weekend event planner
Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend
Somehow, it's August. In no time, we'll be in the midst of back-to-school events and preseason football. For now, your to-do list consists of cutting-edge art shows, some fun movie screenings, sumptuous dinners, and a DJ from Down Under. Here are the top things to do this weekend.
Thursday, August 2
Take in a chic fashion show and art show with B. Anele: I Don't Play That Game
Houston-based artist B. Anele is a self-described "transdisciplinary" artist. (And for those who would like the definition of that word, it relates to more than one branch of knowledge.) Anele's new solo exhibition, B. Anele: I Don't Play That Game, does appear to be a clever cross-smattering of various forms of artistic expression. The exhibit will show off Anele's latest work, from raw-canvas sculptural garments and portraiture to soft-sculpture. Game, which runs through October 7, will kick off with a fashion show and reception, where current HCCC artists will have their studios open, and Buffalo Bayou Brewing will provide the beer. 6-8 pm.
Get a preview taste of the new Heights restaurant, La Lucha
Superstar chef Ford Fry will soon open a new restaurant in Houston called La Lucha. Inspired by the legendary Monument Inn restaurant, this Heights-based eatery will offer a chicken and oysters menu, along with signature cocktails like the "First Things First" (genepy, gin, kina, club soda) and the "Dad's Daiquiri" (rum, lime, Combier, Fernet, cracked pepper). Unfortunately, La Lucha isn't ready for business just yet. Thankfully, the staff will be giving a taste of what they'll be offering with a special preview pop-up at State of Grace's oyster bar — all for $25. 4-6 pm.
Friday, August 3
Sniff some glue and talk some jive at The Airplane! Movie Party
Here's the deal: Airplane! is, if not the, then one of the funniest movies ever made. The iconic writing-directing team of Jim Abrahams and brothers David and Jerry Zucker took the disaster-movie genre for an insanely absurd spin in 1980, by getting a cast of veteran, dramatic actors (Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges) and having them say and do the craziest, wackiest stuff with a straight face. (Who can forget Nielsen's classic "Don't call me Shirley" line?) This is basically the spoof movie that begat all spoof movies, and the Alamo Drafthouse will give it the movie-party treatment. 7:30 pm.
The controversial play Porcelain begins its monthlong run
Chay Yew has written many provocative plays in his time. He's even been been banned from his native Singapore for the divisive drama he often brings to the stage. His 1992 play Porcelain is no different. It's about a young, Chinese-British gay man in London who has been arrested for the shooting death of a white man in a public restroom. It seems our protagonist has been looking for love in all the wrong places. This production is being put on the Caduceus Theater Arts Company, and will run through August 26. 8 pm. (2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday.)
Saturday, August 4
Artist Cressandra Thibodeaux opens up her "My Box Series"
At first glance, artist Cressandra Thibodeaux's "My Box Series" sounds like a titillating spectacle. This mixed-media, solo art exhibition mostly consists of 15 female nudes, printed on brushed aluminum with videos placed where their, ahem, "box" should be. But once you learn that these videos are actually clips of politicians fighting women's bodies, you realize that this exhibit is more about the battle over reproductive rights than showing naughty nudes in an art gallery. This exhibit, which coincidentally will be at the G-Spot Contemporary Art Gallery, will run through August 26. 6 pm.
Blast off with Wes Anderson's first film, Bottle Rocket
Bottle Rocket, the 1996 debut film from Houston-born writer-director Wes Anderson, seems like it was made by an entirely different person from the Wes Anderson cinephiles know and love today. Yeah, the film has a quirky premise — three Texas friends (brothers Owen and Luke Wilson and Robert Musgrave) trying/failing to become well-oiled outlaws — but it doesn't have the twee, detailed, damn-near obsessive-compulsive trademarks of Anderson's future, acclaimed films. But this movie — one of Martin Scorsese's faves, by the way — is still some inspired, blue-collar fun. 11:59 pm.
Sunday, August 5
Take a spin with popular Australian DJ Tigerlily
Don't ever let people tell you that DJing is strictly a man's game. Dana Kristen Hayes didn't pay attention to any of those sexists, which explains why the young Australian has been killing parties and shows all over as record-spinning goddess DJ Tigerlily. Her svelte frame and aquamarine-tinted hair have definitely helped her Instagram game. However, she has acquired quite the fanbase in her native Australia and EDM pro Tiesto even brought her along when he toured here a few years back. Watch her in action during Cle's "Summer Sessions" party. 2-8 pm.
Enjoy Sunday supper for a good cause with the Rotary Wine Appreciation Dinner
Arts/advocacy network Vox Culture and the Rotary E-Club of Houston (in honor of the Rotary Wine Fellowship) have come together to organize a fundraising dinner. For starters, they snapped up veteran chef Soren Pedersen (of the cooking show Currant Kitchen) to create a six-course dinner menu. They also hollered at wine educator/sommelier Stephanie Earthman Baird to come up with wines to accompany each of those courses. This Rotary Wine Appreciation Dinner will raise funds for the late financial strategist Martin Bailey's garden/sustainable green space at Wisdom High School. 7-9:30 pm.
