squeeee!

Meet all the adorable babies born at the Houston Zoo in 2020

Given the horror that 2020 presented to so many, locals would be forgiven for clamoring to all things cute — and few things are cuter than newborn animals.

Locally, the Houston Zoo provided fans with a gaggle of cute and cuddly newborns this year, ranging from a bouncing baby elephant to a red-tailed monkey. Here, then, is an adorable reminder, courtesy of the zoo, of all the babies born there in 2020, spreading some cheer in an otherwise awful year.

Traci, giant anteater: born March 31
Born to mom Olive, Traci spent the first few weeks of life clinging to his mom and will no doubt hitch a ride on her back for almost 12 months. While he’s almost as big as Olive at nine months old, Traci can still be found on her back sometimes at the Zoo’s newest addition, South America’s Pantanal, according to the zoo.

Peter Rabbit, Schmidt’s red-tailed monkey: born April 10
Why the name? Born to proud mother Njeri on April 10, this bundle of joy was named Peter Rabbit in honor of Easter weekend. Peter was hand-raised by keepers and veterinary staff members after the infant could no longer hold on to mom before reuniting with her full-time in August, per the zoo.

Nelson, Asian elephant: born May 12
Few, if any, animal births grab headlines like that of a baby elephant. So it was with great excitement that the zoo announced the arrival of Nelson, who was born to 29-year-old Asian elephant Shanti. Coming in at a whopping 326 pounds, Nelson was born after a short labor.

As CultureMap reported, immediately following his birth, the elephant team and veterinary staff saw that Nelson was hemorrhaging severely from his umbilicus and determined that he tore a vessel in his umbilical cord during birth. The team sedated the one-hour-old calf and performed emergency surgery. Veterinarians performed the 30-minute procedure to find the torn vessel, stop the bleeding, and close the hole in the calf’s abdomen.

Nelson is now thriving and weighs nearly 1,000 pounds and is frolicking at the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat.

Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs: born June 16
The zoo welcomed not one, but three Madagascar lesser hedgehog tenrecs. The tiny newborns weighed only 10 grams (small enough to fit on a small spoon) at birth, but are now 10 times their birth weight, according to the zoo. The tenrecs are ambassador animals, helping to educate guests the importance of saving their counterparts, and other animals, around the world.

Kivuli, okapi: born July 19
Summer baby Kivuli was born to mother Sukari (aged 13). Within the hour, Kivuli was standing with help from mom. She made her public debut on August 12. The zoo then held a public naming contest; the name Kivuli, which means “Shadow” in the Swahili language.

Baby bongos: born July and August
Over a span of three and a half weeks, the three female bongos each gave birth to healthy calves with dad, Bobby. The zoo reports that mom Penelope gave birth on July 21 to a male calf; Bernadette gave birth on July 29 to a female; and Lily, the most recent mother, birthed a male calf on August 15. All three baby bongos and their mothers can be seen daily in the zoo's bongo yard.

2 Santa Catalina rattlesnakes and 40 Bornean eared frogs: born in the fall
It wasn’t just mammals born in 2020. The zoo’s herpetology department welcomed some of the Zoo’s smallest new additions: two Santa Catalina Island rattlesnakes and 40 Bornean eared frogs. The rattlesnakes’ birth is an important event, as these offspring are not only genetically valuable, but this was also the first time this species has reproduced at the Houston Zoo.

Marlie, Howler monkey: born on November 17
Little cutie Marlie was born to mom Charlie and dad Howie. Both mom and Marlie can be seen with the rest of the howler monkey family in South America’s Pantanal.

A young okapi and mom.

Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo

A young okapi and mom.

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weekend event planner

Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this 4th of July weekend

Courtesy of Shell Freedom Over Texas

The city has revealed the performers for its July 4 celebration.

The 4th of July lands on a Friday this year, which means things will get especially patriotic this weekend.

