Texas Trotter

Don’t worry. It’s not what you’re thinking.  Everyone loves dogs. I certainly do, along with wholesome opportunities to be around them any chance I get. ALL dogs are Good Boys. Every last one of them. In fact, I can safely say that any event that involves dogs is a win-win opportunity in my book.  So with that in mind, the 10th Annual Puppies for Breakfast event is the perfect outdoor festival opportunity for all things dog-centric! This furry festival features more than 60 vendors and artists, the world’s largest dog pinata, dog costume contests, music from DJ Dayta, photo booths, small dog contests, and breakfast and lunch at the best local food trucks in the Houston area! I don’t know about you but all of that sounds absolutely doggone fantastic! And the icing on the cake is that guests are encouraged to bring their dogs to enjoy some outdoor playtime in the event’s custom 2,500-square-foot play area. My old dog Sparky, long since passed on, would have loved an opportunity like this

I’ve showcased pop-up restaurants around Houston before. But why not try my hand at Austin? This May, Austin is featuring a brand new Kevin Smith-themed pop-up restaurant for locals to enjoy--Mooby’s! Running from May 10 through May 15, Mooby’s features a great selection of tasty fast food for movie lovers across the Austin region. From burgers to vegetarian and vegan options, there will be plenty of tasty grub to chow down on at this fun-filled take-out venture.  Mooby’s, for those unaware, is a fictional dining location in Kevin Smith’s movies, from Clerks to Jay and Silent Bob, and more! Guests can book their time in advance and pick up their food with utmost Covid-19 safety. There will even be dine-in options on a first-come, first-served basis. For those of you who love all things greasy and delicious when it comes to fast food, I think it’s safe to say that this will prove to deliver on all fronts! There will even be beer and dessert options available! Austin’s hip, funky atmosph

  Ready for some killer riffs, man?   Okay, now that my attempts to sound punk have totally fallen on its face, let’s talk about a really neat event taking place in Dallas this May! The Dallas International Guitar Festival is the largest and oldest guitar show in the world! At this exciting festival, guests can listen to a thrilling blend of great music while also getting the chance to browse through a great selection of instruments, collector’s items, and more! Visitors will also have the chance to buy, sell, trade, or shop through thousands upon thousands of exquisite vintage guitars--the perfect opportunity for any major music lover!  And the absolute BEST thing about this festival is that there will be opportunities to listen to live music with a great selection of the best local and regional bands in the area! Running to May 2, the Dallas International Guitar Festival has all the musical mayhem, adventure, and heart-pumping excitement of a truly great experience you won’t want to

Houston is pretty much the next California at just how great its sunny weather can be. And like California, it’s always game for a great party when it comes to its local festivals! And with Spring just starting to shift towards Summer, why not cap the season off with a great way to enjoy some good drinks, food, and fun! On May 1st at 1:00 pm, Brenner’s on the Bayou is featuring its Spring Wine Fest! Guests can enjoy its fine selection of the best wine from the most exclusive local winemakers while strolling across the perfect scenic grounds across the green. There will be live music and guests also have the opportunity to participate in a Kentucky Derby-themed contest! Some of the local winemakers include Duckthorn Vineyards, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Stout Family Wines, Le Chemin Du Roi, Rose Gold Rose, DAOU Vineyards, and Woodford Reserve Bourbon.  And the best part? There will also be Landry’s Chefs on-hand to prepare and share some truly delicious light snacks and bites from seve

Ready to take partying to the next level in the Austin area?  On May 1st, starting at 10 pm, you can set your sights for maximized entertainment at Quiet Events’ Outdoor Silent Disco Party! This awesome event will allow guests to tune into three different genres of music all night long for endless fun on the dance floor! Live DJs will be present to spin top 40 dance hits, ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000’s throwbacks, as well as your favorite Hip Hop and R&B songs!  Located in a large open-air courtyard with plenty of breathing room for safe social distancing, the unique gist of this event is that guests will be given a pair of Quiet Events headphones, glow-in-the-dark gear, and 3 DJs all battling for your attention at once! It’s called a QUIET event for a reason but don’t worry, I can promise that your dance partners will all be just as hyped as you are when they wear their headphones. This event will be exclusively 21+ and will take place rain or shine! All guests, naturally, must bring a va

