limits episode, Gary P. Nunn is the perfect performer to get your honky-tonkin’…
Epic Facebook Fails and the Girl on the Torture Board: Our Most-Read Features From 2014
From harrowing tales of survival to features ranging from fracking to pot legalization, 2014 was a kick-ass year for longform storytelling at the Houston Press. Here’s some of our most-read work from the year past:…
Laphroaig Select: A Good Value on a Well-Rounded Peated Scotch
When I last saw Simon Brooking, Brand Ambassador for Laphroaig whiskey, he was lighting a block of peat on fire at the Great Whiskey Debate. On a recent outing to Spec’s Downtown to do some Scotch browsing, Brooking happened to be there again hosting a tasting of several Laphroaig expressions…
Countdown to King of Content 2014: 1. Johnny Manziel
For four months earlier last year, Johnny Manziel had everybody fooled. Hoodwinked. Bamboozled! Right after he announced his intentions to head to the NFL, Manziel immediately began taking measures to portray an NFL-friendly image, sending the message that his hard-partying ways were a thing of the past. He took a…
Top 10 New Houston Restaurants 2014 Videos
Did you love our picks for the The 25 Best New Restaurants in Houston in 2014? Well, it would seem that video bloggers around town love them too. Using a phone app called Tastemade, which launched in the Houston market earlier this fall, video bloggers (called “Tastemakers”) have been posting…
Countdown to King of Content 2014: 2. NFL Crime
The guarantees in life — death, taxes, and NFL players getting into trouble in the offseason. You know, as much content as I get from NFL players running into trouble with the law, this offseason I actually had to pause a little bit and think about the big picture with…
The 5 Best Houston Skate Parks to Visit During Winter Break
It’s a sound most skate heads crave: That click-clack of the board slapping concrete, the distinct rattle of the wheels as they hit the ground and keep spinning. Over the Christmas holiday there’s no doubt plenty of skaters had their stockings stuffed with all manner of skateboard accessories. But where’s…
Houston’s 10 Best Bars & Clubs Open New Year’s Day
AVANTGARDEN Customer Appreciation Night happens every Thursday at AvantGarden and New Year’s Day is no exception; the free admission and cheap drink specials bring in large and diverse crowds who gather in the patio/courtyard out back, which is illuminated overhead with sparkling lights, putting out a festival vibe. In the…
Countdown to King of Content 2014: 3. Daryl Morey
. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsBack in October 2012, Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey managed to flip the remaining carcass of Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and a first round pick that would eventually become center Steven Adams for James Harden. Harden would become an All-Star and…
10 ’70s Songs That Will Give You Your Groove Back
Hey, does anyone feel like gettin’ on up like a sex machine? Well, we do, and we think you should join us. The music that emerged during the ’70s is some of the very best, even now. Artists like Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson were taking over the scene, oiled-up…
10 Songs That Make Us Miss the ’90s
You know, the ’90s gets a little screwed when it comes to nostalgia, which is perhaps a bit unfair. Sure, the ’80s gave us Scrunchies and ALF, and we got to show off our Lisa Lisa cassette with pride. But in the ’90s, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was born,…
National Theatre of London on the Big Screen: John
DV8 Physical Theatre’s John, the story of one man’s tragic life, fills the screen with shocking, provocative images. Based on a real story, John is a mix of movement, theater and film that would be beyond most other companies. With Lloyd Newson at the head of DV8, it becomes a…
Mette Ivie Harrison: The Bishop’s Wife
Carrie disappears one night, leaving her five-year-old daughter and everything she owns behind with no clue as to where she’s gone or why. At least that’s the story her husband, Jared, is telling his neighbors in Mette Ivie Harrison’s new novel The Bishop’s Wife. The story sounds improbable to the…
Video Vortex: Winterbeast
Shot by the Polonia brothers Mark and John over six years and with a total budget of less than $10,000, Winterbeast has a simple storyline (what little there is of it). Beasts attack a lodge. A cop and a forest ranger team up to fight them. The end. Wed., Jan…
Diplomacy (Diplomatie)
It was 70 years ago that Paris stood on the brink of destruction. With the arrival of the Allies imminent, Hitler gave orders that the city be reduced to rubble. Bombs were to be planted in the city’s bridges and most famous landmarks, including the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and…
2014 – The Year in Review
The Music Box Theater says hello to 2015 with a look back at 2014. The musical theater troupe highlights some of their favorite moments of the past year in 2014 — The Year in Review. Founding member Rebekah Dahl sings “Piece of My Heart,” made famous by Janis Joplin. Fellow…
My Girl Won’t Have Sex With Me. Help!
