News

Coca-Colas Classic Christmas Returns to the Houston Area with an All-New Alpine Adventure

Kathy Beazley — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:43:19 Z

The countdown to holiday magic begins!! Coca-Colas Classic Christmas, the wildly popular immersive holiday light and adventure experience, is returning to the Houston area this Novemberthis time with a brand-new Alpine Adventure theme AND a new location. Presented by Coca-Cola and produced by Social House Entertainment, Classic Christmas will transport guests to Santa and Mrs. Clauss cozy mountain hideaway, where holiday traditions meet dazzling new surprises. (Even Santa needs a ski vacation!)

Classic Christmas lights up Katy Mills, Houstons only indoor outlet shopping destination located at 5000 Katy Mills Cir in Katy,from November 21 through December 28, 2025. With over 90,000 square feet of immersive magic, the event promises millions of twinkling lights, falling snow, thrilling snow slides, outdoor ice skating, themed treats, and unforgettable visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Tickets go on sale to the public September 9. Early access is now open for holiday party reservations and group ticket packages of 26+. Learn more at ClassicChristmas.com.

The response from families last year was nothing short of magical, said Jayson Babel, Senior Vice President of Social House Holidays, the holiday division of Social House Entertainment. This year, weve dialed up the whimsy, the interactivity, and the nostalgia. From expanded snow slides to the return of our movie screenings, Coca-Colas Classic Christmas is where new memories are made.

The experience delivers holiday joy for all ages with a nostalgic twist and plenty of new surprises, including:

Larger-Than-Life Light Display: Explore 90,000 square feet of dazzling sculptures and immersive scenes designed to dazzle and delight.

Alpine Ice Skating: Skate under twinkling lights on real outdoor ice with your loved onesits the picture-perfect moment!

BIGGER & MORE FUN Slip N Slide Summit: A Classic Christmas favorite but now bigger and more fun! Grab an inner tube and race down the exhilarating snow slidecrafted with real ice and built for both thrill-seekers and little adventurers. Daredevils can take on the Black Diamond lanes, while the Beginner Lanes offer a gentler ride for young kiddos and the young-at-heart. Just watch out for avalanches!

Santa and Mrs. Claus Visits: Catch Santa on vacation in his ski gondolanot the workshop! Its a one-of-a-kind holiday photo opportunity you wont want to miss. Then, cozy up for heartwarming story time with Mrs. Claus.

Cinemark Christmas Classics: Settle in for beloved holiday movie screenings from Cinemarkperfect for cozy family moments.

Après Ski Dance Party: Cap off the night on the light-up dance floor! With mountain-lodge vibes and holiday beats, the Après Ski party invites you to dance the night away under the stars.

Live Music & Holiday Programming: From Christmas karaoke and ugly sweater contests to festive bands and carolers, theres something for everyone.

Trailside Treats & Sips: Refreshing Coca-Cola products, hot cocoa, holiday cocktails, themed snacks and more will keep you fueled for your festive fun.

Instagrammable Moments Galore: Bring your sparklephoto ops are everywhere, with enhanced photo packages available for keepsake holiday memories.

Were proud to partner with Social House to help bring the REAL magic of Christmas to life, said Derek Alexander, Vice President of Commercial & Digital at Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. The overwhelming response from families last year proved theres a deep love for classic traditions with a fresh twist. Were honored to be part of this unforgettable celebration.

GET INVOLVED WITH COCA-COLAS CLASSIC CHRISTMAS

Coca-Colas Classic Christmas welcomes the local community to help spread the cheer. Whether youre a holiday performer, content creator, seasonal staffer, or brand sponsor, theres a place for you at Classic Christmas.

Food vendors - learn more >>
Holiday, art, or music performers - learn more >>
Content creators, influencers, and social storytellers - learn more >>
Brand sponsors and promotional partners - learn more >>
Media seeking interviews and early access coverage - learn more >>

Visit ClassicChristmas.com for more information.

GROUP TICKETS & PRIVATE EVENTS AT CLASSIC CHRISTMAS

Transport your holiday celebration to the magically delightful Classic Christmas with a custom group ticket package. From small group events (10-25 tickets) to corporate holiday parties of small, medium, or large scale, there is an option for you at Classic Christmas. For all group opportunities, discounts, and benefits visit classicchristmas.com/book-a-party.

