GIVEAWAY: Big Blanket Super Picnic tix are on us! That means ONE reader will get TWO (2) tickets to this weekend’s Big Blanket event happening at Founders Court. All you have to do is click on this link and you’ll be entered to win.

The winner will be randomly selected and emailed tomorrow morning.

Want to sponsor a future issue and treat readers to a local coffee spot or experience on you? Hit reply.

There's something about bingo that’s refreshingly straightforward, similar to the way the sun begins to set.

No skill required, no forced conversation. Just you, a card, and a dark purple dauber that bleeds ink into cheap paper like watercolor on napkins. You sit beside strangers in comfortable silence (with music in the background), just like how children play alongside each other without needing to acknowledge the other exists. Parallel play for adults!

Then the sky begins its daily routine. Peach bleeds into lavender somewhere beyond the height of the trees.

Bingo requires the right amount of focus just enough to keep your mind from wandering into darker territories. (Did I reply to that email?) The small bit of competitiveness makes your heart beat a little faster, but not too much, when B-7 gets you one number closer to a diagonal. The dauber makes satisfying little boops against the card. You're creating something with each press: dots that become patterns, patterns that then become diamonds, corners, and crosses.

Gold fades into blue and the heat lifts off your skin.

Your hands have ink all over it. Three handfuls of numbers have been called out and nobody's won, yet. The air tightens with anticipation; any moment now. The cold starts to bite at exposed arms. Light drains from the world like a tide receding. This transition from day to night is felt and witnessed with every sense available. Ethereal, fleeting, and beautiful.

Then someone calls it! The release comes with cheerful, maybe a tiny bit disappointed, but genuine applause.

Sunset is change made visible. A crescendo (of the night) or a decrescendo (of the day), I can never decide which. But when you combine them, the low stakes joy of bingo with nature's greatest gift creates, simply, an evening delight. The everyday becomes special through nothing more than just our focus and attention. This accidental pairing, sunset and bingo, has become one of my favorite events of the year proving that going outside doesn't require you to be good at anything. Just paper, ink, changing light, and a willingness to notice.

Catch the next Sunset Bingo tomorrow at Levy Park.

LATELY IN HOUSTON

Gettin hitched at the Texas Ren Faire. ICYMI, couples can indeed tie the knot at the Texas Renaissance Faire and because of its unusually affordable price (as far as weddings go), it’s hugely popular. Castles, carriages, and revelry… say less!

Lonely? All you need is a blanket. A Houston event through and through, this Houstonia piece gets into how Big Blanket Super Picnic rose to become one of the city’s biggest events featuring DJs, food vendors, arts and crafts stations, and, obviously, fun.

Murray’s opens in Memorial! If you’re a fan who celebrates artisan-style pizzas, Murray’s Pizza and Wine is your next pizza spot to try. It’s led by the creators of the fast-causal salad bowl spot Leaf & Grain who got their first run at making sourdough bread because they wanted to offer slices to their customers. Long story short, they got eventually really good at bread and said: hey, let’s make pizza. Intrusive thoughts for the win.

WEEKEND EVENTS

All Weekend

• Houston Cinema Arts Festival (Use code ONTHEHOUSE25 for a discount)

• Nutcracker Market at NRG Center

Thursday, 11/13

6pm-8:30pm, Dining | Houston Chronicle’s Culinary Stars. “Culinary Stars, hosted by the Houston Chronicle, brings together Houston’s top chefs, diverse restaurants and wines from more than 30 estates for one evening only.” $125 and up.

7pm-9pm, Opening Reception | Mario Ayala: Seven Vans Opening Reception. “Come dance to live musical performances by Easy Sevens (starring Will Boone, whose work showed at CAMH in 2019) and a DJ set by Santos Sounds. Grab a drink on the terrace or purchase food from a local food truck. Plus we'll have a special Art Car guest joining us.” Free, but RSVPs are encouraged.

Friday, 11/14

5pm, Market | Sunset Bingo at Levy Park. $10 cash to play. $1 for daubers.

8pm, Nightlife | Goth Cumbia Libre at Axelrad. Free.

8pm-11pm, Live Music | Soultrane with Live Music by Jazz Quartet at Echoes. Free.

Saturday, 11/15

10am-1pm, Coffee + DJ | Latin House and Matcha Friendsgiving Edition at Matcha Mia.

11am-5pm, Thrifting | Luxury Vintage Sale at Reeves Art Gallery.

12pm-6pm, Festival | Big Blanket Super Picnic 9 at Founders Court. “Big Blanket is a Giant Picnic designed to make meeting new people effortless —an open-air festival with grilled food, crafts, activities and music all around the biggest blanket in Houston.” $30.

12pm-6pm, Festival | Zine Fest Houston 2025 at The Orange Show. “This fall, we’re wranglin’ up the wildest, weirdest, most xeroxed showdown in the West — and our theme this year? Full-on cowpoke collaging, paperbound posse energy. 🐎” Free.

5pm-10pm, Market | Macabre Market at 311 Harrisburg Blvd. Free.

5pm-11pm, Nightlife | Tarab Garden at Bohemeo’s. “Join us in the garden for an unforgettable Saturday night of global fusion music, creative dance, rhythm flow and warm community energy. Let’s connect!”

7pm-Late, Live Music | Doc’s Grand Opening Night! “Join us for an extraordinary evening of live music, elegance, and surprise as we unveil Houston’s newest home for world-class jazz, fine dining, and craft cocktails.” Sold Out but peek at the calendar for all the upcoming performances.

8pm-Late, Nightlife | Casino Royale Night at The Kennedy. “Join us for a Casino Royale night at The Kennedy as we celebrate our one-year anniversary! 🎰” RSVP.

Sunday, 11/16

10am-2pm, Market | Buttered Vendor Market by Toast Club. “We’ll be at Wakefield from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday, November 16th with some of your favorite things — we’re talkin’ tattoos, matcha, sweet treats, and more.” Free.

3pm, Concert | Nosferatu with live organ at Houston Symphony. $30 and up.

3pm, Block Party | Pop Up On The Plaza at Midtown Park Plaza Finale and Thanksgiving giveback edition! Free.

ON THE HOU(S)E Concierge

Want more OTH? Follow and stay in touch with us on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads.

ON THE HOU(S)E wants to connect with you whether you’re a creator, writer, small business, or brand. We’d love to hear from you! Email [email protected].