It’s a jungle out there! Or at least, it is at the San Antonio Zoo. Running from April 24th to April 25th, the San Antonio Zoo is celebrating animals, culture, and Latin American food with its Festival De Animales event! This exciting experience will be highlighting the animals native to South and Central America, as well as modes of conservation being taken to protect them. There will be plenty of room for guests to enjoy some delicious Latin American cuisine at select zoo restaurants and pop-up booths, making for an educational, but truly spectacular outing with friends and family. The San Antonio Zoo might seem smaller in scale to other Texas zoos for those unfamiliar with it, but I can promise you that they make up for it with some really excellent habitats for the animals, as well as some great family-oriented activities and events on a monthly basis. You really get a sense that they take pride in their care for the animals, as well as the bustling jungle atmosphere all around the

Las Vegas is already a pretty exciting city to live in, what with its thriving nightlife, excellent casinos, affordable living, and fine weather.  With that said, residents within the Las Vegas area have an even bigger reason to celebrate with a brand new upcoming music festival they won’t want to miss! Running from April 24th to April 25th, the annual City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival will take place, sending guests sprawling as Grammy-recognized artists pump up the volume in a day-long celebration of the best jazz and R&B musicians out there!  Located in the show-stopping setting of the Government Amphitheater near downtown and the Las Vegas Strip, there will be plenty of room to dance, party, and take advantage of the best craft and food vendors within the Jazz village! And with its relaxed, green grass atmosphere, there will be plenty of space to relax without fear of Covid-19 contagion. Just make sure to wear your mask! Las Vegas isn’t called the party city for nothing!

  With Spring steadily on its way out in Texas and the Summer season approaching, there’s never been a better time to go out and enjoy some fresh home-grown food at Dallas’ best market venues. If you’re a Dallas local, there’s reason to celebrate because the Saint Michael’s Farmers Market is celebrating its 10th season, bringing an edibles-only non-profit farmers market to the Dallas community! Running all summer from 8 am to 12 pm, this wonderful market will showcase all the most delicious selections of food a person could ever want. Their featured foods include fresh vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods, pickled foods, and fresh condiments. If you’re looking to skip the usual grocery trip for something a bit fresher and tastier, the St. Michael’s Farmers Market is the perfect place to stop by, held rain or shine. If I were a Dallas resident, I could definitely see myself doing this. Where else could you find such exclusive items like delicious homemade jams or mouth-watering smoke

Children and parents alike now have a reason to leap for joy because a brand-new Dr. Seuss exhibit is coming to Houston in May!  For decades now, families have fallen in love with the many colorful, creative worlds that Dr. Seuss has showcased for the world to see with his amazing picture books. And now, thanks to the pure imaginative craftsmanship of local Houstonians, guests can now experience the wondrous inspiration of his works with this new exhibit set to open on May 15th at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This experience will take visitors through nine interactive Seuss-themed installations including “The Cat in the Hat”, “The Lorax”, “Horton Hears a Who”, and more! The Houston area has, in the past, really stepped in when it comes to adding new and exciting family-oriented attractions to the area. And now especially with Covid starting to ramp down ever so slightly, it seems like the possibilities can only grow from here! If you’re living at one of the many excellent, af

There’s a great honor that comes with being a native Texan. Some say that we’re naturally proud due to our warm climate and a steady supply of crops and livestock. And while that may indeed be true, we have one staple of pride that no other state in the US has--the Alamo. I’ve held off on talking about the Alamo for a while. But mostly because I wanted to whet your tastebuds if you’re not as familiar with the place. To make things simple, the Alamo is a BIG deal for Texans. It was the place where brave men fought and died for Texas’ freedom from Mexico. And though the Alamo ultimately ended in death instead of victory, it remains a pinnacle landmark in Texas’ proud history. If you’re living in San Antonio, I would pretty much say that it is your civic duty to visit the Alamo at least once. Not only will you get to learn about a major cornerstone of Texas history, but you’ll also get to immerse yourself deeper into the scope of San Antonio’s rich climate and culture. And while that does

