staycation central

Year after year, the pool at Hotel ZaZa proves to be a scenesational place to hang out on a hot summer day. Some prefer to perch on a lounge chair; others tuck away in a cabana, leaving only to dip toes in the more private hot tub.

In any case, if getting to the spa just seems like a tad too much effort, this summer ZaSpa offers the “Perfectly Pampered Poolside” treatment — a full-body polish followed by a lathering of sunscreen.

Meanwhile, Downtown’s still-new Laura Hotel has a similarly chic vibe, with a rooftop pool and Sunday Fundays (drink specials, live DJ). You can even forego the room and just book a cabana for the day — and it comes with a free bottle of bubbly. Cheers! –ewb

Fun

It may be hot — but why not grab a cold bev and soak in some free live tunes as you wait for the sun to go down? East River 9, the East End’s new public golf course with LED lights for nighttime play, hosts the Live Music Summer Series (7-9pm, Fri.-Sat.) at its (dogfriendly) Riverhouse restaurant through August. While you’re there, try a Tex-Mex platter or juicy steak courtesy of new culinary director AJ Junnarkar.

Art

This summer, beloved Houston artist Robert Hodge unveils two shows at David Shelton Gallery. Speakerboxxx features a new, amped-up series of his signature collages; The Love Below is a collection of textbased paintings. Both run through Aug. 19. –chris becker

The Houston Shakespeare Festival returns to Miller Outdoor Theatre in the midst of the Hermann Park icon’s centennial celebration. UH puts on stellar performances of Much Ado About Nothing and Macbeth, July 27Aug. 5.

MUSIC

On July 28-29 at the Hobby Center, the Houston Symphony plays the music of Star Wars: A New Hope Watch and listen as the orchestra plays every note of John Williams’ famous score while the film plays on a huge screen.

White Oak Music Hall welcomes Zella Day for her Hot Summer Dreams Tour on Aug. The following day, a humongous benefit concert for Texas Children’s features local acts covering fave tunes — like Houston’s Paper Gliders performing as The Killers, and The Creeps taking the stage as Metallica. Get tickets at whiteoak musichall.com.

In a cheekily named exhibit, Anya Tish Gallery displays an impressive variety of art that “conjures an improvisational fantasy space.” This Is a Group Show, featuring works by HJ Bott, Hedwige Jacobs, Josh Litos, Dave McClinton, Marisol Valencia and others, opens July 14.

Beach-inspired barwear and oceanic accessories for summer? May not be groundbreaking — but this season’s spin on sea-savvy is worth diving into. –ewb

Close out summer by rocking out with Jimmy Eats World and Manchester Orchestra at 713 Music Hall on Aug. 7.

Noël Coward’s semiautobiographical comedy Present Laughter follows a self-obsessed actor in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Catch this one at Main Street Theater in Rice Village, July 15-Aug. 13.

Aug. 1 brings the return of Houston Restaurant Weeks, which this year runs through Sept. 4. Participating restaurants and menus will be posted on houston restaurantweeks.com throughout July.

Art

Known for his largerthan-life pieces like Mount Rush Hour, Virtuoso and the Beatles at 8th Wonder, 95-year-old David Adickes is changing things up with a show of small bronze sculptures and a new series of three-dimensional wall reliefs, through July 29 at Redbud Arts Center. –cb