CONNECT WITH CLASSIC CHRISTMAS

Sign up at ClassicChristmas.com for early ticket access, exclusive offers, festive tips, and all the latest holiday magic.

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ABOUT ARCA CONTINENTAL COCA-COLA SOUTHWEST BEVERAGES

Dallas-based Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB) is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States. The company employs more than 9,000 associates who operate 7 production plants and 37 distribution facilities. CCSWB produces, markets and distributes Coca-Cola brands throughout Texas and parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas. With an outstanding track record of nearly 100 years, Arca Continental is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world. Within its Coca-Cola franchise, the company serves a population of more than 128 million in the northern and western parts of Mexico as well as Ecuador, Peru, the northern region of Argentina, and the Southwestern U.S. Arca Continental is listed on the Mexican Stock Market under the ticker symbol AC. For further information about Arca Continental, please visit www.arcacontal.com.

ABOUT CLASSIC CHRISTMAS

Classic Christmas was created by Enchant, the visionary behind the award-winning Worlds Largest Christmas Light Maze, a holiday experience that has captivated millions across the U.S. and Canada. Since its founding in 2016, Enchant has become renowned for producing immersive holiday events that feature expansive light displays, ice skating experiences, live entertainment, and more. Classic Christmas, the latest creation, offers a nostalgic, community-focused celebration that brings the magic of the season to life all in partnership with Coca-Cola.

Beginning in 2025, Classic Christmas is produced by Social House Entertainment, a full-scale event production company known for transforming outdoor venues into unforgettable festival and live event experiences. With a passion for community, creativity, and high-impact live experiences, Social House is proud to carry the Enchant legacy forwardbringing magic, memory-making, and holiday joy to select U.S. cities this year, with plans to expand in the seasons ahead. Learn more at EnchantChristmas.com and ClassicChristmas.com.

TWUs Center for Women Entrepreneurs Marks 10 Years of Fueling Women-Owned Businesses

Kathy Beazley — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:27:35 Z

Since 2015, the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) at the Jane Nelson Institute for Womens Leadership at Texas Womans University has been helping transform visions into ventures, providing funding, business advisement, and training for more than 1,900 women-owned businesses across Texas to date.

To celebrate its milestone anniversary, CWE will host an anniversary event on July 8 and will feature a vendor showcase of 40 grant recipients.

Over the last decade, CWE has awarded more than $2.37 million in grant funding to 467 women entrepreneurs across Texas, supporting efforts to launch, grow, and scale businesses in urban centers and rural communities. Among the rich diversity of ventures supported by CWE are a number of intriguing enterprisessuch as a pet gift shop, doula service, custom prosthetics designer, and even a mortuary that collectively showcase the innovation and creativity of women-owned businesses across Texas.

In addition to funding, CWE has conducted more than 300 training sessions to equip women business owners with the skills, strategies, and resources needed to sustain a successful enterprise. The Center has also received a number of accolades and awards, including the Educate Award (2022) from the Denton Chamber of Commerce, as well as University of the Year (2025), Corporate Supporter of the Year (2024) and BIPOC Corporate Champion awards (2024) from the DEC Network.

Overview of CWE Programs

AccelerateHER
This immersive program fast-tracks early-stage, women-owned startups into scalable businesses. Six entrepreneurs are selected to participate in each cohort, gaining access to expert-led education and resources through CWE and its statewide partners.

To date, the rotating program has served women-owned businesses in Denton, Dallas, Houston, Abilene, Mission, Austin, and Corpus Christi.

Veteran Woman Grant
Designed to boost economic development, this grant supports innovative projects by veteran woman-owned small businesses across Texas.

Texas Rural Woman Grant
This grant empowers rural women entrepreneurs to pursue new ideas and expand business opportunities in underserved communities.

StartHER Grant
Aimed at startups, the StartHER Grant helps women-owned businesses launch innovative new initiatives and build early-stage momentum.

