Beyoncé is coming home, and the Houston Beehive is pulling out all the stops.
The record-breaking Cowboy Carter Tour is coming to NRG Stadium on June 28- 29.
From the Houston natives, transplants, nightclubs, local artists, entrepreneurs and organizers are transforming her return into something bigger than a concert. It’s a full-blown celebration of identity, legacy and H-Town pride.
In Third Ward, Beyoncé’s old stomping grounds, Felicia Drake, owner of Houston Grooves, made sure that a tribute to the Queen was front and center by commissioning a mural of Beyoncé on her event venue.
“I wanted the mural to have meaning. Houston is a high tourist attraction. People come from all over the world, so I wanted the wall to welcome people,” Drake said. “The Third Ward isn’t only where Beyoncé grew up, but it’s where my grandfather became one of the people who founded the Riverside Hospitals Drug and Substance Abuse program. Then of course, we have my landlord of my establishment, NBA Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler, whom we honor with this mural. It’s a full circle moment.”
Drake’s says Houston Grooves is going full Beehive for the tour weekend. Cowboy Carter-themed food and drinks, line dancing, a mechanical bull and a “Rodeo Royalty” costume contest are all on the menu.
“We’ve renamed everything on our menu,” she told the Defender. “We’re leaning in all the way.”
The muralist Devona Stimpson spent 58 hours over 10 grueling days painting the massive image of Beyoncé, which is quickly becoming a popular photo-op destination.
“It was tough. We were out at 6:30 a.m. to beat the heat, sometimes back again at night. It rained,” she said. “But it was worth it.”
People pose daily in front of the mural, some filming music videos, others just soaking it in.
“I’ve had murals go viral before, but nothing like this,” said Stimpson. “The Beehive doesn’t play. I knew I had to get this one right.”
Her creative process was intense. She sourced the perfect Beyoncé reference photo, laid out a digital mockup, projected parts of it and used a “doodle grid” system to map the portrait while carefully coloring in the designs with delicate hand strokes. Stimpson says there aren’t many murals of Beyonce of this magnitude and she is honored to contribute to a process as iconic as the artist herself.
“It’s like a code,” she explained. “I use letters and numbers to figure out exactly where each detail lands. Beyoncé’s eye might start at square A and end at 3.”
While Stimpson hasn’t met Beyoncé yet, her work has caught the attention of Beyoncé’s publicist, who previously DM’d her about another mural.
“If I meet her, all I want is to know she likes it,” she said. “That would mean everything.”
That energy doesn’t stop there. The Normal Anomaly, an advocacy organization serving Black queer individuals, is tying celebration to social impact.
The organization is hosting Bucking: The Cowboy Carter Experience. This free event features drag performances, a mechanical bull, a house DJ and a raffle for floor seats to Beyoncé’s concert, all in exchange for taking an HIV test to acknowledge National HIV Testing Day.
“It’s about joy, culture and care,” said The Normal Anomaly Initiative’s Program Director Espeut. “Beyoncé’s return is a moment. But we wanted to make sure we’re uplifting every layer of our community, Pride, Juneteenth, HIV awareness and still centering Black wellness while we celebrate.”
Espeut sees Beyoncé’s homecoming and new album as more than music.
“Cowboy Carter is a love letter,” she said. “To Black Texans, to our ancestors, to the culture that built this country but rarely gets the credit.”
Here are some events to attend during the pre-Cowboy Carter weekend
Buckin: A Cowboy Carter Experience
The Normal Anomaly, a nonprofit supporting the Black LGBTQ+ community, is planning to raffle floor seats for the Houston Cowboy Carter Tour stop. The stop will feature DJ Sedrick, Beyoncé tribute performer Miss Shalae, carnival food and a mechanical bull.
Thursday, June 26, 8 PM at Sharespace, 1120 Naylor; free admission at eventbrite.com.
Cécred Roadshow
Beyoncé’s haircare line is coming to Ulta Beauty in Katy. It features a “chrome-wrapped pop-up experience” with a Cécred fan cam, wind machine, and inflatable, and attendees receive a free Cécred x Cowboy Carter keychain.
Friday, June 27, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Ulta Beauty, 455 South Fry Rd., Katy. Visit cecred.com for more information.
Sweet Honey Hoedown (Beyoncé-Themed Dance Party)
A celebration of Beyoncé’s arrival in Houston will be hosted by Houston queens Reign Larue, Adriana Larue, and Chloe Crawford Ross. Innerloop DJs and prizes for the finest “Cowboy Couture” outfit will be there.
Friday, June 27, 9 p.m. at Art Club at Post Houston, 401 Franklin; $20 and up at eventrill.com.
Sip Like a Star: Beyoncé Weekend at The Bar at The Laura
The Laura hotel will offer two SirDavis cocktails, Texas Buckin’ and The Houston, at its bar for $18 each. These cocktails feature lemon juice, honey syrup, ginger beer, sweet vermouth, honey syrup and Angostura bitters. Don’t miss out on the experience.
Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 at The Laura Hotel, 1070 Dallas; more at eventbrite.com.
Divas, Diamonds & Denim: A Drag Brunch Experience
Flawless Oz is hosting a Western-themed drag brunch. Attendees are invited to dress up in bold denim and diamonds for a buffet, specialty cocktails, contests and photo ops.
Sunday, June 29, 10 a.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton, 6 E. Greenway Plaza; $45 and up at eventbrite.com.
Act II: Cowboy Carter Beyoncé Brunch
Attend a concert before or after for drink and food specials, featuring Bey music, Dusse french toast and soul food pot pie.
Sunday, June 29, at Rain on Washington, 5701 Washington; reservations at eventbrite.com.
Official Cowboy Carter After Party
The downtown club hosts a party with tour dancer Antwon Keith Collier, offering a $100 prize for the best outfit after Cowboy Carter rides into the sunset.
Sunday, June 29, 10 p.m. at Jolie HTX, 506 Main; $20 at eventbrite.com.
