The Local Lineup is a curated list of what’s happening across Galveston so locals can stay connected and show up to support the people building our community. 🗞️ These aren’t just any events — they’re created by locals, for locals.

Check out the website

THEY’RE BACK - Gonzalo’s American Bistro is opening for dinner again, and I am jumping out of my seat thinking about their veggie lasagne.

They’ll be open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday, 5-9 PM. 🫶

🤝 Community Corner

• Every Monday, 5:30 PM: Free Bingo at Galveston Island Brewing

• Every Monday, 7 PM & 8 PM: Trivia at Brewchachos 🌮

• Every Monday, 3 PM - 4 PM: New class, restorative yoga with Cece at Swell $15

• Every Tuesday, 6 PM: Galveston Island Brewery Run Club

• Every Wednesday, 6 PM: Track club at Spoor Field

• Every Wednesday, 7 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM: SingoBingo at Brewchachos

• Every Thursday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Fitness Thursdays at Marmo 🏋️

• Every first Saturday, 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: East End Lagoon guided nature trail outing

• Every First Saturday, 10 AM- 11 AM: Across from East End Lagoon- Marine Debris Survey with TIRN

• Every Saturday, 12 PM - 5 PM: Small Biz September Pop-Up at Sea Hag Vintage featuring different local, small businesses every weekend! 🛍️

• September 3rd, 11 AM - 1 PM: United Way of Galveston Workplace Giving Campaign Kick-off Luncheon

• September 3rd, 6 PM - 7 PM: Ocean on Tap - Restoring injured natural resources in Texas at GIB 🪸

• September 4 - 6th: Pride Galveston

• September 4th, 3 PM - 6 PM: Pride Party at Lucine

• September 5th, 7 AM: Sunrise Stretch and Mobility, Pocket Park Beach #2

• September 5th, 12 PM - 5 PM: Pride Beach Bash with Hotel Lucine 🌈

• September 5th, 8 PM: Sand Crab Night Run 5K

• September 5th, 11 AM - 6 PM: Trinkets & Treats at Sea Hag Vintage. Come & go free event! Bring a trinket, leave a trinket, and enjoy a free Funky Munky shaved ice treat!

• September 6th, 10 AM - 11 AM: Free yoga at Hotel Lucine with Alyssa Clark

• September 6th, 7 AM: Sunrise Stretch and Mobility, Pocket Park Beach #2

• September 6th, 7 AM: Sunrise Stretch and Mobility, Pocket Park Beach #2

• September 10, 7:30-9 PM: Group ghost tour of the Haunted Railyard & Strand with author Kathleen Maca, for customers of Herb & Smudge. Details & tickets 👻

• September 10th, 6 PM: Talk Saves Lives suicide prevention at Galveston Island Brewery

• September 11th: Premiere of “Unmakeable” Surf film at Beerfoot Brewery 🏄

• September 12th, 7:30 AM: GIB Run for a New Day 5K

• September 12th, 9 AM: Free Pilates at Hotel Lucine with Sydney Hueber

Check back for updates by favoriting The Local Lineup website or downloading the Substack app. The app is not necessary to view the newsletter, but it does make it easy to quickly pull up when you’re looking for something to do.

• September 13th, 9 AM: Free Pilates at Hotel Lucine with Sydney Hueber

• September 14th, 5:30 - 7 PM: Parks for Pollinators at McGuire Dent 🦋

• September 15th - 16th: Neighborhood economics

• September 17th, 7:45 - 8:30 PM: Free yoga on the pier with Swell & Cece next to tall ship Ellissa

• September 19th, 6 PM - 9 PM: Sea Hag Slumber Party - Grab the girls and enjoy extended hours as we paint nails, braid hair, shop vintage sleepwear/lingerie, and watch classic Y2K slumber party movies! 👛

• September 19th - 20th: Galveston Sand Castle Festival

• Septmber 19th, 9 AM 11:30 AM: Sips & Nips at Hotel Lucine

• September 19, 8-10 PM: Haunted Railyard & Stand Tour with author Kathleen Maca.

• September 20th, 10 AM - 11 AM: Free yoga at Hotel Lucine with Alyssa Clark

• September 22nd, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Gulf Coast Community Chat, TIRN’s 3rd quarterly community meeting: Take Action Workshop 🐟

• Septmember 24th, 6 PM: Run with Galveston Island Running Co. at AlleyKatz

• September 26th, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Asana Mood & Texas Surf Museum All Levels Yoga Flow

• September 26, 8-10 PM: Haunted Railyard & Stand Tour with author Kathleen Maca.

  Subscribe to have these events sent to your inbox once a month

🎨Arts & Culture

• September 12th, 6 PM - 8 PM: ArtWalk with Dem Roots at Galveston Art Center, bring your blank garmets for live block printing by Lou Boggin

• September 12th, 1 PM - 9 PM: Paint Jam on 2198 Post Office St. 🎨

• September 13th, 11 AM: Drag Brunch at The Fancy 💄

• September 16th, 6:30 PM - 9 PM: Creatives club with Aveo Creative at Queen Margies

Click into underlined events for more information or tickets.

