This weekend, fans across Texans and the nation — as well as haters everywhere — will be watching our beloved Houston Astros face off against the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series at Minute Maid Park for Game 1 and Game 2 (Friday and Saturday).

Oh, and it's also Halloween.

Aside from the scarily good times this All Hallow's Eve, this weekend sees our first-ever CultureMap Tailgate party, just in time for the Word Series. Speaking of the World Series, fans can catch an watch party at a downtown food hall. Nature beckons on Saturday, and a festival celebrating Fifth Ward rocks the block.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, October 27

CultureMap Houston presents The Tailgate

Join CultureMap Houston for the launch of our newest signature event. In Texas, tailgating is more than a party in a parking lot — it’s a lifestyle. CultureMap is celebrating the fall season of sports with an all-out celebration of sports and the fans who cheer them on. This event combines the best parts of tailgating with the elevated-but-playful experience you've come to expect of a CultureMap event. As part of our celebration, we will shine a spotlight on sports-related nonprofit organizations, their impact on the community, and the inspiring athletes who support them. 7 pm.

Czech Center Museum Houston presents Apollo Chamber Players

Czech Center Museum Houston presents the Apollo Chamber Players, in their sixth annual musical celebration of Czech Heritage Month. The program includes the American premiere of solo piano works by contemporary Czech composer Katarina Pinosova, along with music by Josef Suk, and Dvorak’s folk-infused Piano Quintet in A Major. UH Moores School of Music professor Tali Morgulis joins Apollo for this festive jubilee of Czech music both past and present. BTW, the show is free and open to all ages. 7 pm.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft present Martini Madness! WitchCraft

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft will conjure up the return of one of Houston’s favorite fundraisers with a chilling, yet enchanting WitchCraft theme. The evening takes place under the crescent moon, where guests will enjoy artist-made glassware and decor, cocktails, bites, a Garden of Fortunes, a Magic Mirror photo booth, and witchy vibes from Houston’s own DJ Sun. Guests are encouraged to participate in the party’s theme by wearing their most creative costume or headwear, from pointy hats to hoods, to win a prize in the costume contest. 7 pm.

Friday, October 28

The Ensemble Theatre presents New Voices Fest

The Ensemble Theatre is producing and presenting a dynamic, fully immersive, and utterly creative theater arts festival that will feature mounted plays, play readings, education workshops, African-centered and African American cultural experiences, networking events and entertainment-laden receptions. The fest will feature four selected playwrights: Cris Eli Blak (“It Happened on Jefferson Square”), Kaylin Jones (“A Beautiful Death on 34th and Fifth”), Britany Rickett (“The Secret Life of Avatars”) and M.D. Schaffer (“Southern Seeds). Ensemble also welcomes Tony winner Roshunda Jones-Koumba, who is directing “Beautiful.” 4 pm (8 am Saturday; 12:30 pm Sunday).

Astros Official Watch Party at Finn Hall

Finn Hall, Houston’s premiere downtown food hall, will host World Series watch parties this weekend for fans to cheer on the Houston Astros as they (hopefully) go to work on the Philadelphia Phillies. The 10,000 square-foot food hall consists of eight independently operated eating establishments and a fully elevated central bar. The beautiful, open Art Deco space will feature giant screens for game viewing. Along with culinary creations by up-and-coming chefs, drink specials from Finn Hall’s Swallow’s Nest include $5 Crawford Bocks and $15 buckets. 7 pm.

Et Voila Theatre presents Le Voyageur sans bagage (Traveler Without Luggage)

Gaston has been living in a psychiatric hospital for the past 15 years, having suffered amnesia during the First World War. Without an identity, he has not been able to collect his disability pension, which is worth a small fortune. The lure of money will push several families to claim that he is one of theirs, missing in action. Inspired by the real story of an amnesiac soldier who was claimed by over a dozen families, Jean Anouilh has written a powerful play on the themes of memory, the past, bourgeois society, nostalgia for purity and childhood. 8 pm.

Houston Symphony presents “All Mozart”

Local fans of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are gonna be in heaven this weekend. Renowned conductor Jane Glover and the Houston Symphony will present a treasure trove of Mozart magic, including the graceful and high-spirited Haffner Symphony and the exquisite Sinfonia concertante, spotlighting the orchestra’s Yoonshin Song and Joan DerHovsepian. 8 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, October 29

Bridgeland Nature Fest

Headlining Bridgeland's 14th annual festival will be Jungle Jordan, a renowned zookeeper and wildlife educator whose mission is to inspire younger generations and encourage diversity and inclusivity in conserving and repairing the animal world. Jordan uses humor to engage and advocate for wildlife, making it fun to learn about the animal world. Children and adults alike can have fun learning about the joys of nature through pony rides, a petting zoo, nature exhibitions and other roaming entertainment. 10 am.

