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    Texas Film Lineup

    Janis Joplin and Kid 'n Play highlight Houston Cinema Arts Festival's Texas-centric lineup

    Marcy de Luna
    Marcy de Luna
    Oct 20, 2015 | 6:45 pm

    Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the 2015 Houston Cinema Arts Festival.

    The lineup, unveiled at a cocktail party at the Alley Theatre Tuesday night, has been expanded to eight days with 60 narrative and documentary films, up from 50 last year, and a wide array of live performances. The festival, which celebrates artists in the visual, performing and literary arts, runs from November 12 -19.

    The iconic hip-hop duo Kid ‘n Play — Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin — will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their cult classic House Party, with a screening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, on November 14, followed by an audience Q&A session. The pair will also perform the movie’s “rap battle” scene at Montrose-area cafe, Brasil.

    While musicians will continue to have a presence in this year’s schedule, it’s the Lone Star State that will shine the brightest, with a day devoted to NASA ties, several up-and-coming Houston area directors honored and the premiere of a biopic on iconic singer Janis Joplin.

    "This is the most Texas-centric festival we've ever done," said Houston Cinema Arts Society artistic director and festival curator Richard Herskowitz. "We're emphasizing Texas because the quality of what's coming out of the state is so incredible."

    Texas music legends

    The festival opens November 12 with the Texas premiere of Janis: Little Girl Blue. The film, a hit at the recent Toronto Film Festival, offers an intimate and insightful portrait of the singer, who died in 1970 at the age of 27. Herskowitz was bowled over by the film when he saw it in Toronto and worked hard to get it for the Houston festival.

    The film's director, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg (Deliver Us from Evil, West of Memphis) will attend the screening and participate in a discussion moderated by another familiar hip-hop name, Bun B, who was born in Joplin's hometown of Port Arthur.

    Texas music legend Doug Sahm of the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornados will be profiled in Sir Doug and the Genuine Texas Cosmic Groove. Director Joe Nick Patoski, a noted Texas music writer who has authored and co-authored biographies on Selena, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson, will be on hand for the showing on November 13 at the Sundance Cinemas.

    Houston-area directors

    Houston native Patrick Wang, a Taiwanese-American film director, writer and actor who currently resides in New York, returns home to present two films: In the Family, his directorial debut about a man who, after losing his partner also loses custody of their son, and The Grief of Others, a new film about a couple struggling to cope with the death of their baby. Based on the novel by Leah Hager Cohen, it premiered at SXSW 2015.

    Houston-raised Trey Edward Shults, who now splits his time between Houston and Florida, wrote, directed and produced Krisha, an acclaimed film that swept the Audience and Grand Jury awards for Narrative Feature at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. Shults, along with cast — his aunt is in the title role — and crew, will present the film that follows a woman's tense return to Texas for a holiday gathering. He filmed Krisha at his parents’ home in nearby Montgomery County in just nine days with many of his own family members in the cast.

    In acknowledgment of his talents, HCAF15 will bestow the first-ever Levantine Emerging Artist Award to Shults.

    The festival will also debut I Dream Too Much, a coming-of-age film that illustrates the challenges faced by three different generations of women and families. It is the first film from director Katie Cokinos, a Texas A&M graduate and former managing director of the Austin Film Society, and is produced by Houston-born Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Before Midnight, Before Sunset), who will be at the festival to present the film.

    Space age theme

    Anchored by a new partnership with NASA, the festival will debut CineSpace Day at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, on November 13. More than 20 space-themed films and programs will be featured, including Satellite Beach from Texas natives Luke Wilson and Andrew Wilson, who will present their short film, TIME Magazine’s A Year in Space documentary series, which follows astronaut Scott Kelly on the International Space Station, and a 20th anniversary screening of Apollo 13.

    The event also marks the launch of the inaugural CineSpace competition by HCAF and NASA. The top 16 space-themed short films, whittled down from 194 submissions including one Houston finalist, will be shown throughout the day. Five winners will be announced as a well as an audience favorite.

    The festival, in conjunction with the Aurora Picture Show, will host Kidlat Tahimik, “the father of the new Filipino cinema,” a lifelong space enthusiast whose films, The Perfumed Nightmare and Who Invented the Yoyo? Who Invented the Moon Buggy?, feature a character who aspires to build a Third World competitor to NASA.

    Live performances

    Several live performances will highlight the festival. Houston gospel group, Jones Family Singers, will perform following a screening of The Jones Family Will Make A Way. Dengue Fever’s Chhom Nimol and Zac Holtzman will perform after a screening of Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock n’ Roll. And Hogan & Moss will play a 30-minute set of original Carter Family music before the showing of The Winding Stream: The Carters, The Cashes and the Course of Country Music.

