Spice up 2019 right by taking these steps to enforce a better year and you. I Fiona Legesse/ The Cougar

As time feels more and more like the construct it really is, New Year’s Eve dulls in its specialties and resolutions are often written off as performative and un-transforming. The NYE excitement isn’t as exciting because by now we’ve learned how little the new year makes a new you. “If I was going to change, I would have by now. What’s the new year got to do with it?” Right? Not always.

Although you might think I’ve started 2019 off on a bleak note, my point is to remind you that although the new year doesn’t necessitate a new you, that doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t. By now we must know that January 1 marks a figurative beginning more than a literal one, and what’s so wrong with that? Some of us need one, and you might, too.

Sure, if you were really going to start waking up at 7 a.m. every day, you would be by now, and if you aren’t, then maybe a New Year’s goal won’t cut it either. It’s time to stop forcing our New Year’s resolutions into a box of pseudo-productivity because how often do you really stick to it anyway?

So, let’s start off the new year right. Many of us are in need of revamped resolutions, ones that will get us excited for the new year. When did our resolutions become so boring? If the new year is a chance for a new you, you might as well have fun with it. Below are five resolutions to keep you feeling positive about the new year.

Grow a plant

Nurture yourself through the act of taking care of another living thing. It’s hard maintaining your own well-being, so take care of something else’s and learn how to be kinder to yourself and the things around you in the process. Having pets in college isn’t as feasible, but a plant? You can pick any, and it’ll brighten up your space. Water it before class, and add it to your morning routine.

Read more books, especially ones written by women

It’s time we stop telling ourselves we don’t have time to read the way we used to when we were young. If you’re anything like me, every year you tell yourself you’ll get better at time management, and it never happens. Instead, you should try reading more and let the rest follow. Adding a few time slots here and there allows you to have more structure in your day. I say read more books written by women because it provides a different perspective you can learn from. Maybe by 2020 you’ll think differently about something you were dead set on before.

Learn a new sport, and play it for fun

Another thing that might force you to manage your time better is getting a new hobby, any hobby. Buy a bike, a penny board, a basketball. Anything works, and you’ll have yourself something to actually do when you’re bored instead of just sitting on your phone for hours. Doing things for pleasure is a habit we all need to get in touch with a little more.

Start saving, and humble your wallet

Maybe you’re someone who wants something and has the ability to get it right away, either from your parents or your job or your trust fund. Either way, if every paycheck or allowance you get is immediately distributed for your desires, try saving a little. Even if you don’t have something to save for, maybe you will in the future. I recommend having at least $1,000 as an emergency savings. Be thoughtful with your money, it won’t hurt.

Make one new friend that you will keep for life

Are the people you surround yourself with ones you’d like to keep around forever? Ones you’d invite to your wedding? Or your funeral? If you’re not regularly around at least one person that fulfills such criteria, you might need to make some new friends, ones that are worth the time investment. It’s not that having company is worthless otherwise, but having a friend is very different from having a close friend.

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Not-so-typical New Year’s resolutions to spruce up your 2019” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Detail of Collaboration with poet Kelli Hines. I Courtesy of Gaworecki, Saucedo

Editor’s note: The artist’s pronouns have been corrected. 

The collaborative exhibition Color:Story 2019 combines the work of local artists and authors to create an all-inclusive event for Houston creatives. The free event will open with a reading on January 12th from 5-8 p.m. and run through March 23, in Gallery 200 at The Silos at Sawyer Yards.

Merging the worlds of the visual and literary is something that artists Marlo Saucedo and Leslie Gaworecki wanted to bring to the Houston community. Through this event, the two hope to bridge creative works of art to create a new form.

“We knew how separate visual artists’ and writers/poets’ worlds can be, while their internal creative processes can be so very similar,” Saucedo said. “This collaborative exhibition is built to introduce and form connections between two creative worlds.”

After working on the collaborative piece “What if?” with Ashley Ellington Brown, Saucedo and Gaworecki realized their styles complemented each other well.

“Leslie’s brightly-colored layered backgrounds of acrylic and my precise handwritten detail on top of it, with Ashley’s beautiful words, elicited such positive reactions that we started thinking about an entire exhibition of such pieces,” Saucedo said.

Gaworecki tends to work with “free-forms large, deep-sided canvases into emotion, light and color with layer upon layer of bright acrylic paint with words and shapes scraped or painted into the colors, hidden and revealed among the layers,” Saucedo said.

