Weekend event planner

Here are the top 9 things to do in Houston this weekend

Don't have any weekend plans? From spectacular concerts and lively festivals to can’t-miss food events, we've got you covered. Here are our top nine picks to get out and enjoy Houston this weekend.

For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Food and wine fest
Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6
From specialty food items and culinary events to artisan exhibits, the 8th annual Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival at the Galveston Island Convention Center offers global wines paired with delicious bites, and tips from winemakers and chefs. (Various times; tickets: $30-$156 per person)
5600 Seawall Blvd, Galveston; 409-770-0999

Stand-up guy
Friday, May 5
Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno brings his stand-up comedy tour to Smart Financial Centre. Leno is currently the producer and host of online web series, Jay Leno’s Garage. (8 pm; tickets: $55-$150 per person).
18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land; 281-207-6278

Dragon boat races on the bayou
Saturday, May 6
Cheer on more than 20 corporate and community teams as they paddle their way through Buffalo Bayou at 17th annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival. Race times are staggered throughout the day (8:30 am-4:30 pm; tickets: free)
1001 Commerce St.; 281-636-5270

Celebrate Japan
Saturday, May 6-Sunday, May 7
Expect traditional, colorful decorations like koinobori carp streamers, entertainment by hip-hop dance and singing group Jr. Exile, an imperial parade by Okinawan dance troupe Kayonokai, a traditional tea ceremony in the Japanese Garden, and more at the 2017 Japan Festival at Hermann Park. (10 am; tickets: free).
1700 Hermann Dr.; 713-963-0121

Enjoy the arts
Saturday, May 6
The Rothko Chapel presents MenilFest 2017/ the Gulf Coast Indie book fest. Head to the Menil Grounds for a day of performances, readings, and a showcase of independent authors and publishers. For a full schedule of events, click here. (11 am-6 pm; tickets: free)
1533 Sul Ross St.; 713-525-9400

Adopt a pup
Saturday, May 6
Stroll, listen to live music, and adopt a pet from Pup Squad Animal Rescue at Mutts + Melodies, held on the lawn at downtown’s GreenStreet. (1-4 pm; tickets: free).
1201 Fannin St.; 713-524-0661

I feel it coming
Saturday, May 6
Grammy Award-winning music artist The Weeknd heads to Toyota Center as part of his “Starboy: Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tour,” in support of this third album, Starboy. Songs from the album, featuring guest appearances from Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, Future, and Kendrick Lamar, include the title track, as well as "I Feel It Coming," "Party Monster," and "Reminder.” (8 pm; tickets: $150 per person)
1510 Polk St.; 713-758-7200

Fab food and drinks for charity
Sunday, May 7
The Big Taste of Houston presents food and drinks from 25 Houston restaurants and bars, including Uchi, Dish Society, The Pit Room, The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation, and Bayou + Bottle. Proceeds raised benefit nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters. (4:30-7 pm; tickets: $125-$195 per person).
2120 Southwest Fwy.; 713-860-8209

Mixtape
Sunday, May 7
Chance the Rapper headlines at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. His 2016 mixtape (streaming-only album) Coloring Book won Best Rap Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards. Featured songs include “All We Got,” “No Problem,”Juke Jam,” and “Finish Line/Down.” (8 pm; tickets: $70-$372 per person)
2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands; 281-363-3300

For fun ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, check out this CultureMap story.

The Big Taste of Houston event presents food and drinks from 25 Houston restaurants and bars.

Third Annual "The Big Taste of Houston" benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters

Courtesy photo

The Big Taste of Houston event presents food and drinks from 25 Houston restaurants and bars.

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Movie Review

Elizabeth Holmes' doc You Can See Everything is an audacious genre-bender

Photo courtesy of A24

Nathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes in You Can See Everything.

Elizabeth Holmes faced one of the most public downfalls in recent history after she was accused of defrauding investors in her health technology company, Theranos. Her subsequent indictment and conviction drew the interest of many, including, it seems, comedian/actor/filmmaker Nathan Fielder. Fielder somehow convinced Holmes and her husband, Billy Evans, to make a documentary about her final days of freedom, called You Can See Everything.

It’s not immediately clear why Fielder — who only has one previous feature-length documentary to his credit — is interested in profiling Holmes, but the approach that he and co-director Lance Oppenheim (Primetime) take is one that puts Fielder in the spotlight as much as her or Evans. Fielder looms over the couple — sometimes literally, sometimes from afar — as they care for their children, make meals, try to re-establish business relationships, and prepare for Holmes’ prison sentence, which is due to start about a month after the film begins in 2023.

Fielder quizzes Holmes and Evans about predictable subjects — such as how Theranos worked, her relationship with COO Sunny Balwani, and her conviction — and ones that are slightly off-kilter, including the miniseries The Dropout, which dramatized Holmes’ rise and fall. He is met with seeming openness by both of them — the title of the movie is uttered by Holmes at one point — but there are times where their idea of transparency doesn’t jibe with Fielder’s expectations.

Through it all, the quirky reputation that Fielder has from TV shows like Nathan for You, The Curse, and The Rehearsal colors his participation, as well. He appears sincere, if surprisingly intense, in his questioning, but there are more than a few moments where it’s fair to wonder if the whole thing is an act of performance art. That suspicion grows in the second half of the nearly three-hour film as Fielder and Oppenheim go down roads that stretch the definition of what a documentary is or can be.

The film is utterly fascinating as the filmmakers go on what seems to be a full-on exploration of the meaning of truth. Holmes and Evans, either intentionally or unintentionally, carry on conversations with Fielder with wide-open, unblinking eyes, something that conveys honesty and creepiness in equal measures. Fielder meets them with squinting expressions, looking like he’s trying to determine how candid they’re actually being.

One of the biggest things the film reveals (or does it?) is that — if she’s not a sociopath — Holmes might be someone who’s either oblivious or naive. As cryptic or strange as she can be in words and actions, Evans is even more so, and as the film progresses it’s him whose motives and ideas are called into question. Control over the narrative of the film wobbles back-and-forth between Fielder, Holmes, and Evans, and even at the end it’s unclear whose perspective has truly won out.

There is no way to accurately get across what it’s like to watch You Can See Everything for the first time. The motives of everyone involved are up in the air, resulting in a roller coaster ride that’s full of astonishment, laughs, and a number of surprises. It’s an audacious film that can’t be categorized, one that will challenge the thinking of voters when it comes time for awards season.

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You Can See Everything opens in theaters on October 16.

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