Houston Hotel Magazine - Spring 2014

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SPRING 2014

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T H E D E F I N I T I V E G U I D E TO H O U STO N

TEXAS ROCK LEGEND

ZZ TOP , BABY LUV TO LUV YA nes’ Southwest Airli Big Move PAGE 30

THE LUXURY OF TIME The World’s Most Expensive Wristwatch

GRADY SPEARS Reigning King Of Cowboy Cuisine

CARNIVORES RULE On The Prowl For Houston’s Best Steak

RON WHITE You Can’t Fix Stupid, Can You?

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Checkout upon arrival.

Experience the serene atmosphere of the Omni Dallas Hotel’s signature Mokara Spa, a calming oasis in the heart of downtown. Begin your retreat in the relaxation room, and then make your way to a true spa escape as you enjoy your choice of body treatments. Complete your total departure by indulging in our delectable dining options, from farm-to-market creations at Texas Spice to savory fare at Bob’s Steak & Chop House.

214-744-6664 • omnihotels.com/dallas

©2014 Omni Hotels & Resorts

CONTENTS

ISSUE 01: SPRING 2014

FEATURES 26 CHUCK WAGON CHEF What’s in the kitchen? Texas chef Grady Spears brings Southern comfort food to a Lone Star level.

BY DAVE MUSCARI 30 SPREADING THE LUV After more than 27 years, CEO Gary Kelly is still completely nuts about Southwest Airlines (and that’s a very good thing!).

BY PETE NORTHWAY

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YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID … OR CAN YOU?

Uproarious comic and native Texan Ron White has opinions on almost everything. Just ask him. We caught up with one of America’s favorite stand-up superstars to find out the secret to his success.

BY DAVE MUSCARI

40 RED HOT ZZ TOP Guitarist Billy Gibbons from Houston tells HHM why “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” still sizzles on stage.

BY DAVE MUSCARI

TDC Photography / Shutterstock.com

24 LATEST RELEASE Looking Into You is a tribute to singer and songwriter Jackson Browne that brings some of the world’s biggest names in music together on two CDs. HHM talks with Kelcy Warren, the Texas energy-industry mogul who made it happen.

BY ELLEN RITSCHER SACKETT

40 ON THE COVER: Two members of the band, ZZ Top: Dusty Hill (left) and Billy Gibbons (right). Not pictured: Frank Beard.

Photo by Ferenc Szelepcsenyi

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Photo: Michel Gibert. Special thanks: Pascaline Rey.

l’art de vivre by roche bobois

Manufactured in Europe.

Profile sofas, daybed, cocktail table and sideboard, designed by Roberto Tapinassi and Maurizio Manzoni Cushions and throw, designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for Roche Bobois HOUSTON - 4810 San Felipe Road - Tel. (713) 629-0442 - Open Monday – Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm ATLANTA - BOSTON - CHICAGO - COLUMBUS, OH - CORAL GABLES, FL - COSTA MESA, CA - DALLAS - DENVER LA JOLLA, CA - LOS ANGELES - MANHASSET, NY - NATICK, MA - NEW YORK, 35 TH ST - NEW YORK, 57 TH ST PALM BEACH, FL - PHILADELPHIA - SAN FRANCISCO - SAN JUAN, PR - SCOTTSDALE - SEATTLE - TROY, MI WASHINGTON, DC

Showrooms, collections, news and catalogs www.roche-bobois.com

CONTENTS

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Ralph Lauer

13 THE RUNDOWN Here’s some of what we think makes this part of the world special — from Houston Hotel Magazine.

Photo courtesy Southwest Airlines

IN EVERY ISSUE

48 THE SCENE In Houston, we’ve got events to suit everyone’s style. Check our calendar for the best of the city’s culture and entertainment during your stay.

58 ATTRACTIONS What will make your visit memorable? HHM recommends what to do and where to go for fun and adventure in and around Houston.

61 DINING Whether you want a quick bite or a savory sit-down meal, there’s plenty of places from which to choose in Houston. Take a glance at our guide before you go exploring on your next culinary excursion.

64 OUR PARTING SHOT After retiring from his position as CEO of the Texas Rangers, baseball icon Nolan Ryan is back to business in a new capacity.

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David Woo

55 SHOPPING From trendy boutiques and highend malls to hip vintage stores, HHM knows the smart spots to shop in H-town.

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with john daugherty, realtors

at Home with john daugherty, realtors

From the gardens of Lazy Lane to the charm of The Heights and beyond, we know Houston.

Call us when you’re ready to make your move.

713.626.3930

520 Post oak Blvd. ®

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j o h n d a u g h e r t y. c o m 713.626.3930 h o u s t o n , te x a s s 7 7 0 2 7

Established 1967

WELCOME

ISSUE 01: SPRING 2014

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Photo by Audrey Gow

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Welcome to the inaugural edition of Houston Hotel Magazine.

Spring has blossomed here, and that means the beginning of one of the most beautiful seasons of the year in Texas. While northern cities are still struggling with the woes of winter, Houston is heating up and getting greener by the minute.

In this issue, we begin with a sizzling cover story about that little ol’ band from Texas, more specifically, from right here in Houston: Say hello to ZZ Top. Red-hot, blues-powered and turned up to 10, this trio of Texans has played together for 40 years. We check in with guitarist and native son Billy Gibbons for his take on the fame, success and driving forces behind this amazing music machine.

Another great entertainer, comedian Ron White, made a huge name on the Blue Collar Comedy Tours asking the question: “You can’t fix stupid,

can you?” We go up close with the Texas-born, stand-up comic about his start playing big and small venues and how he got his nickname, Tater Salad.

There’s a cowboy in the kitchen! Chef Grady Spears has made waves for years with his special brand of chuck wagon cuisine. We get the lowdown.

Plus, pho (pronounced “fuh”) is a Vietnamese street soup that’s been called “Texas comfort food.” We’ll point out some spots around the area.

If you fly Southwest Airlines (and even if you haven’t yet), you need to read our conversation with CEO Gary Kelly. Find out why, more than 25 years after he joined the company, Kelly is still in LUV with the little airline that could.

Whether you call us Space City, H-town, the Capital of the Sunbelt or one of our many other nicknames, welcome! If you’re looking for destination dining,

shopping or an evening on the town, this is the place to be. The Scene contains up-to-date listings on everything from concerts and sports to seasonal happenings and community activities, all designed to help you plan your time in Houston. No matter the season, welcome to the Texas home of fun.

Please enjoy this edition of Houston Hotel Magazine with our compliments. It’s the definitive guide for discerning visitors to Houston.

Lauren Adams Publisher, Houston Hotel Magazine

Ready. Set. Southwest.

©2011, 2012 Southwest Airlines Co.

Without you,we’re just a bunch of gung-ho people with too much energy and a 737.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ellen Ritscher Sackett

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chris Hanchey

COPY EDITOR Pati Haworth

CONTRIBUTORS Leah Cast

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER David Woo

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Dave Muscari

WEEKDAYS 5AM

PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT OF CORE PUBLISHING Pete Northway

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING Shelly Northway shelly@core-publishing.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Marc Eller

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PRODUCTION production@houstonhotelmagazine.com

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CORE PUBLISHING, LLC 4141 Office Parkway Dallas, Texas 75204 Phone: 972.638.8608 Fax: 972.638.8609

HoustonHotelMagazine.com

WEEKDAYS 8AM For advertising opportunities, call Gow Media at 713-479-5310.

Reproduction without permission from publisher is prohibited. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the publication, the publisher cannot accept liability for errors and omissions.

V I C E R O Y

Z I H U A T A N E J O

laid-back luxury and relaxed contentment Nestled on one of the country’s most beautiful The resort’s famous white-sand beach stretches 600 beaches, Viceroy Zihuatanejo is a paradise for couples feet along a gorgeous sweep of coastline. Spend the and families alike on Mexico’s Pacific coast. day relaxing on a lounger, shaded by palms and a thatched palapa, being pampered by a Beach Butler The 46 luxurious guestrooms and suites are tastefully and enjoying a massage in the Spa Palapa. appointed with artisanal Mexican design elements in earthy color palettes. All are just steps from the Guests indulge in massages and one-of-a-kind beach, have a unique design and a private terrace indigenous treatments performed by highly skilled or balcony overlooking lush gardens or tranquil therapists at the intimate spa.

Zihuatanejo Bay. All suites have a private plunge pool.

The fun and activities are nonstop with three Viceroy Zihuatanejo stands out for its gourmet dining, swimming pools, two lighted tennis courts, airfrom mouth-watering Mediterranean and Mexican conditioned fitness center and everything from seafood in La Marea and modern interpretations of windsurfing, snorkeling and deep sea fishing to fly Pacific-Mexican cuisine served al fresco in La Villa to boarding and nearby golf. Zihuatanejo Bay’s warm, fresh ceviches and 110 specialty tequilas in the Coral naturally sheltered waters are ideal for swimming Bar. Private dinners in La Cava wine cellar feature and water sports year-round. wine pairings drawn from a collection of more than 1,250 labels.

Toll-free 866-905-9560 | vz.reservations@viceroyhotelsandresorts.com | viceroyzihuatanejo.com

>>

Here’s some of what we think makes this part of the world special — from Houston Hotel Magazine.

Photos Courtesy Hublot

>>>>>>>>>>>Million O’Clock>>

The $5 Million When money is no object, what do you buy for the man who has everything? If bling is his thing, then consider gifting your guy with the world’s most expensive wristwatch, just as Houston-born celebrity singer Beyoncé Knowles purchased for her record producer and rapper husband, Jay Z. Referred to as “The $5 Million,” this watch is the most precious timepiece ever created by luxury watch brand, Hublot, and partner, Atelier Bunter, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. This stunning fashion statement is part of Hublot’s flagship Big Bang series. The watch contains 1,282 diamonds, including more than 100 carats of baguettes and six square, emerald-cut stones weighing more than three carats each.

The crown is set with a single 1.06-carat, rose-cut diamond

and 12 baguette diamonds totaling .67 carats, and the dial is set with 179 baguette diamonds totaling 8.75 carats. The 44 mm case, crown, dial, bracelet and clasp are 18K white gold, and the case back, also crafted in 18K white gold, is engraved with the Hublot seal.

It took a full year and a worldwide search to find the near-flawless diamonds.

The stones were individually chosen to match perfectly the construction of the watch’s case, dial and bracelet and to ensure they would be of the highest quality and consistent in color throughout. Each of the GIAcertified diamonds are graded A VVS in clarity (denoting very, very slight inclusions) and are designated Top Wesselton, the

classification for near-colorless diamonds. Then, one by one, the diamonds were resized to fit perfectly in place.

The $5 Million took 14 months to complete. Twelve cutters worked for seven months, including a master craftsman from New York with more than 40 years of experience; he was responsible for cutting the largest stones, so they all would share the same “signature” cut. The five setters worked for seven months, also, and the major specialists worked on the piece full time.

Not to worry — the $5 million isn’t the only diamond timepiece

produced by Hublot. The Baby Million Big Bang, as it is called, is available for an asking price of $1 million.

— ELLEN RITSCHER SACKETT

HUBLOT HOUSTON Galleria Mall 5085 Westheimer Road, Suite B2635A 281.768.3950 HUBLOT DALLAS NorthPark Center 8687 N. Central Expressway #1332 469.232.9449 hublot.com

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PHo YeAh!>>

Tan Tien

12320 Bellaire Blvd.

281.933.9464

Café TH

2108 Pease St. 713.225.4766 CafeTH.com

Pho Danh

11209 Bellaire Blvd.

281.879.9940

Pho One

11148 Westheimer Road 713.917.0351 Pho-One.com

Brian C. Weed / Shutterstock

Pho Ga Dakao

What the Pho?

The zesty Vietnamese street soup is international comfort food around town

Houston’s Vietnamese community is among the largest in America. The culture is a vibrant one, and cuisine plays a significant role. A Southeast Asian noodle soup called pho (pronounced “fuh”) has long been a staple on the local restaurant scene. Its popularity is spreading all over the region, becoming a favorite in Austin, Dallas and New Orleans. While pho hasn’t outmuscled Tex-Mex or even Creole in terms of local restaurant supremacy, it certainly is gaining steam among foodies.

Typically the brothy soup features linguine-style rice noodles, meat (usually beef or chicken) and a variety of herbs, such as star anise, cloves, fennel seeds and green onions. Its garnish usually includes fresh basil, bean sprouts, sliced lime wedges and more.

Pho’s origins are a bit of a debate. The earliest references

appear about 1910. Some credit the French with refining recipes to suit settlers and soldiers during the 1930s.

According to local aficionados such as Thuy Le, a Texas media research director who grew up eating the soup, all pho is not created equal. Just as Lone Star barbecue recipes differ significantly from those in Chapel Hill, N.C., Memphis, Tenn., or Kansas City, Mo., northern (“pho bac“) and southern (“pho nam”) versions of pho also vary.

“I have yet to meet a northern Vietnamese who likes pho nam and vice versa,” says Le. “Most restaurants don’t distinguish if their pho is prepared using the northern versus southern flavors. Typically I don’t even ask.

However, I can tell by the aroma before it’s even placed on my table if it’s pho bac or pho nam. In the end, Le says one version isn’t necessarily better than the other.

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“It’s simply a preference,” she says.

For years, pho was available only in communities with pockets of Vietnamese, such as Midtown, Alief or Westside. However, more and more pho stops are popping up all over, making the tasty dish available to the trendy food crowd.

While some say pho should be served at lunch and not for evening meals, Le disagrees. “It can be eaten at any time of day,” she says. “My family ate it until the huge pot it was prepared in was empty. I never got tired of it.

When I went back to Vietnam, I noticed that rang true of the locals. Pho is comfort food for the soul, no matter what time of day.”

Here is a sampling of some of our local favorite spots, many within a stone’s throw of downtown. We also include a number of other locations to consider for variety.

— DAVE MUSCARI

11778 Bellaire Blvd 281.879.5899

Com Tam Kieu Giang 11209 Bellaire Blvd.

281.498.8885

Tan Tan Restaurant 6816 Ranchester Dr. 713.771.1268 TanTanRestaurant.com

Mai’s Restaurant 3403 Milam St. 713.520.5300 MaisHouston.com

Pho Saigon Vietnamese 2808 Milam St. 713.524.3734 PhoSaigonNoodleHouse.com

Jenni’s Noodle House 2027 Post Oak Blvd.

713.666.3537 NoodlesRule.com

Pho Binh

5901 Westheimer Rd. 713.781.8881 PhoBinh.com

Huynh

912 Saint Emanuel St. 713.224.8964 HuynhRestaurantHouston.com

b10 Vietnamese Café 7515 Westheimer Rd. 713.782.7275 b10vncafe.com

Some restaurants have multiple locations.

Please check the websites for additional information.

Photos Courtesy Cordillera Ranch

Fore Ground>>

Out-of-City Experience

While visitors never lack for activity in H-town, many eschew city life for weekends on the ranch — that is, Cordillera Ranch. The 8,700-acre private community, located outside of San Antonio, is minutes from Boerne, a quaint town settled in 1848. The community’s gates are a 3-hour drive from the Houston city center but seem a world away. At Cordillera, the endless vistas provide a welcome, relaxed reprieve from Houston’s busy urban setting, and the wide-open spaces of the rolling Texas Hill Country promise both a place of quiet tranquility and a breath of fresh air.

The metamorphosis of this private, master-planned community from a working cattle ranch to a sought-after addresses can be traced back to Houstonian Carla Hull Northington. Like

so many Texans searching for sanctuary among the hills or along the Guadalupe River, the River Oaks native was drawn to the family’s Hill Country ranch and enlisted longtime family friends to develop the property into ranch-estate lots. Today’s home sites range in size from smaller than one acre up to 10 acres and can be spotted along meandering creeks and on high knolls and hillsides amid rugged land.

