TIME TO PAINT the town! This season, a trio of art fairs hits Houston, beginning with the Houston Art Fair (formerly the Houston Fine Art Fair), where nearly 50 local and international galleries exhibit Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at Silver Street Studios. On the same weekend, the Texas Contemporary event is held Downtown at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Opening-night festivities include a collaborative performance with the Houston Ballet’s Oliver Halkowich and multi-media artist Chris Doyle. And a week later, the semi-annual Bayou City Art Festival returns to the streets of Downtown with hundreds of outdoor booths.
On Sept. 6 at 6:30pm, the fete returns to the glamorous Post Oak Hotel for a philanthropic night featuring a live concert from Texas Country superstar Pat Green, who will also auction off a private concert for one lucky bidder. Houston PetSet co-presidents (and beautiful twins!) Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust will co-chair, as they have since the first gala in 2010, and Deborah Duncan will return as the entertaining emcee to guide guests through an evening of retrospection and celebration. Guests should anticipate a delightful dinner followed by the concert and then a VIP set with Pat Green at the end.
Beyond the posh annual fundraising gala, the rest of the year means lots of hard work for the Houston PetSet staff, many of whom are volunteers. The organization is involved in collecting pet supply donations, organizing adoption events, filing cruelty prevention reports, research and community outreach, micro chipping events, and transporting animals — even out-of-state. In July, after Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc on the community, including animal shelters and foster-family homes, PetSet coordinated a delivery of food and supplies, and also sent dozens of homeless dogs to a group in Minnesota. Additionally, with the help of partner organizations, PetSet offers free community vaccine events and spay and neuter services.
For its 20th birthday, Houston PetSet will be honoring 20 Houstonians who have left an indelible mark on the lives of animals and their people in Houston. These “20 for 20” have made the work of Houston PetSet possible through their commitment and generosity.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 20 years than honoring 20 others who have been on this mission with Houston PetSet,” says Lundquist.
“Houston’s stray animal crisis is finally getting the attention that is needed to solve the problem. We know that this year is not just an important year for HPS, it is also a pivotal year for the animals,” adds Faust.
Tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available at FierceFabulous2024.
PetSet Houston team on Great Day Houston
Pat Green
Hungry's Tanglewood
Hungry's
The Mediterranean healthful hot spot with locations in West Memorial and Rice Village has opened a beautiful new cafe on Woodway, in the adjoining spaces that previously housed Le Peep and Barnaby's. The giant Tanglewood outpost has been in the works for years, and the families that own the brand have taken this opportunity to turn over the reins to the next generation of restaurateurs. Expect the same great bar program and weekend brunch, plus expanded innovative offerings in the plant-based category, which has kept Hungry's relevant (and tasty) over the decades (think roasted-beet "poke"). There's also a lively patio, tree-lined and boasting seats at the indoor-outdoor bar.
Common Bond
Common Bond Tanglewood
Common Bond is another Houston favorite that recently tapped into the Tanglewood market. Taking over Local Foods' former spot on San Felipe at Bering, the coffeeshop known for its croissants as big as your face seems right at home in the light-filled, soaring, two-story space. This one is a "bistro and bakery" location, like the original one in Montrose, with counter service for breakfast, brunch and lunch, and seated dinner with hearty offerings. Get cozy in a camel-leather-upholstered booth, or opt for the urbane patio once the mercury drops.
Coffee Fellows
Coffee Fellows Bellaire (photo by Andrew Hemingway via Heirloom Interactive)
Speaking of Common Bond: The former On-the-Go outpost on Eldridge will soon become Coffee Fellows, one of four new locations of the Euro-chic coffeeshop brand that plans to massively grow its footprint in the region. After opening two successful cafes in Katy and Bellaire, Coffee Fellows North America announced its Energy Corridor location in Eldridge will open in September, followed by ones in Katy Mills Mall and Cypress before the end of the year. Its sixth outpost will open in Pearland in 2025. In a release, Coffee Fellows says it combines "European charm and American convenience," providing customers with an inviting and cozy environment to work, gather, and relax. "Our 'Feel at Home' promise is at the heart of everything we do," said CEO Daniel Ogbonna. "We proudly offer free alternative milks, free Wi-Fi, and high-quality food and beverages served on china. We aim to provide a second living room where our guests become our family."
State of Grace
Baguette and caviar butter at State of Grace
River Oaks fave State of Grace has announced it will reboot as a nostalgia-inspired steakhouse in September. Chef-proprietor Ford Fry, along with his VP of culinary, Drew Belline, and chefs Bobby Matos and John Quinn, dreamed up the new menu of wood-fired steaks, classic entrees, shareable sides and seafood specials, all catering to the vibe of "Golden Age of Dining," per a release. What's that, you ask? It's a time when "servers remember your drink order and steak temperature, continental cuisine and perfectly executed classics reign supreme, and guests are invited to wile away the languid Texas days with friends." There will be savory bread service with spreads and dips to start, and a Texas-size pecan ball to cap off a hearty meal. And the interiors got a refresh, too: Expect a lot more "quirky and whimsical" art and decor, with plenty of brass and leather, a nod to the OG design.
Galveston Island Wine Festival
Fish Company Taco's Dirty South taco (photo by Becca Wright)
Embrace the heat and humidity at the Galveston Island Wine Festival, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, at Moody Gardens. There's a chef duel on Friday, in which seven competitors including David Cordua will create dishes to pair with vino from the globe's seven wine regions. And Saturday and Sunday bring morning yoga sessions, live music, al fresco brunch, and tastings in cool corners of Moody Gardens including the Aquarium Pyramid! Of course, there's also delicious food, and guests can get an exclusive sneak peek of beloved Fish Company Taco's brand-new menu.
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