Super Bowl Blast!
Want to party with Michael Phelps, James Brolin and Common? Here’s your VIP ticket inside one of Super Bowl 51’s best bashes, the CityBook-sponsored Big Game Big Give blowout!
Feb. 6, 2017
ADVERTISED AS THREE days of "bands, brisket and beers," the Big As Texas music and food festival debuts at Montgomery County Fairgrounds in less than two weeks. Set for Mother's Day Weekend, the event is co-produced by the country-music experts at Dosey Doe, and funds will benefit organizations with a mission of suicide prevention.
The three-day festival features headliners Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley and Billy Strings; other performers include Clay Walker, Dwight Yoakum, Maddie & Tae, Los Lobos and Midland, in addition to dozens of other regional musicians. Visual artists scheduled to attend and display their work for purchase include muralist Whitney, caricaturist Steven Simon, Autumn Vann and Tyler Darling. With bounce houses, pig racing, Ferris wheels, face-painting and other only-in-Texas activities — chainsaw carvings and custom hats, anyone? — the event promises to be unique and family-friendly.
As for the food, expect tons of barbecue, as advertised — but also refreshing goodness from Frios Gourmet Pops and Uncle Louie G's Italian Ice and Ice Cream, along with festival-food vendors like Sasha's Corny Cob, Nacho Birria and Pizza Nova. Activations from various whiskeys will pop up throughout the grounds as well.
More than 40 local nonprofits will also be in attendance, making Big As Texas an inclusive and community-forward initiative. The sprawling grounds offer plenty of room for the barrel racing, car show and carnival games — plus RV parking, campsites and more for those who want to post up for the whole weekend!
THE POCKET OF Montrose near Midtown has long been a favorite destination for under-the-radar neighborhood nightlife. Now open, Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge is located across from Elro at 95 Tuam St., offering purposely curated food and cocktail lists.
Jethro’s is the latest project from trio Russell Malixi, Wade McElroy and Andrew Corbett, all hospitality execs with concepts in Los Angeles. Malixi, a Houston native, and McElroy first met at UT, and have always been inspired by the food and feel of Texas. “Texas was calling me home, and Montrose seemed like the perfect place to launch Jethro’s,” said Malixi in a statement. “The welcoming vibe reminded me a little of L.A., but the bustling nightlife scene and neighborhood feel is really what sealed the deal.”
Jethro’s boasts no-fuss, midcentury-recalling lounge seating, playful wallpaper, and a nice patio, and at the expansive bar inside, find 10 cool cocktails, four beers, and a few wines by the glass. The Cheers to Papa has sage-infused gin, cantaloupe, lemon and simple syrup, while the Backyard Sour packs a punch with bourbon, aquafaba, mango puree, and lemon. “We wanted to bring an elevated but approachable bar to the area. Our cocktails are desirable any time of day from lunch to a happy hour sip or after dinner nightcap,” says Malixi. “Come in and unwind.”
As for food, there’s a juicy smashburger, a plant-based version, and fries. That’s it.
Jethro’s is now open Tuesday through Thursday, 4pm-12am; Friday, 4pm-2am; Saturday, noon-2am; and Sunday, noon-12am. Cheers!
La Dulcita
Coffee in the Morning
Not Your Dad's Old Fashioned