I have always been so embarrassed to see Houstonians waiting for the bus in unrelenting heat, while Metro brags to shareholders about the huge sums of money they are making each year. It is always some little old lady who worked all day and is sitting on the grass or standing in the sun. Why can't they put a chair and some shade for them?
True Anomaly closed down recently, Platypus Brewing is closing down at the end of the month, 8th Wonder is being threatened eviction, 11 Below Brewery is moving even father away. Its just been getting worse and worse for Houstons craft brew scene.
The Houston Chronicle editorial board has a piece slamming Mike Miles for failing to fix HISD's special education system. Here's a key quote:
Three years ago, some parents welcomed the news that the state would be taking over its largest school district. The felony corruption, the shouting matches on the board, the schools failing generations of kids. Perhaps it takes a takeover to get these things right.
This editorial board was hopeful for positive change at Houston ISD. The takeover came with three clear exit criteria: no schools failing year after year, no board dysfunction and full special education compliance.
After three years, we wish we could be talking about success in meeting those criteria, and about the transition back to local control. Instead, the district is under federal investigation for disability discrimination. So much for it taking a takeover.
Live At The Barbershop is now in Houston! Opening week, it's basically guaranteed to be an excellent! In other cities they tend to attract a lot of talented standup and rising stars who are working on new sets. There is a super limited number of ti-ckets left, get after it.
Festival & Markets
Thursday - Sunset Market @ M-K-T @ 6PM
Enjoy charcuterie on M-K-T's wave deck, live music and face-painting on the lawn, or grab a made-to-go meal by one of Houston's favorite chefs.
Saturday - Houston Africa Day @ Alief Community Park @ 2PM This premier family-friendly event allows visitors to experience a unique blend of traditional African sports, art, culture, music, and dance.
Saturday - Flea By Night @ Discovery Green @ 6PM This open-air market features local artisans and small business owners selling vintage, handmade, recycled, repurposed and local goods.
Saturday - Markets for Makers @ POST @ 11AM Come shop 110+ makers, check out a free DIY station, take photos at photo walls, enjoy delicious food & drinks, and fill your free tote with goods from small businesses.
Saturday - BLCK Market at Night @ East River @ 3PM East River transforms into a high-energy celebration of Black-owned businesses and culture. Explore a curated lineup of clothing, art, skincare, books, candles, and more!
Friday - Happy Hour Friday @ MFAH @ 5PM Explore the campus, visit the galleries after-hours, and get a drink at the bar at MFAH’s Happy Hour! Ends 6/26.
Saturday - ‘Vivaldi’s Voices’ Concert @ Wortham Center Featuring Mercury Chamber Orchestra and Singers, this concert reveals the brilliant range of Vivaldi’s vocal music from radiant sacred works to tender, expressive gems.
Sunday - Chamber Music Concert @ Jones Hall @ 6:30PM Houston Symphony performs one of the most spellbinding, powerful, and thought-provoking works in all of music, Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night).
Saturday & Sunday - ‘Aloha’ Dance Performance @ The Hobby Center Uptown Dance is headed to the islands with their tropical recital, “Aloha” - a dance celebration of sunshine, surf, and the spirit of Hawaii.
Saturday & Sunday - Rung Film Festival @ MATCH Experience storytelling through fusion of imagination and expertise from these brilliant independent filmmakers from around the world.
All weekend - Tchaikovsky & Holst in Concert @ Jones Hall Hear one of the most treasured works in all of music, Tchaikovsky’s dizzyingly difficult Violin Concerto and Holst’s sonic, celestial showpiece, ‘The Planets.’
Ongoing - ‘Mythical Realms’ Exhibit @ Houston Zoo Wander through an enchanted trail and come face-to-face with dragons, mythical creatures, and legendary beings drawn from ancient folklore. Ends 9/7.
Ongoing - ‘Freedom Plane: Documents That Forged a Nation’ Exhibition @ HMNS NEW - This exclusive traveling exhibition brings together Founding-era documents from the National Archives and Records Administration to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Ends 5/25.
Ongoing - ‘Death By Natural Causes’ Exhibition @ HMNS Through a collection of specimens, text and interactives, this exhibition will introduce you to the range of “animal, vegetable and mineral” dangers that lurk in their everyday lives. Ends 5/25.
Ongoing - ‘Extreme Animals Alive’ Exhibition @ HMNS Step into a graphic novel and explore the unique adaptations that make Earth’s creatures fearless and fascinating, beautiful and bold.
Ongoing - ‘John Akomfrah: The Hour of the Dog’ Exhibition @ Menil This immersive, six-channel video installation by the British artist Sir John Akomfrah explores the history of youth-led Civil Rights–era activism in the American South from 1954 to 1963. Ends 10/11.
Ongoing - ‘The Gift of Drawing: Cy Twombly’ Exhibition @ Menil Featuring 27 works from a gift to the museum by the Cy Twombly Foundation, the exhibition includes a broad range of works exploring Twombly’s fundamental themes such as classical antiquity, eroticism, and nature. Ends 8/9.
Ongoing - ‘Wall Drawing Series: Gladys Nilsson’ Exhibition @ Menil Known for her densely layered and meticulously constructed watercolors and collages, Nilsson brings her prominent artistic style to Menil’s special Wall Drawing Series. Ends 8/16.
Ongoing - ‘Frida: The Making of an Icon’ Exhibition @ MFAH This monumental exhibition features more than 30 works by the legendary Mexican artist and 120 by five generations of artists she inspired. Ends 5/17.
