• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    score big

    Houstonians score a ton of fun at CultureMap's first-ever Tailgate party

    CultureMap Staff
    Nov 7, 2022 | 3:41 pm

    Houston’s biggest sports fans partied overtime at CultureMap's newest signature event, The Tailgate.

    Recently held at Silver Street Studios, the celebration of all things sports attracted a crowd ready to have some game day fun.

    And they certainly didn't go hungry. Past Tastemaker Awards winners and nominees brought snacks galore, from Thai sausage to pizza bites to brisket sliders and more.

    Guests could vote for their favorite munchies via QR code, leading to d’Alba Craft Kitchen & Cocktails taking home the trophy for their Falcon Lakes Bolognese. J-Bar-M Barbecue’s cochinita pibil sausage wraps also earned raves. Drool over a full list of the snacks here.

    Those looking to scoop up ideas for their next watch party could sample catering from Whole Foods Market, then walk away with a stadium-approved clear backpack filled with snacks, samples, and coupons for future purchases.

    No one's cup ran dry, thanks to bars stocked with 11 Below Brewing Company beers, Austin Cocktails, and specialty drinks featuring Dripping Springs Vodka and 1800 Tequila, the official tequila of the Houston Texans.

    Speaking of sips, five local bars competed to create the best vodka cocktail with Dripping Springs vodka. In the end, Loch Bar’s Lavender Rose cocktail was the big winner.

    In between bites and sips, guests browsed a silent auction stuffed with valuable sports memorabilia, with a portion of proceeds benefitting our nonprofit partners. The first bidder for each item scored a special reward: a glittering replica of a championship ring (which we can confirm were appropriately heavy).

    Attendees could also learn more about and donate to each of the event's nonprofit partners. The Sugar Land Space Cowboys and their mascot Orion represented The Astros Foundation, which harnesses the passion of baseball fans to support youth baseball and softball programs, the recognition/honor of our nation's military, childhood cancer awareness, and efforts to reduce homelessness.

    Former safety Eric Brown and former offensive lineman Fred Weary joined the Texans mascot Toro and the Texans cheerleaders on behalf of the Houston Texans Foundation, which serves children in the Houston area through partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and the Houston Texans Teen Club, the Houston Texans YMCA in the Third Ward, the Houston Food Bank, and more. Other key programs include disaster response efforts, youth football, support for members of the military, veterans, and their families, as well as funding social justice efforts in Houston.

    Houston Dynamo mascot Diesel represented Dynamo Charities, which leverages the passion of their players, staff, and fans to provide resources and education that positively impact lives in the community. Those who stopped by could show off their kicking skills at a giant inflatable goal.

    Spotted among the sea of jerseys were Leisa Holland-Nelson, David Gow, Brittany Campbell, Isabel Protomartir, Murray Manley, Deets Hoffman, Leon Barileva, Jeff Solomon. Filiz Elshani, Hera Olsson, Natalie Lyles, Allie Marin, Savannah Sullivan, Austin Lyles, Christen Fobbs, Isley Maglalang, Sandra Panesso, and Stephen Pinkney.

    Tailgate Houston 2022 11 Below
      

    Photo by Emily Jaschke

    11 Below turned it up.

    fundraiserssportspromoted
    news/entertainment
    series/tailgate-houston-2022
    series
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.

    No passport required

    Houston's Japanese culture festival returns with ramen, rides, and celebs

    Jef Rouner
    May 28, 2025 | 2:00 pm
    A car with a custom, anime-inspired warp at Tokyo X
    Photo provided by Hyper Growth IQ
    Tricked out cars, ramen, and more at Tokyo X

    Tokyo X, one of Houston's premiere celebrations of Japanese culture, returns to NRG Center for two days in June, promising, celebrities, food, martial arts, anime, and more.

    “Tokyo X is where Houston and Japan connect — through culture, community, and pure creativity,” publicist Christina Truong said in a statement. “This is more than a fan event. It’s a full sensory experience rooted in food, fashion, tradition, and fandom.”

    The event takes place June 14 and 15. Tickets are available at TokyoNightFest.com.

    Gearheads especially should mark their calendars because Tokyo X features the return of the internationally acclaimed car show series Hot Import Nights (HIN). Japan is renowned for its customized car and street racing scenes, and more than two dozen builds have been chosen to show off what Japanese car prodigies can do. From highly elaborate wraps that honor legendary anime to mechanical marvels built for speed, it's a chance for Houston car buffs to see a whole different style of tricked out rides.

    “Hot Import Nights’ long-awaited return to Houston makes this event incredibly special — and teaming up with Tokyo X takes it to an entirely new level," said Michael Munar, executive Producer for Hot Import Nights. "Together, we’re merging the best of car culture and Japanese pop culture into one unforgettable experience. From customized imports to anime, food, music, art, and cosplay — this is the kind of energy our fans have been waiting for.”

    Another big hit will be the ramen showdown. It's not a Houston festival without some fantastic food, and Tokyo X will host a variety of culinary experiences. The most dynamic will be the Ramen Rush: The Ultimate Bowl Battle, presented by Yelp. Food bloggers will race to devour two bowls of Tsujita Houston's ramen in front of a cheering crowd to win a year's supply of free ramen from Tsujita and all the prestige that comes from being a champion.

    “Tokyo X Fest is all about pushing the boundaries of food, fun, and competition,” said event owner Naoki Yoshida. “Ramen Rush is set to be a fan-favorite, showcasing Tsujita’s incredible ramen and delivering an unforgettable experience for food lovers.”

    Of course, the event will also feature plenty of offerings for anime fans. Tokyo X is hosting the usual anime panels, cosplay contests, and appearances from voice actors. Headlining the festival are Devora Wilde, who voiced Lae'zel in Baldur's Gate 3, and Toshihiko Seki, whose credits include Demon Slayer, Naruto, and Gundam Wing. Both will be available for photos, signings, and Q&A sessions.

    Additional activities include a samurai martial arts demonstration, musical performance by AISHA, and more than 400 vendors.

    Tokyo X Festival
      

    Courtesy of Tokyo X

    Hot Import Nights will display tricked-out Japanese rides.

    festivalstokyo x convention
    news/entertainment
    series/tailgate-houston-2022
    series
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.
    Loading...