Must-Haves for Fun in the Sun

Quatro de Mayo

Posted in: In The Know
Tags: fiesta universal 2012

Now in it's ninth year, Fiesta Universal will set up at The Woodlands Waterway Square with authentic food, music, dancing and more.

Plus, bring the kids along to learn about Latin, Hispanic and Mexican cultures with activities and games.

Hosted by the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber, Fiesta Universal takes place Friday, May 4 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Calling All Art Lovers

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Tags: art festival, family activity, market street

Artists and art lovers will join together this Saturday in Market Street for the 12th Annual Spring Fine Arts Festival featuring amateur and professional artists showcasing paintings, photography, metal-works, sculptures, digital art, mixed media and more!

Besides browsing for one-of-a-kind buys, visitors to the Spring Fine Arts Festival will enjoy live music, artist demonstrations and fun art activities for aspiring artists of all ages. 

The festival is free and open to the public and will take place from 10 am – 7 pm. Guests staying at the resort may call the front desk for a complimentary ride to and from the festival.
 

Summer at the Pavilion

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Tags: cynthia woods mitchell pavilion, houston symphony, houston ballet, free events, the woodlands

Tonight Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion kicks off its annual summer series of free concerts under the stars with The Music of Queen: A Rock Symphony by the Houston Symphony beginning at 8 pm.

Summer home of the world-renowned Houston Symphony and Houston Ballet, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion offers free Mezzanine and lawn seating for all of their fine arts events.

Arrive early for free pre-concert activities including arts and crafts, an instrument petting zoo, side-stage performances and giveaways.

Guests are encouraged to pack a picnic to enjoy while they sit back, relax and enjoy a fantastic concert under the stars.

Upcoming Performing Arts Events (free seating and pre-concert activities):

4/20: The Music of Queen: A Rock Symphony with the Houston Symphony

4/25: The Art of Baseball with the Houston Symphony

5/4: Giselle by the Houston Ballet

5/24: Hot Night in Havana with the Houston Symphony

6/22: Texas Music Festival Orchestra

7/3: Start-Spangled Salute with the Houston Symphony

7/26: Bugs Bunny at the Symphony with the Houston Symphony

For a complete schedule of upcoming events and concerts, click here.

Movies Under the Stars

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Tags: movie night, family activities, the woodlands

Looking for a free activity the entire family will enjoy? Grab a blanket and a tub of popcorn and head over to Waterway Square in The Woodlands for “Movie Night,” returning this Saturday, April 21.

This week's feature film, "Shrek" will run from 8 - 10 pm, followed by  “Dolphin Tale” (April 28), “Happy Feet 2” (May 5), and “Monsters vs. Aliens” (May 12).

Before the movie, grab dinner with your family at one of over 15 restaurants surrounding Waterway Square including Yucatan Taco Stand, Coal Burger and Stir Crazy, or pack a picnic and enjoy dinner under the stars.

Free parking is available along Lake Robbins Drive, Waterway Avenue, Waterway Square Place, and Timberloch Place. Guests staying at the resort may call the front desk for a complimentary ride!

Weekend Round Up

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Tags: the woodlands, weekend round up, crawfish, art festival, concert

Need something fun to do this weekend? Here are some great ideas!

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival
The Waterway Arts Festival runs Saturday and Sunday and features 200 artists from 36 different states and three countries who will line the Waterway with paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry and more. Visitors will view original artwork, enjoy musical performances and an “Art of Food” Chef demonstration. Younger kids will learn new art skills through hands-on activities at the Artopoly interactive zone.

Hours for The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. Two-day passes are available for $15 and admission for children under twelve is free. The festival entrance is located at Town Green Park, 2099 Lake Robbins Drive.

 Landry's 16th Annual Crawfish Boil 
Join Landry’s this Sunday from 12 - 6 pm for all-you-can-eat crawfish, cocktails and more at Landry’s 16th annual crawfish boil.

Activities include live music, face painting, kids’ entertainment, and more.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for children under 12.

Concert In The Park

Relax with a picnic in Northshore Park (2505 Lake Woodlands Drive) while enjoying sounds by Emory Quinn this Sunday from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Hosted by The Woodlands Township’s Parks and Recreation Department, this spring concert series is free and open to the public. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome!

For more information, call 281-210-3800.

Know of other great events taking place this weekend in The Woodlands? Let us know in the comment section below!

Ooey-Gooey-Goodness!

Posted in: In The Know
Tags: national grilled cheese month, recipes

Grilled cheese sandwiches are simple creations that almost anyone can make, and April is the best time to enjoy all of the cheesy goodness. After all, it is National Grilled Cheese Month!

If you’re up for trying something new, whip up one of these gourmet treats.

Pesto Grilled Cheese

Ingredients
2 slices Italian bread
1 tablespoon softened butter, divided
1 tablespoon prepared pesto sauce, divided
1 slice provolone cheese
2 slices tomato
1 slice American cheese

Directions
1. Spread one side of a slice of bread with butter, and place it, buttered side down, into a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
2. Spread the top of the bread slice in the skillet with half the pesto sauce, and place a slice of provolone cheese, the tomato slices, and the slice of American cheese onto the pesto.
3. Spread remaining pesto sauce on one side of the second slice of bread, and place the bread slice, pesto side down, onto the sandwich. Butter the topside of the sandwich.
4. Gently fry the sandwich, flipping once, until both sides of the bread are golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes per side.

California Grilled Cheese

Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 slices white sandwich bread
2 slices Cheddar
1/8 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 small avocado, thinly sliced

Directions
1. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Form a sandwich with the bread, cheese, onion, and avocado.
2. Cook the sandwich, covered, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Whether you like the classic recipe with a side of tomato soup or you like to jazz it up by adding your own secret ingredient, you can never go wrong with grilled cheese!

So we want to know ... how do you like your grilled cheese?