Openings and Closings: Los Tios and Adair Kitchen Will Expand, 5Kinokawa Opens
Plaza in the Park, 5110 Buffalo Speedway, announced that it is adding two new restaurants to its line up at the development from EDENS, a real estate owner, operator and developer with more than 110 places nationwide. The outdoor destination, located near the intersection of Buffalo Speedway and Bissonet currently…
The Houston Producers Laying The Sound For Hip Hop
The music producer in Hip Hop is usually underrated and doesn’t receive the shine that he or she deserves. Houston is no different. Houston might be worse. Producers here have been laying the musical soundtrack that the rest of the industry is following for awhile and, while some producers have…
NFL Week 17: Texans-49ers — Four Things To Watch For
The Houston Texans embarking on a December winning streak is not exactly something we all saw coming, as they struggled through three straight hime games in which they scored exactly ZERO points in the second half of any of those games. Yet, here we are, not just a two-game winning…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: New Year’s Brunch, Hangover Burger
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Brunch Weekend at Traveler’s Table Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 520 Westheimer Brunch at this globally-inspired restaurant is available for Friday as well as the weekend so day-drinkers can have their fun and go home early before…
Houston Music Artists To Keep An Eye On in 2022
Back in 2019 we published a list of Houston artists to keep an eye on. Of course, this was pre-pandemic and adjusting to the new music climate proved to be a big obstacle for those in the entertainment industry. A lot of the artists like Megan Thee Stallion had already…
The Lifespan of a Fact: Creative License Versus Cold Hard Facts
The setting is a New York City magazine that is not doing well at all. A possible saving grace arrives in the form of a story by John D’Agata, a well-known essayist who has delivered an eloquent story about a teenage boy’s suicide. Enter the fact-checker. Jim Fingal is a…
Five Biggest Houston Texans Stories of 2021
The new year is almost upon us, and despite the recent mini run of success on the field with two straight wins, I don’t know if I can ever recall a fan base (the ones who’ve stuck around to still care, that is) who is more excited about throwing a…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Eat a King Cake, Butcher a Hog
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-01 uptown Park Boulevard, will be offering its old-world King Cakes from January 6 through January 31. While most of us here on the Gulf Coast celebrate Mardi Gras with the usual…
Houston, We Have Talent
Exactly a year ago everyone rubbed their blurry eyes and hoped to say goodbye to the year most commonly referred to as a dumpster fire. As 2021 began things were looking promising as more and more people got vaccinated and numbers of COVID cases went down. Live music around town…
No, It’s Not Your Opinion. You’re Just Wrong, Version 2.0
I have had so many conversations or email exchanges with students in the last few years wherein I anger them by indicating that simply saying, “This is my opinion” does not preclude a connected statement from being dead wrong. It still baffles me that some feel those four words somehow…
Season Two of The Witcher Stronger With the Core Trio Together
The first season of The Witcher, Netflix’s sprawling fantasy series starring Henry Cavill, was a solid season of TV, providing the streaming service with its own big fantasy show in the aftermath of the big rush by seemingly every streamer and TV company to acquire such properties in the wake…
DEFCON Levels For Each NFL Head Coach’s Job Security
We are coming up on the time of year that give about half the head coaches in the National Football League the night sweats when their heads hit the pillow. Firing season is coming in the NFL. Black Monday, the day after the regular season ends is going to be…
Houston Concert Watch 12/29: Los Skarnales, Deadmau5 and More
Good afternoon, Houston. I hope you all got everything you wanted for Christmas. Ready for 2022? Regardless of your answer, it’s around the corner so get those resolutions in order. Unfortunately, Khruangbin’s New Year’s Eve performance at 713 Music Hall has been canceled, but there are still some shows worth seeing…
Christmas Colors Are Red and Green But Christmas 2021 Was a Bit Blue
Last week, the night before two Texas friends of mine were all set to fly out to the Pacific Northwest visit their children and grandchildren for Christmas, they got the dreaded call. Despite being fully vaccinated, a son-in-law and grandson had just tested positive for COVID. The next day their…
Reliving the Upset: Five Phenomenal Davis Mills Throws From Sunday
Considering the team I root for is 4-11, it’s probably somewhat irrational that I’m still kind of buzzing from the Houston Texans’ upset 41-29 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, since empirically all the win does is REDUCE the Texans’ chance at the No. 1 overall pick in…
Jesse Dayton Tells His Tale In Beaumonster
Texas vernacular just expanded thanks to Jesse Dayton and his new autobiography Beaumonster, a term Dayton thought up to describe people from his hometown of Beaumont. Dayton will be performing at Rockefeller’s along with his old friends The Supersuckers on February 17 for what is billed as a “Super Psycho…
Five Biggest Rockets Stories of 2021
The Rockets finished the 2020-21 season with a ragtag lineup of players no one could have envisioned when the season began. By the time training camp arrived, they were working with an almost entirely new roster loaded with teenagers. A lot can change in a year. When the Rockets moved…
Hidden Gem: Trattoria Pizza and Pasta
This year, our Christmas looked a little different. With Christmas 2020, COVID vaccines were not yet available and the holiday surge was a deadly one. This Christmas found us facing yet another surge due to a fairly low vaccination rate coupled with the Omicron variant and its multitude of mutations…
![Ring In The New Year With Khruangbin. [UPDATE] Concert Canceled](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/khruangbin_.webp.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Ring In The New Year With Khruangbin. [UPDATE] Concert Canceled
In a year where the return of live music was comparable to a game of red light, green light, one Houston band defied the odds with their non stop touring schedule. Khruangbin has been on tour for most of the year and they are wrapping it up with a special…
NFL Week 16 Upset: Texans 41, Chargers 29 — Four Winners, Four Losers
In a time of year that is known for spontaneous miracles, there might be no more miraculous occurrence than the feat the Texans pulled off on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium. Saddled with the ouster of 16 players on the COVID-19 reserve list, causing serious depletion along both sides of…
This Week in Houston Food Events: 50 Cent Oysters, Champagne and Vodka Classes
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, December 28 Christmas Beer Sampling at King’s Head According to the carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” the gift for the fourth day is four calling birds. We think eight beers-a-sampling is a far better idea. At The King’s Head…
Clay Melton & Friends Set To Record Live in The Woodlands
Clay Melton enjoys a good live album. When asked for a favorite, the Texas guitarist by way of Louisiana mentions a couple that feel formative. “This last year I started listening to WWOZ over in New Orleans, the radio station. I got their app, I was able to listen to…
Five Biggest Astros Stories of 2021
If nothing else, we can say that 2021, for Major League Baseball, was a better year than 2020. Gone was the shortened season and there were far fewer COVID-related issues than anticipated. The Astros were certainly happy to sweep 2020 under the rug after a rather miserable season, but 2021…
Openings and Closings: Eatsie Boys’ Final Week, Temporary Omicron Closures
Eatsie Boys, 2202 Dallas, will close at the end of December. The “Intergalactic” food truck was founded in 2010 by executive chef Matt Marcus, Ryan Soroka and Alex Vassilakidis. Its menu items often paid tribute to 1980s hip hop group, the Beastie Boys, with items like the Sabotage sandwich made…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Sing 2
Title: Sing 2 Describe This Movie Using One Monty Python and the Holy Grail Quote: KING OF SWAMP CASTLE: Stop that, stop that. You’re not going into a song while I’m here. Brief Plot Synopsis: Colorful critter cavalcade commits karaoke crimes. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2 glass eyes…
Time, Place and Musicians Collide in Expansive Rock History Book
Lenny Kaye is best known as the guitarist, songwriter, and musical partner of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Patti Smith since the 1974 inception of the Patti Smith Group and her later solo work. And record nerds are forever grateful to him for compiling 1972’s Nuggets, the seminal and…
NFL Week 16: Chargers-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
Of all the things the Houston Texans needed to (and still to) accomplish over the final five weeks of the season, the most important, by far, was finding out if they have a competent NFL starting quarterback for 2022 in Davis Mills. We are two games into his second stint…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Die Hard Christmas Eve, Feast Like an Italian
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Die Hard Christmas Eve at El Big Bad Friday, 8 p.m. 419 Travis The debate over whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas film still rages on more than three decades after its release. El Big Bad, the downtown tequila…
Best Horror Novels of 2021
Horror literature is finally going through a similar renaissance as horror film. I sat down with a lot of scary books this year. Here are five of the best to enjoy while it still gets dark early. 5. Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw A woman dreams of having…
The 100 Best Music Videos of 2021 You Probably Missed Part 5: 20-1
We’re finally here with the cream of the crop. Here are the 20 best music videos from underground, indie, and lesser-known artists of 2021. Overall, it was a fantastic year for videos despite the lingering pandemic, and some artists crafted visuals of epic proportions. Thank you for spending the week…
![COVID-19 Numbers Head the Wrong Way As Cirque du Soleil Cancels its Two Thursday Performances [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/update.webp.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
COVID-19 Numbers Head the Wrong Way As Cirque du Soleil Cancels its Two Thursday Performances [UPDATED]
As the number of COVI-19 cases surge upward in disappointing fashion in Houston and elsewhere, Cirque du Soleil just sent out an email canceling its 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances today at Sam Houston Race Park. The reason: “breakthrough COVID-19 cases in the production.” The Houston Health Department reported on…
Houston Texans Among NFL Teams Most Decimated By COVID Spike
Anytime you need to create an online tracker page to keep tabs on the overall number of anything, it probably means the number of said anything is reaching an unmanageable mental retention point. So that’s where we are with COVID-19 in the NFL right now — and undeniably COVID-19 around…
Jalen Green Set for Rockets Return: Four Thoughts
Jalen Green, the Rockets No. 2 draft pick, will return to the lineup this week after missing a month with a hamstring injury. The rookie guard will, according to the Rockets, resume his role as starter when he gets back, presumably Thursday in Indiana on the second half of a…
Best Video Games of 2021
It’s been sort of a dismal year in gaming. Ongoing supply chain issues continue to stall the new generation of consoles and releases, and a series of exposes about the abuses rampant in the video game industry have made participating in a lot of it feel like a human rights…
Eddie Van Halen’s Life Story Erupts in New Book
When Jan and Eugenia van Halen emigrated to the U.S. from Holland in 1962, their two sons only knew four words of English. “Yes,” “No,” and – for some reason – “motorcycle” and “accident.” That was the complete vocabulary for eight-year-old Alex and seven-year-old Edward as they got off the…
The 100 Best Music Videos of 2021 You Probably Missed Part 4: 40-21
We’re almost through the 100 best music videos from underground, indie, and lesser-known artists! Today we start getting a lot weirder and more visceral, with haunted houses, strange experiments, and fascist games on the menu. Put on your headphones and dive in with us. 40. Hybrid, “Flashpoint” Hybrid is a…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Paella and Unicorns for New Year’s Eve
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: For those looking to join in on the charcuterie craze, Central Market Cooking School, 3815 Westheimer, will have its Make & Take Cheese and Charcuterie class December 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Experts will…
Fort Bend County Judge Raises COVID Alert Level to Orange and Tests Positive Himself
Citing a surge in COVID-19 confirmed cases and hospitalizations, Fort Bend County Judge KP George Wednesday raised the coronavirus risk level back to Orange from Yellow. His actions mirror those of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo who on Monday made the same change and for the same reasons: the rapid…
Comic Steve Treviño Sounds The Alarms About Latino Underrepresentation In “Racist Hollywood”
Texas-native Steve Treviño was in Houston not so long ago, back in 2020. But obviously, it’s been one hell of a long year – especially since the pandemic hardly kept the comic at home for very long. “I feel like life is in fast forward, if I’m being honest with…
Houston Concert Watch 12/22: Beetle, To Whom It May and More
Merry Christmas, Houston. I hope you all unwrap something you’ve been wanting all year. Or, at the very least, get to hug a few loved ones. If you’re still haven’t finished your holiday shopping, might we suggest concert tickets? Beetle Continental Club – 12.23 For the better part of two…
The 100 Best Music Videos of 2021 You Probably Missed Part 3: 60-41
We’re halfway through the best music videos from underground, indie, and lesser-known artists in 2021. This time, the subjects range from Mothra to river cults to pancake parties. Be on the look out for some local talent this time around! 60. White Cliffs, “Just Like You” Normally, lyric videos are…
How to (Sanely) Christmas Bake With a Toddler
Baking around Christmas is a big deal for my family, and it usually takes several days before all of it is done. My kid is nearly a teenager now, which means that they are actually useful instead of a walking burn risk and collection of different pouts. If you want…
TWITTER POLL: 70 Percent of Texans Fans Rooting For Team To Lose Remaining Games
The way that American sports disperse incoming layers to their league, via a common draft, sets up a strange dynamic for fans of struggling teams. Because the more you lose, the higher you pick, fans are left with this conundrum over what to root for — do I root for…
First Omicron Variant Death Reported in Harris County
Late Monday, Harris County Public Health reported that a man said to be between 50-50 years old has died of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 — the first such case in the county. The man who was unvaccinated and who previously had been infected with COVID had underlying health conditions,…
Five More Bill O’Brien Era Texans Who Will Be Gone After 2021 Season
Despite what the Houston Texans’ most prominent skeptics would say — and trust me, the Texans deserve each and every one of their skeptics — there are multiple purposes the franchise is currently pursuing, even during a miserable 3-11 season. While wining football games is their stated primary purpose, the…
Tony Award-Winning Hadestown is Headed For the Hobby Center
In all the many variations of the Orpheus-Eurydice Greek myth, one plot point remains the same. Told he can free his love from Hell if he doesn’t turn around as they make their way out of the underworld, Orpheus falls prey to his fears and looks back to make sure…
Grocery Store Hours: Christmas 2021 and New Year’s 2022
Whether it’s a last minute run for egg nog or a desperate search for one last gift, we have a list of grocery store hours for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: Aldi: Christmas Eve: Reduced hours, locations may vary / Christmas Day: Closed New…
The 100 Best Music Videos of 2021 You Probably Missed Part 2: 80-61
Our week-long look at the 100 best indie and underground music videos of 2021 continues. Today we have some new takes on old holiday favorites, a couple of apocalypses, and the best pop star Canada has to offer. Clear some space and enjoy. 80. The Great Kat, “Barber of Seville”…
Theatre Under The Stars Cancels Remaining Performances of The Little Mermaid Due to COVID
Theatre Under the Stars has just announced it has had to cancel all remaining performances of Disney’s The Little Mermaid due to cases of COVID in the cast and crew. In a statement, TUTS said: Unfortunately, due to break-through COVID-19 cases among the cast and crew of our production of…
Harris County Judge Raises Threat Level to Orange as Houston Theaters Continue to Exercise Care With COVID
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, citing the rapid growth of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, announced today she is raising the county’s threat level from yellow to orange — the second highest alert level. “Unfortunately, the Omicron variant has arrived in Harris County in full force,” a press release quoting…
The 100 Best Music Videos of 2021 You Probably Missed, Part 1: 100-81
Every year, the Houston Press combs through the best indie and lesser-known artists out there to find the best music videos around. You can keep your Taylor Swifts, Lil Nas Xs, and even your Ghosts. This week, we go deep into the underground to close our the 2021. 100. Split…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Felizmente Unidos at Toro Toro
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All Month Long Felizmente Unidos at Toro Toro Chef Richard Sandoval’s Latin Pan-Asian steakhouse opened at Four Seasons Houston October 30. For the holidays, Richard Sandoval Hospitality is taking a culinary approach to the Las Posadas celebrated across Latin America, Mexico,…
NFL Week 15: Texans 30, Jaguars 16 — Four Winners, Four Losers
David Culley has caught a lot of heat in his first year as an NFL head coach this season. I know that I, personally, have taken Culley to task on a weekly basis for his game management gaffes and detached press conference responses. I apologize for exactly none of my…
Larry June’s Orange Print Tour Hits Houston
“We gonna change it up tonight,” exclaimed Larry Hendricks as he sat on a picnic table flanked by two Orange Trees on the main stage at House of Blues. Behind him a neon sign reading “GOOD JOB LARRY” cast an orange light across over the set made to look like…
![TUTS Cancels The Little Mermaid Saturday Citing a Possible COVID Breakthrough Case. Sunday Shows Cancelled Also [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/hobby_center_800.webp.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
TUTS Cancels The Little Mermaid Saturday Citing a Possible COVID Breakthrough Case. Sunday Shows Cancelled Also [UPDATED]
Children and adults all settled in for Saturday’s packed-house matinee showing of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, were in turns bored, increasingly testy and ultimately greatly disappointed when after waiting for more than 30 minutes for the show scheduled for 2 p.m. to start, instead were greeted with the announcement that…
Openings and Closings: R-C Ranch at Houston Farmers Market, Fajitas A Go-ing Go-ing Ghost
R-C Ranch Butcher Shop, 2520 Airline, opens December 17 at Houston Farmers Market. This is the first storefront for the direct-to-consumer provider of Texas-raised Wagyu beef. The 3,000 square-foot-butcher shop will sell the meat from its 2,800 acre ranch in Brazoria County where the animals are raised. The ranch itself…
NFL Week 15: Texans-Jaguars — Four Things To Watch For
In what’s been strange, at times dysfunctional, season for the 2021 Houston Texans, they could always take solace in one thing — they weren’t even the most dysfunctional team in their own DIVISION. Thanks to the hiring of Urban Meyer, a move that admittedly I thought was a good one…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Wine Tasting at C. Baldwin and Tamale Fest
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Wine Tasting at C. Baldwin Hotel Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 400 Dallas McBride Sisters Wine, the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, is hosting a holiday wine tasting at the luxurious C. Baldwin Hotel downtown. It will…
Musicians Say These Instruments Make Perfect Holiday Gifts for Kids (And Adults, Too)
If you’re still scrambling to find the perfect holiday gift for a loved one, some musician friends old and new recommend the instruments they’ve mastered as potential jaw-dropping, spirit-lifting presents. We began this article with the idea that these gifts would light the faces of kids unwrapping them but, as…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Title: Spider-Man: No Way Home Describe This Movie In One Spaceballs Quote: DARK HELMET: How many assholes do we have on this ship, anyway? Brief Plot Synopsis: Peter Parker plus prestidigitator partner produce peril. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3.5 Indomitable Spirits out of 5. Tagline: “The Multiverse Unleashed.” Better…
Feds Unseal Bribery Indictment Involving Former HISD COO and Houston Vendor
The former chief operating officer of Houston ISD participated in an alleged bribery scheme that reportedly paid him off in cash and home repairs in exchange for awarding inflated contracts to a Houston vendor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Department of Justice announced Thursday. Brian Busby, who has been under…
Volk Bring Their High Voltage Folk Back To Houston
If folk music went haywire, plugged into a bass amp and turned it up to 11 then it would become Nashville- based duo Volk. “That was the idea, playing folk music but we are going to add electricity to it and that’s where the name came from for us,” says…
Best Bets: Panto, Sneakers and Dr. Seuss
Holiday festivities, a seminal Brazilian film, and a sneaker summit are just a few of the events that have made this week’s best bets.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Holiday Ice Cream, 2021 New Year’s Eve Fireworks at POST
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Craft Creamery, 1338 Westheimer, will be offering its limited edition holiday flavors through December 31 in store. Ice cream lovers can revel in delicious tastes such as Candy Cane, Eggnog, Gingerbread and its newest flavor “Chestnuts…
Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson Finds His Inner Zealot
Admirers of the longtime British Prog Rock legends Jethro Tull know that religious themes and imagery are common subject matter, including on some of their best-known efforts like Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, and A Passion Play. But they really take front-and-center in their newest record out next month—their first…
J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins Now Out For Season, Is There a Hex on Former Texans?
There is not much he Texans have done right this season, and because of that, many of the former Texans who have found new homes around the league in better, brighter football places have been able to bask in the glow of, well, NOT being on a 2-11 football team…
The Timeless Look and Sound of Sarah Brightman Comes to Smart Financial Centre
Everyone knows Sarah Brightman is one of the most beloved singers in recorded music history. She is the best-selling soprano of all time, the singer who brought Phantom of the Opera’s Christine to life, a role written specifically for her. The fans who’ve purchased the tens of millions of albums…
Loro Houston: A Sneak Peek
Pitmaster Aaron Franklin has a lot of fan boys. We apologize if that’s a sexist trope and we realize there are plenty of people who adore the famous Franklin Barbecue in Austin. Still, there’s something about young guys meeting their smoke hero that makes their eyes light up and give…
Nine Finalists Named For Houston-Based Paul “Bear” Bryant Award
One of the signature awards for each college football season is based right here in Houston, as the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award is handed out each year in the middle of January, after the college football postseason is in the books. It is the one award that is not just…
The Art of Travel Isn’t the Only Art At Houston’s Airports
Houston’s airports are busy places with distractions galore – passengers rushing to make their flights, announcements blaring through speakers at every turn, a plethora of places to eat or drink, and shops with oodles things to buy. There’s also art. Lots of it. Huh, you might think. I didn’t know…
Houston Concert Watch 12/15: Midland, T.I. and More
That cold front was pretty short-lived, huh? Some weekend rain is expected to bring temperatures back down, but I’ll believe it when I see it. In the meantime, it’s perfect weather for getting outside (in the evenings). After your last-minute Christmas shopping, why not head to one of the shows…
![Where to Dine Out On New Year’s Eve 2021, Plus Hangover Cure Brunches on New Year’s Day 2022 [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/dsc_1493.webp-scaled.webp?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Where to Dine Out On New Year’s Eve 2021, Plus Hangover Cure Brunches on New Year’s Day 2022 [UPDATED]
These Houston restaurants invite you to end 2021 on a high note as you enjoy a New Year’s Eve meal (or start 2022 off strong with a hangover curing New Year’s Day brunch): New Year’s Eve The Annie Café & Bar, 1800 Post Oak The Annie invites guests to an…
League of Women Voters Offers Webinar on Effect of New State Laws For Voters Over 65 and With Disabilities
If you’re over 65 or have a disability that makes a trek to the polls difficult or impossible, the League of Women Voters is offering a webinar Wednesday lining out what you are and aren’t entitled to under the new tightened Texas voting laws. In conjunction with The Arc of Texas,…
Behind The Stage With Cirque Du Soleil’s Alegría
Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria runs through January 1 at Sam Houston Race Park. Performers gave a backstage tour and interview to show off all the work that goes into the circus’ magic.
Houston Hot Tamales List: 2021 End of the Year Version
Houston loves its tamales. The corn masa treat has been around for thousands of years in some form or other and originated in Mesoamerica. However, a Google search on the origins of The Great Tamal can lead one down the rabbit of hole of when and where it first originated…
College Football Playoff: What Would a 12-Team Playoff Have Looked Like in 2021?
The College Football Playoff enters its eighth postseason with perhaps the most intriguing four team field in the history of the three game event. For the first time o the history of the playoff, a Group of Five school, undefeated Cincinnati, managed to crack the four team field. Additionally, there…
The Aces Break the Mold on All-Girl Bands
The Aces don’t fit the all-female band paradigm. Unlike The Go-Go’s or The Bangles or Hole, they’re so not So Cal. They hail, unexpectedly perhaps, from Provo, Utah. And, unlike L7 or Bikini Kill or Sleater-Kinney, they’re not a punk act. They play, unexpectedly perhaps, perfectly honed and highly refined…
Tobe Nwigwe Returns To Houston With His Monumintal Tour
“I feel like I Love my city,” exclaimed an out of breath Tobe Nwigwe as he stood center stage drinking a Pedialyte. Dressed in all mint and backed by five massive screens displaying waves of rolling clouds the Alief MC paused to catch his breath before addressing the roaring crowd…
Houston Christmas Theater, Part IV: Snowy Day, Little Mermaid, Reindeer Monologues and Panto Little Mermaid
The Snowy Day (Padded Like a Snow Suit) Any enterprising first-grader who has mastered the Dick and Jane reading primers (“See Dick Run. See Jane Run.”) can race through Ezra Jack Keats’ children’s classic The Snowy Day in less than three minutes. Four, at most, if you pause to peruse…
Jeremy Renner Stars in Two Very Different Universes: Marvel and Kingstown
Jeremy Renner is starring in two very different series, both in the middle of their runs on two different streaming networks, so here is a look at both of them. Hawkeye Hawkeye is Marvel’s latest television series appearing on Disney+. It follows one of the original Avengers in a story…
NFL Week 14: Seahawks 33, Texans 13 — Four Winners, Four Losers
As we pointed out on our Friday preview of Sunday’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Houston Texans, the way the NFL assembles its schedule each season means that the Texans, prior to Sunday, have only faced Russell Wilson twice in his entire 10-year career. Both games were nail…
Hayes Carll Gave It All On You Get It All
Songwriting is no doubt a craft, sometimes springing seemingly out of nowhere and other times the result of combing through words and experiences in a quest to write the perfect song. During his long career and road to his eighth album You Get It All, Houston’s Hayes Carll has experienced…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Holiday Sweater Day
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, December 14 (Ugly) Holiday Sweater Party at The Melting Pot The Swiss have given the world Rolex watches and multi-use army knives but their best contribution has been, in our opinion, the melty pot of cheese known as fondue. The…
Jeff Rosenstock Stages a Courtroom Drama at White Oak Music Hall
The pandemic has brought into focus our love-hate relationship with one another. Pettiness, selfishness and inconsideration rule the news cycle and news feeds. But, those flaws co-exist with examples of compassion and courage in the face of our recent uncertainties. The urge to make things better for others literally brought…
U.S. Supreme Court Rules That Challenge to Texas Abortion Law Can Continue, But Doesn’t Shut Law Down
In a partial and very narrow victory for opponents of S.B. 8, the new Texas abortion law that essentially shreds Roe v. Wade protections by banning abortions after the six week mark, the U. S. Supreme Court Friday voted 8-1 to allow abortion providers to continue to challenge the new…
Openings and Closings: Mastro’s Ocean Club Woodlands Opens, Hattie B’s is Coming
Mastro’s Ocean Club, 9595 Six Pines, opened December 8 in The Woodlands. This is the first Texas location for the decadent, upscale seafood restaurant which has locations in some of the top cities in the United States. The concept is part of Landry’s Inc., a multinational hospitality, gaming and entertainment…
![Nosaprise Hosts Trills The Season Event At Axelrad [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/nosaprise.webp.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Nosaprise Hosts Trills The Season Event At Axelrad [UPDATED]
The holiday season is a great time to celebrate and get together with loved ones but it’s also a special time during the hectic year to stop and give to those less fortunate. Houston artist Nosaprise will combine all of these things plus great live music for his seventeenth Trills…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Winter Fest at Urban Harvest, Lights on White Oak
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best events: Winter Festival at Urban Harvest Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon One of Houston’s longest running farmers markets is hosting a holiday-themed festival this Saturday with plenty of free things for the family, including gingerbread cookies. Cookie decorating kits with icing and candy…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Being The Ricardos
Title: Being the Ricardos Describe This Movie Using One Calvin and Hobbes Quote: CALVIN: It says here that “religion is the opiate of the masses” … what do you suppose that means? TV: It means Karl Marx hadn’t seen anything yet. Brief Plot Synopsis: Looking at the sausage-making grape-stomping process behind one of…
NFL Week 14: Seahawks-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
The way the NFL schedule maker works, using a formula under which you can basically predict 90 percent of your team’s schedule for every season in perpetuity, there is one unfortunate aspect — for the most part, you only get to see your team play teams from the opposite conference…
Book Asks (and Answers): What Happened to Your Fave ’90s Alt Rockers?
Now that high school and college graduating classes of the 1990s are reconvening for their 25 or 30-year reunions, Gen X CD purchasers will undoubtedly share their musical as well as educational memories. Some will recall the sounds of bands like Nirvana, Arrested Development, Marcy Playground, Letters to Cleo, Jesus…
RodeoHouston Announces 4 Performances and George Strait Still Has Close Out Duties
On January 5, RodeoHouston will announce its full Star Entertainer Lineup for 2022 but it gave fans another early taste Thursday with the announcement of who will be performing on four dates— including country superstar George Strait as previously announced last May. Other performers announced Thursday were Cody Johnson on February 28,…
Where to Dine Out in Houston on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2021
Serving everything from sumptuous multi-course meals to Christmas Day steaks, noodles and pasta, these Houston restaurants are open for dining on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. Christmas Eve The Annie Café & Bar, 1800 Post Oak Score reservations for Christmas Eve brunch or dinner service, with the regular brunch and…
More Texans Drama: Four Thoughts On the Shocking Release of LB Zach Cunningham
The 2021 bloodletting continued on Wednesday morning over at NRG Stadium, as inside linebacker Zach Cunningham, the team’s second round pick in 2017, and the third highest paid player on the team behind Laremy Tunsil and some quarterback named Watson, was placed on waivers just three days after he was…
Houston Chamber Choir Pulls Out All The Stops This Holiday
Joyful music of the season will resound thanks to Houston Chamber Choir’s Candlelight Christmas, running Friday and Saturday at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Houston with a streaming option available starting December 26. Special guests will be international organ recitalist Daryl Robinson and the Treble Choir of Houston, under the direction of Marianna Parnas-Simpson.
Kalu & The Electric Joint Return To Houston
Austin has long had a reputation for being a central hub for music not only in Texas, but all over the world. For Kalu James of Kalu & The Electric Joint, originally from Nigeria, he knew it was a place where he could make his dream of a career in…
Best Bets: One Snowy Day, Eight Reindeer, and 12 Dames
Check out this week’s list of best bets if you like Christmas songs, world cinema, or new opera.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Dinners with Dawn Burrell, Tamale Fest Returns
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Chef Dawn Burrell’s highly anticipated restaurant, Late August, isn’t open yet but the James Beard Award-nominated chef and Top Chef Season 18 finalist is giving Houstonians the opportunity to preview what is to come at the…
Sheriff Gonzalez Insists Jail Is Not “Broken,” Discusses Sexual Assault on Female Deputy
Faced with both an inspection from the state that found the Harris County Jail out of compliance with standards and the sexual attack on a female deputy by an inmate this week, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez at a Wednesday morning press conference argued for more staffing, while saying that he doesn’t…
Rockets Win Streak Meets Toughest Stretch of the Season
The Rockets on Sunday became the first team in NBA history to follow up a 15-game losing streak with a 6-game winning streak. It is a remarkable accomplishment for a team that has had some injury issues and is playing with essentially a college-aged team. But as impressive as the…
Benched Last Week, Justin Reid Named Texans Man of the Year Award Nominee
If you’re looking for a microcosm of one of the most bizarre, most disturbing, most depressing seasons to be a Houston Texans fan, look no further than the saga of fourth year safety Justin Reid over the last two weeks. In Week 12, Reid was benched for the home game…
Houston Concert Watch 12/8: Dawes, Tobe Nwigwe and More
December is here, and I’m due for my annual reminder that I would not survive anywhere that experiences a proper winter. The (relative) cold weather aside, there’s plenty worth leaving the house for, and I hope to see you all out there. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap this…
Houston Symphony Chorus Makes Triumphant Return This Month
Nearly two years after the pandemic started, the Houston Symphony Chorus makes its triumphant return to Jones Hall this December for a double dose of concerts as it backs the orchestra for Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 10 – 12 and Very Merry POPS on Dec. 18 – 19.
Houston Health Department Detects Omicron in City’s Wastewater
Late Monday, the Houston Health Department announced wastewater samples showed the presence of Omicron at eight of the city’s 39 wastewater treatment plants. While no case of the new COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in any person here yet, the detection indicates that it is, in fact, here. Little is…
Uncovering a Sometimes Uncomfortable History About Houston’s Black-Jewish Relationships
There’s no story here. Eight years ago when Allison Schottenstein was communicating with scholars and Jewish Houstonians about mid-century Black-Jewish relations, they told her she was wasting her time. Nothing there. She was in Houston to find a topic for her University of Texas dissertation in Jewish history. Houston had…
First Look: POST Houston
Houston is a fast-growing city and one that is very popular with real estate developers because of the lax zoning restrictions. Stuff goes up, other stuff comes down, oftentimes taking the city’s character with it. That’s why it is something to be admired when a developer repurposes a structure rather…
Of and For the People: Jeff Rosenstock Answers Your Questions (And Ours)
Some things have changed over the years, but a constant for Jeff Rosenstock is that his music and artistic ethos remain of and for the people. Whether through his beloved, seminal bands or his recent acclaimed solo work, he’s able to connect with listeners in a meaningful ways. So, in…
Four Things the Texans Must Find Out Before Season’s End
From the time that Deshaun Watson officially demanded a trade, on the same day that the Houston Texans hired the woeful David Culley as their head coach, we knew this day was coming, but until it’s put into a Twitter graphic, it doesn’t really hit home, but here goes —…
Opinion: If Roe Falls, Make Organ Donation Mandatory
Overcome with dread as I am that the Supreme Court will strike down reproductive health protections next year when they rule on the Mississippi abortion case which bans abortion before viability, I am trying to find an optimistic spin on the matter. Here’s one: it’s time for Texas to make…
Houston’s Legendary Underground Newspaper Resurfaces in Exploring Space City!
A nation divided. Creeping authoritarianism. A vast cultural schism. An assessment of the current situation in the United States? Maybe. But this list also represents the political and societal landscape in 1969. It was in that year and in that charged environment that Space City!, Houston’s legendary underground newspaper was…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Hot Sauce Fest and Southern Fried
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, December 7 Kids Eat Free at Crust Pizza For families feeling the pinch of holiday shopping, Crust Pizza offers free kids meals every Tuesday with purchase of a pizza or entree. With ten locations in the Greater Houston area, there…
NFL Week 13: Colts 31, Texans 0 — Four Winners, Four Losers
As the Texans’ skulked into the locker room, down 14-0 at the half against the Indianapolis Colts, what was left of the fans at NRG Stadium gave the team a healthy, audible round of boos. This is notable because the Texans evidently have fans that still care enough to boo…
A Beatles Holiday Cabaret at Music Box Theater
There’s a bright tuneful present under the tree right now, wrapped up in five shiny voices accompanied by a swinging jazz quartet. This is, of course, Music Box Theater’s seasonal revue, A Beatles Holiday Cabaret, a sublime mash-up of Christmas tunes mixed with Beatle standards. It might sound odd but…
Lee Oskar Honors Holocaust Survivors and Victims on Never Forget
It was in December 1944 or January 1945 and Rachel and Judy Beker were running for their lives—literally. Imprisoned with tens of thousands of other Jews in a Nazi-run Stutthof concentration camp in Poland, the occupants were on a forced march leading to a certain death in a mass grave…
The Suffers Meet Tank and the Bangas At The Redbull Soundclash
The crowd at the packed hall jumped to their feet with applause as the house lights came on letting everyone know the show was over. Tank and the Bangas alongside Big Freedia, and backed by the band The Soul Rebels, had a different plan as they marched offstage and into…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Gingerbread Decorating at Spindletap, Dog Haus Anniversary
PAWliday Market at Powder Keg Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 1300 Brittmoore The weather in Houston is looking pretty, pretty good, as Larry David would say, and this Friday is a great day to take the pups out for a little R&R; rolling and romping. There’s plenty of room…
Openings and Closings: Highline Park Opens, Mozambik Galleria Closes
Highline Park, 600 N. Shepherd, will open December 3 at M-K-T Heights, next door to its recently opened sister concept, Casa Nomad. In fact, it will share a bathroom and kitchen with the adjacent Tulum-inspired Mexican concept. Owners Roland Keller, Keith Doyle and Tyler Barrera are also the trio behind…
Potted Potter Returns to Houston in All its Silly Glory
Jefferson Turner calls the reaction to the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling “the closest thing to Beatlemania in the literary world” that he ever saw before (or since). So when he and co-creator and fellow writer Daniel Clarkson set out to capitalize on the Potter craze with a parody,…
NFL Week 13: Colts-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
December is here, so this 2021 Texans season, that we all end of knew would feel interminable by the time the holidays rolled around, is winding down to an end. Six games remain, and then it’s onto the 2022 NFL Draft to try to find some help. Right now, the…
Final Season of Narcos: Mexico on Netflix Tackles the Drug Wars from the Mexican Side
Narcos has been one of Netflix’s marquee series for the past seven years, delivering a dramatic retelling of the history of the global drug trade from the perspectives of the men who revolutionized drug trafficking and the U.S government’s perpetual war against them. Narcos: Mexico saw the series transition into…
HISD Will Maintain Its Mask Policy in its Schools
Parents and students hoping to be rid of the pandemic mask mandate in Houston ISD schools will have to wait until after the winter holiday break to find out if that will be happening. For now, HISD Superintendent Millard House II’s administration is staying the course. A statement released Thursday…
The MLB Lockout is Upon Us, 4 Ways It Impacts the Astros
On Wednesday night, Major League Baseball officially declared a lockout after the players’ union and officials from MLB were unable to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement before the previous CBA expired. Most around the league do not expect this to be a long lockout or even…
Best Bets: Potted Potter, Sleep, and a Spontaneous Smattering
This week’s best bets include plenty of holiday offerings and much more.
Point/Counterpoint: Four Questions About Kevin Porter, Jr. as the Floor General
With all the young players on the Rockets team this year, perhaps none is as intriguing and complicated as Kevin Porter, Jr. The 21-year-old guard was acquired last season from Cleveland and brought with him some baggage and some occasionally spectacular play including a 50-point game. Although his bid for…
The Beatles: Get Back Gives Fans a Look at How Songs Are Written
The uniquely unvarnished look at The Beatles in the three-part documentary series The Beatles: Get Back from Peter Jackson is an eye opener for many reasons. It reshapes the narrative around Yoko Ono and her impact on the band (hint: it was far less important than fans were led to…
TUTS’ The Little Mermaid Takes Charge of Her Life on The Hobby Stage
Playing a Disney princess is absolutely not just hanging around and waiting for a prince to arrive although if a good one shows up, that’s a bonus, says Delphi Borich who is returning to Theatre Under the Stars to take on the lead role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid…
Upcoming Houston Events: Finca Tres Robles Farm Dinner, Christmas at Feges BBQ
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Though Hay Merchant, 1100 Westheimer, will close its doors for good in January 2022, the craft beer hangout from Underbelly Hospitality is still tapping a new cask beer to ring out the old year. The brew,…
DEM Celebrates Release Of Forward Ever
DEM has been holding it down representing Houston’s small but mighty reggae community since 2016. During lockdown the band sat down to record their first album and is now celebrating the release of their first full length album, Forward Ever, on Splice Records with a full evening of performances on…
Four Big Questions Heading Into CFB Conference Title Weekend
December is here, and the college kids have given us over three months of college football, and after hundreds of games, numerous twists and turns, avoidance of huge COVID issues, and a sudden hurricane of big time head coaches on the move, we have arrived at conference title week, with…
Opinion: 5 Reasons Liberals Love Christmastime
Welcome to December or, as Fox & Friends and Tucker Carlson would have it, the War on Christmas. In the time-honored Christmas tradition of ghost stories as the year grows dark, conservatives have loved to scare the country with a made-up threat regarding the end of the beloved year-end celebration…
Four Reasons Andre Johnson Should Go Into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
There has not been much good news for Texan fans over the last couple years, so it would be nice to have something we can all rally around, and feel good again. It would be nice to take ourselves back to a simpler time and place when the Texans were…
Houston Concert Watch 12/1: The Suffers, Lecrae and More
December is here, Houston! I hope you’re enjoying the weather and getting as much time outside as you can. My tree isn’t up yet, but I’m hoping it will be by the end of today, because all my neighbors are already in the Christmas spirit and I’m feeling a bit…
Checking It Out: Willie’s New Sandwiches
It was a warm, sunny day in Houston and not very conducive to Christmas tree shopping. What was even less appealing was having to convince a 17-year-old boy, in this case my son, to accompany me. After his tough day at school, I pulled out the big guns and lured…
Holiday Email Deals Present Opportunity to Unsubscribe
If you are anything like us, you probably are subscribed to a ton of different companies and services. Most are the result of a purchase you made that one time for the aunt whose really obscure interest meant you had to buy her gift on a website to which you…
Battle Of The Bands Between Suffers And Tank And The Bangas
There can be major benefits to a little friendly competition as participants up the energy to taunt their respected competitors. This is sure to be the case at the Red Bull SoundClash event taking place on Thursday, December 2 at the Bayou Music Center where Houston’s The Suffers will compete…
Vanilla Fudge’s Mark Stein Cooks Up Contemporary Issues on Solo Record
Like a lot of Classic Rockers who make their living on the road these days, Mark Stein found himself with a lot of at-home time during the pandemic. But also like many of his musician brethren, he decided to take that forced time off and pour it into a creative…
Jets 21, Texans 14: How To Lose a Game In Ten Plays
Welp, it was fun while it lasted. Last week, I got to do a rare “How To Steal a Game in Ten Plays” post after the Texans literally stole a win in Nashville from the Tennessee Titans. In that game, the Texans had five takeaways, so yes, it was LITERAL…
Houston Christmas Theater Part II: The Nutcracker and The Christmas Shoes
The Nutcracker If Cecil B. DeMille and Flo Ziegfeld produced a holiday show, it would look suspiciously like Stanton Welch’s Nutcracker for Houston Ballet. It is lavish and lush the DeMille way, with solid sets and fantastical costumes, and for Zeigfeld, they are legs for days and more dancing than…
The Children’s Classic The Snowy Day Inspires a Special Premiere at Houston Grand Opera
Emmy award-winning composer Joel Thompson had never done an opera before but when Houston Grand Opera’s Patrick Summers approached him with the seed of an idea to build on the classic children’s book The Snowy Day, he was both “humbled” and ready to go. “All of a sudden, opera made…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Clique Bistro Happy Hour and PAWliday Market
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Friday, December 3 PAWliday Market at Powder Keg It’s not always easy to find pooch-friendly spots around town and some canines need a little more stimulation than sitting at their owner’s feet as they quaff a few pints. At Powder Keg,…
You Wanna Whole Lotta Zep?
Led Zeppelin: The Biography (673 pp. $35.00, Penguin Press), presents the story of the groundbreaking band with a level of detail unseen in any previous volume. There have been any number of books written by and about the band itself, its individual members, its manager, and even its roadies, so this represents a significant accomplishment.
NFL Week 12: Jets 21, Texans 14 — Four Winners, Four Losers
When the Houston Texans were turning the Tennessee Titans over five times last week, just like they’d done to the Miami Dolphins the week before, then we could overlook the fact that the Texans’ final six drives of the game were a total of just 18 plays for a total…
Openings and Closings: Chris Shepherd Plays Musical Chairs, Mala Sichuan at M-K-T Heights
This week’s Openings and Closings begins with big news in the world of Chris Shepherd and Underbelly Hospitality: UB Preserve, 1609 Westheimer, will close December 23. One of Underbelly Hospitality’s more casual eateries, it took the place of its predecessor Underbelly three years ago bringing in chef Nick Wong and…
Houston’ 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Beer, Brunch, Oysters and Music
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Black Friday Beer Blowout at Saint Arnold Friday, 11 a.m. 2000 Lyons This annual event at Saint Arnold Brewing Company offers limited supplies of Bishop’s Barrel bottles to go or to stay. For Bishop’s Barrel no. 1, 2 or 3, guests…
NFL Week 12: Jets-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
For just the second time this season, the Houston Texans got to prepare for a game in the afterglow of a win, and for the second time this season, this Sunday, they will get a chance to build an actual wining streak. Multiple games in a row, emerging victorious! Wow!…
Anthrax’s Frank Bello Brings the Noise—and the Memories
As the bassist for Anthrax during the vast majority of their career, you would expect that Frank Bello’s musical likes and influences would include the Usual Suspects like KISS, Iron Maiden and Motörhead. But the guy who holds down the low end for one of Thrash Metal’s “Big Four” (along…
H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade This Morning Cancelled
Citing the inclement weather — as in rain that’s hitting the city this morning — Mayor Sylvester Turner and his office of Special Events just announced they have cancelled the Thanksgiving Day parade for 2021. “While we are disappointed that we are unable to commence with the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day…
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Best Bets: Thanksgiving, Shorts, and Double the Tchaikovsky [UPDATED]
There’s no shortage of dance, theater, music this Thanksgiving weekend.
Ancient Cat Society Releases New Single And Performs At Continental Club
Just as COVID began shutting everything down in 2020, Splice Record’s artist Ancient Cat Society was heading into the studio. Now the band is ready to let listeners into their new album, due out next year, with the release of their first singles “City Breathes” and “Out Of My Mind.”…
Upcoming Houston Events: Brunch with Santa, $5 Prohibition Cocktails
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Le Jardinier, 5500 Main, has introduced a culinary work of art in honor of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s current blockbuster exhibit: Incomparable Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. The Apple in a…
Two Houston Astros Named to All-MLB Second Team
For a team that came within two games of winning the World Series, and made it to the American League Championship Series for a fifth consecutive postseason, the post-postseason awards circuit has been eerily quiet for the Houston Astros. As opposed to years past, when we’ve seen MVP awards and…
10 Ways to Change the Subject When Politics Comes Up This Holiday Season
It’s the holidays. You can tell because every store is blaring Christmas music and there are strung lights hanging from every available tree, roof overhang and shopping center. Right now, it feels a bit whimsical and nostalgic. By December 26, you’ll want to strangle an elf and eat venison made…
The Nutcracker Returns to Live Performance With Houston Ballet
For the first time, in too long a time, Houston Ballet’s company of dancers will take to the Wortham Center stage starting later this week to come together en masse to dance, act and amaze audiences in the explosion of color, leaps and story that we call The Nutcracker. Yes,…
9 Things in Houston Sports to Be Thankful For
The Astros are done for the year. The Rockets are in the midst of one of the worst losing streaks…since last season (ugh). And the Texans won a game, but it was only the second win of the season. It seems as if what was a few years ago thought…
Intriguing Scenarios Still In Play For 2021 College Football Playoff
I will admit that I predicted one of the byproducts of COVID for the 2020 season in football, and its economic impact on collegiate athletics programs during the pandemic year, was that we would see an expanded College Football Playoff. With more playoff games came more money, so an expansion,…
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Houston Christmas Theater 2021, Part I: Miss Bennet and A Christmas Carol [UPDATED]
Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberly Egad, who spiked the punch at the Darcys? For past holiday seasons, Main Street Theater has presented Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s sequels of sorts to Jane Austen’s immortal Pride and Prejudice: Miss Bennet and The Wickhams, both subtitled Christmas at Pemberly. I believe it…
Houston Concert Watch 11/24: Waterparks and More
Happy Thanksgiving, Houston. I know a lot of you are traveling this week, but there are plenty of great live music options for anyone who’s still in town. Also, if you still haven’t taken that frozen turkey out of the freezer, it’s probably time. Keep scrolling to see what’s on…
Thanksgiving 2021 Houston Area Grocery Store Hours
For some of us, this is the first year since the pandemic started that we have been able to host a home full of loved ones or travel to grandma’s house for her famous cornbread dressing. In our excitement, we are bound to forget something, whether it’s jellied cranberry sauce…
Thanksgiving Day 2021 Down to the Wire Dining and Takeout Options
You’re one of those last minute can’t-make-up-your-mind people? Or your oven decided to give up the ghost this week and you have all those relatives coming in? Don’t worry. While the pre-order deadline has passed for some restaurants, there’s still several Houston restaurants standing by ready to help with dine…
Thanksgiving Dining and Deals in Houston
With Thanksgiving only weeks away and many families gathering for the first time this holiday since the pandemic began, we are all craving the hugs and smiling faces of our loved ones even more than Maw-maw’s ambrosia salad. Some of us love the chaos and the clutter that comes with…
Mastodon Sees the Big Picture on Record and on Tour
“I like epic movies. If I see that it’s three hours, I’m all in,” said Brann Dailor, drummer of Mastodon, one of the world’s best-loved metal bands. “I wasn’t scared or intimidated by that last Quentin Tarantino movie, I was all in on it. Dr. Zhivago is one of my…
Please Stop Putting Stamina Bars in Every Video Game
Why do all my power fantasies lately want me to feel exhausted? Doesn’t life already do that enough? It’s time to end the ubiquitous presence of the stamina bar in every damn video game. The stamina bar isn’t a new concept by any means. Shadow of the Colossus used to…
Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule Get Heavy into the Blues
Even those who have followed the multi-faceted career of Warren Haynes—whether with the Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule, his solo output or other collaborations—might be surprised to hear that he’s never done an all-blues album. Until now. The singer/songwriter/guitarist, along with the rest of the Mule (Matt Abts on drums,…
Houston Texans 22, Tennessee Titans 13: How To Steal A Game in Ten Plays
As many of you know, in recent years, when the Houston Texans have lost a close game that has involved many twist, turns, and poor chess moves by the head coach, I would write a feature called “How To Lose a Game in Ten Plays,” a nod to one of…
When Ramses II Ruled the World
Throughout history, saints and sinners, czars and generals have been called “great,” from Alexander of Macedonia, Catherine of Russia, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, to Charlemagne of France, Alfred of England, and Kamehameha of Hawaii. But the first to be called so, even during his own lifetime, was Ramses II, pharaoh of…
5 Things To Know About the 2022 Grammy Awards
The Recording Academy will reveal the nominations for the 2022 Grammy Awards on Tuesday at 11 a.m. CST. Houston Press spoke with Apollo Chamber Players, Houston Chamber Choir, and Houston Symphony to find out more about what it is like to go through this process.
Opinion: Rittenhouse Verdict Further Sanctifies “Defensive” Murder
The jury in the Kyle Rittenhouse case found him not guilty of murder, which is exactly what laws like the Wisconsin castle doctrine are designed to do. It’s also a huge win for people obsessed with fatal defensive gun use. It’s a common misconception that the jury in the Rittenhouse…
In The Christmas Shoes, A.D. Players Offers a Special Holiday Story
With a specially commissioned work, A.D. Players offers Houston audiences another option in winter holiday stories when it will present the world premiere of The Christmas Shoes, a story about a boy and his present to his dying mother. This stage adaptation by Jessica Lind Peterson is based on The…
Children’s Book Details the Journey of Willie and Bobbie Nelson
In an era where facts can be “alternative” and the political divide in the Lone Star State is yawning to an epic gap, there’s at least one thing that almost all Texans can agree upon: Willie Nelson is a state treasure. Hell, the most famous son of Abbott a national…
NFL Week 11: Texans 22, Titans 13 — Four Winners, Four Losers
This 2021 NFL season has been a strange one, to say the least. it feels like the torch for “best team in the league” has been passed at least a half dozen times in the last couple months, and on a micro level, the AFC has certainly been rife with…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Free Wine Tasting, Black Friday Brunch
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, November 22 Turkey Leg Hut Thanksgiving Giveaway We mentioned this event last week to give readers a heads up because once the word is out, the lines for free turkey legs from Turkey Leg Hut in the parking lot at 4902…
A Woman Over the Precipice in 4.48 Psychosis at Catastrophic
Catastrophic Theatre has not been softened by a year-and-a-half of COVID isolation and deprivation, it’s been sharpened and honed razor-sharp. It will cut you. As a welcome back present to the theater, Sarah Kane’s radical and subversively lyrical 4.48 Psychosis, a cause célèbre to some, a cri de coeur to…
Rufus Du Sol Shine on Opening Night at 713 Music Hall
Its hard to know whose star shined brightest last night: the crowd, the artist, or the venue. The crowd? Ready. The artist? Loaded. The Venue? A total game changer. Last night, Australian electronic force Rufus Du Sol christened Houston’s newest concert venue 713 Music Hall at POST Houston. The newly…
Openings and Closings: J-Bar-M Opens for Lunch, Trattoria Sofia Debuts Next Week
Trattoria Sofia, 911 W. 11th, opens its doors November 26 for both lunch and dinner service. Originally, it was planned for November 19 but a gas line issue has delayed the opening. CenterPoint will not be able to replace the pipe until next week. In a press release regarding the…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Umami Fest and Free Turkey Legs
Here’s a look at this weekend’s best culinary happenings: Happy Hour at Mahesh’s Kitchen Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 16019 City Walk This Indian restaurant in Sugar Land opened this past September and its new happy hour runs Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 6:30…
NFL Week 11: Texans-Titans — Four Things To Watch For
Prior to the Houston Texans’ bye week this past weekend, whenever confronted with the question of “What is wrong with your football team?”, inevitably head coach David Culley’s answers would circle back to two things — turnovers and penalties. In other words, if the Texans could just stop turning the…
Tango With Apollo Chamber Players For Piazzolla Centennial
Apollo Chamber Players will commemorate the Argentinean tango composer Astor Piazzolla, who would have entered his tenth decade this year, with Piazzolla Centennial at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston.
Alan Walden’s Song of the South with Otis, the Allmans, and Lynyrd Skynyrd
If you had to compare the size of a city to level of musical influence, it would be hard to beat the yawning gap of Macon. After all, it’s there in “The Heart of Georgia” where Little Richard honed his performing chops, Otis Redding brought his deep R&B and soul…
Violence Threat at Cy Fair Schools
Messages on social media threatening violence at two Cy Fair ISD schools on Wednesday night sent parents into a panic. The threats came from two SnapChat accounts, @imgoingtoshootupjerseyvillage and @cookmsisgoingtodie, referring to Jersey Village High School and Cook Middle School respectively. The message posted about Cook proclaimed, “death to mr…
Justin Verlander Re-Signs With the Astros: Four Thoughts
On Wednesday, Justin Verlander agreed to a one-year, $25 million deal to return the Astros in 2022. The deal includes a player option for 2023. Verlander, the team’s ace since he was acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the deadline in 2017, missed all but one game in 2020 and…
Garrett T. Capps Is Coming In Hot From San Antone
Texas has always been fertile soil for storytelling songwriters and cosmic cowboys who seem to be able to bring all kinds of people together for the sake of a good song and a good time. San Antonio ‘s Garrett T. Capps fits right into this beloved Texas tradition. Capps will…
An All Access Ticket to the Rock Show—From Those Who Were There
It’s common among a performer or band’s superfans to note something along the lines of “Yeah, their studio albums are great. But you really need to see them live.” Outside of the different sheen a live performance can put on a song though, that’s not the reason people go to…
Houston Texans: 2022 Pro Bowl Ballot — Four Yeas, Four Nays
It’s been a gradual process throughout the last year, getting back some of the routines and staples of our sporting life. Fans coming back to stadiums has been a big deal across all sports, and the schedules and formats for each sport resuming in pre-COVID fashion have both been a…
Best Bets: 4.48 Psychosis, Terra Firma, and A Dust in Time
The holiday season has begun and you can see it in this week’s best bets.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Buy Some Wine, Sip With Santa
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Camerata at Paulie’s 1830 Westheimer, is having its annual wine sale November 21 for those looking to stock up for the holidays or buy a gift for your favorite oenophile (hint, hint). Beginning at noon and…
Main Street Returns to Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley For Its Holiday Show
For the third time Chaney Moore will take on the role of Mary Bennet, the overlooked Bennet sister brought to life in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley about to go back on stage at Main Street Theater — and she’s happy to do so. “It’s a little bit of magic…
Tony Buzbee Files Suit For More Than 120 Clients in Astroworld Case
Representing more than 120 clients, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee filed suit Tuesday as expected in the Astroworld tragedy that left (now) ten dead and hundreds injured after people were crushed or had heart attacks amid a push toward the stage. What was less expected was that in addition to suing…
Supporting Actors Steal the Spotlight In Tootsie
There’s a lot of upstaging going on in Tootsie, the movie turned musical now playing at Broadway at the Hobby Center. A trifecta, to be exact. Lyrics over music, first act over second, and most jarringly, supporting performances over the lead. And while none of this makes Tootsie (music and…
Five Sports Things to Do This Winter While Your Teams Suck
The Astros season is over. So are the seasons for the Dynamo and Dash if you are a soccer enthusiast. And while they may still be playing games, for all intents and purposes, the Texans and Rockets are done as well and watching them alternates between frustration and outright heartbreak…
Opinion: Beware the Virginia Trans Assault Trap in Texas’ Upcoming Governor’s Race
A lot of factors contributed to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s gubernatorial win in Virginia earlier this month, including the fact that Virginia nearly always switches from the president’s party in their governor races. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned much, though, is the fact that shortly before Election Day there was…
Houston Texans: The Race for the No. 1 Overall Pick in 2022 Draft
It’s hard to believe that less than two years ago, the Texans held a 24-0 lead in Kansas City over the Chiefs in a playoff game, and were three quarters of football away from their first AFC title game in team history. We all know how that wound up, but…
Houston Concert Watch 11/17: Rufus Du Sol, Harry Styles and More
Good morning, Houston. The forecast for the upcoming week is perfect, with highs in the low 80s and lows in the 50s. The city’s newest music venue opens tomorrow night, and those in attendance would do well to show up early to see the rest of POST Houston, which opened…
The Prolific Year Of Jackie Venson
For Austin-based artist Jackie Venson, the past year has been a whirlwind of creation as she released five albums in one year (two studio and three live), brought awareness to and directly challenged the lack of diversity in the lineup for the long running Blues On The Green in her…
Four Second Half Predictions for the Houston Texans
When you’re a fan of an NFL team, and your most memorable week of the NFL season was the bye week, well … you might be a Houston Texans fan. That was the case for me and my wife Amy (an original Texans season ticket holder, if you need her),…
Amy Lee and Lzzy Hale Lace Up Some Comfy, Familiar Footwear
“It’s like putting on some shoes that you haven’t worn for a couple of years and trying ‘em out again,” said Lzzy Hale of resuming touring. She and her band Halestorm recently laced up their best traveling footwear with tour mates Evanescence. Hale and Evanescence’s Amy Lee are hard rock’s…
With New Energy and a New Book, Daniel Sloss’ Hubris is Unmatched
“It’s called Hubris, because when I was at my fucking peak of ability I decided to take a massive step back and just do jokes again.”
Beto O’Rourke Announces to No One’s Surprise That He’s Running For Texas Governor
To absolutely no one’s surprise, El Paso Democrat Beto O’Rourke announced Monday that he is running for Texas governor — a statement immediately greeted with end-of-days warnings among Republican politicos. O’Rourke’s message: that the elected leaders in Texas haven’t done right by the people living in the state, that they’ve…
Immortal Axes Showcases Guitars to Die For
In his forward to photographer Lisa S. Johnson’s Immortal Axes – Guitars That Rock (338 pp. $60, Princeton Architectural Press), Peter Frampton writes, “Guitars are special instruments,” adding, “they need to be treasured.” Johnson certainly agrees with that sentiment, her love of the instrument resulting in a collection of sumptuous…
MFAH is the Only U.S. Stop for Impressive Impressionist Exhibit
When the pandemic caused borders to close, travel restrictions to rise, and venues to close, open, and then close again, it left a lot of folks stranded in places far from their homes. That included a group of guys with last names like Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Degas, Cézanne and…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Half-Price Oysters and Chocolate Turkeys
Tuesday, November 16 Half Price Oysters at Xin Chao This Vietnamese restaurant from Christine Ha and Tony Nguyen is celebrating oyster season with half-priced oysters every Tuesday. Traditionalists can go for the Fresh Gulf Oysters with Thai Chile mignonette and Vietnamese herbs or try some mollusks from our neighbors way…
Houston Texans’ 2021 First Half Superlatives
The Houston Texans did something this past weekend that we haven’t been able to claim for over two months — they did NOT lose an NFL game. Granted, yes, the Texans were on a bye this past weekend, but still — THEY DID NOT LOSE. The bye week is often…
Il Trovatore at Opera in the Heights: Attention Must Be Paid
If you think the art of opera is dying, I turn your attention to Opera in the Heights and its splendid production of Verdi’s propulsive warhorse Il Trovatore (1853). Well…let me rephrase. The physical production is rudimentary, and the staging lacks imagination. Updating from medieval Spain to a quasi-dystopian future…
El Huracán Arrives at Mildred’s Umbrella With Storms External and Internal
We give thanks to Mildred’s Umbrella for our knowledge of playwright Charise Castro Smith. El Huracán (2018), a generational fable, is the company’s third Smith production, following the ironic and wacky The Hunchback of Seville and the weird and horrific Feathers and Teeth. Each play is different in style, construction,…
Local Newspapers Fight “Extinction” in Storm Lake Documentary Airing on PBS
To many, it would appear we live in the age of information – with more data at our fingertips than ever before. Yet in a world of digital paywalls and 24-hour commentary, there appears to be a squeeze on quality reporting of the many stories happening outside the major metropolises…
Jonathan Caouette Debuts Beautiful, Bizarre Short at Third Coast
Director Jonathan Caouette is one of Houston’s most beloved sons of cinema. He made a tremendous splash in 2003 with his movie Tarnation, a startling narrative of mental illness cobbled together from his home movies with his mother. His newest film is a 27-minute short called The Blazing, which is…
Openings and Closings: POST Houston Debuts, Bluestone Lane Next Year
POST Houston, 401 Travis, will open November 13 with a grand opening extravaganza. The adaptive reuse project has completely transformed the Barbara Jordan Post Office into a mixed-use property for cultural, culinary and commercial concepts. Its international food and market hall will feature over 30 vendors and its Skylawn will…
ROCO Brings the One-Two Punch This November
ROCO presents “A Stitch In Time” on November 13 and “A Dust In Time” on November 19. Both concerts offer timely subject matter: Climate change and meditation.
Houston Texans Midseason State of the Team
When a new general manager and new head coach are brought into an NFL organization, most of the time, it’s because the previous regime failed, and failed miserably. Thus, anyone with a brain knew that this 2021 NFL season would likely be a lost season here in the city of…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: POST Grand Opening, Wild West Brewfest
Post Houston POST UP Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 401 Franklin The long awaited debut of this multi-use development from Lovett Commercial will begin with a family-friendly grand opening that will have activities, events and plenty of food choices for attendees. Best of all, the admission is free though…
Now See Tootsie On Stage and In Song at the Hobby Center
Drew Becker originally auditioned more than a year ago to be part of the ensemble for the national tour of the Tony Award winning Tootsie, the musical based on the movie by the same name. But when he got call backs for the casting director it was to read the…
Five Areas of Growth to Look for From the Rockets This Season
“Growth.” It was the one thing coach Stephen Silas said he was most looking for from his young roster of players that includes four rookies and a guy starting at point guard for the first time in his career. As we’ve seen from the 1-9 start, it’s been messy and…
Rice University Breaks With Tradition in Naming its Next President
Reginald DesRoches will be president of Rice University after David Leebron steps down next June — becoming the first Black, first immigrant and first engineer to hold the top post at a university originally established for white students only. The private university with only a 9 percent acceptance rate and…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Wine Tastings and a Malaysian Thanksgiving
Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary events: Sony Pictures Classics and Houston mega-chef Chris Shepherd are hosting a virtual screening of the new documentary, Julia, November 16 at 8 p.m. The film comes from directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West, best known for…
Plastic-Wrapped Tour Vans Can’t Slow Tejon Street Corner Thieves’ Drive
It’s not uncommon for bands to experience tour van troubles on the road, but Tejon Street Corner Thieves’ long-awaited return to live shows recently was marked by an unusual van problem. The Colorado-based “trashgrass” band is touring the country in support of “murderfolk” icon Amigo the Devil and both acts…
Best Bets: Film, A Night Market, and El Huracán
Film is in the air on this week’s list of best bets.
Houston Astros GM James Click’s 2021 Report Card
As the Houston Astros’ championship level window has evolved and progressed over the last half decade or so, through various forms of attrition, there have been big shoes to fill. When Gerrit Cole left in free agency, and Justin Verlander lost his 2020 and 2021 seasons to injury, Framber Valdez…
Chvrches Prove the Final Girl Can Be a Real Killer Live
At the end there was blood. The fake kind, of course, but blood all the same. Clad in a shirt and jean shorts, (fake) blood covering her arms, Lauren Mayberry had become the final girl she had worried about earlier in the set. But this was the final girl undefeated,…
Which Free Agents Will Be Back With the Houston Astros?
Free agency officially began in Major League Baseball this past Sunday, and with labor strife possibly looming for the sport upon expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement on December 1, this will be one of the more intriguing free agency seasons in recent history. Will teams try their best to…
Bigger In Texas: Gus Clark To Perform At Continental Club
Gus Clark’s journey brings to mind the often spotted bumper sticker “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could.” Clark, originally from Washington, now resides in Canyon Lake, Texas and he and his music seem to be fitting right in. Clark will be returning…
How Accessible Are Houston’s Theaters?
Doors, dogs, and a demi disaster. It’s alliteration, sure, but it’s also an accurate snapshot of the challenges I faced this past month as a post-surgery wheelchair/walker/cane user trying to navigate shows at several of Houston’s theaters. Notice I said challenges, not roadblocks. The good news is that theaters in…
Opinion: Why Biden Can’t be FDR
I say this with love, but sometimes the American Left is the biggest collection of miserable bastards on the planet. Joe Biden’s approval numbers have fallen lower than any president since polling began with the exception of Donald Trump. The loss of the governor’s race in Virginia seems to spell…
Houston Concert Watch 11/10: Atreyu, Café Tacvba and More
Over the weekend, at least eight people died and hundreds more were injured at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival. I have no words for the tragedy. I only hope you all remember to take care of each other out there. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap for this week. Atreyu…
Lukas Delivers Both Halves of the Nelson
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real delivered a rousing night of music at the House of Blues, highlighting songs from their latest release, A Few Stars Apart.