    And there's more

    The festival also offers a wide array of architecture-theme films, including Telos: The Fantastic World of Eugene Tssui, with an appearance by the renegade visionary architect who is the film’s magnetic subject. The films are shown in conjunction with Architecture Center Houston, which has merged its ArCH film festival with HCAF.

    Filmmakers from Israel and Estonia will participate in a panel on the subject of fringe theater and politics. The films, Fringe Story (Israel) with director Tor Ben Mayor and artistic director Yinon Tzafrir, and Ash and Money (Estonia) with artistic directors Tiit Ojasoo and Ene-Liis Semper of Theatre NO99 in Estonia, will be featured.

    Other special programs include a tribute to Kartemquin Films, the Chicago-based documentary film collective behind classics such as Hoop Dreams and The Interrupters, with Kartemquin co-founder Gordon Quinn and documentary film scholar Patricia Aufderheide.

    And two Oscar contending movies: Carol, starring two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, and Youth with Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz and Jane Fonda, are sure to get a lot of buzz.

    Now in its seventh year, Houston Cinema Arts Festival will take place at multiple venues, including the MFAH, Sundance Cinemas, The Menil Collection, Asia Society Texas Center, Project Row Houses and Rice Media Center.

    For the full lineup, visit the website at HCAF15.org.

    Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin will be in Houston to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the cult classic movie, House Party.

    Houston, Houston Cinema Arts Fest 2015, October 2015, House Party movie poster
      
    Courtesy of Houston Cinema Arts Festival
    Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin will be in Houston to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the cult classic movie, House Party.
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    Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    May 14, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Josephine's Crawfish boil
    Photo by Quit Nguyen
    Josephine's will be serving crawfish at EZ's Liquor Lounge.

    This weekend promises to have good times, good music and a helluva lot of crawfish.

    Two different crawfish boils will be going down, certain to make any seafood lover go on a head-sucking frenzy. We also have an immersive rock experience courtesy of a legendary music magazine, the grand opening of a new sports bar, the return of a Southern hip-hop trailblazer, the 35mm debut of a recent Oscar winner, and a salute to three guys who often told people they should be dancing.

    Thursday, May 15

    ARTECHOUSE presents Rolling Stone Presents: AMPLIFIED, The Immersive Rock Experience
    Rolling Stone Presents: AMPLIFIED brings the history of rock ‘n roll to life with a dynamic mix of music and visuals. Narrated by actor/musician Kevin Bacon, the show is a guided tour through the story of revolutionary music and the changes it brought. AMPLIFIED draws from rare live performance and behind-the-scenes footage, never-before-seen moments, exclusive portrait sessions, album art, and posters, delivering one of the most comprehensive collections of rock ‘n roll imagery ever assembled. 5 pm.

    Alley Theatre presents Primary Trust
    Kenneth has lived the same routine every day for the past 15 years. During the day, he goes to work at a bookstore; at night, he goes to a tiki bar with his friend Bert. When the bookstore goes out of business, Kenneth is forced to push past his boundaries and reconcile with his past. Primary Trust is a tender-hearted tale of old friends, new beginnings, and the smallest of chances. Through Sunday, May 25. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday; 2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 and 7 pm Sunday).

    Improv Houston presents Melissa Villaseñor
    Melissa Villaseñor spent six seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, where she impersonated everyone from Bjork to Natalie Portman to Owen Wilson to fellow ex-SNLer Kristen Wiig. She’s also done extensive voiceover acting on Fox’s Family Guy, Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, and Comedy Central’s Triptank. Catch her doing her standup thing at Improv Houston this weekend. 7:30 pm (7:30 and 9:45 pm Friday; 7 and 9:30 pm Saturday).

    Friday, May 16

    La Cabra Grand Opening Weekend
    La Cabra, Houston’s newest destination for sports fans, will officially open with a two-night, grand opening celebration. Founded by former MasterChef contestant Joseph Manglicmot, La Cabra is a soccer-focused sports bar. The opening will feature a lineup of local food vendors, including Lafitte’s Seafood serving up fresh crawfish, Ceviche El Guero offering ceviche specials, and Pascual’s Tacos. Attendees can also enjoy hourly giveaways and music by DJ Maniville. 5 pm.

