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Your first look at White Linen Night: New Pink Street party zone & maps revealed

The new White Linen Night Map

The maps are out!

And if the layout is any indication, the Heights' 2011 White Linen Night, Aug. 6, should be the best event to date.

New this year is Pink Street, a run of pavement decked out in rosy shades and dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness.

Pink Street will be located on White Oak Drive in between Oxford and Columbia streets and will include a stage for live performances by the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, Clory Martin, Ragged Heart and The Witherees, among others. A fashion show will follow at 9 p.m.

Also new this year is a festival permit allowing vendors to sell wine by the glass and bottle. No more sneaking around!

White Linen Night traverses nearly the entire Houston Heights, from the 19th and 20th Street shopping districts, down Heights Boulevard and Studewood to 11th Street and White Oak — with lots of stops in between.

Holding down the fort at Fitzgerald's on the corner of White Oak and Studewood is Fresh Arts Coalition, which will host not one or two, but three WLN parties. From 4 to 6 p.m. is a pre-party featuring Stages Repertory Theatre and drink specials; from 6 to 9 p.m. Phamily Bites will keep festival-goers fed while Talento Bilingüe de Houston, Musiqa, Benjamin Wesley and Hilary Sloan take the stage; and from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. the after-party will rage with Sara Van Buskirk and Benjamin Wesley, along with surprise guests from local band favorites.

There is parking on side streets where available, but visiting attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the free parking at Northwest Mall, located at 610 and 290. The Wave will transport WLNers to and from the festival and drop them off along the routes, all free of charge.

Pedi Cabs and the Pedal Party will also be rolling through to pick up tired (or thirsty) partiers.

Click here for a full map of the festivities.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Shaq surprises Houston restaurant with $1,000 tip and more top stories

Courtesy of Ninfa's

Shaquille O'Neal had lunch at Ninfa's Uptown.

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, starting with a surprise visit — and big tip — from Shaq. Plus, Houston ranks among America's most overpriced cities, and rents rise in Sugar Land. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then find the best things to do this weekend here.

1. Shaquille O'Neal leaves $1,000 tip at Houston Tex-Mex institution. NBA Hall of Famer and media personality Shaquille O’Neal surprised the crowd at The Original Ninfa’s Uptown when he stopped by for lunch, posing for pics and leaving a very big tip.

2. Veteran Houston bartender shakes up the Heights with new tropical bar. The woman behind your favorite bartender’s favorite bar has quietly opened a new cocktail spot in the Heights. Called Berwick’s Birds of Paradise, it’s the latest project from Double Trouble owner Robin Berwick.

Berwick's Birds of Paradise bar Robin Berwick Owner Robin Berwick took inspiration from hotel bars for BBOP. Photo by Vivian Leba

3. Houston is one of America's most overpriced cities, study finds. In what may come as a surprise to some local residents, a new study ranks Houston among the 10 most overpriced cities in America.

4. This Houston suburb had the highest apartment rent prices in June. Apartment rent prices in June were more expensive in Sugar Land than anywhere else in Houston, according to the latest monthly rent report from Zumper.

5. Houston influencer opens an antiques-filled boutique hotel in Montrose. 109 Stratford Street in Historic East Avondale has recently opened as a nine-room boutique hotel, The Marlene Inn, from owner and Instagram influencer Lily Barfield.