Houston activities to try this summer

By Imaan Patel     4/19/22 11:23pm

Although it may be hard to believe as we slog through final exams, summer is almost upon us. For those sticking around in Houston, whether it’s for research, an internship or to hang out with friends, there are many opportunities to explore beyond the hedges. While Houston’s humidity is not exactly a tourist attraction, these events are one way to begin filling your summer calendar.

Juneteenth 

Commemorating the freedom of enslaved people in Texas, the last state in the Confederacy with institutionalized slavery, Juneteenth celebrates African-American culture, including music such as blues and Creole. Featuring Grammy Award-winning blues singer Bobby Rush, Houston’s Juneteenth celebration will take place at the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park on Sunday, June 19. Sway along to the soulful music and immerse yourself in Houston’s vibrant diversity. All tickets are free and will be available beginning Sunday, June 12. 

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Pride Houston

The 44th Houston Pride Celebration will take place at the Houston City Hall Saturday, June 25. The festival will run from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with concerts, booths, exhibitions and more to celebrate the LGBTQ community. The festival will be followed by a parade from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets range from $3 to $200 and can be found on Pride Houston’s website. 

“Seeing Is Not Believing” at the Museum of Fine Arts

Leandro Erlich is a conceptual artist whose exhibition “Seeing Is Not Believing” showcases optical illusions through immersive, room-size installations. Erlich’s creative work will be returning to the MFAH for the first time since 1999, when he was a resident in the Glassell School of Art’s Core Program. The exhibit will run from Sunday, June 26 to Monday, Sept. 5 in the Caroline Wiess Law Building at the MFAH. 

“Notorious RBG” at the Holocaust Museum Houston

“Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” is based on its namesake and the New York Times bestselling book about the late Supreme Court justice. The exhibition explores the United States judicial system and the cultural revolution that Ginsburg brought to it. The exhibition is running March 11 through July 31, and reservations are required to attend. 

Flea by Night at Discovery Green

This open air market is set in the park’s green spaces in the heart of downtown. Local vendors and artisans, small businesses and the Houston community come together to shop locally, and the event can often feature vintage, repurposed and handmade goods. The market will take place multiple times throughout the summer: May 21, June 18, July 16 and Aug. 20.  

Catch a play at a Houston theater

When the sweltering heat gets too much, rush indoors to watch one of these productions by the several theaters across H-Town. Escape the heat by watching “Frozen,” presented by Memorial Hermann Broadway. The show runs June 30 to July 17 at the Hobby Center. For those looking for something a bit more intense, catch Alley Theater’s production of “Clue” for some twisted humor. The play runs from July 22 to Aug. 28. For those seeking actual dark humor, don’t miss out on “Is God Is” at Rec Room Arts, which presents a modern myth about twin sisters exacting righteous revenge, running July 14 to Aug. 6.  

Go to a good ol’ concert

Houston is going to see a lot of artists dropping by this summer: Machine Gun Kelly June 10, the Backstreet Boys June 14, 5 Seconds of Summer June 26 and Maverick City Music July 8, to name a few. Even those not in Houston can potentially find their favorite artists in concert, or enjoy live music in Houston at these smaller-scale venues.

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