In contrast, Saucedo herself “fits essays into precise and intricate planned pieces with calligrams: Messages, stories and researched lists written into form in India ink atop Chiyogami paper on a mix of acrylic and high-end latex paint,” she said.

While somewhat different in their mediums and processes, Saucedo and Gaworecki design to inspire emotionally and depict colorful stories through their works.

Since Saucedo and Gaworecki tend to both use words to complement their works, they thought having an event to showcase local writers would be a way to exhibit their work and also introduce them to the visual arts realm.

With the help of Writespace, a local writing institution, Saucedo and Gaworecki asked for submissions and made their selection based on how well they thought their works would collaborate with the writers’.

Whether they wanted to do collaborative pieces or on their own, the two worked with the writers to navigate the best medium for the individuals’ works.

“Leslie writes and scratches hidden and visible words and phrases into colorful acrylic layering, and I create paper-and-ink collages with thousand-word stories,” Saucedo said.

After taking submissions, Saucedo and Gaworecki settled on 17 local writers that will have their works on exhibit at the event.

The authors will consist of:

Emanuelee Bean – Rachel Massey Browne – Anjola Coker – Raie Crawford – Brandon R. Dillon – Ayokunle Falomo – Catherine Gentry – Kelli Hines – Adam Holt – G. Paris Johnson – Jen Stephan Kapral – Lisa Levy – Jake Anant Miller – Robin Reagler – Lisa Smallest Leaf (Lisa Toth Salinas) – Ellen Seaton – Holly Walrath

For any questions: https://www.sawyeryards.com/event-calendar

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“The Silos at Sawyer Yards hosts Color:Story 2019” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Consenting Bodies, a reading series addressing consent, boundaries and relationships comes to Mildred’s Umbrella. I Courtesy of Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company

Over the past year or so, the conversation regarding consent, boundaries and relationships has heightened significantly in contrast to previous years or even decades.Women are now encouraged to speak up and speak out on their experiences regarding the issue of understanding consent.

Influenced by the wake of the #MeToo movement and the #NotInOurHouse movement, the series aims to encourage the conversation.

If unfamiliar, the #MeToo movement went viral and began the “vital conversation about sexual violence has been thrust into the national dialogue” says me too.

“What started as local grassroots work has expanded to reach a global community of survivors from all walks of life and helped to de-stigmatize the act of surviving by highlighting the breadth and impact of a sexual violence worldwide.”

A similar movement, the #NotInOurHouse movement is a movement focused on protecting artists, and theaters from “sexual discrimination and harassment, and gender-based violence often occur in the intimate and physical context of a theater production.”

Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company will be putting on Consenting Bodies, a series of play readings regarding consent, boundaries and relationships for the modern time.The two-day series will consist of three plays, all of which were written by female playwrights.

Consenting Bodies consists of “Bully” by Amina Henry, “The Morning After” by Erica Saleh and “Krav Maga Play” by Brandy N. Carie. Each performance will be followed by a talk with the actors and director.

I had the honor to interview Bree Bridger, the director of the project, about the series as well as about consent in general. Take a look below for the Q&A with Bridger herself. Whether you are an avid activist on the issues of: consent, boundaries, relationships or you are just gaining realization over the issue, please take the time to support local female playwrights and pay-what-you-can.

The series runs Jan. 12-13 at Rec Room with a reception on the closing Sunday. Tickets are pay-what-you-can and include an invitation to the closing reception. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mildredsumbrella.com.

The Cougar: Is this the first series you have put on? If so, how did you approach such a project? 

Bree Bridger: This is the first series that I have orchestrated as part of the Mildred’s literary management team. Mildred’s has produced an annual short play festival for the last 10 years called Museum of Dysfunction, but this year we are developing new programs with full length readings, and Consenting Bodies is the first weekend series.

Partners for A.R.T. is another new program this season that features readings taking place throughout the year.

I’m directing one of the three (“Krav Maga Play”) and have checked in with the other directors (Danielle Ozymandias and Danielle Bunch) regularly, but have remained mostly hands-off there. I’m focusing on making sure the experience across all three readings feels unified while allowing each show to stand on its own merit, as each is so different from the others.

TC: How did you find/discover the female playwrights for the series? 

Bridger: These playwrights have submitted to Mildred’s Umbrella in response to our mission, and while reviewing submissions for the 2018-19 season, we noticed this theme emerging from several scripts.

We selected these plays by Amina Henry, Erica Saleh and Brandy Carie because they contrast well with each other and, in my opinion, approach the issues from an angle that I don’t often see explored on stage very effectively. Brandy Carie has also been a part of the Museum of Dysfunction festivals in recent years as both a playwright and director, and I’m excited to work with her again.

