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Fresh Music Festival - 05/26/2012 - 05/26/2012

The Fresh Music Festival is a celebration of the best in R&B, Hip/Hop, Soul and Comedy. Founder and creater of the festival, Gary S. Guidry, wanted to bring the best in music to one stage!

This year's festival features an absolutely outstanding lineup with some of today's hottest performers. Lineup includes Keith Sweat, Guy, SWV, K-Ci & JoHo and hosted by Doug E. Fresh. Come to the Reliant Arena on May 26, 2012 to kick off your summer with a party!

Made in America - 05/26/2012 - 05/27/2012

Balanchine. Morris. Fonte. All three have created ballets for companies around the world. This program, however, was made entirely in America. Mark Morris's breezy Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes was commissioned by Mikhail Baryshnikov for American Ballet Theatre.

George Balanchine created Theme and Variations, his grand tribute to the Imperial Russian Ballet, for the same company. Nicolo Fonte, a Brooklyn native who danced with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and the Compañia Nacional de Danza in Madrid, will premiere a new work, choreographed specifically for Houston Ballet.

7:30 PM on May 24, 26, June 1, 2, 2012
2:00 PM on May 27, June 3, 2012

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Rammstein - 05/25/2012 - 05/25/2012

Don't miss your chance to see Rammstein live! Rammstein is widely accepted as part of the German industrial metal scene and has become the genre's most successful band, achieving worldwide fame.

This tour supports their new studio album, Made in Germany 1995-2011, featuring hit songs "Mein Land" and "Vergiss Uns Nicht".

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Noises Off - 05/25/2012 - 06/24/2012

The funniest of modern comedies, and a farce within a farce, Noises Off takes the clichés of the genre and shakes them up in a wild comic blender into a hilarious melee of compromising situations and eccentric characters as they stampede in and out of doors, voices rising, trousers falling – to create something truly brilliant and unique. A tour de force for the actors and a special treat for audiences. “As side-splitting a farce as I have ever seen. Ever? Ever!” - New York Magazine.
“Is, was and probably always will be, the funniest play written in my lifetime” - Frank Rich.

A playwright, novelist and journalist born in London, Michael Frayn first established his reputation with witty, gently satirical columns in The Manchester Guardian and The Observer. He wrote a series of novels in the same vein, including The Russian Interpreter (1966). His many plays include Copenhagen, Benefactors, Alphabetical Order, and Clouds. He also wrote the script for the film Clockwise and the novel The Trick of It.

TUE - THU, SUN evenings 7:30 p.m.
FRI and SAT evenings 8 p.m.
SAT and SUN matinees 2:30 p.m.

Mature themes; General audiences.

Made in America - 05/24/2012 - 05/24/2012

7:30 PM on May 24, 26, June 1, 2, 2012
2:00 PM on May 27, June 3, 2012

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

The Civil War - 05/18/2012 - 05/27/2012

Drawing on letters, diaries, firsthand accounts, and the words of Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Walt Whitman, The Civil War is a thrilling, gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring "dramatic theatre concert" paying homage to the epic landscape of the most difficult and important test of our nation.

Book by Gregory Boyd and Frank Wildhorn. Lyrics by Jack Murphy and Music by Wildhorn.

Times: May 18 - 26 at 7:30 p.m. and May 27 at 2 p.m.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Pasadena Strawberry Festival - 05/18/2012 - 05/20/2012

Did someone say strawberries, strawberry shortcake? Yum! A barbecue cook-off, a beauty pageant, arts and crafts, live entertainment, teen battle of the bands and the world's largest strawberry shortcake are all part of the Pasadena Strawberry Festival.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Houston Construction Industry Auto Show 2012 - 05/18/2012 - 05/19/2012

Friday May 18, 2011 is Guitars n' Cars where there will be select autos on display inside Reliant Stadium with a concert and silent auction. Saturday May 19th, 2011 will be the Auto Show where hundreds of autos will be on display encompasing the Yellow Lot of Reliant Stadium. There will be live music, concessions and a raffle to win a brand new 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T. All benefits will go towards the U.S. Vets-Houston to help remodel their kitchen. Current support is from BP, Halliburton, Gensler, and many others within the construction industry.

Pasadena Strawberry Festival - 05/18/2012 - 05/20/2012

Did someone say strawberries, strawberry shortcake? Yum! The 39th Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival will include 128 teams playing Mud Volleyball, 70 BBQ cook off teams, Specialty Act- Pig races, Swam master Alligator show, Magic acts, stunt shows, Children's area, Teen area, Washer Pitching Contest, Wine Tent, 2 stages of Live entertainment, and the Worlds Largest Strawberry Shortcake!

There are 300 vendors with everything from food to arts and crafts, Beauty Pageant, Carnival, and much, much more!

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Film Screening- Strong - 05/16/2012 - 05/16/2012

Cheryl Haworth is a young woman with a big dream: to be the strongest woman in the world. As the 300-pound U.S. Olympic weightlifter prepares for Beijing 2008, she struggles with injury, confidence, and her place in a world where larger women are not readily accepted. See her story at this free film screening!

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Wishful Drinking - 05/15/2012 - 05/20/2012

The daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher became a cultural icon in her own right at the age of 19, when she starred as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” trilogy.

In Wishful Drinking, she tells the true and intoxicating tale of her life as a Hollywood legend—with all the wry wit she poured into such bestsellers as Postcards from the Edge—in an uproarious and sobering look at her "Hollywood hangover."

WISHFUL DRINKING premiered in 2006, in Los Angeles, and has since completed sell-out runs in theatres across the U.S., culminating in a wildly successful engagement at Broadway's Studio 54 in 2010, winning the prestigious 2010 Outer Critics' Circle Award. The show received rave reviews on Broadway. In The New York Times critic Ben Brantley described it as, "an extremely funny full-frontal confession.”

For more information, visit carriefisher.com

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Second Saturday Folk Music Concert featuring Ken Gaines and Songwriter's Circle - 05/12/2012 - 05/12/2012

Stop and listen, pause from a hectic week and enjoy this live acoustic concert, featuring Ken Gaines and Songwriter's Circle.

Ken Gaines received Texas Music Awards "2005 Singer Songwriter of the Year"

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

The Houston Art Car Parade - 05/12/2012 - 05/12/2012

It's that time again! Don't miss the Annual Art Car Parade. Downtown Houston will come to life when more than 250 "motoriffic" mobile masterpieces hit the pavement.

The Houston Art Car Parade is a free BYOG (bring your own goodies- lawn chairs, water, treats, no dogs please) event, the Parade has become a nationwide phenomenon and continues to bring out the artist in everyone. This year's spectacle is expected to draw a crowd of 250,000 fans from across the map and approximately 250 local, national and international artists will transform everyday automobiles into one-of-a-kind creations meant to amuse, inspire, enlighten and entertain.

Presented by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, the award-winning Parade preserves and promotes visionary art environments and provides opportunities to discover and celebrate the artist in everyone. At the biggest and best Art Car Parade on earth, the Orange Show dares ogling onlookers to discover their inner artists and to seek inspiration from stunners ranging from an exact replica F-18 fighter jet car to one inspired by the Beatles classic "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

Route: Allen Parkway, from Waugh to Bagby and back again.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Part of

Meow Meow - 05/12/2012 - 05/12/2012

Named top 10 “Best of Cabaret” by Time Out New York, “cabaret diva of the highest order” by the New York Post and “a phenomenon” by the Australian press, Meow Meow has wowed audiences globally with her unique brand of kamikaze cabaret and performance art exotica.

Wildly entertaining and a fearless tour de force, Meow’s stunning musicality takes you on a journey through the portals of old Shanghai, pre-war Berlin and gay Paris, set in a post-modern world. Meow has played The Famous Spiegeltent at the Dublin, Brighton and Melbourne Festivals and shared the bill with such luminaries as Hanna Schygulla, Antony and the Johnsons, Sandra Bernhardt and Diamanda Galas. The multi-award winning Meow has been curated by David Bowie, Pina Bausch and Baryshnikov amongst others, and has created original works for numerous international arts festivals.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Houston Homegrown - 05/11/2012 - 05/11/2012

Music Doing Good presents Houston's Homegrown Jazz, showcasing the brightest local jazz stars as well as welcoming home Houston artists who have gained notoriety both nationally and internationally.

In celebration of teacher appreciation month, Music Doing Good will recognize the tireless efforts of teachers across the city (special discounts apply for teachers). All proceeds of ticket sales benefit Music Doing Good in Schools outreach program, Musical Instrument Aid and Scholarship Fund.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Fresh Air Friday - 05/11/2012 - 05/11/2012

Join H-GAC in celebrating the ninth annual Fresh Air Friday: A Picnic on the Plaza, an outdoor picnic and concert to promote clean air programs and educate Houstonians on ways to minimize their carbon footprint.

Fresh Air Friday gets Houstonians out of their offices and to Jones Plaza to enjoy food, prize giveaways, and live entertainment. The event also will educate attendees about clean air programs that promote the use of alternative fuels, clean-engine technology and commute alternatives.

Fresh Air Friday is FREE and open to the public!

Heroic Beethoven - 05/11/2012 - 05/11/2012

Don't miss this riveting Season Finale - Mercury Baroque's spin on two magnificent Beethoven symphonies. Originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony and his masterful 2nd Symphony will be performed on period-accurate instruments for the first time in Houston.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

What We’re Up Against - 05/11/2012 - 06/10/2012

"They told me it wasn't like this anymore. Why is it still like this?" bemoans Eliza, a female architect, as she slams into the firm’s glass ceiling yet again in this brilliant black comedy. Theresa Rebeck returns to the Alley after the hugely successful Mauritius, Bad Dates and The Scene with her latest comedy, which probes “how sexism remains well entrenched in the work-place, not least when pitting women against each other in a boys’ club atmosphere” (Variety).

Scott Schwartz (the Alley’s Mauritius, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing) returns to direct.

Explicit language, recommended for mature audiences.

Times: Tuesday and Thursday, Sunday evenings 7:30 p.m. ; Friday and Saturday evening 8 p.m. ; Saturday and Sunday matinees 2:30 p.m.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

The Legendary Art Car Ball: Celebrating 25 Years of the Houston Art Car Parade - 05/10/2012 - 05/10/2012

THE CARS ARE THE STARS! Join us for the wildest, most talked-about party of the year, the Legendary Art Car Ball! Live music, food, drinks entertainment, and of course ART CARS will get you ready for the annual weekend-long extravaganza!

Women on the Verge - 05/06/2012 - 05/06/2012

Women on the Verge featuring Bayou City Women's Chorus at Zilka Hall

Houston Dragon Boat Festival - 05/05/2012 - 05/05/2012

Becoming an internationally popular sport, dragon boat racing will hit the waters of downtown Houston in May! At the Houston Dragon Boat Festival, teams of 25, including a steersman, a drummer, 20 paddlers, and 3 alternates, enter this exciting competition, which involves 250-meter sprints in traditional Hong Kong-style dragon boats. Throughout the day’s racing, a celebration of Asian culture takes place at Allen’s Landing Park with food, entertainment, and activities for the whole family.

A variety of cultural performance groups are preparing to take the stage at the Annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details

Kid's Play: an opera in one act - 05/05/2012 - 05/05/2012

Hope Stone wraps up its season with its cutting-edge presentation of children’s art entitled Kid’s Play: an opera in one
act, a one-hour production showcasing the young members of the Hope Stone Kid’s Play and YouthSound Ensemble. The
must-see show features a fantastic array of dance, theater, music and spoken word performed by 60 very talented 6- to 18-
year-old students. The performance, a culmination of nine months of classes, will premiere on May 5, 2012 at Stages
Repertory Theatre.

Houston Grand Opera: Mary Stuart - 05/04/2012 - 05/04/2012

This story of regal cousins, Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I-rivals for the crown and the same nobleman's love-delivers fascinating historical drama.

Elizabeth has imprisoned Mary, suspecting her of treason, but the Duke of Leicester, her advisor and Mary's lover, convinces the queen to meet her cousin; tempers soon surface and rage out of control. Mary, condemned to death, faces her demise with great dignity.

Spectacular vocal fireworks and bel canto singing are hallmarks of Donizetti's tragedy.

Times:
April 21, 7:30 p.m. | April 27, 7:30 p.m. | April 29, 2 p.m. | May 2, 7:30 p.m. | May 4, 7:30 p.m.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Spring Mixed Rep - 05/03/2012 - 05/05/2012

Featuring the world premiere of Walsh's dance theater work about the life of Camille Claudel, Walsh's The Itch, a reprise of Swedish choreographer Mats Ek's witty Pas de Dans, the White Swan pas de deux from Matthew Bourne's Tony award-winning Swan Lake, and an unforgettable interpretation of Walsh's The Dying Swan by one of this city's most celebrated ballerinas.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Houston Grand Opera: Mary Stuart - 05/02/2012 - 05/02/2012

This story of regal cousins, Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I-rivals for the crown and the same nobleman's love-delivers fascinating historical drama.

Spectacular vocal fireworks and bel canto singing are hallmarks of Donizetti's tragedy.

Times:
April 21, 7:30 p.m. | April 27, 7:30 p.m. | April 29, 2 p.m. | May 2, 7:30 p.m. | May 4, 7:30 p.m.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

La Cage Aux Folles - 04/24/2012 - 05/06/2012

Theatre Under the Stars presents La Cage Aux Folles.

Winner of three Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL, LA CAGE tells the story of Georges, the owner of a swanky and sexy Saint-Tropez nightclub, and his partner Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous drag queen songstress Zaza. When their son brings his fiancée (and her conservative parents) home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly! LA CAGE is a tuneful and touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together ... stay fabulous ... and above all else, stay true to themselves! With a glorious score of hummable melodies and a dynamite cast featuring the notorious and dangerous chorus "girl" Cagelles, LA CAGE is an indisputable musical comedy classic, rewarded with Broadway's Tony in all three NYC incarnations ... and this extraordinary new version shows you why! You roared at the movie The Birdcage, now marvel at the music some call Jerry Herman's (Hello Dolly/Mame) best!

Star of stage and screen George Hamilton will star as Georges in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES! George Hamilton is noted for his dashing, sporting, jet-setter image and perpetually bronzed skin tones in commercials, dramatic and comedic film roles and reality shows.

Check TUTS website for showtimes.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Masterpieces from the MALBA/Colección Costantini Permanent Collection - 04/22/2012 - 08/05/2012

In celebration of the 10-year anniversaries of the MFAH Latin American art department and MALBA, MFAH permanent collection works went on view at MALBA in fall 2011 and MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, Argentina) will send more than 30 of its masterworks to the MFAH in April 2012. The exhibition will include iconic paintings from 1900 through the 1960s by such renowned Latin American artists as Carlos Sáez, Tarsila do Amaral, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Emilio Pettoruti, Rafael Baladas, Joaquín Torres-García, Antonio Berni, Armando Reverón, Xul Solar, Alfredo Lam, Jorge de la Vega and more. This will be the first time that many of these works will have been on view in Houston. The exhibition is curated by Mari Carmen Ramírez, MFAH Wortham Curator of Latin American Art and Director of the MFAH International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA).

Utopia/Dystopia: Construction and Destruction in Photography and Collage - 03/11/2012 - 06/10/2012

Utopia/Dystopia explores the ways that artists use photography to project a political, social, or cultural state of utopia or dystopia. Ranging in date from the late 19th century to the present, these photos, photocollages, photomontages, and moving images—along with photographs of a constructed space or sculptures that incorporate a photograph—have allowed artists to experiment with social, political, and urban construction and imagination.

The exhibition draws on the collections of the MFAH and the Menil Collection in Houston; the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York; and private collectors. Among the many artists represented are Herbert Bayer, Matthew Buckingham, Richard Hawkins, Hannah Höch, El Lissitzky, Esaki Reiji, and Tom Thayer.

The timing of Utopia/Dystopia: Construction and Destruction in Photography and Collage celebrates Houston's FotoFest 2012 Biennial (March 16–April 29).

Elegance and Refinement: The Still-Life Paintings of Willem van Aelst - 03/11/2012 - 05/28/2012

Seventeenth-century Dutch artist Willem van Aelst painted still lifes that are remarkable for their fine finish, carefully balanced composition, elegant subject matter, and rich, jewel-toned palette. Elegance and Refinement is an unprecedented exhibition of 25 paintings that celebrate the exquisite work of a neglected master who had a significant impact on late-17th-century still-life painting. His work typically depicts arrangements of fresh fruit and flowers; precious objects found in the home, such as sumptuous drapery and Venetian glassware; displays of dead game; and evocations of the forest floor.

Shifting Paradigms in Contemporary Ceramics: The Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio Collection - 03/04/2012 - 06/03/2012

New York-based scholars and gallerists Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio have been leaders in the ceramic field for over 25 years, assembling one of the most important private collections of contemporary ceramics in the world. In 2007, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, acquired the collection of over 375 objects, as well as the accompanying library and artist archive. This exhibition presents nearly 150 objects—ceramics as well as works on paper–from this richly diverse collection, which includes such major international figures as Kenjiro Kawai, Jean-Pierre Laroque, Adrian Saxe, Peter Voulkos and Beatrice Wood, many of whom are represented in depth, as well as examples by Anthony Caro, Lucio Fontana, Claes Oldenburg and Grayson Perry. The exhibition is organized by Cindi Strauss, curator, MFAH Modern & Contemporary Decorative Arts and Design curator.

Richard Serra Drawing: A Retrospective - 03/02/2012 - 06/10/2012

The first-ever retrospective of the artist's drawings, Richard Serra Drawing: A Retrospective, will be the first major one-person exhibition organized by the Menil Drawing Institute and Study Center. Don't miss it!

