Daniel Renfrow is Houstonia’s Arts & Culture editor. He joined the magazine in June 2022. Daniel was previously the senior writer of CityBook, the editorial manager of Houston Grand Opera, and the editor in chief of Free Press Houston. During his days as a freelance journalist, he worked at more Houston coffee shops and restaurants than he can count.

Raised in Louisiana, Singapore, and Houston, Daniel got here as fast as he could. In his free time, he enjoys walking his two rescue pups, exploring the city by bicycle, and tending to his flower garden. He is also a collector of international folk art.

Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am

We Ranked Typical Cowboy Culture Things We Love or Hate

From lifted trucks to horse girls and Marfa.

02/28/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

The Underside

How the Houston Rodeo Deals with All That Animal Poop

Cleaning up after 25,000 animals every year takes a lot of manpower—and guts.

02/27/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Back on Track

An Expert Guide to Dealing with Those Pesky East End Trains

Reclaim your time (and life) by following these key tips and strategies.

02/19/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Laissez Les Gay Temps Rouler

Houston’s Only Queer Mardi Gras Krewe Throws the Campiest Balls in Town

Krewe of Olympus, originally founded in New Orleans in 1970, has made itself at home in the (other) Bayou City.

02/12/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Lunar New Year

Meet Houston’s Oldest Lion and Dragon Dancing Troupe

For 50 years, Lee’s Golden Dragon has been building community around the traditional Chinese art form.

02/05/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Let’s (Not) Go Girls!

The Houston Rodeo Desperately Needs More Female Headliners

For the past several years, the rodeo’s music lineup has only featured a handful of female acts. We have some suggestions.

02/02/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Oscars of Food

Check Out Houston's James Beard Award Semifinalists for 2024

A total of 11 restaurants in the city have made the list in regional and national categories.

01/24/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Click!

This Makerspace for Photography Is the Only One of Its Kind in Houston

Flats, a woman-owned photo lab in Montrose, is home to the sole community darkroom in the city.

01/22/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Tried and True

How Houston’s Historic Burger Joints Have Stood the Test of Time

These neighborhood dives have spent decades building a sense of community, one burger at a time.

01/19/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Village Eats

Our Favorite Restaurants in Houston’s Rice Village

One of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods has everything from standout Greek, Israeli, and Turkish fare to contemporary French cuisine.

01/09/2024 By Daniel Renfrow and Emma Balter

Just Daydreaming

Actually Cool Things We Think Should Go in the Old Tower Theatre

The historic Montrose building is vacant again after Acme Oyster House closed, and we have some ideas.

01/05/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

A New Leaf

The Houston Restaurant Salads We’re Actually Excited to Eat

From Brasil’s famous caesar to Local Foods’ Asian chicken, here’s how to get your herbivore on.

01/03/2024 By Timothy Malcolm and Daniel Renfrow

A Year in Food

The Top Houston Food Stories of 2023

Our most popular food stories this year included everything from the opening of Trill Burgers to the arrival of quality pizza.

12/26/2023 By Daniel Renfrow

Deck the Halls

How Houston’s Most Festive Bars and Restaurants Get Decorated for the Holidays

Quite a bit of time goes into wrapping 700 boxes and hanging thousands of feet of green fringe.

12/14/2023 By Daniel Renfrow and Geneva Diaz

In Memoriam

Ghost Bikes Are Painful Reminders of Houston’s Cyclist Death Problem

More than 100 of these memorials dot the city, raising awareness for bikers killed by drivers every year.

12/04/2023 By Daniel Renfrow

Performance Grade

How Houston’s Rubén Isaza Became a Fashion Designer to the Stars

Just a few years ago, he was a dishwasher at a restaurant. Now he dresses celebrities like Lizzo.

11/29/2023 By Daniel Renfrow

A Solid Impression

Making Art from Concrete Is a Family Tradition for This Houstonian

Before cementing herself as an expert in all things concrete art, local artist Myrna Hagelsieb spent her childhood learning from her father in Mexico.

11/27/2023 By Daniel Renfrow