Cordillera Ranch’s Jack Nicklaus Signature Course ranks No. 1 among all golf courses located within a residential community in Texas, according to The Dallas Morning News’ 2013 list of 100 top golf courses. The course was also ranked the No. 1 golf course in the Texas Hill Country/Austin/San Antonio area and the No. 5 golf course in Texas. Its 16th hole was named

one of the most beautiful in Texas. A hole-in-one on the 16th hole — over craggy limestone rocks and a disarming waterfall — easily could be a lifetime pursuit.

In addition to golf, Cordillera Ranch offers active lifestyle options for families and boomers, including horse lovers, hunters, anglers, swimmers and tennis enthusiasts.

Seven onsite clubs provide both facilities and scheduled activities, and four outdoor pools, a well-equipped fitness center, a full equestrian center, spa, and clubhouse dining add to the resort-escape ambiance.

Master-planned three-tofive bedroom homes take advantage of the property’s views, all within walking-distance to the clubhouse. Home ownership is not a requirement for membership, nor are

homeowners required to be members (except for in the Clubs Village section); however, the symbiotic tie between land and leisure is rarely broken.

“Many buyers start with a villa and trade up to larger legacy properties, to pass down to their families,” says Cordillera Ranch vice president Charlie Hill.

“They’re in it for the long haul, and they realize we are, too.”

Most of the members of the cofounding Hill family, including Carla’s family friends who helped launch the development in 1997, have since relocated to Cordillera Ranch.

“It’s a place where the dust gets on your boots and never quite shakes off,” Hill says.

— ERS

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Photos courtesy Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

short-distAnce romAnce>>

Fall in Love with Galveston Island Any love affair with Houston most often includes a little twotiming with the small-town charm of Galveston Island.

Known for its elegant historic architecture and sparkling Gulf waters, this vibrant barrier island has wooed visitors for decades, sweeping them to a tropical escape where flip-flops replace dress shoes and the scenery echoes a bygone era.

An hour’s drive from Houston, Galveston Island is unique and fascinating. The island was a booming business hub and elite tourist destination known as the “Playground of the South” during the late 1800s. After the Great Storm of 1900 — the deadliest storm in U.S. history that devastated the island — determined residents rebuilt, preserving much of its Victorian character. Today, Galveston’s 32mile beachfront ranks as the mostvisited beach destination in Texas.

Galveston Island is home to one of the largest collections of Victorian architecture in the country. Standouts include the imposing 1892 Bishop’s Palace and the 1895 Moody Mansion.

The streets of Galveston’s East End Historical District are lined with classic Victorian homes painted in authentic period colors. There, visitors can stroll on a self-guided tour of elaborate Galveston Tree Sculptures carved from oak trees ruined by Hurricane Ike in 2008.

In the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport District, majestic iron-front buildings house restaurants, boutiques, and galleries of coastal-inspired art. The district’s main street, The Strand, draws visitors for shopping, architectural tours and museum browsing. A few blocks away is the historic Grand 1894 Opera House on Postoffice Street.

Across Harborside Drive is

Galveston’s Pier 21, an ideal place to savor the enchanting seaside city. For the best view of Galveston Harbor, request a patio seat at Olympia Grill and watch as Harbor Tour boats pass by filled with tourists eagerly anticipating sightings of dolphins.

Among Galveston’s newest attractions is the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, which extends over the Gulf of Mexico.

Its many thrill rides operate in the same location as a similar pleasure pier during the 1940s.

On the West End, families find adventure in the Moody Gardens resort, home to three pyramidshaped buildings that feature a live rainforest replica, aquarium and interactive museum. Outside the pyramids, one can stroll through botanical gardens, take a cruise on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat or play the greens at the Moody Gardens Golf Course.

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark and the Lone Star Flight Museum are located within walking distance of Moody Gardens. The flight museum stores a collection of rare World War II aircraft and other fighter planes that still fly today. Tales told by museum guides are as fascinating as their beloved, restored “war birds.”

And, when heading to the far West End of Galveston, travelers will find a quiet oasis where beachfront homes and rentals line the shore. Here, one can experience a relaxing paradise, marked by the sound of crashing waves and sea birds wheeling overhead, and maybe even fall in love with Galveston a little more.

— LC

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Photo by Jeremy Keas

Photo by Ed Schipul

crAzy trAffic>>

Get Wacky

Photo by Ed Schipul

Photo by Isidro Urena

Photo by Ed Schipul

at the 27th Annual Houston Art Car Parade

THURSDAY, MAY 8

The Main Street Drag From 9 a.m. to noon at locations all over Houston Photo by Ed Schipul

Sneak Peek at Discovery Green

What do a fire-breathing giant, a singing cupcake, and an enormous sushi platter have in common? If you spot one or two on wheels traveling down a Houston street, it might be an Art Car — a combination of graffiti and sculpture art on a mobile canvas. The mecca for these grand displays is the yearly Art Car Parade Weekend held in May and is one of H-town’s quirkiest and eclectic art-scene attractions.

The Houston Art Car Parade Weekend is the first and largest event of its kind in the world and draws artists from as far as England, Canada and Mexico.

More than 300,000 spectators come out for the parade in excited anticipation to see which dazzling creations will draw the most “oohs” and “aahs” of the day.

Expect to see about 300 art cars, ranging from classic cars 18

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From 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 1500 McKinney St., Houston. Free and open the public.

painted in elaborate colors or covered with bottle caps to trucks welded in animal- or super heroshapes. These masterpieces light up, make noise, incorporate animation and overall amaze spectators. Colorful characters and artists who are as eccentric as their vehicles make people watching added entertainment.

The parade is a part of a three-day celebration that also includes the Main Street Drag that brings the parade to the people in locations throughout Houston; the family-friendly Sneak Peek at Discovery Green to preview this year’s cars; and the Legendary Art Car Ball, featuring the art cars as well an outrageous costume contest, entertainment, food and drinks.

To watch the parade in grand style, consider the all-afternoon VIPit Party, billed as “the”

place to be on parade day, for access to shaded bleacher seats, complimentary alcohol and food, gift bags and live music.

The Orange Show has organized the Houston Art Car Parade since 1988 and gives out $20,000 in cash prizes each year.

Past winners have included a vehicle shaped and painted like a banana to a bird-faced low-rider with gigantic metal wings.

If you miss out on this year’s festivities, no worries: Many of the winners will be on display throughout the year at the city’s Art Car Museum. For hours and location, visit artcarmuseum.com.

— LEAH CAST

FRIDAY, MAY 9

The Legendary Art Car Ball From 7 to 11 p.m. at I & II Allen Center, 1200 Smith St. Tickets $25 in advance; $30 at the door.

SATURDAY, MAY 10

The 27th Annual Houston Art Car Parade 10 a.m. – The Starting Line Party, where the public can meet the artists and see the cars before they roll.

11 a.m. – Live music on the Free Press Summer Fest Stage 11 a.m. – Kids Zone at Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby St. Noon to 5 p.m. - The VIPit Party at the Heritage Society, 1100 Bagby St. Tickets are $150 for adults and $25 for children ages 12 and under.

2 to 4 p.m. – The 27th Annual Houston Art Car Parade Along Allen Parkway between Waugh Drive and Bagby Street. Food and beverages will be available for sale along the route.

thehoustonartcarparade.com

Explore GAlore>>

SPOTLIGHT

CarlaVanWagoner / Shutterstock.com

Be sure to check out the Scene — our guide to the best shows, concerts and sports in Houston on PAGE 40.

APRIL 2

Amy Schumer

MAY 6

Antonio Scorza / Shutterstock.com

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

JUNE 13–26

Photo by Billy Bustamante, courtesy of Paper Mill Playhouse

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

“Theatrical Magic” The New York Times

HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT IN

Style

We have the perfect venue for your next event. From intimate Dining Rooms to Grand Ballrooms, we can accommodate your party. superb cuisine ~ hand-crafted cocktails ~ exquisite venue ~ it’s all in the details 1911 Bagby Street, Midtown ~ Houston 77002 ~ 713.652.0711 www.mrpeeples.com

S PE CIA L A DV E RT IS ING S E CT ION

FEED YOUR NEEDS

Forget Chinese, French or Italian.

You’ve come all the way to Texas — home of the steer — and you want some meat. From mouthwatering rib-eyes to succulent strips, the best steaks in the country can be found right here. Because there’s nothing better than that first bite of premium beef grilled to perfection, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best steakhouses in Houston. At each one you’ll find fine dining, excellent service, extensive wine lists and prime cuts of beef you will be raving about for days.

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Houston: III FORKS III Forks Houston is a contemporary evolution of the classic steakhouse. It's located in the Houston Pavilions, the heart of downtown shopping and nightlife. This modern steakhouse is sizzling with style, with an energized bar and lounge. Every day the savvy menu features USDA Prime beef, oceanfresh seafood along with lighter, local favorites. The inviting foyer greets you with an array of fine wines — over 1,500 bottles — in the spectacular glass wine rooms.

1201 San Jacinto St. 713.355.2600 iiiforks.com

DEL FRISCO’S Opulent and romantic, Del Frisco’s in Houston is located in the Galleria shopping complex close to Houston’s lively business and commercial action. The elegant two-story space with sweeping windows offers guests a luxurious dining experience.

This location offers guests something you won’t find in any other Houston steakhouse with our New Orleans-inspired “Lagniappe” menu.

5061 Westheimer Rd., Ste. 8060 713.355.2600 delfriscos.com

FLEMING’S STEAKHOUSE At Fleming's, a steak is never just a steak. It offers the finest USDA Prime beef, available both wetand dry-aged and broiled at 1,600 degrees or iron-crusted. You can elevate your selection even more with their indulgent Steak Companions, including trufflepoached lobster, diablo shrimp and king crab topped with caviar.

Each dish is crafted from scratch by the restaurant’s culinary team and served by its skillful staff.

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The Prime Cit y FOR Prime Beef RIVER OAKS 2405 W. Alabama St. 713.520.5959 TOWN & COUNTRY 788 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. 713.827.1120 THE WOODLANDS 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr. 281.362.0103 flemingssteakhouse.com

MR. PEEPLES

6100 Westheimer Rd. 713.977.2544 thepalm.com

PAPPAS BROS. STEAKHOUSE

MORTON'S THE STEAKHOUSE Located in Houston’s premiere social zip code and the heart of the city, the Galleria area is known for shopping, fashion, restaurants and the local social scene. Since it opened in 1996, Morton’s is one of the first fine-dining steakhouses in the area and has become a regular spot for the Houston social scene, athletes, lawyers and oil professionals. Morton’s was recently updated with the addition of Bar 12.21.

GALLERIA 5000 Westheimer Rd., Ste. 190 713.629.1946 DOWNTOWN 1001 McKinney St. 713.659.3700 mortons.com

MO’S STEAKHOUSE This restaurant has a sexy yet sophisticated feel combined with great food and unmatched service to create a customized dining experience. It’s not just the wet-aged steaks that arrive beautifully cut, cooked and plated, or the extensive wine list: Mo’s is a luxury that feels luxurious. Come and enjoy tunes playing on the baby grand or relax on the patio while sipping a martini.

1801 Post Oak Blvd.

713.877.0720 mosaplaceforsteaks.com

At The Palm, our philosophy is simple: Treat guests like family, serve great food, and always exceed expectations.

Mr. Peeples is a “design extravaganza that seeks to break the mold of a typical steakhouse” (Houston Chronicle).

This is a welcoming modern steak restaurant that defies the traditional experience by offering unmatched culinary design, a notable wine list, exceptional social hours, private events, specialty cocktails, and Sunday brunch.

1911 Bagby St. 713.652.0711 mrpeeples.com

THE PALM

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is the premier steakhouse in Houston that serves dry-aged prime beef accompanied by succulent side dishes, finishing with rich desserts. The focus is on a total quality dining experience. From the preparation of its cuisine to the service Pappas Bros. provides, its quality knows no shortcuts.

5839 Westheimer Rd. 713.780.7352 pappasbros.com

SULLIVAN’S Located near the Galleria of Houston, Sullivan’s Steakhouse is nestled just inside the 610 Loop. Rich interiors include an expansive wine cellar, inviting bar and elegant finishes creating a one-of-a-kind Houston steakhouse experience. Make reservations at Sullivan’s of Houston and savor the night.

4608 Westheimer Rd. 713.961.0333 sullivanssteakhouse.com

VIC & ANTHONY’S

Houston guests are in for a treat as the restaurant has not just been remodeled, but rather rebuilt. The Palm proudly serves USDA prime-aged beef, jumbo Nova Scotia lobster, heritage Italian entrees and premium seafood cooked to perfection with service and an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else.

In the heart of downtown near Minute Maid Park, this premier steakhouse features an elegant, yet intimate atmosphere, created with an undeniable attention to detail. The award-winning menu at Vic & Anthony’s features only the finest prime beef, fresh seafood and more, as well as an extensive wine collection.

1510 Texas St. 713.228.111 vicandanthonys.com

THE ORIGINAL COOL

速

SINCE 1926.

6100 Westheimer Road 713.977.2544 www.thepalm.com/Houston

BY ELLEN RITSCHER SACKETT

S

ome of music’s rock legends contributed their talents to honor another music legend, Jackson Browne (“Running on Empty,” “Doctor My Eyes,” “The Pretender”), thanks to the support of his longtime fan, Texas billionaire Kelcy Warren. The energyindustry mogul wanted to pay tribute to the man whose music has deeply influenced him through the years and speaks to his soul — “the Bob Dylan of his generation,” as Warren refers to him. “I think that this guy’s work is in that stratosphere.”

It was Warren’s passion for the music that drove the 2-CD project, entitled Looking Into You after his favorite Jackson Browne song. Its meaning has changed for him over the years but still touches his heart. The lyrics flow easily off his tongue.

“Well I looked into a house I once lived in

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Around the time I first went on my own When the roads were as many as the places I had dreamed of And my friends and I were one.”

to a mighty cast that includes Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa, Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, JD Souther, Bruce Hornsby, and Shawn Colvin.

“Don Henley [Eagles] was probably the first artist I reached “Whoa!” he exclaims before out to, and he didn’t hesitate,” launching into the next phrase.

Warren says. Henley gave the project “instant credibility” that “Now the distance is done made it easier to reach out to and the search has begun other artists. “That was a big I've come to see where deal,” he says. my beginnings have gone…”

Warren chose the tunes to be recorded, and in some cases, the “My God! The man goes artists produced their own tracks. through two verses, and it’s like “I felt that if an artist was willing ‘Holy moly! You just captured to help us and wanted to play the 10 years of my life, buddy! And song they wanted to play, there where are you going next?’” was virtually zero chance that we With the help of his musicwouldn’t use it,” he says. business partner and friend, Jimmy The Indigo Girls, Bob LaFave, Warren made the 23-track Schneider, Jimmy LaFave, Joan project a reality through their Osborne and Paul Thorn are record label, Music Road Records. among those featured on Looking LaFave is one of the 22 singers Into You. They will sing their who covered Jackson Browne cuts from Looking Into You while songs for the album, in addition headlining at this year’s three-day

Dallas photographer Pete Lacker took this image (see album cover above) of Jackson Browne’s piano at his childhood home in Los Angeles, where he learned to play.

Cherokee Creek Music Festival in mid-May, held on Warren’s 8,000-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country. Browne performed at the event in 2011, and while he and Warren have met several times, the singer is not involved in the project.

“The Jackson Browne I know I know well. I know him extremely well through his lyrics,” Warren says. “I am very pleased to be a part of paying this tribute.”

G.J. McCarthy / The Dallas Morning News

Latest Release

Looking Into You is a tribute to singer and songwriter Jackson Browne that brings some of the world’s biggest names in music together on two CDs. HHM talks with Kelcy Warren, the Texan who made it happen.