Though his sculptures have been the subject of numerous museum exhibitions, Richard Serra's drawings - crucial to his work for more than forty years - have never received a critical overview. This exhibition of works, drawn from major European and American public and private collections, will trace Serra's investigation of drawing as an activity both independent of and linked to his sculptural practice. Organized chronologically, it will address significant shifts in concept, materials, and scale, and will culminate with new, never-before-exhibited large-scale works.

Richard Serra Drawing: A Retrospective, is organized by curators Bernice Rose, Michelle White and Gary Garrels and will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue featuring several original, scholarly texts.

The museum hours are 11:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday - Sunday. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Plan ahead and pack a picnic you can enjoy at the Menil outdoor sculpture park.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski - 02/12/2012 - 05/06/2012

Widely regarded as one of America’s last classic modern painters, Jules Olitski (1922-2007) created brilliant color harmonies and chromatic shifts that became one of the hallmarks of Color Field Painting. Olitski enjoyed enormous acclaim in the 1960s and ’70s, and in 1969 was the first living American artist to be given a solo exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibition offers a selective survey of approximately 35 paintings, ranging from the artist’s first forays into stain painting beginning in 1959 to his visionary last compositions in 2007.

Bridge 11: Lia Cook - 02/04/2012 - 05/13/2012

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) presents "Bridge 11: Lia Cook," a solo exhibition of the work of internationally recognized fiber artist, Lia Cook. The exhibit presents large-scale woven images of human faces and introduces several works from a new body of work based on the artist's recent art-neuroscience collaboration.

"Bridge 11: Lia Cook" is part of the biennial Bridge Exhibition Series organized by the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

With "Bridge 11," HCCC is a Participating Space for "Fotofest 2012," the Fourteenth International Biennial of Photography and Photo-Related Art. Located in Houston, Texas, the "FotoFest Biennial" is the United States' largest and longest-running international photography festival and one of the oldest international showcases for photography in the world today. The festival takes place March 16 – April 29, 2012. For more information, visit http://www.fotofest.org.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Transference: Andy Paiko & Ethan Rose - 02/04/2012 - 05/13/2012

Spinning glass vessels scale the walls and fill the small gallery with ethereal music in Transference, a multimedia installation at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) in the coming winter and spring. This collaborative exhibition by glass artist Andy Paiko and experimental sound artist Ethan Rose explores the aural potential of glass vessels.

"Transference" is based on the artists' mutual interest in recovering and repurposing forgotten objects and technologies. In past works, Paiko, a glassblower, has recontextualized bell jars, reliquaries and absinthe fountains, filling them with contemporary and personal meaning. Similarly, Rose's musical compositions have combined modern electronics with obsolete instruments such as music boxes, pipe organs and player pianos.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Celebrity Mystery Theater - 02/04/2012 - 11/10/2012

Imagine yourself enjoying dinner socializing with friends, having a few drinks ....when suddenly a murder is committed. Let the wacky antics of two famous detectives, never seen together before any where, amuse you as they hilariously solve the crime.

Who did it?...Was it... Fran Drescher, Marilyn Monroe, Cher, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Rocky Balboa, Bill Clinton, Joan Crawford, ... or was it You!
Or a host of other celebrity look-a-likes! With this all-star celebrity look-a-like cast, you never know who may come through the door!

Now playing once a month in downtown Houston.
Feb. 4, Mar. 10, Apr. 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct.13, Nov. 10
The Spaghetti Warehouse 901 W. Commerce St. Houston Tx 77002

Doors Open @ 6:45 pm
$55 per person; includes 3 course meal, dinner show , soft drinks & gratuity
Reservation required / Seating is limited;
Call (713) 305-8117
.*
Evening Schedule
6:45 pm - Doors Open & Salad served
7:15 - Show introduction
7:30 - Act I Begins (no late seating)
8:15 - Main Entrees' Dinner Intermission
8:45 - Act II inclusive of dessert served
9:30 - The End
*
We guarantee you the "Crime of your Life"!
www.CelebrityMysteryTheater.com

Fun Day Monday - 01/30/2012 - 12/31/2012

EVERY Monday is Fun Day Monday at Menchie's! Not only do we have delicious yogurt, but we also provide a fun and safe place to entertain the children. They have the opportunity to mingle with other kids while they learn new things, get their faces painted and play. Parent's get to sit back and enjoy.

Balancing Act Exhibit Debut - 01/28/2012 - 05/20/2012

Get into the act! Our body and brain work together to help us stay poised. Put your sense of equilibrium to the test in Balancing Act, a new hands-on and feet exhibit debuting Jan. 28 at the Children’s Museum of Houston. From teetering toddlers to tight-rope walkers, balance is something we use in our everyday lives. Discover what keeps spinning tops spinning, gymnasts on track, and ice skaters on the edge!

Balancing Act focuses on the physical nature of balance and the body systems that work together to achieve that balance. Through a variety of challenging activities, such as balance beams, bridges and balance boards, you can get into the act and test your sense of balance in a fun, playful environment.

CHECKS AND BALANCES
•As you enter Balancing Act, you may first be drawn to the Balance Bridge. Try to keep from rocking as you navigate down the center of the bridge. The more people on the bridge at one time, the more movement you’ll experience!
•Test your skills on a “teeter totter” in the Balance Board Challenge. You’ll learn how our body systems work together to enable skateboarders, surfers and others to maintain and master balance.
•The exhibit’s Balance Circus station shows how our body systems work together to achieve balance. Here you’ll find props to balance on various parts of your body: balancing birds, juggling blocks, bean bags and balancing egg heads. Toddlers have an opportunity to balance on the Infant Barre.
•Find out how long you can stay balanced on the swiveling and shifting Balance Timer. Try it more than once and see if you can improve your time with practice.
•Experiment with balancing different objects on the Balance Scale.
•See how high you can stack blocks on a shifting table top before it topples over on the Tippy Table.
•Take some tops for a spin in Spinning Tops and discover the secrets behind twirling ballerinas and rotating ice skaters.
•Other components, such as the Balance Beam, Stepping Stones and Wavy Beam, challenge you to adjust your body and control your center of gravity as you navigate the obstacle courses.

Guiding you through Balancing Act is “Level,” a sculptural balancing buddy made from cubes and boxes. This level-headed character demonstrates how prevalent balance is in our everyday lives and how the body and brain work together to help us maintain that balance.

Come and expand your understanding of balance and learn how to practice and improve it by participating in active learning experiences in Balancing Act—because balance isn’t just an act!

Kemah Ghost Tours: A Haunted Walking Tour of Legend, History and Mysteries - 01/07/2012 - 11/07/2013

Take a journey through time to experience legend, history, and real life supernatural mysteries with Kemah's Ghost Tours. Enjoyable for all...skeptics and believers alike, this is not a haunted house but an intriguing, fun filled evening...highlighting the dark history of Kemah and Galveston Bay dating back to the 1600's, including Karankawa Indians, The Great Storm of the 1900's, Vampire folklore, Superstitions and Legends, and actual supernatural stories experienced on the very grounds you will be walking upon!

Kemah Ghost Tours takes you on a walking tour of the Kemah Historic Light House district. Learn tales of death, destruction, hauntings experienced by locals. Visit eight establishments and hear 14 stories that will keep you up at night! Don't miss this year- round tour of legend, history and real mysteries.

Haunted tour highlights include:

Take a moonlit stroll through the darker side of Kemah's past while learning tales of death, destruction, murder, and fascinating secrets of the city's past.....if you dare...
Prepare to be entertained with tales of intrigue and adventure that encompass Galveston Bay's murky and tantalizing voyage through time...
Journey to the Bay, to a night that takes you into a fascinating world of horrific history and tales of the supernatural...
Prepare to be entranced with Kemah's spirit-filled wine Bistro...and learn of its ghostly cook (eat your heart out Rachael Ray)
Listen in delight, as we lift the veil between Kemah's physical and spiritual realms at the Brass Lantern Suites Bed and Breakfast
Investigate strange paranormal sightings at the old mansion and learn the chilling history behind the hauntings.
Enjoy the moonlight reflecting off the Bay at the Historic Light House on the water's edge. Relive the captivating life of Pirate Jean LaFitte and discover the chilling stories of those who knew him.
Hear the heartbreaking story of lost love, tragic love of sweethearts who cannot be separated, even at death.
Feel the ocean breeze while experiencing a reenactment of the Karankawa Indian enemy rituals...and more...

While you are there make sure to enjoy the many attractions of Galveston Island and the Kemah Boardwalk. The Kemah Boardwalk is a hotel and restaurant destination in Kemah, Texas. The main attractions of the 42-acre complex, are its many restaurants overlooking Galveston Bay. Activities include shopping and midway games, as well as a miniature train that traverses the entire area. Additional attractions include a 36-foot carousel, a 65-foot Ferris wheel, and a wooden roller coaster.

Note: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website listed or contact the organization or venue to verify event details.

Houston, Cuidad de Contrastes -

Mucha gente sabe que en Houston se ubica uno de los centros médicos más importantes del mundo, la gente de negocios sabe que es la ciudad del petróleo y de la energía, algunos también están enterados de que ahí se pueden hacer muy buenas compras.

Sin embargo, poca gente sabe de sus muchos atractivos turísticos, de su excelente escena culinaria, de la gran calidad de su infraestructura hotelera, de su capacidad para organizar juntas y convenciones, su animada vida nocturna y muchos otros detalles que la convierten en una ciudad muy apetecible para todo tipo de viajeros.

Desde luego, conviene saber que, en lo que se refiere a compras, Houston es mucho más que su famosa The Galleria, la cual es uno de los centros comerciales más grandes e importantes de los Estados Unidos, con cientos de tiendas especializadas y varias tiendas ancla o almacenes departamentales que gustan mucho a los viajeros mexicanos. Sin embargo, a medida que ha ido creciendo la ciudad (hoy es la cuarta más grande del país), su panorama comercial se ha ido diversificando y podemos encontrar desde esos enormes malls hasta los muy apetecibles outlets que tienen muy buenas marcas y excelentes precios, además de muchas boutiques independientes repartidas en diferentes zonas de la ciudad, en las cuales es posible comprar ropa y artículos que no se encuentran en ningún otro lugar, pues resulta que Houston se ha ido transformando, poco a poco, en un importante centro de moda, visitado por diseñadores de todo el mundo y también con excelentes diseñadores residentes que hoy compiten al tú por tú con las figuras de la moda de New York o Los Angeles.

A los pequeños de la familia quizá no les interese la moda, pero de seguro les llamará la atención una visita al Centro Espacial de la NASA, donde podemos ver la historia de la carrera espacial y también participar en algunos juegos que desafían la gravedad y simulan lanzamientos de cohetes al espacio, muy divertido. También pasarán un buen rato en el Zoológico de Houston, que es uno de los mejores del sur de Estados Unidos y tiene una zona de crías que es una verdadera delicia para convivir con todo tipo de animales, o quizá prefieran dar una vuelta por el Acuario, donde se exhiben diversos ecosistemas y además cuenta con una exhibición de tigres blancos y un parque de diversiones, más un excelente restaurante.

Ya que hablamos de comida, resulta que Houston tiene la propuesta perfecta para cada gusto y para cada presupuesto, pues encontramos desde la más típica de las barbecues texanas hasta jugosos cortes de carne de primera calidad, desde cadenas de comida rápida hasta restaurantes gourmet, así como gastronomías regionales de todas partes del mundo, de modo que, en realidad, lo difícil es elegir, puesto que siempre hay muchas opciones: platillos de Estados Unidos, México, Francia, Italia, Vietnam, India, China, Perú, Argentina, España, comida del mar, especialidades Cajún y mucho más.

Para dormir, hay también un amplio abanico de opciones, desde hoteles familiares económicos hasta grandes hoteles de cadena y hoteles boutique muy originales y detallistas, unas 70 mil habitaciones para todos los gustos. Si su visita coincide con las temporadas de deportes profesionales, resulta muy entretenido asistir a los partidos de baseball, básquetbol, fútbol americano y soccer, o también ir a jugar al boliche, asistir a un concierto (hay todo tipo de música), ver una buena obra de teatro, ya que todas las puestas en escena de Broadway pasan por Houston (con mejores precios) o ver una función de ballet, de ópera o de música sinfónica.

En la parte cultural, Houston es una de las ciudades más importantes de los Estados Unidos, puesto que su Distrito de Museos incluye recintos de primer nivel internacional y muy atractivos para toda la familia, pues se han hecho el propósito de que la cultura sea divertida para todos, y lo han logrado. Muy recomendables son el Museo de Bellas Artes de Houston, el Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Houston, el extraordinario Museo de los Niños y el Museo de la Salud.

Desde luego, el centro médico sigue siendo uno de los principales focos de atracción para los visitantes internacionales, así como las compras y los negocios, pero bien vale quedarse para explorar todos los atractivos que tiene Houston, empezando con la amabilidad de su gente y el clima de tranquilidad que ahí se respira. Buen viaje.

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Aeropuerto de Houston entre los más seguros del país -

La revista Travel + Leisure reconoció al Aeropuerto George Bush Intercontinental de Houston como uno de los más seguros (tercer puesto), en una encuesta reciente donde se analizaron datos de los 35 aeropuertos más transitados en los Estados Unidos. Este reconocimiento se debe no sólo a las instalaciones modernas y eficientes en el aeropuerto, sino también a las altas calificaciones en las encuestas de satisfacción del pasajero.

En efecto, Houston no tiene un aeropuerto, sino un sistema de tres aeropuertos: 1) George Bush Intercontinental Airport (puerta de entrada internacional), 2) William P. Hobby Airport (aeropuerto doméstico de bajo costo y tamaño mediano) y 3) Ellington Airport (centro de aviación y comercio).

Para reforzar lo anterior, cabe mencionar que apenas el pasado mes de noviembre se dieron a conocer dos noticias muy importantes. Por una parte, el hecho de que Houston Airport Sistem (HAS) firmó un convenio con Google Maps para que los usuarios de teléfonos android puedan ver los planos de las terminales y así localizar con gran facilidad las puertas de embarque, los restaurantes, las tiendas, los cajeros automáticos y varios otros servicios. Por otro lado, Houston fue elegido por United Airlines para realizar el primer vuelo comercial (con pasajeros) impulsado por una combinación de combustible tradicional y biocombustible entre esta ciudad y Chicago. Para mayor información visita www.fly2houston.com.

DATOS INTERESANTES DEL AEROPUERTO

GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL
    Está considerado como una de las puertas más importantes hacia Latinoamérica.
    Da servicio a más de 50 millones de pasajeros cada año.
    Da servicio a más destinos mexicanos que cualquier otro aeropuerto de Estados Unidos.
    Es el octavo aeropuerto más grande de Estados Unidos, tanto por tráfico total como por tráfico de pasajeros internacionales.
    Da servicio de vuelos sin escala a aproximadamente 110 destinos en Estados Unidos y 70 destinos internacionales.
    16 aerolíneas de pasajeros operan desde ahí.
    Tiene 5 pistas de lo más moderno y con capacidad para recibir aviones de cualquier tamaño.
    Cuenta con 880 mil pies cuadrados de área de carga y capacidad para 450 mil toneladas.
    Tiene un tren subterráneo con paradas en todas las terminales y en el hotel Marriott.
    Ofrece más de 23 mil lugares de estacionamiento.

Con todo lo anterior en cuenta y sabiendo, además, que enero es un mes de grandes ofertas en Houston, este es el momento perfecto para hacer un viaje de compras y conocer un poco más de esta gran ciudad.

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Vote for Houston: One of 10 Cities to Be Southern Living's 'Tastiest Town in the South' -

Readers Choose the Winning Town: Online Voting Opens December 23
Winner To Be Revealed in the April 2012 Issue

Houston is named among the Top 10 "Tastiest Towns in the South," according to Southern Living magazine's January issue, hitting newsstands December 23rd. Readers will determine which city will be named the "Tastiest Town in the South" by voting online at southernliving.com/tasty beginning December 23rd.

Houston was cited for diverse ethnic food scene, the sizzling Lower Westheimer 'hood and a new generation of tastemakers, according to the magazine.

Southern Living will profile each of the towns and reveal the "Tastiest Town in the South" in the April 2012 issue, on newsstands March 23rd, and online at SouthernLiving.com.

In addition to Houston, Southern Living's Top 10 "Tastiest Towns in the South" include:

Baltimore, MD: Boasts restaurants with a fierce sense of place
Birmingham, AL: Local chef, Frank Stitt, changed the Southern culinary landscape
Charleston, SC: Iconic Lowcountry dishes and a thriving cocktail culture make this city shine
Charlottesville, VA: Toasts farm-to-table freshness in everything from tapas to spirits
Decatur, GA: Is an emerging mecca for foodies who relish local farmers markets
Lafayette, LA: A new breed of hometown chefs is diving into the region's culinary roots
Louisville, KY: Saddle up for surprising food, bourbon bars, and buzzy new neighborhoods
New Orleans, LA: Famed oyster bars, Gulf seafood and classic cocktails are the ultimate tourist attraction
Raleigh, NC: Fantastic farmers' markets and chefs devoted to their culinary heritage

Southern Living editors chose the Top 10 "Tastiest Towns in the South" based on the following criteria:

Food as a cultural identity: The unique food or ethnicity that defines a particular Southern region.
Growth of a culinary-minded community: The influence that the culinary industry has on the local community and tourism.
Diverse cuisine at a variety of price points: Accessibility to hearty, flavorful meals at any budget.
Local, sustainable food practices: The focus on sourcing products from local purveyors to geographically define where each meal comes from.
Hot chefs on the rise: The influence of the area's culinary talent in the media and pop culture.
Abundance of buzz-worthy food events: The number of festivals in the area that celebrate all things food and drink.

