A Goodbye to Jerry Herman, one of Broadway’s Great Songwriters
A large piece of theater magic disappeared the day after Christmas, 2019, when composer/lyricist Jerry Herman died in Miami at the age of 88. Iconic creator of certifiable Broadway classics Hello, Dolly! (1964), Mame (1966), and La Cage aux Folles (1983), he was one of the last great tunesmiths, whose…
My Five Favorite Sandwich Spots of 2019
Eating as many sandwiches as I did over the course of the last year, I found a few spots that I absolutely love. While I do tend to stick with my favorite hoagies at these spots, they all have multiple subs worth sampling and as we close out 2019, it…
Tony DeSare Does Sinatra His Way At Houston Symphony
Step back in time as jazz pianist Tony DeSare, one of today’s leading Sinatra interpreters, recreates the Rat Pack swagger and timeless magic of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Presented by the Houston Symphony, DeSare performs at Jones Hall for Sinatra and Beyond January 3-5.
The Ten Biggest Houston Texans “What If’s” of the 2010s
The end of the year is always a time for fun, reflection-style content, in any discipline, sports being near the top of the list. The end of a year ending in the digit “9” is a time for reflection across an entire decade, which is really, REALLY fun for people…
Houston Press Music Photographers Share Some of Their Favorite Shots in 2019
Ever tried to take photos at a concert? Find yourself dodging elbows, the sudden enthusiastic pop-up of the person seated ahead of you, or blinding lights that don’t help you capture the moment well at all? Well imagine if you did all this not just for fun but because it…
Rockets Last Game of 2019, First of 2020 Will Be a Challenge
Once again, the Rockets end the year with a game on New Year’s Eve. What has become something of a tradition at Toyota Center, however, comes with a fairly significant challenge in the Denver Nuggets. If that weren’t enough, their start to the year won’t get easier with the 76ers…
Road Construction 2019: The Bad, the Ugly and the Tragic
Houstonians have spoken in surveys and as angry callers to radio programs. Traffic sucks and it seems like it is only getting worse. It’s no wonder given some of the messes we had to deal with in 2019. From never-ending construction to frequent closures, Houston drivers have had to deal…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Feast Your Way into 2020
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings New specials Sake Social Menu at Uchi Uchi, 904 Westheimer, has announced a new Sake Social menu curated by chef de cuisine Chris Davies. The contemporary Japanese restaurant’s updated “happy hour” menu features specials on oysters and Krug champagne, along with…
Avoid Your Family By Checking Out The Press’s 2020 Spring/Summer Movie Preview
Believe it or not, 2019 isn’t over yet. Sure, this year felt like it lasted a decade, and everyone you know is screaming at each other about A) politics or B) The Rise of Skywalker, but we still have a couple days to go before the real fun starts. That’s…
Houston Press Music Reviewers Name Their Best Concerts of 2019
The Houston Press through its music writers and photographers probably over more shows than any other media outlet in town. We asked our reviewers to reflect on what for them were the most meaningful concerts they attended in 2019. Here’s what they had to say: Incubus at Revention I’ve never…
NFL Week 17: Titans 35, Texans 14 — Four Winners, Four Losers
There was plenty of scoreboard watching going on throughout the early window of NFL games yesterday, as the Houston Texans were rooting for the nearly impossible to happen, a Week 17 loss by the Kansas City Chiefs at home to the Los Angeles Chargers. A Chiefs loss would have kept…
Openings and Closings: Hando Heights Opens, Le Mistral and Beaver’s West Closed
Hando, 518 W. 11th, opened December 18. The temaki restaurant comes from Jason Andaya of Family Meal Group and childhood friends Ray Chan and Rishi Patel. With executive chef Man Nguyen and sous chef Michael Fee, the team serves hand rolls that are made as guests watch them in action,…
Piñata Protest Salutes Los Skarnales on Its Silver Anniversary
Piñata Protest will be in town this week to help celebrate Los Skarnales’ silver anniversary. Àlvaro Del Norte, founder and band leader for the San Antonio-based and accordion-powered Tex-Mex punk outfit, said the groups have a common approach to music. He also hinted that his band, which keeps gaining momentum…
An Award-Winning Revival of Hello, Dolly! Comes to the Hobby Center
Dolly Gallagher Levi is coming back to Houston in all her matchmaking glory — this time in a revival production that scooped up four Tonys including one for Best Musical Revival. Hello, Dolly! tells the turn-of-the-century story of Levi, a middle-aged widow who makes it her business to get right…
NFL Week 17: This Weekend’s Best Bets
Week 17 is a tricky patch of schedule real estate, what with all of the teams whose seasons are covered dreams shattered, and the handful of teams who are resting players as they ready themselves for the postseason. There are some teams still playing all out, whether to improve sending…
The 40 Best Music Videos of 2019 You Probably Missed Part 5: 8 – 1
It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for as The Doctor used to say. I sincerely hope you have enjoyed combing through some of the more obscure videos that came out this year. If the quality of the ones seen here is any indication, the art form is…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Last Chance for a Miracle
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Miracle Holiday Bar Pop-Up at Johnny’s Gold Brick and Daiquiri Time Out Friday through Sunday Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale; Daiquiri Time Out, 2701 Market The Miracle holiday bar pop-up is finishing its run at Heights hotspot Johnny’s Gold Brick and…
Keeping Tradition Alive: Los Texmaniacs Are The Past, Present And Future of Conjunto Music
Conjunto music may be a familiar sound to residents of Texas, but its worldwide appeal can be surprising. Max Baca, founder of Los Texmaniacs, is as surprised as anyone by the warm reception he and his band mates have had while traveling the world bringing their roots sound to far…
No Rest For The Weary: Charley Crockett Ends His Busy Year In Texas
This year has been a monumental year for Charley Crockett, the kind of year that could have killed the average man. The singer songwriter has been on a steady incline in popularity all over the world, touring non stop with only a brief pause following emergency heart surgery, made his…
The 40 Best Music Videos of 2019 You Probably Missed Part 4: 16 – 9
We’re more than halfway done, so it’s time to look at some of the truly transcendental videos of the year. The segment has two fantastic new releases for artists who have been quiet awhile, a Houston masterpiece, and more. Enjoy! 16. Vonavi feat Run Rivers, “Regrow” A lot of music…
NFL Week 17: Titans vs Texans — Four Things To Watch For
It’s amazing how quickly things can change in the course of a couple of weeks in the NFL. Just two weeks ago, heading into Week 15 of the season, the Texans and Titans were tied atop the AFC South, but it was the Titans with all of the buzz and…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Calling All Teams for the Saint Arnold One Pot Showdown
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Chef Sunil Srivastava has created a “Winter Flavors of India” tasting menu at Verandah Progressive Indian Restaurant, 3300 Kirby. The seven-course feast offers foods that are commonly found when the weather cools in India’s vast regions,…
Expect A Grand Performance With Whitney Houston Tribute Artist
Belt your heart out during The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston – starring Belinda Davids. The concert takes place at Galveston’s The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice Street, 8 p.m. on January 11 and 3 p.m. January 12.
Houston Concert Watch 12/25: Los Skarnales and More
Merry Christmas, Houston! If you’re reading this, then you’re probably taking a break from socializing. And that means you might be looking for an escape from your family over the next few days, which is why this week’s concert watch list is as vital as any we have ever written…
Five Sandwich Resolutions for a Happy 2020
For nearly two years, I’ve been writing about sandwiches, which isn’t all that big of a deal when you consider I’ve been consuming them for far longer. But as we roll into a new decade, I thought I would once again jot down my resolutions for making 2020 happy, prosperous…
Rockets-Warriors Not the Christmas Matchup the NBA Wanted
In a recent interview with Warriors stalwart forward Draymond Green, he was asked what he would tell his young teammates about playing the Rockets on Christmas Day. He responded, “They let us keep the ABC game?” It’s a legitimate question as the Warriors sit at the bottom of the Western…
The 40 Best Music Videos of 2019 You Probably Missed Part 3: 24 – 17
Welcome to the halfway mark in our Top 40 exploration of music videos. There were lots this year that made huge splashes, but we want to dig out some of the ones that fly under the radar. Hopefully you’ll discover a new artist you like and a better appreciation for…
Quixote Nuevo Puts a New Texas-Based Spin on the Classic Cervantes Tale
Don Quixote is still setting off to look for his long lost love, Dulcinea. But this time he’s not traveling across the plains of Spain but rather the Texas border lands. The man from La Mancha now has as his base the fictional Texas town of La Plancha. His periods…
Four Thoughts on the Miraculous Return of J.J. Watt
On October 27, 2019, J.J. Watt made a seemingly innocuous tackle for loss in the Houston Texans’ 27-24 win over the Oakland Raiders. Most fans and media members didn’t even notice Watt’s fiddling around with his left shoulder and arm after the play. Watt somewhat gingerly lined up for the…
What If We Threw a Bible and No God Came?
Pastor Nathan Roberts explores one central question in his new book of stories, Deserted. What would classic tales from the Old Testament be like if God just wasn’t there? In the hands of a gifted author, it can be quite the re-calibration of the American worldview. Roberts opens his book…
Four Thoughts On the Crucial Will Fuller Injury Situation
The Houston Texans’ offense runs a whole lot better with a healthy Will Fuller lined up at the wide receiver position opposite DeAndre Hopkins. If you have a working set of eyeballs and/or access to any stats website, then you are aware of this. I’ll trust your eyeballs work, but…
Whining and Dining: Friday Night at Huynh with Quinn
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
The 40 Best Music Videos of 2019 You Probably Missed Part 2: 32 – 25
We’re continuing our deep dive into the lesser-known music videos of 2019. Strap in because the further down we get in the list the stranger and more heartbreaking the entries. 32. The Cryptographers, “Wasps of Venus” This video comes to us from Houston’s own Ramon Medina, who wrote, animated, and…
‘Tis the Season For Some Really Big Scams
Well it’s winter holiday time and Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan wants you to know that with all those wonderful deals out there, you should be aware that this is also prime time for vultures to swoop in on their prey (AKA: you). Relying on the expertise of Cecilia Longoria,managing…
Echoing Box Office Successes, Houston Cosplayers Spared No Expense in 2019
There’s no forgetting the childhood joy of turning a towel into a makeshift cape to act out the adventures of Superman. It seems we never outgrow that thrill, a phenomena that we observed this year at Comicpalooza, Fandemic Tour Houston and even the Texas Renaissance Festival. Our love affair with…
This Week in Houston Food Events: The Tastes of Christmas and Hanukkah
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long (December) Miracle Holiday Bar Pop-Up at Johnny’s Gold Brick and Daiquiri Time Out The Miracle holiday bar pop-up is now open at Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale; and Daiquiri Time Out, 2701 Market. Both pop-ups will be hosting…
The 40 Best Music Videos of 2019 You Probably Missed Part 1: 40 – 33
Over the course of 2019 I watched roughly 1,000 music videos, and there were some truly amazing ones. However, a lot of the best work goes overlooked, so at the end of the year I’m celebrating the obscure and wonderful. That means no Lizzo, no Billie Eilish, not even that…
Tobe Nwigwe Ends Momentous 2019 with Performance at Revention Music Center
In August of last year, The Houston Press reported on we called a spectacle of a live performance. Tobe Nwigwe, former college football star and Alief native, had just performed the first solo show of his then-nascent career — a sold out affair of some 1,000 fans at White Oak’s…
NFL Week 16: Texans 23, Buccaneers 20 — Four Winners, Four Losers
If you’re looking for an indicator of where we are in the trajectory of the Houston Texans as an NFL franchise, there’s probably no better gauge than the prevailing emotions after winning an AFC South title. Back in 2011, when they did it for the first time, with rookie T.J…
Holiday Cocktails Around Houston
If your holiday spirit is flagging a bit from the stress of card writing (some of us still do that), shopping and trying to get all your work done so that you can take a few days off, we have some spirits that will give you the liquid courage to…
Star Chefs Rising Stars Gala 2019: A Chef-Studded Night
Houstonians might have witnessed some shooting stars in last weekend’s meteor shower, but StarChefs, the Brooklyn, New York-based resource and platform for restaurant professionals, was in town last week to fete some of Houston’s rising culinary and mixology stars, some very familiar and others just starting to emerge on the…
Openings and Closings: Tarka Indian and Jeni’s Splendid Come to Houston
Tarka Indian Kitchen, 3701 S. Shepherd, is slated for a mid-January opening. The ground breaking has already begun in Upper Kirby for the third location of this Austin-based fast casual Indian restaurant. Overall, there are nine locations in Austin, Round Rock, San Antonio and Cedar Park. The new location will…
New Nightlife Options: Musical Residencies of 2019 To Check Out Next Year
Willie Nelson famously said, “The nightlife ain’t no good life, but it’s my life.” Houston’s nightlife is always as vibrant and diverse as the city itself and music lovers don’t have to rack their brains looking for something to do. Houston has its fair share of musical residencies and on…
NFL Week 16: This Weekend’s Best Bets
It’s the holiday season, we are coming off a week where we are a Raiders choke job and one more Seahawk point scored away from a 6-0 week (4-1-1 isn’t bad, though!), and it’s time to keep it going, and make some shopping money. Also, it’s time for me to…
It’s Hooray For Hollywood (and Marriage) As The Houston Film Critics Society Announces Its 2019 Nominees
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino’s 9th movie, and Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story lead all nominees for the Houston Film Critics Society’s “Best of 2019” awards. Winners will be announced January 2 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Both Hollywood and Marriage secured six nominations, including Best Picture. Closely…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Get a Sneak Peek at the New Killen’s
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Free Wine Friday at Revival Market Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. 550 Heights Revival Market is celebrating the season with a festive Free Wine Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., offering bubbly and wine samples and bottles to purchase for your…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
Title: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Describe This Move Using One Watchmen Quote: LAURIE BLAKE: You’re not supposed to take someone else’s Nostalgia. Brief Plot Synopsis: Guess who’s back. Back again. Sheevy’s back. Tell a friend. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2.5 Chef Gormaandas out of 5. Tagline: “The Saga Concludes.”…
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Christmas Day Grocery Stores Open and Closed [UPDATED]
It happens every year. We know Christmas Day is December 25. And we are usually good about getting the turkey, ham, brisket or rib roast ahead of time. We are probably pretty well equipped with pantry staples and we have back up sweets from the office party and neighbors’ cookie…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Wintry Pancakes and Holiday Tamaladas
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Snooze an A.M. Eatery, multiple locations, has created a special holiday menu, available through New Year’s Day and offering festive and decadent holiday dishes and drinks. Dig into Nana’s Hot Cocoa Pancake, a warm and fluffy…
Cactus Flowers Hopes to Cast an Enchanting Spell with Incantations
Just days before her band celebrates the release of its new album, Jessica Murillo considers what’s been most challenging about the process of creating the first-ever Cactus Flowers LP. Was it writing the nine tracks on the record? Nope. Murillo said the music is a collection of songs she’s written…
NFL Week 16: Texans-Buccaneers — Four Things To Watch For
Fourteen games in, the Houston Texans are 9-5 on the season, and I suppose since I picked them to go 10-6 back in early September, if you’d told me they’d be 9-5 with games against the Buccaneers and Titans remaining, I’d have felt pretty good about that. However, if you’d…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Biking to Beyoncé and Selfies With Pets
You don’t have to climb the highest mountain in Tibet or embark on a peyote-fueled trip inside a sweat lodge to discover the secret of happiness. It comes from having a servant’s heart, so this week we’re sharing a few opportunities for volunteering and service to others. We’ve also got…
Houston Actors Recount Side Jobs That Kept Them Out of Debt and On Stage
Blake Weir was a member of a theater company for a couple of years when the realization finally hit him — the money he was making was never going to help him pay off his student loans. So, he quit his position and did what so many theater actors do,…
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Where to Dine in Houston on New Year’s Eve 2019 and New Year’s Day 2020 [UPDATED]
Say goodbye to 2019 and ring in 2020 with these special New Year’s Eve dinners and bubbly-fueled midnight at these Houston bars and restaurants. Ready to keep the party going? We’re also including festive brunches and early openings on New Year’s Day. Note: Don’t forget to make your reservations quickly,…
The Anthology of Texans Safety Justin Reid, Red Zone Problem Solver
You don’t often see seemingly competent general managers relieved of their duties barely a year into the job, but that’s exactly what happened back in June with Texans general manager Brian Gaine. He was fired in early June, the Texans took a run at replacing him with the Patriots’ Nick…
Houston Concert Watch 12/18: Robert Earl Keen and More
Christmas is just a week away, and I’m still scrambling to buy gifts for loved ones. Fortunately, there are plenty of great concerts coming to Houston this week, and tickets to any of these shows would make a great present for partners, family members and close friends alike. So if…
Snoop Dogg Throws A Gangsta Party At House Of Blues
On a cold, quiet Monday night deep in the heart of Houston, a party was happening. Not a Christmas party but a “Gangsta Party” as Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg brought his I Wanna Thank Me Tour to the House of Blues. Although Snoop has sported multiple names and personas over…
Assessing the Houston Texans Playoff Scenarios
Truth be told, despite the catastrophic loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 14, the Houston Texans went into Sunday’s Week 15 game against the Titans with a playoff berth still very much in the “high probability” category. 9-7 is probably going to be good enough for a spot in…
Lights, Dragons, Action: Get Ready for MFAH’s Kinder Building Next Fall
While 2020 will be the year of the rat, we’re predicting a dragon year for Houston. With the unveiling of the new Nancy and Rich Kinder Building next fall, there will be three different gallery buildings for viewing art, so your friends will need to get specific when they suggest meeting up…
Houston Holiday Desserts
While some of us are busy making homemade divinity and dozens of pecan sandies, rugelach or cookie cutter Christmas trees, others are busy scanning the internet for bakeries and restaurants that can alleviate some of the holiday stress by providing sweet treats for parties, family dinners and get-togethers with friends…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Woodland Heights
You either “get” Clark Griswold or you don’t, but we think the world is a better place because of twinkly, festive and colorful Christmas lights. Granted Chevy Chase’s character had more than his share of bad luck in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but there’s one neighborhood here in Houston where…
In the Hearts of Cher’s Passionate Fan Base, the Beat Goes On
Cher/Nile Rodgers and Chic Toyota Center December 15, 2019 Two-thirds of the way through her set at Toyota Center last night, the video screens flashed a montage of films starring Cher. Her wildly distinct voice narrated the segment. While clips from films like Silkwood, Mask, Mermaids, Burlesque and Moonstruck rolled,…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Himalaya and Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long “H-Town Originals” with Himalaya chef Kaiser Lashkari at Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys, 4520 San Felipe, 2724 West TC Jester, continues its “H-Town Originals” celebrity chef campaign with a new sandwich from Himalaya chef Kaiser…
Everybody Relax: We’ve Got The Best Movies Of 2019 Right Here
2019 is almost at an end, meaning we’ve all had another year to ponder our own insignificance and the utter meaningless of existence. But hopefully you got to watch some movies! Cinematically, this year saw comic climaxes (Avengers: Endgame, Dark Phoenix) and nightmarish “live action” remakes of beloved animated properties…
Six Spots Where Traffic Could Ease in 2020
We’re not going to lie to you. Traffic in Houston is not suddenly going to get dramatically better in 2020. There will still be massive projects on Interstate 45, the West Loop, 69 interchange and the East Freeway. Some of this construction will last years. However, there is a little…
Canadian Metallers Anvil Release Cartoon Lyric Video For New Pro-Marijuana Song
Anvil, the veteran underdog Canadian metal band many people first discovered through the critically acclaimed 2008 documentary about the band, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, have recently uploaded a cartoon lyric video for their new pro-marijuana song, “Nabbed in Nebraska.”
NFL Week 15: Texans 24, Titans 21 — Four Winners, Four Losers
On Sunday afternoon, just minutes after the Houston Texans had finished off an inspired 24-21 victory over the red hot Tennessee Titans in Nashville, my Texans postgame cohost Clint Stoerner and I were trying to figure out this Texans team, a squad that can beat the New England Patriots fairly…
Inayah Is Turning Instagram Success Into Soul Music
Five years ago, Inayah Lamis was working at a jingle company and attempting to break into the music industry. The East Houston native’s goal was to make it as a song writer in the industry. She would take the experience of working making commercial jingles and apply it to making…
TUTS Adds Some Extra Special Magical Polish to Elf-The Musical
There’s a bright shiny present under our Houston theater Christmas tree and its name is Dan Knechtges. Artistic director of Theatre Under the Stars, director/choreographer Knechtges has re-animated, re-imagined, and resuscitated the rather ordinary seasonal musical Elf (2010) into an exceptionally enjoyable bundle of heartfelt holiday joy. It’s a Christmas…
Openings and Closings: Common Bond Heights Open, International Smoke Closes
Common Bond Cafe and Bakery, 449 W. 19th, opened December 5. This is the third location for the European-style bakery in Houston. The first opened in Montrose in 2014 followed by a location in the Texas Medical Center in March 2019. There is also a planned location for Understory food…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Uncut Gems
Title: Uncut Gems Describe This Movie In One Casino Royale Quote: LE CHIFFRE: Tell them I’ve got the money. Brief Plot Synopsis: After taking a deep cut from gambling losses, a jeweler seeks clarity and the confidence to color his outlook by selling a high-carat black opal. Rating Using Random Objects…
NFL Week 15: Texans-Titans — Four Things To Watch For
For the Houston Texans, Sunday’s game against the Titans in Nashville is massive, with both teams sitting at 8-5, and with another matchup on the schedule in two weeks to close out the season at NRG Stadium. Six weeks into the season, it certainly didn’t look like we would be…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Lights in the Heights and a Toy Drive for Pups
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Tomball German Christmas Market & Festival in Old Town Tomball Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 201 South Elm The Tomball German Christmas Market & Festival will take place near…
Year-end Ruminations on Classic Rock, “Farewell” Tours, Aging, and Concert Resolutions
Since a former Houston Press music editor dubbed me “Classic Rock Bob” ages ago, it’s no surprise that the majority of shows I attended in 2019 fell squarely into that genre. But there were a bit fewer than last year, which was even fewer than the year before. And that’s…
Charity Fund-Raiser to Fight Human Trafficking, Help Orphans
A lot of well-intentioned people who decide to do something about a social problem decide to re-invent the wheel and not only raise funds but set up a new entity to distribute those funds. They can rapidly become bogged down going in too many directions at once. In contrast Wole Olugbenle…
Prasek’s Family Smokehouse Offers Holiday Shipping Options
Travel along Highway 59 southwest of Houston into the Wharton area and there’s no way you’ll miss the Prasek’s Family Smokehouse in Hilje. In fact, if you Google Hilje to find out exactly where it is, what pops up is a map with only two locations on it: Hilje proper and…
Krampus Haunted House Brings a Nightmare Before Christmas
By December, most of the haunted houses in and around Houston are all tucked in to rest before the next Halloween season rolls around. Not 13th Floor Haunted House. For one weekend only, they’ll be hosting Krampus: A Haunted Christmas for those of us who want less gingerbread and more…
Suzy Gets Revenge and a Music Career With the Help of Some Rock and Roll Friends
Heavy metal vocalist Suzy released an EP of new songs recently, but it wasn’t so long ago that the Houston singer’s music pursuits seemed hopelessly stalled. She’d started her music career in her 50s, late in life for any musician in any genre, much less a woman trying to make…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Crave-Worthy Holiday Treats and Happenings
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: CRAVE, 5600 Kirby, 1151 Uptown Park, 2501 Research Forest, has you covered when it comes to the sweets this holiday season, offering a variety of cupcakes and cookies for friends, family and Santa. This year, the…
Best Bets This Weekend: Ugly Sweaters, Norman Rockwell and Very Merry Pops
While the weather continues to cool, the holiday celebrations are heating up all over town. We’ve got Very Merry Pops with the Houston Symphony, caroling with HGO at Discovery Green, and a Winter Wonderland of crafting over at Asia Society Texas Center. There’s much to be thankful for, and MFAH’s…
Four Thoughts on Gerrit Cole’s New Deal, Astros Offseason
The big story this offseason for the Houston Astros has, unfortunately, been the ongoing investigation into the allegations of a coordinated, technology-laden effort to steal signs back in 2017 (and possibly, subsequent seasons), so when general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch took center stage at the winter meetings…
Cole Lands with Yankees for a Record $324 Million
That didn’t take long. For a couple weeks now speculation has been that free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole was being pursued feverishly by the New York Yankees. After Steven Strasberg re-signed with the Nationals for nearly $250 million, it seemed a foregone conclusion Cole would command much more. On Wednesday,…
Rumor: Astros Explore Correa Trade to Offset Rising Salaries
According to Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic, the Astros have looked into a potential trade of Carlos Correa to help free up salary, perhaps even in an effort to retain Gerrit Cole. After Strasberg resigned with the Washington Nationals for $245 million, it is likely Cole will seek a salary…
Houston Concert Watch 12/11: Andrea Bocelli and More
It’s Christmastime in Houston, and you all know what that means… Sweater weather! While much of the country deals with frigid temperatures and shovels snow from their driveways, we here in the Bayou City get to enjoy a few sunny days in the high 60s and low 70s. The coldest…
My favorite Spot for Bo Ne, or Vietnamese Steak and Eggs
Where do you go when you’re craving a steak, but don’t want to go to a steakhouse and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg? I’m going to let you in on a secret: When I want to taste juicy, full-flavored beef on a budget, I go for…
Upper Crust: Sixty Vines
It’s not exactly a pizzeria. But it’s not exactly not one, either. You catch our drift? Sixty Vines, the Dallas-based wine-on-tap concept, just opened the brand’s first Houston store in Rice Village. A fitting home for the out-of-town upscale bar, as Rice Village has slowly been invaded by out-of-town chains…
Houston Texans Under Bill O’Brien Typically Bounce Back From Big Losses
In nearly six full seasons, the Houston Texans have a 50-43 record under head coach Bill O’Brien. For the first five seasons of O’Brien’s tenure, the team was fairly predictable — generally speaking, they would beat the teams they were favored to beat, they would lose to teams with very…
ROCO’s Debut Album Visions Take Flight Earns Grammy Nod
Fresh off releasing its debut album, Visions Take Flight, ROCO’s recording’s producer Blanton Alspaugh earned a nomination from Grammy voters in the “Producer of the Year, Classical” category. The album was conducted by the Houston-based chamber orchestra’s artistic partner Mei-Ann Chen, and the gratitude marks Alspaugh’s ninth nomination in the category and his 22nd nomination overall.
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Italian Club at Revival Market
Revival Market’s spicy riff on the club sandwich delivers big on flavor and charcuterie. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
A Very Filthy Christmas: John Waters Is Coming to Town
Every year, like clockwork, there are signs of the upcoming holiday season. It can be something as subtle as a mailbox overflowing with junk mail to the giant bows atop of fancy shopping centers. John Waters and his annual Christmas show can be added to the list of indicators that…
Where to Dine in Houston on Christmas Day 2019
‘Tis the season of holiday cheer, wining and dining, and giving yourself the gift of not cleaning up any dishes this year. Enter our 2019 Christmas Day Dining Guide. From splurge-worthy holiday feasts to family-friendly brunches, here is where to dine on Christmas Day in Houston: Note: Don’t forget to…
Eight Non-Playoff College Bowl Games That Are Super Intriguing
I would imagine that the College Football Playoff committee didn’t have to stay up into the wee hours selecting the four playoff teams and then seeding them. Yeah, I’m sure they acted like they spent a couple days doing it, sequestered in some five star hotel (somebody check the drink…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Memorial Villages
It’s hard to think of the word “village” when it comes to a city the size of Houston, but nestled in the west part of town are six residential communities known as the Memorial Villages. These upscale enclaves are served by their own police and fire departments and are known…
Whining and Dining: (Early) Family Date Night at Squable
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
A Gift Guide For 2019’s Music Lovers
Thanksgiving is over and that means it’s time to get your holiday shopping in before it’s too late. While it’s never a bad idea to get someone an extra pair of cheap on-the-go headphones, more personal gifts might make the recipients holiday season all the better. Here’s few music related…
All 24 2019 Hallmark Holiday Films Reviewed Without Watching Them
The holidays represent many things to many people. For some, it is a joyous time of year with festive gatherings and the warmth of loved ones. For others, it’s a time for reflection. But, then there are those who crave the trappings: the shopping, the controversial Starbuck’s coffee cups (with…
NBA Denies Rockets Protest Request
Dunk-gate 2019 is over. The NBA issued its ruling on the Rockets formal protest from James Harden’s missed dunk in the fourth quarter of the game against San Antonio last week, in which the Rockets ultimately lost in double overtime. In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver denied the request…
Like the White House Turkey Pardon, Turkey Leg Hut Lives to Smoke Another Day (and Night)
On the same day the two parties were due back in court, the plaintiffs in the Turkey Leg Hut restaurant case announced they are suspending their lawsuit and giving the owners of the Third Ward facility one last chance to clean up their act. Plaintiffs represented by Cris Feldman of…
StarChefs 2019 Rising Stars Gala Is The Foodie Event You Won’t Want to Miss
It’s been eight years since Starchefs, the restaurant industry magazine that scours the country for the latest trends and rising stars, made it to Houston. Last time, the magazine recognized industry favorites ranging from Manabu Horiuchi of Kata Robata, to Bryan Caswell of the recently closed Reef, and Bobby Heugel…
NFL Week 14 Disaster: Broncos 38, Texans 24— Four Winners, Four Losers
The best place to start with a disaster like the Texans’ disastrous abomination of a loss to the now 5-8 Denver Broncos — final score 38-24, in a game where they fell behind 38-3 — is on Friday. I don’t do this often, in part because I’m not right nearly…
Let 2020 Be The Year We Seriously Tackle The Alt-Right Online
The reason that the Russian attack on the 2016 election worked so effectively is because of the way that the internet abhors moderation. From massive waves of false information spread virally on Facebook to the dark web corners where QAnon was born, the hands-off ideology allowed fascism and the alt-right…
Navigating the Mexican Restaurants on Navigation: El Tiempo
This is the sixth in a series of visits to the six-cluster of Mexican restaurants on Navigation, a group of eateries that exemplifies Houston’s indigenous culinary history. “Chile Toreado” is a hot, sizzling way to finish this six-part visit to the cluster of Mexican restaurants on Navigation, a six-cluster that…
The Life-Changing Properties of Amahl and the Night Visitors
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, opera was produced on television. Not the old and musty, but avant-garde and contemporary. Impossible to believe, but in the pioneering ’50s, NBC actually had a director of “new opera programming.” Famed conductor Peter Herman Adler, born in what is…
Rockets Have a Chance to Rack Up Some Wins, Improve Chemistry
There are always portions of the schedule that are tougher than others and some that look downright cushy. The Rockets got through one of their toughest stretches of the season in decent shape, but now they have entered a 10-game swing where they can make some hay against some of…
Doublespeak Your Way Through Awkward Family Gatherings
Holidays are a wonderful time of year until they’re not. With the nation currently so divided along party lines, it’s safe to say that some of those differing viewpoints will be found within your own family. Mix in alcohol, long-running feuds, hurt feelings, the stress of reflecting back on a…
Hard Rock Recap: Farewells, Fire and Fried Chicken at End of 2019
Over the past few weeks, as most of us try to maintain a normal life and schedule around the holidays, a number of history-making concerts have gone down. While some rushed across the United States to witness a band’s final performance, others were in a different part of the world…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Treat Yourself to a Festive Holiday Lunch
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long 13th Anniversary at 13 Celsius 13 Celsius, 3000 Caroline, continues its series of 13 events celebrating its 13th anniversary this December, with the next fun events including The Ultimate Wine and Cheese Class with the Houston Dairymaids on…
All Through The House Offers An Alternate Holiday Theater Experience
What’s a Houstonian to do if he or she develops a yen for theater around the holidays but would rather poke their eyes out with candy canes and drown a slow death in eggnog than sit through one of those treacly feel-good seasonal productions? Historically there’s always been the intentionally…
A$AP Ferg Pays Homage To Houston On His Floor Seats Tour
“I have to thank y’all because all of you are the reason this song went not one…not two…not three…but four times platinum,” exclaimed A$AP Ferg as he stood center stage at the House of Blues bathed in bright white light. A semicircle of light stands surrounded the New York MC…
McLemore Might Need to Retain Starting Role with Rockets
Injuries shouldn’t cost a player a job. This is a standard axiom in sports. And Danuel House, Jr. has been great as a starter for the Rockets this year. But, Ben McLemore may usurp House’s starter’s job if for no other reason than he is simply better as a starter…
HGO’s El Milagro del Recuerdo: A Mariachi Opera Christmas Offering
The show curtain for Houston Grand Opera’s world premiere of Javier Martinez (music) and Leonard Foglia’s (libretto) El Milagro del Recuerdo (“The Miracle of Remembering”) is everything you’d want for a prelude. Depicting a Mexican folk pastorela (the Nativity pageant), it’s painted in vivid, vibrant colors like a Mayan temple…
Openings and Closings: Torchy’s Tacos Tanglewood, OMG Burger Sugar Land
Torchy’s Tacos, 5885 San Felipe, will open December 11 in the Tanglewood Court Shopping Center which is anchored by the H-E-B grocery store. For taco fiends wanting a sneak preview, there will be an Opening Party December 9 with free tacos, chips and queso, drinks and swag. On Opening Day,…
Astros Trade Marisnick, Make Room for Tucker
The Astros on Thursday traded veteran outfielder Jake Marisnick to the Mets for a pair of prospects. The move was made to clear room in an already crowded outfield for youngsters Kyle Tucker and Myles Straw, who should make the big league roster in 2020. Ideally, the Astros would like…
In-N-Out: Hit or Hype?
After years of rumors and rumbles, In-N-Out fans in Houston got their wish with not one, but two In-N-Out Burger restaurants in the Houston area. The locations in Katy and Stafford opened November 22, as we reported here in the Houston Press . As with most things in the Houston…
Navigating the Mexican Restaurants on Navigation: Ninfa’s on Navigation
This is the fifth in a series of visits to the six-cluster of Mexican restaurants on Navigation, a group of eateries that exemplifies Houston’s indigenous culinary history. “The best Mexican food in Texas since Texas was in Mexico” is the trademarked slogan of Ninfa’s restaurant, one of the six-cluster of…
The Godfather of Swamp Pop is Honored with New CD and Book
He’s known as the “Godfather of Swamp Pop”—but not because any rivals to the title met an unexplained end in a river while wearing concrete shoes. It’s because at 82 years of age, Warren Storm is the oldest of the genre’s originators still actively performing. Swamp pop, which began in…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Eat Up at Tamale Festival Houston
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: A Taste Through History at Eight Row Flint Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. 1039 Yale Bourbon enthusiasts can head to the ice house to join Old Forester master taster Jackie Zykan for a fun and informative taste through bourbon history. Cost…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: The Irishman
Title: The Irishman Describe This Movie Using One The Godfather: Part III Quote: MICHAEL CORLEONE: Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in. Brief Plot Synopsis: Elderly hitman recalls his hits, man. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4.5 lone gunmen out of 5…
NFL Week 14: Texans-Broncos — Four Things To Watch For (and Best Bets)
If the 2019 NFL season were the SAT test, it would be pretty easy to predict the outcome of Sunday’s Week 14 game between the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. In a results-based oddity, here’s how things have gone for the Texans thus far in 2019. See if you notice…
Pussy Riot Announce 2020 North American Tour Including Date In Houston
Russian feminist, protest-punk-group Pussy Riot have announced a 19-date 2020 North American tour partially benefiting Planned Parenthood; the activist group is scheduled to perform in Houston at White Oak Music Hall on April 10th.
Deshaun Watson Wins AFC Offensive Player of the Week For Win Over Patriots
Heading into the Texans’ Week 11 game in Baltimore against the Ravens, Deshaun Watson was firmly embedded in the MVP race as the No. 3 guy, odds of around 6/1, with Lamar Jackson and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson. The Texans’ 41-7 loss to the Ravens sent Watson’s MVP candidacy reeling,…
How Should the NBA Respond to Their Blown Call in the Rockets Game?
On Tuesday night in San Antonio, officials during the Rockets-Spurs game blew a call. This is nothing new. It happens frequently, far too frequently some might argue. However, in most cases it’s a missed foul or a ball that goes out of bounds off the other team. This was different…
Navigating the Mexican Restaurants on Navigation: Villa Arcos
This is the fourth in a series of visits to the six-cluster of Mexican restaurants on Navigation, a group of eateries that exemplifies Houston’s indigenous culinary history. Tacos at Villa Arcos are pure Texas Mexican food, fiercely faithful to the recipes and techniques of Velia Arcos’ Rodríguez Durán who founded…
Don Felder Checks Out of the Hotel California and Into the Dosey Doe for Two Intimate Shows
The title of Don Felder’s most recent solo album is pretty straightforward: American Rock ‘n’ Roll. In the leadoff title track, the singer/guitarist gives a bit of a history lesson on the genre with namecheck sampling ranging from Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Aerosmith, and Bob Seger to Tommy Lee, Slash,…
10 Best Bets This Weekend: Dickens on The Strand, y El Milagro del Recuerdo
Funny and festive, blissful and sweet, this weekend offers more than a few of our favorite things. There’s a mariachi opera, comedy on stage, Latin-inspired music, a marathon monologue from Jay Leno, a gingerbread build-off (in space!), a homecoming of sorts over at the Houston Ballet, and a return to…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A Galatoire’s Inspired Holiday Brunch
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: This holiday season, Berg Hospitality Group will host two Brunches with Santa. Guests are invited to join B.B. Italia, 14795 Memorial, for its inaugural Brunch & Photos with Santa Claus on Sunday, December 8 from 9…
Houston Ballet Jubilee Celebrating 50 Years of Performance
For 50 years Houston Ballet’s dancers have leaped, lifted and toed their way through one program after another. Sometimes they’ve even had to pack their bags — not to head to a foreign country to perform but just across town when a hurricane wiped out their home stage. They’ve accomplished…
Riel to Host Monthly Booze Can Sunday Series
Boozecan: A nightclub or bar, especially one which operates illegally or is otherwise disreputable. Boozecans are illegal clubs that became popular in the wake of the punk rock movement in eastern Canada, spreading westward from there. – From Urban Dictionary On Sunday December 8, Chef Ryan Lachaine will host the…
Megan Thee Stallion Packs the House at White Oak Music Hall
On Tuesday night at White Oak Music Hall, Megan Thee Stallion packed the main room of the iconic Houston music venue to capacity and put on a statement of a performance as the main event of Red Bull Presents: Thee Stallion. The concert was hosted by Red Bull in partnership…
Nobody Talks About Jokes Quite Like Jay Leno
“The thing I like about stand-up is it’s probably the oldest, most un-technical form of entertainment. With the exception of a microphone for amplification, it really hasn’t changed much since the town crier.”
Billie Eilish Not Knowing Van Halen Is A Cross-Generational Triumph
In only the latest round of the endless culture war that threatens to tear this country apart in a frenzy of irate Twitter mentions and a tsunami of “I can’t evens,” 17-year-old singer Billie Eilish told late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel she doesn’t know who Van Halen is…
Houston Concert Watch 12/4: Kansas and More
December is usually a pretty quiet month when it comes to concerts. Even musicians have family, after all, and those who don’t know that their fans are probably too busy (and broke from Christmas shopping) to buy concert tickets. That being said, this week may prove to be the exception, because…
Navigating the Mexican Restaurants on Navigation: Taquería Chabelita
This is the third in a series of visits to the six-cluster of Mexican restaurants on Navigation, a group of eateries that exemplifies Houston’s indigenous culinary history. Taquería Chabelita is one of the six Mexican restaurants clustered on Navigation, and because of its Veracruz influence, it points to the cosmopolitan…
Frozen 2 Finally Destroys the Unified Disney Fan Theory
Frozen 2 is easily the most-anticipated animated Disney sequel ever, and it does not disappoint. The story follows Queen Elsa as she longs to be free of the constraints of her office and follows a mysterious voice into an enchanted wood. Along the way, she and her merry band lift…
Ranking Deshaun Watson’s Prime Time NFL Performances
Heading into the Week 11 loss to the Ravens, the confidence level in the Houston Texans was at an all-time high for the Bill O’Brien Era. A 6-3 record, a Week 6 road win against Kansas City, a near win in Week 1 against the Saints in New Orleans, and…
Survivor: College Football Playoff Ranking Preview, Version 5.0
Fourteen weeks of college football, 12 regular season games for all (well, MOST of) 129 FBS programs, all in the books. We are down to the conference championship weekend, and we’ve essentially eliminated all but seven teams when it comes to the College Football Playoff. Five of the schools are…
Stop Pretending James Harden Isn’t Great Just Because You Don’t Like Him
Talking about sports almost always involves discussing the things you hate as a fan. Sports radio is loaded with negative takes about the things that are wrong with teams and players. It often seems like fans enjoy being angry with their teams more than they are thrilled when those same…
Navigating the Mexican Restaurants on Navigation: Doña María Mexican Café
This is the second in a series of visits to the six-cluster of Mexican restaurants on Navigation, a group of eateries that exemplifies Houston’s indigenous culinary history. Doña María Mexican Café serves the type of breakfast tacos that are at the heart of traditional Mexican American home cooking. The cafe…
Deck the Halls With Historic and Bright Holiday Home Tours
Gingerbread takes on new meaning this time of year. Sure, we’re fans of the sweet and spicy cookies iced with buttons and smiles, but this season also includes open houses for Victorian era stunners. With holiday home tours in Houston, Galveston, Round Top, Chappell Hill, Bastrop and Woodville, ’tis the…
Meet Your Next Dog or Cat Bestie at CAP’s Home for the Holidays Event
We intercepted some of the letters to Santa Claus coming out of CAP Animal Shelter, and almost all of the homeless dogs and cats indicated they just want to be in a new home for the holidays. Of course there were also a few of the more predictable requests: belly…
The Krayolas Pay Tribute to Their Dad on Christmas Record
Growing up in San Antonio in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Hector Saldana, Jr. and younger brother David say they enjoyed especially close familial ties with their parents and three sisters. Holidays were always special, but none more so than Christmas. And while they freely admit that it was…
NFL Week 13: Texans 28, Patriots 22, Goliath Slayed — Four Winners, Four Losers
Including the postseason, this recent run of dominance by the New England Patriots over the Houston Texans stretches back to December 2012. Who knew that when the 11-1 Texans would show up at Gillette Stadium in their letterman jackets, only to get their heads handed to them 42-14, that that…
Bad Bunny Shines Bright at Toyota Center
Bad Bunny X100Pre Tour Toyota Center December 1, 2019 It may seem that most music fans these days are only interested in “turning up” and “getting lit”, but deep down, sometimes they just need a hug. Bad Bunny’s primary genre of choice is the boombastic, thumping, hyper-sexual sounds of reggaeton…
Dylan Godwin is Fully Committed in Alley Theatre’s New Production
In Becky Mode’s Fully Committed, a little alternative holiday programming offer now playing at the Alley Theatre, one actor plays more than 40 characters in a non-stop one-act ride.
Watch Chris Shepherd on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Houston’s star chef and restaurateur, Chris Shepherd, will be cooking his Korean Braised Goat and Dumplings on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Tuesday, December 3. The dish is one he has made numerous times and is featured in his first cookbook, Cook Like a Local. The cookbook is a collaboration with writer…
Navigating the Mexican Restaurants on Navigation: Merida
This is the first in a series of visits to the six-cluster of Mexican restaurants on Navigation, a group of eateries that exemplifies Houston’s indigenous culinary history. The corn tortilla chips at Merida Mexican Restaurant are crunchy and sturdy, efficient scoops for the salsa ranchera, served warm. Upon request, the…
A Young Star Talks About His Introduction to Opera in Amahl and the Night Visitors
Amahl is a young disabled boy who lives with his mother, a widow, and can only walk with the help of a crutch. The pair live in desperate poverty near Bethlehem and his mother is worried about Amahl’s future. She wants him to grow up to be something other than…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Holiday Tamales are Back
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Seasonal Specials Picos Tamale Stand at Arnaldo Richards’ Picos Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, 3601 Kirby, has brought back its Picos Tamale Stand, open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. now through Monday, January 6. Wrapped in fresh corn husks and with both…
1973: It Was a Very Good Year for Rock…and Other Genres
1973: Rock at the Crossroads By Andrew Grant Jackson 448 pp. $29.99 Thomas Dunne Books Andrew Grant Jackson has a thing for dates. His previous rock book, 1965, argued how that trip around the sun was just as important in music as its closer and more celebrated cousins 1966 and…
New Holiday Cheer and Tradition Meet in Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker
A holiday tradition, Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, returns to the Wortham for a little seasonal cheer.
Miracle on 34th Street Tells Its Story of Kindness and Belief at A.D. Players
The Gospel story has never been a popular attraction on the stage, except for the medieval pageant The Massacre of the Innocents, a huge hit for its time with its dark theme of infanticide. But this antique doesn’t exactly suit our modern holiday celebration. Thus, there are only two secular…
Avoid The Malls: Local Record Stores Celebrate Black Friday
Black Friday is unavoidable. Even for those who choose not to participate in the mass consumerism, the non stop marketing messages are sure to be received on some level. Black Friday may be the biggest shopping day of the year and the official kick off to counting down the days…
Openings and Closings: Satisfy Will Open, Reef Closes
Satisfy, 2229 San Felipe, will open on the first floor of San Felipe Place in spring 2020. The healthy eating concept comes from Grant Cooper and Charles Clark of Clark Cooper Concepts, with Houston restaurants Ibiza, Coppa Osteria, Punk’s Simple Southern Food, Brasserie 19 and The Dunlavy in its portfolio…
METRO For People Who Have Never Ridden METRO
I have a confession. I am a lifelong Houstonian and I have never taken a bus anywhere. I’ve driven (obviously), walked, biked, taken cabs and Ubers, and even ridden the METRORail. But, I’ve never used METRO’s most used service, the bus. There’s no specific reason why other than I’ve had…
NFL Week 13: Patriots vs Texans — Four Things To Watch For
For the Texans, there’s always a little more juice around these Patriots games, even if they have yet to defeat them in Bill O’Brien’s run as head coach here. Hell, maybe it’s BECAUSE of that this time around, not in spite of it. For this Sunday, the prime time kickoff…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets:Treat Yourself to Black Friday Brunch and Whiskey
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Black Friday Brunch All locations of Dish Society will be offering special Friday brunch for those who need a break from all the shopping. Guests can enjoy brunch from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by regular happy hour and dinner…
Symphony’s World Premiere Ad Astra Prepares For Blastoff
Houston Symphony premieres Composer-In-Residence Jimmy López Bellido’s Symphony No. 2, Ad Astra, on Dec. 5, 7 and 8 at Jones Hall. Commissioned by the Houston Symphony, Ad Astra is the culmination of López’ third and final year as composer-in-residence and will touch upon Houston’s connection to space exploration.
Five Thanksgiving Items You Must Hoard for Leftovers
Growing up in my family, everyone wanted leftovers. Everyone. We all jockeyed for position. Who was going to make off with some turkey and dressing in a little zip lock bag? Many of us would be found in the kitchen in the late afternoon hours picking over items for a…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Take a Field Trip to Philly at Bernie’s Burger Bus
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Bernie’s Burger Bus, 5407 Bellaire, 2643 Commercial Center, 2200 Yale, 6324 Highway 6, has rolled out its latest limited-time creations at all locations. Dig into the Locker Room Burger, a house-ground patty topped with shaved sirloin…
10 Old School Christmas Albums Worth a Listen
If you appreciate Christmas music at all — if you don’t, we’re going to have to ask you to leave — you have probably heard every Christmas carol and song known to mankind. And there have been dozens of versions of every tune done in every style of music imaginable…
HGO’s El Milagro del Recuerdo: The Start of a Decision to Find a Better Life
When it premiered in 2010, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (To Cross the Face of the Moon) became the first mariachi opera in the world, telling the story of immigrants in the families and things they have left behind as well as the new life they build in their…
NFL Week 13 — Thanksgiving Weekend Best Bets
We head into Week 13 of the NFL season, and now that all 32 teams have had their bye week, we are into the pleasant home stretch part of the calendar where everyone has played the same number of games, thereby making it easy for me to do basic standings…
A Judge Decides to Let a Fired Up Turkey Leg Hut Smoke On For Now
Turkey Leg Hut restaurant got its sentence reduced Tuesday when a judge decided to let it smoke on through the Thanksgiving holiday at its usual night time hours instead of the reduced schedule originally imposed on it by a temporary restraining order signed on November 20. Civil Court Judge Beau…
A Revised Chelsea Grin Sells Out The Studio
A sold out show squeezed into the small Studio room of Warehouse Live erupted into a warzone on Tuesday night as the venue overflowed with uncontrollable metalheads. Steamrolling off the success of their 2018 release Eternal Nightmare, Utah deathcore group Chelsea Grin brought their U.S. headlining Eternal Nightmare Tour to…
How Does the MLB Investigation Change How You Feel About the Astros?
This past weekend, my wife and I were having dinner and a couple sitting next to us was having a rather heated discussion. “Why do you care?” the woman asked. “Because, I don’t want what happened to tarnish it,” he responded. The topic: the Astros sign stealing scandal. To think this…
Turbocharge Gifting With Mammoth Teeth, Texana and Wearable History
If your loved ones have reached absolute critical mass when it comes to neckties, coffee mugs, candles and perfume, then it’s time to get creative and cerebral when it comes to holiday gifting. Feigned gratitude will become a thing of the past and the smiles will be the real deal…
Black Friday Dining Deals
Maybe you’re a person who wolfs down your Thanksgiving dinner, eager to escape your family and any dish washing and instead, rushes to the nearest department store or mall ready to get a jump start on holiday shopping. Maybe you’re a casual Black Friday participant, who finds the least busy…
Five Road Rules to Follow This Holiday Season
Nothing says “over the river and through the woods” like a good, old fashioned holiday road trip. Sure, you could invite the entire family over for the holidays, but then they would have to, you know, come to your house. Yikes. Instead, take a drive, enjoy some scenery and live…
Houston Concert Watch 11/27: Bad Bunny and More
Thanksgiving is here, folks. Which means you should all be stuffing your faces with plenty of mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and, of course, turkey. Following your food comas — and perhaps a lengthy argument with some of your family — be sure to make time for some of the great…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Thanksgiving Parade, Holiday Lights
For those of us lucky enough to get a long holiday weekend, congrats, and for everybody else who has a job that doesn’t align with Turkey Day festivities, then we still wish you seasons greetings and the spirit of the holidays. There’s plenty to see and do this weekend in…
Current QB Landscape Shows Notion of NFL Tanking Is Ludicrous
I’m fairly certaIn most Houston Texan fans realize how fortunate we are to have Deshaun Watson as our starting quarterback in this city. If you were here for David Carr, the last season of Matt Schaub, or any of the seasons involving Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Hoyer, Brock Osweiler, or Tom…
Upper Crust: Pink’s Pizza
It’s the day after Thanksgiving. Assuming you’ve heard of the futuristic wonders of the internet and decided to forgo the utter chaos of Black Friday shopping for the blissful convenience of e-commerce — or better yet, have chosen not to partake in our nationalistic expression of compulsive consumerism — you…
Reef and 3rd Bar Closes
Bryan Caswell has closed his flagship restaurant, Reef, at 2600 Travis, according to a statement put out by the restaurant: After a recent cardiac event that necessitated a hospital stay, combined with other economic factors, chef Bryan Caswell has made the decision to close Reef and 3rd Bar. The remainder…
The Plot Thickens in the Great Turkey Leg Hut Restaurant Case
The true reason that neighbors filed suit against Turkey Leg Hut restaurant was not noise or smoke “but rather the desire to eliminate a popular and busy restaurant from Plaintiffs’ neighborhood,” according to a defense motion filed Monday in the case. At 2 p.m. today, John Zavitsanos, attorney for owners…
Lift Every Voice and Sing in Ensemble’s More Than Christmas
There are many misses in the world premiere musical More Than Christmas, playing through the holidays at Ensemble Theatre, but, through some miracle that can only happen this time of year, the hits overcome them. The singers are the high. Like singing Houdinis, the performers take the ordinary and elevate…
Downtown District Gets Jingle With It
Downtown District is welcoming its inaugural Thing-A-Ma-Jingle this Friday on Main Street between Commerce and Rusk from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Knives Out
Title: Knives Out Describe This Movie In One Plan 9 From Outer Space Quote: LT. HARPER: One thing’s sure: Inspector Clay is dead — murdered — and somebody’s responsible! Brief Plot Synopsis: Unpleasant family lacks convenient butler to blame for patriarch’s murder. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4 Mr…
These Houston-Area Grocery Stores Are Open on Thanksgiving Day 2019
Forget an ingredient for your famous cornbread stuffing? Need a last-minute pie to bring to your host’s house? No problem. These Houston area grocery/convenience stores twill be open on Thanksgiving Day: Central Market: Thanksgiving Day hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. CVS: Open regular hours (check individual locations for…
Jack O’Shea on Bayside’s New Album, Their Dedicated Fans and Supporting Local Musicians
Less than a year removed from their last performance in Houston, the Queens-based punk rock quartet Bayside will return to the Bayou City in support of their eighth studio album and first proper release since 2016. Arguably the band’s heaviest record to date, Interrobang has been met with critical acclaim. But…
Survivor: College Football Playoff Ranking Preview, Version 4.0
As we wind down the sixth season of college football played under the four team playoff system, perhaps you’ve noticed that there is one particular barroom argument that has been in hibernation all season long — expansion of the playoffs from four teams to eight teams. Maybe I’m not paying…
Is the Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich Worth the Hype?
I have spent nearly two years reviewing Houston’s sandwiches, yet I found myself resistant to the most popular sandwich in the country. Why? Maybe it’s because it is fast food and I was looking for more unique, Houston-centric options. Also, I wasn’t going to consider it for “best sandwiches” because…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Post Oak Boulevard in Urban Uptown
It is such a strange sensation to drive along Post Oak Boulevard between Loop 610 and San Felipe; it feels like entering a canyon of steel and glass monoliths. Out of all the pockets within Houston this one seems to have changed the most dramatically. No longer home to the…
Control is This Generation’s Bioshock
I would argue that 2019 has been one of the best years of the last decade for new titles. From The Outer Wilds to A Plague Tale: Innocence to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and even to indie breakout hit Untitled Goose Game, it seems like all the best works…
Cattle Decapitation Slaughters Houston Crowd
Cattle Decapitation brought the Genocidal Tendencies Tour to Houston’s White Oak Music Hall Sunday night. “Hey Houston! How y’all doin’?” Travis Ryan, Cattle Decapitation vocalist, growled. “It’s great to fuckin’ see you guys again! We’ve got a new album called Death Atlas and you can buy it over there.” He…
Main Street’s The Wickhams Offers Another Comfy Immersion in Jane Austen Territory
Ladies, slip into your gauzy Empire-waist gowns. Gentlemen, don your frock coats and high-collared shirts. Proceed post-haste in your barouche to Main Street Theater to re-live those bygone days of civilized social dysfunction, witty repartee, and biscuits with orange bits. Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley…
As the Defense Goes, So Go the Rockets
After seven straight wins, the Rockets dropped the last three in a row, the most recent to the Dallas Mavericks Sunday afternoon at Toyota Center. With all the ups and downs thus far this season, it might be tempting to focus on the superstar pairing of James Harden and Russel…
Last Night: Incubus at Revention Music Center
Incubus Revention Music Center November 24, 2019 When Incubus released Make Yourself in October 1999, it was a breath of fresh air. In a genre inundated with melancholy and misogyny, the California quintet’s life-affirming lyrics served as proof that nu-metal didn’t have to be oppressively angsty. Led by Brandon Boyd’s soaring vocals…
TUTS Gets Ready to Wield Some Holiday Stage Magic With Elf The Musical
It’s a story of joy and finding one’s true self all wrapped up in a Christmas bow of belief in Santa Claus. It’s Elf The Musical coming to the Hobby Center thanks to Theatre Under the Stars. Based on the motion picture starring Will Ferrell as the oversized elf, the…
Tom Herman’s Tenure At Texas Reaches a New Level of Clown Show
They say that Year 3 in the tenure of a college football head coach is the season in which you can truly tell the trajectory of the program on his watch, so in Austin, it begs the question, “How close are the Texas Longhorns to winning a championship?” Because this…
Sigh… Yeah, DC has a Zombie Apocalypse Now
The world needs more zombie stories like Christ needs more nails, but the DC Universe is getting its major one anyway in an admittedly stunning hardcover trade just in time for the holiday season. Welcome to DCeased. Coming years after Marvel already did it and using the talents of Walking…
This Week in Houston Food Events: The Holiday Miracle Bar Pop-Up Returns
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Seasonal Specials Miracle Holiday Bar Pop-Up at Johnny’s Gold Brick and Daiquiri Time Out The Miracle holiday bar pop-up is set to open on Monday, November 25 at Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale; and on Friday, November 29 at Daiquiri Time Out,…
The Storm of the Century Hits Catastrophic Theatre in Baby Screams Miracle
A storm comes to town in Clare Barron’s Baby Scream Miracle, now playing at The Catastrophic Theatre.
Turkey Leg Hut Fires Back, Questions Lawsuit’s Timing Right Before Thanksgiving
The Turkey Leg Hut restaurant in a press conference today, says it is not a health hazard and questioned the timing of the lawsuit seeking to shut it down just days before Thanksgiving and when it had planned, it says, to give away 3,000 free turkey legs to families in…
Lotti Dotti Closes Today
The popular Midtown party patio spot at 601 Richmond is closing its doors after service today. The announcement on its Facebook page has taken its loyal regulars by surprise. The announcement read, “It is with a heavy heart and due to unforeseen circumstances that I must inform you that tomorrow…
NFL Week 12: Texans 20, Colts 17 — Four Winners, Four Losers
If there is one thing that you can count on during Bill O’Brien’s tenure as Houston Texans head coach, it is that his team typically bounces back from subpar performances with, not just solid performances, but actual wins. Entering Thursday night’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, O’Brien had been 9-1…
Five Ways to Deal with the Stress of Holiday Traffic
The next few weekends are going to be hell if you decide to head anywhere near a shopping area. Even as retail sales have flagged with the rise and efficiency of online options, stores leading up to Christmas are still routinely packed on the weekends. That’s just a fact. But,…
Openings and Closings: In-N-Out Stafford and Katy Open Today, Black Bear Diner Soon
In-N-Out Burger, 12611 S. Kirkwood and 1010 Katy Fort Bend Road opens November 22 per a press release, according to Community Impact. There have been rumblings for several years which set social media ablaze with sparring between rabid Whataburger fans and In-N-Out loyalists. Californians have happy memories of road trips…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Celebrate Friendsgiving at UB Preserv
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Free Wine Friday at Revival Market Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. 550 Heights Every month, Revival Market will sample some of its favorite wines with guests; and this month’s tasting is on Friday, November 22. Guests can sample Revival Market’s entire…
Kansas Returns to the Point of Know Return
Kansas guitarist Rich Williams vividly remembers a certain day in 1977 that still has an impact on his life and career in 2019. His band had just finished playing a show in Chicago when they headed for a studio which had been set up for them to be filmed miming…
Spoilers Are Totally Cool Now, Apparently
Spoilers for a ton of stuff, including the first episode of The Mandalorian, follow. The topic of spoilers — what constitutes them and when they can be revealed — is a contentious one these days. Maybe not as divisive as “Did Epstein kill himself?”*, but close. “Professionally” speaking, movie critics…
Here’s Your Chance to Shed a Little Light on the Texans Game Tonight
Count on arriving early to tonight’s Texas game versus the Colts. Then re-set your plans to arrive even earlier. That’s the advice from the Houston Texans who expect heavy traffic (as usual) around NRG Park. Arrive late and not only will you miss the first march down the field, but…
Rockets Early Success: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Despite a loss at Denver, one of the best teams in the Western Conference, on Wednesday, the Rockets, at 11-4, have one of the best records in the NBA, and they are doing it with injuries, poor shooting (outside of James Harden) and some inconsistency. Their eight-game win streak may…
Coco Montoya’s Hot New Record Sparks Houston Memories
It’s a common tale in the annals of contemporary music that a newly-minted blues fan first discovers the genre not from any of the African-American originators and descendants, but through the mutations played by white, younger, and often English blues rock acolytes. That’s was certainly the case for the Coco…
Farewell to One Sassy Mama
The lights of Houston’s stages are considerably dimmer with the death of Detria Ward, one of our most distinctive, distinguished actors. The Ensemble Theatre, the company in which she shone brightest, released the news of her death, November 17. Whenever I saw her name in the cast list at Ensemble,…
Politicians May Love it But Neighbors Say Turkey Leg Hut Restaurant Needs to Exit [UPDATED]
On behalf of neighbors adjacent to the Turkey Leg Hut restaurant on Almeda Road, the law firm of Feldman & Feldman has filed suit against what it says is an illegal enterprise that also jeopardizes public health and safety with the smoke it sends billowing into the sky. According to…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: HUE Mural Festival, Music of Ray Charles
This week we’re serving up another heaping helping of holiday lights and seasonal stage offerings, plus a chance to view rad new murals, a celebration of the music of Ray Charles, chainsawed ice sculptures, public art and so much more. Keep reading because half of these events are free. Witness…
Revised Book Explains the Business of the Music Business
All You Need to Know About the Music Business—Tenth Edition By Donald S. Passman 528 pp. $35 Simon & Schuster So kid, ya think ya got some talent and ya wanna break into the music biz? Yer momma and all your Facebook Friends tell you your signing is tops and…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Make Your Thanksgiving Day Dinner Plans
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Thanksgiving is next week. If you haven’t made plans yet, peruse our 2019 Thanksgiving Dining Out Guide for a listing of Houston restaurant Turkey Day specials and hours. The Miracle holiday bar pop-up is set to…
NFL Week 12: Colts-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
For an NFL head coach, there are probably a half dozen or so things that outsiders like us (and by “outsider”, I mean “people who haven’t spent time in an NFL locker room as a player nor a coach”) can judge his performance by on a week in, week out…
As I Lay Dying Makes Their Return To Houston
Traveling the path to redemption, As I Lay Dying brought their Shaped by Fire Tour to House of Blues Tuesday night to show the Houston crowd that they have returned. Packed to the walls, a venue full of Houstonian metal-heads showed up in support of the San Diego metalcore band…
Teachers Union Wants to Join the Lawsuit Against the TEA Takeover of HISD
Saying that to replace an elected board with one appointed by the State Education Commissioner is disenfranchising voters, the Houston Federation of Teachers and three educators announced Tuesday they have filed a motion to join the Houston ISD’s suit in federal court fighting the Texas Education Agency’s takeover plans. The…
Chris Shepherd Talks About His New Book at a Houston Public Library Event
Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with an award-winning chef this Thursday night when Chris Shepherd talks about his new book Cook Like a Local: Flavors That can Change How You Cook and See the World at the Houston Public Library on Thursday. Co-written with Kaitlyn Goalen…
Houston Concert Watch 11/20: Incubus and More
All right, Houston. We’re about a week away from Thanksgiving, which — if I remember correctly — means it’s officially an acceptable time to put up your Christmas decorations. So as you untangle your lights and search your attics for dusty lawn ornaments, don’t forget to take time for yourselves…
It’s Time for The Nutcracker in All its Glory at Houston Ballet
Growing up in Anchorage, Alaska, there wasn’t a whole lot of professional dance theater to be seen. So when the Cincinnati Ballet came to perform, it was a really special and exciting experience for young ballet student Gabrielle Johnson. The troupe came with a performance of The Nutcracker and as…
NFL Week 12 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
I want to begin this week’s Best Bets column — coming to you two days early, because the Texans play on a Thursday night, by the way — by saluting a great American (I’m assuming he’s American, he may be from Zimbabwe, for all I know) that Action Network’s Darren…
The Pride Of Texas: Willie Nelson Is Always Moving
God bless Willie Nelson. Anyone who can put as much gusto and authenticity as he does into anything deserves nothing but praise. Nelson is the patron saint of quality country music and good times, and has never been known to skimp on either. Monday night at Smart Financial Centre was…
Comic Paul Virzi Likes Having His Stand-Up Hit Hard
Paul Virzi has an exciting 2020 on the horizon: he’s fine-tuning his latest hour to record in March and has a secret role in the upcoming Judd Apatow directed Pete Davidson movie coming from Universal in the summer. But first, Virzi wants to kill it at Houston Improv. “I’ve played…
A Band Made Of Legends: The Flatlanders Return To Houston
As their 1992 album title says, the Flatlanders are more of a legend than a band. The three Texans recorded a now famous demo in 1972, and then after a year or so, went their separate ways with each artist carving out his own path, all sharing the starting point…
Survivor: College Football Playoff Ranking Preview, Version 3.0
The College Football Playoff system was ostensibly created to crown a deserving national champion in the sport of collegiate football. However, from a business perspective, the four team playoff, in an ecosystem with FIVE power conferences, was created to generate conversation, television ratings, wild conjecture, and American currency. In 2019,…
5 Killer Local Turkey Sandwiches to Get You Ready for Thanksgiving Leftovers
Turkey has suffered from lesser poultry status for too long. Unlike its ubiquitous cousin, the chicken, it is typically too large to cook every day and not fatty enough to satisfy certain cravings. Duck and quail are fancier and thus given sway in any argument that revolves around the best…
Astros Deserve What They Get for Pitch Stealing Nonsense
For nearly three years, you haven’t been able to even breathe the word Astros in Houston without people lighting up. Wear a jersey to the grocery store and get high fives or chants of “Go Astros.” The first team to give the city a championship since the ’90s and one…
A Dry-Eyed Reviewer Looks at the Alley’s A Christmas Carol
I am no Scrooge. One of the most pleasant men you could ever meet, I love cats, children, the perfect chilled martini, and the joy of Christmas. I weep during Pinocchio. I may not always send thank-you notes, but nobody’s perfect. I also love good theater and know what it…
Dylan Godwin Fully Commits to the Rigors of a One-Actor Show in Fully Committed
For several years, the Alley Theatre had alternative programming in its downstairs theater paired with the showings upstairs of A Christmas Carol. And for several years that alternative was The Santaland Diaries with Alley Theatre company’s Todd Waite the star of the one-man show. That alternative programming got kind of lost…
Allison Moorer Documents Her Path To Forgiveness In Blood
Allison Moorer’s new memoir Blood should be required reading for everyone. It not only tells Moorer’s powerful, and very personal story of her tumultuous childhood, but it also speaks volumes of the long lasting effects of childhood trauma. Allison will be in Houston for two special performances at Cactus Music…
The Jacks: Putting the “n” in Rock ‘n’ Roll
Though they certainly would be categorized in the “rock” section of any playlist, chart, or record store, the young Los Angeles-based band the Jacks wants to make a distinction: they play rock ‘n’ roll. And according to drummer Josh Roossin, there is a difference. “I think rock ‘n’ roll has…
Miracle on 34th Street at A.D. Players Taps Into the Real Christmas Spirit
Surprisingly enough, director Philip Hays has never seen the 1947 classic movie starring Maureen O’Hara, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn, and when A. D. Players offered him a chance to direct a stage version of Miracle on 34th Street, he decided not to change that. “I wanted our take on…
NFL Week 11 Debacle: Ravens 41, Texans 7 — Four Winners, Four Losers
In his five-plus seasons as head coach of the Houston Texans, this is the closest we’d come to believing that Bill O’Brien had constructed and was overseeing a potential contender. Not during any of the 9-7 seasons, and not even during last season’s nine game winning streak, did we feel…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Pair Gluewhein and Raclette at Montrose Cheese & Wine
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Seasonal Specials Santa’s Tavern at Porch Swing Pub Now through Tuesday, December 31, interactive Christmas pop-up bar Santa’s Tavern will transform the Porch Swing Pub, 69 Heights, into a winter wonderland where adults and kids can release their inner elves. Offerings…
Immortal Technique Teaches Houston A History Lesson
A night of hardcore rap lead by the prolific Immortal Technique seemed like a once in a life time experience for those in attendance Saturday at Warehouse Live. The rapper/activist took the stage, clad in a bulletproof vest as he rolled though his thought-provoking discography. “My name is Immortal Technique,”…
Omar Apollo Brings Speed of Sound Tour to White Oak Music Hall
It takes some guts for an artist to open his show with his signature hit, especially when his career is in its infancy and his catalog is still growing. On one hand, it negates any anticipation for that one song for casual fans in the house. On the other, it…
Astros Bregman Comes in Second in MVP Vote
In 2018, Alex Bregman came in fifth in balloting for the American League MVP Award. Coming back in 2019, he expanded on that resume with the best season of his career. And despite a tremendous late-season run, he fell short in the 2019 AL MVP race, coming in second to…
Last Night: The Drive-By Truckers at the Heights Theater
An Evening with the Drive-By Truckers November 14, 2019 Heights Theater As Matthew Keever pointed out in his review of the recent Black Keys show, a good chunk of the near capacity audience at the cavernous Toyota Center likely was familiar with just the band’s radio (er…streaming) hits. The complete…
Shaped By Fire: The Return Of As I Lay Dying
While the heavy metal world is often associated with the imagery of violence and gore, it also has characteristics that rely heavily on perseverance and redemption. Though the trials and tribulations of an uprising, “grimey” metalcore band can be countless, none have had quite the rollercoaster of ups and downs…
Openings and Closings: Guard and Grace Opens, Black Lab Closes in December
Guard and Grace, 500 Dallas, opens November 19. This is the second location of the steakhouse from TAG Restaurant Group and chef/owner Troy Guard, which opened in the central Denver business district in 2014. The Houston location is also the first restaurant foray outside of Colorado for the Hawaiian-born chef…
Pain and We Hope Gain When It Comes to Houston Traffic Projects
In 2018, the bulk of the construction that had been ongoing for years along the Northwest Freeway between the North Loop and Beltway 8 wound down. There have been a few minor tweaks since then but, in general, the nightmare for many people, myself included, was over. I found myself…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Charlie’s Angels
Title: Charlie’s Angels Describe This Movie In One Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Quote: THE OLD MAN: Women! They let ’em vote, smoke, and drive … even put ’em in pants! And what happens? A Democrat for president! Brief Plot Synopsis: Feisty frauleins fight fiendish foes, find fellowship. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Get Your Taco Fix at the Gr8 Taco Challenge
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: The Great State of Texas Food Truck Festival in the East End Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. 4405 Harrisburg The inaugural Great State of Texas Food Truck Festival seeks to showcase the diversity of Houston’s culinary community alongside local musical talent…
Beatles Insider Becomes a Letter Man
The Beatles from A to Zed: An Alphabetical Mystery Tour By Peter Asher 272 pp. Henry Holt & Co. $27 Though the Beatles Bookshelf already consists of hundreds (maybe thousands?) of both in and out of print titles, a Fab Four Fan will always want to crack open one more…
NFL Week 11 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
Ten weeks in, dozens of bets, and now here we sit at .500. I’m not happy about this, because in the gambling world, thanks to the devil’s creation known as the “vig,” we don’t make any money unless we are at roughly 53 percent or greater in picking winners. That’s…
It’s Storm Central at Baby Screams Miracle at Catastrophic Theatre
A windstorm out of all proportion whirls itself up. A small religious family hunkers down for the duration, bolstered — perhaps or maybe not — by the arrival of an estranged daughter. And the term duration takes on a whole new meaning as the storm dies down, but comes fiercely…
Pulsate at Prohibition Fails To Get Our Blood Pumping
Generally speaking, there are three types of vampire stories. You have the Anne Rice Interview with a Vampire historic/gothic narrative dripping with sexual innuendo, sinister possibility, and male-dominated storylines. Then there’s the Twilight approach, the romanticizing of the vampire as a troubled brooder. In these versions, women play a starring…
Kevin Gates Brings His I’m Him Tour To The Revention Center
“Some of y’all haven’t been to one of my shows,” exclaimed Kevin Gates in his signature Baton Rouge accent as he walked confidently across the stage at the Revention Center. The crowd screamed as the MC paused on the side of the stage and looked out over the packed house…
Justin Verlander Wins Second AL Cy Young Award
It’s been a couple weeks of ups and downs for the Astros. They lost a tough seven game World Series, fired their assistant GM after comments he made during the celebration after the ALCS, found themselves in the middle of a mess related to their inadequate response to said assistant…
New Non-Profit Will Bail Out Non-Violent, First Time Offenders
While watching Netflix miniseries When They See Us, the story of five Harlem teenagers falsely accused of assault and rape only to be exonerated from those crimes 13 years later, Daya Wright was gripped with emotion. And though at the time she didn’t quite understand why, the Air Force veteran…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Christmas on Stage and Holiday Lights
Thanksgiving isn’t even upon us and Christmas is already in the air, but that’s a good thing. With the country feeling divided it’s important to remember we’re all in this together, and holidays lights, theatrical productions and other events remind us of the importance of kindness, forgiveness and hope. But…
NFL Week 11: Texans-Ravens — Four Things To Watch For
The Houston Texans come out fo the 2019 bye week with a record of 6-3. If this feels familiar, it’s because it should, since they came out of last year’s bye week at 6-3, as well. I think it’s safe to say, though, that this year’s 6-3 feels different than…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Houston Restaurants Take on Friendsgiving
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: On Tuesday, November 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., guests are invited to a Holiday Wine Tasting at Third Coast Restaurant, 6550 Bernter. Taste several wines and learn what and how to purchase wines for entertaining…
Chuck Comeau on the End of Warped Tour, Giving Back and Simple Plan’s Next Album
Nearly two decades ago, a Canadian rock band stormed onto the pop punk scene with their debut album, No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls. Supported by the singles “I’m Just A Kid,” “I’d Do Anything,” “Addicted” and “Perfect,” Simple Plan went on to cement themselves as mainstays of the genre through…
Dear Evan Hansen With High Tech Production Values in Hand, Packs an Emotional Wallop
If you want the most impressive example of current Broadway production values in all their slick, spell-binding glory, I give you Dear Evan Hansen, currently on its national tour via Broadway at the Hobby, after its award-winning run on the Great White Way and London’s West End. It is sumptuous…
Last Night: The Black Keys at Toyota Center
The Black Keys Toyota Center November 12, 2019 After a three-year hiatus between their final show in 2015 and their return to the studio in 2018, drummer Patrick Carney began having a recurring nightmare in which he and guitarist Dan Auerbach forgot to rehearse and couldn’t remember any of their songs…
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Shop ‘Til You Drop With These Holiday Gift Markets [UPDATED]
As we approach the season of gifting, we’ve got more than a few choices for how to shop. Online versus local, Black Friday or last-minute deals, big box store or weekend flea; the list goes on and on. But why not indulge in this month’s holiday gift markets, with all…
Rockets Face Tough Stretch Without Eric Gordon
The Houston Rockets, despite a rather uneven first ten games, have a 7-3 record and are tied for third place in the Western Conference. But the combination of a very difficult next ten games and an injury to Eric Gordon threatens that early season success. On Tuesday, the team announced…
NFL Week 11: Head Coaches Hot Seat Rankings
Around here in Houston, the main storyline among the slate of games this past Sunday, during the Texans bye week, was the how well the results broke for the Texans, all while they did nothing but wakeboard in Jamaica…. …and ride four wheelers in Mexico…. However, one underplayed storyline coming…
Former Astros Pitcher Says Astros Electronically Stole Signs in 2017
According to a report from the Athletic, the Houston Astros stole signs during their 2017 World Series winning season, in traditional ways and using technology, the same season the Red Sox were punished for using an Apple Watch in the dugout for allegedly stealing signs. The Astros have been widely…
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A Return to Christmas at Pemberley, This Time With The Wickhams [UPDATED]
Fans of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s previous adaptation of Austen’s characters in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley can rejoice: the play-writing duo is bringing a new episode to Main Street Theater for the holiday season. And its setting is the same Christmas holiday…
Houston Concert Watch 11/13: Willie Nelson and More
If yesterday was any indication, we’re in for a pretty unpleasant week. In Houston, bad weather typically refers to temperatures in or near the triple digits and high levels of humidity; but this week, the Bayou City will experience a legitimate cold front, with temperatures dipping into the 20s after…
Upper Crust: Pizzeria Solario
Bad pizza (almost) doesn’t exist. And yet, despite the simplicity, inherent goodness and low threshold for enjoyability, the ceiling for just how good pizza can be is (almost) limitless. Like so many things in life, the crux any amazing pizza lies in its foundation — the crust. When starting with…
A Suspicious HFT Says Politics, Not Concern For Students, is Behind TEA Takeover of HISD
Suggesting that politics, not concern for students, is behind the Texas Education Agency decision to take over the Houston ISD school board, Houston Federation of Teachers President Zeph Capo Monday charged the state agency with a continued attempt to privatize education in the state — supporting charters not public schools…
Yordan Alvarez Named Unanimous AL Rookie of the Year
The first of what promises to be a number of postseason accolades for the Astros happened on Monday when rookie outfield/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was named the American League Rookie of the Year. Alvarez’s victory was unanimous. Alvarez, 22, joins Jeff Bagwell and Carlos Correa as the only other Astros…
New Bio is the Last Word on Wailing Texas Siren Janis Joplin
Janis: Her Life and Music By Holly George-Warren 400 pp. Simon & Schuster $28.99 Rock’s first female superstar has already been the subject of a numerous biographies, memoirs by those who loved and worked with her, documentaries, and even a musical play. But nearly 50 years after Janis Joplin died…
I Already Hate the Doctor Who VR Game
After weeks of speculation that Doctor Who fans might get a surprise Christmas special or at least a trailer for Series 12 (Season 38), instead we got something quite a bit different. It was a look at a new Doctor Who virtual reality video game called the Edge of Time!…
Houston Chamber Choir Keeps It Close To Home In By Local
Houston Chamber Choir’s upcoming performance By Local features five local A-List composers with a diverse program showcasing their immense creative talents this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at South Main Baptist Church.
Survivor: College Football Playoff Ranking Preview, Version 2.0
We got our first taste of this season’s playoff rankings this past Tuesday, and the surprises started immediately, right at the top of the board, with Ohio State taking the top spot in the first set of rankings. I don’t get too worked up over exact slotting at this stage…
Crooked Miles and Blue Distance: The Visions of Plimsouls’ Peter Case
Ever since the tumult and turmoil of the late-1960s, when Peter Case was a lean hectic teenager hitching himself to songcraft, he has been searching. Using the naked compass of writing to find his bearings in the world, he followed varied, vivid paths: strident Yippie countercultural rebellion in his band…
Venture Outside Houston to Find Your Luxe Weekend Retreat
All work and no play makes Jack — or just about anybody — a dull boy. The adage reminds us that it’s important to take time away from work not only to maintain healthy relationships, but also to recharge our batteries before returning to the daily grind. All that R&R…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Texas de Cubano at Eatsie Boys
The Texas de Cuba at Eatsie Boys puts a spicy Houston spin on the Cubano. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Joe Walsh and Friends Shred for Vets
Joe Walsh & Friends Present VetsAid 2019 Toyota Center November 10, 2019 Happy Veterans Day. That was the last word on last night’s star-studded VetsAid 2019 concert at Toyota Center, the words delivered by the event’s ringleader, rock legend Joe Walsh. Even though the show featured a half-dozen headliners and…
Karbach Brewery Hosts the Weekend’s Other Music Fest at Foamhenge
Foamhenge Karbach Brewery November 10, 2019 Over the weekend, Houston played host to one of the most unique and memorable music festivals in the city’s history. And hey, there was also Foamhenge at Karbach Brewery. In absolutely no way did this third annual beer-soaked rock fest hold a candle to…
Tony-Award Winning Musical Dear Evan Hansen Comes to the Hobby Center
Surviving the high school years is tough enough for many kids, but for those with social anxiety it can be four years of pure hell. Evan Hansen wants to ditch his aloneness and connect with others. He seizes on an opportunity to pretend he was friends with a fellow student…
Ranking the Houston Texans Games For Remainder of 2019
Without a doubt, coming out of the bye week and into Week 11 of the NFL 2019 regular season, this is the most hope that Houston Texans fans have felt during the Bill O’Brien Era. It starts with Deshaun Watson and his true ascension into the upper, upper echelon of…
The Alley’s A Christmas Carol Has a New Ebenezer Scrooge This Year
When the Alley Theatre wheels out its annual production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol — A Ghost Story of Christmas this year, David Rainey will be playing the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge. It won’t be for the first time. In 2006, he and actor/director James Black alternated the…
This Week in Houston Food Events: A Crepe Collab and BBQ Throwdown
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long Cacao & Cardamom Treats at Sweet Paris Highland Village Famed chocolatier Cacao & Cardamom has joined forces with local creperie Sweet Paris to offer two special treats to benefit the Houston Food Bank, available all through the month…
Your Chance in Houston to Be Part of a World Record Event: Most Vocal Solos in Song
In 2015, Houston’s Hip Hop epicenter Barron Studios took the Guinness World Record for Most Vocal Solos in a Song from Lyon, France. Lyon’s song had 200 solo performances with a running time of just three and a half minutes. When Barron snatched the record with their madhouse event HTXCYPHER,…
Travis Scott Delivers Yet Another Unforgettable Astroworld Festival
“The man who left this city with nothing and conquered the world.” Dave Chappelle’s unexpected appearance on stage at Astroworld Fest to introduce Travis Scott was punctuated by the statement above. A summation of the incredible, improbable rise of a kid from Missouri City, Texas to the pinnacle of the…
The Children Makes Responsibility A Central Question
Responsibility and impact. These are the themes at the center of many of Lucy Kirkwood’s award-winning and celebrated plays. Houston audiences got a taste of this last February when Stages Repertory Theatre produced Kirkwood’s, NSFW, a play examining the consequences of female sexual objectification for commercial gain. Now, with Kirkwood’s…
Stages Gifts Us a Trip Back in Time With Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play
Stages Repertory Theatre gets nostalgic just in time for the holidays with their latest holiday show, Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play.
Internet Pop Sensation Kero Kero Bonito Thrill Fans on Chilly Night
Nothing makes the world feel smaller and more connected like niche internet fandoms. Transcending borders, cultures, even language, the fanatic devotion of online followings is a fascinating and rather heartwarming side-effect of a perpetually logged-on world. At the same time, nothing makes one feel older than standing in a crowd…
Not to Pile it On But the Texas Legislative Budget Board Assessed HISD and It’s Not Good News
Houston ISD is neither efficient nor effective in how it manages its money. It regularly adopts a budget in which projected revenue is inadequate to pay for planned expenditures and so it has to keep diving into its fund balance. In fact, the LBB audit asserts, HISD is operating several…
TEA Sets Community Meetings to Outline the Next Chapter of the HISD Saga
Completely unsure of what exactly happens next to HISD given that the Texas Education Agency is going to take over the school district with its own board of managers who’ll be appointed not elected? Glad that Wheatley High will remain open but still reeling from the thought that new people…
Stages Repertory Theatre Recreates a Radio Miracle on 34th Street
In one of two final productions in the theater space that has been their home base for 34 years, Stages Repertory Theatre is putting on the iconic Miracle of 34th Street – with a twist. Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play looks at the story from the aspect…
Anthony Ramos Swings for the Fences on New Album and Tour
Baseball might seem like an odd place to start an interview with a star of stage and screen, but not so when the star is Anthony Ramos. Ramos broke onto the entertainment scene as an original cast member of the Broadway smash Hamilton. That led to movie and television roles,…
Rocking And Charming His Way Around Texas: Robyn Hitchcock Returns to Houston
Speaking with Robyn Hitchcock feels natural. Maybe it’s his warm English accent, his charming sense of humor or his gift for words, it’s most likely a perfect combination of all of these things. It’s easy to see how he has amassed fans over the past 40 years. Hitchcock will be…
Openings and Closings: Whiskey Cake Stafford Opens, La Villa and Steel City Pops Close
Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar, 12575 Southwest Freeway, opens November 11 at The Grid in Stafford. This marks the eighth location for the small chain, which has spots in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida. It is the third location for the Greater Houston area. The neighborhood tavern and restaurant uses locally…
Highway Construction Continuing to Cause Confusion, Especially at Night
Most of us who get on the road during the day will do a quick check of traffic through an app or tune into a station that has traffic and weather a few times each hour. We don’t want to get stuck in a traffic jam if we can at…
Omar Apollo Talks House Parties and First-Gen Struggles Ahead of White Oak Music Hall Show
Just a few short years ago, he was gigging in basements at parties in his home state of Indiana. In 2019, Latin-funk, R&B fusion recording artist Omar Apollo has graduated to the stages of Lollapalooza, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and next weekend: downstairs at White Oak Music Hall. He’s…
ROCO’s Newest Premiere Shows Life’s Thorns And Roses
ROCO’s concert Hope for Beauty centers around Bruce Adolphe’s “I Too Bleed, and Hope for Beauty,” a musical tribute to Alma Rose. The concert takes place at 5 p.m. November 16 at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd.