Welcome to Ask Willie D, Rocks Off’s advice column where the Geto Boys MC answers reader questions about matters, in his own words, “funny, serious or unpredictable.” Something on your mind? Ask Willie D! HELP ME CHOOSE BETWEEN MY BOYFRIEND AND THE GUY I’M HAVING SEX WITH Dear Willie D:…
Houston Monster Jam
“Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” be damned. It’s time for the Houston Monster Jam. The sound of crushing metal as Charlie Pauken’s Grave Digger® crashes into Chuck Werner’s El Toro Loco® will clear your mind of any lingering bits of “Auld Lang Syne,” guaranteed. More than a dozen trucks,…
Bank of America Friday Night Flicks at the ICE at Discovery Green: Where the Wild Things Are
Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s story Where the Wild Things Are gets a big-screen outing at the Bank of America Friday Night Flicks at the ICE at Discovery Green. The story follows Max, a little boy who turns getting sent to bed without his supper into an…
Blade Runner (The Final Cut)
See Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic Blade Runner (The Final Cut), with extended scenes and never-before-seen special effects. Harrison Ford stars as a 21st century detective on the hunt for runaway homicidal replicants in one of Scott’s earliest box office winners. Fri., Jan. 2, 11:55 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 3, 11:55 p.m.,…
Don’t Look Now
Nicolas Roeg’s 1973 horror film features Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie as parent who have lost a child who meet two elderly sisters who claim they know about the girl in the afterlife. Fri., Jan. 2, 7 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 3, 7 p.m., 2015…
Brad Taylor: No Fortunate Son
Bestselling author Brad Taylor’s latest Pike Logan thriller, No Fortunate Son, has the counterterrorist expert on a whirlwind race around the globe as he tries to save a group of hostages who are constantly being moved. Logan’s not on an official mission (actually, he just got fired), so things are…
10 Songs You’ll Like If You’re Still Drunk
Note: this article originally appeared in April 2014. Drink up! Boozy playlists are the very best, better still when they randomly appear on your playlist the day after you’ve knocked back a few beers. Your drunk brain always knows what kind of music the sober you needs. Or most of…
Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken Is More About Punishment Than Heroism
There’s something curiously airless about director Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, the story of real-life Olympian and WWII P.O.W. Louis Zamperini. Early on, Louis (Jack O’Connell) and his fellow American soldiers are zipping through the golden skies, dogfighting with Japanese planes, and, though the B-24’s doors are open and the wind is…
Tim Burton’s Big Eyes Is About an Artist as Middlebrow as He Is
The waifs Walter Keane made famous were known for their huge peepers. But look down at their mouths: Every one kept its lips pressed tight, as though to prevent a secret from escaping. That’s where you see the real artist: Walter’s shy wife, Margaret (Amy Adams), who bitterly allowed her…
Capsule Art Reviews: January 1, 2015
“Jorge Marin: Wings of the City” This installation at Discovery Green has nine wonderful sculptures by an acclaimed Mexican sculptor; some are powerful, some playful, some enigmatic, but all are filled with a love for and an appreciation of humanity that is breathtaking and admirable. Though they represent a higher…
Capsule Stage Reviews: January 1, 2015
Panto Rapunzel (With Zombies) There ain’t no respect in Panto Rapunzel (and Zombies) at Stages Repertory. Nor any sass. Nor much of a vibe. Perhaps it’s time to retire the Panto idea completely and give it back to the Victorians. This seventh incarnation is the lamest of all. Playwrights Jodi…
SPECIAL BEST OF EDICIÓN
Dear Mexican, How did the patron saint of Mexico get a name derived from Arabic? El Moro Judío Dear Jewish Moor, You’re referring to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the brown-skinned apparition of the Virgin Mary who tradition says appeared before the Aztec peasant Juan Diego in December 1531 just outside…
Get Busy Buying Physical Copies of Movies This Season
Call it Stone Age materialism, but I still think movies are worth owning in physical forms you can hold, shelve, and collect, and therefore worth giving as gifts. Fuck the Cloud — who knows when Hulu will get sold to Google or when Netflix decides to narrow down its catalog…
