Last Saturday, Houston offered something special: the chance to dive into two completely different collecting worlds in one afternoon. We hit up both the inaugural Untitled Art Fair at the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Gem Mint card show at POST, our first art fair and first card show ever.

Untitled Art Fair, expectedly, brought a serious feel to it. Art professionals networked with that intimidating confidence only industry insiders possess, while the works themselves were undeniably stunning and thoughtful. But here's the thing: the convention center setting felt like being trapped in a massive garage under harsh fluorescent lights. Nothing like Miami's dreamy white tent magic we've heard about. Some galleries saved the day with gorgeous details: rose petals scattered on floors, painted pink booths creating cozy pockets within the sterile space.

The eerily quiet, music-free atmosphere felt polished but oddly disconnected. At $35 per ticket, the pricing was fair for civilians, though more seating (instead of it being gatekept at the VIP lounge) would've been welcome.

Meanwhile, Gem Mint Cardshow at POST was pure energy from the moment we stepped in.

Over 230 vendors packed the space with Pokemon cards, sealed products at 2-3x MSRP, plushies, and childhood nostalgia galore. The DJ kept things lively while vendor personalities ranged from welcoming enthusiasts to slightly abrasive dealers. Pokemon dominated, currently riding a current cultural peak, but sports cards, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic found their spots too. Best part? Free admission, plus POST's food hall, coffee, and bar made it an easy all-day hang.

The crowds told the story. Untitled drew an older, established art world crowd while Gem Mint celebrated across generations with families and kids sharing the collecting experience together. The energy difference was palpable: contemplative quiet versus enthusiastic buzz.

Both shows, however, understood something essential about the hearts of collectors. Whether you're hunting contemporary masterpieces or prismatic Umbreons, both created spaces where passion flourishes and connections form. Different mediums, different generations, different price points, but the same collector spirit driving it all. I guess you could say everyone understood the assignment.

This week’s coffee is on us! That means five readers will win a $10 gift card to Eden Plant Co. All you have to do is open this issue to enter the giveaway.

Winners will be randomly selected and emailed tomorrow morning.

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

LATELY IN HOUSTON

Cardi B at Walmart? ICYMI, Cardi B was at the Walmart in Cypress on Tuesday. 1,000 people showed up and some fans suffered heat illness as they were waiting. Promoting her new album, “Am I The Drama,” she arrived around 6pm when the pop-up event was slated at 2pm leaving some people waiting for a few hours in the heat. Still, fans drove in from as far as Louisiana for the chance to have a picture with Cardi.

The big, bad F word in cuisines… In the past, “fusion” has had a generally negative connotation but in Houston, with its growing communities and diversity, “fusion” food is simply a lifestyle. Featuring restaurants like Jun, ChopnBlock, and Agnes and Sherman, this Houstonia piece gets into why their food is a representation of who they are, where they’ve come from, and simply the environment they are in now. A mix of communities and access (or lack thereof) to certain ingredients creates dishes that can’t help be unique to the city. That’s H-town, baby.

America’s capital of vice. No, we’re not talking about Vegas. Once upon a time, Houston had the reputation of being America’s city of sin. In fact in the late 1800’s, Houstonians were flocking from adult theaters and burlesque shows on Washington Avenue to brothels and late night saloons. Now the scene is much slicker with its club scene launching both music and celebrities alike in recent past. The bottom line: “Vice might change neighborhoods, but it never leaves town.”

WEEKEND EVENTS

All Weekend

• The Da Vinci Code at Alley Theatre

• The Sugar Shack is back at MFAH

• Chefs for Farmers Food and Wine Festival

• Mozart & Bruckner at Houston Symphony

• The Syndicate Trade Show at Houston Westin Galleria

Thursday, 9/25

6pm-8pm, Workshop | Art Therapy Collage Workshop at Sabine Street Studios. “🖍️ Supplies will be provided, but we encourage you to bring your own special items such as postcards, flight tickets, concert stubs or photographs to personalize your collage!” Free but RSVP due to limited seating.

9pm-2am, Nightlife | For The Yearners R&B night. “For each event we host a ‘conversation pit’ to encourage interactive activities for the singles and the ones in relationships to explore deeper connections.” Free entry with RSVP.

Friday, 9/26

7:30pm, Concert | Annual Fiesta Sinfónica concert at Houston Symphony. “Join us for this free performance celebrating the musical contributions of Latin American and Hispanic composers.” Free but RSVPs are required.

8pm-10pm, Concert | “Let it Rock” Bon Jovi Tribute Band rooftop concert at POST. $29.

8pm, Nightlife | 90’s Night with The Monicas at Dan Electro’s. “We're taking it back to the 1990's with Houston's favorite 90's tribute band, The Monicas!!” Free.

8pm, Concert | Chance the Rapper at Bayou Music Center. $53 and up.

Saturday, 9/27

1pm, Book Party | Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bell Hook’s Art on My Mind: Visual Politics. “This gathering welcomes poets, artists, readers and lovers of hooks’ writing to reflect on the power of art in our lives.” Free to RSVP. 2 spots left.

5pm-10pm, Block Party | Fam Jam 7 at Around the Corner. RSVP is free, entry is $20.

6pm-10pm, Performance | FLOWriety Fire Night with Orange Show. “Featuring: a fire performance circle focusing on the presentation of fire entertainment for a new audience, as well as flow arts, live music, and fire manipulated based vendors.” Donate to RSVP.

8pm, Museum Afters | Wine Before Time at Houston Museum of Natural Science. “Entry includes:  Tastings of 30+ curated wines, 3 snack pairings to complement your sips, after-hours access to all HMNS exhibits.“ $100 and up.

10pm, Film | Watch Blade II at The River Oaks Theatre. $16.

Sunday, 9/28

10am-4pm, Art Reception | Dear World: Going Postal New Mail Art from Houston and Beyond at the Beer Can House opening reception. “The Orange Show Center invites EVERYONE to create unique, handmade mail art for this exhibition. Send your mail art to: Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, POB 230309, Houston TX 77223.”

12pm-5pm, Festival | Tejano Music Festival Trader’s Village. Free, but $6 parking.

2pm-5pm, Tea Experience | Ceremonial Tea’s custom tea blending experience at Aēsop Heights. $28.

6pm, Nightlife | Caribe Funk Night at The Flat. “Come experience a fusion of African, Latin, and Caribbean sounds and textures ranging from Salsa Dura, Classic Afrobeat, Funky Tumbao, Merengue, Soukus, Afrohouse, and more 🌴” 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].