Happy Tuesday, Katy!
Quick question: have you ever watched a chef saber a champagne bottle with a sword? Because there's a 17-table Italian restaurant on South Fry Road where that's just a regular Friday night — and most of Katy still doesn't know about it. We're fixing that today. We've also got a massive Katy ISD roundup, a local shop that’s seriously worth hearing about, and a stacked events calendar heading into Memorial Day weekend.
In today's edition:
🎓 See What Amazing Things Katy ISD Did This Year
🪨 A Katy Shop With Products From Outer Space
🍝 Restaurant Spotlight: Da Vinci Ristorante
20+ events & more
– Grant Hamilton
Community News
Katy ISD Had Another Huge Year
As graduation week lights up Legacy Stadium, let's talk about what Katy ISD students pulled off this year — because it's a LOT. From a 4.9 GPA to national championships to a softball team that just won't lose, this district showed up in every category.
Here's what to know:
Academics & STEM: Jordan Ranch student Suchay Sai Kommisetty earned the district's top GPA at 4.9163. Miller Career & Technology Center sent three teams to the SkillsUSA National Championships after sweeping state titles in Automated Manufacturing, Cyber Security, and Mechatronics. Cinco Ranch's robotics team punched a ticket to the FIRST Robotics World Championship, and Destination Imagination teams advanced to Global Finals.
Arts: Jordan and Seven Lakes string quartets swept gold and silver at the UIL State Chamber Music Finals — for the second year in a row.
Athletics: Sixty-eight student-athletes signed college letters of intent in April. Cinco Ranch pole vaulter Breeana Borresen was profiled as one of the top vaulters in the nation. And the Katy High softball team (36-5 currently) is deep in the state playoffs. Winning the region finals last week, they’re now onto the state semifinals on May 23rd.
Scholarships: Two Taylor High seniors received surprise scholarships totaling over $225,000 at their senior awards ceremony.
Rankings: Niche ranks Katy ISD #1 in the Houston area and #1 among large districts in Texas. This week's graduates are the receipts.
It’s been another fantastic year for Katy ISD. Makes me proud to live here.
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Community
If you haven't been to the Katy Rock Shop since it moved to downtown Katy in October 2024 (or have never been!), put it on your list. Owners Jacob and Astrid Proctor — both geologists who spent years mining minerals in Brazil — have turned this little shop at 821 Avenue C into one of Katy's most unique family destinations.
Some good things to know:
Inventory ranges from a few-dollar tumbled stones to showstopping large geodes, with crystals, fossils, and jewelry in between. Their newest display piece? A chunk of the meteorite that recently fell in the Cypress area — Jacob went and collected it himself.
It's not just a shop. The Proctors run "Sluice Sunday" gem mining, dinosaur rides in their Dino Park, Thursday Earth science classes, and gem-mining birthday parties. They'll even bring their mobile sluice trailer to your school or scout event.
Jacob holds degrees from Rice and UT Austin in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, with 18+ years in oil and gas. Astrid is a degreed geologist from Brazil. They bought the shop from founders Bruce and Carol Huff in 2019 after years of supplying them with Brazilian minerals.
They’re open 7 days a week with slightly different weekend times so make sure to check their schedule before showing up.
Local Restaurant Spotlight 🍽️
Da Vinci Ristorante — 17 Tables and One Remarkable Chef
In a strip center on South Fry Road, there's a 17-table Italian restaurant that regularly turns people away on weekends. Da Vinci Ristorante has been doing this since 2009, and chef-owner Alex Salmassi wouldn't have it any other way.
A few highlights:
Salmassi trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and earned a Master's in Hotel & Restaurant Management in Geneva. He's owned restaurants in the South of France and Johannesburg — and one in Kemah that Hurricane Ike destroyed in 2008, which is how he ended up in Katy.
There are no big walk-in freezers here. The kitchen shops local markets daily for fresh produce, seafood, and meat. The pasta is made in-house. The daily specials board rotates constantly.
The tableside dessert preparation is the stuff of legend — think fresh caramel, champagne sabered with a sword, and birthday celebrations you won't forget.
With only 17 tables and 100–150 covers per night, this place is intentionally small. Reservations are a must, especially Friday and Saturday.
P.S. If you've been here before, hit reply and tell me your go-to order. I'm building a list. 🍝
Events coming up this week:
This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!
