Weekend event planner

Here are the top 9 things to do in Houston this weekend

Don't have any weekend plans? From spectacular concerts and lively festivals to can’t-miss food events, we've got you covered. Here are our top nine picks to get out and enjoy Houston this weekend.

For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Food and wine fest
Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6
From specialty food items and culinary events to artisan exhibits, the 8th annual Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival at the Galveston Island Convention Center offers global wines paired with delicious bites, and tips from winemakers and chefs. (Various times; tickets: $30-$156 per person)
5600 Seawall Blvd, Galveston; 409-770-0999

Stand-up guy
Friday, May 5
Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno brings his stand-up comedy tour to Smart Financial Centre. Leno is currently the producer and host of online web series, Jay Leno’s Garage. (8 pm; tickets: $55-$150 per person).
18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land; 281-207-6278

Dragon boat races on the bayou
Saturday, May 6
Cheer on more than 20 corporate and community teams as they paddle their way through Buffalo Bayou at 17th annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival. Race times are staggered throughout the day (8:30 am-4:30 pm; tickets: free)
1001 Commerce St.; 281-636-5270

Celebrate Japan
Saturday, May 6-Sunday, May 7
Expect traditional, colorful decorations like koinobori carp streamers, entertainment by hip-hop dance and singing group Jr. Exile, an imperial parade by Okinawan dance troupe Kayonokai, a traditional tea ceremony in the Japanese Garden, and more at the 2017 Japan Festival at Hermann Park. (10 am; tickets: free).
1700 Hermann Dr.; 713-963-0121

Enjoy the arts
Saturday, May 6
The Rothko Chapel presents MenilFest 2017/ the Gulf Coast Indie book fest. Head to the Menil Grounds for a day of performances, readings, and a showcase of independent authors and publishers. For a full schedule of events, click here. (11 am-6 pm; tickets: free)
1533 Sul Ross St.; 713-525-9400

Adopt a pup
Saturday, May 6
Stroll, listen to live music, and adopt a pet from Pup Squad Animal Rescue at Mutts + Melodies, held on the lawn at downtown’s GreenStreet. (1-4 pm; tickets: free).
1201 Fannin St.; 713-524-0661

I feel it coming
Saturday, May 6
Grammy Award-winning music artist The Weeknd heads to Toyota Center as part of his “Starboy: Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tour,” in support of this third album, Starboy. Songs from the album, featuring guest appearances from Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, Future, and Kendrick Lamar, include the title track, as well as "I Feel It Coming," "Party Monster," and "Reminder.” (8 pm; tickets: $150 per person)
1510 Polk St.; 713-758-7200

Fab food and drinks for charity
Sunday, May 7
The Big Taste of Houston presents food and drinks from 25 Houston restaurants and bars, including Uchi, Dish Society, The Pit Room, The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation, and Bayou + Bottle. Proceeds raised benefit nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters. (4:30-7 pm; tickets: $125-$195 per person).
2120 Southwest Fwy.; 713-860-8209

Mixtape
Sunday, May 7
Chance the Rapper headlines at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. His 2016 mixtape (streaming-only album) Coloring Book won Best Rap Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards. Featured songs include “All We Got,” “No Problem,”Juke Jam,” and “Finish Line/Down.” (8 pm; tickets: $70-$372 per person)
2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands; 281-363-3300

For fun ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, check out this CultureMap story.

Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno brings his stand-up comedy tour to Smart Financial Centre.

Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBC

Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno brings his stand-up comedy tour to Smart Financial Centre.

event-planner

Movie Review

George Clooney shines in Jay Kelly, a sharp and heartfelt look at fame

Photo by Peter Mountain/Netflix

George Clooney in Jay Kelly.

The life of a celebrity is paradoxical in that your life is lived in the public eye, yet who you really are is almost unknowable. Movie history is littered with films that try to dig into the private lives of real and fictional actors, with varying results. The latest film to try to unearth what it means to be famous is Jay Kelly.

In a perfect bit of casting, George Clooney stars in the title role as an actor who’s still world famous even if he’s edging toward the downside of his career. His coterie of helpers, including manager Ron (Adam Sandler) and publicist Liz (Laura Dern), make sure he is taken care of at every turn, often anticipating his needs before he realizes it.

A run-in with an old friend, Timothy (Billy Crudup), sends Jay spiraling, questioning not just the meaning of his 35-plus year career, but also his relationships with his two daughters, Jessica (Riley Keough) and Daisy (Grace Edwards). Jay’s attempt to manage the crisis pits his identity as a celebrity and as a father and friend against each other.

Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, and co-written by Emily Mortimer (who has a small role), the film has to walk the tightrope of making the audience like Jay even as he does and says things that might make him unlikable. There’s a very thin line between the character of Jay Kelly and the real life George Clooney; each is seemingly infinitely charming when dealing with the public, but they lead very different private lives.

Baumbach takes a light approach to the story, occasionally dipping into more serious territory but never going too deep. For some, this may seem like a copout, as if he’s merely pretending to want to explore what celebrity truly is. But as you see Jay navigate his way between his work, his family, and being out among the public, little details emerge that make him increasingly complex.

A lot of the film’s pleasure comes from the strong actors cast in relatively minor roles. There are not enough words to express what it means to have actors like Jim Broadbent as Jay’s mentor, or Greta Gerwig as Ron’s wife, or Stacy Keach as Jay’s father, or Patrick Wilson as a fellow longtime actor. Each of them and more lend an instant air of excellence to the film that elevates the story beyond its simple premise.

Clooney may be playing a version of himself, but as the film notes on multiple occasions, playing yourself is more difficult than it seems. He is deserving of an Oscar nomination, as is Sandler, who doesn’t give off even a whiff of insincerity as a man who has given perhaps a bit too much of himself in aid of another man’s career.

Jay Kelly is not a world-changing film, and some may accuse it of being another navel-gazing Hollywood story. But the forcefulness of Clooney’s performance, the long line of strong supporting actors, and the subtly effective storytelling by Baumbach and Mortimer (making her feature screenwriting debut) help it become much more than might be expected.

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Jay Kelly is now playing in select theaters. It debuts on Netflix on December 5.

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