NFL Week 10 Texans Fan Rooting Guide (And Best Bets)
The bye week for some football fans means a chance to relax for a weekend, perhaps take a stroll up into wine country, spend some time with your kids, or get some much needed shuteye. For another type of football fan — I am raising my hand — it means…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Night Market 2019 and The Houston Cellar Classic
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Night Market 2019 at Asia Society Texas Center Friday, 6 to 10 p.m. 1370 Southmore Asia Society’s annual Night Market returns, offering after-hours access to the exhibitions, a Japanese-style carnival, a curated selection of food, home goods, art and apparel from…
TEA Commissioner Drops the Hammer, HISD Board Will Be Replaced With State Appointees
For all those people who looked at or read about the shenanigans of the Houston School Board over the last couple of years and thought they or their dog “could do better than that” or wondered “How did these people get elected?” — well now’s your chance to step up…
Tedeschi Trucks Band Play Powerful Fall Tour Opener in Houston
Tedeschi Trucks Band November 6, 2019 The Hobby Center In music journalism, terms like “spiritual” and “soulful” get thrown around quite a bit. A good chunk of bands have neither evident in their music. Some of have one. Fewer have both. And still less have both in abundance. Count the…
METRO Election Win Underscores Houston’s Hunger for Better Mass Transit
For decades, the drive to expand mass transportation options in and around the city of Houston has been similar to the traffic: a slow, dull slog. Funding has been blocked by state and federal officials at nearly every turn as they favored pouring concrete to alternative solutions. But, the annual…
Houston Eateries Offering Free Meals and Specials This Veterans Day 2019
These Houston eateries are honoring the U.S. military this Veterans Day, offering freebies and specials to veterans and active-duty members on Monday, November 11 (and some all weekend long). Bowl & Barrel, 797 Sorella All U.S. veterans with military ID will receive a free hour of bowling at Bowl &…
Best Bets This Weekend: Music From a Long Time Ago and a Galaxy Far, Far Away
There’s a theory that the universe in which the Star Wars franchise exists coincides with our 18th and 19th centuries here on Earth, so this weekend in Houston we’re celebrating the music from both galaxies — two from a long time ago and another far, far away. From the Houston…
Kurt Vile Let It Out With Bottle It In
It’s usually not recommended to bottle things in, people tend to feel better when they let it all out. Kurt Vile ironically let a lot out with his album Bottle It In, released last year on Matador Records. He will be performing at White Oak Music Hall, Saturday November 9…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Taste a Día de los Muertos Sandwich from Houston’s Donkeeboy
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys, 4520 San Felipe, 2724 West TC Jester, is continuing its “H-Town Originals” celebrity chef series with a new sandwich from local artist Donkeeboy. Available throughout the entire month of November, “The R.I.P.”…
Houston Texans 2019 Midseason Awards
I’m sure if any Houston Texan football players (or anyone with a job that requires more physical duress than “sports talk radio host,” which is really every other job on the planet) is going to read my typing this and think “Holy crap, is this guy a wuss,” but here…
HISD Loses its Ratings Appeal on Wheatley, But T.H. Rogers Moves Up to an “A”
In what has to come as almost no surprise to anyone, a Hail Mary appeal from the Houston ISD asking the Texas Education Agency to reconsider the “F” label it placed on Wheatley High School has been denied. In a November 5 letter, Commissoner of Education Mike Morath informed Interim…
Slow Arriving Election Results Show Probable Runoff for Turner and HISD Incumbents Ditched
Thanks to some new directives from Austin that had Harris County’s election returns all driven to a central point last night instead of sent on electronically, people who stayed up till the wee hours of the morning to get more complete returns were completely disappointed. The delay was noted and…
How Dancer-Singer Jordyn Jones is Pushing Past Social Media To Perform Live
“Back in olden days, as my mom would say, they would have to promote their concert by putting a flyer on a candy store or something. It’s so crazy now that we can literally tap one button and we’re sharing our lives”
Post Malone is Having the Last Laugh
Post Malone November 5, 2019 Toyota Center Before closing out a sold-out show on Tuesday night at Toyota Center, Austin Richard Post (known more commonly as Post Malone) took time to call out those who once mocked him as a one-hit wonder. As a novelty act. As an “artist” who…
2020 Houston Astros Free Agency Forecast
Beginning earlier this week, on Monday afternoon, MLB free agents could begin signing with other teams. Now, free agency in baseball isn’t like the NFL and NBA, where there is a land rush for players at the first minute the gates open. Baseball has become a slow, almost glacial burn…
A Mexican Vegan and The Five Stages of Food Grief
Standing in my family’s Texas kitchen one morning, I watched as my sisters, mom and dad bustled around cooking breakfast. I was visiting for Thanksgiving from Washington, D.C. – the city I escaped to earlier that year in order to find myself. I was anxious because I had a bombshell…
Patrick Carney on The Black Keys’ Comeback, Nightmares and Baseball
After releasing eight studio albums over a 12-year period, Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach were burnt out. The duo that makes up The Black Keys had cemented their band’s standing in the music industry. For their trouble, they had received 13 Grammy nominations – five of which they won -…
Landry’s Iron Chef 2019 Features Hugo Ortega, Ariel Fox and Junior Chefs
The 14th Annual Landry’s Iron Chef was held at the Galveston Island Convention Center with a number of local and national Landry’s chefs competing in a two-day event to take home awards in a variety of categories. There was also the chance to win a spot on a menu in…
Celebrate Cowboy Culture and Apollo 11 With Houston Cinema Arts Festival
Roll out the red carpet because luminaries from the world of cinema are heading to the Bayou City as Houston Cinema Arts Festival takes over ten area venues this month. Bun B is even in the mix; the multi-talented hip-hop artist is a board member for organizer Houston Cinema Arts…
Four Takeaways from the Rockets Disjointed Start
The beginning of the 2019-20 season for the Houston Rockets hasn’t exactly started how they would have liked. At 4-3, they have been wildly inconsistent and played the type of defense you typically only see on a playground. Still, they began last season far worse and still managed to be…
Houston Concert Watch 11/6: Travis Scott and More
This time last week, the city of Houston was planning to celebrate the Astros’ second World Series championship in three years. But the good guys dropped every home game and ended up losing the series to the Washington Nationals, so the city feels a bit deflated this week. At least…
Schoolboy Q Has A “Hell Of A Night” In Houston To Kick Off His Tour
“Fuck it, I haven’t done this shit in a long time” — a famous string of words, often recited right before performing a regretful act, was the last phrase uttered by rapper Schoolboy Q before removing his hat and stage diving into the crowd. “Maaan! Y’all n****s done ripped my…
Survivor: College Football Playoff Ranking Preview, Version 1.0
As the excitement level of specific college football seasons, 2019 has not been a good one for drama, thus far. The same powers that be, by and large, remain undefeated into November, and the other near powers with one loss are still hovering around the fringe of the playoff conversation…
Upper Crust: Luna Pizzeria
As we round out the second month of this weekly column, one thing is becoming more clear with every slice — Houston’s pizza treasures are abundant. The city of fajitas and dumplings hides, in plain sight, a sprawling community of pie joints as bountiful as they are delicious. Many of…
Should the Astros Retain Gerrit Cole?
“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should..” – Jurassic Park In the world of sports (and apparently dinosaur genetics), fans want what they want and they want it when they want it. Sports franchises, however, have to balance…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Rivercrest Estates, a Hidden Oasis
“Horses, peacocks and wonderful things,” are just a few of the possibilities that come with living in prestigious Rivercrest Estates, according to Susan Boss, broker associate with Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty, who has a trio of listings in the secluded, exurban-style neighborhood. It offers a country-manor lifestyle in the city,…
The Empire Strikes Back Summons Inner Musicians, Film Buffs
The Force will be strong with the Houston Symphony as it brings the most critically lauded of the Star Wars films to Jones Hall during Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back — in Concert. Audiences can experience this blockbuster film on the big screen above the orchestra as it performs John Williams’ award-winning score live,…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: The R.I.P. at Antone’s
Torta fans, there’s a new kid in town, the R.I.P. at Antone’s and it’s legit. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
The Blues Don’t Burn Out: David Bromberg Returns To The Studio And The Stage
Scratch the surface of many big name artists from the ‘60s and ‘70s and you’re sure to find David Bromberg’s name in the credits. Bromberg has lent his talents to countless musicians, working as a hired gun with everyone from Bob Dylan to Ringo Starr. He went on to have…
TEA Clearly Thinks Some HISD Trustees Are Fibbing, To Put it Delicately
Well it’s official. The Texas Education Agency’s investigation team has recommended the TEA replace the Houston ISD elected school board with a state-appointed board that will be in charge for a while. It’ll still be up to Commissioner Mike Morath to pull the trigger. In a massive report backed up…
NFL Week 9: Texans 26, Jaguars 3 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
I have no idea if the Houston Texans themselves needed a relatively stress free win, like the one they got yesterday morning (Houston time) in London, a 26-3 cruise over the Jacksonville Jaguars. My guess is they’ll take any type of win, stress laden or stress free. However, I think…
Wilde Collection Accused Arsonist Remains Jailed, GoFundMe Page Started
On Friday, November 1, a man walked into Houston’s famous morbid curiosity shop, The Wilde Collection on Yale, and set it on fire with gasoline. Police later arrested local artist Jonathan Jindra, best known as part of the performance art duo Cyclea with Y E Torres. Since that arrest, friends…
Jesse Dayton Delivers A Mix Tape For All With Mix Tape Volume One
Jesse Dayton is a perfect combination of country and rock. This is no coincidence, his first show as a kid in Beaumont was The Clash with Joe Ely as the opener. “That changed my life. I got my hair cut like Joe Strummer, bought a leather jacket and quit the…
My World Series Hangover: Waking Up as Goliath, not David
As I watched the World Series unfold this year, I saw a design for an upset that I’d witnessed firsthand already. Two years ago, I was pumping my fist in the air at Dodger Stadium inside a sea of blue. My shoe was red from having kicked Goliath in the…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Burgers, Bao and Beyond Meat
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: New limited-time specials MIX n MAX Lunch at Max’s Wine Dive Now through Friday, November 15, Max’s Wine Dive, 214 Fairview, 4720 Washington, will offer a MIX n MAX lunch deal, with one appetizer and two entrées for $25. The offer…
Ben DeSoto Documentary Debuts This Wednesday
Think of the photographers whose work caught essential moments in some developing American movement. Does your list include Ben Tecumseh DeSoto? It should and that’s the point of Ben DeSoto: For Art’s Sake, a new documentary about the longtime Houston-based photojournalist. The film’s debut is slated for Wednesday night at…
Khruangbin Amps Up Its Houston Pride
No place in the world Saturday night exuded more civic pride than was found on the lawn at White Oak Music Hall. Leading the pep rally for all things Houston – but especially music – was Khruangbin, the hometown band that is making waves in the music world with its…
The Chainsmokers Bring World War Joy Tour and Sensory Overload to Toyota Center
Only at a Chainsmokers concert would you see a reckless, howling, Millennial couple suitably drunk on a Saturday night just rows in front of a seated family of four trying to make sense of the event. Maybe that’s The Chainsmokers’ appeal. Like nursery rhymes, their songs are digestible enough for younger…
Young Thug & MGK Bring Their Joint Tour To NRG Park
“Houston put your hands in the air if you all about the money,” yelled Young Thug as he walked to the corner of the stage and stood on a monitor, arms crossed while waiting on the crowd response. He quickly tucked a loose blond dread underneath his orange beanie and…
Poppy Brings Her Scary Masks to Warehouse Live
Halloween might be over but the scariness continued at Warehouse Live on Friday night with musician and famed internet personality Poppy. Beginning her career in 2014 with a series of YouTube videos such as her saying “Hi, I’m Poppy” in different ways for over ten minutes and “making” a gilled…
Sisters of House Black is a Triumphant Harry Potter Fan Film
The time is perfect for a really well done Harry Potter fan film, and Kelsey Ellison’s short feature Sisters of House Black delivers that. You should watch it before the copyright police find out. The movie opens right after Voldemort is apparently killed while trying to murder Harry Potter to…
Openings and Closings: Mendocino Farms Downtown Will Open, El Real and Decatur Have Closed
Mendocino Farms, 609 Main, will open in Downtown Houston November 7. This will make the third location in the Houston area for the California-based sandwich and salad restaurant. The most recent opened in Uptown Park October 3. The concept was created in 2003 by husband and wife Mario Del Pero…
The 6 Biggest Free Agency and Arbitration Decisions for the Astros This Offseason
No one wants to think about the offseason when it comes to the Astros. But, having just lost the World Series, it might not be a bad idea to get our minds off of what was and try to focus on what could be. Besides, playing the literal last day…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: B&B Butchers Hosts a Day of the Dead Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Dia de los Muertos Cocktail Class at Arnaldo Richard’s Picos Friday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 3601 Kirby Arnaldo Richard’s Picos is hosting a Dia de los Muertos cocktail class with cocktail specialist Monica Richards and the team from Altos tequila. Guests…
The Surge 2 Drops Awesome Anti-Capitalist Story and Disabled Representation of Original
Spoilers ahead for The Surge and its sequel. The Surge 2 improves on the original in many ways, but its new storyline loses its predecessor’s razor-sharp critique of corporate greed and cruelty as well as one of the very, very few disabled protagonists available in video games. Let’s start with…
NFL Week 9 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
So the Astros’ 2019 playoff run topped out at “within eight outs of a World Series title,” congrats to the Washington Nationals, who were overall the better team over the last week in one of the strangest World Series I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. As I write this post,…
Go to Paisley Park While It’s Still in Your Heart
Matt’s, a 1950s era bar and grill in midtown Minneapolis, invented the culinary delight known as the “Jucy Lucy.” It’s a grilled all-beef patty stuffed at the center with gooey and delicious cheese. They serve ‘em simply as they did when they first concocted ’em. The Chatterbox Pub is right…
Summer Walker Draws The Crowd In At The Revention Center
The wind whipped down Texas Avenue Wednesday night as the temperature dropped into the 40’s downtown. Houstonians might have been cold outside but behind the doors of the Reventon Center a young singer was just starting to heat things up. “So, Houston, who likes to twerk,” asked Summer Walker as…
Astros Lose World Series Game 7: Four Winners, Four Losers
The Astros fell 6-2 in game seven of the World Series. They fell to the Nationals four games to three and end their historic season just short of their second straight title in three years. Despite a brilliant pitching performance early from Zack Greinke, the bullpen imploded and the Nationals…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: TRUTH BBQ Supports No Kid Hungry
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Chef Austin Simmons’ popular dinner series “CollaborEIGHT,” continues at TRIS, 24 Waterway, on Monday, November 4 at 6 p.m. This month, Simmons will collaborate with Top Chef France finalist, chef Kevin D’Andrea for an eight-course dinner…
NFL Week 9: Texans-Jaguars in London — Four Things To Watch For
Life can turn quickly in the NFL, just ask any of the four teams in the AFC South. After Week 6, it was generally thought to be the 4-2 Houston Texans’ division to lose, following a fairly emphatic 31-24 Texans win in Kansas City over the Chiefs, a final score…
Khruangbin Flies Home to Houston
Laura Lee, bassist for the surging musical trio known as Khruangbin, isn’t shy about hoping Houston will sell out the band’s show this Saturday on the lawn at White Oak Music Hall. “The ticket sales are good but it’s not been like any other city,” Lee said and noted that,…
Best Bets This Weekend: Lonestar Rally, Señorita Cinema, y Día de los Muertos
We’re finally at that sweet spot here along the Texas Gulf Coast when being outside actually feels pleasant. Which is a good thing with celebrations of motorcycles and music in Galveston, skating legends at the Jamail Skate Park, and Día de Muertos festivities at Discovery Green, MECA, and the National…
Astros Fall 7-2, Set Up Game 7 Wednesday: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The Astros lost Game 6 of the World Series to the Nationals 7-2 with the winner-take-all game seven at Minute Maid Park Wednesday night. Stephen Strasburg was masterful and the long ball really hurt the ‘Stros even with Justin Verlander on the hill. This has genuinely been one of the…
Houston Concert Watch 10/30: Post Malone and More
By the time this article is published, the Houston Astros should be the 2019 World Series champions. And if they aren’t, that’s OK. Because Game 7 will be played in Houston, and we’re due for a win at home. Whether you’re celebrating Houston’s second title in three years or grumbling…
Clockpole Celebrates 10 Wild and Wildly Inventive Years This Week
On the patio at Little Dipper, a reliable and favored watering hole on Main Street, Joe Ortiz excitedly and rapidly runs through the details of how his band Clockpole was banned from Notsuoh, the enclave for Houston’s most unorthodox artists, which is only a few doors down. “The show we…
Whining and Dining: Babies and “Popadillos” at Karbach Brewery
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Four Thoughts On J.J. Watt’s Season Ending Injury
If you’re a diehard Houston Texan fan (and/or a female in the Greater Houston area), you can recite the list by heart. It’s the long scroll of injuries suffered by J.J. Watt over the last four years, really since the second half of the 2015 season. For the first four…
Lukas Forchhammer Says He Has a Responsibility to Write Profound Pop Songs
The world we live in can be tough and unforgiving, as Lukas Forchhammer, the force at the center of the Danish pop act Lukas Graham, knows all too well. Forchhammer comes from a place that could be tough and unforgiving in its own right, an anarchist enclave in Copenhagen which…
Tickets Go on Sale Friday for the Return of Comedian Gabriel Iglesias to Houston
NRG Park’s announcement Tuesday that Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias will be performing at NRG Arena has two very important components to it. First: that he’ll be appearing here on April 17, 2020. Second, or maybe it’s first, that tickets can be purchased at Fluffyguy.com starting this Friday, November 1. Iglesias sold…
World Series Game 6: Three Keys to Another Astros Championship
After three straight wins in Washington D.C., the Astros and Nationals return to Houston where the Astros have yet to win in the World Series. Game 6 pairs two of the staff aces with Justin Verlander taking the mound for the home team and perhaps the best pitcher this postseason…
Beatriz Gonzalez Retrospective Documents the Making of an Art Activist
What is important to young adults suddenly shifts with parenthood, then morphs again throughout each of life’s seasons. Taste in music changes, opinions about politics, or thoughts about what really and truly matters. Those shifts are magnified in a new exhibit just opened at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,…
Upper Crust: Fia’s Pizzeria
Let’s get something out of the way for all my fellow potential dyslexics out there. It’s Fia’s, not Fiat’s Pizzeria. And what exactly is Fia’s Pizzeria, you ask. It is a relatively new fast-casual individual pizza concept — in the vein of Mod and Blaze Pizza’s build-you-own pie model — in…
The Immaculate Horror Music Videos of Clipping
Clipping (sometimes stylized as clipping.) produces some of the greatest music videos of the last decade, and most of them are terrifying. With Halloween almost upon us, let’s take a ride through the disturbed and wonderful work of the group. I first got into Clipping when I stumbled across “Get…
Which Players Are In The Houston Astros Circle of Trust?
The Houston Astros are 27 outs away from clinching their second World Series title in three seasons, with a window open for a run at one or two more over the next couple years. It’s a great time to be an Astros fan, and despite some pretty unsavory stuff from…
![Where to Dine Out in Houston This Thanksgiving Day 2019 [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/thanksgiving_spread_a.webp.webp?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Where to Dine Out in Houston This Thanksgiving Day 2019 [UPDATED]
Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, family and hopefully, not doing any dishes. If that last part is important to you, local restaurants are here to help. From bountiful brunch buffets with all the Turkey Day fixin’s to restaurants serving elegant prix fixe feasts that go beyond the bird, check…
5 Feminist Board Games You Can Buy
Christmas is coming up, which is very apparent if you’ve stepped into any store with a Halloween section dying like an unwatered plant as Santa Claus annexes the Pumpkin King’s territory. Still, it’s a good idea to start buying presents early, and with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment…
Xanadudes (Now We Are Here) Pay Tribute to Late Cars Frontman Ric Ocasek
We have now reached an age in Gen X’s lifespan where musicians who soundtracked their youth are beginning to pass on more frequently — by causes natural or otherwise. Recently, obits have been written and mourning commenced for Prince, Tom Petty, and Eddie Money. That Gen X also grew up…
Preservation Houston Lets Us Revisit Houston’s Past During Good Brick Tour
For each Magic Island or Astrodome that has been saved from the wrecking ball, there are dozens of other iconic Houston properties that live on only through photos and memories. Preservation Houston, our city’s non-profit historic preservation advocacy and education group, understands the value in saving older structures. Its annual…
Breaking News: El Real Closes
El Real, Chef Bryan Caswell’s Tex-Mex restaurant, has closed indefinitely according to a press release. It opened in 2011 as a partnership with restaurateur Bill Floyd and food writer Robb Walsh. Walsh was the lead food critic at the Houston Press from 2000 to 2010. There is a lawsuit pending…
NFL Week 8: Texans 27, Raiders 24, J.J. Watt Out For Season — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Sometimes, I can’t decide if the sports gods are just really, really cruel, or if they have a completely macabre, warped sense of humor. Two years ago this week, the Astros were clinching their first ever World Series, while the Texans, even in a loss in Seattle, had burgeoning hope…
Bernadette Peters Returns to Houston
Maybe you took a recent trip to New York City and saw Bernadette Peters on a Broadway stage as Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello Dolly! Or perhaps you saw her in her Lenore Rindell recurring role in The Good Fight on CBS’s streaming service. Or maybe you were lucky enough…
Zac Brown Band Cheer On the Houston Astros in The Woodlands
Zac Brown Band, Lukas Nelson Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion October 27, 2019 In what was perhaps the last pleasant weekend of the extended Houston summer, the Zac Brown Band did the one thing that kept everyone in the audience happy: They kept us updated on the score of the Astros…
Last Night: Tool at Toyota Center
Tool Toyota Center October 27, 2019 Nearly two hours after Tool emerged onstage at Toyota Center on Sunday night, the iconic prog-rock outfit launched into their encore with “Invincible,” the fourth song from their new album, Fear Inoculum. On the 13-minute track, vocalist Maynard James Keenan offered fans what might be…
Astros Sweep in D.C. Head Home One-Win Shy of a Title: Four Takeaways
In 1994, the Houston Rockets lost the first two games of the Western Conference semis at home to the Phoenix Suns. Ultimately, they won the series and their second straight title. On Sunday, after two home losses in the World Series, the Astros completed a three-game sweep of the Washington…
People Stay in AA Because Society Makes Us Lonely and Miserable
About two years ago my alcoholism had entered the phase where I was actively planning to kill myself. After a stint in the hospital, I got much, much better and have been sober ever since. Believe me, as a journalist in this shattered timeline it isn’t easy. On top of…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Halloween and the Day of the Dead
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Day of the Dead at El Big Bad El Big Bad, 419 Travis, invites you to explore downtown as it hosts Day of the Dead activities all week long, with larger celebrations on Friday and Saturday. Highlights include “Toast…
Astros Even Series with 8-1 Win in Game Four: Three Takeaways
After falling into an 0-2 hole, the Astros have rallied to even the World Series at two wins each after a dominant 8-1 victory in Washington Saturday night. Young pitcher Jose Urquidy was spectacular and Alex Bregman broke out of his funk with a grand slam in the seventh inning…
Hosanna and Hallelujah: HGO’s Saul is Special Indeed
Full of scenic wonders, stunning music, magnificent performances, thunderous choruses, and elegant direction, Houston Grand Opera’s presentation of George Frideric Handel’s commanding oratorio Saul (1739) might just be legendary. This is the famed Glyndebourne Festival Opera production from 2015, directed by Barrie Kosky, with sets and costumes by Katrin Lea…
Wilco For The Win: Captivating A Highly Distracted Crowd 101
It’s no easy feat competing for attention these days, with most people’s heads buried in their phones. Now add to the challenge: performing in a city whose team is playing in the World Series. As an artist looking out into an obviously distracted crowd you have two choices; you can…
Astros Turn Tables in 4-1 Game 3 Win: Three Takeaways
The Astros pulled back from the brink of elimination Friday night with a 4-1 win over the Nationals in Washington after losing the first two at home. Down 0-2 in the World Series, the Astros understood that Game 3 was an absolute must win if they had any hopes of…
An Invitation To The Underground Party: Redd Kross Returns To Houston With The Melvins
Thirty-four years ago, brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald of Redd Kross got their act together to embark on their first U.S. tour. The brothers were just kids and ended up having to cancel their first batch of shows due to a mix of poor planning and bad luck. When they…
Kirk Whalum’s Humanité Shines Like a Beacon on a Hill
Kirk Whalum is a son of the Civil Rights era. He was just nine years-old when Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, only blocks away from the Whalum family home in Memphis. His legendary and prolific career, which began in earnest in Houston four decades ago, has allowed him to…
The 2019 Buzzfest Lineup Ranked by Each Act’s Biggest Song
When it comes to radio festivals, you mostly take what you get. Lineups are formed not unlike the megazords from Power Rangers, with different tours mashed together for an afternoon, the connections between them being mostly limited to airplay on the host station. Credit to Buzzfest for consistently putting together…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Parasite
Title: Parasite Describe This Movie In One Midnight Oil Quote: The rich get richer, the poor get the picture The bombs never hit you when you’re down so low Brief Plot Synopsis: Scenes from a class struggle in Pyeongchang-dong. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4.5 Samuel Morses out of…
“All Night Brother”: Moses Guest Celebrates New Single With A Homecoming Show
Moses Guest made a name for themselves in Houston and beyond, as a fun lovin’ jam band in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Like most jam bands, their fan base is large, loyal and down for a good time. Their powerful live shows earned the group multiple Houston Press…
Openings and Closings: Eugene’s Opens, Toasted Yolk Heights
Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine, 1985 Welch, will open officially October 28. While it has been in soft opening mode since September for happy hour and dinner, it will now offer full service. The restaurant comes from Kyle Teas, who originally opened Danton’s Gulf Coast Kitchen over a decade ago in…
NFL Week 8 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
Well, after seven weeks of the NFL season, some crazy ups (two 5-1 ATS weeks in the first month) and some sobering downs (two 2-4 ATS weeks in the last few weeks), here we are back at gambling ground zero, at 21-21, at .500 even. So let’s get back in…
Drive-By Truckers Ready New Album on Signs of the Times
While they haven’t been pegged as a “political band,” the Drive-By Truckers have certainly had a decent amount of songs that cover political and social topics – albeit usually told through the experiences of characters in story songs. That edge got sharper with their last record, as 2016’s American Band…
World Series Game Three: Three Things to Watch
The Astros, on the heels of an absolute clubbing by the Washington Nationals Wednesday night, held a players only meeting to try and sort things out. It is unclear how that meeting will keep the Nationals from smoking Astros pitching or wake up the bats so they can get hits…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Pumpkin Smash and Halloween Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Yelloween Brunch at a’Bouzy Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2300 Westheimer Celebrate Halloweekend with a Yelloween Brunch at a’Bouzy, where you’ll find brunch plates and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut for $49 per bottle. Feast on dishes like salmon gravlax…
Manual Cinema’s Hand-Crafted Storytelling Tackles Monster Halloween Show
Mary Shelley’s most famed book gets the avant garde treatment with the internationally-renowned multimedia company Manual Cinema’s as it reenacts Frankenstein on October 30 at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, presented by Society for the Performing Arts.
Sum 41: The Canadian Rockers Pulled Out All the Stops at White Oak
Drums displaying skeleton hands holding up the numbers “4” and “1” (the 1 being the middle finger) towered above the crowd as Sum 41 took to the stage in Houston Wednesday night. Bringing their Order in Decline Tour to White Oak Music Hall, the Canadian rockers — accompanied by an eerie…
Rockets 2019 Season Preview: 10 Burning Questions Answered
In the rather mediocre sports movie Glory Road, Josh Lucas, playing legendary college basketball coach Don Haskins, gives his team some advice. “You wanna shake off that hate?” he says. “Shut them up. Win!” Despite all the success of the Houston Rockets over the last seven seasons, there has been…
Blown Away: Astros Go in 0-2 Hole in World Series to Nats with 12-3 Loss
The Astros fell in a massive 0-2 hole in the World Series losing 12-3 to the Washington Nationals Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park. The Nationals put up six in the seventh inning, most off reliever Ryan Pressley on tough luck infield hits, a wild pitch and an uncharacteristic throwing error…
Industrial Relics are a Bonus With the Buffalo Bayou East Master Plan
Two years ago Buffalo Bayou was the ultimate “Bad Guy;” it did what it wanted, so criminal, as its banks overflowed with Harvey’s rains. Buffalo Bayou Partnership wisely took a break from its plans for the future until we could all learn to love the natural waterway again. And we do, we…
NFL Week 8: Raiders vs Texans — Four Things To Watch For
The Oakland Raiders come to town on Sunday for a late afternoon game with the Houston Texans, the rare 3:25 p.m. kickoff in Houston, with a 3-3 record, smack dab in the middle of the muck that is the non-Patriots portion of the AFC. There are a lot of adjectives…
Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey Cook Up Something Nourshing with Conspirators
The notion of a married couple dabbling in the kitchen is fun. Each partner brings their own flair to the table to give an old recipe a new, fresh life. One adds a pinch of spice while the other gets things sizzling. Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey didn’t record their…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Feast with the Beasts at the Houston Zoo
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Now through Sunday, November 24, Eddie V’s, 2800 Kirby, 12848 Queensbury, will host Moon Shine: A Speakeasy Event, offering a $20 Prohibition Pairing of a filet mignon teaser alongside an era-inspired cocktail (choose from The Bee’s Knees,…
Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: All Hallows Eve, Fringe Fest, Jazz on the Hill
Everybody will be happy with a weekend like this one. Dance, opera, Korean film, music from the 1950s and 1980s, theater, Día de los Muertos events and free comic books, plus concerts that celebrate jazz greats and the ancient Chinese sheng instrument: There’s literally no reason to stay home in…
Last Night: A Day To Remember at NRG Arena
A Day To Remember NRG Arena October 22, 2019 Less than 10 minutes into A Day To Remember’s performance on Tuesday night, a group of people forcefully bumped into me. I had hoped to avoid getting caught up in the inevitable mosh pits, and I thought I had positioned myself…
Astros Lose World Series Game One 5-4: Four Takeaways
The Astros came back from a Game 1 loss to the New York Yankees in the ALCS to beat them in six games. They will need to do the same thing in the World Series as they fell to the Nationals 5-4 Tuesday. After going up 2-0 early, the Astros…
The Hard-Working Troupe in Cats Earn Their Weight in Kibble
Is there any classic musical more filled with filler than Cats? Don’t get me wrong, I love cats. I have cats. There’s no more joy than when my beloved Nefer, a tuxedo, scratches the back of the sofa, pounces and licks my face, then flops over on her back, purring…
Whining and Dining: Cheering on the ‘Stros at Front Porch
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Michael Bloomfield: The Forgotten Guitarist of Blues Rock
Guitar King: Michael Bloomfield’s Life in the Blues By David Dann 736 pp. $39.95 University of Texas Press At one point in the mid/late ‘60s, Michael Bloomfield was considered by many as the country’s premiere blues-rock guitarist, seamlessly meshing the traditions of the genre’s past with the louder inclinations of…
Four Thoughts On the Texans Trade For CB Gareon Conley
There are plenty of things you can say about the William O’Brien, General Manager Era. He might be botching the trades bringing in players for picks by overpaying, he may have botched the Clowney trade by under-receiving. Time will tell, but the one thing you CANNOT say about the William…
Texas RenFest Will be Opening a New Wedding Chapel
With more than 60 weddings scheduled at its expansive location during its 2019 season, the Texas Renaissance Festival realized that its ability to summon up fairy tale weddings and other get togethers was like found money on the ground. And so, it decided to expand from its current five wedding…
Houston Concert Watch 10/23: Tool and More
I’m not going to lie to you guys. While plenty of talented artists are scheduled to visit Houston over the next week, I’m personally most excited to see the ‘90s-era prog-rock outfit Tool, who visit Toyota Center this weekend. The band’s latest release may not hold a candle to the…
Rockets New Season, New Food
Recently, the Houston Press was invited to check out some of the new menu items which will be on offer at the Toyota Center when the Rockets start their new season October 24. “Sure,” I thought, “I’ll eat some nachos and hot dogs. Big sweater weather is here, anyway.” My…
Street Closures in Houston For the World Series
The Astros being in the World Series is great. But there’s some pain along with all that exhilaration and street closings are a necessary part of what we’ll all have to go through. Starting today at 3 p.m. certain streets around Minute Maid Park will be closed. This will continue…
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[Updated] World Series Food and Drink: Take It Back!
They did it! Our Astros won Game 6 of the ALCS to go on to the World Series against the Washington Nationals, thanks to the walk-off home run hit by everyone’s favorite second baseman, Jose Altuve. Not to diminish the awesome performances by the rest of the team, but my…
Four Thoughts On Will Fuller’s Significant Hamstring Injury
It pains me to say this, because Will Fuller seems like a great dude, and when he is healthy, he is one helluva football player, but was anybody surprised when Fuller was shown in the first quarter of the loss to the Colts on Sunday making that long, slow walk…
Houston Ballet Packs its Toe Shoes for New York City
Houston ballet dancers are heading to New York City this week to perform a contemporary program at the New York City Center as part of the Houston company’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. From October 24-26, the country’s fifth largest ballet company will be performing The Letter V by Mark Morris, Reflections…
Mike Watt and the Art of Sublime Punk Invention
Mike Watt occupies his own niche in the space and time continuum of punk rock. He seems to belong everywhere and nowhere, simultaneously. Although he graduated high school in 1976 and fervently took the alternative path out of stadium rock clichés by honing jazz-spiel punk escapades in Minutemen, his work…
World Series Preview: How the Astros and Nationals Match Up
The Astros completed their ALCS win in dramatic fashion, walking off the Yankees with a home run from Jose Altuve. The Nationals, after beating the defending NL champs the Dodgers in five games in the ALDS coasted in a sweep of the Cardinals to reach the World Series for the…
Upper Crust: Star Pizza
There is a pizza spectrum. That’s right — a pizza spectrum. On one end of this spectrum the word “Italian” is printed boldly in red, white and green letters. On the other end, the word “American.” Every pie sold in the United States hovers somewhere between those two words. Some…
From the Sea to the Ceiling, Quilt Festival Celebrates Sapphire Anniversary
We actually think every year at the International Quilt Festival/Houston is amazing, but things get even more special during milestone years. “We really try to do something kind of spectacular, something that will wow people. Five years ago we did a red and white exhibit, quilts were suspended from the…
Taking Your Child to a Tattoo Parlor for Ear Piercing Might Be the Better Option
The Kid With One F recently turned ten, and what she most wanted for her birthday was to get her ears pierced. My wife and I made a vow that when the time came she asked, we would not be taking her to the mall. As good goths, we had…
Historic Eppes House Back On Market, Ready to Enter Its Second Century
Those in search of a new estate home will instantly become part of Houston’s history with the Italian Renaissance Villa at 5322 Institute Lane. The Eppes House is named for its original owner, concrete pioneer Ned Alwin Eppes, and the home is one of our city’s first residences made from…
Mendocino Farms Embraces Foodie Sandwich Trends
The humble sandwich is experiencing a moment. What has long been considered a grab-and-go fast food option for providing fuel for the body quickly and efficiently is slowly finding a new audience among food lovers. Perhaps this is an extension of the explosion of casual gourmet proliferated by food trucks…
Elton John Looks on a Life of Music, Sequins and Hedonism. Lots of Hedonism.
Me By Elton John 384 pp. Henry Holt & Co. $30 It was with some bemusement that moviegoer/rock and rollers compared two recent biopics of flamboyant and gay ‘70s rockers Freddie Mercury and Elton John. The PG-13 rated Bohemian Rhapsody hinted at, but never really dug into its subject’s personal…
Facebook Funnyman Darren Knight aka “Southern Momma” Is Living A “Redneck Cinderella Story”
“It all just took off, I think I had only 8-9 shows under my belt before I did my first show professionally touring!”
Julia Michaels Brings Inner Monologue Tour to House of Blues
The last time Julia Michaels performed in Houston, she opened for P!nk at the Toyota Center. Last night, Michaels made her Houston headlining debut in the much more intimate House of Blues just around the corner from that cavern the Rockets call home. Before taking the stage, her crew placed…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Win Free Burgers For Life
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 22 Spicy Ban Ban Curry Ramen Bowl at Ramen Tatsu-Ya Ramen Tatsu-Ya Houston, 1722 California, has partnered with the brand’s Domo Alley-Gato Tatsu-Ya (Austin) to create a Spicy Ban Ban Ramen, a Japanese curry-inspired ramen…
NFL Week 7: Colts 30, Texans 23 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
After the Houston Texans’ 30-23 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon, a final score that ended the Texans’ stint atop the division (for now), a key theme, understandably, centered around the word “frustration.” Are people — Texans players, fans, media — frustrated that the Texans can’t seemingly string…
Explore an Unsung Heroine and the Evolution of “Isms” at MFAH
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. But being treated as a second-class citizen wasn’t just an American problem; women in France didn’t earn the privilege until 1944 so it’s no surprise that French painter Berthe Morisot…
Sum 41: From Past to Present
Even if you weren’t into punk-rock back in the 2000s, there’s a good chance you’ve heard some of the genre’s most catchy hits. With the pop-punk scene on the rise early in the decade, ear-candy tunes were not only being played on the radio, but also being used in other…
These Houston Spots are Offering “Boo”ze, Tricks and Treats this Halloween
From “boo”zy cocktails and candy and wine pairings to Halloween cupcakes, cookies, and treats, here is where to find Halloween food and drink offerings in Houston: 13 Celsius, 3000 Caroline This Halloween, 13 Celsius invites guests to enjoy “Adult Candy” (aka wine), featuring a flight of four ‘Orange Wines’ for…
Walk It Off: Altuve Homer Sends Astros Back to the World Series: Four Takeaways
At a friend’s birthday party with the sixth game of the ALCS projected onto a giant screen in the backyard of their home just before midnight, the mood went from good to awful in a matter of seconds. The Astros had led since the first inning three-run homer from Yuli…
Juan Luis Guerra Turns Smart Financial Centre into a Tropical Dance Party
Juan Luis Guerra y 440 Smart Financial Centre October 18, 2019 In the realm of Latin music, some may call Juan Luis Guerra an “elder statesman.” The younger generation would call him an “OG” (original gangster). Whatever he may be called, the artist who completely filled Smart Financial Centre on…
Pantsuits, Pussyhats, and Penises Abound in Lysistrata at Classical Theatre
The women of Greece find an ingenious way to convince men to give peace a chance in Classical Theatre Company’s production of Lysistrata.
Maxo Cream’s Sold Out Concert Marred by a Fan’s Death Outside House of Blues
“The king of Houston is back!” yelled Maxo Kream as he bounded on the stage amidst a flash of lights and smoke. The crowd roared in approval at the hometown rapper. Maxo Kream’s star has risen dramatically in the last four years since the release of his mixtape, Maxo 187,…
Astros Fall to Yankees, Head Home for Game 6
With their season on the line and the Astros ace on the hill, the Yankees battled back after two straight losses with a 4-1 win in Game 5 to extend their postseason for at least one more game. Justin Verlander was stellar in seven innings with one significant exception. In…
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UFO And [Blue Öyster] Cult Sightings At The Redneck Country Club Last Night
Blue Öyster Cult, UFO Redneck Country Club October 18, 2019 Generally speaking, cults end in one of two ways. They flame out, often with the followers committing mass suicide (Peoples Temple, Heaven’s Gate), or they exist long enough to become legitimized (any mainstream religion). Exceptions do exist. Enter The Cult…
Hear Verdi Become Verdi in the Third Act of Rigoletto at Houston Grand Opera
If any composer can make you forget an Astros loss, it’s Giuseppe Verdi. On opening night of Rigoletto, Houston Grand Opera flashed the score of Game 5 of the ALCS (with those damned Yankees) during the intermissions. Never say that grand opera isn’t for the people. Right before Act III…
4th Wall Theatre Company Joins the Ranks of Equity Theatres
Houston now has one more Equity Theatre in its ranks: 4th Wall Theatre Company, a company which has received a number of Houston Theater Awards for its actors, directors, designers and artistic directors since it was founded. Those co-artistic directors — Philip Lehl and wife Kim Tobin-Lehl — were on…
Critical Condition Hits the Road and Starts in Houston Tonight
At a recent gig at House of J, the upstart band Critical Condition had to begin its set without one of its members. The bedevilment of unexpected Houston traffic struck while this musician was en route to the house show. As he fretted in a sea of cars, his bandmates…
Danny Brown Spits His New Music The Old-School Way
Modern mainstream hip-hop can be very gimmicky these days. Face tattoos, brightly dyed hair, million dollar necklaces, and extravagant stage productions can have the mind racing to keep up with everything that is going on. So when an artist transforms and grows out of the gimmicks, it’s best to pay…
Astros Beat Yankees, Take 3-1 Lead in ALCS: Four Takeaways
The Astros went into Yankee Stadium on Thursday and won their third straight game to take a 3-1 lead in the ALCS and put the Yankees on the brink of elimination. After struggling at the plate throughout the series, the Astros unleashed a pair of three-run home runs from George…
Openings and Closings: Rosalie Opens, Houston’s Westheimer Closes
Rosalie Italian Soul, 400 Dallas, opened in the new C. Baldwin Hotel October 15. This is the first Houston restaurant for business partners Chef Chris Cosentino and co-owner Oliver Wharton. Cosentino has an impressive portfolio which includes Cockscomb in San Francisco, Jackrabbit in Portland, Oregon and Acacia House in the…
Disney+ Is All Set To Traumatize A New Generation With Return To Oz
It may seem inconceivable today, given the studio’s tentacular hold on cinema properties, but for a while there, Disney wasn’t doing so hot. The studio’s 1990s heyday, marked by films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King, was referred to as the “Disney Renaissance” because the…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Get Your Unlimited Taco Fix at Tacolandia
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: King’s Oktoberfest at King’s BierHaus Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. 2044 East T.C. Jester Father-son duo Hans and Philipp Sitter are lacing up their lederhosen for the third annual Oktoberfest celebration at…
Joe Walsh Hits Houston with All-Star VetsAid 2019 Mega Concert
Throughout his decades-long career in rock and roll, Joe Walsh has been all over the world. And there may indeed be no place like home. But on this October morning in 2019, Joe Walsh wants to be somewhere else. “Well, Bob, I’m in Colorado and yesterday we woke up to…
NFL Week 7 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
Before we get to this week’s picks, let’s acknowledge the announcement on Wednesday of the end of an era. Hell, I’m even willing to give this monumental bit of news proper noun status — it is the End of an Era, with the announcement from former Texans (and Browns and…
Anderson Cooper And Andy Cohen Spill The Tea During Upcoming Visit
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are bringing their ever popular unscripted, uncensored and unforgettable night of conversation to Smart Financial Centre on October 25. Catch the two silver foxes diving into deep talks and shallow tales as part of their cross country romp AC2 An Intimate Evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.
Tenacious D Guides Houston Through the Apocalypse
When doomsday goes down and you’re looking for heroes, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters? The police? The government? The government totally sucks, you motherfuckers! The world could do much worse than turning to the Devil-battle-tested, Holy Grail of guitar picks-seeking, face-melters known as Tenacious D. That’s sort of the point…
“Issues” Singer-Songwriter Julia Michaels Discusses Mental Health and Latest Single
“One time when I was in a session, someone said that if you write a love song about beer or a candy bar, then it almost always sounds like a love song.” Turns out, Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Julia Michaels doesn’t drink beer or eat a lot of candy. But in…
NFL Week 7: Texans at Colts — Four Things To Watch For
There are plenty of boxes the Houston Texans, as a franchise, still have to check off. Obviously, performing at a high level in the postseason is at the top of the list. They haven’t done that yet, ever, so that’s the clear number one. Routinely beating teams with good starting…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A Limited-Time Curry-Inspired Ramen Comes to Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Ramen Tatsu-Ya Houston, 1722 California, has partnered with the brand’s Domo Alley-Gato Tatsu-Ya (Austin) to create a Spicy Ban Ban Ramen, a Japanese curry-inspired ramen made with an earthy-flavored, curry-spiced chicken broth base and topped with…
6 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Fandemic and Wings Over Houston
There’s no reason to wait for Halloween: cosplay is de rigueur at Fandemic Tour, and costumes are encouraged at the spine-tingling Symphonic Spooktacular. This action-packed weekend also includes aerial acrobatics and pyrotechnics at Wings Over Houston, flapper dresses and feather boas at HGO’s Rigoletto, and celebrations of Mexican culture with…
New Zealand’s Miss June Coming to House of Blues
“We will never be easy to categorize musically.” Annabel Liddell, front-woman of the New Zealand punk outfit Miss June, is no stranger to challenging both labels and expectations. In 2013, the same year she began medical school, she recruited the other three members of her raucous and increasingly popular band…
Former Principal Bertie Simmons Writes a Memoir About Racism, Resiliency and 58 Years With HISD
According to Bertie Simmons, the legendary principal who was sent home from Furr High School in October 2017 by Houston ISD officials, when it came time to work out the last details of her settlement with HISD she was asked to sign a statement promising that she wouldn’t say anything…
The Distillers Brings a Vampire Circus to Houston
I’m no Van Helsing, but I’m pretty sure Brody Dalle and The Distillers are vampires. My hunch comes from some of the titles of the band’s biggest hits, “Coral Fang,” “I Am a Revenant” or “Drain the Blood,” for example. While the veteran California punk band didn’t literally drain the…
Scenes from The Epicurean Project 2019
A cornucopia of cheese and charcuterie with tasty morsels from Italy, France, England, Spain and the United States was the stunning greeting to attendees at The Epicurean Project 2019. Held at The Revaire on October 7, hosted by Martin Preferred Foods and benefiting Recipe for Success, the special event showcased some…
Upper Crust: Vinny’s Pizza
When Agricole Hospitality partners Ryan Pera, Morgan Weber and Vincent Huynh laid out their plans for a company-defining trio of businesses at the corner of St. Emmanuel and Dallas Streets, they decided a pizzeria would be the ideal entry point for such an endeavor. Located both physically and conceptually between…
Astros Beat Yankees, Go Up 2-1 in ALCS: Four Takeaways
Even when Gerrit Cole isn’t at his best, he is the Astros’ best shot at winning. On Tuesday night when Cole was just a notch below his usual brilliance, he still held the Yankees scoreless for seven innings, leading the Astros to a 4-1 win and a 2-1 lead in…
The Martha Graham Dance Company Celebrates Women with The EVE Project
Society for the Performing Arts brings the Martha Graham Dance Company’s celebration of female empowerment and the 19th Amendment, The EVE Project, to Houston for the first time in 15 years.
Whining and Dining: Bébé’s First Steak Frites at Common Bond
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Deshaun Watson Among Top Three Candidates For League MVP
The Houston Texans’ win this past Sunday in Kansas City was not something most people were predicting (although some people — AHEM — did), but what was easily predictable was the resulting coverage of the Texans and quarterback Deshaun Watson, IF indeed the Texans were able to pull off the…
Houston Concert Watch 10/16: Tenacious D and More
Last week’s cold front was short-lived, but it made the Houston Cougars’ loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday a little less painful. Sporting disappointments aside, there may be hope for an extension. Rain today is expected to bring a stretch of pleasant days, extending into the weekend. As temperatures drop, we can’t…
Cristela Alonzo Opened The Door For Latinx Comics, But More Diverse “Gatekeepers” Are Essential
“It’s a domino effect. Executives, the tastemakers, the writers, the producers, the directors – we need more visibility in that world, because they understand the story being told.”
Correa Walk Off Homer to Beat Yankees a Good Sign
Just before midnight Sunday night, Astros shortstop Carlos Correa took a first pitch fastball from JA Happ and sent it over the right field wall, winning the game 3-2 and evening the American League Conference Series at 1-1 as the series moves to the Bronx on Tuesday. For Correa, it…
Astros-Yankees Game Three: Four Things to Watch
After a long and exciting Game 2 win for the Astros, the ALCS now shifts to New York for Games 3. 4 and 5 (if necessary). Tied up 1-1 in this best of seven series, it feels like it could go the distance, but it starts with the next one…
Experience the Madness and Sublime Voices in Saul at Houston Grand Opera
Imagine you are Saul. You’re the king of the Israelites and have been at war for ten years with the Philistines. It’s been a grim decade of starvation, death and destruction. Then along comes David who, incredibly enough, beats the giant Goliath in man-to-man combat. Filled with admiration, Saul welcomes the…
Four Thoughts On the Toughest Schedule Stretch of the Bill O’Brien Era
For nearly six years, the Bill O’Brien Era has been a complex talking point on the Houston landscape. Detractors of his entire body of work will (rightfully) point to his overall slightly above average record and lack of playoff success. Defenders of O’Brien’s body of work will point out that,…
Explore Custom Abodes for Families of All Sizes on AIA Houston Home Tour
There are two pathways to home ownership. For some it means working with a Realtor or agent to find the best fit from available listings, and then deciding which elements are most important (because you can never have it all): school district, location, square footage, commute, upgrades, amenities or architecture…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: The Hangover at Antone’s
There is a pool of syrup underneath the beautiful mess that is the Antone’s Hangover. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Son Of Sahm: Shandon Sahm Brings Tribute Show To Houston
Shandon Sahm, son of Texas legend Doug Sahm, provides the final quote in the documentary, Sir Doug and the Genuine Texas Cosmic Groove, saying “He was put on this earth, like the Texas tornado that he was, came in, left us all this beautiful great body of work and music…
As The World Keeps Getting Tighter, Bill Bellamy’s Comedy Keeps It Loose
“We’re not psychologists, we’re not here being journalists. We’re being funny people who are giving you a social commentary.”
Galveston Island: Where Things Go Bump in the Night
When Johnny Kowalski moved to Galveston he expected to find a sleepy party town. But what he found instead was a rich cultural history and whispers of the paranormal, so he decided to dig deeper. With an encyclopedic brain and a thirst for facts, Kowalski started looking at all of the…
Hitting The Gym After Happy Hour Is Not Uncommon
Whether fueled by guilt or the pressure to pack in a full day, for some adults, hitting the gym after happy hour is not uncommon. The Houston Press conducted a poll and of 25 male and females ages 27-42, 13 admitted to having worked out under the influence of alcohol…
Frustration But Not Fright From The Rabbit Cage
Bless their hearts. This saying is among the first Southern phrases one learns upon moving to Houston. My understanding of it, in its kindest iteration, is that it conveys a feeling of empathy. An acknowledgment that effort was made, even if the intended results were not achieved. A gold star…
NFL Week 6, Massive Road Win: Texans 31, Chiefs 24 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Three weeks ago, the Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, CA, and we called it the biggest win of the Bill O’Brien Era. Since then, the Chargers haven’t really done much to fortify the magnitude of that win, but whatever. The win felt good. Now, three weeks…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Endless Tacos and a $100 PB&J
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: New Special $100 Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich at BCK In an effort to promote local Heights businesses, BCK, 933 Studewood, has added the $100 Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich to its menu, partnering with notable area shops to offer a…
Vivian Campbell’s Last in Line Mixes Dio Legacy and New Tunes
Ronnie James Dio played with a lot of different bands and musicians throughout his career. Arguably the owner of heavy metal’s finest voice, he’s graced albums by Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his own long-running band Dio. For many fans, his pinnacle was the 1983-85 run of those first three…
Get Ready to Sing Out as Cats Returns to Houston in All its Furry, Live, Acrobatic Glory
For weeks now, Brandon Michael Nase, who has performed in theaters across the country, who holds a master of music degree from New York University and who includes opera in the type of music he likes to sing, has gone to a job where he puts on a giant, furry cat…
Eric Andre Performs For A Packed Cullen Hall Complete With Ranch Dressing
“I need two people to come up here and chug some ranch! We’re about to have a good old fashion Texas ranch off!” yelled Eric Andre as audience members ran toward the stage at Cullen Performance Hall on the University of Houston campus. A group of about ten rushed their…
4th Wall Theatre Co. Presents the Sadly Dysfunctional Family of The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams’ classic play The Glass Menagerie (1945), certainly his most personal work and, perhaps, his best, is not known for skidding off the rails. But 4th Wall Theatre Company’s production careens dangerously close to the edge. I have suspicions why it doesn’t move us as it should, why its…
Salt, Root and Roe a Quietly Emotional Ride at Stages Repertory Theatre
Twin sisters enter into a suicide pact in Stages Repertory Theatre’s production of Salt, Root and Roe.
Smell That Teen Spirit in Spring Awakening at TUTS
It should come as no surprise that late 19th-century Teutonic teens were just as randy and angsty as our Gen Zs. Raging hormones know no century. Smartly adapted from German playwright Frank Wedekind’s Spring Awakening, his 1891 experimental and scathing indictment of bourgeois hypocrisy toward adolescent budding sexuality, this 2006…
Last Night: Billie Eilish at Toyota Center
Billie Eilish Toyota Center October 10, 2019 Billie Eilish isn’t your typical, up-and-coming pop starlet. For starters, she isn’t selling her body. The 17-year old Los Angeles native sports a unique style, typically donning baggy clothing and a mess of necklaces. On Thursday night, at a packed Toyota Center, she…
Astros Close Out Rays to Move On to ALCS
For the third straight year, the Astros will be playing in the American League Championship Series after closing out the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 in the ALDS Thursday night. The ‘Stros put up four runs in the first while pitcher Gerrit Cole was dominant once again going eight innings allowing…
Openings and Closings: Sixty Vines Debuts, Mala Sichuan at Finn Hall Closes
Sixty Vines, 2540 University Boulevard, opens October 14. The Napa Valley-inspired restaurant has two other locations in Plano and Uptown Dallas. The Rice Village restaurant and wine bar will feature some of the same elements that distinguish the brand such as raw woods, white walls, a live greenery area, modern…
NFL Week 6 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
We continue to grind away, with a 3-3 week last week in our ATS picks, and we are still fortunately sitting above the line of profit (around 53 percent) at around a 57 percent win rate. I’d like to put a little daylight between my win rate and the profit…
Reincarnated: Aaron Lee Tasjan Breaths New Life Into Songs
Not many artists release an album reworking all the songs from their previous album. It’s a bold move, but Aaron Lee Tasjan has proven he is not afraid of making bold moves. This year he released Karma For Cheap: Reincarnated, exactly one year after releasing Karma For Cheap, both on…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Mangia at the Houston Italian Festival
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Houston Italian Festival at the University of St. Thomas Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3800 Montrose Head to the 41st Annual Festa Italiana to mangia on everything from…
Vietgone Is The Gateway Play Houston Needs
Take every dramatization about the Vietnam War you know and toss it firmly out the window. Then run over it a few times until you quash it into oblivion. This is Vietgone. A play where Vietnamese finally get to be the cool, smart, and sexy leading roles, speaking in perfect…
NFL Week 6: Texans vs Chiefs — Four Things To Watch For
Well, if you’re a Houston Texans fan, and certainly if you’re one of the players or coaches, it was “crisis averted” last weekend against the Atlanta Falcons, as any of the panic that came about after a Week 4 loss to a Cam Newton-less Panther squad was put on the…
October Dining and Drinking
It’s October and the temperatures are finally dropping. The slight chill in the air awakens the senses and brings Houstonians outside again to enjoy the patios and terraces of our restaurants and bars. It also stirs the creative juices of local chefs and mixologists who create new fall menu items…
Astros-Rays Game Five: Four Things to Watch
For as good as the Astros were in the regular season, and they were very good, their 107-win season comes down to a winner-take-all game five at Minute Maid Park Thursday. They played right down to the final few games of the season to earn home field advantage and they…
Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Lamborghini Fest, Immersive Haunt
Things are heating up this weekend in Houston with the fevered pace of multiple art fairs, a symphonic look at Rick Steves’ trek across Europe, costumed fun at the Zoo, an inspiring documentary at the Holocaust Museum, a celebration of Japanese sports and Sunday’s Lamborghini Festival. Keep reading because three…
Derek Trucks on His Family Band, Personal Losses, and…Deshaun Watson??
It’s a Monday morning and just about 36 hours since the Tedeschi Trucks Band have stepped off the stage of New York’s storied Beacon Theatre, wrapping up their ninth annual run of gigs at the venue. The string of six shows saw them play an estimated 80+ different tunes. So…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Luxury Cake Boutique Lady M Pops Into Houston
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: On Tuesday, October 15, Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial, will host a four-course feast paired with selected wines from Domaine de la Mongestine beginning at 7 p.m. Courses include catch of the day, braised beef cheeks and…
Deshaun Watson Named AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Again)
It was a pretty good 24 hours for Deshaun Watson from about lunchtime on Tuesday through late Wednesday morning. It started Tuesday afternoon with the announcement of the creation of the Deshaun Watson Foundation, and ended yesterday morning with the announcement that, for the second time in just three weeks,…
HGO Offers a New Production of Rigoletto, But the Old Curse Remains
As it turns out, Rigoletto has two terrible flaws. One is that the court jester, like some people all of us have met, doesn’t know when to quit with the jokes and takes them too far. The other concerns his parenting skills and the over-protective wall he has built around…
Mumford & Sons Fire Up A Sparse But Appreciative Toyota Center Crowd
Mumford & Sons October 8, 2019 Toyota Center There’s an enduring story about the time Mark E. Smith of legendary post-punk band The Fall threw a bottle at a young Mumford & Sons when they were performing at the same festival. Ignore the cognitive discombobulation required to imagine those two…
Astros Lose to Rays, Face Win-or-Go-Home Game 5 on Thursday
Putting Justin Verlander on the hill on three days rest seemed the obvious choice. Put your staff ace out there and nip this series in the bud. But Tampa Bay had other ideas. Verlander lasted only three-and-two-thirds innings giving up four runs. The Astros bats were, once again, anemic. And…
Rating The Hot Seat Of Every NFL Head Coach — Where Does Bill O’Brien Stand?
As we outlined in last week’s Best Bets, one of the subplots to the actual football game between the Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons, a game won by the Texans by a somewhat misleading 53-32 final score, was the Battle of the Embattled Head Coaches. On the betonline,ag odd…
Houston Concert Watch 10/9: Billie Eilish and More
Do you feel that, Houston? For the first time in months, the breeze wafting through the Bayou City isn’t reminiscent of a wet washcloth. That’s because a cold front – at least by our standards – is upon us, and the current forecast is predicting comfortable days through the rest…
Whining and Dining: A Baby-Friendly Game Day at Beer Market
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
China Playing Hardball Over Morey’s Tweet
The NBA has been rather progressive when it comes to allowing players, coaches and general managers to practice free speech on social media and elsewhere. That has come in a variety of forms from Golden State coach Steve Kerr taking shots at President Donald Trump and Lebron James campaigning for…
stARTup Art Fair Makes Debut In Houston
stARTup Art Fair is launching its inaugural event in the city at Hotel Icon’s third and fourth floor with an immersive, contemporary art experience through the exhibition of artwork by a diverse group of independent artists, local art nonprofits, artist performances, installations and panel discussions. The fair runs October 11 – 13.
Just Announced: Dave Chappelle At the House of Blues Tonight
House of Blues Houston has just announced that Dave Chappelle will be performing in the Bronze Peacock Room tonight. Tickets go on sale today at 3 p.m…
XFL Announces Draft Date, Roughnecks Picking Second Overall
The XFL announced on Monday afternoon that their inaugural player draft will take place over two days on Tuesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 16. They will use their various online platforms — XFL.com, @xfl2020 on Twitter, @xfl on Instagram, and the social media channels of the eight XFL teams…
Astros Blown Out in Game 3, Verlander to Start Game 4
Much of the buzz surrounding game three of the ALDS in Tampa Bay was with former Astros pitcher Charlie Morton. The staff ace for the Rays had been outstanding all season, but was unable to play in the first two games of the series because he started the Wild Card…
Upper Crust: Two Guys Pizzeria
We love Houston, really we do. But what we wouldn’t give to make this a more walkable city. To replace some of its more culturally comatose stretches of strip malls and parking lots with the urban accessibility of a New York or Chicago. For it is in those cities where…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Historic Washington East/Sabine Market Area
If you can plead guilty to binge-watching more than a few episodes of Fixer Upper, Property Brothers, or This Old House, then the Washington East/Sabine market area just might be the neighborhood for you. The area includes the Old Sixth Ward Historic District, which has the largest concentration of Victorian…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: First Friday Lobster Roll at Bernie’s Burger Bus
First Friday Lobster Rolls at Bernie’s Burger Bus are near perfection with one exception: You’re gonna need a bigger boat. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Shea Serrano on Carpooling, Hardcovers (and Other Things)
Shea Serrano spent a lot of time working on his new book, and he really wants you – yes, you – to buy a copy. “These books take me about two years from the time they’re sold until the time they come out,” The New York Times best-selling author says…
Authors of Stevie Ray Vaughan Book Open the Gates to a Texas Flood
It’s October 3 when Alan Paul and Andy Aledort – co-authors of the new biography Texas Flood: The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan – are on the phone. The date is appropriate because it would have been the 65th birthday of the book’s subject, had he not died tragically…
Southern Smoke 2019 Brings Out the Award-Winning Pros to Deliver a True Feast
By now, most Houstonians have heard of the Southern Smoke Foundation, the non-profit 501(c)(3) which was co-founded by Houston chef and restaurateur Chris Shepherd and fiancee Lindsey Brown in 2015 to raise funds for the Houston Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of local sommelier, Antonio Gianola,…
Last Night: A Soothing Sunday with James Blake
With so many hometown festivities packed into the weekend—from a hopeful Astros playoff series, to numerous Oktoberfest celebrations, to Saturday night’s cosmic outing with Tame Impala—Houston was in need of a cool down come Sunday evening. For those familiar with the alleviating tunes and live show of James Blake, it was rather obvious that the…
Wu-Tang Clan Celebrate Their 25th Anniversary at Smart Financial
“Houston…Sugar Land…I want to feel the energy!” yelled RZA as he stood center stage at the Smart Financial Centre, dwarfed by a massive yellow Wu-Tang logo being projected overhead. The crowd in the Sugar Land stadium threw up hands locked together in the Wu-Tang symbol before Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface…
Astros, Up 2-0 in ALDS, Head to Tampa: Four Things to Watch
The Astros won the first two games of the ALDS against the Rays thanks to a pair of brilliant pitching outings from their dueling aces, Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. Cole, in particular, turned in one of the most dominant postgame performances in recent memory. The Astros also got timely…
It’s Not Okay, Plus More Than 200 Symbols and Memes That Say “I Hate”
There won’t be any redemption for the swastika, a symbol that represented well-being and good fortune for thousands of years. Up until the Nazis appropriated the ancient symbol it had been used by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Greeks, Celts, Anglo-Saxons, Native Americans and even the Coca-Cola company. The latest symbol to…
NFL Week 5 Fireworks: Texans 53, Falcons 32 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
With a streak of futility at home that dates back to last season’s wild card round playoff game, a stretch in which the Texans have only scored one touchdown in each of their last three home games, the Houston Texans not only broke that streak on Sunday, but they took…
Where to Find Your Favorite Artists at This Weekend’s Texas Contemporary
Texas Contemporary is exciting on many levels, shining a spotlight on local artists and galleries and offering well-deserved exposure to national and international collectors. If you’re ready to show some H-Town love, here’s our road map about who to look for and where to find them at GRB. 14 Pews,…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Cure Your Hangover with a Sandwich from Texans Linebacker Whitney Mercilus
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long “H-Town Originals” with Whitney Mercilus at Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys continues its “H-Town Originals” celebrity chef campaign, this month with a new sandwich from Houston Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus, who teamed up with chef…
Missing Phoenix Woman Found in Cancún, Mexico, Now Detained in Houston
A severely mentally ill woman who has been missing since April following a violent run in with Phoenix police has been found in Cancún, Mexico.
Things Go Bump in the Bathroom in Obsidian Theater’s The Feast
Obsidian Theater gets ready for Halloween with Cory Finley’s The Feast, now playing in repertory with Empanada Loca.
Sex and Violence: Just Another Night at the Opera With Tosca
Giacomo Puccini’s verismo-fueled Tosca (1900) runs on opera’s highest octane – sex and violence. It speeds along, no time for detours, spinning its tale with a breakneck pace. Co-librettist Giacoso complained to the composer that there was nothing but plot, but Puccini knew exactly what he was doing when he…
Tame Impala Deliver Cosmic Set at White Oak Music Hall
“I forgot how fuckin’ rowdy you guys were,” Kevin Parker told an elated sold-out White Oak Music Hall just three songs into a rare Tame Impala Houston set sandwiched between their headlining Austin City Limits Music Festival weekend slots. “Hey we played a big ass festival yesterday, and there’s already…
Revenge Fantasy Empanada Loca Wows at Obsidian Theater
The filling is everything in Aaron Mark’s Sweeney Todd-inspired Empanada Loca, now playing in repertory with The Feast at Obsidian Theater.
Lizzo Loves You And You Should Love You, Too
Lizzo’s phenomenally successful breakthrough album is titled Cuz I Love You, but the phenomenally successful tour in support of the album is dubbed “Cuz I Love You Too.” There’s good reason for that, according to the artist, who grew up in Houston and made a triumphant return to perform for…
Our Houston Astros 2019 Playoff Theme Songs
This afternoon, the Houston Astros begin in earnest their pursuit of a second World Series title in three years. There was a time ‘round these parts when that seemed impossible, so the chase is something to truly celebrate. As we all know, no celebration is complete without music, so here…
Styx Puts On a Rock Clinic at Smart Financial Centre
“I just love to say Sugar Land!” Tommy Shaw proclaimed to a chorus of cheers from a packed Smart Financial Centre. The strange sentiment came after the Styx guitarist and frontman crammed the word about a dozen times into a thirty second span. Over the course of a two and…
Openings and Closings: Studewood Cantine Opens, Toukei Debuts
The Studewood Cantine, 1111 Studewood, opened September 16. The restaurant serves Texas scratch fare which leans toward Tex-Mex and American cuisine. There are typical starters like queso or nachos, but we look forward to seeing if Lety’s Pork or Chicken Tamales are the real deal. Fajitas, tacos and combo plates…
NFL Week 5 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
Four weeks into the NFL season, this has become a gambling ritual — betting on who the first NFL head coach will be to be relieved of his duties in 2019. Setting aside how weird and kind of dirty it feels to bet on the unemployment of other human beings,…
Astros-Rays ALDS: Four Things to Watch For
The Tampa Bay Rays polished off the Oakland A’s Wednesday night earning a trip to the American League Divisional Series in Houston. Their ace was none other than former Astros hero Charlie Morton, who became the first pitcher ever to win three win-or-go-home games in the playoffs. The Astros have…
How and When (or If) to Use the Dangerous Chokehold
With the recent firing of Officer Daniel Pantaleo from the New York Police Department for using a chokehold and causing the death of Eric Garner, to the local news of Terry Thompson (husband of former Harris County deputy Chauna Thompson) who was sentenced to 25 years for the strangling death…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Say “Opa!” at The Original Greek Festival
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: The Original Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. 3511 Yoakum The Original Greek Festival returns to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral for its 53rd year. Hit it…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Joker
Title: Joker Describe This Movie In One Full Metal Jacket Quote: ANIMAL MOTHER: You’re a real comedian. PRIVATE JOKER: Well, they call me the Joker. ANIMAL MOTHER: Well I got a joke for you. I’m gonna tear you a new asshole. Brief Plot Synopsis: We live in a society? Rating Using Random…
NFL Week 5: Falcons-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
Sunday’s Week 5 matchup between the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons will have a ton of multilayered significance. Some of it will certainly be emotional significance, with October 6 being the first Texans Founder’s Day and the induction of the late Bob McNair into the team’s Ring of Honor (more…
Vietgone: A Vietnamese American’s Fictionalized and Irreverent Story of How His Parents Met
Qui Nguyen always knew he wanted to write his parents’ story. Two refugees who came to America after the fall of Saigon, both having lost the people they loved, who find each other to build a life and a family together. But to tackle a subject that serious and important…
5 Reasons the Houston-Dallas High-Speed Rail Project Makes Sense
The Central Texas High-Speed Railway (aka, the Texas bullet train) proposed to run between Houston and Dallas continues gradually clearing hurdles, its officials hoping to begin construction in 2020 with an eye on the first trips in 2026. It has hired a builder, was granted an important petition from the…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A New Brunch and Even More Oktoberfest
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Earlier this week, Monkey’s Tail, 5802 Fulton, rolled out a series of new offerings, including Steak Night, Taco Tuesday and Weekend Brunch. Steak Night will be held on Mondays and will include a 14-ounce ribeye or…
Fastball Looks for Answers to Life’s Issues from The Help Machine
There’s a song on the Austin-based Fastball’s seventh studio album, The Help Machine (33 1/3 Records) called “The Girl You Pretended To Be.” Written by singer/bassist/keyboardist Tony Scalzo, it’s a pretty accurate portrayal of someone in a new relationship who wants their partner to see them in a certain—perhaps not-so-accurate—light:…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: RenFest, Indian Film, Season Openers
Get ready for another round of throwback cosplay, giant turkey legs and now even full armored combat with the kickoff weekend of TexRenFest. This first weekend of October also brings season openers for Houston Pride Band, Opera in the Heights, Company OnStage and Mercury, while over at BBVA Stadium we’re…
Catch a Glimpse of the New Giraffe Baby at the Houston Zoo
Looking as distinguished as any baby giraffe could be, a 128-pound male Masai giraffe was born at the Houston Zoo on Monday. Weighing in at 128 pounds with a height of just over 6 feet tall, the as-yet-unnamed calf is sticking close to his mother Kamili and hasn’t made a…
Five Rockets To Watch in the Preseason
Much of the talk around the Rockets this season may center around James Harden and Russell Westbrook, but it is worth noting that this team, which held its annual media day Friday and pummeled the Shanhai Sharks in an exhibition game Monday, has legitimate depth. Some of that depth is…
Upper Crust: Piola
Famosi per la pizza — the self congratulating slogan of renowned Italian-based pizza chain, Piola. With locations in ten countries, including two in Houston, the global chain is, in fact, famous for its pizza. On a lazy Monday afternoon in Houston the Midtown location is, regrettably, all but empty. A…
Houston Concert Watch 10/2: Lizzo and More
October is finally here, folks. Can you smell the pumpkin spice? That’s in my cup. Do you see the Halloween decorations? They’re on my door. Have you heard about the cold front? Because it’s a-comin’ (or so we want to believe.) Heading into what we hope will be some much…
How Many Houston Astros Will Get AL MVP Votes?
For the Houston Astros, the baseball postseason will begin on Friday in what, unfortunately for some (who have jobs during the day), has become kind of a tradition early afternoon time slot against the winner of tonight’s American League wild card game. It should be a fun October, with the…
Meet the Non-Diva Playing a Diva in Tosca at Opera in the Heights
As Opera in the Heights prepares to open its production of Tosca, soprano Elizabeth Baldwin will be taking on the title character’s role for the eighth time — something she looks forward and not just for the great music by Puccini she gets to sing. “You get to be so…
Rick Ross brings Miami to Houston
“I see some of y’all out there with new friends,” chuckled Rick Ross as he walked across the stage at the House of Blues. His red and black silk shirt flowed with the air being blown across the stage as he stopped mid-stride, adjusted his shades and took a sip…
Salt, Root and Roe: Facing the End Together and Alone at Stages
What happens when the person you are closest to for your life is desperately ill and wants to die? And how much more confounding is that when that person is your sister, your twin sister? In Salt, Root and Roe, about to begin performances at Stages Repertory Theatre in a…
Astros Regular Season: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The Astros finished off the winningest record in franchise history Sunday, completing a 107-win season, their third 100-win season in a row. They also have the best record in baseball giving them home field advantage through the entire playoffs. They closed out the regular season in style with back-to-back wins…
Panthers 16, Texans 10 — How To Lose A Game In 10 Plays
Tuesday morning is here, and we are at the final stages of putting the Houston Texans’ shameful loss to the Carolina Panthers in the rear view mirror. For me, this means the unfortunate task of doing a detailed autopsy on what took place at NRG Stadium on Sunday afternoon. There…
You’re Not an “Equal-Opportunity Offender”
If you’re ever lost in the woods, say that people who don’t get offended at jokes which are not targeting them aren’t particularly rational or special and they will find you so they can tell you you’re ruining the world. That’s what happened to me when I suggested Dave Chappelle’s…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear
While Texas still has its fair share of wide open spaces, it’s rare to find a 3,200-acre tract in the Houston metropolitan area. But Johnson development Corporation found just that with Cross Creek Ranch, a master-planned community in Fulshear, minutes west of the Grand Parkway. The parcel of land spans…
Royal Bakery: The Unofficial Sandwich Bread of Houston
It’s been pretty well established that Houston has an incredible food scene and where there is great fine dining, there will also be incredible cheap eats. For people like me, that means sandwiches. Thank God, Houston has no shortage of those, many of which I have documented and will continue…
The Next Waltz: Bruce Robison Goes Back To The Basics In The Studio
Waylon Jennings wisely sings about the benefits of “going back to the basics of love “ in “Luckenbach,” though he may have been crooning to a love interest, the advice can also apply to life in general. Bruce Robison has recently launched a platform based on going back to the…
Future and Meek Mill Bring Legendary Nights to The Woodlands
Houston y’all gotta turn up! This the last night of the tour!” yelled Meek Mill as he walked across the stage to stand alongside Future. A crumbling statute of Meek Mill’s face slowly turned on the screen behind the two artists. Meek, dressed in all black, wore chains with the…
Dish/Fox Feud Blacks Out Texans, Astros
On Sunday, when the Texans were losing to the Panthers, Dish Network subscribers in Houston were scrambling for a friend with cable or a sports bar to see the game because of a dispute between the provider and Fox that blacked out the game. The broadcast network (KRIV channel 26…
Stone Temple Pilots Create New Path with Singer Jeff Gutt
With all due respect to all members of rock bands—regardless of their job in the group—a lead singer is often the most difficult to replace. By their very nature, they are the most visible person, and their voices are stamped on the music. And when said vocalist is also deceased,…
October Art: Rediscovered Masterpiece, a Visionary Architect, and Art Fair Fever
‘Tis the season for art fairs, and we’ve got a bumper crop of them with Texas Contemporary, stARTup Art Fair, Bayou City Art Festival, and more. We’ve also got LEGO® bricks as fine art, a wildly imaginative architect at the Menil Drawing Institute, new public art at UH, and an immersive sound installation at…
NFL Week 4: Carolina 16, Texans 10, Home Dud — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
As the host of the Houston Texans postgame show on SportsRadio 610, I feel like my sense of the pulse of Texans fans is especially acute, and even after a win last week over the Los Angeles Chargers, the most impressive road win of the Bill O’Brien Era, there was…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Southern Smoke Brings the Heat for Charity
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long I’ll Have What She’s Having’s Second Annual WellWeek After tragic losses among the hospitality community in 2018, I’ll Have What She is Having created WellWeek to stimulate a conversation about mental health and its effects on the food…
DarkZero is a Houston-Based Esports Team That’s Dominating the Competition
On a quiet tree-lined street in Houston, somewhere in the Heights, a top-ranked professional esports team just dominated a regular season match to retain first place in their North American league. “We’re technically the only esports team in Houston,” jokes DarkZero team owner Zach Matula. While the former energy and…
HSPVA Grad Wiley DeWeese Goes the Distance, Strikes Lightning on Broadway
“This is what a New York apartment looks like the week before a Broadway show.” HSPVA graduate Wiley DeWeese flips his FaceTime screen to reveal an organized mess that is his Upper West Side home. He purposefully paces toward a FedEx box filled with updated music scores for The Lightning…
Jay Som and Boy Scouts Give Intimate Performances on a Quiet Night at White Oak
Both the lawn and main room of White Oak Music Hall were empty on a rare, quiet Saturday night. Yet, upstairs, in the venue’s smaller side room, Melina Duterte and her touring and recording ensemble, Jay Som, put on an intimate and moving performance for a small crowd of fortunate…
Maluma Overheats Toyota Center With Latin Charm
Maluma 11:11 World Tour Toyota Center September 27, 2019 Colombian singer-songwriter Maluma is a fascinating artist who navigates from love ballads to rock, reggaeton to trap, salsa to hip-hop. According to his bio, he is one of less than 30 performing artists worldwide to have more than 25 million YouTube…
Caught Up in the Apocalypse at Catastrophic With Tragedy: a Tragedy
If you ever wanted to see moonlight on stage, go to Catastrophic Theatre and bask in the light that Jayden Key throws off as The Witness in Will Eno’s absurdist, existential comedy, Tragedy: a Tragedy. Key is one of five characters caught up in an apocalypse – the final one,…
Last Night: Jonas Brothers at Toyota Center
Jonas Brothers Toyota Center September 26, 2019 Two years ago, Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas got together to have a talk, not as bandmates but as brothers. Their titular group – whose four albums had sold more than a million copies – had dissolved nearly half a decade prior, but…
The Myth of the Failed Impeachment Backlash
I keep seeing people say that if impeaching (or removing… people use the terms interchangeably) Donald Trump fails then he will be “unstoppable.” They cite experts and historians on this, though never by name. Probably because there is no evidence or precedent that this actually happens. Let’s look at the…
Six Ways Houstonians Get Ready for Fall
In other parts of the country, fall is in relative full swing. The chill of evening temperatures in the 50s and 60s, the scent of the first seasonal fire and leaves just beginning to edge brown and gold are drifting southward ever so slowly. Here in Houston, September isn’t fall…
The Bisexual Polyamory Story in Why Women Kill is Gross
Why Women Kill on CBS Access is about halfway through its first season and is a very interesting show. Made by Desperate Housewives-creator Marc Cherry, it focuses on a house in California where three different women end up embroiled in a murder plot across different eras. Ginnifer Goodwin is a…
Jinya Ramen Heights Opens, Mendocino Farms Uptown Next Week
Jinya Ramen Bar, 449 W.19th, opened at the Heights Waterworks September 17. This makes the seventh Houston location for the upscale ramen restaurant. It’s sleek and sexy and increasingly popular among noodle lovers. The broth is the star at JINYA and is slow-simmered for more than ten hours with either…
Debbie Harry – and “Blondie” – Both Have a Say in Memoir
Face It By Debbie Harry 368 pp. $32.50 Dey Street Books As the front woman of Blondie, Debbie Harry combined both vixenish sexuality and a tough, take-no-shit attitude, captured in concert and videos. And they had massive hits with songs like “Heart of Glass,” “Rapture,” “The Tide is High,” “Call…
NFL Week 4 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
It was nice to get back in the winning column last week, with our second 5-1 ATD week of NFL picks in the first three weeks of the season. Let’s keep it going! Before we get into the picks for this week’s sale of games, let’s take a look at…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: The Ultimate Morning After Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Oktoberfest Houston at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park Friday, 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m 105 Sabine Putting a Texas twist on traditional Oktoberfest celebrations, this annual beer festival features imported and local drafts, local…
SPA Journey Through Strange Lands With Nat Geo Photographer
Society for the Performing Arts will present “Stranger in a Strange Land” with photographer Jodi Cobb at 8 p.m. on Oct 15 at Jones Hall. She’ll walk the audience through the work she’s performed and issues she’s covered including visual presentations and personal stories.
The Who Ended Its Houston Set Last Night After Eight Songs
Houston’s no stranger to concert cancellations or postponements. There was a whole slate of scrapped shows just last week thanks to our ongoing struggle with tropical rainstorms. And, any time Morrissey is on the bill, one must prepare a plan B for the evening. When a show ends after it’s…
NFL Week 4: Panthers vs Texans — Four Things To Watch For
The early part of the NFL regular season is about positioning, doing enough things on the front end to keep your goals available in the subsequent months. The Houston Texans learned the hard way in 2018 that, if you don’t take care of business early on, then you need to…
Bad Religion Remains a Band for the Ages in the Age of Unreason
In May 2019, there were several mass shootings in the United States. Politicians allowed wildfires to burn uncontrollably in the Amazonian rain forest. Wars raged in the world’s typical hot spots. Donald Trump was still the American president. And, the seminal punk band Bad Religion released its 17th studio album,…
Deshaun Watson Named AFC Offensive Player of the Week For Week 3
In Sunday’s Texans win over the Chargers, on the Texans’ first possession of the game, Deshaun Watson dropped back to pass, setting up a screen pass to Duke Johnson. Unfortunately, the Chargers diagnosed the play flawlessly, like they were in the Texans’ huddle before the snap, and Watson tried to…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: MoonStrike, Viet Fest and a Regatta
Music aficionados can choose from iconic ’60s music or compositions inspired by the moon and stars; while nature lovers can pick up a few native plants, learn about birds of prey, or kayak along Greens Bayou. Rounding out the weekend are dance, a short film festival, an antique pop-up sale,…
An Astro Will Win the Cy Young, but Which One?
The Astros have two staff aces. Most teams scramble for one. They have two. Let that sink in for a moment. One of them will be a Hall of Famer one day. The other could be on his way. Either Justin Verlander or Gerrit Cole will win the AL Cy…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: La Lucha Celebrates One Year with a $2 Dinner
Fans of New York-style bagels can now get their fix at Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen Restaurant, 2327 Post Oak and 5172 Buffalo Speedway, as master New York bagel baker Barry Shapiro will be providing both locations with more than a half dozen freshly-baked varieties. As an introductory offer,…
The Feral Rock and Roll of Rival Sons
Jimi Hendrix did it. So did bands like R.E.M., the Killers, and Kings of Leon. They were all American rock acts that had to go to England to gig or gain traction there before coming back home with greater success. A recent addition to that list is Rival Sons. They’ve…
All That Remains Prevails at White Oak Music Hall
How many times have you gone to see a show and there isn’t a connection between the crowd and the band? As time progresses, some bands lose the ability to match the energy the crowd will bring.
To Say Houston Missed Phil Collins is an Understatement
Phil Collins Toyota Center September 24, 2K19 You rarely hear a crowd roar for a musician mentioning that they’re going to have a seat. They cheer for hit songs, for canned stage banter, for the simple mention of their name, but sitting is rarely a thing that’s even mentioned on…
Whining and Dining: Babies and ‘Sghetti at Night Heron
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Ranking the Biggest Concerns In Houston Sports
“Who’s got it better than us?!” is a famous battle cry of University of Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh, the catchphrase serving as a reminder to his football team that they got it pretty good. Now, whether that’s true for Harbaugh’s program this season, on the heels of a…
A New Look at the Classic The Glass Menagerie at 4th Wall Theatre Co.
It’s a show that Joseph “Joe P” Palmore never thought he’d be in, let alone be called to audition for, he readily admits with a laugh. How does an African-American man fit into an iconic family that has always been portrayed by white actors? So he had some hesitations. But…
Houston Concert Watch 9/25: The Who and More
The final week of September is upon us, and my coffee table is already covered in miniature pumpkins. I’ll also shamelessly admit that, by the end of the week, my neighbors can expect to see some Halloween decorations on my porch as well. In the meantime, there’s still a week…
Charli XCX Elevated to Next Level By Fans at White Oak
It is an understatement to say that the fans of Charli XCX are ravenous. Fans began screaming more than 25 minutes before her performance began. Any hint of something about to happen would elicit sporadic shrieks. As all the lights went out, Charli’s disembodied voice began giving instructions to the…
Upper Crust: Pi Pizza
Earlier this year it was widely reported that Michael Sambrooks, The Pit Room owner who acquired three of four Cherry Pie Hospitality properties for an absolute steal in 2018, would soon be renaming and rebranding beloved pizza kitchen, Pi Pizza. Reports stated the Heights Boulevard restaurant would relaunch as a…
Did Sunday’s Win Over the Chargers Reveal a New Bill O’Brien?
Aside from the obvious benefit of just getting the win on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles against the Chargers, there were other good long-term takeaways from that game, if you’re a Houston Texans fan. Primary among those observations would be the fact that there seemed to be a different, more…
Roundtrip Ticket To The Blues: The Mighty Orq Releases Live Album
It’s no secret that Houston has an abundance of great blues, past and present. It has been the stomping ground for many great blues men and women. The Mighty Orq is no exception, he has been a fixture in the Houston blues scene since 2002, and even got his name…
Houston’s Up and Coming Actors 2019: Razzle, Dazzle and a Whole Lot More
This past August, when Brandon Morgan strode up on stage to accept his Houston Theater Award for the Best Everywhere We Looked Player, he pointed to his friend, Joseph “Joe P” Palmore (who had just won the Best Actor Award) and said the following: “See man, they only liked one…
Five Rules For Employers During the Next Flooding Event
We don’t know when it will happen, but it will. In four of the last five years, we have had major flood events, two of which were tropical in nature. And that excludes a couple other storm-ridden days other parts of the country would consider flooding that we just refer…
Reignwolf Howl for The Who and…the Wu-Tang Clan?
The first time that Reignwolf played Houston, it was at the tiny Continental Club opening for a Beatles cover band. Just a couple of years later, they’re back. But this time, the Canadian hard rockers are sharing the city’s second-largest performing venue with the real Who. That’s almost as big…
Creativity and Joy Shine Through at the 2019 Weird Homes Tour Houston
Within the hallowed halls of a museum, it’s nice to appreciate a single object, think about its composition and theme, and move on to the next painting in the gallery space. But there’s also something incredibly exciting about viewing collections of art in jumbled abundance, layered and interacting in such…
ROCO Rocks Classical Music, World Premieres In 15th Season Kickoff
ROCO will present Time for Hope September 27 – 28 at Miller Outdoor Theatre and St. John the Divine featuring four world premieres and special programming for all ages.
Black Label Society Sheds With The Houston Chapter
In heavy metal, the talent and skill of the guitarist can make or break the success of the band. Their ability to craft riffs that will carry the song, as well as construct guitar solos that are not only audibly pleasing but also require a high level of skill to…
Iron Maiden Proves Its “Legacy” Is Secure With An Outstanding Show At The Woodlands
Iron Maiden September 22, 2019 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Our arenas are littered with aging bands creaking through “farewell” tours before decades of excess force their hands, and then there’s Iron Maiden. The laws of nature state that we must inevitably grow old, slowing down as we do so. It…
NFL Week 3: Texans 27, Chargers 20 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Well, they had to get there eventually, didn’t they? The Houston Texans, with Bill O’Brien as the head coach and Deshaun Watson as the franchise quarterback, had been too close too many times to getting a big road win over a good team, a good quarterback, or a great coach…
From Downey To Lubbock: The Long And Shared Journey Of Dave Alvin And Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Every Houstonian knows the sounds of a heavy storm, especially after last week’s visit from Imelda. Elements in nature feed off of each other to create perfect storms. Last years, From Downey To Lubbock, a collaboration between Texas Flatlander, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and California Blaster, Dave Alvin, melted natural elements…
Run For Your Lives! Something Bad is Coming! I Saw/Read/Heard About It!
The Martians Have Landed! A History of Media-Driven Panics and Hoaxes By Robert E. Bartholomew and Benjamin Radford 250 pp. $29.95 McFarland On the evening of October 30, 1938, an Indiana women burst into her local church in full panic mode. “New York destroyed! It’s the end of the world!”…
Providing A Pulse: Thelma And The Sleaze Keep Rock And Roll Alive
Time and time again there are cries that real rock and roll is dead. For those who are worried about the state of the genre, look no further than Thelma and the Sleaze. Thelma and the Sleaze are the epitome of rock and roll; a mainline of adrenaline coming from…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Brunch, Pho and Oktoberfest Bier
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, September 24 Food Apartheid Dinner Series Finale Garden Party at Indigo Collaborative culinary fundraiser Food Apartheid Dinner Series (F.A.D.S) comes to an end with a finale garden party at Indigo, 517 Berry, on Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. From…
A Houstonian’s Guide to Dying on the Cheap
There’s a hefty price tag attached to the most important milestones in life: bar/bat mitzvahs, quinceañeras, sweet sixteens, weddings, funerals. When it comes to the latter, we’ve all been scared by those TV ads for final expense insurance, but death arrangements don’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re planning…
Astros Clinch AL West, Verlander Gets 20th: Four Winners, Four Losers
For more than a month now, the Astros clinching the AL West was merely a formality. On Sunday, the Astros collected win 102 over the Angels with three home runs from George Springer and the 20th victory for Justin Verlander. With just seven games remaining, the only remaining goal in…
Locally Grown. World Renowned Shows Houston Ballet at its Finest
Houston Ballet has their cake and eats it too in their first mixed repertoire program of their golden anniversary season, Locally Grown. World Renowned.
School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play Goes Beyond Skin Deep at Ensemble Theatre
At first glance, the title of Jocelyn Bioh’s gentle and warm School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play says it all. A lot of Mean Girls, some Heathers, maybe a bit of Legally Blonde. Then it gets interesting. Set in an all-girls boarding school in eastern Ghana, the senior…
Peter Frampton Says Goodbye to Houston in Powerful and Joyous Farewell Tour
While Peter Frampton has joined the long (and getting longer) list of classic rock-era acts who have decided to put an end to extended touring, in his case it doesn’t stem from any desire to actually leave the stage. In February, Frampton announced that he has a degenerative muscular disease…
Carrie Underwood Is In Command At Toyota Center
Carrie Underwood, Maddie & Tae, Runaway June September 21, 2019 Toyota Center It took me a second to remember Carrie Underwood won American Idol. In fairness, there’s a lot about that show I’ve forgotten, whether inadvertently (age) or deliberately (booze). But Underwood’s blockbuster post-Idol success has vaulted her into rarefied air…
Ars Lyrica Puts on a Timeless Spectacle in Dancing at the Palais
Ars Lyrica opened their 2019-2020 season with a trip to Baroque-era Paris in Dancing at the Palais.
