CultureMap Houston https://houston.culturemap.com/ The best articles on the web en-us Copyright 2026 by me RebelMouse JS Custom Feeds Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 EDT Houston Texas Local News Breaking News Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:00:02 EDT 15 https://houston.culturemap.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8zMTczMjk3OC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTgwODU3NTE0NX0.oyYryEao9LS0K8niv8bX0OEhwgMAE5xsoxsbKS8oUh4/image.png?width=210 CultureMap Houston https://houston.culturemap.com/ Houston Texas Local News Hill Country wineries crush summer with grape stomping events https://houston.culturemap.com/news/travel/hill-country-wine-stomping-parties/ Texas Hill Country Wineries, good, clean fun is a tad overrated. The nonprofit’s members are getting messy this summer with a series of grape stomps celebrating harvest season.

Yes, the vast majority of the world’s wines are now made with mechanical destemmers and crushers, but there is no harm in cosplaying as a vendemmiatore hopped up on mezzo vino. As long as you keep the white linen tucked away in the closet.

The main event pays homage to the most famous wine scene in popular culture (unless you count Paul Giamatti guzzling a spit bucket in Sideways). The I Love Lucy Charity Grape Stomp, held August 8-9 at Texas Hills Vineyard, includes live music, a costume contest, freshly made Lucy sangria, and souvenir t-shirts available for purchase. All proceeds benefit area volunteer firefighters.

Meanwhile, other Hill Country wineries are putting their own spin on the harvest tradition. Becker Vineyards will pair its high-stepping event (September 5-6) with cheese and charcuterie from its onsite Verandah Bar. Messina Hof is hosting a raucous harvest festival (August 21-22) with grape picking, and Signor Vineyards will roll out lawn games — just don’t wear cleats into the vat.

Wildseed Farms grape stomp, held every Saturday in August, includes a complimentary glass of wine. Texas Wine Collective adds barbecue and tunes from the Dawson Holland band. Whether two-stepping is the proper technique to release juice from the fruit is up for debate. Maybe try the Boot Scootin’ Boogie.