VMG Announces Sale of the Houston Press
Voice Media Group said today it has reached an agreement to sell the Houston Press to a buyer that plans to continue the normal operations of the Houston Press for years to come. VMG through its digital arm V Digital Services will continue to service and support its digital agency…
Tame Impala Delivers Another Stellar Set at White Oak Music Hall
“I’m not going to go on for long about it, but I know there’s a weird feeling in Houston right now, and my heart breaks for what happened at Astroworld a few days ago. But I know that you guys will take care of each other and we’ll take care…
Get Shook by BLACKSTARKIDS
If you want to see who’s shaking up music these days, head to White Oak Music Hall on Monday, November 15. The downstairs show that evening will feature BLACKSTARKIDS, a Gen-Z trio with a healthy respect for music made before they were born and the keen sensibility to use an…
Vegas Odds on Where Carlos Correa Plays in 2022
With the World Series in the rear view mirror, the Astros and the rest of baseball now rapidly turn their attention to the offseason. That’s the big difference between the business of football and the business of baseball — in football, you get about six weeks to breathe. In baseball,…
4 Reasons the Astros Should Do Anything to Re-Sign Carlos Correa, and 4 Reasons They Shouldn’t
Should they or shouldn’t they? For some fans, no matter what the cost, the Astros must keep Carlos Correa. But, judging by their five-year, $32 million-per-year offer, the team is not expecting their superstar shortstop to return. Correa, 27, reportedly wants a deal over nine or ten total seasons. Money…
Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy Finally Get Their Documentary Due
On many a Classic Rock fan’s shortlist of groups who have thus far been denied by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Thin Lizzy is usually high on the ranking. And though mainstream U.S. audiences only know “The Boys Are Back in Town” or (perhaps) “Whiskey in the Jar”…
Before You Put Up Your Christmas Lights
It’s been a week since Halloween, so I sadly dragged all my tombstones and giant spiders inside. Christmas is coming, and that means it’s time to get festive with the lights. However, since we only put up Christmas lights once a year, it’s possible to make mistakes. Here’s the most…
Lawyers and Lawsuits Line Up Following Astroworld Tragedy
Rapper Travis Scout has offered to pay funeral expenses for the eight young people who died at his Astroworld Festival on Friday, which didn’t stop the parade of lawsuits that began marching their way to Houston’s courts on Monday, the first workday after the tragedy. As was expected, more than…
Alabama Rides A Half-Century Of Hits Into Houston
Alabama Toyota Center November 7, 2021 If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember the ubiquity of Alabama on the charts in the ’70s and ’80s. The band’s radio friendly mix of country, pop, gospel, and bluegrass accounted for 33 #1 Billboard “Hot Country” singles, 75 million albums sold, and a…
NFL Week 9: Dolphins 17, Texans 9 — Four Winners, Four Losers
It would look a lot better with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, we told ourselves. Tyrod Taylor gave the Texans the best chance to win on Sunday, David Culley would tell us. I chose to believe all of that, the improved watchability and the improved odds of winning on Sunday in…
Texas Central Seeking Federal Funds to Jumpstart the Texas Bullet Train Project
Way back when Texas Central was first formulating its plans to construct a highspeed rail line that would tote passengers between Houston and Dallas in just 90 minutes, company officials made vague, broad promises that they would not be seeking any federal funding to construct the Shinkansen railway. However, that’s…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Veteran’s Day Specials and Weekend Cook-Offs
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Wednesday, November 10 Winemaker Greg Brickey will be showcasing Majuscule wines, along with a four-course dinner from chef Eduardo Alcayaga at Mutiny Wine Room, 1124 Usener. Majuscule wines are from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and are small lot wines,…
Astros Season Comes to a Close: Four Winners, Four Losers
The Astros season came to a frustrating close after losing to the Braves in six games of the World Series. Three times the World Series has been closed out in Houston and all three times another team has claimed the trophy. In the end, it was a good season for…
Four Horror Classic to Prepare You for Chvrches’ Screen Violence Tour
“There’s no such thing as ‘spooky season’ for Chvrches,” lead singer and instrumentalist Lauren Mayberry explains. She’s talking to the Press ahead of the band’s return to Houston, and with Halloween on the horizon and themes of their newest album Screen Violence being what the are, the talk has turned…
Opinion: When All the Numbers at Astroworld Add up to Nothing But Disaster
Eight dead. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men— not to mention the 528 Houston PD officers and 755 private security workers on site at NRG Friday – couldn’t patch up or undo the awful tally at a Friday night’s Astroworld festival that was supposed to be fun…
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Multiple Injuries and Eight Deaths Reported at Astroworld, Which Shuts Down A Day Early [UPDATED]
When the return of Astroworld was announced earlier this year the 100,000 tickets available sold out within minutes. Friday night, all that enthusiasm turned tragic as the surge of fans rushing to see Travis Scott perform shortly after 9:30 p.m. resulted in eight reported deaths and multiple crowd injuries. Day…
The Woman in the Mirror Poignantly Tells Radio DJ Dayna Steele’s Journey With Her Mom’s Alzheimer’s
What sets Blue Squirrel Productions’ The Woman in the Mirror apart from most is that from the get-go, the audience knows what to expect. There aren’t any unexpected twists and turns or a grand, climactic peak that leaves us gobsmacked. The premise is clear. Based on Dayna Steele’s 2016 book…
Sister Act: Cute Twerking Nuns and All at TUTS
For TUTS’ sake, I should let anyone sitting around me during Sister Act write this review. It would be a rave. My nearby audience whooped and laughed, really laughed out loud, at everything on stage. They murmured in hushed anticipation when gangster Curtis purred out his death threat against Deloris;…
Kam Franklin Releases “Don’t Get Caught Sick”
Kam Franklin has been the magnetic front woman for The Suffers for ten years now. She and her band have been uplifting audiences and helping to shine a positive light on our city time and time again since they formed. Franklin has been busy working on not only The Suffers’…
Openings and Closings: The Blind Goat Planned for Spring Branch, Willie’s for Pearland
The Blind Goat, 8141 Long Point, is planned for Spring Branch in fall 2022. The new restaurant will be an expansion of Christine Ha’s popular food hall spot at Bravery Chef Hall. The Blind Goat originally opened in 2019. Described on its website as a modern, Vietnamese gastropub, it serves…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Spice Challenge and Seven Years at a Cocktail Bar
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Diwali Festivities at Pondicheri Friday-Sunday 2800 Kirby Pondicheri will be celebrating the ancient Indian holiday of Diwali, offering a luxurious Araam Thali special through the weekend. The sampler platter will feature Vegetable Market Curry, Herb Pooris, Sindhi Dal, okra…
NFL Week 9: Texans-Dolphins — Four Things To Watch For
For the last couple of weeks, the Houston Texans have spent seemingly as much time dealing with the smoke from Deshaun Watson trade rumors as they have preparing for their opponents. Now that the trade deadline has come and gone, with no trade for Watson happening in 2021, the focus…
Graham Nash’s Life Through the Lens
Graham Nash has been making music for more than 60 years. First with friend Allan Clarke, then as the pair co-founded the English Invasion group the Hollies, and later as a member of Crosby, Stills and Nash (and sometimes Young). He also had a consistent and intertwining solo career. But…
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A Christmas Carol Returns to Live Performance at the Alley Theatre [UPDATED]
This year, when audiences return to the Alley Theatre for A Christmas Carol, they won’t be immediately plunged into Dickensian England. Instead, says director Brandon Weinbrenner, “You’ll meet a troupe of actors in 2021 on the stage of the Hubbard Theatre, there to put on A Christmas Carol. The stage…
Best Bets: Armstrong, Brahms, and Accordion Kings & Queens
Legends well known and less well known pop up on this week’s list of best bets.
Houston Chamber Choir’s Living Requiem Gives Comfort
This weekend, the Houston Chamber Choir and its founder, Bob Simpson, will present “Ein deutsches Requiem” by Johannes Brahms – known better as his requiem for the living – as part of the choir’s “To Bring Comfort” concert. It takes place 7:30 p.m. Saturday at South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street, and will be…
The 5 Dumbest NextDoor Halloween Complaints
I’m not even sure why I have the NextDoor app. After all, in this line of work the racists usually come directly to me without me. Still, it’s always fun to check in following Halloween to see what the neighborhood is complaining about. To be fair, the vast majority of…
Release the Hound! Sam Turner Goes All In for a Classic Country Winner
There’s a song on Rodeo Hound, the new album by Sam Turner and the Cactus Cats, called “Back to Houston,” but listening to the LP, you might actually imagine yourself driving away from the city in search good times at some backwoods Hill Country honky-tonk. “Back to Houston” has something to say…
Four Things The Astros Must Have In 2022 If Carlos Correa Is Gone
The Houston Astros’ 2021 postseason run ended with a thud on Tuesday night in Game 6 of the World Series. The Atlanta Braves’ 7-0 win encapsulated quite a bit of what the 2021 Houston Astros became as the ALCS spilled over into the World Series — shaky starting pitching, a…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Julep Celebrates Seven Years, Plus Oxtail and Tiki for Charity
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Guests are invited to a Tequila & Wine Dinner at Alicia’s Mexican Grille locations, as well as at Galiana’s Tex Mex and Agave Bar, featuring a three-course, fall-inspired meal paired with Maestro Dobel premium tequilas and…
Houston Symphony Marches Into November With Louis Armstrong Songbook
The Houston Symphony will present Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Songbook, running Friday through Sunday at Jones Hall. The multitalented Byron Stripling will salute Louis Armstrong with recreations of iconic hits like “What a Wonderful World,” “Basin Street Blues,” “Mack the Knife” and “Hello Dolly.”
Astros Fall in World Series to Braves: Four Thoughts
The Astros lost 7-0 to the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night in Game 6 of the World Series ending their season and crowning the Braves with their first championship since 1995. After a promising start, a three-run third inning eventually snowballed as the Astros were unable to get their bats going,…
Houston Concert Watch 11/3: Astroworld Festival, Chvrches and More
Hello, Houston. We’re in for a pretty wild week, concert-wise. If you live near NRG Stadium, you have our sympathies, because that area will be crazy this weekend. But Astroworld Festival won’t be the only live music in town, so keep scrolling to see what else is on tap for…
Deshaun Watson Trade Talks Stall, QB Remains In Houston Until 2022
The NFL trade deadline came and went Tuesday afternoon, and while there was a surging buzz surrounding Deshaun Watson and a possible trade to Miami a couple weeks ago, the momentum seemed to be dwindling over the last few days, and ultimately, any momentum for a deal died around 1:18…
Technicality That Enabled the Texas Abortion Ban May Trip it Up Before U.S. Supreme Court
It is more than a little ironic that the technical loophole the Texas conservative officials used to shut down the federally-guaranteed right to abortion in our state may be upended by another technicality. And by conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, no less. Monday, the Supreme Court heard arguments…
Submitted for Your Approval: Five Musical Truths
Music is the Big Bang. It explodes and its bits swirl and come together to create a universe of truths from its matter. Planets form, places for music lovers to stand upon and firmly plant our flags. These are five of those flags, music truths we pledge allegiance to and…
The Deadline To Trade Deshaun Watson Hits This Afternoon
Whether you embrace the trade drama swirling around Deshaun Watson or you are sick and tired of it, and suffer from extreme “Deshaun fatigue,” this afternoon at 3 p.m. is an important milestone for you. That’s the deadline for NFL teams to execute any trades during the 2021 season. After…
Bringing Everyone Together For Sister Act at Theatre Under the Stars
Alan H. Green has been part of several Broadway shows (among them: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, School of Rock, Sister Act). And over the years he’s been asked by Theatre Under the Stars to be part of one of their productions at the Hobby Center. The planets and his…
Lukas Nelson Is (So to Speak) On the Road Again
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real are back on the road promoting a new album. They will play at the House of Blues on Monday, November 8.
Doctor Who: Flux is Off to a Rocky Start
One thing that cannot be taken away from the Chris Chibnall era of Doctor Who is a willingness to heavily experiment with the format. From a season with all new monsters to the first full-time four-person Tardis crews since the ‘80s to a focus on historical episodes that honestly hasn’t…
Astros Stay Alive and Win Game Five: Four Unexpected Heroes
The Astros kept their hopes alive beating the Braves 9-5 in game five of the World Series on Sunday night. The Braves now lead the series 3-2 as it shifts back to Houston for game six on Tuesday. The bats came alive for the first time since Game 2 and…
NFL Week 8: Rams 38, Texans 22 — Four Winners, Four Losers
Here is all you need to know about the unwatchable mess that was the Houston Texans in their 38-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium — the loudest cheer all afternoon, from what was left of the crowd at that point with the Texans…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Free Po’Boys and Steak Night with “Fancy” Chefs
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, November 1 Fancy Chef Steak Night at Johnny’s Gold Brick Fancy Chef Steak Night returns to Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale, on Monday this November, featuring a lineup of “fancy” chefs and with all proceeds benefiting I’ll Have What She’s…
Astros’ Postseason on the Brink After 3-2 Loss To Braves: Four Thoughts
When you make it to the League Championship Series in five straight postseasons, you face all sorts of different scenarios in keeping your season alive, whether it’s in the LCS round, or in the World Series. Now, for only the second time in their recent run of dominance and for…
Slipknot Binds Its Fans Together
Slipknot spooked the crowd during their visit to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
Astros Shut Out In Pivotal World Series Game 3: Four Thoughts
On a day that started with some question as to whether or not the game would even be played, given the cold, damp weather in Atlanta, someone needed to tell the Astros’ bats that there actually was a game that took place on Friday night in Atlanta. In their most…
Openings and Closings: Toro Toro Opens, Chivos Debuts
Toro Toro, 1300 Lamar, opens at the Four Seasons in downtown Houston October 30. This is the second concept for Richard Sandoval Hospitality at the hotel which opened Bayou and Bottle at Four Seasons Houston in 2017. The new restaurant opens on the heels of an extensive multi-year, multi-phase renovation…
Quilt Festival Continues at the George R. Brown This Weekend
Continuing today through Sunday, Houston’s annual International Quilt Festival is going on at the George R. Brown Convention Center with more than 1,200 quilts and other fabric arts work on display. As for those who are inspired to take up the craft, there are more than 500 shopping booths selling…
Veronica St. Clair Brings Riley’s Extraordinary Playlist to Life on La Brea
Veronica St. Clair offered a private peek at Riley’s Velez’s music playlist. The former didn’t have to swipe the latter’s iPad or hack into her Spotify account. No funny business because the two women are actually one in the same. St. Clair is the Hollywood actress with Houston ties who’s…
NFL Week 8: Rams-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
Since taking over as the starting quarterback of the Houston Texans in Week3, rookie Davis Mills has had to face the Buffalo Bills (AFC finalist in 2020), the New England Patriots (some guy named Belichick), the Indianapolis Colts (division foe on the road), and the Arizona Cardinals (the only remaining…
Love And Healing With The War And Treaty
The War and Treaty were scheduled to play at The Heights Theater before the pandemic shut everything down. Now in a wonderful reflection of the upward trajectory of their career, they are scheduled to play Toyota Center on Thursday, November 4 in support of Lauren Daigle. “We’ve been working pretty…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Friday Brunch, Halloweekend and A Hot Opening in the Heights
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Friday Brunch at Traveler’s Table Friday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 520 Westheimer Traveler’s Table is re-inventing the three-day weekend by introducing Friday Brunch, with features from Breakfast Bread Pudding and Vegetable Chilaquiles Suizos to Norwegian Smoked Salmon Latkes…
Horror and Religion Mix to Good Effect in Midnight Mass
St. Patrick’s Catholic church is surprised by the arrival of Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater), who walks down the aisle flanked by the remains of a once vibrant congregation with reverence. Father Paul is filling in for the longtime priest ailing Monsignor Pruitt after he fell ill visiting the Holy…
Best Bets: Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and Destroy All Monsters
Films, festivals, and a food presenter extraordinaire make this week’s list of best bets.
Astros Win Game 2 to Tie World Series 1-1: Four Thoughts
Throughout this championship level window of Astros baseball, from 2017 through the current season, there have been certain things you can count on. On the good side, the Astros have been a literal lock to make it to at least the ALCS every season since 2017. On the down side,…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A Sunday Supper Club and World Series Specials
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Looking for a spot to watch the Astros crush the Braves? During all World Series games, Monkey’s Tail, 5802 Fulton, will be offering $6 Crawford Bock Buckets (six beers to a bucket), $1 hot dogs and…
Can the Houston Texans Still Hit the Vegas OVER For Win Totals in 2021?
With the way the Houston Texans’ 2021 season has gone thus far, it’s easy to understand how some of you may have cashed in your NFL chips on 2021, and decided to say “Wake me up when they trade Deshaun Watson,” or “Wake me up when the 2022 NFL Draft…
The Hives Return To Houston
Houstonians will have a new chance to get their faces melted off with the return of Swedish rock band The Hives to White Oak Music Hall on Tuesday, November 2. “We will do that, that’s what we do best,” says Niklas Almqvist lead guitarist and back up singer of the…
Opinion: Matt Krause’s Bad Books List Another Sign of the Texas Dystopia?
Students in Texas public schools shouldn’t read books that involve sexism or racism because it might make them feel bad? Armed with a list of about 850 books that he apparently finds suspect, Matt Krause, the conservative state rep (R-Fort Worth), wants an accounting from an unknown number of the state’s…
Astros Down 0-1 After Game 1 Loss to Braves: Four Thoughts
The Astros fell in Game 1 of the World Series 6-2 against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. Most of the Braves damage came in the first three innings against Astros starter Framber Valdez, who struggled and only made it two innings before being pulled despite his…
Establishing a Base on the Moon is Going to Take a Little More Time
It’s official—NASA has once again delayed plans to launch the Space Launch System rocket, a move that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise if you’ve been paying attention. But there is a date within sight: the towering rocket stack that marks the first moon rocket NASA has constructed since…
Houston Concert Watch 10/27: Slipknot, Hobo Johnson and More
This week’s concert watch has it all, from pop-punk and metalcore to spoken-word rap and anthems about space. Should be a fun week for live-music fans here in the Bayou City, and I hope to see some of you out there. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap. A Day…
Resetting the Trade Big Board For Deshaun Watson One Last Time In 2021
For the last couple months, up until last week, the Deshaun Watson trade rumor mill had been largely dormant, save the occasional national writer putting some obvious smoke out there to bump up their clout rating and get clicks. Then, middle of last week, we got this tweet from an…
Feeding the Soul: Houston Black Bloggers and Fainmous Barbecue
Houston Hosts Black Bloggers held its inaugural event over the weekend. Highlights included a lunch at Mico’s Hot Chicken October 22 and a media preview at Fainmous Barbecue October 23. In addition to local Black bloggers like KeAndre’ Jordan from My Southern Brand, there was a select group of Black bloggers…
Maxo Kream Returns To Houston And Warehouse Live
“Aye stop real quick,” yelled Maxo Kream as he motioned towards the audience, pointing out a fan that had just been crowd surfing. The DJ cut the music as Maxo walked to the edge of the stage to get closer to the fan. “Pull him up here. You get the…
A Way-Too-Early Check-in on the Rockets’ Four Rookies, Plus Young Vets
It’s been barely a week since the NBA season opened, but we have gotten to see the Rockets rookies in action for a few games already and it’s been an interesting mixed bag, pretty much what you would expect from a bunch of young guys who barely know each other…
Finally Cold Fronts We Can Believe In
October is great in Houston, but it’s a tease. Cool fronts try to push through, but struggle to muster the oomph to make it. When one does, its effects are short lived and we go back to muggy, balmy weather before long. Then, a change happens. Some years, it happens…
My Five Favorite Stats From the Astros’ ALCS Win Over Boston
The 2021 World Series begins tonight. After going nearly six decades with just one World Series appearance, the Astros are back in the Fall Classic for the third time in five seasons. Given baseball’s lack of a repeat champion for a couple decades, the Astros are the closest thing to…
World Series Preview: Four Thoughts on Astros vs. Braves
The Astros return to the World Series for the third time in five seasons on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park against the Atlanta Braves. After spending five decades in the National League, the Astros have a storied history against the Braves including the postseason, much of it not terribly positive…
NFL Week 7: Cardinals 31, Texans 5 — Four Winners, Four Losers
It seems like, for the Houston Texans, the 2021 NFL season is going to be a 17-game reminder of just how quickly things can change, with both poignant homages to just two or three years ago, when the Texans were actually good, and some hopeful examples of stellar 2021 teams…
Paula Poundstone Is Back After Failing To Land a Grocery Store Gig
Believe it or not, it sounds like one of the best comics working today almost put her career on the back burner over the last year plus. Paula Poundstone, who will be headlining a night of laughs at The Grand 1894 on Saturday, October 30, reveals one of her pandemic…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Eat Around the Globe on World Pasta Day
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, October 25 World Pasta Day at BOH Pasta & Pizza BOH Pasta & Pizza, 409 Travis, is putting together a special dinner in celebration of World Pasta Day, featuring five courses – Zaru Soba from Japan, Boh Boh Noodles (Dan…
Robby Krieger Opens the Doors of His Memories
Of all the classic rock bands, the Doors might have the most solid connection with literature. After all, they were named after Aldous Huxley’s must-have-hippie-bookshelf-title The Doors of Perception. Singer Jim Morrison wrote reams of poetry and lyrics, anthologized in this year’s The Collected Works of Jim Morrison. The late…
Women’s French History in The Revolutionists Where the Guillotine Awaits
Would you be surprised if you were told that the most produced playwright in America is Lauren Gunderson? Who? If you’re a theater goer in Houston, you’ve seen her work, especially at Main Street Theatre – Silent Sky; Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly; The Wickhams (a sequel to Miss Bennet);…
Luke Combs Takes His Place Atop Country Music
Luke Combs proved its his show on Saturday night at Toyota Center.
A Steamy and Entertaining Carmen Takes the Stage With Houston Grand Opera
There is no character in opera quite like Carmen (mezzo Carolyn Sproule). She stands alone. Wagner’s Brünhilde is a demi-goddess, too imperious and rather scary. Puccini’s Mimi is always sick, probably a hypochondriac; his Tosca is high maintenance and deadly jealous. Strauss’s Salome is psycho and way underage, and nobody…
Astros Reach Third World Series in Five Years: Four Thoughts
The Astros finished off the Boston Red Sox in six games in the ALCS winning 5-0 at Minute Maid Park on Friday night. With a masterful pitching performance by rookie Luis Garcia and a huge night from Yordan Alvarez, the Astros will advance to their third World Series in five…
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Stages Delivers Charming Fun
Presented with all the natural charm and esprit de corps at its professional disposal, Stages puts on quite a show with its adorable production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005). Regardless of its disposable score, this little musical by William Finn (music and lyrics) and Rachel Sheinkin…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Dune
Title: Dune Describe This Movie In One Dune (1984) Quote: FEYD-RAUTHA: All I can see is an Atreides that I want to kill. Brief Plot Synopsis: Intergalactic noble house seeks to spice up its life. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4 Thumpers out of 5. Tagline: “Beyond fear, destiny awaits.” Better…
Video Premiere: Maggie Belle Releases “Hold Me”
Splice Records has been contributing to the Houston music scene and repping diverse and quality music acts since 2016. Their latest project is an upcoming album from Maggie Belle, Starting Anew, due out next spring. Starting Anew was recorded during 2019 and 2020 while Belle worked as an ICU nurse…
Openings and Closings: Burro & Bull Coming to Cypress, Arabella Expands to Houston
Burro & Bull, 25618 Northwest Freeway, will softly open sometime in November, according to a press release. The new Cypress restaurant is a partnership between the husband and wife team of John and Veronica Avila and Bruce Gingrich and Andria Cain. For the past year, John Avila has been consulting…
NFL Week 7: Texans-Cardinals — Four Things To Watch For
It’s another Sunday of NFL football coming in two days, and in 2021, that means it’s another Sunday where the Texans are double digit underdogs. Assume that if the Texans are playing a playoff caliber opponent on the road this season, that the spread on the game will be at…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Old Fashioned Week and Friday Lunch at the Tavern
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Friday Lunch/Sunday Brunch at Georgia James Tavern Friday, opens at 11 a.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 737 Preston Starting this weekend, the Tavern is officially open for Friday lunch and Sunday brunch service. At lunch, feast on…
How Would You Even Stop Cancel Culture?
Dave Chappelle opened his big, stupid transphobic mouth again, and now people are rushing to defend him from cancel culture. The arguments are always the same: free speech must never be impeded no matter how harmful, comedians are the front line of thought, pushing back against cancel culture is necessary…
Back to an Antenna? This is the Solution From Cable Providers?
For years, one of the primary complaints about cable companies was that there was no way to choose the channels you wanted. It was everything or nothing. So, if you wanted to watch ESPN, you also got Lifetime even if you never watched a single minute of Cyber Seduction: His…
After A Year Off, Astroworld Festival Returns To NRG Park
It’s been over a year since Astroworld packed out NRG Park. The two-day festival named after the iconic Houston theme park and Travis Scott’s third studio album began its rapid expansion in 2018. That first year established that Scott could put together a concert with a hard-hitting lineup. The second…
72 miles to go … at Alley Theatre Still Has a Ways to Go
Except for the rock-solid and affecting performance from Orlando Arriaga as Billy, whose paterfamilias attempts to hold his Tucson, Arizona, family together during the years that his undocumented wife Anita (Briana J. Resa) has been deported to Nogales, Mexico, there’s nary a touch of truthfulness to be found in Hilary…
A Trippy Night With Houston Native Don Toliver
Houston’s own Don Toliver brought an immersing psychedelic experience to Bayou Music Center Wednesday night for the first of his two-day, back-to-back, sold-out shows. “You think they’re ready?” Toliver asked his DJ. “Yeah, they’re home team. We’re at home now.” Resembling the likes of a George Clinton or Lazer Floyd…
Astros, Valdez Hammer Red Sox, Take 3-2 Lead in ALCS
The Houston Astros did everything right in a 9-1, wall-to-wall drubbing of the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the ALCS. Starter Framber Valdez was spectacular in eight innings of one-run baseball and Yordan Alvarez had three RBIs including an early inning home run over the green monster in…
Best Bets: Indian Film, Third Ward, and Revolutionists
On this week’s list of best bets, you’ll find world cinema, local history, and crowd-pleasing performances.
H-Town Is Immersed in Van Gogh
The freshly launched Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit provides a 360-degree experience that plops them right into the mind of the decorated painter. Audiences get whisked away with Van Gogh’s paintbrush in a swirl of color, brought to life with over 90,000,000 pixels of animation and approximately 100 state-of-the-art projectors.
Southern Surrealist J.D. Wilkes To Perform At Continental Club
J.D. Wilkes has been called many things; a renaissance man, the last great rock and roll front man, a genius and a self proclaimed “southern surrealist.” Most of all he is known for his work as the magnetic front-man of the dynamic band, The Legendary Shack Shakers but Wilkes is…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Fried Chicken Sundays and a Tongue-Scorching Challenge
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Yelo, 23119 Colonial Parkway, has brought back two fan favorites for Sunday feasting. Brett’s BBQ Pork Belly Burnt Ends Special (available Sunday only) is a Texas-style take on the traditional banh mi, stuffed with crunchy, caramelized…
Where Are They Now? Examining This 2018 Houston Texans Poster
The Houston Texans made the release of Whitney Mercilus official on Tuesday afternoon. The edge rusher (whose edge rushing skills had seriously eroded over the last couple seasons) would be moving on, in what he called a “mutual decision” between him and the team, and now we will see where…
Astros Even Series 2-2 With Big Ninth Inning: Four Thoughts
The Astros managed to pull themselves out of a death spiral with a 9-2, come-from-behind victory in Boston Tuesday night — evening the series at two games apiece. It was a huge seven-run ninth inning that propelled Houston to the win, which means at least one more game will be…
Expecting Greatness: Five Things to Watch For From the Young Rockets
No team has changed as much as the Houston Rockets in the last two years. From jettisoning James Harden and Russell Westbrook to remaking the entire front office and coaching staff, there is little resemblance to the team that was a mainstay in the playoffs for nearly a decade. Most…
Houston Concert Watch 10/20: Andrea Bocelli, The Beach Boys and More
How ‘bout this weather, huh folks? It’s that time of year in Houston, when sweaters and hoodies emerge from closets to combat temperatures that we Houstonians get made fun of for considering cold. So get outside and enjoy some of the great shows coming to town this week. Tennis White…
Four Thoughts on the Texans’ Release of Whitney Mercilus
The Houston Texans have watched a lot of players come and go over the last two years, most of them carrying some degree of acrimony toward the organization with them on the way out the door. Hell, this weekend, we will get to see two of those guys up close,…
Grand Slammed Again: Four Thoughts on Astros ALCS Game 3
The Astros were crushed for a second straight game in the ALCS 12-3, which included a third early-inning grand slam by the Red Sox. For a fourth straight game, a Houston starter could not eat up any innings. Jose Urquidy made it fewer than three innings. The Red Sox starter…
Sue Foley Will Celebrate Album Release At Rockefeller’s
The love between an artist and that performer’s guitar runs deep. B.B. King had Lucille, Willie Nelson has Trigger and for blues artist Sue Foley it’s her pink Fender Telecaster, Pinky. Sue Foley will be celebrating her album release for Pinky’s Blues right here in Houston on Friday, October 22…
Meet Bella White, Old-Time Music’s Young Old Soul
Bella White may only be 21 but she’s a music veteran, in some respects. For one, she said, she began writing songs as a grade schooler, just seven years old when she penned her first original tune. She was sent home with warnings from grade-school teachers over her penchant for…
James Taylor And Jackson Browne Declare How Sweet It Is To Be Back In Houston
James Taylor, Jackson Browne Toyota Center October 17, 2021 For GenX-ers like myself, now is truly the twilight of the artists who were more or less ubiquitous when we were growing up. It isn’t just that half the Beatles are long dead, or that our only recollections of Hendrix, Joplin,…
Last Night: Maluma At Smart Financial Centre
Maluma Smart Financial Centre October 17, 2021 About halfway through his performance at Smart Financial Centre on Sunday night, Maluma posed a question to his fans: “¿Quién manda en casa?” (“Who’s in charge at home?”) First, the men in attendance were asked to answer, but their response was halfhearted at…
Halloween Bites & Frights: Houston Restaurants and Bars Celebrating Spooky Season
From bone-chilling food and drink specials to Dia de los Muertos dinners and hair-raising Halloween fun, these Houston restaurants and bars are getting into the spirit this spooky season. Arnaldo Richards Picos, 3601 Kirby Picos will offer Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos cocktails through November 2, including the El…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Drink Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, October 18 Whole Bluefin Tuna Tasting at Tobiuo Sushi & Bar Tobiuo Sushi & Bar, 23501 Cinco Ranch, is reviving a popular tasting experience, as its kitchen team breaks down a whole bluefin tuna and transforms it into a 10-…
Riff-Arific Egg Drop Soup is Brazenly Impenitent and We’re Here for It
According to Sammy Westervelt, you can hear the very moment she knew her band, Egg Drop Soup, made the right decision about its music future. It comes about a half-minute into their 2018 single, “Partying Alone.” At that mark, she unleashes something pent up and primal and those vocals would…
NFL Week 6: Colts 31, Texans 3 — Four Winners, Four Losers
Coming into Sunday, since 2014, the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts had met 14 times, and in all 14 of those games, the final margin was less than ten points, either way. Generally speaking, these two teams have been near each other in the standings for the last eight…
Houston Astros 5, Boston Red Sox 4 — Four Thoughts On A Thrilling Game 1 Win
Friday night, the Boston Red Sox found out the same thing the rest of baseball is learning throughout the last couple weeks. The rest of the American League West learned it over 162 games. The Chicago White Sox found out last week. And yes, the Red Sox found out, at…
Strong Performances All Round in A Doll’s House, Part II at 4th Wall
Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. The rapping is insistent, impatient. All right, I’m coming, says nanny Anne Marie (Sally Edmundson), shuffling on creaky knees to the front double doors. She adjusts her somber Whistler’s Mother black dress, taking a little longer than she would, for she knows who’s waiting…
McCullers Left Off ALCS Roster with Forearm Injury
Lance McCullers, Jr., who had become the staff ace over this season, was left off the team’s roster for the ALCS against the Red Sox due to forearm tightness he suffered during game four of the ALDS in Chicago. McCullers, who had Tommy John surgery in 2018, signed a new…
The Museum For Black Girls Pop-up Opens in Uptown Saturday
A museum dedicated to celebrating the experiences of Black girls and women opens this Saturday in Houston’s Uptown, following a similar pop-up exhibit in Denver. The Museum for Black Girls will highlight and promote ten female artists of color who will present their own work, performances and events. According to…
Thanks To A Former President, Astros Haters Have A New Strategy In 2021
Back in 2020, before [waves hands] all this, I wrote about how the Houston Astros owed the city an apology for the sign-stealing scandal. My reasoning — which many of you took issue with — was not that stealing signs was some new thing in baseball, but that the Astros…
NFL Week 6: Texans-Colts — Four Things To Watch For
Five weeks into the 2021 NFL season, if someone had told you there would be two 1-4 teams in the AFC South, you would have thought that person was perfectly sane. Is the same person told you one of those teams was the Houston Texans, that would have checked out…
Openings and Closings: Common Bond Brasserie Downtown, Original ChopShop Uptown
Common Bond Brasserie & Bakery, 800 Capitol, opened September 28 for breakfast and lunch and began its dinner service October 5. This is the flagship location for Common Bond’s new concept which combines its popular bakery with a more sophisticated full-service dining restaurant that leans decidedly French with Coq au…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Halloween Kills
Title: Halloween Kills Describe This Movie In One Highlander Quote: THE KURGAN: Happy Halloween, ladies! Brief Plot Synopsis: Masked maniac murders municipality, mocks mortality. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2 cheese boards out of 5. Tagline: “Three generations Strode strong.” Better Tagline: “Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die.”…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: It’s Taco Smashing Time
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings, including our annual Tacolandia event: Grand Reopening of Live Oak Grill Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight 10444 Hempstead Night Moves Hospitality, the Houston collective led by owner Greg Perez, has partnered with Live Oak owner and proprietor John Ganim…
Astros vs. Red Sox in ALCS: Four Keys for the Astros
For the fifth straight season, the Astros have reached the ALCS. This time, it will be against the Boston Red Sox, a rematch of the 2018 ALCS, where the Red Sox beat the Astros four games to one and went on to win the World Series over the Dodgers. Not…
![Dion Goes Wandering Around the Blues [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/hou_mus_dion_copy.webp.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Dion Goes Wandering Around the Blues [UPDATED]
Long before most music stars were big enough to go by one name like Cher, Madonna or Bono—there was Dion. One of the last remaining performers from the Golden Age of Rock and Roll, he’s best known for his impressive string of vocal group hits both with and without backing…
Dear Jack, Dear Louise is Filled With Letters, Not Much Tension
The problem with playwright Ken Ludwig is that you never know what you’re going to get. Is it silly farce (Lend Me a Tenor), stupid farce (Leading Ladies), wayward adaptation (The Three Musketeers, Murder on the Orient Express, Treasure Island), somewhat acceptable (Crazy for You), or unwatchable (Be My Baby,…
Best Bets: Tacos, Sequels, and a Fringe Festival
On this week’s list of best bets, you will find theater, tacos, and festivals (online and in-person).
Welcome Home To Houston’s Honky Tonkin’ Daddy Johnny Falstaff
It’s not only the fall weather. Houston just got a whole lot cooler with the return of our own honky tonker Johnny Falstaff. Falstaff is returning to his native Texas after moving to Dresden, Germany five years ago and though he enjoyed his time there, he couldn’t be happier to…
SPA Gives Local Artists The Glory This Weekend
Society for the Performing Arts will showcase the results of its yearlong Houston Artist Commissioning Project at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at Jones Hall. Saturday’s performance includes a post-show talk-back with the performers.
Texans Displaying Some Confusion Over Future of Starting QB Spot
With the Houston Texans falling to 1-4 on the season this past Sunday, and with the upcoming three games including a road game in the division, and two games against Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams (two of the best teams in football), it’s not out of the question that…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Old Fashioned Week and a Bluefin Tuna Experience
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Elijah Craig’s second annual Old Fashioned Week, which raises funds to support the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, is taking place nationwide from Friday, October 15 through Sunday, October 24; and several Houston area spots have crafted…
It’s Not Easy Being B. The Trailblazing Reign of B.B. King.
Multiple generations of blues artists were represented at the “Red, White, and Blues” concert at the White House…
Sleigh Bells Rip Dynamite in Return to Warehouse Live
The noise pop duo Sleigh Bells hit the road again to support their new album Texis. It would only seem fitting to set off from the Lone Star State, but it was not to be the original point of departure. The tour was actually planned to kickoff earlier this month…
Summer to Finally GTFO This Weekend, Experts Say
Houstonians who longer wish to feel as if they are commuting to work through the armpit of a pitcher who is not doing well can rejoice as it appears that summer might finally be taking the hint and leaving this weekend. The impending death of the heat was announced by…
Four Thoughts on Texans LT Laremy Tunsil’s Hand Injury
The Houston Texans were already operating this season with both hands tied behind their collective back. On the one hand, you have all of the clutter and slop left behind from the Bill O’Brien Era — cap issues, bad contracts, very few good players. On the other hand, you have…
Houston Concert Watch 10/13: Maluma, Alice Cooper and More
What do an iconic psychedelic rock outfit, a reggaeton pop star, a prolific Christian rapper and the Godfather of Shock Rock have in common? They’re all visiting Houston in the next week. Keep scrolling for specifics on the best shows coming to town. Dead And Company Woodlands Pavilion – 10.15…
Astros Crush White Sox, Head Home for Fifth Straight ALCS: Four Thoughts
The Astros became only the third team in MLB history to reach baseball’s final four five consecutive times beating the White Sox 10-1 Tuesday in Chicago. After the Game 4 win, the Astros head home where they will host the American League Champion Series against the other Sox (the Red…
Gov. Abbott Digs in Further on No Vax Mandates For Employees
In yet another do-over for Greg Abbott, on Monday the Texas governor issued his latest executive order now saying that private businesses in the state cannot mandate COVID vaccinations for employees. In a previous executive order, Abbott said governments could not require employees to be vaccinated but that he would…
Even Amid “Panic,” ABRY Keeps Calm and Carries on Toward Pop Stardom
“Panic,” the new single by Houston pop artist ABRY, is rooted in some real and personal anxieties. But, that uneasiness has nothing to do with the artist’s growing and exciting career in pop music. The single released on the usual streaming platforms last Friday. Despite her young age, ABRY is a…
Patriots 25, Texans 22 — How To Lose A Game In Ten Plays
Even off to a slow start at 1-3, and coming off literally the worst loss, by point margin, in the history of the franchise, the Houston Texans’ game this past Sunday against the New England Patriots had a certain amount of “sauce” to it. Maybe it was all the former…
Keeping It Fresh: Buenos Diaz Celebrates Release Of Live At Bobo’s
It can be hard to keep things fresh as an artist but Houston-born and Austin-based Nick Diaz frequently proves that he is capable of just that. Diaz has released a steady roll of singles and videos throughout the pandemic with his band, Buenos Diaz. Buenos Diaz will be celebrating the…
Iconic Songs, Jealousy and Death Take to the Stage Once Again in HGO’s Carmen
Jealousy is never a good thing in real life but as part of the plot of Carmen it makes for some great, classic opera. Houston Grand Opera has brought back Bizet’s Carmen, this time with former HGO studio artist (2012-14) Carolyn Sproule in the demanding lead role. Originally scheduled for…
J. Cole Brings Offseason Basketball To The Toyota Center
Sunday was game day for the City of Houston. While the Astros were away in Chicago defending their series lead against the White Sox, and NRG Stadium was host to the New England Patriots, Grammy Award winning artist J. Cole made sure the city had its fill of basketball at…
Astros Lose Controversial ALDS Game 3: Four Thoughts
The Astros had a chance to sweep the Chicago White Sox in game three of the ALDS in Chicago, but instead found themselves losing an incredibly long, poorly officiated 12-6 game with boatloads of controversy. Plate official Tom Hallion (pictured above in the midst of making another bad call, we…
Ten 2021 Fall Shows — And a Bonus — That You Probably Want to Check Out
As the fall season opens up with new shows, returning favorites and one comedy that has been running for 20 years, we decided to highlight some of the shows we think you’ll want to be watching this year. From the much-anticipated to the lesser known, each represents something other than…
NFL Week 5: Patriots 25, Texans 22 — Four Winners, Four Losers
We knew coming into the 2021 NFL season that the Houston Texans were going to lose games. Lots of them, actually, and at 1-4 on the season now, they are firmly on pace (if not behind pace) to finish right around Las Vegas’ forecasted four win total for the 2021…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Our Annual Taco Party Returns
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday-Friday Hispanic Heritage Month at Central Market In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, has sourced a diverse collection of top-rated Hispanic-owned products from around the globe. From Hispanic-owned wines and coffee to gourmet chocolates and salsas, the…
Last Night: The Legendz of the Streetz Went on So Long They Cut Off Rick Ross’ Microphone
They cut the headliner’s microphone midway through his performance and turned on the lights. With a hip-hop lineup too stacked for one of the city’s many night clubs, Toyota Center was the host for Saturday evening’s The Legendz of the Streetz tour. As it turned out, the lineup may have…
Blue-collar Blues Go From Melancholy to Full Scale Rage in Sweat at the Alley
In her Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat, fiercely playing at the Alley in collaboration with the Ensemble Theatre, playwright Lynn Nottage keeps America’s melting pot on slow boil until the precise moment when it has to erupt. The baseball bat slammed on the counter by barkeep Stan to warn his fiery regulars…
Poe Disinterred in Nevermore: Tales of Edgar Allan Poe at Classical
What better author to usher in Halloween then Edgar Allan Poe, America’s premier Gothic writer whose numerous works, if monetarily unsuccessful, include science fiction, detective stories, and tales of grisly, supernatural, and disturbing psychological disorders. After being shuttered for a year and a half, Classical Theatre Company throws open its…
Modest Mouse Entertains Packed Lawn At White Oak Music Hall
Modest Mouse White Oak Music Hall October 8, 2021 The last time I saw Modest Mouse perform, I walked away feeling frustrated and bitter. About seven weeks after the Tax Day floods – which killed some Houstonians and caused flooding in tens of thousands of homes across the city -…
Astros Hammer White Sox, Take 2-0 Lead in ALDS: Four Thoughts
After a slow start, the Astros found their footing and crushed the White Sox 9-2 to take a two-game lead in the best-of-five ALDS. The teams head to Chicago for Game 3 on Sunday. Starter Framber Valdez only made it four-and-a-third innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. It…
A Fan of Captain Hook at Stages’ Premiere of Hook’s Tale
When I was a small lad, I’d run around the house in an oversized bathrobe with a wire coat hanger bent inside the sleeve where my right hand should have been. I’d command anyone around – my older brothers mostly – in a squeaky growl meant to sound terrifying. They…
Astros Take ALDS Game One 6-1: Four Thoughts
The Astros took Game 1 of the American League Division series against the Chicago White Sox 6-1 on Thursday at Minute Maid Park in front of a raucous home crowd. Lance McCullers with six-and-two-thirds innings and the bats came alive against Chicago’s vaunting pitching staff. White Sox starter Lance Lynn…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
No Time To Die
Title: No Time To Die Describe This Movie Using One Simpsons Quote: HANK SCORPIO: Homer, on your way out if you want to kill somebody, you would help me a lot. Brief Plot Synopsis: Misogynistic dinosaur kills lots of people in the furtherance of colonialism. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The…
President Biden Rode Trains for 30 Years, Maybe More Texans Will Too
Although it increasingly looks like the Houston-to-Dallas highspeed rail line may actually become a reality—Texas Central, the company behind the multimillion-dollar project actually brokered a deal with a construction company back in June—there’s still plenty of room for improvement in our state’s transportation setup where people only take Amtrak if…
Openings and Closings: d’Alba Opens, NY Eatery Arrives, Pastry War Will Shuttter
d’Alba, 3715 Alba, opened September 18 in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest area. Owner Daut Elshani spotted the property where the new restaurant is located while on a bike ride through the area in 2020. Despite the grim outlook for the pandemic and the restaurant business, Elshani decided to lease the…
NFL Week 5: Patriots-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
In this age of NFL football, where the schedule is put together through a formula that allows you to forecast it to about 90 percent accuracy into perpetuity, at least in terms of WHO your team will be playing (not so much WHEN each season), one of the oddest schedule…
Go-Go’s Drummer Gina Schock Gets Snappy in New Book
Almost as much as music, Gina Schock has had a love for an interest in photography for her entire life. And that includes before, during, after, and again during her career as the drummer for the Go-Go’s. Backstage, onstage, at house parties and in various airports and hotels, Schock always…
Spiritfarer: How Being Broken Makes a Game More Beautiful
Warning: Spoilers for Spiritfarer. Spiritfarer was released in 2020, but the updates that have continued to drop mean that just now in 2021 do I really feel the game is finished. Despite that, the title kind of remains slightly broken, but in a weird way it enhances the overarching themes…
The Pastry War Shutters October 30
The Pastry War, the agave spirits-focused bar from Anvil’s Bobby Heugel and Julep’s Alba Huerta, will close its doors for good October 30, as first reported by Houston Business Journal. The announcement was made via Facebook and Instagram. The Pastry War first opened in downtown Houston in 2013 at 310…
Federal Judge Blocks Texas Abortion Law — For Now
”Labeling it an “unprecedented and transparent statutory scheme,” a federal judge Wednesday issued an order blocking the new Texas abortion law — at least for now — which means that abortion providers can resume their activities in the state if they feel confident enough to do so. Predictably, the opinion…
Manchester Orchestra Boasts New Music At Sold-Out White Oak Music Hall
Manchester Orchestra White Oak Music Hall October 6, 2021 Manchester Orchestra has evolved quite a bit since 2009’s Mean Everything To Nothing. After making a name for themselves as indie rockers with a bite, the group transitioned to a softer, more luscious sound on 2017’s A Black Mile To The…
Cheer on the Astros with These Playoff Food and Drink Specials
These Houston restaurants and bars are offering grand slam food and drink specials to cheer on the ‘stros with this postseason (and many rock killer patios and screen setups, too). Bobcat Teddy’s Ice House, 2803 White Oak For all Astros playoff games, the neighborhood patio bar will offer $15 domestic…
Best Bets: Fellini, Mixed Messages, and a Whole Lotta Shakin’
Two plays, two festivals, and a film series make their way onto this week’s list of best bets.
Houston Concerts Unearthed from Texas Bluesman Mance Lipscomb
When college campuses and music cognoscenti were in the grip of the folk/blues revival in the early 1960s, it seemed that every few months a new blues performer was “discovered.” These were Black men often tracked down by record collectors and music historians like Alan Lomax and Dick Waterman who…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Gumbo and Tacos
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: As part of Resy’s The Classics Remix, a nationwide event series featuring top chefs and the country’s most iconic restaurants, chef Aaron Bludorn will take on Lankford Grocery’s legendary menu, available for one weekend only from Friday,…
The Four Most Important Houston Astros This Postseason
The quest begins this afternoon. In what’s become an October tradition like no other, Divisional Series afternoon baseball in Houston, the Houston Astros begin what amounts to their second quest to completely silence the criticism from the sign stealing scandal of 2017. This is, after all, their second postseason since…
Science Confirms: Horror Helps You Feel Better
Last April, I wrote a piece about how watching a bunch of horror movies got me out of the first stage of COVID-related depression (an expanded form of the essay appears in my new book). Science has since confirmed that I was right. Horror movies do help some people when…
Turner’s Housing Deal Mess. How Has Such a Deft Politician Ended Up Here?
As the narrative continues to unfold over the recent accusations alleging that Mayor Sylvester Turner committed ethics violations by awarding an affordable housing contract to a firm co-owned by one of his former law partners, we keep finding ourselves pondering just how strange it is that Turner has allowed himself to…
Meet the Dead this Halloween with Spirit Fire
Halloween is a time to snuggle up in a comfy chair and read ghost stories. Houston horror author Susan McCauley has a wonderful set in her Ghost Hunters series. The latest book, Sprit Fire, was just released in September. “I always wanted to write a middle grade ghost story,” she…
Houston Concert Watch 10/6: Manchester Orchestra, Band Of Horses and More
There are quite a few good shows coming to Houston this week, and the forecast is sunny through the weekend to boot. Hope to see you all out there. Manchester Orchestra White Oak Music Hall – 10.06 The Million Masks Of God – Manchester Orchestra’s sixth studio album – is…
Happy Anniversary! Bill O’Brien Was Fired One Year Ago This Week
Normally, when a franchise in any sport fires its head coach and general manager, it’s a big deal, and change is rampant in that first year following the breakup. When the head coach and the general manager are the same person, the change is accentuated even further. When that person…
Menu of Menus® 2021 Announces its Final Lineup
The Houston Press Menu of Menus® returns once again with unlimited food samples on Tuesday, November 2 at Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards, from 7-10 p.m. General admission tickets are $59 and include entry into the event at 7 p.m., unlimited food samples from Houston’s favorite restaurants, alongside beer, wine, cocktails, music…
2021 Guide to the Rockets Brand New, Totally Young Roster
There is something liberating about a fresh start. Ask the Rockets. Just over a year ago, during a COVID-shortened season, their hopes were pinned on an aging veteran team that included James Harden and Russell Westbrook, shepherded by a veteran coach and respected general manager. This year after one of…
Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull Talks New Album, Return Of Live Music
“I’m very nervous, excited and grateful,” Andy Hull says of being on tour again. “I’m all of those things, but I can’t describe exactly how I feel because I’ve never felt it before.” Since last March, indie rockers Manchester Orchestra have booked and canceled almost half a dozen tours due…
Get Ready to Celebrate Rock of Ages With TUTS
Usually the part of Sherrie, the fresh-off-the-bus wannabe a star in Rock of Ages, is played by a beautiful tall blond white actress. That’s part of what delights Diana Huey who has made it a practice of upsetting such norms. “Here comes me and I’m all of 5 feet tall,…
COVID Metrics Improve Across Texas As U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Pass Grim Milestone
The United States finally hit the tragic milestone of over 700,000 COVID-19 fatalities over the weekend, solidifying the coronavirus pandemic as the most deadly pandemic in the history of our country. But thankfully, key COVID-19 metrics across the country, Texas and in the greater Houston area continue to trend downward…
All in Good Faith: Madeon to Bring Good Faith Forever Tour to Houston
The way Madeon pronounces ‘Lady Gaga’ is soul tickling. The 27-year-old French electronic DJ, born Hugo Leclercq, says her name with an eloquence, a cartoonish inflection that only his French accent, paired with an acutely creative spirit, can afford. He’s in New Haven on a day off from his Good…
Four Reasons This Astros Playoff Run Is Their Most Urgent
For the fifth straight October there will be a spike in champagne sales in the Houston area, as the Houston Astros clinched their fourth division title in five seasons last week, clinched home field advantage in the divisional round over the weekend, and now prepare to make a little bit…
Top 5 Texas SCPs That Will Scare the Hell Out of You
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time exploring the SCP (Special Containment Procedures) Foundation, a fictional organization that collects and catalogues strange and paranormal objects that could be a danger to society. The entire universe is built collaboratively by different authors through a wiki page, and some of it…
Celebrate National Vodka Day Today with Vodka That Won’t Give You a Hangover
You don’t need an excuse to try the ethereally smooth vodka from the Black-owned distillery, Highway Vodka
Astros By the Numbers: 2021 Regular Season Edition
The Astros clinched the division and home field advantage over the weekend. Carlos Correa capped an emotional final game with a home run and a massive sendoff from the fans. Kyle Tucker notched his thirtieth homer of the season. And Yuli Gurriel sealed his first ever AL batting title with…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Fall Menus Have Arrived
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, October 4 National Taco Day From $1 tacos and cheap margaritas to a special taco of the month, check out our National Taco Day Guide for a list of Houston taco shops celebrating the day. Thursday, October 7 The Enchilada…
Purple Prose and Pictures Tell a Prince’s Tale
Since the sudden and shocking death of Prince in 2016, there have been several books released on the Purple One. Among them the bios and photo books like My Name is Prince, Prince: A Private View and Nothing Compares 2 U; detailed works on his studio sessions and a memoir…
Houston Taquerias Are Celebrating National Taco Day with Cheap Tacos (and Margs To Go Alongside)
While taco day is pretty much every day in Houston, National Taco Day falls on Monday, October 4; and these Houston taco spots are ready to celebrate. From $1 tacos to margarita deals to go with, here’s where to get your taco on in Houston this National Taco Day: Chuy’s,…
NFL Week 4: Bills-Texans — Four Winners, Four Losers
At one point, during the telecast of the Buffalo Bills’ 40-0 win over the Houston Texans on a rainy Sunday afternoon on Orchard Park, NY, CBS put up a graphic illustrating the massive delta in the directions of the Bills and Texans franchises since the Texans’ 22-19 overtime win in…
World’s Greatest Cover Band Headed for Houston
What’s it like to be the lead singer of the best cover band in the world? This is an actual question we pose to Spike Slawson who, in our humble estimation, holds that very honor. Slawson is the lead vocalist for Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, which brings its…
Rutherford Cravens in Darwin in Malibu is a Wilberforce of Nature
It wasn’t long into Crispin Whittell’s slight semi-comic fantasy Darwin in Malibu (2003) that I began to fantasize. Where is Tom Stoppard now that Whittell needs him? What might our most literate, witty, and ironic playwright make out of this dreamy philosophical mashup in which Charles Darwin, Thomas Huxley, and…
Texas House Speaker Phelan Rebukes Abbott and Patrick On Illegal Voting And Winter Storm Response
In a series of tweets Thursday night, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) publicly broke with Gov. Greg Abbott over Abbott’s insistence that Texas lawmakers should increase penalties for voting illegally, and disagreed with Gov. Dan Patrick’s assertion that retiring state Rep. Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) couldn’t be trusted based on…
On The Eve Of No Time To Die, We Look Back At The Daniel Craig Era Of 007
No Time to Die is set to be released next week. The movie is not only the 25th entry in the venerable James Bond series, but the fifth and final installment starring Daniel Craig as 007. His 15 years in the role is the longest tenure for any Bond (we don’t…
When the Past Meets Present, The HU Make Music That Soars
Modern music is performative. The moment we invented amplifiers, devices that exist specifically to make the music we create louder, there was no turning back. Every concert is a performance, even the ones where the band on stage is trying really hard not to perform. That doesn’t make modern music…
Openings and Closings: Alba at Granduca, The Palm Downtown
Alba Ristorante, 1080 Uptown Park Boulevard, opens October 2 for dinner at the Hotel Granduca, in time for the hotel’s 15th anniversary celebrations. The hotel’s owner and developer, Giorgio Borlenghi, brought in designer Kara Childress to redesign the restaurant space, creating an intimate dining room and cozy champagne bar that…
Is Houston’s Air Quality Triggering Crazy Thunderstorms?
It’s not exactly a shock to most Houstonians to note that the Bayou City has a rep for notoriously less-than-ideal air quality and for towering thunderstorms that roll through town almost year-round. But scientists are now investigating whether these two things might actually be connected. In fact, a team of…
Astros Clinch the AL West (Finally): Four Thoughts
It felt like forever. It probably should have happened last. Regardless, the Astros managed to clinch their division on Thursday night with a win over the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2. The win takes them to 93-66 with only three games remaining all at Minute Maid Park against the recently eliminated…
NFL Week 4: Texans-Bills — Four Things To Watch For
When the Houston Texans take the field this Sunday for their Week 4 matchup with the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo, it will be exactly 20 NFL games, including the 2019 postseason, since these two teams met in the wild card round of the playoffs back in 2019. Even in a…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Craft Beers, Sake and Oktoberfest
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: World Sake Day at Uchi Friday, 4 to 11 p.m. 904 Westheimer Uchi is celebrating World Sake Day with specialty tastings designed to explore a wide variety of styles and flavors. Sip through the Nigori ($15) with tastings including…
Theory: Dr. Mario is Mario and Luigi’s Dad
With the recent announcement of a Super Mario movie, I’ve been thinking more and more about the Super Mario mythology. Specifically, how does a plumber with super jumping abilities who mostly serves as a one-man splinter cell in a magic kingdom have time to also sometimes be a doctor? My theory:…
Noga Erez Covers the Canvas With Vibrant Colors on KIDS
Noga Erez is a recording artist, but the way she talks about music recalls an abstract painter discussing the point of what she’s committed to canvas. “I would like to say something very superficial. I just want people to enjoy the music. The first thing that I want people to…
Proposed Texas House District Maps Would Protect GOP Advantage Statewide
If the new Texas House district maps unveiled by the Republican-led House Redistricting Committee Thursday are approved as expected, incumbent Republicans across the state would by and large be protected, likely solidifying the GOP’s grip on the House for the next decade. That advantage would come at the expense of…
Trump Tells Texas Four County Audit Isn’t Good Enough
Days after Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration hastily announced a partial audit of Texas’ 2020 election results, former President Donald Trump declared that the limited audit wouldn’t be enough to satisfy him or the legions of MAGA diehards in the Lone Star State. In a statement to the Texas Tribune Wednesday,…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Stellar Cocktails and Bites Await at the New Cafe@ReikiNa
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: ReikiNa, 799 Town & Country, has launched a new cocktail menu and its new, walk-in friendly cafe and bar area, Cafe@ReikiNa (now open Thursday through Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m.). It features an a la…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Barbecue Brisket
Best Barbecue Brisket: The Pit Room Since 2016, The Pit Room has been serving up a smorgasbord of classic Texas barbecue favorites — pork ribs, sausage, smoked turkey and chicken — accompanied by delicious sides like mustard potato salad, a bright, peppery cole slaw and their Mexican street corn-in-a-cup with…
Over 1.2 Million Marriage Licenses Added To Harris County’s Website
Access to Harris County’s marriage records took a leap into the 21st century on Wednesday, as the Harris County Clerk’s Office announced it had added more than 1.2 million marriage license records to its website, making it possible to view copies of them and purchase them online. All Harris County…
Yung Pooda Taps Into Houston Rap Nostalgia with “Forever Tippin”
Houston-based rapper Yung Pooda’s latest single is a reimagined homage to Slim Thug’s Houston anthem “Still Tippin” and is climbing the charts.
Deshaun Watson Tabbed As Most Hated NFL Player In Texas
How does one measure, quantitatively, an emotion such as dislike, or even extreme hatred. It’s such a subjective, volatile thing, that to attach some sort of numeric rating to it feels a little odd. Thankfully, because we live in the age of the internet and social media, an area of…
Best Bets: Queen, Nella, and Rock of Ages
This week’s list of best bets shows that live theater is back, along with opera, dance, and more.
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Breakfast Tacos
Best Breakfast Tacos: Laredo Taqueria Don’t let the line creeping out the door and around the building dissuade you: there are no finer breakfast tacos in town than the ones Laredo Taqueria has been doling out daily just off Washington Ave since the 1980’s. Starting with a base of some…
Mike Barfield Comes Home. And He’s Ready to Dance!
It’s the morning after Mike Barfield has played his regular Thursday night gig at the Continental Club in Austin, so he’s shaking off a bit of fuzziness. The ragweed count around his house isn’t doing his allergies any favors either. Still, he’s more than happy to be able to say…
GOP-Drawn Texas Congressional Map Gives Wesley Hunt A New Red Seat For The Taking
When the GOP Texas Senate on Monday unveiled its proposed new district maps for Texas’ seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, the likely impact on greater Houston’s slate of congressmen and women was pretty clear. Local red districts would get redder and blue districts would get bluer under the…
Refugees Are Not Our Exploitable Work Force
There are two kinds of crises down at the southern border depending on who you listen to. According to the many Republican fundraising emails I get, the biggest problems is that thousands of people are “invading” the country, bringing poverty, disease, and crime. For those of us who have a…
Houston Concert Watch 9/29: Willow, Bleachers and More
Good morning, folks. Looks like we’re in for some rain through Sunday, so watch out for flooded streets. Also worth noting, Harris County’s vaccine incentive program ends on Thursday. So anyone who still hasn’t received a vaccine has one more day to receive some free money in exchange for getting…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Vietnamese
Best Vietnamese: Pho Tan Loc A hidden gem restaurant tucked away in a strip mall in Sugar Land, Pho Tan Loc is neither trendy nor popular. But it’s one of those mom and pop places that are a joy to discover, and it’s putting out some of most affordable, authentic…
Potential Trade Values for Every 2021 Houston Texan
Earlier this week, the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to deal their first round pick from the 2020 draft, cornerback C.J. Henderson, to the Carolina Panthers, in a deal that brought back a third round pick and a reserve tight end named Dan Arnold. It was a significant deal in that Henderson…
Radical. It’s the Best of the ’80s From Music Box Theater.
