As we bid farewell to 2021 and gear up for a sparkling new year, here is a merry mixture of to-dos and to-sees.
Sarah Brightman will hit the high notes on Dec. 18.
SING The angel of music herself will touch down in Houston this season for her premiere Christmas Symphony tour. That’s right, ladies and gents, storied songbird Sarah Brightman will be taking the stage Saturday, Dec. 18, for a concert unlike any other. Brightman—who is lauded as the world’s bestselling soprano—has graced some of the world’s largest stages including the Barcelona Olympics, Beijing Olympics, the 2007 concert for Diana and many more. She is also wildly known as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s muse from The Phantom of the Opera. Brightman will be accompanied by a full orchestra and choir as she dazzles the audience with blockbuster classics from the Christmas canon along with some of her most famous hits. 18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land, ticketmaster.com
The shrimp diablo is a must‑try at Wild Oats.
SAVOR Featuring a mix of locally sourced ingredients and top-quality preparation, Wild Oats will be popping up in the Houston Farmers Market. Kicking off the new year in culinary style, Houston native Nick Fine is teaming up with Aaron Franklin for a fresh take on traditional Texan fare. What to expect? A full-service resto tucked inside the heart of the storied market. Underbelly Hospitality’s philosophy on sourcing and working with local farmers and ranchers will be top of mind throughout this entire process—particularly those located at the Houston Farmers Market. The team behind some of our most beloved Houston eateries will undoubtedly knock it out of the park with this latest venture. What is the secret to their sauce, one might wonder? The live-fire element, for one. “When I think of Texas food, I think of open-fire cooking,” shares Fine. “From the cattle drives from Bandera and the tortillas searing on a comal, everything tastes a bit better with the natural taste of charcoal and wood.” 1609 Westheimer Road, wildoatshouston.com
Stallman Studio will join fellow artists for the holiday group show.
EXPLORE Color converges this season as Laura Rathe Fine Art presents Imagine, a holiday group show featuring her talented coterie of artists. Delight in the creative conversations that present themselves from the 40 featured artists at the gallery in River Oaks District. From Hunt Slonem to Gil Bruvel, Carly Allen Martin and Gavin Rain, to name a few, the show will undoubtedly satisfy the senses and have patrons inspired for the new year ahead. Kicking things off on Saturday, Dec. 11, and running through Jan. 10, the show will be one for the books. 4444 Westheimer Road, laurarathe.com
A customized charcuterie plate is a huge hit.
GATHER Feast your eyes on a culinary concept that has taken patrons by storm. After the past year, it goes without saying that making memories around the dining table and sharing moments over food and drink are something certainly not to take for granted. At Daily Gather’s scratch kitchen, the dining experience is at the forefront of importance. Located in the bustling CityCentre, Daily Gather beckons its guests to pull up a chair, stay a while and enjoy the moment. With chef Brandi Key leading the charge, this eatery provides a playful atmosphere with mouthwatering bites aplenty. 800 Sorella Court, dailygather.com
Gin Design Group enlisted a natural palette of rich hues and sculptural silhouettes.
GET BUZZED Serving up a whimsical mix of breakfasts, bowls and beans comes the latest venture from hospitality and lifestyle brand Ordinary Concepts—Sunday Press. This cafe and retail concept comes to life within its Garden Oaks location, offering a treasure trove of scrumptious bites and sweet treats. Designed by Gin Braverman of Gin Design Group, this charming jewel box of a space is bathed in light with punchy hues of burgundy and blush—leaving customers feeling right at home as they sip on the myriad options. Enjoy a latte while getting lost in a book, grab a quick bite with friends, or opt to visit when they have a farmers market-esque setup that showcases local floral, retail and wellness vendors. Talk about a one-stop shop. 3315 Ella Blvd., sunday-press.com
Photography by: JULIE SOEFER; OLIVER SOMMERS; LAURA RATHE; DEBORA SMAIL; VIVIAN LEGA
