The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection has officially opened its doors in Houston’s lively central business district. Featuring 223 contemporary guest rooms, and an enticing restaurant and bar serving upscale Southern cuisine, The Laura Hotel embraces Houston’s charm and character with enriching experiences for guests and locals.

“The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection will become an instant favorite in downtown Houston, and we are delighted to welcome guests to experience what’s new,” said Charley Morales, general manager of The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection. “Much like when the steamship Laura made its way through Buffalo Bayou to open up a world of possibilities at the founding of modern-day Houston, today’s The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection is the backdrop for business and personal adventures. We look forward to visitors and locals embracing our warm hospitality and upscale service and using that hotel as the launch point for exploring the great city of Houston.”

Named after the steamship that city founders navigated to solidify Houston as a center of industry and opportunity, The Laura Hotel embraces the spirit of exploration as an inviting starting point for visitors and a welcome respite for locals. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a sophisticated entryway featuring a grand staircase bathed in white marble and a second-floor lobby adorned with gold accents and plush furniture. Guest rooms and suites feature well-appointed and spacious interiors with a mix of modern and art-deco design touches. The marble-clad guest bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs, some of which are situated next to gold-framed mirrored walls that open up to the guest room or beautiful city views.

New on the lively Houston dining scene starting January 2022, Hull & Oak Southern Kitchen will feature a menu concept focused on innovative twists on classic Southern dishes. Featuring bright and airy interiors, the restaurant is framed with dimensional archways reminiscent of the hull of a ship, while circular mirrors resemble ship portholes.


Beginning March 2022, the restaurant will host a monthly dinner series the third Thursday of each month. In collaboration with globally-known or uniquely-local wine and spirits brands, the hotel’s executive chef will create bespoke menus designed to pair perfectly with the partner of the month, ensuring each dinner is delightfully different from the next. Adjacent to Hull & Oak Southern Kitchen, The Bar at The Laura Hotel offers seasonal cocktails along with local twists on classic libations, such as Smokin’ in the 713 – a southern take on the Old Fashioned, prepared in an eye-catching smoked glass on a cedar plank. The restaurant and bar will also tie in local tastes by teaming up with nearby Houston breweries to create signature brews available exclusively on-site.

At the rooftop pool, guests can soak up the sun and city sights from loungers shaded by large umbrellas. On select afternoons and evenings, the pool transforms into a hotspot for guests and locals with its “Pool & Patio Party.” For guests looking to break a sweat, the hotel features a fully equipped fitness center and for an additional array of fitness services, guests have access to Lifetime Fitness, located next to the hotel. Guests can also look forward to the launch of a full-service spa salon, slated to debut in spring 2022.


Additionally, The Laura Hotel offers immersive programming and events, inviting guests and locals to feel connected to the city’s history and culture. Experiences include ‘Beyond the Vine,’ a monthly wine tasting curated by the hotel’s sommelier from unexpected vineyards; onsite cigar events that offer a selection of premium cigars chosen from the hotel’s humidor; and complimentary rosé wine at check in on weekend days. In the lobby, the ‘Music Remix’ – the hotel’s weekend listening series – spotlights the sounds of local artists.

Guests can be among the first to enjoy a luxurious stay when they reserve one of several enticing offers available at The Laura Hotel, including the Bubbles & Brew package, inclusive of two welcome beverages at The Laura Bar, and a $50 food and beverage credit to be used at the bar or restaurant. Rates from $219 per night.

The new lifestyle hotel joins Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy’s diverse and dynamic portfolio of independent hotels championing individuality. Marriott Bonvoy members will earn points for their stay at The Laura, Autograph Collection, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.

To learn more about The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection or to make a reservation, please visit thelaurahotel.com or call (713) 242-8555.

Waterway Nights, a free concert series produced by The Woodlands Township, will return for its spring season on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Waterway Square, 31 Waterway Square Place, The Woodlands, TX 77380. 

Waterway Nights is a family-friendly event and features live music from a variety of bands and entertainers from multiple genres such as country, rock and pop. Coolers, picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs are permitted. Glass is prohibited. The following acts are scheduled to appear on Saturday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. this spring at Waterway Square:

Saturday, February 5, 2022
 Tracy Perez Band (Top 80s)
 
Saturday, February 12, 2022
 Leslie Lugo (Latin Variety)
 
Saturday, February 26, 2022
 Mike Donnell (Texas Country)
 
Saturday, March 5, 2022
Midnight Soul (Variety)

For sponsorship opportunities, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

For more information about The Woodlands Township, please call 281-210-3800 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Main Street Theater (MST) is staging Christopher Paul Curtis’ powerful novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, adapted by Reginald André Jackson. A fictionalization of the 1963 16^th Street Baptist Church bombing, Curtis’ novel won the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Awards.