Bring out your velour, hair scrunchies, spandex, open-fingered lace gloves, leg warmers, grunge studded leather, big hair, shoulder pads, acid washed jeans, and anything neon, from jazzercise tights to jangly bangles. Practice such colloquialisms like “bodacious,” “hella,” and “grody.” It’s time for Totally ’80s, the sparkly, good times revue from…
Yes Keyboardist Geoff Downes is on a Proggy Quest
When MTV recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, the old trivia question about “What was the first video ever played on the channel?” came around again. It was, of course, “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the English duo Buggles, made up of singer/bassist Trevor Horn and keyboardist Geoff Downes. In 1980…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Enchiladas
Best Enchiladas: Enchiladas de Mole, Teotihuacan Mexican Café Beware the food critics who employ words like “sublime” and “divine” to describe the humble but imperative enchilada. While it may taste heavenly, a great enchilada should remind any epicure of its earthiness. The simple but enduring goodness of masa worked and…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Coffee
Best Coffee: Tenfold Coffee Company There are coffee shops in Houston, and then there is Tenfold Coffee Company. After a decade working as a coffee professional in Seattle and Melbourne, Houston native Jacob Ibarra returned to the Bayou City and opened this coffee shop, lab, and roastery with the goal…
Four Thoughts on Rockets Media Day
As we approach October 1, it could be argued that this is the best time of year for sports. The NFL is in full swing, baseball is headed for the playoffs, college football is rolling as is hockey. Even tennis and golf are still playing. And the NBA is back…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Tapas
Best Tapas: BCN Taste & Tradition When chef Luis Roger left his dream job in Costa Brava, Spain, to open a fine dining Spanish restaurant in Houston in 2014, it was unclear whether the Bayou City would embrace him. Fast forward to 2021, and BCN Taste & Tradition has become…
In 72 Miles to Go the Border Splits a Mother From Her Husband and Children
When playwright Hilary Bettis (The Americans) writes about the U.S. border with Mexico, her portrayals of its people are not caught up in the drug cartels and narco violence that have become the only image some people have of that land and its people. “My grandfather was Mexican. He grew up…
Davis Mills Comparing Favorably To Other 2021 Rookie QBs
For Davis Mills, it is the smallest of sample sizes, just one start as an NFL quarterback plus one unplanned second half against the Cleveland Browns. However, in part because it makes the handful of upcoming games more intriguing and in part because, DAMMIT, I want to be excited about…
Amanda Pascali’s “One by One” Proves Worth the Wait
Amanda Pascali is one of Houston’s most acclaimed and promising young songwriters. But, she said if there’s one thing she could change about what she does it would be to do it faster. “I take a long time to write songs,” she shared. “I’m one of those people that has…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Brewery
Best Brewery: 8th Wonder Brewery It’s called 8th Wonder, but the east downtown brewery didn’t hesitate to reveal the ninth, tenth and ongoing wonders it had in store for the world. From the start, it’s brewed interesting craft beers like a Vietnamese coffee porter or a banana-nosed German Hefeweizen, then…
Abbott Tells Fox News A Rape and Incest Exception To New Abortion Ban Won’t Happen
In a recent Fox News interview, Gov. Greg Abbot didn’t flinch when questioned as to why Texas’ new “heartbeat bill” that’s effectively banned abortions as early as six weeks after conception doesn’t have any exceptions for rape or incest, and said he believes there’s no way the Republican-led Texas Legislature…
Say It Is So: Hall & Oates And Squeeze Rocked The Woodlands Last Night
Daryl Hall and John Oates, Squeeze Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 26, 2021 If you were aware of music in the 1970s and ’80s, then you heard Hall & Oates. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hitmakers were nigh ubiquitous during that era, elbowing their way to prominence amidst…
This Week in Houston Food Events: A Sports Fan Favorite Revamps its Menu
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, September 27-Thursday, September 30 $99 Wine and Dine for Two at Brennan’s The $99 three-course meal for two at Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, is still available through September 30, accompanied by wine selections (a bottle or four glasses) to…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Chinese
Best Chinese: Mein Visit Mein during peak lunch or dinner hours, and this Chinese restaurant by brothers Mike and Jack Tran will be packed to the gills with happy customers dining on everything from fried rice, to pan fried noodles, stir fry, and more. The expansive menu, which features affordable…
Where Davis Mills Stacks Up Among Texans Rookie Quarterback Debuts
Most reasonable Houston Texan fans knew there would come a point during the 2021 season where rookie Davis Mills would start a football game (or perhaps several football games), either because the Texans were losing many, many games or because regular starter Tyrod Taylor sustained an injury. As it turns…
Jonathan Goldstein On the Punch Music Adds to Heavyweight
Jonathan Goldstein has created his own unique job, one which demands a unique job title. He could simply go with podcast host, producer or writer, but there’s more to what he’s doing on Heavyweight, his popular podcast (returning for its sixth season September 30), than those designations might allow. As…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Breakfast – Oak Forest
Best Breakfast – Oak Forest: Frank’s Grill If you want to be amazed by short order cooking at its best, sit at the counter at Frank’s Grill and watch in wonder as cooks prepare breakfast after breakfast on piping hot griddles, standing astride a mountain of shredded potatoes and row…
Trump-Backed Audit, a Hasty Senate and a Sleepy House Mark Week One of Texas’ Third Special Session
One week into the Texas Legislature’s third round of overtime, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Senate has already cranked out plenty of GOP priority legislation and even a first stab at new Senate districts maps at a breakneck pace. Meanwhile, the biggest news to come out of the Texas House is…
The Many Mugs of Stevie Van Zandt Come Together in New Memoir
When talking to the multi-hyphenate man Stevie Van Zandt, it’s a challenge to pick just which version of him to discuss first. The guitarist/best bud of Bruce Springsteen and core member of the E Street Band who also has a thriving solo career? The actor in groundbreaking cable series like…
Three Comic Shows to Watch Now Before TV’s Fall Onslaught Overwhelms Us
There are three comedies on TV worth checking out right now, each one unique and that engages with their audiences on different levels. As the fall television season starts to go into overdrive, here are some shows you should be watching now. What We Do In The Shadows is the…
Pro-Choice Groups Beg U.S. Supreme Court To Hurry Up And Rule On Texas Abortion Ban
Sick of being forced by Texas’ controversial “heartbeat bill” to tell Texans seeking abortions they’ll have to venture hundreds of miles out of state to have their pregnancies terminated, Texas abortion providers and pro-choice groups filed an emergency request Friday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to bypass the normal appeals…
Texas COVID Deaths Surge While Hospitalizations Fall As Delta Wave Continues
As public health experts predicted all along, the quick rise in Texas COVID-19 cases from the summer’s Delta surge has finally been followed by a dramatic uptick in deaths from the virus. While there are now thousands fewer Texas hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients than there were a few…
NFL Week 3: Panthers 24, Texans 9 — Four Winners, Four Losers
You could feel it in the second half of the game last Sunday in Cleveland, when Davis Mills replaced Tyrod Taylor and his gimpy hamstring, that the 2021 season just figuratively got a whole lot longer. Every dynamic element and every propensity that offensive coordinator Tim Kelly had to push…
Openings and Closings: Winnie’s Opens, Dog Haus Expands
Winnie’s, 3622 Main, is now open. The new patio bar takes over the spot which housed Natachee’s Supper ‘n Punch until the pandemic shut its doors. It is a collaboration between Johnny’s Gold Brick owner Benjy Mason and chefs Graham Laborde and Chris Roy, all three having worked together previously…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Pizza
Best Pizza: Grimaldi’s Pizzeria These showcase entries are dubbed “Best of Houston” and not “Best of New York” or “Best of Chicago.” But when it comes to pizza, Houston hasn’t distinguished itself in a significant way like our neighbors to the north. We’re calling on the city’s most innovative food…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Gumbo on the Strand and South African Heritage Day
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Heritage Day Offerings at Mozambik South African Kitchen All weekend long 1201 Lake Woodlands The South African holiday Heritage Day, also known colloquially as Braai Day, is this Friday, and the new Mozambik South African Kitchen is offering “Braai…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best French Restaurant
Best French Restaurant: Le Jardinier It’s no secret that Le Jardinier was one of this year’s buzziest restaurants. Debuting inside the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s new Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, from the design, to the location (overlooking the Cullen sculpture garden), to the fact that its culinary director,…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Dear Evan Hansen
Title: Dear Evan Hansen Describe This Movie Using One Heathers Quote: VERONICA: Suicide gave Heather depth, Kurt a soul, and Ram a brain. Brief Plot Synopsis: Oh what a tangled web we weave, amirite? Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2 “Milpools” out of 5. Tagline: “An honest and original story for…
Fall is Here and It’s Time to Garden
Fall has finally dropped our temperatures and lightened our humidity. Shoppers at the grocery store today were already loading up the pumpkins and buying miniature pickup trucks decorated with fake autumn leaves and “Apples 4 Sale” signs. The pumpkin spice latte crowd are happy and Halloween devotees are already decorating…
Dealing With Variables: Dinosaur Jr. On Touring And New Album Sweep It Into Space
Learning to cope with swift changes is the name of the game in times of COVID, a concept that Murph, longtime drummer for Dinosaur Jr., expressed the importance of when he spoke with Houston Press ahead of their now postponed Houston date. Dinosaur Jr. was scheduled to perform on Friday,…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Deli
Best Deli: The Butcher Shop at B&B Butchers It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a restaurant with the word “butchers” in the name would have quality cuts of meat. But, what you may not know is that meat goes well beyond steaks and burgers. The Butcher Shop at B&B…
Trump Pressures Abbott To Add 2020 Texas Election Audit To Special Session Agenda
While Gov. Greg Abbott has been adamant that he’s the only person in Texas who can decide what topics lawmakers can and can’t pass laws about during the still ongoing special legislative sessions, some of his Republican allies have very successfully pushed him to get their own pet legislation on…
Texas AG Paxton Says Since He’s Elected, the Whistleblower Act Doesn’t Apply to Him
Beleaguered Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s representatives argued in court this week that Paxton shouldn’t be considered a “public employee,” and therefore should be immune to a whistleblower lawsuit filed against him by former colleagues he fired after they accused their old boss of corruption. Meanwhile, Paxton’s been filing a…
Hungry Heroz Shows It’s More Than Just A Food Truck
There’s an unusual chill in the summer air as the 2 a.m. closing crowd shuffles out into the parking lot of D Bar and walk to their vehicles parked along Emancipation Ave. Cars pull around the small lot and circle as people gather under the lights of a blue food…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Cocktails and Oktoberfest
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: On Wednesday, September 29, Julep’s Alba Huerta will join Woodford Reserve’s Natalia Cardenas for Bourbon School: The 5 Best Bourbon Cocktails, a virtual class covering the bartenders’ go-to recipes for Mint Juleps, Old Fashioneds, a Whiskey…
Best Bets: Respect, Time, and The Carnival of Animals
This week’s best bets include programs that highlight world premiere music, Houston institutions, and much more.
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Kolache
Best Kolache: Kolache Shoppe A foodstuff as Texan as the breakfast taco or pecan pie, the humble, yeasty kolache has been a Lone Star staple for centuries, from the classic fruit-filled pastries to the often meaty-and-cheesy Tex-Czech evolution most of us associate the name with these days. No matter if…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Pandemic Food/Drink Idea
Best Pandemic Food/Drink Idea – Alcohol To-Go When the pandemic arrived and lockdowns began in earnest, restaurants and bars were hit particularly hard. So too were those who liked to get a tasty alcoholic beverage without having to make it (entirely) on their own. Fortunately, Texas produced a solution by…
This Kingfish Swims in the Deep Blues Sea
In Blues Mythology, there are few geographical locations more sacred and storied that Clarksdale, Mississippi. In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, it’s the area where many contend the music was born, fermented, and bred its earliest stars (though residents of New Orleans might beg to differ). Plus, it’s just…
Talk About Evolving: Charles Darwin in a Malibu Beach House at Main Street Theater
For almost five years, a young Charles Darwin traveled from his home in England on a sea voyage that took him around the coastline of South America and the nearby Galapagos Islands, onto the southern tip of South Africa and finally to Australia and its adjacent Islands. Nowhere in all…
NFL Week 3: Panthers-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
Two weeks into an NFL season that was already expected tp have a lot of trying weeks for the Houston Texans and their fan base, we got our first one this week. On Sunday in Cleveland, starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, in the midst of playing some of the best football…
Lawsuits Follow After Texas Doctor Breaks Abortion Law, Just Not From Who You’d Expect
In the days since San Antonio Dr. Alan Braid’s announcement in the Washington Post that he’d performed an illegal abortion flouting Texas’ controversial “heartbeat bill,” the first two lawsuits filed against him came from pro-choice advocates hoping to block the law, not anti-abortion activists. Meanwhile, Texas’ most ardent abortion foes…
Hidden Gem: Hangar Kitchen
I don’t often find myself on the south side of our city so many of its dining establishments are unknown to me. With my daughter attending the University of Houston, I have begun to explore the restaurants within a 15-minute drive from the campus. One of those restaurants was Maria…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Sushi
Best Sushi: MF Sushi There are a bunch of hashtags that you could apply to the sushi at MF Sushi: #foodporn, #delicious, #amazing. But the one that most appropriately describes MF Sushi is #iykyk, which stands for, “if you know, you know.” It’s the expression that describes something that is…
The Houston Press is in The Market For a News Reporter
The Houston Press has an immediate opening for a fulltime staff writer to continue our record of hard-hitting reporting in the Bayou City. We’re looking for a journalist with a solid news background to cover developing stories through the week and find news of interest to our educated urban readership…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Breakfast – Midtown
Best Breakfast – Midtown: Harry’s Restaurant After the year we’ve all had, it’s nice to have a little creature comfort to rely on, and Harry’s provides just that. The local standby has been dishing out one of Midtown’s best breakfasts for decades, and after undergoing a facelift a few years…
Houston Concert Watch 9/22: Brooks & Dunn, Hall & Oates and More
Quite a few good shows in town this week, and we’ve done our best to put together another list of the best options. From country to alt-rock to pop, there are options galore. Be sure to check in with venues before attending shows, as many are requiring negative COVID-19 tests…
Circle These Dates When Scouting Future Texans Quarterbacks
If one game is any indication — and honestly it shouldn’t be, but we are an instant gratification society, so humor me for a moment — the Houston Texans’ search for their next franchise quarterback should not end because Davis Mills, a third round pick this past spring, is on…
The First Show Back For Houston Ballet Since COVID Has Crowd-Pleasers & Surprises
It seems more than fitting that if you want to see crowds return to a theater that you up your chances by picking a crowd pleaser like Divergence as Houston Ballet has done as part of its fall opener the Margaret Alkek William Jubilee of Dance. Dancers are scheduled for four…
Exonerated Doctor Accused Of Stealing Vaccines Sues Harris County For Over $1 Million
Dr. Hasan Gokal was fired by Harris County Public Health for allegedly stealing COVID-19 vaccine doses in December. But after he was found to have committed no crime by a local judge, a county grand jury and the Texas Medical Board, Gokal — a Pakistani immigrant — has now sued Harris County…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Gluten-Free Pizza
Best Gluten Free Pizza: MOD Pizza When most gluten-free pizza crust has the texture of cardboard and costs an extra $2-3 for the privilege, it’s always a pleasant surprise to find a restaurant that serves a flavorful pizza that doesn’t suffer for being gluten-free. While not from Houston originally, MOD…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Soup Dumplings
Best Soup Dumplings: Wanna Bao A regional specialty from Shanghai, soup dumplings, or xiaolongbao, are a difficult delicacy to master. First, the dumping skin needs to be prepared fresh and rolled by hand until paper thin. Then, the dumpling itself must be made quickly — the filling placed on the…
Another Go at Led Zeppelin in Beast, the Story of Drummer John “Bonzo” Bonham
Ah, the drum solo. Its arrival means different things to different people. Some view it as the perfect time for a bathroom break. Others are excited by the opportunity to grab a quick snack at the concession stand. And then there are those who are transfixed by the proceedings, checking…
The Smallest of Bones is Grim, Beautiful Poetry
Holly Lyn Walrath is Houston’s most darksome poet. Her previous collection, Glimmerglass Girl was a masterpiece of sharpness and reflection, dealing with feminine themes and focused on predation. Her latest release, The Smallest of Bones, further dives her deep into all kinds of dark places, and though the ride is…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bar – Heights
Best Bar – Heights: Better Luck Tomorrow Since pouring its first drink over four years ago, Better Luck Tomorrow has absolutely blossomed into the perfect Heights neighborhood hangout spot that drink master Bobby Heugel and chef Justin Yu envisioned. It’s hard to decide whether the food or cocktails are Better…
Four Suddenly Relevant Deshaun Watson Questions for the Houston Texans
Through about five and a half quarters of football in this 2021 season, things were going about as well as the Houston Texans could have expected them to go. The first four quarters of football were spent dominating the Jacksonville Jaguars, and with 7:05 to go in the second quarter…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Sandwich
Best Sandwich – Crunchy Chicken at Local Foods There is something about a fried chicken sandwich. Popeye’s figured that out with its fried sensation that caused traffic jams at drive-thru windows and countless imitations. But if you aren’t ready for something that heavy, Local Foods has an option that is…
Trial Shows Pfizer Vaccine Safe For Kids As FDA Panel Breaks With Biden On Booster Plan
Millions of parents with young kids breathed a collective sigh of relief across the United States Monday morning, as Pfizer announced its trial of its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine found the shots were safe and effective for children ages five to 11. While full authorization for Pfizer’s vaccine in kids five…
Cooler Weather Should Mean an End to Hurricane Season for Texas
Some people love it when the holiday decorations hit stores and when houses are decked out for Halloween…in September. They crave pumpkin everything and stare at the weather forecast for any sign of the area’s first cold front of the year. Good news, fall fans, you will get your wish…
NFL Week 2: Browns 31, Texans 21 — Four Winners, Four Losers
Coming into the 2021 season, Las Vegas had set the betting line on at least a half dozen of the Houston Texans’ 17 regular season games at a spread where the Texans would be underdogs of double digits or more. The first game in that category took place on Sunday…
This Week in Houston Food Events: MARCH Returns with an Exploration of Southern Spain
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Mondays Meatless Monday at Pondicheri The menus at both Pondicheri, 2800 Kirby, and its upstairs Bake Lab + Shop will be meatless every Monday. Guests can expect a Pickled PB&J (peanut butter, local jam, spicy mango, herbs, sourdough), Market Curry (a…
Opinion: The Time-Tested Practice of Using Transphobia to Seize Power
When Joe Biden was finally certified as president earlier this year, I literally began shaking with relief. However, the American Experiment is actually in more danger now than it’s ever been and avoiding a total fascist collapse will require monumental resources of resolve and action. It will also mean looking…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Barbecue Ribs
Best Barbecue Ribs: Harlem Road Texas BBQ Beef Ribs Harlem Road Texas BBQ is a destination spot for Houston ‘cue enthusiasts even though, for all intents and purposes here, we consider Richmond near enough to be Houston. The corrugated tin and wood joint, with 10 indoor tables, is just rustic…
TORRES Wants More of the Good Stuff (And You Should Too)
Mackenzie Scott went to work on the latest TORRES album last year amid the throes of the global lockdown. She admits the timeline affected the music she created during the process, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. Rather than capture the confusion and angst of the moment, she…
Texas Redistricting When Republicans Seem to Hold All the Cards
It doesn’t matter that 95 percent of the state’s population growth since 2010 (according to the latest census results) has come from Texans of color who traditionally lean toward Democrats when voting. Not when Republicans control the Senate and House. State Democrats and progressive advocacy groups are already convinced the…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bowling Alley
Best Bowling Alley: Del Mar Lanes An old-school bowling alley with a retro diner atmosphere, Del Mar Lanes is a great place to go for pros and casual bowlers alike. Del Mar is not as old-fashioned as it looks from the outside, thanks to a recent remodel. You’ll get to…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Doughnut
Best Doughnut: Shipley Do-Nuts Like the beignets at Café du Monde in New Orleans or chicken and waffles from Roscoe’s in L.A., the sugar-flaked doughnuts churned out for 85 years by Shipley Do-nuts are quintessential to the city from which they originated. Earnest food bloggers everywhere should have Shipley’s at…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bar – Midtown
Best Bar – Midtown: Axelrad Since first opening in 2016, Axelrad has become a Midtown favorite and one of the best spots in town to enjoy a drink with friends in the fresh open air. The bar’s draft beer selection is one of the best in town, sporting loads of…
Mind-Bending Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience Adapts the Troubled Artist for the Digital Age
Of all the Impressionist painters, Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) is likely the genre’s Biggest Rock Star. An artist whose name and work is recognizable even among the general non-art loving public, and whose rudimentary life sketch only burnishes his image (the madness, the poverty, the suicide and that auditory appendage…
Eric Clapton Show At Toyota: Laid-Back and Relaxed
Eric Clapton Show At Toyota Center Was One Of The Most Relaxed, Laid-Back Concerts Ever
Over 14,000 Harris County Residents Are Overdue For Second Vaccine Dose
More than 14,000 people in Harris County are overdue for getting their crucial second COVID-19 vaccine shot, despite public health officials’ attempts to persuade folks who’ve received their first shot of a two-dose coronavirus vaccine how important shot number two is in granting maximum coronavirus protection. Those under-vaccinated residents coupled…
Openings and Closings: Casa Nomad Heights, Rosalie Returns
Casa Nomad, 600 N. Shepherd, will open September 23 at M-K-T in the Heights. The Tulum-inspired lounge and restaurant will bring coastal Mexican flavors and a tropical oasis to an area that is teeming with new dining, bar and retail businesses despite the pandemic. It comes from the team behind…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Prisoners Of The Ghostland
Title: Prisoners of the Ghostland Describe This Movie In One Simpsons Quote: LISA: Dad, what’s a Muppet? HOMER: Well, it’s not quite a mop and it’s not quite a puppet… but man (laughs). So to answer your question, I don’t know. Brief Plot Synopsis: Unsuccessful bank robber gets an offer he —…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Honor Thy Cheeseburger
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: National Cheeseburger Day Saturday From classic burgers at a discounted price to special creations like the one-day-only jalapeño and cream cheese topped Cheese Louise, check out our Houston National Cheeseburger Day guide for a list of local burger deals…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Greek Restaurant
Best Greek Restaurant: Niko Niko’s What more can be said about Montrose stalwart Niko Niko’s at this point? After serving up authentic Greek classics and their own twists on a smattering of American classics for over three decades, the Fetokakis family’s restaurant is nothing short of a Houston institution. Whether…
Music, Storytelling Shore Up The Living Coast Film
The Living Coast combines a nature film, dynamic storytelling and live music performance that explores the Texas gulf coast. Features members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Texas’ best rock musicians along with narrator Amber Lackey, the film plays at The Match at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
NFL Week 2: Texans-Browns — Four Things To Watch For
Well, that was an exciting Week 1 of the NFL season, if you’re a Houston Texans fan. Not only did the Texans go out and throttle the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday, not only did they actually look well coached for the first time in years, but the rest of the…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bar – Montrose
Best Bar – Montrose: 6’s and 7’s A relative newcomer to the bustling Monstrose bar scene, 6’s and 7’s opened its doors in early 2020, right next door to local institution Rudyards. The bar has a hip yet low-key, welcoming atmosphere, with tons of shifting cool-toned neon light art adorning…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Beer List
Best Beer List: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium Houston A great beer is always the right combination of essential elements. It has to look inviting, poured lovingly into the proper vessel for its style. It should be aromatic enough to encourage a swift, thirsty transfer of its potential goodness from nose…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Gay Bar
In this year’s Best Of Houston®, the Houston Press selected Michael’s Outpost as Best Gay Bar.
Broadway at the Hobby Presents a “Loverly” Production of My Fair Lady
There are Broadway musicals and then there are Broadway Musicals. Alan J. Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s My Fair Lady (1956) is in a class all its own. This is the closest Broadway gets to perfection. You know you’re in secure hands right at the downbeat of that sparkling overture. Remember…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Brew at the Zoo and a Tribute to “Big Tex”
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Rodeo Goat Ice House, 2105 Dallas, is honoring the State Fair of Texas with a hat tip to the legendary Big Tex, offering an over-the-top “Big Tex” burger from Tuesday, September 21 through Monday, October 18…
Best Bets: My Fair Lady, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Cole Porter
Festivals, films, concerts, and more make this week’s list of best bets.
Opera in the Heights Embarks on an In-Person and Digital 2021-22 Season
The unlikely friendship between U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia has inspired an opera by Derrick Wang that will be part of the 2021-22 season for Opera in the Heights. In a hybrid season of live performance and continued digital content, OH! is partnering with the…
What SpaceX’s Civilian Crew Launch Means to Houston
Wednesday night, SpaceX launched what is being hailed as “the world’s first all-civilian mission to orbit” on Wednesday evening from Cape Canaveral, Florida). Inspiration4, crewed by two men and two women, will become another flashy bit of advertising for the new wonderful world of space tourism. Admittedly this flight, which…
Rickie Lee Jones Won’t Run Out of Chances
It’s common for musicians to feel that their work lets listeners into their minds, their souls, or their hearts. It’s less common that fans are invited into their actual homes. But that’s what many artists did — at least virtually — when the pandemic caused mass cancellations of tours that…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Tex-Mex Restaurant
Best Tex-Mex Restaurant: The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation The purported inventor of the famed fajita, “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo opened the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation back in 1973. Since then, her family restaurant’s fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas and mouth-watering margaritas have become some of the most sought-after Tex-Mex offerings in all of…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bookstore
What makes a retail establishment the best of its kind? For sure, the usual requirements like selection, price and convenience. Customer service is high on the list, too. But sometimes a really good idea about how the business will play a vital role in a community is just as important…
Four Reasons the New Big XII Will Be Really, Really Fun
Last week, the Big XII conference, on the heels of a tumultuous summer that saw the University of Texas and Oklahoma University put in their notice to leave for the Southeastern Conference, extended invitations to four schools — BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, and, YES, the University of Houston — to…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Italian
Best Italian: Ostia Native Houstonian chef Travis McShane spent time at NYC’s famed Barbuto and Adele’s in Nashville before returning home, and he is very much welcome to stay here now. At his beautiful neighborhood spot, McShane takes a seasonal approach to rustic Italian and Mediterranean fare. Start with salumis,…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bar Patio
Best Bar Patio: Heights Bier Garten What’s in a name really, especially when it comes to doling out good drinks and good times? Heights Bier Garten and its devoted followers might take a tiny bit of umbrage with suggesting its ample complex is a “bar patio,” particularly since it says…
Bon Appetit Names Chris Williams “The Hospitality Hero”
Despite Houston’s diverse and brilliant restaurant scene, our city sometimes doesn’t get the love it deserves nationally. Over the past couple of years, that has begun to change. More and more of our superb chefs and restaurants have received national and international recognition, including James Beard Award-winning chefs like Chris…
DOJ Asks Judge To Block Texas’ Abortion Law, While Women Seeking Abortions Are Driven Out of State
One sexual assault victim had to travel to Oklahoma to get the abortion now forbidden to her by the new draconian Texas abortion law that went into effect September 1. “I provided an abortion to [a] woman from Texas who had been raped and could not get an abortion in…
Over 80,000 in the Houston Area Still Lack Electricity Post-Nicholas
Nicholas may have weakened into a Tropical Depression and hightailed it out of Texas for Louisiana already, but for the tens of thousands of Houston area residents who still haven’t had their power restored, the storm’s impact is still far from a memory. CenterPoint Energy reported that 83,878 of its…
Hell, Horror and A Headless Exotic Dancer Populate Just Some of Stranger Words
In “New Game,” part of his just-released new collection of short horror stories entitled Stranger Words, book author and journalist Jef Rouner explores a story eerily similar to one most Houstonians and Texans know. The protagonist, Charles Hewer, is a young man who’s gone to Hell for doing dreadful things…
John Wall and Rockets Agree to Part Ways: Four Thoughts
On Tuesday, NBA sources reported that the Rockets had met with point guard John Wall and the two sides agreed that the team would work with Wall to find him a new home after just one season with Houston. With four picks in the first round of this year’s draft…
Saturday is National Cheeseburger Day, and These Houston Restaurants Are Ready
National Cheeseburger Day is on Saturday, September 18, and several local restaurants are ready to celebrate with burger specials, tasty new creations and more. The Annie Café & Bar, 1800 Post Oak Get the restaurant’s classic cheddar and bacon Post Oak Burger and chili, cheese and onion topped TX Chili…
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Houston Theaters Begin To Announce COVID Protocols For Start Of Fall Season [UPDATED]
When it comes to COVID-19 protocol for the fast-approaching fall season, Main Street Theater Executive Artistic Director Rebecca Udden pulls no punches. “I just couldn’t sanction having a bunch of unvaccinated people in our theater because if they’re unvaccinated they will probably pull their mask down too.” This sentiment combined…
Houston Concert Watch 9/15: Lil Baby, Eric Clapton and More
This week started with Tropical Storm Nicholas being upgraded to a hurricane before being downgraded to a tropical storm again. But the upgrade prompted heartthrob Harry Styles to cancel his Monday night performance at Toyota Center at the 11th hour. We’ll be sure to let you know when the “Watermelon…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Service
Best Service: Uchi Good restaurant service is an art that can take years to perfect. There’s an intuitiveness about how it’s delivered — the way in which a service person connects with you, interacts with you, takes your order and attends to your needs. At Uchi, the staff have perfected…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Pizza – Thin Crust
Best Pizza – Thin Crust: Tiny Champions Fans of classic bar pies will love the wafer-thin, wonderfully crisp pizzas at this EaDo hangout, a younger sibling to Nancy’s Hustle. There’s a mashup of veggies, pastas, and ice cream to make your way through, but you’ll want to make sure you…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bar
Best Bar: Anvil Bar & Refuge Go Sherlock when you visit Anvil Bar & Refuge. The best way to sample the bar’s libations, which spurred the city’s ongoing enthusiasm for craft cocktails, is by unraveling just how unique and mysterious they are. You’ll be handed a beverage menu as soon…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Pandemic Pivot in the Performing Arts
In this year’s Best Of Houston®, the Houston Press selected Houston Symphony for Best Pandemic Pivot in the Performing Arts.
Four Suggestions For ESPN’s Monday Night Football “Manning Cast”
When Monday Night Football was created back in September of 1970, it was with the idea of giving the popular sport of football its own prime time platform, on a night normally reserved for sitcoms and television dramas. We know now, the thirst for football in the United States is…
Nicholas Exits Stage Right, But Plenty of Residents Remain Powerless
Tropical Storm Nicholas continued its eastward path out of the Houston area throughout Tuesday, leaving most of inland Harris County relatively dry but still struggling with widespread power outages and scattered debris. While the more southeastern reaches of Harris County saw significant rain totals and a healthy storm surge early…
Power Outages From Nicholas Likely To Last As It’s Still Too Windy For Crews To Start Work
In brief remarks updating the public on Harris County’s response to Tropical Storm Nicholas, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Tuesday warned residents without power that they may not have their electricity restored any time soon, as CenterPoint crews will not be sent out into the field until the strong…
Hundreds of Thousands Without Power This Morning Thanks to Nicholas
As Nicholas skipped around Monday night, it briefly settled into hurricane status before hitting the Gulf Coast and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people in Houston and surrounding areas south and east of the city. As of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, CenterPoint Energy was still reporting 413,179 customers…
It’s Almost Time for Tacolandia
Taco lovers will unite once again at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou on October 16 for the Houston Press Tacolandia. General admission ($35) and VIP tickets ($75) are on sale now for the outdoor event sponsored by Mission Foods. Tacolandia takes place from 4-7 p.m. (it opens an hour…
Sure To Pass A Good Time: Jon Cleary To Perform At The Continental Club
Mother Nature seems hell bent on trying to wash away New Orleans but try as she might, the Big Easy isn’t giving up anytime soon as it continually proves that the city’s spirit and its immense musical heritage are indestructible. Jon Cleary is one artist making sure that New Orleans…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Breakfast – Montrose
Best Breakfast – Montrose: Avalon Diner If you’re looking for classic American breakfast staples in what feels like a time machine set for the 1950s, look no further than the original Avalon Diner on Westheimer. Since it first opened in 1938 (then a dual drug store and restaurant-slash-soda fountain), Avalon…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Record Store
Best Record Store: Cactus Music For over 30 years (absent a one year-plus hiatus in the mid-aughts), Cactus Music has been a beloved fixture in the Houston music scene. Whether you’re working on your vinyl record collection, want to stock up your car’s six-disc changer with new or classic CDs…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Seafood
Best Seafood: Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House Down on over in San Leon just off Galveston and Trinity Bays sits the oyster house you never knew you needed. It’s where executive chef Joe Cervantez — a Brennan’s alum tapped by owner and second-generation oysterman Raz Halili of San…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Chamber Orchestra
In this year’s Best Of Houston®, the Houston Press selected ROCO as Best Chamber Orchestra.
Four Negative Trends the Houston Texans Reversed on Sunday
There was a lot to like in the Houston Texans’ 37-21 thrashing of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The offense was nice and balanced (289 yards passing, 160 yards rushing), the defense was disruptive enough to rattle Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and most of all, the entire second half…
Hidalgo Asks Harris County Residents To Stay Put Monday Night Due To Nicholas
As the first bands of rain from the edges of Tropical Storm Nicholas continued to drop water across greater Houston, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo spoke Monday afternoon about the county’s response to the fast-approaching storm. “We could get 10 to 15 inches of rain over the next 24 hours…
Worst Rainfall from Nicholas Likely to Be South and East of Houston
As of writing this, Tropical Storm Nicholas was nearing landfall north of Corpus Christi on a path north-northwest. Houston has already begun to feel the effects with rain and occasional downpours around the city. While the worst of it will come for the metro area tonight after midnight, it appears…
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Harry Styles Postpones Houston Concert [UPDATED]
After a year of waiting for a rescheduled date, and after a long day of waiting outside in the rain for some die hard fans, tonight’s Harry Styles’ concert at Toyota Center has been officially postponed due to Tropical Storm Nicholas. The singer tweeted this afternoon: “Unfortunately, due to the…
Houston Area Leaders and Schools React As Tropical Storm Nicholas Zooms Toward Texas
As Tropical Storm Nicholas barrels toward the Gulf Coast, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner gave a brief update on the city’s preparations for what’s expected to be a heavy rain event that could cause significant flash flooding in parts of the greater Houston area. Meanwhile, several local school districts responded quickly…
Pitbull and Iggy Azalea at The Woodlands
Pitbull & Iggy Azalea I Feel Good Tour Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion The Woodlands, Texas September 10th, 2021 Friday night was one of those rare, ideal weather days here in H-Town. As we drove up to The Woodlands on I-45, we reveled in the cool breeze and near zero humidity…
Tropical Storm Nicholas Picking Up Speed, Flooding Still Serious Threat
Since last night, Tropical Storm Nicholas has organized just a bit around a center of circulation just a bit closer to the coastline than originally thought. But, despite its attempts to strengthen, the storm is clearly being inhibited by dry air and wind shear, a fight that will likely continue…
(Some) Fear and (a Little) Loathing at the Texans Game
I was wide awake at 4 in the morning on game day, a full hour before my alarm was set to buzz me into motion toward NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. Over the past few seasons, many questions have circled the local NFL team. But, lying in bed…
NFL Week 1: Texans 37, Jaguars 21 — Four Winners, Four Losers
For the last several months, the specter of Deshaun Watson has hung over the Houston Texans. Whether it was in his actual physical presence at Texans practice, or whether it was in the headlines with various turning points on his legal and professional situations, the biggest Texans topics have centered…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Meatless Monday and a Happy Hour Refresh
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, September 13 Meatless Monday at Pondicheri The menus at both Pondicheri, 2800 Kirby, and its upstairs Bake Lab + Shop will be meatless every Monday beginning on September 13. Guests can expect a Pickled PB&J (peanut butter, local jam, spicy…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Ice Cream
Best Ice Cream: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has developed a rabid cult following of ice cream aficionados across the country in the years since Jeni Britton Bauer opened the first Jeni’s location in Columbus, Ohio in 2002. While Houstonians could order pints of Jeni’s ice creams…
Tropical Storm Nicholas Will Be a Rainmaker: Four Thoughts
On Sunday, Tropical Storm Nicholas formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico. To say forecasting Nicholas has been difficult is an understatement. Despite being a tropical storm, as of writing this, it looks more like a giant blob of rain, and it mostly is. The good news is that because…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Hold Music
Best Hold Music: Office of the Mayor of Houston Since the pandemic hit early last year, it’s often felt like life as we Houstonians knew it has been on hold. And quite literally, many of us have found ourselves stuck “on hold” in more than a few brand new COVID-induced…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Happy Hour
Best Happy Hour: Revelry on Richmond Revelry on Richmond’s happy hour is a great deal Monday through Thursday, when from 3 p.m to 7 p.m. you can get well cocktails, sangria, frozen margaritas, the bar’s signature frozen Red Bull vodkas and any pint of Texas beer for just $5 a…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Local Choir
In this year’s Best Of Houston®, the Houston Press selected Houston Chamber Choir as Best Local Choir.
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Indian
Best Indian: Musaafer Last spring, Houston got another taste of the spice route as a gorgeously ornate Indian restaurant joined the Uptown dining scene, and it’s one journey you won’t want to miss. Named for the Hindi translation of “traveler,” Musaafer blends traditional and cutting-edge culinary technique to put out…
Gordon Gano on the Violent Femmes’ Reissue and Return to the Road
The Violent Femmes are just three gigs into their first live shows since the pandemic started. And singer/guitarist Gordon Gano is pretty much just picking up from where he left off. “Well, the stage is the place to be after 40 years of us doing it. In the past, we’ve…
Caamp Coaxes WOMH Crowd Into Having A Good Time After All
Caamp White Oak Music Hall September 10, 2021 Forty-five minutes into their set, Caamp finally got the crowd going. Up until about 10 p.m., fans at White Oak Music Hall had been alarmingly laid back on Friday night. It was a perfect evening for an outdoor concert – a rarity…
Paxton Decides Yes He Can Sue School Districts Mandating Masks. And Does.
Apparently disturbed by reports that Gov. Abbott wasn’t doing anything to school districts that have been defying his order barring any of them from requiring masks, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton reversed course and filed several lawsuits Friday with the promise of filing more. Although representatives of Gov. Abbott and…
HISD Keeps Masks, Will No Longer Do Temperature Checks
There will be no more daily temperature checks of elementary students and visitors to Houston ISD campuses as of next Monday, Superintendent Millard House II announced today in an email message to the HISD community. “This decision was made in consultation with the medical community and education professionals. The data…
Openings and Closings: Daily Gather This Fall, Turkey Leg Hut UH
Daily Gather, 800 Sorella Court, is shooting to open this fall at CityCentre. The upscale casual restaurant has some culinary notables bringing it to fruition. Owner and CEO Aaron Lyons, who has opened six Dish Society locations in the Houston area since 2014, has been eyeing the space at CityCentre…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Wine and Dine at a Creole Classic
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: $99 Wine and Dine for Two at Brennan’s of Houston All month long 3300 Smith Throughout the month, Brennan’s is inviting date-nighters to enjoy a $99 three-course meal for two, accompanied by wine selections (a bottle or four glasses)…
NFL Week 1: Texans-Jaguars — Four Things To Watch For
One of the toughest jobs in sports is trying to come up with a way to successfully market a losing franchise to a beleaguered fanbase. On a scale of one to ten, the Houston Texans’ marketing department have had been tasked with a mission that has a difficulty level of…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Hot Dog
Best Hot Dog: Yo Dawg! Gourmet Hot Dogs’ Swamp Dawg At first blush, the Swamp Dawg might seem like too much. One of the specialty selections from Yo Dawg! Gourmet Hot Dogs, it’s truly a sight to behold. The Black-owned, family-owned food truck has variations that boast the flavors of…
My Fair Lady On Stage Opens the Broadway Across America Fall Season in Houston
One performance. In Columbus, Ohio. That’s what Leslie Alexander and the rest of the traveling production of Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady got out of the way before COVID-19 shut theaters down on Broadway and across America. But next Tuesday, Alexander and company will restart their tour at Houston’s…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Deep Dish Pizza
Best Deep Dish Pizza: Pizaro’s Pizza Originally known for its pillowy-soft, Neapolitan-style pies, this local pizza pro moved into the Detroit territory (and a thinner, crisper New York style) a few years back…and it’s safe to say things haven’t been the same since. Now you’ll need to dine with a…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Icehouse
Best Icehouse: West Alabama Ice House A Houston institution since 1928, it’s the simplicity of West Alabama Ice House that keeps patrons coming back to its plentiful picnic tables for ice cold beers with friends old and new, even during the toastiest days of H-Town summer. The wide variety of…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Sporting Goods Store
Best Sporting Goods Store: Academy Sports + Outdoors When Academy was recognized as the top sporting goods store in Houston here two years ago — honors bestowed by both Houston Press and its readers — it was on the heels of a Houston Astros World Series title and a run…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Community Orchestra
In this year’s Best Of Houston®, the Houston Press selected Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra as Best Community Orchestra.
Biden Says His Patience Has Worn Thin With the Unvaccinated, Mandates Shots
Although Houston Mayor stepped back from hints that he would make COVID vaccinations mandatory for city workers, opting instead for frequent testing of the unvaccinated, President Joe Biden took a more forceful step Thursday. Possibly affecting as many as 100 million Americans, the measures called for by the President impose …
Justice Department Sues Texas Over Its New Restrictive Abortion Law
Saying Texas was seeking to circumvent federal law and the constitutional rights of women, the U.S. Department of Justice Thursday filed suit in Austin against the state over its new “heartbeat” bill that bans abortions at about 6 weeks of pregnancy and turns private citizens into “bounty hunters.” The result…
Upcoming Food Events: Fresh Corn Tamales and Oktoberfest Celebrations
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: This September, chef Hugo Ortega will once again offer fresh corn tamales at his namesake Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer. The tamales are made with fresh corn masa and come two to an order, served with salsa macha…
How Do the Houston Texans Get To Seven Wins?
Here in Houston, we can wring our hands over the Deshaun Watson situation all we want to, and go about in pity for ourselves, knowing that with Watson’s career here likely over, the ceiling for the Texans is somewhere around “pleasantly mediocre.” The truth of the matter is that this…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Food Hall
Best Food Hall: Bravery Chef Hall Food halls are popping up all over Houston these days, and while all of them offer something exciting, Bravery Chef Hall in downtown Houston stands tall among the rest. The concept itself is unique: Where other food halls might use popular chains or offer second…
Best Bets: Elvis, Fellini, and The Unexpected Spy
On this week’s best bets, you’ll find tribute acts, a sorority sister-turned-CIA spy, and a festival made for millennials.
Live Long and Prosper, Juliana Hatfield
When it comes to her favorite artists, Juliana Hatfield wears her heart proudly on her sleeve. Alt-rock royalty and a guitar hero in her own right, she’s recorded full cover albums of her music heroes, artists like Olivia Newton-John and The Police. So, which song might she select as one…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Late Night
Best Late Night: FM Kitchen & Bar With institutions like Katz’s, BB’s Cafe, and the late Theo’s, the corner of Westheimer and Montrose has always been a bastion of late night hangs. This year, it added another night owl into the mix, with the addition of FM Kitchen & Bar…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Live Venue (Small)
Best Live Venue (Small): The Continental Club The urge to list “All of Them” as title earner in this category was hard to resist. Each concert venue which has survived the extreme business downturn associated with the pandemic is worthy of recognition. Cherished as they are, they’re not yet out…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Museum
Best Museum – The Menil Collection The Menil Collection’s sprawling 30 acre campus is one of the best places in all of Houston to spend an afternoon in search of the inspiration, serenity and introspection that only an expertly curated art collection can provide. The Menil’s main gallery — still…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Sports Bar
Best Sports Bar: Pitch 25 A sports bar with actual, interactive sports — that’s the thing. Darts leagues are fun and we rule at The Office trivia nights (Pam’s favorite yogurt flavor? Mixed berry!) but give us a sports bar where we can work up a sweat emulating our athletic…
Turner Orders Mandatory COVID Tests For Unvaccinated City Employees
Amid anecdotal reports that only 50 percent or fewer of Houston Police Department and Houston Fire Department employees had been vaccinated against COVID-19, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s communications director told the Houston Press last week that Turner was still considering issuing a vaccine mandate for city employees. But during Wednesday’s…
Are Mask Rules Why HISD Has Tallied Fewer COVID Cases Than Way Smaller FBISD?
One, two, three, four — Those aren’t just the first four numbers Houston ISD’s youngest students are taught. Throw them all together in a row and you end up with 1,234, the total cumulative number of COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday afternoon among HISD students and staff members since the…
Thanks To You Unvaccinated Jerks, Here’s What’s Left Of 2021’s Movie Releases
So the last time we did one of these, the global box office had just enjoyed one of its best years, theaters (and sports arenas, and concert venues) were cheerfully packed to capacity, and the virus that would come to be known as COVID-19 had only just surfaced in a Chinese…
Houston Chamber Choir Shows Spiritual Side In ‘Two Streams’
Houston Chamber Choir opens the 2021-22 season Sing Out the New Day on Friday with the world premiere of “Two Streams,” a cantata scored for choir and string orchestra by the internationally-renowned American composer Daniel Knaggs. Based on Biblical texts and the writings of Polish nun Saint Faustina, this 70-minute work was composed in memory…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Burger
Best Burger: Better Luck Tomorrow Justin Yu and Bobby Heugel’s Heights neighborhood hangout Better Luck Tomorrow has been slinging creative craft cocktails and an eclectic mix of elevated bar fare for over four years now. Of all the tasty treats on order, the Party Melt is the undisputed star of…
Choosing the Best NFL MVP Dark Horse Candidate
One fun way to bet on the NFL, if you’re not into the acute stress of betting week to week is to find an MVP candidate and throw a sawbuck or two down on a futures bet for said candidate to take home MVP hardware. It’s a long play that…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Place to People Watch
Best Place to People Watch: Houston Zoo Sure, we see the irony in choosing Houston Zoo as best place to people watch in the city. One goes there to appreciate some of the other animals (6,000 on the zoo’s grounds) which co-exist with us on the planet. We might not…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Family Friendly Restaurant
Best Family Friendly Restaurant: Feges BBQ Spring Branch Over in the residential neighborhood of Spring Branch, husband and wife team (and new parents) Patrick Feges and Erin Smith have opened up a second location of their cult favorite barbecue joint. Now that there’s more space to play with (the original…
Houston Concert Watch 9/8: Kevin Gates, Harry Styles and More
Hope everyone had a good Labor Day. Quite a few concerts worth checking out this week. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap. And be sure to check with the venue before attending any shows – many are now requiring a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination before allowing…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Live Venue (Large)
Best Live Venue (Large): Toyota Center “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow,” Fleetwood Mac sang near the end of its October 6, 2003 show at Toyota Center, the first event ever held in the downtown arena. The venue heeded the band’s sage advice. In nearly 18 years’ worth of tomorrows, the…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best CBD Shop
Best CBD Shop: The CBD Apothecary If you’re a fan of the soothing benefits that CBD offers or are interested in learning more about the hemp-derived product, The CBD Apothecary on Kirby Drive in Rice Village is the perfect place to visit. The store has a wide variety of tinctures,…
Abbott Calls Third Straight Special Session of Legislative OT For September 20
On Tuesday evening, Gov. Greg Abbott called yet another special session of the Texas Legislature, ordering state lawmakers to head back to Austin for one more round of legislating starting September 20. Abbott’s announcement came hours after he signed Senate Bill 1 into law, the controversial set of GOP election…
Abbott Signs Controversial GOP “Election Integrity” Bill Into Law
After Labor Day weekend, Gov. Greg Abbott got right back to work by signing into law Senate Bill 1, the Republican-backed slate of election changes that he and his supporters proclaim as a defense against voter fraud and critics say is nothing but a way to make it harder for…
Get Your Menu of Menus® Tickets Now Before Price Increase
The 19th Annual Houston Press Menu of Menus® Extravaganza is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, November 2 at Silver Street Studios but now is the time to buy your tickets before the prices rise this Saturday. General Admission tickets are $49 but will increase to $59 on September 11. This Includes…
Apollo Chamber Players Opens Season ‘With Malice Toward None’
Do Beethoven and Abraham Lincoln go together? Apollo Chamber Players thinks so. The group will present With Malice Toward None as its season opener on Saturday at The MATCH with a question and answer session at 7 p.m and concert at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature the titular piece as well as the world premiere…
Former Houston Texans 2021 Revenge Power Rankings
No NFL team had more new faces on its 90-man roster coming into training camp than the Houston Texans. Between free agents and rookies, there were 50 new players on the roster. The final 53-man roster, constructed a week ago, had 30 new faces getting ready for Week 1. When…
Make Doctor Who Weird Again
I don’t want to write a post-mortem on Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall’s time just yet. We have one (short) season left and a trio of specials after that. However, the Chibnall era has been plagued by one sin that I deeply hope the next person on the helm doesn’t…
Opinion: The Taliban Didn’t Take Over Texas, Christians Did
There are a ton of memes going around now that basically say, “no one could have prepared for how quickly the Taliban would retake Texas.” The implication is that the recent forced-birth law is similar to that of Islamic extremism in the Middle East following the end of the Afghanistan…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Taco
Best Taco: El Rey El Rey has multiple outposts across the greater Houston metroplex, but our favorite location of the Cuban-Mexican fusion is the one right on the corner of Shepherd and Washington. While their Cuban sandwich and torta selections are top-notch, it’s El Rey’s tacos that will keep you…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Italian Bakery
Best Italian Bakery: La Sicilia Italian Bakery & Cafe Helming from the tiny town of Sciacca on the southwestern coast of Sicily, pastry chef Diego Chiarello shares the love of his hometown at this lower Westheimer bakery and cafe. Gorgeously layered sfogliatella (think of it like an Italian croissant), Neapolitan…
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Lucy Dacus Screens Her Past on Home Video [UPDATED]
If there’s one positive outcome from the pandemic, it’s that many people have used the forced downtime to take up a new hobby or interest. A smaller group, of course, has actually stuck to it. Oh, how many sewing machines have sat lonely on dining room tables, or Rosetta Stone…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Cocktail Bar
Best Cocktail Bar: Julep Master mixologist Alba Huerta has kept her crown jewel cocktail bar Julep cranking out both classic cocktails and a wide variety of innovative drinks for years now. Whether your palate tends to favor timeless drinks like the bar’s titular mint julep or craves more creative concoctions…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Liquor Store
Best Liquor Store: Spec’s Fine Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods (Downtown) Not since George Foreman has there been a Houston area heavyweight champ as popular or revered as Spec’s. A perennial “Best of Houston” titleholder, the downtown location in particular lands more (and tastier) haymakers than Big George. Foreman may…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Movie Theater
Best Movie Theater: Regal Grand Parkway In history class, you probably learned about the excesses of the ancient empires, the vast riches and wild innovations associated with the Romans and Greeks. A single visit to Regal Grand Parkway will send visitors into a tailspin of revisionist history. Impressive as their…
This Week in Houston Food Events: September is the Month of the Sandwich
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, September 6 Labor Day Food and Drink Specials From mimosa-fueled Labor Day brunch to backyard bbqs and dining deals, check out our Labor Day Food and Drink Guide for the lowdown on where to extend the weekend in Houston. Tuesday,…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Mocktail List
Best Mocktail List: Yi Peng Thai Dining Despite the growing consumer demand for mocktails and specialty “zero proof” drinks that contain no alcohol, most restaurants still only offer alcohol free beverages as an afterthought. Not so at chef Jett and Jura Hurapan’s Yi Peng Thai Dining in Memorial City’s CITYCENTRE,…
Four Thoughts on Big XII Expansion Welcoming UH
Entering the college football season of 2016, the University of Houston was at the tailed end of a multiyear campaign to try to gain entry into the Big XII. Approval of their Big XII status would have meant a bump up to a Power Five conference and a windfall of…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Comfort Food
Best Comfort Food: Killen’s of the Heights Chef Ronnie Killen has taken his restaurant empire inside the loop, and this time he’s brought a comfort food powerhouse to the old Hickory Hollow building on Heights Boulevard. With roughly a year under its belt, Killen’s hits the spot with timeless, cravable…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Beer Garden
Best Beer Garden: City Acre Brewing Co. Sometimes the notion of being best is equated to being biggest, but if the craft beer industry has taught us anything it’s that bigger isn’t always better. Follow that logic to an unassuming, splendidly hidden plot of land just north of downtown and…
Texas Lawmakers Head Home, But A Third Special Session Looms
The Texas Legislature officially shut the door on special session number two Thursday night, as both the state House and Senate voted to adjourn and head home in time for Labor Day weekend. Even though Republicans are celebrating the passage of most of the GOP’s laundry list of laws during…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Grocery Store
Best Grocery Store: H-E-B Every shopper with hamburger, eggs and beer on their list knows H-E-B is one of the best places on Planet Earth to gather these items. It’s more than just the fair prices or the company’s peculiarly excellent “own brand” products which keep customers loyal. There’s a…
Openings and Closings: URBE Opens, Chivos Will Replace Calle Onze
URBE, 1101 Uptown Park, opened August 27 for breakfast and lunch. The Mexican street food concept comes from James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega and restaurateur Tracy Vaught of H Town Restaurant Group. It’s the fifth concept for the married couple and their restaurant group. Urbe means ‘city’ in Spanish…
Opinion: Texas, Where Republican Leaders Have Gaslighted Us All
It’s been a very bad week in Texas. The so-called “heartbeat bill” went into effect, essentially ending reproductive freedom. The draconian election bill custom designed to disenfranchise marginalized people passed the Senate. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick wanted to hold the entire legislative branch’s pay hostage so he could have transphobic,…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Tokyo Night Festival and Labor Day Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Care Package Drive for Afghan Refugees at Trash Panda Drinking Club Friday, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. 4203 Edison Night Moves Hospitality and Houston resident Annick Baquero will be hosting a Care Package Drive for Afghan Refugees this Friday,…
College Football Week 1: Guide To Scouting Future Houston Texans QBs
It was about a year ago this weekend that Deshaun Watson signed his mega deal, a four-year contract extension worth almost $160 million, which at the time was the biggest contract in league history for any human being not named “Patrick Mahomes.” When a team signs a player to a…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Cinderella
Title: Cinderella Describe This Movie In One “Work From Home” Lyric: FIFTH HARMONY: You don’t gotta go to work But you gotta put in work Brief Plot Synopsis: Delusional woman talks to mice, dreams of world…
Citing Low HPD & Fire Department COVID Vaccinations, Turner Considers City Worker Mandate
Given anecdotal reports that only 50 percent or fewer of Houston Police Department and Houston Fire Department employees have taken a COVID-19 vaccine, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is considering issuing a vaccine mandate for city employees, Turner’s communications director has told the Houston Press. When answering a question about tracking…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bar – Downtown
Best Bar – Downtown: Little Dipper Bar Little Dipper Bar took Houston City Council up on its offer to ply its essential trade on Main Street — as in literally out in the roadway — when a measure was enacted last fall to allow area restaurants and bars more space…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Comic Book Store
Best Comic Book Store: Third Planet Sci-Fi and Fantasy Super Store Third Planet is like an underdog superhero its dedicated patrons might stumble onto while digging through its vast comic book collection. From the beginning, 46 years ago this month, the Kirby District retailer of comics and collectibles has had…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Breakfast – Heights
Best Breakfast – Heights: Homestead Kitchen & Bar Over in the new M-K-T mixed-use development, this buzzy kitchen and bar opens bright and early at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday-Sunday (those who prefer a bit of a later start need not worry, the kitchen’s dishing out the breakfasty goods all day, even at dinner…
Axelrad Hosts Hurricane Ida Relief Concerts Featuring Kermit Ruffins
Houston and New Orleans share a bond thanks to hurricane season. If one of the Gulf Coast cities takes a storm’s direct hit, the other comes to its aid. This week, our neighbors in Louisiana were pummeled by Hurricane Ida. The storm has caused an estimated $50 billion in damage,…
U.S. Supreme Court Refuses To Block Texas’ New Abortion Law From Being Enforced
Late Wednesday just before midnight, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a brief 5-4 decision rejecting an emergency request from abortion advocates for the court to block Texas’ newly enacted “heartbeat bill” abortion law. In one of the first major rulings on an abortion issue since liberal justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: In-Season Wine Dinners and a Chef Throwdown
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: In response to Hurricane Ida and to support the needs of our neighbors in Louisiana, the Houston Food Bank is urgently looking for volunteers to help them build more disaster boxes. Individuals or groups can register…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Steak
Best Steak: B&B Butchers & Restaurant When it comes to steak, discerning Houston diners don’t mess around. We know good meat and we know how we like it. B&B Butchers & Restaurant is one helluva steakhouse. One of just a select few restaurants in America certified to sell Kobe beef direct…
Deshaun Watson Is On the Texans’ Roster, So Now What?
There is always plenty of quarterback drama swirling around in the NFL. The NFL is like a family with 32 siblings, and like any big family, if there are enough siblings or cousins, there will inevitably be drama with a few of them. Cam Newton was cut by the Patriots…
Best Bets: Disney, Karmagraphy and Barbeque
Read our best bets this holiday weekend.
Continental Club Hosts Telethon And Birthday Bash For Archie Bell
Houston has a lot to be proud of; our world renowned medical center, the large and diverse population of our residents, our world class art museums, NASA, the Astrodome and of course the one and only, Archie Bell. This past March, Bell unfortunately suffered a stroke and though he is…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Place to Buy Plants
Best Place to Buy Plants – Cactus King Eclectic is a word some might use to describe Houston and that’s totally fair. Evidence of this can be found in our favorite plant stop, Cactus King. You might have missed it sitting alongside the North Freeway at the Shepherd curve, but…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Place to Buy Video Games
Best Place to Buy Video Games: Game Over Videogames True lovers of video games past and present could easily get lost thumbing through Game Over Videogames’ plethora of software, hardware, accessories and gaming memorabilia for hours on end. While the shop doesn’t carry too many current generation games (think Nintendo…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Barbecue
Best Barbecue: Blood Bros. BBQ If you’re going to make a Houston BBQ bucket list, you best make sure the Blood Bros. are a part of it. What started as pop-up ‘q from brothers Robin and Terry Wong and best friend Quy Hoang has turned into one of the most…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Music Festival
Best Music Festival: Astroworld Festival As accomplished as he is as an artist and businessman, it’s easy to forget that Travis Scott has a playful streak. He’s notched diamond certified record sales, runs a successful creative collective and is a cultural influencer with more than 40 million Instagram followers. Even…
Election Bill Hits Abbott’s Desk While Fights Over Other GOP Priorities Heat Up
With less than a week left in the Texas Legislature’s second straight overtime round of lawmaking this summer, state Republicans have finally delivered Gov. Greg Abbott the “election integrity” bill he and the GOP base have been clamoring for, the one that will supposedly prevent Texas from falling victim to…
Diary of a Pandemic Holiday
May People are getting vaccinated, restrictions are being lifted, and deaths are going down. For one brief month or so it looks like there might finally be some hope. I very hesitantly book the safest vacation I possibly can just in case things go south. What could be lower key…
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans Final Cuts Down To 53 Players
Nick Caserio’s first training camp as Houston Texans general manager is in the books, ending, for all intents and purposes, on Tuesday afternoon with the final trimming of the roster from 80 players down to the requisite count of 53 players. I think it’s safe to say that Caserio never…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Sports Fans
Best Sports Fans: Houston Astros The symbiosis between professional athletes and sports fans isn’t too complex. The folks in the bleachers root for the home team and if they don’t win it’s a shame. When they do win, as often and spectacularly as the Houston Astros have, they become a…
Houston Concert Watch 9/1: New Found Glory, Buzzfest and More
A lot of fun shows are coming through Houston this week, and we’ve included a streaming option for anyone who isn’t ready to brave the crowds just yet. Here’s hoping nothing gets canceled. Speaking of which, the Deftones/Gojira concert at White Oak Music Hall on September 7 has been delayed…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best French Fries
Best French Fries: A’Bouzy Shawn Virene has always loved nibbling on french fries while sipping Champagne. So when he opened A’Bouzy, his Champagne-focused restaurant in River Oaks, he told his chef that he wanted fries that could be a feature item on their own, and together, he and his chef…
Disney Renaissance Takes Center Stage With Houston Symphony
The Houston Symphony presents Once Upon a Time: Alan Menken’s Broadway in a special salute to Disney’s musical mastermind, Alan Menken. The show runs Friday through Sunday at Jones Hall and features vocalists direct from the Broadway stage.
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Brunch – Montrose
Best Brunch – Montrose: Bludorn When one of the city’s buzziest restaurants starts offering brunch, you visit it at brunch. Such is the case with chef Aaron Bludorn’s namesake restaurant, a stunner that has taken Houston by storm since opening at summer’s end in 2020. Consider a Sunday brunch reservation…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Dive Bar
Best Dive Bar: Hoot County Saloon If we’ve learned anything from reading those Bukowski books it’s that dive bars are places to hook up and Hoot County Saloon has surely facilitated more “connections” than Terminal C right down the road. It’s station at the end of IAH’s hotel row makes…
Best Of Houston® 2021 Begins Today
Starting today and continuing through the month of September, the Houston Press will present its annual Best of Houston® awards, highlighting the best of what the city and area has to offer in a number of areas. The stories will appear on our news, arts, food and music sites. The curated selections…
Best Of Houston® 2021: Best Bike Shop
Best Bike Shop – Blue Line Bike Lab The banner on the front of Blue Line’s website says, “pretty much the best bike shop ever.” They might be right. In a city that has a love-hate relationship with cyclists, for anyone serious enough to take the streets (or highways or…
Hidalgo Extends Harris County $100 COVID Vaccine Gift Card Program Through September 14
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Tuesday afternoon that the $100 vaccine incentive program that has corresponded with a significant rise in COVID-19 vaccination rates has been extended through September 14. The program which rewards first dose COVID-19 vaccine recipients with a $100 gift card had been scheduled to expire…
Hay Merchant Will Close, Georgia James Will Relocate
Chris Shepherd is always throwing big news at our city and today’s announcement is no different. In a press release it was reported that the James Beard Award-winning chef is moving his restaurant group Underbelly Hospitality from the 1100 Westheimer location where it has been located for the past ten…
Early Morning Apartment Fire in Pasadena Sends Couple to the Hospital
An early morning fire that broke out at the Veranda Village apartments, 3635 Shaver in Pasadena, sent a husband and wife to the hospital, one in critical condition. The woman was airlifted to Hermann Hospital, while her husband was transported by ambulance. The apartment complex is located at Shaver and Allen…
There is No Evidence Ivermectin Helped Fight COVID in Peru
The news regarding ivermectin over the last couple of weeks has been mostly about how Americans are taking deworming medication meant for livestock. While many reports of it leading to explosive diarrhea are hoaxes and trolling, what’s not funny is that in Texas poison control calls related to the drug…
John Mellencamp’s Life of Roots, Rock and Rebellion
It’s telling about John Mellencamp that his nickname, “Little Bastard,” is not only a sobriquet that he revels in, but does his damnedest to live up to. His tough-as-nails/loud-as-a-motorcyle-engine persona and songs have helped define an image and put him on the same shelf as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger and…
Brunch, Parties and Dining Deals This Labor Day Weekend 2021
The unofficial end of summer is upon us. Labor Day is Monday, September 6, and these local spots are offering special Monday brunches, Labor Day parties, and weekend food and drink deals to celebrate. a’Bouzy, 2300 Westheimer Say goodbye to summer, at a’Bouzy’s Labor Day Brunch, held on Monday from 10…
Heels Focuses on One Family in the Glory Days of Small Town Wrestling
Professional wrestling is a production. It’s a show with character arcs and a narrative. “Fake” is what most people would classify it as if that’s some profound revelation. It is “fake,” but to its fans, it’s extremely powerful, and it’s all thanks to the people putting on the show, the…
Bill O’Brien’s 2019 Swap Meet Saturday: Two Years Later, Where Are They Now?
The Texans enter the 2021 season thought to be among the worst, if not THE actual worst, team in the NFL this year. The roster is a smattering of try-hard veterans with very few young building blocks, and maybe four or five players who would start on half the teams…
Pro-Choice Groups File Last-Ditch Request Asking U.S. Supreme Court To Block TX Heartbeat Bill
Texas pro-choice advocates hoped a legal challenge to Senate Bill 8 — the state’s new “heartbeat” abortion law that would effectively ban all abortions in the state after a fetal heartbeat is detected — could lead a federal district court to block the law from going into effect later this…
Weekend Deal On GOP Election Bill Means It Could Head To Abbott’s Desk Later This Week
Thanks to a backroom deal between Texas House and Senate members, the controversial GOP-backed “election integrity” legislation, Senate Bill 1, is on track for final approval by both chambers early this week, according to the bill’s author state Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Minneola). The bill could now head to Gov. Greg…
New Orleans: Houston is Here for You
We saw the scenes of chaos after Hurricane Katrina. Shots from helicopters of people stranded on rooftops, the horrifying spectacle of the Superdome crowded with people, some dead, covered and left in wheelchairs. It was an unimaginable sight in America in 2005. Hours away in the middle of the night,…
Opinion: Texas’ Anti-Abortion Senate Bill 8 Should Scare Everyone
American women have fought for agency over our own bodies well throughout history. For more than a few decades here in the state of Texas, that fight has not been easy. Restrictive moves by political leaders aside, just having a coherent and productive conversation on reproductive health and abortion has…
Ars Lyrica’s Return to In-Person Performance a Labor of Hercules
Two takes on Hercules kick off Ars Lyrica’s return to in-person, live performances for their 17th season.
This Week in Houston Food Events: Wine, Dine and Have a Creole-Style Date Night
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Houston Restaurant Weeks Houston Restaurant Weeks is finishing off its run on Labor Day, supporting local restaurants and raising funds for the Houston Food Bank. Now is your chance to peruse the HRW restaurant and menu list to make your…
A Week In the Life of A COVID-Era Concert Calendar
COVID’s Delta variant has performers, promoters, venues and fans hearing the starts and skips of a broken record. The uncertainty of it all sounds a lot like the music industry’s biggest “hit” of 2020, the one with concert tours scrapped and music venues shuttered. But, it’s 2021. There’s now a…
NFL Preseason Week 3: Buccaneers 23, Texans 16 — Four Winners, Four Losers
All week long, leading up to Saturday night’s game between the defensing Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans, we were excited to find out just how many of the things the 2021 Texans were doing unexpectedly well at training camp would translate against a good team…
Vaccine Payments Are Spurring More Shots As Hospitals Feel Delta Pinch
With the Delta variant still running rampant through Texas, the Houston area school year has already been marked by multiple temporary campus closures, and local hospitals are still buckling under the massive wave of COVID-19 patients (the overwhelming majority of whom are unvaccinated) in their emergency rooms, general beds and…
Tropical Storm Ida on a B-Line for Louisiana
The tropical depression we discussed yesterday is now Tropical Storm Ida churning away in the Caribbean on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center now believes Ida will reach major hurricane strength (category 3 or higher) before making landfall somewhere along the Louisiana coastline Sunday evening…
Texas House Passes Controversial GOP Election Bill In the Dead of Night
After lacking enough members to do business for almost six weeks, the Texas House finally passed the state GOP’s controversial election bill on the House floor after a 12-hour debate late Thursday night. The bill previously passed through committee earlier this week on Tuesday, and House Republicans seemed intent during…
Openings and Closings: Mozambik Replaces Peli Peli, TEN Sushi Next Year
Mozambik, 1201 Lake Woodlands, will open in the space that currently houses Peli Peli South African Kitchen September 10. Peli Peli, one of Houston’s longtime favorite restaurants brands, will have its last service at The Woodlands and Galleria locations September 5. The new concept comes from restaurateur Ryan Stewart who…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
Candyman
Title: Candyman Describe This Movie In One The Point Quote: THE ROCK MAN: You been goofin’ with the bees? Brief Plot Synopsis: Struggling artist finds new inspiration in horror. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2.5 John Ruskins out of 5. Tagline: “Say it.” Better Tagline: “History is murder.” Not So…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Sweets for Social Justice and The COMMUNE Preview is Here
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Sweets for Social Justice at Tiny Champions Friday-Sunday 2617 McKinney After learning more about the work Texas Civil Rights Project is doing in the fight against the criminalization of immigrants seeking refuge and the unjust treatment of Black and…
The Drive-By Truckers Book a Road Trip of Music and Geography
First, let’s start off with that name. It was never meant to stick, only a dark humor-laden joke among band members for a group whose sound, home base, and even lineup were meant to be fluid back when it all began in 1996. “If we had known people were going…
NFL Preseason Week 3: Buccaneers-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
On Saturday, the Houston Texans play their first home game of the 2021 campaign, the third and final preseason game of one of the more surreal training camps in my 15-season history of covering the team. No J.J. Watt, Deshaun Watson rendered to “reluctant bystander” status, and 50 new faces…
Tropical Depression Takes Aim at Louisiana: 5 Questions Answered
The tropical disturbance just south of Jamaica has strengthened into a tropical depression on Thursday morning (and could be a storm by Friday morning). The track that had shows a swath that included northern Mexico to central Louisiana (with the Houston area square in the middle) shifted significantly over the…
Local Criminal Court Backlog Likely To Keep Growing As Pandemic Surges
When asked about how the massive slowdown in the local court system and the resulting backlog of tens of thousands of criminal cases has affected the men and women whom he defends on a daily basis, Joseph Vinas, local defense attorney and president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association,…
I Can’t Believe I Have to Worry About School Dress Codes in a Plague
I took the Kid With One F shopping for some back-to-school non-binary finery this past weekend, and as frustrating as that always is it was made even more maddening by the fact that adhering to school dress codes in the middle of a pandemic seems more ridiculous than toothpaste-flavored chips…
Best Bets: Beer, Black Lights, and Cat Videos
On this week’s list of best bets you’ll find a cat video festival, a tribute to Selena, and much more.
