Mujeres de mariachi: Las Chabelitas debuts as one of Houston’s few all-female mariachi This month, Houston welcomed Las Chabelitas, the city’s second all-female mariachi under the direction of UH Mariachi Pumas Director José Longoria.

The other is about Las Chabelitas, a new all-women mariachi that debuted in Houston shortly before the holidays led by Director José Longoria. The 14 members range between the ages of 15 and 41, and are at all levels of mariachi experience. Read about them here:

houstonlanding.org/mujeres-de-m...

Mariachi and lowriders: This Houston couple found inspiration in each other's art Vanessa and Horacio Alonzo created adjacent careers bonded by their love for each other and their craft. Together, they’ve perfected dress designs.

Over the holiday break I had the pleasure of publishing two stories featuring mujeres talentosas. One is about mariachi singer Vanessa Alonzo and her husband Horacio Alonzo, who went from learning all things lowrider, to designing & making her stage looks:

houstonlanding.org/mariachi-low...

The festive atmosphere many expected to see along the Navigation corridor during the traditional Guadalupana celebration was gone this year as city officials cracked down on food vendors. Most of them said they invest thousands in the two-day event each year.

HISD mulling new names for several schools honoring supporters of slavery, segregation The eight facilities are named after historical figures who supported slavery, segregation, genocide and other historical injustices.

Several Houston schools were named after supporters of slavery and segregation. Here’s what’s being done about it:

Overcrowding concerns push several vendors out from popular East End Virgen de Guadalupe celebration The East End’s Virgen de Guadalupe event has gotten so popular, crowds have begun to clog the esplanade. District officials hope a vendor ban will help.

My latest for the @houstonlanding.bsky.social on changes to the upcoming Fiesta Guadalupana on the East End. Read the full story here:

houstonlanding.org/overcrowding...

‘Cultura Confetti’: These twin sisters infuse cultura into every-day celebrations Through Cultura Confetti, Houston twin sisters create products to celebrate Latinos of all ages with party decor that reflects their culture.

I love stories like this - about people who follow their joy. @danyaperez.bsky.social wrote about two sisters who grew up as Jehovah’s Witnesses but launched a party and celebration product company for the Latino community.

‘Lifelong voters’: Organizers seek to engage young people of color in Harris County As the makeup of Harris County’s voter-eligible population turns younger and more diverse, organizers seek ways to get them involved.

This week my @houstonlanding.bsky.social colleagues and I wrote about the young vote and why organizers want to engage future voters as early as possible. Read the full story and play with a very cool map here:

houstonlanding.org/lifelong-vot...

‘I don’t want her to be forgotten’: The election is over. Alexis Nungaray’s grief remains. The death of Alexis Nungaray’s 12-year-old daughter set her mother on a political crusade in her memory, often at the expense of her ability to grieve.

What an honor it is to have this thoughtful, compassionate story told by @annacat.bsky.social, @paulcobler.bsky.social & Lexi Parra be the first I share here. Please take the time to read it. You won’t regret it - houstonlanding.org/i-dont-want-...