• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    weekend event planner

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

    Craig Lindsey
    Jul 21, 2022 | 6:00 am
    LoveLetter DJ Sun album cover
    DJ Sun presents a LoveLetter to fans and the world with an orchestral, spoken word, multimedia performance.
    Photo courtesy of DJ Sun

    This weekend starts with an evening, family-friendly shopping experience at a buzzy Heights spot and ends with a comedy festival from one of Houston's most ardent supporters — who happens to be a rap star.

    Speaking of music, a legendary Houston DJ showcases a multi-disciplinary love letter to his home town and the world, with an orchestra, rappers, spoken word visuals, and more at a vaunted local opera house. (We love that tickets are only $5.)

    A hilarious comic from 30 Rock, SNL, and more visits town, while gaming fans can enjoy a celebration of an epic on the big screen paired with a live Houston Symphony performance.

    Enjoy; here are the best bets for your weekend.

    Thursday, July 21

    M-K-T Sunset Market
    Dubbed a "feel-good market," this weeknight, family-friendly event at the buzzy Heights development is a clever spin on the usual farmers market. Shoppers can nosh on charcuterie and other select bites, catch live music, take part in face-painting on the lawn, or grab a made-to-go meal by one of Houston’s favorite chefs. For a full rundown on participants, check out the M-K-T Heights Instagram page. 5 pm.

    McKay Otto and Larry Bell opening reception at Nancy Littlejohn Fine Art
    Head over to Nancy Littlejohn Fine Art for McKay Otto's solo exhibition "Vanishing Vibrations" and, in the viewing room, Larry Bell's solo exhibition "Vapors." Texas artist Otto's current body of work may serve as a metaphor for humanity’s capacity to transcend itself. As for Bell, one of the most renowned and influential artists to emerge from the LA art scene of the 1960s, he is known foremost for his refined surface treatment of glass and explorations of light, reflection and shadow through the material. Through Saturday, August 20. 6 pm.

    4th Wall Theatre Company presents Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
    All this weekend, 4th Wall Theatre Company presents the Summer Shakes Showcase production of William Shakespeare's farcical love story, featuring performances from students of the Juilliard Drama School and Houston-area high schools. Summer Shakes is a rigorous, Shakespearean actor training program, hosted by 4th Wall. Philip Lehl, artistic director of 4th Wall and alumnus of Juilliard, serves as the program director. 7:30 pm (3 pm Sunday).

    Friday, July 22

    Houston Horror Film Festival
    Have you ever wanted to talk to Rachel True, one of the stars of the '90s teen-witch movie The Craft? Well, you'll have a chance at this three-day convention and fan expo, which will include over 70+ horror films, celebrity special guests, and special Q&A panels. The goal is for fans to have an opportunity to mingle with some familiar names in the horror genre. There will also be over 100 vendors, artists, horror memorabilia, filmmakers, apparel, authors and more. 4 pm (11 am Saturday & Sunday).

    "Earthly Delights" opening reception at Grogan Gallery
    Grogan Gallery will celebrate its one-year anniversary with its latest group show. The show is a celebration of natural wonders, featuring artwork from Josh Brown, Taryn Brown, Jennifer John, Juan Carlos Navarro, Nick Kriefall, and Elisabeth Ladwig. There will also be live music by jazz saxophone player Zach Spruill, light bites, and a festive champagne toast. Through Friday, September 9. 6 pm.

    Houston Symphony presents Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy
    Launched in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Final Fantasy, this concert tour features the music of iconic, Japanese video game composer Nobuo Uematsu. This two-night, multimedia experience combines stirring screen images to match the soaring emotions of a symphony orchestra, performing music from Square Enix’s world-renowned Final Fantasy video game series. 7:30 pm.

    Alley Theatre presents Clue
    It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a dinner party. Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget — if they make it out alive. If you're a fan of the classic board game and/or that crazy 1985 movie adaptation, this is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist. Through Sunday, August 28. 8 pm (2:30 and 7:30 pm Sunday).

