At the top of each week “My Top 5” showcases enterprising and creative Houstonians making things happen in H-Town, revealing their favorite things to do in their down time. This week, we’re very pleased to feature beat poet Emanuelee “Outspoken” Bean, who shares some of his favorites inside and outside the Loop.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Emanuelee “Outspoken” Bean
- Houston’s Graffiti Scene – One of my favorite pastimes is to go “graffiti watching” all over the city. There is so much amazing street art to be found here. I usually start on Saint Emanuel Street, near Aerosol Warfare, then wander to the different “free walls” (non-commissioned walls).
- Houston’s Arts and Culture – I love discovering and connecting with the Houston arts community. One of the ways I do so is by attending the free, monthly Creative Mornings talks around the city. They’re always set in (and introduce me to) cool, unusual places I’ve usually never been before, and feature really interesting speakers.
- GreenStreet in Downtown Houston – GreenStreet is one of my favorite places in Downtown Houston, especially as more people begin living in the area and it evolves into a real gathering and entertainment spot. I spend a lot of time at the Esperson Gallery, which always has free exhibitions and openings. The property’s restaurant and dining options are fun to explore, too.
- Dean’s Credit Union – On Sundays, Dean’s Downtown hosts the “Houston Songwriters Series.” Guitarists and songwriters showcase their music to an intimate crowd of no more than 40 people. It’s really interactive; the audience interviews and records the musicians.
- Poetry in Houston– I’m a poet, and while I love competing in poetry slams, I enjoy watching them just as much. Houston’s poetry slam scene is picking up quite a bit. Two of my favorite recurring competitions are Houston VIP Poetry Slam every fourth Saturday at the Brazilian Arts Foundation, and “Write About Now,” every Wednesday at Avant Garden. Both have a door price of just $5.
About Emanuelee “Outspoken” Bean
Emanuelee “Outspoken” Bean is a performance poet, compassionate mentor and dedicated educator. He is the project coordinator for Writers in the Schools’ Performance program, and serves as the lead coach and mentor for the Meta-Four Houston teen slam poetry team, which performed at the Space City Grand Slam at Discovery Green in April 2015. A Texas Poet Laureate nominee who has inspired others to find their voices everywhere from Trinidad to New York City, Bean has received international accolades for his original slam poetry. In addition to his work with WITS, Bean has served as an advisor with the Harris County Department of Education, Houston’s Young Audiences: Arts for Learning and Texas Commission for the Arts, and Houston Grand Opera.
