weekend event planner

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

Raise a glass at Saint Arnold's Pub Crawl this weekend.

We wouldn't blame anyone for staying in the ice-cold air conditioning this weekend, but for those who venture out, plenty of fun awaits. Thousands of locals and visitors will descend upon downtown for the biggest pop culture convention in Texas.

Francophiles can celebrate Bastille Day, while beer fans can raise a glass a big pub crawl. Nature lovers can learn the secret life of bees, while Rick James gets his due in a funky musical. And sneakerheads can get their kicks at a cool pop-up.

Stay cool, here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, July 14

Bastille Day Houston
Co-organized by the Consulate General of France in Houston and The French-American Chamber of Commerce in Texas, Bastille Day Houston features French wine and offerings from Flo Paris, Magnol Bakery, La Tartine Houston, French Corner Crêpes, and Arts & Crêpes. There will also be family entertainment, pétanque, PSG Academy, face painting, balloon animals, and French DJ Julien Nolan. 6 pm.

The Masked Singer National Tour
The Masked Singer National Tour will bring the No. 1 show on television to the next level on its first-ever, North American tour. It will be hosted by former contestant and Grammy-nominated singer Natasha Bedingfield. Audiences can expect to see their favorite characters brought to life, as well as surprise celebrity guests, new performances, and a can’t-miss, spectacular live show. The only question remains: Who’s behind the mask? See if you can guess before the end of the show. 7:30 pm.

Super Freak: Because of Rick James at MATCH
This is the final weekend to catch this funkafied, coming-of-age musical. Set in 1979, it follows the life of Sherman, on his journey to find his glow while working for Rick James -- aka the King of Punk Funk. While navigating college, peer acceptance, and living up to others' expectations, it takes the wild and crazy James to help Sherman learn that fitting in isn't important _ but busting out is. This is a must-see for fans of James and his funk classics (or those who mostly know him from that Chappelle's Show episode where Charlie Murphy told insane stories about hanging with James). 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday).

Friday, July 15

Comicpalooza
The biggest pop culture-anime-gaming convention in Texas is back for a weekend of fun for locals and visitors at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Expect thousands to show up in their best cosplay for three days of celebrity panels, discussions, gaming contests, techy demonstrations, anime displays, tons of shopping, and much, much more. Don't miss the opening night party on Friday that features a dance bash and Mario Kart (64, natch) battles. Check out our full story here. Starts Friday.

Anya Tish Gallery presents "Hot Girl Summer" opening reception
Anya Tish Gallery presents a group exhibition featuring work in a variety of media by regional and international artists. The iconic, hot Texas summer has inspired a showcase of fresh, vibrant and energetic works, that range from an inflated steel popsicle, toy guns, melting drips, to neon fuzzy creatures and abstract spaces. In their attention-grabbing works, the exhibiting artists prove that color and humor are effective tools to examine the complex ways in which society values physical, social and conceptual spaces. Through Saturday, August 27. 5 pm.

Blaffer Art Museum presents Maria A. Guzmán Capron: "Forma Seductora" and Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin: "Wayfinding" opening reception
Blaffer Art Museum presents the first solo museum exhibition in the United States for Maria A. Guzmán Capron, and first solo museum exhibition in Texas of artistic and life partners Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin. Capron creates fantastical hybrid figures that explore converging forms of identity, culture, desire, and social exchange. And Vaughan and Margolin have spent the majority of their artistic lives mining the habitually marginalized and unheralded histories of LGBTQ communities across the U.S., and how the legacies of elements found and forgotten affect the contemporary queer experience. 6 pm.

14 Pews presents Children of Paradise
If you're still in a Bastille Day kind of mood, check out what is widely considered one of the greatest French films of all time. Poetic realism reached sublime heights with Marcel Carne's 1945 picture, made under war conditions in both Vichy France and Occupied France. This nimble depiction of 19th-century Paris' theatrical demimonde follows a mysterious woman (French actress/singer/model Arletty) loved by four different men: an actor, a criminal, a count, and, most poignantly, a mime. 7 pm.