Enjambre Buzzes Into Houston With a Swarm of New Songs
It’s been a little while since Enjambre played a show in Houston. When the Mexican indie rock band returns this week, local fans will hear something a bit different in their sound: lyrics sung entirely in English. The band’s stop at The Ballroom at Warehouse Live on August 27 is…
Big XII Left Stranded After College Football Alliance Announcement
College conference realignment has been front burner college sports news for the last decade, but it’s been going on forever. The Southwest Conference was splintered into a million pieces back in the mid-’90s with the (now, quite ironic) formation of the Big XII. In 2003, the ACC raided the Big…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A Museum District Stunner Adds Lunch
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Saint Arnold Brewing Company is hosting a Virtual Beer and Cheese Pairing on Friday, August 27 at 6 p.m., featuring founder/brewer Brock Wagner and cheesemonger Nicole Buergers from the Houston Dairymaids. Tasting packages (limited) are $53…
Abbott Doubles Down on His Ban On Government Vaccine Mandates
As the latest wave of the perpetual pandemic rages on, Texas and the greater Houston area in particular continue to be COVID-19 hotbeds. Both the city and state find themselves awash with coronavirus cases, and almost every day residents watch as new controversial government orders clash against clever public health…
Best of Houston 2021
The Best of Houston is the Houston Press’ annual celebration of the city, a compendium of hundreds of places we love to go, things we love to do and people we love to see in the Bayou City. All year long, Press editors and writers sniff around, check out tips…
Tropics Ramp Up to Peak That Includes Gulf Activity
We are now in the heart of the peak of hurricane season. The full season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, peaks in the second week of September, but begins its most active phase in mid August. This is especially true for states along the Gulf of Mexico…
Memory Builds The Monument: Documentary Celebrates Fifth Ward’s Club Matinee
Last September the State of Texas officially honored Houston’s Fifth Ward by designating it as a Cultural Arts District, making Houston the city with the most Cultural Arts districts with a total of seven neighborhoods. “This area down Lyons that is just known for its history and heritage,” says Harrison…
A Handful Of Democrats Help House Republicans Move Forward On Election Bill
After nearly six weeks of solidarity from most Texas House Democrats, who had determined to stay out of the Capitol to deny Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan the required 100 members needed for his chamber to function, enough Democrats have returned to Austin for Gov. Greg Abbott’s second straight special…
Houston Texans 53-Man Roster Prediction, Version 3.0
The Houston Texans trimmed their roster down to 80 players earlier this week, per league rules, and the continuing theme is that Nick Caserio is cleaning out all of the old, fairly useless furniture from the Bill O’Brien Era. The first round of cuts a week ago saw 2020 fifth…
Houston Concert Watch 8/25: Marc Anthony, Slim Thug and More
“The Houston Texans are 2-0” isn’t a sentence I expected to write at any point in the year – even if it’s only the preseason – but here we are. Here’s hoping our backups can pummel the defending Super Bowl champions this weekend before the regular season begins. Keep scrolling…
Eric Wagner, Lead Singer Of Doom Metal Legends Trouble, Has Died From Covid-19
Eric Wagner, Lead Singer Of Doom Metal Legends Trouble, Has Died From Covid-19, unvaccinated
Hidden Gem: Maria Rita’s Tex-Mex
School is back in session and so is the chaos that surrounds the back-to-school frenzy. Throw in a dose of pandemic craziness and it’s a wonder we haven’t all lost our minds. For my family, it is my son’s senior year of high school and my daughter’s senior year at…
Astros Recent Struggles Feel Significant. Are They? Four Thoughts.
Mid-season doldrums are commonplace in professional sports. It’s when injuries begin to mount and players grow weary of the grind of a long season, particularly in baseball with teams well over 100 games into a 162-game season. In recent weeks, the Astros have seen a combination of injuries and lackluster…
Deshaun Watson Named 18th Best Player in NFL Top 100
As we outlined last week, somewhat depressingly, the reveal of the NFL’s annual list of Top 100 players, as voted on by the players themselves, is not quite as much fun nor met with as much anticipation here in Houston because of the talent drain executed by Bill O’Brien in…
He Ain’t Studdin’ Us: Bobby Rush Discusses New Memoir
Bobby Rush is the last of his tribesmen. Rush and his good friend Buddy Guy may be the final living links to the original bluesmen and neither artist shows signs of slowing down. This year alone Rush took home his second Grammy for his fantastic 2020 album Rawer Than Raw…
Houston ISD School Year Begins Amid Mask Mandate Battles And FDA Approval For Pfizer’s Vaccine
As Houston ISD’s 196,000-plus students headed back to their classrooms Monday with the start of the fall semester began, local parents crossed their fingers that the district can avoid widespread COVID-19 outbreaks like those that have befallen other school districts who started in-person classes earlier this month. HISD’s first day…
Rice Realizes Dozens of False Positive Tests Were Behind Shift To Online Classes
After 81 members of the Rice University community tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week and a half — most of whom were fully vaccinated against the virus — and the school’s test positivity rate surged, Rice’s leadership acted swiftly. On Thursday, the school delayed this week’s start of…
The Definitive Pleasure Pier Ride Ranking
After the Kid With One F shot up three inches over the course of sixth grade and finally cleared the 48 inches mark, we decided that over the summer we were going to ride every ride available at Pleasure Pier Galveston. In case you, too, have a special someone of…
Last Night: Lamb of God and Megadeth On Fire in The Woodlands
As the sun set on several hours of metal Sunday, co-headliner Lamb of God took the stage at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, the first notes of “Memento Mori” trickling out. A silhouette of front man Randy Blythe shone through the curtain and as the acapella start of the song ended, an explosion…
NFL Preseason, Week 2: Texans 20, Cowboys 14 — Four Winners, Four Losers
Last season, there were very few things the Houston Texans did well, and most of the things they did do well were executed by a player who (a) no longer wants to be here, and (b) is being sued by 22 civil lawsuit plaintiffs for some alleged sketchy behavior in…
Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner Says Writing Songs is “Like Putting My Shoes On”
The irony of stopping, starting and stalling a tour for an album titled Hurry Up and Wait is not lost on Dave Pirner. The vocalist and guitarist for Soul Asylum has seen and done a lot since forming the band in the early 1980s and nearly breaking MTV with a…
This Week in Houston Food Events: These Churros Are Comin’ In Hot
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, August 23 Pro-Choice Summer 2021 Happy Hour Series at Anvil Bar & Refuge Local women-led organization I’ll Have What She’s Having — which unites chefs, hospitality professionals and physicians to raise health awareness and improve health care access — continues…
How Our One Hour Chicago Layover Became A Thirty Hour Travel Nightmare
On Sunday, August 15, my fiancée and I were flying home from a trip to visit some loved ones up in Minneapolis. Weeks prior, we decided to book a return path home that had one plane change, a cute little one hour layover at Chicago’s Midway Airport we figured wouldn’t…
Dan Patrick Blames Black Americans for COVID Surge, Abbott Loses in Court and the TEA Does a U-Turn
In a day brimming over with COVID-19 developments, Thursday saw Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick make national news for blaming Black Americans for the surge in cases, Gov. Abbott’s attempts to shut down mask mandates were stymied in two courts and the Texas Education Agency decided contact tracing was a good…
Delta Surge Leads Rice To Retreat From In-Person Classes For Two Weeks
In a recent message to Rice University students, faculty and staff, the school’s Provost Reginald DesRoches said that the rapid spread of COVID-19’s Delta variant has caused Rice to retreat from its plans to kick off the new school year with in-person classes, mere days before the semester was set…
Openings and Closings: Concura Opens, NettBar Expands
Concura Italian Bites, 4340 Westheimer, opened August 17. The new restaurant is a project by Italian fashion and design consultant, Jessica Biondi, who hails from Fano, Marche in Italy. Biondi’s Italian heritage is inspiration for a menu that explores the less discovered regions of Italy and she has brought in executive…
Houston Texans 53-man Roster Prediction, Version 2.0
In a training camp with 50 new faces, it’s been somewhat difficult to discern who the frontrunners are for several of the roster spots for the 2021 Houston Texans. However, we are starting to hit some key milestones — first and second unofficial depth charts revealed, first preseason game in…
How Comfortable is Greg Abbott With His New Persona?
We have to hand it to him: With his border wall plans, no-mask mandates, Texas Legislature antics and all the rest of his recent political hijinks, Gov. Greg Abbott is proving to be more, let’s say, entertaining than we ever expected him to be. In fact, after a political career…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Pig Roast, Beer Fest and Houston Restaurant Weeks
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: 21st Anniversary at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight 705 Main Flying Saucer is celebrating 21 years in downtown Houston with an epic blowout, and the fan favorite beer emporium is bringing back the full tap…
Been a Big Year for Big Ladies Who Can Kick Your Ass
One of the fun things about pop culture is the way it can help you find out things about yourself than you never really knew. For instance, the sheer number of people who started out as “ironic” My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fans and ended up deeply sincere furries…
U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Texas Ban On Common Abortion Method
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a blow to abortion advocates in Texas when it affirmed a ban on the most common method of abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy in a ruling Wednesday night, overruling a previous decision from that same court’s judges just last year. It’s the…
HISD Trustees Vote to Give $500 to Each Fully Vaccinated Employee
As area school districts already open for the school year show increasing numbers of students and staff who’ve contracted COVID-19, Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House II has proposed giving $500 to every district employee who is fully vaccinated. At a special school board meeting today starting at 9 a.m., trustees…
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Best Bets: Jazz, Sandcastles, and The Wizard of Oz [UPDATED]
Jazz and classic films are just a couple of events on this week’s list of best bets.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Tacodeli Adds Dinner and Drinks
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: As Torchy’s Tacos celebrates its 15th anniversary, it’s hosting “15 Damn Good Giveaways.” Now through August 31, fans can enroll in the Taco Junkies Rewards Club for a chance to win one of the prizes, including 15…
Five Key Things From Rusty Hardin Firing Back at Tony Buzbee
In the heavyweight battle between the two lead attorneys in the Deshaun Watson legal saga, the one that’s been trying the case through the media, through Instagram, and through general public spectacle has been Tony Buzbee, the lead attorney for the 22 plaintiffs suing Watson for sexual misconduct in a…
The Metal Magic of Ronnie James Dio Shines in Posthumous Autobiography
When Ronnie James Dio—announced in 2009 that he had stomach cancer, it certainly gave him an impetus to complete the autobiography that he’d been working on for a while. He’d already had a sizable chunk of the manuscript written down in what his widow Wendy Dio said was his “beautiful…
The Teens on Reservation Dogs Want Out, But on Their Own (Sometimes Comic) Terms
Reservation Dogs is Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo’s Native American-centered comedy about a group of teens living on a reservation in Oklahoma. Harjo, a native American filmmaker, and Waititi, one of the most in-demand entertainment entities, have created a hilarious and uncompromising, true-to-life series about Native American life. The Quentin…
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CDC Recommends COVID Vaccine Booster This Fall Amid Claims Abbott Already Got His 3rd Shot [UPDATED]
After the news Tuesday afternoon that Gov. Greg Abbott had tested positive for COVID-19 settled in, most people who have been following the pandemic closely realized that Abbott will probably be just fine in the end considering he publicly received Pfizer’s two-shot coronavirus vaccine, getting his first shot in late…
David Culley Among Leaders In Odds For First NFL Head Coach Fired
As many of you who read my work here know, I love to wager. I mean, like REALLY love it. I’ll play some table games at a casino. I’ll lay some money down on a five game parlay. Hell, earlier this week I bet some fellow patrons at a local…
Houston Concert Watch 8/18: Steve Earle, Kesha and More
Given rising COVID-19 case numbers in Harris County, I’ve decided to add streaming options back into this week’s list of concerts. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap through the weekend. Also, if you haven’t already gotten your first vaccine, the county will pay you $100 to do so. Steve…
Thorn and Moon is a Witchy Piece of Home
The monthly Thorn and Moon Magickal Markets are bar-none my favorite spooky events in Houston. As I age into a sober elder goth who doesn’t have the hips to dance all the way through “This Corrosion” anymore, I appreciate the focus on community creativity and cottagecore atmosphere. Founder Jessica Anderson…
Abbott Announces He Has COVID Hours After Hidalgo Offers $100 Vaccine Incentive
Will Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s offer of a $100 bonus be enough to persuade more of the area’s unvaccinated to get inoculated against COVID-19? And will Tuesday’s announcement from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office that the governor has tested positive for COVID-19 change any more minds about the need for…
HISD Superintendent Stands Firm on Masks, But Says Stay Tuned
As Houston area COVID hospitalizations skyrocket to their highest point ever and involve an increasing number of children, effective this week, Houston ISD is requiring masks for everyone who enters one of the district’s facilities or rides one of its buses: students, parents and visitors. HISD is maintaining its mandate…
Tacolandia Announces New Restaurants, Way to Avoid the Ticket Price Increase
This week will be your last chance to get Tacolandia tickets at a lower price before an increase goes into effect Saturday, August 21. We’re also announcing some new restaurants we’ve added to our list since the last time we wrote about the October 16 event from 4-7 p.m. at…
Worth The Wait: Blaggards Celebrate Their New Album Blagmatic
Houston’s Blaggards have been providing our city with their “stout Irish rock” for the past 17 years. Though it’s been 16 years since they released their last studio album, Standards, the band recently got back in the studio. Blaggards released their explosive new album Blagmatic earlier this month and will…
Texans LT Laremy Tunsil Cracks NFL Top 100 Players at No. 75
There was a time, not all that long ago, when Houston Texan fans would look forward to the annual release of the NFL Network’s “NFL Top 100 Players” rankings, largely because you could expect at least five Texans, if not more, in said rankings. As recently as just three years…
Lamb of God Is Eager to See Its Disciples Once Again
Lamb of God is ready to deliver its thunderous metal revelations to fans at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion this weekend and, it seems, even a pestilence over the land can’t stop it — at least as of this writing. Things change fast in the COVID concert era but for now…
Siren Songs: Nobody’s Girl Releases First Full Length Album
In Greek mythology, the singing sirens would lure sailors to their sad fate with their sweet voices. Though Austin-based trio Nobody’s Girl could easily qualify as having alluring and mesmerizing vocals, their intentions for audiences are much less sinister. Nobody’s Girl was formed in 2017 by BettySoo, Grace Pettis and…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Back to School Brunch and a Trip Around the Globe
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Hatch Chile Fest at Central Market The 26th annual Hatch Chile runs now through Tuesday, August 24 at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, featuring Hatch products and dishes from fresh and fire-roasted peppers to Hatch green chile queso, Hatch…
Human Snowball Nick Thune Rolls Into Houston
Nick Thune answered the requisite COVID question with a perfectly Nick Thune joke. Asked about performing stand-up comedy during the pandemic, he mentioned he’d done only a few shows this year ahead of his Velvet Loafers Tour, which began the last week of July with five shows in San Diego…
NFL Preseason Week 1: Texans 26, Packers 7 — Four Winners, Four Losers
I never thought I would ever say this, given how trivial preseason football can feel at times, but dammit, it was great to have preseason football back over the weekend! Because of COVID-19, there were no rpeaseson games in 2020, which means that prior to Saturday night, the last time…
Last Night: The Black Crowes and Dirty Honey at The Woodlands Pavilion
When it hit record store shelves in February 1990, the Black Crowes’ debut album Shake Your Moneymaker somehow seemed both familiar and out of place. The Georgia quintet’s overall sound was unapologetically a throwback to the bloozy boogie bands of the ‘70s like the Rolling Stones, the Faces and Black…
HISD Will Discipline Students Who Don’t Wear Masks & Other Rules For the 2021-22 School Year
As COVID-19 continues its path through Houston, Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House II Friday highlighted rules of engagement for the coming school year which include an indoor and bus riding mask mandate for students, no perfect attendance awards and yes, grades will count this year. Speaking via a Zoom meeting…
NASA is Offering You the Chance to Live Like You’re in Outer Space — on Earth
If you’re the type who has come to embrace the pandemic world of virtual meetings, rare social outings, and telecommuting, NASA may have just the gig for you. As you’ll know unless you’ve been living under a moon rock, the federal space agency is under presidential orders to send the…
To Many at HISD’s Thursday Meeting, Masks Are Just a Dirty Word
At Houston ISD’s board meeting Thursday, one unmasked speaker after another came forward for their one minute of comment to declare that masks don’t work, that masks are dirty and are more dangerous than COVID, and that children can’t get COVID-19 anyway. When it was Dr. Christina Propst’s time to…
Rise Against Brings First Tour In Two Years To Bayou Music Center
Rise Against Bayou Music Center August 13, 2021 “We sow seeds to see us through / ‘Cause sometimes dreams just don’t come true / We wait to reap what we are due.” Since last March, I’ve dreamed of live music. At times, it felt silly to mourn the loss of…
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians Rhapsodize At The Heights Theater
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians The Heights Theater August 12, 2021 The story is pretty well known (and possibly apocryphal): a teenage Edie Brickell hops onstage at a Deep Ellum bar to sing with some former high school classmates. Fast forward a few years, and the debut album of the…
Openings and Closings: Railway Heights is Open, Heartbeet Vegan is Coming
Railway Heights Market, 8200 Washington, began its soft opening August 4. The new market hall comes from Nomad’s Hospitality, the creators behind Conservatory Food Hall, the first food hall in Texas and Bravery Chef Hall, the first chef hall in the United States, according to a press release. The new…
Deshaun Watson: “Why Are Y’all Always Filming Me Every Day?”
At SportsRadio 610, where I host every morning from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., we have been branding Texans training camp as “Camp Caserio,” named after the new architect of the organization, general manager Nick Caserio. It’s clearly Caserio’s show out there, but the focal point and center of attention,…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
CODA
Title: CODA Describe This Movie In One “Family Is Family” Lyric: KACEY MUSGRAVES: They own too much wicker and drink too much liquor You’d wash your hands of them, but blood’s always thicker Brief Plot Synopsis: High schooler charts own path while dealing with deaf family. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Houston Restaurant Weeks and Fundraisers for Pups
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Houston Restaurant Weeks All month long through Labor Day Houston Restaurant Weeks is continuing its run now through Labor Day, with restaurants all over the city joining in to offer prix fixe menus in support of the Houston Food…
Abbott And Dems Go At It In Legal Fights Over Masking As GOP Lawmakers Ignore Delta
A rational person might think that the worsening spread of COVID-19 triggered by the insanely contagious Delta variant that’s left Texas hospitals on teetering on the edge of catastrophe would be the number one thing the Republicans who control all the levers of Texas government would be focused on right…
The Outcrowd Will Celebrate the Release of Their 2nd EP at Big Star Bar
It’s never easy to be the new kid in town but Houston’s The Outcrowd has managed to smoothly join the Houston music community during one of the hardest times for musicians. They will celebrate the release of their second EP, The Outcrowd Vol. 2 on Friday, August 13 at Big…
What Are Andre Johnson’s Hall of Fame Chances in 2022?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has seen players with the Houston Texans as part of their history discussed for induction, or in the case of someone like Ed Reed (and his tumultuous half season with the team in 2013) actually inducted. However, the Texans have never had someone viewed…
Zach Person Maps His Own Course to Music Stardom
When Zach Person was a student in Fort Bend County’s schools, he must have been an A student in geography class. The 24 year-old guitar phenom has drawn his own map to indie rock success and his skilled musical cartography will soon see him playing dates across Europe this fall…
Best Bets: Psycho, A Golden Jubilee, and An Afrofuturist Affair
An outdoor film screening, costume party, and socially distanced dance performance all made this week’s list of best bets.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Test Your Heat Tolerance at Phat Eatery
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: In honor of National Fajita Day, Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, 3601 Kirby, is offering its fan favorite Fajita’s Al Carbon (beef/chicken $24) for two or more can be enjoyed for 50 percent off Monday, August 16 through…
Houston ISD Formally Issues Mask Mandate As County Legal Fights Over Masks Heat Up
The rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19 throughout Texas and the resulting surge of sick coronavirus patients filling up state hospitals ahead of the upcoming school year has caused local leaders in Texas’ largest counties and school districts to push back against Gov. Greg Abbott’s attempts to forbid mask…
TX House Speaker Phelan Signs Arrest Warrants For 52 Democrats Still Missing From Austin
Tuesday night, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan officially signed 52 civil arrest warrants for all of the 52 House Democrats who have yet to report to the House floor for the second special session which began Saturday in an attempt to finally give his chamber the 100 members needed to…
These Young Rockets Won’t Win a Lot, but They Will Be Fun to Watch
The NBA’s summer league, held annually in Las Vegas, is the first way for young players to distinguish themselves to prospective teams. For many teams, it is simply an attempt to find a diamond in the rough. But, amid the stumbles and errant passes — and occasional highlight reel dunk…
Houston Concert Watch 8/11: Brad Paisley, Rise Against and More
Judge Lina Hidalgo last week raised Harris County’s COVID-19 threat level to from “significant” to “severe,” and she urged unvaccinated citizens to stay home. It’s a frustrating development, given the availability of vaccines and their proven efficacy at keeping folks out of the hospital. And then Tuesday it was announced…
Deshaun Watson Will Not Travel To Green Bay For Preseason Game
The saga between the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson has taken some intriguing turns this week. First, the mere fact that Watson returned to the practice field on Monday was surprising to many, including yours truly. From there, the fact that Watson seemed fairly upbeat, chopping it up at various…
A Day Devoted to Dining Out In Houston
We all have different ideas of a perfect day out and also with whom we want to spend an entire day. We have romantic dates with our significant others, kid-friendly experiences with our children and party nights with our pals. Then there are times you just need a friend. Just…
Head Cat Brian Setzer is Ready to Rumble on His Own
If you had to recreate the famous Iwo Jima banner-raising picture from World War II—but replace the soldiers with those who fly the flag for rockabilly music—Brian Setzer would be the guy on the ground planting the pole. Likewise, if you had to put four founding fathers on a Rockabilly…
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Jason Isbell Concert at The Woodlands Wednesday is Cancelled [UPDATED]
In an announcement Tuesday on the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion website, the venue now says that Wednesday night’s Jason Isbell concert is cancelled. Isbell had wanted to restrict attendance to only people who could show they were vaccinated against COVID-19 or who took a COVID test and were not positive…
Second Round of Overtime for Texas Legislature Sees Some Democrats Trickling Back to Austin
The second straight special session of the Texas Legislature has gotten off to a predictably slow start given that enough House Democrats who fled the state for Washington, D.C. last month to block GOP-backed voting restrictions have still refused to return to Austin to deny the House the 100 out…
713 Music Hall Announces Its Grand Opening Concert Lineup With Willie on First
Houston’s newest concert venue, 713 Music Hall, will welcome a Texas treasure as the special guest chosen to begin its much-anticipated Houston music annals. Willie Nelson & Family will be the first artists to perform at the downtown show space, located at 401 Franklin in the POST Houston complex. The…
Rise Against’s Joe Principe Talks New Album, Touring Again
“It was kind of like letting kids into a candy store,” bassist Joe Principe said of Rise Against’s first performance in almost two years. Two decades into their career, the seasoned punk rockers typically play venues with capacities in the thousands. But less than two weeks ago, the Chicago-based outfit…
Where Will Deshaun Watson Be Come Week 1 of the 2021 NFL Season?
Another Houston Texans practice brings another interesting twist in the ongoing saga between Deshaun Watson and his current employer (for now, at least). After nearly a whole week of padded practices and a scrimmage on Saturday where Watson was completely absent from those sessions, Watson showed up on the practice…
Tune-Yards’ Merrill Garbus and the Importance of Joie de Vivre
There might be a model for the sort of live show Merrill Garbus hopes to deliver to Tune-Yards fans anytime the band takes the stage. “If you want creativity, just go to a huge Rolling Stones arena show. That’s the type of energy we’d like to infuse in every small…
As Delta Hammers Texas, School Leaders Buck Abbott And Push For Mandatory Masks
As the Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to ravage Texas and the greater Houston area with the fall school year fast approaching, local education leaders in Houston and in some of Texas’ other largest school districts have chosen to push for sweeping new mask requirements for students and staff, despite…
Houston Texans Scrimmage Under the Lights — Four Winners, Four Losers
For the first time since 2015, the Houston Texans held a practice at night, under the lights, a one hour scrimmage for their loyal season ticket holders to get a look at what life might look like this season after the Deshaun Watson Era is officially over. (Make no mistake,…
Channeling The Spirits: Kalo Brings Her Blues Rock Back To Houston
Anyone who made it out for the first annual Brooklyn Twang Festival this past May at The Continental Club is sure to remember the explosive and stand out performance of Israeli born and Oklahoma based blues rocker Kalo. “I loved it,” says Kalo of her early summer performance. “I hope…
The Completely Insane Quest to Make an Alcoholism Vaccine
Vaccination has been on my mind a lot lately, mostly because I’ve been spending hours trying to tell people that ivermectin is not a substitute for a COVID vaccine. Even my own dad has bought into the lie that vaccination is some unsafe experiment being forced upon the populace. To…
This Week in Houston Food Events: A Tasty Back To School Dining Deal for Teachers
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Hatch Chile Fest at Central Market The 26th annual Hatch Chile runs now through Tuesday, August 24 at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, featuring Hatch products and dishes from fresh and fire-roasted peppers to Hatch green chile queso, Hatch…
The Box Tops Deliver a Letter to Houston
In many rock, blues, and country songs, written letters do not bring good or welcome news to the recipients. They usually carry messages about the death of a loved one, a dumping by a romantic partner, demands for payment or threats of retribution. But in 1967’s “The Letter” by the…
HISD Superintendent House Says He’ll Ask School Board To Approve Mask Mandate For District Students and Staff
Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House II announced Thursday night that he will ask the HISD school board to approve a face mask mandate for all students and staff on HISD campuses, buses and facilities during next week’s board meeting given Harris County’s decision to raise the local COVID-19 threat level…
As COVID-Strained Hospitals Send Patients Out Of State, Hidalgo Raises Harris County Threat Level To Red
A mere two weeks after Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo raised the county’s COVID-19 threat level for the first time in months, on Thursday she increased it once again, this time to its highest red alert level amid the catastrophic surge in cases over the past several weeks that’s led…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted:
The Suicide Squad
Title: The Suicide Squad Describe This Movie In One The Untouchables Quote: MALONE: Oh, what the hell. You gotta die of something. Brief Plot Synopsis: Supervillains might be super screwed. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4 of Limp Bizkit’s third album out of 5. Tagline: “They’re dying to save the…
Openings and Closings: Postino Town & Country Opens, Divino Closes
Postino Wine Cafe, 791 Town and Country Boulevard, will open August 9. This is the third Houston location for the brand, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The first opened in the Heights Mercantile in 2017, followed by the Montrose location a little over a year later. The all-day wine bar and…
Houston’s Derrick Lewis Plans to Swang and Bang at UFC 265
The world’s top MMA association returns to Houston for UFC 265 on Saturday. The action packed event includes the Interim Heavyweight Championship bout between H-town’s own, Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis and Ciryl “Bon Gamin” Gane. The hometown fighter is a hard-hitting brawler that shares the record of most UFC…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Get a Taste of Trill Burgers, the New Smashburger Concept from Bun B
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: National Farmers Market Week at Urban Harvest Farmers Market Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon 2752 Buffalo Speedway In honor of National Farmers Market Week (August 1–7), Urban Harvest will be hosting special activations at its Saturday Market. Guests can…
Disney vs. Netflix: Which Superhero TV Show Release Format is Best?
Sometime in 2020 I got very obsessed with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and watched all the movies from beginning to end. Now I’ve gotten through WandaVision, Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Loki, and I can’t wait for What If…? At the same time, I’ve heard the rumors that Charlie…
Betting Odds Lay Out Deshaun Watson’s Future Options
Deshaun Watson wants to get traded away from Houston as soon as possible. The Houston Texans want to trade Deshaun Watson, are listening to offers from teams around the league, and are willing to trade him for the right package. These are all things that we KNOW. What we don’t…
Abbott Calls For Second Special Legislative Session To Start Saturday After Democrat Walkout Killed His First
Early Thursday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott called for a new special session of the Texas Legislature to begin at noon on Saturday, August 7, mere hours after the end of the current special session which was thrown off course almost immediately once over fifty Texas House Democrats fled the state…
Turner Touts Back-To-School Vaccine Push As New COVID Wave Pushes Hospitals To Their Limits
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Wednesday a new month-long push to get more COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of Houston area students 12 years and older, their parents and school staff ahead of the fast approaching school year as the Delta variant continues to surge throughout the region amid a…
Best Bets: Tanabata, Lady Grey, and Xanadu
Check out our best bets to find our recommendations for the best of theater, film, and more happening this week.
Fruits Of His Labor: Houston’s Beloved Fat Tony Returns To Celebrate Exotica
This past July 28 was the fourth annual Fat Tony Day here in Houston and though the beloved rapper isn’t living in the city, the love and respect is strong and mutual between the city and the artist. “I was honestly surprised that so many people posted about it before…
Creating A Vision: Bobby Sessions Pushes Positive Thinking In Manifest
When Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé won a Best Rap Song Grammy for “Savage Remix” they not only repped Houston hard and made their city proud, but also made history with Beyoncé earning the highest number of Grammys ever by a male or female artist with a whopping 27 awards…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: King’s BierHaus Throws an All-You-Can-Eat Sausage Fest
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: August means it’s officially Sausage Fest time at King’s BierHaus, 2044 East T C Jester, 828 FM646 West. All month long, guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat sausages, from traditional cheesy kasewurst to exotic wild boar sausages and…
Lady Grey (in ever lower light) Sends Off Streaming Shows in Style
A young girl, felled for months due to a paralyzing virus, lays immobile as she is watched, considered, and examined by others. Later in life, that same girl, now a woman suffering a different tragedy, is the one who is watching, considering, examining. Only this time, it’s far more than…
Tale of the Tape, Disgruntled Player Category: Deshaun Watson vs. James Harden
Since Tuesday morning, the 2021 Houston Texans have been in somewhat of an uncharted territory. For the first time since he was rehabbing a torn ACL that ended Deshaun Watson’s rookie season in 2017, the team has been conducting practice without its franchise quarterback. On paper, the Texans are being…
Houston Concert Watch 8/4: Cheap Trick, J Balvin and More
We have more in-person concerts for your consideration this week, and we hope to see you out there. Cheap Trick Arena Theatre – 08.05 Nearly 50 years since its inception and five years after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cheap Trick has returned with a…
Biles Takes Bronze in Balance Beam After Surreal Olympics
After a surreal Olympics that saw the world’s most medaled gymnast on the sidelines for most of the women’s artistic gymnastics finals, Simone Biles returned to competition on Tuesday, taking bronze for her performance on the balance beam. While bronze would have been seen as a disappointment two weeks ago—many…
Fort Bend County Ups COVID Threat Level As School Year Approaches And Delta Variant Surges
Even though Fort Bend County has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate of all Texas counties, Fort Bend County Judge KP George announced Tuesday that the Delta variant of the coronavirus has caused local virus metrics to spike enough for him to raise the county’s COVID threat level from…
Ishida Dance: Contemporary Dance Complete With a Story Comes to the MATCH
The first thing you have to know is that unlike much of contemporary dance, the choreographed works by Brett Ishida have a narrative arc. The second thing to know is another first thing: she writes the story before planning the dance moves. On August 19-21, Ihisdra brings her Faraway, So…
Kaelen Ohm’s “15 Step” Program for Creative Success
There’s a song of particular brilliance in Kaelen Ohm’s life, one she claims “completely turns the energy up in my body to like 100, you know? It’s like every cell and bone and tissue in my body is just going crazy with this song.” Ohm is a busy actress, filmmaker…
Deshaun Watson Absent From Texans’ Practice With Reported Foot Injury
On Monday of this week, the Houston Texans practiced, for the first time in 2021, in front of a group of their fans, largely season ticket holders with a few exceptions mixed in. As had been the case throughout the first week of training camp, quarterback Deshaun Watson was in…
Houston’s Clay Melton Goes Back to Blue on Pandemic-created EP
It’s been less than a week since the passing of ZZ Top bassist/singer Dusty Hill. And for Houston-based blues rocker Clay Melton, it’s interesting timing since the opening cut off his just-released EP Back to Blue is a cover of That Little Ol’ Band from Texas’ “Jesus Just Left Chicago.”…
Who Are Locks To Make the 2021 Houston Texans?
There’s a term that NFL players use to describe the moment that the reality of being a professional football player hit them. It typically happens sometime in training camp of their rookie years, and the term is your “Welcome to the NFL Moment.” It’s typically a moment that involves something…
One of the Most Insane Houses in Houston is for Sale
My wife and I are saving up to buy our first home, so we spend a lot of time perusing the listings in Houston trying to decide what we’d like in a house. Most of the time, the offerings on places like HAR.com are your run of the mill homes…
Long River Sessions Brings Houston Music Home
One of Houston’s newest, most promising video music series isn’t shot on a fancy soundstage in a TV studio. It’s not filmed in a chic arts gallery or a funky warehouse space. The series is called Long River Sessions and its episodes, featuring jam sessions by bands hand-selected to boast…
Simone Biles Will Perform in the Individual Balance Beam Final
Houston’s Simone Biles is about to be back in the saddle, so to speak. After sitting out the Tokyo Olympics for a week due to mental health concerns, the famed gymnast, 24, has been cleared to compete in the final women’s artistic gymnastics event, the balance beam final, according to…
Still Burning: Red Dwarf Celebrates Its One Year Anniversary
The past year with its pandemic fears and restrictions was not a time in which many would choose to open a new venue. All the unsettling news aside, three Houstonians decided to go ahead and open Red Dwarf in Midtown. This Saturday, August 6, Red Dwarf will celebrate its one…
What’s Next For George P. Bush?
After former President Donald Trump ended his notable silence on the Texas Attorney General race last week and blessed Texas’ beleaguered incumbent AG Ken Paxton with his coveted endorsement for reelection, fans of the sport of Texas politics quickly turned their thoughts to Bush dynasty scion and current Texas Land…
Jodie Whittaker Only Got 74 Percent as Much Doctor Who
Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to play the lead in Doctor Who, has announced that she will be stepping down after the upcoming thirteenth season of six episodes and three specials leading to a finale next fall. The announcement also gave us our final episode count for the Thirteenth Doctor,…
Zamrock Doc Celebrates Spell of the WITCH
It seems that the 1970’s transmitted more musical styles into the public’s ears than any other in history: disco, punk, funk, new wave, heavy metal, reggae, glam, prog and the beginnings of rap. One genre that had a small but dedicated following is Zamrock. It originated in the country of…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Tropical Drinks and Whole Kalua Pig for White Linen Night
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, August 2 Pro-Choice Summer 2021 Happy Hour Series at Johnny’s Gold Brick Local women-led organization I’ll Have What She’s Having — which unites chefs, hospitality professionals and physicians to raise health awareness and improve health care access — continues its Pro-Choice…
Jason Mraz Belatedly Kicks Off Summer at White Oak Music Hall
In a summer bereft of outdoor shows, Jason Mraz made it worth it on Saturday night.
Simone Biles Withdraws from Uneven Bars and Vault at Olympics
Houston’s Simone Biles is now officially not competing on the uneven bars and vault at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Withdrawing from these events in particular makes sense given the more thorough explanation that has since emerged about what sent the world’s most awarded gymnast into a tail spin during an…
Jalen-sanity: Rockets Get Four Teenagers Including Jalen Green in the Draft
The Rockets have not had a first round draft pick since 2015 and have not drafted in the NBA lottery since 2012. You have to go all the way back to 2002 to find a choice in the top five — Yao Ming — but they got back in the…
Hella Mega Tour and Houston Celebrate the Return of Stadium Shows
Hella Mega Tour Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, The Interrupters Minute Maid Park July 29, 2021 Some time back, Green Day released a song called “Longview,” and despite its name it could not have foreseen a global pandemic nearly 30 years in the future. When the band summoned it…
Openings and Closings: Georgia James Tavern Opens, Night Shift Sneaks In
Georgia James Tavern, 777 Preston, opened at Market Square Tower July 27 as we reported here in the Houston Press. The casual offshoot of chef Chris Shepherd’s steakhouse, Georgia James, takes its place on the ground floor of the high rise building which houses luxury apartments. This makes the sixth…
Dave Koz Is Jazzed About Multiple Musical Projects
With Pandemic Times headed toward the year and a half mark, we are starting to see the tidal wave of new music—in all genres—from artists who have been cooped up in their homes and studios. Many acts have gotten out one record, but overachieving jazz saxophonist Dave Koz has recently…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Get to Know the New Georgia James Tavern
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Opening Weekend at Georgia James Tavern Friday-Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m. (Tuesday-Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m., and lunch hours are coming soon) 777 Preston Georgia James Tavern has officially opened its doors in Market…
The Emancipation of Evil-Lyn
Warning: Spoilers for Masters of the Universe: Revelation The new Netflix Masters of the Universe series surprised me in a lot of ways, but the biggest one was that I started to care a lot about Evil-Lyn. Played by Lena Headey, it’s definitely her show and one of the finest…
Four Thoughts on the Texans’ Stunning Randall Cobb Trade
Here is my quick update for Day 2 of Houston Texans Training Camp — Deshaun Watson was back out there sweating with his teammates, and sweating with them was about all he did with them. Compared to Day 1, Watson participated in even fewer drills, spent even less time chatting…
Simone Biles Owes Us Nothing
The decision of Simone Biles to pull herself out of both individual and team competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics shocked the world. Less shocking is how a young woman (and a Black woman at that) experiencing a mental health episode would be immediately demonized. Texas Deputy Attorney General Aaron…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Olympic Specials and a Refreshed Cocktail Menu
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Julep, 1919 Washington, has introduced its first original menu since reopening, focusing on the origin stories of migrant ingredients sourced from other countries and offering a brand new food menu curated by veteran chef Kate McLean. Alongside the…
Ellen Foley Comes Out Fighting and Remembers Meat Loaf & Jim Steinman
While her place in pop culture and rock history is secured as Meat Loaf’s duet partner on the epic “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” Ellen Foley is just as importantly a multi-hyphenate entertainer whose long resume includes credits in movies, television, musical and theatrical roles on and off Broadway, and…
Best Bets: Frozen Treats, Numbers Night Club, and Shakespeare on Film
It’s hot outside, but we’ve got a couple of reasons to stay cool in doors in this week’s best bets.
Deshaun Watson Returns To Most Awkward Texans Training Camp Ever
This is my 15th season covering Houston Texans training camp, and in that much time, you definitely see some strange things, experience some awkward moments. I mean, it’s not a reach to say that I’ve probably covered nearly 1,000 players in that time frame. You cover 1,000 players and the…
Dusty Hill of ZZ Top Has Died
Dusty Hill, the bassist for and founding member of ZZ Top, has died. News broke of Hill’s passing Wednesday afternoon when bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard issued a statement, which read: “We are saddened by the news today that our compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep…
Simone Biles Also Withdraws From Individual All-Around in a Post-Karolyi Era
After her shocking withdrawal from the U.S. women’s gymnastics team finals on Tuesday due to mental health concerns, Houston’s own Simone Biles has now—perhaps less surprisingly—announced that she will not be competing in the individual all-around competition, and will be evaluated daily to see if she can compete in the…
Hear It On The Hill: The Miller Summer Mixtape Series
Houstonians who grew up in the city can probably all recall a yearly field trip to the Miller Outdoor Theatre. Memories of warm spring days rolling down the large hill with your classmates in the busy area surrounded by The Museum of Natural Science, The Houston Zoo and Hermann Park are…
Houston Concert Watch 7/28: Hella Mega Tour, Robert Ellis and More
There’s quite a bit of good music coming through town this week. We hope to see you out and about. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Harris County (and in the rest of the country), but the silver lining is that hospitalization rates among vaccinated folks remain low. So…
ROCO Weaves Musical Threads Throughout Upcoming Season
ROCO recently announced its 2021-22 season, which marks year number 17 for the organization to offer the most fun an audience can have with chamber and classical music. Centering around the theme of “Musical Threads,” the programming offers a well-rounded lineup of exciting world premieres, collaborations, and a continued exploration into Houston’s unique spaces.
Five Teams Hoping Nick Caserio Waits Until 2022 To Trade Deshaun Watson
There is really no precedent for, and nothing normal about, the Houston Texans’ current relationship with their star quarterback, Deshaun Watson. At least for the time being, he is still their star quarterback. The presence of 22 plaintiffs suing Watson, along with his longstanding request for a trade, will make…
Georgia James Tavern Opens Tonight
It’s always big news when one of Houston’s best chefs opens a new restaurant and the news can’t get much bigger than James Beard Award Winning chef Chris Shepherd’s debut of his new Georgia James Tavern at the luxury hi-rise Market Square Tower, smack dab in the middle of downtown…
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Texas Children’s Confirms It Has Some COVID Kids On Ventilators [UPDATED]
It’s not just unvaccinated adults who’ve ditched their face masks who are being hit hard by the Delta COVID-19 variant’s rapid spread. Houston’s Texas Children’s Hospital has also seen a disconcerting uptick in the number of sick kids laid low by Delta in recent weeks. Despite the popular misconception that…
Simone Biles Is Out of U.S. Team Competition in Tokyo [UPDATED]
Going into the Tokyo Olympics, we Houstonians were blithely certain that the most accomplished gymnast to ever come out of this town, 24-year-old Simone Biles would once again dominate the Women’s Gymnastics competition. But that assumption was upended Tuesday morning when Biles abruptly pulled out of the competition. The announcement…
Judgment Week: Preview of the Most Important Houston Sports Week All Year
Anybody following Houston sports over the last year or so knows that it’s been one of the more tumultuous periods in the sports history of your fair city. Despite the Houston Astros’ best efforts to keep afloat the golden age of sports that it appeared we were on the cusp…
HISD Superintendent House Says Delta’s Rapid Spread Hasn’t Yet Altered Plans For In-Person Classes
As the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus silently swarms throughout the Lone Star State, the pandemic in Texas has taken an undeniable turn for the worse in recent weeks. With hospitalizations for the deadly disease rising to heights not seen in months and new daily case counts rapidly…
Classic Rock Titans and Friends: Harrison and Clapton
One of rock and roll’s most enduring friendships was between George Harrison and Eric Clapton. From December 1964 when they first crossed paths during a Beatles Christmas show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon (Clapton was playing with the Yardbirds) up to Harrison’s 2001 death, the pair shared recording studios, concert stages,…
Fox News is Trying to Kill My Dad (And Probably Yours, Too)
I spent a very frustrating weekend trying to convince my father to go get vaccinated. He’s in his 70s with both multiple sclerosis and lymphoma. With the Delta Variant running through the unvaccinated population like a grim reaper that has discovered mechanized farming equipment, I decided the time was right…
First Look: The Chipper in Katy
The prairies of Katy might seem an unusual place for a British chip shop to land but in a strip center near Katy Mills Mall, The Chipper is bringing a taste of the British Isles to its residents. I was attending the opening of Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in Katy…
Growing Up Poor and the Art of Video Game Item Hoarding
Something comedian Robin Tran said has stuck hard with me: “I think there’s a lot of unexamined panic from fearing scarcity and it comes up in random ways, not using items in video games, not throwing away leftovers.” That sentence hit me like a train because I grew up poor…
The Dollyrots Return to Houston, Where It (Sorta) All Started
Like lots of bands, The Dollyrots are anxious to return to touring. When the L.A.-based band kicks off its Like an Animal Tour this week in Texas, they’ll stop through Houston. While we’re seemingly absent from many tour schedules recently unveiled during the re-emergence of live shows, Luis Cabezas and…
Deshaun Watson Officially Reports To Texans Training Camp
As I’ve been saying for weeks, both on the radio and in this space, barring some sort of action from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or the Houston Police Department, Deshaun Watson was going to be faced with a decision come this week — either hold out from Texans’ training camp…
Single Tickets Go on Sale Today For Houston Ballet Live and In-Person
At Houston Methodist’s physical and occupational therapy center in Sugar Land, the walls are lined with large photos of the hometown pro teams — the Astros and the Texans — that go to Methodist for health care advice and treatment. Uniform shirts of the top professional players are proudly displayed…
Foghat Celebrates 50 Years of Fast Licks and Slow Rides
Roger Earl was all of 12 years old when he went through an experience that his tsk-tsking mother said affected his mental condition. That may have been true, but it also set him on a life and career path that, at age 75, he wouldn’t have traded for anything. “There…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Houston Restaurant Weeks Makes its Tasty Return
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, July 27 “Rheinstone Cowboy” wine event at Feges BBQ Spring Branch Guests can enjoy “Rheinstone Cowboy,” a wines of Germany takeover at Feges BBQ Spring Branch, 8217 Long Point, from 5 to 7 p.m. The BBQ spot will be offering…
Hidalgo Asks Vaxxed to Re-Mask As Dr. Peter Hotez Says Most Folks In COVID Wards “Are There By Choice”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo called in nationally recognized coronavirus expert Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine Thursday to help her spread two urgent messages: a plea that vaccinated county residents re-don their face masks given the latest local COVID-19 surge spurred by the highly contagious Delta variant,…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Wine, Cheese and BBQ Enchiladas
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Herradura Grand Barrel Bar Pop Up at Arnaldo Richards’ Picos Friday-Sunday 3601 Kirby Arnaldo Richards’ Picos is celebrating National Tequila Day with a weekend filled with activations, promotions, special menus and its Herradura Grand Barrel Bar Pop Up. On…
Los Lobos Pay Tribute to Hometown Music on Native Sons
Though they’ve long billed themselves since their 1978 record debut as “just another band from East L.A.,” Los Lobos is anything but that common. Their inventive and groundbreaking mix of rock, soul, blues, R&B and surf—all wrapped in traditional Mexican, mariachi and norteña music—have garnered them fans not just in…
Station Theater Re-Opens, Featuring COVID Expert Dr. Peter Hotez
The improv and sketch comedy scene across America has been hit very hard by COVID. Major locations like the iO Theater in Chicago and Dallas Comedy House announced permanent closures, and our own Station Theater was one of the first venues to shut its doors last March. Now, they are…
How College Football Realignment Rumors Would Affect Texas Schools
We are approximately ten years to the month removed from the last time that collegiate sports faced an earthshaking round of realignment. Once the summer of 2011 was over, Texas A&M had committed to leaving the Big XII for the SEC, Colorado and Utah would join the Pac-12, and the…
Openings and Closings: Pho Binh Now at Finn Hall, Trash Panda Next Week
Pho Binh at Finn Hall, 712 Main, opened July 19. Originally slated for the downtown food hall in March 2020, the pandemic delayed its arrival. The chefs in charge, Kevin Pham and Di Nguyen, also own Pho Binh By Night on Bellaire. There are seven iterations of the Vietnamese restaurant,…
Deshaun Watson Spotted Taking Pictures With Fans in New York City
When the Houston Texans cancelled their mandatory minicamp back in the middle of June, we were deprived of the first calendar event since Deshaun Watson’s trade demands and legal troubles became public whereby Watson would be contractually required to show up at NRG Stadium. By cancelling those three days of…
Home Of The Brave: Kory Quinn Celebrates His Latest Vinyl Release
Releasing an album is always a process that takes time, effort and thoughtful decision making. Now factor in the COVID-19 pandemic, limited opportunities to play live and the backed up vinyl plants all over the United States and it only becomes an even more complicated process. For singer-songwriter Kory Quinn’s…
Specialty Records Celebrates 75 Years of Rock History
While in his late twenties, Pittsburgh-area native Art Rupe decided he very much wanted to start a career in the entertainment industry—and ideally in the world of film. But he also had a lifelong love and deep passion for music, in particular gospel and R&B. So in 1945, he founded…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Kata Robata Brings Back its Epic Omakase
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Omakase is back at Kata Robata, 3600 Kirby. Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi’s menu fluctuates based on the types of fish that he sources each day from Japan, but it’s always a mix of cold and hot…
2021 Heisman Odds Have a Ton of Local Houston Intrigue
With each passing month in 2021, it’s somewhat refreshing to take a moment and be thankful that we aren’t in that same month from the previous calendar year, because chances are whatever activities or sports you are currently preparing to enjoy were somehow massively affected by COVID 12 months ago…
Best Bets: 18 Birthdays, Orphea, and A Friday Night Concert
If you’re looking for an excuse to stay in this weekend, we’ve got you covered in our Best Bets.
Ahoy, Matey! The Lone Star Pirate Festival Sets Sail Again
Whether the recent TikTok craze stirred your interest in sea shanties or you’ve been blowin’ th’ man down since you were a wee buccaneer, you’ll find riches galore in the rich tradition of seafaring music at the Lone Star Pirate Festival. The Jolly Roger sails over Warehouse Live Saturday, July…
Houston Concert Watch 7/21: Trae Tha Truth, Pancho Barraza and More
A few showers are in the forecast for today and tomorrow, but the weekend looks to be sunny and – by Houston standards in July – reasonably cool. Hope to see you at some shows. Sevendust Warehouse Live – 21 July Since 1994, Sevendust has sold millions of records, three…
Don’t Mourn Your Child Growing Up
There’s this parenting piece by Laurel Anne going on around on Facebook that’s been shared over seventy-thousand times about how you blink, and your children have already grown up. A sample: Whether you are enjoying where you are in motherhood today or not, don’t blink. Don’t wish for anything to…
Stages’ 2021-22 Season Complete With a New Managing Director
Fresh from her duties as managing director of Denver’s Curious Theatre Co., Katie Maltais will begin working as the new managing director of Stages and its theater complex The Gordy on August 1, sharing leadership duties and a commitment to community outreach with Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin. Her hiring the…
The Woodlands’ State Rep. Steve Toth Thinks Texas Needs Its Own 2020 Election Audit
If state Rep. Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) has his way, Texas will be the next red state that reevaluates the 2020 presidential election through a top-to-bottom “forensic audit” of the state’s elections results in Texas’ biggest counties. Toth’s proposed audit bill, House Bill 241, is the latest evidence that there…
Deshaun Watson’s Social Media Activity Indicates He’ll Play in 2021
We are approaching a crucial moment of truth in the Deshaun Watson saga next week, with the Houston Texans (and every other team in the league) welcoming their players back into the building for training camp. By the letter of the law in his contract, come Tuesday next week, Deshaun…
Comedy Audiences Are “Night and Day” From Before The Pandemic Says Stand-Up Mark Normand
Look at Hamiliton! Imagine Hamilton in a Funny Bone in Des Moines, you know? It wouldn’t work. But it works on Broadway… So you put comedy in there and people go: ‘Hey, this is pretty good.’”
So Much For “Community Control” As Delta Variant and Fourth of July Spur Local COVID Surge
Several weeks ago, most of the Houston area’s COVID-19 metrics were trending in the right direction. According to the Texas Medical Center, the spread of the coronavirus was slowing down, not speeding up, and that combined with low daily new case counts and falling hospitalizations put the region temporarily in…
Bayou City Comic Con Looks to Start Small
Longtime Houston event organizer Ginger Simon is looking to enter the comic con game this fall, and her first attempt looks like it just might be small and notable enough to work. The Houston fan convention scene is in a tumultuous state, and it’s not just because COVID in general…
Candytopia: How Sweet It Is
When I first saw Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka sing “Come with me and you’ll be in a a world of pure imagination,” I was all in. The idea of edible candy mushrooms and “you can even eat the dishes” was the stuff of dreams. My little brothers and I,…
Jason Mraz and the Freeing Power of Pure Imagination
Lately when he sits at the piano to write or rehearse, Jason Mraz said he’ll often find himself playing the melody to “Pure Imagination,” the song from the 1970s film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. There’s a line in the song which goes, “Anything you want to, do it…
Four Thoughts on the Astros’ Reported Interest in Max Scherzer
The latest odds to make the postseason for each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams came out on Monday, and right now, the Houston Astros are the third most likely team to participate in extensive October baseball, trailing only the Chicago White Sox (no odds posted, because they are…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Hop on the Houston Press Margarita Trail
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, July 19 Free beignets at Acadian Coast Acadian Coast, 2929 Navigation, will begin offering coffee and beignet service for breakfast. To celebrate the start of the new service, guests who visit on opening day can enjoy two free beignets. The…
Patrick’s Texas Senate Keeps Cranking Out Bills That With No House To Pass Them Will Never Get to The Governor
Texas House Democrats’ dramatic fly-out to Washington, D.C. last week left the state House at a standstill. But across the hall in Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Senate, Republican lawmakers were undaunted, rapidly passing a conservative laundry list of legislation that’s all but assured to die at the special session’s end…
Saved By A Song: Mary Gauthier Dives Deep Into The Healing Power Of Music
There is no real formula for writing a great song. For some artists, it comes through inexplicable, spontaneous bursts and others a constant stream of attempts, not all successful. Though there are countless books on the subject, songwriter Mary Gauthier’s recently released Saved By A Song: The Art And Healing…
Visit a Different Kind of Hawaii With The White Lotus Comedy/Drama on HBO
The White Lotus is HBO’s new comedy/drama miniseries created by Mike White, most known for writing School of Rock and the underrated HBO drama Enlightened. The White Lotus begins with its presumed end, a body being loaded on a plane, a tragic end to a vacation at a beautiful Hawaiian…
Comicpalooza Returns, With Mandalorians and Lokis Galore
Fan conventions used to be the domain of — in the words of Grace from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — geeks and dweebies (and to a lesser extent, wastoids and dickheads). Having attended gaming cons in the early ’80s, I can personally attest to the overwhelming unkempt white maleness of such…
Tacolandia Sale Tickets Available Now For the Return of the October Event
The seventh time is the charm. That’s what we’re counting on as the Houston Press and taco lovers get together in person once again this coming October for Tacolandia, a celebration of all things taco at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou. General admission and VIP tickets are on sale…
Irresistible Rock: Igor And The Red Elvises Return To Houston
Sometimes a dream is nothing more than a hazy memory that can be shaken off as the day begins and other times, it can feel like a bolt of lightning charged with a message for the subconscious. For Igor Yuzov of Igor And The Red Elvises many years ago, it…
Openings and Closings: ReikiNa Debuts, Concura and Shoot the Moon Open Soon
ReikiNa, 799 Town and Country Boulevard, will open at CityCentre July 15. The new tasting menu concept comes from Thomas Stacy, a former prep cook at the high-end sushi restaurant Uchi. The idea began as a series of private home dinners which Stacy hosted during the COVID-19 pandemic. While working…
Lauren Lakis Sculpts a Music Career
Lauren Lakis thought back to her first encounters with all things artistic. “I’m lucky because I had a mom who definitely encouraged all of that creative energy, as well as one of my mom’s sisters, my Aunt Marian — super encouraging in that regard. I mean, they had me with…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Saint Arnold Pub Crawls Are Back
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Saint Arnold Downtown Pub Crawl Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m. Market Square Park Saint Arnold Pub Crawls return this Saturday, starting with a downtown bar hop that starts and ends in Market Square Park. Crawlers can pick up their…
Day 5 in Exile: Phelan Hires a Jet to Haul AWOL Dems Back From D.C. But Has No Takers
The saga of Texas House Democrats in exile got even more entertaining on Day 5 with Willie Nelson in fund-raising mode for the AWOL Dems and Republican Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announcing Thursday afternoon he had a private plane standing by in Washington, D.C. ready to whisk the AWOL group…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain
Title: Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain Describe This Movie Using One Fandango Quote: GARDNER BARNES: Anyway, you know me; gotta roll, gotta bird dog, gotta cross females and fences. And if you’d all just … come with me, you’d see. Brief Plot Synopsis: Rolling stone can’t get no satisfaction. Rating Using…
Never Too Late: Paul Thorn Returns To Houston To Play Heights Theater
In Paul Thorn’s life he’s been the son of a preacher, a worker in a furniture factory, was discovered by Miles Copeland and opened for Sting before becoming an independent artist who also creates visual art and even recently had one of his pieces turned into a puzzle to add to…
Looking Into The Summer Flames: Gio Chamba Releases “Reflexion”
When thinking about the tropics, joyful images of sunshine and vibrant, natural beauty are usually the first things to come to mind, but as Houston’s Gio Chamba and his collaborators Paco Peor and Decima from Chicago explore in their new track “Reflexion”, the tropics also get dark. “It’s a crazy…
A Tale of Houston and Free Flying Through Space
Bruce McCandless II is the most famous man you probably don’t recognize despite having seen him thousands of times. That’s him above in one of the most iconic photographs ever taken during the space age. In the futuristic year of 1984, he did what no one ever had when he…
This Is The Way … To Comicpalooza 2021
Delta variant be damned, American (and Houston) are pushing to return to something resembling normalcy, and that means the return of our beloved Comicpalooza. The event was canceled last year, thanks to COVID, but returns in somewhat abbreviated fashion for 2021 (Saturday and Sunday only this year, with more outdoor…
Blues Rocker Mike Zito Testifies to the Resurrection
Though he lives roughly 93.2 miles east of our city in Nederland—itself roughly between Beaumont and Port Arthur—blues rock singer/guitarist Mike Zito has a soft spot for H-Town. Even if it might piss off some residents of yet another municipality a bit more northerly. “Houston is by far my favorite…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Pair German Wines and BBQ Like a “Rheinstone Cowboy”
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Acadian Coast, 2929 Navigation, will begin offering coffee and beignet service for breakfast on Monday, July 19. To celebrate the start of the new service, guests who visit on opening day can enjoy two free beignets…
When Does Davis Mills Take Over as Texans’ QB?
In the NFL, the most intriguing topics surrounding any of the 32 teams typically revolves around the quarterback position. The Houston Texans certainly fall in line with that trend in 2021, largely for the wrong reasons. Deshaun Watson is one of the most pivotal figures in the league this coming…
Houston Symphony Names Next Music Director
The Houston Symphony’s Board of Trustees President John Rydman and Executive Director and CEO John Mangum today announced Juraj Val?uha as the Houston Symphony’s next Music Director. An internationally acclaimed conductor, he will begin his appointment at the launch of the Symphony’s 2022–23 Season as the fifth music director to hold the Houston Symphony’s Roy and…
Texas Author Invites Children to Sing with Selena
While she was not a native daughter of the Texas city, Corpus Christi has certainly claimed Selena Quintanilla—the late singer who has since become an icon—as a favorite daughter. Diana López was born and raised in Corpus Christi, and has now returned there after many years in San Antonio while…
The Seven Most Bizarre Shark Movies
Ever since Jaws defined the modern summer blockbuster, there’s been something about sharks that has bitten into the human mind and never let go. More than any other animal and even more than some monsters like vampires, sharks remain a go-to symbol of evil for aspiring (and hack) horror filmmakers…
Houston Concert Watch 7/14: Paul Thorn, Z-RO and More
Rain, rain and more rain is on its way, Houston. If you don’t feel like your goulashes on and meeting us up for some live music this week, there are some live-streaming options you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap…
Between Baking and Wipeouts, Comic-Host Nicole Byer is Too Busy To Slow Down
“…I didn’t get to watch the Rugrats because I didn’t have cable growing up because my parents were fucking cheap and wanted to deprive me of fun and good times!”
Pro-Choice Advocates File Lawsuit Hoping To Block Texas’ New Abortion Law
A broad group of abortion providers and pro-choice advocates joined forces Tuesday by filing a federal lawsuit they hope will block Texas’ recently passed law — that would ban abortions as early as six weeks — from going into effect later this year. Senate Bill 8, the controversial bill which…
Defiant Texas Dems In D.C. Tell Abbott To Quit Holding Lege Hostage, Demand Congress Act on Voting Bills
To begin their first full-day of self-imposed exile in Washington, D.C., the Texas House Democrats who fled the state Monday afternoon spoke in front of the U.S. Capitol Tuesday to explain why they felt they had no choice but to skip town to prevent Texas Republicans from forcing through new…
Tacolandia Returns to The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou
With the help of presenting sponsor Mission Foods, the Houston Press is happy to announce the return of Tacolandia to The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou on October 16. Because of health restrictions caused by the pandemic, the Houston Press presented Tacolandia Truck Stop in January which allowed patrons to…
Yacht Rock Revue Sees Smooth Seas Ahead in Post-Pandemic Tour
When the unwelcome house guest named COVID came knocking on the world’s front doors in March 2020, there were hundreds of bands literally in the middle of tours who had to abruptly cancel everything, pack up and head home. The Atlanta-based Yacht Rock Revue was on that list, though it…
No, Live Music Isn’t Done at Rudz
Last spring, Rudyard’s invited Houston Press into “the living room of Montrose” to see some of its new furniture, specifically a revamped stage for the longtime bar, restaurant and entertainment venue. We met with owner Lelia Rodgers and she recalled some of the best music nights in the venue’s history…
Which Houston Sports GM Job Is the Best One?
When it comes to the jobs of these three general managers in town — Nick Caserio of the Houston Texans, James Click of the Houston Astros, and Rafael Stone of the Houston Rockets — each of the roles comes with different benefits and challenges. Caserio and Stone can probably have…
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Texas Dems Plan To Flee Texas For D.C. Monday To Block GOP Election Bills A Second Time [UPDATED]
Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives are planning to fly to Washington, D.C. Monday in an attempt to halt the state Legislature from advancing controversial Republican-backed election bills during the ongoing special legislative session, sources close to state Democrats told to NBC News and The New York Times…
Jose Altuve Saves the Game and Loses His Shirt
It was a dumb internet rumor that, like so many conspiracies these days, mushroomed into opinions and investigations and QAnon-worthy online discussions.It wasn’t enough the Astros had been caught stealing signs assisted by the banging of trash can lids. It had to be worse. Thus began the theory that Jose…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Indulge in Caviar at a High Tea Soirée or Wine Pairing Dinner
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, July 12 Pro-Choice Summer 2021 Happy Hour Series at Dandelion Café Local women-led organization I’ll Have What She’s Having — which unites chefs, hospitality professionals and physicians to raise health awareness and improve health care access — continues its Pro-Choice Summer…
The Will to Create in Bo Burnham: Inside
Bo Burnham: Inside debuted on Netflix the last day of May 2021. Viewers then spent all of June talking about the special — written, directed, filmed, edited and starring the comedian/musician — in mostly glowing terms. It’s now July and there’s no indication that interest in or discussion of the…
Texas GOP Jumps Into Round Two Of Election Reform Fight As Special Session Kicks Off
The special session of the Texas Legislature ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott is well underway, and lawmakers worked through the weekend filing and debating new laws that fit within Abbott’s narrowly-tailored list of conservative priority items, the only topics lawmakers are allowed to legislate on in the weeks ahead. Seeing…
The Urban Cowboys Ride Again: Mickey Gilley And Johnny Lee Resume Tour
It is impossible to separate Country music legend Mickey Gilley from the hit film Urban Cowboy, which celebrated its fortieth anniversary last year. To celebrate the occasion, Gilley and his fellow Texas legend Johnny Lee set off to embark on another Urban Cowboy Reunion tour, except this one was cut…
Summerland Tour, Ever So Slowly, Brings Us Back
It wasn’t perfect, but Everclear’s show at Arena Theatre shows normalcy is not far away.
Astros Slowly Stretching Their Division Lead
If there were ever worries about the Astros in the AL West early this season, they seem to be fading. After a forgettable 2020 (in more ways than one), it was tempting to wonder if the Stros had the arms and the continued firepower to look like the team that…
Openings and Closings: Paul Friedman’s Chef’s Table, Gratify Replaces Punk’s
The Chef’s Table, 110 Vintage Park, will celebrate its grand opening July 19. The new restaurant takes over the original home of Peli Peli which lured in nearby residents to Vintage Park for years. It’s a fitting return for chef/owner Paul Friedman who was the CEO, partner and executive chef…
The Power Of Pause: Nikki Lane Returns To Houston
The past year’s global change of pace even forced the highway queen herself, Nikki Lane, to slow her roll but now that live music is returning so is she, as she is scheduled to perform this Sunday at Warehouse Live. “I can’t wait to be back at my normal job and back…
Could the Rockets Wind Up with Cade Cunningham?
