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Top stories of the week: Chris Rock's unfunny movie, Lynn Wyatt's opera weekendand Starbucks' free offer

We ask, "Why can't Chris Rock make a funny movie?"
CultureMap readers loved Starbucks' offer of free coffee on Tax Day
Photo by DelewareOnline
Lynn Wyatt, center, was the center or attention at the Houston Grand Opera Ball.Hubby Oscar, left, and Price Talal of Jordan, right.
Photo by Gary Fountain

Readers are flocking to CultureMap in record numbers — we had our best week ever last week — for an eclectic mix of stories. Postings with pop culture themes dominated the top of the list, but other topics caught your eye — a look at the newly renovated Julia Ideson library, a big proposed rate increase in water bills for apartment renters, our green living series (my personal favorite: the fabric softener diet ), an events calender full of interesting things going on in town, and Janet Gurwitch's interview with Texas Children's Hospital CEO Mark Wallace — the first in a monthly series where she quizzes business leaders on their secrets of success.

Top stories for week of April 10-17:

1. Why can't Chris Rock make a funny movie?

2. Jamie Oliver's worst nightmare: Tasting the KFC Double Down

3. Elin Woods drops her last name for a Swedish manse?

4. Starbucks brings the green to Tax Day and it's free coffee for you

5. Oh my god, get over Tiger Woods swearing at the Masters

Editor's Picks:

1. Fireworks on all levels made the opera ball one for the record books — Houston's premier society scribe Shelby Hodge had the scoop on the Houston Grand Opera "Yellow Rose of Texas" Ball honoring Lynn Wyatt. The big news: Lynn's husband, Oscar, gave $1 million to the opera in her honor.

2. A liberal crashes the Tea Party (and finds some surprises) — CultureMapper writer Sarah Rufca went to the tea party rally at Discovery Green and was surprised to discover some speakers had ideas that seem downright sensible.

3. Greg Scheinman's Profile comes to CultureMap — CultureMap is proud to be the online home for the PBS/Channel 8 series that profiles Houston's top leaders in business, philanthropy, sports, business and the arts. Watch the second season's first episode featuring Sam Gainer, senior partner of Gainer Donnelly & Desroches, one of Houston's largest independent accounting firms. And catch all the episodes of the first season on CultureMap.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Lizzo feasts at hot Houston steakhouse and more popular stories

Courtesy of Juliet

Lizzo with Juliet owner Jamie Allen.

Editor's note: It's time to catch up on the top Houston news of the week. Lizzo makes two appearances with a review of her RodeoHouston debut and details on her celebratory dinner after the show. Plus, we introduce you to Houston's best sandwiches. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then plan the rest of your weekend right here.

1. Lizzo celebrated rodeo debut with dinner at celeb-loved Houston steakhouse. Houston hero Lizzo celebrated her sold-out concert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with an epic feast. The multi-hyphenate and her entourage went to Galleria-area steakhouse Juliet for a private, post-show meal.

2. Texas' new, 4,871-acre state park is now open to the public. Outdoor adventurers are able to hike, fish, camp, and explore Texas' first new state park in 25 years, which opened just in time for spring break.

3. These 10 restaurants and pop-ups serve Houston's best sandwiches. The nominees in our Tastemaker Awards wildcard category of Best Sandwich demonstrate that Houston restaurants produce an endless array of banh mi, tortas, po’ boys, wraps, and, yes, one of the premier Jewish delis anywhere in the country.

Winnie's po'boy. houston.culturemap.com

4. Growing Houston sushi chain rolls into new Galleria-area development. A growing Houston hand roll restaurant has signed on to a new Galleria-area development. Handies Douzo is the fourth restaurant announced for Central Park Post Oak.

5. Lizzo makes Houston feel 'Good as Hell' at sold-out Rodeo concert. Lizzo’s sold-out March 6 show, closing out Black Heritage Day, was a rapturous celebration of Houston pride with a live jukebox.