fourth of july bang

Here are the Fourth of July events popping off in the Houston area

Shell Freedom Over Texas is going virtual this year.

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The pandemic has certainly canceled many popular Independence Day events, including CityCentre’s Independence Day Series, Bellaire’s 4th of July Parade, and even the Pasadena Strawberry Festival.

But there are still events going in and around Houston that will be celebrating this most patriotic day.

It’s the 125th year for Friendswood’s 4th of July Celebration. But they’re switching things up: Instead of a single parade down Friendswood Drive on the Fourth, there will be seven parades happening simultaneously. 10 am.

Shell Freedom Over Texas will still be happening, with virtual performances from Pat Green, Trae tha Truth, Bun B, and the good ol’ Houston Symphony. The show will be broadcast over at ABC13 Houston. 6:30-10 pm.

Sugar Land will also have a virtual celebration — aka Red, White and Boom. This pre-recorded celebration will have local residents, businesses, and city staff all giving community pride, before the big fireworks finale. 8-8:30 pm.

The City of Katy Freedom Celebration requests that people wear a mask and maintain 6 feet of social distancing for its evening of fireworks and live music, which will be happening near Typhoon Texas. 9-9:30 pm.

The Tomball 4th of July Celebration will also pop off, featuring fireworks (visible from any open site around Tomball’s “Four Corners” area) and a special tribute to our nation’s veterans, active duty military, and first responders. 9:30 pm.

The Woodlands will have a Drive-In Fireworks Display over at Lone Star College-Montgomery. The fireworks extravaganza will be 18 minutes long, so you definitely will be getting a lot of bang for your amusement. 9:30-10 pm.

holidays

ouzo bay replacement revealed

Upscale new Japanese restaurant serving sushi, robata, and more docks in familiar River Oaks District space

Courtesy of Atlas Restaurant Group

Azumi will open this winter.

Baltimore-based Atlas Restaurant Group has revealed its plans for the former Ouzo Bay space in River Oaks District. The company will bring Azumi, an upscale Japanese restaurant, to the development this winter.

Named for a Japanese word that means “safe harbor,” Azumi will serve a mixture of modern and traditional Japanese dishes. Similar to its sister location at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, the menu will include sushi, tempura, robata, and more.

Atlas Restaurant Group’s executive concept chef Alisher Yallaev plans to move to Houston to open Azumi, according to a press release. He’ll oversee menu development that will utilize premium ingredients such as wagyu beef, freshwater soft sell crab, and fish that’s flown in from Japan. An extensive beverage program will include cocktails, sake, and Japanese whisky.

Designer Patrick Sutton will lead the transformation of Ouzo Bay’s dining room into Azumi. Look for a 130-seat main dining room, a private room for omakase tastings, and a 78-seat dining room.

“We’re excited to bring the culinary artistry of Azumi to Houston’s vibrant dining epicenter, River Oaks District, and look forward to creating lasting memories for guests,” said Alex Smith, President and CEO of Atlas Restaurant Group. “At Azumi, our focus will be the presentation of a sophisticated and immersive Japanese dining experience that finds harmony and balance in both the traditional and innovative.”

Ouzo Bay, Atlas’s European-inspired seafood restaurant, closed April 30. The company still operates Loch Bar, an East Coast-inspired seafood tavern, and Marmo, an Italian steakhouse.

Azumi will join a dynamic mix of restaurants in River Oaks District that includes Steak 48, Spanish restaurant MAD, and Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial. The district recently welcomed two new arrivals: Bari, an upscale Italian restaurant, and Ojo de Agua, an all-day cafe with locations throughout Mexico.

Courtesy of Atlas Restaurant Group

Azumi will open this winter.

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