On tap this week are a hula-themed young professionals fundraiser, a yearly tradition of artful vehicles, a home tour that awakens the spirit of yore and the story of a vampire set to music that thinks less is more. If you are at a loss for Mother's Day activities, more than a few are suitable to share with your family's matriarch.
Be sure to click on the link below the event. You'll find a page teeming with helpful intel, like where to eat, drink and shop near your destination, as well as the ability to download the deets to your electronic calendar.
Urban Green's "Hula in the Park"
Hermann Park's young professionals army — call them Urban Green — throw a handful of socials every year, but none are as well attended as those that are held on the banks of McGovern Lake. With Thursday's forecast calling for mild springtime temps, who can resist pedal boat rides, a soirée en plein air and flowing Pisco Portón concoctions?
You don't have to be an Urban Green member to attend this hula-themed gathering. Though if the mission agrees with your values, membership fees won't break your piggy bank.
The skinny: Thursday, 7-10 p.m.; Hermann Park; tickets start at $25.
26th Annual Art Car Parade
After more than a quarter of a century of doing sort of the same thing, one would think that the yearly procession of colorful art-on-wheels would get old — but it doesn't. There's always something fresh and something to laugh about — and that includes the quirky assemblage that gathers to host and watch the parade.
Festivities begin on Thursday with the Main Street Drag and the Sneak Peek at Discovery Green. Wear your most outlandish costume for the Art Car Ball Friday night, though don't knock back more than your fair share of drinks. You don't want to be too well-oiled — I mean wrecked — for Saturday's 1 p.m. motorcade, especially if you plan on inviting mom.
Update: Due to inclement weather, the Art Car Ball scheduled for Friday night has been canceled. Stay tuned for details regarding a possible rain date. The Art Car Parade on Saturday has been moved to 3 p.m. The parade route will open to the public at 1 p.m. in addition to the FPSF Stage featuring Disco Daddies and Bang Bangz, the Kids Zone with children's art activities and the VIPit area.
The skinny: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Allen Parkway; free event.
Black Lab Theatre presents Chinglish
Growing up speaking Spanglishbrew — a melange of Spanish, English and Hebrew — I can sympathize with the conundrums that ensue when languages and cultures collide. Behind the humor of playwright David Henry Hwang's Chinglish is a tale that questions what we may consider to be appropriate social graces in love and business.
Black Lab Theatre may be relatively new in Houston's arts scene, albeit artistic director Jordan Jaffe has already earned a reputation for high quality productions.
Fresh Arts Art Opening: Vim and Vigor, curated by Paul Middendorf
It's time to check back in with Fresh Arts and discover what thought-provoking ventures are brewing in its gallery. As an arts advocacy nonprofit, you can count on Fresh Arts to help you sift through the city's less-than-visible creative community.
German born Paul Middendorf, whose work as the founder of Gallery Homeland in Portland, Ore., echoes the spirit of Fresh Arts, curates a collection of pieces crafted from discarded and banal objects. Brandon Araujo (painting), Chris Fulkerson (sculpture) and Mauricio Menijvar (installation) metamorphose these otherwise run-of-the-mill materials into zestful works of art.
The skinny: Friday, 6 p.m.; Fresh Arts; free admission, donations encouraged.
39th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour
For many Houstonians, Galveston can feel like a touristy weekend destination, particularly during Mardi Gras, Dickens on the Strand, the many food festivals and music events. Let's remember that if it were not for the 1900 hurricane that decimated the island, the bigger metropolis center may actually be closer to the coast.
Walk down memory lane on these last two days of the Galveston Historic Homes Tour to preview late 19th-century homes that still stand today, including a private school, the home of a first generation grocer and the residence of a notable physician. Mother approved event.
Arts smarty pants and in-the-loop happy go luck gal Nancy Wozny's pick: The Philip Glass Ensemble, presented by Society for the Performing Arts
Nancy says: "Vampires could use a little minimalism. The Philip Glass Ensemble heads to Jones Hall via Society for the Performing Arts to perform Glass' original score to Tod Browning's classical 1931 movie, Dracula, starring the original vampire himself, Bela Lugosi.
"Live film scores are all the rage, but when the Philip Glass Ensemble is behind the screen, things get even more exciting. Glass originally composed the score for the Kronos Quartet in 1998, and later made a new arrangement for his own ensemble. Glass has a long history of creating dynamic film scores, and has performed many right here in Houston, as Glass and SPA have a long history."
The skinny: Friday, 8 p.m.; Jones Hall; tickets start at $35.
The Philip Glass Ensemble heads to Jones Hall via Society for the Performing Arts to perform Glass' original score to Tod Browning's classical 1931 movie, Dracula.
Grand Lux Cafe is known for its baked-to-order desserts. Grand Lux Cafe/Facebook 