Weekend events planner

Here are the top 7 things to do in Houston this weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend? CultureMap has got you covered. We've rounded up seven can’t-miss events — from Rodeo barbecue to a Tony Award-winning musical. For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Thursday, February 22-Saturday, February 24

Cue up for ’cue
Your ticket to the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at Rodeo Houston gets you access to several public venues including the carnival, Garden Stage with live music, and Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon where you can enjoy a free sliced brisket plate. (various times; tickets: $15 per person).
1 NRG Park

Thursday, February 22-Sunday, March 4

A night in Memphis
Theatre Under The Stars presents Tony Award-winning musical Memphis, a tale of fame and forbidden love inspired by actual events centered around the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee. The winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, it’s based on a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro and features a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. (various times; tickets: $30-$108 per person)
800 Bagby St.; 713-558-2600

Friday, February 23

Outdoor film fun
Catch a showing of Secret Life of Pets on the grass at Levy Park. Bring your own blanket, and get some surprising insight on what's going on when you leave your cats and dogs at home. (6:30 pm; tickets: admission is free).
3801 Eastside St.

Saturday, February 24

A blast with bowls
Help fight hunger by participating in annual fundraiser, Empty Bowls. Held at The John Cooper School, the cost of admission includes a meal of soup and water and a handmade bowl to take home. Bid on art and bowls in a silent auction. Empty Bowls has raised more than $85,000 for hunger relief in the Houston community over the past 12 years. (10:30 am; tickets: $10 per person).
One John Cooper Dr., The Woodlands; 281-367-0900

Art with a heart
Internationally exhibited, multidisciplinary Houston artist Patrick Medrano has battled life-threatening complications from the flu, and nearly a month of subsequent hospitalization. With Medrano facing a lengthy recovery and financial burden, his friends are hosting the “Patrick Medrano Relief Auction,” in which more than 50 artists have donated unique pieces of art for the event. Consider this a chance to add to your collection for a good cause. (5 pm to 8 pm; live auction begins at 6:30 pm.)
Mother Dog Studios, 720 Walnut St.; 713-229-9760

Let's dance!
The “Dancing with the Stars: Live! – Light Up the Night” tour makes a stop at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. Stars from the hit ABC show set to dance the night away include Jenna Johnson, Sasha Farber, Witney Carson, Keo Motsepe, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Emma Slater, Gleb Savchenko, Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Hayley Erbert, and Brandon Armstrong. (7:30 pm; tickets: $55-$75 per person)
18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land; 281-207-6278

Pasta party
Sunday, February 25
Don’t skip Riel restaurant's Red Sauce pop-up dinner, featuring the talents of guest chefs Richie Nakano (San Francisco’s IDK Concepts) and Jill Bartolome (Houston’s Aqui). The menu includes classics like spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmigiana, pasta bolognese, lasagna, "Jill's bread stixxx," and desserts (panna cotta, tiramisu, and zeppole). Reservations highly recommended. (5 to 10 pm; dishes priced per item)
1927 Fairview St.; 832-831-9109

Catch a showing of Secret Life of Pets on the grass at Levy Park.

Photo courtesy of Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures

Catch a showing of Secret Life of Pets on the grass at Levy Park.

event-planner

always be prepared

Texas tax-free weekend lets shoppers stock up on emergency supplies

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Emergency supplies like first aid kits that cost less than $75 are eligible for a tax break this weekend.

The best time for Texas residents to stock up on supplies to prepare for natural disasters is coming up this weekend. The annual statewide Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday runs from April 25-27, when Texans will be able to purchase critical emergency supplies — plus household necessities like batteries and fire extinguishers — tax-fee.

Shoppers can purchase certain emergency supplies tax-free starting at 12:01 am on Saturday, April 25, and the "holiday" runs until midnight on Monday, April 27. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the weekend, and purchases can be made in store, online, through the mail, and via custom order.

Saving on emergency supplies
Emergency preparation supplies must be purchased under certain price brackets to qualify for the tax exemption. For example, portable generators must have a sales price less than $3,000 to qualify for a tax break. Ladders and hurricane shutters that cost less than $300 also qualify.

Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sales price, according to the Comptroller. So if a shopper buys a $299 rescue ladder and is charged a $10 delivery fee, the total sales price for the purchase is $309, and tax would need to be paid for that sales price.

Additional items that qualify for a tax break as long as they cost less than $75 include:

Axes
Batteries – single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
Carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Ice products – including reusable and artificial ice
Light sources – including those that are battery operated or portable self-powered sources; candles, flashlights, and lanterns
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
Non-electric can openers
Non-electric coolers and ice chests for food storage
Radios – including portable self-powered radios, battery operated radios, two-way radios, and weather band radios
Smoke detectors
Tarps and other plastic sheeting

The full list of qualifying items is available on The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' website.

As a reminder, over-the-counter items like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, and spray and wipes are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel in compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

Non-qualifying items that will still be taxed
Medical masks, face masks, and gloves of any kind do not qualify for a tax exemption. Other taxable items including toilet paper, cleaning supplies (such as disinfectants and bleach wipes), vehicle or boat batteries, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, and stepladders. Camping equipment and supplies, including stoves and tents, are also not eligible for a tax break.

Additionally, any repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies do not qualify for tax exemptions, and neither do any services that are performed on or related to those supplies.

What to do if a qualifying item is taxed during the holiday
If customers buy a tax-exempt item between April 25-27 and are still taxed, they may request a refund from the seller on the tax paid for the item. The seller can grant the refund to the buyer, or provide them with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which would allow the customer to file a claim for their refund through the Comptroller's website.

tax free weekend emergency supplies texas

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always be prepared

Texas tax-free weekend lets shoppers stock up on emergency supplies