“Jamaica Say You Will”

“Linda Paloma”

“Your Bright Baby Blues”

Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa

Jeremy Cowart

Bonnie Raitt with David Lindley

Andrea Lucero

Maarten de Boer

Danny Clinch

Matt Mindlin

Thorsten Roth

“Rock Me On the Water”

Sean and Sara Watkins

“Fountain of Sorrow”

Keb’ Mo’

Paul Lohr

Matt Levitz Erin Fiedler Sean Smith

Don Henley and Blind Pilot

“Everywhere I Go”

Joan Osborne

ALSO FEATURING:

“These Days”

Lyle Lovett

“Late For the Sky”

Venice

Karla Bonoff

“Rosie”

Eliza Gilkyson

“For”

Jimmy LaFave

James Glader

Michael Simon

“Before the Deluge”

J.D. Souther

“For Everyman”

Shawn Colvin

Indigo Girls

Ethan James Photography

“My Opening Farewell”

“Something Fine”

“Call it a Loan”

Ben Harper

Scott Newman

Project Daybreak Artist Management

Lucinda Williams

Pete Lacker

Michael Wilson

Danny Clinch

James Minchin III

“The Pretender”

“Running on Empty” Bob Schneider “Looking Into You” Kevin Welch “Our Lady of the Well” Lyle Lovett “Too Many Angels” Marc Cohn

“I’m Alive”

Bruce Hornsby

feat Joan As Police Woman MusicRoadRecords.com/JB

“Doctor My Eyes” Paul Thorn

“The Barricades of Heaven” Griffin House

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Photo by David Woo

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cHuck Wagon

Chef What’s in the kitchen? Texas chef Grady Spears brings Southern comfort food to a Lone Star level.

WRITTEN BY DAVE MUSCARI

Ralph Lauer

PHOTOS BY DAVID WOO & RALPH LAUER

Guy Lee’s Pan Del Campo with cheese and greens

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David Woo

Ralph Lauer

Grady Spears wears many hats, in addition to his black Stetson. The Texas chef known for his cowboy cuisine has authored several cookbooks; hosts a weekly cooking show, The Cowboy’s Kitchen; and is a popular guest on local and syndicated TV and radio programs.

Dry-aged rib-eye with Bandera butter

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n Texas, there’s one man who would probably rather be known as a chuck wagon cook than a highfalutin’ chef.

You can keep your Beluga caviar and French foie gras; when it comes to Southwestern comfort food and hearty recipes with creative twists, Grady Spears is the reigning king of cowhand cuisine.

Try this on for size: delicious pork tenderloin with a tangy watermelon salsa, topped off with a slice of delectable butterscotch pie. Perhaps your tastes lean more towards traditional chickenfried steak, or an ancho-rubbed strip, chile rellenos stuffed with Mexican cheeses, maple-smashed sweet potatoes, grilled pork chops with apple walnut slaw … need we say more? These flavorful signature dishes are as tasty as they are inventive, sprinkled with the charming charisma of a native Texan in a black Stetson. That’s the essence of Grady Spears.

The fine art of cowboy cooking comes naturally to the handsome native Texan. Once upon a time Spears made a modest living dealing in livestock before stepping behind the stove, 28

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somewhat by accident, or so the story goes. He was working as the manager of a restaurant in tiny Marathon, Texas, close to Big Bend National Park. Apparently the chef just took off one evening, leaving a packed house of hungry diners. Undaunted, Spears strapped on an apron and took control of the kitchen — and the rest is gastronomical history.

During his decorated cooking career, Spears created menus and concepts for The Reata, a distinctive series of restaurants he co-owned in Fort Worth, the West Texas town of Alpine, and Beverly Hills, Calif. In addition, he has opened namesake restaurants in Las Vegas and Texas, including Grady’s in Fort Worth and Grady’s Line Camp Steakhouse in Tolar, Texas. All feature selections of locally raised and grown products served in unique atmospheres.

Spears also offers cooking classes and special events, some connected to the community, such as his Taste of the NFL dinner series. Speaking of the NFL, in 2010, Spears announced an innovative partnership with

Reliant Park; the deal made many of his signature menu items available during football games and special events at the stadium. He’s been working with Houston’s biggest sporting venue ever since.

Spears’ reputation as one of the Southwest’s premier chefs specializing in chuck wagon chow is gaining steam internationally.

His cuisine has been lauded in publications ranging from The New York Times and Texas Monthly to Martha Stewart Living, Southern Living, and Cowboys & Indians. Spears has written several cookbooks, including A Cowboy in the Kitchen, Cowboy Cocktails, The Great Steak Book, The Texas Cowboy Kitchen and Cooking the Cowboy Way. Spears is a sought-after guest on Texas television stations and has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show and various programs on The Food Network. He also has hosted his own weekly show, The Cowboy’s Kitchen, on RFD-TV, and during each episode, he dressed in rustic western wear while cooking outdoors on an open fire grill.

As a regular on the syndicated

Ralph Lauer

Ralph Lauer

Grandma Spears’ Dr Pepper cake

All of the recipes pictured are from his cookbook, The Texas Cowboy Kitchen, co-authored with food writer June Naylor.

Mac and Texas cheeses with roasted chiles

Backstage & Outdoors radio show, Spears shares cowboy recipes and cuisine tips with host Brian Doty.

Getting this ultra-busy, long, tall Texan to sit still for a few minutes is never easy. However, we caught up with Spears at Reliant Stadium moments before the Houston Texans took the field. Here’s what he told us:

Cajun cooking in East Texas and the German cooking and barbecue in the Texas Hill Country. With all these incredible resources to draw from, I would hate to pin down an ingredient, but there are always Frontera or border ingredients in my pantry.

GS: Sure. El Patio on Richmond

HHM: Can you tell us about a few of

HHM: Southwestern cooking has

GS: Without a doubt, chicken-

popularity of comfort food, specifically the cowboy cuisine in which you have specialized for years?

become enormously fashionable and gained quite an international reputation, due to people like you. It melds a wide variety of regional flavors including Creole, old South, Mexican, traditional steakhouse, and more. Are there specific ingredients that truly define the genre?

GS: I still don’t classify or call my style Southwestern. Texas comfort food is a better description of what I do. You know, Texas is pretty deeply rooted in the cowboy way of life and the western lifestyle, so naturally we have a lot to pull from.

If you think about it, Texas is like no other state when it comes to our cuisine. We have the border influences of the Frontera, the coastal influence from the Gulf of Mexico, the

your favorite dishes?

fried steak is my favorite, hands down. Then after that, it would have to be a good marbled rib-eye with a chile relleno on top. How can you go wrong?

HHM: Every chef has his favorite

tools of the trade. What are those indispensible items you can’t do without when cooking your signature dishes?

GS: A Dutch oven is the greatest bachelor tool in the world.

You can fry, roast, bake and braise in it. Once you’re done, wipe it clean and oil it up. No dishwasher needed.

HHM: Texas is a mecca of intriguing,

out-of-the-way places. Outside of your own fabulous restaurants, for people visiting for the first time, can you name a few favorite “hole-in-the-wall” spots in Houston?

is really good and always packed.

They have the best margaritas and unbelievable Mexican food.

Underbelly in Montrose is my favorite place. You’d drive right by it, if you didn’t know it was there.

HHM: Are you surprised by the

GS: I started cooking when cooking wasn’t cool, so I am surprised about the popularity of cooking in general. To see where cooking has gone in the last 20 years is just incredible. You have home cooks buying professional equipment, taking classes and glued to their television watching food-related shows. I think it’s great because the consumer is becoming more educated and more involved. My style will always be around. It’s simple, fresh, local food with integrity. I have never tried to reinvent the wheel or become cutting edge. I just stick to the basics.

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Photo by David Woo

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SPREADING THE LUV After more than 27 years, Gary Kelly is still completely nuts about Southwest Airlines (and that’s a very good thing).

> WRITTEN BY PETE NORTHWAY

S

ome might refer to Gary C. Kelly as a “lifer,” and it appears he likes it that way.

The affable president, chairman and chief executive officer of Southwest Airlines has devoted more than a quarter-century of his life to the company and has much to show for his personal and professional labor of LUV (Southwest’s catchy New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol).

In the early 1970s, Texasbased Southwest made its initial splash as a low-cost, short-haul alternative to the big guns of the day, such as Eastern, Delta and American airlines.

To differentiate itself from competitors, Southwest featured seating with “first class leg room, cocktails for everyone and a schedule you can depend on.” In a couple of years, the company was making a tidy profit, adding routes and spreading the LUV. Innovative advertising campaigns soon followed, including the unforgettable copy line, “Remember what it was like

before Southwest Airlines? You didn’t have hostesses in hot pants.” By 1977, the airline had welcomed 5 million passengers aboard, making it one of the nation’s hottest new brands.

As the company expanded and profits grew, Southwest shifted into a new gear, and Kelly took a bird’s eye view.

For years, Kelly worked in the shadow of the man he affectionately calls his mentor, cofounder and former CEO Herb Kelleher. The iconic Kelleher was as much responsible for the signature packs of peanuts onboard Southwest flights as he was the legendary “peoplefocused” culture within the ranks. Kelleher, in particular, commanded mountains of national media attention, as he lived in the spotlight’s glare as a company pitchman featured in high-profile television commercials and print advertisements. After decades of working alongside Kelleher and, later, president Colleen

Barrett, Kelly emerged to put his individual stamp on the company’s celebrated culture.

Before taking the reins, Kelly served Southwest Airlines in a variety of positions, including chief financial officer, vice president of finance and executive vice president. In July 2004, he was named CEO and vice chairman. Kelly assumed the role of chairman in May 2008 and of president in July 2008.

Today, he stands proudly at the helm of the airline that flies more passengers than any other U.S. carrier, a company consistently rated among the nation’s most admired corporations and one of the top places to work in Texas.

A former certified public accountant and University of Texas graduate, the 57-year old executive has been recognized by Institutional Investor magazine as one of the best CEOs in America.

While Kelly modestly accepts the recognition that has come his way, he characteristically focuses the spotlight on the employee

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Photo courtesy Southwest Airlines

“Our fare structure can always be matched…but ‘Bags Fly Free,’ they can’t match. That’s one way to clearly set us apart.”

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base he leads. One of Kelly’s key catchphrases, prominently displayed on the company website, says it all: “Leadership is … effectively supporting your team of employees.”

After deftly navigating the company through a few turbulent economic years, the news for Southwest on the back end was brighter than one might have expected. In 2010, Kelly took a calculated risk when he upped the ante significantly by adding the more spacious Boeing 737 to his fleet’s line-up. He later made a deal to purchase Atlanta-based competitor AirTran, which was completed in 2011.

With the acquisition of AirTran, Southwest began exploring the international marketplace and identified great opportunities for expansion.

Southwest recently announced it will begin flying to several destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico from Atlanta, Baltimore/ Washington and Orlando, Fla., beginning in July.

In addition to flying from established international airports, the airline secured great benefit for both customers and its own bottom line through investment

in airports and communities ideally located as gateways to these near-international destinations. Houston Hobby, one of Southwest’s first and strongest domestic bases where customers are beholden to very high airfares for international travel, was a natural choice.

However, construction had been a novelty in what Kelly calls ‘the lost decade’ of air travel, the close of a 20-year period in which every other major carrier in the U.S. had gone either bankrupt or out of business. As the economy has rebounded and cities have resumed planning for future needs, Southwest has engaged in more projects, including that at Houston Hobby.

In 2012, the Houston City Council approved Southwest’s plan to build the new international terminal at Houston Hobby at no cost to city taxpayers; the terminal is currently under construction.

Southwest expects to begin international service from Houston Hobby by the end of 2015. The airline is also working on a similar international terminal project in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Southwest’s original fleet was three Boeing 737-200s that flew between Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Today, the airline handles more than 100 million passengers per year on more than 3,400 flights per day.

As the result of Southwest’s continued smart leadership, growth and evolution, last year marked the 41st consecutive year that the airline has recorded a profit. To his credit, Kelly and his team of executives did it without a single layoff or furlough among the workforce.

According to Southwest, today the airline handles more than 100 million passengers per year on more that 3,400 flights per day. This is a far cry from the early days of flight attendants in their iconic “uniforms” (hot pants gave way to khakis years ago) flying only between Houston, Dallas and San Antonio when the company’s maiden voyages began back in 1971.

Perhaps the company’s most significant change hovers on the near horizon: the abolishment of the Wright Amendment. On February 15, 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed a federal law governing traffic at Dallas Love Field and some other facilities in the area.

Initially, the legislation limited the majority of non-stop flights from Love to airports in Texas and contiguous states — Arkansas, Louisiana, New

Photo courtesy Southwest Airlines Photo courtesy Southwest Airlines

In 1971, Southwest began service to Houston and San Antonio from Dallas’ Love Field. Flight attendants, whose uniform included go-go boots and “hot pants,” served “love bites” on the planes.

Mexico and Oklahoma. In 2006, the Wright Amendment was repealed, with an expiration date of October 13, 2014.

For more than three decades, Southwest executives, employees and passengers have been chomping at the bit for regulatory chains to be removed. Now that freedom is close, the company is using the date as a new rallying point and another opportunity for one of Southwest’s memorable ad campaigns.

We spoke with Kelly, who openly and warmly shared his thoughts about the airline’s colorful culture, what makes his unique company different from its competitors, and how he sees the next few years shaking out.

HHM: You have been an integral part

of Southwest Airlines for more than a quarter century. What are the most significant changes you have witnessed?

GK: Some things haven’t changed.

And with other aspects, there has been dramatic change. When I started in 1986, we were still pretty small. We were regional, very much “the little guy,” and worked hard to stay out from under the big guy’s feet. I think we had maybe 55 or 60 airplanes

when we started. Now we have 10 times that … one of the larger fleets in the entire world.

What has been interesting to experience is just how popular the Southwest product is. I attribute that to fundamental things that haven’t changed.

One is our low cost and our low fares. We’re not cheap; it is a very high quality product, served by people who really care and are very proud of what they do. There’s a special touch that our people have on top of that.

They’re very friendly, very caring and humorous. There’s a real personality with the airline.

Some of the tools and techniques have changed dramatically. Aside from the magic of an airplane flying, period, we were very low tech in the 1980s. Comparatively, it really was a no-frills, discount product offering … we really put our emphasis on things that we considered to be a quality air travel experience.

Probably the most dramatic thing is that we’re just bigger.

We’ve got more airplanes. We carry more customers than anybody else in the U.S. (89 destinations in 42 states and

Puerto Rico).

Something that is different today … is that we also try and offer more choices to our customers. It was “one size fits all” for a long time. Everything was sort of homogenous; then the fare structure changed in the industry. Not everybody pays the same for their seat. We really felt like, if you’re going to pay more you ought to get more. So we really have tried to offer a little bit different boarding process.

If it’s important for you to get onboard the airplane first and get the seat you just have to have, we offer that today. So there have been a few things like that.

“I fell in love a long time ago with the company.

Southwest is a winner… who wouldn’t want to be associated with a winner?”

HHM: It sounds like the growth has been more of an evolution than a revolution.

GK: But a modest one; we still have open seating to this day. We still don’t serve onboard meals.

We serve snacks … we don’t charge for Cokes or things like other airlines do … we don’t nickel-and-dime our customers.

That has been an interesting evolution, but it has been more about the industry changing and getting cheap, not Southwest Airlines. We’ve got all-leather

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Photo by David Woo

Photo courtesy Southwest Airlines

Photo by David Woo

Photo by David Woo

Southwest Airlines’ international terminal at Houston Hobby is currently under construction, with no cost to city taxpayers.

Southwest expects to begin international service from the airport by the end of 2015.

Espirit de corps is a serious issue for Gary Kelly and his Southwest Airlines employees.

He’s been known to dress in costume for various events, including the annual Halloween party. Here he clowns around with former SWA chairman and CEO Herb Kelleher, seen here wearing doctor’s scrubs.

