Quantcast
  • Houston is a top regional dining destination, according to a new survey from theGreater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Pictured here, the dining sceneat Tony's.
    Photo by Julie Soefer/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Frank Stella's "Damascus Gate" at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The cityalso ranked at the top of the GHCVB list in the area of "culture/performingarts."
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Hometown Glory

Is Houston the culinary and culture capital of Texas? One study says yes

  • Catastrophic Theatre cast members in the company's recent sold-out run ofFleaven.
    Photo collage by © George Hixson
  • Catastrophic has performed more than a dozen shows at the old DiverseWorksspace, but will get the keys to the theater all to itself on Jan. 1.

grounded

After years without a home, Catastrophic Theatre plans move to familiar Houstonarts space

  • Sally Ride joined NASA in 1978 and became the first American woman to enterspace in 1983.
    National Archives and Records Administration/Wiki
  • The Challenger rocketed into space on the morning of June 18, 1983. At age 32,Ride became (and still remains) the youngest American to enter space.
    NASA/IBTimes.com
  • Ride went on to teach, write and found Sally Ride Science, an organizationintent on making the subject interesting to students.
    The Telegraph

An Extraordinary Life

Dubbing Sally Ride a "lesbian astronaut" shortchanges her impact: Post-deathcoming out overblown

  • Now that Urban Movement has a new home at Studio Fitness in The Heights, it'stime for a fundraising fete on Saturday.
    Photo by Jeremy Keas
  • Before Hurricane Katrina hit, Carolyn Parker was the last resident to leave theNinth Ward neighborhood after a mandatory evacuation was decreed Parker was alsothe first to return. Her jade-colored home became a symbol of resilience, andthis film traces its journey from destruction to rebirth and how Parker inspiredher neighbors to restore their way of life.
  • Moshe Bursuker, Nature VS Architecture Wave, blown, cut, carved and slumpedglass, 2012.
    Photo by Josh Silk

Calendar Closeup

Your weekly guide to Houston: Five (plus) don't-miss events

  • Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, the stars of "Friday Night Lights."
  • Jim Parsons won his second consecutive Emmy for his role as nerdy genius SheldonCooper in Big Bang Theory.
    Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
  • Margo Martindale

Lone star winners

Texas two step: Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons and Friday Night Lights' KyleChandler are Emmy winners

  • The 10th annual Tommy Tune Awards for excellence in high school musicals isaround the corner, set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
    Photo by Bruce Bennett
  • Amid performances by nominated troupes and mashups of students hoping to garnertitles, one of the 15 crystal trophies isn't what high schoolers are hoping totake home. Pictured here are the 2011 Best Featured Performer, Leading andSupporting Actors.
    Photo by Bruce Bennett
  • What they want is one of the coveted eight scholarships. The 2011 scholarshipwinners pose with TUTS CEO and president John Breckenridge.
    Photo by Bruce Bennett
  • New this year is a grand opening number and a 10th anniversary lithographsketched by Tune, who will serve also as presenter.
    Photo by Bruce Bennett

High School Musicals

TUTS' Tommy Tune Awards sends students on the road to stardom with Oscar-worthycelebration

  • Mayim Bialik before the red carpet.
    Ali Kahn
  • Citrine and sapphire cuff. Yes, please! The cuff and chandelier earrings areboth by Nini Jewels.
    Ali Kahn
  • The Nini Hale frog cuff was a huge hit on the red carpet.
  • Houstonian Jim Parsons is part of the ensemble cast that was up for a SAG award.

Houston to Hollywood

Mayim Bialik makes a big bang on the red carpet at the Screen Actors GuildAwards wearing Houston designers

  • Every year I can’t wait to see what the theme is for Catastrophic Theatre’sannual fundraiser. This year it's “Hee Haw Hootenanny."
    Photo by Anthony Rathbun
  • Inn at Dos Brisas, located in Brenham, has beautiful grounds and spa. Therestaurant, which is supplied from its own garden, is the piece de resistance.
  • Taft McWhorter. I can’t say enough good things about this up-and-coming artist,and not just because he is a good friend but because I love his work.
  • Rothko Chapel is a beautiful place where religion, art, and architectureintermingle.
    Hickey Robertson
  • Whether shopping for a unique wedding dress or a dress for another occasion, youwill find the whole experience engaging at Bhldn.
    Heather Staible
  • Buffalo Bayou Kayak Tours are a great way to see downtown Houston from a wholenew angle not to mention a great work out.
    Photo by ©Katya Horner/Slight Clutter Photography
  • I love going to movies, especially independent ones and was so excited when theSundance Cinema brand took over the theater at Bayou Place.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • If you are a chocolate lover, then The Chocolate Bar is the place for you.
    The Chocolate Bar/Facebook
  • No list would be complete without the addition of chef and restaurateur ChrisShepherd, who recently opened up Hay Merchant and Underbelly.
    Photo by © Julie Soefer
  • Steve Lee, a stable in the wedding and event photography business, is nowoffering baby portrait photography! Inspired by the birth of his baby girl, hebrings his unique photography style to the world of cherished memories.
  • Phoenicia Specialty Foods mega-grocery store is so full of interesting culinarydelights that it could take years to try everything.
    Phoenicia Specialty Foods/Facebook
  • The intimate atmosphere and great selections of wine at McGonigel’s Mucky Duckreally make for a great time.
    Photo by Ray Redding

All About Events

Frolics, fundraisers & finds: 40 fabulous things to do in Houston

  • Jim Parsons is Houston's favorite Emmy nominee.
  • Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester on "Glee"
    Photo by Matthias Clamer/FOX
  • Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton finally got nominations for Friday NightLights.
  • Betty White was far and away the host of the season on Saturday Night Live.