Visit southernliving.com/tasty from December 23 to January 31 to cast your vote. One vote per day is counted toward the final tally.

Southern Living, published by the Time Inc. Lifestyle Group, reaches 15 million readers each month. The brand offers today's busy Southerners achievable ideas for cultivating their own Southern style. Each month in the magazine and on southernliving.com, readers find ideas for cooking, gardening, gracious entertaining, decorating, regional travel and locally made products. Southern Living is now available on all tablets. Visit southernliving.com/allaccess for more details.

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Eventos de la Temporada Navideña en Houston -

Houston se viste de gala para la temporada de fiestas, y con tantas celebraciones y actividades diversas por toda la ciudad, te recomendamos aquí algunas de nuestras favoritas.

TEATRO Y ARTES ESCÉNICAS

Hasta el 20 de diciembre: Cenicienta
Teatro Ensemble
El clásico cuento de la Cenicienta recibe una fresca interpretación de la compañía African-American Shakespeare. Esta caprichosa historia mezcla la belleza y elegancia del cuento original con una interpretación fresca, como la graciosísima hermana malvada y, por su puesto, un hada madrina con actitud de diva que hace que la magia suceda en el baile de Navidad.

Hasta el 27 de diciembre: A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas
Teatro Alley
La clásica Historia de Navidad de Chales Dickens regresa este año en una producción renovada que narra la jornada de Ebenezer Scrooge con los tres espíritus fantasmas que lo visitan en la víspera de la Navidad.

Hasta el 31 de diciembre: Los Diarios de Santaland por David Sedaris
Teatro Alley
El actor Todd Waite retomará su papel como "Crumpet the elf" en las extravagantes crónicas que narran la experiencia de David Searis como trabajador en el aparador de Macy's Santaland. Los Diarios de Santaland es un clásico divertido, que presenta encuentros cómicos durante el apogeo de las fiestas

Hasta el 27 de diciembre: The Nutcracker por el Ballet de Houston
Teatro Wortham
La historia del Cascanueces se sitúa en Alemania en el siglo XIX. El ballet abre con una encantadora fiesta de Navidad en la que el misterioso Dr. Drosselmeyer da a su pequeña sobrina Clara un juguete mágico que la lleva en un viaje inolvidable. Desde el árbol de Navidad que crece enormemente en el primer acto y los cocineros que vuelan por arte de magia en el segundo acto, el Cascanueces atrae al público de todas las edades.

Hasta el 18 diciembre: Blanca Navidad
Theatre Under the Stars
El número uno de todos los tiempos y la canción pop más grabada en la historia, inspiró primero una película clásica, y ahora un musical familiar... tan único como la nieve en Texas.

Hasta el 11 de diciembre: A Very Merry Pops
Sinfónica de Houston en el Jones Hall
Nuevamente en el 2011, la tradición del concierto navideño, con el conductor Michael Krajewski, la Sinfónica y el coro de Houston.

Hasta el 18 de diciembre: Handel's Messiah in Candlelight
Sinfónica de Houston en el Jones Hall
Cada año, la sinfónica nos trae este día de fiesta para escuchar los coros de "Porque un niño nos ha nacido" con el majestuoso "Hallelujah Chorus". Las luces especiales crearán un ambiente que invoca el estilo de iluminación con velas de Handel, del siglo XVIII.

Hasta el 27 de diciembre: Shen Yun Performing Arts
Jones Hall
Descubre la clásica danza y música china en un espectáculo muy colorido y emocionante. Su línea de coreografía abarca desde la gran procesión imperial a las legiones de los tambores, con bailarines que siguen un patrón de sincronización impresionante. Una experiencia novedosa en las vacaciones.

FESTIVALES NAVIDEÑOS

Hasta el 1 de enero: Festival de Luces
Moody Gardens
El evento de iluminación más grande de la costa cuenta con más de un millón de luces y sonido animado mostrando la hermosa y brillante bahía de Galveston. Fotos con Santa estarán disponibles todas las noches durante el festival, y 'nevará' en Galveston cada viernes por la noche.

Houston Heights
Celebra las fiestas con un paseo por uno de los barrios más encantadores de Houston. Las casas reflejan la rica tradición arquitectónica del área de Heights, que mantiene su ambiente de pueblo pequeño, aun cuando está situado en una de las mayores ciudades del país.

Hasta el 10 de diciembre: Heritage Society's 49th Annual Candlelight Tours
Parque Sam Houston
Regresa en el tiempo y recorre ocho de las casas más antiguas e históricas de Houston, con la decoración tradicional del siglo XIX. Los niños también pueden visitar a Papá Noel, jugar en la nieve, disfrutar de un cuento de la historia de Navidad y hacer manualidades en el taller de Santa Claus.

10-11, 17-18 de diciembre: Campfire Christmas
George Ranch Historical Park
Disfruta de una cena de Navidad progresiva, música, paseos y recorridos exclusivos por la noche, de la mansión victoriana de 1890 y la casa George de los años 1930. Al terminar, disfruta de un postre alrededor de la fogata con los vaqueros de George Ranch.

CONCIERTOS NAVIDEÑOS

Hasta el 13 de diciembre 13: La Navidad de Linda Eder
Jones Hall
La voz celestial de Linda Eder, junto con los sonidos de la orquesta, son la combinación perfecta para una tarde divina escuchando los clásicos de Navidad como "Noche de Paz", "El Niño del Tambor" y "Noche Sagrada."

11-12, 18-19 de diciembre: The Christmas Revels
Revels Houston de la Universidad de Houston
Wortham Theater
Esta celebración del Solsticio de Invierno se nutrirá de las canciones, danza, poesía, mitos, historias y juegos de las regiones célticas de Europa, como Irlanda, Escocia, Gales, Francia e Inglaterra.

13 de diciembre: Concierto Navideño y Café con la Orquesta de Cámara River Oaks Brass Quintet
Los Jardines de Bayou Bend
Un concierto de música de cámara navideño con vistas al hermoso jardín de Diana. Disfrute de la música con panecillos, fruta, sidra y café dentro de una carpa festiva.

31 de diciembre: New Year's Eve Live!
Discovery Green
Recibe el Año Nuevo en Houston ¡con un espectáculo que iluminará tu mundo!

OTRAS ACTIVIDADES FAMILIARES

Hasta el 22 de enero: Pista de Patinaje en Hielo en Discovery Green
Discovery Green
El parque Discovery Green se transforma en un país de las maravillas con la pista de patinaje en hielo al aire libre, construida en una porción del lago Kinder. Los asistentes también podrán disfrutar de una variedad de actividades familiares durante los días festivos, como conciertos, películas y mucho más

Fines de Semana en diciembre: Desayunos con Santa en el Downtown Aquarium
Downtown Aquarium
Traiga a toda la familia para un desayuno con la mascota Sharkey y con el alegre Santa Claus!

11 de diciembre: Desfile de Embarcaciones Iluminadas
Área de Clear Lake
El desfile cuenta con más de 100 embarcaciones y veleros decorados que atraviesan el canal de Clear Lake hasta la Bahía de Galveston.

31 de diciembre: Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas
Reliant Stadium
Da inicio a la celebración en la víspera de Año Nuevo con un partido de fútbol americano universitario, el Tazón Meineke Car Care de Texas, donde el Big Ten se enfrenta al Big 12 en el Reliant Stadium de Houston

TROLLEYS GRATUITOS EN EL CENTRO
Hasta el 1 de enero, 2012
Durante la temporada festiva, el trollecito ofrece múltiples paradas en el área del centro incluyendo el distrito de los teatros, la calle Main y el parque Discovery Green. Este servicio de transporte gratuito es patrocinado por Macy's, que también ofrece estacionamiento gratuito para los usuarios en 1100 Travis.

HOTELES FESTIVOS
Holidays at the Houstonian (toda la temporada festiva)
Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa
Cientos de miles de luces brillan en toda la propiedad, ya que decenas de árboles de Navidad son decorados con adornos, flores de pascua y guirnaldas de cinta. Cada noche de 6 a 7 p.m. en el vestíbulo, el entretenimiento festivo es proporcionado por diversas organizaciones locales. Galletas y chocolate caliente para todos. El equipo de pastelería crea varias casas de jengibre para adornar el manto en el vestíbulo, cada una de seis pies de altura y hecha de 325 libras de una variedad de dulces de colores. Un trenecito recorre en forma continua por las casas de jengibre.

Holidays at Hotel ZaZa (toda la temporada festiva)
Hotel ZaZa
En ell vestíbulo los huéspedes podrán disfrutar de chocolate caliente. El bar Monarch contará con un menú de bebidas invernales como Café Diablo y refrescante martini de bastón de caramelo. Todos los jueves y viernes, habrá villancicos en el vestíbulo para difundir el espíritu navideño. Los huéspedes al mencionar el Holiday Package, recibirán un servicio especial de cortesía que incluye galletas y leche en su habitación.

Hotel Four Seasons Houston
Diversión S'more para las fiestas
Pase un buen rato estas vacaciones en el centro de la ciudad, cada jueves por la noche, el bar de la piscina en el cuarto piso se viste de fiesta, además de ofrecer precios de "happy hour" en las bebidas.

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A Very Gay Holiday -

Let’s face it, some holidays are gayer than others. For instance, it’s kind of hard to gay-up Thanksgiving, a 3,000 calorie meal with Aunt Edna and the family followed by football is something a few of us might rather sleep through. But Christmas? Now there’s a gay holiday. Glittery decorations, lights, music, theatrical productions—it’s a wonder we don’t overdose on peppermint Schnapps. Here in H-Town there’s a lot going on this season. But here are six things that are sure to make your holiday just a bit more merry and gay.

Santaland Diaries at Alley
It’s open to debate, but David Sedaris may just be the funniest gay writer ever. His books of comedic essays are perennial bestsellers. The Santaland Diaries has become a holiday favorite around the world. Locally, The Alley Theatre has been producing a theatrical adaptation for years. And for years company actor (and My Gay Houston ambassador) Todd Waite has donned the striped stockings and pointed shoes to entertain the audiences as Crumpet, perhaps the bitterest elf in Macy’s Santaland. Waite’s interpretation of holiday hell will leave you in stitches. Through December 31.

White Christmas at TUTS
Yes, Bing Crosby sang White Christmas first. But Barbra Streisand made the song a timeless classic. At least that’s our opinion. Irving Berlin’s holiday musical that launched the tune into holiday lore is on stage this month at Theater Under the Stars. The heartwarming tale follows two war veterans turned vaudevillians and the singing sisters they fall in love with. Sure it’s sort of a sappy tearjerker, but a tearjerker with good music. December 6-18.

Ice Skating at Discovery Green
So you haven’t been ice skating in years. But odds are not very many others in Houston have either. So why not look the part of a fool with your friends at Discovery Green? The outdoor ice rink on Kinder Lake is open through late February, giving visitors a chance to try their skill on blades. In truth, many people get fairly decent after a few times around the ice. Who knows, a few figure eights and you might just be the next Johnny Weir (minus the feathers and tassels). Through February.

Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Hoedown
A lot of cities have a gay chorale group of some type. Few have one as well respected as the Bayou City Men’s Chorus, which can pack some of Houston’s biggest concert halls. Their holiday performances in particular are eagerly anticipated, and this year the Bayou City Chorale will present Houston Holiday Hoedown with special guests Houston Pride Band and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Western Heritage Community Choir. Who doesn’t love a good hoedown? December 20.

Gingerbread Build Off
It’s time to put those countless hours reading Better Homes & Gardens and Architectural Digest to work. The 3rd Annual Gingerbread Build Off brings 36 teams together to create elaborate gingerbread structures within a few hours to be judged by a panel of experts. The competition takes place in Houston’s Market Square Park and includes prizes for Best Architectural Icon, Tallest Standing Structure, Best Traditional Theme and more. The public is invited to participate and cheer on their favorite teams. December 10

A Tuna Christmas
What are the holidays without a little drag? Watch master comedians Jaston Williams and Joe Sears reprise their roles as the denizens from Tuna, Texas, the state’s third-smallest town “where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.” Williams and Sears play 24 different characters, both male and female, in the award-winning play that chronicles the traumas and dramas of the holiday season in small town Texas. Playing at the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston. December 13-23.

For questions or comments on this article, email aj@mygayhouston.com

Rodeo Houston anuncia a grandes estrellas de música country -

Los organizadores de Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, que en 2012 se realizará del 28 de febrero al 18 de marzo, acaban de anunciar las primeras cuatro estrellas que darán conciertos durante el evento. Se trata de Alabama, Big Time Rush, Zac Brown Band y Brad Paisley.

“El Rodeo de Houston tiene fama mundial no sólo por todas las actividades propias de una feria de ganado, sino también por sus excelentes actividades de entretenimiento”, comentó Jorge Franz, vicepresidente de turismo de la Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes de Houston (GHCVB, por sus siglas en inglés). “ Conciertos espectaculares, con estrellas provenientes de todo el país, forman parte importante del Rodeo y atraen a grandes multitudes.”

Alabama, el famoso grupo de música country y rock sureño, fue fundado en 1969 y desde entonces ha protagonizado un gran impacto en la industria musical. Tiene en su haber innumerables hits y muchos premios, incluyendo dos GRAMMY. También fueron honrados con la estrella en el Paseo de la Fama de Hollywood y en 2005 ingresaron al Country Music Hall of Fame. La última vez estuvieron en el Rodeo en 2003, así que los fans están ansiosos de reencontrarse con sus ídolos en la noche inaugural del Rodeo, el 28 de febrero. Esta presentación será la primera parada de Alabama en su nuevo tour, primero en ocho años.

Big Time Rush es una banda que nació a partir de la serie de TV con el mismo nombre que fue estrenada en enero de 2010 y se transmite por Nickelodeon. En la serie televisiva, se narra la historia de cuatro amigos de Minnesota que fueron seleccionados para formar una banda. Los actores de la serie, Kendall Schmidt, Carlos Pena Jr., James Maslow y Logan Henderson, han convertido sus papeles en la serie en una verdadera carrera en la vida real, logrando gran éxito con canciones como I Ruled the World, Music Sounds Better With U y Big Time Rush. Su concierto en el Rodeo está previsto para el 4 de marzo.

Zac Brown Band entró con toda fuerza a la escena musical en 2009, con su primer sencillo Chicken Fried. Muy rápidamente, su nombre se ha convertido en familiar para los fans de música country en todas partes. En tan sólo tres años la banda ganó varios galardones, incluyendo dos premios GRAMMY y dos premios de Academy of Country Music. Han grabado cuatro álbumes de estudio y siete sencillos que lograron ubicarse entre los hits en los Billboards de música country. Su ultimo sencillo, You Get What You Giv,e que salió en septiembre de 2010, debutó como el No.1 en Billboard 200. La banda estuvo en el Rodeo de 2011. Su concierto en el Rodeo de 2012 se realizará el 12 de marzo.

Brad Paisley, con el inconfundible estilo de su música y del texto de sus canciones, está entre las estrellas más grandes de la música country, según opiniones de muchos expertos. Paisley comenzó a ofrecer presentaciones profesionales desde los trece años de edad y desde entonces ha cosechado innumerables éxitos. Cuenta con doce premios de Country Music Association, cinco premios consecutivos de Academy of Country Music y tres premios GRAMMY. Su noveno album de estudio, This is Country Music, que salió en mayo de este año, es un gran tributo de este cantautor y guitarrista al género country, música que estaba en su vida desde la niñez. El concierto tan esperado de Paisley tendrá lugar el 17 de marzo.

Los organizadores de Livestock Show and Rodeo ofrecen diferentes opciones a los visitantes que quieren atender uno o varios conciertos. Hay paquetes como Season Ticket para disfrutar los 20 conciertos que tendrán lugar durante el Rodeo, y Mini-Season Ticket, que permite atender 9 conciertos. Los paquetes ya están a la venta. Entradas para conciertos individuales se comienzan a vender a partir del 14 de enero de 2012. El 9 de enero se conocerá la lista completa de artistas y grupos musicales que participarán en el Rodeo. Para más información, visite www.rodeohouston.com <http://www.rodeohouston.com> .

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Houston se prepara para la temporada de compras navideñas -

A pocas semanas del inicio de la temporada de compras navideñas, presentamos varias opciones para los amantes del shopping en la cuarta ciudad más grande de los Estados Unidos que es, sin duda, la capital de la moda en el sur del país.

La temporada de compras navideñas se inicia en la ciudad, al igual que en todos los Estados Unidos, el Viernes Negro (Black Friday) que es el viernes después del Thanksgiving Day (Día de Acción de Gracias) que se celebra todos los años el cuarto jueves de noviembre. Este año el Viernes Negro será el 25 de noviembre.

La mayoría de las tiendas abren muy temprano ese día y ofrecen grandes descuentos en toda la mercancía. Si estás el Viernes Negro en Houston, recuerda que para aprovechar los descuentos que sólo se ofrecen durante el Black Friday, hay que levantarse muy temprano y estar preparado para grandes filas de espera en las tiendas más importantes.

He aquí algunas pistas para que disfrutes a plenitud las compras decembrinas en Houston este año.

The Galleria. Es el cuarto centro comercial más grande de los EE.UU. Tiene más de 375 tiendas y restaurantes, una impresionante pista de patinaje sobre hielo y 2 hoteles Westin. Este gran complejo de compras de categoría mundial exhibe muchas tiendas y marcas de prestigio, incluyendo Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Gucci, 2 almacenes Macy's, Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren Collection, Louis Vuitton y la única tienda Nordstrom en Houston. Los compradores pueden imprimir, antes de la visita, la lista completa de los eventos en las tiendas y rebajas especiales a través de la página Web www.GalleriaHouston.com. Varias tiendas ofrecen regalos especiales con cada compra en la mañana del Black Friday. Macy´s es una de ellas. Durante toda la temporada de compras decembrinas, Santa estará disponible para tomarse fotos con los visitantes. Para más detalles, visita www.galleriahouston.com <http://www.galleriahouston.com> .