“When I started in 1986, we were still pretty small. We were regional, very much ‘the little guy,’ and worked hard to stay out from under the big guy’s feet. I think we had maybe 55, 60 airplanes when we started.

Now we have 10 times that ... one of the larger fleets in the entire world.”

seats, and we have airplanes that now have more capabilities.

And we fly longer distances than what we did 25 years ago.

I would consider that to just be evolutionary.

I think the main thing is just the ability to look for a flight, shop for a fare, make your booking, get your boarding pass, make your way through the airport in a low-hassle way. It’s so much better today than it was 25 years ago. I think that’s been a real positive change.

You never would have guessed in 1986 how popular we would be. To be … on Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired List” … is not bad. And we’re on the list every year. It’s a good company, and that hasn’t changed. The spirit of taking care of our people, and the passion for customer service — all those things are very much still intact.

HHM: The Southwest culture is

distinctive to say the least. Can you imagine working for another company?

GK: Oh, not now. I fell in love a long time ago with the company. Intellectually it’s been very challenging. The airline industry is challenging, period.

Southwest is a winner. I always 34

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like the photos from the ‘70s because it does give you a kind of visual image of the spirit, or the personality of the company and the marketing pizzazz that it has too … it’s just a lot to be proud of. Who wouldn’t want to be associated with a winner?

HHM: Your ad campaigns have always

been memorable. In the case of “Bags Fly Free,” some business analysts criticized it. How do you respond to that?

GK: It has been so much fun. It was a gift from our competitors (smiles). It is a differentiating feature, which, as a casual observer you think, “That’s something you’re going to rally behind?” But it demonstrates a commitment we have to our customers … to the “low fare” brand and to making the travel experience as pleasant as possible. I think we succeeded with all of those things.

I think the choice was driven by a number of desires. We wanted to have marketing and a brand advantage. Even bigger than that, we felt like there was a customer expectation built up over decades: If I pay you all this money for airfare, I ought to be able to bring a bag on.

It shouldn’t matter whether

you bring it into the cabin, or whether you check it, in my opinion … do the quick math.

We know that if we raise fares, we are going to lose some customers. It’s always a balance … if we have a need for more revenue, to cover higher fuel prices … a very straightforward example: Are we sure that the net effect of higher fares and less traffic is going to work out? We have a lot of experience with that.

The thought of simply tacking on to every fare another $15 and expect that some people won’t go is just ludicrous. It’s pretty simple math. It takes the loss of one customer to offset about 10 bag fees. And that’s just not very good odds in my opinion. I was never convinced that charging for bags would be revenue-positive.

HHM: Have competing airline

executives whispered, “Gary, what were you thinking?”

GK: Actually … the opposite. I’ve been onstage in conferences with other airline executives that were booed, in a good-natured way, when you get into the bag-fee discussion. I won’t tell you who it was who said, “I hate the bag fees as much as you do — but!”

What CEO can say that and feel

good about what you’re doing?

I think it’s more the opposite, and wondering whether or not they’re really better off in charging the bag fees. And especially since you have a holdout in Southwest Airlines.

We have clearly set ourselves apart. And to me, it’s a gift … our employees love it. Our fare structure can always be matched … but “Bags Fly Free,” they can’t match. That’s one way to clearly set us apart.

All else being equal, in other words, all airlines lined up with the same number of seats over a long period of time, there are more people traveling on Southwest now than before they started charging for bag fees. So my theory, I think, is correct.

We’ve seen about a 1 percent shift in the market share away from other competitors over to Southwest Airlines. One percent of the market is probably $800 million annually. What I can’t prove to you is that “Bags Fly Free” caused it, but what else explains it during that time period? We weren’t adding seats, and everything else is equal. We’re getting more, and they’re getting less. We have never seen a market share shift ever in our history like

what we’ve experienced over the last couple of years.

happened? And then what should we do next, with an eye toward only safety?

HHM: What is the first thing that runs As long as you stick to that, I through your mind during a crisis think companies will do the right situation? thing. You’ll always be challenged GK: You have to hope that the by what you decide to do, leadership and the company whether [or not] someone else have integrity. It all has to start thinks that you behaved safely. So there in dealing with any kind that’s where the communication of a crisis. We need to be openly and transparency become very communicating with each other important. And you’ll have an as a leadership team. In a broader array of opinions; some are sense, all of our nearly 45,000 informed, and some are ignorant, family members at Southwest to be blunt. We just have to do Airlines are a team. They need to the best we can of sifting through know what is going on. all that feedback. We are a real But there is a large audience people-oriented company and of customers who really want to very sensitive to what people feel know what’s going on. There is and think. just a duty, and this is a company that is very passionate about communicating. So clearly there’s a desire to tell the truth, and communicate. But I think, more important than that, we care deeply about the safety of our own employees, in addition, of course, to the duty we have to provide safe carriage to our customers. There simply has to be a quick assessment as to what happened, and then a judgment about what to do about it. So that’s what’s going through your mind; in other words, what H O U S TO N H OT E L M A G A Z I N E

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You Can’t Fix Stupid …Or Can You?

Uproarious comic and native Texan Ron White has opinions on almost everything. Just ask him. We caught up with one of America’s favorite stand-up superstars to find out the secret of his success.

WRITTEN BY DAVE MUSCARI PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID WOO

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W

in the small Texas Panhandle hat does a man town of Fritch, where his dad with millions worked in an oil refinery, to the of CD and DVD bright lights of show-biz stardom. sales, two successful Comedy After serving in the U.S. Navy, it Central television specials, a pair took White years, however, to of Grammy nominations, and blaze a path to success. The onea book on The New York Times time Deer Park resident claims bestseller list, I Had the Right to he worked at every Houston club Remain Silent…But I Didn’t Have at one time or another and also the Ability, do for an encore? sold windows to make ends meet If you’re comedian Ron while traveling to comedy clubs White, you just dig deeper into on the circuit. the infamous “Tater Salad,” his “I believe if life gives you longtime nickname, and see what lemons, you should make comes up. lemonade,” White jokes onstage.

Audiences may know White “Then try to find somebody whose best from his work on the Blue life has given them vodka — and Collar Comedy Tour with good have a party.” friends Bill Engvall (Here’s Your After years of tumultuous twists Sign), Jeff Foxworthy (You Might and turns, White is busier than Be A Redneck If…) and Larry ever, working on new projects the Cable Guy. while appearing on prime But White’s work extends nighttime talk shows, including beyond blue-collar concerts. As the Late Show with David a solo act, he is a hot commodity Letterman. White tours constantly, on stage, in film and on headlining clubs coast to coast, television. White’s uproarious 2006 special, You Can’t Fix Stupid, usually with his signature scotch in one hand and a cigar in the was taped in Dallas and has evolved into a comedy classic. His other. “Everything else just tastes wrong,” he laughs. humor remains as irreverently White’s better half is Margo relevant today as it was then.

Rey, a gifted singer known for Life has been a long haul for her unique blend of organic, White, from his boyhood home

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rhythmic grooves. “Her music brings tears to my eyes,” says her proud spouse. Both husband and wife are deeply conscientious and lend their names to important causes, such as animal rights. In addition, White has stepped up in support of wounded American soldiers and entertained troops on USO tours.

We persuaded White to sit still for a few questions about his life.

HHM: It seems like a lot of comics

hail from Texas, including Steve Martin, Carol Burnett, Steve Harvey, Bill Engvall and Jamie Foxx. What’s so dadgum funny about your home state?

RW: First off, I don’t think Bill Engvall is from Texas. He’s said he was from every state we ever went to. And you’re leaving out Bill Hicks and Sam Kinison.

Texas is the only state that can still legally secede from the union, and I guess that makes us giggle. (Editor’s note: The late Bill Hicks was a native of Valdosta, Ga. Sam Kinison was born in Yakima, Wash. Native Texan Bill Engvall was born in Galveston and attended high school in Richardson, Texas, a Dallas suburb).

HHM: When it comes to acting, you’ve said you’d rather have a really good small part than a really bad big part.

Does that mean Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and the current crop of Hollywood’s leading men can breathe easier?

RW: No, especially that Jackman dude. Is it just me, or is he getting fat?

HHM: Is what you write and perform

autobiographical or a hyperextension of your real life?

RW: I pretend I’m Hugh Jackman and start writing from there.

Actually, I have always found that the truer I am to my own nature onstage, the better I connect with my audience.

HHM: The Blue Collar Comedy Tour

grossed millions and made redneck humor chic. Did you know how successful the concept would become?

RW: No, but the reason why I think it was so successful is that it is blue-collar humor. Sure, there may be some element of redneck, but the people who could relate to it are people who have to get up and go to work every morning. And there is a bunch of them. Our shows sold out as

fast in Chicago as they did in Jacksonville.

HHM: Your wife, Margo, is a terrific

performer. Where did you meet her?

RW: The first time I ever walked into a comedy club to do an open mic night, I was nervous.

So I walked straight to the bar to get a beer and a shot of tequila.

Margo’s brother, Alex, handed me that beer and shot (At the time, he was the bartender of the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Arlington, Texas.) We became fast friends.

A few days later, he told me his little sister was in an all-girl rock band and asked if I would like to go see them. I said, “No, I don’t want to see your little sister’s all-girl band.” We went anyway.

The first time I saw Margo, she was onstage, on her knees in a leather mini-skirt, belting out a rock song. Unless you’ve seen Margo perform live, you have no idea how sexy it is. Here’s how I operate: When I see something I want, 22 years later I ask her brother for her phone number.

RW: When I was in the Navy, our ship had a Family Day picnic in Hawaii, and I didn’t have any family coming from Texas for it, so I was on watch. This guy named Hoskins was supposed to take the next watch, and I yelled down to him, “Hey, get up here and relieve me before somebody eats all that tater salad.” Hoskins started calling me “Tater Salad.” Pretty soon the whole ship was doing it.

HHM: Once and for all, can anyone truly fix stupid?

RW: No, you can’t fix stupid. You can try. Like meth heads … the stupidest people on the planet.

Doing meth is like taking a teaspoon full of brains out of your head and flicking it against the wall. You cannot continue to do this drug another day. Your teeth are going to fall out of your skull. But, thank you for the 20 seasons of COPS.

HHM: Tell us how your nickname Tater Salad got started.

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T O H D RE P O T

Z Z

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TDC Photography / Shutterstock.com

Guitarist Billy Gibbons tells HHM why “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” still sizzles on stage.

WRITTEN BY DAVE MUSCARI

H O U S TO N H OT E L M A G A Z I N E

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Ross Halfin

ZZ Top has recorded 15 studio albums.

La Futura was released 2012, the band’s first in nine years, and featured the hit “I Gotsta Get Paid.”

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W

hat a long, strange, topsy-turvy trip it’s been for that little ol’ band from Texas. From playing clubs and smaller halls in the early ‘70s and growing into America’s undisputed king of blues-powered arena rock in the ‘80s, ZZ Top has been there, done that — and then some. The band helped usher in the MTV era with a rash of combustible music videos, including the kitschy “Legs,” “Give Me All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and more. Since those early days, ZZ Top remains in overdrive. It continues to record and tour voraciously, always with the volume and energy levels turned up to 10.

The formula is simple: just three guys playing music together for more than 40 years. As guitarist Billy Gibbons told The New York Times a few years ago, “We’ve been in this band longer than school, longer than marriage, longer than anything else we’ve ever done.”

As ZZ Top heads towards its fifth decade, after all the money, fame and years, how does it maintain such a razor-sharp edge? And what makes this trio of hard-rocking Texas hombres tick?

You may be surprised.

FROM A TO ZZ Everyone in ZZ Top is a native Texan. Gibbons hails from Houston; drummer Frank Beard is from tiny Frankston in East Texas; and bassist Dusty Hill was born and reared in Dallas.

While attending art school in California, Gibbons began gigging in various bands. Later, back in Texas, he and Beard played together in a seminal Houston group, The Moving Sidewalks, which had regional hits with “99th Floor” and “Need Me.” Along with pioneers such as Roky Erickson and his band The 13th Floor Elevators, Gibbons pushed some serious musical boundaries. “Those were ‘heady’

TDC Photography / Shutterstock.com

Red hot, blue and totally righteous: ZZ Top concerts are a mixture of lowdown, old school blues and high tech edge, boldly rolled into one package.

days, indeed (pun intended),” he says, pinpointing a few highlights, “playing concert dates with The Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart, The Doors, The Music Machine, The Beau Brummels, The Electric Prunes, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Steppenwolf, John Mayall, Ten Years After, Stevie Wonder and, of course, The Jimi Hendrix Experience.”

As The Sidewalks gigged with Hendrix, the hot Seattle guitarist and Gibbons became fast friends.

Hendrix publicly referred to his new comrade as “the next great American guitarist,” which was serious props for the talented young Texas musician. “It’s pretty much the highest praise imaginable,” says Gibbons reflectively. “Jimi was not only laudatory but also truly a nice guy … on the shy side but friendly and instructive in every possible way. We’re still in awe of both his inventiveness and the fact that he befriended us.”

In 1969 Gibbons formed the original version of ZZ Top with the late Lanier Greig on organ and drummer Dan Mitchell.

Together, they released the single, “Salt Lick.” Grieg left, and Beard, who brought his bassplaying friend Hill into the band, soon replaced Mitchell. And the legend lives on.

ZZ Top’s First Album was recorded in Tyler, Texas, and released back in 1971. Brash, bold and bluesy, the band’s freshman effort set quite a tone with its sexually charged themes such as “(Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree” and “Bedroom Thang,” both written

by Gibbons. About a year later, ZZ Top released Rio Grande Mud, which featured the single “Francene” and “Just Got Paid.”

Both would become two of the band’s early signature tunes.

ZZ Top’s breakthrough came with the release of Tres Hombres, the band’s first Top 10 LP. It

featured a helping “Texas is right up there of Gibbons’ in generating lots of blistering blues guitar on numbers such as “Jesus Just blues wattage. Blind Left Chicago” and Lemon Jefferson, Freddie “Hot, Blue and Righteous.” There also was a growling King and Houston’s own little boogie called Lightnin’ Hopkins laid it “LaGrange,” which was based down for us to pick on up.” on an old John Lee Hooker riff. It paid homage to an infamous, small-town bordello memorialized in the campy Broadway musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Both the album and the single thrust the band into the limelight for good.

They got their first Top 40 record in 1975 with “Tush,” a live rocker from the album Fandango!

ZZ Top returned from the road, put down the instruments and took a well deserved, extended hiatus. When they came back H O U S TO N H OT E L M A G A Z I N E

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Image courtesy ZZ Top

Blain Clausen

Armed with the legendary fuzzy guitars, ZZ Top pioneered music videos in the early days of MTV with a series of campy rockers that included “Legs” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” A legendary collector, Gibbons refers to Miss Pearly Gates, his prized 1959 Gibson Les Paul, as “the best, most loyal six-stringed friend I’ve ever had.”

“[Texas] is so big and

together in 1979, both Gibbons and roomy that there’s Hill had grown long beards, reportedly space for all kinds of unbeknownst to each other, and a approaches. … western new, idiosyncratic little wrinkle was swing was a joining of added to the band’s already expanding jazz and country music mystique. To this day, both men — where else would they sport facial hair of “doormat have thought of that?” proportions,” as Gibbons has described their beards. Ironically, Beard remains mostly cleanshaven, despite his name.

Over the course of its career, ZZ Top has earned 11 gold and 13 platinum records. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, class of 2004, along with music luminaries including George Harrison, Prince, Jackson Browne, Bob Seger and Traffic.

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These days Gibbons, Hill and Beard are doing precisely what they do best: playing live.