The month before the NBA Draft is rife with rumors about teams moving up or moving down, players rising and falling on draft boards. This year is certainly no different except that here in Houston we have a team drafting high enough and with enough needs to justify discussion. The…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Monkey’s Tail Celebrates Two Years
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Wheelie Fun Bike Ride at Eureka Heights Brewing Co. Friday, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. meetup) 941 West 18th Eureka Heights invites cyclists to enjoy its monthly “Wheelie Fun Bike Ride,” rallying at the brewery around 6:30 p.m. and rolling…
Playground Legends: The Palmer Squares Help Elevate the Game
The best athletes in any sport have a common desire to take their sport to the next level. Ask Acumental and Terminal Knowledge, the rap duo known as The Palmer Squares, and they’ll tell you that’s how Tony Hawk became identifiable to folks who don’t know a regular from a…
FBI Investigating Claims That Harris County Constables Molested Female Deputies In Drunken Undercover Party Stings
An explosive federal lawsuit against Harris County Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen and two other department officials alleges that Rosen’s office routinely held undercover “bachelor party” stings between 2019 and 2020 during which female deputies “were molested and traumatized by their intoxicated male commanding officers for their own sexual gratification.”…
Wild Northwest: Cowboy Surfer Offers Live Music In Memorial
It sounds like the start of a joke; a lawyer, an artist and a restaurateur walk into a strip mall in a city suburb and open a bar. Except this is no joke and there is no punchline, it is the true story of Cowboy Surfer, a new bar and…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Xmas in July and Half-Price Caviar
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Present Company, 1318 Westheimer, invites guests to sip frosty drinks for Christmas in July all month long. The festive bar will be decked out with a 20-foot inflatable Beach Santa on the roof and holiday decor,…
Best Bets: Lady Day, Sabrina, and Pancakes & Booze
We’re back with another list of best bets. Whether you want to watch theater from your couch or shovel pancakes in your face at a socially distanced party, we’ve got some suggestions of things to do this coming week. On July 2, the Catastrophic Theatre opened 30 Ways To Get…
Abbott Sets A Red-Meat Menu For Special Legislature Session Starting Thursday
Ending weeks of speculation, Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday morning finally unveiled the full list of items Texas lawmakers will be allowed to focus on during the upcoming special legislative session set to begin Thursday morning. “The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success for the people of Texas, but…
Spanish Village Restaurant Will Close July 17
It’s been a Museum District fixture for nearly seven decades, serving its famous queso, margaritas and enchiladas since 1953. Spanish Village is the second oldest Mexican restaurant in Houston, coming in after Molina’s which opened in 1941. It has served as a gathering place for families celebrating milestones and for…
Abbott Faces Fire From Left and Right On Legislative Funding Veto As New Opponent Enters the Fray
Gov. Greg Abbott has faced plenty of backlash after he vetoed two full years of funding for the Texas Legislature last month, his way of retaliating against state lawmakers who weren’t able to pass a Republican priority bill to make voting in Texas more difficult after foot-dragging from Republicans created…
Houston Concert Watch 7/7: Everclear, Patrice Pike and More
Happy Wednesday, Houston. I hope everyone had a good Fourth of July. This week’s forecast is wet, but at least the rain and overcast skies are expected to provide us a bit of a break from the heat. I suggest you dress accordingly – think rain boots – for live…
How Self-Identified “Liberals” Get Radicalized to the Far Right
I’ve spent the last couple of weeks reporting on both ivermectin as a COVID cure and the newest wave of dangerous anti-vaccination nonsense (spoiler: the two are deeply related). Since then, my email has been a non-stop neurotic cabaret of screwballs, but a lot of the anger comes from the…
Reagan Era Rejects Swing for the Fences on No Democracy
Alex Seay is a Houston Astros fan. You’re as likely to see the Reagan Era Rejects vocalist donning a ‘Stros’ ballcap as you are to see him wearing whatever passes as punk rock fashion these days. So, it seemed natural to pose the question: if Reagan Era Rejects (or, RER…
I Think COVID Might Have Irreparably Damaged Our Kids
Every Independence Day since my child was three, the Kid With One F has spent the night with my mother. Mum lives out on a big plot of land just outside Channelview where no one cares that the night will be filled with fireworks. Combined with my stepdad’s love of…
COVID-19 Under “Community Control” in Greater Houston, but Delta Variant and Other Questions Remain
It feels like the COVID-19 pandemic has finally gotten to a somewhat manageable state in the greater Houston area and much of the United States where life-saving coronavirus vaccines are free, widely available and remarkably successful at preventing hospitalizations, sickness and death from the virus that’s been a daily part…
French Impressionism Stars in the MFAH Exhibit From Monet to Matisse
Though he was of German-Argentinian descent and educated in the United States at Harvard, author philanthropist Georges Bemberg (1915-2011) had a passion for France, French culture, and in particular Impressionist art cultivated during his many years of residency there. Before he died, he created The Bemberg Foundation that oversees the…
Everclear Revisits a ’90s “Summerland” on Festival Tour
He’s most associated with cities on the far west coast like Portland, L.A., and “Santa Monica.” But if Art Alexakis says from the stage that “It’s great to be back in Houston,” he wants you to know it’s not just rote stage banter; he means it. Beginning in the spring…
Texas Magic: The Flatlanders Release Treasure Of Love
If the past year has taught us anything at all it’s that we can always expect the unexpected to happen. For fans of the legendary Texas trio The Flatlanders, this year will bring a special treat in the form of a highly anticipated new album. Treasure of Love, due out…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Sip for a Cause with the Women of “I’ll Have What She’s Having”
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, July 5 Pro-Choice Summer 2021 Happy Hour Series at Poison Girl Women-led organization I’ll Have What She’s Having, which unites chefs, hospitality professionals and physicians to raise health awareness and improve health care access, has responded to passage of the…
5 Things A Metroidvania Needs
Metroidvania is a term used to describe a certain sub-genre of video games that mimic the style of Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. In general, they are non-linear, two-dimensional side-scrolling action games that have a focus on exploring a huge area that is unlocked with power-ups. I’ve…
Which Awful Houston Trade Has Aged The Worst?
When it comes to player movement over the last year, we’ve endured quite a bit of it in Houston. Of all the means by which players have moved in and out of the city over the last year, it’s clearly the trades made by two of the three major organizations…
After Multiple Houston Kids Killed In Two Days, Turner and Chief Finner Say Hands Off Our Children
Ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner swore to the public they are doing everything in their power to put an end to a local wave of shootings that has left multiple Houstonians dead over the past week. Several…
Downtown Houston Streets Close For Sunday Fireworks
Houston’s Happy Fourth of July festivities — whether they come off or not depending on which weather forecast you believe — will require the closure of several streets which are listed below. In addition, according to a press release sent out Friday afternoon, unnamed roadways that are near these streets…
Openings and Closings: Howdy Homemade Heroes in Houston, Flight Club This Fall
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, 20920 Katy Freeway, will open July 22. The opening of the ice cream shop just so happens to coincide with Trae Day and local Houston rapper Trae Da Truth just happens to be a partner in the franchise, along with Roderick Batson, a longtime friend of…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Celebrate America (and Canada) This July Fourth
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: FriYay Rosé Courtyard Tasting at Brennan’s Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. 3300 Smith The Creole fine dining spot is celebrating rosé season with the return of its FriYay Rosé courtyard wine tasting, an al fresco, walk-around tasting featuring light…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: The Forever Purge
Title: The Forever Purge Describe This Movie Using One Rick and Morty Quote: VENDOR: Oh, have you been here before? RICK: No, no, but I’ve been to a few planets with the same gimmick. You know, sometimes it’s called The Cleansing or The Red Time. There was this one world that…
There’s Harmony and Humor with the BROS Currie on Side Project
It’s a well-worn trope—albeit one that seems to be true—that rock and roll brothers in the same band will battle and break up. Ask the Everlys, Gibbs, Wilsons, Fogertys, Davies, Robinsons, or Gallaghers. Hell, even the Dorsey brothers had a bitter feud with competing big bands back in the day…
Rating How Much We Miss Departed Houston Sports Figures
I remember when I was a kid, probably nine or ten years old at the time, and I first learned what it felt like to have your favorite player leave your favorite team. The team was the Boston Red Sox, and the player was future Hall of Fame catcher Carlton…
Ranking What the Rockets Might Do at Number Two
After letting out a rather large exhale when the Rockets landed the second spot in this year’s NBA draft, team faithful set to wonder just who the team might take. While the draft is still a month away, there is no shortage of discussion on social media and message boards…
The Jenny Thing: Uniting an ’80s Sound and ’90s History with Today’s Worldview
The plot line of middle aged men “trying to get the band back together” from their youth has been mined—usually for comedic purposes—by plenty of novels and movies. But the reunited four members of The Jenny Thing are plenty serious about reestablishing themselves in 2021. To that end, the ‘90s-born…
10 Fun Facts About Ivermectin, the COVID “Wonder Drug”
Ivermectin has been touted as the miracle cure to COVID-19 that is being actively suppressed by Big Pharma and the world’s governments. It’s become particularly popular with people who are against efforts to vaccinate the population against coronavirus. But what exactly is ivermectin? Let’s learn some fun facts together! 10…
Miller Outdoor Theatre Changes Ticket Policies Again to Better Assure Attendance
In response to the pandemic, Miller Outdoor Theatre instituted a new ticketing system in spring 2021. Instead of standing in line to at the Miller box office to get four free tickets in the covered seating, would-be patrons were asked to sign up online. Easier and more trouble free for…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits and Buckets of Fried Bird
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Housemade ice cream is back at Malaysian street food favorite Phat Eatery, 23119 Colonial Parkway, and through July 31, fans can take advantage of a limited-time special: get three pints for the price of two. Choose…
Trump Joins Abbott At Border Wall Briefing, But Can’t Stop Ranting About Russia, Hillary and 2020
Styled as a “border security briefing” for Donald Trump led by Texas Gov. Abbott and state law enforcement leaders, Wednesday’s press conference in the lower Rio Grande Valley came across more as a miniature political rally for Abbott’s reelection campaign and an opportunity for the governor, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick…
First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff Visit Houston To Push COVID-19 Vaccines
First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff made a trek to Minute Maid Park Tuesday evening ahead of that night’s Astros game against the Baltimore Orioles to lend a hand with a pop-up COVID-19 vaccinated clinic for local residents interested in getting one of the life-saving shots. Eager…
Putting the B In LGBT: James Park Doesn’t Let Labels Get In The Way
James Park leads his life as a proud bisexual man, and that acceptance has helped him to provide support to both family members and the students in his classroom.
Houston Concert Watch 6/30: NITE, Aaron Lewis and More
Happy Fourth of July, folks. Here’s hoping you find enjoy Independence Day find time to do something fun. Might we suggest a concert with friends? We’ve compiled some options for you below. NITE White Oak Music Hall – 1 July Based in Dallas, NITE comprises twin brothers Kyle and Myles…
Seven Reasons For Optimism Around Correa Signing An Extension With Astros
The question for Carlos Correa the last few seasons has never centered around his ability to be great, to be a Hall of Fame caliber shortstop. We’ve known that ability exists. We saw it when he won the 2015 Rookie of the Year award, we saw it when he made…
A Sampling of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Most Outlandish Statements In Recent Memory
Former Baltimoreon and current Texas Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has spent most of the past two decades clawing his way up the Lone Star State’s political power structure. Patrick parlayed his Houston conservative talk radio career into a 12-year stint as a state senator before he stole former Lt…
If You Haven’t Watched Hacks Then You’re Missing Something Spectacular
Hacks is HBO Max’s breakout comedy that follows Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), an aging comedy legend with a Vegas residency and all the money in the world that is by circumstance forced to work with a young comedy writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder), who has been pseudo-black-listed in the writing world…
How Many Houston Astros Will Be All Stars?
Coming into the season, perhaps the two most pressing questions for the Houston Astros centered around the two players who’ve been the centerpieces of the offensive uprising in 2021. First, Astro fans wanted to know “Was Jose Altuve’s abysmal 2020 an aberration, or is his $30 million per year contract…
Where to Eat and Drink in Houston This July Fourth Weekend, Including To-Go Options
It’s time to get Red, White and Boozed. July Fourth weekend is right around the corner, and these Houston bars and restaurants are celebrating America with tasty eats, cold drinks, and good times. From charitable burger kits and fried chicken buckets to-go to movie night in a beer garden and…
A.D. Players Announces its 2021-22 Season
A.D. Players has announced its 2021-22 post-pandemic season and will kick things off in in early October with Ken Ludwig’s new play, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, which tells the story of how his parents got together during World War II. In the 2019-20 season, A.D. Players had great success in commissioning…
The Volumaniacs’ Breakfast of Choice: Feedback with a Side of Nik and Lori
One thing the music programming of SiriusXM satellite radio has in abundance is variety. It seems like there’s practically a channel for every genre and style, including Albanian Jazz-Inflected Death Metal Featuring Klezmers. But when Senior Director of Talk Programming Roger Coletti went to The Powers That Be in 2016…
The Real Dangers in the False COVID Remedy Promoters Like Bret Weinstein
Two months ago, I implored people to get vaccinated against COVID instead of taking horse dewormer, and my email has been a circus train of screwballs ever since. By far, the largest number of messages I get implore me to seek out the work of Bret Weinstein, a “professor in…
Final Voting Starts Today To Send Astros to MLB All Star Game
This past Thursday, one phase of voting for Major League Baseball’s All Star Game ended, and starting at 11 a.m. today, a second phase begins. If the results of the first phase are any indication, it would appear that fans around MLB are not really in a punishing mood when…
What To Know About Shooting Off Fireworks This 2021 Fourth of July Holiday
Independence Day is almost upon us once again, AKA Christmas in July for fireworks aficionados and lovers of all things big, bright and explode-y. For the second straight year, Houston’s premiere Fourth of July celebration, Freedom Over Texas, will be a primarily digital affair with the usual slate of live…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Two Years at Monkey’s Tail and One Fifth Goes Italian-American
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, June 28 Fancy Steak Night at Johnny’s Gold Brick The Fancy Steak Nights at Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale, continue with Lucas McKinney of Hay Merchant. Steaks, cocktails and good times will be served starting at 6 p.m. (until sold…
Putting The G In LGBT: Clay and Thain Allen Double Up On Pride
Clay and Thain Allen are both men who are successful in their careers and enjoy sports. They’re also both gay, but they came out 10 years apart. This story is their journey to accepting their sexuality on their own terms.
Free Britney, B*tch!
Oops!…she transcended the media again. Not with record breaking album sales or a titillating MTV VMA performance, but with a terrifying courtroom testimony in a watershed moment that exposed her grim reality under the inhumane treatment of her conservatorship helmed by her father Jamie Spears — the only snake wrapped…
Black Children In Harris County Are Seized By CPS 3.5 Times More Often Than White Kids
Renequa Burch still wonders why exactly Child Protective Services moved so quickly to take four of her five kids away from her in the summer of 2018, but she’s convinced the fact that she and her children are Black had something to do with it. A social worker and mother…
Lady Day at Stages Opens Up the Heartache and Talent of Billie Holiday for All To See [UPDATED]
When iconic jazz musician Billie Holiday died in 1959 at NYC’s Metropolitan Hospital, she had been, only one week before, handcuffed to her bed. Once again, she was under arrest for narcotics possession. When she admitted herself under her friends’ insistence, nobody at the hospital knew who she was. Her…
Hair Metal Reigns With Warrant and Lita Ford at Warehouse Live
Warrant, Lita Ford Warehouse Live June 25, 2021 Jani Lane, Warrant’s original lead singer, said in a 1995 interview with Musician magazine that he knew the writing was on the wall for hair metal when he saw a huge poster for Alice in Chains’ Dirt hanging in the office of the…
Openings and Closings: Feges BBQ Spring Branch, Mo’ Better Brews
Feges BBQ Spring Branch, 8217 Long Point, opened June 20. This will be the second location of the barbecue restaurant from husband and wife Patrick Feges and Erin Smith. The first opened in the food court of the Greenway Plaza office complex in 2018. Feges is a Purple Heart recipient…
Shifting Of Energy: DEM Roots Release New Single “Feng Shui”
Feng shui is the ancient Chinese philosophy and practice focused on creating physical areas revolving around the natural energy of the space in order to promote positivity and well-being. It takes into account the five elements in nature, colors, shapes and locations of physical objects in the environment and for…
Reviews For The Easily Distracted: F9: The Fast Saga
Title: F9: The Fast Saga Describe This Movie Like Stefon from SNL: STEFON: New York’s hottest new club is “F9.” Director Justin Lin has gone *all out.* This place has everything: hot rods, motorcycles, child endangerment, throw-up music, beefy fisticuffs, and wish nonfulfillment. SETH: I’m sorry, “wish nonfulfillment?” STEFON: That’s…
KISS Rocks and Rolls All Nite for Two Nights on A&E Doc
Though he was born in 1973 – a bit too late to experience the impact of the band at its commercial and cultural peak – young D.J. Viola nevertheless became a hardcore KISS fan. Though he knows it wasn’t always easy for other kids to sneak that fandom past a…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Limited-Time Pop-Up, Pride Brunch and Rosé All Day
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Drag Dinner Show at Weights + Measures Friday, 7:30 p.m. 2808 Caroline Weights + Measures will host a Drag Dinner Show on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (and you can start the fun with happy hour from 3 to 6…
NBA Draft Historical Second Overall Picks — Four Winners, Four Losers
For longtime Houston Rocket fans, the next month or so is going to be somewhat unfamiliar territory. For new Houston Rocket fans, those who’ve jumped on board in the last seven or eight years, the next month will be COMPLETELY foreign territory, for the Rockets are about to use a…
Astros Are Destroying Teams During Win Streak
There was always a sense that a healthy Astros squad could do some damage at the plate and on the mound. Right now, the Astros are not fully healthy but they are leaving a trail of teams in their wake anyway. On Wednesday, the beat Baltimore 13-0, sweeping the series…
Opinion: Doxing is Not Some New Antifa Tactic; It’s Old Right-Wing Terrorism
One of the most frustrating articles I’ve read this year appeared in the Washington Post earlier this week. Crime reporter Robert Klemko did a deep dive into the life of Edward Jeremy Dawson, a man who has been a part of various far-right groups linked to violence like Patriot Prayer…
Beat The Heat With Punks And Pints Fest At SpindleTap Brewery
Houston’s notoriously hot days of summer have definitely arrived and there’s no better way to beat the heat than with a cold beer and some good music. SpindleTap Brewery is hosting just the event to celebrate summer with their first ever Punks and Pints Fest, a full day of local…
Mattress Mack Places Two Gigantic Seven Figure Bets on Astros To Win World Series
If a book were ever to be written about the history of business and commerce in the city of Houston, there would need to be multiple chapters dedicated to the life and career of Gallery Furniture owner Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale. With his iconic commercials — “Gallery really will SAVE…..
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A Tex-Mex Stalwart Celebrates 80 Years
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Chick’nCone, 1919 North Shepherd, has partnered with Houston rapper and restaurant regular Slim Thug to launch an off-menu fried chicken and waffle cone made with Slim’s sweet, savory, smoky and spicy ‘Hogg Life’ sauce. Experience it…
Going Underneath the Surface With The Pilot Dance Project
The Pilot Dance Project will present an evening of live, in-person dance concert called Underneath the Surface.
Feds Tell TxDOT To Pump Brakes On I-45 Expansion Over Civil Rights & Environmental Worries
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Wednesday celebrated a recent move from President Joe Biden’s Department of Transportation to attempt and stop the controversial plan to expand Houston’s I-45 highway from going forward. In a press conference with fellow Democrat and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, Hidalgo shared the contents…
Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road Will End Near Houston
Sir Elton John didn’t become one of the 20th century’s legendary musicians from sheer, unequivocal talent alone. To become one of the top-selling solo artists of all time (one diamond, 38 platinum or multi-platinum and 26 gold albums, if you’re counting) takes some tenacity, too. The Rocket Man’s determination to…
More Than 150 Employees Out At Houston Methodist For Refusing To Take COVID-19 Vaccine
Now that Houston Methodist’s last-chance deadline for its employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has passed, the hospital has announced that more than 150 workers have either quit or have been fired for noncompliance. The hospital’s original deadline for employees to take any of the three available coronavirus vaccines the…
We’re Number Two! Rockets Land Second Spot in the Draft Lottery
It was one of the more consequential moments for the Houston Rockets in many years, so much so they entrusted the moment to the greatest Rocket of them all, Hakeem Olajuwon. And when the ping pong balls finished bouncing at the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday night, they bounced the…
Houston Concert Watch 6/23: Charley Crockett, American Aquarium and More
Happy belated Juneteenth, Houston. Looks like we’re in for yet another rainy week. Still, it’s not like bad weather has ever stopped folks in the Bayou City from having a good time. So get out there and enjoy some live music. Charley Crockett White Oak Music Hall – 26 June…
Abbott Vetoed A Lot More Than Dog Protections And Legislative Funding This Year
Two of Gov. Greg Abbott’s vetoes have gotten seemingly all the buzz following the recently-adjourned state legislative session. The one that’s garnered the most attention was Abbot’s “line item veto” of the part of the state budget which funds the entire legislative branch (and its hundreds of non-partisan employees) which…
Bellaire High School Teacher Writes A Book About Dubsmash, TikTok and Dancing With His Students
Dr. Trevor Boffone, the Bellaire High School Spanish teacher who embraced the music and dance of many of his students at the school, has written a book involving that experience and ways of building community through social media due to be released on July 2 Renegades: Digital Dance Cultures from Dubsmash…
Branagan Brews a Strong First Serving on Its New EP
Your favorite bands all started somewhere. They shook suburbia’s two-car garages, rented storage units or overtook abandoned warehouses to explore their sounds. Branagan is the only band we personally know which began its music journey in a roastery. From that unique setting, the Houston group has fittingly slow-roasted an intoxicating…
Las Vegas Raider Carl Nassib Becomes First Openly Gay NFL Player
Earlier this week on Monday, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib announced on Instagram that he is gay. This made Nassib the first openly gay ACTIVE NFL player, and while that is certainly momentous news, perhaps equally momentous and encouraging is the fact that the reaction was a wave…
Warrant Brings Houston a Special Slice of Cherry Pie—Plus Eddie Trunk!
To his listeners across the country on various radio shows and a podcast—but most prominently his daily Trunk Nation program on SiriusXM—Eddie Trunk is an Oracle of All Things Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Add Prophet to the list, since something he’s been saying nearly since the pandemic started has…
Houston Astros Remain In Hunt at Every Position For MLB All Star Game
If there was one thing evident from this past weekend’s Houston Astros’ sweep of the Chicago White Sox, aside from the fact that the Astros are clearly among the best teams in the sport right now, it’s that some fans and media of opposing teams are still having a hard…
Growing Pains: Bob Schneider Reflects On Life And Death On New Album
Benjamin Franklin set a clear expectation about life when he said in a letter to a friend that the only certainties were death and taxes. For Austin-based and beloved artist Bob Schneider, the first was heavy on his mind while writing his new album In A Room Full of Blood…
Yep, Sitting on Senator Ted Cruz’s Lawn Will Get You Arrested As Climate Change Protesters Discover
Members of a group of activists who walked all the way from New Orleans to Houston to bring awareness to climate change, experienced an up close and personal with Houston police Monday who arrested eight of them after repeatedly telling the protesters to get off the grass at Sen. Ted…
Mad Dogs and Democrats (& Republicans) Left Out in the Cold by Gov. Greg Abbott
The same Texas governor who on Friday followed through with his vow of retribution for the walkout by Democrats that (for now) sank the voting “reform” bill by defunding the Texas Legislature, inexplicably on Sunday also vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have provided better protections for dogs in the…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Pride Cookies and a Refreshed Cocktail Menu
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Asian Restaurant Month Now through July 4, the Asian Chamber of Commerce of Houston is showcasing Houston’s plethora of Asian restaurants with self-guided food tour maps and interactive dining guides available to peruse online. Monday, June 21 Bluefin…
Deshaun Watson Breaks Instagram Silence With Workout Video
For any of us following the Deshaun Watson legal saga, the silence from both sides has been somewhat excruciating over the last month and a half. Texan fans want resolution so the team can trade Watson. The teams that would theoretically line up to trade for Watson seek resolution, as…
Can’t Escape the Astros Hate on a Trip to the Jersey Shore
Nearly every year, I travel with my wife to the South Jersey Shore to visit with her family. These are all incredibly intelligent and lovely people. We spend a week on the beach in much cooler weather and eat…a lot. I even wrote about my quest for great sandwiches there…
Chris Thomas King Writes Fiery Reassessment of Blues History and Meaning
Every so often, a music book comes along that challenges the work which precedes it, creates much discussion (and sometimes consternation), and causes both proponents and detractors to either reexamine or double down on long held beliefs. This book, by folk-blues-rap artist Chris Thomas King, certainly fits that description. Something…
Ms. Pat Finding Her New Groove by Playing Clubs and Prepping Her New BET+ Sitcom
“The really good thing about BET+ is they let me be me… They didn’t try to hush me up and I’ll tell you this: I’m NOT Claire Huxtable!”
Openings and Closings: Barrel of Monkeys Hospitality Launches, Layne’s Chicken Fingers Houston
Barrel of Monkeys Hospitality, a newly-formed restaurant group from Monkey’s Tail owner, Jessie Gonzales, launched June 2021. Gonzales founded Monkey’s Tail in 2019 and Barrel of Monkeys Hospitality plans to open several more concepts in the next few years including Grease Monkey, which will open this fall in the Oak Forest/Garden…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Where to Get Grub This Father’s Day
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: One Year Anniversary at Becca Cakes Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 1207 West 34th In celebration of the first anniversary of its storefront bakery and to thank its customers, Becca cakes will be offering birthday specials, including a…
Allen Hill Says “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!” to Love
Allen Hill has long been a staple and stalwart of the Houston live music scene, and a charter member of the Continental Club Mafia. That group of players known for switching among multiple (often cover) bands, and whose performance base is at the Midtown venue. However, Hill has begun stretching…
Texans GM Caserio: Decision on Watson Coming “Closer To Training Camp”
With the cancellation of mandatory minicamp by the Houston Texans last Friday, a session that was slated to take place from Tuesday through Thursday of this week gone by, we have truly been in a quiet period when it comes to any news related to Deshaun Watson. Neither of the…
Best Virtual Bets: Juneteenth, A ‘90s Cabaret, and Make Music Day
On this week’s list of best virtual bets, we’re celebrating Juneteenth and Make Music Day, as well as bringing you the best in virtual, outdoor, and socially distanced events.
Houston Astros In The Mix at Several Spots For 2021 MLB All Star Game
One of the big questions in the wake of the Astros sign stealing scandal was “Will fans punish the Astros by refraining from voting for them to start in the MLB All Star Game?” In 2020, because of the pandemic, we didn’t really get an answer because there was no…
Ten Years Of Rolling The Bones: Shakey Graves Returns To Houston
For artists, their first album can be what launches them into the spotlight, be completely forgotten or land somewhere in between those two extremes. For Austin’s Alejandro Rose-Garcia, known as Shakey Graves, his first album Roll The Bones gradually snowballed him into a wider fan-base which has only continued to…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: There’s a New Hot Sauce in Town, Plus an Epic Chefs Festival
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Chef Aaron Bludorn crafted his proprietary hot sauce blend with Caribbean, Carolina reapers, habaneros, habanadas, aji dulce and cayenne peppers, plus dried mango and white vinegar, making it in-house at his first eponymous restaurant, Bludorn, 807…
Abbott Unveils First Steps Toward Texas Border Wall and Asks Supporters to Pony Up Some Cash
Gov. Greg Abbott shared new details Wednesday about his plan to take over former President Donald Trump’s border wall project given an increase in border crossings from Mexico that Republicans blame on President Joe Biden’s less stringent immigration policies, including a formal request that concerned supporters help pay for it…
Project Veritas Releases Rogue Fox Reporter’s Secret Recordings
Folks hoping for some bombshell revelations from former local Fox 26 reporter Ivory Hecker were likely sorely disappointed by the video Project Veritas posted featuring her Tuesday night, unless they were already fans of the right-wing conspiracy group Hecker announced she was working with in her rogue diatribe during Monday’s…
Houston Ballet Dances to A Little Night Music at MFAH’s Kinder Building
Among all the unexpected side effects of the prolonged pandemic, was the swing from live shows to filmed productions for many of the performance groups in Houston. For Daniel Rivera, Houston Ballet’s Associate Director of Audio and Visual Services, it meant a rather sizeable leap from making in-house and short promotional…
Putting The L In LGBT: Julie Mabry’s Pearl Bar Is A True Gem
For Julie Mabry, owner of Pearl Bar, the struggle has been real. She runs one of less than two dozen lesbian bars still in operation in the United States. The pandemic did her no favors either. She fought – and won – to keep her rare bar open despite tremendous odds stacked against her business.
Former Astro Keuchel on Former GM Jeff Luhnow: “We Never Got Along”
The Astros just finished navigating one of the tougher patches of the 2021 schedule over the last three weeks, posting a record of 11-7 against likely teams like the Dodgers, Padres, and Red Sox (among others). Starting Tuesday night, they play a significantly easier stretch of 20 games, with the…
Houston Concert Watch 6/16: Sheryl Crow, Shakey Graves and More
Been pretty hot these days, hasn’t it Houston? Fortunately, there’s some rain in this weekend’s forecast, which should provide us with some relative cool and give our greenspace a bit of reprieve. Heatwaves and showers be damned, there’s plenty of music to be enjoyed. Keep scrolling to see both in-person…
ERCOT Warns Texans May Hit the Limit on Power Use Today & Surges Prices
After begging Texans to conserve power Monday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas on Tuesday is still asking folks to limit their electricity usage amid a statewide heatwave and an unusually high number of offline power generators, a combination that could lead to power outages if conditions don’t improve. According…
Local Fox Reporter Goes Rogue On Evening News, Claims She’s Been Muzzled By Bosses
In a truly bizarre news segment, local Fox 26 reporter Ivory Hecker surprised her colleagues and viewers Monday evening when she claimed live on-air that Fox’s corporate overlords had been “muzzling” her to stop her from sharing “certain information” viewers deserved to know. Hecker then said she had secret recordings…
Tropical Depression or Storm Could Form in the Gulf This Week
Hurricane season officially opened on June 1 and we’ve already had one named tropical storm (Ana) with two more possibly on the way. A depression, possibly soon to be named Tropical Storm Bill, is off the North Carolina coast and is little threat to land. But, Claudette could be next,…
Loki is the Doctor Who Gallifrey Story I Always Wanted
The latest Marvel series Loki is, well, marvelous. Like WandaVision, it’s less about flashy superheroics and more of a character study of one the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most nuanced villains as he transforms into anti-hero. It’s also exactly what I’ve been hoping to see in Doctor Who for more than…
Which Texas Schools Would Have Been In a 12 Team College Football Playoff?
Of all the major sports out there, far and away, college football at its highest levels is the slowest to evolve. Less than 30 years ago, we were still having media members and coaches select the champion of the sport via a VOTE, like a damn beauty contest. For the…
Lowrider Love Celebrates the Sweet Sounds of Oldies But Goodies
The music biz is certainly no stranger to spotlighting intense love affairs (we’re looking at you, Taylor and her Swifties). But there’s an especially hot one going on now between record collectors and reissue labels. Whether repping major artists and catalogs (Rhino, Sony Legacy, UMe) or more focused and esoteric…
New HISD Superintendent Gets a $350,000 Salary and a Lot of Challenges
On July 1, Millard House II becomes the new superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, with a three-year contract paying him a $350,000 yearly base salary, the chance to earn $150,000 in incentive pay a year, $25,000 dropped into a retirement fund for him each year and a one-time…
Five Nights at Freddy’s Creator Defends Anti-LGBT Political Donations
Scott Cawthon, the Houston-born/Austin-based creator of the hit horror game series Five Nights At Freddy’s, is a major donor to Republican politicians. Records from Open Secrets show that since 2015 he has made $42,204 in contributions, almost all of them to Republican candidates. The sole exception is former Hawaii Representative…
ERCOT Warns Power Outages Possible This Week If Folks Don’t Conserve Energy Pronto
It turns out that arctic winter storms aren’t the only times Texans have to worry about the state’s power grid crapping out. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas asked state residents on Monday to cut down on their electricity usage through Friday to prevent possible power outages across the state,…
As Texas Tax Deadline Looms, Many Folks Who Filed Early Are Still Waiting On Refund Checks
Folks who still haven’t filed their taxes ahead of Tuesday’s Texas deadline could be in for some lengthy delays on getting their coveted tax refund checks from the federal government. And it’s not just the late-filers and the people who insisted on mailing in their returns who could be in…
Astros Reach Softer Stretch of the Schedule in Decent Shape
The Astros emerged from a brutal stretch of games against some of the best teams in baseball at just over .500 for the run of 21 games, 11-10. It included series wins of the A’s and Red Sox (twice), a split with the Dodgers and a shocking sweep at the…
Origin of Species: Handsomebeast Becomes Astro Inn
According to Darwin, every beast is subject to evolution, even a Handsomebeast. As a unique, musical specimen from Houston, the band formed more than a decade ago. It grew and thrived, the result of its own natural selection of guitar-driven funk rock delivered in titillating doses to adoring fans. But,…
Now Stream This: New and Returning Shows You Want to Give a Try
The summer is here, and there are many television shows on the horizon. Summers can be a drag without a major series that captures everyone’s attention. This summer has a couple of series that have the chance to be the weekly point of fascination and some that might surprise and…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Juneteenth Dinner and An Oyster Shucking Throwdown
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, June 14 Fancy Steak Night at Johnny’s Gold Brick The Fancy Steak Nights at Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale, continue with Chase Voelz of Bludorn. Steaks, cocktails and good times will be served starting at 6 p.m. (until sold out)…
Four Thoughts on the Retirement of Texans Legend Johnathan Joseph
In this new era of Houston Texans football that is unfolding over the summer, there are still occasional nuggets that remind us of days gone by, most of them much better days than what we’ve had to endure over the last year or so. Thursday afternoon was about as stark…
![Lawsuit Over Houston Methodist’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Thrown Out By Federal Judge [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/img-3974.webp.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
Lawsuit Over Houston Methodist’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Thrown Out By Federal Judge [UPDATED]
Houston Methodist scored a legal victory Saturday night against a group of over 100 disgruntled employees when a federal judge threw out those workers’ lawsuit against the hospital chain over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Hughes, the Ronald Reagan appointee who dismissed the lawsuit against Houston…
Harris County Approves Free Parking, Coffee and Lunch for Jurors as Planning for Pay Raise Continues
Folks who get called up for jury duty in Harris County can expect a few extra perks coming their way in the weeks ahead, as the county Commissioners Court recently approved a new proposal giving free parking, coffee and lunch to prospective jurors. Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, who…
Witnesses at Congressional GLO Inquiry Say That George P. Bush is Trying to Start a Fight Between Houston and Harris County
For almost two hours Friday morning, Democratic Houston Area members of Congress spoke about and listened to complaints about the City of Houston and Harris County being left entirely out of any of the FEMA flood mitigation funds allotted by Republican Commissioner George P. Bush and his General Land Office…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: In The Heights
Title: In the Heights Describe This Movie In One Life is Worth Losing Quote: GEORGE CARLIN: That’s why they call it the American Dream: because you have to be asleep to believe it. Brief Plot Synopsis: There are eight million stories in the naked city, here are two (or three) of them…
Alley Theatre Expands its Offerings and Talent Across the Board in its New Season
With two new company members and a lineup of new shows to be performed on both the upstairs and downstairs stages — including a very different take on A Christmas Carol — the Alley Theatre has announced itself ready to resume its in-person performance obligations in fall 2021 with enthusiasm…
Openings and Closings: NoPo Opens, il Bracco This Fall, A New Ragin’ Cajun
NoPo Cafe, Market and Bar, 1244 N. Post Oak, opened June 10. NoPo is an acronym for the North Post Oak area encompassing the neighborhood east of Spring Branch, north of the Galleria and west of Timbergrove. Berg Hospitality’s culinary director, Jose Hernandez, has created a classic American menu for…
The Way-Too-Early Houston Texans 53 Man Roster Prediction
I had a chance to attend two of the Houston Texans recent OTA sessions in person, and my overriding feeling while standing there (in a steam bath) watching this version of the franchise prepare themselves for the upcoming season was “This just feels so weird.” For reasons we all know,…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: From Brunch to Happy Hour, Sip Rosé All Day
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: OCA-Houston Fundraiser Dish at UB Preserv Friday-Sunday 1609 Westheimer This weekend is your last chance to get the OCA-Houston fundraiser dish at UB Preserv. 1609 Westheimer. Chef Nick Wong created the dish to raise both funds and awareness for…
Houston Gardening: After the Rain Has Gone
Houston has had a tough year weather-wise. Though we didn’t have a major flood or hurricane in 2020, we had an unprecedented hard freeze in mid-February 2021 that damaged a lot of our landscaping and numerous citrus trees. But our gardens bounced back and some plants actually flourished, renewed with…
Miles Copeland Remembers the Police, Go-Go’s, Bangles, and Timbuk 3 in New Memoir
Miles Copeland II was a longtime CIA operative in the Middle East and involved in all sorts of secretive spy missions from the 1940s through the ‘60s. And his son—Miles A. Copeland III—often had to use similarly delicate skills and negotiating tactics, only in the world of rock and roll…
The Third Eye Of Texas: Record Store Day Drop Celebrates Houston Psych Rock History
Since COVID shifted the approach to Record Store Day with a new format of Record Store Day Drops, music lovers, record store owners and employees alike seem to be benefiting from the change. The new approach gives stores a better way to organize the rare and highly coveted releases while…
Texas Democrats Hoped George Floyd’s Murder Would Make Major Police Reform Possible. They Were Wrong.
After the murder of Houstonian George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, Texas Democrats and police reform advocates were optimistic the tragic killing would be enough of a wake-up call about systemic racism and corruption within law enforcement to garner the widespread bipartisan support needed to really overhaul…
Best Virtual Bets: Reel Pride, “Silent Earth,” and Music at Miller
Early Juneteenth celebrations, the Houston Symphony’s return to Miller Outdoor Theatre, and a world premiere music composition are just a few things on this week’s list of best bets.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Mayan-Inspired Tacos and a Juneteenth Celebration from Top Chefs
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Tacodeli,1902 Washington, is offering two limited-time menu items for the month of June, and both are old favorites. Get the Akaushi Picadillo + Egg breakfast taco ($3.75), made with Vital Farms scrambled eggs, seasoned HeartBrand akaushi…
Deshaun Watson Told Kareem Jackson “I Want To Be In Denver”
When he arrived in late January to take the job as head coach of the Houston Texans, David Culley was adamant that he planned on coaching Deshaun Watson, that Watson would be the quarterback of the Houston Texans. It would be an understatement to say that a lot has transpired…
Main Street Theater Announces its New Season Starting in Fall 2021
In announcing a season with two regional premieres, the theatrical equivalent of comfort food and some biting comedy, Main Street Theater’s Artistic Director Rebecca Greene Udden says the common theme is that “all of these plays raise questions that I hope the audience will continue to think about when they…
Dennis DeYoung Wraps Up Recording Career with Nostalgic – Yet Timely – 26 East Vol. 2
He thought he was done making new music. Finito. End of the Road. When Dennis DeYoung released what he was calling 26 East last year, he fully expected it to be his final studio album in a long and storied career that stretched back to 1972 with the first Styx…
Houston Methodist Suspends 178 Workers For Not Taking COVID Vaccine With Firings to Follow
For all the noise made by a group of Houston Methodist nurses and other workers who opposed the hospital’s coronavirus vaccine mandate — including the dozens who protested outside the hospital’s Baytown branch Monday night and the 117 employees who have sued Houston Methodist for requiring COVID-19 vaccinations — the…
Comicpalooza 2021 Announces Stars From The Mandalorian Will Be at This Year’s Event
Comicpalooza organizers have just announced that Giancarlo Esposito, Carl Weathers, Katee Sackhoff, and Ming-Na Wen from Disney’s The Mandalorian will be part of the lineup at this year’s comicon at the George R. Brown on Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18. “We’re excited about the Mandalorian lineup not only…
Houston Concert Watch 6/9: Chapel Hart, Hayes Carll and More
More and more concerts are being added to calendars around town. With clear weather – by Houston standards, at least – forecasted through the weekend, there’s no reason not to go see a show (or two or three). Chapel Hart White Oak Music Hall – 11 June Sometimes, music is…
Texans Mandatory Minicamp Starts Tuesday, How Do They Handle Deshaun Watson?
On paper, this is just your average, normal NFL week in June over at NRG Stadium. The Houston Texans have a handful of OTA sessions, the assistant coaches did their first media availability of the offseason on Tuesday, and preparations for mandatory minicamp next week, ostensibly, are underway. The Texans’…
Grab Father’s Day Eats To-Go at These Houston Restaurants and Butcher Shops
Staying in this Father’s Day? These Houston establishments are here to make your day as tasty as ever, with to-go, delivery and curbside pickup options from family-style burger kits to takeout brunch. The Butcher Shop at B&B Butchers & Restaurant, 1814 Washington, 832-767-4828 Call the Butcher Shop or place your…
Dende Explores What Makes A Happy Man
Thoughts can often be isolating. People frequently think themselves into a corner of self doubt fueled by doom scrolling through their social media accounts where everyone else seems to have it all together. This is the main concept running through Houston artist’s Dende new album A Happy Man. Dende will…
A Trio of Texas Authors Take on the Many Myths of the Alamo
It is, likely, the most cherished and entrenched story in Texas history. How in late February/early March of 1836, heroic Texas defenders including marquee names like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Barret Travis fought a pitched but losing battle inside an old Spanish mission against a bloodthirsty and overwhelming…
Brunch, Beef and Bourbon: Where to Dine Out in Houston This Father’s Day
From laidback, family-friendly brunch options to bourbon-kissed steak dinners, these Houston restaurants and bars are offering meals dad will love this Father’s Day. 8th Wonder Distillery, 2201 Dallas Located across the street from the brewery, 8th Wonder Distillery will be hosting Chef Mike Grisby of Grisby Gras for a Father’s…
The 2021 Houston Texans: The NFL’s Most Precipitous Fall Since… The 2013 Houston Texans!
It’s hard to believe that this Saturday will mark the 17 month mark since the Houston Texans held a 24-0 lead in the second quarter of a playoff game in Kansas City. We all know that would eventually play out — the Texans would lose that game, 51-31, in catastrophic…
The Real Deal: Charley Crockett Returns To Houston
Some country artists sing songs and tell tall tales of their lives and the lives of others, creating a mythical cloud around their onstage personas. This is not the case with Charley Crockett who in his long career for a young man, has proved that he is the absolute definition…
4th Wall Theatre Co. Announces a 2021-22 Season Filled With Premieres
What better way to celebrate a new season of live, in-person performances than to present a collection of Houston premieres as well as to bring back a Pulitzer Prize-winning show that got on stage here for a minute before COVID-19 shut it down? 4th Wall Theatre Company will start its…
Anti-Vax Houston Methodist Employees Walk Out Over Hospital’s COVID Vaccine Mandate
A group of Houston Methodist employees gathered at the hospital chain’s Baytown location Monday night to protest the hospital’s requirement that all rank-and-file employees take a COVID-19 vaccine by June 7 to keep their jobs. The unvaccinated employees were joined by anti-vaccine well-wishers from the community, who carried signs railing…
Abbott To Sign Law Banning Vaccine Passports After Carnival Says It’ll Ask For COVID Vaccine Proof
Gov. Greg Abbott declared via Twitter Monday that he was about to sign a new law forbidding state businesses from asking customers to prove they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, just a few hours after Carnival Cruise Lines announced that two of its cruise ships would set sail from Galveston in July…
Alligator Records Celebrates a Half Century of “Houserockin’ Music”
You might think that you’d do a lot to support your favorite artists, but chances are your story wouldn’t match that of Bruce Iglauer’s. When he wanted to hear an album by his favorite Chicago blues act that didn’t actually exist, he created an entire record label just to have…
Racist Backlash About Netflix’s Sandman Casting Gets its Own Backlash
When it was announced that Black British actress Kirby Howell-Baptiste would be playing the role of Death in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s celebrated comic book series Sandman, the reaction from some corners of the internet was as vicious as it was predictable. The Prince of Stories has been…
Former Houston Texans First Round CB Kevin Johnson Retires From Football
We know the National Football League, in the wake of the destructive natural disaster that was the Bill O’Brien Era, is littered with former Houston Texans, some performing at All Pro levels (what up, Hopkins!) and some mucking their way to getting a paycheck each week. There is no shame…
No Longer Alone Together: Hayes Carll Returns To Houston’s Heights Theater
There must be something in the air in Houston that has helped to create many trailblazing singer songwriters over the years. It’s a surprising place of inspiration where songwriters were either born and raised or just passed on through on their way to other “music cities.” Woodlands born, Hayes Carll…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Eat Scallops and Support the Asian Community
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, June 7 Industry Monday at Feges BBQ Thanks to an anonymous donor, industry folk (currently employed, underemployed or unemployed, everyone is welcome) can get a free meal at Feges BBQ, 3 Greenway Plaza, on the first Monday of every month…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Tomato Fest and a Hot New Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Tomball German 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 This year marks the 20th anniversary of Tomball German Fest over near…
Openings and Closings: Agnes Cafe Debuts, Soto Opens Quietly
Agnes Cafe & Provisions, 2132 Bissonet, will open June 8 for breakfast and lunch with dinner service to come later in the month. The Mediterranean-inspired concept comes from Molly Voorhees, President of Beck’s Prime and The Chocolate Bar, and longtime friend, Carolyn Dorros, Executive Vice-President of Wolff Companies. The two…
Responding to Internet Creeps Leads to Bizarre New Shared Storyverse
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman in possession of a social media account must be in want of creepers asking, “u up?” Few people take this ubiquitous experience and turn it into a bizarre shared storyverse set in Bar Harbor, Maine, but Dixie Heaven-lee (real name, I…
Four Observations From Attending Houston Texans OTAs
No general manager in the NFL this offseason has produced more transactions than Texans general manager Nick Caserio, and it’s not even close. At last count, the number was approaching nearly 100 moves of various types since taking over the GM role back in January, so he is on pace…
Flooding Threat to Continue Into Early Next Week
On Thursday afternoon, another round of thunderstorms rumbled through the Houston area bringing upwards of two inches or rain per hour amidst a flurry of downpours that stretched from south Texas to western Louisiana. All we can tell you is, get used to it. A slow moving disturbance in the…
Apple TV+’s Mythic Quest Goes Where No Video Game Developer Stories Have Gone Before
Mythic Quest is Apple TV+’s game development workplace comedy starring It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Rob McElhenney. Apple TV+ is one of many streaming services trying to carve out its content library, but it doesn’t have the name recognition of Netflix. Surprisingly the service has some robust offerings from For…
Houston Music Vets Take a Murderus Turn
The legendary Italian film director Dario Argento once likened art to a serpent, “always shedding its skin, always changing. And it will always come back. It can’t be hidden away like the guilty secrets we try to keep in our subconscious,” he famously said. The horror auteur wasn’t talking about…
Thousands Across Greater Houston Without Power As Thunderstorms Continue
As nasty weather kept blowing in over Houston and surrounding areas, thousands of local residents had lost power to their homes as of Thursday afternoon. According to CenterPoint Energy’s local outage tracker, 10,426 electricity customers were powerless across the greater Houston region as of 2:33 p.m. Thursday. By 2:53 p.m…
George P. Bush Takes On Scandal-Plagued Paxton In Race For Texas Attorney General
After months of hinting, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush has finally announced his plan to take on beleaguered Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a bid to become the state’s top law enforcer. At a campaign-kick off event in Austin Wednesday night, Bush leaned hard into the multiple legal…
AstroWorld Fan Shuts Down Homophobe in Awesome Way
Happy Pride Month. Would you like to see a ridiculous homophobe get absolutely owned by a woman in an AstroWorld hoodie? Me too! The person screaming in this Tik Tok uploaded by boilyourbottoms is known as Sister Cindy Smock. She and her husband, Brother Jed, travel around to various college campuses…
Best Virtual Bets: HAAPIFEST, Pariah, and Love Motels for Insects
If you’re at a loss for what to do this weekend, check out this week’s list of best virtual (and some outdoor) events.
Houston Texans QB Matchups In 2021 Are Surprising On Paper
Most NFL seasons, you can forecast, with some degree of certainty, a team’s overall success by the quality of their starting quarterback play. It’s the most important position in the most popular team sport in our American sports landscape for a reason — great teams are typically skippered by great…
What the U.S. Senate Needs to Learn from Texas About the Filibuster
The filibuster is currently one of the most hotly debated topics in national politics. The threat of one is enough to hamstring the United States Senate so that nothing can pass without a 60-vote majority. This includes the recent commission on the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January…
Blackberry Smoke Have Georgia On Their Minds
Like pretty much all active touring and recording musicians during the past nearly 15 months, Charlie Starr found himself at home a lot more than usual. And also like a lot of musicians, the Blackberry Smoke vocalist used the forced quarantine as a time to write new music. But he…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Pick Up Southeast Asian-Inspired Ice Cream by the Pint
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: By popular demand, Phat Eatery, 23119 Colonial, is once again offering its own ice cream creations by the pint. Take home flavors including Ube, Pandan Coconut with Curry Sprinkle and Creamy Durian for $7-$8 each. In honor of…
Chris Shepherd: Cheeseburgers and CBD
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superchef! Yes, Chris Shepherd is making news again with not only a new burger concept but also a CBD cocktail collaboration with Bayou City Hemp Co. Underbelly Burger was announced May 28 after much speculation about what the new casual…
From Sunday Morning Booze To Backing The Blue, Texas Lawmakers Hustled In Session’s Final Days
All the commotion over Texas Republicans’ failed attempt to push through new voting restrictions in the dying days of the 2021 state legislative session was all most Austin-watchers could talk about through Memorial Day weekend. But the high-profile scuttling of Senate Bill 7 at the hands of Texas Democrats who…
More Heavy Rain, Potential Flooding to Start June
June 1 is the official opening of hurricane season. But, the Gulf Coast doesn’t need a hurricane for flooding. Just over a week ago, parts of southeast Texas and southwestern Louisiana received as much as 20 inches of rain over the course of a week, creating flash flooding and pushing…
New DJ Screw Movie to Begin Filming in Houston This Week
A new film about DJ Screw and the S.U.C. is set to begin filming in Houston this week.
Houston Texans Sign Patriots Castoff RB Rex Burkhead
There are a ton of unknowns for the Houston Texans in 2021. This will happen when you have a new head coach (who’s never been a head coach before), a new general manager, and a roster that is dotted with a majority of first time Texans’ employees. In fact, one…
Bob Saget Hasn’t Been More Excited About Stand-Up Comedy “Since 1995”
“I don’t touch politics, I touch things that are… I don’t touch anything! That’s going to read well. I don’t touch anything anymore.”
Op Ed: Border Agents Took My Truck, and the Supreme Court Shrugged
Some people do not like to be told no. I learned this lesson the hard way on Sept. 21, 2015, at a border checkpoint in Eagle Pass, Texas. Although I was born in Chicago, I have family in Mexico that I had not seen in years. So I drove from…
Houston Concert Watch 6/2: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, East Of Eado and More
It’ll be a short week for most of us, given the Memorial Day holiday that just passed. Nonetheless, there’s plenty of music worth listening to while you catch up on 40-hours’ worth of work in just four days. Here’s hoping I see some of you around town. Rise Against Live-Streaming…
Lineup Announced for 2021 Shell Freedom Over Texas — and Yes, It’s Virtual Once Again
“While I wish we could hold a huge Fourth of July celebration downtown, we’re not just yet there ,” Mayor Sylvester Turn said Tuesday in announcing the particulars of the 2021 Shell Freedom Over Texas Independence Day celebration. So it’ll be live streamed and virtual one more time, the same…
The Houston Rocket Fan’s Guide To Rooting In the NBA Playoffs
There is a weird, empty feeling for Houston sports fans this spring. No, it’s not the pending vacancy at starting quarterback that will inevitably be created by the trade of Deshaun Watson. No, it’s not George Springer limping around as a Toronto Blue Jay. Oh, those things are painful, no…
Houston Restaurant Weeks 2021: The Delicious Fundraiser Returns
It’s the time that Houston gourmands look forward to every year: Houston Restaurant Weeks. The annual fundraiser created by Cleverley Stone began in 2003 and has raised $16.6 million for Houston Food Bank and continues to be the largest fundraiser for Houston Food Bank which is also the largest food…
Is the Marvel Cinematic Universe on the Road to Secret Wars?
As the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe gets properly underway with a combination of movies and television shows, the big question is what will the next Endgame look like. Who will be the new Thanos, a cosmic threat that gathers all our heroes together for a massive fight…
As Texas Legislature Calls It Quits For Now, Voting Bill Blame Game Continues
Now that the 2021 regular session of the Texas Legislature is officially wrapped-up, state lawmakers are waiting to hear when Gov. Greg Abbott will call them back to work for overtime as he promised to revive Senate Bill 7, the controversial Republican election reform bill Texas House Democrats killed over…
Ticked-Off Abbott Promises to Defund the Whole Legislative Branch After Dems Kill Voting Bill
Gov. Greg Abbott was clearly still furious Memorial Day afternoon following the death of Texas Republicans’ “election integrity” bill at the hands of Texas House Democrats late Sunday night. Abbott was so angry that House Dems were able to block the passage of Senate Bill 7 — the controversial election…
The Houston Fan’s Guide To Live In-Stadium Baseball’s Return
With each week that goes by, we are getting closer and closer to being back to the full pre-pandemic “normal” in the world of sports. The NFL has some major announcements within the last week where they disclosed that all but two of the 30 NFL stadiums are approved for…
This Week in Houston Food Events: BBQ, Steak Night and the Return of Latin Restaurant Week
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, May 31 Memorial Day specials From all-you-can-eat mudbug boils and BOGO burgers to special Monday brunches, check out our Memorial Day food and drink guide to get the lowdown on your long weekend dining deals. Fancy Steak Night at Johnny’s…
Right-Wing Voting Limits Killed By Texas House Democrats
Instead of enjoying Memorial Day weekend, Texas lawmakers have been working through the night in a sprint to push forward several big-ticket bills before the legally-mandated closing time of the 2021 legislative session at 11:59 p.m. Monday. Most notably, the Republican-majority Legislature is still on track to send a sweeping…
Mercy, Mercy, She: A Famous Groupie’s Wild Child Story
In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Mercy Fontenot was anything but a shrinking violet. In her alter ego as “Miss Mercy” — sporting distinctive raccoon eye makeup and dressed in layers of flowing gypsy clothes of lace, leopard prints, and feathers (usually purchased at local thrift shops) — she…
Houston Methodist Employees Sue Hospital To Stay Unvaccinated And Keep Their Jobs
Houston Methodist Nurse Jennifer Bridges told the Houston Press in April she wasn’t willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine to keep her job. Now, Bridges and dozens of her coworkers are fighting back against the hospital chain’s vaccine requirement in court. On Friday, 117 Houston Methodist employees sued the hospital…
Sheriff Gonzalez Fires 11 Employees After Death Of 23-Year-Old Inmate Ruled A Homicide
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has fired 11 of his employees and suspended six others due to “serious policy violations” they had committed in connection with the death of 23-year-old inmate Jaquaree Simmons in February, which was ruled a homicide by the county’s Institute of Forensic Sciences earlier this month…
Gov. Abbott Calls Patrick’s Call to Legislators to Stay in Town “Pretty Goofy”
At the end of a Thursday press gaggle in Fort Worth, Gov. Greg Abbott made clear he was none too pleased with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s attempt to publicly pressure him into ordering the Texas Legislature to work overtime through June to force through red-meat, right-wing legislation that died in…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Cruella
Title: Cruella Describe This Movie In One Reservoir Dogs Quote: MR. BLONDE: Are you gonna bark all day little doggie? Or are you gonna bite? Brief Plot Synopsis: London’s fashion scene is all bark, some bite. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3.5 pairs of albino African endangered rhino slippers out of…
Possible Governor Matthew McConaughey is a Fan of Alt-Right Professor
After watching Governor Greg Abbott sign away a huge chunk of Texas’ reproductive rights, I can certainly understand why the prospect of anyone beating him can seem appealing. Particularly when the challenges so far look like they are coming from the right in the form of former state Sen. Don Huffines or…
Openings and Closings: Uli’s Kitchen Opens, One Fifth Pivots Again
Uli’s Kitchen, 8021 Research Forest, softly opened May 19 and celebrated its grand opening May 25 in The Woodlands. This is the first concept for Luna Hospitality owned by husband and wife Bonnie and David “Ulises” Alcaraz. Bonnie will serve as the general manager while David (Uli) will lead the…
Texans HC David Culley at Bottom Rung of NFL Coach of the Year Candidate Ladder
There were seven NFL teams that anointed new head coaches during this past offseason. There was no bigger “upset special” as a head coaching hire than David Culley’s getting hired by the Houston Texans to be the franchise’s fourth full time head coach in the team’s history. Prior to getting…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: 50-Cent Quarter Pounders and a Memorial Day BOGO
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: National Burger Day at Feges BBQ Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 3 Greenway Plaza Feges BBQ is bringing back the Riot Burger for National Burger Day. Made with double meat, double cheese, caramelized onions, pickles and “riot” sauce,…
The Tipping Point Continues To Be A Cultural Hub In Downtown Houston
Hanging in front of 1212 Main is a black and white sign in front of two glass doors framed by ’90s art deco style art, almost similar to the flashy lettering found in the intro to the TV show In Living Color. The metro rail hums by and, as it…
Bush Asks For $750 Million For Harris County Harvey Relief After Scolding From Houston Area Leaders
After getting hammered by Houston area officials, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced Wednesday night that he’d asked the federal government to send $750 million for flood mitigation directly to Harris County, days after his General Land Office iced-out the county and the city of Houston from receiving any…
Patrick Demands Legislative OT For Trans Sports Bill, But Abbott Says Not So Fast
After Texas House Democrats squashed several bills addressing some of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s top priorities — banning transgender girls from girls sports, stopping social media “censorship” of conservatives and banning taxpayer-funded lobbying — Patrick asked Gov. Greg Abbott Wednesday to keep the state Legislature in town through June for…
Best Virtual Bets: CineSpace, Humperdinck, and Big Dreams
If you’re looking for things to enjoy this Memorial Day weekend, you’ve come to the right place.
Styx Rocks Again While Heading (on Purpose!) into a Crash
It’s 8:30 a.m. in Houston when Lawrence Gowan calls from his home in Toronto, Canada, which is a decidedly un rock-and-roll time for an interview. And even more so when the singer/keyboardist for Styx says he’s been up since 6:30 a.m. EST, already completed another interview, and run down the…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Get Double Stacked at Hopdoddy
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Hopdoddy Burger Bar has announced its June Burger of the Month: The Double Stack Comeback. The heaping double-decker burger comes stacked sky high with two Certified Piedmontese burger patties, cheese, special Alabama comeback sauce, lettuce, pickles…
Deshaun Watson Reportedly Expected To Skip Mandatory Minicamp In June
The Texans’ offseason Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) continue this week, with a Thursday morning session that is open to a handful of media members. This will be the first look anybody outside the building is getting at the most bizarre roster assembled in team history, where the best player on…
As Life Begins Again, What Happened Here Reflects On Our Time At Home
Remember all those news stories and videos of people around the world thanking frontline workers in various forms for their herculean efforts during the darkest days of the pandemic? The clanging of pots on balconies for hospital workers. The standing ovations for paramedics. The effusive thank you’s, often accompanied by…
Turner and Hidalgo Blast George P. Bush For Withholding Harvey Relief Funds
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner went after Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush Wednesday with a letter expressing their “profound disappointment” with how Bush’s General Land Office blocked Houston and Harris County from receiving even one cent of the latest round of federal Hurricane Harvey…
Texas Lawmakers Approve Permit-Free Handgun Bill After Abbott Demands They Get It To His Desk
After weeks of backroom negotiations and plenty of pressure from gun fans, both the Texas House and Senate have voted to pass a new law that would completely gut the state’s requirements for Texas residents to get licenses and firearm safety training before they can lawfully carry their pistols in…
Is The Grass Really Much Greener For Deshaun Watson Somewhere Else?
Organized Team Activities, better known in their abbreviated form as “OTA’s”, are underway for the Houston Texans this week, and will extend into the next couple weeks. They are voluntary activities, so the news that the suddenly controversial Deshaun Watson will not be in attendance is no surprise. Nor was…
If They “Prove” Biden Cheated, He’d Still Be President
I’ve never been particularly worried about the audit happening in Arizona helmed by the Cyber Ninjas. After multiple, real audits of the ballots by reputable government sources, there are only two possibilities. One, Cyber Ninjas would do the job right and prove the election was legit or two, they would…
Houston Concert Watch 5/26: Dwight Yoakam, Nathan Quick and More
Below, we’ve got some great in-person concerts and live-streaming shows for your consideration. I make no apologies for this week’s list leaning heavily toward Americana, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Here’s to even more shows being added to venue calendars around town. Dierks Bentley…
Astros Facing Key Stretch at Difficult Moment
After putting together a handful of solid series against AL west competitors and climbing back into the ranks of the leaders of the division, the Astros coughed up a sweep to the lowly Texas Rangers in Arlington over the weekend. Not only did it drop them back in the standings,…
Evolving Together: Say Girl Say Lets Their Hair Down
One of the major takeaways from the collective experience of the past year is that change is hard. Evolution itself takes millions of years to present. Luckily for Houston duo Say Girl Say and their fans, the development of their second album took significantly less time. Let My Hair Down…
Houston Symphony’s “Find Your Dream” Concert Spotlights Rodgers And Hammerstein
The Houston Symphony ends its 2020-21 Bank of America POPS season May 28 – 30 at Jones Hall (and via livestream) with the songs from Broadway’s golden age in “Find Your Dream: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein.” Santino and Jessica Fontana will join as guest vocalists.