"According to the Office of the Governor, Texas is home to 1.3 million women owned businesses, said Shannon Mantaro, Executive Director and Chief Officer for the Jane Nelson Institute for Womens Leadership.Clearly, investing in women entrepreneurs is a smart move for our states economic development. Over the past decade, CWE has proven that with the right resources and relationships, women will build businesses that thrive. Were proud of the thousands of women weve partnered with, and we cant wait to meet the next generation of Texas changemakers. If youre ready to take your vision to the next level, CWE is ready to help.

Investing in Visionaries

From Dallas to Houston, from Abilene to Longview, the stories behind CWE grant recipients across Texas are as vibrant and varied as Texas itself. A few examples of recently awarded CWE grants include: Embody Health (Keller), a womens health clinic offering holistic, compassionate care; Clean Eatz (College Station), a franchise promoting wellness through balanced meals and fitness education; ATX Supper Club (Austin), a dining adventure community creating inclusive connections through beautiful meals; and Rose Soiree (Corpus Christi), a creative floral studio specializing in events and workshops.

Grants awarded prior to 2025 have supported a host of innovative businesses across the state, such as Centro de Consejeria Familiar (Arlington), providing culturally sensitive counseling to Latino families; Copano Oyster Company (Austin), promoting sustainable coastal practices; and Game Theory TX (Fort Worth), a scratch kitchen and board game bar focused on community. Other CWE-supported businesses include boutique storefronts, youth education enterprises, a baby supply vending machine company, and a natural personal care product brand for people with chronic skin conditions.

A Legacy of Leadership

CWE is a flagship program of the Jane Nelson Institute for Womens Leadership at Texas Womans University, the nations largest woman-focused university system. The Institutes three centersthe Center for Student Leadership, the Center for Women in Government, and the Center for Women Entrepreneursare united by a common mission: preparing women to lead.

Upcoming Funding Opportunity

Applications for the StartHER Grant open August 26 and close September 26. These grants support women-owned startups in launching new initiatives and driving early-stage growth. Other grant programsincluding those for veterans and rural entrepreneurswill open in phases throughout the year.

For full eligibility and deadlines, visit https://twu.edu/center-women-entrepreneurs/grant-dates/.

Ten Years of Turning Visions Into Ventures

To commemorate its 10-year anniversary, CWE will host a special celebration featuring refreshments, remarks, and a 40-vendor showcase of CWE-supported businesses:

- Tuesday, July 8 | 5 to 7 p.m.
- Southwest Ballroom, TWU Student Union at Hubbard Hall
- Remarks at 5:30 p.m. | Free Valet Parking
- Learn more: https://linktr.ee/twucwe

ABOUT THE JANE NELSON INSTITUTE FOR WOMENS LEADERSHIP

The Jane Nelson Institute for Womens Leadership at Texas Womans University is dedicated to preparing women for successful careers in business and public service.

Its three specialized centersCenter for Student Leadership, Center for Women Entrepreneurs and Center for Women in Governmentensure women have the education to establish careers as successful executives, the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses and the framework needed to excel in public service.

ABOUT TWU

Texas Womans University is the nations largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWUs inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery, and health and well-being, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans, and social mobility. In 2023, TWU publicly launched Dream Big, a fundraising effort that has raised more than $160 million to date to support programming, equipment, scholarships, and faculty. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visitdreambig.twu.eduor twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook @TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram @txwomans,Twitter @txwomans, and LinkedIn @texaswomansuniversity.

Tacos and Tequila Festival Brings Throwback Hip-Hop to Houston

Kathy Beazley — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:04:13 Z

H-Town, are you ready? The Tacos and Tequila Festival is making its highly anticipated Houston debut on April 12, 2025, at Sam Houston Race Park, delivering the ultimate throwback party. Expect legendary 90s and 2000s hip-hop, top-tier tacos, and premium tequilabut thats just the beginning. Live DJs, margarita bars, lucha libre wrestling, a chihuahua beauty pageant, and more will set the stage for a one-day-only, high-energy festival thats as bold as its flavors. Presented by Sam Houston Race Park and Social House Entertainment, this 21+ event is your excuse to leave the kids at home, grab your crew, and turn up the nostalgia.

This years Festival boasts a stacked artist lineup including hip-hop icons T.I., Lil Jon, Chingy, Paul Wall, Baby Bash, Yung Joc, Petey Pablo, Mike Jones, Twista, and DJ Ashton Martin.

