EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE:  45th ANNUAL HOUSTON BALLET NUTCRACKER MARKET

 Immerse yourself in the festive sights, sounds, and scents of the season at the 45th annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market, taking place November 13–16 at NRG Center. During the four-day holiday shopping extravaganza, shoppers will browse through a curated selection of holiday goods, gourmet treats, stylish apparel, unique jewelry, and one-of-a-kind gifts. More than 270 merchants from across the nation—along with more than 25 exciting newcomers—will showcase their finest offerings.  

General Admission tickets are good for one-day admission only.

      • $20 General Admission tickets at NRG ticket windows during Market days – (cash or check only) ATMs available onsite.
      • General Admission tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com beginning August 11 or at select H-E-B Business Centers beginning October 1.

Early Bird tickets allow for 8:30 a.m. admission on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14, as well as repeat admission all four days of the Market.

  • $60 Early Bird Tickets at NRG ticket windows during Market days (cash or check only) or at Ticketmaster.com beginning August 11.
  • $60 Early Bird tickets can also be purchased in advance by calling 713.535.3231. The deadline to purchase over the phone tickets for placement at will call is Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m.

Please note, children two and under are free. All others must have a ticket. Strollers, carts, rolling bags, wagons, or pets are NOT allowed.

 More information: nutcrackermarket.com. Photo credit: Melissa Taylor 

Houston Food Bank Celebrates 713 Day

with Co-Sponsors Houston Dynamo/Dash and Active Athlete

July 13 – or 7/13 – has become the official day to celebrate all things Houston, in honor of the Bayou City’s first area code, 713.

Join Houston Food Bank on Sunday, July 13, 2025 for their 2nd Annual 713 Day Volunteer Shift and celebration.  For those signing up for the 9 am volunteer shift on this date, they will start the day with a doughnut donated by VooDoo Doughnut, then volunteer at the fun Houston-themed shift, followed by a post-volunteer celebration of Houston with food, music and other Houston-centric things to enjoy including music by DJ Bloom and the Astros’ 2017 & 2022 Championship Trophies!  

97.9 The Box will be onsite, Ben & Jerry’s will be giving out free scoops, and vendors at the celebration include Exotic Pop and Chingona Picosita Candies, with others to be announced. There will also be a raffle, where anyone who donates at the event is entered to win some amazing prizes!

Alicia’s Mexican Grille Hosts Sip the Spirits: A Tequila Tasting Experience on June 26, 2025

Alicia’s Mexican Grille invites tequila lovers and curious sippers alike to experience an unforgettable evening of flavor and discovery at Sip the Spirits: A Tequila Tasting Experience on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 6 to 8 PM at the Alicia’s Mexican Grille Cypress location (26326 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77429). Doors open at 5 PM.  

This guided tasting features a curated flight from three of Mexico’s most celebrated spirit labels:
• Casamigos – Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo
• Don Fulano – Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo
• Mezcal Unión – Uno and El Viejo

Tequila experts will introduce each pour and explore the craftsmanship, history, and unique flavor profiles behind each expression, from smoky and earthy to smooth and bold.

Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres thoughtfully paired to highlight the nuances of each tequila and mezcal.

Tickets are $75 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Attendees must be 21+. Free venue parking is available.

Space is limited for this exclusive one-night event. To reserve a seat, visit the event’s official Eventbrite page.

SPRING FLOWERS BRING SUMMER WONDERS AS ARTECHOUSE UNVEILS ITS SECOND SEASONAL EXHIBIT

Tranquil, nature-focused BLOOMING WONDERS beginning on Friday, May 23 Building upon ARTECHOUSE’s recent announcement of the Houston debut of Rolling Stone Presents: AMPLIFIED, the organization has announced that it will launch a companion exhibition for the summer – BLOOMING WONDERS.  

The two exhibitions will run simultaneously through September, with tickets for AMPLIFIED available in the evenings starting at 5pm and BLOOMING WONDERS being open during the daytime. Ticketholders for each show will have access to all 26,000 square feet of ARTECHOUSE’s immersive digital and multimedia galleries.  

Originally produced by ARTECHOUSE Studio for its Washington, D.C. location, BLOOMING WONDERS is the latest edition of a popular exhibition series presented annually since 2018 as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Elements of BLOOMING WONDERS include:

