Have you ever seen a bunch of 40-foot, Hong Kong-style Dragon Boats racing up and down Buffalo Bayou? No? Well, here’s your chance!

The 6th Annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival is this Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm at Allen’s Landing in Downtown Houston. Organized by the Texas Dragon Boat Association, the races will feature traditional Hong Kong style BuK Dragon Boats measuring 40 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and carring 20 paddlers, 1 drummer, and 1 steersperson. On average, these boats weigh 500 pounds. Come out and watch up to 30 paddling teams competing for the Dragon Boat Championship Cup!

Now, if I were the betting type, I’d put my money on the Asia Society of Young Professionals (ASYP) team taking home the Cup. Why? Because ASYP was last year’s Champions (beating the Continental Airlines and Houston Police Department teams)….and I’m paddling with them this year! woohoo!

For more info on Dragon Boats and Dragon Boat racing:

What is Dragon Boat Racing?
Dragon Boat Festival from Discover Hong Kong
Wiki article on Dragon Boat Festivals
International Dragon Boat Federation
United States Dragon Boat Federation
Dragon Boating & Dragon Boat Festivals (a blog documenting news and racing info for Dragon Boat races around the world)
Houston Rowing Club’s Happy Dragons Team

[**Shout out to the multi-media-talented Sarah Graybeal, who designed this year's logo]

The weather was a bit warmer than usual in January… causing many trees to start blooming, which is wonderful for my allergies.

No one posted any ideas on things to do for Chinese New Year in Houston (thanks you bastards). Luckily, a friend recommended I check out Tan Tan Restaurant on Bellaire. Turns out it was an exceptional recommendation as they had great food and a massive amount of fireworks despite the state-wide burn ban.

When (not if) you go… I urge you to try the hot pot. ANY of them.

The dragons came inside the restaurant for a little while… and the place went WILD. The kids especially enjoyed the little red envelopes the dragons gave away.

Later in the day, I happened to see this truck of tired dragon dancers.

And then…

Checked out the Basquiat exhibit at MFAH and nearly dropped $140 for a pair of shoes inspired by his art. Inspiration = Marketing Opportunity?

I think Sir Basquiat would have a shit-fit if he saw what people were doing with his artwork.

~ QUICK CONTEST ~

HouMetBlog needs more bloggers damn it! To encourage at least one of the 4 million plus residents of our fair city, I’m willing to give away two tickets to the Mozart concert on Feb 14th at the Menil Museum to the first person that signs up and posts.

Second place winners will receive a coupon book from the Houston Downtown Alliance with coupons to places such as St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin, Zula, Havana, Kim Son, Massa’s, and more!

To qualify: sign up and post immediately. Get to it guys… the clock is ticking.