Houston 2025

Houston was a fun little weekend getaway that I wouldn’t mind returning to again.

We went for the Cowboy Carter Tour but also enjoyed:

We went to the breakfast klub multiple times, but apparently never early enough to beat the long, long lines.

A mirrored unicorn sculpture suspended overhead, its mosaic surface reflecting green, red, and gold lights that scatter across the ceiling and surrounding space, creating a playful, dreamlike glow.A large painted portrait of Dolly Parton with voluminous hair and hoop earrings, wearing a denim jacket and gazing to the side, mounted above a warmly lit bar with hanging lamps and exposed brick.A tall vertical mural of vividly colored butterflies stacked in flight along the side of a high-rise building, contrasting with glass windows, concrete facades, and a cloudy urban sky.Four stylized stone statues of the Beatles standing in a line outdoors, each holding an instrument while a drummer sits at a kit, set against grass, industrial buildings, and an overcast sky.Abstract layered sculptures of seated and standing human figures arranged in a landscaped garden, with manicured hedges and a large colorful mural on a civic building visible in the background.A glowing neon sign reading YOU’RE SO COOL in bright pink and purple light, mounted on a textured brick wall and casting a soft, colorful halo around the letters.

Cowboy Carter Tour

We left for Europe the day that Beyoncé started her Cowboy Carter Tour, and she came to Europe right as we were leaving, so of course we had to make a trip to Houston to see her live.

Seeing Beyoncé bring her music to life is such a joy. The crowd is too—everyone decked out in their cowboy outfits and being a part of the tour’s theme. We are the visuals.

On the first Houston night, the car that she rode as part of 16 Carriages malfunctioned (video). It’s amazing that no one was hurt and she kept performing before being lowered down.

We saw her on night two, and we were disappointed that she didn’t play 16 Carriages. She is such a great vocalist—even though she didn’t have visuals, I wish she had just sang it with her band.

Beyoncé performs on a massive stadium stage with two enormous mirrored screens showing her in a white cowboy hat, sparkly Houston jersey-style top, denim shorts, and feathered coat, singing into a microphone while dancers frame her. A glowing triangular stage structure anchors the center, with dramatic lighting and a sea of fans holding up phones in the darkened stadium.The stage glows deep red as Beyoncé performs “Jolene,” surrounded by a theatrical Western saloon–inspired set. A large neon sign reading “Jolene’s” crowns the stage above a triangular light structure, while dancers in cowboy-themed costumes and bold props move across the stage, creating a fiery, high-drama atmosphere.Beyoncé appears elevated high above the stage, seated within a glowing illuminated horseshoe suspended in darkness. Spotlights cut through the blackened stadium, isolating her as the focal point while the crowd below watches, their phone screens twinkling like stars.Beyoncé wears a striking voluminous red LED gown that fills the giant screen behind her as she sings, with a matching red triangular stage installation beside her. The rich crimson lighting and billowing fabric create a regal, cinematic moment against the packed stadium audience.A full cast of dancers fills the stage beneath towering red lighting and a stylized house set, evoking Americana imagery. Beyoncé stands center as the performers strike synchronized poses, while the crowd below raises phones to capture the bold, graphic tableau.Beyoncé commands the stage in a dramatic red fur coat over a sparkling bodysuit, wearing dark sunglasses as dancers in coordinated red outfits flank her. Blue and purple stage lights contrast with the red costumes, and smoke effects add depth and glamour to the performance.Under a wash of purple light, Beyoncé performs in a star-spangled bodysuit and white cowboy hat, framed by massive screens and a glowing triangular stage. Dancers line the runway, and the stadium crowd stretches into the background, illuminated by concert lighting and phone screens.Beyoncé stands confidently on an extended runway platform, wearing a cowboy hat and sparkling outfit, surrounded by purple haze and neon Western-style graphics, including a large horseshoe motif. The elevated platform lights and mist create a dreamy, cinematic Western atmosphere.Two smiling concertgoers take a close-up selfie in the stadium stands, wearing glittery gold outfits and cowboy hats, with rows of excited fans visible behind them. The image captures the joyful anticipation and communal energy of the crowd before or during the show.

Houston’s Behind Closed Doors was such a cute little treat. We went to the back to the find the restroom… and stumbled upon rainbow arches, one of which gave way to a hidden bar with delicious cocktails.

A glowing, inverted U-shaped neon arch stands against a dark wall, its smooth bands transitioning from violet and blue at the top to green, yellow, and red near the base, creating a luminous rainbow halo that reflects softly on the floor.A dark coffee cocktail is served in a faceted crystal goblet, topped with a delicate layer of foam and three glossy coffee beans, the rich brown liquid catching warm lamplight and looking smooth, aromatic, and inviting.A close-up of a tall, textured glass catches dramatic blue and amber light, the rippled surface refracting a warm glow onto a patterned tabletop, creating a moody, abstract play of reflections and color.Visitors walk through a curved tunnel illuminated by bold rainbow bands of red, green, and blue light, the saturated colors arching overhead and reflecting on the glossy floor to create an immersive, otherworldly passage.

The weekend we were in Houston just happened to be Pride Houston, and thus I ended up going to my first pride event. 🏳️‍🌈

A drag performer in a sparkling hot pink gown waves from a parade float decorated with rainbow flags and glittering streamers. The float is branded with local radio stations Mix 96.5 and Mega 101, and is surrounded by participants in matching light blue shirts. Spectators reach out with rainbow flags and phones, capturing the performance and adding to the energetic, joyful vibe of the scene.

The Pit Room. 📍

The line for The Pit Room was long (maybe an hour?) but it was totally worth it. Amazing brisket and ribs.

Close-up of a barbecue tray featuring a large smoked beef rib with a well-defined smoke ring, accompanied by green beans, white bread slices, potato salad, yellow mustard-based sauce, and a reddish-brown barbecue sauce.

Interior of The Pit Room showing customers in line at the counter as staff serve barbecue behind glass. Overhead, two large menu boards display offerings like brisket, beef ribs, tacos, and sides, with a chalkboard listing “Wagyu Beef Ribs” as the weekend special.

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I knew that I would lose steam in posting photos from Europe if I didn’t get them mostly done while I was there… and I was right! 🙈

Off to Houston for a little Beyoncé and birthday celebration for Hugo. ✈️

Los Angeles–to–Houston flight map showing a blue route line from LAX to IAH across the southwestern United States, with a small airplane icon near Arizona; overlaid boarding pass from Flighty app for United flight UA 1416 on 28 Jun 2025 at 08:50, passenger “Chasen Le Hara,” seats 34C and 34A, and a bold purple “LAX → IAH” tag.