weekend event planner

Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend

Pop some bottles at a'Bouzy's birthday bash.

Courtesy photo

This weekend will feature people celebrating in white linen and a rap legend performing at a museum. Or, you can join the masses at a hot champagne spot or take in some Shakespeare.

Here, then, are your best weekend bets.

Thursday, August 1

Washington Night Market at Revolver Houston
When we heard there was this new business called Daisies & Pancakes, we thought, "Wow — another pancake place!" But it turns out it's an online store that sells vintage, wearable art. They're also curating this night market, which will have vendors selling vintage clothing, jewelry, arts and crafts, and much more. A happy-hour networking mixer will pop off from 5-7 pm (complete with drink specials), and Soul Control will provide the music. Let's just hope there are pancakes. 7 pm to midnight.

Friday, August 2

a'Bouzy's 2nd Birthday Party
We can't get enough of a'Bouzy, better known as the spot where it seems they have an unlimited supply of Moet & Chandon. They will definitely be serving bottles of that during their second anniversary party, where guests can enjoy special food pairings with the purchase of each bottle. We're talking Moet and snapper ceviche, Moet and tortilla española, Moet and foie gras, even Moet and a charcuterie board. So, for all you rappers who mention Moet in your songs but have never had it — here's your chance. 11 am to 11 pm.

Ronald L. Jones and Jose Villalobos at Space HL
Space HL will have two art openings on one night. Houston artist Ronald L. Jones will have "On Topic of Race," an open-space investigation that examines the roles we are placed within as individuals with regard to race. As for San Antonio’s Jose Villalobos, he will present his solo exhibit "Gay as an Accessory, Tailored" of new and old works, this show concentrates on the idea that exists that LGBTQ+ individuals are queer by choice, as he recently experienced the same criticism. 6-10 pm.

Houston Shakespeare Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre
It appears this year’s Houston Shakespeare Festival will use theatrical blood to enhance the dramatic moments on stage during this year’s production of Julius Caesar. Don’t worry — the washable, stain-resistant concoction consists of items you might already have in your home: dish soap, sugar-free chocolate syrup, sesame tahini and non-toxic paint. In addition to that, the UH School of Theatre & Dance will feature the romantic comedy As You Like It. The festival runs through Sunday, August 11. 8:15 pm.

Saturday, August 3

Free Teacher Admission Day at Lone Star Flight Museum
The Lone Star Museum is inviting educators all over the Greater Houston area to take in its awe-inspiring features for a special appreciation day. Among the things to check out: two hangars featuring rare military, commercial and historically important aircraft, the Flight Academy and Texas Aviation Hall of Fame exhibits, and the Aviation Learning Center, complete with flight simulators. Also get information on resources, their field trip program, and much more. Just show your school badge to get in. 9 am to 5 pm.

We Do It for the Love at BauHaus
The DJ/party crew known as Crossroads has found a new venue for We Do It for the Love, their long-running, monthly shindig: BauHaus. Along with Crossroads members Noey Lopez and Sasha Braverman spinning music, the headlining special guest will be JT Donaldson, the Dallas producer/DJ who has lived and created music in some of the country's greatest EDM breeding grounds (Chicago, LA, San Francisco). Jashuwah will also be there doing a warm-up set. 10 pm to 4 am.

Sunday, August 4

Saint Arnold Root Beer Float Day
Saint Arnold is gonna have a Root Beer Float Day! We couldn't be more psyched that the brewing company will be serving root beer floats, along with some special adult variations. Every float purchase will come with a souvenir, root-beer plastic cup. They're also bringing back their "Root Beer Snob" toddler T-shirts and onesies, along with asking for school-supply donations, in partnership with Houston City Council Member Jerry Davis, District B. 11 am to 4 pm.

9 to 5 Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra
Film critic Jason Shawhan recently called 9 to 5 "an exposé of the institutionalized sexism and corruption that still plague us as a society." Yeah, it's that. But this 1980 comedy is also one of the funniest, feminist revenge fantasies ever made, with the legendary triumvirate of Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton taking on their egotistical chauvinist of a boss (Dabney Coleman). BTW, your ticket includes a themed pen and a "cup of ambition" mug. 6 pm.

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Movie Review

Shaun the Sheep welcomes spooky season with PG-scary new movie

Photo courtesy of Aardman / Sky UK LTD / StudioCanal 2026

Shaun the Sheep in Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom.

Since his introduction over 30 years ago, the Aardman Animations character Shaun the Sheep has been almost as popular as the studio’s flagship characters, Wallace and Gromit. There is never a shortage of trouble Shaun can get into as he leads his flock and proves to be a thorn in the side of his farmer and Bitzer, the farmer’s loyal sheepdog.

His antics lead everyone down some slightly spooky roads in the new film, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. At first, things are only slightly awry as Shaun and the flock are growing a secret pumpkin patch to have their own jack-o-lanterns. But when the farmer accidentally destroys the pumpkin patch, Shaun tries to regrow it quickly with a Frankenstein-esque experiment.

However, disaster looms when Shaun uses an old bottle of Hair-Gro as the container for the serum he creates. Naturally, the balding farmer uses it on his head, and everyone soon discovers how truly successful it is, with pumpkins growing out of control and the farmer sprouting hair all over his body. Through a series of mishaps, the farmer becomes the titular beast, creating mayhem while Shaun and others try to stop him.

Directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker, and written by Mark Burton and Giles Pilbrow, the film goes down just as easy as every other Aardman project has. They get the Halloween vibes started from the opening credits, with things like the sheep doing the “Thriller” dance, and continue the fun throughout, referencing everything from Psycho to Friday the 13th in a nice, PG way.

With no script — every character is mute save for reaction noises — the movie relies on sight gags for its humor, and the Aardman team is endlessly inventive in that respect. Sometimes it’s small things like a sheep using toilet paper rolls as binoculars, and sometimes it’s something like forcing the Bigfoot-like farmer to be shaped into a rectangle as he escapes through a window. But there’s a never-ending stream of such moments, so even if one doesn’t tickle your funny bone, chances are the next one will.

The biggest benefit of the characters not talking is that there’s no need for deep character development. The filmmakers do a great job of giving the basic traits of each character, and then use those attributes to color everyone’s actions for the rest of the film. Shaun is the troublemaker, the farmer is a bumbling fool, Bitzer is preternaturally smart, and the town’s vet is empathetic, and the combination of those characters and others makes for a highly entertaining blend.

Like all Aardman creations, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is a fun lark that doesn’t make its audience think too hard. With just enough references to keep viewers engaged but not so many as to be overbearing, the film puts its well-worn characters to good use once again, delivering a Halloween season story that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

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Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is now playing in theaters.

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