Houston Represent!

Houstons own Paul Wall and Mike Jones will be bringing their signature sound to the stage. Paul Wall, known for hits like Sittin Sidewayz and Grillz, remains a H-Town legend, while Mike Jones, the voice behind Still Tippin and Back Then, is ready to remind fans why they still shout his name.

About Additional Artists

T.I. is a GRAMMY-winning rapper and entrepreneur with over 10 million albums sold in the U.S. He founded Grand Hustle Records and owns the clothing brands Akoo and Hustle Gang. In 2016, he became an artist-owner of TIDAL alongside Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Rihanna.
Lil Jon is a rapper and producer credited with pioneering crunk music. He led Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz and was instrumental in the genre's rise in the early 2000s, releasing five albums.
Chingy is a rapper from St. Louis. He initially performed under the name H Thugz before gaining recognition in 2002 when he opened for fellow St. Louis artist Nelly. That same year, he signed with Ludacris' label, Disturbing tha Peace. Chingy rose to fame in the mid-2000s with chart-topping hits like "Right Thurr" and "One Call Away."
Baby Bash is a rapper from California who gained fame with the 2003 hit "Suga Suga." He has worked with Universal and Arista Records, releasing albums like Tha Smokin' Nephew (2003) and Cyclone (2007). He has collaborated with artists such as Akon, Pitbull, and Frankie J.
Yung Joc is an Atlanta-based rapper best known for his 2006 triple-platinum hit "It's Goin' Down," which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. He is signed to Polo Grounds Music/RCA and has worked as an actor and composer.
Petey Pablo is a rapper and producer from North Carolina, known for the 2003 hit "Freek-a-Leek," which reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry was GRAMMY-nominated, and his second album peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200.
Twista is known for his rapid-fire "chopper" rap style and held the Guinness World Record for the fastest English-speaking rapper in 1992. His 2004 album Kamikaze topped the Billboard 200, featuring the #1 hit "Slow Jamz" with Kanye West and Jamie Foxx.
DJ Ashton Martin is a DJ known for high-energy performances and his ability to seamlessly mix multiple genres. His deep understanding of music and audience engagement sets him apart, creating unforgettable live experiences.

More Than Just Music

Beyond the beats, the festival serves up a feast for the senses with:

The areas best tacos and more eats

The areas best tacos and other tasty treats
Handcrafted margaritas
Tequila Tasting Lounge
Lucha Libre wrestling
Exotic car showcase (Bring your cool car and register HERE.)
Chihuahua beauty pageant (Register your chihuahua HERE.)
Salsa & Queso Competition
Art installations & photo ops

Houstons top food trucks, including Dulce Vida Treats, Jersey Dogs, Tacos y Tequila, Taquerias Arandas, Elotes HTX, El Guajillo Food Truck and Gumbo Xpress Twisted Kitchen, will be serving up mouth-watering delectables from tacos and elote to cajun fare and traditional festival eats to keep the party fueled.

Ticket Info

$69 General Admission - limited time offer
$99 General Admission for 2
$159 VIP - limited time offer
VIP Party Deck Pass available - pricing varies

Tickets available at: tacosandtequilahouston.com

Follow the Fiesta

Instagram: @tacosandtequilahouston
Facebook: Tacos and Tequila Houston
TikTok: @tacosandtequilafestival

Sponsors

Special thanks to our sponsors: Social House Entertainment, Tixr, Cayman Jack, White Claw Hard Seltzer, 97.9 The Box, Majic 102.1, and Sam Houston Race Park.

About Social House Entertainment

Social House Entertainment is a full-scale event production company born out of Kansas City. We specialize in producing large scale music festivals in unique outdoor venues, specialized community events, food, and beer festivals and many other types of events of all sizes. We are passionate about elevating live event experiences all around North America.

Texas Woman's University Houston's inaugural president takes the helm beginning with a welcome event

Kathy Beazley — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 16:44:57 Z

On Womens Equality Day, August 26, Texas Womans University Houston celebrated the first day on campus for the universitys inaugural president, Monica G. Williams, PhD, with a festive reception that included students, faculty, staff, and members of Dr. Williams family.

