Deborah Roberts Has Exhibited Art Worldwide. She Hasn’t Had a Solo Museum Show in Her Hometown—Until Now
The Austin artist has been creating distinctive, large-scale collages for years.
Texas First: How Willie Nelson Brought Me Closer to My Mom
After living most of my life in Texas, I finally gave Willie Nelson a serious listen and learned a few things about my Nigerian mom.
Jonathan Majors, the Star of HBO’s ‘Lovecraft Country,’ Transforms His Rage Into Art
The actor, who grew up in the Dallas area, takes a leading role in the horror series adapted from the book of the same name.
Beyoncé’s ‘Lion King’ Album is Delightful, But Limited
“The Lion King: The Gift” features fun collaborations with West and South African artists, but fails to include other African regions.
Beychella Was a Celebration of Beyoncé’s Southern Black Culture
As Coachella’s Saturday night headliner, Beyoncé chose to share the HBCU experience in a performance full of black cultural history.
Solange Is for Us, Even in Marfa
What it meant to be fully present for “Scales" during Chinati Weekend.
The Sutherland Springs Tragedy is a Reminder of How Domestic Violence Contributes to Mass Shootings
Devin Kelley is only the latest mass shooter with a history of domestic violence.
Leticia Van de Putte on ‘Let Her Speak’ and the True Story of the Filibuster
For the former state senator, accurate representation in the Hollywood biopic goes beyond historical accuracy.
Mark Hughes and the Right to Bear Arms
When the Dallas Police Department posted Mark Hughes's picture during the mass police shooting, they made him a target.
A White Supremacist By Any Other Name
The “alt-right” and the National Policy Institute are racist, no matter how they brand themselves.
187 Articles
Food & Drink
December 7, 2023
TikTok Food Reviewer Keith Lee Made Houston Go Viral
After Lee’s infamous tour of Atlanta, Space City held its breath to see how the influencer would rate its restaurants for his 15 million loyal followers.
Music
December 6, 2023
In ‘Renaissance,’ Beyoncé Finds Freedom in Control
The concert film is a performance masterpiece, but it also raises questions about the artist’s messaging.
Business
November 9, 2023
At AfroTech in Austin, Black Workers Seek Opportunities in a “Tense” Industry
Black Texans make up only 9 percent of the technology workforce statewide. The 25,000 attendees of the nation’s largest Black tech conference hope to change that.
Style & Design
August 9, 2023
The Latest Victory for Natural Hair in Texas Can Be Traced Back to Isis Brantley’s Arrest Three Decades Ago
The Dallas braider, whose loyal customers include Erykah Badu, examines her hard-fought legacy as the CROWN Act, which bans discrimination against Black hairstyles at work and school, goes into effect September 1.
Film & TV
March 16, 2023
In ‘Swarm,’ the Beyhive Is Out for (Literal) Blood
The new Beyoncé-inspired, must-watch TV show explores what happens when fan culture goes too far.
Film & TV
March 3, 2023
Jonathan Majors Has Arrived
With two blockbusters hitting theaters in the span of a few weeks, the newly minted A-lister is doing Cedar Hill proud.
Music
January 9, 2023
What Can We Learn From Megan Thee Stallion’s Shooting?
Musician Tory Lanez was convicted of shooting the Houston rapper, but Megan is still dealing with the fallout from telling the truth.
Made in Texas
November 11, 2022
This Austin Designer’s Colorful Head Wraps Celebrate Auntie Chic
Originally from Haiti, Paola Mathè has expanded her Fanm Djanm line to include bucket hats, headbands, and caftans.
Film & TV
May 17, 2022
‘Conversations With Friends’ Is a Tender Portrayal of a Heedless Narcissist
The Hulu series, costarring Texan Sasha Lane, is a worthwhile adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel.
Travel & Outdoors
April 14, 2022
Learning to Survive at a Hunting Resort
During a solo visit to Sonora's JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, an introvert gamely steps out of their comfort zone.