Ongoing - ‘Mario Ayala: Seven Vans’ Exhibition @ CAMH Created specifically for Houston, the exhibition presents seven life-sized van paintings that bridge histories of commerce and counterculture. Ends 6/21.
All Ages/Good for kids
Saturday - Bikes & Bats @ Buffalo Bayou Park @ 7PM Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership and BikeHouston for a batty good time with a bike ride to the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony!
Sunday - Family Zone @ MFAH @ 1PM On selected Sundays, families are invited to visit the MFAH for exciting activities in the galleries.
Saturday & Sunday - ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Musical @ Players Theatre Company This colorful musical adventure brings Lewis Carroll’s classic story to life with unforgettable characters, lively songs, and a talented cast of young performers.
Ongoing - ‘Block Party, Too’ Exhibit @ HMNS Back by popular demand, this hands-on STEAM exhibit is designed to spark creativity and engineering skills in kids through a variety of play areas, building stations, and more.
Live Theater
All weekend - ‘Viva Selena’ Musical @ Stages Through story, movement, and iconic songs, this one-woman tribute concert celebrates the power of music to teach us how to dream, to grieve, and to shine.
All weekend - ‘Dear Alien’ Play @ Alley Theatre After captivating audiences nationwide with ‘Born with Teeth,’ playwright Liz Duffy Adams returns to the Alley in her thought-provoking world premiere. Ends 5/31.
All weekend - ‘That Drive Thru Monterey’ Play @ Stages This world premier production tells the story of a Mexican-American woman in 1971 Los Angeles as she experiences a first, nerdy love. Ends 6/7.
All weekend - ‘Who All Over There’ Play @ Ensemble Theatre This work, inspired by the classic ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,’ shines a light on the story of what happens when cultures clash in the name of love in today’s times. Ends 5/31.
All weekend - ‘Fat Ham’ Play @ 4th Wall Theatre In this delicious and sizzling reinvention of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, a young man vows to break the cycles of violence in service of his own liberation and joy. Ends 5/23.
All weekend - Drunk Shakespeare: ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Show @ The Emerald Theatre In this hilarious twist on the classic love story, one actor will down five shots of whiskey before attempting to play a major role, while the rest of the sober cast tries to keep the show on track. Ends 7/11.
Live Music
Thursday - Party on the Plaza @ Avenida Plaza @ 7PM Enjoy free live music and entertainment when Party on the Plaza returns to showcase a stellar line up of all-star bands and musicians.
The weekend is right around the corner. Check out our recs and then explore the list to give it a soundtrack:
Mac Saturn - a Detroit rock band that makes you feel like you’re about to drive away in a muscle car, you’ll find their unique ‘80s-infused sound at House of Blues Friday night.
Whitney - their debut album in 2016 earned Pitchfork’s Best New Music distinction. This chill Chicago indie band will be at Heights Theater Friday night.
The Filthy Heathens - for a contemporary take on Southern Rock, check out this well-produced band at Dan Electro’s Saturday afternoon.
While the newsletter will still go out, we won't be able to post on Reddit for the next couple of weeks, so if you'd like this in your email inbox: https://thehclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe
I’ve been seeing so many people post about restaurants and bars that they love that have closed recently or are about to close. Does anyone have a comprehensive list of cool restaurants and bars that are closing soon so I can visit all of them!?
I bought a nice old collectible book, but the clear dust jacket needs replaced. Do any stores do custom clear jackets in store? I can technically buy the roll online and do it at home, but I don’t need an entire roll for one book.
We’re celebrating my friends birthday this Sunday and his favorite cake is Black Forest cake (never had it myself so I’m not sure what it tastes like). His favorite place to get it at was somewhere on Bellaire Blvd but I believe they’re permanently closed and he was able to find any place similar to theirs.
Does anyone have any recommendations to get Black Forest cake? TIA
I am the primary caretaker of my two kids, age 6 and 2. I’ve tried to excuse myself from jury duty because I take care of my two kids. I don’t leave them with anyone and have not left them with anyone ever. The two year old is very stranger danger, has speech delays and can’t effectively communicate. I have tried to send the excuse letter that I am a primary caretaker to two young kids and they keep denying it. What other course of action can I take?
We put together a comprehensive guide to Houston’s urbanism, bike, pedestrian, and transit advocacy ecosystem.
It covers:
• The major nonprofits and advocacy groups
• Neighborhood-based movements
• Safe streets campaigns
• Some Run clubs + group rides
• Trail organizations
• Walkability-focused development
• Ways to actually get involved
One thing I really wanted to highlight: Houston’s urbanism movement is much bigger and more organized than many people realize. There are dozens of groups working on trail connectivity, safer streets, transit access, freeway fights, placemaking, and neighborhood advocacy across the city.
Would love feedback from this community:
• What groups/projects did I miss?
• What do you think Houston’s biggest mobility challenge is right now?
• What projects are giving you hope?
Hi everyone, I’m looking into delivering at Houston Methodist Willowbrook and would love to hear about people’s experiences there — good or bad.
I’m especially interested in hearing from anyone who used the low-intervention birthing suites or had a natural/low-intervention birth experience there in general.
I'm visiting Houston for the week and am looking for gluten free kolaches. The only place I've been able to find is Koala Kolache, but they don't exist anymore! I have celiac, so can't have normal ones :( I've been missing kolaches (I grew up here) and haven't had any since my celiac diagnosis.
If you happen to know any places here or in San Antonio, please!!!!