Premium Outlets. Houston Premium Outlets tiene más de 145 tiendas de diseñadores que ofrecen todo con descuento. El centro comercial ofrece varias marcas famosas, incluyendo Armani Exchange, Burberry, Coach, Cole Haan, Elie Tahari, J.Crew, Kate Spade New York, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Natuica, Nike, Tag Heuer, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Tory Burch, True Religion. Entre las tiendas abiertas recientemente están Fossil, Watch Station Internacional y Elizabeth Arden. Houston Premium Outlets está ubicado en 29300 Hempstead Road, Cypress, TX 77433
(281) 304-5820. Para más información, visita www.premiumoutlets.com/houston <http://www.premiumoutlets.com/houston> .

Old Town Spring. Si buscas un centro comercial por demás peculiar, visita Old Town Spring (a 25 millas al norte de Houston), que recrea una ciudad tejana de principios del siglo XX. Las tiendas están en casas típicas de aquella época. Del 12 de noviembre al 24 de diciembre, Old Town Spring tiene el festival Home For The Holiday, especialmente dedicado a la época navideña. Te encantarán miles de regalos hechos a mano, antigüedades y comida. Para más información, visita http://www.oldtownspring.com/.

Highland Village. Si conduces, aprovecha el servicio valet que ofrece este centro comercial como cortesía de la casa. Highland VIllage está muy cerca de The Galleria y promete una experiencia de compras totalmente diferente. Aquí encontrarás las marcas como James Avery, Bose, Anthropologie, Kiehl’s, West Elm y Crate & Barrel. Para más detalles, visita www.shophighlandvillage.com <http://www.shophighlandvillage.com> .

Rice Village. En este pintoresco grupo de tiendas y restaurantes, ubicado a pocas cuadras del campus de la Universidad de Rice, puedes encontrar lo último en moda creada por fashionistas locales como Alexandra Knight y Elaine Turner. También está Lot 8, la boutique de renombre mundial perteneciente a Chloe Dao, ganadora de una de las ediciones de Project Runway. Otras tiendas incluyen Half-Price Books, Naked Body + Bath y marcas como Victoria's Secret, Chico’s y Banana Republic. Si te cansas pasa por The Chocolate Bar para recargar tus energías con delicias de chocolate. www.ricevillageonline.com <http://www.ricevillageonline.com>

Historic Heights. Disfruta del encanto de las casas estilo victoriano y de pintorescas calles (19th St., Yale y Studewood) mientras vas en busca de la ecléctica moda, muebles, arte y regalos en uno de los barrios más históricos de Houston. Encuentra moda “vintage” en Retropolis y en Buffalo Exchange, ropa para caballeros en Harold’s, artículos de cocina en Penzey’s Spices, así como muebles en Antiques on 19th y en Historic Heights Antiques.

Katy Mills. Es un centro comercial gigantesco, a 25 millas al oeste del centro de Houston, con 1,3 millones de pies cuadrados de tiendas y diversión bajo un mismo techo. Compra en más de 200 tiendas como Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Off Fifth, Banana Republic, Polo Ralph Lauren y Nike Factory Stores. Para más detalles, visita http://www.simon.com/mall/?id=1253 .

West Ave. La muy anticipada apertura de West Ave, un centro multi-uso de 17.651 metros cuadrados en la prestigiosa área de River Oaks, se inició con el restaurante Eddie V’s, la exclusiva tienda para novias Ivory Bridal y la tienda de electrónicos Bang & Olufsen. A principios del 2011, el legendario grupo de restaurantes Schiller-Del Grande abrió Ava Kitchen, un restaurante de influencia americano-mediterránea, además de la Pizzería Alto en el mes de mayo. De marzo a junio abrieron, Pondicheri de cocina Indú, Cru Wine Bar, Azur West, el primero de tres salones de belleza artísticos Shu Euemura Art of Hair Sanctuary Salons en los Estados Unidos y la prestigiosa boutique Tootsies, que ocupa un espacio de 3.251 metros cuadrados.

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Houston seleccionada para entrar a BestCities Global Alliance -

Houston acaba de convertirse en una de las primeras ciudades en los Estados Unidos en recibir la membresía preliminar en BestCities Global Alliance (Alianza Global de las Mejores Ciudades), una organización internacional de las oficinas de convenciones.

BestCities es la primera alianza global que desarrolla un programa de certificación para asegurar un nivel consistente de excelencia en todas las ciudades miembros. Houston se unirá a un grupo elite de ciudades que conforman la alianza, incluyendo Cape Town, Copenhague, Dubai, Edimburgo, Melbourne, San Juan, Singapur, Vancouver y Berlín.

“Calificar para la membresía en BestCities es un gran logro de Houston”, dijo Greg Ortale, presidente y CEO de la Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes de Houston (Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, GHCVB). “Estamos en una excelente compañía con estas increíbles ciudades y esperamos mostrar Houston al mundo a través de esta alianza global.”

“La posibilidad de compartir las mejores prácticas, datos y conocimientos entre los miembros de la alianza ha permitido a Singapore mejorar nuestras ventajas competitivas”, dijo Melissa Ow, directora ejecutiva asistente de la Oficina de Exhibiciones y Convenciones de Singapur. “El compromiso de mantener los estándares bajo el Sistema de Gestión de Calidad refuerza el espíritu de excelencia en todos los servicios que ofrecemos a nuestros clientes.”

Todas las ciudades que son miembros de la alianza son destinos comprobados de reuniones internacionales y cumplen con los criterios para la membresía, incluyendo instalaciones de clase mundial para las convenciones y un mínimo de 10.000 habitaciones de hotel, así como una comprobada trayectoria en recibir convenciones internacionales.

Adicionalmente, BestCities selecciona a las ciudades que tengan oficinas profesionales de convenciones, comprometidas en garantizar la calidad y el enfoque especial en el cliente. Todas las oficinas de convenciones son expertas en trabajar con aliados y están preparadas para desarrollar proyectos en función de los objetivos comunes compartiendo los recursos disponibles.

Houston recibirá promoción internacional a través de la alianza con significativos ahorros, ya que el costo es compartido entre las ciudades miembros. Además, todos los miembros compartirán informaciones sobre el negocio de convenciones, lo que permitirá a Houston incrementar las oportunidades para capturar convenciones internacionales.

BestCities también recibirá un valor significativo de la membresía de Houston:

•    Houston, como la cuarta ciudad más grande de los Estados Unidos y un importante destinos corporativo, aportará su experticia e informaciones en los talleres de trabajo y sesiones de intercambio de ideas y conocimientos para los miembros de la alianza y sus clientes, especialmente sobre los sectores del petróleo, gas, médico, aeroespacial y de biociencia.
•    GHCVB puede proveer acceso a algunas de las instalaciones más modernas del mundo, vía tour técnicos personalizados, a Texas Medical Center y NASA, entre otros.
•    GHCVB puede llegar a su extensa red de aliados corporativos para identificar a potenciales patrocinantes y oradores.
•    La inclusión de Houston ofrecerá a los clientes de BestCities una opción adicional para un destino muy interesante y de gran diversidad.
•    En breve, la membresía de Houston enriquecerá el portafolio y la experticia y, a la vez, ampliará las oportunidades de ventas dentro de la alianza para todos sus miembros.

Sobre BestCities Global Alliance
BestCities es la primera alianza global que ha puesto en práctica un programa de certificación -con los estándares certificados por Lloyd´s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA)- para asegurar un nivel consistente de excelencia en los servicios de las oficinas de convenciones de todas las ciudades miembros. Las ciudades miembros son Cape Town, Copenhague, Dubai, Edimburgo, Melbourne, San Juan, Singapur, Vancouver, Berlín y ahora Houston. Para más información, visite www.bestcities.net.

Sobre GHCVB

La Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes de Houston (GHCVB, por sus siglas en inglés) es el brazo más importante en mercadeo y ventas de la ciudad de Houston y del Condado de Harris. La misión de GHCVB consiste en mejorar la economía de la Gran Houston atrayendo al área el turismo, las convenciones y a los funcionarios gubernamentales internaciones a través de ventas y mercadeo. Las oficinas internacionales de GHCVB están estratégicamente ubicadas en la Ciudad de México y Caracas (para América Latina), Hanóver (para Europa, Rusia y el Oriente Medio) y en Taipei (para Asia). Para más información sobre Houston, visite www.VisitaHoustonTexas.com.

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What's New in Houston -

Recent Awards and Rankings

Houston selected as only U.S. city to join the BestCities Global Alliance

Montrose named one of America's most beautiful neighborhoods by Travel + Leisure

Market Square Park received the International Downtown Association's Pinnacle Award for Public Spaces

HOTELS

Hotel Sorella (No. 12), Inn at the Ballpark (No. 80) and the St. Regis Houston (No. 172) named by Conde Nast Traveler readers as three of the top U.S. hotels

RESTAURANTS

El Real Tex-Mex included in Esquire's list of not-to-miss restaurants

Fluff Bake Bar 's Rebecca Masson and Tiny Boxwoods' Vanarin Kuch were both contestants on Top Chef Just Desserts

SHOPS

Revival Market featured in Details as one of the world's top food markets

SPORTS

Reliant Stadium named one of 8 great NFL stadiums for beer fanatics by TheDailyMeal.com

Did You Know?

Houston is the fourth largest city in the U.S.

Houston was the first word spoken from the moon.

Houstonians eat out more than residents of any other city.

The Astrodome was the world's first domed stadium.

The first successful human heart transplant was performed in Houston by Dr. Denton Cooley.

America's first public television station (KPHT-TV) launched in Houston.

Houston is the largest U.S. city with an openly gay mayor.

Howard Hughes was born in Houston and is buried in Glenwood Cemetary, less than a mile from downtown Houston.

What's New in Houston

HOUSTON (November 3, 2011)-Development never stops in Houston. Consider this your go-to guide for staying in the know on the nation's fourth largest city. For a comprehensive list of all recent Houston openings, please click here.

Major Projects · Hotels · Restaurants · The Arts · Shops · Nightlife ·

MAJOR PROJECTS

Lower Westheimer - Ongoing

Lower Westheimer-the inner-loop drag between Shepherd Drive and Bagby Street- has remained a culinary destination in the city for years. Classic, award-winning spots like Mark's, Indika, Hugo's, Feast and Da Marco were among the first on the scene. The neighborhood is now making room for a host of new restaurants in 2011. Gulf Coast-inspired chef and restaurateur Bryan Caswell-of The Next Iron Chef fame-helped kick off the Lower Westheimer resurgence, opening El Real Tex-Mex Café in spring 2011. Just across the street, boundary-pushing chef Chris Shepherd (most recently of Catalan) is set to join the mix with Underbelly. Expect the spot to reflect Shepherd's commitment to fresh, local ingredients, with a nod to Houston's culinary diversity. The concept-which is slated for an early 2012-sits next door to the soon-to-open Hay Merchant craft beer bar from Anvil Bar & Refuge's Kevin Floyd and Bobby Heugel. James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Tyson Cole rounds out the year's all-star additions, opening the second outpost of Austin-born Uchi. The celebrated sushi restaurant is expected to open in early 2012. After more than a decade serving as Executive Chef at Tony's, Olivier Ciesielski is striking out on his own with a modern European restaurant venture. L'Olivier's newly-constructed space, opening in early 2012, will set the scene for reimagined French cuisine inspired by Chef Ciesielski's native Burgundy. More...

Houston Heights - Ongoing

Houston's Historic Heights neighborhood is booming with new businesses. White Oak Drive-between Yale and Studewood-continues to evolve into a pedestrian-friendly hub. Classic, come-as-you-are spots like Jimmie's Place and music-mainstay Fitzgerald's were among the first on the scene, followed by Onion Creek Coffee House, Dry Creek burger joint and Stella Sola, which Food & Wine named one of the best new Italian restaurants in the U.S. In 2011, the White Oak strip, once again, saw an influx as BB's Cajun Café, Christian's Tailgate and the locally-sourced grocer Revival Market all opened up shop. The walkable stretch continues to expand with additional locations of D'Amico's Italian Market Café and Tacos A Go-Go, which opened in September, and Ruggles 11th Street Café, which debuted in October.

Houston Zoo Elephant Habitat Expansion - Opened October 2011

After two years of planning and construction, the expansion of the Houston Zoo's McNair Asian Elephant Habitat is now complete and open to the public. The expansion adds 1.5 acres to the elephant herd's outdoor space, a six-fold increase from what the pachyderms previously had. The addition creates a naturalistic habitat, enhancing the living space for the seven elephants, streamlining the animal care process, and providing an elevated experience for Zoo guests. More...

West Ave - Ongoing
Set at the crossroads of Upper Kirby and River Oaks, Houston's much-anticipated West Ave development is now open. The mixed-use center-which blends luxury residences and 190,000-square-feet of retail space-welcomed Austin-based Eddie V's and Ivory Bridal to the 'hood, but things are really heating up now. In early 2011, the legendary Schiller-Del Grande Group opened New Continental restaurant Ava Kitchen and Whiskey Bar and opened casually-cool Alto Pizzeria in May. Restaurateur Anita Jaisinghani (of Indika fame) opened her family-style Indian restaurant, Pondicheri, in March, and Mickey Rosmarin debuted his 35,000-square-foot fashion mainstay, Tootsies, in February. Cru Wine Bar opened in June, and Azur West, the first of three Shu Uemura Art of Hair Sanctuary Salons in the U.S., opened in March. Blow dry-only salon The Do Bar opened in July and 5,000-square-foot upscale gastrolounge Saint Genevieve and upscale men's boutiques Q Custom Clothier and Rye51 opened in September. Katsuya by S+ARCK will bring its Robata-style cuisine to West Ave in early 2012. More...

Downtown - Ongoing
Downtown is experiencing a renaissance in 2011. Four new bars opened as part of a re-imagined nightlife experience, Bayou Place Live!, in the Theater District. Western-themed PBR Houston brings country dancing and a little bull-riding action while Lucie's Liquors offers an upscale sports bar experience, Vegas-style. Retro beach concept Shark Bar and whiskey bar Chapel Spirits both debuted in May. The Blue Fish, a Dallas outpost serving up sushi, opened in March 2011. Robert Redford's highly-anticipated Sundance Cinemas , opening November 2011, will feature both general release and art films along with several drink-and-dine options. The opening of Georgia's Market Downtown complements the highly anticipated downtown debut of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, featuring more than 10,000 products from more than 50 countries. The Capitol at St. Germain, which opened in October 2011, is poised to bring a new dimension to live music, special events, entertainment, dining and cocktails to the heart of the city.

Coming Soon

Sundance Cinemas Houston - Opening November 23, 2011
Sundance Cinemas has signed a lease for the former Angelika center space at Bayou Place in the Theater District of Downtown Houston. Extensive refurbishment work is almost complete on the eight-screen complex. Sundance Cinemas Houston will offer specialized film programming, playing the finest movies for a discerning audience culled from film festivals and the best in general release. The venue will offer drinking and dining choices, all reserved seating, digital stereo sound and presentation, filmmaker screenings and exclusive events, plus free parking for patrons and community events. More...

Asia Society Texas Center - Opening April 2012

Asia Society Texas Center's $48.4 million, 38,000-square-foot headquarters designed by noted Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi features the Edward Rudge Allen III Education Center, perfect for lectures, banquets, and classes; Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery for art exhibitions; Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater; and Fayez Sarofim Grand Hall, plus three gardens, a gift shop and a cafe. Asia Society Texas Center will be the only U.S. affiliate of New York Asia Society with its own facility. Pan-Asian in outlook, ASTC presents public programs across the fields of business and policy, arts and culture, and education, and offers regular access to thought leaders from more than 30 countries, from Japan to Iran, Central Asia to New Zealand. More...

Houston Dynamo Stadium - Opening May 2012
The new Dynamo field will be a state-of-the-art, open-air stadium designed to host soccer matches as well as additional sporting and concert events. When it opens in 2012, the 22,000-seat stadium will be the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city's downtown district. Even more impressive is what's happening around the stadium as an entire neighborhood, once neglected, is being reinvigorated with new restaurants, markets and entertainment venues. From the music venue Warehouse Live to a new craft beer brewery dubbed 8th Wonder set to open early next year, East Downtown (EaDo) is coming alive. Other recent arrivals: neighborhood pub Little Woodrow's, local-sourced market Epicurean Express. An expansion of the city's light rail line set to open in 2014 will also serve walkable EaDo. More...

Houston Museum of Natural Science Paleontology Hall Expansion - Opening Summer 2012
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is expanding its Paleontology Hall-two stories tall and the size of a football field-to invite visitors to embark on a "Prehistoric Safari" through exhibits with 21st century interactivity. The exhibit will feature 61 new mounts, including 26 dinosaurs, including the most mounted T-Rexes on display anywhere. Other attractions include a nest of Quetzalcoatlus-ancient Pterosaurs with 30-foot wingspans-and a 13-foot, reconstructed jaw of a Megalodon, the largest shark ever to swim the ocean. The realistic juxtapositioning of the animals-many poised to eat or be eaten by their display mates-will be the new hall's defining characteristic.The 200,000-square-foot addition, the seventh expansion of the 102-year-old museum since its current facility opened in the 1960s, will roughly double exhibition space and triple classroom space. More...

HOTELS

Hotel ICON - Reflagged October 2011

In October, Downtown's 135-room Hotel ICON re-launched as Texas' first Autograph Collection property-a category Marriott describes as "strikingly independent luxury hotels." The move comes after Centurion Partners and Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds purchased the nearly 100-year-old landmark, considered a crown jewel among Houston hotels, earlier this year. Under the direction of Sage Hospitality, a $5-million property enhancement is now underway with an anticipated completion in summer 2012. Also new: LINE & LARIAT restaurant and L&L Bar. More...