Ross Hammond and the American Primitive Network
When you think of underground music, you think of the extreme and the forbidden. Groups rapping in basements or East German punks holed up in churches to escape state censure. You don’t usually picture quiet, guitar-driven dad music, but there is this amazing network of house shows and cafes keeping…
Now He’s Ready: Hardcore Punk Singer John Anderson’s Last Growls
Punk in Houston was a curious Southern aberration, an explosion of personalities and styles that ran the gamut from carefully crafted renegade soundwaves to jittery art-core and manic rock’n’roll. Bands tumbled quickly through the zeitgeist – Legionaires Disease, the Hates, Really Red, Bevatron, Plastic Idols, Mydolls, and many more, each…
Finding Grace at the End of the Rock’n’Roll Road: Julie DeGidio’s Life Fight
Underground music in Houston has often been powerfully shaped by women, and mothers too, who defy expectations, free themselves from the gnawing reins of sexism, and forge music that stretches boundaries. Just think of Mydolls, Stinkerbell, Pain Teens, Manhole, Magnetic Four, Zipperneck, and Merkava. Julie (“Jewels”) DeGidio, who has been…
The Joker, Jedi, and Judy Garland: Are You Ready For The 2019 Fall Movie Season?
It was a rhetorical question: nobody is ready for more movies. Especially since the summer blockbuster season left box office records (Avengers: Endgame) and the Manson Family (Once Upon A Time in Hollywood) strewn in its wake. And yet, as 2019 slouches toward an ungainly end, it falls to us…
All That Remains Is Ready To Make Houston Their Next Victim
In the early 2000’s the New Wave of American Heavy Metal was having a successful reprise. Heavy acts such as Korn and System of a Down had become household names, bands Deftones and Slipknot were now Grammy winners, and the more aggressive sounds of Lamb of God and All That…
Openings and Closings: The Annie Cafe & Bar Debuts, Saigon House Will Relocate
The Annie Cafe & Bar, 1800 Post Oak, will open for dinner September 25. It was originally scheduled to open September 24, but Tropical Storm/Depression/Pain-in-the- Ass Imelda left team members stranded, so the opening was pushed back a day. The new concept is a revamp of Robert Del Grande’s Cafe…
Four Lessons We Learned About Weather During Tropical Storm Imelda Flooding
Tropical Storm Imelda inundated the city of Houston and surrounding parts of southeast Texas this week with some areas receiving 20, 30, even 40 inches of rain over a 48-hour period. Places like Winnie and New Caney saw flooding on par with or higher than rates during Hurricane Harvey. That…
Simon Kirke on Bad Company’s Good Box Set
It was the middle of 1973, and drummer Simon Kirke’s band was in complete and utter disarray. Though Free had only scored one hit in the United States (“All Right Now”) they were a popular concert attraction. But the group had pretty much – according to Kirke — “ground to…
NFL Week 3 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
The NFL and the NBA, the two most popular leagues in our sporting culture here in America, have some drastic differences in the way they do business, but one facet that is becoming more and more congruous between the two leagues is the amount of control star players are exerting…
You Don’t Get a Prize for Not Being Offended
Dave Chappelle tells unfunny, transphobic jokes and has for quite a while now. This was apparent in his latest Netflix special, Sticks and Stones, which I just re-watched to make sure that his jokes were still unfunny and transphobic. A lot of people don’t agree with me about the unfunny…
![Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Julep Celebrates Five Years [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/img_248.webp-scaled.webp?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Julep Celebrates Five Years [UPDATED]
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Karbachtoberfest at Karbach Brewery Friday, 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 3 to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. 2032 Karbach Karbach Brewing Co. is kicking off its take on the popular German festival with a three weekend-long Karbachtoberfest. Open to…
Major Flash Flooding Remains a Serious Issue in Southeast Texas
At 2 p.m., a flash flood warning remained in effect for most of southeast Texas through later in the afternoon. Rainfall had lessened across the northern parts of the area, but it does continue to fall and portions of Fort Bend County are getting hit at the moment by a…
![One Last, Brutal Round with Imelda Before We Dry Out [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/skylinerdoogie.webp-scaled.webp?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
One Last, Brutal Round with Imelda Before We Dry Out [UPDATED]
Former Topical Storm Imelda apparently decided southeast Texas hadn’t had enough rain just yet. A potent band of heavy rainfall producing, in some cases, three inches of rain per hour is sagging across northeast Harris County and points south and east toward Beaumont. This large band of rain should be…
Soggy Weather Helps Create An Intimate Setting For Injury Reserve at House of Blues
A small crowd of those willing to brave the downpour of tropical depression Imelda gathered in The Bronze Peacock Room at The House of Blues Wednesday night to catch Arizona-based hip-hop trio Injury Reserve. While the threat of rain might have reduced the number of patrons, those in attendance were…
We Get the Heart But Not The Edge In Every Brilliant Thing
Ice cream. Wonder Woman. Things with stripes. Spaghetti with meatballs. Being allowed to stay up late to watch TV. For any seven-year-old girl, this is a list of awesomeness. However, for one seven-year-old girl, these items have a tragic undertone. Her’s is a list of all the brilliant things in…
The Winter’s Tale at the Alley Picks Up With a Move to the Country
All hail Bohemia! Alley Theatre’s handsome production finally catches sunshine when it moves to the exotic land far away from dour Sicilia, where the play begins. Officially Act IV in Shakespeare’s radiantly transparent yet complex fairy tale, The Winter’s Tale, the Bohemia sequence is Shakespeare as jester. He tosses off…
Astros Win 100th, Clinch Playoff Birth
In 2013, the Astros finished their third straight season with 100 losses. Only one other team had done that in MLB history. On Wednesday night, they won their 100th game of the season for the third straight year, something only seven other teams have ever accomplished. What a difference a…
10 Best Bets This Weekend: Robert Frank on Film, Jeff Goldblum, and the Moon
Jeff Goldblum in concert, Bill Maher on satire, and the late Robert Frank on film are just a few of the stellar events this weekend in Houston. There’s a two day jazz festival, experimental film by female artists, and the world premiere of a new dance by Houston Ballet’s Oliver Halkowich…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: The Morning After, A Houston Press Brunch Event Returns
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Downtown, 1200 McKinney, will host a Pinot for the People wine tasting on Thursday, September 26 at 5:30 p.m. Pappas’ sommeliers will highlight wines from the classic regions of Burgundy and Sonoma, plus…
NFL Week 3: Texans at Chargers — Four Things To Watch For
If we’ve learned anything in the first couple weeks of the 2019 NFL season, it’s that judging the difficulty of a team’s schedule during the preceding offseason is folly. The Texans, on paper, and in June, had one of the hardest first seven game stretches of any team in football…
Clarence Clemons Doc Finds the Big Man Looking for Directions – But Not to E Street
After Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band wrapped up their massive, September 11 memorial-heavy The Rising tour in 2003, sax player Clarence Clemons needed a break. A spiritual seeker – if not a particularly religious one – he decided to book a trip to China, in search of…something. There,…
Another Round of Imelda Rain Threatens Houston Wednesday Night
Heavy bands of rain continued to pound areas south of Houston Wednesday morning, some with rates of 4 and 5 inches per hour. Overnight, spots mainly south and east of Harris County got the worst of it, but as that lifts north throughout Wednesday, central Houston’s date with Imelda may…
Steve Gorman’s Explosive Memoir Tells Wayward Flight of the Black Crowes
Through the entire career of the Black Crowes — from when they were known as Mr. Crowe’s Garden, to their 1990 hit debut record Shake Your Moneymaker, up until their last (and seemingly final) live show in December 2013 – even their most diehard fans have had a lot of…
Frank Loesser’s Music Celebrated in a Monday Night Cabaret Series at Ovations
A-list song writer Frank Loesser began his career by, to quote his own song, “Doin’ It the Hard Way.” Unlike preceding A-listers Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Rodgers, Loesser went to Hollywood without prior Broadway fame. That would come later, and with it multiple Tony awards, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a…
Houston Concert Watch: 9/18: Morrissey and More
Pick of the Week: Morrissey White Oak Music Hall – 09.21 Former Smiths frontman Morrissey has become a contentious figure in recent years, most recently with his defense of nationalism. But damn it, the man sure can sing and tug at fans’ heartstrings with his grieving vocals. Despite any controversy…
Spring Awakening: The Rock Musical About Teenagers Comes to TUTS
Following its debut on Broadway in 2006, the rock musical Spring Awakening won eight Tony Awards including the one for Best Musical. Revived in 2015, it received three Tony Award nominations. So its fairly well established that audience members and critics consider it a moving and stellar piece of musical…
NFL QB Crisis: Assessing Playoff Chances Of Teams With Injured Quarterbacks
The two most important entities in professional team sports are the superstar player in the NBA and quarterbacks in the NFL. They are the most important employees in their respective buildings, and when they’re really good, any decision made by a team needs to be made with their best interests…
Take Some Friends With You to Tacolandia and Get a Great Deal
According to various published reports, the country were tacos are eaten the most is (drum roll please): Norway. Norway? Yes it seems it’s the Friday night fav in that northern country, maybe because it’s basic construction is so easy: just wrap a tortilla around some meat and/or veggies and go…
Sudden Tropical Storm Imelda Poses Serious Flooding Threat This Week
Within the span of just a few hours Tuesday, a tropical disturbance in the western Gulf of Mexico spun up into Tropical Storm Imelda and, just as quickly, moved on shore near Freeport. Fortunately, because the storm was so close to land, it didn’t have a chance to intensify into…
Michael Sambrooks Makes Tex-Mex Personal and Smoky at His New Candente
The Spanish word, candente, means glowing, sizzling, full of life, and for owner, Michael Sambrooks, the word says it all about his new restaurant. Candente, located off Montrose, in the Museum District, opened on September 16, Mexican independence day, with dishes of Tex-Mex cheesy enchiladas, tacos, combination plates, but also…
Four Thoughts on Justin Reid, The Houston Texans’ Unsung Hero
Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, J.J. Watt. Those are rightfully the first names that come to mind when you ask a Houston Texans fan about the star players on their favorite team. Truth be told, left tackle Laremy Tunsil’s name is probably on the cusp of the star circle in which…
Styx Continue Their “Mission” into the Future
There have been hundreds of classic rock hits over the years. And some of them have even been smash hits. But only a handful could be considered Real Anthems. Think “Stairway to Heaven,” “Freebird,” “Hotel California,” or “Comfortably Numb.” Another member of that exclusive club is “Come Sail Away.” The…
Heavy Rain, Possible Flash Flooding This Week
Hurricane season may have passed its statistical peak last week, but the tropics remain a hotbed of activity. And while there are no hurricanes that are threatening the Texas Gulf coast, a tropical disturbance in the Gulf is likely to produce some very heavy rainfall across the region beginning Tuesday…
Still Waiting on the DS Final Fantasy Games on Switch
It’s great that Square Enix has brought so many of the classic Final Fantasy games to Nintendo Switch in one big gulp. With Final Fantasy VIII just getting released, every game from VII to XII and Crystal Chronicles is available. As someone who has been trying to get his spouse…
Upper Crust: Coltivare Pizza & Garden
Summer is all but over. In some parts of the world this time of year signals the advent of chilly weather and the end of outdoor season. So long shorts and T-shirts, hello hot tea and head colds. But Houston isn’t one of those parts. The end of summer here…
Tour Sleek and Sophisticated Abodes on the MA+DS Modern Home Tour
What’s your personal architectural style? We expect there will be a few more converts to the clean lines of modern architecture after this weekend’s Ninth Annual Houston Modern Home Tour. Presented by the Modern Architecture + Design Society, the event attracts those who are thinking about building new, as well as…
Daily Show Co-Creator Lizz Winstead on Activism Comedy and Being “Abortion AF”
Before Trevor Noah or John Oliver, before Samantha Bee, before Bill Maher, before even Jon Stewart was a television fixture taking swipes at American political figures, there was Lizz Winstead. The co-creator of the Comedy Central landmark developed the series with Madeline Smithberg and Doug Herzog to fit the voice…
Attxla Deep Sea Dives on Oceanic Album Ebb
When he was a toddler, Attxla’s mother used to drive him around Port Arthur listening to music to help him fall asleep. Saturated in the female R&B canon (Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, Anita Baker), those listening sessions formed a strong association between music and sleep for the…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Poulet Classique at Neo Baguette
The Poulet Classique at Neo Baguette is fresh, surprising and a great reminder of where the baguette originated. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Lenny Kravitz Offers A Blast From The (Recent) Past At Smart Financial Centre
Lenny Kravitz Smart Financial Centre September 15, 2019 Judging solely by music charts, it would be easy to assume Lenny Kravitz had dropped out of sight some time ago. The (consecutive) four-time Grammy winner for Best Male Rock Performance hasn’t had much presence on radio in over a decade, though…
Every Brilliant Thing Offers a Funny, Sad, Resilient Night at the Theater
The lights will be on throughout. There’s nowhere to hide. In Every Brilliant Thing about to open at Main Street Theater a solo performer holds the stage for 75 minutes as a character talking about depression and the effect her suicidal mother had on her life. Despite the subject matter…
Remembering Daniel Johnston, Lo-Fi Guru of Do-It-Yourself Music, Dead at 58
Though a transplant from West Virginia, and born in California, Daniel Johnston was synonymous with Austin’s unique and weird music ecosystem for years. Despite suffering from a sometimes debilitating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, he became a bona fide lo-fi guru of Do-It-Yourself music-making. On Wednesday, September 11, he died, likely…
First Soloist Oliver Halkowich Explores What Houston Ballet Has Meant to Him in A World Premiere
During its first mixed repertoire program this season, the Houston Ballet will show off the much-admired Mummuration by Edwaard Liang and Passion by James Kudelka — along with two world premieres one of which is by Houston Ballet First Soloist Oliver Halkowich. In addition to the world premiere of Elapse by Chinese…
Hundreds Show Up to Donkeeboy and Donkeemom’s Interactive Art Show
Alex Roman Jr., aka Donkeeboy, teamed up with his mother, Donkeemom (Sylvia Roman), on a one-night-only gallery show and interactive event on Saturday. The expositional pop-up took place in The Union HTX, a re-purposed historic home turned rotating art gallery in the heart of Washington Heights’ Art District. The inaugural…
NFL Week 2: Texans 13, Jaguars 12 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Hey, a win is a win. An NFL game can be an utter atrocity, game management can be an affront to sensible thinking, and execution can be nearly nonexistent at times, and as long as there are more points on the scoreboard for your team at the end, that’s all…
Astros Get Good News on the Injury Front
It’s been a bit of an up and down last six weeks of the season for the Astros off the field as they continue to do well on it. From Carlos Correa’s back to Ryan Pressly’s knee to Yuli Gurriel’s hamstring, the training room at Minute Maid Park has been…
Da Camera Serves Up Musical Feast in Bon Appetit!
Da Camera opens their 2019-2020 with all things French in Bon Appetit!
Squeeze’s Chris Difford on Those Lennon-McCartney Comparisons: “I’m Ringo”
In the 1970s, when British rock band Squeeze began to show promise with a growing catalog of catchy and engaging songs, Rolling Stone excitedly dubbed its songwriting duo, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, “the Lennon and McCartney of their generation.” That drew some scrutiny from lots of music folks, including…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Fresh Corn Tamales and Mexican Independence Day
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long Fresh Corn Tamale Season at Hugo’s Throughout September, award-winning chef Hugo Ortega will offer fresh corn tamales at his namesake Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer. Hugo’s tamals will honor the flavors, traditions and culture of central Mexico, with a duo…
10 Things We Learned from #TobeNwigweAtMFAH
How do we measure success? Some would say with money, fame, and connections. Others may argue that success manifests itself through the creation of family and a supportive team. Even without access to Tobe Nwigwe’s bank statements and tax returns, we can still clearly state that this particular artist from…
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The Hard Problem at Main Street Theater is Classic Stoppard in All the Right Ways [UPDATED]
If the first scene of a play has a couple in bed, undressed or sitting close enough to each other to pique your interest, you might be anywhere in contemporary theater. If the first scene of the play has a couple in bed and they’re talking statistics, cost benefit analysis,…
Smartly Soulful, The Hiding Place Has Much To Teach Us
Sometimes a Holocaust story isn’t simply a Holocaust story. Not when it concerns itself with people’s kindness to those of another religion, even when the personal consequences are dire. When, in the face of unspeakable inhumanity, instead of turning away in fear or preservation, people step forward and help. That’s…
The City of Good Abode Errs a Bit on the Too Earnest Side
Nothing kills good drama like earnestness. In less competent hands, it trips up playwrights by smothering good intentions, blinding them to obvious structural faults. It can make characters sound like placards, saying more than they would know. It opens the door for bumpy drama, spreading its ideas too thin. It…
Flying Lotus Brings His 3D Show To Houston
“Stay tuned to some words by Captain Murphy” waved across the screen like heat rising off the summer asphalt. Audience members adjusted their 3D glasses as the words on screen morphed into the bald, bearded, larger than life cartoon character that first appeared on an Adult Swim mixtape and YouTube…
It’s Cabaret Time at Ovations on Three Special Monday Nights
If you’re a fan of the music from Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, then the next three Monday nights at Ovations nightclub are where you’ll want to be as Paul Hope Cabaret presents the music of Frank Loesser. Hope, the former artistic director…
TUTS Presents a Standout Production of A Chorus Line at the Hobby Center
There are quite a few one-offs in the history of the Broadway musical, hits like Oklahoma, misses like Allegro or Pacific Overtures. But A Chorus Line (1975) stands out. Different in every way from a standard plot show, yet a tremendous smash, ranked 7th among the longest-running musicals ever, A…
Phantogram’s Return Sells Out White Oak
Phantogram plays to a sold out show in Houston, Texas at the White Oak Music Hall.
4 Things to Consider When Getting Rid of Old Computers and Smart Phones
Technology changes rapidly. As a result, there are new versions of computers, smart phones and other tech products coming out seemingly every week. Apple just announced the new iPhone 11 and early adopters are already preordering them. But even if you aren’t an early adopter and you ride your tech…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Hustlers
Title: Hustlers Describe This Movie In One Grosse Pointe Blank Quote: GROCER: Workers of the world, unite! Brief Plot Synopsis: Stripper swap hearts of gold for gold cards. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3.5 Stevie Wonders out of 5. Tagline: “Inspired by a true story.” Better Tagline: “The BABFL of Wall Street”…
Wallflower Records is Set to Take Over Cactus Music (And the World)
A few Februaries ago, Corey Savage attended Lolipop Records’ Lolipop Your Heart Out music festival in Los Angeles. As he took in sets by the label’s bands – acts like Mystic Braves, The Creation Factory and Psychomagic – inspiration struck. He decided then and there that he had to start…
Openings and Closings: Candente, Postino Montrose Debut Next Week, Flying Biscuit is Open
Candente, 4306 Yoakum, opens September 16. The new Tex-Mex restaurant comes from Sambrooks Management Company. Like another Sambrooks holding, The Pit Room, Candente will focus on smoke and high quality meats, such as prime Niman Ranch skirt steak. Candente’s Tampiquena will feature a 9 ounce prime Niman Ranch ribeye topped…
NFL Week 2 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
Week 1 of the 2019 NFL gambling season is on the books, and it went about as well as could be expected, with a nice 5-1 ATS start to the year. Beyond that, in the “everything was falling right for me on Sunday” category, not only did Kyler Murray’s feverish…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: An EaDo Pub Crawl and Mexican Independence Day Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: AfriFEST at Houston Baptist University Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. 7502 Fondren The 7th annual AfriFEST will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at Houston Baptist University. A celebration of all that is Africa, the Houston African Festival will include…
Still Vibrating: the Endless Charisma of the Vibrators
For decades, the Vibrators have exhibited exhilarating, buzzing guitar hooks galore and tight, compact, and melodic songs that hum in the brain for weeks on end. With sheer charisma, staying power, and endless back-to-basics churning pop-punk, they make time itself collapse. The promise of 1976 — the idea that music should avoid overly-pretentious, bloated, elitist…
Australia’s Ancient History is Preserved by Contemporary Artists in “Mapa Wiya”
With a history that dates back 50,000 years (or more) to Mungo Man LM3 and Mungo Lady, and on a continent that at one time supported 500 different language groups, the histories of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been preserved through songs, performances, oral histories, sculptures and…
Whining and Dining: A Baby, A Triple-Decker and Some Pickles at Kenny & Ziggy’s
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Last Night: The National at White Oak Music Hall
The National White Oak Music Hall September 11, 2019 Matt Berninger’s voice sounds like a stiff drink. His gruff baritone has been likened to bourbon, and he typically serves it neat. But on his band’s latest record — and its accompanying tour, which visited Houston’s White Oak Music Hall on…
Mexstep’s Resistir Is a Moving Album for the Times
Sometimes music is the only facsimile of an answer to our modern troubles. The right album at the right time can offer insight and solace when all semblance of reason escapes us. On the day a coward, fueled by racist and fascist rhetoric, drove hundreds of miles to shoot innocent…
NFL Week 2: Jaguars vs Texans — Four Things To Watch For
I’ll say this for Texans head coach (and de facto general manager) Bill O’Brien — if he is pushing all of his chips into the middle of the table for 2019 (and certainly, his behavior indicates that’s precisely what he is doing, even if his words contradict that), he is…
10 Best Bets This Weekend: Sunday Polo and Jockeying for the Oval Office
All eyes are on Houston this Thursday with the Democratic debates, but that’s just the opening volley for this weekend in Houston. We’ve got the “David Beckham of polo” coming for the International Cup, more than a few theater offerings, and Paul Anka kicking off the 125th season for The…
Bluesman Sparky Parker Lights Up the Dark
When Eric “Sparky” Parker was 13, he began a love affair. Not with a beguiling classmate at a school dance, but with the guitar. And while there’s a noisy graveyard somewhere out there of instruments that were abandoned by teenagers, you won’t find one of his axes there. “I was…
What Happened to Wade Miley?
Prior to Astros starter Wade Miley’s last two passes through the rotation, he had the third best ERA in the American League. The lefty’s story for 2019 has been the kind of miracle reclamation project that has become synonymous with the Astros and their data-driven approach to baseball. It wasn’t…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: The Corks & Forks Gala Returns
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Third Coast, 6550 Bertner, will be hosting a White Wine Tasting on Tuesday, September 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Guests will taste several wines and learn about common qualities expressed in white wines, alongside small…
Fever 333 Cancels its Expected Houston Appearance
Editor’s Note, 091219: Fever 333 announced today on its Facebook page that the group is canceling its September scheduled dates because of a medical condition that singer Jason Aalon Butler has. According to the post, Butler has “complications from a lung condition,” and has been told to stop touring for now…
Come Together: Friends Raise Funds For Local Musician Robert Kuhn
Last week, while on tour, Galveston musician Robert Kuhn was struck in a collision in Colorado, which left the singer hospitalized and his van totaled. Kuhn suffered five broken ribs, a broken clavicle and a punctured lung, requiring multiple surgeries. Fortunately, Kuhn was able to walk away from the wreckage but like so…
Get the Deets on Texodus, Pelosi and POTUS Wannabes at Texas Tribune Fest
How and where do you get your news? Do you wait for the carrier to toss your paper at the curb? Perhaps you live in a rural area where it’s a financial choice between internet and cable TV. Were you letting Stephen Colbert feed you biased snippets on YouTube? Or maybe…
Houston Concert Watch 9/11: The National and More
The Texans may not have been able to secure a win over the New Orleans Saints earlier this week, but our readers can at least secure an entertaining evening with the help of this week’s concert watch. Keep scrolling to see the five best acts visiting the Bayou City over…
Texans Center Nick Martin Signs $33 Million Contract Extension
As the Houston Texans went through the 2019 offseason sitting on oodles of salary cap space (over $40 million worth, to be exact), being so careful with it that you’d think it actually accrued interest or something, it’s been fair to wonder just how they would eventually deploy this spending…
Senior at The Village School Gives New Meaning to Extracurriculars With His Own Business
For most high schoolers, summer is a time to relax and enjoy a couple months without school pressure. But for 17-year-old Aaryan Patel, summer is the time to expand Tide Media, the smart home company he created when he was in ninth grade. After seeing his father install smart home…
Houston’s Best Food and Drink Specials for September
The kids are back to school, or maybe you’re back in school yourself. While September gives us a peck on the cheek, promising us fall temperatures, our wallets have taken a hit from back to school supplies, refreshed wardrobes, summer vacation splurges and ridiculously priced textbooks. We’re here to help…
![Tom Stoppard’s The Hard Problem Asks What Makes Us Truly Human? [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/thehardplacepinlimphotography800.webp.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Tom Stoppard’s The Hard Problem Asks What Makes Us Truly Human? [UPDATED]
It is in many ways a tougher equation to solve than all the computations at the highest level of math. Why are we conscious rather than not? What does it take to meet all the criteria for being conscious — and is science enough to explain it all? The Hard…
Perry Henzell’s Reggae Revelations on Film
It’s a film that many music aficionados may know about, have read about, or heard some of the soundtrack. But with the release of The Harder They Come: The Collector’s Edition (Shout! Factory), many will actually see the music-infused 1972 Jamaican crime drama – produced and directed by Perry Henzell…
Brooklyn Twang: Luba Dvorak Delivers Quality Honky Tonk On American Sin
Sometimes two words just go together, whether the connection can be explained or not, they just roll off the tongue and evoke a feeling. Honky and tonk are two such words, they may not mean much separately, but together they instantly make mouths water for a cold beer and fill…
Phony Ppl Perform At The House Of Blues
The deep, red lights in the House of Blues gradually shifted to a blue hue as Elbee Thrie sat slumped on the steps beneath Aja Grant. Grant played the keyboard while Thrie, dreads covering his face, belted out soft, soulful notes. Bass guitarists, Bari Bass, stood on top of a…
The Six Best Sandwich Shops in Houston Right Now
A great sandwich is a joy no matter where you get it, but there is something about a shop that puts them at the forefront of a menu. Sandwich shops are some of my favorite places. It’s a great place to stop in a town when visiting because they are…
KISS Shouts It Out Loud One Last Time At Toyota Center
KISS Toyota Center September 9, 2019 “Das ist das Ende. Das Ende.” – Generaloberst Alfred Jodl, Patton At this point, it’s probably easier to count musical acts that haven’t embarked on farewell tours than those that have. The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, for example, are among those trusting in…
NFL Week 1 Gut Punch: Saints 30, Texans 28 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Prior to Monday night, there had been three times in the first 22 starts of Deshaun Watson’s young NFL career in which the dynamic signal caller left his team with a lead in the final two minutes, on the road, in a difficult environment. In his rookie year, he had…
Astrodome Back in Limbo Again?
For over 20 years, the Astrodome, The Eighth Wonder of the World as it was dubbed when it opened — the first fully air-conditioned indoor stadium — has sat vacant…for the most part. It held an indoor carnival or two in the early oughts. Of course, it was home to…
Houston By the Neighborhood: The Livin’ is Easy in Summerwood-Lakeshore
Discover convenience and waterfront living in the Summerwood-Lakeshore market area, with many homes backing up to Lake Houston and recreational amenities like boathouses, jet ski lifts, summer cottages and fishing piers, not to mention the herds of deer crossing the road. Located about 30 minutes northeast of downtown, and with…
Belt Out Whitney Houston’s Greatest Hits This Weekend
The biggest hits of Whitney Houston’s heyday will be belted out full throttle in The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston at Miller Outdoor Theatre on September 13 and 14.
Dry Wit Rhea Butcher Wants Us To Look In Each Other’s Eyes Again
“These words are printed, right, so nobody is going to hear the way I’m saying it?”
The Democratic Nominee Should Refuse to Debate Donald Trump
The third Democratic Primary debate is rolling into Texas Southern University Thursday. The field of 20-plus candidates has been winnowed down to ten: Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julián Castro, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Andrew Yang. Though it’s possible some of the…
Smoked Out: Pappa Charlie’s Barbecue
When you set out to review barbecue in the city of Houston, you’re bound to walk some well-trodden roads. Barring the occasional new opening, you’re often left reviewing old-school stalwarts and hometown heroes. Pitmasters and cooks who made names in the pop-up and competition circuit, who’ve racked up their share…
John Mayer Rocks Toyota Center – Summer Tour 2019
John Mayer Toyota Center September 8, 2019 There’s something supremely genuine about a John Mayer concert. You won’t be bombarded with lasers or sexy back-up dancers or mosh pits during his show. Everything surrounding the performance hits the sweet spot, from the overall volume to the on-stage banter, the set…
Slipknot Wraps up Knotfest Roadshow in Houston
Dark colors might not be the best clothes to wear on a hot sunny day, but this Sunday evening a black shirt with your favorite metal band’s name was the attire of the moment. A congregation of headbangers gathered in The Woodlands to witness the final stop of the Knotfest…
Astros Complete Sweep of Mariners in 21-1 Romp
“King” Felix Hernandez isn’t the pitcher he once was. Far from it, in fact. But, he’s not give-up-11-runs-in-two-innings beyond his halcyon days on the mound. On Sunday, however, the Astros absolutely demolished Hernandez and the rest of the Mariners staff as they rolled to a 21-1 victory at Minute Maid…
Most Batman Villains Would Have Made a More Interesting Solo Movie Than Joker
No, I haven’t seen Joker yet, though I have to eventually because I netted a gig talking about the role of evil clowns as the protagonist in media for an academic anthology. Mostly based on a piece I wrote about Joker. My life is very weird. And yes, I’ve seen…
NFL Week 1: Texans-Saints — Four Things To Watch For
Of the six seasons where Bill O’Brien has been at the helm of the Houston Texans, the 2019 season is the one where we are heading into the season opener with the most intrigue, which is definitely saying something when you consider the following: * In 2014, it was O’Brien’s…
¡Viva! Hispanic Heritage Month, Mexican Independence Day, y Mas
With National Hispanic Heritage Month kicking off September 15, Mexican Independence Day being celebrated on September 16, and key performances planned at some of our favorite venues around town, the months ahead give Houstonians the opportunity to experience and share the rich traditions found in Latin culture. On a busy…
This Week in Houston Food Events: A $99 Wine and Dine for Two
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long Wine and Dine at Brennan’s of Houston Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, will offer its $99 Wine and Dine Menu for Two, available daily for the month of September. Couples can enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu and…
Reminder: You Have to Have a Parent Note to Get Out of Saying the Pledge Because of Texas Law
Back to school is always a harrowing time. Kids make and lose friends, parents have to deal with the daily anxiety of possible mass shooters as our children spend another year drilling against the possibility, and there’s always friction of some sort with institutional education. In Texas, if you or…
Mark Winters Debut Record Carries Positive Vibe
Mark Winters had always liked classic rock growing up. His parents raised him on a steady diet of Cream and the Eagles, and he explored the intricacies of Rush with a drumming buddy in high school who was mad about Neil Peart. But the singer/guitarist wasn’t until well into his…
Get Touchy Feely With Landing Theatre’s Override
Two students try to replicate touch in the premiere of Elizabeth A.M. Keel’s micro-play Override at The Landing Theatre Co.
Giselle, Still the Heart of Houston Ballet at 50
Houston Ballet opens their 50th anniversary season by going back to where it all began, Giselle.
Megan Thee Stallion Returns Home With Break The Internet
The crowd pressed against the stage in the Revention Center and cheered over 97.9’s Kiotti as he warmed up the audience. Chants of “Megan,” filled the room as the crowd eagerly awaited the hometown MC. Megan Pete, better known as Megan Thee Stallion, sauntered on to the stage dressed head…
Wit In The Face of Cancer Still Resonates
Why now? It’s one of the crucial questions of theater critique. Why are we seeing this show now? What does it have to say to us, this audience, here as we are? Why was it programmed for us at this time? With older shows, responses can in some cases be…
Brantley’s Homer Wins It in the Thirteenth for Astros
Thursday night at Minute Maid Park was…weird. Starter Wade Miley, who had the third best ERA in the American League was knocked out in the first inning after giving up five runs without recording an out. The Astros were down five after one, seven after two. In the eighth, down…
Openings and Closings: Peli Peli Woodlands Opens, Toasted Coconut Debuts, Night Heron Evolves
Peli Peli, 1201 Lake Woodlands, opened September 3. The South African-inspired restaurant takes its name from the bird’s eye chili pepper discovered by Portuguese settlers in the South African plains nearly 600 years ago. This makes the fourth location for Peli Peli restaurant, which was co-founded in 2010 by Thomas…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: It Chapter Two
Title: It Chapter Two Describe This Movie In One Happy Gilmore Quote: HAPPY: You’re gonna die, clown! Brief Plot Synopsis: Adults return to the scene of their childhood trauma to battle evil once again. Like Sleepers, only with extraterrestrials. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3 Knights Who Say “Ni” out…
Beyond Oldies: Allen Hill Goes All Over The Map in Debut Solo Album
Allen HIll’s name is synonymous with oldies; hell, some people even think it’s his last name. The Houston native has been making audiences shake their tail feathers for more than 20 years. Mostly recognized as the suit and tennis shoe sporting front man of The Allen Oldies Band, Hill wears…
The Wittliff Collections Save Texas Music History for the Ages…and the Public
In the spring of 1956, 16-year-old William Dale Wittliff from Blanco, Texas decided that he really, really wanted to see a hot young singer named Elvis Presley who was giving a show at San Antonio’s Municipal Auditorium. So he and two buddies got in a car with Wittliff at the…
NFL Week 1 — This Weekend’s Best Bets
Man, it was so nice to turn on the television last night, and watch regular season NFL football. We’ve spent the last seven months counting down to this weekend, marking off the days like a prisoner waiting for his meeting with the parole board, and now football is here, and…
A Jazz Age Life of Booze, Broads, and Big Wads of Cash. And Murder.
The Bourbon King: The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition’s Evil Genius By Bob Batchelor $27.99 40 pp. Diversion Books If one was playing “$20,000 Pyramid” and the clues to the identity of a person were the words “Bootlegger,” “Prohibition,” “Flashy,” “Gangster” and “Midwest,” most people would probably guess…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Have a Screwed Up Sunday at 8th Wonder
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Art of Wining and Dining: Brunch & Bubbly at Sugar Land Town Square Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2711 Plaza Drive The Art of Wining and Dining: Brunch & Bubbly event will be going down at Sugar Land Town Square,…
Rex Hudson Delivers Introversion on the Dance Floor with Debut Persona LP
“Nowadays, you know especially as independent musicians, I think it comes from all ages. People are making their own terms, you know?,” says local synth wave psych-pop artist Rex Hudson when asked on his age near the end of a phone interview with the Houston Press. The 32-year-old League City…
Tiffany’s Pieces of Me Tour Hits Houston This Week
If you stopped listening to Tiffany just after she became a teen pop sensation and MTV darling in the late 1980s, then you may have missed some things. Since then, she’s done some acting, a bunch of TV work, she famously modeled for Playboy. And she never stopped releasing genre-hopping…
Rockets Bank on Continuity with Gordon Extension
It might seem odd to think the Rockets have done everything they could to maintain their roster this offseason when they made arguably the biggest deal of the summer in dealing Chris Paul for Russell Westrbook in a blockbuster trade even by this year’s NBA standards. But, when you consider…
Why Does the Grocery Store Insist on Playing Old Music?
If you’re in the grocery store today, listen to the music, as the Doobie Brothers once sang. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll actually hear the Doobs singing that very song once you tune into the subtle, but important music soundtracking your shopping excursion. In an era where…
Houston Texans 2019 Season Preview and Predictions
Man, what a week it’s been. This time a week ago, the Texans’ starting left tackle was Matt Kalil, Jadeveon Clowney was still covered under the Texans benefits plan, and their future drafts were fully intact. Here we are a week later, and their left tackle is Laremy Tunsil, Jadeveon…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A New Month Means a New Lobster Friday
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Lobster Friday will be going down at Bernie’s Burger Bus, 5407 Bellaire, 2643 Commercial Center, 2200 Yale, and 6324 Highway 6 on the first Friday of the month, Friday, September 6, beginning at 11 a.m. Show up…
Best Bets This Weekend: Wit, Ask Me Another, Supernatural Death Corps
Houston Ballet kicks off its 50th anniversary season with the supernatural Giselle, the Houston Equity Festival explores the human connection in Wit, and Broadway powerhouse Kristin Chenoweth headlines NPR’s Ask Me Another. Rounding out this weekend in Houston is an expo for indie gamers and designers, a doo-wop Stages production at…
Alamo Screens Mexican Horror-Fantasy Tigers Are Not Afraid
In 2006, Guillermo del Toro gave us Pan’s Labyrinth, which is the greatest horror-fantasy film ever made partly because it has virtually no competition in the genre. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I was waiting for a million copycats to the follow-up del Toro’s profitable masterpiece, but few…
Houston Concert Watch 9/4: Knotfest and More
The fall season doesn’t officially begin for nearly three weeks but – like most overzealous Millennials – we here at the Houston Press have emerged from the Labor Day weekend with pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween decorations in tow. Won’t you join us? And speaking of masks and makeup, a couple…
The Prickly Life of Lou Reed
The Life of Lou Reed: Notes from the Velvet Underground By Howard Sounes 378 pp. $26.99 Diversion Books “Prick” isn’t a word that usually appears in a rock biography. But it shows up multiple times in this tome on the late Lou Reed. That’s because it’s a common adjective used…
Deep Fried Rodents and Other Foods We Just Don’t Eat ‘Round Here
Sure, we’re all just totally grossed out at the video of the mouse scampering across the counter of the Whataburger in Bastrop. While the cashier was quickly offering diners their money back — but only with a receipt — one brave soul was trying to catch said mouse. But for…
2019 NFL Season Win Total Best Bets
If you follow me on social media or consume my content here, then you are fully aware — I love to wager. Sure, winning money is fun, but when I self assess just why I’ve enjoyed plunking down so many hard earned dollars over the last 30 years, I think…
They Died for Their Art…Literally!
The Show Won’t Go On: The Most Shocking, Bizarre, and Historic Deaths of Performers Onstage By Jeff Abraham and Burt Kerns 240 pp. $16.99 Chicago Review Press If you’re ever interviewing a touring musician of a certain vintage, they might joke that they “hope to die onstage.” Similarly, when a…
A Tropical Storm Emerges in the Gulf While Dorian Scrapes Florida
Remember back in mid-August when all was quiet in the Atlantic and we were all wondering what the big deal was with these so-called hurricanes? Who were these “forecasters” kidding? Well, um, our apologies because when they suggested things were about to heat up, the weren’t kidding. There are currently…
Mr. Postman Delivers the Letter to HISD, Look and See What TEA Says
The long-awaited official notification from Texas Education Agency telling the Houston ISD was released publicly today as events crept closer to some sort of resolution. This may be the longest drum roll in history before taking some/any kind of real action. As expected Commissioner Mike Morath wrote that because of…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Bun B’s Hot Wang Sandwich at Antone’s
When it was announced a couple weeks ago that legendary Houston rapper Bun B had teamed up with Antone’s to create a signature Hot Wang sandwich, there was no doubt where I was headed. As part of a citywide effort to raise money for local charities in September, it was…
Astros Weekend Illustrates Cy Young One-Two Punch
For over a week, the Astros bats have been carrying a relatively heavy load. Over the span of eight games, the offense was putting up over seven runs per game including a pair of double-digit outputs. With the bullpen struggling (and tired) even with the best starting rotation in baseball,…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Upper Kirby is Walkable and Luxurious
Imagine never leaving your neighborhood yet being able to dine at a different restaurant every night of the month. That’s one of the bonuses about living in the Upper Kirby market area, with a Walk Score® of 91 and proximity to Pondicheri, Carrabba’s, Paulie’s, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Torchy’s Tacos, Chuy’s, Giacomo’s…
September Art Shows: Urban Legend, Ground Zero and Prisoner of Love
Between upcoming museum exhibitions that cover everything from murals to American Sign Language and Aboriginal art, to local gallery openings and even a few out of town offerings, September is the month to get out and see what’s happening on the local art scene. Dig deeper to learn how the…
Radney Foster Gets Political – In Prose and Song
At the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there are plenty of artifacts and exhibits that trace the life and music, art, writings, and political/social activism of the “This Land is Your Land” author. And there’s space for his many musical descendants as well. But while Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen,…
Smoked Out: Buck’s Barbeque Co.
Jim Buchanan’s road to opening his very own brick and mortar barbecue joint was, as all entrepreneurial journeys are, long and full of unexpected detours. The owner and pitmaster of Buck’s Barbeque Co. in Galveston began his public barbecue life as partner and general manager of the original Pappa Charlie’s…
Five O’Brien Era Moves The Texans Would Like Back
On Saturday, Bill O’Brien oversaw one of the busiest days in Texans franchise history, perhaps in the history of ANY NFL franchise when you consider that he made four trades and had to reduce the roster from 90 players to 53. That’s a lot of work, and the big ticket…
Florida May Avoid Catastrophic Landfall of Hurricane Dorian
Hurricane Dorian has spent the last 36 hours devastating the northern Bahaman islands with winds in excess of 180 mph and gusts more than 200 mph. Its slow pace across these islands will likely reveal massive flooding and terrible damage from excessive winds over hours and hours of time. For…
Aussie Group Gives Pink Floyd Fans “All That They Love”
We live in a fertile time for classic rock box sets. Now, diehard fans can hear not only a well-loved album (remastered, rejiggered, etc.), but seemingly every demo, alternative take, outtake, studio chatter, and live recording from the era. Hence, there are upcoming 4CD sets for Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and…
Texans Swap Meet: Tunsil In, Clowney Gone — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
On July 31st of this year, mere seconds before the MLB trade deadline, Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow completed a pennant race-altering (pennant race-sealing?) deal for Arizona ace Zack Greinke. It was just the next in a long line of big deals Luhnow has been able to execute to make…
Take a Trip Through Legendary Big Bend With Orchestral Rockers Montopolis
Big Bend National Park celebrates 75 years in 2019, but we all know it took much longer than that for the massive canyons to form. There’s much to inspire anybody lucky enough to visit the 1,100 square mile park: a clear night sky unpolluted by light, the Texas sun setting…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Houston Restaurant Weeks Come To A Close
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long New Weekend Brunch at Verandah Progressive Indian Restaurant Verandah Progressive Indian Restaurant, 3300 Kirby, has rolled out new a prix-fixe menu ($20 per person) for weekend brunch, available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both Saturdays and…
September Literary Events: Colson Whitehead, Chris Shepherd and Zines
Houstonians play a major role in the literary scene this month, with a visit by former UH teacher Colson Whitehead, a return of Zine Fest Houston, and even a new cookbook by Chris Shepherd. So stop by your favorite indie bookseller and say hello, pick up a book or two or three,…
Last Night: Backstreet Boys at Toyota Center
Backstreet Boys Toyota Center August 31, 2019 Had someone suggested in recent years that the Backstreet Boys would be on tour in 2019 supporting a number one album, I would have told them to quit playing games with my heart. But on Saturday night, inside a nearly sold-out Toyota Center, I…
Rap + Orchestra = Common Thought
One of the most influential and multi-faceted artists of current time, award-winning hip-hop artist, film producer, poet and actor Common will join the Houston Symphony for a special, one-night-only showcase of his biggest hits. See the performer, backed by the symphony, on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Jones Hall.
Openings and Closings: Los Tios Opens, Rosie Cannonball Debuts
Los Tios Mexican Restaurant, 5161 San Felipe, opened August 26. The Tex-Mex restaurant from Adair Concepts has four other locations. The family-owned company also operates Adair Kitchen, Eloise Nichols Grill & Liquors, Bebidas, and Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill. The new Los Tios will serve as the flagship location and is the…
Hurricane Dorian a Very Serious Threat to Florida
Hurricane Dorian reached category two status on Thursday night with winds up to 105 mph near its still small but intensifying inner core. It is currently moving northwest just east of the Bahamas. At the moment, there is still a bit of dry air nearby slowing the storm’s growth, but…
Houston Texans Final 53 Man Roster Prediction
There’s not much to say about the fourth preseason game, as the Texans’ future practice squad lost to the Rams’ future practice squad in a tedious Thursday night at NRG Stadium. The talk around the stadium and the press box was centered around the continued questions of Jadeveon Clowney’s future…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Last Call for All-You-Can-Eat Wurst
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Wurstfest at King’s BierHaus and King’s Biergarten Friday through Saturday King’s Biergarten, 1329 East Broadway; King’s BierHaus, 2044 East T C Jester, 828 FM646 West You have one last weekend to partake in King’s Wurstfest, which brings an impressive 12+ lineup…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Raise Hell: The Life & Times Of Molly Ivins
Title: Raise Hell: The Life & Times Of Molly Ivins Describe This Movie In One Hamlet Quote: ROSENCRANTZ: … many wearing rapiers are afraid of goosequills. Brief Plot Synopsis: The rise, rise, and sort of leveling off of one of the Lone Star State’s greatest political writers. Rating Using Randm Objects Related To…
Born To Ramble: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott Rambles To Houston For Two Special Events
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is the Holy Grail of folk music. His long career has been honored, studied and copied by artists since the ‘50s, with his most famous apprentice by far being a young Bob Dylan. The 88-year-old rambler will be passing through our town yet again for two special…
Astros, Yankees, Dodgers: Comparing Schedules for Home Field Advantage
It’s kind of incredible that over the course of 162 games that two or three teams (or more) could wind up with the same record and in a battle for playoff position in the final games of the season. In the case of the Astros, their division win is all…
NFL Preseason Week 4: Rams vs Texans — Four Position Battles To Watch For
The 2019 preseason mercifully comes to an end tonight, as the Los Angeles Rams backup backups come to town to take on the back half of the Houston Texans’ roster. Normally, my preview post would be titled “Four Things To Watch For,” but there are two truths about this particular…
Labor Day Dining and Drinking in Houston
For folks who are lucky enough to not have to labor on Labor Day, there are plenty of festivities to keep you hydrated and satiated the whole three day weekend. We checked in with restaurants and bars around town and discovered that Labor Day brunch is now a thing. No…
Lilly Aviana Blossoms on Soulful New Album Late Bloom
“I would’ve been crazy so long ago if it wasn’t for music. That’s my escape right there,” says local R&B songstress Lilly Aviana in a mid-morning phone interview with the Houston Press. Early enough in the day for many-a-musician’s standard, Aviana starts her day discussing the inspiration behind her full…
Houston Film Star Opens Mr. Pixel’s Classic Arcade
Joe Grisaffi is one of Houston’s most beloved film stars, having written, directed, and starred in dozens of local films like Conjoined and The Haunted Trailer, and even making appearances in Hollywood productions like Pirates of the Caribbean. He is also one of the city’s premiere collectors of arcade machines…
Better Late Than Never: Celebrate Breweries’ Beer-To-Go Beginning Sunday
Just in time for the Labor Day weekend, new legislation goes into effect this Sunday, September 1, that lets consumers buy beer growlers, crowlers and cans to-go from neighborhood breweries. It’s a convenience that already had been approved elsewhere in the U.S. and Texas is the final state in the…
Protest Planned at Islamic Conference by Group Who Allegedly Plotted Attacks
The annual Islamic Society of North America conference will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center this weekend. As with last year, Texas Patriot Network, a local Texas group with ties to white supremacy, will be on hand to protest. There was evidence in 2018 that the group planned violence at…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Try the “Hot Wang” Sandwich from Antone’s and Bun B
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys, 4520 San Felipe, 2724 West TC Jester, is launching an “H-Town Originals” celebrity chef campaign for charity, with a different local celeb creating a signature sandwich to be featured on the menu…
Slipknot, the Mask-Wearing Heavy Metal Band, is on its Way to The Woodlands
Slipknot, the mask-wearing heavy metal band from Iowa, has faithful fans around the world. But – as percussionist and founding member Shawn “Clown” Crahan notes – their audience in the Lone Star State is particularly faithful. And weather-tolerant. “Texas has some of the most hardcore, dedicated fans. I mean, people…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Houston’s B-Day, Murals and a Lost Ark
We’re casting a wider net this weekend, but it’s all for a good reason. There’s a chance to hear John Williams’ epic score for Raiders of the Lost Ark in The Woodlands and a stop in Galveston to celebrate the 125th anniversary of The Grand 1894 Opera House. Closer to home,…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Welcome (Again) to Riverside
Everything old becomes new again, especially when it comes to real estate. As the Houston metropolitan area grows like The Blob, and our commutes get longer and longer, we begin to view once overlooked areas through rose-colored glasses. And so it goes for the Riverside market area, those historic neighborhoods…
Hawthorne Heights Throws It Back On Tuesday Night
With a uniform of eyeliner, skinny jeans and blackened hair, along with a heartbreaking song added to your MySpace profile, emo music was all the rage in the early 2000s. Even though most of the bands from that era have disappeared, some groups are thriving on a wave of nostalgia…
Remembering Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist Neal Casal
The music world was shocked by the unexpected news of the death of singer-songwriter and veteran folk guitarist Neal Casal on Monday at the age of 50. He had been busy working on a new album and his band, Circles Around the Sun (or CATS), played a late night set…
2019 CFB Season Win Total and Week 1 Best Bets
We like gambling in this space, because gambling is fun! For true gambling enthusiasts, the nightmare portion of the calendar — where there’s only baseball and preseason NFL football on which to bet — is finally over. REAL football is here, with a full slate of games this weekend, including…
Houston Restaurant Weeks: Étoile
Houston Restaurant Weeks 2019 is in its final stretch, so we decided to have one last luxury lunch before it closes its run. September 2 is the last day for the citywide charity fundraiser that extends into Montgomery and Galveston counties as well. Participating restaurants create multi-course meals in which…
The Winter’s Tale: A Shakespearean Play Set in a Houston Penthouse at the Alley
Setting a Shakespearean play in high rise Houston presents some interesting opportunities. At least that’s what the Alley Theatre Artistic Director Rob Melrose thought and his new Director of Design, Michael Locher, agreed. So The Winter’s Tale, a little seen early work by the Bard and one of his so-called…
The Floor is Lava So Get Moving at Discovery Green
Imagine for a moment the floor is lava — not too difficult a concept with all those heat advisories in August — so how do you get from point A to point B? Look no further than parkour, where obstacles are traversed through running, vaulting, climbing, rolling, jumping and moving…
Houston Concert Watch 8/28: Backstreet Boys and More
Another Wednesday is upon us, dear readers, and we at the Houston Press have been hard at work compiling another concert watch for your enjoyment. This go-round we highlight a reunited boy band, a hellish punk rocker, a country trio, a Mexican pop artist and a nostalgic rock outfit. Keep scrolling…
Tropical Storm Dorian One To Watch
Tropical Storm Dorian, a rather tiny storm, has become the first real area of long-term tropical interest this season. Storms that have the ability to spend a fairly long time over the ocean (as opposed to Barry, earlier this year) make for interesting weather fodder and some jittery nerves for…
I Need a Hero: A Call to All Sandwich Lovers
If you have been reading this blog for a while, you know we love sandwiches. We’re a bit obsessed with them. In fact, we have been writing about Houston’s best sandwiches for well over a year now and we are still going. There are a lot of good ones in…
TUTS Presents A Chorus Line: “The Heart and Soul of Musical Theater”
The story opens as all good stories do, right in the middle of the action. Dancers fill the stage for a Broadway audition and after a cut, they are down to 17. Seventeen dancers vying for eight total positions divided equally among the men and the women. It’s the classic Tony…
NFL Odds: Luck Retirement Makes Texans AFC South Favorite
The retirement of Andrew Luck from the NFL over the weekend is one of the more complex stories in quite some time, especially for Houston Texans fans. On the one hand, the Texans’ 2019 season just became easier, with Andrew Luck no longer on the schedule twice, although Jacoby Brissett…
Smoked Out: True Texas BBQ
We’re going to skip the lead up this week and tell you that the worst thing about True Texas BBQ is having to drive an hour to get to the nearest one — which honestly begs the question, what are some of you thinking commuting to Kingwood everyday? Our hats…
The Final Lineup for The Morning After, a Houston Press Brunch Event
It’s almost time. Today we’re announcing an updated list of restaurants that have joined this year’s The Morning After brunch event. The 4th annual event is scheduled for Saturday, September 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards. And buying your tickets now will save you…
Comedian Mo Amer Returns To Houston as the Star Attraction
“Jon [told me] was the most incredible thing he’d ever seen and had an incredible amount of respect for me. He actually shoved the head of Netflix Comedy out of the way at that point!”
Diehard Texans Fans: Explain Yourselves
Anyone who understands the basic ethos of Texas recognizes the power of football in the state. When many of us were kids, people used to start looking at their watches in church if the preacher went a little too long with his sermon on Sunday morning fearing they might miss…
Still Tightening Up: Houston Legend Archie Bell Turns 75
Houston, start practicing your soul clap. Archie Bell, Mr. Houston himself, is turning 75 and celebrating alongside friends with a big concert on September 1 at the Continental Club. Bell put our city’s name into the ears and sound systems of people all over the world with his hit single…
Last Night: Smashing Pumpkins and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds at the Woodlands Pavilion
Smashing Pumpkins, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 25, 2019 Barely five seconds into “Disarm,” the third single from the Smashing Pumpkins’ sophomore album, vocalist Billy Corgan halted his band’s performance with a wave of his hand. At that moment, you could have heard a pin…
Astros Creep Closer to Best Record in Baseball
About a week ago, things seemed to not look great for the Astros. Gerrit Cole was missing a start with an injury. Carlos Correa tweaked the back that had caused him so many issues last season. Aledmys Diaz was sidelined with an illness and the news came down that Ryan…
5 Tips for Walking Your Dog in the Houston Heat
Happy National Dog Day! In that spirit, let’s talk going outside. Unless you’re one of those people who have taught their dogs to use a litter box, your canine friend probably poops on nature once or twice a day. In addition, exercise and outside stimulation are important for their health…
This Week in Houston Food Events: TRUTH BBQ and Ramen Tatsu-Ya Collide
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Houston Restaurant Weeks Houston Restaurant Weeks continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, with more than 255 restaurants participating. The annual fundraiser, which benefits the Houston Food Bank, has raised over $14.7 million to date, as restaurants offer…
Where Has the Horror Section of Bookstores Gone?
If you want to browse a horror section of a physical bookstore, you’re almost certainly going to have to Half-Price Books to find one. Barnes and Noble has long-since sent theirs to pasture. Anything even vaguely science fiction or fantasy goes there, serial killers and torture live in mystery, and…
Saddle Up for a Swinging and Wild Time in Cowtown
Membership in the Hot Club of Cowtown is pretty exclusive. In fact, if there were having custom Cowboy-themed Nudie shirts made for members, they’d only need to order three: For Elana James (vocals/violin), Whit Smith (vocals/guitar), and Jake Erwin (bass) The modern band which mixes the hot jazz and western…
NFL Preseason Week 3: Cowboys Destroy Texans, Andrew Luck Retires — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
There’s never a bad day or night to be the host of the Houston Texans’ postgame show on the radio. There are some nights that are better than others, but even after blowout losses, even in the preseason, I’m still getting paid to talk about football on the radio. I’m…
Race on the Main Line: White Guy on the Bus With Dirt Dogs Theatre Co.
Playwright Bruce Graham takes the subject of race and twists it deftly so it becomes a noose. What begins as white liberal political correctness suddenly springs into privileged revenge. How this occurs seems to happen between scenes that overlap or time shift. Some things change, some do not. There’s a…
Mannequin Pussy a Riot at The Secret Group
Philadelphia punk rockers Mannequin Pussy rocked the house Friday night at The Secret Group, 2101 Polk, along with fellow Philly noisemakers Empath and New York-based T-Rextasy. The trio of East Cost punk pop and noise punk bands put on equally chaotic and beautiful performances to a packed and energetic house…
Nelly and TLC Confirm the Past is the Future
Nelly, TLC, Flo Rida The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 23, 2K19 Our love for the past is not always simply nostalgia. There are certain ages in your life when the media you consume hooks itself into your soul, and there it will live forever. The music you fall in…
Travis Scott Promotes Upcoming Netflix Documentary With Surprise Pop-Up
At 5 p.m. Thursday, Travis Scott surprised his 19 million Instagram followers with a vague and intriguing invitation. The Astroworld artist asked fans to meet him at the Movie Exchange on 290 and 34th in Houston for a surprise appearance. As it turned out, the event was a secret Netflix-hosted…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: The Nightingale
Title: The Nightingale Describe This Movie In One Count of Monte Cristo Quote: BARON FRANZ d’ÉPINAY: Hatred is blind, rage carries you away; and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught. Brief Plot Synopsis: It’s a bitter pill / I swallow here Rating Using Random…
Openings and Closings: Ambriza Cypress Opens, Penny’s Beer Garden Dickinson Debuts
Ambriza, 9945 Barker Cypress, opened August 15. This is the second location for the Mexican restaurant, with its Dia de los Muertos-inspired decor and fresh, traditional twists on regional Mexican cuisines. Owners Amber and Julio Garcia opened the first location in October 2016 near Vintage Park on Louetta. With the…
NFL Preseason Week 3: Texans-Cowboys — Four Things To Watch For
If I were made NFL commissioner for a day (which would be awesome, because in one day, Roger Goodell makes $109,589), one edict I would do my best to ramrod through would be the annual playing of certain obvious, geographic rivalry games. There’s no reason that the Houston Texans and…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Get a 26-Cent Burger at Jax Grill
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Houston Restaurant Weeks All month long Houston Restaurant Weeks continues, benefiting the Houston Food Bank and running daily through Monday, September 2 with a growing list of 255 restaurant expected to participate. To date, HRW has raised over $14.7 million for…
Felix Cavaliere is Still ”Groovin'”
It’s exactly 50 years to the day of the opening of the Woodstock festival when Felix Cavaliere picks up the phone. He remembers that, while his NY-based group the Rascals were both from and in the region during those three days of “peace, love, and music,” his band would not…
Five Rules for Employers and Employees When Dealing with Houston Traffic
We all recognize how big of a pain traffic can be in our everyday lives. This is particularly true of commutes to and from work. No one enjoys it, but we deal with it best we can. Employers must do the same. While those who work for a company struggle…
Behind The Curtain: See What’s In Store For Theater District Open House
As we look forward to another year of great entertainment, Theater District Open House gives us a chance to see what each major player in the Houston’s Downtown District has to offer. Check out all the spectacular – and free – offerings at this year’s Open House.
Rating the Concern Level of Each Injured Houston Texan
This Houston Texans training camp has been marked by enthusiasm over certain developments (J.J. Watt all the way back to Peak Watt, Deshaun Watson being Deshaun Watson, and all those weapons on offense) and concern over others (Matt Kalil, Matt Kalil, and oh, did I mention, Matt Kalil?), Perhaps the…
Miss the Mayan Mindbender? Ride Revenge of the Mummy
Do you remember the Mayan Mindbender at AstroWorld? I certainly do. It was the park’s first indoor rollercoaster, which was a wonder even back before climate change turned Houston pavements into egg griddles. Installed in 1995 after a stint as Nightmare at Boblo Island, it was a 1,148 ft coaster…
XFL Unveils the Houston Roughnecks’ Name and Logo
Webster’s defines the word “roughneck,” first, as a “rough and uncouth person.” Synonyms include ruffian, thug, scoundrel, villain, rogue, rascal, lout, hooligan, hoodlum, vandal, delinquent, rowdy, and bully. It also defines “roughneck” as an “oil rig worker,” which is the definition that hist closer to home. And as of yesterday, in…
KRBE’s Freddy Cruz Wrote a Terrible Libertarian Novel
The description for Freddy Cruz’s novel When America Fell Silent contains this passage: Retired Navy SEAL Hayder Randall would do anything to defend his country. But when his ex-girlfriend and current First Daughter Elizabeth watches her Presidential parents fall to a brutal assassination, he’s shocked when she stages a coup…
George Clinton’s Still Campaigning For One Nation Under a Groove
George Clinton is aware these are trying times in America. The legendary overlord of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective began his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career in the Civil Rights era and the music he and P-Funk created espoused unity through the funk. Talking with Clinton by phone ahead of…
Tropical Wave in the Gulf as Hurricane Season Nears Peak
The statistical peak of hurricane season is September 10, less than three weeks away, yet the only named disturbance in the tropical Atlantic is Chantal, a tropical storm so far north it poses no threat to land and is expected to fizzle out over the next few days anyway. Closer…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A New Brunch and When Bourbon Meets BBQ
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Brunch launches this weekend (Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25) at B.B. Lemon Montrose, 1809 Washington, with hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Dig into brunch dishes from French onion…
10 Best Bets This Weekend: Power, Pageants and Giant Pekingese Puppies
A Machiavellian ruler, a victim turned predator, and giant Pekingese puppies? WTF is right, we’re looking at some Weird, Thought-provoking and Fantastical programming this weekend in the Bayou City. In addition to those dance, theater and film offerings, we’ve got all-female wrestling, an art opening, Dog Day at the Astros…
Six Interesting Notes from the Astros Win Over the Tigers
On Monday night, the Astros picked up win number 81 at home over the Detroit Tigers 6-3. It was their second straight win against the Tigers of the four-game series and their third straight win after losing five in a row. They are now 45-15 at home, the best home…
Houston Ballet Begins its 50th Anniversary Season With A Ghost Story: Giselle
In Giselle, dance is beautiful, haunting and physically punishing. Giselle, in modern versions, distraught at finding out the man she loves is a fraud, dances herself to death. Another man who loves her is driven by supernatural spirits to dance himself to exhaustion and death over a cliff. And only…
Houston Concert Watch 8/21: Smashing Pumpkins and More
Is there anything more on-brand for Houston than the muggy weather that follows a brief rainfall? Despite the sticky forecast for the week ahead, we at the Houston Press implore you, our dear readers, to attend at least one show on this week’s list, because there’s quite a bit of…
Inside The Glass: Lindsay Thomas
Correction and clarification: Several changes have been made to this story since it originally appeared. The Houston Press apologizes for all errors and misunderstandings in its original account. Lindsay Thomas was at a lunch presented by a Napa Valley winery when Matt Stamp, a master sommelier leading the wine tour,…
Behind The Curtain: Houston Symphony Produces Award Winning Style
In celebration of Theater District Open House, the Press took a look behind the curtain at the people and programs that contribute to the gem known as the Houston Theater District. The Houston Symphony’s Brad Sayles is a Grammy Award-winning recording engineer with an interesting story to tell. He shared how he came to be…
Four Observations From Tuesday’s Texans Training Camp
Throughout this round of Houston Texans training camp, one of the many storylines has been the presence of a seemingly kinder, gentler Bill O’Brien. Whether it’s the relative good health of his team, or the fact that he now runs the show over there on Kirby, whatever the reason, O’Brien…
The Highs and Lowes of the Jesus of Cool
Cruel To Be Kind: The Life and Music of Nick Lowe By Will Birch 416 pp. $28 Da Capo Press For the average music listener in America, familiarity with Nick Lowe and his music begins and often ends with his 1979 song “Cruel To Be Kind” and its accompanying video,…
Last Chance to Avoid a Price Increase for Tacolandia
Today the Houston Press is announcing new additions to the restaurant lineup for its Tacolandia event on October 19 at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou. And buy your tickets before prices increase this Saturday, August 24, and you’ll have an even better deal. On Saturday, August 24, the price…
Don’t Believe Everything You’ve Been Told About Us, HISD Trustees Say to TEA
The Texas Education Agency tries to replace school boards in districts where the majority of voters are people of color, according to Houston ISD’s present school board. That was just one of the many charges made by HISD trustees in a 49-page legal response to a six-month TEA investigation that…
Houston Texans 53 Man Roster Prediction, 2019 Version 3.0
We are now under three weeks until the Houston Texans take the field in New Orleans on Monday, September 9, on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints. The opportunities for eager football younglings to make the 53-man roster for the regular season are becoming fewer and far between…
The Betts Boys are Ramblin’ Men
As even a casual student of rock history knows, there’s a challenge when a musician son goes into the same business as his already world-famous father. Add in playing the same instrument and then also performing in dad’s band, it seems like it would be a lot of pressure. But…
Smoked Out: Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, A Different Kind of Barbecue
What is barbecue? It’s a controversial question around these parts. Pitmasters, especially in Texas, take great pride in their smoke-based craft. The art of cooking meat via the indirect low heat of wood smoke is a time honored and culturally defining ritual. And yet, strictly speaking, it is just one…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Find Golf Course Living in Sugar Land East
The land of milk and honey sugar is vast and mighty, with MLS market areas for west, south and north neighborhoods, but this week we’re taking a look at Sugar Land East, a community rich with green spaces and roughly bordered by the Southwest Freeway, Highway 6 and Highway 90…
Swedish Death Cleaning: Lessons Learned and Living Life in Reverse
I’ve mined those open/closed wounds, explaining why I’ve become a huge fan of Swedish death cleaning, or döstädning, the process of slowly decluttering so that your death isn’t a burden for those you leave behind. [related stories] As a three-time winner of being left to clean up a messy estate,…
Astros Salvage a Rough Road Trip with Win Sunday
It is hard to classify a game in August for a team that is six-and-a-half games up on its closest division rival with one of the best pitching staffs and lineups in baseball as “must win,” but Sunday’s game in Oakland for the Astros had something akin to that feeling…
For Comic Jen Kirkman, It’s Either “Stay Hungry” or Be “Out of Touch”
The last time stand-up comedian Jen Kirkman performed in Houston, she had some pretty sizable competition. “It’s been about two years; it was during the World Series in Houston!” she exclaims. “It was during the last game! Never great. Because even if you don’t go to the game, someone has…
Behind The Curtain: A Little Day Music Can Go A Long Way
In celebration of Theater District Open House, the Press took a look behind the curtain at the people and programs that contribute to the gem known as the Houston Theater District. Da Camera’s A Little Day Music offers a free lunchtime concert in the grand foyer of Wortham Theater Center each month with chamber music…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Astros Specials and a BBQ Pop-Up
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Limited-time specials Game Day Specials at Brasserie du Parc Brasserie du Parc, 1440 Lamar, has created two pre-game specials that mix all-American tastes with French bistro fare. On the days of Astros home games, $10 will get you a Burger Maison…
NFL Preseason Week 2: Texans 30, Lions 23 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The atmosphere around NRG Stadium on Saturday afternoon was typical of preseason football here in Houston. Yes, all of the elements of the regular season — tailgating, drinking, music, crowd buzz — were present, but toned down about 50 percent. Admittedly, the summer heat will do that to enthusiasm, especially…
Tommy Tutone’s “Nu-Wave Americana” and Ongoing Love Affair with Jenny
It’s a pretty sure bet that the Houston Fire Department would frown upon lighting fire to a bunch of wood on the stages of the Cactus Records and the Mucky Duck just to create atmosphere for a musical performance. But that’s what singer/guitarist Tommy Tutone wants to do – at…
Last Night: Vampire Weekend at White Oak Music Hall
Vampire Weekend White Oak Music Hall August 17, 2019 A lot has changed for Vampire Weekend in the past six years. In 2013, the band was riding high on a wave of success following the release of its critically-acclaimed third album, Modern Vampires of the City, which showcased a more…
Is It For Whom the Bell Tolls Time for HISD’s Trustees, Despite Kashmere’s Success?
It was an almost completely glorious day for Houston ISD Thursday as dignitaries, staff, district officials and true believers gathered at Kashmere High School to celebrate that school finally scoring a “C” in the state accountability ratings. Because when you’re looking at another “F,” clearing the hurdles with a “C”…
Openings and Closings: Montrose Cheese and Wine Opens, Oporto Greenway Closes
Montrose Cheese and Wine, 1618 Westheimer, opened August 14. This is the first of the three concepts from Goodnight Hospitality that will open in the complex, next to Goodnight Charlie’s. The new build has a quaint European look to it, with its white brick and copper awnings, perfect for a…
By The Time We Got To Woodstock’s 50th Anniversary, No One Bothered To Play Along
This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. The historic music festival was held August 15-17, 1969 on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm outside Bethel, NY. You’re going to see various stories and articles reliving those “3 days of peace and music,” others comparing/constrasting the America of yore with that of…
Four Thoughts on the Rockets 2019-2020 Schedule
In about a month, the Rockets will open training camp followed by the beginning of preseason. In case you hadn’t checked your calendar, October 1 is six weeks away, the Texans are already in training camp (one preseason game in the books) and the Astros are racing toward the postseason…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Sip 8th Wonder Suds on the Light Rail Ale Trail
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Houston Restaurant Weeks All month long Houston Restaurant Weeks continues, benefiting the Houston Food Bank and running daily through Monday, September 2 with a growing list of 255 restaurant expected to participate. To date, HRW has raised over $14.7 million for…
Digital Deep Dive: A Beginner’s Guide to Tool B-Sides
It’s weird to think of Tool as a living, breathing organism. Yes, Houston Tool fans have seen them alive and kicking multiple times over the past decade-plus since they released 10,000 Days, including a show in 2016 that was among the best concerts of that year, but all those shows…
NFL Preseason Week 2: Lions-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
This week for the Houston Texans has largely centered around two things — the reported continued attempts to trade outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney before the start of the season, and a sweltering week of practices outside at the Methodist Training Center with the Detroit Lions. The former is going to…
Visions of a Port Aransas That You May Never Have Thought You’d See (Again)
Two years ago, Hurricane Harvey dealt Post Aransas a pretty hefty blow, hitting just north of the beachfront city with winds clocked at 132 miles per hour, according to news reports. Most longtime visitors to the area cringed at the news, especially when they heard that all of the businesses…
Social Distortion and Flogging Molly Deliver an Intoxicating Elixir
Social Distortion’s famed logo is a skeleton tipsily holding a martini glass. Like that cocktail, last night’s Social D show in Houston held an intoxicating blend of ingredients: one part Mexican garage rock, one part bluegrass thrash and a heavy dose of Celtic punk, shaken, not stirred and served up…
Astros Dodge Bullet with Gerrit Cole’s Hamstring
After a really couple days in Chicago, which saw the Astros play three games in 48 hours, losing a pair to a less-than-mediocre White Sox team (one in a crazy 13-9 game on Wednesday afternoon), the team got at least a bit of good news. In the second game of…
Houston Restaurant Weeks: A Visit to Bistecca
It’s already the middle of August and I had yet to try even one Houston Restaurant Weeks menu. That had to be remedied at once. I checked out the list of restaurants at houstonrestaurantweeks.com and made my decision, not an easy one considering the variety. Just reading the plethora of…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Celebrate National Fajita Day
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Beginning Thursday, August 15 and continuing through the month’s end, Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial, is offering all classroom teachers 15 percent off their food purchases. All it takes is showing your teacher (the offer does not…
6 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: BMX, WWE and Star Wars Night
Anything can happen in this alternate universe we call Houston when Kofi Kingston mysteriously changes his birthplace from Jamaica to Ghana, Hamlet’s grieving prince moves from Denmark to Lagos, and the North Houston Bikepark takes on a new name before its grand opening. Rounding out the weekend is a performance by Mingus…
Four Thoughts on the Jadeveon Clowney Situation
As the Texans continued to ready themselves for the 2019 regular season over the last several days, all seemed to be pretty quiet on the Jadeveon Clowney front. The sixth year outside linebacker has been sitting at home with an unsigned $15.9 million franchise tag tender, and presumably was ready…
Inside The Glass: Alex Abreu
With the majority of his family already entrenched in the restaurant industry, all it took was a mention from his cousin Leo to pull Alex Abreu up into the club. The now 28-year-old general manager of the Upper Kirby location of CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, remembers his first job…
Meet Philly-Based Noise Punks Empath, Coming to Houston
Empath, a four-piece experimental noise rock group from Philadelphia, will play their first show in Houston at The Secret Group next Friday, August 23. The quartet is currently touring with fellow Philly-based punk rockers Mannequin Pussy, who will headline the lineup at Secret Group. A previously scheduled Houston show with…
Behind The Curtain: Tommy Tune Awards Spotlights High School Talent
In celebration of Theater District Open House, the Press took a look behind the curtain at the people and programs that contribute to the gem known as the Houston Theater District. For Theatre Under The Stars, the Tommy Tune Awards is one of the ways the organization celebrates the best and brightest of local high…
The Houston Press Guide to Seeing Every Act at Your Favorite Music Festival
Recently, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. It was a universal reminder that when humans set their minds to monumental tasks, we find ways to make milestones from the improbable. If we are looking for the next Neil Armstrong in 2019, might we suggest a…
Landry’s Goes to Hollywood
Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse, 1510 Texas, hosted the ” Culinary Goes Hollywood” finale dinner of the Landry’s Inc. Signature Groups’ Houston Chefs Series 2019 this past Saturday, August 10. The exclusive experience included three passed appetizers and eight courses, each paired with a themed cocktail or beverage. The dishes were…
Whining and Dining: Baby Influencer Breakfast at Tropicales
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Texans Donate Over $5 Million To Sunnyside’s Pro-Vision Academy
Before passing away last November, in his nearly two decades of NFL ownership in Houston, the late Bob McNair created a legacy centered heavily around philanthropy, having donated over $500 million to various causes and charities during his time as owner of the Houston Texans. On Tuesday afternoon, McNair’s legacy…
Houston Traffic Is Not Nearly as Bad as You Think
No one sitting on the West Loop during rush hour is going to be persuaded by the headline of this story, but they shouldn’t be looking at their phones right now anyway. We love to complain about traffic in Houston and we often have good reasons, many of them enumerated…
Tips and Etiquette For Visiting A Cigar Lounge
Often in dining, the final complement to a meal is a cigar. A digestif of sorts so intertwined with fine wine and spirits that cigar basics used to be required knowledge for those in pursuit of an MS from the Court of Master Sommeliers. As far as trends go, consumers…
Houston Concert Watch 8/14: Social Distortion, Flogging Molly and More
As our teacher friends head back to work, we raise a glass in their honor. Fortunately, in those districts that haven’t started classes yet (some already have), educators won’t need to be all that presentable in the mornings. With that in mind, we suggest instructors take what’s left of their…
Houston Texans 53 Man Roster Prediction, 2019 Version 2.0
On Sunday, after another sweltering morning of practice for his squad, Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien met with the media to give his daily state of the union on this year’s version of the team. With several positions up for grabs, and a handful of players still trying to…
Smoked Out: Delta Blues Smokehouse
In December 2017, the folks behind Houston’s most polarizing chain barbecue brand and the city’s quintessential restaurant empire opened a smokehouse unlike anything else on the company’s roster. Pappas Delta Blues Smokehouse arrived, rather quietly, in Webster, Texas — a stone’s throw from Space Center Houston and League City. The…
Health Must Be a Priority for the Astros
This Astros team is one of the best we’ve seen, many believe better than the 2017 team that won the World Series. With under two months of the regular season left, they have a chance to set some pretty substantial franchise records and position themselves for home field advantage throughout…
Houston’s 5 Favorite Sandwiches Compared to the Rest of the U.S.
A recent survey from YouGov attempted to determine the favorite sandwiches in America. Not surprisingly, their choices were rather on the bland side with grilled cheese, grilled chicken and turkey topping the list. There were also some regional favorites like lobster rolls and French dips that were popular in certain…
Savarese Fight Fit Will Host Self-Defense Series To Benefit Crime Stoppers of Houston
What’s better than the moment an assailant realizes you took a self-defense class from heavyweight champion Lou Savarese and three-black-belt martial artist DeMarkus Jones? Nothing is better. In a city where one in 19 people are likely to be involved in either a violent or property crime, this valuable know-how…
Swedish Death Cleaning: Scripts In Search of a Stage
Döstädning is the process of slowly decluttering so that your death isn’t a burden for those you leave behind. As a three-time winner of “being left behind” with a messy estate to clean up, I’ve become a huge advocate of Swedish death cleaning. Sure, the laws of reproduction mean we’re only issued…
Gerry Beckley on Solo Record and 50 Years of Radio Gold with America
Gerry Beckley spends a lot of time in airports. A lot. As co-founder of the ‘70s hitmaking-and-still-touring group America, the singer/guitarist, partner Dewey Bunnell, and their band play 100+ gigs a year. That means they’re out there on the road about 200 days annually, which means a lot of waiting…
Heat and Hurricanes in the Heart of Houston Summer
In case you decided not to leave your air conditioned home over the past few days, it’s been hot outside. Like really hot. In fact, it reached 101 degrees for the fourth straight day, the first time we have seen temperatures like this since the summer of 2011 when we…
Announcing the Houston Theater Awards 2019
When our distinguished panel met to finalize our winners and nominees for the 2018-19 Houston Theater Awards, the meeting was surprisingly amicable. Many of our choices were unanimous, or close to it, which I think speaks highly of the quality of this year’s winners. It was, by all accounts, a…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Get a First Taste of One Fifth Gulf Coast
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long Houston Restaurant Weeks Houston Restaurant Weeks is back, running now through Monday, September 2 and with a growing list of 255 restaurant expected to participate. The annual fundraiser, which benefits the Houston Food Bank, has raised over $14.7…
Houston Texans at Training Camp Midway Point — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
As quickly as Houston Texans training camp began a couple of weeks, here we find ourselves, already about a dozen or so practices in, and on the calendar we are suddenly halfway through camp. So with the week long trip to Green Bay (described by the voice of the Texans,…
Social Distortion’s On Tour to Houston and Mike Ness Says A New Record is Next
Mike Ness knows any interview he does is eventually going to address the possibility of new music from his legendary punk band, Social Distortion. So, even though we’re talking with Ness about the stacked tour he and Social D are about to embark upon with co-headliners Flogging Molly, he’s quick…
Ballet Inspired by Harvey and Katrina Premiering at Miller Outdoor Theatre
The path Jeremy McQueen has chosen is a joyful one, creating original ballets that address and celebrate diversity, while also making them accessible to wider audiences through the New York-based Black Iris Project, a ballet collaborative that he founded in 2016. Last summer he was in Martha’s Vineyard, taking part in an artistic…
Upon Further Investigation, TEA Appears Ready to Oust the HISD Board
Looks like the Texas Education Agency is about to put the Houston ISD board out of our misery. Unless it asterisks its findings and finds more reason for delay, the state seems poised to give the boot to that rambunctious group of elected officials — some of them liars, meddlers…
Cereal Milk Fans Rejoice!: The Cinnaverse is Here This Weekend
Most of our quick breakfast options are really just vessels for more interesting flavors. Toast is a mechanism to eat jelly/jam/preserves. Waffles and Pancakes are a platform for syrup. And there there’s cereal, which is a food that only exists to answer the question: “Do you want your processed corn…
Frankie and the Witch Fingers Has the Magick Touch
Dylan Sizemore, guitarist and vocalist for garage-psych rockers Frankie and the Witch Fingers, likes to play a music game. It requires a little explanation, but once you understand the game you might decide you’re the sort of music listener who could appreciate what he and the surging L.A.-based band are…
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans Trade For RB Duke Johnson
In what was about as busy a week as a team can have on the field early in training camp — travel to Green Bay, multiple practices with the Packers, planning for and playing a preseason game — the Texans managed to accomplish some things off the field, too, namely…
Openings and Closings: One Fifth Gulf Coast Debut, Understory Grand Opening
One Fifth Gulf Coast, 1658 Westheimer, will open August 12. This is the fourth iteration in Chris Shepherd’s Five Years/Five Concepts restaurant. One Fifth Mediterranean closed out its run with a “family dinner” July 31. The James beard Award-winning chef almost didn’t want to let go of the Mediterranean concept…
On Second Thought: Why We Were Wrong About These Songs
Five or six years ago, I made a pretty big mistake in a Houston Press music article, an assignment several writers teamed for titled “The 10 Lamest Bands of the ‘90s.” Never mind that such an article seems sort of mean-spirited, but my totally off-base choice was the one-hit wonder,…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Houston Restaurant Weeks and a Free Wine Tasting
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Houston Restaurant Weeks All month long Houston Restaurant Weeks has arrived! The annual fundraiser, which benefits the Houston Food Bank, runs daily through Monday, September 2, with a growing list of 255 restaurant expected to participate. To date, HRW has raised…
The Slow and the Furious: Freeway Closures Again This Weekend
For weeks and weeks Houstonians have dealt with freeway closures…make that years and years. Fortunately, most are at night when the majority of us are sleeping. But, often, they will seep into the daylight and you realize vampires really can exist in sunlight. This weekend brings a pair of annoying…
Second Annual Mid Main Micro Marathon Goes Bigger, Not Longer
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, step right up and be a part of a marathon made for all. This year will be the second annual Mid Main Micro Marathon, taking place Sunday September 8 at high noon. The marathon involves a jaunt around an impressive 0.26 miles on the…
Behind The Curtain: SPA’s Ballet Hispánico Summer Intensive Builds Tomorrow’s Dance Elite
Leading up to Theater District Open House, Houston Press is looking at the people and programs that make our theater district the thriving gem it is for our arts district. In today’s article, explore Society for the Performing Arts’ Ballet Hispánico’s Summer Intensive – a program that fuses Latin dance and ballet to build the…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Get Your Tickets for The Morning After and Southern Smoke
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Act fast to snag early bird tickets to our fourth annual The Morning After, A Houston Press Brunch Event, as prices will increase Saturday, August 10. The event — set to take place at Silver Street…
Robin Williams Remains A Comic Genius In Time Life’s Unprecedented 22-Disc Collection
How did Robin Williams became… Robin Willams? What Time Life has assembled in their exhaustive culling of stand-up spots, late night appearances, home videos, stints at award shows attempts to answer the query. Even those with dedication in the era of VCRs and round-the-clock scouring of YouTube would be hard pressed to assemble a vault…
The Community Music Center of Houston Celebrates 40 Years with Lessons Learned (and Still Learning)
It’s 9:45 on a Saturday morning at St. Mary’s United Methodist Church on Scott Street in the Third Ward, and music is coming from inside. But instead of a hymn or gospel tune that you might expect on the next day, it’s the sound of several violins cautiously playing Bach’s…
Breaking Down the Astros Schedule for the Stretch Run
After clobbering the Rockies for the second straight day, the Astros head into the final 47 games of the season with a commanding 10-game lead in the AL West, a virtual tie with the Yankees for the best record in the American League and only a half game separating them…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Rent, Dude Perfect and Brainbloom
It’s a throwback weekend in Houston, and we’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of Rent over at The Hobby Center, and 21 years since Jeff Bridges donned a bathrobe and elevated the status of White Russians in The Big Lebowski. We’ve also got a trippy outdoor installation in Brainbloom at MFAH,…
Inside The Glass: Julie Dalton
One hundred and fifteen pages of wine containing 3,500 labels is what Julie Dalton, an Advanced Sommelier who’s two thirds finished with her master’s certification, is working with at Mastro’s Steakhouse. To store the $3.5 million dollar catalog known as The Cellar of the Post Oak Hotel property, wine is…
NFL Preseason Week 1: Texans-Packers — Four Things To Watch For
A few years ago, in 2015, with the Texans toiling though training camp as the subject of HBO’s Hard Knocks, the team took a trip to Richmond where they scrimmaged with the Redskins for a couple of fight-filled days of practice. It got so bad between the two teams that…
Flogging Molly Say Life is Good on Land and on Sea
In recent years, the marriage of live music and the high seas has been particularly thriving – not to mention fruitful and multiplying. It seems that cruises either centered around a specific band (KISS, Metallica, Yes,…even Rick Springfield) or genre (“Monsters of Rock,” “Rock and Romance,” “Outlaw Country Cruise,” “Ultimate…
Rent Comes Alive Once Again in a Thrilling Production at the Hobby Center
Is Jonathan Larson’s Rent (1996) the saddest Broadway musical ever? Not in its fictional plot, which is a deft adaption of Puccini’s war horse opera La Boheme, but in its tragic backstage real life plot. Wunderkind Larson, in love with musicals from his childhood and later a protege, of sorts,…
Greinke Debut All About the Offense
Zack Greinke’s debut as a Houston Astro didn’t exactly go the way he wanted. But, he still managed to pick up the win thanks to an offensive explosion from one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball as the Astros downed the Rockies 11-6 in a game that looked more…
Lebowski Bash Lives and the Dude Abides at Market Square Park
Human bowling, White Russians, and Dudeism take over Market Square Park during this weekend’s “Bring Bowski Back.”
Anne Frank’s Tale Lives On In Chamber Music Format
The Houston Chamber Choir will perform Annelies, the first major setting of The Diary of Anne Frank, September 21 and 22 at Holocaust Museum Houston, featuring a special appearance and talk by composer James Withbourn.
Hoagie Heaven on the South Jersey Shore
I don’t pass on opportunities to try great sandwiches, so when I was on a recent trip to the East Coast, I gladly incorporated “hoagies” or “submarines” — the preferred nomenclature in New Jersey for what we often just call sandwiches — into my journey. In fact, I tried a…
NFL Draft Round 3: Where Texans Draft Choices Go To Die
When it comes to drafting, signing players, and general assembly of an NFL roster, over the last decade or so, the Texans probably rank right about where they seem to rank in nearly every on-field metric over that time — somewhere smack dab in the middle of the league. Right…
Whining and Dining: Baby’s First Look at the New Sweetgreen in Rice Village
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and new…
Houston Concert Watch 8/7: Mac Sabbath and More
Happy hump day, friends. Looks like we’ve got quite a few scorchers coming our way. At the time of this writing, the forecasted highs over the next week range between 98 and 100 degrees – never mind the heat index. Fortunately, Houston boasts plenty of indoor music venues with central…
Smoked Out: Gabby’s BBQ
Gabby’s BBQ is a name Houston barbecue lovers, especially native Houstonians, ought to know. Given its 36 year history, it is among the few restaurants of any kind to survive as long as it has in this town of booms and busts. While the current North Shepherd location is not…
Texans Training Camp In Green Bay: J.J. Watt Squishes a Kid’s Bike
The Houston Texans’ first day of inter-squad practice in Green Bay is in the books. The Texans and the Green Bay Packers locked horns on Monday morning for what was reportedly some spirited sessions, including Texans rookie cornerback Lonnie Johnson laying some overzealous lumber on some Packer receivers and nearly…
Buy Tickets to The Morning After 2019 Brunch Event Before Prices Increase
Here’s your chance to buy tickets to the Houston Press premier brunch event, The Morning After, before a price increase kicks in on Saturday, August 10. The event itself is scheduled for September 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards. The price increase that…
All Quiet in the Atlantic as We Enter Peak Hurricane Season
The tropical Atlantic has been mostly quiet since opening hurricane season 2019 in June. Aside from Hurricane Barry and Subtropical Storm Andrea, there hasn’t been much in the way of activity in the basin. This, however, is not unusual. The majority of tropical weather occurs between mid-August and mid-September, so…
Is it Really Video Games and Not Racist Rhetoric That Inspires Mass Shootings? Really?
