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    Screen Changer

    New River Oaks theater set to lavish comfort, food and drink like you've never seen on moviegoers

    Shelby Hodge
    Oct 29, 2015 | 9:39 pm

    The hype has been running pretty high on the new iPic Theater officially opening November 6 in River Oaks District. So when I arrived Thursday afternoon for a preview and a visit with iPic Entertainment president and CEO Hamid Hashemi, I confess to being a bit skeptical.

     

    Skepticism misplaced. And the hype is not hype at all.

     

    The eight auditoriums, seating a total of around 500 movie-goers, are the plushest thing I've seen since flying business class on Emirates Air. Hashemi would beg to disagree. He compares the premium seats (and there is nothing less than premium) to flying first class and the premium-plus seating as flying private.

     

    With 11 locations around the country, iPic Houston is taking even greater strides in the luxury arena by including a restaurant/bar in the theater and introducing a new form of seating — the pod.

     

     Chillin' in the pod

     

    "This is the first theater in our company that we have this pod design that you are looking at," he said. "We've been working on this design for a little over a year."

     

    We sat in one of the cozy, comfy seating arrangements for two on the glove-leather loungers, which recline to about 30 degrees. Premium-plus seating amenities include a storage area for shoes and handbags, pillows and soft blankets, hidden cup holders and a rotating table for food and drink service from the restaurant.

     

    Push a button and an attendant — or ninja — is quickly at your side taking your order. (For those in the mere premium seats, no reclining and closer to the screen, food and drink are available for take-out from the movie theater grill.)

     

    At the moment, the luxurious redolence of leather permeates the theaters. It's an appealing smell that we fear will soon be replaced by the aroma of popcorn, which surprisingly is free and unlimited in iPic theaters.

     

    The theaters are not designed for the typical moviegoer who might be more interested in texting and chatting than in watching the movie, according to Hashemi.

     

    "This is for people that are going out and they want to have a really great night out," he said. "When they buy a ticket here, every seat is assigned. This is a completely different experience. It is a very relaxed experience. People pay a little bit more because they value their time and their experience. You are in an auditorium with like-minded people."

     

    In other words, this theater is geared to adults willing to pay a bit more for a much more civilized movie experience.

     

     Benefits of membership

     

    iPic has a free membership program with various incentives and offerings including a membership ticket price. With 1.3 million members, they must be doing something right.

     

    Premium seats: Member prices are $12 Monday through Thursday, $14 weekends.

     

    Premium plus seats: Member prices are $18 Monday through Thursday, $24 Friday through Sunday.

     

    "It really becomes your nighttime single destination for your most common entertainments — eat, drinking and movies," Hashemi said. "This is the same thing that Starbucks did for coffee. This is that third place away from home. If Starbucks is the place your going to hang out in the daytime, this becomes your nighttime destination."

     

    In short, it's "dinner and a movie" all in one place.

    iPic Entertainment president and CEO Hamid Hashemi tries out his first venture into Houston at River Oaks District.

    News, Shelby, iPic Theater, Oct. 2015, Hamid Hashemi
      
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
    iPic Entertainment president and CEO Hamid Hashemi tries out his first venture into Houston at River Oaks District.
    openingscocktailsdinner
    news/entertainment

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    hustle hard, H-town

    Oprah's TV network spotlights Houston women in new reality series

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 15, 2025 | 5:30 pm
    Heart Hustle reality TV show
    Courtesy of OWN Network
    Rosea Pichardo.

    It looks like Houston will be home to a new reality series about successful women living their best life and trying not to get into huge fights with each other during brunch.

    Next month, Oprah Winfrey’s OWN channel will premiere Heart & Hustle: Houston, where a quintet of upwardly mobile, African American women thrive in Texas’ largest city.

    “Heart & Hustle: Houston brings a fresh, dynamic perspective — one that centers Black women not just in conflict, but in community, healing, and growth,” OWN President Tina Perry said in a press release. “It’s a powerful look at ambition, resilience, and the bonds that hold friendships together, even through life’s toughest moments.”


    Let’s break down the ladies who’ll be giving us the heart and the hustle:

    Alaina Saulsberry, 38 
    “H-Town’s Glam Girl” 
    Known for her beauty brand Color du Jour, Saulsberry is touted as a mentor who balances work with family commitments. After 15 years of marriage, the relationship is in a rough patch. Will she choose personal happiness or preserving stability for her two children?

    Heart Hustle reality TV show
      

    Courtesy of OWN Network

    Rosea Pichardo.

    Chloe Cook, 44
    “The Straight Shooter”
    Known as “THE premiere event planner of Houston,” Cook took a step back from the event business to take care of her young daughters after the tragic loss of her husband. However, the gal is getting her groove back thanks to her recent relationship with much younger man Jordan. Unfortunately, her eldest son Neiko (who is only three years younger than Jordan) isn’t feeling the whole May-December thing. Can Chloe balance being a mother and a MILF?

    La’Torria Lemon, 36
    “The Hopeless Romantic”
    The head of Lemon-Lime Light Media, entrepreneur/philanthropist Lemon has been called “a force in the entertainment, hospitality, and PR industry.” She’s a charming personality, but don’t get it twisted: She’s ready to bring the claws out whenever someone comes for her. After losing her father, Lemon is on the hunt for the love of her life, so she can settle down and have some kids. Can she find a good man just like dear old dad?

    LeBrina Jackson, 35
    “The Southern Belle”
    Full of “passion, drive, and compassion,” elite spa owner Jackson is one of the few Black women in the spa and wellness game. The resident caregiver of the group, Jackson is there for her family, friends, customers, etc. She uses her past (specifically, her family’s history) to break generational curses and build a better tomorrow for her peoples. Can she still take care of others, while also finding some time to take care of herself?

    Muneera Page, 43
    “Mrs. Perfect”
    Meet the big, bad momma of the crew: a devout wife, mother of four daughters (including a set of twins), and career woman whose journey “embodies the power of faith, resilience, and boundless ambition.” With a two-decade career as an electrical engineer in the oil and gas industry, Page has taken a career 180 and pivoted to content creation. Can she live a life of meaning, purpose and transformative impact, while also inspiring folks around the world?

    Roe Pichardo, 39
    “Nightlife Queen”
    Finally, we have the party girl. Pichardo is an entrepreneur, hospitality innovator, and cultural curator who’s “redefining the art of connection.” She’s got a rep as a major player in the restaurant and nightlife world (Editor’s note: She appeared on CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast during her time as the general manager of James Harden’s restaurant Thirteen). Despite staying tough in a male-dominated industry, those close to her know she’s a sweet, loving soul. Can she still take her businesses to the next level, while also learning to be more vulnerable around her loved ones?

    These questions and more will be answered when Heart & Hustle: Houston premieres on OWN on Saturday, August 2, at 8 pm.

    news/entertainment
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