Film & TV
March 19, 2022
A Christian Parent of a Trans Child Battles the Texas Government in a New Doc
‘Mama Bears’ ties together the stories of three conservative families with LGBTQ children, but as the only trans child in the film, Kai Shappley stands out.
Music
March 10, 2022
Live Music Is Back at SXSW. Don’t Miss These Texas Artists.
Four sibling punk rockers, Houston’s greatest soul band, and three more acts you need to catch at SXSW 2022.
Film & TV
November 19, 2021
Season Two of ‘Love Life’ Has Nothing New to Say
Dallas native William Jackson Harper is a romantic lead who's prone to repeating mistakes and slow to mature.
Film & TV
November 3, 2021
‘The Harder They Fall’ Is a Fun, Stylish Revisionist Western
Dallas-raised actor Jonathan Majors leads a star-studded cast as outlaw Nat Love seeking revenge.
Food & Drink
October 20, 2021
Megan Thee Stallion’s New Popeyes Hottie Sauce Doesn’t Quite Bring the Heat
The Houston rapper and famed Hot Girl has brought her talents to the fast-food chain, which is now serving chicken slathered in Megan’s namesake hot sauce.
Art
March 16, 2021
Delita Martin Paints an Invitation Into the Spiritual Realm
The Huffman-based artist’s larger-than-life portraits of Black women are on view at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas.
News & Politics
February 19, 2021
How to Help Texans Recover From the Winter Disaster
These organizations could really use your time or money.
Art
January 14, 2021
Deborah Roberts Has Exhibited Art Worldwide. She Hasn’t Had a Solo Museum Show in Her Hometown—Until Now
The Austin artist has been creating distinctive, large-scale collages for years.
Art
October 16, 2020
Diedrick Brackens’s New Exhibition Mythologizes Blackness and Queerness
The Mexia-born artist’s new Blanton Museum show, “darling divined,’’ features striking woven textiles that reimagine stories central to his upbringing.
Books
October 14, 2020
Six Good Texas Book Festival Reads
This year’s festival is all-virtual, but its lineup is still all-star, as demonstrated by this trio of recent books from Texas authors.
Film & TV
August 17, 2020
In ‘Lovecraft Country,’ Black Characters Are Trapped in Racial Terror
The HBO series, starring Dallas native Jonathan Majors, gives depth to Black characters stuck in nightmare situations.
Film & TV
August 15, 2020
Jonathan Majors, the Star of HBO’s ‘Lovecraft Country,’ Transforms His Rage Into Art
The actor, who grew up in the Dallas area, takes a leading role in the horror series adapted from the book of the same name.
News & Politics
July 16, 2020
“Black Austin Matters” Is an Artistic Challenge to the City
Activists say the city can’t yet claim that “Black Austin Matters,” given its record, and that’s why they painted the street installation.
Art
July 10, 2020
Why Visual Artist Jammie Holmes Took George Floyd’s Last Words to the Sky
In a new digital exhibition at Dallas Contemporary, Holmes challenges viewers to advocate for justice.
Music
June 23, 2020
Texas First: How Willie Nelson Brought Me Closer to My Mom
After living most of my life in Texas, I finally gave Willie Nelson a serious listen and learned a few things about my Nigerian mom.
Music
May 12, 2020
Erykah Badu and Jill Scott’s Verzuz Battle Felt More Intimate Than a Live Show
In this ongoing Instagram competition series, the two luminaries demonstrated how nourishing music can be.
Books
December 17, 2019
Texas Authors on Their Favorite Books of 2019
From family drama to historical fiction to young adult novels, Texas authors recommend something for everyone.
Art
December 9, 2019
On Texas Time: Ari Brielle, Dallas Visual Artist
The local artist talks about finding her medium, what she’s unlearning, and being an ”emerging artist.”
Film & TV
November 22, 2019
With ‘Waves,’ Houston Filmmaker Trey Edward Shults Reexamines the Traditional Family Drama
The director's third film follows a family that must deal with an unexpected tragedy.