TC: You said that it is influenced by the #MeToo and #NotInMyHouse movements. How are you hoping that the series will influence men and women to understand and engage in the conversation regarding consent?

Bridger: The plays definitely address the subjects that #MeToo confronts regarding assault and harassment, and more broadly the series explores what it means to have control over what happens to you and your body and what can happen when someone feels they’ve lost that control.

They don’t necessarily offer ideal models on how to behave in the wake of #MeToo, but they are powerful depictions of these characters’ experiences with consent and autonomy in a variety of applications. If someone attends all three of the readings, it’s my hope that they will be able to consider the role that consent plays in their own lives in a way they may not have thought of before.

TC: Was your inspiration for the series based purely off the movements, or was there a personal aspect for you as well? 

Bridger: I see a lot of myself or people that I care about in the characters of these plays. As my friends and colleagues have shared their personal stories and their takes on those in the media over the last year, it’s become clear that we are all coming to this topic from different backgrounds. My hope is that this series can be a small continuation of the long process that these movements have started.

TC: How will the guided discussions work? Will they be interactive with the audience? 

Bridger: Following each play, one of the festival directors will be in discussion with the cast of the show to ask a few standard questions about the play and its themes. We then will welcome the audience to share how they feel about the topics explored, as much as they feel comfortable doing so, and to ask questions.

We’re developing some audience engagement opportunities in the lobby for before and after performances so people can share thoughts more privately, too. There will be a reception in the Rec Room bar on Sunday evening where audience members can continue the discussion with each other and with the artists.

TC: Lastly, even though our environment is becoming more accepting toward the movements such as #MeToo, how do you suggest that people engage and educate themselves about how to stay safe and avoid unhealthy relationships? 

Bridger: With the caveat that I’m coming entirely from my own perspective here, it can be tough to engage with this topic because it involves thinking critically about our own experiences and behaviors. Confronting that this is a cultural problem also means asking ourselves, “Have I ever been in a situation like this, and how did I respond?”

That can be challenging to deal with and may put someone in a defensive position from the start. My personal understanding of consent has certainly evolved over time. There are past experiences that I’ve had to reconsider as I have learned more about myself and the world.

Actively listening to others and to ourselves, what our needs and expectations are and a willingness to adapt accordingly are important steps in this process.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Consenting Bodies reading series opens conversation about consent” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

| Fiona Legesse/The Cougar

As many of us know, the Texas winter isn’t what most would call a “winter,” but to us this mildly-cold weather makes us want to huddle indoors.

If you’re anything like me, I love a good documentary. Netflix has a wide assortment to choose from, but for these cold rainy days, I have comprised a list of my personal favorites for you guys to check out.

Hopefully they will prove to be just as intriguing to you as they are to me. Stay warm, and happy watching!

1. Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On 

The show is one season long and comprised of six episodes. The show explores the intersection of sex and technology and the relationship between sex workers and consumers. Through many anecdotes, mostly female, the series gives an inside on the porn industry.

I was a little weary starting this for many reasons. The truth behind it is something that can be chilling but compelling.

Regardless of your opinion on sex workers or the porn industry itself, the show is intriguing, informative and definitely worth the watch.

2. Hot Sugar’s Cold World 

Honestly one of my favorites. “Hot Sugar’s Cold World” is inspiring, imaginative and one-of-a-kind at the least. Nick Koenig, aka Hot Sugar, is a musician who takes an atypical approach to creating music.

Using the world around him to his advantage, he is able to use recordings of his everyday life to produce some of the most idiosyncratic beats.

If you’re a musician, aspiring DJ or just a music lover, make sure to check out this one. After watching, a spark of creativity is assured.

3. Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things 

Minimalism is a trend that has been on the rise for the past few years. If you haven’t explored the idea, then get ready because this film will get you craving a cut.

Joshua Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus are known as The Minimalists. The film gives a background on the duo’s past. From being childhood friends to adults, the guys have grown up through similar backgrounds. After having an awareness of their unhappiness, however, they strive to change for the better.

The film goes through their journey through self analysis and how finding minimalism saved them from a treacherous life of materialistic misery.

4. Abstract: The Art of Design

The series is eight episodes long, but the unique aspect to this show is that each episode explores a different artist and medium.

From foot wear design to architects, the show features some of the most complex and prolific designs and artists.

Most of these artists you’ve probably never heard of, but their work is so breathtaking and innovative that recognition is well deserved.