We’ve already listed all the fireworks celebrations and restaurant specials that’ll be popping off on Friday. (Don’t forget about the screenings of Independence Day at River Oaks Theatre, Rooftop Cinema Club and Marriott Marquis Houston.) But there are also other must-see events happening this weekend, including a LEGO convention, the second anniversary of a Third Ward eatery, the return of a Stanley Kubrick classic, and an outlaw music festival featuring Willie Freakin’ Nelson and Bob Freakin’ Dylan!

Thursday, July 3

Brick Rodeo
Brick Rodeo is a family-friendly event that features hundreds of custom models and displays made from LEGO bricks. Creators from Texas and around the country will be available to talk about their creations. Fans who want to display their own creations, attend workshops, and participate in all the activities should purchase an All Access Pass. Families and individuals who want to spend a day viewing incredible custom creations, talking with builders, and shopping with vendors should purchase a public exhibition ticket. 9 am (8:30 am Friday-Sunday).

City Place presents Young Audiences of Houston: Painting with Watercolor Pencils Art Workshop
This free art workshop, hosted by Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Judy Malone Stein, transforms City Place’s central waterfront plaza into a classical art studio with easels and other essential supplies. Participants are introduced to the medium of watercolor pencils and will learn basic color theory which includes the color wheel and primary and secondary colors, along with complimentary colors. They will also focus on creating compositions, using traditional visions (portraits, landscapes, still life) as their subject matter. 9:30 am.

Improv Houston presents Dustin Ross
Dustin Ross is a NAACP Image Award-winning host, writer, and producer. Fans of The Read podcast may know him as a longtime guest/friend to the show. These days, you can hear him on two pods: The Friend Zone, with co-hosts Hey Fran Hey and Assante; and Holding Court, with Eboni K. Williams. He has also hosted seasons of Bet on Black, REVOLT TV’s competition series, Bet On Black. As an on-air contributor, Ross has appeared on multiple platforms, including MTV, BET, Bravo TV, HBO, FUSE TV, GLAAD, Fox Soul, and more. 7:30 pm.

Friday, July 4

Freedom Over Texas
With an average of 50,000 people in attendance, Freedom Over Texas has become Houston’s annual, signature July 4th celebration. The live, televised event will feature local, regional, and national entertainment, headlined by Ashley McBryde and Lee Brice, and will be capped off with a musically choreographed, “Texas-sized” fireworks finale. It also features a unique non-profit component, as the event will donate a percentage of food and beverage sales to the Houston Food Bank. 4 pm.

Ensemble Theatre presents The Tap Dance Kid
Over at The Ensemble Theatre, The Tap Dance Kid is about a 10-year-old African-American kid named Willie who doesn’t want to be a lawyer like his well-to-do strict father, and dreams of becoming a dancer like his talented Uncle Dipsey, an aspiring Broadway choreographer. The final production in the theater’s 2024-25 season, this musical is filled with imaginations of stardom that keep us tapping along. Through Sunday, July 27. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

Dan Electro’s presents The Broken Spokes & Oliver Penn 4th of July Party
Freedom, music, and a 4th of July Party will be going down at Dan Electros. The show will feature a performance from traditional Texas country band The Broken Spokes, a well-seasoned outfit that’s put in the time honing their craft in honky tonks across Texas,. Also performing will be Rhode Island-born, Houston-based country singer Oliver Penn, who has shared the stage with Charley Crockett, Shakey Graves, Randall King, The California Honeydrops, and Shinyribs. 9 pm.

Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra presents Graveyard Shift: Attack the Block
Guy Fawkes Night in London is a time for fireworks, fooling around, and an occasional surprise or two. But when vicious extraterrestrials decide to crash the hellraisers’ holiday, a time for making merry quickly turns scary. Writer-director Joe Cornish also ensures it’s frequently humorous as well. This frisky, vigorous 2011 spoof — propelled by an insistent electronic score by Steven Price & Basement Jaxx and a star-making lead turn from John Boyega — shows a similar sensibility in its breezy blending of goofiness and gruesomeness. 10 pm.

