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Your weekly guide to Houston: Five (plus) don't-miss events — unique food festival included

On the calendar this week are a green-loving, white-themed young professionals bash, a quirky best-of-the-best show, a performance in which Brahms and The Beatles feel right at home, a spicy food battle and a musical journey to Hungary.

Urban Green Young Professionals hosts "Birthday en Blanc: Still White Hot at 100 Years Old"

You can always count on the Urban Green troupe to charm with lovely events that take advantage of Hermann Park's appeal. Set in the Lake Plaza, the white-themed centennial young professionals bash chaired by Jennifer Hobson, Gregory Kaldis, Kelly and David Leonard and Jon Sanfelippo raises funds to improve and maintain this landmark Houston destination. And yes, you'll be able to ride the train.

The skinny: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Hermann Park; $45 general public, $35 Urban Green members.

Houston Fringe Festival presents "The Best of Fringe"

When the three-week festival that presents creativity on the edge rolls into Houston, the task of what to see and where to be can be overwhelming. Think of this "Best of Fringe" show as the 2013 highlights that made a memorable impression on curators, audiences and behind-the-scenes experts. That list includes dance, circus art, spoken word and improvisatory performances by Alexandria Gurley, China Cat Dance, Cirque La Vie, Nicolay Dance Works and This Infinite Closet.

The skinny: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Frenetic Theater; $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Houston Chamber Choir presents "Love Me Do! Love songs of the '60s"

Those who haven't discovered the charisma of the musicians that comprise the Houston Chamber Choir have no idea what they're missing — this isn't your adorable neighborhood church choir, folks. While the professional group's renditions of choral works of yesteryear are exemplary, nothing is more fun than watching the sassy singers drop their metaphorical choir robs to let loose and croon popular tunes. Music by Brahms and The Beatles are coupled in a program that travels from the 1860s to the 1960s.

The skinny: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Lone Star College-Montgomery Campus; $40 general admission. Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; South Main Baptist Church; $40 general admission. Sunday, 4 p.m.; Imperial Arts in Rosenberg; $30 adult tickets.

Third Annual Curry Crawl

Battle curry is on at this third annual party in which 13 restaurant and food truck chefs pull out all the stops to impress a panel of judges and guests with their savory creations in hopes of being awarded one of the tasting's honors, including Grand Prize, Best Presentation and People's Choice. Thank goodness for Grey Goose, No Label Beer, La Marca Wines and Evamor, which will be onsite to provide liquid relief from all the piquant flavors.

It's all for a good cause. That would be Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man and Woman of the Year campaign, particularly Fleming's operating partner Sam Governale and KPRC producer Amber Willis's quest to earn the coveted philanthropic title.

The skinny: Sunday, 5 p.m.; Straits at CityCentre; $55.

Apollo Chamber Players presents "Of Gypsies and Rhapsodies"

Exploring the intersection of classical music and folk traditions may be the schtick of the Apollo Chamber Players, but that doesn't meant that it's a gimmick. In fact, what I love most about the ensemble's performances is that you come away with a better understanding of the interplay between a master composer's journey and the environment that shaped their lives.

Off to Hungary we go in this concert that focuses on music by Haydn, Liszt and Bartok. As it's customary with Apollo, expect to be surprised by energetic homemade arrangements orchestrated by the string quartet's members.

The skinny: Sunday, 6 p.m.; Shepherd School of Music; $25 general admission, $20 seniors, $10 students.

Staff writer and resident gourmand Eric Sandler's pick: Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Market

Eric says, "Over the last year, the 300 block of Main has become one of Houston's hottest nightlife destinations. Things slow down one Sunday a month for an afternoon/evening market and street festival. Bars like Goro & Gun and Little Dipper run specials to entice people, and street parking downtown is free on Sunday.

"Come check out locals arts and crafts vendors, hear some live music from Troy Hess and the Texas Heartbreakers and snack on snowballs from Yeti Sunshine. It's a low-key way to wrap up your weekend."

The skinny: Sunday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; 300 Main; Free to walk the block, everything else costs.

Music by Brahms and The Beatles are coupled in a Houston Chamber Choir program that travels from the 1860s to the 1960s.

Houston Chamber Choir presents "Love Me Do! Love Songs of the '60s"

Photo by Jeff Grass Photography

Music by Brahms and The Beatles are coupled in a Houston Chamber Choir program that travels from the 1860s to the 1960s.

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MFAH expands

Houston museum acquires historic Masonic lodge property for new greenspace

Holland Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M./Facebook

The building at 4911 will be torn down for the new greenspace.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has acquired a prime parcel to expand its campus in the Museum District. On Tuesday, December 23, the museum announced it has purchased a two-acre parcel of land at 4911 Montrose Blvd that will bring its total footprint to 16 acres.

Located just north of the Glassel School of Art, the property will be developed as a greenspace that will serve as a community lawn as well as be utilized for future museum events and parking. MFAH has retained landscape architects Nelson Byrd Woltz — the firm responsible for work at Memorial Park and the recently-opened Ismaili Center — to create the design for the new greenspace.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston greenspace rendering A rendering offers a bird's-eye preview of the new greenspace.Image by by Cong Nie/Courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

At this time, the museum does not have plans to build anything on the property, according to a press release.

To make way for the greenspace, the property’s existing building, Holland Lodge No. 1, will be torn down. Built in 1954 as a home for the oldest Masonic lodge chapter in Texas, the building features a sandstone mural facade. It has been for sale since at least 2005, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle.

Demolition on the site is expected to begin in spring 2026 with the greenspace opening in approximately two years, according to press materials. In addition to the Glassell School, the museum’s campus includes the Audrey Jones Beck Building, the Caroline Wiess Law Building, the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden, and the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building.

“We are delighted to contribute to Houston’s greenspace access with this new initiative, which will expand the museum’s 14-acre campus to a thoroughly walkable 16 acres,” Gary Tinterow, director and Margaret Alkek Williams chair of the MFAH, said in a statement. “While the primary objective for the purchase of this property is to secure land for any potential future expansion of the museum, our priority now is to create a welcoming community lawn. Thoughtfully designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz, one of the leading firms in sustainable landscape practice, the site will serve as public greenspace and provide additional parking for museum visitors.”

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