No, it's not a new Apple product

iFest announces entertainment lineup

The Houston International Festival has announced its entertainment line-up, and it's got a Carribean flair. This year brings festival first-timers like Eddie Palmieri and Steel Pulse and Houston newbies Bassekou Kouate and Los de AbajoWorld, but there are also plenty of local acts to support. World music and roots make a proud showing, as does ska, reggae and Latin music, sure to have everybody (literally) dancing in the streets.

The festival will run April 17-18 and April 24-25 in the streets, parks and plazas of downtown Houston.

On the main stage:

Latinology, featuring Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox; Easy Star All Stars; Joe Ely Band, featuring David Grissom on guitar; and Ozomatli (April 17)
Norma Zenteno Band; Bassekou Kouyate; Mighty Diamonds; and Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band (April 18)
Taj Weekes and Adowa; La Excelencia; King Sunny Ade and His African Beats; and George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic (April 24)
D.R.U.M.; Los de Abajo; Baaba Maal; and Steel Pulse (April 25)

Other iFest perfomers include:

Local reggae acts the Suspects; Irie Time; DubTex; Shark Attack and Idiginis; and Wild Moccasins; along with Houston groups the Sideshow Tramps; Los Skarnales; Robert Ellis and the Boys; Texas Johnny Brown; Sisters Morales; the Mitch Jacobs Band; Big Al Bettis; and Karina Nistal.

Also playing are Marcia Ball; Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women; the Rebirth Brass Band; Tab Benoit; Brave Combo; J. Paul Jr., Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha; Zydepunks; Bachata Roja Legends, featuring Puerto Plata; La Excelencia; Lil Brian Terry; Bassekou Kouyate; Janiva Magness; New Orleans Hustlers Brass Band; Truth Universal; Sara Hickman; Ned Sublette; Sisters Morales; Grupo Kache; Mi Rumba; Tekumbe; Mark May; Mark Townes; and the HSPVA All Stars.

Dance groups including the Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Dancers and the Mocko Jumbie stilt dancers will also be grooving around downtown.

The full schedule and ticket information can be found here.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Stunning new Heights Chinese restaurant heats up this week's top stories

Mala Sichuan Bistro Heights MKT exterior

Photo by Bill Krampitz for TK Images

Mala Sichuan Bistro has opened in the Heights.

Editor's note: It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week.

1. Acclaimed Chinese restaurant’s new Heights location opens with stunning design details and 'fantastic' menu. "There’s a Chinese saying that it takes 10 years to wield a great sword,” the owner tells CultureMap. “This restaurant is the sword that I took 10 years to wield.”

2. University of Houston debuts new ultramodern legal center named for fierce and legendary local lawyer. Students now have amenities such as a two-story library, meditation room, commuter showers with changing rooms, an outdoor terrace, and more.

3. River Oaks comfort food restaurant's big move brings new patio and more. A larger kitchen will allow the restaurant to accommodate more to-go business and expand its catering operation.

4. Houston's never-'klosing' restaurant's new Galleria location opens with deli faves, full bar, and NYC vibe. The new restaurant puts diners in a New York state of mind with globe lighting, white subway tiles, and black-and-white framed photographs of New York landmarks.

5. Wildly popular Great Wolf Lodge breaks ground on massive Houston-area indoor water park resort. The 27-acre destination will boast 532 rooms, a 95,000-square-foot indoor water park, and a 58,000-square-foot family entertainment center.

hot-headlines

tuning up the triangle

Bellaire's oldest shopping center set for major modernizing makeover

Rendering by Boucher Design Group & Levy Dykema

The new-look Bellaire Triangle.

At nearly 63 years old, Bellaire’s first shopping center is in need of an update. Now, a Texas company is stepping in to give the Bellaire Triangle, developed in 1959, a refresh.

Dallas-based Shop Companies is teaming up with MC Management & Development, which owns and developed Bellaire Triangle for a multi-phase renovation to the venerable shopping center.