    Saturday, July 23

    38th Biannual Bridal Extravaganza Show
    The largest bridal planning showcase in the U.S., will return with the most fashion shows ever. Brides, bridesmaids, mothers-of-the-bride, grooms, family, and wedding planners will have their pick of over 200 vendors that cater exclusively to the wedding industry. The show will feature cake samples, décor, flowers, 13 fashion shows, multiple Instagram walls for selfies, speaker presentations on the latest bridal fashion and trends, and entertainment from Houston’s top wedding professionals. 10 am (11 am Sunday).

    WGF Studios presents 3 the Hard Way Urban Art Show
    Over at the Art is an Asset store on North Loop, this art show will be a feast of the hip-hop elements. Three artists — Deck, Gear and Dense — will be showing off their work. (Yes, those are three different people and that's what they go by.) Rapper K.A.Y.O Da Konspiracy will do a live performance, B-Boy Craig will be spinning tunes and Just Sneaux will be selling authentic, New Orleans snowballs. 5 pm.

    The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston presents H.M.S Pinafore
    For the next two weekends, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston will celebrate 70 years of productions with this opera, featuring comedic elements filled with love, laughter and satire. After participating in Gilbert & Sullivan’s summer productions for the last 40 years, this will be Alistair Donkin’s final production. This makes it the last opportunity for Houstonians to see this world-class thespian in one of his most famous roles. 7 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

    DJ Sun's Loveletter Orchestra w/special guests Chris Dave & Fat Tony
    Veteran Houston record spinner DJ Sun will be celebrating the release of Loveletter, his latest album, with a live show at University of Houston's Moores Opera House. Sun, along with conductor Marlon Chen and a live orchestra, will be doing the whole album, along with guest appearances from Chris Dave and the Drumheadz, Tim Ruiz, Fat Tony and others. Oakland's DJ Platurn will be spinning music during a pre-show reception at 6:30 pm. Bonus: Tickets are only $5. 8 pm.

    Tracy Morgan: No Disrespect
    Along with being a master at morning show appearances, Tracy Morgan is one of the most well-respected comedians in his field, known for his roles across seven seasons of 30 Rock and seven seasons of Saturday Night Live. You might have seen him recently starring in TBS’s The Last O.G. and co-starring alongside fellow SNL vets Eddie Murphy and Leslie Jones in Coming 2 America. Catch him live — you may just get pregnant! 8 pm.

    Sunday, July 24

    National Tequila Day at Cyclone Anaya's
    Since National Tequila Day is this Sunday, head over to your nearest Cyclone Anaya's. There will be tequila specials (now through August) at all six locations across town. Specials include the Avión Mexican Martini for $15, made with Avión Silver, Cointreau, lime juice and olive juice served tableside. You can also order a special Avión Tequila Flight for $26, featuring samples of Avión Cristalino, Avión Reposado and Avión 44 Tequila. 10 am.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Baby Face
    One of the raciest movies of the early 1930s, this 1933 picture has been considered the Citizen Kane of Hollywood’s Pre-Code era—before the censorship brought by the Motion Picture Production Code. Barbara Stanwyck plays the exploited daughter of a speakeasy owner. After her father dies, she moves to New York City and turns the tables, using her brains and sexuality to move up the economic ladder. Presented (in glorious 35mm!) by film historian Bruce Goldstein via Zoom. 1 pm.

