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.

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Hot headlines

Award-winning Houston chef reemerges in our top 5 stories of the week

Photo by Frank Frances

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Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week. An acclaimed chef is back, and Texas' best barbecue sizzles. Plus, is I-45 a "freeway without a future"? Get the details on our five most popular stories below, then visit this guide to plan the rest of your weekend.

1. Award-winning Houston chef reemerges with new Memorial restaurant. Bryan Caswell is back. Six years after closing Reef, the celebrated chef has opened Latuli in Houston’s upscale Memorial neighborhood.

2. Pioneering Mexican chef and chic speakeasy popping up at Houston hotel. Houston diners won’t need a passport to explore Mexico’s culinary capital this summer. In August, the Four Seasons Hotel Houston will host "From Oaxaca, With Love," a five-course experience featuring acclaimed chef Alejandro Ruiz of Casa Oaxaca.

3. 7 Houston-area barbecue joints make Texas Monthly's new top 50 list. The state has a new No. 1 BBQ joint, according to this hotly anticipated list, which was released this week.

4. Activist group calls out Houston highway as a 'freeway without a future'. A national nonprofit organization advocating for the removal of freeways across the country has named the Interstate 45 expansion in Houston on its 2025 list of "freeways without futures."

I-45 in Houston is one of nine freeways where the infrastructure is "nearing the end of its functional life." Photo courtesy of Getty Images

5. Two top 10 pitmasters react to Texas Monthly's new top 50 barbecue list. On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” CultureMap editor Eric Sandler is joined by three special guest to discuss Texas Monthly’s new list.