Javana Vela

What do you do when a buyer wants land for dozens of llamas… or a home that might be haunted? Houston real estate agent Noel Collier is the go-to for the most wildly unique requests and she’s bringing those extreme house hunts to HGTV in the new series Extreme Buyers Club. The show premieres Tuesday, July 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and follows Noel as she steps into each buyer’s surprising (and sometimes shocking) world, then searches for out-of-the-box listings that match their one-of-a-kind wish list.

Houston photographer Violeta Álvarez joined Houston Life to share “Casa de Cultura,” a free Fresh Arts Gallery exhibition at Sawyer Yards running July 9–August 22. The show begins with “Luz y Sombra", her iconic music photography then becomes “Con Sangre y Corazón,” a live, interactive archive where visitors can contribute portraits, Polaroids, and handwrite family stories on the gallery walls.

Then, the music, the movement, and the traditions behind Disney's Moana are coming to life in Studio B. Members of the Houston Hula Academy performed a special Tahitian dance in celebration of the film's live-action release.

The Hot Wheels Legends Tour Presented by Mobil 1 is making a stop in Cypress, bringing one of the world's largest custom car competitions to the Houston area. More than 100 custom cars and trucks will compete for the chance to become the next official Hot Wheels die-cast car, judged on authenticity, creativity, and garage spirit.

Meet Hudson Guidry, a Houston-area 6-year-old who competed at PGA National in West Palm Beach, Florida after qualifying at just 5 for the Under Armour Jr. Tour Summer Nationals, the only kid his age in the field. Hudson and his parents share what it’s like watching a child find his passion so young, the day-to-day support from family and coaches, and how he stays positive and motivated on the course.

Houston’s Ensemble Theatre is celebrating 50 years of artistry, culture, and community with a golden anniversary season packed with powerful productions and special events. We were joined by Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris and Associate Artistic Director Rachel Hemphill Dickson to preview what’s ahead including regional premieres, returning favorites, and celebrations honoring Black artistry, history, and legacy.

Houston Ballet is proving that dance is about much more than performance. Through Dance 2 Thrive, the company is bringing movement, music and creative expression into the community to help adults and seniors improve their physical, emotional and cognitive well-being.

What was supposed to be a three-week sailing trip turned into months stranded in the Pacific when the world shut down in March 2020. LA-based Houston native Angela Harger Thompson joins Houston Life to share the incredible true story behind her documentary, Quarantine at Sea. She also discusses how the experience inspired her memoir, and why she's now helping others heal through the power of storytelling through The Storytell Initiative.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Houston-based entrepreneurs Ben and Corley Spell want to give a not to the farmers and ranchers who feed the nation. As co-founders of Good Ranchers, LLC. they shared on Houston Life how they're supporting American agriculture, delivering American-raised meat directly to families nationwide, and why they're proud to build his business in Texas. Plus, learn how easy it is to shop for quality beef, chicken, pork, seafood, and more, all delivered right to your door. Visit Goodranchers.com/houstonlife and use promo code HOUSTONLIFE to receive free meat for life and $50 off your first order.

Houston area students are making meaningful academic progress, according to the latest STAAR results. Reading scores reached new regional highs, math continues to improve, and some local districts are outpacing the state in key areas. We sat down with Thomas Pich, Director of District Partnerships at Good Reason Houston, and Dr. Kregg Cuellar, Superintendent of Spring ISD, to discuss what's driving these gains, why the work isn't finished, and how schools can build on this momentum to help even more students succeed.

Many entrepreneurs are experts in their craft, but when it comes to understanding their finances, costly mistakes can stand in the way of growth. Manuel Aragon, CEO of Aragon Tax Return Services, shares his inspiring journey from overcoming adversity to building a successful business. He explains why bookkeeping is about much more than taxes, how understanding cash flow can lead to smarter decisions, and the common financial mistakes that keep small businesses from reaching their full potential.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is making the largest investment in its more than 90-year history. Leaders have announced plans for a new agricultural complex along Highway 288 that will add more than one million square feet of space dedicated to livestock competitions, educational programming, youth development and year-round events. CEO and President Chris Boleman and Chairman of the Board Wesley Sinor joined Houston Life to discuss the vision behind the transformational project, how it will improve the experience for exhibitors and families, and why Rodeo leaders believe this investment will help shape the future of Texas agriculture for generations to come. The multimillion-dollar complex is expected to open in time for the 2029 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and represents a major step toward the organization's centennial celebration in 2032.