The Bayou City Art Festival Downtown Returns With Over 300 Artists This October

The annual Bayou City Art Festival Downtown returns on October 8th and 9th this year with all the fixings of a great art festival. Every year, more than 20,000 people head to downtown Houston to check out artwork by more than 300 artists. Participating artists will showcase their work in a range of categories, from photography and paintings to sculpture and mixed media.

In addition to art, the two-day event will offer a variety of fun activities. There will be food trucks lining the street, live music, and more. Admission to the festival is $25 for a two-day pass and $15 for a one-day pass. Those interested in attending are encouraged to purchase their tickets online. The festival is happening in the heart of Downtown Houston, which is just a short trip from Siena at Memorial Heights.

Bayou City Art Festival Downtown
When: Oct. 8 – 9
Where: Downtown Houston
Cost: $25 for a two-day pass, $15 for a one-day pass
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/bayou-city-art-festival-downtown-2016-october-8th-9th-tickets-25547158238?aff=es2

Mingle with Artists and Collectors at the Houston Fine Art Fest

An event now in its 15th year, the Houston Fine Art Fest has come to be one of the top art festivals in the country, with national and international collectors and artists attending. It’s being held for the first time this year at the Silver Street Event Space, located 16 minutes from Siena at Memorial Heights, and there will be plenty of room for the 13 thousand people who are expected to attend this can’t-miss event.

There will be a huge variety of media from all over the world on display here, including painting, sculpture, mixed-media, photography, and more. The art comes from a variety of artists, including masters and emerging artists. The Houston Fine Art Fest showcases modern and contemporary art as well as installations and other special projects specific to this event. There will be panel discussions and seminars about art collecting and other topics as well, so don't miss this great festival!

Houston Fine Art Fest
When: Sept. 29 – Oct. 2
Where: NRG Center, 8400 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054
www.everfest.com/e/houston-fine-art-fair-houston-tx

Get Inspired at the Texas Contemporary Houston Art Fair

A favorite gathering of the Houston art community and a must-attend event of the fall season, the Texas Contemporary Houston Art Fair brings together art collectors, galleries, artists, and enthusiasts to enjoy world-class art. Over 80 galleries from around the world will present over 500 noteworthy and respected artists. You'll be able to peruse over 6,000 works of contemporary art, all available for purchase and displayed in a beautiful setting. There will be exclusive viewings, panels, workshops, and parties, all with the goal of creating connections between galleries, artists, and patrons.

Be sure to check out the site-specific installation and the charity auction that sponsors local art studios. VIP and First Look ticket holders can attend an opening night gala and get an early peek at the works. Held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Texas Contemporary Houston Art Fair is happening only 10 minutes from Siena at Memorial Heights.

Texas Contemporary Houston Art Fair
When: Sept. 29 – Oct. 2
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77007
www.everfest.com/e/texas-contemporary-houston-tx

Get to Know Local Bands at the KPFT Electroluv Fest

It's the era of the music festival, so you shouldn't be surprised to find that there's a fest right outside your doorstep, the KPFT Electroluv Fest. September 23rd through the 25th, the KPFT Electroluv Fest brings some of the trendiest local bands to Last Concert Cafe on Nance Street.

The fest consists of a pre-party, a post-party, and, of course, the main event. The pre- and post-parties play host to two or three bands, and admission is only $10 per event. But you probably won't want to miss the big concert on Saturday, September 24th from noon to 1 a.m. It showcases the musical stylings of Tres Equis, Nameless Horses, Graveltooth, and other rock bands, so it's worth the $25 for a general admission ticket. All of the concerts unfold in the warm Houston air at Last Concert Cafe's outdoor stage.

KPFT Electroluv Fest
When: Sept. 23 – 25
Where: Last Concert Cafe, 1403 Nance Street, Houston, TX 77002
Cost: $10+
kpft.org/electroluv-fest-2016-3-days-party
www.everfest.com/e/90-1-kpft-electroluv-fest-houston-tx

Historic Glenwood Cemetery Tour: Don’t Miss This Unique Event

A cemetery might not be the first spot you think you’d want to spend your Saturday, but there's a unique event this month that you might want to check out. Houston is home to the Historic Glenwood Cemetery, and on August 27th, you can take a guided tour of the historic site. Located just a mile and a half from Siena at Memorial Heights, the cemetery offers some of the most picturesque grounds in the area.