Morty Rich HI Hostel - Opened September 2011
Situated in the heart of Montrose, the new Morty Rich HI Hostel aims to lure more young travelers to the fourth largest city in the U.S. The dormitory-style lodging option is ideal for travelers looking to experience unique places on a budget. More...

RESTAURANTS

Bird & the Bear - Opened October 2011

Elouise Adam Jones-of Ouisie's Table fame-is expanding her Houston offerings with the opening of River Oaks' The Bird and the Bear Bistro. The strip center-set outpost opened in October 2011, offering Southern favorites in the one-time home of Tony Mandola's. More...

El Gran Malo - Opened September 2011

Forget the gastrolounge boom, the folks behind the Heights' El Gran Malo are shaking things up with what they dub a "gastrocantina." Part restaurant, part tequila bar, the spot debuted in late-August 2011, turning out Mexican food and an array of specialty-infused tequilas. More...

Coppa Ristorante Italiano - Opened August 2011

Located in the stylish space that was most recently home to Catalan restaurant, Restaurateurs Grant Cooper and Charles Clark-of Ibiza and Brasserie 19 fame-opened their newest venture Coppa Ristorante Italiano in August. Chef Brandi Key has crafted an Italian-American menu highlighting the restaurant's signature pizza, seafood and pasta plates. More...

Coming Soon

Triniti - Opening November 2011

With a nod to the culinary triad of sweet, savory and spirits, Executive Chef Ryan Hildebrand is banding together with a stellar lineup of culinary talent to create Triniti, a progressive restaurant featuring California French cuisine. Triniti's core menu, which will change seasonally, features West Coast fare and French techniques, focusing on the highest quality ingredients available. Hildebrand's goal at the end of the day: to merge white tablecloth food and service with a casual, interactive dining experience. More...

Local Foods - Opening November 2011

Benjy Levit, known for forward-thinking cuisine at his two bejny's locations, is opening a fast casual, walk-up counter concept featuring locally sourced items next door to benjy's in the Village. The 3,300 square foot venue, located just west of and adjacent to benjy's, will boast a simple yet flavorful menu, offering Houstonians an ever-changing menu of grab-and-go items and made-to-order sandwiches, salads and sides. Local Foods menu will be unmatched elsewhere in Houston, as almost every ingredient utilized in the restaurant's menu will be available for sale, including local produce, homemade artisan snacks, as well as other Texas-derived products. More...

BlackFinn American Grille - Opening November 2011

Upscale casual restaurant BlackFinn American Grille will bring American classics and regional favorites to Midtown. Designed by Chef John Turner, The BlackFinn menu features fresh, local ingredients, as well as handmade cocktails. More...

Houston Texans Grille - Opening November 2011

Fort Lauderdale, FL-based G.R.E.AT. Grille Group (G3) in nearing completion on their nearly 11,000-square-foot Houston Texans Grille at CITYCENTRE. The upscale, sports-themed eatery with expansive terrace reflects the distinctive mix of food, ambience and design that have made CITYCENTRE a premier dining and entertainment destination. Located adjacent to Eddie V's on the southern end of CITYCENTRE, the Houston Texans Grille's grand opening is scheduled for November 21st.

Uchi - Opening December 2011
James Beard Award winning Chef Tyson Cole will open his second Uchi location in Houston in late 2011. The menu, which will be a combination of Uchi Austin and Uchiko, will feature traditional sushi and sashimi, a diverse menu from the kitchen and sake, wine and beer offerings. Uchi will open on Lower Westheimer in the building that was previously home to Felix Mexican Restaurant. More...

Underbelly - Opening January 2012

Chef Chris Shepherd, formerly of Catalan Food and Wine, opens Underbelly in the former Chances building in Houston's Montrose neighborhood this fall. An avid supporter of local farmers-you can see him each week at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market on Eastside-expect plenty of local ingredients, including a wide variety of Gulf seafood, on a menu inspired by the city's Southern roots and rich cultural diversity. More...

L'Olivier - Opening Early 2012

After more than a decade serving as Executive Chef at Tony's, Olivier Ciesielski is striking out on his own with a modern European restaurant venture. L'Olivier's newly-constructed space will set the scene for reimagined French cuisine inspired by Chef Ciesielski's native Burgundy. Chef Olivier promises to take the best of French cuisine-think French onion soup, steak frites or beef burgandy-and pair it with flairs from other pallets of the world. More...

Restaurant Conat - Opening Early 2012

James Beard Award-nominated Chef Randy Rucker and Pastry Chef Chris Leung, both formerly of the much-lauded Bootsies, along with business partner Christopher Balat, are partnering on a Museum District restaurant focused on indigenous and regional bounties of the Southern Gulf Coast. More...

Katsuya by S+ARCK - Opening Early 2012
The new Katsuya by S+ARCK Houston, which will be the first location in Texas, represents the seventh collaboration between sbe Founder, Chairman and CEO, Sam Nazarian, world-renowned creator and designer, Philippe S+ARCK and Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi. More...

Blacksmith - Opening Spring 2012

Greenway Coffee and Tea owners David Buehrer and Ecky Prabanto are partnering with the owners of Underbelly and The Hay Merchant to develop Blacksmith, a coffee shop, in the Mary's building on Lower Westheimer. Blacksmith will reflect a kindred spirit among baristas and the antiquated laborers who sought to craft something by hand with uncompromising quality and attention to detail. More...

THE ARTS

The Menil Collection - 25th Anniversary in 2012

2012 marks the Menil's 25th anniversary with special exhibitions, programs, and events all year. Among the highlights: FAREWELL TO THE FRESCOES (Spring 2012) - Celebrated for setting an international example of stewardship by rescuing, restoring and exhibiting rare 13th-century treasures-exquisite dome and apse paintings housed in the Byzantine Fresco Chapel-the Menil now prepares to say "farewell to the frescoes" as their time in Houston comes to a conclusion. Since the Chapel opened in 1997, hundreds of thousands of visitors have been able to see the largest intact Byzantine frescoes in the Western Hemisphere- and to experience them in a consecrated space. In the weeks leading up to the return of the frescoes to the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, the Menil will present a slate of special programs and events honoring the frescoes' sacred origins and their future. Resonating with these Chapel activities is the special exhibition IMPRINTING THE DIVINE: Byzantine and Russian Icons from the Menil Collection, on view in the main museum building through March 18, 2012. These holy images of Orthodox Christianity- dating from as early as the 6th century and spanning some 1200 years-are drawn from the Menil's permanent collection of such precious objects, widely regarded as one of the most important in the United States. More...

S SHOPS

The Little Bird - Opened September 2011

After more than four years wooing jet-setting Houstonians with her Aspen-based The Little Bird consignment boutique, Keele Loyd has expanded with a second location along Post Oak Boulevard in The Galleria area. More...

Q Custom Clothier - Opened September 2011
Set in the trendy West Ave., Dallas-based Q offers high-end, made to measure shirts and suits created from hundreds of fabric options, assembled in custom shops in Europe and shipped direct. More...

Rye51 - Opened September 2011

Q Custom Clothier's sister boutique offers more casual options from the likes of Diesel, Earnest Sewn and John Varvatos―oh, and did we mention a whiskey bar? More...

Bhldn - Opened August 2011

Located in Highland Village-just a couple of doors down from its sister brand, Anthropologie-bhldn opened in August, catering to brides-to-be and well-heeled Houstonians, alike. More...

Coming Soon

Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown - Opening November 7, 2011
Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown is a 28,000 square foot, state-of-the-art food market featuring more than 10,000 products imported from more than 50 countries. The downtown Phoenicia will also feature MKT Bar, an in-house wine and beer bar serving unique international fare. A gelato bar, gourmet sandwich station, salad bar, olive bar, demonstration kitchen, wine and cigar department, fine housewares section, full-service bakery and fresh baked pizza corner will also occupy the downtown market. More...

The Gallery at Highland Village - Opening November 11, 2011

The 25,000-square-foot Gallery at Highland Village, the largest and most dramatic expression of the Restoration Hardware brand to date, features a rooftop garden and conservatory, a fresh floral boutique, tea atelier and more. More...

Baby & Child Gallery - Opening November 11, 2011

Adjacent to The Gallery at Highland Village, Baby & Child Gallery is making its Texas debut, representing a level of design, taste, and style unseen before in the children's marketplace. More...

Georgia's Market Downtown - Opening December 2011

Georgia's Market Downtown is launching a "farm to market and table"-style grocery store and cafe in the historic building at the corner of Main and Prairie. The store and restaurant will be owned and operated by Georgia and Rick Bost, farmers and ranchers who were also among the founders of Urban Harvest Farmers Market. More...

NIGHTLIFE

The Capitol at St. Germain - Opened October 2011
The Capitol is poised to bring a new dimension to live music, special events, entertainment, dining and cocktails to the heart of the city - at the intersection of Capitol and Main. From touring acts and local favorites to unique programming, the 8,500-square-foot venue promises something old and something new in a majestic, turn-of-the-century venue restored to its original grandeur. More...

Karbach Brewing Company - Opened October 2011
Karbach Brewing Co. is the brainchild of the founders of CR Goodman Distribution Co., the group responsible for bringing labels such as Sierra Nevada, Chimay and Dogfish Head into Texas. In 2008 the partners sold their Texas portfolio to build a brewery of their own. Only on the market a short time, Karbach's brews are already making waves. Names like Sympathy for the Lager, Rodeo Clown Double IPA and Weisse Versa Wheat promise to become household names in Texas' growing craft beer movement. More...

Saint Genevieve - Opened September 2011
The Van Delden brothers continue to expand their Houston empire. Following the success of Midtown's Red Door and Wonder Bar, as well as Washington Avenue's Sawyer Park, the duo set their sights on Upper Kirby's West Ave in 2011, opening an upscale gastro-lounge dubbed Saint Genevieve. More...

Coming Soon

The Hay Merchant - Opening November 2011
The boys from Anvil Bar & Refuge are at it again. Nightlife entrepreneurs Kevin Floyd and Bobby Heugel will open their craft beer bar, The Hay Merchant, adjacent to Chef Chris Shepherd's Underbelly on Lower Westheimer this fall. With 80 beers on tap and Contemporary American Beer Food from Chef Antoine Ware-think traditional offerings like quality burgers and wings, crafted with locally-sourced meats butchered in-house-The Hay Merchant aims to showcase great craft beer in laid-back Montrose style. More...

Beer Renaissance
Four new craft breweries-Buffalo Bayou, Karbach Brewing, 8th Wonder and Yard Sale Brewing -plan to open in the next year, bringing to nine the number of professional breweries within an hour of Downtown Houston, up from just two in 2008. They join growing breweries such as Downtown's Saint Arnold, Conroe's Southern Star and No Label in nearby Katy.

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Cinema Arts Festival de Houston -

El Cinema Arts Festival Houston en su edición 2011 se realizará en la ciudad del 9 al 13 de noviembre. Este evento es organizado por Houston Cinema Art Society.

Entre las películas extranjeras que han sido anunciadas está Pina, el film en 3D del famoso director alemán Wim Wenders, dedicado a la mundialmente conocida bailarina y coreógrafa alemana y una de las grandes figuras de la danza contemporánea, Pina Bausch, quien falleció en verano del 2009.

“Pina es una película realmente hermosa y conmovedora. Es un tributo muy bello a esta gran artista”, dijo Richard Herskowitz, el director artístico del festival. “Es la primera película en 3D que se va a presentar en Cinema Arts Festival. Wim Wenders utiliza 3D como un poderoso efecto para trasportar a la audiencia en el mágico mundo de Pina Bausch.”

Además, se espera con mucha expectativa la participación en el festival del aclamado cineasta chileno-español Patricio Guzmán, quien viene a Houston para lanzar su serie de cinco documentales, llamada El Universo de Patricio Guzmán: Reflexiones sobre el Arte, la Ciencia, la Religión y la Historia. Durante el festival, Guzmán participará personalmente en tres foros.

Los amantes del séptimo arte también podrán deleitarse con el trabajo de Zhu Wen, escritor, guionista y director nativo de China. Wen recibió en 2001 el Gran Premio del Jurado en el Festival de Cine de Venecia por su primera película, Seafood. En Houston, Wen presentará su seudo-comedia de ciencia ficción Thomas Mao.

Para conocer la lista completa de películas que participarán en el Cinema Arts Festival Houston y los itinerarios, visite http://cinemartsociety.org. A partir del 18 de octubre, las entradas también estarán disponibles online a través de ese sitio Web.

Además de la presentación de numerosas películas provenientes de diferentes países y la asistencia de invitados especiales, el festival contará con varias presentaciones de músicos y artistas en vivo, incluyendo al virtuoso violinista Philippe Quint y la artista multimedia Miwa Matreyek. Para el cierre del festival, el 13 de noviembre, está previsto el estreno mundial de la película Art Car: The Movie, que se presentará en el Miller Outdoor Theater en Hermann Park.

El año pasado, miles de los amantes del cine participaron en más de 40 presentaciones de películas y otros eventos del festival.

Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS), que organiza este festival, es una organización sin fines de lucro creada en 2008. Desde entonces, con el apoyo de ex-alcalde de Houston, Bill White, y bajo el liderazgo de Franci Crane, HCAS ha organizado festivales de cine y multimedia en el 2009 y el 2010, estableciendo una sólida plataforma para celebrar la diversidad cultural de Houston y presentar tanto obras cinematográficas innovadoras como los nuevos medios que se utilizan por los artistas en diferentes esferas, incluyendo cine, literatura y artes escénicas.

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Los Días Internacionales en el Rodeo 2012 -

Los Días Internacionales en el marco del Rodeo y la Feria Ganadera de Houston (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo) en su edición del 2012 tendrán lugar del 28 de febrero al 6 de marzo en Reliant Park, según la agenda preparada por el Comité Internacional de este evento.

“Los Días Internacionales ofrecen a los visitantes del exterior una oportunidad única de participar en actividades educacionales y culturales, además de atender todos los asuntos relacionados con la compra del ganado”, explicó Jorge Franz, Vicepresidente de Turismo de GHCVB, acotando que en 2011 visitantes de más de 50 países asistieron a este evento de fama mundial.

La agenda para los Días Internacionales del 2012 prevé la realización –el 1 de marzo- de la 22da. edición de Annual Texas Agri-Summit (la Cumbre Agrícola Anual de Texas). Será un día completo de seminarios educacionales, demostraciones del ganado y otras actividades relacionadas con la agricultura. También habrá un gran almuerzo y mucho entretenimiento para toda la familia.

El 2 de marzo tendrá lugar una gran Fiesta Internacional con cena y bailes en honor a los visitantes internacionales.

El sábado 3 de marzo se prevé la realización de Ladies´Luncheon, un elegante brunch y un desfile de modas para las visitantes femeninas.

Durante los Días Internacionales, un equipo de voluntarios ofrecerá gratuitamente servicios de traducción para facilitar la visita a los que no hablan inglés. Los mismos voluntarios también brindarán asistencia en asuntos relacionados con la compra/venta del ganado. Además, los visitantes internacionales podrán contar con un centro de negocios dentro de la feria.

Para tener acceso al Comité Internacional, los visitantes -turistas y ganaderos- tienen que registrarse con anterioridad. Para más información sobre el registro y eventos visite www.rodeohouston.com/events/international. Si por alguna razón su agenda no le permite asistir al evento durante los Días Internacionales, tenga en cuenta que el Rodeo durará –en su totalidad- del 28 de febrero al 18 de marzo.

Sobre Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

En 1932, un pequeño grupo de personas tuvieron la visión de establecer lo que ahora es el Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Desde entonces, el show ha evolucionado y ha crecido para convertirse en un gran evento de fama mundial. Desde 2003 se realiza en el Estadio Reliant y el Centro Reliant, ambos ubicados en el Parque Reliant, muy cerca del Centro Médico de Texas. El Centro Reliant ofrece 130.000 metros cuadrados de espacio para convenciones y reuniones. El estadio tiene capacidad para 71.500 personas y es también casa del equipo de fútbol americano de la NFL, Los Houston Texans.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tiene entre sus objetivos no sólo mostrar lo mejor de la ganadería y sus prácticas, sino también apoyar a los jóvenes y su educación. Desde su fundación en 1932, la organización ha aportado más de 265 millones de dólares para las becas y numerosos programas de educación e investigación. Para más información, visite www.rodeohouston.com. También puede seguir al Rodeo en Facebook, MySpace o en Twitter (rodeohouston).

Para conocer más sobre Houston, explore el sitio Web en español de GHCVB www.VisitaHoustonTexas.com <http://www.VisitaHoustonTexas.com> . En el website también conseguirá enlaces a la página de GHCVB en Facebook, en español.

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Haunted Houston -

Behind every man now alive stand 30 ghosts, for that is the ratio by which the dead outnumber the living.
-Arthur C. Clarke, 2001: A Space Odyssey

Spaghetti Warehouse. Credit: Katya Horner

Do you like a good scare? With Halloween approaching, people will soon begin flocking to the most mysterious and surreal locales. The Houston/Galveston region is one of most haunted destinations in the U.S., where ghostly pirates still patrol the waters and heiresses remained tied to their mansions.

Believers and nonbelievers alike seeking an adventure this fall will want to check out some of these local haunts.

