See Romeo and Juliet near Siena at Memorial Heights at the Houston Ballet

The Houston Ballet hasn't staged a production of Rome and Juliet for nearly three decades. So when they had to the opportunity to put on Stanton Welch's fresh version of the classic drama, they jumped at the chance. If you'd like to check out the results, head to Houston's Wortham Center. Romeo and Juliet will grace its stage February 26 and 28, as well as March 1.

Scored by highly regarded composer Prokofiev and costumed by illustrious Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno, the Houston Ballet's Romeo and Juliet sticks closely to the classic. However, the choreography is brand new. Yet somehow this production seamlessly blends the elements of old and new. Make the quick drive from Siena at Memorial Heights to the theater to experience the show for yourself, perhaps with a date or a group of friends in tow.

Romeo and Juliet by the Houston Ballet
Wortham Center
500 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 487-7000
www.houstonfirsttheaters.com/WorthamCenter/Calendar.aspx

Enjoy Some Jazz near Siena at Memorial Heights at Houston’s Cezanne

If you want to catch the sultry melodies of jazz musicians at Cezanne, you'll have to carve a specific window of time out of your schedule: 9 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Those are the hours when the jazz club takes over Black Labrador Pub in Houston.

Although you can't make reservations for the jazz sets, Houstonians seem to agree that it's worth heading to Cezanne to snag a spot for the night's performances (you might want to show up around 8:30). There are two sets: the first runs until 10:15 p.m. and the second from about 10:45 until closing. Grab a drink and enjoy the sweet sounds of the highly skilled artists who grace the club. According to Yelp reviewers, you'll be almost right in the middle of the action given how close Cezanne's seating area is to the stage.

Check out Cezanne's website to learn more about this jazz event near Siena at Memorial Heights.

Cezanne
Black Labrador Pub
4100 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9621
www.cezannejazz.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/cezanne-houston

See Gorgeous Jewelry near Siena at Memorial Heights at The International Gem and Jewelry Show in Houston

Drop earrings with pink-hued gems. A gleaming flower ring with a ruby planted in its center. A lavish necklace adorned with dangling sparklers. These are just a few of the opulent pieces of fine jewelry you might expect to stumble upon at The International Gem and Jewelry Show, Inc., when it comes to Houston this weekend.

From January 16 to 18, the show will set up shop at Houston's NRG Center on Reliant Parkway. During that time, anyone in the market for something sparkly should make their way to the show. Like the 100-plus other annual events that The International Gem and Jewelry Show puts on in big cities across the U.S., this showcase will give the public direct access to well-known designers and their jewelry—which means large discounts. Since the show's planners only allow the best of the best to participate, you can rest assured that any piece you buy here will live up to strict quality standards.

Visit The International Gem and Jewelry Show website to find out more about this popular event near Siena at Memorial Heights!

The International Gem and Jewelry Show
NRG Center
1 Reliant Parkway
Houston, TX 77054
www.intergem.com/shows/upcoming-shows/houston-tx-january-16-18-nrg-center-0

Enjoy a Warm Drink near Siena at Memorial Heights Courtesy of The Path of Tea in Houston

The International Tea Masters Association doesn't award its Tea Master certification to just anyone. Tea Masters must first complete and intense Tea Sommelier Course, and then ace a blind tea-tasting evaluation, complete a dissertation, and pass a final exam. Thia McKann of The Path of Tea underwent this rigorous training to become a Tea Master—the first and only in Texas, according to Thia.

She lends her impeccable taste to The Path of Tea in Houston, a tea house that sells only organic, fair trade leaves. There are more than 150 teas to choose from, and they often coordinate with the changing seasons. You can pick up tea in two-ounce servings, more than enough to make at least 20 cups of tea. Yelp reviewers suggest trying the coconut oolong tea, a uniquely tropical blend. It's just one of many options from the impressive roster of teas, however, which includes everything from Chinese and Japanese green teas to Indian and Sri Lankan black teas.

Visit The Path of Tea's website to learn more about this tea shop near Siena at Memorial Heights!

The Path of Tea
2340 W. Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 252-4473
www.thepathoftea.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/the-path-of-tea-houston

Shop near Siena at Memorial Heights at Houston’s Galleria

Located just a short trip from Siena at Memorial Heights, The Galleria is a popular Houston shopping spot which has more than 2 million feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment. The space is so large that it even includes a full-sized ice skating rink, as well as restaurants like Del Frisco's, Rain Forest Cafe, and The Cheesecake Factory.

Shopping options at this Houston mall include stores like American Eagle, Coach, H&M, Lululemon, and Macy's. You'll find gifts and gadgets at the Apple Store, Sony, and Montblanc and other specialty items at Tumi, Swatch, and Godiva Chocolatier.