In the wake of a pair of deadly mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio over the weekend, many conservative politicians pulled out an old scapegoat for the violence to avoid any discussion of gun control: video games. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick appeared on Fox & Friends to say…
Songs Help the Hines Center Tell Its Own Story
Last Friday night’s concert starring rising songbird Frewuhn began with a few minutes of group meditation. Concert-goers were asked to close their eyes, focus their breathing and visualize themselves walking someone by the elbows out the room and into a world of endless possibilities. Much different from the routine hype…
Swedish Death Cleaning: One Woman’s Trash is Another’s Treasure
My local thrift store became overwhelmed with donations earlier this year, so much so that they had to close one extra day a week just to process and catch up. Netflix was streaming Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and apparently we were all following the KonMari Method™ of clearing out clutter,…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Upscale and Established Afton Oaks
Prestigious, upscale and established are just a few of the words that best describe the tony Afton Oaks neighborhood, according to Lew Faraclas of Hellenic Bros., LLC. “Its very close proximity to The Galleria, Loop 610 and State Highway 59 make it one of Houston’s most sought-after communities,” says the broker…
Ibiza Will Close in February 2020
Ibiza Food & Wine, 2450 Louisiana, will close its doors February 15, 2020. Owners Grant Cooper and Chef Charles Clark have chosen not to renew the lease on the building which has housed the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant for nearly 19 years and was a pioneer in the Midtown dining scene before…
Beast Coast Escape New York And Land At White Oak
Meechy Darko, surrounded by red mist, stood on a pile of graffiti covered ruble, the massive, fallen head of the Statue of Liberty looming behind him. His deep, gravelly voice boomed across the audience gathered on the White Oak lawn. “Houston what the fuck is up?! Are y’all ready for…
Four Final Thoughts on the Astros Trade Deadline Deals
Last week, the Astros pulled off a shocking blockbuster deal adding Zack Greinke to a rotation that already includes Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. It was the biggest in a series of moves on trade deadline day, one in which the Astros dominated the news. After a weekend in which…
Filmmaker Alyssa Rachelle Explores the Cultural Influences Behind Gumbo
The lights were dim in the DeLuxe Theater as guests sat around banquet tables and stared intently at the screen. Projected in front of them a woman and a chef moved through the tight, hectic space of a restaurant kitchen as line cooks prepped for the evening’s guests. The two…
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans’ Releasing D’Onta Foreman
I suppose we should have seen this day coming when Bill O’Brien was asked about D’Onta Foreman after the running back’s 2018 return from the PUP list, and the head coach’s answer was “Can he carry the ball more than two times in a row without having to go get a…
Run. Hide. Fight. And Silence Your Smartphone.
Last week’s false report of an active shooter downtown was frightening. There are so many places for a suspect to hide and — had it occurred in the tunnel system — so few ways for a victim to escape. That fear has been overshadowed by the events of this weekend, where…
Two Years After Harvey: Resilience is the New Buzzword for Artists and Nonprofits
As we approach the two year anniversary of Tropical Storm Harvey, more than a few lessons have been learned. Homeowners who never before considered flood insurance are now solid policy holders, we know to do some investigatory work before buying a used car (where did all those flood-damaged cars go,…
With Siesta Del Sol, Motel Radio Achieves Something Greater
Before diving into the debut full-length from Motel Radio, all signs indicate that the experience is certain to be a soothing one. Initially, your eyes lock into the album artwork, which by the use of a beach-themed color palette, amounts to a mountain range of faces being drenched by an overhanging sun…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Hot, Hotter, and Hottest Tacos at Torchy’s
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long (August) Houston Restaurant Weeks Houston Restaurant Weeks is back, running now through Monday, September 2 and with a growing list of 255 restaurants expected to participate. The annual fundraiser, that benefits the Houston Food Bank, has raised more…
Last Night: Necrofier at the Secret Group
Necrofier, Black Vice, Baptized by Fire and Primordial Hollow The Secret Group August 2, 2019 “Hell on Earth” has long been a pretty fair assessment of Houston in August, and the description was especially apt on Friday night. If the temperatures on the streets of EaDo gave after-work revelers a…
Mary J. Blige and Nas bring Royalty to Houston
Al Pacino’s Scarface played on the screen at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion as the houselights came down. The sound from the film faded out and the familiar plucking of guitar strings from Nas’ “The Message” softly drifted from the speakers. The soundtrack, gradually increasing in volume, welcomed the Queensbridge…
The New Sincerity Loses Its Meaning
Go to enough theater over the years and, at some point, you’re bound to see a show that you just don’t understand. Perhaps an experimental one that’s so opaque it’s like snorkeling through mud to find the meaning. Or maybe a new adaptation of a classic that drops too many…
Last Night: Alice Cooper at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Alice Cooper Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 1, 2019 Before GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot and Ghost, there was Alice Cooper. In the ’60s and ’70s, Cooper’s vaudeville was both fresh and upsetting. More than half a century later, the Godfather of Shock Rock’s act has endured to become…
What If The NFL Offseason Looked Like the NBA Offseason?
Late last week, the Houston Rockets had the press conference for their latest splashy offseason move. In fact, the trade for Russell Westbrook might be the splashiest Rockets move since the trade for James Harden in October 2012, which is saying something considering this is a team that brought in…
Openings and Closings: The Rustic, State Fare Expand, Torchy’s West U Coming
The Rustic, 1121 Uptown Park, is slated to open February 2020. The restaurant and live music venue from Kyle Noonan, Josh Sepkowitz and country music artist Pat Green opened its first Houston location downtown in November 2018. Now, the concept, which has locations in Dallas and San Antonio, will open…
Traffic Snarls Expected Along 59 South Between Newcastle and South Rice
Imagine we’re all just living inside a giant video game and, with every road or lane closure, the TxDot gamemaster has put its foot down to redirect our path. Let’s just say that GM is doing a little Riverdancing this weekend, setting up some nasty surprises on US-290, I-45 in…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Eat and Drink Up at White Linen Night
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Houston Restaurant Weeks Friday through Sunday (and beyond) Houston Restaurant Weeks has arrived! The annual fundraiser, which benefits the Houston Food Bank, runs daily through Monday, September 2, with a growing list of 255 restaurants expected to participate. To date, HRW…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Title: Once Upon A Time in … Hollywood Describe This Movie In One Simpsons Quote: MR. BURNS: “It was the best of times it was the blurst of times?” You stupid monkey! Brief Plot Synopsis: An actor and his stuntman friend confront the end of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant…
Sacred Music for World Healing Returns to Asia Society Texas Center
If the music biz is always in search of the next big thing, then why is Neil Diamond suddenly appealing to a whole new generation of listeners with “Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show.” Sure, Tarantino pointed the way, but it’s Diamond’s lyrics, emotion and powerful voice that bring all the…
Rumors of Active Shooter in Downtown Houston Unfounded
Late Thursday afternoon, August 1, reports were coming in on social media about an active shooter in the downtown tunnel system, near the Esperson Building, or near the intersection of Bagby and McKinney. However, according to the Houston Police Department, those rumors were determined to be unfounded. The investigation into…
Ranking Texans 2019 Opponents By Most Prominent Former Texans On Roster
One thing you can always count on in the NFL from season to season — rampant roster turnover. With contracts not being fully guaranteed, and players hitting free agency (for the most part) after just four seasons, roster construction is a practically year-round endeavor. As a result, there are very…
Last Night: blink-182 and Lil Wayne at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
blink-182, Lil Wayne Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 31, 2019 The year was 1999, and I was 11 years old. My mom took me to the local record store and told me she’d buy me an album. One album. I’d heard of blink-182 through friends at school who were enamored…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Wurstfest Returns to King’s BierHaus and Biergarten
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Throughout the entire month of August, Wurstfest is going down at King’s Biergarten, 1329 East Broadway, and King’s BierHaus (Heights and League City), 2044 East T C Jester, 828 FM 646 West, with an impressive 12+…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Shakespeare, White Linen, Abilities Expo
All the world’s a stage, and this weekend the men and women are playing. We’ve got world-class Shakespeare at Miller Outdoor Theatre, nine raucous world premieres in Spontaneous Smattering, and White Linen Night in the Heights. Plus head over to NRG for high-tech at the Abilities Expo and Jurassic Quest’s…
Mantra Love Soars on U called? EP
“What band are y’all in? I heard y’all say something like y’all sound like The Strokes or something?” asks a random dude at Lil’ Danny Speedo’s Go Fly a Kite Lounge. He’s been chain smoking all night, and has likely been stealthily (until now at least) eavesdropping on a conversation…
Astros Land Ace Greinke in Last-Minute Trade Deadline Blockbuster
Astros’ Twitter was in high gear leading up to Wednesday’s Major League Baseball deadline. As 3:00 p.m. local time approached and the Astros hadn’t made any significant moves to land a starting pitcher (or a reliever), fans began to get restless. A few even called for GM Jeff Lunhow’s head…
Inside The Glass: Charlotte Marshall
“From sparkling to dessert — and then by producer — and then the client was good with me organizing their Burgundy north to south,” Charlotte Marshall thought to herself.
Houston Concert Watch 7/31: blink-182, Lil Wayne and More
Quite a few heavy hitters will be visiting the Bayou City this week. But what’s notable is that some of these upcoming performances are co-headlining tours, and at least one of them is … an odd pairing. We’re expecting some rain this week, so stay dry out there and remember…
Stand-Up Prodigy Daniel Sloss Has Been Killing It – And Can’t Wait For A Break
At 28, Daniel Sloss already has an insanely enviable career in comedy. Last year, the writer/performer dropped two hour-long specials on Netflix entitled Jigsaw and Dark, and has just shot another entitled Now at the famed Paramount Theatre in Austin. Currently, Sloss is touring the globe with a 4th original…
SRV’s Life Told by Those Who Knew Him at His Best…and Worst
Texas Flood: The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan By Alan Paul and Andy Aledort 368 pp. $29.99 St. Martin’s Press He was one of Texas’ greatest guitar heroes, a fiery player with one foot in the blues and one in rock who had a growing base of fans and…
The iPad Restaurant System at IAH United Terminals Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Tip
Restaurant service a la iPad, introduced to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in 2016 by OTG management, eliminates one part of the telephone game by taking the ordering and payment out of the hands of the server. This dining model operates faster, which in the business of travel, is never a…
Four Thoughts On Johnathan Joseph’s Pay Raise From the Houston Texans
It was shortly after the lockout of NFL players ended during the summer of 2011. The league was once again open for business and free agents could sign wherever they chose to do so. The Houston Texans were coming off a 2010 season in which their defense, specifically their secondary,…
Smoked Out: Henderson & Kane
About a year ago John and Veronica Avila expanded on their little known downtown barbecue stand, El Burro & The Bull, with a totally new concept aimed at reviving the dying neighborhood grocer and bringing some New York charm to the streets of Sixth Ward. Henderson & Kane is an…
Houston Texans 53 Man Roster Prediction, 2019 Version 1.0
Amidst the return fo the sweltering Houston humidity over this past weekend and on Monday morning, the Houston Texans wrapped up their first five practices of the preseason. On Tuesday, the players will get a day of rest, while the coaches will gather at NRG Stadium to begin sifting through…
Mac Sabbath’s Fast Food Philosophy
This is Texas, where we take our beef seriously. After all, we are residents of the state where Oprah Winfrey was sued by an Amarillo cattleman for disparaging the food on her talk show. Remember, this actually went to trial in 1998. Winfrey and her guest were ultimately found not…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Central Park in East End Revitalized
Writing about Central Park is like watching sand slip through the fingers. Savvy buyers are quickly snapping up properties in this neighborhood, part of what’s called the “East End Revitalized” market area, and getting a lot of bang for their buck. Of the ten or so homes on the market right…
Trump is President So I Can Say “Happy Halloween” Now
The other day I walked into a Cracker Barrel looking for pot roast and hashbrown casserole, and I saw they’d already put the Halloween stuff out for sale in the store part. If you thought Cracker Barrel, with its loooong history of being incredibly crappy to LGBT people until very,…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Tex-Mex Cheesesteak at Antone’s
Is this hot Tex-Mex mess from Antone’s the best cheesesteak in America? Maybe. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Swedish Death Cleaning: Don Quixote and Those Windmills
We’ve all been horrified by those hoarding shows on television where a hazmat-suited army carries pile after pile of accumulated “stuff” out to a construction dumpster while the distressed homeowner argues valiantly about the merit of each object. That’s the worst kind of hoarding, a compulsion that invites rodents and…
The Sneaker Summit Provides A Space For Women To Express Themselves
Z-Ro’s “Mo City Don Freestyle” played through the hall at NRG Center. Young kids walked past booths with arms stretched high in the air holding pairs of shrink-wrapped shoes. Vendors handed out shirts, stickers, patches, and other merchandise celebrating Houston, comics and all things sneaker. Stars like Doughbeezy, Bun B,…
There Ain’t No Rest for the Woodlands When Beck and Cage the Elephant Share the Stage
Beck, Cage the Elephant: The Night Running Tour Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 28, 2019 Oh to be young and in love with the music of Cage the Elephant. Well, to be of any age and in love with their music. Last night’s packed Woodlands Pavilion crowd proved that Cage’s reach…
Clowney and Watson Rankings In NFL Top 100 Revealed, What Does It Mean?
The NFL has unveiled over two thirds of its annual Top 100 list, with players 30 through 21 set to be made public tonight on the NFL Network. You can go see who the first 70 players named have been thus far on the NFL’s website, but as you know,…
Four Observations From the Houston Texans’ First Practice In Pads
On Saturday morning, we got two things that we hadn’t seen thus far at Houston Texans training camp. One was a completely unwelcome scourge, and the other was fully welcome anytime. Unwelcome was the scorching heat, after two days of unseasonably hot-but-not-surface-of-the-sun-hot temps, Saturday was a scorcher. Fortunately, the Texans…
This Week in Houston Food Events: HRW, Deli Month and Chicken Wing Day
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: New specials All Day Happy Hour at Peli Peli Kitchen Peli Peli Kitchen, 9090 Katy Freeway, is offering a new happy hour featuring $10 pitchers of beer on tap, $4 beers on tap, $7 glasses of wine and $20 bottles of…
Well-known Illustrator Mary Engelbreit Has No Patience With Donald Trump
Odds are you had a Mary Engelbreit calendar or children’s book she illustrated at some point in your life. Her style is sweet, homey, and inoffensive. You’d think if anyone was keeping her head down and going about her kitschy business in the Age of Trump it would be the…
Still Rocking: The 10 Musicians We’ll Miss the Most When They’re Gone
Because human lives are so short in the long arc of history, it’s easy to lose perspective on the actual age of certain things. There are people still driving around right now that were born before “rock and roll” captured the hearts and dancing shoes of the world. For all…
Houston Outlaws Announce Home and Away Schedule for 2020 Season
The global Overwatch League (OWL) recently announced more details about its plans to host home and away matches (similar to those implemented by traditional sports) beginning in the 2020 regular season. The OWL is the official professional esports league for Overwatch, an extremely popular and relatively new title from game…
Last Night: Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World in The Woodlands
Third Eye Blind, Jimmy Eat World Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion July 28, 2019 This tour wasn’t supposed to happen. At least, not like this. About halfway through Third Eye Blind’s performance at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Saturday, vocalist Stephan Jenkins admitted to the crowd that the Summer Gods…
It’s Genuinely Thrilling to Still Be Able to See The Rolling Stones Live
The Rolling Stones NRG Stadium July 27, 2K19 The Rolling Stones are human like the rest of us, but it’s hard not to see them as some of the fundamental archetypes of rock and roll. Mick Jagger is the handsome, charming, engaging frontman; Keith Richards is the wild creative who…
Re-HOUnited: Westbrook Joins Harden, Rockets Officially
Russell Westbrook was all smiles on Friday at the Rockets official press conference welcoming the former MVP to the team. With all the questions about how they will play together looming both inside and outside the Toyota Center media room, Westbrook admitted their biggest challenge will be figuring out how…
Luz is the Absolutely Bananas German Horror Film You Have to See
As horror re-enters an artistic renaissance, one of the things to hope for is a return of the highly-stylized, almost incomprehensible films that consume aficionados for years to come. Luz, directed by Tilman Singer, is one of those, and Houstonians have a rare chance to see it in the theaters…
Shawn Mendes Brings Showmanship and Hits to Toyota Center
“I want to know if there’s anybody out there who has been brought on a date tonight or who has brought somebody on a date to this show tonight,” Shawn Mendes told a fervent, sold out Toyota Center last night. “‘Cause if you are – you brought her on a…
Donnie Houston Brings Out Bun B And More To Discuss Sneaker Culture
“I’ve been good friends with this man for at least ten years and he is one of the humblest individuals you’ll ever meet,” said Kadoma, laughing as readjusted his cap and continued his response to the previous speaker. “I’m not going to let him go without talking about his accomplishments…
Four Transportation Alternatives Not as Widely Discussed
It’s difficult to imagine a city-of-the-future styled Houston with flying cars and transporter technology like in Star Trek. In truth, however, it is pretty tough to imagine the Bayou City with any kind of modern transportation options even now halfway through 2019. Progressive is not exactly the word you would…
Five Observations From Houston Texans Training Camp Day 1
For the first time since 2016, the Houston Texans opened training camp on Thursday right here in Houston. There was no road trip to West Virginia this year, but there was unseasonably cooler weather on Thursday, and by unseasonably cooler, I mean “below 95 degrees, and not really humid at…
Openings and Closings: Bravery Chef Hall is Open, Warehouse 72 Next Week
Bravery Chef Hall, 409 Travis, softly opened July 23, for dinner only. Next week, the multi-chef food hall will be open for lunch as well. Last year, we wrote about some of the chefs who had signed on for the concept from partners Ahn Mai, Lian Nguyen and Shepard Ross…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Sneaker Summit and Curious Anomalies
Beavis and Butthead might be screaming “Fire, Fire,” but it’s all an illusion when it comes to the magic of Robby Bennett. The Clear Lake native is returning home for a one-night show in Galveston this weekend. Also on our radar is Friday’s White Linen on Navigation, Bill Arning’s curated list…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Sip 25-Cent Bloodys at Brennan’s
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Collabor8tion Dinner at Poitín Bar & Kitchen Friday, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 2313 Edwards Poitín and 8th Wonder will team up for a Collabor8tion Dinner at Poitín Bar & Kitchen, offering a beer-paired menu. Highlights included passed appetizers such as andouille…
Slayyyter Delivers XXXmas in July for a Legion of Stans
Houston weather paid tribute to the new pop queen, Slayyyter as the temperature dipped down to fitting 69 degrees. But the small cool front experienced the past couple of days was negated by the heat she brought to the Satellite Bar on the eleven city Mini Tour. Tons of rabid…
Queen + Adam Lambert (+ Freddie Mercury) Is a Winning Formula
Queen + Adam Lambert Toyota Center July 24, 2019 The Rhapsody Tour, the latest run of live Queen shows featuring Adam Lambert on vocals, was a half-dozen songs into its Houston stop when Lambert stated the obvious to a capacity crowd at Toyota Center. “I’m going to say it, I’m…
Chugging Through Murder With Murder on the Orient Express at the Alley Theatre
I suppose if you have nothing better to do during the hot humid days of our Houston summer, you could go to the air-conditioned Alley Theatre and see Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Or you could poke out your eyes with popsicle sticks. Your choice. Ms. Christie’s old…
Astros Have Tough Decision to Make When Correa Returns
An embarrassment of riches. That’s what the Astros have in their lineup already, but when Carlos Correa finally returns from his rib injury, which is expected Friday at St. Louis for an interleague series with the Cardinals, it will leave GM Jeff Lunhow with a move to make and a…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Houston Restaurant Weeks Returns
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Guests are invited to a Lone Star Spotlight Dinner at Morton’s Grille, 25 Waterway, on Saturday, July 27. The evening will kick off with a lively happy hour in the bar from 6 to 7 p.m.,…
Inside the Glass: Riccardo Guerrieri
Sagrantino washes the mouth like a sea in mid-gale, ocean furious with fruit, sucking the palate dry only to bob back to the surface with a bite or two of musky, Umbrian salumi. This is the wine Riccardo Guerrieri grew up on. Six years ago after moving to Houston from…
August Art Shows: Trippy Tom Petty, Chernobyl, and North Houston Bikepark
From the psychedelic art of Peter Max to the radioactive detritus of Chernobyl, it’s an exciting month for art lovers in Houston. MFAH is showcasing 20th century prints and drawings collected by Ima Hogg, there’s a super cool sculpture at the North Houston Bikepark, the Tibetan monks are creating another mandala…
Five Burning Questions For Houston Texans Training Camp
For people whose lives revolve around the National Football League — yes, I am raising my hand — our long nightmare is finally over. Starting this morning, at NRG Stadium, there will be players in uniforms and helmets trying to win a job in the NFL and/or preparing for the…
Houston Concert Watch 7/24: Third Eye Blind and More
It’s that time of the week again, dear readers. Wednesday is upon us and, as is tradition, your friendly neighborhood Houston Press has compiled a list of the best concerts coming to town to help you get over the hump and into the weekend. This go-round, we’ve highlighted a handful of…
It’s Time for Another Season of Love With Rent at the Hobby Center
They’re young, they’re poor; they’re living in New York City with all sorts of big dreams. It’s the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning musical Rent making a grand tour of the country in a 20th anniversary touring production that thanks to Broadway at the Hobby is coming to Houston this August…
Pablo Cruise Set Sail with a New and Bigger Engine
One of the more interesting aspects of pop culture is when a musician or band whose songs have not graced the charts in years (sometimes decades), suddenly has an unexpected resurgence. It could be from a song well-placed on a movie, TV, or video game soundtrack. Or a remake. Or…
Whining and Dining: Joining the Families at King’s BierHaus
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Predicting Where Houston Texans Land In NFL Top 100
One of my favorite signs that the NFL season is upon us, aside from the obvious one that training camp begins on Thursday across the street from NRG Stadium, is the annual reveal of the NFL’s annual list of the Top 100 players for the upcoming season, as voted upon…
Rating Fear Factor For Each Texans Injury List Announcement
Houston Texans training camp begins on Thursday morning, and there’s really nothing that can dampen my enthusiasm. Jadeveon Clowney will likely be absent, in the midst of a contract standoff with the front office, a front office that actually consists right now of a five headed general manager, and neither…
How Often Should You “Keep an Eye on the Tropics” During Hurricane Season?
From June through the end of November, mentions of hurricane season are frequent along the Gulf Coast. Media outlets urge us all to stay wary of any tropical weather and pay attention as things can develop quickly. This was evident recently with Hurricane Barry, which didn’t even form into a…
Master Impressionist Pablo Francisco Humbly Estimates He’s The Man of “About 28” Voices
“We’re working on a new hour of comedy. We’re gonna throw some old hits and some new hits and mix them up together and just celebrate the good summer.”
Smoked Out: Gatlin’s BBQ
Greg Gatlin, the former Rice Owl defensive back and graduate, opened the first iteration of his self-titled barbecue joint sometime in 2010. Back then Gatlin’s BBQ was housed in a tiny west 19th Street cottage that fit about 30 people. The family business (opened and operated with the help of…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Audubon Place is Outlandish, Cultured and Walkable
John Wiley Link had big dreams when he purchased more than 3,300 acres southwest of downtown in the early 1900s, spending more than a million dollars on infrastructure to create the Montrose neighborhood. His vision was for mansions to line the Lovett, Montrose, Yoakum and Audubon Place boulevards, facing the…
Rodney Crowell Pays Homage To Texas With A Little Help From His Friends
The Houston kid is coming back. Texas gold, Rodney Crowell, left behind his well-documented and rocky past with Houston many years ago, but has always held onto his roots. Crowell will be back in Houston August 15 to perform at the Heights Theater and celebrate the release of his new…
Mad Love on Display in Main Street Theater’s Production of Private Lives
A divorced couple just can’t quit each other in Noel Coward’s Private Lives, now playing at Main Street Theater.
Pair of Rookie Pitchers Rescue the Astros
After retuning from the All-Star break, the Astros struggled to find the right combination of pitching to make up for shortcomings thanks to injuries. They tried to stick with Framber Valdez, which did not work. They tried an “opener” for the first time ever. Also, a fail. They were even…
El Gato is Streaming on Hive View, Giving H-Town its ASMR Fix
Tired of filling out all those TPS reports? Did your boss just ask you to work the weekend? Did the two Bobs call you into the conference room to justify your existence? Then jump on the ASMR bandwagon and find inner peace by chilling over a relaxing video or livestream…
Rating the Texans’ Head Coaching Match-ups in 2019
Each year since 2011, I believe, just before the start of the NFL regular season, I will do a preview of the Houston Texans’ season using a method that I have (very creatively) titled the Pendergast Method. It’s an evaluation of the season designed to essentially put games into one…
Producer, Collaborator and Recording Artist John Allen Stephens Releases Newest Single “Addiction”
Deep in the heart of the East End, producer, songwriter, and recording artist John Allen Stephens is quietly shaping the sound of Houston’s music scene from his independently owned, home based studio Third Coast Recording Co. On a typical day, he wakes up around nine, walks over to the next…
This Week in Houston Food Events: EggHaus Gourmet Meets Killen’s BBQ
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Killen’s BBQ and EggHaus collaboration at EggHaus Gourmet EggHaus Gourmet, 2042 East T C Jester, has teamed up with Killen’s BBQ to create the Brisket Biscuit Sandwich and the Pulled Pork Kolache, available from Monday, July 22 through…
A Festival Brings All Things Brunch To Downtown Houston
The parking lot of Isles Eatery & Rhum Bar on the corner of Pease and Crawford was bustling Saturday afternoon despite the almost unbearable heat as patrons tried to pick which food entrees they wanted to taste next. People stood in line sampling food and smoking cigars as they waited…
Maxo Kream and Reading With A Rapper Deliver a Session at Worthing High
The lights in the auditorium at Worthing High School in the historic Sunnyside area of south Houston dimmed and the room was quiet. A teacher excitedly spoke of metaphors and similes while she pointed and paced under the highlighted sentence of a paragraph projected onto a large screen. Normally a…
Whether Pious or Heathen, Expect a Twangy Good Time at The Doyle and Debbie Show
A country music has-been teams up with a never-was to make one last grab for fame in Stages Repertory Theatre’s production of The Doyle and Debbie Show.
Khalid’s Free Spirit Tour Hits The Toyota Center
Cellphone flashlights illuminated the Toyota Center Thursday night as the audience swayed along to the soundtrack provided by Khalid. The singer, face projected on screen highlighting his signature smile, stood in front of the screaming stadium dressed simply in a black NASA cap, a tour t-shirt, and jeans. “This next…
Openings and Closings: Union Kitchen Cypress Opens, Pizza Motus Closes
The Union Kitchen, 9955 Barker Cypress, began its soft opening July 9 at the Boardwalk at Towne Lake in Cypress. This makes the sixth location for the concept from Gr8 Plate Hospitality. It takes over the space formerly occupied by Jaxton’s Grill House and Bar. The 5,000 square foot restaurant…
Marisnick’s Week A Turning Point for Team and Player
You could see it coming. When Jake Marisnick was plunked in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s nights Astros vs. Angels game in Anaheim — a retaliatory strike for the the outfielder’s violent collision with Angels cacher Jonathan Lucroy last week — no one on either bench was surprised. It was…
Peter Yarrow on the Promise of Folk Music – Then and Now
During the folk music revival of the early 1960s – which saw both older performers rediscovered and new ones step to the forefront of the genre – there was no bigger or more important venue than the Newport Folk Festival. And there were few acts with both the critical and…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Tree House Happy Hour at The Grove
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Mixers & Elixirs at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Friday, doors open at 7 p.m. 5555 Hermann Park The next Mixers & Elixirs event invites the social set to the HMNS for a night of mingling, cocktails and dancing. Themed “From…
QFest Brings Luchador Cassandro, Trans Rebel Rusty Tidenberg and Texas Debut of Pasolini
When Houston summers become unbearable, there’s nothing better than finding relief inside a cool movie theater. QFest delivers that and more, screening thoughtful films that address current events, show inspirational stories of triumph through creativity, and bring guest appearances by noted directors like Harrod Blank (Why Can’t I Be Me?…
Houston’s Five Most Important Athletes
In saying “good bye” to Russell Westbrook on Tuesday evening, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti used an interesting choice of words to categorize Westbrook’s significant to the franchise, since they moved to OKC from Seattle in 2008: The adjective “important” is an interesting one to use, because it…
New-look Oceans of Slumber Headlines White Oak Music Hall on Saturday
When local metal heroes Oceans of Slumber hit the stage at White Oak Music Hall this Saturday, catch them while you can. In less than a month, they’ll be back on a plane over the Atlantic. The band will embark on its second European tour this year—a string of headline…
Style Suffocates Substance In Woyzeck
“I almost feel bad even calling it Woyzeck”, said Director Matt Hune just a short while before the show’s opening at Rec Room Arts. A funny thing to say about Georg Büchner’s classic 19th-century play, one of the most performed and influential pieces of German theater repertory. A show considered…
Preparing for a Hurricane Evacuation
As Hurricane Barry rolled into the central Louisiana coastline over the weekend, no doubt many Houstonians were breathing a sigh of relief. While Barry wasn’t exactly a blockbuster storm, it dropped dozens of inches of rain across a wide region from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama north to Arkansas. For anyone…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Get Your Tickets to Tacolandia
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Tickets to Tacolandia, the annual Houston Press celebration of all things taco, are now on sale. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 19 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Water Works at Buffalo…
Inside The Glass: Mohammed Rahman
Working as a server at Chili’s and then Rio Ranch Restaurant while completing his undergrad degree in Kinesiology at the University of Houston, Mohammed Rahman, known as Mo, decided enough was enough, no more restaurants for him. But a year later his friend, Phouc Nguyen, then general manager for Azuma…
Rating Former Franchise Icons Acquired By Houston Rockets Since 1995
As the NBA offseason simmers down, and the MLB trade deadline approaches, we are reminded that we are very fortunate here in the city of Houston to be rooting for teams that are on the FUN end of the trades where a superstar player is changing teams and the team…
Houston Music Tales From Behind the Bar
If you wanna know whether a Houston band has chops, if it has a draw, if it’s staffed with reasonable working musicians or rock star divas, don’t ask a so-called music critic: ask a bartender. From load in to payout, these diligent professionals see and hear everything visiting musicians do…
Night Court Looks at Election Law and Ethics in Politics in Law of the Jungle II
“A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh / In the jungle, the mighty jungle….” The lion might be sleeping tonight, but all over H-Town attorneys, judges and stage-struck performers are donning wigs, costumes and make-up as Night Court, Houston’s all-lawyer theater company, gets ready to present Law of the Jungle II. Every year’s musical brings a new…
Rockets Announce Westbrook Trade: 4 Pros, 4 Cons
On Tuesday, the Rockets announced the trade that sent Chris Paul and draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Russell Westbrook. The trade, which was first reported last week, was one of the biggest blockbusters in an offseason of massive deals. There has been, and will continue to be,…
Whining and Dining: Babies and Noodles at Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Dog Show, Moor Fest and GONZO247’s Jet
Imagine this weekend in Houston is a massive interactive scavenger hunt. Before Sunday is over, we’ll have seen bar crawlers wearing Santa hats, dogs groomed to look like lions, a Hawker jet tricked out in 1960s colors, the first Moorish American festival in more than a century, and a simultaneous…
Houston concert watch 7/17: Khalid and More
Fortunately for residents of Houston, Hurricane Barry took a hard right turn and missed the Bayou City by a few hundred miles. (Unfortunately, our neighbors to the east weren’t so lucky.) Barry notwithstanding, we’re in for quite a bit of rain beginning this Sunday and lasting through the following week,…
Chips and Dips Make A Healthy Summertime Meal
Guess what’s delicious and can be super healthy? Dips. Guess what’s a really convenient snack because it’s already made? Dips. Guess what goes really well with dips? Chips. This summer, eating chips and dips for an entire meal is a healthy alternative to a Philly cheese steak or a double…
Alejandro Escovedo: Solo Sonica at Mucky Duck
Born into a musical immigrant family, Alejandro Escovedo is a songwriting survivor who can weave together this country’s current tumult with past ghosts like few others. His newest album The Crossing explores characters caught freeze-framed in America’s wayward paths. Yet, much of the inspiration, like many of his smart, infectious…
Four Thoughts On The Houston Texans’ Madden 2020 Scores
How do you know that a sports video game is the most important sports video game in the history of the gaming genre? Well, I would say that the annual release of the game being a major talking point on talk radio and among players is a pretty good start,…
The Possible Video Game Influences of Stranger Things
Spoilers Ahead With the third season of the hit Netflix horror series Stranger Things all wrapped up and things primed for another season of nostalgia-driven unease, it’s time to dissect the show as if we were scientists with little regard for the possible outcomes of our actions. Stranger Things is…
Astros Finally Go to “Opener” With Injuries to Starting Rotation
A recent trend in pitching in baseball has been the “opener,” a starting pitcher that goes maybe an inning or two before handing over the ball to a reliever, who is typically designated as the primary pitcher. It’s typically stopgap measure used when a team feels like they have a…
Pre-Sale Tacolandia Tickets Are Here
Tacolandia, the Houston Press annual celebration of all things taco, is coming this October and you can get ready for it by buying pre-sale tickets which will go on sale at 10 a.m. today. Scheduled for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, this…
Murder on the Orient Express As You’ve Never Seen it Before
Why would a theater’s new artistic director decide to make his acting debut with an Agatha Christie murder mystery instead of say, something more weighty, more serious? The train. Chalk it up to the singular vision Alley Artistic Director Rob Melrose had for the train and for the kind of…
Six People Most Affected By Texans’ Decision Not To Extend Jadeveon Clowney’s Contract
Amid the predictable contractual outcome between the two sides, the saga between the Houston Texans and defensive end/linebacker Jadeveon Clowney took some interesting turns on Monday afternoon. The 3 p.m. deadline for a new deal came and went, and to the surprise of virtually nobody, the Texans and Clowney did…
Houston By the Neighborhood: New Homes Replace Flea Market in Spring Branch
What does Spring Branch mean to you? For parents, it’s access to an award-winning school district that’s worth paying a bit more in property values. For old school Houstonians, it’s a region of phenomenal growth that saw tiny West Belt morph into the massive West Sam Houston Parkway/Beltway 8 —…
Smoked Out: Feges BBQ
I have been annoyed, perhaps irrationally so, by Feges BBQ since it first opened in early 2018. It is, by all accounts, a beloved, dual-chef-run, locally-owned barbecue joint with the supposed quality and creativity to lead a new generation of Houston smokehouses — and they put it in Greenway F*****g Plaza!…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Crawl
Title: Crawl Describe This Movie Using One Simpsons Quote: HOMER: Well Lisa, remember that postcard Grandpa sent us from Florida of that alligator biting that woman’s bottom? Brief Plot Synopsis: Big lizard in my backyard. And my kitchen. And my basement. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4 Robert McKluskys out…
50 Years After Apollo 11: Earthrise, A Giant Leap, and Mission Splashdown
This week we continue our citywide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. There’s tons to see and do, plus discover more events in the first two stories in our series (shown below). This week we’ve got massive celebrations at Discovery Green, stormtroopers at the Children’s…
Comic Erica Rhodes Set to Bring The Funny, Both on NBC and at Rec Room
“For me, it was a little shocking when I realized it was a competition show! I think I was in denial until the day we got there, and then it got really intense.”
The Hollywood Stars Shoot to Shine Bright Again
Even among the eccentrics and characters of the Los Angeles rock scene in the 1960s and ’70s, Kim Fowley stood out. A gadfly, scenester, and attention-drawer, he flitted from role to role as a record producer, band manager, songwriter, and singer/musician who seemed to know everybody and found a niche…
First Westbrook, Then Chandler…Is Iggy Next?
The first ten days of free agency ended in a whirlwind for the Rockets who traded Chris Paul and draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for former MVP Russell Westbrook. We can get into the whole “will this thing actually work” soon enough. For now, Rockets GM Daryl Morey…
Who’s Making Amazon Prime Days Happen and What Do They Have to Do to Make You Happy?
Surrounded by calls for work stoppages and strikes and following a highly uncomplimentary segment on the working life of its employees on Last Week Tonight with host John Oliver, Amazon is soldiering on with its two special Amazon Prime days starting today through Tuesday. Whether it was these factors or…
A Houston Bar Staff Tests an Assortment of Energy Drinks on One Night’s Shift. Zoom, Zoom, Zoom.
Friday 4:15 p.m. “Brian, can I use the staff as guinea pigs in an energy drink article I need to bang out.” Brian Brossa, GM/Owner of this particular establishment, was in the middle of doing three things: scribbling down an addendum to the evening’s food features, nodding his head as a…
Should You Buy a Nintendo Switch Lite if You Already Own a Switch?
This is the question on my mind after the announcement that Nintendo will release a Lite version of the Switch. This one is, obviously, lighter to hold than the regular version because it is geared strictly toward mobile gamers. The Joy-Con controls also don’t come off — meaning it technically…
Four Thoughts On Jadeveon Clowney Contract Deadline Day
So I’m back after two weeks in the woods in upstate New York, and like any two week period on the sports calendar, there has been some things that have changed and some that have remained the same over the first half of July. An example of the former would…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Load Up on National Hot Dog Day
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Limited-time specials Southern Smoke Charity Sandwich at Mendocino Farms California import Mendocino Farms, 5510 Morningside, a new fast- casual sandwich and salad destination, will open its doors in Rice Village on Thursday, July 18. To celebrate the Grand Opening, it’s teaming…
Is Your Home, Garden or Studio Funky Enough for the Weird Homes Tour?
Where others see a mattress frame, do you envision a support for your climbing plants? Does everybody know that zebra collectibles are what you want for all gifting occasions? Did your artist’s canvas spill over until you realized you’d covered every wall, floor and ceiling with your unique style? If…
Mickey Gilley on Houston, Honky Tonks and Hollywood
Mickey Gilley is probably not into numerology. But there are two double digits that he brings up several times each during our interview: 83 (his age) and 17 (his Billboard No. 1 country music hits – the titles of most which he rattles off with ease). “George Strait has more…
Houston Rappers Celebrate 713 Day With Houston Bar Code’s 713 Cypher
Saturday was 713 Day, the unofficial day to celebrate all things Houston. Downtown’s Market Square Park was buzzing with activity all evening as people went in and out of surrounding bars and shops while dodging scattered showers. The second floor of Henke and Pilot, which overlooks the park, was also…
21 Savage Brings His Tour To White Oak Music Hall
The Friday night sky in Houston was clear and, luckily, a light breeze cut through the usually overbearing humidity. Sheyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, better known as 21 Savage, stood centerstage surrounded by auburn mist at the base of a mountain in front of the White Oak lawn. The huge screen at…
Young Deji And Tisakorean Perform In Downtown Houston
“Ayyyeeee! We here. We back!” screamed Young Deji as he stood center stage sporting black jeans and a camouflage Pimperelli vest. “We here y’all. Y’all having a good night? I’m having a good night…and I got verified today!” The fans at Houston Underground screamed back in congratulations at Deji’s latest…
Rockets Trade Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook in Blockbuster Deal
Less than two weeks into free agency, it appeared the Rockets had swung and missed. They attempted to land Jimmy Butler, who opted for Miami. Even second tier free agents found other homes while the Rockets managed only to retain their own. In one of the craziest offseasons in NBA…
No GM in 2019? What the Hell are the Texans Doing?
For years, it appeared that the Texans would never part with former GM Rick Smith. Through questionable drafts and failed free agent moves, he remained in place, quite literally at the side of beloved former (and now deceased) owner Robert McNair. When Smith stepped down because of his wife’s battle…
Openings and Closings: Mikki’s Pearland Opens, La Vista 101 Closes
Mikki’s Cafe, 9603 Broadway, opened June 14 in Pearland. This makes the second location for the popular soul food restaurant with the original at 10500 Belfort. Diners love the daily specials and homemade flavors in dishes like smothered fried chicken, candied yams and collard greens. One of its best sellers…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Stuber
Title: Stuber Describe This Movie In One Billy Madison Quote: KID: You got a misshaped head. BILLY: Thank you. Brief Plot Synopsis: Beefy blind brute botches bust, bullies beta. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2.5 propane tanks out of 5. Tagline: “Prepare for the Rideshare of Your Life.” Better…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Get Free Breakfast Tacos
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Free Breakfast Taco Party at Superica Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon 1801 North Shepherd Superica is celebrating summertime with a patio party featuring live music, OG margaritas and beer, and FREE breakfast tacos beginning at 10 a.m. (the free tacos are…
The Dos and Don’ts of Rainy Weather Driving
While it appears we will dodge a bullet when it comes to potential-Hurricane Barry, seeing a storm rumble through the Gulf of Mexico should not only trigger some Harvey-related PTSD, but remind us that during hurricane season, we often have to deal with bad weather. Forget the wind, water kills…
Michael Collins Discusses the Sound and Influences of Drugdealer
Listening to the music of Drugdealer can feel like entering a time warp. The sparsity of the arrangements, the aridity of the production, and the classic pop melodies embedded in each tune immediately bring to mind the music of the 1960s and 1970s—a time when similar soft-rock sounds entrenched the…
Soon-to-Be Tropical Storm Barry on a Path for Louisiana
The disturbance labeled Potential Tropical Cyclone Two (eventually Tropical Storm, perhaps Hurricane, Barry) spent overnight Wednesday stumbling around the north central Gulf of Mexico remaining a rather disorganized blob. Forecast models, which had begun trending eastward in forecast tracks yesterday continued that overnight, some even putting a bulls-eye on the…
Four Keys to the Astros Second Half
While the first half of the season actually ended about a week back, the unofficial start to the second half of the season begins on Thursday, just days after the All-Star game in Cleveland. With a seven-and-a-half-game lead in the division and only two losses separating the Astros and the…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: VegFest, Nipsey Hussle Bike Ride, Elvis
We pay homage to legends lost in the days ahead: Let’s Do This Houston has curated the best from Nipsey Hussle’s songbook for its bike marathon while A.D. Players celebrates Elvis Presley early next week. In this earthly realm, we’ve got opportunities for living our best life with VegFest, the American…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A New Late-Night Destination in the River Oaks District
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: The recently opened Loch Bar, 4444 Westheimer, will serve its full menu daily until 1 a.m., making the River Oaks District haunt the hottest new late-night destination in town. Night owls can satisfy their cravings via…
Tracking Folk Punk’s New Wave With Its Archivist
The folk punk genre has its share of skeptics. Type the words into your Google search engine and plenty of derisive tropes and snarky memes will populate. But, maybe now more than ever, you’ll also find a broad and acclaimed array of music from diverse artists whose blend of folk…
Gulf Disturbance Expected to be a Hurricane at Landfall
The forecast for what the National Hurricane Center has deemed Potential Tropical Cyclone 2 — what is likely to become Tropical Storm and eventually Hurricane Barry — remains rather uncertain Wednesday morning. The center of circulation is over water, but most of the thunderstorm activity is spread across a huge…
Death and the Maiden is Next Up in the Houston Equity Festival
On his way home from work, a lawyer named Gerardo Escobar has his car break down. A stranger, calling himself Dr. Miranda, happens by and helps him, driving him to his home. When Miranda returns later that day, Escobar’s wife, Paulina, hears his voice and believes he is the leader…
Astros Perform Well in AL’s Seventh Straight All-Star Win
In a season where balls are flying out of ballparks at record pace and much of the discussion leading up to baseball’s midsummer classic were about whether or not those balls are “juiced,” the 90th annual All-Star game at Progressive Field in Cleveland felt a bit like a throwback. The…
Loud and Proud: Black Joe Lewis Gets Real on The Difference Between Me & You
Black Joe Lewis is sick and tired of being pushed aside. The Austinite experienced a rude awakening in recent years; all the growth in his city has moved many hard working musicians like himself to the sidelines. “I’m kind of not a big fan of Austin anymore. It just straight…
Inside The Glass: Evan Turner
“Agiorgitiko, mavroudi, mavrotragano, rhoditis…” Evan Turner made sweeping movements with his hands as he rattled off in perfect pronunciation six or seven of the 300 indigenous Greek varietals. They are his heartbeat, after all. “There’s just so much to show people—not just how great Greek wine is, but on top…
Houston Concert Watch 7/10: 21 Savage and More
Summer’s only been here for three weeks, but we’re already melting. And we’re not alone. This past weekend, during Fitz and the Tantrums’ performance on The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall, we saw a young woman pass out from what we assume was a combination of heat and dehydration…
Bregman Falls in Home Run Derby, Verlander to Start for AL in All-Star Game
The Astros are well represented at this year’s midsummer classic in Cleveland. On Monday, the league held its annual home run derby and Alex Bregman participated for the second straight year. Although he had a good outing with 16 homers in his first at bat, the man opposite him, Dodger…
Still Much Uncertainty Surrounding Gulf Disturbance
The National Hurricane Center is giving an area of low pressure drifting south across the Florida panhandle a 50 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm over the next two days. The disorganized system will emerge over the eastern Gulf of Mexico sometime Tuesday and is expected…
50 Years After Apollo 11: Sky Fest, 50th Live and Space on Screen’s Armstrong
As Houston continues its massive countdown to the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing on July 20, we’ve been celebrating the historic occasion with all sorts of space-themed activities, including live music and art, a 50th Live celebration at Space Center Houston, a screening of the new documentary…
Billyracxx’s Latest Video is a Stunning and Unnerving Visual Experience
Last month, burgeoning independent rapper and visual artist Billyracxx released the latest visual component to his 2019 eight-track album Religion. The video for the track “12 gauge” is the latest in a slew of 2019 releases and ongoing projects for the enigmatic and unorthodox young artist. “12 Gauge was shot…
Hot Listing: Travel to Provence By Way of River Oaks
Just listed on the market is a new estate home that borrows the best from Provence, blending modern conveniences with antique chandeliers and marble mantles. On the lot once owned by Andrew Blackmore and Ruth Munson Blackmore, Jennifer Hamelet and her design-build firm Mirador Builders have created a stunning 8,116-square foot…
Smoked Out: Demeris Bar-B-Q
The Demeris name has meant something in Houston restaurant circles for well over half a century. Since Frank Demeris opened the G & N Cafe on North San Jacinto in 1952 the family has owned and operated a handful of Houston restaurants and cafes, most of which have since shuttered…
Santana Revisits Woodstock and Supernatural at The Woodlands
Carlos Santana, The Doobie Brothers The Woodlands Pavilion July 7th, 2019 Fifty years ago next month, a skinny Mexican-American guitarist named Carlos Santana took center stage with his band at the Woodstock Peace & Music Festival in Bethel, New York, providing one of the most inspired and memorable musical performances…
Young The Giant’s Live Show Arrests Throng of Fans at White Oak Music Hall
Young The Giant, Fitz And The Tantrums The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall July 7, 2019 It’s been two years since Young The Giant last performed in Houston. During their absence, the group released their most vulnerable and polarizing record to date, 2018’s Mirror Master. Mirror Master wasn’t a…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Eat Like it’s 1969 During Space City Month
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Limited-time specials Out of This World Cupcakes at CRAVE CRAVE, 5600 Kirby, 1151 Uptown Park, 2501 Research Forest, is bringing a space themed spin to its classic cupcakes, available now through Wednesday, July 31. The bakeshop is celebrating the 50th anniversary…
Sit in at the Honky Tonk at The Doyle and Debbie Show at Stages
Former country star Doyle Mayfield is on the comeback trail and the only way he figures he can get there is with a new singing partner – who happens to be the third Debbie in his life. Alas for him, the newly recruited Debbie is the one to profit by…
NBA’s Weeklong Free For All: Four Winners, Four Losers
There have been moments in the NBA summer that have included cleverly executed plays, rim-rocking slam dunks and teams desperately trying to play defense in a league increasingly dominated by the other side. No, it’s not the annual Las Vegas Summer League we are describing. It’s the radical restructuring of…
Alamo Drafthouse Gets Ready for Once Upon a Time With Homework Series
As the joke goes, when Quentin Tarantino was asked who he wanted to star in his ninth feature film, the reply was “Yes.” So among the 176 actors appearing in the upcoming Once Upon a Time in … Hollywood, set to release July 25, you’ll see Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio…
The Steel Woods Start Spreading the News – Old and New
In terms of health, influence, and popular usage, in 2019 it’s pretty safe (but sad) to say that printed newspapers have had their best days in the rearview mirror. But Tennessee-based Southern rockers The Steel Woods are conjuring up at least the spirit of ink-smeared broadsheets to deliver their contemporary…
Possible Gulf Disturbance Could Affect Houston Area Later in the Week
Just over a month into hurricane season, the first decent chance for a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center. Right now, it’s just an area of low pressure over northern Alabama, but it is forecast to slowly move south-southeast over the…
Where the Chefs Eat: Tony J. Nguyen of Saigon House Midtown
From 2012 to 2014, Houston Press ran a series called “Where the Chefs Eat,” (you can re-visit the entire series here) in which we asked some of Houston’s most prominent chefs where they ate when they weren’t cooking in their own kitchens. Though it ran its natural course at the…
Openings and Closings: B.B. Lemon Montrose Opens, Monkey’s Tail Swings In
B.B. Lemon, 4319 Montrose, will open officially July 8. Owner Benjamin Berg, of Berg Hospitality Group, has transformed the space, which housed the acclaimed restaurant Pax Americana until this past January, into a cozy, dimly-lit bistro, reminiscent of a venerable New York tavern with green plaid walls, vintage paintings and…
Get Your Sin On With Sunday School-Themed Second Sunday Revival
Join Tifa Tittlywinks and the burlesque performance troupe Dem Damn Dames for an afternoon of entertainment and mischievously delicious fun as part of Market Square Park’s Sunday School Theme Second Sunday festivities.
Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: K-Pop, Music of Queen and Frida B-Day
Whether you prefer the music of Freddie Mercury or John Denver’s ballads, ancestral dances or modern hip-hop, this is the weekend when you don’t have to choose. Celebrate culture, in all its forms, with Fly Dance, The Music of Queen, Tai Chi, a K-Pop competition and a brunch-tastic Frida Kahlo birthday celebration…
Astros Have a Chance to Break Away with Spate of AL West Games
The Astros have won five straight, sweeping the Mariners and the Rockies in consecutive series. Counting that series against Seattle, seven of their eight series between June 28 and July 24 are against AL West opponents. As of writing this, the Astros were eight games up on the A’s for…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Lobster Friday and a Freedom Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Friday Freedom Brunch at Weights and Measures Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2808 Caroline Recover from your Fourth of July festivities with a special Friday brunch at Weights and Measures. The eatery will serve up its brunch favorites—think fried chicken…
Five years Strong: Splice Records Still Turns the World One Album at a Time
“Make the world go round one album at a time” is a slogan used by Houston’s Splice Records and written by its CEO Shaun Brennan. In a city full of everything under the sun, Brennan started Splice Records in an attempt to offer artists better support and the city better…
Five Ways You Can Help Improve Houston Traffic
Houstonians spend a lot of time grumbling about what the government could and should be doing to improve the traffic conditions in our city. We talk about expanding freeways, filling potholes, trying alternate forms of transportation and increasing public transit options. But, we can help the situation as well. Sure,…
30 Songs By 30 Acts From 30 Days of Music in Houston, Closing Set
As noted previously this week, we took in 30 songs by 30 acts seen in Houston over the last 30 days (give or take a day). Presented in three parts, this is one person’s musical trek across Greater Houston and just a glimpse of where music is happening in the…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Get Early Bird Tickets to The Morning After Brunch Event
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Early bird tickets are now on sale for fourth annual The Morning After, A Houston Press Brunch Event, taking place at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards, on Saturday, September 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m…
The Comedy of Manners Private Lives Opens at Main Street Theater
In Private Lives, two couples on their honeymoons discover they are staying in adjoining rooms at the same hotel as their former spouses. Elyot, who used to be married to Amanda is on his honeymoon with his new wife, Sibyl. Amanda, now married to Victor initially wants nothing to do…
The Sax of Boney James Wafts Across the Studio, the Stage, and…the Seas
Since 1992, saxophonist Boney James has been on the road as a headliner a lot. A lot. And even before that, he spent seven years as a sideman to jazz and R&B artists like Morris Day, the Isley Brothers, Teena Marie, and Randy Crawford. In fact, it was that last…
Fireworks: A Cautionary Tale
I tried to hide it. As I scurried back into my house, my right hand behind my back, I did my best to sneak off to my room, but then I heard her voice. “Jeff, come in here.” It was my mom. Some friends of the family had stopped by…
Inside The Glass: Guy Stout
Seventeen-year old Guy Stout pulled each of the 1964 Châteaux Haut-Brion from the assigned slot and carefully placed them on the table below. It was 1971 and the young busboy had been tasked by Jean, the general manager, with the unpacking and assembling of wine shipments. Into…
Stranger Things Season 3 Looks Like an ’80s YA Novel
Stranger Things went from this bizarre little Netflix project to an absolute juggernaut of a cultural phenomenon. You can even get Demogorgon ice cream at Baskin Robbins now along with a special edition Funko pop as well as LEGO set. Few things could possibly be a bigger indicator of popular…
Black Girls Ride Members Head For the Essence Festival On July 4
Thirty women led by Jaqueline “Feisty” Branch, dubbed the “motorcycling grandma,” will begin their ride on Thursday, July 4 from Houston to New Orleans to attend the 25th anniversary Essence Festival celebrating African American culture and music in America. Under the banner of Black Girls Ride, the first motorcycle magazine…
30 Songs By 30 Acts From 30 Days of Music in Houston, Second Set
As we said Tuesday in our first installment, we took in 30 songs by 30 acts seen in Houston over the last 30 days (give or take a day). Presented in three parts, this is one person’s musical trek across Greater Houston and just a glimpse of where music is happening…
Whining and Dining: A Baby-Friendly Friday Night at BuffBurger
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. But while I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town…
Houston Concert Watch 7/3: Chicago and More
Happy Fourth of July, everyone. While many of us will be heading out of town for some much-needed time in a body of water somewhere, just as many Houstonians will remain in the Bayou City this weekend, hopefully near a pool and within reach of a hot dog. For those…
Celebrate the Fourth of July at These Houston Restaurants and Bars
Before you catch the fireworks this Independence Day, check out these patriotic brunches, dining deals and drink specials in Houston: Axis Lounge at Royal Sonesta Houston, 2222 West Loop Axis Lounge will be serving up a special Liberty Bell cocktail kissed with Patron Silver, lime and hibiscus, available only on…
Tampering and the Flaw in NBA Free Agency
Unquestionably, there are no more fun times in sports off the field (or court) than the trade deadline and the opening day of free agency. And for every league, when it comes to free agency and excitement, the NBA is king. On Sunday, we saw dozens of transactions hit the…
Astros Eyeing Pitchers as Trade Deadline Looms
The MLB trade deadline is less than a month away and the Astros are rumored to be in hot pursuit of some arms for both the rotation and the bullpen. It’s no wonder they would target both. While Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole remain about as steady as they can…
Fall In Love With The Music Of Selena
Bidi Bidi Bom Bom your heart out. The immortal music of Selena will be on full display with the Houston Symphony July 12 and 13. The Tejano star turned international diva will be remembered during this concert meant for one and for all.
Long Holiday Weeks and Traffic: Four Things to Watch For
The first week of school is basically heaven at malls and movie theaters. If you have avoided them all summer long, that is your time to revisit them. On weekdays, they will be empty and about 50 times less annoying than days earlier. The same holds true for certain portions…
Smoked Out: Jackson Street BBQ
In 2015 chef Bryan Caswell (Reef, El Real Tex-Mex) and Houston pitmaster Greg Gatlin opened Jackson Street BBQ in the shadow of Minute Maid Park. The joint venture aimed to capitalize on the growing popularity of Texas barbecue while catering to hoards of hungry Astros fans on their way in and…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Montgomery Near Lake Conroe
Historic Montgomery is one of the oldest towns in Texas, getting its start as a trading post in 1826 and having bragging rights as the birthplace of the Texas Lone Star flag. Located near Texas 105 and FM 149, its town center is just about 15 miles west of Conroe…
{Updated}Houston’s Best Chicken for National Fried Chicken Day
This Saturday, July 6, 2019, is National Fried Chicken Day. For some, fried chicken conjures up memories of grandmas and cast iron skillets. For others, the drive-thru at KFC. Either way, fried chicken is the comfort food that fills us with guilt and pleasure. If you’re going to be bad,…
30 Songs By 30 Acts From 30 Days of Music in Houston
From the usual concert halls to unlikely music spots, from global celebrities and local music veterans to unheralded upstarts, from well-known and much-loved tunes to all-new compositions: Here are 30 songs by 30 acts seen in Houston over the last 30 days (give or take a day). Don’t believe anyone…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Spider-Man: Far From Home
Title: Spider-Man: Far From Home Describe This Movie In One Ghostbusters Quote: PETER VENKMAN: The flowers are still standing! Brief Plot Synopsis: Underoos abroad. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3.5 Mrs. Tingles out of 5. Tagline: n/a Better Tagline: “This is the way the Infinity Saga ends: not with a bang,…
Verlander, Bregman Lead List of Six Astros Headed to the All-Star Game
The Astros are one of the most talent-laden teams in baseball and, not surprisingly, they will have the largest contingent of players from any team representing them at the All-Star game this season. The midsummer classic will feature third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer, starting pitchers…
Matt Harlan Gets Back On The Horse With Best Beasts
From the duality in each individual to the current bipartisan rift in politics and the world at large, Matt Harlan’s latest album, Best Beasts confronts the issues head-on. He will be celebrating the release with an in-store at Cactus Music on July 13. “Just being shell shocked by the whole…
Jimmy Butler Chooses Miami Over Houston
Day one of NBA free agency didn’t disappoint. The Brooklyn Nets landed both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, plus Deandre Jordan. The Warriors replaced Durant with D’Angelo Russell. The Celtics replaced Irving with Kemba Walker. The Sixers re-signed Tobias Harris and nabbed Al Horford. And the Knicks essentially got screwed…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Burger Specials and Fourth of July Fare
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Limited-time specials Brown Bag Special at Bernie’s Burger Bus Missouri City For a limited time, the newest location Bernie’s Burger Bus, 6324 Highway 6, will offer a Brown Bag Special, featuring a Class Clown burger, regular hand-cut fries and a drink,…
50 Years After Apollo 11: Mission Tours, Moon Gazing and Conquering Gravity
Ten, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Liftoff! As Houston counts down to the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing (July 20), we’re ramping up with all sorts of space-themed activities, including art, film, music and virtual reality experiences. Have you ever wondered what it…
Bad Weather and a Venue Change Don’t Stop OMB Bloodbath’s Everybody Eats Food Festival
Alexandra Nicks, the Third Ward rapper better known as OMB Bloodbath, hosted the second iteration of her Everybody Eats Festival Saturday despite having to deal with some tough obstacles including bad weather and the unexpected loss of the original venue. Luckily there was an eventual break in the weather and…
A.D. Players Production of West Side Story Faithful and Unabridged for Better or Worse
The A.D. Players present West Side Story, the second most famous set of star-crossed lovers, to close their season.
Struggle As Art In Speeding Motorcycle at Catastrophic
Let’s play metaphor. If the theater scene in Houston is a family, then Catastrophic Theatre is like the creatively kooky aunt who takes you under her wing and exposes you to things your family members wouldn’t dare. It’s not that what the others offer isn’t interesting, provoking and even brilliant…
Regina Hearne as Mama Carrie Walks Away With the Show in Josephine Tonight
In Donald Bogle’s definitive history of blacks in American film, Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, & Bucks, the incomparable entertainer Josephine Baker merits one scant mention. Of course, I guess this is warranted because St. Louis native Baker never made a movie in America. She made her fortune in France. She…
Father John Misty And Jason Isbell Are As Cool As The Temps At White Oak Music Hall
Father John Misty, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Erin Rae White Oak Music Hall June 28, 2019 Friday night’s co-headling tour at White Oak Music Hall, featuring Jason Isbell and Father John Misty, was touch and go for a while. Heavy rains in the Heights had me checking email…
HISD Trustees Make Several Changes to the Administration’s Budget Proposal
Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan watched Thursday night as the majority of the school board, counting on trustee Anne Sung’s mathematics skills, rejected her refusal to redo her 2019-20 budget and passed one with significant amendments that reset priorities on pay and funding. In the end, by a vote of 5-1…
Aladdin the Musical Keeps the Magic Going Throughout
All aboard! There’s plenty of room on this fabulous flying carpet for the entire family. Hop on with Aladdin and Jasmine and take a ride through the wonders of the Broadway musical Aladdin spun by a host of Tony-winners and Disney wizards. These master craftsmen have been responsible for such…
Openings and Closings: Whiskey Cake Expands to Stafford, Bar 5015 Will Depart
Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar, 12201 Southwest Freeway, is expected to open this fall at The Grid, a multi-million, multi-use complex in Stafford. This will be the eighth location for the “Farm to Fork” concept, with locations in San Antonio, Dallas, Plano, Oklahoma City and Tampa. It will be the…
Best Music to Stream With Your Fourth of July Fireworks Viewing Experience
July 4 is almost upon us which means fireworks. Continuous booms, crackles and hisses: that’s the soundtrack for the evening. Unless you want to expand upon that by adding a specially curated music list to the experience. Whether you set up sparklers in your backyard or better yet sit on…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Celebrate Canada Day at Riel
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Third Anniversary Beach Party at City Acre Brewing Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. 3418 Topping City Acre Brewing will celebrate its three-year anniversary with a rockin’ beach party across the property’s shady and verdant acre of land (and in its air-conditioned…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Midsommar
Title: Midsommar Describe This Movie In One Simpsons Quote: HOMER: God bless those pagans. Brief Plot Synopsis: Maybe just go to Bonnaroo next time. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4 Ingas out of 5. Tagline: “Let the festivities begin.” Better Tagline: “It’s just a spring clean for the May Queen.”…
Three Houston Astros Named Starters In MLB All Star Game
Amidst the roughest portion (back to back home losses to the Pirates by a combined score of 24-2) of the roughest patch of the season so far (nine losses in their last eleven games), the Houston Astros received a bit of good news on Thursday night, as an MLB-leading three…
What Will the Gamble on Jimmy Butler Cost the Rockets?
Daryl Morey has been telling everyone who will listen he believes that not only will the Rockets be back with roughly the same lineup of players, but he expects them to be the favorites in the Western Conference. With just days before the opening of free agency, however, rumors are…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: George Springer’s All-Stars and AsiaFest
We already head to BLVD Place for Whole Foods and the soon to be reimagined Cafe Annie; now the Uptown hotspot is screening movies on its roof for the 18 and up crowd. Catch a rooftop flick this weekend after the sun goes down, consider kayaking along Buffalo Bayou, discover…
Contract Extension Predictions For Houston Texans Before 2019 Season
We are now in Week 3 of our local football front office crisis — I’m joking, I’m not nearly as concerned as some others are that the Texans haven’t hired a general manager yet — in which Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, EVP of Team Development Jack Easterby, and Senior…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Chilled Ramen and an Independence Day Feast
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Ramen Tatsu-Ya, 1722 California, has unveiled a Spicy Chilled Ramen perfect for summer. The brothless ramen dish is composed of noodles, pirikara (spicy) pork, cucumbers, ajitama (soy marinated soft boiled egg), negi (scallion), shredded lettuce, chili…
Tee Vee Discusses New Tempest LP, Pop Music, and Mental Health Following Scorching Axelrad Performance
It’s hard to turn the entirety of Axelrad into a dance rave –ample seating, coveted hammocks, and Luigi’s pizza in the beer garden’s sprawling outdoor area make sure of that. But on a sweltering Saturday night in early June, a journey up the building’s vine covered staircase lands at an…
Jennifer Lopez Takes Fans At The Toyota Center On A Journey Through Her Career
The lights, dimmed to a purple hue, barely illuminated the hushed audience in the Toyota Center. Gold, glowing cylinders slowly descended from the ceiling as the music reverberated around the seats in the arena. A massive screen on stage split down the middle revealing Jennifer Lopez, riding a bank vault…
Coming Clean In Broken Bone Bathtub
I’m sitting at the foot end of a bathtub, in a small and muggy bathroom, talking about what it felt like as an only child to suddenly live and shower with 11 other girls at sleepaway camp. The woman sitting in the tub listening to me nods with great empathy…
What’s New on the Menu: Summer Edition
Emmaline 3210 W. Dallas Emmaline opened in December 2017 as Sam Governale’s first venture into owning his own restaurant after his eight-year stint at Fleming’s in River Oaks. Drawing inspiration from his maternal grandmother, mother and three sisters, Governale named his muse Emmaline and that intangible spirit is what drives…
Houston Concert Watch 6/26: Luis Miguel and More
What do a Mexican singer, an up-and-coming country artist from California and a drummer-turned-front man have in common with Powerman 5000? They’re all on this list, of course! June may be coming to a close, but there’s still plenty of live music worth seeing and hearing during the final week…
Third Annual Canada Day Celebration at Riel
On Sunday June 30, Riel will host its third annual Canada Day celebration. The rowdy, day-long party has been a tradition for the Montrose restaurant — named after Canadian historical figure Louis Riel — since chef-owner and Winnipeg native Ryan Lachaine hosted the first one in 2017. Along with a…
The Case For Jack Easterby as New Texans General Manager
Last Friday, in this space, I put together an odds board on the permanent general manager solution for the Houston Texans. About half the scenarios on the board involved some method of eventually acquiring New England Patriots Director of Player Personnel, Nick Caserio. As you all know, Caserio was the…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Annabelle Comes Home
Title: Annabelle Comes Home Describe This Movie In One Butthole Surfers Quote: DAD: And by the way, if you see your mom this weekend, be sure and tell her, SATAN, SATAN, SATAN Brief Plot Synopsis: “Lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eyes.” Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2.5 AC/DC…
Rockets, Harden Take Shots on Twitter After Antetokounmpo Wins MVP
Predictably, James Harden came in second to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the MVP balloting as announced during the NBA Awards on Monday night. Despite a record-breaking year for Harden, it was widely expected Antetokounmpo would win the award. In fact, he dominated, taking three-quarters of the first place…
Planning Ahead For the Houston Press The Morning After Brunch Event
For those of you who like to plan ahead and who can dream of slightly cooler days, today’s announcement of pre-sale tickets for the 4th Annual The Morning After, A Houston Press Brunch Event, should come as a welcome relief. The pre-sale which starts today at 10 a.m. concludes at…
Slurs, Right Wing Diatribes and Misdirection Abound at the Texans Against Communism Event
In Saturday’s Texans Against Communism event, part of a Latinos for Trump conference held in The Woodlands, a lead-off speaker questioned the genders of both Barack and Michelle Obama, while another quoted a reading from the Proud Boys (who describe themselves as “western chauvinists” but who the Southern Poverty Law…
Fixing Traffic in Houston Will Require All Kinds of Options. Including Freeways
Two summers ago, we wrote about the complete overhaul to Interstate 45 scheduled to begin in the early part of the next decade. That story’s focus was the potential loss of businesses on the near east side of downtown (or EaDo if you prefer). As plans for the expansion of…
Smoked Out: Phil-Paul’s BBQ
Sometime in late 2018, a small, nondescript barbecue restaurant quietly opened on Lyons Avenue in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward. The family-owned smokehouse opened with no press and little fanfare beyond a few public Facebook posts by its proprietor. Eight months later, people are slowly taking notice. Phil-Paul’s BBQ at 3206…
How Many Hall of Famers Are Playing For Houston Teams In 2019?
Later today, at the House of Blues down in the GreenStreet area of Houston, the Houston Sports Hall of Fame will conduct its ring ceremony for its second class of Hall of Famers. Congratulations to Jackie Burke, A.J. Foyt, George Foreman, and Dan Pastorini, who will join Nolan Ryan, Earl…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Grilled Chicken Bánh Mì at Hughie’s Tavern and Vietnamese Grill
The wonderful Grilled Chicken Bánh Mì at Hughie’s Tavern and Vietnamese Grill is a combination of great flavors with a killer atmosphere. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
July Art Shows: “Impulse,” Higher Ground and “Shooting the Moon”
Space might be the final frontier, but it and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo lunar landing have served as inspiration for more than a few art shows this month. Texas Art Asylum is hosting “Cosmic Perspective” with celebrations of TV’s Lost in Space, portraits of Neil deGrasse Tyson and Carl…
Find Design Inspiration With ASID TXGC 2019 River Oaks Show House
Gold finishes, illuminated onyx and designer fabrics to crush over. Oh my. This year’s Show House, courtesy of the America Society of Interior Designers Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, is replete in jaw-dropping splendor with inspired rooms by 21 designers. And there’s still one more weekend to check it out for yourself,…
Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule Got the Silver – Anniversary, That Is
In the 1983 mockumentary film Zelig, Woody Allen plays the title character who – though not flashy himself – seems to pop up everywhere at important events and with well-known real-life people. He’s just always there. If rock and roll had its own Zelig, that title might go to singer/guitarist…
Comic Lahna Turner on Loving (and Losing) Stand-Up Great Ralphie May… And Writing Music About It
“I couldn’t believe I got paid to do that. And twenty years later, I’m still getting paid the same amount!”
Whining and Dining: Baby’s First Dinner at Piola
Life has changed for this food writer. As a brand-new mom, poppin’ bottles has taken on a slightly different meaning. While I find myself seeking out diaper changing tables for the first time ever, I’m still on the hunt for all the awesome happy hours, exciting menus and H-town icons…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Bourdain Day and a Downtown Shake Shack
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Limited Time Pride Special at EggHaus Gourmet In honor of Pride Month, EggHaus Gourmet, 2042 East T C Jester, has created the Rainbow Croissant (limited time), a freshly baked croissant dipped in gourmet white chocolate, topped with Fruity Pebbles, and stuffed…
Your 2019 Guide to Fireworks and 4th of July Revelry In and Around Houston
The Fourth of July gives us a chance to celebrate our nation’s independence, get together with family and friends, and perhaps start some new traditions. In the Houston and surrounding areas we’ve got fireworks displays, patriotic music and much more. But don’t wait until Independence Day because the party starts now…
Michael McDonald on the Road: It Keeps Him Runnin’ This Summer
On “Hail Mary” – the opening track of Wide Open – Michael McDonald plaintively asks this question of the woman who he is desperately trying to win back: “Does the sound of my voice still carry?” And on 70+ minutes of the 2017 record of all-original material (his first in…
Astros Lead the American League With Seven on Final All Star Ballot
Over the last week or so, the good news for the Astros has been somewhat sparse. Sure, you have George Springer and Collin McHugh coming back from injuries very soon, but Carlos Correa and Aledmys Diaz will be gone until after the All Star break, and there’s this little matter…
Trevor Noah Braves The Heat And Delivers In The Woodlands
The humid weather may not have fazed a lot of Houstonians Saturday as we’ve become accustomed to the sweltering heat, but at least one visitor thought he might not make it through the temperature. Trevor Noah dressed simply in a dark T-shirt and jeans walked across the stage in The…
Revisiting Static X’s Masterful “Evil Disco” Debut Album
I did not grow up in the most musically progressive town. Victoria, Texas is big enough to have multiple radio stations, but in the late ‘90s, it wasn’t big enough to have any stations that played any sort of hard rock that could be considered modern. No, if you wanted…
Four Takes on the Astros Near the Midpoint of the Season
As we approach the midpoint of the major league baseball season (yes, already), it should be noted that the Astros are still very good at baseball. Even with injuries, the team has maintained a stranglehold on the AL West and remains one of the best teams in the league. But…
Still Rocking: The Blasters Celebrate 40 Years Since Debut Album
Forty years can change a number of things; cities grow, fads come and go, people change or are no longer around and buildings can crumble. For something to sustain its strength after that long is nothing short of amazing. The Blasters debut album, American Music, is one of those special…
Openings and Closings: Radunare Woodlands, Shake Shack Downtown
Radunare Italian-American Table, 2520 Research Forest Drive, is expected to open mid-July in The Woodlands. The casual, all day eatery, founded by Dr. Frank Morello, will be open for breakfast, lunch, cocktails and dinner. Pronounced rah-due-nar-a, the name means to gather, or rally. Morello wants to bring customers a welcoming…
Odds on Every Scenario For the Houston Texans GM of the Future
If I’ve learned one thing over the last couple weeks, it’s that on Fridays in June 2019, there is a high percentage chance that we will get some sort of Houston Texans bombshell dropped on us. At least, that’s what we are on pace for. Two Fridays ago, on June…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: “Get Toasty” at a Pop-Up Pig Roast
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Date Night Cooking Class at Brennan’s of Houston Friday, 6:30 p.m. 3300 Smith Brennan’s is bringing back its coveted summer Date Night Cooking Classes, highlighting a uniquely different Creole ingredient in each class. This month, the class will highlight Blue Crab…
Pride Month: Putting The L In LGBT
As someone who didn’t find many safe places for queer women of color, Kendra Walker took the fight into her own hands and created Lesbians of Color. This is her story.
Hi Hulu, Here’s Some Houston Music
Hey there, Hulu (also, Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Showtime and other creators of original TV content), We love you and you love music and we love music, so let’s be pen pals. We’ve previously set the framework for what could maybe grow into an ongoing and mutually beneficial correspondence. Now and…
Houston Astros Continue To Dominate AL All Star Balloting
So much drama in the city of Houston right now among our sports teams. The Texans are involved in the top story in the NFL, as they were accused (and then un-accused) of tampering with Patriots personnel guy Nick Caserio last week, and the fallout continues. The Rockets have been…
Two Of The Greatest Albums Of All Time Are 35 Years Old This Month
June, 1984 didn’t simply mark the halfway point in a year when everyone was making George Orwell jokes, it also saw the release of two of the most successful albums of all time. Born in the U.S.A., by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Prince and the Revolution’s…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Tree House Happy Hour Returns
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Tree House Happy Hour returns to The Grove, 1611 Lamar, bringing drink specials and bar bites to the upstairs patio (which is typically reserved for private events) on select days from 4 to 7 p.m. The…
Chris Paul vs. James Harden, What to Believe
You would think in June the only thing basketball fans would be talking about is the NBA Finals or the draft, which is Thursday night, coincidentally. In Houston, it is reasonable that followers of the Rockets aren’t exactly bouncing off the walls given the Rockets have exactly zero picks in…
Inside The Glass: Vanessa Treviño Boyd
Both Stag’s Leap and Château Mouton-Rothschild immediately ceased hurling insults as Vanessa Treviño Boyd entered the sound proof wine cellar to the quiet undercurrent of violin strings and all appeared normal amongst the premier collection stacked within the walls like books in a library. The 750 milliliter volumes from Napa,…
Wise Beyond Their Years: The Peterson Brothers Bring the Blues to Houston
Some musicians age in dog years, one normal year of gigging can give them up to seven years of experience. The Peterson Brothers may have only recently reached the legal drinking age but both have built up some serious experience since they started performing as preteens. The Brothers will perform…
Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Trevor Noah, Pride Events and More
Trying to make it until next payday? No worries, because this weekend includes tons of free events: There’s the Houston Pride Festival and Parade, Rainbow on the Green®, an outdoor concert with Houston Symphony, and a pair of yoga sessions. Artists and performers have to eat, though, so be sure to…
A Do-Over Ahead for HISD and its Proposed Budget For Next School Year
In a 6-3 vote Tuesday night, the Houston ISD board rejected a proposal recommended by Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan’s administration to approve a basic budget now for the 2019-20 school year and then return next week to amend it to include employee compensation. Working against a state-mandated deadline of June 30…
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Groups Claiming Communism Running Rampant in Texas Schedule Meeting in The Woodlands [UPDATED]
Texas Patriot Network and Texans United for America, two groups with ties to white supremacy, plan to attend an event called Texans Against Communism at The Woodlands Financial Group’s training facility on Saturday, June 22, as part of the Latinos for Trump Conference. As stated on the event’s Facebook page…
30 Days of No Caffeine, No Alcohol: And That’s A Wrap
People say prison changes you. People say pregnancy changes you. Now I know exactly what they mean— both of them. That’s not to say this 30 day no caffeine, no alcohol prison has been all unsolicited shower visits. No, 30 days without matcha and whisky meant 30 nights of restful…
Five Places Where Rapid Transit Could Help Reduce Parking, Traffic in Houston
Traffic is and will probably always be a pervasive issue for the city of Houston. That happens when your region is spread over 1,000 miles and is expected to grow to nearly 10 million people in the next 30 years. It is also at the forefront of the minds of…
Pride Month: Putting the G in LGBT in Houston
June is pride month, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, often regarded as the tipping point in the modern gay rights movement. The Houston Press met with members of the LGBTQ+ community to learn more about their experiences as being part of this group. These are their stories.
Houston Rockets Have Fourth Shortest Odds To Win 2019-2020 NBA Title
If you’re a basketball fan who revels in the soap opera of player movement in the offseason, then Houston has been a pretty good place to be for the last half decade or so. The Dwight Howard Chase of 2013, the failed Chris Bosh Chase the following year, the Ty…
Houston Concert Watch 6/19: Jennifer Lopez and More
With Summer officially beginning this weekend, it makes sense that so many of the names coming through Houston are so impressive. The season is a favorite for concertgoers for a reason, after all, the high temperatures be damned. This week, we highlight one of the most respected names in pop,…
5 Vegetarian Dishes to Eat Right Now
Looking to celebrate summer with some lighter fare? Look no further than the following! Avocado Toast from Tropicales: One could argue that avocado toast is an evergreen food, but the tropical vibes of Tropicales demand a visit right now. Their ingenious twist on avocado toast places mashed avocado on top…
Peter Vonder Haar Tears Up Streets of Houston In New Thriller, Lucky Town
With James Patterson’s transformation into basically a co-author and the 2017 death of Sue Grafton (“L” is for Lawless), there’s a need for more good mystery writers. But when the latest author to enter the arena is a Houstonian, with a thriller set in Houston, Galveston and The Woodlands, it’s…
Rockets Less Chaotic Than Frustrated
Former NFL running back Tiki Barber was once asked what it was like to be hit by a defensive player while running. He described it as running full speed into a brick wall. In some ways, that must be how it has felt the last five years or so for…
Pride Month: Putting the B in LGBT
Jeremy Dotson identifies as bisexual. His story is one of misconception and struggle but also of happiness and “finding his tribe.”
Brian Gaine’s Three Best Moves and Three Worst Moves As Texans’ GM
As the Houston Texans’ search for a new general manager turns into a full season of the next government conspiracy show on Netflix, somewhere (likely) warm and relaxing, the recently terminated Texans general manager, Brian Gaine sits with his toes in the sand, likely getting a good chuckle at what…
Candytopia is Better Than Willy Wonka in Real Life
Candytopia is a traveling interactive exhibit that has just hit Houston for the summer, and it is also an experience that will literally melt all worry and cynicism from your bones. Walking through it is like being in a dream that also has helpful customer service. The installation is part…
Smoked Out: Brookstreet Bar-B-Que
Sugar Land is spoiled for choice when it comes to dining. The massive and affluent suburb turned micro-metropolis has more respectable culinary diversity than most areas outside the loop — thanks in large part to its sizable Indian, East Asian and Latino populations. And yet, good barbecue in Sugar Land…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Traveling South Down SH 288
Imagine our surprise when, of the top most viewed homes on HAR.com over the past week, almost half of the interested buyers were looking at properties in Angleton, Rosharon and Alvin. So what’s going on south of Houston that’s getting all these lookie-loos? The $815 million construction project that’s been…
The Ice Queen Returns: Sue Foley Will Perform at the Mucky Duck
B.B. King said that as long as people have problems, the blues will never die. Native Canadian and Austin resident Sue Foley keeps the blues alive and kicking on a daily basis. “I’m still a dedicated blues musician. I’ve dedicated my life to playing it, learning it, studying it and…
5 Things I’ve Learned in Pursuit of Houston’s Best Sandwiches
For well over a year now, I have scoured the city for the best of one of life’s basic food groups: sandwiches. They are generally cheap, easy to eat on the run and often remarkably sophisticated for something that could easily be Wonderbread and baloney. As I’ve eaten a bunch…
John Cusack Talks Movies, Music and Lloyd Dobler in Houston Visit
A Houston audience filled Jones Hall yesterday for an anniversary screening of John Cusack’s breakout film, Say Anything, and then to engage in some Q&A with the veteran actor. A female audience member (one of many who professed childhood or ongoing crushes on the film star) asked him a question…
Springer, Altuve, McHugh Close to Return for Astros
The Astros remain one of the best teams in baseball despite an extended stretch of games without three of their best position players, their backup catcher and one of their starting pitchers. But, there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel. George Springer was shagging fly…
Texans Withdraw From Pursuit of Caserio For Open GM Spot
Well, it happened again. Just the same way it did on two Fridays, me and my cohost Rich Lord were humming along on our radio show on SportsRadio 610, chopping up a handful of topics for the first two hours of the show, only to see those topics — well,…
Brit Floyd’s Damian Darlington on Flying Flags and Building Walls
Damian Darlington remembers the first time he heard the music of Pink Floyd. He was about 10 years old when the band’s “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2” single was catapulting to the top of the British (and later, American) charts. The song, with its resigned Roger Waters vocals,…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Show Your Pride at Shake Shack
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long Uptown Dine Around Showcasing Uptown Houston’s culinary diversity, the second annual Uptown Dine Around runs through Sunday, June 30. Guests can get limited-time, prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at 19+ Uptown eateries, including Bloom & Bee, Etoile Cuisine…
LGBTQ Pride Parade Marks 50 Years Of Liberation
Houston’s Pride Festival and Pride Parade are scheduled for June 22, starting at noon and lasting all day.
Kick Back and Chill Out at These Water Holes, Lakes and Pools Near Houston in Summer 2019
There’s more to life than work and executive time, and one solution to summer’s oppressive heat is by taking a road trip to some of the pools, water holes, lakes and state parks around Texas. We can’t think of anything more opposite of Houston’s concrete jungle — with all that…
Al Yankovic Gets Weird With A Symphony Orchestra At The Pavilion
Weird Al Yankovic Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion June 15, 2019 About halfway through his performance at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Saturday night, Weird Al Yankovic disappeared backstage for one of his many wardrobe changes. In his absence, the screens behind and on either side of the stage began playing a montage of…
History Comes Alive in Houston Ballet’s Glorious Marie
Houston Ballet travels back in time to give a much maligned historical figure a second look in the season-ending production of Stanton Welch’s Marie.
Hootie & The Blowfish Bring the Goods on First Tour in a Decade
Hootie shows that its mid-90s hits more than hold up before a packed house in The Woodlands.
Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis Take Us Back to the Astrodome
Many songs are about the people who make our lives special, but sometimes songs about the places we’ve known and loved stir strong emotions. If you live in Texas and are of a certain age, it’s guaranteed that’s what’ll happen when listening to “Astrodome.” The new song is from Beautiful Lie,…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Men In Black: International
Title: Men in Black: International Describe This Movie In One Plan 9 From Outer Space Quote: CRISWELL: Perhaps on your way home you will pass someone in the dark, and you will never know it, for they will be from outer space. Brief Plot Snyopsis: Alien agents alienate alien agency. Rating Using Random…
Speaking Up: Son Volt Delivers Power to the People with Union
When someone is in disagreement with something they have a choice; they can act or stay silent. At a time when society and the government continuously churn out tumultuous headlines Jay Farrar and his band Son Volt have decided to speak out. Their latest release Union has songs ripped directly…
Several Houston Astros In Hunt For The 2019 MLB All Star Game
There was a time, not all that long ago, that the MLB All Star Game may as well have not even existed to Houston Astro fans. The year 2013 was only six seasons ago, and back then, catcher Jason Castro was participating in that game solely because the rules said…
Openings and Closings: MAD Debuts Next Week, Be More Pacific Coming
MAD, 4444 Westheimer, is expected to open June 19. The Madrid-inspired restaurant comes from partners Ignacio Torras and Chef Luis Roger who brought BCN, a Barcelona-inspired hot spot to Houston’s Montrose area five years ago. Now, with veteran general manager and sommelier Sebastien Leval on board, they are bringing an…
Legendary “Lost” Treatise on Texas Blues Finally Unearthed
The Blues Come to Texas: Paul Oliver and Mack McCormick’s Unfinished Book Compiled by Alan B. Govenar with contributions by Kim Lornell 472 pp. $95 Texas A&M University Press To understand this story, you must first know the story behind the story. In 1959, two fans and writers about blues…
Don’t Mess With Houston: Time To Start Cleaning Up Our Own Mess
The perception for decades in Houston was that our city’s bayous were essentially part of the sewer system. Despite the fact that the bayous were just slower moving rivers that swelled with runoff, the silt-colored water was off-putting and they were largely written off by the general public. As a…
Aladdin Swoops Onto the Stage at Broadway at the Hobby
Aladdin — the story of a young thief living on the streets of Agrabah who thanks to blind luck, a magic lamp and the amiable genie inside it is able to turn his life around, marry the girl of his dreams and gets to ride a magic carpet— is coming…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Eat Up at Houston Food Fest
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Taste of Montrose Friday through Sunday Taste of Montrose will run through Sunday, June 16, bringing together restaurants in Montrose in donating a percentage of sales or giving a flat donation to further the mission and efforts of The Women’s Home…
NickGate: Patriots File Tampering Charges Against Texans’ Pursuit of Nick Caserio
Well, the Houston Texans pursuit of a new general manager, specifically New England Patriots’ director of player personnel Nick Caserio, to replace the ousted Brian Gaine took an odd, angry turn on Wednesday afternoon, as the Patriots basically lobbed a grenade into the middle of the Texans’ search by filing…
School Teachers, Music Teachers and Musicians Helped Us Build a Music Summer School
Summer break! Finally, the hard-working students in our lives get a welcomed and deserved respite from sleepy bus stop mornings, insufferable teacher’s pets and the anxiety of knowing that a sublime mid-class daydream could get abruptly extinguished by the dreaded pop quiz. Congrats, kids, enjoy sleeping in, goofing off and…
Why Do Trump Fans Keep Bringing Up Communism?
If you write a lot about the evils of American fascism like I do, you tend to get plenty of angry Trump fans in your inbox. Almost as if there was a connection or something. One of the things that comes up a lot is communism for some reason. Here’s…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: The Hot Dog Days of Summer
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: All through the Houston Astros baseball season, Bernie’s Burger Bus, 5407 Bellaire, 2643 Commercial Center, 2200 Yale, 6324 Highway 6, will be featuring gourmet franks all day on every Astros game day. Three dogs are available,…
Cuba’s New Mambo Kings
If you ever want a test of willpower for yourself, try not to move your body or dance while hearing a Cuban orchestra. The rhythms and sounds a really good one (and even not so good ones) produces with a combination of traditional music of the island nation and African-American…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Boats, Cusack, and Man With the Plan
Boats, boomboxes, bad movies and the bard: indoors and out there’s plenty to see and do in and around Houston this weekend. Learn more about NatGeo’s Photo Ark, discover a brand new Shakespeare festival up north, and wrap it all up with John Cusack talking about, well, anything. Keep reading…
Inside the Glass: Deana Guglielmo
The melodic baritone of Morrissey coming from her headphones all but muted the blooming sounds of a New York City morning. A honk from a swerving taxi, the rap of a storefront gate being rolled up, a peppered conversation among colleagues swiftly walking to catch the four train downtown in…
Planned Botanic Garden Needs METRORail Stop
As talks progress on the extended METRORail line that will reach Hobby Airport, there remains much debate over just where the line should go. In a recent Houston Chronicle article, District I Councilman Robert Gallegos represented his district over whether the line should travel down Broadway, recently re-done for the…
Last Night: Anderson .Paak and Friends Bring a Night of Variety to Houston
When it was announced back in February that both Mac Demarco and Thundercat would be joining the bill for Anderson .Paak ’s headlining slot at Revention Music Center, the reaction of many was likely that of confusion. Given the hip-hop-leaning style of .Paak, the slacker-rock image of Demarco, and the…
30 Days of No Caffeine, No Alcohol: Week Three
The (death) march continues. Really well-disciplined people that lead a healthy lifestyle, that are totally in control of themselves, I don’t know many, but I would imagine they would tell you the hardest part of a 30-day abstinence diet is the beginning. Listen up Bethany, it isn’t. The hardest part…
How Good A Job Is the Houston Texans’ GM Post?
