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Rodeo Houston announces dates for 2025 season
The next Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will kick off March 4, 2025.The big picture: Rodeo officials on Tuesday announced the dates for next year's iteration, which will run daily through March 23, 2025.Meanwhile, the rodeo's World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest will run Feb. 27-March 1, 2025.Hold your horses: While we now know when the 2025 rodeo will take place, we're far from knowing who will take the Star Stage each night next year.RodeoHouston typically waits until November to announce the genres of music for each night and until mid-January for the actual lineup, so we've still got some waiting to do.The bottom line: Mark your calendars and schedule your boot shine.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Houston Astros are rising in value
The Astros saw one of the biggest year-over-year value increases in Major League Baseball.Driving the news: Of the 30 MLB teams, the Astros ranked 11th by franchise valuation at $2.4 billion as of March, according to Forbes.The intrigue: That's 8% higher than Forbes' valuation of the team in 2023, a marked difference from the league's average year-over-year growth rate of 4%.The only teams that saw higher year-over-year increases were the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, each with 14%.The Houston Business Journal attributes the increase in part to the team's massive sponsorship deals and league-leading ticket sales in 2023.State of play: The 'Stros are off to a 1-4 start after a rocky series with the New York Yankees.Yes, but: On Monday, right-hander Ronel Blanco threw the team's first no-hitter of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays, giving the Astros their first win of the season.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Black Restaurant Week gets underway in Houston
Black Restaurant Week is back in Houston for the ninth year, highlighting local Black-owned eateries, from soul food to Caribbean dishes.How it works: This year's event showcases more than 80 restaurants.The two-week-long event, which started Sunday and runs through April 14, aims to promote Black-owned restaurants. And many of the participating restaurants offer set menus or specials for the week.Flashback: Falayn Ferrell helped start the annual event in Houston in 2016. She says back then, there were about 20 participating restaurants.Now the team has expanded to hosting more than a dozen Black Restaurant Weeks across the country, including in Austin,...
Houston is more religious than other U.S. metros
Data: Household Pulse Survey; Note: Adults who say they never attend or attend less than once a year; Map: Alice Feng/AxiosGreater Houston is one of the most religiously devout metros nationwide.Why it matters: More than three-quarters of Americans say religion's role in public life is shrinking, per a recent Pew Research Center survey — the highest level since the group started tracking that sentiment in 2001.By the numbers: More than 2.1 million adults in the Houston region — or 39% — say they attend religious services never or less than once a year, per a U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse...
Houston is more religious than other U.S. metros
Data: Household Pulse Survey; Note: Adults who say they never attend or attend less than once a year; Map: Alice Feng/AxiosGreater Houston is one of the most religiously devout metros nationwide.Why it matters: More than three-quarters of Americans say religion's role in public life is shrinking, per a recent Pew Research Center survey — the highest level since the group started tracking that sentiment in 2001.By the numbers: More than 2.1 million adults in the Houston region — or 39% — say they attend religious services never or less than once a year, per a U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse...
How to protect nesting sea turtles on Texas beaches
It's sea turtle nesting season in Texas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking beach visitors to drive slowly and not disturb nest sites to protect the imperiled sea turtles.Why it matters: Both the endangered Kemp's ridley and the threatened loggerhead and green sea turtles nest along the Texas coast.What to do: "Driving slowly on the beach during nesting season is crucial," says Mary Kay Skoruppa, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sea turtle coordinator for Texas.If you come across a nesting sea turtle, call 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535).Visitors are asked to remain at the site until a biologist arrives or, if that's not possible, to carefully mark the site.State of play: Kemp's ridley sea turtles are particularly vulnerable, as they nest during the day and sometimes blend into the sand. They enter a "trancelike" state while nesting and occasionally choose to nest in tire ruts areas.Meanwhile, biologists and volunteers from organizations like the National Park Service, Texas A&M University at Galveston, the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, and Sea Turtle Inc. patrol Texas beaches throughout the nesting season.Flashback: In 2023, 256 Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Houston's social calendar for the week of April 1
