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Taylor Swift releases 'Tortured Poets' and #TeamSapphira for the 'Drag Race' win
Happy "Tortured Poets Department" release week!
Taylor Swift's 11th album drops late tonight, and we still don't know much about it. I asked some Houston artists and Swifties what they thought it would sound like. My favorite answer was "rap/hip-hop." It reminded me of her "Thug Story" duet with T-Pain. Several events are scheduled around Houston, too.
I didn't always get Taylor. I didn't love the first album, and 2008's "Fearless" didn't immediately connect with me. But eventually, every song from that second album — "White Horse," "Breathe," "You're Not Sorry" — was ingrained in my brain. And she's just gotten better with every release. And her live shows have always been grandly entertaining. I saw her open for Brad Paisley at the Woodlands Pavilion and remember the gaggle of excited girls near the front of the stage. I remember the gold sequin dress she wore during her first and only RodeoHouston performance and how her song "Change" filled the entire stadium. And of course The Eras Tour. Peak Taylor.
I'll be listening to "Tortured Poets" as soon as it's out and writing out some thoughts (if it's not too late). Will you stay up to hear it? I'd love to know what you think.
GOOD LUCK AND: The "RuPaul's Drag Race" finale airs Friday night, and we are 100% #TeamSapphira over here. Houston native Sapphira Cristál has been a frontrunner from the first episode, and her crowning seems inevitable. As O'Neill Haynes, he was a voice major at what is now known as the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and slayed the "Drag Race" stage with an opera aria. Icon behavior.
 | Joey Guerra, music reporter |
My music picks
Photo by: Liu Heung Shing, AP
His Purple highness
Prince, who died eight years ago Sunday, will be celebrated with a market and tribute concert. There will be local vendors, food, Prince-themed drinks and a concert by Antonio Eyez, a local artist who is heavily influenced by the Purple One. Noon April 21 at Eldorado Ballroom, 2310 Elgin; $70 includes concert, seat and meal. I saw Prince perform in Houston on New Year's Eve as the clock went from 1999 to 2000. Incredible.
- Record Store Day: Record Store Day is here again, and several Houston stores will be participating, including Cactus, Vinal Edge and Sig's Lagoon. It's a great way to support local business and grab some rare stuff. The list of finds this time includes The Beatles, Kate Bush and Paramore.
- Beyoncé watch: Beyoncé loves giving people their flowers. This time, the recipient was South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley, who led her team to a third national championship. In the accompanying card, Bey said she and her family cheered the team on "through the entire season." Staley shared a video on social media thanking the Houston native for the flowers and merch. We love a generous queen.
Fun family favs
Photo by: Grand Kids Festival
A Grand old time
The Grand Kids Festival is the perfect excuse for a family getaway to Galveston. The daylong event highlights hands-on projects for kids, including making musical instruments; creating visual art in a variety of media; learning and acting out folk dances or puppetry. There will also be inflatables and a petting zoo. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 20 at 502 20th, Galveston; free.
- Free movies: Understory Food Hall hosts a pair of Saturday screenings on April 20. The comedy "Family Switch" starring Jennifer Garner is at 1 p.m. It will be followed by "DC's Legends of Tomorrow" is at 4 p.m. Understory is at 800 Capitol in downtown Houston.
Houston on the cheap
Photo by: Sabrina Sens
All things Brazil
The Brazilian Food and Music Festival says it all in the name. There will be Brazilian food, including caipirinha, feijoada, churrasco and brigadeiro. And there will be samba music, along with a kids area, vendors, fashion and more. Noon-5 p.m. April 21 at Wildcatter Saloon, 26913 Katy Fwy.; $10 online.
- Celebrate Earth Day: Discovery Green's Earth Day event will feature performances by Calmecac Indigenous Arts Dancers and Lee's Golden Dragons, live music by Jukebox Trainwreck and short films. Houston artists Donkeeboy and Donkeemom will be painting live. And since this is Houston, there will also be art cars. Noon-5 p.m. April 20 at 1500 McKinney; free.
Where to eat
Photo by: Shawn Chippendale
4/2 on the rocks
Ninfa's introduces the Tranquilita Margarita, a cannabis-infused drink without alcohol, for 4/20 day. It combines 8th Wonder's Ocho Verde Cannabis Spirit and Cut Above's Zero Proof Agave Blanco. Each drink has 4 mg of THC and will cost $15. Probably more, since you'll be hungry.
- New Houston eats: Eleven new restaurants and bars have opened recently in the Houston area, including Curry Pizza Company, Mandito's Tex-Mex and Prime 131, a steakhouse that focuses on live fire-cooking. Have you been to any new places? Let me know what you're loving, and I might include it here next week.
Everything else you need to know
- Freebies: "WALL·E" is considered by many to be one of the best animated films of all time. It follows a lonely robot who falls in love and saves the world. It screens at 8 p.m. Aptil 18 at Trebly Park, 1515 Fannin in downtown Houston.
- Entertainer to know: Last week, I promised an exclusive video premiere from Amanda Solis, a Selena tribute artist who also releases original music. Check out the vibrant clip for her single "Toa la Noche." It's an homage in many ways to Selena.
- Explore Houston: Check out our interactive Preview calendar, which has Houston's best concerts, comedy shows, arts events and more.
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