🎶Music Corner

• September 3rd, 7 PM: Coleton Wilcox at Lucine

• September 4th, 7 PM: Tyson Webb & The Outlaw Bougie at Lucine

• September 5th, 7 PM: Aaron Stephens Band at Lucine 🎸

• September 5th, 5 PM: Gulfstock, a 1960s-inspired music festival at Sangerfest Park

• September 6th, 7 PM: La Izquierda All-Stars at Lucine 🎷

• September 10th, 7 PM: Surfrider is tabling at Yaga’s Thursday Music Social

• September 26th: Vinyl night at Queen Margie with Ross Thompson

Every Friday & Saturday: Live music at Hotel Lucine🪇

🌟 Kids Corner

• September 12th, 10:00 AM -3:00 PM: STEAM by the Sea Fest @ Moody Gardens

🌊 Volunteer Opportunities:

• September 10th, 6 PM - 7 PM: Microplastics task force with Turtle Island Restoration Network 🐟

• September 19th, 8:00 AM: Adopt A Beach Fall Cleanup with Surfrider

• September 19th - 20th: Galveston Sand Castle Festival

• September 26th, 8 AM - 10:30 AM: Birds, Butts, and Bottlecaps for Houston Bird Week with TIRN and GINTC RSVP

• September 26th, 9 AM - 11 AM: Garden workday at Moody Gardens with the Native Plant Society 🐛

• September 27th, 8 AM - 9 AM: Harborside community cleanup at Hendley Green Park.

Water plants, cook food, volunteer at the farmers market with Groundswell every month 🥕

Coming up in October:

• October 4th, 7 PM: Grammy-winning country musicians The Gatlin Brothers are taking their final bow after 70 years on stage. Join The Grand 1894 Opera House for a special Sunday night farewell show!

Boards by the Bay

Happy Town Community is bringing together Galveston’s nonprofit leaders for a powerful one‑day summit focused on practical tools, real‑world learning, and meaningful collaboration. Hosted at MarMo Plaza, the event offers workshops on finances, leadership, compliance, and data —plus a happy‑hour mixer to connect with fellow changemakers. If you’re committed to strengthening Galveston County, this is a can’t‑miss opportunity to learn, grow, and build lasting partnerships.

October 9th, 9 AM - 5 PM: Boards by the Bay, a one-day leadership summit for Galveston nonprofits

Learn More

Last Months Community Snapshots:

Okrafest, free yoga with Swell, Data 101 with Shakira at Marmo, Composting class with NPSOT, Galveston Comp plan event

I imagine a progressive island that other cities look up to – with bioswales that ease flooding, native plants thriving along shady sidewalks, and streets designed for people as much as cars.

A city that protects its natural spaces –not only because they’re vital for wildlife, but because they’re the foundation of Galveston’s economy. Every dollar invested in coastal restoration returns eleven dollars in economic and natural resource benefits. (Texas General Land Office, CEPRA 2019)

Galveston has changed dramatically over the last 5 years – some say we’re the new Austin. But I’ve lived in both, and I’m not sure we have the grit to become a city as cool as Austin. Which is exactly why this moment matters: it’s our chance to prove we do.

The City has officially launched its update of the Comprehensive Plan—a long‑range roadmap that guides how our island grows, protects itself, invests in infrastructure, supports neighborhoods, and plans for resilience. When done well, it reflects the values of the people who live here—not just policymakers or consultants.

Does the Comprehensive Plan really make a difference? It’s fair to wonder — after all, plans can sound abstract. But when a developer wants to build something, city staff and planning officials review the proposal against the Comprehensive Plan to see if it fits the community’s long‑term goals. The plan itself isn’t law, but it guides zoning decisions, permits, and approvals.

So how did the old plan let Discovery Sands slide? The 2011 Comprehensive Plan was well‑intentioned but vague, and that vagueness opened the door for projects like Discovery Sands. We’ve seen what happens when our standards aren’t clear. As my mother‑in‑law likes to say, when you know better, do better.

And now, Galveston knows better.

This is our chance to set the standards for what Galveston will become. A city that encourages sustainable development, or a city that bends over to developers.

Groups like Vision Galveston’s Convene the Green are already working to make sure sustainability and access stay front and center. They have brought together environmental organizations, nonprofits, and community members to foster collaboration, break down silos, and coordinate efforts for sustainable, green projects across the island.

Learn About Their Green Iniatives

How You Can Help — Upcoming Events

Vision Galveston and the City want you to have a voice in this! Consider attending this event:

City of Galveston Community Engagement Event

Saturday, August 29, 10 AM - 1 PM at City Hall

Showing up is one of the most powerful ways we can influence real change.

Spread the word. Bring a friend. Ask questions. Share your hopes for the island.

This is our chance to build a greener, stronger, more connected Galveston together.

Peace, love, and community,

Lacey

Summer’s winding down to an end, but that isn’t stopping our artists, nonprofits, and local businesses from bringing us together.

Thank you to everyone who has shared the newsletter with friends; we grew 132% last month! Ya’ll are amazing. I truly hope this brings our little island together. :)

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The Local Lineup is a curated list of what’s happening across Galveston so locals can stay connected and show up to support the people building our community. 🗞️

One of my favorite nonprofits is hosting their annual fundraiser! Groundswell is more than just our farmers market; they teach our kids to garden, feed our friends and neighbors, and help with food access for all. Every ticket fuels the future of food access, education, and community health on Galveston Island.

