The Hobby Center: The Place for Performance

The Hobby Center for Performing Arts is the center of Houston theatre. Located downtown, the Center is fairly new, opened in 2002 and quickly became the place to go for travelling Broadway shows. The architecture, which includes large windows overlooking the Houston skyline, Everything from classic shows like “Man of La Mancha” to newer productions like “Book of Mormon” make their way to the 2,600-seat Sarofim Hall, a great venue for musical productions. There’s also Zikha Hall, which serves as a showcase for local performers. The 500-seat hall plays hosts to the Psophonia Dance Company, the Maggini String Orchestra, and other local groups. Check out all of the upcoming productions and performances on the online calendar. Other than evening performances, The Hobby Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Hobby Center
800 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 315-2525
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hobby-center-for-performing-arts-houston

The Menil Collection: A Houston Crown Jewel

The Menil Collection is a must for Houston residents and visitors. It contains the collection of John and Dominique de Menil, who began collecting art in the 1940s, eventually amassing a vast treasure trove of paintings, sculpture, photographs, tribal decorative objects, and drawings. The collection encompasses everything from 20th century modern art, to antiquities, to tribal art pieces from around the world. The museum seeks to create a contemplative setting in which to view art, so there are no formal tours or tour guides in the museum. Open 11a.m. until 7p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free.

The Menil Collection
1515 Sul Ross Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 525-9400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-menil-collection-houston

Boheme: International Flavor

Boheme is a café and wine bar that brings international flavor to Houston's midtown. Housed in a classic old building, Boheme is surrounded by a garden adorned with artifacts from the owner’s travels around the world. There are also nice touches like a wine bottle chandelier and interesting art on the walls. Happy hour starts at noon and runs until 7 p.m. during the week and 2 a.m. on the weekends. You’ll find lots of nice snacks and pizzas to share and burgers to dig into. All that and a full bar makes the Boheme a great place to meet up with friends!

Boheme
307 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1099
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-boheme-houston

Houston Center for Photography: Snap

Houston Center for Photography is a must for anyone interested in viewing the world through the lens of an artist’s camera. Their exhibitions have included the work of renowned photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as emerging photographers. A changing array of exhibits is featured at the museum, which is just a hop-skip from the Menil Collection, a must for any lover of art. Past exhibitions included PictureThis!, featuring works from a collaboration with Texas Children’s Cancer Center in which HCP instructors work with young patients and their families, allowing them a photographic perspective on their surroundings. Upcoming shows include the 31st Annual Juried Membership Exhibition.

Open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free.

Houston Center for Photography
1441 West Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-4755
http://www.yelp.com/biz/houston-center-for-photography-houston

Art Car Museum: Creativity on Wheels

Automobiles are functional, but style is important. The Art Car Museum builds on that style, as artists use many materials to not just decorate, but turn the automobile into a real work of art. Located across from Spotts Park, the Art Car Museum might be one of the most unique museums that you will ever see. You’ll have a good time just walking around and seeing how an artist’s vision can transform a station wagon or classic car into something so much more. But that’s not all – you’ll also see interesting paintings, sculptures that use re-purposed materials and featured artist that use all sorts of media. The Art Car Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Art Car Museum
140 Heights Boulevard
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-5526
http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-car-museum-houston

The Museum of Printing History: Words Words Words

The Museum of Printing History lets you explore the history, science, and art of printing from the earliest days of the form until the present. A tour of the museum lets you see a page of the Gutenberg Bible pulled just as it was in 1455 and watch the Declaration of Independence printed on a 19th-century iron hand press. Artifacts exhibited include Mesopotamian cylinder seals, ancient papyrus fragments, Asian movable type, illuminated manuscripts, a 1450 Gutenberg press replica, old master etchings and engravings, and Ben Franklin’s “Pennsylvania Gazette”. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10a.m. until 5p.m. Admission is free for self-guided tours.

The Museum of Printing History
1324 West Clay Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 522-4652
http://www.yelp.com/biz/museum-of-printing-history-houston

Pinot’s Palette: Unleash Your Inner Artist

Have you always wanted to make art, but didn’t know where to start? Pinot’s Palette in Midtown offers fun, social art classes that provide just the right atmosphere to help you lose any self-consciousness and start creating. The process begins when you choose a class – each session is based around recreating a specific piece of art – some famous, some not so famous. The pieces are pictured on the web schedule so you can choose a class according to your taste. Bring your own food and drink (yes, you may bring wine) and let talented professional artists facilitate your creation. The process is simple, fun, and easier than you might think, and you will end up with a piece of art you'll be proud to display. The space is also available for private classes and parties.

Pinot’s Palette
2406 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-4769

Cockrell Butterfly Center: A Butterfly Habitat in Houston

Butterflies are beautiful, but also perform a vital function in nature. And you can learn all about them at Houston's Cockrell Butterfly Center. As part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Cockrell Butterfly Center is a great experience for the whole family. First, you will get to walk right in the Rain Forests Conservancy, a large butterfly habitat surrounded by winged creatures that might just land on you! In the Brown Hall of Entomology, you’ll learn about insects by checking out lots of specimens and models. You’ll even get a close look at Houston’s largest cockroaches! On the lower level, you’ll get to see what an entomologist’s lab looks like. The Cockrell Butterfly Center is an affordable tour, and groups are also welcome.

Cockrell Butterfly Center
5555 Herman Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 639-4629
http://www.hmns.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=8
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cockrell-butterfly-center-houston

Khon’s Wine Darts Coffee Art: A Space for Everyone

No matter what you’re expecting when you go to Khon’s, you will likely be surprised at what you find. The tiny, inviting space, its walls covered in art, has the ambience of a coffee shop, and the espresso drinks are top notch – but Khon’s also boasts a full bar stocked with craft brews and fine wines. As the name promises, you can play darts, but this is not the sort of place one thinks of as a “dart bar." What Khon’s is is a family-friendly, community-driven gathering place for folks of all sorts. Whatever you like to drink when you go out, Khon’s has you covered. Whether you want to listen to music, have a meeting, play a game, or just relax with friends and family, you can do it at Khon’s!

Khon’s Wine Darts Coffee Art
2808 Milam Street
Suite H
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-7775

Aurora Picture Show: The Place For Independent Cinema

If you want to see what new and classic cinema artists are up to, come to the Aurora Picture Show. Located near the campus of Rice University, the Aurora is known throughout the area as the place to go to see innovative films. And screenings are usually only shown once! Check the calendar for neat events like the Al Fresco showings, where films are shown under the stars, and the annual Media Archeology Festival. Make sure that you check the calendar online for all the events and showings. Kids can come to the Aurora in the summer to learn about filmmaking at the annual summer camps for youth. While most showings are in the Rice/Kirby area, the Aurora also hosts screenings throughout the area.

Aurora Picture Show
2442 Bartlett Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 868-2101
http://www.yelp.com/biz/aurora-picture-show-houston

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