Community Artists' Collective presents Gabriel Martinez: "Hearts, Hands & Heritage" opening reception

Rich autumn colors and fanciful designs emerge in quilted fabric for the Community Artists’ Collective annual quilt show. Quilts from 12 talented quilters will be on display. Quilt designers include Leslie Abrams, Sean Casey, Laura Casmore, Carolyn Crump, Lady Trish Henderson, Gabriel Martinez, Shavon Morris, Sakeenah Mubashshir, Hastie Murray, Phyllis Simpson, Rose Southall, and Daniel Williams, Jr. The exhibition is in collaboration with CERCL (Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning at Rice University). 2 pm.

Urban Healing HTX presents I Love the Nickel Block Party

I Love the Nickel Block Party, a block party giving back to the Fifth Ward community, will return for its second year. In honor of Fifth Ward community member Elnora White and Louis White Grocery, the block party will help tell their newly unburied story while celebrating the launch of the non-profit Urban Healing HTX. Elnora and her husband were a Black power couple in the ‘40s that owned several properties, including Louis White Grocery. No longer serving the community as a grocery store, the now-vacant building will now be restored as both a weekday space for local nonprofits and a weekend event venue. 3 pm.

Hellenic Cultural Center of the Southwest presents Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis with Alexandra Gravas

Contralto Alexandra Gravas will interpret a variety of evocative and famous songs in tribute to a figure of modern Greek music, Zorbas' composer Mikis Theodorakis (1925-2021). Gravas was a student and long-term friend of Theodorakis. She will be accompanied on the piano by Mexico-based Józef Olechowski, while Alex Kalamarides will introduce the composer and recite. 6:30 pm.

Sunday, October 30

"Wurst” Brunch Ever at Wild Oats

Wild Oats, the Texas-inspired, family-friendly restaurant in the Houston Farmers Market, will host an Oktoberfest-themed brunch. This German spread will boast a variety of sausages made by RC Ranch, including currywurst, bratwurst, schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), as well as brezen (pretzels), kasespatzle (cheese noodles), reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), German potato salad, braised red cabbage, and sauerkraut. In the spirit of Oktoberfest, Wild Oats will also be breaking out some of Hay Merchant’s cellar beers as well as Saint Arnold’s Pumpkinator and their regular lineup of Texas and Mexican beers. 11 am.

The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency presents 12th Annual Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon

The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency, a nonprofit providing Houston-area women and girls with the tools needed to be advocates for their health, along with luncheon co-chairs Laura Davenport and Luba Bigman, are hosting a “Girls Who Rule the World”-themed luncheon. ABC13’s Gina Gaston will emcee and welcome guests, along with girls and women who participate in The Women’s Fund’s Health Education programs, to a fun-filled afternoon featuring The Women’s Fund advisory board member/fashion designer/entrepreneur/author Elaine Turner as the keynote speaker. 11:30 am.

Blue’s Clues & You! Live On Stage

Blue’s Clues & You!LiveOn Stage is a brand-new theater production based on the hit preschool television series. Featuring all the beloved characters from the series, this musical adventure will have kids of all ages singing and dancing in the aisles. Featuring an story crafted by Blue’s Clues co-creator Angela C. Santomero, this features an array of distinctive puppets and puppetry techniques, as well as an intricate scenic design utilizing LED video screens to transport audiences through moments and worlds unique to Blue and her friends. 2 pm.

About damn time.

Chart-topping, international pop sensation, and hometown hero, Lizzo, finally played the massive show her fans patiently waited to see at Toyota Center on Wednesday, October 26.

And it was good as hell.

It’s been nearly three long years since Melissa Viviane Jefferson was set to perform what would have been the biggest show of her stratospheric career at RodeoHouston in early 2020. That performance was cancelled along with everything else due to the COVID-19 pandemic and when the rodeo eventually returned in 2022, organizers and Lizzo’s team couldn’t make schedules work.

That made her two-hours-plus appearance Wednesday night a de facto victory lap, her legions of diehards filling the arena to the rafters.

The evening also served as a tribute to the 34-year-old Lizzo’s years growing up in southwest Houston, attending Alief Elsik High School, and later University of Houston where she studied music. A true rags to riches story, she moved to Minneapolis to pursue her career as a recording artist, struggling for years as a quirky alternative rapper before embracing funk, soul, and disco and garnering massive acclaim as a multiple Grammy, Emmy, and BET Award winner.

It was a classy touch to see the Alief Elsik Rams Marching Band performing in front of the building before the show.

Not surprisingly, based on Lizzo’s messages of female empowerment throughout her catalog, women made up the vast majority of the crowd, dressed in wild outfits, bedazzled sequins, and colorful boas.

