This weekend, not one but two film festivals will be going on all through the city.
First off, the fourth-annual Houston Latino Film Festival starts on Thursday, as independent films from all over the world will be screening in different locations through Sunday. The same thing will happen at the Houston Jewish Film Festival, now in its 15th year, which kicks off on Friday and runs through Wednesday, April 10.
Aside from film fests, look for plenty of fun events this weekend, including a return to baseball (and hopefully, a World Series run).
Thursday, March 28
Official Houston Astros Opening Day Watch Party at Karbach
Karbach and the Houston Astros are celebrating the return of baseball season with a beer-and-games shindig this Thursday afternoon. In honor of the brewery's latest collaboration beer — Crawford Bock — with the Astros, there will be a pitching contest where the winner will get the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at an Astros game. The first 1,000 guests will receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Astros home opener on Friday, April 5th. Noon to 6 pm.
The Great Eureka Heights Wing Challenge
Thursday is your last chance to get wings and a pint for $10 over at The Flying Saucer. For the past month, the popular craft beer bar has had sauces from Hoppy Heat, Bravado Spice, and Big Daddy Ass Burn paired with a ton of different beers from local craft brewery Eureka Heights. There will also be a wing-eating competition at 7 pm, featuring all three sauce companies and a very special batch of house made Flying Saucer Atomic Sauce, a recipe the bar retired several years ago. Registration is $10 with over $200 in prizes up for grabs. 6-10 pm.
Goethe Pop Up Houston presents Pop Up Kino: Aguirre, the Wrath of God
For any cinephiles who ever wanted to dip their toes in the deep, deep pool that is Werner Herzog's filmography, try starting with perhaps his most iconic work, his 1972 historical epic Aguirre, the Wrath of God. The story tells of a troop of conquistadors, led by Lope de Aguirre (longtime Herzog collaborator Klaus Kinski), who journey through the Amazonian jungle in search of the legendary city of El Dorado — and the famine, illness, and madness that eventually plagues them. 7 pm.
Friday, March 29
Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park
Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park, one of the top, outdoor fine-art festivals in the country, is celebrating 48 years this weekend. The three-day fest will provide guests with the opportunity to take a vivid walk through the park, personally meet artists, view original works and purchase world-class art. They'll also have live music, entertainment, beverage stations, local food vendors, food trucks and oh-so-much more. 10 am to 6 pm.
Fresh Arts: The Glow Ball
Every year, Fresh Arts holds a big, benefit party with a very unique theme. This year's theme is The Glow Ball, complete with zany costumes, live entertainment, dancing, an art auction, light bites and drinks. As always, this annual gala raises between 15-20 percent of the organization’s revenue, making it possible for them to nurture a local arts ecosystem designed to position artists and creative entrepreneurs for success. 8 pm to midnight.
H-Town Blues Festival at NRG Park
They call it the H-Town Blues Festival and, yet, there will be performances from some artists who are known for their R&B work. We got the legendary Lenny Williams, who most likely incited many couples to conceive a child when he dropped that classic love song "Cause I Love You." Also, we have the underrated vocalist Calvin Richardson, who has worked alongside such artists as Angie Stone, Raphael Saadiq and others. Tucka, Pokey Bear, Ronnie Bell, and TK Soul are also performing. 8 pm.
Saturday, March 30
SWEAT 1000 One-Year Anniversary
SWEAT 1000, a luxury high-intensity fitness concept from South Africa, opened its first U.S. location in The Heights in 2018. That same establishment will celebrate its one-year anniversary with an all-day fitness event. They will host five classes with membership specials, raffles, a live DJ in-studio, complimentary food and drinks, and a free 45-minute class at noon for first-time, SWEAT 1000 customers. 7 am to 2 pm.
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck
Look who's returning to Houston to bring some pink cheer! Back by popular demand, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will be making a couple of stops around these parts. First, the truck will be at The Woodlands Mall this weekend, showing off such new merch as T-shirts, sequin-bow headbands, and giant Hello Kitty chef cookies. And, if you miss all the action this weekend, it'll be at Baybrook Mall — next to IT'SUGAR — next Saturday. 10 am to 8 pm.
Sunday, March 31
Siempre Selena Loteria & Market at Ray's Ice House
Sunday will mark the 14th anniversary of the untimely passing of Corpus Christi-born, Tejano princess Selena. East End Studio Gallery will be celebrating her life and her music with this loteria and art market. Danny Hinojosa of Harris County General Store & BBQ will be serving up brisket, chicken, sandwiches, etc., while Ray's Ice House will have cold brew buckets and signature drinks. And there will be a Selena performance by Jocelyn Rodriguez at 4:30 pm. 1-8 pm.
Saber Sunday Nights at a'Bouzy
Ever taken a knife to a bottle of champagne in order to pop that thing open? We hear that's the baller thing whenever you're at a hotspot. Well, starting this weekend and every Sunday following, a'Bouzy will be giving you the chance with Saber Sunday Nights. People will not only learn the fine art of sabrage, they can also compete for best aim and distance prizes. The only cost is the bottle of champagne you choose to pop (bottles start at $15). 5-8 pm.
Cheer on your Houston Astros at Karbach's Opening Day watch party.
