It's prime festival season in Houston, as no fewer than four different festivals will take place around the city this weekend. If you'd rather stay inside, there's a unique take on a classic play, a boy band still hangin' tough after all these years and a rock band going above and beyond the normal call of duty.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, May 14
20th Annual Houston Greek Festival
It's time to get your Greek on at the annual Houston Greek Festival at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church. Every day through Sunday, you can get your fill of gyros and wine, dance to some great music and shop in the pop-up marketplace. For even more entertainment, you can also watch competitive eaters like Joey Chestnut and Matt Stoney compete in the Niko Nikos Gyro Eating Contest on Sunday.
Pachanga Latino Music Festival
The Pachanga Latino Music Festival is taking place in Houston, Austin and Dallas simultaneously this weekend, bringing each city a variety of music and cultural performances, not to mention great food. The acts performing at Warehouse Live will include Kinky, Compass: M. I. S. + Toy Selectah and Ceci Bastida.
Friday, May 15
Rice Village Food & Wine Festival
If you love the various food and drink establishments at Rice Village, this is your weekend as they're banding together for a special food and wine festival. The variety of events include a shrimp and crab boil at Savory Spice Shop, paella at El Meson, tea at British Isles and more. The festival will take place through Sunday.
Society for the Performing Arts presents Scottish Ballet in A Streetcar Named Desire
A Streetcar Named Desire earned instant classic status upon its Broadway debut in 1947, and cemented it even further with the movie version four years later. But this performance at Wortham Theater Center will be completely unique, as the Scottish Ballet interprets the story of Blanche DuBois through dance.
Saturday, May 16
New Kids on the Block in concert with TLC and Nelly
Folks, brace yourself: It's now been over 30 years since New Kids on the Block officially got their start, which raises the question of whether you can still be called a boy band if you're pushing 50. You can judge for yourself if NKOTB still has it when they perform at Toyota Center, along with opening acts TLC and Nelly.
Dave Matthews Band in concert
You can't argue that the Dave Matthews Band isn't giving fans their money's worth these days. During both their 2014 and 2015 tours, the band, which will perform at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, has played two full sets - one acoustic and one electric - almost ensuring that each and every fan will go home happy.
Sunday, May 17
East End Cultural District Open House Tour
The East End Cultural District is full of art studios, galleries, theaters and creative fabrication “makerspaces," and many of them will throw open their doors on Sunday for this special open house. The self-guided tour lets you get a direct experience with the art making process. Swing by East End Foundation booth on the Navigation esplanade for a map of all participating locations.
2015 Texas Children's Art Festival
If your little ones can't get enough of drawing, painting or other art projects, take them out to Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens for the annual Texas Children's Art Festival. Children and their families are invited to participate in art-making activities, interactive games, and engaging demonstrations by potters, wood turners, silversmiths and quilt makers.
Ars Lyrica presents Alexander’s Feast—Or, The Power of Music
It will be a fiery end to the 2014-2015 Ars Lyrica season as they present Alexander’s Feast—Or, The Power of Music at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. The musical tale relates how the rapturous song of a musician named Timotheus aroused and moved Alexander the Great. The performance is sure to contain abundant vocal and instrumental fireworks.
The Scottish Ballet will present a unique take on A Streetcar Named Desire at Wortham Theater Center on May 15.
