It's the weekend before Thanksgiving and there's so much happening in Houston that it's a bit difficult to keep this list at 10. Comedienne Amy Schumer taking over the Toyota Center, the Via Colori Street Festival, and the Houston BBQ Throwdown are all a part of the fun happenings. (We admit we had 11 suggestions, but Morrissey canceled his Saturday night concert at the White Oak Music Hall.)
This roundup is just a taste of events going on this weekend, but you can always check out the full list on our CultureMap Events Calendar.
Thursday, November 17
METdance presents Breaking Borders
Breaking Borders, the latest production by the Houston-based dance company, highlights and celebrates the various cultural backgrounds and movement styles that past and present METdance choreographers are inspired by. It features a world premiere by Princess Grace Award winner Rosie Herrera, along with work by Camille A. Brown, Joshua L. Peugh, and Katarzyna Skarpetowska. Performances are also scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Friday, November 18
Fresh Arts Winter Holiday Arts Market
Art and handmade goods from more than 90 Houston artists will be available for sale at the three-day Winter Holiday Arts Market (WHAM) presented by Fresh Arts. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing local talent we have in the city. WHAM kicks off the weekend with an Ugly Sweater Party on Friday and then carries on with the market for the remainder of the weekend.
Eat. Drink. Art. at the Houston Museum of African American Culture
Eat. Drink. Art. is a series at the Houston Museum of African American Culture that aims to expose artists to tastemakers and art enthusiasts. Ticket purchases benefit programming for the next year at the HMAAC. Guests at this series will also enjoy a fashion show, light bites, drinks, and shop goods from local artists and businesses.
Space: The Final Playground by ROCO
The River Oaks Chamber Orchestra presents Space: The Final Playground, featuring the Texas premiere of "Cosmos" by composer Michael Gibson. Co-commissioned by ROCO, the musical piece is composed in five short movements, each of which are inspired by an element of the Cosmos. WindSync, a Houston wind quintet, will engage in the performance by moving throughout the space while playing. A second performance is on Saturday.
Friday Flicks on the Lawn at GreenStreet
Families, couples, and singles are welcome to bring a blanket and watch a movie on the large screen on The Lawn. This Friday's feature film is Elf and is sure to be a nice way to spend the evening now that cooler temperatures are finally here.
Saturday, November 19
The Great Inflatable Race at Sam Houston Park is a fun experience that knows no age limits. Adults and children alike are invited to join this unique fun run full of inflatable obstacles. Be prepared to bump, bounce, and slide throughout the course. What a cool way to get out and interact with new people in the city; think of it as a large scale bounce house.
Via Colori Street Painting Festival
The streets of downtown Houston will once again be transformed by over 200 local and international artists as "A Colorful World" is the theme of the two-day festival. Also take in various food, art and entertainment options (25 performers, including Jessica Meuse from American Idol, on three stages). The festival benefits The Center for Hearing and Speech, whose mission is to help deaf children learn to speak, listen, and hear; a worthy cause to benefit in a creative and expressive festival.
Ghetto Dinner with Anthony Calleo and Adam Doris
Adam Doris (CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Chef of the Year) brings back his Ghetto Dinner pop-up with special guest Anthony Calleo (Pi Pizza) Saturday night at Ladybird's. The menu includes Togarashi Spiced Pork Rib Fried Pie, Fire Dome Roasted Lamb Sandwich with pepronata, Napa slaw, and brown butter aioli as well as a Big Feast Plate — Fire Dome Roasted Free Range Chicken, whole roasted pork hash w/smoked potato and grilled honeycrisp apple, butternut squash with charred rapini salsa verde, smoked pork sausage kolache, and a sanguinaccio doughnut (courtesy of those badasses at Morningstar). The two chefs are shaking things up on the Houston culinary scene and this dinner is a great way to experience their creative abilities.
Sunday, November 20
CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler is one of the judges for the 2nd Annual Houston BBQ Throwdown at Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Fourteen of Houston's best barbecue spots will serve dishes that aim to show the culinary diversity in the Bayou City and earn top honors. Guests can also vote for the "People Choice" as their favorite of the night. Who's going to win this finger-licking battle?
The Inside Amy Schumer star has taken the entertainment world by storm and created a loyal fan base. Whether it's her take on current events, her award winning show, or hilarious movie roles, Schumer is unapologetically herself. Expect to hear some choice words from the comedienne about the president-elect.
Enjoy the weekend and be sure to share your events experiences with us via social media.
There's lots to buy at the Winter Holiday Art Market.