Here's what to do in Houston this week. 😂 Laugh it up at the Secret Group's Comedy Cookie Jar Open Mic on Monday.Free. Sign-ups begin at 9pm, with the show starting at 10pm.🌱 Learn about carnivorous plants from PetFlyTrap at the University of Houston Garden Club on Tuesday.Free. 2pm-4pm.🏳️⚧️ Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with the Montrose Center on Tuesday.Free. Food trucks, speakers and networking run from 6pm-8pm.💃 Take a crash course on cumbia from the Latin Dance Factory on Thursday.Tickets are $25 for women, $34 for men, and $49 for couples when purchased online ahead of time. They're $40 at the door for everyone. 7pm.🖊️ Play bingo at Holler Brewing on Thursday.Free. Games start at 7pm.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Houston's social calendar for the week of April 1
Here's what to do in Houston this week. 😂 Laugh it up at the Secret Group's Comedy Cookie Jar Open Mic on Monday.Free. Sign-ups begin at 9pm, with the show starting at 10pm.🌱 Learn about carnivorous plants from PetFlyTrap at the University of Houston Garden Club on Tuesday.Free. 2pm-4pm.🏳️⚧️ Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with the Montrose Center on Tuesday.Free. Food trucks, speakers and networking run from 6pm-8pm.💃 Take a crash course on cumbia from the Latin Dance Factory on Thursday.Tickets are $25 for women, $34 for men, and $49 for couples when purchased online ahead of time. They're $40 at the door for everyone. 7pm.🖊️ Play bingo at Holler Brewing on Thursday.Free. Games start at 7pm.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Houston Cougars play Duke in the Sweet 16 Friday night
The No. 1-seed Houston Cougars men's basketball team is running full steam ahead into Friday night's Sweet 16 matchup with the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils.Why it matters: A win could be redemption for the Coogs after losing in the round of 16 to the Miami Hurricanes last year.Catch up quick: The Cougars plowed to victory in the first two rounds of this year's tournament, including winning an overtime thriller last weekend against the Texas A&M Aggies to advance to the Sweet 16.Flashback: The team has been on a postseason tear since 2018, including back-to-back No. 1-seed berths in the...
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather weekly at Ted Cruz's residence
Every Saturday morning over the past two months, pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered outside Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's house in River Oaks to condemn the Republican senator's support for Israel.Why it matters: The six-month old Gaza conflict has roiled U.S. politics and spurred activism across the country, including in Houston, home to one of the largest Arab and Muslim populations in the southern U.S.The big picture: Demonstrators have regularly taken to the streets, called and emailed their elected officials, and spoken up at City Hall, and they're now disrupting spaces where their elected politicians are present, urging them to call for...
Beyoncé drops "Cowboy Carter" Thursday night
Beyoncé's highly anticipated new album "Cowboy Carter" is nearly here.Why it matters: Queen Bey's latest offering isn't her first foray into country music but is her most lengthy production to date and provides a spotlight on Black influences in the genre.And boy, does it have potential to break the internet.Driving the news: The album drops midnight Thursday on the East Coast (that's 11pm Thursday in her hometown of Houston).The 27-song tracklist includes singles "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages," which were released in February and have already garnered hundreds of millions of plays on Spotify. "Texas Hold 'Em" also reached...
Astros debut facial recognition entry at Minute Maid Park
The Astros will use facial recognition technology to help fans get into Minute Maid Park faster starting with Thursday's season opener against the New York Yankees.The big picture: The use of facial recognition and biometric data has exploded in recent years, including in police surveillance and at retail stores and sports venues across the country.Now it's landed at Houston's downtown ballpark. The reigning American League West champions are one of only four teams using Major League Baseball's new Go-Ahead Entry this season.Catch up quick: MLB launched a pilot program for Go-Ahead Entry at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park in the middle...
Realtor's Instagram shows what your money gets you in Houston
Spencer Moore is asking the question we're all wondering: How much do people with nice apartments pay for rent?State of play: Moore posts reels on his Instagram, fancyapartmentshtx, asking Houstonians how much they're paying for rent and giving viewers a tour of what one can get for that cost, following New York TikTok star Caleb Simpson's format.Why it matters: These videos scratch an itch for curious viewers, offering an inside look at what a loft or a penthouse looks like and costs.The intrigue: Moore tours a $2,000 industrial-style loft of a man who's been living in the building for 13...