The search is on for the Houston Texans’ fourth general manager in team history after last Friday’s shocking termination of Brian Gaine just 18 months into his five year contract. The interviews are underway, with presumably the same cast of characters making the decision on just who will head up…
Pride Month: Putting the T in LGBT
Michael Lynn identifies as transgender. Her story is one of learning to ignore what society tells her to do and instead listen to her inner voice. She finds value in living her truth as exactly the person she was born to be – a career woman working in a high rise in the big city.
Where the Chefs Eat: Peter Petro of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations and BCK
From 2012 to 2014, Houston Press ran a series called “Where the Chefs Eat,” (you can re-visit the entire series here) in which we asked some of Houston’s most prominent chefs where they ate when they weren’t cooking in their own kitchens. Though it ran its natural course at the…
Wishcasting the Astros Postseason Lineup
Despite a spate of injuries to some of their best players, the Astros continue to win. They lead their division by nine games and are tied for the best record in all of baseball. Just to clarify, this is without Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa, Aledmys Diaz and Max…
A Look Back at The Surge After the Sequel Trailer Drops
It’s a big week for video games as E3 happens, and there have already been a ridiculous amount of awesome new developments. Keanu Reeves is starring in Cyberpunk 2077, Breath of the Wild is getting a sequel, George R.R. Martin is teaming with FromSoftware for a game called Elden Ring,…
Houston Concert Watch 6/12: Weird Al Yankovic and More
We’re still a week away from the official start of summer, but the agenda for Houston concertgoers – much like the temperature here in the Bayou City – is already heating up. This week, we highlight one of the greatest living Americana songwriters, a reunited group of emo rockers, a…
Sour Candies and Moscow Mules: Remembering Bushwick Bill
“You want some of these Kids, Bushwick?” I offered over the bag of Sour Patch Kids candies and rap legend and Houston music icon Bushwick Bill helped himself to a few, grinning as he rooted through the bag. Sunday morning, many of us woke to the news that the Geto…
Smoked Out: Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
We’re stepping way, way, way outside the loop this week for a special edition of Smoked Out. As far out as New Braunfels, for a floating the river, summer day trip to the Hill Country kind of barbecue review. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is a Central Texas institution. For…
Hope Farms and Recipe for Success Hosts Chefs in the Field
In a food desert, near Hobby Airport, is an urban oasis with a gathering barn, a chef’s garden and fields of fresh vegetables growing in the hot, humid climate a few minutes south of downtown Houston. Hope Farms is the culmination of Gracie and Bob Cavnar’s efforts to provide fresh…
Trailblazing Houstonians Who Helped Get Us On the Moon
Raise your hand if your boss ever promised a project that was so absurdly ambitious that, knowing what it would take to make it happen, you let out a groan of despair but also found yourself oddly excited at the challenge. And so it went for President John F. Kennedy’s…
Four Things To Watch For At Texans Minicamp This Week
The Texans complete the pre-training camp portion of their offseason this week, with a couple of mandatory minicamp workouts over at their training facility across the street from NRG Stadium. From there, the players will go their separate ways for several weeks before reconvening for training camp in late July,…
Heart of Gold: Charley Crockett Knows How to Stay True
Texas was founded on the notion of being fiercely independent. Its settlers had to endure the hardest landscapes and conditions to claim their stake. One of the most famous pioneers of our state was the legendary Davy Crockett, and musician Charley Crockett no doubt carries his strong willed blood pumping…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Turkey Avocado at Dish Society
On yet another sandwich, the Turkey Avocado at Dish Society, delicious caramelized onions are the star. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Checking Out the Parallels Between Black Sabbath And Van Halen
Black Sabbath and Van Halen share a lot of common characteristics and parallels.
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Where to Dine Out in Houston This Father’s Day 2019 [UPDATED]
This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 16. If you haven’t planned anything yet, you’re in luck, because we’re bringing you the lowdown on the best Father’s Day dining options in Houston. From Bloody Mary-fueled brunches to fancy steak dinners, check out our 2019 Father’s Day Dining Guide. Backstreet…
Finding His Way Back Home: Tony Kamel From Wood and Wire Returning to Houston for a Solo Performance
Tony Kamel is best known for his work in the Grammy-nominated, Austin based bluegrass outfit Wood and Wire. The band has had a whirlwind career, and more specifically in the past year, garnering attention for their traditional bluegrass style with a Texas tinge. Tony will be performing a special solo…
This Week in Houston Food Events: A Taste of Montrose and Father’s Day Wine Tasting
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Taste of Montrose Taste of Montrose will kick off on Monday, June 10 and run through Sunday, June 16, bringing together restaurants in Montrose in donating a percentage of sales or giving a flat donation to further the…
Juneteenth is Bustin’ Out All Over Houston and Galveston
When it came to true liberty for all Americans, Texas got the short end of the stick. In 1776 The Declaration of Independence decreed “that all men are created equal,” but they weren’t talking about black slaves. It took a Civil War to right that wrong and President Abraham Lincoln…
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans’ Firing GM Brian Gaine
Friday was one of the stranger sports days I’ve experienced in my 12 years of hosting radio. It was around 3:30 p.m. and my cohost Rich Lord and I were debating and discussing the merits of the Houston Texans trading a first round pick to the Washington Redskins for 7-time…
Peter Noone’s Busy Schedule is Hardly Hermit-Like
Peter Noone has heard it for years: “You should write a book!” After all, the lead singer of British Invasion band Herman’s Hermits certainly has a lot of stories he could tell. About hanging out with members of the Beatles and the Stones in swinging London clubs like the Ad…
SonReal and His Small But Mighty Pack of Houston Fans Believe
SonReal The Secret Group June 8, 2019 SonReal wears his heart on his sleeve, particularly on his new, moving album, The Aaron LP. Last night, performing for a small but sturdy crowd at The Secret Group, he also wore his heart on his T-shirt. A few tunes into his 17-song…
Texas Monthly LIVE Brings Campfire Tales to Houston
Texas Monthly LIVE Wortham Theater Center June 7, 2019 Armchairs and a center stage leather sofa might have been intended to give the setting for Texas Monthly LIVE – a night of multimedia storytelling presented by the “National Magazine of Texas” last evening at Wortham Center – the look of…
Juice Wrld and Ski Mask the Slump God Rock The Revention Center
“Ayyyyeeee!” screamed Ski Mask the Slump God as he stood on top of a Mad Max styled car flanked by five huge video screens. “We’re going to do this for XXXtentacion. Put your X’s all the way up in the air!” The audience at the Revention Center all lifted their…
Marie Returns to Houston Ballet With Melody Mennite in the Role Created For Her
It’s a part that was specifically created for her and one that Houston Ballet Principal Melody Mennite holds dear. And with the upcoming production of Marie, a story of Marie Antoinette, Mennite has prepared once again to dance the title role with Artistic Director Stanton Welch’s choreography to close out…
Former Astro Ace Keuchel Finally Lands a Deal, Signs With Atlanta Braves
One of the most bizarre free agency journeys of my baseball watching lifetime finally came to a conclusion on Thursday night, with the news coming out that former Houston Astros ace Dallas Keuchel had reached an agreement to pitch for the Atlanta Braves for the remainder of the 2019 season:…
Local Pop Act Space Kiddettes Put Their Spin on Public Service Announcements in Latest Music Video
“There’s some morbid obsessions I have and one of them is public service announcements. Since I was a little kid they’ve been scaring the shit out of me in the name of promoting a good lifestyle,” says Devin Will. Devin, one half of local queer synth pop duo Space Kiddettes,…
Openings and Closings: Ouzo Bay and Loch Bar, Original Ninfa’s Uptown
Ouzo Bay, 4444 Westheimer, opens June 17 along with its sister concept, Loch Bar. Brothers and owners Alex and Eric Smith of Atlas Restaurant Group operate 18 restaurants from Baltimore to Washington D.C. and down to South Florida. Ouzo Bay and Loch Bar were both opened in Baltimore in 2012,…
This Weekend in Houston is Carmageddon II: The Constructioning
We hope you all enjoyed your reprieve. The folks at TXDot were merciful over the long Memorial Day weekend, allowing us all to be lulled into complacency. Then another weekend with minimal disruptions. Sure, there was word that the West Loop was about to be reduced to like one-half lane…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Lobster Friday and a Wine Rendezvous
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Lobster Friday at Bernie’s Burger Bus Friday, opens at 11 a.m. 5407 Bellaire, 2643 Commercial Center, 2200 Yale, 6324 Highway 6 The first Friday of the month means it’s time to make it rain lobstah at all Bernie’s Burger Bus locations…
Say Everything: John Cusack Speaks Candidly on Movies, Music and Politics
Lloyd Dobler famously did not want to buy, sell or process anything for a career, but if he could have peered 30 years from high school graduation into his future, might he have envisioned himself emphatically advocating against war profiteers and dubbing the American president a “cheap, regional crime boss?”…
Starry Eyes No More: Goodbye Psych-Rock Pioneer Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson, lead visionary of psych-rock legends the 13th Floor Elevators, passed away last week due to unknown causes, but his music will continue to leave deep impressions. He blended occult matters with history, a genuine affection for monster movies with consciousness-expanding drugs, and softly penned poetry with fragmented, socially-aware prose that mattered to everyone…
The Three Musketeers is a Merry Adventure at the Alley Theatre
Spoiler alert: Ken Ludwig is my least favorite playwright. I squirm during his comedies. He strives for the lowest common denominator and always hits it squarely. Easy laughs and low-rent stage business are mother’s milk to him. Logic and truth, in character and plot, are impediments. Moon Over Buffalo (1995),…
BuddieRoe’s New Single “What It Mean?” Tackles Gun Violence and Loss of Friends
“What It Mean?”, the latest single by underground Houston rapper BuddieRoe, tackles the artist’s frustration with rampant gun violence in his community and his own loss of friends. The emotional track is a sonic departure for Roe, whose mellow and poetic projects have stayed away from such raw, untethered energy…
Hurricane Season Forecast to Be Roughly Average But It Only Takes One.
As if we needed any reminder of what the date is, Houston was deluged with tropical rainfall this week, which also happens to be the first week of Hurricane Season. For the uninitiated, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. For all practical purposes, our hurricane season in…
Inside The Glass: Sean Beck
In the service industry, wine buyers are considered especially talented. In Houston, those responsible are members of an elite squad. For them, two things are pretty much certain; a career in this field began with one memorable sip, and second, they probably rush home in between lunch and dinner service…
The Man – and the Myth – of Robert Johnson, Finally Unraveled
Up Jumped the Devil: The Real Life of Robert Johnson By Bruce Conforth and Gayle Dean Wardlow 320 pp. $30 Chicago Review Press Myth is a powerful thing. Even more so when it’s a fantastical myth that has survived and thrived over generations. And it is Music Journalism Law that…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Craving Summer Sweets
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Now through Sunday, August 2, CRAVE, 5600 Kirby, 1151 Uptown Park, 2501 Research Forest, will offer All-American Summer cupcake flavors daily at all three Houston area locations (West U, Uptown Park and The Woodlands). Stop in…
Pearland ISD Still Facing Questions Regarding its Dress Code and Race Relations
What conditions have to be in place for an assistant principal to think it is perfectly acceptable to use a permanent marker to color in the missing hair on a seventh-grader’s head? And for some parents to think that it’s no big deal and at worst, should be excused as…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Robbins, Reggae and Resilient Sounds
From Broadway’s finest to choreography by local dancemakers, a bit of fun in the form of bingo and reggae, plus cerebral diversions that explore astronomy and geometry, there’s no shortage of things to do this weekend in Houston. We’re also exploring literature in new ways, from Texas Monthly LIVE to…
Bob Fosse’s Chicago at SPA Could Have Used Another Mike Check or Two
It had to happen sooner or later. The sound problems that incessantly plague the Hobby Center have now infected Jones Hall. You might be deaf, but the production you see of Chicago, presented by the Society for the Performing Arts, is definitive Bob Fosse – those bump-and-grind burlesque pelvic thrusts,…
SonReal Makes Real Changes and Reaps Real Rewards on The Aaron LP
Aaron Hoffman, the singer, songwriter, visual artist and rapper known as SonReal, figured his new album would be something special the day he arrived at the recording studio and was too nervous to perform one of its songs for the record’s producers. Anyone who knows SonReal’s earliest hits – bangers…
Houston Concert Watch 6/5: Juice WRLD and More
Can you guys believe it’s already June? It seems like just yesterday that we were making New Year’s resolutions. (We won’t ask how yours are going if you don’t ask about ours.) And though the year may be rolling by faster than most of us would like, we can all…
Houston Texans 10 Best NFL Draft Values In Franchise History
With the NFL about to enter its 100th season, we are being inundated with articles and posts centered around the theme of “100” — 100 best plays, 100 best players, 100 most significant Matt Schaub pick-sixes (OK, I’m kidding). Last week, CBS Sports had a post where they discussed the…
Cultural Venn Diagrams Converge in MFAH’s “Icons of Style”
“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” Poet John Lydgate would want to rethink those famous words, because it looks like the Museum of…
Astros Injuries Showcasing Depth of Talent
“Next man up” is a popular axiom in sports. The idea that injuries happen and you overcome them with depth is a generally motivating idea, but not terribly practical. Teams that lose their best players to injuries don’t tend to do so well. However, if that team happens to have…
30 Days of No Caffeine, No Alcohol: Week Two
Namaste ladies and gentleman — we’ve made it 12 days no caffeine, no alcohol, and I have to say my body feels a little less laser party, a lot more Steel Pulse, and Dave Mathews Band still makes me want to punch someone in the face. Life is good. A…
Heavy Rains Expected Beginning Overnight Tuesday Into Thursday
Heavy rain associated with a tropical disturbance currently located off the eastern coast of Mexico just northeast of Tampico will move into southeastern Texas between Tuesday night and Thursday morning. The disturbance remains disorganized with most of the rain well to the northeast of the system. On radar, the heaviest…
Early CFB Best Bets: Golden Nugget Releases Lines On 100 Big Games of 2019
Late last week, the Golden Nugget’s sports book in Las Vegas released lines on 100 of the biggest, most relevant college football games for 2019. For avid gamblers like myself, not only does this give us our first odds-related window into the upcoming season, but it’s our first chance to…
Smoked Out: Goode Company Barbecue
The decision to include Goode Company Barbecue in this column was somewhat labored over. While the 42-year old smokehouse — and Goode family name — are something of a Houston institution, the decline in their barbecue quality has been well, and harshly, noted by both critics and online reviewers alike…
Houston Symphony’s POPS 2019-20 Season: Mostly Same Recipe; New Flavorful Additions
The Houston Symphony’s POPS 2019-20 Season has been announced, and the lineup of shows is enough to leave anyone’s mouth watering.
Crashing Aly & AJ’s Rare Day Off
A day off is a welcomed and not too uncommon occurrence in a routine work week. But for AJ Michalka, it’s sort of a rare commodity. Michalka is the busy actress who brings to life Lainey Lewis from ABC’s popular sitcom The Goldbergs and its spin-off, Schooled. She voices Catra…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Chicken Saltimbocca at Crisp
The Chicken Saltimbocca sandwich at Crisp puts a nice spin on a dish that is supposed to “jump in your mouth.” We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Houston By the Neighborhood: Economic Development in East Aldine
At the heart of the East Aldine district is Keith-Wiess Park, with almost 500 acres (499.46, to be exact) of pine forests along Aldine-Westfield Road. It’s operated by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and you can explore it virtually yourself through Street View in Google Maps, though nothing will replace the real…
Look, Up in the Sky. It’s a Brush, It’s a Plane, It’s Gonzo247
Local artist Mario Figueroa Jr., aka GONZO247, has embarked on what will be the biggest project of his career (so far), painting a 1969 Hawker jet that’s parked in front of the 1940 Air Terminal Museum near Hobby Airport. We checked in with Figueroa’s progress last week, when rain put…
Tropical Disturbance Will Bring Rain to Houston Midweek
Hurricane season began this week and we already have our first tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. The disturbance in the southwestern Gulf has a 60 percent chance of developing into a depression or storm as it moves northwest toward the Texas and Mexico coastlines according to the National…
First Look at Verdine
Ever since Radical Eats (my beloved vegan Tex Mex restaurant) closed, I’ve felt an essential gap in the Houston dining scene. It wasn’t until April of this year when Verdine, formerly the Ripe Cuisine food truck, finally opened its brick and mortar in the Heights that I felt the void…
Zapruder Analysis of Carlos Correa’s Broken Rib Detail YouTube Video
Among strange Houston Astros injuries, this broken rib saga for shortstop Carlos Correa certainly belongs alongside the all-time doozies, like Moises Alou tearing his knee and missing a whole season due to a treadmill injury and Hunter Pence going full on “unaware bird” and flying through a clear, glass sliding…
The Doobie Brothers Revisit Pivotal Records
When most people think of PBS programming, shows featuring 18th century English castles and tea rooms, home improvement, quilting, and cooking programs, or Ken Burns documentary rotoscope fiestas come to mind. But this month, good viewers of public television will see something a bit different as an enticement during Pledge…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Sip and Nosh at Wine & Food Week
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Wine & Food Week in The Woodlands Wine & Food Week is a celebration 15 years in the making, featuring wine and culinary tastemakers from across the globe and running through Sunday, June 9. Head to The Woodlands…
HISD Spanish Teacher Dubsmashes the Internet Through Dance
Everybody appreciates an inspiring teacher movie: there’s rule-bending Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society, disciplined Morgan Freeman in Lean On Me, the Damon-Affleck launchpad Good Will Hunting, and the sarcastically cool cat Edward James Olmos in Stand and Deliver. But if Hollywood is listening, they need to check out local…
Jimmy Buffett Rides The Tide At The Woodlands
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band Cynhia Woods Mitchell Pavilion June 1, 2019 Jimmy Buffett’s enduring popularity proves one of two things: 1) people are always in need of taking a mental beach vacation, or 2) nostalgia is the currency of our people. Or it could be both. The…
The Acting Dazzles in Houston Ballet’s The Merry Widow
Finances and romance collide in the Houston Ballet’s production of Ronald Hynd’s The Merry Widow.
Good Omens is the Perfect Apocalypse
There are so few perfect book-to-film adaptations, but Good Omens is definitely one of them. Based on the 1990 novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, finally adapting it to television was one of Pratchett’s dying requests to Gaiman before he passed away in 2015. Needless to say, there was…
Jerome Robbins’ Broadway at TUTS Shows Off the Master’s Musical Theater Magic
There’s no possible way to talk about the Broadway musical without praising one of its most incandescent luminaries, legendary director and choreographer Jerome Robbins. Without him, Broadway would be dim indeed. One of Theatre Under the Stars’ bright stars in this or any season is the Tony-winning anthology, Jerome Robbins’…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Godzilla: King Of The Monsters
Title: Godzilla: King of the Monsters Describe This Movie In One Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Quote: INDY: We. Are going. To DIE. Brief Plot Synopsis: Multiple monsters manufacture mayhem, many meet maker. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3.5 Richard Harrises out of 5. Tagline: “Long live the king.”…
Openings and Closings: Wholesome Kitchen Grand Opening, Barnaby’s Fountain View is Now Open
Wholesome Kitchen, 250 Assay, will have a grand opening celebration June 6 at Generation Park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The new restaurant and its sister pizza concept, Wholesome Pies, also at 250 Assay, come from the Wholesome Restaurant Group, owned and operated by Michael Collins. Collins is the…
Anderson .Paak Talks Success, Growth, and Mac Demarco Friendship
“This is fucking crazy man!” For Brandon Paak Anderson (better known as Anderson .Paak), that’s about the only way these last few years can be summed up. After all, this is an artist who since 2014, has gone from releasing his debut album to little consideration, to just last month…
Traffic-Strained Houstonians Finally Seeking Alternatives
Houstonians have always hated traffic. Everyone does, but we have a long-running beef with being stuck on crowded freeways with long commute times and frustrating drivers. Still, our city has never embraced alternatives to sitting in a car for hours every day. We bemoan the gridlock, but continue to contribute…
LYTA Ushers in Summer Season with Refreshing New Single “Are We Okay”
In October 2018, Alice Yet – known to audiences as LYTA – hummed a melody in her kitchen. By the end of the day, that melody evolved into a full-fledged song. “Sometimes it just happens like that,” says LYTA over the phone with the Houston Press about her recently released…
The Houston Texans Lead the AFC South In High End Talent
Somewhere along the way in 2018, the Houston Texans turned a nine game winning streak and firm control of the AFC South into the perception that their brief hold on the division was over, and it would be the Indianapolis Colts controlling things going forward. Honestly, it’s not hard to…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Judge a Beer-Fueled Chili Dog Cook-Off
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Mixers & Elixirs at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Friday, 7 to 10 p.m. 5555 Hermann Head to HMNS as it kicks off summer with its first Mixers & Elixirs event. The museum will open its doors for an evening…
Christians Protest Drafthouse Screening of Hail Satan?
Organized protesters sporting signs like “Alamo Drafthouse Entrance Fee 30 Pieces of Silver” and “Shame on Alamo Drafthouse Cinema” showed up to a Wednesday screening of the new Penny Lane (Our Nixon, Nuts!) documentary Hail Satan? The film, like all of Lane’s work so far, is a deep dive into…
Joe Jackson and Houston Fans Celebrate His 40 Years (And Counting) In Music
Joe Jackson Cullen Theater at Wortham Center May 29, 2019 A 40th anniversary could be a solemn moment in one’s life. Any event designed to look back on decades of triumphs and failures might veer into something too sober to really celebrate. Joe Jackson and his bandmates, who came to…
The Houston Press is Looking for News Freelancers
The Houston Press is looking to add to the ranks of its news freelancers and is interested in applicants with some experience covering serious subjects such as crime, courts, local government and medicine (to name a few areas). We are looking for writers who can interview other people and accurately…
Four Observations From Week 2 of Houston Texans OTAs
The construction of an NFL roster is a long process, and even once the season begins, it’s a continuing, fluid process. The assembly of the 2019 Houston Texans is in just its second week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), and even head coach Bill O’Brien acknowledged on Wednesday that we…
MFAH Puts “Jazz on Film” and In Your Ear
For the seventh anniversary of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s “Jazz on Film” series, Founder and Curator Peter Lucas has once again put together a screening schedule as varied as the music itself. Running over three weekends, it includes a mixture of material from the Jimmy Stewart drama Anatomy…
Could the Rockets Trade Capela or Paul or BOTH This Offseason?
Rumors were swirling around the internet on Wednesday when it was reported that the Rockets will be aggressive this offseason, making available nearly the entire roster for trades. Two of the league’s most respected reporters, Marc Stein and Adrian Wojnarowski, tweeted the reports. As Wojnarowski says, it is unlikely any…
Dad is Not Coming Home to Save America
This week, former Special Counsel Robert Mueller III broke his long silence with a brief press conference. The highlights were these: 1. Russia really did interfere with the 2016 election with specific intent to make sure Hillary Clinton – who President Vladimir Putin was afraid would stop his Doctor Doom…
6 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Sizzling Dance, Airplane by Gonzo247
GONZO247 didn’t know there were still mountains to climb. The local artist has tackled graffiti murals, beer silos and cars before, but this will be the first time he’s painted an entire airplane. There’s a demo this Saturday at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum, but back up those datebooks because…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Boozy Dinner Collabs and Anniversary Celebrations
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: On Wednesday, June 5 at 5:30 p.m., guests are invited to a five-course beer dinner featuring 11 Below Brewing Company at State Fare Kitchen & Bar, 947 Gessner. Highlights include smoked venison chili paired with Oso…
Gimme That Old Time Religion: Pokey LaFarge Will Perform Solo This Weekend
Pokey LaFarge has often been accused of pining for the past. A snapshot of LaFarge and his music could easily be confused for a picture of someone who lived long ago, but speaking with the artist is it very clear that he has both feet planted firmly in the present…
Correa Out 4-6 Weeks, Altuve Reevaluated After Setback
The Astros injury concerns seem to be mounting by the day. On Wednesday it was announced that shortstop Carlos Correa would miss four to six weeks with a fractured rib he suffered at his home. In a statement, Correa said his injury happened during “a massage at my home on…
Houston Concert Watch 5/29: Insane Clown Posse and More
We hope you’re all well rested after the Memorial Day weekend, because there’s a lot of good stuff on tap for this week. Notably, one of the most infamous, polarizing groups of the past quarter decade will visit their Bayou City fanbase. And rounding out the rest of the week…
Lionel Richie is For Lovers
Lionel Richie Smart Financial Centre May 28, 2019 I spotted a car on the parking lot at Smart Financial Centre as I arrived for the Lionel Richie show there last night. The vehicle stuck out like a sore thumb and made me wonder whether the person who drove it to…
What’s New on the Menu Houston?
Relish 2810 Westheimer Executive chef Dustin Teague and wife Addie are adding some new menu items to the Mediterranean-inspired American menu at their comfortable neighborhood eatery with the heat of Houston summer in mind. Dishes like the Summer Tagliatelle is perfect for vegetarians and those who want a light, summery…
Rockets Facing a Complicated Offseason
Getting from game five of the 2018 Western Conference Finals when Chris Paul injured his hamstring through the beginning of their offseason after a game six loss to Golden State in the Western Conference semifinals this year has been difficult for the Rockets. Their 2018 offseason included some incredible free…
How “SNL” and “SCTV” alum ruled ’80s Comedy is a Wild and Crazy Story
Wild and Crazy Guys: How the Comedy Mavericks of the ‘80s Changed Hollywood Forever By Nick de Semlyen 352 pp. $27 Crown Archetype The ‘80s were a unique time in the history of movie comedy, when stars like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, and Chevy…
30 Days of No Caffeine, No Alcohol: Week One
The human body can withstand a lot, like for example: a high speed Formula 1 crash in Monte Carlo or perhaps the loss of memory due to a traumatic childhood event—or that guy carrying the log in the movie Broken directed by Angelina Jolie. The human body of a restaurant…
Psychedelic Rock Unearthed in Poppies
Intended to replicate an LSD or mushroom trip—or as much at that’s possible with music—the Psychedelic Rock of the 1960s was definitely a distinct genre. Its laundry list hallmarks including swirling organs, freakish guitar solos, swooshing sound effects, and often non-linear (or nonsensical) lyrics. And lots about sunlight and daisies…
Houston’s Royal Wedding: J.J. Watt and Kealia Ohai Are Engaged!
The sound that you may have heard sometime Sunday morning was the sound of thousands single women in Houston screaming in horror at the news that their infinitesimally-to-nonexistent shot of being the first Mrs. J.J. Watt was officially over. Somewhere, on a faraway island, with a gigantic yacht sailing in…
Astros Winning Despite Mounting Injuries So Far
As Aledmys Diaz limped off the field following the aggravation of his hamstring, a sinking feeling began to creep in for Astros fans. The team with the best record in baseball was beginning to feel the sting of injuries. Jose Altuve had already missed several weeks on the IL, George…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Italian at Antonini’s Subs and Steaks
The Italian at Antonini’s is big, jam packed full of ingredients, spicy as hell and absolutely fabulous. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
2019 Shaping Up to Be a Weird, Wonderful Year of Music
Do the most absurd of stories prove the existence of a higher power or are they proof that life is unplanned chaos? The current state of affairs is enough to get you to tweet “this is the worst timeline (frown emoji)” at least once a day, and that’s just dealing…
June Art Shows: Nudies in the Cube, FOMO Factory and Mineko Grimmer
Beavis and Butthead might giggle nervously at “Nudies in the Cube,” but we’re not talking about — “heh heh” — those kinds of nudies. Though we’re giving props to artist Suzette Mouchaty for so creatively titling her trio of human-scale sculptures that represent giant marine slugs; “Nudies” runs concurrently with…
NFL Schadenfreude: Rooting For Bad Training Camp Storylines For Texans’ 2019 Opponents
The Texans began Organized Team Activities (better known by their acronym OTAs) last week, and they continue this week. I gave you some observations after the session that was open to the media, and certainly there are many reasons for optimism, or at the very least, enthusiastic curiosity. However, around…
Down With Hate, Up With Human Rights at Bilingual Holocaust Museum Houston
Hate crimes are on the rise, with physical, verbal or tweeted attacks lobbed due to race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or perceived slights. Texans saw the Sandy Hook and Sutherland Springs shootings, almost two dozen asylum seekers have died in ICE detention centers along our nation’s border, and San Diego and Sri Lanka…
Smoked Out: Burns Original BBQ
As Texas barbecue goes, smoked brisket is king. Sliced, moist and fall apart tender, it’s both a protein and technique that separates Texas from the pulled pork and rib traditions of the South and Midwest from Kansas City to Charleston. And yet, within Texas that bias toward beef tends to…
Move Over Southfork, Feast Your Eyes on These Texas Ranches For Sale
If you’ve got a taste for bourbon and branch, like to watch the sun set over the back 40, and have a closet full of cowboy boots, then maybe it’s time to find a working ranch to hang that hat. Southfork Ranch, made famous from television’s Dallas, isn’t on the…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Burgers, Brunch and How to Drink Like a Lady
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long (May) National Burger Month at Hungry’s In honor of National Burger Month, Hungry’s, 2356 Rice, 14714 Memorial, is dishing out $5 kids’ burgers for the remainder of May. Celebrate the last few weeks of school with a juicy…
Music Appreciation 101: Joe Jackson
If I was applying to instruct music appreciation at some staid Ivy League college or maybe the local juco, I’d pitch my course curriculum to the Dean of Arts by bringing a half-dozen Joe Jackson albums along to my interview. I’d ask the dean to queue each one up on…
The Merry Widow Dances Her Way to an Old Love in the Search for a New Husband
In The Merry Widow, Hanna gets to act out the dream that many people have when they go to high school reunions. Namely, she has bettered herself beyond all imagining. Formerly a peasant girl, she married a wealthy man and now that her husband has died, is a wealthy widow…
Ranking the Houston Hamstring Injuries In the Past Year
It’s Monday, it’s Memorial Day, and I want to take a moment to say “Thank you” to all of those who are currently defending our country, have previously defended our country, or are related to those folks. Today, more importantly, I want to encourage everyone to take a moment to…
Hootie’s ‘Cracked Rear View’ Lives On, and with Good Reason
When we think of polarizing artists, we tend to think of artists who, you know, aimed to polarize. Or, at the very least, those who could safely be labeled controversial. Drake is polarizing. Guns n’ Roses were and remain polarizing. In the early 2000s, Eminem was the very definition of…
Sex With Strangers Sizzles and (Thought) Provokes at Stages
Two authors on opposite sides of a generational and digital divide navigate a relationship in Laura Eason’s two-hander Sex With Strangers, now playing at Stages Repertory Theatre.
Love Hurts in Sam Shepard’s A Lie Of The Mind
In explaining to her daughter Sally, why she’s allowing Jake, her unstable and historically violent son to return home, Lorraine spits out with dismissiveness, “He won’t hurt us, we’re family.” Under other circumstances, we may have hope that Lorraine is correct, but given that this is a Sam Shepard play,…
Breaking Restaurant News: The Pass and Provisions is Closing
The Pass and Provisions, 807 Taft, will have its last day of service tomorrow, May 25. The dual concept restaurant, with The Pass being the fine-dining, tasting menu side and Provisions being its more casual sister with pizzas and pastas, opened in 2012. Chefs Terrence Gallivan and Seth Siegel-Gardner brought…
Openings and Closings: Local Table Opens in Cypress, El Tiempo in Stafford
Local Table, 10535 Fry, will open June 3 with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce. This will be the second location of the concept from the Hungry’s family. The first location opened at Katy’s Villagio Town Center in 2016. Hungry’s was first opened in 1975 by…
Harden All-NBA First Team, Tucker Left off NBA All-Defense Team
The NBA named its All-NBA teams this week including the All-Defense Team and the All-NBA Team. These awards are voted on by the media and represent much more substantial consideration than the All-Star team, which is voted on by fans. All-NBA teams are in fact important enough that they can…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Aladdin
Title: Aladdin Describe This Movie in One Game of Thrones Quote: CERSEI LANNISTER: I wanted those elephants. Brief Plot Synopsis: Homeless man rubs one out. A genie, that is. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2.5 Brick Tamlands out of 5. Tagline: “The magic comes to life.” Better Tagline: “How ’bout a little…
With the XFL On Its Way, Let’s Relive the Magic of the USFL’s Houston Gamblers
Earlier this week, the XFL announced officially that June Jones would be the head coach and general manager of Houston’s yet-to-be-named franchise. Houston has been down the “alternative spring league to the NFL” road before, with the Houston Gamblers in the old United States Football League back in 1984 and…
Houston Hip Hop Artists to Keep An Eye On
The Houston Hip Hop sound has always been felt throughout pop culture but the results of that influence aren’t always reflected in the city. The fingerprints of DJ Screw, UGK, Swishahouse, Rap-A-Lot, and countless others have left an indelible mark on rap and, to a greater extent, music in general…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Frosé and Memorial Day Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Pan-African Cultural Festival at S.H.A.P.E. Community Center 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3815 Live Oak Live music, African drum and dance, an African market and food trucks are all a part of the fun at the 40th annual Pan-African Cultural Festival…
Chefs Cook To End Child Hunger at Taste of the Nation Houston
“This is such a great cause,” a woman standing at one of the cocktail tables where I’d stopped for a moment, declared. It was her second year attending Taste of the Nation Houston, a culinary event by the non-profit Share Our Strength that took place last night. The charity’s tagline,…
Gettin’ Lowercase Sad With Dj Constant Shame
Forget your troubles, c’mon get sad – and, by extension, happy – with Dj Constant Shame. Houston music veteran Roger Medina has crafted an emo night that brings together uncommon music genres like Tejano, new wave and ranchera with the traditional emo night fare for something unique. He says he’ll even provide tissues, just in…
5 Alternate Routes to the Beach This Holiday Weekend
While Houston has already enjoyed weather in the 90s this year, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer for most of the country. That means backyard cookouts, pool time and beach trip getaways for the extended weekend. Being an hour from the Gulf of Mexico certainly has its…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Wine & Food Week Celebrates 15 Years
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Springwoods Village’s CityPlace, 1250 Lake Plaza, will host a CityPlace Sips distiller and brewer showcase on Thursday, May 30 from 4 until 7 p.m. This special edition offers $5 craft beers from local favorite Buffalo Bayou…
Four Reasons the Houston Texans Should Pursue DT Gerald McCoy
Big ticket free agency in the NFL occurs in March, the NFL Draft occurs in April, so needless to say, the opportunity to materially improve your football team dwindles significantly once May rolls around. Yet, on Tuesday, the Tampa Buccaneers, smushed up against the ceiling of the NFL’s salary cap,…
Carrying the Torch: Jaimee Harris Shows Skills in Debut Album Red Rescue
There are professions as old as mankind that stand the test of time due to our dependence on them. Musicians make that list and Jaimee Harris knew this was the life for her when she was a little girl in Waco. Her father would fill her ears with music and…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Motown, Broadway and Deep Listening
Music is the common thread that runs through this Memorial Day weekend. We’ve got Motown’s finest at Miller, Broadway’s best with Houston Symphony and a couple of tributes to the late, great Pauline Oliveros. Film buffs can choose between a cerebral bicycle flick that follows the great migration and a…
First Day Observations From Houston Texans OTAs
After rookie minicamp last week, which is essentially the NFL’s version of freshman orientation, the sixth version of the Houston Texans under head coach Bill O’Brien got cracking in full force yesterday, with MOST of the veterans returning to the field for the first session of Organized Team Activities (OTAs,…
Inside the Glass: Chris Poldoian
In the service industry, wine buyers are considered especially talented. In Houston, those responsible are members of an elite squad. For them, two things are pretty much certain; a career in this field began with one memorable sip, and second, they probably rush home in between lunch and dinner service…
Houston Concert Watch 5/22: Nekromantix and More
While several local arenas will play host to graduation ceremonies this week, there are plenty of notable shows worth attending for those of us who don’t have friends or family walking. Fortunately for both graduates and would-be concert goers alike, this week’s forecast is rain-free, with partly overcast to mostly…
Not Calling Up Yordan Alvarez in the Minors is Justified…for Now
If you don’t pay much attention to the Astros minor leagues (and you wouldn’t be alone), you may have missed the sensational start at Triple A Round Rock by young Cuban outfield prospect Yordan Alvarez. If you’re wondering why we care given how good the Astros are at the moment,…
The Three Musketeers Offers Adventure, Romance and Swashbuckling All Round at the Alley
Athos, Porthos and Aramis — their names have called out through the ages ever since Alexandre Dumas wrote his classic adventure story The Three Musketeers. And now in an adaptation by Ken Ludwig’s the family-friendly The Three Musketeers is coming to the Alley Theatre in a tale filled with adventure and…
A Student Haircut Prompts a Call From Parents For a New Dress Code Committee in Pearland ISD
Parents in the Pearland Independent School District, still upset by how an assistant principal dealt with an African-American junior high student whose haircut violated the district dress code, are planning to try to address PISD trustees at their regular meeting tonight on a wide range of concerns about the district’s…
Don’t be Fooled by Their Name: Folk Family Revival Will Rock You
Houston’s Folk Family Revival are releasing their new album, Electric Darlin on local label Splice Records June 7 and celebrating with a record release show June 8 at the Heights Theater. Though it is their third album, making it was a whole new experience for the local boys. The band…
Smoked Out: Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue
Scott Moore and partner Michelle Holland don’t just own one of the 50 best barbecue joints in Texas (top 10 in our books). They also founded Texas’ first bean-to-bar craft chocolatier. What’s more, both businesses are under the same roof. Hell, they even roast their cocoa beans in a meat smoker…
Houston XFL Franchise Introduces June Jones As Head Coach/GM
As reported last week, the XFL made it official in a Monday morning press conference in the VIP area of TDECU Stadium — June Jones will be returning to Houston as the head coach and general manager of this city’s XFL team. Former Houston Dynamo president and current commissioner and…
Anti-Religion, Anti-Society, Anti-Conformity: The Saga of Agnostic Front singer Roger Miret
Since the mid-1980s, controversial hardcore punk band Agnostic Front has seared audiences with their aggressive brand of music that attacks normal society, religion, and anything that causes conformity. Brandishing brash old school manic tendencies with metal-leaning hooks, the band is a boiling burst of total energy that speaks to the male identity in a time…
Rockets Twitter Account Suspended for Copyright Violations
If it wasn’t bad enough that the Rockets fell to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals, ending what felt like a rather promising season, on Monday, their Twitter feed was shut down for copyright violations. Insult to injury, apparently. The Houston Chronicle reported that the Rockets along…
Houston Symphony Gives Its Regards To The Best Of Broadway
The Houston Symphony will perform The Best of Broadway, a collection of the most popular hits from musical theatre, this weekend at Jones Hall.
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Petronella at Paulie’s Restaurant
The Petronella at Paulie’s is a monster panini rich in flavor and heavy on the crunch. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Houston By the Neighborhood: Meyerland the Resilient
What happens if you love, love, love your neighborhood, but Mother Nature has thrown a few nasty curveballs? When it comes to the residents of Meyerland, they’re using every trick in the toolbox to rebuild with resilience, aided by initiatives at the grassroots, city, state and federal levels. The rewards…
Hannah Gadsby Finds Her Spotlight While “In The Shadow” of Comedy Game-Changer Nanette
“I never thought there was any danger in ruining comedy! But, I definitely reformed it for my own purposes.
Game of Thrones Series Finale: No Future for You
Spoilers Ahead!! Normally when I do these hot take reviews, I write a filler paragraph full of trivia about the show to give people a chance to turn away, but today I have an anecdote instead. Back when WWE, WCW, and ECW were all still going strong in wrestling, I…
Ariana Grande, The Dangerous Woman, Sweetens Toyota Center with Hits, Production Value, and Megastar Power
Ariana Grande Toyota Center May 19, 2019 It’s not every day that the world’s reigning pop star releases two career-defining albums in the span of six months. It’s also not every day that she performs the bulk of those releases to a rabid, sold out Houston crowd. Near the end…
Ray Viator Knows How Houston Earned the Name Space City
Almost 50 years ago, as those glued to television sets were collectively holding their breath while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin completed their lunar module landing tasks, we heard those now famous words: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” The Apollo 11 lunar landing forever cemented Houston as Space City in…
Four Thoughts on the Texans’ Releasing TE Ryan Griffin
It was probably going to happen even without a broken window punched out in a Nashville hotel, but the Houston Texans decided on Friday to move on from tight end Ryan Griffin. Even before his arrest on the second night of the draft in Nashville last month, the Texans had…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Houston’s Taste of Nation for No Kid Hungry
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, May 20 CollaborEIGHT at TRIS Chef Austin Simmons will host the next “CollaborEIGHT” dinner at TRIS, 24 Waterway, on Monday, May 20 at 6 p.m. The eight-course dinner will showcase the culinary talents of William Wright of Helen’s Greek alongside…
Houston Punk and Skate Communities On Tap to Help Young Heart Patients And Their Families This Weekend
Cory Worden and his family – wife Jessalyn and daughter Quinn – have regularly made a point of honoring Jonah, the son and brother they lost to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome two years ago this month. Twice a year, the family has marked Jonah’s 18 months of life with some…
ZZ Top Celebrates 50 Years With Houston Fans
ZZ Top’s 50th Anniversary Texas Bash Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion May 18, 2019 “This is where it started, right chere, y’all,” said ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons to a raucous and capacity crowd gathered at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion last night to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary in music. “We’ve…
Houston Ballet’s Charming Coppélia is a Childish Delight
Ben Stevenson’s Coppélia, a charming tale of a young couple whose relationship is tested by a beautiful doll “come to life,” returns to the Houston Ballet.
In The God Committee Everyone Takes Their Places Where They Remain Throughout
Mark St. Germain’s The God Committee, softly beating at A.D. Players, would fit comfortably on TV. It’s made for that size. The play, about the doctors who decide which patient will get a heart transplant, is a bit like 12 Angry Men set at Chicago Med. The ethical dilemmas each…
Collected Stories Feels Like Half A Show Due To Miscasting
Seesaws, robust debates, a two-hander play. Not things that regularly show up in a sentence together, that is unless you’re pondering situations that require balance to succeed. Weigh one side more heavily and suddenly the seesaw leaves you stranded, the debate turns to a lecture and the two-hander turns into…
4-Alarm Fire at Greenridge Place Apartments (with video)
A fire broke out around noon on May 17 at Greenridge Place apartments, 3000 Greenridge near Westheimer in The Galleria area. The fire began on the north side of the apartment complex on the bottom floor and quickly moved up to the second floor and then the third floor. A…
In the End, the Rockets Were Never As Good As the Warriors
Phil Mickelson had Tiger Woods. Andy Roddick had Roger Federer. Sometimes, your best isn’t good enough because an all-time great is in your way. Such is the Rockets in the era of the Golden State Warriors. It has been the stated goal of GM Daryl Morey and others within the…
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, It’s Ganesha’s Rock & Roll Circus
Ricky Dee said he was 10 years old the last time he went to the circus. You remember the circus, right? Cotton candy and trained elephants and trapeze artists. Dee, who is now full-grown and the guitar-slinging front man for Houston rockers Ganesha, thought back to childhood to recall what…
Broadening the Family: Amanda Pascali Will Perform at Mucky Duck Before Heading to Europe
Listening to Amanda Pascali is an auditory passport, she manages to mix a traditional American Folk sound with the Mediterranean sounds of her ancestors. Her songs often narrate the experience of many first generation Americans; not being American enough for this country and yet being too American for their country…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
Title: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum Describe This Movie In A Blatant Ripoff Of Joe Bob Briggs’s Review Style: Eleventy hundred dead bodies, zero breasts, multiple cranial perforations, one explosive decapitation, one (self-inflicted) severed finger, a dozen dislocated shoulders, five crotch kicks, six crotch bites, balcony fu, book fu,…
Openings and Closings: Cafe Annie Will Rebrand, Canopy Will Close
Cafe Annie, 1800 Post Oak, closed May 16 in order to begin construction May 17 for its “reimagining”. The revamping comes at the hands of Benjamin Berg who will collaborate with Chef Robert Del Grande to create a new restaurant experience called The Annie Cafe and Bar. Berg, owner of…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Tacos, Gyros and a Taste of the Heights
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: The Houston Greek Festival at St. Basil The Great Greek Orthodox Church Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m. 1100 Eldridge The Houston Greek Festival returns to St. Basil The Great Greek Orthodox Church, offering…
Chris Paul’s Contract Is Veering Into All-Time Bad Houston Contract Territory
When the Rockets traded for Chris Paul in the summer of 2017, with one year left on his deal, we all knew that there would be a long-term contract extension coming after the 2017-2018 season. Also, we all knew that the deal would be a max deal, and it would…
Man for Make-Up: Urban Decay Game of Thrones Collection
Urban Decay sent me their limited edition Game of Thrones collection, and it occurred to me that I hadn’t worn make-up in around ten years. There’s not a lot of call for getting all gussied up when you work at home and the only people to impress are your cats…
The Houston Press 2019 Memorial Day Playlist
Memorial Day is less than two weeks away, and while many of us are enthusiastically planning our three-day weekends, it’s worth remembering that the federal holiday is designated for remembering and honoring those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Given the current political climate, there…
In Sex With Strangers The Attraction of Opposites Creates a Romantic Thriller
Olivia (played by Elaine Robinson) is a respected author who has written a book well-received by critics but that didn’t sell. As the play opens she’s in a cabin working on writing her next book amid the peace and quiet. And then Ethan (Ian James making his Stages debut) shows…
Coming Back to Life: D. Kosmo Returns to the Studio With the Help of J.D. Pinkus
Houston artist D. Kosmo knows a thing or two about starting over. Just this year he will see his youngest child go off to college as so many other parents will, “It’s a very strange experience, like that’s it; they are off to a new chapter. It tells you you’re…
Taste the Nation on May 22 at Silver Street Studios
Helping fight hunger, cocktails, delicious bites: if any of the above appeal to you, don’t miss Taste of the Nation next week. This annual event—hosted by Chef Ryan Pera of Agricole Hospitality, Chef Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar, and Alba Huerta of Julep—is one of Houston’s biggest opportunities to…
Jad Abumrad of Radiolab Comes to Houston This Saturday
Interviewing Jad Abumrad is truly like tuning in for a super-exclusive episode of Radiolab, the wildly popular public radio program and podcast he created and hosts. Save for the music cues that add depth to the show’s notions on science, modern life and philosophy (and sans Robert Krulwich, Abumrad’s congenial…
Inside the Glass: Adele Corrigan
In the service industry, wine buyers are considered especially talented. In Houston, those responsible are members of an elite squad. For them, two things are pretty much certain; a career in this field began with one memorable sip, and second, they probably rush home in between lunch and dinner service…
6 Best Bets This Weekend: Bluebeard, Bikes, and Going Topless at the Beach
After umpteen straight days of rain, we could sure use a break, and it looks like the sun is finally peeking out from behind those clouds. Which is awesome for the hard-partying Jeep enthusiasts heading to Crystal Beach for Go Topless, the 1920s costume contest at Discovery Green, and BikeHouston’s…
The Japanese House on Beyoncé, Pop Music and Being Good at Falling
Amber Bain, who performs her solo indie pop music under the moniker The Japanese House, has had to contemplate the idea of pop music. She said she bucked against the notion that her songs fit into that category in some way, which, she thinks, has made them even better. She’s…
The Possible Ripple Effect of Corbin Martin For the Houston Astros
After a bit of an uneven start to the season — not terrible, but not World Champion material really — the Houston Astros appear to have straightened things out, and are proceeding to rip ass through the American League. Currently, they’re riding a 10-1 streak in their last 11 games,…
2019 NBA Draft Lottery: Rocket Fans, Zion Williamson Is Coming to the Southwest Division
Well, it appears that our Houston Rockets just can’t catch a damn break. Even when they’re sitting at home, licking their wounds, preparing a plate of nachos while getting ready to watch Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, they can’t catch a damn break. Last night, at NBA headquarters,…
Smoked Out: Killen’s Barbecue
Ronnie Killen is a heavy weight as beef celebrity goes. The Pearland good ole boy turned classically trained chef, later James Beard nominated pitmaster, has been building a beef-centric culinary empire since 2014. Coming off the heels of his 5th opening in as many years — Tex-Mex-BBQ fusion, Killen’s TMX…
The Morning Scramble: Boomtown Coffee Main St. Café & Bar
Fitting breakfast into the morning rush can be tough even in a town like Houston where good restaurants are everywhere. In this occasional feature, we’ll be highlighting some of the best places to hit up for your workday or weekend first meal of the day. In March, the downtown space…
TUTS Presents Jerome Robbins’ Broadway With Toe Taps Galore
Eleven costume changes. That’s what Jeffrey Schecter can expect in Jerome Robbins’s Broadway about to arrive at the Hobby Center courtesy of Theatre Under the Stars. Schecter (Mike Costa in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, Spencer Freedman on Showtime’s Escape at Dannemora) in the role as The Setter, serves…
Houston Concert Watch 5/15: Ariana Grande and More
We’re still about a month away from summertime, but temperatures in the Bayou City are already reaching the high 80s. Fortunately, Houston boasts plenty of air-conditioned venues where residents can find refuge. With that in mind, most of this week’s must-see events are slated to take place indoors. And while…
What to Cook This Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day Weekend is also known as the unofficial start of summer; so we’re rounding up party-friendly recipes to help you kick off the season with flavor. From fire-grilled eats and patriotic desserts to refreshing salads and drinks to keep things cool, here’s what to cook this Memorial Day. Beer…
University of Houston Pianist Crushed By a Building, Emerges with Resilience
In November 2018, Sonya Bandouil and her boyfriend Alex Pankiewicz took a weekend vacation to Boston. At the trip’s end, they stopped at a café on their way to the train station before returning to New York. “I was looking at the menu for, like, a few minutes. And then, and…
From Oslo to Texas: Matthew Logan Vasquez Makes a Joyful Return
You can take the boy out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the boy. Texas based songwriter, Matthew Logan Vasquez knows a thing or two about having to say goodbye to the Lone Star State, but the artist is happy to be making a return…
10 Things I Told My Daughter About Abortion
On days when my wife works at the hospital and has the car, the kid and I hike about quarter of a mile to her elementary school. This is her favorite place to ask me Important Questions™… probably because she realizes at that point I’m only 40 percent awake and…
When a Sandwich is Not Really a Sandwich
For the past year-plus, I’ve been writing about Houston’s Best Sandwiches. They have run the gamut from hole-in-the-wall dives to fine dining and everywhere in between. I tried to set some basic parameters about what would be included, but I’ve been asked about what rules are in place for choosing…
Injuries, Demotions No Problem for Juggernaut Astros
In the past week, Jose Altuve has been sent to the injured list with a strained hamstring and starting pitcher Colin McHugh was demoted to the bullpen after several rough outings. Under normal circumstances, losing a your perennial all star second baseman to injury and a starting pitcher to performance…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Try a New Vietnamese Happy Hour
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: At Kau Ba Saigon, 2502 Dunlavy, chef Nikky Tran is rolling out a special menu of her favorite Vietnamese street food dishes for a brand new, weekday happy hour. Guests can now enjoy discounted drinks and…
June Jones Named Head Coach of Houston’s XFL Team
In February 2020, Houston will get a second professional football team as the yet-to-be-named XFL team will begin play in TDECU Stadium over on the University of Houston’s campus. That’s been known for quite some time. What’s been unknown has been who will be named to coach and run the…
How Clean Comedian Jeff Allen Found His Faith, And Then His Audience
“One night I was watching Dice Clay on HBO, and I remembering saying – the next guy who comes out of the pack [who works] dirty is going to have to go BEYOND this, and I said I can’t.”
Bald Eagle, American Alligator and Whooping Crane Get New Digs at Zoo
Almost a million plant and animal species have a target on their back, at risk of extinction thanks to global warming and the need for humans to farm, log, poach, fish and mine the natural world. There was plenty of doom and gloom in a Global Assessment Summary for Policymakers…
Houston By the Neighborhood: River Oaks 3.0
If your idea of entertaining is having friends over for pizza and board games around the kitchen table, then River Oaks might not be for you. But when it comes to throwing a bash for 200 of your closest friends, there’s nothing better than one of those magnificent swankiendas with…
Where the Chefs Eat: Ronnie Killen of Killen’s Steakhouse, Killen’s STQ, Killen’s BBQ, Killen’s Burgers, and Killen’s TMX
From 2012 to 2014, Houston Press ran a series called “Where the Chefs Eat,” (you can re-visit the entire series here) in which we asked some of Houston’s most prominent chefs where they ate when they weren’t cooking in their own kitchens. Though it ran its natural course at the…
Darwin’s Finches Get Spooked While Filming Music Video At Haunted Location
Houston’s own Darwin’s Finches encountered a strange woman or ghost while filming their music video for their song “Hwy 787” on location at The Ghost Road in East Texas.
Mother’s Day Brings A Break In The Weather and the Last Day of Comicpalooza
Comicpalooza closed out its third and final day at the George R. Brown Convention Center Sunday capping off a weekend filled with Game of Thrones actresses, video game championships, panels for all things creative, cosplayers and sword fighting. On Mother’s Day, fans were rewarded with a break in the weather…
Game of Thrones S8E5: Dany Is Us
Warning: Spoilers Ahead This hot take about last night’s episode contains spoilers. So, here’s a filler paragraph to give you a chance to look away lest I ruin the episode. Did you know that the giant that allies with Jon Snow, Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun, got his name from…
Wrapping Up the ESPN Collegiate Esports Championships at Comicpalooza
Comicpalooza and ESPN brought the inaugural Collegiate Esports Championships to Houston with a spectacular live studio arena and a Twitch stream viewed by thousands. The event was the first of its kind and the first major esports tournament hosted by ESPN’s recently developed esports division. Over three days of match…
J.J. Watt Crushes Commencement Speech at Wisconsin Graduation
J.J. Watt’s journey from Pewaukee, Wisconsin to three NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards is one of the more jagged, inspirational stories you’ll hear. It included a stop along the way as a walk-on for the Wisconsin Badgers during which he helped paint railings in Camp Randall Stadium in…
From Malawi With Love: Local Artist Designs Custom Furniture That Gives Back
People come into our lives for a reason. Sometimes they’re just agents of change, reminding us of dormant potential; others keep us focused on our path and goals; some will guide and teach; and then there are those difference-makers who share our mission and remain in our hearts and lives…
Houston Ballet’s Karina Gonzalez Talks About Competing With a Life Size Doll in Coppélia
It’s tough to beat perfection. Perfection as in a beautiful body and face, a quiet manner, and obvious intelligence because this is a young woman who is always seen reading a book. So Franz falls in love. Trouble is, Franz is already engaged to Swanilda and Swanilda is not at…
This Week in Houston Food Events: A Great Taste of the Heights
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long National Burger Month at Morton’s In honor of National Burger Month, Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1001 McKinney, 5000 Westheimer, and Morton’s Grille, 25 Waterway, are offering two perfect patties, available exclusively during the month of May. Morton’s The Steakhouse’s…
Pete Yorn: One Man, One Mike, Two Guitars, and a Lot of Stories
Contemporary musicians can certainly have an interesting relationship with social media – or at least those who actually handle their own Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts and don’t leave it up to a publicist. Some find it a great way to keep in touch with their fans personally and get…
The Mother of Dragons Comes to Houston and Meets The Rockets, Beyonce, and Hundreds of Comicpalooza Fans.
The Rockets fell to the Warriors Friday in front of a queen from the Game of Thrones and the Queen B. Emilia Clarke, known for her pivotal role of Daenerys Targaryen on HBO’s Game of Thrones, and Beyonce Knowles, known for her pivotal role in our lives, sat courtside as…
Comicpalooza Gaming Panels Focus on Streaming, Charity, Gender Diversity
As always, this year’s three-day Comicpalooza extravaganza was so much more than a fan-art market and cosplay convention. The highlight of the annual event continues to be its informational, inspired and entertaining panels and speaking events. One of the industries receiving more attention at this year’s conference than in previous…
PUP Staged a Heist in Houston Last Night
PUP Rockefeller’s May 10, 2019 Legend has it that nearly 100 years ago when Rockefeller’s was still a newly minted bank building and not yet a music hall, Bonnie and Clyde robbed the place. It’s a pretty safe bet that most of the crowd at last night’s sold out PUP…
The Weather Doesn’t Stop Houston From Coming Out For Comicpalooza 2019
The overnight weather may have shuttered other businesses in the city, but it didn’t stop Houston’s annual Comicpalooza from touching down at the George R Brown Convention Center Friday morning. The event, first started to highlight the works of local creators, has come a long way since its beginnings in…
Kali Uchis and Jorja Smith Join Forces at Revention Music Center
Kali Uchis & Jorja Smith Revention Music Center May 10, 2019 They both are Grammy nominated vocal powerhouses; they both blend genres; they both carry themselves onstage like seasoned-veterans. Together, Kali Uchis and Jorja Smith brew up one helluva storm. Over the course of two individual sets and a combined…
The Violent Femmes And X Aren’t Going Gentle Into That Good Night Or Anywhere Else
Violent Femmes, X House of Blues May 10, 2019 On paper, this was an odd pairing. There’s nothing that immediately comes to mind linking punk legends X and venerable alt rockers Violent Femmes aside from their cache with Generation X and their bracing, occasionally acerbic songs about life in the…
What and Where to Eat and Drink at Comicpalooza
Grab your Thor wig, an extra phone charger and plenty of cash, it’s Comicpalooza time. One of the nation’s premiere comic and pop culture conventions is celebrating its 11th year in Houston. As usual, the convention takes place inside the massive George R. Brown Convention center across from the beautiful…
The Ensemble Theatre Mines the Emotional Depths of Pipeline
A mother fears she will lose her son in the school-to-prison pipeline in Dominique Morisseau’s 2017 play Pipeline, now playing at The Ensemble Theatre.
Chemistry Far Outweighs Chemicals In The Effect
“You can’t give us a drug that makes you take risks and make bad decisions, and then punish us for taking risks and making bad decisions.” This, the complaint from brainy and practical Connie, one of the paid volunteers in a cloistered four-week pharmaceutical trial testing the effects of a…
Openings and Closings: Guard and Grace This Fall, Three Brothers Bakery Turns 70
Guard and Grace, 500 Dallas, is slated to open in fall 2019 at One Allen Center. Troy Guard, executive chef and owner of TAG Restaurant Group, opened the first Guard and Grace Steakhouse in Denver, Colorado in 2014. The modern steakhouse takes a fresh approach to the genre with seasonal…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Title: Pokémon Detective Pikachu Describe This Movie In One Peanuts Quote: CHARLIE BROWN: How can I remember the face I can’t forget? Brief Plot Synopsis: Pika pika, pika pika pika. Pika pi-pikachu. Psyduck. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2.5 bottles of aspirin out of 5. Tagline: N/A Better Tagline: “Probably not as…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Treat Mom to a Meal this Mother’s Day
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Houston Crawfish, Crab & Grill Festival at the Humble Civic Arena & Expo Saturday, 3 p.m. 8233 Will Clayton This family-friendly event celebrates the tastes and cultures of Southern cooking, featuring crawfish, crab and grilled foods from local restaurants, caterers and…
With Clutch Gaming, Rockets Tapping Into Houston’s Growing Esports Market
With their in-house esports franchise, Clutch Gaming, Tilman Fertitta and the Rockets hope to capitalize on a rapidly growing global market, while leading the industry’s growth in Houston. In 2019 the global esports industry is expected to top $1 billion for the first time. After decades of failed leagues, bad…
Houston Director Eyes Completion of Rock Doc…and Spinoff Shows
When last we left off with Louie Comella – producer/director and head honcho of Houston’s IVOX Media studio – he was about to embark on final filming for the documentary Rockabilly Weekend: 21 Years of Viva Las Vegas. The film tells the story of the Viva Las Vegas festival, held…
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Entire Area Under Flood Watch Through Saturday [UPDATED]
After a wild round of thunderstorms Tuesday, Wednesday and much of the day Thursday were quiet with only small pockets of light rain falling around the region. It is expected that heavy rain and thunderstorms will begin filtering into the Houston area late this afternoon and early into the evening…
Woman Convicted of Animal Cruelty. Pets Starved to Death After She Left Them Behind.
When Jamica Roshawn Chambliss moved out of her Fondren Road apartment in 2016, she apparently wanted to travel light. Or she was very forgetful. Or maybe she meant to return but couldn’t because she was being held captive somewhere? In any case, the 42-year-old woman left behind two dogs, a…
Inside the Glass: David Keck
In the service industry, wine buyers are considered especially talented. In Houston, those responsible are members of an elite squad. For them, two things are pretty much certain; a career in this field began with one memorable sip, and second, they probably rush home in between lunch and dinner service…
Not Even The Threat Of Rain Can Keep The Old 97’s From Their Appointed Rocking
Old 97’s House of Blues May 8, 2019 We’ve written enough times about the Old 97’s here at the Houston Press that you could probably cobble together a passable write-up of last night’s show by cutting and pasting relevant passages about coming *that* close to mainstream success and front man Rhett…
Constellations Expertly Grabs Our Heads If Not Our Hearts
Do we have a choice about what direction our lives will go? Is our path already laid out for us, inalterable by free will, determination or desire? Are the minutes, hours and days we spend with each other preciously finite or is time just a construct that we’ve made up…
Flood Risk Continues Through Saturday
On Wednesday, things were mostly quiet in our area while central and north Texas were hammered with rain thanks to a slow moving cold front. After Tuesday, when certain areas northeast and southwest of downtown received up to 10 inches of rain, it was a welcome break. But, there is…
Warriors Beat Rockets, but Lose Durant: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The Rockets missed a golden opportunity on the road in game five of the best of seven Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday. The Warriors were down both Kevin Durant and Draymond Green in the fourth quarter and the Rockets were unable to get a win in Oakland, losing 101-97 and…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Dinner is Coming
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Now through Monday, June 3, One Fifth Mediterranean, 1658 Westheimer, is featuring a special Iftar Tour, in addition to its Sightseeing Tours and a la carte menu, in honor of Ramadan. The multi-course menu will be…
KMCO Says a Failure in a Piping Component May Have Caused the April 2 Gas Leak and Fire
While an investigation is still continuing, a spokesman on behalf of KMCO released a statement Wednesday saying that the April 2 gas leak and fire at its East Harris County plant that caused the death of one employee and critically injured two others may have been caused by a piping component…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Mother of Dragons, Fringe and AsiaFest
It’s time to get your cosplay on because Emilia Clarke, Mother of Dragons, is headlining at Comicpalooza this weekend. There’s tons more fun to be had outside GRB so our advice is for some strategic planning with your datebook: Brett Cullen is returning to UH, the ‘Stros are trying to…
Nils Lofgren Gets Blue with Lou, Hits the Road with Band
Even in terms of rock and roll pairings, they seemed like a truly odd couple of musical collaborators. But more than 40 years ago, singer/guitarists Lou Reed and Nils Lofgren worked on a baker’s dozen of tunes, and nearly half of those are making their public debut on Lofgren’s new…
Houston Texans Are Underdogs To Defend Their AFC South Division Title
Well, those last two games between the Texans and the Colts in 2018, both at NRG Stadium, both Colts wins, one in Week 14 of the regular season and one in the playoffs, made quite an impression on the odds making community and the betting public. At least, that appears…
NFL Draft Experts Give Houston Texans’ 2019 Draft Dismal Grades
I will preface this post by saying that I think one of the silliest things in the sports world are NFL Draft report cards that are doled out THE WEEK AFTER THE DRAFT. You may respond by saying “But Sean, we need to hold our general managers accountable! They MUST…
Miss Saigon Arrives Back in Houston Filled With Big Moments
Controversy and cries of insensitivity have plagued Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Richard Maltby, Jr.’s Miss Saigon since its London world premiere in 1989. The Broadway production opened in 1991 and ran ten years. It’s a juggernaut, constantly on tour, raking in the big bucks. The show is huge, operatic in…
First Look: El Paso Mexican Grill
I am always surprised at the amount of restaurants and businesses that continue to pop up along the Highway 249 area. When I was a kid, Willowbrook Mall was almost in the boonies, with FM 1960 still in its Farm to Market stage when the mall was built. With the…
You May Have Survived The Endgame, But Are You Ready For The 2019 Summer Movie Season?
Though it may seem anticlimactic at this point, what with Avengers: Endgame possibly becoming the biggest grossing movie of all time by the time you read this (and less than three weeks after its release), the 2019 summer movie season has only just begun. Traditionally, blockbuster season began in May, but…
The Morning Scramble: Pondicheri
Fitting breakfast into the morning rush can be tough even in a town like Houston where good restaurants are everywhere. In this occasional feature, we’ll be highlighting some of the best places to hit up for your workday or weekend first meal of the day. Pondicheri welcomes all with a…
Flood Threat This Weekend in Southeast Texas
Tuesday’s rains, which were particularly heavy southwest and northeast of Houston, are just the start of an extremely wet end of the week. Our city’s weather pattern, which included something called a capping inversion that acted a bit like a giant umbrella for the area, has changed allowing Gulf moisture…
Budding Talent, Vibrant Space Amplify Classical Music With ECHO
Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra will play Classical Masterworks, featuring guest performers at a new venue this Friday.
The Marcus King Band’s Southern-Fried Confessions
The life and outlook of people are often tied to the geography of their upbringing. And for musicians, that geography and the people and the places they’ve been around will usually influence their work. For singer/guitarist Marcus King, that place is Greenville, South Carolina, up in the northwestern area of…
Fueled by the Ghost of Johnny Cash and LSD: Todd Snider Returns to his Talking Blues and Houston Roots
In the grand tradition of talking blues artists, Todd Snider brings the ridiculousness of life and current events front and center forcing listeners to take a look around. “If I had to really hone in on a religion, I’d say I’m an absurdist, and that would be my political party…
Rockets Win Game Four, Even Series: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The most anticipated series of the playoffs has lived up to the hype. Even when the Rockets led by 17 points in the fourth quarter, it felt like a close game. Like the previous three, game four ended within two possessions. Fortunately, the Rockets managed to come out on top…
Deciding on Who Gets Another Chance at Life in The God Committee at A.D. Players
A heart is on its way to a New York hospital. An ethics committee at that hospital has 90 minutes to decide among three patients as to which one gets the potentially life-saving organ. It’s Mark St. Germain’s The God Committee in an A.D. Players production at The George that…
Smoked Out: Pinkerton’s Barbecue
One of the best things to come out of the Texas barbecue renaissance in recent years has been the industry wide shift toward better beef. The best pitmasters in the state seem to have universally adopted prime as the only grade suited for their world class brisket. Even pork has…
Four Undrafted Free Agents That Can Make the Houston Texans’ Roster
In the National Football League, there is a certain pecking order to what exactly moves the needle on a roster. Sure, the franchise quarterback is at the top of the list, and after that are the highly drafted, highly compensated star players. However, the glue of a roster tends to…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: TC Turkey Club at Elliot’s Table
When Elliot’s Table describes the turkey on their TC Turkey Club, they mean battered and deep fried, praise Jesus. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Be a Reefer at Moody Gardens’ New Coral Rescue Lab
With proof that biologists and animal husbandry managers do have a sense of humor, Moody Gardens launched its “Be a Reefer” initiative on 4/20 day, though they swear it was really timed to coincide with Earth Day. All giggles aside, what’s with all this reefer talk? It turns out there’s…
The Revolution’s Lisa Goes Solo (on Piano)
Pianist/Keyboardist Lisa Coleman is pretty far into her musical career to be releasing her first solo album just now, but then again she’s been kind of busy. Most famously as a member of Prince’s band the Revolution from 1980-86, and also as a still-existing duo with that group’s rhythm guitarist…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Broadacres in the Rice/Museum District
The notable families who live in Houston’s historic Broadacres subdivision are there to stay; don’t expect much turnover among these stately mansions along the tree-lined boulevards near Rice University. The area is certainly wrapped in history; it is one of only 11 Houston neighborhoods designated on the National Register of…
Four Things the Rockets Must Do to Win Game 4
After the win over Golden State in overtime of Game 3, it became quickly clear there are some things that probably won’t happen again. For one, the Warriors had never lost a game in which Draymond Green had a triple double until Saturday. More critically, it is unlikely that Steph…
Game of Thrones S8E4: Emotional Drag
This final season of Game of Thrones is… odd. The pacing is all over the place, and that is sort of forgivable for the first three episodes. The build to the cataclysmic battle between the armies of the living and the dead felt strange to be drawn over three weeks,…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Pupusa Burgers and Fajita Fries at Bernie’s Burger Bus
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: New specials Field Trip at Bernie’s Burger Bus Chef Justin Turner’s latest zany burger, fry and milkshake creations travel south for a limited time only (at least a few weeks) at Bernie’s Burger Bus, 5407 Bellaire, 2643 Commercial Center, 2200 Yale…
Warren Zevon: The Werewolf’s Howling Life and Music
Nothing’s Bad Luck: The Lives of Warren Zevon By C.M. Kushins 416 pp. $29 Da Capo Press Rejoice, admirers of Warren Zevon! It’s here. While fans have been treated to a very good oral history, two tomes focusing on specific songs and albums, and even a photo book, Warren Zevon…
A Night For Guy: Third Annual Tribute and Benefit for the Late Guy Clark
This May will mark three years since we lost Texas singer songwriter giant Guy Clark. Clark’s songs and stories live on as some of the best songs ever written possessing that old school, literary quality not often represented in mainstream music. He and his wife Susanna spent some of their…
First Look at La Vibra
A few years ago, I read about “frico,” a dish wherein one heats cheese in a pan until it becomes toasty, caramelized and golden—it’s also a strategy that can be applied to dishes like grilled cheese. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to find a taco shop serving…
Constellations Offers Love Found, Lost and Found Again at the Alley Theatre
Marianne and Roland meet. They meet again. And again. In Constellations, a 70-minute, one-act with 52 scenes and zero furniture on the set , Elizabeth Bunch and Chris Hutchinson will experience one encounter after another — often with different outcomes — as two people negotiate romance amid a backdrop of…
J.J. Watt Charity Classic Raises Over $1 Million
J.J. Watt’s comeback from football’s medical rock bottom has been scintillating to watch and experience with no shortage of triumphant returns, the most astounding of which, of course, was Watt’s own return to the first team All Pro squad in 2018, with 16.5 sacks. However, underrated in its return was…
Confusion and Comedy Abound in Main Street’s Relatively Speaking
Mistaken identities make life interesting for two couples in Alan Ayckbourn’s garden farce Relatively Speaking, presented by Main Street Theater.
The Psychedelic Furs Deliver Hits and Nostalgia at White Oak Music Hall
Spirits were high last night as a single file line of devoted fans, mostly in their fifties, snaked around White Oak Music Hall. The Psychedelic Furs were in town. In a few hours, the British-rockers turned ‘80s-college-radio-staples would take to White Oak’s downstairs stage for a fast paced, career spanning…
The 1975 Know What They’re Doing, Even If We Don’t
The 1975, Pale Waves, No Rome Smart Financial Centre May 4, 2K19 Was this a parody of a pop show, or am I just hoping for more from a band who I think the world of? There is no question to me that when it comes to the performative aspects…
Last Night: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND WOODLANDS PAVILION MAY 2, 2019 “Felt the lightning/Waited on the thunder/Waited on the thunder.” Fans who had clamored to the Woodlands for what looked like a nearly sold-out show on Bob Seger’s “Travelin’ Man Farewell Tour” didn’t have to wait until near the…
Sum 41 Fills The Bronze Peacock With Aggressive, Pop-Punk Anthems
Sum 41 The Bronze Peacock May 2, 2019 Sum 41 wasn’t kidding when they named their current outing the “No Personal Space Tour.” On Thursday night, the Bronze Peacock — which has a capacity of just 300 — was overflowing with fans bathed in sweat and smiling from ear to…
Texans Sign Safety Jahleel Addae To Fill Secondary Void
On Thursday morning, I posted about five burning questions I had for the Houston Texans’ brass with respect to the roster and some of the areas that still needed to be addressed. The third question was this one about the safety position: How about a safety to backfill the mass…
Openings and Closings B.B. Italia Opens, Chef Ishikawa Returns
B.B. Italia Kitchen and Bar, 14795 Memorial, opened May 2, along with B.B. Pizza To Go, which is located in the restaurant as well. The new restaurant brings a fresh take on Italian food using high quality ingredients, which is no surprise coming from the Berg Hospitality Group. Restaurateur Benjamin…
The Five Biggest Traffic Headaches to Come in Houston
We all hate the traffic situation in Houston. It’s brutal and annoying and with population on the rise, it is likely to only get worse. But, that’s only part of it. Because we are right at the start of several massive construction projects that are going to slow things down…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Long Shot
Title: Long Shot Describe This Movie In One Weird Science Quote: DINO: Tell me something: what’s a beautiful broad like you doing with a malaka like this? Huh? LISA: It’s purely sexual. DINO: … No shit. GARY: She’s into malakas, Dino! Brief Plot Synopsis: Wheezy beardo fans old flame. Rating Using Random…
5 Good Things About Donald Trump (Yes, Really)
Donald Trump has done a few good things. To be clear, he’s done mostly bad ones. He’s more personally corrupt than Chester A. Arthur, more surrounded by criminals than Ulysses S. Grant, and more shamelessly duplicitous than Richard Nixon. I believe the only reason we have not seen a national…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Derby Day Meets Cinco de Mayo
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at El Big Bad Friday through Sunday 419 Travis El Big Bad is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a weekend-long fiesta. Now in its ninth year, guests can expect tequila samples, DJs and dancing, drink specials, face…
The Allman Betts Band Sets Out to Stake Their Own Musical Claims
Devon Allman remembers very clearly the first time he met future bandmate Duane Betts. It was 1989 and the two were thrown together on a bus that was taking the group that their fathers belonged to – a little act called the Allman Brothers Band – on a reunion tour…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Star Wars, Kentucky Derby and J.J. Watt
We can bet on the trifecta this weekend with multiple reasons to celebrate: Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, and Star Wars Day. Feel-good events are in the mix too with the JJ Watt Foundation Charity Classic and the BARC pet walk at Rice. Dance, comedy, a divot stomp at…
“Grilling For Good” – Chef Hugo Ortega, Michael Mina and EJ Miller’s One-Day Pop-Up at International Smoke
Houstonians love to eat out for a good cause. And when eating for good involves a celebrity chef pop-up? Even better. And that’s what happened last night, when celebrity chefs Michael MIna and executive chef EJ Miller of International Smoke teamed up with hometown celeb chefs Hugo Ortega and Ruben…
Grading the Astros After Month One
It’s early. REALLY early. At least in terms of the baseball season. But, the Astros have had a very solid start to 2019 and continue to ping pong back and forth with Seattle for the lead in the AL West. At the moment, that lead (or lack thereof) means exactly…
X, the Original West Coast Heroes of Punk “Year Zero,” Make Punk-Lit with a Wallop
Punk was the hurricane that helped turn the tide of American music in the 1970s-1980s, a decade that followed the end of the Vietnam War and encompassed both the moribund, mostly forgotten Carter presidency and the controversial Ronald Reagan era. The bands differed far and wide, but what drew both…
Five Burning Questions on the Houston Texans’ Roster Following the NFL Draft
In the NFL offseason, when roster building and repair is at its peak, there are generally three ways in which teams go about executing their makeover plan. For the 2019 offseason, two of those methods are on the books. The land rush of free agency took place in March, and…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: WTF Tacos and A Beer-Fueled Spring Carnival
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Velvet Taco, 4819 Washington, 907 Westheimer, has released its latest line up of 2019 Weekly Taco Features (WTFs), offering guests 52 chances per year to enjoy specialty tacos inspired by everything from classic comfort foods to dishes…
Visit The Red Planet With SPA’s Exploring Mars
Society for the Performing Arts will present Kobie Boykins, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory mechanical engineer, for Exploring Mars as part of its National Geographic Live partnership at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater.
Inside the Glass: Steven McDonald
In the service industry, wine buyers are considered especially talented. In Houston, those responsible are members of an elite squad. For them, two things are pretty much certain; a career in this field began with one memorable sip, and second, they probably rush home in between lunch and dinner service…
Explore How Architecture Has Been Preserved In Galveston’s Historic Homes
We already were excited about the return of clear blue water to Galveston Island, though everybody knows it won’t last long. Just as much of an attraction, and certainly more dependable, is the upcoming Galveston Historic Homes Tour. It’s the 45th go-round for this annual backstage pass to privately-owned homes,…
Hatchie Celebrates Her Swift Ascent and an Important Date in Houston This Weekend
The international dream-pop artist Hatchie has had lots to celebrate over the last couple of whirlwind years. Her acclaimed 2018 EP Sugar & Spice featured a song which was remixed by a member of Cocteau Twins, a huge Hatchie influence. She was dubbed “the dream-pop idol of tomorrow” by Pitchfork…
Al Green Works Through his Classics at the Smart Financial Centre
“We ain’t going nowhere. Y’all don’t think it’s time to leave yet?” tiredly asks Al Green as he checked his watch and looked over the audience at the Smart Financial Centre. The band idled as anticipation built while Green continued talking to the audience. A woman behind me that had…
Rockets Go Down 0-2 to Warriors: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
There were times in game two when the Rockets were within double digits of the Warriors and it seemed like a miracle. In the first half alone, the Rockets were down as much as 14 points, had 13 turnovers and gave up 14 offensive rebounds. That doesn’t even count an…
Dream Theater Bring Scenes From a Memory Back to Life in Houston
Dream Theater Revention Music Center April 30, 2K19 A few days ago, while prepping for this concert, my roommate turns to me and asks, “What kind of fanbase does Dream Theater have?” There were a few different ways I could have answered this, but what I finally landed on was…
In Miss Saigon No One Escapes Unscathed By War
A young bar girl in Vietnam during the historic war there meets an American GI. They fall in love but are eventually driven apart when Saigon falls to North Vietnam.She has his child and waits faithfully for his return. When he does, it’s with an American wife. Miss Saigon, a…
Regal Seafood in Stafford is Running A $4.99 Dim Sum Special You Don’t Want to Miss
Last week, on the recommendation of a friend, I visited Regal Seafood House in Stafford to try their fried shrimp and sea cucumbers. It had been a while since my last visit, and while the two dishes in particular weren’t as remarkable as I’d hoped, I was glad to reacquaint…
Houston Concert Watch 5/1: The 1975 and More
A new month is here and while spring doesn’t feel quite dead it does feel like it’s on life support already. No matter what the tilting of the Earth says, summer will begin whenever it damn well pleases. The start of May also means that hurricane season is right around…
Foltz Fine Art Preserves the Beauty of Texas Through the Eyes of 30 Artists
We’re all enamored with the Lone Star State; even those not born here got to Texas as fast as they could. But it’s easy to get stuck in the hamster wheel of commute-work-eat-sleep-repeat, and forget that our state is more than Houston’s freeways, high rises, and the beckoning glow of…
Late Night: La Lucha
Let’s give a warm, Southern welcome to La Lucha, the newest debutante to be presented here at the Houston Press’s late night dining ball. And a special thanks for representing breakfast foods on the menu in a most mouthwatering way. Don’t they say a breakfast a day keeps the doctor…
Houston By the Neighborhood: New Green Spaces on the Horizon
“They paved paradise. And put up a parking lot.” Not only did Joni Mitchell have a gift for lyrics, but she also was a keen observer of the decline of our natural surroundings. So isn’t it wonderful when those wrongs get righted through the planning of new green spaces? Here’s…
Jury Takes 4 Minutes to Convict a Woman in Dog Cruelty Case
A Houston judge has sentenced a 45-year-old woman to six months in jail after a jury took just four minutes to find her guilty of cruelty and the neglect of the two adult dogs who were in her care. A veterinarian who testified said neither had enough water, food or…
Harris County DA’s Office Plays Hard Ball With ITC, Files Criminal Charges
Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC), whose Deer Park refinery tanks caught fire last month in an accident that shut down local schools and the Houston Ship Channel for days, has been hit with five environmental criminal charges by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. DA Kim Ogg announced the measure, saying…
Sum 41’s Cone McCaslin Talks No Personal Space Tour, Order In Decline
Last week, Sum 41 released its first new music in nearly three years. “Out For Blood,” the lead single from the band’s forthcoming seventh studio album, showcases the seasoned punk rockers doubling down on the heavy leanings of their last few albums. Ahead of their performance at the the Bronze…
Five Ways to Fix the NBA Officiating Problem
No one should put the blame for the Rockets loss in game one on the officials, not entirely. If there were a percentage of blame to go around, the Warriors probably merit 50 percent, the Rockets 40 and the refs perhaps 10, maybe 20 if you are really steamed about…
Smoked Out: Ray’s BBQ Shack
When stepping into a barbecue joint for the first time, it’s always comforting to see a packed house. While success in the restaurant game isn’t always an indicator of quality, barbecue is by and large a word of mouth tradition. So a line of customers is as good as any…
Double Your Pleasure with Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo
Could there be a better way to start off May than a weekend of mint juleps and margaritas? We think not. While our proximity to our South of the Border neighbor and large Mexican-American population makes our affinity for Cinco de Mayo understandable, we are also jumping on that Southern Derby…
Mortal Kombat Takes a Swing at Donald Trump
My second favorite thing about Mortal Kombat (and Injustice) games after the stellar story modes is the pre-fight banter between characters. It’s a really good way to add some narrative without burdening the story mode with baggage. Mortal Kombat 11 is no different. We learn a lot of thing from…
Elizabeth Warren Doesn’t Owe Bernie Sanders a Damn Apology
Elizabeth Warren is the candidate on many people’s lips right now as she cuts through the political noise with some incredibly popular policy announcements. She’s come out with an inventive proposal to cancel student loan debt and provide immediate relief to around 95 percent of Americans. Frankly, the fact that…
Turn On, Tune In and Drop Out with the Heady Sounds of India Tigers in Texas
Texas has a rich musical history but it’s not all country and honky-tonks. People often overlook the psychedelic rock connection to the Lone Star state. It all began many moons ago with Roky Erickson coining the term Psychedelic Rock and melting minds with the 13th Floor Elevators. The genre blossomed…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Cuban at Cuban Spot
Is this the best Cuban sandwich of all time? Maybe. Is it the best in Houston? Definitely. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Four Thoughts on the Texans’ Exercising Will Fuller’s 5th Year Option
This Friday is the date by which NFL teams need to exercise the fifth year option on their draftees from the Draft Class of 2016. Most of the decisions are fairly obvious, and several teams had already made their decisions prior to this past week’s 2019 NFL Draft. The Houston…
6 Pianos In Surround Sound is DIY Classical Music
If you’re out and about this week and someone hands you an event flyer for an approaching show, check it to see if it’s a rare invite to a DIY classical music concert. What sounds like a musical oxymoron is an actual thing called 6 Pianos in Surround Sound and…
The Quebe Sisters Usher In a New Generation of Western Swing
Western swing may seem like an antiquated music genre. Think on it and you might envision male-dominated bands of Playboys, Doughboys and Valleyboys. Maybe you’d believe what remains of this music stays confined to Texas dance halls and bars. If those are your thoughts, the Quebe Sisters are here to…
Game of Thrones S8E3: Finally a Last of Us Gaming Movie
I have never been as tense during a show as I was during the last episode of Game of Thrones. Over the course of 90 minutes our heroes tried to stop the Night King’s undead army at Winterfell in a brutal, unrelenting battle that pulled the breath from your body…
Madama Butterfly at Opera in the Heights Soars in Japanese and English
Is there any opera in the rep sadder than Giacomo Puccini’s achingly radiant Madama Butterfly (1904)? You could opt for his Boheme, perhaps, with its poor Parisians scrambling for rent and love, succumbing to consumption and despair. Verdi’s Otello is tragic, for sure, but not ultimately sad so much as…
Where to Dine in Houston This Mother’s Day 2019
Mother’s Day is right around the corner (it’s on Sunday, May 12 FYI); and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate all the moms in your life than with a tasty meal that nobody has to clean up. From family-friendly brunch buffets to jazzy prix fixe dining experiences,…
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans Adding Seven New Faces In 2019 NFL Draft
There was a lot of speculation over how Houston Texans general manager Brian Gaine would handle his first draft with any real draft equity. Last season, he was without a first and second round pick, but this year he had not only one first round pick, but TWO second round…
Where the Chefs Eat: Austin Waiter of Tony’s
From 2012 to 2014, Houston Press ran a series called “Where the Chefs Eat,” (you can re-visit the entire series here) in which we asked some of Houston’s most prominent chefs where they ate when they weren’t cooking in their own kitchens. Though it ran its natural course at the…
Rock Hall Wrap Up
On Saturday night, HBO televised its coverage of the 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which took place this past March 29 at the Barclays Center in New York. And while hardcore music geeks pine for the time when the event was televised live and uncut, this…
Rockets Fall in Game One to Warriors: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The Rockets lost to the Golden State Warriors 104-100 in Oakland Sunday afternoon in game one of the Western Conference Semifinals. The game was not without controversy. Chris Paul was thrown out in the final seconds of the game after picking up his second technical foul and Coach Mike D’Antoni…
La Izquierda Festival: Celebrating Surf, Music, and Community on the Pier
This is the second year for Galveston’s La Izquierda Festival and last year definitely got them off on the right footing. “It was beyond anyone’s imagination how well it went, it went so good. Lots of people came out, it was a beautiful day and it had a little magic…
Houston Texans TE Ryan Griffin Arrested In Nashville
Back in the day, I used to have a gimmick that I executed in this blog during the NFL offseason called the “Fantasy Crime League.” It was a tongue in cheek homage to two things — the feverish need for NFL fans to have anything fantasy sports related to which…
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Houston With Lupillo Rivera y Flor de Toloache
On Cinco de Mayo we remember the Battle of Puebla when General Ignacio Zaragoza and a small but brave group defeated the French, allowing Mexico to come together with a renewed sense of national pride. Though the victory was short-lived, that date in history — May 5, 1862 — allows Mexican-Americans…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Free Tacos and Cinco de Mayo
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, April 29 Aslina Wine Dinner at Kulture Kulture Restaurant, 701 Avenida De Las Americas, welcomes Aslina Wines and Ntsiki Biyela, South Africa’s first black winemaker, to Houston. The wine dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and cost is $125 per…
Liz Phair Scares Up a Frighteningly Good Houston Show
Liz Phair The Heights Theater April 27, 2019 Liz Phair seemed fascinated by the idea of a ghost rumored to haunt The Heights Theater, the site of her Houston stop last night. She said she’d heard the phantom’s name was Henry (yes, the same name as a certain bartending friend…
Performances Drive Mystery Musical Murder for Two at Stages
In Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair’s Murder for Two, at Stages Repertory Theatre, a young cop hoping to make detective tries to solve the murder of a novelist with a lot of silly jokes and songs.
