August is an exciting month in Houston. When the kids are out of school and the days are long, you’ll want to get out and experience everything the city has to offer. Whether you’re into theater or playing in the dirt, Houston has an event for you. Here are the top four August events near the city.
Houston Shakespeare Festival
During the last week in July and the first week in August, join the Houston Shakespeare Festival at Miller Outdoor Theater for a night of culture and comedy. On Aug. 1, 3, and 5, sit under the Texas stars and watch one of Shakespeare’s most engrossing comedies. “Twelfth Night” will have you pondering lost love and reminiscing about missed connections. For the more serious side of Shakespeare, attend a performance of “Richard III” on Aug. 2, 4, or 6.
The Houston Shakespeare Festival has been running since 1975 as a unique partnership between the city and the University of Houston. All performances are free and open to the public.
32nd Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition
It doesn’t get much better than a day at the beach. At the 32nd Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition, witness 60 teams of sand architects erect impressive structures along the Galveston waterfront. Entrants spend months preparing for this competition in hopes of winning the coveted Golden Bucket. There are many other awards, too, including the best traditional sand castle and the best Houston-centric entry. The event, held at East Beach in Galveston on Aug. 25, is a fundraiser for AIA Houston and ArCH Foundation.
Houston Symphony: Viva Las Vegas
Join the Houston Symphony at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for a night celebrating golden-age Las Vegas. The orchestra will get you up and out of your seats to the tunes of Elvis, the sweet swing of Sinatra, and all the other crooners who made Sin City famous. The event starts at 8 p.m. on Aug. 31. Orchestra seating is $20, but the mezzanine and lawn seating is free. This Vegas-themed show is only the opening night for the Symphony’s Pops program that also includes the music of ABBA, the Songbook of Ella Fitzgerald, and many more.
Houston Restaurant Weeks
One of the most highly anticipated events in Houston, Restaurant Weeks offers specially priced lunches, brunches, and dinners at restaurants all over town and throughout the area. This event runs from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 and is the largest fundraiser for the Houston Food Bank.
Participating restaurants provide donations to the Food Bank based on the number of meals they serve from the Restaurant Weeks menu. The real benefit is that the more you eat out, the more money is raised. Since 2003, Restaurant Weeks has raised over $10 million for the Houston Food Bank. Remember to call ahead to the restaurants and confirm that their special Restaurant Weeks menu will be available.
When August arrives, you know that the end of summer is fast approaching. Make the most of that last month before school starts by getting out and experiencing what Houston has to offer.
Image via Flickr by martinalonso4895, used under CC BY 2.0
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