    Trae Tha Truth presents Funny By Nature Comedy Festival
    Houston rapper, record executive, and noted benefactor Trae Tha Truth, a prominent member of the Texas hip-hop scene, will host this comedy festival, as part of his TraeDay Holiday Weekend. Scheduled to appear are Karlouis Miller and Chico Bean from Wild N' Out & The 85 South Show, Blaq Ron, Money Bag Mafia, ThatBoyFunny, Daphnique Springs, Reedo Brown, and some special surprise guests. Proceeds from the event benefit Trae Tha Truth’s charity, Angel By Nature. 6 pm.

    event-planner
    news/entertainment

    most read posts

    Family-friendly Houston restaurant picks Missouri City for 6th location

    Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot expands and more popular stories

    $150 million, 12,500-seat entertainment venue coming to Houston in 2027

    Movie Review

    Avatar: Fire and Ash returns to Pandora with big action and bold visuals

    Alex Bentley
    Dec 18, 2025 | 5:00 pm
    Oona Chaplin in Avatar: Fire and Ash
    Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios
    Oona Chaplin in Avatar: Fire and Ash.

    For a series whose first two films made over $5 billion combined worldwide, Avatar has a curious lack of widespread cultural impact. The films seem to exist in a sort of vacuum, popping up for their run in theaters and then almost as quickly disappearing from the larger movie landscape. The third of five planned movies, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is finally being released three years after its predecessor, Avatar: The Way of Water.

    The new film finds the main duo, human-turned-Na’vi Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his native Na’vi wife, Neytiri (Zoë Saldaña), still living with the water-loving Metkayina clan led by Ronal (Kate Winslet) and Tonowari (Cliff Curtis). While Jake and Neytiri still play a big part, the focus shifts significantly to their two surviving children, Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) and Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss), as well as two they’ve essentially adopted, Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) and Spider (Jack Champion).

    Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who lives on in a fabricated Na’vi body, is still looking for revenge on Jake, and he finds help in the form of the Mangkwan Clan (aka the Ash People), led by Varang (Oona Chaplin). Quaritch’s access to human weapons and the Mangkwan’s desire for more power on the moon known as Pandora make them a nice match, and they team up to try to dominate the other tribes.

    Aside from the story, the main point of making the films for writer/director James Cameron is showing off his considerable technical filmmaking prowess, and that is on full display right from the start. The characters zoom around both the air and sea on various creatures with which they’ve bonded, providing Cameron and his team with plenty of opportunities to put the audience right there with them. Cameron’s preferred viewing method of 3D makes the experience even more immersive, even if the high frame rate he uses makes some scenes look too realistic for their own good.

    The story, as it has been in the first two films, is a mixed bag. Cameron and co-writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver start off well, having Jake, Neytiri, and their kids continue mourning the death of Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) in the previous film. The struggle for power provides an interesting setup, but Cameron and his team seem to drag out the conflict for much too long. This is the longest Avatar film yet, and you really start to feel it in the back half as the filmmakers add on a bunch of unnecessary elements.

    Worse than the elongated story, though, is the hackneyed dialogue that Cameron, Jaffa, and Silver have come up with. Almost every main character is forced to spout lines that diminish the importance of the events around them. The writers seemingly couldn’t resist trying to throw in jokes despite them clashing with the tone of the scenes in which they’re said. Combined with the somewhat goofy nature of the Na’vi themselves (not to mention talking whales), the eye-rolling words detract from any excitement or emotion the story builds up.

    A pre-movie behind-the-scenes short film shows how the actors act out every scene in performance capture suits, lending an authenticity to their performances. Still, some performers are better than others, with Saldaña, Worthington, and Lang standing out. It’s more than a little weird having Weaver play a 14-year-old girl, but it works relatively well. Those who actually get to show their real faces are collectively fine, but none of them elevate the film overall.

    There are undoubtedly some Avatar superfans for which Fire and Ash will move the larger story forward in significant ways. For anyone else, though, the film is a demonstration of both the good and bad sides of Cameron. As he’s proven for 40 years, his visuals are (almost) beyond reproach, but the lack of a story that sticks with you long after you’ve left the theater keeps the film from being truly memorable.

    ---

    Avatar: Fire and Ash opens in theaters on December 19.

    moviesfilm
    news/entertainment
    CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
    Get Houston intel delivered daily.
    Loading...