March saw the band in Las Vegas, Aspen, Colo., Denver, Lincoln, Neb., and on a swing through Canada. There are California dates in April, and then shows are scheduled for Europe in June and July. The concerts are all in support of the band’s 15th studio album, La Futura, a crackerjack collection of smokin’ hot new songs produced by Rick Rubin (producer of projects for Adele, Tom Petty, LL Cool J, Jay Z, Aerosmith, Dr. Dre, and Red Hot Chili Peppers) and released in 2012.

The La Futura sessions yielded a number of songs that were not included on the new album. “…We kind of over-recorded, meaning we cut more songs than we could fit on an album,” explains Gibbons. “We just may get around to finishing some of those and properly releasing

them someday, but, then again, we just may start from scratch.”

“We get together and play music — it’s still a grand time out there — and we even get paid to do it. Can’t beat that.”

STAYING POWER It would be difficult to overestimate ZZ Top’s impact on popular music through the years.

That said, the band has somehow managed to stay refreshingly contemporary, incorporating creative elements of electronica, new wave and punk/surf rock into their ever-evolving sound.

Nonetheless, the musicians never stray too far from the bluesboogie base that brought them to the party in the first place.

Scott Sparks knows oldschool rock inside and out. He is assistant program director at KGLK-FM (107.5), better known as “Houston’s Eagle,” one of the more successful classic rock stations in the U.S. He says

Ross Halfin

“Growing up in Houston was a true privilege,” says Gibbons. “It’s a cosmopolitan place … the zydeco scene spilling over from Louisiana and the whole gulf coast sound … It’s all part of the region’s rich tradition.”

the band continues to play a significant role on the station. “We refer to them as our ‘hometown band,’” he says. “Off the top of my head, we [rotate] well over a dozen ZZ Top songs [from our playlist] at any given time.”

The band is tight and knows their deep well of material like the rugged Texas terrain on which they grew up. But they find new ways to keep it crisp and edgy. One technique is to maintain an open set list during live performances, to reach back from days gone by. “We want to keep it interesting for ourselves, as well as the audience, so we try to figure out how to do songs we haven’t done in 30 years,” explains Gibbons. “It keeps us on our toes and makes for what Dusty calls ‘spontinyouity.’”

The fact that all three are native sons of Texas, says Gibbons, makes ZZ Top and its sound all the more distinguished.

“We’re cut from a different

cloth,” he says. “While we travel all over the globe, it’s the Texas connection that transcends all.

“There’s something about the mythos of Texas that is transcendent the world over,” Gibbons says. “Call it a Lone Star state of mind, if you like.” Perhaps it’s that proud individualism that makes Gibbons’ home state such a distinctive crossroads. The melding of styles and artists, including Robert Johnson, Bob Wills, Ornette Coleman, Van Cliburn and so many of the rock players, makes Texas music unique. “It’s so big and roomy that there’s space for all kinds of approaches,” says Gibbons. “I think the fact that folks are openminded — you know that western swing was a joining of jazz and country music — where else would they have thought of that?”

“Of course, at the root of it all — country, jazz, rock, et cetera — is the blues, and Texas is

right up there in “We get together and generating lots play music — it’s still a of blues wattage,” he adds. “Blind grand time out there — Lemon Jefferson, Freddie King and and we even get paid to Houston’s own Lightnin’ Hopkins do it. Can’t beat that.” laid it down for us to pick on up. Robert Johnson may have been from Mississippi, but all of his recording was done in Texas … must be some kind of gravitational pull.”

Houston and ZZ Top are inseparable. When Gibbons refers to his hometown, he glows, especially when discussing the influence the area has had on his music. “Growing up in Houston was a true privilege,” he says.

Duke Records was headquartered there, with its stable of soul, rhythm and blues, and gospel artists, including Johnny Ace, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Junior Parker, Bobby Bland, Big H O U S TO N H OT E L M A G A Z I N E

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Ross Halfin

“There’s something about

Mama Thornton and more. “The the mythos of Texas idea that Houston is a cosmopolitan that is transcendent place meant that all kinds of approaches the world over. Call it a were indulged,” he says. “Townes Van Lone Star state of mind…” Zandt, eccentric and brilliant, was one of our own, as was, of course, Destiny’s Child with Beyoncé. We even have a kind of world music with the zydeco scene spilling over from Louisiana and the whole Gulf Coast sound … the Boogie Kings, Janis Joplin … it’s all part of the region’s rich tradition.”

HOUSTON’S HOMEBOY Gibbons has passions beyond music, and seems to find ways to connect the dots. For instance, the guitarist is a well-known car collector, and the band’s biggest seller, Eliminator, features his 1930s, custom-built Ford coupe on the album cover. (The car is

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now on exhibit in Cleveland at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)

“Well, the car came before the album cover, so it’s the other way around,” says Gibbons, setting the record straight. “The cover is modeled on the car, which is certainly one of our most cherished pieces. We’re also keen on CadZZilla — our 1948 Cadillac-based custom that is one bad, bad lookin’ ride. We’ve got a few other kustom-with-a-‘k’, cars stashed around that we’d like to crow about, but modesty forbids.”

When it comes to playing live and recording, Gibbons is ultra-finicky. He is constantly looking for odd and ends, including vintage amps and electronic pieces. Plus, he is one of the world’s best-known guitar collectors. Is it possible he still has his very first instrument?

“Actually, I don’t have my first guitar, a Gibson Melody Maker that was a Christmas present just after my 13th birthday,” he says. “I

sold it to my girlfriend’s brother ‘way back in the day, but I was recently able to play it onstage, so that was a kick.” As for the rest of the legendary collection, he does have his favorites. “The best piece of plank-spankin’ equipment in the ‘guitarsinal’ is, of course, Miss Pearly Gates, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul that was, apparently, sprinkled with magic dust 55 years ago,” says Gibbons. “It’s the best, most loyal six-stringed friend I’ve ever had.”

One of the ways Gibbons has remained so current at age 64 may be that he keeps a hand in other bands. He’s recorded and performed with a diversity of musicians, including Kid Rock, Queens of the Stone Age, Hank Williams III and Canadian rockers Nickelback. “It’s fun to diversify on occasion, and we did have a good time collaborating with those folks,” he says. “We just hung out with Daryl Hall and did an episode of his Live From Daryl’s

TDC Photography / Shutterstock.com

Dusty Hill Bass, Keyboards, Vocals Hometown: Dallas

House series that was a total gas.

It’s great to exchange musical ideas with guys you admire; it keeps you creatively engaged.”

Gibbons also has explored other artistic avenues, including acting. He’s even had a recurring role on Fox TV’s Bones, and certainly has done his share of on-camera work over the years with numerous music videos.

“Our touring schedule is pretty comprehensive, so it’s not always easy to carve out time for extracurriculars,” he reports. “But Bones is a special circumstance.

The cast and crew are terrific, so we’d fly halfway around the world to film an episode, if called upon.”

“It’s been a terrific experience, though we are concerned with typecasting, insofar as we’re called upon to play a bearded rock guitarist in the series,” says Gibbons, with a characteristic tongue planted firmly in cheek.

“Yeah, it’s a stretch, but we think

Frank Beard Drums, Percussion, Vocals Hometown: Frankston

we have the method down for this particular character.”

While the ZZ Top music machine is far from finished, nothing lasts forever, right? Now that Gibbons and his cohorts are past age 60, where does he see them over the next few years? “Headed your way, for sure,” he says. The band tours regularly, crisscrossing North America at least once or twice a year then heading on to Europe for a few weeks. Gibbons says they played some recent South American dates and enjoyed the experience. “But it’s a more than safe bet we’ll be playing back home in Houston whenever we can,” he confirms. “More shows, more recording, more ZZ Top is what you can expect.”

With a career that speaks for itself — the tours, recordings and amazing live performances, as well as the induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — when they put the period on the end

Billy Gibbons Guitar, Vocals Hometown: Houston

of ZZ Top and Billy Gibbons’ sentence, what does he hope the band’s finest legacy will be?

“Here’s a band that did what it did with tone, taste and tenacity,” he says. “And had a real good time doing it.”

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Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

CALENDAR

APRIL 11–26

Das Rheingold, Houston Grand Opera Wortham Center, Brown Theater

This visually stunning production of the classic German opera by the Catalan theater company La Fura dels Baus takes us to a mythical world of dwarfs and gods, magical helmets, and a ring that endows its wearer with ultimate power. Das Rheingold launches the company’s first staging of the Ring cycle by Richard Wagner.

In Houston, we’ve got events to suit everyone’s style.

Check our calendar for the best of the city’s culture and entertainment during your stay.

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april APRIL 2

APRIL 10– 12

Arena Theatre

Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet

Jones Hall

Michelle Watson

CarlaVanWagoner / Shutterstock.com

Amy Schumer

CALENDAR

The New York comedian, actress and writer entered the national consciousness as a talent-show finalist on talent shows NBC’s Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central’s Reality Bites Back.

Nowadays, the hip, young up-and-comer has a sizzling series on Comedy Central and is a hot commodity with her Back Door Tour, currently in motion.

Conductor Laureate Hans Graf leads the Houston Symphony Orchestra in an all-Russian program, including the classic Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky. Risingstar cellist Johannes Moser is the featured soloist, performing Tchaikovsky’s emotional Rococo Variations, and the orchestra will perform Symphony No. 3 by Sergei Prokofiev.

THROUGH MAY 11

APRIL 10

APRIL 4

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

House of Blues

Arena Theatre

The exclusive exhibition reunites more than 25 of the artist’s paintings and collages created during years of intense dialogue with Pablo Picasso.

The genre-bending ensemble has had 14 hit songs on the Billboard charts including “Here Comes The Rain” and “Dance the Night Away.

The Mavericks

A fierce feud between Scottish families is the dramatic backdrop for Donizetti’s tragic opera based on Sir Walter Scott’s classic novel.

Wayne Shorter Quartet

Carmen

One of world’s greatest femme fatales charms dapper Don José into a fatalistic chain of uncontrollable passion, jealousy and bloodshed in Georges Bizet’s grand opera.

APRIL 4–13

APRIL 26–27

WorldFest Houston International Film Festival

Houston Celtic Festival and Highland Games Houston Farm & Ranch Club

Founded in 1961, today it is the world’s longest running independent film festival that gathers actors, directors and artists annually.

This yearly event spotlights Scottish culture and all things Celtic through music, a series of sanctioned athletic competitions, clan/family booths and more.

APRIL 4

APRIL 26

Reliant Arena(NRG Arena)

San Jacinto Monument

Various locations

H-Town Blues Festival A night of blues includes big-name musical acts such as Willie Clayton, Millie Jackson, T.K. Soul, Mel Waiters, Sir Charles Jones and Latimore.

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Sarofim Hall

Wortham Center, Brown Theater

A jazz legend since the ‘50s, the saxophonists is a celebrated solo artist and has worked with Miles Davis and Weather Report.

Wortham Center, Cullen Theater

Celtic Woman: The Emerald World Tour

Young dancers represent the bright future of dance, performing scenes from well-known ballets and new works created especially for them.

APRIL 25, 27, 30, MAY 2, 4, 8 & 10

APRIL 4

San Jacinto Day Festival/Re-enactment Hundreds of history re-enactors recreate the events leading up to Texas winning its independence at the decisive battle during this annual festival.

The Spanish crooner brings romance with him when he takes the stage. The undisputed King of Latin pop, with more than 300 million records sold worldwide, performs many of his greatest hits, including the ever-popular “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” and “All of You.” APRIL 13

Wortham Center, Cullen Theater

Agata Stoinska

Lambert Hall

Sir Ben Stevenson Academy Spring Showcase, Houston Ballet

An all-new production by the all-female Irish musical ensemble celebrates the Emerald Isles’ heritage through traditional anthems, pop standards, original music and dancing. The tour promotes the group’s latest CD, Celtic Woman: Emerald – Musical Gems.

APRIL 17–19

Yefim Bronfman Plays Beethoven Jones Hall

Wilson Parish

Lucia di Lammermoor, Opera in the Heights

Shelly Wall / Shutterstock.com

APRIL 25–26 APRIL 3–6

Julio Iglesias

The Grammy Award-winning pianist lauded for his technical prowess will lend brilliance to Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 is also on the program, conducted by Houston Symphony Orchestra music director designate Andrés Orozco-Estrada.

APRIL 26

Casting Crowns, Laura Story Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Georges Braque: A Retrospective

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

The Grammy and Dove Award-winning contemporary Christian rock band got its start as a student worship band in the Southeast, led by youth pastor and lead vocalist Mark Hall, and its popularity has only skyrocketed ever since.

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CALENDAR

may

MAY 6

MAY 31

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

AIA Sandcastle Competition

Antonio Scorza / Shutterstock.com

Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

East Beach (Galveston)

The Boss is back! One of the world’s biggest names in classic rock returns to Houston with his band and a treasure trove of amazing music spanning more than four decades. Fans will get to hear cuts from his 18th studio album, High Hopes, released last January. From “Born to Run” to “Born in the USA,” this rocker never seems to age when he takes the stage.

MAY 1

MAY 1–4

Celebration of Stanton Welch, Houston Ballet

Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, Houston Symphony Jones Hall

House of Blues

The blue-eyed soul and pop-rock singer’s big hits include “I Don’t Want to Be,” “Chariot” and “Best I Ever Had.” He has made many appearances on the TV series One Tree Hill and is a popular guest on shows such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Late Show with David Letterman.

Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

Gavin DeGraw

Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts

Allen’s Landing, Downtown Houston

Wortham Center, Brown Theater

Cheer on over 30 teams racing throughout the day. The yearly event includes colorful performances, cuisine and games for everyone.

A mixed repertoire that has it all – from Balanchine, Forsythe and Kylián comes a masterful program of energy, attitude and sexuality.

MAY 4

MAY 23–25

John Legend

Loretta Lynn

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band

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Jones Hall

The Oscar-nominated actress leads an exciting multimedia evening that includes landscapes, nature and stunning music.

MAY 27–JUNE 1

War Horse

The music from the Coal Miner’s Daughter spans more than 50 years and has left an indelible mark on American culture forever.

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Sarofim Hall

This Tony Award winner gallops onstage with astonishing life-sized puppets that bring to life horses strong enough for men to ride.

MAY 9–10 lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Parrotheads get ready! Summer officially starts when the island-loving beach boy brings his self-described “Drunken Caribbean Rock ‘n’ Roll” string of hits, including “Come Monday,” “Fins,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and “Margaritaville” back to town.

Symphonic Spectacular with Sigourney Weaver, Houston Symphony

Nutty Jerry’s (Winnie)

MAY 29

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

Modern Masters, Houston Ballet

MAY 9 Shutterbug459

This creative cavalcade of classic cars, low-riders and more is a Houston tradition, with over 100,000 attending each year. Check out HHM ’S RUNDOWN ON PAGE 18 for photos and more information about this wacky and wonderful annual event.

MAY 22–JUNE 1

His classics include solo hits “All of Me,” “Save Room” and “Made to Love” and collaborations with Jay-Z and Fergie.

Art Car Parade

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zikha Hall

MAY 3

Wortham Center, Cullen Theater

MAY 10

Mostly Blues A showcase of the genre’s origins in post-Civil War America, featuring participants from Houston-area schools creating an unforgettable onstage performance.

Houston Dragon Boat Festival

MAY 3

MAY 16

Applaud the acclaimed artistic director’s decade at the helm of the city’s renowned ballet company with this special program.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands) Jeff Fitlow

Concertmaster Frank Huang and principal cellist Brinton Averil Smith join pianist Joyce Yang to performing the great German composer’s stirring work. Thomas Dausgaard will conduct the program that includes Bax’s Tintagel and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5.

For over two decades teams of architects, designers, and engineers have taken their tools to Galveston for one of the world’s largest and more visually intriguing sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has hosted this outstanding competition since 1986.

Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, Houston Symphony Jones Hall

The spectacular “Symphony of a Thousand” features a huge ensemble with more than 250 musicians, chorus members and soloists.

