The weather is gearing towards perfection, and the Astros are dominating to-do lists. But there are plenty of events around town, some that will only cost you your presence. We've rounded up 10 great events to make the most of your weekend.
Thursday, April 5
Hot cars at the Mecum Auction
For the seventh consecutive year, Mecum Auctions returns to Houston and will hold a three-day auction where cars will be put up for auction. And what a selection of automobiles they will have on the block. An estimated 1,000 cars will be on display — from muscle cars to Corvettes to hot rods. And if you can’t make it in person, a live stream of the entire auction will be held on Mecum’s website. (NBC Sports Network will broadcast 20 hours of the auction, including 15 hours of live coverage.) Doors open at 8 am. and the auction starts at 11 am. (10 am. on Friday and Saturday.)
The Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair
Even though the 15th annual Sugar Land Wine and Food Affair has kicked off, with a $125 “One if by Land, Two if by Sea” dinner, and there are still many food and wine events going on in Sugar Land this weekend. There’s a “Grand Tasting” at the Marriott Town Square on Friday, a “Sip & Stroll” at Brazos River Park on Saturday and a “Bistro Brunch” also at Brazos on Sunday. For Thursday, there is a “Bar Fight! Street Food Bites & Bartenders Challenge” at 2110 Town Square Place (across from Perry’s Steakhouse). It starts at 7:30 pm.
Three plays in three nights at MATCH
For its third-annual Intercultural Play Reading Series, the Next Iteration Theater Company has found three potent, culturally-charged plays. First up on Thursday, Augusto Amador’s Atacama tells of two Chilean strangers searching for buried loved ones in the titular desert. Next, we have Aditi Kapil’s post-colonial journey Shiv on Friday. Finally, there’s In the Continuum on Saturday, by Danai Gurira (yes, Okoye from Black Panther!) and Nikkole Salter, which focuses on two women — one living in South Central LA and the other in Zimbabwe. All shows starts at 8 pm.
Friday, April 6
Dr. Strangelove at Landmark River Oaks
Can you think of a more apt movie to watch during these paranoid, jittery times than Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1964 satire Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb? Written by Kubrick, Peter George (whose Red Alert novel the movie is based on) and Texan man of letters Terry Southern, the film has the great Peter Sellers playing three roles: the U.S. President, a British RAF officer, and the titular mad scientist — and shows the insanity that ensues when a madman launches a nuclear attack. It starts at midnight on both Friday and Saturday.
Saturday, April 7
The Heartmade Art Market at Main Street District
You won’t find an art market out here in these streets with a more delightful name than the Heartmade Art Market. Presented by the Houston Downtown Management District (Downtown District) — along with Tracy Carlson Photography and Crush Design Co. — this third-annual, free outdoor event will feature the work of over 55 local artists, crafters and creatives. The event also benefits Hoof Prints and Heart Beats, an organization that offers free equine therapy to children and adults with special needs. It starts at 11 am.
Giada De Laurentiis at Highland Village
Giada De Laurentiis is unquestionably one of the most recognized celebrity chefs out there. For years, the telegenic, Daytime Emmy-winning culinary queen has been wowing audiences with the desirable dishes she has served up on such Food Network shows as Everyday Italian and Giada at Home. She’s also the author of eight, New York Times-bestselling books, and she’ll be in Houston promoting her latest book, Giada’s Italy. If you buy a $30 ticket to this event, you’ll get a copy of the book. It starts at 1 pm.
The “Merchant Ivory in India” series
With the news of filmmaker James Ivory, who just won an Oscar for writing Call Me By Your Name, disclosing he had a decades-spanning love affair with his longtime, dearly-departed partner Ismail Merchant, now might be a good time to check out some of the duo’s early work with the MFAH’s “Merchant Ivory in India” series, starting this weekend. First up is 1965’s Shakespeare Wallah, about a troupe of British actors who perform Shakespeare in India, and the love affair which blossoms between a Brit actress and an Indian man. The movie starts at 7 pm. (6 pm on Sunday).
Sunday, April 8
Cecile Richards at Bayou Place
Cecile Richards has been known as a lot of things: daughter of the late Governor Ann Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, a “heroine of the resistance” (that last one came from Vogue). But this weekend, thanks to the fine folks at Brazos Bookstore, she’ll be in Houston as a writer, discussing her new memoir Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out and Finding the Courage to Lead – My Life Story. If you buy a $30 ticket to this event, you’ll get a copy of the book. It starts at 3 pm.
Big Taste of Houston
If you're jonesing for another food event after Tastemakers, Big Brothers Big Sisters — Lone Star is hosting the 6th Annual Big Taste of Houston. The much-anticipated food and beverage extravaganza showcases more than 25 of Houston’s most diverse restaurants, bars, and talented chefs all competing for the prestigious “Judge’s Choice”, “Best Overall”, and “People’s Choice” awards. Delicious food, premium beverages, lively entertainment, and an incredible silent auction make this event one of Houston’s best. Look for celebrity judges Bun B, Chester Pitts, DJ Mr. Rogers, and Tray tha Truth. Event takes place at Audi Central Houston – 2120 Southwest Freeway. Tickets are $125. Event starts at 4 pm.
Tacos over Texas
And, The Ninfa Laurenzo Scholarship Fund will hold its first fundraising event, Tacos Over Texas, at The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation (2704 Navigation Blvd.). The event brings together top Houston chefs to share their cooking skills in a friendly taco competition honoring the legacy of “Mama Ninfa” Laurenzo, who paved the way for Tex-Mex cuisine with her famous Tacos al Carbon. Tacos Over Texas guests will enjoy a specialty taco from each chef, along with beer, margaritas and live music. Event runs from 12 to 4 pm. Tickets are available online from $40 to $200.
