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    Calendar Closeup

    Your weekly guide to Houston: Five (plus) don't-miss events — plus Texas' Mardi Gras tips

    Joel Luks
    Jan 31, 2013 | 11:58 am

    On the itinerary this week is a healthy dose of great tunes, New Orleans-style parties, raucous galas and quirky science fiction love affairs — with lasers.

    Do this: Click on the link below each event suggestion to find helpful features, like the ability to download the info to your electronic calendar and learn about restaurants, bars, shopping and places to crash for the night nearby your final destination.

    Houston Symphony presents "Mahler & Mendelssohn"

    Christoph König's previous engagement with the Houston Symphony evinced that this young dirigent knows how to fire up repertoire of Germanic provenance. He's back to lead the ensemble with an arrangement of Mendelssohn's Octet for full string orchestra and Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D major.

    Think opulent scoring for the Octet and highly descriptive textures for the symphony, which feels akin to a four-movement narrative, tuneful two-part poem that frolics about bucolic themes, from a springtime daybreak teeming with flora and fauna to peasant dances to stormy, raucous, virtuosic vignettes. It's that fabulous.

    The deets: Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; Jones Hall; tickets start at $25.

    Mardi Gras! Galveston 2013

    The funkiness of Mardis Gras has already occupied the streets of New Orleans with no apologies. This weekend, the beads debauchery begins in Galveston Island with a myriad of parades, dance parties, concerts and special events along 20th to 25th streets, Harborside Drive to Mechanic Street and Seawall Boulevard.

    There's too much going on, but surely there's something here that tickles your fancy.

    The deets: Friday through Feb. 10; Galveston; admission varies by event, some are free.

    Fresh Arts' "Ball n' Chain" Gala

    Spacetaker knew how to throw a wild party for the adventurous artsy type. Fresh Arts' legendary balls have been thronged by the who's-who of Houston's well-heeled echelon. Can you imagine what will happen at this fete, the first after the two groups joined forces?

    Be somewhat afraid, but not enough to discourage you from partaking in this shotgun nuptials-themed carouse brimming with eccentric entertainment, including live armadillo races, burlesque showgirls, musicians and dancers. Chairs Eleanor and Dan Gilbane, Jennie and Justin Segal and Mark Sullivan honor George Lancaster and creatives Matthew Dirst, Sixto Wagan and Rich Levy.

    The deets: Friday, 8 p.m.; Winter Street Studios; tickets start at $100.

    Houston Young People for the Arts Gala "Bootlegger's Ball: A 1920s Prohibition Rendition"

    As young professional pioneer and founder of Houston Young People for the Arts (HYPA) Heather Pray moved on from her role as leader of this active crowd, gala chairs Katy Pease and Hannah Thibodeaux opted to honor her accomplishments at this year's "Bootlegger's Ball: A 1920s Prohibition Rendition."

    The eight-year-old philanthropic group time travels back to the roaring era, when jazz was hot, Art Deco climaxed and flappers ruled, fittingly held at the Majestic Metro. The party also lauds Da Camera of Houston's 25th anniversary season.

    The deets: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Majestic Metro Theater; tickets start at $60.

    BooTown presents Love in the Time of Lasers

    Table-top puppets, stop-motion animation and diverse puppetry techniques are employed to stage BooTown's Love in the Time of Lasers, a modern day, science fiction romantic romp that tells the tale of a couple struggling to love, be loved and stay in love. Double feature bonus: Funny man Joe Wozny will debut his original puppet show, Sitcom, about a typical twosome who questions their respective roles.

    The deets: Playing through Feb. 9; various locations; tickets are pay-what-you-can.

    Staff writer, arts savant and totally awesome guy Tyler Rudick's pick: An evening with The Residents

    Tyler says: "As far as 1960s art-rockers go, The Residents are right up there with Captain Beefheart and Houston's own Red Krayola. In a rare Bayou City appearance, the mysterious masters of quirk will take to the stage at Fitzgerald's for an evening celebrating the group's four decades of bizarre (and ofter challenging) output.

    To get everyone prepared, check out this 1983 concert in Madrid.

    The deets: Sunday, 7 p.m.; Fitzgerald's; tickets are $22 in advance online, $25 day of and $27 at the box office.

    Arts smarty pants and in-the-Loop reel loving maven Nancy Wozny's pick: Young, Gifted and Black: Reflections from Black Alumni

    Nancy says: "One of the highlights of the Rice Centennial Celebration for me was attending the screening of Young, Gifted and Black: Reflections from Black Alumni at Rice, created in honor of the centennial. It's time to set that DVR because you have another chance to see this film when it airs on HoustonPBS on Feb. 5 at 10:30 p.m. and Feb. 7 at 2 a.m.

    "Directed by Douglas Newman of Mouth Watering Media, the film chronicles 15 Black alumni who tell their story about the challenges and opportunities they faced growing up in diverse communities, and how Rice contributed to shaping their careers and lives. It's both informative and moving, in addition to telling a part of the Rice story you might not know."

    Christoph König returns to lead the Houston Symphony with works by Mahler and Mandelssohn.

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    raise the curtain

    Harry Potter and Wicked star in Broadway at the Hobby Center's new season

    Tarra Gaines
    Feb 3, 2026 | 9:00 am
    Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American tour
    Photo by Matthew Murphy
    Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

    Something supernatural stirs within the just announced Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center 2026-2027 season, as blockbuster shows like Death Becomes Her, Wicked, Beetlejuice, and yes, the record breaking Harry Potter and the Cursed Child bring their mesmerizing magic to Houston.

    Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American tour
    Photo by Matthew Murphy

    Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

    Beyond these musical and dramatic enchantments, the season offers the freshest Broadway sensations like Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen, Buena Vista Social Club, Boop! The Musical, and The Notebook. Plus, the Hobby Center will come alive with a new revival of The Sound of Music and the return of Jersey Boys.

    “What a season! In recent years, an incredible volume of new musicals have opened on Broadway. The 2026-2027 Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center Season brings the very best of those to Houston with hits like Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, and Hell’s Kitchen, a few of my personal favorites,” Hobby Center president and CEO Mark Folkes said in a statement. “We balance these productions with return visits of much-loved shows like Jersey Boys and Wicked and a timeless production of The Sound of Music. One of the things that makes Houston unique is our Broadway audiences love plays. For that reason, and more, we’re thrilled to welcome Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Hobby Center audiences are in for a well-balanced season we know they'll love.”

    Let’s take a closer look at what Broadway at the Hobby Center will conjure up for Houston beginning in the fall.

    The Sound of Music (September 29-October 4, 2026)
    One of the most beloved musicals of all time, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music tours the country again with new direction from three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray). But Sound fans shouldn’t worry, because, while a new generation of actors take on the roles of Maria, Captain von Trapp, and the von Trapp kids, the story of love, family, and bravery in the face of evil remains the same — and so do the songs. Prepare to sing along (quietly) to “Climb Every Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and, of course, “The Sound of Music.”

    Buena Vista Social Club (November 17-22, 2026)
    It wouldn’t be a new season of Broadway at Hobby without a few recent Tony award winners, and Buena Vista garnered five last year. Putting a story to the Grammy-winning iconic album of the same name, the show transports audiences into the heart of Cuba, beyond the glitz of the Tropicana. Here, they’ll discover a place where blazing trumpets and sizzling guitars set the dance floor on fire. Inspired by true events, one woman discovers the music that will change her life forever. A world-class band joins a sensational cast of actors and dancers from across the globe for this Buena Vista experience.

    The Notebook (January 5-10, 2027)
    The season gets literary in the new year with this musical adaptation of the best-selling Nicholas Sparks novel that later became the ultimate romantic film about a love that conquered obstacles and time itself. The show is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, Rent) and Schele Williams (The Wiz, Aida), with a book by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC’s “This Is Us”). Allie and Noah’s iconic love story also inspired beautiful music by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson.

    Boop! The Musical (January 19-24)
    Based on the 1930s animated character Betty Boop, the musical teleports super-celebrity, cartoon Betty from her black and white world to a colorful, three dimensional New York City. Though at first overwhelmed to journey into the vivid real world, Betty soon sets off on an adventure and maybe even finds romance and love. Boop! comes from an award winning creative team, including Tony winning director Jerry Mitchell, with music from Grammy winner David Foster and book from Tony winner Bob Martin.

    Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen (March 5-14)
    The multi-Grammy winning superstar, Alicia Keys, used her own life, music, and community as inspiration for this critical sensation. The show tells the story of 17-year-old Ali growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, New York in the 90s, as she strives for her independence and looks for her place in the world. The music she encounters daily and the artists of her community inspire her to dream and make her own musical mark. Listen for a mix of some of Keys’ greatest hits and new songs she wrote exclusively for the show, all brought to life through exhilarating choreography

    Death Becomes Her (April 20-25)
    It also wouldn’t be a Broadway season without at least a few shows based on blockbuster movies. The bitting satire and supernatural elements of the original Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis 90s blockbuster makes for hilarious material to build this deadly funny show. Some people will do anything to look eternally fabulous. But famous actress Madeline Ashton and her best frenemy Helen Sharp are about to go too far — thanks to a mysterious woman named Viola Van Horn and a secret potion that’s to die for.

    Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (June 1-13)
    The boy who lived grew up to have a magical son of his own. Now, as Harry’ head-strong son Albus sets off for his own adventures at Hogwarts, it sets the stage for the next generation of magical stories and some of the most spectacular theatrical special effects you’ll see live and in person. When Albus befriends the son of Harry's fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all, and maybe they'll find the power to change the past and future forever. While this show is sure to thrill the kid in all of us, it also cast a spell during award season, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Play.

    Jersey Boys (August 17-22)
    The boys are back in town, bringing in one of the most successful biographical musicals of all time. Celebrating 20 years, this show that’s become a musical legend tells the story of those singing guys from Jersey who put together a little group called Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Relive their onstage harmonies and offstage drama, while dancing in your seat to all their hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and “Working My Way Back to You.”

    Along with these eight main selections, the 2026-2027 Broadway package brings back two favorites as season options.

    Beetlejuice (November 3-8)
    Say his name, say his name, say his name and prepare for chaotic, ghostly fun in this musical based on the '80s Tim Burton film. (BTW, that film now could be seen as a timely exploration of property rights and home renovations when the previous owners won’t move on — because they’re dead).

    While the two movie showstoppers “The Banana Boat Song” and "Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)” will still have us dancing in our Hobby Center seats, listen for brand new songs written for the show by Eddie Perfect.

    Wicked (June 23-July 24)
    Everyone's favorite witches fly to Houston for an extended stay when Wicked, the show that defied musical history to become a global phenomenon and film sensation returns. Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, the musical tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a woman with emerald-green skin and a bubbly blonde — until the world decides to call one good and the other wicked. The thrilling score includes the hits “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good.”

    Broadway at the Hobby Center 7-show and 8-show subscription packages go on sale beginning at 11 am on Tuesday, February 3. Prices start at $331 for 7-show packages and $369 for 8-show packages. Subscribers may add the return of one or both of Beetlejuice and Wicked as season options.

    On-sale dates for individual shows will be announced throughout the year.

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