“The best way to initiate change is to educate our young people,” offers Vivienne M. St. John, MST Theater for Youth Artistic Director. “Racism and hatred are still very prevalent in our society. If this play does anything, I hope it’s to teach our youth to stand up for others, to show compassion and empathy, and to listen.”

Performances will be held at MST’s MATCH location, 3400 Main St., Houston, TX  77002 on Sundays, Jan. 23 & 30 and Feb. 13 at 2:30pm. Recommended for Fifth Grade and older. All tickets are on sale via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. Tickets are $18 - $28. Group rates are available. No children under 3 are admitted in the theater (including sleeping babies). All audience members are required to wear masks inside the theater.  (Performances are also available for school groups and homeschools. Call 713.524.9196 ext 1 or visit the website.)

Main Street Theater also offers Accommodations Performances:

Sensory-Friendly / Relaxed Performance: Jan. 30 at 2:30pm

ASL & Audio Described Performance: Feb. 13 at 2:30pm (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve audio description option 7 days prior to the performance)

About The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963

It’s 1963 and the Watsons, an African-American family, journey from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama to take their troublesome son, Byron, to live with his grandmother, a trip that lands them in one of the darkest moments in America’s racial history. Recommended for Fifth Grade and older. 

About the Production

Rachel H. Dickson directs. The cast includes Algy Alfred, Michael Hunter, Jessica T. Johnson, Kierra McKay, Joyce Anastasia Murray, Devin-Judy Norwood, Camryn Nunley, Steven J. Scott, and Christian Simon. The design team is Lee O Barker (set design), Janess Harris (lighting design), Krystal Uchem (costume design), Ricjuane Jenkins (sound design), and Tabitha Bounds (properties design). Curmira Bill is the stage manager. 

Kahani Social Group, a luxury hospitality group dedicated to creating all-encompassing, unique social experiences, announces its first concept, Amrina, set to open in Q1 of 2022 at 3 Waterway Squre in The Woodlands®, as well as the addition of Chef Jaspratap “Jassi” Bindra as the Executive Chef and Managing Partner of Kahani Social Group. 

“From the moment I began talks with the Kahani Social Group team, I knew we’d create something incredible together,” said Bindra. “I’m thrilled to join a team that is not only open to creating a revolutionary dining adventure, but is as passionate as I am about that mission.”

The word “kahani” translates to “story,” which is the driving force behind the brand. The name of the group’s first concept, Amrina, translates to “princess.” The atmosphere, eclectic menu and visual cocktails will tell the story of a modern-day princess – one with mystery and a bit of an edge. The restaurant will reflect the library of Chef Jassi’s fine dining chronicles and act as the gastronomic signature of Kahani Social Group. In addition, guests will enjoy the restaurant’s luxe nightlife scene, as the concept will offer a high-energy experience complete with DJs and live entertainment on weekends. Located at 3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 100, the group carefully chose the Waterway Square location, which is owned and operated by The Howard Hughes Corporation®, for their first location. The team is thrilled to bring Amrina’s distinctive dining and social experience to the popular and vibrant walkable area within The Woodlands Town Center.

The design of the space is unlike anything in the region, featuring jewel tones, gold embellished details and a complex mix of dimension and texture, creating a warm yet sultry design. Guests may enjoy the eclectic, chef-driven menu in the restaurant’s fabulous cocktail lounge, main dining room, 30-foot indoor-outdoor bar which serves both the patio and main dining room, princess garden seating with booths facing the restaurant’s impressive fine wine selection, private dining room, semi-private dining or in-kitchen chef’s table, where Chef Jassi Bindra will serve guests and guide them through the menu himself. Amrina will offer Indian-inspired dishes with a creative flourish, as a new plot in a familiar tale. This cuisine will act as part of the expansive menu that touches various continents across the globe. The menu explores aspects of taste that will pleasantly surprise both the adventurer and the traditionalist. The style of the signature Eclectic Cuisine in the preparation and presentation of each dish will provide a thrilling twist on a classic culinary love story.

