weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Lagoonfest hosts a triathlon and aquathon this weekend.

This weekend brings a chance of rain and with that, a chance of cooler temps. That may affect an athletic, multi-sport showdown at Texas' largest Crystal lagoon. Those who choose to stay indoors can opt for a staged version of Tina Fey's hilarious examination of mean girls. Also downtown, a beloved draught house celebrates 22 years with an epic blowout.

Art lovers can take in a summer show opening, a showcase of Texas parks imagery, a cutting-edge dance show, and a visit by a jazz superstar.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, August 18

Amazon’s Adopt-A-Shop 2022 at Independence Heights Park
Amazon has teamed up with HISD to host its annual back-to-school event to support thousands of HISD students in need. Amazon is donating backpacks, school supplies, hair-cut vouchers, mani/pedi vouchers, career guidance and more. This two-day, family-friendly event will 6,500 pre-filled backpacks, 800 haircut vouchers and 500 mani/pedi vouchers to Houston’s underprivileged youth. There will also be a live DJ, snow cones, games, food trucks and more. Noon.

Foltz Fine Art presents The Art of Texas Parks reception
Foltz Fine Art is currently hosting an exhibition and benefit sale benefitting Texas state parks, through a partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The exhibition and sale will present a preview of thirty selected works from the upcoming and long-anticipated Art of Texas Parks publication. Many of the artists and authors involved with the project will be in attendance. Through Saturday, August 27. Reception today at 5:30 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center: Mean Girls
The hilarious hit musical (based on the 2004 hit comedy) has an award-winning creative team, including writer Tina Fey (who wrote the movie), composer Jeff Richmond, lyricist Nell Benjamin, and director Casey Nicholaw. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies. 7:30 pm (2 pm and 8 pm Friday and Saturday; 2 pm and 7:30 pm Sunday).

Friday, August 19

Stardust Entertainment, LLC presents Delta H Con
Assembling fans near and far, this three-day, anime and gaming convention will inspire con-goers to embrace their inner hero, among a community of fellow pop-culture aficionados, for a weekend of anime, gaming, literature, cosplay, and more. Fans will have plenty to do with cultivated programming covering an array of fandoms and topics; unique local and national exhibitors sharing their diverse collection of handmade goods, art and collectibles; and panels featuring some of the stars in the industry. 9 am.

Summer Science Shakedown at Children's Museum Houston
Kids are going back to school, but Children’s Museum Houston is not done with summer just yet. Join them as they celebrate one last summer hurrah with interactive activities that will shake things up as kids and parents both wind down for school. There will be a live demonstration where you can float a beach ball, blast cereal across the room and launch toilet paper 20 feet into the air. You can also explore sound vibrations and learn how earthquakes make our planet jiggle. 11 am.

Summertime Art Show & Sale at Spring Street Studios
Come out for a hot summer night of art, live jazz music, food, and drinks. Meet new artists and shop an array of paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, jewelry, and more. Make your way through the building playing the Passport Game, and get a chance to win door prizes donated by the artists. Ronnie Davis & Friends will provide the music, while Treebeard's will provide the red beans and rice, chicken gumbo, and butter cake. 5 pm.

The Riot Comedy Show presents Kelsey Cook
Kelsey Cook is the daughter of an international yo-yo champion and a professional foosball player, which made for a humor-filled life at a young age. She made her late-night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, followed by other television appearances, including Comedy Central’s This is Not Happening. She has spent the last six years touring in over 60 cities across the country, splitting her time between Los Angeles and New York. 7 pm (7 pm and 9 pm Saturday).

NobleMotion Dance presents An Intimate Act
This heartfelt performance features the return of Photo Box D, the company’s seminal collaboration with light artist Jeremy Choate. Other collaborations include a climbing sculpture made by Jared Doster, an original music composition by Travis Lake, and an innovative film made in collaboration with Jeremy Stewart and A.I. technology. NobleMotion’s trademark physicality and innovation are palpable as the audience sits right on top of the action in a black box setting. 8 pm (4 and 8 pm Saturday).

Saturday, August 20

Lagoonfest Texas presents Lago Mar Multisport Festival
At this two-day, multi-sport estival, racers of all ages can participate in a 5K or 10K road race along the streets of Lago Mar on Saturday. Also happening Saturday is a youth triathlon. Those ages 6 to 10 will compete in a 75-yard swim, 2-mile bike ride and three quarter-mile run. On Sunday, youth and adults can compete in an aquathon. The full course consists of a 200-yard swim and 5K run and is for adults and youth age 11 or older. 6 am.

DACAMERA presents Houston SUMMERJAZZ: Joshua Redman 3×3
Jazz superstar Joshua Redman’s latest project is a celebration of the power of three – the music of three iconic jazz composers interpreted in the classic trio format of saxophone, bass, and drums. The music is drawn from the works of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Wayne Shorter, each of whom Redman considers “not just relevant but foundational” for today’s musicians; and the setting returns to a format that he has excelled in throughout his career. 7:30 pm.

