From coming home to coming out, this week's itinerary begins with poignant stories from those who have resettled in Houston, a fierce competition for leaping and fashionable hounds, a disco queen, gay pride, skin and bones and battle curry for a cause.

Local colors: Weaving Home Special Exhibition Program "Telling the Refugee Story" at Houston Arts Alliance

Courtesy of World Refugee Day Saturday, Houston Grand Opera's East + West chamber opera commissions and controversies over immigration policies, the journey of an exile, a refugee and an emigre finding solace in Houston is a trending topic right now.

As we learn about those who sought asylum here like Yani Rose Keo and Oo Reh Sor, now hometown heroes because they turned to assist others in their plight — a tragic and painful plight for some, a joyful, bittersweet crossing for others — can those who've grown up safely understand what it means to lose a sense of home?

Perhaps on some level we all have a resettlement story of some sort.

At this event, which is part of the Houston Arts Alliance's Folklife & Traditional Arts initiative, members of local refugee communities will share their accounts of displacement and the trials that led them to Houston, and how they are keeping the essence of their culture while adapting to this urban jungle of a megalopolis.

Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Wet Fido: Dock Dogs & at Discovery Green

There's lots to love this weekend at Discovery Green starting with a coup from man's best friend. Sure, they may be cute on the outside, but these fearless four-legged jocks are in it to win. Iron pooches will vie for top dog in jumping contests and retrieving challenges — in the water.

Two new additions of note at this year's Dock Dogs: A "Haute Dog" costume contest on Saturday at 3 p.m. and a "Dog-Gone Talented" pageant on Sunday at 3 p.m. My dog can sing; what can yours do?

Friday through Sunday. Admission for spectators is free.

Don't leave me this way: 34th Annual Houston LGBT Pride Celebration, Rainbow on the Green at Discovery Green and After Dark Party at Frenetic

Many, shall we say, happy events usher in the 34th Annual LGBT Pride Celebration, Festival and Parade on Saturday. Dine with Pride was Monday, Rock the Runway Tuesday, Pride in the Park Wednesday, the Pride Superstar Finale is Thursday night at South Beach and on Friday, Wonderland Houston.

At Rainbow on the Green on Friday, presented by LandRover Houston Central, disco prima donna Thelma Houston, Tye Blue and local performers will entertain all dancing kings and queens, whether they are gay, straight and everything in between. Then the dance party sashays over to Frenetic Theater for the "Queer Dance Party" event, an artsy gathering curated by jhon r. stronks and hosted by Miss Understood. Whatever you do stay away from the Kool-Aid. Friday, 8 p.m. After party information here.

Fossil fuel: Houston Museum of Natural Science's Inaugural LaB 5555 "Skin & Bones"

HMNS did the right thing by phasing out those "Mixers and Elixirs" monthly gatherings: They had overstayed their welcome. Yet with so many exhibit halls fitting for a young professionals' bash, it was only time before the science-loving sociables devised with a new concept to spice up the museum naturally.

That would be the new LaB 5555 shindig, where local truck fare, cocktails and one brainy science showcase are in fashion. The inaugural affair, "Skin & Bones," includes an after-dark peek at the new Hall of Paleontology.

Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Foodie fete: First Annual Curry Crawl at Straits

What took this so long? Like chili, good curry deserves pious veneration as concocting the right balance of sweet, spicy and salty flavors and textures is what differentiates boys from men, at least in the kitchen. With curry really meaning sauce and so many cultures having their own version, anything and everything is fair game at this gourmand fight for "Best Curry."

John Sikhatanna of Straits, Philip Speer of Uchi, David Guerrero of Samba Grille, Junnajet "Jett" Hurapan of Blu, Mary Cuclis of Pondicheri, Kiran Verma of Kiran's, Shiva Patel of The Queen Vic and Jimmy Kieu of RA Sushi are on the hot seat, with proceeds from the event benefiting St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital's new young professional group, PULSE.

Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets are $55.

Arts smarty pants and in-the-loop dance maven Nancy Wozny's pick: Yummy! 274 at Phoenicia's MKT Bar

Nancy says: "It's true. I may be the only person in Houston who has yet to go Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown, although I did devour all the scrumptious cookies that my culturebro Joel Luks brought me from the fancy food shop.

"Now I have more than the cookies as a reason to make the trip, GONZO247's show "Yummy! 247" opened Wednesday at Phoenicia's MKT Bar. Food is gorgeous stuff for sure, so GONZO is showing a new spray paint and Plexi-glass series inspired by the food wonders of Phoenicia."

On view through August 31.

Staff writer and CultureMap's adventurous Houston explorer Whitney Radley's pick: Van Halen with Kool and The Gang at Toyota Center

Whitney says: "Van Halen's hard rock, complemented by the funk and R&B sounds of Kool and The Gang? Yes, they seem totally disparate — because where else would you hear "Jump" and "Celebration" in the same place, other than perhaps a grade school dance (or my parents' wedding) — but then again, it might just be the most perfect line-up. See both legendary bands live at the Toyota Center"

Sunday. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50.

Art savant, architecture junkie and totally awesome guy Tyler Rudick's pick: Dirk Rathke's Endearing the Line at Gallery Sonja Roesch

Tyler says: "As it approaches its final week, be sure not to miss Dirk Rathke's Endearing the Line show. Pieces range in size from small wall-hanging works in wood and lacquer to room-sized efforts in colored tape. The Berlin-based artist employs a number of optical tricks to draw viewers into his work — most notably in a simple collection of orange lines that fills to the back wall, floor and ceiling to create two intersecting cubes when seen from a distance. See it for yourself!"

Admission is free.