Must See TV

Jim Parsons, Conan O'Brien & four other Emmy nods we like

  • The Emmy telecast was dull, but there were a few surprises
  • The Fallon Report: Two much guitar-strumming and Twitter replies; not enoughfunny jokes
    Photo by Virginia Sherwood/NBC Universal Inc.
  • Jim Parsons won, hurray!
  • Conan didn't win, but he was included in one of Fallon's few funny jokes of thenight
    Photo by Timothy White/NBC

Fallon bombed, but these 5-1/2 surprises livened up a dull night at the Emmys

  • Claire Danes, right, and the real Temple Grandin pose in this photo. The HBOmovie, made in Austin, is up for 15 Emmys.
  • Dennis Quaid is nominated for his portrayal of Bill Clinton in HBO's "A SpecialRelationship." In this photo, he portrayed another fictional president modeledafter George W. Bush in the movie, "American Dreamz."
  • Quitman native Sissy Spacek is nominated for her guest role in HBO's "Big Love."She's won an Oscar but never an Emmy.
  • Producer Robin Craig, a Houston native, recently won her third Daytime Emmy
    Photo by Sandra Gin

Starring, Texas!

Will it be Texas night at the Emmys? Dennis Quaid, Sissy Spacek & Austin-madeTemple Grandin up for awards

  • Theresa Roemer, from left, Kym Jackson and Crystal Porter a the book signingparty in The Woodlands.
    Photo by Herb Hochman
  • Jim Lehrer, left, visited with University of Houston chancellor and presidentRenu Khator and Suresh Khator.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Daisy and John White, Association for Community Broadcasting chairman, a the JimLehrer gathering.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Leisa Holland-Nelson, from left, Guyla Pircher and Roz Pactor in pink for thePink Well/Gloria Gaynor event.
    Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Kirksey Gregg celebrating his 50th in the bar at Tony's.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Shirelle Chimenti opened her Woodlands home for the book signing party.
    Photo by Herb Hochman
  • Marcia Harris, from left, Patsy Chapman, Barbara Scott and Gaylon Gilchrist atKirksey's surprise party.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Lynda Transier, from left, Kirksey Gregg and Karen Hartnett at Kirksey'sbirthday bash.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Ed Smith and Cherri Carbonara helped organize the Pink Well flash mob happeningin the Galleria.
    Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
  • Bill Wright, left, with Penny and Dennis Murphree at the HoustonPBS event.
    Photo by Shelby Hodge
  • Kelly Anzelloti, from left, Cindi Rose, Shauna Bloom and Erica Rose at the booksigning.
    Photo by Herb Hochman
  • Gina Gaston, from left, Theresa Roemer, Ursaline Hamilton and Crystal Porter atthe book signing.
    Photo by Herb Hochman

Shelby About Town

A PBS star, a Houston Ballet boyfriend, ladies in pink & beauty queens writingbooks make social news

  • "The Real Housewives of New Jersey"
  • "American Idol"
  • Houston actor Walt Zipprian
  • This Oscar de la Renta ensemble was the first look at his New York Fashion Weekshow in February. Can Houston compete?

Most viewed stories of the week

Reality sets in for CultureMap readers with NJ housewives, American Idol and gayHouston actors who tell it like it is

  • Come on in to the office ... er, theater. It's a tight squeeze.
  • From left, Greg Dean as Jack, Paul Menzel as Howard and Mikelle Johnson as Judyin "The Designated Mourner."
    Photo by George Hixson
  • Jason Nodler — the man with the vision to do a play in an office.
    Photo by Anthony Rathbun
  • There are only 40 seats. If you're in the audience for this play, you're morethan on top of the stage.
  • From The Catastrophic Theatre's production of "Our Late Night," Troy Schulze,from left, Carolyn Houston Boone, Kyle Sturdivant and Greg Dean
    Photo by Anthony Rathbun

The Arthropologist

Close quarters theater: Catastrophic turns its own office into the stage

  • Sue and Lester Smith, left, with Trish Morille at The Women's Home luncheon.
  • Gracie Cavnar and chef David Grossman at the Recipe for Success kick-off.
    Photo by Patrick Bertolino/Starlight Images Inc.
  • Stacy Swift, left, and Merele Yarborough at the Ready Women scholarship tea.
    Photo by Roswitha Vogler/LastNightPics.com
  • Keryl Douglas, from left, Rick Lowe, Judge Clarease Rankin Yates and JacquelineKinloch at the scholarship tea.
    Photo by Roswitha Vogler/LastNightPics.com
  • Joining the United Way kick-off at the Hobby Center were Tom Ryan, from left,campaign chair Bobby Tudor, Jim Postl and Scott McLean.

Shelby About Town

Women's Home windfall, Project Row House mothers & the new Decco Cafe are thetalk of the scene