Improv Houston presents Shuler King
Shuler King is probably the only comedian/funeral director on the comedy circuit. The South Carolina native has opened for some of the most notable and talented comedians and comediennes in the industry. You can also catch him as one of the revolving regulars on Nick Cannon's Wild 'N Out. He credits his parents’ strict yet loving upbringing, his harsh surroundings growing up, and the state of the country today with giving him his comedic style, which he describes as raw. 7:30 and 9:45 pm (7 and 9:30 pm Saturday).

Saturday, July 16

Buffalo Bayou Partnership presents Pollinator Walk
Journey through the secret life of plants with this morning-time event. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other creatures transfer pollen among flowers, enabling the incredible diversity of plants on our planet to flower and fruit. Dr. Gabriela Sosa, BBP’s conservation manager (and a representative from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension) will lead visitors on a walk along Buffalo Bayou Park to identify those native plants and flowers that attract the necessary pollinators that the Buffalo Bayou ecosystem relies on. 9 am.

Saint Arnold’s Pub Crawl
Saint Arnold Brewing Company will host their popular pub crawl through downtown Houston. The event will begin at various bars in and around the Historic District area, where people can enjoy tasty Saint Arnold beverages along the way. Eventgoers will have until 6 pm to visit all the stops along the way before reporting back to Market Square Park for their official Saint Arnold pint glass. They can also celebrate a job well done with live music and Greek eats from Niko Niko’s. 2 pm.

RAXX Sneakers & Vintage Fest
All the local trend junkies may want to head down to 8th Wonder Brewery this weekend. That’s where vintage store RAXX will be having a night market that’ll also double as a sneaker and vintage-clothing festival. About 40 vendors will be around selling old-school/new-school threads and kicks for people looking to update their swag. There will also be food trucks, a DJ and a raffle where five lucky people will walk away with a backpack from BAPE (A Bathing Ape). 4 pm.

Inspire Film Festival presents Los Hermanos (The Brothers)
Ilmar and Aldo López-Gavilán are virtuoso Afro-Cuban musician brothers. At 14, Ilmar outgrew his island teachers and was sent to the U.S.S.R. to study violin. Younger brother Aldo grew up mentored by Cuba’s impressive jazz and classical pianists, his extraordinary talent achieving renown on the island, but stymied elsewhere by the 60-year-old U.S. embargo. Tracking their parallel lives, poignant reunion, and momentous first performances together on stages across the U.S., this is a nuanced, intensely moving view of nations long estranged, through the lens of music and family. 7:30 pm.

Miller Outdoor Theatre presents Vertigo: One. One & One
This piece by artistic director Noa Wertheim revolves around the individual’s inner need to be whole. Set to a powerful original score by Avi Belleli and performed on a dirt-covered stage, the work is also a sensory experience as the shifting dirt - with its smell and dust - transports the audience to a country bound by the desert. Through compelling solos, duos and ensemble sections, the cast of nine powerful dancers explores the individual’s desire to feel complete, while recognizing the spiritual need for community and connection to the natural world. 8:30 pm.

Sunday, July 17

The Divine Darlings Burlesque Troupe presents Burly Soirée
The Divine Darlings Burlesque Troupe will present an afternoon of lace, leather, glitz, and glamour with six burlesque performers from Houston and beyond. There will be in-house drinks from 8th Wonder Distillery and multiple food options within walking distance (that you can bring into the Distillery). First come, first served. It's hosted and produced by Lady AnnaBelle (aka The Lovliest Lush in the South). Performers will include Reina LaRouge, Mak Fontina, Sadie Mercedes, Zucifer Morningstar, and Phathoms Deep. 2 pm.

Legacy Community Health presents 20th Annual Mint Julep
It will be “An Afternoon at Moulin Rouge” at this 20th annual event, benefiting Legacy Community Health Services. This year’s event is honoring retired Legacy CEO Katy Caldwell, along with longtime Legacy supporters Domenic Cusano and Felicia aka Scarlett St. John. Sponsorships are available and all proceeds benefit HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment programs at Legacy. This legendary LGBTQ event will provide and entertain guests with an afternoon of big hair, outrageous outfits, and fabulous performances. 3 pm.

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Movie Review

Timothée Chalamet cements star status in new movie Marty Supreme

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Timothée Chalamet

In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also earned an Oscar nomination for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).

Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.

Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.

Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.

Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.

Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.

Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.

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Marty Supreme opens in theaters on December 25.

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