weekend event planner

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

Dive into The Watters this weekend at the Fall Concert.

Photo courtesy of The Watters

This weekend promises to be quite political. The third Democratic debate will be held on Thursday night at Texas Southern University. (There will also be a Trump campaign event five miles away.) There will be watch parties held at various spots, as well as a midnight rally with guests Julian Castro and Cory Booker.

For those tired of the elephant and donkey show, fear not (although, there actually is a Donkeeshow on Saturday). These diverse offerings vie for your weekend vote.

Thursday, September 12

Kevin Farley at The Secret Group
Kevin Farley followed in the footsteps of his big brother, the late, Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Farley, by studying at Chicago's Second City and even appearing in some of his brother's films. Over the years, he's done plenty of guest work in everything from Curb Your Enthusiasm to Drunk History to Hawaii Five-O. But the man has been also known to get a little bit nuts (just like his brother) while doing stand-up, which he'll be doing at The Secret Group this weekend. 8 pm.

Abundantly Queer! at Pearl Bar Houston
It appears that there has been a very interesting, possibly fabulous LGBTQ+ talent show going on right under our noses. This monthly queer showcase, hosted by synth-pop duo Space Kiddettes and "part-time rock star" Stoo, has performers and artists of all mediums hitting the stage and doing their thing. DJ HYPERFEMME, Hank Honey, and She Rex are scheduled to perform. The theme for this month's show is "Sleepover!," so wear your best jammies. Cocktails will be available, as well as vegan food from Sinfull Kitchen. 9 pm.

Friday, September 13

JLF Houston at Asia Society Texas Center
Last year was the first time the two-day, Jaipur Literature Festival came to Texas and with its success, they're doing it again this year. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen in on conversations about diverse topics like mystics and mythology, women’s issues and concerns, America’s medical industry, politics, and more. There will be a ton of internationally recognized authors, plus local favorites like Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, Lacy M. Johnson, Rekha Muddaraj, and Rich Levy. 10 am.

Fall Concert at Market Square Park
The Houston Downtown Management District will host this fun, down-home evening, where event-goers can enjoy lawn games and live music from regional musicians. Austin singer-songwriter Nakia, a fan favorite from NBC’s The Voice, will headline the show, performing with his band The Blues Grifters. Husband-and-wife duo The Watters will open with a set featuring their signature blend of Americana soul, backed by musicians from Texas groups Band of Heathens and Shinyribs. 7 pm.

Saturday, September 14

Donkeeshow Art Exhibit at The Union HTX
It's adorable that there is a mother-and-son team here in Houston making art and showing it off to people. What are their names, you ask? Why, it's Donkeeboy and Donkeemom. These two will be exhibiting a one-day immersive experience that displays their artwork at a Victorian bungalow in the heart of the Houston Arts District. This event celebrates the influences in the artists' creative world, giving a glimpse into their respective childhoods and the pop-culture icons deeply woven into the fabric of their work. 3-9 pm.

Margaret Smithers-Crump: Breaking Point Opening Reception at Rudolph Blume Art/ArtScan Gallery
With this exhibit, Houston-based Canadian artist Margaret Smithers-Crump investigates a holistic approach to the health of our planet and the human impact on the vulnerability and interconnectedness of diverse life forms and ecosystems. Smithers-Crump uses recycled plexiglas, paint, and found materials to create these artworks. Throughout the exhibition, the artworks display a tension between the freedom of natural processes and their subordination by physical or chemical means. This will run through Saturday, October 26. 6-8 pm.

Sunday, September 15

Mexican Independence Day at Picos
Mexican Independence Day is on Monday, a time to celebrate the "cry of independence" that started a revolt against the Spaniards. Picos will be celebrating this day early with a special feast. The restaurant will be throwing a Mariachi Brunch to kick off the holiday, so expect a banquet-style smörgåsbord consisting of omelette and waffle stations, strolling mariachi music, impressive paella displays, and the signature, holiday Chile de Nogada dish. 10:30 am to 3 pm.

Rear Window at Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra
Who doesn't like a good Alfred Hitchcock movie on a Sunday night? You can't go wrong with this voyeuristic 1954 classic, with Jimmy Stewart as a temporarily injured photographer (with a stylish Grace Kelly as his boo) who spends his days looking through binoculars and peeking in on his neighbors, until he begins to suspect one of them has committed a murder. Admission is free for members of Alamo's Victory program, but you can reserve your seat in advance with a $5 food and beverage voucher. 5:30 pm and 8:45 pm.

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Movie Review

An all-star cast delivers clever laughs in new comedy The Invite

Photo courtesy of A24

Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton in The Invite.

Once upon a time, well before scandal embroiled him, Woody Allen made great comedies aimed at adults. That type of film — which is different from the raunchy, R-rated comedies of the 21st century — has fallen out of favor in Hollywood, but as the new film The Invite proves, when done well it can be as funny as anything else out there.

Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde) are an unhappily married couple living in San Francisco. As we meet them, Joe has arrived home to Angela preparing for a visit from their upstairs neighbors, Hawk (Edward Norton) and Piña (Penélope Cruz), who have moved in relatively recently. Their impending arrival starts a new round of arguing between Joe and Angela, something they can barely contain once the other couple comes to their door.

What proceeds is a getting-to-know-you process that is mostly awkward as Joe and Angela continue sniping at each other while Hawk and Piña put in their two cents in a much calmer manner. A sticking point between the two couples — the loud sex Hawk and Piña have on an almost nightly basis — turns the film on its head with an unexpected invitation.

Directed by Wilde and written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, the film is a fast-paced chamber piece that takes place almost entirely in Joe and Angela’s apartment. Wilde, the writers, and the actors speed the story along not with action but through almost non-stop dialogue that often has the characters overlapping each other’s lines. The rapidity of the speech fuels the humor of the situation and establishes the differing personalities of each person.

Sex is very much top of mind for each of the characters for most of the film, but the filmmakers approach the topic in such a way that it never feels salacious. Each of the characters is a rational adult who can talk about sex in a mature manner while also acknowledging their unique feelings on the matter. And it’s the discoveries each of them makes along the way that brings about the most comedy.

But, like any comedy for adults, the film also has a dramatic tilt to it, and Wilde edges the story back-and-forth between the two tones extremely well. Joe and Angela fighting is played for laughs at times, but the sadness of their relationship comes through loud and clear. Hawk and Piña are much more intimate with each other, but the funniness of their openness is juxtaposed with a depth that arises through their conversations.

In the 2020s, Rogen has managed to make the transition from goofy stoner to stoner with real acting chops. In a stacked cast, he is the one who sells every moment the best. That’s not to say that Wilde, Norton, and Cruz don’t measure up, though; each of them inhabits their respective roles magnificently. The four actors play off each other as if they had been working together for years.

While The Invite will likely play better to those who have experience with long term relationships, its insights — and occasional bawdiness — make it a comedy that can be appreciated universally. With four actors at the top of their games and a razor-sharp script made even better by some well-done improv, it proves that you don’t need to go low to get great laughs.

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The Invite is now playing in theaters.

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