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Built around the turn of the 20th Century, the Downtown Houston building that now houses Spaghetti Warehouse has since been named one of the most haunted places in the nation by CitySearch and Real Simple magazine and is easily the most haunted establishment in the city. It's said to have once housed fur pelts and at one point served as a warehouse for pharmaceuticals. The ghost stories begin when a young pharmacist accidentally fell into the open elevator shaft and fell several feet to his death. His wife, traumatized by grief of the sudden death, died about a year later. It is said that these grief stricken lost souls, especially the pharmacist's wife, haunt the vast restaurant, rearranging furniture, leaving dishes and silverware in disarray, and tapping guests on the shoulder or pulling their hair. Diners have also spotted floating objects and cool, clammy breezes. Many of the employees at the Spaghetti Warehouse have stories of their own—some are even afraid to venture upstairs. 901 Commerce St., Houston

Hosting six Presidents while in office, The Rice Hotel is where John F. Kennedy spent his last night before being assassinated in November 1963. It's said that cold spots, rattling doors and beds, orbs of light and a presence are felt in JFK's room. Ghost dancers appeared in the ballroom before it was renovated in to the Rice Lofts. Now the lofts are haunted by spirits who dance on the rooftop. 909 Texas Ave., Houston

Anchored just off the Houston Ship Channel floats the historic monument to those who fought and died in two world wars, the Battleship Texas. This popular site for paranormal activity claims inexplicable murmurs and noises, vapor appearing in photographs and feelings of apparitions passing by. A friendly red-headed sailor who died while on duty is said to occasionally appear on the second deck. Based on personal experiences by visitors, this ship is a site to see for those who believe in the paranormal. 3523 Battleground Road, La Porte

With their elaborate Italian Renaissance inspired design, the Esperson Buildings are some of the most recognizable buildings in Downtown Houston. Mellie Esperson had the two buildings constructed for her husband Niels, an oil tycoon, in 1927 and 1941. The ghost of Millie is said to haunt the building since her passing, particularly the elevator which has been known to open on its own and frequently malfunction. Her ghostly figure has reportedly been seen wandering the halls and lobbies of her prized architectural creations. 808 Travis St., Houston

Located off Memorial Drive along the shores of Buffalo Bayou is the beautifully landscaped Glenwood Cemetery. With over 60 acres of monuments and elaborate mausoleums, Glenwood is the final resting place of many influential Houstonians, including mayors, governors, business tycoons and even famed aviator Howard Hughes. The manicured, tree-shaded lawns appear serene. But appearances can be deceiving. The cemetery has been consistently ghost hunted and has shown EMF abnormalities. The owner of the cemetery was murdered and the case remains an unsolved mystery. It is rumored that the ghost of the owner haunts this historic burial ground to this day. 2525 Washington Ave., Houston

Named after the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis Hospital was erected in 1924 atop what was once a Confederate cemetery and before that, a burial site for plague victims. Several human bones were uncovered during excavation. Throughout its history, the building served as a hospital, a psychiatric ward, juvenile detention center and food stamp distribution venue. The hospital sat abandoned for decades and was said to be haunted by angry soldiers, doctors, nurses and patients. Although the building was off limits, it didn't stop paranormal investigators and curious individuals from sneaking in. Screams and howls have been heard throughout the building and shadowy figures and unusual sightings have been caught on film. The building has since been renovated into The Elder Street Artists Lofts—affordable living in a low-income neighborhood. Have the spirits finally gone to rest? Some say the 5,000 to 6,000 buried on the site are still making their presence known. 1101 Elder St., Houston

In the early 1900s, library caretaker Jacob Frank Cramer used to roam the premises of the Julia Ideson Building, now across from downtown Houston's Main Branch Library. He spent his leisure time strolling through the halls, playing violin and playing with his dog. In 1936, he died alone in his room, located in the basement. The ghosts of Cramer and his dog, Petey, are said to haunt the library to this day. Employees report eerie strains of violin music, especially on gloomy days, and the clicking of Petey's toenails on the marble floors heard throughout the halls. 500 McKinney St., Houston

A downtown Houston wine and dive bar, La Carafe, is believed to be the oldest bar in Houston. Built in 1866, the building is small and worn, but most notably haunted by a former bartender named Carl. Employees have reported hearing footsteps, glass breaking, the sound of heavy objects moving around the vacant second floor, and cold spots in the restrooms. The figure of a large African American man resembling Carl has been spotted standing in the second floor window after closing time. 813 Congress St., Houston

Arguably Houston's most direct line to the afterlife is the National Museum of Funeral History. Located on the north side of the city near Bush Intercontinental Airport, NMFH has the country's largest collection of funeral service artifacts, from hearses through the ages to an extensive collection of memorabilia from U.S. presidents' funerals. There's an exhibit dedicated to exploring the evolution of the embalming process, from ancient Egypt to today and another that looks at the Mexican custom celebrating Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The museum's most elaborate exhibit focuses on the rituals and customs associated with the death of a Catholic pope. You'll want to explore NMFH's extensive gift shop for unique take home items. 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston

Ashton Villa, located on Galveston Island, is a three-story mansion built in the 1860s by wealthy businessman James Brown. The elegant residence showcasing Italian design and dominated by a grand central stairway survived the Civil War where it was used as a hospital and a meeting place for Union and Confederate forces. Once everything was back to normal, Brown lived in the mansion peacefully with his daughter Bettie. Known for her striking beauty and love of material objects and possessions, Bettie had no desire to ever settle down with a man, and instead focused on living her luxurious life collecting fans, gowns, clothes, costumes, and art. After she died in 1920, Bettie's ghost seemed unable to part with her possessions. She has been seen and her presence felt in the mansion's ornate Gold Room, where her collections are on display, as well as on the stairway and second landing. It has also been reported that furniture moves by itself, Bettie's bed won't stay made, ceiling fans turn on by themselves and her chest of drawers spontaneously locks and unlocks. 2328 Broadway St., Galveston

Built in 1911, 11 years after a devastating hurricane struck Galveston, The Hotel Galvez was referred to as the "Playground of the Southwest" mostly for wealthy socialites, businessmen, and celebrities. The ghost stories begin at room 505, where a female guest who'd just received word she lost her husband, hung herself upon returning to her room. Dubbed the lovelorn lady, she is said to create quite a racket on the fifth floor. The ladies restroom downstairs has also reported peculiar activity. Claims include violently shaking stall doors, toilets that flush on their own, sinks that turn on by themselves and the unusual scent of gardenias. Investigators have captured photographic evidence while staying at the hotel. The hotel even offers seasonal ghost tours. 2024 Seawall Blvd., Galveston

Born in France, the pirate Jean Lafitte is credited with helping defend Louisiana from the British in the War of 1812. He traveled between New Orleans and Galveston, establishing the Barataria and Campeche kingdoms. His ship and his ghostly image have been spotted sailing along the Gulf Coast to this day. Workers on oil platforms and crews of offshore supply vessels claim to regularly see a billow of sails on the horizon heading east, hear the flapping of sail riggings, and the cry of phantom voices spoken in Barataria. The ghostly fleet is said to produce visible white foam where the bows break the waves that have almost besieged small boats. Jean Lafitte appeared to a three-man charter fishing boat before Hurricane Katrina struck. Could Jean Laffite be protecting his beloved coast? Or is his sighting an omen to disaster?

Legend has it that the site where the University of Texas Medical Branch's Ewing Hall now stands in Galveston once belonged to a man who refused to sell his beloved property. He told his children that if they sold it when he died he would come back to haunt them. After his death, his daughter sold the property to UTMB. Once Ewing Hall was built, the old owner's face appeared on the fourth floor panel of the building facing the ocean. After sandblasting and painting over that panel in attempts to remove the face, the image reappeared on the third floor panel directly beneath it. Once again the panel was sandblasted and power washed, and once again the face reappeared, this time on the second floor panel. UTMB eventually gave up on removing the face and it is now a permanent feature on Ewing Hall. 700 Harborside Dr., Galveston

For questions or comments about this story, email amistretta@ghcvb.org

Teatro, Opera, Ballet, Música Sinfónica: Lo Mejor Está en Houston -

El otoño marca el inicio de la temporada 2011 - 2012 de teatro, ópera, música sinfónica y ballet en la ciudad de Houston, lo cual nos llena de emoción a quienes gustamos de esas representaciones artísticas, lo cual se debe a varios factores muy positivos: en primer lugar, la calidad de las representaciones es de primer nivel mundial, pues Houston es una de las pocas ciudades de los Estados Unidos con compañías profesionales residentes a las que se ha invertido mucho dinero, trabajo y talento para que se cuenten entre lo mejor de lo mejor, tal como Broadway en Nueva York o el West End en Londres, como las grandes óperas de Europa y las mejores orquestas de todo el mundo.

En segundo lugar, Houston es una importante puerta de entrada a los Estados Unidos y existe una excelente conectividad aérea entre esta ciudad texana y las principales ciudades de América Latina. Por otra parte, las instalaciones son extraordinarias, los precios son accesibles, la gente es muy amable y, por si fuera poco, Houston es una ciudad con todo lo necesario para pasar unos días en verdad inolvidables: excelentes museos, compras que son toda una tentación, los mejores restaurantes, buenos campos de golf, hoteles de primera línea, un centro médico que se cuenta entre los mejores del mundo, atracciones tan interesantes como el centro espacial de la NASA, un maravilloso acuario, deportes profesionales y mucho más para toda la familia.

El Ballet de Houston anuncia su nueva temporada con cuatro puestas en escena que se añaden a su repertorio: Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes, de Mark Morris y la nueva versión de Giselle de Ai-Gul Gaisina (bailarín entrenado en el Kírov), ambas puestas en septiembre de 2011; así como premieres mundiales de Stanton Welch en marzo de 2012 y de Nicolo Fonte en mayo de 2012.

Por su parte, la Houston Grand Opera presentará El Barbero de Sevilla del 21 de octubre al 6 de noviembre de 2011; Fidelio del 28 de octubre al 13 de noviembre de 2011; La Traviata del 27 de enero al 12 de febrero de 2012; El Rapto de Lucrecia del 3 al 11 de febrero de 2012; Don Carlos del 13 al 28 de abril de 2012; y Mary Stuart del 21 de abril al 4 de mayo de 2012.

La Sinfónica de Houston nos deleitará con creaciones maravillosas como el Himno a la Alegría (de la Novena Sinfonía de Beethoven), Concierto para Violín de Brahms, la Sinfonía Número 6 de Dvorak, así como música popular, destacando la serie Viva Italia, con piezas de El Padrino, Jersey Boys, arias de La Traviata y El Barbero de Sevilla y, por supuesto, Nesum Dorma, para luego seguir hasta las delicias de la música navideña y los ritmos que gustan a todos los miembros de la familia.

El Teatro Alley, como siempre, a la vanguardia, nos deleita con dramas, comedias y musicales para divertirnos y también para ponernos a pensar, tales como Ether Dome, Dividing the Estate, The Toxic Avenger, The Seagull, Red, The Seafarer, What We´re Up Against, Noises Off, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, y The Santaland Diaries.

Por su parte, el Hobby Center nos trae lo mejor de Broadway, como Memphis, The Addams Family, Million Dollar Quartet, Come Fly Away, Wishful Drinking, y The Lion King.

Theater Under the Stars presenta Vote!, Guys & Dolls, White Christmas, Bring It On: The Musical, Annie, La Cage, y The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Todo lo anterior se puede disfrutar en el Distrito de Teatros de Houston, una zona céntrica de unas 17 manzanas que ofrece 12,948 asientos para asistir a los mejores espectáculos escénicos, cerca de excelentes restaurantes y centros de compras para completar una experiencia en verdad memorable.

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Houston's Heading to Market -

When it comes to farm-fresh food in the heart of a major metropolitan city, Houston is joining the likes of San Francisco and Portland. And as more specialty markets emerge across H-Town, devout foodies can now find fresh, organic produce, meats and other foodstuffs any day of the week.

Buying sustainable and organic is a growing trend nationwide—U.S. sales of organic food and beverages hit $26.7 billion last year, up nearly 8 percent from 2009, according to the Organic Trade Association. In Houston, increasingly eco-conscious consumers also recognize the benefits of supporting area businesses and farmers.

"Our customers like they idea that the food they purchase and eat here has been grown or made locally and that we know the people who grew it and made it," says Ryan Pera, chef and co-owner of the new Revival Market. Pera’s business partner, farmer Morgan Weber adds: "They also feel good that they are supporting local farmers and food artisans and helping to enrich our greater food community by doing so."

Here’s a breakdown of the new spots:

Epicurean Express, near Minute Maid Park, brings the northern edge of Downtown a much-needed 3,500-square-foot market offering a mix of fresh produce, dry goods, cleaning products, wine and beer. Inside, you’ll find polished concrete floors, wood accents and an exposed-beam ceiling that echo Epicurean Express’ eco-efforts.

Offering fresh foods and household staples to people in the Museum District, Nature’s Market can be found in the Mosaic on Hermann Park. Organic food and locally grown produce provide the backbone of the store, along with a custom juice bar, olive oil bar and wine by the bottle and glass. Owner Ganesh Krishnan and partners tout their new market as a convenient option for those who live and work in the district and neighboring Texas Medical Center.

Carrying more than 6,000 products from more than 50 countries around the world, Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown will be a haven for foodies, chefs and Downtown dwellers starting this September. Catering to the cosmopolitan clientele who live and work Downtown, Phoenicia will be a one-stop shop carrying gourmet foods and household basics. Here you will also fine a posh wine and beer bar, gelato bar to satisfy your sweet tooth, a modern dining area with comfortable seating, and designated cooking demonstrations.

Relish Fine Foods carries a wide assortment of foodstuffs, from a selection of local cheeses and jams to prepared foods and lunches featuring seasonal produce and hand-picked ingredients. All of Relish's products can be shipped and prepared foods are available for take-out or special order for in-store pickup. A member of Slow Food USA, Relish supports the slow food movement, obtains the freshest ingredients through local producers and carries quality products and specialty items not often found in bigger supermarkets.

Conveniently centered in the Heights neighborhood, Revival Market serves up everything from produce and dairy to specialty coffees and artisan breads. The owners/pioneers of the local food movement in Houston, Ryan Pera and Morgan Weber, are trying to revive the concept of the old time corner market, where people could pick up everything they would need for a meal, plus a few extras, all without dealing with a big grocery store. At Revival you'll find such interesting items as stoneground polenta and corn grits, homemade preserves, honey from local beekeepers and breads from Houston baking company Slow Dough.

Part grocery store, part community gathering place, the new Whole Foods Montrose is a foodie wonderland. From mountains of fresh, organic produce to the BBQ station—the chain’s newest Houston store is turning out to be a crowd pleaser. There’s a breakfast taco stand, fresh prepared foods section, extensive butcher shop and even a beer and wine tasting bar.

The Benjy's in Rice Village is also getting in on the market game. Owner Benjy Levit plans to open Local Foods at the site of the former Antone's grocery adjacent to the restaurant this October.

Farmers Markets

For those looking to get their goods directly from the consumer, there are a growing number of farmers markets popping up across Houston. From fresh produce to prepared foods, here are some popular places doing the mobile market concept right:

Sunday
The Highland Village Farmers Market operates beneath a permanent open-air structure behind Highland Village Shopping Center’s Jos. A. Bank—features an array of area vendors that practice sustainable or organic farming methods. The weekly gathering is held each Sunday from 9AM to 1PM, along the 4000 block of Westheimer Road, on the southwest side of the shopping center.

Tuesday
Located in the Christ the King parking lot, the Houston Farmers Market at Rice Village is lit up Tuesdays 3:30-6:30 p.m. Here you will find seasonal produce, micro greens and herbs from Gundermann Farms and other area farms, bread from Kraftsmen Bakery, chocolates, preserves, hot pepper jellies, handmade soaps and flowers.

Wednesday
The City Hall Farmers Market launched in early October with 40 vendors and now takes place every Wednesday (with a break in the summer) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. around the reflecting pool outside Houston City Hall. The City Hall market is part of a broader local foods initiative launched by Mayor Annise Parker designed to encourage Houstonians to eat fresh and eat local. Downtown office workers and area residents can also pick from a large assortment of prepared and hot foods for lunch—making the market a destination.

Saturday
Located in the parking lot of T'afia, the Midtown Farmers Market, open rain or shine, has grown to a Saturday morning staple. Market founder Monica Pope and other chefs work to bring the community together on the cornerstone of food with offerings from local farmers, craftspeople, and chefs making artisanal, handcrafted breads, chocolates, pastries, and prepared foods.

Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, the Urban Harvest Farmers Market offers fruits, vegetables, coffee, meats from grass fed cattle, and honey amongst many other products. There are weekly events ranging from live music and culinary demonstrations in which local products at the market are used.

With a Saturday start time of 1 p.m., the Haven Farmers Market is a welcome option for those that want to eat fresh, healthy fare, but just can’t drag themselves out of bed before noon on Saturday mornings. Beyond the array of just-picked produce, guests can also snag locally-produced cheeses, eggs and other prepared goods like St. Arnold’s mustard, chocolate croissants and Texas olive oil.

Daily
Canino's Produce is a giant farmers market that has been offering a tremendous selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, vinegars, and even milk and eggs for years. There's no place else in the city where you can buy a farm-fresh pineapple (in bulk, if you wish) at 6 a.m. any day of the week, year-round. Go to the very back for the best deals and the freshest, hard-to-find items. Whatever you do, don't miss the tamales. Open daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fashion Finds in Houston -

With Fashion Week just around the corner and annual fashion issues hitting magazine stands this month, there’s no time like the present to spotlight Houston’s style-savvy offerings. Check out these stores that keep the city looking good.

Vintage & Consignment

Cheeky Vintage: Score one-of-a-kind treasures at Tina Davis and Denise Hazen’s Upper Kirby boutique. The shop offers a hand-picked selection of designer retroware from the 1950s to 1980s, but it’s not your typical resale shop. Designer frocks by Christian Dior and Bill Blass share space with pieces from now-defunct department stores like Sakowitz and Battestein’s.