Check Out OkraFest

🤝 Community Corner

• Every Monday, 5:30 PM: Free Bingo at Galveston Island Brewing

• Every Monday, 7 PM & 8 PM: Trivia at Brewchachos 🌮

• Every Tuesday: Sunset Pilates at Hotel Lucine ($15)

• Every Tuesday, 6 PM: Galveston Island Brewery Run Club

• Every Wednesday, 6 PM: Track club at Spoor Field

• Every Wednesday, 7 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM: SingoBingo at Brewchachos

• Every Thursday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Fitness Thursdays at Marmo 🏋️

• Every Thursday, 8 PM & 9 PM: Trivia at Brewchachos

• Every first Saturday, 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: East End Lagoon guided nature trail outing

• Every Saturday & Sunday: Free interpretive beach tours with Artist Boat

• August 2nd, 10 AM: Free Yoga on the rooftop of Lucine with Alyssa Clark

• August 4th, 5 PM - 6 PM: Jones Park Fundraiser launch party with Vision Galveston and Better Parks for Galveston 🌳

• August 5th, 6:15 PM: Mile time trial with Galveston Track Club

• August 6th, 6 PM - 7 PM: Ocean on Tap at GIB - Plankton Menagerie with Dr. Sierra Cagle

• August 6th, 6 PM - 8 PM: Last Save the Locals concert with Dem Roots at Menard Park 🪇

• August 6th, 5 PM - 6 PM: Free surf lessons with La Izquierda in front of Menard Park 🏄

• August 8th, 6 PM - 9:30 PM: Sunshine Center Annual Fundraiser Summerween

• August 8th, 10 AM: Free Yoga on the rooftop of Lucine with Alyssa Clark

• August 13th, 6 PM - 8 PM: Free guest speakers and activities on the beach hosted by Surfrider, RSVP here

• August 14th, 6 PM - 9 PM: Movers & Shapers Networking Mixer at Nia Cultural Center 🎨

• August 15th: Sips N Nips free strength training class & cold plunge at Hotel Lucine

• August 15th, 1 PM - 5 PM: Community blood drive at Sea Hag Vintage & The Art Place- Free pint of Blue Bell ice cream for donors. Walk-Ins welcome or click here to reserve an appointment.

• August 15th, 6 PM - VIP Hour, 7 PM - Doors Open: Okrafest benefiting Groundswell 🪩

• August 16th, 10 AM: Free Yoga on the rooftop of Lucine with Alyssa Clark Canceled

• August 18th, 11 AM - 12:30 PM: Lunch Line-up with Marmo - Small Business Edition

• August 19, 6 PM - 7:30 PM: Get to know the Galveston Comprehensive Plan and how you can help with Vision Galveston at Marmo 🌳 Canceled

• August 23rd, 8 AM - 9 AM: Harborside Clean Up, meet at Hendley Green Park and help clean up harborside with your community. Free tacos and 20% off coffee at Grooy Grind Coffee Truck

• August 25th, 11 AM - 12:30 PM: Lunch Line-up with Marmo - Non-profit Edition Grants 101 with Shakira O’Kane

• August 27th, 7 PM: Composting 101 with the Native Plant Society at 502 Church St.

• August 28th, 9 AM: Coffee with Creatives at Marmo

• August 29th, 7:30 PM - 9 PM: Free yoga on the Pier with Cece Rodriguez, and cold plunge with Swell 🌊

• August 29th, 11 AM - 1:30 PM: Sips & Nips with Swell @ Naked Iguana

• August 29th, 10 AM - 3 PM: Art in Motion: Health and Wellness Expo at Marmo

• August 29th: City of Galveston’s first community engagement event for the comprehensive plan. I’ll update when I hear more about when and where! UPDATE: 10 AM - 1 PM at Galveston College Abe and Annie Seibel Wing. You can park in the lot near Ave Q 1/2 and 39th st.

Check back for updates by favoriting The Local Lineup website or downloading the Substack app. The app is not necessary to view the newsletter, but it does make it easy to quickly pull up when you’re looking for something to do.

🎨 Arts & Culture

• August 6 PM - 8 PM: ArtWalk

• August 7th, 6 PM - 9 PM: Summer Breeze Paint and Sip at Nia Cultural Center

• August 8th, 2 PM - 5 PM: Portraits 101 with Jessica Antonelli

• August 8th, 8 PM: Comedian Bill Engvall: Here’s Your Sign - It Wasn’t My Time at The Grand 1894 Opera House

🎶Music Corner

• August 1st, 7 PM: The Culture Exchange at MATCH in Houston - Tiny June + Friends 8th Anniversary Show

• August 3rd, 5 PM: Singer-Songwriter night at Alley Katz

• August 8th, 7 PM - 9 PM: Strand Summer Series - The Derailers at Sangerfest Park

• August 9th, 6 PM - 9 PM: Local band night at Hotel Lucine, The Coastal Service & Midnight Heron

• August 13th, 6 PM - 8 PM: Maceo’s Summer Concert Series - Britney Doyal

• August 27th, 8 PM: Galvezton at Yaga’s

• August 27th, 6 PM - 8 PM: Maceo’s Summer Concert Series - Boo Shaaf

• August 28th, 8 PM: Catherine Stroud & Friends at Old Galveston Club

• August 28th, 6 PM: Austin Gaston at Galveston Historic Seaport

• August 29th, 5 PM: Taylor Lauryn plays at MOD

  Subscribe now

🌟 Kids Corner

• August 1st, 7:30 PM: Free Movie at Hendly Green Park - The Princess Bride with Galveston Historic Foundation

• August 3rd: Creator Camp: at Galveston’s Children Museum Roblox Designer (older campers) and Jr. Gamemakers (younger campers)

• August 6 PM - 8 PM: Caregivers’ night out at The Galveston Art Center

• August 13th: Family Free Night at Galveston’s Children Museum

🌊 Volunteer Opportunities:

• Thursday, August 13, 6 PM: Surfrider Chapter Meeting: The Secret Life and Value of Sandy Beaches - Join Drs. Guilherme Corte and Yasmina Shah Esmaeili for an interactive field experience. We will meet at Beerfoot at 6 PM!

