Day Of The Dead Art Party

Day of the Dead Art party raises spirits as Houston artists create paintings that you can vote for

What: El Jimador Tequila’s Day of the Dead Art party.

Where: Gremillion & Co. Fine Art.

The 411: More than 175 CultureMap insiders got into the spirits as they celebrated Day of the Dead, the traditional Mexican holiday called Día de los Muertos, and honored the dearly departed with friends, food, music and art.

Downtown bar and grill El Big Bad made sure no partygoers went hungry. The stellar eats included a build-your-own taco bar and passed appetizers like empanadas and small cups of ceviche. Guests also enjoyed craft cocktails by el Jimador, including margaritas and palomas (tequila mixed with grapefruit-flavored soda).

The spooky soirée, which benefited Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, featured more festive touches, from calavera (skull-like) face painting to a decorate-your-own sugar skull station and Day of the Dead Jenga.

DJ FXBOXolmos kept the party moving with Latin and pop spins while five local artists — Daniel Adame, Chuy Benitez, Vonetta Berry, Andres Chapa and Nicky Davis — created Day of the Dead-inspired paintings on-site with Berry winning the People's Choice vote and a $250 cash prize.

But the competition isn't over yet. Be sure to visit El Jimador Tequila's Facebook page to vote for your favorite piece of art from the Day of the Dead Art Party by November 25 at 10 pm. Help two lucky artists win $1,000 and $500, respectively, for having the most likes.  

Who: Raising their margarita glasses for a good cause were Lance Gilliam, Maria Saade, Nicky Davis, Marilyn Zapata, Connie Knox, Patrick Mahoney, Trudi Smith, Joseph Garcia, Ashley Allison, Kathy Powell McEwen, Jeff Zubernis, Julie Ilowiecki and Daniel Adame.

Didn't get enough of the art and fun? Join the artists as they unveil their works during special El Jimador Happy Hour promotions at the following dates and locations:

• November 5 from 6-8 pm: Meet Vonetta Berry at El Big Bad (419 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002)
• November 6 from 6-8 pm: Meet Chuy Benitez at Pistoleros (1517 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006)
• November 10 from 6:30-8:30 pm: Meet Daniel Adame at The Original Ninfa's on Navigation (2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003)
• November 11 from 6-8 pm: Meet Andrew Chapa at La Grange (2517 Ralph Houston, Texas 77006)
• November 12 from 4-6 pm: Meet Nicky Davis at Arnaldo Richards' Picos (3601 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098)

Elizabeth Soliz.

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam Photography

Elizabeth Soliz.

fundraisers drinks

let's roll

Soccer star and Grammy-winning singer will lead Houston Art Car Parade

Courtesy of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

Art Car weekend returns April 9-12.

If you see a lot of unusual-looking automobiles on the streets and freeways next month, it’ll be for one simple reason: the Art Car Parade is back.

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art announced the return of the Houston Art Car Parade Weekend presented by Team Gillman, taking place Thursday, April 9 through Sunday, April 12. This will culminate in the Houston Art Car Parade – its 39th – on Saturday, April 11, featuring more than 250 one-of-a-kind, rolling works of art.

The four-day celebration transforms the city into a canvas of color, creativity, and community, with the parade serving as the weekend’s crowning spectacle, drawing more than 315,000 spectators annually and making it the largest free cultural event in Houston. Serving as the 2026 Featured Artist is Phillip Pyle II, a visual artist, graphic designer, and photographer whose work engages with issues of race and popular culture through the lens of graphic design.

This year’s grand marshals, former Houston Dynamo player Brian Ching and singer/The Suffers frontwoman Kam Franklin, represent two powerful pillars of Houston’s cultural identity: sports and music. Ching and Franklin join a distinguished list of past marshals, including Bun B, Carl Lewis, Marilyn Oshman, J.J. Watt, Dan Aykroyd and George Clinton.

“This year’s Orange Show Art Car Parade honors Kam Franklin and Brian Ching as Grand Marshals,” said Orange Show executive director Jack Massing. “Selected for their positive contributions as Houstonians, both are dedicated community leaders committed to fostering creativity through music and sports, helping build a happier, healthier city.”

Attendance remains free and open to the public, reinforcing the Orange Show’s mission to make art accessible to all. For those looking to immerse themselves in the parade’s energy while supporting its mission, the VIPit offers a festival-style atmosphere with limited tables and reserved grandstand seating starting at $250. Admission includes complimentary food and beverages from Houston favorites, private restrooms, and premium parade views. Proceeds directly fund year-round Art Car programming at the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, including Art Cars in Schools, a curriculum aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards that brings hands-on creative learning into classrooms across the region.

For more information, visit the Orange Show website.

art car parade brian ching kam franklin houston