Couture Blowout: Fatou Fall’s Montrose boutique shines with finds by luxury designers like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and Chloe. Expect racks filled with feminine dresses and skirts, as well as pants, tops and jackets (many of which still have tags) that have been rescued from small boutiques, end-of-the-season sales and the closets of Houston’s well-heeled fashionistas. 

More Than You Can Imagine: Owner Vicki Rizzo has a discriminating eye and talent for tracking down hard-to-find pieces. Visit her River Oaks boutique for designer label clothing, shoes and accessories, along with gifts, paper goods and home décor. The store also accept shoes, accessories and designer clothing sized 0 to 20 for consignment.

Men's Clothing

Aerosal Warfare: What started with a quarterly video magazine in the 1990s and collaborations with nonprofits like DiverseWorks, Spacetaker and Lawndale Art Center eventually led to the opening of the EaDo district’s Aerosol Warfare gallery. Owned by Christian Azul and Gonzo247, the appointment-only spot blends street fashion and art exhibits into a funky boutique space. Look for an eclectic mix of screen printed tees, hoodies and eyewear by urban designer brands like Obey and Claw Money.

Duo: The looks you'll find at Duo are so trendy they are undoubtedly due to be "so last season" in a few months. But that's the best part, because the clothes themselves cost so little you are bound to get your money's worth--not to mention, you'll be so hip it hurts. American Apparel Concepts, which owned the now shuttered Clue, is hoping to launch the concept nationwide as an American answer to H&M. Though the shop offers fashions for both sexes, women's wear takes up a lot more space than menswear (isn't that always the case?). When the boutique moved from the Galleria to Montrose, furniture became part of its collection.

Hamilton Shirts: Still owned by the family that started the business in 1883, Hamilton specializes in bespoke and made-to-measure shirts of the highest quality. Hand cut from double-ply Italian and Swiss fabrics, the shirts are made at the Richmond Avenue store by trained specialists who have been with the company for years. You can watch them work through a picture window in the store and see marvel at their artistry.

Mortar: Dapper Montrose denizens have a go-to spot for contemporary menswear at Mortar. The chic boutique, owned by Iris Trent Siff and Sacha Nelson, stocks a slew of emerging designers including exclusive Houston lines like Jutta Neumann’s handmade leather shoes and Riviera Club’s vintage-California-inspired collection.

M2M Style Lounge: Set in the heart of the Montrose neighborhood, M2M has become a must-stop for fashion-conscious guys. There's an extensive showcase of designer underwear and swimsuits to fit any need. And that's just for starters. We're talking jeans by D&G and other top denim houses, shirts by the likes of Penguin, Hugo Boss and many more. There's also plenty of sunglasses, belts and other accessories to peruse. Care for a cocktail while you shop? You've come to the right place.

Eco-conscious Clothing

One Green Street: Houston’s first Leed-certified retailer joined West U’s already stellar shopping line-up in early 2010, offering guys, girls and four-legged customers style-conscious and sustainable goods in a 2,000-square-foot space. Founder Sherry Eichberger stocks her well-edited boutique with clothing and a range of products including skin, hair and pet lines by W3ll People, Juice Beauty and Houston’s own Sari Motley Cosmetics.

Moss Boutique: Montrose’s hip, eco-minded Moss Boutique stocks an array of flirty, feminine dresses, tops and accessories—all boasting pricetags that are less than $100. Freestanding racks fill the space, holding an array of ruffled blouses, breezy tunics and comfy cotton dresses. Near the register, a glass case holds a mix of cuffs, necklaces and accessories, tempting even the most fiscally responsible fashionista.

Jewelry & Accessories

A Bientot: It’s been more than 15 years since Betty Newton and Cristiana Anderson launched their accessories biz in River Oaks. The boutique is known for its array of jewelry, bags and scarves, many of which are culled from locations all around the globe, as well as laid-back, preppy clothing, shoes and giftables.

Alexandra Knight: Native Houstonian and former fashion editor Alexandra Knight has quickly become one of the world's most innovative designers of handmade alligator handbags. She embodies two of the most important trends in fashion: customization and individuality. Hilary Swank, Michelle Williams and Sandra Bullock are only a few of Knight’s celebrity client list.

Elaine Turner: It’s been nearly a decade since H-Town-based accessory designer Elaine Turner launched her namesake line of clutches, totes and, more recently, shoes. Today, the former apparel designer and merchandiser is well-known nationally for her timeless, travel-inspired collections, which she sells at her boutiques, Nordstrom stores and 200 specialty shops throughout the U.S. Visit her Houston outposts in Rice Village and CityCentre.

Lenny e Cia: Founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this prestigious fashion house opened its first international boutique in Uptown Park, near the Galleria, in 2007. Recognized as a leading luxury label in Brazil, Lenny e Cia is known for its limited edition handbags, shoes, carry-ons, leather goods and accessories. Stop in and find the largest selection of Melissa shoes in the U.S., too.

Fashion Frontrunners

Abejas: Abejas Boutique is first on the must-shop list for local “It” girls in the know. If a Hollywood starlet is wearing the hottest jean or the biggest bag, then you can bet Abejas will have it on its shelves. James Perse, Cake, Johnny Was and Velvet are among the labels at Abejas, but the friendly staff can easily navigate the names and fits for shoppers. The much-anticipated sidewalk sale held twice a year is the closest Houston shoppers get to sample sales and women descend on the boutique in droves to try on and buy, buy, buy.

Atrium Ready-to-Wear: Luvi Wheelock’s 500-square-foot Parisian-inspired shop stocks cocktail dresses and ready-to-wear evening frocks from a mix of well-known and rising-star designers. Designs by Prabal Gurung, Palazzo and Angel Sanchez share space with Christian Cota, Trias and Yigal Azrouel. Bonus: Fans don’t have to worry about running into their fashion doppelganger at a social event, since Atrium only carries one size in each design, allowing pieces to be tailored to each customer’s body.

Coquette Boutique & Bistro: Model-turned-stylist-and-designer Aries Milan shares her love for fashion in her Lower Westheimer-set boutique. The store—whose name comes from the French term for “young, beautiful, flirty girl”—delivers sought-after designer labels in an airy, open space. Among some of Milan’s style-minded selections are a mix of casual and cocktail-ready dresses, blazers and sequined leggings from west coast labels like Michelle Mason, Alexis LaMontagna and Graham & Spencer.

Enticingly Chic: Jennifer Diehl is putting her degree in fashion retail management and personal shopping experience to work at her River Oaks Shopping Center-set Enticingly Chic. The boutique stocks clothing and accessories by rising-star designers and fashion-industry veterans. On the racks, Hunter Dixon frocks mingle with Tracy Reese tops and flirty Sea, New York dresses.

Leap Boutique: Susan Silverman’s edgy style isn't for the St. John knit-wearing set; rather, it's for women who don't mind a few intentional wrinkles, deconstructed sweaters and salvaged hems. Hip without trying too hard, the Bissonnet-set shop stocks well-edited pieces by names such as Graham & Spencer (the design team that gave us Velvet), Hazel Brown, the edgy Italian brand ReSet, Orla Kiely and Majesti.

Lot 8: Chloe Dao's boutique in Rice Village became a stop on many a tourist's to-do list, thanks to Dao's winning of the second season of Bravo's Project Runway. Of course, local fans of her smart and sexy clothes already knew she and her Lot 8 boutique were champs. Besides her own line, shoppers will delight in designs by Single, Dress, Abaco and Li Li Rose, plus plenty of accessories and shoes and a men's line called Adam's Apple.

Muse Boutique: The exclusive River Oaks shop stocks trendsetting New York and L.A. brands of women's clothing, accessories, handbags and jewelry. Find Calypso wrap dresses and Halston Heritage smock tops alongside Hunter Dixon skirts and Melissa jellies. While you’re perusing, keep an eye out for Billy, Muse’s resident goldendoodle lounging around the store.

Tootsies: After 25 years, Tootsies has moved from its Highland Village space into shiny, new West Ave. digs. The 35,000-square-foot space is open and airy-bathed in natural light—with glossy, eye-catching accents sprinkled throughout. Shoppers will find new designers, an expanded accessories department and a private party room with space for your 30 nearest and dearest—complete with an adjoining catering kitchen.

Dining in Montrose -

Looking for a bite to eat in Houston’s “gayborhood”? Montrose has long been a restaurant lover’s dream, with fun and quirky eateries spread along Westheimer, Montrose Boulevard and deeper inside this eclectic district. Now a bunch of new spots are joining the old favorites, creating a unique foodie destination for locals and visitors alike.

1308 Cantina
Elegant earth tones and a refined menu define this grill and margarita bar owned by local Tex-Mex mavens, the Laurenzos (Ninfas, El Tiempo Cantina). The menu features classics like tacos, tamales, chalupas, enchiladas and combo plates while house specialties involve the oak grill for savory fajitas, quail, baby back ribs and jalapeno sausage. How it’s gay friendly: This is the place to be on Friday nights after 6 p.m. Gay guys flock here for the skinny margs and the fajitas.

Baba Yega
Since 1975, this converted bungalow-turned-eatery has charmed regulars with healthy fare and hearty portions. A crowd as eclectic as the menu dines in cozy tables throughout the house--on the back veranda with a view of the tranquil gardens and koi pond, oak-tree shaded front patio (ideal for people-watching) or the antique-filled main dining area. How it’s gay friendly: Baba Yega is in the middle of the Pacific Street gay scene. Because of that, the restaurant caters to a predominantly gay clientele. Definitely try the brunch buffet.

Barnaby’s Montrose
Constantly humming with lively conversation, this cozy cafe is a popular Montrose neighborhood hangout. The snug diner features fresh, uncomplicated, contemporary food. The service is quick, and the price is right. How it’s gay friendly: From the sheepdog mascot surrounded by rainbows to the service with a little sass wait staff, Barnaby’s is where the boys gather to gossip for Sunday brunch.

BB’s
Set in a strip center in the heart of Montrose, BB’s offers up Gulf Coast cuisine and New Orleans-inspired fare with a Texas twist. Dig into one of 15 different po’boy varieties, as well as wallet-friendly Cajun favorites like Bubba Lump salad, boudin balls and gumbo. There's also a great selection of frozen daquiris, you can even take some "2 geaux". How it’s gay friendly: What’s better when you leave the bars late at night than a greasy po-boy within walking distance? Yeah that’s right.

Berryhill Baja Grill & Cantina
Newcomers at the bustling order counter may be flummoxed by the mix-and-match a la carte menu, but the options are impressive. Fish tacos remain a prudent choice, with chunks of catfish cradled in double-wrapped white corn tortillas. How it’s gay friendly: the perfect people-watching patio fronting Montrose, this place has the disco brunch concept down.

Brasil
Artsy types, poetry buffs and music lovers from all walks of life count this warm coffeehouse as a favorite. Contemporary art by local artisans adorns the walls, and tiny metal tables with South American Kokopelli-type creatures carved into the tops line a performance area. How it’s gay friendly: Brasil is a neighborhood hangout for the artistic gay set and a favorite spot for stimulating conversation.

Canopy
Expect well-prepared items at this stylishly-chic bistro like buttermilk fried pork loin, crab remoulade and heirloom tomato salad, oven-roasted natural chicken and chocolate hazelnut tart. How it’s gay friendly: Canopy is a perfectly romantic spot for a date that’s convenient to pre- and after-dinner cocktail stops.

El Real
Back in the good old days, before there were pre-formed taco shells and canned enchilada sauces, restaurant Tex-Mex was just like homemade. El Real Tex-Mex café offers the same homestyle flavors–and the same fresh-fried taco shells, house made chili powder, and made-from-scratch enchilada sauces that your grandparents once enjoyed. How it’s gay friendly: Located right near the intersection of Montrose and Westheimer, El Real has rehabilitated a historic theater building and brought new life to an area that once housed Houston’s gay and lesbian bookstore.

Hugo’s
This restaurant is housed in a 1925 structure designed and built by Houston architect Joseph Finger, who is also responsible for Houston’s Art Deco-style City Hall. The Latin-inspired building has been lovingly restored to feature its original beauty, and the interiors designed to include both “chic” contemporary touches and inviting traditional elements of old Mexico. Chef Hugo Ortega features refined Mexico City classics with a contemporary twist. How it’s gay friendly: Easily some of the best gourmet Mexican fare in Houston, Hugo’s is a must for a date close to the action just a few blocks away.

Jenni’s Noodle House
It's hard to say which is more alluring: the jaw-droppingly cheap prices or the winking, witty atmosphere. In either case, this unassuming Vietnamese-American establishment gives customers expertly prepared Vietnamese food at remarkably reasonable rates. How it’s gay friendly: Jenni’s is a favorite gay hangout. Maybe it’s the fun sayings like “it’s all good in the noodlehood” or the fact that Jenni’s is a big supporter of LGBT causes, including Pride Houston.

Michaelangelo’s
From couples to coworkers, multiple generations of Houstonians have passed through Michelangelo's dimly lit dining room. This cozy house with a tree in the middle sets the mood with relaxed decor and satisfying comfort food. Diners wait for tables in a small bar adjacent to the stage. Romantic piano standards drift through the two dining rooms and covered patio. Service is friendly and efficient. How it’s gay friendly: A romantic spot. Period.

Mo Mong
You'll have to look hard to find this Vietnamese gem hidden behind the Hollywood Video store. With soaring two-story matte steel partitions and Asian minimalist accents, the restaurant's stunning decor highlights the creativity of the fusion cuisine. How it’s gay friendly: Wednesdays bring the boys to Mo Mong for cocktails and Vietnamese in an upbeat party atmosphere.

Niko Niko’s
No matter the time of day or night, diverse followers crowd into this zany-looking, converted service station and wait to order at the bustling counter. Gyros don't get much better than this: Moist, aromatic lamb slices are blanketed by a warm, plushy pita with sweet onions and creamy cucumber-garlic tzatziki sauce. Chickpea croquettes (falafel) sauced with sesame-scented tahini are savory and non-greasy. How it’s gay friendly: When it’s just you and the gang looking for something cheap and tasty, this is the spot. The lines can get long, but we think it’s because people are ogling a couple of the hotties behind the counter.

Email aj@mygayhouston.com with questions or comments.

Late Night Bites -

It's easy to work up an appetite at the bars. First you've got to stand in line for a drink, and not forget to look good doing it. Then there's the pulsating energy of a good dance floor, prompting you to do more cardio than your personal trainer. And of course there's the whiplash-inducing head turns to catch glimpses of all the hotties walking by. It's a wonder we don't carb load before going out (not a good look kids, don't try it at home).

Luckily once the crazy times have been had, there are plenty of places to satisfy your hunger, no matter how late you're out.

AROUND MONTROSE

Anvil (pictured above): Set on the eclectic Westheimer Curve, the biz is known for its top-shelf sips made with hand-pressed juices, house-made bitters, simple syrups, ginger beer and herbal infusions. The bar also gets kudos for presentation, serving up perfectly-prepared concoctions in vintage glassware. Though limited, the food menu is packed with innovative fare, such as the pork debris po-boy and the skillet cornbread served with bacon and a fried egg.

BB's Cajun Cafe: New Orleans and Houston cuisine collide on BB’s Tex-Cajun-inspired menu. Think: Over-stuffed po-boys, boudin balls and classic red beans and rice. Get it to go, have it delivered or dine-in at BB’s 1,100-square-foot Montrose outpost. The personality-filled spot is open seven days a week, serving it up until midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 3 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.

Boheme: An unpretentious, laid-back spot that's popular with nearby residents and the post-college crowd, Boheme is known for classic and innovative cocktails and an extensive wine list. But the kitchen is also open late, serving up delectable dishes such as beef empanadas, mini wontons and chicken tikki masala.

Hollywood Vietnamese & Chinese: Come for the people-watching, stay for the late-night Vietnamese grub. Montrose’s offbeat Hollywood Vietnamese & Chinese packs the party crowd in, all hours of the night. Enjoy your spring rolls, soups and stir fry from the comfort of a booth, out on the patio or take it to go. Also, be sure to check out the solid assortment of crowd-pleasing pastries on display in the revolving cooler. Hollywood is open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 4 a.m., Friday and Saturday.

Katz’s Deli & Bar: Late-night noshers purr over this all-hours Montrose eatery with a city-slick atmosphere. Crave blintzes at midnight or corned beef and cabbage at sunrise? Katz’s is your place. Cops from next door rub shoulders with families, politicos and all walks of colorful Montrose life at this brick paved double-decker. Come hungry for one of more than 20 hefty, kosher-style sandwiches or daily specials like Yankee pot roast and meat loaf. Open 24 hours a day.

Little Bigs: On Friday and Saturday nights, Chef Bryan Caswell’s casual burger joint is busy turning out much-buzzed-about sliders, hand-cut French fries and classic milkshakes to hungry Montrose patrons until 3 a.m. Get ready for hot buns (fresh from Little Bigs’ oven every few hours) and juicy, hand-formed, all-beef pattys topped with caramelized onions on a fresh-baked yeast roll. LB’s has chicken sliders, vegetarian black bean sliders and Carolina-style pulled pork varieties, too.

Theo's: The Servos family takes a cozy, low-key approach to Mediterranean food from within an old, renovated house in Montrose. Dig into plates of octopus broiled in wine vinegar, a feta-dotted pizza or anything involving the sautéed spinach. In the mood for breakfast? One’s a Meal delivers a mean line-up including Greek omelets, waffles and pork chops. Open 24-hours a day.

