Exhibits galore from Friday through April 25

FotoFest brings the world of photography to Houston

Todd Hido, #8614 from the series "A Road Divided," 2009, from the FotoFest 2010Biennial exhibition "Whatever was Splendid: New American Photographs"
Fotofest banner from a previous biennial exhibition
Augusta Wood, "It Turns into Nothing on His Tongue," detail, 2005, from theFotoFest 2010 Biennial exhibition "Assembly: Eight Emerging Artists fromSouthern California"

In the art world, Venice has its legendary Biennale, New York has the Whitney Biennial, and Houston has FotoFest. Every two years the Bayou City showcases the state of the art of photography.

For the first time, the festival will focus on contemporary U.S. photography through a dizzying array of exhibitions, films, receptions, curatorial dialogues, workshops, and portfolio reviews. With countless local arts organizations chiming in for maximum exposure, Fotofest promises to keep Houston picture perfect this spring.

Founded in 1986, Fotofest has presented 13 installments of the only photography biennial in the world. The calendar of events stretches from Friday through April 25 and encompasses several venues. Five main exhibits comprise the core of the biennial, but a host of satellite events will keep Houstonians dining out on images on a weekly basis.

Four of the main exhibits are organized by distinguished curators from a variety of national collections. The fifth exhibit, and perhaps most unique to FotoFest, “Discoveries of the Meeting Place,” displays the work of 10 artists culled from submissions to the previous biennial's portfolio review — the largest such review in the world.

Registrants show their work and receive feedback from an international assembly of editors, curators, gallery owners and publishers. If you’ve been longing for your 15 minutes of fame make time for the Meeting Place: According to the Web site, slots are still available.

But you don’t have to be a starving artist to take part in FotoFest. Any Houstonian can navigate this vast sea of pictures without drowning in pixels or processing chemicals.

Why not start with a party? FotoFest opens with a bang Friday at its near-downtown headquarters with an opening event highlighting one of the central shows, “Whatever was Splendid: New American Photographs,” curated by Aaron Schuman. Schuman’s show traces the legacy of that genius of the everyday, Walker Evans.

“The striking similarities between Evans’s time and our own have become all too clear,” Schuman says. “Bearing this in mind, I began to investigate his profound influence on how the United States is still responded to, regarded, recognized and represented within photography today.”

You can start the revelries earlier that night with a reception for the opening of photographer Allison Hunter’s video installation “Zoosphere” at DiverseWorks. Hunter has spent years photographically documenting animals in zoos and abstracting these images to produce haunting meditations on the place of the animal in contemporary life. “Zoosphere” promises an arresting journey through a maze of galleries filled with life-sized projections of animals trumpeting, crying, and calling, all the while devoid of sound.

FotoFest manages to include something for nearly everyone — casual observers, budding photographers, and even children. After the conclusion of the festival, FotoFence takes off from May 9-19. FotoFence is an outgrowth of the Literacy through Photography project, which trains HISD teachers to bring photography and writing into the classroom. See the results of these efforts at the Fotofest headquarters as elementary, middle, and high school students exhibit their work.

And if the idea of seeing the world through the eyes of children appeals, take in the annual “Eye on Third Ward” photo show at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston through May 23. Now in its 15th year, the show features photographs taken by students at Jack Yates High School as they document and map this historic district in their day-to-day travels.

In conjunction with FotoFest, the MFAH has mounted a massive survey of its renowned photography collection. For Ruptures and Continuities, which runs through May 9, assistant curator Yasufumi Nakamori chose from the nearly 20,000 works that photography curator Anne Tucker has spent years assembling. It's a fascinating and gorgeously laid-out exhibit. This retrospective of post-1960s photography provides a perfect context for the revelations of FotoFest. It includes Houston’s own Mark Bagge’s Polaroid documentation of media coverage flickering across television screens as U.S. soldiers descended upon Iraq.

While at the museum, don't forget to check out Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman and other artists who taught us how simultaneously real and unreal photographic images can be. These luminaries inspired what looks to be one of the most intriguing of FotoFest’s offerings: MediaNation. Curated by Gilbert Vicario of the Des Moines Art Center, you’ll find photography transfigured by Twitter, YouTube, Xtube, MySpace, and the intimations of a digital of seeing ourselves and each other in an utterly new way.

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Houston Astros mark final regular season games with Dollar Dogs, super swag, yoga, and more

Houston Astros Facebook

Catch José Altuve and other heroes before the playoffs.