MAY 27

Justin Hayward (of The Moody Blues) House of Blues

The English guitarist cemented his place in pop-music history by writing numerous hits, including “Tuesday Afternoon” and “Nights in White Satin.”

june JUNE 13–26

JUNE 14

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Sarofim Hall

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

James Taylor and His All-Star Band

Richard Thornton / Shutterstock.com

Photo by Billy Bustamante, courtesy of Paper Mill Playhouse

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

CALENDAR

JUNE 7

JUNE 18

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands)

From tasty progressive rock to sultry surf, jazz and downhome blues — and even some Texas country — the threesome comprises some of the world’s top touring pros.

The campy California swing band creatively set the table for Texas artists Asleep at the Wheel, Commander Cody and more.

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks

JUNE 21–30 JUNE 11–14

The Great Texas 300 South Padre Island

This 300-mile catamaran race that starts at South Padre Island and ends in Galveston is extreme sailing at its best.

Hands on a Hardbody (Texas Premiere) Hobby Center, Zilkha Hall

The hilarious Tony Award-winning musical based on the cult-classic documentary film follows 10 Texans who struggle to win a hardbody truck from a local dealership.

Various Locations

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

Over 100 international musicians are showcased in a free concert in conjunction with the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival.

JUNE 14

Ben Folds, Houston Symphony Jones Hall

The multi-talented singer-songwriter on the cutting edge of rock performs fan favorites on this stop on A Tour of Symphonic Proportions.

This annual event in its fourth year is gaining steam behind the power of suds. Sample a variety of import beers and hometown brews, groove to live music and have a whale of a weekend.

Jim Jefferies Wortham Center, Cullen Theater

Ray Wylie Hubbard McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

The Australian actor, writer and stand-up comic gained big notice for his debut special on HBO and on FX’s Legit. Now he’s touring the U.S. with a hot new act.

Gabriel Iglesias Toyota Center

An international hit machine, the Argentine-born Venezuelan singer and songwriter has released 15 albums, multiple successful singles and has sold 22 million records worldwide.

JUNE 28

Poco

Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands)

This Southern California country-rock band was the launching pad for Jim Messina, Timothy B. Schmit and Randy Meisner (Eagles), and Richie Furay — and is still going strong.

Paul Mobley

Ricardo Montaner Arena Theatre

This Texas Country singer and songwriter helped jumpstart the Texas outlaw music movement with the now classic “Up Against the Wall (Redneck Mother).” Hubbard hosts a weekly radio show, “Roots and Branches,” that promotes Americana musicians.

JUNE 20

In trademark loud Hawaiian shirts, the hilarious, woundup comic, whose nickname is “Fluffy Guy,” is out on a new tour, mixing storytelling, paraodies, characters and sound effects that bring to life his personal experiences.

JUNE 30

Eddie Izzard s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Wagner & Maazel’s “Ring Without Words,” Texas Music Festival Orchestra

Hermann Square and City Hall

JUNE 13

The Pride Festival and Parade are at the center of the seven-day LGBT celebration, attended annually by more than 300,000 people.

JUNE 28 JUNE 13

Houston Beer Fest

Houston Pride Week

JUNE 26 JUNE 12–15 & 17–22

JUNE 7–8

Todd Wolfson

California Guitar Trio

Few artists can lay claim to the extraordinarily broad influence the soft-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist known as Sweet Baby James has had on American music since his debut album in 1968. Quintessential hits such as “Fire and Rain,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Carolina In My Mind” and “Shower the People” span generations and are among pop music’s crown jewels.

Angela Waye / Shutterstock.com

In a magical kingdom below the sea, meet Ariel the little mermaid and her crabby sidekick Sebastian, Ursula the evil sea witch, Triton the king of the sea and Eric, the handsome, human prince. Based on the animated film and hit Broadway musical, this production makes its Houston debut at Theatre under The Stars.

Hobby Performing Arts Center, Sarofim Hall

Quirky soliloquies have helped make the hysterical English comic, writer and actor a worldwide sensation.

Izzard starred in the television series The Riches and his film appearances include Ocean’s Twelve, Ocean’s Thirteen and Mystery Men.

H O U S TO N H OT E L M A G A Z I N E

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SPORTS APRIL 5–12

JUNE 27–29

River Oaks Country Club

Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston

lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Darren Brode / Shutterstock.com

Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship

Reliant Park (NRG Park)

Some of the sports’ greatest heroes have done battle at this annual event that’s one of the premiere tennis matches anywhere in the world. Last year’s champion, American star John Isner, is set to return to defend his title against a slate of top players from around the world.

Houston Rockets Basketball All home games played at Toyota Center APRIL 4 VS. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER APRIL 6 VS. DENVER NUGGETS APRIL 12 VS. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS APRIL 14 VS. SAN ANTONIO SPURS NBA.com/Rockets

Houston Dynamo Soccer

Houston Astros Baseball All home games played at Minute Maid Park APRIL 1–3 VS. NEW YORK YANKEES APRIL 4–7 VS. LA ANGELS APRIL 15–17 VS. KANSAS CITY ROYALS APRIL 24–27 VS. OAKLAND A’S APRIL 29–30 VS. WASHINGTON NATIONALS MAY 2–4 VS. SEATTLE MARINERS MAY 12–14 VS. TEXAS RANGERS MAY 16–18 VS. CHICAGO WHITE SOX MAY 29–JUNE 1 VS. BALTIMORE ORIOLES JUNE 3–5 VS. LA ANGELS JUNE 11–12 VS. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS JUNE 13–15 VS. TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS JUNE 24–26 VS. ATLANTA BRAVES JUNE 27–29 VS. DETROIT TIGERS JUNE 30–JULY 2 VS. SEATTLE MARINERS Houston.Astros.MLB.com

All home games played at BBVA Compass Stadium APRIL 5 VS. FC DALLAS APRIL 27 VS. PORTLAND TIMBERS MAY 7 VS. COLUMBUS CREW MAY 11 VS. REAL SALT LAKE MAY 17 VS. LA GALAXY JUNE 6 VS. SPORTING KANSAS CITY HoustonDynamo.com APRIL 4–6

Junior Volleyball Association World Challenge Reliant Park (NRG Park) APRIL 5

Monster Energy AMA Supercross Reliant Stadium (NRG Stadium) APRIL 5

Muddy Trails Bash George Mitchell Nature Preserve (The Woodlands) APRIL 11

Rice Owls Spring Football Game Rice Stadium

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Race speeds of approximately 180 mph are expected on the 1.7-mile temporary street circuit built in and around the Reliant Park (NRG Park) complex for this event. The track features 10 mighty turns and has four pedestrian bridges. Past champions include superstars Dario Franchitti and Sebastian Bourdais.

APRIL 11

Houston Cougars Spring Football Game Carl Lewis Field APRIL 12–13

Nuclear Cowboyz Reliant Park (NRG Park) APRIL 12–13

MS 150 Cycling

MAY 24

Tully Stadium (Houston), Rhodes Stadium (Katy), Waller Stadium (Waller)

Rio Bravo Motocross Park

5K Foam Fest

APRIL 13

MAY 31

Saengerfest Park (Galveston)

Reliant Park (NRG Park)

APRIL 19

JUNE 14

Houston Sports Park

Wortham Center Arch

APRIL 26

JUNE 20

DIVAS Half Marathon and 5K

Awesome 80s Run 5K Houston

Gritty Goddess Fest Moody Gardens (Galveston)

Run or Dye 5K

Dad’s Day 5K, 3K and 1K

Legacy Fighting Championship (MMA) Arena Theatre

APRIL 26

green6.2 CityCentre MAY 24

The Original Mud Run Sam Houston Race Park

EVENTS THROUGH MAY 26 Beyond Craft: Decorative Arts (Exhibition) The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

APRIL 23 Maria Bamford (Comedy) Improv

MAY 8-9 Little River Band (Pop) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands)

THROUGH APRIL 27 FotoFest 2014 (Photography) 1113 Vine Street

APRIL 24-27 Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival Saengerfest Park (Galveston)

APRIL 5 Michael W. Smith (Christian Contemporary) Nutty Jerry’s (Winnie)

APRIL 24-27 Taylor Williamson (Comedy) Improv

MAY 9 Ars Lyrica Houston: A Baroque Wedding Feast (Performance) Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zikha Hall

APRIL 6 Houston BBQ Festival (Cuisine) Reliant Park (NRG Park)

APRIL 25 Johnny Lee (Country) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands)

MAY 9 Carmen, Houston Grand Opera Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

APRIL 9 Arcade Fire (Rock) Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

APRIL 25-27 Texas Crawfish & Music Festival Old Town Spring

MAY 9 Alonzo King LINES Ballet Wortham Center, Cullen Theater

APRIL 25 Bonnie Bishop (Folk) McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

MAY 9 70s Soul Jam: The Stylistics, Heatwave, The Emotions, Bloodstone (Pop, Soul) Arena Theatre

APRIL 10 Kings of Leon (Rock) Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands) APRIL 10-13 Donnell Rawlings (Comedy) Improv APRIL 11 Juan Gabriel (Latin) Toyota Center APRIL 11 Kool & the Gang (Pop, Soul) Bayou Music Center APRIL 11-14 Ja-Ga Festival (Reggae) 2100 Seawall Boulevard (Galveston) APRIL 12 Earth Day Houston (Event) Discovery Green THROUGH MAY 26 John Singer Sargent: The Watercolors (Exhibition) The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston APRIL 12 The Hit Men (former stars of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons) (Pop, Classic Rock) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands)

APRIL 25-MAY 10 Carmen, Houston Grand Opera Wortham Center, Brown Theater APRIL 26 Lisa de la Salle (Classical) Wortham Center, Cullen Theater APRIL 27 Il Divo (Classical) Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands) APRIL 27 Johnny Rivers (Classic Rock, Pop) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands) APRIL 30 Foster the People (Power Pop) Bayou Music Center MAY 1 Chaka Kahn (Pop, Soul) Arena Theatre MAY 1-4 Charlie Murphy (Comedy) Improv MAY 2-4 Texas Crawfish & Music Festival Old Town Spring

APRIL 12 Spyro Gyra, Lee Rittenour (Jazz) Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

MAY 2 Late Style NOW: John Adams, Louis Andriessen and Steve Reich (Jazz) Wortham Center, Cullen Theater

APRIL 12 Robert Cray Band, Los Lobos (Blues, Rock) Arena Theatre

MAY 3 David Cassidy, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (Pop) The Grand 1894 Opera House (Galveston)

APRIL 12-13 Waterway Arts Festival Waterway and Town Green Park (The Woodlands) APRIL 13 Big Taste of Houston The Corinthian APRIL 17-19 Guy Torry (Comedy) Improv APRIL 18 Mike Epps(Comedy) Toyota Center APRIL 19 Night of Love & Soul: Ruben Studdard, Lala Hathaway, Tweet, Eric Roberson (Pop, Soul) Arena Theatre APRIL 23-27 Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair Various locations (Sugar Land)

MAY 4 The Red Elvises (Rock) McGonigel’s Mucky Duck MAY 4 Fantasia, Houston Symphonic Band (Classical) Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zikha Hall

MAY 9-11 Lavell Crawford (Comedy) Improv MAY 10 James Blunt (Folk, Pop) House of Blues

MAY 24-25 Memorial Day Weekend Celebration (Fireworks and Live Music) Waterway Square (The Woodlands) MAY 27 Old 97’s (Cow Punk) Fitzgerald’s MAY 29-JUNE 1 Ralphie May (Comedy) Improv MAY 31 Acoustic Alchemy (Jazz) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands) MAY 31 Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock (Texas Country) McGonigel’s Mucky Duck MAY 31-JUNE 1 Free Press Summer Festival (Music, Arts) Eleanor Tinsley Park JUNE 5 Harpeth Rising (Classical, Bluegrass, Folk) McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

MAY 10 Mo’Nique (Comedy) Arena Theatre

JUNE 6 A Symphonic Journey, Houston Symphony (Classical) Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

MAY 15 Ingrid Michaelson (Pop) House of Blues

JUNE 6 Bellamy Brothers (Country, Pop) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands)

MAY 16 Al Stewart (Folk, Rock) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands)

JUNE 7-8 Arcadiacon (Gaming Conference) Convention Center (Galveston)

MAY 16 Dave Matthews Band (Jam) Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

JUNE 7 Caribbean Heritage Month Festival (Food, Dance, Music, Art) Jones Plaza

MAY 16 Ledisi, Robert Glasper Experiment (Pop, Jazz, Soul) Bayou Music Center MAY 17 Paul Rodgers (of Free, Bad Company) (Rock) Nutty Jerry’s (Winnie) MAY 17 Marcia Ball (Pop, Rock) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands) MAY 18 Styx, Foreigner, Don Felder (of Eagles) (Rock) Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands) MAY 18 Gipsy Kings (Latin Pop) House of Blues MAY 22-23 Radney Foster (Texas Country) McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

MAY 4 The Zombies (Classic Rock) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands)

MAY 23 Sonu Nigam (Indipop) Reliant Park (NRG Park)

MAY 6 Christina Perri (Rock, Pop) House of Blues

MAY 23-25 Rob Schneider (Comedy) Improv

MAY 8 Ethan Bortnick Symphony of Keys & Charity Celebration Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zikha Hall

MAY 23 Steve Miller Band, Journey (Rock, Blues) Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands)

JUNE 7, 14, 21 & 28 Waterway Nights (Live Music, Fireworks) Waterway Square (The Woodlands) JUNE 8 Steve Forbert (Folk, Rock) McGonigel’s Mucky Duck JUNE 10 B.B. King (Blues) House of Blues JUNE 11 Gino Vannelli (Rock) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands) JUNE 13 Vans Warped Tour (Rock) Reliant Park (NRG Park) JUNE 15 Bill Anderson (Country) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands) JUNE 18-22 Houston Summer Boat Show Reliant Center (NRG Center) JUNE 19 Jackopierce (Country, Folk) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands) JUNE 24 Chubby Knuckle Choir (Roots, Blues, Cajun) Dosey Doe Big Barn (The Woodlands) JUNE 26-28 Sebastian Maniscalco (Comedy) Improv

H O U S TO N H OT E L M A G A Z I N E

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Luxury Sedans ♦ SUVs ♦ Party Bus Transportation Including: Airport ♦ Cruises ♦ Corporate ♦ Night Out on the Town Proms/Homecomings ♦ Quinces ♦ Gala Transportation ♦ Sport Events ♦ Concerts Baechelor/Bachelorette Parties ♦ Holiday Lights Tours ♦ Rodeos ♦ Weddings ♦ Day at the Spa Whether you are two strokes from the PGA Tour, or new to the sport, our limos will make sure you and your clubs get to and from the course comfortably.

SHOPPING

SHOPPING CENTERS BLVD PLACE BLVD Place encompasses 20 acres at the intersection of Post Oak Boulevard and San Felipe, in the heart of Houston’s Uptown District. Post Oak Boulevard’s prestigious shopping address and San Felipe’s connection to Houston’s exclusive residential neighborhoods provide BLVD Place with a location that surpasses all others.

1800 Post Oak Blvd.

713.621.1700 blvdplace.com

CITYCENTRE HOUSTON Developed by Midway, CityCentre is a thoughtfully planned community of sophisticated retail, elegant dining, luxurious brownstones and lofts, upscale apartments and the 255-room Hotel Sorella, a world-class hospitality and conference facility. It is all surrounded by European-style open-air plazas and beautifully designed green spaces.

800 Town & Country Blvd.

713.629.5200 citycentrehouston.com

GALLERIA The Galleria is Texas’ largest shopping center, spanning 2.4 million square feet of space. It is Houston’s most popular retail and tourist destination, filled with amenities, including a full-size ice rink and a state-of-the-art children’s play area. No trip to Houston is complete without seeing this famous and popular Texan retail space.