ELSEWHERE

59 Diner: Grab a booth at the retro Elvis-inspired 59 Diner and dig into wallet-friendly soul food served 24 hours a day. Order hearty dishes from the well-stocked menu including one of the daily-changing Blue Plate Specials (before they run out!), diner favorites or a sandwich from 59’s long list of offerings—all of which are made-from-scratch. The authentic soda fountain—one of the Diner's main attractions—features sundaes swimming in lush chocolate syrup and real root beer floats, making it a sweet way to end the night.

Crave Sushi: Set right in the middle of Houston’s Little Saigon area, Crave Sushi brings the neighborhood a popular alternative to the area’s pho soup parlors, banh mi sandwich shops and Vietnamese eateries. The menu is fairly traditional, the sushi fresh and delicious. Take advantage of reverse happy hour prices from midnight until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights or stop by after hours Friday and Saturday , when Crave keeps it coming until 4 a.m.

Christian's Tailgate: It may offer a lively party scene, but Christian’s is all business when it comes to burgers. In fact, Playboy even named the spot’s famous burgers one of the Top 10 in America. Head there before midnight for fresh, ground-chuck patties (never frozen) loaded on six-inch buns, toasted crispy around the edges and topped with mustard, mayo, onions, pickles, tomatoes and shredded lettuce. The dimly lit dining area has several TVs (all tuned to the game), a jukebox and pool table. Expect live music after 8pm on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Gotham Pizza: Craving New York-style pizza in the middle of the night? You’re in luck. Midtown’s Gotham Pizza is the real deal, made by real New Yorkers. The locally-owned joint makes everything fresh-from-scratch daily and is cooked in gas-fired deck ovens, which give the crust it’s perfectly-crispy texture. Stop by Friday and Saturday nights, when Gotham stays open until 3 a.m. and put the other menu items (calzones, pastas, sandwiches and desserts) to the test, too.

Tacos a Go Go: Good food and good prices define this casual, yet funky Midtown restaurant. Located right off the MetroRail and next to the Continental Club, Tacos a Go-Go is the perfect place to stop for some of the most authentic Tex-Mex food in Houston. Think: Carne Guisada tacos, pork tamale plates and hearty burritos. The hotspot stays open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, making it one of the best late-night eating options in the neighborhood.

Branch Water Tavern: Executive Chef David Grossman and Beverage Director Evan Turner have taken over Rice Military’s former Cue & Cushion pool hall with their new-American concept. Expect a seasonally-inspired menu making use of locally-sourced meat, produce and seafood in dishes like the aged New York strip with arugula, marrow, crispy fingerlings and bandol wine, as well as the seared diver scallops with polenta agnolotti, candied tomato, olive and truffle. Branch Water Tavern serves food Tuesday through Wed until midnight; Thursday until 1 a.m.; Friday through Saturday until 2 a.m.

Fusion Taco: Julia Sharaby may be hawking tacos from a truck, but they’re not your typical tacos from a truck. From her mobile biz, Sharaby turns out a menu loaded with Asian and South American flavors, such as prime beef Asian sliders, chicken satay tacos and spicy curry pork flautas. Find her in the parking lot between Ei8ht and Rebels Honky Tonk from midnight to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday or stalk her current location via Twitter (@fusiontaco).

Onion Creek: Laid-back, come-as-you-are charm finds a home at the Heights’ Onion Creek. Part restaurant, part bar and coffeehouse, Onion Creek has remained a popular hangout for locals and happy hour hopefuls to unwind since it first opened in November 2002. Find a spot on the patio and enjoy one of the delicious sandwiches (standouts include the Country Ass Rueben and O.C. Poyboy), as well as salads, hot dogs, Frito pie and pizzas on cibatta bread. Onion Creek’s kitchen stays open Sunday through Thursday until midnight and Friday and Saturday, until 1:30 a.m.

Mai's: Mai's originally opened in 1978, serving up tasty Vietnamese dishes like garlic beef and spring rolls. The newly-renovated restaurant has a more contemporary look and feel, with accents such as mosaic tiles, warm wood-toned millwork, bamboo and stone. A popular spot after the bars, Mai's crowd typically triples at night.

Max’s Wine Dive: This upscale dive bar offers a standout wine list, late-night comfort food and a Texas-proud jukebox. Crowds of trendy diners vie for tables at dinnertime, sampling menu standouts like the Texas-style chili, kobe beef burger and king-size "haute dog." And it's not malt liquor, but champagne that diners sip with Southern fried chicken, shrimp and grits and knockout brownie and bread pudding desserts. Max’s kitchen remains open until the hotspot’s 2 a.m. closing time

House of Pies: Part all-night diner and part pastry shop, House of Pies evokes the vinyl-and-Formica charm of a bygone era. Its lack of pretension proves appealing for everyone from delivery truck drivers and society matrons to curfew-busting high schoolers and off-duty cops. With sugar-free pastries, classic fruit favorites and sinfully rich offerings like the multi-layered Bayou Goo and chocolate cream--all freshly baked--there's a pie for every craving. The all-day short-order menu offers typical greasy-spoon fare, but the drink sizes are generous and the staff is the down-home friendly type you'd find in any Southern diner.

La Tapatia: Since 1989, the Torres family has been busy turning out home-style Tex-Mex Gourmet to the masses and today the business has grown with seven locations in the Greater Houston area. Head there for middle-of-the-night tortas, enchiladas and fajitas. Expect a wait after the bars close, as many faithful followers head to La Tapatia to wrap up a night on the town. The restaurant is open seven days a week: Sunday through Thursday, until 3 a.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, until 4 a.m.

Red Lion Pub: Owner Craig Mallinson makes it a point to give locals an authentic British experience with more than 20 English ales and imported beers on tap, as well as a serious menu filled with time-honored pub favorites from across the pond. Enjoy popular items like the Shepherds Pie, curry and Bangers & Mash from the comfort of a red-leather covered banquette or at a table near the brick fireplace in back. Red Lion serves food until 2 a.m. seven days a week.

Flying Saucer: The 85 taps of beer may bring the crowds, but it’s the grub keeping party people there until the wee hours. Dig into an eclectic mix of wallet-friendly offerings like bratwurst nachos, salmon pesto wraps and goat cheese salad. Kitchen stays open: Monday through Wednesday, until 1 a.m., Thursday through Saturday, until 2 a.m. and Sunday, until midnight.

Frank's Pizza: Located in downtown’s historic district—within walking distance of several boutique hotels—Frank’s is known for its New York-style pizza served late into the night. Meet the after-hours crowd on the weekends for a Late Nite Slice of house specialties like the Barbeque Chicken, Hawaiian or Chicken Fiesta pizza. Frank’s dishes it up until 1 a.m. on Thursdays and 3 a.m., Friday and Saturday nights.

Hearsay: Situated in downtown’s historic W.L. Foley Building, Hearsay Gastro Lounge opened in October 2009, serving upscale pub grub in grown-up style. Think: Warm-baked Goat Cheese Salad and Mahi-Mahi Tacos with fresh pico de gallo, spicy habanera sauce and southwestern mango slaw. Stop by the more than 100-year-old building, Sunday through Thursday, when the kitchen is open until midnight or on Friday and Saturday nights until 2 a.m.

Email aj@mygayhouston.com with questions or comments.

Colección Privada de Arte Holandés en Houston -

El Museo de Bellas Artes de Houston (Museum of Fine Arts Houston, MFAH) acaba de anunciar que una de las colecciones privadas más importantes del arte holandés y flamenco estará en Houston en muy poco tiempo.

Se trata de la colección de Rose-Marie y Eijk van Otterloo, coleccionistas de origen europeo que viven en los Estados Unidos. En los últimos 35 años, la pareja logró reunir más de 60 pinturas del siglo XVII que son excepcionales por su calidad y valor histórico. La exhibición Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection estará abierta del 13 de noviembre de este año hasta el 12 de febrero del 2012 e incluye obras maestras de Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Gerrit Dou y Jan Steen, entre otros.

"En el siglo XVII, ninguna otra nación logró alcanzar el nivel de los pintores holandeses en cuanto a la calidad y cantidad de obras", comentó Edgar Peters Bowron, uno de los curadores del arte europeo del MFAH. "La Colección Van Otterloo contiene obras extraordinarias de varios maestros de la época que abarcan distintos géneros, desde retratos y naturaleza muerta, hasta paisajes y representaciones basadas en temas bíblicos. Independientemente de la temática, cada obra es un gran ejemplo de la virtuosidad del pintor y su extraordinaria capacidad de observación, manejo de luz y representación."

Según los voceros de GHCVB, para los amantes de las artes plásticas, ésta es una oportunidad única de conocer algunos de los tesoros de la Epoca de Oro del Arte Holandés. Es la primera vez que la Colección Van Otterloo está siendo presentada en su totalidad al público en los Estados Unidos en un tour. La exposición comenzó en Peabody Essex Museum, en Salem, Massachussets, donde se organizó, y luego viajó al Museo de Bellas Artes de San Francisco. Houston es la tercera y última ciudad donde se presentará esta extraordinaria colección.

Fundado en 1900, el Museo de Bellas Artes Houston (www.mfah.org <http://www.mfah.org> ) cuenta en total con una colección de más de 56.000 obras, que datan desde la antigüedad hasta el presente, y es uno de los destinos preferidos en los EE.UU. de los amantes del arte. Está ubicado en el corazón de Houston, en 1001 Bissonnet. La entrada es gratis los jueves durante todo el día.

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Foto:

Rembrandt (Harmensz.) van Rijn (1606-1669). Retrato de Aeltje Uylenburgh, 1632. The Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection. Foto: cortesía de Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
http://www.canalpluspr.com/galeria/PressRoomGHCVB2011-2/Rembrandt.jpg

GHCVB Touts Success of the Past Year and Goals for the Future -

As the meetings marketplace became more competitive, the GHCVB began developing annual tradeshows from the ground up that will stimulate Houston's economy for years to come. In the past two years, five annual shows have been developed for the George R. Brown Convention Center and Reliant Park: Comicpalooza (7,500 attendees); Global Congress on Legal, Safety and Security Solutions in Travel (happening August 2011); South Texas Biker Jam (4,000 attendees) and the Image Show (6,000 attendees). Upcoming shows include Total Energy USA (October 2012).

The GHCVB is looking beyond the U.S. border for meetings and conventions and aligning its strategy with vertical markets where Houston has a competitive advantage-energy, scientific, medical, educational, religious, fraternal and sports-and working with Houston-area industry leaders to help target and secure this business.

One example of this collaboration was Houston's bid to host the World Petroleum Congress in 2014. Leaders from 20 energy companies were asked to participate in a local bid committee chaired by John Kerreg from Conoco-Phillips with support from Gaylen Cobb, U.S. Committee Chair of the World Petroleum Council. While not immediately successful, the US Chapter of WPC has encouraged Houston to bid for 2017, and the collaborative effort led directly to the development of Total Energy USA.

Return on Investment

Domestic Meetings

284 Definite Bookings
523,000 Definite Room Nights
$597,000,000 FutureDirect Expenditures

International Meetings & Tour Operator

43,542 Contracted Room Nights
$44,516,000 Future Direct Expenditures

Film and Commercial Projects

171 Projects
$9,817,600 Direct Impact

Gross Return: $651,333,600

Investment: $15,487,988

*For every dollar invested, in the GHCVB for FY'11, Houston/Harris County received $42 in return.

In addition:

$55 million in domestic & international publicity generated
Member investment was leveraged with $2,260,840 in cash and in-kind goods and services

Major achievements of fiscal year 2010-2011
The domestic convention sales team contracted 523,000 room nights, 91 percent of goal with a direct expenditure of more than $597 million dollars for future years. This total represents 284 bookings, a 44 percent increase over last year.

The sales team has been focused on markets that represent Houston's economic demographics: energy; engineering/science, medical, sports and SMERF (social, military, education, religious, fraternal). Significant bookings from those markets include:

Energy

2011 World Shale Gas Conference: 620 room nights; 250 attendees
2012 Total Energy USA: 7,000 attendees; 8,000 room nights

Scientific/Engineering

2013 Turbomachinery: 6,226 room nights; 8,800 attendees
2014 North American Prospect Expo: 8,902 room nights; 16,000 attendees
2015 Offshore Technology Conference: 81,131 room nights; 73,000 attendees
2017 Society of Exploration Geophysicists: 8,700 room nights; 7,000 attendees

Medical

2011 Novartis: 2,000 room nights; 500 attendees
2011 Clinical Robotic Surgical Association: 500 attendees; 500 room nights
2015 Society for Surgical Oncology: 3,055 room nights; 1,200 attendees

Sports

2012 and 2014 Junior Volleyball Association: 21,378 room nights; 16,000 attendees (per year)

SMERF (social, military, education, religious, fraternal)

2012 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: 11,272 room nights; 30,000 attendees
2015 Imperial Session of Shriner's International: 20,828 room nights; 8,000 attendees
2016 Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks: 19,230 room nights; 10,000 attendees

More than 43,000 room nights from the international meetings and leisure marketplace were contracted-a 36 percent increase over last year and 109 percent of this year's goal.

Quite a few conventions held in Houston this year enjoyed record-breaking success:

The National Business Travel Association's convention was the third largest in their history (5,816 attendees).
Specialty Coffee Association of America's attendance increased by 14 percent over the previous year in San Diego (8,026 attendees).
Science Teachers Association of Texas experienced their largest attendance to date-a 19 percent increase from the previous year (7,136 attendees).
NACE International's Annual Conference saw a 21 percent increase in attendance over last year (7,000 attendees).
Mary Kay's convention topped their previous year's attendance by 30 percent (9,484 attendees).
North American Prospect Expo set an all-time attendance record (15,700 attendees).
The 2011 NCAA Final Four celebrated their largest attendance in game history (72,000 in stadium; 140,000+ weekend attendance).

Nearly 1.8 million people visited the Houston CVB's expansive web network this year, which includes VisitHouston.com, VisitaHoustonTexas.com, MyGayHouston.com, HoustonCulinaryTours.com and HoustonReunions.com

With more than 3,000 people on the waiting list and web visitation from 44 regions across the U.S., the Houston Culinary Tours are an undeniable hit with foodies. In 2011, the tour concept received three national Bulldog Reporter Awards and the Public Relations Society of America's prestigious Silver Anvil Award for Reputation/Brand Management.

EMMY and Golden Globe award winner Jim Parsons' was added to the My Houston campaign bringing the total to 15 celebrities touting why they love Houston. The campaign-which was conceived and built in-house-is now valued at more than 20 million dollars.

Publicity-wise, the GHCVB generated more than 1,350 domestic and international media placements with a value of more than $55 million. High profile placements include: Budget Travel, The New York Times, Food and Wine, USA Today, coverage on the state TV network of TV Chiapas, Mexico and Da-Ai TV, which is viewed by a half-billion people around the world.

Looking to the Future
The goal is to book 655,000 room nights during the 2010-2011 fiscal year, comprised of:

575,000 Definite domestic meeting room nights
40,000 International meeting room nights
40,000 International leisure room nights

New technology releases are in the works including: a new design for VisitHouston.com, VisitaHoustonTexas.com and HoustonFilmComission.com; a mobile site; interactive My Houston gallery and online advertising opportunities.

GHCVB Leadership
Jim Mills, general manager of the Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa, will continue as chair of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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Creative Endeavors -

Set in a little art studio, on the edge of Montrose and Midtown, Pinot's Palette welcomes guests for weekly, adult art classes. The regular events combine local artist-led painting courses with the option to BYOB and snacks. Classes feature specific subject themes like Texas Bluebonnets and the Houston skyline, as well as step-by-step instruction so that even novice artists can keep up.

Attention shutterbugs. The Houston Center for Photography ofers more than 250 workshops annually. These open courses in film and digital photography cover everything from beginning basics to image composition. Students of all levels can choose topics they are interested in or follow a curriculum guide. Class schedules are released quarterly.

Make a one-of-a-kind gift for a friend or create custom dishes at one of The Mad Potter’s three studio locations. Whether it’s for a birthday, date night or corporate party, the paint-your-own-pottery studio offers guests an array of paintable pottery (plates, bowls, vases and everything in between), as well as endless paints and tools to make it your own. Stop by on Friday nights for date night and enjoy a glass of Chardonnay while you flex your artistic muscles. Also check out Young at Art, a similar concept in the Houston Heights that offers its own selection of unique pottery to paint. Young at Art also features parties, team-building events and even a ladies night on the 19th of every month.

Ever watch shows like TLC's Cake Boss and wonder if you've got what it takes to make amazing confections? Try your hand at this specialty skill at Cake Craft Shoppe in Sugar Land. This retail and education shop offers hands-on classes in advanced cake decorating. This isn't how to bake or frost properly, but rather lessons on how to create elaborate cakes taught by guest instructors that have studied with top international sugar artists.

Sculpture and drawing. Two art forms that trace back to the origins of man. If you're trying to hone your skills in one of these ancient mediums, or want to experiment for the first time, check out the classes offered at The Glassell Studio School. This institution, part of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, provides multi-week, hands on training in a number of artistic disciplines. From the 4,500-square-foot sculpture studio to the fully-equipped jewelry and enamel studio, Glassell offers the perfect environmetn to discover your artistic self.

Think you have a story to tell? Three times a year, Inprint Houston offers non-credit writers' workshops taught by accomplished local authors. Though modeled on graduate-level creative writing courses, the workshops are open to individuals of all skill levels, those exploring writing for the first time and others interested in preparing work for publication. Genres covered in different workshops include fiction, memoir, novel, poetry and more. All workshops are held at Inprint House in Montrose.

Whether you're interested in learning the basics of floral design or want to play the piano like Billy Joel, there's a class for you through Houston's Leasure Learning Unlimited. This multi-platform, non-credit academy offers a host of classes in areas such as outdoor activities, arts and crafts, languages, music and much more. Classes happen year-round and are updated regularly on the group's website.

For questions or comments on this story, email A.J. Mistretta.