Bindra, whose resume speaks volumes, recently relocated to Houston from Washington D.C. for the role. During his residence in the nation’s capital city, Bindra held the position of Executive Chef at Punjab Grill, a position for which he beat out two other chefs from Michelin star restaurants in London and New York. Bindra’s unique menu and creative execution landed the restaurant a Michelin plate and mention in the Michelin guide in 2019. The same year, he was named in “The World’s Best Indian Chefs” article in the Hindustan Times by Vir Sanghvi, India’s renowned food critic. Sanghvi stated that the restaurant “was the best fine-dining Indian restaurant on the East Coast of America.” With Amrina, his goal is to create a voyage of taste, texture and temperature, using locally-sourced ingredients with innovative techniques and zero waste practices.

Amrina’s modern, yet visually impactful design complements its equally stunning menu, which features dishes guaranteed to taste as good as they look. Brothers, Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh, co-founders of Kahani Social Group, traveled the world gathering knowledge and experiences that would prepare them for the day they launched their own luxury hospitality group. Prioritizing luxury at every step, the brothers, in partnership with Chef Jassi, have carefully selected every detail of the space from metallic dishware to tailor-made uniforms imported from India to set the scene for an unforgettable dining event.

“With my brother’s and my background in the restaurant industry, we know what guests are looking for,” said Surpreet Singh, co-founder of Kahani Social Group. “And, with Chef’s culinary expertise, we know our team will leave no stone unturned when it comes to creating the best atmosphere, menu and overall social experience.”

Herman Miller, the global leader in innovative design and furnishing solutions and a part of the MillerKnoll collective (NASDAQ: MLHR), announces today the opening of a new retail location in Houston, the brand’s third Texas store. Situated in Market Street – The Woodlands shopping district, the new location supports Herman Miller’s commitment to supporting
Texas’ small business owners and those working from home in providing the brand’s full range of performance seating options and office essentials.

The Stand “American Classics Redefined” restaurant is opening its first Texas location in Hughes Landing in The Woodlands.® The popular California restaurant that has redefined fast-casual dining will be located on the ground level of Two Lakes Edge, the award-winning luxury, multifamily development by The Howard Hughes Corporation® (NYSE: HHC).

Established in 2003, The Stand has 11 California locations in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County metropolitan areas and continues to grow, with its new location in The Woodlands representing their first dining establishment in Texas and plans to add more sites throughout the coming year. The location in The Woodlands is anticipated to open in the summer of 2022.

The Stand will serve high-quality classic American food at an affordable price in an upscale and contemporary environment. The chef-driven menu will consist of customizable burgers and the Stand’s own creative twist on sandwiches, fries, fresh seasonal salads, hot dogs, wraps, veggies, plant-based proteins, custard and handmade milkshakes, craft beer and wine on tap. Catering options will also be available.

“We are excited to announce The Stand restaurant to the lineup of restaurants at Hughes Landing. Its diverse and creative menu offerings will complement the numerous dining options available to residents, workers and visitors for lunch or an evening meal in a casual setting,” said Jim Carman, President - Houston Region for The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We welcome the Stand as one of the many businesses that have chosen to relocate to Texas—and specifically to The Woodlands, recognizing the exceptional quality of life that has made the community one of the best places to live and work in the country.”

Hughes Landing continues to evolve the retail, restaurant and entertainment experiences that make the 79-acre mixed-use environment set amongst the 200-acre Lake Woodlands such a popular destination. The walkable setting of Hughes Landing highlights health and wellness, with rentals of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and water bike rentals offered at the Lakes Edge Boat House. Class A office buildings, multifamily living at One Lakes Edge and Two Lakes Edge, and an Embassy Suites by Hilton add to the vibrancy of Hughes Landing, which is further activated by public art throughout the community.

Murray Wishengrad, CEO/Founder of The Stand Restaurants, added, “We chose to establish our first Texas-based location in The Woodlands for its active lifestyle and unique sense of community which is at the heart of our brand. We also recognized that the appealing area of Hughes Landing is underserved for high-quality fast-casual options. Moreover, Hughes Landing is an ideal site to serve both the office and lunch community as well as serve the residents of The Woodlands. We live by our ‘Committed to Community’ motto, and we look forward to connecting with the local community and neighborhoods in The Woodlands.”