I’m a giant animal-lover. Why not? Animals are cute, interesting, and fascinating to research. And if you’re not looking to go to a crowded zoo during Covid, where else are you supposed to turn? Aquariums aren’t always about fish. Sometimes, they’re great places to find rare exotic animals that you would not normally see on display. And you won’t find it anyplace better than at the Dallas World Aquarium. This beautiful aquarium showcases all the rarest and most exotic of animals from across the world. Their wide selection of animals includes an exploration of different ecosystems, featuring many incredible creatures such as tamarins, turtles, sea mammals, rare birds, tropical fish, and more!  The Dallas World Aquarium seeks to provide guests with an informative look at the many wonderful species that inhabit our world, driving for more education on conservation and preserving habitats. I really think they do good work and you just can’t put a price on educational, but still FUN, ways o

Summer is coming, which means things are about to get pretty scorching out there in the near future. If you’re an Austin resident or even just a Texas resident, you know what I’m talking about. Texas summers can be absolutely sweltering , even in the shade.  So why not beat the heat? If you’re living near the Austin area, chances are you’ve probably heard of Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures. This excellent aquatic getaway is a private island location and a revolutionary floating water park. The water park includes resort-style amenities, beachside hotspots, hammocks, saddle floats, games, food trucks, and more!  If you’re someone sick of the same old urban landscape and just want to find a relaxing place to stay cool, this place is absolutely PERFECT for a weekend out with friends and family. There’s even a bar where you can purchase frozen drinks at your leisure. Sounds to me like a real party in the making. And if you’re a family with kiddos, there will be plenty of amazing floats and

Earth Day is a pretty underrated holiday. I’m not a tree-hugger but I definitely think that our planet is very important to our survival, especially when it comes to the care of trees and our ecosystem. While we all really do need to be environmentally conscious and mindful of taking care of our environment, that doesn’t mean that Earth Day can’t be a fun holiday as well, especially for Houston residents! On Saturday, April 24th, and Sunday, April 25th, Houston is celebrating Earth Day in style with its lively Earth Day festival! This day-long celebration will feature live music you won’t want to miss, providing guests with a wide selection of genres including funk, soul, reggae, Latin rock, hip-hop, R&B, and more!  If you’re looking for something to do during the weekend with your kids, look no further! It’s posed to be a very family-friendly event with FREE admission to all kids 12 and under. Not to mention it’s also a BYO beer/liquor event for those of you who love to party. And

  San Antonio is the gift that keeps on giving. It might just be nostalgia from my college years but I recall the city being one of the absolute best places to live in the entire state of Texas.  And if there’s one place I distinctly remember during my time in San Antonio, it’s definitely The Quarry Market. This relaxed shopping district is located just shy of some of the most prominent universities in the area, including Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word. It sports a movie theater, an endless array of great dining options, high-end clothing shopping, a grocery store, upscale housing, and more!  Word is that the Quarry Market is the local hangout place for all the university students. I remember I myself spent more than several hundred afternoons (as well as dollars) there during my time in the city. It’s also a great spot for local food and charity events including the Alamo Heights Farmers Market and the San Antonio Food Bank Drive. It’s just a great place t

Spring is here! That means fresh sunlight, budding flowers, and the sense of a whole new view for the year!  If you’re a local resident living in Austin, there’s a whole new reason to celebrate the new Spring season with the Austin Spring Festival! Barton Hill Farms is hosting its annual Austin Spring Festival on Saturdays and Sundays from April 17th to May 31st. This is an all-ages event that offers families an outdoor experience they’re sure to adore! The theme for this year’s festival will be focusing on flowers, featuring an array of zinnias, sunflowers, lupines, and cosmos planted in the U-Pick Flower Fields. Want something extra unique to add to the table? The Southwest Dairy Farmers Association will be hosting The Milk Cow Classroom daily throughout the festival, offering kids and adults the chance to learn more about the lives of dairy cows, farmers, and the value of milk. And don’t forget about shows! There will be shows spread over the course of the day, including animal acts