Opinion: You Can’t Explain Abortion to Conservatives
“I’m going to need Governor Greg Abbott at some point to look directly into a camera and say, ‘I support a 13-year-old being forced to carry her grandfather’s baby to term.’” I was really proud of myself when I thought up that line above. For me, nothing better encapsulated the…
These Houston Restaurants Are Offering Brunch, Burgers and Deals this Memorial Day Weekend
From extended brunch hours to hero discounts, here’s where to find food and drink specials in Houston this Memorial Day Weekend. Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys, multiple locations Antone’s will be offering a family picnic special throughout the entire weekend, Friday, May 28 through Monday, May 31. Buy five boxed lunches…
Deshaun Watson Won’t Be Deposed In Civil Lawsuits Until After the 2021 Football Season
It would seem, despite both lead attorneys in the 22 civil lawsuits against Deshaun Watson saying otherwise, that the odds-on favorite for the outcome of this saga would be Watson’s settling with the slew of female accusers. It would put a swift end to the litigation, and seemingly open the…
Four New Major Revelations In Deshaun Watson Legal Drama
Over the last year and change, no team in sports has experienced more weirdness, with seemingly all of it detrimental, than the Houston Texans. Making Bill O’Brien the general manager of the team was weird. Virtually every decision made by O’Brien was weird (and bad). The whole Jack Easterby ethos…
![Miller Outdoor Theatre Hosts ’70s Philly Soul Throwback Show [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/hou_mus_haroldmelvin.webp.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Miller Outdoor Theatre Hosts ’70s Philly Soul Throwback Show [UPDATED]
If asked to name a well-known and successful Soul/R&B record label of the ‘60s and ‘70s, most people would blurt out “Motown,” while others might go grittier with “Stax.” But it’s the third leg of that sonic stool—Philadelphia International—that often gets over looked. The label founded by producers/songwriters Kenny Gamble…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Unwind with a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” on National Burger Day
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday-Tuesday Cluck Cancer Fundraiser at Clutch City Cluckers Local food truck Clutch City Cluckers, 5550 Val Verde, is launching its two-day Cluck Cancer Fundraiser on Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting The MD Anderson…
Get Ready to Access Your Inner, if Somewhat Deadly, Child in HGO’s Hansel and Gretel
The spectacle and “a little bit of mystery,” were what first drew Raven McMillion to opera — or as she describes her initial reaction: “How are these people making these sounds which are almost otherworldly?” Now a Houston Grand Opera Studio Artist, soprano McMillion will have a chance to show…
Dr. Peter Hotez Gives COVID Etiquette Tips For A Semi-Vaccinated World
It can be tough to know exactly how to act in this strange new period of the coronavirus pandemic we find ourselves in, with vaccine supply outpacing demand, confusing local threat levels and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on mask-wearing that shift from week to week. COVID-conscious…
![Lina Hidalgo Wants a New Deal on Hurricane Harvey Mitigation Funds [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/lina_hidalgo_052121.png.png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
Lina Hidalgo Wants a New Deal on Hurricane Harvey Mitigation Funds [UPDATED]
“The deck was stacked against us from the get-go.” That was Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s assessment at a Friday press conference in which she protested the criteria used to determine what counties and cities would get what share of the federal funds set aside as the Hurricane Harvey Mitigation…
HISD Names its Lone Superintendent Candidate and He’s From Tennessee
Millard House II, the director of schools for the Clarksville Montgomery school district in Tennessee was named the lone superintendent candidate for Houston ISD today by school board trustees in a unanimous vote. His selection still has to go through a 21-day waiting period before a contract can be signed…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Army Of The Dead
Title: Army of the Dead Describe This Movie In One (Bastardized) “The Hollow Men” Quote: T.S. ELIOT: This is the way the world ends, Not with a bang, but a beej Brief Plot Synopsis: When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will hit the buffet. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The…
Openings and Closings: Tarka Indian Kitchen Expands, Theodore Rex and Romano’s Reopen Soon
Tarka Indian Kitchen,10550 Westheimer, will open in June. Currently, it is hiring 30 team members for multiple positions. The CityWest Place location will be the fourth in Houston and the ninth systemwide. Founded in Austin in 2009, the fast casual Indian restaurant offers curries, biryanis (though none with goat), kabobs…
Despite Uncertain Future, Watson Still Among Top 2021 MVP Candidates
After over two months of silence, both on social media and literal silence, Deshaun Watson resurfaced on Wednesday morning with three very brief (like, each less than five seconds level brevity) videos of workouts in which he was engaging. The motivation for posting is anybody’s guess, but I am fairly…
Bon Jovi Rocks The Drive-In This Weekend
Walter Kinzie has vivid memories of the first concert he ever attended. He spoke about it with fondness and a sense of awe that seems to have never diminished despite the years and his many experiences around celebrities and big-name music artists. “My first concert ever was Asleep at the…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Hot New Bayside Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Burnt Ends Banh Mi at Yelo Banh Mi Artisans Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 23119 Colonial Parkway, Suite B-3 The banh mi shop has teamed up with fellow Katy spot Brett’s Barbecue Shop to create a limited-time Burnt…
5 Ways Homeowners Can Get Ready for Hurricane Season Right Now
Hurricane season begins on June 1 and, by all accounts, it is expected to be a busy season. Perhaps not 2020 busy when a record number of storms was recorded, but more active than normal according to the latest predictions from the National Hurricane Center. Living along the Gulf Coast…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Wine Flights and the Return of Latin Restaurant Weeks
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Julep owner Alba Huerta and Big Ice HTX owner Luis Villegas have teamed up to open a retail shop celebrating all things cocktail. Located in the 1,000-square-foot private room off the Julep patio, Ready To Drink,…
Dub Miller Heads to Houston from the Hill Country
When it’s time to place a call to Texas singer/songwriter/guitarist Dub Miller at the appointed interview time, a recording says that the number is unavailable. He quickly calls back about 30 seconds later, but wonders aloud if others calling him get the same message. “It could be Willie Nelson calling…
Best Virtual Bets: Beethoven, Femfest, and a Micro-Festival
Virtual programming abounds for lovers of theater, classical music, film, and more in this week’s list of best virtual bets.
Ten Years of Jim Crane: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
I saw this tweet on social media a few days ago, and all I could think was “Man, a decade flies by before you know it”: It’s been ten years since Jim Crane purchased the Houston Astros from Drayton McLane, and if you recall, that $680 million sale price noted…
Turner Proposes Firefighter Pay Bump, But Fire Union Still Isn’t Satisfied
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Wednesday an 18 percent pay raise for city firefighters that would be implemented over the next three years. The raise, which still has to be approved by City Council, would cost $115.3 million, all of which is coming from the federal American Rescue Plan Act,…
Thunderstorms and Rain Whip Through Houston Overnight, But Luckily Don’t Hover in Place
Yes there was flooding and some residents lost power for several hours Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and a lot of us were kept up for hours with loud claps of late night thunder, but overall, thanks to a fast-moving storm, the Houston area fared better than expected so far…
![Could Today Be the Day That Abbott Signs a Radical Abortion Law Critics Call The Most Extreme In America? [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/screenshot_2021-05-19_10.04.41_am.png.png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
Could Today Be the Day That Abbott Signs a Radical Abortion Law Critics Call The Most Extreme In America? [UPDATED]
Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign into law a controversial bill banning abortions after six weeks on Wednesday morning, representatives from Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas have told the Houston Press. Senate Bill 8, which critics have called one of the most restrictive abortion…
Imminent Key Dates You Need To Know To Follow Deshaun Watson Story
The first civil lawsuit against Deshaun Watson was filed back on March 16, 2021. Since then, Tony Buzbee, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs has been very busy, as he has filed 22 more lawsuits. (One plaintiff withdrew her complaint, so we are at a total of 22 lawsuits against…
![In Vino Veritas: National Wine Day May 25 [Update]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mutiny_wine_room_by_michael_anthony.webp-scaled.webp?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
In Vino Veritas: National Wine Day May 25 [Update]
We don’t need excuses to drink wine but National Wine Day is May 25 and that’s as good a reason as any to imbibe some juice de Bacchus. For even more incentive, Houston restaurants and wine bars are offering wine specials from great deals to wallet-emptying wine dinners. We have…
Rockets End Dismal Season: Four Thoughts
The Rockets fell to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday as the season ended with a quiet but sickening thud. With franchise-shaping trades, unprecedented injury issues and a mixture of young, promising talent (nevermind a rookie season for both coach and GM), the Rockets enter the 2021 offseason after one of the…
Houston Concert Watch 5/19: Jade Bird, Corey Taylor and More
There’s quite a bit of rain in the forecast for the next few days, but a little precipitation never kept Houston from enjoying live music before. So put on your rain boots and get out there. Jade Bird The Heights Theater – 21 May On her self-titled debut, Jade Bird…
Hidalgo Finally Lowers COVID Threat Level With New Guidelines For Only Unvaccinated
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Tuesday announced that the local coronavirus metrics and an ample supply of vaccines finally made her comfortable enough to lower the county’s COVID-19 threat level. “So many times I’ve been at this podium to deliver bad news, to talk about the challenges ahead, to…
George Strait Will Close Out RODEOHOUSTON in 2022
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo today announced that George Strait (“Amarillo By Morning,” “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?” “Love Without End, Amen”) will close out the 2022 run with a concert only performance on Sunday, March 20, 2022. This will be Strait’s 31st RODEOHOUSTON performance and marks…
Op Ed: Our Leaders Can’t Leave Houston Tenants Behind
When my family and I moved to Texas from Honduras seven years ago, we envisioned a place where we and our one-year old son could achieve our dreams. Yet the past year has challenged us in ways we never expected. Some of these circumstances were beyond anyone’s control. But others…
Spinning Records and Banging Heads With Metal Midgets Host Jim Florentine
It’s the day after the announcement of Performer inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Class of 2021. And per usual, social media is lit up with fans’ very, very strong opinions of who got in that should have, or got in that shouldn’t have, or who didn’t…
5 Things I Hated About Resident Evil: Village
For the record, I think Resident Evil: Village is utterly brilliant. It’s terrifying, fun to play, and certainly breathing new life into a franchise that has been limping along on nostalgia for a decade. The thing is, when a game is really, really good, it actually makes the flaws even…
The Houston Press Has a Food Editor Opening: Here’s How to Apply
As Houston’s restaurant industry begins to pick up the pace again as pandemic restrictions loosen, the Houston Press is in need of a fulltime food editor to write and handle assignments and editing from our freelancers. Do you have a deep knowledge of food and a compulsion to write about…
Houston Texans Posted In Vegas As Underdogs In All 17 Games In 2021
Hey, Houston Texans fans. Consider this post’s first paragraph a warning label for the coverage of the upcoming season. With the first phase of the offseason activities now in the books — rookie minicamp came and went over this past weekend, yay! — the non-Watson coverage of the Texans will have…
Abbott Pulls Plug On $300 Weekly Feds’ Extra Unemployment Checks For Jobless Texans
Gov. Greg Abbott has decided that out-of-work Texans no longer need the extra $300 in weekly unemployment benefits Congress included in the last national coronavirus relief package. By sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor Monday, Abbott officially pulled Texas out of the federal government’s COVID-19 unemployment relief…
Tonight’s Performance of Fatherland at The Gordy Rescheduled
Stages theater has just announced that because of the threat of severe weather in the Houston area, tonight’s performance of Fatherland by Candice D’Meza has been rescheduled until Saturday June 5. The digital production, which premiered during Stages, 4th annual Sin Muros: A Latinx Theater Festival, will be viewed by…
Is Gov. Abbott Willing to Give Up Power to Hold Onto His Job?
The Lone Star State’s coronavirus response has been a lopsided battle between Gov. Greg Abbott — who’s wielded his executive powers to issue a statewide mask mandate and business restrictions — and local officials like Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who were blocked by the…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Taste Seasonal Ingredients at Their Peak at the New Le Jardinier
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, May 17 Tax Day specials at Grimaldi’s Grimaldi’s will be celebrating Tax Day by offering traditional cheese pizzas for $10.40. Tuesday, May 18 Opening of Le Jardinier at MFAH Le Jardinier at MFAH, 5500 Main, is set to open within…
Folake Olowofoyeku Dances Into the Light
In her youth, Folake Olowofoyeku danced behind closed doors, hidden from her family and friends, those who may never have suspected just how badly she desired to express herself through art. That was a world away ago in Lagos, Nigeria and years before her acting career led her to the…
How Soon is “Too Soon” for TV Comedy to Address Tragedy and Trauma?
Tragedy Plus Time: National Trauma and Television Comedy By Philip Scepanski 280 pp. $50 University of Texas Press On September 29, 2001, just a little over two weeks after the terrorist attack on 9/11, the New York Friars Club and Comedy Central went ahead with a planned “roast” of Hugh…
Ranking the Houston Texans 2021 Road Trips For Fans
Back in the day, before I started doing the postgame show for the Houston Texans on Texans Radio, my then-girlfriend-now-wife Amy and I would travel to a couple of Texans road games each season. Some of our best memories as a couple are, depending on the stadium, either cavorting with…
The Art Car Experience Welcomes Houstonians back to an Eclectic World
“Houston! You got to give us some time because we are fucking rusty,” says a laughing Felipe Galvan as he stands, beer in hand, center stage in front of the crowd. People scream as he leads his band, Los Skarnales, into the next song of the night. The music starts…
Texas Legislature Approves Controversial “Heartbeat Bill” That Would Ban Abortions At Six Weeks
Texas lawmakers have finally rubber-stamped Senate Bill 8, a set of controversial new abortion regulations that would effectively ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy by allowing people to sue abortion providers as well as anyone who helped someone get an abortion after a “heartbeat” is detected in a fetus…
Ultimate Fighting Championship Returns to Houston Saturday Night
Some of the world’s most elite fighters will be competing at UFC 262 in the Toyota Center in front of more than 20,000 rabid fight fans this Saturday night. The MMA promotion is bringing a stacked card headlined by the UFC Lightweight Title Fight between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira…
Openings and Closings: Four Seasons Gets a Pan-Latin Steak House, The Roastery Closes
Toro Toro, 1300 Lamar, will open at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston in fall 2021. This will be the sixth location for the concept. The hotel has partnered with Richard Sandoval Hospitality to bring his award-winning global Pan-Latin Steakhouse to Houston. It will open in the hotel’s revamped third floor…
The Perfect Team To Trade With The Houston Texans For Deshaun Watson
In a perfect world, Deshaun Watson would be getting ready for Organized Team Activities next week with the Houston Texans, and with his new head coach David Culley. In a slightly less perfect world, he would have been traded by now for multiple first round picks, and he would be…
Live Nation To Open New Music Venue At Post HTX In November
A new music venue dubbed The Terminal is scheduled to open at POST Houston this November, Live Nation Entertainment announced today. Formerly the Barbara Jordan Post Office, POST Houston played host to the now-defunct Day For Night Festival in both 2016 and 2017. Live Nation Entertainment says the venue will…
The Houston Press Scores Two Wins in Regional First Amendment Awards
Houston Press contributor Craig Malisow has received two first place awards in the First Amendment Awards competition sponsored by the Fort Worth chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The journalism contest covered publications in Texas and Oklahoma. Malisow won in the Business News category of the large print/online division…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Spiral
Title: Spiral Describe This Movie In One WarGames Quote: JOSHUA: Shall we play a game? Brief Plot Synopsis: Crackpot concocts clever contraptions, killing crooked cops. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2 Shrimp Scampi out of 5. Tagline: “From the Book of Saw.” Better Tagline: “Must be an Old Testament book.” Not So…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Saturday Night Market and Sunday BBQ Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Pasadena Strawberry Festival at Pasadena Municipal Fairgrounds Friday-Sunday 7603 Red Bluff Featuring a colossal lineup of food and drink vendors, a carnival and a BBQ Cook-Off, and the “World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake,” the Pasadena Strawberry Festival is going down…
CDC Approves Even Less Masking For Vaccinated As Pfizer Shots Begin For 12-15 Year-Olds
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has revealed new guidelines on mask-wearing for folks fully vaccinated against COVID-19, namely that the fully vaccinated can go maskless in public and without social distancing from others in all but a few specific settings. The news came one day after the agency echoed…
Alcohol-To-Go From Texas Restaurants Is Now Legal For Good
Over a year after Gov. Greg Abbott allowed Texas restaurants to sell booze-to-go with takeout and delivery food orders, a new law signed by Abbott Wednesday made that temporary pandemic-inspired change the permanent law of the land. Much to the delight of Texan restaurateurs (and state alcohol aficionados who’d rather…
Two Years After Her Astros Foul Ball Injury, Tracy Nabors Doesn’t Want To Be Just Another Statistic
Tracy Nabors, a Willis High School English teacher whose jaw was broken in three places, lost multiple teeth and is still dealing with chronic pain and steep medical expenses after she was hit by a foul ball during batting practice at an Astros game on June 14, 2019, doesn’t like…
Hundreds of Thousands of Potentially Killer Airbags Still On Texas Roads
Takata-brand airbags were recalled all the way back in 2008 after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered life-threatening malfunctions that could shoot dangerous metal shrapnel at car passengers when the airbags deployed. But even though 19 people have been killed by these defective airbags and hundreds more have been…
Houston Arboretum Opens Slightly Feral Playscape
The Houston Arboretum is by far my favorite place in the city since Wilde Collection burned down, so I’ve been watching with eager anticipation as they slowly finished the giant new playscape they have been working on for what seems like forever. It finally went public this week, and it’s…
Finding Balance: Katie Rushing Sets Sparrow Free
Who hasn’t stopped at some point to admire the petite and scrappy sparrows that hop around our lawns? Houston artist Katie Rushing has done just that and the little, common bird has inspired the title of her latest album Sparrow. Sparrow is available for streaming now and for pre-order on…
A Lot Riding on Draft Lottery for Rockets: Four Thoughts
The NBA draft is still two months away and the lottery to determine the order of draft picks is six weeks out, but as the season winds down this week for the league worst Houston Rockets, it is worth taking a peek at just what chances the Rockets have at…
![Upcoming Houston Food Events: Unwind at a Creole-Style Jazz Brunch [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/crawfish_stuffed_quail_by_captiv_creative_4_.webp.webp?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Unwind at a Creole-Style Jazz Brunch [UPDATED]
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings:
Five Thoughts: Houston Texans’ 2021 Schedule Revealed
The prognostications for the Houston Texans’ 2021 season have been far from sparking. Every set of early power rankings that I’ve seen has the Texans as the 32nd best team in the league. Every early mock draft for the 2022 NFL Draft has the Texans picking first overall. Las Vegas…
TUTS Goes Right to the Heart of its Rescheduled 2021-22 Season
In a move born of optimism tempered with caution, Theatre Under the Stars today announces its readjusted 2021-22 Season, one that starts off in October with Rock of Ages and winds up with Jersey Boys in May, betting that audiences are ready to come back to live theater and we’ll…
Best and Worst Offseason Moves of Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio
The Houston Texans’ brass finally had an opportunity to meet collectively with the media earlier this week, out at River Oaks Country Club, for the team’s charity golf tournament. Despite the dim prognostications for the squad this season — the Texans are the longest Super Bowl shot on the board…
Rockets Long Time TV Announcer Bill Worrell Retires
“You friends with Bill?” The question came as a bit of a surprise to me. I was at the Toyota Center for a game waiting for long time announcer Bill Worrell for a part of an interview I was doing with him. Minding my own business, swiping through my phone,…
Houston Concert Watch 5/12: Brent Cobb, Kendell Marvel and More
Events continue to be added to calendars around town, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Below are some of the best in-person and live-streaming concerts happening this week, but I also wanted to mention Joe Rogan’s visit to Bayou Music Center on Thursday and the Rocky Horror Picture Show…
Mayor Turner Unveils Proposed 2022 City Budget That He Says He’ll Already Be Amending Next Week
Mayor Sylvester Turner at a Tuesday morning press conference revealed details of his proposed $5.1 billion city budget for the 2022 fiscal year that begins July 1, 2021, at the same time saying he will amend it by next week to include raises for the city’s firefighters and to address…
Remembering Jim Henley, Who Showed What it Means to Make An Impact
I was at Pappas Seafood on the Gulf Freeway, eating lunch with Jim Henley, when I said something I’ll always regret. Some in the Houston community will recall Jim as one of the Democrats who tried and failed to unseat Republican congressman John Culberson, before Lizzie Fletcher finally succeeded in…
Abbott Gets First Real Right-Wing Challenge As Patrick Secures Trump’s Vote of Confidence
Gov. Greg Abbott took a blow from his party’s right wing Monday when conservative millionaire and former state Sen. Don Huffines announced he’ll be challenging Abbott in the 2022 governor’s race. Just a few hours later, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick received the coveted endorsement of former President Donald Trump, in…
Not Getting Vaccinated Isn’t Freedom
When discussing things with the vaccine-hesitant, there are several different tracks that the conversation can take. One is where it devolves into a conversation about freedom, sometimes even appropriating the language of the pro-choice movement with “my body, my choice.” This is very frustrating because willfully choosing to not get…
A Whole Day Ramble: The First Annual Brooklyn Twang Festival
As live music is slowly returning to venues all across the city, it’s been comforting and refreshing to see mostly local bands revving back up and serving as a great reminder of the immense talent this city holds. Luba Dvorak, who moved to Houston just a few years ago from…
Aaron Rodgers Is Stiff Competition In Texans’ Deshaun Watson Trade Market
The silence continues in the Deshaun Watson legal drama, as it’s been over two weeks since either side has spoken, and if we’ve learned one thing through said silence, it’s that time should likely heal most of the wounds when it comes to the P.R. damage Watson has done. The…
Here’s Your Chance to Catch Up on The Knick, Warrior and Banshee Now on HBO Max
Sometimes series will fall through the cracks. With the sheer amount of series and content being churned out by networks and streaming services these days, there are always gems that were hiding in plain sight, or in the case of these three shows, hiding on Cinemax. Luckily through HBO Max,…
Hey Baby: Tapping Into Tiffany’s Particular Brilliance
Tiffany dominated the pop charts in the 1980s when she was just a teenager and her story as an artist might have ended there, as has been the case for so many creatives who break young in life. Instead, she’s built a lasting model of success by tapping into her…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Shrimpfest, Nurses Day and a Pop-Up Night Market
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, May 10 National Shrimp Day at Orleans Seafood Kitchen Orleans Seafood Kitchen, 20940 Katy Freeway, is celebrating National Shrimp Day with its Shrimpfest special. Guests can dive into 24 fresh Gulf brown shrimp and fries for $18.99. Tuesday, May 11…
Young Sheldon Co-Star Doc Farrow Came To Texas For The Skydiving (and the Stand-Up Too)
“The first couple of years I did stand up, I compared it to carrying a 80 pound pack in Iraq – It’s the scariest thing I’ve done, still is.”
Houston Texans Announce Dates of 2021 OffSeason Team Activities
Beginning with the seemingly hasty hire of Nick Caserio, this offseason for the Houston Texans has felt like some kind of dream. Not the good kind fo dream, and not exactly a nightmare either (since we’ve been conditioned pretty well for catastrophe over the last year and change). Really, it’s…
A Truck Tumps Over at 59 South at 288 and Friday Traffic Backs Up For Miles
Happy Friday Houston. A semi turned over while traveling on US.-59 South this morning, and because of how it landed, there was no way to get around it till wreckers could clear it. Traffic backed up for miles as drivers desperately scrambled for some way out of the mess. Or…
Texas House Approves Republican-Backed Voting Bill Over Democratic Cries Of Voter Suppression
In the wee hours of Friday morning, the Texas House of Representatives voted to pass a slate of election reforms Republicans argue would secure “election integrity” but that Democrats and other critics call voter suppression. The vote put Texas one step closer to joining other Republican-led states — Georgia, Iowa…
KP George Snubs Greater Houston Partnership and Blasts Fort Bend County Commissioners
Fort Bend County Judge KP George spent this past week aligning himself with his Democratic allies Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in their public battle with the Greater Houston Partnership over proposed changes to state voting laws, and lambasting his colleagues on the Fort Bend…
Rockets Have 13 Players on Their Injury Report
The Rockets were not going to be a very good team this year had they been healthy, but their struggles with injuries have only added to the misery of the league’s worst 16-win team. With only a handful of games remaining, this sad chapter in Houston basketball will soon be…
Air Yordan Returns in Win Over New York
After a couple of tough losses in the Bronx this week amid boos and jeers only generated by New Yorkers, the Astros beat the Yankees 7-4 in the series finale thank to the long-ball. Jose Altuve hit what would be the game winning three-run dinger on his thirty-first birthday and…
Openings and Closings: The Lymbar by David Cordua, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Arrives
The Lymbar, 4201 Main, is coming to The Ion this fall. The craft cocktail bar and restaurant is bringing Latin and Mediterranean flavors from chef David Cordua, currently executive chef and owner of David + Michael Cordua Events. Cordua is also the former executive chef/owner of Americas and Churrascos. Cordua…
Recent Third Round QB History Not Kind To Houston Texans
So far, in the dawning of the post-2021 NFL Draft portion of the calendar, I have seen three different mock drafts for the 2022 NFL Draft, and all three have one thing in common — each of them has the Houston Texans picking first in the draft. The consensus, at…
Houston Chamber Choir Summons Patron Saint of Music in Season Finale
The Houston Chamber Choir will perform “A Time to Draw Closer” on May 9. Apollo Chamber Players will join the Choir for this performance. The concert will include the world premiere of a work by noted Houston composer Mark Buller to celebrate the choir’s 25th anniversary.The three-movement work relates to the legend of St. Cecilia,…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Treat Mom to a Decadent Brunch This Mother’s Day
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Puppies for Breakfast at East River Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 100 Clinton The tenth annual Puppies for Breakfast will take place at Midway’s 150-acre East River development in East Downtown. The event is free and open to…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined Wrath Of Man
Title: Wrath of Man Describe This Movie Using One Simpsons Quote: BART: He’s like some sort of non-giving up, [truck]….guy Brief Plot Synopsis: Still no honor among thieves. Bummer. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3 burritos out of 5. Tagline: n/a Better Tagline: “Seriously, is a Spy sequel too much to ask?” Not So…
Yusef Lateef’s Worldwide Jazz Journey Reissued on Vinyl
As vinyl continues its unlikely resurgence for a music media format, audiophiles are drooling over their turntables (though likely quick to wipe it off) at the hundreds of albums — many out of print for decades — being reissued. And not just like they were originally. Many are coming out…
Maria Muldaur and Tuba Skinny Get Happy Together in New Orleans
It was a couple of years ago when Maria Muldaur was shopping for clothes at a favorite store when she heard “the most beautiful vintage jazz” of the ‘20s and ‘30s playing over the speakers. And though she couldn’t peg the artist, the interest of the woman who’s been called…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Local Institution Ouisie’s Table Celebrates 48 Years
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Torchy’s Tacos has announced its May Taco of the Month: The Tokyo Drifter. It features teriyaki glazed pulled pork, fried wonton strips, sweet and sour veggie slaw, sesame Sriracha mayo and cilantro, served with a lime…
Extremely Early Houston Texans Guide to the 2022 NFL Draft
The 2021 NFL Draft is done, the Deshaun Watson legal saga rolls on amidst two weeks of silence, and the Houston Texans are currently staring at a quarterback depth chart consisting of Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Finley, and rookie Davis Mills for the 2021 season. If things break as they’re expected…
The Fight Against Trans Athletes is Also Misogyny
This week, the Texas House Committee on Public Education dealt what might be a fatal blow to a bill that would have mandated trans athletes compete only in sports that corresponded to the gender they were assigned at birth. The bill was voted down by the committee, leaving it unlikely…
Night Ranger Wants You to Know: You Can Still Rock in Houston
As live concerts slowly start up again and bands cautiously plot summer and fall tours, it may be hard to tell who will be more excited: those standing in front of the stage, or those on it. For Jack Blades, singer/bassist for classic rockers Night Ranger, their upcoming Houston show…
Best Virtual Bets: Fashion, Pretty Fire, and The Sound of Music
Fashion shows, serious discussions, and operatic singalongs are just a few things on this week’s list of best virtual (and socially distanced) bets.
Hidalgo and Turner Cancel Events With Houston’s Biggest Business Group Over Silence On Texas Voter Bills
After weeks of pressuring the Greater Houston Partnership to get off the sidelines and speak out against controversial state voting bills, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Wednesday that they were fed-up with the organization’s silence and officially cancelled their annual State of the City…
The Weird Wunsche Graveyard in the Shadow of I-45
In a city that is well known for treating history like it’s a rotting tree stump in need of dynamiting to build as sweet-ass dirt bike ramp, I have a particular fondness for graves. Specifically, the ones that somehow endure in strange places when all sense says they should have…
Two Weeks Of Legal Silence: What’s Next For Deshaun Watson?
For a month, the Deshaun Watson legal saga was non stop chaos, on special media and in the news realm. If it wasn’t another few lawsuits dropping, it was Tony Buzbee firing away at Watson and Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, on social media. That would typically be followed by a…
Weighing the Floor and Ceiling of the Rockets’ Kevin Porter, Jr.
The sky’s the limit. That is something you often hear in sports about young, up-and-coming players. It’s hyperbole, obviously, but it is typically a reflection of the raw talent that young player possesses. Where he goes from there is unpredictable. For the Rockets, they are fortunate to have at least…
Houston Concert Watch 5/5: Sarah Jaffe, Molly Tuttle and More
This week, one of Houston’s favorite cover bands will perform an outdoor concert, a Texas native will bring her introspective folk-turned-pop ballads to The Heights Theater, and the godfather of psychobilly will perform solo at the House Of Blues. Still don’t feel comfortable seeing live music in-person? No sweat. We’ve included a…
The Art Car Parade Rolls In Differently This Year
The Houston Art Car Parade has been a yearly tradition since 1988 and one of the city’s most festive and eclectic celebrations of artists in the community. Every year the much anticipated event is sandwiched into a fun weekend where art cars can be seen cruising all around Houston’s busy…
Houston’s Madeline The Person Represents a New Generation of Breakthrough Artists
Whenever a recording artist signs a major label deal, it’s big news. If the artist is from Houston, there’s some hometown pride added to the celebration. But, the recent signing of Houston’s own Madeline The Person by Warner Records isn’t just exciting, it’s also an indication of how the music…
Dan Patrick’s Texas Senate Is All That Stands In The Way Of Permitless Handguns In Texas
Until just a few days ago, it looked like the legislative push to allow Texans to carry handguns without permits was on life support after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said a Texas House-backed proposal to allow permitless carry didn’t have enough support in the Texas Senate to get a full-hearing,…
Houston Texans Draft Rated Worst in NFL By Draft Experts
The 2021 NFL Draft is in the books, and for the Houston Texans, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that, despite a draft class where they didn’t pick until the third round and only came away with five players, the Texans’ 2021 Super Bowl odds…
Danny Zelisko Promotes His Own Backstage Story in Memoir
In a career spanning 45+ years as a concert promoter, Danny Zelisko estimates that he’s put on about 12,000 shows around the country. But the average entertainment consumer likely doesn’t know what a “concert promoter” does any more than what the tasks of a “recording engineer” or “key grip” are…
Staying In This Mother’s Day? These Houston Restaurants Are Offering Mother’s Day To-Go 2021
Dining at home this Mother’s Day? These Houston restaurants are offering special Mother’s Day takeout packages, curbside menus and easy to-go options for the special mom figures in your life. a’Bouzy, 2300 Westheimer Spoil mom with DR Delicacy Premium Hackleback Sturgeon Caviar served with traditional accoutrements, two crystal Veuve Clicquot…
Here’s Your Chance to Sing Along With Opera Stars in Public and No One Will Shush You
As a youngster, Michael Mayes would sometimes accompany his father to his job as an electronics technician working on pipelines stretching from Amarillo to South Texas. Along the way, they’d sing bluegrass and country music. “My dad taught me how to sing harmony,” Mayes says. On Saturday, May 8, baritone…
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Shots On The House: Houston Music Foundation Hosts Vaccine Drive [UPDATED]
With the Houston Health Department reporting over a million Houstonians have now been fully vaccinated, many people are finally feeling like they can see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic lifestyle we have all come to see as the new normal. In an attempt to help achieve the return of…
Houston Area Hospitals and ERs Are Packed As Patients Return At Pre-Pandemic Levels
Last week, the Houston Press heard from a Missouri City resident who recently had to call an ambulance for his wife because she was having breathing trouble while recovering from a recent surgery. When the ambulance arrived, the EMS worker told him they’d have to take her to St. Luke’s…
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans’ 2021 NFL Draft
Throughout the Texans’ very turbulent and strange offseason, we have speculated as to how exactly general manager Nick Caserio would attack the NFL Draft, his first as the man in charge of an NFL roster construction, or maybe RECONSTRUCTION is the more appropriate description for the Texans’ situation. If free…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Sip a Frozen Flight This Cinco de Mayo
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Teacher and Nurse Appreciation Week Tarka Indian Kitchen, 3701 South Shepherd, 721 West 19th, is offering 20 percent off for all teachers and nurses who show their proof of employment when they checkout from May 3-12. Monday through Friday Teacher…
10 Most Intriguing Songs Van Halen Covered In Their Club Days
10 Most Intriguing Songs Van Halen Covered In Their Club Days.
Houston Ballet Returns in Force and Yes Virginia, There is a Nutcracker
After more than a year away from live, in-person performances, Houston Ballet today announces its 2021-22 season, ready to welcome pandemic-weary audiences back to the Wortham stage to see the company present the same upper level work its dancers have been known for in seasons past, according to Artistic Director…
Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival Makes Its Return This Fall
Travis Scott’s wildly popular Astroworld Festival is returning this fall November 5th and 6th to NRG Park. The festival returns this year with an expanded two-day format, taking place November 5 and 6, at NRG park. The theme for the show is the appropriately titled be “Open Your Eyes to…
NFL Draft, Day 1 — Four Winners, Four Losers
For the Houston Texans and their fan base, the 2021 NFL Draft really begins tonight, with the 67th overall pick, the third pick of the third round. However, for most of the rest of the NFL, the draft festivities began last night with the first round of the draft. Five…
Openings and Closings: Rakkan Ramen Opens This Week, Le Jardinier Debuts in May
Le Jardinier, 5500 Main, opens at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston May 18. Located inside the the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, the French-inspired restaurant comes from The Bastion Collection which also opened Cafe Leonelli at the museum April 16. Michelin-starred chef Alain Verzeroli will serve as culinary director…
A Third of the Way Into 2021 and Houston Highways Are Setting New Records For Crazy
Just when you thought it was safe to get back on the freeway, the Houston area once again rolls out the red carpet of crazy. Normally, traffic warnings might include freeway closures, hazardous chemical spills, hundreds of nighttime bicyclists or people stopping in the middle of the highway for a marriage…
Former HPD Chief Acevedo Says Sheriff Gonzalez Would Be A Great For “Thankless Job” Of ICE Director
Former Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo admitted he was surprised when he heard the news that his old colleague Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez had been nominated by President Joe Biden to lead U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement. Not that Gonzalez was chosen for the role, but that he accepted…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Spring Wine Fest and All Things Derby
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Maker’s Mark Derby Day Brunch and specials at Backstreet Cafe Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1103 South Shepherd Guests can enjoy a Maker’s Mark Derby Day brunch featuring three courses and cocktail pairings for $45 per person. Highlights…
Troubadour Bob Bradshaw Leaves a Light On in New Record
The world of the theater has a long history of traditions and superstitions (we’re thinking of you, “The Scottish Play”). But one that’s taken on more prominence and meaning during the pandemic is the story of “the Ghost Light.” Usually a single illuminated electric bulb at the top of a…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Without Remorse
Title: Without Remorse Describe This Movie In One Clerks Quote: VIDEO CUSTOMER: Ooh, Navy SEALS! Brief Plot Synopsis: Grieving widower kills and kills again. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 1.5 Castle Wolfensteins out of 5. Tagline: “From the author of Rainbow Six.” Better Tagline: “We committed to two movies and here we…
Policing Reform in Houston Kicks Into the Next Gear
Effective immediately by executive order of Mayor Sylvester Turner, body camera footage from all police-involved shootings which involves a display of excessive force or the death of someone in custody, will be made public within 30 days. However, to the expected disappointment of many in the community, that change in…
Abbott and Texas Open the Spigot For Federal Stimulus Funding For Public Schools
Taking time out from his continuing barrage of criticism aimed at President Biden and how he’s handling immigration and the border, Texas Governor Greg Abbott Wednesday announced that the state is finally releasing $11.2 billion in one-time federal stimulus money for the state’s public schools. Making the announcement along with…
Graham Russell on Gardening and a Bountiful Crop of Air Supply Hits
Graham Russell knows a thing or two about planting a seed, nurturing it and watching it grow into a lush source of sustenance. Whether it’s literally growing the food he eats or producing a bumper crop of music for the world’s nourishment, he’s got a green thumb. Russell is guitarist,…
Which Team Could Make a Last Minute Pre-Draft Trade For Deshaun Watson?
For most of the NFL, tonight is Draft Weekend, Day 1, in which the first round will kick off at 7 p.m. local time, and finish up somewhere around midnight or so. For a handful of teams, the draft begins Friday night in Round 2. For one team, though, the…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Cinco de Mayo Margs and a Breakfast Party for Pups
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: On Monday, May 3, Recipe for Success Foundation will host its Delicious Alchemy Banquet at Hope Farms, 10401 Scott. Patrons will enjoy a lively cocktail hour produced by the Ladies of Libation, followed by a ten-course…
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Music Returns to Tomball Depot with Rails & Tails Mudbug Festival [UPDATED]
While the phrase “May Day” typically signals a distress call from a ship or boat, it’s also the traditional nomenclature for May 1 in the calendar year. And for Ted Lee, co-founder/bassist for the Cajun-centric band Bayou Roux, this year’s May Day will be anything but stressful. In fact, he’s…
Best Virtual Bets: Ballet, Sheng Wang, and Mariachi Divas
You can find ballet, opera, comedy and Cinco de Mayo festivities in this week’s best virtual bets.
Shopper Sues After He Says Bicycle Slipped From Rack and Crashed on His Head at Academy
Bicycle accidents happen all the time. A car driver fails to yield right of way. A road adjoining a construction site hasn’t been cleared of gravel and other debris and a rider goes into a skid. An unexpected pot hole engulfs the front tire, causing a wreck. Seasoned riders know…
CDC Approves Less Masking Outdoors As Harris County Remains At Red Alert Level
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control officially relaxed its guidelines for when U.S. residents should wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Tuesday, issuing new rules that allow for some newfound flexibility in outdoor settings, especially for fully vaccinated folks as the agency continues to encourage non-vaccinated…
Houston: How Does Your Garden Grow?
The month of April is nearly over. After the devastating freeze in February, Houston has seen even more unusual weather with cooler-than-normal temperatures and a mix of wind, storms and dry spells through the past two months. However, a look around the Bayou City’s neighborhoods shows the resiliency of nature…
Houston Texans’ Draft History Indicates Low Ceiling For This Weekend
While all remains quiet on the Deshaun Watson legal front, there is the small matter of Texans general manager Nick Caserio attempting to continue the colossal rebuild that remains in the wake of the disaster Bill O’Brien inflicted on this team’s roster as its previous general manager. As of right…
I Will NOT Make My Child Go To School Sick Even if She’s Just in Her Bedroom
One of the more frustrating things about the remote learning process over the last year is that my daughter’s school district has never really addressed what the hell to do when she is ill. Luckily, she’s been pretty healthy (turns out your kids gets sick a lot less when they…
A Family Affair: Vodi Will Perform At White Oak Music Hall
Houston’s music community is as large as the city itself, but for those paying attention there are musicians and bands that in a pre-pandemic time, would continuously pop up on lineups around town. One of those groups, Vodi, will perform on Friday, April 30 at White Oak Music Hall, as…
Denise Fennell Brings Her Sister Act Back to Houston’s Stages Theater
When one of the key aspects of your theater show is interacting with the audience and thanks to COVID-19 there’s no live audience in the room, that presents a problem. As it turns out, not an insurmountable one for the technical wizards working for Stages theater where actress Denise Fennell…
Where to Dine Out for Mother’s Day Brunch 2021 in Houston
Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday, May 9, so now is the time to make plans to treat the special moms in your life to brunch. From luxe prix fixe affairs to restaurants offering tasty specials and flowing mimosas, here’s where to get Mother’s Day brunch in Houston this…
New Report Shows Anti-Jewish Vandalism In Texas Rose 53 Percent In 2020
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, harassment and attacks against Jewish U.S. residents continued at near-record levels according to the Anti-Defamation league. In its annual report on antisemitism across the United States, ADL announced Tuesday that it recorded 2,024 cases of anti-Jewish assault, harassment or vandalism that occurred in 2020. While the…
Houston Concert Watch 4/28: The Reverend Horton Heat, Matthew Logan Vasquez and More
More and more concerts are being added to calendars around town, and with the vaccination-rollout going strong it looks as if live music is on the rebound. Hope to see some of you out there this week. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap. Raul Malo The Heights Theater –…
Tad Brown’s Departure From Rockets Typifies Massive Houston Sports Turnover
In early November 2019, just days after the Astros lost in seven games in the World Series, despite whatever downtrodden feelings we still held about the end of that series, Houston sports was in a pretty good place. The Astros were, at worst, the second best team in baseball. The…
Console Woes Could Mean a Growing Gaming Wealth Gap
I got a PlayStation 5, but I’m still really unhappy with how I did. Originally, I was going to use part of my first stimulus check in 2020 to set-up a pre-order for the system at GameStop like I did with my PS4. Delays in getting that check meant I…
Mare of Easttown Starring Kate Winslet is a Murder Mystery That Rises Above the Formulaic
Mare of Easttown is a new HBO drama/murder mystery starring Oscar winner Kate Winslet as Mare Sheehan, a police detective in a small Pennsylvania town. Rather than just another entry into the generic murder mystery — a rouge detective trying to crack the crime — it is striving for much more…
Waiting For The Rodeo: Whitney Rose Can Finally Bring Her Last Album To Life
Just a year ago Canadian transplant and Austin sweetheart Whitney Rose was celebrating the release of her fourth album, We Still Go To Rodeos with a busy touring schedule opening up for Mavericks front man, Raul Malo when all things came to a halt, including rodeos. Rose herself was scheduled…
These Houston Bars and Restaurants Are Celebrating Cinco de Mayo 2021 with Margs, Tacos and More
From margarita happy hours and Mexican beer buckets to tequila-inspired fiestas and takeout tacos, here’s how to kick up your Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Houston this year. 8th Wonder and Eatsie Boys, 2202 Dallas 8th Wonder will be serving specialty Micheladas on Cinco de Mayo in combination with live…
Some Houston Signmaker is Really Mad at President Biden
Random sentiments plastered to wrong way signs by our more… exuberant residents are pretty common in Houston. Most of them are trying to sell you sham health insurance or buy your diabetic strips. However, one person has gone the extra length to cover the city in one angry screed: BIDEN…
Houston Health Department Offers Walk-Up COVID-19 Vaccines As Pace Of Local Shots Slows
It’s easier than ever to get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Houston area, especially now that the Houston Health Department has opened up its multiple vaccination sites across town for walk-in appointments as of Monday. Between the newly lax appointment requirements for city-provided vaccines and the decision to allow walk-up…
This Could Be a Very Complicated Season for the Astros
On Saturday, with only one out down, the last starter the Astros added to their rotation before the season started, Jake Odorizzi, left the game with tightness in his forearm. Kent Emanuel, a 29-year-old rookie stepped in and pitched the REST of the game giving up only two runs in…
Laptops and Hotspots to the Rescue But How is HISD Going to Afford to Keep This Going?
On a Thursday night in mid-March 2020, the Vazquez family were eating dinner at Spanky’s Pizza on Telephone Road, at a fundraiser for Ortiz Middle School’s theater department. They were celebrating 13-year-old Isabella’s performance at the school talent show that night where she had sung “When Will My Life Begin?”…
Vegas Forecasts Texans As NFL’s Worst Team For 2021
I know it doesn’t feel like it at this very moment, but someday the football news in this town will shift away from Deshaun Watson’s legal troubles and over to actual football. Probably sometime after next week’s NFL Draft and before training camp, but I swear, it IS going to…
This Week in Houston Food Events: There’s a New Hot Chicken Sandwich in Town
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesdays Crawfish Tuesdays at UB Preserv UBP, 1609 Westheimer, is now open on Tuesdays, serving crawfish and only crawfish and rotating flavors throughout the season. Thursday, April 29 Willie Nelson’s 88th Birthday at Eight Row Flint Join a Willie Nelson look-alike…
Hero’s Return: Hyro The Hero Comes Home
For more than a dozen years, Hyro The Hero has been on a journey that’s whisked him from southeast Houston to places across the globe. Like a modern-day Odysseus, he’s fought to get respect and notoriety. Hyro’s chosen battlefield is the treacherous music industry and he’s been victorious thanks to…
1974: The Year that Movies, Music, TV, and Politics All Came Together
Ronald Brownstein has spent most of his life as a professional reporter in Washington, D.C., and today is a frequent political analyst for CNN and a senior editor at The Atlantic. But he also holds a deep interest in pop culture and—more importantly—how it relates to and connects with history…
See White Rabbit, Red Rabbit But Don’t Tell Anyone What You Find Out
When young Iranian Nassim Soleimanpour, who had been teaching set design at the University of Tehran, was summoned for compulsory military service, he declared himself a conscientious objector. In Iran under the harsh boot of the mullahs, that was not the wisest decision. Graced with plain dumb good luck, Soleimanpour…
Emergency Supplies Are Tax-Free April 24-26, So Stock Up Soon To Save Some Cash
February’s god-awful winter storm was a potent reminder that the best time to prepare for a disaster is before it hits. With those memories still fresh in the minds of Texans and with hurricane season only 39 days away, this weekend’s tax holiday on emergency supplies couldn’t have come at…
Openings and Closings: Space Cowboy Rockets In, BCK Will Close
Space Cowboy, 100 W. Cavalcade, will have its grand opening April 23. This is the first concept from Night Moves Hospitality to open in 2021, as we reported here in the Houston Press. There are at least three more ventures planned by the newly formed hospitality group for this year…
Never Mind The ‘Rona, Here Are Your 2021 Oscar Picks
It’s been a weird movie year (been a weird everything year, if we’re being honest), with dozens of big budget films pushed from 2020 release to this year or beyond and studios leveraging streaming services to do small screen rollouts, some (Godzilla vs. Kong) more successful than others (Mulan). But…
Hardin and Buzbee Continue Public Squabble Over Disclosure of Accuser Names
On Thursday afternoon, we had our latest court proceedings in the ongoing saga of Deshaun Watson facing off with 22 civil lawsuit plaintiffs, all females with various job titles and certifications within the massage therapy industry. While, on paper, there was “nothing of substance” really occurring (Rusty Hardin’s exact words,…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: The Return of Brunch and an Epic “Stop the Hate” Fundraiser
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: National Picnic Day Friday Local restaurants have teamed up with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership to create special al fresco dining packages and picnic options in honor of National Picnic Day, and all participating restaurants will donate proceeds from each…
TINA: HBO Tells the Story of an Icon, One Last Time
Who’s going to tell the makers of TINA that as its legendary subject recounts a harrowing experience of fleeing her abusive ex-husband by running across a Dallas freeway, the film’s accompanying stock footage shows Downtown Houston – not our little sister town? Or at least that, unlike plenty of Ike…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Boys From County Hell
Title: Boys From County Hell Describe This Movie Using One Lost Boys Quote: GRANDPA: One thing about living in [Six Mile Hill] I never could stomach: all the damn vampires. Brief Plot Synopsis: Sure and that’s a fine coffin ye got there. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3.5 pints out…
Some Houston Methodist Employees Say They Are Ready to Be Fired Rather Than Get the COVID Vaccine Now
Houston Methodist made headlines at the end of March when the hospital chain’s CEO Dr. Marc Boom made the call to require all of his employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to keep their jobs. It was the first major hospital system in the country to announce it…
Listen To The Radio: KTRU Celebrates 29th Annual Outdoor Show
College radio has a long tradition of being a platform for music lovers and artists who wouldn’t necessarily get radio play on mainstream stations. For years, they have served as a great way to expose and educate listeners on non commercial music, in turn inspiring younger artists with new sounds…
Best Virtual Bets: Nuns, Shakespeare, and New American Voices
It’s National Tell a Story Day, and whether you want to hear a new story or an old classic, you can find something on our list of best virtual (or socially distanced) bets.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Derby Day Juleps and a Chick’nCone from Slim Thug
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Chick’nCone, 1919 North Shepherd, has partnered with local celeb Slim Thug to raise funds that will support youth in low-income Houston communities, creating the ‘Still Tippin’ Cone” inspired by the artist’s favorite Kickin’ Ranch flavor and…
Will Porter Hopes the Second Time’s the Charm for Tick Tock Tick
Many performers are happy to get a single record release, and far fewer get a second shot at bringing their music to a wider audience. R&B/blues singer Will Porter, with a new reissue of his well-reviewed 2016 record Tick Tock Tick (Gramophono Sound) will get just that opportunity. “It’s got…
Prison Rape Jokes About Derek Chauvin Aren’t Funny
Derek Chauvin has been formally convicted of murdering Houstonian George Floyd during his tenure in the Minneapolis Police Department. On Tuesday, the jury found him guilty on all counts. Chauvin’s bail was revoked, and he was remanded into custody. He will be sentenced roughly eight weeks from now and faces…
Live and In Person: Houston Ballet Hits the Boards at Miller Outdoor Theatre
It’s something that Connor Walsh, principal dancer for Houston Ballet almost couldn’t believe would finally happen. But now that he and other company members have pinched themselves several times over, it has — as he puts it — kicked them all into gear. Following an opening performance from the Houston…
Ted Cruz Meets With the Marine Who Has Been Camping Outside His House
Senator Ted Cruz finally met with Diana Sims, the Marine corporal who has been sitting on the sidewalk outside his house for weeks trying to get him to address anti-military actions he has taken. The two talked for about two hours on Friday April 16. “I’m taking all this with…
Houston Concert Watch 4/21: Riff Raff, Aaron Watson and More
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of American adults have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Concerns over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine notwithstanding, this is good news for live music fans who are eager to return to our…
The Most Questionable Part of Rusty Hardin’s Defense Strategy For Deshaun Watson
On Monday, we had our most significant declaration from the defense side of the Deshaun Watson legal soap opera, with Rusty Hardin filing a seven page response to the allegations of the 22 plaintiffs suing the Houston Texans’ quarterback. This was followed up by a statement from Hardin in which…
UH Opens New Interactive Art Display to Talk About the Police
In the aftermath of Derek Chauvin’s conviction for murdering Houstonian George Floyd, the subject of what it means to interact with the cops has never been timelier. Enter Brooklyn artist Shaun Leonardo, who will be presenting a piece called “Your First Interaction With Police” at the University of Houston main campus…
Derek Chauvin Found Guilty of Murder in Killing of Houstonian George Floyd
After deliberating for around ten hours, a Minnesota jury Tuesday found former Minneapolis Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder in the killing of former Houstonian George Floyd. The 12-person jury’s decision on Tuesday capped-off one of the highest-profile trials in recent memory, in a case that caught the…
A Real Barn Burner: The Flamin’ Hellcats At Continental Club
The Continental Club has always been a home for the best rock and roll around and a real musicians venue where artists not only play often, but also come out in support of each other. The club has also been a hub for rockabilly and Latino artists from the city…
Hidalgo Announces No Appointments Needed For COVID-19 Vaccines at NRG Park
Earlier this year, Houston area residents watched COVID-19 vaccine appointment websites and phone lines crash under the pressure of massive public demand for the life-saving shots. That was followed by months of available vaccine appointments getting filled in mere minutes, when locals had to be online at just the right…
Are Deshaun Watson’s 22 Accusers Lying? Rusty Hardin Says “Resounding Yes”
Since the first lawsuit was filed by Tony Buzbee against Deshaun Watson back on March 16, 2021, this past Saturday and Sunday we had our first quiet weekend during this whole saga, with no new lawsuits, no new social media salvos, no new anything. A quick scouring of Instagram perhaps…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Free Kids Meals and National Picnic Day
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, April 20 420 Specials at Mellow Mushroom Mellow Mushroom is celebrating 4/20 with select $4.20 Munchies, available for online orders all day at order.mellowmushroom.com. The pizza joint will also be giving away 420 of the newly introduced Merry Prankster pie…
Who Do Houston Texan Fans Blame For This Mess?
For the first time in over a month, I think we can look back at the previous week and all of the legal happenings surrounding Deshaun Watson, and say “OK, things seem to be settling down a little bit.” Don’t get me wrong, there is still a long way to…
Bongzilla Picks a Particularly Brilliant 4/20 Song
When it comes to selecting a weed-centric song of particular brilliance, few people are as qualified as Mike “Muleboy” Makela to offer a primo selection. Makela is the frontman for Bongzilla, the legendary Wisconsin stoner metal band. Their albums, with titles like Gateway and Amerijuanican, have exalted on high the…
HGO Presents Marian’s Song Virtually in Spoken Word and Song
From a very young age, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton can remember writing poetry, drawn not only to words on a page but to speaking them aloud. It was something that stayed with her as she went on to become poet laureate emeritus of Houston, published a lauded book of poetry with…
Breakfast Taco Full Of Crystal Meth Found By Hobby Airport TSA Agents
In one of the more absurd news alerts the Houston Press has received in recent history, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration announced Friday that its security officers at Hobby Airport discovered a breakfast taco full of eggs, cheese, what appears to be brisket and a bag of crystal meth earlier…
Harris County Launches On-Demand COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Site and Ditches Waitlist
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Friday that the county has launched a coronavirus vaccine sign-up website. Starting Friday, county residents can sign up for one of 55,000 vaccine appointments available from Harris County for the week of April 19th on ReadyHarris.org or by calling 832-927-8787. “You will pick a…
Texans On The Hook Again For Expired Driver’s Licenses and Vehicle Registrations
State residents with expired driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations need to get those renewed ASAP, as the pandemic-inspired grace period that had Texas law enforcement looking the other way is officially over. In some of his first coronavirus executive orders back in March 2020, Abbott ordered the Department of Public…
Openings and Closings: Tres Amigos Arrives, Julep Returns
Tres Amigos Cafe y Cantina, 3402 N. Shepherd, will open April 22 in the space which formerly housed Shepherd Park Draught House. The new restaurant comes from Delicious Concepts Restaurant Group. It’s the vision of CEO Ken Bridge who got the idea years ago when he approached his friends Stewart…
Houston Filmmaker Releases Delightfully Puerile Fake Trailer, Plans Future Horror
COVID has been hard on the local film industry, with a lot of filmmakers unable to operate safe sets to continue their craft. However, at least one has managed to release something so rampagingly puerile and obscene that it can’t help but be admired. That man is Jeremy Sumrall (Pickaxe),…
Rockets Tech Game Strong in Block of Ransomware Attack
On the floor, the Houston Rockets might not be very good right now. In fact, they are possibly the worst team in the NBA. But off the floor, in the bowels of the Toyota Center inside what we imagine are windowless concrete rooms filled with nerds drinking orange soda surrounded…
Bluesman Chris Cain Raises His Profile with Alligator Debut
In the Christian Bible, the Story of the Nativity mentions the Three Kings. And in the Holy Book of the Blues there is another troika of monikered monarchs: the Kings named B.B., Albert, and Freddie. Contemporary blues singer/guitarist Chris Cain was fortunate enough to meet, open for, and/or befriend all…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Fight Hunger and End Waste, Plus the Katy Sip ‘N Stroll
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Fight Hunger. End Waste. Food & Beverage Series All month long Local food rescue nonprofit Second Servings has created the inaugural “Fight Hunger. End Waste.” food and beverage series for April. All month long, 15 of Houston’s favorite restaurants…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: In The Earth
Title: In the Earth Describe This Movie Using One Day of the Triffids Quote: TOM: Keep behind me. There’s no sense in getting killed by a plant. Brief Plot Synopsis: Flora flusters fauna. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2 Mark Wahlbergs out of 5. Tagline: “Nature is a force of evil.” Better…
The 1836 Project Is Probably Going to End Up Being Confederate Glorification
On Wednesday, State Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) went before the House State Affairs Committee to advocate for House Bill 2497, which would create the 1836 Project. We should be very worried that it’s a bunch of Confederate glorifications in disguise. The bill would create an advisory board to promote…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Suck Down Mudbugs and Jam to Live Music
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: In honor of Autism Action & Awareness Month (April), healthy fast-casual restaurant Flower Child has partnered with The Autism Community in Action, donating a portion of all sales at all of its locations on Friday, April…
Best Virtual Bets: Parallel Play, Specters of Noon, and Hope
Enjoy in-person art safely as we add more in-person events to our list of best virtual bets.
The Power Of We: Possessed By Paul James Returns To Houston
To be possessed by something is to be completely overtaken and the term usually comes with a negative or occult connotation. In the case of singer songwriter Konrad Wert, otherwise known as Possessed By Paul James, his soul is owned by sunnier spirits. Wert will be bringing his one man…
NFL Odds: Deshaun Watson Still a Top Tier NFL MVP Candidate in 2021
With all the news about Deshaun Watson the Civil Lawsuit Defendant this past month, we tend to forget that there is still Deshaun Watson the Football Player, and once we do remember that, we recall that he is still very good at American football. At various times in his first…
#HoustonSports: Astros Star Players Land on Injured List
It wasn’t bad enough that the Astros had lost four straight and their starting pitching was behaving like it needed to be home early given the lack of innings they are putting up, but the team announced Wednesday that five players including Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Martin Maldonado…
Wanted: A Full-Time Food Editor For the Houston Press
The Houston Press has an immediate opening for a journalist with a sophisticated understanding of food and the skill to write about it in an engaging way. The food editor directs the Press’s restaurant industry coverage, recruits and manages freelance writers, assigns and edits stories, writes daily food posts and…
Buzbee to Refile All 22 Lawsuits Against Watson With Plaintiff Names
For the first time in a long time, we had gone a few days in a row with no movement and no noise from the Deshaun Watson legal proceedings. The last we had heard from either camp was Tony Buzbee’s Friday night Instagram post in response to Rusty Hardin’s one…
Houston’s Largest Mural Brings Attention To Food Insecurity
A mural, curated by Street Art for Mankind, is now on full display at Hampton Inn by Hilton’s 5-story, 250-foot wall, located on the back of the property situated on Crawford Street between Rusk Street and Capitol Street. It’s the largest mural in the city, and it has an even larger story behind it.
A.J. Hinch Deserved a Hero’s Welcome at Minute Maid
Cheating sucks. There, we said it. In fact, we’ve said it plenty of times before in this space. What the Astros did back in 2017 on their way to the first World Series win in Houston history was an embarrassment. Period. Full stop. But, when A.J. Hinch returned to Minute…
Revisiting Resident Evil 7 Ahead of Village
I was obsessed with Resident Evil as a teenager to the point that I got into at least one screaming argument with my brother over a plot point in a spin-off novel (Caliban Cove, represent). As the series moved away from its survival horror roots into a more military tactical…
Houston Concert Watch 4/14: Beetle, Read Southall Band and More
Three of this week’s five concert suggestions are in-person, which feels a bit unreal after 13 months of COVID-19. I hope to see a few of you folks out there. Beetle Continental Club – 15 April In 2002, Beetle played its first show at the Continental Club. At the time,…
POLL: Over 90 Percent of Houston Texan Fans Are OUT on Deshaun Watson
If it feels like election season never really ended here in Houston, there is a good reason for that. A public battle that has been nearly as contentious and every bit as polarizing has been waged since the first week of January between the local NFL franchise and its star…
Local Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccinations Halted After FDA and CDC Recommend Pause
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended a nationwide pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson’s one shot COVID-19 vaccine due to new evidence of some extremely rare but potentially dangerous side effects in a small number of…
Hurricane Forecasters Predict Another Busy Season – 4 Thoughts
As Houston winter weather (i.e. cool-ish temperatures) gives way to spring, the flowers start blooming, everything looks green again and the first forecasts of the Atlantic hurricane season begin hitting the web. For sports fans, think of these as early mock drafts, but with significantly more science. The first of…
Invincible: Animated Series Challenging Our Idea of Superheroes
Invincible is Amazon’s new animated superhero show based on The Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman’s comic book of the same name. Sidestepping the traditional approach, Invincible attempts to portray what superheroes would be like in real life and how terrifying it would be to live in a world where you…
Beautiful Grit: Black Lung Lucy Album Release
Shakespeare’s love sick Juliet famously philosophized, ‘What’s in a name?’ It was her belief that a name did not provide the actual characteristics of the noun, but in the case of Black Lung Lucy, the name packs a punch. “She seems like a cool chick,” says Black Lung Lucy singer…
Four Areas the Houston Texans Have Actually Upgraded This Offseason
In the midst of all the drama surrounding Deshaun Watson, and with the Texans largely rendered irrelevant in the upcoming NFL Draft (the first night of the draft is two weeks from Thursday) because Bill O’Brien’s crappy trades have left them without a first or second round pick, we sometimes…
Happy Hour by the Bay: Pier 6 and Bayview Duck
In April 2020, we were all still reeling from the daily bombardment of bad news about the coronavirus epidemic with no idea the actual toll it would take on us over the next year. Most of us did not expect that hundreds of thousands of lives would be lost to…
Houston Chronicle Fires Texans Reporter Who Likened Deshaun Watson Accusers To Terrorists
The Houston Chronicle is down one Texans beat writer after the paper fired reporter Aaron Wilson on Friday once it came to light that he made some ill-considered comments on a Massachusetts sports radio show last month about the sexual misconduct accusations against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Originally reported by…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Ring in Thai New Year with Traditional Eats and More
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, April 12 National Grilled Cheese Day at Feges BBQ In honor of National Grilled Cheese Day, Feges BBQ will be serving up Carolina Pork Hash and Pimento Cheese Sandwiches at its Greenway Plaza location, 3 Greenway, available from 11 a.m…
Controversial “Arab Murder Simulator” Coming to Consoles
Six Days in Fallujah, a game that is being referred to as an “Arab murder simulator,” is being released on consoles after years of controversy and backlash. Games where American soldiers kill endless waves of Arab enemy combatants are nothing new, and even make up some major franchises like Call…
Ric Lee Still Drumming Away 55 Years After
For more than a year now, musicians unable to play live shows have been forced to use virtual venues, performing everything from solo acoustic shows filmed with a shaky iPhone to full-blown professionally shot band concerts on large stages. It also means that Ric Lee, drummer for classic rockers Ten…
Deshaun Watson Legal Drama, Week 5 (April 12-16) Preview
If the Deshaun Watson soap opera over the last couple months has taught us anything, it’s this — whatever we think the maximum drama could be for the upcoming week, there will probably be significantly more than we had predicted. Hell, even going back to the end of the regular…
Rusty Hardin On Going to Trial With Watson Plaintiffs: “Oh, Absolutely!”
Since the Deshaun Watson civil lawsuit parade began back in the middle of March, Friday has been a tentpole day each week. Tony Buzbee has used Friday afternoons and evenings to announce lawsuits being filed, hold press conferences, and react on social media. Generally speaking, for the last month or…
Houston Area COVID Vaccinations On The Rise As Abbott Bans Vaccine Passports Statewide
Two weeks after the state health department declared all Texan adults eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, there’s definite cause for optimism that the rising number of local residents protected from the coronavirus may mean the worst of the global pandemic could finally be behind us. Local vaccinations continue at…
Find A “Confluence” of Art and Nature on Bayou Greenway Trail
Artist Jane Kim contributes a new mural, “Confluence,” to Houston’s public art scene.
A Busy HISD Board Renames Wilson Montessori, Re-ups With Teach For America and Adopts New Calendar
Fifteen additional days of school have been dialed into the 2021-22 Houston ISD school calendar to help students catch up with all disruption caused by what COVID-19 did to attendance in the last year. Following state guidelines means the first day of school will not be until Monday, August 23,…
Openings and Closings: Fegen’s Debuts, Acme Oyster House Opens
Fegen’s, 1050 Studewood, opened April 6. The new restaurant comes from F.E.E.D. TX Restaurant Group and will focus on classic American fare and cocktails. It takes over the space formerly occupied by Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar. The group (Lance Fegen, Carl Eaves, Will Davis and Jiim Jard) sold the…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Black Restaurant Week and Crawfish Galore
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings (including Black Restaurant Week Houston a whole lotta ways to eat crawfish): Black Restaurant Weeks Friday-Sunday Black Restaurant Week Houston is closing out its run this weeked, with a lineup of black-owned restaurants offering special menus. This year’s participants…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Moffie
Title: Moffie Describe This Movie Using One Monty Python’s Flying Circus Quote: COLONEL: It’s a pig’s life — *man’s* life — in the modern Army. Brief Plot Synopsis: Gay South African teen has less pleasant time in the military than most. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3 Gomer Pyles out…
Rusty Hardin Files Motion To Reveal Deshaun Watson Accusers’ Identities
One of the most significant escalations in the Deshaun Watson litigation saga, which right now stands at 22 civil lawsuits against the Texans’ quarterback for varying degrees of alleged sexual misconduct and two similar criminal complaints, took place on Tuesday this past week when Tony Buzbee, the attorney for the…
Indie Trio Getters Debuts New Single “Blindsided”
This week, indie trio Getters debuted its latest single “Blindsided.” The Houston outfit’s third release of 2021 marks the halfway point to its first proper EP, We Are Getters, which will be available for purchase and streaming on June 25. Comprising vocalist Christopher Goodwin, guitarist Jerry Nettles and drummer Micah…
Please Get Vaccinated, Don’t Take Horse Dewormer
The anti-vaccination crowd has found a new way to maybe get people killed. Goodbye, hydroxychloroquine. Hello ivermectin, a horse dewormer. The drug began circulating in goonybird rhetoric last December as a possible treatment for prophylaxis in COVID-19 patients. It’s since entered conspiracy theory circles as the simple cure They don’t…
Best Virtual Bets: Bruce Lee, Cave People, and Lions in Tel Aviv
Lions in Israel, kung fu classics, and lots of opera populate this week’s list of best virtual bets.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Zero-Waste Dishes and a Boozy Sip ‘N Stroll
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Local food rescue nonprofit Second Servings has created the inaugural Fight Hunger. End Waste. Food & Beverage Series, held during the month of April in honor of Stop Food Waste Day on April 28. Throughout the…
Brightwire Brings It All Together for New Album
The old adage says a union is more powerful than the sum of its parts. That message is at the heart of Cracked, Flawed and Frayed, the new album by the Houston band Brightwire. The record’s 11 tracks espouse togetherhood and feel very timely as we emerge from the solitude…
Abbott Blasts Biden For Alleged Abuse At Migrant Youth Shelter Before Investigation Begins
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that the state had received two anonymous tips earlier that day about alleged “abuse and neglect” at a San Antonio facility housing unaccompanied minors who crossed the U.S. border seeking asylum. Even though Abbott admitted the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety…
![Nike Suspends Sponsorship of Texans QB Deshaun Watson [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/hou_news_20181230_nfltexansvsjaguars_ericsauseda_098.webp.webp?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
Nike Suspends Sponsorship of Texans QB Deshaun Watson [UPDATED]
When you’re a star athlete like Deshaun Watson, it takes a village to meticulously craft and hone your public image, and in 2021, the age of Twitter and Instagram followers being the image equivalent of passing yards and touchdowns, there is a lot of money in that image remaining engaging…
For Better and (Mostly) Worse, Rockets All In on Youth Movement
Eventually, it happens to every team. The Rockets just didn’t think it would be quite this soon. After eight seasons with winning records and trips to the postseason including the franchise record for wins in a season and two visits to the Western Conference Finals, everything came tumbling down on…
Discovery Green Opens Revitalized Playspace
With Spring in full bloom and most of us still confined to outdoor activities despite the lifting of the occupancy restrictions, Discovery Green has just given us a fantastic reason to visit. The John P. McGovern Playground has finally finished its $2.3 million renovations and is open to the public…
Former Rice Fencing Coach Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Houston Teen In ’90s
Rice University’s former fencing coach Mauro Hamza has been accused of sexually assaulting one of his female pupils when she was only 17 at a Phoenix hotel in 1995 according to a civil lawsuit filed in Arizona. The suit accuses Hamza of not only coercing the anonymous plaintiff to have…
Musical Comic Matt Griffo Leads a Night of Tunes, Visual Art and Humor at Studio Regina
Whether it’s Second City or other groups… seeing how people persevere in improv, where they’re still saying ‘we’re gonna make stuff!’ To see them persevering, I think has been really great.