The Phoenix Isn’t Quite the World Premiere We’d Hoped For But the Cascade of Voices is Exceptional
I’m not the first opera critic to trash a world premiere – look at the beating critics gave to perennials Butterfly, Traviata, Tannhauser – so in years to come this review may be cited as staid, stupid, and close-minded. Yet I think I’m still correct in my first impression of…
Leon Bridges Brings A Night of Soul to The Woodlands
“I’m so happy to be in Houston,” exclaimed Leon Bridges as he adjusted the brim of his hat and walked into the white spotlight. The singer, dressed in all black, stood with his back to the audience and looked up at the two huge illuminated letters “L” and “B” as…
Chvrches bring synth-pop anthems to White Oak Music Hall
Chvrches White Oak Music Hall April 26, 2019 Since forming in 2011, the Scottish trio Chvrches has been steadily rising through the ranks of their indie peers. Their debut album, The Bones of What You Believe, introduced fans to the group’s 80s-inspired synth pop, with Lauren Mayberry’s shivering vocals acting…
Houston Texans Draft Alabama State Tackle Tytus Howard With 23rd Overall Pick
Up until Thursday evening, it had been practically two years to the day since the Houston Texans had the opportunity to use a first round pick in the NFL Draft. The last time they had a pick in the first round, it was their former GM Rick Smith moving up…
Snoop Dogg’s Puff, Puff, Pass Tour Brings Legendary Hits to the Smart Financial Center
“Man let’s give Houston something to smile about!” Snoop walked across the stage, golden mike in his hand, wearing a white shirt with the words “UNITY” underneath a crip and a blood dapping each other. Flanked by dancers and Tha Dogg Pound, Snoop crip walked across the stage, stopping occasionally…
Hard Work, Talent and Goats Developed Will Carter’s Good Bad Idea
Will Carter has done everything required to craft a solid music career. He started young, sang his heart out, worked hard, wrote good songs and milked goats. That last item might not be part of the typical recipe for music success, but without it Carter wouldn’t cook the way he…
Mortal Kombat 11: The Story Mode Review
Mortal Kombat is my favorite video game series I don’t actually play. I gave up fighting games in the ‘90s and never really looked back. However, NetherRealm has become the gold standard for story modes in the genre between Mortal Kombat and Injustice. All you have to do is look…
Don’t Forget to Clean Up Your Trash at Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame is slated to be the largest cinematic event ever. The grand finale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that started with Iron Man in 2008 might possibly be the first billion-dollar worldwide opening in movie history. Nothing has ever been like this before, and this weekend will be a…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Avengers: Endgame
Title: Avengers: Endgame Describe This Movie In One Lyric From “Sun King”: THE CULT: This is where it all ends. Brief Plot Synopsis: They couldn’t protect the Earth, so you can damn well sure they’re gonna avenge it. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4.5 Melllvars out of 5. Tagline: “Avenge…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Beats and Beets Garden Party, Katy Sip ‘n Stroll
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Houston Pets Alive at The Union Kitchen Friday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 6011 Washington All locations of the Union Kitchen will have donation boxes for Houston Pets Alive, but the Washington location will have adoptable dogs this Friday evening for…
Prepare Yourselves: I-10 Closed All Weekend West of Houston
Other than your garden variety construction on area freeways, the last few weeks have been relatively quiet when it comes to construction. Quiet for Houston, anyway, which is in a near constant state of flux when it comes to traffic. And certainly this is the calm before the storm as…
Phenomenon the Poet Offers Rap, Song, and Poetry on New Assassin Snail EP
“Assassin snail. Okay so – it’s an actual snail.” Phenomenon the Poet, is sitting outside on the patio of Ladybird’s. A nearly full moon hangs over the north side of the train tracks along Allen Street as the rapper, singer, and slam poet discusses the title of her new EP…
Openings and Closings: Rosalie Italian Soul is Coming, Squable is Open
Rosalie Italian Soul, 400 Dallas, is slated for a September 2019 opening. The restaurant, located in the soon -to-open C. Baldwin Hotel, comes from chef and owner, Chris Cosentino and co-owner Oliver Wharton. This is not the first collaboration for the duo. Cosentino and Wharton also teamed together previously to…
Latin Wave: Che Guevara, a Baby-Face Serial Killer, and Mexico City’s History
What is it about people behaving badly that elicits such fascination? In the news we gravitate toward stories about evil-doers and even some of the most compelling movies were inspired by real-life criminals: Goodfellas, American Hustle, The Wolf of Wall Street. That fascination for true crime is apparently universal because…
Hopping on Emily King’s Zooming Bandwagon
Emily King The Heights Theater April 24, 2019 When Emily King finished singing “Georgia” near the end of her well-received set at The Heights Theater last night, she took note of those who sang along in the audience. “You know you sound good. Let’s take this on the road!” she…
Five Best Prop Bets on the 2019 NFL Draft
If you live in Houston and you’re a fan of the Texans, then you already know that our long, citywide nightmare is about to end tonight — after two years, the Houston Texans will (barring a trade out of the first round by GM Brian Gaine) have a pick in…
Rockets Win Series Over Jazz: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The Utah Jazz employed every form of defense they could think of, all meant to slow down the Rockets and, more importantly, their MVP, James Harden. Yet, in the end, it was their inability to score that cost them. With 1:32 left in game five, the Rockets led 94-93. The…
Weather Weekend: Like Easter, but Warmer
The much ballyhooed storms overnight Wednesday mostly fizzled in the Houston area despite causing flooding and spawning tornadoes in other parts of the state. Most of the city received about a tenth of an inch of rain or less. And while we could use a little more rain, the skies…
Circles Around the Sun: The “Accidental” Jam Band
Neal Casal wasn’t expecting that a one-off, one-gig assignment would turn into a completely new and ongoing musical endeavor. But that’s exactly what happened in the summer of 2015 when the guitarist was asked by the Grateful Dead management to record some original instrumental music to be played for tens…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Cotton Fest, Cosplay and Canine Fun
What’s up is down during this wacky weekend in Houston with free cotton candy and wrestling at Market Square Park, a woman singing the role of Mozart in HGO’s newest opera, and live music rattling the hallowed halls at MFAH. It’s also a celebration of animals, from Attwater’s prairie chicken to…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Bistro Provence Wine Dinner, Kentucky Derby Socials
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial, is hosting a wine dinner with Jean Philippe Marchand on April 30. Marchand’s wines will be paired with a four course meal featuring foods of Provence. Also on hand will be Jean…
Missing In Harris County Day Is a Way For Relatives to Help Identify Family Members’ Remains
Last year, 40,175 children were reported missing in Texas (over 9,600 of these from the Greater Houston area). And while many of these cases ended up solved, as of December 31, 8,360 missing persons cases (children and adult) remain open in the state.Hoping to bring these numbers down, Texas Center for…
Liz Phair Hints at New Music and Discusses Her New Book of Horror Stories
You won’t be able to read a word of the Liz Phair memoir Horror Stories until it’s released in November, but if you’re wondering whether you’ll enjoy the book, its author suggests there’s a simple way to know. She said her plan for writing about her life and a storied music…
You Can’t Be Pro-Life and Anti-Vax
The anti-vaccination movement has gotten a booster shot lately. Measles cases are still on the rise in Texas, with the most recent number of confirmed cases being 15. In New York it’s even worse. To contain the spread there they have instituted an emergency vaccination order that fines parents $1,000…
Houston Concert Watch 4/24 – Snoop Dogg, Al Green and More
Obviously, many of you are going to spend at least part of your weekend in a dark movie theater watching Endgame. I will, ticket availability permitting, be one of you. But, don’t lose focus of all the great music options you have this week. How packed is this week? Here’s…
Tomar and the FCs Bring Their Soulful Sounds Back to Town and Join the Splice Records Family
Tomar and the FCs have only been kicking it as a band since 2015, but in those four years the soul band has infected Austin with their tunes and live performances. Front man Tomar Williams says, “I can honestly say Austin has been really, really good to us, overly good…
Leave Chef Boyardee Alone: Not Everything Needs to be Reviewed
Despite much evidence to the contrary, I’ve been a long time believer that the democratization of the Internet has been, if not strictly a good thing, at least a net positive for civilization. Yes, I do think that anyone with access to social media and the ability to sort of…
Collected Stories: Do You Still Own Your Story if You Tell it to Someone Else?
Ruth Steiner is a college professor of writing at some university in New York City. We presume NYU? She was famous in literary circles in her 20s for her short story collections and while her reputation within the literary community remains exalted, no one expects her to write anything else…
Five Players the Texans Could Take If They Pass on Tackles and Cornerbacks
When it comes to draft strategy this time of year, every NFL general manager trumpets the same mantra — “We will NEVER draft for need! We trust our board and select the best available player! Always! NOW! FOREVER!” Okay, maybe they’re not that obnoxious about it, but they do talk…
Jazz Stave Off Elimination in Game Four: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The Rockets have only swept one seven-game series in franchise history. That came against the Orlando Magic in the 1995 NBA Finals. That streak will continue as the Utah Jazz shut the Rockets down in the fourth quarter and stayed alive in the series with a 107-91 win in Salt…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Lucky Luciano at Tony’s Italian Delicatessen
The Lucky Luciano at Tony’s Italian Delicatessen in Montgomery is worth the drive, especially because it’s so big, you’ll have lunch for the next day too. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
The Houston Texans History In Finding Foundational Football Players
The lead into Brian Gaine’s press conference last week gave us the first glimpse into the stated goals of the draft coming up this Thursday: “We have four picks here in the top 86, so we get four selections here in the top three rounds. We’re going to get four…
No Tricks, Just Treats in Skating Polly’s Goodie Bag
Skating Polly, whose self-dubbed “ugly pop” blend of indie pop and riot grrrl punk has attracted some heavy hitters in those genres, began its musical quest as the house band for a Halloween party. Its co-front women and step-sisters Peyton Bighorse and Kelli Mayo were 14 and nine years-old, respectively,…
Dining Out For Life Raises Forks To Increase HIV/AIDS Support
Put the kitchen stove on pause and, instead, take up the cause for Thursday’s Dining Out For Life, a culinary fundraiser for AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc.
Smoked Out: The Pit Room
In this weekly series we’re visiting the many smokehouses that call Houston and its surrounding suburbs home, along the way testing their mettle and judging their brisket (among other things). This column aims to highlight both the restaurants and pitmasters that define Houston barbecue. There’s been much written lately about…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Brays Oaks
The circle of life can be found right here in the Bayou City. The historic Brays Oaks district experienced a tremendous building boom back in the 1970s and early ’80s with new single family homes and major retailers, then the region fell out of favor as homeowners discovered shinier, up-and-coming…
Stanley Booth’s Half-Century of Writing About Memphis and the Blues
Red Hot and Blue: Fifty Years of Writing About Music, Memphis, and Motherf**kers By Stanley Booth 400 pp. $19.99 Chicago Review Press Of all the American music journalists who invented the genre and cut their teeth in the ‘60s and ‘70s – names like Paul Nelson, Richard Meltzer, Lillian Roxon,…
Arya Stark Makes Us Uncomfortable Because We’re Not Used to Seeing Girls Become People
Spoilers Ahead for S8E2 of Game of Thrones It’s not a major spoiler I’m talking about here, but I am trying to be mindful of people who want to see Game of Thrones as unencumbered with foreknowledge as possible. So, this is basically a filler paragraph to give people a…
Ramen Tatsu-Ya Celebrates Crawfish Season with Crawmen
All right y’all! Crawfish season is in full effect once again. For last season, yours truly laid out varying methods, perspectives, and a firm list of dos and don’ts in the article, “Houston We Have Crawfish. Here’s What You Want to Do With It” Some of you read it and…
Weather Week: Possible Storms Mid Week
We just had one of the loveliest weekends this year with the kind of weather Houston gets maybe a handful of times each year. Dry air and temperatures only reaching around 80 degrees, it was positively stunning outside, perfect for Easter egg hunts. Unfortunately, it is possible that was our…
Emily King Floats to the Top of Music Fans’ Playlists With Scenery
Emily King is a New Yorker, through and through. She grew up in Manhattan’s East Village and when she decided her life and the music informed by it needed a change, she packed up and moved upstate, where she pieced together Scenery, arguably the best work of her career. The…
May Art Shows: Public Art, Empty Bowls and Dancing Through Space at MFAH
The news is out and we can all stop holding our collective breath. No, we’re not talking about the Mueller report, it’s the big summer exhibit coming to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. “William Forsythe: Choreographic Objects” is immersive — which we’ve come to expect at this point —…
This Week in Food Events: Celebrity H-Town Chefs Against Cancer, Kings BierHaus League City
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: New for April New Old Fashioned Menu at Rainbow Lodge Rainbow Lodge is introducing a menu of old fashioned cocktails that goes beyond the whiskey and bitters. Beverage manager Marc Borel has taken other spirits and created a selection for eclectic…
The Degree of Difficulty In What Houston Texans GM Brian Gaine Is Trying To Accomplish
Our long wait is almost over, Texans fans. After more than 720 days without a first round pick in the NFL Draft, the Texans will soon be on the clock, picking 23rd overall in the draft coming up this Thursday night. The consensus says that they will take either an…
An Interactive Experience: Montopolis Performing the Legend of Big Bend at the MFAH
Every Texan knows when to clap during “Deep in the Heart of Texas” but not every Texan has had the chance to see the stars burn big and bright. Montopolis, an Austin based rock and roll chamber orchestra, is bringing The Legend of Big Bend to Houston’s MFAH, bright stars…
The First Annual S.U.C. 420 Festival Celebrated the Work of DJ Screw
The first annual S.U.C. 420 festival was 12 hours of all things DJ Screw at Super Happy Fun Land Saturday, honoring the life and music of Robert Earl Davis Jr., the Houston innovator who introduced the world to his slowed down sound. With smoke of all kinds wafting through the…
Don Giovanni: Sex First, Then Hell
Dark. Dark. Dark. Impossible to believe, but Houston Grand Opera, in its tetrad-production of Don Giovanni with Royal Opera House, The Israeli Opera, and Gran Teatre del Liceu, has taken all the joy out of opera’s most bad-ass character, Don Giovanni, a.k.a. Don Juan. Depicted by legendary librettist Lorenzo Da…
Maren Morris’s Empowerment Pill Is No Placebo
Maren Morris devotes much of her new album, Girl, and most of her current live set to female empowerment and her campaign has clearly reached its target audience. Leaving her sold out Houston show last night at Revention Music Center, we followed some fans down Texas Avenue to our respective…
American Dreams in Syncopated Time: Ragtime at the Hobby
Ragtime (1996) is a serious musical. It has grand ideas, an epic sweep, an operatic production, a cinematic flow. Buoyed by a rich score, intelligent lyrics, and polished book, American history turns personal and deeply moving. This is musical theater as river, coursing and roiling, cascading then calming, forever on…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: CRAVE’s Easter Treats, 420 Nosh at Beaver’s and Burger Joint
CRAVE Easter and Spring Cupcakes Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1151 Uptown Park Boulevard There are three CRAVE locations around Houston to get your Spring and Easter cupcakes and cookies. Prices range from $20.40 for 12 mini decorated cupcakes to $35.70 for 12 regular size cupcakes. The Spring Bunny frosted cookie…
The Creative Fires of Jimbo Mathus Burn Hot
“It’s probably my most interesting work to date. On a scale of 1 to 10, it’s 10 in interesting.” Jimbo Mathus says about his recently-released record Incinerator (Big Legal Mess/Fat Possum). He makes this observation in an accompanying short film documentary The World According to Jimbo Mathus. That’s saying a…
Rockets Can (and Do) Go 10 Deep in the Playoffs
In the playoffs, there is little margin for error. Every play is magnified and the pressure is ratcheted to ridiculous proportions. It’s the reason most coaches have, for as long as the NBA has been around, opted for short rotations once the postseason begins. Using 10 or 11 guys in…
Way Too Early Prediction For The Houston Texans’ 2019 Regular Season Record
The Houston Texans’ 2019 schedule has now been revealed, and generally speaking, the one thing we can all agree on is that the list of opposing quarterbacks is scary as hell. If you want to go through it in detail, I’ve already discussed the many pitfalls of the slate of…
The Ties That Bind: Shovels and Rope Go Deep with New Album and Houston Connections
This year may only be four months in but it has already been a big one for Shovels and Rope. The husband and wife duo welcomed their second child, premiered Shovels and Rope: The Movie, curated their third High Water Festival in their hometown of Charleston, and just put out…
7 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Whole Lotta Love for Cars, Tunes ‘n 420
Love is in the air this weekend, and you’ll find celebrations of heavy metal, jazz, plants (both native and illegal), bad-a** cars, social justice through dance, and even an updated opera that puts a new spin on seduction, passion and guilt. Keep reading because there’s a “Whole Lotta Love” going down…
Openings and Closings: Two Daphne’s Mediterraneans, Chicken Salad Chick
Daphne’s Mediterranean, 107 Yale, is celebrating its grand opening April 19 with free Gyro Fries that day, while supplies last. The California-based chain acquired Noon Mediterranean out of bankruptcy in December. 2018. Noon had seen a couple of previous incarnations, first as Vertskebap, then Verts, then Noon. Now, the former…
Trapped on the Alley Theatre’s Tarmac
Ever been trapped on the tarmac at an airport, sitting in regular seating, while the first-class passengers continue to get their drinks and no, you can’t use the bathrooms? Alley Theatre, sad to say, grounded a lot of its audience in the same way Wednesday night. It’s not uncommon for…
Crimes of the Heart at the Alley Hits the Highs, Stalls on the Lows
Playwright Beth Henley hit some kind of gold with her southern quirky comedy Crimes of the Heart (Louisville 1979, off-Broadway 1980, Broadway 1981). It was her one certifiable big success and continues to play around the world. Crimes has warmth, charm, and a particular, skewed outlook on love, life, and…
Houston Texans Announce 2019 Schedule, Visit London In Week 9
Since the end of the 2018 regular season, we’ve known who the Texans’ opponents would be in 2019, and we knew where they would be playing each of them, but we didn’t know exactly when and in what order. Well, that was unveiled on Wednesday night, and without further ado,…
Rockets Go Up 2-0 on Jazz in Playoffs: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The danger of a Game Two at home after a Game One victory was clearly not lost on the Houston Rockets. Realizing that just one year ago Utah won at Toyota Center in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Rockets came out fired up and routed the Jazz…
Inside the Glass: Nate Rose
In the service industry, wine buyers are considered especially talented. In Houston, those responsible are members of an elite squad. For them, two things are pretty much certain; a career in this field began with one memorable sip, and second, they probably rush home in between lunch and dinner service…
Wild Fire Spreads Its Message of Empowerment On Been There
Sisters Kayla and Kelli Iutzwig are in tune with one another, so much so that you’ll notice how they seamlessly finish each others’ thoughts if you’re chatting with them for a stretch. Being in harmony seems natural to the siblings and it’s important to them, too, since together they’re Wild…
Escaping the Rapture with Rock and Roll: Oklahoma’s Parker Millsap Will Plug in at Heights Theater
With his release of Other Arrangements last year, Oklahoma native Parker Millsap seems to have purged himself of the religious guilt that comes with having been raised in a Pentecostal household. He went electric and allowed himself to have fun. “I just wanted to write songs that are really fun…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Win Free Antone’s Po’boys, Mix with Van Gogh at MFAH
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: The chance to win Antone’s free po’boys for a year is happening on social media through May 15. The “How Do You Antone’s?” contest gives fans of Antone’s po’boys an opportunity to win 52 vouchers, each…
Weather Weekend: A Rocky Start to a Beautiful Easter Weekend
Some absolutely beautiful weather early in the week gave way to rain on Wednesday ahead of a cold front that will move through Thursday morning. By the time you read this, it may already be over and the skies may be starting to clear. Rainfall amounts associated with the front…
The Phoenix Rises in HGO’s World Premiere of a Real Life Gifted Librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte
Mozart’s name is tied to some of the best music ever composed: including the operas Don Giovanni. Cosi fan tutte and The Marriage of Figaro. What has pretty much been left in the shadows — at least not a household name in 2019 — is the role of Lorenzo da…
Fours Keys to a Rockets Win in Game Two
The Rockets routed the Utah Jazz in Game One of their first round playoff series. But if you recall just a season ago, the Rockets manhandled the Jazz in Game One of the semifinals by 14 points only to have Utah return to Toyota Center for an eight-point win, ceding home court…
Murder For Two at Stages Features Two Piano-Playing Actors Embroiled in a Mystery
All good murder mysteries have twists. In the case of Murder For Two about to open at Stages Repertory Theatre that requirement goes beyond the whodunnit to the how-do-they-do-that in that it calls for two piano-playing actors who together play 13 roles. Trace Pool and Ben Miller are the intrepid…
Bloomsday Literary Makes a Newsworthy Contribution to Houston Publishing
Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton is the first African-American Poet Laureate of Houston. The internationally-recognized performance poet’s debut poetry collection, Newsworthy, celebrates its official release this Saturday with a book launch event at the University of Houston-Downtown. Mouton’s new work, in part, reflects on a post-Harvey Houston. She’s worked to promote literacy…
Houston Concert Watch 4/17: Maren Morris and More
What a wild few weeks. Wrestlemania. Coachella. And now a weekend that features Good Friday, 4/20 and Easter all back to back. So much to celebrate over the next few days, and of course some of those celebrations are going to be even better with music. Whether you’re making the…
Four Thoughts On Russell Wilson’s Record Deal, How It Affects The Houston Texans
Russell Wilson issued a deadline to the Seattle Seahawks a couple of weeks ago, and it was pretty simple — with one year left on his $87 million contract he signed a few years ago, give him an extension that makes him the highest paid player in football, by April…
Opera in the Heights Brings Powerful New Adaptation of Madama Butterfly
“Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” The Japanese proverb about resilience certainly held true when Opera in the Heights Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Eiki Isomura took on the challenge of adapting Puccini’s Madama Butterfly from the original Italian to Japanese. “It was the hardest thing creatively I’ve ever undertaken…
Late Night: La Tapatia Taqueria
What do goth kids, drag queens, and cater-waiters have in common? Margaritas. Tacos. La Tapatia. Because this is Houston, and Tex-Mex fits the bill before or after just about anything. Late night at La Tapatia there is never really a wait, though about every table appears taken. It’s the La…
The Black Moods About to Embark on a Happy Journey
Being an opening act – as most opening acts will tell you – is an often thankless chore. The crowd is mostly not there to see you, may not have ever heard of you, and is just waiting for the lead singer to announce “Thanks! We’ve got time for just…
Can The Astros Piece Together a 2017 Offense and a 2018 Rotation?
In 2017, the Houston Astros were, inarguably, the best offensive team in baseball. They were a relentless hitting machine that dominated virtually every pitching staff in the majors. But, they were only a so-so pitching staff moderately stabilized with the acquisition of Justin Verlander, with a very shaky bullpen particularly…
Pearl Crush Searches for “True Blue” in New Aquatic Themed Music Video
On a Thursday morning, just shy of two weeks from traveling to South Korea for the first time since she was adopted at four months old, local indie-electro artist Mandy Clinton, also known as Pearl Crush, sits on the Hemphill Street side of Catalina Coffee. While zooming cars on Washington Avenue and chirping birds…
Smoked Out: Roegels Barbecue Co
In this weekly series we’re visiting the many smokehouses that call Houston and its surrounding suburbs home, along the way testing their mettle and judging their brisket (among other things). This column aims to highlight both the restaurants and pitmasters that define Houston barbecue. Russell Roegels has been starting fires…
Relatively Speaking at Main Street Theater Explores the Human Comedy
When actor and Sam Houston State University theater professor Tom Prior heard that Main Street Theater Executive Artistic Director Rebecca Greene Udden had decided on doing the Alan Ayckbourn play, Relatively Speaking, he wanted in. “I love any character that he writes. Everything about his characters; I just have to play…
Five Wishes For The Houston Texans 2019 Regular Season Schedule
The Houston Texans finished the 2018 regular season with an 11-5 record, including nine wins in a row at one point. Yet, when Vegas put out their first round of season win total futures bets a couple weeks ago, the Texans were among a gaggle of teams with a relatively…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Five Corners
Everybody’s got a different definition of what it means to be “inside the Loop.” Purists know it means 610, though as the Houston metropolitan area has grown there are looser interpretations that it’s inside Beltway 8 or even more nebulous claims that it’s inside the Grand Parkway. Located smack dab…
People on Television Should Probably Be Drinking Less
I used to think it was just mommy wine culture that had gotten out of hand. You can’t even go into a Hallmark or pet store without seeing hyper-marketed allegiance to wine as the ultimate expression of suburban bliss, something I think Amy Schumer parodied perfectly. In her skit, “Football…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Shrimp PoBoy at Galveston’s Benno’s on the Beach
Finding a great seafood poboy ain’t easy, but a trek to the coast netted a really good one at Benno’s on the Beach. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
I’m Still In Love With You, I’m Still In Love With You
In 1973, I was eight years old. My favorite TV show was the Saturday morning live action cartoon Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. The best thing in my toy chest was the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. I was learning how to subtract numbers with multiple digits when I wasn’t distracted…
It Was Twerks Galore as Big Freedia Worked the Crowd and Herself Last Night at White Oak
Big Freedia White Oak Music Hall April 14, 2019 The forecast for the weekend was supposed to be wet and dreary but luckily the weather, as usual, didn’t listen to the projections. Houston, for the first time in a while, experienced an unexpectedly warm and beautiful Sunday. As the night…
Rockets Over Jazz in Game One: Four Winners, Four Losers
The two best defensive teams in the NBA since the All-Star break would seem to make for a rather low-scoring playoff series. That was true of one team on Sunday night at Toyota Center. The Rockets, particularly in the fourth quarter, shut down the Jazz offense and finished off Game…
Weather Week: In the Full Swing of Spring
This weekend was really a tale of two days. Friday and Saturday were rainy and Saturday turned a bit blustery in the afternoon as a cold front pushed through the area. By Saturday evening, temperatures began to drop and Sunday was a windy, chilly affair in the morning with brilliant…
This Week in Food Events: Ooh La La Easter, Dave Arnold at UB Preserv
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All Week Long Velvet Taco’s Weekly Feature Taco this week is a nod to that special day, April 20. From April 15 to April 21, the 4/20 taco will be available for those with the munchies. The Tokin Tikka starts with…
A New Season and a New CEO, Society for the Performing Arts Remains Eclectic As All Get Out
Looking at the upcoming season of the Society for the Performing Arts it’s clear that SPA is remaining true to its roots of determined eclecticism. The high art of cellist Camille Thomas is followed six months later by Vicki Lawrence & Mama. And let’s not forget the Peking Acrobats (…
Masters 2019: Four Thoughts on Tiger Woods’ Miraculous Career Resurrection At Augusta
Over the last decade, it’s not so much that Tiger Woods had hit rock bottom, but it was the fact that, if you wanted to pinpoint exactly when he hit rock bottom, you had multiple rock bottoms from which to choose. The most high profile and shocking nadir was in…
Sofar Looks to Grow the Houston Music Scene Through Pop-Up Concerts
A few months ago, my wife was scrolling through her Instagram feed when she came across a post from an old college friend. In it, singer-songwriter Madeline Edwards was serenading a crowd inside a venue my wife didn’t recognize. She checked who else was tagged, and saw an account she…
A Pinko-Red Wine Passover/Easter: 10 Holiday Recommendations
For the second time in a row, the Passover and Easter overlap this year: Erev Pesach (the first night of the Jewish holiday) falls on the evening of Good Friday. And (western) Christian Easter falls on the second day of the Passover, which lasts eight days. (But also keep in…
The Mexican Army Was Undone By Mud in 1836; View Artifacts in San Felipe
What if General Sam Houston and the Texian Army had not been able to defeat General Santa Anna and the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto? Would those of us living here in Texas today be on the other side of President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall? That…
Toast is a Weird and Wild Ride at Catastrophic Theatre
Toast, a world premiere straight from the minds of Brian Jucha and the ensemble over at Catastrophic, raises more questions than it answers.
A Stoppard, A Diva, A Deadbeat: Just Some of Main Street Theater’s 2019-20 Season
There’s comfort, challenge and collaboration among the main stage offerings in the new season announcement today unveiled by Main Street Theater. To start with, there’s a Tom Stoppard play, something Main Street has always loved and felt at home with (Coast of Utopia). In The Hard Problem, Stoppard explores what…
Gladys Knight Leads the Way With Laughter, Tears and A Whole Lotta Love
Gladys Knight Smart Financial Centre April 13, 2019 Smart Financial Centre has cornered the local market on legendary R&B and soul acts for the next several weeks. Al Green, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Anita Baker, The O’Jays, Stephanie Mills, India.Arie and Lionel Richie are all slated to visit the Sugar Land…
Hell’s Heroes Delivers 9 Hours of Headbanging Metal To Houston
Hell’s Heroes II White Oak Music Hall April 13, 2019 Damn, that was a lot of metal. Hell’s Heroes II was conceived as the only heavy metal festival Houston would need in 2019, featuring the kind of rarely seen bands that would draw headbangers from all over town and even…
HISD Trustees Refuse to Shut Down High School Ahead
Are Houston ISD trustees and Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan (and her administrators) not talking at all? How otherwise to explain last night’s 7-0 vote solidly against the administration’s proposal to shut down High School Ahead Academy, a special school set up during former Superintendent Terry Grier’s reign designed to serve…
Megan Thee Stallion Thunders Through Her Performance at Warehouse Live Last Night
Megan Thee Stallion Warehouse Live April 11, 2019 Thursday night a long line of fans stretched down Walker street and flowed past security posted at the front doors of Warehouse Live. People waiting in line snapped pics of themselves as a taco truck across the street repeatedly blasted “Big Ole…
When Radney Foster Lost One Voice and Gained Another
Radney Foster’s career as a country singer-songwriter stretches back to the 1980s. Over the years, he’s spent plenty of time in tour buses and vans, day after day of travel time that idled away without the distraction of a smartphone or an iPad. As he recently noted, “Two hundred and…
The Rockets Might Be Better Off with the Fourth Seed
In a bizarre final two nights to the NBA regular season, a complex set of scenarios, each more improbable than the next, all happened…at least for a few minutes at a time. The Rockets coughed up a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter at Oklahoma City. Less than an hour…
Opera: Bright Bottles‘ World Premiere Spotlights Vulnerability, Materialism
Bright Bottles, an opera told in three tableaux, will premiere its first act this weekend where composer and director Rashaan Allwood addresses the topics of vulnerability and materialism. The show starts 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Rice University’s Edyth Bates Old Organ and Recital Hall, 6100 Main Street.
Openings and Closings: Another Roastery, Another BierHaus, Bryan Caswell Pops Up
The Roastery Coffee Kitchen, 5895 San Felipe, had its grand opening April 8. This is its third location and Flagship store, attached to the H-E-B. The concept launched last year with Jason Giagrande and the rest of the FOUR J team, chefs Jonathan Waxman, Jimmy Bradley and Joey Campanaro, who have…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Fluff Bake Bar Simulcast
Here’s a look at some of the weekend’s best culinary happenings: A Waffleshot Simulcast by The Sugar Fairy Sunday, noon to close 314 Gray Rebecca Masson, one of Houston’s leading ladies of all things sweet and delicious, is popping up in Los Angeles at Waffleshot at The Original Farmer’s Market…
Cream Rises to the Top…Again!
As a working band, the lifespan of Cream was relatively short. Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals), Jack Bruce (vocals/bass), and Ginger Baker (drums) got together in 1966 after playing in various combinations in other bands. They took their name from being the “cream of the crop” of rock instrumentalists at the time…
Houston Texans, Where Are They Now? All The Non-Watson QB’s of the Bill O’Brien Era
So I’m on Twitter on Tuesday night, and I see that former Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage has signed on with the Detroit Lions to compete with Connor Cook for the backup job behind Matthew Stafford, and it made me harken back to 2017, when Tom Savage actually started in…
6 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Bollywood, Bluebonnets, Burlesque Rap
Along with fields of bluebonnets, alliteration is popping up all over the Bayou City. We’ve got burlesque rapper Boyfriend headlining the Legendary Art Car Ball, a Bollywood extravaganza at Miller Outdoor Theatre, an evening of dance titled Better Together, a chance to go shopping with the Houston Ballet, and an…
Get Ready HISD Trustees, Parents at the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School Are Headed Your Way
Parents say they were told by Houston ISD administrators that the sudden and unexpected resignation of Principal Chaolin Chang from his position at the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School was “a personal decision on his part.” Chaolin Chang himself has told parents his abrupt resignation after six years as principal of…
The Magic Is In The Movement In The Royale
At this point, it’s par for the course to call a production by the folks at the excitingly inventive Rec Room Arts, a knockout. This time, however, sighting the term knockout is both flatteringly and narratively descriptive. Yep, this is a boxing show. A show written by Marco Ramirez and…
Weather Weekend: Cooling Off After a Hot Week
So, how have you liked summer so far? In fairness, it hasn’t been summer exactly but it did hit 90 for the first time this year. Fortunately, it was dry and rather breezy, particularly on Wednesday. As hot as it was, it was a gorgeous day. The weekend will start…
Hell’s Heroes Fest Comes to Houston’s Metal Rescue (Again)
According to Christian Larson, the relationship between Houston, its music fans and the heavy metal genre is a complicated one. To fully explore its nuances would require “a whole interview on its own, with some beers or something,” Larson said. One day, we may persuade Larson to navigate us through…
Local Legend Bubbha Thomas Celebrated on Record Store Day
Asked to name an important or influential musician to come out of Houston, many will trippingly trot out the Usual Suspects of Beyoncé, Lightnin’ Hopkins, ZZ Top, or even Kenny Rogers (also, of course, an influential name in the chicken business). A name lesser known – but no less important…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Balcones Whiskey Dinner at The Dunlavy, Prince Week at Lucille’s
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: The Palm Houston, 6100 Westheimer, is the setting for a culinary cook-off and brunch April 14. Guests will be able to enjoy a special Palm-style brunch buffet while watching four student chefs from the Art Institute…
Art Car Parade Puts Wheels In Motion For Creative Minds, Upcoming Artists
The 32nd annual Houston Art Car Parade, powered by The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, will put wheels into motion with pre-parade activities starting at 11 a.m. and the main event starting at 2 p.m. Saturday in downtown.
Tony Reflex Returns: Fight back. Resist. Reeducate. Review. Renew.
Since 1980, the year-zero for the origin of hardcore punk in California’s vast suburbia, the Adolescents have produced uncanny records that explore both the psyches of disaffected youth and the troubling news of the world. They combine infectious musical hooks with tons of critical thinking, thus make music that is smart, tuneful, and ever-poignant, though…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Junmai Daigingo Sake
Mmmm, hot sake bombs. But, in an effort to dress this up perhaps something a little— more? “Top Shelf”, as they say? Junmai Daigingo sake: She just graduated college, accepted a job on Wall Street, but before all that took time to study abroad in Switzerland as well as squeeze…
How DeMarcus Lawrence’s $105 Million Extension With Cowboys Affects Jadeveon Clowney
In the NFL, while a player’s contract is a very personal, seemingly individual thing, every deal near the top of the market has wide ranging ripple effects. You see, signed NFL contracts are like houses sold in a neighborhood — not only do they (hopefully) enrich the person receiving the…
Heart Was the Best Planeteer Power After All
Back in the ‘90s there was a cartoon called Captain Planet and the Planeteers. The premise was that the goddess of Earth, Gaia, empowered five teenagers with elemental rings so they could combat pollution, deforestation and other eco-crimes. When things got rough, they combine their powers to summon Captain Planet,…
Houston Concert Watch 4/10: DMX, Big Freedia, and More
Let’s not dwell on the fact that temperatures are hovering around 90 degrees this week; alas, living in Houston means there will be plenty of time to fret about the weather. Fun fact: it was in the low 50s in Alaska last week, and people were losing their mind about…
Rockets Blow Fourth Quarter Lead, Chance at Number Two Seed
Everything lined up for the Rockets on Tuesday night. The Nuggets, on the road in Utah, lost. The Rockets were up 13 to start the third quarter. A win plus a Denver loss meant the team that was at the bottom of the Western Conference in November could climb to…
Menu Of Menus 2019 Made For a Great Goin’ Out On A Tuesday
The Houston Press Menu of Menu’s skrrrrt’d into its seventeenth year as people flocked up and down Silver Street Studios sampling items fresh-shucked and frozen. Ketel One, Don Julio and Balcones Distillery to name a few stood by to wash everything down all the while raising spirits along with the…
Texans Safety Justin Reid on Antonio Brown: “I Can’t Wait To Smash This Dude”
Perhaps you’re somebody whose only following of the NFL in the offseason surrounds the NFL Draft, or perhaps you take a few months off from football altogether once the season is over. (If you’re able to do that, good for you!) If that’s the case, then maybe you’re not totally…
Women Who Should Be In The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
Adding to an already remarkable career, Stevie Nicks made history last month when she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. (She was also inducted in 1998 as a member of Fleetwood Mac.) Nicks is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished…
Late Night: Night Heron
Night Heron, the newest concept to nest at 1601 W Main, has spent a year settling in to the Montrose neighborhood, a zip code that, these days, is a sure bet when hunting for late night grinds. The bar top, which is relatively well-lit in contrast to the chic, candled…
How Austin Became “Austin” is a Wild ‘n Weird Tale
Austin to ATX: The Hippies, Pickers, Slackers & Geeks Who Transformed The Capital of Texas By Joe Nick Patoski 376 pp. $32 Texas A&M University Press First things first: You are reading the identity of the publisher correctly above. That the literary cabal at College Station could (and would) put…
Astros Early Results Feel Familiar
Through 11 games in the 2017 season, the Astros were 7-4. The team that had garnered the cover of Sports Illustrated a few years prior with the bold prediction they would be World Series champs in 2017 was…underwhelming. There was talent, to be sure, but there was something missing. The…
Seriously, Why All the Hate for Mayonnaise?
For more than a year, I’ve been writing about sandwiches. It’s a labor of love, I can assure you. There are plenty of additions to sandwiches that are debated. I’m not a big fan of tomatoes and I think bacon, if used in the wrong situation, can be overwhelming. Some…
Funny and Smooth: Daptone Records Artist James Hunter Six Starts Tour in Houston
Anyone fortunate enough to have caught one of the past James Hunter Six shows in Houston already knows what this artist brings to the table. He is the real deal of old-school R&B; with a voice like the ones they just don’t make anymore and the guitar licks to match…
With No Rudy Tomjanovich, Basketball’s Hall of Fame Is a Joke
I’m a big fan of Halls of Fame, whether in sport or any other genre. They represent measuring sticks for greatness, and in the content generation business, they provide debate and discussion for days. In sports, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is hallowed ground. The Baseball Hall of Fame…
Don Giovanni Returns to HGO in a New Production with The Royal Opera
Well he had charisma. And a certain brand of courage at the end. Otherwise, it might be difficult to find too many kind words about Don Giovanni, the title character in the opera by the same name with music by Mozart. Houston Grand Opera has teamed up with The Royal…
5 Adoptable Dogs You’ll Meet in Puppies For Breakfast Heaven
We’re not sure who has the most fun at Puppies for Breakfast dog festival: the owners who dress up their pets in cute canine costumes, the rambunctious rascals who get to romp in the dog play area with colorful balls and a kiddie pool, or those who witness that Lion King…
Smoked Out: El Burro & The Bull
As much as any aspect of Texas barbecue, regionality plays perhaps the most prominent role in any pitmaster’s portfolio of smoked meat. The protein, preparation and flavor preferences of each region vary in ways both subtle and overt. From the whole-hog smokers of East-Tex, to the slow and low brisket…
Get A Life to Host Record Release Show at Deep End Records
Songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Chase DeMaster has a new band – again. The man behind multiple musical monikers such as Guess Genes, Kult Dizney, and most notably, Children of Pop, recently returned behind the guise of Get A Life. This Saturday night, the 33-year-old Houston native and his band will…
The Power of Facebook Foodie Groups in the Houston Area Restaurant Scene
Foodie groups on Facebook have changed the dynamic between restaurants and their diners and how they interact with each other. These foodie groups, which are closed groups but are free to join, have allowed for increased exposure for restaurants and a more accurate depiction of a restaurant’s overall performance.
Houston By the Neighborhood: East Montrose Architecture and Art Studios
Click your bedazzled ruby slippers together three times and say “Location, location, location.” With a whoosh of the magic wand — or a quick trip on METRO’s 56 Route — you’ll be transported to geographically desirable East Montrose, where historically accurate paint colors are optional, funky art is de rigueur,…
Weather Week: After the Rain, the Sun
Houston got its first significant rainfall in quite a while over the weekend. Some of it came attached to some heavy rain and thunderstorms Sunday afternoon. While we certainly needed the rain, we could have done without the winds and torrential downpours. But, hey, springtime in Houston. Fortunately, this week…
Comicpalooza 2019 Adds Barry Allen AKA The Flash to its Lineup
The Comicpalooza folks have added another big name to their headliner lineup with the announcement that Grant Gustin who plays Barry Allen/AKA The Flash on The Flash will be at the May 10-12 festival. Gustin, who was in the Broadway revival tour of West Side Story and on the third…
First Look: Taste Bar + Kitchen
What’s better than chicken and waffles? Try adding fruity pebbles and condensed milk. Now make them red velvet cake waffles. Now make it General Tso fried chicken. OK, so we went a little crazy. But that’s kind of the point at the newly opened Taste Bar + Kitchen. The new…
This Week in Food Events: National Empanada Day, Karbach Crawfish Fest
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, April 8 Celebrate National Empanada Day Killen’s TMX, 9330 Broadway, will feature two empanadas for the day. Carnivores will enjoy the adobo short rib empanada with barbacoa short rib, oaxaca cheese, romaine lettuce and tomatillo salsa. There’s also the creamed…
Dance Salad Festival Brings World-Class Choreography to Houston Audiences
Imagine asking Francis Ford Coppola or Steven Spielberg to edit The Godfather or Schindler’s List down to a short film, without losing the thread or storyline, so that it could be screened during an evening of shorts. After the initial emotion — horror, shock, insult? — hopefully those filmmakers would…
March Madness 2019: Texas Tech Is Going To The Championship Game
The first weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament was about as chalky a tournament as we’ve ever seen, at least through two rounds. For those not plugged in on the gambling parlance, “chalky” is just a fancy way of saying that almost all the favorites moved on — all the…
From Russia with Surf: Messer Chups Bringing Their Spooky Surf Sound to Houston
If someone took a vintage tiki cocktail mixer and added shots of Bela Lugosi, Dick Dale, a gothic Barbie, and a splash of Adam West-era Batman and Robin, the result might be something like Russian surf rock band Messer Chups. Messer Chups will be making their first appearance in Houston…
Margaret Atwood Doesn’t Suffer Fools At Jones Hall
An Evening with Margaret Atwood Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts April 5, 2019 If you weren’t familiar with celebrated author Margaret Atwood before the 2016 Presidential election, I bet you are now. Her most famous novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, didn’t just win the Arthur C. Clarke Award,…
Texas House Reps Seek Answers From ITC Friday In Austin
A panel in the Texas House of Representatives questioned International Terminals Company and those involved in the effort to contain the chemical fire that began March 17 at its facility in Deer Park, in a hearing Friday in Austin. ITC, who used independent fire fighting contractors including U.S. Fire Pump,…
Sunday Concert Fundraiser at Rudyard’s Planned For Angie D. Gailey’s Funeral Expenses
A fundraiser concert is planned for Sunday at Rudyard’s to raise money to pay for funeral and burial expenses for Angela “Angie” D. Gailey, 58, who was stabbed to death on Wednesday night in Houston. Police report that Gailey had been arguing with a neighbor in the duplex they shared…
Tyler Childers Evokes Kentucky Every Night, Everywhere
With a voice that seems impure, authentic, and down-to-earth mesmerizing, Tyler Childers’ narratives convey the forgotten places in the midlands of America — coal mine territory, river bed afternoons, gas station crime sprees, bills and babies. Part of his songs are pastoral reflections on places, like ducks in the reeds, while others tell the tales…
Openings and Closings: Kubo’s Rises Again, Mina Debuts, Balls Out Closes
Mina Ristorante, 3641 W. Alabama, will debut April 8 in the former Borgo Food Station space. Husband and wife Luis Mancera and Chef Monica Fallone have transformed their casual, European-style eatery into a destination Italian restaurant with an intimate setting while keeping some of the popular menu items at Borgo…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Pet Sematary
In his defense, maybe Louis assumed resurrection enhances the personality you had when you were alive. Cats are assholes, so it only follows that Church would be an even bigger asshole when he returned.
Twitter Etiquette: 4 Rules to Follow Right Now
Twitter is unstoppable. What was once primarily a way for people to post inane updates about what they were doing at every second of the day is now the de-facto news wire service of the twenty-first century…and a place for people to post inane updates about what they are doing…
Notions Of The Scam Are Everywhere In These New American Plays
The scam is having its moment in America. Bigger than a moment, actually, more like a mini-era. Just think about the last couple of years and how much of our news, concern, anxiety, gossip, and outright obsession has been focused on one kind of scam or another. Facebook data mining,…
Catching Up With Uché on His Idol Time
We’re on the phone with Uché Ndubizu, the Houstonian who is making waves as a contestant on the current season of American Idol, as he’s watching his own performance on the show. It’s the episode where his version of Jessie Reyez’s “Figures” has prompted Idol judge Katy Perry to feign a…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Tacos Over Texas, Hope Farms Earth Day {UPDATED}
Tacos Over Texas at The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. 2704 Navigation El Tiempo Cantina and The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation are hosting the 2nd annual Tacos Over Texas fundraising event with a taco competition featuring some of Houston’s best chefs. The mission is for each…
Four Big Questions About The Houston Texans After Free Agency
If the outset of NFL free agency is a fire hose, then we are most certainly down to the point in the free agency calendar where the faucet has been turned off, and all we are seeing, hearing, and feeling are small droplets from the free agency hose. And while…
Last Night: A Nipsey Hussle Vigil in Houston
Nipsey Hussle Vigil Midtown Park April 3, 2019 Midtown Park sits in between Travis and Main Street, resting under the shadow of an unfinished high rise, the foundation of which was poured just a short year ago. The area around the park has been the subject of a redevelopment and,…
Why Did KMCO Get a High Industry Ranking In 2017 Despite Violations?
Operations remained suspended Wednesday at the KMCO plant in Crosby on orders of the Harris County Fire Marshal’s office after Tuesday’s plant fire and explosion that cost 27-year-old James Earl “Bubba” Mangum his life and left two other men critically injured. One of the men identified by channel 13 as…
Weather Weekend: Hope You Don’t Have Outdoor Plans
Sometimes, the weather gods just don’t play nice with modern work conventions. Such was the case this week when the most beautiful late winter weather we have seen in a while landed on Monday and Tuesday. Quite the waste unless you were on vacation. But, that’s how it goes sometimes…
Aerosol Artists Transform Downtown For One-Night-Only Adventure
Secret Walls X Houston exhibition, taking place at Market Square Park on Saturday from 6 – 10 p.m., will welcome 10 artists for a pop-up, one-night-only art demonstration.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Prince Week and Southern Smoke Spring
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Lucille’s, 5512 La Branch , is hosting its fourth annual Prince Week to honor the superstar musician, Prince Rogers Nelson. On April 17 and 18, the restaurant will have two wine dinners with Prince fan extraordinaire,…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Grappa
Grappa is intense; yeah, it can sometimes be compared to “paint thinner,” but looking past the high proof, there exists an intoxicating aroma and layer of fruitiness that some people really geek out on. Marolo is an excellent distiller of grappa with a catalogue including the viticultural zones of Barolo…
The Most Significant Offseason Move For Each Texans 2019 Opponent
It appears that the free agency portion of the offseason is winding down. Houston Texan fans would say that it’s been largely winding down from about the time that it started, but their lack of activity in free agency is neither here nor there, for the purposes of this post…
Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Margaret Atwood, Fast Cars and ‘Stros
There’s literally something for everybody this weekend in Houston. Muscle cars, literary superstar Margaret Atwood, opening day for baseball, and even a plant sale to jumpstart your pollinator garden. Film buffs can choose between attending WorldFest or seeing home movies on the Menil’s exterior; music lovers have opera, chamber music…
In Crimes of the Heart at the Alley, There’s Conflict and Humor in an Attempt to Move On
It’s a play that starts with a literal bang. We’re in Mississippi in the mid-’70s at the home of the Magrath sisters and Babe Magrath has just shot her husband. The reason is both confounding and simple: She didn’t like his looks. Sisters Lenny and Meg circle the wagons; Meg…
Season One of Barbecue Travel Show BBQuest is Now Streaming on Hulu
Season One of the Texas-centric barbecue show, BBQuest, produced by Beef Loving Texans, the organization dedicated to promoting Texas beef and the ranchers who raise it, is now streaming on Hulu. The four-episode first season dedicated an episode a-piece to the four major urban centers of Texas: Houston, Dallas, Austin…
Four Thoughts On Texans Safety Andre Hal’s Retirement Announcement
Sometimes, the unexpected can happen in an NFL offseason. With safety Andre Hal, it’s happened now this offseason AND last offseason. Last year, in June, Andre Hal was announcing to the world that he had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His career was put on hold, and he was left to fight for…
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Easter Dining in Houston 2019 [Updated]
Here’s a list of special Easter brunches and dinners around Houston. Whether it’s you and a few friends or a gaggle of extended family members, there’s a place to fit everyone’s budget and holiday preferences. And remember to check back with us. We will be adding more restaurants to the…
5 Tips on Staying Sane and Healthy Working from Home
Last year, I spent some weeks inside the kind of hospital where they ask you why you’re so depressed. One of the things that my doctors talked with me about in great length is how to make working from home healthier. That seems weird, right? If you tell people you…
Sampson Remaining at UH Great for the Program
It took the University of Houston men’s basketball program 35 years to get back to the sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. It took them 34 just to win a game in the tourney. Three decades ago, it was Guy V. Lewis, the unique and innovative Hall of Fame coach,…
Late Night: Bacco Wine Bar Montrose
After a bottle of wine and a few baked goods Agora fell into Boheme’s arms. She felt his bicep tighten under the pressed white Calvin Klein oxford as he caught her, pulling her up into his arms. She could smell the sun on his chest mixed with a hint of…
PUP Shoots and Scores with New Album Morbid Stuff
PUP, the punk pride of Toronto, Ontario, is unveiling its newest album this week. Critics who’ve heard Morbid Stuff in advance of its April 5 release are hailing it as the band’s best work. Houston fans will get to hear songs from it live when PUP returns to the city…
One Dead, Two Injured As Another Plant Fire Hits the Houston Area
On Tuesday afternoon, fires were still burning at the KMCO chemical plant in East Harris County with reports that one person died in the blaze and two others were critically injured and were taken by ambulance to Memorial Hermann. By 5 p.m. the fires were out and the one-mile shelter-in-place…
Tainted Cabaret Pushes The Envelopes of Naughty and Funny at The Secret Group
“I first picked up a guitar at 20 or 21. I just wanted to make my friends laughs, and kept thinking up silly little ideas.”
Alfred Blue Moves On From Texans, Signs One Year Deal In Jacksonville
Empirically, Alfred Blue is an NFL success story. As a sixth round pick out of LSU in 2014, the fact that Alfred Blue is still bumping around the league in 2019 means he has, by definition, defied the odds, and for that he should be applauded. Yet, I couldn’t help…
Three Albums In, Chris Cohen Is Hitting His Stride
For more than a decade, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, Chris Cohen, was an artist lurking behind the scenes of the indie-rock world, touring and recording with some of the most enigmatic and critically-revered artists around, from Deerhoof to Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti to Cass McCombs. In 2012, however, Cohen stepped out…
Ranking the Rockets’ Potential First Round Opponents
As of writing this, the Rockets sit at third place in the Western Conference, a half game up on Portland. Even though the Blazers won the season series, the Rockets have the advantage because they won their division. So, if the teams end the season tied, the Rockets win the…
Smoked Out: Truth BBQ
In this weekly series we’re visiting the many smokehouses that call Houston and its surrounding suburbs home, along the way testing their mettle and judging their brisket (among other things). This column aims to highlight both the restaurants and pitmasters that define Houston barbecue. Brenham is a small, awkwardly located…
Hefty Bio on Zeppelin Guitarist Jimmy is a Real Page Turner
Jimmy Page: The Definitive Biography By Chris Salewicz 528 pp. $30 Da Capo Press It takes some huevos to call your book the “definitive” biography on anybody – especially when that stone has been unturned (and unturned…and unturned) many times before. But English music journal Salewicz – who has also…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Bridgeland in Cypress
If you have an active lifestyle, enjoy the great outdoors, and want to live near parks, waterways and green spaces, then master-planned communities just might be the way to go. Last year the Texas Association of Builders named the Howard Hughes Corporation® the top developer of the year for its Bridgeland® community in…
Take Your Next Step Toward a Zero Waste Footprint This Earth Day
If you’ve ever felt guilty about the number of bags on the curb come trash day, the amount of water it takes to keep the lawn looking green, or how your electricity bill spikes during the summer, then you’ve already taken the first step toward a zero waste footprint. Where…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Unstoppable Force at Grindbreak eSports Cafe
At Grindbreak eSports Cafe, the bread’s the thing, especially on the Unstoppable Force. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
NCAA March Madness: Four Thoughts on the Elite Eight
The first weekend of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament was, quite frankly, pretty boring, with virtually no buzzer beaters or last second plays to decide games, and even fewer Cinderella stories. The Sweet Sixteen this weekend consisted of all four 1-seeds, all four 2-seeds, all four 3-seeds, two 4-seeds, a…
Four Reasons Not to Panic, Astros Fans
If you have been on vacation, you’re forgiven for missing the opening of the Astros season. And, to be honest, you didn’t miss much. The Astros lost three of four in Tampa Bay, including a game two loss to former Astro Charlie Morton. The bats were awful — Alex Bregman…
Camera Cult Blends Western and Neon Aesthetics with “Location” Music Video
Ricky Vasquez and David Gonzalez of local electro-pop trio Camera Cult are sipping nitro cold brews, their standard drink order, at Black Hole Coffee on a Wednesday night. A few minutes into discussing their recently released “Location” music video, Skyler Scholtes joins the table. It’s his 25th birthday. “The quarter…
Weather Week: Enjoy This Last Gasp of Winter
We took a glance at the calendar on Sunday. It said March 31, but we swore it was January 31. Temperatures hovered in the 50s all day long under overcast skies. We avoided rainfall, which made the day not too bad, even outside assuming you had a jacket on. You’ll…
Cirque De La Symphonie Takes Live Music To Soaring Heights
The jaw-dropping thrills of the Big Top will take centerstage with Cirque de la Symphonie. World-class acrobats, aerial flyers, contortionists, strongmen, jugglers and tumblers will take the Houston Symphony live music experience to soaring heights April 26 – 28 at Jones Hall.
This Week in Food Events: Celebrate Astros Home Opener at Biggio’s, Crawfish Everywhere
Here’s what’s happening in Houston’s culinary events this week: Wednesday, April 3 Fifth Anniversary Dinner at KUU The acclaimed sushi restaurant KUU, 947 Gessner, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a four-course dinner and wine pairings by chef Adison Lee. There will also be live music and free gifts. The…
Nevermind the Bad Weather Outside, Andrew Hozier-Bryne Plays Up a Storm at Revention
Houston weather is predictable in its unpredictability so the early spring, 30-degree drop that happened Saturday just shortly before Andrew Hozier-Bryne hit the stage at the Revention Center should have been a surprise to no one that’s lived here for at least a season. Fans quickly rushed into the arena…
The Revivalists and Their Fans Spread the Gospel
The Revivalists Revention Music Center March 29, 2019 Most concert reviews are the written thoughts of one person, some solitary soul assigned to venture into a venue, listen to songs performed live by an act and formulate opinions on the experience. The earnest reviewer evaluates the tonal precision of the…
The Leading Ladies at Queensbury’s Side Show Deliver Magnificently
“Come look at the freaks,” sings the chorus at the top of Side Show (1997, revised 2013), as a panoply of “outsiders” display themselves to our gaze. There’s a bearded lady (Katie Chaisson), a dog boy (John Magalhaes), a three-legged man (Talon Broughton), a human pin cushion (Megan Morgan), a…
Why Don’t We Are The Champions At Smart Financial Centre
It was kind of fun to note exactly what was eliciting the screams in question. Going by my own hazy recollection, the loudest were in response to references to Houston, prom, and Corbyn saying his pants were falling down.
Alley Theatre Finishes Announcing its 2019-20 Season Under its New No-Tantrums Artistic Director
Promising no tantrums, no screaming fits directed at the actors or stage crews, the Alley Theatre’s new artistic director Rob Melrose, today announced the rest of the Alley’s next season, the first of his devising and one that includes a modern retelling of the Don Quixote story, a Lawrence Wright…
Touching Down at the House of Blues, Rapper Moneybagg Yo Shows Off His Arsenal
Moneybagg Yo touched down in Houston on the same night the Rockets played the Nuggets. Those two things aren’t really related to each other except for the fact that last night a few blocks of downtown were packed with red jerseys and fans of Memphis rap. As Harden and…
Imagination Runs Wild and Jokes Fly in Mildred’s The Hunchback of Seville
Charise Castro Smith’s The Hunchback of Seville answers some big “what if” questions at Mildred’s Umbrella.
Openings and Closings: Killen’s Set for Heights, Les Ba’get Reopens
Killen’s, 101 Heights Boulevard, will open late summer 2019 in the spot that formerly housed longtime Houston barbecue joint, Hickory Hollow, which closed this past January. The Fallbrook location of Hickory Hollow remains open. Ronnie Killen, a James Beard nominee and restaurant king of Pearland, is already set to open…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Hotel Mumbai
Hotel Mumbai isn’t the kind of movie you “enjoy,” exactly. It’s a gut-churning and pitiless experience, much like United 93.
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Wooster’s Garden Turns Four
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Tomball German Heritage Festival in Old Town Tomball Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 201 South Elm All weekend long, the annual Tomball German Heritage Festival will take place in…
Carmageddon II: The Constructioning
It seems almost like a hysterical irony that April Fool’s Day is Monday. Because if you don’t feel like a fool climbing into your car and setting forth on area freeways now, you probably will by the start of next week. Look, man, we don’t want to harsh your buzz,…
Kevin “Shinyribs” Russell Dares You Not to Smile
Kevin Russell, also known as Shinyribs, has a bevy of nicknames. Before he takes the stage you can hear him called anything from “The Baryshnikov of the Big Thicket” to “the Pavarotti of the Piney woods” and a live show will expose you to anything from his witty original songs…
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Horna Show at White Swan Cancelled After Outcry Calling Them Nazis and Unwanted in Houston [UPDATED]
Houston music has been in a decidedly “fuck Nazis and their Nazi bullshit” mood for the past few years. The latest skirmish in that fight was a public outcry against an upcoming show by Horna at White Swan. After organized public resistance, the club will no longer host the show…
HISD Trustees Go Back to Square One, Discuss Their Options Tonight
For the last three years, Doris Delaney has been appointed by the Texas Education Agency to help straighten out Houston Independent School District. As a state-appointed conservator she has fairly substantial powers that range far beyond just giving advice. For instance, as she did just this past Monday, she can…
Farce is Very Much Alive in The Play That Goes Wrong at the Hobby Center
In case you’re wondering, farce is very much alive. Traipse to the Hobby – one does not walk to a farce – and exercise your funny bone with The Play that Goes Wrong. It’s a workout. Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, all founding members of England’s…
Houston Headbangers Hold Benefit for Family of Late Texas Metal Icon Bruce Corbitt
Six of Houston’s best heavy metal acts will pay tribute Saturday to the legacy of Texas underground metal legend Bruce Corbitt, who died of cancer earlier this year.
Tales From The Top Shelf: Underberg Bitters
Twenty milliliter bullets of Underberg Bitters are the Tic-Tac of the restaurant and bar industry. A one-and-done digestif packaged in a cute little brown bag that helps the body to relax whether it’s post-chili dogs or post-omakase. German made, Underberg is proudly “One serving, a portion of well-being,” that uses…
Weather Weekend: The Clouds Return, But Probably Not the Rain
The weather this week has been nothing short of spectacular. With cool temperatures and sunny skies, if you were able to get outside, this was the week to do it. Unfortunately, the continued lack of rain has made for some really awful allergy conditions as pollen counts remain basically off…
Five MLB Season Win Total Best Bets for 2019
Of all the sports on which I enjoy betting, and there are many, the most tedious and possibly degenerate to bet in the form of individual, regular season games is baseball, where even the absolute worst teams win games about 40 percent of the time. Therefore, my play in the…
Guy Schwartz & the New Jack Hippies Return With South By Due East Music Festival
Guy Schwartz & the New Jack Hippies Host the South By Due East Music Festival this weekend at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar.
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Polo, Wiener Dogs and Siempre Selena
Spring has sprung and we’ve got all sorts of great reasons to get out of the house this weekend in Houston. Memorial Park plays host to the Bayou City Art Festival, a walkable feast for the eyes; the Houston Polo Club starts back up with the new season; and there’s…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Smash Wagyu Dogs on Astros Opening Day
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Kuu Restaurant, 947 Gessner, will host its fifth anniversary dinner on Wednesday, April 3, with seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. Guests can enjoy a four-course dinner with wine pairing for $65 per person. Call 713-461-1688…
Game of Thrones’ Mother of Dragons is Coming to Comicpalooza 2019
Never let it be said that Houston’s Comicpalooza doesn’t know how to catch lightning in a bottle. Just announced: Emilia Clarke who plays Daenerys Targaryen on Game Of Thrones (about to enter its much-anticipated final season) will headline the event. Also present during the May 11-12 event at the George R…
James Beard Foundation Says Thanks For the Hospitality Houston, But No Awards For You
Talk about a wipe out. Despite the nominees announcement dinner being held in Houston last night, not a single Houston chef, bar or restaurant was named today as a nominee in the 2019 James Beard Awards. No nominees, means no winners this year. All those happy faces at last night’s…
Recap: Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner A Showcase of Houston’s Best Culinary Talent
In anticipation of today’s James Beard Award finalist announcements — which are being broadcast for the first time ever from Houston — last night, the H Town Group, helmed by 2017 JBF Best Chef Southwest winner Hugo Ortega, hosted an all-star Friends of James Beard Benefit dinner at their coastal…
Influencer or Freeloader? 10 Tips for Social Media Users Who Expect a Free Lunch.
There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. —Heinlein It happens all across America every day, from metropoles and megalopoles (like the one we live in) to small towns in the heart of farmland: Food-focused social media users ask restaurateurs to pick up their tab in exchange for content…
Michael Bublé Brings Charm, Soaring Vocals to Toyota Center
Michael Bublé Toyota Center March 26, 2019 They’re either going to forget you, or your absence will make their hearts grow fonder. That’s what Michael Bublé’s publicist told him after his son’s cancer diagnosis sidelined the Canadian singer-songwriter from touring for nearly five years. And while that may sound harsh, it’s a well-known…
A First Look at Common Bond and Van Gogh
April in Paris may be the dream of many a romantic soul, but April in Houston can be pretty wonderful, too. We may not have the Eiffel Tower or the Seine, but we’ve got The Williams Tower and Buffalo Bayou. If longing for champagne in France on a beer budget…
Hope Stone Dance Tells ‘s (a tale of possession) with Bird Cages, Shoe Boxes and Pink Floyd
Hope Stone Dance presents ’s (a tale of possession), choreographed by HSD’s founder and artistic director Jane Weiner.
Four Questions As the Astros Begin the 2019 Season
The flowers are blooming, the weather is starting to warm up and spring break is in the rearview mirror. It’s springtime and that means baseball. The Astros begin their 2019 campaign after a record-setting, yet ultimately unfulfilling 2018. Of course, anything short of another World Series victory would be a…
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Harris County Commissioners Vote to Sue ITC Over Costs From Its Plant Accident [UPDATED]
In a unanimous vote Tuesday, played out before a packed room of onlookers, Harris County Commissioners Court voted to sue ITC for the fire and toxic chemical spill at its plant that shut down schools and the Houston Ship Channel, had nearby residents sheltering in place and will perhaps have…
Who’s The Next Big Houston Sports Contract To Be Signed?
It’s been a big week for locking up foundational players, with the Houston Astros signing third baseman Alex Bregman to a six year extension, and then a few days later, signing ace pitcher Justin Verlander to the highest annual salary in team history — two years, $66 million. Living in…
Houston Jewish Film Fest Includes 1924 Satire That Foreshadowed Holocaust
Social media and the interwebs provide an outlet for hatemongers. Those amplified thoughts also increase the dangers of classifying people as “others” and create an environment where it becomes easier to think of entire populations as unwanted or threatening. More than a few parallels have been drawn between the rise…
Late Night: Pepperoni’s Pizza
Pepperoni’s Pizza, located in Montrose, is a shiny operation, with an even shinier online platform. Ordering is click, click, relax and get back to whatever it was that made pizza delivery sound appealing. Also located in the ‘burbs, Pepperoni’s Pizza is family owned, with 14 locations, and at the Montrose…
Houston Concert Watch 3/27: Hozier, The Beach Boys and More
I’m in the middle of planning a vacation, and nothing puts the calendar of riches our live music venues provide more than trying to find things to do in a city with little to no touring shows. I’m a big believer in catching shows in different venues just for the experience…
Four Thoughts On the Retirement Of Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski
As the Houston Texans were reconfiguring their secondary this offseason, allowing safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson to walk in free agency, one big focus in finding their replacement was to locate a safety who excels in covering tight ends. Therefore, they signed former Jaguar Tashaun Gipson, perhaps the best…
Some Historical Significance in UH’s Return to the Sweet 16
UH men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson summed up how his team felt about being the first team since Phi Slama Jama to reach the NCAA Sweet 16, “These guys weren’t born,” Samson said. “So that means nothing to them. Like when they came here, everybody likes to talk about Phi…
Nick Mason’s Sauceful of Secrets is the Best Pink Floyd Experience in Decades
Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets Jones Hall March 25, 2K19 In a vacuum, calling Nick Mason “the heartbeat of Pink Floyd” seems just a bit too on the nose. He’s the drummer, yes, and drum beats are close to heartbeats, but the phrase itself feels a bit like forced poetry…
New Gun Nut Talking Point: Gun Control is Privilege
This month New Zealand experienced a horrible white supremacy terror attack that killed 50 people. In the wake of that tragedy their government is skipping the “thoughts and prayers” portion of the Stages of Mass Shooting and going straight into banning “military-style semiautomatic weapons.” Their neighbor, Australia, passed similar measures…
5 Thoughts on the Rumored Nintendo Gaming Phone
The gaming world right now is abuzz with Google’s recently-announced Stadia, an all-streaming gaming platform. I’m pretty skeptical because I’ve tried the similar PS Now service, and all it does is remind me why I should keep my PS3 hooked up or wait for PS4 remasters. However, you can read…
The I-10 Connection Between Houston and The Revivalists
When you live and work in New Orleans, there’s no other place in the world quite like your home and if you make your living making music that’s even truer. But, if there’s a place that comes close for the Big Easy-based rock band The Revivalists – and particularly its…
Smoked Out: Blood Bros. BBQ
Smoke plus meat is a winning combination as old as our ability to create fire and manipulate its heat for cooking. Once used as a method of preservation, the act of smoking raw meat has evolved into a sophisticated and ancient art form. Like all the world’s greatest masterpieces, both…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Hoisin Butter Chicken Baguette at Les Ba’get
The Hoisin Butter Chicken Baguette (their bánh mì) at Les Ba’get is sweet comfort Vietnamese style. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston
A Boss Book on Springsteen’s Songs
Bruce Springsteen: The Stories Behind the Songs By Brian Hiatt 288 pp. $35 Abrams Books For the general music listener, a biography or autobiography of their favorite artist would probably suffice in terms of reading investigation. More hardcore fans like to dig deeper, and will devour books that are based…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Touring the Homes and Gardens in the Heights
Charming, historic, pedestrian friendly, and now with beer and wine available from the grocery store, the Heights neighborhood remains one of Houston’s shining stars. With an eclectic mix of Victorian and Queen Anne style residences, interspersed with new construction and domiciles-turned-offices, it’s easy to envy those lucky enough to live…
Regional Premiere of The Royale Brings Fight of the Century to Rec Room Arts
Writer Marco Ramirez knows how to script conflict. In television’s Orange Is the New Black he cemented Red Reznikov’s fate with the Mafia when she punctured the breast implant of a mob wife, and in Sons of Anarchy a meeting between the Niners and the Lobos ended in a hail of…
TEA Conservator For HISD Suspends the Superintendent’s Search
The Houston ISD school board that voted in February to continue its search for a permanent superintendent was hauled up short Monday when a Texas Education Agency conservator assigned to the district told them to halt proceedings. Dr. Doris Delaney sent the board a letter dated March 25 saying they…
Weather Week: Another Nice Spring Week on Tap
Despite a few clouds, it turned out to be a pretty nice weekend. The sun managed to peek through the clouds off and on, and the mild temperatures along with a pleasant breeze made for some great spring weather. More of that is coming this week. Monday should be much…
ITC Reports Progress and No More Setbacks at Its Deer Park Plant
The U.S. Coast Guard stepped up its efforts to reopen the Houston Ship Channel Sunday, by tripling the length of its booms as it worked to capture more of the chemical toxins released in the March 22 containment wall breach that followed the March 17 ITC tank farm fire. Lt. Commander…
Before They Were All Anxiety and Bile, Pink Floyd Knew How to Have Fun
Bands evolve. This is been part of the template of rock and roll since the very beginning. The four lads who created a sensation at the start of their careers were a different group of men, sonically speaking, by the time The Beatles came to a close. Whether these evolutions…
Four Thoughts on Houston Texans Signing LT Matt Kalil
I’ve said this many times since Deshaun Watson took over as the unquestioned leader of the Houston Texans’ on-field operation, and I’ll say it again here — every decision the franchise makes needs to come with a good answer to the question “Is this in the best interests of Deshaun…
April Art Shows: “Stonewall 50,” Frida Fest, and British Pop Artist Derek Boshier
Sometimes it helps to have friends in high places. While in Germany local gallerist Gus Kopriva viewed a 2017 exhibit at the Wolfsburg Museum, “This Was Tomorrow, Pop Art in Great Britain,” with extraordinary objects by The Beatles, David Hockney, Lord Snowdon, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Derek Boshier…
Four Thoughts on Justin Verlander’s $66 Million Contract Extension With the Astros
Well, if the Houston Astros’ regular season is as eventful as the last four or five days have been for the Houston Astros’ future payroll, 2019 should be a helluva good time out at Minute Maid Park! Just a few days after locking up third baseman Alex Bregman for the…
The Blues According to Boz (and Bobby)
On the surface, actor Matthew McConaughey, writer Stephen Harrigan, photographer Mark Seliger, actress Jennifer Holliday, and musician Boz Scaggs may not have a lot in common. But as of this year, they’ve all got the same thing to display in their homes: A Texas Medal of Arts award. Bestowed biennially…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Savor a Spring Omakase Menu
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, March 26 Spring Omakase Menu tasting at Tobiuo Sushi Bar Tobiuo Sushi Bar, 23501 Cinco Ranch, will close the restaurant for two private omakase tastings led by chef Mike Lim, with seatings for ten guests at 7 and 8 p.m…
Stand-Up Billy Gardell Brings the Neighborly Charms of Young Sheldon to Houston’s Joke Joint
“I don’t know why I keep getting cast a cop, I’m pretty sure I couldn’t catch anybody!”
Last Night: Death Grips Tear Through White Oak Music Hall
Death Grips at White Oak Music Hall, March 23, 2019. Over the years, Death Grips has formed a reputation for the unexpected—failing to show up for performances, releasing music against their label’s will, and ultimately growing an internet-fueled following in return. On Saturday Night at White Oak Music Hall, Houston got an opportunity to see…
ITC Reports Breach Cause Unknown, New Fire is Out, Pumping Suspended
One week after their Deer Park plant caught on fire and released chemical vapors into the surrounding neighborhoods, ITC officials held another press conference Saturday morning to review their latest setbacks and outline what they’ll do next. At 3:45 p.m. Friday, tanks 80-2, 80-3 and 80-5 containing a gas blend…
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Critical Hours Ahead as ITC Attempts to Remove Last Barrels of Benzene From Tank [UPDATED]
ITC will be attempting to remove the last 20,000 barrels of benzene from one tank on its Deer Park facility — an action that will take an estimated 8-12 hours officials said at a 10 a.m. press conference. The danger is, of course, that just as happened the other day,…
Put Houston Ballet’s Premieres on Your To-Do List For This Weekend
It starts with one dancer. Then another and another enter the stage, all dressed in dark colors with the lighting behind them barely more illuminated then that. To the sounds of sweet melancholy music highlighted by the superb Denise Tarrant on violin, the dancers are alone, in pairs, en masse…
Another New CSNY Bio Follows the Four Way Street
CSNY: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young By Peter Doggett 368 pp. $28 Atria Books Fans of CSN (and Y) have had a long time gone awaiting an up-to-date, comprehensive bio (though writer Dave Zimmer gets credit for his 1984 book and revisions). In an embarrassment of riches, April 2 will…
Judgment Burns In Freeda Peoples
“Church is not a country club for saints; it’s a hospital for sinners.” So goes the shrewd advice/admonition given to the Reverend Scott at the conclusion of Joyce Sylvester’s pseudo-morality play, Freeda Peoples, now on stage at Ensemble Theatre. The moment the line is uttered, approving murmurs reverberate in the…
Openings and Closings: Bernie’s Burger Bus, Common Bond Expand
Bernie’s Burger Bus, 6324 Highway 6, opened March 15 in Missouri City. This is the first location with drive thru service. It’s also the first free-standing Bernie’s with a patio and dedicated parking lot. There are three other locations in the Greater Houston area, including the Heights, Katy and Bellaire…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Dragged Across Concrete
You don’t need a film historian to point out despicable lead characters in movies directed by everyone from Siegel to Peckinpah to Friedkin. Depiction is not endorsement, fine, but Zahler goes back to this well enough to make us reconsider indulging his clear talents for filmmaking.
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Get Local Suds and Wild Game Weenies at Moon Tower Inn
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Locals Only Brewhaha at Moon Tower Inn Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. 3004 Canal The East End craft beer and weenie joint will be joined by plenty of awesome hometown brewers at its fourth annual Locals Only Brewhaha. Sip suds from…
James Harden is MVP. Game Over.
Giannas Antetokounmpo has had a brilliant season. The Milwuakee Bucks forward is virtually everything you could want from a dominant young player. He scores. He passes. He defends. He is the total package. He’s no James Harden. Throughout the season, particularly during Harden’s transcendent run of scoring 30 points in more…
![Benzene Levels From ITC Worsen Overnight. Shelter In Place Issued For Deer Park and Pasadena. [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/img_0450.webp.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Benzene Levels From ITC Worsen Overnight. Shelter In Place Issued For Deer Park and Pasadena. [UPDATED]
The fires may be out but with levels of benzene on the rise at the ITC facility in Deer Park, it became apparent Thursday morning that this whole chemical accident and its effects are far from over. As we reported earlier, while the EPA was giving the all-clear, the Texas…
Weather Weekend: The Smoke Clears for Some Nice Weather
If you don’t count the massive black cloud of chemical-laden smoke hovering over the entire city the past few days, the weather in Houston has been fantastic. Spring has certainly sprung and we are experiencing the effects with dry, mild days and cool nights. Fortunately for us, the ITC fire…
3 Things Hollywood Needs to Stop Doing for Video Game Movies
There is a LOT of video game news coming out right now, but the first thing that caught my eye was the trailer for Doom Annihilation dropped. The first Doom movie in 2005 was a financial and critical failure despite a pretty good cast. The franchise came roaring back to…
ITC Transitions Into Clean Up, EPA Reassures Still No Hazardous Levels
Thanks to the number of tanks on fire decreasing from seven to four on Tuesday, firefighters at the ITC plant in Deer Park were better able to go on the offensive and extinguish the remaining flames early Wednesday morning, ITC spokeswoman Alice Richardson said at a Wednesday morning press conference…
Count on Things Going Wrong in The Play That Goes Wrong at the Hobby Center
A drama club is doing its best to put on a 1920s mystery Murder at Haversham Manor and alas, things are not going as planned. It’s Tony Award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong now coming to Houston courtesy of Mischer Neurosciences Broadway at the Hobby and bringing with it, a former…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Kronan Swedish Punsch
Ever heard of Kronan the warrior? Right, right that’s because he’s more of the fancy type, more apt to be found around the punch bowl with a flock of ladies in tow. Swedish punsch, recently revived by the brand Kronan, is an old-timey sailor sipper and ingredient in many pre-prohibition…
Four Thoughts On Alex Bregman’s Big Contract Extension
About ten days ago, the Houston Astros renewed third baseman Alex Bregman’s contract for the 2019 season. After a breakout year in 2018, where he finished among the leaders in the American League MVP balloting, Bregman was hoping for a small bump up in pay from his near league minimum…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Get Hungry for our Houston Press Menu of Menus Extravaganza
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: On Sunday nights through the end of May, Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, will hosts Crawfish Boils at the Kitchen Table. Parties of six to 12 can enjoy the immersive three-course dining experience (72-hour notice required)…
Acts We’d Like to See at RodeoHouston 2020
How to top the record-breaking year the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo had in 2019 with its entertainer lineup? We know the three-week event just ended with a paid concert attendance totaling 1,337,725 between February 25 and March 17. Of those performances, three landed in RodeoHouston’s all-time top 25 for…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Star Wars in Concert and at Rice Owls
We’re just months away from celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, though we’re never too far from that final frontier here in Space City. This weekend brings a Star Wars themed concert and screening with Houston Symphony, dueling lightsabers at Rice Owls, and a sci-fi dance of…
ITC Fire Extinguished Early Wednesday Morning, School Closures Continue
Chemical fires that began Sunday morning at the International Terminals Company tank farm were extinguished around 3 a.m. today, the company has reported. But with re-ignition still a possibility, firefighters continue to apply foam and water to help in the cool down and area school districts are still taking precautions…
Sorting Out the Rockets Playoff Rotations
Finally healthy, the Rockets have a problem. It’s a good problem. They have a lot of depth. More than at any other point of the season. Coach Mike D’Antoni is using the last few weeks of the season to not only get rest for some of his guys, but also…
Houston Texans Sign Backup QB A.J. McCarron
Deshaun Watson has been a Houston Texan now for two full seasons. In 2017, his rookie year, he started just six games before tearing his ACL, and from there the season went into the toilet, finishing at 4-12. In 2018, his second year, Watson played in all 16 games, and…
It’s Never A Sh*t Day When P!nk Comes To Houston
P!nk’s been criticized in the past for being confrontational – even combative – but those qualities, combined with her obvious compassion and unwillingness to take herself too seriously, are ones I’d be proud for my kids to share.
The Hilton Sisters Were Conjoined Twins. Side Show at Queensbury Tells Their Story.
Queensbury Theatre has chosen to end its 2018-19 season with a memorable musical based on the real lives of Violet and Daisy Hilton, conjoined twins (so-called Siamese twins in the day) who lived ever intertwined lives of love, exploitation, sadness and fame during the Great Depression. The musical Side Show…
Houston Concert Watch 3/20: A Bowie Celebration and Other Legends
And so it was that after jamming more than 80,000 people into NRG Stadium RodeoHouston came to a close, and thus the three easiest weeks of writing this here blog post for the year. That’s not to say that there won’t be future strings of weeks featuring tons of incredible…
Composer Ellen Fullman Has String, Will Travel for CounterCurrent19
Musician and performer Ellen Fullman was experimenting with wire when she found a new sound, a discovery that led her to invent the Long String Instrument. She’s been fine-tuning and developing that musical instrument for 30 years now, but imagine Fullman walking forwards and backwards between 90 foot lengths of…
Houston Rapper Tenney Way III to Make Frontier Festival Debut at University of Houston
When he was ten years old, Friendswood native Tenney Way III saw a little movie called 8 Mile. Inspired by Eminem and the now iconic biopic, Tenney put his pen to paper, channeling his first rhymes at the age of 11. Now a decade into his rap journey, the 21-year-old…
Four Ways to Curb Cycling Dangers in Houston
Another cyclist — this time, 23-year-old David Loya — has been killed on Houston streets. Loya was struck by a school bus while riding in the protected bike lane on Heights Boulevard. This was not a case of a careless cyclist weaving into traffic or driving on a busy street…
Late Night: Izakaya
There’s a reason behind the neon “ramen and dumpling” signage outside of Izakaya, located in the heart of Midtown. For late nighters, both dumplings and ramen are considered their own food groups, that are now more easily attainable on this side of town. Chef Jean-Philippe Gaston not only learned dumpling technique from…
ITC Plant Fire Spreads Overnight
The Intercontinental Terminals Company plant fire has overtaken an additional two gasoline tanks overnight, the company reported at a morning press conference Tuesday while officials expressed hopes that the wind does not change. The two new tanks contained pyrolysis gasoline, a highly aromatic naphtha product which is a byproduct created…
Freeda Peoples at Ensemble Examines What Happens When Everybody’s Judging
In Freeda Peoples about to open at The Ensemble Theatre, playwright Joyce Sylvester (Women in the Pit) explores the relationships between the members of the congregation and their new pastor — discovering along the way that no one is exactly who they seem to be. Although she did not grow up…
Texans Ink TE Darren Fells To One Year Deal, Visit With Two Others
Thus far, the NFL’s free agency period has been pretty quiet for the Houston Texans, too quiet for the fans’ tastes, at least. They’ve signed safety Tashaun Gipson and cornerback Bradley Roby to replace the departed Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson. They signed cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun on Friday as some…
In Search of a Cubano in Houston Like Those in Miami
Over the last year, I have been on a great sandwich quest across the city of Houston. It continues in earnest (and will return next week), but one of my favorite sandwiches has mostly eluded me: the Cubano. I wrote about the quite delicious variety at Flor de Cuba. It…
The Hunchback of Seville Straightens Out Spain in the 16th Century
In a special, one-time event, Alley Theatre has opened its doors to the suddenly homeless Mildred’s Umbrella for the latter’s presentation of The Hunchback of Seville, a less than reverent retelling of 16th Century Spanish history involving a dying Queen Isabella and her hunchbacked, reclusive and brilliant sister. Patricia Duran…
Pop Punkers Big Eyes Take it to the Streets on New Record
Kait Eldridge probably doesn’t have anything against Tim Burton personally. But the singer/guitarist also probably wishes that director/writer named his 2014 biopic about the artist couple Margaret and Walter Keane something besides the same moniker as her band. Because now when you Google “Big Eyes,” you get a lot of…
Scheme-Free College Admissions: Use These Tips To Up The Chances (While Not Getting Arrested)
Take a look at the money- and scheme-free criteria that college admissions counselors and panels look for and advise in the applications packets, especially now that application season is in full swing.
Always Moving: Texas Legend Terry Allen will Bring Songs Old and New to Heights Theater
Talking to Texas legend Terry Allen is like catching up with an old friend. His warm Lubbock drawl and sprinkles of “you know” between thoughts are instantly comforting. Terry Allen is best known for his iconic ‘70s hit albums Juarez and Lubbock (on Everything), both of which are considered of…
ITC Defends its Safety Levels, Says Fire at Plant Probably Caused By a Leak
As the fires at its Deer Park plant continued to burn Monday afternoon, Intercontinental Terminals Company called a press conference to announce that an environmental assessment in air quality tests done today showed “all detections were below levels that would represent a health concern.” That, of course, was in direct response…
George Strait Triumphantly Returns To RodeoHouston
George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen NRG Stadium March 17, 2019 About an hour into his performance Sunday night, George Strait had a question for the record crowd of 80,108 people: “Are y’all ready to go home yet?” The resounding NO that reverberated through NRG Stadium was so loud and so emphatic…
Johnny Manziel Signs On With AAF, Will Play For Memphis
Just a few weeks after being exiled by the entire Canadian Football League, Johnny Manziel has gotten yet another opportunity to prove himself as a worthy professional football quarterback, signing a standard player agreement with the Alliance of American Football. With his geographical AAF rights held by the San Antonio…
Premieres From Houston Ballet Lives Up to its Name With — What Else — Premieres
It’s another whirlwind weekend for the Houston Ballet packing the mixed rep program Premieres complete with a world premiere piece into five performances and right after the company did the story length ballet Sylvia and the Jerome Robbins tribute. Principal Jessica Collado has been right in the middle of all…
Ragtime Tells 3 Stories of the Early 20th Century That Merge Into America
Mr. Coalhouse Walker Jr. and Ezekiel Andrew have a history. When Ragtime opens at the Hobby Center courtesy of Theatre Under the Stars it will be the fourth time Andrew plays the pivotal character in the musical set in early 20th Century America. In fact, in the last three years he’s…
Weather Week: Beautiful Spring Weather on Tap
Well, it certainly made us wait long enough. It took until Sunday afternoon for the sun to finally break through the clouds and knock us out of a long string of overcast days. Even better, it wasn’t brutally hot. In fact, it was downright pleasant outside and actually a little…
Mac-N-Cheese Heaven at The Backyard in Seabrook
Not many dishes bring comfort to the soul like good ol’ mac-n-cheese. Noodles covered in a bubbling hot medley of creamy, melted cheeses is a go-to comfort food for almost everyone, no matter how young or old. Restaurants are getting creative and coming up with tasty, unique combinations of this…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Live Longer in 77073
Want to live longer? Well it seems that geography could be a factor in longevity. The number-crunching brainiac scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have dug deep into 1.6 million death records at the Texas Department of State Health Services Center for Health Statistics. They mined that mountain of data…
Sharks Aren’t the Only Dangers in Moody Gardens’ Reef Rescue VR
Reef Rescue is a new VR experience at Moody Gardens that lets up to 15 players virtually dive in a colorful 360 degree coral reef environment. Each player’s avatar is a mini submarine and there are tasks to accomplish, but be forewarned that great white sharks are always lurking nearby,…
This Week in Houston Food Events: A New Brunch and Nowruz Celebration
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: New special Brunch and Lunch at Killen’s TMX Killen’s TMX, 9330 Broadway, has launched its new lunch service, available Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as a Sunday brunch (a la carte and buffet) from 11…
RodeoHouston’s Penultimate Night Belongs to the Dependable Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley NRG Stadium March 16, 2K19 It’s a real testament to his likeability as a human that we as a society have largely choose to pretend that Brad Paisley’s “Accidental Racist” isn’t a thing that exists. Try to imagine the social media firestorm that would erupt if he tried…
The Studio at Warehouse Live Sets Perfect Scene for Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers
Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers The Studio at Warehouse Live March 16, 2019 “All trips come to an end,” Laura Jane Grace sang during “The Airplane Song.” “Some of them never begin.” Grace’s journey has had at least two beginnings: One in 1997 when she formed the punk…
The Weir is All Talk at Main Street Theater — And That’s a Very Good Thing
Five people trade stories and combat loneliness in Conor McPherson’s The Weir, which takes over the Main Street Theater stage this month.