5085 Westheimer Rd. 713.622.0663 galleriahouston.com

GREENSTREET The revitalization of a 570,000square-foot, mixed-use center in downtown Houston, now known as GreenStreet, is quickly becoming a destination hot spot. The project will feature dynamic green space, monthly event programming, along with a variety of eateries, entertainment and shopping.

1201 Fannin St. 832.320.1201 greenstreetdowntown.com

HOUSTON PREMIUM OUTLETS This shopping area is home to more than 145 designer namebrand outlets such as Tory Burch, True Religion, Kate Spade New York, Kenneth Cole, Burberry, Coach, and Cole Haan, offering a savings of up to 65 percent.

29300 Hempstead Rd. Cypress, TX 77433 281.304.5820 premiumoutlets.com

UPTOWN PARK European elegance meets Texas style at this warm and inviting shopping area like no other, that has an attractive Italian-style piazza with fountains and lush surroundings. Uptown Park is lined with more than 50 shops, boutiques and cafes and places for shoppers to rejuvenate, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere with an emphasis on charm.

1101 Uptown Park Blvd.

713.850.1400 uptownparkhouston.com

HIGHLAND VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER This expertly assorted mixture of shops and restaurants is located just a few blocks west of River

Oaks and a few blocks east of the Galleria. On the upper end, there’s Donald J. Pliner, Kiehl’s and Cole Haan store, as well as the largest Apple store in Houston. Don’t forget to grab a Sprinkle’s Cupcake to satisfy your sweet craving.

Street, Coda in the Heights is nestled in with quaint cafes and antique shops.

4055 Westheimer Rd. 713.850.3100 shophighlandvillage.com

This is one of the most unique retail concepts anywhere. For generations, this one-of-a-kind treasure house has offered an array of quality hardware items for the home, upscale gifts including china, crystal, chocolates and stationery, as well as items for the kitchen and yard.

MARKET STREET Market Street is one of the nation’s finest shopping and entertainment destinations.

Located in The Woodlands, it represents luxury, from upscale shopping and dining to a boutique hotel experience.

9595 Six Pines Drive The Woodlands, TX 77380 281.419.4774 marketstreet-thewoodlands.com

GIFTS & SPECIALTY STORES BISCUIT HOME This flagship location opened in October 2012 at the historic Avalon Center in Houston’s Upper Kirby District. The boutique is a further extension of the Biscuit brand and design philosophy, selling its eponymous bedding line as well as complementary furniture, home accessories and art.

2606 Westheimer Rd 713.942.9797 biscuit-home.com

CODA IN THE HEIGHTS Coda specializes in rustic, industrial and contemporary design, and its expert staff enjoys helping customers find just the right pieces to compliment their space. Located in the Houston Heights area on historic 19th

355 West 19th Street 713.864.4411 codaintheheights.com

BERING’S

6102 Westheimer Rd. 713.785.6400 3900 Bissonnet 713.665.0500 berings.com

SPACE MONTROSE Space Montrose is a place for inspiration, innovative concepts and a unique shopping experience, filled with goods handcrafted in the USA. It features more than 130 artists, of which half are local.

1706 Westheimer Rd. 832.649.5743 spacemontrose.com

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES À BIENTÔT This chic River Oaks accessories boutique has everything from earrings and shoes to bags and bracelets. Its storefront is stocked with Jeffrey Campbell animal-print flats, Italian leather handbags, pashmina shawls, one-of-a-kind reading glasses and more.

2501 River Oaks Blvd.

713.523.3997 shopabientot.com H O U S TO N H OT E L M A G A Z I N E

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SHOPPING DEUTSCH & DEUTSCH FINE JEWELRY AND WATCHES Not only a jewelry and watch store, it is a company that bases its ideology on the principle of being closely involved with its customers and on becoming part of their special life moments. Its slogan “Where Life Happens” expresses interest in becoming a proactive element in the community and the effort put in becoming an important part of customers’ lives.

3747 Westheimer Rd. 713.627.7787 deutschjewelers.com

THOMAS MARKLE JEWELERS Established in 1981, Thomas Markle Jewelers has become North Houston’s most trusted family jeweler and is one of Texas’ premiere jewelers. Local residents and area visitors are provided with a friendly, first-name atmosphere and a highly experienced staff of jewelry professionals.

4417 Kingwood Drive Kingwood, TX 77339 281.360.4367 5502 FM 1960 West 832.237.1100 9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 950 The Woodlands, TX 77380 281.363.2400 thomasmarklejewelers.com

IW MARKS With muted tones and a traditional design, the space offers a tranquil atmosphere giving customers a chance to leisurely browse the many showcases filled with watches and jewelry. There is a dedicated area for watches, fine jewelry and bridal lines, with shop-in-shops for such brands as Mikimoto, Charriol, Lagos, Stephen Dweck, Judith Leiber, Dominique Cohen and Kabana.

3841 Bellaire Blvd.

713.668.5000 iwmarks.com

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CHARDÉ JEWELERS Having always carried a variety of designer jewelry, Chardé now displays over 100 different jewelry designers ranging from fashion to fine jewelry. It carries local designers such as Lemel Designs and Rebecca Lankford, as well as designers from all over the world.

The staff is dedicated to helping you find what you are looking for.

5600 Kriby Drive 713.668.6350 chardejewelers.com

KENDRA SCOTT Kendra Scott is an American accessories brand inspired by the personal experiences, travel and sense of community of its CEO and designer, Kendra Scott. Shop her kaleidoscope of beautiful jewelry at her three Houston-area boutiques in CityCentre, Rice Village and The Woodlands.

816 Town & Country Blvd, Suite 131 713.965.4115 2411 Times Blvd, Suite 120 713.965.4056 9595 Six Pines Dr., #960 (Opening Spring 2014) The Woodlands, TX 77380 kendrascott.com

THE HAT STORE This family has been fitting and hand-shaping western cowboy hats more than 87 years. Gary’s grandfather founded the original American Hat Company in Houston in 1915. They carry on the family’s tradition by specializing in the fine art of steaming and hand-shaping hats.

5587 Richmond Ave 713.780.2480 thehatstore.com

MAIDA’S BELTS & BUCKLES At Maida’s Belts & Buckles you will find an array of exquisite handmade and engraved buckles and buckle sets from the finest artists in the United States. These buckles are all heirloom quality that can not only be worn and

enjoyed now but can be passed down for future generations.

5727 Westheimer Rd. 713.629.9091 maidasbelts.com

ANTIQUES & FURNITURE THE ANTIQUARIUM Located at the Centre at River Oaks in the heart of Houston, The Antiquarium’s gallery stands out within a city deeply committed to history and fine arts. Showcased is a large and varied collection of original antique prints, old maps, historical Texas documents, and other unique items.

3021 Kirby Drive 713.622.7531 theantiquarium.com

ANTIQUES & INTERIORS AT THE PAVILLION Located conveniently between Kirby and Shepherd in the River Oaks/Upper Kirby District, this 27,000-square-foot showroom houses 80 of Houston’s finest dealers and has for the past 20 years. Showcasing the finest in home furnishings, art, silver, accessories and jewelry.

2311 Westheimer Rd. 713.520.9755 antique-pavilion.com

CARL MOORE ANTIQUES In this beautifully decorated showroom, Carl Moore Antiques offers a distinctive selection of memorable pieces, individually chosen with an eye for style, line and value. Here, design experts stress an emphasis on fewer and better things with which to surround yourself.

the country’s finest antique jewelry dealers. Together the team combines impressive knowledge and expertise with amazing personal service in order to provide every client with a unique and pleasurable shopping experience.

3433 W. Alabama St. 713.621.3433 pastera.com

ALYSON JON INTERIORS A family-owned business that opened its door in the Houston area in 1967. Alyson Jon Interiors features quality furniture, accessories, bedding and lighting that has been selected from around the world. Whether you’re looking for a unique accessory to accent a room or need to furnish an entire home, come learn from the designers’ expertise.

2401 Bissonnet St. 713.524.3171 alysonjon.com

ROCHE BOBOIS A leader in European high-end furniture, has always been in a class of its own. With a network of 240 stores in 40 countries, the company has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Known for its high quality, European knowhow, and customization, each furniture piece is born of a close collaboration between the brand, designers, and manufacturers, many of which can be customized to specifically suit your needs.

4810 San Felipe Rd. 713.629.0442 roche-bobois.com

1610 Bissonnet St. 713.524.2502 carlmooreantiques.com

PAST ERA ANTIQUE JEWELRY Backed by generations of knowledge and experience, Past Era is considered one of

Roche Bobois

WOMEN’S APPAREL

ELAINE TURNER

ATRIUM READY TO WEAR Offering the finest in elite labels and promising an individualized shopping experience, Atrium houses a curated collection of exclusive talents from the fashion world, including Prabal Gurung, Vera Wang, Jason Wu, Angel Sanchez, and Yigal Azrouel, among others.

2040 West Gray St., Suite 120 713.520.0206 atriumrtw.com

RICE VILLAGE 2429 University Blvd.

713.255.0052 CITYCENTRE 800 Town & Country Blvd.

713.255.9095 THE WOODLANDS 9595 Six Pines Drive 832.585.0805

CHLOE DAO BOUTIQUE

elaineturner.com

This boutique is one of the premiere shops located in the Rice Village shopping district.

Its philosophy is service with openness, warmth and charm to make customers feel as if they are shopping with a trusted girlfriend.

ELIZABETH ANTHONY - ESTHER WOLF Located in Houston’s upscale Uptown Park, Elizabeth Anthony always furnishes ladies with chic styles for work, vacation and special evenings out. The luxurious space welcomes women wanting personal attention and

1180 Uptown Park Blvd. #8 713.622.1331 estherwolf.com

LA MODE LINGERIE Located in River Oaks Shopping Center, this gallery-inspired boutique was honored with the “2004 Best of Intima Shop” design award. While La Mode’s interior leaves you in awe, the root of its success can be found in its hand-picked selection.

2013D West Gray St. 713.529.3980 lamodelingerie.com

PINTO RANCH FINE WESTERN WEAR Live the western lifestyle on or off the ranch. More than 4,000 pairs of handmade boots are in stock, made by Lucchese, Old Gringo, Stallion, Rocketbuster, Rios of Mercedes and Liberty Boot Co. Unique designer apparel for

SHOPPING men and women, hand-engraved buckles, hats and jewelry are all a part of the finest collections found at Pinto Ranch.

1717 Post Oak Blvd.

713.333.7900 pintoranch.com

TOOTSIES Located in the heart of River Oaks, Houston’s oldest and most affluent residential area, Tootsies is a full-line store offering ready to wear, shoes, handbags, jewelry, accessories. The store has enormous fitting rooms designed by top interior designers, a private room for exclusive trunk shows, and a dining room for special customer luncheons.

2601 Westheimer Rd. 713.629.9990 tootsies.com

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6127 Kirby Drive 713.807.1565 chloedao.com

A Texas woman with a chic, cosmopolitan sense, Elaine Turner combines her love of exotic travels and colorful spaces, creating a collection of luxury handbags and shoes for every woman.

knowledgeable advice when shopping for high-end apparel.

JUNE 13 – 29

TUTS.COM 713.558.TUTS GROUPS CALL 713.558.8888 OR VISIT TUTS.COM/GROUPS

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G

ATTRACTIONS

MUSEUMS

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON

Charged with educating students and the public about the dangers CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON of prejudice and hatred in society, Founded in 1980 by a group of Holocaust Museum Houston Houston parents who hoped opened its doors in March of to make early childhood 1996. Since that time, impassioned development a communitynotes, poems, artwork and other wide priority, it has grown to gifts, from school children and serve more than 850,000 people adults alike, attest to the lifeannually with bilingual (Spanish/ changing thoughts generated by English) programs for kids, ages just one visit to this unique facility. birth to 12 years, and workshops in literacy, science, math, health, 5401 Caroline St. 713.942.8000 engineering, civic engagement, hmh.org culture and social studies.

Located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, the MFAH is a dynamic cultural complex comprising two gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, visitors center, library, movie theater, gift shop, café, two art schools, and two house museums.

1500 Binz St. 713.522.1138 cmhouston.org

The National United States Armed Forces Museum is always ready to assist groups or individuals who desire support or advice in the preservation on military vehicles and related items. Our members are recognized professionals and hold national standing for authentic and exacting restoration.

CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM

THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE Founded in 1909, the museum houses the Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center and a fascinating variety of permanent exhibit areas that examine astronomy, space science, Native American culture, paleontology, energy, chemistry, gems and minerals, seashells, Texas wildlife and much more.

The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a noncollecting institution dedicated to presenting the best and most exciting international, national and regional art.

Through dynamic exhibitions accompanied by scholarly publications and accessible 5555 Hermann Park Dr. educational programs, the museum reaches out to audiences 713.639.4629 hmns.org of various ages.

5216 Montrose Blvd.

713.284.8250 camh.org

THE HEALTH MUSEUM The Health Museum is Houston’s most interactive science learning center and a member institution of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center. Located in the heart of the city’s rich and varied Museum District, the mission is to foster wonder and curiosity about health, medical science and the human body.

1515 Hermann Dr. 713.521.1515 mhms.org 58

H O U S TO N H OT E L M A G A Z I N E

THE MENIL COLLECTION This celebrated building opened in 1987 and was the first American commission for the Italian architect Renzo Piano, who would later win the Pritzker Prize, architecture’s equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize.

The Menil Collection is part of a quiet inner-city neighborhood of residences, parks, nonprofit organizations, museum buildings, related art spaces and the University of St. Thomas.

1533 Sul Ross St. 713.525.9400 menil.org

1001 Bissonnet St, 713.639.7300 mfah.org

NATIONAL UNITES STATES ARMED FORCES MUSEUM

8611 Wallisville Rd. 713.673.1234 nusafm.org

SPACE CENTER HOUSTON Space Center Houston is a place where people can experience space from its dramatic history and exciting present to its compelling future. Space Center Houston is the only place on Earth that gives guests an out-ofthis-world journey through human adventures into space. Space Center Houston’s unparalleled exhibits, attractions, special presentations and hands-on activities tell the story of NASA’s manned space flight program.

1601 NASA Pkwy.

281.244.2100 spacecenter.org

PERFORMANCES ALLEY THEATRE The Alley was founded more than 60 years ago to provide Houston audiences with high-quality theater, offering a wide variety of work including new plays, classics, the re-discovered and the rarelyperformed, and new musical theatre, with an emphasis on new American works, to provide the inspiration to make audiences think, feel, and dream.

615 Texas Ave. 713.220.5700 alleytheatre.org

HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Located in the heart of downtown Houston, the center stands as the premier entertainment complex in the Houston Theater District.

Two acoustically distinguished theaters, an impressive grand lobby, and a contemporary American cuisine restaurant create a first-class setting.

800 Bagby St. #300 713.315.2400 thehobbycenter.org

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA – WORTHAM CENTER Since its inception in 1955, Houston Grand Opera has grown from a small regional organization into an internationally renowned opera company. HGO commissions and produces new works and has staged 47 world premieres and six American premieres since 1973.

500 Texas Ave. 832.487.7000 houstongrandopera.org houstonfirsttheatres.com/WorthamCenter

HOUSTON SYMPHONY – JESSE H. JONES HALL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Houston landmarks – Fire Station No. 1 and the Central Waterworks Building. This magnificent sixacre entertainment and dining The Houston Symphony complex is a 500,000-gallon is currently celebrating its aquatic wonderland, home to centennial season and is anticipating its next, led by music over 200 species of aquatic life director designate Andres Orozco- from around the globe.

