Why not make the most of your weekend break by planning ahead of time and saving yourself the last-minute scramble? Below are nine can’t-miss events, from a Game of Thrones musical journey to the Tour de Houston fundraising bike ride. For other options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar. And for shamrock shindigs on St. Patrick's Day this Friday, check out this CultureMap story.
Cue the music
Thursday, March 16: Musician Ben Folds hits the Jones Hall stage (7:30 pm; tickets: $29-$99 per person), along with the Houston Symphony, to perform selections from his latest album So There, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Classical and Classical Crossover charts. (615 Louisiana St., 713-224-7575)
Girl power
Friday, March 17: Fifth Harmony, the all-female group formed on the second season of TV’s The X Factor, makes their debut appearance at RodeoHouston (6:45 pm; tickets: $18-$300 per person). Hit songs by the R&B-pop singers include: “Work From Home,” “Worth It,” “All In My Head (Flex),” “That’s My Girl,” and “Sledgehammer.” (NRG Stadium, 8400 Kirby Dr.; 832-667-1400)
Winter is coming to Toyota Center
Friday, March 17: The Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience heads to downtown’s Toyota Center (8 pm; tickets: $59.50- $250). Using state-of-the-art technology, Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi, with a full orchestra and choir, presents fans of the Emmy Award-winning HBO series with a musical journey through the Seven Kingdoms. (1510 Polk St.; 713-758-7200)
Museum social
Friday, March 17: Members of the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s young professionals group, HMNS Catalysts, are set to host social soiree Mixers and Elixirs,at the museum (8 pm-midnight; tickets: $15 for members of HMNS Catalysts, $25 for non-members). Hit the dance floor to tunes from Top 40 to hip hop by Satellite Band, imbibe sips from a cash bar, and enjoybites from food trucks including Nom Mi Street, OffBeat Eatz and It's a Wrap. (5555 Hermann Park Dr.; 713-639-4629)
Wakey bakey
Saturday, March 18: Turning unfavorable Yelp reviews into Saturday morning deliciousness at 10 am this Saturday, Midtown’s Fluff Bake Bar serves up baked goods, including Little Debbie themed brownies and its first-ever cannoli, inspired by comments on the popular review site. (314 Gray St.; 713-522-1900)
Dance the day away
Saturday, March 18: It’s live music galore at the Houston Zydeco Fest at Jones Plaza (12:30 pm-10 pm; tickets: $15 per person). The laundry list of bands includes Guyland and the Zydeco Blazers, Wayne and Same Ol' 2 Step, Keyun and the Zydeco Masters, and Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers. (Jones Plaza, 600 Louisiana St.)
Beer abound
Saturday, March 18: The folks at 8th Wonder Brewery celebrate four years of business with a blowout bash, the Celebr8ion of Beer (2 pm-10 pm; tickets: $35-$150 per person). Fill up on fare from several food trucks, including Eatsie Boys, and wash it all down with 8th Wonder beers. Rock out to music by four-piece band White Denim, Dumpstaphunk funk band, Vinyl Ranch, and more. (2202 Dallas St.; 713-229-0868)
Free flick
Saturday, March 18: Bring a blanket and kick back on the courtyard lawn at LaCenterra while you catch a screening of musical comedy School of Rock, starring Jack Black (7:30 pm). Presented by Alamo Drafthouse, admission is gratis. (23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy; 281-395-5533)
Spin city
Sunday, March 19: Mayor Sylvester Turner leads this pack of all-level cyclists as they take a spin around town at Apache Corporation’s Tour de Houston (7:30 am; tickets: $20-$40 per person). Choose between 43.55- and 20-mile routes. Both begin at City Hall. (901 Bagby St.; 832-393-0868)
The Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience hits downtown’s Toyota Center.