  • PIXELBLOOM Timeless Butterflies immerses visitors in a 270-degree captivating butterfly dreamscape, surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms. Audiences journey alongside a flock of butterflies through vibrant panoramas of exotic flowers, ultimately culminating in a swirling hurricane of petals—a visually striking reminder of the fleeting exuberance of nature’s beauty. The installation is brought to life through stunning 18K-resolution projections paired with state-of-the-art L-Acoustics surround sound.
  • Infinite Blooms invites visitors on a mesmerizing interactive journey through an endless digital bloom of cherry blossoms. Inspired by immersive Infinite Maze, this dynamic installation utilizes advanced AI-driven infinite zoom technology, allowing visitors to control their exploration through intuitive gestures. Participants can seamlessly navigate an ever-evolving path, gliding like a honeybee through vibrant, oversized blossoms at their peak. This captivating sensory experience redefines perceptions of space, scale, and beauty.
  • Digital Flower Experiments – Designed in the spirit of a science lab, ARTECHOUSE Studio adapted “Digital Flower Experiments” by Japanese artist Mei Tamazawa into an interactive format where visitors can kindle their experimental spirit through real-time video processing interactives.
  • Akousmaflore et Lux creates an interactive garden where living plants transform into musical instruments. Developed by the French artist duo Scenocosme (Grégory Lasserre & Anaïs met den Ancxt), and produced in partnership with the Houston Botanic Garden, each plant responds to touch or proximity, creating a unique sound or melody, with the plant’s “song” shaped by electrostatic energy from the visitor. This invisible energy, generated by our bodies, becomes audible through the plants, revealing an unseen connection between us and the natural world. As visitors interact with the plants, the sounds evolve in real-time, creating a constantly changing musical landscape. The experience invites reflection on how technology and nature can merge to create a sensory journey that reveals the hidden energies in our environment.
  • Clay Pillar by Interactive Items / Vadim Mirgorodskii is a vibrant and interactive art experience that beautifully merges human creativity with real-time digital response. At its core, an AI generates images based on prompts in real time, while the clay allows users to interact with this visual content. This hands-on interaction fosters a sense of creativity and play, transforming physical movements into stunning visual expressions.

Visitors will also experience a newly designed Infinity Room with an interactive floor projection, as well as interactive screens throughout the gallery spaces that offer the opportunity to both participate in and create unique digital artwork. 

ARTECHOUSE Houston is located at 600 W. 6th Street, Houston, TX 77007 and is open daily. Tickets are available online at artechouse.com and on site at the venue. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged. General Admission tickets for BLOOMING WONDERS start at $30 (plus fees) and Anytime tickets are priced at $36. For children, ages 15 and under, tickets start at $17 (plus fees). Ticket sales are final, non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-transferable. For further details about ARTECHOUSE Houston, visit www.artechouse.com/plan-your-visit-houston.

Springtime in Texas means one thing: Round Top’s Spring Antique Show has arrived

From March 20 to April 6, this charming small-town transforms into a must-visit destination for antique lovers, design enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a charming countryside escape filled with shopping, live music, and one-of-a-kind experiences.  

This season marks an exciting shift as The Halles, the widely beloved Round Top hotspot, transitions into a year-round destination! Previously only open during the seasonal antique shows, The Halles now opens its doors every weekend to showcase its lineup of curated vendors and new Sage Roots Bar, which is the perfect place to unwind after a day of shopping and exploring. Art lovers will also want to check out the exclusive collaboration Rodeo Wrubel & The Other Donald Present Pop-Up by the Pool with famed Texas artists Donald Robertson and Steve Wrubel at The Red Antler on March 27-28. The event will showcase and offer an opportunity for guests to purchase pieces the artists have worked on together and promises to be a standout moment of the show this season.

Another exciting addition to this season is the grand opening of Melissa’s Art Shop in Round Top Village on March 1, a welcome expansion of the town’s vibrant creative community. Meanwhile, fashion takes center-stage at the iconic Round Top Red Carpet Fashion Show at the Dance Hall on March 26, adding a little Yee-Haute couture to the countryside.

Beyond the show, Round Top continues to amaze, offering even more reasons to stay beyond just a day trip. With so much happening this spring, an overnight stay is a must to fully take in the experience. Whether you’re drawn to the stylish retreat of Hotel Lulu, the charm of the Frenchie Boutique Hotel, or the cozy, design-forward stays at Wander Inn and Red Antler Bungalows, Round Top offers a variety of accommodations.  Photos courtesy of Public Content. 

Mind Trekkers offers night of hands-on family fun at San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College invites area families to the Mind Trekkers Family Night on March 13, 6-8 p.m., at the Central Campus LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology, 7901 Fairmont Pkwy., Pasadena, TX 77507. The event is free and open to the public.

Mind Trekkers ignites curiosity and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) among local students and their families. With over 100 hands-on STEM experiments, this promises to be an engaging, educational evening for all attendees.  

The College, along with area partners, will offer thrilling experiments such as:  

  • Liquid nitrogen explosion
  • Liquid nitrogen ice cream
  • Fire tornado
  • Burning money
  • Moment of inertia spinner
  • Foam gnomes 

For more information about San Jacinto College visit sanjac.edu. Photo courtesy of SJC. 