Discover eight new artists, get inspired and create.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Netflix and chill: Intellectual’s edition” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Balancing school, relationships and work can be a difficult task, but these tips will help students keep on track. l Illustration by Fiona Legesse

Between schoolwork, work and maintaining a social life, it can seem like a daunting task to get everything done without feeling stressed, and students often have trouble maintaining a balanced schedule.

Here are some tips to help you balance everything out:

1. Make sure you keep an updated schedule.

This is a great time to make use of the calendar app on your phone or buy a planner. Take the time to add your class schedule for the semester as well as any upcoming due dates.

Set aside specific times throughout the week to focus on things like homework, chores and social events. If you work at a place that moves your schedule around each week, it can be difficult to stay consistent with plans. If this is the case, try to design your schedule when you find out your work hours each week.

The most important thing here is to prioritize your most important activities over those of lesser importance or with later due dates.

2. Make sure you work ahead.

I know procrastination is inevitable when you have so many things going on in your life, but try not to procrastinate and I assure you that your life will be 100 times easier.

By procrastinating, you are allowing your to-do list to grow and grow into an intimidating amount of work. Once all that work has piled up, it will be even harder to motivate yourself to get started.

Getting ahead on readings, papers, projects and other assignments will help reduce procrastination-based stress while allowing more time in the future for hanging out with friends or just relaxing with a weekend of Netflix bingeing.

3.  Make sure you take time for yourself.

Taking care of yourself and your mental health is one of the most important tips I have for you. Get a good night’s sleep, which will help you maintain a strong and healthy immune system, keeping you from getting sick so often.

A good night’s sleep can also help improve your mood and reduce stress.

Make sure you set some time aside to spend with friends and family. It is important for your well-being to get some time away from work and school. Once you have finished important tasks, be sure to find some way to treat yourself and clear your head.

Follow these steps, and I assure you it will help you keep your life on track. It may not take your stress away completely, but it will help you stay sane through the end of the semester.

Keep in mind that you are not alone, and we are all going through this together. Also, try to take advantage of your classmates and professors that are willing to help you. This will keep you on top of your schoolwork.

Remember that even though we are students, we must have a life as well. Allow yourself to take a break from time to time to catch up with friends, make time for yourself or just catch up on some sleep.

Happy finals season!

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Gimme my life back!: How to balance work, school and relationships” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

If you’re intrigued by the headline, this show is for you. l Courtesy of Insomnia Gallery

Subs and doms will gather together Friday for Sensation Play: A Fetish Art Show at Insomnia Gallery.

I know what you’re thinking: A whole art show centered around fetishes? Yes, that’s right. We are gonna get down and dirty and talk about it.

“(My girlfriend Cheyenne) frequents Numbers Nightclub a lot and mentioned that their Fetish Nights were a popular event,” said curator of the event Chris Unclebach. The inspiration for the event blossomed from there.

The thing about fetishes is people tend to venture off the topic because of the stereotypical shaming around anything sex-related. But now is the time to express ourselves, as our society is venturing away from the conservative mindset regarding sex and sexual preferences.

“(We are at) a point where slut-shamers are viewed as worse than sluts,” Unclebach said. “America is so far behind when it comes to being grown up about sexuality and doing a show like bringing something that’s not often talked about into an open arena. I think it helps open up the conversation more and hopefully further acceptance.”

Whether you are already contributing to the conversation or are new to the whole idea, it is important to experiment and see what is out there. Never know until you try, right?

With more than 40 Houston artists signed up for the show, it will be filled with pieces from paintings, illustrations and photography. Some of the artists include Honeybones, Octoboros, VVAANNIIEE, Mel Hull and Beanpolice, who frequent the gallery. Many new artists will be submitting work as well, so it will be exciting to see the artists’ work on display.

While the show itself is all 2D, the gallery has pre-existing unique items in their merchandise area.  Also, exclusive merchandise related to the show such as prints, shirts, stickers and more will be at the show for viewers to purchase.

To fuel your tummy during the show, Pan de Taco will be vending.

“They make the best tacos in town, and their corn tortillas are cooked fresh for every order,” Unclebach said. So, that’s a yes from me.

If you have never been to Insomnia, make sure to come out. The little hole in the wall gallery houses a diverse vinyl collection and cassettes to be purchased. One of my favorite things about the gallery is the music playing in the store itself. Always putting me onto new bands, whoever is DJing the place, thank you.