After pulse-building sets from rappers Spicy Santana and fast-rising “Big Energy” star Lazzo, Lizzo kicked off the night with “The Sign” from this year’s No. 2 hit album, Special. The crowd instantly gravitated to the charismatic entertainer dressed in a suggestive pink jumpsuit as she rose from under the stage in front of a fantastic all-female, five-piece backup band that kicked out the jams all night long.

“Houston mother****ing Texas!” Lizzo screamed at the end of the song, the decibels ratcheted well past healthy levels. That kicked into “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)” and its indie keyboard riff, Lizzo’s Big Grrrls dancers showing off with choreographed twerking moves.

The impossibly louder response following that song was one of a few moments when the star performer became emotional in front of the hometown crowd, turning around to show the Houston skyline lovingly painted onto her wig.

“I am not going to cry tonight — that is the goal,” Lizzo declared hopefully. “[But] we gonna be acting out. It’s a home show, honey!”

Love was a big theme throughout the night — loving each other, self-love, body love, Black love, female love, LGBTQIA+ love, love gone wrong — at times it felt like a self-help convention with Lizzo directing the crowd through positive affirmations. Not that it was a surprise to anyone who watched the recent Lizzo-produced, Emmy Award-winning reality competition series, Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.

Not coincidentally, “Tempo,” the Missy Elliot featuring song from the No. 4 hit 2019 album, Cuz I Love You, featured a solo dance by Houston influencer, fashion model and Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls star Sydney Bell.

Highlights included the Cardi B-guesting “Rumors,” which alluded to the online chatter that has been surrounding Lizzo online, including her supposed relationship with Captain America himself, Chris Evans. Cuz I Love You highlight and break-up song, “Jerome,” had Lizzo showing off her powerful vocal pipes on a therapy couch.

The Special title-track had her tearing up again to extended applause, showing how much the night meant to her.

Much like Lady Gaga’s show at Minute Maid Park last month, Lizzo used her platform to talk politics. “Naked” featured visually striking projections onto her bodysuit, ending with “My Body My Choice” in bold letters, drawing a hugely positive reaction from the female-centric crowd.

After “Everybody’s Gay,” she alluded to the negative punditry from right-wing conservatives when she recently played James Madison’s crystal flute (yes, this was a whole thing), an opportunity provided by the Library of Congress. (Read our story here.)

She followed that by imploring the crowd to participate in the upcoming elections:

“We have an opportunity to vote for the people who are passing these laws that are supposed to be protecting us,” she said, everyone staying in their seats. “Because human rights should be a necessity. It shouldn’t be politicized, it should be a given, the bare f***ing minimum, so please go vote.”

She later took a moment to acknowledge the Alief Elsik marching band in attendance, recalling her time at the high school and giving a shoutout to her mother, who was also in the building.

She then asked for the house lights to be brought up and proceeded to thank almost every single section of the arena for 10 minutes, telling us all, “I see you," as happy audience members flashed on the big stage screens.

The triple-punch combo of the record-breaking No. 1 track “Truth Hurts,” “I Love You Bitch,” and always great “Good As Hell” concluded the set with massive singalongs, Lizzo vocals not necessary. And perhaps the most fun moments came when she busted out her flute on “Coldplay” and encore bangers, “Juice” and No. 1 disco throwback, “About Damn Time.”

Perhaps the greatest thing about Lizzo’s talent besides her otherworldly charm and friendly sincerity was her ability to distill the best of multiple musical genres that cover a wide diversity of tastes, providing something for everyone to enjoy. She’s claimed to be a closet Radiohead fan in high school, and she is obviously influenced by Beyoncé, ‘70s funk, soul, and disco.

All of this made for a varied and accessible set in what was one of the more enjoyable performances of the year.

“This is the place I’m from, this is the place I call home,” she said, 713 pride on full display. “I just want to remind you how special you are. I want you to take this feeling home with you and I know I sound like a broken record, but I love you, you are beautiful, and you can do anything!”

Setlist
“The Sign”
“2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)”
“Soulmate”
“Phone / Grrrls”
“Boys” (with intro from Heart of the Sunrise by Yes)
“Tempo”
“Rumors”
“Fitness” (band played live, Lizzo on tape)
“Naked”
“Jerome”
“Break Up Twice”
“Doo Wop (That Thing) ” (Lauryn Hill cover)
“Special”
“I'm Every Woman” (Chaka Khan cover)
“Like a Girl”
“Birthday Girl/Happy Birthday”
“Everybody’s Gay” (followed by band introductions)
“Water Me”
“Cuz I Love You”
“If You Love Me”
“Coldplay”
“Truth Hurts”
“I Love You Bitch”
“Good as Hell”

Encore
“Juice”
“About Damn Time”

Photo by Marco Torres

The Houston native proved why she's No. 1 for so many across the globe.