The renovation is slated to begin in late 2022, according to Shop Companies.

Design focus will highlight both original designs, married with new public art installations from local talent. A centerpiece of the makeover will be the restoration of the open-air arcade between the two main buildings, meant to provide a relaxing, naturally-lit space during daytime shopping activity and a warm social gathering spot for area residents and families in the evenings.

Extra attention will be also be placed on landscaping for open-air dining, shopping, and lounging.

“We have approached this project with history in mind,” said MC Management’s Dan Meyer in a statement. “The new design will expose many of the Triangle’s original architectural elements including steel columns, brick parapet walls and bright accent colors, all of which were typical of the ’50s era.”

So named in part due to its strategic location between three major streets — Bellaire Boulevard to the north, Chimney Rock to the west, and Bissonnet Street to the south — the Triangle shopping center encompasses some four acres and more than 70,000 square feet.

a woodlands wonder

Palatial, fairy-tale mansion in The Woodlands charms market at $13 million

Photo by Chris Allison

The grand front facade at 88 W Grand Regency Cir.

Clearly everything is bigger in Texas, and that’s definitely true about 88 W Grand Regency Cir. in The Woodlands. The home boasts more than 30,000 square feet unfold across more than four acres, including 10 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.

The palatial estate is on the market for $13 million and is represented by Diane Kink of The Kink Team.

This estate comes in at number two of the most expensive listings in the state, according to HAR.com. It’s only topped by 5531 Walnut Hill Lane in Dallas, which is just one more thing that will add to the never-ending Bayou City-Big D rivalry.

But back to 88 W Grand Regency Circle. This is the kind of house that’s tailor-made for a family that loves entertaining, both inside and out. When a home has more than 7,000 square feet of terraces alone, it’s definitely an A-list spot for wine on the patio, family birthdays, summer celebrations, and more.

Imagine an all-out bash by the in-ground pool or a smaller ladies weekend brunch on one of the covered side patios.

Prefer to be indoors? There are cozy alcoves for quiet conversations, a movie room with a giant screen and a casual eating space that’s modeled after a mid-century American diner. On the first floor, the “gentleman’s study” has a private elevator to the second floor. A third-floor VIP suite features its own bar and lounge, and a massive closet with bay windows.

Exquisite detailing is on display throughout, from inlaid and carved ceilings, to lighted glass display cabinets to Corinthian pillars.

There’s covered parking for six cars, two motor courts, two spas flanking the pool, two separate apartments, a pool house, an owner’s office with separate space for an assistant. This epic home truly needs to be seen to be believed.

And even then, it might still seem like something out of a fantasy.

88 W Grand Regency Circle The Woodlands for sale

Photo by Chris Allison

The grand front facade at 88 W Grand Regency Cir.

No, it's not a new Apple product

iFest announces entertainment lineup

Buzzy EaDo brewery fires up new cannabis dispensary and lounge

Luxurious new pet boutique and cafe pampers in Katy with patio, bakery, and haute dog designs

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

This Week's Hot Headlines

Stunning new Heights Chinese restaurant heats up this week's top stories

Buzzy EaDo brewery fires up new cannabis dispensary and lounge

Luxurious new pet boutique and cafe pampers in Katy with patio, bakery, and haute dog designs

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

tuning up the triangle

Bellaire's oldest shopping center set for major modernizing makeover

Buzzy EaDo brewery fires up new cannabis dispensary and lounge

Luxurious new pet boutique and cafe pampers in Katy with patio, bakery, and haute dog designs

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

a woodlands wonder

Palatial, fairy-tale mansion in The Woodlands charms market at $13 million

Buzzy EaDo brewery fires up new cannabis dispensary and lounge

Luxurious new pet boutique and cafe pampers in Katy with patio, bakery, and haute dog designs

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

No, it's not a new Apple product

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This Week's Hot Headlines

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tuning up the triangle

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

a woodlands wonder

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.