The Houston Astros are dominating the American League and in a juicy twist, are currently seven games ahead of the New York Yankees as the best team in the league. With the playoffs fast approaching, fans are clamoring to see our hometown heroes in their final home stand of the season.

Games this week feature the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, the Tampa Bay Rays, and Philadelphia Phillies and include the usual fan-favorite activities. As always, tickets are available online — get those playoff tickets soon.

Here's a rundown of the games and events.

Tuesday, September 27 – Astros vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: 7:10 pm

A First Responders Coin presented by LyondellBasell will be available to 10,000 fans, and Dollar Dog Night returns with unlimited dogs for a buck.

The Astros Foundation and Honeywell will celebrate 10 STEM teachers in the Houston area who earned the STEM Teacher Hall of Fame Award in a pregame ceremony. Each Hall of Fame Award winner will receive pregame recognition, a $2,000 check, and a Honeywell and Astros gift pack.

Wednesday, September 28 – Astros vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: 7:10 pm

All fans can score a Yuli Gurriel AL Champion Replica Ring presented by Gallery Furniture will be available to all fans in attendance. One lucky fan in attendance will receive a personalized ALCS Elite Fan Ring, boasting real diamonds and 10k white gold.

Wednesday is also the Cadence Bank Houston Open Night at Minute Maid Park. More than 1,000 kids and their families that participate in First Tee of Greater Houston will be in attendance, with a ceremonial first pitch in conjunction with Cadence Bank Houston Open Night.

The Cadence Bank Houston Open is set for November 10-13 at Memorial Park Golf Course. Tickets are on sale now.

Friday, September 30 – Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 7:10 pm

The first10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Yuli Gurriel Orange Astros Jersey presented by Schlumberger. Pregame Happy Hour presented by Budweiser runs 5 pm- 7pm.

As always, Friday night concludes with Friday Night Fireworks of the regular season presented by ConocoPhillips (weather permitting). Fans voted for K-Pop as the night's music.

Saturday, October 1 – Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 6:10 pm
The first 10,000 fans score a Jeremy Pena Bobblehead presented by Taquerias Arandas. Saturday also marks Domestic Violence Awareness Day at Minute Maid Park, with a pregame ceremony and ceremonial first pitch.

Sunday, October 2 – Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 1:10 pm

The first 10,000 fans will receive an Astros Bucket Hat presented by Xfinity. Sunday is also Yoga Day at Minute Maid Park, where fans can purchase a $40 add-on package to participate in yoga (led by a professional yoga instructor) for 45 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Those who purchase the add-on will also receive an Astros yoga block, cooling towel, water bottle, and drawstring bag. For more information and to sign up, please visit the Yoga Day site.

For the final time during the 2022 regular season, Sunday will features the Astros’ Kids Run The Bases event, open to kids ages 5-12.

Monday, October. 3 – Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies: 7:10 pm

The final series of the 2022 regular season against the Philadelphia Phillies opens with all fans receiving a Dusty Baker AL Champion Replica Ring presented by Coca-Cola. For the last time this season, one fortunate fan in attendance at the game will receive a personalized ALCS Elite Fan Ring, with real diamonds and 10k white gold.

As it is Space City Monday, the Astros will don their Nike City Connect Space City uniforms.

The Astros will also recognize the longtime Astros executive Jamie Hildreth and his family in the Houston Baseball Media Wall of Honor pregame ceremony.

Tuesday, October 4 – Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies: 7:10 pm

Hot dog fans, head up: This is the final Dollar Dog Night with unlimited dogs for a buck. Héctor Herrera, star midfielder for the Houston Dynamo, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Also, the Astros will join Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana in celebrating 10,000 local wishes granted by Make-A-Wish over the past 38 years. Prior to the game, wish kids Adrian (from Corpus Christi, 12 years old); Elizabeth (Houston, 14); and Lourdes (Houston, 18) will meet Astros’ superstars Jose Altuve and Kyle Tucker and lovable mascot Orbit. The wish kids will join the team for batting practice, pregame activities, and more.

Wednesday, October 5 – Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies: 3:10 pm

The Astros will celebrate fans with Fan Appreciation Day. One-of-a-kind prizes will be given out to select fans each half-inning of the game along with much more. For more information, visit the Fan Appreciation Day site.

a real pickle

Houston's first-ever professional pickleball tournament swings into Memorial Park

USA Pickleball/Facebook

The first-ever pro pickleball tourney promises to be a smash.

