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Your weekly guide to Houston: Five (plus) don't-miss events — cosmic mixer included

On the agenda this week are the opening of a hyper local art exhibition, a film festival that explores architecture's relationship to the natural order, a community market and talent showcase, an artsy display of Houston prowess and a young professionals pity party for a has-been cosmic A-lister.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston opening reception: Right Here, Right Now: Houston

The title of this hyper local exhibition says it all. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston director Bill Arning and curators Valerie Cassel Oliver and Dean Daderko chose to focus on the works of Debra Barrera, Nathaniel Donnett and Carrie Marie Schneider in an effort to bring attention to what's happening right here in Houston, artistically speaking, at the present moment in time.

The skinny: Friday, 6:30-9 p.m.; Contemporary Arts Museum Houston; free event.

Fourth Annual ArCH Film Festival "Architecture Meets Life"

The three-day festival continues on Friday and Saturday with The Human Scale, a film that explores how spaces influence human interaction by looking at urban centers such as New York, Berlin and London; and Biophilic Design, a survey of how buildings should connect to nature.

The skinny: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.; Architecture Center Houston; $10 per screening.

Project Row Houses' Third Ward Community Market and Talent Showcase

Project Row Houses is one of the most successful arts-centered experiments in which creativity acts as a catalyst for social change and community enrichment. Founder Rick Lowe's vision has surely been noticed: He was appointed by Mayor Annise Parker as one of the co-chairs to develop a cultural strategic plan to bolster local arts endeavors.

You can get a taste of what this Third Ward destination is all about at this relatively new ongoing event. This showcase — a mixture of performances, visual art, installations and hands-on activities — spotlights emerging artists in a family-friendly display.

The skinny: Saturday, 3-7 p.m.; Project Row Houses; free event.

21st Annual TransCanada Theater District Open House

Think of this affair that's held at the Hobby Center, Alley Theatre, Jones Hall, Wortham Theater Center and Bayou Music Center as an appetizer to the city's menu of delectable artsy offerings that contributes to the city's national standing as a desirable place to call home.

Hands down the best prices on subscriptions and select single tickets to downtown's performing art presenters are available during Theater District Open House. Check out the day's activities here to plan your outing. How does a free tango lesson sound?

The skinny: Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Theater District; free event.

Houston Museum of Natural Science's Mixers and Elixirs

He was the smallest of the bunch, the little planet that couldn't. Although he enjoyed many years in the company of other official planets, eventually Pluto's true self was revealed: He was a dwarf planet and no longer belonged among the other cosmic A-listers.

The theme for this month's Mixers and Elixiers young professionals brainy fete pays homage to the celestial body with music courtesy of the Space Rockers, drinks and grub from H-Town StrEATs, Coreanos and Golden Grill.

The skinny: Sunday, 7-10 p.m.; Houston Museum of Natural Science: $20.

Project Row Houses' Third Ward Community Market and Talent Showcase is a mixture of performances, visual art, installations and hands-on activities.

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taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.