The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is winding down this weekend, as Garth Brooks closes the whole thing out with a Sunday, March 18 showcase. Spring break also wraps up, which means kids will go back to school and parents can finally get some peace and quiet.
There are still a lot of great things to be done this weekend, and we’ve rounded up some can't-miss events.
Thursday, March 15
Beers, beards, and Travolta at Bagby Park
Bagby Park will have two very interesting events happening on its grounds this Thursday evening. First up at 6 pm, there is “Beer and Beards,” where we’re assuming people with beards can show up, drink beer at Rico’s Morning + Noon + Night and have fun doing beer pong, ping-pong and other things involving balls. Then, at 8 pm, there’s an outdoor screening of the 1980, made-in-Houston flick Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta. (Needless to say, the park is screening this because the town is currently in Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo mode.) Both events are free.
The Green Fog at the MFAH
If you aren’t aware of the work of Canadian filmmaker/artist Guy Maddin, you should know dude gets very experimental with his films. His latest project, the hour-long The Green Fog, is a “parallel-universe version” of the Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo. And since Hitchcock famously used San Francisco as Vertigo’s setting, Madden assembles shot-in-the-Bay Area footage from other movies, as well as ’70s prime-time TV and, of course, experimental films. It’ll be at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston this weekend, and the first screening is Thursday at 4 pm.
Friday, March 16
Choose hate over love with comedian NEMR
NEMR, the first Lebanese-American comedian to appear the cover of a regional version of Rolling Stone, is in town in support of his "Love Isn’t the Answer" tour. Nemr points out out that people say things like, ‘All you need is love! Love will take care of things,’” But Nemr says, “Love isn’t the answer. The answer is actually hate! When you hate being in a situation, you’re like, ‘I’m going to make a difference.’” NEMR showcases the ironic similarities between Arabs and Americans at the Houston Improv through Sunday, March 18.
Paul Thorn's Southern rock at the Heights Theater
Mississippi singer-songwriter Paul Thorn is known for churning out music that’s usually a mashup of blues, Southern rock, country and Americana. But with his new album Ride with the Devil (which drops next Friday), he’s taking it all the way back to his childhood days as the son of a preacher man, being riveted by the all-black, gospel choirs he grew up listening to. Devil also includes appearances from The Blind Boys of Alabama, The McCrary Sisters and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Thorn will perform at the Heights Theater, Friday at 8 pm.
Saturday, March 17
Meet CultureMap’s Eric Sandler at Fluff Bake Bar
Houston's "Sugar Hooker" Becky Masson— pastry chef and owner of Fluff Bake Bar — is hosting a pop-up bake sale with CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler. The lively duo will collaborate on a menu of sweet and savory items inspired by Jewish deli classics. Expect baked treats such as strawberry rugelach, everything bagels, latkes, corned beef sandwiches on freshly baked challah, and savory hamentaschen. Things get cooking at 10 am, and run until noon.
St. Patrick’s Day downtown drinking and shopping
Yes, you could just get wasted this St. Patty’s Day, wandering the streets popping into pubs, downing green beer, and feeling the urge to fight every time “Jump Around” starts playing. However, you could pace yourself, and close out the day doing something good for the environment. Discovery Green will host an eco-conscious shopping event called “Flea by Night,” where visitors can shop for vintage, handmade, recycled, re-purposed and renewed goods. There will also be live music, food trucks and, maybe, more beer. It starts at 6 pm.
8th Wonder Brewery’s annual “Celebr8ion of Beer”
Come this weekend, it’ll be five years that 8th Wonder Brewery, a local beer outlet that has given us such entertainingly named ales as Brewston, Dome Faux’m and Side Hustle Haterade, has been in business. And, once again, Wonder is throwing its annual birthday bash, known as the “Celebr8ion of Beer.” Along with the fine concoctions that patrons can sample (GA ticketholders get four beer tokens, while it’s an open bar for VIP folk), the brewery will have live music from The Soul Rebels, Organ Freeman, The Texas Gentlemen and DJ Good Grief. It starts at 2 pm.
Sunday, March 18
Gus Dapperton’s nerd-pop at Rockefeller’s
Gus Dapperton looks more like a guy going to a cosplay party as Stuart Minkus, that nerdy character from Boy Meets World, than a pop performer on the rise. Rocking a bald-on-the-sides bowl cut, glasses and clothing straight out of the JC Penney catalog circa 1987, Dapperton performs the sort of dreamy, retro pop fellow contemporaries like Mac DeMarco are bringing back into style. And while his songs may have goofy titles like “Prune, You Talk Funny” and “I’m Just Snacking,” the videos have gotten millions of views on YouTube. He’ll be at Rockefeller’s, this Sunday at 7 pm.
A refreshing party at McIntyre’s
If you're looking for a lively event with a little flavor, head out to McIntyre's this weekend to enjoy the newest Austin Eastcider flavor, Ruby Red. Catch live music by Clay Melton Band, and DJ Baby Roo. To make the partying easier, Austin Eastciders has teamed up with Lyft: Use code RUBYREDCIDER for $10 off your ride to, and $10 off your ride from, McIntyre's. The party starts at 3 pm.
Catch the Southern rock and gospel according to Mississippi singer-songwriter Paul Thorn.
