weekend event planner

Here are the top 12 things to do in Houston this weekend

Oh MY God — Friends! The Musical Parody is coming to town!

Photo courtesy of Friends! The Musical Parody

This weekend's weather may prove to be a bit of a challenge. If it stays somewhat dry, look for some fun experiences, including a beer-fueled art show, a cool kid concert, a tribute to Friends, an outdoor market, jazz in the park, and Sunday polo.

Stay dry and enjoy — here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, September 30

Nigeria Masquerade Exhibition
Many Nigerian societies have a rich tradition of masquerades. They are normally portrayed in colorful robes accompanied by traditional dancers or music. The masks adorned are determined by tradition and beliefs. The second edition of this two-night exhibition highlighting the 60th anniversary of Nigeria's independence will host the launch of "Who's Who in Nigerian Diaspora" and be unique in nature representing key tribal groups from Nigeria. There will also be featured masquerades that include Egungun, Okonko, Ekpe and Eyo. 5 pm.

Art Show at Urban South - HTX
Celebrate the opening night of a month-long art show at Urban South Brewery. Art from a variety of local artists from Houston’s Hardy & Nance Studios (not to play favorites, but we hope a lot of stuff by Blue One Thirty will be on the premises) will be displayed in the Urban South taproom for one month (all art will be available for purchase). Opening night will feature $4 off beer flights and Allwayz Hungry will be onsite serving homemade pupusas. 6 pm.

Buchanan’s Scotch Whisky presents “La Reunion”
Buchanan’s Scotch Whisky has been inspiring people to reunite with loved ones with this pop-up, community experience, that makes it easy to safely share a meaningful in-person moment together again during moments that matter for la cultura. They have a curated selection of local craft and food vendors, live music and entertainment, an exclusive live art and sneaker customization experience with FILA and, of course, complimentary Buchanan's cocktails. 7 pm.

Friday, October 1

Mitzvah City Limits
Going down at Bellaire neighborhood eatery Betsy’s, Mitzvah City Limits (don’t you just love the name?) is a rock 'n' roll concert that will feature Houston's top tween musicians, benefiting the students with learning differences at Attucks Middle School, in an under-resourced area of Houston. The proceeds will be used to secure a Nook Pod, a structure designed to serve students with neurodiversity (dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum, dysgraphia, etc.). 5 pm.

Friends! The Musical Parody
This new musical lampoons the now-iconic, ’90s TV staple that celebrated the wacky misadventures of some 20-something pals as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life and love in 1990s Manhattan. It’s a seemingly typical day at Central Perk, until an unexpected runaway bride enters the picture and kicks the whole gang out of second gear. This delightfully naughty confection plucks the best moments from the show’s 10 years and recreates the moments through an uncensored, fast-paced, music-filled romp. 8 pm (2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 and 7 pm Sunday).

Palace Social presents The Big Lebowski
Palace Social, Houston’s hottest entertainment destination, is hosting their first annual movie night, featuring the Coen brothers’ masterpiece stoner-bowling epic. Guests are encouraged to arrive in costume, and the top three winners will be rewarded with Palace Social game cards. The restaurant will be featuring specials on White Russians and 8th Wonder CBD seltzers, along with a beer and shot special. The kitchen will also be providing adult TV dinners during the movie, featuring The Palace Dude, a meatloaf sandwich, in addition to a chicken fried steak sandwich. 9 pm.

Saturday, October 2

The Houston Women’s March
The Houston Women’s March will serve as a peaceful protest of dire current events in Texas, including Senate Bill 8, which is tantamount to an unconstitutional ban on abortion; recently passed voter suppression laws; redistricting measures; discriminatory proposals harming the trans community; the inhumane treatment of immigrants along the border and throughout the state; attacks on Asian Americans; and more. Voter stations will be set up to encourage registration, inclusion and participation in the election process. 9 am.

Boheme Bazaar
Boheme, Montrose’s preeminent neighborhood patio bar and cafe is hosting a weekly treasure hunt every Saturday in October. This outdoor market under a beautiful shaded patio, offers a curated mix of vintage & modern adornments and decor — kimonos, intention jewelry, statement pieces, upcycled china, irresistible accessories and more presented by such vendors as Babe City Blooms, Kimono Zulu, The Blessings Gallery, etc. 11 am.

G Spot Gallery presents David A. Brown: "Sequence: drawings and photographs" opening reception
David A. Brown offers a succession of related shots or scenes developing a single subject or phase of a film story. This project deconstructs drawings and photographs into a familiar geometry by pushing and pulling depth of field, repetition, and composition. Over the past few years, he has been working on this series. Each piece starts off as a single drawing or photograph and it is abstracted through repetition. Creating this work is a meditative process which creates a sequence of images that he uses to create visual phrases. 6 pm.

Sunday, October 3

PrintMatters Houston presents Rockin’ Rollin’ Prints
PrintMatters Houston will present the return of its biennial steamroller event. This year’s artist theme is “2020 VISION.” The event will feature approximately 50 artists, with each artist providing a carved 3x5-ft. woodblock to be inked and printed live, using a two-ton steamroller as a printing press. The finished oversized prints will be displayed for viewing and available for purchase. In addition, there will be a PrintMarket where members of PrintMatters will display and sell their work inside of the museum during the event. 8 am.

Discovery Green Conservancy presents Jazzy Sundays in the Parks
Discovery Green is partnering with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Emancipation Park Conservancy and DaCamera this fall to celebrate the legacy of jazz in Houston. This free, live music series is made possible by the Kinder Foundation. First on stage this weekend is Raquel Cepeda. Artists who are scheduled to perform later in the month include Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet, the Vanguard Collective and whoever else is part of the Mavis Staples Series Spectacular. 4 pm.

U.S. Polo Association presents Rosé Cup
Over at the Houston Polo Club, the Rosé Cup will feature a polo match, a player parade, expert announcing, a best hat contest, live music, champagne divot stomp at halftime and a special trophy presentation. Witness these two teams of the week go head to head, pony to pony! Ruth’s Chris (aka the best steakhouse with the oddest name) is the onsite concession, offering casual menu choices and a premium bar menu. 4 pm.

event-planner

Movie Review

Timothée Chalamet cements star status in new movie Marty Supreme

Courtesy

Timothée Chalamet

In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also earned an Oscar nomination for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).

Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.

Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.

Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.

Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.

Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.

Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.

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Marty Supreme opens in theaters on December 25.

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