If you can’t make it to the show, don’t fret. Insomnia holds more than 20 events each year varying from vendors, concerts, art shows and more.

As for this show though, it seems like it will be a big hit among Houstonians. Based off the event page and past events, there will easily be 500 attendees throughout the night. Don’t worry though, throughout the four-hour period, you and your friends will have plenty of room to embrace the show and grab a taco or two. 

It’s free to attend and 18+ due to content. Oh, and bring leashes for your dogs, maybe even your partners, if you please.

The show starts at 7 p.m. and will end at 11 p.m.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Fetish frenzy: Insomnia Gallery hosts Sensation Play” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Make sure to come out and show love to fellow zine and wrestling fans alike Saturday at Zine Fest Houston. l Art by Jade Young, Courtesy of Zine Fest Houston

Zine Fest Houston, an annual celebration of DIY mixed media by emerging and established artists from all over, will honor local zine artists Saturday as well as filmmaker Chris Bournea’s film “Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African-American Women in the Ring.”

Zines, among other forms of mixed DIY artistry, are composed of hand crafted and published works of art and are usually completely self-made. The beauty behind zine-making comes directly from the makers themselves and often results in unique pieces of work celebrating niche ideas and cultures.

Zine Fest Houston will showcase a main theme of wrestling, and accompanying Bournea’s film in the project space will be various special guests with the presentation Audio Zine: How to Create Successful Podcasts Using Zine Skills, as well as a stand-up break down on the history of wrestling and humor.

The project space will also showcase a reading and discussion with latinx zinesters in Texas, and finally, a discussion will be hosted by Jennifer Mathieu on her transition “From Riot Grrrl to YA Author.”

The event will additionally feature a selection of comic books and will even offer a class on content for comic books hosted by Christopher Sperandio. Zach Gresham will be accompany with a zine-making workshop for the youth.

Following these events and discussions will be a Doomsday Wrestling Grudge Match at the outdoor front lawn. Wrestling takes front and center as the major theme at this year’s Zine Fest in celebration of womanhood and strength in a male-dominated field.

An after party will take place at Axelrad, an atmospheric beer garden with a patio and hammocks for everyone. Music by Neon Garden will add to the winter fun you can have at this all-day event open to all.

This year’s Zine Fest Houston packs a punch in its hopes to showcase the incredible artistry from Houston and beyond.

Zine Fest Houston will have free admission, and food trucks will be provided. The event takes place Saturday at the Lawndale Art Center from noon to 6 p.m.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Zine Fest Houston comes to Lawndale Art Center” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

I have comprised all the songs that make me feel the most like myself into this playlist. Being a music lover, I understand always wanting to discover new bands and genres. For this reason, I figured my readers would like to, as well.

Pick up a cup of coffee, take a walk and have a listen.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Take a listen: a lyrical monologue into my mind” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Students attended the panel on navigating business through social media courtesy of the Muslim Student Association. l Laraib Hashmi/The Cougar

On Nov. 1 in SEC 105, the Muslim Student Association hosted a productive seminar with Instagram influencers and UH alumnae Maryam and Jaserah Asadullah. The panel was a Q&A session with the modest fashion bloggers about navigating business through social media platforms. 

MSA’s Quality Control Executive Officer Ayesha Khan coordinated this panel with the intention of encouraging  students to strive for social and professional growth. The panel was open to all students, regardless of their standing with MSA. 

“We have a program called AMP, which is the Ansar-Muhajireen Project, and what we do is focus on professional, social and personal growth,” Khan said. “We try to bring in professionals who can help our students and just different opportunities for them to learn and grow.”

For the panel, Khan wanted to inform and encourage the skill of networking. Networking can bring out a vast number of opportunities if you know the right people.

“You know, networking and just connecting and learning. The reason we had this panel is because I had personally followed them and I knew that they were social media influencers, but on top of that, I thought of how students can connect to them,” Khan said. 

Once students themselves, Marayam and Jaserah related their own experiences to the students’ current situations and concerns.

In this social media era, becoming an influencer and blogger might look easy, but it’s anything but that. MSA’s event and the engagement of students with the panelists helped students get that push and spark of motivation they needed.

If you’re thinking about starting a business on social media as an influencer, try out these tips and tricks and, most importantly, stay true to yourself.

I had the pleasure of interviewing the influencers themselves so that I could share their guidance with our readers. 

The Cougar: What would you do differently if you could go back to the beginning of your business/social media journey?  