Estrada. Its mission is to inspire 410 Bagby St. 713.223.3474 and enrich the lives of Houston’s aquariumrestaurants.com diverse citizenry through the performances of outstanding compositions by its superb HOUSTON ZOO orchestra and world-class soloists. More than 6,000 animals 615 Louisiana St. #101 832.487.7050 houstonsymphony.org houstonfirsttheaters.com/JonesHall

MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE

permanently reside at the Houston Zoo, which provides for their housing, meals, medical care and education.

There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience the incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events.

The theatre offers the most diverse season of professional entertainment of any Houston performance venue, and it’s all free. Classical music, jazz, 6200 Hermann Park Dr. ethnic music and dance, ballet, 713.533.6500 houstonzoo.org Shakespeare, musical theatre, classic films, and much more are included in this year’s superb lineSPORTS up. Relax in the covered seating or enjoy a pre-performance picnic on the hillside.

BBVA COMPASS STADIUM Situated on a six-block urban 6000 Hermann Park Dr. site near Houston landmarks 832.487.7102 Minute Maid Park, the George milleroutdoortheatre.com R. Brown Convention Center, and the Toyota Center, RELIANT PARK (NRG PARK) BBVA Compass Stadium is At Reliant Park, education, accessible for patrons from entertainment, trade, commerce the entire Houston area. It is and competition all come recognizable thanks in part to its together in one vibrant and distinctive façade with Dynamo energizing environment. Couple orange coloring and with a this with our professional staff dedicated to achieving the highest geometric aluminum mesh that encompasses the stadium. levels of customer and guest satisfaction, and you’ll clearly understand why Reliant Park is a leader in the event industry.

2200 Texas Ave. 713.547.3000 bbvcompassstadium.com

8400 Kirby Dr. 832.667.1400 reliantpark.com

ICE AT THE GALLERIA

ZOOS & AQUARIUMS DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM The Aquarium is the product of redeveloping two downtown

Set beneath the spectacular glass atrium in the Houston Galleria Mall, Ice at the Galleria has been an icon in the Houston area for over 30 years. Open seven days a week, it offers extended public skating sessions, group events, birthday parties, a quality

Learn to Skate program, and a beginner hockey program.

5015 Westheimer Rd. #1260 713.621.1500 iceatthegalleria.com

MINUTE MAID PARK A jewel in the crown of the majestic downtown Houston skyline, Minute Maid Park has become a welcome home for the Houston Astros and has ushered in a new era of Major League sports in the city. The downtown ballpark continues the proud tradition of visionary innovation in stadium construction, beginning with the club’s previous home, the Astrodome.

501 Crawford St. 713.259.8000 houston.astros.mlb.co

ATTRACTIONS

GOLF CHAMPIONS GOLF CLUB Champions Golf Club was founded by Jack Burke Jr. and the late Jimmy Demaret in 1957.

From its origin, Champions has consistently carved its place in golf history hosting such prestigious events as the Ryder Cup Matches in 1967, the United States Open in 1969 and the Champions International, a PGA tour event.

13722 Champions Dr. 281.444.6262 championsgolfclub.com

TOPGOLF TopGolf is the premier golf

RELIANT STADIUM (NRG STADIUM) entertainment complex where Reliant Stadium is the only rodeo and NFL indoor/outdoor retractable roof, natural grass stadium that can be configured to utilize a 125,000 square foot space for general sessions, catered functions, exhibits, concerts, and much more. In addition, Reliant Stadium offers four immense concourse levels for special events. The design of the stadium roof provides a very flexible rigging configuration for major audio and visual presentations.

Reliant Pkwy.

832.667.1400 reliantpark.com/reliant-stadium

TOYOTA CENTER Since opening in October 2003, Toyota Center has set a new standard for sports and entertainment, becoming one of the premier live entertainment venues in the nation. Spanning six city blocks, Toyota Center is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Toyota Center also plays host to the nation’s top concerts and touring shows.

1510 Polk St. 713.758.7200 houstontoyotacenter.com

the competition of sport meets your favorite local hangout spot.

You can challenge your friends and family to addictive pointscoring golf games that anyone from the hopeful pro golfer to a 7-year-old rookie can play yearround. With a 215-yard outfield featuring dartboard-like targets, the closer to the bull’s-eye you hit your microchipped balls, the more points you receive.

1030 Memorial Brook Blvd.

281.406.3176 topgolf.com/houston

WILDCAT GOLF CLUB It’s like no other golf experience in the Southeast Texas area, boasting two spectacular golf courses designed by Roy Case and located just south of Houston.

Both courses feature elevations up to 100 feet providing spectacular views of Houston’s downtown skyline, the Galleria and the Reliant Stadium (NRG Stadium) complex.

12000 Almeda Rd. 713.413.3400 wildcatgolfclub.com

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Chic Antique.

Lunch • Dinner • Happy Hour • Saturday & Sunday Brunch • Private Parties

218 Travis St. | Houston, TX 77002 | 713.225.8079 | www.hearsayhouston.com

JOIN CHEF NICK & 51FIFTEEN FOR EXCEPTIONAL

World Fusion Cuisine mon-thu: 11am-9:30pm fri-sat: 11am-10pm sunday brunch: 11am-4pm happy hour: mon-sat 4pm-7pm 5115 WESTHEIMER | HOUSTON, TEXAS 77056 SECOND FLOOR OF SAKS FIFTH AVENUE VALET PARKING AVAILABLE 713.963.8067 | WWW.51FIFTEEN.COM FOR PRIVATE EVENTS PLEASE CALL CASSIE KRAFT 713.205.2148

Fashionably Haute

DINING

thoughtfully presented, and friends gather to dine, drink and converse.

1962 West Gray St. 713.524.1919 brasserie19.com

DAMARCO CUCINA E VINO 51 Fifteen

51FIFTEEN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE This five star restaurant, located inside Saks Fifth Avenue in the Galleria, specializes in World Fusion Cuisine by Chef Nick Banaszak and Chef Jamil Bean.

This fashionably haute restaurant hosts live music, happy hour, a three-course power lunch, private events, brunch, fine dining and Bar 12 on the third floor.

5115 Westheimer Rd. 713.963.8067 51fifteen.com

AMÉRICAS With adventure-themed interiors, the multi-level restaurant borrows design elements and colors from Incan artifacts and mythology.

The adventure continues into the menu, which draws from the foods and cooking techniques of North, Central and South America, to make one New World Cuisine.

RIVER OAKS 2040 W. Gray St. 832.200.1492 THE WOODLANDS 21 Waterway Ave. 281.367.1492 cordua.com/Americas

BRASSERIE 19 The newest Houston dining destination is from Clark Cooper Concepts – where French classicism meets modern luxury. Simple French fare is

This 13-year-old Houston restaurant has earned a reputation for delicious, authentically prepared food served in an atmosphere best described as “urbanely relaxed.” Italian-born owner-chef Marco Wiles, is the brains behind DaMarco Cucina e Vino’s unique, upscale menu.

1520 Westheimer Rd. 713.807.8857 damarcohouston.com

DEL FRISCO’S GRILLE

ELEVEN XI Ideally located where Montrose meets Midtown, this restaurant is a new southern coastal cuisine establishment. The venue features an expansive patio, main dining room and bar on the main level and a dedicated, second floor private dining room with a built-in bar, and wine cellar.

607 West Gray St. 713.529.5881 elevenxihouston.com

HEARSAY GASTRO LOUNGE Hearsay provides a chic and unique dining experience in the W.L Foley Building, the second oldest building in the heart of downtown Houston, in historic Market Square. Hearsay offers the finest craft cocktails, New American dishes, a lively brunch.

The restaurant is also available for private events.

This restaurant located in the vibrant River Oaks area, the heart of Houston’s dining and 218 Travis St. social scene. Industrial and lush 713.225.8079 elements create an atmosphere hearsayhouston.com that is stylish, social and relaxed.

The bar creates a buzz throughout the restaurant and sets the stage for a dining experience unlike any other American grill.

2800 Kirby Dr., Ste. A-132 832.623.6168 delfriscosgrille.com

500 Westheimer Rd. 713.520.8222 dolcevitahouston.com

2450 Louisiana St., Ste. 200 713.524.0004 ibizafoodandwinebar.com

KATA ROBATA From its inception in 2010, Kata Robata serves up a modern and creative array of Japanese fare with French undertones. With an ever-changing menu centered around fresh ingredients locally and internationally available and an Omakase offering that is sure to pique any palate.

3600 Kirby Dr., Ste. H 713.802.0533 katarobata.com

LIBERTY KITCHEN The Kitchen is committed to fresh, quality local products with fish being delivered daily from a local boat. It has one of the few oyster bars in town that offers selections from the East, West and Gulf coasts. There are several choices from the charcoal- and applewood-burning grill including fish, steaks, spare ribs, chicken and burgers. There’s a little bit of everything to please every palate.

1050 Studewood 713.622.1010 libertykiitchenoysterbar.com

DOLCE VITA The second establishment in the Chef Marco Wiles family, Dolce Vita aims to bring the taste of true authentic Neapolitan pizza to Houston. Located in the heart of Montrose, the casual atmosphere with its custom imported wood burning oven will bring the true taste of Italian pizza to you.

Grant Cooper and Chef Charles Clark’s bustling open kitchen.

LINE & LARIAT Hearsay Gastro Lounge

IBIZA Houston’s Ibiza, like its namesake off the coast of Spain, pulses with a confluence of sophisticated style setters, exciting environs and fabulous fare. Awash in cool blues and grays, the restaurant evokes a modern Mediterranean mecca where Houstonians dine around

Savor mouthwatering dishes that reflect the bounty of Texas’ coast, waterways, farms and ranches at this restaurant located in the Hotel Icon downtown. Or saddle up to L & L Bar for our unique brand of mixology that includes both iconic and contemporary craft cocktails.

220 Main St. 832.667.4470 hotelicon.com

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DINING MAX’S WINE DIVE It’s a “dive” that’s fun, funky, eclectic and a complete juxtaposition that captures the qualities of a casual, industrial feel with amazing food and wine offerings. The 2-part menu contains Max’s Classics on one half, on the other you will find fresh seasonal fare.

4720 Washington Ave., Ste. B 713.880.8737 maxswinedive.com

MARK’S AMERICAN CUISINE Located in a 1920s renovated church, Mark’s provides an intimate escape from the world.

Dining here is a true epicurean adventure, with not just one, but four unique menus. Houstonians and visitors will find food unlike that in any other restaurant.

1658 Westheimer Rd. 713.523.3800 marks1658.com

NOÉ GRILL Enjoy globally inspired cuisine with Pan Asian undertones, Noé Grill at the Omni Houston Hotel. Located in the prestigious Uptown Post Oak/Galleria area, the Noé Grill reflects modern dining with a sustainable menu.

4 Riverway 713.871.8177 noerestaurant.com

OXHEART Created by native Houstonians, Oxheart brings Texas’ best ingredients to the table, prepared in a focused and creative way.

Located in the historic Erie City Iron Works building in Houston’s historic Warehouse District, Chef Justin Yu brings a progressive perspective to regional product that will not disappoint.

1302 Nance St. 832.830.8592 oxhearthouston.com

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THE PASS & PROVISIONS

TANGO & MALBEC

Bringing the kitchen to each table, chefs will serve, describe and answer diner’s questions, creating an unique experience for each customer while discussing the transformation process from food to plate. Diners can connect with the chef’s inspiration in a casually elegant atmosphere.

Located in The Galleria Houston, T & M represents a culinary experience from Argentina & Uruguay. Open seven days a week, Tango & Malbec offers traditional South American Parrilla style, using pecan and mesquite wood to prepare perfectly grilled juicy cuts of meat — like Waygu, Tomahawk, dry-aged steaks, — offering grass-fed cuts from around the world. T & M boasts the most extensive South American wine list in Houston.

807 Taft St. 713.628.9020 passandprovisions.com

RDG + BAR ANNIE This is the next evolution of the legendary Café Annie. Housed in a spectacular building on Post Oak Boulevard, the new restaurant has captured all the qualities of the past in a stunning and dramatic new look. With vast windows overlooking an outside Terrace, RDG + Bar Annie looks to the future — and the past.

1800 Post Oak Blvd.

713.840.1111 rdgbarannie.com

SEASONS 52 A favorite to Houstonians, Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar that invites guests to discover the sensational flavors of a seasonally-inspired menu and award-winning international wine list in a casually-sophisticated ambiance.

2800 Sage Rd. 713.629.8646 tangomalbec.com

Tango Malbec

THE TASTING ROOM Boasting a variety of seating areas where you can enjoy fine wines, amazing artisan pizzas, and a cozy, social atmosphere. They offer over 100 wines priced from $15 per bottle to over $1,000 per bottle. Also featured are dozens of wines by the glass.

RIVER OAKS 2409 W. Alabama St. 713.526.2242

CITYCENTRE 842 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. CityCentre Three 713.464.5252

CITYCENTRE 818 Town & Country Blvd., Ste. 100 281.822.1500

seasons52.com

UPTOWN PARK 1101-18 Uptown Park Blvd.

713.993.9800

Created by a team of awardwinning chefs, Spindletop’s menu focuses on fresh American seafood with a southwest flair. Our menu is designed to showcase the very best produce and ingredients from local and regional purveyors.

1200 Louisiana St. (atop Hyatt Regency Houston) 713.375.4775 hyatt.com

3636 Rice Blvd.

713.664.0141 tinyboxwoods.com/tinys_no5

TONY’S From the moment you arrive, Tony’s is committed to providing its guests with a world-class fine dining experience, from the caliber of service and the highest quality ingredients, to innovative cuisine and one of the world’s greatest collections of fine wines.

3755 Richmond Ave. 713.622.6778 tonyshouston.com

UCHI

WESTHEIMER 4410 Westheimer Rd. 713.621.5452

SPINDLETOP RESTAURANT

adapts to the seasons, and a reknowned weekend brunch.

tastingroomwines.com

TINY’S NO. 5 Nestled in the quaint West University neighborhood, Tiny’s No. 5 is a local favorite no matter the time of day. This restaurant is filled with charm, featuring outdoor seating, a menu that

Every day, this contemporary Japanese and Sushi restaurant serves the freshest product it can procure. Uchi flies in seafood every day from both Fukuoka and Tsukiji markets in Japan.

Dishes are prepared using unique food combinations for the most unique dining experience.

904 Westheimer Rd. 713.522.4808 uchirestaurants.com

UPTOWN SUSHI Come experience Houston’s premier upscale sushi bar and restaurant. Specializing in unique Japanese fusion cuisine for business lunch, elegant dinner and late-night bar.

1131 Uptown Park Blvd., #14 713.871.1200 uptownsushihouston.com

UP RESTAURANT Up features classic American food with a menu that is planned for the way Houstonians like to eat and drink. The menu stands apart from the trends of the day.

Whether one is craving authentic French bouillabaisse, USDA prime steak, or fresh crudo, you’ll find your favorite at Up. 3995 Westheimer Rd. 713.640.5416 uprestaurant.com

“South America Has Never Tasted Better” 2800 Sage Rd. Houston TX, 77056 713.629.8746 www.tangomalbec.com

“Private Rooms & Catering Available”

OUR PARTING SHOT

Welcome Back, Nolan Ryan WRITTEN BY DAVE MUSCARI PHOTO BY DAVID WOO

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Last October, the Ryan Express pulled into the station for the last ride, before the baseball icon retired as CEO of the Texas Rangers.

It was a bittersweet “So long!” for Nolan Ryan, one of Major League Baseball’s most enduring figures.

In mid-February, the Houston Astros announced the Hall of Fame pitcher will join the organization in an advisory role. Ryan will be a special assistant to team owner Jim Crane, general manager Jeff Luhnow, and Reid Ryan, president of business operations and Nolan Ryan’s oldest son.

In true Houston Hotel Magazine style, we offer this parting shot from two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist David Woo to commemorate the occasion. From Woo’s book of photographs, Top Dogs and Their Pets, comes this unforgettable shot of the great baseball hero with Lela.

A VAILABLE A T