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS 2025 LEADING LADIES LUNCHEON TO HONOR SHELLY MULANAX WITH THE SHIRLEY STEIN OUTSTANDING CHAMPION IN THE ARTS AND EDUCATION AWARD

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) announced the return of the highly anticipated Leading Ladies Luncheon, set for Friday, April 4, at 11:00 a.m. at the iconic Tony’s (3755 Richmond Avenue). Now in its fourth consecutive sold-out year, this signature event continues to be one of Houston’s most sought-after gatherings in support of arts education. 

Led by four-time event chair June Deadrick, the 2025 Luncheon will honor Shelly Mulanax as the Shirley Stein Champion in the Arts and Education, with Jennifer Bauer-Conley (The Emery/Weiner School) as Arts Educator of the Year and Kim Nguyen-Coleman as Community Volunteer of the Year.

The program, hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Courtney Zubowski Haas, will feature unforgettable performances by TUTS Education students, showcasing selections from TUTS upcoming mainstage production of Waitress and the TUTS Education 2025 spring production of Matilda.

Deadrick shared: “As a TUTS Board member, I see firsthand how our programs transform lives—on stage, in classrooms, and throughout the community. This luncheon is my favorite day of the spring, bringing together generous Houstonians to celebrate the educators and volunteers shaping the art and artists of today and tomorrow while rallying support for Theatre Under The Stars mission.”

The Leading Ladies, a dynamic group of women inspired by a shared belief in the transformative power of the arts, created this luncheon to support Theatre Under The Stars’ education and community programs. The Leading Ladies, a group founded by Amy Pierce and Marsha Taylor in 2006, support TUTS through fundraising and volunteer work, inspired by a shared belief in the transformative power of the arts. To learn more or join the TUTS Leading Ladies, visit TUTS.org/LeadingLadies.

VISION Production Group Partners with American Heart Association for 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards in Houston on January 22, 2025

VISION Production Group announced its continued collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA) for the upcoming 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at The Post Oak Hotel in Houston, Texas. 

The Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards honor exceptional national college football coaches while supporting the American Heart Association’s mission to fight heart disease and stroke. VISION Production Group has a longstanding partnership with the AHA, contributing to the event’s success through innovative content creation and seamless live event production. Their expertise in live event production, content creation and audience engagement design has been instrumental in elevating the awards ceremony’s experience. 

“We are honored to once again collaborate with the American Heart Association for the Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Awards,” said Tracey Shappro, President & CEO, VISION Production Group. “Our team is dedicated to creating an immersive and memorable experience that celebrates the achievements of these outstanding coaches and supports the vital work of the American Heart Association.”

The 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will feature a star-studded lineup of college football coach finalists, with twenty-seven coaches making up the AHA’s 2024 Coach of the Year Award watch list. 

For more information about the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards and to support the American Heart Association’s mission, please visit the official event website at https://bryantawards.org/.

‘DINE OUT RICE VILLAGE’ LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT THE SOUTHERN SMOKE FOUNDATION NOW THROUGH JANUARY 31

Dine Out with Houston’s D’Amico’s, Hamsa, Milton’s, and Navy Blue, and Give Back to Food and Beverage Workers

Savor the best of Houston’s Rice Village while supporting Southern Smoke Foundation through Dine Out Rice Village, running now through January 31st. This give-back initiative is exclusive to D’Amico’sHamsaMilton’s, and Navy Blue, with each participating restaurant offering unique prix-fixe menus or featured items, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Southern Smoke Foundation.  

  1. D’Amico’s Italian Market Cafe is offering a three-course dinner menu for $45.   
  2. Hamsa is offering a three-course lunch menu for $25 and a four-course dinner menu for $55. 
  3. Milton’s is offering a three-course dinner menu for $55. 
  4. Navy Blue is offering a two-course lunch menu for $35 and a three-course dinner menu for $55.  

Southern Smoke Foundation is a nonprofit organization led by Chris Shepherd, a James Beard Award-winning chef and Executive Director Lindsey Brown, that aims to create a healthier and more sustainable food and beverage (F+B) industry by providing emergency relief grants nationwide and access to mental health services to industry workers.

FAMILY FRIENDLY HOLIDAY CHEER AT COLOR FACTORY 

Houstonians can kick off holiday week and come together for an unforgettable night of colorful, family-friendly cheer at Color Factory’s “Winter Colorland Night” on December 22 from 4-6 p.m. Guests who attend “Winter Colorland Night” will receive a free Winter Colorland mug (while supplies last).

In addition, there’s a chance for guests to unwrap a surprise. Find one of five shimmering stars hidden in Color Factory’s ball pit and win a $50 Color Shop gift card to finish up that holiday shopping or find something colorful for HUE. Don your festive attire and bring your friends and family for a memorable night of joy, dazzling photo ops with instant digital photos, holiday tunes and a reimagined confetti room.

Tickets start at $29 and go on sale December 11.  Photo courtesy of Color Factory