Houstonians looking for a reason to celebrate this weekend can rejoice: Mexican Independence Day is upon us. On Sunday, September 16, several places around Houston will celebrate the "cry of independence" which set off the Mexican revolt against the Spaniards.

Axelrad and El Big Bad will be throwing tequila and margarita-filled parties, while Vertigo Bar will celebrate the Guatemalan Independence Day (which is technically on Saturday) with a live performance from Internationals Conejos.

This weekend offers plenty of options before and after those festivities. Here's our list of things to do.

Thursday, September 13

Sink your teeth into "DRACULA! Inspirations"
The late Edward Gorey was an artist with a flair for the macabre. In 1977, a special edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula was filled with his illustrations. Corey was also the scenic designer for the 1977 Broadway-play revival. His pen-and-ink drawings and set designs for that play (which were recreated for the Alley Theatre's 2014 production) will be on display at this exhibit, which will run through November 9. 8 am.

Meat up at the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo BBQ Cookoff
We love barbecue. Can't get enough of it. So, when a three-day event rolls around promising nothing but grilled-meat goodness, you know we're gonna give it some love. That's what gonna happen at this extravaganza, which will have 200 cookoff spaces, vendors galore and a carnival. The rodeo will also raise money for educational scholarships. 5 pm.

Friday, September 14

Backyard Jams rocks out at Market Square Park
Remember when we said last month that Backyard Jams, the Houston Downtown Management District, outdoor concert series, was pretty much done for the year? Well, psych! The Jams will continue this weekend, as retro rock band Acid Carousel and shoegaze chill wave group Small Chair provide the music and Saint Arnold Brewing Company provides the brewskis. 7-10 pm. (Update: This event has been rescheduled to September 21.)

Guzzle martinis at "Martini Madness! A Space-Age Soiree"
Starting Friday, you can see Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively toss back one martini after another in the new movie A Simple Favor. But if you want to guzzle some cocktails, there is annual event happening later that evening. This year's shindig will be space-themed, and attendees are encouraged to show up in their flyest space gear so they compete in the costume contest. 7-11 pm.

Truth to power with DeRay Mckesson
Civil rights activist/podcaster DeRay Mckesson has been a Patagonia vest-wearing man of the people ever since he moved to St. Louis a few years back and began bringing more awareness to police violence in the wake of Ferguson. You can now add author to his profile, as he'll be in town to promote his new book, On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope. 7:30 pm.

Catch The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night
Back in the '60s, someone had the idea to put The Beatles in a movie, during the height of Beatlemania. But who knew the Fab Four would make their screen debut in the 1964 film A Hard Day's Night, easily one of the most entertaining, enjoyable films of all time? Directed in cinema-verite, black-and-white by the great Richard Lester, this raucous musical comedy is back in a digitally restored print. 11:59 pm.

Saturday, September 15

Budweiser throws a big brewery backyard party
With Budweiser's Backyard, the folks at Budweiser are saying thanks to the communities where this beer is brewed by giving them a free shindig where everyone is welcome. The Houston event will be jam-packed, with a Budweiser Clydesdales hitch parade, food trucks, live music from country artists Seth Ennis and Ben Gallagher and, of course, beer, which you can see brewed during a complimentary tour. 11 am-4 pm.

Former Daily Show star (and future Netflix star) Hasan Minhaj
Hasan Minhaj is a former Daily Show correspondent who'll be getting in bed with the streaming giant Netflix when his weekly news show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, debuts in October. But, until then, you can see this fast-talking comic at not one, but two shows this weekend. 7 and 10:30 pm.

Cutting comedy with Hannibal Buress
Hannibal Buress once did a bit where he reminded everyone of Bill Cosby's rape accusations, officially setting off that man's downfall. Now that we've gotten that oft-mentioned tidbit out the way, let's talk about how Buress is thriving these days. There doesn't seem to be a summer when he's not in a blockbuster or two. (He was recently in the comedy Tag.) And he also got himself a podcast, Hannibal Buress: Handsome Rambler. 8 pm.

Sunday, September 16

Toast DJ Screw with Screwed Up Sunday at 8th Wonder Brewery
It's been 18 years since we lost the one-and-only DJ Screw, local rap legend and creator of the "chopped and screwed" sound, from a codeine overdose at the age of 29. Now, 8th Wonder Brewery and Donkeeboy Art & Screwville have teamed up to pay tribute to the man and his legacy with this fourth-annual event, which will offer up live music along with a limited-edition, DJ Screw pint. 11 am-6 pm.

Get your afternoon tea on with "Cuppa Rosie Lee: Tea Tasting with Laurin"
We don't know how you start off your mornings. But, for some of us here at CultureMap, we like to begin things with a nice, calming cup of tea. If you crave tea like we do, there's a tea tasting that might get you all in a tasty tizzy. You'll be able to taste six different teas and learn what makes them unique. Petite scones will be served, and everyone who attends will receive a free bag of tea to take home! 3-5 pm.