Saturday, July 5

Rado Market 2 Year Anniversary Celebration
Chef Chris Williams’ market and cafe at the historic Eldorado Ballroom will celebrate its two-year anniversary with a celebration that’s free and open to the public. The event will include complimentary champagne during the first hour, food specials from chef Jaden Gaines, and live music from a DJ for the first two hours. Guests can also browse and shop from a curated lineup of local vendors offering various products for sale, including Posh Body, Ambrosia Nectar, 77 Stash, and Juxx. Patrons can also enter two raffles featuring Radiant Aura samples and other giveaways. Noon.

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Winnie’s presents Labubu Face Tattoo Korean Corn Dog Karaoke Party
Never has an event’s name been a more complete description of what’s happening at the Midtown sandwich shop/cocktail bar on Saturday. Artists from Rodeo Tiger will be tattooing Labubu, the must-have accessory that feels destined to become the Beanie Babies of 2025 ($25 minimum, $50 for both sides, and $100 for full face custom work). While you wait, snack on a Korean corn dog created by chef Jennifer Hoffman. Karaoke starts at 8 pm. 1 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Barry Lyndon
This weekend, catch the 50th anniversary screening (in glorious 35mm!) of Stanley Kubrick’s lavish, Oscar-winning 1975 adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 18th-century novel. Forced to leave Ireland after killing an English officer in a duel, young Redmond Barry (Ryan O’Neal) seeks his fortune as a soldier in Prussia, as a spy, and then as a gambler living among the elite of Europe. He changes his name and marries an aristocrat (Marisa Berenson) for her wealth, but will he finally gain the acceptance he seeks? 5 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Kings Harbor Waterfront Village presents “Fireworks on the Pier”
Looking for a post-4th of July throwdown this weekend? Kings Harbor Waterfront Village in Kingwood will have its annual “Fireworks on the Pier” celebration, a patriotic evening of family fun, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. Festivities include family-friendly games like Connect Four, a balloon artist, face painting and bubble stations for kids. Local restaurants will be serving up a variety of delicious food and drink options throughout the evening. A dazzling fireworks show over the pier will begin around 10 pm. 7 pm.

Movies at Miller: Wicked
We know there is a lot of y’all who can’t wait for Wicked: For Good to drop in multiplexes this winter. Before that happens, head over to Miller Outdoor Theatre and revisit the Oscar-winning Broadway musical adaptation that set it all off. In the magical Land of Oz, Wicked covers the first act, following Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with Galinda (Ariana Grande), the future Glinda the Good Witch. The audience is encouraged to come in costume. 8:30 pm.

Sunday, July 6

Eldorado Ballroom presents Ball N’ Parlay
Dubbed “A 1st Sunday Vibeout,” Ball N’ Parlay is a vibrant, Third Ward day party that’s going to be held outside the legendary Eldorado Ballroom. They’re really hyping this one up, calling it “the Sunday you’ve been waiting for, where music, community, and culture meet.” We’re just psyched that some of our favorite DJs will be doing live sets, including DJ Elevated, Maiya Papaya, Alist, and DJ Bloom. 3 pm.

Outlaw Music Festival
If you grew up going to Cactus Music and picking up the latest issue of No Depression, looking for the latest in outlaw country releases to scoop up, a fest full of iconic, guitar-strumming banditos will be making a stop at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion this weekend. The 10th anniversary tour of the Outlaw Music Festival will feature an unparalleled lineup of legends and superstars, including Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, The Avett Brothers, The Mavericks, and Tami Neilson. 4:05 pm.

CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
As of this writing, we don’t know who will be playing in the final match of the soccer championship known as the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, going down this weekend at NRG Stadium. What we do now is that the winners will be determined on Wednesday night, when the semifinal matchups – the USMNT vs. Guatemala and Mexico vs. Honduras – will take place. This also marks the first time the Gold Cup Final will be held in the state of Texas. 6 pm.

Courtesy of Freedom Over Texas

The Freedom Over Texas celebration takes place on the Fourth of July.

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