Food fest news

Traveling food festival takes over Houston university on Labor Day weekend

The Sai Summer Cookout is a three-day festival of music, food, and community.

Sai Summer Cookout/Instagram

Hey, remember that cute little girl from Black-ish? You know – the girl from this meme. Well, she’s a grown woman now, and she’s coming to Houston to close out this summer season with a bang.

Marsai Martin’s Sai Summer Cookout touches down in Houston this year, bringing together community, culture, and connection for a three-day celebration. Launched in 2023, the Cookout (created by actress/producer/tastemaker Martin) was created as an innovative way to inspire, unite, and celebrate life through culture, connection, and community. The inaugural event debuted in Atlanta, followed by a second gathering in Washington, D.C., each bringing together students, alumni, and supporters of historically Black colleges and universities.

Sai Summer Cookout poster The Sai Summer Cookout is coming to the TSU campus on Labor Day Weekend.Courtesy of Sai Summer Cookout

Set for Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31, on the historic campus of Texas Southern University, the event will feature live music, incredible food, and immersive experiences.

"I’m so excited to bring Sai Summer Cookout to Texas Southern," said the Plano native in a statement. "I spent so many summers here with my family, so coming back feels like home. I’ve always loved gathering people — there’s nothing like the energy when we come together to celebrate, support one another, and just enjoy life. This weekend is about my generation connecting with those before us, building new memories, and loving on each other."

The weekend will feature performances from Houston rap legend Paul Wall (fresh from entertaining preschoolers and their parents last weekend), Ari Camille, MonaLeo, and kwn, alongside DJ sets from Richy Smart, DJ Slater Rose, and Mr. Rogers. Scott Evans, host of the YouTube talk show House Guest, will share hosting duties with Love Island season six winner Serena Page and Wild ‘n Out regular Zoie “GotDamnZo” Fenty.

The Cookout is also partnering with renowned TikTok food critic Keith Lee (who recently moved to Texas – to be closer to our food, we’re assuming) to debut a food court experience that brings together flavor, fellowship, and the best of the local culinary scene. According to a representative, participants include Lee-approved joints such as The Puddery, Cool Runnings, Tacos Doña Lena, and HTX Food Plug.

Here’s the weekend schedule:

Friday, August 29

Meet & Greet with Marsai Martin
Urban Trivia Night
Kick-Off Party at House of Blues

Saturday, August 30

Sai Soul Sessions: Yoga & Soundbath with Walk Good LA
Black Excellence Brunch x SSC at TSU

Sunday, August 31

The Main Event: The Cookout – food, music, laughter, and love

Tickets start at $25 for the kick-off party and $65 for the cookout. For more information about Sai Summer Cookout, including VIP passes, visit https://saisummercookout.com.

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Concert New

British pop star Niall Horan invites Houston to his Dinner Party tour

Photo courtesy of Niall Horan

Pop singer Niall Horan will play at Dickies Arena on May 2, 2027.

British pop singer Niall Horan will go on the road with the North American leg of his Dinner Party Live On Tour in 2027, which will include a stop at the Toyota Center in Houston on Saturday, May 1.

The all-arena tour will travel to 26 cities in the United States and Canada over the course of two-plus months, starting in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 27 and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia on May 29.

The tour, which will also go to Fort Worth on May 2 and Austin on May 14, is in support of his Horan's new album, Dinner Party, which will be released on June 5, 2026.

It officially kicks off in England on September 22, 2026 with a 25-date U.K./Europe leg lasting until November 16.

Horan is also co-headlining two stadium shows with Thomas Rhett this summer: At Nashville’s GEODIS Park on July 9 and Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania on July 18.

Since One Direction broke up in 2016, Horan has released three solo albums, with each making the top 5 on album charts in the U.S., the U.K., and his native Ireland. His biggest hit in the U.S. remains "Slow Hands" in 2017.

Tickets for the tour will be available starting with a Citi presale on Tuesday, May 12 at 10 am, followed by an artist presale on Wednesday, May 13 at 10 am.

Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, May 15 at 10 am at livenation.com.

NIALL HORAN DINNER PARTY LIVE ON TOUR – NORTH AMERICA 2027

3/17 – St. Paul, MN – Grand Casino Arena
3/19 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
3/20 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
3/23 – Chicago, IL – United Center
3/26 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
3/27 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
3/30 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
4/2 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
4/4 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
4/8 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
4/12 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
4/13 – Hartford, CT – PeoplesBank Arena
4/15 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
4/17 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
4/28 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
4/29 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
5/1 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
5/2 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
5/14 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
5/16 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
5/18 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
5/20 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
5/22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum
5/25 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
5/27 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
5/29 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

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