If you'd like to visit this Houston shopping destination near Siena at Memorial Heights, The Galleria is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sundays. Check out The Galleria's website to find out more!

The Galleria
5085 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
http://www.simon.com/mall/the-galleria/

See Art near Siena at Memorial Heights at Houston’s Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

The Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens are a division of Houston’s inspiring Museum of Fine Arts, although the collection is housed in a much more unique setting than the rest of the museum. This historic house museum of American decorative arts and paintings is located inside of the former home of Ima Hogg, a leader and philanthropist in the Houston area.

Just a short trip from Siena at Memorial Heights, the museum is set up just like an authentic historic home rather than a traditional art gallery, and it has one of the most impressive collections of American furnishings, silver and ceramics found anywhere in the world. Prized paintings also line the walls in an organic manner like they would be when Hogg and her family inhabited the home, creating a truly unique visit for art appreciators. Outside, the home itself is situated on 14 acres of land complete with lush gardens and tall trees, adding even more beauty for visitors to admire.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
6003 Memorial Drive
Houston, Texas 77007
(713) 639-7750
www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend-collection-and-gardens/

See Works of Automobile Art near Siena at Memorial Heights at Houston’s Art Car Museum

Houston’s Art Car Museum is one of the most unique museums in the entire country. Instead of focusing on scientific discoveries, well-known works of art, or even dinosaur fossils, the museum is dedicated to the “art car,” a vehicle that the owner has altered in such a way that it becomes a work of art. From cars painted like abstract expressionist paintings to cars shaped like high-heeled shoes, you won’t even believe that many of these vehicles actually exist.

In addition to its cars, the Art Car Museum also features special exhibits with more traditional works created by some of the most renowned modern artists. View contemporary art like you’ve never imagined at one of Houston’s most unique attractions.

Just a short trip away from Siena at Memorial Heights, this Houston museum is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Art Car Museum
140 Heights Boulevard
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-5526
www.artcarmuseum.com

See a Show near Siena at Memorial Heights at Houston’s Wortham Theater Center

The Wortham Theater Center was first built during the 1980s, and its construction and later success are true testaments to the city’s community spirit. This is part of what makes the theater so special to longtime Houston residents, but its wide variety of unique cultural performances are what keep people coming back.

Just a short drive away from Siena at Memorial Heights, the Wortham Theater Center houses two of Houston’s most respected theaters, the Alice and George Brown Theater and the Lillie and Roy Cullen Theater. It is also home to both the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand opera. The center is a work of art in itself, boasting a six-story Grand Foyer, majestic balconies and even a beautifully arched entrance on the exterior. Food and beverages are also served in the lobby before each performance, so you can enjoy a small snack before enjoying some of the best of Houston’s theatrical and musical culture.

Wortham Theater Center
501 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 487-7000
www.houstonfirsttheaters.com

Get Crafty near Siena at Memorial Heights at Houston’s CraftTexas 2014

If you’re more interested in clay and fiber than beer and barbecue, then you might enjoy getting to know Houston’s craftier side at the annual CraftTexas event. This unique art exhibition is held at the front gallery of the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and it showcases the best and brightest talents in the Texas contemporary craft world, all in a spot not too far from Siena at Memorial Heights.

From jewelry making to furniture and even large-scale glass installations, you’ll find much more than items made with yarn or hot glue at this inspiring exhibition. A panel of jurors who are incredibly established in the art world chose the works for CraftTexas, which features 49 different exhibits by 44 of the state’s most talented artists and crafters. Visitors are able to wander through the galleries and even watch as the jurors award three of the artists with the Award of Merit prizes.

If you'd like to visit, CraftTexas 2014 continues through December 24, 2014 at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

CraftTexas 2014
4848 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 529-4848
www.crafthouston.org/exhibition/crafttexas-2014/

Sip and Swish at Absolve Wine Lounge Near Siena at Memorial Heights

Described by Yelp reviewers as "intimate," "dimly lit," and "cozy," the family-owned Absolve Wine Lounge is tucked away in a Houston strip mall not far from Siena at Memorial Heights. In fact, it's Absolve's unassuming exterior that many reviewers credit for its under-the-radar status—a major "plus" among locals looking to avoid the crowds commonly associated with a nightlife destination of Absolve's caliber.

Inside, tealights flicker on two-top tables, while heavy curtains in sumptuous fabric shield the living room-esque space from the hot Houston sun. Chic pendant lighting is suspended over the bar area, which hosts vintages from all over the world, plus a selection of craft beer. Regulars recommend arriving during happy hour, then settling into a wingback chair or curling up on the leather sofa. Paired with a glass of red at a discount price, the Punjabi-style popcorn is a popular choice from the happy hour menu.

Absolve Wine Lounge
920 Studemont Street
Houston, TX 77007
(281) 501-1788
www.absolvewinelounge.com

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