Weekender Guide: March 29-31
Here's what's going on in the Bayou City this weekend.🎶 Buy last-minute tickets to Madonna's The Celebration Tour. Thursday and Friday. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $70.🥘 Break fast together at the Yallah Social Community Iftar at The Discoll in River Oaks.Friday, 7pm. $40.🥚 Bring a basket for an egg hunt at the Christ Church Sugar Land. There will also be a photo booth and an Easter story time.Saturday, 10am-noon.🍴 Eat from several Latin food vendors at the Sazon Latin Food Festival at Karbach Brewing Co.Saturday, 11am-8pm. Free entry.🌈 Celebrate Holi at Cross Creek Ranch on Sunday.The event begins at 11am. Entry is $15.⚾️ Stop by Biggio's Sports Bar for a cookout during Astros opening weekend.All day Friday-Sunday.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Weekender Guide: March 29-31
Here's what's going on in the Bayou City this weekend.🎶 Buy last-minute tickets to Madonna's The Celebration Tour. Thursday and Friday. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $70.🥘 Break fast together at the Yallah Social Community Iftar at The Discoll in River Oaks.Friday, 7pm. $40.🥚 Bring a basket for an egg hunt at the Christ Church Sugar Land. There will also be a photo booth and an Easter story time.Saturday, 10am-noon.🍴 Eat from several Latin food vendors at the Sazon Latin Food Festival at Karbach Brewing Co.Saturday, 11am-8pm. Free entry.🌈 Celebrate Holi at Cross Creek Ranch on Sunday.The event begins at 11am. Entry is $15.⚾️ Stop by Biggio's Sports Bar for a cookout during Astros opening weekend.All day Friday-Sunday.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Miller Outdoor Theatre opens 2024 season
Miller Outdoor Theatre's 2024 season starts Friday night.Why it matters: The free, weekly performances at Miller are a staple Houston experience.From cultural pieces to classical tunes, Miller's stage features songs, dances and plays that inspire.Driving the news: Singer Gesenia of the Ronstadt Revue will kick off this year's season singing songs by Linda Ronstadt, the eclectic, 11-time Grammy winner, at 8pm Friday.The show is one of dozens happening through Aug. 10.Flashback: Miller Outdoor Theatre is fresh off celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2023.If you go: The lawn is free for patrons on a first-come, first-served basis.Free tickets for covered reserved seating are available online and at the box office starting at 10am the day before the performance.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Houston's favorite Easter candies
Data: Reproduced from Instacart; Note: "Top-selling" candies were ranked by total number of items sold in each state during the week ending Easter Sunday; Map: Axios VisualsHoustonians love Hershey's milk chocolate for Easter, apparently.Driving the news: The classic chocolate bar led Instacart's list of Houston's most-ordered candy during the week of Easter in 2023.Reese's classic peanut butter cups came in second, with Reese's peanut butter eggs in third.Lindt's hollow chocolate bunny was fourth, and Starburst's Easter jelly beans were fifth.💭 Jay's thought bubble: I'm a devout Reese's apologist, particularly when the treat is of the egg, tree or football variety.Something about the texture of the peanut butter glob surrounded by a thin, melty layer of chocolate found only in those kinds of Reese's gets me every time.🍫 Shafaq's thought bubble: Don't get me wrong, I love a good Reese's chocolate. But they're available in some shape or form year-round. I use Easter time to stock up on limited-edition things, like Cadbury eggs (the obvious Easter chocolate winner, in my opinion).Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Women are opening more Houston businesses
Data: Yelp; Table: Alice Feng/AxiosWomen-owned business openings in Houston increased 16% in 2023 compared with 2022, Axios' Analis Bailey reports from new Yelp data.By the numbers: 1,793 women-owned businesses opened in Houston in 2023, compared with 1,540 in 2022.The big picture: Women-owned business openings rose 17% nationwide.Austin saw the highest growth rate (34%) among U.S. metros with at least 500 openings in 2023, according to Yelp.Dallas was in the top five metro areas that saw the highest overall number of new women-owned businesses in 2023, with 1,898.Go deeper: Houston's Office of Business Opportunity operates programs that dole out tax dollars...
Houston flight departure times are improving
Data: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosBoth George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports had about average on-time departures in 2023 compared with other major U.S. airports, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.The big picture: On average in 2023, 77% of flights at Bush and 78% at Hobby were on time.The national average was 79%.The intrigue: About 85% of flights out of Bush and 81% of flights out of Hobby departed on time in December 2023, compared with the national average of roughly 83%.That's an upswing compared with December 2022, when Southwest Airlines' epic meltdown dragged the...
Houston Roughnecks giving away free tickets
The Houston Roughnecks are giving away tickets and merch every day this week ahead of their United Football League season opener at Rice Stadium.Catch up fast: The Roughnecks emerged as one of only eight teams in the newly formed UFL, which was created after the USFL and the XFL merged late last year.Driving the news: The Roughnecks are hosting the H-Town Proud scavenger hunt throughout the city through Friday.The team will post hints to its X, Facebook and Instagram accounts every day at 9:30am with clues about where fans should meet up. The spots will be well-known Houston landmarks and hot spots.The intrigue: Fans who show up to the correct location between 11am and 1pm have the chance to win tickets, merch and swag.What's next: The Roughnecks take on the Memphis Showboats at Rice Stadium on Sunday.A fan fest outside the stadium starts at noon, with kickoff at 2pm.Tickets are still available, starting at $22.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
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