Weekend events planner

Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend

From an amazing art and music fest to a blowout ice cream party, we've rounded up the top eight things to do in Houston this weekend. For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Holiday splendor
Thursday, December 14 to Saturday, December 23
Houston Ballet presents the newest rendition of The Nutcracker at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. The timeless holiday classic follows Clara, Drosselmeyer, Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Nutcracker Prince as they embark on a magical adventure through a growing Christmas tree, interactive snow scene, and Kingdom of Sweets. The show resumes Saturday, December 30, through Saturday, January 6, at Hobby Center. (Various times; tickets: $35 to $155 per person)
18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land; 281-207-6278

Weekend Fest
Friday, December 15 to Sunday, December 17
Day For Night Festival, a three-day event that combines art and music, presents a Friday Summit with Chelsea Manning, Laurie Anderson, and more speaking on the intersection of art, technology, and activism. Saturday and Sunday be ready for a power lineup of performers including headliners Nine Inch Nails, Thom Yorke, Solange, Justice, St Vincent, Tyler, The Creator, and James Blake. For a full list of events, go to the festival website. (Various times; tickets: $95 to $750 per person.)
401 Franklin St.

‘Tis the season
Friday, December 15 to Saturday January 6
Celebrate the season at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Christmas Village at 14-acre estate, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. The winter wonderland boasts sparkling trail of lights, animated projections, festive programs and activities, and photo opportunities with Santa and a giant sleigh. (5:30 pm; tickets: $13 to $20 per person.)
6003 Memorial Dr.; 713-639-7750

Step right up
Friday, December 15 to Monday, December 25
Lone Star Circus spectacular, “Cirque Joyeux Noel Dinner & Show,” featuring award-winning performers from Cirque du Soleil and NBC’s America’s Got Talent, heads to Moody Gardens. Expect to see contortionists, acrobats, four-legged performers, jugglers, and aerialists onstage at the one-hour Christmas show. There’s also a buffet dinner prepared by Moody Gardens executive chef, Felipe Gonzalez. (6:30 pm; tickets: $59 to $109 per person.)
1 Hope Blvd., Galveston; 409-683-4186

Brew and ‘cue
Friday, December 15
Pinkerton's Barbecue teams up with Saint Arnold Brewing Company for an evening of rare beers (think Bishops Barrel 1 and Icon Blue Chocolate Milk Stout), smoked meats from prime rib to smoked duck, and delicious side items at the Hill Country Christmas Party. (8 pm to midnight; tickets: $80 per person.)
1504 Airline Dr,; 713- 802-2000

Jolly Old Saint Nick
Saturday, December 16
Grab the kids for a special holiday brunch with Santa at Phoenicia Specialty Foods downtown. Along with a seasonal midday menu, the festive family event will have activities a cookie decorating station to photo opps with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to charity. (11 am; tickets: free admission)
1001 Austin St.; 832-360-2222

Cue the music
Saturday, December 16
Accompanied by an orchestra, the Houston Children's Chorus, made up of more than 140 children, sing Christmas, Hanukah and winter-wonderland favorites at the "Kids and Christmas" Pops Concert at Rice University. (5 pm; tickets: $15 per person)
6100 Main St.; 713-650-3800

We all scream
Sunday, December 17
Asking why you'd eat ice cream in the winter is the same as asking why you'd eat hot soup in the summer — it’s always delicious, duh. Hit up Fat Cat Creamery's fourth anniversary party for a whole lot of frosty goodness, plus games, face painting, music, beer from Brash and Saint Arnold, fare from Wylie St Taco Truck, and a raffle benefiting Friends 4 Life Animal Shelter. Bonus: Kids dressed as kitty cats get a free scoop. (12-4 pm; tickets: free admission)
1901 N Shepherd Dr.; 713-869-1080

Catch the Lone Star Circus at Moody Gardens.

Photo courtesy of Zan Keith Photography

Catch the Lone Star Circus at Moody Gardens.

event-planner

washed out

Houston DJs remember pioneering music store that's closing after 50 years

Photo by Craig D. Lindsey

Soundswaves announced its imminent closure on Saturday, April 25.

The parking lot of the Soundwaves on 3509 Montrose was well-populated on Saturday, April 25. Earlier in the day, the record/skate/surf shop announced on Instagram that the store would be closing soon and all the merchandise was 50 percent off. Of course, people showed up to grab as many items – LPs, T-shirts, skate shoes – as they could, waiting in line as longtime owner Jeff Spargo rang up customers one-by-one.

Soundwaves was once Houston’s mightiest independent record-store chain, with locations all over the city (its South Main location was frequented by hip-hop heads like the late DJ Screw and famed producer/ex-employee DJ Premier). It all started in 1970 when a then-19-year-old Jeff Spargo opened the Inland Surf Shop in Westbury. Seven years later, he would open up his first Soundwaves near Hobby Airport. He would later merge surfing and sounds when he launched the Montrose location in 1997. An official closing date has yet to be announced, and CultureMap was unable to reach Spargo for comment.

As the new millennium introduced streaming-music platforms that made physical media almost obsolete, record chains like Soundwaves were on the decline. The Montrose store – once a prime destination for local and visiting DJs, with its overwhelming, eclectic selection of vinyl and CDs – would eventually become the last one standing.

We asked a few of the city’s finest spinners if they have memories of stocking up at that location and/or other Soundwaves spots:

Emdee “DJ Kool Emdee” Anderson: “I used to frequent it very often. I remember when DJ Premier used to work at the original Main St. location. And when No More Mr. Nice Guy [from his hip-hop group Gang Starr] was released, he put copies of the album in the front of every record slot. I joke with him about that when I see him.

“That location was a hangout spot for DJs and producers. I got a number of gigs by helping others with music suggestions.”

Kris Stivers: “I have tons of memories (and spent tons of money on records). I was there all the time – practically every location. I introduced my sister to a buddy of mine who worked there and, now, he’s my brother-in-law. My sister then got a job at the Montrose location. She called me once from the store and put Questlove on the phone. I met Little Brother and other artists there. I miss those days.”

GrandfatherCLOC: “I met Blind Rob and Devin The Dude at the one on Gessner & 59. I still have a Soundbombing II T-shirt from when The ARE was working at South Main.

“The most memorable was meeting DJ Theory from [KTRU radio show] 12" Sub, a few years after it was off the air, at the one on Montrose. I heard one of the employees speaking and was like, that's Theory's voice!”

Jason “Flash Gordon Parks” Woods: “I went to all the locations. One of my fondest memories was finding Roy Ayers Ubiquity’s Starbooty and feeling like Steel in Juice.”

Jason “DJ Burb” Rodgers: “I only went to the one on Main. I used to go there every Tuesday after getting out of class at UH-D to listen to some new releases in the listening booths.”

Jason Graeber: “I remember all the great music lovers who worked there. Chris and Brandon always knew about the new EDM artists that were coming out. Bucky was great at introducing people to new rock and underground music. Before you had online influencers, the kids at the record stores drove what people listened to. I remember walking in and checking the end caps from my favorite employees to see what new music they were recommending. I feel that this is something that is missing and why it is harder for great bands to get traction.”

closings music soundwaves

Weekend events planner

Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend

Catch the Lone Star Circus at Moody Gardens.

washed out

Houston DJs remember pioneering music store that's closing after 50 years

Hidden Houston cocktail den ranks No. 47 on North America best bars list

Sophisticated new sports bar brings VIP perks to Uptown Park

3 pro football players tackle Houston restaurant's viral steak challenge