Just like old times: the Joe Ely Band returned to Rockefeller Hall Friday nightfor an electrifying show reminiscent of many great performances from the club’spast.Photo by Ray Redding
Interim iFest president and festival performing arts director Rick Mitchellannounced highlights of the festival line-up on Friday night. Tickets are now onsale at ifest.org.Photo by Ray Redding
Ian Goldberg and Eva Wolod stopped by Rockefeller Hall to check out the scene.Photo by Ray Redding
Joe Ely’s next Houston appearance will be on the final day of the HoustonInternational Festival on Sunday, May 8.Photo by Ray Redding
Rick Heysquierdo, host of the popular KPFT program “Lone Star Jukebox,” emceedthe concert.Photo by Ray Redding
Joe Ely’s wife Sharon, who works as a hair and make-up stylist in the filmindustry, drove in from a movie set in Austin to catch the show.Photo by Ray Redding
Singer-songwriter Mike Stinson opened the show. Stinson relocated to Houstonfrom Los Angeles, where he was named “Best Country-Western Artist in L.A.” byLos Angeles magazine.Photo by Ray Redding
After advance tickets sold out, crowds lined up outside Rockefeller Hall tosecure the few remaining tickets available at the door.Photo by Ray Redding
Veteran Houston drummer John Grayum and wife Sharon enjoyed the evening.Photo by Ray Redding
Jim Jard and Larry and Tatiana Seligmann (with CultureMap contributor SusanDarrow) staked out a spot near the stage in the balcony for the show.Photo by Ray Redding
Houston musician Herschel Berry (center) visited with friends at RockefellerHall Friday.Photo by Ray Redding
Allen Hill, the ringleader of Houston’s own Allen Oldies Band, was inattendance.Photo by Ray Redding
It's rare to get a Houston evening with low humidity, crisp air, and cool breezes, but the stars aligned for The Tailgate presented by Verizon, CultureMap's third annual signature event, on November 11. The weather was absolutely perfect.
Held at 8th Wonder Brewing, the (mostly) outdoor event offered about 500 guests plenty of space to mingle, eat, and enjoy the laid-back vibe of sports-themed fun. Houston pride shone brightly with attendees donning their best Astros, Texans, Rockets, and Dynamo gear.
VIP admission gave guests access to a special meet-and-greet with two of the Houston Texans' most popular alumni — defensive stars Brian Cushing and Travis Johnson, courtesy of presenting sponsor Verizon. The players handed out their autographs and snapped photos with fans to kick off the evening.
Of course, no tailgate is complete without delicious food. Guests gobbled up generous samples from some of Houston's favorite restaurants, including:
- Adobo beef tacos from 1891 American Eatery & Bar
- White wings, gold fever wings, crawdaddy and mango habanero wings, and signature onion rings from Big City Wings
- Comfort Foodies' signature empanadas in four flavors: oxtail, beef and cheese, chicken and cheese, and spinach and cheese
- Shrimp ceviche shooters and brisket on a croissant from The Halal Guys
- St. Louis ribs with Comeback Sauce from Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
- Spicy and regular Layne's chicken fingers with dipping sauce
- Smoked salmon handroll from Kokoro
- Loro's smoked brisket tostadas with shishito salsa
- Ramen Frito pie from Ramen Tatsu-Ya
- Lobster rolls, corn and crab bisque, lobster bisque, and whoopie pies from Mainely Sandwiches
- Smoked pulled pork bahn mi pizza from Pizarro's Pizza
- House made bratwurst on a challah roll with sauerkraut and amber ale mustard from Saint Arnold Brewing Company
- Jerk lamb chops from Southern Jerks
- Spicy ranch wings from Taste Kitchen + Bar
- Laab chicken sandwiches with tortilla chips from Thai Tail
- The Waffle Bus' Hot Mess Fries: seasoned waffle fries topped with spicy buttermilk fried chicken bites, white cheddar mac and cheese, and Thunder Sauce
- 72-hour sous vide wagyu short rib from Uchi
- Wagyu meatballs and edamame fritters from Uchiko Houston
With virtually no wait time for drinks, the bars served up signature cocktails by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Weber Ranch Vodka. Guests sipped memorable espresso martinis made with Shipley Do-Nuts cold brew, along with THC seltzers from Howdy and 8th Wonder beers.
Big City Wings beat out 15 other competitors in a bracket-style tournament to take home the title as winner of the Ultimate Wing Showdown. And The Waffle Bus scored a repeat win as attendees' favorite dish of the night; they also took home the title in 2023.
Big City Wings beat out 15 other competitors in a bracket-style tournament to take home the title as winner of the Ultimate Wing Showdown. And The Waffle Bus scored a repeat win as attendees' favorite dish of the night; they also took home the title in 2023.
Sponsor East River 9 offered more delicious food at their booth.
Local sports organizations were well represented, with the Texans raffling off a coveted CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros showed off their Shooting Stars dancers, plus the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies. And Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash raffled off team-signed jerseys.
Local sports organizations were well represented, with the Texans raffling off a coveted CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros showed off their Shooting Stars dancers, plus the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies. And Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash raffled off team-signed jerseys.
Julia Morales showcased with her custom apparel line, Shop Baseball, Y'all. Attendees could also shop the great apparel selection from Mizzen + Main.
No sports-themed event would be complete without some friendly competition and awards to take home. Guests could putt putt for prizes, courtesy of Holey Moley. And the night wound down with a spirited kolache-eating contest sponsored by Shipley Do-Nuts; the lucky winner received free doughnuts for a year.
At the end of the night, there was only one complaint to be made for The Tailgate: It had to come to an end for another season.
At the end of the night, there was only one complaint to be made for The Tailgate: It had to come to an end for another season.
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The Tailgate was presented by Verizon and sponsored by 8th Wonder, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen + Main, Shipley Do-nuts, and East River 9.
Photo by Daniel Fernandez
Chris Lueking, Bailey Murphy
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