  ---

🎨 Galveston Artists — Your Moment Is Now

The City’s brand‑new Arts Development Commission just dropped THREE fresh grant opportunities, all designed to boost local creativity, cultural tourism, and community joy. Whether you’re an emerging artist, a seasoned creator, or a nonprofit ready to champion micro‑grants, there’s something here with your name on it.

• Artist Micro‑Grant Administration — up to $20K for a nonprofit to help shape the city’s future micro‑grant program

• Open Call to Artists — up to $75K for projects that bring people together through art, performance, placemaking, and public engagement

• Emerging Artist Opportunities — up to $25K for first‑timers, experimenters, and bold new ideas

Applications close August 24, with decisions landing mid‑September.
Questions? Reach out to Antoinette Lynch at alynch@GalvestonTX.gov.

Know an artist? Send this their way so we can help our local creatives keep Galveston vibrant. 🎨

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July Community Snapshots:

Save the Locals Summer Concert series, Diabolic Fashion show, and Happy Town nonprofit happy hour

This month I’m rolling out our new format — a simple, community‑focused space just for Galveston.

There are so many events, volunteer opportunities, workshops, cleanups, and community projects happening on the island, but the info is scattered, and most people only hear about things after they’ve passed.

The Local Lineup bridges that gap with a monthly, curated list of what’s happening across Galveston so locals can stay connected and show up to support the people building our community. 🗞️

Check out the new website

I need your help — our community is strongest when everyone knows what’s going on. If someone you know would enjoy these updates, I’d love for you to forward this their way.

Share

Here’s what’s happening around Galveston this month.

🤝 Community Corner - Updated 7/13

• Every Monday, 5:30 PM: Free Bingo at Galveston Island Brewing

• Every Monday, 5 PM: Singer-songwriter night at Ally Katz

• Every Tuesday, 6 PM: Galveston Island Brewery Run Club

• Every Wednesday, 5 PM: Chess Club at the Treemont ♟️

• Every Thursday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Fitness Thursdays at Marmo

• Every first Saturday, 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: East End Lagoon guided nature trail outing

• Every Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 4 PM, GAC Summer Kids Camp: Browse our variety of camp classes and register here

• Thursdays in July 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Free Surf Lessons with La Izquierda at Menard Park 🏄

Plastic Free July at Sunset Market & Refillery specials from 7/7-7/12!

• July 2nd, 6 PM - 7 PM: Ocean on Tap - Flukes and Field Work at Galveston Island Brewing 🪸

• July 4th, 8:30 AM: Free family East End Nature tour with GINTC

• July 4th, 6:00 PM: Free Bucket Brigade Interpretive Beach Tours with Artist Boat

• July 4th, 11 AM - 3 PM: Free sand castle building lessons on the East End

• July 4th, 6 PM - 8 PM: World Cup Watch party at GIB 🍻

• July 4th, 3 PM: Local Dogs throws a hot dog eating contest

• July 5th, 10 AM: Free yoga with Alyssa Clark at Hotel Lucine

• July 11th, 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm: Diabolic Sustainable Clothing Launch at Theo’s Place (2521 Market St.)

• July 11th, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Sips & Nips, Free Pilates with Swell @ Hotel Lucine 🏋️

• July 11th, 6 PM - 8:30 PM: Sips & Nips @ Marmo for Artwalk

• July 12th, 10 AM: Free yoga with Alyssa Clark at Hotel Lucine

• July 15th, 6 PM: After Hours at the Bryan Museum

• July 18th, 8 AM - Noon: Surf Dog Competition on the beach at 28th street 🏄

• July 18th, 1 PM - 5 PM: The Petal House 1st anniversary party at Sea Hag Vintage

• July 18th, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM: Sips & Nips @ Naked Iguana

• July 18th, 2 PM - 8 PM: Picklepalooza @ GIB 🥒

• July 23rd, 6 PM - 8 PM: Native Plant Society Trivia Night at Texas Tails

• July 24th: Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council Happy Hour

• July 25th, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM: Sips & Nips @ Galveston Island Brewering

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🎨 Arts & Culture

• July 11th, 6 PM - 8 PM: ArtWalk

• July 11th, 2 PM - 3 PM: Artist Talk at Nia Cultural Center - Daniel Tesfia

• July 11th: Preserved, Pressed, & Posted workshop with Historian Kathleen Maca

• July 15th: “Looking Back” Lecture series at Nia Cultural Center ⏳

• July 16th: Lectures at the Bryan Museum - The Karankawa People

• July 18th, 5 PM - 9 PM: Elisabeth Joy’s Luxe & Loam Shop + Studio Farewell-to-Galveston going-away party! Free Matcha, Portraits + More 🛍️

• July 18th, 1 PM - 4 PM: Bending the Past ring-making class at GAC

🎶Music Corner

• July 2nd, 6 PM: Save the Locals @ Mendard Park - Free Radicals and Kyloh

• July 2nd, 6 PM: Maceo’s Summer Concert Series

• July 2nd, 7:00 PM: Song For Lila Live Music at Bienville Wine Bar 🎷

• July 3 - The Texas Tenors celebrate their 15th Anniversary The Music Man at The Grand 1894 Opera House

• July 9th, 6 PM: Save the Locals @ Mendard Park - The Mighty ORG and Gabe Wooton

• July 11th, 7 PM: Strand Summer Series @ Sangerfest Park - Aaron Lee

• July 16th, 6 PM: Save the Locals @ Mendard Park - The Zydeco Dots and Taylor Lauren 🎸

• July 23rd, 6 PM: Save the Locals @ Mendard Park - Dem Roots Music and Soulfiya

• July 2nd, 6 PM: Save the Locals @ Mendard Park - Britney Doyal and The George Murphy Band

• July 31st, 7:00 PM: Song For Lila’s Last Show in Galveston, at Hotel Lucine Sunset & Sounds 🎶

🌟 Kids Corner

• July 6th, 9 AM - 3 PM: Special Needs Socialization Camp at Galveston Children’s Museum 🐟

• July 11th, 5 PM - 9 PM: Caregivers Night Out at Galveston Arts Center

• July 13th - 16th: Galveston Art Center Kids Camp

• July 17th, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Caterpillars and crafts! Join us for a movie about creepy crawly caterpillars and fun activities with community partners. No cost, free pizza, and family-friendly 🐛

🌊 Volunteer Opportunities:

• July 11th, 4:30 PM - 6 PM: Downtown HOTYB Clean up with Surfrider 🏄

• July 11th, 9 AM - Noon: Community Picnic Table Construction at Moody Mansion

• July 18th, 9 AM - 11 AM: Habitat workday with Artist Boat 🌾

• July 25th, 9 AM - 11 AM: Gardening at Moody Gardens with the Native Plant Society

🍻GINTC Happy Hour

Curious about the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council? Join them downtown for a happy hour at the Texas Surf Museum. It’s a laid‑back chance for new and prospective members to meet the GINTC crew, hear what they’re working on, and get connected with folks who care about this island as much as you do.

RSVP to the Happy Hour 🍻

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June Community Snapshots:

Last month, The Cultural Exchange hosted a skate jam at Menard Park — my first one ever. It was such a blast, and it was incredible to see the community show up and cheer on the skaters from the sidelines. Hoping they bring this event back!

Side note: What if we got the city to pay a local artist to paint the skate bowl? Just a thought 👀

Here’s what’s happening around Galveston this month.

My June Top Picks

• June 6th, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM: World Ocean Day Festival 🐳 at East Beach

• June 13th, 6:00 PM: Skate Jam with Tiny June, The Cultural Exchange

• June 11th, 6:00 PM: Save the Locals! Galvezton & Tiny June @ Menard Park

• June 16th, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: World Sea Turtle Day Beach Cleanup with Turtle Island Restoration Network 🐢

• June 20th, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Sips & Nips, Free Pilates with Swell @ Hotel Lucine

Free Printable Calendar

7.42MB ∙ PDF file

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🤝 Community Corner

Every Monday, 5:30 PM — Free Bingo @ Galveston Island Brewing

Every Tuesday, 6 PM — GIB Run Club

Every Wednesday, 5 PM — Chess Club @ The Treemont

Every Thursday, 5:30–7:30 PM — Fitness Thursdays @ MarMo

Every First Saturday, 8:30 AM — East End Lagoon Guided Nature Trail Outing 🪿

Mon–Thurs, 9 AM–4 PM — Galveston Arts Center Summer Kids Camps

• June 4th, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Fish Talk with Daniel Kemp (Ocean on Tap) at GIB

• June 5th–7th, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM: Galveston Steampunk Festival

• June 6th, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: World Ocean Day Festival 🐳 at East Beach (1923 Boddecker Road)

• June 6th, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Sips & Nips – Free Pilates with Swell at Hotel Lucine

• June 6th, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Revue Weekend by Galveston Historical Foundation

• June 9th, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Community Visioning Session at MarMo (Ocean Discovery Center) 🪸

• June 10th, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Turtle Island Restoration Network – Gulf Community Meeting

• June 10th, 5:30 PM: Juneteenth Kickoff at Nia Cultural Center

• June 12th, 9:00 AM: Coffee with Creatives at MarMo

• June 13th, 6:30 PM: Fly Fishing Film Festival at Galveston Distillery

• June 13th, 6:00 PM: Skate Jam with Tiny June at The Cultural Exchange

• June 13th, 11:00 AM: MarMo Market Jr. at MarMo Plaza 🛍️

• June 14th, 4:00 PM: Emancipation Gospel Celebration at The Grand 1894 Opera House

• June 16th, 11:00 AM: Lunch & Learn for Small Businesses at MarMo Plaza

• June 17th, 12:00 PM: Looking Back Brown Bag Lecture – 1960s Sit‑Ins at Nia Cultural Center

• June 19th, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM: The Official Juneteenth Return at Nia Cultural Center

• June 20th, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Juneteenth Celebration (with vendors) at Bank of America

• June 20th, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Community Blood Drive at Sea Hag Vintage

• June 20th, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM: GIB Anniversary Party Experience the Brewery🎨

• June 20th, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Sips & Nips – Free Pilates with Swell at Hotel Lucine

• June 20th, 7:00 PM: Free Movie Night (Hidden Figures) at Saengerfest Park

• June 23rd, 11:00 AM: Lunch & Learn for Nonprofits at MarMo Plaza

• June 27th, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Sips & Nips at Galveston Island Brewing 🏋️

• June 28th–29th: Hotter Than Hell Birding Big Day Competition sponsored by Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council

🎨Arts & Culture

• June 5th, 6:00 PM: Juneteenth Paint & Sip at Nia Cultural Center

• June 11th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Island Icons Opening Reception by Megan Maberry at Kindred Studios 🏝️

• June 13th, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Caregivers Night Out at Galveston Arts Center

• June 20th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Sunset Historic Cemetery Tour with Author Kathleen Maca

• June 20th, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Juneteenth Celebration (with vendors) at Bank of America

• June 26th–27th: Meredith Willson’s The Music Man at The Grand 1894 Opera House

🎶Music Corner

• June 4th, 6:00 PM: Save the Locals! Tremoloco DJ Rootsvibah @ Menard Park

• June 7th, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Sandwaves play at Hotel Lucine, put on by the Galveston Music Collective

• June 7th, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Lee Brooks play at Hotel Lucine, put on by the Galveston Music Collective 🎷

• June 11th, 6:00 PM: Save the Locals! Galvezton & Tiny June @ Menard Park

• June 18th, 6:00 PM: Save the Locals! Rodel Duff & Del Mar @ Menard Park

• June 21st, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Average Joe / Sons of Nephilim play at Hotel Lucine, put on by the Galveston Music Collective

• June 25th, 6:00 PM: Save the Locals! Blossom Aloe @ Menard Park 🎸

• June 26 & 27 - Meredith Willson’s The Music Man at The Grand 1894 Opera House

• June 28th, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Bony Hips Hopkins / Austin Langford & Jasper Derrick play at Hotel Lucine, put on by the Galveston Music Collective 🪇

• Hotel Lucine’s Sunset & Sounds music series, every weekend night all summer long

🌟 Kids Corner

• June 6th, 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM: Artist Boat- World Ocean Day Festival @ East Beach

• June 11th, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Family Free Night at Galveston Children’s Museum

• June 13th, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Caregivers Night Out at Galveston Arts Center

• June 13th, 6:00 PM: MarMo Market at ArtWalk (Live Music, Local Vendors) @ MarMo Plaza. We are still looking for kid vendors! If you have a small creative that would want to participate, email us at info@marmoplaza.com

• June 14th, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Kids baking class @ Moody Gardens

• Every Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: GAC Summer Kids Camp

🌴 Volunteer Opportunities:

• June 27th, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Gardening at Moody Gardens with the Native Plant Society

• June 16th, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: World Sea Turtle Day Beach Cleanup with Turtle Island Restoration Network 🐢

🚗 Parking Citation Amnesty Program

The City of Galveston is offering a parking citation amnesty program from May 1–June 12, allowing residents to clear unpaid tickets without extra penalties.

Pay Tickets at a Discount Here

The city also recently approved enforcing an existing rule that allows vehicles to be booted after three unpaid parking tickets. Once booted, residents have 36 hours to pay before the vehicle is towed.

If you’d like to share your thoughts, you can submit a public comment or attend the next City Council meeting. Council meets at 5 p.m. every fourth Thursday at City Hall, 823 25th St.

May Community Snapshots:

This is the second part of my plan to turn this website into a true resource — something you can come back to again and again. I’ll be adding this as a permanent page and adding more articles about specific gardening techniques later.

🌱 Gardening in Galveston: What Makes Our Island Different

Gardening in Galveston is its own beautiful adventure. We’re in Zone 9b, which means we can grow an incredible range of plants — but it also means timing becomes everything. Here, the seasons move differently. Spring starts early, summer hits hard, and fall is secretly one of our best growing windows. If you take nothing else from this section, take this: planting at the right time will make or break your garden.

🌿 Variety Matters

Because our climate swings from salty wind to tropical humidity, choosing the right varieties is just as important as choosing the right plants. Heat‑tolerant, disease‑resistant, and short‑season varieties tend to thrive here. When in doubt, look for plants that are already adapted to Gulf Coast conditions — they’ll reward you for it.

🪏Soil Is Everything!!

I say this all the time because it’s true: your soil will make or break your garden.

Most Galveston yards start with sand, clay, or a strange mix of both. That’s why I always recommend:

• Buying my favorite garden blend from Farm Dirt

• Starting your own compost pile

• If you have kids, try a worm bin (it’s a science lesson and a soil factory in one) - Though I don’t have kids, my husband and I LOVE our worm bin. I’ve seen these for cheap on Facebook Marketplace

• Trading your kitchen scraps for compost at Seeding Galveston

• Learning about micro-organisms

Healthy soil is the foundation of everything else — it holds water, feeds plants, and keeps your garden resilient through our wild weather.

🐝 Why Native Plants Matter

Planting native plants is one of the easiest ways to reduce pests and increase success. Native plants naturally attract beneficial insects — the tiny helpers that keep your garden in balance without pesticides.

A tree that’s meant to be here (oak trees) can support up to 490 species of insects. A tree that’s originally from somewhere else? Somewhere between 0 and 5 insects.

A native plant is simply a plant that evolved here, in this exact region, alongside our insects, birds, and climate. They know how to handle our heat, our storms, our soil, and our salt air. And beyond the practical benefits, they do something deeper: they create a sense of place.

Houston and Galveston may only be an hour apart, but our landscapes tell two very different stories. Houston is piney woods and prairie. Galveston is dunes, salt marsh, and coastal prairie. We are not a “tropical” island; we are a Great Barrier Island. When we plant natives, we’re not just gardening — we’re expressing our island identity. Our “island vibe” doesn’t stop at the beach; it continues into the plants we choose for our yards.

🏡Rethinking Our Front Yards

This year, I planted a garden in my front yard — not a lawn, not a row of shrubs, but a real, living garden. It’s full of native plants (a little prairie), 6 fruit trees, 6 garden beds, and soon, a picnic table. I wanted it to be a little invitation, a little nudge, a little reminder that our front yards don’t have to be places we pour money, water, and pesticides into. They can be spaces that feed us, connect us, and give us a sense of place.

I hope it inspires others to rethink what a front yard can be. Imagine whole blocks filled with pollinator prairies, herbs, fruit trees, and art — a neighborhood that feels alive, rooted, and unmistakably Galveston.

📚 Keep Reading

This is the next part in building out the website, so feel free to go back and look at this anytime!

Galveston operates under a city manager form of government — think of it like a business where the city manager is the CEO. The city council acts as the board of directors, appointing the city manager and overseeing five key positions: the city manager, city secretary, city attorney, auditor, and assistant city secretary. Everyone else in city operations reports up through the city manager.

The council’s role is policy-making, not operations. They focus on the big picture — long-term planning, budgets, and community priorities — rather than day-to-day issues like potholes or trash pickup. Each summer, the council begins reviewing the draft budget in July, approving it by September to set the course for the city’s next year.

And here’s something many residents don’t realize: City Council members aren’t paid. They serve as volunteers, dedicating their time to public service because they care about the island’s future. That’s worth remembering when evaluating their work — they’re neighbors, not career politicians.

While this volunteer model reflects genuine civic dedication, it also creates barriers for participation. This form of government disenfranchises lower-income and young individuals from participating in government. It’s a full-time job to spend time on the issues and be in the community.

🗳️ Choosing Your City Council: What to Look For

When election season rolls around, trust your intuition. Listen to how candidates talk about the city — do they speak about Galveston or mostly about themselves?

Be cautious of “us vs. them” language or fear-based campaigning. Ask yourself:

• Are they trying to unite residents or divide them?

• Are they focused on solutions or just criticizing opponents?

Good policy takes time. Candidates who talk about long-term success usually understand that meaningful progress comes from steady, collaborative work — not quick wins.

Where, When, & How to Vote

Find Your District

🏛️ Boards and Commissions: Where Residents Shape the City

Galveston’s boards and commissions offer residents real opportunities to participate in local decision-making. These groups advise the council on issues ranging from zoning to parks to historic preservation. Most make recommendations, but the Zoning Board of Adjustments is unique — its decisions don’t require council approval.

Unfortunately, hearing about these openings is less than ideal. There’s no website to see openings; you have to hear about them from council members, ask the city secretary, or read about it in the newspaper. However, David happily shared a list of current open seats - (06/16/2026)

• Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals

• Ethics Commission (3 open seats)

• Police Pension Fund

• Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #13

Short-term task forces also form around specific issues — they meet for a limited time to tackle a focused goal and then disband once the work is done. An example of this was during covid, when houses on the island were selling quickly to investors looking to turn them into Airbnbs. The city created a task force, the Short-Term Rental Task Force, to focus on making short-term rentals feel like part of the neighborhood. They’re looking at how to enforce existing rules better and add new ones so short‑term rentals blend into the community rather than feeling like businesses.

⚖️ The Charter and Code: Galveston’s Foundation

The City Charter is Galveston’s constitution — it defines how the city operates, how officials are chosen, and what powers each department holds. It’s the framework that keeps local government accountable and consistent.

The City Charter isn’t set in stone. It can be changed, but only by Galveston voters. Any amendment has to be approved in a public election, which means the community gets the final say on how the city’s government is structured.

People usually push for Charter changes when they want to update how the city operates — things like how council members are elected, how long they serve, or what powers different parts of the government have. Because the Charter shapes the foundation of local government, updating it can open the door to more representation, more accountability, or a more modern structure that fits the city’s needs today.

🚒One More Thing

I asked David one last question: What’s something you wish people knew about the city?

“I wish people understood the significant burden to our first responders of having our city expand to 150,000 people on a weekend. Towns our size usually don’t have paid fire departments. But we do, and that plus our police force takes up 61% of our budget. And we can’t make cuts due to collective bargaining (their unions guarantee they get a raise every year. This is done at a commission that works every 2 years.) This makes it hard because right off the bat, when you talk about setting your tax rate, you’re already 61% spent.”

🌊 Why It Matters

Local government might not always feel exciting, but it’s where the most direct change happens — from how our neighborhoods grow to how our beaches are maintained. When residents understand how the system works, we can hold it accountable and help it thrive.

Galveston’s government isn’t some distant institution; it’s made up of people who live here, care deeply, and want the island to flourish. The more we understand it, the better we can work together to make sure it reflects the community we love.

If you’re interested in contributing to our community, consider applying for a board position or reaching out to your local city council member. Good or bad, your elected officials want to hear from you!

