Don't be complaining about how hot and humid it will be if you don't take advantage of the city's most wonderful time of the year — right now. Sun is smiling, light breezes are fluttering, birds are doing it — and you should be sporting vernal fashions to the happenings below.
On the agenda this week are a handful of Cinco de Mayo affairs, al fresco parties, a fresh film binge and a tangy citywide drink fest.
I can be more helpful if you click on the links below each event suggestion. You'll find a page with nifty intel — like where to eat, drink, shop and crash for the night around your final destination — as well as the ability to copy the deets to your electronic calendar.
Fourth Annual Friends of DePelchin Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
While fabulously themed events with over-the-top decorations thronged by celebs du jour have Houston's upper echelon party hopping, sometimes a good cause, great folks and a lovely ambiance is all you need to turn an informal locale into a young professionals hot spot.
With frosty Cinco de Mayo cervezas, music and a silent auction, Friends of DePelchin helps an influential organization that supports children's mental health, foster care and adoption services.
The skinny: Thursday, 6 p.m.; OTC Patio Bar; tickets start at $15.
Scrubs Young Supporters' Third Annual "Cinco de Bingo"
How do you get an elderly person to holler the F Word? Simple. Get another one to yell bingo.
The third annual "Cinco de Bingo" has little in common with notions of this geriatric game of chance. Rather, the gathering, which raises cash for the Harris County Hospital District Foundation, is a lively melange of Cinco de Mayo and dauber fun.
Chairs Whitney Crenshaw and Mary Wakefield keep this Scrubs tradition going strong with fajita tacos, chips and dips — and bingo.
The skinny: Thursday, 6 p.m.; Pete's Dueling Piano Bar; tickets start at $40.
Latin Wave 8
Blink for too long and you'll miss this south-of-the-border film festival, an eight-year tradition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in partnership with La Fundación PROA in Buenos Aires. Diana Sanchez, programmer of Latin Wave 8's lineup, curates a four-day series that showcases many film debuts, new stars in Latin American cinema and welcomes special guests to introduce the screenings, including Estefanía Ortiz, producer of 7 cajas (7 Boxes); Carlos Sorin, director of Días de pesca (Gone Fishing); and Victor Prada, leading actor in El limpiador (The Cleaner).
MFAH's Mixed Media Designed by IKEA Bash
With Saturday's forecast calling for delightful springtime temps, it's a good thing that the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston resolved to move the monthly Mixed Media Designed by IKEA Bashen plein air. Set in the artsy Cullen Sculpture Garden, this al fresco party features Austin's Xander Harris, DJ Joe B, DJ Cubagoodingjr and resident DJ Eric Castillo/Ceeplus Bad Knives — alongside surprise pop up appearances.
The skinny: Saturday, 8 p.m.; Cullen Sculpture Garden; tickets start at $6.
Lemonade Day Houston 2013
Don't be surprised if your neighborhood is suddenly occupied by young, adorable entrepreneurs doing what they can to earn a buck and sell you a glass of refreshing lemonade. To prepare for Lemonade Day, a nationwide initiative, kids are required to study the basic tenets of running a successful business. So get in the spirit, carry some cash and splurge in more than your share of the zesty bev.
The skinny: Sunday, all day; in your neighborhood; free event.
Arts smarty pants and in-the-Loop happy gal Nancy Wozny's pick: Shambhala by Paul Fleming at Barbara Davis Gallery
Nancy says: "I wasn't the first person to gaze at Paul Fleming's exhibit Shambhala at Barbara Davis Gallery and announce, 'I could eat this work.' There's something delectable about Fleming's site specific wall installations as they lure our eye into their dreamy pools of pigment and both highly structured and emergent patterns.
"Inspired by found objects and crafted hydrocal plaster and pigmented resin, the work has a maker wonkishness to it. Yet its no-nonsense beauty, human sized scale and essential formality combine to make us want to hang around a little longer."
The skinny: Through June 1; Barbara Davis Gallery; free admission.
To prepare for Lemonade Day, a nationwide initiative, kids are required to study the basic tenets of running a successful business.
