Most Viewed & Editor's Picks
Top Stories Deluxe Edition: Deloreans rule, but don't mess with Adam Lambert'sfans
Mea culpa. With the Labor Day holiday and fashion week coverage in New York, I fell behind in posting our weekly CultureMap top picks. So I'm doing double duty this week and there's a lot to write about.
I never knew that there was a Delorean factory in the Houston area. Neither did many of our readers, as CultureMap contributor Kevin McCauley's look at the Humble operation was by far the most popular story of the week, and one of the most viewed this year. Even if we can't afford one of the one-of-a-kind cars, we can always dream, can't we?
Twilight hearthrob Robert Pattinson's stop in Houston also drew a frenzied reaction on our site, although his visit went relatively unnoticed. Pattinson probably stopped at the one place where Twihards would never find him — the quirky downtown bar Notsuoh. (Seems like celebs like Pattinson, Lady Gaga and Andy Cohen all found refuge in obscure bars during their Houston visits where hardly anyone paid attention to them.)
We didn't annoy Pattinson's fans but we sure riled up devotees of Adam Lambert who don't like to see their American idol disparaged. They took umbrage with Michael D. Clark's story that questioned the $52 ticket price to see Lambert. Mike thought the price was excessive because Lambert is no Madonna, but most fans found it ridiculously reasonable. Having once paid $125 to see Cher, I side with his fans on this one, although I'm curious about how Lambert landed at the Hobby Center, which normally hosts touring Broadway shows.
A lot of you turned to CultureMap to find out about Murder by the Book owner David Thompson's untimely death. Only 38, Thompson was a Houston original whose beloved book store was a warm refuge for mystery readers. He will be missed.
Intrepid CultureMap reporters Steven Thomson and Caroline Gallay rode the elevators up to the burned out 27th floor of the historic Chase Building and provided a first-person account of the damage (and the great views). Steven and Caroline are also stretching their design skills to furnish the CultureMap lounge, with weekly reports until its completion in early October.
Here at CultureMap, we love lists. So check out our newest feature: CultureList — a entire section of our favorite lists in categories that are CultureMap specialties: Arts/entertainment, city life, fashion/style, food/drink, real estate, social scene and travel. Here you'll find lists on everything from quirky Houston attractions to places to climb the social ladder. If you have any list suggestions, let us know.
Also, follow our countdown to the creation of an explosive work of art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston by noted gunpowder artist Cai Guo-Qiang. The ignition will be live streamed on CultureMap Oct. 6.
Most viewed stories of the week Sept. 5-11
1. Inside the Delorean factory: Where beautiful cars are made — one at a time
2. Houston at Twilight: Robert Pattinson chills, plays guitar at Notsuoh
3. Ticket Outrage: Who does Adam Lambert think he is? Madonna?
4. Disappointed by Adam Lambert? Dave Matthews Band is here to save the music day
5. Jonas Brothers race toward their inevitable breakup: Can Nick go it alone?
Most viewed stories of the week Sept. 12-18
1. Murder by the Book's David Thompson dies suddenly, mystery community mourns
2. Fake it to make it: Nicki Minaj attempts to go Gaga
3. Celebs love Houston's obscure bars: Gaga, Robert Pattinson & Andy Cohen all dismiss the trendy
5. Is Willow Smith already to ursurp Rihanna or Lil' Bow Wow?
Editor's Picks
1. A look at the easily-accessed burned out 27th floor of the historic Chase Bank building
2. Curator Christine Starkman illuminates gunpowder artist Cai Guo-Qiang's explosive work
3. Fashion Week ends with Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Gwen Stefani & a Weir-d moment
4. A first look inside new downtown YMCA building (video tour included)
5. Glamour Time: Houston Symphony Opening Night brings out black-tie wows