Many years back, two dance friends took me House Dancing, or Housing in Los Angeles. From the outside, the building was unremarkable—something the city does well, hiding its secrets in plain sight. Inside, though, it was a different story. A loft or a dance studio, mirrors lined the walls and the air was thick with bass and movement. Floor space was currency, and dancers of all levels spent it freely working on house moves like footwork, jacking, and lofting. According to Steezy, “House Dance is a (freestyle) style of dance that originated in the late 70’s and early 80’s from underground clubs in Chicago and New York” and it was my introduction to House music. Since then my resume for EDM shows and festivals is quite, quite long. In Houston, I’ve taken a Housing dance workshop at Soreal Dance Studio taught by Leandre Douglas, attended an Amapiano House event at Eden on a Thursday night, danced at Mood to Move’s event back in November 2024, and most recently, dropped in on the new and trendy thing: a House and Coffee event.

It’s hard to say exactly where the first modern version of House DJ + Coffee morning parties first started though this music group in LA takes credit with am.radio.la. Now this trend is rippling across coffee shops in America and has even already crossed genres with other kinds of music. Cumbia, zydeco, anything with a beat. In Houston, the coffee shows are multiplying: Matcha Mia, Tenfold Coffee, Cucuy, Maven Coffee, The Podium. I went to The Podium’s event on February 22nd. As someone who believes in eight hours of sleep, I respect the logic: 10am isn’t too early to party!

Is it just a scene though? Or, is it a genuine new iteration of House culture blossoming into a different setting and hour of the day, just as classical music crept into nightclubs. Daisy Alioto from Dirt says, “A scene starts out as a subculture interested in cultural production and becomes a scene when social access to the performance of cultural production becomes more important than production itself.” At Podium’s event, it was hard to shake the feeling that social access was the main event. Many stood around, filming, documenting their presence. The music played, but dancing felt secondary. A TikTok comment on Podium’s event summed it up: “House music and coffee sounded like a vibe… until it became about the outfits 😒. Ruined it.”

Mood to Move Houston comes closer to the House music culture that I felt in LA many years ago. The difference is simple: people dance. Full out. Phones down. House music is ripping through your soul. Mit Senavinin, Director of Machine Elves, warns, “Now that coffee house music events are a trend, organizers need to be careful not to overdo it, or else it can become monotone and not have any true musical intention behind it.”  Trends are, by definition, temporary and the thing about House music is that it isn’t. And yet, these House + Coffee events feel like something is missing. The vibe is off (to me) because Housing, as in dancing, is missing. Still, I’m not against partying at 10am. We need it. In a time when things feel not great–politically, economically, existentially–we need each other, we need music, we need movement because at this point, we have two options: dance or die.

WEEKEND EVENTS

If you’re looking for some Thursday, 3/13 (today) events, I gotchu! Reply back and I’ll send a list over.

Friday, 3/14

3p-7pm, Rodeo Activation | Hotel Zaza is still hosting their ‘Rodeo on the Monarch Drive’ pop-up event featuring drinks, small bites, a DJ and local vendors. Rodeo bites include: Texas Grazing Board ($25), Candied Brisket Jalapeño Poppers ($15), and Cowboy Caviar ($10). Drinks: Whiskey Lullaby ($15), Tequila Remedy ($15), and more.

3pm-12a, Art Show | All About Art: Art Gallery Showcase in Bad Astronaut. “The Bad Astronaut art gallery will showcase artwork from a selection of local artists.” Free entry. See more info.

3pm-4pm, Plant Workshop | Eden’s Plant & Sip event includes a lively afternoon of wine and planting. “You’ll learn essential plant care and wine knowledge while working with soil and foliage.” $58. Buy tickets.

6pm-8pm, Block Party | Lee Baron is celebrating the launch of the Jordan X Nigel Sylvester Jordan Collection at their Brick by Brick Block Party. BMX showcase by Lobby Boyz. First 50 attendees receive a limited edition giveaway. See flyer.