M: Worry less about people and worry more about yourself. I was so caught up in what others would think of me, whether that was family, ex-in laws or friends – would my friends think I was trying too hard, do people think I am “fashionable” enough to be a blogger, am I dressing the way my ex- in laws want? I was so worried about living to please people that I lost authenticity.  I could have seized the moment and did what was best for me and what made me happy, which was creating modest fashion content.

J: I think about it a lot, about the what ifs. Honestly, with time, I realize we live and we learn. And truly, that couldn’t be more fitting for the social media space especially. You can’t always get it right. I feel like your mistakes often teach you. They are a stepping stone for how you’ll move forward and do things another way.

TC: What advice would you give to young people who want to become social media influencers?

J: Two pieces of advice: One, always check your intentions. Ask yourself, why do you want to influence people and in what way do you want to influence them? Two, always stay authentic to yourself. Don’t chase the game of what others are doing or fall into styles that don’t reflect who you are as a person.  Ask yourself, what new aspects can you bring to the table? Instagram is already so saturated with bloggers and influencers, what sets you apart?

M: Be authentic. The best and long-lasting brands are built on soul and reality, not just the hype. Consistency is key. Lastly, be patient. Building a truly loyal fan base takes time. And in the meantime, it’s how engaged they are with your content and message.

TC: How do you deal with the negativity that comes with being a public figure?

J: Honestly, I haven’t had much (negativity or) bullying since I started four years ago. I get the occasional, “please cover up” or “wear hijab properly” comment, which I usually dismiss because it is so uncommon, but other than that I do not experience hate. I will say though, the best way to deal with negativity is to be confident in yourself  because that way no matter what anyone says about you, it will not affect you because you know who you are and what you stand for.

M: Recently, I’ve had a few comments from people doing the “mom shame,” and that was the first time a social media comment bothered me. I try to block it out and not respond.

TC: How do you reach people who may not be in the Muslim community?

J: If you’re talking Instagram, hashtags are your friend! Hashtag general searches such as outfits, fall fashion, travel diaries and such that not only Muslims search for. Aside from hashtags, create content that is relatable to everyone, like makeup looks, cleaning/storage tips, lifestyle content, etc. It doesn’t always have to be about hijab, modesty, faith and such. You can appeal to a larger crowd without sacrificing your faith, you just have to be smart about it. For instance, we shop at normal mainstream brands such as Nike, DSW, Target, etc. These are not explicitly Muslim brands, so tag them in your posts, write blog posts/reviews about them. Others who are also searching such brands on Instagram or Google will find your reviews/pictures/tags.

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Instagram influencers inspire students: tips and tricks of the business” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

The Renaissance Festival is an overall eye-catching and family friendly place for everyone to enjoy. l Courtesy of Owenusa

The annual Texas Renaissance Festival is hosted in Todd Mission from Sept. 29 to Nov. 25. The festival is open Saturdays and Sundays and also open the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 23.

An outdoor fair dating back to the ’60s, people come to the event dressed up in elaborate costumes alongside live entertainment, food and shopping vendors displayed all over the campgrounds.

This week’s theme is Highland Fling. Come on down to Ren Fest to celebrate the Scottish way. The theme-filled weekend will have dances to pipe music, Scottish eggs for purchase, the Haggis Eating Contest and the Bonnie Knees Costume Contest.

The Renaissance Festival is a fun and interesting experience. It is a place for everyone to express themselves through different mediums. From the elaborate costumes to the colorful personalities, this festival showcases ongoing tradition among the attendees.

Biology senior and Student Program Board President Sarah Durham organized an event with UH to provide rides to the festival.

“This festival is more of a Houston area thing where a lot of people come in from different parts of the nation to attend this festival, so it’s really cool to highlight that and how we made this festival famous. It kind of enriches the Houston culture in a sense where it’s different,” Durham said.

All ages are welcome and can come dressed up in the Scottish theme.

There is something for everyone with games, music and food.

Jose Najar, 32-year-old father and attendee, found out about this festival over 10 years ago and has been attending ever since. He even brings his kids to the event.

“This is my third time here with my kids, and this could evolve into a tradition for me and my family,” he said.

Prices vary from store to store with food such as turkey legs at $9 and funnel cakes at $6. But the prices are significantly higher when shopping in the stores. Dresses can go for up to $150 with crystals, rocks and fans valued at $1 to $5. So depending on what you’re looking for, the prices fluctuate.

With prices varying from $10 for general admission up to $82.95 for the four pack, tickets can be purchased on the Renaissance Festival website.

arts@thedailycougar.com 

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“Students take on the Texas Renaissance Festival” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar