El Grito at Miller, a Jazz Night, and the Galveston Sandcastle Festival

Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park has three free evening shows this week. Tuesday, September 15, at 7:30 is El Grito at Miller, the annual Mexican Independence Day Grito ceremony followed by a concert from Mariachi Herencia de México honoring the music of Juan Gabriel. Friday the 18th at 7:30, the Houston Jazz Collective presents the Houston Jazz Festival with the NOLA Resistance Quintet, with works by Texas artist John Alexander on display. Saturday the 19th at 7:30 is the 24th Noche Caliente from the Diaz Music Institute, with the Houston Latin Jazz Orchestra and the youth ensemble Caliente playing salsa, mambo and Latin jazz. The hill needs no ticket. Covered seats take a free ticket, released on Miller's website at 10 AM the day before.

That same weekend, the Galveston Sandcastle Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, at East Beach. More than 25 teams build on Saturday from 10 to 3, the sculptures are judged that afternoon, and winners are announced at 5. The sculptures stay up for Sunday, when crowds are smaller, and professional builders give free lessons at 11, 1 and 3. A single-day ticket is $25, or $10 for children, a weekend pass is $40, and parking is included.

Hispanic Heritage Month also starts September 15 and runs through October 15. If one of these gets you out to Hermann Park or down to the island and you start wondering what homes nearby are selling for, text me at 281-818-8177. I speak English, Vietnamese and some Spanish, so we can talk it through in whichever is easiest for you.