The cemetery was established in 1871 and is the final resting place for many iconic Texans. The tour will take guests on a journey through the lives and stories of many of the people buried throughout the grounds and also explore significant statues and landscapes that can be see in the cemetery. The tour only happens four times per year and reservations are necessary, so be sure to reserve your spot if you’re hoping to attend.

Historic Glenwood Cemetery Tour
When: 10 a.m. on August 27
Where: 2525 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007
Admission: $15.00
www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-glenwood-cemetery-walking-tour-august-27-2016-tickets-20429529272?aff=es2

Stages Repertory Theatre Hosts Entertaining Shows Throughout the Summer

Since 1978, Stages Repertory Theatre has been churning out excellent productions of new works and established shows. The shows that have debuted at Stages have been recognized by renowned news sources like The New York Times, Variety, and American Theatre. There are two theaters within Stages Repertory Theatre that both host excellent shows all year long: the Arena Theatre and the Yeager Theatre.

Lucky for residents of Siena at Memorial Heights, the theater is less than one mile away from the residences, so you can easily get to the theater for a show this summer. This past month, two shows debuted at the theater: Shear Madness (an interactive and comedic show) and The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On (a music-driven show featuring favorite songs of the 1960s and 1970s). Tickets for both shows are affordable and start at just $21. Beyond the shows this summer, Stages will host a number of performances during the fall and winter too. The full lineup is available online, so be sure to check it out!

St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer: Each Step Gets Researchers Closer to a Cure

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is at the forefront of finding the cure for cancer, particularly those types that tend to afflict children most frequently. If you're interested in helping its researchers find a cure, there's an easy way to help. Participate in the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer on Saturday, September 24 in Minute Maid Park. It's only $10 to sign up, but chances are you'll contribute much more than that to the cause. You can fundraise as an individual or a team to help St. Jude meet its goal of $250,000. Months before the event actually unfolds, local teams are already well on their way to crushing the fundraising goal.

Every dollar you fundraise could represent a child who beats cancer and a family who doesn't go into financial distress over the course of his or her treatment. That's because since St. Jude opened in 1962, it has never billed a family for treatments, housing, or even travel. St. Jude covers every expense and still has helped boost the childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% in the past five decades. Help St. Jude continue its work by being part of its Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer in September.

St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer
When: Saturday, September 24
Where: Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford Street, Houston, TX 77002
Cost: $10
fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?fr_id=57397&pg=entry

Choose from Over 50 Available Craft Brews at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

With a name like Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, you can be sure you've found a unique place to enjoy a couple brews. Flying Saucer is part beer bar, part restaurant with lengthy beer and food menus. The draft list here consists of more than 50 brews from Houston and beyond with a focus on select craft beers. Try one of the craft brews on draft, or, if you can't find what you're looking for, check out the lengthy bottle menu. Bottled brews include 3 Nations American Wit, Brooklyn Lager, Chimay Doree, and Stone IPA.

The food menu at Flying Saucer complements all the brews available at the bar with perfect pairings of elevated bar fare, including an array of sandwiches, salads, and classic appetizers. This excellent bar and restaurant is just over two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights, so check out this place soon.

Shop Local, Handcrafted Items at Pop Shop America Houston

Do you ever wish you could shop local artists’ products all in one place? If you have, you need to check out Pop Shop America in Houston this summer. Pop Shop America is an arts and a crafts festival that allows locals to shop products made by different artists year round. More than 25,000 people attend Pop Shop America’s festivals and events each year. Pop Shop America is located just over a mile from Siena at Memorial Heights but hold events all across the city.

Those interested in being vendors and spreading the word about their handcrafted products can do so at most Pop Shop America events. Many of the markets and events are based on themes, and almost all of them include live music, access to food and drinks, and face-time with local artisans. A list of upcoming events can be found on the Pop Shop America website. If you can’t make it out to an event, you can shop some of the products online.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science Is Home to a One-of-a-Kind Collection Near You

Inside the Houston Museum of Natural Science, there is a butterfly center, artifacts from Ancient Egypt, dinosaur bones, and much more. The fascinating museum is a popular trip for people from near and far, and residents of Siena at Memorial Heights are lucky enough to live just a few miles from the renowned museum.

There are a variety of permanent exhibits throughout the museum, including an exhibition of dinosaurs, a showcase of natural gems and minerals, and a popular exhibit of mollusks. The rotating exhibits are also fascinating. Currently, these focus on everything from jeweled treasures to studies in Amazonian culture. Tickets range in price depending on the exhibition you choose to see, but access to the permanent collection is just $25 for adults. Check out this cool museum near you this summer.

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