    The Heritage Society presents Juneteenth Legacy Project with Sam Collins
    The Heritage Society's Juneteenth Celebration kicks off with subject matter expert Sam Collins. Teaming with Sue Johnson of the Nia Cultural Center in Galveston, he and others have established the Juneteenth Legacy Project. Collins has also been involved in Juneteeth celebrations in both Galveston and Hitchcock, and other historic preservation efforts in Galveston County. Tickets include a wine and cheese reception with a pop-up exhibit by Houston Suffragists Project. 6 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Anora
    Anora (Oscar winner Mikey Madison), a young woman from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as her new husband’s parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Showing at MFAH this weekend (in glorious 35mm!), see why Anora earned the Palme d’Or at Cannes and continued to triumph through the awards season, culminating in five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

    Houston Symphony presents "Stayin’ Alive: The Bee Gees & Beyond"
    Yes, brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb were the high-pitched kings of disco back in the day. But you can’t deny these guys made some timeless bops. (It’s certainly fun watching young YouTubers discover their music.) The Houston Symphony will celebrate the best of the Bee Gees, and beyond. A cappella sensation Rajaton brings their smooth harmonies to the songs that lit up the disco era in the high-energy concert, led by principal Pops conductor Steven Reineke. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday)

    Saturday, May 17

    Johnnie Means Academy Fourth Annual International Water Safety Day Festival
    While the Houston Swim Club will host a Water Safety Day fest in Sugar Land, Johnnie Means Aquatics will have its 4th Annual International Water Safety Day Festival at Texas Southern University’s Recreation Center. Guests can expect hands-on experiences around drowning prevention, beginner swim techniques, and lifeguard safety training. Participants will hear from water safety advocates, survivors, and professionals sharing their insights and experiences. 10 am.

    Saint Julian’s Social Club presents Spring Renaissance Festival
    The circus-themed pop-up bar is teaming up with Midtown bar Winnie’s for a one-of-a-kind Renaissance Faire. The all-day, family-friendly event features axe throwing, a dunk tank, jousting, magic, face painting, juggling, tarot, and short form Dungeons and Dragons. Since it wouldn’t be a festival without food, look for Hot Cheeto fried pickles, lamb meatball sliders, smoked andouille corndog bites, and the “I Smoked At Turkey Leg Hut” — a house smoked turkey leg glazed in spicy barbecue sauce. 12 pm.

    Project Row Houses present Crawfish and Brews
    Crawfish and Brews is back, ladies and gents. Now in its 11th year, Crawfish and Brews brings the community together for music, crawfish, and fun. The event is once again partnering with Project Row Houses, an organization that has been a champion for Houston art and culture. While you get your mudbug on, you can also tour the row houses. Currently on view is Round 58: Free Someone, which celebrates Houston artists who have overcome adversity to become renowned for their artwork in public places, using the city’s landscape as their canvas. 2 pm.

    Silver Street Studios presents "Visual Symphony: The Salon Revisited" opening reception
    Silver Street Studios will present "Visual Symphony: The Salon Revisited," a showcase of contemporary art that invites visitors to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of creativity, talent, and innovation. The exhibition, inspired by the grand salon traditions of 17th and 18th-century France, reimagines the classic format to celebrate the diversity of artistic voices within our vibrant community. Through Saturday, June 21. 5 pm.

    Camo Fest: Master P and Friends
    Who wants to go back to the late ‘90s? If you miss those days, you should check out the Camo Fest, which features throwback rap from New Orleans rap king Master P and several of his former No Limit soldiers (MIa X, Choppa, Fiend, Mac, and Mercedes). Other parts of the Dirty South will also be represented: 8Ball & MJG from Memphis, Young Dro from Atlanta, Webbie from Baton Rouge, and Lil Keke from right here in H-Town. 7 pm.

    Sunday, May 18

    EZ’s Liquor Lounge x Josephine’s Gulf Coast Tradition Crawfish Boil
    EZ’s Liquor Lounge and Josephine’s will be hosting a crawfish boil this weekend at the Heights neighborhood bar. Crawfish will be $9 per pound, while sausage links will be $5 and potatoes, corn and mushrooms will be $4 each. And there will also be plenty of wet sauce to go around. 1 pm.

    Emissary Quartet and Nicky Sohn in concert
    Emissary Quartet presents a special concert featuring the world premiere of a new work by composer Nicky Sohn. This piece is part of [moment]um, the quartet’s upcoming album, set to release later in 2025. The event showcases the quartet’s innovative approach to flute ensemble music, blending contemporary artistry with dynamic programming. Alongside Sohn’s premiere, EQ will perform selections from [moment]um. 6 pm.

    The Manns in concert
    Some of you may know Fort Worth’s own David & Tamela Mann, aka The Manns, as the stars of Meet the Browns, Tyler Perry’s hit play that eventually became a movie that also was spun off into a sitcom. But the pair are also very acclaimed gospel singers. This weekend, they’ll be coming to Sugar Land in support of their 2024 album, Live, Breathe, Fight. They'll be joined by Karen Clark Sheard, Erica Campbell, Tye Tribbett, and Kierra Sheard. 8 pm.



    Josephine's Crawfish boil
      

    Photo by Quit Nguyen

    Josephine's will be serving crawfish at EZ's Liquor Lounge.

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