🛶 Kayaking

🚶 Walking Trails

🚲 Biking

🦋 Free Moody Gardens

Here’s my hot take: when I tell someone I live in Galveston and they say, “Oh yeah, I’ve been to Pleasure Pier,” I cringe a little. I get it — it’s popular, and people are trying to relate — but it’s not actually Galveston. It’s an amusement park a rich guy built to make more money.

What I really love about this island is everything beyond that: the west-end wetlands, the migration flyway, the layered history, and the community we’ve built here.

So here’s my guide to the real island — the places I wish people pictured when they thought of Galveston. As I learn about more local gems, I’ll add them here, so check back for updates.

Kayaking Through the Wetlands

If I could recommend one thing to deepen your appreciation for this island, it would be kayaking through the wetlands. The beauty out there is unreal — migrating birds overhead, the quiet maze of grasses, the slow rhythm of paddling through an ecosystem that reveals itself inch by inch.

A few ways to do it:

• Rent from Sean at Fisherman’s Wharf: Don’t know Sean? That’s okay. You’re a friend of mine now, so feel free to message him! He supplies you with everything you need, gives you a map, tells you exactly where to go, and you paddle right back to the dock when you’re done. No cleanup, no big group, just you and the water. It is an arm workout, but take your time — it’s worth it.

• Artist Boat kayak tours: You go out with a guide and an artist, then sit among the wetlands and paint a watercolor. Truly one of the most peaceful things you can do here. (This one is a bit pricey, just an FYI. But if you can afford it, you are supporting a great non-profit.)

• Launch your own kayak: If you have kayaks (or a friend who does), here are a few great spots:

  • Christmas Bay Paddling Trail

  • Galveston State Park (three launch sites)

  • East End Lagoon

My Tip: Go at sunrise! It is breath taking.

The East End Lagoon

I wish it hadn’t taken me five years to discover this place. It’s a beautiful walking trail whose landscape shifts with the seasons. Tucked just off East Beach, it’s easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.

Luckily, you do. Head all the way down to the end of East Beach, where you’re forced to take a right. Drive down the sandy road, past the first parking lot, until you see a parking lot made of sand. Pull in here and look to your right, you should see a trail head!

I highly recommend walking it with an expert at least once. The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council hosts a free guided walk every month!

Biking Galveston (the Safe Way)

Biking can be one of the quickest and most fun ways to get around the island. Skip the traffic during peak season and bike from the Seawall to downtown — 19th & 27th Street have bike lanes the whole way, making it a much safer route.

And remember: you can always submit a public comment on the city’s website to advocate for safer bike routes and more bike parking around the island. I’ll link it here in case you feel inspired. 😉

Moody Gardens Butterfly & Native Plant Gardens

I recently learned that Moody Gardens has two free-to-the-public gardens you can visit during open hours. They don’t advertise this, so there’s no official link, but here’s how to find them:

• Native Plant Garden: Park in the main parking lot near the hotel, walk along the sidewalk that goes around the park until you see the elephants, and you’re there.

• Butterfly Garden: Keep following that trail all the way toward the pyramids. The butterfly garden is tucked behind the pink pyramid and is absolutely teeming with life in spring. Caterpillar hunting here would be fun! Just remember not to touch them, they will eventually turn into beautiful butterflies 🦋

The entire public side of Moody Gardens is open to the public to enjoy, including the playground, jogging trail, and the 2 gardens!

And the Native Plant Society of Texas - Galveston Chapter is now taking care of the garden by the elephants. If you would like to join one of our upcoming workdays, message us on Instagram! (You may have guessed this, but yes, I am a part of this group lol)

I tend to update this section when I find new things to do on the island. Feel free to message me if you have something to add!

Galveston is weird, creative, scrappy, generous, and full of people doing cool things. My goal is to help you find them, support them, and show up in ways that make our island feel more connected and alive.

Whether you’re new here, born here, or just community‑curious, this is your home base.

FYI: This website works best when viewed from a computer

🌴 Community Events

Your monthly roundup of what’s happening on the island — community hangouts, workshops, artist events, volunteer days, live music, and anything that brings people together.

If you’re local, this is your go‑to.

If you’re not, it’s still fun to see what’s happening here (and maybe plan a visit).

These events are delivered to your inbox on the first of every month.

🛶 Local Guides

These are the practical, fun, “I wish someone had told me this sooner” guides to living on the island.

These guides help you explore the island more deeply — and support the people who make it special.

✨ Extraordinary People

Galveston is full of makers, growers, artists, chefs, and tiny shops doing thoughtful work.

This is where I highlight them — not because they asked, but because they deserve it.

Expect stories, interviews, behind‑the‑scenes peeks, and the occasional “you have to try this” moment.

🌱 Volunteer Opportunities

If you want to get involved, give back, or meet people who care about the same things you do, this is your section.

I share opportunities from:

• local nonprofits

• beach cleanups

• arts organizations

• neighborhood projects

Showing up is one of the easiest ways to feel connected — and it makes a real difference.

Learn More

📅 Free Printable 2026 Calendar

I think what we’re building here is really special, so of course, we needed a special calendar to hold all of our events! I printed mine on poster paper at the library, but if I were doing it again, I’d choose cardstock — it’s sturdier, easier to write on, and would have been substantially cheaper.

2026 Galveston Plant Life Calendar

7.42MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

💬 Why This Website Exists

Community doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens because people show up, share what they know, and invite others in.

This website is my way of doing that — connecting dots, amplifying good work, and helping you feel more at home here.

If you want to help, share this website with a friend.

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