Houston Concert Watch 4/7: Jackopierce, Mike Donnell and More
We’re in for some nice weather over the next week, with lows falling into the low 60s and highs topping out in the mid 80s. For Houston in April, that sounds pretty appealing. Oh, and nearly five million Texans are fully vaccinated as of this writing, which is good news…
STAAR Testing Suspended Because of Technical Issues Today
Public school districts throughout Texas were notified today that students taking the online version of the 2021 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness online tests who were having problems connecting to the test should put down their (virtual) pencils. Students who didn’t have problems were advised to continue to take…
First Accuser of Deshaun Watson Speaks Publicly: “We Were All Deceived”
When Tony Buzbee notified his Instagram followers late last week that there would be a press conference on Tuesday, he promised to “address important and significant developments” in the Watson case. As it turns out, Buzbee did much more than that. Among a slew of guests at the conference, which…
Which NFL Teams Are Most Disappointed In the Deshaun Watson Legal News?
Even before he became embroiled in an unprecedented legal maelstrom, buried in a tsunami of civil lawsuits for detrimental massage conduct, Deshaun Watson was the most pivotal player in the NFL this offseason. When attorney Tony Buzbee started pounding the figurative litigation nuclear red button, the Houston Texans weren’t the…
From Gershwin to Gospel: Soprano Nicole Heaston in Concert for HGO
Leaning into the comfort factor, soprano Nicole Heaston decided her concert recital recorded for Houston Grand Opera audiences would be all in English, with an emphasis on American and English composers. “Usually when a person goes to a recital you’ll have a list with all of the translations. So you…
Jim Weider Carries The Weight in the Legacy of The Band
It was a warm summer evening on July 14, 1985 as I sat in the audience at AstroWorld’s Southern Star Ampitheater awaiting a show by Crosby, Stills and Nash. But before the trio took the stage, there was an opening set by The Band. The Band? I was only 15…
Houston Democrats And Civic Leaders Lash Out Against Texas GOP-Backed Voting Restrictions
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo teamed-up Monday with numerous Democratic elected officials and other community leaders to decry sweeping statewide voting restrictions proposed by Texas Republicans, and to persuade state businesses to use their clout to speak out against new voting limits that critics claim…
10 Essential Games to Buy Before the PS3 Store Shuts Down
Sony has announced that they will be closing down their PS3 online store on August 27. As someone that still plays their PS3 regularly, this is a sore blow, especially because there are still a lot of games on the system that have not been added to the PS4 and…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Black Restaurant Weeks and a New Restaurant Preview
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Black Restaurant Weeks Houston Black Restaurant Week Houston’s palate-pleasing showcase runs now through Sunday, April 11, with prix fixe brunch, lunch, and dinner menus at participating restaurants within the area. This year’s participants include Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill,…
Jazz Organist Robert Walter Summons a Long Lost Spirit
Quick, think of a jazz instrument. What is it? Chances are you might have a mental picture of a saxophone, trumpet, or drums. Or even a piano. But that black and white keyboard’s kissin’ cousin, the organ (if thought of at all) is probably way down the list. After all,…
Deshaun Watson Received First Criminal Complaint in Massage Lawsuit Saga
Since Tony Buzbee began raining civil lawsuits down upon Deshaun Watson, there have been three battlefronts with whom the Texans’ quarterback has to concern himself. First, are the aforementioned 21 plaintiffs (soon to be 22, more on that in a minute) who have accused Watson of varying degrees of sexual…
2021 Will Probably Be Correa’s Last with the Astros
One of the best days of the year is opening day in baseball. After a COVID-shortened 2020 and a disappointing overall year for the Astros, even more anticipation was building over at Minute Maid Park. Which made it all the more of a bummer when the offseason negotiations with Carlos…
Openings and Closings: Cafe Leonelli Debuts Soon, Ritual Closes This Week
Cafe Leonelli, 5500 Main, will open at the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building at Museum of Fine Arts Houston April 16. The cafe comes from The Bastion Collection with partner and Michelin-starred chef Jonathan Benno at the helm. This will be the first Houston outpost for the Leonelli brand. Currently,…
Conan’s Creator Gets His Own Epic Origin (and Death) Tale Told
With the recent death of Larry McMurtry at the age of 84, Texas lost one of its biggest literary stars and influences. Someone whose works managed to be both popular and of higher ambition at the same time. And of course, found even wider fame in television and movie adaptations…
Former Grand Funker Mark Farner Offers Up His Chile Recipe
As the former lead singer/guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad, Mark Farner’s voice and playing have been classic rock staples on stereo systems and radio for more than 50 years. Tracks he wrote or covered include “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Bad Time,” “The Loco-Motion,” “Rock and Roll Soul,” “Footstompin’ Music” and…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Fish Fridays and Easter Sunday Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Fish Fridays: Good Friday Edition at Saint Arnold Beer Garden & Restaurant Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.) 2000 Lyons The Patron Saint of Brewers has been serving its Fish & Chips and Blackened…
Five Deshaun Watson Massage Behaviors That Rusty Hardin Is Trying to Normalize
What was, at first, a pretty one-sided barrage of salvos, accusations, and legal posturing, has escalated pretty rapidly over the last two days into a street fight between two of the most prominent attorneys in this city (and maybe ANY city). Tony Buzbee’s 21 civil lawsuits filed against Deshaun Watson,…
Astros 2021 by the Numbers: Five Keys to the Season
Besides the COVID-shortened 2020 season, 2021 promises to be one of the most interesting and difficult to predict seasons in quite some time for the Houston Astros. There is a mix of young talent and older experience throughout the lineup with huge star power and relative unknowns. This makes predicting…
Marine Corporal Is Outside Cruz’s House Demanding Answers for His Anti-Military Nonsense
Since March 19, Diana Sims has been sitting outside of Senator Ted Cruz’s house with signs that read “Ted Talk to Me About Women in the Military” and “Why Do You Support Tucker Carlson Over Military Women?” The reason is both heartbreaking and because it involves Ted Cruz, deeply stupid…
Best Virtual Bets: Bach, Latinx Dance, and Art in the Park
Dance, art, and Easter fun can be found in this week’s best virtual bets.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A BierHaus Goes Tex-Mex and a New South Texas Breakfast
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: In celebration of April Fools Day on Thursday, April 1 (though this is no joke), King’s BierHaus, 2044 East T.C. Jester, will transform into King’s Cantina, offering Tex-Mex classics and a festive drink menu from noon…
Six Winning Houston Astro Prop Bets for 2021 Season
Baseball season is upon us! Thank the sports gods, we get a safe haven from long Rocket losing streaks and long lists of plaintiffs suing Deshaun Watson, and ironically that safe haven is the team that is still the scourge of every other city in tis sport — YOUR HOUSTON…
Ricky Byrd is the Recovery Troubadour
When singer/guitarist Ricky Byrd looks back upon the Big Moments of his life, it would be pretty hard to beat the evening of April 18, 2015. There’s when on the stage of Cleveland’s Public Hall, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of…
Eighteen Massage Therapists Defend Watson’s Conduct As Lawsuit Count Hits 21
Shortly after two new lawsuits accusing Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct became public Wednesday morning, Watson’s defense team released a list of statements from 18 different female massage therapists defending his conduct during massages they gave him or witnessed over the years. Watson has now been sued by…
Commissioners Court Nixes Juror Pay Bump In Harris County, Asking For More Research
Harris County Commissioners Court decided not to vote on a proposed pay increase for county jurors during the court’s Tuesday meeting, and asked County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess’ team to come up with a new proposal that showed more proof that higher juror pay would increase Black and Hispanic jury…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Godzilla Vs. Kong
Title: Godzilla vs. Kong Describe This Movie In One Godzilla (2014) Quote: DR. SERIZAWA: Let them fight. Brief Plot Synopsis: Seriously? Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3.5 Doug McClures out of 5. Tagline: “One will fall.” Better Tagline: “Give the people what they want.” Not So Brief Plot Synopsis: In…
The Weird Building Quirks in the River Oaks Theatre
The sad fact is that we may not have the River Oaks Theatre as it stands for much longer Landmark is due to be completely vacated this week, and who knows if the next tenant will preserve the space as a cinema. As Craig Hlavaty put it, maybe its next…
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Houston Concert Watch 3/31: Bonnie Bishop, Trevor Daniel and More [UPDATED]
The Houston Cougars are back in the Final Four for the first time in nearly four decades. My mom watched Phi Slama Jama make a few good runs during her time at UH, and we’ve had a lot of fun watching our alma mater’s recent success and celebrating together. Hats…
First Look: Shandy’s Cafe Heights
Having to spend a sunny Houston afternoon running errands can always be made better with a stop for lunch. Finding myself in the near downtown area, I decided to head for the Heights and try the recently opened Shandy’s Cafe on W. 19th and maybe stop in at a few…
Deshaun Watson’s Five Most Problematic Civil Lawsuits
With the civil lawsuits mounting, and no trade out of Houston on the horizon any time soon, It’s not fun times right now for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Right now, the 19 lawsuits from various massage professionals are more than just the obstacle standing in the way of a…
Watch the Hoop Dreams in Last Chance U: Basketball on Netflix
The sports documentary series and Neflix staple, Last Chance U has followed the world of junior college football for five sessions, carving out a big audience around the teams, players, and coaches the series covers. Shifting gears, it now focuses on basketball with the East Los Angeles College Huskies on…
Back To Abnormal: The Continental Club Reopens
Houstonians rejoice. One of the city’s most beloved and respected music venues is reopening. The Continental Club will once again host live music starting April 1, and this is no April Fools joke. The venue was forced to shut its doors along with everyone else back in March of 2020…
Nearly Four Decades Later, Coogs Back in the Final Four
Houston is not a city that is easy on sports fans. Considering some of the unbelievable sports misery lumped upon the shoulders of fans in Houston over the last year-plus, it’s a miracle they remain committed to teams here. But, Monday night delivered a much needed reprieve from our collective…
Stepping Back Ever So Carefully Into Houston’s Re-emerging Live Music Scene
November 15, 2019. That was the last time I saw a live music concert when I caught the Drive-By Truckers at the Heights Theater. It was so long ago that the band previewed songs from a not-yet-released record, and since that time they’ve put out another entire disc. I had…
I Saw Black Clouds Revolutionizes Adventure Games With One Basic Trick
We’re living in a full motion video game renaissance that doesn’t get enough credit. After the novelty of games like Night Trap and Phantasmagoria in the ‘90s wore off, developers moved onto increasingly photorealistic animation instead of using live actors. Over the last five years, the genre has been getting…
Rusty Hardin Refutes Claim That Watson Wants to Settle With Accusers
With reports late last week that attorney Tony Buzbee filed four more massage-related, sexual misconduct civil lawsuits against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, three of those four were made public late Monday morning. All three are embedded below in this post. In large apart, they contain repetitive allegations that, at…
Velveteen Echo Releases Mirrors/Myths
Sometimes the best things happen when least expected. This is the case for Houston independent band Velveteen Echo. The four band mates came together in a very unintentional way and much like their sound, the energy and connection was organic. Lead singer, keyboardist and guitarist Ren Massa released a video…
Turner Challenges Local College Students to Get Vaccinated Now That All Adults Are Eligible
On the first day that all Texans 16 and older became eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner stopped by the University of Houston to urge local college students to sign-up for a coronavirus vaccine as quickly as they can. The pro-vaccine pep rally at UH came…
Four More Lawsuits Filed Last Friday Against Deshaun Watson
On Tuesday of last week, Deshaun Watson’s camp finally spoke out in something other than haphazard supportive tweets and answers in press conferences (whose purposes had nothing to do with Deshaun Watson). It was Rusty Hardin, Watson’s high powered attorney, who did his best to fire a legal missile back…
The First Latinx Contemporary Dance Festival Comes to Texas
The 1st Annual Texas Latino/a/x Contemporary Dance Festival makes its debut as a virtual concert courtesy of The Pilot Dance Project.
Derrick Thomas-McKinney Believes Houston’s Future is L.O.U.D.
Last December, thousands of people descended on Katy to watch performances from rap, rock, EDM, country, and more at a three-day festival. The event, L.O.U.D. Fest, was the brainchild of Derrick Thomas-McKinney, a manager in the music industry for over two decades working with various artists and brands throughout the…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Celebrate Houston’s Newest Holiday, “World Taco Day”
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, March 30 The Famille Perrin Wine Dinner at Etoile Cuisine et Bar Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park, will host The Famille Perrin Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, highlighting organic wines of the southern Rhone…
Superheroes (and Their Creators) Battle for Truth, Justice, and Cold Hard Cash
Empire of the Superheroes: America’s Comic Book Creators and the Making of a Billion Dollar Industry By Mark Cotta Vaz 488 pp. $34.95 University of Texas Press Pop culture and comic book fandom have been abuzz recently with the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It’s an extended (way extended)…
Harris County District Clerk Burgess Argues Juror Pay Bump Would Bring Fairer, More Diverse Juries
Although the U.S. criminal justice system is supposed to give those accused of committing crimes a fair shake and the opportunity to have their fates decided by impartial juries of their peers, those juries all too often don’t reflect the diversity of their communities at large. Jury duty is often…
Openings and Closings: Chris Shepherd Fires Up Another Concept, MARCH Madness Arrives
Underbelly Hospitality will open a 5,000 square foot restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Chris Shepherd in late 2021. Regent Square, an urban infill development near Buffalo Bayou Park and Allen Parkway, led with the announcement of Shepherd as a tenant promising more surprises to come. The Phase…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Nobody
Title: Nobody Describe This Movie In One Mr. Show Quote: MARK: Shut up, honey! I have to live with this and you have to support me! Brief Plot Synopsis: Mr. McGee, don’t make Mr. Mansell angry. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4…
Tour Interrupted: Samantha Fish Returns To Houston
Last March Samantha Fish was on a whirlwind tour in support of her 2019 release Kill Or Be Kind on Rounder Records. She was set to play the Heights Theater in the spring but the show, along with many others, was canceled due to COVID-19. Almost exactly a year later,…
Four Thoughts on the Lance McCullers New Contract Extension
A little over a year ago, the Houston Texans decided it would be a good idea to trade All Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Forget about what they got in return — believe me, I’ve been trying to forget about it for a year now — the mere fact that…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Crawfish Boils and Next-Level Waffles
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Pop-Up Night Market at 4100 Montrose Friday, 6 to 9 p.m. Underground Creamery’s Josh Deleon and Tatemo’s Emmanuel Chavez have once again teamed up to host a Night Market with an incredible lineup of friends and vendors. Feges BBQ…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Title: Zack Snyder’s Justice League Describe This Movie Using One Simpsons Quote: HOMER: I’m a white male, age 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me, no matter how dumb my suggestions are. Brief Plot Synopsis: There is nothing brief about this movie. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2.5 dicks…
Hidalgo Says Local COVID Vaccinators Need To Make Black and Hispanic Residents Top Priority
As Harris County crossed the threshold of one million COVID-19 vaccine shots into the arms of local residents Thursday afternoon, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo pleaded with local vaccine providers to do a better job of getting doses to the county’s hard-hit minority communities. Even though she acknowledged that hitting…
Rockets Oladipo Trade Understandable but Frustrating
Victor Oladipo had long cited his desire to take his talents to South Beach. After a half-season stay in Houston with mixed results, he finally got his wish on Thursday as the Rockets traded Oladipo at the NBA trade deadline to the Heat for guard Avery Bradley, big man Kelly…
Best Virtual Bets: Clue, Zarzuela, and Mysterious Seas
This week’s best virtual bets include opera, music, dance and a trip under the sea.
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Brunch with the Bunny and a New Lunch
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Agricole Hospitality will host a Virtual Wine/Sake Tasting on Saturday, March 27 at 5 p.m. Zoomers will be tasting four wines and two sakes. Each spirit will be sampled in a four-ounce bottle and a Revival…
Whitney Mercilus Restructures His Awful Contract With the Texans
With the Deshaun Watson civil lawsuit hurricane blowing in the background, and with at least one other Houston professional sports team extending its championship window on Wednesday afternoon (shout out to Lance McCullers on his five year, $85 million extension), the Houston Texans continued to clean up the nuclear fallout…
Britt Vasicek on the Particular Brilliance of Raveena’s “Honey”
One could consider Britt Vasicek spellbinding, but she’s more like a living, breathing spell — and so are you, she might argue. Houston’s preeminent sex witch self-describes as “a queer polyamorous witch making magical, erotic and spooky content online.” Add ingredients like show producer, podcaster, comedian and event facilitator, plus…
I Worry Cinemas Closing Will Make Us Watch Movies Like Republicans
The apparent closing of the River Oaks Theatre is personally devastating to me because of my long history with the place as projectionist and cast director of Rocky Horror, where I met my wife. That said, it’s also the latest in a long line of theater closings that is not…
Astros Give McCullers Five-Year $85 Million Extension
Virtually every analysis of the Houston Astros going into the 2021 season described the team in the same way. Despite the loss of George Springer in free agency, this was still a very good team at the plate and in the field. Their bullpen appeared to be in good shape…
Does Rusty Hardin’s Statement Mean Watson Trade Talks Back On?
Another day, another lawsuit against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Two more, actually. As the accusations continue to pile up, the current (for now) Texans signal caller’s camp finally fired back against the slew of accusations of lewd and, if true, highly illegal behavior in a massage-style setting. Here was…
Where to Get Easter Sunday Meals To-Go in Houston
Staying in this Easter Sunday? These Houston restaurants are here to help make your holiday a tasty one, with to-go and takeout offerings available for takeout and preorder (Easter falls on Sunday, April 4 this year, by the way). Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd, 713-521-2239 The Houston classic will be…
Five Reasons to Get Excited About the New Life Is Strange
During last week’s Square Enix Live event, the company announced the fourth installment in their Life is Strange series, subtitled True Colors, would be released on September 10 this year. Some of the revealed aspects give me hope that the series might finally be back on the right track. Despite…
Houston Concert Watch 3/24: Waterparks, Samantha Fish and More
Keep your eyes toward the weekend, Houston. The forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms today and tomorrow, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday are projected to be mostly sunny with highs in the low 80s. Also, starting in April, there will be a lot more live music to enjoy, so get your…
Degree of Difficulty: Starting a Counseling Career During a Pandemic
Ashley Burks touches the doorknob to her office, wondering who might have put their hands on it while she was away. She looks through the room at the community health center where she works, gaming out all of the potential permutations of where her client may choose to sit down and…
All Adults In Texas Can Get COVID-19 Vaccine Shots Starting Monday
Ahead of an anticipated vaccine supply boost, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced Tuesday morning that all adults in Texas will qualify to get any available coronavirus vaccines beginning Monday. “We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the…
Watson Sued By Fourteenth Woman For Sexual Assault During Private Massages [UPDATED]
The tidal wave of sexual misconduct accusations against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson continued Monday night as an additional woman sued Watson for allegedly assaulting her during a private massage. Fourteen women have now sued Watson over similar incidents during encounters with him. In all of the suits filed so far,…
Opera in the Heights Brings Lucia and Figaro to White Oak Music Hall
It’s the return of live opera for Opera in the Heights but rather than it playing out in the cozy confines of Lambert Hall, it will be on the lawn at White Oak Music Hall this Wednesday and Thursday. Artistic Director Eiki Isomura will conduct the OH! Orchestra in highlights…
Music And A Message: Dende Releases Film In Case You Forgot I’m Black
With jury selection in the trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd in the news, it can almost feel unreal that it hasn’t even been a year since Floyd died. With all that has happened since that tragic day in May of 2020…
Where to Dine Out for Easter Sunday Brunch 2021 in Houston
Easter is right around the corner, falling on Sunday, April 4 this year; so now is the time to make plans for everyone’s favorite part of the holiday (besides the egg hunt, of course), and that’s brunch. These Houston restaurants are open for brunch and lunch service this Easter Sunday:…
Four Thoughts on Nick Caserio’s Latest Texans Roster Makeover Phase
I’m fairly certain that Nick Caserio’s motivation in generating the most free agency activity of any offseason in Houston Texans franchise history is to begin the rebuild of the on-field product and the reconstruction of the team’s roster. I’m equally certain that the frenzy of activity Caserio is generating is…
Tony Buzbee Sending Watson Lawsuit Details To Local Authorities
If there is one thing we’ve learned about Tony Buzbee since this past Tuesday, it’s that there is no set timetable on when he will drop news surrounding the slew of sexual misconduct civil lawsuits that he is filing against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, a dozen in total, as…
Rockets Reach Dubious Milestone with 20th Straight Loss
The Houston Rockets have become the first ever franchise to… In a lot of cities, replace “Houston Rockets” with any other team and that sentence is often followed by joyous, fist-pumping happiness. It could be eye-popping statistics or some milestone achievement. Or, if you live in Houston, it could be…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Rodeo Fare and a Taste of Spring
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Spring Break Teacher Discount at Dish Society All week long, Dish Society is hosting “Teacher Spring Break” where teachers and school staff members get 50 percent off alcoholic beverages simply by showing a school ID. Social hour prices…
California Eden: Sun, Surf, Sex, and Some Great Music
The old adage goes that high school is the place to experience “the best years of your life.” And while that’s hardly a universal feeling, campuses are definitely the breeding ground for lifelong personal friendships, professional partnerships, and that last precipice between childhood and adulthood where you could “try something.”…
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier: A Buddy Series With a Conscience
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a new era on and off the screen. The success of Wandavison has proved that the Marvel formula can be translatable to television and push the boundaries of its storytelling (at least until the climax in Wandavision’s case), and keep fans excited and enthusiastic…
The Texas Smoke Break Gives Houston A Return To Live Music
“I think we need to settle this right now,” exclaimed Le$ as he stood center stage at White Oak Music Hall next to Polyester The Saint Saturday night. Le$, who has been working with the Los Angeles rapper on an upcoming joint project, may normally be a team player, but…
Four More Women Sue Texans QB Deshaun Watson Over Alleged Sexual Assault
The wave of sexual misconduct allegations against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson continued Thursday night as four additional women sued Watson for sexual assault. Seven women have now sued Watson for harassment or assault that occurred during private massage appointments with the football player, including one woman who alleges that Watson…
Journey Inward Toward Peace With Houston Chamber Choir
Houston Chamber Choir’s “A Time to Journey Inward” will look into the business of being alone with the help of some wonderful music and the insights of noted author, lecturer and psychotherapist, Patti Henry. The concert is available online starting Sunday.
Openings and Closings: Ramen Tatsu-Ya Dine-In Returns, Homestead Heights in April
Ramen Tatsu-Ya, 1722 California, will reopen its dining room March 24 beginning at 5 p.m. It closed for dine-in service March 16, 2020 in compliance with the governor’s restaurant shut-down at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis. The ramen restaurant has been serving to-go food only for the past year…
Richie Furay Still Deliverin’ Country Rock After Fifty-Plus Years
Located in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard, the Troubadour is not only one of the most storied live music nightclubs in the United States., but holds a crucial place in the development of California music in the 1960s and ’70s. The Byrds, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Neil Diamond, Linda…
Houston Grand Opera Explores Spanish Music in a Special Premiere
The music of Spain — and no, get those one-note misconceptions out of your mind — will be showcased in a special program at Houston Grand Opera created by acclaimed soprano Ana María Martínez, who also serves as HGO’s Artistic Advisor. Premiering on March 26, Suite Española: Explorando Iberia will feature…
Four More Thoughts on the Deshaun Watson Lawsuit Tidal Wave
One rule of thumb for Houston Texans fans to live by here in 2021 (and really it goes for Houston sports fans, in general) — don’t take a nap, or go to bed earl, other wise you will undoubtedly miss the release of the next episode in this year’s citywide…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Date Night, a BBQ Team-Up and Ten-Year Anniversaries
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Date Night Cooking Class at Brennan’s Of Houston Friday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. 3300 Smith Brennan’s next Date Night Cooking Class is honoring National Women’s History Month, with executive Joey Chavez introducing sous chef Lexy Garcia to host the…
Turner Names 31-Year HPD Vet Troy Finner As Next Houston Police Chief
Just three days after outgoing Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo’s surprising announcement that he’s leaving town to lead the Miami Police Department, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner named HPD Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner as Bayou City’s new top cop. In an upbeat press conference held as Finner’s wife and 10-year-old…
Best Virtual Bets: Jazz, Heathers, and A Woman Scorned
Jazz music, a cult classic from the ‘80s and a Greek tragedy are scheduled for the virtual (and socially distanced) stage this week.
Fighting For Women’s Suffrage in Texas
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Cartoonishly corrupt government officials do everything they can to stop a marginalized people from voting because they know for a fact that increasing the franchise will open the door to regulation, socialism, Black people having more rights, unions, and other things that white…
Rent a Pod on the Lawn at The Gordy and Get Ready to See Theater on the Big Screen
In an inventive next step between sitting at home watching filmed theater and a return to live performances, Stages theater has opened up a new option for Houston audiences, offering them a chance to rent a pod on the lawn outside their theater facility at The Gordy. Thanks to a…
Houston Symphony Is Gone With The Winds In Musical Storytellers
The woodwind, brass, and percussion sections of the Houston Symphony take center stage in a unique Bank of America POPS program spotlighting some of the greatest wind ensemble compositions of our time, including music of John Williams and Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke. Musical Storytellers: Winds of the Houston Symphony takes place Friday through Sunday…
Gothic Dark Wave Trio Sword Collector Delivers Ethereal Vibes
Texas dark wave trio Sword Collector recorded and released their self-titled EP during quarantine and in different cities. They’re now working on their debut full-length LP.
Looking Forward to the End of the Night
With more Americans getting the COVID vaccine and pandemic regulations loosening, we’re starting to see live music creep back onto calendars. As they do, expect music pundits everywhere to poll re-emerged audiences on how they felt the moment their first live concert in at least a year began. We, and…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: March Madness Deals and a Holi Celebration
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Loch Bar, 4444 Westheimer, is celebrating March Madness with different food or drink specials during each round of the NCAA basketball tournament, including $4 select drafts during Round 1 (3/19-20), $8 Crush Flights for Round 2…
Five Brights Spots at the End of the Rockets Long Dark Tunnel
There is no point in trying to gloss over 18 straight losses by the Houston Rockets. It is the most consecutive losses in franchise history dating back to when they played in San Diego. In fact, the last Rockets team to lose 17 straight (the one in California) wound up…
Houston Actors Say Miss You and Thank You to Houston
Seventy-eight Houston area members of Actors’ Equity Association have worked together to produce an entertaining and socially distanced video in which they thank Houston area residents for their continued support of the arts during a pandemic. Coming a year after the one-year anniversary of the last live Equity performance in…
Deshaun Watson Sued For Sexual Assault By Multiple Women
As quarterback news goes, Tuesday afternoon started off benignly enough, if you’re a Houston Texans fan. Shortly after Andy Dalton filled what appeared to be the final open spot for a starting quarterback by signing a one year deal with the Chicago Bears, the Houston Texans signed former Ravens, Bills,…
Arthur of the 13 Days: Texas’ Only Utility Commissioner Ousted After Call With Investors Leaks
On Tuesday morning, Arthur D’Andrea was still sitting comfortably atop Texas’ Public Utility Commission, the regulator that oversees the state’s electricity system. But later that night and just 13 days after being named PUC Chair, Gov. Greg Abbott asked for and accepted D’Andrea’s resignation, hours after the Abbott appointee was…
River Oaks Theater MIGHT Be Saved
It looks like the expected closure of the Landmark River Oaks Theatre might be averted after all. It was announced earlier this week that Weingarten Realty had declined to respond to repeated attempts from Landmark to renew their lease or come to terms with outstanding rent after a year of…
Rebirth of a Garden: After the Freeze
Last week, we wrote about the damage done to our gardens by winter storm Uri, here in the Houston Press. The first couple of weeks after the snow, ice and single-digit temperatures showed a Houston landscape that seemed barren and devoid of life. But nature is an amazing mother. She…
Astro Fans, We Need To Enjoy Zack Greinke More
We know the current Houston tale of woe. I feel like some permutation of Deshaun Watson’s trade demands, J.J. Watt’s departure, James Harden’s successful trade demand, George Springer’s departure, and the respective existences David Culley, Jack Easterby, Cal McNair have been the lead for 90 percent of my posts since…
Houston Goths Need Exercise, Too. Goth Yoga Has the Hookup
Like a lot of people, I put on some weight over the last year because I couldn’t go outside and white cheddar popcorn is cheaper than therapy. Even as gyms open up, they were never places I really ever felt at home. Soccer moms, wannabe MMA bros, and outright conspiracy…
Houston Concert Watch 3/17: Jonathan Tyler, David Allan Coe and More
More and more concerts are being added to calendars across the city, and that’s cause for celebration. With nearly 12 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine having been administered in Texas (as of the time of this writing), we could be spilling drinks on each other at a local venue…
As Acevedo Packs For Miami, His Mixed Legacy In Texas Comes Into Focus
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner admitted Monday that he was surprised Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo decided to leave Texas to take over the Miami Police Department. He wasn’t the only one. Before the news of Acevedo’s departure broke late Sunday night, it felt like most Houston political observers would have been…
Cactus Flowers Bloom Again In Solace
Cactus Flowers is making Houston proud once again with their latest EP, Solace featuring four new tracks which show off what the band does best: rock out. Cactus Flowers will perform as part of Wonky Power’s Live Sessions on March 18. The live sessions are open to a limited capacity…
Unhappy Anniversary! The DeAndre Hopkins Trade Justification Revisited
A year ago today, we were five days into one of the most harrowing, anxiety-inducing eras of any of our lives, with a pandemic beginning to swirl, businesses everywhere shutting down, and an American public bracing for uncertain times. The only thing we knew is there would be human and…
Abbott Swears Texas Election Laws Need Reform, But Hidalgo Calls BS
Gov. Greg Abbott visited Houston on Monday to tout new legislation proposed by his Republican allies that he claimed would protect the integrity of Texas elections. But his Democratic rival Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo contends that the slate of electoral reforms state conservatives are clamoring about is nothing more…
HPD Chief Art Acevedo Is Leaving Town To Become Miami’s Top Cop
After four and a half years as Bayou City’s number one cop, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo is heading to sunny Florida to lead the Miami Police Department. Acevedo’s move was made public after an email he sent to HPD officers about his new gig started circulating late Sunday night…
Where to Eat, Drink and Get Some Luck of the Irish in Houston This St. Patty’s Day
From local kitchens cooking up corned beef and cabbage to patio bars flowing with Irish whiskey, here’s where to channel your inner Irishman in Houston this St. Patrick’s Day (Wednesday, March 17): Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd Backstreet will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with several specials, offering $8 Irish…
Beartown: A World Centered on Youth Hockey and the Town That Depends on It
In Beartown, Hockey is everything. The small Swedish town’s hopes and destiny are tied to its hockey club’s success and failures. In comes Peter Andersson (Ulf Stenberg), a recent NHL retiree and Beartown native, who is tasked with turning the team around and hopefully the town’s fortunes with it. A…
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans Trading Benardrick McKinney
If there were two staples of the brief era in which Bill O’Brien added general manager duties to his workload they were bad deals and LOTS of activity. Thankfully, the Texans have not gotten caught in the snafu of the former staple thus far with Nick Caserio running things, but…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Meat-Free Fridays and Crawfish Pizza
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Spring Break Teacher Discount at Dish Society All week long, Dish Society is hosting “Teacher Spring Break” where teachers and school staff members get 50 percent off alcoholic beverages simply by showing a school ID. Social hour prices…
One Year Later: Looking Back on Five Albums from Lockdown
When South by Southwest pulled the plug on its international festival last year, RodeoHouston’s decision to do the same was inevitable. This writer was gearing up for Gwen Stefani’s pending date when the rotating stage galloped back to its storage unit. Or wherever star-shaped rotating stages go during their off-season…
Houston’s Max Flinn Releases Meant To Be
Anything can happen in four years, just ask local singer-songwriter Max Flinn. It was four years ago that Flinn left his full time job at an oil and gas company, where he had job security and a clear upward trajectory in his career path, to pursue music full time. In…
A Special Ed Student Went to His Teacher to Report Sexual Abuse. HISD Says That Was His Mistake.
In a breathtaking bit of legalese, attorneys for the Houston Independent School District are arguing that because a special ed student told his teacher and not his principal that he was being sexually abused by a classmate in a school restroom, his lawsuit against the district is without merit. Somehow,…
Openings and Closings: Common Bond On-the-Go in G.O., Fegen’s Heights
Common Bond On-The-Go, 3210 N. Shepherd, opened March 4 in Garden Oaks. It’s the second location for the brand’s more casual, trimmed down version of its popular Common Bond Bistro and Bakery. The first offshoot opened in the Heights in May 2020. Common Bond’s success lies in its fresh baked…
Head Coach David Culley Claims Deshaun Watson is “Committed” To Houston Texans
For the first time since being introduced as the fourth full time head coach in Houston Texans franchise history, David Culley met with the media on Thursday afternoon. It was a media horde full of Houston’s finest, with some national reporters sprinkled in, as well, because, perhaps you’ve heard, this…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Cherry
Title: Cherry Describe This Movie Using One Sid and Nancy Quote: NANCY: Never trust a junkie. Brief Plot Synopsis: Drugs continue to be bad. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 1.5 Private Jokers out of 5. Tagline: “Student. Lover. Soldier. Junkie. Thief.” Better Tagline: “You know what this redemption story needs? Lens flare.”…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Dig into Corned Beef Benedict at St. Patty’s Day Brunch
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: St. Patrick’s Brunch and Crawfish Boil at B.B. Lemon Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1809 Washington Dress in green and head to B.B. Lemon’s festive St. Patrick’s brunch and crawfish boil, featuring DJ beats, Irish-inspired food and drink…
Harris County Sues TxDOT To Halt I-45 Expansion Project
The Texas Department of Transportation has been moving forward with its $7 billion plan to remake and expand Interstate 45 to lessen local traffic, but Harris County threw a wrench in that effort on Thursday by suing the state transportation agency. The county hopes its lawsuit will lead the U.S…
Best Virtual Bets: Copland, Solaris, and A DoMexticated Love Story
There’s a little bit of everything in this week’s best virtual bets.
Tenor Jack Swanson Tackles a Recital in Four Languages for Houston Grand Opera
Tenor Jack Swanson was supposed to be doing Rossini’s La Cenerentola in January and February at Houston Grand Opera but those plans like many others were scuttled by COVID-19. Instead he was offered and accepted the chance to film an HGO Digital installment of Live at the Cullen, a selection…
The Risk Factor for Each Houston Astros Starting Pitcher
“Hey, it COULD work!” While those four words signify hope, and as Andy Dufresne once told us in The Shawshank Redemption that “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies,” those can also be four very dangerous words when it comes to the…
Hair Metal History Revealed and Reveled in Massive New Book
Come with us, children, back to the magical, mystical land of the 1980s. Where for a brief but shining span of time the hair was high, the riffs were righteous, the lead singers preening, the flashpots fiery, the colors popping, and the party never stopped on Sunset Strip—or at the…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: March Madness Deals and a Special Ten-Year Anniversary
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: As a woman-owned bakery and cafe, led by an all women of color executive team, Dessert Gallery, 3600 Kirby, spending Women’s History Month shining a light on the important contributions of women in spite of barriers…
After Abbott Ends Mask Mandate, Texan Officials And Restaurants Send Mixed Messages
Plenty of Texans are thinking of the number 100 on Wednesday, as in the percent capacity all Texas businesses are now allowed to operate at after Gov. Greg Abbott repealed his previously issued coronavirus safety restrictions — including, most notably, his statewide mask mandate — via executive fiat as of…
Friends, Family, and Fans Remember Rising Rap Star Chucky Trill
The sun set slowly on Discovery Green Tuesday as family, friends, and fans gathered to pay their respects to rising Houston rap star Corey “Chucky Trill” Detiege, who died in a Georgia hospital Friday after being shot while traveling to perform at an event for the NBA All-Star weekend. As…
A Houston Garden After the Winter Storm
The unprecedented winter storm that hit Texas on Valentine’s Day was not wholly unexpected. The forecast for unusually cold temperatures in Houston had many of us scrambling to wrap our pipes and stock up on comfort snacks. For Houston gardeners, however, it meant a last look at our budding fruit…
Houston Concert Watch 3/10: Aaron Lewis, Justin Furstenfeld and More
We have multiple in-person concerts highlighted in this week’s best-of list, folks. This is not a drill! As COVID-19 vaccinations continue, more and more gigs are added to the calendars. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap. Aaron Lewis Bayou Music Center – 11 March Aaron Lewis made a name…
ROCO Features Immigrant Stories In My Journey To America
ROCO presents an intimate, livestreamed performance titled My Journey to America, named after the world premiere quintet composed by Afghan composer Milad Yousufi and co-commissioned by the Winsor Music Consortium. My Journey to America is a suite of five short movements, each preceded by a spoken narrative by Yousufi, describing his journey from his dramatic…
Four Thoughts on Dak Prescott’s Watson-Sized Contract With the Dallas Cowboys
If we remove proper names from the headline, and just go with descriptions and pronouns, this headline would have gotten Houstonians very excited — Texas-based NFL quarterback commits to his team long term! Houstonians would wake up, read that, and think that somehow cooler heads prevailed in the Deshaun Watson saga,…
Twitter Sues Paxton, Claims Texas AG Is Out For Payback After Trump Ban
After weeks of lashing out against Twitter for supposedly silencing conservatives, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was sued by the social media giant on Monday for allegedly using his office to unfairly target the company in retaliation for its ban of former President Donald Trump. According to the Associated Press,…
For The Love Of Jazz: Houston Legend Harry Sheppard Plays On
Anyone who has lived in Houston long enough and visited some of our city’s finest restaurants is sure to have to have heard Harry Sheppard playing his unique “magic xylophone” at some point. The 92-year-old Sheppard is mostly known for his vibraphone playing and contributions to jazz. Most recently he…
Houston Ballet’s Stanton Welch Choreographs Dances to the Music of The Dead South
Beginning this Wednesday, Houston Ballet will start unveiling a series of filmed dances choreographed by Artistic Director Stanton Welch to music by the Canadian folk-bluegrass group The Dead South. Corps de Ballet dancer Gretel Batista is in five of the 11 songs in…
Latest Deshaun Watson Odds Foreshadow Worst Case Scenario
If you believe betting odds to be at all accurate and somewhat instructive on what the future holds, then the headline “Texans remain the favorite to employ Watson in 2021” should, on the surface, feel really good for Houston Texan fans (assuming that most fans would like to hold onto…
Two Brothers Join Forces To Bring Coffee, Cheesecake, and Brisket Downtown
Roughly a month ago press began coming out about Day 6 coffee and its two owners, Ricardo “RJ” Wilson and Jason Ian Wilson. Many of the headlines touted their place as Houston’s first Black-owned coffee shop. The two brothers quickly released a video on their Instagram making sure to clarify…
Make Them Say Exactly What is Being Canceled
Free speech on the political right is a grift, and here’s how it works. First, you take something like the Dr. Seuss estate deciding to remove six books with racist depictions of people of color from future publication. Then, you ignore the content of what led to the decision in…
Turner Thanks Concrete Cowboy For Cancelling “Mask Off Party” After Public Backlash
It’s amazing how much can change in a day. Last Monday, the topic du jour in Texas was still the fallout from the catastrophic power outages caused by February’s winter storm. By the next afternoon, seemingly everyone in the state had moved on to either celebrating or decrying Gov. Greg…
Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan Announces She’s Leaving HISD
Dr. Grenita Lathan, the polarizing figure at the center of several of the Houston ISD’s defining moments in the last three years, announced Monday by Twitter that she is leaving to become superintendent of Springfield Public Schools starting July 1, 2021. Saying it was “a bittersweet moment,” Lathan said she intends…
Astros Sign Odorizzi as Rotation Injuries Mount
In less than a week, the Astros have lost starting left-hander Framber Valdez — potentially for the season — to a fracture on the index finger of his pitching hand and perennial would-be up-and-comer Forrest Whitley to an elbow injury that could require Tommy John surgery. So, the Astros did…
Houston Texans 2021 Total Teardown To-Do List
Every morning, the television in my studio at SportsRadio 610 is tuned into ESPN’s cadre of debate shows, and every morning one of the front burner topics is some form of “the Houston Texans are NOT trading Deshaun Watson.” It was that way again this past week, and yet, the…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Crawfish Season Is Upon Us
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, March 8 Dress for Success Benefit at Postino Wine Cafe In celebration of International Women’s Day, Postino, 642 Yale, 805 Pacific, will be donating $5 for every glass of Espiritu Malbec sold to the local Houston chapter of Dress For…
Abbott All Smiles As He Tries To Change The Subject From Texas Blackouts
Gov. Greg Abbott has looked downright giddy this week. He dropped hints for days on Twitter before finally dropping the news on Tuesday afternoon that he was scrapping his statewide coronavirus rules on mask-wearing and business limitations. He hyped-up his announcement about scrapping Texas’ statewide coronavirus rules on mask-wearing and business…
Houston Venues Respond: “We Don’t Give Two Shits What Abbott Says” and Other Remarks
Earlier this week, Governor Greg Abbott announced that he was lifting state mandates on mask wearing as well as capacity limits on gatherings. The move brought criticism from public health officials as well as the Biden administration, which called it “Neanderthal thinking.” Currently, Harris County remains under red alert due…
Openings and Closings: Hello Yelo, James Harden’s Thirteen Opens
Yelo Banh Mi Artisans, 23119 Colonial Parkway, softly opened last week before celebrating its grand opening March 3. The banh mi-centric restaurant is a collaboration between Phat Eatery owner and chef Alex Au-Yeung and chef Cuc Lam. Located next to Phat, the buildout was delayed by the pandemic. In the…
Five More Potential Houston Texan Swerves in Crazy 2021 Offseason
Say what you will about the Houston Texans (and if what you’re saying has anything to do with front office ineptitude, head scratching decisions, or a poorly constructed roster, it’s probably true), but they do manage to stay in the news and keep things spicy. Granted, it’s the same way…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Say “Hello” to YELO
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Dine-In or Takeout at Yelo Banh Mi Artisans 23119 Colonial Parkway, Suite B-3 Over a year in the making, chefs Alex Au-Yeung (Phat Eatery) and Cuc Lam have officially opened Yelo Banh Mi Artisans in Katy Asian Town, offering…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Coming 2 America
Title: Coming 2 America Describe This Movie In One History of the World, Part I Quote: COUNT DE MONET: It is said that the people are revolting. KING LOUIS XVI: You said it, they stink on ice. Brief Plot Synopsis: Monarchy is kind of an outdated concept, it turns out. Rating Using…
The COVID Vaccine’s Extraordinarily Music-Free Playlist
You can hear music anywhere, if you listen for it. That’s not just the plotline to Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist, it’s also a personal credo and has been the premise of music articles I’ve written here before, and the fun of the exercise is finding music in challenging places, sites where…
Dear Yankees: Texas Does Not “Deserve” This
Conservatives have a point when they say that liberals are smug. It’s certainly not exclusive to us if the number of bad memes featuring Sam Elliot are anything to judge by, but the left often does get orgasmic when it comes to watching red states fail. That’s become clear over…
Best Virtual Bets: Art Heist, Beethoven, and Crazy Rich Asians
This week’s best virtual bets include music, film, and a walking theater experience.
Could Hard Knocks This Summer Be a Houston Texans Nightmare?
Remember back to the summer of 2015, when HBO and the good folks at NFL Films brought relevance to a plucky franchise with a second year head coach coming off an encouraging 9-7 season? Of course you do, because it was the Houston Texans and Bill O’Brien on Hard Knocks!…
As the Rotation Goes, So Will Go the Astros
Much has been made of the loss of George Springer, both as a leader of the team and as a player on the field. And, make no mistake, it will hurt. But, for this Astros squad, the key is likely going to be a starting pitching staff that has far…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Taco Tuesday and Banh Mi for a Cause
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, 6618 Fannin, continues its ‘H-Town Originals’ campaign by partnering with Dr. Peter J. Hotez for the month of March. “The Dr. Hotez One World” Banh…
Texas Teachers And School Staff Now Vaccine-Eligible Thanks To Nudge From Feds
Teachers, school staff and childcare workers across the Lone Star State got a dose of good news Wednesday when the Department of State Health Services announced all three groups are now eligible to get coronavirus vaccines. The shift in vaccine policy came at the behest of President Joe Biden, who…
Abbott’s Decree: Houston Restaurants Respond
Governor Greg Abbott delivered an executive order March 2 lifting the state mandate on masks and face coverings in public while giving the go ahead to all businesses, including bars and restaurants, to return to full capacity, as we reported here in the Houston Press. Caesar’s decree has gone out…
Houston Concert Watch 3/3: Ray Wylie Hubbard, Brandy Clark and More
I can’t be the only one absolutely loving this weather. After last month’s deep freeze and rolling blackouts, I doubt I’ll ever complain about the heat again. But when it’s sunny and in the 60s? Well that’s just special here in Houston. Keep scrolling to see what’s on tap for…
The Head: Trapped on the South Pole and A Killer is Loose
The Head starts with a farewell party. The crew and researchers of Polaris VI, a research outpost in the middle of the South Pole, are celebrating before they leave the remote facility prior to the six months of darkness that arrives as the winter begins. A small crew will stay…
David Johnson Agrees to Reworked Contract With Houston Texans
With J.J. Watt leaving for Arizona this week, I guess I just need to come to grips that this week was going to serve as a brain pounding reminder of the disgraceful DeAndre Hopkins trade, a franchise altering move (in a bad way) whose first anniversary is coming in two…
CoolXDad Supports History, Art and Family Ties
Sitting in the lobby of the Dakota Lofts downtown your eye is immediately drawn to the black and white floor that resembles a giant chessboard. A small group of people mill around the life size board as they await instructions. Before anyone has a chance to start creating their own…
Upon Harden’s Return, Rockets in Search of Signature Star
James Harden returns to Houston for the first time with the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday as still one of the best players in the NBA. While Harden and the Nets are one of the best teams in the league, the Rockets are one of the worst and desperately in search of…
![Reactions Pour In After Abbott Nixes Mask Mandate And Orders Full Lone Star Reopening [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/masks_for_story_1_-_edited.webp.webp?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
Reactions Pour In After Abbott Nixes Mask Mandate And Orders Full Lone Star Reopening [UPDATED]
As phrases like “RIP Texas” and “I HATE IT HERE” started trending on Twitter, reactions to Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to fully reopen Texas despite the ongoing pandemic and to reverse his statewide mask mandate flooded in on Tuesday afternoon. The tone and tenor of the responses pretty much tracked…
Turner Blasts Abbott For Mask Rule Reversal, Calling It “A National Embarrassment”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner sounded equal parts furious and bewildered on Tuesday when he laid into Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to rescind the statewide mask mandate and to reopen Texas businesses to 100 percent capacity starting next Wednesday. “There’s no reason for the decision that he made today,” Turner said…
On Texas Independence Day, Abbott Lifts Mask Mandate And Reopens Businesses 100 Percent
On the 185th anniversary of Sam Houston’s middle-finger to the nation of Mexico, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced from inside a Lubbock Mexican restaurant that he’s undoing virtually all of his COVID-19 restrictions starting next Wednesday. That means all Texas businesses will be able to open at full capacity, and…
Truly Texas Mexican Showcases the Food of the Texas Borderland
Houston’s own Adán Medrano has a 90-minute documentary out this week that showcases Texas borderland cuisine — a type of cooking he says has been “misunderstood and erased.” This isn’t Tex-Mex but the comida casera or the home cooking of many Texas Mexican American families, says executive producer Medrano, who occasionally…
After Texas’ Winter Catastrophe, Plenty of Promises And Blame To Go Around
As Texas was blanketed with snow, I was one of the lucky ones. My fiancée Meghan and I live in a one-bedroom apartment a few blocks off Shepherd and West Alabama with our cat, Sabrina. We woke up on Monday, February 15 to find we still had electricity, which meant…
J.J. Watt Announces He Will Sign With the Arizona Cardinals
OK, let’s get right to it. This got tweeted out around lunchtime yesterday by former Houston Texan and future Hall of Famers, J.J. Watt: Ok, I did NOT see that one coming. For some context, my employer, SportsRadio 610, had me put a bracket together to let fans choose where…
The Art of Truncated Commercials
I still have cable because I come from a generation where disaster was always managed by turning on the live news and listening to talking heads explain what is going on. That may seem archaic in this day and age, but it’s served me pretty well over the last several…
Long-Lost “Happening” 1965 Music Special Resurfaces on PBS
Though he was a child of the ‘80s, TJ Lubinsky has old ears. He grew up loving the music of the 1950s and 60s, be it of the doo wop, Motown, R&B, British Invasion, pop, or rock variety. At the age of 14, he came across a grainy clip on…
With 7 More Dead and Another 914 COVID cases in Houston, Now is Not the Time to Unmask, Mayor Says
“This is not the time to take the masks down,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday, after reporting seven more deaths and 914 new COVID-19 cases in the city. “These numbers are real.” He was responding to a question about Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recent statements that he may be…
Four Thoughts on the Continued Houston Texans 2021 Roster Purge
Between Nick Caserio’s and David Culley’s introductory press conferences, along with J.J. Watt’s release, Fridays have become the unofficial “big news” day for the Houston Texans. That’s not necessarily a good thing, as many teams look to put out news they’re running from on Fridays, so it disappears into the…
QAnon Isn’t Stupid, and It’s Dangerous to Think They Are
Look at these rubes who think Donald Trump is going to ride in on March 4 and retake the country so he can lock up the baby-eating cabal of Jewish space lasermen! What a bunch of morons, right? Yeah, no. Assuming that QAnon and the greater Trumpist cultsphere exists because…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Shake Shack’s “Southern Smoke Chicken” Sandwich and Our Tacolandia Taco Stop
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, March 1 Baroque It! Cocktails and Desserts at Bovine & Barley In honor of Women’s History Month, Etoile Cuisine and Brasserie du Parc mixologist Kimberly Paul and White Elm Cafe chef Jamie Orlacchio will team up for an evening of…
Fat Mike on the Particular Brilliance of NOFX Songs Old and New
Talking with NOFX’s Fat Mike is like a trip to a therapist’s office where it’s never clear if you’re the therapist or the patient. Over 45 minutes, we volleyed between these roles with the iconic punk band’s front person, listening to stark confessions most would keep to themselves, then hearing…
Fatherland Breathes Magic Into the Memoir Play
How do you mourn the death of a father who abandoned you? How do you feel connection to a land you’ve never known? Where ancestors, long and near gone, are only whispers in the symphony that creates your life song? These questions of belonging and identity form the autobiographical first-person…
What To Watch For At The 78th Golden Globes
This Sunday, the Golden Globe Awards will return once again to squat like a drunken Pia Zadora on our TV screens. The 78th iteration of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s exercise in drunken starf*ckery will adopt a different look than “tacky L.A. wedding reception,” in that host Amy Poehler and…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry
Title: Billy Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry Describe This Movie In One “Fame” Lyrcs: DAVID BOWIE: Is it any wonder I reject you first? Brief Plot Synopsis: Teen singer has all the feels, wins all the Grammys. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4 tarantulas out of 5. Tagline: “A…
Openings and Closings: Berg Hospitality’s New Concepts, Down House Closes, Midway BBQ Burns
Berg Hospitality is uniting with Ancorian to bring two new restaurants to W. 11th in the Heights. Owner and founder Benjamin Berg is teaming up with the Houston-based Ancorian, a regional investment and development company, to open Trattoria Sofia, an Italian restaurant at 911 W. 11th in the space formerly…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Bludorn Takes on Prime Rib for Sunday Supper
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Go Texan Day Package at Feges BBQ and Urban Harvest Friday-Saturday 3 Greenway Plaza (Feges BBQ); 2752 Buffalo Speedway (Urban Harvest) Feges BBQ has created a Go Texan Day Package in honor of the special day, available For in-store…
Three Teams Reportedly In Lead for J.J. Watt’s Next Stop
Right now, J.J. Watt is in a pretty enviable position, and I’m not just talking about the mere fact that he has managed to escape the cesspool of dysfunction that is the Houston Texans behind the scenes. That, unto itself, probably has his 50-plus former teammates quite jealous. What I’m…
We Must End Fanatical Fandom Evangelicalism
Odds are, something you love was made by a bastard. The Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer fandoms are all going through conflicts of conscience over the foibles of their creators right now, and it’s leading to some real existential panic. Am I a bad person for having this…
Jason Ringenberg is on a Rhinestoned High
While the pandemic has dealt a crippling blow to the live performance industry, many artists have taken advantage of the forced downtime to focus on writing and recording new music. Even if it means sharing and merging audio files online or cautiously returning to a studio with fewer bodies around…
FEMA Vaccine Jabs Begin With Long Lines As City Appointments Fill In A Blink
Houston area residents sure seem as eager as ever to grab the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines available after last week’s winter storm delayed inoculations across the region. The first full day of vaccinations on Wednesday at NRG Stadium’s new clinic, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, saw long…
Don’t Buy That Generator Just Yet
In the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, there is plenty of interest in being able to generate your own power. With hurricane season also bearing down on us, maybe you’re thinking that a generator or other disaster equipment is a worthy investment. If you hold off until April 24 –…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Taste Your Way Through Katy’s Best Restaurants
In honor of Women’s History Month, Etoile Cuisine and Brasserie du Parc mixologist Kimberly Paul and White Elm Cafe chef Jamie Orlacchio will team up for an evening of drinks and imaginative desserts on Monday, March 1, held at at Bovine & Barley, 416 Main. The Baroque It! event begins…
Houston Texans: GM Nick Caserio’s Roster Purge Begins
Amidst the departure of J.J. Watt, the apparent dissatisfaction of Deshaun Watson, and the dysfunction which swirls around Jack Easterby, many of us have been waiting for a bit of normal football news out of the Texans. Kind of like the relaxing cup of coffee after a wild five course,…
Best Virtual Bets: Aztec Tales, French Films, and Sin Muros
Festivals, festivals, and one more festival make up this week’s best virtual bets.
Celebrate Your Existential Anxiety with the Return of The Muppet Show
Last week, Disney+ added The Muppet Show to its streaming roster and TV, music and Muppets fans everywhere rejoiced with good reason. For one, the entire series is now available for binge-watching in one single place. Secondly, the show includes every musical number from the original airings. Obtaining music rights…
Eight Items Homeowners Should Have Around for Houston Disasters
The past few years have been complicated for Houstonians. And that is trying to put as positive a spin on it as possible. From hurricanes and floods to freezing temperatures, it’s always an adventure to live here, which is why there are some things always worth having on hand, even…
Houston Astros Vegas Forecast for Wins Lowest Since 2016
The days of 100-win seasons are likely over for this window of Houston Astros baseball. Certainly, 2017 through 2019 was fun while it lasted. However, while this will likely not be an utterly dominant edition of our hometown team this season, it still has the makings of a pretty solid…
Time for the Rockets Rebuild to Begin
It’s been several years in the making. As the team aged around James Harden and the Rockets desperately tried to find new and creative ways to keep them afloat, the handwriting was already on the wall. A rebuild was inevitable. The eight-game losing streak — the longest in 20 years…
Houston Concert Watch 2/24: Junior Brown, Post Malone and More
It’s crazy to think that it’s been almost a year with little to no live music. And the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been canceled! Not such a hot start to 2021… But some venues are hosting concerts again, albeit at reduced capacity, and that’s news worth celebrating. Keep…
Harris County To Investigate “Electricity Disaster” As ERCOT Board Exits the Texas Stage
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee announced Tuesday that his office has launched a civil investigation into what caused the deadly power outages that swept over Texas last week. Tuesday also saw the first wave of resignations from the board of ERCOT (the Electric Reliability Council of Texas), the state’s power…
As They Eye Live Music’s Return, Some Musicians See the Return of Stage Fright
When live music returns in full force, so will an uncomfortable phenomenon for some of the musicians presenting it: stage fright. Josh Kirby, a member of the Portland, Oregon-based band Ludlow, expects to be one of those anxious musicians. Ludlow blends punk and folk styles into “music about the realities…
FEMA Set To Start Vaccinations At NRG As Commissioner Garcia Calls For Power Grid Secession
On Monday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner shared the good news that the massive COVID-19 vaccine super site run by the Federal Emergency Management Association is still set to open this week at NRG Stadium as planned. Meanwhile, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia asked Commissioners…
Eaux Neaux! Crawfish Farmers Worry the Recent Cold Snap May Have Been a Killer.
There’s a ritual and method to working through a pile of crawfish and for many tradition. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what to attribute it to, but there’s a certain energy about crawfish season. Despite a great crop of mudbugs last year, COVID-19 restrictions crippled the industry as a whole;…
Optimism Growing for Full NFL Stadium Crowds By Fall 2021
The sports year of 2021 has not been much better for Houston, if it’s even been better at all, than things were in 2020, and make no mistake — things were BAD in town for sports in 2020. So as we sit and wait on what the Texans decide to…
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Houston Restaurants: Back to Business [UPDATED]
Houstonians are a hardy bunch of folks but this past winter storm coupled with an ongoing pandemic and political back-biting about energy has some of us ready to throw in the towel. One of the hardest hit industries is the hospitality sector with restaurants, cafes, bars and food purveyors falling…
Dive Into Briarpatch Now Streaming on Peacock
Briarpatch is a homecoming of sorts. Returning to your home town with anxious energy and uncertainty is a common experience. Seeing the sights of your childhood, all the moments and memories that have shaped you into who you are after a long period away, is an emotional event. Combine the…
Finally Warm Again, Greater Houston’s Winter Storm Recovery Continues
After a weekend of mostly sunny skies, Texans are thankful to be on the other side of a week of devastating cold that brought the state to its knees. Across greater Houston, residents who are glad to have made it through this latest Lone Star crisis are still surveying the…
Dio-era Black Sabbath Records Get Reissues with Bonus Material
With all due admiration and respect for the guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists, and theremin players out there, it’s not for no reason that the lead vocalist is called the “front man” of a band. From their position at center stage, it’s usually the warbler who must engage and energize a…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Cluck It Like It’s Hot at a New Hot Chicken Truck
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, February 22 National Margarita Day Check out our National Margarita Day Dining Guide to find Houston bars and restaurants celebrating the day with drinks and deals. Wednesdays International Oyster Night at Traveler’s Table Three new oysters have been added to…
Five Texas Authors For Women in Horror Month
It’s not like Texas needs more horror right at this moment, what with all the wintry catastrophizing and the Ted Cruzing going on. However, I like to dive into horror when I’m scared and depressed, so now seems as good a time as any to highlight Texas female authors for…
Early Favorites Developing to Land J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson
Most of the time, it’s fun to live in a city where your NFL team is highly relevant, especially this time of year. If your team is garnering headlines in late February, it means they probably just came off a deep play off run, so it’s about happiness, or it…
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Greater Houston Mourns Those Lost In Winter Storm As Relief Efforts Ramp Up [UPDATED]
With the worst of winter’s wrath finally behind us, most Houston area residents now have power and heat as one of the most trying weeks in recent memory nears its end. However, access to water remains a widespread problem. And as residents begin the long, hard recovery process, the tragic…
Local Businesses Give Out Food and Water to Houstonians Under Winter Siege
Cars line up down the street in front of the Turkey Leg Hut as an officer directs traffic from Almeda onto Rosedale. Long lines running in front of the iconic Houston eatery are not out of the ordinary but the people idling in their cars are not here for the…
Mo, Mo, Mo: The Wild Ride and Times of Warner Bros. Records
It’s hard to fathom today, but in the 1960s and ’70s, many record companies weren’t run by corporate boards, faceless businessmen, and bean counters. There were charismatic leaders installed in positions of power, real “music men” who could catch a new band or one of their established acts at a…
Houston Kroger Stores Cope With High Demand, Storm Damage
After the winter storm crippled Texas earlier this week and left millions without power, Houstonians tried desperately to find open grocery stores to replenish their stocks. Houston Kroger stores have been open intermittently since Tuesday trying to serve customers. Hours in stores have been reduced from 9 a.m. to 4…
Disparate Worlds Collide in Victor del Árbol’s Above the Rain
In Spanish writer Victor del Árbol’s world, little to nothing happens that doesn’t carry consequences and in most cases results in a heavy load to bear. Much as he did in A Million Drops which ranged in time from the Spanish Civil War to modern day, del Árbol in his latest book weaves his…
Houston Texans 2021 Opponents: Could Watt or Watson (or BOTH) Play for These Teams?
If this weekend of deep freezing temperatures has taught us anything, it’s that we need to plan for the worst. (Do you hear me, CenterPoint?!) We already know that J.J. Watt will be playing the 2021 season and beyond in a different uniform, and it appears that the Deshaun Watson…
The Four Political Missteps During the Freeze of 2021
Then Texas Governor Ann Richards famously said that George HW Bush had been born with a silver foot in his mouth. If only she were alive today, she would have been able to witness some of the dumb and downright bizarre statements from Texas politicians in the midst of the…
These Houston Bars and Restaurants Are Celebrating National Margarita Day
We could all use a good margarita right now. National Margarita Day is going down on Monday, February 22, and these Houston bars and restaurants are offering specials and deals to celebrate Houston’s favorite drink: Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, 3601 Kirby Picos rocks over 250 agaves and counting, plus 16 handcrafted…
Openings and Closings: The Houston Winter Storm Version
This week is a slim one as far as new restaurants go. The record-breaking and heartbreaking Texas winter storm has caused many established restaurants in the Greater Houston area to close temporarily. Some closed early to keep their employees safe. Others have been forced to close due to power outages,…
Abbott and Hidalgo Warn This Crisis Isn’t Over Yet Even After Huge Gains In Power Restoration
In their latest updates on the horrible winter weather still lingering over much of Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo both said that while we should celebrate the fact that most Texans and 99.5 percent of all local CenterPoint Energy customers will go to bed with…
Turner Says Locals May Need To Boil Water Through Weekend, Jabs At Cruz For Cancun Trip
In a Thursday update on Houston’s winter storm response, Mayor Sylvester Turner celebrated that most city residents finally have electricity again, but warned that locals may still have to boil their water for safe consumption through this weekend or into next week. He also warned about the one last hard…
Restored Power Across Houston Area Brings Hope To Many, But Water Issues Linger
For the first time since this nightmarish winter weather punched Texas square in the jaw three days ago, there’s finally a bit of light peeking out of the end of the tunnel as most of the Houston region saw a reprieve from icy precipitation and electricity began flowing again for…
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Best Virtual Bets: ReelAbilities, Twilight, and An Atwood Opera [UPDATED]
Between the cold and the icy roads, you have to stay home anyway, so check out this week’s best virtual bets.