Chris Stapleton Keeps it Cool at RodeoHouston
Chris Stapleton NRG Stadium March 14, 2019 Chris Stapleton doesn’t do pomp and circumstance. Whereas some country superstars of the modern era – the Luke Bryans and Florida Georgia Lines of the world – revel in the showmanship of country music, Stapleton is more a throwback in the vein of…
Three-Way Tie for Third Remains Advantage Rockets
The Rockets fell to the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night in what could turn out to be the deciding factor for the No. 1 spot in the West. Additionally, it almost assures the Rockets no shot of reaching that mark, which was already unlikely. In other words, very little was…
Openings and Closings: Creed Replaces Mascalzone, Taste Bar + Kitchen Opens Soon
Creed Italian Restaurant and Bar, 12126 Westheimer, opened in the spot formerly occupied by Mascalzone, which closed February 28. Creed Italian quickly opened, after a few minor renovations, March 1 for its soft opening. A grand opening is planned for next month. The new owner, Alireza Delavari is a native…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Climax
Just because Climax is Gaspar Noé’s most accessible movie to date doesn’t mean it isn’t still nightmare fuel.
There Needs to be a Texan on the 2020 Democratic Ticket
Beto O’Rourke, who narrowly missed unseating Senator Ted Cruz in the 2018 midterms, has finally thrown his hat in the ring for president in 2020 after months of speculation. I’ve been joking that O’Rourke has been following the Avengers trailer school of campaigning, and the fact that he formally announced…
Bob Anderson Channels the Chairman in Sinatra Extravaganza
Under normal circumstances, assuming the identity of another person is a punishable crime. But for Bob Anderson, transforming himself into Frank Sinatra – physically, vocally, and facially – it’s all in an evening’s work. As video evidence attests, Anderson’s “Frank Sinatra” is scarily accurate. He’ll transport Houston audiences to Caesar’s…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Green Beer and Irish Cheer for Saint Patty’s Day
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Celebr8ion of Beer at 8th Wonder Brewery Saturday, 2 to 10 p.m. 2202 Dallas Beer enthusiasts can gear up for the sixth annual Celebr8ion of Beer, as 8th Wonder celebrates its sixth birthday with live music, food trucks and beer, of course,…
How Long Until DeAndre Hopkins Passes Andre Johnson As Texans Greatest WR?
Last year, on Arian Foster’s podcast, Andre Johnson told Foster that he demanded a trade after the 2012 season. In retrospect, that seems crazy because the Texans were coming off their best season in franchise history, with a 12-4 record, and Andre Johnson had just posted another season’s worth of…
How The Alley Serves Thanksgiving Dinner Onstage In The Humans Night After Night
“Cranberry sauce is the greatest lubricant,” says actor Christopher Salazar, explaining how he manages to eat a Thanksgiving meal night after night onstage while at the same time delivering his lines clearly and on cue. Salazar is one of eight actors now performing in the Alley Theatre’s production of The…
Weather Weekend: Get This Sunshine Party Started
Raise your hand if you are tired of muggy, cloudy, foggy days in Houston. While there are those among us who prefer the weeks of Seattle-like weather we have experienced, the vitamin D deficient have been begging for a little sunshine and, get ready, cause it is on the way…
Santana Exudes Confidence At RodeoHouston Debut
Santana NRG Stadium March 13, 2019 As the fireworks inside NRG Stadium subsided Wednesday night, the screens above the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s star-shaped stage began playing clips from the original Woodstock Festival. It was there in 1969 that Santana (the band) catapulted themselves into the public eye with an…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Lillet Blanc
In 1872, before cracking open a bottle of the local Bordeaux, French brothers Raymond and Paul Lillet must have thought to themselves, “we should make a pre-drinking drink out of these badass grapes?” Or better known as, an aperitif. A lightly boozy, lightly bitter sipper to make the stomach rumble…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Saint Patty’s Day Treats and Chefs for Paws
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: CRAVE Cupcakes, 5600 Kirby, 1151 Uptown Park, 2501 Research Forest, will be offering a variety of St. Patrick’s Day themed cupcakes, available in store and online in limited quantities through Sunday, March 17. Try the Irish…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Snakes, Tour de Houston, Killer Queen
Indoors and out, there’s no shortage of entertainment this weekend in Houston. We’ve got the music of Queen at Miller Outdoor, a Holi festival of colors, and an up close look at the snakes of Texas. It’s also a strong weekend for music lovers, with alt folk, Baroque and experimental…
Hunter Perrin, a Real Wild Card, Brings His Versatile Sound Back to Houston
A wild card in poker can help a player get an unexpected win, but of course it all depends on luck and strategy. Houston native Hunter Perrin has had a fair hand with both luck and strategy. Perrin’s musical career has wound from Texas to New York and most recently…
Five Body Parts of Houston Athletes Crucial To Houston Sports Fans’ 2019 Happiness
If you’re reading this post then it probably means you’re among the Houstonians whose emotional well being is just a little too tied to the fate of your sports teams. It’s OK, you’re far from alone. In the fourth largest city in the country, with professional and collegiate teams that…
Menu of Menus® Extravaganza One More Time
The Houston Press Menu of Menus® Extravaganza scheduled for April 9 is almost upon us and today we announce our final restaurant lineup of 40 restaurants. Held as usual at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards, the doors open for this food and drink celebration at 6 p.m. for VIP ticket…
St. Patrick’s Day Playlist: Kristen Coyle and The Black Swans Edition
This week, Irish culture is on grand display as we eye St. Patrick’s Day 2019. Music is a big and fascinating part of the culture and several Houston bands help preserve and advance music styles with Irish roots. We’ve asked a few of the city’s best and best-loved Celtic-flavored bands…
Astros Pitcher Francis Martes Suspended 80 Games for PED Use
At the start of another season, the Astros have lost another young pitcher to a performance-enhancing drug suspension. Last year it was Forrest Whitley. This year, Francis Martes. Much like last year, it is unlikely to affect the team. MLB announced on Tuesday that Martes was being suspended for 80…
Kings of Leon Take RodeoHouston to Church
“One of the first concerts we ever played was actually at a rodeo. It was a really small rodeo in Alabama I think. So it’s an honor to be able to play here, thank you,” said Caleb Followill, lead singer of Kings of Leon, last night before launching into 2013…
Doing The Most: Hater’s Roast Delivers Heaping Serving Of Sass
“Hater’s Roast: The Shady Tour” will be serving a hilarious loud-mouthed gaggle of RuPaul’s Drag Race divas are heading to House of Blues on March 27 for a night filled with jokes and jabs with a 100 percent guarantee they will leave the audience in stitches – in the good way.
Late Night: Nancy’s Hustle
Walking through the door of Nancy’s Hustle at 10:45 p.m. this isn’t Houston; it’s Chicago. And it’s not 2019; it’s 1974 as vintage Harvey Mandel flicks notes backed by a symphony all over the restaurant. Romanced by sound and the warm, yellow lighting scheme, this cult favorite serves as a…
Texans Sign S Tashaun Gipson and CB Bradley Roby To Replenish Secondary
Less than one day after watching their top two veteran safeties, and two leaders in snaps played on defense in 2018 — Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson — walk in free agency, the Houston Texans replenished their secondary on Tuesday by signing former Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson and former…
They Call Them Grilled Cheese for a Reason
A new trend is developing on restaurant menus, particularly those with sandwich and bar fare. Grilled cheese sandwiches, which have always been popular, are getting gussied up for sophisticated eaters. As someone who writes about sandwiches, and has written about a pair of fantastic grilled cheese sandwiches here, I am all…
Rockets Losing Leads Isn’t Hurting Them Yet
As the NBA season progresses and gets deep into the late winter doldrums, it is understandable when good teams get a bit complacent. The Golden State Warriors, who visit Toyota Center on Wednesday, are in the midst of a tough stretch after a recent double-digit loss to the awful Suns…
Your Pets Are Not Hippies
Pets as accessories to privileged ding dongs for silly reasons is a proud tradition stretching back at least to Ancient Rome. Whether Caligula ever actually made a horse a consul is immaterial (he probably didn’t), but there’s no denying that we all can easily believe he would. So it doesn’t…
Stuffed: Doozo Dumplings & Noodles
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. Every now and then this city can still surprise us. Even those of us who make it our job to know…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Oak Forest
We totally get why developers are tearing down properties in Oak Forest; the home values of the newly constructed dwellings are stratospheric in comparison to the original ranch style gems from the 1940s and ’50s. Of those newly constructed (or still under construction) properties on HAR.com, at least 17 are listed…
Tyrann Mathieu To Leave Houston For 3 Year, $42 Million Deal With Kansas City
When safety Tyrann Mathieu was released by the Arizona Cardinals about a year ago, he had options where he could have made more money than the one year, $7 million deal he eventually inked with the Houston Texans. However, Mathieu wanted to do two things — play for a winner,…
St. Patrick’s Day Playlist: Blaggards Edition
This week, Irish culture is on grand display as we eye St. Patrick’s Day 2019. Music is a big and fascinating part of the culture and several Houston bands help preserve and advance music styles with Irish roots. This week, we’ve asked a few of the city’s best and best-loved…
Dive Headfirst Into the Brilliant But Short Career of Vincent van Gogh at MFAH
Vincent van Gogh believed that a creative force animated all forms of life, and looking back at his brief but brilliant career as an artist, it’s clear that the Dutch Post-Impressionist had tapped into his own “something of the eternal” in painting his portraits, landscapes and still lifes. Through June, Houstonians…
After the Freeze: Get Your Veggies Growing
Houston has had a record wet winter and an unusually late freeze this year. We Space City residents aren’t usually susceptible to cabin fever. There are usually a few sunny and mild winter days for margarita sipping and park bench lounging. This year has been more like living in the…
Los Tigres Del Norte Roar at Rodeo Houston
Los Tigres Del Norte NRG Stadium March 10, 2019 Family can be a beautiful thing. They lift you up when you are down, give you affection when you need it the most, and tell you the truth even when you’d prefer the opposite. The Hernandez family from San Jose, California…
How Come We Say “Don’t Mess With Texas” But Allow a Twice-a-Year Time Change?
We’re in the 21st Century but every year we’re all re-enactors – willing or not — trapped in an premise embraced during World War I. This particular philosophy: that Daylight Savings Time is good for us. Most of you bleary-eyed readers are probably thinking this morning it’s not. Sunday morning…
Four Thoughts On Antonio Brown’s Trade to the Oakland Raiders
On Thursday night, it appeared wide receiver Antonio Brown was on the verge of being dealt to the Buffalo Bills, but that trade fell through. Then, on Friday evening, Brown teased on social media that he would be announcing his new team very soon, but Friday night came and went…
Yes, You Should Listen to Critics Instead of “The Public”
Captain Marvel is almost out. I have my tickets ready to go, but not until a week after release because of other weekend obligations. So in the meantime I get to watch the internet boil as dueling narratives and reviews compete for clicks. This is on top of the fact…
The Other Animals at RodeoHouston: Pig Races, Sheep Dogs and Disc Dogs
This little piggy pushed and shoved, this little piggy squealed, and this little piggy went wee, wee, wee all the way down the 150-foot track. The goal is the finish line where cookies, candies and other tasty treats await the wiggly, squirmy piglets. The daily pig races are over in…
Weather Week: Clouds and More Clouds, but a Change on the Way
Last week, we saw the clouds part for a couple days. If you enjoy the sun, we imagine you were outside with one of those old school sun reflectors from the 1950s when doctors swore the sun was really good for you and wouldn’t give you cancer. If you hate…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Get Your Saint Patty’s Day On
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long St. Patrick’s Day treats at SusieCakes SusieCakes, 2563 Amherst, is offering St. Patrick’s Day treats now through Sunday, March 17. Get Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes, Green Velvet Cupcakes, Shamrock Brownies and Shamrock Frosted Sugar Cookies at all locations. Tuesday,…
CSNY’s Fractured Fairy Tale Finally Gets Proper Bio
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup By David Browne 480 pp. $30 Da Capo Press While the foursome of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young have been the subjects singularly (or in some combination) of a bookshelf-full of autobiographies, biographies,…
SXSW Overflow Fest 2019: Night 1
Super Happy Fun Land kicked off their annual South by Southwest Overflow Fest last night and it continues through March 21.
Last Night: Kurt Vile Proves His Reputation As Indie-Rock’s Finest
Kurt Vile at White Oak Music Hall, March 10, 2019. In the realm of indie rock, few artists are held in higher regard than Kurt Vile. On Saturday night, Vile proved why to a packed Houston audience. Rolling out everything from nine-minute long psych jams, to meditative acoustic numbers, Vile powered through nearly two hours…
Deafheaven and Baroness Rattle White Oak Music Hall
Two of heavy music’s most dynamic outliers tag-teamed a crowd of excited nerds on Friday.
Le Butcherettes Exorcises Its Demons in Houston
Le Butcherettes Warehouse Live March 8, 2019 It was an unfortunate (and quickly remedied) moment in Le Butcherettes’ show at Warehouse Live last night when the microphone died during the band’s first number, “Burn the Scab.” Vocalist Teri Gender Bender appeared to be shouting at the audience from miles away,…
Zedd Makes a Strong Case to Give EDM a Permanent RodeoHouston Slot
Zedd NRG Stadium March 8, 2K19 The big question mark in the 2019 RodeoHouston lineup was never Cardi B. Sure, that show was fun to speculate about, but the reality was always that Cardi B is too smart and too popular to fail, even at the Rodeo; the odds of…
Where Is The Fun In Little Shop of Horrors
It’s quite possible that Little Shop of Horrors (music by Alan Menken and lyrics and book by Howard Ashman) is the most universally loveable musical ever created. The kind of show everyone can adore based on their own personal tastes. Fancy a sci-fi/fantasy story? Little Shop features Audrey II, an…
Houston Ballet is Footloose and Fancy Free in ROBBINS: A Centennial Celebration
The Houston Ballet celebrates Jerome Robbins in ROBBINS: A Centennial Celebration, staging three of the choreographer’s trademark works.
Will Texas Legislators Finally Do Something About Surprise Medical Billing?
In February, a bill arrived at our house. It was from some doctor we’d never heard of, who, the bill said, “assisted” in some relatively minor surgery my husband had in early November, more than three months before. Turns out, the bill had already been through my husband’s insurance company…
4 Ways the Rockets Can Improve Before the Postseason
Since the All-Star break, the Rockets are 6-1 with wins at Golden State, Boston and Toronto. They are finally over the .500 mark on the road and about to move into a decidedly easier part of the final 19 games of the season. Yet, they are still a team in…
Emotions Win Out Over Explosions With Tim McGraw at RodeoHouston
Tim McGraw NRG Stadium March 7, 2K19 Perhaps my most heretical belief as a music writer is that authenticity is overrated. Blame it on the fact that I’m the son of a Springsteen die-hard who fell in love hard with prog rock, but give me a singer who’ll sing me…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Captain Marvel
If it feels like a lot of indignity is being crammed into a short time frame — flashbacks to a pilot bro’s “cockpit” jokes, a random dude asking Danvers to give him a smile, gaslighting “allies” — maybe there’s a reason for that.
Openings and Closings: True Anomaly Brewing Opens, Veegos Mexican Vegan Debuts
True Anomaly Brewing Company, 2012 Dallas, opened its doors to the public February 20. The new brewery has one of the largest barrel rooms in Houston which is adjacent to the tap room. What started out as four guys in a garage, albeit rocket scientist, space suit-developing, mission-managing type of…
10 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
Corgi races, a cat video festival and a beer goggle pup crawl at the arboretum pave the way for this fun weekend that’s gone to the dogs (and cats). One thing we can be sure of though: no matter the weather, rain or shine, the stars will still be out. The…
A Dozen Free Agents The Houston Texans Should Pursue
NFL teams have doled out their franchise tags, so we now know which players are being kept off the market, or perhaps more accurately, being put on the market with SERIOUS compensation ramifications, if you choose to sign them — two first round picks to the free agent’s previous team,…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Crawfish, Chili and Irish Stew
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Coffee & Wine: An Intro to Cupping & Blind-Tasting at Greenway Coffee Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1302 Telephone Camerata and Greenway Coffee are teaming up for an introductory course in deductively tasting coffee and wine, featuring Greenway co-founder and…
Lucienne’s Inaugural Wine Dinner: Piedmontese Wine and Whimsical Creations by Jose Hernandez
We haven’t heard much about Jose Hernandez since he took up his post at Lucienne at the Hotel Alessandra in downtown. A big part of that is because Houstonians don’t frequent hotel restaurants like locals do in cities like San Francisco and New York. And that’s a downright shame, because…
Weather Weekend: Clouds Return with Mugginess
Tuesday and Wednesday, am I right? Talk about your spectacular late winter days. Sure, they showed their faces on two of the most boring days of the week (well, Tuesday was Fat Tuesday, but still), but around here, we take what we can get. We are sorry to say that…
Alley Theatre’s The Humans Grabs its Audience and Never Lets Go
Sometimes you can judge the quality of a play just by listening to the audience. From the reactions throughout the Alley Theatre to Stephen Karam’s Tony Award-winning family drama, The Humans (2015, off-Broadway world premiere), you know you’re in the presence of something truly exceptional. The audience sits enrapt, sometimes…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Six Years of Beers at 8th Wonder
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, has kicked off its first “Taste the Tropics” event, running now through Tuesday, March 19. During the event, the store will fill its shelves with more than 50 peak-of-season tropical fruits and…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Villa Massa Limoncello
Some people love limoncello— some are terrified of it, and for good reason. Unfortunately, there is a lot of limoncello both homemade and retail that are either sickingly sweet or reminiscent of lemon Pledge. With a recipe that dates back to 1890, and devoid of artificial coloring and ingredients, Villa…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Apollo 11
And even though the outcome is never in doubt, and even though we went through this same ringer with First Man less than a year ago, Millermaintains the suspense of both the historic landing and the astronauts’ return home.
Singer Susan Graham Belts French Lyrics, But She’s A Texas Gal At Heart
Grammy Award winner Susan Graham makes her appearance with the Houston Symphony for “La me + Susan Graham” Friday through Sunday at Jones Hall.
Rating the Chances of Potential Houston Texan Salary Cap Cuts
Despite an 11-5 record, an AFC South title, and a franchise record nine game winning streak in 2018, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned if you’re a Houston Texans fan as the 2019 season approaches. The offensive line rebuild looms, the 2019 schedule is a son of a…
Johnny Falstaff, Houston’s Honky Tonkin Daddy, is Coming Home for the Month of March
Johnny Falstaff is a good time lovin’, honky tonkin’, guitar slinging daddy. Usually decked out in suits reminiscent of classic country stars from long ago and a solid bodied telecaster strapped around him. Falstaff knows how to put on a show with his deep, crooning voice and licks so fast…
Stages Repertory Theatre Announces its 2019-20 Season With a Touch of Doo-Wop
With a move halfway through the upcoming season to its new home at The Gordy, Stages Repertory Theatre has a packed season ahead of it as evidenced by its release of what’s ahead. With everything from its old reliables — Panto and Sister’s Catechism — to several new works (two…
Camila Cabello Sizzles at RodeoHouston
“Let’s make the Astrodome shake!” proclaimed a fiery Camila Cabello two songs into her Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo debut. Whether she believed she was under the famed dome or understood she was headlining its more updated neighboring stadium remained unclear, but she and her crew of dancers shook and…
Anastasia at the Hobby Doesn’t Quite Find its Footing
Why do all the cast members in the touring production of Anastasia (2017), playing through March 10 at the Hobby via Micher Neurosciences Broadway at the Hobby, sing like they’re auditioning for a tour of Les Miz? They belt, wail, and emote, haloed in Donald Holder’s back light as if…
Houston Texans Release CB Kevin Johnson
As the Houston Texans ready themselves for free agency next week, they opened up another $9 million in salary cap space by releasing their 2015 first round draft choice, cornerback Kevin Johnson. Johnson becomes a free agent, and despite multiple concussions over the last couple seasons, it is reportedly still…
Music From a Movie: Le Butcherettes’ Teri Gender Bender Tells How a Short Film Shaped a New Album
Teresa Suárez Cosío recognizes the cinematic aspects of her life and career as the frontwoman for Le Butcherettes. The plot, if you will, has included thrilling moments, like striking a friendship with the band At the Drive-In. The rags-to-riches moment came when a Rise Records representative arrived early for an…
Late Night: Bisou
Pull the “last minute LBD” from the trunk of the car, dust the scuff from the pumps next to it, paint on that lip gloss, girl—it’s time for a treat. Slip into those kind-of-too-tight pants, find the other shoe to the tan pair of oh, no where is it, apply…
Popular Anthills Biking Trails to Be Destroyed in the Name of Flood Mitigation
For those who have never seen them, some of the most popular mountain biking (and hiking) trails in the city of Houston were in Terry Hersey Park on the west side of town. Known as the “Anthills,” a trail of handmade winding trails snaked along Buffalo Bayou for miles inside…
Houston Concert Watch 3/6: Tim McGraw, Zedd and More
As someone who obsesses over concert listings, one of my favorite things to do as the year progresses is to try and figure out which day was the best concert day of the year in Houston. Some weeks are lean, but some nights are an embarrassment of riches. Do you…
George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Heads to Houston
Puppies, cute babies, ice cream cones and ukuleles. We can always count on one or all of these to bring about a smile, even on the rainiest of days. George Hinchliffe figured that out when he founded the ukes back in 1985. “We thought we might just do the one…
Local Meal Delivery Company Opens First Retail Location in River Oaks
The Blonde Pantry, a Houston-based meal delivery service started by registered dietitian and lifestyle blogger Marla Murphy just opened its first retail location at The Shops at Arrive. The swanky Upper Kirby retail district will play host to Murphy’s intimate grab-and-go store — one which aims to bring The Blonde…
Broadway at the Hobby Announces its 2019-20 Season Complete With Hamilton
If you couldn’t get tickets to Hamilton when it came to Houston last year, here’s the good news: It’s coming back courtesy of Mischer Neurosciences Broadway at the Hobby for a run of more than a month starting in late June. Today, Broadway announced its 2019-20 season complete with six…
Want to Show a Sailor a Good Time? Celebrate Jerome Robbins’ Legacy at Houston Ballet.
Dance the premiere Stanton Welch choreography of Sylvia at night. Rehearse in the afternoon for the Jerome Robbins Centennial celebration. Oh and rehearse too for the next one: Premieres, a mixed rep program. Houston Ballet is getting its money’s worth out of its talented dancers these days. Principal Connor Walsh…
Stuffed: Kolaches at EggHaus Gourmet
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. Way back in the year of our Lord 2011, Hans Sitter started his now legendary King’s Biergarten in Pearland by converting…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Peri Chicken at Peli Peli Kitchen
We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston! The Peri Chicken sandwich at Peli Peli Kitchen is jam packed with flavor.
What’s Up With The Bunny Rabbits At the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo?
Of all the barnyard animals, bunny rabbits have the uncanny ability to fascinate. The sweaty hand of a six-year-old pressed against the glass, her face transfixed in awe. The contagious smile of a wheelchair bound gentleman gently petting a velveteen mass of fur. The blank look of an immature thirty-something…
Rockets Eyeing the West’s Three Seed
With a nearly-completely-healthy roster and a five-game winning streak, the Rockets seem to finally be looking like the team we expected when the season started. They still have a pair of tough games against Toronto and Philly staring them in the face, but we said they would do well to…
Five Funny French Films Features Tales of Betrayal, Plus Love Lost and Found
There are plenty of French comedies, but that doesn’t mean they’re all funny. At least not to discerning American audiences across the pond. But perhaps Tracy Stephenson is the toughest critic of all. As coordinator and assistant programmer of film and video for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, she knows…
The Visions of Walter Salas-Humara Never End
Walter Salas-Humara, singer-songwriter whose band the Silos has earned adulation from all corners of the music world, returns to Houston to debut at low-key Mucky Duck. Honoring his past and sharing fresh songs from his new album Walterio, he is bound to convey the full spirit of his sharp intelligence, composition wit, and demure craft.
A Local Look: Verna Mae’s Po-Boys, Seafood and More
I was dropping my teen off at a strip center gaming spot in the Copperfield area when I spotted Verna Mae’s welcoming, brightly lit exterior. Having written a couple of times about its opening and King cakes here in the Houston Press, I thought I should give it a try…
Houston Texans Place Franchise Tag on Jadeveon Clowney
When Texans general manager Brian Gaine was asked last week about Jadeveon Clowney’s contract situation and the possibility of using the franchise tag to extend the window to negotiate a long term deal, and to keep Clowney off the free agency market, Gaine nonchalantly said, “We won’t discuss contract negotiations…
@GirlWithNoJob’s Claudia Oshry Bringing a Pop Culture Party to Houston Improv
For most people, the mere notion of joblessness is an anxiety ridden nightmare. For comedian Claudia Oshry, it was an opportunity that evolved into a very lucrative business. “I went to college in NYU,” begins the 24-year-old native New Yorker, who will be headlining three shows at Houston Improv…
Weather Week: One More Winter Blast, and Maybe A Freeze
It’s been a remarkably gloomy few weeks around here. With loads of clouds and weather ranging from muggy and damp to cool and drizzly, it hasn’t exactly been a pleasant end to winter. The big change this week is in the temperature. It’s going to be cold and we may…
Panic! At The Disco Thrive During RodeoHouston Debut
Panic! at the Disco NRG Stadium March 3, 2019 Brendon Urie is no stranger to big stages. Just last August, the emo rocker turned pop crooner sold out the Toyota Center while touring in support of his band’s sixth studio album, Pray For The Wicked. It was quite the performance,…
Michelle Obama Hosts Becoming Book Tour at Toyota Center
Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama Toyota Center Houston March 3, 2019 We know some things about former First Lady Michelle Obama, mostly facts like how she was married to a former U.S. President and is mother to two beautiful young ladies, yet her private life has been exactly…
Houston Texans Hire Andre Johnson In Special Adviser Role
We knew, toward the end of Andre Johnson’s NFL career, a 14 year journey that was Hall of Fame level for a dozen of those seasons here in Houston and then ended somewhat sadly with a season and a half in Indianapolis and Tennessee, that Johnson was going to make…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Take a Field Trip to Bernie’s Burger Bus
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long Sweet March Specials at Ooh La La Ooh La La bakeries, 23920 Westheimer, 20155 Park Row, 770 West Sam Houston Parkway North, are offering new creations this month: Strawberry Pop-Tart Cupcakes ($3.75 each, $39.95/dozen) and Girl Scout Cookie…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Midway’s East River
Longtime Houstonians will remember what happened to sleepy Town & Country Mall when Midway waved its magic wand. The resulting CityCentre has turned into more than stores and shopping; it’s a self-contained destination spot with green spaces, promenades and plazas, live entertainment and luxe brownstones and lofts. Magic is happening…
A Woman Walks Into a Bar and Conor McPherson’s Eerie The Weir is the Result
Ghost stories. Stories whose prime real estate seems to be in campfire settings, haunted houses, and around ouija boards, are being told in a small Irish pub in the middle of nowhere in Conor McPherson’s The Weir coming to Main Street Theater. No stark, barren interior, this bar is warm…
The Krayolas Color a New (But Classic) Tex-Mex Sound
Fans of Little Steven’s Underground Garage channel on SiriusXM radio know that the station’s eclectic playlist embraces both classic and contemporary Garage Rock bands and performers. So listeners across North America got to experience a little bit of both when DJ The Mighty Manfred welcomed Hector Saldana – lead singer/guitarist…
Houston Gets Happy (and Empowered) with The Interrupters
Ask some punk acts how they prepare for a gig and you might get a list of sordid and possibly criminal deeds. Not so with The Interrupters, it would seem. During last night’s packed show at Warehouse Live, the band’s guitarist, Kevin Bivona, said the group’s members used the hours…
The Ecstasy and Chaos of Cardi B’s Record-Setting RodeoHouston Debut
Three people. Six legs. 30 Fingers. 96 teeth, give or take. Sometimes three people don’t amount to a whole lot, but sometimes three people are what push you over the edge into history. Such is the case with Cardi B, the new champion of RodeoHouston, whose debut performance on the…
Rapture, Blister, Burn Undermines Its Feminist Message
These days, when men write plays that feature ridiculous, regressive women, we get angry. Can’t you see that women aren’t all pathetic or crazy or hysterical or any of the other derogative cloaks too often foisted upon female characters, we yell. But what about if the playwright is a woman?…
Balmorhea State Park Pool is Back in Business After $2 Million Renovation
OK, so given our weather, you might not be inspired to take a road trip to the Balmorhea State Park Pool this weekend. But today’s announcement that the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool is good to go again will be something you’ll want to consider not too long from now…
With The Interrupters, Tour is a Family Affair
Even though he’s making the journey with his brothers, Kevin Bivona – guitarist for the popular ska-punk outfit The Interrupters – assured us that a 40-date tour isn’t much like a family vacation. It’s hard to catch the attractions in any particular city when you’re there to be that night’s…
For the Rockets, Tough Four-Game Stretch Starts with a Win
Chris Paul playing against Miami is proof. After Paul returned from his stint on the injured list, the Rockets were prepared to treat him with kid gloves. No back-to-back games for their talented if oft-injured point guard. But, with a difficult four-game Eastern Conference swing ahead, Paul decided he needed…
A Glimpse Into Determining The 2019 Gold Buckle Foodie Awards
The Gold Buckle Foodie Awards celebrates its eleventh year separating the cream from the milk when it comes to carnival fare at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Yesterday, scores of local celebrity judges spent hours muscling through creation after creation—some of them exceeding our wildest expectations. By the fourteenth…
Luke Bryan Shakes Things Up at RodeoHouston, But Not Too Much
Luke Bryan NRG Stadium February 28, 2K19 Not to sound overly reductive, but being a RodeoHouston regular has always struck me as a pretty sweet gig. You show up, you play fewer songs than you would at a regular headlining gig, and you don’t have to switch things up more…
Get Your Ride On At The RodeoHouston Carnival
The Houston Press takes carnival rides seriously. Like, super seriously. So seriously, we’ve provided a preview of new amusements as well as designed a state-of-the-art guide to finding the perfect type of thrill. If you’ve been riding for some time, you know that any ride is a good ride, but sometimes…
Openings and Closings: Uptown Sushi Reopens, Rhotey Rotisserie Closes
Uptown Sushi, 1131 Uptown Park Boulevard, has reopened after a six month upgrade and renovation. The family-owned Japanese sushi and fusion restaurant has been serving the uptown Galleria area since 2004. Co-owner Peggy Chang says “After 15 years of serving our inventive cuisine, we were inspired to redesign our restaurant…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Alita: Battle Angel
Speaking of: didn’t this movie come out a few weeks ago? Yes, and thank you for acknowledging that sometimes reviewers have prior committments.
The Sitar Sounds of Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar gets it, she really does. She understands that when the general public hears the very distinctive sounds of her musical instrument of choice – the sitar – certain images come flowing into the mind. Certain images of an Age of Aquarius, or the sound coming from a 45…
Reading the Smoke: What Did Bill O’Brien Mean With His Combine Press Conference Answers?
As you already know, I was fairly excited for Bill O’Brien to face the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday afternoon, as this would be our first chance to hear O’Brien publicly since the NFL’s silly season began, a season in which we expect a franchise tag for…
6 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Azaleas, Dancing Dogs and Skating Fun
We’ve got a few clues to tell us that spring has finally sprung: the azaleas are in full bloom in manicured gardens around town, Discovery Green has let the ice melt to make way for its outdoor roller rink, and we’re all making excuses to get out of the house…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: It’s Lobster Friday!
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Lobster Friday at Bernie’s Burger Bus Friday, opens at 11 a.m. 5407 Bellaire, 2643 Commercial Center, 2200 Yale The first Friday of a new month means it’s lobster time at Bernie’s Burger Bus. Stop by locations to feast on market price lobster…
Johnny Manziel Cut By Montreal Alouettes, Banned From CFL
Well, the comeback season — wait, I’m sorry… the #ComebackSZN — is over. Johnny Manziel, fresh off his first season in Montreal as a member of the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, has been not only released by the team, but barred from signing with any other CFL team. The league announced…
Brooks & Dunn Worth the Wait at RodeoHouston
At RodeoHouston, Brooks & Dunn more than proved why the duo is country music royalty.
Fish Fridays: Where to Eat in Houston During Lent 2019
After the decadence of “Fat Tuesday” the 40 days of Lent begin — this year, Fat Tuesday falls on Tuesday, March 5, with Lent leading up to Easter Sunday, April 21. While Lenten season is a time of prayer, atonement, and sacrifice (traditionally in the form of meat-free Fridays), your…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Get Your Tickets for Southern Smoke Spring
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Chef Chris Shepherd has announced Southern Smoke Spring, a series of dinners throughout the city that will help raise money for the Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund. Since 2015, the foundation has donated more than $1.3…
Mortal Kombat Characters Know They’re in a Video Game and it’s Awesome
Mortal Kombat 11 is due out on April 23 on all major platforms. The game is the third in the rebooted continuity and will feature an all new villain named Kronika, a first for the series in being a female main antagonist. The plot involves her attempting to fix the…
Weather Weekend: Your Guess Might Be As Good As Ours
Weather is fickle, unpredictable. It’s why forecasting it can be so difficult. In the case of this weekend’s forecast, there are numerous factors in play and they could mean cold or warm, wet or dry. About the only thing we are certain of is it will get cold again…but not…
Dinner at Eight: How Do You Put on a Dinner Party After the Stock Market Has Crashed?
The stock market has already crashed in 1929, but still a socialite has a dinner to put on. Losses of power are everywhere among the moneyed. What follows is both comic and tragic. It’s the regional premiere of Dinner at Eight about to be put on by Moores Opera Center…
Honorary Texan Gurf Morlix Performing in Houston and Galveston
Gurf Morlix has had a career as unique as his name. “Once people learn it they don’t forget it. I’m the only one I know. There’s a couple of dogs I know of named Gurf,” says Morlix in his brand of deadpan delivery. He began playing music at the young…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Belgian Gueuze Lambic
From Witbiers to Stouts, Pils to Bocks, Belgium covers a wide catalog of brews. Thoughtful beermaking takes patience, a watchful eye and typically a time-tested formula and while Lambics certainly employ all of those, when it comes to lowering the lights and making the magic happen, this funky, sour craft…
Three Places Where Congestion Pricing Could Work in Houston
Normally, Houston don’t spend too much time worrying about the politics in New York City. In many ways, our two cities couldn’t be more different in how we approach our lives and, of course, the layouts of the two metropolises are essentially the polar opposite of one another. But a…
Prince Royce Turns Up The Heat at RodeoHouston
Prince Royce NRG Stadium February 26, 2019 To some, performing inside the cavernous NRG Stadium is akin to performing on the moon. The stage is as large as a space craft, and the audience is seated way far away on the horizon. The performers are literally placed at the 50-yard…
Little Shop of Horrors Comes to Stages Complete With Newly Designed Puppets
It is, in its own special way, a modern classic. A young and nerdy flower shop clerk names his plant Audrey after the young woman he’s secretly in love with. Audrey II offers the possibility of better times for him, until Seymour discovers the plant is carnivorous with a decided…
NFL Scouting Combine: 10 Questions for Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien
The NFL Scouting Combine is underway in Indianapolis, and the “Underwear Olympics” portion of it begins in full force today, with players getting poked, prodded, weighed, interrogated, and ultimately put through a bunch of physical drills so that the 32 NFL teams can improve their productivity forecasting accuracy by a…
Always Funny Comic Jimmy Pardo Brings Podcast Never Not Funny To White Oak
“He was interested in doing a podcast with me, and I was being cordial… I didn’t really know what it meant, other than Ricky Gervais had one!”
Houston Symphony Program Continues With Former Music Director, While Scheduled Violinist is Replaced
Former Houston Symphony Music Director Christoph Eschenbach returns to Jones Hall to lead the orchestra with a guest violinist as well as a towering romantic work by Austrian composer Anton Brucker in the program Eschenbach Directs Bruckner.
AIDS Walk Houston Turns The Big 3-0 And Still Keeps Marching
AIDS Foundation Houston’s 30th AIDS Walk takes place on Sunday, March 3 at Sam Houston Park. The event starts with a registration at noon, a 3K-long walk at 1 p.m., and a post-walk festival featuring free HIV and Syphilis testing and resources for people interested in STD prevention options.
Late Night: Nobie’s
If a dollar were generated every time Nobie’s was recommended around town— we’d all be in Monte Carlo on a yacht. All of us. It’s that favorited. And there’s a reason for it. Microphone, check, check, check. Maybe it’s industry or maybe it’s Maybelline, but Nobie’s fills “cozy neighborhood hang”…
Mariah Carey, ASMR Superstar
The first time I heard Mariah Carey’s vocal run at the end of “Vision of Love” — the one where she stretches notes in the word “all” into something only an especially skilled and graceful contortionist could shape — I was sitting in the driver’s seat of my Jeep Cherokee…
Alley Theatre Teases With a Sneak Peek of Five of Its Shows for the 2019-20 Season
Taking advantage of the suspense that’s part of so many successful plays, the Alley Theatre with a nod (whether intended or not) to Jeri Ryan who played the Borg drone Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager, today released its “Five (of Eleven) Productions for the 2019-20 season. An Agatha…
The Humans Crams Family Expectations Into a Small New York City Apartment
Brigid Blake has moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan’s Chinatown with her older boyfriend. Her parents arrive from out-of-town for dinner for dinner — but not just any dinner. No it’s Thanksgiving, the holiday devoted to food and all the tension that brings with its preparation. In The Humans,…
Kacey Musgraves Kicks Off RodeoHouston All Right With a Slow Burn
Kacey Musgraves NRG Stadium February 25, 2K19 Kacey Musgraves doesn’t have many speeds. Sure, she does have a few mid-tempo numbers that come along and keep things feeling somewhat energetic, but she’s mostly happy to mosey her way through her music, taking the time to savor her melodies and wordplay…
A Very NOLA Sandwich Weekend
I have spent the last year writing about some of Houston’s best sandwiches. I’ve eaten a lot of delicious Houston offerings. But lest ye think my interest in sandwiches was nothing more than a writing assignment, let it heretofore be known that I have loved them since I was a…
Rockets Finally Healthy in Time for Stretch Run
It only took 59 games. For the previous 58 games of the season, something was missing. More to the point someone was missing. Before Monday night’s win against the Atlanta Hawks (a game they needed to win), the Rockets did not play a single game without at least one player…
YouTube Demonetizes Anti-Vaccine Videos
The YouTubers who spread conspiracy theories, misinformation, and lies about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines will no longer be able to make money doing so. YouTube announced last Friday that they would cease letting such videos be monetized. This has led to the immediate suspension of monetization of several…
Nashville Pussy: From the South, With Ferocious Rock’n’Roll Decontrol
Nashville Pussy plays voracious Southern rock’n’roll with punk tempos, huge snarling attitude, and tons of jet-fueled guitar licks. The husband and wife team of lead guitarist Ruyter Suys and singer/guitarist Blaine Cartwright will be ready to rumble at a free gig at White Oak Music Hall for those over 21 (under 21 will pay $15.00).
Four Thoughts on the Antonio Brown Saga
The NFL combine gets underway today, the deadline for franchise tags is a week from today, and free agency begins a week after that. With all of that sitting out there, the biggest potential offseason domino to fall involves none of that. Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Antonio Brown…
Stuffed: Mushroom Empanadas at Riel
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. Former Underbelly Chef de Cuisine Ryan Lachaine opened his first restaurant Riel in January 2017. In the 14 months since its…
March Art Shows: GONZO247, Vincent van Gogh, and Bayou City Art Festival
Van Gogh and graffiti in the same month? We do things our way in the Bayou City, and in the weeks ahead we’ll view works by the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter as well as GONZO247’s evolution as an artist. Yet there’s plenty more to see in Houston’s galleries, museums and art spaces…
Houston By the Neighborhood: 2019’s Top Master-Planned Communities
The Oscars have come and gone, but underneath all that hoopla a different awards season has quietly come to a close. Keller Williams Realty has weighed in on Houston’s best master-planned communities, and the 2019 results are in. Just like the Academy Awards, there are eligibility requirements. Instead of the…
The BellRays Return to Rudyards With Love and Resilience
Conjured from the twin powers of husband and wife Bob Vennum and Lisa Kekaula, the BellRays have infused rock’n’roll over the last thirty years with the spirit of love, whiplash soul found in supreme Memphis tunes, and the tenacity and power of punk. They return to Rudyards on March 1 to prove the merits of…
Awesome, Allergy-Friendly Treats Await the Heights
Awesome Bites Co. is bringing healthy, allergy-friendly baked goods and ice cream to the Heights in April. I’ve been waiting for this day for several years after first tasting the squishy-soft, sweet and positively addicting mini muffins that founder Jennifer Thai assured me were completely sugar-free. But not only were…
Anastasia the Musical Comes to the Hobby Center
It’s a question debated over the ages. Did one of the Tsar’s children — Anastasia to be exact — somehow escape the murder of her entire family in the Russian Revolution? Anastasia the musical is based on the 1997 animated film of the same name and covers a lot of…
Four Thoughts on New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft’s Solicitation of Prostitution Charges
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m guessing you’ve heard by now that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, 77, was one of 25 men, from varying ages of 29 years old all the way up to 84 years old, to have arrest warrants issued in their names as…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Celebrate Texas Independence Day with Whiskey and Two-Steppin’
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Rodeo Special Carne Asada and Shrimp Plate at Sylvia’s Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway, 1140 Eldridge, is taking one of its top-selling dinners – the rodeo-centric Carne Asada– and adding a little Gulf Coast into the mix with grilled Gulf shrimp…
Boots as Big as Texas Kick Off RodeoHouston’s 2019 Season
Bucking broncos, Ferris wheels, trail riders, country music stars, bluebonnets and Texas-sized spurs. Local artists called forth iconic images from the Lone Star State when painting new fiberglass boots for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. They’re colorful, unique and, at six feet in height, they’re perfect for taking selfies. Visitors…
Dale Watson Gets Lucky on New Record
Dale Watson has been thinking a lot about luck lately. Not because he’s just released his nearly 30th studio album since 1995 titled – appropriately enough – Call Me Lucky (Red House Records). But because he’s reflecting on how the concept has played out in his own career. “Well, being…
SNAP Desperately Needs New AC for Safe Spay/Neuter Surgeries
Having no air conditioning in Houston can suck, but not having it during surgery can be potentially fatal. That’s the problem facing the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program in Houston. They are currently raising money to replace their malfunctioning HVAC in their clinic. “Each of SNAP’s clinic facilities requires multiple Heating, Ventilation,…
Houston Rodeo’s 2019 Champion Barbecue Results
The results are in and after a lot of hard work, sweat and tears — not to mention the competition among more than 250 barbecue teams — it turns out that Operation BBQ Relief was the grand prize winner in the 2019 World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at the Houston Livestock…
Meek Mill Brings Motivation Tour to Revention Music Center
The ticket said Meek Mill. Two songs in, the stage screen showed Tupac. On screen, Tupac explained in an interview how he had no police record until he made a record, while recounting being behind bars as his music video debuted on MTV. Given Mill’s own lengthy, tangled, legal woes…
Muse Launch Simulation Theory World Tour at Toyota Center
Toward the end of a monstrous, nearly two-hour, career-spanning rock spectacle, Muse brought out a special guest: a floor-to-ceiling sized inflatable, animatronic RoboCop meets Terminator robot. As the trio plowed through a frenzied “Stockholm Syndrome,” the cyborg loomed overhead with an arm reaching over the stage like it were the…
ABBA Fans Will Continue to Love Mamma Mia! — Others Not So Much
Forgive me, but isn’t ABBA, the phenom ’80s Swedish pop group, known for sunshine, lollipops, and roses? Isn’t their synthesized music fodder for elevators and background music in pharmacies? Isn’t the quartet famous for its international successes like “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and “Waterloo”? So why is…
Women Take the Lead in Houston Ballet’s Sylvia
The Houston Ballet world premieres Stanton Welch’s Sylvia, based on Léo Delibes classic Romantic score.
Trampled By Turtles Follows the Open Road to Houston
Neighborhoods and restaurants surrounding White Oak Music Hall should be on the lookout for roaming Turtles soon. That according to Tim Saxhaug, bassist for the Minnesota sextet, Trampled by Turtles. The band is back on tour after a hiatus and visits Houston Saturday, March 2 to perform songs from its…
UH Cougars Hope to Hang Onto Their At-Home Winning Streak This Saturday
As a longtime fan of University of Houston athletics, I know better than to count my chickens before they hatch. That being said… The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team hasn’t lost a game in six weeks, and they haven’t lost at home since last March. Boasting a 25-1 record, UH currently…
Instagram Allegedly Blocking People With Psoriasis From Sharing Their Pictures
The National Psoriasis Foundation is alleging that Instagram has been blocking people after they post pictures of their condition on the social media platform using the hashtag #psoriasis. In a recent statement they said: We’ve heard from several of you about a few #psoriasis hashtags being blocked by Instagram —…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
It’s been noted . . . somewhere that this is the longest Dreamworks Animation movie, but it didn’t need to be.
Openings and Closings: SlowPokes Expands, Truck Yard Food Trucks Return
SlowPokes, 2925 Richmond, opened February 8. This is the second location for the coffee, tea, wine and beer bar. The first location at 1203 W. 34th opened in November 2016. With a mission to slow folks down in our fast-moving tech-crazy times, SlowPokes offers a comfortable, slightly hip spot to…
Can Kyle Tucker Take the Next Step This Season for the Astros
There is no greater difficulty in player evaluation than in major league baseball. Players drafted highly might bust and those drafted 20 rounds later might be in the Hall of Fame one day. With young guys coming straight out of high school and players that don’t mature sometimes for years,…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Gear Up for the Rodeo at HLSR World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: HLSR World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at NRG Park Friday – Saturday The HLSR World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest will take place at NRG Park through Saturday, with more than 250 teams competing for the crown. While most team tents are invitation-only, visitors…
Dave Mason & Steve Cropper Join Forces for a Rock and Soul Revue
In his decades-long career, Dave Mason has been a lot of things. Founding member of the seminal band Traffic (which punched his ticket into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), hit-producing solo artist in the ‘70s, and collaborator and friend to a who’s who of rock royalty including Jimi…
Gun Sense and Nonsense: Firearms Bills Before Your Texas Legislature
The ever vigilant Texas State Rifle Association has sent out an alert saying that “the number of gun control measures filed so far is unprecedented.” These are not “sensible public safety measures” but part of a “radical agenda” being presented for the 86th regular session of the Texas Legislature, according…
6 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Rodeo Parade and Bark in the Park
RodeoHouston is almost here, and our first clues involve seeing horses, boots and cowboy hats all over town. But before the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicks off, we’ve got a parade, trail rides, Go Texan Day and a run. This weekend also includes a ballet inspired by Hamlet, Musiqa’s…
Last Night: Blood Orange Delivers His Message To A Welcoming Houston Crowd
Blood Orange at White Oak Music Hall, February 20, 2019. Wednesday night’s show began with a monologue from Janet Mock stressing the importance of establishing a community where one can show up as themselves without judgment and without ridicule. Taking note, Devonte Hynes (aka Blood Orange) was every bit of himself on Wednesday night, relying…
Five Potential Upgrades at Backup QB For the Texans
Amid all the talk about the obvious, necessary fixes to the Houston Texans’ roster this offseason — offensive line, cornerback — there are other areas of the team that cannot get lost in the wash of upgrades that we hope Brian Gaine is able to execute over the next couple…
Sam Cooke, Freddie Mercury and the Celebrity’s Moral Obligation to Address Social Issues
What responsibility does a celebrity have to speak on the day’s pressing social matters? It’s an old question with a new twist since today’s social media platforms and connectivity create more “famous” people than ever before. That means more opportunities for more socially-conscious celebrities to share their own political and…
On The Exhale Perfects The Parental Despair Thriller
It’s a good thing this theater space includes a bar because trust me, you’re going to need a drink following On The Exhale, the one woman/one-hour show now on stage at Rec Room Arts. Not a, gather with friends over a pint and energetically discuss the show kind of drink…
Astro Owner’s Ex-Wife Confronts Black Family Taking Pictures in Viral Video
African-Americans in 2019 know that when in the process of going about perfectly normal everyday activities it’s a good idea to keep a camera phone ready in case random white people accuse them of doing something illegal or wrong. That happened to Kelyn Alyssa as she was taking birthday photos…
Controversy, Shmontroversy: Here Are Our Predictions For the 91st Academy Awards
I’m pretty sure the Academy doesn’t have a statute of limitations when it comes to adaptations, but they should institute one so I don’t have to watch any more versions of A Star is Born, or movies about Robin Hood.
Weather Weekend: Cool and Wet for the Rodeo Kickoff
Go Texan Day and the annual rodeo parade are almost always cloudy and often rainy, cool affairs. This year doesn’t appear to be much different, but the worst rainfall won’t be right over the Houston area. Looking back, it’s been pretty chilly out there the last couple days. Highs on…
Tales From The Top Shelf: White Claw Hard Seltzer
What do a protein shake, mixed green salad with chicken breast, and ground buffalo taco bowl have in common? They’re all digesting in a human body that’s about to crush a six-pack of White Claw Hard Seltzer because it’s Friday. Hard seltzer sales are going absolutely bonkers right now in…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Suck Down Mudbugs on the Patio at La Lucha
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: On Saturdays and Sundays from February until the end of crawfish, chef Bobby Matos and his team will be serving “craydaddies,” available from noon until the day’s supply runs out, at La Lucha, 1801 North Shepherd…
Paddlers Just Might See Beavers Along Buffalo Bayou During This Year’s Regatta
It’s been said there are no new frontiers, but we beg to differ. How many Houstonians can actually claim they’ve seen the Bayou City from along its actual bayous and waterways? The numbers are growing, with more and more converts getting regatta fever each year. Of course it helps when…
Gin Blossoms Bring “Miserable Experience” to Audiences…But They Like It!
To certain musically-inclined Gen Xers, one of the most formative and beloved albums of the early ‘90s was New Miserable Experience, the second studio effort that became the breakthrough album for the Gin Blossoms. The Tempe, Arizona-based alt-pop-rockers spawned four hit singles off it in “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About…
Going to Memorial Park to See Some Trail Riders? Don’t Take the West Loop
God knows we Houstonians love us some trail riders. Maybe it’s the horses or the smiling and waving people. Maybe we just like to imagine how interesting life on the trail might be for us city folk. Then we remember dysentery and no cell phones, and we go back to…
Houston Becomes Margaritaville This Friday
The designation of every day of the calendar year as a National Something or Other Day seems like well, a national epidemic. While we can get behind days that are dedicated to doughnuts, pancakes or wine, days that honor home warranties or window inspections are obvious marketing ploys. That’s not…
Three Times The Houston Texans Should Have Used The Franchise Tag
So, here we are, one day into the two-week period during which NFL teams can place the franchise tag on one (and ONLY one) of their free agents, and in Houston, the anticipation grows — when will the Texans place their franchise tag on defensive end Jadeveon Clowney? Once it…
Houston Concert Watch 2/20: Kacey Musgraves and More
Look into the future and ask yourself: what’s the longest distance between you and a show you’re looking forward to seeing? After a few years of big pop spectaculars booking venues literally over a year in advance, checking around online reveals a Houston concert landscape that doesn’t exist beyond December…
Late Night: Pappa Geno’s
Best news ever— Pappa Geno’s has extended its hours until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. “That way you can drink beers and then come get a sandwich afterwards,” says the cashier. Precisely. While typically a hungover lunch spot that’s mostly populated by nine to five workforce males who know…
Who Shot Karma in the Head and Threw Her in a Dumpster?
A two-year-old pitbull named Karma who was found in a dumpster somehow miraculously alive after having been shot in the head is recuperating while local authorities — aided by now a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest — are looking for who did this to her. Karma was…
DC Announces Luchador Action Figures and a Death Pin-Up
Action figure collectors will have some new and bizarre toys to decorate their shelves with thanks to DC. They’ve dipped their toes into the wild world of Mexican wrestling with their new Lucha Explosiva line. The line features six heroes and villains, appropriately here referred to as technicos and rudos…
Beat the Price Increase for 2019 Menu of Menus® Tickets
Here’s your chance to beat the oncoming price increase for the Houston Press Menu of Menus® Extravaganza scheduled for Tuesday, April 9 at Silver Street Studios. This Friday the VIP Admission which gets you in an hour early at 6 p.m. will increase from $79 a ticket to $89. The General…
Courtney Barnett Was Fab in Houston Last Night
Courtney Barnett White Oak Music Hall February 18, 2019 Courtney Barnett draws plenty of comparisons to indie rock guitar goddesses like Liz Phair and St. Vincent, but her Houston show last night brought another legendary rock act to mind, namely The Beatles. Her mop top, doe eyes and left-handed approach…
Setting the Odds On the Jadeveon Clowney Contract Saga
It feels like just yesterday that the Houston Texans made Jadeveon Clowney the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and yet here were are, five years into Clowney’s NFL career, with three Pro bowls in his back pocket, trying to figure out what the future holds for…
Breaking Down the Final Weeks of the Season for the Rockets
Two months. Twenty-five games. That’s what remains for the Houston Rockets before the postseason. After a few days off for the All-Star break, it appears the team will, for the first time in months, be at full strength with the return of Clint Capela after a 15-game absence with a…
Stuffed: Infladita de Conejo at Xochi
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. We’re raising the bar this week (as high as it will possibly go). Stuffed dishes are so often associated with fast-casual…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Turkey Melt at Relish
We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston! The Turkey Melt at Relish Restaurant and Bar probably isn’t the best overall sandwich in Houston (it’s on the short list, though), but it might be the most well executed.
Heavy Metal Heroes Accept Get “Classy”
While he thinks the word “crazy” might be stretching it a bit, guitarist Wolf Hoffman does understand that what he did at Germany’s 2017 Wacken Open Air Festival (the world’s largest annual gathering of heavy metal fans) might have some questioning his sanity. That’s where his band Accept staged an…
Houston By the Neighborhood: History Lives On in These Century Old Homes
There’s much to lament when historic structures fall to decay, neglect or the wrecking ball, but that only makes preserved gems from a century ago all the more precious. A quick glance on Har.com reveals at least 40 such properties, ranging in price from $79,000 for a 560-square-foot home to $2.5…
View Works by Two Museum-Class Texas Artists on Colquitt Gallery Row
It’s a great month for Houston art with two important gallery exhibitions of Texas artists who also are in the permanent collections of world-class museums. Works by the late modernist sculptor Jim Love are on view at Moody Gallery, while local legend Floyd Newsum is exhibiting some previously unseen works…
NFL Franchise Tag Preview: The Six Most Interesting Cases For Texans Fans
Of the three major sports that we have here in Houston, the NFL is the one that does the offseason the best, and the Houston Texans are easily the team in whose offseason fans are most interested. It helps that, this offseason, general manager Brian Gaine has a first and…
2CELLOS Electrifies Smart Financial Centre
When 2CELLOS emerged in front of intergalactic visuals on a giant screen behind them, it was as if the musically telepathic duo teleported to Smart Financial Centre directly from the Celloverse. Where they come from, Rock and Roll and Classical genres are of the same musical lineage. Concerts there eclipsed…
Music Box Theater Knows How to Handle The Best of Broadway
The Fab 5 who rule over the Music Box Theater are Houston musical theater treasures. Consummate entertainers, they sing, act, and dance in sparkling intimate cabaret revues that glorify their prodigious talents, their warm camaraderie among each other and the audience, and their showbiz chops. They love to perform and…
Weather Week: Odd, Chilly, Gloomy Few Days Ahead
Forecasting Houston’s weather never gets boring. The sheer size is one thing. It could be 75 in Clear Lake and 50 in The Woodlands. Then add in the unpredictability of weather this time of the year and trying to figure out what is going to happen over the next 24…
John Oates “Interviews” Mississippi John Hurt for Houston Press
John Oates was pursuing journalism at Temple University around the time he became half of Hall and Oates, which ultimately became the best-selling music duo of all time. Chasing a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career meant he never finished his degree; so, we gave Oates the chance to…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Get BBQ Shrimp and Grits at Eight Row Flint
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long 40th Anniversary Guest Chef Finale at Treebeards Treebeards is continuing its 40th anniversary celebrations with a special Guest Chef Finale through through Thursday, February 28. The institution has partnered with Poitín Bar + Kitchen’s talented chef Dominick Lee…
Climate Change Symposium: Will Houston Become Beachfront Property?
Why should Houstonians care if a glacier in Iceland, almost 4,000 miles away, has officially died out? “There’s a direct connection. In a weird way we are very much connected to this,” says Dominic Boyer, professor of anthropology at Rice University, who says NASA scientists predict that the melting of continental…
Houston Ballet’s Sylvia Premieres This Week With Stanton Welch Choreography
Houston Ballet’s world premiere of Sylvia retains the classical garb and the beautiful music Le Delibes composed in 1876 for the full-length ballet. But after that, it’s Stanton Welch’s singular vision that gives rise to three, not one, main female characters. This isn’t the first time Artistic Director Welch has…
Romance and Family are Alive and Set to a Beat in Queensbury’s For Tonight
For Tonight, the world premiere musical now at Queensbury, tells a love story inspired by a playwright’s great-great-great grandfather – set to an indie rock score.
Catastrophic Takes No Prisoners with Excellent Bootycandy
Robert O’Hara’s Bootycandy, currently being staged by Catastrophic, is a kinda-sorta autobiographical series of sketch-like, interconnected scenes that explore and examine what it means to be both black and gay.
Maria de Buenos Aires Smolders in a Stunning Production at Opera in the Heights
As far as I know, María de Buenos Aires (1968), smoldering in a stunning, exhilarating production at Opera in the Heights, may be the first and only tango operetta. Composed by the universally acknowledged “King of Tango,” Astos Piazzolla, and written by surrealist poet Horacio Ferrer, this “little opera” is…
The Comedy Is Undone By the Staleness In NSFW
The good news is that a lot has changed for the better since Lucky Kirkwood wrote NSFW in 2012, now playing at Stages Repertory Theatre. Between the #MeToo and Times Up movement, things like female sexual exploitation, workplace harassment and the belief that there’s no fight better than a catfight,…
HISD Trustees Vote Against Taking a Break, the Superintendent Search Continues
Probably the only surprise in last night’s Houston School Board vote on whether to suspend the search for a new superintendent — they didn’t by the way — was that trustee Sue Deigaard abstained, saying she wasn’t going to be part of the racial divide that has developed on the…
So-Cal Punk Pioneers, Face to Face, Brought the Love to White Oak on Valentine’s Day
On an evening where most Houston couples spent absurdly long amounts of time merely waiting to be seated at the swankiest restaurants and hippest bars, you could have taken a romantic risk and treated your sweetie to a night of music at White Oak Music Hall. This would only go…
Ask Him Anything: Hayes Carll on Reddit, Dogs, Jesus and What It Is
Hayes Carll has a proven, measured approach for hitting the road to support a new album. He schedules several shows in the same city – usually one in Texas – and fine tunes things, which is what he’ll be doing over the course of three Houston shows beginning tonight. This…
Why Are We So Heartbroken Over a Dead Robot?
I spent a lot of this past Wednesday choking back tears over a robot, and judging by social media I am not alone. NASA announced that they were declaring the Opportunity rover on Mars “dead.” After more than a decade patrolling the surface of our nearest neighboring planet and contributing…
Where Does the Road To WrestleMania Lead After Houston?
Long-term storytelling is hard. We’ve been hustled a bit by the “golden age of television,” but the truth is for every Breaking Bad or The Sopranos there’s a Heroes or any number of shows that exist but you’ve never come across. But the thing that episodic dramas have going for…
Five Things to Expect From Houston Weather in the Spring
There is a joke often made about Houston that we really only have two seasons. There’s one season just called “hot” and another called “less hot.” That’s an exaggeration, of course, but we don’t have the kinds of changes you see in other parts of the country. There aren’t the…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Donnybrook
Sutton does have a point, even if his deliberate (bordering on ponderous) direction takes its sweet time getting to it. And the symbolism inherent in extended shots of clouds scudding across spacious skies and wind rushing through waves of grain is a little hard to miss.
Openings and Closings: Perry’s Steakhouse Debuts in River Oaks, Verandah Indian Opens
Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille, 1997 West Gray, opened February 11. The stunning two story restaurant and bar takes over the space that was previously a California Kitchen and as many Houstonians of a certain age remember, a hopping Birra Poretti’s. The location in the River Oaks Shopping Center is the…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Sweet Jazz and Black History VR
Classy and classic go hand-in-hand during this weekend of culture in the Bayou City. From an intimate concert by rising opera divas and divos, to new choreography, and chamber music inspired by runaway bamboo, there are plenty of reasons to get dressed up for a night on the town. Black…
The Dark Pioneers of Los Angeles Punk Cometh to Continental Club
The Flesh Eaters, driven by the dark visions of singer Chris D. (Dejardins) have released a breathtaking album that borrows from the past and sets course for a future where poetic panache and rock’n’roll thrive. They are bringing their super-group, culled from the Blasters, X, and Los Lobos, for one electrifying gig at the Continental…
Roger Clemens: “Justin Verlander Can Pitch As Long As He Wants”
In the pantheon of trades in Houston sports history, given that it directly impacted a world championship in 2017, and given that the subject continues to perform at an elite level, the Justin Verlander trade from August 31, 2017, stands above the rest. Since arriving in Houston shortly after Hurricane…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Pig Out at Cochon555
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Saint Arnold Mardi Gras Pub Crawl on White Oak Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m. Little Woodrow’s (start), 2631 White Oak Onion Creek (end), 3106 White Oak Saint A’s fan-favorite pub crawl will bring a Mardi Gras twist to the bars White…
Donkeeboy Unveils Leon Bridges Mural in Eado Along With Instagram Ticket Giveaway
Renowned Houston street artist and muralist Alex Roman Jr. (Donkeeboy) has unveiled his latest work of pop-art in East Downtown. The resident artist at 8th Wonder Brewery introduced a mural of Texas soul and R&B phenom Leon Bridges ahead of Bridges’ April tour date in The Woodlands. In honor of…
Ben Dickey, Star of Blaze, Heads For Houston, Performing Throughout the Weekend
Ben Dickey is a long time musician who recently stepped out of his comfort zone to star in Ethan Hawke’s film Blaze, portraying the larger than life singer songwriter Blaze Foley. The role led to widespread praise for the new actor, new acting roles, and Dickey signing to the newly…
Travis Scott Brings Astroworld to Toyota Center
Travis Scott The Astroworld Tour Toyota Center February 13, 2019 Somewhere in between a dream and a nightmare, we find the mind of Travis Scott. He is arguably the biggest name in rap at the moment, fresh off appearances at the Super Bowl halftime show and The Grammy Awards, the…
There’s A Lot In Quack To Laugh And Think About
Quack, in the sense of a less than reputable medical practitioner, is a shortening of the Old Dutch word quacksalver, or person who cures with home remedies. Over time, after the term took on a more nefarious connotation, describing a health care provider who uses false medicine and theories in…
Chris Pratt May Not Be Homophobic, But He Is Dangerously Lazy
Since actress Ellen Page publicly came out as gay in 2014 she has spent a lot of her time and celebrity fighting as an activist, which is what you would expect from someone who announced her sexual orientation at a Human Rights Campaign conference. Lately, she’s been dragging Chris Pratt…
Weekend Weather: The Heat is Back On for a Few Days
As forecast, it has been a beautiful, cool work week. With highs around 60 degrees and lows in the upper 30s under sunny skies, it certainly has felt like a normal Houston winter. But, similar to last week, that is about to change this weekend. For Valentine’s Day, it should…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Amrut Indian Single Malt
It’s possible that India could be the next great producer of whisky. Meanwhile, an invisible team of old-guard McLeans have collected around and are taking cheap shots at the thought of such blasphemy—but with the right people, tools, and regulations could it be? It might even become a necessary reinforcement…
Handicapping Houston Texans Odds on Re-Signing Their Own Free Agents
Beginning on March 11, at 11 a.m. Houston time, NFL teams can begin negotiating with the representation for free agents that are not their own, which means that other teams can, in plain English, begin putting their greasy mitts on YOUR guys. Now, in years past — years like, say,…
Controversial Book Looks at “Truth” in Today’s Journalism
Merchants of Truth: The Business of News and the Fight for Facts By Jill Abramson 544 pp. $30 Simon & Schuster You’d be hard pressed to name an industry that the Digital Age has affected more – both positively and negatively – than journalism. Though the days of people getting…
For The Oscars, It’s Time To Give The Viewers What They Want
They could try going back to the show’s original format, which was a banquet held at places like the Biltmore and Ambassador hotels. These programs averaged about two hours in length, had lots of booze, and were pretty laid back. Problem is, you just described the Golden Globes.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Win Ramen for a Year at Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: With rodeo season right around the corner, Killen’s Barbecue chef and pitmaster Ronnie Killen is helping Papa John’s Houston get rodeo-ready with Killen’s Barbecue Brisket Pizza, a limited-time offer available Monday, February 18 through Sunday, March…
Courtney Barnett Tells Us How She Really Feels About Music Awards
Courtney Barnett might never get played off the stage while dissing a music award a la Drake, but she may not necessarily disagree with the sentiment the hip-hop superstar was expressing when his Grammy acceptance speech was cut short last weekend. Right from the start, Barnett’s musical output has been…
Houston By the Neighborhood: Walkability Scores
Seattle-based Walk Score does the numbers so we don’t have to. Their algorithms measure businesses, theaters, parks and destinations within one mile of any address in the United States, awarding extra points for those amenities that are within a quarter of a mile. The Redfin-owned company also ranks properties based…
Chef Chat: Thomas Keller
Valobra Master Jewelers really knows how to throw a party. The River Oaks location grand opening sparkled from head to toe last night as guests were wowed by historical pieces alongside Michelin starred powerhouses; Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Jerome Bocuse. Fourth generation jeweler Franco Valobra called on his friends…
To DH or Not to DH: MLB Should Look to Houston for Answers
Baseball is a game that, perhaps more than any other, relies on tradition as a means of perpetuating itself. The fact that very few changes have been made in professional baseball over 100 years means there can be realistic comparisons between players from different eras with at least a modicum…
Late Night: Taconmadre
Apart from Equinox River Oaks, no food truck houses richer, juicier proteins than Taconmadre. Small corn tortillas about four inches in diameter get doubled up and stuffed with choice of barbacoa, tripa (tripe), pastor (pork), chicharron, pollo (chicken), fajita (beef), and trompo (rotisserie red pork); two for $3. Flour tortillas…
Four Thoughts on the Texans’ Release of WR Demaryius Thomas
It’s been fun watching Houston Texans second year GM Brian Gaine do his work in trying to construct a Super Bowl winner here in Houston. Certainly, there were hits (his first draft class, with no first or second round pick) and misses (Aaron Colvin), but perhaps the most encouraging sign…
Houston Concert Watch 2/13: Travis Scott and More
If there was a true winner of The Grammys, which took place over the weekend if you haven’t heard, then I think we could all agree that it’s RodeoHouston. After all, they had the foresight to book Kacey Musgraves — album of the year winner — and Cardi B —…
“That’s How You Get Trump in 2020” is Stupid Emotional Blackmail
Welcome to the next presidential election cycle. It feels like when we used to get a new “Saw” movie every year, but more painful and nonsensical. Currently, a variety of quirky characters are already auditioning to be the next president, including Texas’ own Julian Castro. Consequently, the vitriol has begun…
Mardi Gras! Galveston, Home of Beads, Balcony Parties and Tricked Out Floats
France’s monarchy may have ended with the imprisonment and subsequent beheading of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, but their decadent legacy lives on through the kings and queens of Mardi Gras, parades and floats, parties and balls, eating and drinking a bit too much, and lots and lots of beads. It’s a…
Last Minute Valentine’s Day Sweets
For those looking for unconventional Valentine’s Day celebration fodder, we’ve got you covered. But if you know your significant other is looking to pampered with a saccharine spectacle of sugar (and you perhaps forgot to plan ahead), look no further than this list. Pastries from La Sicilia: For those who…
Stuffed: The Original Marini’s Empanada House
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. In the second week of this series we introduced you to the crunchy, beefy goodness of the Colombian empanada. This week,…
Dear Netflix (and Others), Let’s Be Music Pen Pals
Dear Netflix, (also Hulu, Amazon, HBO, Showtime and other creators of original TV content), We love you and you love music and we love music, so let’s be pen pals. We’ll start and set the framework for what could maybe grow into an ongoing and mutually beneficial correspondence. Now and…
Rockets Season Feels a Long Way from 2017-18
Through 55 games in the 2017-18 season, the Rockets had lost 13 games. That included a long stretch without Chris Paul and another batch of games without James Harden. Even Clint Capela missed a handful of games. So, it wasn’t as if they were at full strength, rolling over everyone…
Cardi B to Bring Swagger Back to Black Heritage Day
About a year ago, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced that Leon Bridges would be performing during its annual Black Heritage Day. Despite his talent, the Texas native did not receive a very warm welcome. The backlash to his performance was met with even more resistance from the Bridges faithful,…
DeAndre Hopkins Named NFL’s Best Offensive Player By Pro Football Focus
He may not be the most irreplaceable player on the Houston Texans (that would be Deshaun Watson), and he might not be the biggest icon in franchise franchise history (that would be J.J. Watt), but wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the team’s best pure football player. This is something I’ve…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Crispy Lobster Sandwich at Backstreet Cafe
The Crispy Lobster Sandwich at Backstreet Cafe is how you do elevated fried comfort food. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
Neon Lights and Thrilling Rides: What’s New at RodeoHouston’s Carnival
Forget all the talk about 5G cell towers; something bigger is happening on the Midway. Ray Cammack Shows, the folks who put the fun in carnival entertainment at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, are debuting the new Titan that pulls close to four Gs. “The Titan ride is brand…
Marc Anthony Presents The Legacy Tour at Toyota Center
Marc Anthony The Legacy Tour Toyota Center February 10, 2019 The term “legacy” is defined as the amount of money or property left as an inheritance in someone’s will. It is a gift, one that is meaningful and personal, something that solidifies the connection between the two parties. Marc Anthony’s…
Valentine’s Day Preparations Take Two
No need to stress over the Valentine’s day spread because here at the Houston Press, we’ve got you covered. Compiled below is a list of seal the deal treats and what’s this— chocolate is nowhere to be found. Because unless that word is followed by “fountain,” it’s just not sexy…
Weather Week: More Ups and Downs For Valentine’s Week
From spring to winter and back again, Houston’s February has been a bizarre roller coaster of unseasonably warm weather followed by periods of cold, gray days. This past weekend, a week of highs in the 70s were transformed into a cold damp couple of days with temperatures never climbing out…
Move Over, Joaquin Phoenix. Houston Has Its Own Joker
The internet is abuzz with anticipation over the upcoming low-budget Joker film starring Joaquin Phoenix. What little we’ve seen so far does look very interesting, but Houston has its own star who is suiting up as the Clown Prince of Crime. Joe Grisaffi (Manos: The Rise of Torgo, Haunted Trailer)…
Opening Night for the Alliance of American Football — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
When the NFL season finally ends, as it did a little over a week in Super Bowl LIII, there is normally a sadness that comes over me that there will be no more football until the late summer. Yeah, there’s the combine and the draft, and there’s spring ball in…
Rockets, Astros Now Available on Streaming, But It Will Cost You
The cord cutters of the world have scored another victory. It was announced this week that streaming service fuboTV has acquired the rights to broadcast AT&T SportsNet, the home of the Rockets and Astros as well as other local sports programming, on its network. Until this week, AT&T SportsNet remained…
Houston Premiere of Comedy Rapture, Blister, Burn at 4th Wall Theatre Co. Explores Roads Not Taken
A stay-at-home mom and a dedicated career woman stare at each other’s lives and play the what-if game. OK, we’ve seen or read that story told before. But in Rapture, Blister, Burn the debate over women’s roles in society is explained by three generations and in clever language that even…
Modern Bard Jonathan Richman Reveals New Visions at the Continental Club
Some musicians make stellar contributions to the canon of rock’n’roll, thus dent the trajectory in unique ways, but few people decidedly create a whole new curvature; hence, rock’n’roll forever changes shape and style. Take exhibit A., singer and guitarist Jonathan Richman, who is gigging at Continental Club February 16 with…
This Week in Houston Food Events: EggHaus Croissants Meet BB’s Crawfish
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Valentine’s Day at Dandelion Cafe This week Dandelion Cafe, 5405 Bellaire, will offer seven days of Valentine’s Day themed, made from scratch sweet treats and eats, a limited-edition feature dish created by chef JC Ricks — duck confit…
Superb Acting on a Decadent Set in Dirt Dogs’ Boston Marriage
Two shrewd women, a put-upon maid, and a “stolen” necklace take the stage in Dirt Dogs Theatre Co.’s production of David Mamet’s Boston Marriage.
Familial Landmines Unearthed in The Landing Theatre’s Uncharted
The Landing Theatre Company premieres Brendan Bourque-Sheil’s Uncharted, a new microplay commissioned through the Landing Theatre’s Micro Theatre Project and a result of their Landing Local: New Works Initiatives.
How Your Television Became the Best Jukebox in Town
The best jukebox in town isn’t in a funky dive bar filled with interesting or questionable characters. It’s not in a forgotten corner of a smoke-filled billiards hall overrun with wannabe pool sharks. The best jukebox in town is the TV in your living room, den or bedroom. Last weekend…
Openings and Closings: Los Tios Number Five, 77 Degrees This Spring
Los Tios, 5161 San Felipe, is expected to open in the former Ciao Bello space this spring. The Tanglewood location will be the fifth and largest Los Tios in the Houston area coming in at 6,000 square feet. Adair Concepts, owned by siblings Katie Adair Barnhart and Nick Adair, operates…
Gun Violence Takes Center Stage in On The Exhale at Rec Room Arts
On May 18, 2018 the Houston metropolitan area became ground zero for the conversation about gun violence. At Santa Fe High School, Dimitrios Pagourtzis opened gunfire, killing ten people and wounding thirteen others. Incidents such as these have become all too common; this year alone there have been 25 mass shootings…
Rockets NBA Trading Deadline: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
The NBA trade deadline is superior to all other deadlines because of the wild flurry of activity leading right up to what was, this year anyway, Thursday’s 2 p.m. end to trades for the 2018-19 season. As usual, the Rockets were active, though perhaps not in the way that some…
Bands by The Strand: First Look at Mardi Gras! Galveston Headliners
Desperately seeking more live music? Cast your concert nets a bit wider this month, because Texas country star Pat Green (“Three Days”) is headlining February 23 during opening weekend of Mardi Gras! Galveston. GA tix are affordable enough at about 15 bucks, but hardcore “Texas Red Dirt” fans should check…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot
If The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot had any other title, Krzykowski likely wouldn’t get near as much shit as he’s surely going to. If audiences can get past their initial disappointment that the movie isn’t all (or even mostly) Hitler and Bigfoot killing, they may be able to enjoy his movie on…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Taste All the Gumbo at a Gumbo Smackdown
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Galveston Restaurant Week All weekend long Galveston Restaurant Week comes to a close this weekend, with a lineup of local eateries offering two and three-course meals for a cause: helping Access Care of Coastal Texas provide nutritious weekly lunches to persons…
When HydroDog Partners With Three Little Pitties, Everybody Wins
If April showers bring May flowers, what’s the yield from all these winter showers? Mud, muck, dirty paw prints and stinky, smelly dogs. We know your pooch doesn’t mind — for them all smells are good smells — but give your sniffer some relief by heading out to a mega…
Simone Biles Wins Athlete of the Year at Houston Sports Awards
In Houston, we are currently living in a golden age of team sports. The Astros are a year removed from a world championship, the Rockets are coming off a Western Conference Finals berth, and the Texans won the AFC South this past season. There is massive star power on all…
5 Tips for Fairness When Your Whole Family Games
My daughter’s big birthday present this year was a Nintendo Switch, which she loves. She’s also become a fan of Parker Plays on Disney XD, which has sparked her interested in first-person games, so she’s been playing my PlayStation 4 a lot more. Meanwhile, my wife has used the Switch…
A Welsh Man and a Romani Woman Bridge a Racial Divide in Queensbury’s For Tonight
Three Welsh siblings, left orphaned when their parents die of some undetermined illness, are suddenly forced to consider what comes next. One of them, Haydon, decides to leave their small village and travel like the Romani he has known. He arrives in Liverpool where he becomes involved with one of their…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Arak The Milk Of Lions
After years of trauma caused by chancing it on the black jelly bean, it’s time to give the anise category another try— and what better place to do so than at One Fifth Mediterranean with an Arak setup. It’s common for all cultures near the Mediterranean Sea to get down…
Houston By the Neighborhood: What a $500,000 Property Looks Like Today
Ready to buy your first home, next home, or an investment property and your budget’s set at a cool half a million? Here’s what you can get in and around the Houston area for $500,000. Hint: the results include cleared land, midcentury tear-downs, a Montrose townhome and — restoring our…
Brooks & Dunn Boot Scoot Their Way Back To RodeoHouston
This year, Brooks & Dunn will reunite for their first Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo performance in nearly a decade. After 20 years of making music together, the Grammy-winning, platinum-selling country duo called it quits in 2010. In a joint statement, they said it was “time to call it a…
Weather Weekend: Winter Returns
It has been downright muggy around here this week. High temperatures have hovered in the balmy upper 70s with clouds and occasional drizzle. We even set a record minimum temperature of 68 degrees this week. It has not been what anyone, even those of us along the Gulf Coast, would…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Shake Shack Introduces Chick’n Bites
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Shake Shack has rolled out Chick’n Bites nationwide for a limited-time. The bites are made from antibiotic-free chicken breast, hand-breaded and crisp-fried to order, served with your choice of dipping sauce, available in six piece (starting…
Ugandan Orphans Sing Their Way From Buckingham Palace to the Bayou City
Nobody chooses to join the Watoto Children’s Choir. The steep price of admission is to have lost one or both parents to the AIDS epidemic or during the war in Uganda. But taking part in the choir does offer a way out of hopelessness for these talented but vulnerable children. Blending native African rhythms,…
6 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Quidditch, Love and Lunar New Year
Love is in the air this weekend in Houston as the Bayou City ramps up for Valentine’s Day with celebrations of the Lunar New Year, dance, a roller derby quidditch match, and a bike ride past heart-themed graffiti murals. It’s a great time to explore other cultures or learn more…
Touch (Virtual) Bacteria in The Secret World Inside You at The Health Museum
The Health Museum has a brand new exhibit that highlights recent advances in understanding the complicated relation humans have with the trillions of microorganisms that live inside us. The Secret World Inside You is a small but fascinating installation, much like its subject matter. Most of us are familiar enough…
Big Band, Big Tour, Big State: Muse Kicks Off New Tour in Texas
Muse is one of the biggest rock bands in the world. The band’s stage show is often one of the biggest concert events an arena can hope to host. It takes the right kind of place (think big) to set these grand-scaled endeavors in motion and the English rock band…
Mamma Mia Kicks Into Gear in Houston Again, This Time With an Original Broadway Cast Member
Actor Mark Price has come full circle. A member of the original cast of Mamma Mia! on Broadway as Pepper, one of the young tavern workers, he’s now returning to a Theatre Under the Stars production as Harry Bright, one of the dads. And the Houston native, who now lives…
Lots of Opportunities For Rockets Before and After Trade Deadline
With Daryl Morey, you never know. The Rockets GM often approaches the NBA trade deadline like a kid playing NBA Live. And more often than not, he has pulled off a deal that stunned onlookers even when his opponents knew his reputation as a wheeling and dealing wizard. This Thursday…
Steve Boone Offers Another Taste of The Lovin’ Spoonful
It was the evening of August 23, 1966. In the bowels of New York’s Shea Stadium—though only they knew it—the Beatles were preparing for what would likely be their final concert in front of a paid audience. But instead of pacing the floor, the biggest band in the world were…
With Conversation Hearts Out, How Else to Say “Be Mine”?
Bad news, good news, bad news. Necco, the New England Confectionary Company, went bankrupt last year after more than 150 years of making sugary candies with witty sayings. Which means our annual fix for Sweethearts has come to a screeching halt. Turns out the brand has been acquired by Spangler Candy…
A Celebration of African American Contributions to Shakespeare
It’s a celebration of the contributions made by African American actors in history to Shakespeare’s plays. In a special partnership between Main Street Theater, known for its children’s programming, and the Harris County Public Library, actors will share stories, speeches and scenes from Shakespeare at four branch libraries in February…
Houston Concert Watch 2/6: Bring Me the Horizon and More
Yes, it does feel a bit gross outside at the present, a not totally pleasant reminder of Houston weather to come, but that doesn’t mean we can’t search for a silver lining or two. Yes, it’s a reminder that the sun will soon be beating down on us, but it’s…
Houston Texans Announce 2019 Coaching Staff, New QB Coach
On Tuesday afternoon, the Houston Texans announced their full staff of assistant coaches for the upcoming season. To no one’s surprise, since the cat was out of the bag several days ago, former tight ends coach Tim Kelly got his expected promotion to offensive coordinator. That move, its significance and…
Late Night: Flying Pho
They’re called “Butter Buns” and everyone needs to try them. Dead serious, it’s possible Christopher Huang, owner of Flying Pho and Ninja Ramen, has invented the next “aha” baked good— making the cronut begin to look a little bit like Mariah Carey. Beginning from the beginning; think of Butter Buns…
Houston ISD Board Members Caught on Camera in a Toxic Team Building Retreat
We knew they didn’t get along. Anyone watching one of the Houston ISD’s school board meetings in the last year could tell you that. Even after a public apology for their inability to work together in a civil manner, certain trustees haven’t been able to resist the urge to unload…
María de Buenos Aires: A Tale of Passion, Seduction and the Spirit of the Tango
It’s not uncommon for operas to be filled with passion, betrayal and evildoers. An operetta about to be performed at Opera in the Heights — Maria de Buenos Aires — has all of that and one thing more: the tango. The 90-minute straight through story tells the tale of Maria…
The Romantic Notion of Music in the Workplace
A friend sent a terrific Pitchfork article to break up my workday monotony. Between doing the to-do items scribbled onto a notepad on my office desk, I read about a couple traversing North America for months at a time and how their travels were made more poignant because of the…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: The Grab-and-Go Turkey Sandwich at Urban Eats
The turkey sandwich at Urban Eats is a remarkably sophisticated option if you are in a hurry at lunch. We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston!
The Easy Fix To Make This the Best NBA All-Star Game Ever
The 68th edition of the NBA All-Star Game is coming up on Sunday, February 17, but perhaps even more highly anticipated than the game itself is the second edition of the playground-style draft of all of the players named to the All-Star team, which this year will be, thankfully, televised…
Stuffed: Brisket Kolache from Kolache Shoppe
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. So far this series has neglected the most essential of Texan stuffed meals — the almighty kolache. This week, we put…
Facebook’s Four Most Annoying Commenter Behaviors
From privacy issues to Russian propaganda, Facebook hasn’t exactly been the most popular social media entity lately. But, still millions of people visit it regularly to catch up on friend gossip, post pictures of their dinners and wish relative strangers happy birthday. For all the knocks it has taken, Facebook…
RodeoHouston’s Elusive Lightning in a Bottle: a Look Back at Top Music Acts
Everybody knows that when it comes to paid rodeo/concert attendance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Go Tejano Day — the most popular of RodeoHouston’s themed days — almost always knocks it out of the park. El gran día celebrates the Hispanic culture that is so deeply ingrained in our region’s…
Performance Artists to Take Calculated Risks and Drop Trou in Houston Festival
The Lone Star State is the land of cowboys and wildcatters, J.R. Ewing and Walker Texas Ranger. So how to reconcile being a gay Latino in the heart of all that white male machismo? Performance artist Jose Villalobos deals with those sometimes conflicting identities by calf-roping his own body on a…
Too Heavy For Your Pocket Shows the Promise of a Young Playwright
Somewhere, I think it was between Act I and II, Jiréh Breon Holder’s Too Heavy for Your Pocket (Off-Broadway premiere, 2017) skitters off track. It’s not a train wreck, but the ride turns unnecessarily bumpy. If you don’t believe me, listen to the audience at Ensemble Theatre. When a climactic…
Super Bowl LIII: Patriots 13, Rams 3 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
In the eight Super Bowls prior to last night in which the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick combination participated, the largest margin of victory for either side, the Pats or the opposition, had been eight points, and that was last season when the Eagles and Nick Foles knocked off New England. So…
Tuesdays With Morrie Packs a Tear-Stained Wallop With A.D. Players
Guys cry. If there’s one overarching message to be gleaned from Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie, playing at A.D. Players through February 10, it’s this: it’s OK for guys to show their feelings. Go ahead, weep. It shows you’re alive, you’re human. And don’t forget to touch. That’s OK, too…
Weather Week: Spring Weather Continues
It’s the first week in February and the weather in Houston as per usual unpredictable. A low pressure system moved through the region over the weekend leaving the area gray, cloudy and pretty damp. Only moderate amounts of rain fell, but it was a pretty gross few days especially given…
King Cakes for a Houston Mardi Gras
It’s February and it’s time to go down to the Mardi Gras. For some, that means beads and boobs. For others, it’s a license to get loaded on Hurricanes and daiquiris. And for the devout, it’s time to prepare for the Lenten period and load up on all the sweets,…
Texans To Promote TE Coach Tim Kelly to Offensive Coordinator
For a head coach who won nine games in a row at one point this past season, and led his team to an 11-5 record, Bill O’Brien has, at best, an odd relationship with the Houston Texans fan base. I suppose a 1-3 career record in the postseason is an…
February Gallery Openings: Queer Art, Amor Eterno and The Whimsy World
This month in Houston art introduces a few unconventional gallery spaces, including a grocery store, an outdoor park and a psychedelic trip down the rabbit hole. We’ve also got explorations of love with hearts and bold colors, a new name for an established venue, and a “Qollective” of queer artistry…
Scorpio Rising: Dennis Coffey Gets Funky and Jazzy on Live Record
It sounded like the greatest theme song to a gritty ‘70s cops-criminals-drugs movie that never came out. But in 1971, guitarist Dennis Coffey’s funky, rocking, slashing instrumental “Scorpio” was a million seller, hitting No. 6 on the Top 40. And it’s one of the few tunes by a white act…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Lemon Hour and a Cirque du Soleil Brunch
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: New special Lemon Hour and Late Night at B.B. Lemon B.B. Lemon, 1809 Washington, has launched an all-new “Lemon Hour” menu, which includes eight new dishes plus half-priced oysters and drinks specials ($8 craft cocktails, $4 beers and $2 off all…
Dysfunction Reigns and Privilege Questioned in Rogue Productions’ Two Mile Hollow
Rogue Productions stages Leah Nanako Winkler’s Two Mile Hollow, a traditional play with some non-traditional casting.
Five Good Prop Bets For Super Bowl LIII
It’s almost here, just two days away. It’s Super Bowl LIII, or as I like to call it “Christmas Day for degenerate gamblers.” There is no more gambled upon event each year than the Super Bowl, with an estimated $6 billion slated to be wagered this year, and that number…
Openings and Closings: Mademoiselle Louise, Rustika and The Roastery Open
Mademoiselle Louise, 1725 Main, opened les portes January 7 on the bottom floor of the Sky House apartments. Frederick Fortin, from Normandy, France, left his career in telecommunications to study the art of patisserie at prestigious schools such as Ecole Nationale Superieure de la Patisserie in Yssingeaux and Ecole de…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Miss Bala
Miss Bala might have succeeded if Hardwicke and company had leaned into the weirdness of the premise or done anything to deviate from the depressingly linear plot.