🎓 Graduation Week
Katy ISD 2026 Graduation Ceremonies | 8 PM nightly, May 13–21 | Details
Location: Legacy Stadium, Katy
Description: Can’t believe the last few graduations are here already. The remaining schedule:
Tuesday, May 19 — Mayde Creek
Wednesday, May 20 — Cinco Ranch
Thursday, May 21 — Morton Ranch
Parking gates open at 6 PM, doors at 7 PM. Clear-bag policy in effect. Each ceremony ends with a 45-second pyrotechnic display around 9:30 PM. If there's bad weather, reschedule is 9 AM the following day at the same venue. A final congrats to the Class of 2026! 🎉
🎸 Live Music & Entertainment
Triumph | 8 p.m., Friday, May 22 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Canadian classic-rock legends bring their reloaded reunion tour to Sugar Land. If you grew up on "Lay It on the Line" and "Fight the Good Fight," this one's for you.
Dave's Local Collab | 7:00–9:00 PM, Saturday, May 23 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: A free evening of local artists collaborating on Central Green's outdoor stage. Bring blankets and lawn chairs — free parking at LaCenterra. Hard to beat free live music under the trees.
Bayou Roux at Central Green | 7:30 PM, Friday, May 29 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Louisiana-flavored live music on the outdoor stage.
Tyler Henry — The Hollywood Medium | 8:00 PM, Friday, May 29 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: The Netflix "Life After Death" star delivers live readings on his national tour. Whether you're a believer or just curious, it's a unique night out.
Yacht Rock on the Green | 7:00–9:00 PM, Saturday, May 30 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park, LaCenterra
Description: Soft-rock and yacht-pop tribute night under the trees. Bring a blanket, a beverage, and your best Michael McDonald impression. Peak Katy date night.
🐣Kids & Family Fun
Typhoon Texas — Memorial Day Weekend & 10th Anniversary Beach Bash | Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 24 | Tickets
Location: Typhoon Texas
Description: Katy's hometown waterpark kicks off summer in a big way — it's their 10th anniversary! The "Welcome Back Beach Bash" includes live music, entertainment, and extras beyond the usual 30+ slides, lazy river, wave pool, and kid zone. Should be a lot of fun!
Humane Heroes: Animal Care Day Camp | Thursday May 28 & Friday May 29 | Tickets
Location: Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP), Katy
Description: A one-day camp where kids meet puppies, kittens, and rabbits, learn animal care basics, and even get to do small-group dog walks. Ages 6-8 is on May 28th and ages 9-12 on May 29th. They also have week-long summer camps available as well.
🏃 Fitness & Wellness
Get Fit May | Various Dates in May | (Free) Details
Location: Various Katy parks
Description: Free fitness classes all month long at parks across Katy. No registration needed — just show up and move. A different workout style each week.
Fri., May 22 — HIIT, Thomas Park (Body20)
Fri., May 29 – Pilates, VFW Park (Fitness Journey)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys vs. OKC Comets | May 26 – May 31 | Tickets
Location: Constellation Field, 1 Stadium Dr, Sugar Land
Description: Should be another great six-game homestand! What better way to kick off the summer than great baseball, great food, and affordable tickets?
🎨 Arts & Community
Community Blood Drive | 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 27 | (Free) Details
Location: Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, Katy
Description: Walk-ins welcome or schedule an appointment. Donors get a beach towel and A1C testing — not a bad deal for 30 minutes of your time.
Meet the Author: Jeff Chang — Water Mirror Echo | 10:30 AM, Saturday, May 30 | (Free) Details
Location: Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
Description: In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, acclaimed author Jeff Chang discusses his Bruce Lee biography, followed by a book signing. Free copy of the book for attendees while supplies last. Space is limited — reserve your spot early. Note: The library closes early Friday 5/22 at 5 PM and is closed 5/23–5/25 for Memorial Day.
Blue Bell Lone Star Scoop Tour | Saturday, May 30 | (Free) Details
Location: Two Katy area Krogers, check the link above for times and locations
Description: Free hand-dipped ice cream and giveaways from the 119-year-old Texas icon, celebrating the communities that have supported the brand. Free Blue Bell? Do I really need to say more?
🔁 Recurring Weekly Events
Yoga on the Green — Wednesdays & Fridays, ~8 AM | Details
No Label Brewing Co. — Daily Food Trucks | Monday - Thursday | Details
Bird Walk | Thursdays, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Details
Totally Toddler Time | Thursdays, 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM and 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | Details
Taking some time off with the end of the school year, but will be back to weekly starting June 4th
Adult Watercolor Art Club | Every Other Thursday, Next is May 28 | Details
Homeschool on the Green Art Class (Non-homeschool children welcome) | Last Friday of each Month, Next is May 29 | Details
Farmers Market at The Dryer — Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM | Details
Fulshear Farmers Market — Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM | Details
George Ranch Historical Park | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturdays | Tickets
Adult Guitar Café | Every Other Saturday 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Next is May 30 | Details
Farmers Market at LaCenterra — Sundays, 11 AM - 3 PM | Details
That's it for today!
Thanks for reading The Katy Dispatch this week! See you next Tuesday!
P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of Katy locals? Email us at [email protected].