Two More Nights of Freezing Temperatures to Go
As Houston and the entire state of Texas are reeling from a combination of frigid Arctic air, failing energy infrastructure and water pressure issues, there is a rather warm light at the end of what has felt like an extremely long tunnel. The Houston area faces another couple nights of…
Officials Warn Power & Water Outages Could Last Days Longer As Winter Crisis Drags On
Despite some modest gains in the state’s electricity output as generators come back online, elected officials warned Wednesday that both the disastrous power outages and the lack of safe (or any) water many Houston residents are still facing could easily last until this weekend. “Residents still need to be prepared…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Fill Up At Our Tacolandia Taco Stop
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: This February and March, cocktail maestro Alba Huerta will be taking you behind the bar at Julep in a series of virtual mixology classes ($20 per class or $150 for the full series), covering everything from…
Collect It For The Culture Re-energizes Downtown
The corner of Main and Dallas is empty late on a Sunday evening. Its eerily silent aside from the occasional person whirring by on a rented scooter and piercing the soundless night. The corner is occupied by a building that use to house the two story Forever 21 but, since…
Remembering a Tragedy: Songs For Murdered Sisters at HGO
On the morning of September 22, 2015, in a rural area of Ontario, Canada, a man went on a killing spree, murdering three former female partners in their separate residences. The tragedy hit close to home for Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins — one of the women was his sister. As…
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Texas and Houston Area Enter Day Three Of Winter Hellscape [UPDATED]
Over a million locals are still without power or heat Wednesday morning as this bone-chilling cold weather drags on into the third day of this interminably cold week. As of 5 a.m., CenterPoint Energy said 1.35 million of its Houston area customers didn’t have electricity. According to a Wednesday tweet…
We Should Have Known Joss Whedon Was Gross by the Buffy Season 8 Comics
Warning: Nude/sexual pictures and spoilers through Issue No. 34 of the comic. Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, recently revealed that inappropriate behavior by series creator Joss Whedon when she was a minor led to a rule that he was never to be allowed on…
The Historical 2020-2021 Sports Management Turnover in Houston
There are plenty of reminders of just how wild a sports year it’s been in Houston with respect to attrition in sports. J.J. Watt’s departure last week was just the latest instance of a star player leaving, but it was Jamey Rootes’ departure as president of the team two days…
Houston Concert Watch 2/17: Nathan Quick, Patti Smith and More
Well this week sure has sucked so far. After a severe cold front swept across the Lone Star State over the weekend, millions of Texans lost power. For those of you lucky Houstonians who still have internet (and heat), we have compiled another list of the best concerts worth tuning into…
Five Ways 2021 Houston Sports Can Redeem Themselves
As J.J. Watt said his farewells to Houston on social media on Friday, and the next big star decided to leave our fair city, and with the biggest star in the city still very much on the outs with his employer (we love you, Deshaun!), it got me thinking —…
Nature Boys Hockney and Van Gogh Star in Centuries-Spanning Dual Exhibit
Though he was born nearly a half century after Vincent Van Gogh died, and has achieved a level of fame and acclaim in his lifetime that The Starry Night painter only did posthumously, multimedia artist David Hockney (b. 1937) has always had an affinity for the works of Van Gogh…
Fish Fridays: Where to Eat in Houston During Lent 2021
The decadence of “Fat Tuesday” is gone and the 40 days of Lent have begun (running now through Saturday, April 3). While the period of prayer and atonement traditionally includes the sacrifice of meat in the form of meat-free Fridays, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor, as these Houston restaurants…
Power Outages May Linger Even Once Texas Warms Up, Hidalgo and CenterPoint Warn
In a stark warning, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and CenterPoint Energy cautioned area residents Tuesday night that the catastrophic power outages affecting more than a million locals could be with us even longer than the hellaciously cold weather dumped on Texas by an unprecedented winter storm. “Let me give…
Getting Ready For Round 2 and Searching For Answers to the Power Crisis
With 1.3 million residents still without power in the Houston because of a cold weather event whose effects are now expected to extend into Thursday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a noon Tuesday press conference the No. 1 priority will be getting electricity restored to seniors and critical care…
Governor Does an About Face as Legislative Leaders Call For ERCOT Investigation
Just a day after Governor Greg Abbott blamed the massive power outages that left Texans freezing in their homes on private businesses and said the state was not at fault, he joined Legislative leaders Tuesday in calling for an investigation into Electric Reliability Council of Texas . Saying Texans should never…
Latest on Houston Area Grocery Stores Closures and Reduced Hours
Kroger has just announced that several of its stores will remain closed Tuesday and that the ones that remain open will close at 8 p.m. today and open Wednesday at 9 a.m. The complete list is at the bottom of this article. H-E-B stores are open Tuesday from 10 a.m…
Rockets Drop Sixth As Injuries Mount
As ice cold as it has been in Houston the last couple days, the Rockets recent stretch may be even colder. Monday night they dropped their sixth straight in Washington to the Wizards. They have lost by an average of 16 points including the 12-point loss in DC. All six…
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New Restaurants For Tacolandia and Avoid a Price Increase! [UPDATED]
On March 2, the all new Houston Press Tacolandia Taco Stop will gear up, offering ticket holders the chance to pick up some great tacos from Houston area restaurants at Silver Street Studios from 4-8 p.m. that day.
With More Cold and Precipitation on the Way, Houston Remains an Ice Palace
As 1.4 million Houston area residents remain without power — and some were added overnight although a few lucky souls got their power restored — Houston can expect warming trends during the day Tuesday before the next storm arrives in the area late tonight. With or without power, some residents…
A Hopeful Ode To Our City And Latest Single By Adam Bricks
Just in time to soak in and send off the coldest days of winter and the Valentine’s day sugar rush, Adam Bricks has released his latest single “It’s A New Year” serving as a kind of love letter to the city of Houston and a hope for better times ahead…
“Romanticized” Satirists Won’t Stop The Next Fascists, Warns Daily Show Vet Bassem Youssef
Even the “Jon Stewart of Egypt” admits that’s America’s Jon Stewart joining Twitter is exciting, saying: “That’s the best thing of 2021. Jon Stewart can lead us anywhere!”
The Definitive J.J. Watt 2021 Rooting Guide
Where will J.J. Watt play football next season? Man, it hurts just to type that sentence. For as many weird things that have happened with the Texans since the middle of 2019, when Jack Easterby entered the picture and Bill O’Brien became general manager of the team, nothing will feel…
Hidalgo Warns 150-Year Freeze Possible As One Million-Plus Still Lack Power
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo took to the Houston TRANSTAR podium Monday evening to express her concerns about the million-plus area residents still stuck without power during this unprecedented winter storm. She once again urged locals to keep off the roads and stay home if at all possible to avoid…
Turner Says 1.2 Million Have Lost Power And Looks Like it Won’t Be Restored Anytime Soon
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said on Monday that his number one priority is looking out for the approximately 1.2 million CenterPoint Energy customers across the greater Houston area who have lost electricity in the widespread power outages that have gripped the entire state of Texas during the ongoing winter storm…
Thousands Lose Heat and Power With No End In Sight As Snow Blankets Greater Houston
As if the hellaciously frigid temperatures and icy, snow-covered roads weren’t cause for enough concern, thousands of Houston area residents woke up Monday without power during the worst winter onslaught our region has faced in over 30 years. At least a quarter of all CenterPoint energy customers had lost power…
New Pompeii Exhibit at HMNS is a Literal Blast
The destruction of Pompeii by Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous disasters in human history. One of the reasons that it has remained in the public mind for so long is that for two centuries archaeologists have carefully excavated the doomed city. The nature of the eruption and…
Grooves Owner Speaks Out Against Its Recent Liquor Ban by the TABC
Walking up to Grooves on Pierce and Bastrop you can hear and feel the music pulsing through the front doors of the building on a Sunday afternoon. It’s not out of the ordinary for any bar or lounge on Sunday Funday. What is out of the ordinary is the number…
Four Thoughts on J.J. Watt’s Departure from the Houston Texans
For as miserable as 2020 was for almost everybody, certainly on a global level amidst the pandemic, but here in Houston on a sporting level, 2021 is really testing us so far here, locally. James Harden and George Springer are gone, and who know what the hell is happening with…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Fat Tuesday and a Tex-Mex BBQ Collab
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, February 15 Presidents’ Day Brunch at The General Public The General Public, 797 Sorella, is offering its brunch menu along with $1 mimosas from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday “Mi Amor” burger at Rodeo Goat Rodeo Goat Ice House,…
The Book of Magdalene Offers a New Take on an Old Saint
The biblical, and now sainted, Mary of Magdala has sloughed through quite a journey during the last two thousand years. As a beloved disciple of Christ, she helped bankroll his ministry, saw him crucified, buried, and was the first person to witness his resurrection. When the patriarchy of the church…
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As Winter Blast Descends, Hidalgo and Turner Say It’s Time To Hunker Down [UPDATED]
In a joint news conference Sunday evening, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told local residents an unprecedented wave of winter weather has already begun to descend on the Houston area, and that the time to stay home is now. “The window to prepare for this…
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Some Houston Area Grocery Stores Reducing Hours Because of Cold Weather [UPDATED]
In case you are still scrambling to lay in food and water before the expected icy storm hits the Houston area, know that out of caution for their own employees as well as a general appeal for people to stay off the roads from local officials, that your favorite grocery…
With Nasty Freeze On The Way, Hidalgo and Turner Urge Folks To Hunker Down and Stay Off the Roads
In a joint press conference Friday afternoon, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner stressed caution ahead of what’s likely to be the gnarliest bout of winter weather the Houston area has experienced in three decades. Both officials begged folks in the greater Houston area to start…
Texans Release J.J. Watt at His Request
Saying he wanted to speak directly to Houston, J.J. Watt announced today by a video on Twitter that he and the McNairs have come to an agreement for him to part ways with the Houston Texans after 10 years. “You treated me like family. I have tried to do everything…
The Ice Cometh: Get Ready for Bitter Cold and Frozen Roads
By Monday night, Houston will dip into some record territory, literally. Brutally cold Arctic air will flow into the re gion and drop temperatures not seen in 30 years. Now is the time to prepare. Friday and Saturday Today and tomorrow, it will be dreary and cold. This is the…
Professor Zardonicus: A Frightening Fauxcumentary
Ever since The Blair Witch Project became one of the biggest horror successes of the last century, filmmakers have been trying to recapture lightning in a bottle when it comes to found footage horror. The Curse of Professor Zardonicus is a damn good attempt with a lot of local charm…
Openings and Closings: Local Foods Market Opens Next Week, Messina Hof Lands in Richmond
Local Foods Market, 2424 Dunstan, opens February 16 in the former benjy’s restaurant. Benjy’s closed in March 2020 to make way for the new concept. It was the last remaining location for owner Benjy Levit’s namesake restaurant. Now, Levit’s focus has turned to his Local Foods empire which currently has…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Where to Treat BAE This Valentine’s Day
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Lunar New Year Celebration at Phat Eatery Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 23119 Colonial Parkway Chef-Owner Alex Au-Yeung will welcome the Year of the Ox with a Lunar New Year celebration and six-course…
Houston Symphony Pushes Artistic Boundaries With Music Illustrated
Houston Symphony’s Music Illustrated: Virtual Reality in Concert, taking place on February 13 and 14, will push the threshold of the listening experience to the next level in a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind event featuring Google’s amazing virtual reality technology. As the orchestra performs favorites like “Clair de Lune” and “Carnival of the Animals”, artist Topher Sipes…
Camilo Lara and the Particular Brilliance of Positive Music
Camilo Lara’s music knowledge is encyclopedic, so asking the Grammy-winning artist to choose just one song he finds particularly brilliant was almost unfair. But Lara, the mastermind behind Mexican Institute of Sound, which released its newest album, D.F. (Distrito Federal) on February 5, was game. His selection spoke volumes about…
Dirty Dozen: Highly Drafted QBs Offer Little Hope In Texans Finding Next Deshaun Watson
While both sides remain entrenched in their stances in their mutual staring contest, with Deshaun Watson demanding a trade and the Houston Texans insisting they won’t trade him, the healthiest way I have found to deal with this sports trauma is to try to envision a future without Deshaun Watson…
Local Leaders Hope Texas Southern Clinic Will Boost Racial Equity In COVID Vaccinations
On Thursday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee gathered at Texas Southern University to celebrate the launch of the school’s new coronavirus vaccine clinic. The vaccination center on TSU’s campus is being managed by St. Luke’s hospital with the hope that it’ll become a local leader…
Don’t Mess With Texas: A Fresh Take On An Old Message
Most Texans can remember when the “Don’t Mess With Texas” anti-littering campaign captured attention with its advertisements featuring our state’s beautiful landscapes paired with celebrities repeating the effective slogan. “Don’t Mess With Texas” went on to grow a life of its own becoming a sort of global warning to others…
An Arctic Blast is Coming: Get Ready
Houston is about to experience the kind of cold weather we rarely see. A significant dose of Arctic air will filter into the region by Monday dropping temperatures well below freezing and offering a real chance of freezing precipitation. Here’s when and how you need to prepare. Temperatures dropped after…
Best Virtual Bets: Lunar New Year, a Kaleidoscope, and Music Illustrated
Stream theater productions, dance films, and music performances this week.
Album Review: Kikagaku Moyo Evolve in Live at Levitation
In treading through the annals of rock music, it’s hard to argue that any approach to the genre has been more persistent than psychedelic-rock. From the jangling opening riff of 13th Floor Elevators’ “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” to the outpouring of groups that flocked to Haight-Ashbury in the late-60s (therein forging a widespread counterculture), to the…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Fat Tuesday Grub and an Epic Sunday Supper
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Houston Creole house Brennan’s, 3300 Smith, is hosting a Fat Tuesday feast to kick off Mardi Gras on Tuesday, February 16. Join for a special three-course menu, special performances from Vincent Trio Jazz Band and Sin…
Four Thoughts on Team President Jamey Rootes Leaving the Houston Texans
Over the last decade or so, the soap opera format on television has been dying a slow death. While there used to be about a dozen or so in circulation, now we are down to Days of our Lives on NBC, and maybe two others. I bring this up because, if…
The Stand Miniseries Wraps Up This Week And You Didn’t Miss A Thing
By the time you read this, I will be dead. No wait, I mean, CBS All Access will have released the final episode ofThe Stand, their new miniseries based on Stephen King’s epic pot-apocalyptic novel of good versus evil. And to mangle T.S. Eliot, rather than with a bang, this…
Abbott Announces FEMA Will Offer COVID-19 Vaccinations at NRG Stadium
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday officially announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will set up three mass COVID-19 vaccination centers in Texas in the coming weeks, one of which will be right here in Houston at NRG Stadium. The other two sites will be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area:…
Five Astros to Watch As Spring Training Approaches
As long as this last year has felt, it’s almost time for spring training again. Pitchers and catchers report in a week after what has been the most tranquil offseasons of the three major sports teams in Houston. While George Springer was lost to free agency, it was not unexpected…
Freezing Temps, Possibly Snow Headed For Houston
Houston has had a relatively mild winter thus far. Not too cold and generally not too warm either. We didn’t have a winter wonderland over the holidays, but it didn’t feel like Miami Beach either. As those of us who have been around Houston a bit understand, things can change…
Why QAnon Thinks Trump Will Be Inaugurated on March 4
Did your butthole finally unclench on January 20 when Joe Biden said the words “so help me, God,” and was formally sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Well, don’t get too comfortable because according to QAnon he only has until March 4 before Donald Trump comes…
Streaming Concert Watch 2/10: Pearl Jam, The Suffers and More
The 2020 NFL season is over, and Tom Brady – the player – now has more rings than any single team. In Houston, where the local squad hasn’t played a down since January (and hasn’t won a game since November), football fans remained glued to their screens in hopes of…
AIDS Memorial Quilt On Virtual Display With AIDS Foundation Houston
AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. has launched a virtual display of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Each year, sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, comprised of 48,000 hand-sewn panels that memorialize those lost to AIDS, travel to communities across the country for in-person displays. Due to the pandemic, 2020 marks the first year of the…
Best Crawfish in Houston: We Guar-an-tee
It’s crawfish season and whether you call them crawfish, crawdads or mudbugs, we call them delicious. Some like them with Vietnamese flavors, garlic butter or coated in Cajun seasonings. Some pinch, twist and suck the juicy heads, others just pull out the tender tails and dip them in butter. Whatever…
Houston Texans Are Dead Last in Early 2021 NFL Power Rankings
At the time, the Houston Texans home playoff win over the Buffalo Bills in early 2020 was viewed for what it was — a really fun afternoon of football, an advancement in the postseason for just the fourth time in franchise history, and the postseason coming out party for Deshaun…
In City COVID-19 Update, Officials Talk FEMA Vaccine Sites, Scary New Variants and Violent Crime
Amid the news that Houston will likely soon be home to a coronavirus vaccine super site run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner shared his weekly COVID-19 update stage at City Hall with local health experts who announced that there are now two extra-contagious versions of…
Houston Press Readers Don’t Cut Deshaun Watson Much Slack
When Sean Pendergast recently explored the possible locations quarterback Deshaun Watson might move to in his request for a trade away from the Houston Texans, a lot of our readers were inspired to weigh in with their own take on the situation on the Houston Press Facebook page. Most of…
Keeping The Star Shining: Red Dwarf Requests Help To Make It Through
When Red Dwarf decided to go ahead and open last summer, owners Shan Pasha, his sister Sarina Pasha and James Koby Boren knew they would be facing major challenges that go beyond the normal challenges of operating a music venue, coffee shop, cafe and bar all rolled up into one…
Mardi Gras in a Pandemic: Dine In, Take Out or Stay Home
On February 16 the 2021 version of Fat Tuesday will be here and though it may look a little different this year, there are still plenty of ways to get your Mardi Gras on. The parades may be canceled and the debauchery near non-existent (it is a semi-religious holiday, after…
Andre Johnson Becomes Eligible for Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022
So we now live in a world where Tom Brady has won more Super Bowl titles as an individual player than any single franchise has won in its history. The scoreboard looks like this — Tom Brady 7, New England Patriots 6, Pittsburgh Steelers 6, and after that, well, does…
The Forgotten Legend: 12 Possible J.J. Watt Trade Destinations
After the Houston Texans floundered to a 4-12 season in 2020, a disastrous few months that led to the purge of Bill O’Brien and further power consolidation by Executive Vice President of Football Operations (and aspiring standup comedian) Jack Easterby, the biggest offseason storyline was supposed to surround the next…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Pizza Deals and Valentine’s Day Dining
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long Prisoner Wine Company at Liberty Kitchen Liberty Kitchen, 4224 San Felipe, 963 Bunker Hill, kicks off its newest wine dinner series with Prisoner WIne Company, offered now through Valentine’s Day at both the River Oaks and Memorial locations…
HISD’s COVID-19 Policies Still Raising Questions 11 Months Into The Pandemic
The Houston Independent School District has talked a big game about transparency around COVID-19 cases within its school system, but doubt still abounds as to whether or not the district is doing everything it can to keep the public informed about just how well local schools are faring during the…
How Athens, Georgia Became a Mecca of Music and Alt Culture
In high school, most World History classes teach that Athens, Greece was the epicenter of culture back in the day when there was a lot of sculpture chiseling going on and Harry Hamlin was trying to kill Medusa. But in Music History class, its unlikely namesake of Athens, Georgia held…
Which NFL Teams Should Be Calling About Deshaun Watson?
With the Houston Texans having only spoken publicly about Deshaun Watson at the introductory press conference for David Culley a week ago, and with Watson himself only speaking on his situation through back channels and cryptic social media posts, we are somewhat short on the nuances in which we have…
Openings and Closings: Lucille’s Hospitality Launches, Kanpai Club Opens
Lucille’s Hospitality Group, the new endeavor from Houston chef Chris Williams, is on track to produce four new restaurant and lifestyle concepts by 2022. Williams, known for his restaurant Lucille’s in the Museum District, has launched the venture as a tribute to his grandmother, Lucille B. Smith, who not only…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: Nomadland
Title: Nomadland Describe This Movie In One “Born to Run” Lyric: BRUCE: The highway’s jammed with broken heroes / On a last chance power drive Brief Plot Synopsis: Out here in the perimeter, there are no … actually, there still are stars. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4 MK-15c space…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Order Epic Spreads for Super Bowl Sunday
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Everything Bagel Scoops at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Saturday, noon-10pm 375 West 19th Jeni’s Houston scoop shop debuted Everything Bagel pints as part of its Ice Cream for Breakfast Collection (all of which is now available online for nationwide…
Eldorado Nights: A Visual Tribute And Celebration
A building is more than its structure; it houses the stories and vibrations of its past dwellers and they should be celebrated and preserved. Every Saturday in the month of February visual arts installation Eldorado Nights will celebrate Houston’s famed Eldorado Ballroom. The historic ballroom was once the city’s premier…
Reminder: The “Rigged Election” Theory Started With Bernie Bros
February is always weird for me because when I scroll through Facebook memories, I see all the people I lost to the cult of Bernie Sanders in 2016. It’s also a reminder that the Big Lie of the rigged election didn’t start with Donald Trump; it started on the left…
Good News: It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time
The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council have kicked off Girl Scout Cookie Season 2021 and thanks to the continuing pandemic they have incorporated some new ways of ordering into their program. There are digital storefronts, a partnership with Grubhub for contactless deliveries in certain areas starting February 12 as…
Best Virtual Bets: Seven Limbs, Two Sonatas, and the Rebirth of a Nation
Opera, theater, music, and more are available to stream this week.
The Tummies Digest a Bellyfull of British Invasion on Debut Record
Nashville, Tennessee—the home of country music—might seem like an odd place to start a band writing and playing original music in the sonic style of mid-‘60s British Invasion bands. But that’s exactly what Judd Fuller and Dana Radford decided to do—albeit with a little help from copious amounts of fermented…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Brisket Tsukemen Returns for One Day Only
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Ramen Tatsu-Ya, 1722 California, is bringing back one version of its celebrated barbecue ramen, Brisket Tsukemen, on Monday, February 8. The dish is composed of a smoky condensed pork bone broth flavored with Texas chili oil,…
What WandaVision Gets Right That Game of Thrones Messed Up
Warning: Spoilers for Episode 4 Some fan out there has probably already guessed the main plot points of WandaVision, and that’s okay. If creators were more comfortable with that, maybe they would make better shows. A lot of ink has been spilled over the ending of Game of Thrones and…
Deshaun Watson Reportedly Has “Four or Five” Desired Trade Destinations
As we sit here on Day 31 of Watson Watch, there are two things that have become quite evident over the last few weeks. First, Deshaun Watson has likely taken his last snap in a Texans uniform. Second, the trade market for Watson is going to be the most robust…
Abbott Charts A Right-Wing Path Toward Re-election In Primetime Speech
In his biennial State of the State address this week, Gov. Greg Abbott argued that he’s a tried-and-true conservative leader who Texans can trust to keep their state “the freedom capital of America.” He tried to make the case that the coronavirus pandemic’s worst days are behind us, and threw…
The 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is Cancelled
After previously announcing they were going to try to operated the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in May, today rodeo officials have just announced they will have to cancel it instead because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Youth competitors in the Junior Livestock and Horse Show will still meet…
Lupin: The Story of a Gentleman Thief in France on Netflix
Editor’s note: Spoiler alert on first episode. In the first episode of Netflix’s French mystery thriller Lupin, Assane Diop (Omar Sy) has put together the heist of a lifetime. Assuming a fake identity as a rich businessman he “buys” the necklace he is stealing at an auction and is led…
POLL: Houston Texan Fans Blame Cal McNair for the Deshaun Watson Fiasco
We are officially in Day 29 of the hostage crisis we like to call “Deshaun Watson Watch.” For it was on January 6, 2021, when we first learned of Watson’s disenchantment with, if not outright anger at, his current employer, the Houston Texans. More specifically, reports said, that Watson was…
For Black History Month, ROCO Plays Bonds…Margaret Bonds
ROCO’s first concert in Black History Month will be an exploration of one of music’s most storied Black women. Celebration of Margaret Bonds, featuring a wide cross section of the musician’s work, will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, streamed live from Rienzi, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s historic house museum for European decorative…
Streaming Concert Watch 2/3: Chromeo, Reverend Horton Heat and More
Is it already February? Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the new year. Of course, given how long 2020 seemed to last, the first month of 2021 flying by is a welcome change. As vaccinations continue, the likelihood of live music grows closer and closer. Can’t wait to see…
Apparently Sharpstown Has a Yucca Thief
It’s a rough economy in Texas right now, but who knew it was so bad that people were stealing plants? At 5 a.m. on Sunday January 31, Sharpstown resident John Brannen found that a random thief had brazenly came up to his door, stolen two yuccas, and walked away with supreme…
The Four Most Important Action Items For New Texans HC David Culley
On Friday, we were introduced to the Houston Texans’ fourth head coach in franchise history. His name is David Culley, and on the surface, his resume is one that, at the very least, ignites some questions, and at worst, exacerbates the fears that Texans fans have that their team is…
Houston Grand Opera’s Concert of Arias Goes Virtual
Imagine you are a young singer, hoping for a career in opera and you’ve worked hard enough, been good enough and had enough stamina to reach the finalist stage of a competition where you’ll be performing before a theater jammed with opera lovers. But now instead of facing a live…
Turner and Health Department Talk Vaccines, Federal Mask Rules In Weekly Coronavirus Update
During the city’s weekly Monday COVID-19 update, the leader of the local health department dropped the news that an online sign-up system for scheduling the required second-dose of coronavirus vaccine is apparently rolling out later this week. According to Houston Health Department Director Dr. Stephen Williams, a website for those…
Do Not Blame Deshaun Watson for This Mess
The Houston Chronicle still gets “letters to the editor” it would seem, although we assume these are more frequently of the electronic variety than the ones that come in an envelope. And they print these on weekends when the only people reading them are those who one, still get a…
This Week in Houston Food Events: New Happy Hour Bites and a Tamago Sando Throwdown
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Monday, February 1 Free Industry Monday at Feges BBQ Beginning Monday, February 1 and on the first Monday of every month, hospitality industry workers can eat free at Feges BBQ, 3 Greenway Plaza. Thanks to an anonymous donor, the bbq spot is…
Tensions Rising Between Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans
It was an interesting day over at NRG Stadium on Friday afternoon. The Texans introduced their fourth head coach in franchise history, with 65-year-old David Culley taking his first head coaching job of his career, and in the process stepping right into a Deshaun Watson-induced maelstrom, in which the 25-year-old…
Houston Chamber Choir Celebrates Youth Voices With A Time To Lift Up
The Grammy award-winning Houston Chamber Choir will host a virtual concert themed A Time to Lift Up Sunday at noon. The show will spotlight both the teachers who lead the choirs as well as the K-12 students and their voices. It will also feature performances by the Houston Chamber Choir in a pre-recorded video format.
Families of Harding Street Raid Victims Sue City and HPD Officers for Civil Rights Violations
Just shy of two years after 2019’s fatal Harding Street raid, the families of the married couple killed by Houston Police Department officers during the incident sued the City of Houston and multiple Houston cops for violating their relatives’ constitutional civil rights. Lawyers for the families of Rhogena Nicholas and…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: There’s a New Breakfast Sandwich in Town
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: 9-Year Anniversary at Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight (brunch Saturday and Sunday until sold out) 2101 Summer Now in newer, bigger digs, BuffBrew is celebrating nine years of beers through the weekend. Guests can expect…
The Allman Betts Band Give Their “Blessings” – Live and In Person!
It is indeed a very strange and (here comes that word again) “unprecedented” time for live music. Bands, audiences, venues, and promoters are all still trying to figure out when the gears for the industry will start moving again, and how shows and tours will even look while the pandemic…
Four Thoughts on Deshaun Watson’s Trade Request
I just turned 52 years old late last week, but I’m finding out that, even at my advanced age, I learn something new every day about how I emotionally process certain things in my life. For example, when the rumors popped up two weeks ago that Deshaun Watson MIGHT want…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: The Little Things
Title: The Little Things Describe This Movie In One Raiders of the Lost Ark Quote: BELLOQ: It would take only a nudge to make you like me … to push you out of the light. Brief Plot Synopsis: Murder sparks burnt-out cop’s interest in long-smoldering case. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To…
Openings and Closings: Cherry Block Expands, The Taco Stand Opens
Cherry Block Craft Butcher and Kitchen, 409 Travis, will depart Bravery Chef Hall January 31 in order to open two new locations in Katy and Garden Oaks. The first, Cherry Block Craft Butcher and Market, 5305 Highway Boulevard, will open in early February. Cherry Block is a partnership between Felix…
Deshaun Watson Officially Requests a Trade
It seemed inevitable even if fans didn’t want to believe it. With the complete bungling of the franchise by owner Cal McNair apparently at the hands of the preacher-turned-football-guy Jack Easterby, the announcement on Thursday that franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson has officially requested a trade should come as no surprise…
Mobile Games Are Both Predatory and Helpful to Mental Illness
I have a love-hate relationship with free-to-play mobile games. On the one hand they are absolutely predatory in a way that might actually get them regulated by the government as gambling. On the other, they help me deal with mental illness the way nothing else does. My game of choice…
Houston Texans Set to Name David Culley Next Head Coach
As of Wednesday afternoon, it appeared that the Houston Texans’ pool of finalists for their vacant head coaching position was closed, with Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier having his second interview on Tuesday, and Ravens WR coach/assistant head coach David Culley having his on Wednesday. Last week, former Lions and…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Phat Eatery
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Alicia’s Mexican Grille will host its Winter Tequila and Wine Dinner series at all five locations, featuring a three-course dinner with crab bisque, filet mignon with chipotle bourbon sauce, and coconut tres leches, plus handcrafted Ocho…
How to Make It in the Music Business: Trakksounds Edition
“I’ll be fully transparent: I honestly, I spend way too much time on social media.” Over the course of an hour-long, mile-a-minute Zoom call with the Houston Press, Garrett Brown, known to Houston and beyond as hip hop producer Trakksounds, drops the name Honesty more than any of the high…
Best Virtual Bets: Sundance Films, UFOS, and The Apollo
You can enjoy this week’s best virtual bets from your couch or your car.
Attorney for HPD Cop Charged With Harding Street Murder Says DA Ogg Is Just Playing Politics
One day after Houston police officer Felipe Gallegos was charged with committing murder in 2019’s botched Harding Street drug raid, his defense attorney Rusty Hardin accused Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg of pursuing the case for political purposes. “No question about it: They indicted a hero,” Hardin said of…
NFL Head Coach Hires, FOMO Factor for Houston Texans
If I could describe the ongoing Houston Texans’ head coaching search — 114 days and counting, like a hostage crisis! — in one word it would probably be “confusing.” The Texans were the first team, by far, to fire their head coach, dumping Bill O’Brien, and all the drama that…
Houston Ballet’s Strings Section Gets Together for A Little Night Music
The Houston Ballet Orchestra was in the final stages of preparation for its upcoming mixed repertoire program last March when news about COVID-19 grew increasingly concerning. Natalie Gaynor, the young principal of the Second Violin section was there and remembers they’d just gotten to the dress rehearsal stage. “I made a…
Taco Keto Continues To Bring Its Family Flavor To Houston
On the corner of Cullen and Gray, just a short distance from Polk, sits a trailer converted into a standing food truck. The smell of fresh baked bread wafts through the air as the ever-present reminder that the Leeland Baking building is about a block away. Two vertical lights frame…
Streaming Concert Watch 1/27: Local Natives, Sam Smith and More
James Harden, George Springer and now… there’s talk of Deshaun Watson leaving Houston, too? 2021 was supposed to be an improvement over 2020, but in the world of Houston sports that just hasn’t been the case so far. Fortunately, there’s plenty of good music to live-stream that will take your…
2021: The Year Of Metanoia Kicks Off With Release Of “We Won’t Stay Here”
Metanoia is a concept dating back to Greek mythology involving changing someone’s mind or heart through a reflective and spiritual journey. Houston band Metanoia hopes to do just that using their music as a means to inspire listeners to open their minds. “Even if my music doesn’t give you an…
Ogg Announces New Murder Charge, Other Felonies In Harding Street Raid Case
As the two year anniversary of 2019’s fatal Harding Street raid approaches, another Houston cop has been charged with murder for his role in the botched drug bust. Five other Houston police officers from HPD’s narcotics division that carried out the raid were also indicted Monday in an alleged overtime…
Presale Tickets On Sale Now for the First Ever Tacolandia Taco Stop
The Houston Press Tacolandia annual event celebrating all things taco is transitioning this year into the first ever Houston Press Tacolandia Taco Stop and pre-sale tickets for the March 2 event go on sale today at 10 a.m. Taco card tickets will entitle their purchasers to a special taco drive-thru…
Young Deji Brings Alief,TX To The World
A young man looking around college age, dressed simply in a blue hoodie and matching hat, bobs down a dark street towards the bright florescent lights of a local corner store. He stops as he moves closer to the light and dances, moving his arms in a slow jerking rhythm,…
Hidalgo Announces County Vaccine Waitlist and Turner Talks Second Doses As Bumpy Rollout Continues
On Monday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced a new, simplified system for county residents to sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Immediately afterward in his own event, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner explained how things are going with the Houston Health Department’s vaccination efforts and discussed second vaccine doses,…
Four Teams To Whom the Texans Absolutely CANNOT Trade Deshaun Watson
As long as Deshaun Watson uses third parties and rap lyrics on Twitter to communicate his feelings, then it’s open season for the national media to report Watson’s dissatisfaction with the team as something that is unfixable and irreparable. Watson is doing nothing to dispel these categorizations. So that’s how…
Waxwork Records To Release Monster-Sized Godzilla Film Soundtracks Box Set
Waxwork Records To Release Godzilla Film Soundtracks Box Set
Houston Sauce Co. Has Plans To Expand The Vegan World In Houston And Beyond
“I knew I had something when I won my mom over,” Courtney Lindsay smiles as he leans back in his chair. “When she was convinced it was good, I knew we were headed in the right direction.” Lindsay is the owner and founder of Houston Sauce Co., a vegan food…
The Book of Magdalene Premieres at Main Street Theater in a Time of Trauma
Imagine being given the name Magdalene with all the associations that immediately conjures up from the four gospels of the New Testament. Prostitute or perhaps not, follower of Jesus, first to see him after his resurrection — someone whose demons were driven out by the Son of God, according to…
It’s Time for Fan Conventions to Ban MAGA
Earlier this year, social media companies took bold and unprecedented action to remove the accounts of Donald Trump over his continued instigation of violent insurrection. It was a good move that immediately reduced the presence of misinformation on the internet by 73 percent. Now, fan conventions should follow suit and…
These Houston Restaurants Are Offering Romantic Takeout Options This Valentine’s Day
Planning a Valentine’s Day date night at home this year? These Houston restaurants are here to help, featuring preorder and to-go options that will help up the romance factor, from indulgent prix fixe meals to bubbly, sweets and more. For those who prefer to dine out, check out our Valentine’s…
Four Thoughts on the Legend-laden Houston Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021
One of the really cool additions to our sports landscape here in Houston over the last few years has been the addition of the Houston Sports Hall of Fame, and the annual induction of each year’s class, including the bestowing of a ring and a spot on the Walk of…
Sally Edmundson Reprises Her Governor Ann Richards Role on Film
In 2018, Stages theater presented a production of Ann, the story of Texas Gov. Ann Richards, a one-woman show starring Sally Edmundson. It would be one sharp-witted icon playing another and the match seemed perfect. As it turns out, it was. It remains the best-selling non-musical show in the history…
Alexandria Sadé on the Particular Brilliance of “A Garden of Peace”
Alexandria Sadé isn’t your typical record collector. For one, there are currently only two albums in her Washington, D.C. home. Also, she’s less interested in her own vinyl collection these days than those amassed by others in the record collecting community. As founder of and curator for the budding Instagram…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Epic Anniversary Dinners at Two of Houston’s Finest Spots
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, January 26 Four-Year Anniversary at Riel Riel, 1927 Fairview, is celebrating its four-year anniversary by bringing back its former sous chef EJ Miller for a one-night celebration. Miller and Riel executive chef Ryan Lachaine will be cooking up some of…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: No Man’s Land
Title: No Man’s Land Describe This Movie In One “If I Can Find A Clean Shirt” Lyric: WILLIE & WAYLON: No I ain’t going down on the border with you tonight. Brief Plot Synopsis: “El Hombre del Rio Nevado.” Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2 Phil Hicks out…
Openings and Closings: Flappy Opens in Katy, Bistro 555 Departs This Month
Flappy Wings and Burgers, 1315 W. Grand Parkway, began its soft opening December 29. A grand opening is planned within the next couple of weeks. The business began originally in Katy Mills Mall by Huma and Riaz Ahmad who were school clothes shopping when they came across a kiosk for…
MusicFest Releases Cody Canada Tribute Performance Album
Every January droves of music fans flock to Steamboat, Colorado for the yearly celebration of Americana and roots music, MusicFest. Sadly, this year’s festival was wisely canceled but plans for next year are already in the works. Last year the festival was able to take place prior to the COVID-19…
Houston Film Critics Society Declares Nomadland Best Picture Of 2020
Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland has been named Best Picture of the Houston Film Critics Society 2020 awards. Based on the fictionalized adaptation of the Jessica Bruder nonfiction bestseller, Nomadland also took home the awards for Best Director (Zhao) and Best Cinematography. Other winners of the 14th annual HFCS awards include Riz Ahmed (Sound…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: A Pop-Up Night Market and Good Vibes Burgers
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Try the New Good Vibes Burgers & Brews Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 1329 East Broadway A new burger spot opened its doors in the old King’s Biergarten space in Pearland a…
Three Things To Know If the Texans Try to Trade Deshaun Watson
Right now, we take the little wins in Houston sports. Michael Brantley was kind enough to reverse course on what appeared to be his signing a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, and he decided to return to the Astros. It had been a while since we experienced a personnel…
Sigh of Relief as Brantley Re-Signs with Astros
That collective sigh of relief you heard around Houston wasn’t just from those happy to usher in a new President, it was also because the sports gods decided to bestow upon a beleaguered city a small ray of sunlight in an otherwise dark and depressing world. After losing George Springer…
No Pardon For Paxton: Trump Leaves Office Without Letting Texas AG Off The Hook
In one of his final acts as leader of the free world, Donald Trump announced a slew of last-minute pardons late Tuesday night. Several went to Trump’s political pals, like his former campaign adviser and right-wing bomb thrower Steve Bannon and GOP fundraiser Elliot Broidy. A couple even went to…
Best Virtual Bets: Short Plays, Random Acts, and Iranian Films
The virtual stages are buzzing this week with best bets.
Eric Bieniemy the Betting Favorite To Be Houston Texans Next Head Coach
We’ve hit a lull in the Houston Texans’ drama cycle, and for Houston sports fans, who’ve had to endure a James Harden trade and a George Springer departure in the last week, that’s probably a healthy thing. There’s only so much hand writing on behalf of Deshaun Watson and praying…
Police Reform Coming to Houston, But Slowly
Ever since the death of Houston native George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police, civil rights activists have renewed their calls for police reform. A series of high-profile nationwide demonstrations for the cause has definitely moved the needle on the subject, including here in Houston. Unfortunately, progress is…
WandaVision Wrestles With Our Expectations for Superhero Tales
In WandaVision, Wanda Maximoff, a tremendously powerful hero and Avenger, and Vision, an artificial man and Wanda’s lover that we last saw get killed at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, find themselves in a 1960s sitcom. They go through the paces and familiar beats of a show like I…
The Return of Regular Live Music Isn’t Close, But It’s Getting Closer
The Who was not supposed to be my final concert of 2019. As the lights came up in the Toyota Center, I knew I’d be back in a few weeks for Tool. Buzzfest was also in the future, as was Cher, which promised to be a hoot in and a…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: One Fifth Houston Throws its Final Anniversary Dinner
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Pondicheri chef and owner Anita Jaisinghani will host a Pondicheri Virtual Cooking Class: Homestyle Indian from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 23. Participants can learn how to make essential Indian dishes, including Pondicheri’s famous…
Goodbye, George Springer: Four Things We Will Miss About You
George Springer is no longer an Astro. In a week-plus that has found Houston sports fans reeling from a trade of James Harden and warnings that Texans QB Deshaun Watson may be close to signaling he wants out of Houston as well, one of its favorite sons is reportedly signing…
Adolescent COVID Vaccine to be Tested in Houston
As the rush to vaccinate the general population against COVID-19 continues, manufacturer Moderna has chosen Houston as one of four locations to hosts trials for a version aimed at adolescents. The two current vaccines being administered, one by Moderna and another by Pfizer, are currently only approved for adult patients…
Three Houston Nightclubs Get Liquor Licenses Suspended For Breaking COVID-19 Rules
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced Tuesday that it has suspended the liquor licenses for three Houston nightclubs — Spire at 1720 Main, Clé at 2301 Main and Grooves at 2300 Pierce — after all three were caught flouting Gov. Greg Abbott’s COVID-19 regulations by ignoring occupancy limits this weekend…
Is Promising Young Woman a Horror Film? Yes.
Hot in theaters and on-demand right now is director Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman. It stars Carey Mulligan as Cassie, a med school dropout who spends her nights enacting revenge against men who try to sexually assault her when she pretends to be stumbling drunk at clubs. Her obsession is…
Streaming Concert Watch 1/20: Frank Turner, Jeff Tweedy and More
After footage of Bow Wow performing at a Houston nightclub went viral on Twitter over the weekend, Mayor Sylvester Turner made his feelings about live music perfectly clear… The mayor later deleted the tweet, but his sentiment didn’t change (even after he and Bow Wow made nice online). That being the case,…
Deshaun or No Deshaun, Eric Bieniemy Should Take Texans Head Coach Job
The Houston Texans fired their former head coach, Bill O’Brien, after the fourth week of the season, all the way back in early October. They were the first NFL team to do so during the 2020 season, so in reality, they’ve had longer than any other team in the league…
Where to Dine Out in Houston This Valentine’s Day Weekend
Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, and Houston’s finest restaurants are here to help you bring the romance with a night out on the town. From fancy prix fixe meals complete with steaks, lobster and bubbly to casual affairs rocking fried chicken, chocolate and more, here’s where to…
Abbott Meets With Houston Methodist CEO On COVID-19 Vaccines, Snubs Turner and Hidalgo
Gov. Greg Abbott and his top health advisers swung by Houston on Tuesday to meet with Houston Methodist CEO and president Dr. Mark Boom to talk about the statewide COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and to praise Houston Methodist for being the top vaccinator in all of Texas. Abbott said that Harris…
Texas House and Senate Disagree On COVID-19 Testing and Press Access As 2021 Session Begins
The Texas Legislature officially kicked off its 87th session last week, an every-other-year tradition that sees lawmakers of all stripes gather in Austin to pass a two-year budget and a few laws that could, in theory, improve the quality of life for Texans of all stripes — if we’re lucky…
James Harden Shouldn’t Be Hated or Loved, Just Ignored
In the ’90s, when the Rockets were winning back-to-back championships, I was a huge Robert Horry fan. He had loads of talent and we were roughly the same age. There was something cool about being in the same generation as one of the players on your favorite team. When he…
The Four Most Disturbing Things Revealed In SI.com’s Latest Jack Easterby Exposé
While actual good football teams prepare for something the Houston Texans have never had the pleasure of preparing for before, a conference title game, the drama from inside NRG Stadium continues to take center stage. Deshaun Watson’s anger toward the organization doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon, as…
Houston Hasn’t Seen the Pet Adoption Boom During the Pandemic
The quarantine resulting from COVID-19 has led to all kinds of new activities for the housebound, everything from that sourdough bread-making craze to people literally emptying out the exercise equipment stock of the nation. People also adopted pets. Lots of pets. People stuck at home decided that they could use…
A Celebration of Black Artists in Opera and Song at HGO
This Friday, Houston Grand Opera will present a special digital concert: Giving Voice 2021: A Celebration of Black Artists in Opera and Song whose co-hosts are the acclaimed tenor Lawrence Brownlee and Houston- favorite, soprano Nicole Heaston. The idea’s was Brownlee’s, Heaston said, and the international star rounded up herself…
These Houston Restaurants Will Take Care of Your Super Bowl Spread
Staying in to watch the Super Bowl LV this year? These Houston restaurants are here to bring you a winning spread, from sandwich platters and fajitas packs to wings, tamales and cocktails to-go. B&B Butchers & Restaurant, 1814 Washington The Butcher Shop’s Game Day Grub to-go menu features deli sandwich platters,…
Miami and Atlanta Get the Blues in New Box Set
To the casual music listener, blues music may seem like a lot of the same stuff. Those iconic opening notes from Bo Diddley’s “I’m a Man” (by way of Muddy Waters “Hoochie Coochie Man”), the lyrics of devilish women/lost love/being broke, the alternately mournful and boastful vocal styles. But deeper-diving…
Thousands Got COVID-19 Vaccine At Minute Maid, But Many With Appointments Sent Home With No Shot
The Houston Health Department’s mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Minute Maid Park on Saturday was a success in that more than 6,000 area residents got their first dose of the potentially life-saving medicine. But logistical hiccups and a lack of on-site vetting allowed some Houstonians to skip the line and…
Deshaun Watson Drama With the Houston Texans Reaching Boiling Point
It was fun this weekend to settle in and watch eight functional NFL playoff teams compete, drama free, playing the highest level of the most popular sport in our country. For that, I thank the Packers, Rams, Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Browns, Buccaneers, and Saints. However, like any good party, eventually…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Get a Game Day Hot Dog and Beer Combo at Cowboy Surfer
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long No Label Brewery Beer Dinner at State Fare Kitchen & Bar Now through Sunday, January 24, State Fare Kitchen & Bar, 947 Gessner, 15930 City Walk, will be offering a new Craft Beer dinner in collaboration with local…
A Look Back at the ‘70s Houston Monopoly Knock-Off
Have you ever wanted to play as a rich developer in Houston in the 1970s? No, probably not. Two major oil crises did a number on old H-Town, but that didn’t stop Groovy Games from publishing a Monopoly knock-off in 1977 that at least let people pretend they were tycoons…
A Day In The Life With Mr. Record Man Clint Broussard
Clint Broussard is a walking encyclopedia of musical knowledge and the radio show and podcast hosts flexes his strengths every week hosting his Monday afternoon show on KPFT, Blues in Hi-Fi, and online with his podcast, A Day In The Life. Throughout 2020, a year where nothing was certain, Broussard’s…
Rockets Post-Harden: Four Thoughts
We’ve had more than 24 hours to digest the deal that sent one of the all-time best Rockets to Brooklyn. On Thursday night, a very short-handed, young squad (only nine dressed including multiple rookies) managed to win on the road at San Antonio — not the feat it was a…
Degust and Diversion Debut, Velvet Taco Heights Opens
Diversion Cocktails, 7202 Long Point, opened January 14. The intimate and upscale cocktail bar will be operated like a world class chef’s kitchen according to Steven Salazar, who is listed as the Executive Bar Chef, taking very seriously the ingredients and composition of the “immersive cocktails” that will have guests…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Bocca Italian Kitchen and Lupo Pizzeria Open with Chef Justin Turner
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Grand Opening of Bocca Italian Kitchen and Lupo Pizzeria Friday 250 Assay Newly minted hospitality group Gastropub Productions is officially opening the doors of its first two concepts this weekend, Bocca Italian Kitchen and Lupo Pizzeria. Located at Redemption…
University of Houston Football: The Post Cougar Head Coach Curse
It remains to be seen if 2021 will provide the safe refuge for Houston sports fans from the damn near apocalyptic 2020, but if college football is any sort of harbinger, we are off to a good start. Texas A&M fans got a win in a major bowl game on…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: The Marksman
Title: The Marksman Describe This Movie Using One Quote From My Father: DAD: You know what I hated about that show The Rifleman? He never shot anybody. Brief Plot Synopsis: Troubled vet airs out his grievances, and eventually airs out some cartel dudes. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 2 radiators…
Bill Champlin Talks New Solo Record and a Vast, Varied Career
Bill Champlin is on the phone calling from his home in Santa Barbara, California. And while it’s ostensibly to discuss his new solo record Livin’ for Love—available digitally from Imagen Records and physically from BillChamplin.com—he first has something to say about visiting our fair city’s environs. “My wife and son…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: A One Year Wing-A-Versary and a Chance to Help Pack the Pantry
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Throughout the month of January, Orleans Seafood Kitchen, 20940 Katy Freeway, will be soliciting non-perishable food items to help “pack the pantry” of local nonprofit, The Ballard House, which provides temporary housing for individuals and families…
Horror Stars Brave COVID for Houston Pop Up Event
When the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo closed early last year, that’s when everyone knew that the pandemic was serious. Now that a vaccine is finally being distributed, it looks like events and gatherings might finally be starting up again, albeit in a small way. Saturday’s Horror Market Pop-Up event…
Deshaun Watson Has a Right To Be Angry With the Texans
Despite not having been quoted directly on the subject, it’s no secret that reliable sources claim that Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is not happy with his employer. Reportedly, the franchise quarterback feels jilted from being left out of the communication loop on the hiring of general manager Nick Caserio, when…
Castle Christmas: Best Pre-COVID Show
For many of us, this pandemic has entirely redefined the process of yearning. Where we once yearned for often unrealistic things that we hoped we would one day have, we now find ourselves yearning for everyday simplicities that were at our fingertips just months ago—a pre-pandemic life, where we could visit whoever we please, where…
U.S. House Impeaches Trump For Inciting D.C. Mob Riots
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to impeach President Donald Trump for inciting the violent mob that breached the U.S. Capitol last week. With less than a week left in his term, Trump now holds the ignoble honor of being the first president to ever be impeached twice…
That Was Fast: Harden Dealt in Blockbuster for Oladipo, Haul of Picks
Less than 24 hours after James Harden said he didn’t believe there was anything else he could do in Houston to help the franchise win a title, the Rockets traded him to Brooklyn in a blockbuster four-team deal that brings Pacers all-star wing man Victor Oladipo to Houston along with…
![Acevedo Says Houston Police Officer Part of the D.C. Mob That Stormed the Capitol [UPDATED]](https://i0.wp.com/www.houstonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/screenshot_2021-01-13_at_1.08.12_pm.png.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Acevedo Says Houston Police Officer Part of the D.C. Mob That Stormed the Capitol [UPDATED]
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo announced Wednesday that an off-duty Houston Police Department officer was a member of the mob of Trump supporters that stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. last week. Acevedo didn’t name the officer, who he said was an Asian American man and an 18-year HPD veteran…
Rockets Must Proceed with Caution on Any Harden Trade
“He quit.” Those were the words of Rockets broadcaster Calvin Murphy accidentally caught by microphones as a recent Rockets postgame show was heading to commercial. He was speaking of Rockets star James Harden. In a Tuesday night postgame press conference, Harden made it official. “I love this city,” he said. “I’ve…
Houston Health Department Has A Plan For Second COVID-19 Vaccine Doses
If you’re one of the thousands of Houstonians lucky enough to have received a shot of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine from the Houston Health Department since it kicked-off public vaccinations to those who qualify on January 2, you’re probably feeling a combination of emotions. There’s the obvious excitement about being on…
Bloody Hell: The First Bananas Horror Film of the Year
“I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s violent and a little horny” is certainly an appropriate mood for 2021 so far. It’s also the thought that ran through my head like a maniac with a chainsaw as I watched director Alister Grierson’s new horror flick Bloody Hell. Ben O’Toole stars…
Concert Watch 1/13: Jimmy Eat World and More
Well folks, 2021 ain’t off to such a hot start. But there’s plenty of time for it to turn around! In the meantime, there are some great live-streaming concerts worth tuning into this week. And for those of you who really need to get out of the house, we’ve included…
Former Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien Named Offensive Coordinator at Alabama
As more head coaching jobs at the NFL level continue to open up, in competition with the Texans, and as the NFL waits for the first team with a vacancy to pull the trigger on a new hire, former Houston Texans head coach has found his next home. As first…
The Main Difference Between the Capitol Insurrection and the BLM Protests
“Democrats didn’t care when cities were burning all summer!” If you’ve spent any time online this past week you’ve probably seen a variation of this comment on any story related to the storming of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6. It’s usually next to a profile pic of a…
Two More Netflix Success Stories: Bridgerton and Cobra Kai
The ability for Netflix to randomly churn out a hit original series still surprises. Netflix can also grab shows that had huge followings that were canceled or on failing platforms and put them in front of millions of viewers ready to binge. The top two series on Netflix the past…
Vegas Odds on Deshaun Watson Trade Destinations
A year ago to the day, Deshaun Watson said this about his head coach Bill O’Brien following a 51-31 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs, a game in which the Texans blew a 24-0 second quarter lead by halftime: I repeat —…
Lee Rocker Calls Out All Cool Cats to Gather Round
Musicians have always written songs on the road as inspiration hits them during their travels. But Lee Rocker has taken it to another level, and during a pandemic. The man best known for plunking the fat strings of a standup acoustic bass for the Stray Cats penned most of the…
New COVID Vaccine Strategies for Texas as We’re “Right in the Middle of the Storm”
While being justifiably proud that the city pumped 3,852 (possibly record-breaking) doses of the Moderna vaccine into people’s arms at Minute Maid Park Saturday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wasn’t nearly as happy about the other coronavirus numbers he was reporting at his Monday afternoon press conference. “We are right in…
Four Thoughts on Nick Caserio’s First Meeting With Houston Media
No long lead in needed here for this article — the Houston Texans are an unabashed mess right now. On a weekend that should have been full of hope and joy, where the hiring of a new general manager who SHOULD be a popular choice solely for “not being Bill…
New Year Resolution? Remember Weight Loss Does Not Equal Wellness
It’s a new year, and many of you are running out to buy exercise equipment so you can shed the pounds you put on stress eating at home during the end of the world. The entire fitness industry sees a jump around this time annually, and their marketing matches that…
From Austin to Houston: Winter Wonderland Time on the Highway 290 Trail
From Central Texas on down to north of Houston, icy conditions and snow hit parts of the state Sunday forcing some Monday school closings in districts to our north and delayed openings in others including Lone Star College. Several counties, including Montgomery County, remained under a winter weather advisory through…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Le Colonial Raises Money for Hope Farms
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: Tuesday, January 12 Taco Tuesday Team-Up at Tacos A Go Go Tacos A Go Go continues its Taco Tuesday Team-Up series with a new limited-time taco from chef Dawn Burrell. Every Tuesday this month, Burrell’s Beef Cheek Birria taco — featuring…
Federal Judge Rules Against City of Houston in Harding Street Raid Case
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt slapped down the latest delay tactic from the City of Houston’s legal team in a case trying to uncover hidden evidence from 2019’s fatal Harding Street raid. Last month, lawyers for the family of Rhogena Nicholas — one of the Houstonians shot and…
Rice Moves All Classes Online, Delays Student Move-In Thanks To COVID-19 Surge
Rice University did a good enough job this fall of keeping the coronavirus in check within its tree-lined campus that it was planning to raise the number of students allowed in any given in-person class for the upcoming spring semester. But in a message to the Rice community Friday morning,…
Cruz Faces Fury From Houstonians and Democratic Foes After D.C. Mob Chaos
There’s no denying that most of the blood spilled during Wednesday’s historic riot that overtook the U.S. Capitol and led to five deaths is on President Donald Trump’s hands. But Houston’s own Sen. Ted Cruz also had a direct role in stoking the flames of right-wing resentment through his parroting…
Rockets Will Have a Long, Slow Road to Improvement
On Wednesday night, with only two wins on the season, both against a young, rebuilding Sacramento Kings squad, the Rockets rolled into Indianapolis to face the Pacers without Christian Wood, Danuel House or Ben McLemore. House and Wood have relatively minor injures — Wood was a literal game-time scratch —…
Openings and Closings: Good Vibes Burgers Pearland, Lefty’s Cheesesteaks
Good Vibes Burgers and Brews, 1329 E. Broadway, opens January 9 in Pearland. The new tiki joint and burger restaurant takes over the spacer formerly occupied by the original King’s Biergarten, a move that surprised and disappointed many of the loyal patrons of Hans Sitter’s Bavarian bar and restaurant, as…
Houston’s Underground Music Venues Are Leery About Stimulus Grants
The latest COVID stimulus package contains $15 billion earmarked to try to save the independent music venues around the country that have struggled since the pandemic cancelled so many shows, but for the purveyors of underground music there is some wariness about how effective it might be. Jim Pirtle, the…
Reviews For The Uneasily Quarantined: One Night In Miami
Title: One Night in Miami Describe This Movie In One Malcolm X Quote: MALCOLM X: You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. Brief Plot Synopsis: When they were kings. Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 4 Cleveland Browns helmets out…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Score Half-Off Eats at the New Coreanos
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: Dine-In and To-Go at The Bagel Shop Bakery (Bellaire) Daily, 6am-4pm 5422 Bellaire Popular Meyerland breakfast stop The Bagel Shop has officially opened another location, this time over in Bellaire, withpatio seating, a counter-style coffee bar with an espresso…
Betting Odds on Next Houston Texans Head Coach
Head coaching searches for one’s favorite football team are a bittersweet thing to follow during an NFL offseason. On the one hand, the constant barrage of breaking news, swerves, and surprises can be exhilarating, particularly for people (like me) required to generate massive amounts of content every day. On the…
Local Leaders Discuss Arrival of Dangerous COVID-19 Strain, Vaccine Rollout and D.C. Riot
On Thursday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo shared with the public news about the local arrival of a dangerous strain of COVID-19, while Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner gave an update on the city’s vaccination distribution and shared his thoughts on Wednesday’s mob violence in the U.S. Capitol. Hidalgo confirmed in…
Bitcoin ATMs Are a Mixed Bag in Houston
Would you buy a volatile currency popular with criminals from a convenience store kiosk next to the beer cooler? Especially if it meant putting in a lot of personal information? That’s a question Houston is struggling with when it comes to bitcoin ATMs. Bitcoin is one of the most divisive…
Upcoming Houston Food Events: Torchy’s Tacos Gets Fancy Schmancy and Nick Fine Teaches Kids to Cook
Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss these deliciously fun culinary happenings: Torchy’s Tacos has introduced its January Taco of the Month, the Fancy Schmancy, a perfect brunch taco made with hot smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, fresh spinach, capers, pickled onions and jalapenos, fresh dill and herb cream…
Justin Richmond On the Particular Brilliance of EW&F’s “Keep Your Head to the Sky”
Justin Richmond has interviewed some of the world’s finest songwriters, so he’s got a lot to draw from when considering one particularly brilliant song to discuss with us. As host and lead producer of the popular Pushkin Industries podcast Broken Record, Richmond’s recently been privy to the creative processes employed…
Best Virtual Bets: Big Bands, Vaccines, and Drowning Girls
A new week and a new year, and the virtual best bets are back.
Four Thoughts on the Houston Texans’ Hiring Nick Caserio As Their Next GM
When they fired Bill O’Brien after the Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Houston Texans were able to begin their search for a new head coach and a new general manager, and so before any other NFL teams, as they were the first team to move on from…
Trump Supporters Storm U.S. Capitol, Halt Electoral College Vote Count in Terrifying Scene
Washington, D.C. exploded into chaos on Wednesday afternoon when a violent mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters fought through police barricades and stormed their way into the U.S. Capitol building to halt Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Wednesday’s terrifying series of events followed months of unconscionable conspiracy mongering…
J.J. Watt to Deshaun Watson: “I’m Sorry, We Wasted One of Your Years”
The 2020 calendar year was a sad one for Houston Texans fans, players, really anybody associated with the team. It started with the team blowing a 24-0 lead in the second quarter of a playoff game, continued with the DeAndre Hopkins trade, and then slid into the toilet with a…
What Is a “Cool” Parent?
For our daughter’s eleventh birthday, my wife and I took the Kid With One F to get her hair colored pink. It was something she asked about for years after watching the way her mom switches up hair colors regularly. Since the birthday we’d planned for her was consumed by…
Streaming Concert Watch 1/6: Trent Reznor, Billy Corgan and More
Welcome to 2021, folks! Are things better yet? The jury may still out, but if you’re looking for a way to personally make it better, you could always contribute to Houston’s struggling music community. Head over to Warehouse Live’s web site where the venue is selling discounted tickets (for a…
Market Square Park Glows With Newest Public Art Installation
The Houston Downtown Management District has installed a new permanent public artwork in the historic park. Meander, a series of raised cast-concrete troughs filled with glossy pigmented resin, mimics Buffalo Bayou’s physical form and route, giving park visitors a new view of the familiar body of water.
Six Houston Sports Stories We Can Look Forward to in 2021
We all know 2020 has been…a year. Between the pandemic, recession, political upheaval and racial injustice, it feels like we managed to squeeze at least a decade into the last 365 days. Just because 2020 is finally over doesn’t mean the issues are, but we hope that we can turn…
COVID Hospitalizations Surge and Houston Area Heads For a Rollback
In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said that she expected that Harris and surrounding counties would likely have to start reimplementing occupancy restrictions for local businesses and halt non-essential elective surgical procedures, all thanks to Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide order that tied reopenings to COVID-19…
The Expanse on Amazon Prime Keeps Expanding its Universe
There is one series in the vast ocean of television content that is pulling off the grand storytelling ambitions of Game of Thrones. That series is The Expanse. All the world-building, multiple factions, political intrigue, and character development that you would associate with Thrones, is what makes The Expanse now…
Five Biggest Houston Texans Offseason Storylines
Most people around the world were ready to turn the page on 2020 late last week, and in the sports world, there was perhaps no fan base ready to flush the SPORTS year 2020 more than Houston Texan fans. So while the calendar year 2021 started the same way calendar…
John Allen Stephens Shines on New Album Return to Form
Reading the track list of John Allen Stephens’ Return to Form is to read a novel’s table of contents, glimpsing into the coming pages’ journey. Chapter Song titles like “Molotov,” “Motorcycle” and “Addiction,” point to autobiographical accounts of starting fires, a close encounter with death and substance abuse. Listening to…
Toxic Masculinity Makes Crisis Harder
One thing that the long quarantine has revealed to us is that a lot of “guy” things are kind of ancillary to survival. Stripped of the necessity of doing them, where does that leave men who define themselves by those parameters? Toxic masculinity is defined as a collection of cultural…
Joe Biden Needs Propaganda
Propaganda is a nasty word, but like fascism it’s also a somewhat poorly understood word that is used more as a popular insult than an accurate description of something. That’s a shame because fascism is a thing that has been happening in America for years and propaganda may be the…
Local Health Departments Off To Rocky Start With COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Both the Houston Health Department and Harris County Public Health started giving out COVID-19 vaccinations to the public this past weekend, and each rollout has had more than its fair share of technical hiccups, glitches and snafus that left countless qualifying Houstonians frustrated and hundreds of county residents with cancelled…
HISD and COVID-19: Up Close and In Person
Who would want to be in the ranks of teachers in the present COVID-19 circumstances? In Houston ISD the local teacher union president has sent an urgent plea to the interim superintendent and board of trustees asking for a ten-day hiatus from in-person instruction as positive pandemic cases continue an…
The Newest Rockets for Newbies
There have been more turnovers this offseason with the Houston Rockets than we have seen in quite some time and that is saying something considering the number of moves made by previous GM Daryl Morey. The roster was virtually overhauled with free agent signings and trades involving star and role…
NFL Week 17 Finale: Titans 41, Texans 38 — Four Winners, Four Losers
As the Houston Texans’ 2020 season was crashing into a brick wall back in early October, and it became quite evident that the search for new leadership in 2021 was going to be mroe compelling than any of the games on Sunday, I often let my mind wander ahead to…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Get a New Year Refresh with Low-Alcohol and Zero-Proof Cocktails
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings: All week long DAOU Vineyards at Liberty Kitchen Liberty Kitchen, 4224 San Felipe, 963 Bunker Hill, will kick off its first wine dinner series starting New Year’s Eve and lasting through January 10. The four course dinner option is $75 and…
The Human Cost Of TxDOT’s I-45 Expansion Plan
Chris Sonnier spends his nights sleeping in a grey tent underneath Interstate 59 on the northern edge of downtown when he isn’t crashing at his uncle’s place in the Kelly Village public housing project in Fifth Ward. Out of work and homeless, he’s definitely in a tough spot. But if…
Doctor Who: Daleks in the Mirror
Much like zombies in the horror genre, Daleks have long been used in Doctor Who to explore the worst aspects of humanity. The original William Hartnell serial of 1963 was a deep, terrifying exploration of where the nuclear arms race might land us if carried out to its ultimate conclusion…
A Game Of Words: Marv Won Releases Sooner Than Later
Chess is a strategic and competitive game where each move is not only time sensitive, but players must visualize multiple steps ahead to win. Detroit-based rapper Marv Won sees the similarities between the classic game and the world of battle rap where rappers outsmart their opponents in a game of…
Openings and Closings: Craft Burger Katy, Bagel Shop Bakery Bellaire
Craft Burger, 21945 Katy Freeway, opened December 26. This is the first brick and mortar for Shannen Tune, who began the business as a highly successful food truck in 2015. Craft Burger then took up residence as one of the vendors at Finn Hall in December 2018, a downtown food…
NFL Week 17 FINALLY: Titans-Texans — Four Things To Watch For
While the 2020 Houston Texans have undoubtedly been a major disappointment, it’s hard to say that they are even the biggest disappointment in recent Texans’ history. Considering they came into 2013 with Super Bowl expectations, something the 2020 Texans were not saddled with (despite Bill O’Brien making a series of…
Houston’s 5 Best Weekend Food Bets: Brunch Your Way Into the New Year
Here’s a look at this weekend’s tasty food and drink happenings: New Year’s Day and Weekend Brunch at Backstreet Cafe Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (plus weekend brunch) 1103 South Shepherd Backstreet will be serving its à la carte brunch menu, plus black-eyed peas to bring prosperity in the…
Oliver Penn Releases New Single “Squash Blossom”
Time is an abstract concept in even on the most normal days, but lately it has morphed into a whole other beast. Houston-based musician Oliver Penn definitely had it on his mind when writing his new single “Squash Blossom,” released in December. “Squash Blossom” is a funky and soulful ride…
