LATELY IN HOUSTON

This R&B singer recorded a country album is from Houston. (And it’s not Beyonce). Born in 1935, Esther Phillips spent half of her lifetime a popular singer and had three number one R&B singles at 26 years old. Yet the First Lady of Black country’s first album was called The Country Side recorded in 1962. It’s no surprise audiences weren’t ready for it then, but we’re ready for it now. You can listen to the album on YouTube here.

Mario Ayala honors Houston’s car culture. Here in Houston we’re no strangers to how cars can be works of art. Mario Ayala: Seven Vans illustrates different portraits of the back of vans and the way they can have multiple uses. Ayala says: “They’re used for migration; they’re used for commerce. Some are aestheticized with a certain cultural value; others have been solely purposed as advertisement.” The exhibition is on view at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston through June 21st.

Oh yeah, it’s tamales season. Tamales are calling and Sonia Garcia has her round up of the best tamales in Houston. A few spots noted: Alamo Tamales, Cuchara, Don Pepe, Goode Co., Monkey’s Tail, and much more. 

Weirdos! Why isn’t Houston considered the weird one? Austin boldly claims the title and brand of being the weird sibling but considering all of Houston’s intricacies, we’re a bit weird too (or a lot). From our art cars, chopped and screwed rap, house of beer cans, to our Montrose “gayborhood,” and purple drank, Erica Cheng dives into why Austin gets the label instead of Houston, and maybe that’s a good thing.

Not the Grand Budapest Hotel, but Hotel Daphne! Shortly after Hotel Saint Augustine wins a Michelin Key, the second Bunkhouse Hotel property is now here. Say hello to the new Hotel Daphne located in the Heights that features a cozy guest house vibe, a library, and restaurant called Hypsi.  

DECEMBER LOOKING AHEAD

• 12/12: Jazz & Journaling A Year-End Gathering For All Jazz & Journaling Alumni + Supporters

• 12/12: Sounds of Midtown: A Jazzy Holiday Under the Stars at Bagby Park

• 12/12: Deck the Keys Dueling Pianos at Market Square Park

• 12/12: Emo Night The Nightmare Before Christmas Edition 

• 12/12: Sunset Bingo at Levy Park

• 12/13: Cat Expo at Garage HTX

• 12/14: Girls Gone Mild Cookie Decorating and Film Screening at Rooftop Cinema Club

• 12/17: Drop the Needle with Julie Soefer at Hotel Saint Augustine

• 12/19: R&B Winter Wonderland Holiday Market

• 12/19: EZ Band at Dan Electro’s

• 12/22: Batman Returns (1992) at River Oaks Theatre

• 12/23-12/24: Cirque Dreams Holiday

• 12/31: NYE Mixer & Elixirs at HMNS

WEEKEND EVENTS

All Weekend

• Largest estate sale of 3 art collectors at Reeves Gallery

• Louvre Couture at MFAH

• Joyful Fanfares: Holiday Brass Spectacular at Houston Symphony

• ARTECHOUSE Holiday Special

• Music of a Charlie Brown Christmas at Doc’s Jazz Club

• Havana Holiday Pop-up at Emilia’s Havana

• Radiant Nature at Houston Botanic Garden

• Holiday VIBE Market at POST

Thursday, 12/4

7:30pm, Live Music | The Carver HS Orchestra Winter Concert at POST.

7:30pm, Nightlife | Elevate Experiences Date Night at CASE Chocolates. “Each ticket includes a welcome cocktail, two crafted drinks, a dessert wine, and ten hand-curated chocolates—including our signature liquid center selections.” $85. 

Friday, 12/5

6:30-7:30pm, Concert | Studio Ghibli fans!! Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi. “Discover the music of Joe Hisaishi on Strings at Resurrection MCC under the gentle glow of candlelight.” $38 and up. 

10pm, Fundraiser | Operators Are Standing By Fundraiser (FLATS, Ice House Radio, and Wonderlikewander). “A tiered-access evening that starts with a chef-led dinner and cocktail hour and ends in a live variety show and dance party, we’re flipping the script on what a fundraiser can be.” $100 and up.

Saturday, 12/6

10am-2pm, Thrifting | Coffee & Records: A Vintage Record Sale at Little Dreamer Coffee. “Come snag a gift for you or someone you dig! 💞”

12pm-6pm, Thrifting | ThrillerCon: Largest vintage clothing market in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center. “👟 Vintage • Sneakers • Streetwear • Trading Cards by The Mint Exchange • Y2K & more.” Free.

5pm-10pm, Market | Holiday Market at Starduster Heights.

6pm-10pm, Holiday | Christmas Tree Lighting on Navigation Esplanade with Boo’s Burgers.

8pm-10pm, Holiday | A Night of R&B and Motown Christmas Classics at POST. $35 and up.

Sunday, 12/7

9am-1pm, Film | Rice Village Farmers Market turns 5! “Join us for a festive morning full of celebratory fun!🎧 Tunes by DJ Gfunk 🖍️ Kids’ coloring activity 🍻 Complimentary beverages from Saint Arnold Brewing Company 🎨 Free face painting 🎅 Santa from 10–12:30” Free.

10am-12pm, Workshop | Gingerbread Decorating Class by Shakkar at POST. “Shakkar is offering gingerbread cookie decorating classes, where every attendee gets their own cookie-decorating kit, a selection of festive icings and sprinkles, and two complimentary beverages to warm you up and get the creative juices flowing!”

12pm, Film | The Muppet Christmas Carol at River Oaks Theatre. $14 and up.

3:30pm, Film | How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) movie and drag show at Rooftop Cimema Club. $27 and up. 

4-6pm, Poetry | Painting and poetry: Terrell James with Alison de Lima Greene. “An elegant and intimate book, You Can’t Have It All combines paintings by Terrell James with text by poet Barbara Ras in a collaboration that Naomi Shihab Nye describes as ‘wise and enchanting.’”

ON THE HOU(S)E Concierge

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