Following Dr. Williams pep rally-styled grand entrance to a packed lobby of cheering students and Texas Womans leaders, the event featured a welcome from Carlos Da Silva, campus manager; a video message from Texas Womans Chancellor Carine Feyten and Christopher Johnson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Chief of Staff; remarks from Dr. Williams, and a buffet and photo opps. After being ushered to her new office, Dr. Williams was presented with flowers and branded swag from TWU Houston departments and student organizations.

The celebration of TWUs first president marks an historic moment for Texas Womans, which was designated as a university system by the state legislature in 2021the only university system in the nation with a focus on women.

Located in the Texas Medical District, TWU Houston is a significant contributor to the higher ed landscape in Houston and a major contributor to the pipeline of health care professionals in Texas, offering nationally-recognized undergraduate and graduate-level degrees in nursing, allied health care professions, and health care administration.

During her remarks, Dr. Williams acknowledged the first class experience of her candidacy and onboarding. I cant wait to share the amazing things that TWU Houston is doing with the world, she said. Were going to take this journey together.

Texas Woman's University taps higher ed veteran to lead Houston campus

Kathy Beazley — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:41:12 Z

Texas Womans University has named Monica G. Williams, PhD, a seasoned higher education leader with a strong background in partnerships and fundraising, as the inaugural Houston campus president. She begins her role on Aug. 26.

Williams served nine years as foundation president and vice president of advancement at the University of North Texas at Dallas and has also held leadership positions in fundraising at the United States Fund for UNICEF, Houston Works USA, Rice University, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University.

She played a key role in helping increase UNT Dallas enrollment by 60% during her service at that institution and was a lead architect for the universitys values-based strategic plan.

Additionally, Williams taught English in the Houston Independent School District, served as the inaugural director of Houstons Sylvan at Work/Sylvan Learning Systems Office and worked at Neighborhood Centers Inc. leading its community-based programming.

Williams has an extraordinary record of achievement in leading philanthropic efforts, securing grants and stewarding gifts, and maintains close relationships with Houston stakeholders that she formed in the business, industry, nonprofit and civic sectors.

Dr. Williams is a born leader, with strong connections in Houston, and a deep understanding of the Houston culture and workforce needs, which on their own would make her an exceptional choice as our first president for the Houston campus, Texas Womans Chancellor Carine Feyten said. But it is her experience that sets her in high esteem with our campus for what we need right now, especially her experience of working with limited resources to build and grow within the constraints of our state-funded higher education ecosystem.

As president, Williams will provide strategic leadership for the campus, located in the Texas Medical Center, which encompasses more than 60 medical institutions. It is the largest medical center and life science destination in the world. She will work with students, faculty, staff and key stakeholders including alumni, community members, business and industry leaders, legislators and policymakers to ensure Texas Womans is a key contributor to the higher education landscape in Houston.

Texas Womans has a distinct role in producing outstanding professionals in health care and business for the Houston region, and I am honored to serve as the inaugural president of the Houston campus, Williams said. I look forward to working with the university community and building on a legacy of excellence by producing more talented professionals who will make our community and the state of Texas stronger.

The state Legislature established Texas Womans University System in 2021 as its seventh university system, enabling its Houston and Dallas campuses to transform, grow and continue serving the state and its communities as the nations only system with a woman-focused mission. The system made it a top priority to install leadership at both campuses. Monica Christopher became the Dallas campuss first president in February of this year.

In addition to her lengthy record of fundraising and establishing partnerships, Williams served as an adjunct faculty member at UNT Dallas and at Texas Southern. Williams earned a bachelors degree in Journalism/English and a masters degree in communications at Texas Southern and a PhD in educational leadership at Prairie View A&M.

About TWU Houston

The TWU Institute of Health Sciences ? Houston Center is located in the heart of the largest medical center in the world, the Texas Medical Center, and offers advanced degrees in several health science programs. TWU Houston is one of three campuses of Texas Womans University in Denton, the largest public university in the nation with a woman focus, and has had a presence in Houston since 1960.

With a primary focus on advanced degrees, TWU Houston houses six schools and programs, including the Nelda C. Stark College of Nursing, the Dr. Sophie Lin Rydin School of Occupational Therapy, School of Physical Therapy, the nutrition and food sciences, health care administration and executive business programs.