7p-11pm, Outdoor Film | For their “Moonlight Movies” series, MFAH presents The Princess Bride to watch on the sloping roof of the Glassell School of Art. Advance tickets are sold out, but there are limited available on-site prior to screen. $20. See more info or buy tix for next week’s screening.

Saturday, 3/15

10am-12pm, Art Class | Drawing with Kittens at Doodleland. “Cuddle with adoptable kittens while learning about creative doodling.” $40. This weekend is sold out but they’re having more! Buy tix for next week’s now.

4pm-9pm, Nightlife | Love More R&B is hosting R&B night at Reset. “Bringing only the greatest VYBZ with Rhythm & blues.”  $30 GA . $200 VIP sections for 6. Buy tickets. 

7pm-12am, Reception | Labor of Love is celebrating the end of their series by hosting a reception and after party of their three week exhibition at Casa Luz. See the flyer. 

8pm-12am, Dance Music | Soul Touch is gonna be at Neighbors. “All dance music all night!” featuring magic gummies by @hoppymushrooms.

8pm-1am, Cosplay | VRTX is hosting Neo Tokyo, a night of cosplay, anime and great music at Axelrad Beer Garden. RSVP.

11pm, Sports | Watch F1 racing at the Australian GP at Gristworkz, the official watch party. See the flyer.

Sunday, 3/16

11am-3pm, House DJ + Coffee | Parra & Mischief Minded are bringing V3 of their Coffee + House event at The Podium again. This one is rodeo themed! RSVP.

11am-3pm, Matcha Pop Up | Popular matcha popup Enso will be at Himari serving the finest matcha blends. “Buy Himari’s delicious $56 Sushi Set C and get a complimentary inso matcha. See more.

11am-4pm, Market | Mala Market is having their last mala market to celebrate their customers before they move to their new home at Central City Co Op. There’ll be an aura & crystals event “get your aural photograph and matching crystal bracelet.”

11am-5pm, Drag Brunch | The new Montrose Country Club (previously Rich’s) just opened with their 65 ft pool and will be hosting drag brunch. Shows will be at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. “Day Club and swimming pool access is $20 before noon and $25 after.“ Reservations not required but encouraged.

11am-6pm, Rodeo Activation | Eden and Sam & Davy are hosting activities for the whole family at POST Houston. Petting zoo, honky tonk performance, line dancing and markets to browse at Eden. See the full schedule here.

6pm-9pm, Karaoke | Rooftop karaoke at Marquis Marriott! “Karaoke with LeKrystal at Altitude Rooftop & Pool” This amazing TikTok put me on and it looks like tons of fun. $15. Buy tickets.

7pm-Late, Live Music | Echoes presents COWBOY BEBOP live, performed by Woody Witt Big Band. $20. Buy tickets.

Good reads in Houston

How the Houston rodeo’s iconic star-shaped rotating stage transformed concerts at NRG Stadium (Houston Chronicle)
The 126-foot-wide rotating platform is an icon and engineering feat of its own. How does it work? According to writer Chair Romero, “the star stage is self-propelled and instead uses lasers to position itself directly in the stadium’s center with astonishing accuracy.”

The best food at the Houston rodeo that's worth your money (Houston Chronicle)
Ok here’s what we’re definitely trying from this list: beef machete from Fruteria Cano ($16), rattlesnake corndog from Pioneer Wagon ($9), crab rangoon eggrolls from Asian Streetness, carpet bagger oysters from The Ranch, and Harlon’s all meat stuffed potato at Harlon’s BBQ ($26).

What Do All the Animals at the Houston Rodeo Actually Do? (Houstonia Mag)
Alpacas, llamas, birds, rabbits, oh my! This piece is such a great beginner’s guide to all the animals that are involved in the rodeo. From mutton bustin’ sheep to (imo) the star of the show, the cows!

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