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Make it a Super Beefy Sunday
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Galveston Restaurant Week All weekend long Running daily through Sunday, February 10, the island-style Galveston Restaurant Week features a lineup of local eateries offering two and three-course meals for a cause: helping Access Care of Coastal Texas provide nutritious weekly lunches…
The Wizard of Oz Comes to Houston With Shelter to Stage Back Story
Confidence is a must for any actor in the musical The Wizard of Oz, coming to Houston audiences courtesy of the Society for the Performing Arts. Stealing more than a few scenes is rags-to-riches Murphy, a very talented Brussels Griffon/Cairn Terrier mix with an adorable underbite. “He was at the ASPCA in…
The Sound of ’50s/’60s New Orleans Returns on New Anthology
In the annals of New Orleans music, you’d be hard pressed to name a tune more representative of and imbued with the spirit of the Crescent City than Professor Longhair’s 1959 version of “Go to the Mardi Gras.” And the power of the piano-and-percussion fueled tune with its laid back…
Carmageddon Again This Weekend on Houston Area Freeways
When you think about major traffic on Houston’s freeways, there are a few spots that always seem to come to mind. Two of the absolute worst are a pair of interchanges: I-45/I-69/288 and 610/I-69. They have always been mind-numbingly catastrophic. One, a tangled mess of merging lanes going seemingly every…
Houston Texans: It’s Been An Interesting Week For The Coaching Staff
Back in my pre-rado days, when I was out there on the streets selling some super dope telecom services, and I was promoted into a management position for the first time, I was given this piece of advice by my new boss, who was the Vice President of Sales for…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Epic Pig Throwdown Cochon555 Returns
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Yauatcha, 5045 Westheimer, will celebrate Year of the Pig — the 12th and final position in the Chinese zodiac — with a full month of Chinese New Year festivities, starting with a special menu available now…
Ranking the Rockets Five Worst Losses of the Season
On Tuesday night, the Rockets did the nearly unthinkable. They lost at home to a New Orleans team beset by injury and just days after their best player, Anthony Davis, demanded a trade. As one person pointed out on Twitter, a Pelicans team with Jrue Holiday and a group of…
Weekend Weather: Spring Invades Winter
The first part of the week was rather chilly with temperatures staying mostly in the 50s and clouds building in towards the middle of the week. While other parts of the country are dealing with a polar vortex and plummeting temperatures, we are about to get decidedly warmer around here…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Baijiu
Though it’s the most widely consumed spirit in the world, Baijiu isn’t exactly flying off the shelves in America. It doesn’t appear on too many cocktail lists either—even the chichi ones. Baijiu is more of an acquired taste; a mysterious circus of both scent and flavor all masked in the…
7 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Books, Bowls and One Big Night
Having fun this weekend in Houston is as easy as A-B-C. We’ve got the Amazing Acro-cats and a play about the Academy Awards, a pair of book festivals, and a couple of bowl games, though one of those has gone to the dogs. We also see the return of Stages’…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best New Restaurant
Best New Restaurant: Indigo It’s not often that you find a restaurant that not only serves beautiful, thoughtfully presented, and exquisitely prepared, technique-driven food, but also challenges you intellectually. That is what you discover when you step into chef Jonny Rhodes’ exciting tasting menu-only restaurant, Indigo. Sit down at one…
It’s Time to Admit Life is Strange 2 Isn’t Very Good
Warning: Major spoilers for Life is Strange 2 With the second episode of Life is Strange 2 out now, it’s time to admit that the second incarnation of the superpower narrative series is just not very good. In fact, it’s edging out of “acceptable” and into “this is kind of…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Category We Forgot
Best Category We Forgot — Hair Salon By an overwhelming margin, the Houston Press Readers’ Choice voters thought the No. 1 category we forgot was Hair Salon. And in almost identical numbers they said Salon Meyerland should be the recipient of that honor. We’ll make sure to get hair salon…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Band for Dancing — XanaDudes, Now We Are Here
Best Band for Dancing: XanaDudes, Now We Are Here The 1980s produced some of the greatest dance crazes of any music decade. In that era, everyday folks took to dance floors to attempt the Cabbage Patch, the Running Man and, of course, the Moonwalk. So any band covering songs from…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Grocery Store
Best Grocery Store: H-E-B at Bunker Hill Restaurants. Breweries. It’s a miracle no one has tried putting a waterslide in a grocery store yet, as eager as some companies are to try and make them destinations to visit instead of places we go out of necessity. You won’t find any…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Museum
Best Museum: National Museum of Funeral History Anything can be the subject of a museum with the right curation. Houston is home to some truly great museums with huge collections and rotating exhibits, but when it comes to showing someone Houston’s most interesting museum, it’s hard to beat the National…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Beer List
Best Beer List: The Hay Merchant Perusing a beer list should be like counting sheep. There should be multitudes to tally, but each should be interesting enough to earn more than a passing glance. And, as long as you’re not driving, they should be potent enough to put you to…
Waitress is Tart and Sweet, But a Little Sour
Mischer Neurosciences Broadway at the Hobby Center brings Waitress (and, of course, pie) to Houston for a weeklong engagement.
Technology Privacy Issues Worse Than You Think, but Not the Way You Imagine
We read about a new privacy breach involving technology virtually every day. Some company’s accounting system was hacked. Another had their email lists breached. Facebook services ads you don’t want and offers your messages content to vendors. Then, on Monday, it was widely reported that a bug in the Apple…
Astros Hall of Fame Highlights Our Shared History
The Astros announced last week their intention to build a team Hall of Fame inside Minute Maid Park. When completed, it will be a long overdue nod to the tremendous history of Houston’s professional baseball franchise. More generally, it’s another acknowledgement of the long and fascinating history of the city…
Houston Concert Watch 1/30: Fleetwood Mac and More
Were it not for some cancellations, this list might have looked very different. First, there was the High on Fire show that got axed because of health issues related to Matt Pike’s diabetes. A huge bummer for local metal fans, but here’s hoping Pike can rebound and get back out…
Late Night: Fu Fu Café
“How are you, long time no see you.” One of the two waitstaff at Fu Fu Café greets a regular—at 11 p.m. Flavor, consistency, accessibility; on paper, an establishment can do everything right, but it’s the genuine exchange of hospitality that turns a good restaurant into a great one. Because…
What If You Don’t Succeed? National Geographic Has Answers.
If at first you don’t succeed, then try again – especially if it seems unachievable. That’s the advice filmmaker Bryan Smith offers, and it is the crux of his talk this weekend during Capturing The Impossible. Part of Society for the Performing Arts partnership with National Geographic Live, the presentation starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday…
TobyMac on the Personal and Political Elements of The Elements
The beats driving TobyMac’s music and his soulful voice skew toward hip hop or R&B, so it might have taken the seven-time Grammy winner aback a bit when we suggested his music seems a little punk rock these days. “I don’t think that would be the first thing people would…
Ranking The Five Teams Who Can’t Refuse Doing HBO’s Hard Knocks
It’s hard to believe that this coming summer’s season of HBO’s award-winning NFL training camp series Hard Knocks will mark four years since the NFL Films folks were infiltrating NRG Stadium and the city of Houston to chronicle every move of the Houston Texans in the summer of 2015. It seems…
First Look: Ayie’s Filipino Food
In Houston, it’s not easy to find a Filipino restaurant that’s not a buffet. Ayie’s Traditional Filipino-American Food is here to remedy that. If you are missing your Manila mama’s home cooking, there’s a mama in the kitchen named Analyn Demeterio, better known as Ayie, who will recreate your childhood…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Japanese
Best Japanese Restaurant: Kata Robata When Kata Robata debuted in 2009 as a modest strip mall restaurant in Upper Kirby with executive chef Manabu Horiuchi at its helm, no one could have predicted the heights that it would achieve. In the ten years since it opened, however, Horiuchi has gone…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Place to People Watch
Best Place to People Watch: George Bush Intercontinental Airport It is the place where optimists and pessimists both get to go full bore for the entertainment of all. The ecstatic reunions once the disembarking passengers have made the long trek from the gate. The tearful departures before the security lines rip…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Radio Station
Best Radio Station: ESPN 97.5 Terrestrial music radio may be holding on by a thread thanks to streaming, but talk radio, particularly sports talk radio, continues to thrive. And perhaps there is no better story than that of Gow Media, the local company that started out with 1560 AM The…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Deli
Best Deli: Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen Boasting two locations and rolling its two millionth matzo ball in the early part of 2018, deli man Ziggy Gruber’s Jewish delicatessen is unbeatable. It won last year’s Best of Houston “Best Deli” category, and it’s winning this year’s, too. That’s thanks to…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Live Venue (Small) — The Secret Group
Best Live Venue (Small): The Secret Group The Secret Group’s calendar is rarely empty. Its foundation is comedy, yes, but they’ve got their share of touring acts and dance parties too, and they’ve quietly become one of the best places to see smaller touring acts in the city. Their main…
Turns Out Disturbed are Pretty Good Arena Rockers After All
Disturbed, Three Days Grace Toyota Center January 28, 2K19 David Draiman speaks with conviction. I can’t say that I always agree with what he has to say, but the way he says it makes me want to. He’s the type of guy that could easily be a life coach if…
Marlon Wayans Has The Energy of Seven Characters (And He Wants To Prove It)
Somehow, someway, comedian Marlon Wayans just released his FIRST stand-up special last year. The 10th child of the massive Wayans Hollywood family has been performing comedy since 1988, but stand-up actually came later. “Yeah, I don’t know why,” the 48-year-old questions. “I re-engineered my career all backwards, I’m crazy! Most…
Rockets In-Season Acquisitions Paying Dividends Beyond Injury Help
In four games since joining the Rockets center Kenneth Faried is averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds. That is essentially double his output for the rest of the season with Brooklyn. Austin Rivers is averaging 11 points and 3.5 assists in his 17 games with the Rockets compared to 7…
Peter Murphy of Bauhaus and Bass Player David J Coming to White Oak Music Hall
In the poetic imagination, seminal writers seem to grapple with a million profundities but tend to return to the sacred ground that gave rise to their unique sound and vision. As an example of that trait, godfather of goth Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, a band named after the German architectural…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich at Night Heron
We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston! The Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich at Night Heron will make you toss your diet out the window…for a few minutes anyway.
How Much is That Peruvian Hairless Doggie in the Mystic Lyon Window?
We can’t exactly say that installation art space Mystic Lyon has gone to the dogs; they were already there. Located in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward — at the corner of Mystic Street and Lyons Avenue (natch) — the neighborhood has more than its fair share of strays. In fact, a…
Stuffed: Chicken Puffs at Thai Jasmine Express
Get in loser, we’re going to Pearland. On this episode of Stuffed, we’re heading south of the loop to Pearland’s rapidly developing west side. In the last year, Houston’s fastest growing suburb welcomed several exciting new restaurants to its culinary roster, most of which fall far off the radar of…
Five Matchups That Will Define Super Bowl LIII
Last season, the only matchup that mattered for me at the Super Bowl was the subzero Minneapolis weather versus my nasty sinus infection. Well, it ain’t exactly tropical here in Atlanta this week — snow is expected tomorrow… in Georgia… SNOW! — but it’s freaking paradise compared to the Twin…
Metal Around the World. Travel Abroad and Turn it Up to These Seven Metal Bands from Across the Globe.
The roots of heavy metal were established in the ‘60s and ’70s mainly by British bands Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath. The metal genre has gone on to include many sub-genres such as glam, speed, doom, progressive, death, black, stoner, even Christian. Characterized by a generally masculine sound,…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Breakfast Taco
Best Breakfast Taco: Soliz Casa de Tacos Soliz Casa de Tacos is the kind of place that you find, fall in love with, and revisit often. Family owned and operated since 1984, this mom and pop shop has been serving generations of families with a recipe of fresh, handmade flour…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Podcast
Best Podcast: Stories From the Storm Nearly a year after the storm of the century made its devastating landfall in Texas, NPR began releasing a unique storytelling podcast, Stories From the Storm, highlighting individual Houstonians’ Harvey experiences. Each episode in this ten-part series by Houston Public Media features two individuals…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Record Label — Artificial Head Records
Best Record Label: Artificial Head Records In 2018, Artificial Head Records released albums by The COPS, Jody Seabody & The Whirls, Darwin’s Finches and its flagship band, Funeral Horse. Those acts command attention in Houston for their sonic bombast, manic live shows and veteran know-how. The label made sure audiences…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Radio News
Best Radio News: News 88.7 FM It’s not even close really. When it comes to news reporting on the radio in Houston, the absolute gold standard is Houston Public Media, the team of reporters and on-air news personalities for Houston NPR affiliate KUHF 88.7 FM. It’s no wonder they have repeatedly…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Chinese
Best Chinese Restaurant: Pepper Twins (River Oaks) Houston has one of the most vibrant Chinatowns in the country, so when a Chinese restaurant manages to be so good that it can lure people away from Chinatown and back into the city, it must be something kind of special. That’s what…
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Several Houston Police Officers Have Been Shot [UPDATED]
Five Houston police officers serving a warrant in Southeast Houston were shot this afternoon and are being taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital, police have reported. According to a tweet from Houston Police Chief Art Aceveo, several Houston police officers have been shot. He was proceeding to Memorial Hermann.
Toni Braxton Un-breaks Hearts at Smart Financial Centre
Toni Braxton live in concert in 2019 is something of a dichotomy. On one hand, there’s a world class, multi-platinum recording superstar she identifies as; on the other, a scattered, ridiculously candid reality television star. There is a catalog of classic ‘90s R&B hits stricken with heartbreak coupled with a…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Truffle Masters and the Return of Duck Heart Bolognese
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Galveston Restaurant Week Running daily through Sunday, February 10, the island-style Galveston Restaurant Week returns with a lineup of spots offering two and three-course meals for a cause. This year, Galveston Restaurant Week eatery has committed to help…
Five Ways METRO Can Improve Transit Through Rail
METRO has been working on a long-term $7.5 billion plan that will re-shape transit in the Houston area over the next 20 years and it is asking for the input of Houstonians. Funny they should ask, because we’ve been talking about this sort of thing for quite some time. In…
15 Shows to Kick Off Your Podcast Habit in 2019
Stop us if you’ve heard this before — the podcast industry is booming. Sometime around 2014, podcasts went from niche to mainstream overnight thanks in no small part to Sarah Koenig and her unfathomably popular true crime podcast, Serial. While podcasting had, in theory, been around since the 1980s and in…
Just in Time For the Super Bowl: Ten New Sports Anthems From the Last Ten Years
We now know the participating teams in the approaching Super Bowl and despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth by football fans who feel caught in a Groundhog Day-like hell, it’s once again Tom Brady’s New England Patriots representing the AFC. They’ll be pitted against the Los Angeles Rams who…
5 Vegetarian Dishes to Eat Right Now
The new year is ripe for resolutions and new goals; if one of your resolutions happens to focus on reducing your meat consumption, congratulations! Not only are you doing a great service to the environment, but you’re also opening up your palate and imagination to a variety of truly delicious…
Five Super Bowl LIII Storylines With Ties To the Houston Texans
So you’re a Houston Texans fan, and for the seventeenth time in the history of your fandom, you’re getting ready to watch a Super Bowl that doesn’t include your favorite team participating. It’s a shame, and hopefully, that will be remedied someday. With Deshaun Watson as your quarterback, your chances…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Mediterranean
Best Mediterranean Restaurant: Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine It’s hard not to love Aladdin; so popular that they had to rent a separate lot for overflow parking. Walking into the modest, cafeteria style-restaurant in Montrose, and seeing the hot pitas come out of the oven, is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But…
Weather Week: Cold and Dry Ahead of Warmer, Wetter Weather
This past weekend brought some pretty magnificent weather. It was a bit on the chilly side, but the sun was out and it was pretty lovely overall. This week promises more of the same for the first half of the week with clouds gathering toward the weekend. Monday will be…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Place to Relax
Best Place to Relax: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Nestled right in among some of the most urbane places in the city is the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, and it is a great place to put the rest of the world out of your mind for a while. With…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Singer — Keeshea Pratt
Best Singer: Keeshea Pratt Keeshea Pratt had almost given up on music. A transplant from Mississippi, she said she considered herself too old to compete with music’s up and comers until getting a fresh start in Houston. Less than two years ago she put together a blues band, one with…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Pho
Best Pho: Saigon House Pho restaurants and restaurants that sell Vietnam’s famous beef noodle soup are not only ubiquitous in Houston, but are also, on the whole, very good. So much so that to compete, restaurateurs and chefs are constantly upping their game with better recipes and better quality ingredients…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Sports Fans
Best Sports Fans: Houston Astros Fans It was not always easy to be a fan of the Houston Astros. There were those years where Minute Maid Park felt like a tomb and baseball felt like an elaborate pre-show for a fireworks display. But even in the most dreadful of seasons,…
A$AP Rocky Goes Wild for the Night at NRG Arena
“During the show you will be given commands. You must obey these commands. Next, we will demonstrate,” instructed a voice at the top of ASAP Rocky’s NRG Arena concert last night. The voice’s instructions included smile, frown, applaud, and most importantly – mosh pit. The young crowd of ready-to-rage twenty-somethings obliged…
Breaking Out of Sunset Place Gives Us Formulaic Senior Feistiness
‘If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don’t put it there.’ By this point, we’re all pretty familiar with Chekov’s dramatic principle governing irrelevant and superfluous elements in storytelling. But if a gun shown…
Ruston Kelly Gives Houston a Musical TED Talk on Art and Sobriety
Last night, a bunch of Houstonians with sharp music sensibilities gathered at House of Blues’ Bronze Peacock Room to take in a set by country singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly. He’s touring in support of his captivating new album, Dying Star. The rest of what you’d normally read here would be about…
HGO’s The Pearl Fishers Offers Beautiful Music and a Look at a Star on the Rise
If you want to experience a true star-is-born moment, live on stage, then go see Houston Grand Opera’s completely satisfying production of George Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers (1863), where you will discover baritone Alexander Birch Elliott as tribal chief Zurga on the seacoast of ancient Ceylon. He’s the real deal…
The River Bride Brings a Little “Once Upon a Time” Magic to Stages
The Lockhart, Texas-born playwright Marisela Treviño Orta brings The River Bride to Stages Repertory Theatre’s Sin Muros: A Latinx Theatre Festival.
Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos Jam Out at Revention Music Center
Los Lonely Boys, Los Lobos Revention Music Center January 24, 2019 There wasn’t a laser in sight last night onstage at Revention Music Center. No CO2 canons or massive video screens, no mosh pits, and definitely nobody “getting lit” or “raging”. This wasn’t that kind of party. This show was…
Catastrophic’s Wakey, Wakey Explores Death With A Lot of Life
A man named Guy faces one of life’s certainties and, unfortunately for him, it’s not taxes in the Catastrophic Theatre’s production of Will Eno’s Wakey, Wakey.
The Carpenter at the Alley Theatre Has Some Great Scenery
I’m writing my review of Robert Askins’ world premiere The Carpenter, playing through February 10 at the Alley Theatre. There’s a martini nearby. It will not be my last, I fear. This comedy…satire…farce…whatever you’d like to call it…is by the author of the irreverent, saucy, devil-as-puppet Hand to God, a…
Openings and Closings:Truth BBQ, Dish Society Open, Carmelo’s Closes
Truth BBQ, 110 S. Heights Boulevard, opened January 19. The much anticipated barbecue joint from pitmaster, Leonard Botello IV, has been a long-time coming and in a town of BBQ fanatics, the wait has been painful. A brief 45-minute drive down 290 assuaged the pain for impatient cue-heads who made…
7 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Murder, Gambling, Vice and Excess
Murder, gambling, vice and excess all get celebrated this weekend in Houston, but it’s totally legit and above board. See what all the Brits are talking about with the outdoor game of CluedUpp, where somebody always gets offed; try to win a trifecta when live thoroughbred racing returns; embrace your…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Head to the Island for Galveston Restaurant Week
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Australia Day at Platypus Brewing Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. 1902 Washington Saturday, January 26 is Australia Day, and Platypus Brewing will be celebrating with special beers and Aussie food (including Aussie meat pies). Sip brews like the Troppo, an American…
Houston Highway Construction At DEFCON 1 This Weekend
Strap yourselves in drivers. On second thought, don’t strap yourselves in. Stay at home. Ride a bike. Take a walk. If you do have to drive, assume every freeway in Houston is filled with mutant zombies hell bent on eating your brains. May as well be considering the level of…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Pork Chop
Best Pork Chop: Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille It’s almost a misnomer to call the Perry’s Famous Pork Chop just a pork chop because the “seven-finger” cut (so called because it’s as thick as seven fingers placed together) is so much more than that. Rubbed with a proprietary salty-sweet rub, then…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Place to Take a Selfie
Best Place to Take A Selfie: McGovern Centennial Gardens The problem with a lot of Houston “I’ve been there” selfie spots is, well, they are in places that you either can’t usually go (like the sky pool at the Market Square Tower or anywhere near the Be Someone graffiti) or…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Vietnamese
Best Vietnamese Restaurant: Saigon House There are Vietnamese restaurants that specialize in pho, rice and noodles, but most of them really only excel at one dish. Since taking over as culinary director of Saigon House in Midtown, chef Tony Nguyen has slowly revamped the menu, first by introducing gourmet pho,…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Dash
Best Dash: Kealia Ohai An all star since her high school days in Utah and as part of the North Carolina Tar Heels 2012 champion team, Houston Dash forward Kealia Ohai made it to the Houston Dash as the second overall pick in the 2014 college draft. A scoring leader…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Jukebox — Voodoo Queen
Best Jukebox: Voodoo Queen Voodoo Queen is a favored haunt for lots of local musicians. Sure, it’s partly (mostly) because of its delightfully boozy daiquiris and tasty noms and nearly ‘round-the-clock hours, but there’s also the jukebox. The people who work in the dimly-lit dive bar let it literally shine…
Last Night: Toro Y Moi Reaches Beyond The Bounds of Chillwave
Toro Y Moi at White Oak Music Hall, January 23, 2019. Touring behind his just-released album, Outer Peace, Chaz Bear (aka Toro Y Moi) proved at White Oak Music Hall that he has far more to offer beyond the filtered vocals and reverb-drenched drum samples of the late-2000s chillwave movement. Rather, this 2019 version of…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Poitín
Ah, the tasty moonshine of Ireland. Enjoyed as a sipper or a shooter, Poitín, at its bones is smooth, strong and floral in both flavor and scent. Sarah Cuneo, beverage director for Poitín Bar & Kitchen, features this versatile spirit all over the cocktail menu from the brunch michelada hybrid…
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These Houston Restaurants Will Take Care of the Super Bowl Spread For You [UPDATED]
Throw a killer Super Bowl shindig without the hassle by letting these Houston restaurants do the work for you. With crowd pleasers from hot wings and sliders to queso and barbecue, check out these to-go menu for Game Day in Houston. B&B Butchers & Restaurant, 1814 Washington, 832-767-4828 The Butcher…
New Houston Metal Supergroup Necrofier Descends to Eradicate the False
A chilly new year is upon Houston, and a chilling new band rises to greet it. Necrofier, an old-school black metal outfit comprising some of the local scene’s leading hell raisers, appeared out of nothingness just in time for the solstice, battle-ready and prepared to rip faces off heads. Just…
The Latinx Festival Continues at Stages Repertory Theatre
Even before last year’s inaugural Sin Muros: A Latinx Theatre Festival was over, organizers were already working on plans for this year. First year attendance was “beyond our dreams,” says this year’s festival coordinator Trevor Boffone and the normal theater audience at Stages Repertory Theatre was bolstered by a lot…
Tweed Smith Keeps Her Birthday Party Rolling
Growing up in 1950s/60s Houston, young Alice Faye Smith – named for the popular performer from a couple of decades earlier – always knew she wanted to be a singer. There was really no other career path for her, simply because it was all around her. Everyone in her family…
Will DeAndre Hopkins Make the NFL’s All-Decade Team?
As “highest honors” go, the NFL’s All-Decade team is, in a strange way, simultaneously significant and flawed. It’s significant in that, if you’re one of the 53 players to receive the honor, it’s undoubtedly a feather in your cap when it comes time for conversations about the Hall of Fame…
Da Camera Takes Us to 1900 Vienna Through Sensual Imagery and Lost Love
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall during the heady salon days of turn-of-the-century Vienna. Sigmund Freud was discovering that dreams paved the way to the unconscious, symbolist Gustav Klimt was painting erotic figures, sometimes amid much controversy, and composer Arnold Schoenberg was in love with a woman who would…
Five James Harden Myths Debunked
For the second straight year, James Harden is clearly the MVP of the NBA. With all due respect to the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Harden is performing, especially on offense, at a level we haven’t seen since before the merger. He is breaking or matching records that were set more than…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Truffle Masters Returns
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: The fifth annual Truffle Masters will take place at The Revaire, 7122 Old Katy, on Monday, January 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. Benefiting Second Servings, the event brings together top local chefs to compete in…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Soup Dumplings
Best Soup Dumplings: Wanna Bao The soup dumpling, or xiao long bao, is a delicacy from Shanghai that requires immense skill and preparation. The dumpling wrapper must be delicate and thin, with enough elasticity to hold the soup and the dumpling itself without breaking apart. The dumpling filling should be…
Weather Weekend: Winter is Here for a While
The cycle of warming followed by a stout cold front and much cooler temperatures behind it continued this week. We had almost spring-like day on Tuesday with warm and muggy conditions. But that changed rapidly overnight. A cold front brought with it a fairly strong line of storms that dropped…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Tex-Mex
Best Tex-Mex: Irma’s Original Beneath the sign that says “Irma’s Original” out front, there are four words in Spanish. “Como en su casa,” it says, which means “just like home.” That’s what you get when you walk through the doors of this beloved downtown eatery by 76-year-old Irma Galvan. There’s…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Beach
Best Beach: Surfside Beach It’s not particularly fancy, that’s for sure. And if you’re looking for a lot of other things to do, it probably isn’t the best choice. But if you just want to hang out in a place that probably doesn’t look all that different from previous decades,…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Rapper — Tobe Nwigwe
Best Rapper: Tobe Nwigwe There’s little more gratifying for Houston music followers than watching one of this city’s own blow up on a national level. Houston’s rap community has been known to produce some dazzling displays of light and no one’s been more explosive of late than Tobe Nwigwe. Tobe From…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Happy Hour
Best Happy Hour: Kirby Ice House Kirby Ice House excels at the one happy hour element many partakers weirdly rank below things like drink cost or selection. The time-honored practice of the happy hour is meant to bring us together in our revelry and this Kirby district complex arguably gathers…
Justin Timberlake Hasn’t Lost a Step, He Just Doesn’t Take as Many to Entertain
Justin Timberlake Toyota Center January 22, 2K19 Most shows that take place in the Toyota Center feature a certain level of intensity. It might be quiet or wild, but it’s there in the performance of anyone big enough to play basketball arenas. Most artists understand that achievement, and by and…
Lionshare Breaks The Cardinal Rule Of Successful Immersive Theater
When it comes to successful immersive theater, (stageless shows that plunge audiences within the performance itself), there is one cardinal rule. The show may be weird, or hard to follow along with at times or even downright silly in places, but the one thing it cannot be is boring. After…
Houston’s Best Sandwiches: All Hail Mexico’s Deli, a.k.a. Torta Heaven
We are in search of Houston’s best sandwiches because we love sandwiches and we love Houston! Mexico’s Deli, tucked into a strip mall on the west side of Houston, has more than two dozen varieties of tortas, the popular Mexican sandwich. No way I could pick just one.
Late Night: Waffle House
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Waffle House is usually a last-minute decision and always when you need it most. A round of applause please for the staff who work hard to fill those hours—go ahead, it’s okay to throw them a few extra bucks. Houston isn’t…
Houston Concert Watch 1/23: Disturbed, Darude and More
This was the first week in a while that whittling down the five best shows of the week was a serious challenge, as so many artists big and small are back out on the road playing shows and trying to stay warm. Since no one cares about the Pro Bowl,…
Re-grading Texans GM Brian Gaine’s 2018 Offseason and In-Season Moves
As off-seasons go, this one should more closely resemble what Houston Texans general manager Brian Gaine will become accustomed to during what is hopefully a long and successful reign as the architect of this franchise’s roster. Last offseason was short on both resources and time, as the team was lacking…
Check Out This Quack at Alley Theatre Directed by Tony Award Winner Judith Ivey
Dr. Irving Baer is a daytime talk show host with a program that reaches out to a vast number of women viewers as he tells them how to take control of their health and lose weight. His world is pretty rosy until he gets word that a forthcoming magazine piece…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Sushi
Best Sushi: MF Sushi It’s said that there are two types of omakase (chef’s choice) menus at MF Sushi: The one that the servers offer to bring you at your table, and the one that chef/owner and sushi master Chris Kinjo prepares. It’s the latter that you want to book…
Four Ways to Make Officiating Better
New Orleans has, in recent years, become a remarkably safe place. That stands somewhat in contrast to years when crime levels were high in the Crescent City. In those days, fans streaming into the Superdome might have been concerned about being robbed on their way to see the Saints. On…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Honky Tonk — Goodnight Charlie’s
Best Honky Tonk: Goodnight Charlie’s Goodnight Charlie’s just celebrated its first anniversary, but the Montrose honky tonk packed a lot into its first year and is the cornerstone for much planned activity in its immediate area. A retail wine shop and two restaurants from the club’s ownership are due soon, all located on the same…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Spay/Neuter Clinic
Best Best Spay/Neuter Clinic: Snap Spay-Neuter and Animal Wellness Clinic You can call them specialists. This isn’t the place to take an injured animal but if you want competent, low-cost animal spay and neuter services (and basic wellness services), Snap Spay-Neuter and Animal Wellness Clinic is the place to go. As its…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Performance Space
Best Performance Space: MATCH Our inventive theater companies always accomplish the most with the least, from Rec Room’s shoebox intimacy to Queenbury and A.D. Players’s sumptuous state-of-the-art digs. But for versatility and ecumenical accommodations, nothing in town rivals MATCH. The four multi-use theaters that comprise Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Chicken Fried Steak
Best Chicken Fried Steak: Hickory Hollow Any food can be elevated with enough tinkering, but some foods just shine brightest in their most minimal configuration. Take Hickory Hollow’s chicken fried steak: it’s a chunk of beef beat flat and covered in a simple breading, met in the middle by a…
America’s Got Talent Favorite Drew Lynch’s Stutter Doesn’t Define Him
“In a format like America’s Got Talent where everyone has got maybe three minutes to show who they are – it made it even MORE challenging. Word economy is something that is so important!”
Stuffed: Buns at Six Ping Bakery
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. The goal of this column is to highlight cross-sectional foods. There is something universal about stuffed dough, whether it be steamed,…
Dough will Be Rolled and Pies Will be Made in the Musical Waitress at the Hobby
In Waitress, Jenna longs for a better life than the one she has with her abusive lout of a husband. A waitress, she’s also an exceptional pie maker and looks to a baking contest to help her get out of where she’s stuck in life. Based on the movie by…
10 Not So Classic Songs To Set The Mood This Valentine’s Day
All right huddle up—time to maybe do a few sit-ups, freshen up your best tiger crawl and attack this Valentine’s day like the sexy cats I know you are. This year, the Houston Press has your back in terms of setting the mood. Assembled below is a list of grooves…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Ramen
Best Ramen: Tiger Den A decade ago there were no ramen restaurants in Houston. But a wave of ramen-yas started entering the market in 2012 and now the options abound. There are cool, design-driven trendy places that play techno music while dishing out steaming hot bowls, and mom-and-pop shops that…
Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson Named To 2019 Pro Bowl
Ideally, down the road, Deshaun Watson will be named to several Pro Bowls as one of the actual three best quarterbacks in the AFC, and even more ideally, he will not have to play in said Pro Bowls, because the Houston Texans are playing in the Super Bowl the following…
Sarah Shook Will Carve Out Some Songs Saturday at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Rarely does a woman tap into Nashville’s roots, find an audience bored of trite same-same formulas, and tour to a feverish small following without giving up one iota of her bareboned style, political and sexual gutsiness, and shamelessly scruffy lyrical fodder. Sarah Shook, though, with her tattoo-etched arms and raw…
The Shrouded Isle is Like a Demented Solitaire
One of the things I love about the Nintendo Switch is how dedicated the eShop is to embracing indie gaming and bringing some of the most notable titles from Steam to consoles. Sony and Microsoft do that too, of course, but Nintendo’s efforts have an ambassador feel that the other…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Live Venue (Big) — Smart Financial Centre
Best Live Venue (Big): Smart Financial Centre Holding a max of 6,400 music fans, Smart Financial Centre is not the biggest venue in Houston, but it’s the one that takes the best parts of Houston’s bigger venues and puts them all in one place. It brings in major acts of…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Family-Friendly Restaurant
Best Family-Friendly Restaurant: Little Matt’s Hidden by a plain exterior in West University is a restaurant that your kids are going to be over the moon for. At Little Matt’s the food is fine — more elevated than you might guess, including some truly interesting burger and chicken options, along…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Dance Company
Best Dance Company: NobleMotion Dance Can you believe it’s been ten years since Andy Noble and Dionne Sparkman Noble unveiled their then-new company, NobleMotion Dance, at 2009’s Big Range Dance Festival? Yes, this year marks a decade for the company and the co-artistic directors celebrated their aluminum anniversary with an…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Computer Store
Best Computer Store: Micro Center Sure you can order what you what online and with Amazon Prime get that monitor or keyboard to you really quickly. But often you need to go to a physical address, look at all the choices firsthand and be guided by people who know what…
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Where to Dine on Valentine’s Day 2019 in Houston [UPDATED]
Love is in the Houston air this Valentine’s Day, so now is the time to make reservations for the special day. From decadent, prix fixe meals for two to a la carte affairs offering complimentary bubbly and chocolate-dipped strawberries, these Houston restaurants are ready to bring the love: ARA Restaurant…
NFL Playoffs, Conference Title Games: 4 Winners, 4 Losers
All week long, I was positive, emphatic even, in taking the two home teams in the AFC and NFC title games. The trend was my friend, and the trend I’m talking about was the stretch of five postseasons in a row where the home team won straight up in both…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Celebrate Two Years at Riel
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Limited-time special Restaurants Rally for Furloughed Federal Workers Four Houston restaurants are offering no-cost dining options for federal workers either furloughed or forced to work without pay during the government shutdown of many federal jobs. D’Amico’s Italian Market Café, 5510 Morningside;…
Rarely Performed, The Pearl Fishers Comes to Houston, Courtesy of HGO
In Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers, the plot centers on the two best friends, Nadir and Zurga who will always be together — until the priestess Leila arrives and both fall in love with her. The rarely performed opera has some wonderful music, especially the duet between the male leads which…
Blackberry Smoke Plays Music That Sticks To Your Ribs
Sometimes, bands will expend time, planning, and energy into putting out a new record. And sometimes, one can emerge organically, almost as an unexpected afterthought. For Atlanta-based southern rockers Blackberry Smoke, last year brought both of those creative paths to the sonic portfolio. In April, the band that features Charlie…
5 Myths About the Alt-Right
Donald Trump has been referred to as our first alt-right president thanks in large part of the way people like Steve Bannon factored into his rise to the Oval Office. Yet, the term remains nebulous and poorly-defined. That’s on purpose. A lot of alt-right figures keep themselves just barely acceptable…
Weather Week: Short Warm Up Before Cold Returns
Houston’s first freezing weather this year set in over the weekend with temperatures dipping to at or slightly below the freezing mark early Sunday morning, just in time for the Houston Marathon. Fortunately, it was followed by some spectacular sunshine with highs in the low 50s. We will have a…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Ice Cream
Best Ice Cream: Fat Cat Creamery Fat Cat Creamery isn’t out to reinvent the wheel. Sure, they branch out into interesting flavor combinations beyond vanilla and chocolate — caramel apple, spiced cream and lavender honey all appeared on the menu in 2018 — but there’s a lovely simplicity to what…
Amanda Shires is Heading Back to Houston to See the Sky and Perform at Heights Theater
Amanda Shires is a veteran musician who’s comfortable around music legends like Willie Nelson and Billy Joe Shaver, but occasionally can still be taken aback by them. For instance, she interrupted our interview to inform us bluegrass hero Jim Lauderdale was doing tai chi in her driveway. “You grow up…
January Art Shows Include Dystopian VR and Putting Racism in the Crosshairs
Our first look at art exhibits for the new year unearthed several notable gems but, as they say on TV, “wait there’s more.” Much, much more, in fact. For inspiration, Sarah Sudhoff looked to the skies, Javier Marín deconstructed mythical figures and the human form, and Moody Gallery celebrates more than…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Astro
Best Astro: Justin Verlander In all of the injury and offensive struggles for a remarkably good 103-win Astros team, there was always a single constant in ace Justin Verlander. He led the American League in strikeouts and quality starts, and was second in innings pitched. He was also tops in…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Costume Shop
Best Costume Shop: Danny’s Trix & Kix Though it lacks the size and scope of Arne’s or the pedigree of some other shops, Danny’s Trix & Kix manages to pack a whole lot of exceptional costume potential into its space. You can think of them sort of as a year-round…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Italian
Best Italian Restaurant: Fresco Cafe Italiano When you think Italian, you most likely think tablecloths and a big bill. For most, Italian is what you go for when it’s time to celebrate or you just want a fancy night out, but Italian can just as easily be comfort food that…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Blues Club — Emmit’s Place
Best Blues Club: Emmit’s Place Prognosticators, including some of the very musicians who’ve worked hard to keep the music alive, have long predicted the death of the blues. It remains a living art form thanks to places like this southwest Houston night spot. There’s nothing fancy about Emmit’s Place. It’s…
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Gun Ownership Gets The Dark Humor Treatment In The Secretary [UPDATED]
In times of political and social turmoil, many believe it’s an artist’s duty to react to and address the causes of our discontent. If true, a playwright has three methods of attacking this challenge. He/she can create a provocatively serious or disturbing work about the issues, asking the hard questions…
Florencia en el Amazonas: An Opera Rich in Sound and Look at HGO
Daniel Catán’s ultra-romantic Florencia en el Amazonas (1996, in its Houston Grand Opera world premiere) is not a great opera, but it is a good one. There’s wondrous beauty threaded throughout the orchestration; the swirling melodies recall another musical era – swathes from Puccini and Debussy, tinges from Korngold; and…
NFL Playoffs, Conference Title Games: This Weekend’s Best Bets
And then, there were four! Yes, after 256 regular season games and eight more playoff games, we are down to the conference title games in the NFL, and while the lack of upsets last weekend in the divisional round continued to pillage and plunder my prognosticating winning percentage —- seriously,…
Diana Davila Elected President of the HISD Board But Not Without a Challenge
With all their declarations about working together and setting aside their differences, trustees of the Houston ISD didn’t seem all that warm and cuddly Thursday night when they voted in their new officers for the year. Diana Davila, who’s been on and off the board and back again, was elected…
Openings and Closings: Roma, Sorriso Open, Pax Americana Closes
Roma, 2347 University, officially opened January 11. The new Roman-inspired trattoria takes the place of Shanon and Wende Scott’s upscale ristorante, Sud Italia, which closed January 1 to make way for the Scotts’ new more casual and affordable concept. Described as an “ode to the foodways of Southern Italy”, the…
Riel Celebrates Its Two-Year Anniversary
Houston culinary darling Riel, the Gulf Coast concept opened by chef Ryan Lachaine in 2017 is celebrating its two year anniversary on Tuesday January 22. To celebrate, Lachaine and Co. will offer a special $2 happy hour featuring both drinks and bites from 5 to 6:30 pm. The kitchen will…
K-pop’s Girl Group Oh My Girl Heads For Stereo Live. Behold the Phenomenon.
When the K-pop girl group Oh My Girl perform at Stereo Live on January 22, three types will be in the audience. Miracles, as committed Oh My Girl fans are known, will be in attendance; many will have traveled hours to support their idols on their first U.S. tour. Local…
7 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Trees, Titans and a Turkish Music Fest
We’ve got seven reasons why staying home this weekend is a really bad idea. Find sophisticated culture with the Houston Iranian Film Festival and the Turkish Music Festival; court intrigue with Company OnStage’s Becket, or the Honour of God; an afternoon block party, courtesy of MATCH; and a historic tour…
Air Supply Are Anything But Out Of Love At The Stafford Centre
Nobody really dislikes Air Supply.
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Conquer the Chili Quest and Beer Fest
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest at The Strand Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 23rd and Strand The tenth annual Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest will kick off with a party at Yaga’s Café, 2314 Strand, on Friday from…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Thai
Best Thai Restaurant — Night Market Thai It took a while for Night Market Thai to find its feet but, these days, the trendy-looking spot with its huge Buddha mural and decorative shelves filled with Thai knick knacks has literally turned up the heat on its dishes. Spice is used…
Guit With It and See Junior Brown at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Junior Brown is a country western workhorse. Consistently touring for decades, he began as a back up musician for such acts as The Last Mile Ramblers and Asleep at the Wheel. “I had no other skills in life than playing music,” Brown has said. “I played more nights in honkytonks…
Disengage, Disable or Delete: Which Choice is Right for Abandoning Social Media?
There are plenty of good reasons to leave social media in the dust. From the amount of time it can take up to the toxic nature of posts to the privacy concerns, there are many people who have decided to cut the cord from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others in…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Glass
And if the stakes are somewhat less dramatic than saving the world from Steppenwolf or Canned Heat or Jethro Tull or whatever, the consequences are just as dire. Perhaps more so.
Best of Houston® 2019: Ice House — West Alabama Ice House
Best Ice House: West Alabama Ice House The New York Times came to Houston to write a story about Texas ice houses vanishing “like frosty beer on a warm afternoon.” They reported from West Alabama Ice House to see if that venerable watering hole, known and beloved by generations of…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Dessert
Best Dessert — Xochi Just one glance at the dessert menu at Xochi and it’s obvious that it’s something special. A celebration of Oaxacan cuisine and also a showcase for pastry chef Ruben Ortega’s talent, the menu is divided into two parts: Chocolate and Dessert. The chocolate menu is a…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Mechanic
Best Mechanic — Robert Zaharatos, Dennis Auto Service Center Come for the auto repair and maintenance but stay for deep conversations about philosophy and a hefty collection of coffee table books. You’ll experience honest, no-nonsense workmanship from mechanic Robert Zaharatos and his team in the bays out back and, while…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Arts Festival
Best Arts Festival: Houston Via Colori Every year in mid-November the streets around Houston’s City Hall are covered in colored chalk and no one gets in trouble for it. It’s Via Colori, the arts festival that does such a great job of blending amateur and pro talent to produce amazing…
Early Super Bowl Odds For Next Season Show Reduced Faith in Houston Texans
This time a year ago, the Houston Texans were one of the bigger mysteries in the National Football League. Deshaun Watson’s season had ended with an ACL tear after six scintillating starts, J.J. Watt’s future was very much up in the air, and the dust was just settling on Bill…
Rockets Lose House, Gain Euro Player Nunnally and Maybe a Recovered Gordon
The Rockets revolving carousel of players continues. Already without Chris Paul (hamstring), Eric Gordon (knee) and Clint Capela (thumb), they added another casualty on Tuesday in surprising young forward Danuel House. But, it wasn’t an injury that cost them their starter, but stalled contract negotiations. House was playing on a…
Political Correctness vs The Book Of Mormon
As the kids say, it’s been a minute since I’ve seen The Book of Mormon. Translation for the rest of you, several years have passed since I last saw the show. The first time was the original Tony Award-winning 2011 production on Broadway, followed by touring productions in no less…
Wild Moccasins’ Zahira Gutierrez on breakups, making amends and remixes
“If we hadn’t broken up, the band probably would have.” When it comes to her relationship with Cody Swann, Zahira Gutierrez doesn’t mince her words. But neither did Swann, which is why the former romantic partners were able to continue being band mates. “It kind of gave the band and…
Tales From the Top Shelf: Catch Some Cider With Two Weeks Of Texas Txotx Festivities Starting Tomorrow
If long fermentation with natural yeasts in wooden casks doesn’t get you warm and fuzzy, drinking out of a porrón definitely will. First, erase the image of sippy-cup sweet, bubbly apple juice, because Basque Country cider is the farthest thing from that baby in a carriage. “High acidity, it’s savory,…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Get Your Tickets to the 2019 Menu of Menus Extravaganza
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Early bird tickets ($49 general admission, $79 VIP) are now on sale for the annual Houston Press Menu of Menus® Extravaganza, held on Tuesday, April 9 at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards. Guests can enjoy unlimited…
Is Dr Pepper the Soft Drink of Texas?
The state bird of Texas is the mockingbird. The state tree, pecan. Some would say that Lone Star Beer is the state brew of Texas, if you can stomach it. And now, Dr. Pepper wants to be your state soft drink. The company, which is now Keurig Dr Pepper, is…
Weekend Weather: Break Out the Parka
Houston is not typically a very cold place. But in January and February, it can, on occasion, get downright chilly. This is one of those weekends. This week has been mostly cool and gray with highs around 60 and mostly cloudy skies. There hasn’t been much more than a drizzle…
9 Houston Rappers to Follow in 2019
In many ways 2018 was a quiet year for Houston hip hop. Sure, we got Astroworld, the career defining album by Mo City’s favorite son, along with the nostalgic festival of the same name. We also welcomed break out independent phenom Tobe Nwige into the national spotlight and enjoyed the enduring…
Alien Hunter Derrel Sims Keynotes Houston’s First Skydancer UFO Con
Alien Hunter Derrel Sims tells us that, if you’ve been kidnapped by aliens, chances are one of your family members has also been snatched. “You’re not special or unique; none of this weird stuff. They’re interested in your lineage,” he explains. Sims says that as a child he was abducted…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Margaritas
Best Margaritas: El Big Bad Margaritaville, as described by Jimmy Buffett, is probably a state of mind rather than an actual place. If it were a locale with a real address, it would not be the one taken by tequila haven, El Big Bad. The persona in the song is…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Music Act Name
Best Music Act Name: Just Hangin’ Out Houston has a music community and Cat Darshad is part of it. The singer-songwriter calls her music Just Hangin’ Out and it’s a catalog of Kimya Dawson-esque, pared down tunes that speak truth through sometimes comic and frequently poignant lyrics. It’s also the…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Mascot
Best Mascot: Orbit Long before Gritty became an internet sensation, Houston knew the power of an unconventional mascot. Orbit has everything you want in a good mascot; his unique look means he’s recognizable instantly, he ties in nicely with the overall theme of the team and he is damn good…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best French Fries
Best French Fries: La Lucha Twiggy, incredibly crisp French fries aren’t accompanied by the usual suspects at this fresh-faced, San Jacinto Inn-inspired concept. Instead, you’ll find the frites paired with a velvety and incredibly dreamy blue crab chowder. Pour it over the top with some hot sauce to coat each…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Place to Buy Video Games
Best Place to Buy Video Games: Houston Arcade Expo Once upon a time finding a video game store in Houston that reached further back than the PlayStation 2 era was so rare that it was actually news when Game Over opened here. Not anymore. H-Town has fully embraced the entire…
Despite Quiet Offseason, Astros are Oddsmakers’ Choice to Lead MLB in 2019
With all deference to my colleague, Sean Pendergast, and his infinitely greater knowledge of the science and art of gambling, I do know one thing: Vegas is right more often than not. The house almost always wins after all. And according to recent reports, Las Vegas is betting on the…
Houston Concert Watch 1/16: Justin Timberlake and More
This weekend promises to be so cold you might, briefly, at least, believe that winter is possible in Houston. You might also find yourself thinking that your time is better spent curled up under your blanket streaming any number of documentaries on Fyre Fest, but if you’re willing to brave…
Late Night at El Rey Taqueria
If there’s one thing Uber drivers love: it’s ferrying the squad through drive-through at two in the morning. Often times they end up with a taco or six. El Rey stays open until 3 a.m. Thursday to Saturday and while it’s quick and easy to order take out, dining in…
Houston Grand Opera Presents the Magical Realism of Florencia en el Amazonas
It’s the stuff of countless books and magazine fiction. A young couple in love, but she has a gift of incredible talent and needs to leave to develop it. And he must stay because he is a butterfly hunter and where better to do that than the Amazon. She becomes…
Ensemble Bringing Regional Premiere of ’60s Drama, Too Heavy for Your Pocket
Eileen Morris isn’t afraid of a good challenge. As artistic director of The Ensemble Theatre, she already had planned a robust 2018/19 season with five regional premieres. So what’s one more hurdle? When the casting for the upcoming production of Too Heavy for Your Pocket was all said and done,…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Fried Chicken
Best Fried Chicken: Killen’s Barbecue Chef Ronnie Killen pumps enviably craggly, juicy chicken in true granny style (for real, the recipe is based on Killen’s grandma’s). Formerly a Sunday-only special, you can now get your hands messy with the fried bird during Killen’s Barbecue’s upgraded dinner service (which launched in…
Amen Dunes is Bringing His Newfound Critical Praise to Houston
In 2018, no one better represented the idea of a “genreless” artist than Damon McMahon (aka Amen Dunes), a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter who with the release of 2018’s Freedom, showed off his ability to craft something completely singular. In response, McMahon now finds himself as a true critics darling for the first time in his career,…
My Three Point Plan To Improve Bill O’Brien’s Popularity
With the benefit of hindsight and a couple weeks removal from the disappointing ouster at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts in NRG Stadium, I think it’s now safe to say that the Texans’ 2018 season was one of the stranger referendums on a division-winning coach that I’ve ever experienced…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Sporting Goods Store
Best Sporting Goods Store: Academy Sports + Outdoors Houston baseball fans waited 55 years for a World Series title. When the Astros began their quest for a championship more than a half-century ago, Academy Sports + Outdoors already existed in some form, so it makes sense the company would celebrate…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Wine List
Best Wine List: Nobie’s Bigger isn’t always better and, at the adorably cozy Nobie’s, what the wine list lacks in size it makes up for in creativity and quality. The bungalow that plays vinyl and serves up craft cocktails has drawn rave reviews for its food, but its unique wine…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Movie Theater
Best Movie Theater: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema LaCenterra It starts off with the carpet. It’s a silly thing to swoon for, but the moment you see that tribute to The Shining on the floor in front of you, you know you’re somewhere movies matter. There’s only one Alamo Drafthouse in the…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Karaoke
Best Karaoke: Glitter Karaoke According to Wikipedia, communal sing-a-longs aren’t just fun, but have helped humankind evolve and survive. Warbling with one another built cohesiveness among our ancestors and helped them communicate and fight off predators. Thousands of years of such behavior are on full display at Glitter Karaoke nightly…
Horse Head Theatre Co. Announces It Is Closing up Shop and Holding a Wake
Barely ten years into its existence, Horse Head Theatre Co. announced today that its 2018 season will turn out to be its last. It couldn’t stay financially viable no matter the cutbacks it made. But it is going out in stypl In a press release from Tasha Gorel, the theater’s…
Ranking the Four Possible Matchups For Super Bowl LIII
For the first three months of the 2018 NFL regular season, we all talked about how “top heavy” the league was, with three teams clearly distinguishing themselves as the best and most dangerous — the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, and New Orleans Saints, in some order, with the…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Bánh Mì
Best Bánh Mì: Roostar Vietnamese Grill Put almost anything between two slices of bread and it’s an improvement. In Houston, with its infinite diversity, that can mean a burger, a barbecue sandwich, a torta, a po’ boy or an Italian hoagie. But the king of the Houston sandwiches is that wonderful French-Vietnamese…
Short-Handed Rockets Add Capela to the Injury List
The Rockets recently completed what was arguably the toughest stretch of the season. In those ten games that concluded with a loss to Milwaukee last week, they were 8-2. All of that was done without Chris Paul, who remains sidelined for at least a couple more weeks with a hamstring…
Everything’s Coming Up Roses for JJ Grey, the Constant Gardener
JJ Grey’s passed a couple of career and personal milestones recently. He’s been crafting his distinguishable brand of soulful southern rock/rhythm and blues for better than 20 years now, for instance. He celebrated a 50th birthday not that long ago. But, he said, he’s not given to filling scrapbooks with…
Houston Designers Ready for Discovery Green’s First Ever Fashion Show
Inspiration can strike at any moment. Fashion designer Chloe Dao set herself apart from the pack in Season Two of Project Runway, transforming her own dress and coat into a stunning ’60s-inspired dress with oversized pockets to secure the top spot; then taking that lead and running with it all…
Stuffed: Colombian Empanadas at La Fogata
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. Ah, the empanada. The universal street food of Latin America. Every major cuisine south of the Rio Grande has its own…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Brunch
Best Brunch: The Classic This no-fuss neighborhood spot re-imagines the old benjy’s on Washington, offering a diner-style vibe with countertop swivel seats, an open kitchen and simple, nostalgic eats. During weekend brunch, that nostalgia comes in the form of spectacularly fluffy Dutch baby pancakes drizzled in maple syrup; Russian-style pelmeni…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Band For Drinking
Best Band For Drinking: The Broken Spokes The Broken Spokes are one of Houston’s busier country acts. The gigs they take routinely have something in common – booze. Hooch. The sweet, intoxicating nectar of the gods. Whether they’re playing a brewery like 8th Wonder or a honky tonk like Whiskey…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Gay Bar
Best Gay Bar: George Country Sports Bar George Country Sports Bar is a melting pot of regulars, newbies, the fresh-faced and the seasoned. Whether it’s Dolly Parton or Drake you’re keying in on the jukebox, anyone and everyone is welcome — which is why it collects die hard regulars from…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Bike Shop
Best Bike Shop: Bike Barn Oh Bike Barn. How do we love thee? Let us count the ways: bikes, apparel, gear, electric bikes, the fact that you’re Houston owned and operated, the rides you organize to places near and far, your custom bike fit studio, and how you’ll store gifts…
Guns Are Going Off in The Secretary But Is Anyone Pulling the Trigger?
“Guns can be objects of terror or symbols of love.” It’s with those thoughts in mind that playwright Kyle Schmidt wrote The Secretary which is on stage at Main Street Theater. The play takes place in a small town and centers on a gun company there. Guns start going off all…
gnash Opens Doors to The Broken Hearts Club at House of Blues
“You’re my first ever concert, gnash!” shouted a kid no older than 10 at the front of the stage. His declaration came just after a girl toward the back hollered “You cured my depression.” Set to the backdrop of selections from his debut album we, on Sunday night gnash transformed the…
Weather Week: Wild Swings Ahead of Potential Arctic Blast
Last week saw plenty of ups and downs in the weather, but it ended with a stunningly beautiful couple of days. This week brings more inconsistency, but it will also finish with a bang. In this case, the bang comes in the form of a strong cold front that should…
H-Town Comedy Line-Up: Jay Pharoah, Aasif Mandvi, Smokey Suarez and More
Laugh your troubles away because Houston is ground zero for stand-up, sketch and improv. From homegrown talent to Hollywood’s finest, get ready for upcoming stints with Jay Pharoah, Brady Bob, Marcus Bowers, Smokey Suarez, Paula Poundstone, Daniel Simonsen, Bob Biggerstaff and the Texas debut of Aasif Mandvi. [related stories] President Barack Obama might…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Marathon Watch with Breakfast and Coffee
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long through Tuesday, January 22 Citrus Fest at Central Market “Citrus Fest” will take place at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, now through Tuesday, January 22. During the two-week event, guests can expect a variety of citrus fruits and citrus-themed…
5 Tips for Houston Family Farm Trips
For reasons I’m not sure that I could explain, I spend a lot of time taking my kid to various Houston farm parks. What’s a farm park? They’re farms with rides and bouncy castles and stuff like that. We have a lot of them up on the north side. Old…
NFL Playoffs, Divisional Round — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
I think it’s safe to say that the Cowboys and the Colts are the two teams that Houston Texan fans hate the most. If they’re not THE top two, then they are two of the top four or five, at worst. So, in my four decades of watching NFL football,…
How Satellite Bar is Helping to Shape the Houston Music Scene
Pulling up to Satellite Bar in an Uber almost always results in the same confused reaction from the driver. Sandwiched between a Whataburger and a dated car wash in the city’s Greater East End, the 2,000 square foot building is about as discreet as they come—far from the flashy look…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Enchiladas
Best Enchiladas: Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen’s signature dish has been recognized as some of the most delicious in the country (USA Today), state (Texas Monthly) and city (Houston Press Best of Houston, as recently as 2016). The enchilada market here is saturated, so cynics may find it tempting…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Music Festival
Best Music Festival: Madness on Main What has separated Madness on Main from other Houston music festivals over its five year run is its ability to cull resources from a local music and music-interested community clamoring to be heard. The D.I.Y. ethic of the event means it doesn’t belong to…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Pizza
Best Pizza: Pizza Motus You’ll find a different kind of pizza at this fresh-faced West University joint, where the dough is slung Roman-style. It’s known as pizza al taglio, a popular street food that marries a thick, but miraculously light and airy center with a crispy crust and rectangular shape…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Wine Store
Best Wine Store: Vinology The idea of a wine store can be intimidating for those whose tastes don’t range much further than whatever they can find at CVS on a Tuesday night. But, whether you are seeking out a rare vintage or just trying to find a gift for the…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Bookstore
Best Bookstore: Blue Willow Bookshop If you really want to connect with a book, make sure you stop in at Blue Willow Bookshop. It’s a small shop, but what they manage to pack into it is always current. You will find staples, but what makes the store great is its…
Bayside Strips Down Pop Punk Anthems at White Oak Music Hall
Bayside White Oak Music Hall January 11, 2019 Bigger isn’t always better. I know we’re in Texas, but sometimes a bit of coziness is preferable to all the grandeur. In the case of Bayside, the longtime punk-rockers who have released seven studio albums over the past 15 years, a smaller venue…
NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round — This Weekend’s Best Bets
There’s an old episode of Seinfeld — actually, now that I think about it, having closed up the “new episode shop” in 1998, ALL episodes of Seinfeld are old episodes — where Kramer is participating in a charity walk benefitting AIDS research. The night before, he is up all night smoking cigars,…
Cirque’s Luzia May Be Their Best Touring Dream to Date
There are certain things you expect when purchasing a ticket to a Cirque du Soleil performance, unspoken guarantees of what you’ll see before your eyes. You know there will be a clown character of some sort. You know you’ll watch humans made of the same flesh and bone as yourself…
The Book of Mormon Flies Back Into Houston, And No It’s Not Toned Down
The winner of nine Tony Awards and a perennial audience favorite in Houston — even as it offends some — The Book of Mormon is back at the Mischer Neurosciences Broadway at the Hobby Center for a short run. This irreverent view of missionary life as experienced by members of The Church…
We Need More Kid-Friendly Video Games Like Knack
Knack is one of those games that we never seem to talk about despite it being a launch title for the PS4. It was a giant critical “meh” when it came out, and its 300,000 units sold had a lot to do with the fact that it came packaged with…
Openings and Closings: The Pit Room is Bringing Tex-Mex to Montrose, Hopdoddy Heights
The Pit Room, is bringing Tex-Mex to 4306 Yoakum, replacing the former Cane Rosso, which closed December 30 and is just down the road from The Pit Room itself. Sambrooks Management, which also operates Star Fish, Sam’s Fried Chicken and Donuts and Pi Pizza, will will integrate smoke and fire…
Rockets Will Need Everybody for a Deep Playoff Run
On Wednesday night, the Rockets lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 116-109 at home despite 42 from James Harden. It was only their third loss in the last 15 games, a 12-3 mark during arguably their most difficult stretch of the season that has propelled them from the basement of the…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurant
Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurant — Vibrant Vibrant was a passion project for Kelly Barnhart. A single mom with a growing daughter, she wanted to feed her daughter food that was healthy, delicious, and would make her feel more “vibrant.” When she couldn’t find it, she set out to open a place…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: The Upside
Hart’s usual histrionics are limited to what you’d probably seen in the trailers, and if he doesn’t have the range to truly bring Dell to life, at least he’s not screaming the whole time.
Freeway Closures Affecting the Suburbs All Weekend
When discussing construction issues on our area roadways, it might feel like areas inside the 610 Loop get all the coverage. After all, traffic in the core of the city does tend to affectthe greatest number of Houstonians. But that doesn’t mean we all don’t recognize the sacrifices our neighbors…
Bands and Friends Come Together for Punk Rock Stacy
Houston Press’s Chris Gray once wrote that Rudyard’s is beloved by local musicians because of its “commitment to putting the bands first.” He penned that line for an article about Stacy Hartoon, someone who’s made that commitment her highest priority, no matter the position she’s held (and there have been…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Take a Class at Public Services Wine & Whisky
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: PPK Pop-Up at Kirby Ice House Friday, 5 to 9 p.m 3333 Eastside Get a first taste of Peli Peli Kitchen’s newly revamped menu (available at PPK beginning Monday, January 21), which will focus on real-deal Peri Peri chicken and seafood…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Neighborhood Bar
Best Neighborhood Bar: Sassafras As the demographics of neighborhoods like Oak Forest began to change in the last decade, so did the business that moved into the area. In the case of a rather quiet, industrial stretch along Pinemont, that meant Sassafras, a bar with its killer jukebox, pool table…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Sandwich
Best Sandwich: Mortadella Panini at 13 Celsius It says something about your sandwich when it is the go-to late-night grub for hungry restaurant industry workers. It isn’t uncommon for an order for a dozen of the amazing mortadella paninis at 13 Celsius to come in right after the restaurant begins…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Liquor Store
Best Liquor Store: Spec’s Fine Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods (Downtown) With locations all over Houston, and Texas too, there’s never any danger of running out of the good stuff (unless it’s Sunday morning, but that’s a whole other subject). We can only choose one winner and that has to…
Best Of Houston® 2019: Best Dance Club
Best Dance Club: Clé Houston Upon admittance onto the long, carpeted walkway, with a cluster of waiting people left far behind, is when the excitement for the Clé experience begins to build. With only a handful of proper clubs in Houston, Clé facilitates the party with all the necessary accoutrements. The dance…
Start Your Engines. Rodeo Houston Tickets Go on Sale at 10 a.m. Today
The online waiting room already opened at 9:30 a.m. today and the sale itself starts at 10 a.m. for tickets to see the Star Entertainers at the 2019 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Go to rodeohouston.com to get your bid in for tickets to this year’s show from February 25…
Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney Wins Bear Bryant Award
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had a a lot to be proud of on Monday night during the Tigers’ 44-16 win over Alabama in the national title game. However, the one thing he was most proud of was the way that his team finished off the Crimson Tide, steamrolling them…
Mockingbird Brother Rises on Crashes
“Is emo still a thing?” is a pretty legitimate question in a time when Gerard Way is arguably better-known for amazing comic books than My Chemical Romance, but let’s assume for the sake of argument that it is and you want to listen to some from Houston. Crashes by Mockingbird…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Sip a Millionaire Latte (For Free)
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Now through Friday, January 11, guests can get a free EggHaus “Millionaire Latte” at EggHaus Gourmet, 2042 East T C Jester (no purchase necessary). The Millionaire Latte is a hazelnut latte topped with 24K gold dust,…
6 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: ’80s Hits, Belly Dance and a Dark Opera
It’s all about the new this weekend in Houston. Group Acorde has found a novel way to blend jazz, choreography and visual art; Mercury’s Antoine Plante is out with a new dark opera; a belly dancing class at the “J” is helping us fulfill those new year’s resolutions; and Mildred’s Umbrella…
Siempre Selena Pays Tribute to Music Icon at White Oak Music Hall
When the house lights go out on Friday night downstairs at White Oak Music Hall, you’ll hear a dramatic, sweeping introduction to Tejano music icon Selena’s “Como la Flor” as tribute band Siempre Selena takes the stage. It’s only a taste of the journey of hits they plan on delivering…
Weekend Weather: Wet Start to a Cool Weekend
As expected, it began to cool off in Houston on Wednesday after a dry front passed through on Tuesday evening. With highs in the mid 60s and sunny skies, if you weren’t playing hooky from work, you probably wanted to. Thursday will be basically a repeat of Wednesday with a…
Paula Poundstone Has 39 Years of Material And She’s Not Afraid To Use It
“The truth is: I never exactly know WHAT I’m going to talk about.”
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Wings
Best Wings: The Hay Merchant The crispy, crunchy wings at this funky craft beer haven are so crazy good, you may just want to order 60 of them. Well it’s a good thing you can…or you can go for a more reasonable half-dozen, dozen or 30-count. The jumbo numbers come…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Tattoo Artist
Best Tattoo Artist: Mike Woods Mike Woods, owner of Advent Tattoo Studio and Art Gallery, has been transforming Houston’s bodies into works of art, one sleeve at a time. Clean lines, detailed art and original designs — all while keeping abreast of new and innovative trends — makes this shop…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best DJ
Best DJ: Noey Lopez Thanks to his ability to blend classic house sounds with disco and techno, Noey Lopez is nearing 15 years at the top of the Houston underground electronic scene. For more than ten of those years, Lopez made his name by teaming up with the Crossroads Collective…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Steak
Best Steak: Georgia James After the success of One Fifth’s beefy iteration, One Fifth Steak, chef Chris Shepherd knew it was time to open a dedicated steak restaurant, and this one plans on staying put. True to Shepherd’s food philosophy, his steakhouse goes outside the box, offering high-quality, fun riffs…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Cocktail Bar
Best Cocktail Bar: Better Luck Tomorrow Better Luck Tomorrow isn’t just a cocktail bar, it’s a feeling. Neon reds, yellows, blues; the Curtis Mayfield, that’s where it starts and, upon opening a menu, the wild creativity behind this establishment only continues to play out. The cocktail list is jovial and…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Franciacorta
As January settles in and health regimens return to their normal ketosis-spin class balance, let’s not retire Champagne and the like just yet. Bubbles are great for celebrating, yes, but bubbles can also be that two by four combined with three fireman that wedge the minivan out of the snowdrift…
Pre-Sale for 2019 Menu of Menu Tickets Starts Right Now
The 17th Annual Houston Press Menu of Menus® Extravaganza won’t be until Tuesday, April 9 at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards, but as of right now, pre-sale tickets are yours to be had. But only for a few days. More than 35 area restaurants will be on hand in addition to…
Houston Concert Watch 1/9: Breathe Carolina and More
While it may soon feel like Houston “winter” once again, if you’re like me odds are you’ve at least turned on the A/C once or twice while driving around town over the past few days. Fitting then that this week’s slate of concerts give off vibes that’ll put you closer…
Late Night at The Burger Joint
Airy vanilla soft serve swirled with savory caramel moves quickly from the straw to the bloodstream. It isn’t customary to begin a meal with dessert, but The Salted Caramel shake at The Burger Joint makes a “whoa” exception. One sip, two sip— only serves to beg for a burger and…
Van Halen’s 1984 Turns 35 Today, Is At Least The Second Best Work With That Title
Fusing the talents ot guitar mutant Eddie Van Halen, his percussive brother Alex, Tarzanian lead singer David Lee Roth, and competent bassist Michael Anthony, Van Halen was one of the biggest bands in the world in 1984, but not necessarily *the* biggest.
Five Early Offseason Action Items For Houston Texans GM Brian Gaine
While the grieving over the Houston Texans’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts may continue around water coolers and on barstools throughout the city of Houston, general manager Brian Gaine and head coach Bill O’Brien turned the page pretty quickly over the weekend, as O’Brien revealed on Sunday that both were…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Kolache
Best Kolache: The Original Kolache Shoppe Sure you can get kolache filled with everything from barbecue brisket to mac and cheese these days, but there’s something to be said about a time-honored tradition. That’s what you’ll find at this vintage Czech pastry shop, which has been around since 1956. Here,…
5 Things to Know About the 2019 Chevron Houston Marathon
Last year’s Chevron Houston Marathon came down to just a 37 second difference between first place finisher Bazu Worku and Ethiopian countryman Yitayal Atnafu, out of a pool of 7,185 runners. No surprise there as the pair trained together and it was Atnafu’s third year in a row to secure the…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Place to Buy Party Supplies
Best Party Supplies: Emerson Sloan We already assume you can find a Party City around when you need a quickie birthday gathering put together. When you want to go all out and be the talk of the neighborhood? That’s when you go to Emerson Sloan. It’s not cheap, so have…
Best of Houston 2019®: Best Live Act
Best Live Act: Camera Cult At any given Camera Cult show, you’ll find anthemic melodies, shimmering synths, and an undeniable synergy among the guys onstage. In 2018 their live performances brought their Talk Nice EP to life and evolved into a cohesive, well-oiled presentation of indie pop at its finest…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Burger
Best Burger: BuffBurger Burgers come au natural at this local mini-chain, meaning the goods use local, sustainable and high-quality natural ingredients, including Angus beef from Lone Star rancher 44 Farms and select cheeses from local star Houston Dairymaids. Just over one-third pound, the plump patties are cooked to a juice-dripping…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Dive Bar
Best Dive Bar: 510 Bar You might use the adjective unassuming to describe 510 Bar when you pull up to the gas station-anchored strip center in northwest Houston, but welcoming is probably the one you’ll use after you go inside. Cheap drinks, strong pours and enough smoke to make you…
More to This Rockets Squad Than Harden
Late in the first half, James Harden faked a Denver defender practically out of his shorts before stepping back for a three pointer. His defender managed to recover just enough to foul Harden in the process. It was just another day at the office for the best player in the…
CFB Playoff National Title Game: Clemson 44, Alabama 16 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Throughout the 2018 college football season, the pattern in Alabama games was fairly repetitive — Alabama quarterback Tu’a Tagovailoa would play the first three quarters of the game, and then sit out the final quarter because the game was well in hand. Well, on Monday night, that happened again. Tu’a…
Stuffed: Soup Dumplings at Wanna Bao
We set out to find and devour stuffed food from every possible culture right here in the Bayou City. From empanadas to dumplings, kolaches to samosas, we’re getting stuffed. We can all thank chef David Chang and his hit Netflix show, Ugly Delicious, for giving America an insatiable craving for…
Ariana Grande-Inspired Show, Fashion Preview Punctuate Rainbow on ICE
Discovery Green’s Rainbow on ICE merges a night of skating along with jaw-dropping entertainment and a fashion show Friday, January 11 from 7 – 10 p.m.
Gilbert Gottfried Always Thinks Twice, But Does It Anyway
Nobody has had a career like Gilbert Gottfried. The screetchy-voice comedian has been send audiences into can’t-breathe-hysterics for 45 years now, and Houston Improv is getting a taste of the comic’s mad brilliance for a short run of shows, January 11-13. Despite being one of the most recognizable voices in…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Brewery
Best Brewery: Saint Arnold Brewing Company With all the younger, shinier breweries popping up these days, Houston’s 24-year-old o.g. brewer got a face-lift last year, adding a bright and shiny beer garden and restaurant to its resume. Located directly next to the brewery and rocking choice views of the downtown skyline,…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Music Genre
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Music Genre — Punk The state is experiencing a punk revival, with interesting acts like Austin’s Hans Gruber and the Die Hards and Dallas’ Noogy representing some of the best of what’s happening outside our city. But Houston feels like the epicenter of Texas punk thanks…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Art Gallery
Best Art Gallery: William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art Texas never looked so good than through the eyes of regional artists in and around the Lone Star State. William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art has been nurturing and supporting contemporary local artists, while also preserving the legacy and provenance…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Rocket
Best Rocket: James Harden It’s difficult to debate who the best player on your favorite team is when he also happens to be the MVP of the entire league. James Harden led the Rockets to 65 wins and was one game shy of reaching the NBA Finals. His offensive numbers…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Comfort Food
Best Comfort Food: BCK Kitchen & Cocktail Adventures Do you consider SpaghettiOs® comfort food? We certainly do. You’ll find the childhood throwback in adult form at this truly outrageous, totally soulful kitchen. Here, it’s known as “Pasghettios” and is made with anelletti ring-shaped pasta and little hunks of 44 Farms hot…
Still Not Enough Options for Sports Fans to Cut the Cord from Cable Yet
Make no mistake, professional (and collegiate) sports generate the majority of their revenue through television deals. Networks recognize the captive, narrow demographic is attractive to advertisers and it rarely gets in the way of other programming. For networks and sports leagues, it’s win-win. But, ever so slowly, streaming video and…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Get Coltivare’s Famous Spaghetti at Night Heron
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All month long Cupcake of the month at Ooh La La Ooh La La, 23920 Westheimer, 20155 Park Row, 770 West Sam Houston Parkway North, is kicking off the year off with a limited time, sweetly spiced special: the Chai Tea Cupcake, featuring…
Louis C.K.’s Career (What’s Left of it) is at an Ideological Crossroads
Louis C.K. is doing shows again. The 51-year old disgraced stand-up is back after a year long hiatus following the sex abuse scandal that (for the most part) ended his career. Last week, a leaked 50 minute audio recording of his latest set made the online rounds, prompting outrage at…
Weather Week: Warm Start to the Week Before Another Front
No need to sugar coat it. This weekend’s weather was absolutely spectacular. With highs barely touching 70 degrees and clear conditions, it was truly Chamber of Commerce weather. This week won’t come close to matching the weekend. In fact, it is going to be a very up and down week…
Best Of Houston® 2019: Best Breakfast
Best Breakfast: Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Open bright and early at 6:30 a.m. seven days a week, you won’t want to hit the snooze button on this fan favorite. The burgeoning breakfast empire hasn’t lost its luster judging by the line that forms outside all four locations on weekends (don’t…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Greek
Best Greek Restaurant: Helen Greek Food and Wine If you think you’ve had an excellent Greek salad before, you haven’t. That is, unless you’ve tried the dakos salad at this Hellenic wonder. The traditional Cretan meze is plump with twice-baked barley bread, which gets soaked in olive oil and red…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Comic Book Store
Best Comic Book Store: Bedrock City Comic Company What’s not to love about Bedrock City Comic Company? Venture through the door into this graphic novel universe multiverse where good triumphs over evil, everybody’s got a super power, and nobody will laugh at you for wearing your Green Lantern light-up ring in…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Bar Patio
Best Bar Patio: Truck Yard Houston is a clever place, which is why Truck Yard fits in nicely. Strategically placed shipping containers and colorful patio seating options, some fashioned from old truck beds, set the mood immediately. Live music is played off a stage fashioned out of a trailer on…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Bowling Alley
Best Bowling Alley: Del Mar Lanes Bowling alleys are unique places. They are certainly fun places where kids of all ages can throw a big heavy ball down a lane in hopes of crushing a few pins. But, there are serious bowlers with leagues and prizes too. Unfortunately, bowling alleys…
NFL Wild Card Round: Colts 21, Texans 7 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
Back in January of 2016, in Bill O’Brien’s first ever playoff appearance as an NFL head coach, the Houston Texans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs at home by a final score of 30-0. That game was a 60 minute abomination, probably best known for the first time (but unfortunately…
On the Basis of Sex Shrewdly Makes RBG Into a Feminist Jimmy Stewart
Leder’s film mostly devotes itself to the future Supreme Court justice’s first world-shaking sex discrimination case, 1972’s Moritz v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue: Ginsburg and her husband … argued against a discriminatory statute before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Taste Peri Peri Chicken at a PPK Pop-Up
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Peli Peli Kitchen Pop-Up at Kirby Ice House Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. 3333 Eastside PPK is revamping its menu, focusing on real-deal Peri Peri chicken and seafood. While the new menu will not be ready until Monday, January 14, the…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Doughnuts
Best Doughnuts: Duck Donuts Though this doughnut shop got its start in North Carolina, it is very much welcome in Houston. At Duck Donuts, the sweet stuff can be ordered in tried and true combinations — think maple bacon, strawberry iced, and chocolate and vanilla drizzled — or made-to-order, from…
5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Boats, Bikes, Lowriders and Bun B
Don’t wait until Jaws takes a bite out of your watercraft. If “you’re gonna need a bigger boat” then get yourself over to opening weekend of the Boat Show at NRG Center. In fact, mobility is the name of the game when it comes to this weekend in Houston: check…
NFL Playoffs, Wild Card Round: Colts-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
For the 16 previous seasons in which the AFC South has existed, since the Houston Texans became a thing, the division has never seen two of its teams face off in the postseason, which is probably attributable to two things — (1) Peyton Manning’s decade long dominance making it hard…
Openings and Closings: Killen’s TMX Opens, Frenchy’s Original Relocating
Killen’s TMX, 9330 West Broadway, opened softly December 29, in Pearland. The newest concept from chef and restaurateur, Ronnie Killen, puts a fresher and more upscale stamp on Tex-Mex cuisine, though queso can still be had, with choices like smoked brisket or pulled pork added to kick it up a…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Late Night
Best Of 2019: Best Late Night Restaurant — Vinny’s A slice is nice at this newish EaDo pizza joint, but so is an entire pie. Sitting right near popular spots like Truck Yard and Warehouse Live, the Agricole Hospitality hangout is primed for some late-night munching (good thing it’s open…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Record Store
Best Record Store: Vinal Edge If you want what you want, there’s this thing called the internet. If you want what you didn’t know you need, there is Vinal Edge. It’s the sort of record store other record stores tell people they are. Their collection is heaped in almost non-Euclidian…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Sports Bar
Best Sports Bar: Clutch Bar Win or lose, this sports bar is a great spot to catch the game. DJ sets, bottle service, Clutch combines the comforts of a club, with plenty of TVs streaming UFC, NFL — you name it. Indoor, outdoor, the space is breezy and can get…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Dog Park
Best Dog Park: Danny Jackson Family Bark Park Nestled just barely inside the Loop is one of the more unique little parks in the city. A narrow set of trails runs for several blocks along busy Westpark with the best feature: the Danny Jackson Family Bark Park. The whole thing…
The 2019 RodeoHouston Lineup Features George Strait, Kacey Musgraves and Cardi B
If you’re the type that doesn’t mind spoilers, the announcement of the 2019 RodeoHouston lineup confirms the rumors that have swirled the last few days. If you’ve ducked the previously unofficial lineup, scroll down to find out about one of the more interesting Rodeo lineups in recent memory. We’ve known…
NFL Playoffs and CFB Playoff Title Game — This Weekend’s Best Bets
Well, that was an awful holiday week. No, not personally. Personally, it was delight! I got some gifts, I survived New Year’s. Hell, I even got engaged over Christmas week (after dating my girlfriend for eight years, and yes, she is the most patient human being on the planet)! I’m…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A Sweet and Skinny Start to the New Year
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Just in time for your New Year’s resolutions, CRAVE, 5600 Kirby, 1151 Uptown Park, 2501 Research Forest, has launched an original size Skinny Lemon-Raspberry Cupcake, available in-store and online now through January 31. Clocking in at…
Weekend Weather: Time To Make Your Yankee Friends Jealous
It turned out to be quite a nice New Year’s Eve and Day other than some fog and some smog created by fireworks. Yeah, Houston, you literally made the air quality lower by exploding illegal fireworks. Also, many dog owners hate you because their pups were curled up in a…
Tales From The Top Shelf: Punt e Mes
“Punt e Mes on the rocks with orange zest,” he grins, “my favorite.” Vermouth comes in two different styles; sweet and dry. Samantha Jones likes it sweet. James Bond likes it dry. And Tony Vallone likes Punt e Mes because it’s an original and so is he. Punt e Mes…
Still a Punk at Heart, Alejandro Escovedo Brings The Crossing to Houston
Alejandro Escovedo’s latest release, The Crossing, may be politically provocative — the title is a literal play on immigrants crossing the border — but it is more critically a story about belonging. “We thought of it like the soundtrack to a movie that hadn’t been written yet,” he said. “We…
Rockets Recent Run Will Be Tested in the Next Four Games
The Houston Rockets are, without question, the hottest team in basketball. Much of that is due to the incredible play of their star James Harden, who is shattering offensive records left and right including setting a new NBA record for number of games in a row with at least 35…
New Year, New Art: Check Out These “Can’t Miss” Art Exhibits in the Bayou City
There’s no need to wonder what regional artists have been up to over the past year. Get a look at new works by Texas contemporaries with these visual art openings this month in Houston. From explosions of color (Adela Andea) to nature (Rona Lesser, T. Smith, Julie Heffernan) to small scale works…
Air Supply Still Plucking (and Tugging on) Heartstrings
While it may seem like the fevered dream of some comedy sketch writer, there is truth to this nugget of 1970s Australian musical history: Soft rock love song titans Air Supply used to open shows for unrepentant and lascivious hard rockers AC/DC. And at multiple clubs. “I remember it well!…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Bakery
Best Bakery: Tout Suite Tout Suite hits hard on all levels. Its ambitious lineup of delicacies in the case are a testament to the level of skill working behind the swinging kitchen door of the industrial coffee haven located downtown — nothing short of a French patisserie. The quality of…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Dynamo
Best Dynamo: Mauro Manotas In a crowded Houston sports landscape, the Dynamos continue to fight and build a product that has great international appeal, with some youthful upside sprinkled in, and no Dynamo player embodied that building effort over the last year more than Mauro Manotas, the energetic, skillful Colombian forward…
Best Of Houston® 2019: Best Newcomer
Best Newcomer: Sarah Grace Houston’s blues fans might consider “Best Newcomer” a misnomer since the spitfire of Campfire Soul and Sarah Grace & The Soul has been wowing them for a while now. Though she’s still a student at Kinder HSPVA, the pint-sized, big-voiced blues belter is also a veteran…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Coffee
Best Coffee: BlendIn Coffee Club Many Houstonians live and breathe by their morning cup and, these days, there’s a world of coffee joints from which to choose. BlendIn Coffee Club in Sugar Land not only imports single origin beans from across the globe, but roasts them in-house, on site. You…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Beer Garden
Best Beer Garden: Heights Bier Garten Heights Bier Garten is a modern beer garden with a fluid atmosphere. The spacious yard has plenty of options for large parties or just a twosome swing session. With 94 taps, the well-trained staff can easily point you to something new or tried and…
Late Night at The Hay Merchant
For years, the food menu at Hay Merchant has always embraced comfort while tapping into the creative. It’s especially heartwarming to see specials like “The Cook’s Happy Hour,” where $15 will buy a shot of whiskey, beer, and a burger. (Anyone can order this special.) The wall of taps to…
Best of Houston® 2019 Begins Today and Continues Through January
Houston is known for its innovation and reinvention. After Hurricane Harvey hit, the city’s performing arts groups — unable to access their home stages — refused to shut down and instead took up temporary residence both in and out of town for a year. In that same spirit, the Houston…
Houston Concert Watch 1/2: BowiElvis Fest and More
Whether you’re living your life “new year, new you” or “same as it ever was,” we do hope your enthusiasm for live music hasn’t waned as 2019 settles in. As with most years, winter — or the illusion of the season, as it so often feels in Houston — means…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Place to Buy Plants
Best Place to Buy Plants: Another Place in Time Open only on the weekends (for a while it had stopped serving the general public completely so customers rejoiced when it resumed), Another Place in Time is a charming, wonderful garden center making up for its small size with a selection…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Barbecue
Best Barbecue: Killen’s Barbecue Let’s be real, Killen’s Barbecue is. The. Best. Barbecue. Ever. Ronnie Killen found the perfect way to season, cook, and serve ‘cue, but most importantly — he delivers at that level consistently. The menu is simple, no curveballs; sides and desserts satisfy every category of cravings…
Upcoming Documentary on Houston’s Music Scene to Host Fundraiser Show at White Oak Music Hall
In early 2018, Dark Spark Rays band member James Lino had an idea; he wanted to make a documentary film that would highlight Houston’s indie rock scene. After approaching filmmaker Gavin Wegener to discuss how to bring the project to life, they began filming Outside of Austin in Summer 2018…
Dana Holgorsen To Become University of Houston Head Football Coach — Four Thoughts
In what swirled through the college football rumor-verse as, ultimately, one of the worst kept secrets, reports came down from multiple sources shortly after the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve that West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen would be accepting the head coaching position for the University of…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Texan
Best Texan: DeAndre Hopkins Identifying the best player on the Houston Texans, for many years, was a fairly routine process, largely because there weren’t many guys from which to choose. For the first decade or so of the franchise’s existence, just pencil in Andre Johnson, and from about 2012 on, if…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Hot Dog
Best Hot Dog: Love Dogs Hotdogs Here’s the deal. When you put a grocery store wienie, wrap it with bacon — crisp precisely, throw it in a warm, go-to-hell bun and say take all the toppings you’d like, plus a drink for $5 — that’s a hot dog. That’s what…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Bar
Best Bar: Present Company Choosing where to post up at Present Company is the hardest part, but after that it’s easy rider. Miami, Malibu, some awesome ’80s movie; are we indoor? are we outdoor? Where are we again? Because it doesn’t feel like Houston. The upstairs patio is ultimate; especially…
Best of Houston® 2019: Best Mural
Best Mural: the Houston Texas Wall at Harrisburg Arts Museum Sometimes things are just meant to be. Daniel Anguilu, head curator over at the Harrisburg Arts Museum, doesn’t mind the ever-changing landscape of this art-covered warehouse east of downtown. H.A.M.’s whole mission is to showcase the work of local and guest…
All Hail the One, True Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Houston
Black Heritage Society founder Ovide Duncantell knew how to make a statement. After decades of championing the fight against inequality in Houston, and winning, he wasn’t going to sit still when the Martin Luther King Jr. Tree of Life needed to be moved to make way for Metro’s light rail line. So,…
Black Monday Analysis: Ranking the NFL Head Coach Openings
For 12 teams, the 2018 NFL season rolls on into the postseason. The playoffs are here, and for the third time in four seasons, the Houston Texans are a part of it. Fun times! However, across the other 20 franchises in the league, decisions are being made on how to…
10 Movies to Look Forward to in Early 2019
The January, February and March months of 2019 are already boasting a strong slate, with U.S. distribution of international festival favorites along with welcome returns of first-rate genre filmmakers like M. Night Shyamalan and Jordan Peele
Breaking Out of Sunset Place Will World Premiere at QueensburyTheatre
Described as “a geriatric Thelma and Louise plus one” comedy, Breaking Out of Sunset Place about to make its world premiere at Queensbury Theatre, is the story of two women who decide to break out of their senior living center who somewhat reluctantly take along the roommate of one of…
The Story of Alligator Records and its Blues-Centric Label
Bitten by the Blues: The Alligator Records Story By Bruce Iglauer and Patrick A. Roberts 336 pp. $30 University of Chicago Press Music business entrepreneurs start record labels for all sorts of reasons, but few have the story of Bruce Iglauer and the blues-centric Alligator Records. Iglauer – in the…
Five Houston Sports Storylines to Watch in 2019
After an eventful 2018 in Houston sports, 2019 promises a lot of uncertainty along with endless possibilities. There will be player moves and postseason runs. There will be difficult decisions to make and all kinds of ups and downs. Undoubtedly, there will be some bitter disappointment. This is Houston sports…
The 13 Best Houston Dishes of 2018
It would be easy to pack all the crazy good eats in Houston into a neat list of 10, but there is so much excellence happening in our food scene right now that a longer list was warranted. The dishes that defined 2018 were all exemplary in their own right,…
