Ron Nagle's 'The Puddle of Love,' part of 'Love Languages'
Organized by Rachel Mohl, assistant curator of Latin American and LatinX Art, Contested Landscapes can be described as a reexamination of the tropes of traditional landscape painting and art through a contemporary and critical ecological lens. The exhibit includes works by the duo Studio DRIFT, who create immersive, kinetically charged installations that connect the viewer to the natural world and propose solutions to the overwhelming environmental challenges we face. Another featured artist is photographer Dawoud Bey, whose 2022 MFAH exhibit An American Project featured more than 80 portraits of Harlem residents and nighttime photos of stops along the Underground Railroad.
'Caribbean Cosmos' by Teresita Fernández, part of 'Contested Landscapes'
Organized by the team of Alison de Lima Greene and Mari Carmen Ramirez, Hidden Histories brings together several generations of artists from Europe, the United States, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, who share a common concern for the lives of “ordinary citizens” and “places that have been ignored, sidelined, or deliberately obscured by official accounts.” The old adage, attributed to Winston Churchill, “History is written by victors” comes to mind. Hidden Histories includes works by Houston artist and 2023 Guggenheim fellow Jamal Cyrus, and San Antonio-born painter Vincent Valdez in collaboration with Adriana Corrak.
DRIFT's 'Fragile Future 3.14,' part of 'Contested Landscapes'
'Dead Soldiers' by Michael Armitage, part of 'Hidden Histories'
Joan Semmel's 'Hand Down,' part of 'Love Languages'
And last but not least, Love Languages, curated by Anita N. Bateman, associate curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, explores the art of love through artists’ love of art.
Looking ahead to October, a Houston edition of Simone Leigh’s sculpture, Satellite, enters the MFAH’s collection, and will be installed in front of the Kinder Building. Leigh recently made history as the first Black woman ever to represent the U.S. at the 2022 Venice Biennale.
“It is an honor to have Simone Leigh represented at the Sarofim Campus,” said Gary Tinterow, Director of the MFAH in a statement. “The installation of Satellite, and this next series of installations in the Kinder Building, will highlight for our public the strength of our modern and contemporary holding, the fastest-growing segment of our collection.”
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Blue Lagoon at Lago Mar
Arnaldo Richards' Picos
Picos' shaker marg
There’s nothing as refreshing as a shaken or frozen margarita. Expect all-day happy hour on Sept. 4, starring signature Shaker Margaritas. Plus try out the new bar bites like the Los de Barbacoa Tacos and Tostada de Regia. Or snag your last chance to take home Cooler Packs of margaritas, which stay cold in an insulated cooler bag.
Aya Sushi
Bellaire’s Aya Sushi is celebrating its one year anniversary this weekend with a 19-course omakase experience for $125. Plus, score great deals on sake — they offer the largest collection of sake in Texas — and highballs. The kitchen is headed by uchi alum Chef Yoshi Katsuyama with fish flown in from Japan daily.
Blue Lagoon Bar & Grill
Get out of dodge to this big, cool, blue lagoon about 45 minutes from Houston. Order up the Watermelon Margarita and the celebrated Freedom Dog, an all-beef foot-long frank topped with chili, cheddar, onions and pickled jalapenos. Huge menu with dining overlooking the lagoon!
Feges BBQ
Feges BBQ
Kick back this Labor Day weekend with barbecue and all the fixings — without ever breaking a sweat. Pick up your smoked meats (brisket, sausage, chicken, pork) in large re-heatable containers and gussied-up ready-to-eat chilled sides like chard coleslaw and kale salad. Don’t forget the hog-fat cornbread and buttermilk biscuits!
Four Seasons Hotel Houston
Four Seasons hosts the Official Drink of H-Town competition.
Want to continue the holiday for a few more days? Houston’s best bartenders will gather to compete for creating the “Official Drink of H-Town” Sept. 6 from 6-8:30pm at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston downtown. A panel of beverage experts and event attendees will taste and vote for the winning cocktail. The gold winner will be featured on the Bayou & Bottle menu for one year, and special prizes will also be awarded. Reserve your spot to join the fun!
Home Run Dugout
Home Run Dugout's tasty spread (photo by Duc Hoang)
Celebrate the last days of summer starting this Fri., Sept. 1, with Home Run Dugout’s first-ever concert, featuring Lil' Keke, Slim Thug and Paul Wall. Doors open at 8pm and tickets are available here. Come back Saturday for the kickoff of “The Tailgate.” Every Saturday during football season, guests can enjoy discounted beer buckets, breakfast tacos from 9am-noon, burgers and hot dogs on the grill, and tailgate games.
Loch Bar
Loch Bar Blackened Texas Redfish sandwich and fries (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)
On Labor Day, Sept. 4, catch the epic blackened Texas Redfish sandwich special crowned with zesty remoulade and pickled onions. Or come for live music and discounted cocktails, and savory staples during Sunday brunch.
Los Tios
Family fajita pack at Los Tis
Craving Tex-Mex, but want to feed your crowd at home? Pick up trays for your pool party or to accompany a backyard grill from any one of six Houston locations. Family packs, which serve 4-6, include fajita packs, cheese enchilada family packs or a Tex-Mex dinner family style pack.
Money Cat
Money Cat (photo by Jenn Duncan)
Receive 15 percent off robata items Sat.-Mon. of Labor Day weekend at this still-new Japanese spot in Upper Kirby. Snag the luxurious Chilean sea bass wrapped in banana leaf with green curry and mustard greens on special, along with other deals. Cha-ching!
Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House
Pier 6 cocktails
Escape the urban jungle for the Labor Day Party on the Bay in San Leon, nestled between Houston and Galveston. Pier 6 will offer family fun including a bounce house and outdoor games, live music from 4-8pm, and tasty seaside food and drinks. Consider a stay at adjacent luxury condos The Bungalows at Pier 6, part of the same company.
Alto
Get there safely: For the long party-filled Labor Day weekend, classy local rideshare ALTO is offering a Ride Pass with great discounts, so you can relax and let someone else do the driving — and parking.
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