Houston Egyptian Festival: Celebrating All Things Egypt

Go for a ride on a camel. Kick back and watch authentic Egyptian performances. Dig into chicken shawarma or falafel. At the Houston Egyptian Festival, these fun activities come straight to your city, along with many more. Held at Discovery Green on Saturday, October 29th, the Houston Egyptian Festival will bring a small slice of Africa to your backyard.

First and foremost, you can expect live Arabic music played by Houston transplants. Attend a lesson regarding ancient Egypt, have your hands embellished with henna, or pick up Egyptian coffees and teas. There's plenty to do and see at the Houston Egyptian Festival, so don't miss out on the fun.

Houston Egyptian Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 29
Where: Discovery Green, 500 McKinney Street, Houston, TX 77010
Cost: $10
egyptfesthouston.com
www.everfest.com/e/houston-egyptian-festival-houston-tx

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

Beet Box Blend Bar: Nourishing Drinks with a Taste You’ll Crave

Delivering the freshest juice available to a cool spot near you, Beet Box Blend Bar is a must-visit for first-time juicers, the juice-obsessed, and anyone looking for a tasty but healthy snack. Beet Box Blend Bar is a local business filled with staff who are passionate about their products. Beet Box offer loads of samples to customers, but watch out—you’ll be hooked after just one taste. The top picks are the Thin Elvis (with spinach, grapes, banana, almonds, and unsweetened almond milk) and the Green Ya Colada, which includes a spinach, kale, and coconut flavor.

Beet Box Blend Bar uses only whole fruits too, so you can be sure you're only indulging in the healthiest ingredients here. The staff is phenomenal, and everyone goes the extra mile to put a smile on your face. Beet Box Blend Bar is just a mile and a half away from Siena at Memorial Heights, so be sure to check it out!

Don’t Miss This Year’s Amazing Houston Comic Con

X-Men writer Chris Claremont. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman. DC Comics artist Chad Hardin. These are just a handful of the celebs from the comic book world who are slated to appear at the Amazing Houston Comic Con, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center from September 9 to 11.

Like every year, this comic con draws comic creators, artists, and animators who meet with fans and give them a chance to ask questions about their favorite stories and characters. In addition to the lectures led by these famous faces, the Amazing Houston Comic Con also hosts a huge exhibitors hall where you can pick up new editions of your favorite comics and other items for your collection. There's also a video game arena, where gamers can play, as well as an international artist alley displaying some of the genre's most creative works.

Amazing Houston Comic Con
When: September 9 – 11
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010
Cost: $25+
www.amazinghoustoncomiccon.com
www.eventbrite.com/e/amazing-houston-comic-con-september-9-10-11-2016-tickets-25942811648?aff=es2

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!

MAX’s Wine Dive: Enjoy Fine Wines Paired with Homestyle Fare

MAX's Wine Dive isn't your typical wine bar. Instead of cheese plates and tapas, this wine bar invites you to pair your merlot or pinot with Southern fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or a juicy brisket-short rib burger. Champagne and fried chicken make a natural pair at MAX's—just try the fried chicken salad with champagne dressing for proof.

Somehow, the mix of homestyle fare and fine wines works perfectly at MAX's Wine Dive. Perhaps that's because the classic Southern fried chicken takes a while to deep-fry, allowing you plenty of time to enjoy a glass or two of wine before it's ready. The chicken marinates in jalapeño-infused buttermilk before chefs deep-fry it "low and slow" in order to retain as much juiciness as possible. Then the kitchen team serves it alongside mashed potatoes, collard greens, and Texas toast smothered in a slightly spicy chipotle honey butter.

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