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CultureMap's fifth anniversary bash set to rock the downtown party scene and you're invited

The traditional five year anniversary gift is wood, conveying strength and longevity, and while both words fit CultureMap just fine, we decided to take our five-year celebration on Friday, Oct. 10, in a more festive direction. Think rock the night.

There will be delicious bites from Houston’s best restaurants and a drink selection befitting a true milestone event.

As in multiple dance-tastic bands, the creation of artwork while you watch, the chance to win fab prizes, delicious bites from Houston’s best restaurants and a drink selection befitting a true milestone event.

Yep, five is looking good, and why shouldn’t it? Party central is the entire gallery level of the new JW Marriott Houston Downtown, giving us plenty of room to birthday it up in style. Get your tickets here.

Every party needs a soundtrack and the five-year playlist from the Cadillac Music Series Stage features the IDT Band, DJ Bizonee, Sonic Boom and Fly Boys. Art and music go hand-in-hand, so while the music plays, artists David Hardaker, Kelley Devine, Lee Wright and Tra Slaughter will be creating live artwork based on what Houston means to them.

And since we know Houston is all about generosity, 50 percent of the sale of their artwork is being donated to Casa de Esperanza, CultureMap’s beneficiary. A portion of the $25 ticket price will also be given to the organization that provides assistance to children in crisis due to abuse, neglect or the effects of HIV.

CultureMap readers know just how important dining and libations are no matter what day or event, so we’ve lined up quite an array of food from the JW Marriott’s Erin Smith, Crave Cupcakes, Green Plate Foods, The Grove, Kiran’s, Nara, Springbok and Los Tios, which just happens to be celebrating its 44th anniversary.

We have a few party tricks up our sleeve too. Be on the lookout for the Truth Booth for an honest, cheeky and anonymous evaluation of your style.

There’s certainly no shortage of salutatory beverages at our five-year fete. Grey Goose, Bacardi, El Sueno “Tinto de Tejas,” Saint Arnold, Karbach, Bud Light, Ziegenbock and Stella are all on tap. Like a generous pour? Don’t miss Bitter Creek Chardonnay, Lambert Bridge Merlot, Vanishing Creek Pinot Grigio and Wire Ridge Cabernet on the wine menu and you can rehydrate with Acqua Panna, San Pellegrino and San Pellegrino sparkling fruit beverages.

We have a few party tricks up our sleeve too. Be on the lookout for the Truth Booth for an honest, cheeky and anonymous evaluation of your style, so dress to impress. Pop by the Smilebooth to capture your attendance because as we all know, if it’s not on Instagram, it didn’t happen. While you’re at it, Kendra Scott’s Swag Station is another social spot. The first 100 partiers to pop by, take a pic and tag themselves on Instagram and Twitter with #CMbdaybash win prizes from the Texas jewelry designer.

Not that we’re expecting any awkward silences, but Yellow Cab and some of Houston’s most iconic locales have teamed up with us to bring you a match game sure to get you mingling. Hold onto the colorful card you get when checking in, and then look for someone else with the same card. Meet up, match and score prizes from West Ave, Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet, BBVA Compass/Home of the Houston Dynamo, Warehouse Live, House of Blues, MFAH and Hermann Park.

What else? Well, you of course. Our five years wouldn’t be what they are without our CultureMap readers. You’ve made us your homepage, commented on stories, attended our events, supported local charities near and dear to us and for that, we thank you.

Now, who’s ready to party?

The IDT Band is just one of the musical performers at CultureMap's Birthday Bash.

Photo Courtesy IDT Band

The IDT Band is just one of the musical performers at CultureMap's Birthday Bash.

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Movie Review

Shaun the Sheep welcomes spooky season with PG-scary new movie

Photo courtesy of Aardman / Sky UK LTD / StudioCanal 2026

Shaun the Sheep in Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom.

Since his introduction over 30 years ago, the Aardman Animations character Shaun the Sheep has been almost as popular as the studio’s flagship characters, Wallace and Gromit. There is never a shortage of trouble Shaun can get into as he leads his flock and proves to be a thorn in the side of his farmer and Bitzer, the farmer’s loyal sheepdog.

His antics lead everyone down some slightly spooky roads in the new film, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. At first, things are only slightly awry as Shaun and the flock are growing a secret pumpkin patch to have their own jack-o-lanterns. But when the farmer accidentally destroys the pumpkin patch, Shaun tries to regrow it quickly with a Frankenstein-esque experiment.

However, disaster looms when Shaun uses an old bottle of Hair-Gro as the container for the serum he creates. Naturally, the balding farmer uses it on his head, and everyone soon discovers how truly successful it is, with pumpkins growing out of control and the farmer sprouting hair all over his body. Through a series of mishaps, the farmer becomes the titular beast, creating mayhem while Shaun and others try to stop him.

Directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker, and written by Mark Burton and Giles Pilbrow, the film goes down just as easy as every other Aardman project has. They get the Halloween vibes started from the opening credits, with things like the sheep doing the “Thriller” dance, and continue the fun throughout, referencing everything from Psycho to Friday the 13th in a nice, PG way.

With no script — every character is mute save for reaction noises — the movie relies on sight gags for its humor, and the Aardman team is endlessly inventive in that respect. Sometimes it’s small things like a sheep using toilet paper rolls as binoculars, and sometimes it’s something like forcing the Bigfoot-like farmer to be shaped into a rectangle as he escapes through a window. But there’s a never-ending stream of such moments, so even if one doesn’t tickle your funny bone, chances are the next one will.

The biggest benefit of the characters not talking is that there’s no need for deep character development. The filmmakers do a great job of giving the basic traits of each character, and then use those attributes to color everyone’s actions for the rest of the film. Shaun is the troublemaker, the farmer is a bumbling fool, Bitzer is preternaturally smart, and the town’s vet is empathetic, and the combination of those characters and others makes for a highly entertaining blend.

Like all Aardman creations, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is a fun lark that doesn’t make its audience think too hard. With just enough references to keep viewers engaged but not so many as to be overbearing, the film puts its well-worn characters to good use once again, delivering a Halloween season story that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

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Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is now playing in theaters.

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