Viva Mexico at Wortham Center
Fill your heart with pure feeling and sing along to your most beloved songs at the greatest concert of Mexican music, for the first time in the U.S. Enjoy the most beloved, Mexican music with two of the greatest Mexican singers, Fernando de la Mora (tenor) and Olivia Gorra (mezzosoprano), along with the PanAmerican Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariachi Champaña Nevin, a grand choir and the Anita Martinez folkloric ballet, under the baton of Héctor Guzmán. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Sunday, August 21

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 22-Year Celebration
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium will celebrate 22 years in downtown Houston with an epic blowout. They will tap 30 local, national, and internationally renowned beers, many of which have never been tapped before. Bingo begins at 2 pm with prizes from Eureka Heights, Duvel, Saint Arnold, Great Heights, and more. Swag giveaways will be given throughout the day, while food specials and commemorative cups and apparel will be available for purchase. Dine-in and patio dining is available. 11 am.

Nerd Market at B-52 Brewing
Over in Conroe, B-52 Brewing has teamed up with The Adventure Begins Comics, Games, and More for a super awesome, super geeky market for all ages to enjoy. Multiple nerdy vendors will be around, including Arcadeology, HTX Nitro Creamery and others. There will also be face painting, themed frozen drinks, a Mario Kart tourney, a costume contest and cosplay characters (word on the street is Doctor Strange & the Scarlet Witch will be roaming around). Noon.

True Crime Obsessed's Patrick Hinds and Friends
True Crime Obsessed is a true-crime/comedy podcast featuring hosts Gillian Pensavalle and Patrick Hinds, who recap true crime documentaries with humor, sass, heart, and just the right amount of snark. In this live show, Patrick will be joined by friends Maggie, Lance, and Tim to present their hilarious take on the absurdities of true-crime characters and storylines, tearing into a true-crime documentary using video clips, music, and their signature garbage bell. 8 pm.

event-planner

Movie Review

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg deliver comedy with depth in A Real Pain

Photo courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain.

Comedy film duos have a long history, from Laurel and Hardy in the 1920s and ‘30s to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in movies like Baby Mama. But the majority of duos have either been friends or work partners, relationships that can be close, but not as close as family. The new film A Real Pain aims for the comedy that a great duo can bring, but hits deeper because the two lead characters are related to each other.

Benji (Kieran Culkin) and David (Jesse Eisenberg) are first cousins who decide to take a trip to Poland to visit the childhood home of their grandmother, who has recently passed. Their personalities could not be more different, with David buttoned-down and reserved and Benji extremely social, if a little wild. This contrast is on display from the moment they leave on their trip, affecting almost every aspect of their journey.

The two meet up with a diverse tour group in Poland, including guide James (Will Sharpe), recently divorced Marcia (Jennifer Grey), married couple Mark (Daniel Oreskes) and Diane (Liza Sadovy), and Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), an African man who has converted to Judaism. As the group visits various historical sites, David confronts contrasting feelings about Benji, who goes from charming to abrasive seemingly at the drop of a hat.

Written and directed by Eisenberg, the film is about both the family we have and the history of those who came before us. With Benji and David being Jewish and their grandmother having escaped from the Nazis in World War II, the themes hit harder than they might in other situations. Eisenberg takes care to honor his Jewish ancestors both in the way he has Benji and David talk about their grandmother and the places they visit.

But even though emotions are heightened due to the significance of the trip, the film is far from a dour affair. Benji keeps things interesting at almost all times with a series of impulsive decisions, many that are entertaining for both the tour group and the audience watching the film. He is one of those film characters that is great to watch on screen, but would likely be too much to handle if you were confronted with him in real life.

The relationship between Benji and David is a complicated one; the two obviously have love for each other, but they rarely see eye-to-eye on the best way to approach certain situations. This tension keeps the film grounded, and Eisenberg does a great job at showing the push-and-pull the two cousins have with each other. The little moments, especially when Benji and David go their separate ways, say a lot as the characters try to reconcile where each is at in their respective lives.

Eisenberg has always been an understated performer, so this role is almost perfect for him. Culkin, fresh off his Emmy-winning role in HBO’s Succession, is an ideal foil for Eisenberg, as he has a manic energy that he can control or not control at will. It’s also nice to see Grey in action again, as she brings just the right touch to her supporting role.

The drama in A Real Pain comes from the life experiences of its two main characters, which are on full display despite the story only doling out details in small doses. The film is subtle yet powerful, a testament to Eisenberg’s filmmaking ability and the actors never trying to make too much of their scenes.

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A Real Pain opens in theaters on November 15.

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