It might be easy to forget that anything other than the Taylor Swift Eras tour is happening in Houston this weekend. (Get the lowdown on show days here.) But plenty of options abound, including a highly anticipated new downtown food hall with a host of must-visit foodie stops.
A Prince party toasts the historic Eldorado Ballroom, Memorial Park and POST Houston downtown celebrate Earth Day, and little Corgis steal the show in a short — and short-legged — ridiculously cute dog race.
Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.
Thursday, April 20
The Immunization Partnership presents presents 14th Annual Luncheon: Courage in Action
The 14th Annual Luncheon: Courage in Action will honor extraordinary healthcare leaders, advocates, and providers who have stood up to dissent as they promote public health. The keynote speaker will be Marie Brenner, author of The Desperate Hours: One Hospital’s Fight to Save a City on the Pandemic Front Lines. She will share the challenges one of our nation’s preeminent hospitals addressed during the inception of the pandemic. 11:30 am.
Art on Screen 23 Film Series
Inspired by Jorge Pardo’s "Folly" (on view in Wilhelmina’s Grove at the University of Houston), Public Art of the University of Houston System will present its third annual Art on Screen film series highlighting UMBRAL x SÍNTESIS, a collection of experimental films presented by FICUNAM, the UNAM International Film Festival. The event includes the screening of four films commissioned by Mexican and Latin American filmmakers with international recognition in the field of avant-garde cinema. 5 pm.
Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation presents A Celebration of Reading: Faith. Family & Friends
This 29th annual event will feature a lineup of bestselling authors including Nelson DeMille, Reverend Dr. Russell Levenson, Jr., and Tom Papa. The program will also shine a light on the importance of reading in our community and commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Guests may also participate in a silent auction and raffle. The event benefits local literacy efforts of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and national literacy efforts of the Barbara Bush Foundation of Family Literacy. 6:30 pm.
Friday, April 21
Burning Bones Press presents 10th Annual It Came From The Bayou
Printmakers from across the country will descend upon Houston during Burning Bones Press' 10th annual celebration of printmakers and printmaking. Things will kick off on Friday with Tom Huck signing his latest book The Devil is in the Details at Burning Book Press. On Saturday, Mid Main Galleries will host the It Came From The Bayou! poster show. On Sunday, the 10th annual printmakers showcase will invade Saint Arnold Brewing Company's upstairs beer hall. 6 pm. (11 am Sunday).
Performing Arts Houston presents Gregory Maqoma's Vuyani Dance Theatre
In this piece, the message of death and its dire consequences are infused through a lament to be able to confront a universe in which the age-old tropes of greed, power and religion have given rise to loss of life not as a natural phenomenon. It’s a universal story encompassing the past and the present that champions our ability to band together to share the burden of grief. Maqoma’s message through this work is that we need to pause for a moment and urgently think about the pain inflicted on others by the actions of others. 7:30 pm.
Community Music Center of Houston presents The Philly Soul Sound
The classic sounds of Philly Soul music are back at Miller, complete with strings, smooth vocals, horns, and hits from favorites like the O’Jays, The Spinners, Teddy Pendergrass, and more. Philly Soul, a more refined, uptown form of R&B that features a string section with magnificent violins, violas, and cellos, is sweeter than Stax and more extravagant than Motown with its expansive arrangements. New this year is the addition of the genre’s iconic women, including Patti Labelle and Sister Sledge. 8:15 pm.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema presents The Devil’s Backbone
Set during the Spanish Civil War, Guillermo del Toro's haunting 2001 ghost story follows a 12-year-old boy left at a rural orphanage after the death of his freedom-fighter father. As frightening as it is personal, del Toro's movie masterfully weaves together gothic-inspired scares, a deeply disturbing mystery, and historical melodrama to explore the horrors waiting for us both on and off the mortal coil. Don't miss a new 4K restoration of this bone-chilling classic. 10 pm.
