Chug (or Sip) Local Brews at the Houston Beer Fest This Weekend!

Once known best for its barbecue and Tex-Mex fare, Texas has been having a real moment lately thanks to the independent breweries popping up all over the state. On June 13 and 14, the Houston Beer Fest will celebrate in-state (and some out-of-state) suds at Hermann Square Park, just about three miles from Siena at Memorial Heights.

Saint Arnold, Texas Beer Refinery, and Karbach are just a few of the Texan breweries slated to appear this year, along with other breweries from around the country. Sampling hours are from noon to 4 p.m., and that's when you can grab small sips from a few different vendors. After that, the tents will pour full-sized pints. Wine and spirits will also be served. While you sip, drink in the tunes from live bands or play a round of air hockey at Love Street, a section of the fest dedicated to the peace and love of the 1960s.

Houston Beer Fest
Hermann Square Park
12 to 8 p.m. June 13 and 14
900 Smith Street
Houston, TX 77002
www.houstonbeerfestival.com

Caribbean-American Heritage Month Festival: Celebrate the Islands’ Colorful Culture on Saturday

Alexander Hamilton. W.E.B. Dubois. Colin Powell. All three have something in common—other than shaping the fate of the United States—they all have roots in the Caribbean. Along with a handful of other U.S. icons, the trio proves that Caribbean-Americans have had a major impact on the course of American history. Caribbean-American Heritage Month celebrates their accomplishments, and in Houston, that includes the Caribbean-American Heritage Month Festival.

Held this Saturday at Jones Plaza, about two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights, the annual festival once again brings Caribbean flair to the city via live music and dance, poetry, and even storytelling and dramatic readings. Traditional Caribbean cuisine augments the performances, from jerk chicken to pelau (a dish of peas and rice) to roti. Even tropical drinks are served, such as Mauby, crafted from the bitter bark of a tree and ample amounts of sugar.

The Caribbean-American Heritage Month Festival
Jones Plaza
2 to 10 p.m. June 6
600 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 836-0273
caribbeanfestival.caribbeanheritagetx.org/index.html

Cassandra Wilson Coming Forth By Day: A Celebration of Billie Holiday to be Held Friday at the Miller Outdoor Theatre

Billie Holiday passed away more than 50 years ago at the age of 44, defeated by decades of drinking and reveling in her massive fame. But in her short time on earth, she built a legacy that has now extended far beyond double the length of her lifespan. On May 29 at Miller Outdoor Theatre, a modern-day songstress with a set of pipes that could rival Billie's will celebrate what would have been the legend's 100th birthday. (Her actual birthdate was April 7, 1915.)

Cassandra Wilson has been in the music industry since she was six—or, at least she was beginning to dip her toes in the water. That was when she started playing the piano. By 12, she was strumming the guitar. Not long after, she discovered that her musical abilities extended beyond instruments. Cassandra Wilson went on to become a Grammy-Award-winning blues, jazz, country, and folk singer. She pays homage to one of the greats who inspired her at this outdoor concert on Friday, held less than 15 minutes from Siena at Memorial Heights.

Cassandra Wilson Coming Forth By Day: A Celebration of Billie Holiday
Miller Outdoor Theatre
8:30 p.m. May 29
6000 Hermann Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(281) 373-3386
milleroutdoortheatre.com/events/650

Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month at AsiaFest

Houston may be thousands of miles away from Asia, but it gets a little bit closer on Saturday, May 16 thanks to the Asia Society Texas Center. That's when the center will kick off AsiaFest, a two-day celebration in homage to Asian Pacific Heritage Month. Held at the Asia Society Texas Center, which is just a three-mile, or 10-minute drive from Siena at Memorial Heights, the event will highlight many facets of Asian culture.

Asian food will be served by food trucks from around the area, including a few that fuse Asian fare with other cuisines. Slurp some traditional pho from Pho-Jita or dig into one of the fusion tacos by Tila's Taco Truck. You can also enjoy shows put on by local dance troupes and bands, focused on genres such as South Asian folk dance or Japanese taiko drumming. Art exhibits, fitness classes, family-oriented crafts, and booths helmed by local vendors will round out the roster of activities at AsiaFest this year.

Asia Society Texas Center
AsiaFest
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 and 17
1370 Southmore Boulevard
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 496-9901
asiasociety.org/texas/asiafest2015

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