Is pickleball more fun to watch, like baseball, or is it more fun to play, like softball? Houstonians can ponder these questions when the first-ever professional pickleball tournament ever to be hosted in the Bayou City comes to town in October.

The APP Sunmed Houston Open swings into Memorial Park from October 19-23. A showcase of some of the world’s best pickleball players, the tournament features action in pro, senior pro, and amateur divisions.

Registration to participate APP Sunmed Houston Open Golden Ticket Qualifier for Amateurs and Pros, which promises a $60,000 prize purse, is open through October 10 and can be found online. Importantly, interested players must enroll as a member of USA Pickleball if they are currently not registered with the organization.

As for spectators, admission is $10 online or at the gate during tournament times.

With more than 4.8 million people playing worldwide — an increase of 40 percent since 2020 — pickleball is currently America’s fastest-growing sport. (Interestingly, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been playing pickleball for more than 50 years, according to Forbes.)

Currently, more than 10,000 Houstonians are estimated to play pickleball.

Jumping on that trend, the City of Houston helped organize the tournament in a joint effort between Council Member Abbie Kamin, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Greater Houston Pickleball, and the Houston Pickleball Association.

“It doesn’t stop at this tournament; our District is leading the way and making the investment when it comes to supporting Houston’s love for Pickleball— one of the fastest growing sports in the country,” Kamin noted in a statement. “We’re the first office to partner with the incredible team in our Parks and Recreation Department to bring pickleball courts to five of our district’s parks, which should be ready for all Houstonians to enjoy very soon.”

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The APP Sunmed Houston Open will run at Memorial Park (1500 East Memorial Loop Dr.) from October 19-23. For more information, registration, or tickets, visit the official site.

The Ice House Cometh

Favorite Houston watering hole opens 'longest bar in Texas' in bustling Woodlands locale

Photo by Michael Anthony

Kirby Ice House has opened in The Woodlands.

One of Houston's most popular patio bars has opened its third location. Kirby Ice House has arrived in The Woodlands.

First announced last year, the new Kirby Ice House occupies a prime location at 1700 Lake Robbins Dr. that's near The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. With 10,000-square-feet of interior space and an 18,000-square-foot patio, the massive bar has room for 700 people.

Photo by Michael Anthony

Kirby Ice House has opened in The Woodlands.

The interior features a 141-foot-long bar, which dwarfs the 120-foot bar at the Memorial/Spring Branch location and is touted as the longest bar in Texas. Follow all the games on 61 HDTVs or a 300-inch jumbo screen. Interior details include Kirby Ice House signatures like vintage posters of actors and actresses and Texas signage. A 30-foot tall live oak tree provides shade on the patio.

Drink options start with 51 rotating beer taps along with wines by-the-glass and bottle. Cocktails include a cucumber-lime Moscow Mule, blood orange paloma, and lemonade Old Fashioned. Food trucks — including Satellite Pizza, Lupe Tortilla, Hearsay on the Go, Mr.Sizzles, and Boot Shooters BBQ — will be on-site daily.

"We’re so excited to finally be a part of the vibrant Woodlands community,” partners Danny Evans and Russ Morgan said in a statement. “This is a prime location with incredible proximity to residences, businesses, hotels, and attractions, and the casual indoor/outdoor format is a perfect match for the relaxed vibe of the area. We look forward to being a central, neighborhood-centric place to gather — whether it’s for an office happy hour, birthday, sporting event, pre-gaming for a concert, or just hanging out with friends.”

cocktails news-you-can-eat the-woodlands openings

Exhibits galore from Friday through April 25

FotoFest brings the world of photography to Houston

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

New Texas-based app makes mental health care more accessible

Here's how Houston Astros fans cans score highly coveted postseason tickets

Houston Astros mark final regular season games with Dollar Dogs, super swag, yoga, and more

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

New Texas-based app makes mental health care more accessible

Here's how Houston Astros fans cans score highly coveted postseason tickets

a real pickle

Houston's first-ever professional pickleball tournament swings into Memorial Park

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

New Texas-based app makes mental health care more accessible

Here's how Houston Astros fans cans score highly coveted postseason tickets

The Ice House Cometh

Favorite Houston watering hole opens 'longest bar in Texas' in bustling Woodlands locale

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

New Texas-based app makes mental health care more accessible

Here's how Houston Astros fans cans score highly coveted postseason tickets

Exhibits galore from Friday through April 25

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a real pickle

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

The Ice House Cometh

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.