Whichever event, it might be a good idea to have a good foot scrub waiting at the Airbnb. A full list of grape stomping fun can be found here.
]]> 2677200166 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:00:02 EDT Brandon Watson Travel Houston Texas Local News An all-star cast delivers clever laughs in new comedy The Invite https://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/the-invite-movie-review/ The Invite proves, when done well it can be as funny as anything else out there.]]> 2677204067 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:30:01 EDT Alex Bentley Entertainment Houston Texas Local News Favorite Houston comfort food spot picks Garden Oaks for 10th location https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/barnabys-cafe-stomping-grounds-location/ Bryan Danna promised “big news…very soon” about a new tenant for the former LuLoo’s Day & Night space at his Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. That news is that Houston favorite Barnaby’s Cafe has claimed the space for a new location that will open later this year. ]]> 2677203835 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:13:34 EDT Eric Sandler Restaurants + Bars popular Houston Texas Local News How vintage finds shaped the look of Houston’s nostalgic new steakhouse https://houston.culturemap.com/news/home-design/star-rover-restaurant-design-nostalgia/ nearly every vibe. The addition of restaurateur Ford Fry’s new Heights steakhouse Star Rover to the Houston food scene fills a gap few Houstonians were aware was missing — good ol’ fashioned nostalgia.]]> 2677200460 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:30:02 EDT Emily Cotton Home + Design popular Restaurants + Bars News Houston Texas Local News Texan Wally Funk, oldest woman to travel into space, dies at 87 https://houston.culturemap.com/news/society/wally-funk-astronaut-dies-obituary/ GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to launch into space, has died. She was 87. 2677202962 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 11:30:02 EDT Associated Press Society Houston Texas Local News Riotous Houston comedy club departs Montrose for spacious new home https://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/riot-comedy-club-rudyards-moving/ The Riot Comedy Club will move from its current home in Montrose to a new venue on Washington Ave. ]]> 2677202542 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:15:01 EDT Eric Sandler Entertainment popular Houston Texas Local News What Texas pet owners need to know about the dangerous New World screwworm https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/protect-texas-pets-screwworm-fly/ Two New World screwworm cases in dogs are among more than 30 confirmed instances in Texas and New Mexico, prompting warnings Wednesday, July 8 from veterinarians and humane societies that pet owners need to remain vigilant to protect their animals. 2677200132 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:45:01 EDT Associated Press City Life Houston Texas Local News Sophisticated Houston Italian eatery quietly closes after 3 years https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/tavola-restaurant-bastion-collection-closed/ Tavola has closed, its owner The Bastion Collection announced on social media.]]> 2677199824 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:30:01 EDT Eric Sandler Restaurants + Bars popular Houston Texas Local News <![CDATA[Evil Dead Burn maintains this year's streak of top-notch horror movies]]> https://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/evil-dead-burn-movie-review/ Horror franchises tend to endure because of several reasons. First and foremost, the title conjures up nostalgia for older viewers, as the many of the most popular ones started in the 1970s or ‘80s. Sequels can recycle key elements of past films as long as they tweak the formula enough to offer something original. And they’re also relatively cheap to make, as new films can bring in young or lesser-known actors to be terrorized. 2677199622 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:30:02 EDT Alex Bentley Entertainment Houston Texas Local News Get in the H-Town spirit with more than 20 713 Day deals and specials https://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/713-day-deals-specials-houston/ Every year, more and more Houston businesses embrace 713 Day. 2677199118 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:10:24 EDT Craig D. Lindsey Entertainment popular Houston Texas Local News Trill Burgers partners with popular anime series for limited time collab https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/trill-burgers-my-hero-academia/ My Hero Academia is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and parent company Toho International has partnered with Houston hip-hop legend and restaurateur Bun B to release exclusive menu items and merchandise related to the series. The superhero sandwich, side, and sip will be available at all Trill Burgers locations starting July 11 through August 9. ]]> 2677179673 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:30:02 EDT Jef Rouner Restaurants + Bars popular Houston Texas Local News New study ranks Houston as one of the worst places for renters in U.S. https://houston.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/worst-cities-for-renters-2026/ 2677175303 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:15:02 EDT Amber Heckler Real Estate popular Houston Texas Local News These are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend https://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/best-weekend-events-july-9/ With 713 Day on the horizon (more on that soon), Houstonians might want to enjoy some music-related fare this weekend.]]> 2677178172 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:30:01 EDT Craig D. Lindsey Entertainment popular Weekend Event Planner Houston series Houston Texas Local News 8 more Houston Walmart stores now offering drone delivery https://houston.culturemap.com/news/innovation/walmart-wing-drove-delivery-expansion/ More Walmart delivery drones are now buzzing around Houston-area skies. 2677178740 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:00:01 EDT John Egan Innovation Houston Texas Local News Casual sushi hand roll restaurant sets Heights opening date https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/koyo-hand-roll-heights-opening/ Koyo Hand Roll Bar will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, July 16.]]> 2677178189 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:30:01 EDT Eric Sandler Restaurants + Bars Houston Texas Local News Growing Houston pho chain simmers up a new location in Garden Oaks https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/pho-prime-stomping-grounds/ Pho Prime will open a new location at the Stomping Grounds.]]> 2677175707 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:00:02 EDT Eric Sandler Restaurants + Bars popular Houston Texas Local News Texas park Enchanted Rock opens expanded backcountry to hardcore hikers https://houston.culturemap.com/news/travel/enchanted-rock-state-park-backcountry/ Enchanted Rock State Natural Area to explore in the Texas Hill Country. On July 7, the park opened the Backcountry Area, which invites visitors to stop by during the daytime for self-guided use.]]> 2677174957 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:15:02 EDT Brianna Caleri Travel popular Houston Texas Local News Alamo Drafthouse kicks off  film distribution with Butthole Surfers doc https://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/alamo-drafthouse-exclusives-butthole-surfers/ Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt.]]> 2677170308 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:30:01 EDT Brianna Caleri Entertainment Houston Texas Local News Beloved used bookstore returns to Montrose 5 years after closing https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/half-price-books-montrose-return/ Half Price Books has acquired the former Soundwaves spaces at 3509 Montrose Blvd for a new store that’s expected to open next year.]]> 2677169310 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:00:02 EDT Eric Sandler City Life popular Houston Texas Local News MFAH celebrates America 250 and 7 more must-see art openings for July https://houston.culturemap.com/news/arts/art-openings-houston-july-2026/ The middle of summer is traditionally a time for Houston art galleries, museums, and institutions to take a bit of a breather, allowing art lovers a chance to catch up with spring exhibitions in cool art spaces. But this July keeps the art openings coming as the month brings several celebratory shows and intriguing exhibitions of local artists. Let’s enjoy a sizzling summer of art as the MFAH honors our nation’s big 250; Art Club unveils a new lineup of exhibits; and Avenida Houston expands our art horizons. 2677165565 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:00:01 EDT Tarra Gaines Arts