Our My Top 5 feature showcases Houstonians who are shaping the culture in the city and impacting people’s lives. This week, in honor of the 25th annual Theater District Open House, we hear from Director of Education and Community Engagement for Society for the Performing Arts, Shannon Crider, who shares some of her favorite haunts in Houston. The free festival that kicks off the 2018-19 season with performances, artful adventures, backstage tours and more, will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2018, from noon to 5pm.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Shannon Crider
- Downtown Theater District – The Theater District boasts world-class performance
organizations both large and small. When I attend plays, concerts, dance performances, and everything else in between, I am never disappointed. Even more impressive, all of the Downtown Theater District organizations provide affordable arts education to schools across the Greater Houston area. - Lawndale Art Center – Lawndale and the Lawndale Art Center Mural Project showcases the work of local and regional artists. Their exhibitions are some of my favorite in the city including The Big Show, the organization’s annual open call that showcases new work from artists within a 100-mile radius. On a personal note, I am a recent participant of their Artist Studio Program, which provides artists with studio space, financial support, and professional development opportunities. When you’re done at Lawndale, walk across the street to the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.
- El Real Tex-Mex – Tex-Mex is my comfort food. When I lived in Chicago, one of the
main things that I missed about living in Texas was Tex-Mex. At El Real, you can’t
go wrong with the Avocado Enchiladas. - Brazos Bookstore – Brazos is a cozy, thoughtfully-curated bookstore that I can
always count on to introduce me to new authors. I particularly enjoy their memoir
and media criticism sections. Brazos also host events like artist talks and book
clubs. One of my favorite of their special events was the recent Arts Talk and book
signing featuring Bad Feminist author Roxane Gay. - Tea Sip – I’m not a coffee drinker. Controversial, right? But I loved tea. Located in the
Heights, the locally owned Tea Sip offers a variety of teas made on-site. My favorite
blend is Sunrise, on ice of course. If that’s not your cup of tea, ask one of their
baristas for guidance.
About Shannon Crider
Shannon Crider is the Director of Education and Community Engagement for Society for the Performing Arts, which creates affordable opportunities for the discovery and celebration of creativity, on and off the stage. In her free time, Shannon is a visual artist and a vocal advocate of television shows featuring strong female leads. She earned an MFA in Printmedia from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Check out Society for the Performing Arts and more at this year’s 25th annual Theater District Open House. The free festival that kicks off the 2018-19 season with performances, artful adventures, backstage tours and more, will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2018, from noon to 5pm.
