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    This girl is on fire

    This girl is on fire: Alicia Keys spreads message of love, empowerment in emotional Rodeo return

    Brittaney Wilmore
    Brittaney Wilmore
    Mar 11, 2017 | 5:41 am

    The power of Alicia Keys could be felt the moment she stepped onto the stage at NRG Stadium. Keys hasn’t performed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo since 2005 and judging by the attendance of 73,660 at this year’s show, she was sorely missed.

    Clad in black leather from head to toe, she owned every song as the headliner on Black Heritage Day, starting with the opening number “Karma.”

    Keys had the audience moving to a medley of hits including “28 Thousand Days” and “Unbreakable” to the more recent “Pawn It All” and “Blended Family (What You Do For Love)” from her sixth studio album, Here.

    I already knew Keys was talented but hearing her live for the first time reminded me of what I like about her as an artist. She brings raw emotion to every word, and I never realized that more than listening to her live on the piano. Each note flowed beautifully into the other as she made an atmosphere that could potentially feel isolated because of the rotating stage seem like she was playing a show for a small circle of friends.

    “We’re having a really intimate basement party tonight. And I feel like, if we were in my basement right now, I would want to play a song that sounded like this,” Keys said as she led into “You Don’t Know My Name.”

    Keys weaved upbeat songs into the mix, but let’s face it, fans who are familiar with her know, she’s good at getting into your soul on those ballads. “If you’re with me tonight, and you’re here for love, I was wondering if you could help me illuminate the sky with your phones,” Keys said. “Put a light in the air because life is precious.”

    The stadium instantly glowed and that’s when she started playing “Like You’ll Never See Me Again.” She took her time with it and from the cheering, it sounded like the crowd appreciated the chance to hit those high notes with her. You know those times when you’re really into a song and you have to hold your ear and raise your hand in the air just to reach the note? It was kind of like that.

    She followed up with “If I Ain’t Got You” and later, the song that first put her on the map, “Fallin.’”

    Keys turned up the energy – and the heat – with one specific observation about the Bayou City. “That’s what I like about Houston. It’s all warm and toasty, kind of sweaty and sticky,” Keys said playfully, using that as a springboard to dive into the tropical and Latin-beat influenced “In Common."

    “Let’s dance. I want everybody to just dance with me. Be free. Let it go,” Keys added with a smile.

    Indeed, every move she made reflected the joy that comes from someone who loves what they do. That passion was fed right back to her from the audience as Keys launched into “Girl on Fire” and “No One,” two songs that I even heard people in the packed Press Box belting out.

    Keys also worked in “The Gospel,” “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart,” and “Work on It” before ending on “Empire State of Mind,” giving a nod to Houston where she would normally pay homage to her own hometown, New York City.

    Right before Keys left the stage, she had one final thing to say. “I want to thank you for your love. I want to thank you for welcoming me here to your beautiful town.”

    And if a full stadium is any indication, fans were happy to have her back.

    Set List:
    Karma
    The Gospel
    28 Thousand Days
    You Don't Know My Name
    Unbreakable
    Pawn It All
    Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart
    Like You'll Never See Me Again
    If I Ain't Got You
    Work on It
    Fallin'
    Blended Family (What You Do For Love)
    In Common
    Girl on Fire
    No One
    Empire State of Mind

    The stadium instantly glowed and that’s when Alicia Keys started playing “Like You’ll Never See Me Again.”

    Alicia Keys at Houston Rodeo
      
    Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLight Group
    The stadium instantly glowed and that’s when Alicia Keys started playing “Like You’ll Never See Me Again.”
    texashouston-rodeoconcertsmusicrodeo
    news/entertainment

    No passport required

    Houston's Japanese culture festival returns with ramen, rides, and celebs

    Jef Rouner
    May 28, 2025 | 2:00 pm
    A car with a custom, anime-inspired warp at Tokyo X
    Photo provided by Hyper Growth IQ
    Tricked out cars, ramen, and more at Tokyo X

    Tokyo X, one of Houston's premiere celebrations of Japanese culture, returns to NRG Center for two days in June, promising, celebrities, food, martial arts, anime, and more.

    “Tokyo X is where Houston and Japan connect — through culture, community, and pure creativity,” publicist Christina Truong said in a statement. “This is more than a fan event. It’s a full sensory experience rooted in food, fashion, tradition, and fandom.”

    The event takes place June 14 and 15. Tickets are available at TokyoNightFest.com.

    Gearheads especially should mark their calendars because Tokyo X features the return of the internationally acclaimed car show series Hot Import Nights (HIN). Japan is renowned for its customized car and street racing scenes, and more than two dozen builds have been chosen to show off what Japanese car prodigies can do. From highly elaborate wraps that honor legendary anime to mechanical marvels built for speed, it's a chance for Houston car buffs to see a whole different style of tricked out rides.

    “Hot Import Nights’ long-awaited return to Houston makes this event incredibly special — and teaming up with Tokyo X takes it to an entirely new level," said Michael Munar, executive Producer for Hot Import Nights. "Together, we’re merging the best of car culture and Japanese pop culture into one unforgettable experience. From customized imports to anime, food, music, art, and cosplay — this is the kind of energy our fans have been waiting for.”

    Another big hit will be the ramen showdown. It's not a Houston festival without some fantastic food, and Tokyo X will host a variety of culinary experiences. The most dynamic will be the Ramen Rush: The Ultimate Bowl Battle, presented by Yelp. Food bloggers will race to devour two bowls of Tsujita Houston's ramen in front of a cheering crowd to win a year's supply of free ramen from Tsujita and all the prestige that comes from being a champion.

    “Tokyo X Fest is all about pushing the boundaries of food, fun, and competition,” said event owner Naoki Yoshida. “Ramen Rush is set to be a fan-favorite, showcasing Tsujita’s incredible ramen and delivering an unforgettable experience for food lovers.”

    Of course, the event will also feature plenty of offerings for anime fans. Tokyo X is hosting the usual anime panels, cosplay contests, and appearances from voice actors. Headlining the festival are Devora Wilde, who voiced Lae'zel in Baldur's Gate 3, and Toshihiko Seki, whose credits include Demon Slayer, Naruto, and Gundam Wing. Both will be available for photos, signings, and Q&A sessions.

    Additional activities include a samurai martial arts demonstration, musical performance by AISHA, and more than 400 vendors.

    Tokyo X Festival
      

    Courtesy of Tokyo X

    Hot Import Nights will display tricked-out Japanese rides.

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