Mid Main First Thursday Raises Money for the Houston Center for Photography

Created by: Zondra Victor. The Houston Center for Photography's beer garden on Main Street where complimentary drinks were given in return for five-dollar donations.

Those familiar with Houston nightlife, know that places such as Midtown and Washington Ave. has the most popular places to dance, drink and mingle. Some of these places include Hughes Hangar, Social Junkie, The Dogwood, and Red Door. Houston is supplying a new scene for those who prefer a more casual scene. Mid Main First Thursday provides people with a chance to visit restaurants and shops in the downtown area as well as a chance to explore local musicians and support non-profit organizations.

Mid Main First Thursday was held on Thursday, March 3rd on blocks 3500 to 3700 of Main Street in Downtown, Houston. The festival began at 5pm and ended at 10pm. The local businesses that sponsored this event include: BikeHouston, Deep Eddy Vodka, Kat’s Meow & Big Kats, Main Street Projects, My Flaming Heart, Natachee’s Supper ‘n Punch, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Shoeshine Charley’s Big Top, Tango Cielo, Sig’s Lagoon, Double Trouble, Sparrow Bar and Cookshop, Tacos A Go-Go, The Alley Kat, The Continental Club, The Ensemble Theatre, The Place Upstairs, Topo Chico, and Good Pop, and the Pachinko Hut. Five percent of select sales were donated to the Houston Center for Photography (HCP).

“It’s a wonderful time,” said Jordan Craft, a local resident and first-time attendee of the event. “Everyone is gathered from different cultural groups.”

Photo Credit: Mid-Main Houston. (Updated March 19, 2019).

Visitors had the chance to view free, live performances inside restaurants, shops, and the beer garden where five-dollar donations were accepted for HCP.

While adopting the atmosphere of Austin’s live music scene, Houston has stayed true to its culturally diverse lifestyle. Since Mid Main First Thursday’s beginning in 2013, businesses in the Houston area have and will continue to present a fun, artful, and communal environment for the city.

Endymion Celebrates 50th Anniversary at Mardi Gras

Endymion Celebrates 50th Anniversary at Mardi Gras

February 8, 2016 Zondra Events 0

Each year an Endymion Queen is declared at the Endymion Coronation Ball. This year, the queen was Jamie Elizabeth Hanzo, granddaughter of founder and captain of the parade, Edmond Muniz.

The Endymion parade is one of the main events of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Every year, the extravagant parade attracts thousands of people to the city. Although the million beans which are thrown at the crowd can be a luring factor, many seize the chance to view the amazing floats and costumes created for the parade.

The Endymion parade began at 4:15pm on Feb. 6th. The parade route started at City Park and ended at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Canal Street is the longest street on the route and attracts the biggest crowd for the parade.

While each parade has an important history, no parade has a history like Endymion’s. Endymion, the Greek God of eternal youth and fertility, was declared the name of the biggest Mardi Gras parade in the world in 1967 by public figure, Ed Muniz. Starting at the border of Lakeview and Mid-City, it is unique in its motto: fun over formality. Muniz’s vision for a grand and fun parade has carried on the tradition for 50 years and won’t be ending any time soon.

Celebrations will continue throughout the city until Mardi Gras, which is translated as “Fat Tuesday.” The special day’s origins can be traced back to the French House of Bourbons. The House of Bourbon was one of the most powerful family in European history. Their legacy followed them to their French Colonies. In 1699, explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville settled an area south of New Orleans. In 1703, the settlers celebrated the first Mardi Gras.

There are many stories of how Mardi Gras began, but no one can deny the culture that the age old tradition brings to the world. For more information on Mardi Gras, visit www.mardigrasneworleans.com.

The Endymion parade, the largest Carnival parade in the world, celebrates its 50th year at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The parade is comprised of over 2,000 float members. Every float shows elaborate costumes of the Endymion King’s court members.

Each year an Endymion Queen is declared at the Endymion Coronation Ball. This year, the queen was Jamie Elizabeth Hanzo, granddaughter of founder and captain of the parade, Edmond Muniz.

The parade features a number of college and high school band performances. Texas Southern University’s drum majors lead their band through the parade.

The elaborate costumes of the Queen’s Maids were designed to represent the different themes of the past Endymion parades. This year’s theme was “Endymion Through the Years.”