Books
August 9, 2019
Jia Tolentino Explores the Perils of Self-Delusion in Her First Book
The cultural critic, who grew up in Houston, reflects on her debut book.
Film & TV
August 7, 2019
Season Three of ‘Dear White People’ Meanders To Reach Its Point
Created by Houston native Justin Simien, the show has its moments in an otherwise confounding new season.
Music
July 22, 2019
Beyoncé’s ‘Lion King’ Album is Delightful, But Limited
“The Lion King: The Gift” features fun collaborations with West and South African artists, but fails to include other African regions.
Books
January 3, 2019
Amy Gentry’s ‘Last Woman Standing’ Evens the Score
In her second novel, Gentry mines women’s commonplace experiences with abusive men to create a page-turning thriller.
Film & TV
November 13, 2018
‘Green Book’ Is a Poor Attempt to Make Racism Funny
The film isn't just a buddy comedy about a road trip—and it simply misses the mark.
Energy
September 15, 2018
Tackling the Financial Reality of ‘Saudi America’
In her new book, Bethany McLean explores the unstable financial future of fracking.
The Culture
September 9, 2018
A Guy Fieri Meme Captures Changing Perceptions About Austin and Houston
Austin only aspires to the multicultural reputation Houston actually has.
The Culture
September 4, 2018
Matthew McConaughey and Ken Paxton Team Up Against Human Trafficking
The surprising pair has joined forces for a noble cause.
The Culture
August 31, 2018
Enchanted Rock Issues Heat Warnings After Three Dogs Died in the Park
Granite, which draws visitors to the park, can also reach high temperatures.
News & Politics
August 24, 2018
Texan Sentenced to Five Years for NSA Leaks on Russian Hacking
Kingsville native Reality Winner will serve the longest sentence so far under the Espionage Act.
Sports
August 20, 2018
Simone Biles Sent a Message to Survivors of Sexual Assault
How her leotard speaks volumes about something that USA Gymnastics won’t talk about.
Film & TV
August 15, 2018
The Best Part of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Isn’t the Love Story
The adaptation of the novel by Kevin Kwan, who was born in Singapore and raised in Houston, is well worth watching.
Film & TV
August 3, 2018
The Beauty and the Ugliness of “Random Acts of Flyness”
Dallas native Terence Nance’s new HBO series is a dream with a dark edge.
The Culture
July 31, 2018
What Our Obsession About Beyoncé’s Baby Photos Reveals About Us and Celebrities
Beyoncé is notoriously precise about controlling her public narrative. As a famous black woman, she has to be.
News & Politics
July 30, 2018
Texas Schools Arresting More of Their Students After Parkland and Santa Fe School Shootings
A report by Texas Appleseed shows that schools are falling back on a zero-tolerance approach that has proven to be harmful to students.
The Culture
July 20, 2018
Tortilla Chips Are Spontaneously Combusting in Austin
Hot chips, no salsa required.
The Culture
July 17, 2018
Why Dust From the Sahara Is Covering the Texas Sky
The Saharan dust brings us hotter days, hazy skies, and nicer sunsets.
The Culture
July 16, 2018
The Racist GroupMe Messages at Texas Tech Demonstrate the Dangers of Online Offensiveness
The group chat among Texas Tech students is only the most recent example of the consequences of offensive digital behavior.
Politics & Policy
July 12, 2018
Pro-Choice Advocates Worry About What Kavanaugh Nomination Will Mean for Roe v. Wade
Kavanaugh’s decision on the case of an undocumented minor seeking an abortion in Texas is one of their primary concerns.
The Culture
July 12, 2018
Recipes to Help You Celebrate National Pecan Pie Day
From bourbon-pecan to chocolate-pecan, dig in to these eight recipes.
Arts & Entertainment
June 29, 2018
Austin Central Library Named Finalist for Public Library of the Year
The Central Library is one of five finalists out of 35 libraries nominated from around the world.