It’s never too early to start planning for the weekend. We’ve rounded up some of the best entertainment, arts and food events in town, including festivals, concerts and pop-up dinners. Read on for our guide on what to do this weekend in Houston.
For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.
Well-wishes
Thursday, March 23: Owner of music management and promotions company, The Convoy Group, Mark C. Austin celebrates turning 40 with a blowout birthday-bash-slash-charity-concert at The Heights Theater (6 pm-11:30 pm; tickets: $14-$59 per person). Proceeds from the event, which boasts an entertainment lineup of mega-talent from The Tontons to Say Girl Say, benefit nonprofit Donate Life Texas, which supports organ donation.
339 W. 19th St.; 214-272-8346
Rockin' rodeo
Thursday, March 23:RodeoHouston welcomes Blink-182 to NRG Stadium (6:45 pm; tickets: $18-$300 per person). The band rose to fame in the '90s with witty punk-rock tunes like "She’s Out of Her Mind,” "All the Small Things,” "What’s My Age Again?, “Bored to Death,” and “I Miss You.”
NRG Stadium, 8400 Kirby Dr.; 832-667-1400
Three-day art fest
Friday, March 24-Sunday, March 26: Bayou City Art Festival at Memorial Park offers three days of fun (10 am-6 pm; tickets: $12-$15 per person; $5 per child ages 6-12). Shop works from over 300 global artists including headliner Amanda Bennett, a mixed media artist from New Orleans. The festival, which benefits several local nonprofits including Fresh Arts, Lawndale Art Center, and The Arc of Greater Houston, also boasts food truck fare (think Cousins Maine Lobster and The Burger Joint), activities for the kids, and more.
6501 Memorial Dr.; 713-521-0133
Country star
Friday, March 24: Country singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley performs at RodeoHouston (6:45 pm; tickets: $18-$300 per person). Named the Academy of Country Music’s Best New Artist in 2005 and inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008, Bentley’s hit songs include “Drunk on a Plane,” “Black,” “I Hold On,” “Different for Girls,” and “Somewhere on a Beach.”
NRG Stadium, 8400 Kirby Dr.; 832-667-1400
Art galore— and more
Saturday, March 25: From painters of all mediums and sewistas to vintage clothing vendors and candle makers, there’s something for everyone at the Art-Is-An Outdoor Market at the Energy Corridor’s Republic Square (11 am-6 pm; free to enter). What’s more, you can also expect a kid’s craft area, plus eats, beer and wine from Foodies Gourmet, Rouge Wine Bar and Le Mistral.
Republic Square, 13501 Katy Fwy; 713-777-7368
Paisley power
Saturday, March 25: Brad Paisley makes his eleventh appearance at RodeoHouston (3:45 pm; tickets: $16 per person, standing room only). Throughout his career, Paisley has had a number of hit songs including “Today,” “Without a Fight,” “She’s Everything,” “Then,” “Whiskey Lullaby,” “Alcohol,” and “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song).”
NRG Stadium, 8400 Kirby Dr.; 832-667-1400
Go fly a kite
Sunday, March 26: Bring your own kite or buy one there and cut loose at the fourth annual Hermann Park Conservancy Kite Festival at Miller Hill/ Jones Reflection Pool near Miller Outdoor Theatre (10 am-5 pm; tickets: free). Kite making lessons, face painting, and food trucks are also part of the program.
6100 Fannin St.; 713-524-5876
More rodeo fun
Sunday, March 26: We can’t get enough of RodeoHouston or the Zac Brown Band, scheduled to perform onstage at NRG Stadium (3:45 pm; tickets: $16 per person, standing room only) in the last performance in this season's lineup. Hit singles from the Grammy Award-winning country stars include “Chicken Fried,” “Colder Weather,” “Toes,” “Loving You Easy,” “Whatever It Is,” and “Homegrown.”
NRG Stadium, 8400 Kirby Dr.; 832-667-1400
Sunday funday
Sunday, March 26: It’s showtime at Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge (6 pm-2 am). The downtown cocktail bar celebrates four years of business with drink specials inspired by cult classic TV show, Twin Peaks.
308 Main St.; 718-387-6962
Pop-up supper
Sunday, March 26: CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Rising Star Chef of the Year finalist Kenten Marin launches his BIFI (by industry for industry) pop-up series this Sunday at Southern Goods restaurant (5:45 pm-8:30 pm). For only $20, score five plates of delectable Southern fare. Hurry and get your tickets now, before they sell out.
632 W 19th St.; 346-980-8152
Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge celebrates four years of business with drink specials.