Saturday, April 22
Lyric Market Grand Opening
Lyric Market, downtown Houston’s newest and most innovative food hall, will have its grand opening this weekend. Current and future customers can expect delicious juices and health-centric dishes from Café JuJu, authentic Texas BBQ from Mama’s Texas Smokehouse, and Starbucks opening in Press Waffle Co. These new culinary partners join Lyric Market’s current roster of vendors, including 1929 Po-Boy Kitchen, Horu Sushi, Kati Roll Wala, and Rhapsody Bar. Guests can also expect exciting pop ups and cooking demonstrations. Noon.
Corgi Racing at Kirby Ice House(rescheduled; website reflects old date)
Fans of corgis (and who isn't, really?) and their owners are invited to Kirby Ice House for the second annual Corgi Racing event. The race turns the ice house into a dog track in the furious (and short-legged) race for the Golden Corgi Trophy and other prizes. While the event welcomes all dogs and their humans, the race is restricted to strictly Corgis racers only — no mixes. All dogs must have two people accompanying them (strictly 21 and up): one handler at the start and one catcher at the finish. A portion of proceeds benefit Houston BARC Foundation. Tickets are $15. Check-in is at noon; races begin at 1 pm. $
Prince Tribute Concert + After Party at The Historic Eldorado Ballroom
Now in its seventh year, Lucille's Prince Week is sporting a change of venue and a refreshed event schedule. The day will kick off with a free Prince Day Party + Community Market. This free outdoors event will channel the Eldorado's origins as a cultural celebration center, bringing the party to the people via a Prince soundtrack powered by DJ Elevated. The main event — a Prince Tribute Concert + After Party — will come to life in the heart of the Eldorado Ballroom from 8 pm, giving patrons a first look at the reimagined music venue. 1 pm.
Memorial Park Conservancy presents Earth Day Celebration
Join Memorial Park’s Eastern Glades for an evening filled with educational activities for kids, delicious food trucks, and children’s story time. For even more goodness, the nature documentary Deep in the Heart, narrated by native Texan Matthew McConaughey depicting the incredible nature found throughout Texas, will be screened at sunset. By coming together to celebrate Earth Day, they hope to inspire and encourage others to appreciate the oasis of nature that we have in the center of Houston, and throughout the rest of the world. 6 pm.
The Alta Arts presents Mami Wata: Uncovering Heritage through Opera
The Alta Arts presents a 20-minute operatic journey with Mami Wata, the African mythological figure known in parts of the Afro-Atlantic. This opera follows Mami Wata's encounter with an African prince, who believes his lineage is virtuous and noble, only to discover the truth about his heritage through Mami Wata's intervention. After the opera, guests can stay for a short presentation where composer Jaylin Vinson and librettist Avalon Hogan will delve into the themes of the opera, and discuss the art of storytelling in the medium of opera. 7:30 pm.
Sunday, April 23
Earth Sun Day at POST Houston
Earth Sun Day is an all-day celebration of the planet with several events slated throughout the day. It kicks off with Peace by Piece by Bounce Back Houston, a sustainably minded marketplace that sells and trades vintage apparel. After that, take in three awe-inspiring BMX performances presented by Perfection on Wheels. The day will culminate with a vibrant display of 2,000 solar lanterns, known as Little Suns, spread throughout the five-acre Sky Lawn and overlooking the downtown Houston skyline. 11 am.
Inni Entertainments presents Texas Diaries 3.0
Cowboys & Indians is hosting an outdoor Holi celebration perfect for foodies. Holi, a popular and significant Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colors, Love and Spring, is often marked by the throwing of colorful powder, and this celebration will be no different. Guests dressed in white will enjoy free organic Holi colors to throw in the air and at one another in the parking lot. Delicious food, drinks, and a Bollywood & South Indian DJ are some of the perks available to ticket holders. Noon.
Homecoming Kick-Off Party: Tropical Soiree
The Great Age Movement will kick off its fall senior prom gala fundraiser with a homecoming party. It will raise awareness and funds for the organization’s third Great Age Fitness Parkin Fifth Ward. Host Hadjer Djebali will welcome guests for an afternoon of light Mediterranean bites, beverages and French tropical music, with a dance performance and presentation of the second Great Age park, being installed in the summer. 92-year-old retired physician Angela Rechichi will be honored for her donation of an exercise station. 2 pm.
