Weekend events planner

Here are the top 11 things to do in Houston this weekend

The weekend is roaring with things to do, from a comic and pop culture con to live music and comedy performances. There are also festivals, arts, a taco and brews brunch, and more. Keep reading for our guide to the 11 best things to do in Houston.

For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar. And for where to brunch with mom on Sunday, check out this story.

Take it easy
Thursday, May 11
The Eagles tribute band, Already Gone, performs at Market Street in The Woodlands as part of an eight-week spring concert series, which runs through June 8. Enjoy the performance from the patio at any of Market Street’s restaurants, including Jasper’s, Cru Wine Bar, Tommy Bahama Tropical Cafe, Uni Sushi, and 1252 Tapas Bar. (6 pm; tickets: free)
9595 Six Pines Dr., The Woodlands; 281-419-4774

Comics, sci-fi, and more
Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14
Comicpalooza, comic and pop culture con, hits the George R. Brown Convention Center with a lineup of celeb guests like Chuck Norris (of films like Delta Force, The Expendables, and TV’s Walker, Texas Ranger), Anthony Mackie (The Falcon in the Captain America franchise), Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger in the A Nightmare on Elm Street films), Lance Henriksen (Bishop in Aliens), and the cast of Marvel's Iron Fist. The weekend-long event features a film festival, live art auction, kid’s area, gaming competitions, comic retailers, and more. (Various times; tickets: $30-$40 per person for a single day pass, $70-$275 per person for a three-day pass)
1001 Avenida de las Americas; 713-853-8000

Rockin’ good time
Friday, May 12-Saturday, May 13
Pop artist Jason Derulo, 2016’s The Voice winner Sundance Head, hip-hop superstar Flo Rida, and the “I Love the 90’s” tour featuring Salt-N-Pepa, Vanilla Ice, All 4 One, Color Me Badd, Tone Lōc and Young MC, are all scheduled to play at the Rock the Ranch Music Festival at the Valley Ranch Town Center Amphitheater in New Caney. All American Rejects, LeCrae, and New Respects are also on the bill. While you're there, feast on tasty ‘cue as 35 amateur teams compete on a cook-off. (Various times; tickets: $79-$159 per person)
11985 N Grand Pkwy. E., New Caney; 855-542-3378

Stand-up comedy
Friday, May 12-Saturday, May 13
Saturday Night Live alum Chris Rock brings his Total Blackout tour to Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land for two nights. This marks the comedian’s first tour in over nine years. Rock has won four Emmy Awards and three Grammy Awards, and is a New York Times best-selling author. (Friday at 8 pm. Saturday is sold out; tickets: $69.50-$125 per person)
18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land; 281-207-6278

Six for one
Friday, May 12-Saturday, May 13
Award-winning writer and performer Chase Padgett premieres his original work “6 Guitars” for Houston audiences at the Alley Theatre. Padgett delivers an 85-minute virtuosic performance as he becomes six different guitar players, each with a distinct voice, view and musical style. (8 pm; tickets: $27-$37 per person)
615 Texas St.; 713-220-5700

Make yourself at home
Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14
Get an inside look at Galveston’s architectural history as the doors of several privately-owned abodes open to visitors during the 43rd annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour. (10 am; tickets: $35 per person)
811 Broadway St.; 409-765-3405

Puppy love
Saturday, May 13
The Puppies for Breakfast event at downtown's Market Square Park showcases all things dog-centric, with more than 40 dog industry vendors and artists on-hand, plus a play area for our four four-legged friends, and lots more. (10 am; tickets: $5 suggested donation)
301 Milam St.; 713-650-3022

Shop it up
Saturday, May 13
Shop for folk art and artisan crafts, including packaged specialty foods at The Market at The Silos on Sawyer. (11 am; tickets: free)
1502 Sawyer St.; 832-273-4798

Tacos and beer
Saturday, May 13
Fusion Taco teams up with Saint Arnold Brewing Company to host a special brunch at the Fusion Taco locale in the Heights, featuring tasty tacos paired with ice-cold Saint Arnold's craft brews. (12-2:30 pm; tickets: $35 per person)
4706 N. Main St.; 713-686-9494

Watt's up?
Saturday, May 13
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt goes to bat for charity at the 5th annual J.J. Watt Charity Classic. Joining him on the field at the competitive softball tournament are 31 of Watt's fellow Texans teammates. Keep an eye out for The Terminator, aka Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is expected to be in the stands. Proceeds from the event benefit the JJ Watt Foundation. (Game time is 7 pm, with a home run derby at 6 pm; tickets: $5-$200 per person).
501 Crawford St.

Park it
Sunday, May 14
Grab your chairs and blankets, and picnic at Midtown's Baldwin Park. The family-friendly afternoon will also include food trucks, lawn games, and music by Ruben Moreno and Zydeco Re-Evolution. (2-4 pm; tickets: free).
1701 Elgin; 832-394-8805

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt goes to bat for charity at the 5th annual J.J. Watt Charity Classic.

Houston, 5th annual JJ Watt Charity Classic, May 2017, J.J. Watt and trophy

Courtesy photo

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt goes to bat for charity at the 5th annual J.J. Watt Charity Classic.

event-planner

Oh, Brother

McConaughey and Harrelson comedy series 'Brothers' premieres this fall

Photo courtesy of Apple TV

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in Brothers on Apple TV.

Imaginary siblings and real life best friends Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are finally about to bring the joke home with a new Apple TV series, Brothers, out globally September 23.

The first two episodes will come out together, and one new episode will be added every Wednesday through November 4, a press release says. There will be eight episodes in total.

In a rumor that gets harder to search for the closer Brothers comes to fruition, McConaughey and Harrelson have leaned into ideas that they might be half-brothers, partially because of their longtime friendship and partially because they have a similar look that gets even stronger in old photos. The topic sprung up when Brothers was in its infancy as a project called Brother from Another Mother, and McConaughey's mom validated it by insinuating that she and Harrelson's father once had a fling.

In Brothers, a heartfelt comedy, McConaughey and Harrelson play fictionalized versions of themselves living out almost the same drama, with much more serious repercussions.

When Harrelson's family needs a place to get away after his daughter's wedding falls through, they travel to Austin to accept the hospitality of a friend, McConaughey. But when McConaughey's mother, Ma Mac (Holland Taylor) accidentally reveals that they might be half-brothers, Harrelson becomes obsessed with learning the truth. Simultaneously, McConaughey considers running for Governor of Texas. (Is this getting too real?)

Other members of the ensemble cast include Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan, and Oona Yaffe.

Brothers is produced by Paramount Television Studios, and showrun and executive produced by Lee Eisenberg, best known for producing The Office. McConaughey and Harrelson are also both executive producers alongside Natalie Sandy, David West Read, Trish Hofmann, Bill Bost, Jason Winer, David Finkel and Brett Baer, and Jeremy Plager, the release says. Multiple episodes are directed by Trent O’Donnell, including the pilot.

Austinites were keyed into the production early when locals spotted McConaughey and Harrelson with a film crew on South Congress Avenue. Photographers also caught them in different costumes, this time on South Congress and West Riverside Drive, so it seems like recognizable places around town will be on display multiple times throughout the series.

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