Avoid street closures

A marathon task made simple: The best routes to Fashion on Sale this weekend

Photo via Houston Marathon Committee
Photo via Houston Marathon Committee

Yeah, yeah, running is great exercise and all, but who are we kidding? Spandex and tennis shoes pale in comparison to couture.

This weekend, once you're done cheering on loved ones at the best spots to catch the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, do something for you and scope out the deals at CultureMap's Fashion On Sale.

Unfortunately, tens of thousands of runners and two days of road closures will provide significant and literal barriers to a fantastic shopping experience. Let us help you out.

On Saturday

Most vehicle-bound Houstonians will fare well during Saturday's Olympic trials. The races begin at 8 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. — and runners finish in as little as 2:07:37 — so most participants should be off of the roads long before noon.

Plus, the Olympic qualifiers will be limited to a loop between South Shepherd Drive and Discovery Green, along Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive.

If you're in downtown, park north of McKinney Street or south of Bell Street for the least inconvenience and the easiest getaway.

Sunday is more complicated

The courses for both the half marathon and full marathon on Sunday are more meandering, and traffic will be maddening at different times throughout downtown, Montrose, West University, the Galleria and Memorial Park, where runners and spectators will take over the streets.

The race will begin around 7 a.m. near Minute Maid Park, heading north on Elysian Street through the Heights, along Quitman Street/White Oak Drive, turning south on Studemont Street/Montrose Boulevard.

At Richmond Avenue, half marathon runners will loop back north to Allen Parkway and through downtown to the finish line at Discovery Green. The marathon course continues west, north and then east again, creating a bit of a hassle for anyone who lives outside of Upper Kirby, River Oaks or Montrose.

But never fear:

If approaching West Ave from the Heights or Rice Military, your best bet will be to take Heights Boulevard to Waugh Drive, or I-610 S to the San Felipe exit. All of Shepherd Drive's southbound lanes will be closed from 6 a.m. until after 12:30 p.m., and Allen Parkway east of Shepherd Drive will be occupied until around 1:15 p.m.
From downtown: Take 59 S, exit Kirby Drive.
From West University: Before 9 a.m., take 59 to I-610 N to San Felipe Street. The blockades at University Boulevard and Kirby Drive should be lifted by 10:17 a.m.

Avoid a late arrival by anticipating traffic and leaving early. See a full list of road closures and anticipated re-opening times here.

Fashion On Sale takes place at West Ave at River Oaks and on Friday (VIP shopping party from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.), Saturday (8 a.m. to 12 p.m. early admission, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. general admission) and Sunday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. general admission). Purchase your tickets in advance here.

unspecified

don't get burned

Talented performers fire up new store and training facility in Houston

Supplies for fire performances to open in Houston in 2025.

Photo by Matt Hellman

Kira Bailey performs with fire fingers.

Have you ever wanted to juggle, swallow, or dance with fire? Houston will soon be home for a place that sells the gear and offers lessons in that art.

Chris and Kira Bailey of the Solar Rain Performance Troupe have been firebending for audiences for more than a decade, as well as running their own online store for tools of the trade, TheOddPropShop. In 2025, they plan to open a combination storefront and workshop for Houstonians to enter and practice the fiery arts.

"Having a physical location allows us to connect with our customers on a more personal level that can’t be replicated online — which is especially important for building props that performers must trust with their lives," the Baileys wrote in an email. "Because of that, we’re building this workshop to become a space to create and test products, and invite our customers in when they want custom-made props. We go through a long trial-and-error with each of our new ideas, often using affordable items from Temu to build our prototypes, and then improve our designs until they’re ready to sell."

The space will be located in Kemah and is scheduled to open in the second half of the year. It will be a combination storefront, living space, and workshop area that will serve aspiring fire performers in a variety of ways. The Baileys will sell their signature fire bubblers, fire jump ropes, and sun wheels that are perfect for both professionals and hobbyists.

The brick-and-mortar OddPropShop will serve as a hub for greater Houston's performance community. Interested first timers will be able to take classes, while established performers can try out new routines and equipment. According to the couple, Houston is home to a significant community of fire artists.

"We wanted to be in a city that not only has a great arts scene and supportive creative community, but is also in a location where we could quickly and easily get the materials we needed to build our props," the Baileys wrote. "Houston was the only place that checked all those boxes. We were also personally drawn to Houston because many of our friends and fellow performers live in the city. In many ways, Houston already felt like home."

In addition to the tools of the fire trade, TheOddPropShop will sell costumes and accessories such as leather and stone jewelry. These small pieces of flair help add to the pagan ambience of the overall fire package.

performing-arts shopping fire performers